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      FOCUS ON SOCIAL AND ECOLOGICAL SUSTAINABILITY AT ITB BERLIN

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      The ITB Responsible Tourism track at the ITB Berlin Convention features climate change action, resilience and regeneration as key topics. BTN’s Sion Rapson looks at the events taking place at this year’s event.
      Socially responsible tourism has long been on the agenda of the World’s Leading Travel Trade Show. This year’s ITB Berlin, which is taking place from 7 to 9 March 2023, is again raising awareness for social responsibility in tourism with a wide range of panel discussions, seminars and lectures. The ITB Responsible Tourism track at the ITB Berlin Convention (until 2020 the CSR Day) and the 18th Green Business Forum for Tourism Professionals (known until 2020 as the Pow-Wow for Tourism Professionals) are a significant part of this. As well as the Responsible Tourism track, the Sustainable Destination track and Diversity & Inclusion Track will also feature experts and representatives of selected exhibitors talking about socially responsible tourism, equal rights, diversity, inclusion and sustainable tourism development.
      At ITB Berlin, responsible tourism stands for environmentally and socially responsible tourism around the world. Hall 4.1 is where traditionally numerous exhibitors with a strong commitment to socially responsible tourism are gathered. Thus, there will again be a combined stand with Tourism Watch, the Roundtable on Human Rights in Tourism, ECPAT Germany, The Code and Studienkreis für Tourismus und Entwicklung, together with the stands of the Import Promotion Desk (IPD), the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) and UNESCO. In Hall 4.1, exhibitors with a focus on environmentally responsible tourism will include My Climate, Atmosfair and Forum Anders Reisen. From 7 to 9 March on the ITB Lighthouse Stage in Hall 4.1, the focus will be on the 18th Green Business Forum for Tourism Professionals. Exhibitors in Hall 4.1 and leading international experts representing every tourism market, business and science will discuss topics including overtourism, marine protection and pollution, regional foods in hotels and restaurants, biodiversity, alternative mobility and cycle tourism. On Thursday, the last Day of ITB Berlin, the popular on-stage ITB Responsible Tourism Network Event will be taking place again. This is co-organised by ITB Berlin and its longtime Responsible Tourism partner The Blue Yonder.
      Focus on the future at the Responsible Tourism track on Thursday, 9 March
      On Thursday, 9 March, the Responsible Tourism Track with climate change action, resilience and regeneration as its key topics will again be an unmissable event at the ITB Berlin Convention. At the Responsible Tourism track on the Orange Stage in Hall 7.1a an interim assessment will be given on the Agenda 2030 with its 17 Sustainable Development Goals. How the tourism industry can live up to its promises on the environment while becoming a more equitable sector will be the subject of debates, scientific reports and critical panel discussions, with best practices provided as evidence. At 2 p.m. the topics of climate change, rising sea levels and resilience will be addressed in a speech by Abdulla Mausoom, tourism minister of the Maldives, followed by a session on practical problem-solving with regard to tourism.ADVERTISEMENTAt 4 p.m. at the session entitled ’Shaping a just and equitable industry transformation’, the focus will be on employment conditions in tourism. Following a keynote speech by Dirk Meyer, department head, Global Health, Economy, Trade and Rural Development at the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the panel members Leila Ben-Gacem, social entrepreneur and founder of Blue Fish, Benjamin Owen, project manager, UNWTO, Anjana Raza, head of Social Sustainability, Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, and Merten Sievers, global coordinator, Value Chains and Entrepreneurship SME Unit, International Labour Organization (ILO), will discuss how to achieve sustainable jobs, a socially and ecologically responsible industrial transformation, climate adaptation and resilience against the backdrop of climate change and the impact of external shocks.
      On Thursday, 9 March at 5.45 p.m., the Responsible Tourism track will conclude with an open reception on the Orange Stage in Hall 7.1a. As part of the industry dialogue entitled ’Tourism for Sustainable Development’, the Agency for Business and Economic Development, the cooperative network Business Scouts for Development and the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) are extending an invitation to an open exchange with policymakers, representatives of the private sector and civic organisations.
      Diversity & Inclusion track and Sustainable Destination track as platforms for discussing the development of sustainable destinations on Tuesday, 7 March
      The ITB Diversity track sees itself as a discussion platform for raising awareness in order to make tourism more inclusive and fair and to ensure respect for human rights in tourism. Authentic speakers will report on activities setting examples around the world and in every tourism market. The programme will feature discussions on LGBTQ+ tourism, gender equality, inclusion, equal rights. the rights of indigenous peoples and on how war and geopolitical events impact tourism.
