Disney Vacation Club | Announced the Future Opening of Disney Lakeshore Lodge in Bay Lake, Florida, U.S.

Disney Vacation Club (DVC) has announced the future opening of Disney Lakeshore Lodge releasing additional information and new details about this resort that will open in Bay Lake, a city in Orange County, Florida, U.S. located inside the Central Florida Oversight District (formerly the Reedy Creek Improvement District) which also includes Walt Disney World.  

Projected to open in summer 2027, Disney Lakeshore Lodge will open on the shores of Walt Disney World’s Bay Lake near Magic Kingdom, in the same spot as the now - defunct River Country water park.

The resort that was previously announced in November 2024 is projected to open in summer next year and will be part of Disney’s flexible timeshare program, called Disney Vacation Club. 

Disney Lakeshore Lodge is planned to feature 967 themed accommodations, including studios and multi - bedroom villas designed for families with floor - to - ceiling windows planned to views of the surrounding landscape and one - and two – bedroom Lake Houses positioned along the waterfront, offering enhanced privacy and water views.

The location will provide views of native flora and fauna during the day and views of the Magic Kingdom Park fireworks at night.

The property is described as integrating references to various Disney animated stories inspired by nature, including “Bambi,” “Pocahontas,”and “Brother Bear.” These elements are planned to be incorporated into the property’s architecture and artwork.

The establishment will be part of Walt Disney World Resort, a massive entertainment complex featuring four theme parks (Animal Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Magic Kingdom), two water parks, over 30 themed resort hotels, the Disney Springs shopping/dining district, golf courses, and extensive recreation, featuring immersive storytelling, character experience, and extensive guest transportation.

Additional details regarding dining venues, recreational offerings, amenities, and design elements will be shared in the coming months.

Link

https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article141015.html

Hilton | Signed a Franchise Agreement to Open a 111 - Room Hilton Garden Inn Hotel in Gijang, Busan, South Korea

Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc., American multinational hospitality company based in Tysons, Virginia, has signed a franchise agreement with MS&C Co., Ltd, a prominent South Korean manufacturing company headquartered in Yangsan - si, holding a relevant presence in the hospitality and real estate sector to open a 111 - room Hilton Garden Inn hotel in Gijang, a gun, or district located between Haeundae - gu and Ulsan in northern Busan, South Korea’ second - largest city and its premier maritime hub, located on the southwestern coast, famous for its dramatic coastal mountains, sandy beaches, bustling seafood markets and cultural landmarks.

The agreement reflects growing demand in Gijang Busan, which is positioned as an emerging hub for tourism, wellness, and medical travel with Busan targeting 100.000 foreign medical visitors by 2030.

The Hilton Garden Inn Busan Gijang scheduled to open in 2028 will be located in the peaceful Giajang - gun district, highlighted by colourful buildings and gilded Buddha statues backed by forested hills, near the 14^th – century Haedong Yonggungsa temple complex overlooking the sea, Lotte World Adventure Busan, Shinsegae Busan Premium Outlets, and several golf courses.

The planned property part of a mixed - use development project will feature 111 rooms and amenities including an all - day dining restaurant, a café and lounge, a fitness centre, swimming pool, and sauna facilities.

The hotel will join Hilton Garden Inn, an award - winning, upscale - midscale hotel brand by Hilton tailored for both business and leisure travellers. With over 1.120 properties globally, the brand sits in Hilton’s focused - service category, balancing affordable luxury with reliable amenities and services.

The brand targets frequent professionals and travellers who want modern, functional rooms and convenient social spaces without the price tag of fully luxury brands.

Hilton Garden Inn Busan Gijang will join Hilton’s existing portfolio of trading and pipeline hotels in South Korea and is expected to serve guests visiting for business, leisure and medical travel.

