Hotels & Accommodations
Hundreds of protesters gather at asylum hotel in Norwich area
BBC News, Norfolk
Hundreds of people have gathered for a protest outside a hotel housing asylum seekers.
Many arrived at the hotel in the Norwich area with St George’s flags, placards and banners, some reading “Stop the invasion”.
A BBC journalist at the scene said at least 200 people were present.
Police were present as protesters, some standing in the road, listened and cheered a number of speeches delivered from the back of a parked lorry.
On Monday, about 150 protesters gathered outside a hotel in Diss, Norfolk, housing asylum-seeking families in protest again Home Office plans to house single adult males there instead.
Two men were arrested on Saturday morning on suspicion of affray in relation to a protest at the Diss hotel and an earlier one at the hotel in the Norwich area.
Rival groups have also clashed outside The Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, during several demonstrations since 13 July.
Ten people have been charged with offences in relation to disorder there.
Resort World Sentosa partners with Marriott to open The Laurus, a luxury hotel at Sentosa Island, Singapore, offering suites, dining, and spa.
The 183 all-suite hotel, ‘The Laurus’ — named after laurel leaves historically used to crown victors and honour achievements — will open by the end of the year.
“Our landmark collaboration with Marriott International to bring the very first The Luxury Collection branded property to Singapore further exemplifies our commitment to redefine luxury guest experiences. The Laurus, a luxury collection resort, embodies the very essence of our ongoing pivot to offer curated destination experiences as part of RWS’ transformational expansion plans,” Tan Hee Teck, Chief Executive Officer, RWS, said.
He said the new hotel will offer guests experience the Singapore’s rich heritage, the captivating beauty of Sentosa’s flora and fauna while experiencing RWS’ hallmark hospitality.
“The Laurus at RWS stands as a shining beacon, heralding a new era of exceptional luxury and hospitality, further cementing RWS’ esteemed status as Asia’s premium lifestyle destination resort,” he said.
According to Marriott International the tie-up is a milestone which reflects its commitment to the evolving luxury landscape of the island city.
“Drawing inspiration from Singapore’s storied past and rich cultural heritage, The Laurus, a Luxury Collection Resort, will celebrate the essence of the city, and we look forward to welcoming global explorers and collectors to experience Singapore’s captivating charm through the lens of our brand,” said Rajeev Menon, President, Asia Pacific excluding China, Marriott International.
The Laurus offers suites as well as courtyard spaces and a function room spanning across five floors, the company said, adding that the hotel will have a bar, a landscaped outdoor swimming pool and spa and all-day-dining concept restaurant.
Spanning 49 hectares, the hotel is home to world-class attractions like the Universal Studios Singapore, S.E.A. Aquarium, Dolphin Island and Adventure Cove Waterpark, it said.
Complementing the adventure and adrenaline of its theme parks and attractions are six unique luxury hotels, the premier Resorts World Convention Centre, and a casino.
The integrated resort also offers world-class entertainment from star-studded concerts to immersive exhibitions.
RWS is the first integrated resort to be inducted into the TTG Travel Hall of Fame in 2023 after being named “Best Integrated Resort” for 10 consecutive years at the TTG Travel Awards, which recognises the best of Asia-Pacific’s travel industry.
The Cork-based President of the Irish Hotels Federation has outlined that plans to cut Vat for the hospitality sector would be an important step to support the industry.
The comments from Michael Magner, who also owns the Vienna Woods Hotel in Cork, come following on from an interview on RTÉ Radio 1 with Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke who defended government plans to cut Vat for the hospitality sector.
The current Programme for Government contains a commitment to reduce the Vat rate in the hospitality sector from 13.5% to 9%.
Speaking to , Mr Magner said the proposal would assist vulnerable food led businesses that have faced an uncertain future and rising cost challenges in recent years.
“The commitment from the Minister to stand over the commitment that is in the programme for government towards the reduction of the Vat rate to 9% is welcome.
“It is needed on the basis of the food sector. The cut in Vat hospitality is for food businesses. Therefore it doesn’t apply to hotel accommodation as is our understanding.
“The current government has been formed since the start of this year. With that, we see tourism and hospitality being moved into the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
“We now have a Minister in Peter Burke, who is really supportive of our industry and understands the complexities of the sector.
Mr Magner added that with the right policies and a positive businesses environment, he believes tourism and hospitality can have a positive future ahead.
“The isn’t a case of whereby businesses are trying to profiteer or return what could be seen as super normal profits.
“This is actually about ensuring businesses have a chance of survival and that is what it comes down to.”
A row has broken out over plans to host a reptile market at a Blackpool hotel this summer.
The event at the Norbreck Castle will see people “buy and sell their surplus animals and offspring”, according to the International Herpetological Society (IHS).
But some animal charities have condemned the market as a “gross violation” of reptile welfare and have urged Britannia Hotels to cancel it.
Blackpool Council said its officers would be at the event to make sure it complied with standards, while the IHS said its markets were “fully compliant with UK law”.
The IHS, which was founded in 1969, said it was “committed to the ongoing research and propagation of all reptile, amphibian and chelonian species”.
It added “animal care is paramount” at its events and creatures were “transported and displayed in temporary containers for the animals’ safety during the event only”.
The soceity added that two veterinary professionals were “always present and any concerns are taken extremely seriously”.
Plans for a similar market in Doncaster in 2022 were halted by the town’s council after complaints from some animal charities.
Event controversy
Elaine Toland, director of the Animal Protection Agency, said it “strongly urges Britannia Hotels to cancel this event and refuse to be complicit”.
Laura Walton, campaigns manager at Freedom for Animals, added it “sincerely hoped” the hotel chose not to let the event go ahead.
Charlotte Regan, wildlife campaigns manager at World Animal Protection, said the animals were “not products to be bought and sold at makeshift stalls”.
“These kinds of events are outdated and have no place in modern society.”
The IHS said it found it “deeply upsetting to be constantly under fire” and none of its previous events had been “cancelled, refused or changed venues due to welfare issues or legal contravention by the IHS”.
It said the events had instead been called off because of “adverse publicity”.
Britannia Hotels has been approached for comment.
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