Hilton | Debut of its First Spark By Hilton Hotel in the Caribbean and Latin America, Located in Ponce, Puerto Rico

Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc. has announced the opening of its first Spark by Hilton hotel in the Caribbean and Latin America, located in Ponce, a vibrant and large city on Puerto Rico’s southern coast, the most populated centre outside the San Juan metropolitan area.

Ponce is known for its well - preserved old town features grand mansions built in the unique Ponce Creole architectural style, highlighted by the Centro Cultural de Ponce Carmen Solá de Pereira, a city that is often referred to as “La Perla del Sur” (The Pearl of the South) or “La Ciudad Señorial “(The Manorial City),  and “La Ciudad de las Quenepas” (Genip City), a centre characterized by a rich cultural heritage and a very vibrant atmosphere.

The debut in the Caribbean and Latin America of the Spark by Hilton Ponce owned by Ponce Resorts Inc. and managed by HI Development Puerto Rico Corporation, is part of Hilton’s expansion strategy in the region and increasing its presence in Puerto Rico where the company currently operates more than 10 hotels with plans to double its presence there within the next four years.

The new hotel in Ponce is strategically positioned to serve as a base for guests exploring the city or seeking a retreat before continuing their travels. Its proximity to cultural attractions, historic downtown Ponce, and shopping malls enhances its appeal to both leisure and business travellers. 

Nestled off Highway 52, the Spark by Hilton Ponce is located at Turpo Industrial Park 103, near local attractions like La Guancha Boardwalk, 4.8 km from Parque de Bombas, Castillo Serrallés, Plaza del Caribe Malls and Mercedita International Airport.

The property features 120 modern Spanish - inspired rooms, common areas with free Wi -Fi, complimentary hot breakfast, an outdoor swimming pool with a kid’s section, a fitness centre, business facilities, over 1.600 square feet of event space, and free parking, focusing on “essential done right”, with a focus on simple, quality amenities.

The hotel joins Spark by Hilton, a premium economy and a conversion -only brand providing reliable stays with essential comforts, designed to appeal to both developers and guests, aiming to provide a quality experience at an accessible price point for value - seeking travellers.

The brand has been expanding rapidly since its launch, with over 200 hotels currently open and more than 190 in the global pipeline.

This expansion is part of Hilton’s ongoing efforts to grow its portfolio in the Caribbean, where it currently operates approximately 50 hotels and has 40 additional properties in development.

Links

https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/psepepe-spark-ponce/

https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article139152.html

Mandarin Oriental Group | Announced the Grand Opening of its New Hotel in Vienna, Austria

Mandarin Oriental Group International Limited, a multinational hospitality company founded in 1963 and based in Hong Kong China, focusing on luxury hotels, residences and vacation properties, has announced the grand opening of its new hotel in Vienna, stunning Austria’s capital in the country’s east on the Danube River, a city that with its artistic and intellectual legacy was shaped by prominent residents including Mozart, Beethoven and Freud, renowned for its imperial architecture, classical music, art, rich café culture and offering a blend of grandeur and green spaces that make it a great destination for short trips or longer stays.

The opening of Mandarin Oriental, Vienna, adds the brand’s portfolio of international locations, expanding its presence in Europe and its unique and strategic location in the heart of Vienna is intended to attract both both local and international visitors.

The property marks the brand’s first entry into the Austrian market and  is located at Riemergasse 7 in the city’s First District within the historic Ringstrasse, a UNESCO World Heritage Site close to major attractions include St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Hofburg Palace, and Opera.

The hotel is hosted in a stylish Art Nouveau building originally constructed in the early 20th century as a courthouse developed by architect Alfred Keller that has been transformed in a unique and luxury accommodation retaining original design elements including a central courtyard and a grand staircase.

Interior design studio Goddard Littlefair, a London - based luxury interior design firm established in 2012, working in hotel, spa and hospitality design as well as multi - residential developments carried out the renovation.

Mandarin Oriental, Vienna features 86 comfortable rooms and 52 suites with bespoke furniture and marble baths, Diptyque products, parquet floors, high ceilings, and modern tech, while Mandarin Suite & Royal Suite feature grand living areas, kitchenettes, and luxurious marble bathrooms.

