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By Nithyakala Neelakandan
Published on August 29, 2024
Courtyard by Marriott and Marriott Bonvoy, official sponsors of the NFL, are gearing up to celebrate the first-ever regular-season NFL game in Brazil. To mark this historic event, the brands are launching a series of fan activations in São Paulo, as part of the league's 2024 International Games. These activities aim to introduce American football to the local audience and enhance the excitement surrounding the sport in Brazil.
The festivities will begin with a Kicking Challenge, a unique event designed to bring the essence of American football to São Paulo. Local fans will have the chance to test their skills by kicking a field goal, an experience quite different from scoring a soccer goal. In a city known for its soccer talent, Courtyard by Marriott and Marriott Bonvoy are offering a new challenge by encouraging participants to kick an extra point—equivalent to a 33-yard (30-meter) field goal.
In addition to the Kicking Challenge, Courtyard by Marriott and Marriott Bonvoy® will host the Tailgate Experience at Arena Renaissance in downtown São Paulo. This event will be the first American football tailgate held in the city, featuring classic American pregame traditions. Attendees can enjoy popular dishes like burgers and chicken wings, alongside fun activities such as cornhole, football pong, and throwing the perfect spiral. This event promises to bring the energy and excitement of a U.S. pregame experience to both local Brazilians and visiting fans.
Adding to the excitement, NFL legend Jordy Nelson will make a surprise appearance. Fans participating in the events will have the opportunity to win tickets to the exclusive Tailgate Experience, as well as a chance to attend Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on February 9, 2025.
The Kicking Challenge will be held at Ibirapuera Park, across from the Monumento as Bandeiras, from September 3 to September 5, 2024, between 11 AM and 5 PM.
Brian King, President of the Caribbean and Latin America for Marriott International, expressed his enthusiasm for the event, stating, "GAME ON! We are excited to celebrate the first-ever regular-season NFL game in South America. For years, we have been the official hotel and hotel loyalty program of the NFL, unlocking experiences and passion for the game for fans around the world. Being able to cross cultures in such an important market as Brazil fills us with great pride."
As part of this celebration, Marriott Bonvoy Moments™ will offer an exclusive pregame tailgate party for Marriott Bonvoy members, followed by a premium viewing experience at Corinthians Arena where they can watch the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles warm up. The day will conclude with a luxurious two-night stay at the Renaissance São Paulo Hotel.
Marriott Bonvoy Moments™ allows members to access once-in-a-lifetime experiences around the globe by redeeming points accumulated from travel and other activities. These experiences, available through fixed-price offers or auctions, include exclusive options like private chef dinners and unique opportunities with global partners such as the NFL.
Courtyard by Marriott is part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of over 30 extraordinary brands. Marriott Bonvoy, the award-winning travel program and marketplace of Marriott International, boasts 210 million members who enjoy transformative experiences worldwide. Members can earn points for stays at hotels and resorts and redeem them for future stays or Marriott Bonvoy Moments™.
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By Manu Vardhan Kannan
Published on August 2, 2025
Accor has appointed Raki Phillips as the new Regional President for its Premium, Midscale & Economy (PME) division across the Middle East, Africa and Türkiye, with effect from November 2025. Phillips will succeed Paul Stevens and oversee more than 250 operating hotels across 27 countries, along with a development pipeline of 85 new properties.
This leadership move comes after Phillips' impactful tenure as CEO of the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA). Under his leadership, Ras Al Khaimah witnessed a tourism boom, revenues tripled, international connectivity improved, and the region attracted its largest foreign investment with the Wynn Resorts project.
Bringing over 20 years of global hospitality experience, Phillips has held senior positions at renowned brands like Fairmont Raffles Hotels International, The Ritz-Carlton, and Universal Studios Orlando. At Fairmont, he played a key role in global brand strategy and spearheaded major projects, including the launch of the Fairmont, Raffles, and Swissôtel complex in Makkah.
In his new role at Accor, Phillips will report to Duncan O'Rourke, CEO of the Premium, Midscale & Economy division for Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific. Commenting on the appointment, O’Rourke said, “Raki brings a rare combination of commercial agility, regional knowledge, and purpose-led leadership. His appointment reflects our long-term commitment to the region and our belief in the power of local leadership to drive impact.”
Phillips steps into the role after Paul Stevens, who spent nearly three decades with Accor and was known for championing operational excellence and values-driven initiatives like Purpose Week and ESG programs.
With more than 350 hotels currently in operation and 140 more in development, Accor’s PME division continues its robust expansion in key markets such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. Phillips will be based in Dubai and oversee a diverse brand portfolio including Swissôtel, Pullman, Mövenpick, Novotel, Mercure, and ibis.
The European Union is moving towards a fully digital Schengen visa system by 2028, bringing an end to traditional paperwork and visa stickers. Travellers will soon be able to complete the entire application process online, from uploading documents and paying fees to receiving a secure, encrypted 2D barcode that replaces the physical visa sticker.
