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Organisations & Operators News Page 115

IHG Hotels & Resorts boosts European growth with portfolio of 11 hotels

IHG Hotels & Resorts boosts European growth with portfolio of 11 hotels

IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has entered into long-term franchise agreements for 11 hotels across Germany, Belgium and France. The hotels will be converted to IHG’s Holiday Inn, voco and Garner brands, bringing more choice to IHG’s guests across Europe. Germany: 6 hotels (1,125 rooms) across key destinations such as, Leipzig, Bremen and Wiesbaden Belgium: 4 hotels (497 rooms), including Brussels Airport and Brussels City Centre France: 1 hotel (186 rooms), conveniently located at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport This portfolio will debut Garner, IHG’s midscale conversion brand, in Belgium, and strengthen IHG's portfolio in Germany to almost 50 open hotels for this brand.

Sonesta Maho Beach Resort Unveils Pelican's Nest Sky Deck

Sonesta Maho Beach Resort Unveils Pelican's Nest Sky Deck

Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, Casino & Spa is proud to introduce the Pelican's Nest Sky Deck, a groundbreaking addition that redefines the traditional all-inclusive resort experience. Spanning 59,000 square feet, the new rooftop environment brings together entertainment, adventure and social programming in a dynamic open-air setting.

Cunard Reveals Historic Four Queens Celebration in Liverpool

Cunard Reveals Historic Four Queens Celebration in Liverpool

Luxury cruise brand Cunard has announced a landmark moment when all four Cunard ships will come together in Liverpool for the first time. On May 16, 2028, Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria and Queen Anne will unite on the River Mersey, in what promises to be one of the most memorable occasions in Cunard's modern history.

SeaWorld San Diego's All-New Shark Encounter - Opens May 22 with New Species

SeaWorld San Diego's All-New Shark Encounter - Opens May 22 with New Species

SeaWorld San Diego is excited to announce that Shark Encounter, the all-new experience that brings the wonders of sharks to life through a dynamic and engaging exhibit, will open on May 22. This underwater adventure, featuring enhanced visuals and state-of-the-art multimedia, immerses guests in the power and beauty of sharks while dispelling long-held myths. Shark Encounter is the only shark exhibit on the West Coast where guests can upgrade their day for a one-of-a-kind opportunity to feed a variety of large shark species right over the water.

Introducing Oceania Aurelia™, The Ultimate Explorer

Introducing Oceania Aurelia™, The Ultimate Explorer

Oceania Cruises®, the world's leading culinary- and destination-focused luxury cruise line, today unveiled Oceania Aurelia™, The Ultimate Explorer, purposefully designed for extended global discoveries. Debuting in late 2027, she will be the ideal home at sea for long, immersive journeys, including the line's 2028 and 2029 Around the World voyages as well as a series of expansive Grand Voyages.

The Newly Transformed Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi is Poised to Welcome Guests 2026 spring

The Newly Transformed Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi is Poised to Welcome Guests 2026 spring

Slated to reopen following a transformative renovation, Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi is now taking reservations for stays starting April 29, 2026. Marking a thoughtful evolution of boutique luxury in the heart of Tokyo, the Hotel invites guests to experience its comprehensively redesigned rooms, suites and public spaces, reimagined through the lens of acclaimed interior architect André Fu and his Hong Kong-based studio.

LuminoCity Dino Safari Festival Debuts in Metro Charlotte May 6-June 14

LuminoCity Dino Safari Festival Debuts in Metro Charlotte May 6-June 14

LuminoCity Festival will make its debut in metro Charlotte with the LuminoCity Dino Safari Festival, an immersive, walk-through dinosaur lights experience opening May 6 at Concord Mills. The outdoor pop-up event runs through June 14 and features more than 100,000 square feet of illuminated installations, animatronic dinosaurs, and interactive attractions.

Tulsa's Route 66 Capital Cruise Will Be GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ Attempt

Tulsa's Route 66 Capital Cruise Will Be GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ Attempt

The Capital of Route 66®'s massive celebration for the 100th birthday of Route 66 set for May 30, 2026, will now be an official GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ attempt, potentially solidifying Tulsa's place in the history books for the Centennial celebration of the Mother Road. A Guinness World Records adjudicator will be on-site to verify the attempt and if a record has been broken. “In Tulsa, we don't do anything halfway,” said Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols. “Making Capital Cruise an official GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ attempt adds another layer of excitement to what was already going to be a once-in-a-lifetime celebration in The Capital of Route 66®. This will be a true citywide celebration, from north to south and east to west, and we can't wait to show the world how we'll celebrate the Mother Road in Tulsa.

Air Canada Receives its First Airbus A321XLR

Air Canada Receives its First Airbus A321XLR

Air Canada has taken delivery in Hamburg of its first Airbus A321XLR, a next-generation single-aisle aircraft designed to fly longer routes efficiently and with greater passenger comfort. The arrival of this aircraft, leased from SMBC Aviation Capital, marks an important milestone in Air Canada’s fleet renewal and growth strategy, with a total of 30 A321XLR aircraft (15 will be leased, 15 are being acquired directly from Airbus S.A.S.) expected to enter the fleet over the coming years.

Thailand strengthens global leadership in sustainable tourism

Thailand strengthens global leadership in sustainable tourism

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), together with strategic partners, successfully concluded the Global Sustainable Tourism Conference (GSTC) 2026 in Phuket from 21 to 24 April 2026. The event reinforced Thailand’s role as a proactive contributor to the international sustainability agenda, demonstrating the strength of the country’s unified cross-sector tourism effort spanning national and local government, the MICE industry, and civil society.

Korean Air delivers 5,000 Airbus A320 Sharklets

Korean Air delivers 5,000 Airbus A320 Sharklets

Korean Air has delivered its 5,000th Sharklet for the Airbus A320 family, marking a key milestone in its aerostructures business and reinforcing its role in the global aerospace supply chain. Korean Air marked the achievement with a ceremony on April 23 at its Busan Tech Center. Attendees toured Korean Air’s aerostructure manufacturing and MRO facilities, and Korean Air recognized 15 partner companies for their contribution to the program.

RYANAIR TO CLOSE 7 AIRCRAFT BERLIN BASE FROM OCT 2026

RYANAIR TO CLOSE 7 AIRCRAFT BERLIN BASE FROM OCT 2026

Ryanair, Europe’s largest airline, announced that it intends to close its 7 a/c Berlin base on 24 Oct ’26, reducing the number of flights it operates to/from Berlin by 50% in its winter schedule. All 7 Berlin based aircraft will in this case be reallocated to lower cost airports in other EU states that have abolished aviation taxes like Sweden, Slovakia, Albania & Italy. This is a direct result of Berlin Airport’s recent notice that it will again raise fees by another 10% from 2027 to 2029 when its already high airport fees have increased by 50% since Covid even as Berlin’s traffic collapsed by 30% from 36m in 2019 to 26m in 2025. German aviation policy has failed its citizens as it relies on high aviation taxes and excessive airport costs to combat hopeless inefficiency, evidenced by the fact that since 2019: