Meliá Hotels International | Joint Venture with Banca March for the Purchase of Two Hotels in Mallorca and Tenerife

Meliá Hotels International, a Spanish hotel chain founded in 1956 and based in Palma de Mallorca created a new joint venture with Banca March S.A., an investment bank and financial services company headquartered in Palma de Mallorca and Madrid for the purchase of two hotels in Mallorca and Tenerife totalling 784 rooms.

This new agreement relating to the ownership and management of hotel assets contemplates the acquisition for more than €140 million of the stakes hitherto held by other partners of the hotel company.  

In 2023, Meliá Hotels International and Banca March S.A. had signed another joint venture for the acquisition of assets in Ibiza and Fuerteventura.

The Sol Tenerife and Innside Palma Bosque hotels become part of the new company, which is 70% owned by Banca March and 30% by Meliá Hotels International.

The transaction includes commitments to reposition the assets for around €50 million and both hotels will continue to be operated by Meliá Hotels International.

The Sol Tenerife hotel - The property is located on the beachfront of Playa de las Americas featuring 522 rooms and a wide variety of activities and experiences in its more than 10.000 square metres of gardens and common areas. The hotel will undergo a comprehensive renovation and repositioning planned for 2026 - 2027 that will culminate in the rebranding managed by Meliá Hotels International,

The Innside Palma Bosque hotel - The establishment is located between the second line of Palma's Paseo Maritimo and the iconic Bellver Forest. The hotel provides 262 rooms and a consolidate gastronomic offer. The property will undergo renovations in the winter of 2025 - 2026, as part of a repositioning plan to ensure that the hotel continues to be a reference in the city.

The chairman and CEO of Meliá Hotels International, Gabriel Escarrer said that the new alliance signed with Banca March is part of the group's strategy of collaboration with partners of the highest prestige and solvency for the ownership and repositioning of assets.

This constitutes the confirmation of a shared success, based on the common trajectory and the value both companies share and this new joint venture will be very positive for both parties and for the stakeholders to which both companies respond.

CEO of Banca March, José Luis Acea, said that this new joint venture represents another milestone in the company Co - investment strategy, strengthening links with a world - leading entity such as Meliá Hotels International and continues to consolidate the position of Banca March as a benchmark entity for companies in a field, the tourism - hotel sector, with which we have had a close relationship for decades as specialised advisors.

The intrinsic value of the assets of this new agreement, as well as the fact of having the confidence of the brand and the excellent hotel operation by Meliá Hotels International ,represent for Banca March customers, whom we will invite to participate in the project, a guarantee of value creation in sector that continues to demonstrate its capacity for growth and innovation.

Banca March has executed this project through its team specialising in Co - investment with the support of the bank's Hotels and Tourism Unit.

This initiative is in addition to Banca March's Co - investment proposals, which allow customers to invest in the same products as the bank, giving them the opportunity to invest in strategies that would otherwise only be available to large investors.

Link - https://www.hosteltur.com/170132_melia-y-banca-march-compran-dos-hoteles-en-mallorca-y-tenerife.html

Hilton | North American Expansion with its Tapestry Collection Brand by Adding a New 73 Room Hotel in Montreal, Canada

Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., American multinational hospitality company headquartered in Tysons, Virginia, expanded its presence in North America with its Tapestry Collection by Hilton brand by adding a new 73 room hotel in Montréal, the largest city in Canada's Québec province, set on an island in the Saint Lawrence River and named after Mt. Royal, the triple hill at is heart, a centre that is a unique melting point of cultures with a vibrant art scene, also home to several historic landmarks such as the Notre Dame Basilica and the Old Port.

The Hotel Railwayparc Montreal, Tapestry Collection by Hilton enters in the Tapestry Collection by Hilton, a brand of independent hotels uniquely designed and reflecting the local culture and environment, offering guests an authentic and memorable experience. These hotels are well known for their vibrant design, local food and beverage offerings, and one - of - a - kind experiences.

The property is located at 6645 Rue Saint - Jacques in the NDG, Notre Dame - de Grâce area, just 18 minutes from Old Montreal, The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, Le Vieux Montréal, Pine Beach Park, Carrefour Angrignon Shopping Centre, and Montréal - Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, a location designed to attract guests who appreciate convenience and a connection to the local community.

The hotel features 73 comfortable rooms and its design and amenities are influenced by its proximity to historical rail lines, reflecting a blend of contemporary aesthetics and industrial heritage.

Faciliities include Quai 6645, a lobby restaurant and bar, a hidden speakeasy bar, flexible meeting rooms, a modern fitness centre, and pet - friendly accommodations. Additionally, the hotel offers complimentary high - speed Wi - Fi to all guests. 

Guests staying at the Hôtel Railwayparc Montreal, Tapestry Collection by Hilton will benefit from the Hilton Honours program, which offers various perks such as flexible payment options, digital check - in, room selection, and Digital Key access through the Hilton Honours app.  

