Greece | Retaining World’s No.2 Ranking in 2026 Blue Flag Awards

Greece has once again secured second place globally in the prestigious Blue Flag Awards reaffirming its strong reputation for high - quality and sustainable coastal tourism. The country secured an  624 beaches, 17 marinas and 17 tourist boats awarded, an impressive haul represents roughly 14% of all awarded beaches, underscoring the nation’s commitment to outstanding water quality and sustainable coastal management.

The awards were announced on May 14 during a special ceremony in Paleo Faliro, Athens, attended by representatives from government, local authorities and the tourism sector. The International Blue Committee awarded a total of 4.378 beaches, 747 marinas and 158 boats globally.

Operated by the Copenhagen – based Foundation for Environnmental Education (FEE) the Blue Flag program is one of the world’s most recognized voluntary eco - labels, coordinated in Greece by the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature (EEPF) requires that awarded beaches maintain strict “Excellent” water quality among other strict environmental criteria.

Established in 1987, the Blue Flag label is recognized as a benchmark for environmental quality in the tourism sector. To qalifiy beaches must meet 33 criteria, including excellent water quality, environmental education, safety an accessibility. Marinas are assessed against 38 criteria, while sustainable boats must comply with 51.

For the fourth xconsecutive year, Greece ranked second behind Spain, reinforcing its position as one of the world’s leading sustainable coastal destinations. According to the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature (HSPN), Greece accounts for 14% of all awarded beaches worldwide among the 51 countries participating in the program.

Among Greek destinations, Halkidiki, a prominent peninsula in northern Greece, located just south of Thessaloniki, famed for its pine - forested landscapes and turquoise waters, ranked first nationwide with 93 awarded beaches, while the region of Crete maintained the leading position among regions with 154 Blue Flags.

Many of Greece’s world - famous shores made the list, including Koukounaries (Skiathos), Myrtos (Kefalonia), Golden Beach (Thassos), and Astir Beach Vouliagmenis (Athens).

In addition, honorary distinctions were awarded to 18 beaches recognized for 35 consecutive years of Blue Flag awards, alongside one marina with 28 consecutive years, and one tourist boat with nine years of continuous distinction.

Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature President Nikos Petrou said that the Blue Flag Program has served as an international benchmark for beach quality and safety for the past 40 years, reflecting the long - term commitment of local operators and managers.

According to HSPN President, the Blue Flag program will introduce a transitional two - year award system for 2026 - 2027 ahead of stricter environmental and operational criteria set to take effect in 2028.

While annual inspections and monitoring procedures will continue as normal, participating beach managers will submit simplified annual updates for 2027 as part of the transition process.

HSPN head stated that the transitional measure is intended to help operators adapt to revised standards and methodologies while preserving the program’s credibility and monitoring standards.

Link

https://news.gtp.gr/2026/05/15/greece-retains-worlds-no-2-ranking-in-2026-blue-flag-awards/

Tanzania | Signed Eight Agreements with Kenya to Deepen Regional Cooperation

Tanzania and Kenya have signed eight new cooperation agreements during the Tanzania - Kenya Business Forum 2026, held on May 4 at the Julius Nyerere International Conference Centre (JNICC) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. 

The agreements were signed by Kenyan President William Ruto’s state visit to Tanzania, who held talks with the Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, with the aim  to deepen regional cooperation renewing their pledge to cultivate closer ties and accelerate economic growth and integration within the East African Community. 

 The leaders of the two countries witnessed the signing of eight Memoranda of Understanding covering: 

•    Improvements in energy connectivity.  
•    Legal cooperation. 
•    Agriculture. 
•    Railway development including plans to revive the Voi – Taveta railway line. 
•    Public service capacity building. 
•    Maritime cooperation. 
•    Sefarer certification. 
•    Streamline certification standards between the two markets.

 The two African countries also committed to removing non - tariff trade barriers by June 2026 to improve the movement of goods and services across borders. 

 Leaders from both nations said the strengthened partnership is expected to support trade growth, investment and tourism across the region. 

Link 
https://atta.travel/resource/kenya-and-tanzania-sign-eight-agreements-to-deepen-regional-cooperation.html

Nicaragua | Emerging as One of the Fastest - Growing Tourist Destination in Central America

Nicaragua is emerging as one of the fastest – growing tourist destinations in Central America, drawing global attention for its blend of natural landscapes, adventure activities, and high - end eco lodges. 

