Noble Investment Group Expands Portfolio with Acquisition of Marriott and Hyatt Hotels in Indianapolis Area

Noble Investment Group Expands Portfolio with Acquisition of Marriott and Hyatt Hotels in Indianapolis Area

By Nishang Narayan

Published on November 3, 2024

Noble Investment Group has announced the acquisition of the Courtyard by Marriott Indianapolis | Fishers and the dual-branded Hyatt House & Hyatt Place Indianapolis | Fishers, adding to its extensive hospitality portfolio. Located in the bustling Fishers District, these new hotels are surrounded by vibrant dining, retail, and entertainment venues within a 150-acre live-work-play community in Fishers, Indiana—a fast-growing area just outside Indianapolis known for its robust economic expansion and business-friendly environment.

Ben Brunt, Noble's Managing Principal and Chief Investment Officer, highlighted the strategic significance of the acquisition, stating, “Noble is excited to add these new, high-yielding hotels with in-place cash flows to our growing portfolio and capitalize on the region's continued economic expansion.”

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The Fishers area has seen over $2 billion in new development recently, with more investments expected in the coming years, making it an attractive market for the hospitality sector. By incorporating these high-demand properties, Noble aims to leverage the region's growth and further solidify its presence in the hospitality industry.

About Noble Investment Group

With over 30 years in the travel and hospitality sector, Noble Investment Group is a leading real estate investment manager, having invested over $6 billion across U.S. communities and supported significant job creation. Recognized among the Top 200 Global Investment Managers by PERE, Noble is also celebrated as one of the Best Places to Work by Pensions & Investments and the Atlanta Business Chronicle. Noble's investments serve as a fiduciary responsibility to institutional investors, helping grow and preserve capital for pensioners, students, and retirees across the nation.

For further details, visit Noble Investment Group.


Israel Festival 2025 Goes Nationwide with Art, Music, and Culture

Israel Festival 2025 Goes Nationwide with Art, Music, and Culture

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 23, 2025

The Israel Festival 2025 has kicked off with a fresh vision, moving beyond the streets of Jerusalem to embrace diverse communities across Israel, from Majdal Shams in the north to Kibbutz Tze'elim in the south.

Spanning from July 16 to August 14, this year’s festival marks a historic milestone as it becomes a nationwide celebration of arts, culture, and unity. Each location will feature curated programs that reflect the spirit and identity of the local community.

Festival Locations Include:

  • North: Majdal Shams, Kiryat Shmona, Kibbutz Kfar Blum, and Tel Hai College

  • South: Ofakim, Kibbutz Urim, and Kibbutz Tze’elim

  • Jerusalem: The festival’s traditional venues remain central to the celebration

A Few Highlights from the Festival Lineup:

  • Speeches Against Despair: An imaginative reinterpretation of iconic speeches curated by Guri Alfi and Eli Haviv, featuring prominent performers like Noa Koller, Noga Erez, and Norman Issa.

  • Music People: A soulful collaboration between well-known Israeli musicians and emerging talents from the north.

  • Al-Malab (The Pitch): A powerful theatrical piece performed on a soccer field, exploring themes of memory and childhood.

  • From Ashes to Gold: Trumpeter Avishai Cohen joins the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra to perform a deeply emotional album inspired by the October 7th events.

  • Coming Home: A thought-provoking Talmudic performance blending music, narration, and spirituality.

  • Brothers: A heartfelt album launch by Tuval Haim, joined by musical guests including Tomer Yosef and ECHO.

  • Spurs: A literary and multimedia tribute to 25 years of the Mifal HaPais Sapir Prize, featuring award-winning authors and artists.

The organizers share that this edition is more than a festival—it is a reflection of hope, unity, and the deep belief in art as a bridge across communities.

“We operate from a deep belief in artistic creation as a unique tool for strengthening the fabric of shared life in Israel,” said Eyal Sher, CEO of the festival.

Artistic directors Michal Vaknin and Itai Mautner added, “We want to create a multi-layered picture and make room for something else to enter. This is our humble offering, our prayer.”

A Celebration of Cultural Resilience

The 2025 edition is not only a cultural showcase but also a powerful symbol of resilience and connection. It emphasizes the role of art in times of division and serves as a heartfelt invitation to celebrate creativity in all its forms.

The festival also aligns with the Restart the Galilee initiative, an effort to boost cultural tourism and economic development in the northern region by hosting events that support both artists and local communities.

From traditional stages in Jerusalem to the green fields of the Galilee, the Israel Festival 2025 offers a vibrant and unifying cultural experience for all.


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.

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