Latest headlines in Travel News

  • BTN Interviews: Hala Matar Choufany, President for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia at HVS (Breaking Travel News 2026-08-26 15:32:57)
    Hala Matar Choufany, President for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia at HVS, is one of the hospitality industry’s most experienced and influential advisers. Over the past two decades, she has advised on more than 5,000 hospitality and mixed-use projects across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia, working with owners, investors and developers on valuations, acquisitions, asset management, strategic investment, development and contract negotiations.In this interview with Breaking Travel News, Choufany examines the forces reshaping global hospitality, from the shift towards stronger operational performance and asset management to changing guest expectations, talent shortages and the growing influence of artificial intelligence. She also explores the opportunities emerging across the Middle East and Africa, why the next phase of hospitality growth will depend as much on people and execution as new development, and what industry leaders should be discussing as they gather at FHS World in Dubai.
  • AI now central to travel experience in United States finds Amadeus (Breaking Travel News 2026-08-26 15:17:49)
    AI can help simplify choices and make travel planning more relevant, but travellers still want confidence, reassurance, and ultimately the final say when it comes to making important travel decisions
  • WTM Spotlight Riyadh Highlights Human Capital as Key to Saudi Tourism Growth (Breaking Travel News 2026-08-26 15:07:10)
    As Saudi Arabia moves into the next phase of its tourism transformation, developing the skills, leadership and local capabilities required to translate unprecedented investment into sustainable economic value will become increasingly important, according to Ibrahim Osta, Senior Economic Growth Director and Global Tourism Lead at Chemonics International, and Professor of Management at the George Washington University School of Business.
  • The Level at Meliá White House launches an exclusive residency with Nilam Holmes (Breaking Travel News 2026-08-26 13:10:28)
    Meliá White House, part of Meliá Hotels International, is excited to announce a new residency between Nilam Holmes, founder of Dermaspa and a renowned skin and brow expert, and The Level at Meliá White House. Renowned for her work with A-listers and as a guest expert on shows like 10 Years Younger, Nilam Holmes has pioneered innovations such as HD Brows, Collagenwave, and Eyebrow Queen cosmetics. Nilam and her expert team will now offer advanced beauty and aesthetics treatments exclusively at The Level, Meliá White House.
  • Airlines Expand North American Connectivity to Israel Amid Renewed Travel Demand (Breaking Travel News 2026-08-26 12:02:21)
    Tourism to Israel is poised for renewed momentum as leading U.S. and Canadian airlines prepare to restore nonstop service to Tel Aviv, expanding access from key North American gateway markets in the months ahead. The return of major carriers signals growing confidence in the market and provides travelers with more direct options to reach Israel as demand for travel rebounds.
  • Helvetia & Bristol Firenze unveils “Beyond the Fragment” (Breaking Travel News 2026-08-26 11:00:30)
    Helvetia & Bristol Firenze – Starhotels Collezione celebrates one of Florence’s most anticipated cultural events this fall with Beyond the Fragment, a new experience bringing together art and wellness, inspired by Broken. The Power of the Fragment, the exhibition on view at Palazzo Strozzi from September 25, 2026.
  • New travel jobs rise 24 per cent in July (Breaking Travel News 2026-08-26 10:54:43)
    With a jump of nearly a quarter, it was a hot July for the travel jobs market, according to the latest figures from C&M Travel Recruitment.The number of new travel job opportunities increased by 24 per cent last month, meaning that July’s total was the highest since February. Compared to July 2025, the figure was down by just one per cent.
  • Gulf Travel and Entertainment Spending Holds Steady This Summer Despite an Unstable Backdrop (Breaking Travel News 2026-08-26 10:50:57)
    Business travel bookings across MENA rose 34.2% this summer and event ticket sales grew across most GCC markets, even as the region navigated a volatile year. Data from Tumodo and Platinumlist shows demand holding firm while travellers and audiences become more deliberate about how they spend.
  • Malta Tourism Authority Joins the World Travel & Tourism Council as a Destination Partner (Breaking Travel News 2026-08-26 10:33:34)
    The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is pleased to welcome the Malta Tourism Authority as a Destination Partner, further strengthening collaboration with one of Europe’s most dynamic tourism destinations and the host of WTTC’s Global Summit 2026 in Valletta.
  • Korean Air launches non-stop service to Melbourne (Breaking Travel News 2026-08-26 09:46:37)
    Korean Air will launch a non-stop service between Seoul Incheon and Melbourne, operating three times a week from December 18 through March 14, 2027.Driven by steady growth in travel between South Korea and Australia, the new route complements Korean Air’s year-round operations to Sydney and Brisbane. The service provides travelers with expanded non-stop options to Australia’s key cultural and business hubs during the peak winter travel period.
