Google’s industry head for strategic partnerships Term Panupong spoke on redefining the Thai hotel experience via AI

Travel Daily Media (TDM) brought a great number of the leading minds in travel, tourism, and hospitality at its first-ever TDM C-Suite Travel Trade Global Summit in Bangkok, Thailand.

Staged at the Rajmontien Grand Ballroom of the Montien Surawong Hotel in Bang Rak on Thursday, 8th May, this initial run covered a wide range of topics relevant to the evolving sectors within the Asia Pacific and beyond.

Organised by TDM and the Charlton Media Group, the Summit was sponsored by Agilysys, HBX Group, Hotelbeds, Shiji, and Booking.com.

The first fireside chat centred on catching the next wave of Thai tourism

Setting the stage for a digital future

Event discussions revolved around the theme The Future of Hospitality: Crafting Seamless Experiences in an AI Digital-Driven World.

The Summit featured four speakers and discussions were divided into eight panels seeded throughout the day and moderated by experts from related fields.

Two fireside chats at the beginning and the end of the Summit likewise offered a look into tourism and hospitality within the Thai purview, and a summary detailing how technological advancements and evolving methodologies stand to change the sector in the future.

TCEB’s Jaruwan Suwannasat poses a question to the audience

Considering returns on experience

Jaruwan Suwannasat, chief information officer of the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) jumpstarted the day’s talks with a talk on Tomorrow’s Destinations: Transforming Value Through Innovative Experiences.

Suwannasat posed a question to participants at the beginning of her talk: What is tomorrow’s destination for you?

She framed the question against the recovery of both the domestic and global tourism sector’s following the pandemic, noting that the sector is coming back stronger despite a slow start from 2022 following the widespread use of vaccines and the subsequent reopening of borders.

Suwannasat’s report showed that 67 percent of would-be-travellers are making travel a priority when it comes to their savings, and that tourists in the post-pandemic age have an eye out for experiences that are both enjoyable and memorable as opposed to simply racking up the number of destinations visited.

In which case, tourism and hospitality professionals need to keep in mind that volume isn’t the priority anymore, but value offered to customers makes all the difference.

The key questions that companies in both industries need to answer are how much value can they give to each visitor that comes their way; how can they amplify the worth of each stay in terms of activities, amenities, and adventures; and where can they make relevant improvements to ensure that they are delivering as much value as possible.

Indeed, contemporary tourism and hospitality need to think that it isn’t so much about returns on investment, but more of returns on experience.

Theresa Matheson (far left) takes the lead in the first panel of the day

A diverse range of topics

As stated earlier, the Summit proper was divided into four talks, including the opening presentation delivered by TCEB’s Suwannasat, and eight distinct panels.

Speakers and topics were as follows:

Primary Speakers

• Adtip “Term Panupong, industry head for strategic partnerships at Google, on Thailand Hospitality: Redefining Experiences with AI;
• Agilysys director of sales in Southeast Asia March Suthamwutinan on Making the Personal Profitable: Leveraging Data Accuracy to Drive Revenue; and
• The Thaiger‘s lead content creator Alex Latour.

Themed Panel Discussions

• Digital Disruption in Hospitality: Harnessing AI and Data Analytics, moderated by American Express Global Business Travel vice-president Teresa Matheson;
• Hotel Asset Enhancements: Covering Brand Evolution, Design Considerations, Technology Integration, AI and Customer Journey, and ESG Components, moderated by JLL senior vice-president for hotel asset management in Thailand and Vietnam Jon Cannon;
• AI and Technology: Where Does It Start and Stop, moderated by Amadeus Hospitality’s vice-president in the Asia-Pacific Paul Wilson;
• Overcoming Travel Challenges: Scalable Personalisation to Rebuild Trust and Loyalty, moderated by HBX Group’s vice-president for hotel sourcing in MEAPAC Patrick Torres;
• Welcome to the Social World of Gen Z: You Got to be Where Your Potential Customers Are, moderated by Agoda vice-president for corporate development Timothy Hughes;
• Rethinking the ASEAN and APAC Travel Markets in 2025 and Beyond, moderated by High-Yield Tourism director Gary Bowerman; and
• Future Trends in Travel: Redefining Experiences Through Innovation, moderated by Roland Berger senior partner and managing partner in Southeast Asia John Low.

