Hyatt Hotels Corporation | Opened the First Alila Island Resort on Dong' ao Island, Greater China

Hyatt Hotels Corporation, renowned American hospitality company headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, group that manages, operates and franchises a large number of hotels, resorts and vacation properties under several brands around the world opened its first Alila Island Resort on Dong' ao Island in Greater China.

The opening of Alila Dong' ao Island Zhuhai marks a strategic move of Hyatt Hotels Corporation expanding its portfolio in East Asia in an important market as China in an idyllic destination as Dong' ao Island nestled in the heart of the Wanshan Archipelago.

This Chinese hidden gem is located less than an hour from Zuhai city by ferry, an island which offers a breathtaking escape into nature, known as the "the kingdom of plants" a secluded island that offers pristine beaches, crystal - clear waters and a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of urban life in a place where nature and history interwine to create a unique destination.

The property is located at 100 Changjiao Road, perched atop a cliff southernmost tip of Dong' ao Island offers an awe - inspiring retreat nestled in harmony with the island's breathtaking beauty, a perfect accommodation of peaceful seclusion, providing space to relax, breathe, and restor inner balance.

The resort's design is led by the acclaimed interior designer Ju Bin, founder & Chief Design Director of Horizontal design who focuses on a philosophy based on Chinese culture studied on architectural space improvement, creating designs that not only stand out but also express distinctive personality and vitality.

The establishment features 104 spacious suites accurately designed to immerse guests in the stunning coastal scenery, offering sea views or a private courtyard are greatly designed with Lingnan inspired decorative touches.   

Alila Dong' ao Island Zhuai offers various culinary experiences with Cantonese cuisine as protagonist, the resort include in its offer SEASALT, an all - day restauranr providing a seafood driven - menu and HOITONG focuses on typical Cantonese flavours, while CHUN bar is an outdoor lounge area serving  inspired crafted cocktails.

Spa Alila is one of the great highlights of the establishment offering treatments that draw curative benefits based on ancient healing techniques and use of natural ingredients.

Amenities and services include a camtilered infinity pool extending nearly 15.0 metres over the cliff's edge, a yoga room, a kid's club, over 5.000 square feet of event spaces, very suitable to host important events, mmetings and large celebrations.

Venue options include a meeting rooms with floor - to ceiling windows offering sea views, an outdoor lawn with an open - air terrace ideal for receptions and wedding ceremonies and a sizable ballroom. 

Link - https://www.alilahotels.com/dongaoislandzhuhai/about/

IHG Hotels & Resorts | To Open its First Garner - Branded Hotel in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

IHG Hotels & Resorts, British multinational company headquartered in Windsor, Berkshire, England, UK, one of the largest hotel chains in the world operating, managing and franchising hotels, resorts and vacation properties worldwide with a large number of brands in its portfolio will open its first Garner - branded hotel in central Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.

Garner Hotels brand opened its first UK property in Preston, city situated in north west England, will rebrand the Garner Hotel Haymarket Edinburgh in the second half of 2025 following a £2.0 million refurbishment and restyle. 

This expansion represents a strategic move by IHG Hotels & Resorts opening a hotel in a very demanded destination as Edinburgh, a city famous for its rich history, vibrant cultural scene, annual festivals, also known for a stunning medieval town and an elegant Georgian New Town highlighted by stylish gardens and neoclassical buildings.

Garner Hotels is a midscale hotel brand focuses on offering comfortable and flexible stays at affordable prices, with a "Made with Character" design that emphasizes local connections and community, and particularly known for its convenient locations.

The hotel is located at 7 Clifton Terrace in Haymarket, a central area west of Edinburgh city heart known for its historic Edwardian buildings, and a lively atmosphere, close to the EICC, the Edinburgh International Conference Centre and Haymarket Station.

The renovated 195 - room property is owned by Palm Holdings, an award - winning, family - owned group od of hotel and real estate companies which has specialized in hospitality for three generations, based in Toronto, Canada and it will include a bar and a café in the lobby area.

IHG's Vice President of Development for Europe, Willemijn Geels said that in the past few months, the company opened or signed Garner Hotels in more than six cities across Europe, which is testament to the group growing presence in the essential segment.

Garner Hotel Haymarket Edinburgh perfectly exemplifies how the company conversion brand are thriving and with its central location and individual design, there is confidence that the hotel will become a flagship Garner Hotels property in Europe.

