Tourism News Page 260
ECOFRY honoured with World’s Leading Small Sustainable Organisation 2025 title
ECOFRY, a provider of high-performance cooking oil solutions for hospitality venues, has been recognised with the title of World’s Leading Small Sustainable Organisation 2025 by voters at the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards (WSTHA). The prize was revealed in front of hundreds of global leaders of sustainable tourism gathered in Dubai for the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards 2025. The VIP ceremony was held at Terra, Expo City Dubai and recognised the individuals and organisations that are accelerating change in net positive tourism.
HILTON ANNOUNCES THE OPENING OF HILTON BAHRAIN CITY CENTRE HOTEL & RESIDENCES
Hilton has announced the opening of Hilton Bahrain City Centre Hotel & Residences, introducing a new era of residential-style living and world-class hospitality in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Ideally located in the heart of Manama’s Al Seef District, this new property blends the comforts of home with the sophistication of Hilton hospitality. Deputy Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, officially inaugurated the property. The opening marks a new milestone in Bahrain’s luxury hospitality scene.
Jingle All The Way: Finnair lands at Manchester with Official Santa Claus
Finnair, the Official Airline of Santa Claus, landed at Manchester Airport yesterday with a very jolly customer on board, as it officially starts the countdown to Christmas. The most famous Finn, Santa Claus, flew with Finnair from Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi to Manchester, via Finnair’s home hub in Helsinki. His stopover in Manchester will be the only European leg of his international tour, spreading Christmas joy around the world. Touching down in Manchester for a pre-Christmas festive visit, Santa Claus was spotted disembarking the Nordic carrier’s A320, before jingling through Terminal 2, a new location for Finnair and collecting his Christmas presents from baggage reclaim.
Aldar and ADIO Unveil New Luxury Rewards Experience at The Galleria Al Maryah Island
As Abu Dhabi enters a standout moment in its cultural and social calendar, the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), in partnership with Darna Rewards by Aldar and The Galleria Al Maryah Island, announces the launch of Unlock Luxury Rewards. This exclusive two-week experience, running from 1 to 14 December 2025, brings an unmatched luxury rewards experience to the capital’s leading retail destination. Arriving during a month marked by flagship events, from Eid Al Etihad and the F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, to the debut of Sotheby’s Collectors’ Week and the return of Abu Dhabi Finance Week, the initiative responds to a growing demand for elevated retail experiences among residents and international visitors alike.
Arival report reveals young travelers are planning trips around concerts, matches and performances
The latest report from Arival – the leading authority for the tours, activities and experiences industry – reveals a major shift in how younger travelers plan and spend. Events – from music festivals and cultural performances to live sports – are no longer add-ons; they’re the reason for the trip. Arival’s Event-Driven Traveler report, which was based on an online survey of 2,400 US and European travelers (France, Germany, Spain, and the UK) was conducted in fall 2024. Respondents qualified as “event travelers” if they had taken a leisure trip at least 100 miles from home in the past year, stayed overnight, and attended a performing arts or sporting event. The study explored their behaviors, preferences, and attitudes around event attendance, trip planning, and spending.
JW Marriott and Marimekko Invite Guests to Discover Joyful Experiences and Mindful Living
JW Marriott, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of over 30 extraordinary hotel brands, unveils its unique collaboration with Finnish design house Marimekko in Greater China. As part of JW Marriott’s marketing campaign “Stay in the Moment”, the partnership brings together Marimekko’s joyful artistry and JW Marriott’s mindful approach to luxury. Through a series of immersive experiences, including “Blissful Stay”- themed rooms and suites, pop-up installations, afternoon teas, and creative workshops, the collaboration offers a playful encounter between mindful luxury and bold prints and colors, creating a visually delightful and uplifting experience for the senses. “We are honored to partner with Marimekko to present a new perspective on modern luxury,” said Bart Buiring, Managing Director, Luxury, Greater China, Marriott International. “This collaboration brings together bold prints and colors and serene luxury, creating an environment filled with optimism and energy that allows our guests to feel both joyful and revitalized.”
Tourism Recovery Tour of Ocho Rios
Minister Bartlett will lead a Tourism Recovery Tour of Ocho Rios to highlight the phased reopening of Ocho Rios hotels, attractions and local businesses, focusing on responsible and people-centred recovery efforts. It is the first in a series of tours of tourism destinations, designed to demonstrate operational readiness, job protection, and support for small businesses as Jamaica’s tourism sector recovers.
CHTA ANNOUNCES 2025 TASTE OF THE CARIBBEAN WINNERS
The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) is pleased to announce that Bonaire was named the Caribbean National Culinary Team of the Year. Considered the Caribbean’s premier culinary and cultural competition, as well as food and beverage educational exchange, the event was held concurrently with the Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF), which took place in Barbados from November 16-18.
World Tourism Film Awards Set to Take Place in Guimarães, Portugal
For the first time, the World Tourism Film Awards will take place in Portugal, with the city of Guimarães chosen to host the 37th edition of this prestigious international event, scheduled for 4 and 5 December. The initiative is organized by the International Committee of Tourism Film Festivals (CIFFT) and the Guimarães Municipality, with the support of Tourism Porto & North of Portugal, and recognizes the best audiovisual productions while highlighting the role of video as a strategic tool for promoting destinations, products, and tourism services. The official awards ceremony will be held at Teatro Jordão, in Guimarães, on 5th December, bringing together tourism professionals, creative agencies, production companies, media from across the world, as well as national and international guests from countries such as Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Poland, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Colombia, the United Kingdom, Germany, Greece, Morocco, among others
Dubrovnik honoured with World’s Leading Sustainable Destination title
Croatian tourism capital City of Dubrovnik has been recognised with the title of World’s Leading Sustainable Destination 2025 by voters at the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards (WSTHA). The prize was revealed in front of hundreds of global leaders of sustainable tourism gathered in Dubai for the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards 2025. The VIP ceremony was held at Terra, Expo City Dubai and recognised the individuals and organisations that are accelerating change in net positive tourism.
Dubai honoured World’s Leading Sustainable City title World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards
Dubai has been recognised with the title of World’s Leading Sustainable City 2025 by voters at the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards (WSTHA). The prize was revealed in front of hundreds of global leaders of sustainable tourism gathered in Dubai for the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards 2025. The VIP ceremony was held at Terra, Expo City Dubai and recognised the individuals and organisations that are accelerating change in net positive tourism.
Aitken Spence Hotels honoured with World’s Leading Sustainable Female Empowerment Initiative title
Hospitality provider Aitken Spence Hotels has been recognised with the title of World’s Leading Sustainable Female Empowerment Initiative 2025 by voters at the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards (WSTHA). The prize was revealed in front of hundreds of global leaders of sustainable tourism gathered in Dubai for the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards 2025. The VIP ceremony was held at Terra, Expo City Dubai and recognised the individuals and organisations that are accelerating change in net positive tourism.