Latest headlines in Travel News

  • Hostaway fuels its next phase of growth by expanding leadership team (Breaking Travel News 2026-07-25 08:52:50)
    Hostaway, the leading AI-driven vacation rental property management software (PMS), today announced the appointment of three senior executives to its leadership team. These strategic hires come as the company enters its next phase of scaling, following a milestone year in 2025 where it became the first vacation rental management software unicorn.Joining the executive leadership team are Robert Goldenberg as Chief Financial Officer to lead the company’s financial strategy, Janis Rozenblats as Chief Product Officer to drive product innovation and AI, and Darcy Kurtz as Chief Marketing Officer to accelerate global brand growth.
  • Global Sustainable Tourism Council’s New Food and Beverage Standard Sets 30% Plant-Based Benchmark (Breaking Travel News 2026-07-25 08:49:43)
    The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) wins praise for its new Food and Beverage Standard, a significant milestone in advancing sustainability across F&B operations in the global hospitality and tourism industries. Among other provisions, the new Standard requires companies seeking GSTC certification to ensure that at least 30% of main dishes and meal options are plant-based or predominantly plant-based (defined in the Standard as at least 95% plant-based by weight).
  • Italy’s Most Fascinating Historical Sites, According to a Travel Expert (Breaking Travel News 2026-07-25 08:44:42)
    Interest in Italy’s rich history and cultural heritage is on the rise, with searches for “Pompeii tours"1 increasing by more than 5,000% over the last month, while searches for “UNESCO Italy"2 have risen by 80% in the past week alone.While Italy is known for its food, coastline and picturesque towns, it is also home to more UNESCO World Heritage Sites than any other country in the world, with 61 recognised cultural and natural landmarks3. From Rome’s iconic ruins and Pompeii’s frozen in time streets to Sicily’s Greek temples and Ravenna’s Byzantine mosaics, every region offers a different chapter of the country’s story.
  • Avianca Cargo and DSV transport 58 tons of humanitarian aid to Venezuela (Breaking Travel News 2026-07-25 08:36:53)
    Avianca Cargo, a member of the Abra Group, and DSV, joined forces to transport 58 tons of humanitarian aid to Venezuela in support of communities affected by the recent earthquakes.Operated by an A330F freighter, the humanitarian flight departed from Miami and arrived in Caracas carrying medical supplies, food, hydration kits, personal hygiene products, and other essential relief items to help address the most urgent needs of affected communities.
  • Hong Kong Disneyland Continues to Enhance Guest Experience Through Flexible Weather Adaptations (Breaking Travel News 2026-07-25 08:33:22)
    As Hong Kong’s summer weather becomes increasingly unpredictable, with periods of extreme heat, high humidity, and occasional rain showers and thunderstorms, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort (HKDL) continues to enhance its facilities and operations to better support guests and cast members throughout the season.
  • SONOMA COUNTY TOURISM INVITES TRAVELLERS TO EXPERIENCE ‘SLONOMA’ (Breaking Travel News 2026-07-25 07:59:38)
    Sonoma County in Northern California is embracing the easing pace of modern travel with ‘Slonoma’ - inviting visitors to slow down, reconnect with nature and experience life at the source. Long-known as a haven for pioneers seeking a more grounded way of living, the opportunities to go Slonoma in Sonoma County offer visitors the chance to travel in a way that’s intentional, restorative and deeply connected to place.
  • Brits are more likely to have seen overseas landmarks than British ones (Breaking Travel News 2026-07-25 07:58:01)
    Brits are more likely to have seen overseas landmarks than British ones, according to research.The poll of 2,000 adults revealed more have seen the Eiffel Tower (55 per cent) than some of Britain’s most popular landmarks, including Tower of London (54 per cent), Tower Bridge (53 per cent) and Trafalgar Square (52 per cent).As well as more people visiting them, it was found they were also more likely to be able to identify landmarks abroad than those on home soil.
