Tanzania | Government is Heavily Investing in Infrastructure Improvements inside Serengeti National Park to Ensure Year - Round Visitor Access

Tanzania’s Government is heavily investing 12.6 billion shillings (TZS) in infrastructure improvements inside Serengeti National Park. The project goal is to upgrade roads and build new bridges to ensure year - round access visitor access without delays from heavy rain or flooding to one of Africa’s most economically significant protected areas. 

This relevant investment reflects Tanzania’s broader strategy of aligning tourism marketing efforts with on - the - ground infrastructure quality. 

 The funds are divided into two main parts: 

•    Road Upgrades (TZS 4.5 Billion: This work focuses on the main western entrance, the 121 – kilometres Ndabaka – Seronera road. Construction crews are raising low road sections that easily flood. They are also building strong box culverts to let water flow under the dirt road. This project began in June and will finish in December 2026.  
•    Bridge and Crossing Constructions (TZS 8.1 Billiom): This part funds brand new bridges and water crossing at key river points, including Banagi and Naabi with geotechnical investigations complete and engineering design under way. Workers will build these in five locations where the road meets the river. This prevents the roads from washing away during heavy wet sections. 

The International National Parks (TANAPA) agency leads these changes. TANAPA has emphasized that all construction must meet rigorous engineering and environmental standards in keeping with the parks’s status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with the dual objective of improving visitor experience and preserving the Serengeti National Park’s ecological integrity for future generations.  

Officials state that good roads and bridges improve tourist safety, make emergency responses faster, and protect the natural environment. 

 Serengeti National Park is a massive, unfenced wildlife reserve, famous for “endless plains”, it hosts the world 0 renowned Great Migration. More than two million of wildebeests, gazelles and zebras travel across the region every year in search of fresh grass and water, sits at the centre of Tanzania’s tourism economy, the country’s leading foreign earner. 

The Park is also famous for the Kopjes, ancient granite rock formations. Big cats, like lions, leopards, use these “rock islands” as resting and lookout spots, woodlands in the northern and western areas with trees and brush that shelter elephants and giraffes as well as for its green forests along waterways like the Mara and Grumeti rivers. 

Link 
https://atta.travel/resource/tanzania-commits-12-6-billion-shillings-to-serengeti-infrastructure-upgrades.html

Radisson Hotel Group | Signed an Agreement to Open a 189 - Room Radisson Collection Hotel in Frankfurt, Germany

Radisson Hotel Group, a multinational hospitality company headquartered in Brussels, Belgium has signed an agreement with Groß & Partner, a major German real estate developer headquartered in Frankfurt, specializing in large - scale urban development, structural engineering, and property management  to open a 189 - room Radisson Collection Hotel in Frankfurt a relevant central German city on the river Main,  a major financial hub that is home to the European Central Bank, boasting a rich cultural and historical heritage highlighted by its stunning Old Town several museums and galleries, an active art scene and well known to be the birthplace of famed writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.

The hotel scheduled to open in the third quarter of 2027 will be the second Radisson hotel in Germany, following the brand’s initial location in the capital of the country, Berlin.

The property will be located within the FOUR Frankfurt development, an urban mixed - use development in Frankfurt’s financial district, transforming the former Deutsche Bank into a vertical city. The mega - project features four interconnected high - rise skyscrapers (up to 233 metres tall) that integrate offices, 600 apartments, hotels, public roof terraces, and retail spaces.

Four Frankfurt received DGNB Platinum precertification and is a pilot project under the DGNB “Vertical Cities” framework. The project incorporates energy systems, smart digital monitoring, biodiversity initiatives, and more than 2.300 bicycle parking spaces.

The hotel will occupy floors 11 to 19 of the 173 - metre tower in Four Frankfurt, featuring 189 comfortable rooms and suites that will provide floor - to - ceiling glazing with views of the Frankfurt skyline, a ground - floor lobby with lounge and bar, a first - floor restaurant and bar with approximately 135 seats, and a fitness area.  

The property will join Radisson Collection, the premier luxury lifestyle brand within the Radisson Hotel Group. It features highly curated, iconic properties located in culturally rich destinations. The brand seamlessly blends historic heritage with contemporary design, prioritizing bespoke experiences, sustainability, and exceptional gastronomy for discerning travellers.

Radisson Collection Hotel, Frankfurt will add an international hospitality component to the design concept, named “Urban Layers” that was developed by Radisson Hotel Group’s home in - house design and architecture team in Madrid, Spain, and is intended to reflect Frankfurt’s cityscape, financial centre, cultural life, and skyline through its use of materials and lighting.

