Daily News & Opinion

Senior digital producer for CNN Travel’s Asia Pacific Covergae Karla Cripps has been announced as keynote speaker for The TravMedia Summit set to take place in Macao this October. Karla has been heavily involved in the production of various successful CNN Travel series’, including Culinary Journeys, Hanoi POV and Destination India. Additional confirmed media speakers include digital projects editor for Hong Kong Tatler Pearl Yan and editor on chief of DestinAsian Christopher Hill.

On June 13, Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour held ‘A Night in Marseille’, a showcase of its diverse meeting and events spaces and a preview of its new menu by executive chef Eric Costille. Guests toured through the hotel’s nine meeting and boardrooms as well as the Magnifique Ballroom, which have state-of-the-art audio visual capabilities and unique design touches. Some of the cuisine sampled from the new French-inspired menu included canapés of mini onion pissaladière, mini pan bagna buns and seared red mullet.

Based on survey results from 9000 Chinese consumers, Adina Apartment Hotels has been named the overall top Australian brand and the number one tourism brand in China. Adina Hotels also received the highest scores for social responsibility, practicality, value and the second-highest score for perceived quality, beating out Qantas and XXXX for the overall top spot. TFE Hotels chief revenue officer Shaizeen Contractor said it was pleasing to see such strong recognition from one of the largest travelling markets in the world.

From today until October 2019, Crowne Plaza Coogee Beach Sydney will embark on a multi-million dollar refurbishment. All 209 guest rooms are being fit-out with bathrooms and re-imagined with premium beds, carpet and drapes in a subtle colour palette. Upon completion, guests will also enjoy a new lobby, all-new restaurants and bars and flexible, tech-savvy meeting rooms. During the renovation period, the hotel will remain open, however it will operate with limited facilities.

Interior design firm CHADA, which is helmed by renowned designer and TV judge Juliet Ashworth, has unveiled how the hotel rooms and lobby at SKYE Suites will look when they open in Green Square this year. Ms Ashworth has created a mix of textured furnishings in a palette of navy, indigo, charcoal and oatmeal with accents of polished brass and hammered metal chrome lampshades. SKYE Suites Green Square will offer 90 studio, one and two bedroom apartments.

Amna Karra-Hassan has been announced as the opening keynote speaker for the PCOA19 conference, which will take place between December 8 and 10, 2019 in Sydney. Amna founded the first AFL women’s team in Western Sydney, the Auburn Giants, which required collaboration with community leaders, small business owners, local government and thought leaders. During her talk, Amna will describe how she engages in the story-telling process to overcome adversity, build confidence and resilience and lead with courage.

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has brought its Days Inn by Wyndham brand to New Zealand with the opening of Days Hotel & Suites by Wyndham Hamilton. Set within a 19th century building on the corner of Collingwood and Victoria St, the hotel offers 69 guest rooms and meeting facilities, and is within short distance of the city’s conference centre and SKYCITY Hamilton. Globally, the Days Inn by Wyndham brand has opened more than 1700 hotels across 25 countries.

ONYX Hospitality Group has announced the opening of its newest hotel, OZO Phuket. The 225-room hotel is situated in Kata town, within walking distance of shops, the night market at Kata beach. The hotel also boasts an onsite restaurant, EAT, which serves an all-day a la carte menu consisting of Thai, Asian and international cuisine. To celebrate the opening, OZO Phuket is offering an introductory rate of AUD $90 per room per night.