  • Rebalance Earth backs landmark transformation of Broughton Sanctuary (Breaking Travel News 2026-07-25 07:53:26)
    One of Yorkshire’s best-known regenerative tourism destinations, Broughton Sanctuary, is set to accelerate its ambitious landscape restoration programme after securing major long-term investment from natural capital manager Rebalance Earth.The investment will fully fund and accelerate the restoration of 607 hectares at Broughton Sanctuary, near Skipton on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, helping transform former farmland into thriving woodland, wetlands and wildlife habitat. The project has also become the first site in the UK to be registered as an Environmental Account under the internationally recognised Accounting for Nature Standard, providing independent verification of the environmental improvements being delivered.
  • Cunard launches exclusive 10% loyalty saving for returning guests on 2027 and 2028 voyages (Breaking Travel News 2026-07-25 07:40:10)
    Luxury British cruise line Cunard has launched an exclusive 10% saving for returning guests on selected 2027 and 2028 voyages, creating a compelling sales opportunity for travel agents ahead of the peak summer holiday period.The launch gives travel agents the opportunity to combine the exclusive 10% past guest saving with on board credit of up to US$250 on qualifying bookingsTo support the campaign, Cunard’s sales team will visit travel agent partners across the UK, raising awareness of the offer and encouraging agents to reconnect with their loyal Cunard customers. The initiative comes ahead of the main summer holiday period, providing agents with a timely moment to reconnect with loyal Cunard guests and drive repeat bookings
  • Arigato Travel Celebrates Welcoming Over 100,000 Guests Across Japan (Breaking Travel News 2026-07-25 07:39:39)
    Arigato Travel, Japan’s leading culinary and cultural tourism company, is proud to announce a major milestone: more than 100,000 guests have now experienced Japan through the company’s tours, tailor-made journeys, and cultural experiences!
  • 80% of Gen Z research unplanned side trips (Breaking Travel News 2026-07-25 07:00:10)
    New research* from global trip discovery and planning platform Rome2Rio found that 70% of American travelers researched an unplanned side trip in the past year – rising to 80% among Gen Z. And 88% of those who considered one ultimately took a side trip (a trip departing from their main destination).
  • Cheval Collection wins prestigious Best Cross-Brand Contribution at Global Hotel Alliance Awards (Breaking Travel News 2026-07-24 07:37:08)
    Cheval Collection, the UK-based luxury hotel apartments and branded residences company with a growing portfolio of properties in the Middle East, has been crowned Best Cross-Brand Contribution at the 2026 Global Hotel Alliance Awards.Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) – the world’s largest alliance of independent hotel brands and operator of the award-winning GHA DISCOVERY loyalty programme – recognised Cheval Collection as the enrolling brand that inspired the most member stays across other GHA brands.
  • IHG Hotels & Resorts to open first Kimpton in Indonesia (Breaking Travel News 2026-07-24 06:57:33)
    IHG Hotels & Resorts has unveiled a first look at Kimpton Suntaya Bali Ubud, set to debut later this year as the luxury lifestyle brand’s highly anticipated arrival in Indonesia. Designed as an extension of Bali’s creative energy, the hotel will embody Kimpton’s signature approach to human hospitality, intuitive service, and design-forward spaces that invite curiosity and connection.A spark in the heart of Ubud, Kimpton Suntaya Bali Ubud is located at Jalan Bisma and a short walk from Ubud’s iconic landmarks, including the Ubud Art Market and the historic Ubud Palace and Water Palace, which was designed by the Balinese Master Artist, I Gusti Nyoman Lempad.
  • Banyan Group Residences Unveils Exclusive Banyan Tree Beach Residences Varuna at Laguna Phuket (Breaking Travel News 2026-07-24 06:52:43)
    Banyan Group Residences has unveiled Banyan Tree Beach Residences Varuna, a collection of just eight beachfront townhomes within Laguna Phuket. Positioned directly on Bang Tao Beach, the development offers a rare opportunity to own a branded residence on one of Phuket’s most sought-after stretches of coastline.Inspired by a “Coastal Biophilia” design philosophy, the architecture connects each residence closely to its beachfront setting. Curved building lines echo wave motion, while slatted timber cladding and trellis screening reference sand and shifting coastal light. Floor-to-ceiling glazing along ocean-facing elevations frames sweeping Andaman Sea views, and each residence’s private rooftop infinity pool and terrace are oriented west to capture the sunset.
