Skift Travel News Blog

Guests on Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas will now have the opportunity to see the world’s largest kinetic art installation.

Measuring 14 meters tall and 15.3 meters wide, ‘The Pearl’ was designed by Brooklyn-based new media artist Breakfast, and is composed of almost 3,000 tiles that have been designed to replicate natural phenomena such as waves, breezes and even shooting stars.

You can take a look at The Pearl in action in the video below:

The installation utilizes real-time tidal and wind data from the Caribbean, which is then sent to a computer that replicates the conditions through the tiles. 

According to the Breakfast website, the installation will ‘continuously transform, reflecting the current environmental conditions in an ever-evolving display of calmness or intensity.’

Anantara has announced Anantara Kafue River Tented Camp, a new resort in development on the banks of the Kafue River in Africa.

The resort is being developed in partnership with Agro Safari.

Set to open in 2025, the resort will feature 12 tents that will be suspended 3.5 meters above the ground, with each tent strategically positioned to provide immersion into the surrounding landscapes. 

The camp will also feature a spa and wellness area, a swimming pool, a restaurant and bar, a lounge and a traditional African boma – a traditional enclosure used to protect livestock – along with a host of nature inspired programming, including canoeing, fishing, birdwatching, boat safaris, and wildlife encounters.

“We are really excited to announce this partnership with Agro Safari to develop and launch an exclusive tented camp in Zambia under our luxury Anantara flag. This represents a unique opportunity to offer unparalleled experiences to discerning travellers looking to explore outside the more well known African parks and we look forward to working closely with our partners to bring this camp to fruition,” said Dillip Rajakarier, CEO Minor Hotels and Group CEO of parent company Minor International, in a press release.

Foster + Partners has released concept images of its design for the pavilion for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at Expo 2025, taking place in Osaka, Japan.

The pavilion will be located on the Yumeshima waterfront, and has been designed to create a ‘spatial experience that echoes the exploration of Saudi Arabian towns and cities,’ according to a release from Foster + Partners.

The pavilion has taken inspiration from the organic textures and shapes of traditional Saudi villages, and will be built around a central courtyard – called the ‘Saudi Courtyard’ – which will provide a space for quiet reflection during the day whilst transforming into a venue for performances and events at night. 

From the courtyard, visitors will be able to explore a series of meandering ‘streets’ that will provide entry to a number of immersive spaces.

The pavilion, which will have the ability to be ‘deconstructed and reassembled, or completely reconfigured, to meet different requirements in a future location,’ will also be made from low carbon materials, and feature a host of sustainable features.

One&Only has made its debut in Greece with the opening of One&Only Aesthesis, the first of the brand’s two new European locations to open.

Situated within a 21-hectare beach and forest reserve that overlooks the Aegan Sea, the resort has been built to ‘redefine the concept of al fresco living,’ and pays homage to mid-century design by using architectural elements that utilize local marble, native timbers and woven leather details, according to a release from the group.

The resort features a collection of rooms, bungalows, suites and villas that have been built to make the most of the outdoor living spaces on offer, which includes a number of pools, gardens, and even outdoor showers and fireplaces.

One&Only Aesthesis also features the first Guerlain Spa to open Greece, thanks to a partnership with the French beauty house, alongside a number of food & beverage offerings – including two from MICHELIN-star chefs.

“The opening of One&Only Aesthesis marks an important milestone and a significant achievement for Kerzner International as we continue our strategic expansion into Europe and key markets around the world,” says Philippe Zuber, Chief Executive Officer, Kerzner International. 

“Our exceptional one-off collection of ultra-luxury One&Only Resorts and Private Homes exist hand-in-hand with the natural landscape, the sustainable use of resources, and a positive impact on local communities – pillars that are embedded in One&Only Aesthesis. Together with Grivalia Hospitality, we are excited to be the driving force behind the renaissance of Glyfada and the Athenian Riviera.”

See Phillipe Zuber speak on-stage at the Skift Global Forum East in Dubai on December 14.

Qantas has unveiled the livery of its first QantasLink Airbus A220, which will be the sixth aircraft to feature in its Flying Art Series when it comes into service as part of the group’s domestic fleet renewal program.

The aircraft features the Aboriginal artwork of senior Pitjantjatjara artist, Maringka Baker, and tells the ‘dreaming story of two sisters who traverse remote Australia together, covering vast distances to find their way home,’ according to a release from the carrier.

Qantas has worked with Indigenous Australian design agency, Balarinji on the fuselage design for all of its aircrafts featured in the Flying Art Series, with this design featuring over 20,000 dots taking a team of 100 painters two weeks to complete.

