Hotel News Professional and Inclusive Hospitality Group

Malaysia Airlines says all A380s will be retired

Malaysia Airlines has become the latest airline to sound the death-knell for the Airbus A380, with confirmation today that all six of its superjumbos would be retired over the coming months. "We are cognizant of the challenges to sell this aeroplane, but we are still looking at ways and means to dispose of our 380 fleet," CEO Izham Ismail said in an online press briefing on Tuesday. "At the moment, the management is convinced that the 380 doesn't fit the future plan." That plan will however see the Malaysian flag-carrier and Oneworld member restart the delivery schedule for its Boeing 737 MAX jets from 2024, although Ismail added "we are also exploring the possibility of taking it earlier."Malaysia Airlines aims to have 83 aircraft in total by 2025, with the beleaguered carrier aiming to break even in 2023, in line with a full recovery of demand for air travel. Malaysia Airlines was among Airbus' final customers to sign up for the superjumbo, taking its first delivery in 2012 – the last, which arrived in 2013, was the 100th A380 produced. The A380's sported eight open first class suites (later rebranded as business suites) at the front of the lower deck, with 66 business class seats (in an outdated 2-2-2 layout) on the upper deck and 420 economy seats spread across both decks, with children under 12 controversially banned from the small upper-deck economy cabin.The viability of the airline's A380 was often called into question, and at various stages over recent years Malaysia Airlines has considered measures such as selling off the double-decker jets or spinning them out into a seperate airline which would charter the A380s to bring Muslims across south-east Asian on the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages to Saudi Arabia. "The aim is to establish an air transport system and infrastructure dedicated for Hajj and Umrah for Muslims not just from these three countries but also other ASEAN countries" Ismail remarked in February 2019, adding that the new airline would be called Amal. Less than two weeks ago, Etihad Airways CEO Tony Douglas announced the Gulf carrier would keep its ten Airbus A380s grounded "indefinitely", admitting the superjumbos – adorned with the extravagant three-room Residence suite and nine spacious first class Apartments – were "a wonderful product, but they are no longer commercially sustainable."(Douglas also dropped the bombshell that Etihad would axe its entire Boeing 777-300ER fleet, charting a future with the fuel-efficient Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A350 to become a smaller and more streamlined 'boutique' operation.) Air France and Lufthansa have also called an end to the Airbus A380; Qatar Airways will retire five of its ten A380s, but the fate of the remaining A380s remains in limbo. However, Qantas and British Airways both intend to bring their 12-strong A380 fleets back as demand for international travel rebounds. "We think we will reactivate all of the A380s," Qantas CEO Alan Joyce forecast last month, although he doesn't expect they'll all return to the skies until demand for international travel reaches 2019 levels "in 2024." British Airways' CEO Sean Doyle is of a similar mind, remarking in March 2021 that the A380 "is in our plans for the future rebuild of the airline – although he allowed that "exactly when we will put the A380 back into service is something that we’re not clear on." As for A380 champion Emirates, airline president Sir Tim Clark believes there's plenty of life left in those superjumbos. "The A380, of which we have 118 at the moment and five more on delivery, will continue in the plan until the mid '30s," Clark predicts, at which point they'll be fully replaced by the Boeing 777X. By the end of this decade and the beginning of the next, Emirates' heavy-duty fleet strategy will involve "using the A380s on the trunk routes, barreling through from east to west and north to south... with the 777X gradually slipping in to replace the A380s that eventually retire."

