Omni Hotels & Resorts | Unveiled Plans to Open a 600 - Room Hotel in Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S.

Omni Hotels & Resorts, American hospitality company founded in 1958 and headquartered in Dallas, Texas, a group focuses to create genuine, authentic guest experiences boasting a portfolio of hotels and resorts in leading business gateway and leisure destinations across North America has unveiled plans to open a 600 - room hotel in Raleigh, the capital city of the U.S. state of North Carolina, U.S,. and the county seat of Wake County located in the central region of the state, where the Piedmont and Atlantic coastal plain regions meet.

Raleigh is known for its universities including North Carolina State University and as the “Cirty of Oaks” for its oak - lined streets, the North Carolina State Capitol, a 19th Greek Revival - style building with a statue of George Washington dressed as a Roman general in its rotunda. The city features a vibrant blend of Southern charm, top - tier museums, extensive green spaces, historic neighbourhoods, a robust culinary offer and a thriving tech scene. 

In addition the number of technology and scholarly institutions around Raleigh, Chapel Hill and Durham makes the area known as the Research Triangle.

Thr property will be located between the Raleigh Convention Center and the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts, positioned within an emerging district in downtown Raleigh, offering an easy access to the main attractions of the city.

Scheduled to open for late 2028, the Omni Raleigh Hotel is under development, the construction is being carried out by Brasfield & Gorrie, LLC., a prominent, privately held construction firm based in Birmingham, Alabama and the project architect is Rule Joy Trammel - Rubio, LLC., an architecture and interior design firm headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia specializing in high density, mixed – use, residential, and hospitality projects.

Interior design is being handled by Waldrop + Nichols Studio, a Dallas - based interior architectural design firm specializing in luxury hospitality.

Amenities planned for the hotel include the first - ever coffee shop by Peter Millar, featuring a medium - dark roast blend from Black & White Coffee Roasters, and North Carolina’s first Bob’s Steak House, featuring Raleigh - inspired artwork and private dining spaces as well as a sports bar with golf simulator, both designed by Jeffrey Beers International (JBI) a New York - based, award - winning studio specialized in high - end hospitality, restaurant, and residential design.

Additional amenities will include a rooftop pool with an adjacent restaurant offering all - day dining, large - format video walls, lounge seating, a overed outdoor patio, a fitness centre, and a wellness area with hot tubs, steam rooms, saunas, cold plungers, red light recovery tables, and compression pods.

The property will also include a 20.000 - square foot ballroom and 61.000 square feet of meeting space to support the expansion of the Raleigh Convention Center.

The hotel will support Raleigh’s demand for convention and meeting space as part of the ongoing revitalization and expansion of downtown Raleigh.

Link

https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article141085.html      

Hilton | Signed an Agreement to Develop a 251 - Room Flagship Hotel in Adelaide, Australia

Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc., American multinational ospitality company based in Tysons, Virginia, has signed an agreement to develop a 251 - room flagship hotel in Adelaide , South Australia’s cosmopolitan coastal capital, a very attractive city known for its “20 - minute city” accessibility, elegant colonial stone architecture, and surrounding parklands.

Adelaide boasts a vibrant cultural scene, including numerous festivals,proximity to renowned wine regions like the Barossa Valley and Adelaide Hills as well as close access to stunning beaches and areas highlighted by a pristine nature.

Scheduled to open in 2031 the Hilton Adelaide East End will be a new - build, 27 - story hotel part of Arcadia, a major mixed - use development located at 299 Pirie Street in Adelaide’s East End, adjacent to Rymill Park, just over one kilometre from Rundle Park within the city’s central business district (CBD) with tram access 700 metres from the site.

The hotel will be developed under a franchise agreement with Auriga Investment Group Pty Ltd, an emerging South Australian property developer headquartered in Brisbane focused on landmark, mixed – use, and residential projects and operated by Trilogy Hotels, an independent management company founded in 2023 based in Sydney, specializes in operating - investment - grade hotel assets, often utilizing franchise agreements with global brands.

The development is intended to revitalize the eastern end of Adelaide’s CBD will mark Hilton’s re - entry into the South Australian market and is part of a strategic expansion in the Asia - Pacific area in key destinations like Adelaide, a city that boasts a thriving tourism driven by a strong, year - round calendar of major events and festivals.

