Ecuador | First Country in the Americas to Adhere to the Framework Convention of Tourism Ethics

Ecuador, a a nortwestern South American nation straddling the equator on South America's west coast, one of the most environmental diverse countries in the world, and it has contributed notably to the environmental sciences, boasting a diverse landscape encompasses, Andean highlands, Amazon jungle, the wildlife -  rich Galápagos Islands, a rich cultural and historical heritage highlighted by the incorporation in the Incan Empire during the 15th century become the fist country in the Americas and the fifth nation in the world to adhere to the Framework Convention of Tourism Ethics.

The UN Tourism Framework Convention on Tourism Ethics was adopted in September 2019, is a legally binding instrument aimed at promoting responsible and sustainable tourism, building upon the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, it aims to promote responsible, sustainable, and universally accessible tourism through the implementation of ethical principle and it has as scope to cover all stakeholders in tourism development, including local populations and host communities.

This is undoubtedly for Ecuador a milestone that reflects the country's commitment to ethical, responsible and inclusive tourism at global level and the Latin American country has not only been the first country to adhere to the international Code for the protection of Tourists, but now becomes the first country in the Americas to be part of this Convention, positioning itself at the forefront of international best practices in sustainable tourism, and consolidating itself as a pioneer in the American continent.

With this relevant achievement Ecuador's accession to the UN Tourism Framework Convention on Tourism Ethics represents a significant step in its commitment to promote sustainable tourism and by joining the international framework, the country reaffirms its willingness to incorporate universal principles of sustainability into its tourism legislation.

The deposit of the instrument of accession was held at the end of January at the headquarters of UN Tourism in Madrid, Spain with a ceremony attended by the Executive Director of UN Tourism Zoritsa Urosevic, the Director of the Legal Department and International Standards, Alicia Gómez, the Member of the UN Tourism Ethics Committtee, Julio Fiscal.

The event that was chaired by the Minister of Tourism of Ecuador, Mateo Estrella, and the Ambassador of Ecuador in Spain, Wilma Andrade Muñoz who were accompanied by their delegation.

In addition, Ecuador is in the process of adopting a new Law on Integral Tourism, which incorporates the Convention's values of inclusion, accessibility and respect for the environment in its provisions.

The Minister of Tourism of Ecuador expressed his enthusiasm for this important achievement, noting that with this accession, the country strengthen the framework of International Law in the field of tourism and reaffirm Ecuador's leadership in the adoption of the Organization's legal instruments, consolidating the nation commitment to ethical and sustainable tourism.

The Depositary of the Convention Alicia Gómez underlined the relevance of this achievement, extending her most sincere thanks to Minister Estrella for his decision and courage, which allowed Ecuador to position itself as a pioneering country in the field of the Touism Law, consolidating itself as a benchmark for other countries in the development of tourism legislation.

Link -  https://www.expreso.info/noticias/internacional/105596_ecuador_se_adhirio_la_convencion_marco_sobre_etica_en_el_turismo

Blue Diamond Resorts | Awarded for its Commitment to Excellence in the MICE Sector

 
Blue Diamonds Resorts, famous hospitality group headquartered in Toronto, Canada, a company that excels in exceeding expectactions offering innovative and unique vacation experiences in top beachfront locations across the Caribbean and Mexico, a firm has risen to become the Caribbean’s fastest - growing resort chain offering personalized service and opulent amenities through Blue Diamond’s Groups and Weddings teams in Costa Rica and Mexico, was awarded for its commitment to excellence in the MICE sector achieving three certifications from the renowned Meetings and Events Institute.

 These relevant recognitions reinforce the brand dedication to delivering top - notch events across its portfolio of luxury all – inclusive resorts and reaffirming itself as a leading operator in the sector operating in the field of Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions tourism.

