Artificial intelligence is a net positive for travel, according to a show-of-hands after a lively debate which rounded off the Technology Summit at this year’s WTM London. The role of AI in travel was debated by two teams of three. Those agreeing with the proposition – AI is the enemy of travel – were led by Stephen Joyce from Protect Group, with the dissenters led by Christian Watts of Magpie Travel.
at Thu, 06 Nov 2025 12:31:07 +0000

Jumeirah, the global luxury hospitality brand and a member of Dubai Holding, today unveils Jumeirah Heritage Club – an exclusive capsule collection created in collaboration with acclaimed Dubai-based contemporary fashion house Bouguessa.
at Thu, 06 Nov 2025 12:24:58 +0000

Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, participated at the World Travel Market 2025 (WTM), hosted in London, United Kingdom, from November 4 to 6. The event is one of the world’s leading travel and tourism events, bringing together industry leaders, decision-makers, and experts from around the globe.
at Thu, 06 Nov 2025 12:21:36 +0000

Vietnam Airlines has become the first airline in Vietnam to introduce its own signature fragrance, LotuScent, marking a significant milestone in its ongoing commitment to enhancing the passenger experience. The fragrance is crafted to enhance the ambiance of select Lotus Lounges and on international flights.
at Thu, 06 Nov 2025 12:15:06 +0000

In a pivotal discussion, H.H. Princess Sara bint Salman Al‑Saudi Al‑Saud and Mr. AlHamdan outlined how Saudi Arabia is stepping into the global tourism spotlight by hosting the 26th UN Tourism General Assembly in Riyadh (7-11 November 2025) — coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the UN tourism body. They emphasised Saudi’s intent to leverage this milestone to showcase its transformation under Vision 2030, and to set a new course for the industry under the theme “AI-Powered Tourism: Redefining the Future.” The roundtable highlighted three core areas of focus: deepening international collaboration across 160+ member states; embedding artificial intelligence and sustainable innovation into the travel ecosystem; and using the event as a platform to accelerate Saudi’s role as a global tourism hub and model of responsible growth.
at Thu, 06 Nov 2025 12:01:00 +0000

The Maldives is moving to expand its tourism model with proposed amendments to the Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Act. The changes create a new category of Sustainable Townships, designed for large-scale, integrated developments that combine hospitality, residential real estate, health, education, and renewable energy infrastructure.
at Thu, 06 Nov 2025 11:55:35 +0000

The 16th edition of the Italian Cuisine World Summit, the longest-running event celebrating Italian gastronomy, restaurants, and authentic Italian-made food and beverages, returned to Ferrari World Yas Island, Abu Dhabi on November 3. The event paid tribute to Italy’s rich culinary heritage and vibrant dining scene, featuring chefs representing Michelin-star-awarded restaurants from across Italy.
at Thu, 06 Nov 2025 11:29:59 +0000

The Croatian National Tourist Board made a flying start to the World Travel Market (WTM) taking place from 4-6 November, the largest in event’s 45-year history. Promotional efforts at the checkered and visually impactful Croatian stand were spearheaded by the Minister of Tourism and Sport, Tonči Glavina, the Croatian National Tourist Board’s Director, Kristjan Staničić, Director of the Croatian National Tourist Board’s office in London, Bisera Fabrio, alongside 27 co-exhibitors.
at Thu, 06 Nov 2025 08:10:22 +0000

The Tourism Authority of Thailand has launched a new “Amazing Thailand” campaign, redefining luxury through the lens of personal healing, sustainability, and cultural connections for a new generation of travellers. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is setting out a bold new vision for the country’s tourism industry with the campaign “Unforgettable Experience: Healing is the New Luxury”. In a world where speed, stress and uncertainty dominate daily life, Thailand is positioning itself as a destination where travellers can slow down, recharge, and reconnect with themselves and nature.
at Thu, 06 Nov 2025 08:09:50 +0000

Tourism is entering a new era of transformation defined by sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation. UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili shares how global collaboration is reshaping travel, empowering communities, and driving long-term, responsible growth worldwide.
at Thu, 06 Nov 2025 08:07:00 +0000

