News

Houston Airports Unveils Chihuly’s Coastal Prairie Fiori at George Bush Intercontinental

Houston Airports is proud to announce the completion of Coastal Prairie Fiori, a breathtaking, site-specific glass installation by renowned American artist Dale Chihuly. This monumental artwork, now displayed inside the newly constructed International Central Processor (ICP) at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), marks the artist’s largest airport commission to date. Spanning an impressive 80 feet in length, 20 feet in width, and 20 feet in depth, Coastal Prairie Fiori is a centerpiece of the Houston Airport’s Public Art Program. Inspired by the rich diversity of native plants found in the Gulf Coast’s coastal prairie, the installation features 537 one-of-a-kind, hand-blown glass elements. These intricate pieces are meticulously arranged on five custom-designed armatures, suspended above the busy 17-lane TSA screening area in the ICP. This dynamic installation is designed to captivate and engage travelers, offering a stunning visual experience from multiple viewpoints. Each glass piece, ranging from 14 to 28 inches in diameter, showcases a vibrant interplay of colors and translucence, inviting visitors to pause and appreciate the artistry. The piece’s ethereal beauty is especially striking against the backdrop of the terminal’s architecture, making it a must-see for anyone passing through. The TSA checkpoint housing Coastal Prairie Fiori is expected to be fully operational by the summer of 2025, providing travelers departing from Terminals D and E with an inspiring start to their journeys. This remarkable addition further solidifies Houston Airports’ commitment to integrating art into the travel experience, transforming the airport environment into a space that both delights and enriches the traveler’s experience.

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World Travel Market London Adds 500 Buyers, Setting New Benchmark

This year’s World Travel Market London saw an impressive 11% surge in pre-qualified buyers, with a total of 5,049 top-tier buyers participating over the three-day event. Organizers of the renowned travel and tourism gathering expressed their excitement at the notable increase, which brought in nearly 500 more buyers compared to the 4,560 attendees in 2023. Held from November 5 to 7, 2024, at Excel London, the 44th edition of the event marked a significant leap in scale and engagement. Attendance overall climbed by 6%, reaching a remarkable 46,316 visitors. Many industry professionals stayed for two or three days to maximize their experience. To accommodate the growing numbers, the event expanded its footprint by 8%, incorporating additional halls on Level-0 of Excel London. These new spaces featured larger conference stages and enhanced hospitality zones. The expansion also attracted a record-breaking number of exhibitors from the private sector. Exhibitor participation grew to 4,047, an 8% rise compared to 2023. The event’s enhanced scale was complemented by a significant boost in pre-scheduled business meetings, which jumped by 17%. A total of 34,082 meetings were facilitated this year, a sharp increase from last year’s 29,075, showcasing the event’s continued commitment to delivering measurable value for its attendees. Driving pivotal discussions that will shape the travel and tourism landscape in 2025, WTM London placed a spotlight on the theme of ‘Travelpower.’ The event encouraged attendees—including tourism boards, hoteliers, transport providers, technology innovators, associations, and experience creators—to leverage their influence for meaningful change. Reinforcing this vision, the event’s dynamic conference program featured over 200 expert speakers delivering 70+ thought-provoking sessions on critical topics such as Diversity, Equity, Accessibility & Inclusion (DEAI), Geo-Economics, Marketing, Sustainability, Travel Trends, and Technology. Highlighting the industry’s resilience and commitment to progress, WTM London 2024 welcomed over 80 first-time exhibitors. Among these were prominent names like KOS Island, Nimax Theatres, Latvia Travel, Riyadh Air, Grand Prix Grand Tours, Barclaycard Payments, and Regnum Hotels. Their participation underscored the sector’s collective drive to lead transformative initiatives.

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Rahul Gandhi Takes Wayanad’s Longest Zipline to Boost Tourism

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took a ride on Kerala's longest zipline in Wayanad, promoting tourism in the landslide-affected region. The visit came ahead of Wednesday's bypolls in Wayanad, where his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is contesting for the Lok Sabha seat. The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha shared a video of himself trying the zipline on his Youtube channel. “On Priyanka’s campaign trail in Wayanad yesterday, I had the chance to connect with some truly inspiring locals. Despite the recent challenges, they’re not giving up. They’ve built incredible attractions here—the largest giant swing in South India, a drop tower, and a thrilling zipline—all to show visitors that Wayanad is as stunning and safe as ever. I even tried the zipline myself, and I loved every second of it,” the Congress leader said. Heavy rains starting from July 30 this year triggered multiple landslides across Wayanad, claiming hundreds of lives across Kerala. Gandhi said that the recent landslide has left tourism hanging by a thread, and livelihoods are really suffering—from shopkeepers to homestay owners and the adventure park team, everyone is working hard just to keep things going.

