Organisations & Operators News Page 348
Columbus Festival Returns to Porto Santo
Renowned for its golden sands and tranquil beauty, Porto Santo will step back in time this September with the 16th edition of the Columbus Festival (18-21 September 2025) in the historic town of Vila Baleira. As a flagship cultural event in the Madeira archipelago, it attracts hundreds of visitors each year with its unique blend of pageantry, performance and tradition.
Cap Maison and Ladera Resort Launch Exclusive Two-Centre Recycled Glass Sculpting Experience
Cap Maison and Ladera Resort two of Saint Lucia's most prestigious luxury properties, are proud to announce the launch of a unique, two-centre Recycled Glass Sculpting Experience, in collaboration with Solar Sands Experiences. This special event will run from 12th- 18th October 2025, offering both in-house and non-resident guests the chance to engage with sustainable artistry while exploring the island's natural beauty.
Marriott Bonvoy and Shinsegae Duty Free Announce a Strategic Partnership
Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International’s award-winning travel platform, has launched a strategic partnership with Shinsegae Duty Free, Korea’s leading duty-free operator, designed to deliver greater points-earning opportunities and differentiated rewards to members of both loyalty programs. This first duty-free collaboration for Marriott Bonvoy seamlessly connects global hospitality with premium duty-free retail, enriching the everyday journey for members through meaningful rewards, whether they travel or shop.
The RAK government has appointed Phillipa Harrison as the new CEO of RAKTDA
Harrison will lead Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority's efforts to position the emirate as a "Destination of the Future". She is expected to build on the emirate's ambitious growth targets, including attracting over 3.5 million tourists annually by 2030.
Continuing its expansion across Saudi Arabia, Aleph Hospitality enters Makkah
Aleph Hospitality, the largest independent hotel management company in the Middle East and Africa, has signed a hotel management agreement with Diyar Al Khalidiyah Hotel Services Company for the Diyar Al Khalidiya hotel in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
Zurich Airport and SWISS report a successful summer holiday season
For SWISS and Zurich Airport, the 2025 summer holiday period was one of the busiest in history, with more travelers passing through SWISS’s Zurich hub than ever before. Both the airport and the airline recorded their busiest day of the year at the end of July. But despite the high traffic volumes, Zurich Airport and SWISS worked successfully with their further airport partners to maintain stable flight and ground operations, and even raised their punctuality for the period from its prior-year levels.
The Shannon Airport Group shortlisted for prestigious national sustainability award
The Shannon Airport Group has been shortlisted in the ‘Environment & Biodiversity’ category of the national Chambers Ireland Sustainable Business Impact Awards, recognising its leadership in sustainability and groundbreaking work in biodiversity and conservation. The Group’s Biodiversity Enhancement and Conservation Grazing Project at Thady’s Hill is among the finalists in this category. This initiative, launched ahead of National Biodiversity Week 2025, is one of a number of projects the Group has brought forward under its five-year Biodiversity Action Plan, and is Ireland’s first conservation grazing project on airport-owned land.
TUI strengthens presence in Asia
TUI Group continuous to expand in key Asian markets and announces its second hotel in Cambodia: TUI Blue Angkor Grace. The opening follows the launch of TUI Blue Sihanoukville in May 2025. In the current financial year, TUI has expanded its footprint in the region with the addition of seven hotels across China, Thailand, Cambodia, and Indonesia. This brings the group’s Asian portfolio to a total of 25 hotels in eight countries.
Anantara Stanley & Livingstone Victoria Falls Hotel Invites Guests to Experience Africa’s Icons
Anantara Stanley & Livingstone Victoria Falls Hotel invites guests to experience the majesty of Victoria Falls paired with the thrill of seeing Africa’s Big Five in their natural habitat. Tucked inside the Victoria Falls Private Game Reserve, the property spans 6,100 acres of protected wilderness, offering unparalleled access to Zimbabwe’s most iconic landscapes.
The Wolseley Hospitality Group Joins The Global Hotel Alliance Loyalty Programme
The Wolseley Hospitality Group, owned by Minor Hotels' parent company Minor International, is the first restaurant group to partner with the alliance and its award-winning loyalty programme GHA DISCOVERY GHA DISCOVERY members will be rewarded for dining at some of London’s best-loved restaurants
Trip.com Group Launches Taste of China
Trip.com Group presents Taste of China, a bold multi-sensory dining show that blends fine cuisine with digital storytelling, cultural meaning and live performances. Designed for travellers seeking deeper immersion beyond the usual landmarks, the show offers a unique entry point to discover China's rich heritage, reflecting the global travel service provider's strategic push to develop innovative, culturally rich tourism products, especially in the fast-growing cross-border travel market.
Exodus Adventure Travels Announces New Extensions and Extras Program
Exodus Adventure Travels, the international, award-winning leader in small group guided adventure travel, today introduced its new Extensions and Extras program, making it easier than ever for travelers and the travel advisors who support them to customize vacations and enjoy guided tours around the world.