Tourism News Page 583
It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas with Emirates
Emirates invites customers to experience a sleigh-full of Christmas cheer for the whole month of December, with traditional treats and festive fare available across international lounges and a host of delights served inflight. For more than a million customers expected to travel in December, Emirates’ heartfelt hospitality celebrates the most wonderful time of the year.
IHG reignites relationship with Berjaya Land Berhad with first hotel agreement in Japan
IHG ANA Hotels Group Japan (IHG) today announces a management agreement with BHR Okinawa Management GK, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Berjaya Land Berhad, which in turn a subsidiary of Berjaya Corporation Berhad – one of Malaysia’s largest conglomerates – to return the ANA Crowne Plaza brand to Okinawa. The 123-room ANA Crowne Plaza Resort Okinawa Uruma Hills will join the IHG system early in 2025 and undertake a thoughtful renovation to embed Crowne Plaza brand hallmarks throughout.
Kimpton expands presence in Mexico with signing of hotel and branded residences in Monterrey
Kimpton, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ luxury and lifestyle portfolio, announces plans for a new boutique luxury hotel and branded residences in the bustling urban destination of Monterrey. As the brand’s sixth property planned for Mexico, Kimpton Monterrey will be located in the new-build mixed-use Torre Rise, set to be the tallest tower in Latin America. It is slated to open in 2026.
Hyatt Centric City Centre Kuala Lumpur Opens Its Doors
Hyatt Hotels Corporation has announced the opening of Hyatt Centric City Centre Kuala Lumpur, a hotel offering an inspiring stay that gives guests an insider’s look at the bustling Southeast Asian hub. The 312-room hotel opens its doors as a unique platform for discovering Malaysia’s cultural legacy through immersive spaces, curated experiences, and opportunities to connect with local communities in a deeper way.
Hilton Announces Entry to a New Territory with the Opening of Delfins Beach Resort Bonaire
Hilton has announced its entry to Bonaire, a Caribbean Island in the Leeward Antilles and territory of the Netherlands, with the debut of Delfins Beach Resort Bonaire, Tapestry Collection by Hilton. The opening underscores Hilton’s accelerated growth in the Caribbean, where the company has more than 45 open hotels and approximately 35 additional hotels in various stages of development. Hilton’s Caribbean growth plays an integral role in its broader expansion strategy across the Caribbean and Latin America. Currently, Hilton welcomes guests at more than 270 hotels across more than 30 countries and territories in the region, and consistently seeks opportunities to introduce its brands in new markets. Earlier this month, Hilton arrived in Paraguay with Palmaroga Hotel Asuncion, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, its first hotel in the country.
Waldorf Astoria Xiamen’s Chinese Restaurant HOKKLO Awarded Michelin One Star
Waldorf Astoria Xiamen’s Chinese restaurant HOKKLO has been awarded a prestigious one Michelin star in the 2025 Fujian Michelin Guide, adding another culinary gem to the Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts portfolio.
Princess Cruises Introduces 24/7 Dine Line to Expand Reservations Access & Enhance Cruise Experience
Princess Cruises has launched the Dine Line (1-833-805-DINE), a new 24/7 service designed to make access to dining reservations aboard the Love Boat more convenient than ever. Available around the clock, the Dine Line lets guests make or adjust dining reservations for traditional, specialty, and experiential options across the entire Princess fleet, including 360: An Extraordinary Experience aboard Discovery Princess and Enchanted Princess; as well as Love by Britto and Spellbound by Magic Castle available on Sun Princess and Star Princess. Whether dining as a couple or coordinating for groups of 8 to 50, the Dine Line accommodates every need.
Disney Vacation Club Welcomes First Guests to the Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas
The new Island Tower addition at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows is now open. Located on the scenic shores of the Seven Seas Lagoon at Walt Disney World Resort, the new tower is inspired by the vibrant spirit and rich cultures of the Polynesian Islands. The waterfront retreat adds 268 rooms to the resort, offering a unique variety of accommodations for Disney Vacation Club members and guests.
Short-term rentals dominate NYE travel, despite rising prices across Europe
The Data Appeal Company – Almawave Group has analyzed price trends for hotels and short-term rentals in over 25 European capitals and destinations, providing valuable insights into the shifting dynamics of travel preferences as we approach New Year’s Eve 2024. Utilizing D/AI Destinations, their proprietary data analysis platform, the study compared rates published on major OTAs for December 31, 2024, with those of the previous year. Short-term rentals outpace hotels Apartments and private homes continue to dominate the holiday accommodation market, even during New Year’s celebrations. The sharp rise in short-term rental prices across most European cities compared to last year reflects their growing appeal among travelers seeking unique and flexible lodging options. However, this popularity comes at a cost.
Servantrip expands into the Italian market through strategic partnership with WayPlans
Servantrip, the world’s leading B2B platform for activities and transfers, is thrilled to announce its expansion into the Italian market. Through a strategic partnership with WayPlans, a B2B platform for travel agencies, Servantrip continues its mission to enhance global connectivity and streamline travel experiences. This partnership grants WayPlans access to Servantrip’s extensive global portfolio of over 750,000 activities and transfers, providing their clients with unparalleled travel options. Additionally, Servantrip’s supplier partners will benefit from incremental, hard-to-reach, real-time bookings through WayPlans’ vast network of 2,600+ points of sale, further solidifying Servantrip’s footprint in the region.
Tourism Malaysia Presents “The Malaysia Mix:”
Tourism Malaysia invites North American travelers to experience “The Malaysia Mix,” a new campaign crafted just for them. Embracing rich diversity at every level, the campaign features captivating videos that showcase the unique blend of nature, cuisine, luxury, and cultural experiences found across the 13 states of this Southeast Asian destination.
FITUR 2025 will highlight the great tourism and trade opportunities between the USA and Spain
FITUR 2025, to be held from 22 to 26 January, organised by IFEMA MADRID, will be showcasing the great tourism and commercial opportunities that exist between the United States and Spain. In 2023, 3.8 million American tourists visited Spain, representing 4.5% of our international visitors. According to the Spanish Chamber of Commerce, the figure will approach four million in 2024. For its part, the United States could reach one million in 2025, consolidating Spain as its sixth international market.