Langham Hospitality Group | Announced Plans to Open a New Luxury Hotel in Jinan, China

Langham Hotels International Limited, trading as Langham Hospitality Group, a hotel operator with its headquarters in Hong Kong, has announced plans to open a new luxury hotel in Jinan, the capital of eastern China’s Shandong province, a sprawling city known for its historical, cultural and industrial significance.

Jinan is renowed as the “City of Springs”, famous for over 72 artesian springs, with the iconic Baotu Spring with its park features landscaped gardens and tea tasting , scenic Daming Lake fed by spring water and surrounded by weeping willows, highlighted by pavilions, boating and food stalls, and Thousand - Buddha Hill, a scenic, holy mountain located to the souty of the city,  offering stunning views of Jinan, temples, and thousands of carved Buddha statues.

Langham Hospitality Group has entered into an agreement with Jinan Licheng District Quanfuhe Investment Development Co. Ltd. to open a manage a luxury hotel to to be known as The Langham, Jinan developed  in the central business neighbourhood of Century - Old Honglou in Licheng District, a comprehensive area blending rich cultural heritage, significant industrial power (including Sinotruk), and scenic natural landscapes.

The district is a comprehensive area blending rich cultural heritage, significant industrial power (including Sinotruk), and attractive natural landscapes. Key features include the historic Hongjialou area, scenic spots like Huashan Mountain and Jiuru Mountain Waterfalls, over 20 universities and research institutes, and convenient access to Yaoqiang International Airport.

The area surrounding the hotel is noted for the presence of historical buildings,, including Hongijalou Cathedral, the Shandong Province Library, the University campus, home to commercial activity and is near several of Jinhan’s springs.

The property scheduled to open in 2029 will be situated on a site measuring approximately 35.000 square metres and its design is intended to incorporate elements inspired by Jinan’s springs and The Langham’s 160 - year heritage.

The hotel is planned to feature 206 rooms, several dining venues, including an outpost of LHG’s three Michelin - starred Cantonese Restaurant, T’ ang Court, a destination bar, mmeting and event spaces, and wellness amenities under the Chuan Spa brand.

Link

https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article140920.html

Hilton | Unveiled the Opening of Conrad Athens The Ilisian following the Transformation of a Former Property in Athens, Greece

Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc., American multinational hospitality company based in Tysons, Virginia, has unveiled the opening of Conrad Athens The Ilisian, following the transformation of the former Hilton Athens located in the Greek capital city Athens and marking the entry of the Conrad Hotels & Resorts brand into Greece.

The hotel’s opening date was April 23, 2026, coincinding with the anniversary of the original Hilton Athens, opening in 1963.

The property is located at Leof. Vasilissis Sofias 46 in the Ilisia neighborhood, within walking distance of the Byzantine and Christian Museum, the Museum of Cycladic Art, the Benaki Museum and adjacent to the lively neighbourhoods of Kolonaki and Pangrati.

The building retains its original 620 - square - metre sculpted marble façade by Greek artist Yannis Moralis, with lighting design by Eleftheria Deko.

Interior spaces were designed by AvroKO, a renowned design firm based in New York with offices in Bangkok, London, Miami, and San Francisco, specializing in hospitality, featuring a “Hospitable Thinking” philosophy that creates immersive, narrative – driven spaces, with contributions from Mare Studio, Saridis and ceramicist Eleni Vernadaki.

The hotel is positioned within The Ilisian, a new mixed - use  destination in central Athens and  now features 278 comfortable rooms and suites, including three Presidential Suites, a Royal Suite, and the Omega Penthouse, which is scheduled to launch later this year. The majority of rooms offer private balconies, and the property includes what is described as Athens’ largest suite collection.

Conrad Residences Athens The Ilisian are located on the 7^th and 8^th floor of the hotel. Offering views of the Acropolis, and Saronic Gulf. The Waldorf Adtoria Residences Athens and The Ilisian are situated on the top four floors of the Ilisian Tower, providing residents with exclusive amenities, including a private entrance, club lounge, and fitness facility.

.Facilities at the hotel include nine dining venues among them, Byzantino which has reopened as a Grande Brasserie, the Athenian Lounge, an Italian poolside restaurant, the Onuki Japanese restaurant, designed by Yabu Pushelberg, which opened in 2025.