Hilton today announced during World Travel Market in London the signing of an agreement with Wirgan Hospitality to rebrand two of their trading hotels in Makkah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – the first Tapestry Collection by Hilton in Makkah and a DoubleTree by Hilton. Both hotels are set to open before the end of the year, further strengthening Hilton’s presence in the Kingdom and the Holy City. The signings will almost double Hilton’s trading presence in Makkah – by rooms – to more than 4,100 keys.
at Thu, 06 Nov 2025 08:04:03 +0000

Jamie Wortley, Vice President of Communications at the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), discusses sustainable growth, workforce renewal, and innovation in the sector.
at Thu, 06 Nov 2025 08:01:40 +0000

This festive season, Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives invites guests to step into an elevated journey of celebration, nostalgia, and rejuvenation with its 2025–2026 Festive Program, themed “Through the Decades.” Between December 23, 2025, and January 7, 2026, the island will transform into a vibrant canvas of shimmering gold, sparkling silver, and neon hues. The resort’s signature ethos — “time and space redefined” — sets the tone, as guests are invited to leave the ordinary behind and relax, celebrate, and reconnect in absolute luxury.
at Thu, 06 Nov 2025 07:56:26 +0000

The second day of World Travel Market London 2025 welcomed the main sessions of this year’s DEAI Summit. It also saw more discussions on AI, sustainability and marketing and touched on how humour can be used to sell travel. An early session in the DEAI Summit highlighted ‘inclusion fatigue’ and political resistance to diversity initiatives. “There is definitely a rollback that is making it more challenging,” said Joanna Reeve, of tour operator Intrepid Travel. But she suggested travel could make us feel connected to other cultures so “there’s less of ‘us and them’ and more ‘us’.”
at Thu, 06 Nov 2025 07:54:51 +0000

Yesterday, British TV stars Bettany Hughes and Maisie Adam took to the stage at WTM London to share their tips about marketing travel and holidays. Comedian and star of Taskmaster and A League of Their Own, Maisie Adam, spoke on the marketing summit panel ‘Comedy Sells’ whereby she told delegates: “It’s about making the ordinary, extraordinary”, as she recalled interviews with passengers about etiquette on planes. Having worked with several tourism boards, Adam went on to explain “There is a human element to travel…we have to grab [consumers] with more than just where it is. You don’t have to show off Machu Picchu; you could be at an airport talking about the mundane”. The comedian showed clips from her recent Swiss tourism film, which featured activities such as sliding down a bobsleigh run and trying a fondue. Adam said: “It’s about telling a story well and enjoying yourself. Other people see you’re having a great laugh, so they want to come and find out more”. She closed by telling the audience: “Humour is a special language…and a great tool for connection.”
at Thu, 06 Nov 2025 07:52:10 +0000

Ministers gathered at WTM London 2025 shared their views on how smarter, more inclusive investment models can help destinations to share more widely the benefits of travel and tourism. The 19th edition of WTM London’s Ministers’ Summit, in association with UN Tourism and WTTC, offered examples of how the public and private sectors are working together to fund the opportunities and mediate the challenges of growing travel and tourism markets. Many destinations are using tax breaks and other incentives to drive tourism development. Christina Frasco from the Philippines talked about how it was offering fiscal incentives and opening new economic zones for tourism that champion sustainability, green innovation and job creation.
at Thu, 06 Nov 2025 07:49:15 +0000

The Maldives is moving to expand its tourism model with proposed amendments to the Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Act. The changes create a new category of Sustainable Townships, designed for large-scale, integrated developments that combine hospitality, residential real estate, health, education, and renewable energy infrastructure. The government’s aim is to diversify the tourism sector and attract next-generation projects that complement the traditional resort model. Sustainable Townships are expected to generate long-term opportunities in premium real estate tourism, wellness and medical services, and education-focused travel. By integrating residential, commercial, and public service components, these projects broaden revenue streams, create employment across multiple sectors, and establish the Maldives as a destination for long-stay visitors and high-value investors.
at Thu, 06 Nov 2025 07:47:17 +0000

Released in the same week that International Airlines Group announces its latest results and the global travel community convened for World Travel Market London, a new report from Raven has set out a bold vision for the future of aviation.
at Wed, 05 Nov 2025 18:15:32 +0000

IDeaS, a SAS company and the world’s leading provider of hospitality revenue management software and services, has signed a master service agreement with Adeera Hospitality in Saudi Arabia. The agreement provides a framework for Adeera Hospitality to implement IDeaS solutions across the entirety of their upcoming luxury properties in Saudi Arabia. Wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), Adeera Hospitality is a hotel management company responsible for developing distinctive new Saudi hospitality brands. Adeera’s ambitious plans include launching a portfolio of 60+ all-new hotels among multiple brands over the coming five years.
at Wed, 05 Nov 2025 11:48:03 +0000