The hotel is a purpose - built development with contemporary architecture, a focus on sustainability and operational efficiency, designed by Loucas Zahos Architects, an award - winning design studio based in Adelaide and Brisbane with over 30 years’ experience in Queensland, South Australia and Victoria, developed in a 27 - 29 storey tower, which includes residential apartments, and retail spaces.

The property will feature 251 rooms ranging from 31 to 140 square metres, multiple food and beverage venues, a pool, a fitness centre, a recreation deck, and 303 square metres of meeting space.

Hilton Adelaide East End will join Hilton Hotels & Resorts, the iconic flagship brand of Hilton Worldwide, known for its global presence in prime locations, offering upscale, modern design, award - winning food & beverage, and extensive meeting spaces. 

As of 2026, the brand is undergoing a refresh to create more energetic “three C’s” environments - celebrations, connections, and culture, featuring lively, redesigned lobbies and l.ocal restaurant partnerships.

Links

https://stories.hilton.com/apac/releases/hilton-signs-new-build-flagship-adelaide-hotel

https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article141206.html

IHG Hotels & Resorts | Announced the Opening of a New 108 - Room Holiday Inn Express Hotel in Bandung, Indonesia

IHG Hotels & Resorts, British multinational hospitality company headquartered in Windsor, Berkshire, England, UK has announced the opening of a new Holiday Inn Express hotel in Bandung, capital of Indonesia's West Java province, a large, vibrant city, and a lively university - centre located at over 700 metres above sea level in a river basin surrounded by volcanic mountains, approximately 135 kilometres southeast of Jakarta. 

Situated amid suggestive tea plantations and imposing active volcanoes, Bandung is known as the “Paris of Java”for its ts colonial Art Deco architecture, thriving fashion industry, Instagram - worthy cafes, diverse shopping, and cool upland climate, making it a popular getaway.

Holiday Inn Express Bandung Braga by IHG is located at Jl Lembong No. 36 in the heart of  Bandung, a 3 - minute walk from the historic Braga Street and a 5 - minute from Braga City Walk, 18 minutes from Bandung Railway Station and 4 km from Hussein Sastranegara Internaional Airport.

The hotel’s downtown location offers access to the city’s attractions, such as Bandung City Square, St. Peter’s Cathedral, and the Museum of the Asian African Conference, shopping areas, culinary destinations, as well as business and government districts. 

The opening of the Holiday Inn Express Bandung Braga by IHG marks the debut of the brand’s Generation 5 (Gen 5) design in East Asia & Pacific. The Gen 5 design introduces flexible environments for social interaction, work, and relaxation, including the EXPRESS Café & Bar, a semi - outdoor rooftop restaurant.

The property features 108 Standard Rooms, each with high - quality bedding, premium bathroom amenities, an - in - room, coffee machine, an oversized TV with smart features, and complimentary high - speed Wi - FI. 

 Facilities at the hotel include a 24 - hour gym, a semi - outdoor rooftop restaurant, the EXPRESS Café & Bar providing views of the city, a self - service laundry and pressing facility, complimentary daily buffet breakfast and super - speed Wi - Fi throughout the establishment.

The hotel joins Holiday Inn Express, IHG Hotels & Resorts’ fastest - growing Essential brand, offering a consistent, upper - midscale experience providing essential, modern amenities for both business and leisure guests.

Links

https://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/bandung/bdobx/hoteldetail?cm_mmc=YextLocal-_-EX-_-ID-_-BDOBX

https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article141253.html

Oyo State, Nigeria | Pursuing a Tourism Growth Agenda to Establish Itself as a Leading Destination in the South - West of the Country

Oyo State in southwestern Nigeria, created in 1976 and nicknamed the “Pace Setter State”, a vast land covering roughly 28.454 square kilometres, primarily characterized by its Yoruba culture, historical landmarks, old hard rocks, dome - shaped hills that reach 1.200 metres, extensive agriculture, with a landscape that transition from forest in the south to savanna in the north,  is aggressively pursuing a touris- growth agenda, branded as the “Tourism Reset Agenda” to establish itself as a leading destination in the south - west of the country. 

The initiative founded on a 25 – year Master Plan is actively promoted by Governor Seyi Makinde who has called for continued investment with the aim to position Oyo State as the tourism capital of southwestern Nigeria.

