The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) | Signed an Agreement to Develop a Taj Safaris Lodge in Satpura, Madhya Pradesh, India

The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), part of Tata Group and headquartered in Mumbai, has signed an agreement with Sarvapratham Hospitality Private Limited, a tourism and accommodation private limited group based in Huzur involved in activities such as hotels, motels, inns, and resorts providing short term lodging facilities, to develop a Taj Safari Lodge in Satpura, an area highlighted by Satpura National Park. in the Hoshangabad district of Madhya Pradesh, a large state in central India.

The project is a greenfield development on a 30 - acre site located approximately two hours from Bhopal Airport in the Saptura National Park, a 524 sq km UNESCO site, a recognized biodiversity hotspot known for its rugged terrain, forests, the scenic Denwa River,  home to Bengal tigers, leopards, sloth bears, Indian bison, over 300 species of birds, and more than 30 species of reptiles.

The planned Taj Safaris Satptura will feature 20 comfortable rooms, an all – day dining restaurant and a bar.

The property will join the emblematic Taj brand, characterized by its deep Indian heritage offering  authentic cultural experiences, world - class service and a strong commitment to sustainability.

The brand also focuses on preserving Indian culinary traditions and craftmanship, maintaining an iconic luxury image, and expanding its global presence highlighting responsible tourism.

With this addition The Indian Hotels Company Limited will have five Taj Safaris properties in the state of Madhya Pradesh, including one under development, with existing lodges located in Bandhavgarh, Kanha, Panna, and Pench.

Links

https://www.ihcltata.com/press-room/ihcl-signs-a-taj-safaris-lodge-in-satpura-madhy-pradesh

https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article140643.html

The Standard Hotels | Unveiled the Future Opening of its First Texas Hotel, Located in Austin, U.S.

The Standard Hotels, an international boutique hotel chain founded in 1999 and based in New York City , operated by Standard International Management has unveiled the future opening of its first Texas hotel located in Austin, vibrant capital city of the U.S. state bordering the Hill Country region, located on the Colorado River between Travis, Hay, and Williamson counties, as well as with three lakes within the city limits :  Lady Bird Lake, Lake Austin, and Lake Walter E.Long.

The Standard, Austin is set to open in Spring 2027 and eill open its doors at 1603 South Congress Avenue in the historic Travis Heights neighbourhood close to the buses at Soco Station, 4.8 km from both Zilker Botanical Garden and the Blanton Museum of Art, following the conversion and renovation of the existing South Congress Hotel, scheduled to close for renovations in the summer of 2026.

This will be The Standard brand’s first U.S. opening in more than a decade, a collaboration project between Hyatt Hotels Corporation and Timberline Real Estate Partners, an Austin - based real estate firm that focuses on the acquisition, development, repositioning, and management of real estate assets, targeting opportunities in mixed - used, hospitality, residential, industrial and retail properties across the U.S. 

The renovated property will feature updated rooms incorporating design elements with local craftmanship and new amenities, including social wellness experiences, a rooftop pool , and bars.

The creative team leading the project includes Amar Lalvani, President and Creative Direcxtor of Hyatt’s Lifestyle Group; James Moody, Founder of Guerilla Suit; Stan Nix, Managing Partner of Timberline Real Partners; and architect Michael Hsu.

Interior design will be managed by Goodrich Design, a practice specializing in branding and interior design headquartered in New York City in collaboration between The Standard and Bunkhouse teams in Austin.

The Standard Austin will join the brand’s global portfolio, which includes locations in Bangkok, Thailand, Brussels, Belgium, Ibiza, Spain, and London, England, UK. Additional properties in Lisbon, Portugal and Mexico City, Mexico are expected to open later this year.

Link

ttps://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article140738.html

Six Senses Hotels, Resorts and Spas | To Open its Second Property in Greater China, Located in Beijing

Six Senses Hotels, Resorts and Spas, a luxury brand founded in 1995 and owned by IHG Hotels & Resorts, British multinational hospitality company based in Windsor, Berkshire, England, UK, known for its sustainable and wellness - focused hospitality, with properties in unique locations around the world will open its second property in Greater China, located in Beijing, Chna’s sprawling capital and a top global metropolis,  joining Six Senses Qing Cheng Mountain.

