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By Nithyakala Neelakandan
Published on May 10, 2024
Marriott International and KKR, a prominent global investment firm, are spearheading a new era in midscale hospitality in Japan. Building on KKR’s recent acquisition of Unizo Hotel Company, Limited, along with a portfolio of 14 hotels from Unizo Holdings, the collaboration marks Marriott’s debut in Japan’s affordable midscale market and its first footprint in the Asia Pacific region following its global launch in this segment in 2023.
These 14 hotels, strategically located across major tourist destinations in 10 cities including Hakodate, Morioka, Utsunomiya, Yokohama, Kanazawa, Nagoya, Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, and Hakata, are set to undergo transformation into Four Points Express by Sheraton. Anticipated to open in the latter half of 2024, the venture will introduce over 3,600 new rooms to KKR’s and Marriott’s hotel portfolios in Japan.
Four Points Express by Sheraton aims to provide budget-conscious travelers with a seamless hotel experience, emphasizing reliability, simplicity, and value in both design and guest services. This tailored approach reflects Marriott’s commitment to meeting evolving guest needs while offering franchisees a competitive pricing strategy designed to foster growth.
Rajeev Menon, President, Marriott International, Asia Pacific excluding China, said, "There's a growing consumer demand for reliable-yet-affordable accommodation in the region. Our goal is to be everywhere our guests want us to be, with the right property in the right location, at the right price point. This collaboration with KKR will expand our ability to do exactly that – starting in Japan, with opportunity to grow our midscale presence in the region. Our new midscale brand will offer hotel owners an affordable conversion opportunity with an efficient operational design, access to Marriott International’s expansive distribution systems and the backing of our powerful award-winning Marriott Bonvoy travel program.”
Kensuke Kudo, Managing Director, Real Estate, at KKR, said, “International and domestic tourism in Japan has rebounded strongly since the pandemic and continues to pick up pace. As demand for midscale hotels grows rapidly, we see a tremendous opportunity to offer high-quality and comfortable accommodation at great value. We are delighted to be strategic partners with Marriott International, one of the world’s pre-eminent hotel companies, to launch the Four Points Express by Sheraton brand in Japan. By combining KKR’s real estate investment and operational expertise and Marriott’s deep hospitality experience, we look to deliver outstanding-yet-affordable lodging experiences to international and domestic travelers across Japan.”
Aligned with Marriott’s acclaimed Marriott Bonvoy® loyalty platform, which boasts over 200 million members worldwide, the new midscale brand will leverage Marriott’s global sales organization and digital platforms to drive efficient direct bookings.
This transformative partnership between Marriott International and KKR represents a significant milestone in Japan’s hospitality landscape, promising travelers unparalleled experiences and hotel owners exciting growth opportunities in the midscale segment.
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By Manu Vardhan Kannan
Published on November 28, 2025
Emirates is bringing a major upgrade to its services in Canada by deploying the Airbus A350 aircraft on the Montréal–Dubai route starting 1st February 2026. This marks the first time an Emirates A350 will operate in the Americas, introducing the airline’s award-winning Premium Economy cabin to Canadian travellers.
The A350 will replace the Boeing 777 currently operating the daily service and will offer customers a refreshed travel experience with modern interiors, advanced inflight technologies and thoughtful comfort enhancements. The aircraft features three cabin classes, including 32 Business Class seats in a 1-2-1 layout, 28 Premium Economy seats with ample legroom and comfort, and 238 Economy Class seats designed for a relaxed journey.
The Emirates A350 will fly daily on EK243 and EK244 with the following schedule (local times):
• EK243: Departs Dubai at 02:45 and arrives in Montréal at 07:35.
• EK244: Departs Montréal at 10:40 and lands in Dubai at 08:00 the next day.
This deployment highlights Emirates’ strong commitment to Canadian travellers, offering more choice and elevated onboard comfort. Alongside Montréal, the airline operates its iconic A380 on daily flights to Toronto, giving passengers exceptional inflight experiences across its two gateways in Canada.
Through its codeshare agreement with Air Canada, Emirates customers can also access 37 additional destinations across Canada and the United States from Montréal and Toronto, making travel planning more seamless and convenient.
Passengers on the A350 can enjoy Emirates’ premium dining with regional flavours, as well as its award-winning entertainment system that features 6,500 channels in multiple languages. Bookings can be made on emirates.com, the Emirates App, retail stores, contact centres or through travel agents.
Tokyo Skytree Town has opened the season with a sparkling new winter experience under the theme ‘Dream Christmas 2025.’ As the cold breeze sets in, the entire area, from the towering observation decks to the lively streets of Tokyo Solamachi, comes alive with warm lights, festive food and charming winter décor. For Indian travellers looking for a relaxed and memorable holiday, this destination offers a perfect mix of luxury, culture and fun.
