Travel News Page 631
‘Active Escapes Festival’ Confirmed for Kandooma in 2025
Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives is pleased to announce the return of Active Escapes retreats in 2025. The week-long Active Escapes Maldives Festival will be held 27 April - 4 May 2025 at the private island resort. Billed as the biggest Active Escapes event of the year, those who like to combine energetic recreation with holiday zen look no further than Kandooma in 2025. Prices start from US$2,600++ per person, twin share.
European Waterways Elevates Culinary Experiences with Exclusive Gourmet Dining Opportunities
European Waterways, the leading luxury hotel barge cruising company, continues to delight guests with extraordinary culinary experiences that blend fine dining, cultural immersion, and the art of slow travel. From dining in a historic winemaker’s “cuve” to savouring meals in the private salons of chateaux, these gastronomic adventures create a feast for the senses, offering guests a deeper connection to the heritage and flavours of Europe.
Viking Announces 10 New Ocean Itineraries in 2026 and 2027
Viking® today announced 10 new ocean itineraries in the Mediterranean, United Kingdom, Ireland and Northern Europe are now available for booking in 2026 and 2027. The new itineraries range from eight to 22 days and feature 12 additional recurring ports that are new for Viking ocean voyages: Fowey, England; Bordeaux, France; Limerick (Foynes), Ireland; Riga, Latvia; Klaipeda, Lithuania; Londonderry, Northern Ireland; Haugesund, Norway; Palma de Mallorca and Bilbao, Spain; Fort William and Tobermory, Scotland; and Karlskrona, Sweden.
EVA Air Joins the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) for the First Time
EVA Air, Taiwan’s leading independent airline, has achieved a major milestone in its sustainability journey by debuting on the DJSI Emerging Markets Indices. Due to its leadership and commitment to sustainable practices, the airline secured the highest Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) score in the global aviation sector in the 2024 S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment
Sheraton Grand Doha Celebrates Qatar National Day
The Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel hosted its annual Qatar National Day celebration in its iconic and majestic lobby. This grand event marked the occasion with great pride and elegance. The momentous day began with a traditional cake-cutting ceremony featuring a design inspired by Qatar Tourism, showcasing Qatar’s iconic landmarks and modern architecture. This design beautifully reflected the nation’s blend of tradition, innovation, and hospitality—a fitting tribute set against the backdrop of Sheraton Grand Doha, a legendary symbol of celebration and unity. Thousands of balloons cascaded from above, creating a scene of joy and grandeur, further enhanced by cultural performances and a selection of traditional local delicacies that celebrated the rich heritage and spirit of Qatari culture.
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.