The race reflects Hainan’s broader effort to link international sporting events with economic development and global engagement

SANYA, China, Jan. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The 7th Hainan (Sanya) Marathon wrapped up on Sunday, attracting 14,000 participants from 20 countries and regions. Held under the theme “Run Past Your Limits. Straight to the Sea,” the event combined tropical coastal scenery with competitive racing through diverse race formats, enhanced services, and digital innovation. After a grueling race, China’s Yang Yuan won the women’s full marathon in 2:50:11, while Zhao Guohu claimed the men’s title in 2:23:21.

Zhao Guohu, winner of the men’s division, said the flat course and Sanya’s warm climate lend themselves to strong performances. He added that the energy and support of spectators and volunteers along the route helped create an especially memorable atmosphere.

To deliver a unique marathon experience in Sanya through the integration of sports, tourism, and culture, organizers reimagined the role of the aid stations. Cultural Tourism Experience Stations were positioned along the course. In addition to providing race support, the stations featured traditional crafts and folk arts, Li and Miao ethnic song and dance performances, tastings of local cuisine, and interactive culture-focused activities. Together, these elements offered runners a closer look at Sanya’s local character while adding cultural context and on-course engagement to the event.

In parallel, organizers provided runners with coordinated services covering accommodation, transportation, sightseeing, and shopping. Partner benefits included discounted hotel rates with late checkout, reduced airfare offers, and duty-free shopping perks. Digital initiatives included the issuance of blockchain-based digital commemorative medals, available for purchase through the Alipay platform. Virtual races hosted on Alipay, DingTalk, and Amap also enabled remote participation.

Yang Yong, General Manager of Events and Commercialization at event partner Orange Lion Sports (formerly Alibaba Sports), said organizers drew on resources across the Alibaba ecosystem – including Taobao, Fliggy, Alibaba Health, Ant Chain, and Amap – to broaden the event’s reach and connect more effectively with domestic and international running audiences, encouraging greater participation in event-related spending.

Since early 2024, Hainan has hosted over 700 sporting events, attracting more than 4 million spectators and generating over 7 billion yuan in consumer spending. With its favorable climate and natural setting, the Sanya Marathon continues to drive local economy through sport-tourism integration.

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HANOI, Vietnam, Jan. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Travellive Media Group is pleased to announce the HOTLIST Travellive Editor’s Pick 2025 (HOTLIST 2025), a curated project honouring outstanding brands, destinations, and individuals that have made significant contributions to the development of Vietnam’s tourism industry over the past year.

HOTLIST is a expert-curated list reflecting the evolving values of the market at each stage of development. The selection process combines the expertise of a prestigious advisory council comprising both domestic and international experts, based on key criteria including quality, innovation, social impact, and sustainable growth potential.

Last year, HOTLIST 2024 made a strong impression on the tourism, hospitality, and service community by recognising more than 40 brands and 12 inspiring individuals across 28 categories spanning hospitality and resorts, destinations, technology, and experiential initiatives. The year also marked the first time HOTLIST expanded into a professional event series, featuring The Insiders Forum and the Honor Ceremony, attracting over 700 guests including senior business leaders and experts from various fields.

HOTLIST 2025: From Seed to Harvest

Entering 2025, HOTLIST is developed under the theme “From Seed to Harvest” inspired by rice, a symbol deeply rooted in Vietnam’s wet-rice civilisation and cultural identity. From planting ideas and nurturing resources to harvesting sustainable achievements, this metaphor reflects the authentic development journey of projects, brands, and destinations within the tourism and hospitality industry.

At a time when the tourism sector faces multiple challenges such as climate change, shifting traveller behaviour, and global competition, the spirit of “From Seed to Harvest” underscores the importance of long-term vision, perseverance, and adaptability.

This year, HOTLIST 2025 introduces a public voting component in the final evaluation stage, enabling the community and industry professionals to participate directly in the selection process. Beyond fostering engagement, this initiative also provides an opportunity for audiences to share their firsthand experiences with the shortlisted brands and projects.

HOTLIST 2025 Honourees

HOTLIST 2025 expands its scope across key tourism sectors, featuring 07 main categories: Hospitality; Aviation; Travel Design & Experiences; Destination; Technology & Innovations; Sustainability and Community Projects & Voices. Each category aims to identify exemplary individuals and brands that play a guiding role in shaping the future of Vietnam’s tourism and hospitality industry.

This year’s list continues to acknowledge well-established brands such as Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, Hoi An; Topas Ecolodge; Six Senses Ninh Van Bay; P’apiu Resort; Wink Hotels, among others. It also introduces international brands that have made a positive impact on the Vietnamese market, including voco Quang Binh Resort by IHG, Park Hyatt Phu Quoc, and Hyatt Place Halong Bay, Bai Chay. In the Aviation category, STARLUX AIRLINES was selected for its premium flight experience.

The expansion and diversification of award categories reflect HOTLIST’s commitment to comprehensively capturing industry dynamics, while encouraging responsible development models that respect local identity and generate positive social impact.