Marriott International, Inc. today announced that it has signed an agreement with Invest İnşaat to debut Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy® in Türkiye.  Situated at Vadistanbul area, one of Istanbul’s most prominent business and lifestyle destinations, the project further expands Marriott’s growing portfolio of extended stay and premium apartment-style accommodations across the region.  Construction of Invista, Istanbul, Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy has commenced, with an anticipated opening in 2026. Access Hospitality will collaborate with Marriott International and Invest İnşaat as the third-party operator for the franchised property.
at Wed, 05 Nov 2025 11:46:13 +0000

RMS, a leading hospitality platform for hotels, motels, serviced apartments and campgrounds, has today announced a new integration with cloud-based point-of-sale provider Epos Now to enhance operational efficiency by connecting front-of-house transactions with RMS’s robust property management system. By syncing guest billing and POS transactions in real time, the integration reduces manual data entry and reconciliation errors while giving operators a unified view of guest spend across accommodation, food and beverage and other outlets.
at Wed, 05 Nov 2025 11:44:17 +0000

Marking its 25th anniversary, Virgin Limited Edition, Sir Richard Branson’s acclaimed collection of luxury retreats, has unveiled an extraordinary 25-night “suite escape” spanning five of its most iconic properties across Europe and Africa. The bespoke experience includes five-night stays at Son Bunyola Hotel in Mallorca, Kasbah Tamadot in Morocco, Mahali Mzuri and Finch Hattons in Kenya, and Mont Rochelle in South Africa — each chosen for its spectacular setting and award-winning hospitality
at Wed, 05 Nov 2025 11:30:56 +0000

Saudi made a strong impression on the opening day of World Travel Market (WTM) 2025, as the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) and its 71 partners unveiled the spectacular “Saudi Land” pavilion, presenting the scale and ambition of its tourism sector. Following a record-breaking year welcoming almost 116 million visitors and generating $75 billion in tourism spend, STA arrived at WTM ready to deepen global partnerships and unlock new opportunities for collaboration and growth.
at Wed, 05 Nov 2025 11:22:34 +0000

London has been ranked the World’s Best City for the 11th year in new research by Resonance, supported by Ipsos and revealed today at WTM London. New York came second in the report and Paris third. Overall, the United States had the most cities in the 2026 Top 100 with 19, followed by Germany with eight and China with seven.
at Wed, 05 Nov 2025 11:13:19 +0000

New research reveals key trends shaping hotel technology investment, satisfaction, and strategy, and a clear shift toward Best-in-Class integrated systems over All-in-One platforms.
at Wed, 05 Nov 2025 11:06:15 +0000

On the evening of November 4, the “China Night @ WTM: Bridging Worlds” event was successfully held at the London City Hall during World Travel Market (WTM).
at Wed, 05 Nov 2025 10:47:29 +0000

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts continues to strengthen its presence in North Africa with the signing of Wyndham Hotels & Residences Cairo West, marking the debut of its namesake Wyndham brand in Egypt. Located in Cairo West’s vibrant district, this 5-star property will feature 532 elegantly designed accommodations, including 150 hotel rooms and 382 branded residences, all adhering to Wyndham’s latest design and service standards.
at Wed, 05 Nov 2025 10:01:04 +0000

Dusit Thani Bangkok, the reimagined flagship of Dusit Hotels and Resorts, the hotel arm of Dusit International, one of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies, has earned global recognition once again – this time ranking #60 on the inaugural extended list of The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2025, a prestigious index celebrating the finest hospitality experiences worldwide. The extended list showcases 50 additional properties that exemplify innovation, service excellence, and guest satisfaction across six continents. Each hotel was selected by a panel of more than 800 independent travel experts, including hoteliers, journalists, and seasoned luxury travellers.
at Wed, 05 Nov 2025 09:57:54 +0000

