IHG Hotels & Resorts | Announced the Development of a New Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Pithampur, Madhya Pradesh, India

IHG Hotels & Resorts, British multinational hospitality company based in Windsor, Berkshire, England, UK continues its expansion in South Asia and announced the development of a new Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Pithampur, a town near Dhar city in the Dhar district, in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.

The upcoming Holiday Inn Express & Suites Pithampur is part of IHG Hotels & Resorts' broader strategy to expand its footprint in high-demand secondary markets across India, addressing the growing need for quality accommodation.

This development in collaboration with Kevit Retreats Private Limited, management company headquartered in Udaipur City, India is particularly significant due to its proximity to major industrial zones and facilities like NATRAX. One of Asia's largest automotive testing facilities, and India's first SEZ, greenfield Special Economic Zone.

The future hotel scheduled to open in Q1 2028 will be located in Pithampur, within the Indore Metropolitan Region, known to be a significant industrial hub in India, especially in the automotive and pharmaceutical sectors, makes it a prime location for business travel.

The hotel enters in a very performing brand like Holiday Inn Express, known for its friendly, comfortable, and reliable service, offering a variety of options from standard hotels to resorts with functional and comfortable rooms.

Introducing globally recognized brand like Holiday Inn Express is expected to meet the increasing demand for reliable and efficient hospitality options in the area.

The property will be part of a large mixed - use development that include industrial, logistic, and warehousing facilities, strategically positioning it to serve the region's business travel needs. 

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Pithampur will feature 150 rooms, two dining options, contemporary meeting spaces, a fitness centre, and ample parking facilities.

Currently IHG Hotels & Resorts operates 50 hotels across six brands in India and has a very relevant pipeline of 63 hotels slated in the next three to five years confirming the high commitment of the company in a market like India in continuous growth.

Links 
https://www.ihgplc.com/en/news-and-media/news-releases/2025/ihg-continues-expansion-in-india-with-a-new-holiday-inn-express-signing
https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article136745.html

The Westin Flushing LaGuardia Airport Officially Opened its Doors in Queens, New York, U.S.

The Westin Flushing LaGuardia Airport Hotel officially opened its doors in Queens, New York, U.S., the largest by area of the five boroughs of New York City, coextensive with Queens County located near the western end of Long Island bordering Flushing Bay.  

Century Development Group LLC, one of the most important New York City real estate companies developed the project of the hotel that enters in the Westin Hotels & Resorts, prestigious hotel chain founded in 1930 and owned by Marriott International.  

The hotel  hosted in a 13 story - building is part of a new mixed - use development located at 35 - 32 Leavitt in Flushing, Queens, a lively and a major commercial and retail area and the intersection of Main Street and Roosevelt Avenue, near LaGuardia Airport and various local attractions including the Museum of the Moving Image, and Flushing Meadows Corona Park.

The establishment designed by Raymond Chan Architect P.C, a firm based in New York with over 30 years of experience in providing innovative architecture and engineering solutions that adapt with the rapidly evolving world, features a modern glass curtain wall façade, a design choice that enhances the building’s aesthetic and complements Flushing’s urban landscape.

The Westin Flushing LaGuardia Airport features 244 room - hotel with 48 condominiums on its upper floors, a dining venue named Hinoki Bistro, which includes a sushi and oyster bar, a main dining room, and a lounge area.

The hotel component of the development includes over 5.000 square feet of public space on the first floor, two advanced conference rooms, and a grand ballroom that can accommodate up to 300 people.

Above the hotel, from the 10th to the 13th floor, are the Northern Residences, a collection of luxury condominiums managed by Acre NY Realty, a luxury New York City real estate brokerage committed to delivering unmatched client dedication and service.

These residences offer high – end finishes and expansive layouts with floor - to - ceiling windows that provide stunning city skyline views. Residents can also access the hotel’s amenities which integrate luxury living with premium hospitality services.

