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.

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi has unveiled its 2025 mooncake collection just in time for the Mid-Autumn Festival, and it’s nothing short of a cinematic experience.

Drawing inspiration from a historic moment in 1916, when the very first film screening in Hanoi took place at the Metropole itself, this year’s theme, “Metropole Cinema: Hanoi through Film” captures the soul of the city in a nostalgic, artistic light.

These hand-baked mooncakes, crafted with no preservatives and filled with both classic and creative flavours, reflect the refined legacy of the hotel.

The collection includes varieties like Red Bean & Pistachios, Lotus Seeds & Macadamia Nuts, Green Bean & Date, Traditional Mix, Green Bean with Apricot & Salted Egg, and Black Sesame with Sunflower Seeds. Each one is prepared by Metropole’s culinary experts and is available in both traditional baked and snowskin styles.

The mooncake boxes are a visual treat too, designed with care and an eye for Hanoi’s past, echoing the city’s old cinematic vibe.

There are special deals too: early birds who place their orders before September 26 can grab one complimentary six-piece Heritage Box for every eight boxes purchased. Orders of 15, 30 or more boxes qualify for up to 15% off, and Accor Plus members, companies and agencies get an extra 10% discount. These discounts apply to single invoices and not across multiple orders. Note that promotional rates are not available for the two-piece, lacquer, or Super VIP boxes.

Tet Trung Thu, or Mid-Autumn Festival, is a time for families in Vietnam to reconnect, share mooncakes, sip tea, and wish for a prosperous future. Metropole’s 2025 mooncake range is more than just a seasonal delight, it’s a journey back in time, rich in memory and elegance.

To order or learn more, visit the Metropole website or contact their team at 0243 826 6919 (ext. 8200) or via email at Bang.Au@sofitel.com or visit https://www.sofitel-legend-metropole-hanoi.com/dining/metropole-2025-legendary-mooncakes/.

Sofitel Legend is part of Accor, a world leading hospitality group counting over 5,500 properties throughout more than 110 countries, and a participating brand in ALL - Accor Live Limitless  a lifestyle loyalty program providing access to a wide variety of rewards, services and experiences.

Russia’s flagship carrier, Aeroflot, faced a significant operational setback as it cancelled more than 40 flights on Monday following a failure in its information systems. The disruption impacted domestic routes within Russia as well as international flights to Minsk and Yerevan, leaving passengers stranded and confused at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport. The airline acknowledged the issue but did not disclose the cause of the failure or an estimated resolution time.

The scenes at Sheremetyevo were described as chaotic, with long queues forming and passengers being advised to collect their luggage and exit the airport. Aeroflot stated that its specialists are working to minimise the impact on the schedule and restore normal operations as quickly as possible.

Although flight disruptions have become more common in Russia since the onset of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, they have mostly been linked to temporary closures due to drone threats. However, this incident appears to be rooted in a major technical breakdown, adding a fresh layer of challenges to the nation’s already limited air connectivity.

Despite international sanctions and limited routes, Aeroflot continues to rank among the world’s top 20 airlines in terms of passenger traffic. According to the airline's 2024 data, it carried 55.3 million passengers under the Aeroflot Group banner, highlighting its significant role in Russian and global aviation.

This incident not only disrupted travel plans but also raised concerns about the reliability of infrastructure supporting major airline operations in the current geopolitical environment.