IHG Hotels & Resorts | To Open a 170 - Key Holiday Inn Hotel in Al Obour City, Cairo, Egypt

IHG Hotels & Resorts, British multinational hospitality company based in Windsor, Berkshire, England, UK has unveiled the future opening of a 170 - key Holiday Inn hotel in Al Obour City in the Qalyubia Governorate, about 35 kilometres north - east of downtown Cairo, one of the 16 new urban areas in Greater Cairo, entering into a management agreement with Al Ashraaf Developments,  a stalwart of the Egyptian real estate market since 1980, boasting a legacy spanning three generations and headquartered in New Cairo.  

The development is part of a broader strategy to enhance Cairo’s position as a significant gateway for tourism and business in North Africa and the introduction of Holiday Inn Cairo Al Obour aligns with IHG Hotels & Resorts growth strategy in Egypt, a market identified as key for expansion. 

The property will be strategically located along the Cairo - Ismailia Desert Road, a major highway that has undergone several upgrades, featuring a total with of 32 metres, multiple lanes in each direction, and dedicated service roads, providing connectivity to major transportation networks and conveniently close to Cairo International Airport, making it easily accessible for both business and leisure travellers.

This highway represents a critical link to new urban communities like the New Administrative Capital, Al - Shorouk, and Badr City, strengthening Cairo’s position as a gateway for North African tourism and business.

The establishment will open its doors in Al Obour City, a planned modern city that include a diverse residential range, a major industrial zone with many factories, and various services, such as commercial centres, educational institutions, health facilities, offering a well - developed infrastructure, including roads and public transportations and recreational spaces like parks and sports facilities to support its residential and industrial growth. 

The hotel will feature 170 rooms, including 11 suites incorporating Holiday Inn’s Open Lobby concept designed to provide a multifunctional space for guests to work, dine or relax. Amenities will also include four food and beverage outlets, five meetings spaces, and retail outlets. 

The property will enter into the Holiday Inn brand which offers a modern, consistent experience for value – oriented travellers, focusing on efficiency, comfort and essential amenities, targeting both business and leisure travellers seeking a high - quality, yet affordable stay. 

IHG Hotels & Resorts currently operates eight hotels across four brands in Egypt, including InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, and Staybridge Suite planning to expand further in the North African country, with a pipeline of 22 hotels expected to open over the next two to five years. 

Link
https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article138724.html

Whitebread PLC | Obtained Planning Permission for the Development of its Second Hotel in Cork, Ireland

Whitebread PLC, a British multinational hotel and restaurant company headquartered in Houghton Regis, England, UK, has obtained planning permission for the development of a Premier Inn Hotel in Cork, the second property of the group in the Irish city, the second - largest centre in Ireland, the county town of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster.

Cork is a very vibrant centre situated at the southern tip of the island, at the mouth of the River Lee, a seaport of considerable importance also famous for being Ireland’s “culinary capital”, a rich cultural and historical heritage visible in the historic English Market, Blarney Castle, and its Blarney Stone, and hosting the annual Cork Jazz Festival.

The development of the future 174 - room hotel marks the brand’s second location in the Irish city, following the opening of its first hotel on Morrisson Quay in January 2024.

 The approval aligns with Premier Inn’s strategy ro expand its presence in Ireland, aiming for a network of 5.000 rooms across the country. Currently Whitebread PLC operates six hotels in the country, including locations in Dublin and Cork, offering more than 800 rooms in Dublin alone.

The new hotel with construction expected to commence in early 2026 will be situated to the east of Cork City Centre, at the former Leisureplex site located at 1MacCurtain Street, in the Victorian Quarter of the the city, an atmospheric hub of 19th - century buildings north of the River Lee highlighted by a vibrant and eclectic mix of trendy bars,  fine restaurants and captivating shops. 

The future Cork hotel adds to Premier Inn’s development pipeline, which includes five new locations, among these are two major hotels in Duublin city centre on O’ Connell Street and Jervis Street, both scheduled to open in 2027.

Additional developments are planned for Ushers Quay, D8, and Sandyford Business Park, D18, with construction of the second Dublin Premier Inn expected to begin in 2026 and a target opening in 2028.

Premier Inn has been opening in Ireland since 2007, with its first hotel near Dublin Airport, the brand expanded into Dublin City Centre in 2021 with a 97 - room hotel on Stephen Street Lower and the company continues to focus on growing its footprint in both urban and regional locations across Ireland. 

Premier Inn’s expansion plan includes targeting eleven regional locations in Ireland, such as Killarney, Kilkenny, Kinsale, Sligo, Tralee, and Westport, as well as larger towns and cities like Galway, Limerick, Waterford and Wexford and also exploring opportunities in four Outer - Dublin locations.

