Whitebread PLC | Unveiled Plans to Develop a New 156 - Room Premier Inn Hotel in Limerick, Ireland

Whitebread PLC, a British multinational hotel and restaurant company headquartered in Houghton Regis, England, UK has unveiled plans to develop a new 156 - room Premier Inn hotel in Limerick, a major city in southwestern Ireland, situated on the River Shannon in Munster province in the south of the country, approximately 200 km from Dublin.

Limerick, Ireland’ third - largest city founded by Vikings in 922 AD, is famous as the the “Treaty City” due to the 1691 Treaty of Limerick, for its compact old town known for the medieval - era St. Mary’s Cathedral , King John’s Castle, St. John’s square, which is lined with Georgian townhouses, passionate rugby culture at Thomond Park,  the invention of Irish Coffee, and as the setting for Frank McCourt’s Angela’s Ash.

The hotel will be built, operated and owned by Whitebread PLC following the site acquisition from Limerick Twenty Thirty, a dynamic property development company established as a special purpose vehicle of Limerick City and County Council to plan and develop key strategic sites in the city and the county.

The project is part of Whitebread PLC’s plan to develop a network of 5.000 Premier Inn hotel rooms across Ireland and the future hotel will be located at the corner of Ellen Street and Patrick Street at the culturally significant Limerick’s Opera Square development, part of a broader urban regeneration plan led by Limerick Twenty Thirty that includes a civic laza,  city library, hotel, office accommodation, and housing within Georgian buildings with the property as one of the anchor developments in this project.

The Limerick Premier Inn will be the first private investment in the Opera Square development, consisting in a planned seven - storey hotel will offer a mix of Standard and Premier Plus bedrooms, as well as a free - to - use ground - floor lounge space for business and leisure travellers.

The hotel’s opening is subject to an amendment to a pre - existing planning permission. of Whitebread PLC is expected to submit a planning application to Limerick City and County Council before the summer. Pending approval construction could begin in 2027.

Whitbread PLC expects the new Premier Inn hotel to accommodate 60.000 guests annually, based on the average occupancy of its trading hotels, and to employ approximately 30 permanent team members, with recruitment focused within the city and the county. All team members will be employed directly by Whitbread PLC.

Whitbread PLC currently operates six Premier Inn hotels in Cork and Dublin, totalling more than 1.000 rooms, with an additional six hotels and 1.000 rooms in in development including the property in Limerick part of this expansion in Ireland’s third - largest city.

Premier Inn’sexpansion in Ireland began with the acquisition of its first Dublin hotel location at George Street , Dublin 2, in 2019. Following subsequent openings in Dublin and Cork, the company increased its network target from 3.500 to 5.000 rooms across Ireland in May 2025, identifying more than 10 regional cities and towns for future locations, alongside further expansions in Dublin.

Links

https://www.whitbread.co.uk/whitbread-grows-in-limerick/

https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article140605.html

The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) | Officially Opened a 135 - Key Vivanta Hotel in Vrindavan, India

The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), part of Tata Group and headquartered in Mumbai, has officially opened a 135 - key Vivanta hotel in Vindravan, one of the most sacred places in Hinduism, particularly for Vaishnava traditions, a holy town located in the Mathura district part of the state of Uttar Pradesh in northern India.

The city is a major pilgrimage site where devotes believe Krishna’ divine presence remains, specifically during the evening “ras leela” at Nidhivan,  known for its religious and cultural sites, highlighted by 5.500+ temples dedicated to Radha - Krishna, with landmarks such as Shri Banke, Bihari Mandir, Prem Mandir, ISKCON Temple, Radha Vallabh Mandir, Shri Krishna, Jammsthan, Vrindavan Chandrodaya,  Mandir, Keoladeo National Park, and Raman Reti.

The newly opened Vivanta Vrindavan marks a significant addition to the city’s hospitality landscape and is part of a strategic IHCL’s portfolio expansion in key spiritual destinations in Northern India, introducing the Vivanta brand to Vrindavan.

The property is located in the heart of the city in proximity to several temples and spiritual landmarks, 1.9 kilometres from Prem Mandir and 5 km from ISKCON and Maa Vaishno Devi Dham.

The hotel features 135 rooms, multiple dining options, including Mynt, an all - day vegetarian dining venue serving a selection of global cuisines with regional influences, Swirl, a lobby café serving teas, coffees, and artisanal items, Wink, a poolside setting offering beverages and views, and Tease, an alfresco poolside space providing beverages and light snacks.