  • EXPLORA JOURNEYS TAKES DELIVERY OF EXPLORA III (Breaking Travel News 2026-07-24 06:01:31)
    The delivery of EXPLORA III at Fincantieri’s Sestri Ponente shipyard in Genoa today marks another significant milestone in the growth of Explora Journeys, the ultra-elegant ocean travel brand of the MSC Group. EXPLORA III also represents the next phase of MSC Group’s investment of more than €3.5 billion in its fleet, with all six ships designed and built by Fincantieri in Italy—a long-standing partnership that showcases the very best of Italian shipbuilding, craftsmanship and innovation.
  • Simon Winchester Appointed as Resort Manager of Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort (Breaking Travel News 2026-07-24 05:55:21)
    Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort, is pleased to announce the appointment of Simon Winchester as resort manager, following his highly accomplished six-year tenure overseeing the award-winning resort’s acclaimed food and beverage program.Winchester assumes the role following a successful term as executive assistant manager of food & beverage, guiding one of the Caribbean’s most dynamic luxury hospitality portfolios. Since joining Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort in 2020, he has managed a food and beverage collection encompassing six dining venues, retail concepts, private dining experiences, and in-villa culinary programming. His strategic vision and operational expertise helped drive the continued evolution of the resort’s culinary and beverage offerings. Most recently, under his leadership, Saltwood, one of the resort’s signature restaurants, earned a Wine Spectator Restaurant Award for its thoughtfully curated wine program.
  • InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort Announces 2026 Festive Programme ‘12 Pearls of the Ocean (Breaking Travel News 2026-07-24 05:49:32)
    InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort has unveiled its 2026 festive programme, themed ‘12 Pearls of the Ocean’. Inspired by the beauty and rarity of the ocean’s treasures, the concept invites guests on a festive journey, with each pearl revealing a new chapter of surprise, celebration, and discovery. Taking place from 20 December 2026 to 7 January 2027, the programme will feature an exceptional line-up of events, residencies, and special guest appearances.
  • New survey finds photography has overtaken traditional holiday priorities (Breaking Travel News 2026-07-24 05:46:36)
    For most Brits, a holiday isn’t complete without a shortlist of the best historic landmarks and the trendiest restaurants. But new research reveals photography is just as key to the itinerary, with one in 10 Brits taking more than 500 photos on a single trip.MPB, the world’s largest online platform for used photo and video equipment, surveyed 1,000 British holidaymakers to uncover their holiday habits. On average, Brits spend £136.21 on holiday extras purely for the sake of a photo opportunity, with over a quarter (27%) forking out £200–£500 on a room upgrade alone to make their accommodation more photogenic.
  • BRAHMAN HILLS WINS KZN TOP BUSINESS GREEN AWARD FOR SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR (Breaking Travel News 2026-07-24 05:43:30)
    Brahman Hills has once again been honoured with the Renewable Efficiency & Green Initiatives Award at the KZN Top Business Awards, marking its second consecutive win in the category.The recognition reflects the work already taking place across the property, where Brahman Hills invests in renewable energy, manages water responsibly, reduces waste, protects biodiversity and continues to find better ways to care for the land it calls home.
  • The impact of AI on boutique luxury hotels (Breaking Travel News 2026-07-24 05:41:20)
    As Jaya House River Park Siem Reap celebrates its 10th anniversary, the independently owned boutique hotel has reflected on a decade of guest booking habits, revealing how luxury travel planning is rapidly evolving. Potential guests now want far more than the traditional (chain) hotels can provide and thanks to the new world (AI) these options are at our individual fingertips.For the past decade, Jaya House River Park has built its reputation the traditional way - exceptional guest experiences, online reviews and word of mouth. As the award-winning boutique hotel celebrates its tenth anniversary, being different, sincere and having a proven track record is paying off in new ways. Guest data reveals that while travellers are increasingly using AI to plan their holidays, and the qualities that made independent hotels successful haven’t changed – but are being discovered differently.