Links 
https://www.marriott.com/en-gb/hotels/nycwu-the-westin-flushing-laguardia-airport/overview/
https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article136812.html

Hilton | Opened Sax Paris, its First LXR Hotels & Resorts Property in France

Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc, American multinational hospitality company headquartered in Tysons, Virginia opened Sax Paris, its first LXR Hotels & Resorts Property in France, a launch that marks the brand's entry into the French market expanding its global portfolio.

The property, owned and developed by French real estate development, investment and management company Compagnie de Phalsbourg based in Paris is strategically located at 55 Avenue de Saxe in the 7th Arrondissement near key transportation like Duroc and and Sèvres - Lecourbe metro stations in one of the most prestigious districts of the French capital, well known for its cultural and artistic significance.

The hotel enters in XR Hotels & Resorts brand, a hand - picked collection of independent hotels and resorts, known for their unique and locally inspired experiences, bespoke service and distinctive character. LXR properties are situated in alluring destinations around the world, offering discerning travellers a base for personal adventures.

Sax Paris is housed in a historic neo - Gothic building and features 118 contemporary rooms and suites accurately designed blending contemporary elements  with the Parisian areas's sophisticated ambiance.

The hotel amenities cater to leisure and business travellers, featuring two restaurants, the all - day bar restaurant Le SAX, and Kinigawa River Gauche, a rooftop venue offering Franco - Japanese cuisine, establishments aim to attract both hotel guests and local Parisians.

Versatile event spaces make Sax Paris an ideal destination for meetings, events and social gatherings, while the fitness and spa club, outdoor pool and garden provide guests with options for relaxation and wellness.

The establishment also emphasizes local explorations, with nearby attractions like the iconic Eiffel Tower, the emblematic Jardin du Luxembourg and for art lovers the famous Musée d' Orsay, located on the banks of the Seine, opposities de Tuileries Gardens, holds a rich collection of art dating from 1848 to 1914, including paintings, sculptures, furniture and photography, easily accessible to guests.

Sax Paris also participates in the LXR Hotels & Resorts Pursuit of Adventure program, offering guests unique experiences highlighting Rive Gauche' cultural heritage.

Additionally, Sax Paris is part of the Hilton Honours programme, providing benefits to members who book directly through Hilton's channels.

Links
https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/paretol-sax-paris/hotel-info/
https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article136686.html

Puerto Morelos, Mexico | Provision of 21 Temporary Shelters in the Civil Protection Programme for the 2025 Hurricane Season

Puerto Morelos, a Mexican port town on the Caribbean coast of the Yucatán Peninsula located between the Riviera Maya resorts of Cancun and Playa del Carmen, already has a civil protection programme for the 2025 hurricane season, with strategies planned to safeguard the life and heritage of its inhabitants and tourists.

The municipal president Blanca Merari, stressed that the plan is based on prevention, preparedness and response to emergencies, contemplating the provision of 21 temporary shelters, the training of brigades, the installation of signage in risk areas and the dissemination of crucial information.

In addition, the installation of the specialized committee on hydrometereological phenomena 2025 is expected soon, made up of 12 subcommittees that wull coordinate strategic actions with the support of the Defense and Navy.

Between 13 and 17 cyclonic phenomena are expected, some with hurricane category, which makes preparation and effective response essential and Puerto Morelos is acively working for its safety.

The coordinator of Civil Protection, Irma Ávila, reported that inspections have already carried out in drains, wells and areas prone to flooding, in addition to drills in schools and hotels to strengthen the culture of prevention.

In case of extreme emergencies, the programme developed by Puerto Morelos institutions also includes aid and rapid response stages, guaranteeing to the population and visitors.  

As reported by REPORTUR.mx, for the 2025 tropical cyclone season, between 3 and 4 hurricanes are expected with maximum intensities of the Saffir Simpson scale, from category 3 to 5, according to the forecast of Conagua, the National Commission and Civil Protection.   

