Hilton | Signed Agreements to Open Three New Curio Collections Hotels in Italy, Located in Genoa, Milan, and Sorrento

Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc., American multinational hospitality company based in Tysons, Virginia has signed agreements to open three new Curio Collection hotels in Italy, expanding its presence in Genova, Milan, and Sorrento, marking a significant expansion of its portfolio in three key destinations in the Italian market.

 The three hotels are :  

The Grand Hotel Savoia Genova, Curio Collection by Hilton - The hotel is centrally located at Via Arsenale di Terra, 5, centrally facing the Gulf of Genoa in the Ligurian Sea, near Porto Antico, the Aquarium and Piazza Principe railway station, which connects to Milan and other towns along the Ligurian coast.

The property will be the first of the three hotels to open its doors, with a scheduled launch in December 2025 and marking Hilton’s first property in Genova, bustling port city, capital of northwest Italy’s Liguria region. The hotel will feature 117 rooms, a restaurant, lobby bar, a rooftop lounge, a spa, gym, ballroom and meeting space. 

Cadorna Hotel Milan, Curio Collection by Hilton - The hotel is located on Piazzale Luigi Cadorna, a bustling square in the beating heart of Milan, a vibrant city in northern Italy, capital of the Lombardy region, and a global hub for fashion, design and finance. 

The hotel is situated near Cadorna Station, a major transportation hub, formerly known as the North Station, that is the gateway for thousands of commuters and serves the Malpensa train line, the iconic Sforza Castle, Sempione Park and within walking distance of major tourist attractions. The property is scheduled to open in January 2028 and will feature over 120 rooms.

The Majestic Palace Sorrento Curio Collection by Hilton - The hotel is located at Corso Marion Crawford, 40 in Sant’Agnello, surrounded b trees and a 5 - minute walk from the nearest Gulf of Naples beach, 9 minutes away on foot from Sant’Agnello railway station and just 2 kilometres from the historic centre of the idyllic Sorrento, easily accessible by train or ferry from nearby cities and towns.

The property is set to open in spring 2027 following a renovation and will feature 75 rooms each with a private balcony a swimming pool, gym and a welolness area.

The three properties will enter into the Curio Collection by Hilton brand that features individually remarkable hotels, hand - picked for their unique character, design, and story. 

Each location offers distinctive architecture and locally inspired design, world - class food and beverage options, and curated local experiences, while still providing the benefits of the Hilton Honors program. The brand is a soft brand allowing hotels to retain their unique identities within Hilton’s portfolio.

These developments are part of Hilton’s strategy to expand its Curio Collection brand across key European markets. The brand recently opened a property in Caceres, Spain, and has plans for further openings in Cappadocia, Turley, and other locations in the coming years.

Links 
https://stories.hilton.com/emea/releases/hilton-bolsters-european-curio-collection-lifestyle-portfolio-with-three-new-signings-in-italy
https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article138225.html

IHG Hotels & Resorts | Officially Opened a New Holiday Inn & Suites Hotel in Sapporo, Japan

IHG Hotels & Resort. British multinational hospitality company headquartered in Windsor, Berkshire, England, UK has officially opened a new Holiday Inn & Suites in Sapporo, vibrant capital of the mountainous northern island of Hokkaido in Japan, famous for its beer, winter sports, the iconic Sapporo Snow Festival with its intricate ice sculpture, beautiful parks and nature. 

The opening of Holiday Inn & Suite Sapporo Odori Park by IHG is part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ ongoing expansion in Japan with this brand, following the launch of ANA Holiday Inn Resort Karuizawa. 

The hotel is located at 8 - 6 - 1 Minami Nijo, Chuo Ward, 10 - minutes walk from Odori Subway Station and close to the vibrant Susukino district, perfectly located to offer an easy access to major attractions include the Odori Park, and the gigantic Sapporo TV Tower.

This new property aims to serve both domestic and international travellers visiting the area accurately designed to cater extended stays and family travel and features 29 suites, including 14 maisonette - style suites with separate living areas, kitchens, and bedrooms.

F&B options at the hotel include a café and bar in the lobby, offering local specialties and craft beers, along with a second - floor restaurant that provides a breakfast buffet featuring international and local dishes.

Additional amenities include a fitness centre located on the top floor, offering stunning views of the city, a traditional Japanese communal bath and a sauna.

The hotel follows the Holiday Inn brand policy, which allows children aged 12 and under to stay and eat for free.

The establishment entered into the Holiday Inn & Suites brand that offers modern guest rooms designed for business and family travellers, a cohesive “Open Lobby” with central areas for dining, check - in, and a bar, and flexible meeting spaces.

A special extended stay package is available for IHG Hotels & Resorts One Rewards members, allowing up to 26 hours in their rooms, along with welcome drinks and limited - edition amenities. This offer is valid for stays through December 30, 2025.