The country is rapidly becoming a sought - after, budget – friiendly alternative to more crowded and expensive regional neighbours, also supported by leading international publications like Condé Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure that have spotlighted Nicaragua, praising its balance of natural beauty and authentic charm. 

The Central American country closed 2025 welcoming 1.2 million tourists, a figure that represents a growth of 10% compared to the previous year and positioning it among the most dynamic destinations in the region. 

According to the Pastrán Report Bulletin, a daily Nicaraguan news and analysis bulletin delivers economic, political, and social updates, Nicaragua ranked as the second country with the highest relative growth in the region, only surpassed by Guatemala, which registered an increase of 11%.  

According to the publication, for Nicaragua, the growth recorded reflects the strengthening of the tourism offer based on nature, culture and authentic experiences.

Factors about Nicaragua emerging as one of the fastest – growing tourist destination in the region: 

•    Authentic Adventure: Untapped destinations like the Emerald Coast, San Juan del Sur, and the Corn Islands offer world - class surfing, diving, and nature excursions without the feel of mass tourism. 
•    High - End Eco - Tourism: Boutique, nature – focused accommodations, such as Jicaro Island Lodge on Lake Nicaragua and Morgan’s Rock Hacienda & Ecolodge, cater to travellers seeking sustainable luxury and wellness. 
•    Affordability: Nicaragua offers high – value travel experiences, stretching visitors’ budgets further compared to neighbouring countries. 
•    Grassroots Appeal: Despite utilizing less international marketing than regional competitors, Nicaragua has built a strong word – of – mouth reputation for safety, cultural immersion, and stunning landscapes. 

For travellers looking to explore this trending destination, resources like the Nicaragua Tourism Board provide detailed guides, entry requirements, and information on local attractions to help plan a trip. 

The publication, which cites data from the Central American Tourism Promotion Agency (CATA), points out that the region, including the Dominican Republic, received a total of 30.6 million international tourists, which represents an increase of 6% compared to the previous year. 

In the region the Dominican Republic led the arrival of visitors with 11.6 million, followed by El Salvador with 4.1 million, Guatemala with 3.3 million, Honduras with 3.02 million, Panama with 2.9 million and Costa Rica with 2.7 million. Belize registered 1.5 million tourists, while Nicaragua reached 1.2 million, consolidating its presence on the regional tourism map. 

In terms of growth, after Guatemala and Nicaragua, Honduras stood out with an increase of 8%, which shows a very positive trend in the isthmus. 

The Secretary General of CATA, Boris Iraheta, valued the joint performance of the Central American countries and stressed that the progress of each nation contributes to the positioning of the regional multi - destination, adding that this behaviour confirms that Central America is advancing as an increasingly solid tourism region.

CATA’s Secretary General explained that the regional approach has evolved towards a more strategic model, with an emphasis on connectivity, the development of authentic tourism products and the diversification of source markets. 

In this regard, the Secretary General of CATA highlighted the efforts to attract a great number of European visitors, as well as the consolidation of the flow from South America that according to the data already accounts for between 10% and 15% of arrivals in several countries in the region. 

Link 
https://infoturlatam.com/nicaragua-destaca-por-crecimiento-del-turismo-en-centroamerica/

Omni Hotels & Resorts | Unveiled Plans to Open a 600 - Room Hotel in Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S.

Omni Hotels & Resorts, American hospitality company founded in 1958 and headquartered in Dallas, Texas, a group focuses to create genuine, authentic guest experiences boasting a portfolio of hotels and resorts in leading business gateway and leisure destinations across North America has unveiled plans to open a 600 - room hotel in Raleigh, the capital city of the U.S. state of North Carolina, U.S,. and the county seat of Wake County located in the central region of the state, where the Piedmont and Atlantic coastal plain regions meet.

Raleigh is known for its universities including North Carolina State University and as the “Cirty of Oaks” for its oak - lined streets, the North Carolina State Capitol, a 19th Greek Revival - style building with a statue of George Washington dressed as a Roman general in its rotunda. The city features a vibrant blend of Southern charm, top - tier museums, extensive green spaces, historic neighbourhoods, a robust culinary offer and a thriving tech scene. 

In addition the number of technology and scholarly institutions around Raleigh, Chapel Hill and Durham makes the area known as the Research Triangle.

Thr property will be located between the Raleigh Convention Center and the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts, positioned within an emerging district in downtown Raleigh, offering an easy access to the main attractions of the city.