The hotel provides a coffee lounge, a bar and a selection selection of dining venues under the direction of Chef Thomas Seifried featuring culinary options combining Austrian traditions with international influences.

Amenities at the hotel include an extensive spa inspired by Vienna’s artistic and musical heritage with 8 treatment rooms (including a couple’s suite) , indoor pool, sauna, steam room and fitness centre, incorporating traditional Asian therapies and local cultural elements.

The Mandarin Oriental, Vienna,  also features an artistic installation created by Austrian artist Peter Jellitsch. The artwork is designed to reflect both the spirit and soul of Vienna and the brand’s Asian heritage, incorporating stylish Art Nouveau elements.

Links

https://www.mandarinoriental.com/en/vienna/inner-city

https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article139111.html

Jiyang, Sanya, China | Archaeologists Discovered a Prehistoric Tomb Between 12.000 and 13.000- Years Old

A team of Archaeologist discovered a prehistoric tomb between 12.000 and 13.000 years old in Jiyang, a county level district under the jurisdiction of Sanya city located  on the southern end of Hainan island in southern China’s Hainan province.

The find considered the oldest discovered on the island and belonged to a child buried on his side with bent limbs took place in Luobi Cave relic site in Sanya’s Jiyang District, a karst cave under the west face on Yin Ridge located 7 kilometres north east of Lizhigou Town, 15 kilometres from Sanya City discovered in 1983. The site had already yielded stone tools, bone utensils and human fossils, constituting the oldest evidence of human activity in southern China.

Shell ornaments near the head and waist of the skeleton, the oldest of their kind in China, were found next to the body. The discovery offering key insights into Hainan’s prehistoric culture, burial traditions and cultural ties between South Cina and Southeast Asia as reported by Xinhua News Agency.

The excavation was carried out by the Hainan Provincial Institute of Cultural Heritage and Archaeology, Peking University and Sanya Museum. The researchers used carbon - 14 and series uranium dating methods to determine its age.

According to researcher Gao Xing of the Institute of Vertebrate Palaeontology and a Palaeoanthropology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, this discovery is key to reconstructing Hainan’s cultural history and understanding the technological and cultural exchanges between the ancient peoples of Southern China and Southeast Asia.

Link

https://tvbrics.com/es/news/china-descubre-en-hainan-una-tumba-de-m-s-de-12-000-a-os/

Camagüey, Cuba | The City’s University Launched an Innovative Project Using AI to Improve Energy Efficiency in Hotels

The University of Camagüey (UC), Cuba’s third largest city and the capital of the province of the same name, which extends from the centre of the island towards the east, a colonial city with a rich cultural and historical heritage, famous for its UNESCO - listed meandering pastel - coloured alleyways coze history has launched am innovative project that uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve energy efficiency in hotels.

The initiative, developed by a team od researchers and students, is a predictive system that aims to optimize the consumption of electricity and other energy resources in tourist facilities.

According to information from Prensa Latina, the official state news agency of Cuba, headquartered in Havana, the project seeks to anticipate deviation in energy consumption and correct them in real time, which represents a key advance in the country’s economic sovereignty and strategy. 

The software developed within the framework of this project is reusable and could be adapted to hotel chains in other countries, demonstrating the capacity and competitiveness of Cuban biotechnology in areas outside the health sector.

The project also contributes to the training of new professionals, with students involved in data collection and programming of the system and is expected to be completed in 2026, leaving an important footprint on energy efficiency and talent development in Cuba.

This initiative has received the support of the Cuban Ministry of Tourism (MINTUR), which has approved its implementation in a network of hotels and recognizes the value of national scientific capital.

The University of Camagüey (UC) is actively promoting Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Cuba and also engaging in international collaborations especially with India.

The Cuban University is currently leading various initiatives focused on national needs including projects using IoT and cloud computing for better water water management in partnership with the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources to combat waste and improve sustainability, positioning itself as a key player in Cuba’s growing AI for socio - economic development.

