Paris has been named Official Host Destination for the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards 2026, with the Gala Ceremony to take place in the French capital on 9 December 2026 as the culmination of the two-day World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance Summit.
at Wed, 29 Apr 2026 10:30:32 +0000

As a UAE-born brand shaped by authentic hospitality and immersive experiences, JA Resorts & Hotels continues to evolve alongside the nation it calls home. Across the country, time is increasingly spent in ways that feel shared and intentional, with community-led and active experiences taking quiet precedence, a shift JA has long been part of through its distinctive blend of world-class hospitality and considered lifestyle experiences. Home to JA Palm Tree Court, JA Beach Hotel, and JA Lake View Hotel, the resort reflects how modern residents choose to stay, play, and unwind.
at Wed, 29 Apr 2026 09:35:58 +0000

TravelAI, the UpNext company pioneering the next generation of agentic AI for travel, today announced the appointment of Shie Gabbai and Brianna MacNeil to senior leadership roles. These hires mark a significant step in TravelAI’s mission to reshape how travelers plan, book, and experience travel through intelligent, autonomous AI agents.
at Wed, 29 Apr 2026 09:18:52 +0000

The FIFA World Cup 2026 is already leaving its mark on global travel, with international interest climbing across the United States, Canada, and Mexico—but not at the same pace. New analysis from Data Appeal and Mabrian (Almawave-Almaviva Group), in collaboration with PredictHQ— the leader in real-world context for AI and forecasting—shows that while demand is clearly building, converting that interest into arrivals will depend on air connectivity, domestic travel momentum, and how effectively destinations prepare for peak periods.
at Wed, 29 Apr 2026 09:10:54 +0000

Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) has announced that exhibit floor space for the 2026 Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC®) is officially sold out, with more than 360 companies exhibiting across 83,000 net sq. ft. of exhibit space. With expanded exhibit floor space this year, attendees can explore a broad mix of companies and dive into dozens of technology categories and solution options. The HITEC 2026 exhibit hall will be open June 16–18, 2026, at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio with more than 5,800 attendees expected. The event remains the world’s largest and longest-running hospitality technology conference and exhibition.
at Wed, 29 Apr 2026 09:08:14 +0000

Bombardier today celebrated fleet operator Vista, a longtime Bombardier customer, taking possession of its first Global 8000 aircraft at the company’s London Biggin Hill Service Centre. With this addition, Vista customers will soon be treated to the finest experience in business aviation today. This introduction marks the beginning of upgrades to Vista’s current Global 7500 aircraft, with two per month planned leading to the full fleet of 18 being operational as Global 8000 jets by year end and in turn marking the largest subscription fleet available of this revolutionary jet.
at Wed, 29 Apr 2026 08:48:08 +0000

Amazon is rolling out advanced agentic AI software to enable broad hiring, seeking to speed up and simplify recruitment in a surprisingly more human way.
at Wed, 29 Apr 2026 08:14:13 +0000

RateGain Travel Technologies Limited, a global leader in AI-powered SaaS solutions for the travel and hospitality industry, today announced the appointment of Oscar Ganuza as Senior Vice President – Revenue, Europe. Based in Barcelona, Oscar will lead RateGain’s efforts to accelerate commercial performance and deepen strategic partnerships in the Europe market, supporting the company’s continued expansion in the region.
at Wed, 29 Apr 2026 07:59:13 +0000

Anantara Chiang Mai Resort introduces The Mae On – Mae Ping Atelier Afternoon Tea, a refined culinary journey crafted in collaboration with Skugga Estate, celebrating single-origin cacao grown in Mae On, located approximately 40 minutes east of Chiang Mai city. Rooted in the timeless British afternoon tea ritual, the experience draws inspiration from the resort’s heritage as the former British Consulate. Presented with contemporary finesse, the collection reinterprets tradition through a distinctly Northern Thai lens, where local terroir, artistry and flavour come together in harmonious balance.
at Wed, 29 Apr 2026 06:50:34 +0000