Create: May 7, 2021 Edit: May 7, 2021 International News

In a World of Mobile Lifestyles and Remote Working, What Role Will Hotels Play

At a time when many of the world’s events continue to be plagued by COVID-19, making plans even a week in advance may seem difficult, much less 10 years into the future. Nearly overnight, the dialogue shifted from “where to for lunch?” to “can you hear me?”. And as hotels emptied out and travel restrictions drag on, many may wonder, where lies the future of hotels? To answer this question, it is first important to recognize that the hotel sector does not exist as an individual silo, but one which forms part of a much wider network: the ecosystem of how we live and work. The cities in which we live today are a reflection of how humans have shaped our environments to fit our social and economic needs. For generations, urban agglomeration had been the standard of cities, and central business districts (CBDs) thrived as we commuted between living in one area and working in another. Accordingly, hotels have typically focused on serving transient international or regional visitors, primarily playing one of two roles: a place to sleep and meet during our business travels, or a place of respite for our leisure getaways. Today, rising interest in (semi-) permanent remote working and a greater desire to live outside of high-density urban areas may signal yet another impending change in the way we live and work. Could deurbanization or decentralization continue on this trajectory – and what would that mean for hotels? In a Cushman & Wakefield webinar, Richard Pickering, Chief Strategy Officer, EMEA and Borivoj Vokrinek, Strategic Advisory and Head of Hospitality Research EMEA from Cushman & Wakefield, traced the paths of how our societies and hotels have evolved, from their very beginnings to where they could be in the future. Blast from the past: The evolution of travel, from immobile to transient lifestyles Since the early days of civilization, the structure of our society has dictated where we lay our heads every night. When humans lived in self-sufficient tribes and settlements, there was no need to travel or sleep anywhere other than in our own beds; while as society progressed, business travel dominated as merchants travelled for trade. And then, with higher disposable incomes, more free time, rising globalization and the internationalisation of trade, there came the birth of mass leisure and business travel. Clearly, humans have become increasingly mobile – and the advancement of technology will only continue to push us towards this trend. Similarly, the role of accommodation providers has also evolved immensely with our changing social and technological landscape. From being a place for shelter and food to becoming a place to meet and then emerging as a provider of experiences, hotels have always evolved alongside our society and the cities in which we live. In today’s context, our ‘social awakening’ has brought rising calls for better work-life balance and a heightened desire to travel and ‘unwind’. To perpetuate this image, hotels have taken on an additional role: a promoter of one’s social status, driven by the growing prevalence of social media. Yet, this evolution will not end there – with our growing mobility, the role of hotels will only continue to expand to meet our transient needs. “There’s no virtual pivot for hotels,” Pickering emphasized. As our society and cities continue to evolve, so will hotels. ‘The variable impact (of COVID-19) on different sectors’ – C&W Webinar Part 1 of 2: Evolution of our cities and what it means for real estate, presented by Richard Pickering. Note: The relative positionings are for illustration purposes only. Swimming against the current – the rise of remote working Our cities of today, however, have been far from perfect, in fact, some may even argue that urbanisation in the developed world has become a myth. “In city centres, centralized demand, when combined with scarce supplies, pushes up rents for businesses as well as housing costs. [Meanwhile,] increasing city sizes means increasing commute times, which reduces free time and worsens pollution – all while our creaking infrastructure amplifies the penalties of distance,” Pickering suggested. It is unsurprising, therefore, to see an increasing number of digital nomads who choose to forego homeownership entirely to traverse the world in search of the much-revered triple-threat ‘office spaces’: stable Wi-Fi, multiple charging points and good coffee. In fact, as Global Workplace Analytics estimates that 25-30% of the workforce will telecommute multiple days a week by the end of 2021, some argue that ‘working from home’ may eventually become ‘work from anywhere’. And with a number of hotels already offering ‘work from hotel’ packages or even subscription services, it is evident that hotels are well-placed to capitalize on this trend. Forward to the future: Super-commuters in a decentralized world. As the idea of remote working with occasional commutes to the workplace gains wider acceptance from both employers and employees, it seems that we are at the tipping point of a new emerging trend: super-commuting. Super-commuters live in one city or country while their office is in another, commuting between the two from time to time – and this will have implications for hotels. “In the future, if more of the workforce is living in remote areas, it is actually likely that they will use hotel accommodation more frequently [for the days that they do travel to the office],” Vokrinek explained. Importantly, increased remote working does not mean a lesser need for meetings and social interactions – rather, the contrary is most likely true. “Not only will employees be living further away and have fewer interactions amongst each other, but clients will also be living outside of cities. So, there would be a need for more structured [and deliberate] meetings, not only on an international scale, but locally and regionally as well – and that will drive demand for meeting facilities in hotels,” Vokrinek suggested. In fact, not only will the role of hotels evolve, but there will likely be a greater need for hotels in the smaller communities that will form in these areas where such super-commuters will typically work from. “Historically, those towns and places were probably mostly residential, with limited [interest from investors] and limited amenities. However, if people will be living in those local hubs on a regular basis and commute less to the central core office, there will be a need for amenities in those local hubs and this will include hotels. Of course, the demand will be softer, so the hotels will probably be smaller. They will need to be more flexible; most likely a hybrid concept within mixed-use developments, [but there will be a need for them”] explained Vokrinek. ‘Hotels within a new eco-system of workspaces’ – C&W Webinar Part 2 of 2: The role of hotels as cities evolve, presented by Borivoj Vokrinek. The who and the why? Towards a new kind of work-life balance Although the notion of such super-commuters forming a considerable proportion of our workforce seems to lie somewhere in the distant future, with the prevalence of low-cost airlines and the advancements of technology, experts speculated, as early as 2014, that there could already be hundreds of thousands of super-commuters worldwide. This decentralization of the workplace is likely to pick up not only because of our increased mobility and higher level of comfort with remote working, but also due to the attractive benefits it may bring to both employees and employers. As Pickering explained, “In a digitally enabled world where distance no longer matters, […] I see a real opportunity for employees to derive labour arbitrage and live a better life” – even taking a small pay cut from a London salary to work from the Greek island of Kefalonia could be well worth the trade-off”. On the flip side, employers may also realize that sourcing the best (and/or cheaper) talent will no longer be bound by geographical borders. And with higher pressure on costs, especially in the short-term, employers too may find themselves increasingly attracted to the lure of allowing super-commuting. The shift, not death of business travel Many soothsayers have begun lamenting the death of business travel, citing the rise of video conferencing and growing realization that not all meetings call for an 8-hour flight and 2-hour layover. However, while the increased usage of video conferencing will undeniably replace some business travel, especially in the short-term, it would be hasty to presume that this would necessarily lead to a significant decline in business travel in the long-term. Rather, as we become increasingly accustomed to living a mobile lifestyle and working remotely, this emerging form of business travel will likely broaden the opportunities for hotels, through catering to the needs of a more decentralized workforce and their clientele. As Vokrinek further suggested, “Some part of the demand will become more regular and predictable, and this will open opportunities for more membership or subscription concepts and increase the importance of loyalty programmes.” Despite the short-term challenges faced by the hotel industry, it is evident that the role of hotels has constantly expanded to meet the new needs of the times – and there is no reason to assume that this time will be any different. Our society is undoubtedly becoming ever more transient, spending more time outside of our homes. But even then, we will still need places to eat, sleep, work and relax. With the rise of remote working, we will likely crave physical interactions and seek places to meet with others more than ever before. Therefore, while the current pandemic has had an indescribable impact on the hotel sector, its long-term implication is that it has catalysed the evolution of how and where we live and work, with hotels destined to play a much bigger role in our increasingly mobile lifestyles and new work ecosystems.