The aircraft has also been given the name ‘Minyma Kutjara Tjukurpa’ – which translates to ‘The Two Sisters Creation Story’ – that was inspired by the artwork.

The aircraft, which is currently at Airbus’ facility in Mirabel, Canada, is due to arrive in Australia before the end of 2023.

1 Hotels has launched its first European property, with 1 Hotels Mayfair now open in London, standing as the brands flagship location in the United Kingdom.

According to a release, a commitment to sustainability and biophilic design principles have been the ‘driving force’ behind the design of the property, with the new location meeting BREEAM Excellent standards – a rating used to measure the sustainability performance of buildings.

The nature inspired hotel features a number of naturally sourced design features, including a ‘living wall’ – featuring more than 1,300 individual plants – along with reclaimed Yorkshire dry-stone walls, private bars that have been hand-wrapped with woven jute and vanities crafted from Welsh slate.

“We are thrilled to bring our brand’s one-of-a-kind blend of nature and culture, sustainability and luxury, and a holistic focus on health and wellness to what has been a hub of heritage for generations,” said 1 Hotels founder and SH Hotels & Resorts chairman, Barry Sternlicht. 

“We designed this soothing urban oasis as a fresh, fashionable, contemporary take on timeless traditions. With Green Park as our backdrop, we are focused on reconnecting our guests and visitors to the wonder and magic of London’s natural, cultural, and historical landmarks in an atmosphere that is as relaxed as it is refined.”

Situated amid 55 acres of woodland in Wallace, Idaho, MoonPass Lookouts will feature a collection of five bespoke fire lookout towers elevated 30 feet above the ground.

The towers have been designed to offer guests an ‘unparalleled opportunity to witness the celestial wonders above.’

Moonpass Lookouts is the latest venture for Kristie Wolfe, a renowned Airbnb Host known for her unique builds, including The Big Idaho Potato Hotel, The Tropical Treehouse, and The Hobbit Inn.

When construction is complete, each tower will feature all of the essential amenities needed for a relaxing stay, including a full-size bed, a fully equipped kitchen, wood burning stove and a private sauna.

However the real triumph here is the smart glass roof that has been designed for stargazing.

You can hear more about Moonpass Lookouts from Kristie below:

At the Skift IDEA Awards, we are celebrating the ideas that are redefining what it means to be truly innovative in the travel industry, including the projects that are defining the future of short term rentals and reimagining the guest experience.

If you have an exciting project to share, head to the Skift IDEA Awards today and start your submission. The final deadline for entries is June 20, 2023.

Listen to the Skift Ideas Podcast here.

Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s newest airline, has unveiled the first of two new livery designs set to be featured on its aircraft when it commences operation in 2025 on its social media channels.

The striking purple livery, which the airline calls a perfect blend of “cutting-edge technology and timeless elegance,” is being showcased on a Boeing 787-9 following a confirmed order for 39 of the aircrafts with Boeing in March.

Operating from Riyadh as its hub, the airline aims to connect to more than 100 destinations by the end of the decade.

You can take a look at the full video released by Riyadh Air below:

At the Skift IDEA Awards, we are looking for the airline projects that are defining the defining the future of aviation, airlines, and the traveler experience.

If you have an exciting project to share, head to the Skift IDEA Awards today and start your submission. The final deadline for entries is June 20, 2023.

Maison Brummell Majorelle – an 8-room design-driven boutique hotel located in Marrakech – balances contemporary sculptural design with a traditional Moroccan undertone to stand out to design-minded travelers coming to Morocco.

Located across from this historic city’s Majorelle Gardens and a short walk from the Yves Saint Laurent museum, the Maison was constructed from scratch for Austrian hotelier Christian Schallert by New Zealand architect Bergendy Cooke and Moroccan architect Amine Abouraoui.

With an estimated 1,500 Riads located throughout Marrakech, Maison Brummell aims to entice global wanderlusts with its rose-hued tadelakt (a traditional Moroccan lime plaster technique), bespoke interior finishes crafted by local artisans, and a sought after neighborhood in Marrakech. However, the Maison’s unconventional design, particularly its inverted arches, was also met with resistance from the local community until the Marrakech-based architect, Abouraoui, was able to win the approval of officials and neighbors.

Maison Brummell Majorelle opened in January 2023.

At the Skift IDEA Awards, we are looking for the projects that are defining the future of guest experience, including aviation, hospitality, and tourism innovations.

If you have an exciting project to share, head to the Skift IDEA Awards today and start your submission. The final deadline for entries is June 20, 2023.