Aside from these panel discussions, a special roundtable session spearheaded by platinum sponsor Agilysys was held for around 15 representatives from leading hotels and hotel management companies from Thailand and across the Asian region.

The discussion revolved around the theme The Future of Guest Experience: Personalisation Through Technology and was led by Agilysys’ March Suthamwutinan.

 

 

Aloft Langkawi Pantai Tengah is excited to announce the appointment of Shanmugam Thangavelu as its new General Manager. With an impressive career spanning over 25 years across luxury resorts and globally renowned hotel brands, Shan brings a wealth of leadership experience, operationalexpertise, and an infectious passion for hospitality to this vibrant property.

Shan’s journey through the hospitality world has taken him from the island shores of Seychelles to bustling cityscapes in Singapore and right back to the tropical paradise of Langkawi, where he’s no stranger. His impressive background includes leadership roles with Four Seasons, Raffles, Westin, and most recently, Fairfield by Marriott, where he served as General Manager of the Bintulu Paragon property. Shan’s track record highlights successful pre-openings, operational excellence, and consistently strong business results—qualities that will steer Aloft Langkawi toward even greater heights.

Reflecting on his decision to return to Langkawi, Shan shares, “I always loved Langkawi. It holds a special place in my heart. So when the opportunity came up to return, it honestly felt like something I couldn’t pass up. Taking on the role at Aloft Langkawi, a property with so much potential, felt like hitting a jackpot. The blend of location, brand energy, and the chance to make a real impact made it an easy ‘yes’ for me.”

Known for his empowering and disciplined leadership style, Shan lives by the motto: “Passion fuels my leadership, planning drives my success, and accountability shapes my team.”

He is committed to nurturing a high-performance culture while ensuring an energetic, guest-centric experience that matches Aloft’s fun and fresh DNA.

Outside of work, Shan leads by example in balancing life and work. Whether he’s powering through a workout, recharging with quality sleep, or escaping into his favorite shows, he knows that staying energized is key to strong leadership. A self-declared tea enthusiast, early riser, and beach lover, Shan fits right in with the laid-back yet upbeat vibe of Aloft Langkawi.

Shan’s advice to his team is simple yet impactful: “Mistakes are inevitable, but learning from them turns every misstep into an opportunity for growth.”

With his deep passion for hospitality, strategic vision, and commitment to excellence, Shan is set to lead Aloft Langkawi Pantai Tengah into an exciting new chapter. His leadership promises to further elevate the hotel’s vibrant spirit, deliver memorable guest experiences, and strengthen its position as a leading lifestyle destination in Langkawi.

As Shan embarks on this new journey, guests and associates alike can look forward to bold leadership, innovative ideas, and a renewed focus on creating unforgettable moments, all powered by Aloft’s signature style and spirit.

 

Representative Image

HBX Group and Bakuun have joined forces to roll out a new integration that simplifies hotel connectivity and helps scale accommodation supply across key markets. The partnership brings Bakuun’s Channel Manager Aggregator, B-Aggregate, into HBX Group’s distribution ecosystem, creating new opportunities for hotels to connect and grow faster and with less complexity.

With this integration, HBX Group gains access to Bakuun’s over 200 Channel Managers and Property Management Systems through a single connection. This means that hotels which previously didn’t have the tech setup to connect with global distributors will now have a new tool to reach demand, unlocking faster onboarding, better efficiency, and stronger visibility.

“We’re thrilled to partner with a global travel powerhouse like HBX Group,” said Doros Theodorou, Group Chief Commercial Officer, Bakuun. “This integration reinforces our commitment to simplifying connectivity for the travel industry. With one seamless connection, HBX Group can now unlock direct connectivity to a broader, more diverse accommodation inventory, enabling faster time-to-market and enhanced booking potential.”

Paul Anthony, Senior Vice President Sourcing at HBX Group added: “Through this partnership with Bakuun we’re removing technical barriers and making it easier for hotels of all sizes to connect to HBX Group and access our global client base. We are simplifying the process and eliminating unnecessary complexity ensuring a more seamless experience for both sides. This is an important step in strengthening our supply strategy and delivering greater value to our network of partners and clients.”

