The Ascott Limited | Signed a Franchise Agreement for the Development of New Serviced Residences in Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria

The Ascott Limited, a real estate and lodging company founded in 1984, a subsidiary of CapitalLand, a relevant group based in Singapore focused on investment, development and management with locations in more than 260 cities in over 40 countries, has announced the signing of a franchising agreement for Somerset Way Lagos, serviced residences that will open in Lekki,  a city in Lagos State, Nigeria located to the south - east of Lagos City, on a naturally formed peninsula adjoining to its west Victoria Island and Ikoyi districts with the Atlantic Ocean to its south, Lagos Lagoon to the north and Lekki Lagoon to its east.

The agreement was signed with Admiralty Hotel Company Limited, a Nigerian real estate development company, and Aleph Hospitality, the largest independent management company in the Middle East and Africa, a group based in Dubai, UAE with offices in Saudi Arabia specializes in operations and development of internationally recognized brands, during the FHS World event in Dubai,  on 29^th October 2025.

The development is part of The Ascott Limited’s strategy to expand its presence in Nigeria complementing the upcoming Citadines Purplelekki Lagos. The Somerset Way Lagos will be developed by Amiralty Hotel Company Limited and operated by Aleph Hospitality.

The project is currently in the pre - design stage, with The Ascott Limited’s Project and Technical Services team working with the appointed architect and Aleph Hospitality to ensure the compliance with brand specifications and sustainability standards.

Somerset Way Lagos will be located along Admiralty Way in Lekki, a district within Lagos, near major commercial hubs like Victoria Island, The Palms mall and Lekki Free Trade Zone. The area, a vibrant hub for shopping, dining and entertainment features a mix of modern amenities and natural attractions like the Elegushi and Lekki Beaches, the Lekki Conservation Centre with its canopy walkway, and cultural sites such as the Nike Art Gallery.

The property is scheduled to open in October 2028 and will feature 135 serviced apartments, a restaurant, a bar, a swimming pool, a fitness centre and meeting rooms.

With the addition of Somerset Admiralty Way Lagos, The Ascott Limited' s portfolio in Africa will include 22 properties across countries such as Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Morocco, and Senegal, totalling over 2.500 units in operation or under development.

This expansion aligns with Ascott’s regional strategy to achieve 20% annual growth over next five years in the Middle East, Africa, and Turkey. By 2030,  the company aims to have 15.000 units in operation or under development in the region. 

Lekki serves as a hub for multinational corporations and is undergoing significant infrastructure development, including the construction of the Lekki Deep Seaport and a proposed new airport.

In addition the  city is very close to Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital, a key market for the hospitality industry, attracting over 1.3 million international visitors annually. The city’s tourism performances are marked by a vibrant and evolving entertainment scene, hosting various events, festivals and concerts throughout the year.

Links

https://alephhospitality.com/news/the-ascott-limited-expands-in-africa-with-signing-of-somerset-admiralty-way-lagos/

https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article138710.html

Dolly Parton’s Song Teller Hotel and Dolly’s Life of Many Colors Museum, Both to Set to Open in June 2026 in Downtown Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.

Dolly Parton’s SongTeller Hotel and Dolly’s Life of Many Colors Museum are both to set to open in June 2026 in Nashville, vibrant capital and most populous city in the US state of Tennessee, the seat of Davidson County and located on the banks of Cumberland River.

Both the hotel and museum are positioned in downtown Nashville, well known for its lively atmosphere, a rich cultural scene and home of Vanderbilt University, legendary country music venues and various attractions include the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the Grand Ole Opry House, Ryman Auditorium and the Johnny Cash Museum celebrating the singer’s life.

The development is part of the region’s ongoing growth, which continues to attract visitors interested in music and cultural experiences and reservations and pre - sale tickets are now available for Dolly Parton’s SongTeller Hotel and Dolly’s Life of Many Colors Museum.

The hotel designed to offer an experience that reflects Parton’s connection to Nashville’s music scene will open its doors at 211 Commerce Street, just blocks away from the iconic landmarks of Music City, such as the Country Music Hall of Fame and Ryman Auditorium.

The property inspired by Dolly Parton’s life and career will feature 245 uniquely designed rooms and suites with Southern charm and city/river views, two live music venues, Parton’s Live and Jolene’s, located on the 11^th floor with views of downtown Nashville, which will host performances by local artists, and an on - site restaurants with Nashville - inspired cuisine.

