IHG Hotels & Resorts | Signed an Agreement to Open a 283 - Room Kimpton Hotel in Doha, Qatar

IHG Hotels & Resorts, British multinational hospitality company based in Windsor, Berkshire, England, UK has announced the signing of an agreement to open a 283 - room Kimpton hotel in Doha, capital and main financial hub of Qatar, a vibrant, modern, prosperous and cosmopolitan city located on the Persian Gulf in the east of the country, north of Al Wakrah and south of Al Khor and Lusail.

Planned to open in mid - 2026, the Kimpton Al Rowda Doha marks the introduction of the Kimpton brand in Qatar, a development that is part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ expansion of its luxury and lifestyle portfolio in the Gulf region, following the brand’s recent opening of Kimpton KAFD in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and precedes upcoming opening in Dubai, UAE and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia as stated the company.

The property will be located in a vibrant downtown area of Doha, just steps from major commercial hubs, cultural landmarks, and key attractions.

The hotel will cater to business and leisure travellers alike, and will feature 283 rooms, suites and apartments, five unique dining and lounge venues, among them a rooftop bar with panoramic views and will be pet - friendly, in line with Kimpton’s established practices.

The establishment will join the Kimpton by Hilton brand characterized by hotels known for their boutique style, focusing on unique design, often incorporating local art and culture to create a distinctive environment, and highlighted by personalized service, and an immersive atmosphere.

IHG Hotels & Resorts currently operates eight hotels in Qatar across five brands: Crowne Plaza, InterContinental, Holiday Inn, Staybridge Suites and voco and the addition of Kimpton Al Rowda Doha will further expand the company’s presence in the country.

Links

https://www.ihgplc.com/en/news-and-media/news-releases/2026/ihg-hotels-and-resorts-to-debut-its-luxury-lifestyle-brand-kimpton-in-qatar

https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article139842.html

Hilton | Planning to Open a Waldorf Astoria Luxury Resort and Branded Residences in Marbella, Spain

Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc., American multinational hospitality company based in Tysons,Virginia has announced plans to open a new Waldorf Astoria Resort in Marbella, famous city and leading destination on Spain’s Costa del Sol in the province of Malaga, part of the autonomous community of Andalusia.

Marbella is known for its 27 kilometres of sandy beaches on the Mediterranean, the Golden Mile of emblematic nightclubs and coastal estate leads to the glamorous Puerto Banus marina filled with luxury yachts and surrounded by upmarket bars, restaurants and boutiques, and highlighted by a very vibrant atmosphere.

For the project of Waldorf Astoria Marbella, Hilton has signed an agreement with Higuerón Developments, a real estate investment company, hotel development and management of leisure and wellness facilities based in Fuengirola, Malaga.

The resort set to open in 2029 will introduce the Waldorf Astoria brand to the region and this development is part of Hilton’s strategy to expand its luxury portfolio globally. 

This ultra - luxury resort will be located at Carretera de Cadiz, Km. 188 in the Altos de Monteros area within the hills of East Marbella, replacing the former Marbella Golf Country Club Resort, an exclusive residential area known for its natural surroundings, privacy, and sophistication offering breathtaking panoramic views of the Mediterranean, Gibraltar and the Moroccan coastline. This location provides a tranquil retreat and fresh air just minutes from Marbella’s beaches and amenities.

Waldorf Astoria Marbella’s design is being developed by three Pritzker Prize - winning architects, who are currently participating in a conceptual design competition. The project aims to blend residential comfort with the brand’s established service standars.

The property will feature 120 guest rooms and suites, as well as 120 branded residences, a range of amenities, including two restaurants, a lobby bar, indoor and outdoor pools, a spa with four treatment rooms, and a fitness centre.

Additional facilities will include extensive meeting spaces, a grand ballroom,  and access to a championship golf course, originally designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. in 1994 that will undergo a redesign by Robert Trent Jr. to incorporate contemporary and sustainable elements.

The private residences at Waldorf Astoria Marbella will offer enhanced privacy and access to exclusive services and amenities, including an owner’s lounge, fitness centre, and private dining room. Both resort guests and residential owners will have access to the golf course.

The resort will join the Waldorf Astoria Brand, which features a sense of “place” that reflects local culture, excellence in service, and the presence of luxurious amenities, combined with stunning architecture, curated art, and fine dining, providing unique and memorable experiences. 