The integration not only helps streamline the technical side of hotel onboarding, but also improves the flow of content, rates and availability — enhancing the overall booking experience for travel distributors. It opens up new revenue opportunities for thousands of hotels that, until now, haven’t had the infrastructure to engage with HBX Group’s platform directly.

 

 

Representative Image, Photo of passengers waiting for flight. Image used for illustrative purpose. Getty Images

 

The Ministry of Transport and Logistics is working to expand Hail International Airport with increasing its capacity to more than 2.2 million passengers annually. This is part of a comprehensive development project aimed at developing air transport infrastructure in the northern part of Saudi Arabia and enhancing the efficiency of vital facilities in the region.

This was revealed by Director General of the General Administration of Privatization at the Ministry of Transport and Logistics Eng. Saud Al-Arifi while attending a dialogue session titled “Investment opportunities in the transport and logistics sector” at the Hail Forum. He said that the project represents a key pillar of the ministry’s plan to transform Hail into an integrated logistics center. As informed by a news report in the Saudi Gazette

Al-Arifi said that the ministry, in cooperation with the Hail Region Development Authority, is also working on a massive logistics center project spanning an area exceeding 374,000 square meters. This project aims to serve supply chains and facilitate the movement of goods between various Saudi regions, he said.

Work is underway on a roadside services development project to provide integrated facilities that meet the needs of travelers and support the safety and efficiency of regional roads. These projects are in line with Hail’s geographical position as a central hub connecting the north, center, and west, enhancing its ability to play a pivotal role in the future of transportation and logistics services in the Kingdom.

It is noteworthy that Hail International Airport is only 60 minutes away from 11 Arab capitals and 200 minutes away from Central Europe. This is a geographical advantage that has qualified the airport as a major hub for logistics services.

Hail International Airport, Saudi

Queensgate Investments (“Queensgate”) announced the agreement to sell the European operations of Generator Group, a lifestyle hospitality platform, to private real estate funds managed by Brookfield Asset Management for EUR 776M. 

Queensgate transformed a regional hostel business with 12 assets, 1,894 rooms in 2016 to an internationally recognised hotel brand with 21 assets, 3,925 rooms in 2025.

Generator’s success is due to the focus on the Gen Z traveller seeking tier I city centre locations, lifestyle F&B and affordable shared accommodation. For ownership Generator’s success waterfalls into superior yield for its accommodation and attractive 50% plus operating margins.

Jason Kow, CEO of Queensgate Investment, commented: “Queensgate is proud to have acquired Generator smartly EUR at 440M, to have transformed the brand, earnings and asset base, and to successfully exit the European arm to Brookfield at EUR 776M.  We are proud of Generator’s journey and look forward to watching Generator’s continued success under Brookfield’s ownership”.

Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc. acted as sole financial advisor to Queensgate Investment. Brown Rudnick LLP and EY advised Queensgate. Kirkland & Ellis, DLA Piper, and KPMG advised Brookfield.

 

 

Starting from now, Indian travellers to Moscow can obtain the Tourist Card at the new travel and banking office of Sber, the largest Russian bank, located in the city center, not far from the Red Square — on Bolshaya Dmitrovka Street. 

The new travel and banking office of Sber combines the capabilities of Sber’s banking office and a Tourist Information Center, which is multifunctional space for guests of the capital where tourists can get essential information for their visit to Moscow. Right here travelers can pick up the plastic Tourist card, make necessary payments, currency exchanges and transfers. Consultations are possible in several languages — the Tourist Information Center specialists speak Russian, English and Arabic, while the Sber bank employees speak Russian and English.

At new space tourists can also create an individual travel plan based on their personal preferences and take free booklets with information about the city. The booklets are also provided in several languages — Russian, English, Chinese and Arabic. The travel and banking Sber office provides a lounge area where tourists can rest, try traditional Moscow treats, taste some selections from The Moscow Tea Shop. While adults are planning their itinerary, kids can play in the children’s zone that was created jointly with the animation studio “Soyuzmultfilm”, which gave the world legendary Soviet cartoons.

The Tourist Card operates with Russian MIR payment system and it is a new payment solution that helps foreign visitors make cashless payments, as VISA and Mastercard do not work in Russia. The Tourist Card is compatible with local merchants, public transport, and attractions. With no monthly maintenance fees, it’s a cost-effective choice for tourists, allowing seamless payments for dining, transportation, and more.