      At the LGBTQ+ session entitled ’LQBTQ+ Tourism und Resilience’, an announcement will also be made on the winner of the ITB LGBTQ+ Pioneer Award. The session will begin at 12.10 p.m. on the Green Stage in Hall 3.1. On Thursday, 9 March at 7 p.m. at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, on the last day of ITB Berlin, the ITB Diversity Gala will take place for the first time in support of the IGLTA Foundation. During the event a silent auction will conclude in support of the foundation.
      Destinations and companies need to invest in intelligent, sustainable development and place an emphasis on the quality of life of local communities and their supply chains. Destination development in the future must above all focus on resilience – at the Sustainable Destination track on Tuesday, 7 March, on the Green Stage in Hall 3.1, speakers championing ideas on this subject will present their views, implementation practices and applied sciences.
      On Tuesday, 7 March from 2 to 2.45 p.m., in addition to the long-established TO DO! Award for socially responsible tourism, Studienkreis für Tourismus und Entwicklung will for the third time present the TO DO! Human Rights in Tourism Award on the Green Stage in Hall 3.1. ITB Berlin will also be on the jury. Studienkreis für Tourismus und Entwicklung has presented this award annually since 2017. It honours initiatives, projects and individuals for outstanding achievements in protecting and defending human rights principles throughout the entire tourism value chain.
      Inspiring stories which show how destinations all over the world are trying to make tourism more resilient and sustainable by making a positive contribution to the local community and environment – these are being honoured by ITB Berlin. On Tuesday, 7 March, at 4.35 p.m. on the Green Stage in Hall 3.1, the Green Destinations Group will present the Green Destination Story Awards. The award recognises the most inspiring initiatives in six categories out of all the entries for the annual Green Destinations Top 100 Stories competition. At ITB Berlin three finalists per category will receive awards. The ceremony will also honour the winners of the ITB Earth Award and People’s Choice Award. The ITB Earth Award honours destinations displaying initiative and global leadership in the fight against climate change and environmental destruction and in support of sustainable tourism. At the presentation of the Green Destination Story Awards the destination voted for by the public will receive the People’s Choice Award. The complete stories of the nominated destinations can be found under nominated stories.
      Full details of the programme of theme tracks can be found here: Responsible Tourism Track, Diversity & Inclusion Track, Sustainable Destination Track. https://www.itb.com/
      Highlights marking International Women’s Day on 8 March
      8 March, which is International Women’s Day and a public holiday in Berlin, will provide an opportunity for additional events on gender equality. On 7 March, the day before International Women’s Day, at the ITB Berlin Convention at the Diversity & Inclusion track on the Green Stage in Hall 3.1, a session will take place on gender equality. This will examine whether tourism can help further empower women around the world and drive emancipation, and to what extent gender equality can better assist fighting the climate crisis. On 8 March at midday at the hybrid studio in Hall 5.3, an event will take place with the winners of the International Social Entrepreneurship in Tourism Competition, which was co-founded by ITB Berlin. The number of entries is very high. On Wednesday, 8 March, from 3.30 to 4.15 p.m. at the hybrid studio, the presentation will take place of the fifth Celebrating Her Award, a collaboration between ITB Berlin and the Indian representatives of the International Institute for Peace in Tourism (IIPT), which honours women for their outstanding achievements in tourism. Images of previous years’ winners will be on display at a small exhibition in Hall 7.1. Afterwards, at 4.45 p.m., the presentation will take place for the first time of the Gender Equality Champion of the Year award held by the NGO Equality in Tourism, in cooperation with ITB Berlin. The first award of its kind in the tourism sector, it honours tourism organisations for their outstanding achievements in supporting gender equality. The idea is to celebrate successes, but also to drive improvements and encourage tourism companies to integrate gender equality in their policies and the day-to-day working environment. Last year, the organisation was itself the recipient of the Human Rights Award of the Studienkreis für Tourismus. The session and both awards ceremonies can also be followed live on ITBxplore.
      Over the three days of ITB Berlin donations will be collected on the exhibition grounds for a welfare project chosen by this year’s host country Georgia. This year, donations will be going to support the Georgian Farmers‘ Association (GFA). This non-profit organisation was established in 2012 and currently numbers 4,000 farmers from all parts of Georgia.

