IHCL, The Indian Hotels Company Limited | Launched a New Resort & Spa in Raichak, West Bengal, India

IHCL, the Indian Hotels Company Limited, a hospitality firm part of Tata Group and based in Mumbai, boasting a large portfolio of hotels, resorts and vacation properties has announced the opening of the Taj Ganga Kutir Resort & Spa located in Raichak, a village in the Diamond Harbour subdivision of the South Parganas district in the Indian state of West Bengal.

The launch of the resort is part of IHCL’s strategy to expand its presence in distinctive destinations across India, and is the fifth addition to the “Kutir” collection in Raichak.

The development of the establishment was in partnership with Ambuja Neotia Group, a company headquartered in Kolkata, a prominent Indian conglomerate with diverse interests in real estate, hospitality, healthcare, and education, renowned for its commitment to sustainability and creating properties famous for their innovative design. 

The resort is located on a 100 - acres estate along the banks of the Ganges River, approximately 2.5 hours by car from Kolkata, also known as Calcutta, the capital and largest city of the West Bengal state, known for its grand colonial architecture, art galleries and cultural festivals. 

The property features 155 comfortable rooms and suites, offering views of the Ganges Rivers, dining options include the Machan and House of Ming restaurants, a River View Lounge, Verandah Lounge, an infinity - edge pool, an outdoor pool, a fitness centre and a variety of indoor games and outdoor sports activities.

The establishment also boasts the J Wellness Circle spa, offering a range of wellness services and over 700.000 square feet of banqueting space, suitable for events such as weddings and corporate retreats.

Links 
https://www.tajhotels.com/en-in/hotels/taj-ganga-kutir-raichak
https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article138231.html

Hilton | Officially Opened a New Hampton Inn & Suites Hotel in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, U.S.

Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc., American multinational hospitality company headquartered in Tysons, Virginia, has officially opened on 23rd September 2025, a new Hampton Inn & Suites hotel in Wheat Ridge, a home rule in the municipality in Jefferson County in the state of Colorado, U.S., immediately west of Denver famous for its fruit orchards, vegetable farms, and the largest production of carnation in the world, earning Wheat Ridge the designation of “Carnation City”.

The Hampton Inn & Suites Wheat Ridges Denver West, managed by Brandt Hospitality, a group based in Fargo, North Dakota, is located at 4025 Clear Creek Drive, within a 15 - minute drive of Red Rocks and Amphitheatre and Coors Field, not far from Green Mountains and the William Frederick Hayden Park, providing convenient accees to Downtown Denver via Interstate 70 and Denver International Airport (DEN) is 48.2 kilometres away.

 The property designed to cater both business and leisure travellers features guestrooms equipped with in - room microwave ovens and refrigerators, and suites offer additional space and include a wet bar and a sofa bed to accommodate extra guests.

The hotel includes an indoor pool, a 24/7 fitness centre, and flexible meeting space for events and social gatherings. Guests have access to complimentary breakfast, free parking with electric vehicle charging stations, and free - Wi- Fi.

The establishment entered into the Hampton Inn & Suites brand known offer modern, flexible designs with multi - functional task tables and optimized storage to balance function and comfort. Recent updates introduce larger windows for more natural light, improved bathroom design with separate shower and toilet compartments, and a rotated studio suite layout for better efficiency.

Links 
https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/denwrhx-hampton-suites-wheat-ridge-denver-west/
https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article138305.html

The Luxury Collection | Launched The Laurus, its First Luxury Resort in Singapore

The Luxury Collection, a brand of Marriott International, American multinational hospitality company based in Bethesda, Maryland, boasting boutique hotels and resorts across the globe, offering unique, authentic experiences that evoke lasting, treasured memories, has launched its first property in Singapore with the opening of the Laurus, a Luxury Collection Resort, marking a significant addition to the brand’s portfolio in Asia.

The Laurus is located at 28 Sentosa Gateway on Sentosa Island within Resorts World Sentosa, just 25 minutes from Changi Airport and a short - 10 minute drive from Singapore’s Central Business District, a property that aims to provide a destination - driven experience, combining local culture, nature, and hospitality. 

The resort spans over 7.650 square metres and is designed by P49 Deesign, an award - winning hospitality interior design specialist with projects in more than 35 countries based in Bangkok, Thailand, incorporating elements that reflects Singapore’s colonial and tropical heritage. 

The design features open verandas and historically inspired details, blending contemporary elegance with local cultural influences.

The property features 183 stylish and comfortable suites, a specialty restaurant, Laurus Table, which features a menu inspired by regional cuisine, a spa, a fitness centre, a landscaped pool and a sensory garden highlighted by native flora and promoting ecological harmony, supporting local biodiversity.

Art and design play a significant role in the resort’s identity, with elements such as a stained - glass installation featuring the Buffy Fish Owl, also known as the Malay fish owl, part of the family Strigidae, a native to Southeast Asia and lives foremost in tropical forests and wetlands.

