Hilton | Officially Opened its First Hilton Grand Vacations Resort in Kyoto, Japan

Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc. , American multinational hospitality company headquartered in Tysons, Virginia has officially opened its first Hilton Grand Vacations resort in Kyoto, a charming city located on the island of Honshu, famous for its several classical Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines, many of them designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which embody its rich history as Japan’s Imperial capital for over a thousand year, also known for its opulent palaces, wooden houses, its traditional geisha culture, textile arts, beautiful zen gardens and its refined Kaiseki cuisine.  

The opening of Tradimo Kyoto Gojo, a Hilton Grand Vacations Club marks the company’s debut in the city and its third in Japan joining the existing The Bay Forest Odawara, a Hilton Club, and The Beach Resort Sesoko, a Hilton Club. The company has operated in Japan since 2003 and has more than 75.000 members in the Asian country.

The resort is located at 429, Matsuyacho Shimogyo - ku near Gojo Station and one stop from Kyoto Station. Bukko - ji Temple and Nishiki Market are less than one kilometre away, while UNESCO World Heritage are within four kilometres, offering an easy access to several cultural sites, iconic markets and the Gion district.

The ten - story Tradino Kyoto Gojo preserves the building’s original structure and façade, with design elements inspired by kintsugi, a traditional Japanese art of repairing broken pottery using lacquer mixed with powdered gold, silver or platinum, a 15^th - century technique highlights cracks, embracing the history of an object and finding beauty in imperfection, stroingly influenced by wabi - sabi philosophy, and Japanese cypress and bamboo were sourced from local suppliers for the project.

The design incorporates features of Kyoto’s traditional wooden townhouses, known as kyo - machiya, and blends indoor and outdoor spaces.

The entrance features a Japanese moss garden and the lobby includes Japanese paper partitions and display alcoves for art and seasonal flowers.

The property features 63 one - bedroom suites with full kitchens and washer/dryers, accurately designed to reflect the local character and lifestyle of Kyoto, and an on - site fitness centre.

The resort joins the Hilton Grand Vacations brand part of  a premier global vacation ownweship  company (timeshare) headquartered in Orlando, Florida, offering upscale, flexible, points - based stays in spacious, residential - style suites, operating under a licensing agreement with Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc.

Hilton Grand Vacations is partnering with the Kyoto Tourism Board to support sustainable tourism in the region. The company is also contributing to local and community organizations, including the Kyoto Center for Community Collaboration as well as with Jidai Matsuri and Aoi Matsuri Festivals.

Links

https://www.hiltongrandvacations.com/resorts-and-destinations/japan/tradimo-kyoto-gojo-a-hilton-grand-vacations-club

https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article140464.html

Hyatt Hotels Corporation | Unveiled the Opening of its Second Grand Hyatt Hotel in Türkiye, Located in Izmir

Hyatt Hotels Corporation, American multinational hospitality company based in Chicago, Illinois, has unveiled the opening of its second Grand Hyatt hotel in Türkiye, located in Izmir, third largest city in the country after Istanbul and Ankara located on the Aegean coast of Anatolia, a vibrant mix of 8.500 years of history, modern cosmopolitan life, and Mediterranean charm,  hoighlighted by the historic Kemerali Bazaar, the iconic Konak Clock Tower, scenic waterfront walks along the Kordon, and easy access to coastal, surfing, and ancient archaeological sites.

 Grand Hyatt IstinyePark marks the brand’s second establishment in Türkiye, demonstrating continued growth in the country’s luxury hotel market.

The property sits above the Gulf of Izmir is located at Haydar Akiyev Boulevard, İstinyePark No: 6/1 in the Balçova district, conveniently attached to the IstinyePark Shopping Mall, at the intersection of the city’s major attractions, within minutes of the Izmir’s historical centre, including Kemeralti Bazaar and the Clock Tower, 20 minutes from Adnan Menderes International Airport, offering guests several shopping, dining, and high fashion options in a peaceful atmosphere.

The hotel features 160 comfortable rooms with Gulf of Izmir views designed by DeSalleFlint Interior Design, an acclaimed UK based international Hotel Interior Designers firm working with clients throughout Europe and Asia, with the Penthouse suite designed by Autoban, an award - einning Istanbul - based multidisciplinary design studio founded in 2003, renowned for architecture, interiors, and product design,  creating sensory environments. 