The museum located on the third floor of the hotel, will cover over 20.000 square feet and will host exhibitions that highlights Dolly Parton’s career in music, film, philanthropy and television, offering a glimpse into her life on the road, on movie sets, and backstage at iconic moments.

Visitors can expect to see costumes, handwritten lyrics, multimedia installations and stories from Dolly Parton perspective, including her personal values of family and faith. The museum also includes a dedicated “Writing Room” highlights the importance of songwriting in her career, two retail stores selling official merchandise and the SongTeller Café.

Link

https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article138687.html

IHG Hotels & Resorts | Unveiled Plans to Open a New InterContinental Hotel in Prague, Czech Republic

IHG Hotels & Resorts, British multinational hospitality company based in Windsor, Berkshire, England, UK has unveiled plans to open a new InterContinental hotel in Prague, Czech Republic’s capital and largest city, one of the most charming cities in the world, located on the banks of the Vltava River, a centre boasting  unique cultural and historical heritage highlighted by stunning Baroque, Gothic, Renaissance and Romanesque architectonic treasures, nicknamed “The Mother of Cities” or “City of Hundred Spires”, a destination of incomparable beauty and sophistication boasting a magic aura all around its boundaries.

The future InterContinental Prague is set to open in the first half of 2029, marking the brand’s return in the Czexh capital and will be the third IHG Hotels & Resorts property in the city, joining the existing Holiday Inn Prague Congress Centre and Holiday Inn Prague Airport.  

The hotel will be located at Jeruzalémská, 1 in Prague’s Old Town close to the stunning Jubilee Synagoue, a vibrant Moorish Revival and Art Nouveau masterpiece with rich interior patterns, and several notable Prague’s attractions including Old Town Town Square, Charles Bridge, and a short distance from the main railway station.

The property will be hosted in a historic building, which dates back to 1839, has previously served various purposes, including a dance hall, theatre, and office space, and managed by Generali Real Estate which will lead the renovation project.

The hotel will feature 137 rooms, a bar, a restaurant, the brand’s signature Club InterContinental lounge, a luxury spa with a wellness area and pool, and a private garden and conference facilities, catering to both leisure and business travellers.

InterContinental Prague will join the InterContinental brand characterized by a focus on global sophistication, connecting worldly travellers with authentic local culture through personalized service, elegant design, and curated experiences like Concierge Galleries in lobbies, world - class dining, and amenities such as the Timeshifter jet lag app to combat travel fatigue.

The brand emphasizes “Cultivated Elegance” offering seamless transition from work to relaxation with thoughtfully designed spaces and a focus on enriching guests stays with local insights.

The development of InterContinental Prague is part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ strategy to expand its luxury and lifestyle portfolio in key European destinations. The company currently operates 34 InterContinental hotels across Europe, with the Prague location joining other properties in Central and Eastern Europe, including those in Bucharest, Budapest, Sofia, and Warsaw.

Links

https://www.ihgplc.com/en/news-and-media/news-releases/2025/prague-to-welcome-ihgs-intercontinental-brand-in-historic-old-town

https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article139154.html

Hilton | Expanding its Presence in South Asia with the Opening of a New Hilton Garden Inn Hotel in Bengaluru, India

Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc., American multinational hospitality company based in Tysons, Virginia, has announced the opening of a new Hilton Garden Inn hotel in Bengaluru, also called Bangalore, the capital and largest city of the southern Karnataka Indian state, located near the centre of the Deccan Plateau, a centre known as the “Garden City” due to its parks and greenery and also for its rich cultural and historical heritage visible in sites like Bangalore Palace, modelled after England’s Windsor Castle, Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace, an 18th - century teak structure, and Old Dungeon Fort & Gates among others.

Bengaluru is also known India’s “Silicon Valley” known for its booming IT industry, numerous institutions like IISc, IIMB, pleasant climate, a vibrant nightlife and famous for its delicious South Indian food, including Bili Bele Bath, Donne Biryani, Dosa, Idli, Mysore Pak and Vada.

The new Hilton Garden Inn Bengaluru Whitefield hotel was developed in partnership with Minerva Executive Apartment Private Limited, a company involved in construction headquartered in Hyderabad, Talangana.