France tested this digital system successfully during the 2024 Paris Olympics, issuing 70,000 barcode-based visas. Once fully implemented, travellers can scan the digital barcode at EU border checkpoints, giving immigration officials instant access to their personal and visa details via a centralised database.
While first-time applicants will still need to provide biometric data, such as fingerprints and photographs, in person, repeat visitors will benefit from a simplified and faster process.
The digital system aims to boost security, reduce paperwork, and streamline visa management across the Schengen area. Applicants will be able to track their application status online and receive notifications on their visa outcome.
To apply, travellers must first determine which country’s embassy to approach, typically based on the destination where they will spend the most time. Most Schengen states use VFS Global for processing in India, while Spain uses BLS International. France, meanwhile, has introduced an online appointment platform called Démarches Simplifiées.
Applicants must carry key documents such as a valid passport (with at least six months validity and two blank pages), visa form, photographs, travel insurance (minimum €30,000 coverage), confirmed flight and accommodation bookings, a cover letter, and proof of finances like recent bank statements or salary slips.
Visa fees remain at €80 for adults and €40 for children aged 6–12, with free applications for those under six. Additional service charges apply based on the chosen processing agency.
Applicants are advised to apply well in advance, ideally 30 to 60 days before travel. Certain embassies, such as those of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, are known for quicker processing and lower rejection rates. Some, like Germany or France, may require a personal interview, especially in complex cases.
From July 1, 2025, Germany will no longer allow informal appeals on rejected visas; applicants will have to go through formal legal channels. Meanwhile, Indian nationals with two previously used Schengen visas within three years may now qualify for longer multi-entry visas of up to five years, as part of the EU’s new “cascade” rule.
Travellers are encouraged to check official EU visa portals regularly for updates.
By Nishang Narayan
Published on July 31, 2025
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is charging ahead in the EMEA region, officially surpassing 720 operational hotels across Europe, the Middle East, Eurasia, and Africa. The first half of 2025 alone saw over 60 new hotel openings, adding more than 4,700 rooms and delivering a 5% year-on-year organic system growth in the region.
This growth reinforces Wyndham’s commitment to expanding access to quality, branded accommodation across high-growth markets, with 27 new hotel signings further solidifying its regional presence.
Some of the standout openings include Dolce by Wyndham Siracusa, Monasteri Golf and Spa in Sicily, and the Signature Cave Cappadocia, Trademark Collection by Wyndham in Türkiye. The group also ramped up operations in Eastern Europe and Central Asia with hotel launches in Georgia, Romania, and Kazakhstan.
Momentum is particularly strong in Eurasia, where Wyndham opened 21 new hotels in just six months, with a significant presence in India, now one of the company’s most dynamic and fastest-growing hospitality markets.
Wyndham’s strategic partnerships are also paving the way for iconic brand introductions. The globally recognised Super 8® by Wyndham is making its debut in Saudi Arabia and Iberia, with plans for 100 hotels across the Kingdom and 40 hotels in Spain and Portugal in the coming decade.
“With more than 720 hotels now open across EMEA, we're seeing incredible momentum. Travel is thriving and we're meeting that demand with a growing portfolio that reflects the energy and diversity of this region. From stunning resorts in Sicily to one-of-a-kind cave stays in Cappadocia, we're adding experiences that truly inspire,” said Dimitris Manikis, President EMEA, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. “And with new signings in markets like Iberia and Saudi Arabia, we're not just growing – we're creating new opportunities for our partners and giving travellers even more great places to stay across the region.”
Globally, this expansion contributed to Wyndham’s 20th consecutive quarter of developmental pipeline growth, bringing the global pipeline to 255,000 rooms. The company also achieved 4% global organic net room growth and 7% constant currency RevPAR growth in the EMEA region.
Some key milestones from H1 2025 include:
Türkiye now hosts over 125 Wyndham-branded hotels, including the newly launched Cappadocia Cave Hotel, Wyndham Tarsus St. Paul, and Wyndham Alanya.
India and South Asia saw growth with new openings like Ramada Encore by Wyndham Lucknow Airport, Ramada by Wyndham Cox’s Bazar Kolatoli Beach, and Wyndham Garden Jim Corbett Chhoi.
New European destinations saw brand introductions like La Quinta by Wyndham Batumi in Georgia and Tor’re Astana, Trademark Collection in Kazakhstan.
The Super 8® by Wyndham expansion into Saudi Arabia and Iberia is a landmark move, targeting value-conscious travellers in these rapidly evolving markets.
Driving this expansion is Wyndham Advantage, a platform offering best-in-class marketing, distribution, and technology support to hotel owners, bolstered by nearly $350 million invested in digital transformation and access to over 120 million Wyndham Rewards® members globally.
With bold new destinations and an aggressive pipeline, Wyndham’s EMEA footprint continues to grow rapidly, making it a major player in global hospitality.
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