Create: May 6, 2021 Edit: May 6, 2021 Hotel Management

SpaceX Successfully Launches and Lands Newest Starship SN15 Prototype Rocket

The SpaceX Starship SN15 prototype rocket lifted off at 6:24 PM EDT and performed a belly-flop before managing a soft landing, with just a fire at the bottom of the spacecraft caused by the methane fuel it uses. This marks the first successful landing after four previous prototypes ending in explosions. SpaceX will use the data gathered from these prototypes to develop a much larger Starship that will one day transport humans to the Moon, Mars and beyond. To prevent the explosions of its predecessors, the SpaceX team upgraded several parts, including the rocket hardware, communication / navigation systems, software and the Raptor engines. This fully reusable, two‑stage‑to‑orbit super heavy‑lift launch vehicle is comprised of a booster stage named Super Heavy, and a second stage, also called “Starship.” The second stage will be designated as a long‑duration cargo and passenger‑carrying spacecraft. On long-duration trips, Starship will serve as both the second stage and the in‑space long‑duration orbital spaceship.

Create: May 6, 2021 Edit: May 6, 2021 International News

Aemilia Hotel Deploys BeyondTV GuestCast to Cater to Latest Demands in Contactless Guestroom Entertainment

BeyondTV (BTV), a full-service provider of guestroom entertainment services and solutions for the hospitality industry, has announced the successful implementation of its BeyondTV GuestCast streaming solution at the Aemilia Hotel in Bologna, Italy. Installed by LB Sistemi, one of the first LG Business Solutions vendors to receive BeyondTV dealer Certification in the region, BeyondTV GuestCast will ensure that the Aemilia Hotel can securely meet growing industry demands for personalized in-room entertainment. A new 125-room property situated in the heart of Bologna, Aemilia Hotel seeks to provide its guests with the latest in modern amenities and comforts, with guestroom entertainment being no exception. By leveraging BeyondTV’s Certification Program which provides Italian hotels with straightforward access to the company’s technology via LG Business Solutions, Aemilia Hotel can now offer instant compatibility with thousands of mobile-based streaming apps. Engineered specifically to address the unique needs of the hospitality industry, BeyondTV GuestCast significantly allows guests to cast virtually any content of preference from personal devices onto guestroom televisions without ever requesting personal login information. The platform is also designed to be fully compatible with existing hotel television and Wi-Fi network hardware, eliminating the need for complex integrations or equipment replacement. “In the current market environment, it is more important than ever for hotels to enhance their competitiveness by adopting technologies that can safely address guest expectations for personalized experiences,” said Luca Bibolini, General Manager at Aemilia Hotel. “As a modern 4-star hotel, we were committed to identifying the industry’s leading platform for personalized in-room entertainment, with BeyondTV GuestCast offering precisely the kind of flexible functionality, ease-of-use and enhanced security that today’s guests expect.” In addition to sidestepping the need for guests to enter-in sensitive login information, BeyondTV GuestCast also utilizes advanced device isolation capabilities to prevent cross-room communication. This feature significantly prevents both the inadvertent and malicious casting of content to televisions located in other rooms, and serves as yet another vital layer of protecting guest privacy. BeyondTV GuesCast is also backed by 24/7 support services that can swiftly address any suddenly arising performance issues before they can negatively impact hotel stay experiences.

