Marriott International and KKR Revolutionize Midscale Hospitality in Japan

Marriott International and KKR Revolutionize Midscale Hospitality in Japan

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.

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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.


Boeing Reports $5.4 Billion Loss Following 777X Aircraft Delays

Boeing Reports $5.4 Billion Loss Following 777X Aircraft Delays

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on October 31, 2025

Boeing has reported a USD 5.4 billion loss for the third quarter, primarily due to a USD 4.9 billion charge tied to the delayed certification of its 777X aircraft, which has now pushed deliveries to 2027. Despite a 30% revenue increase to USD 23.3 billion, driven by higher commercial aircraft deliveries, the company continues to face mounting challenges, marking its 17th consecutive quarterly loss.

The delay in the 777X program has significantly impacted Boeing’s financials. The company had expected to advance the next phase of certification flights this year but has deferred them to 2027 to complete additional preparatory analyses required by US regulators.

Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg acknowledged the setback but expressed optimism about the company’s progress.

“While we are disappointed in the 777X schedule delay, the airplane continues to perform well in flight testing, and we remain focused on the work ahead,” Ortberg said.

Ortberg also pointed to the recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval to increase monthly production of the 737 MAX as a sign of recovery and confirmed that Boeing achieved positive free cash flow during the quarter, a metric closely followed by investors.

However, the aviation giant continues to face operational and reputational hurdles stemming from past safety incidents, including the two fatal 737 MAX crashes in 2018 and 2019, which prompted tighter FAA scrutiny over all new certifications.

According to Briefing.com, Boeing’s latest results show “a mix of clear progress and lingering challenges,” emphasizing the company must still prove that its turnaround efforts can lead to consistent profitability.

In contrast, European rival Airbus reported a 14% rise in profits to USD 1.1 billion, highlighting the gap in financial performance between the two aerospace leaders. However, Boeing has regained a lead in aircraft orders for 2025, recording 774 net orders by the end of September, compared to Airbus’s 514.

Under the revised timeline, Boeing expects commercial deliveries of the 777X to begin in 2027, delayed from the earlier 2026 estimate. The program is expected to remain a cash drain for the initial years after launch but could turn cash flow positive by 2029, according to Chief Financial Officer Jay Malave.

Meanwhile, Boeing is also dealing with a labor strike at its St. Louis defense operations, where over 3,000 workers recently rejected the company’s latest contract proposal. Ortberg stated that the facility continues to operate under contingency plans, with production running at roughly the same rate.

Union leaders, however, criticized Boeing’s decision to recruit replacement workers, citing the complexity of precision manufacturing and the value of experienced labor.

“These are complex, precision-built products and they cannot replace the skilled, experienced IAM members who have dedicated their careers to this work,” the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 837 said in a statement.

Shares of Boeing closed down 4.4%, as investors weighed the company’s progress against ongoing financial and operational setbacks.


The Hari Hong Kong Celebrates Fifth Anniversary with Guest Chef Marco Quarta from The Hari London

The Hari Hong Kong Celebrates Fifth Anniversary with Guest Chef Marco Quarta from The Hari London

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on October 30, 2025

The Hari Hong Kong is marking its fifth anniversary with a culinary celebration featuring Chef Marco Quarta, Executive Chef of il Pampero at The Hari London. The acclaimed Italian chef will be taking over the kitchen at Lucciola Restaurant & Bar this November, bringing his authentic flavours and artistry from London to Hong Kong.

From November 11th to 14th, guests can indulge in a limited-time lunch set menu showcasing Chef Marco’s signature creations. The highlight of the celebration will be a four-course dinner on November 14th, where Chef Marco will personally curate and present an exclusive menu blending his Puglian roots with modern Italian finesse.

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Born and raised in Puglia, Italy, Chef Marco’s culinary journey has spanned decades and continents. After training in Brindisi, he refined his craft in several of London’s leading restaurants, holding positions such as Sous Chef at The Savoy, Head Chef at Courthouse Hotel Shoreditch, and The Punchbowl in Mayfair. Before joining The Hari London as Executive Chef in April, he led the culinary team at The Dixon Hotel and even served as a private chef for Arab royalty.

At Lucciola, Chef Marco will present two of his popular creations as part of the lunch menu, Cappesante Arrostite, Mele & Cavolfiore, Prosciutto di Parma (roasted scallops with golden apple, cauliflower purée, and crispy Parma ham) and Orecchiette con Cime di Rapa e Tarallo Pugliese (orecchiette pasta with rapini and Apulian tarallo crumb). 

