Ruby Hotels GmbH | To Open its Second U.S. Hotel, located in New York City

Ruby Hotels GmbH, a hospitality international  brand founded in 2013 and based in Munich, Germany, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ leading premium portfolio, a hotel company breaking new ground with its Lean Luxury philosophy with a lean organisational structure and concentration on on the essentials and aimed in creating a contemporary, affordable, cost and style - conscious customers,  will open its second U.S. hotel in New York.

The urban lifestyle hotel  brand will introduce its signature blend of character, charm and efficient design in New York City once again, planning to open a new location in one of the most demanded destinations worldwide like NYC, one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, a major global city and vibrant metropolis, known for its diversity, economic influence, and cultural significance, located at the mouth of the Hudson River in southeastern New York state,  the most populous city in the U.S.offering a plethora of places to visit for tourists, including iconic landmarks,   vibrant neighbourhoods and several cultural attractions.

The soon - to convert Ruby New York City marks the second U.S. signing for the brand only a few months., alongside a forthcoming Chicago hotel, both properties to open in 2027.

Local hotel, residential and commercial developer AC Developers will be the owners of Ruby New York City, while Ambridge Hospitality, a third - party hotel management company based in Piano, Texas, managing over 1.100 hotels globally will oversee its operations.

A comprehensive renovation set to begin this year will transform an 18 - story, historic 1930s – era building into a flagship for the Ruby brand. 

This upcoming 187 - room urban lifestyle hotel opening in Manhattan will open its doors  along the famed and bustling Avenue of the Americas,  steps away from landmarks like Madison Square Garden, Herald Square and the Empire State Building.

The property will combine the brand’s distinctive, cost - conscious luxury design with a highly social cultural atmosphere, inviting lifestyle - minded travellers into a soulful, high - energy environment shaped by the rhythm of New York City.

The hotel will feature 187 streamlined, compact rooms with signature bedding, rainfall showers, and standardized  premium prewar finishes, with each space built for effortless comfort.

The property will boast a 24/7 lobby bat that serves as a communal social space for both hotel guests and local visitors alike, echoing the vibrant atmosphere that defines Ruby’s European portfolio.

The forthcoming Ruby New York City builds on IHG Hotels & Resorts’ recent expansion across the market. Luxury and lifestyle brand Kimpton recently opened the doors to new properties, Kimpton Era Midtown - New York and Kimpton Ashbel New York - Park Avenue. IHG premium brand voco hotels opened its largest Americas hotel in Times Square, a 32 - story property also owned by AC Developers. Later this year IHG’ s renowned Crowne Plaza brand will return to the iconic Times Square with the opening of a newly converted hotel.  

Beyond its U.S. expansion, Ruby Hotels boasts 40 open and pipeline properties predominantly span Europe’s largest and most prominent cities. The brand’s 2026 global signings include its first planned hotel in Belgium and new properties in Germany and Italy. These additions further IHG Hotels & Resorts’ ambition to grow the brand to more 120 global hotels during the next decade and more than 250 during the next 20 years.  

CEO, Americas for IHG Hotel & Resorts, Jolyon Bulley, said that Ruby’s arrival in New York City reflects the company momentum in bringing the brand’s distinctive experience and flexible model to major U.S. urban markets. With two properties new planned in iconic, gateway cities, IHG is just beginning to unlock Ruby’s growth potential. IHG Hotels & Resorts also looks forward to building on its longstanding relationship with the team of AC Developers to make New York’s first Ruby a must - stay destination.

AC Developers co - founder Andrew Webs added that New York City is the ideal home for Ruby Hotels, a brand that balances an inviting and memorable lifestyle experience while appealing to cost and style - conscious travellers and AC Developers welcomes the opportunity to bring Ruby Hotel in New York in collaboration with IHG Hotels & Resorts.

Links

https://www.ihgplc.com/en/news-and-media/news-releases/2026/ruby-hotels-to-shine-in-the-big-apple-with-second-us-signing

https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article141469.html

Minor Hotels | Signed an Agreement to Open a 121 - Room NH Hotel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Minor Hotels, an international operator, investor and owner in the hospitality industry founded in 1978 and based in Bangkok, Thailand, has signed an agreement to open a 121 - room NH hotel in Riyadh, the capital and main financial hub of Saudi Arabia, located on a desert plateau in the centre of the country, known as the cultural capital of the Saudi Kingdom due to its numerous cultural centres, among them the King ‘ Abd ‘ Aziz Historical Centre,  the National Museum and the National Library. 