Create: May 6, 2021 Edit: May 6, 2021 International News

NOUN Hotel Breaks Ground in Norman, Oklahoma

Managing partner Scott Lambert is pleased to announce NOUN Hotel, a premiere four-story boutique hotel, has broken ground and is expected to welcome its first guests in summer 2022. Located in downtown Norman at 542 South University Boulevard on Campus Corner next to the University of Oklahoma, NOUN Hotel will feature 92 modern guest rooms, including two luxurious 900-square-foot suites, a signature restaurant and bar, an intimate speakeasy bar, a banquet room for up to 150, boardroom, an outdoor/indoor bar, and on-site parking. NOUN Hotel will be managed by Lambert, who will drive the hotel’s development, implementation, and execution. Lambert said, “This is something that the community and the University of Oklahoma have wanted for years, so this is an exciting time for us and the city. We look forward to providing our guests with the highest level of service and hospitality in true Oklahoma fashion.” Designed by GH2 Architects, NOUN Hotel’s exterior elements will include a classic, timeless look that reflects the architecture of Norman and the University of Oklahoma. As guests enter the hotel on the first floor, they will be drawn in by the hotel’s spacious lobby with 15-foot ceilings, high-end lighting and a 3,000-square-foot upscale restaurant and bar with a plaza area offering scenic views of University Boulevard as well as a room for private dinners and meetings. Outdoor and indoor seating will be available, including a patio bar with a fire pit and water feature that will serve the restaurant and lobby area. NOUN Hotel guest rooms will emphasize comfort featuring soft neutral tones and clean, modern lines. The second floor will include a 3,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor covered bar featuring a stylish and contemporary bar overlooking the University of Oklahoma and Campus Center where guests can take advantage of beautiful Oklahoma sunsets. The bar will offer limited food service and handcrafted cocktails. The food and beverage program will be supported by Hal Smith Restaurants. In addition to dining and guest rooms, the hotel will feature multiple meeting spaces, including a 150-person banquet room and a hotel boardroom that seats 25 people. With a flexible, connected layout, the space can accommodate intimate business meetings and a range of special events or private parties.

Create: May 6, 2021 Edit: May 6, 2021 International News

The world’s tallest hotel, Dubai’s Ciel Tower

The skyline of Dubai is likely to be adorned with Yahya Jan’s creative work. He is president and design director of architectural and engineering firm NORR, responsible for some of the city’s most recognizable landmarks, including the Infinity and Atlantis Hotels. Now he is working on his most ambitious project, due for completion in 2023. The Ciel Tower will be home to more than 1,000 hotel rooms and suites and rise more than 1,200 feet (365 meters) above ground. For the project, Jan was tasked with designing the skyscraper on a triangular plot of land at Dubai Marina with an area of just 2,500 square meters — small for a building of that height. “It’s a property that’s very compressed. It’s like what you would face in Manhattan or London. The constraints were tremendous, and yet we had to make it work.” Yaya says. An observation deck that offers 360-degree views of Dubai and iconic landmarks such as the Palm Jumeirah will be built according to the First Group developer. From the restaurant and rooftop pool, visitors will be able to catch a glimpse of the city. Jan said the project appeals to the senses and is energy efficient, using 25% less energy for air conditioning than typical similar buildings. “This project is not just about architecture. It’s about architecture and engineering coming together. That’s why I love the project so much. It … is my passion, the convergence of science and art,” Yaya added. Twelve floors have been completed, but Jan said he remains “extremely involved” in work even this far into the build. “When you design a project as complex as the Ciel, you can never let your guard down, and you can never say it’s over,” he said. “It’s a continuous process.” Originally from Karachi in Pakistan, Yaya moved to the US when he was 18 on a scholarship and studied structural engineering at Princeton. He then did an MS in architecture. For the next nine years, Jan worked in the US and wasn’t planning to leave until he was offered a job as a senior designer for the Emirates Towers complex. The 57-year-old architect said he never imagined he would stay in Dubai for so long. “It’s been an amazing 25 years living here,” he said. As for the Ciel Tower — which is named for the French word for the sky — Jan hopes the building will be considered timeless, just like the Empire State Building or the Chrysler Building in New York City. “The reason I like the fact that it’s called Ciel is that I believe in our own lives the sky is the limit, and that’s the case certainly in my own life. I’ve had a chance to grow, to do things that I didn’t think I would get a chance to do. So it’s been amazing.” HE said.