The Waldorf Astoria brand currently includes over 65 hotels worldwide, with recent openings and upcoming projects in relevant location such as Helsinki, London, New York, Rabat, Salé, and Shanghai.

Links

https://stories.hilton.com/emea/releases/waldorf-astoria-to-come-to-spains-malaga-province-with-waldorf-astoria-marbella

https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article139259.html

Meliá Hotels International | Opened Paradisus by Meliá Bali, a Luxury Resort in Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia

Meliá Hotels International, a Spanish hotel chain founded in 1956 and based in Palma de Mallorca has opened Paradisus by Meliá Bali, a newly rebranded (late 2025) 5 - star luxury resort in Nusa Dua, a premier, secure, and gated resort enclave on the Bukit Peninsula, located on the southern coast of Bali, idyllic Indonesian island and province and the westernmost post of the Lesser Sunda Islands.  

Nusa Dua is renowned for its pristine white - sand beaches, calm turquoise waters, high - end luxury hotels, manicured tropical gardens, a long coastal promenade, water sports (parasailing, jet - skiing), and exclusive, tranquil, and a family - friendly environments, making it ideal for relaxing, upscale holidays.  

The opening of the resort marks the debut of the Paradisus brand from Meliá Hotels International in Asia, and a milestone of the group with a strategic expansion in the region in a very demanded destination like Bali. 

The resort features 492 suites and 7 private villas surrounded by tropical gardens overlooking the Indian Ocean, 8 diverse restaurants, three bars, 4 pools, a waterpark, a YHI Spa and dedicated areas for families (Family Concierge) and adults (The Reserve), Destination Inclusive® cultural activities and direct beach access. 

  Paradisus by Meliá Bali Main Features:

•    Number of Rooms: The Property features 492 Luxury Suites.
•    The Reserve: An adults - only area for guests aged 16 and above, offering dedicated rooms and suites, a private beach and pool area, personalized arrival and departure services, and exclusive dining spaces.
•    Family Concierge Accommodations: It provides spacious suites, in – room amenities, access to an exclusive beach area, a family – friendly restaurant, and a dedicated check - in area with a children’s playground. 
•    Villas: The resort offers cseven private villas featuring butler service. The villas comprise five – one bedroom and two – bedroom units, with a private pool, outdoor dining area, and open – air shower. Villas guests receive amenities such as Balinese rattan bag, sarong, hat, and yoga mat, and have access to a sunset cruise with private catamaran dining. 
•    Dining: The property features eight restaurants and three bars. Malva offers local and international cuisine, Peseta serves Spanish dishes, Kanna Beach Restaurant features South American cuisine, providing inspired dishes and local seafood. Other vernues include Tokimeku, for Japanese specialities, Arun for Indonesian cuisine with Balinese performances, Samira, serving Middle Eastern dishes, and Sante is an exclusive venue for the Reserve guests, while The Shack offers poolside snacks. 
•    Bars: Paradisus by Meliá Bali features three bars such as The Ginger Bar, The Mixton Bar, and The Deck Beach Bar serve beverages throughout the day and evening. 
•    Pools and Recreation: A main lagoon - style pool, a water park with 4 slides, and an adult – only pool for The Reserve guests. 
•    Wellness and Sports: The YHI Spa features 12 treatment rooms, a circuit pool, sauna, jaxuzzi and relaxation areas. The resort provide a 24 - hour gym with personalized training, and a wellness programme include daily activities such as yoga, breathwork, sound baths, meditation amnd sports. Facilities include badminton, futsal,  paddle tennis, tennis,  paddle tennis, basketball courts, a golf simulator, and non - motorized water sports.
•    Event Spaces: The resort features a grand ballroom for weddings and large events, eight meeting rooms for private and corporate functions, and a LED screen in the Nusa Dua area. 
•    Family and Teens: The property offers “Yourway Atelier”, Teens Club for teeens ages 13 to 18 offering activities and entertainment, kid’s clubs, and children’s playground.
•    The Destination Inclusive Program: The programme offers curated experiences both inside and outside the resort, including cultural activities, such as the Devan Show at Bali Nusa Dua Theatre and village visits near Mount Batukaru. Daily in – house activities include Lontar writing, Balinese dance, and arts and crafts for younger guests, such as Janur decoration, kite making, and animal feeding.
•    All - Inclusive Offering: Includes acvcommodation, dining at all restaurants, daily poolside snacks. 24 – hour room service, and a mini – bar replenished daily with select beverages. Premium alcoholic drinks are available at a discounted rate. 
•    Special Offerings: “Destination Inclusive®” program for cultural immersion and specialized “Family Concierge” service.  

