Latest news with #experientialtravel
Hospitality Net
30-07-2025
- Business
- Hospitality Net
Wyndham and Ovolo Group Partner to Expand Upscale Offerings Across Asia Pacific
SINGAPORE - Wyndham Hotels & Resorts and Ovolo Group have announced a strategic partnership that, in the coming months, will see five Ovolo hotels across Australia and Hong Kong join the Wyndham hotel brand. Under the deal—which marries Ovolo's boutique appeal with Wyndham's global reach and best in class infrastructure—Ovolo Group will continue to own and manage the Ovolo brand while exclusively working with Wyndham to unlock additional development opportunities throughout Asia Pacific. The collaboration between Wyndham and Ovolo, a pioneer of the lifestyle hotel movement in Asia Pacific, comes amid booming consumer demand for experiential travel—valued by McKinsey as a $1 trillion USD opportunity globally—driven largely by younger travelers, including Gen Z. This partnership marks a significant milestone for Wyndham, further expanding our upscale presence in the Asia Pacific region by combining Ovolo's strengths in the lifestyle segment with our extensive global network. The future of travel isn't about sameness—it's about spaces with soul, brands with a point of view and experiences that don't blur into the background. Joon Aun OOI, President of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Asia Pacific Ovolo isn't just a hotel brand, it's a lifestyle, a creative force that fuses fashion, art, music and entertainment. Since 2010, we've built a bold, culture-led brand that disrupts the cookie-cutter hotel experience . Now through our partnership with Wyndham, we're flipping the script to unlock bold new growth opportunities by franchising a lifestyle brand without diluting its DNA. Wyndham is a global leader in hotel franchising—with the scale, infrastructure, and expertise to help us grow with intention and impact. Just as importantly, Ovolo brings something different—an edge and energy that complements Wyndham's presence in the upscale lifestyle market. Shivang Jhunjhnuwala, Chief of Staff, Ovolo Group As part of the partnership, five existing Ovolo hotels, representing over 450 rooms, located in Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, and Hong Kong, are expected to officially become part of Wyndham's global portfolio later this fall. Each will be integrated into Wyndham's world-class sales, marketing and distribution platforms, extending their reach while creating new commercial opportunities. The five Ovolo hotels will also participate in the Wyndham Rewards® loyalty program, giving approximately 120 million enrolled members the opportunity to explore Ovolo's vibrant, unconventional hospitality in new lifestyle destinations around the globe. Every Ovolo hotel is a testament to the brand's service ethos of FUN (fabulous, unconventional, never boring)—featuring bold design, immersive art and music, and memorable experiences like nightly Apéro hour. Among the locations slated to join the Wyndham portfolio: Ovolo Central, a Wyndham Hotel - Ideally located in the heart of Hong Kong's central district, near Lan Kwai Fong and SOHO, Ovolo Central is a 41-room boutique hotel that puts guests at the crossroads of the city's legendary nightlife and dining scene. Rooms are spacious and design-forward, with an emphasis on modern amenities and natural light. Ideally located in the heart of Hong Kong's central district, near Lan Kwai Fong and SOHO, Ovolo Central is a 41-room boutique hotel that puts guests at the crossroads of the city's legendary nightlife and dining scene. Rooms are spacious and design-forward, with an emphasis on modern amenities and natural light. Ovolo Nishi, a Wyndham Hotel - Nestled in the central business district of Canberra, Australia's capital, Ovolo Nishi is a both stylish and quirky. Conveniently located steps from great shops, cafes and restaurants, the hotel is known for its eye-catching art and visually stimulating spaces. That includes each of its 85 guestrooms, which feature thoughtful amenities mixed with unique design and hand-picked, vintage pieces. Nestled in the central business district of Canberra, Australia's capital, Ovolo Nishi is a both stylish and quirky. Conveniently located steps from great shops, cafes and restaurants, the hotel is known for its eye-catching art and visually stimulating spaces. That includes each of its 85 guestrooms, which feature thoughtful amenities mixed with unique design and hand-picked, vintage pieces. Ovolo South Yarra, a Wyndham Hotel - Set in Melbourne's fashionable South Yarra neighborhood, Ovolo South Yarra is an elevated take on pure