Link

https://stories.hilton.com/releases/hilton-signs-hilton-garden-inn-in-busan-south-korea

https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article141333.html

Minor Hotels | Officially Opened its First Ever Colbert Collection Hotel, Located in Florence, Italy

Minor Hotels, an international operator, investor and owner in the hospitality industry founded in 1978 and based in Bangkok, Thailand, has officially opened on 12 May 2026 its first ever Colbert Collection hotel, located in Florence, magnificent capital city of Italy’s Tuscany region, situated on the banks of the Arno River in a picturesque hilly area in the foothills of the Apennine mountain range, one of the most charming and attractive cities of the world, recognized as the cradle of the Renaissance and home of some of the most celebrated masterpieces of art and architecture.

Following a comprehensive renovation Porta Rossa Hotel Firenze, Colbert Collection has opened its doors at Via Porta Rossa, 19 in the heart of Florence’s historic centre. The property sits mere steps from major landmarks like the Ponte Vecchio, the Uffizi Gallery and the Florence Cathedral (Duomo), within a 5 - minute stroll of the iconic Piazza della Signoria, and Arno River, and the high - end boutiques of Via Tornabuoni are just outside the doors.

The property (believed to be Italy’s oldest hotel) occupies a building first mentioned in 1386, set in a primarily pedestrian - friendly, historic area, surrounded by authentic Tuscan dining and shopping.

The renovation preserved original architectural features such as vaulted ceilings and frescoed walls, while introducing contemporary elements.

The hotel features 69 rooms and suites, including six signature suites. The Torre Monalda Signature Suites is situated within a 13^th century medieval tower, the Bartolini Frescoed Suites features 18^th - century frescoes, and the Amici Frescoes Junior Suite is noted for its appearance in an Italian film.

Public areas include a lobby designed as a contemporary piazza with bespoke furnishing and a bistro bar. The hotel also features two meeting rooms with a capacity of up to 40 guests.

A new restaurant concept by Michelin Starred Chef Paulo Airaudo is scheduled to launch in June, focusing on Italian cuisine and reinterpreting local ingredients and traditions.  

Porta Rossa Hotel Firenze is the inaugural property for the Colbert Collection brand launxched earlier this year, a new premium “soft brand” by Minor Hotels which features independent, unique, luxury properties allowing them to join a global  network while retaining their individual identities.

The brand is built on “the art of gathering”, “the art of place,” and “the art of taste,”emphasizing social connection, local heritage, and curated high - end dining experiences.

The brand plans to expand with The WestDill Mayfair Hotel London, England, UK in Q4 2026 and Colbert Collection Koh Samui, Thailand in Q1 2027.

Links

https://www.minorhotels.com/en/destinations/italy/florence/porta-rossa-hotel-firenze-colbert-collection

https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article141295.html

Roraima, Brazil | Carefully Preserving the Recipe for the Traditional “Paçoca de Carne Seca” as a Cornerstone of Local Identity and Cultural Heritage

Roraima, Brazil’s northernmost, least populated, and most geographically and logistically isolated state bordering Guyana and Venezuela, characterized by dramatic “tepuis” (table - top mountains), vast Amazon rainforests, and expansive savannas is carefully preserving the recipe for the traditional “Paçoca de Carne Seca”(dried beef beef meat and cassava flour) as a cornerstone of local identity and cultural heritage. 

The “Paçoca de Carne Seca” is a traditional, savoury Brazilian  dish rooted in indigenous, colonial, and “tropeiro”(muleteer) culture. It is primarily a mix of shredded, sun - dried beef and cassava flour, often prepared in a mortar and “pilão” (pestle). 

The base consists of “carne - seca” (salted, dried beef) or “carne de sol” (sun – dried beef), combined with manioca flour (cassava flour). Additional ingredients often include onion, garlic, “manteiga de garrafa (bottled/ghee), and sometimes cilantro or green onions. 

Unlike the sweet peanut version popular elsewhere in Brazil, Roraima’s Paçoca is a savoury, artisanal, and highly durable food that reflects the region’s indigenous roots and ranching history and is prepared in an artisanal way, symbol of the local identity and cultural heritage of the region. 

