Latest headlines in Travel News

  • Scenic Group Announces Long-Term Expansion in India (Breaking Travel News 2026-09-22 12:24:31)
    Scenic Group has announced a strategic partnership with Assam Bengal Navigation (ABN), marking its expansion onto the Brahmaputra River and a commitment to have two ultra-luxury Scenic river ships operating in India by 2029–30.The long-term agreement marks a significant next step in Scenic Group’s expansion within the India market and will bring together ABN’s more than two decades of experience, operating river cruises on the Brahmaputra and Ganges. This will align closely with Scenic’s global expertise in all-inclusive ultra-luxury cruising, international operations and unique immersive experiences, that connect guests with the unique destinations they visit.
  • MELIÁ DESERT PALM UNVEILS A NEW DAYCATION EXPERIENCE (Breaking Travel News 2026-09-22 12:15:45)
    Located within 160 acres of private polo fields and surrounded by lush greenery, Meliá Desert Palm offers a serene retreat just twenty minutes from Downtown Dubai. Combining boutique luxury with a tranquil countryside setting, the resort provides a welcome escape from the city, where expansive grounds, wellness experiences and relaxed dining come together to encourage guests to slow down and reconnect.From 23 September, Meliá Desert Palm introduces a new Daycation experience, inviting guests to indulge in a restorative wellness and dining journey for AED 549 per person. Designed to rejuvenate both body and mind, the experience begins at SAMĀNA Spa with a one-hour Restorative Relaxing Massage. Using gentle flowing techniques and natural oils, the treatment is crafted to ease tension, calm the mind and restore a sense of balance and wellbeing.
  • Holibob launches SDK that cuts experience-booking integration from six months to three days (Breaking Travel News 2026-09-22 12:09:17)
    New developer toolkit lets any travel brand stand up a live, bookable experiences storefront in days rather than quarters, permanently removing the engineering-roadmap blocker that has kept the £300bn experiences opportunity out of reach for much of the industry.
  • Suan Dusit Arun marks a year of positive urban impact, recording more than 951,000 (Breaking Travel News 2026-09-22 12:03:51)
    Following its first anniversary on 3 September 2026, Suan Dusit Arun – the 11,200 sq m public rooftop park at Dusit Central Park in the heart of Bangkok – has released its first set of visitor, community, and environmental performance data. The figures demonstrate strong public demand for accessible green space in the Thai capital, with an average of 2,621 unique daily visitors during the 12-month reporting period.
  • Saudi Tourism Authority to Showcase the Saudi Red Sea at Monaco Yacht Show 2026 (Breaking Travel News 2026-09-22 11:59:03)
    The Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) will lead Saudi’s participation at Monaco Yacht Show 2026, showcasing the Saudi Red Sea diverse destinations, experiences and opportunities emerging along Saudi’s western coastline.Representing an expansive coastline spanning multiple destinations, Saudi Red Sea brings together a diverse portfolio of coastal destinations and experiences, including AMAALA, The Red Sea, and Jeddah. Together, these destinations offer a distinctive proposition for the global yachting community, combining pristine waters, secluded islands, marine experiences, luxury resorts and exceptional hospitality.
  • Rotana and dnata Travel Group Sign Strategic MoU to Expand Global Distribution Reach (Breaking Travel News 2026-09-22 10:48:36)
    Rotana, one of the leading hotel management companies in the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe and Türkiye, has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with dnata Travel Group, which represents the travel division of dnata, one of the world’s largest air and travel services providers.Signed during Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026 in Dubai, the agreement will increase access to Rotana’s portfolio through dnata Travel Group’s travel brands and partner channels across leisure, wholesale, corporate and group travel.
  • Anantara Stanley & Livingstone Celebrates the Arrival of White Rhino for World Rhino Day (Breaking Travel News 2026-09-22 10:44:42)
    This World Rhino Day, Anantara Stanley & Livingstone Hotel, set in the lush Victoria Falls Private Game Reserve in Zimbabwe, is celebrating a historic conservation achievement: the arrival of the first white rhinos, in addition to the black rhinos in the reserve.Now home to both species, the reserve stands as one of the only places in Victoria Falls where guests can experience this in the wild. This achievement highlights the success of the reserve’s Intensive Protection Zone (IPZ), established in 2006, which provides a secure and thriving environment for these critical populations.
  • World Spa Awards reveals finest spa and wellness experiences for 2026 (Breaking Travel News 2026-09-22 09:59:43)
    World Spa Awards has announced its 2026 winners, celebrating excellence across the global spa and wellness industry. Now in its twelfth year, the awards programme recognises the outstanding spas, wellness retreats, brands and experiences setting the benchmark for excellence in a rapidly evolving sector.
  • BTN EXCLUSIVE: Inside Etihad’s vision for the future at Arabian Travel Market (Breaking Travel News 2026-09-22 08:55:27)
    An immersive virtual tour of Etihad Airways’ Arabian Travel Market 2026 stand offers a closer look at the aircraft cabins, lounge concepts and new products shaping the Abu Dhabi carrier’s next phase of growth.
  • Beyond the Villa:  The Maldives, But With More on the Menu (Breaking Travel News 2026-09-22 06:57:47)
    For GCC travellers who want more from a Maldives holiday than the traditional fly-and-flop escape, CROSSROADS Maldives is putting dining, socialising and entertainment at the heart of the island experience.On 24 September, the destination will welcome SunRay Maldives, a new oceanfront social and swim club bringing together laid-back daytime gatherings, playful programming and sunset socialising. Its arrival adds another dimension to The Marina @ CROSSROADS, where 12 restaurants and bars, live entertainment, shopping, wellness and activities connect three resorts within one destination.CROSSROADS Maldives is the proud host of the Asia, Oceania & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony of the World Travel Awards on the 27th of this month.