seventies glamour. Step into one of the hotel's 123-rooms and you'll find contemporary conveniences paired with mid-century flair, including bold artwork, chrome finishes and vintage touches. Minutes from the city's best bars, boutiques and late-night spots, it's an ideal launchpad for anyone looking to unlock and discover all Melbourne has to offer. - Set in Melbourne's fashionable South Yarra neighborhood, Ovolo South Yarra is an elevated take on pure seventies glamour. Step into one of the hotel's 123-rooms and you'll find contemporary conveniences paired with mid-century flair, including bold artwork, chrome finishes and vintage touches. Minutes from the city's best bars, boutiques and late-night spots, it's an ideal launchpad for anyone looking to unlock and discover all Melbourne has to offer. Ovolo The Valley, a Wyndham Hotel - Situated in Brisbane's lively Fortitude Valley, the 103-room Ovolo The Valley is a multi-award-winning space celebrating art, music and Valley culture. Retro modern rooms combine stylish décor with artistic touches while some of the city's hottest music venues, bars, galleries and cafes sit just outside the hotel's front door. - Situated in Brisbane's lively Fortitude Valley, the 103-room Ovolo The Valley is a multi-award-winning space celebrating art, music and Valley culture. Retro modern rooms combine stylish décor with artistic touches while some of the city's hottest music venues, bars, galleries and cafes sit just outside the hotel's front door. Ovolo Woolloomooloo, a Wyndham Hotel - Located on the historic Finger Wharf in Sydney, Ovolo Woolloomooloo is a 100-room waterfront hotel combining stunning views with laid-back wharf living—all just minutes from some of Sydney's most iconic attractions. Rooms are big, bright, and come packed with modern essentials—making them a welcome retreat after a long day exploring the Emerald City. Wyndham's growth in Asia Pacific is powered by the Wyndham Advantage—a combination of world-class marketing, distribution and other resources designed to put owners on the path to success. Inclusive of nearly $350 million in innovative technology investments since 2018, owners have access to best-in-class technology from industry-leading providers, including next-gen property management systems, as well as the industry's #1 rated hotel rewards program as named by readers of USA Today. To learn more, including franchise development opportunities, visit About Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) is the world's largest hotel franchising company by the number of properties, with approximately 9,200 hotels across over 95 countries on six continents. Through its network of nearly 885,000 rooms appealing to the everyday traveler, Wyndham commands a leading presence in the economy and midscale segments of the lodging industry. The Company operates a portfolio of 25 hotel brands, including Super 8®, Days Inn®, Ramada®, Microtel®, La Quinta®, Baymont®, Wingate®, AmericInn®, Hawthorn Suites®, Trademark Collection® and Wyndham®. The Company's award-winning Wyndham Rewards loyalty program offers approximately 110 million enrolled members the opportunity to redeem points at thousands of hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally. For more information, visit About Wyndham Rewards Named the number one hotel rewards program by readers of USA TODAY, Wyndham Rewards® is the world's most generous rewards program with more than 50,000 hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals worldwide. Designed for the everyday traveller, members earn a guaranteed 1,000 points with every qualified stay and may redeem points for a wide range of rewards, including free nights at any of the approximately 9,100 hotels or tens of thousands of vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally through affiliation with Wyndham Destinations and others. Wyndham Rewards has over 103 million enrolled members globally. Join for free today at You've earned this. ®
Hospitality Net
14-07-2025
- Hospitality Net
Rixos Makes Its Grand Entrance into Saudi Arabia