Preservation of Tradition:

 •    Ingredients and Method: The traditional recipe remains unchanged, using only dried sun – dried meat (carne de sol) and toasted cassava flour. 
•    Artisanal Process: The ingredients are combined and pounded together in a large wooden mortar and pestle. 
•    Long - Lasting: The mixture is naturally preserved through dehydration, making it an ideal, high - energy food that does mot spoil easily. 
•    Cultural Significance: The  “Paçoca de Carne Seca”  recognized as a cultural and immaterial heritage of Roraima, spreading in other Brazilian regions, with practices passed through generations. 
•    Indigenous Roots: The dish originates from Tupi - Guarani techniques, where po -  çoc means “to crumble” or “to pound”. 

To celebrate and maintain this tradition, Roraima prepares the “world largest” paçoca annually during the Boa Vista Junina festival, reaching a record - breaking 1.547 kg in 2025. The preparation involves professional chefs and loyal to the most rooted tradition is served with banana. 

Link 

https://tvbrics.com/es/shows/en-el-estado-brasileno-de-roraima-se-conserva-la-receta-de-la-tradicional-pasoca/

Cape Town, South Africa | Established a Southern Africa Tourism Alliance with Namibia and Zimbabwe Focusing on Multi - Travel Itineraries

Cape Town, vibrant port city of South Africa’s southwest coast, located on a striking peninsula overlooking the Atlantic and Indian oceans, highlighted by a unique natural setting in the Floristic Region and boasting stunning landmarks include Cape Point and Table Mountain, through Cape Town Tourism, the city’s official regional tourism organization, has established a Southern Africa alliance with the Namibia Tourism Board and the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, a strategic partnership to strengthen the region’s position as a connected, high – value international destination. 

The alliance focuses on multi - country travel itineraries that link iconic experiences in Cape Town, Namibia, and Zimbabwe offering tourists a unique opportunity to explore Cape Town’s Table Mountain and Winelands, Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls, and Namibia’s deserts and wildlife reserves in a single journey.

Joint digital campaigns are planned, with activity expected to launch ahead of the peak international travel planning period in November.

The partnership will also leverage major sporting, cultural, and business events a catalysts for multi - country travel, encouranging visitors to extend trips and explore beyond single destinations.

First explored at World Travel Market Africa 2025, the agreement focuses on shifting from volume to value - promoting longer stays, higher per – trip expenditure, and a more equitable distribution of tourism benefits across Southern Africa.

The partnership support local employment, investment in hospitality infrastructure, and growth in ancillary sectors such as cultural services, gastronomy, and transport.

CEO of Cape Town Tourism, Enver Duminy, noted that global travellers increasingly seek depth and diversity rather than single - stop experiences, positioning the collaboration as a means of competing more effectively on the international stage.

CEO of the Namibia Tourism Board, Sebulon Chicalu, added that removing friction in regional travel and attracting high - value visitors would support broader economic resilience across the region.

Link

https://atta.travel/resource/cape-town-zimbabwe-and-namibia-form-southern-africa-tourism-alliance.html

Hoi An, Vietnam | Leading the List of Prominent Slow - Paced Tourism Destinations in Asia

Hoi An, a mesmerizing UNESCO - listed ancient port city along the Thu Bon River in Central Vietnam, famous for its vibrant, lantern – lit streets, yellow - hued French - colonial architecture, and rich culinary scene, offering a magical blend of centuries - old temples, bespoke tailoring, and nearby tropical beaches  is leading the list of prominent slow - paced tourism destinations in Asia, as ranked by online travel platform Agoda. 

Highlighted by its charming old town with its labyrinth of narrow, traffic - free streets to explore historical merchant homes, the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge, and colourful Chinese assembly halls, perfect to discover its attractions on foot or by bike, this once - important trading port allows visitors to experience the nostalgic atmosphere of its leisurely pace of life.

 While traditionally known as a peaceful respite, its soaring popularity has transformed this Vietnamese city into a fast – paced, bustling centre for international tourism, local culture, and exceptional culinary experience. 

According to Agoda, more and more international travellers are opting for immersive experiences instead of overloaded itineraries, from local cuisine and culture to moments in contact with nature.  