Travellers can register for a Yoomoney profile and obtain a virtual Tourist Card before leaving their home country. The process requires only a phone number — no Russian SIM card is needed—making it accessible for international visitors. It is also possible to order the card in advance and have it delivered by mail to their home country or a hotel, though a physical card isn’t always necessary, as most places in Moscow allow payments using QR codes through the YooMoney app. Android users can add the card to Yoomoney Pay in the mobile app and pay by tapping their phone via NFC. For iOS users, payments can be made by scanning QR codes through the app — a widely accepted method across the country. Once in Moscow, the card can be topped up with cash at ATMs that support Yoomoney, providing a straightforward way to add funds using local currency.

This initiative comes at a time when Moscow has witnessed a substantial influx of foreign guests.  For example, nearly 86,000 tourists visited Moscow from India in 2024, representing a 1.4-fold increase compared to 2023. This significant uptick in international arrivals underscores the city’s evolving status as a premier global travel destination.

 

Accessible wheelchair path on South Beach

In celebration of National Accessibility Day, the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) partners with Wheel the World, designating Greater Miami and Miami Beach as a Certified Accessible Destination. This milestone further cements the destination’s leadership in inclusive travel, reaffirming its commitment to providing welcoming, barrier-free experiences for all visitors—regardless of ability.

“Greater Miami and Miami Beach has long been committed to ensuring a sense of welcome and accessibility for all travellers,” said David Whitaker, President & CEO of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Our partnership with Wheel the World is another powerful proof point of that leadership—further expanding the tools and resources available to visitors with disabilities so they can fully experience everything our destination has to offer.”

Wheel the World, a global leader in accessible travel, offers detailed, verified information on lodging, activities, and transportation tailored to travellers with disabilities. Miami is currently one of Wheel the World’s most booked destinations, with strong demand from travellers seeking trustworthy accessibility across accommodations and experiences.

As of today, 30 properties in Greater Miami and Miami Beach have been mapped by Wheel the World using its digital accessibility assessment tools, with more to come as the partnership expands. A growing number of hotels are also undergoing on-site inspections as part of the Verified Destination programme, designed to ensure in-person verification of accessibility features.

In addition, the GMCVB is producing a series of new accessibility-focused videos as part of a broader destination campaign. These videos will spotlight inclusive experiences and help travellers plan their visit with confidence, further enhancing the accessibility journey online and on the ground.

Key Highlights of the Partnership:

Verified Hotel Listings: Wheel the World has mapped 30 properties in Miami and is actively working to expand this number. Through its Verified Destination programme, the platform offers in-depth information travellers can trust.

Guarantee for Peace of Mind: Wheel the World provides a unique promise — if travellers don’t receive the accessible room they booked, they get their money back — reaffirming confidence in every stay.

Elevated Visitor Planning Tools: Travellers can explore listings with detailed filters for room layouts, step-free access, adaptive equipment, and more.

Growing Cultural Representation: Local cultural institutions and attractions will soon appear on Wheel the World’s dedicated Miami destination page, helping visitors connect with Miami’s rich arts and culture.

Comprehensive Marketing Rollout: This partnership is part of a broader campaign, including new video content and messaging that will be unveiled during GMCVB’s State of the Industry event later this month.

“Our goal has always been to empower people with disabilities to explore the world without limits,” said Álvaro Silberstein, Co-founder & CEO of Wheel the World. “What makes this partnership so meaningful is that it’s not just symbolic — it’s practical. From verified hotel rooms to accessible experiences, travellers now have the confidence to fully enjoy Miami.”

This initiative aligns with the GMCVB’s broader sustainability and inclusion strategy, complementing programmes such as Green Key Global Certification for eco-conscious travel and the IBCCES Autism Certification, which supports neurodiverse travellers and their families.

National Accessibility Day, the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, GMCVB, Wheel the World, Greater Miami, Miami Beach, Certified Accessible Destination.

In celebration of National Accessibility Day, the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) proudly announces its partnership with Wheel the World, designating Greater Miami and Miami Beach as a Certified Accessible Destination. This milestone further cements the destination’s leadership in inclusive travel, reaffirming its commitment to providing welcoming, barrier-free experiences for all visitors—regardless of ability.

