Travel News

More than 100 brand-new itineraries on all eight ships, stopping at 320 intriguing destinations, promise exceptional travel experiences. Oceania Cruises has unveiled the journeys that will make up its 2025 Summer Collection, which will include more than 100 itineraries in all, plus close to 50 Grand journeys to exotic locations. Onboard Oceania Cruises’ eight compact, luxury ships, guests can chose from a variety of expertly selected European cruises, traditional Canada and New England excursions, thrilling Alaskan adventures, and serene South Pacific sailings that visit paradise islands in French Polynesia and beyond. The collection of varied journeys consists of: Marina divided her time between the Mediterranean, the western wine regions, and the northern areas of Iceland, Greenland, and the Canadian Maritimes on more than 70 different sailings between the Mediterranean and Northern Europe. View of a cruise across the British Isles, the Norwegian Fjords, and the cities of Scandinavia. The inaugural season of Oceania Cruises’ newest ship, Allura, in the Mediterranean. According to Oceania Cruises President Frank A. Del Rio, “2025 is expected to be our biggest year yet at Oceania Cruises with Allura’s maiden season and our first collection featuring all eight boutique ships on sale.” We are excited to demonstrate with our 2025 Summer Collection why Oceania Cruises is renowned for its destination-rich itineraries by adding new ports of call and expanding service to in-demand locales. Highlights of the 2025 Summer Collection More than 100 itineraries with a variety of destinations, with approximately 50 Grand Voyages Riviera sailings in Alaska for the first time, provide the best possible view of the Last Frontier. Europe is explored by Allura, Vista, Marina, Sirena, and Nautica with more than 70 different route possibilities. There are itineraries from 7 to 56 days long. additional than 100 overnight stops, such as those in Seville, Jerusalem, Istanbul, Bordeaux, Berlin, Antwerp, Montreal, Bora Bora, and Papeete, provide passengers additional opportunity to explore the ports of call that Oceania Cruises visits. Cesme, Turkey; Kemi, Finland; Lulea, Sweden; Maniitsoq, Greenland; Pozzallo (Sicily), Italy; Samos, Greece; Scrabster, Scotland; Sibenik, Croatia; Sundsvall, Sweden; and Vaasa, Finland are among the ten new ports that the ship will call at. Alaska  The 1,250-passenger Riviera, an Oceania Cruises first, will explore the best of Alaska with over a dozen excursions into the glaciers and wildlife of the Last Frontier. Travelers will see the region’s towering glaciers, unspoiled environment, and distinctive local culture while on itineraries that last 7 to 12 days. This combination, together with Riviera’s opulent atmosphere and various gourmet culinary experiences, will make for an amazing trip. New England and Canada The well-liked fall foliage sailings from Oceania Cruises will take tourists to outstanding French-Canadian treasures along the St. Lawrence River. These time-honored 11- to 15-day autumn trips conveniently leave from Boston, Montreal, and New York City and include overnight breaks in Montreal, Quebec City, and New York City. 16 to 19-day sailings contrast well-known Canadian and New England harbors with Iceland’s and Greenland’s isolated hinterlands and stunning vistas throughout the months of July and August. Europe  With nine trips to the area, Oceania Cruises will provide a spectacular selection of itineraries that focus heavily on Iceland and Greenland, including two departures from New York and two from Montreal. In July and August, Marina and Sirena will each take extensive trips around the two North Atlantic Island countries. With sailings from Spain, France, and Italy to Greece, Israel, and Turkey, travelers can choose from a wide selection of enthralling Mediterranean itineraries. With Vista sailing the area in the fall and Marina sailing the region in the summer, Nautica will be entirely devoted to the region. Onboard Vista and Sirena, travelers can choose from a wide range of culturally rich Northern Europe voyages where they can explore the medieval cities and fortresses that line the Baltic, the striking architecture and cutting-edge design of Scandinavia, the well-known castles of Scotland, the legendary landscapes of Ireland, and the historical and iconic landmarks of England. In addition to overnight breaks in Istanbul and Monte Carlo, Allura will visit well-known towns and lesser-known treasures including Cadiz, Olbia, Messina, Palma de Mallorca, Palermo, and the Cinque Terre. With more than 40 European Grand Voyages offered by Oceania Cruises, the potential for adventure becomes loftier and more exciting. Each of the line’s Grand Voyages takes travelers to a dizzying variety of distinctive and fascinating ports of call throughout the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, and includes a carefully chosen selection