The Laurus also showcases art pieces from the William Farquhar Collection of Natural History Drawings, works by unknown Chinese artists highligh plants, nature, flora and fauna of Malacca and Singapore, that were commissioned between 1819 and 1823 by William Farquhar, a Major - General and colonial administrator who was the first British Resident and Commandant of Singapore.

The establishment  also emphasizes sustainability, with initiatives such as a smart Guest Room Management System for energy efficiency and refillable shower amenities to reduce single – use plastics. 

The resort is on track to achieve the Building and Construction Authority’s Green Mark Platinum certification, recognizing its sustainable building practices,, featuring filtered water faucets and a linen reuse program. 

The property is now part of The Luxury Collection by Marriott that features boutique hotels and resorts in globally iconic and emerging destinations emphasizing deep connections to local culture, history and unique experiences. 

Guests can expect impeccable service, distinguished architecture, exceptional cuisine, and immersive local experiences like wine tasting, llama treks, or exploring historical sites. 

The brand caters to travellers seeking both discovery and luxury, offering exclusive access to distinctive local wonders and a transformed, enriched world.

Links 
https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/sinsl-the-laurus-a-luxury-collection-resort-singapore/overview/
https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article138308.html

Bay Gardens Resorts | Announced the Development of Sapphire Sands Villas on Reduit Beach, in Rodney Bay Village, Saint Lucia

Bay Gardens Resorts, a locally owned and operated hotel chain in St. Lucia, known for its commitment to sustainable tourism and community development, holding Green Globe certification for its sustainability initiatives has announced the development of Sapphire Sands Villas on Reduit Beach, a popular, mile - long stretch of golden sand on the northwest coast of St. Lucia located in Rodney Bay near Gros Islet. 

The future establishment will be located in the captivating Rodney Bay Village, an idyllic Caribbean site known for its calm, clear, turquoise waters, it’s a prime spot for swimming and water sports, lined with hotels, restaurants and bars, located near Rodney Bay Marina, the Splash Island Water Park, and other attractions.

This new beachfront villa property set to open in 2026 will consist of nine three - bedroom villas, totalling 27 keys, which can be configured into one -, two -, or three – bedroom accommodations.
Each villa will provide a kitchen, living area, private balconies, ocean views and some ground - floor villas will include plounge pools.

The property will feature a waterfront restaurant, Kimchi & Kalaloo, offering Asian - Caribbean fusion cuisine with focus on seafood and local dishes, including a Korean barbecue experience.

Additional amenities will include a wellness centre with a spa offering a range of treatments, including massages and body treatments, a fitness centre, and yoga pavilion.

For families Sapphire Sands Villas will provide a Coral Kids Club for children aged 4 to 12, as well as access to Splash Island Waterpark and babysitting services will also be offered.

Water activities, including kayaking,  paddleboarding, sailing, will be available and the resort will offer a 24/7 butler service to assist guests with various activities, include snorkeling trips and private dinners. 

Guests of Sapphire Sands Villas will have access to facilities at other Bay Gardens properties through the “Stay at 1, Play at 5” program. This includes additional pools, dining options, and entertainment.

An introductory offer of up to 25% off room rates is available for early bookings until January 31, 2026, for stays from February 1 to May 7, 2026.

Links 
https://www.baygardensresorts.com/sapphire-sands
https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article138269.html

Vila Nogueira de Azeitão, Portugal | Candidate for “Best Tourism Village” by UN Tourism

Vila Nogueira de Azeitão, a village in the municipality of Setúbal within the metropolitan area of Lisbon located in the Nature Reserve of the Serra da Arrábida, is one of Portugal’s candidates for “Best Tourism Villages” 2025 by UN Tourism, a specialized agency of the United Nations which promotes responsible, sustainable and universally - accessible tourism and headquartered in Madrid, Spain.

The village is one of the eight national finalists selected by Turismo de Portugal in the 5th edition of the initiative promoted worldwide by UN Tourism, a very captivating village known for its attractive architecture,  several historic “ chafariz” fountains, and for the production of a runny cheese and a fine, white Moscatel wine. 

The Best Tourism Villages award is a United Nations Tourism initiative launched by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)  to recognize and promote rural tourism destinations that preserve cultural and natural heritage and foster sustainable development. 

The award selects villages based on their commitment to sustainability, community values, and rural development, preserving their landscapes., cultural diversity,  knowledge systems, and to promote innovative strategies aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The National Tourism Authorities of the UN Tourism Member States apply for a shortlist of destinations that meet the requirements of the competition. 

In a first please, the municipality of Setúbal, through the Department of Communication, International Relations and Tourism decided to apply Vila Nogueira de Azeitão for the potential of its rural, cultural and natural heritage in the three pillars of sustainable development, such as economic, environmental and social.

