Marriott banking on tourism demand in Malaysia and New Zealand

Hotel giant Marriott International is putting a lot of faith in the long-term tourism industries in Malaysia and New Zealand. 

Marriott has plans to add multiple properties and more than 1,600 rooms as it targets growing demand for travel across the Asia-Pacific region.

In Malaysia, property developer IOI Properties Group has signed agreements with Marriott for four new hotels totalling 888 rooms, with openings planned between 2030 and 2032, news hub Travel Mole reports.

The projects are W Langkawi (top image), Aloft by Marriott Sepang, Aloft by Marriott Johor Bahru Plentong and The Ritz-Carlton, Putrajaya. 

The deal will bring to 15 the number of hotels owned by IOI Properties that are either operating or planned to be managed by Marriott.

IOI Properties Group CEO Lee Yeow Seng said the four new agreements strengthen the company’s position as a significant hospitality owner, while Marriott Asia-Pacific President Rajeev Menon described Malaysia as an important growth market for the company.

Marriott is simultaneously expanding in New Zealand through a separate agreement with CP Group covering three hotels and 335 rooms.

The deals will introduce the Marriott Hotels brand to Rotorua and bring Autograph Collection to Auckland and Wellington for the first time. The properties are scheduled to open between 2027 and 2029.

The Rotorua Marriott Hotel will follow a conversion of the existing Arawa Park Hotel after a 12-month renovation, with an opening planned for late 2027.

In Auckland, The Official Auckland, Autograph Collection (above) will open in 2028 with 82 rooms after the conversion of a historic building on Eden Crescent. 

Fable Wellington, Autograph Collection will follow in 2029 with 118 rooms in a repurposed 1940s office building on Lambton Quay.

The New Zealand expansion builds on Marriott’s relationship with CP Group, including the previously announced St. Regis Queenstown project. Marriott currently operates JW Marriott Auckland and Four Points by Sheraton Auckland, with Sheraton Christchurch (240 rooms) and Moxy Auckland (185 rooms) also expected to open in 2027.

Lark Master Distiller to depart after almost two decades

Chris Thomson, a driving force behind Lark whisky for almost two decades, is set to leave the Tasmanian distillery at the end of the year.

Thomson said the job he set out to achieve is complete and that he is excited about exploring new adventures.

The Master Distiller joined Lark in early 2007 as a young musician and went on to become what Lark CEO and managing director Stuart Gregor describes as the “beating heart and soul” of the company for more than half its existence.

In 2026, Thomson was named Master Distiller/Master Blender of the Year – Rest of the World at the World Whiskies Awards – Icons of Whisky, selected from a field spanning more than 40 whisky-producing nations.

“Almost 20 years ago, I set out with a pretty audacious ambition for what Lark could become," Thomson says. "Today, I feel like I’m standing on top of the mountain I set out to climb all those years ago.

"For almost as long, I’ve dreamed of creating a whisky brand of my own. But I always felt I couldn't do that until Lark's future was assured.

“I believe that point has now come.”

Thomson leaves following the creation and launch of Lark's new signature whiskies, the products he describes as his “life's work”, with the company now operating from its expanded Pontville distillery supported by an established whisky bank and an experienced production and whisky-making team.

“Lark has a product range of genuine international standard, the ability to scale and a whisky bank brimming with incredible whisky,” he said.

“More importantly, it has the people, systems, ambition and vision to become the whisky brand I always believed it could be."

Perhaps unusually for someone leaving after two decades, Thomson says one of the things he is proudest of is that Lark no longer needs him.

“In many ways, Lark has outgrown me and I'm incredibly proud of that." he said.

“Jake (Evans) is a better distiller. Josh (Wilson), Jodie (Dawe) and Nick (Walden) have taken the reins of the blending. Rick (Hoedjes) knows more about casks than I do. The systems and processes that once lived in people's heads are now mature, repeatable and scalable.

“There is an extraordinary group of people at Lark ready to carry it forward. And as for me? Well I am going to take a few months off over summer with the family and then begin the pursuit of my own whisky dream, or potentially, dreams! Stay tuned.”

Tasmania's deep south set to flaunt its arts and crafts

 The Huon Valley, the southernmost region in Australia, is known as a hub for quality food and drink.

But the deep south of Tasmania is also home to a plethora of talented craftspeople and artisans across a range of disciplines.

From makers of wooden rocking chairs to paintings, designer knitwear, sculptures, pottery, stained glass and hand-made one-off handbags, the Huon is dotted with innovative creatives.

 
Over 60 artists and artisans will be showcasing their work at the annual Huon Valley Studio Art Trail 2026 to run across southern Tasmania from October 23-25.

Destination Southern Tasmania CEO Alex Heroys said the Huon Valley Studio Arts Trail gives visitors the opportunity to meet artists and makers at their studios.

“This year there will be double the number of artists from last year opening their studios or gathering in artist hubs,” Heroys said.

“People come from all over Tasmania and interstate to enjoy authentic behind-the-scenes experiences, with the opportunity to see artists at work.”