The opening is part of Hilton’s expansion in Bengaluru and of a broader growth strategy in South Asia, where the company currently operates nearly 100 properties across the region, including more than 70 in India and Hilton plans to increase its portfolio to 300 hotels in the region over the next decade.

The launch of Hilton Garden Inn Bengaluru contributes to Hilton’s multi - brand in the city, which includes six other properties, among them Conrad Bengaluru and Double Tree Suites by Hilton Bengaluru Outer Ring Road.

The new hotel is the company’s second property in the Whitefield area, a prominent business and technology district of the Indian city, known for its booming IT sector, modern infrastructure, upscale residences, and vibrant cosmopolitan lifestyle, major tech parks, top international schools, large malls like  Phoenix Marketcity and VR Bengaluru, diverse dining options, and good connectivity via Namma Metro, making it a prime hub for professionals, families and investors.

The property is located at Plot No 13, Sadaramangla Kiadb, in an area known for its commercial and technological significance, housing more than 400 multinational companies, within a 15 - minute walk of Square Mall, and Sheraton Grand Bengaluru Convention Center, providing an easy access to several business parks, including International Tech Park and Prestige Shantiniketan, as well as the Export Promotion Industrial Park Zone.

The hotel features 223 rooms, three dining outlets, including an all - day dining restaurant, a bar, a lobby lounge, and a fitness centre. 7.000 square feet of meeting and event space and a pool are scheduled to open by March 2026.

The establishment joins Hilton Garden Inn, a mid - to - upscale brand, known for offering consistent, comfortable, and affordable lodging with amenities like cooked – to order breakfast, full - service restaurants, and convenient locations, targeting both business and leisure travellers with a focus on a brighter travel experience and local flavour.

Links

https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/blrwfgi-hilton-garden-inn-bengaluru-whitefield/

https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article139101.html

Omsk, Russia | Started the Production of a Vital Raw Material for Aviation and Advanced Industrial Applications

News from December 2025 confirms that the city of Omsk, located on the Irtysh River in the vast Russian region of Siberia, a relevant centre for oil, chemical, petrochemical, and energy industry, also famous for its cultural and historical heritage highlighted by St. Nicholas Cossack and Assumption Cathedrals, its Drama Theatre and the Vrubel Museum of Fine Arts displaying Fabergé creations, launched the production of a strategic and crucial raw material vital for aviation  and advanced industrial applications, making the Russian Federation less dependent on imports for this high - tech component.

This material is the polyisobutylene (PIB), classified as a strategic material, used in aviation, a synthetic rubber - like polymer known for its flexibility, durability, and resistance to thermal and oxidative stress, moisture, acids, ozone, and UV rays.

PIB ranges from a viscous liquid to a gummy solid, depending of its molecular weight. The material is widely used in applications like adhesive, sealants, electrical insulation,  aviation lubricants, also as an electrical insulation cladding for its protective and water - resistant properties, as well as an emulsifier in the manufacture of explosives for geological exploration.

 According to the website of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia and the Director of the Department of Chemical Industry Artur Smirnov , the projected capacity of the Omsk company that started the production of this molecular weight and high reactivity material is 10.000 tons of product per year. The implementation of this project will make it possible to meet the domestic market demand and eliminate’s the country’s dependence on foreign supplies.

The total volume of investments in the creation of production exceeded 2.5 billion rubles, about $32.2 million. Previously, more than 90% of this product on the Russian market was supplied by import.

 The production is included in the list of critically important chemicals approved by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation. 

Link

https://tvbrics.com/es/news/en-la-ciudad-rusa-de-omsk-comenz-producci-n-de-materia-prima-estrat-gica-para-la-aviaci-n-y-la-indus/

Kumasi, Ashanti Region, Ghana | Tourism Minister Urges Filmmakers to Drive Destination Marketing

Ghana's Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, during a visit in Kumasi, the capital city of the Ashanti Region, in Southern Ghana, known as a centre for Ashanti Culture, characterized by a matriarchal family structure, a rich spiritual life with a supreme being and ancestors spirits, and significant artistic traditions like goldwork and vibrant textiles,  has urged local filmmakers, particularly Kumawood actors and filmmakers to use their films to showcase’s Ghana’s positive aspects and drive tourism.

Kumawood is a Ghanaian film and awarded company based in Kumasi, founded in 2006, known for its prolific production of local - language films, particularly in the Twi and Akan languages. The company is a major film production hub in Ghana, and its work has helped revive the country’s creative sector with its fast production schedule with successful movies and TV shows.