 These accolades that represent a further milestone in Blue Diamond Resorts’ ongoing commitment to innovation in the MICE sector, came during an intensive two - days training, team members worked with industry experts to hone their skills in strategic event planning, incentive travel marketing, and best practices for event execution, and with this specialization the company’s teams remain at the forefront of the MICE sector, ensuring tailor - made events that exceed expectations.

 Blue Diamond Resorts boasts exclusive properties such as Royalton Luxury Resorts, Planet Hollywood Beach Resorts, Royalton CHIC Resorts, and Hideaway at Royalton Resorts designed to host events of all sizes, from intimate gatherings to large - scale conferences. 

Currently Blue Diamond Resorts with a superb portfolio of versatile spaces, stunning beachfront locations and fully customizable options offers an unparalleled setting for meeting and celebrations with leading teams ready to satisfy all the most demanding requests.

Advanced audio – visual capabilities, the attention of specialized coordinators and the high - level catering service further elevate the experience, ensuring that each event is smooth and unforgettable, all elenents that together are the key of the success of Blue Diamond Resorts in the MICE sector.

Link -  https://www.expreso.info/index.php/noticias/hoteles/105533_premios_blue_diamond_resorts_por_su_trabajo_mice

Pullman Hotels & Resorts | Unveiled its Latest Flagship Hotel in Hai Phong, Vietnam

 Pullman Hotels & Resorts, famous multinational hotel brand, based in Paris and part of Accor S.A, the largest hospitality group in Europe, headquartred in Issy - Les Moulineaux unveiled its latest flagship hotel in Hai Phong, Vietnam. 

Pullman Hai Phong Grand Hotel is the latest addition to a large portfolio of Accor and its brands in Southeast Asia, a strategic expansion in a very important market with protagonist an emerging destination like Vietnam that is becoming a very trendy escape for numerous international travellers. 

The hotel is located in the port city of Hai Phong, the third largest centre of the country ,a major seaport in northeastern Vietnam across from Cat Ba Island, considered the main harbour of the Red River Delta, an important trade centre bur also known for its stunning beaches, beautiful landscapes, famous historical relics, leafy boulevards lined with French colonial - era landmarks and due to the prevalence of flame flower tree the city is nicknamed “the land of flame flowers”.

 The property is situated in the commercial and cultural centre of Hai Fong, overlooking the calm Cam River with views of the bustling Hoang Dieu Harbour, within a 10 - minute walk of Hai Fong Opera House and Hai Phong Museum, 1.0 kilometre from Conference Center Hai Phong and 1.3 kilometres from Queen of the Rosary Cathedral.

Pullman Hai Phong Grand Hotel offers a new blend of immersive cultural experiences and  business, social connection aimed at global travellers and residents alike with a design that integrates the identity of the city’s industrial energy with modern design elements, tying near the city’s centre’s Flower Garden. 

The development created a great balance between contemporary architecture and lush greenery but also highlighted by traditional Southeastern Asian influences with the presence of guardian lions, ancient trees and typical ink paintings adorning the public spaces and rooms.

The property features 364 rooms and suites tailored to modern travellers, diverse dining venue, innovative meeting/event spaces, comfortable superior rooms and spacious one - bed room apartments for extended stays boasting Pullman Signature beds and personalized pillow menus for restful sleep, plus workstations for productivity.

The hotel boasts a variety of dining venues, such as the Up & Above Rooftop Bar that offers stunning panoramic city views and Asian - inspired tapas and the Red Flowers Pavillon is specialized in traditional Cantonese cuisine and other amenities include eight innovative and versatile meeting and event spaces, among them one of the largest five -star hotel ballrooms in Northern Vietnam.

 Hai Phong Grand Hotel focuses on guest wellness, boasting a Pullman Spa offering indulgent treatments for rejuvenation, a Power Fitness providing a high - energy space for workouts, an outdoor lap pool, a stylish pool bar and a dedicated kid’s swimming pool. 

The Coo of Accor’s Premium Midscale, and Economy Division on Asia, Garth Simmons said that Hai Phong is a crucial destination in Vietnam’s tourism and economic landscape, making it an ideal location for Pullman brand and expected to enhance Hai Phong City’s reputation as a prime destination for modern travellers.