A new hospitality concept is quietly redefining the landscape of Los Angeles boutique hotels. Located in the heart of Koreatown, The Ivory is an intimate, 48-room urban sanctuary designed to offer guests a sense of belonging and considered design within one of the city’s most dynamic neighborhoods.
at Wed, 29 Apr 2026 06:44:19 +0000

Artificial Intelligence is shifting power in travel distribution away from visibility and toward trust, redefining how travelers discover, evaluate and book experiences. Rather than eliminating intermediaries, AI is reshaping where value — and control — sits across the travel ecosystem. As travelers increasingly rely on AI assistants to plan trips, the industry is moving from a search-driven model to one where algorithms decide what gets seen — and what gets sold.
at Wed, 29 Apr 2026 06:41:12 +0000

Michel Reybier Hospitality is pleased to announce the takeover of Château de Sacy, nestled in the heart of the Champagne vineyards, just a few minutes from Reims. This exclusive property, comprising 12 rooms and suites, is set on the hillsides of Champagne, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
at Tue, 28 Apr 2026 15:34:44 +0000

La Fiermontina Ocean (lafiermontinacollection.com), the eco-retreat set within northern Morocco’s protected Sahel park, proudly announces the opening of its Community Hub. This innovative space marks a new chapter in the resort’s “circular hospitality” model, allowing guests to move beyond traditional tourism to directly interact with, learn from, and support the rural villages of Dchier and its neighbors.
at Tue, 28 Apr 2026 15:32:51 +0000

RMS, a leading global hospitality technology platform, has announced a new partnership with Pride of Britain Hotels (PoB Hotels), a curated collection of over 50 of the UK’s finest independent luxury properties. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to supporting independent hotels as they navigate rising guest expectations, operational complexity and increasing competition, while staying true to the individuality that defines them.
at Tue, 28 Apr 2026 09:28:14 +0000

Wizz Air, a leading airline in Central and Eastern Europe, and HTS, a leading global travel technology platform, today announced a partnership to integrate a new solution to help customers navigate disruptions on wizzair.com and the Wizz Air app. Wizz Air, which aims to carry around 80 million passengers in 2026, is now the first European carrier to offer HTS’ novel rebooking service – Disruption Assistance. This product offers real-time rebooking options when disruptions occur and does not yet fall into the scope of EC261 regulation[1], helping travelers get to their final destination, saving time and money.
at Tue, 28 Apr 2026 08:59:19 +0000

The RuMa Hotel and Residences, a one MICHELIN Key awarded five-star property, introduces “The Kuala Lumpur Escape,” a thoughtfully curated stay experience that invites residents of ASEAN countries to step away from the everyday and rediscover Kuala Lumpur through a lens of calm, comfort, and understated luxury. Crafted for the discerning regional traveller, The Kuala Lumpur Escape blends Kuala Lumpur’s energy with quiet luxury and culturally rooted experiences. Nestled in the heart of the city, The RuMa, whose name derives from the Malay word “rumah”, meaning home, is a tranquil sanctuary where every detail is meticulously considered to evoke the feeling of a private residence.
at Tue, 28 Apr 2026 08:51:57 +0000

China Ready Workshop, a sold-out, two-hour premium paid training session was held on 15 April at WTM Africa 2026 in Cape Town, marking the first time the workshop has been staged in South Africa. The program was partnership between CBISN and WTM Africa. Attendance reflected the breadth of the industry, with registered participants spanning hotels, DMCs, attractions, wineries, transportation providers, MICE operators and luxury travel. Senior management from several tourism boards were also present.
at Tue, 28 Apr 2026 08:50:54 +0000

Ireckonu, a leading provider of middleware and customer data platforms for the hospitality industry, today announces the appointment of Jamie Cole as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), reinforcing its leadership team as the company enters its next phase of global growth. Jamie is a seasoned industry professional with a strong hospitality background across global brands including InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), Hilton, and Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group. He brings a valuable client-side perspective, with a deep understanding of how large hotel groups operate, the complexities they face at scale, and what they need to succeed in increasingly competitive and AI data-driven environments. Having known Ireckonu both as a client and now from within the business, he offers a well-informed view of how the platform is already differentiated and where there are opportunities to scale further.
at Tue, 28 Apr 2026 06:32:32 +0000