The Galaxy Bar is scheduled to return later this year as Galaxy Dispensary and Galaxy Supper Club. Additional globally recognized restaurant concepts are also planned to open at The Ilisian later in the year.

The indoor facilities feature a gym, studios for yoga, Pilates, Gyrotonic, spinning, a heated pool, and heat and cold therapy. 

Wellness amenities at the hotel include the Oasis, Athens’ largest outdoor pool, a 700 - square metre Green Roof with a rooftop running track, outdoor gym, a pickleball court, and an indoor wellness zone.

The Odei Wellness Residence is set to open in May, offering face and body treatments inspired by ancient Greek rituals, with expanded longevity treatments led by Dr. Costas Papageorgiou planned for later in the year.

The hotel also includes a retail zone, event spaces including two ballrooms, and the House NYNN private lifestyle members club.

The property incorporates curated cultural experiences through the Conrad 1/3/5 experiences program, offering guests the opportunity to engage with Athens through activities such aas golden - hour aperitivos overlooking the iconic Acropolis and guided architectural walks.

The establishment  joins Conrad Hotels & Resorts, a brand features contemporary design, impactful experiences, and curated art, appealing to the modern, globally connected traveller.

Conrad Athens The Ilisian is part of a portfolio of 50 Conrad Hotels & Resorts properties worldwide and marks the brand’s first location in Greece.

Links

https://stories.hilton.com/emea/releases/conrad-athens-the-ilisian-now-open

https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article141065.html

Marriott International | Expanded its Portfolio in North America with the Opening of a TownePlace Suites by Marriott Hotel in Thatcher, Arizona, U.S.

Marriott International, American multinational hospitality company based in Bethesda, Maryland,  has expanded its portfolio in North America with the opening of a TownePlace Suites by Marriott hotel in Thatcher, a charming Gila Valley town in Graham County in the U.S. state of Arizona.

Thatcher is known for its scenic backdrop of the Pinaleño Mountains and Mount Graham, offering a high quality of life with a small - town feel, serving as a regional hub featuring the prestigious Eastern Arzona College, outdoor recreation (parks, trails, golf) and boasting stunning attractions like Roper Lake State Park and the scenic Frye Mesa Reservoir.

The TownePlace Suites by Marriott Thatcher is owned by Gila Valley Hospitality II, LLC closely associated with the property owner, Sunridge Hotel Group, an award - winning hospitality group amd operator based in Mesa Arizona, with General Manager Brittany Hernandez leading the management team at the hotel.

The property is located at 2777 West Highway 70, next to the SpringHill by Marriott, also operated by Sunridge Hotel Group, roughly a 5 - minute drive from Eastern Arizona College and near the Thatcher Splash Park, offering convenient access to local attractions in the Thatcher/Safford area.

The strategic location offers access to Fine Arts Center, Graham County Fairgrounds, the Gila Valley Arizona Temple, and the Freeport - McMoRan Mine. Nearby outdoor activities includes hiking on Mount Graham and visits to Rupert Lake State Park and the Gila Box Riparian Conservation Area.

The hotel features 69 suites including studio and one - bedroom options. Each suite includes a fully equipped kitchen with stainless steel appliances and quartz counterparts, separate living, working, and sleeping areas, adjustable workspaces with built - in shelves and lighting, large flat - screen, and bedding.

Amenities at TownePlace Suites by Marriott Thatcher include a fitness centre, an outdoor patio with a fire pit and Weber grills, guest laundry facilities, complimentary breakfast, electric - vehicle charging stations, and the hotel is pet - friendly.

The hotel joins TownePlace Suites by Marriott, an award - winning, mid - tier, extended - stay hotel brand designed for long - term travellers. It features modern, studio/one/two bedroom suites with fully equipped kitchens, complimentary breakfast, and pet - friendly policies.

The brand focuses on productivity and comfort with “Something Borrowed” (borrow items) and The Container Store Effa® closets. 