The resort is designed for both families and couple, with distinct areas to cater to different travellers and promises to elevate the hospitality standards of the destination. 

Link 

https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article139880.html

Whitbread PLC | Officially Opened a New 212 - Room Hub by Premier Inn in London, England, UK

Whitbread PLC, British multinational hotel and restaurant company based in Houghton Regis has officially opened a new 212 - room hub by Premier Inn in London, England, UK.

The opening of the hub by Premier Inn London Farringdon (Old Bailey) responds to demand for affordable hotel accommodation in the City of London, in an area with significant cultural attractions, business headquarters, and transport connections, including the Elizabeth line.

The property is located in Farringdon a historic yet trendy Central London neighbourhood situated between Clerkenwell and the City, highlighted by the historic Smithfield Market, unique, industrial - chic venues like The Piano Works, and cultural spots like The Charterhouse,

The area is also renowned as a “foodie” hub, nightlife hotspot, with the presence of the famous Fabric nightclub,  and a major transport interchange in London, connecting Thameslink, Elizabeth Line, Circle, Hammersmith & City, and Metropolitan lines.

The hub by Premier Inn London Farringdon (Old Bailey) is situated at 5 Snow Hill, near the Old Bailey and Farringdon station, a short distance from popular attractions like St. Paul Cathedral and London Bridge, housed in a Victorian - era building, a Grade II Listed former police station, conserving its most significant features.

 The building retains the original façade to Snow Hill, the entrance foyer and staircase in the Snowhill Block, together with the Reading Room and the main staircase connecting the basement and the 1st floor level within the Cock Lane block. In addition to this, public access is provided into its most significant interiors such as the atrium used as a gallery exhibition featuring works by London - based artists Hilary Yip and Leily Mojdehi. These installations are designed to integrate the hotel within the City of London’s Culture Mile initiative.

The property incorporates heritage bedrooms at the front of the Grade II listed building, with additional compact bedrooms in a new building at the rear, set behind a historic retained façade across eight storeys.

The hotel features an on - site lounge/bar serving continental breakfast, including pastries, fruit, yoghurt and light bites, Wi - Fi throughout, and luggage storage.

The hub by Premier Inn London Farringdon (Old Bailey) hotel is powered by electricity backed by Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin (REGO) The building features heat - recovery systems, air - source heat pumps, and a blue roof design that stores rainwater and releases it slowly to reduce flood risk.

For this development Whitbread PLC acquired the former City of London Police Station from the City of London Corporation and collaborated with City planners to develop the hotel while preserving the building’s heritage.

Following the opening of the London Farringdon (Old Bailey) location, Whitbread PLC now operates seven Premier Inn and hub by Premier Inn hotels across the city of London, Two additional locations in the Square Mile are under construction or in the planning stage. Nearly 30% of Whitbread’s nationwide development pipeline comprises Premier Inn hub hotels with most projects concentrated in London.

The hub by Premier Inn brand launched on St Martins Lane in Covent Garden in 2014 and now operates nineteen hotels with nearly 3.300 bedrooms in Central London and Edinburgh City Centre.

Link

https://www.premierinn.com/gb/en/hotels/england/greater-london/london/hub-london-farringdon-old-bailey.html

https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article139845.html

Tanzania | Secured Significant International Climate and Environment Financing for Mainland and Zanzibar Projects

Tanzania has secured significant international climate and environment financing for projects across Mainland and Zanzibar. Since 2020, 10 projects worth 97.6bn/ - have been completed with further three projects valued at 62.6bn/ - in preparation.

Supported by Key funding partners include the Global Environment Facility (GEF), Green Climate Fund (GCF), World Bank, and African Development Bank (AfDB), these initiatives focus on conservation and climate adaptation, coastal protection, ecosystem restoration and sustainable tourism, aligning with the National Climate Change Strategy 2021 - 2026.

Officials said programmes are allocated to both sides of the Union based on needs, siting land restoration in North A District and coastal protection in Unguja and Pemba, projects that are also linked of the Zanzibar Joint Programme (ZJP) leveraging carbon financing and supporting clean cooking solutions to improve resilience and livelihoods in these localities.