Located along the pristine shores of Obhur Bay, Rixos Obhur Jeddah ushers in a bold new chapter of experiential travel, enhancing Jeddah's position as a global leisure and tourism hub. As the first Rixos property in the Kingdom, the resort introduces the brand's renowned "all-inclusive, all-exclusive" concept to Saudi Arabia, setting a new benchmark for immersive, inclusive, and family-centric stays. Combining contemporary refinement with the warmth of traditional Arabian hospitality, Rixos Obhur Jeddah presents a vibrant offering where every element, from dining and wellness to entertainment and children's activities, is carefully curated and seamlessly included. The resort features 250 thoughtfully designed accommodations, including 176 rooms and suites, and 74 private villas, crafted for families and discerning travellers seeking comfort, exclusivity, and connection. Set along the Red Sea, guests enjoy direct access to a private beach, exciting water sports, dedicated yacht marina facilities, and two main pools-one for adults and one for children. Rixos Obhur Jeddah invites guests on an exciting culinary journey across its range of dining venues, featuring three restaurants, two lounges, and three bars. Signature outlets include Turquoise, the resort's international all-day dining destination offering global flavours; Orient, serving authentic Turkish cuisine; and Kapnos, a vibrant Greek-Mediterranean restaurant inspired by coastal flavours. Guests can also enjoy relaxed beachfront dining at me Beach Club, or catch live match screenings in The Hub, Jeddah's first exclusive sports bar, combining social energy with live match screenings. The resort is also home to Jeddah's only Rixy Kids Club, a dedicated family haven featuring six engaging activity rooms, an outdoor yard, and a private kids' pool. Specially tailored programmes ensure children of all ages can play, learn, and create unforgettable memories in a safe and enriching environment. Complementing the family focus is a suite of comprehensive wellness offerings. The resort features a state-of-the-art exclusive Sports Club, which includes a fully equipped gym, an outdoor open-air studio, a multipurpose court (for basketball, volleyball, and football), a padel court, and a daily schedule of fitness programmes designed to rejuvenate body and mind, making Rixos Obhur Jeddah the city's first resort to offer holistic wellbeing at its core. Entertainment is also at the heart of the Rixos experience. A dedicated stage hosts live performances, concerts, and shows, enriching the resort's dynamic energy and turning every stay into a celebration. With day-use options and signature dinner-and-show evenings available to outside guests, Rixos Obhur Jeddah becomes a destination not only for in-house residents but also for locals and visitors. Hotel website
Travel Weekly
14-07-2025
- Business
- Travel Weekly
After leaving Six Senses, Neil Jacobs embarks on new hospitality venture
Neil Jacobs, who left Six Senses on July 1 after 13 years as CEO, has wasted no time in forming a new venture. His advisory, Wild Origins, aims to help hospitality brands "redefine sustainable and experiential travel." Jacobs, an ex-Four Seasons executive and former president of Starwood Capital Group during the period that Baccarat and 1 Hotel were formulated, has already signed clients, including Capella Hotel Group (as senior strategic advisor) and Desa Potato Head (as advisor), in addition to multiple projects in Saudi Arabia. A press release describes Wild Origins as "a purpose-driven advisory collective and creative studio … to awaken new ways of thinking across hospitality, wellness, sustainable development and lifestyle … guided by values and instinct over trends and industry norms." Although he left Six Senses on July 1, Jacobs had tendered his resignation in January, "so it's been a very long, drawn-out departure" that had "given me a bit of breathing room to think about what comes next," he said in an interview. In addition to helping Capella devise a strategic plan, Jacobs said he's involved in helping them find a new CEO. Desa Potato Head began as a beach club in Ibiza and now has two hotels in Bali. "It's been a huge success," he said. "What attracted me is their sustainability piece, which they do very, very well. Six Senses is all about sustainability, but these guys do it equally well, if not, sometimes, a bit better. "I'm going to help them expand into Europe, into Central America," he continued. "It's a perfect brand for, say, Tulum or somewhere like that. We're working on a couple of new projects to try and take the brand global." Jacobs said he's also involved in several projects in Saudi Arabia. "I'm sitting on the board of what will be an extraordinary learning institution: the Riyadh School of Tourism and Hospitality. It'll take 15,000-20,000 students. Probably half will be virtual. Saudi needs it to be sure there are enough Saudi nationals to do a big part of the work. It'll train people from entry level to MBA." Jacobs said he's on another Saudi board, Tourise, which he described as an event a bit like the International Luxury Travel Market. "Everyone here says, 'Yeah, who's going to go?' Well, it's going to take a while," he said.
