01 Bvlgari Hotel Expands into Abu Dhabi
Bvlgari Hotels & Resorts has officially entered the Middle East market with the signing of the Bvlgari Resort & Residences Abu Dhabi, set to open in 2030.
Located on a private island, the property will feature 60 meticulously designed rooms and suites, 30 beachfront villas, and 90 luxury residences. Guests will enjoy panoramic sea views, spectacular sunsets, and vistas of the majestic Presidential Palace and city skyline.
Designed by Milan-based architectural firm ACPV ARCHITECTS Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel, the resort includes an exclusive Yacht Club with a private beach, bespoke membership program, and a 40-berth marina supporting water sports and curated local experiences.
Amenities encompass Bvlgari’s signature Il Caffè, Bvlgari Dolci patisserie, La Galleria boutique, a 2,000 sqm Bvlgari Spa, Il Ristorante – Niko Romito (Italian cuisine), Hōseki (Japanese omakase), a Turkish restaurant, La Spiaggia beach club, and The Bvlgari Bar.
As of Q1 2025, the Middle East has 634 hotel projects under development (~158,000 rooms), with luxury and upscale segments comprising over half.
02 China-Azerbaijan Mutual Visa Exemption Takes Effect July 16
Per China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the mutual visa exemption agreement between China and Azerbaijan for ordinary passport holders will commence on July 16, 2025. Under this agreement, citizens holding valid ordinary passports may enter, exit, or transit through the other country visa-free for single stays not exceeding 30 days, with total stays not exceeding 90 days within any 180-day period. Stays beyond 30 days, residency, or activities requiring prior approval (e.g., work, study, journalism) necessitate obtaining an appropriate visa in advance.
03 Zhejiang Launches China’s First Provincial Smart Tourism Platform for Inbound Travel
On June 26, “Hi You” Zhejiang Travel, China’s inaugural provincial-level smart tourism platform for international visitors, officially launched in Hangzhou. Developed by Zhejiang’s Department of Culture and Tourism, the AI-powered platform integrates multi-agent collaboration to deliver an end-to-end smart tourism service system. This marks a key milestone in Zhejiang’s pilot program for cultural and tourism industry large-model development, endorsed by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
04 voco Hotels Celebrates 100th Global Opening
IHG’s premium hotel brand voco has achieved a significant milestone with the opening of its 100th property worldwide. Since its 2018 launch, voco has rapidly expanded in the global upscale market through its reliable yet playful guest experience, becoming one of IHG’s fastest-growing premium brands. 2024 saw record signings and openings, with the brand now present across 25 countries.
05 Australia’s First 1 Hotel Debuts in Melbourne
The Melbourne 1 Hotel opened on June 26 as the brand’s Australian flagship. Developed in partnership with Riverlee, the nature-inspired property occupies a 220-meter Yarra River frontage in North Wharf. Featuring over 4,500 sqm of reclaimed timber and 7,000+ plants, it offers 277 rooms (including 36 suites) and 114 branded residences with owner-exclusive amenities.
06 Huazhu Reports 72% YoY Surge in International Guest Stays
Huazhu Group data reveals its hotels hosted over 1.52 million international guests from January to mid-June 2025, representing a ~72% year-on-year increase. Top destinations include Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Chongqing, Xi’an, and Nanjing, with Shanghai ranking first.
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