Marriott International | Added a New Property to its The Luxury Collection Brand, Located in Capri, Italy

Marriott International, American multinational hospitality company based in Bethesda, Maryland, has added to its the Luxury Collection brand a new property located in Capri, an idyllic, rocky, luxurious Mediterranean island in Italy’s Bay of Naples, famous for its coastal cliffs, upscale boutiques, and natural and historical marvels include the glowing blue waters of the Blue Grotto, the soaring limestone stacks of the Faraglioni, the panoramic heights of Monte Solaro, historic Roman ruins like Villa Jovis, and the charming towns of Anacapri and Capri.

The new entry set to become part of The Luxury Collection, following an agreement with the SNG Hotels Group, a hospitality company headquartered in Naples is the Pazziella Capri, with the hotel’s entry into the brand scheduled for the spring 2026.

Pazziella, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Capri, nestled in the heart of Capri, embodying the island’s most intimate spirit, consists in two whitewashed villas embraced by a Mediterranean garden, located at Via Fuorlovado, 36, within walking distance of the emblematic Piazzetta, Via Camerelle boutiques, and 1.7 kilometres from the popular and frequently visted Harbour Marina Grande.

The property features 25 rooms, including suites, some of which offer a private pool or an outdoor hot tub.

Dining at the hotel is centred around the Campanella restaurant, which is situated within the hotel’s garden. Additional facilities include a pool. The property’s seasonal operation for 2026 is set from April 20 to October 11.

The hotel joins The Luxury Collection, a Marriott International comprising nearly 120 independent, high -  end hotels and resorts in over 35 countries. Known for featuring historic palaces, iconic, and culturally immersive properties, it offers authentic, tailored experiences in desirable global destinations.

Unlike standardized chains, these hotels are unique, often historic, and designed to reflect the local culture. The brand targets global explorers seeking experiential travel and “hidden gems” often with high - quality amenities like Frette linens and concierge services.

COO of the SNG Hotels Group, Francesco Naldi, said that the partnership will guarantee that Pazziella preserves its distinctive character, while offering an even richer transformative experience in line with the expectations of the most discerning traveller, as the essence of The Luxury Collection is to celebrate the unique heritage of the property and provide unique experiences rooted in the destination.

Links

https://www.marriott.com/en-gb/hotels/nappg-pazziella-a-luxury-collection-hotel-capri/overview/

https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article139984.html

LivAway Suites | Opened its First Hotel in Texas, U.S., Located in San Marcos

LivAway Suites, an economy - stay hotel company headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah that offers simple, affordable and modern suites for cost - conscious travellers and developers, aiming to disrupt the traditional hotel franchise with a transparent, developer - centric approach, has opened its first hotel in Texas, U.S., located in San Marcos, a city and the county seat of Hays County, part of the Greater Austin Metropolitan Area, marking the beginning of the the company’s planned expansion across the state.

San Marcos is a vibrant Hilly Country city located between Austin and San Antonio, renowned for the spring - fed San Marcos River, massive outlet shopping and Texas State University, also known for year - round outdoor activities like hiking, kayaking, and tubing, alongside historic sites, a lively arts scene, and to be one of the oldest continually inhabited sites in North America.

The hotel designed to serve guests for work assignments, relocation, academic needs, or project - based stays is located at 1550 River Road  and offers access to local attractions, including scenic rivers, dining and brewery options and Texas University.

The property offers accommodations for extended - stay guests, including in - room kitchens with full - size appliances, a fitness centre, and laundry facilities. Guests have access to long - term stay rate advantages, advance - booking discounts, and SavAway members - only benefits.

LivAway Suites has previously expanded its presence in the state of Arizona and is focusing on further development in the Texas market.

Links

https://www.livawaysuites.com/locations/tx/austin/san-marcos

https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article140002.html

UNESCO | Reaffirming a Strong Commitment to the Restitution of African Cultural Heritage

The United Nations, Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) founded in 1945 and headquartered in Paris, France, reaffirms a strong commitment to the restitution of African cultural heritage, framing the return of local artifacts as essential for historical justice, cultural rights, and identity according as reported by ENA, the official news agency of the government of Ethiopia.  

