Author: Shawon Hannan

The five-star Sofitel Sydney Wentworth officially unveils its extensive $70 million refurbishment, with final completion set for November. Ushering in a new era of French-inspired luxury and understated grandeur, the rebirth of this Sydney icon coincides with the Diamond Jubilee of the global Sofitel brand, celebrating 60 years. The five-star Sofitel Sydney Wentworth unveils its extensive $70 million (AUD) refurbishment with final completion set for November. Created by Qantas in the 1960s, Sofitel Sydney Wentworth has a storied history, spanning over half a century. Central to the hotel’s refurbishment vision was reigniting the ’60s jet-set glamour that characterised its original…

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The Ascott Limited (Ascott), CapitaLand Investment’s (CLI) wholly owned lodging business unit, has entered into a 50:50 joint venture with Jin Jiang Hotels (China Region). The partnership aims to drive the asset-light expansion of Ascott’s Quest and Jin Jiang Hotels’ TULIP LODJ apartment hotel brands in China, leveraging a franchise model to meet the growing demand for upscale and upper midscale apartment hotels. The joint venture will start by managing two operational properties in Wuhan and one in the pipeline in Shenzhen under the TULIP LODJ brand, encompassing about 600 units. Future plans include expanding the TULIP LODJ brand and…

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Compensation experts share how to claim for a cancelled and delayed flights and package holidays Birmingham Airport has been evacuated, and all flights have been suspended following a report of a suspicious vehicle. Airport operations are currently suspended and passengers are advised to NOT come to the airport at this time. For those caught in the disruption at Birmingham airport and still seeking compensation for flights or package holidays, a spokesperson for Claims.co.uk shares the best options: “Whilst booking a package holiday can slash the cost of going away, if your flight is cancelled you can risk having your whole holiday cancelled or rearranged. …

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In a new study conducted by travel experts, Pompeii Tickets & Tours, the most popular Italian holiday destinations on TikTok were identified. The study used TikTok Creative Centre to identify the most popular locations on TikTok, determining the number of hastags associated with each destination. Italy is a top holiday destination for people worldwide, known for its attractions, authentic cuisine, and rich culture. Many travellers share their experiences on social media, and this study focuses on identifying which Italian locations are most frequently featured on TikTok. Naples is the most popular Italian city on TikTok, featuring on feeds 4,000,000 times.…

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With dark tourism on the rise and expected to be a major travel trend in 2025, new research has revealed the most haunted spots in the US for those eager to explore the phenomenon. Dark tourism is about visiting morbid destinations where some of the darkest events have occurred, giving travellers that sense of thrill and intrigue. The trend is expected to grow to account for a market value of $38.64 billion by 2030. With this in mind, The travel experts at North America travel specialist Journeyscape have uncovered the USA’s most haunted destinations that will set the perfect tone for a spooky season…

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A new study has revealed the most Instagrammable Christmas markets in Europe ahead of the Christmas season. Lifestyle magazine Dailybase gathered a list of the best Christmas markets across Europe and took to Instagram to analyse how many posts with associated hashtags had been uploaded for each one. Manchester, England, has been named the most Instagrammable Christmas market, with a massive 71,117 total Instagram hashtags. Featuring over 200 stalls at nine different locations, attendees can indulge in seasonal goodies, including handmade gifts, craft items, and mulled wine. The city is decorated from head to toe in festive lights, making it…

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White Paper offers practical insights for travel intermediaries navigating the complexities of cross-border B2B travel payments SUNRATE, a global payments and treasury management platform, has unveiled a new white paper entitled “Navigating the Complexities of Cross-Border B2B Travel Payments: Practical Insights for Travel Intermediaries” at Travel Tech Asia 2024, Asia’s premier Travel Technology Trade Show. According to Statista, global revenue from the online travel market reached nearly 600 billion US dollars in 2023, with projections indicating steady growth in the coming years, expected to surpass 800 billion US dollars by 2028. Moreover, when examining global travel and tourism revenue by…

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Green Marine Europe (GME), the European environmental certification program dedicated to the maritime industry, unveiled its 5th annual performance report last week, following a half-day of discussions in Brussels (Belgium) focused on the environmental transition of the industry and its financing. 66 members across 10 European countries Adapted by Surfrider Foundation Europe from the North American Green Marine certification program, Green Marine Europe now has 66 members across 10 European countries: United Kingdom, France, Germany, Belgium, Spain, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden. With continued growth, this membership includes 31 participants (shipowners and shipyards), 18 supporters (scientific research institutes, environmental organizations, and government agencies), 8 associations representing the maritime industry, and 9…

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London is the most cinematic European capital city, with 214 major movies filmed there over the last five years From the romantic streets of Paris to the ancient landmarks of Rome, Europe has served as a backdrop for countless films. Its rich culture, iconic attractions, diverse landscapes and wealth of established film studios make it a treasure trove for filmmakers. Experts at Confused.com travel insurance have uncovered which European capital cities are the most popular blockbuster filming locations. London was crowned the ultimate filming hotspot out of all European capital cities, with 214 films (with over 1,000 ratings on IMDB) shot over…

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New data from travel experts Disneyland Tickets has named Frankfurt as the number one budget-friendly destination for families looking to jet off during the October half-term. The study crunched the numbers on Airbnb stays and flights for a five-day getaway (from 28th October to 1st November) for a family of four departing from London. It revealed the cities that offer the best value without breaking the bank. Taking the top spot is Frankfurt, where a family of four can enjoy a half-term break for an average of just £656.04. With return flights as cheap as £116 and reasonably priced Airbnb…

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