TAP Air Portugal announces the launch of a new route that will connect Lisbon to Curitiba, capital of Paraná, Brazil, from July 2, 2026. The airline will operate three weekly flights between the Portuguese capital and Curitiba - Afonso Pena International Airport, further reinforcing its leadership in connections between Europe and Brazil. The flights will be operated with the A330-200 aircraft with capacity for 269 passengers, through the route Lisbon (LIS) – Curitiba (CWB) – Rio de Janeiro (GIG) – Lisbon (LIS), on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Sales start on November 11th.
at Wed, 05 Nov 2025 09:55:48 +0000

Virgin Atlantic unveils its new Autumn/Winter onboard menu from 5th November 2025, featuring a fresh take on contemporary comfort food across all cabins. Inspired by customer favourites and crafted with premium ingredients, the new dishes strike the perfect balance between indulgent options and lighter alternatives, creating a vibrant dining experience that’s unmistakably Virgin Atlantic. The updated menu includes a contemporary breakfast offering, innovative seasonal dishes, an enhanced wine selection including dessert wines, and a mid-flight margherita pizza available on selected routes.
at Wed, 05 Nov 2025 09:53:32 +0000

Partnership reinforces Brazil’s role in Netflix’s global strategy to promote destinations and cultures through storytelling; the guide is available at cometobrasilwithnetflix.com.br
at Wed, 05 Nov 2025 09:36:57 +0000

Global leader in events and exhibitions, RX, has announced the launch of WTM Spotlight Delhi, a brand-new event showcasing the power, potential and diversity of India’s growing travel market.
at Wed, 05 Nov 2025 09:27:04 +0000

Choice Privileges, the #1 hotel rewards program from Choice Hotels International, Inc. is getting even better with an all‑new rewards experience launching in early 2026. Members will be able to earn more rewards more frequently, achieve Elite status faster, and access exclusive benefits designed to help them get the most from every stay:
at Wed, 05 Nov 2025 06:43:53 +0000

To mark the long anticipated opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum near the Pyramids of Giza in Cairo, Captain’s Choice are inviting guests to join them on their 2026 A Journey of the Gods itinerary: a 16-day exploration of Egypt that combines history with luxury. The journey begins in Cairo and is guided by top Egyptologists, seeing hidden parts of the Great Pyramids, the Khufu Ship and even the feet of the Sphinx, as well as an expert-led tour of the world’s largest institution dedicated to a single civilisation - the newly opened Grand Egyptian Museum.
at Wed, 05 Nov 2025 06:41:33 +0000

Inspired by the children’s book Goodnight Moon, the campaign reflects Sheraton’s timeless warmth and evolving identity as a modern gathering place - where the comfort of home meets the magic of travel.
at Wed, 05 Nov 2025 06:39:49 +0000

Southwest Airlines Co. welcomes Philippine Airlines as the newest carrier partnering to connect transoceanic travelers with Southwest-operated flights. Dozens of new travel options across the Pacific are available now through Philippine Airlines and third-party travel booking sites.
at Wed, 05 Nov 2025 06:30:47 +0000

Latvia offers travellers a number of options for exploring castles and manors from different historic periods. Some of them can be visited as tourist attractions, while others offer overnight stays, gourmet meals and even SPA experiences.
at Wed, 05 Nov 2025 06:27:49 +0000

Sustainability, tourism investments and the rise of the Chinese market were in the spotlight during the first day of World Travel Market London. Investment and education took centre stage during the Ministers’ Summit, which was taking place for the 19th time.
at Wed, 05 Nov 2025 06:25:54 +0000

Etihad Airways has marked another milestone in its record year of growth, launching four inaugural routes to Tunis, Hanoi, Chiang Mai, and Hong Kong within three consecutive days. The new services further strengthen Abu Dhabi’s position as a hub and gateway to the UAE, supporting inbound tourism and trade while delivering nearly 45% of the UAE’s total aviation growth this year. As Etihad continues to expand its network, the airline is adding thousands of new seats to and from Abu Dhabi, making it easier for travellers from Africa and Asia to experience the city’s cultural landmarks, pristine beaches, luxury resorts, and year-round calendar of events. The routes also give UAE residents and visitors more choice for travel across key leisure and business destinations.
at Wed, 05 Nov 2025 06:23:26 +0000

Qatar Airways and Air Algérie announced a codeshare partnership that will increase access to seamless connectivity between Algeria and key markets in Asia and the Middle East through the multiple award-winning Hamad International Airport. Starting today, travellers can book codeshare flights for travel starting on 15 November 2025.
at Wed, 05 Nov 2025 06:21:06 +0000