Garner Hotels was created as a brand by IHG Hotels and Resorts in 2023, snd now has 23 open hotels in its global portfolio with another 94 properties in the development pipeline.

Links

https://www.ihg.com/garner-hotels/hotels/gb/en/edinburgh/edihm/hoteldetail

https://www.businesstravelnewseurope.com/Accommodation/IHG-to-expand-Garner-Hotels-with-first-Scottish-property

Cayo Coco, Laguna Larga, Cuba | A Caribbean Lagoon Shining in all its Splendour in the Idyllic Jardines del Rey Archipelago

Cayo Coco, a stunning tropical island, off central Cuba, known for its white - sand beaches and coral reefs with its northern coast highlighted by luxury all - inclusive resorts, elevated next to Cayo Guillermo as the third - largest tourist hotspot of the country boasts in its north central area, Laguna Larga, a natural Caribbean lagoon shining in all its splendour in the idyllic Jardines del Rey Archipelago.

Laguna Larga covers 3.0 kilometres of an important development area of the Jardines del Rey, a small archipelago off the northern coast of Cuba, in the northern part of the province of Ciego de Ávila and Camagüey,  a group of keys that make up the eastern part of Sabana-- Camagüey archipelago, the largest and most numerous of the four that surround the island of Cuba.

The lagoon lies where the Muthu Colonial, Iberostar Mojito and Tryp Cayo Coco hotels are located, the latter, the most benefited since the lobby is located above the reservoir.

The maintenance work carried out frequently on the wave amplifier in Laguna Larga, today makes it possible to increase the environmental indicators in the largest natural reservoir in the northern keys of the central region of Cuba.

For some time now the new method Realco, the Coastal Lagoons Water Renewal System, the only one of its kind in existence on the island, has been operating in this reservoir, and which allows reducing the time of natural exchange with the sea.

The Delegate of Cima, the Ministery of Science, Technology in Ciego de Ávila, Janet Quiñones, explained that the workers of the Cayo Coco Tourism Comstruction Company are in charge of freeing the artificial channel that interconnects the reservoir with the ocean from sediment and ensuring the restoration of the infrastructure.

The specialists from the Center for Environmental Engineering and Biodiversity are in charge of cleaning up the areas of vegetation surrounding the place and extracting invasive exotic plants to facilitate the entry of water into the lagoon, maintaing it immaculate and allowing it to show all its splendour.

Created by experts from the National Autonomous University of Mexico, the project executed, through a transger of technology, is a harmonious mechanism with nature and regulates the entry and exit of water through a system of gates, capable of preventing flooding.

This procedure uses the energy of the waves to feed the lagoon, which function as biodigesting filters of impurities from the beaches.

The work is framed with a strategy of the Cuban State to confront climate change named "Tarea Vida”, a program based on a multidisciplinary scientific foundation with operation that allo improving the chemical and bacteriological conditions of the lagoon and revitalising local biodiversity becoming a model of sustainability for other regions of the country. 

Link - https://infoturlatam.com/cuba-laguna-natural-de-cayo-coco-en-todo-su-esplendor/

Modena, Italy | "Be Part of It 2025", a Campaign to Promote the City with the Immersive Language of Body Art Launched

Modena, attractive city located in Northern Italy, in the region of Emilia - Romagna, in the centre of the province of the same name, of which is the capital to the north of the Tuscan - Emilian Appenine massif in the heart of the Po Valley and along the emblematic Via Emilia, a Roman road that runs from Piacenza to Rimini on the Adriatic Sea launched "Be part of it 2025",  a campaign to promote the citywith the immersive, contemporary and artistic language of body art.

 The city well known for its cultural, historical and culinary heritage, automotive industry, with a strong opera tradition launched a new edition of telecommunication campaign to enhance its image and attracriveness conceived by Integra Solutions, a digital communication and marketing agency based in Forlì and Studiowiki, a learning resource and collaboration platform for designers, artists, and creative people headquartered in Savona.

The project is coordinated by the City Promotion and Tourism Service of the municipality of Modena, in collaboration with Modenatur, travel agency and incoming tour operator, the Cathedral Museums and the UNESCO site coordination of the civic museums,with the support of the Ministry of Tourism.