Create: May 5, 2021 Edit: May 5, 2021 International News

VISA will focus on 5 key crypto areas

This is just the start but it is progress towards the solidification of the crypto movement! The first of the five areas mentioned by the VISA CEO is enabling consumers to purchase these currencies or Bitcoin, noting that they are exerting effort to ensure that they are facilitating the use of Visa cards to buy. The second one is allowing digital currency cash-outs to fiat, which means converting digital currency to fiat on a Visa credential, making the funds available for shopping at any of the 70 million Visa merchants. The third area is enabling financial institutions and fintech partners to offer crypto options for their customers. Kelly said they have created APIs that give customers of financial institutions the ability to purchase, hold and even trade digital currencies held by the first federally charted digital asset bank in the U.S., Anchorage. Meanwhile, the fourth area is settlement. With this regard, Kelly said, “We’ve upgraded our infrastructure to allow a financial institution to settle with these in a digital currency with stablecoin, starting with USDC.” Kelly said the last area of opportunity and, perhaps one of the most challenging, in the crypto space that they are focusing on is working with central banks.

Create: May 4, 2021 Edit: May 4, 2021 International News

Stratolaunch flies world's largest airplane on 2nd test flight

The biggest airplane ever built now has two flights under its belt. Stratolaunch's Roc carrier plane, which is being groomed to haul hypersonic vehicles aloft, conducted its second-ever test flight Thursday morning (April 29). The giant aircraft, which features a wingspan of 385 feet (117 meters), took off from Mojave Air and Space Port in southeastern California at 10:28 a.m. EDT (1428 GMT; 7:28 local California time) on a data-gathering shakeout cruise that lasted three hours and 14 minutes. Roc reached a maximum altitude of 14,000 feet (4,267 m) and a top speed of 199 mph (320 km/h) during Thursday's test flight, which Stratolaunch deemed a success. "We're very pleased with how the Stratolaunch aircraft performed today, and we are equally excited about how much closer the aircraft is to launching its first hypersonic vehicle," Stratolaunch chief operating officer Zachary Krevor said during a postflight news conference today. Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen established Stratolaunch in 2011 with the idea that Roc would be used to launch satellites in midair. But Allen died in October 2018 without seeing that vision become reality, or even seeing the twin-fuselage Roc get off the ground. The plane didn't make its first — and, until today, only — test flight until April 2019. The company was sold in October 2019 to its current owners, who recast Roc's role. The plane will now serve as a mobile launch platform for hypersonic vehicles, maneuverable craft that travel at least five times faster than the speed of sound. Stratolaunch is developing its own family of hypersonic vehicles, including a reusable 28-foot-long (8.5 m) craft called Talon-A, which will be the first to fly with Roc. But that won't happen for a while yet; Roc needs to make a number of additional solo flights first, company representatives said today. If all goes according to plan, the first drop tests with Roc and a Talon-A test article will occur early next year. An expendable version of Talon-A will reach hypersonic speeds later in 2022, and the first flight with the reusable Talon-A variant will follow in 2023, said Stratolaunch chief technology officer Daniel Millman. The data gathered during Talon-A flights might be of interest to the U.S. military, which has been developing its own hypersonic vehicles for years now, though none are operational yet. (Hypersonic vehicles are good weapon-delivery systems, because their maneuverability makes them tougher to counteract than traditional ballistic missiles.) "One of the areas that we're looking at is, how can we help the Department of Defense in mitigating risks for a lot of their expensive flight testing?" Millman said. "Our testbed has the ability to carry payloads. It has the ability to test materials. It has the ability to fly a variety of profiles that are of interest to folks across the spectrum both offensively and defensively in terms of hypersonics."