Link 
https://www.whitbread.co.uk/premier-inn-signals-more-regional-growth-in-ireland-following-the-granting-of-planning-permission-for-its-second-cork-hotel/
https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article138683.html

Scandic Hotels | Unveiled Plans to Introduce its First Scandic Go Hotel in Norway, Located in Oslo

Scandic Hotels, a Swedish hotel chain based in Stockholm, a pioneer within sustainability with the majority of its hotels certified with the Nordic Swan Ecolabel requirement unveiled plans to introduce its first Scandic Go hotel in Norway located in Oslo, the capital, economic and governmental centre of the Scandinavian country situated on the southern coast at the head of Oslofjord, a city that is a blend of urban sophistication with outdoor adventures, known for its vibrant cultural scene, stunning architecture, extensive parks, and several top museums, many of them established on the scenic Bygdoy Peninsula. 

The future property is a rebranded hotel converting the existing Scandic Grensen hotel, hosted in a  contemporary building in the city centre located at Grensen 20, a 2 - minute walk Stoertinget metro station and the shopping street, Karl Johans Gate, a 4 - minute from Oslo Cathedral and just 10 minutes’ walk from Oslo Central Station and not far from the Norwegian Parliament buildings. 

The rebranded hotel is set to open in the first half half of 2026 marking the debut of Scandic Go in the Norwegian market and is undergoing a transformation to align with Scandic Go, a budget - friendly, urban hotel brand designed for the economy segment, offering essentials at a lower price point to allow guests to spend more time and money exploring the city.

The hotel will feature 96 comfortable rooms and upon completion will be certified by the Nordic Swan Ecolabel to ensure minimal environmental impact. This special certification reflects the hotel’s commitment to using labelled products and chemicals, utilizing 100% renewable electricity, reducing water consumption, and minimizing food waste.

The conversion of the hotel is part of Scandic Hotels’ long - term growth strategy, aiming to expand its presence and offering in Norway and the introduction of Scandic Go in Oslo is intended to meet the growing demand for economy accommodations in the city.

Links 
https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article137705.html
https://www.scandichotelsgroup.com/media/press-releases/2025/norways-first-scandic-go-opens-in-oslo/

China | Released Tactile Maps and Educational Books Designed Specifically for People with Visual Impairments

China has released first barrier - free maps in mass publication and heritage touch - books published at national level, a move that aligns with the spirit of the law on building a barrier - free living environment and ntroduced its first state - produced tactile maps and educational books designed specifically for people with visual impairments.  

Ahead of International White Cane Day on October 15, the Accessible Map of China and Accessible Map of the World were unveiled at the China Braille Library (CBL), a national library for visually impaired people in China, located in Beijing and operating under the China Braille Press (CBP), representing the first large - scale release of tactile maps of their kind.

These tactile maps depict China and the world, along with books featuring treasures from Beijing’s Palace Museum and the traditional Quingming Festival, according to Global Times, renowned Chinese tabloid established in 1993 with an English version launched in 2009. 

The maps created using 2D resin printing technology, enable visually impaired people to feel the outlines of territories, continents and oceans, combining raised elements produced using digital Braille printing technology.

Braille printing for people with visual impairments uses devices called braille embossers that create tactile dots on paper instead of ink. These printers connects to electronic devices and translate text into the braille system using pins or hammers to raise dots.

The maps feature tactile elements, raised textures denote provincial divisions and major landmarks on the China map, while continents and oceans are differentiated on the world map. 

The books feature more than 30 tactile representations of relics from the famous Forbidden City, allowing readers to experience the shapes and intricate details of the artefacts through touch. 

Both publishers followed national geographic standards and Braille conventions to ensure accurate and inclusive transmission of geographic knowledge.

According to the project’s developers, the initiative aims to make culture more inclusive and accessible. Future plans include adding audio descriptions and launching pilot educational programmes in schools for students with visual impairments.

Link 

https://tvbrics.com/en/news/china-releases-tactile-maps-and-books-for-people-with-visual-impairments/

Iran | To Sign a Key Agreement with Russia for the Rasht - Astara Railway Construction

Iran’s Minister of Roads and Urban Development Farzaneh Sadeq, has announced that Iran and Russia are set to sign a long - anticipated agreement next month on the construction of the Rasht - Astara railway, a project that marks a major step in advancing the International North - South Transport Corridor (INSTC).

According to Press TV, an Iranian state - owned news media organisation, the 162 - kilometre route is expected to play a pivotal role in facilitating freight and cargo transit between countries in the region. 

The signing comes as the two nations begin implementing their 20 years Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty, originally signed by Iranian and Russian Presidents Masoud Pezeshkian and Vladimir Putin in January 2025.

The Rasht - Astara railway is a 162 - km link that features high - speed capabilities for both passenger and freight trains, significant engineering structures like one tunnel and 63 major bridges, and a capacity to transport up to 15 million tons of cargo annually, making it a major global trade route that could rival the Suez Canal.