Link - https://www.pullman-haiphong-grand.com/

Hyatt Hotels Corporation | Announced the Opening of Andaz Doha by Hyatt in Qatar

Hyatt Hotels Corporation, American multinational hospitality company headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, commonly known as Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, group that manages, operates and franchises a large international portfolio of business hotels, resorts and vacation properties has announced the opening of Andaz Doha by Hyatt, the first lifestyle brand in Qatar and the fourth Hyatt brand in the city.

 The Andaz Doha by Hyatt is located in Doha, capital, multicultural city and main economic and commercial hub of Qatar on the Persian Gulf coast in the east of the country situated in West Bay's financial and diplomatic district, not far from Katara Beach, 5.0 kilometres from Qatar Sports Club Stadium and less than a 20 - minute drive from Hamad International Airport offering an easy access to the various city attractions.

The hotel is part of Andaz, a luxury hotel brand designed to encourage and inspire guests to create their own self - portraits, featuring fluid spaces, no common room barriers and imaginative interiors with the name "Andaz" in Hindi meaning "personal style".

 Andaz Doha embodies the traditional Qatari culture and heritage, incorporating unique luxury touchpoints with a design helmed by Brime Robbins, international design partnership based in Madrid, Spain, focused on exceptional creative, technical production and project management who has integrated elements of Qatar's wealth, art contributions, and traditions into the overall aesthetics.

The property features 312 rooms, suites, and residences offers a luxurious and comfortable setting. The residences, which range in size from 100 to 300 square metres, developed for long-term stays, are designed in tasteful hues of cream, amber and gold and they are equipped with dedicated parking spaces and resident - only elevators. 

The hotel offers three distinctive dining concepts with focus from various global cuisine styles such as the Salt Road Doha currently operational while Mumble Jungle and Mrs.Hawker are set to open in the coming months.

 Other amenities and facilities of the hotel Andaz Doha by Hyatt include the Alara Spa, a fitness centre, an outdoor pool, 1.600 square metres of meeting and event spaces, including a 750.0 square - metre ballroom.

 The Managing Director, Middle East and Africa at Hyatt, Stephen Ansell, expressed his enthusiasm at the lifestyle brand launch in Qatar, commenting on the opening, highlighting that the property signifies an exciting milestone in expanding Hyatt' growing brand portfolio as it becomes the third Andaz - branded property in the Middle East. 

 The opening of Andaz Doha marks the strategic expansion of Hyatt's lifestyle portfolio in the region and it adds the existing Andaz hotels across important global destinations such as Abu Dhabi, Dubai, London, Singapore and Tokyo.

 Link - https://www.hyatt.com/andaz/dohaz-andaz-dohaz

Rosewood Hotels & Resorts | Upcoming Opening of its First Property in Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, international luxury hotel and resort company headquartered in Hong Kong founded in 1979 in Dallas, Texas, U.S. by Caroline Rose Hunt, boasting a distinctive, global collection of of highly, individual, luxurious, residential - style hotels enlarged its prestigious portfolio with the upcoming opening of its first property in the Netherlands in its capital Amsterdam.

The opening of Rosewood Amsterdam marks a significant milestone for Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, which continues to expand its prestigious global portfolio of culturally enriching properties and it announced that the hotel will begin accepting reservations from 1st June 2025.

Rosewood Amsterdam is located along Prinsegracht, a 3.2 kilometres long canal that runs parallel to the Keizersgracht in the city's historical canal district, hosted in the historic former Palace of Justice, a monumental building of Amsterdam, originally built in 1665 that served as a court of justice for over 175 years, until it was closed in 2013 and positioned on the UNESCO World Heritage listed canals and it has been under renovation for over ten years. 

 The building of great architectural, historical and social significance retains its original historic features while offering modern luxury and it is a celebration of Dutch excellence representing a cultural landmark that seamlessly blend heritage with contemporary innovation.