One of the main highlights this year is the brand-new seasonal lighting at Tokyo Skytree. For the first time since its opening, the tower is wrapped in three rotating themes, the “Christmas Sky Tree,” “Christmas Holly Tree” and “Christmas Candle Tree.” These glowing colours light up the city and create a festive backdrop visible from far across Tokyo.
At the Tenbo Deck, 350 metres above the city, guests can enjoy a panoramic show at the Skytree Round Theater. A short film plays across the glass windows, blending visuals and music to create an immersive winter moment high in the sky. The Tenbo Deck and the Tembo Galleria at 450 metres have also been decorated with festive photo spots, offering beautiful frames for visitors who want to capture their holiday memories against Tokyo’s skyline.
Down below, Tokyo Skytree Town extends the celebration with winter experiences along the riverside. Tokyo Solamachi’s Christmas Market returns with a cosy European touch inspired by classic German markets. Visitors can explore wooden stalls serving international dishes, hot wine and German sausages, bringing an authentic winter-market feel.
The town shines even brighter with around 530,000 LED lights decorating the pathways, creating a warm and magical atmosphere. The main Sky Arena is especially popular, with its glowing setup becoming a favourite backdrop for pictures. For a calmer experience, the path connecting Tokyo Skytree Town, Tokyo mizumachi and the Sumida River Walk sparkles with a beautiful winter illumination, perfect for a peaceful evening stroll.
Guests can also enjoy seasonal treats, desserts and limited-edition merchandise at Skytree Cafe, the Skytree Shop and the many stores at Tokyo Solamachi. These exclusive items add a special touch to the winter experience.
Whether you want to enjoy the city from above, take slow riverside walks, or surprise someone with a festive outing, Tokyo Skytree Town sets the perfect vibe this season. November is an ideal time to visit, offering all the winter charm without the larger holiday rush. With its mix of modern design, warm seasonal colours and cultural touches, the destination is ready to welcome visitors to a new kind of holiday fun at 350 metres above Tokyo.
Tokyo Skytree Town Dream Christmas 2025 will be open throughout the season, bringing together lights, food, views and the spirit of winter in one place.
Building on a landmark year of achievements, THE OZEN COLLECTION has appointed new General Managers to lead its award-winning Maldivian resorts, OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI and OZEN LIFE MAADHOO. These strategic leadership changes mark a dynamic new chapter for the brand as it prepares for international expansion across the Indian Ocean and beyond.
At OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI, the refined island sanctuary welcomes Mr. Tomás David Castaño as its new General Manager. With an expansive global portfolio spanning Spain, New Zealand, Chile, Mozambique, Tanzania, the Cook Islands, Bhutan, and the Maldives, he brings extensive international expertise and a strong commitment to elevating luxury hospitality.
“I am thrilled to join THE OZEN COLLECTION at this pivotal time,” he shared. “With its recent global recognition, OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI is truly elevating personalised hospitality on a world stage.”
His appointment comes as the resort celebrates an impressive range of accolades, including the prestigious MICHELIN Key for exceptional hospitality, the ‘Best All-Inclusive Wine List’ award at the World’s Best Wine Lists Awards 2025, and continued wins at the World Travel Awards. The resort remains distinguished for its pioneering RESERVE Plan, dedicated Hiyani butler service, and its striking architectural design showcased through its luxurious villas.
Meanwhile, OZEN LIFE MAADHOO embarks on its next chapter under the leadership of Ms. Mei P. Pun, who brings a distinguished record of operational excellence. Her experience includes serving as General Manager at both Atmosphere Kanifushi and VARU by Atmosphere.
The resort recently earned a place among the top one percent of global properties as part of Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards ‘Best of the Best’ 2025, and was also named ‘Sustainable Champion’ at the Hotelier Maldives Awards. OZEN LIFE MAADHOO is celebrated for its M6m underwater restaurant, its vibrant house reef, and the signature INDULGENCE Plan.
“OZEN LIFE MAADHOO holds a cherished place for travellers, celebrated for its exceptional service and its vital role in eco-tourism,” she shared. “I am honoured to steward its next chapter.”
Since joining Atmosphere Core in 2021, Ms. Pun has gained deep insight into the brand’s portfolio, bringing a refined understanding of luxury hospitality that will further strengthen the resort’s position in a competitive market.
Commenting on the new leadership appointments, Ashwin Handa, Chief Operating Officer – South Asia, Atmosphere Core, said, “As THE OZEN COLLECTION approaches significant advancement, these leadership appointments are pivotal in steering our celebrated resorts toward even greater heights. Our commitment to curated luxury and genuine Maldivian hospitality has been validated by the industry’s highest honours. As we prepare to introduce our first international properties in India and expand our Maldivian portfolio, this renewed leadership ensures our brand’s ethos will resonate powerfully in new destinations.”
Celebrating nearly half a decade of excellence, THE OZEN COLLECTION is now poised for a transformative phase, with upcoming openings in India and continued expansion within the Maldives, taking its signature blend of refined elegance, thoughtful experiences, and personalised service to new shores.
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