of longer evening stays and overnights so travelers may go even further into exploration. Southern Pacific  With an intriguing range of seven new exotic sailings and itineraries ranging from 10 to 18 days, Regatta will sail the inaugural summer season of voyages in French Polynesia and Hawaii. These journeys provide a utopia of cultural contacts, unforgettable activities, and pure natural settings. With itineraries including the stunning blue lagoon of Bora Bora, the black sand beaches of Tahiti, the colorful coral reefs of Raiatea, the soaring mountains in the verdant jungles of Nuku Hiva, and more, the new cruises will travel to the area during the optimal months of August, September, and October. Four of the seven new sailings connect French Polynesia with the enthralling craters, harrowing canyons, and lush waterfalls of the Hawaiian archipelago. Ports in new boutiques  A carefully chosen list of 10 new boutique ports in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe are also included in Oceania Cruises’ 2025 Summer Collection, promising unforgettable experiences and providing even more chances for seasoned travelers to veer off the beaten path and find new locations that showcase even more of Europe’s incredibly diverse treasures and wonders. Cesme, Turkey, Kemi, Finland, Lulea, Sweden, Maniitsoq, Greenland, Pozzallo (Sicily), Italy, Samos, Greece, Scrabster, Scotland, Sibenik, Croatia, Sundsvall, Sweden, and Vaasa are among the new ports of call. Source- Travel daily

Rex announced the establishment of a second daily Melbourne-Hobart service for the Christmas-New Year period. The extra flights will operate between 18 December and 21 January to accommodate the escalating number of tourists wanting to visit the Apple Isle. Rex launched the Melbourne-Hobart service last month, and since the first trip on August 14, bookings in both directions have exceeded expectations. A 6.15 p.m. departure from Melbourne will be added to the midday flight, and on some days, 2.05 and 8.20 p.m. return flights will be available. Rex.com.au is now the place to buy flights, with one-way tickets costing as little as $79 there. The Hon John Sharp AM, Deputy Chairman of Rex, said, “I would urge people to book as soon as possible because I have no doubt that these additional flights will sell out quickly.” “Passenger demand has been phenomenal, and forward bookings have gone through the roof,” Sharp continued. Hobart Airport CEO Norris Carter acknowledged his happiness at the success of Rex’s new services. Rex is already launching new services after only a few weeks, claimed Carter. It’s wonderful to see these extra flights, and even more so to have more competition at Hobart Airport, which is good for travelers. The addition of these programs throughout the summer vacation period is encouraging for Rex in Hobart’s future, according to Carter. Source- Travel daily

The inaugural Visual Welcome Story has been made available by the Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre (GCCEC). The facility just received Accessibility Accreditation from the Australian Tourism Industry Council (ATIC), which comes after this. Visitors of all abilities are assisted by the Visual Welcome Story, which was created in partnership with Autism Queensland, in feeling ready for and welcomed at GCCEC. It includes instructions on how to go to GCCEC and a summary of what guests can encounter there. The account is a supplement to the accessibility guide for the location. According to Autism Queensland, 1 in 70 Australians are autistic, 1 in 5 Australians have a disability, and 1 in 7 persons identify as neurodivergent. According to Pam Macrossan, CEO of Autism Queensland, companies and community organizations are beginning to understand the importance of providing universal supports to make sure all consumers feel included and welcomed. “Welcome stories are designed to help visitors prepare for their journey to a new venue or event, making them feel comfortable and welcome in the space,” she continued. “We have always worked hard to ensure that the convention center is accessible to all types of visitors, and we are proud to add resources like the Welcome Story,” said Adrienne Readings, general manager of GCCEC. We want to set an example for venues by working with Queensland’s Year of Accessible Tourism to make the state a destination for travelers of all abilities. Source- Travel daily