Link 

https://www.reportur.com/agencias/2025/06/03/puerto-morelos-incluye-21-refugios-para-la-temporada-de-huracanes/                                                                                                                   

Nha Trang, Vietnam | Inaugurated the First International Marina of the Country

Nha Trang, a coastal resort city and capital of Kháhn Hòa Province in southern Vietnam known for its pristine beaches, renowned diving sites and stunning offshore islands is the site of the recently inaugurated first marina of the Southeast Asian country.

The Ana Marina Nha Trang situated in Vinh Hoa ward some 7.0 kilometres from downtown Nha Trang spanning over 89 hectares is a project includes 68 hectares of water surface, which has been assigned the VNANA post code by the General Department of Customs.

The marina designed to accommodate 220 yachts of various types features commercial service areas, a general area with docks and floating piers for yacht mooring as well as a boat maintenance facility and it includes a maritime channel for vessel entry and exit, a wave barrier, and numerous recreational service complexes.

This development is part of Kháhn Hòa Province plan to attract 11.8 million overnight visitors this year, including 5.2 international tourists, with tourism revenue of 60 trillion VND.

 Ana Marina Nha Trang can currently accommodate 110 yachts, with a maximum capacity of up to 220 yachts, including five - star vessels was developed to serve as a vital link for maritime transportation between Southeast Asia and Northwest Asia.

 This new maritime hub was planned to connect Vietnam with regions such as Hong Kong, China, Singapore, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia and other ports within the country.

The Director of Kháhn Hòa Province's Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, Nguyen Van Nhuan, said that the first international marina will position Nha Trang as a premier destination for luxury yachts, both domestically and internationally and it will also enhance the province's reputation as a leader in hosting international sailing competitions.

The Vietnamese marina started pilot operations in April 2023 and has since welcomed over 2.000 domestic and international ship arrivals, serving more than 60.000 passengers.

Link 
https://en.vietnamplus.vn/vietnam-opens-first-international-marina-in-nha-trang-resort-city-post319073.vnp

Barcelona, Spain | Investment of €39 Million in Renovating the Iconic Park Güell and its Surroundings

Barcelona City Council will invest €39 Million to renovate the Park Güell, an iconic complex of parks and gardens in the capital of Catalonia with architectural elements, located in the La Salut neighborhood of the Gràcia district on the southern slopes of the Turó del Carmen hill, part of the Collserola mountain range, overlooking the city and its surroundings.

This relevant investment is managed with resources that come from the activity of the monument designed by the famous architect and designer Antoni Gaudí, widely known as the greatest exponent of Catalan Modernisme, a World Heritage Site, whose access has been regulated since 2013 to avoid overcrowding.

The works in the interior will require about €24 million and those in surroundings another €14 million.
Inside Park Güell. Tthe City Council will invest  €13.7 million in the general improvement of infrastructures, lighting, irrigation systems, sanitation and rainwater use, as well as in the adaption of the Wi – Fi network to guarantee this service throughout the enclosure.

Also within the park, €10.4 million will be invested in the expropriation of Casa Trias, the only building within Park Güell that does not yet belong to the city, and in the construction of the new technical centre for the park’s services, located on Avinguda del Coll del Portell and which will remain exclusively for neighbors.

The renovation of the exterior of Park Güell includes rehabilitation of the surroundings of the park and the streets that lead to it, mainly the gardens, pavements, sidewalks and elements of the public space.

The project includes measures to reduce the negative effect of tourism, such as the reinforcement of the V19 bus line, the expansion of restricted access areas, the reorganisation of taxi ranks and the creation of a specific mobility table for the surroundings of the park. 

The Deputy Mayor and President of the Municipal Institute of Urban Landscape and Quality of Quality of Life, Laia Bonet, explained that all this developments help to work on the negativities derived from the large influx of visitors, because the coexistence between neigbors and visitors has to be taken care a lot. 

As part of this intervention, which began in 2023 and will run until 2027, the City Council also plans to invest more than €1.2 million in a cultural and museum programme.

The City Council has announced that it is working on holding an event in 2026 to commemorate the centenary of the park as a public space and the commemoration of the centenary of the death of Antonii Gaudí.