From a list of more than 40 national applications, Vila Nogueira de Azeitão was selected for the next phase entering in the final list of eight applications that Turismo de Portugal presented, in May, to the UN Tourism awards.

The official announcement of the world winners of the 2025 edition is scheduled for October 17, in China, and 270 applications from 65 countries are competing.

It should be noted that, in 2024, Óbidos in the Oeste region, historical province of Estremadura and Graciosa, in the Azores archipelago,  were the the Portguese villages awarded the award.

The winners of each edition, in addition to the international promotion of the destinations with the seal of the UN, become part of the world network of Best Tourism Villages, benefiting from the contribution of specialists, public and private sector partners involved in the promotion of tourism for rural development. 

Link 
https://www.publituris.pt/2025/09/18/vila-nogueira-de-azeitao-candidata-a-best-tourism-villages-das-nacoes-unidas

Livingstone, Zambia | Development Plan Launched to Strengthen the Town’s Tourism Appeal

On 23th September 2025 the Zambia authorities through the Minister of Tourism Rodney Sikumba launched  the Livingstone Town Centre Development, a government – led initiative aimed at revitalising the city’s infrastructure to establish it as a 24 – hour tourism hub. 

The initiative is part of a broader national strategy to place tourism at the centre of Zambia’s economic development.

Livingstone is a centre in southwestern Zambia, a few kilometres from the Zambezi River and the border with Zimbabwe, a relevant hub for visitors to the the iconic Victoria Falls, and the Mosi - oa - Tunya National Park, known for its diverse wildlife, making it an ideal destination for nature lovers, a centre that also offers attractions like Livingstone Museum that traces local history and and archaeology and the life of the famous Scottish explorer,  David Livingstone, after whom the town was named.

The project with support from the World Bank and Livingstone’s Mayor includes the upgrade of 8.3 kilometres of roads, installation of 976 streetlights, and improvements to public spaces to enhance urban liveability, visitor experience and the town’s tourism appeal.

Minister Sikumba and World Bank Country Manager Dr Achim Fock underscored the sector’s potential to drive job creation and cross - border growth, particularly within the Kavango - Zambezi Transfrontier Region, the world’s largest land - based transfrontier conservation area, spanning 520.000 km² across Angola, Botswna, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe and encompasses a wide range of biomes, from the Okavango Delta to the Victoria Falls providing habitats for abundant wildlife.

The government views Livingstone’s transformation as key to elevating its tourism offering beyond a stopover destination, and aligning with President Hakainde Hichilema’s directive unlock tourism as a driver of inclusive and sustainable growth.

Link 
https://atta.travel/resource/zambia-launches-livingstone-development-plan-to-strengthen-tourism-appeal.html

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Intensifying Efforts to Establish its Airport as a Leading Aviation Hub in the Asia - Pacific Region

Malaysia and its capital Kuala Lumpur are intensifying efforts to establish Kuala Lumpur airport as a leading aviation hub in the Asia - Pacific region by pursuing a strategy to attract more international airlines and strengthen its global connectivity according to a report by VNA agency news. 

Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) located in the Sepang District of Selangor, approximately 45 kilometres south o downtown Kuala Lumpur and serving the city’s greater conurbation is already recognised as a mega hub. In 2024, the airport handled 57.08 million passengers, 794.943 tonnes of cargo, 819.026 aircraft movements and it is currently ranked first by OAG (by ratio of connections flight by destinations served) in the Global Low – Cost Megahubs index. 

Despite these brilliant performances airport officials say that they are targeting a significant number of international airlines to begin operating flights to Malaysia this year, mirroring the success achieved in 2024 and the Malaysian airport recorded a significant increase in passenger numbers in the first half of this this year, indicating strong growth in air travel.

Over the past two years, authorities have been actively engaging with global carriers through airline networking events and direct visits to their headquarters.

The strategy to increase traffic asnd passenger numbers is now takes a more holistic approach, incorporating insights into both airlines and travellers behaviours, including loyalty programme usage and passenger segmentation.

The aim of these efforts is to create a network of airports linked to Kuala Lumpur, that collectively enhance the country’s position as a key gateway to the Asia – Pacific region and each airport has its own development to contribute to the overall strategy.

Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) traffic is already experiencing strong growth, with July 2025 seeing a 10.3% increase in international passengers to 3.9 million, fuelled by new routes to China and visa exemptions for tourists from India and China.

This brilliant performance has propelled KLIA to become the second busiest airport in Southeast Asia and ranking among the top 15 busiest in the world for international traffic.

Supported by these new strategic efforts, the Malaysian airport aims to establish itself as a leading aviation hub in the Asia - Pacific Region with the ambition to grow further.

Link 

https://tvbrics.com/en/news/malaysia-aims-to-elevate-kuala-lumpur-airport-as-asia-pacific-hub/?sphrase_id=52546