Radisson Collection’ portfolio includes properties in Berlin, Brussels, Madrid, Paris, and Rome. Since its launch in 2018 the brand has expanded to nearly 70 hotels worldwide.

Links

https://www.radissonhotels.com/en-us/corporate/media/press-releases/Radisson-Collection-to-Debut-in-Frankfurt-with-Landmark-Hotel

https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article141791.html

Dusit International | To Launch its First Dusit Collection Hotel in Japan, Located at Lake Tōya, Hokkaido

Dusit International, a leading multinational hospitality company founded in 1948 and headquartered in Bangkok, Thailand, a group which manages and operates a large portfolio of hotels under different brands, well known to offer distinctive experiences, all united by excellence in service that is warm and attentive will open its first Dusit Collection hotel in Japan and the third Dusit - branded property in the country,  located on the shores of Lake Tōya within the Tōya - Usu UNESCO Global Geopark in southwestern Hokkaido.

Lake Tōya is a stunning caldera lake, created by a massive volcanic eruption roughly 110.000 years ago, it spans about 42 kilometres around,, and features a large central island, active hot springs, and sweeping views of nearby Mount Yotei. It is a prime destination for outdoor adventures, photography, and relaxation.

The WE Hotel Toya, Dusit Collection scheduled to open on July, 1 2026 is stylish lakeside retreat located 400 metres from Tōya centre and approximately 100 minutes by car from New Chitose Airport.

The property originally opened in 2018, features architecture by Kengo Kuma & Associates, a renowned architectural firm based in Tokyo with office in Paris offering innovative solutions to create iconic and sustainable design.  

The establishment provides 55 - lake - view guestrooms and three two - story villas. Each room offers approximately37 square metres of living space, a private open - air bath overlooking Lake Tōya.

Culinary offerings have been updated for the Dusit Collection brand. EZO Cuisine serves Japanese dishes using local Hokkaido ingredients and international techniques, with breakfast menu featuring Japanese and Thai set options, locally sourced vegetables, Hokkaido rice, dairy products, seasonal juices, and herbal teas.

Dinner menus focus on seasonal ingredients. The Noodle Bar offers Thai noodle dishes such as Tom Yum and Klao Soi. TARU Bar serves organic Japanese teas from Dusit’s tea garden in Kyoto, as well as sake, whisky, and craft liqueurs, while Toya Bar offers cocktails and spirits.

WE Hotel Toya, Dusit Collection also features communal indoor mineral hot springs, traditional Japanese sauna facilities, a dedicated sanctuary offering relaxing massage alike skiing and concierge service offering assistance with booking taxis and organizing local activities like cycling and skiing.  

The property join Dusit Collection, Dusit International’s upper - upscale and luxury brand designed for distinctive hotels and resorts that celebrate individuality, local culture, thoughtful design, and a deep connection with each destination.

Reservation for WE Hotel Toya, Dusit Collection are open. An introduction offer provides 20% savings on a half - board stay, including two meals daily, for stays from July 1 to September 30, 2026.

Links

https://www.dusit.com/dusit-international-brings-its-dusit-collection-brand-to-japan-with-the-opening-of-a-kengo-kuma-designed-lakeside-retreat-in-hokkaido/

https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article141901.html

Marriott International | Officially Opened The Atterbury, Autograph Collection Hotel in Pittsburgh, Pemsylvania, U.S.

Marriott International, American multinational hospitality company based in Bethesda, Maryland has officially opened the Attebury, Autograph Collection hotel in Pittsburgh, a relevant city in Allegheny County and its county seat, located in southwestern Pennsylvania, U.S. where the Allegheny and the Monongahela Rivers meet to form the Ohio River.

Pittsburgh is a vibrant metropolis known as the “Steel City” and the “City of Bridge”, situated at the convergence of three rivers, it boasts a thriving tech and medical hub, a world - class arts, and an iconic local culture defined by passionate sports fandoms and the unique “Yinzer” access.

The hotel is located at 107 6th Street in the Cultural Distrct within Downton Pittsburgh near Market Square, the Allegheny Riverfront, PNC Park, Lawrence Convention Center, and steps from Heinz Hall and Acrisure Stadium.

The Atterbury, Autograph Collection blending 1900s architecture with modern amenities and riverfront views, is hosted in the restored Fulton Building, originally constructed in 1906 by architect Grosvenor Atterbury for Henry Phipps .

 RJL Lodging Trust, a hotel investment company headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland that owns premium - branded, rooms - oriented, high - margin, focused - service and compact full - service hotels led the multi - million restoration, resulting in a 300 - room hotel that is now part of Marriott Bonvoy’s Autograph Collection.