Links
https://www.ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels/gb/en/sapporo/ctsop/hoteldetail
https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article138419.html

Marcus Hotels & Resorts | Developing a 175 - Room Property in Downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin , U.S.

Marcus Hotels & Resorts, a leading hotel investment, ownership, and management company headquartered in Milwaukee is developing a 175 - room property in Milwaukee, a city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin on Lake Michigan’s western shore, a centre that is a combination of culture, recreation, and landmarks, including the Milwaukee Art Museum, the Harley - Davidson Museum, and the Milwaukee Public Market, also known for its rich brewing history, extensive park system, the Milwaukee Riverwalk, and renowned festivals like Summerfest. 

 The Marc Hotel will be located in the Westown neighbourhood of downtown Milwaukee, a lively area bordered by the Milwaukee River to the east and I - 43 to the west, that includes attractions like the Milwaukee Riverwalk, the Fiserv Forum, home of the professional basketball team Milwaukee Bucks, Public Museum and the entertainment district of Old World Third Street.

The hotel is connected to the Baird Center, 1.9 kilometres from Milwaukee Art Museum and 5.7 kilometres from Miller Park providing a convenient option for convention attendees and travellers and is developed in the west wing of the Hilton Milwaukee, a decision that follows a strategic evaluation of Hilton Milwaukee’s renovation plans. 

The property aims to support the city by maintaining the current hotel room supply, which is essential for attracting larger conventions to the Baird Center, an engine for economic growth in the city and the state, part of the greater complex of buildings which include the UW - Milwaukee Panther Arena and the Miller High Life Theatre. 

The conversion of the Hilton west wing into the Marc Hotel avoids further investment in renovating the existing rooms and addresses concerns about potential taxpayer - subsidized guestrooms entering the market.

Limited modifications will be made to the hotel’s ground floor to create a main entrance for the Marc Hotel on North 6th Street, and the ancipated opening is set for January 2026.

The Marc Hotel’s name reflects the historical significance of the Hilton Milwaukee, originally opened in 1928 as the Schroeder Hotel, it was acquired by Marcus Corporation in 1972 and renamed Marc Plaza Hotel. 

The current building adopted the Hilton Brand in 1995 becoming a hospitality symbol in the city, but the Marc Plaza name remains well - known and the hotel will continue this legacy. 

Link 
https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article138131.html

Russia | Proposal to Expand Flights from China to 200 per Week with Other Major Initiatives to Strengthen Bilateral Cooperation in Tourism

Russia - China tourism is experiencing a resurgence, driven by a new visa free - travel agreement for Russian citizens in China, and recently the Russian Federation has announced plans to increase the number of visitors from China fourfold by 2030, outlining a comprehensive programme to strengthen bilateral cooperation in tourism as reported by the official website of the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia.

The initiative was discussed during a meeting between Russian Minister of Economic Development Maksim Reshetnikov and Chinese Minister of Culture and Tourism Sun Yeli, alongside representatives of national tourism associations.

The Russian Federation pointed to geographical proximity, growing transport links and new infrastructure projects as key advantages for scaling up joint major initiatives, and among the highlights is the world’s first cross - border cable car, scheduled to open next year.

This project connecting the Russian city of Blagoveshchensk and the Chinese city of Heihe across the Amur River will carry up 2.5 million passengers annually, with travel times measured in minutes. The cableway will have two independent aerial tramway lines, with each cabin designed to carry 60 - 110 passengers, providing a fast and convenient transport link between the two countries.

Air connectivity is another focus. The air links between Russia and China are expanding significantly in 2025, driven by increased flight frequencies, new routes including those in the Far East, and growing tourism. Chinese airlines have dramatically increased their market share, and now Russia has proposed expanding flights from China to 200 per week, including services from major southern cities where flight frequencies remain limited.

In addition top strengthen  much more a bilateral cooperation in tourism the two sides also discussed joint development of cross - border tourism routes, such as the historic Great Tea Road, a 13.000 kilometres route that for two centuries connected the Tsarist Russia and Qing China, as well as automotive tourism access across Siberia and the Russian Far East. 

Russia launched another major initiative creating a a special catalogue of tailored travel products for the Chinese market, featuring destinations in the Khabarovsk Territory, located in the Russian Far East, famous for its historic sights, monuments of architecture of different eras, religious buildings, large parks, gardens, and artificial lakes, and other itineraries in various central Russian regions.

Link  

https://tvbrics.com/en/news/russia-proposes-expanding-flights-from-china-to-200-per-week/

The United Arab Emirates | Setting Target of over 2 Million Startups by 2031 to Expand its Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

The United Arab Emirates aims to expand its entrepreneurial ecosystem by increasing the number of startups to more than 2 million by 2031, according to the Minister of Economy and Tourism Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, and as reported by Emirates News Agency (WAM).