Khaleej Times
10-07-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
The rise of experiential travel: A new era for hospitality leadership
Travel has always been a marker of human curiosity, an expression of our desire to explore, discover, and connect. But today, that desire is evolving. We are witnessing a fundamental shift from transactional to transformational travel. This is not simply about where guests go, but why they go and how they engage with the people, cultures, and stories that define a destination. This global appetite for experiential travel is reshaping the very DNA of hospitality. It compels us, as industry leaders, to move beyond the traditional paradigms of service and luxury. At IHG Hotels at Dubai Festival City we see this evolution firsthand. Our guests are no longer just booking rooms but are also seeking meaningful travel with personal takeaways that resonate with their aspirations. What defines experiential travel is not just immersion, but intention. Guests want to discover, learn, and return home transformed. That might mean starting the day with exquisite breakfast at Anise, then enjoying exclusive access to adults-only beach club at voco Monaco Dubai World Islands —experiencing both city and coastal retreats. Or perhaps a wellness experience combining sunrise yoga with a restorative treatment at SPA InterContinental. Families might opt for a curated stay with exciting visit to football legend's journey at Messi Experience, full-day access to Fabyland or Leo & Loona Indoor Family Park at Dubai Festival City Mall, giving children the freedom to explore while parents unwind at the spa or private dining with privileges. Understanding guests' travel intention means creating moments that go beyond offering. We believe these embedded moments truly impact every stay. This is central to our value proposition. Hospitality today must be open and adaptable, integrating local culture, personalisation, sustainability, and technology to every part of the guest journey. That includes rethinking space design, reimagining partnerships, and retraining teams as experience makers. Technology undoubtedly enhances the experiential offering, but it is not the experience itself. True differentiation comes from emotional intelligence. While data helps revealing preferences, it is still human intuition that anticipate unspoken needs, create satisfaction, and build loyalty. At IHG Hotels at Dubai Festival City, we have the advantage of scale and synergy. The proximity of our properties, retail, leisure, and F&B ecosystems allows us to thoughtfully arrange integrated, multi-sensory experiences that resonate with modern travellers. Whether it's launching purpose-driven stay packages, aligning with global events, or leveraging our waterfront setting for activations, the goal is to make every stay a story worth sharing. As commercial leaders, this shift demands a strategic focus. We must evolve performance metrics beyond room sales and occupancy levels, to encompass guest sentiment, experiential engagement, Net Promoter Score (NPS), and the measurable impact of purpose-driven initiatives. The rise of experiential travel is not a passing trend, it is the clearest signal that hospitality's future belongs to those placing human engagement at the heart of every offering. At IHG Hotels at Dubai Festival City, we are proud to be part of this transformation, where every journey is designed not just to impress, but to inspire. The writer is Cluster Commercial Director, IHG Hotels at Dubai Festival City.
Skift
03-07-2025
- Skift
Bollywood, Experiences and Homestays: Inside Madhya Pradesh's Tourism Overhaul
Madhya Pradesh's tourism strategy shows how Indian states are combining experiential elements to attract more travelers. While recent growth is promising, addressing infrastructure and accessibility challenges will be key to sustaining momentum. Madhya Pradesh recorded an over 50% surge in tourism last year, compared to pre-pandemic levels. The state welcomed 134 million tourists in 2024, up from 89 million in 2019, according to the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board. Sheo Shekhar Shukla, managing director at Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board, in a conversation with Skift attributed this growth to the state's shift away from traditional, site-centric tourism toward a more diversified, experience-driven strategy. Diversifying Beyond Landmark Destinations: Shukla said visitor interest is expanding beyond marquee destinations like Khajuraho and Orchha to emerging hotspots such as Kanha, Pench, and Bandhavgarh, where hotel chain The Leela is developing a new luxury property near Bandhavgarh National Park. Over the past few years, Madhya Pradesh has introduced initiatives including luxury tent cities, eco-safaris, river cruises, adventure tourism, film tourism, and rural homestays to broaden its appeal. Film Tourism, Diverse Initiatives Drive Footfall: The state's Film Tourism Policy, which offers subsidies of up to INR 100 million ($1.2 million) for international productions, has positioned Madhya Pradesh as a filming hotspot, he said. Recent Indian productions like Panchayat, Gullak, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, Laapataa Ladies, and Homebound were filmed across the state. According to Shukla, locations featured in major productions saw a 30–35% rise in tourist footfall during peak seasons after their release. This strategy mirrors global examples where film-driven tourism boosted arrivals - such as Ladakh after 3 Idiots and Spain after Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. Similarly, Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad draws 1.5 million visitors