 The hotel in all its essence aims to provide guests a unique cultural experience that combines building's rich history with modern luxury in the beating heart of the city offering curated experiences that connect visitors with Amsterdam's past, present and future, combining art, comfort, cultural programming, design, retail and service.

 The interior, designed by Studio Piet Boon, a famed globally operation design headquartered in Oosztan, the Netherlands, recognised for crafting the perfect balance between aesthetics, functionality and individually.

The design is a great blend of contemporary sophistication with historic grandeur, like original features such as cellblocks and courtrooms that have been restored and reimagined for a unique guest experience and a private salon boat,decorated by the company, for guests to travel along the city's canals. 

The hotel features 134 comfortable, welcoming rooms and suites, including five signature suites, many of which offering beautiful views of the scenic canals, classic townhouse rooftops and courtyards, three restaurants and bars, an in - house distillery.

Other amenities include an Asaya Spa, a state-of-the-art fitness centre, an indoor swimming pool and a 2.400 - square-foot ballroom for events and public areas with design element honouring the history and value of the building.

Link - https://www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/amsterdam/overview

Extremadura, Spain | Focusing its Commitment to Attract More International Visitors as an Ethical, Epic and Aesthetic Destination

Extremadura, a landlocked autonomous community of Spain, located in the central western part of the Iberian Pensinsula, crossed from east to west by the Tagus and Guadiana rivers, sits west of Madrid and east of the Portuguese border is focusing its commitment to attract more international visitors as an ethical, epic and aesthetic destination.

The region boasts very valuable monumental attractions with three sites which have the UNESCO World Heritage designation, finest roman ruins, captivating medieval centres, time - worn villages, ancient towers, fortified mansions make Extremadura a place with an important historical heritage, a relevant area also for wildlife and well known for its delicious cuisine and very famed for its prized cured hams very appreciated around the world.

The community registered a total of 2.123.710 travellers in 2024 compared to 1.890.660 in 2023, which implied an increase of more than 12%, of which more 371.000 were international visitors  a very high performance which meant record numbers of travellers for the region, framed in a very positive scenario.

This year, the Ministry of Tourism Extremadura plans to focus its strategy on attracting more international travellers, who are 18% of the total number of visitors, with an action based on data from 2024 which was the best year in history in terms of incoming tourism with a record for tourists, exceeding 2.1 million and overnight stays with more than 4.1 million.

The key is elevating the value of a region well known selling, an outstanding historical heritage, safety, sustainability, tranquillity and several options to enjoy cultural and gastronomic tourism across its entire territory.

The Spanish community is going to be promoted as an “ethical, epic and aesthetic destination” always away from overcrowding and that manages to offer well - being to all those who live to those who come, unique in its offer of nature, cultural heritage tourism, with outstanding archaeological findings, highlighting its Imperial Roman history showcased by the stunning Mérida, and its medieval and renaissance treasures, among them charming Cáceres and focusing on its gastronomy, considered among the best of the entire Iberian Peninsula.

The Minister of Culture, Tourism, Youth and Sport, Victoria Bazaga highlighted all that and also the lines of work for this 2025, starring a commitment to the international tourists, who generates up to two and half times more income per visitor than the national tourist, since he has an average day expenditure ranging from €170.0 / 200.0 per day, compared to €60.0/80.0 of the domestic tourist, which make an average stay ranging from three to five nights, compared to 1 or 2.

Likewise, international tourists consume more premium products and mark a lower dependence on seasonality when visit the Spanish community throughout the year, which in short, means a greater local economic impact, a detail that undoubtedly is to take in high consideration.

The Minister of Culture, Tourism, Youth and Sport also highlighted another plan of Extrematura consisting to attract Latin American tourists, through the “Extremestiza project” , an initiative that seeks to highlight the importance of Extremadura and Latin America which shared the history of Spain and America.

