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The World Travel Awards Grand Final Gala Ceremony 2025, recognising the achievements of the world’s leading travel and tourism organisations, will take place in the Kingdom of Bahrain on 6 December. Hosted at the landmark Exhibition World Bahrain (EWB), the red carpet reception, organised in partnership with Official Host Destination Bahrain, will bring together travel and tourism leaders from across the world.
The gala evening marks the climax of WTA’s Grand Tour 2025, a global search for the best travel and tourism organisations. Regional ceremonies were held earlier in Tanzania, Cancun (Mexico), Saint Lucia, Hong Kong, Sardinia (Italy) and Dubai. The Grand Final brings together these regional winners to compete for the prestigious World categories, the highest accolades in the annual WTA programme, spanning the entire industry, from hotels and resorts to airlines and tour operators.
Published: Fri, 05 Dec 2025 13:05:02 +0000
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Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island unveils an extensive line-up of festive and year-end dining experiences across its award-winning restaurants and lounges, including themed afternoon teas at Al Meylas, signature steak nights and Christmas celebrations at Butcher & Still, elegant Italian feasts at Café Milano, and indulgent brunches at Crust. Eclipse Terrace Lounge offers seasonal dinners under the stars, while Saikindō elevates New Year’s Eve with exclusive omakase and terrace celebrations. Throughout December, guests can enjoy curated menus, live entertainment, luxury hampers, wellness-inspired dining moments, and specialty retail offerings, making the hotel one of Abu Dhabi’s most vibrant culinary destinations for the holiday season.
Published: Fri, 05 Dec 2025 10:38:02 +0000
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Velassaru Maldives has officially opened Sora, a new overwater Japanese restaurant designed to enhance the resort’s culinary offering with a dedicated teppanyaki counter, robata grill and sushi and sashimi bar. Suspended above the lagoon and built with clean, minimalist lines, Sora takes its name from the Japanese word for “sky” and offers diners uninterrupted ocean views from both the indoor open-plan dining area and the outdoor deck.
At the heart of the restaurant’s open-plan design lies the black-marble teppanyaki counter where guests can watch chefs preparing dishes to order. To one side sits a robata grill that adds a smoky depth to the menu, while the opposite counter houses a sushi and sashimi station. The interior design incorporates natural elements such as a thatched roof, rattan-strip ceilings and stone-patterned floors, paired with blonde wood furniture and folding doors that open to let in refreshing sea breezes, views of bright blue skies and colourful Maldivian sunsets.
Published: Fri, 05 Dec 2025 06:21:12 +0000
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Looking ahead to 2026, the tourism landscape is evolving, with travellers seeking more profound, personalised, and purposeful journeys. From immersive cultural experiences to sustainable adventures and wellness retreats, the focus is shifting towards authentic connection and emotional resonance. Dubai, a city renowned for its innovation and hospitality, is perfectly positioned to embrace these emerging trends, offering visitors opportunities to experience the future of travel in truly spectacular ways.
Published: Thu, 04 Dec 2025 19:47:50 +0000
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Design Hotels, a global community for independent, design-driven hotels, has announced the addition of more than 14 properties across Asia Pacific, with the region accounting for a record 28% of the brand’s overall portfolio global growth in 2025, a first for the brand.
The strategic expansion underlines the brand’s commitment to strengthening its presence in one of the world’s fastest-growing hospitality markets, while supporting pioneering hoteliers who redefine travel through design, culture, and authentic local connections.
Published: Thu, 04 Dec 2025 10:30:13 +0000
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St. Regis Hotels & Resorts today unveils St. Regis Estates, an ultra-exclusive brand expression reserved for legacy-rich, leisure-led estates – rarified hotels defined by significant history, expansive grounds, and extraordinary amenities.
Born from a rising desire for privacy, authenticity, and a deeper emotional connection to place, St. Regis Estates brings the House of Astor’s tradition of grand estate living into the modern era. Just as generations of Astors cultivated extraordinary homes both within the city and across the countryside, their retreat estates offered another expression of their lifestyle – places where natural beauty, refined simplicity, and cultural connection created space for meaningful celebration. St. Regis Estates continues that legacy for today’s luxury traveler, introducing destinations shaped by character, setting, and heritage rather than spectacle or trend.
Published: Thu, 04 Dec 2025 10:02:54 +0000
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Anahita Golf & Spa Resort has unveiled, on the 1st of December, its new identity: The Bay Club at Anahita. Set on the stunning bay of Mauritius East coast, the new brand celebrates a refined seaside lifestyle-where life unfolds by the water, on the water, and along the gentle flow of the lagoon. Guests and residents are invited to savour the island’s tropical charm and rediscover one of its most exceptional estates.
Published: Thu, 04 Dec 2025 06:59:48 +0000
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Any international hotel chains with properties in China, along with the global tech vendors they rely on, may be unknowingly violating Chinese data privacy laws, warns Ireckonu. At the heart of the issue are China’s data residency requirements, which mandate that guest data collected within the country must remain there. According to Ireckonu, a middleware and guest data platform provider for hotels, a significant number of global hotel tech providers are still storing or processing this data outside of China, exposing their clients to serious legal and financial risks if regulators decide to step in.
Both international hotel groups and Chinese operators have expressed a growing concern about the possibility of a government crackdown. In today’s geopolitical climate, regulatory measures could arise at any time, potentially in response to foreign trade or data policies, which might result in fines, reputational impact, or, in extreme cases, affect the operation of their properties.
Published: Wed, 03 Dec 2025 14:41:22 +0000
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Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives, an island synonymous with barefoot luxury and the art of refined romance, is delighted to announce its Valentine’s Day 2026 program — Through the Sands of Time. Designed as a poetic journey celebrating love in all its forms, this curated experience invites couples to pause, reconnect, and create memories that linger long after the waves have erased their footprints from the shore.
Nestled among turquoise waters and powder-soft sands, the resort is acclaimed as one of the Maldives’ most romantic escapes, with accommodation that naturally lends itself to intimate moments. The Water Villa with Private Pool, perched elegantly above the lagoon, offers uninterrupted ocean views and complete seclusion—perfect for couples seeking privacy wrapped in Maldivian serenity. On land, the Beach Villa with Private Pool immerses guests in lush greenery with a private stretch of sand just steps away, making it an idyllic sanctuary for sunset rituals and slow, quiet mornings together. These villas form the perfect backdrop for Valentine’s escapes, honeymoons, proposals, anniversaries, and destination celebrations throughout the year.
Published: Wed, 03 Dec 2025 09:37:35 +0000
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Dubai-born AVENEW Development is entering the branded residences space following a signed agreement with Marriott International to develop The St. Regis Residences at Dubai Islands. The upcoming project is designed for the modern connoisseur, reflecting the developer’s forward-thinking approach to residential living, where every detail, from interiors to communal experiences, is crafted to inspire connection, elevate lifestyle, and define what it means to truly come home.
AVENEW Development’s selection of Dubai Islands for this seafront living project highlights its in-depth knowledge and established presence within this transformative area. With other major projects located on the islands, AVENEW possesses a proven understanding of the location’s potential, infrastructure, and growing appeal to residents.
Published: Wed, 03 Dec 2025 09:32:03 +0000