Create: May 4, 2021 Edit: May 4, 2021 International News

Pivot Plans June Opening of The Kimpton Harper Hotel in Downtown Fort Worth

The highly anticipated Kimpton Harper Hotel debuts in downtown Fort Worth on June 2, 2021. Development Services Group, Inc., based in Memphis, TN, acquired the architectural landmark near Sundance Square from XTO Energy and oversaw the adaptive reuse to convert it from an office building into The Harper Hotel. Originally built in 1921 in the heart of downtown Fort Worth as the headquarters for Farmer’s and Mechanics Bank, the reimagining of this striking building coincides with the 100th anniversary of its original completion. The Harper Hotel is managed by Pivot, the lifestyle operating vertical of Davidson Hospitality Group. In the heart of downtown and three miles from the historic Fort Worth stockyards, the location offers a unique destination for travelers and locals alike with the renowned Sundance Square Plaza as well as shopping, entertainment, restaurants, and a lively bar scene—all just steps away. The Harper Hotel offers 226 guest rooms and suites for guests to enjoy, fit for business as well as pleasure. Designer Cynthia Forchielli of Forchielli Glynn brings the perfect blend of relaxed yet sophisticated design to every room, including handcrafted furniture, thoughtful details, brass pendant lights, woven baskets, and lively local art. Additionally, guests can find subtle nods to Fort Worth’s history, such as a panther figurine, referencing the ‘Panther City’ nickname, that greets guests upon opening the room closet. Guest rooms and suites offer luxurious Frette bedding, Atelier Bloem bath amenities, Bluetooth speaker systems, and plush bathrobes for ultimate relaxations. For guests wanting a little extra space to spread out, 31 one-bedroom suites offer these signature amenities and more, such as dreamy soaking tubs, wet bars, and gorgeous views of downtown Fort Worth and surrounding plains. For a morning or afternoon pick-me-up, The Harper Hotel offers complimentary coffee and tea service for guests and hosts a daily social hour from 5-6 p.m. in the living room lobby, the ideal common space for gathering, located next to check-in on the 24th floor. Guests can also take advantage of the state-of-the-art Fitness Center with high-end equipment, such as Peloton bikes. The Harper Hotel also offers a first-class culinary experience. Bringing contemporary Italian cuisine to downtown Fort Worth, Il Modo, helmed by Chef Matt Williams, keeps seasonality and sustainability in mind with offerings including house-made pasta, wood-fired pizzas, and rustic-refined Italian dishes—all prepared with locally sourced ingredients. Restaurant and bar guests can also enjoy a thoughtful wine list created to harmonize with the cuisine and cocktails built around Italian classics. Il Modo is located on the ground floor, easily accessible for both travelers and locals, and the restaurant offers a view of its pasta-making room for a behind-the-scenes look. For special occasions, private dining is available, as well as pasta-making classes. Craft cocktails and libations pair best with sweeping views at Refinery 714, The Harper Hotel’s penthouse whiskey bar and cocktail lounge. Nestled on the 24th floor, adjacent to the living room lobby and check-in area, Refinery 714 offers a buzzing social scene as well as a space to unwind with robust whiskey offerings, classic cocktails, curated beers and wines, and a select menu for elevated bar bites. Perched high above downtown with unbeatable views, it easily feels like the neighborhood’s best-kept secret. Refinery 714 also offers a private dining room flanked by two floor-to-ceiling glass doors for a more intimate setting. With more than 10,000 square feet of event space, including the Sanquinet Boardroom on the 24th floor and the Centurion Ballroom on the second floor, along with meeting rooms and spaces for gatherings of all kinds, The Harper Hotel crafts event experiences spanning from classrooms and conferences to weddings with interiors and finishings that stay true to The Harper Hotel experience. Additionally, meeting rooms have built-in buffets, and personalized catering is available.

Create: May 1, 2021 Edit: May 1, 2021 International News

Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Completes Top-to-Bottom Multi-Phase Renovation

