Passalacqua, one of Lake Como's most spectacular private homes, has opened its doors to its new luxury spa after a three-year restoration project.  Standing above the village of Moltrasio, with seven acres of terraced gardens sweeping down to the lake's shore, the 18th-century Villa is steeped in history. Passalacqua is the passion project of one of Italy's leading hoteliers, the De Santis family, owners of the iconic Grand Hotel Tremezzo. Less than two years after opening, the hotel has unveiled its latest hidden secret: a brand-new spa located in the villa's tunnels and ancient greenhou ..read more

General managers wear different hats depending on what the day calls for. No day is like another, but guests remain at the forefront of everything. Having been in the hospitality industry for nearly three decades, Shaarn Letele began his career as a room attendant here in Auckland. After relocating to Sydney, Letele joined the Accor Group and later TFE Hotels, where he has been hotel general manager for fifteen years. Presently at the Adina Apartment Hotel at Sydney’s Darling Harbour, Letele is looking forward to the hotel's exciting new plans. Located in the heart of Sydney’s CBD, at King Str ..read more

As the general manager of Gold Coast’s Vibe Hotel, Sid Bhatia has a dynamic and multifaceted role that includes leadership, strategic thinking, and operational excellence. Bhatia leads a team of department heads, sets clear expectations, provides guidance, and fosters a positive work environment to ensure everyone is aligned with the hotel's goals. Ensuring guests have a memorable and enjoyable stay is paramount. He also oversees the hotel's financial aspects, identifies areas for improvement and makes strategic decisions to optimise revenue and profitability. “I represent the hotel within the ..read more

As the general manager of the Vibe Hotel at Sydney’s Darling Harbour, Emma Sutherland has led and inspired a team to provide exceptional guest experiences and meet commercial targets. Her day-to-day responsibilities range from being on the front line with her team, interacting and engaging with guests, to working closely with key stakeholders and business partners on driving revenue and financial targets. “Daily, we work together to drive hotel performance in sales, revenue, finance, guest service, team performance, asset management, and overall quality across all business departments,” said S ..read more

Two sustainable restaurants in the Phuket area, JAMPA and Aulis by Simon Rogan, have collaborated for two exclusive events this month. On the 24th of May, JAMPA's executive chef, Rick Dingen, and Aulis Phuket's head chef, Charlie Wilson, will present a 15-course tasting menu at JAMPA. The menu will feature signature dishes from both restaurants, emphasising respect for local ingredients and the environment. Guests can also enjoy a more relaxed lunch at HiDEAWAY by JAMPA at an outdoor chef's table on the Pru Jampa Farm on the 25th of May. The dining experiences will feature a variety of dishes ..read more

Blacksford RV has created a scenic road trip around Yellowstone and Grand Teton, covering its finest attractions through a seven-day itinerary.  Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks are iconic destinations with abundant wildlife, hiking trails, scenic drives, and majestic mountains. With Blacksford RV, customers can embark on a customisable seven-day adventure in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. This flexibility ensures that participants can discover the best things to see and do at their own pace.  Yellowstone is one of the largest National Parks in the US, with his ..read more

Sabre Corporation has unveiled a strategic alliance with Hotel Management Japan, a leading hotel operator overseeing some of Japan’s most prestigious hotels.  This agreement will involve Hotel Management Japan and utilise SynXis, Sabre Hospitality’s cloud-based commerce and distribution platform, to improve its connectivity to travel agents and travel management companies worldwide.  The company, which manages over 6,400 hotel rooms across Japan, will establish a robust connection to the leading Global Distribution Systems through SynXis for their brands, including ORIENTAL HOTELS &a ..read more

Australia | Pacific Airshow Gold Coast has announced a two-year partnership extension with Australia’s largest hotel operator, Accor, as the official accommodation partner. Last year, the event sold out, drawing nearly 250,000 visitors. Pacific Airshow began in 2016 in Huntington Beach and has since become the largest Airshow event in Australia.  As part of the partnership, Accor is offering Airshow fans the best rates when joining Accor’s lifestyle loyalty programme, where they can save with a special Members’ Rate and earn points on every stay at brands like Peppers, Novotel, Mantra, Br ..read more

IHG Hotels & Resorts has announced its growth in the European upscale extended stay segment with the signing of Staybridge Suites Budapest - Parkside, Hungary; Staybridge Suites Antwerp, Belgium; and Staybridge Suites Belfast, Northern Ireland. The agreements demonstrate the continued popularity of the extended stay segment amongst owners and guests. They also reflect on the strength of IHG’s brand portfolio to deliver stays in the all-suites segment - ideal for guests seeking a more spacious or a longer stay experience. Staying true to the brand’s ethos, these recent additions to the Stay ..read more

According to Technavio, the global travel vaccines market will grow by USD 3.97 billion from 2024 to 2028, at a CAGR of almost 8.64 percent during the forecast period. The Travel Vaccines Market in North America is expected to dominate the global scene due to the presence of organisations like the Pan American Health Organisation and the requirement of proof of vaccination for international travel. The market caters to first-time travellers and regular vacationers, offering vaccines such as BOOSTRIX, INFANRIX, Pediarix, BEXSERO, MENVEO, and influenza vaccines. With the increasing prevalen ..read more