The aim of the campaign is to promote nationally and internationally the UNESCO site of Modena such as city's Cathedral, Civic Tower also known as Ghirlandina Tower and Piazza Grande, the square considered the urban core of the city that have been included in the list of Italian UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1997 using the language of body art.

This aritistic and immersive visual language is well known to communicate messages about identity, social status, and cultural values using symbols, gestures and the body itself to convey meaning and the visceral nature of existence.

The tourism marketing campaign launched in 2024 and immediately established as one of the most innovative tourism promotion operations at national level, continues with another stage its story with two new creative subjects where human bodies become real living canvas thanks to the art of bodypainting.

Inspired by the technique of artistic camouflage, the initiative use the double meaning of "part/art" to emphasize the fusion between heritage and visitor, transforming each observer into an integral part of the work.

The promotional campaign "Be part of it 2025" is now being released on the main digital platforms with video content, interactive graphics, and a series of on - site activations, including the distribution of temporary tattoos inspired by Modena's artistic heritage.

Last year, the campaign involved over 30 million users, generated more than 6 million web interactions and brought over 50,000 visitors to the pages dedicated to to the UNESCO site of VisitModena portal. 

The project "Modena World Heritage | be part of it" has also just obtained two new prestigious national awards recently collected in Milan and Rome such as the Touchpoint Identity Award in the System Identity category, for the ability to build a strong and consistent brand identity and gold to The Prize in the Cultural City Branding category, for having been able to combine culture and communication in a story of impact and attraction.

Link
https://www.travelquotidiano.com/enti_istituzioni_e_territorio/be-part-of-it-2025-modena-si-promuove-linguaggio-della-body-art/tqid-489392

Hanoi, Vietnam | Tourism Stimulus Programme at 4 - 5 Star Hotels Launched

 Hanoi, the bustling capital of Vietnam, located in the north of the country on the right bank of the Red River and about 130 kilometres from its mouth in the Gulf of Tonkin, known for its centuries - old architecture, rich in history, picturesque streets of its Old Quarter dating back the 14th century, little temples and lively markets, a city with a captivating blend of Southest Asian, Chinese and French influences through its Department of Tourism launched a stimulus programme encouraging locals and visitors to experience services at 4 – 5 star hotels across the capital in 2025.

 The initiative is one of the several planned activities to strengthen the capital city’s tourism ecosystem and support sustainable development.

The program is part of a wider effort to boost tourism during the summer - autumn season and major holidays, will see nearly 20 participants hotels offering a range of incentives.

Promotions especially during key occasions such as the 30th April - 1st May holiday and Vietnam Family Day on 28th June include : 

•    Room discounts of up to 50%
•    Complimentary upgrades
•    Dining offers
•    Spa services

According to Deputy Director of the Municipal Department of Tourism Nguyen Hong Minh, the initiative aims to raise hotel occupancy rates and enhance the brand names of premium accommodation providers. 

A citywide media campaign will accompany the programme, while Hanoi Tourism sector is also working to involve airlines, travel firms, and other tourism service providers in offering more accessible and attractive travel packages.

Link -  https://en.vietnamplus.vn/hanoi-launches-tourism-stimulus-programme-at-4-5-star-hotels-post317860.vnp

Bogotá, Colombia | International Tourism Grew by 6% in Q1 2025

Bogotá, the sprawling and bustling capital of Colombia is experiencing very high performances concerning its incoming tourism sector attracting more travellers coming from abroad each year. The Colombian metropolis received more than 472.000 international visitors during the first quarter of the current year, which represented a tourism grew by 6% in Q1 2025 compared to the same timeframe the previous year according to an authorised source.

The city popularity is attributed to its diverse cultural attractions, relevant museums, parks, vibrant culinary scene and nighlife, and an increasing positive perception among tourists.

According to data released by the Bogotá Tourism Observatory part of the Tourism Office of the City and attached to the District Secretariat for Economic Development, responsible to develop, produce and analyze the statistical and non - statistical operations required for the tourism sector in the Colombian capital, the main countries from which international visitors came from in Q1 2025 were : 

•    Venezuela, 17%
•    The United States, 14.9%
•    Mexico, 8%
•    Ecuador, 5.6%
•    Spain, 5.3%

Further data was provided by the Civil Aeronautics indicate that, between January and February, the number of flights to the Colombian capital amounted to 28.293. 

