The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees says that of the 266,940 migrants trying to reach Europe last year, 97% made the treacherous sea crossing from North Africa. Spain’s coastguard has rescued more than 400 migrants travelling in seven boats and trying to reach Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria and Tenerife.52 women and 33 children were among those trying to reach Spain’s … [Read more...]
Archives for 16/04/2024
Swede Ellsberger elected new head of standards body ETSI
Former Ericsson, Huawei manager takes up his role this summer. Jan Ellsberg, a former Vice-President of Ericsson, has been elected the new director general of standardisation body ETSI, following a vote at the General Assembly today (16 April), an ETSI spokesperson confirmed to Euronews. Ellsberger, a Swedish national, is also a former vice president of industry development at Chinese tech … [Read more...]
MEPs query fast-tracking farmer-friendly CAP reform
Some political groups appear unwilling to cede Parliament’s lawmaking prerogatives to fast-track eleventh-hour approval of major deregulation of the EU’s agricultural subsidies and soothe protesting farmers. Three political groups threaten to derail an attempt to fast-track a modification of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) designed to mollify protesting farmers during the last voting … [Read more...]
Last painting by Caravaggio going on display for first time in 20 years
The National Gallery is preparing to unveil the long-hidden artwork at last. The last painting by Italian master Caravaggio is going on display for the first time in 20 years in London.The National Gallery’s new exhibition "The Last Caravaggio" is shining a light on the tempestuous Italian artist, who was on the run and accused of murder at the time his last work was painted.The last … [Read more...]
Paris Olympics flame lit at Greek cradle of ancient games
The countdown to this year's staging of the ultimate world sporting event has begun in earnest. Even without the help of Apollo, the flame that is to burn at the Paris Olympics was kindled on Tuesday at the site of the ancient games in southern Greece.Cloudy skies prevented the traditional lighting, when an actress dressed as an ancient Greek priestess uses the sun to ignite a silver … [Read more...]
More homes flooded in Russian region bordering Kazakhstan
The devastation continues as water levels in a local river spike again. Nearly 14,500 homes have been flooded in a Russian region bordering Kazakhstan after water levels spiked in a nearby river, local authorities said on Tuesday.Thousands to evacuate their homes in the Orenburg region, located some 1,200 kilometres southeast of Moscow, when a dam on the Ural River burst last week under the … [Read more...]
Brussels picks fight over UK ban on sand eel fishing
The European Commission is demanding an explanation from the UK government over a biodiversity protection measure that bans the industrial fishing of sand eels in much of its territorial waters, a move which has upset Denmark, which holds the lion's share of the UK/EU post-Brexit quota. The European Commission has requested talks with the UK government after London decided to shut down … [Read more...]
Greece to become ‘first in Europe’ to ban bottom trawling in all marine protected areas
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis says it is a “historic moment for conservation in Greece”. Greece will ban bottom trawling in all of its marine protected areas (MPAs) by 2030, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced today.Speaking at the Our Ocean Conference in Athens, he said the country would become the first to bring an end to the damaging fishing practice in these protected … [Read more...]
Why did a blockchain entrepreneur team up with Hans Zimmer?
The creator behind a cryptocurrency has teamed up with acclaimed composer Hans Zimmer to release an anthem for the blockchain ecosystem. Justin Sun is a Chinese-born Grenadian cryptocurrency executive, best known for launching TRON, a blockchain ecosystem alongside its own cryptocurrency, TRX token, in 2017.TRON and the TRX token’s success put Sun in a position to both acquire the company … [Read more...]
Fourteen detained as protests continue over 'foreign agent' law in Georgia
Tens of thousands of protesters are set to gather on the streets of Tbsili on Tuesday for a second day of protests. Georgians have protested against the ruling party’s controversial "foreign agent law", with arrests reported Monday night. The draft bill was under discussion by the parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee on Tuesday, according to OC Media.The Ministry of Internal Affairs said … [Read more...]