Additional amenites include a spa, a fitness centre, an open - to - sky infinity pool, facilities for events with banqueting halls and meeting rooms designed to accommodate social gatherings, conferences, and other events.

The hotel joins the brand Vivanta established in 2010, positioned as an upper - upscale brand, complementing Taj’s luxury offerings, focuses on providing stylish and sophisticated experiences for both business and leisure travellers.

Links

https://www.ihcltata.com/press-room/vivanta-vrindavan-opens-its-doors

https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article140617.html

ARC Hotel Washington, DC, Series by Marriott Has Officially Reopened Following a Comprehensive Renovation

ARC Hotel Washington, DC, Series by Marriott located in Washington, the capital of the United States located on a gently undulating peninsula bounded by the Potomac and the Anacostia Rivers, a city that offers a wealth of historical sites, emblematic landmarks, several cultural attractions, and world - class museums has officially reopened following a comprehensive renovation.

Debuting in the city as part of the Series by Marriott brand, the hotel formerly known as ARC Hotel Washington DC, Georgetown is located in the charming, historic Foggy Bottom neighbourhood at 824 New Hampshire Avenue NW near Georgetown , a 3 - minute from walk from the  Foggy Bottom GWU Metro Station, downtown Washington, 6 minutes’ walk from the George Washington University and 8 - minute from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

The strategic location offers guests an easy access to the National Mall, Lincoln Memorial, White House, Georgetown Waterfront and Reagan National Airport, dining, nightlife, shopping and cultural experiences in Foggy Bottom, Georgetown, Downtown, and Dupont Circle.

The hotel renovation includes updates to both public and private spaces. Guest rooms have been renovated to provide more space than typical urban hotels, with improved furnishings, carpeting, and design elements.

The arrival and check - in area features a redesigned front desk, enhanced lighting, and updated layout.. Public spaces now include new furnishings, curated artwork, updated finishes, and refreshed carpeting.

Additional enhancements include a redesigned marketplace with grab - and - go snacks, beverages, and travel essentials, as well as expanded hot breakfast options.

The property is part of Series by Marriott, a midscale/upscale soft brand focused on “well - executed basics,”allowing independent regional hotels to join the Marriott portfolio while retaining their local identity, offering clean, comfortable rooms and modern amenities.

The hotel now participates in the Marriott Bonvoy program, allowing guests to earn and redeem points for stays and access member benefits such as exclusive rates and points accumulation toward free nights.

Links

https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/wassn-arc-hotel-washington-dc-series/overview/

https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article140611.html

Al - Qalāyā, Egypt | An Archaeological Mission Discovered a Fifth - Century Building with Living and Reception Areas

An Egyptian Archaeological mission of the Supreme Council of Antiquities discovered a fifth - century building with living and reception in Al - Qalāyā site, the second - largest monastic cluster in the history of Christianity in the Beheira Governorate, a major agricultural region in Lower Egypt, located in the Nile Delta west of the Rosetta Branch.

The building would have functioned as a guest house during the early days of Coptic Monasticism,  a foundational Christian movement characterized by severe asceticism, total withdrawal from worldly life, and continuous prayer. originating in the Egyptian desert during the 3rd century AD.

According to Sada - el - Balad a news website and satellite television channel headquartered in Giza, the find, made as part of excavations that began in 2023, provides valuable information of the evolution of early monastic architecture in Egypt.

The complex features 13 rooms for housing: individual and collective cells for monks, teaching spaces, reception areas for visitors, as well as service facilities such as a kitchen and warehouses.

A large room with stone benches decorated with plant motifs and a prayer space with an apse and limestone cross stand out, reflecting the functional and religious development of the structure that boasts wall paintings and archaeological remains offering detailed insight into the life and architecture of the fith -  century in North Africa.

Among the finds are mural paintings with monastic figures, ornamental motifs in red, white and black colours, symbolic representations such as gazelles surrounded by plant decorations, marble columns, bases, ceramics, fragments with Coptic inscriptions, animal remains and shells, all elements that offer a detailed vision of the daily and artistic life of the time.

Likewise, a piece of limestone with a funerary inscription that mentions “Apa Kir, son of Shemouda”, was found, evidencing the continuity of the use of the site during the height of monastic life in the region.

Experts note that Al - Qalāyā constitutes one of the largest monastic centres in the history of Christianity and that this discovery provides relevant key insights into the development of early Coptic art and architecture, with the site often seeing its peak acrtivity in the 5^th and 6th centuries.

