Rome to Host Anantara's First-Ever Historic Car Concours

Rome to Host Anantara's First-Ever Historic Car Concours

By Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on September 12, 2024

Anantara Hotels & Resorts is excited to announce the launch of the inaugural Anantara Concorso Roma, presented by UBS, an exclusive car concours event in Rome. Scheduled from April 24-27, 2025, this prestigious event will showcase the best in Italian design, hospitality, and automotive craftsmanship. A celebration of Italy’s rich automotive history, the three-day event promises a collection of fifty of the rarest and most historic Italian cars, many from private collections, including iconic marques like Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Maserati, and Pagani.

What makes Anantara Concorso Roma unique is its focus on exclusively Italian cars, showcasing automotive gems that span from the early days of car manufacturing to the modern supercar era. The cars will be evaluated by a panel of international judges, led by Dott. Adolfo Orsi Jr. and Jeremy Jackson-Sytner, ensuring a high standard of competition.

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Beyond cars, the event will be a tribute to all things Made in Italy, highlighting Italian cuisine, craftsmanship, design, and luxury. These elements will be showcased to a global audience, further enhancing the event's prestige. Multiple iconic locations across Rome will serve as the backdrop, providing a grand stage for these automotive masterpieces.

Rome’s history with motor racing adds further significance to this event. The city has been a part of Italy's racing legacy, from the Mille Miglia to the Gran Premio di Roma, a race held from 1925 to 1991. The 1947 edition of the Gran Premio di Roma is particularly notable, as it marked Ferrari's first victory with their own car, the Ferrari 125 S.

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The Anantara Palazzo Naiadi Rome Hotel, a 19th-century marble palace overlooking the Fountain of the Naiads, will host the event. Its neoclassical architecture and location in the heart of the city make it the perfect setting for this prestigious concours.

William Heinecke, Founder and Chairman of Minor International, Anantara’s parent company, emphasized the importance of the event, saying, "Rome is enjoying a renaissance, making it the perfect moment for Anantara to shift the gears and launch a prestigious concours event for the capital. I am confident that with support of our esteemed partners, we will successfully establish Anantara Concorso Roma as a pre-eminent annual international automobile event.."

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Benjamin Cavalli, Head of Global Wealth Management Strategic Clients at UBS, shared his enthusiasm as well: "UBS is proud to be the official sponsor of the inaugural Anantara Concorso Roma, the latest addition to our exclusive program of classic car events. This new partnership embodies the spirit of precision and craft we aspire to as a firm. We look forward to celebrating our passion for automotive excellence in April 2025 amidst the historic beauty of Rome."

For car enthusiasts looking to be part of the event, Anantara is offering exclusive packages, including VVIP weekend tickets, accommodation at the Palazzo Naiadi Rome Hotel, elevated dining experiences, and premier access to the event. Day passes will start at 200 EUR, with options for weekend packages with or without accommodation.


Aristara AI Launches Multilingual WhatsApp Assistant at Future Hospitality Summit

Aristara AI Launches Multilingual WhatsApp Assistant at Future Hospitality Summit

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on October 28, 2025

Aristara AI made a strong impression at the Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) World with the debut of its multilingual digital assistant, designed to make the delegate experience smoother and more connected. The Los Angeles-founded company launched its WhatsApp-based assistant that gives participants instant access to event updates, schedules, speaker information, and venue details, all in over 50 languages.

The innovation aims to simplify event engagement by allowing delegates to ask questions directly through WhatsApp, receiving quick and accurate responses in their preferred language. Along with this, FHS World organizers, The Bench, can send important notifications and updates, ensuring that every attendee enjoys a seamless and informed summit experience.

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Founded by a team of hospitality and technology experts, Aristara AI has been steadily redefining hotel operations and guest engagement through artificial intelligence. Its solutions focus on intelligent automation, personalized service, and data-driven efficiency, helping hospitality businesses boost both satisfaction and profitability.

The company’s participation in FHS World also marks its official entry into the Arabian Gulf, a key region in its global expansion strategy. Aristara aims to collaborate with regional hoteliers and event organizers to introduce smarter, AI-powered systems that enhance both operations and customer interaction.

Rosanna Wang, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Aristara, shared her enthusiasm about the milestone, saying, “We are honored to introduce our technology at FHS World in partnership with The Bench. This is an ideal platform to showcase how AI can enhance event engagement. It also represents an exciting beginning for Aristara in the Arabian Gulf, where we see tremendous opportunities to support hoteliers and event organizers with innovative solutions.”

With this debut, Aristara AI not only showcased the potential of AI in event management but also reinforced its vision of building meaningful connections through technology, breaking language barriers and creating a truly inclusive digital experience for the hospitality world.