“Greater Miami and Miami Beach has long been committed to ensuring a sense of welcome and accessibility for all travellers,” said David Whitaker, President & CEO of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Our partnership with Wheel the World is another powerful proof point of that leadership—further expanding the tools and resources available to visitors with disabilities so they can fully experience everything our destination has to offer.”

Wheel the World, a global leader in accessible travel, offers detailed, verified information on lodging, activities, and transportation tailored to travellers with disabilities. Miami is currently one of Wheel the World’s most booked destinations, with strong demand from travellers seeking trustworthy accessibility across accommodations and experiences.

As of today, 30 properties in Greater Miami and Miami Beach have been mapped by Wheel the World using its digital accessibility assessment tools, with more to come as the partnership expands. A growing number of hotels are also undergoing on-site inspections as part of the Verified Destination programme, designed to ensure in-person verification of accessibility features.

In addition, the GMCVB is producing a series of new accessibility-focused videos as part of a broader destination campaign. These videos will spotlight inclusive experiences and help travellers plan their visit with confidence, further enhancing the accessibility journey online and on the ground.

Key Highlights of the Partnership:

Verified Hotel Listings: Wheel the World has mapped 30 properties in Miami and is actively working to expand this number. Through its Verified Destination programme, the platform offers in-depth information travellers can trust.

Guarantee for Peace of Mind: Wheel the World provides a unique promise — if travellers don’t receive the accessible room they booked, they get their money back — reaffirming confidence in every stay.

Elevated Visitor Planning Tools: Travellers can explore listings with detailed filters for room layouts, step-free access, adaptive equipment, and more.

Growing Cultural Representation: Local cultural institutions and attractions will soon appear on Wheel the World’s dedicated Miami destination page, helping visitors connect with Miami’s rich arts and culture.

Comprehensive Marketing Rollout: This partnership is part of a broader campaign, including new video content and messaging that will be unveiled during GMCVB’s State of the Industry event later this month.

“Our goal has always been to empower people with disabilities to explore the world without limits,” said Álvaro Silberstein, Co-founder & CEO of Wheel the World. “What makes this partnership so meaningful is that it’s not just symbolic — it’s practical. From verified hotel rooms to accessible experiences, travellers now have the confidence to fully enjoy Miami.”

This initiative aligns with the GMCVB’s broader sustainability and inclusion strategy, complementing programmes such as Green Key Global Certification for eco-conscious travel and the IBCCES Autism Certification, which supports neurodiverse travellers and their families.

National Accessibility Day, the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, GMCVB, Wheel the World, Greater Miami, Miami Beach, Certified Accessible Destination.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Destination Canada is the first national tourism board to collaborate with Google Street View for an OOH campaign of this nature using real street view imagery to show an unfiltered, authentic look at a country that favors connection over curation. Here’s a first look at Destination Canada’s new brand platform, Canada, naturally:

The first expressions of the platform are a deliberate break from the tourism “sea of sameness.” Instead of fast-cut highlight reels, travellers will see a cinematic, documentary-style that feels like stepping into an ordinary moment in Canada.

Key campaign elements include:

• A first-of-its-kind Google Street View OOH collaboration (Live May 19): As noted above, Destination Canada is the firstnational tourism board to build an OOH campaign of this nature using real Street View imagery.
• A suite of new ad creative shot on 35mm film (Staggered launch starting the week of May 12):These pieces capture slice-of-life scenes across Canada—from roadside fill-ups in the Rockies to backyard BBQs featuring the northern lights—reinforcing that in Canada, what comes naturally here is often extraordinary to those who visit.

Why it matters:

• It applies technology in a creatively disciplined, emotionally resonant way
• It helps address a key challenge: showing American travellers how Canada is different—beyond geography or stereotypes
• These are real stories, from real places. Exactly how they are, everyday.
• Research and insights-driven brand platform

 

 

 

Evoke Experiences has announced a strategic expansion that marks a defining shift in its operating model. Known for its immersive glamping retreats and cultural tent cities, the company is now set to deepen its presence in the hospitality landscape by adding a wider variety of experiential properties to its portfolio, and welcoming partnerships through asset lease and management collaborations.