The future  planned opening of NH Riyadh Prime Square Hotel marks the debut of the NH Hotels & Resorts brand in the Middle East, as part of the company strategy to expand its presence in the region in key destinations like Riyadh that is investing heavily in hospitality and infrastructure to meet its demand. The number of of tourist rooms in the region recently reached 50.000, which is a 34% increase.

The property, developed by  Heyazah Real Estate Development, a renowned company based in Riyadh offering integrated services and constructing commercial projects, part of Ahmed Sl - Saif Holding Group, which has completed approximately 621.000 square metres of development and has more than 1.1 million square metres under development.

The hotel is scheduled to open in 2030 within Prime Square, a mixed - use development located along King Abdullah Road, an integrated urban destination centred around a landscaped plaza with retail outlets, cafes, restaurants, and lifestyle amenities. The development is situated near Al Wurud Metro Station and STC Metro Station, providing access to the city’s commercial and leisure districts.

Prime Square is situated in the beating heart of King Fahad District,  a well - known residential and commercial neighbourhood in central Riyadh near bustling roads and avenues highlighted by the presence of  towering skyscrapers, and the extensive King Fahal District Park, a peaceful green space that is open 24 hours hours a day for walking, picnics, and family outings

The area offers an easy access to key transit spots like the King Fahad District 2 Station, highly accessible and serving as a major hub for businesses and medical centres, providing s variety of amenities snd lanmrks for residents and visitors.

The hotel will feature 121 rooms and suites, including 80 King Rooms, 25 Deluxe King Rooms, and 16 NH Suites. Amenities will include an all - day dining restaurant, a specialty restaurant, a rooftop pool bar and lounge, a swimming pool, a fitness centre, a business centre, and meeting facilities.

The hotel will join NH Hotels & Resorts, a  brand which provides travellers with comfortable, modern urban hotels boasting excellent city - centre access, emphasizing great value, excellent service, and modern comfort.

The signing of NH Riyadh Prime Square hotel comes amid ongoing growth in Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector despite regional tensions, supported by infrastructure investment, economic diversification and increasing travel demand with Riyadh identified as a growing hub for business tourism and events.

Links

https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article141876.html

The Dean Group | Announced the Opening of a 281 - Room Hotel in Munich, Germany

The Dean Group, a boutique, culture – driven hotel company founded in Dublin, Ireland has announced the opening of a 281 - room hotel in Munich, vibrant, cosmopolitan capital of Bavaria and Germany’s third - largest city, famous for its world – class museums, stunning architecture, a rich cultural heritage,  historic beer halls like the Hofbräuhaus, the iconic annual Oktoberfest,  a city that beautifully balances a high – tech, modern economy and stunning alpine scenery right of its doorstep.

The Dean Munich is the brand’s largest to date hotel and its second in Germany, following the opening of The Dean Berlin in February 2026.

This culturally - forward lifestyle boutique hotel which merges luxe 1980s glamour with early 20 th - century Jugendstil design is located at Landsberger Strasse 68  in Munich’s vibrant Westend neighbourhood in the heart of the city near Marieplatz Viktalienmarkt,  a short walk of Theresiewiese (Oktoberfest grounds), the historic Augustiner beer garden, the Donnersbergbücke, and Schrenksrtasse transport hubs,  providing direct 15 - minute S – Bahn access to Munich Airport.

The design of the hotel incorporates elements inspired by Bavaria’s Art Nouveau heritage and 1980s Munich nightlife, with social spaces designed by Tatjana von Stein.

The property features 281 comfortable guestrooms range from Standard Rooms to The Dean Suite and The Penthouse Suite, include smart technology and a range of amenities.

Guestrooms blend paired - back palettes of gentle greens with velvet, polished wood, and custom DS & Durga Irish - landscapes fragrance. Upgraded rooms and suites feature black tile floors, golden rugs, copper accents, deep soaking bathtubs, and private balconies.

Guests can dine at Ibasho, the brand’s signature restaurant serving a modern traditional Japanese menu developed by consultant chef Alex Craciun. The menu includes pressed sushi, sashimi, grilled steaks and seafood, a curated caviar selection, and a cocktail and sake menu. The hotel also features a chic Rooftop Bar and a Lobby Lounge & Bar.

The Power Wellness Club, The Dean’s fitness and wellness concept, features a high - energy fitness and recovery space, an indoor infinity pool complete with a cinema screen and cocktail service, sauna, steam room, a full menu of spa treatments,, group training classes, and a thermal suite with contrast therapy.