annually, blending production and tourism. To tap into demand for authentic experiences, Madhya Pradesh has ramped up its rural tourism push. Last month, the state launched 241 homestays across 37 districts, with a target of establishing 1,000 homestays statewide to attract travelers beyond urban centers. Connectivity Still a Challenge: Despite its growth, the state faces hurdles around infrastructure and accessibility. To address this, Madhya Pradesh has launched PM Shri Vayu Paryatan Sewa, India's first intra-state air service, connecting cities including Bhopal, Khajuraho, Rewa, Singrauli, and Ujjain. The state is also investing in cruise tourism, with plans for a 120-km Narmada river cruise and terminals at Omkareshwar, Gwalior, and Vidisha, developed under public-private partnerships. Goibibo Launches AI-Powered Video Campaign Online travel platform Goibibo has launched an AI-powered video campaign in partnership with video platform TrueFan AI. Under the partnership, the company is delivering hyper-personalized video messages featuring the company's brand ambassador Indian cricketer Rishabh Pant. Goibibo hopes to increase customer engagement through this initiative by targeting users who search for trips but leave without booking. 'These travelers receive a prompt featuring Rishabh Pant in a personalized, AI-generated video that addresses them by name and references their searched destination or mode of transport,' the company said in a statement. 'Our goal is to build a more genuine and personal relationship between the brand and each user through direct and individualized interactions. We've seen that video campaigns tend to drive higher click-through rates than text-based ones,' said Raj Rishi Singh, chief marketing officer at Goibibo. This is a growing trend among Indian online travel agencies. Last month, Agoda launched an AI vacation planner featuring Bollywood actor and Agoda brand ambassador Ayushmann Khurrana. In the videos, Khurrana addresses travelers by their first name using AI and then proceeds to share travel attractions suited to them based on their personal needs in a bid to build emotional connect. Indian Railways Rolls Out Superapp for All Passenger Services Indian Railways Tuesday launched its superapp RailOne to offer all passenger services on one platform. The app has been designed to do away with the need for multiple apps used by passengers for different services. RailOne will allow travelers to book tickets, get PNR status updates, track train coach positions, submit grievances, and order food. The app will also allow access to R-Wallet - the digital wallet for Indian Railways - and passengers will be able to add funds to the wallet for any transactions. IHG Signs Holiday Inn Hotel in Bengaluru IHG Hotels and Resorts has signed an agreement for development of a Holiday Inn-branded hotel in Bengaluru Electronic City. The 200-key property is expected to open in the first quarter of 2029. 'Bengaluru remains a key market for IHG,' said Sudeep Jain, managing director for South West Asia at IHG. He said that the city's prominence as a global technology and business hub, and its status as one of India's fastest-growing metropolitan cities makes it a crucial market. IHG currently has 48 operational hotels in the country, and has 63 more in the pipeline that are slated to open in the next 3-5 years. 650 Million Tourists Visited Uttar Pradesh in Fiscal Year 2025 The northern state of Uttar Pradesh was visited by 650 million tourists in the 2025 fiscal year. While domestic tourists from Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh led the charge, the state also received international visitors from Thailand, South Korea, and Myanmar. The state has been witnessing a tourism surge. In the 2024 calendar year, the state had received a record tourist footfall of 649 million, up over 170 million from 2023. Over 2.3 million international tourists visited the state in 2024, an increase of 25% year-on-year. According to the state government, a tourist staying in Uttar Pradesh for one night is currently spending INR 5,400 ($63) on an average, while a long-term traveler is spending around INR 7,500 ($88). Hotel stays accounted for over 40% of tourist accommodations in the state, and inter-district travel within the state contributed to 80% of all tourism activity. State officials are expecting this number to likely double in the current financial year. To support this, the state has added 100,000 new hotel rooms. Radisson Opens Radisson Individuals Hotel in Kevadia, Gujarat Radisson Hotel Group has opened D Square Statue of Unity Kevadia, a member of Radisson Individuals in Gujarat. The 91-key property is located near the famous Statue of Unity in the state. 'With this property, we further strengthen our footprint in Gujarat - one of India's fastest-growing tourism corridors,' said Nikhil Sharma, managing director and COO for South Asia at Radisson Hotel Group. 'The region has seen remarkable development in recent years, including improved connectivity, new airports and government-led initiatives to promote cultural, spiritual and ecological tourism,' he added. Radisson's portfolio in India has expanded to 200 operational and developing properties. In an interview with Skift earlier this year, Sharma said that Indians relate to Radisson as an Indian brand. 'As an international brand, we are very local and nationalistic in our approach. We continue to grow because more than 50% of our portfolio is in smaller cities.' Over the next 5-7 years, he believes that Radisson could easily reach 500 operating hotels. 'If we want India to develop, the growth has to be beyond the top 10 cities. That is where we have been focused,' he said.