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      Heathrow’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel Incentive Scheme Triples Use in 2023

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      Greener, cleaner jet fuel has become a hot commodity at Heathrow as the airport embarks on the second year of its Sustainable Aviation Fuel incentive scheme.In 2022 Heathrow launched a world first – an airport SAF incentive programme which aimed to cover up to 50% of the extra cost, making the fuel more affordable for airlines to use. With last year’s scheme oversubscribed, Heathrow is now aiming to triple the percentage used in 2023 to approximately 1.5%, putting the airport on course to be one the world’s largest users of SAF this year. Participants of the scheme include IAG, Virgin Atlantic, United Airlines, Air France, KLM and JetBlue.
      SAF is a proven technology that reduces carbon emissions by up to 70% compared with traditional jet fuel. It can be made from a variety of sources, including waste, animal fat and cooking oil. SAF can work in existing aircraft without the need for technical modifications, and with advancements in aircraft technology like electric or hydrogen-powered flight still some way from commercial implementation, SAF is the key to unlocking material reductions in carbon today.As a global SAF leader, Heathrow is committed to progressively increasing the SAF used each year, with the airport targeting 11% SAF usage by 2030. This year alone the SAF incentive is expected to save over 81,000 tonnes of CO2 and with a proven track record of success, Heathrow’s incentive scheme can now serve as blueprint for other airports to follow suit and introduce SAF into their own operations.
      Heathrow’s innovative SAF programme marks the next step in the airport and the UK aviation sector’s plan for net zero flying, but the airport recognises that the sector could move more quickly and cut carbon faster if Government injected pace into the expansion of SAF with supportive policy making. High costs and low production volumes mean it remains in short supply with few able to access it at commercially viable rates.
      The appetite to invest is there, but investors want certainty in the longer-term use of this technology before pouring in their capital. The US have acted directly to shore up SAF’s economic and Net Zero impact: the Inflation Reduction Act – which includes a tax credit scheme designed to lure SAF investors to America – is leaving the UK at risk of missing out on the multi-billion-pound industry. Government must act now to support a SAF industry for the UK, which learns from but does not seek to replicate the US system. This can be achieved by introducing a “contracts for difference” price support mechanism –which would help to cut the price premium between SAF and fossil fuel and was successfully used to boost technologies in the UK like solar and wind.Government must also act swiftly by committing into legislation a 10% mandate for SAF use by 2030 this year, before the impetus and the value is lost. Delay could mean that the UK SAF industry suffers and cannot keep up internationally. By delivering both, the UK will see an immediate and tangible impact – with investment, jobs and skills seen right across the UK.
      Heathrow CEO John Holland-Kaye said: “Sustainable aviation fuel is not just about protecting the benefits of aviation in a net zero world – it’s about economic opportunity, creating jobs here in the UK and securing the country’s future energy supplies. Heathrow has led the way on decarbonising aviation by incentivising airlines to use SAF, and Team Heathrow is now probably the biggest user of SAF in the world. But it is currently all imported.  If Britain really wants to compete with the scale of ambition and the credible action seen from the US and Europe, supportive Government policy is needed and it is needed now.”ADVERTISEMENT

