Angola | Signed a Three - Year Tourism Action Plan and Open Skies Agreement with South Africa to Boost Tourism and Air Connectivity

Angola signed a three – year Tourism Action Plan (2026 – 2029) and an Open Skies agreement with South Africa, effective 24 March 2026, aimed at boosting tourism, investment, and air connectivity. Key features of this partnership include removing passenger and cargo flight restrctions, joint destination marketing, and skills development with the aim of unlocking opportunities across both markets. 

This initiative was launched after South Africa’s Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille concluded a working visit to  the Angolan  capital, Luanda.

The meeting also included bilateral engagements with Angola Minister of Tourism, Márcio de Jesus Lopes Daniel, and attendance at the Luanda El Grand Prix, highlighting the role of major international events in driving destiantions visibility and investment.

Angola, the second – largest economy in SADC, recorded 41.718 visitors to South Africa in 2025, a 10% year - on -  year increase, underscoring is value as a key source market.

As part of the joint marketing commitment, South Africa has also pledged to promote Angolan tourism offerings to South Africa travellers, reflecting a reciprocal approach to growing the bilateral travel economy.

Key Features of the Agreements:

·       Open Skies Partnerships:  Removal of capacity and frequency restrictions on passenger and cargo flights between the two countries, increasing options for travellers and cargo, and boosting trade.

·       Three - Year Action Plan: A framework designed to boost bilateral tourism by implementing initiatives over the next three years.

Key Action Areas:

·       Joint Destination Marketing: Coordinated efforts to promote South Africa and Angola as top travel destinations, positioning the Southern African region as a high – value destination.

·       Investment Promotion: Encouraging investment in tourism infrastructure in both countries.

Improved Connectivity: The agreement aims top increase travel demanbd and ease business travel between Angola and South Africa’s cities, particularly following 41.718 Angolan visitors to South Africa in 2025.

Strategic Collaboration: The deal strengthens regional integration in the SADC region, with Angola, the second – largest economy in SADC, partnering with South Africa to boost tourism revenue.

Link

https://atta.travel/resource/south-africa-and-angola-sign-three-year-tourism-action-plan-and-open-skies-agreement.html

Indonesia | Government Plans to Renovate 400,000 Low - Income Housing Units by 2026

The Indonesian Government plans to renovate 400.000 low - income housing units by 2026, driven by the Ministry of Housing and Settlement Areas, to improve living standards for households in unsuitable housing.  

The government conveyed plans to improve the public renovation program this year, expected to achieve full coverage throughout the country to improve quality and foster economic equality. 

Actions include nation wide expansion, scaling to cover previously overlooked districts utilizing state - owned enterprises (SOE) land, building vertical, mixed use housing for affordability, and public - private partnerships.  

Compared to the previous year, where the goal was 45.000 homes, the jump to 400.000 represents a substantial increase, according to information from ANTARA, a news agency that delivers real time information on various events from Indonesia and around the world.

The program will not only increase in number of units, but will also be implemented on a national scale. The Minister of Housing and Settlements, Marurarar Sirait noted that 220 districts and cities were excluded last year, but it is expected that by 2026 full coverage will be achieved throughout the country. 

According to the Minister, this initiative seeks not only to provide decent houses, but also to promote economic equity in the regions, generating a significant stimulus for the local economy. 

In addition the Indonesian Government has been instructed by President Prabowo Subianto to use State land in urban areas, especially belonging to state - owned railway companies, for the purpose of building popular housing complexes. 

The Minister of Housing and Settlements has recently inspected several potential plots of land, such as Tanah Abang area of Jakarta, which will be developed as vertical dwellings with a mixed - use concept. 
Land is also being explored in Bandung, capital of Indonesia’s West Java province to begin development preparations by the end of the month. 

Key Features of the 2026 Renovation Plan: 

•    Scale and Coverage: The program intends to expand nationally, covering areas not included in previous years. 
•    Target Population: The initiative focuses specifically on improving housing for low – income households, addressing the prevalence of uninhabitable residential properties. 
•    Vertical Housing and Land Use: Under directives from President Prabowo, the government is utilizing estate – oened land, particularly from State – Owned Enterprises (SOEs) like PT KAI (railway operator) to build vertical housing with a mixed – use concept in urban areas.
•    Economic Impact: The renovation program is designed to act as a catalyst for economic growth, promoting equity in various regions.
•    Integrated Approach: The initiative is part of broader housing goals that include building subsizdized homes  and advancing the Stimulant Assistance for Self – Help Housing (BSPS) scheme to improve slum areas. 
•    Stakeholder Involvement: The planning involves collaboration with developer associations, state – run banks, and residents to ensure fairness and efficiency. 

The Minister of Housing and Settlements, Marurarar Sirait, said that this expansion responds to a directive from President Prabowo Subianto to accelerate the population’s access to decent housing. 

Link 
https://tvbrics.com/es/news/gobierno-de-indonesia-prev-renovar-400-000-viviendas-populares-en-2026/

Brazil | Tourism Sector Generated more than 68,000 Jobs in One Year, Marking a Record Growth

Brazil’s tourism sector is experiencing a historic boom, reaching a record - breaking 9.28 million international visitors in 2025, marking a 37.1% increase over 2024 and continuing a relevant, successful traujectory this year.

