Ciel Dubai Marina, the world’s tallest hotel, has officially opened as part of IHG’s Vignette Collection. The 377-metre landmark, developed by The First Group, features 82 floors and one of the world’s highest infinity pools. The hotel offers several destination dining venues, including the UK-born Asian restaurant Tattu, which culminates in the Sky Lounge & Terrace on Level 81. The property offers a spa, 24-hour gym, and a partnership with the International Centre for Culinary Arts (ICCA) to support culinary talent.
IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed a dual management agreement with Mosa bin Abdul Aziz Al-Mosa and Sons Real Estate Holding Co. to launch two new hotels in Saudi Arabia. The hotels are the 232-key Crowne Plaza Al Khobar Al Bandariyah and the 106-key Holiday Inn Riyadh Rose Yard. The Crowne Plaza is expected to open in Q1 2027 near the Corniche, while the Holiday Inn, opening in late 2026, will feature the brand’s modern Open Lobby concept in Riyadh’s Al-Suwaidi district.
The Ascott Limited has launched a global, open-access Disability Inclusion Playbook for the accommodation sector, setting a new benchmark for inclusive hospitality. Developed with Colorful Earth and supported by SG Enable, World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, and Valuable 500, the Playbook details guidance across five key pillars: Training, Spaces, Hiring, Digital Interfaces and Programmes. This initiative addresses the underserved market of an estimated 1.3 billion travellers with disabilities.
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.
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