The three major hubs will be located at Willie Smith's Apple Shed in Grove - where today's launch was held - at The Kiln in Ranelagh and at The Artisan’s Hand at Balfour House, Cygnet.

Heroys said the Trail is a 150 km journey of discovery through spectacular southern Tasmanian landscapes.

Convenor Kerrie Rhodes from the Artisan's Hand said this year's event would be the biggest ever.

“Travelling between studios is a chance to experience the great southern beaches, the picturesque Huon River lined with orchards, valleys and mountains," she said.

“The artist hubs are an exciting addition to this year’s trail.

“There will be several hubs featuring multiple artists and makers in the one location providing welcoming gathering points to discover artists, artwork and trail information, and help visitors plan their journey."

The Huon Valley Art Trail will be easy to navigate with the launch of a new interactive website with artists profiles, an interactive digital map, as well as the traditional printed souvenir map to accommodate all preferences of travel.

Whether you are interested in ceramic arts, weavers, spoon carvers, musical instrument makers, or jewellery, a multitude of styles will be on offer.

For details see https://www.huonvalleystudioarttrail.org.au/

You need to book early for this mountain high

Australians with mountains on their mind have been urged to plan early as demand grows for one of Europe’s most popular walks.

UTracks is encouraging Australians wanting to walk the Tour du Mont Blanc in 2027 to book early, with refuge bookings opening on October 15 and French authorities moving towards new measures requiring multi-day walkers to have accommodation booked in advance.

More than 90,000 people were reported to have walked the Tour du Mont Blanc this summer, up from 75,000 in 2025, according to figures from Les Amis de l’UTMB, reported by French newspaper Le Monde.

As walking holidays continue to grow in popularity, the 170km trail through France, Italy and Switzerland has become one of Europe’s most sought-after long-distance walks, attracting walkers from around the world.

“The Tour du Mont Blanc deserves its reputation as one of Europe’s great walks," said UTracks general manager Kate Baker.

"You cross three countries on foot, stay in mountain villages and have extraordinary alpine scenery around you day after day. 

“The message for Australians considering Mont Blanc in 2027 is very simple: plan early. If you have your heart set on particular dates, especially during the most popular months, this is not a trip to leave until the last minute.”

The advice comes as authorities on the French section of the Tour du Mont Blanc develop a new management charter intended to better manage growing numbers on the trail.

Under the proposed measures, from the European spring of 2027 multi-day walkers on the French section would need to be able to show they have accommodation booked in a refuge, hotel, campsite or authorised bivouac area.

For UTracks travellers, accommodation along the route is arranged in advance as part of the itinerary, along with luggage transfers, removing two of the major logistical challenges of organising a multi-day walk independently.

Baker said the proposed changes should be viewed positively, helping to protect the trail while maintaining the experience for walkers and the communities they pass through.

“Better management of accommodation along such a popular route can help protect the environment and local communities, while giving walkers certainty about where they will be staying each night,” she said.

Entry to some of England's great tourism attractions to remain free

Free admission to some of the greatest museums in the world is one of the great travel bargains. 

It was announced this week that England will continue to offer free entry to its national museums, including to international visitors, the UK government has confirmed.

The decision ends speculation that overseas tourists could be charged to enter some of the country’s most popular cultural attractions.

Free admission to destinations like the British Museum (above), National Gallery and Natural History Museum was introduced in 2001. 

Earlier this year, the government said it would work with museums, tourism organisations and local authorities to examine whether charging international visitors could provide additional financial support for museums, news hub Travel Mole reported.

Seven of the UK’s 10 most visited museums are national museums, highlighting their importance to the tourism economy.

The Natural History Museum attracted 7.1 million visitors in 2025, while the British Museum recorded 6.4 million.

The government said national museums collectively contribute more than £1 billion ($2 billion) to the economy each year, while attracting visitors from Britain and overseas.

Culture secretary Lisa Nandy said free admission helps ensure that national collections remain accessible while supporting the wider visitor economy.

The Government has said it will also work with Arts Council England and the museum sector on a long-term strategy for the future of museums.

Image: Visit London

Behind the scenes with Ferrari's Steeds of Speed

Calling all lovers of chic, fast cars.

The Italian National Tourist Board is reminding visitors that they can get up close and personal with some of the world's most famous vehicles at the Ferrari Museum at Maranello.

Visitors to the Museo Ferrari get an inside look at the world of one of Italy's most iconic brands.

They can discover legendary cars, racing history and the passion behind the Prancing Horse from classic models to Formula 1 champions.

The museum is described as "a must visit for car enthusiasts and anyone looking to experience a thrilling piece of Italian heritage".

The museum does not only contain cars; there are also trophies, photographs and other historical objects relating to the Italian car industry and motor racing generally.

The exhibits also showcase technological innovations, some of which made the transition from racing cars to road cars.

The museum is located close to the Ferrari factory in Ferrari's home town of Maranello, near Modena.

See https://www.ferrari.com/en-EN/museums/ferrari-maranello