The hotel will launch a site - specific art program titled “The City Beneath the City,”curated by Christian Gnzenberg. The Program will focus on Munich - based contemporary artists and include works by Ju Young Kim, Veronika Hilger, Jienn Park, Sebastian Quast, and photographers from Der Greif Studio, Ossian Fraser will also contribute commissioned works using materials from the hotel site.

Links

https://thedeanhotels.com/locations/munich

https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article141971.html

Malawi | Overhauling its Tourism Sector as New Investment Plans Take Shape

Malawi is overhauling its tourism sector pushes for growth as new investment plans take shape to shift from a predominantly business travel model to a leisure powerhouse.

Several investments include unprecedented infrastructure like Lake Malawi cruise ships, an ambitious development spearheaded by Umodzi Holdings, luxury eco - resorts, streamlined visa access for 79 countries  to drive foreign exchange earnings and the ambitious growth targets under the Malawi 2030 vision are among the main factors that are transforming the tourism industry landscape of the African country.

Concerning infrastructure improvements, connectivity is being boosted through major public - private partnerships, including a $43 million China - backed highway in Libongwe.

A newly established Tourism Authority is taking over destination marketing to raise hospitality and service standards.

Priority projects within the Malawi National Investment Masterplan also include a proposed 100 - bed medical retreat in Zomba to tap into health and health and wellness tourism.

In addition Malawi is actively working on regional integration, collaborating with Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe to create unified cross - border African travel experiences.

The sectoir is projected to hit K1 trillion in revenue, expanding on the successes of recent years where visitor -exports rose from K27.5 billion to over K54 billion.

Malawi’s tourism sector is facing renewed calls to move beyond its long - standing reputation as a destination of unrealised potential, following a high - level meeting between the Tourism and Hospitality Industry Professionals Association (THIPA) and Umodzi Holdings CEO Kamlepo Kalua.

Despite possessing Lake Malawi, an African Great Lake and the southernmost lake in the Wast African Rift system recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the ninth largest lake in the world, alongside mountain ranges, wildlife corridors and endemic species, Malawi currently ranks tenth among SADC nations for tourism, contributing seven per cent to GDP.

The Tourism and Hospitality Industry Professionals Association President Sylvester Mtambo described the ranking sd avoidable, calling for coordinated, properly resourced marketing backed by genuine public - private partnership.

Umodzi Holdings CEO outlined what may represent the most ambitious private tourism investment in the country in years, with Umodzi Holdings developing a casino on Likoma Island, a hotel at Malembo in Mangochi, and most notably a cruise ship to sail Lake Malawi itself, a concept without precedents on the lake.  The projects are designed to generate foreign exchange for an economy under currency pressure.

The executive pledged to work alongside THIPA to raise service delivery standards across the industry, acknowledging that world - class attractions must be matched by world - class hospitality to compete seriously for international visitors.

Both parties agreed that Malawi’s challenge is no longer a shortage of tourism assets, but the will and resources to market and deliver them effectively.

Link

https://atta.travel/resource/malawi-tourism-sector-pushes-for-growth-as-new-investment-plans-take-shape.html

Paraguay | Actively Working to Promote Crafts as a Tourist Attraction

Paraguay is actively working to promote crafts as a tourist attraction. The Paraguayan National Tourism Secretariat (Senatur) and the Paraguayan Institute of Handicraft (IPA) are integrating artisanal traditions with national tourism reinforcing joint work to promote this initiative making crafts a driver to highlight the rich cultural heritage of the country.

This initiative led by the Minister of Tourism, Jacinto Santa María, and representatives of the IPA, headed by its president Andrea Vázquez, was launched in a meeting where they analyzed the advances in the artisanal circuits that seek to strengthen the production, marketing and economic development of artisans as a relevant resource for tourism and the national economy. 

This collaboration aims to empower local artisans, including indigenous communities by boosting commercial skills and promoting regional heritage like Ao Po’i textiles, a delicate handmade 100% cotton textile distinguished by its intricate hand - embroidery, Ñanduti lace, a traditional needle lace whose Guarani name translates to “spider web.”, featuring intricate, radiating geometric spokes and vibrant motifs, and cedar wood carvings to visitors.

Both institutions highlighted the importance of integrating artisans and their creations into the Paraguayan tourist landscape, in order to increase the visibility of their products to the preservation of national traditions. Thr two entities also evaluated the diversification of the artisanal circuits to benefit more communities, promote cultural exchange and foster sustainable development throughout the country.