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      MSC Group Sends Relief Aid on Board MSC Aurelia to Earthquake-Hit Areas in Turkey and Syria

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      MSC Group Sends Relief Aid on Board MSC Aurelia to Earthquake-Hit Areas in Turkey and Syria

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      The MSC Group and the MSC Foundation have organized an urgent response to support the population in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in Türkiye and Syria.A wide effort is underway across the MSC family and the company is closely coordinating with the Turkish authorities, the Italian Foreign Ministry and the Vatican. MSC Aurelia, normally used as a passenger and vehicle ferry, departed from the Port of Naples on 16 February heading for the port of Iskenderun (Alexandretta).
      MSC Aurelia, with a cargo capacity of 40 trucks and 400+ cars, loaded basic necessities and first aid items collected by the MSC Group and the MSC Foundation, together with the Rava Foundation. The cargo onboard includes 60 pallets of medical supplies, food, hygiene items, warm clothing and blankets, as well as toys and crayons for children. An additional 50 boxes of thermal shirts are being carried on behalf of the Vatican.
      We express our gratitude to the EcoEridania Group for participating in the initiative with an in-kind donation and for assisting with logistics for the relief shipment.
      Once it reaches its destination, the MSC Aurelia will be available as emergency accommodation, providing the impacted communities with over 1,000 beds and leisure spaces including a restaurant and cinema, as well as video-game entertainment for children.
      In addition, thanks to the collaboration between the MSC Foundation and the UN Refugee Agency – also known as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) – a further 100 containers carrying first aid supplies (including blankets, mattresses, sleeping bags, kitchen sets, jerry cans and lamps) are departing from Jordan via Haifa, the headquarters of the UN Refugee Agency’s warehouses. The containers will be destined for Gaziantep and other cities hit hardest by the earthquake and will be at the disposal of the relief workers already onsite caring for survivors.ADVERTISEMENTFurthermore, MSC Türkiye has set up temporary accommodation at Iskenderun port using empty containers for 300 MSC Group employees and their families who unfortunately lost their homes in the earthquake disaster. MSC Türkiye is also arranging for the distribution of food, beverages and items to meet basic needs. In the same way, the MSC Group, in cooperation with the Turkish Ministry of Internal Affairs, is carrying and providing thousands of empty containers to four of Türkiye’s hardest-hit provinces: Adıyaman, Gaziantep, Hatay and Kahramanmaraş. The containers will provide temporary shelter for the earthquake survivors.
      The support of the MSC Group and the MSC Foundation also includes a global fundraising campaign among employees of the group. Every donation by an employee of MSC will be matched by the MSC Foundation and will be used to support organizations working on reconstruction projects in Türkiye and Syria.
      “We feel a strong sense of obligation to act promptly in order to support the people most in need by all means. We are a part of a global organization that can set in motion a large-scale operation by involving foundations and associations that we collaborate with all around the world. As soon as the terrible earthquake in Türkiye and Syria struck, we immediately took action to collect funds, supplies and food, which we can deliver on our ships within a short period of time. This is where the valuable collaboration with the Francesca Rava Foundation comes in, which we thank for immediately joining this initiative. The departure of MSC Aurelia from the port of Naples is an initial example of what we are doing, while we keep on working to provide associations and governments with what we can, so that by sea and by land some comfort can reach those who are presently living in dire situations and, in the future, for the rebuilding of cities and the environment. It is not the first time that MSC Foundation and the MSC Group have been on the front lines of emergency relief operations: in 2022, we provided extraordinary funding worth millions of euros to offer aid to refugees from Ukraine and led eight emergency relief initiatives in nine countries, strengthening our global emergency capabilities,” said Daniela Picco, Executive Director of the MSC Foundation.
      Mariavittoria Rava, President of the Francesca Rava Foundation, said: “We are wholeheartedly close to the children and families affected by this immense tragedy, which brought back memories of the terrible earthquake that destroyed the very poor Haiti in 2010. As always in emergencies, Francesca Rava Foundation’s goal is to act quickly and in agreement with local institutions and partners, as was the case on this occasion also with Joy For Children Aps and Salaheddini Eyyubi Yardim Dernegi, which have already been operating for several years on the Turkish-Syrian border. I am deeply grateful to the MSC Foundation for this important and valuable synergy, which allows us to bring further concrete help to the earthquake victims. In emergencies, it is always very important to identify the most urgent needs right away and develop targeted and timely action. To continue to help we need funds: stay close to us, together we can make a difference in the lives of those who suffer. Thank you.”