Links 

https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/yulsmup-hotel-railwayparc-montreal/

https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article136785.html

H World Group Limited | Announced the Future Opening of Four Hotels in Laos

H World Group Limited, hotel management company based in Shanghai, China, a key player in the global hospitality industry announced the future opening of four hotels in Laos, a Southeast Asian country traversed by the Mekong River, well known for its vibrant culture, a rich biodiversity, highlighted by a mountainous terrain, French colonial architecture, hill tribe settlements and iconic Buddhist monasteries. 

The Chinese hospitality group has finalized four hotels management agreements to establish its presence in the Laotian market with properties in Vientiane, the capital and largest city of Laos situated on the banks of the Mekong River at the Thai border, and Luang Prabang, a major centre of the province of the same nam entered the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1995.           

The expansion of H Group Limited into Laos is expected to cater the growing number of international tourists visiting the Southeast Asian country, particularly from the Chinese market. 

According to the Laos National Tourism Administration, more than 1.97 million international tourists entered Laos via the China – Laos Railway in 2024, with Chinese tourists accounting for over 60% of these visitors.

The agreements involve the launch of three H World brands in Laos such as Intercity Hotel, JI Hotel and Orange Hotel and the future hotels are : 

 Intercity Hotel Vientiane - Expected to open in early 2026, the hotel will be situated near Sanjiang Area and Wattay International Airport. 

JI Hotel Vientiane Mekong Riverside - This property will be located in downtown Vientiane along the Mekong River scheduled to open in early 2026.

Orange Hotel Vientiane International Airport - The hotel will be situated very close to the international Airport, marking the first international expansion of the Orange Hotel brand outside China and is scheduled to commence operations in the third quarter of 2026.

Intercity Hotel Luang Prabang - This establishment will be located in the historic city centre blending local cultural elements with the brand's signature design and its opening is expected in 2027.

These projects are being developed in collaboration with three investment partners such as KP Construction Sole Co., Ltd., Yuting Hotel Investment Management co., Ltd., and Lao Kumpeng Industrial Co., Ltd. that have expressed confidence in the collaboration, highlighting H World Group Limited's operational capabilities and brand reputation as key factors.

Link 
https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article136789.html

Andorra | Increasing Environmental Protection Efforts to Boost Tourism - Driven Economy

Andorra, a tiny, independent principality and sovereign landlocked country on the Iberian Peninsula, located in the eastern Pyrenees in Southwestern Europe, bordered by France to the north and Spain to the south, known for its stunning valleys, pristine nature, renowned ski resorts and a tax - haven status that encourages duty - free shopping is increasing environmental protection efforts to boost tourism - driven economy.

The microstate aims for economic growth that is heavily reliant on tourism amid outsized climate change challenges, with 90% of its territory covered by steep slopes, and tourism being its main source of income, the small principality has no space to waste and no room for error.

In Andorra if the snow melts too quickly, or the environment degrades. The country's economy could quickly unravel and as this mountainous microstate lacks the ability to battle a global challenge like the climate change all on its own, currently the tiny principality is launching more joint efforts to tackle the issues along with global partners 

Since one of the real challenges facing Andorra is the sustainable use of space, this tiny country in the Pyrenees has been making efforts to ensure its tourism can make most use of nation's resources and to build a sector that can receive tourist from across the world throughout the whole year.

As the country chose to build a coherent and long – term system, rather than isolated fixes, to protect its environment, it has been building facilities to turn waste into energy as part of the principality's efforts to pursue sustainable development.

Andorran Secretary of State for Energy Transition, Transport and Mobility, David Forne Massoni said that Andorra is not a member of the European Union, but the climate change policies are already aligned with the European Union as well and the country shares the long - term commitment, about the neutrality of carbon to 2050.

Andorra is an active member of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the UNFCCC, since 2011 and the country ratified the Paris Agreement in 2015.

The country is also doing a geat job in promoting everything related to sports, especially sporting activities linked to nature, like trail running, which has been developing a lot, and hiking and the state is on the right path in communicating about its tourism, especially eco - tourism. 

Finally, Andorran Minister of Environment, Agriculture and Livestock, Guillen Casal Font said that the country exports 70% of its waste into other countries of the European Union and Andorra manages the remaining 30% in a national centre of valorization transforming it in energy.

Link 
https://www.newsflare.com/video/752383/andorra-andorra-increases-environmental-protection-effort-to-boost-tourism-driven-economy

Colombia | Reaffirming its Global Leadership as an Ideal Birdwatching Destination

Colombia, a South American famous for its rich cultural and historical heritage, diverse landscapes, a relevant biodiversity, an emergent tourist destination with a wide offering in every segment reaffirms its global leadership as an ideal birdwatching destination after obtaining first place in the Global Big Day or World Bird Count Day, according to a government source.

The Global Big Day is a birdwatching event, organized by the Cornell University Lab of Ornithology based in Ithaca, New York, U.S. which studies birds and other wildlife, housed in the Imogene Center for Birds and Biodiversity in Sapsucker Woods Sanctuary, which summons, for one day, people from all over the world to observe and record birds on the e-Bird platform.