For the Guest Shift Dinner on November 14th, guests will experience an immersive Italian feast featuring dishes like Arancino Tartufato (black truffle Sicilian rice balls), Ippoglosso al Vapore con Fregola, Crema di Topinambur e Funghi Gallinacci (poached halibut with Jerusalem artichoke purée and chanterelle mushrooms), and Costolette di Agnello in Crosta d’Erbe (herb-crusted lamb rack with rosemary jus). Each course will be paired with handpicked Italian wines such as Prosecco, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, and Montepulciano d’Abruzzo. The dinner concludes with a Baba’ al Limone con Crema Chantilly, a Neapolitan lemon baba served with chantilly cream and mixed berries. 

Following this special collaboration, from November 15th to 30th, a curated selection of Chef Marco’s signature dishes will continue to be available as part of Lucciola’s Cena Conviviale set dinner menu, allowing guests to savour his culinary brilliance even beyond the main event.

With this celebration, The Hari Hong Kong not only marks a milestone anniversary but also reinforces its commitment to curating exceptional global dining experiences for its guests.


Kibbutz Neot Semadar Named Among the World’s Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism

Kibbutz Neot Semadar Named Among the World’s Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on October 29, 2025

Kibbutz Neot Semadar, located in Israel’s Southern Arava, has achieved global recognition after being selected for the prestigious Best Tourism Villages 2025 list by UN Tourism. The announcement was made during an official ceremony held in China, where the kibbutz joined a select group of 250 villages worldwide recognised for excellence in sustainability, cultural preservation, and innovation in tourism.

This milestone marks another proud moment for Israel’s tourism industry, as the country continues to gain international recognition for its commitment to responsible and community-led tourism development.

Congratulating the community, Israel’s Minister of Tourism, Haim Katz, said,

“Congratulations to Kibbutz Neot Semadar, which represents the best of the Israeli spirit, combining innovation, sustainability, and community. We are proud to have promoted the kibbutz’s candidacy and its achievement of the prestigious Best Tourism Villages 2025 title. This recognition is another step in the Ministry of Tourism’s efforts within the framework of UN Tourism. It reflects the international acknowledgment of Israel’s uniqueness and its high-quality sustainable tourism.”

Founded in 1989, Kibbutz Neot Semadar is home to around 250 residents, including families, children, and volunteers from Israel and abroad. The community follows a unique cooperative and ecological lifestyle that integrates art, agriculture, and environmental awareness into daily living.

Visitors to Neot Semadar experience an inspiring model of desert tourism. The highlights include the Art Center, an architectural masterpiece built by the community over 15 years, an organic boutique winery, a local restaurant-café, an eco-lodge, art workshops, and stargazing opportunities next to the Weizmann Institute’s telescope. Each of these experiences reflects the kibbutz’s harmony with nature and its commitment to sustainable practices.

The Ministry of Tourism played a key role in supporting and guiding the kibbutz’s nomination, collaborating with the Eilot Regional Council to prepare materials and coordinate with the international jury. The effort aims to promote unique local communities on the global stage, reinforcing Israel’s image as a nation dedicated to innovation, culture, and sustainability.

This recognition also marks Israel’s second inclusion in UN Tourism’s Best Villages network, following the selection of Kfar Kama, a Circassian village in the Lower Galilee, in 2022.

Dr. Hanan Ginat, Head of the Eilot Regional Council Southern Arava, expressed pride in the recognition, saying,

“Neot Semadar’s inclusion in the UN Tourism Best Villages network is an emotional and proud moment for the entire Southern Arava region. It represents international recognition of the community’s vision and dedication, reflecting the values we promote every day,  sustainability, innovation, and cooperation.”

The Kibbutz Neot Semadar Secretariat also shared,

“Over the past decade, Neot Semadar has undergone a true transformation in the field of tourism. Today we share our unique culture, cuisine, and architecture with visitors from Israel and around the world. This international recognition will serve as a springboard for further tourism development in the Arava and across Israel.”

This achievement not only celebrates Neot Semadar’s success but also places the Southern Arava and Israel on the global tourism map. Even amid global challenges, the UN’s recognition shines a spotlight on Israel’s commitment to sustainability, proving how a small desert community can inspire the world with its creativity, resilience, and respect for nature.

For more information, visit www.neot-semadar.com.

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