This initiative, announced by Minister during her Ashanti Regional tour has the objective to highlight the region and country’s landscapes, culture, and attractions to promote positive national image globally, which can stimulate international and domestic travel and also aims to strengthen the creative industry and in addition has been met with discussions on issues like taxation and capacity building, which the minister addressed.

 The Minister is encouraging filmmakers to show Ashanti Region and Ghana’s appeal, natural beauty and culture on screen to counter negative perceptions and attract visitors.

Utilizing film as a marketing tool, the minister’s request emphasizes the power of film to shape global perceptions and can be used as a form of territorial marketing that is often more compelling than paid advertising.

 In meetings with Kumawood representatives, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives and stakeholders from hospitality, fashion and tourism, the minister said the Ashanti Region already enjoys strong visibility through film and pledged support to strengthen the creative industry.

 Stakeholders raised issues including taxation, exchange programmes and capacity building, which she said were being taken forward.

About Ashanti Region:

Ashanti Region tourism features rich history, vibrant culture, and natural beauty, centred in Kumasi, the ancient Ashanti Kingdom capital, offering sites like the Manhyia Palace, vast Kejetia Market, sacred Lake Bosomtowe, cultural hubs like the National Cultural Centre and craft villages like Kente and Adinkra, plus the unique Komfo Anokoye Sword Site and wildlife Bobiri Forest, all showcasing Ashanti traditions, art, and powerful heritage.

 The Ashanti Region offers a deep dive into Ghana’s most famous kingdom, blending royal history, vibrant marketplace, sacred natural sites, and artistic traditions, making it a cornerstone for understanding West African culture.

Link

https://atta.travel/resource/ghana-tourism-minister-urges-filmmakers-to-drive-destination-marketing.html

San Luis Potosí, Mexico | Recognised as a UNESCO Creative City in Literature

San Luis Potosí, a city in central Mexico, northwest of the capital of the country, Mexico City, located in a hilly area at a high elevation, around 1.864 metres, known for its relevant past as a  a major gold and silver mining hub on the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, a trade route during the mid - 16^th to the 19th centuries,  also famous for its rich colonial history, vibrant industrial growth, and featuring a UNESCO - listed historic centre has beeen recognised as a UNESCO Creative City in Literature.

The city boasting a rich cultural and historical heritage with various prominent attractions like the imposing, baroque - era Templo de San Francisco, which dominate the lush Jardin de San Francisco, the 18th century Templo del Carmen, significant parks like Tangamanga is officially a UNESCO Creative City in Literature, being the first and only Mexican city with this recognition,  standing up for for its programs to promote reading, festivals such as “Letters in San Luis” and the promotion of literary research.

This recognition by UNESCO consolidates San Luis Potosí  as an  important cultural pole and engine of social and economic development.

UNESCO integrated San Luis Potosí nto its Creative Cities Network for its leadership in the literary area, recognizing its creativity as a force for urban development and social cohesion. This distinction underscores how culture and literature drive the the economy and improve social life.

The work of the City Council and civil society in weekly reading programs, book fairs, workshops and the International Literature Festival, an annual event that sohwcases the city’s literary life, study programs led by the Colegio de San Luis that has promoted literary research as a form of creativity, and community projects with workshops, book presentations in public spaces and community reading initiatives are special highlights of the Mexican city.

San Luis Potosí is one of the few cities in Latin America with the degree in literature, a unique reference along with global centres others such as Manchester, Melbourne and Nanjing.

This title undoubtedly acknowledges the Mexican city deep literary roots, active cultural scene and commitment to nurturing literary talent.

In a city like like San Luis Potosí, creativity is more than an artistic expression; it is a cornerstone of cultural development. By assuming its role as a creative hub, the city strengthens its connection with global cultural networks, fostering collaborations and exchanges with cities around the world.

As a creative city, San Luis Potosí becomes a vibrant space where art, literature and innovation converge, creating an environment that inspires new generations to thrive.

This recognition drives the growth of the creative sector, stimulating a more dynamic economy and a resilient cultural identity and it also pave the way for a future in which creativity is not only a cultural asset, but also a key driver of social progress.

 In essence, San Luis Potosí is now officially recognized as a global centre and reference for literature using creation and reading as a testament to its enduring literary spirit.

Link

https://www.literaturaslp.mx/