As part of its mission to deliver practical value to the tourism industry, HOTLIST 2025 will host The Insiders Forum in Hanoi (7 January 2026, Sheraton Hanoi West) and Ho Chi Minh City (19 January 2026, JW Marriott Hotel & Suites Saigon). The forums will gather business leaders, experts, and researchers to share insights and discuss key topics shaping tourism landscape.

On 19 January 2026, The Honor Ceremony will take place in Ho Chi Minh City to officially recognise and present certificates to the brands, projects, and individuals featured in HOTLIST 2025. The event will also serve as a B2B networking platform for industry stakeholders.

Through each edition, HOTLIST Travellive Editor’s Pick has gradually become a highly anticipated annual reference point for the tourism community, built on credibility, sustainability-driven orientation, and a series of professional programmes. Through recognition activities, dialogue forums, and community connections, Travellive not only highlights market excellence but also actively contributes to promoting sustainable thinking and elevating standards within tourism industry.

This year, HOTLIST 2025 is supported by The Brand Promise (Co-organiser of The Insiders Forum), PR Newswire (Media Partner), and sponsoring brands including BMWines, Lady Triệu (drink experiences), and Cocoon, Jourdeness (gifts). HOTLIST 2025 continues to amplify meaningful stories, connect outstanding individuals and organisations, and share positive values with the wider public.

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MADRID, Jan. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Roborock, the global leader in home robotics engineered to simplify cleaning in daily life, has announced today a strategic global partnership with Real Madrid Football Club’s First Men and First Women teams, widely ranked as one of the greatest football clubs in history. Under the umbrella theme of “The Greatest Meeting The Greatest”, both brands embark on a multi-year journey that begins with a joint brand experience at the global Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2026, running in Las Vegas from January 6 to 9, where both consumers and business partners will be able to interact with innovative displays featuring both brands. Under this agreement, Roborock becomes Real Madrid’s official global partner in the cleaning vacuum category.

The agreement signed in Madrid between Roborock President Mr Quan Gang and Mr Emilio Butragueño, Director of Institutional Relations of Real Madrid, responds to a deep affinity between the brand ethos of both organizations, which have achieved remarkable historical performance with innovation as common denominator.

Born 11 years ago, Roborock has been named in 2024 by research firm IDC the No.1 best-selling brand globally in its Robotic Vacuum Cleaner vertical (1). Roborock was born by bringing to the market innovations that dramatically improved the category’s performance. Widely known for accelerating the adoption of robot vacuums around the world by making them navigate smartly around the house through its pioneering Laser Distance Sensor (LDS) technology, Roborock has continued investing in innovation and is now fully immersed in releasing AI-driven robotics that relieve human intervention in the cleaning process. One of its latest developments, the Roborock Saros Z70, is the world’s only commercially availiable robot vacuum with an AI-assisted robotic arm that users can customize to help pick up small obstacles such as socks and papers from the floor.

Roborock president, Mr Quan Gang, comments: “At Roborock, we believe true innovation exists to free people’s time and make everyday life smarter and more meaningful. As a global leader in smart cleaning, we are proud to partner with Real Madrid — a club that represents the highest standard of excellence, precision, and relentless pursuit of greatness. Both Roborock and Real Madrid are shaped by their communities — guided by millions of users and fans who inspire us to continuously raise the bar. Through this partnership, we aim to bring ‘Real Smart Cleaning’ to life for consumers worldwide, creating smarter homes, more effortless living, and experiences that connect people to greatness both on the pitch and at home.“

Equally, Real Madrid has by several metrics, the most remarkable performance as a football club and has played a major role in the history of the sport itself by nurturing a winning culture based on talent and achieving strong fandom enthusiasm that transcends national borders. Real Madrid is the world’s football club with the highest amount of achievements. Holding 15 Champions League titles, 36 La Liga titles, and 20 Copa del Rey titles, FIFA also recognized Real Madrid as the best club of the 20th century, an honor no other club has received.

Emilio Butragueño, Director of Institutional Relations with Real Madrid, explains: “Partnering with top-tier companies helps us grow as a club. We share core values with them, such as the pursuit of excellence, leadership, and the constant ambition to improve. We are very pleased, as we are confident that this marks the beginning of a highly rewarding and long-lasting relationship”

Looking ahead, Roborock will gain prominent brand presence across Real Madrid’s home matches at the iconic Bernabéu Stadium, reaching hundreds of millions of fans worldwide. The partnership will bring Roborock’s smart-cleaning innovations to life through stadium exposure, campaigns and player-led storytelling that translate the meaning of “Real Smart Cleaning” from the pitch to the home. Both brands will also collaborate on global fan experiences and immersive activations, while working alongside the Real Madrid Foundation to help create cleaner, safer and more supportive environments for children and families. As artificial intelligence continues to transform daily life, Roborock remains committed to advancing intelligent robotics and home automation, enabling consumers to enjoy a freer, more effortless lifestyle while Roborock takes care of the cleaning.