This partnership connects traditional crafts to major routes like the “Golden Circuit” making cultural appreciation a cornerstone of the country’s broader tourism growth. In addition the IPA is advancing copyright protection and commercial skill - building to ensure these creations thrive in the market.

Link

https://senatur.gov.py/noticias/buscan-promocionar-la-artesania-como-atractivo-turistico/

India | Successfully Brought 21.76 Million Hectares of Degraded and Deforested Land Under Active Restoration

India successfully brought 21.76 million hectares of degraded and deforested land under active restoration. This remarkable achievement accounts for nearly 84% of the country’s pledge to reclaim 26 million hectares by 2030 under the global Bonn Challenges. 

The works are carried out throughout the national territory and include the restoration of forests, rivers watersheds, grasslands, mangroves, wetlands and agricultural lands. Particular attention is paid to tree planting agroforestry, develoment, grassland protection and coastal ecosystem restoration, which is important for both nature and rural dwellers. 

Among the achievements is also the treatment of more than 27 million hectares within the framework of the watershed management facilities with georeferencing. Under the “Green India” programme, re -vegetation and forest restoration work has been carried out on an area of approximately 172.000 hectares.

In addition with the support of the National Reforestation Compensation Fund Management and Planning IIn addition Authority (CAMPA), some 220. 000 hectares have been reforested in the last five years. 

Talangana state has taken the lead in maximum area restored, closely followed by Andhra Pradesh ,Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha. 

These vast restoration efforts have generated approximately 1.2 billion person - days of employment, significantly boosting rural livelihoods and climate resilience. 

India relies on a blend of policy initiatives, scientific interventions, and community - led participation to combat desertification. 

Methods Used for Reclamation: 

•    Agroforestry and Silviculture: Integrating trees and shrubs into farming systems to improve soil fertility and prevent erosion. 
•    Aravalli Green Wall Initiative: A massive ongoing project designed to restore degraded land and establish a natural barrier against the eastward expansion of the That Desert. 
•    Mangrove Restoration: Programs like MISHTI are actively rehabilitating coastal ecosystems to prevent erosion and increase resilience against severe weather. 
•    Digital Monitoring: Advanced spatial platforms like Bhuwan, Vedas, and Yuktdhara are used to plan and scientifically track restoration progress. 

These measures are of great importance for the future food and environmental security of the country. Experts note that these initiatives are particularly relevant for India’s arid region, as they directly impact the yield of agricultural crops, including fodder, water availability and the income level of the population.

 
Link 
https://tvbrics.com/es/news/india-lucha-contra-la-desertificaci-n-recuperando-21-76-millones-de-hect-reas-de-tierras-en-el-pa-s/

Zimbabwe | ZBC Launched Africa’s Forst Weekly Wildlife TV Magazine Series

The Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC), Zimbabwe’s state - owned national broadcasting service, operating television and radio from its Pocket Hills headquarters in Harare launched on 30 June 2026 ”ZBC’s Wild Africa Adventures”, marking the debut of Africa’s first weekly wildlife television magazine series.

The 13 - episode series follows presenters Rumbie Takawira, Dr Mark Ofua and Zandile Ndhlovu as they document conservation efforts across the continent, highlighting on - the - ground conservation heroes, celebrity advocates like Lupita Nyong’o,. Danai Gurira, Djimon Hounsou and African wildlife in a bid to fight Africa’s declining populations and habitat loss.

The series is produced in Cape Town by Wild Africa, with support from the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and the Tammy Estrada Strome Foundation and will air across multiple African broadcasters.

Created specifically for African audiences, the series aims to raise awareness of the continent, by spotlighting accelerating wildlife crises over the past 50 years, Africa’s monitored wildlife populations have decided by 70% with an estimated 3.9 million of forest annually.

Episodes span a wide range of conservation stories, from sea turtle rescue in Nigeria and pangolin protection in Namibia to Zimbabwe’s all female anti - poaching unit.

The program focuses heavily on how humans and animals can coexist, such as exploring chili farming to prevent human - elephant conflicts.

By intertwining cultural community leadership with celebrity segments, the series ensures conservation messages are engaging and reach a broad, multi - generational audience.

ZBC Director of Content and Channels Charles Munganasa noted that the series aligns with the broadcaster’s commitment to dedicating at least a quarter of its contest to Zimbabwe’s wildlife and natural heritage, while Wild Africa CEO Peter Knights Obe described the show as a platform to showcase Africans with  passion to protect their incredible wildlife.

Link

https://atta.travel/resource/zbc-launches-africa-s-first-weekly-wildlife-tv-magazine-series.html