The number of seats offered reached 4.547.401 and the number of passengers was 3.683.394 which means that an occupancy level of more than 80% was recorded, according to the same source.

The National Administrative Department of Statistics revealed that last February, the accommodation rate in the Colombian city stood a 62.9%, 12.1% more than the national total.

Other data information indicated that an average of 101.664 jobs were associated with the leisure industry in Bogotá during the first two months of 2025, representing 2.7% of the total in the city.

An additional figure was also provided concerning the end of 2024 when 1.865. 507 international travellers visited the city, which represented an increase of 35% compared to 2023, data confirm the relevant appeal of Bogotá as a leading destination in South America.

Link - https://infoturlatam.com/turismo-internacional-crecio-6-en-capital-de-colombia/

Populus Hotels | Marking a New Era of Environmentally Forward Hospitality with the Upcoming Opening of a Hotel in Seattle, U.S.

Populus Hotels, a carbon - positive hotel collection committed to environmentally responsible hospitality, centered around a deep and authentic reverence for the natural world, designing hotels to reflect and celebrate the region's locale and natural beauty has announced its second property, marking a new era of environmentally forward hospitality with the upcoming opening of a hotel in Seattle, U.S. 

The Populus Seattle will open its doors in late spring 2025 in Seattle, largest and most populous city in the U.S. state of Washington and in the Pacific Northwest region of North America located on Puget Sound, a complex estuarine system of interconnected marine waterways. a very captivating centre surrounded by mountains, evergreen forests, water, boasting thousands of acres of parkland, highlighted by several cultural attractions, world-class museums, art galleries and home to a large tech industry, with Amazon and Microsoft headquartered in metropolitan area.

The new hotel is a transformative adaptive reuse project that breathes new life into the 1907 Westland Building, designed to reflect Seattle's ecological richness while honouring its urban heritage.

The estblishment is developed by Urban Villages, a property management firm located in Denver, Colorado known for its philosophy to create places that endure and inspire through a holistic approach to building and design, a group highly recognized in the United States and internationally for integrating sustainability into real estate development.

The property is managed by Aparium Hotel Group, a firm based in Chicago, Illinois, pioneer in the lifestyle hotel industry, managing individually unique, awe - imspiring, award - winning independent hotels and inspired by the concept of "trans - local hospitality", with a desire to provide an important catalyst in the resurgences of many great American cities.

Both companies bring a philosophy that goes beyond green building practices, committing to lifecyle carbon accounting and climate - conscious operations.

The hotel’s design elements, interior spaces, curated art and rooftop gardens draw from the region's landscape, material and textures, aiming to provide a balanced atmosphere where sustainability and aesthetics meet.

Populus Seattle is situated in the vibrant RailSpur District, named for the railways that once ran through the area, encompassing three historic warehouse buildings in Pioneer Square, Seattle first neighborhood, within the historic Westland Building, that has stood at the intersection point in Seattle's bustling waterways and rail network for over a century.

The establishment is situated a walking distance of major cultural and transportation hubs,  including Pike Place Market and the cruise terminal, making it an attractive option for both international tourists and locals.

With its layered approach to sustainability, cultural engagement, and design, the hotel is set to contribute meaningfully to Seattle's hospitality landscape.

The property will feature 120 comfortable appointed rooms and suites, deeply rooted in the spirit and essence of the Pacific Northwest, providing immersive public spaces, and food and beverage programming designed around local sourcing and sustainability.

Salt Harvest, the signature restaurant, will offer hearth - driven cuisine, while The Solarium, Pioneer Square's first rooftop bar aims to become key social destinations within the city.

What distinguishes Populus Seattle is its carbon positive designation, it sequesters more carbon then it emits over its entire lifecycle, including construction and daily operations.

The hotel achieves this through a combination of adaptive reuse, carbon offset strategies, renewable energy usage, and innovation in waste reduction, such as its use of BioGreen360 technology for food composting.

As a result, Populus Seattle position itself not only as a place to stay but also as a model for how hospitality can support environmental goals, 

 hrough Populus Hotel's signature One Night One Tree Program, a tree will be planted for every guest night booked, extending the brand's tangible commitment to positive environmental impact.

While the hotel's ecological strategy sets a new benchmark with these oystanding results, the guest experience remains at the ocre of the offering.

Link - https://www.hospitalitynet.org/announcement/41012474/populus-seattle.html