Rooms feature floor 0 to ceiling windows, balconies, in - room bars. 65 - inch UHD TVs, and blackout curtains. Technology in the rooms includes motion - activated night lighting, heated marble bathroom floors, vanities, and sensor - based systems.

The property’s design incorporates wood, marble, and neutral tones, with a newly designed courtyard and lobby designed by GEO ID Architects, an interdisciplinary design studio creating new identities and unique spaces based in Istanbul.

Dining options at the hotel include FARO7, an all – day à la carte restaurant located on the ground floor with an open - air terrace, the Bay Restaurant, and The Park Bar. The Grand Club is expected to open in the coming months, providing an exclusive space for eligible guests.

Grand Hyatt Izmir Istinye Park includes a 14.638 - square foot spa with an outdoor pool and a range of treatments including Hammam, Argan release, and Full Moon rituals, as well as a fitness centre offering personal training and panoramic views.

The property features 21.527 square feet of meeting and event space, including 10 meeting rooms and a 6.770 - square - foot ballroom. The event spaces include an enclosed 5.381 - square - foot foyer and select rooms with direct terrace access, and an 11th - floor venue accommodates up to 80 guests for cocktail events.

The hotel displays nearly 40 artworks from the Orjin Group’s private collection and boasts approximately 215.278 square feet of natural stone cladding.

The establishment joins the luxury hotel brand, Grand Hyatt, known for its large - scale properties with expansive event facilities, well - appointed guestrooms, luxurious amenities and famous for its sophisticated design and world - class service.

Links

https://www.hyatt.com/grand-hyatt/en-US/adbri-hyatt-grand-izmir-istinye-park

https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article140466.html

Ethiopia | National Customs Commission Has Completely Transitioned to a Fully Digitalized Format

The Ethiopian Customs Commissions (ECC) has completely transitioned to a fully digitalized, paperless working format for its operations as reported by the Deputy Commissioner of the ECC, Azézéu Chein, in an interview with ENA, the official news agency of the government. 

This shift, part of the broader Digital Ethiopia 2025 and 2030 strategies, is designed to enhance efficiency, combat illegal trade, and improve service delivery for importers and exporters who can conduct, submit, and manage all documents and their activities online, eliminating the need for physical presence and manual paperwork.

The system integrates over 70 institutions, allowing for the batch submission of documents related to international trade in a single place, without delays or duplication of procedures.

An intelligent control system has also been implemented at border customs posts, with cameras based on artificial intelligence (AI) that can monitor an area of approximately 50 kilometres, enhancing tracking and security.

The system has been implemented in various areas of the country to control and track import and export operation, and according to the Deputy Commissioner of the ECC, the digital system in addition to streamlining operations, contributes significantly to the fight against illegal trade and smuggling, while promoting legal trade.

Concerning digital financial services, the system support electronic taxation, complaint submissions, and receipt verification, with fee payments handled through the ETHSWITCH network.

The Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS) is used to monitor goods from origin to destination, acting as a safeguard against tampering and theft.

These reforms have been credited with improving the speed of operations and reducing bottlenecks, contributing to the modernization of Ethiopia’s logistics sector. 

Link

India | Launched a National Initiative to Record and Digitize Millions of Historical Manuscripts

Indian Government has launched a national initiative to record and digitize historical manuscripts, a move that seeks to unlock the country’s vast knowledge legacy covering diverse themes with subjects from ancient science and medicine to literature and astronomy. 

The plan led by India’s Ministry of Culture  consists in a three - month national survey using technology and local committees to preserve and make available the world’s largest collection of manuscripts.  

The initiative, considered the first of its kind, seeks to create a centralized database that allows preserving and facilitating access to millions of historical documents as reported by News9, India’s, a news network headquartered in Noida. 

The exercise will begin at the district level and then advance to higher administrative levels. During the process, manuscripts preserved both in institutional repositories and in private collections will be identified. 

All the information collected will be stored in a national digital repository hosted on the central portal of the Gyan Bharatam Mission created to preserve, digitize, and disseminate India’s vast manuscript heritage and revive its civilization knowledge traditions for future generations. 

