IHG Hotels & Resorts | Signed an Agreement to Open a 223 - Room Holiday Inn Express Hotel in Sapporo, Japan

IHG Hotels & Resorts, British multinational hospitality company based in Windsor, Berkshire, England, UK, has signed an agreement to open a 223 - room Holiday Inn Express in Sapporo,  vibrant capital of the mountainous northern island of Hokkaido, famous for its beer, winter sports, the iconic Sapporo Snow Festival with its intricate ice sculptures, beautiful parks and nature. 

The agreement to open the Holiday Inn Express Sapporo Susukino is in partnership with Mitsubishi Corporation Urban Development Co., Ltd., Tokyo Tatemono Co., Ltd., and The Sankei Building Co., Ltd., marking the brand's second property in Japan.

The signing marks IHG Hotels & Resorts’ first partnership with Mitsubishi Corporation Urban Development Co., Ltd., and The Sankei Building Co., Ltd.,and is part of a broader strategy of the compsny to expand its portfolio in East Asia key destinations.

The hotel currently undergoing extensive renovation, is scheduled to open in July 2026 in the vibrant Susukino entertainment and dining district, known for its several restaurants, bars, cafes, clubs, cinemas and karaoke parlours.

The hotel will be located within a 5 – minute walk from Susukino Subway Station and three - minute from Shiseikan Shogakkō - mae Streetcar Station, 1.7 kilometres from the bustling city centrre of Sapporo. offering an easy access to attractions auch as the Susukino Intersection, Ramen Alley and Tanukikoji Shopping Street.

The property will provide 203 comfortable rooms and will be the first Holiday Inn Express in Japan to feature the brand’s Generation 5 design. Planned facilities include the Express Café, a fitness centre, and a guest laundry. The hotel will provide a complimentary breakfast with every stay.

Holiday Inn Express Sapporo Susukino will join Holiday Inn Express, IHG Hotels & Resorts’ fastest - growing Essential brand, with 3.292 open hotels and 655 hotels in the pipeline globally.

The brand offers a consistent, upper - midscale experience providing essential, modern amenities for both business and leisure guests and features the Generation 5 design, which focuses on smart, flexible spaces and comfort.

IHG Hotels & Resorts operates 59 hotels across 10 brands in Japan and has 24 properties in the pipeline. The company has seven existing properties in Hokkaido and all IHG hotel opening in Japan in 2026 are conversions.

Links

https://www.ihgplc.com/en/news-and-media/news-releases/2026/ihg-signs-second-holiday-inn-express-in-japan

https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article141090.html

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts | | Expanded its U.S. Portfolio with the Opening of Three Dolce by Wyndham Hotels in Miami Beach, Palm Springs and Tarrytown

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, an American hospitality company known as one the largest franchisors in the world, founded in 1981 in Dallas, Texas and based in Parsippany, New Jersey has expanded its U.S. portfolio with the opening of three Dolce by Wyndham hotels in Miami Beach, Florida, Palm Springs, California, and Tarrytown in New York’s Hudson Valley, additions that expand the brand’s presence in national and regional travel destinations.

The three hotels are:

Dolce by Wyndham Miami Beach, Florida: The hotel is located in Miami Beach a south Florida city lin Miami - Dade County, connected by bridges to mainland Miami, a glamorous destination highlighted by white sand beaches, turquoise waters from North Shore Open Space Park,  past palm - lined Lummus Park to South Pointe Park.

Miami Beach is renowned for its emblematic South Beach, a vibrant cultural scene, an international cachet with celebrities and models and its iconic early 20th - century architecture in the Art Deco Historic district highlighted by pastel - coloured buildings especially along Ocean Drive.

The hotel is located at 1745 James Avenue in the heart of South Beach, near the Miami Beach Convention Center, Lincoln Road, and the Ocean. The property is a boutique hotel features 90 comfortable and stylish rooms with private balconies and curated works from photographer Greg Lotus, a signature Italian- restaurant, Ciao Nonna, a sun deck, a pool, social spaces, and easy access to local beaches, nighlife, and cultural attractions.