Links

https://www.marriott.com/en-gb/hotels/tustt-towneplace-suites-thatcher/overview/

https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article140982.html

Mkambati Nature Reserve, South Africa | Officially Designated as Eastern’s Cape’s First Ramsar Wetland Site

Mkambati Nature Reserve, a protected area located at Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape on South Africa’s Wild Coast has been officially designated as Eastern Cape’s first Ramsar wetland site, recognising the reserve’s wetlands for their unique ecological, cultural, and socio - economic values.

The announcement was made by Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Narend Singh, who described the designation as a significant achievement for both conservation and international collaboration.

Official Ramsar site certificates of achievement were received from the Ramsar Secretariat in Switzerland and with Eastern Cape Parks,  Tourism Agency and local community, and stakeholders credited for their ongoing stewardship and collaboration.

The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, established in 1975, is the world’s first international treaty dedicated to wetland conservation, and Mkambati Nature Reserve’s inclusion on the list reflects findings that its waters remain exceptionally clean and its wetlands in optimal condition, a rare status given the widespread degradation of wetland ecosystems across South Africa.

Mkambati Nature Reserve is a 7.720 - hectare coastal wilderness famed for its unique combination of tumbling ocean - facing waterfalls that cascade directly into the ocean, including Horseshoe Falls, multiple estuaries, pristine sandy beaches, scenic rugged cliffs, and vast, rolling grasslands. 

The Reserve protects diverse ecosystems, including swamp forests, Pondo coconut forests, indigenous forests, and offers exceptional biodiversity hosting over 290 bird species, and species found nowhere else on the Earth.

The Nature Reserve, Biodiversty & Marine Life serve as a birdwatcher’s paradise, while the adjancent Pondoland Marine Protected Area protects diverse marine life,,  dolphins, sharks, often visible during the sardine run.

Popular activities at Mkambati Nature Reserve include hiking along the Mkambati River to the waterfalls, canoeing in the Mtentu Estuary, and exploring the coast.

The government’s Environmental Programme have already restored 1.467 hectares across 37 wetlands in the Eastern Cape.

Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment acknowledged that wetlands and estuaries are among the most threatened and least protected ecosystems in South Africa, and aoonounced that R17 million will be allocated to improving infrastructure and visitor access within Mkambati Nature Reserve, strengthening its potential for sustainable tourism and community engagement.

The designation also aligns with the Wild Coast Conservation and Development Initiative, a collaborative effort to integrate conservation with local economic development.

Link

https://atta.travel/resource/mkambati-nature-reserve-becomes-eastern-cape-s-first-ramsar-wetland-site.html

Odisha, India | First State in the Country to Implement a Marine Spatial Management Plan

Odisha, an eastern Indian state on the Bay of Bengal, known for its tribal cultures, many ancient Hindu temples, stunning beaches, dense forests, major rivers like the Mahanadi, with a fast - growing economy linked to its rich mineral resources, including iron ore, coal, and bauxite has become the first state in India to implement a Marine Spatial Plan (MSP).  

This key initiative focuses to improve the sustainable management of the marine and coastal resources,  founded on an approach based on the use of scientific data to organize human activities at sea, assigning specific areas for fishing, tourism, shipping, conservation or energy projects, with the aim of minimizing environmental impact.  

To do this, specialists analyse factors such as water quality, biodiversity, seabed vegetation and climatic conditions. This information allows authorities to make more accurate decisions in planning the use of maritime areas. and planning scientific activities in specific ocean spaces.

The plan seeks to balance economic growth with environmental protection and the needs of coastal communities. For example it will make possible to define where to expand infrastructures such as ports without affecting fishing areas or sensitive habitats. 

With more than 550 kilometres of coastline Odisha state is home to key ecosystems such as mangroves, lagoons and estuaries, which sustain economic activities such as fishing and tourism, but also face increasing pressures due to development and climate change. 

Key Aspects of Odisha’s Marine Management Plan: 

•    Location: The initiative aims to cover the state’s 550 km coastline, featuring vital ecosystems like mangroves and lagoons. 
•    Development Framework: Developed with the National Centre for Coastal Research and technical support from Norway, this framework manages industries like fishing, tourism, and renewable energy while protecting coastal biodiversity. 
•    Purpose: It aims to reduce developmental pressure on marine environments and enchance the blue economy, as noted by Shankar IAS Parliament. 
•    Key Features: The plan includes mapping benthic vegetation and managing pollution. 
•    Broader Initiatives: In August 2025, the Odisha Marine Biotechnology Research and Innovation Corridor (OMBRIC) was launched to further support this sustainable approach to marine resources. 