23 member states sign Solar Charter, vow to tackle unfair competition
Leaders pledge extended support with new European Solar Charter to back European EU photovoltaic manufacturing. Leaders of 23 EU member states and the European Commission have signed a Solar Charter pledging to step up financing opportunities, skills capacity and to address unfair competition in the bloc during an Energy Council.Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, … [Read more...]
‘An excess of tourism’: Lake Como to introduce daytripper fee to curb visitor numbers
This Italian lakeside city wants to impose a daily visitor fee. Lake Como is glitzy, glamorous and engulfed by tourism.The third largest lake in Italy, it sees as many as 1.4 million visitors a year descend on its shores.The tourist numbers are proving overwhelming for the holiday hotspot in northern Italy, and one city is now considering introducing a tourist tax.Mayor of the lakeside city of … [Read more...]
Red Carnation debuts 100 Princes Street in Edinburgh
Red Carnation Hotels, the family-owned hotel collection, has announced the opening of its latest masterpiece and first property in Scotland, 100 Princes Street. Appeared first on: breakingtravelnews.com … [Read more...]
IHG launches AI travel planner
IHG Hotels & Resorts and Google Cloud have revealed an expanded partnership that will fuel new customer experiences within the IHG One Rewards mobile app. Using Google Cloud’s technologies, IHG will launch a generative AI-powered travel planning capability that can help guests plan their next vacation directly in the IHG One Rewards mobile app in a suite of new features that will launch in the … [Read more...]
How embedded payment processing is shaking up the travel experience
By Warren Dehan The hotel payment processing experience is ready for a shakeup. Improving payment processing in hotels has been a major barrier for independent operators, and yet the closer payment processes are to a business’ core systems, the more benefits they provide operators. Hotels have embraced the value of integrated payment processing, which allows merchants to integrate their … [Read more...]
Choice chooses Toast for two upscale brands
Toast, the digital technology platform built for restaurants, has collaborated with Choice Hotels International to make its Toast for Hotel Restaurants technology a brand standard for two of Choice’s upscale brands, Cambria Hotels and Radisson. Cambria and Radisson will implement Toast technology as a brand standard by summer 2025 for Cambria and by the beginning of 2026 for Radisson properties. … [Read more...]
DiamondRock completely restructures C-suite
DiamondRock Hospitality Company, a lodging-focused real estate investment trust that owns a portfolio of 36 premium hotels and resorts, has implemented leadership changes and a “simplified” organizational structure. Jeffrey Donnelly, previously EVP/CFO, has been appointed CEO. He is expected to join the company’s board of directors after the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which will be held … [Read more...]
DerbySoft serves as connectivity provider for Marriott Bonvoy MGM launch
DerbySoft was the connectivity technology provider for the recent launch of MGM Collection with Marriott Bonvoy. The exclusive long-term strategic licensing agreement between Marriott International and MGM Resorts allows guests to book participating MGM Collection resorts on Marriott’s digital platforms, including marriott.com and the Marriott Bonvoy mobile app. These resorts also remain available … [Read more...]
Meetings are back
It’s that time of year in our industry (though I’m pretty sure it’s always that time): Conventions and conferences are marked on our calendars—a few already in the rearview mirror, many still on the horizon. We’re an industry of travelers and assemblies—which makes perfect sense since we’re leaders in that space. We like to meet, to share, to convene and to learn from one another. And the hotel … [Read more...]
‘Unique and iconic’: The new Spanish gorge walk set to win tourists over
The Camino del Desfiladero del Tajo will let you see Ronda’s iconic gorge from a new perspective. A Spanish city that inspired artists like Ernest Hemingway and Orson Welles is set to win over many more visitors.Ronda in Malaga, southern Spain, is perched on top of a deep gorge and locals and tourists alike have long flocked to see the canyon with its impressive depths of more than 100 metres. … [Read more...]
Where to Stay in Los Angeles: A First Timers Guide to The Best Places
Los Angeles is a fantastic city and definitely the most popular tourist destination on the West Coast. It’s a place everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime, but trying to find a hotel in LA is similar to looking for a needle in a haystack. With more than 1,000 hotels to choose from, how on Earth can you settle on just one? With my help, of course! This detailed guide on all the best … [Read more...]