Aer Lingus recently announced changes to its AerClub loyalty programme, making it easier for members to move up through the tiers and enjoy benefits like lounge access, priority boarding, and complimentary upgrades. AerClub has increased the Tier Credits earned on the best value Saver and Smart fares. Saver fares: Tier Credits will double from 7.5 to 15 on all flights within Europe Smart fares: Tier Credits will double from 25 to 50 on all Aer Lingus transatlantic flights These changes have been introduced since the start of April 2026 on eligible flights. The update makes it easier for members to move from Green through to Silver, Platinum and Concierge, unlocking more perks as they progress through the tiers.
at Tue, 28 Apr 2026 06:30:40 +0000

Emirates’ flagship A380, long celebrated as one of aviation’s most iconic aircraft, is set to reach new heights as the first installation of next-generation Starlink Wi-Fi onboard has just been completed. The Emirates A380 was one of the first commercial aircraft in the world to offer internet to its customers, with first generation systems offering a total aircraft bandwidth of less than 1 Mbps.  Emirates’ installation of three Starlink antennas on each A380 will improve the Wi-Fi available onboard a thousand-fold - offering a ‘better than at home’ connectivity experience for customers, while flying at 40,000 feet.
at Tue, 28 Apr 2026 06:27:31 +0000

Southwest Airlines has joined IATA’s Schedule Data Exchange Program (SDEP), bringing the number of contributing airlines to 190. The SDEP was launched in late 2023 to build a uniquely airline-owned schedule and minimum connecting time exceptions database. Schedule data underpins many aspects of an airline’s business, including network planning, slot coordination, and interline agreements. Data coverage now exceeds 70% available seat kilometers (ASKs) of airlines based in Asia, Middle East, and Africa, and is expected to reach 90% coverage globally by end of 2026.
at Tue, 28 Apr 2026 06:24:05 +0000

Shangri-La Group (“Shangri-La” or “the Group”) announces the grand opening of Shangri-La Kunming, a new gateway to Yunnan’s cultural discovery where design-led storytelling, tea traditions, and immersive moments are inspired by the region’s landscapes and artistry. Rooted in the concept of a “Tea Merchant’s Mansion,” the hotel blends Shangri-La’s signature Asian hospitality with Yunnan’s rich local culture, bringing to life the art and joy of Asian hosting for guests exploring “The Best of Yunnan.”
at Tue, 28 Apr 2026 06:19:26 +0000

Last Thursday evening in Cologne, numerous guests from the worlds of politics, the aviation industry, local society, and sports gathered for a ceremony marking the 100th anniversary of the founding of the first Lufthansa. The Mayor of Cologne had hosted a reception at the Historic City Hall. Cologne Mayor Torsten Burmester: “Cologne is proud to have played a major role in Lufthansa’s corporate history since World War II. Cologne is growing as an aviation hub, because in addition to being home to the headquarters of EASA and the DLR, as well as the prospect of a European space hub, Cologne/Bonn Airport is the cargo hub of Western Europe. I hope that the relationship between Cologne and Lufthansa will intensify again even beyond this anniversary year. I therefore congratulate all Lufthansa employees from the bottom of my heart on the company’s 100th anniversary.”
at Tue, 28 Apr 2026 06:17:44 +0000

Lufthansa is introducing a new uniform for its employees that combines tradition and innovation as it celebrates its 100th anniversary. The new outfits for cockpit, cabin, and ground staff were unveiled at a fashion show at the Lufthansa Group’s “Hangar One” visitor and conference center. The design was created in collaboration with many employees from all uniformed departments, who tested all styles for comfort, functionality, and sustainability and provided the design team with valuable feedback on how to refine the elements. The designs were then brought to life in collaboration with the renowned fashion brand BOSS.
at Tue, 28 Apr 2026 06:15:37 +0000

Global hospitality group The Lux Collective continues to accelerate its commitment to advancing women in leadership with the appointment of Aubrey Wang as General Manager of LUX* Chongzuo Guangxi in China. Following the promotion of Sheila Malloo to General Manager of LUX* Belle Mare, Mauritius, this latest move reinforces the Group’s intentional focus on cultivating a new generation of female leaders across key markets.
at Tue, 28 Apr 2026 06:12:35 +0000