Six Senses Beijing will open its doors in Beijing, a city defined by a unique blend of ancient imperial history, including eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and hyper - modern architectural advancements, the city features iconic sites like the Forbidden City complex the imperial palace during the Ming and Qing dynasties, the Great Wall, and traditional hutong alleyways  alongside major economic zones like the CBD and tech focused Zhongguancun.

For the future establishment opening, Six Senses has signed an agreement with Beijing Zhongguancun Avenue Construction & Development Group, the state - owned enterprise based in Beijing, responsible for the development of the Zhongguancun area.

The project is part of the renewal of Liulangzhuang, a historic locality situated in the Hsidian District of Beijing, renowned for its deep cultural roots and its ongoing transformation into a high - end cultural and international exchange hub, as well as an ecological zone.

The site is located near the Three Hills and Five Gardens heritage landscape, just south of the Summer Palace’s new palace gate and the imperial retreats of the iconic Qing dynasty, and the property will be located on a land previously used as imperial rice paddies.

The hotel’s design will incorporate waterways and lotus ponds, with a focus on restoring elements of the land’s original character. The building will be connected by hutong - style pathways across two connected sites.

Six Senses Beijing will feature 75 comfortable rooms and suites, ranging from one to four bedrooms, reinterpreting traditional siheyuan homes with a contemporary approach to courtyard living. Some accommodations will have private gardens and boat jetties, while others will share courtyards screened by magnolia trees.

 A boat pier will link the arrival lobby and lounge with the resort’s amenities, many of of which will be located on the water.

Dining will take place in light – filled pavilions that blend historic motifs with contemporary design.The hotel will offer wellness programs, including personalized wellness screening, biohacking experiences, and the Sleep With Six Senses program. Facilities will include a spa and spaces for multi - day wellness programs.

The Earth Lab will provide workshops focused on sustainable living and the Alchemy Bar will allows guersts to create botanical scrubs and potions for spa treatments.

The property will also include a two - story residence designed for private events, accessible by boat or private drive.

 Six Senses Hotels, Resorts and Spas currentlyoperates 27 properties in 20 countries, with recent openings including Six Senses London and a development pipeline across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

Links

https://www.sixsenses.com/en/corporate/media-center/press-releases/2026/six-senses-beijing-announcement/

https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article140835.html

Pomene National Reserve, Mozambique | Launched a Beekeeping Programme to Support Conservation and Community Income

A community beekeeping programme to support conservation and community income was launched in  Pomene National Reserve, a remote idyllic coastal reserve in Mozambique’ s Inhhambane Province, located 605 km north of the capital of the country, Maputo, a land renowned for its pristine beaches, mangrove estuaries, world class fishing (Yahoo and Kingfish) , deep - sea diving, snorkelling, kayaking,  and quad/horse riding, offering a mix of ocean and estuary landscapes, fand eaturing popular spots like Ponta Falsa and bird - rich mangroves.

The Honey Programme supported by BIOFUND through Sweden’s Biodiversity Conservation Ptrogram is underway combining biodiversity conservation with sustainable economic development for local communities in the Reserve’s Buffer Zone.

The initiative promotes beekeeping as an economic activity compatible with conservation, generating alternative income for communities while supporting ecosystem services, particularly plant pollination, which is essential for the natural regeneration of species and the resilience of local habitats.

The plan established four community apiaries, one each in the communities of Minerva, Muchungo, Nhahusua, and Pomene, comprising a total of 32 beehives, with 8 hives for each community.

Complete beekeeping kits have been distributed to 32 beneficiaries (26 men, 6 women) across the four communities, participants received technical training ensuring the skills needed to practice beekeeping safely and efficiently. 

By strengthening honey - related value chains, the programme aims to reconcile the economicv needs of local communities with the protection of the Pomene National Reserve’s ecosystem, creating tangible opportunities for economic inclusion in a region where livelihoods are closely tied in the natural environment.

The model reflects a growing approach across African conservation areas of aligning community benefit with biodiversity protection to ensure the long - term sustainability of both.

Link

https://atta.travel/resource/mozambique-s-pomene-reserve-launches-beekeeping-programme-to-support-conservation-and-community-income.html

Holguín, Cuba | The City’s Science and Technology Park Has Launched a Project Transforms Plastic Waste into High - Quality Fuel

The Science and Technology Park of Holguín, a centre in eastern Cuba, known as the “City of Parks”, characterized by a meticulously designed, grid - based ciy centre, rich cultural history, a blend of colonial, eclectic, and neoclassical architecture, and offering stunning panoramic views from Loma de la Cruz, has launched the “Pyralis” project, an innovation that converts plastic waste into high - quality fuel to benefit essential services in the Cuban province,  according to Prensa Latina, the official state news agency, headquartered in Havana.

