Rotana opens hotel in Congo capital

The UAE hotel group Rotana has opened its first hotel in Africa with an 11-storey, five-star property in Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The city is one of the largest in Africa, with a population of 11 million. The Kin Plaza Arjaan by Rotana has 101 rooms, studios and suites, three food and drink outlets, a fitness centre and is adjacent to a shopping centre. Double rooms cost from US$180 (Dh661) per night including taxes (www.rotana.com).

Flydubai starts flights to Sylhet

Travellers to north-east Bangladesh can now fly direct from Dubai to Sylhet from March 15. There will be four flights a week, rising to six per week from May 16. The airline already flies direct to Dhaka, the capital, and Chittagong. The new flights cost from Dh1,490 return including taxes (www.flydubai.com).

Vancouver gets a Trump Hotel

The Trump International Hotel & Tower Vancouver, a 69-storey structure with 147 rooms, opened in Canada this week amid protests. The luxury tower, which features The Spa by Ivanka Trump, is situated on Georgia Street close to the waterfront. Until April 30, there is an opening offer on rooms from Can$415 (Dh1,143) per night including taxes (www.trumphotels.com).

New active trips with Responsible Travel

The sustainable travel company Responsible Travel has added three activity holidays to its programme for this year. The first is a five-day stand-up paddleboarding holiday in Norway, which takes place with a guide and involves camping in the wilderness; five days costs from 7,500 Norwegian krone (Dh3,275) per person excluding flights with departures June to August.

The next offers the only multi-day self-guided electric bike tour in Cyprus, departing from Nicosia to Akamas and including the Troodos Mountains. An option to tow your own luggage on a lightweight bike trailer gives added independence; seven days cost from €555 (Dh2,100) per person excluding flights.

Third is a four-day walking safari in the Maasai Mara in Kenya. These trips take place within the exclusive Mara Naboisho Conservancy, with evenings spent at tented camps, and around Maasai community campfires. Four days cost from US$1,670 (Dh6,100) per person excluding flights (www.responsibletravel.com).