Africa’s chain hotel development pipeline has reached a record high of 675 hotels and 123,846 rooms as of early 2026, representing an 18.6% increase year-on-year, according to the 18th annual Hotel Chain Development Pipelines in Africa report published by W Hospitality Group. At the heart of this surge is Egypt, the continent’s undisputed hotel development powerhouse with 185 planned hotels and 45,984 rooms, representing 37.1% of the entire African pipeline. North Africa as a whole now commands 50% of all pipeline rooms across the continent, with its pipeline growing 27% year-on-year - well over double the 11% growth recorded in sub-Saharan Africa. The North African pipeline stands at 284 hotels and 62,630 rooms, drawing from four active development markets: Egypt, Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. There is no current development pipeline in Libya.
at Tue, 28 Apr 2026 06:09:50 +0000

Virgin Atlantic has announced the launch of an accredited Autism Awareness training programme for its cabin crew, developed in partnership with autism travel specialists, Autism Double-Checked. The programme forms part of the airline’s ongoing commitment to inclusive travel and supporting customers with non-visible disabilities. Launching this May, the mandatory digital training consists of two modules - one covering general autism awareness, and a second designed specifically for the cabin crew role with a focus on the inflight experience. All cabin crew will complete both as part of their annual recurrent learning, giving every crew member the confidence and practical tools to support autistic customers onboard, from recognising sensory sensitivities and signs of distress, to adapting how they communicate and providing reassurance throughout the journey. Virgin Atlantic also plans to extend the training to all customer-facing ground teams in 2026, ensuring consistent support at every stage of the travel experience.
at Tue, 28 Apr 2026 06:07:31 +0000

Shura Island Residences, part of Red Sea Global (RSG), has welcomed its first homeowners to SLS The Red Sea Residences, bringing SLS’s bold, lifestyle-led approach to residential living to Shura Island, marking a significant milestone for the destination. “Welcoming our first homeowners to SLS turns our vision into a lived reality. These residents are now part of our story, shaping life on Shura Island and helping us in pioneering a regenerative approach that benefits both people and the planet. This is just the beginning of a vibrant new chapter for our community at The Red Sea,” said Stephen Cheesebrough, Head of Development at Red Sea Global.
at Tue, 28 Apr 2026 06:05:39 +0000

The small Gulf country of Oman is now poised to become a pioneer in the development of AI-powered tourism as Visit Oman introduces an AI digital hub that will revolutionize the travel and tourism industry all over the world.
at Mon, 27 Apr 2026 12:42:38 +0000

The small Gulf country of Oman is now poised to become a pioneer in the development of AI-powered tourism as Visit Oman introduces an AI digital hub that will revolutionize the travel and tourism industry all over the world.
at Mon, 27 Apr 2026 12:42:11 +0000

Minor Hotels, a global hospitality leader with more than 640 properties in operation and committed development across 63 countries, announces the signing of two new resort properties in Thailand in partnership with Rasa Group: Colbert Collection Koh Samui and Avani Koh Phangan. The dual signing marks the debut of the Colbert Collection brand in Asia and reinforces Minor Hotels’ continued expansion in key resort destinations across the region. Located on Chaweng Beach, Colbert Collection Koh Samui will become the first property under the brand in Asia. The 32-key beachfront resort, operating as Buri Rasa Village Samui, will transition to Minor Hotels management on 1 May 2026, with rebranding scheduled for Q1 2027 following an extensive renovation programme.
at Mon, 27 Apr 2026 12:16:36 +0000

Escorted touring brands Travelsphere and Just You have launched a ‘Holiday Assurance Guarantee’. Valid on new bookings made until May 31 and for tours departing in 2026, it allows travellers to amend their booking as many times as required up to 75 days prior to departure without any amendment fees*.
at Mon, 27 Apr 2026 12:14:00 +0000