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      The 23rd World Travel & Tourism Council Global Summit will take place in Kigali, Rwanda,

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      The 23rd World Travel & Tourism Council Global Summit will take place in Kigali, Rwanda,

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      The 23rd World Travel & Tourism Council Global Summit will take place in Kigali, Rwanda, 1st – 3rd November 2023
      WTTC’s annual Global Summit is the most influential Travel & Tourism event on the calendar, and this year, industry leaders will once again gather with key government representatives to continue aligning efforts to support the sector’s recovery and move beyond to a safer, more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable future.
      More information will follow on how to register for this hybrid event, but for now just add WTTC’s industry leading event to your diary – you won’t want to miss it!
      Julia SimpsonPresident & CEOwww.wttc.org

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      Leisure industry faces huge gender imbalance, latest report finds

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      Leisure industry faces huge gender imbalance, latest report finds

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      New research looking at Publicly listed companies has revealed that the leisure industry is facing a major diversity disparity, with only 7% of the top spots held by women, a stark contrast to the 50-50 gender balance of the overall workforce. The first report of the series, “The numbers behind women in leadership: Leisure”, which was carried out by private advisory firm Aptamind Partners and is supported by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC),drew on publicly available data from the world’s largest hotel groups, casinos and entertainment companies, shows that the gender gap widens the higher up the career ladder you climb.
      From a 50% overall balance across the leisure industry’s workforce, the percentage of women drops to 42% in mid-level management and 33% at senior management.
      At C-Suite level, only one in five executives are women, plummeting to 7% at the very top.
      The casino and entertainment industry outshines hotels, with three female CEOs and four female chairs, but the competition is far from stiff.
      A marginal improvement in the percentage of female executives in the hotel sector has failed to translate into more women in leadership and senior roles.  In fact, Alison Brittain, who was the sole female representative in the CEO group at the time of this report, left her position in January 2023, leaving major PLC hotel chains with zero women holding the top CEO and chair spots.     However, the report shows that change is possible and can be clearly seen in the percentage of women on the boards of leisure companies, which has grown from 17% in 2007 to 28% in 2022. More recently, the number of female chairs of the boards of casino and entertainment companies has grown from 6% to 12% between 2019 and 2021 ‒ and the number of female CEOs in that group increased from 3% to 9% over the same period. ADVERTISEMENTAradhana Khowala, CEO of Aptamind Partners and author of the report, says, “While some progress has been made in the last two years, there is still a huge amount of work to be done. We need a wholesale shift in the way we think and talk about gender and leadership. And we need to go beyond well-meaning initiatives and box-ticking exercises and start taking concrete steps to redress the current imbalance.
      “One of the major barriers to improving gender diversity is the lack of insightful and robust data in the public domain. We cannot wait any longer for the arc of history to bend the right way on its own. We need to benchmark where we are at so we can push forward together with concerted, collective action.”
      Julia Simpson, President & CEO WTTC, added: “This issue goes beyond equity and fairness. Companies need to hold themselves accountable to guarantee progress is made over time.
      “Putting women on centre stage of Travel & Tourism will ensure a better future for the sector.”
      The report offers six steps the leisure industry can take to get more women into leadership positions, including better disclosure and regular reporting, independent regulation and verification, and incentivizing and holding leadership accountable for progress on gender diversity.
      The report is the first of a series of four publications which analyse the female presence at high-level roles within different Travel & Tourism industries, such as leisure, aviation, cruise and OTAs, and food and beverage.