Christine Shanahan of HVS Design, an acclaimed award – winning firm based in Rockville, Maryland that creates hotel environments that enhances the guest experience while supporting stronger financial performance, led the design, preserving the building’s architectural features and introducing interiors inspired by Pittsburgh’s cultural and industrial history.

The property offers rooms and suites, including the Presidential Suite. Some accommodations provide views of the Allegheny River and PNC Park, and select rooms feature private terraces.

Dining at the hotel is available at The Drafting Room, which serves American dishes and cocktails. Menu items include Short Rib Pierogies, Neuske’s Wrapped Shrimp, Braised Oxtail, Scallop Pepe Rigate, Charred Heirloom Carrots, and an artisanal charcuterie board. The cocktail menu is divided into “Blueprints,” “Permits,” and “Assembly,” and includes spirit - free options. 

The Drafting Room will soon launch a weekend brunch with items such as Croque Madame, Smoked Salmon Benedic, Lump Cramb Omelettes, Corned Beef Hash, Moonshine Berry Cobbler, and Challah Bread Pudding.

Public spaces at The Atterbury, Autograph Collection include a restored rotunda and a skylit atrium. The hotel presents "The Moment", a music - and - light experience in the atrium, twice daily, featuring images projected onto the rotunda and a curated soundtrack. “The Moment” can be customized for meetings, weddings, and other events, while the Fulton Room serves as a lounge for informal meetings, reception and private events. The hotel also provides a nearly 20.000 square feet of meeting and event space, and a fitness centre.

The property features an integrated art program with works inspired by Grosvenor Atterbury and the wife Astelle, including portraits, collages, and murals by local artists. The collection references the city’s steel and riverfront history, Phipps Conservatory, and the Gayety Theatre.

The Atterbury, Autograph Collection hotel joins the Marriott Autograph Collection, a selected family of distinctive, independent hotels with a focus on unique design reflecting the culture and spirit of the destination, ranging from historic luxury to modern hotels and resorts. The collection emphasizes “exactly like nothing else” experiences, often incorporating art, local cuisine, and specific themes like rich history or beachside getaways.

Links

https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/pitkd-the-atterbury-hotel-autograph-collection/overview/?scid=f2ae0541-1279-4f24-b197-a979c79310b0

https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article141889.html

Minya, Egypt | A Team of Archaeologists Discovered Two Rare Early Dynastic Period Tombs and Funerary Remains that Expand the History of Ancient Egypt

During excavation work at the Jabal -al - Teir site in Minya, the capital of the Minya Governorate in Upper Egypt, located approximately 245 km soith of the capital of the country, Cairo, on the western bank of the Nile River, which flows north through the city,  a team of archaeologists leading a mission of the Supreme Council Antiquities has discovered two rare Early Dynastic Period (3100 - 2686 BC) tombs along funerary remains that expand the history of ancient Egypt.

These tombs feature tapering walls and construction techniques that experts believe were the experimental precursors to the famous step pyramids, a discovery that reveals burials from different periods and provides new evidence on the evolution of Egyptian funerary architecture.

The walls of the first tomb are notably thicker at the base and taper inward as they go up. This ancient understanding of structural load and equilibrium is considered a vital evolotuniary step that eventually led to Egypt’s iconic pyramids.

The second tomb, located just south of the first is nearly identical in layout but did not undergo subsequent stonework interventions, which allowed a better conservation of its architectural elements.

Individuals and collective burials were also discovered, some inside the remains of wooden coffins, probably from the late period. These findings confirm the continuity of the area’s use as a cementery throughout different eras of ancient Egypt, as excavations continue to reveal more details of the site.

Indications of reuse of the structure in later times were also identified, as well as cut marks in stone and remains of wodden supports used to reinforce the walls.

Preliminary studies further indicate strong similarities between these structures and King Den’s tomb, one of the most powerful rulers of the First Dynasty in Abydos, one of the oldest and most sacred cities of ancient Egypt, located roughly 11 kilometres west of the Nile in Upper Egypt near modern El - Balyana.

The Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Sherif Fathi, noted that these finds make an important contribution to Egypt archaeological record, as it helps to understand the evolution of funerary architecture in Ancient Egypt throughout its various stages.

The Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, Hisham El - Leithy, explained that the first tomb stands out for its exceptional and unusual architectural design, while the second presents a very similar scheme and is preserved in better condition.

The head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector, Mohamed Abdel Badi, said that the tombs shows a construction system based on the progressive thickening of the walls from the base to the top, a possible antecedent of architectural developments that would later lead to step pyramids and complete pyramids.