According to data provided by the consistory, Park Güell has presented a reduction in visitors of 54% between 2012 and 2024, despite which the influx has established at around 4.4 million per year, of which 87% are paid visits and 13% are from residents or users of the Gaudir Més, which have free access.

Since 2023 tickets only been sold online, which has significantly reduced the influx without prior reservation, and therefore crowds.

Link 
https://www.hosteltur.com/169907_barcelona-invierte-39-m-en-renovar-el-park-guell-y-su-entorno.html

Alexandria, Egypt | Inaugurated a New Visitor Centre at the Qaitbay Citadel, Enhancing Visitors' Experience at One of the Country's Most Iconic Landmarks

The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism has inaugurated a new equipped visitor centre at the iconic Qaitbay Citadel, a 15th - century fortress in Alexandria, the second largest city in Egypt and the largest centre on the Mediterranean coast located at the western edge of the Nile River Delta, a city with a rich cultural and historical heritage founded in 331 BC by Alexander the Great that became a major centre of Hellenic civilisation, eventually replacing Memphis, in present - day Greater Cairo.

This initiative enhances visitors' experience at one of Egypt's most iconic landmark, a 15th century defensive fortress built from 1477 and 1479 AD by the Mamluk Sultan Al - Ashraf Sayf al - Din Qa'it Bay, situated on the eastern side of the northern tip of Pharos Island at the mouth of the Eastern Harbour, erected on the site of the former Lighthouse of Alexandria which was one of the Seven Wonders orf the Ancient World.

 The new Visitor Centre, housed within one of the citadel's main tower halls, was developed in collaboration with the French Centre for Alexandrian Studies, an initiative that comes part of a broader objective to raise the standard of visitor services across museums and archaeological sites nationwide, ensuring the guests enjoy not only Egypt's distinguished monuments but also a high - quality and informative experience.

The Visitor Centre in the Citadel focuses particularly on the ancient Eastern Harbour and the site of the fabled Lighthouse of Alexandria, once one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, a site were key elements of the royal quarter of the city were established and today serving as vital touchstones in Alexandria's maritime and architectural legacy.

 The Visitor Centres also traces the evolution of Alexandria' s defensive architecture from the medieval period to the 19th century highlighting the historical significance of Qaitbay Citadel and the extensive fortifications commissioned by Muhammad Ali Pasha, Ottoman viceroy and governor who became the facto ruler of Egypt from 1805 to 1848 along Egypt's northern coast.

 The centre's exhibition features nine bilingual information panels in Arabic and English, accompanied by detailed maps and diagrams that provide visitors with ann engaging narrative of the region's architectural and historical development.

A dedicated screening area shows a short documentary film on the ancient lighthouse, while comfortable seating areas invite guests to pause and reflect during their visit.

The Secretary - General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities Mohamed Ismail Khaled said that this centre is a vital step in reimagining how the public connects with Egypt's layered with Egyptian history, especially in Alexandria, one of the most storied cities of the ancient and modern world.

The Secretary - General also highlighted the project's strategic importance within the Ministry's ongoing efforts to promote site interpretation and cultural communication with a new facility that offers visitors a deeper understanding of the rich historical context of the area surrounding the iconic Qaitbay Citadel.

The Director of Visitor Services at Museums and Archaeological Sites Bassem Ibhaim said that the centre presents curated information about a number of unique archaeological features associated with the site, including the Royal Harbour, the Timonium a structure associated with Marcus Antonius, a Roman politician and general who played an important role in the transformation of the Roman Republic,  Antirhodos Island, ancient shipyards and stone quays.

The opening of the Qaitbay Visitor Centre undoubtedly marks another important achievement in the ministry's vision to transform archaeological sites into fully immersive, educational, and accessible destinations.

This relevant initiative also reaffirms Alexandria's place at the heart of Egypt's cultural tourism offerings, inviting local and international visitors to rediscover the glorious history of an emblematic city in the Mediterranean basin with its iconic maritime past and enduring legacy.

Link 
https://allafrica.com/stories/202506100045.html