Tourism News Page 542
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.
Japan Airlines and JALPAK Launch Enhanced “Japan Airlines Vacations” Platform for Seamless Travel
Japan Airlines (JAL) and its subsidiary JALPAK have launched an enhanced “Japan Airlines Vacations” website to simplify the vacation planning process for international visitors. The new platform allows travelers to book round-trip international flights, domestic air tickets, hotels, and activities in a single package. It features a quick view option, improved search filters, and ski packages for popular destinations like Niseko and Furano. The platform is designed to accommodate rising inbound travel demand and streamline booking, offering greater convenience for tourists. Additionally, the website provides a special offer for free checked baggage for ski equipment, making it easier for travelers to enjoy winter sports in Japan.
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.
Malaysia Airlines Toasts Twin Accolades at Cellars in the Sky Awards
Malaysia Airlines has once again been recognised for its exceptional onboard wine selection, securing two prestigious accolades for its Business Class wines at the annual Cellars in the Sky Awards by Business Traveller. The airline earned a Silver award in the Business Class Red and Bronze in the Business Class Fortified/Dessert Wine category, reaffirming its commitment to offering a world-class inflight experience.
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
Top takeaways from the FHS World Advisory Board
Over 45 senior hospitality leaders came together in Dubai for the FHS World Advisory Board Meeting recently to discuss and shape the vision and agenda for the Future Hospitality Summit – FHS World, taking place in Dubai from 27-29 October 2025 at Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai. The Advisory Board meeting highlighted the fact that the hospitality industry is at a pivotal moment in time with critical trends, opportunities and challenges facing the industry today and in the future. Members expressed a clear desire for FHS World 2025 to address these with practical, actionable insights. The meeting provided a valuable roadmap for developing an engaging and impactful programme for the landmark 20th edition of the event.
Dubai welcomes 18.72 million international visitors in 2024, up 9% year-on-year
In yet another remarkable annual performance, Dubai welcomed 18.72 million international overnight visitors from January to December 2024, a 9% year-over-year increase that surpasses the previous record of 17.15 million in 2023, according to data from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).