IHG Hotels & Resorts | Developing a New 100 - Key Holiday Inn Hotel in Panaji, India

IHG Hotels & Resorts, British multinational hospitality company headquartered in Windsor, Berkshire, England, UK, has signed a management agreement with NCPL, a hospitality group based in Cochin, Kerala to develop a new 101 - key Holiday Inn hotel in Panaji, the state capital of Goa in southwest India.

Panaji is a vibrant city, located on the banks of the Mandovi River, characterized by its Indo - Portuguese heritage, featuring a unique blend of colonial architecture, colourful Latin quarters, cobblestone streets and avenues lined with elegant villas, gulmohar,. acacia and other trees, concrete buildings with balconies and red - filled roofs, bustling markets, terraced hills, and floating casinos.

The city is  highlighted by its palm - fringed Miramar Beach sits at the confluence of the river and the Arabian Gulf, offering a relaxed alternative to Goa’s beach hubs, historic attractions like the Baroque Our Lady of the Inmaculate Church built in the 16^th - entury located overlooking the main square known as Praça da Igreja, and a rich arts scene.

The development of Holiday Inn Goa Kadamba, scheduled to open in Q1 2030, will expand IHG Hotels & Resorts’ portfolio in India and will be located in Kadamba area, a strategic location connecting to the city centre, also home to new developments, near several landmarks, including the Fontainhas Latin Quarter, Mandovi River Promenade, Dona Paula, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site,  Churches and Convernt of Goa.

The property will feature 100 comfortable rooms, five food and beverage outlets, including an all - day diming restaurant, a specialty restaurant, a bar, a lobby lounge, a pool bar, a swimming pool, fitness centre, spa, three meeting event spaces, including a ballroom, and parking facilities.

The hotel will join he Holiday Inn brand, a globally recognized, mid - priced hotel brand, known for providing comfortable, convenient , and family - friendly stays for leisure and business travellers, with variations like Holiday Inn Express focusing on essential and limited services, and Holiday Inn Resorts offering more vacation amenities.

The future opening of Holiday Inn Goa Kadamba is part of  IHG Hotels & Resorts broader strategy of expansion in South Asia in key locations as Goa, a prominent tourist destiantion in India, supported by infrastructure including two operational airports. The state attracts domestic and international visitors, with demand driven by its beaches, heritage areas, and lifestyle offerings.

IHG Hotels & Resorts currently operates over 50 hotels across six brands in India, including Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn Resort, Holiday Inn Express, InteContinental, Six Senses, and voco Hotels, with  a pipeline o 89 hotels expected to open in the next three to five years.

Links

https://www.ihgplc.com/en/news-and-media/news-releases/2026/ihg-signs-holiday-inn-goa-kadamba-strengthening-presence-in-one-of-indias-leading-leisure-destinations

https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article140876.html

 

Langham Hospitality Group | Set to Expand its Presence in East Asia, with the Launch of a New Hotel in Ningbo, China

Langham Hotels International Limited, trading as Langham Hospitality Group, a hotel operator with its headquarters in Hong Kong, is set to expand its presence in East Asia, with the launch of a new hotel in Ningbo a major city in east China’s Zhejiang province, south of Shanghai on Hangzhou Bay.

Ningbo is renowned as a premier global trade hub, home to the world’s busiest port, Ningbo Zhoushan, by cargo tonnage Ningbo is a bustling industrial city in the Yangtze Delta featuring a 7.000 - year history, highlighted by cultural sites like the Tianyi Pavillion and scenic spots like Dongqian Lake.

The hospitality company has entered into a management contract for The Langham, Ningbo, a new hotel, marking its continued expansion in the Asian market.

The hotel being developed by Ningbo Haixin Holding Group will be the third property managed by Langham Hospitality Group in the city, joining Cordis, Dongqian Lake, and Langham Place, Ningbo Culture Plaza.