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      Gastón Acurio’s Globally Renowned Restaurant, La Mar Opens Its Doors At Atlantis The Royal

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      MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL APPOINTS SABA LANDMANN SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, GLOBAL BRAND AND PORTFOLIO PR

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      Marriott International, Inc. today announced that it has appointed Saba Landmann, Senior Vice President, Global Brand and Portfolio PR, effective immediately. Ms. Landmann will be responsible for leading communications for the company’s portfolio of thirty diverse and experiential hotel brands.Marriott’s brands include a prestigious luxury portfolio that encompasses eight of the world’s most desirable and coveted luxury hotel brands: The Ritz-Carlton, Ritz-Carlton Reserve, BVLGARI Hotels & Resorts, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, EDITION, The Luxury Collection, JW Marriott and W Hotels Worldwide.
      “We’re excited to bring Saba’s creativity and proven track record of creating culturally relevant PR campaigns that resonate with consumers to Marriott,” said Tricia Primrose, Executive Vice President and Global Chief Communications and Public Affairs Officer. “There is tremendous pent-up demand for travel. We are eager to connect with consumers in innovative ways and we’re delighted to have Saba on board to help us do just that.”
      Ms. Landmann joins Marriott from G-III Apparel Group, home to globally recognized fashion brands including, but not limited to: Donna Karan, Karl Lagerfeld, Vilebrequin, and Sonia Rykiel among others, where she was Vice President, Global Communications. A fashion PR veteran, Ms. Landmann previously worked at Vince Holding Corp., Alice + Olivia, and Halston. In addition, she spent five years as an Account Director at Factory PR. Ms. Landmann is a graduate of New York University.
      “As a storyteller, Saba is passionate about developing strategies that not only delight core customers, but also grow the base – reaching new, fresh, and savvy consumers through collaborations with brands across industries, including food, music, entertainment, tech and of course, fashion,” said Tina Edmundson, Global Officer, Brand & Marketing. “Saba is experienced in creating cutting-edge global communications strategies that drive brand affinity, ensuring each brand in a portfolio is differentiated and resonates with consumers around the world. We’re delighted to welcome Saba to Marriott.”
      Ms. Landmann will be based at Marriott International’s MILab offices in Manhattan.ADVERTISEMENT

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      TFE Hotel’s Adina Apartment Hotel opens at Melbourne’s billion-dollar Pentridge precinct