Likewise, the head of archaeological mission, Sami Dardiri, reported the discovery of a part of a predynastic necropolis with burials in the fetal position, wrapped in remains of plant mats, along with black - edged ceramics dated to the Naqada II and III cultures.

Link

https://tvbrics.com/es/news/descubren-en-menia-dos-tumbas-arcaicas-y-restos-funerarios-que-ampl-an-la-historia-del-antiguo-egipt/

Venice, Italy | Proposed Raising the Daily Entrance Fee to €50 to the City to Discourage Massive Crowds on the Busiest Peak Days

Venice’s Mayor proposed raising the daily entrance fee to up to €50 to the city to discourage massive crowds on the busiest peak days. However, this is just a proposal. For now, standard day - tripper rates remain €5 when booked in advance or €10 for last - minute arrivals.

Venetian authorities have begun to discuss the increase in the price of daily admission for visitors who don not stay in the Veneto’s capital to €50, five times more than what can be paid today.

Mayor Simone Venturini suggested that the ten - fold hike for the absolute peak tourism days as a shock - measure to prevent overcrowding. The proposal increase still requires legislative approval the Italian Government in Rome and is not currently in effect.

In 2024, after several delays caused by Covid, Venice finally introduced the payment of between €5 and €10 per day per person that is only applied at times of greatest demand. This year it is expected it will only be charged for 60 designated peak days, spanning April through July, specifically between 8:30 AM and 4:00 PM.

The system does not have physical tickets or ticket offices. Visitors must reserve and pay online using the Venice Access Free Portal to receive an entry QR code that allows the city’s entrance.

Despite efforts to plan and implement this system there has been a problem. People pay are indifferent to it, the measure has not discouraged visits, so that on the busiest days up 80.000 tourists continue to be received, when less than 60.000 live in the city. In other words, the system has failed in its objectives. Hence the increase that is being studied.

Critics say this measure kills freedom of movement because in order to enter a public place it requires payment of that amount.

Link

https://infoturlatam.com/venecia-subira-a-50-euros-la-entrada-diaria-a-la-ciudad/

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | Inaugurated the First Centre of Excellence in Forensic Sciences and Toxicology in the Country

The administration of the city of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia's sprawling capital located in the highlands bordering the Great Rift Valley, and the country commercial and cultural hub, inaugurated the first Centre of Excellence in Forensic Sciences, Toxicology and Advanced DNA - based services in the country at the Menelik II Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, one of Ethiopia’s oldest and largest healthcare institutions,  well known to provide high - volume, specialized tertiary care, with dedicated facilities for eye care, kidney transplants, and advanced forensic medicine.

Ethiopia has taken a significant step towards advancing scientific, medical and judicial capability with the inauguration of the country’s first integrated forensic and toxicology centre, a landmark facility expected to transform forensic investigations, genetic testing and specialised laboratory services nationwide.

The ceremony of inauguration was attended by Mayor Adamech Abiebie, along with senior government officials and health sector actors, according to information from Fana Media Corporation (FMC), a leading Ethiopian media organization formed through the merger of the former Fana Broadcasting Corporate S.C. and Walta Media. 

The landmark facility eliminates the nation’s reliance on overseas testing by equipping professionals with several advanced analytical systems for state - of - the - art DNA analysis, genetic testing, and specialized toxicology diagnostics.

The new centre is equipped with approximately 80 advanced, internationally standardized analytical and diagnostic instruments that offer integrated services in forensic science, toxicology, DNA analysis, and other laboratory investigations with medical and judicial application.

A key feature of the facility is undoubtedly the introduction of a DNA Information Storage and Comparison System (CODIS), enabling more efficient scientific analysis and strengthening the country’s ability to conduct complex forensic investigations using internationally recognised methodologies,  enabling genetic profiling, identity verifications, paternity testing, and determination of family ties.

The analysis operations provide highly reliable evidence (testing for poisons, drugs, and biological samples to back up criminal investigations and public legal services and with this new centre all forensic and toxicology evidence will now be processed domestically, significantly reducing turnaround time for investigations.

Addis Ababa’s Mayor stressed that, although Menelik IIospital has served the public for more than 116 years, it has never before had a modern high – tech forensic infrastructure like the one now houses this centre.

For her part Health Minister Mekdes Daba called the centre a major milestone for Ethiopia’s health and justice systems, offering forensic, genetic, and toxilogycal services under a unified framework. 

Link

ttps://tvbrics.com/es/news/etiop-a-inaugura-el-primer-centro-de-excelencia-en-ciencias-forenses-y-toxicolog-a/