The project aims to tackle pollution while generating alternative energy and is carried out by specialist Alejandro Ortíz, uses a pyrolysis process (heating at high temperature in the complete absence or very limited presence of oxygen)  that breaks down materials like rylon bags, bottle caps and plastic lids, producing three main, usable by - products : combustible syngas, bio - oil (synthetic fuel) and solid biochar.

The treatment plant manages to obtain 100 litres of pyrolytic oils for every 100 kilograms of waste, destined for the production of gasoline and diesel.

The plant includes the installation of a community - based system collection for the purchase of waste, generating jobs, and contributing to better urban environmental management in Holguín.

As a social incentive, the neighbourhoods with the highest collection rates will receive resources for the beautification of facades and gardens, directly linking citizen participation with the improvement of the urban environment.

The project aims to expand this circular economy model throughout Cuba, for which it requires that integration of the business sector, and thus generate a sustainable solution that simultaneously addresses the management of plastic waste, fuel generation and community development.

Link

https://tvbrics.com/es/news/proyecto-pyralis-transforma-residuos-pl-sticos-en-combustible-en-cuba/

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | Visit Rio Has Launched a Voluntary Contribution Fund to Promote the Destination

Visit Rio, a private, non - profit organization dedicated to boosting tourism snd stimulating the local economy of Rio de Janeiro acting as a marketing and consulting hub for the tourism, MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions) segment, and leisure sectors in the Brazilian city, in partnership with “Bondinho do Pão de Açúcar”(the Sugarloaf® Mountain Cable Car) and AquaRio,  a public aquarium in the Gamboa neighbouthood, in the port zone of Rio de Janeiro, has launched a new financing model to strengthen the promotion of the city as a tourist destination.

From now on, tourists who visit these two attractions will be able to contribute with a voluntary donation of R$2 when  buying their ticket, an amount that will go to a fund for the development of tourism in Rio de Janeiro.

The proposal is to gradually extend the model to other attractions in the Brazilian city. It is expected that, in the first year alone, the measure will contribute to an increase of between 150% and 300% in the promotional activities of the Visit Rio brand.

Together, the Sugarloaf® Mountain Cable Car and AquaRio, receive approximately 3 million visitors a year and are the most visited sites in the city. Considering a scenario in which 60% of the public decides to contribute, the project launched by Visit Rio is expected to generate approximately R$ 3.6 million per year in this first phase.

The resources will be allocated to strategic marketing campaigns and actions to promote Rio de Janeiro as a tourist destination with the aim of attracting more visitors. The initiative seeks to increase the visibility of the city and consolidate its position as an attractive destination.

Rio de Janeiro experienced a record - breaking tourism year in 2025, welcoming over 2.19 million interational visitors. This figure represents a massive 43.7% increase from 2024 (1.5 million) and a 75% increase compared to 2019, cementing Rio as a top Brazilian destination, second only to São Paulo.

By moving forward with the consolidation of an autonomous fund, Rio de Janeiro is moving closer to the tourism management practices adopted in several international destinations, based on cooperation between the private sector, visitors and tourism promotion entities.

Unlike model based on mandatory fees, Visit Rio’s proposal is optional and based on spontaneous participation of visitors, inspired by experiences already implemented in Foz do Iguaçu, a famous city in the Beazilian state of Paraná, the main base for visiting famed Iguaçu Falls, one of the world’s largest waterfalls, which remains at the top of the ranking of Brazilian cities that receive the most international tourists.

Similar initiative are also seen in destinations such as Monteverde, Costa Rica, a world - renowned eco - tourism tourism destination located in the Cordillera de Tilarán, famous for its high - altitude cloud forests, immense biodiversity, and Quaker heritage, where visitors can contribute to tourism - related community funds.

A further destination linked to this topic is Queenstown, New Zealand,  a centre on the shores of the South Island’s Lake Wakatipu, set against the dramatic Southern Alps, renowned for adventure sports and a base for exploring the region’s vineyards and historic mining towns that is implementing a mechanism for visitors contribution to support management and promotion of the destination.