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      Rising high above the Victorian bluestone walls, and perched directly inside them, TFE Hotel’s contemporary new Adina Apartment Hotel Pentridge Melbourne has been deliberately designed to contrast and complement the 170-year-old heritage site-turned-modern-lifestyle-precinct.
      TFE’s Group Chief Operating Officer, Chris Sedgwick, said he had no doubt destination Pentridge would go from strength-to-strength with the signing of anchor tenants including BrewDog and Palace Cinema, and now the soft opening of TFE’s 106-room apartment-style hotel, ahead of its official launch in autumn.
      “Right now, the finishing touches are being put on Olivine wine bar, North & Common bistro, and nine bespoke conferencing and events venues, collectively known as Chapter Place which, as a collective, will be transformative for the wider Pentridge lifestyle precinct when they open in May,” he said.
      A Contemporary Hotel in an Historical Setting
      According to General Manager, Jesse Kornoff, building a contemporary hotel on an historic site (adjacent to the former B Division) presented a unique set of challenges. The contemporary Adina tower took almost two years to construct with builders carefully monitoring Pentridge’s famous bluestone walls to ensure they didn’t move an inch as the three-level basement was built.ADVERTISEMENTThe modern-day Adina Hotel features built-in solar panels, the use of recycled concrete in the build, and a rainwater tank recycling system. The additional use of specialty high-tech glass that reacts with daylight to break down dirt, means the facade only needs cleaning every 12 to 24 months.
      “For the eco-conscious, we also have EV charging stations in the basement, we’re close to trams, trains and buses for those that want to make the 20-minute commute into Melbourne’s CBD, and we have plenty of pedestrian and bike trails onsite,” Kornoff says.
      Each of the Adina’s 106 one and two-bedroom and studio apartments offer generous living spaces and kitchen amenities and boast individual climate control and balconies.  Whilst mini bars feature local suppliers including Coburg’s own Koko Black, alongside Tyrrell’s chips, Mountain Goat Beers, Hepburn Water and Taltarni Pyrenees Cabernet Sauvignon.
      As GM, Kornoff will oversee the hotel, events, food and beverage and experience offerings in B Division – perched a very convenient 20 minutes from the CBD and the international airport – whilst Executive Assistant Manager, Alex Bilenki, will oversee hotel operations at the Adina. Bilenki is no stranger to operations, having worked for Accor and, most recently, Mt Lofty House.
      “The hotel, adjoining the soon-to-open Olivine Bar, has a beautiful lobby featuring striking art by local artists; offers easy access to the precinct’s dining and entertainment venues; is close to the Merri Creek green belt with bike and walking trains; has plenty of onsite parking and easy access to public transport; and is perfectly positioned for MICE and leisure guests with four traditional meetings spaces,” she said. “It’s also ideally situated to soak up the local culture, eateries, parks, and modern art galleries including The Heide and Division Gallery.”
      New Additions to Melbourne’s Newest Dining and Entertainment PrecinctSedgwick says the experience-led event offering; knowledgeable onsite team; and high-tech National Trust tours of the historic site, will combine to make both Chapter Place and Adina Pentridge a highly sought after leisure and MICE destination.
      Whilst North & Common restaurant – with Melbourne Chef, Thomas Woods, at the helm – and the moody and decadent Olivine wine bar – with bluestone interiors and an equally impressive wine list – will elevate the precinct offering and provide a unique space for hotel guests, locals, and visitors to enjoy when they open in autumn.
      Sneak Peek At A One-Of-A-Kind Urban Retreat
      But that’s not all that’s been hiding behind the bluestone walls with TFE Hotels today announcing the launch of a 19-room, experience-led urban retreat, The Interlude, opening in May 2023.
      “The Interlude is an urban retreat-style experience, the likes of which has never-before-been-seen in Australia, and one of only a handful of prison hotel conversions in the world,” Sedgwick said. “Guests will stay in converted-cell suites which have been transformed by modern design and architecture into calming spaces.
      “And, when they’re not in their room, they’ll be able to immerse themselves in the flavours, colours, and stories of Coburg’s creative arts community through curated programs, or self-guided visits to the precinct’s onsite art gallery which displays resident and emerging local artists.”
      Uniquely Melbourne experiences, such as exploring the evolution of Victoria’s wine region over time and, indeed, the wine in the bottle with our Time Travel with Wine experience with Sommelier Liinaa Berry; or learning how to roll a truffle with Coburg Chocolatier, Koko Black.  Guests can also unwind in a candlelit underground relaxation pool or the retreat’s private garden.
      “And drawing on the heritage of the site, guests will be invited to take a seat at the long table in the Reflection Garden, surrounded by bluestone walls, to hear the tales of the past and find out what makes the creative community so special today,” Sedgwick says.