Link

https://tvbrics.com/es/news/descubren-en-egipto-un-edificio-del-siglo-v-con-reas-de-vivienda-y-recepci-n/

Cotuí, the Dominican Republic | Actively Celebrating its Cultural Heritage by Prioritizing Sustainability and Traditional Practices

The municipality of Cotuí, the capital of Sánchez Ramírez Province in the Cibao in the central region of the Dominican Republic, one of the oldest cities in the New World, renowned as a hub for inland eco - tourism, agriculture for the production of cacao and rice, as well as mining in Pueblo Viejo, highlighted by nearby attractions like Hatillo Dam, parks, and rivers, along with a quiet urban atmosphere with local churches and a lively central plaza is actively celebrating its cultural heritage by prioritizing sustainability and traditional practices.    

This focus aims to protect local identity and enhance community resilience through the responsible management of cultural and natural assets ensuring they serve future generations.

The city recently transformed  into a stage of history and environmental awareness during its annual carnival festivities, a celebration that recently was designated as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Dominican Republic, continuing to distinguish iself from other regional festivities through its deep - rooted connection to local identity and its innovative approach to costume design.  

For generations, the local community has managed to maintain the spirit and the essence of its origin as a centre with a rich history founded in 1505, boasting a relevant cultural heritage centred on Afro - Caribbean traditions and indigenous history with a notable cultural expression in its iconic annual carnival, famous for “Los Platanuses”, traditional characters draped in dried banana leaves while adapting to modern social values.

A delegation from the Dominican Association of Tourism Press (Adompretur) played a central role in this year’s coverage, visiting the city and Sánchez Ramírez Province to document the event’s evolution.  

As reported by journalist María Mercedes for the Adompretur official website, the press group was able to witness firsthand how the town integrates ancestral figures with a contemporary message. 

The presence of these communication professionals underscores the strategic alliance between the press and preservation of Dominican folklore and traditional practices. 

The parade featured the iconic “papeluses”, “platanuses”, and “funduses”, characters that define the visual landscape of this carnival. 

Unlike the commercialized versions of the festival found elsewhere, the city relies the use of dried plantain leaves, shredded paper and  other materials to create elaborate costumes. This resourcefulness serves as testament to the community’s ingenuity, turning discarded materials into artistic expressions that captivate thousands of spectators. 

During the visit, Adompretur members engaged with local artisans and cultural leaders to understand the social impact of the celebration. The association highlighted how the carnival functions as a vehicle for social conscience, utilizing recycling as a core element of its aesthetic.  

By prioritizing authenticity over mass - produced masks the city and the province have established a sustainable model that protects the environment while honouring the memory of its African and Spanish ancestors. 

The economic and touristic potential of the city and the region was also a key point of discussion during the press tour. As the Senate recently approved the law declaring this carnival a national heritage, the role of specialized journalism becomes even more relevant. 

Adompretur’s involvement ensures that unique characteristics of Cotuí and Sánchez Ramírez Province reach a global audience, positioning themselves as destinations where culture and eco - tourism meet in perfect harmony. The event concluded with a display of collective pride, reinforcing the idea that tradition can coexist with innovation. 

Key elements of the celebration of cultural heritage initiative include: 

•    Cultural Preservation: Highlighting local traditions, history, and customs to foster community pride and identity. 
•    Sustainability Focus: Ensuring that community development is intertwined with environmental and economic resilience. 
•    Local Engagement: Involving the community in promoting and preserving their own cultural practices. 
•    Approach: This approach aligns with broader regional trends, such as the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s focus on “Caribbean Cultural Mosaic,” which highlights distinct traditional elements in various destinations. 

For the members of the press and the local participants, the Cotuí carnival and tradition practices represent a living museum of Dominican creativity. Through the lens of sustainability and the support of organizations like Adompretur, this cultural legacy is set to inspire future generations while maintaining the simplicity that makes it truly extraordinary. 

Link
https://dominicantoday.com/dr/local/2026/03/02/cotui-celebrates-cultural-heritage-with-focus-on-sustainability-and-tradition/

Moskow, Russia | A Cultural Initiative to Recreate Old Traditional Pastry Recipes Linked to the 17th Century and Imperial - Era Launched

 Moskow region has launched a cultural initiative to recreate old pastry recipes linked to the 17th - century and imperial era, using historical techniques and traditional methods to offer authentic cultural experiences.  