Flight Centre Travel Group’s (FCTG) flagship division, FCM Meetings & Events (FCM M&E), which has long been a leader in the industry, has announced a global expansion of the company. Simone Seiler, an expert in the field, will take on the position of global general manager to oversee the expansion’s lofty goals and unite all of the M&E businesses around the world.  Seiler is a seasoned travel industry executive with over 20 years of experience who is enthusiastic about the business events industry. As the global leader assisting in-market business leaders, Seiler brings her global perspective and local understanding to dozens of nations and partner networks. According to a recent white paper* by FCM M&E, the MICE market size in terms of revenue is expected to increase at a compound annual growth rate of 6.6 percent from 2022 to 2030 to reach USD1563.3 billion by 2030. Events, event travel, and meetings are driving the business travel recovery globally. “We believe there is a global opportunity for disruption in the meetings, events, and event travel areas. With this investment, we’re in a good position to take advantage of the exponentially increasing demand for high-quality, customized event experiences, said Seiler. With recent research showing conferences and events as one of the top two reasons for travel among SME owners and decision-makers, it is evident that the desire for in-person connection is continuing to rise. The enthusiasm and participation we are witnessing are really promising, and this is something that has been and still is felt on a worldwide scale. We have a brilliant and diversified FCM M&E leadership team in important markets throughout the world, and they are truly excited about the chance to improve our MICE offering for both potential and current clients. The announcement marks an important turning point for FCM M&E, a company that already has a substantial presence in numerous nations on several continents. The company is dedicated to giving its clients distinctive and memorable experiences while adhering to the larger FCTG “glocal” philosophy. “What’s particularly exciting is just how big the MICE industry is globally, and we know we have an incredible opportunity to both grow and position ourselves as the travel management company of choice for meetings, events, and event travel,” Seiler stated. “Demand for in-person meetings is increasing at a consistent yearly growth rate of 12% year over year, which means we have some interesting opportunities ahead of us. “We’re excited to start this new chapter for FCM M&E, and with an incredibly talented team worldwide, I’m very confident we can accomplish our challenging objectives.” The M&E division, according to Marcus Eklund, managing director of FCM worldwide, is the industry sector’s not-so-secret crown gem, and its increase reflects the rise in worldwide in-person demand. “FCM is a business that is proudly global, with a footprint in more than 100 countries worldwide, but we stay loyal to our mantra of our ‘glocal’ approach where we have industry experts leading their own regional teams to cater for different cultural requirements,” said Eklund. “The M&E industry has been booming for the past 18 months, and there is tremendous room for expansion.  We couldn’t be in a better position to take advantage of industries that are yearning to resume face-to-face interaction thanks to our cutting-edge technology and decades of combined industry knowledge within our teams. “According to recent GBTA* study, more than eight out of ten CEOs prefer in-person meetings to virtual contact, and we have clearly noticed this trend recently. “I’d also like to extend my congratulations to Simone, who has long been an integral part of our M&E business. Her appointment is the ideal illustration of the “Brightness of Future” that FCTG provides to its employees.” FCM Meetings & Events is dedicated to expanding both its local and global reach in this industry.  The company intends to concentrate on three key areas, including the creation of novel technological solutions and investing in more expertise. Meetings: Offer several different meeting services, including as venue sourcing, managed meetings, fundamental planning, and on-site assistance. Event travel: Provide group travel services, including lodging, transfers, and team-building exercises. Complete event management services, including planning, strategies, implementation, and delivery, are offered. Source- Travel daily

IRIS announces the release of its newest booklet, “The Hotelier’s Guide to Choosing a Digital F&B Ordering Platform,” with the goal of enabling operators to improve customer satisfaction, increase revenue, and optimize operations. The subject of how hospitality operators may maximize resources and realize revenue objectives has never been more urgent than it is now, ahead of the busy holiday season and at a time when rising costs and personnel continue to provide difficulties. They are looking more and more to technology for the answer, and for many people, that answer is digital food and beverage ordering. But with so many platforms, providers, and integrations available on the market, it can be challenging to know where to begin and, more importantly, how to choose the best platform. The following is included in the most recent guidance from the IRIS expert team: a description of the F&B ordering websites How to evaluate the requirements you have for a system, the