V Capri Palm Springs, a Dolce by Wyndham, Palm Springs, California: The property is located in Palm Springs,  a famed resort city in Southern California’s Coachella Valley, famous for its year - round sunshine, stunning desert landscapes, and iconic mid - century modern architecture, serving as a glamorous retreat for Hollywood stars and attracting visitors for outdoor adventures, relaxation, culture and events like Coachella.

This retro - chic, mid - century inspired hotel catering to travellers seeking an upscale artistic desert retreat,  is situated at 333 E Palm Canyon Drive, near the Moorten Botanical Garden and Mt. San Jacinto, offering easy access to the Palm Springs Convention Center and downtown. 

The property features over 140 guest rooms and suites, with private patios or balconies , many offering pool or San Jacinto Mountain views, dining at GiGi’s restaurant, resort - style pools, an adults - only poolside bar, a 24/7 fitness centre, and flexible gathering spaces.

Sleepy Hollow Hotel, a Dolce by Wyndham, Tarrytown, New York: The hotel is located in  Tarrytown, a village in the town Greenburgh in Westchester County, nestled in the Hudson Valley on the eastern bank of the Hudson River within the state of New York, approximately 30 minutes north of Midtown Manhattan in New York City, and is served by a stop on the Metro - North Hudson Line.

 Tarrytown is known for its picturesque waterfront, vibrant downtown, and close ties to “The legend Sleepy Hollow”, a village highlighted by the historic Tarrytown Music Hall, scenic Kingsland Point Park with its lighthouse, and the Gothic Revival Lyndhurst Mansion.

The property set on 11 acres of landscaped grounds is situated at 455 S Broadway near the Hudson River, Kykuit, the Rockfeller Estate, and Lyndhourst Mansion, serving as a central hub for visiting the historic Sleepy Hollow area and major attractions in Westchester County.  

Sleepy Hollow Hotel, a Dolce by Wyndham feature over 240 spacious guest rooms, on - site dining at the Hudson Bistro, a lounge bar, an indoor pool, a 24/7 fitness centre, and over 30.000 square feet of meeting space, including one of the largest ballrooms in Westchester County.

The three properties join Dolce by Wyndham, an upper - upscale hotel brand specializing in meetings, conferences, and curated leisure experiences. Known for combining state - of - the art technology with inspiring, scenic locations, the brand features IACC - certificate meeting spaces, Nourishment Hubs, and premium amenities like spas, and golf courses, targeting both business and leisure travellers.

The  Dolce by Wyndham hotels are designed to provide access to local culture, attractions and history, and these openings are part of Wyndham’s strategy to expand its upscale and lifestyle portfolio in key travel markets.

Links

https://investor.wyndhamhotels.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/418/dolce-by-wyndham-expands-u-s-portfolio

https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article141060.html

St. Regis Hotels & Resorts | Officially Opened a New Luxury Hotel in Budapest, Hungary

St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, a famous American multinational luxury hotel chain, owned by Marriott International, a successful brand known for its sophisticated design, exceptional service, and bespoke experiences, focusing on the refined traveller has officially opened a new luxury hotel in Budapest, Hungary’s capital,  standing on the banks of the Danube River and strategically located at the centre of the Pannonia Basin,  lying on ancient routes linking the hills of Transdanubia with the Great Hungarian Plain, a very popular and vibrant destination highlighted by a relevant cultural heritage, with its historic centre classified as a World Heritage Site due to its numerous notable monuments of classical architecture.

The St. Regis Budapest is located at Váci u, 34 in District V - Belváros - Lipóváros within easy walking distance of Las Vegas Casino Casino and Magyar Zsidó Múzeum és Levéltár, housed in the Klotild Palace, a 1904 Neo – Baroque building with Art Nouveau and Romanesque details, originally commissioned by Archduchess Maria Klotild of Saxe - Coburg and Gotha and designed by architects Flóris Korb and Kálman Giergl.

The palace, featuring a prominent position neat the Danube is a 48 - metres tower adorned with replicas of Archduke Joseph Karl’s crowne, is a protected UNESCO - listed site and was historically the ceremonial entrance to Pest for travellers crossing the Elisabeth Bridge.