Centuries ago, the “baranki” traditional, Russian, small, ring-shaped bread rolls, similar to bagels but thinner that are briefly boiled before baking resulting in a dense, chewy, and sometimes dry texture, often served with tea, sometimes topped with poppy seeds or white chocolate glaze were considered a sign  of gastronomic prosperity and the main delicacy of merchants.

The journey of the “baranki” in the 17th century and beyond from the field to the table took more than a day alongside other traditional pastry recipes, including pryanik,  pastila, and various pies that are being revived today in Mpskow and in its region, highlighting ingredients like honey, sour apples, and rye flour. 

These 17 - century and imperial - era baked goods are currently recreated utilizing old traditional methods with revival efforts on using authentic materials, heating ovens with wood and old - fashioned rye flour recipes to offer a unique cultural experience. 

Key Features of Recreated Pastries: 

·       Kalinnik: This famous pie is known for its unique sweet, bitter, and sour flavour profile created by a viburnum berry (cranberry - like). Historically made with rye flour, this rustic pie is often sweetened with apples, jam filling, and modern versions are frequently topped with white chocolate glaze or condensed milk frosting.

·       Pastila: This traditional Russian fruit confectionary has been described as “small squares of pressed fruit paste” and “light, airy puffs with a delicated apple flavour. During the Imperial Russia period and in the 19^th - century courts was served for tea with a white foamy top, a bit like marshmallow, but tasting of pure fruit.

·       Vatrushka: This pastry characterized as a ring - shaped, open - faced bun filled with sweetened cottage cheese (tvorog) is widely considered a staple and is often described as a “Russian cheesecake” or a type of sweet, airy brioche. It is a very popular tea - time treat that combines a soft, fluffy dough with a creamy, slightly tangy center.

·       Zaravskaya Baranka: A traditional, hard, ring - shaped bread roll made by simple ingredients such as wheat flour, water, salt and sometimes sugar or lard. known for its chewy, dense texture, mild sweet or plain savoury taste, and long shelf life, making it a popular, classic snack, often paired with tea.

This cultural initiative aims to bring back the authentic, rich tastes of older, pre - Soviet recipes, such as those detailed in the 1861, A Gift to Young Housewifes, a famous Russian cookbook written and complied by Elena Ivanovna Molokhovets, that was the definitive 19th- century guide to Russian household management and cooking. 

 Link

 
https://tvbrics.com/es/shows/en-la-region-de-moscu-recrean-antiguas-recetas-rusas-de-reposteria-tradicional/

Fez, Morocco | Launched a New Weekly Cultural Programme to Drive Tourism

Fez or Fes, a city in northern inland Morocco and the capital of the Fez - Meknes administrative region, a UNESCO – listed 9th - century centre renowned as the nation’s cultural and spiritual hub, featuring the world’s largest car - free urban space, the sprawling Fez el Bali medina, highlighted by ancient tanneries, Merenid - era madrasas, historic riads and traditional, rich Moroccan cuisine has launched a new weekly cultural programme to drive tourism with the aim to position itself as a leading destination in the regional and international landscape.

The initiative started on 26 March 2026 at Bab Boujloud Place, iconic, impressive square and 12^th –-century Gate, restored in 1912, adorned with blue and green ceramic tiling, one of the medina’s busiest thoroughfares and a great starting point for explorations inside the city, with performances running every Friday through Sunday from 5 p.m.

The programme is designed to animate one of the city’s most visited historic squares and sustain consistent foot traffic among both locals and international visitors.

Led by the Commune of Fez in partnership with the Fes - Sais Association, a prominent cultural organization dedicated to promoting the city’s heritage, and under the supervision of the Wilaya of the Fes – Meknes region,  the initiative will feature storytelling sessions, theatrical performances, musical shows, and street parades.

The launch of the programme coincides with a broader uplift for Fez as a tourism destination. Discover Airlines has recently added the Moroccan city to its route network, opening direct connections from European hubs and reducing travel time for international visitors.

In addition Fez gained global recognition after being awarded a $1 million Bloomberg Philanthropies Mayors Challenge prize, supporting an urban innovation project aimed at improving mobility and access within the medina while safeguarding and preserving its fragile heritage.

Together, improved air connectivity, international recognition, and a regular cultural calendar are expected to drive tourism and strengthen Fez’s position as a prominent destination on the cultural tourism map in 2026.

Link

https://atta.travel/resource/fez-launches-weekly-cultural-programme-at-bab-boujloud-to-drive-tourism.html