With flagship properties like Rann Utsav – The Tent City, Statue of Unity Tent City-1, Gandhisagar Forest Retreat, the newly launched Evoke Dholavira, and soon to be launched Evoke Ram Bagh, Ayodhya with 156 keys, Evoke Experiences has built a strong reputation for curating destination-led stays that merge luxury with culture, nature, and sustainability. The brand currently operates a total inventory of 750 keys and aims to cross the 1,000-key milestone by the end of 2025.

 

Looking ahead, Evoke Experiences is preparing to launch a new site in Gir, further establishing its footprint in ecologically significant regions. This addition will mark the company’s growing emphasis on permanent experiential resorts, signalling a transition from seasonal formats to year-round offerings.

In a significant move, the company invites hospitality asset owners and landholders across India to partner through long-term lease or management agreements. With high-impact branding, operations, and storytelling-led design expertise, Evoke Experiences is positioned to transform underutilised or hidden destinations into profitable, world-class experiences.

“We believe the next wave of hospitality growth in India lies beyond convention,” said Bhavik Sheth, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Evoke Experiences. “Evoke is not just creating places to stay, we’re building narratives, environments, and economies rooted in local culture. We are now actively looking to collaborate with like-minded owners who see the potential of experiential tourism.”

This strategic shift underscores Evoke’s ambition to become India’s most trusted experiential destination company, where every property is a story, and every stay, a memory.

 

 

Radisson Hotel Group is proud to announce its first two hotels to achieve Verified Net Zero status, achieving 2040 requirements of the Net Zero Methodology for Hotels today. The properties in Oslo and Manchester are taking steps to eliminate Scope 1 & 2 emissions, significantly reduce Scope 3 emissions, aligned with the GHG protocol, and remove the remaining footprint with Nature Based Solutions. The achievement is unique, as the alignment with the Net Zero Methodology for Hotels is verified by a third party, TÜV Rheinland.

With the launch of two Verified Net Zero Hotels, Radisson Hotel Group is setting the gold standard for sustainable hospitality.

Net Zero actions in carbon footprint Scopes 1, 2 and 3

The Verified Net Zero program is comprehensive and includes the carbon footprint from energy use (Scopes 1 & 2 as defined by the Greenhouse Gas Protocol or GHG) as well as the hotel’s operational and supply chain footprint (Scope 3). Actions include the use of 100% renewable energy, achieved through electrification of hotels and/or the purchase of 100% renewable energy for all hotel functions from heating, cooling, hot water to cooking and spa & pool facilities. Next to overhauling operations to minimize waste, Radisson Hotel Group has re-evaluated its supply chains with a focus on Food & Beverage, and other sources of emissions such as hotel related transportation to minimize emissions.

All remaining emissions are compensated using Nature Based carbon credits from carbon removal in partnership with Agreena, the largest soil carbon program in Europe, supporting over 2,300 farmers to regenerate more than 4.5 million hectares of European farmland.

“Radisson Hotel Group aims to become Net Zero by 2050. While the move is easier in new build properties, the reality is that 80% of the buildings that need to become Net Zero by 2050 are already built. We believe it is critical to move as fast as possible with these existing buildings. Today, we are demonstrating that Net Zero conversion hotels are possible. In a conversion approach, the Manchester and Oslo hotels prove that non-sustainable hotels can become high performing asset classes with a positive impact on the planet. This approach needs to be serious and verified. And we are doing so with TÜV Rheinland. These Verified Net Zero hotels bring the future forward and offer guests the pinnacle of sustainable stays.” commented Federico J. González, Executive Vice Chairman at Radisson Hotel Group.

How guests will experience Verified Net Zero during their stay

The opportunity to stay at a Verified Net Zero property allows guests to become part of a forward-thinking movement that combines comfort and innovation with sustainability. Verified Net Zero properties do this through three key features: 100% renewable energy, low-carbon menus, and by being a minimal waste hotel. Radisson Hotel Group’s Verified Net Zero properties give guests the unique opportunity to stay in a hotel knowing their stay has a net zero carbon footprint.

Using 100% renewable energy sources means that Verified Net Zero hotels do not depend on using environmentally damaging fossil fuels for heating, cooling, hot water, and cooking.