The UAE is making a major push to become a global startup hub, recently setting records for startup funding this year and launching a campaign to increase the number of startups significantly by 2031. The initiative aligns with the country’s goals of economic diversification and competitiveness, with a focus on industries like technology, healthcare and food security.

The country has a vibrant startup ecosystem, including a digital platform (StartupEmirates.ae), incubators, accelerators, a focus on personalized mentorship and very active companies in sectors like fintech, e - commerce and logistics.

Notable startups include Careem (ride – hailing acquired by Uber) , Grubtech (food tech), TruKKer (logistics) , Sarwa (fintech), and Ziina (peer – to peer payments).

Currently the country hosts over 1.2 million companies, with nearly one million owned by entrepreneurs, representing 94% of the total, mall and medium - sized entreprises contribute around 63.5% of non - oil GDP and account for 95% of all registered businesses and a large part of them is dedicated to the development of startups.

Speaking on the sidelines of a press briefing the Minister of Economy and Tourism said that the country also targets the creation of 10 unicorn startup companies within the same timeframe, five of which have already emerged and he stressed that entrepreneur are central to the UAE’s economic growth.

The Minister also underlined that the United Arab Emirates’ strategy includes economic clusters, food security policies, innovation and intellectual property frameworks, and Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements to ensure a supportive environment for new ventures.

The official emphasized that the country’s infrastructure at both federal and local levels is fully equipped to support entrepreneurial growing, positioning the United Arab Emirates as a global hub for startups in the coming decade.

Link 

https://tvbrics.com/en/news/uae-sets-target-of-over-2-million-startups-by-2031/

Malaysia | Identified as one of the World’s Key Hubs for Sustainable Aviation Fuel

Malaysia has been identified as one of the world’s key hubs for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) feedstock generated by non - petroleum - based materials from which is derived, including cooking oil, agricultural residues, municipal waste, algae, and even captured carbon dioxide and hydrogen, as reported by Bernama, a news agency linked to the Malaysian government.

South East Asia is poised a global SAF hub due to abundant feedstocks and strategic locations, with potential to become a new exporter of SAF. In the region. Feedstock include rice husks, rice straw, palm oil biomass waste and other agricultural residues, offering a low - carbon potential for SAF production.

Alongside Indonesia, China and other ASEAN countries that have existing biofuel industries position them as key contributors to efforts to decarbonise the aviation sector, Malaysia could supply around 240 million tonnes of biomass by 2050, accounting for 15% of the global total. 

Malaysia’s sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) feedstock focus includes used cooking oil and palm oil biomass waste and the government is promoting the collection of  them to establish the country as a leading SAF producer and exporter.

This is supported by national initiatives like the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR) to guide long – term planning for feedstock, infrastructure and targets, setting a goal for increased domestic use of SAF, targeting a 47% blend by 2050, and outlines the steps to achieve this goal with a proposed 1% SAF blending mandate for flights from Kuala Lumpur International Airport starting in 2027.

Research shows that sufficient sustainable feedstock exists to meet industry needs. Other regions, including the Middle East, North Africa and sub Saharan Africa, could supply an additional 220 million tonnes, or 14% of the global total, largely from waste and residues.

Analysts highlight that airlines will require 500 million tonnes of SAF annually by 2050 to reach carbon neutrality, with biomass providing more than 300 million tonnes and synthetic power - to - liquid fuels covering the remainder.

Link 

https://tvbrics.com/en/news/malaysia-emerges-as-key-hub-for-sustainable-aviation-fuel/

Kenya | Unveiled a New Regulatory Framework to Streamline Air Access

Kenya’s Ministry of Roads and Transport has unveiled a new regulatory framework to streamline air access. This initiative aims to manage foreign airline more systematically and transparently and to safeguard national interests around safety, security, and economic growth while aligning with international aviation standards.

A newly formed Technical Evaluation Committee led by the State Department of Aviation will now oversee all new market access applications from international carriers. The framework follows broad consultations with industry stakeholders, including the tourism, trade, and agriculture sectors.

The Kenyan government emphasises that a structured and fair approach could drive increased connectivity, tourism arrivals, and exports.

Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano noted the development as a boost towards meeting the nation’s goal of attracting five million tourists by 2027.

Kenya’s aviation sector currently contributes around US$1.5 billion to GDP, a vital economic engine underpinning wider economic sectors such as tourism and agriculture, facilitating global trade via air cargo, and providing over 26.000 direct employment in airlines, airport operations and related services. The sector also plays a key role in environmental sustainability and positions Kenya as a major regional aviation hub.

Link

https://atta.travel/resource/kenya-introduces-new-framework-to-streamline-air-access.html