This strategic plan focuses on infrastructure upgrades (particularly roads), destination development, security improvements to strengthen tourism offering and promotion of cultural festivals. 

This move reflects a growing trend of subnational tourism development across Africa, where regional governments are increasingly investing in culture, heritage and domestic tourism as economic growth sectors. 

Key Fatures of Oyo State’s Tourism Agenda: 

•    Tourism Reset Agenda and 25 - Year Master Plan: A strategic framework initiated in 2025 to remove bottlenecks, enhance infrastructure, and turn tourism into a self - sustaining economy. 
•    Infrastructure and Accessibility: Strategic road projects, including the Ibadan – Eruwa and Igbo  - Ora – Iganna corridors, are improving access to tourist sites. 
•    Enhanced Security: The state has prioritized security, leading to a stable environment favourable for tourism and 24 – hour economy initiatives. 
•    Cultural and Heritage Promotion: Highlighting key attractions such as the World Twins Festival in Igbo – Ora, the Agodi Botanical Garden, a vast green space in Ibadan, Ado – Awaye Suspended Lake, one of the few in the world, Old Oyo National Park, located on the site of the ancient Oyo Empire historic sites in Oyo and Ogbomosho as well as landmarks highlighting Yoruba heritage.
•    Strategic Partnerships: Collaborating with stakeholders like the Hoteliers Association of Oyo State to boost industry standards, investment, and internally generated revenue (IGR). 
•    Development of New Facilities: Promotion of film villages and resorts, such as the Kunle Afolayan Productions’s Film Village. 

These initiatives aim to transform tourism into a major employment generator and diversify the state’s economy. 

Link 
https://atta.travel/resource/oyo-state-pushes-tourism-growth-agenda.html

Osorno, Chile | A Team of Researchers Discovered a Fossilized Bird Footprint Could be Up to 130, 000 Years Old

A team of researchers of the Universidad Austral Chile discovered a  fossilized bird footprint found at the paleoarchaeological site of Pilauco located in Osorno, a vibrant city and commune in southern Chile and capital of Osorno Province in the Los Lagos Region,  known as a gateway to Northern Patagonia, characterized by its German - Spanish architecture, a rich cultural scene, proximity to volcanoes,  featuring a scenic setting on the Rahue River and  access to outdoor activities like hiking at the Puyehue National Park and skiing at Antillanca.

The site is known for holding, among other, older finds, as the oldest human footprint in the Americas, estimated at roughly 15.600 years old.

As reported by El Ciudadano news agency the finding is considered of high heritage value due to the scarcity of this type of records in the South American country, and suggests a, or multiple, bird species inhabited the area during the late Pleistocene.

According to the publication, the discovery dated back to January of this year, when Carlos Morel and Monserrat Jaure detected a unsual mark on the ground and consulted José Band, an archaedology student at the Universidad Austral Chile.

The student activated contact with Dr. Karen Moreno, a specialist who later visited the site with students and the team of the Pilauco Archaeopaleontological Site.

As quoted by the media, after the inspection carried out in March, the specialist confirmed the relevance of search, stating that the bird footprint was very well preserved and that there was enormous potential to find more.

The rescue was carried out because the area where the footprint appeared floods during the winter and the record was at low height above the water level.

After informing the National Monuments Council, the team managed to recover a main footprint and detect at least two other marks of the same bird in the same sedimentary layer. 

The characteristics of the marking point to an aquatic bird, similar in size to a great heron. One of the tracks clearly preserves the hind finger, which reinforcers the hypothesis that is was a bird adapted to moving through wet or shallow areas.

The finding also make it possible to identify traces of mammals, which expands the scientific value of the site. The footprints found could be more than  100.000 years old,  providing new insights into the ancient ecosystems of Southern Chile, highlighting the area as a crucial location for understanding prehistoric life in South America.

Link

https://tvbrics.com/es/news/huella-de-ave-hallada-en-chile-podria-tener-hasta-130000-anos-de-antiguedad/

Sohar, Oman | Inaugurated an Advanced Lab to Boost AI and Digital Innovation in Higher Education

The University of Technology and Applied Sciences in Sohar, a coastal city in northern Oman 220 km from Muscat, a historically significant industrial hub renowned for its 5.000 - year copper trade history and a modern maritime port, a centre highlighted by the 14 th - century Sohar Fort and Museum, scenic beaches with a corniche, the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, proximity to the Al Hajar Mountains and    vibrant, modern shopping malls, has inaugurated an advanced Lab to boost AI and digital innovation in higher education.  