Key Highlights of Hoi Han: 

•    The Old Town: The city’s beating heart features architecture influenced by Chinese, Japanese, and French traders, with iconic landmarks like the Japanese Covered Brisge. 
•    Culinary Capital: It is famous for regional dishes like Cao Lau, Mi Quang, and White Rose Dumplings. 
•    Fast - Paced Tourism: Voted one of the top cities globally in the Travel + Leisure Awards, Hoi Han balances its ancient charm with a highly active, dynamic tourism scene complete with bustling night markets, custom tailor shops, and boat tours along the Thu Bon River.
•    Sustainable Shift: Despite its rapid growth, Hoi Han is a pioneer in eco – tourism, featuring bicycle – friendly roads, pedestrian – only and vehicle – free zones in the historic centre, and plastic reduction campaigns.

Hence, Hoi Han heads a list that includes, among other, Chiang Mai, Thailand, Galle, Sri Lanka, Kerala, India, Kyoto, Japan, and Ubud, Bali, Indonesia.

The inclusion of Hoi Han in the list of prominent slow tourism destinations in Asia further reaffirms Vietnam’s attractiveness in the eye’s friends, the National Tourism Administration portal said in releasing the information. 

The attractiveness of the Southeast Asian country responds not only to its diversity of landscapes, but also to its cultural depth and its rich and emotionally significant experiences, in line with the growing global trend of sustainable tourism. 

On the other hand, and according to press reports, Vietnam has just issued, for the first time a specific national standard for adventure tourism, which establishes, safety requirements for participants, guides, and attendees in activities such as hiking and trekking. 

According to sources, an essential element of the regulation lies in the fact that, before organizing any excursion, it is mandatory to carry out a risk assessment, which includes the analysis of the terrain, weather conditions, the difficulty of the route and the capacity to respond to emergencies. 

The new standard also sets clear criteria for route classification and stricter requirements for the ongoing training of guides and group leaders, who must not only direct the activities, but also be responsible for risk management at the activity site. 

It was also announced that the Hanoi Department of Tourism presented eight new tourism products and destinations conceived as an ecological trip, focusing on nature conservation, cultural heritage enhancement and the promotion of community responsibility. 

Among the most attractive offers are the Nam Than Long, Hanoi heritage tours with the themes “Return to the roots” and “Quintessence of Vietnamese Trades Villages”, as well as rural tourism “Flower of Tuong Phieu”, and community tourism in Mien Village in Ba Vi. 

Link 
https://infoturlatam.com/ciudad-vietnamita-de-hoi-an-lider-entre-destinos-de-ritmo-pausado/

Cairo, Egypt | To Introduce a New Digital Visa - On - Arrival System at its International Airport

 Cairo, Egypt's capital and largest city will introduce a new digital visa - on - arrival system at its International Airport, continuing its process of modernization and techological advancements in its infrastructure, with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly overseeing the signing of two operational agreements between platform developer CyShield Technology and payment partners the National Bank of Egypt and Banque Misr.

This electronic visa on arrival allows travellers to obtain their Egypt tourist visa within minutes, directly at the airport. Using automatic kiosks, an upgraded online portal or a mobile app, visitors can bypass long lines and tedious paperwork.

Under the new system scheduled to launch across all Cairo Airport terminals in August 2026, visa and service fees will be paid electronically allowing travellers to obtain visa - on  - arrival approvals digitally through self - services kiosks, a mobile application, or online digital platform using QR code verification that function as a digital visa stamp, to be scanned by passport officers on arrival.

Travellers will also have the option to obtain their visa up to 48 hours before arrival, either directly through the platform or via tourism companies.

This move forms part of the country’s broader digital transformation strategy and follows a separate decision by the Ministry of Civil Aviation on 11 April April 2026 to cancel the paper passport card for Egyptian passengers departing from and arriving at all Cairo International Airport terminals

Link

https://atta.travel/resource/eu-backs-new-conservation-project-for-kgalagadi-transfrontier-park.html