Virgin Voyages has confirmed the return of its annual Eat & Drink Festival, with a new ‘Festival of Senses’ concept. The programme will run across the four-ship fleet on a limited number of August and September sailings, offering a series of food and beverage-led experiences designed to enhance onboard dining for Sailors (guests). New for 2026 is ‘A Feast for the Senses’, an immersive culinary event hosted in the onboard nightclub, The Manor. The experience combines film, interactive elements and tasting opportunities, with Sailors moving through a series of staged food and drink moments.
at Mon, 27 Apr 2026 12:12:22 +0000

Costa Rica closed 2025 with 2.68 million international air arrivals. Growth of just 1%, against a global tourism industry that expanded 6.7% over the same twelve months. For a destination that has built its reputation on sustainable luxury and nature-based travel, the gap is bruising. Guatemala grew 10% in the same period. The Dominican Republic continued to break its own records. Colombia kept posting double-digit gains quarter after quarter.
at Mon, 27 Apr 2026 10:38:31 +0000

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) today revealed that the Middle East is experiencing strong Travel & Tourism growth, with the sector expanding by 5.3% in 2025, outpacing the global average of 4.1% and reinforcing the region’s position as one of the world’s most dynamic travel markets. WTTC’s latest Economic Impact Research (EIR), a leading global study of Travel & Tourism performance, highlights the region’s strong performance across key indicators, including international visitor spending, domestic travel, and business travel.
at Mon, 27 Apr 2026 09:24:49 +0000

PKFARE, a leading global travel wholesaler, today announced the launch of a flight + hotel packaging partnership with Wano, a B2B travel distribution platform, and AirAsia MOVE, a leading online travel agency (OTA) in Asean - both under Capital A’s portfolio of businesses. This collaboration marks PKFARE’s expansion into hotel packaging services. Under the collaboration, Wano manages distribution of flights and AirAsia MOVE drives consumer demand, while PKFARE powers the underlying technology infrastructure that integrates inventory, pricing, and real-time packaging capabilities into a unified system.
at Mon, 27 Apr 2026 08:18:40 +0000

dusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives, a vibrant all-inclusive lifestyle resort operated by Dusit Hotels and Resorts and located just seven minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, has unveiled Feydhoo Hall, a new multi-purpose events venue designed to support the growing demand for destination weddings, corporate retreats, and group travel experiences in the Maldives. As the country continues to diversify beyond traditional leisure travel, the destination welcomed a record 2.25 million international visitors in 2025, underscoring its global appeal and creating new opportunities to expand into niche MICE segments such as incentive travel, curated group experiences, and small corporate gatherings. Feydhoo Hall has been developed to cater to this shift.
at Mon, 27 Apr 2026 05:49:52 +0000

Since its opening, Four Seasons Resort Marrakech has been dedicated to offering an oasis of serenity where luxury is defined by space, service, and a profound connection to the ancient city. Today, this journey reaches a new milestone with the receipt of the Green Key certification, an international eco-label that recognizes the establishment’s ongoing commitment to responsible hospitality.
at Mon, 27 Apr 2026 05:45:01 +0000

IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, and All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd. (ANA), Japan’s largest airline, today announced a comprehensive loyalty partnership, setting a new benchmark for hotel-airline loyalty collaboration in the travel industry. Launching after October, IHG One Rewards and ANA Mileage Club (AMC) members will gain access to benefits including an enhanced loyalty and recognition offer for AMC members, double dip points-earning on select ANA flights, and two-way points exchange of ANA miles and IHG One Rewards points. Through this partnership, members can earn and redeem rewards across ANA’s extensive international network serving 40 cities and 55 routes worldwide, as well as across IHG’s global hotel portfolio of over 7,000 hotels in more than 100 countries.
at Mon, 27 Apr 2026 05:43:58 +0000

InterContinental Sydney Coogee Beach – part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ luxury & lifestyle portfolio – continues to redefine Sydney’s beachfront experience, unveiling the final chapter of its multi-million-dollar transformation. Continuing the brand’s legacy as a pioneer of luxury hospitality for over 80 years, the reimagined InterContinental hotel is now open with an ocean-facing infinity pool and terrace, Club InterContinental lounge, and pickleball courts, with the highly anticipated Èliva Spa set to follow in early May.
at Mon, 27 Apr 2026 05:41:13 +0000