Karisma Hotels Licenses Despegar's AI Travel Assistant Sofia

Karisma Hotels Partners with Despegar to Enhance Customer Service with AI Travel Assistant, Sofia

By Nishang Narayan

Published on November 4, 2024

Karisma Hotels & Resorts has announced a strategic partnership with Despegar, Latin America's leading travel technology provider, to license their AI-powered travel assistant, Sofia. This new collaboration marks Karisma’s commitment to enhancing customer service by integrating Sofia’s AI functionalities to provide personalized assistance for guests across their travel journey.

The integration of Sofia will allow Karisma’s customers to experience a streamlined travel planning and booking process. With its AI-driven features, Sofia will offer tailored travel recommendations, seamless assistance, and a comprehensive approach to customer support.

Miguel Ortiz, Chief Strategic Officer of Karisma Hotels & Resorts, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: “We are thrilled to partner with Despegar and integrate their innovative AI travel assistant, Sofia, into our services. This collaboration underscores our commitment to being at the forefront of hospitality technology, ensuring a personalized and enjoyable travel experience.”

Damian Scokin, CEO of Despegar, added, “Our partnership with Karisma allows us to deepen our collaboration with a valued partner and position Karisma as a leader in hospitality innovation. We’re eager to expand Sofia’s capabilities, bringing even more value to travelers and setting a new standard for digital engagement.”

This move is part of Despegar’s broader strategy to license AI-powered solutions to enhance customer experiences while expanding their B2B partnerships. In line with this growth, Karisma recently announced plans for the Porta Rai hotel-residential complex in Montenegro, in collaboration with Dobrov & Family Group, further demonstrating its dedication to advancing hospitality through strategic partnerships and innovation.

World Welcomes 2026 as New Zealand Leads with Spectacular Fireworks

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on January 1, 2026

Countries across the South Pacific were the first to welcome 2026, with New Zealand leading global celebrations as Auckland marked the New Year with a spectacular fireworks display. The show was launched from the iconic Sky Tower, the tallest structure in the country, even as rainy weather swept across parts of the city.

Auckland, home to nearly 1.7 million people, entered the New Year well ahead of major global cities, celebrating almost 18 hours before festivities begin in New York’s Times Square. Despite the wet conditions, the celebrations reflected the city’s vibrant spirit and enthusiasm to usher in the new year.

The island of Kiritimati, part of the Pacific nation of Kiribati, became the very first place in the world to welcome 2026. Located in the Pacific Ocean, south of Hawaii and north-east of Australia, Kiribati spans a vast region of coral atolls and is known for its unique geographical position on the global time map.

Several Asian nations, including Japan and South Korea, followed with New Year celebrations later in the day, joined by Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines and Taiwan. While many cities marked the occasion with festive events, Hong Kong opted for a subdued approach this year.

Instead of its usual large-scale fireworks display, Hong Kong organised a light show and limited musical performances as a mark of respect following a recent tragic apartment fire in the city. The decision reflected a more sensitive and thoughtful way of welcoming the New Year.

As 2026 unfolds across time zones, celebrations around the world continue to reflect a mix of joy, remembrance and hope, bringing people together in anticipation of a positive year ahead.

From Action to Leisure: Discovering Kenya’s Coastal Moods

By Hari Haran

Published on December 30, 2025

Kenya’s coastline is often described in broad strokes, white sand, warm waters, and Swahili culture. All of this is true. Yet, viewing the entire coast through a single beach narrative does not do it justice. Stretching along the Indian Ocean, Kenya’s shoreline unfolds as a series of distinct experiences, each shaped by its own rhythm, landscape, and history.

From refined resort towns and reef-lined lagoons to bustling port cities and car-free heritage islands, every coastal stop answers a different traveller’s question. The Kenyan coast is less about ticking beaches off a list and more about choosing the pace, mood, and experience that suits you best.

