Organisations & Operators News Page 505
The Peninsula Paris Unveil Three Rooftop Oases Overlooking the City of Light
Through an exclusive collaboration with French furniture-design house Roche Bobois, The Peninsula Paris has established two spectacular winter sanctuaries for guests on its high rooftop terraces. These dreamy igloo-style domes, both of which have been furnished by Roche Bobois, offer plush, romantic alcoves for guests to enjoy fine dining and drinks, while taking in the twinkling lights of the Paris cityscape.
Top Tours & Wildlife Encounters
Serenity Holidays highlights top tours and wildlife experiences across its five travel brands: The Gambia Experience, Goa Experience, Cape Verde Experience, Corsican Places, and Sardinian Places. With a team of experts and dedicated in-resort representatives offering insider advice and tailored recommendations based on firsthand knowledge, the tour operator ensures customers can enhance every aspect of their chosen holiday experience:
Kynren Announces Its New Time Travelling Theme Park
The creators of Kynren – An Epic Tale of England have unveiled their most ambitious and exciting project to date: a brand-new historical theme park, Kynren – The Storied Lands. Set to open in summer 2026, subject to final planning approval, The Storied Lands will be a spectacular daytime attraction within the wider Kynren park in Bishop Auckland#. This new experience will transport visitors through history, myth, and legend, bringing the past to life through breathtaking live-action performances.
Cheval Collection gears up to open Cheval Maison – Expo City Dubai
Cheval Collection’s latest property in the Middle East, Cheval Maison – Expo City Dubai, is set to open in March 2025 with 151 luxurious, serviced apartments – which can be booked for any length of stay – and a host of top-flight business and leisure amenities. One of the award-winning, UK-based hospitality brand’s largest properties, Cheval Maison – Expo City Dubai is a reimagining of the showpiece Leadership Pavilion that hosted world leaders during EXPO 2020 and COP28. The prestigious building, which has been extensively refurbished, is located alongside the iconic Al Wasl Plaza, five minutes’ walk from the Expo City Metro station
QATAR TO CREATE A PERMANENT NATIONAL PAVILION IN THE GIARDINI OF VENICE
Qatar will build a national pavilion in the historic venue of Giardini della Biennale, which first opened to the public in 1895. Qatar will join 30 other nations with permanent pavilions in the Giardini. Only two others have opened there in the last 50 years (Australia and Republic of Korea).
Ryanair Expands Shannon Service with New Madeira Route and More Flights for Summer 2025
Ryanair has revealed its expanded Summer 2025 schedule for Shannon Airport, including a new route to Madeira and additional flights to eight popular destinations, such as Alicante, Edinburgh, and Krakow. The airline is also adding extra seats for the La Rochelle route in April for the European Rugby Champions Cup. This growth marks a 17% increase in Ryanair traffic at Shannon Airport. The new schedule is part of Ryanair’s €300m investment in three Shannon-based aircraft, supporting over 1,500 local jobs. Ryanair is also advocating for expanded support for regional airports from the Irish government.
Swissport Begins Ground Handling Operations at Frankfurt Airport, Expanding Its Presence in Germany
Swissport International has officially launched its ground handling operations at Frankfurt Airport, expanding its presence at one of the world’s busiest aviation hubs. The company began serving flights from KLM, Air France, and LOT at Terminals 1 and 2, with plans to increase capacity and recruit additional staff throughout 2025. The expansion follows the award of a seven-year ground handling license by the Ministry of Transportation of the State of Hesse, allowing Swissport to offer a range of services including passenger handling, baggage services, and cargo operations. Frankfurt will soon become Swissport’s largest site in Germany and a key hub in Europe.
Emirates Partners with Airbus to Enhance Fleet Efficiency and Reliability
Emirates has signed a partnership with Airbus to implement the Skywise Fleet Performance+ (S.FP+) predictive maintenance solution and Core X3 analytics platform, aiming to enhance the performance and reliability of its Airbus A380 and A350 fleets. The integration of real-time data will allow Emirates to monitor aircraft health, identify issues during flights, and minimize unplanned maintenance, increasing efficiency and reducing downtime. This move is part of Emirates’ strategy to optimize operational reliability and enhance the customer experience. The airline is also advancing its maintenance technology with innovations like drone-assisted inspections and virtual reality for aircraft servicing.
Hyatt Announces Plans to Acquire Playa Hotels & Resorts N.V.
Hyatt Hotels Corporation have announced that Hyatt has entered into an agreement to acquire all outstanding shares of Playa Hotels & Resorts N.V. (NASDAQ: PLYA, Playa) for $13.50 per share, or approximately $2.6 billion, including approximately $900 million of debt, net of cash. Playa is a leading owner and operator of all-inclusive resorts in Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica and Hyatt is currently the beneficial owner of 9.4% of Playa’s outstanding shares.
European Waterways' Luxury Barge Cruises Embrace the Joys of Mindful Travel
In a world where travel often comes with the hustle and bustle of crowded tourist spots, the concept of mindful tourism is quickly making waves as a more enriching and responsible way of exploring new destinations. European Waterways, the leader in luxury barge cruising across Europe's inland waterways, is embracing this transformative approach, offering a unique way to experience Europe's hidden gems while fostering a deeper connection to local cultures and landscapes.
Capella Ubud, Bali, Welcomes Arvie Delvo as the New Executive Chef
Capella Ubud, Bali has announced the appointment of Arvie Delvo as the Executive Chef. With extensive experience in fine dining and upscale establishments in Auckland, New York, Manila, Dubai, and most recently as Executive Sous Chef at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental Abu Dhabi, Chef Arvie brings a unique culinary perspective and international flavours to the camp.
Treehouse Hotel Manchester Set to Open on 19th March 2025
Treehouse Hotel Manchester is set to welcome guests to its 224 guest rooms for fun and free-spirited stays – a one-of-a-kind addition to the city's hospitality scene The ground-floor destination restaurant Pip by Mary-Ellen McTague is also set to welcome guests alongside the hotel's opening