outcomes you wish to achieve, and the problems you need it to answer The essential characteristics and capabilities you should search for to get the ideal fit for your hotel or restaurant How digital eating helps personnel, business, and customers, enabling organizations to remain effective and competitive The development and use of digital F&B ordering has grown dramatically on both the operator and customer sides of the menu. Operators have jumped at the chance to use it as a dynamic and captivating approach to highlight their F&B offering. It provides team members with remote and real-time access as well as the agility and flexibility to edit menus at the push of a button. Along with POS and PMS connectivity, it also provides the added advantages of reducing wait times, securing payments, and increasing revenue. The ease of browsing, ordering, and paying from the palm of one’s hand enhances the experience for visitors in more beneficial ways “Our latest guide has been designed to offer hospitality operators a clear, practical roadmap for digital F&B ordering,” says Kate Fuller, Senior Marketing Manager at IRIS. The desire from visitors for a mobile-first experience has grown exponentially in recent years and doesn’t appear to be slowing down. Operators must make sure they comprehend not just what digital F&B ordering is capable of, but also how to select the best platform for their location. They may be confident that they are providing the best ROI for their personnel, visitors, and bottom line at that point. Source- Travel daily

From March 31, 2024, Singapore Airlines will increase the frequency of its flights on the well-traveled Manchester to Houston route to five weekly flights. Customers can also benefit from connections between Aberdeen and Houston via Manchester thanks to partner Loganair, which helps Scottish travelers. With more than 700 weekly seats, Loganair, the largest regional carrier in the UK, will seamlessly integrate into Singapore Airlines’ schedule and provide a smooth transfer for passengers. From Aberdeen to Manchester, Loganair has 21 weekly direct flights, Monday through Sunday. “Flights to Houston are extremely popular with our Scottish customers,” said Mark Davey, Singapore Airlines’ Sales & Marketing Manager for the UK and Ireland. “We’re delighted to bring the service back to pre-pandemic levels of five weekly flights, plus with our friends at Loganair, we now offer more choice and flexibility to customers while strengthening our global network.” “We have a tremendous working partnership with Singapore Airlines, boosting connectivity not just at Manchester but also at Heathrow, where we now have a significant presence,” said Luke Lovegrove, Chief Commercial Officer of Loganair. “For the benefit of our customers, we look forward to developing our partnership with Singapore Airlines in the future.” From Aberdeen, Isle of Man, Inverness, Dundee, City of Derry, and Newquay, customers can make a single reservation with Loganair and transfer to Singapore Airlines long-haul flights from Manchester and Heathrow. Utilizing the partner network has advantages such as through-checked baggage to the destination and delay protection. Bookings for flights from Aberdeen to Houston can be made right now at singaporeair.com and loganair.co.uk, as well as through travel agents and travel management firms that use all of the main GDSs. Prices start at £623 roundtrip (subject to availability). Source-Travel daily

A deal between Emirates and Shell Aviation for the supply of more than 300,000 gallons of mixed SAF for use at the airline’s international hub in Dubai (DXB) was announced today. Before the end of the year, the first SAF supply under the agreement is anticipated to start, marking the first time SAF will be supplied through the DXB airport fueling infrastructure. The pact is the most recent development in Emirates’ environmental strategy, which is built around three key pillars: responsible consumption, emissions reduction, and the preservation of animals and habitats. As part of the arrangement, Emirates will employ Avelia, one of the first SAF solutions backed by blockchain, to track SAF delivery and usage statistics. Shell Aviation and Accenture power Avelia, which also receives assistance from Energy Web and American Express Global Business Travel. Emirates will purchase the physical SAF and associated environmental attributes through Avelia to help reduce its Scope 1 related emissions, and Shell Corporate Travel will purchase the Scope 3 environmental attributes associated with the same physical SAF to reduce its related business travel. The agreement uses Avelia as an example of how book and claim solutions can allow corporates and airlines to both benefit from SAF’s environmental advantages. “We are proud to work in partnership with Shell to make a SAF supply available for Emirates in Dubai for the first time, and to utilize the Avelia platform that provides business travelers with the flexibility to align their sustainability targets and minimize their environmental footprint when traveling,” said Tim Clark, president of Emirates Airline. Since there are currently no SAF production facilities in the UAE, we are hoping that this relationship will continue to grow and eventually provide a steady supply of SAF in our hub.  