Diani Beach reflects Kenya’s most polished coastal escape, with luxury resorts, private villas, and curated experiences that blend comfort with nature. Watamu offers a quieter rhythm, defined by coral reefs, marine parks, and conservation-led exploration. Lamu slows life down entirely, revealing centuries of Swahili heritage through its lanes, architecture, and traditions. Mombasa, the cultural heart of the coast, layers history, street life, food, and trade into a vibrant urban experience.

Kenya’s coastline is not about finding the best beach, but about choosing the right experience. From leisure and luxury to heritage and everyday culture, the coast reveals many faces of the Indian Ocean. For travellers willing to explore beyond the obvious, it offers stories, contrasts, and a sense of place that stays long after the journey ends.

Four Seasons Maldives Unveils Immersive New Year Celebrations Across Landaa Giraavaru and Kuda Huraa

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on December 30, 2025

Four Seasons Maldives is ushering in the New Year with a vibrant festive season spread across its two island resorts, Landaa Giraavaru and Kuda Huraa, each offering a distinct yet equally engaging celebration experience. Designed to spark curiosity and delight, the festivities combine imaginative themes, immersive dining, music, and beachside gatherings, all set against the serene beauty of the Maldives.

At Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru, the celebrations unfold around the mystical narrative of Ellgy Island, a once-in-a-century awakening that blends fantasy, flavour, and festivity. The island comes alive through creative storytelling, vine-draped settings, and experiences that blur the line between dream and discovery. Guests are invited to explore unique culinary concepts, including treetop dining moments, underwater-inspired flavours, and dishes that draw inspiration from the Indian Subcontinent, adding a familiar warmth for Indian travellers seeking global luxury with regional resonance.

Dining takes centre stage through a series of curated evenings at Blu Beach Club and Café Landaa, where rare ingredients, soulful music, and relaxed beachfront settings create an atmosphere of understated indulgence. From truffle-focused gourmet nights to evolving lobster celebrations and Asian-inspired feasts, each experience is designed to be engaging without being overwhelming. Craft beers from across Asia, including India and neighbouring regions, add a casual yet well-thought-out touch to the festivities.

A highlight of the season is the exclusive Japanese Omakase pop-up, led by a master chef from Kobe, offering intimate dining experiences that celebrate precision, craftsmanship, and seasonal flavours. These limited-seat experiences reflect Four Seasons’ focus on quality over scale, appealing to guests who value meaningful culinary storytelling.

Adding to the festive spirit, Landaa Giraavaru also hosts a special collaboration with a renowned two-Michelin-star chef from the Netherlands, bringing coastal European flavours to the Maldivian shores. With an emphasis on seafood, fire-led cooking, and fermentation, the experience is presented in an open-air beach setting, blending global gastronomy with island simplicity.

At Four Seasons Kuda Huraa, the New Year celebrations take on a more rhythm-driven character. Under the theme of retro glamour and throwback beats, the resort transforms into a lively celebration of music and style. From vintage-inspired beachfront elegance to energetic poolside gatherings, the focus here is on fun, movement, and shared moments.

The highlight at Kuda Huraa is a millennium-themed New Year celebration that draws inspiration from early-2000s music and pop culture. With iconic tracks, stylish décor, and a high-energy atmosphere, the evening is designed to be nostalgic yet fresh, offering guests a joyful way to step into the New Year.

Together, Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru and Kuda Huraa present a festive season that balances imagination with comfort, global influences with local warmth, and celebration with calm. For travellers looking to welcome the New Year in a setting that feels special yet approachable, Four Seasons Maldives offers a thoughtfully crafted escape that lingers well beyond the final countdown.

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Karisma Hotels Partners with Despegar to Enhance Customer Service with AI Travel Assistant, Sofia

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World Welcomes 2026 as New Zealand Leads with Spectacular Fireworks

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From Action to Leisure: Discovering Kenya’s Coastal Moods

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Four Seasons Maldives Unveils Immersive New Year Celebrations Across Landaa Giraavaru and Kuda Huraa

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