Latest headlines in Travel News

  • The World Travel Awards Return to Zanzibar as the Continent’s Tourism Renaissance Accelerates (Breaking Travel News 2026-08-05 09:41:20)
    There are few places more evocative than Zanzibar at sunset. As the Indian Ocean glows in shades of amber and sapphire, spice-scented breezes drift through swaying palms and the island’s centuries-old trading heritage meets a new era of luxury hospitality. It is a fitting setting for one of travel’s most prestigious celebrations.On 28 August, the global tourism industry will gather at the spectacular Diamonds Bijoux Resort in Zanzibar for the first World Travel Awards event of 2026 – the Africa Gala Ceremony. Bringing together the continent’s leading hoteliers, destination marketers, tourism ministers, airlines and hospitality innovators, the evening promises far more than a glittering awards presentation. It is a celebration of a continent enjoying one of the most remarkable periods of growth in modern tourism.
  • flynas Launches Direct Flights between Madinah and Brussels from October 5 (Breaking Travel News 2026-08-05 09:11:03)
    flynas, the leading low-cost airline in the world and the best LCC in the Middle East, announced the launch of direct flights between Madinah and Brussels, the capital of Belgium, starting October 5, 2026, as part of its efforts to strengthen its network and provide its guests with more travel options.
  • flydubai to host UAE National Careers Open Day, showcasing aviation career opportunities (Breaking Travel News 2026-08-05 09:05:57)
    flydubai, the Dubai-based carrier, will host its UAE National Careers Open Day on 16 August at the flydubai Campus, inviting UAE nationals to explore rewarding careers with one of the region’s fastest-growing airlines and learn more about the carrier’s specialised training and development programmes.
  • Riyadh Air Creates Unforgettable Family Journeys with Disney (Breaking Travel News 2026-08-05 09:04:38)
    Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s new national carrier, and The Walt Disney Company, are bringing some Disney joy to the skies. Created for Riyadh Air, young travelers will be treated to amenity kits featuring Disney’s Mickey & Friends characters, with several bespoke designs depending on age group.
  • Riyadh Air Launches Three Employment-Linked Scholarship Programs (Breaking Travel News 2026-08-05 09:01:42)
    Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s new national carrier and a Public Investment Fund (PIF) company, has announced the launch of three additional employment-linked scholarship programs under the “Wa’ed” track of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Scholarship Program. Delivered in collaboration with leading specialized educational institutions in the United States, the initiative reflects the airline’s commitment to developing Saudi talent and preparing national capabilities in high-demand aviation disciplines that support the future of the Kingdom’s aviation sector.
  • Emirates and South African Airways Expand Codeshare Partnership (Breaking Travel News 2026-08-05 08:58:05)
    Emirates and South African Airways (SAA) today announced an expansion of their codeshare partnership, enabling access to nine cities and establishing the start of a reciprocal codeshare agreement between both carriers. The expanded partnership opens more destinations across central and southern Africa, simplifying connectivity for customers.Since launching their codeshare agreement, Emirates and SAA have operated on a unilateral basis, with SAA placing its code on Emirates-operated flights between Dubai and Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban, as well as interline access to 68 Emirates destinations worldwide via Dubai. With regulatory approvals secured, the new agreement will see Emirates place its code on SAA-operated flights, extending its network deeper into South Africa and neighbouring countries.
  • Record-breaking WTM London donation funds vital water projects (Breaking Travel News 2026-08-05 08:28:56)
    WTM London, part of RX Global’s exhibition portfolio, has given its largest ever donation to international safe water charity Just a Drop, thanks to record-breaking generosity at last year’s show.The 2025 event raised £8,300 through exhibitor donations, which was then doubled by WTM London with match funding, bringing the total to £16,600. With visitors also encouraged to donate directly via the WTM London registration form, the show’s overall financial contribution will be even higher. The charity was also gifted stand space to host meetings and raise its profile among those attending.
  • QASR AL SARAB DESERT RESORT BY ANANTARA INTRODUCES NEW DUNE ESCAPES (Breaking Travel News 2026-08-05 08:22:11)
    Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara has unveiled a collection of seasonal offers, creating more ways for guests to experience the beauty of the Empty Quarter through exclusive savings and thoughtfully curated inclusions. Available for stays booked until 30 September 2026, the Dune Oasis Escape and Dune Villa Escape pair luxury accommodation with a range of added benefits, creating greater value for families, couples and friends seeking a desert escape.
  • The Red Palace Unveils Visual Identity, Marking the First Chapter in Its Story Ahead of Opening (Breaking Travel News 2026-08-05 08:11:49)
    Boutique Group, the hospitality company fully owned by the Public Investment Fund, has announced the unveiling of The Red Palace’s visual identity, introducing the first chapter of its story to the world ahead of its highly anticipated opening. Rooted in the palace’s royal heritage, the identity is more than a brand mark: it is an early expression of the values, craftsmanship and cultural legacy that will come to define the future guest experience.Drawing directly from the palace’s authentic architecture and historic character, the identity translates the building’s design language into a visual system that speaks to its origins. Every element, from its form to its detailing, has been developed to reflect the craftsmanship embedded in The Red Palace itself, offering a first glimpse of the sensibility guests can expect once its doors open.
