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By Nithyakala Neelakandan
Published on June 8, 2024
Mar Hall Hotel, Golf & Spa Resort, nestled in a sprawling 240-acre woodland estate in Scotland, has announced plans to add 30 new luxury lodges as part of a £15 million renovation project. These lodges, ranging from one to four bedrooms, will be strategically placed to offer stunning views of the River Clyde and the Kilpatrick Hills.
Each lodge will boast a private entrance, outdoor terrace with a hot tub, and bicycles for guests to explore the grounds and nearby Luss Estate. Inside, the lodges will feature rustic yet luxurious amenities, including super king beds, dressing areas, ensuite bathrooms, lounges, and log burners. The four-bedroom lodges will span two floors with central lounge and dining areas, ideal for entertaining.
The addition of these lodges will significantly expand Mar Hall's accommodation capacity, increasing the room count from 70 to 129. This expansion is aimed at enhancing the resort's appeal for corporate events, international groups, and large celebrations such as weddings.
This development is a part of the ongoing transformation led by Align Partners in collaboration with Mar Hall's owners, Dubai-based Dutco Group. The renovation aims to elevate Mar Hall’s status as one of Scotland's premier luxury resorts. Recently, the resort unveiled a refurbished leisure suite, featuring a state-of-the-art gym, a 20-meter swimming pool, saunas, steam rooms, and an outdoor thermal suite.
Joe Gallacher, General Manager at Mar Hall, expressed his excitement about the resort's transformation journey. “We are on an exciting journey of transformation across the Resort to materialise its luxury potential. We’ve already completed significant improvements which our guests and members have experienced first-hand in recent months, and it’s fantastic to progress the next stage of our redevelopment by submitting the planning as part of our ambitious vision for the Resort,” he said.
The planning application for the lodges has been submitted to Renfrewshire Council, and construction is set to begin immediately upon approval. This expansion underscores Mar Hall's commitment to providing a top-tier luxury experience, further solidifying its reputation in the hospitality industry.
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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.
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.
“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.
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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