The facility aims to enhance the country’s ability to develop future - oriented skills and support the digital transformation of key sectors. 

According to Times of Oman news agency, the lab is designed to accelerate innovation and research in artificial intel;ligence (AI) , data science, and other emerging digital fields. 

Supported by Sohar Aluminium Company, this state - of - the art laboratory was created to strengthen cooperation between academia and industry, equipping students with practical skills tailored for future labour markets, in alignment with Oman Vision 2040.  

 According to the University’s Deputy Vice – Chancellor Hanifa Ahmed Al Qasmi, the lab offers a modern platform for large - scale data analysis, artificial intelligence, and blockchain technologies, providing students and researchers with a specialized environment for experimentation and innovation. 

The centre is equipped to support advanced research in hybrid cloud systems, virtual reality, blockchain applications, data science and it also has integrated computer systems and interactive technologies aimed at practical and collaborative learning. 

The lab will be open not only to students and academic staff, but also to researchers and actors in the industrial sector, enabling wider use of advanced technologies in applied research and development. 

Key Features of the Laboratory: 

•    Core Technologies: The lab specializes in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, Data Science, Virtual Reality (VR), Blockchain, and Hybrid Cloud Systems. 
•    Infrastructure: It is equipped with advanced, high – performance computing systems and smart, interactive whiteboards to enable advanced research and experimental learning. 
•    Purpose: The lab serves as a hub for developing technical solutions for industrial applications, including improving safety, efficiency, and sustainability  within port operations.
Strategic Significance: 
•    Bridging Education and Industry: The facility acts as a bridge between academic study and industrial application, with funding Sohar Aluminium highlighting a successful model of private sector partnership in empowering national talent. 
•    Oman Vision 2040: This initiative directly supports Oman’s national goal of transitioning to a knowledge - based, digital economy, enhancing the nation’s technological sovereignty and global competitiveness. 
•    Accessibility: The lab is designed to be a hub for students, researchers, and stakeholders from the industrial sector to engage in applied research and development. 

The Omani authorities note that this initiative is part of a broader national strategy to align higher education with the needs of a rapidly evolving digital economy. It aims to strengthen cooperation between academia and industry, as well as to equip graduates with relevant skills for the labour market of the future. 

Experts highlight that these types of initiatives are increasingly important as countries invest in innovation ecosystems to boost sustainable economic growth, technological sovereignty and global competitiveness.  

Link 
https://tvbrics.com/es/news/om-n-inaugura-un-laboratorio-de-tecnolog-as-avanzadas-para-impulsar-la-ia-y-la-innovaci-n-digital-en/

Antananarivo, Madagascar | Completed a Significant Domestic Terminal Upgrade at Ivato International Airport

Ravinala Airports, the concessionaire operating both Antananarivo and Nosy Be Airports in Madagascar, has completed a significant renovation and upgrade of the domestic terminal at Ivalo International Airport serving the capital of Madagascar Antananarivo, located 16 kilometres northwest of the city centre in the commune of Ivato and main hub for Madagascar Airlines.

The terminal can now accommodate 261 passengers per hour, up from 120 previously, while the waiting area has expanded from 380 square metres, increasing seating from 151 to 236. The number of boarding gates has risen from two to four, and baggage - screening areas have doubled from one to two.

The new terminal features modern boarding bridges, and is designed to accommodate wide - bodied aircraft following runway strengthening.

In addition the upgraded terminal introduced a range of new passenger amenities, including indoor and outdoor retail outlets, a children’s play area, a VIP lounge, a private flight area and a cultural exhibition space.

Ivato International Airport was recognized as the “Best Airport under 2 Million Passengers in Africa” by Airports Council International (ACI) for 2023.

The improvements at Ivato International Airport that has more than doubled its passenger handling capacity represent a notable step forward in Madagascar’s aviation infrastructure, enhancing the domestic travel experience and supporting the country’s broader efforts to develop its tourism sector and improve connectivity for both local and international visitors.

Link

https://atta.travel/resource/antananarivo-s-ivato-airport-completes-domestic-terminal-upgrade.html