Scheduled to open for late 2028, the Omni Raleigh Hotel is under development, the construction is being carried out by Brasfield & Gorrie, LLC., a prominent, privately held construction firm based in Birmingham, Alabama and the project architect is Rule Joy Trammel - Rubio, LLC., an architecture and interior design firm headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia specializing in high density, mixed – use, residential, and hospitality projects.

Interior design is being handled by Waldrop + Nichols Studio, a Dallas - based interior architectural design firm specializing in luxury hospitality.

Amenities planned for the hotel include the first - ever coffee shop by Peter Millar, featuring a medium - dark roast blend from Black & White Coffee Roasters, and North Carolina’s first Bob’s Steak House, featuring Raleigh - inspired artwork and private dining spaces as well as a sports bar with golf simulator, both designed by Jeffrey Beers International (JBI) a New York - based, award - winning studio specialized in high - end hospitality, restaurant, and residential design.

Additional amenities will include a rooftop pool with an adjacent restaurant offering all - day dining, large - format video walls, lounge seating, a overed outdoor patio, a fitness centre, and a wellness area with hot tubs, steam rooms, saunas, cold plungers, red light recovery tables, and compression pods.

The property will also include a 20.000 - square foot ballroom and 61.000 square feet of meeting space to support the expansion of the Raleigh Convention Center.

The hotel will support Raleigh’s demand for convention and meeting space as part of the ongoing revitalization and expansion of downtown Raleigh.

Link

https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article141085.html      

Hilton | Signed an Agreement to Develop a 251 - Room Flagship Hotel in Adelaide, Australia

Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc., American multinational ospitality company based in Tysons, Virginia, has signed an agreement to develop a 251 - room flagship hotel in Adelaide , South Australia’s cosmopolitan coastal capital, a very attractive city known for its “20 - minute city” accessibility, elegant colonial stone architecture, and surrounding parklands.

Adelaide boasts a vibrant cultural scene, including numerous festivals,proximity to renowned wine regions like the Barossa Valley and Adelaide Hills as well as close access to stunning beaches and areas highlighted by a pristine nature.

Scheduled to open in 2031 the Hilton Adelaide East End will be a new - build, 27 - story hotel part of Arcadia, a major mixed - use development located at 299 Pirie Street in Adelaide’s East End, adjacent to Rymill Park, just over one kilometre from Rundle Park within the city’s central business district (CBD) with tram access 700 metres from the site.

The hotel will be developed under a franchise agreement with Auriga Investment Group Pty Ltd, an emerging South Australian property developer headquartered in Brisbane focused on landmark, mixed – use, and residential projects and operated by Trilogy Hotels, an independent management company founded in 2023 based in Sydney, specializes in operating - investment - grade hotel assets, often utilizing franchise agreements with global brands.

The development is intended to revitalize the eastern end of Adelaide’s CBD will mark Hilton’s re - entry into the South Australian market and is part of a strategic expansion in the Asia - Pacific area in key destinations like Adelaide, a city that boasts a thriving tourism driven by a strong, year - round calendar of major events and festivals.

The hotel is a purpose - built development with contemporary architecture, a focus on sustainability and operational efficiency, designed by Loucas Zahos Architects, an award - winning design studio based in Adelaide and Brisbane with over 30 years’ experience in Queensland, South Australia and Victoria, developed in a 27 - 29 storey tower, which includes residential apartments, and retail spaces.

The property will feature 251 rooms ranging from 31 to 140 square metres, multiple food and beverage venues, a pool, a fitness centre, a recreation deck, and 303 square metres of meeting space.

Hilton Adelaide East End will join Hilton Hotels & Resorts, the iconic flagship brand of Hilton Worldwide, known for its global presence in prime locations, offering upscale, modern design, award - winning food & beverage, and extensive meeting spaces. 

As of 2026, the brand is undergoing a refresh to create more energetic “three C’s” environments - celebrations, connections, and culture, featuring lively, redesigned lobbies and l.ocal restaurant partnerships.

Links

https://stories.hilton.com/apac/releases/hilton-signs-new-build-flagship-adelaide-hotel

https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article141206.html

IHG Hotels & Resorts | Announced the Opening of a New 108 - Room Holiday Inn Express Hotel in Bandung, Indonesia

IHG Hotels & Resorts, British multinational hospitality company headquartered in Windsor, Berkshire, England, UK has announced the opening of a new Holiday Inn Express hotel in Bandung, capital of Indonesia's West Java province, a large, vibrant city, and a lively university - centre located at over 700 metres above sea level in a river basin surrounded by volcanic mountains, approximately 135 kilometres southeast of Jakarta. 