Key features of the initiative include  bilateral negotiations, developing local museum capacity, training heritage professionals, and utilizing the 1970 Convention to fight illicit trafficking. 

The message by UNESCO reiterating its commitment was clear and direct, stressing that the return of displaced cultural property constitutes a cultural right, an act of historical justices and a fundamental element of people’s identity.

This message was  highlighted during a high - level event which took place in the capital of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa focusing on restitution, cultural rights, and the right to memory,  with the participation of experts, authorities and civil society representatives from Africa and Latin America. 

Key Aspects of UNESCO’s commitment include: 

•    Focus on Restorative Justice: Restitution is viewed as a means to repair historical injustices, allowing African nations to reconnect with their heritage and strengthen collective memory. 
•    Capacity Building and Training: Initiatives like “Reclaiming Our Heritage” in Southern Africa focus on training local experts, negotiators, and curators to handle the return of cultural property. 
•    Institutional Frameworks: UNESCO supports the strengthening of African museums to safely house returned items, linking this to the “Global Priority Africa” strategy. 
•    International Cooperation: Through the Intergovernmental Committee (ICPRCP), UNESCO facilitates negotiations between Africa states and holding institutions. 

During the forum, it was highlighted that more than 90% of Africa’s ancient cultural objects remain outside the continent. Participants agreed the restitution should be understood as a fundamental right, closed linked to historical memory, cultural identity and restorative justice, in line with African normative frameworks, UNESCO conventions and international law. 

Representatives of UNESCO, Ethiopia and Morocco agreed that culture is a pillar of sovereignty, social cohesion and development, and that strengthening its protection and restitution is key to the future of the continent. 

Link 
https://tvbrics.com/es/news/unesco-reafirma-su-compromiso-con-la-restituci-n-del-patrimonio-cultural-africano/

Colombia | Signed a MoU with Chile on AI and Supercomputing Initiatives to Boost Regional Technological Integration

 Colombia and Chile have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen, develop and collaborate on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and supercomputing initiatives. 

This strategic partnership is designed to boost regional technological integration, enhance high - level research capabilities and promote the development of a proprietary language model to foster technological sovereignty in Latin America and the Caribbean. 

This cooperation in Science, Technology and Innovation with special emphasis on artificial intelligence (AI) and supercomputing is part of a regional effort to advance capabilities with AI tools designed from and for the social, cultural, and linguistic realities of the region. 

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) contemplates the creation of a regional network to share resources and knowledge in highly complex projects, the promotion of Centres of Excellence in AI and the joint development of a regional language model.

 In addition, this agreement provides for the exchange of researchers and students, specialised training programmes, shared use of technological infrastructures and the coordination of common positions in international forums.  

Key details of the MoU: 

•    Regional Supercomputing Network: The agreement aims to create a shared supercomputing infrastructure, allowing both countries to share resources, data centres and expertise for advanced AI projects. 
•    “Latam - GPT” Development: A major focus of this partnership is the integration of Colombia into the development of Latam – GPT, a large language model initiated by Chile’s Ministry of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation (MinCiencia) and the National Center for Artificial Intelligence (CENIA). 
•    Infrastructure and Collaboration: The collaboration includes the creation of AI centres of excellence, researcher/student exchanges, and shared specialized training programs. 
•    Strategic Goals: The alliance aims to reduce dependence on foreign technology by building tools tailored to the cultural and linguistic context of Latin America, specifically focusing on Spanish and regional dialects. 
•    Timeline and Context: The announcement follows the launch of Latam – GPT and coincides with Chile’s planned construction of a major supercomputing centre in Arica (scheduled for June 2026). 
•    Regional Alliance: This alliance is part of a broader regional effort to enhance AI capabilities, with Colombia and Chile collaborating with other nations including Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico to establish a “sovereign” AI ecosystem. 

 The Colombian Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation, Andrés López, explained that the articulation will make it possible to move towards a joint agenda of ethical and responsible artificial intelligence, aligned with the Declarations of Cartagena de Indias, Montevideo and Santiago, which promote principles based on human rights, cultural diversity, equity and transparency. 

For his part, the Minister of Science, Technology and innovation of Chile, , Aldo Valle stressed that AI, especially language models, has become a key pollar for the progress of nations and stressed the importance of having their own capacities to strengthen autonomy and promote development in line with regional identity. 