The community as a cradle of key historical figures in the history of Latin America such as Hernán Cortés and Francisco Pizarro, among other aspects and in addition there are initiatives linked to the nearest Portugal, with the idea to develop a project named “One destination, two countries”.

 Link - https://www.expreso.info/noticias/espana/104932_extremadura_centra_su_apuesta_por_el_viajero_internacional

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | Awarded as Best City in Urban Art of 2025

Philadelphia, the largest and most populous city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, the urban core of the larger Delaware Valley, notable for its numerous attractions, nicknamed the “birthplace of America” or colloquially referred to as “Philly”, for the second time in three years has been awarded as the Best City in Urban Art, in USA Today’ s 10 Best Readers Choice Awards.

The American city boasts a notable cultural heritage, it was meeting place for the 1st Continental Congress, the Constitutional Convention, and first capital of the United States of America it is the only World Heritage City in the USA, well known for its lively arts and culture scene, historic sites, architecture with many buildings dating from the 1700s, science museums a sprawling park system, and bustling neigborhood,.a city that in addition is a hub for shopping opportunities, entertainment and sporting events. 

The award delivered by USA Today, a famous American daily newspaper and news broadcasting company operates from Gannett’s corporate headquarters in New York was the result of travel experts and readers highlight the city’s many works of public art, including murals, statues and sculptures, calling it an “open - air museum”, and Philadelphia has been selected as winner  by a panel of experts and readers’ vote.

This recognition highlights that the city is home to thousands of relevant outdoor murals, sculptures,and public art pieces that are easily accessible to both visitors and citiy dwellers. USA Today has mentioned the work of Mural Arts Philadelphia to cement the city’ s global prestige in the field of street art. 

Mural Arts Philadelphia since its inception in 1984 and in 1986 with the official foundation of Mural Arts Program, organization that was renamed in 2016,  under the direction of local artist Jane Golden as part of the Philadelphia Anti - Graffiti Network to facilitate collaboration between professionals artists and prosecuted graffiti writers to create artistic murals in the city is undoubtedly an engine of art and culture of the largest city of Pennsylvania.

Mural Arts Philadelphia has coordinated the making of more than 4.000 murals, into being, it calls itself as “ The nation’s largest public art program”, involving local communities and local artists at every stage of the creative process. 

Thanks to more than 40 years of activity in its urban area Philadelphia has been recognized as the “Mural Capital of the world”. Mural Arts Philadelphia runs 50 to 100 public art projects each year, including new murals in relevant neighborhoods such as Kensington, Northern Liberties and Gayborhood, and in addition it operates to maintain existing murals.

 In 2024 on the occasion of the celebration’s 40th anniversary, the New York Times, the organization of this iconic American newspaper  founded on 18th September 1851 in New York City has highlighted Philadelphia as a “a city of murals forged over decades”and the community - based approach to the city’s mural process.

In addition to the murals, Philadelphia diverse collection of street art has also received international acclaim in Michelin’s Philadelphia destination guide and Michelin Green Guide that provides detailed guides exploring the major sights and attractions of range of cities, regions and countries stated that few American cities have shown such regard for art and urbanism as Philadelphia.

The CEO and President of Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, Gregg Caren said that Philadelphia is practically en open - air museum, everywhere you look there are statues, porticoes, neoclassical facades, and of course, museums and constantly it’s common to hear that Philadelphia’s street art is a part of what helps visitors get to know and connect with the city.

Murals Arts Philadelphia, exists to provide transformative experiences, progressive discourse, artistic expressions, and also economic stimulus to the City, and it harnessed the power of participatory public art to foster equity, opportunity, and better outcomes in Philadelphia.

Travellers will have the unique opportunity to explore the city’s urban art on foot, by tram or by bike, through guided or self – guided tours discovering all the pieces of art created by several talented artists in a great destination offering unique experiences.

Link -  https://www.expreso.info/noticias/internacional/105548_filadelfia_fue_designada_la_mejor_ciudad_en_arte_urbano