The luxury property features 63 comfortable rooms and 39 suites, including the Klotild Tower Suite and a two - bedroom Presidential Suite spanning 169 metres with a private balcony overlooking the Danube, the Elizabeth Bridge, and the icoic Citadella.

Each room features a refreshment centre inspired by the traditional Hungarian tile stove, with design elements referencing Budapest’s Art Nouveau decorative techniques, and The St. Butler Service is a available to guests.

Interiors incorporate design elements inspired by the Danube River and Hungarian Baths, including ceramics, decorative tiles, bronze detailing, and ornamental motifs.

The hotel entrance features a staircase with sculptural ceramic elements, reflective surfaces, and a glass ceiling, all surrounded by floral bronze patterns and crown - shaped chandeliers.

The Passage, a gallery connecting the welcome area with meeting and event spaces, is inspired by Budapest’s literary café culture and features suspended mirrors, arched ceilings, and layered lighting.

The stylish and elegant St. Regis Bar includes sculptural alcoves and a bar counter with a glass mural depicting the orchestra at the Hungarian State Opera House. The bar offers a signature cocktail called The Crown Mary, referencing the origins of the Klotild Palace and The St. Regis New York’s creation of the famous Bloody Mary in 1934 and ocktails are developed by Head Mixologist Norbert Tengely.

The hotel also features 99 Sushi Bar & Restaurant serves Japanese cuisine with a show kitchen and provide dining room, curated by Chef Thinus van der Westhuizen, Group Culinary Director of Ninety - Nine.

Klotild Patisserie offers Hungarian and French - Viennoiserie pastries and artisanal coffee, including a limited - edition blend, within a historic apothecary setting, while The Atrium hosts Afternoon Tea and Champagne Sabrage.

The hotel also features the St. Regis Spa that includes an indoor pool, traditional hammam, Finnish sauna, experience showers, and treatment rooms. The spa uses products from Sothys and Omorovicza and offers a Celebration Bar.

Event spaces at The St. Regis Budapest include the John Jacob Astor Boardroom, three salons, and the Caroline Salon.

The property joins St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, an iconic, top - tier luxury brand owned by Marriott International, founded in 1904 by John Jacob Astor IV in New York. Known for bespoke service, signature bultler service, and the Bloody Mary cocktail, it operates various luxury properties worldwide that blend classic sophistication with modern glamour, catering to discerning travellers.

Links

https://www.marriott.com/en-gb/hotels/budxr-the-st-regis-budapest/overview/

https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article141121.html

Zambia | Introducing Tourism as a School Subject to Address Hospitality Skills Gap

Zambia has reaffirmed its commitment to tourism education and workforce development introducing tourism as a school subject to address hospitality skills gap, an initiative launched with the aim on equipping learners with practical industry skills and promoting entrepreneurship to support tourism growth.                                       

A high - level gathering as The Fourth Travel, Hospitality and Tourism Education Summit, held at the Mulungushi International Conference in Lusaka,  brought together Ministers of Education, Tourism, Labour, and Commerce alongside UN Tourism Regional Director for Africa Elcia Grandcourt, with discussions centred on aligning the national education system with industry demands.

The participation of four ministries at the summit undoubtedly reflects a coordinated, cross - government approach to tourism development, with skills development and inclusive economic growth identified as central pillar of Zambia’s long - term tourism strategy.

Tourism was officially linked to the 2023 Edcucation Curriculum Framework, offering a structured pathway for students, anf the new initiative aims to introduce tourism education early with plans to establish Tourism Education Clubs in both primary and secondary schools.

The curriculum aims to move beyond theoretical knowledge, offering practical skills to match industry demands, including collaboration with the Zambia Institute for Tourism and Hospitality Studies (ZITHS) to create a relevant workforce ready to address hospitality skills gap.

This initiative aims to prepare students for employment and entrepreneurship within the tourism sector, supporting the 8^th National Development Plan (8NDP) which highlights tourism as a key economic driver for the country.

In addition the Government is focusing on training teachers to effectively deliver the new subject, supported by industry partnerships for internships and mentorships.

Education Minister Douglas Syakjalima highlighted curriculum under the 2023 framework, including the introduction of Travel and Tourism as a standalone school subject, aimed at equipping learners with practical, industry - relevant skills while promoting Zambia’s cultural heritage.