The aim of the call is to collect important data on bird abundance and distribution, essential information for conservation, study and research.

The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism of Colombia celebrated this achievement, for the ninth time, Colombia obtained first place for the aforementioned day by registering 1563 species followed by Peru with 1.404 and Brazil in third place with 1.245.

At the national level, 12.266 lists were prepared with the participation of 3.604 observers and according to the figures of the count, until 16th May, the department of Meta, central Colombian territory covering area from the Andes in the west to the vast lowland plains of Los Llanos was in first place with 664 species.

In second place was the department of Antioquia in northwest Colombia, lying mostly within the Andes mountains and extending toward the Caribbean Sea with 635 species followed by Putumayo department located in the south - west of the country, bordering Ecuador and Peru with 627 species.

The top five of the ranking was completed by Valle del Cauca, department in western Colombia abutting the Pacific Ocean in fourth position with 587 species, and in fifth, Cauca, department located in the southwestern part of the country facing the Pacific Ocean to the west with 575 species.

Finally, according to the global consolidated of the 2025 version of the Global Big Day, 7.943 species, 17.904 lists and 69.647 sighters were reported.

Link 

https://infoturlatam.com/colombia-reafirma-liderazgo-como-destino-de-avistamiento-de-aves/

Zimbabwe | Final Phase of Harare - Beitbridge Highway, Critical Corridor for Tourism, Trade and Transport in the Country

The Harare - Beitbridge Highway, critical corridor for tourism, trade and transport in Zimbabwe, a landlocked country in Southeast Africa located between the Zambezi and the Limpopo Rivers, well known for its diverse wildlife, dramatic landscapes, national parks and safari areas is in its final phase.

Construction has resumed on the final 88 kilometres, marking the last stage of the major 580 - kilometres road upgrade, the A4 highway also known the R1 Highway, which runs between Harare, the capital and largest city of Zimbabwe in the country's Mashonaland region and Beitbridge, a border town in the province of Matabeleland in the south of the country, just north of the Limpopo River, about 1.0 km from the Alfred Beit Road Bridge which spans the Limpopo between Zimbabwe and South Africa.

The highway forms a strategic trade, transport and tourism corridor linking Zimbabwe, to the rest of the SADC, the South African Development Community region, financed by Austrian company Geiger International using BOT, build - operate - transfer model with a cost of US$998 million.

The upgrade route is expected to improve travel times, ease congestion, and strengthen regional economic integration by facilitating more efficient cross –-borders movement and reaching in a comfortable way localities of relevance such as Rutenga, Ngundu, Masvingo, Myuma and Chivhu.

Multiple contractors, including Masimba Holdings, Exodus and Company, Fossil Contracting and Bitumen World, are actively working to complete the flagship project between August and December 2025.

Following a recent site inspection, local officials expressed confidence in the pace of progress, highlighting near completion of key segments such as the Mucheke Bridge in Masvingo, city close to Great Zimbabwe, the national monument from which the country takes its name, Lake Mutirikwi with its recreational park, the Kyle Dam and Kyle National Reserve.

Once finalised, the highway is set to enhance both freight and tourism connectivity between Harare and the Beitbridge border post Zimbabwe' main link to South Africa.

Link - https://atta.travel/resource/final-phase-of-harare-beitbridge-highway-begins-in-earnest.html

Belize | Announced Advances and Investment in Conservation of Protected Areas

Belize, a country on the eastern coast of Central America, with Caribbean Sea shorelines to the east and a dense jungle to the west, offshore the massive Belize Barrier Reef, dotted with hundreds of low - lying islands called cayes, hosting a rich marine life, through PACT, the National Environmental Conservation Fund announced advances and an investment of nearly $5.0 million for the conservation and care of protected areas. 

PACT's Conservation Investment Manager, Ismael Tul ,in making the announcement, pointed out that the fund invests not only in nature, but also in tourism, agriculture and communities that depend on these resources.

The announced investment strategy consists of a reinforced plan that will benefit 15 agencies covering 48 key protected areas to safeguard Belize's unique ecosystems and promote a more sustainable future.

The announcement states that the funds seek to strengthen coordination among protected area managers, standardize biodiversity monitoring methodologies, increase public awareness, and accelerate the financial stability of coordinators.

The selected areas represent approximately 60% of the National System of Protected Areas and range from forest reserves to natural and archaeological monuments.

The Manager of Conservation Investment added that when awarding funds, PACT prioritizes tangible results, such as improvement in water quality, protection of endangered species and strengthening of environmental governance.

Established in 1996 by the PACT Act, it was instituted as a mechanisn to finance the protection and sustainable management of the country's protected areas and its main objective is to improve the quality of life of Belizeans by conserving unique ecosystems and supporting national development.

Link  
https://infoturlatam.com/belice-avanza-en-politica-de-conservacion-de-areas-protegidas/