Situated amid suggestive tea plantations and imposing active volcanoes, Bandung is known as the “Paris of Java”for its ts colonial Art Deco architecture, thriving fashion industry, Instagram - worthy cafes, diverse shopping, and cool upland climate, making it a popular getaway.

Holiday Inn Express Bandung Braga by IHG is located at Jl Lembong No. 36 in the heart of  Bandung, a 3 - minute walk from the historic Braga Street and a 5 - minute from Braga City Walk, 18 minutes from Bandung Railway Station and 4 km from Hussein Sastranegara Internaional Airport.

The hotel’s downtown location offers access to the city’s attractions, such as Bandung City Square, St. Peter’s Cathedral, and the Museum of the Asian African Conference, shopping areas, culinary destinations, as well as business and government districts. 

The opening of the Holiday Inn Express Bandung Braga by IHG marks the debut of the brand’s Generation 5 (Gen 5) design in East Asia & Pacific. The Gen 5 design introduces flexible environments for social interaction, work, and relaxation, including the EXPRESS Café & Bar, a semi - outdoor rooftop restaurant.

The property features 108 Standard Rooms, each with high - quality bedding, premium bathroom amenities, an - in - room, coffee machine, an oversized TV with smart features, and complimentary high - speed Wi - FI. 

 Facilities at the hotel include a 24 - hour gym, a semi - outdoor rooftop restaurant, the EXPRESS Café & Bar providing views of the city, a self - service laundry and pressing facility, complimentary daily buffet breakfast and super - speed Wi - Fi throughout the establishment.

The hotel joins Holiday Inn Express, IHG Hotels & Resorts’ fastest - growing Essential brand, offering a consistent, upper - midscale experience providing essential, modern amenities for both business and leisure guests.

Links

https://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/bandung/bdobx/hoteldetail?cm_mmc=YextLocal-_-EX-_-ID-_-BDOBX

https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article141253.html

Oyo State, Nigeria | Pursuing a Tourism Growth Agenda to Establish Itself as a Leading Destination in the South - West of the Country

Oyo State in southwestern Nigeria, created in 1976 and nicknamed the “Pace Setter State”, a vast land covering roughly 28.454 square kilometres, primarily characterized by its Yoruba culture, historical landmarks, old hard rocks, dome - shaped hills that reach 1.200 metres, extensive agriculture, with a landscape that transition from forest in the south to savanna in the north,  is aggressively pursuing a touris- growth agenda, branded as the “Tourism Reset Agenda” to establish itself as a leading destination in the south - west of the country. 

The initiative founded on a 25 – year Master Plan is actively promoted by Governor Seyi Makinde who has called for continued investment with the aim to position Oyo State as the tourism capital of southwestern Nigeria.

This strategic plan focuses on infrastructure upgrades (particularly roads), destination development, security improvements to strengthen tourism offering and promotion of cultural festivals. 

This move reflects a growing trend of subnational tourism development across Africa, where regional governments are increasingly investing in culture, heritage and domestic tourism as economic growth sectors. 

Key Fatures of Oyo State’s Tourism Agenda: 

•    Tourism Reset Agenda and 25 - Year Master Plan: A strategic framework initiated in 2025 to remove bottlenecks, enhance infrastructure, and turn tourism into a self - sustaining economy. 
•    Infrastructure and Accessibility: Strategic road projects, including the Ibadan – Eruwa and Igbo  - Ora – Iganna corridors, are improving access to tourist sites. 
•    Enhanced Security: The state has prioritized security, leading to a stable environment favourable for tourism and 24 – hour economy initiatives. 
•    Cultural and Heritage Promotion: Highlighting key attractions such as the World Twins Festival in Igbo – Ora, the Agodi Botanical Garden, a vast green space in Ibadan, Ado – Awaye Suspended Lake, one of the few in the world, Old Oyo National Park, located on the site of the ancient Oyo Empire historic sites in Oyo and Ogbomosho as well as landmarks highlighting Yoruba heritage.
•    Strategic Partnerships: Collaborating with stakeholders like the Hoteliers Association of Oyo State to boost industry standards, investment, and internally generated revenue (IGR). 
•    Development of New Facilities: Promotion of film villages and resorts, such as the Kunle Afolayan Productions’s Film Village. 

These initiatives aim to transform tourism into a major employment generator and diversify the state’s economy. 

Link 
https://atta.travel/resource/oyo-state-pushes-tourism-growth-agenda.html