Generally these resources are managed by organizations known as ODMs (Destination Management Organizations), entities responsible for the strategic planning, development, and coordinating tourism promotion of a specific destination, such as a city, state, or country, equivalent to convention and visitors’ bureaus in Brazil. 

Link

https://infoturlatam.com/visit-rio-lanza-fondo-de-contribucion-voluntaria-para-promocion-del-destino/

Madrid, Spain | Committed to Redefine a more Profitable MICE Tourism with an International Strategy

Madrid, Spain’s capital and largest city is redefining its MICE (Meetings, Incentive, Conferences and Exhibition) tourism through a strategic focus on high - value, sustainable, international events, aiming to boost profitability.  

The city’s plan prioritizes attracting strategic industries like technology. and other sectors like healthcare while strengthening key markets like Europe, Latin America, and the United States through the Madrid Convention Bureau., redefining its tourism model in one of its most solid segments (MICE)  moving towards a strategy based on economic value, international projection and the generation of knowledge. 

This roadmap has been put on the table during the General Assembly of the Madrid Convention Bureau (MCB), where it has been confirmed that the objective for 2026 is not to grow more, but to grow better. 

MICE tourism in Madrid boosts spending and consolidates the city as a leading destination. Business travellers beahaviour in 2025 clearly reflects this transformation. The average daily expenditure reached €294, compared to €174 the previous year, while the total expenditure for trip stood at €929, marking a very sigmificant growth in the profitability of the destination.  

This notable impact translates into a key fact: the Spanish capital accounts for 22.9% of the total expenditure generated by MICE tourism in the country, confirming its role as the main economic engine at the national level.  

In addition, the international MICE tourism reinforce this positioning. Its expenditure far exceeds the national one, reaching figures of more than €2.000 per trip, with special prominence of the U.S. market, which continues to gain weight within the destination.

 At the same time, international recognition continues to accompany the growth. Madrid has been distinguished for seven consecutive years as the best congress tourism destination globally, consolidating its international reputation. 

More investment, new markets and a value - focused strategy are drivers to achieve outstanding goals. To reinforce this positioning, Madrd will increase its operating by 22.5%, a decision that will allow the city to intensify international promotion in strategic markets such as Europe, Latin America, and the United States. 

The strategy involves increasing the destination’s direct presence with actions in ley cities such as Chicago, London, Paris and Toronto, as well as strengthening contact with specialized agencies through initiatives such as Madrid Agency Forum, which for the first time will have two annual editions.  

Alongside these initiatives the real change is in the city’s approach. Madrid strongly focuses in recruitment towards events that provide continue value, reputation and development opportunities, reinforcing its links with strategic sectors and professional clusters. 

In this context, sustainability is also gaining prominence playing a crucial role. The new manual promoted by the Madrid Convention Bureau seeks to facilitate the adaptation of the sector to the requirements in terms of environmental measurement and reporting, integrating responsible practices in the operations of congress and events. 

Key components of Madrid’s MICE strategy include: 

•    Targeting Strategic Sectors: A shift toward specialized, high – impact events is Cybersecurity, Fintech, Big Data, Life Sciences to maximize economic impact. 
•    International Reach: Strengthening presence in key markets such as Europe, Latin America, and the United States, which are vital for attracting business travellers. 
•    Sustainability Commitment: Implementation of the MICE Sustainability Guide and the PLUS digital platform to measure and minimize the environmental impact of conferences. 
•    Public - Private Collaboration: Working with over 225 companies via the Madrid Convention Bureau (MCB) to improve infrastructure and promote the city as a leading destination. 
•    Regional Dispersion: Diversifying events beyond the city centre to locations like the Sierra de Gudarrama to ensure balanced economic benefits. 

The strategy includes developing unique, sustainable venues to attract premium international visitors looking for both quality and responsible tourism. 

Councillor for Tourism, Almudena Maillo said that MICE tourism is a strategic sector for Madrid due to the employment opportunities, the generation of well - being and the attraction of knowledge that it brings to the city. 

With this combination of investment, internationalisation and specialisation, Madrid not only seeks to remain at the top of the MICE segment, but also to consolidate a more competitive sustainable model aligned with the new demands of the global sector. 

Link 
https://infoturlatam.com/madrid-apuesta-por-un-turismo-mice-mas-rentable-con-estrategia-internacional/