• The Radisson Hotel Manchester City Centre, A Verified Net Zero Hotel, has installed heat pumps to generate hot water. Together with a fully electrified kitchen using induction cooking, the hotel is entirely eliminating gas use. Because the hotel buys 100% renewable electricity, none of the electricity used at the hotel comes from fossil fuels.
• The Radisson RED Oslo City Centre, A Verified Net Zero Hotel, is powered by a combination of renewable electricity and heating provided by the city. Oslo is one of the few cities in Europe to use fully renewable energy for its district heating by using renewable heat generated from multiple sources such as city waste treatment, or data centers.

Radisson Hotel Group partnered with Klimato – a specialized partner from Sweden – to develop low-carbon menus by analyzing the entire food offering for in-room dining menus, M&E menus and the breakfast buffet, curating recipes to lower their overall carbon footprint. Guests are informed by clear labels, ranking recipes’ carbon footprints from A (best) to E (worst). Menus focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients while reducing recipe carbon footprints up to 40%, without compromising on taste.

New measures are in place to minimize waste based on the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle principles. Guests can rest assured a maximum of the waste will be avoided or recycled, and none of the waste goes to landfill. To enhance recycling and minimize waste, Verified Net Zero hotels:

• Use kitchen food waste management software – eSmiley – which tracks the weight of food leftovers on plates when they return to the kitchen, updating menu portions and ingredients to minimize waste
• Offer unused ingredients on the social innovation platform Too Good to Go – providing the community with tasty affordable meals avoiding readymade meals going to waste
• Recycle coffee pods in partnership with Nespresso
• Provide glass water bottles in guest and conference rooms, as opposed to PET plastic
• Offer recycling bins in all guestrooms and main public areas including the lobby and conference rooms
• Conduct waste audits to ensure high accuracy of recycling throughout the hotel
• Reduce paper use with the Stay E-concierge app which displays hotel bookable services, and provide online check-in, check-out, and e-invoicing
• Use 100% bulk bathroom amenities and recycle the packaging with Clean the World
• Adopt plastic free dry amenities and implement a program to minimize wastage of accessory amenities

Regarding the announcement, Inge Huijbrechts, Chief Sustainability & Security Officer at Radisson Hotel Group, said, “With the opening of our first two Verified Net Zero hotels, Radisson Hotel Group demonstrates its commitment to Net Zero 2050, and to showcasing truly sustainable hospitality. For the first time, we focus on reducing emissions from energy, operations and the supply chain. As we face the evolving challenge of climate change, Radisson Hotel Group is taking an essential step in reshaping the future of hospitality, one Verified Net Zero hotel at a time.”

Re-opening of Radisson Net Zero Hotel Manchester City Centre

Following the refurbishment of the Park Inn by Radisson property, Radisson Hotel Manchester City Centre, A Verified Net Zero Hotel,  brings a rebranded/upgraded hospitality experience, located just steps from the AO Arena and Manchester Victoria train station.

The hotel provides the perfect location for those visiting the renowned AO Arena – a leading music, events and entertainment venue – either as a place to enjoy a sustainable stay or somewhere to enjoy dinner & drinks before heading to a show. The neighboring Manchester Victoria station has connections both locally across the Greater Manchester region and nationally, including linking the city with London in just over two hours.

The clean and modern Scandinavian-inspired design of Radisson is ready to be experienced in all 252 guest rooms and suites, providing balance, wellbeing and a calming environment, featuring neutral tones and natural design elements. A welcoming bar and restaurant offers guests a variety of dishes and an outdoor terrace, ensuring a memorable stay for both leisure and business visitors.

The hotel is tailored for groups and family get-togethers, with rooms featuring two double beds as well as open-plan spaces for relaxing and socializing. Guests can unwind in the tranquil spa, with a range of beauty treatments on offer as well as enjoying the heated indoor pool, sauna, steam room and gym. Additionally, the hotel’s state-of-the-art event facilities provide capacity for up to 220 attendees, making it the perfect venue for a wide range of meetings or celebrations.

Within a few minutes’ walk of the hotel sits Manchester’s finest shopping, cultural and leisure destinations, including Selfridges, Corn Exchange Manchester, Manchester Cathedral and the National Football Museum.