The aviation industry is crucial to the economy of Dubai and the entire United Arab Emirates, and we are eager to work with like-minded organizations and government bodies to find practical ways to expand the supply of SAF, a fuel that is currently in extremely short supply, in the aviation fuel supply chain and support Emirates’ efforts to cut emissions across our operations. “Emirates and Shell have a long-standing commercial relationship, and it is fantastic to build on this to now work together on decarbonization,” said Chu Yong-Yi, Vice President of Shell Corporate Travel. The aviation sector in the United Arab Emirates has advanced because to this agreement. The first-ever supply of SAF at DXB is a significant accomplishment and a prime illustration of the crucial contributions that the various segments of the aviation value chain can make to advancing SAF. In order to further our goal of achieving net zero emissions, we believe that this will serve as a catalyst for additional SAF-related activity across the UAE’s aviation sector and in the surrounding area. SAF is a safe, fully-certified drop-in fuel that may be used in place of conventional jet fuel at a ratio of up to 50% to provide aviation fuel with much lower lifecycle carbon emissions. It is also compatible with the current fleet of aircraft and airport infrastructure. In its purest form, SAF can cut lifecycle emissions from aviation fuel by as much as 80%.1 Emirates successfully performed the first demonstration flight in the area powered entirely by SAF earlier this year. On a Boeing 777 departing from Chicago, the airline’s first flight using SAF blended with jet fuel took occurred in 2017. The airline now flies flights from Paris, Lyon, and Oslo with blended SAF and has also elevated SAF for flights from Stockholm. In order to increase the production and delivery of SAF, Emirates participates in a variety of industry and UAE government working groups as well as regular stakeholder consultations. The airline has been an active participant in the development of the UAE’s National Sustainable Aviation Fuel Roadmap, which was launched in January 2023 by the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure and GCAA. Last year, the airline worked with the UAE GCAA to contribute to the development of the UAE’s Power-to-Liquid (PtL) fuels roadmap, driven by the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure and the World Economic Forum. Source- Travel daily

With RateTiger, a preeminent supplier of hotel revenue management solutions, Cantonal Hotel by Warwick Riyadh has discovered a trustworthy and creative partner. For the past nine months, this brand-new 4-star international hotel has used RateTiger Channel Manager to effectively update rates and manage inventory across a variety of online sales channels, enabling smooth reservations into their PMS. Luxurious hideaway Cantonal Hotel by Warwick Riyadh is located in the center of the busy metropolis. It provides great service, large, stylish rooms, and a rooftop restaurant with breathtaking city views. This is the ideal location for a luxurious stay in Riyadh. By using RateTiger Channel Manager, this new premium hotel’s occupancy rate increased by more than 60%. This property has improved its visibility with RateTiger over the past nine months by utilizing 2-way XML communication with OTAs and specialist channels to drive more reservations. The Middle East’s travel and tourism industry has grown significantly, according to research by Knight Frank, and will contribute the most to global GDP in 2023—46.9%—of any area. The number of direct reservations for hotels in the area has increased as a result. With the help of RateTiger’s integrated technology solution, which gives the hotel all the tools necessary to manage reservations, rates, and inventory across all channels, including its direct brand website and OTA channels, Cantonal Hotel by Warwick Riyadh is well-positioned to meet this demand. “RateTiger Channel Manager’s capacity to assist us in managing real-time extranet availability, seamless PMS changes for online reservations, and the freedom to adjust prices in line with market demand in our online sales channels has continuously pleased us. This is made simple and keeps us adaptable by RateTiger. Additionally, it automates our availability and reservation system, saving us time so that we can concentrate on giving our guests a wonderful experience and effectively managing our hotel. We are overjoyed to report that with RateTiger, our occupancy growth has improved by 60%.Saqib Hussain, Revenue/Reservation Manager at the Cantonal Hotel by Warwick Riyadh, made the statement. “Team RateTiger, especially Swati and Ayman, have given us excellent, hands-on support and have assisted us in solving issues with the RateTiger solutions promptly. They provided us with efficient and interactive training on RateTiger solutions, which aided in our quick start. Our overall score for their service is 9.9. – Saqib summarized. Source- Travel daily