Tourism Minister Rodney Sikumba directed the establishment of tourism education clubs in schools and called for strengthened teacher training to support effective delivery, noting that the sector currently supports over 159.000 jobs across accommodation, transport, and related services.

The Minister also highlighted progress on the Mukumi International Academy for Tourism and Hospitality Studies, a flagship project developed in partnership with UN Tourism, which is expected to position the country as a regional hub for tourism education and professional training.

UN Tourism Regional Director for Africa Elcia Grandcourt commended Zambia’s leadership in prioritising tourism education, emphasising that strengthening the link between education system and industry needs is essential to building a resilient, competitive tourism sector across Africa.

Link

https://atta.travel/resource/zambia-introduces-tourism-as-school-subject-to-address-hospitality-skills-gap.html

The Dominican Republic | AI Integration, Key Driver to Boost the Advancement of Health Tourism in the Country

 AI integration is rapidly advancing health tourism in the Dominican Republic by streamlining patient journeys, improving diagnostics, and offering personalized care. Implementations managed by the Caribbran country include 24/7 AI - powered chatbots for multilingual support, AI - driven diagnostics, and predictive analytics for efficient hospital operations, allowing the country to offer high - quality, seamless care.

Currently the Dominican Republic is emerging as a regional leader in AI healthcare integration, becoming the first in Latin America and the Caribbean to integrate Generative AI and genetics into clinical practice via the nxT innovation Lab with key initiatives include AI - driven epidemiological tracking, predictive diseases modelling, and smartphone - based diagnostics for diabetic retinopathy.

In an activity organized by the Global Democracy and Development Foundation (Funglode) together with the Metropolitan Hospital of Santiago de los Caballeros (HOMS), international expert Mark Bünger, representing the University of California, San Francisco, and co - founder and president of Futurity Systems, a future – focused design and deep tech firm using data science and artificial intelligence to shape the future,  stated that the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) with existing medical strengths can turn the Dominican Republic into a strategic health tourism destination in the region. 

During his lecture titled “The Health of the Future: Santiago as a Health Tourism Destination in the Age of Artificial Intelligence”, the expert argued that great innovation arise from combining already established capabilities, citing for example, the integration of tourism and medicine to enhance international medical care.

In that context, the specialist explained that artificial intelligence should not be developed in isolation, but applied directly to sectors where the Dominican Republic already shows competitive advantages.

The expert noted that the Caribbean country has immediate strengths in the area, such as cosmetic surgery and dentistry, where AI can already be used to analyze CT scans and X - rays and generate predictive models that allow patients to visualize results more accurately before undergoing procedures.

The specialist also highlighted that the accelerated aging of populations in nearby countries such as Canada, Puerto Rico, and the United States presents a natural opportunity for growth in the Dominican health tourism.

The expert indicated that citizens from these countries will seek quality medical services at more affordable costs in a friendly ennvironments and he also emphasized the need to prepare to address chronic diseases associated with aging, such as cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, as well as diabetes.

In this opinion, offering efficient and affordable treatments would attract retirees interested in extending their life expectancy and quality of life in the country.

To demonstrate that artificial intelligence is already transforming medicine, the specialist presented concrete project with global impact, mentioning advanced research systems capable of solving complex scientific problems in record time, as well as personal assistance initiatives developed in Spain.

In the Iberian country an avatar was created with the cloned voice of a patient who lost her speech after a stroke, reconstructed from old WhatsApp audios, allowing her to communicate again with her family.

The expert also highlighted innovations in telehealth using artificial vision, which enables analysis of subtle colour changes on a patient’s face during video calls to estimate heart rate and support remote diagnoses.

Among the most strking developments the specialist cited a “smart mirror” with an AI - generated avatar that facilitates medical consultations for stigmatized conditions, creating an environment where patients can speak without fear or judgement, with a system that transcribes the conversation and subsequently alerts healthcare staff.

The expert added that the same technology can be adapted at home to monitor medical inventories of chronic patients, managing supplies and treatments as if it were a “hospital at home”.