Sheraton Phoenix Downtown, Arizona’s largest hotel located in the heart of downtown, has been reimagined from top-to-bottom as part of Sheraton’s worldwide transformation of its guest experience vision. The newly renovated hotel, one of the first to display Sheraton’s new signature key elements, brings hope and renewal to the community as they prepare for a revival in tourism. Drawing on its roots as a community hub for locals and guests at flagship locations globally, the new approach for Sheraton creates an intuitive and holistic experience with places to connect, be productive and feel part of something. At Sheraton Phoenix Downtown, the modern, bold, open design pays tribute to the hotel’s iconic style, while adding a fresh, contemporary backdrop for guests to dine and imbibe in Phoenix.Marriott International’s new vision for Sheraton’s public spaces was brought to life at Sheraton Phoenix Downtown by Dallas, Texas based Looney & Associates, the interior design firm that counts Wailea Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, Ventana Big Sur and the iconic Hotel Del Coronado amongst its lauded hospitality projects. The studio of creatives has brought its penchant for color, texture and contrast to Sheraton Phoenix Downtown’s vision of community-minded spaces that feel warm and inviting for all guests. From sleek modern lines, marble countertops and accents that pop, the 1,004-room hotel is beckoning guests to connect in style in the heart of downtown Phoenix. “We are thrilled to re-introduce Sheraton Phoenix Downtown to our wonderful local community and welcome back travelers and guests who are making their return to Phoenix once again,” said General Manager Mike Ehmann. “Sheraton’s core value is to bring people together. We believe travelers will feel intrinsically linked to the Phoenix community and vice versa through the hotel’s concerted design elements that represent the heritage of the brand and warm textures of the region, and through engaging hotel programming that gives guests a sense of belonging.” Reimagined Community Spaces At the heart of the new experience at Sheraton Phoenix Downtown is the lobby. The expansive 19,000 square foot space acts as a public square for the hotel; a holistic, open area that invites people to join together or be alone amongst others, creating a sense of energy and belonging. With a flow that is natural, intuitive and uncomplicated, guests have what they need within arm’s reach, all set against an inviting backdrop that feels warm and comfortable yet refined. Anchoring the lobby is the brand’s signature “Community Table”, an inviting, purpose-built workspace that allow guests to work, eat and drink while soaking up the energy around them. Following Sheraton’s philosophy to embrace both form and function, these tables are custom designed with amenities to keep guests productive, including built-in lighting, outlets and wireless charging stations. Soundproof booths are strategically placed throughout the lobby, perfect for a spontaneous phone call to connect privately with friends, family or colleagues from afar. Guests can also make use of six uniquely-designed “Studios”, flexible gathering spaces available to book whenever a guest needs it. Built on raised platforms and enclosed with glass, the Studios allow guests to contribute to the energy of the public space while also providing privacy and focus. As travelers have a heightened desire for social-distancing, the Studios – ranging from 125 to 600 square feet – are perfect for everything from remote working to collaborating or celebrating with an intimate group, and allow guests to control the lighting, temperature and order food and drink for delivery. Guests can book the spaces through an on-demand, contactless booking system, providing them with a unique and flexible option outside of the hotel’s existing 110,000+ square feet of extensive meeting space. Built with its global, productivity-focused guest in mind, Sheraton Phoenix Downtown’s new elevated food & beverage offering creates a focal point in the lobby experience. &More by Sheraton is part bar, part coffee shop, part grab-and-go market and a central pillar of the new Sheraton vision. The outlet transitions guests seamlessly from day to night with food & beverage options that are locally-sourced, easy to consume while working and customizable to accommodate all tastes and time schedules. Open from 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m., guests can begin their day with a specialty brew and cap it off with a signature cold brew gin and tonic. As of Summer 2021, guests and locals alike will also be able to enjoy a new full-service restaurant in the lobby. Refreshed Guest Rooms The 1,000+ guest rooms received a “studs to ceiling” transformation, expertly designed by Baskervill. Evoking a timeless comfort, guests are welcomed into a bright, well-lit room with warm, residential appeal, comprised of soft finishes and light wood tones accentuated with black metal accents. A platform bed and crisp white bedding centers the room of curated furniture that feels as welcoming as a friend’s guestroom. A houndstooth chair gives a pop of classic Sheraton pattern while the new 65-inch televisions are mounted to a noise cancelling, woven fabric paneling making a gorgeous statement wall. A bench running beneath the tv provides additional seating. The rooms have been reimagined with new tools for productivity, such as a height-adjustable work table, integrated power and charging and layered lighting. The bathroom features a walk-in shower or bath surrounded by neutral porcelain walls while a light wood tone vanity and backlit mirror with modern polished chrome fixtures and black finishes complement the guestroom design. Sheraton Fitness Sheraton Fitness will cater to healthy travelers courtesy of a $850,000 makeover and new partner, Technogym. The fitness center will feature state-of-the-art equipment as well as on-demand fitness classes. The fitness center will also feature an outdoor Lap Pool surrounded by lounge chairs and umbrellas, opening Early Summer. Sheraton Club The Sheraton Club Lounge, an exclusive space for Marriott Bonvoy Elite members and guests purchasing Sheraton Club access, has also undergone an upgrade as part of the transformation. The new design ensures the space is welcoming, elevated and purposefully designed for a layered and engaging experience that transitions seamlessly with activations from morning to evening. Guests will find updated food and beverage offerings, premium amenities, enhanced connectivity, and 24/7 access to provide a private environment. Commitment to Clean After temporarily closing in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Sheraton Phoenix Downtown has also made several adjustments to meet current demands for safe, clean and socially-distanced accommodations and programming. With safety and wellbeing a top priority for guests and employees, Sheraton Phoenix Downtown follows Marriott International’s Commitment to Clean guidelines, created in partnership with leading experts in food and water safety, hygiene and infection prevention, and hotel operations. These protocols include mandated mask-wearing for all guests and associates within the hotel, and the use of disinfectants recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and World Health Organization to sanitize surfaces in the hotels.