The property is situated in the Xiushui Street area of Ningbo’s Haishu District noted for its traditional architecture, an urban area with over 1 million residents, featuring key landmarks like the 1.200 - year - old Drum Tower, blending modern commerce, luxury hotels and trasitional Jiangnan water town scenery, providing access to cultural sites such as Tianyi Pavillion and the Ningbo Confucian  Temple.

The Langham, Ningbo will comprise several period buildings, restored and integrated into the hotel’s site, combining traditional Ningbo architecture with modern design elements.

The hotel will feature 75 comfortable rooms and suites, a destination bar, health, fitness facilities and the first T’ang Court Restaurant in Zhejiang Province, a three - Michelin - starred Cantonese restaurant.

No opening date or additional operational details were provided.

Link

https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article140669.html

DoverHill | Acquisition of the Mayflower Inn & Spa, Located in Washington, Connecticut, U.S.

DoverHill, a vertically integrated hospitality investment and development organization based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida has expanded its property portfolio with the acquisition of the Mayflower Inn & Spa, located in Washington, a rural town in Lichtfield County, Connecticut, in the Northeastern region of the U.S.

Washington is a scenic, upscale centre renowned as the inspiration for Gilmore Girls’Stars Hollow, featuring charming New England architecture, a thriving arts scene and natural beauty around Lake Waramaug and the Shepaug River, highlighted by the Steep Rock Preserve, historic sites, upscale dining, and boutique shopping.

The property, an exquisite country retreat nestled in 58 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens and woodland is located at 118 Woodbury Road, Route 47, just two hours’ drive from New York City, in an area renowned as one of northeast America’s most distinguished luxury hideaways.

Auberge Collection, a hospitality group headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, owning a variety of hotels, resorts, residences and private clubs will continue to manage the Mayflower Inn & Spa, and DoverHill stated plans for targeted enhancements to the property while maintaining its unique, exciting character. 

Mayflower Inn & Spa features 35 comfortable rooms and cottages, dining venues as The Garden Room and The Tap Room, an outdoor pool, gardens, and a  20.000 - square foot wellbeing facility known as The Retreat.

The property offers a range of estate experiences and programming in addition to its accommodations and amenities.

The establishment has received several industry recognitions, including a Forbes Four - Star Spa designation, an AAS Four Diamond rating, a 1 MICHELIN Key, and has been recognized by Condé Nast Traveler as one of “the highest - rated properties in the world’s each year since 2017, as well as was named “Connecticut’s Leading Resort” by the World Travel Awards 2024.

No financial terms of the transaction were disclosed. The announcent did not specify a closing date or providc further details on the scope or timeline of the planned enhancements.

Links

https://auberge.com/mayflower/

https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article140805.html

Marriott International | Officially Opened a 200 - Room Sheraton Hotel in Nouakchott, Mauritania

Marriott International,  American multinational hospitality company headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, has officially opened a 200 - room Sheraton hotel in Nouakchot, the capital and largest city of Mauritania, one of the largest cities in the Saharas, located in the southwestern part of the country, a vibrant coastal desert city situated om the Atlantic Ocean, characterized by its bustling Port de Pêche, lively traditional markets like Marché Capitale,  and a blend of modern urban planning with nomadic, and cultural traditions. 

Sheraton Nouakchot, marking Marriott International’s entry into Mauritania, is located on Avenue du Palais des Congres in the Tevragh Zeina district, near the West African Atlantic coast, and key landmarks such as the National Museum of Mauritania,  Marché  Capitale, the city’s fishing port, Nouakchott beaches, a short distance from the Sahara desert, providing an easy access to local amenities and business areas.

The property features 200 comfortable rooms and suites, including two Presidential Suites, equipped with technology and Sheraton - branded amenities.

The Sheraton Club is available to Marriott Bonvoy Elite members and Club guests, providing food and beverage options., amenities, and a private environment.