The implementation of the Marine Spatial Plan (MSP) makes Odisha a leader in sustainable ocean  management in India and a pioneer in South Asia.  

Link 
https://tvbrics.com/es/news/odisha-se-convierte-en-el-primer-estado-de-india-en-implementar-un-plan-de-ordenaci-n-marina/

Hanoi, Vietnam | Aggressively Pursuing a Full Transition of its Public Transport by 2030

Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, a huge metropolis representing the cultural, economic and educational centre of the north of the country located on the western bank of the Red River, known for its centuries - old architecture, a rich culture with Southeast Asian, Chinese and French influences, highlighted by an urban landscape characterized by the presence of numerous lakes, temples, and a bustling Old Quarter is aggressively pursuing a full transition of its public transport by 2030.  

The Vietnamese capital  has launched a comprehensive plan to transform its public transport system, with the aim of all buses in the city run on electric power or clean sources in four years, replacing all diesel buses with electric and clean energy vehicles. 

The strategy is part of Hanoi’s policy to reduce polluting emissions, improve air quality and move towards a sustainable urban mobility model. 

The plan in structured in two phases: 

•    Phase 1: In 2026, priority will be given to the development of supportive policies, the expansion of the electric bus network, and the construction of charging infrastructure, including fast – charging stations. 
•    Phase 2: The second phase from 2027 to 2030, will accelerate the replacement of fossil fuel – powered vehicles until they are completely phased out. 

According to projections, electric and clean energy buses will account between 79% and 89% of the fleet by 2029, reaching 100% by 2030, as reported by Vietnam News Agency (VNA).  

The local government is working on planning a network of charging stations and modernizing the electricity system to respond the growth in demand. In parallel, public transport routes are being expanded and the fleet is being renewed. 

In addition new lines with electric buses have recently been added, and Hanoi is expected to exceed 800 units of this type in the short term. 

Currently, the city’s bus network has more than 2.200 vehicles and covers all its districts with more than 150 routes in operation. Although the progress is significant, the authorities stress that the success of the plan will depend on the continuous improvement of infrastructure, the stability of financial mechanism and the active participation of the business sector to consolidate a truly sustainable transport system. 

Link 
https://tvbrics.com/es/news/capital-de-vietnam-impulsa-la-electrificaci-n-total-de-su-transporte-p-blico-para-2030/

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | Inaugurated an Advanced Research Complex to Lead a New Scientific Era in Africa

On April 4, 2026, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed inaugurated an advanced research complex at the Armauer Hansen Research Insititute (AHRI) located in the capital of the country, Addis Ababa, marking what he described as the start of a "new scientific era" for Ethiopia and Africa by focusing on health security, pharmaceutical self - sufficiency, and ultra - modern technology applications.

In his statement, the Minister stressed that this infrastructure represents a strategic leap to position the country as a leading centre in scientific research, health security and technological advancement, beyond being a simple physical work, according to ENA, the official news agency of the government.

The new centre boasts 40 fully equipped laboratories, advanced genomics and bioinformatics platforms, allowing for high - level medical and scientific studies that align with global standards.

A central feature of the complex is a specialized bioequivalence centre designed to certify the quality, safety, and efficacy off medicines produced locally, reducing reliance on imported pharmaceuticals.

The institute will focus on strengthening health emergency preparedness, diseas surveillance, vaccine development, and translating research into national policies.

The development is expected to significantly reduce Ethiopia's dependence on important drugs and strengthen domestic manufacturing capacity, enabling Ethiopian scientists to conduct cutting - edge medical and scientific research on a global scale.

According to the Prime Minister, the complex will not only generate scientific knowledge, but also translate it into tangible solutions by connecting science with policymaking.

Link

https://tvbrics.com/es/news/etiop-a-inaugura-un-centro-de-investigaci-n-avanzada-para-liderar-una-nueva-era-cient-fica-en-frica/