Another key advance noted is the automation of clinical documentation using artificial intelligence, which allows medical records and notes to be written automatically, significantly reducing healthcare staff exhaustion and freeing up more time for human care.

Link

https://dominicantoday.com/dr/tourism/2026/03/29/ai-integration-key-to-boosting-the-advancement-of-health-tourism-in-the-dominican-republic/

China | Developing the World’s First Large Offshore Platform for Deep - Sea Research

China is developing the world’s large offshore platform for deep - sea research, in any weather conditions as reported by CCTV, a news agency specializing in video on demand based in Beijing belonging to the state - owned China Central Television that released information about the launch of this important national scientific - technological infrastructure project.

The development of this floating “island” is being carried out by Shanghai Jiao Tong University that recenertly announced the construction of this major infrastructure project, the largest semi - submersible research platform ever attempted.

Called the deep - Sea All - Weather Resident Floating Research Facility or “Open - Sea Floating Island” for short, the names just about say it all.

Expected to be completed by 2030, the complex will include a main platform, onboard laboratories and ground support infrastructure.

The platform is a double - hulled semi - submersible structure designed  to conduct experiments at depths of up to 10.000 metres.

The develpment will allow work to be carried out in adverse maritime conditions and at great depths for long periods. The facility will be used to test deepwater mineral extraction systems, marine eqioment, and offshore oil and gas infrastructure.

The platform apart the exploration of marine resources, also aims to accelerate studies linked seasonal changes in ocean ecosystems, investigate the origin of life and improve the accuracy of typhoon broadcasting, which will strengthen measures to prevent natural disasters and mitigate the consequences.

 University researcher Yang Jianmin noted that the platform will be able to move at the speed of a research vessel, and, once at the designed point, be held in position by ballasting.

The development according to Shanghai Jiao Tong University Professor Xiao Longfei, seeks to combine the mobility of a research vessel with the ability to operate for a long time at a fixed point.

The professor said that the University lacked a research facility that could move quickly in the mession area for long periods. To fill this gap, were combined the characteristics of semi - submersible platforms used in the offshore oil and gas industry with those of research vessels, creating a completely new concept of semi – submersible research platform. 

Link

https://tvbrics.com/es/news/china-construir-una-isla-flotante-para-investigaciones-en-aguas-profundas/

Chile | Launched a Reforestation Project with the Distribution of 18,000 Plant Specimens Across the Metropolitan Region

Chile is actively working to preserve its biodiversity and natural ecosystems and through the Narional Forestry Corporation (CONAF) officially launched the Urban Afforestation Program (PAU) 2026, a project that provides the distribution of 18, 000 plant specimens across the Metropolitan Region, a vast territory that ecompasses Chile’s capital, Santiago along with parts of the Andes Mountains and Chilean Coastal Range.

The initiative seeks to increase vegetation in urban areas and in the 52 municipalities of the capital and address increasingly pressing environmental problems, such as extreme temperatures and the scarcity of green spaces in disadvantaged sectors according to information from El Maipo, a renowned Chilean news agency..

The Urban Afforestation Program aims to consolidate itself as a undamental tool to move towards more resilient, sustainable and fair centres, where access to green areas creates to be a privilege and becomes a right for all the inhabitants of the Metropolitan Region.

The Narional Forestry Corporation culminated a launch tour that included activities in various locations including Colina, Melipilla, and Puente Alto, where local and regional authorities received the technical guidelines of the program, whose main purpose is to reduce extreme temperatures in the most unprotected areas.

Of the total number of specimens available, 14.000 belong to native species, such as carob tree, maitén, and quillay, chosen for their high tolerance to drought and their adaptation to the climatic conditions of the central zone. The remaining 4.000 plats will be foreign species, used in a complementary way in particular projects.

The director of CONAF Metropolitan Region, Mario Pinto, highlighted the social nature of the program, and stressed the importance of municipalities presenting projects that concretely reach the population, prioritizing the sectors with greatest needs, adding that the organization seeks to improve squares and parks, but fundamentally to reduce the heat islands that affects the Metropolitan Region’s citizens.

Link

https://tvbrics.com/es/news/impulsan-reforestaci-n-con-18-000-ejemplares-vegetales-en-regi-n-metropolitana-chilena/