Dining options at the hotel include two restaurants, a Lobby Bar, and a Pool Bar. Fest, the all - day restaurant, serves locally inspired and international dishes with seasonal ingredients, Bene offers Italian cuisine, while the Lobby Bar serves beverages throughout the day, and the Pool Bar provides drinks and light snacks by the outdoor pool.

Facilities at the hotel include an outdoor pool, a fitness centre with separate floors for men and wonen, a hammam, a sauna, an outdoor tennis court, and a spa with three treatment rooms.

Sheraton Nouakchott also features more than 2.600 square metres of meeting and event space, including a Grand Ballroom, a Ballroom, and four additional meeting rooms, and the hotel also has a dedicated events team.

In addition a Sheraton Community Table is located at the centre of the hotel for informal meetings and remote work.

The property hosts Gatherings by Sheraton, weekly experiences focused on enrichment, renewal, and local stories. Activities at the hotel include Mauritian mixology session with local mint tea and fruits, and storytelling evenings inspired by Saharan traditions.

The hotel joins Sheraton, a distinguished brand that offers mid - to upscale hotels in major cities and resort locations worldwide and it caters to business, leisure and family travel offering a variety of meeting spaces conferences, business facilities and F&b to flexible meeting space with a vision featuring intuitive design and tech - forward experience.

Links

https://www.marriott.com/en-gb/hotels/nkcsi-sheraton-nouakchott-hotel/overview/

https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article140894.html

Los Choros, Chile | Artisanal Fishermen Reinvent their Trade by Protecting the Ecosystem

Researchers from the Universidad Católica del Norte have documented that marine farms in  Los Choros, a rural town and coastal area, located 114 - 120 km north of La Serena, a popular tourist destination for dolphin, whale, and penguin watching, as well as visits to Isla Dama island, in  the far north of Chile’s Coquimbo region, generate a refuge ecosystem that increase biodiversity under and between crops.

The place potentially fattens species such as tolina, which feeds on piures and where local artisanal fishermen are reinventing their trade by protecting the ecosystem.

The project has been thanks to a group of six fishermen who have been learning to grow oysters and piures in the same waters for a decade with other types of seafood, according to El Maipo, a media outlet for the Maipo territory and serving various municipalities in the region.

Marine farms integrate crops in the water column within Benthic Resources Management and Exploitation Areas (AMERBs) , marine spaces collectively managed by fishermen’s union.

Secretary of the fishermen’s guild of Los Choros, Gabriel Molina recounts how he and how he and his collegues installed lines with 100.000 oysters, learned to constantly monitor water conditions and to overcome difficulties of woodpecker larvae.

Today, its moth - eaten management area produces piures with faster growth than in enclosed bays, thanks to the rich Humboldt ocean current.

In a context of mining pressure and large projects on the coast, marine farms represent a tool to root communities in their territories, guarantee their cultural continuity and transform management areas into platforms for life and protection of the ecosystem beyond mere attraction.

Link

https://tvbrics.com/es/news/pescadores-artesanales-reinventan-su-oficio-en-el-norte-de-chile-protegiendo-el-ecosistema/

Las Terrenas, the Dominican Republic | A Businessman Proposes a Major Road Project to Boost Tourism in the Northeast Region

Businessman Jhonny Cabrera proposes a major road project to the President Luis Abinader to boost tourism in the Northeast Region with main hub Las Terrenas, a popular coastal town on the Samaná Peninsula in the northern part of the Dominican Republic, renowned for its stunning white - sand beaches like Cosón and Playa Bonita, several natural attractions, European influenced culture, a vibrant nightlife, and a year - round average temperature of 25°C.

 The businessman emphasized the need to prioritize various road infrastructure projects that are key to strengthening the country’s economic and tourism development, and specifically in an area like Las Terrenas which boasts several resources, consolidating itself as a leading destination in the country and in the Caribbean.