Create: May 1, 2021 Edit: May 1, 2021 Regional News

Iran extends ban on passenger flights due to coronavirus surge

Iran has extended travel restrictions on flights to and from 15 countries due to a surge in the coronavirus disease, according to Iran Civil Aviation. The Islamic Republic has banned flights to India, Pakistan, France, Botswana, Brazil, Czech Republic, Iraq, Estonia, Ireland, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Slovakia, South Africa, and Zambia aimed to curb the disease, Meher quoted Hassan Khoshkhou, the director of Air Transport at the ICA, as saying on Wednesday. Moreover, the ban of selling air tickets to the cited countries has been declared to the travel agencies based on a decree issued by the National Headquarters for Coronavirus Control, the official explained. Iranian citizens without a negative coronavirus PCR test result are subject to medical screening and quarantine for 14 days at their own expense, while non-Iranian nationalities without the certificate are not allowed to enter the country. All passengers are subject to the medical screening on arrival, and if they are suspected of having the disease, non-Iranian nationalities will be quarantined at a place specified by the Health Ministry at their own expense and Iranian citizens will need to self-isolate for 14 days. The worldwide outbreak of COVID-19 has brought the world to a standstill, and tourism has been the worst affected of all major economic sectors. World tourist arrivals fell by 72% over the first ten months of 2020, according to data compiled by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in December. Iran has also suffered the same fate as, according to available data, its foreign arrivals plunged 72% during the first eight months of 2020 when compared to 2019. New cases and mortalities In a press briefing on Wednesday, Iran's Health Ministry’s spokesperson confirmed 21,713 new cases of COVID-19 infection, raising the total number of infections to 2,459,906. She added that 1,923,081 patients have so far recovered, but 5,338 remain in critical conditions of the disease."During the past 24 hours, 434 patients have lost their lives, bringing the total number of deaths to 70,966," she added. So far, some 15,562,560 COVID-19 diagnostic tests have been performed in the country.

Create: May 1, 2021 Edit: May 1, 2021 Regional News

West Asia’s longest glass suspension bridge being built in Kordestan

West Asia’s longest glass suspension bridge with a length of 450 meters is being constructed in the village of Negel, west province of Kordestan, the provincial tourism chief has said. The suspension bridge is a part of a bigger tourist complex including a zip line, eagle zip line, bungee jumping, and rafting, which is unique in the country, Yaqub Guylian announced on Tuesday. The complex also includes a restaurant, pergola, amusement park, and eight accommodation units, the official added. A budget of 500 billion rials (about $12 million at the official exchange rate of 42,000 rials) has been allocated to the project, which aims at attracting more domestic and foreign tourists to the region, he explained. A suspension bridge made of curved sheets of glass, which is the first of its kind in the world, was inaugurated in Ardebil province, northwest Iran in January 2020. However, inaugurated in 2015, and with 345 meters long, 3 meters wide, and 80 meters high, the Meshginshahr suspension bridge is said to be the largest of its kind in West Asia. Last Year Ardebil’s tourism officials announced that the world’s longest suspension bridge with a length of 500 meters is being constructed in the province and is expected to come on stream in June 2021. The name Kordestan refers to the region’s principal inhabitants. After the Turkish invasion of Iran in the 11th century CE (Seljuq period), the name Kurdistan was applied to the region comprising the northwestern Zagros Mountains. It was during the reign of Abbas I the Great of Iran’s Safavid dynasty (1501–1736) that the Kurds rose to prominence, having been enlisted by Abbas I to help stem the attacks of the marauding Uzbeks from the east in the early 17th century.

Create: Apr 28, 2021 Edit: Apr 28, 2021 Regional News