The 2023 edition of the world’s largest consumer research on accommodations, published by SiteMinder, the top open hotel commerce platform, finds that travelers from Asia and Latin America have the highest intentions to travel globally over the next 12 months. Travelers from India (78%), China (76%), Indonesia (65%), and Mexico (64%) all plan to travel more in the upcoming year compared to the global average of 57%. At 60% in India, 57% in Thailand, 53% in Indonesia, 47% in China, and 41% in Mexico, the percentage of travelers who plan to work during their next trip is likewise highest among those from Asia and Latin America. In the US, the percentages fall to 31%, while they average 25% in Europe and 22% in Australia. The results are contained in SiteMinder’s Changing Traveller Report 2023, which is based on a study of more than 10,000 tourists from 12 of the biggest travel source markets in the world, including Australia, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Mexico, Spain, Thailand, UK, and the United States. They are among the four fundamental traits that underlie the travel intentions and driving forces that will affect the worldwide lodging market in the upcoming year. The intrepid traveler is dedicated to exploring regardless of the cost of living. The digitally reliant: Dependent on emerging technologies and tethered to gadgets Making memories by investing on experiences, such as attending a roaring ’20s revival The willing participant: a welcoming ally to the neighborhood and accommodations. One in two travelers, especially those from other countries, want to spend “most of the time” or “considerable time” at their accommodations on their next vacation. This trend can be seen throughout the world. At 81% in India, 77% in Thailand, 72% in Indonesia, and 62% in Mexico, this statistic is once again highest among visitors from Asia and Latin America; this finding may be related to the market’s preference for leisure travel. SiteMinder’s Changing Traveller Report 2023 reveals that digitalization is Asia and Latin America’s most significant area of leadership, above travel intent and leisure planning. While many tourists believe that if hotels were more tech-savvy, their booking experience and stay onsite would be improved, this perception is strongest in China and Thailand (95%), Indonesia (92%), India (91%) and Mexico (85%). Additionally, Asia and Latin America come in first place for: Influence of social media: Visitors from these two locations are most highly impacted by social media when choosing where to stay. While 70% of travelers worldwide claim that social media has an impact on how they find lodging options, that percentage jumps to 97% in Indonesia, 95% in Thailand, 92% in India, and 87% in Mexico. Only 46% of Britons and 42% of Germans agree, in comparison. At least 60% of tourists in the two regions report that they are likely to use AI to produce lodging recommendations. The percentage is highest in China at 88%, followed by Thailand at 86%. The percentage is only 24% and 23% in the UK and Germany, respectively. When given the option of communicating in person or using a gadget while staying at their accommodations, travelers in these two regions prefer doing so more than people anywhere else in the globe. At 51%, China is ranked first, followed by Indonesia at 46%. The percentage of visitors from France (19%) and Germany (18%) who choose this is the lowest. Trent Innes, chief growth officer of SiteMinder, says the study confirms the widespread use of smartphones in Asia and Latin America and emphasizes how urgent it is for lodging providers to adopt new technology. The strength of travel intentions across the board, but especially in the high-growth markets we studied — Asia and Latin America — should be encouraging to all enterprises in the lodging industry. The expectations for workspaces, and in particular, digitized experiences, come with that strong intent, adds Innes. Accommodation operators would do well to assess each touchpoint during their customers’ journeys, from the planning and booking phases through to experiencing and beyond, as these tourists’ numbers abroad increase. The modern traveler is reliant on technology, and this is truer in Asia and Latin America than everywhere else on earth. Therefore, it’s critical that lodging companies who want to draw visitors from these fast-growing areas be able to live up to those visitors’ expectations of a fully digitalized guest experience. Source- Travel daily  