It is estimated that the South Asian country has the largest collection of manuscripts globally, with about ten million copies. The project will have state and district committees for its execution and will also integrate more than one million manuscripts that have already been digitized by institutions and state governments. 

The authorities indicated that each manuscript will be geolocated to support its conservation, preservation and digitization. In addition, field teams will use a mobile app to upload data from documents found during the survey. 

Key aspects of the initiative include: 

•    Digital Preservation and Access: The project aims to bring manuscripts online to prevent the loss of fragile documents and increase accessibility for researchers globally. 
•    National Survey and Geo - Tagging: The initiative includes the National Manuscripts Survey, which is creating a geo – tagged, searchable digital repository of manuscripts found across the country. 
•    Scale: With an estimated 10 million manuscripts, likely the largest colletion in the world, the project goes beyond religious tests, covering diverse themes like literature, mathematics, and record – keeping. 
•    International Collaboration: India has signed MoUs with universities in countries like Thailand and Vietnam to train scholars in digitizing these ancient texts. 
•    Technological Focus: The initiative emphasizes scientific conservation, capacity building, and transforming physical manuscripts into digital narratives, with projects already underway in regions like Jammu and Kashmir. 

This project operates under the broader umbrella of #IndianHeritage and #DigitalIndia, leveraging technology to protect India’s “forgotten” manuscripts.

The Secretary of Culture, Vivek Aggarwal, pointed out that the use of technology will allow the manuscripts to be digitized in standardized formats, which will make it easier for researchers and the public to access this valuable cultural material. 

Link 

https://tvbrics.com/es/news/india-lanza-una-iniciativa-nacional-para-registrar-y-digitalizar-millones-de-manuscritos-hist-ricos/

Egypt | Launched a Dynamic Media Testimonial Campaign to Enhance its Tourism Safety Image

Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism, in cooperation with the Egyptian Tourism Federation, has launched a dynamic media campaign, featuring live, daily video testimonials from international tourists sharing their experiences in real - time showcasing a sense of security and enjoyment reassuring potential visitors and to enhance the country’s image as a safe and stable destination amid ongoing regional tensions.

The initiative led by the Ministry Tourism and Antiquities, highlights positive, firsthand experiences showcasing short clips filmed at Egypt’s top destinations shared across the digital platforms of the Ministry and the Egyptian General Authority for Tourism Promotion.

Minister Sherif Fathy personally reviewing the footage to monitor visitor satisfaction and assess regional impact trends.

CEO of the Egyptian General Authority for Tourism Promotion, Ahmed Youssef, said the testimonials consistently reflect a strong sense of security among visitors.

Head of the Central Department of Tourism Marketing, Suzan Mostafa stated that the mental image of Egypt as a safe haven remains intact, adding that the clips provide a live and direct picture of tourism activity in the country, countering misinformation while highlighting Egypt’s diverse attractions and the continued flow of international arrivals despite external pressures in the wider region.

Link

https://atta.travel/resource/egypt-launches-testimonial-campaign-to-reinforce-tourism-safety-image.html

Italy | Agritourism is Experiencing Accelerated Growth and Expansion in the Country

Agritourism in Italy is experiencing accelerated growth and expansion in 2026, transitioning from a niche market to a core component of the national tourism landscape. 

According to a report by the National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT) the sector has reached 26.360 businesses driven by high demand for authentic, sustainable and experiential travel, confirming the vitality and rise of this activity. 

A study revealed that the segment registers an annual increase of 0.9% in the number of establishments and 4.3 percentage points in the number of tourists, of whom 54.8% are international visitors. 

Agritourism is concentrated, at the local level in 382 municipalities in the country, or 7.6% of the total, which are home to 42% of the companies, while 72% of tourists linked ,to this segment choose accommodation in central and northeastern Italy. 

The north of Italy has 11.504 establishments, which represents 43.5% of those existing nationwide and 7.540 are located in the northeast (Friuli Venezia Giulia, Trentino Alto Adige and Veneto regions).  

Central Italy boasts 9.629 companies, for a percentage of 36.5 points of the total, while in the south there are 5.230, a figure that corresponds to 19.8%, although the greatest dynamism of development is observed in the latter area, with a year - on - year increase of 2.5%. 