This post - pandemic rebound is characterized by increased air connectivity, aggressive marketing, a significant diversification of  destinations with the sector generated more than 68.000 jobs with formal contracts in one year, marking a record growth.

At the end of February 2026, the tourism sector had 2.39 million employees, considering its sustainable growth, according to Brazil’s Social Communication Secretariat.

In February 2026 alone, tourism generated 11.442 new jobs, driven mainly by the food and land transport sectors, reflecting the dynamism of domestic tourism during the high season and Carnival.

At the same time, domestic aviation reached an all - time high in the first two months of the year, exceeding 17 million passengers, 8% more than in 2025.

These relevant results undoubtedly consolidate tourism as a strategic - sector for economic growth and job creation in the country.

Currently, tourism accounts for 5% of the Brazil’s workforce. Tourism Minister Gustavo Feliciano stressed that the sector continues to be a key driver of employment and income for millions of Brazilians.

Link

https://tvbrics.com/es/news/turismo-en-brasil-genera-m-s-de-68-000-empleos-en-un-a-o-y-marca-crecimiento-r-cord/

The Dominican Republic | The Country Will become a Permanent “Homeport” of MSC Cruises

The Dominican Republic will become for the first time a permanent “homeport” of MSC Cruises, a major European cruise line headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, known for modern, Medciterranean  - style ahips, offering a blend of Italian elegance and high - tech innovation, through the year starting in November 2026.

The operations will be from the port of Puerto Plata,  a renowned destination in the Caribbean, known as the "Port of Silver", located on the Dominican Republic's northern Amber Coast. featuring a blend of unique colonial history, Victorian architecture, natural attractions and stunning beaches.

The announcement was made in Miami, Florida, U.S. by the Minister of Tourism David Collado, within the framework of the Seatrade Cruise Global fair and this achievement represents a milestone for the Caribbean country serving as homeport for MSC Cruises, the world’s largest privately held cruise company and the third - largest cruise brand.

The initiative comes after an agreement between MSC Cruises and Costasur Casa de Campo, a residential, commercial, and tourist complex in La Romana, which contemplates the management, operation and development of Isla Catalina ( Catalina Island),  a small inhabited, protected tropical island 2.4 km off the southeast coast of the Dominican Republic near La Romana, in addition to the expansion of the offer of itineraries that will include stop in different Dominican destinations, a ccording to a press release.

MSC Cruises is establishing year - round operations, breaking the traditional seasonality, as part of a long - term strategy in the region.

The MSC Opera will be the primary vessel, operating weekly 7 - night itineraries, with options to extend 14 - night “butterfly” cruises, and the program is expected to bring 120.000 international visitors to La Romana annually.

The agreement seeks to promote investment, job creation, and the growth of tourism in the eastern region with Punta Cana and Puerto Plata drivers of the Dominican Republic’s record breaking tourism success in 2025 - 2026, positioning the country as a top Caribbean destination..

The Director of the Cruise Port of La Romana, Luis Emilio Rodríguez Amiama, highlighted the importance of MSC Cruises establishing a base of operations in the country throughout the year, which will strengthen the positioning of the Dominican Republic in the global cruise market.

The Cruise Port Director added that the new itineraries will not only integrated Catalina Island, but also other ports in the country, which according to the authorities, reflects the confidence of the line in the potential of the Dominican destination.

Meanwhile, the President of CTL Maritime, Gianluca Suprani, also supported the initiative, noting that it is part of a long - term vision to consolidate the country as a cruise hub in the Caribbean. 

Link

https://www.arecoa.com/cruceros/2026/04/16/hito-de-rd-sera-homeport-permanente-de-msc-cruises/

Kenya | Craft Silicon Launched TouristTap, a New Cashless Payment to Digitise Tourism Value Chain

Craft Silicon, a global fintech company specialising in banking and payment solutions, with its primary headquarters located in Nairobi, Kenya, has launched a new cashless payment platform designed to digitise tourism transactions across Kenya and East Africa’s tourism sector, from airports and hotels to national parks and informal service providers including local markets, kiosks, and transport operators.

The initiative supports Kenya’s wider digital transformation agenda, which prioritises the integration of technology into key economic sectors.

The platform addresses a long - standing challenge in East African tourism, where fragmented payment systems and cash dependency have inconvenienced and limited revenue tracking.

Developed by Craft Silicon in partnership with KCB Bank, and Visa to digitize the tourism value chain, TouristTap allows visitors to use NFC-– enabled phones as POS terminals by entering local till numbers or mobile payment details and completing transactions with a secure PIN,  enabling secure, contactless payments to local merchants, guides, and small machine terminals KCB Bank and Visa and eliminating the need for cash or physical card machines.

The integration of TouristTap across both formal and informal service providers is expected to advance financial inclusion by bringing small - scale operators into the digital economy, particularly significant in tourism - dependent regions where many businesses operate outside formal banking systems.

