Latest headlines in Travel News

  • KERTEN HOSPITALITY EXPANDS KUWAIT FOOTPRINT WITH RAY HOTEL BY CLOUD 7 IN MANGAF (Breaking Travel News 2026-05-07 11:47:08)
    Global lifestyle hospitality leader Kerten Hospitality has assumed operations of Ray Hotel by Cloud 7, a contemporary lifestyle destination on the Arabian Gulf in Mangaf. The project marks the next chapter in Kerten Hospitality’s growth in Kuwait, where the group has been operational since 2021 with The House Hotel Al Khiran.
  • Emirates Group achieves record profit of AED 24.4 bn (US$ 6.6 bn) in 2025-26 (Breaking Travel News 2026-05-07 11:37:02)
    The Emirates Group today released its 2025-26 Annual Report, achieving new record profit, revenue, and cash balance levels, despite a disruptive and challenging 12th month in its financial year. Emirates is the world’s most profitable airline in the 2025-26 reporting period.
  • Dusit executive recognised with Thailand Meetings Leadership Award (Breaking Travel News 2026-05-07 11:35:05)
    Prachoom Tantiprasertsuk, Vice President – Operations (Central & Southern Thailand) and Government & Business Relations at Dusit International, and President of the Thailand Incentive and Convention Association (TICA), has received the prestigious Thailand Meetings Leadership Award at the inaugural Thailand MICE Legacy Awards 2026, organised by the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB).Presented during MICE Day 2026 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok on 29 April 2026, the award recognises individuals who have played a significant role in advancing Thailand’s meetings sector and strengthening the country’s position as a leading international MICE destination.
  • WTTC hosts historic Recovery & Leadership Cruise along Egypt’s Suez Canal (Breaking Travel News 2026-05-07 11:33:00)
    The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is hosting a unique Leadership Cruise on Egypt’s Suez Canal, one of the world’s most remarkable symbols of global trade.Attended by over 300 leaders from the public and private sectors, the WTTC Leadership Cruise is supported by the Egyptian Government, with sponsors including the Antonio Lefebvre Foundation, Visit Egypt, Crystal Cruises, Coral Travel Group and luxury tour specialist Abercrombie & Kent.
  • Maldives set to host Asia, Oceania and Indian Ocean tourism leaders for landmark World Travel Awards (Breaking Travel News 2026-05-07 11:28:17)
    World Travel Awards (WTA) has announced that the paradise nation of the Maldives will host industry leaders from across Asia, Oceania and the Indian Ocean for a blockbuster VIP Gala Ceremony to celebrate the best in travel and tourism. The flagship event will take place at CROSSROADS Maldives on World Tourism Day, 27 September 2026.
  • Mindtrip Launches Agentic AI Flight Booking for Travel Industry (Breaking Travel News 2026-05-07 10:16:04)
    A leading AI-powered travel booking startup named Mindtrip announced the launch of its all-inclusive flight booking experience powered by conversational artificial intelligence, created in collaboration with Sabre and PayPal. The Agentic AI flight booking system is designed to transform how travelers seamlessly book and manage their flights using advanced technology.
  • The Smart Way to Plan a City Day Between Check-Out and Departure (Breaking Travel News 2026-05-07 08:53:12)
    Practical guidance to plan productive city hours between hotel check-out and scheduled transport, focusing on transfers, luggage and timing.
  • Maldivian Private Island Residences and Idyllic Longer Stays Await at JA Manafaru this Eid (Breaking Travel News 2026-05-07 06:48:50)
    In a world where luxury is increasingly defined by time, space, and meaningful connection, get ready to embrace a more unhurried pace of island living at JA Manafaru. With two exceptional long-stay offers, ‘Stay 7 Nights, Pay for 5’ and the ‘Maldives Private Residence Escape’, this is a chance to linger longer, explore deeper, and experience the Maldives in a much more personal and intentional way.Tucked away in the northernmost reaches of the Maldives’ Haa Alifu Atoll, JA Manafaru offers a rare sense of seclusion paired with world-class hospitality. This private island sanctuary blends authentic Maldivian charm with refined luxury, where days unfold across powder-soft beaches, vibrant coral reefs, and immersive cultural experiences. Complete with spacious villas, expansive private residences, and a focus on wellbeing, dining, and discovery, the resort is the perfect setting for travellers seeking a deeper, more meaningful sojourn.
  • AirAsia orders 150 Airbus A220 aircraft powered by RTX’s Pratt & Whitney GTF engines (Breaking Travel News 2026-05-07 05:42:44)
    AirAsia X (AirAsia) has ordered 150 Airbus A220 aircraft powered by Pratt & Whitney GTF™ engines, with the first of these aircraft to be delivered starting in 2028. Pratt & Whitney, an RTX (NYSE: RTX) business, will provide AirAsia with engine maintenance through a 12-year EngineWise® Comprehensive service agreement.
  • Choice Hotels International Opens Its 70th Annual Convention (Breaking Travel News 2026-05-07 05:40:47)
    Choice Hotels International, Inc, one of the world’s largest lodging franchisors, today opened its 70th Annual Convention, bringing together thousands of franchise owners, operators, vendors and industry collaborators for three days centered on the theme of “Making More Possible” for its owners and operators—helping them capture new demand, enhance performance and build long-term success.
  • Experience Culture, Cuisine, and Coastline Activities Found Only in Miami Beach (Breaking Travel News 2026-05-07 05:38:07)
    This season, travelers seeking unique experiences exclusive to Miami Beach will find a selection of curated offerings that bring culture, cuisine, design and world-class events to the famous shores of the celebrated destination. From buzzy restaurant openings along Ocean Drive to immersive art beneath the ocean’s surface, Miami Beach is redefining what it means to experience a coastal destination that delivers modern luxury to discerning visitors.