UK lawmakers to vote on plans to ban smoking for those born after 2009
The UK government's new Tobacco and Vapes Bill is intended to protect young people from the harms of smoking. British lawmakers will on Tuesday debate and vote on the government's plans to introduce a landmark smoking ban that aims to stop young people from ever smoking.The bill, a key policy announced by Conservative prime minister Rishi Sunak last year, will make it illegal to sell tobacco … [Read more...]
FCM Hotels names Michael Heeden president
FCM Hotels has appointed Michael Heeden as president. A 30-year veteran of the hospitality industry, he spent the past 16 years as president of Raleigh, NC-based Winston Hospitality Inc. Heeden specializes in hotel operations, development and asset management and has experience with a variety of properties nationwide, including urban, mixed-use, lifestyle-branded hotels, as well as casino hotels … [Read more...]
'Suspended States': Yinka Shonibare challenges colonial narratives in moving London exhibition
Historic colonial statues should not be destroyed, but reimagined, according to British artist Yinka Shonibare. A new solo exhibition of his work tackling Britain’s imperialist past has opened in London. The familiar face of Winston Churchill takes on a new hue in a vibrant exhibition recently unveiled at the Serpentine Gallery, located in London's Hyde Park. In a bold move to … [Read more...]
Mama Shelter Opens in Nice
Home to the brand first every rooftop pool, with bar, pizza oven and barbeque Vibrant design inspired by the many renowned French painters who resided in Nice A new and unique offering the city, offering an energetic atmosphere to locals and visitors Located in the relaxed Riquier District, adjacent to the Old Port June 2024 will see Mama Shelter Nice open its doors in the alluring Côte d'Azur, … [Read more...]
APF invests in $631M CMBS hotel refi
Direct capital provider Access Point Financial (APF) has closed a $90-million investment in Citibank’s recent $631.5 million CMBS SASB hotel portfolio refinance (HTL 2024-T53). The transaction, which Citi arranged for a joint venture between MCR Hotels and Building and Land Technology, included APF acquiring two bond tranches of the capital stack, totaling $90 million. “This showcases … [Read more...]
APS acquires two controlling tranches in Citibank’s $631M CMBS hotel refi
Direct capital provider Access Point Financial (APF) has successfully closed a $90-million investment in Citibank’s recent $631.5 million CMBS SASB hotel portfolio refinance (HTL 2024-T53). The transaction, which Citi arranged for a joint venture between MCR Hotels and Building and Land Technology, included APF acquiring two bond tranches of the capital stack, totaling $90M. “This … [Read more...]
Rockbridge, Delmonte acquire Providence Courtyard
Rockbridge and Delmonte Hotel Group have acquired the 219-room Courtyard Providence Downtown in Providence, RI. DelMonte will manage the property. The property is located steps away from the Rhode Island Convention Center, historic Union Station Complex and the headquarters of Citizens Financial Group. Brown University, Johnson and Wales University and Amica Mutual Pavilion are also nearby. The … [Read more...]
Radisson Hotel Group debuts in Odisha with opening of Pramod Lands End Resort, a member of Radisson Individuals
Capitalizing on the growing potential of hidden gems in India, Radisson Hotel Group is pleased to announce the opening of its first hotel in Gopalpur, Odisha - Pramod Lands End Resort, a member of Radisson Individuals. Known for its colonial heritage and picturesque landscapes, Gopalpur is a coveted tourist, wedding, and spiritual destination. Pramod Lands End Resort, a member of Radisson … [Read more...]
IMF Outlook: Eurozone growth set to rebound, but inflation at risk amid Middle East turmoil
IMF expects the Eurozone to recover from 2023's 0.4% growth, with projected rises to 0.8% in 2024 and 1.5% in 2025. Inflation decline allows central banks to consider rate cuts, but Middle East tensions threaten to hike oil prices and shipping costs, potentially dampening the economic outlook. After a sluggish growth rate of only 0.4% in 2023, largely due to the impacts of the Ukraine … [Read more...]