The plan focuses of optimizing the access road to Las Terrenas, one of the country’s most important tourist destination, an initiative seeks to consolidate a tourist circuit in the province of Samaná, facilitating visitor movement and boosting the local economy.

 The businessman indicated that the sustained growth of the town depends largely of having efficient, modern, and safe connectivity, proposing the creation of a a strategic road connection linking Las Terrrenas, El Limón, a lush rural destination best knwn for its 40 - metre - high freshwater waterfall, Salto El Limón and close proximity to pristine beaches like Playa Morón, and La Galera, a quiet, scenic fishing village located at the northeastermn tip of the Samaná Peninsula, renowned for its stunning beaches like Playa Frontón, Playa Madama, and La Playita, along with activities such as whale watching, diving, and boat excursions.

 The businessman emphasized that the execution of this project would not only improve the quality of life for residents but also attract new investment, generate jobs, and position the region as a very competitive international destination.

 In addition, the entrepreneur highlighted the modernization of Las Américas entrance, one of the main access points to the capital of the country, Santo Domingo, as an urgent project, noting that this development would significantly improve traffic flow, enhance road safety, and project a better image of the country’s to both domestic and international visitors.

 The businessman urged the authorities to include these relevant projects within the national infrastructure planning, highlighting their relevance to promoting sustainable growth in the Dominican Republic.

Link

https://dominicantoday.com/dr/tourism/2026/04/04/businessman-proposes-road-projects-to-abinader-to-boost-tourism-in-the-northeast/

Abuja, Nigeria |Inaugurated a Hydropower Centre of Excellence in the City with a Collaboration between UNIDO and CIDCA

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) inaugurated a Small Hydropower Centre of Excellence in Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria located in the middle of the country, dominated by Aso Rock, an enormous monolith, a centre known for being one of the few purpose - built capital cities in Africa, as well as being one of the wealthiest.

Located at the University of Abuja, a tertiary institution in the Nigerian capital, established in 1988 as a dual - mode university with the mandate to run conventional and distance learning programmes, this project aims to boost renewable energy, strengthen technical training, and reduce elecreicity deficits in rural areas.

The project is the first of its kind in the country and in the West African subregion. The Chinese Government decided to establish this centre through triangular cooperation with UNIDO and the Nigerian Government, with financial support from the Global Fund for development and South - South Cooperation in China.

The trilateral cooperation is a flagship project under the Global Development Initiative (GDI) and the Forum of China - Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) framework involving Nigerian Ministries (Power, Water Resources) and the University of Abuja.

The centre acts as a regional hub for training, policy support, and knowledge transfer in Small Hydropower (SHP) for Nigeria and West Africa.

The development focuses on unlocking Nigeria’s untapped small hydropower potential, estimated at over 734 MW, by promoting mature, efficient technology for remote areas.

The initiative includes conducting feasibility studies, designing projects, and facilitating investment partnerships, aiming to brisge the energy gap, industrialize rural communities, and support Nigeria’s sustainable energy goals. 

UNIDO’s Director and Representative to ECOWAS, Philbert Johnson, emphasized that the initiative will harness Nigeria’s hydropower potential, enhance rural electrification and boost socio - economic growth, setting a model for similar initiatives across Africa.

Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria Yu Dunhai said the centere represents an innovative step in implementing the results in relations between the regions, stressing that although Nigeria possesses abundant hydropower resources, much of them remain untapped due to technical, finasncial and regulatory barriers, creating an energy gap that deepens socio - economic difficulties and limits industrial development.

For his part, the Vice -  Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Hakeem Fawehinmi, pointed out that the project will expand the frontiers of availability and access to renewable energies in the country, contributing the energy gap necessary for industrialization within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals and the Renewed Hope agenda.

Link

https://tvbrics.com/es/news/inauguran-centro-de-minihidr-ulica-en-nigeria-para-impulsar-la-electricidad-con-colaboraci-n-de-unid/