Link

https://tvbrics.com/es/news/cuba-impulsa-la-inteligencia-artificial-en-el-sector-tur-stico/

Milan, Italy | The City Council Has Banned Self - Key Boxes for Short - Term Rentals

Milan, the capital of the Lombardy region and the second largest city in Italy, through its City Hall has banned self - check in key boxes for short - term rentals, effective early 2026, requiring hosts to meet guests in person. 

This initiative is part of a broader national and city level effort in the country to address overtourism, ensure public safety, regulate the short – term rental market and to stop improper use of public space.

 Milan is not the first Italian city to implement such a measure; Bologna, Florence, Rome, and Venice have introduced similar bans in a nationwide directive for in - person guest checks, trying to put a stop to the lack of control of tourist rental and with fines that will range from €100 to €400 for non - compliance.

 In these cities, this measure of the keys was already being applied. But, apart from criticisms and proclamations, in general little else is being done to limit the expansion of this phenomenon, massive throughout Italy. Key boxes are often seen as unsightly and contributing to the “decorum” issues of historic city centres. Owners can perfectly well leave the keys in the ubiquitous mailboxes for parcel delivery, which Amazon and countless other platforms use.

Until a year ago, homeowners did not have to see the tenant and could only have doigital contact. Not now, national law requires that there be face - face contact, and the size of the boxes adds more need for the presence of the owner or a representative when the customer arrives. Italy had banned registration for apartment rentals on these platforms at the end of 2024, for security reasons, now requiring the landlord to physically see tenants.

The National Interior Ministry has mandated in person guest identification to prevent the accommodation of potentially dangerous individuals or those linked to criminal organizations. Self - check - in via key boxes makes it harder to track guests effectively.

 Why Milan City Council Implemented the Ban : 

·       Security Concerns: To prevent illegal activities like drug dealing and the housing of dangerous individuals, linked to the lack of face - to face guest identification.

·       Overtourism and Public Space: The proliferation of boxes on street furniture is seen as an eyesore and an improper use of public land for private gain, impacting residents.

·       Accountability: Ensures hosts can verify guest identities, a practice emphasized by the Italian Interior Ministry.

·   Key Details of the Milan Ban:

·      Scope: The ban specifically target key boxes, lockboxes, and similar devices installed on street furniture, road signs, fences, gates, light poles or other structures on public land.

·     Deadline: The ban on key boxes in public spaces takes effect in January 2026. Property owners have been given a grace period to comply.

·    Penalties: Homeowners who do not comply with the new rules face fines ranging from €100 to €400, in addition to covering the costs incurred by the municipality for removing the non - compliance boxes.

·    In - Person Check - in: Mandates hosts to verify guest identities visual.

TTThe outlook for short – term rental operators relying on physical key boxes in public spaces will need to transition to alternative methods. This includes meeting guests in person or adopting modern, secure digital or smart technologies that comply with identity verification laws.

AiAirbnb has commented that while it supports a flexible check - in experience, it looks forward to working with the Italian government on solutions that meet safety needs.

Link 

https://www.preferente.com/noticias-de-hoteles/milan-prohibe-las-cajas-de-las-llaves-de-airbnb-346984.html

Quezon City, The Philippines | Officially Recognised as a UNESCO Creative City of Film

Quezon City, a vibrant centre in the Philippines located on the Guadalupe Plateau, just northeast of Manila, known for its culture, entertainment industry and media, and is apty called the “City of Stars” where broadcasting networks and studios have their headquarters, also renowned for its commerce, education, research, technology, politics, tourism, art and sports has officially been recognised as a UNESCO Creative City of Film.

This prestigious title recognizes Quezon City rich cinematic heritage, vibrant film industry, and commitment to developing Filipino stories and filmmakers through initiatives like the QC Screen Academy and QCinema.

This designation, one of the first in Southeast Asia solidifies the city status as the “Heart of Philippine Cinema” , highlighting Quezon City's contributions to Philippine film industry and its efforts to promote creativity, fair labour practices, talent development, cultural innovation, and global visibility for Filipino films.

