JW Marriott and Flamingo Estate Partner for a Sensorial Journey Rooted in Well-Being

JW Marriott and Flamingo Estate Partner for a Sensorial Journey Rooted in Well-Being

By Nishang Narayan

Published on July 14, 2024

JW Marriott, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of over 30 hotel brands, and Flamingo Estate, a California-based lifestyle company, have announced a global brand partnership. This collaboration aims to elevate travelers' well-being by engaging two powerful senses: scent and sound. Grounded in a shared ethos of fostering holistic well-being through a deep connection with nature, the partnership will traverse several sensorial touchpoints, bridging the paths to mindfulness.

Serenity Through Scent

The collaboration introduces an exclusive co-branded scent named Expansion, inspired by the JW Garden at JW Marriott properties worldwide. This herbaceous and uplifting fragrance welcomes guests with notes of lush greenery, damp earth, and rich flowers, complemented by white lotus flower, rosemary, and Holy Basil, known for its adaptogenic qualities. This scent will be featured at JW Marriott Mumbai Juhu and encapsulated in a signature candle hand-poured in Los Angeles.

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Harmonizing Wellness with Sound

JW Marriott and Flamingo Estate have created four exclusive playlists titled Aurora, Sun, Dusk, and Moon, each designed to correspond with different times of the day. These playlists, accessible on Flamingo Estate’s Spotify channel, will be integrated into the global sound strategy at JW Marriott Mumbai Juhu, creating a serene and mindful environment for guests from morning to night.

Bruce Rohr, Vice President and Global Brand Leader at JW Marriott, commented, “Together, JW Marriott and Flamingo Estate are reimagining luxury hospitality by cultivating a fusion of elegance and sensorial experiences that deeply resonate with travelers seeking to elevate their path of well-being.”

Richard Christiansen, Founder of Flamingo Estate, added, “We both believe in real hospitality, and it’s at the heart of what we do. The rare art of making someone feel loved and cared for is communicated through all the senses, but especially sound and smell.”

About JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts

JW Marriott is part of Marriott International’s luxury portfolio, offering properties and resort locations worldwide. With over 100 hotels in more than 30 countries, JW Marriott focuses on mindfulness, helping guests feel present, nourished, and revitalized through its programs and offerings. JW Marriott participates in Marriott Bonvoy, the global travel program from Marriott International, which provides members with exclusive experiences and benefits. For more information, visit MarriottBonvoy.marriott.com.


Germany Plans to Roll Back Air Traffic Tax Hike Amid Airline Pressure

Germany Plans to Roll Back Air Traffic Tax Hike Amid Airline Pressure

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 22, 2025

Germany is considering a reversal of the air traffic tax hike introduced in May 2024, according to a report by Bild. The move comes amid growing pressure from airlines and concerns over high operational costs at German airports. The current coalition government plans to discuss the matter during the preparation of the 2026 budget.

The tax increase raised the surcharge for short-haul flights from €12.48 to €15.53 per ticket. This has been widely criticized by airlines, especially low-cost carriers like Ryanair, which claim that the added costs are making air travel to and from Germany less attractive. International airlines have also hinted at scaling back their operations in response to the high fees.

Christoph Ploss, the government's tourism policy coordinator, has been vocal in calling for a change. “The increase in air traffic tax must be cancelled, and charges at German airports must also be reduced,” he told Bild. He further noted that the tax hike made holidays more expensive for millions of Germans. “A well-deserved holiday in Mallorca must not become unaffordable,” he added.

Germany’s transport ministry reportedly supports the reversal and sees it as a step toward reducing financial strain on the aviation sector. The coalition government, led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, has expressed a commitment to easing the burden on the travel industry, although no official timeline has been provided yet.

The announcement briefly lifted Lufthansa’s stock by 2.2%, reflecting positive sentiment from the market. Ralph Beisel, head of the ADV airports association, also welcomed the potential policy change. “A reorientation of aviation policy is needed in our country,” he said, calling the reversal “a first and urgent step in the right direction.”

German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil is expected to present the draft budget for 2026 in the coming week. While economic challenges and increased defence spending are putting pressure on the national budget, businesses and industry watchers are closely monitoring the government's next steps in offering relief to the aviation sector.


Emirates Launches 'Emirates First' Check-in for First Class Flyers at DXB

Emirates Launches 'Emirates First' Check-in for First Class Flyers at DXB

By Nishang Narayan

Published on July 21, 2025

Emirates has unveiled 'Emirates First', a new premium check-in zone at Terminal 3 of Dubai International Airport, offering a private and elevated experience exclusively for its First Class travellers and Skywards Platinum members.

Just steps from the dedicated Emirates entrance, the new facility is designed to mirror the airline’s First Class luxury—with interiors featuring marble finishes, gold and bronze accents, and plush seating areas. The space is intentionally free of digital signage to maintain a calm, lounge-like atmosphere. Instead, the check-in process is handled via iPads or at elegantly crafted counters, providing a personalised, tech-enhanced experience.

The zone also includes family-friendly seating, allowing one member to complete formalities while others relax. Luggage is seamlessly routed through dedicated First Class belts for smoother transfers.

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“Emirates First reflects our continued investment in luxury travel,” said Adel al Redha, Deputy President & COO, Emirates. “It offers privacy, efficiency, and comfort at every step of the journey.”

Post check-in, passengers can proceed directly to the First Class lounges for à la carte dining, spa treatments, shopping concierge services, and more.

This initiative is part of Emirates’ broader First Class upgrades, which include Robert Welch caviar bowls, curated wine pairings, and a more refined onboard service. With over 26,800 First Class seats available weekly, Emirates continues to set the standard for top-tier travel experiences.


EU Proposes Tripling Digital Travel Permit Fee to 20 Euros

EU Proposes Tripling Digital Travel Permit Fee to 20 Euros

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 21, 2025

Foreign travellers heading to Europe may soon have to pay nearly three times more for the region’s new digital travel permit. The European Union has proposed increasing the ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) fee to 20 euros (approx. USD 23), a steep rise from the originally planned 7 euros.

This change, unveiled by the European Commission, comes as the EU aims to adjust for inflation, operational demands, and to better align the permit cost with global equivalents. For instance, the U.S. charges USD 21 for its ESTA, while the UK’s ETA costs 16 pounds (around USD 21).

Expected to roll out in the last quarter of 2026, ETIAS will be mandatory for travellers from visa-exempt countries like the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, entering any of the 27 EU member states (excluding Ireland) as well as Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. The permit will be valid for three years.

While travellers aged under 18 or over 70 will be exempt from paying the fee, others will need to apply online before their trip. The system is intended to enhance border safety by identifying security risks, irregular migration, and other concerns in advance, making travel both safer and smoother for eligible visitors.

The European Parliament and member states now have two months to review this fee adjustment. Once approved, it will go into effect with the launch of the ETIAS system, which has already seen multiple delays, largely due to its link with a yet-to-be-implemented automated border control system.

This proposal comes amid the EU’s broader financial plan, including a two-trillion-euro long-term budget (2028–2034), which aims to fund priorities like defence and agriculture. Brussels hopes to raise funds through new revenue tools such as a carbon border tax and an e-waste levy, targeting 58 billion euros annually.

As the EU moves to strengthen both financial sustainability and border security, the updated ETIAS fee stands as a key piece of its evolving travel and economic framework.

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