Royal Caribbean Unveils Alaska Adventures for Summer 2027

Royal Caribbean Unveils Alaska Adventures for Summer 2027

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on October 27, 2025

Royal Caribbean has unveiled its summer 2027 Alaska cruise lineup, offering travelers unforgettable adventures on weeklong voyages aboard Anthem, Quantum, Serenade, and Voyager of the Seas. Guests can explore Alaska from Seattle, Seward, and Vancouver, with opportunities for multi-night Cruisetour experiences on land to extend the adventure. Crown & Anchor Society loyalty members can book now ahead of the official opening on Oct. 23, 2025.

Vacationers aboard Serenade of the Seas will enjoy ocean-facing glass elevators, floor-to-ceiling windows, and activities for all ages, from rock climbing to poolside movie nights. Dining options include Chops Grille, Giovanni’s Table, and Izumi, while onshore adventures range from whale watching in Sitka to dog sledding near Juneau and helicopter tours over Alaska’s wilderness.

Highlights for each ship include:

Anthem of the Seas – From Vancouver and Seward: 7-night voyages to Skagway, Ketchikan, and Hubbard Glacier, with optional multi-night land Cruisetours exploring Denali National Park and luxury glass dome rail cars. Onboard, guests can experience the North Star observation capsule, SeaPlex activity zone, and a wide range of dining options.

Quantum of the Seas – From Seattle: Travelers can explore Sitka, Juneau, and Skagway, with kayaking, wildlife spotting, and onboard fun like the FlowRider surf simulator, laser tag, and outdoor movies. Dining highlights include Jamie’s Italian, Chops Grille, and Izumi.

Serenade of the Seas – From Vancouver: Weeklong Inside Passage voyages feature Sitka, Icy Strait Point, and Ketchikan, complemented by onboard rock climbing, live music at Schooner Bar, and family-friendly activities.

Voyager of the Seas – From Seattle: Seven-night cruises include Juneau, Skagway, and views of Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier. Onboard options include ice skating, mini golf, laser tag, and an adults-only Solarium for relaxation.

Royal Caribbean’s summer 2027 Alaska cruises promise breathtaking scenery, thrilling experiences, and memorable adventures for travelers of all ages, both on board and on shore.


ILHA INSPIRE Prague 2025 to Spotlight the Future of Luxury Travel

ILHA INSPIRE Prague 2025 to Spotlight the Future of Luxury Travel

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on October 27, 2025

 The International Luxury Hotel Association (ILHA) has revealed the full agenda for INSPIRE Europe 2025, taking place November 12–13 at the Congress Centre of the Czech National Bank in Prague. The two-day event will bring together over 300 luxury hospitality leaders and 60+ speakers to explore the latest ideas, innovations, and investment strategies shaping the luxury travel industry.

The conference opens with a high-level discussion on “The Future of Luxury Travel: Growth, Innovation & Value Creation”, featuring thought leaders from ownership, design, and development sectors. Speakers include Alex Sogno, Founder & CEO of Global Asset Solutions, Hugh Taylor OBE, Chief Executive of Michels & Taylor Ltd, and Ivo Nahálka, CEO & Chief Architect of Archina, with Terence Baker, News Editor for Europe, Middle East & Africa at CoStar News Hotels / STR serving as moderator.

Alex Sogno highlighted the importance of guest experiences in luxury hospitality, stating,

"Exceptional guest experiences are the foundation of lasting asset value in luxury hospitality… At Global Asset Solutions, we focus on turning great experiences into sustained returns and long-term advantage."

Hugh Taylor OBE emphasized innovation and guest connection, saying,

"The future of luxury travel is being shaped by data-driven insight, innovation, and a renewed focus on genuine guest connection… Our role as advisors and hotel managers is to help bridge vision with performance."

Beyond sessions, attendees can network in the INSPIRE Hub, an interactive space designed for collaboration, conversation, and creativity. Highlights include networking cocktails, pop-up experiences, coffee tastings, and curated meetups, fostering professional relationships among global hospitality leaders.

The ILHA thanked sponsors for their support, including Honeywell, WorldHotels, Avendra International, Ecolab, Haus of Park, Coffee Break, Dutch Cocktail Club, Le Petit Chef, and The Guest Club. The full list of sponsors is available here.

Registration is open for both ILHA INSPIRE conferences:

The International Luxury Hotel Association (ILHA) is the leading trade association uniting hoteliers, travel professionals, and industry partners worldwide. With a community of over one million professionals, ILHA drives growth, best practices, and innovation in luxury hospitality.

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