The projects align with the Tanzania Development Vision 2050 and the Green Agenda 27, while Tanzania’s vice presidency of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) is expected to strengthen access to future projects and reinforce resilience in key tourism areas.

Link

https://atta.travel/resource/tanzania-secures-climate-funds-for-mainland-and-zanzibar-projects.html

   

Chile | Launched an International Initiative Promoting the Conservation of Forests and Endangered Species in the Country

An international initiative led by the Landscape Ecology Laboratory of the  University of Concepción and supported by the Franklinia Foundation, a private foundation established in 2005 under Swiss law, providing grants to support nature conservation projects, with partners like Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI), a plant conservation charity based in Kew, Surrey, England, UK, a membership organization,  working with 800 botanic gardens in 118 countries was launched to promote the conservation of forests and endangered species in Chile. 

 The project aims to develop genetic guidelines for seed collection and advance in the conservation and restoration of threatened Nothafogus species, an initiative that reverses habitat degradation by creating in - situ protected areas and developing ex - situ conservation strategies for trees like the hualo, the oak of Santiago, and the ruil, between the Chilean regions of Valparaiso and Biobío.

Started in 2022, the program with the integration of scientific information into concrete in situ conservation actions, in order to strengthen the genetic viability and resilience of forest depopulations, the initiative seeks to reverse the degradation of these native forests, affected by land - use change, fires, drought, over exploitation, and climate change, through an integrated conservation strategy.

The project has international funding and articulates universities, public institutes, and national and international organizations, according to information from the Chilean outlet El Ciudadano.

Between 2023 and 2025, more than 13 kilos of seeds were collected, 19 sites with the presence of the target species were evaluated, and restoration actions were initiated in degraded. Areas.

In the medium term, the initiative seeks to expand collaboration with local communities and institutions to contribute to public policies that ensure the protection of these endemic species of high ecological value.

The effort establishes a roadmap to scale up conservation, enhancing biodiversity and creating resilient landscapes for local communities.

Link

https://tvbrics.com/es/news/proyecto-internacional-impulsa-la-conservaci-n-de-bosques-y-especies-amenazadas-en-chile/

Belarus | Emerged as One of the Most Sought - After International Destinations for Russian Travellers' Late Winter Breaks

Belarus has emerged as one of the most sought - after international destinations for Russian travellers' late winter breaks as stated by BelTA, Belarus’ largest news agency. 

The country has emerged as a top destination for Russian tourists during February and March 2026, Leading a 42% surge in overall foreign holiday bookings. Driven by extended holidays (February 20 - 23, March 6-9), Belarus attracts visitors coming from the Russian Federation with easy travel, no visa/language barriers, and popular agro - tourism, with the country boasting over 1.400 farm tourism estates located in the most picturesque places.

Russian travellers are demonstrating particular interests in nearby countries, with Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan standing out as preferred choices. Demand for these destinations has grown by 89% year - on - year, reflecting the appeal of cultural proximity, convenient transport links, and diverse tourism offerings.

 Key Features of the Surge Russian Travellers attracted by Belarus: 

•    Top Destination Status: Along with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, Belarus is a preferring nearby destination for Russian tourists, offering easy travel, no visa/language barriers.

•    Soaring Demand: Bookings for near - abroad destinations including Belarus have grown by 89% year - on - year. 

•    Appeal Factors: Proximity, convenient transport links such as flights, trains from Moskow and St. Petersburg and similar services like Yandex Taxi, make Belarus a popular destination. 

•    Tourism Offerings: High interest in agro - tourism estates, health resorts, and cultural/historical excursions as reported by BelTA. 

With regard to other markets for Russian travellers, beach resorts have also recorded strong momentum. Egypt, Indonesia, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam collectively posted a 78% increase in bookings, highlighting sustained enthusiasm for warm - weather leisure during the last winter season. 

Excursions - focused travel is gaining traction as well. China reported a 66% rise in interest for Russian tourists, underscoring a broader shift towards cultural and sightseeing experiences. 

Overall, the most popular destinations among Russian travellers for the period include Belarus, China, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam. At the same time, domestic tourism continues to expand, with more travellers choosing to explore destinations within Russia alongside their international trips.  

Link 

https://tvbrics.com/en/news/belarus-leads-surge-in-russians-overseas-holiday-travel-for-late-winter-breaks/