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Hyatt Regency Expands Globally with Debut in Romania

Hyatt Regency expands into Romania with the iconic Aro Palace Brașov, strengthening its luxury hotel portfolio across Eastern Europe and the Balkans. Hyatt Hotels Corporation has unveiled ambitious plans to expand the Hyatt Regency brand across the Balkan Peninsula, signaling a significant step in its regional growth strategy. Following successful entries into the markets of Croatia and Albania, Hyatt is now making its mark in Romania with plans for five new Hyatt Regency properties set to debut by 2027. This expansion further solidifies the brand’s footprint in Eastern Europe, reflecting its commitment to catering to both leisure and business travelers in dynamic and culturally rich destinations. Hyatt Regency Aro Palace Brașov, developed by Aro Palace S.A., will be the brand’s inaugural venture in Romania. Nestled in Brașov, a vibrant city renowned for its economic importance and proximity to notable tourist attractions, the property has a storied history as the pinnacle of luxury since its original opening in 1939. Following a comprehensive refurbishment, the iconic hotel is set to reopen in 2027, offering 250 elegantly designed guestrooms that blend historical charm with modern sophistication. The Hyatt Regency brand, known for its versatile portfolio that spans urban hubs and expansive resorts, emphasizes creating spaces that foster meaningful connections and memorable experiences. With its evolutionary vision and commitment to building community, the brand continues to resonate with both global travelers and local guests. In addition to the Aro Palace Brașov, the pipeline includes Hyatt Regency Zadar in Croatia (2025), Hyatt Regency Tirana in Albania (2026), Hyatt Regency Palase Resort & Spa in Albania (2027), and Hyatt Regency Novi Sad in Serbia (2027), further establishing Hyatt Regency’s presence in the Balkans.

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Marriott and SAMHI Hotels to Open Three New Properties

Rajeev Menon, President, Asia Pacific excluding China, Marriott International, said, "Today’s signed agreement underscores our long-standing relationship with SAMHI Hotels, reinforcing our shared vision to drive substantial growth while bringing these transformative projects to life." Marriott International, Inc and SAMHI Hotels Limited announced a multi-deal agreement to develop three new properties comprising more than 568 rooms across India. The projects with SAMHI Hotels, one of India’s leading hotel ownership and asset management companies comprise the W Hyderabad Hitec City; Bengaluru Whitefield, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel; and The Westin Bengaluru Whitefield. Poised to become the premium address for well-heeled travellers and residents, these hotels are anticipated to open between 2026 and 2028, elevating the two companies’ joint efforts to expand their footprint in the country. “With 153 operating properties in India, we are focused on strengthening our presence in the country and are optimistic that this will position us well to meet the strong demand for both leisure and business travel, said Rajeev Menon, President, Asia Pacific excluding China, Marriott International. “We are confident that the depth and breadth of our brand portfolio and the power of our global platform to drive results will maximize the potential of these projects. Today’s signed agreement underscores our long-standing relationship with SAMHI Hotels, reinforcing our shared vision to drive substantial growth while bringing these transformative projects to life.” “We are very excited about expanding our relationship with Marriott with the signing of these three hotels. The W Hyderabad Hitec City; Bengaluru Whitefield, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel; and The Westin Bengaluru Whitefield will significantly strengthen SAMHI’s partnership with Marriott. We are collaborating with Marriott to bring these exciting new products and iconic brands into prime locations in Hyderabad and Bengaluru – two cities which truly reflect the spirit of modern India,” said Ashish Jakhanwala, Chairman, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, SAMHI Hotels Ltd.

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IndiGo Expands Network with New Puducherry Flights from Bengaluru and Hyderabad

IndiGo is thrilled to introduce Puducherry as its newest addition to the 6E network, marking it as the 89th domestic and 125th overall destination. Starting December 20, 2024, IndiGo will commence daily direct flights from Bengaluru to Puducherry and from Puducherry to Hyderabad, enhancing the travel convenience and boosting connectivity to this charming union territory, renowned for its idyllic beaches. Mr. Vinay Malhotra, Head of Global Sales, IndiGo, said, “We take pleasure in announcing Puducherry as IndiGo’s 89th domestic destination, with flights to/from Bengaluru and Hyderabad. The serene beaches, the French colonial architecture, and the peaceful cafes are bound to attract people to explore the pristine beauty of this coastal town. These flights will not only strengthen Puducherry’s position on the country’s aviation map but also enhance connectivity, with access to key domestic and international destinations in the 6E network. As India’s leading carrier, we remain committed to delivering on our promise of providing affordable, on-time, courteous, and hassle-free travel experiences across an unparalleled network.” Puducherry, the only Indian destination to make the list of top global trending must-visit places for 2025, includes the historical French colonies of Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe, and Yanam in Southern India. The capital city of the territory, Puducherry, located on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal and approximately 135km from Chennai Airport, boasts a rich heritage from its time as the French headquarters in India. The city’s landscape is adorned with French-style architecture, vibrant cafés, and cultural sites including the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Auroville, Paradise Beach, Rock Beach, the Botanical Garden, and numerous colonial churches, drawing global tourists to its picturesque setting. The introduction of the Bengaluru route opens gateways to Karnataka’s landmarks like Cubbon Park, Nandi Hills, Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace, Lal Bagh Botanical Gardens, Bengaluru Palace, and Ulsoor Lake, and provides an opportunity to explore the region’s famed Bangalore silk, celebrated for its quality and produced in local silk farms that have thrived alongside the evolving textile industry.

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