Key Features of TouristTap:

·       NFC Tap - to Pay Technology: Tourist can tap their contactless debit/credit cards directly onto NFC – enabled Android phone to pay for goods and services instantly.

·       Mobile POS Functionality: Transforms mobile phones into POS machines, enabling merchants to accept payments without physical terminals.

·       Direct Mobile Money Integration: Facilitates immediate transfers from International cards to local merchants M – Pesa wallets, till numbers, or pay bills.

·       High – Level Security (PCI - DSS): Features PCI – DDS certified technology, ensuring that card details are encrypted, and never stored or shared.

·       Comprehensive Tourism Coverage: Suitable for hotels, transport providers, parks, and small, informal businesses like craft sellers.

·       Fast Registration and Usage: Designed for quick setup (under three seconds registration) and instant payment processing.

·       Offline to Online Integration: Supports the formalization of informal tourism players by providing access to digital payment systems.

The platform aims to reduce reliance on cash, enhance security, and increase financial inclusion within Kenya’s tourism sector.

 Visa’s East Africa General Manager Chad Pollock highlighted the role of seamless payment infrastructure in shaping visitor experiences and unlocking tourism growth, while KCB Bank representative Johnson Ondicho noted the platform’s alignment with broader digital payments expansion efforts.

Linkh

https://atta.travel/resource/kenya-launches-touristtap-cashless-payment-platform-to-digitise-tourism-value-chain.html

The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) | Signed an Agreement to Develop a Taj Safaris Lodge in Satpura, Madhya Pradesh, India

The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), part of Tata Group and headquartered in Mumbai, has signed an agreement with Sarvapratham Hospitality Private Limited, a tourism and accommodation private limited group based in Huzur involved in activities such as hotels, motels, inns, and resorts providing short term lodging facilities, to develop a Taj Safari Lodge in Satpura, an area highlighted by Satpura National Park. in the Hoshangabad district of Madhya Pradesh, a large state in central India.

The project is a greenfield development on a 30 - acre site located approximately two hours from Bhopal Airport in the Saptura National Park, a 524 sq km UNESCO site, a recognized biodiversity hotspot known for its rugged terrain, forests, the scenic Denwa River,  home to Bengal tigers, leopards, sloth bears, Indian bison, over 300 species of birds, and more than 30 species of reptiles.

The planned Taj Safaris Satptura will feature 20 comfortable rooms, an all – day dining restaurant and a bar.

The property will join the emblematic Taj brand, characterized by its deep Indian heritage offering  authentic cultural experiences, world - class service and a strong commitment to sustainability.

The brand also focuses on preserving Indian culinary traditions and craftmanship, maintaining an iconic luxury image, and expanding its global presence highlighting responsible tourism.

With this addition The Indian Hotels Company Limited will have five Taj Safaris properties in the state of Madhya Pradesh, including one under development, with existing lodges located in Bandhavgarh, Kanha, Panna, and Pench.

Links

https://www.ihcltata.com/press-room/ihcl-signs-a-taj-safaris-lodge-in-satpura-madhy-pradesh

https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article140643.html

The Standard Hotels | Unveiled the Future Opening of its First Texas Hotel, Located in Austin, U.S.

The Standard Hotels, an international boutique hotel chain founded in 1999 and based in New York City , operated by Standard International Management has unveiled the future opening of its first Texas hotel located in Austin, vibrant capital city of the U.S. state bordering the Hill Country region, located on the Colorado River between Travis, Hay, and Williamson counties, as well as with three lakes within the city limits :  Lady Bird Lake, Lake Austin, and Lake Walter E.Long.

The Standard, Austin is set to open in Spring 2027 and eill open its doors at 1603 South Congress Avenue in the historic Travis Heights neighbourhood close to the buses at Soco Station, 4.8 km from both Zilker Botanical Garden and the Blanton Museum of Art, following the conversion and renovation of the existing South Congress Hotel, scheduled to close for renovations in the summer of 2026.

This will be The Standard brand’s first U.S. opening in more than a decade, a collaboration project between Hyatt Hotels Corporation and Timberline Real Estate Partners, an Austin - based real estate firm that focuses on the acquisition, development, repositioning, and management of real estate assets, targeting opportunities in mixed - used, hospitality, residential, industrial and retail properties across the U.S. 

The renovated property will feature updated rooms incorporating design elements with local craftmanship and new amenities, including social wellness experiences, a rooftop pool , and bars.

The creative team leading the project includes Amar Lalvani, President and Creative Direcxtor of Hyatt’s Lifestyle Group; James Moody, Founder of Guerilla Suit; Stan Nix, Managing Partner of Timberline Real Partners; and architect Michael Hsu.

Interior design will be managed by Goodrich Design, a practice specializing in branding and interior design headquartered in New York City in collaboration between The Standard and Bunkhouse teams in Austin.

The Standard Austin will join the brand’s global portfolio, which includes locations in Bangkok, Thailand, Brussels, Belgium, Ibiza, Spain, and London, England, UK. Additional properties in Lisbon, Portugal and Mexico City, Mexico are expected to open later this year.

Link

ttps://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article140738.html