  • Brazil welcomes the highest number of British tourists since the 2014 FIFA World Cup (Breaking Travel News 2026-08-26 07:02:20)
    The number of British tourists visiting Brazil has increased by 11.61% between January and July 2026 in comparison to the same period in 2025, reaching 121,990. This is the second best result in the entire historical series, just behind 2014, when Brazil hosted the FIFA World Cup and 133,328 British tourists visited the country from January to July. In July alone, the growth was 14.19%, reaching 13,881 British tourists in comparison to 12,156 in July last year, the best result for the month since 2017. The data was released by Embratur with the Ministry of Tourism (MTur) and the Federal Police (PF).
  • Casago Completes Local Franchise Sales of Former Vacasa Markets (Breaking Travel News 2026-08-26 06:59:20)
    Just over one year after completing its acquisition of Vacasa, the largest vacation rental management company in the industry, Casago today announced it has completed the sale of all former Vacasa markets. In September, the company will conclude the process of moving markets into local franchise ownership or new ownership structures.
  • Discover Pahang for less with Malaysia Airlines’ Bonus Side Trip (Breaking Travel News 2026-08-26 06:45:21)
    Travellers booking Malaysia Airlines flights from the UK to Asia and Australasia can now uncover another side of Malaysia, with a complimentary domestic return flight from Kuala Lumpur, through the airline’s ‘Bonus Side Trip’ promotion. With only applicable taxes to pay, the offer allows travellers to add a stopover at one of eight Malaysian destinations on either their outbound or return journey. Among them is Kuantan, the capital of Pahang - Peninsular Malaysia’s largest state, where mountain ranges, vast rainforest, beaches and cascading waterfalls offer a scenic alternative to the country’s more well-known destinations. The promotion is available online or via travellers preferred agents.
  • The Top 1% Now Plan the Mediterranean Around September (Breaking Travel News 2026-08-26 06:32:02)
    September villa enquiries are arriving earlier and from wealthier households than the shoulder season has ever drawn — and the fully staffed houses are closing first.
  • dnata launches cargo integrated command centre to support million-tonne UAE operation (Breaking Travel News 2026-08-26 06:04:14)
    dnata, a leading global air and travel services provider, has evolved its existing cargo control centre into a new Cargo Integrated Command Centre (CICC) in Dubai, bringing enhanced technology, operational data and decision-making capabilities together to strengthen the performance of its cargo operations across the UAE.
  • Fliggy Becomes Ryanair’s Approved OTA Partner in China (Breaking Travel News 2026-08-26 05:59:41)
    Fliggy, a leading online travel services platform and a wholly owned subsidiary of Alibaba Group and 89988 and Ryanair today announced a direct connectivity partnership that will enable Ryanair flights to be sold on Fliggy through Ryanair’s official API connection.
  • Park Hyatt Sets its Sights on Portugal with Projected Debut in Comporta (Breaking Travel News 2026-08-26 05:57:27)
    Hyatt Hotels Corporation and Portuguese real estate developer Coporgest today announced that affiliates of the companies have entered into agreements for the development, branding and operation of Park Hyatt Comporta and Park Hyatt Comporta Residences, expected to open in 2029.
  • ASEAN Film Festival 2026 Opens (Breaking Travel News 2026-08-26 05:55:40)
    The ASEAN Film Festival (AFF) 2026, organised by the Hong Kong-ASEAN Foundation Limited (HKAF), has officially opened, presenting a vibrant programme of films and related activities across Hong Kong. The Festival commenced on 20 August with an opening event attended by government officials, Consuls-General, cultural partners, filmmakers, and guests from across the region, marking the start of a citywide celebration of storytelling, creativity and cultural dialogue.
  • Visit West Hollywood Highlights the City’s Design Legacy as Design West Hollywood Returns Autumn (Breaking Travel News 2026-08-26 05:52:57)
    West Hollywood has cemented its reputation as one of the world’s leading creative capitals, where fashion, architecture, interiors, hospitality and art converge to shape a destination defined by design. From iconic Modernist landmarks and globally recognized showrooms to style-setting hotels, galleries and culture-filled streets, design is woven into West Hollywood’s DNA. For travelers chasing inspiration, West Hollywood offers a front-row pass to the ideas, spaces and creative minds shaping global trends.
  • Discover Sapporo This Fall with Hyatt Centric: Reservations Are Now Open (Breaking Travel News 2026-08-26 05:49:17)
    Hyatt Centric Sapporo announced today that reservations are now open for stays beginning December 1, 2026, ahead of its fall 2026 debut. Located in the heart of Sapporo, the vibrant capital of Hokkaido in northern Japan, the hotel will serve as an ideal home base for travelers looking to discover the city and explore the wider wonders of Hokkaido.