Aperture

🏖️ AlUla, certified by Destinations International, became the first Middle East destination to achieve such status due to its high-quality standards, authentic hospitality, and sustainable vision. The Destination Marketing Accreditation Programme requires meeting over 100 criteria, including resource and financial management, destination development, and marketing. Phillip Jones, Chief Tourism Officer for the Royal Commission for AlUla, sees it as a milestone reinforcing the commitment to trust among visitors, community, stakeholders, and partners.

🏛 Rome to host Italy's first Nobu Hotel, managed by Castello Sgr, with a €135 million funding plan by Lithium Fund to refurbish the Grand Hotel di Via Veneto, featuring 122 rooms and suites. Opening is set for spring 2025, including a Nobu restaurant, roof-top lounge bar, meeting spaces, city spa with fitness center, and a club lounge. Rothschild & Co served as advisor for the Grand Hotel via Veneto.

🚢 Alma Cruceros, a new luxury cruise brand based in Spain, is set to launch with 'Ocean Victory' in summer 2025, with an inaugural journey in April from Las Palmas to Malaga. Main port will be in Malaga, offering routes to Andalusia and North Africa. Additional cruises will depart from Barcelona and Tarragona, exploring Costa Brava, Costa Azul, and Balearic Islands. 'Ocean Victory', part of SunStone’s Infinity Class, accommodates 186 passengers and plans future voyages to Italy and France, blending modern luxury with sustainability and Spanish identity.

🍴 The 4L Collection Hotels group, led by siblings Alessandro, Laura, and Beatrice Lazzarini, opened Ozio Parioli at Hotel degli Aranci in Rome, expanding after their successful restaurant at Orazio Palace's rooftop. The first family-owned hotel was purchased in 1980. With eight luxury hotels in Rome, the group may expand the Ozio concept to the Cristoforo Colombo and American Palace, and potentially beyond Rome to Milan, marking a new venture after 40 years.

🏡 In the historic center of Nice, Hôtel du Couvent, situated in a 17th-century building and surrounded by 8,000 square meters of gardens, has launched as a new hospitality structure aiming to revolutionize the Riviera's hospitality concept. This urban refuge and cultural hub, which took 10 years to renovate under the guidance of Valéry Grégo of Gruppo Perseus and in collaboration with Studio Mumbai and Studio Méditerranée, features 88 rooms including 18 suites, some with kitchens and options for a personal chef or butler, and combines custom-made pieces with antiques. The hotel highlights include a garden, a cloister with an ancient herbalist's shop, a library, and a wellness area inspired by the Roman baths of Cimiez.

✈️ Ryanair expands its presence in Morocco, inaugurating its fourth base in Tangier with two aircraft. Operations began in May with flights including Milan Bergamo and Rome Ciampino. The airline will now offer 25 total routes, adding 13 new connections—5 domestic and 8 European. Over 5 million seats will be available for Morocco in summer 2024, potentially boosting tourism. Ryanair's investment in Morocco has surpassed $1.4 billion, supporting over 5,000 direct and indirect jobs, commented CEO Eddie Wilson.

✈ Ryanair inaugurated its fourth base in Morocco at Tangier, having started operations in May with flights including Milan Bergamo and Rome Ciampino. The expansion brings the total to 25 served routes with 13 new connections (5 domestic and 8 European). For summer 2024, over 5 million seats will be available to Morocco, potentially boosting tourism. CEO Eddie Wilson notes a $1.4 billion investment in Morocco, supporting over 5,000 direct and indirect jobs and enhancing local tourism and connectivity.

🏖️ Fincantieri and Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings celebrated the construction start of the ultra-luxury ship "Four Seasons I" in Ancona, to be delivered by the end of 2025 and set sail in early 2026. The yacht will have a gross tonnage of 34,000 tonnes, a length of 207 meters, and will feature 95 exclusive suites with custom designs and private terraces ranging from 6-13 square meters to nearly 457 square meters for the most exclusive Funnel Suite.

🏁 Leonardo Hotels opens the Leonardo Boutique Hotel Paris Opera in the heart of Paris’ Opera district, offering sport enthusiasts a chance to immerse in the 2024 Paris Olympics atmosphere. Designed by Marie-Agnès Louboutin, the 19th-century building features contemporary interiors, sophisticated ambiance, and rooms with air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and L’Occitane amenities. Services include a 24/7 reception and welcome boxes with chocolates and cookies, plus a breakfast buffet and themed gifts during the Olympics.

🏖️ Valtur expands its portfolio with the Valtur Marsa Alam Reef Oasis Suakin Resort, a 5-star hotel in the Red Sea region. Michele Matone announced the resort's inclusion starting 20 July, with full operations expected by autumn-winter. Flights are scheduled from Milan Malpensa, Bergamo, Verona, Rome Fiumicino, Naples, and Bari.