The number of agritourism companies offering accommodation slightly exceeds 21.440, which represents 81.4%, and of these 39.8% are located in central Italy. 

Agrotourism facilities that combine accommodation and restaurant service add up to just over 9.600, which represents 36.4% of the notal number of establishments. 

There are 13.265 companies that offer services such as educational farms, excursions, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, nature observation, sports activities and other other activities, for 50.3% of the total. 

Among the regions of the country with the greatest development of agritourism is Tuscany with 22.2% of the total number of companies of this type nationwide, and in second place is the autonomous province of Bolzano in the Trentino Alto Adige region, with 13%.

Key trends and data driving this growth in 2026 include: 

•    Significant Market Growth: The Italian agritourism market is projected to reach $471.8 million by 2030. 
•    Rise of Educational and Active Tourism: “Educational farms” are a major growth driver, with over 2.340 now operating across Italy, representing a 12% increase year - over - year. The most lucrative and fastest – growing activity segment is Educational Tourism. 
•    Regional Trends: Tuscany leads in Central Italy and Trentino Alto Adige region in northern Italy leads in density with roughly 29 units per 100 km², sustaining its leadership in rural hospitality. In the south of the country, Puglia is emerging as a top 2026 “hidden gem” destination, drawing visitors with its rustic, authentic, and “raw” agricultural experiences. 
•    Shift to Digital and Experiential: Online booking options for agritourism accommodation have increased by 20%, reflecting a modernization of the sector. Complementary services, such as hiking, nature observation, and yoga retreats are now offered by over half of the agritourism establishments.
•    Sustainability and Quality: Travellers are inceasingly seeking out “Slow Food” farms and direct – to – consumer experiences, strengthening the connection between farming and eco - tourism. 

2026 Emerging Trends: 

•    Affordable Farm Stays: Farm stays in region like Tuscany are offering affordable options even in high season in areas featuring olive groves and vineyards. 
•    Women - Led Innovation: Women manage about 39% of educational farms, often leading the push for new types of rural education and experiences. 
•    Regional Focus: The trend is driven by urban residents seeking to reconnect with rural areas, with 88% of demand for agritourism coming from urbanities.

Link 
https://infoturlatam.com/agroturismo-muestra-un-acelerado-crecimiento-en-italia/

Dream Hotels & Resorts | Assumed Management of Two Safari Lodges in Chobe National Park, Botswana

From March 2026, Dream Hotels & Resorts a hospitality group headquartered in Bryanston, South Africa has assumed management of two safari lodges in Chobe National Park, located in northern Botswana near the vast inland Okavango Delta.

Chobe National Park, covering 11.700 km² , features four distinct ecosystems, the  lush Chobe Riverfront, Savuti Marsh, Linyanti Marshes, and Ngwenzumba Pans, offering diverse, year round, world - class wildlife viewing, including massive buffalo herds, lions, over 460 bird species and globally renowned for having a relevant concentration of elephants.

The move  marking the brand’s entry into high - end safaris, expands the group’s footprint in one of Africa’s strongest safari markets while maintaining continuity for trade and guests.

The two lodges are:

Ghoha Hills Savudi Lodge: The property is an eco - friendly, luxury safari lodge perched on a hill in Botswana’s Chobe National Park, offering 11 intimate, solar - powered, tented suites with 180 - degree panoramic views. The lodge features a natural waterhole for wildlife viewing, a pool, a spa, and gourmet outdoor dining amid open plains, with activities focused on game drives, bird - watching and stargazing.

Nogatsaa Pans: This exclusive, eco - friendly all - inclusive luxury safari camp located in a remote area of Chobe National Park provides 12 elevated, spacious canvas tents with panoramic views of the Kwikamba Pan. The property includes in - tents with indoor/outdoor showers, a central pool, a boma, a lounge, bar, dining areas, a library and high - concentration big game viewing, particularly elephants.

The Kader Family retains ownership, existing reservation processes continue, trade representation remains with Alex Johnston of Tortilis Marketing, and key conservation partnerships are being upheld.

Link

https://atta.travel/resource/dream-hotels-resorts-takes-over-two-chobe-lodges-management.html