  • Qatar Airways Reconnects Doha and Philadelphia with First Flight (Breaking Travel News 2026-08-05 08:01:50)
    Qatar Airways has reconnected Doha and Philadelphia with the launch of a daily non-stop flight between Hamad International Airport (DOH) and Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), its 14th destination in North America, which resumed on 1 August 2026.
  • Greece travel demand surges 72% following ‘The Odyssey’ release (Breaking Travel News 2026-08-05 07:53:43)
    Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey isn’t just dominating the box office – it’s driving the travel trends too.New data from the travel connectivity brand Holafly reveals a massive spike in travel interest to Greece following the film’s release:
  • The AI race will be won by hotels with trusted data, not more technology, says Ireckonu (Breaking Travel News 2026-08-05 07:51:58)
    Ireckonu, a leading provider of hospitality technology solutions, warns that AI adoption in hospitality risks falling short without a strong guest data strategy. As hotels accelerate the adoption of AI, the real challenge is not the technology itself, but the quality of the data powering it.According to Jan Jaap van Roon, CEO of Ireckonu, hospitality is largely operating     with guest information that is fragmented across multiple systems and platforms. This fragmentation prevents hotels from building a single, reliable digital profile of each guest, which is a requisite for successful AI implementation.
  • Minos Palace Resort, Crete, Debuts a New Era of Wellness (Breaking Travel News 2026-08-05 07:45:11)
    As the final days of summer approach, Minos Palace Resort, Crete invites guests to immerse themselves in five days dedicated to movement, recovery, and longevity with a new Yoga Retreat, taking place between 24th - 28th September 2026. Led by yoga expert Christina Exarchou in collaboration with the resort’s Nao Longevity Hub, which opened in 2025, the retreat blends yoga, personalised longevity assessments, restorative therapies, and nourishing gastronomy to encourage guests to reset the body, restore energy and embrace lasting wellbeing.
  • Edinburgh Fringe 2026 takes center stage as travel demand soars (Breaking Travel News 2026-08-05 07:41:50)
    The Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the world’s largest arts festival, transforms Scotland’s capital each August into a global stage, welcoming thousands of performers and millions of visitors for three weeks of theatre, comedy, music, dance and cultural events.New Amadeus Travel Intelligence data reveals that demand for travel to the 2026 Edinburgh Fringe is growing double-digit, with international visitors expected to drive a significant increase in air arrivals while domestic travelers continue to show interest in attending the festival.
  • UK airports improve accessibility as demand for assistance reaches record levels (Breaking Travel News 2026-08-05 07:38:18)
    UK’s aviation regulator publishes its annual Airport Accessibility Report for 2025/26, which assesses the quality of assistance services provided to disabled passengers and passengers with reduced mobility at the UK’s largest airports.
  • Eat Your Way Around Portugal (Breaking Travel News 2026-08-05 07:29:32)
    Portugal’s food is as diverse as its landscapes. From Atlantic seafood and Michelin-starred restaurants to rustic regional cooking and world-renowned wines, every destination serves up its own distinctive flavours.While summer brings an abundance of seasonal produce and vineyard harvests, the culinary calendar only gets richer as autumn and winter arrive, making now the best time to plan a food-focused escape.
  • Nuns, Gregorian Chant and Gong Baths: Provence Hotel Lou Calen Launches Unique Wellness Retreat (Breaking Travel News 2026-08-05 07:26:36)
    Sound baths may be the wellness trend of the moment, but above the village of Cotignac they have been sung for centuries. This November, Lou Calen, the hotel at the heart of Cotignac, officially one of France’s most beautiful villages, will host a three-day Sound Therapy & Qi Gong Retreat, and at the centre of the programme sits something no wellness menu can manufacture: a walk up to the Saint-Joseph monastery, where the sisters perform live Gregorian chant for the group.
  • Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa Serves Up an Exclusive Padel Retreat With Former World No. 1 (Breaking Travel News 2026-08-05 07:21:10)
    Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa invites padel aficionados and active travellers to trade the city court for an extraordinary island escape with The Maldives Padel Retreat, from 13 to 23 December 2026. Led by former World No. 1, Juani Mieres, the retreat invites guests to refine their game with a legend of the sport while embracing the pleasures of island life.The 10-day retreat brings together expert coaching on a state-of-the-art padel court overlooking the turquoise lagoon, island discovery and a curated programme of wellness, recreation and exploration.
  • Minor Hotels Introduces Avani Queenstown, a Lakeside Retreat in New Zealand’s Adventure Capital (Breaking Travel News 2026-08-05 07:17:41)
    Minor Hotels, a leading global hotel owner and operator, announces the upcoming opening of Avani Queenstown, a premium lifestyle hotel set to welcome guests from September 2026. Marking Avani’s debut in Queenstown, its New Zealand flagship and the brand’s second property in the country after Avani Auckland Metropolis Residences, the hotel continues Avani’s growth in New Zealand and across Australasia.Formerly Oaks Shores Resort, the property has undergone a significant transformation, reimagining the guest experience from serviced apartments into a full-service hotel aligned with Avani’s global design vision. The repositioning reflects a shift towards more connected, lifestyle-led stays, where design, functionality and social energy come together seamlessly.
  • EXPLORA III SETS SAIL (Breaking Travel News 2026-08-05 07:14:13)
    More than a ship, EXPLORA III is a destination in her own right – a floating hotel with an ever-changing view, where expansive design, refined gastronomy, ocean-inspired wellness and thoughtfully curated retail come together to create a bespoke travel experience defined by freedom and choice.