The inclusion in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network of Film cements the the city’s position as the country’s film capital, home to major studios, filmmakers, and cultural institutions.

As a member of the network, Quezon City will strengthen policies for film workers, such as enforcing the Eddie Garcia law to ensure safe working conditions and fair wages and will also expand programs for skills development and international collaboration to support local filmmakers.

The recognition follows Quezon City’s earlier declaration as the “Heart of Philippines Cinema” and its adoption of the theme “QC Film City” for this year’s QCinema International Film Festival.

The Quezon City Film Commission (QCFC), which led the city’s application in 2023, will implement several projects under the new designation, including the QC Screen Academy, a training hub for film professionals; the Global Producers Exchange (GPX), a collaborative platform for producers from Southeast Asia and UNESCO Creative Cities; and the Southeast Asia Film Summit, an annual event for regional policymakers and film industry leaders.

Quezon City's Major Joy Belmonte said the recognition honours the legacy of Filipino artists and filmmakers. QC Film City is now a name that will forever be etched in legacy of every filmmaker, artist, and storyteller who has shaped Quezon City’s vibrant film heritage.

From the golden era Sampaguita Pictures and the brilliance of icon like Lino Brocka, Dolphy, Nora Aunor, and Fernando Poe Jr., to the new generations of creators bringing the local stories to life today, this recognition honours each and every one of them.

The major added that this title is also for the workers behind the screen and Quezon City citizens who deserve access to quality film, celebrating a big achievement in the Philippine' film industry , but the work starts again tomorrow.

QCFC Executive Director Liza Diño said that the achievement reflects the city’s long - term  vision for creative governance. This is not just a recognition of what Quezon City has achieved, it is a call to deepen the commitment to creative governance and cultural sustainability. The local Institutions are ready to take on this responsibility, to open the doors to collaboration, and to continue building a city where stories thrive and creativity empowers every citizen.

This recognition positions Quezon City as a key player in the global film community and joins other cities worldwide recognized by UNESCO as a centre for using creativity as a driver of sustainable development.

Link

https://mb.com.ph/2025/11/02/quezon-city-recognized-as-unesco-creative-city-of-film

London, England, UK | On Track to Implement a New Tourist Tax to Curb Overtourism

London, the UK's capital and largest city is on track to implement a new tourist tax on overnight visitors to hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, and short-term holiday rentals, including those booked through platforms like Airbnb with the aim to curb overtourism.

This new "visitor levy" is part of a plan by the Greater London Authority as a model to give mayors across England the authority to charge such a fee, which could help fund cleaner streets, financing the maintenance of infrastructure, public spaces and improving local services used by millions of visitors each year.

The charge is expected to be small, modest fee per night, though the exact amount and structure (flat fee or percentage) will vary between different locations, and it is also intended to be a move that aligns the UK with practices already common in other European cities like Berlin, Paris, and Rome. 

 The measure will be enabled by the British government through the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, which will allow the Mayor Sadiq Khan, and other local leaders to apply taxes to hotels, tourist apartments, campsites, caravan parks and Airbnb - type accommodation. This tax would be in addition to the current Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), which costs £16.

 In 2024 London recorded 89 million overnight stays, which has intensified the pressure of public transport, urban cleaning and diverse municipal services. With this new tax tool, the British capital could raise up to £240 million a year, resources that would be used to promote tourism, protect heritage, developing cultural activities and improving the visitor experience.

London's Mayor Sadiq Khan defended the measure as a way to redistribute the costs of tourism and prevent residents from unintentionally suffering the consequences of overcrowding, saying the aim to keep London one of the most attractive cities in the world.

London would be the first city in the UK to apply this new tax, expected in spring 2026, after a period a period of consultations and local authorities, and other cities such as Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester could follow the same path.

This initiative has generated criticism in the sector. UK Hospitality warned that the new tax could affect the competitiveness of hotels and make domestic holidays more expensive, while international associations, such as Australia's ATIA, warned that London could become less attractive compared to other destinations due to rising costs.

 Link

https://infoturlatam.com/londres-prepara-nuevo-impuesto-para-frenar-el-sobreturismo/