The Ascott Limited, Australia (Ascott Australia) is pleased to announce the opening of Quest Geelong Central, its newest apartment hotel located in the center of the gateway city. Richard Marles, Australia’s deputy prime minister, performed the official ribbon-cutting. To take advantage of significant local investments in tourism, healthcare, and events, such as the $500 million Geelong women’s and children’s hospital that will be constructed on Barwon Health’s CBD site and the $294 million Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre precinct on the waterfront, Ascott Australia has invested in a second property in Geelong. Ascott Australia’s dedication to supporting the continuing growth of the regional tourism industry, which is anticipated to reach $1.2 billion in value by 2025, is shown by Quest Geelong Central. The Greenfield Hotel has 87 roomy, independent apartments with fully functional kitchens. Franchise owners of Quest Geelong Central, from left to right Daniel and Jennifer Wilson, MDs of Ascott Australia David Mansfield, Richard Marles, the proprietors of the Quest Geelong Central franchise, and others Ky, Ben, Greg, and Shea Shea Modern studios, 1, 2, and 3 bedroom apartments with balconies and views of Corio Bay are provided, along with accessible and pet-friendly accommodations, to offer each visitor a truly home away from home experience. Guests will enjoy cozy serviced apartments with access to amenities including a rooftop gym, business lounge, 40-person conference room, BBQ areas, and secure on-site parking as part of Pellicano’s $70 million mixed-use Pivot House development. James Shields, GM of Growth and Capital Strategy at Ascott Australia, claims that Quest Geelong Central is in a great location to draw both leisure and business travelers. In order to maximize revenues for Quest business owners and provide visitors with a seamless experience, Ascott continues to prioritize investments in strategically positioned sites and forging cooperative connections with reliable development partners like Pellicano, according to James. Given the developing Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre neighborhood and the rising local healthcare industry, Geelong has both appealing short-term and long-term demand drivers in place for a second Quest facility. The ninth collaborative development endeavor with Pellicano is Quest Geelong Central. Nando Pellicano, managing director of Pellicano, expressed his pride in the long-standing partnership with Quest. This newest property in Geelong, which is the fifth apartment hotel building we’ve kept in our portfolio, “reflects the ongoing success of our partnership with Quest. We’re happy to give Geelong this much-needed asset and we wish the Quest team the best of luck, said Nando. The launch of Quest Geelong Central in the area, according to Brendan Sanders, Acting Executive Director, Tourism Greater Geelong and The Bellarine, is yet another exciting development in the diversity of room stock in Geelong and The Bellarine and expansion of the local tourism industry more generally. Our region’s objective of being a regional hub for domestic and international tourism is strengthened by the addition of this internationally branded hotel to Geelong’s inventory of lodging. More guests will explore more of the region’s extraordinary experiences by staying longer thanks to the installation of the 87 self-contained flats. Greg O’Shea and Linda Murray, seasoned professionals in the hospitality sector, are the proprietors of Quest Geelong Central. Mark and Ky O’Shea and Daniel and Jennifer Wilson are also current Quest franchisees. Greg remarked, “Geelong was always my weekend getaway growing up in Camperdown. I adore the locals, the culture, and the sense of belonging. After 35 years in the hospitality industry, I’m honored to open Quest Geelong Central, especially as Quest marks 35 years of franchising. “I’m a proud Rotarian, and Quest appealed to my sense of civic duty. I want my visitors to think they are staying in a tiny town. Local companies are incredibly helpful, and we’re collaborating to improve the guest experience so they may live locally in Geelong to the extent they prefer. At the moment, there is a lot of investment and a wonderful vibe across the city. We’re in a strong position as Geelong continues to grow because of The Ascott Limited’s global renown and the respect and confidence business and leisure travelers have in the Quest brand. Due to approaching big events and concerts, booking inquiries are substantially greater than we anticipated for the summer. “I am aware that providing consistently high-caliber customer service is the key to fulfilling our mission of making visitor stays effortless. I can’t wait for our visitors to get to know our brilliant and devoted crew, who will help them discover the finest of Geelong. Source- Travel daily