Link 
https://tvbrics.com/es/news/colombia-y-chile-firman-una-alianza-estrat-gica-en-ia-y-supercomputaci-n/

India | Approved the Project for the Construction of its First Underwater Road - Rail Tunnel Under the Brahmaputra River

India’s Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved the project for the construction of the country’s first underwater road – rail tunnel under the Brahamaputra River in Assam, a stare in northeastern India, south of the eastern Himalayas along the Brahmaputra and Barak River valleys, known for its wildlife, archaeological sites and tea plantations. 

The project, featuring two tubes with two lanes each and railway infrastructure in one of the tubes, will be developed under an engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) model and will cost an estimated 18.662 crores rupees (approximately $205.28 million). 

The tunnel will connect Gohpur, a town and headquarters of the Gohpur sub - division om Biswanath district and Numaligarh, a centre in Golaghat district, primarily known as a major industrial and energy hub, significantly shortening the current distance of 240 kilometers that is travelled by six hours through the national highway that passes through Kaliabhambhora, Silghat,  Kaziranga National Park and the city of Biswanath.

This development is India’s first underwater road and rail tunnel and only the second of its kind in the world. The project will mainly benefit northeastern states including Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland, by improving freight mobility, reducing logistic costs, and is expected to provide substantial long - term benefits in terms of trade, tourism, and industrial development across the region.

In addition to streamlining transport, the corridor will boost tourist flow, connect four major railway stations, two airports, two inland waterways, and will generate several direct and indirect jobs.

 Link

 

https://tvbrics.com/es/news/india-aprueba-su-primer-t-nel-subacu-tico-de-carretera-y-ferrocarril-en-assam/

Mexico | International Tourism Marked a 6.1% Annual Increase in 2025

Mexico's national statistics institute (Inegi) has announced that the country received 47.79m international tourists in 2025, up from 45 million in 2024, marking a 6.1% annual increase with a revenue rose by 4.9% to $31.72 billion. The average expenditure per visitor was $356.32, reflecting the consolidation of the tourism sector.

A statement from the institution specifies that, of that total, 27.371.599 were international tourists, representing a 1.2% year - over - year increase, of which 22.867.222 arrived in the country by air and 4.504.377 arrived by land.

Border travellers who enter by land and remain during their visit, within the delimitation of the northern or southern border srrip totalled 20.415.107,  accounting for 16.5% of international tourists and showing a 15.6% year - over - year increase and the total expenditure, according to entity aounted to $31.715.4 million.,

On the other hand, visitors who arrived in Mexico totalled 98.2 million in 2025 with  50.416.068 excursionists, that is, visitors who did stay overnight on their trip, representing 13.6% more than in 2024, the statement said, noting that 48.7% were precisely international tourists.

Mexico currently ranks sixth in the world in terms of the arrival of travelers, a reality that the government of President Claudia Sheinbaum seeks to overcome even more, by placing it in fifth position in that ranking.

Link

https://infoturlatam.com/turismo-internacional-en-mexico-crece-61-en-2025/

Benin | Granted an Operating Licence to Amazone Airlines

Benin’s National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) has granted an operating license to Amazone Airlines following a regulatory review concluded on 13 February 2026, paving the way for the new carrier to begin commercial operations.

Developed to boost tourism and regional connectivity, Amazone Airlines aims direct international links, potentially with Qatar Airways cooperation, following a 2025 proposal.

The move advances government plans to strengthen air connectivity and tourism, with potential to increase traffic through Cotonou’s Bernardin Gantin International Airport, which is being expanded to triple passenger capacity as Benin targets more than 2 million international visitors a year.

Benin’s National Civil Aviation Agency said approval followed verification of operating procedures, crew and technical qualifications, and a compliant safety management system.

Details on ownership, initial fleet and launch timing have not been disclosed.Amazone Airlines will enter a competitive market already served by major international and regional airlines, amid sector headwinds typical in Africa, high operating costs, significant taxes and fuel prices, and relatively low load factors (73.4% in Africa in December 2025 versus 83.7% globally).

Link

https://atta.travel/resource/benin-grants-operating-licence-to-amazone-airlines.html