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      CHOICE HOTELS EMEA AND SEERA GROUP ANNOUNCE THE OPENING OF A NEW PROPERTY IN RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA

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      CHOICE HOTELS EMEA AND SEERA GROUP ANNOUNCE THE OPENING OF A NEW PROPERTY IN RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA

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      Choice Hotels Middle East (CHME) and Seera Hotels, a fully owned subsidiary of Seera Holding Group and the largest publicly listed travel company in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, have opened a new property in Riyadh – Comfort Hotel Riyadh Olaya.
      The Comfort Hotel Riyadh Olaya has 88 guest bedrooms across eight floors. The hotel has three meeting rooms with conference capacity for up to 60 guests.
      Strategically located in a busy area of Riyadh, the hotel serves as a great starting point to explore nearby local attractions including The Sky Bridge of the Kingdom Center, Tree Tower, World Sights Park, King Abdullah Park and the Boulevard Riyadh City.
      Choice Hotels EMEA recently announced a refresh of the Choice Hotels EMEA branded guest experience including Comfort Hotels.  All refreshed Comfort hotels will deliver for today’s value-driven midscale traveller who wants the basics done brilliantly with exceptional convenience.  Exhibiting modern design, they will provide a warm, vibrant and friendly place to stay with energising casual spaces for socialising, relaxing, sleeping and working.
      This opening is the third hotel of an agreement between Choice Hotels EMEA and Seera Holding Group to open at least ten hotels in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia within the next five years. The first two properties, Clarion Jeddah Airport and Comfort King Road Jeddah, opened in 2022.Commenting on the opening, Choice Hotels EMEA CEO, Jonathan Mills said “Our master license agreement with Seera Hotels will see seven more hotels open in the Kingdom in the next five years. The first two properties, Clarion Jeddah Airport and Comfort King Road Jeddah opened at the beginning of 2022 and I am delighted that Comfort Hotel Riyadh Olaya has now joined our portfolio.ADVERTISEMENTThe new property has been designed with both a local and international audience in mind and I am sure our guests will be excited by its location and offering. Despite challenging times for hospitality, Europe and the Middle East have remained important growth markets for Choice Hotels and we maintain a firm focus on strategic growth that will drive brand preference and customer loyalty.
      In addition to continued portfolio growth, our refresh programme of Choice Hotels’ EMEA brands, targeting a range of guest profiles and segments and informed by independent research of midscale traveller perceptions, is underway across the region. I look forward to welcoming more CHME properties to our portfolio in the future.”
      Shuja Zaidi, Seera’s Chief Hospitality Officer said: “We are excited to open Comfort Hotel Riyadh Olaya catering to the ever-increasing number of travellers to the city. Through our master license with Choice Hotels EMEA, we continue to champion the travel and tourism sector of the Kingdom by building best-in-class hotels to serve the needs of discerning travellers, support the development of the hospitality infrastructure and drive forward the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.”
      The opening of our latest hotel is the culmination of our continued efforts to develop a world-class hotel portfolio for our customers. With our ambitions to open at least seven more hotels in the next five years, CHME will expand the presence of Choice branded hotels across the Kingdom, with its signature offerings for a wide variety of travellers.”
      Last year Choice Hotels EMEA embarked on a brand refresh with a re-energisation strategy focused on offering relevant brands that deliver value to guests and generate revenue for its franchisees.
      Choice Hotels EMEA has five midscale brands for every guest need each with a distinct individual positioning. It is currently represented under the Clarion, Quality, Comfort and Ascend Hotel Collection brands. Comfort, Clarion and Quality are embarking on a refresh and the Sleep Inn brand, which is well established in other regions, has been newly introduced to EMEA. Plans for the Ascend Hotel Collection will be announced later this year.
      Seera is at the forefront of travel and tourism recovery efforts in the Kingdom and beyond, and as part of the agreement, there are currently several identified projects for Choice Hotels brands throughout Saudi Arabia in various stages of development.
      For further information on Choice Hotels, please visit: https://www.choicehotels.com

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