About Roborock

Roborock is a leading smart cleaning brand renowned for its intelligent cleaning solutions. Having become the #1 best-selling robotic vacuum cleaner brand according to IDC*, Roborock enriches lives with its innovative line of robotic, cordless, wet/dry vacuum cleaners, robotic lawn mowers and washer-dryers. Rooted in a user-centric approach, our R&D-driven solutions cater to diverse cleaning needs in millions of homes across more than 170 countries and regions. Headquartered in Beijing and with strategic subsidiaries in key markets, including the United States, Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, Germany, and South Korea, Roborock is dedicated to elevating its market presence worldwide. As of 2026, Roborock serves more than 22 million households. For more information, visit https://global.roborock.com/.

About Real Madrid
Real Madrid C.F. is a sporting institution with 123 years of history. It holds the record for European Cups in both football (15) and basketball (11) and was designated by FIFA as the Best Club of the 20th Century. With over 660 million followers across social media platforms, it has a global fan base that extends to every continent. Brand Finance has recognized Real Madrid as the world’s strongest football brand for three consecutive years, and Deloitte’s Football Money League has ranked it as the club with the highest revenues worldwide in the 2023–24 season. Further information is available at realmadrid.com, the most visited football club website for the seventh consecutive year.

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SURABAYA, Indonesia, Jan. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — To welcome the Year of the Fire Horse with renewed spirit, The Westin Surabaya proudly presents “The 19th Beauty of China“, its signature Chinese New Year dinner show and one of the most prestigious Chinese New Year celebrations in Indonesia. Taking place on 16 February 2026 at The Westin Surabaya Grand Ballroom & Convention Center, the largest ballroom in Surabaya, the evening will blend fine dining, grand-scale Chinese cultural performance, and a spectacular atmosphere, setting the stage at a leading five-star hotel in Surabaya.

“The Beauty of China” is The Westin Surabaya’s signature Chinese New Year dinner show, combining an exquisite multi-course Chinese menu with a world-class Chinese cultural performance on a grand immersive stage. Held annually in the hotel’s iconic ballroom, the event is known for blending fine dining, live orchestra, traditional dance, and visual storytelling, offering one of the most memorable Chinese New Year events in Surabaya.

The evening’s performance unfolds in five dramatic chapters, from the awakening of China’s natural soul and the strength of its ancient warriors, to the fusion of tradition and modernity and a celebration of unity and generational legacy, culminating in a grand red finale symbolizing joy, prosperity, and new beginnings.

The dinner showcases a refined eight-course menu rooted in Chinese tradition, featuring Prosperity Yi–Sheng; Double Steamed Imperial Soup with Sea Cucumber and Japanese Dried Scallop; Baked Lobster with Creamy Butter Egg Yolk, Corn Flakes, and Curry Leaf Sauce; Steamed Live East Star Grouper with Fa Chai, Shiitake Mushrooms, and Superior Sauce; Smoked Duck; Australian Premium Beef Wagyu with Black Pepper Truffle Sauce; Eight Treasure Fried Rice with Walnut, Cashew Nut, Pine Nut, Lapchiong, Dried Scallop, Fresh Scallop, Prawn, and Raisin; and Four Season Cheng Teng & Black Charcoal Onde. Table packages for ten guests start from IDR 20,888,888++.

For further information and table reservations, please contact the hotel at +62 31 2971 0000, and follow @westinsurabaya and @fourpointssurabayapakuwon on social media for more promotions and updates.

About Westin® Hotels & Resorts

Westin Hotels & Resorts, hospitality’s global leader in wellness for more than a decade, empowers guests to transcend the rigors of travel while on the road through the brand’s pillars of well-being: Sleep Well, Eat Well, and Move Well. At more than 240 hotels and resorts in over 40 countries and territories, guests can benefit from distinct wellness experiences including the brand’s iconic and award-winning Heavenly® Bed, signature WestinWORKOUT® offerings such as its 24/7 Fitness Studios, WestinWORKOUT Routes, and its versatile Gear Lending program, delicious and nutritious menu offerings on their Eat Well menu, and more. For more information, please visit www.westin.com and stay connected on X, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. Westin is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy®, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments and unparalleled benefits including free nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit marriottbonvoy.com.

About Marriott Bonvoy®

Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International’s award-winning travel platform, connects travelers to the people, places, and passions they love through an extraordinary collection of hotels and experiences worldwide. The platform features over 30 hotel brands and 10,000 destinations, including the largest collection of luxury offerings, distinctive boutique properties, premium home rentals, and more, providing renowned hospitality across the globe. With unrivaled access to the best in entertainment, culinary, sports, outdoor adventure, arts, culture, and more, Marriott Bonvoy offers transformative travel experiences that leave a lasting impression.

Marriott Bonvoy membership is free and unlocks unique benefits including the ability to earn points through travel and everyday activities, like purchases with co-branded credit cards. Members can redeem their points for free stays, experiences and more. Visit marriottbonvoy.com for more information and download the Marriott Bonvoy app here. Travelers can connect with Marriott Bonvoy on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook.

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