  • INTELETRAVEL TO WELCOME 500 INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS TO ANNUAL ITQ CONFERENCE IN KRAKOW (Breaking Travel News 2026-09-22 06:54:17)
    InteleTravel, the world’s oldest and largest host travel agency with a growing network of more than 170,000 independent travel advisors worldwide, will bring together 500 advisors, partners and industry leaders in Krakow, Poland, for its largest and most comprehensive annual conference. ITQ (InteleTravelQuest) 2026, will run under this year’s theme ‘Xcelerate Your Success’.Taking place from 25th – 27th September, ITQ 2026 will deliver an intensive programme focused on empowering advisors to think like CEOs, strengthen their entrepreneurial mindset, improve sales performance, maximise social media engagement, understand the growing importance of accessible travel and continue delivering exceptional customer service.
  • EXPLORA I RETURNS TO MONACO, SECURING A FRONT ROW SEAT FOR THE GRAND PRIX DE MONACO 2027 (Breaking Travel News 2026-09-22 06:48:06)
    As anticipation builds for one of the world’s most glamorous sporting and social events, Explora Journeys has today opened reservations for suite-only stays and suites with 3-day Grandstand access aboard EXPLORA I for the FORMULA 1® GRAND PRIX DE MONACO 2027. Suites with 3-day Paddock Club™ hospitality will also be released soon, offering guests an additional opportunity to experience the race weekend with access to gourmet dining, pit lane walks and appearances by Formula 1 legends.
  • SILVERSEA’S SILVER SPIRIT DEPARTS ON GRAND VOYAGE MEDITERRANEAN 2026 (Breaking Travel News 2026-09-22 06:44:31)
    Silversea, the leading experiential luxury and expedition travel brand, has embarked on its Grand Voyage Mediterranean 2026 – a 50-day journey aboard Silver Spirit connecting Lisbon to Athens (Piraeus). Sailing through 7 November, the voyage spans 40 destinations, 12 countries, and 48 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, pairing iconic calls such as Istanbul, Dubrovnik, Casablanca, and Barcelona with lesser-travelled stops including Volos, Gythion, Kotor, and Amalfi.
  • CHTA NAMES G ADVENTURES FOUNDER BRUCE POON TIP AS KEYNOTE SPEAKER (Breaking Travel News 2026-09-22 06:36:52)
    The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) today announced that Bruce Poon Tip, founder of G Adventures and one of the travel industry’s most influential entrepreneurs, will deliver the keynote address at the 2026 Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF), taking place November 16-18 at the Wyndham Grand Barbados Sam Lord’s Castle All-Inclusive Resort.
  • QANTAS JOINS FORCES WITH ROBERT IRWIN, ROBERT IRWIN… AND ROBERT IRWIN TO SHOWCASE AUSTRALIA (Breaking Travel News 2026-09-22 06:33:41)
    Qantas today announced a collaboration with wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin, marking the occasion with a campaign image featuring an entire cabin full of the man himself. The campaign also features Robert and a Qantas cabin crew explaining to the world that “nah yeah” means yes and “yeah nah” means no, and discovering another Qantas cabin crew has had his artwork tattooed on their arm for years.
  • Royalton Hotels & Resorts Returns to Full Strength in Jamaica with Five Resorts Open (Breaking Travel News 2026-09-22 06:29:45)
    Royalton Hotels & Resorts has officially reopened its complete Jamaica portfolio, welcoming travelers back to five resorts across Negril and Montego Bay following a significant investment in accommodations, public spaces and the overall guest experience.Royalton Negril, Royalton Hideaway Negril and Grand Lido Negril are now welcoming guests on Jamaica’s celebrated west coast, while Royalton Blue Waters and Royalton Hideaway Blue Waters have reopened in Montego Bay, bringing the company’s full Jamaican resort collection back into operation.
  • The Lind Hotels Set to Open Its Next Chapter in Coron, Palawan (Breaking Travel News 2026-09-22 06:26:25)
    The Lind Hotels is set to open The Lind Coron in 2027, marking the homegrown Filipino hospitality brand’s expansion into Palawan and a return to the destination where its story first began.More than a decade ago, Coron was the company’s first property acquisition and the place where the idea for The Lind Hotels began to take shape. The company later chose Boracay, then a more established tourism destination, to introduce the brand before returning to its original plans for Coron.
  • Tencent Cloud and Boost Collaborate to Accelerate Digital Transformation Across Southeast Asia (Breaking Travel News 2026-09-22 06:24:04)
    Tencent Cloud, the cloud business of global technology company Tencent, today announced its partnership with Boost, a regional fintech leader and digital bank, to support the fintech’s digital transformation and innovation initiatives across Malaysia and Indonesia.
  • MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL RECOGNIZED WITH 56 MICHELIN KEYS ACROSS ASIA PACIFIC EXCLUDING CHINA (Breaking Travel News 2026-09-22 06:20:55)
    Marriott International is delighted to announce that 44 of its hotels across Asia Pacific excluding China received a total of 56 MICHELIN Keys at the 2026 global MICHELIN Key Awards. The recognition reflects Marriott International’s strategic focus on delivering distinctive hospitality experiences rooted in local culture, innovative design, and genuine service excellence.
  • Q&A with Stéphane Baghdassarian Senior VP Development Hotels & Restaurants at Groupe Lucien Barrière (Breaking Travel News 2026-09-22 06:09:17)
    BTN caught up with Stéphane Baghdassarian, a recognized executive in the luxury hospitality industry. He currently serves as the Senior Vice President Development Hotels & Restaurants at Groupe Lucien Barrière, where he leads the expansion of the group’s hospitality portfolio and development initiatives.Stéphane has extensive experience in hotel development and investment across Europe.