  • Newly Renovated Oosterdam to Cruise Europe, the Caribbean and Panama Canal (Breaking Travel News 2026-05-07 05:35:02)
    Holland America Line is now accepting bookings for Oosterdam’s first collection of voyages following its debut as the inaugural ship to undergo Holland America Evolution, the cruise line’s largest fleet investment in its 153‑year history. Spanning eight itineraries and 15 departure dates, the new sailings give guests the earliest opportunity to experience Oosterdam’s onboard enhancements, paired with destination-rich itineraries across Europe, the Caribbean and North America.Oosterdam’s return to service marks the first chapter of Holland America Evolution, a multiyear modernization designed to bring the best of the fleet’s Pinnacle Class to more ships. Following the ship’s transformation, Oosterdam introduces new stateroom and suite categories created to reflect how guests travel today, while expanding access to signature venues.
  • Tourvest Launches Tulia to Open Up East African Safari Travel to a Wider Market (Breaking Travel News 2026-05-07 05:33:43)
    Tourvest Accommodation has launched Tulia, a new safari brand designed to deliver high-quality, experience-led travel at a more accessible price point, alongside the acquisition of the Wild Frontiers Uganda properties and activities business.The move strengthens Tourvest’s presence in East Africa and expands its portfolio across three distinct offerings: Lemala Camps and Lodges, Adrift and now Tulia — each serving different traveller needs across safari and adventure experiences.
  • Journeyscape Launches New Washington Dc Experiences for America’s 250th (Breaking Travel News 2026-05-07 05:31:34)
    As the United States prepares to mark 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence on 4 July 1776, Journeyscape, which specialises in tailor‑made holidays across all of North America is delighted to partner alongside Destination DC to introduce a collection of new Washington, DC experiences that invite travellers to explore the capital through art, food, culture and community. Rather than focusing solely on traditional historic narratives, these experiences highlight the diverse voices, neighbourhoods and stories that shape the city today.
  • New Luxury Safari Lodges Across Africa (Breaking Travel News 2026-05-07 05:29:18)
    It’s incredibly exciting to see the number of new safaris lodges opening across Africa over the next few months. Zambia in particular is seeing some very exciting new developments. A number of new properties are set to launch this year, as the travel trade builds anticipation at the recent OurAfrica.Travel digital trade show, at We Are Africa in Cape Town this week and at Indaba in Durban next week. New openings include:
  • W Maldives Introduces the Wavemaker Edit — a New Era of Cultural Collaborations Unfolding in June (Breaking Travel News 2026-05-07 05:27:01)
    W Maldives unveils The Wavemaker Edit, a new, ongoing series of curated collaborations with global talents, designed to bring fresh energy, creative exchange, and unexpected experiences to the island escape. Editorial in spirit and immersive by design, the series sets the stage for a dynamic cultural rhythm, where each chapter introduces a new perspective, across mixology, wellness, cuisine, music, and beyond.From June 3 to 14, 2026, the first edition of The Wavemaker Edit unfolds through two distinct yet complementary chapters—Island Alchemy and The Restore Ritual—offering guests a seamless journey between high-energy moments and mindful escape, and redefining Maldives luxury resort experiences.
  • Viking Opens Bookings for 2028–2029 Expedition Voyages (Breaking Travel News 2026-05-07 05:25:18)
    Viking® (www.viking.com) announced that its 2028–2029 expedition voyages are now open for booking, featuring newly released departure dates across the company’s most popular itineraries in the Arctic, Antarctica and the Great Lakes. Designed for immersive exploration in some of the world’s most remote regions, the expanded offerings include additional sailings of Viking’s epic Longitudinal World Cruises, which journey between the Great Lakes and Antarctica, as well as the unique Into the Antarctic Circle itinerary, offering guests the rare opportunity to cross the 66°33′ line of latitude into the Antarctic Circle—an honoured milestone among polar explorers.
  • Offering Full Refunds or Postponements on Cancelled Flights (Breaking Travel News 2026-05-07 05:23:36)
    Untravelled Paths, the specialist travel company renowned for crafting extraordinary journeys to the world’s most remarkable destinations, today announces the launch of its Flight Cancellation Protection policy, a direct and meaningful response to the growing uncertainty gripping the aviation industry as a result of the ongoing Middle East conflict and its impact on global fuel supplies.
  • Future Hospitality Summit Saudi Arabia announces packed programme for 2026 edition (Breaking Travel News 2026-05-07 05:20:22)
    Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) Saudi Arabia has released details of the programme for the 2026 edition, taking place from 22-24 June at Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah in Riyadh, bringing together investors, developers, operators and policymakers at a defining moment for the region’s hospitality sector.Positioned as the Kingdom’s leading deal-making and investment platform, FHS connects capital with opportunity. The 2025 edition welcomed more than 1,100 industry leaders and generated over US$1.6 billion in business opportunities, reinforcing its role as a key deal-making forum. 254 investors attended FHS Saudi Arabia last year, managing $ 5.61 trillion in assets.
  • AI adoption is creating travel’s highest‑value customers, new Phocuswright study shows (Breaking Travel News 2026-05-06 14:09:32)
    Travelers who use artificial intelligence for trip planning and in‑destination support are emerging as the industry’s most valuable customer segment, according to new research from Phocuswright.  The findings show that AI‑using travelers take more trips, spend significantly more per year and engage more deeply with digital travel tools than those who have not adopted AI.Phocuswright’s new report, The AI Surge: Travel’s Fastest Behavioral Shift in a Decade, reveals that AI travelers have a median household income of $129,200 compared to $104,000 for nonusers, and take 3.8 leisure trips per year versus 2.9 among nonusers. They also spend $4,500 annually on leisure travel, far outpacing the $3,000 spent by those who do not use AI.