Minor Hotels has launched its Oaks Hotels, Resorts & Suites brand in Japan with the dual opening of Oaks Vacation Club Kyoto Gojo and Oaks Vacation Club Kyoto Shijo. Located in central Kyoto, the two properties add a combined 47 rooms featuring kitchenette facilities, positioning the Australian-founded brand in its second Asian country alongside nearby historic landmarks and transport networks.
Saudi Arabia's RUA AlHaram AlMakki and Rua Al Madinah Holding have signed two strategic collaboration agreements with Brunei's TAIB in Bandar Seri Begawan. The partnership opens investment channels for real estate developments in Makkah and Madinah, including a joint venture within Makkah's King Salman Gate destination with an estimated gross development value of SAR 9.7 billion.
Hyatt Hotels Corporation has launched Hyatt Regency Jiaxing Nanhu along the shores of South Lake in Jiaxing, China. Featuring 201 guestrooms, extensive event facilities, and regional dining, the opening marks the brand's debut in the city. Paired with the recently opened Hyatt Place Jiaxing Nanhu, the dual-brand development expands Hyatt's presence in the Yangtze River Delta region.
Marriott International has reached a milestone in Mexico by opening its 300th hotel, the Courtyard by Marriott Torreón. The expansion covers over 44,000 rooms across 25 brands, supported by a pipeline of 76 properties. With conversions accounting for 35 per cent of signed developments, Marriott plans to open more than 10 additional properties in Mexico before the end of 2026.
Banyan Group has acquired a majority stake in Cape Town-headquartered Newmark Hotels & Reserves through a phased structure leading to full ownership. The transaction adds 26 managed properties across seven African countries to Banyan Group’s portfolio, expanding its reach to nearly 130 hotels, resorts and reserves globally. Newmark will continue operating under its existing brand, leadership and local management structure.
World Tourism Day 2026 examined how artificial intelligence can redesign travel. But as algorithms increasingly dictate where travellers go, a critical question emerges: who gets put on the map? From digital overtourism to background master planning, this feature explores how generative discovery engines and structured data determine which independent hotels, small businesses, and emerging cultural destinations get seen and which are left behind.
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