Saudi Arabia is aggressively pursuing its Vision 2030 goal of becoming a global tourism leader. This ambition is supported by an US$800 billion investment in giga-projects. To propel this growth, the inaugural WTM Spotlight Riyadh will gather international travel industry professionals in the capital from 29 September to 1 October 2026. Organisers expect over 450 exhibitors and 6,500 visitors. The goal is to stimulate new partnerships and investment.
UN Tourism has partnered with UMusic Hospitality & Lifestyle (UMHL) and the Center for Music Ecosystems (CME) to leverage music tourism for job creation and economic growth in high-growth economies. The new Memorandum of Understanding, announced at the UN Tourism General Assembly in Riyadh, aims to position the creative industries as a transformative force through tourism. The collaboration will use the influence of global figures, including newly appointed UN Tourism Ambassador Khabane Lame, to promote music as a viable path to economic mobility.
Hilton has announced the signing of the Waldorf Astoria Scarlet Bay in the Peloponnese, marking the iconic luxury brand’s first venture in Greece. The development signals a significant milestone in Hilton’s rapid expansion across Greece, a world-class destination where the company now manages over 60 hotels trading and in the pipeline.
RMS, a leading hospitality technology platform, has announced a new integration with cloud-based point-of-sale provider Epos Now. The partnership aims to enhance operational efficiency by connecting front-of-house transactions with RMS’s property management system. This integration syncs guest billing and POS transactions in real time, reducing manual data entry errors and speeding up reconciliation. The collaboration is expected to enable faster check-outs and improve cross-departmental coordination, supporting a seamless guest journey and new upsell opportunities. This partnership adds to RMS’s growing ecosystem of smart integrations.
Marriott International, Inc. has announced an agreement with Pacifica Hotels G.K. to introduce its midscale brand, City Express by Marriott, to Japan. The deal involves converting two existing hotels in Osaka, which are scheduled to reopen in 2026. The two properties will be named City Express by Marriott Osaka Namba South and City Express by Marriott Osaka Shin-Imamiya. The collaboration with Pacifica Hotels and AB Capital aims to capitalise on rising hotel rates and strong demand for quality, value-driven accommodation in Osaka. The properties are strategically located near major transit hubs for seamless travel across the Kansai region.
The new Chedi Private Residences Downtown is the second branded residential tower to be developed in partnership with Al Seeb Real Estate Development. The decision to move ahead with the second project quickly followed the successful launch of the first project, The Chedi Private Residences Sheikh Zayed Road. This debut development sold 65% of its units within months of its market introduction earlier in the year. The latest signing confirms Chedi Hospitality’s rapid expansion in the luxury branded residences segment, a drive that includes the recently announced Chedi Residences Wadi Safar in Saudi Arabia.
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