Built in cooperation with Russia as primary financer, the railway link is designed to connect the Iranian and Azerbaijani rail networks to allow seamless cargo flow between the Russian Federation and the Persian Gulf without the need for reloading and is expected to significantly boost economy and regional trade.  

The Iranian Minister described the upcoming railway deal as a turning point for regional connectivity and an important step towards realising the goals of the INSTC, emphasizing that improved rail and road infrastructure would help facilitate Iran’s broader economic and diplomatic engagement with neighbouring and partners nations.

The Minister also underlined that Iran’s infrastructure and development projects continue to move forward, demonstrading the country’s resilience and commitment to regional cooperation through modern transport networks.

Link 

https://tvbrics.com/en/news/iran-and-russia-to-sign-key-agreement-on-rasht-astara-railway/

Seychelles | The National Tourist Board Launched an Initiative Linking Marketing to Reforestation

Seychelles, an idyllic archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, off East Africa, a very popular exotic destination, home to numerous stunning beaches, coral reefs and nature reserves backed by lushy hills and palm trees, highlighted by a vibrant culture, and a mild climate all year round through its national tourist board,Tourism Seychelles launched an initiative linking marketing to reforestation.  

Tourism Seychelles has advanced its sustainability drive through a tree - planting partnership with Tripadvisor Ad Express, a self - service advertising platform that allows businesses to create and manage cross – platform campaigns with key features include audience targeting based on location, viewed destinations, and user behaviour, budget control, a simplified interface, and real - time dashboards and Dots.eco that includes an environmental platform that converts user actions into real - world conservation through partnerships, which helps businesses increase loyalty and retention with eco - rewards. 

The initiative has funded the planting of more than 2.000 trees while promoting the archipelago as a premium destination, aligning destination marketing with measurable environmental impact.

 The programme forms part of the Sustainable Seychelles campaign, with each tree certified for transparency, underscoring the destination’s focus on climate resilience and responsible tourism across the region. 

According to the partners similar initiatives were launched in the African continent across three regions. 1.998 trees were planted in West Africa, concretely in Senegal to restore land degraded by peanut monoculture as part of a wider 30.000 – hectares agroforestry conversion. 

100 trees were added in Mali’s Kayes and Koulikoro under “Trees for the Future” a long term forest garden project within the Great Green Wall aiming to restore degraded land by teaching farmers to plant diverse agroforestry systems,  a long - term approach helping communities halt desertification, improve soil, increase biodiversity, and create sustainable livelihoods. 

Link 
https://atta.travel/resource/tourism-seychelles-links-marketing-to-reforestation.html

Thailand | Reassessing its 60 - Day Visa Exemption for Travellers from 93 Countries

The Thai Government is reassessing its 60 - day visa exemption for travellers from 93 countries, which was introduced in July 2024 to boost tourism, due to concerns about misuse for certain illegal activities. 

 While a final decision has not been made, the government is considering a reduction to 30 days possibly with stricter enforcement and fewer visa runs.

Officials are concerned that some visitors are using the extended stay to work illegally, engage in other illicit activities, or overstay their welcome. The main proposal being discussed is a reduction of the visa - free period back to 30 days, other possibilities include more frequent re - entry checks and stricter enforcement for those seeking long stays. 

The Department of Consular Affairs, under Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement announcing the reasons of a recent meeting on the 60 - day visa waiver chaired by Minister of Tourism and Sports Atthakorn Sirilathakyakorn.

The Ministry of Tourism and Sports said that the meeting aimed to strike a balance between promoting tourism and applying immigration regulations to ensure that Thailand remains an attractive destination.

The Department of Consular Affairs added that the conclusions of the meeting will be submitted to a future Visa Policy Committee, which will evaluate the proposals before making any recommendations to the government.

The purpose of the meeting, as it was stated was to discuss the impact of visa - free measures granted to citizens of 93 countries for stays in Thailand of up to 60 days, whether for tourism, business or certain temporary activities.

Implemented in July 2024, the 60 - Day free - visa measure is the result of a set of reforms aimed at boosting tourism : the government simultaneously expanded the list of eligible countries to 93 nationalities and extended the duration of visa - free stay from 30 to 60 days. 

For now, no measures have been defined. An evaluation is underway, and changes will require government approval and prior official communication. However eligible tourists can still enter Thailand without a visa and stay for up to 60 days per entry, extendable by 30 days on site.

For other purposes of stay, or for travellers not eligible for visa waiver, an e - visa is required, and TDAC remains mandatory for all visitors.

Already in the late summer of 2024, several Thai authorities raised the possibility of a return to the initial 30 - day limit, citing necessary adjustments to prevent abuses and the prolonged presence of visitors carrying out activities incompatible with their status.

The government then explained that the current visa policy was subject to a biannual review, planned since its launch, in consultation with the relevant ministries and agencies. 

Link
https://www.publituris.pt/2025/10/27/tailandia-reavalia-medida-de-isencao-de-visto-de-60-dias