Latest headlines in Travel News

  • Meet the HSMAI Middle East’s three newly crowned Rockstars (Breaking Travel News 2025-12-12 12:03:21)
    In this special Breaking Travel News feature, we got to sit down with HSMAI Middle East’s three newly crowned Rockstars, Nawfal Mbamba, Kuda Mukonoweshuro, and Hasan Khan.Each brings a distinctive approach to innovation, from elevating product storytelling and unlocking demand in tertiary markets to reshaping F and B performance through real time intelligence. Together they represent a new generation of commercial leaders whose ideas are already influencing how hotels think, operate, and grow. Their insights reveal the challenges they set out to solve, the inspiration behind their winning concepts, and the impact their work is making across the region’s hospitality landscape.Read on as they take us inside their award winning pitches and share the lessons, breakthroughs, and ambitions shaping their journey.
  • Airbus and partners complete successful wake energy retrieval trials (Breaking Travel News 2025-12-12 12:01:11)
    Airbus in partnership with Air France, Delta Air Lines, French bee, and Virgin Atlantic, and operations partners, AirNav Ireland, DSNA, EUROCONTROL and NATS, has successfully completed a new phase of trials for Airbus’ fello’fly project.Fello’fly takes inspiration from migrating geese and showcases the power of collaboration by pairing flights to reduce fuel consumption. With this flying technique, the first aircraft creates an uplift that drives fuel efficiency for the following aircraft, called ‘wake energy retrieval’. Once operational, wake energy retrieval has the potential to make fuel savings of up to 5% on long-haul flights.
  • CANES & TALES AT WALDORF ASTORIA OSAKA SET TO HOST INAUGURAL ESSENCE SERIES EVENTS (Breaking Travel News 2025-12-12 11:58:39)
    Canes & Tales at Waldorf Astoria Osaka announces the first program of guest shifts, seminars, cultural exchanges and more as part of The Essence Series.Conceptualized by Hilton luxury brands as an annual event, The Essence Series was designed as a way to foster connection and creativity within the bar community in key cities across Asia-Pacific. Over several days within the host city, members of the trade are invited to a series of immersive events featuring top talent from Hilton bars as well as the wider region. With masterclasses, panel discussions, cultural exchanges and world class guest shifts, these events aim to celebrate the spirit of a city through bar culture.
  • Etihad Airways and Sotheby’s Announce Strategic Partnership (Breaking Travel News 2025-12-12 08:29:34)
    Etihad Airways, the UAE’s national airline, and Sotheby’s, the global destination for art and luxury announce a strategic partnership which will see Etihad become the Presenting Partner for Sotheby’s once-in-a-lifetime two-part exhibition, Icons: Back to Madison. The exhibition brings together some of the most iconic works ever sold under Sotheby’s banner, offering a rare opportunity to experience masterpieces spanning multiple centuries and collecting categories.
  • Emirates ends the year on high scooping 5 more global awards (Breaking Travel News 2025-12-12 08:25:05)
    Emirates is ending 2025 on a sky-high note with another 5 global accolades won, this time at the 32nd annual World Travel Awards, held in Bahrain. Adding to its impressive portfolio of more than 20 accolades received in 2025, the latest titles celebrate Emirates as a leading airline brand, as well as recognising its multi award-winning inflight entertainment system ice, more honours for Emirates First Class onboard experience and First Class Lounges, and another nod to Emirates Skywards – as the World’s Leading Airline Rewards Programme 2025.
  • Hilton Arcadia Los Angeles Is Officially Open (Breaking Travel News 2025-12-12 08:22:43)
    Hilton Arcadia Los Angeles, a 173-room contemporary retreat at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains, is officially open, expanding Hilton’s footprint in Southern California and masterfully hosting guests with expertise and care. Located steps from Santa Anita Park and the Los Angeles County Arboretum and minutes from the Rose Bowl and Pasadena’s cultural attractions, the hotel debuts contemporary guest rooms and suites, multiple world-class dining venues—including Arcadia’s only rooftop bar—and a robust collection of energizing amenities and iconic gathering spaces. The property is managed by Azul Hospitality Group, a San Diego-based hospitality management platform that provides an innovative approach to maximizing performance.
  • Slackline Moab, Outset Collection by Hilton Marks Debut of Company’s Latest Brand (Breaking Travel News 2025-12-12 08:19:30)
    Hilton proudly announces the debut of Slackline Moab, Outset Collection by Hilton, an inspired new property designed for explorers, outdoor enthusiasts and modern nomads. Accepting reservations for stays starting today, this 138-room retreat is the perfect basecamp for discovery nearby Arches and Canyonlands National Parks.“Slackline Moab was created for travelers who feel most alive outdoors, and we’re excited to welcome guests to their new basecamp in red rock country,” said Rebecca Cavallaro, general manager. “From trail-ready amenities to comfortable spaces for unwinding, we’ve designed every detail to help guests make the most of their Moab adventure.”
  • York Medellin Opens as Hilton’s First Curio Collection by Hilton Hotel in Medellín (Breaking Travel News 2025-12-12 08:13:56)
    Hilton announces the opening of York Medellin, Curio Collection by Hilton, marking the lifestyle brand’s debut in Colombia’s vibrant second-largest city. The hotel is the 27th Hilton property in Colombia and the third Curio Collection by Hilton in the country, following Cartagena and Bogota. Hilton’s lifestyle brands are expecting unstoppable growth in the Caribbean and Latin America with nearly 40 open hotels and plans to welcome nearly 40 properties, offering travelers immersive, one-of-a-kind experiences in some of the world’s most sought-after destinations.
  • Marriott Bonvoy Delivers Exclusive Member Experiences at The Snow League’s First-Ever Event in China (Breaking Travel News 2025-12-12 08:10:05)
    Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International’s award-winning travel platform teamed up with Shaun White, legendary snowboarder and founder of The Snow League, to welcome the league’s first event to China, its second event of the league’s inaugural season. As the official hotel and loyalty partner of The Snow League, Marriott Bonvoy further expanded its offerings in the sports and outdoor sector, following a successful debut in March 2025 in Aspen, Colorado, providing members with exclusive access to immersive winter adventures.
  • Las Balsas Wins Relais & Châteaux Sustainability Trophy 2026 (Breaking Travel News 2025-12-12 08:08:18)
    Argentine hotel Las Balsas is proud to announce it is the recipient of the Sustainability Trophy 2026 and revieved the award during the 2025 Relais & Châteaux Rendez-Vous event held at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.The award was presented to the hotel’s General Manager Sebastián Tuvio, by Laurent Gardinier, President of Relais & Châteaux, and Anthony Torkington, CEO of Relais & Château
  • Hotel Arts Barcelona Kicks Off Exclusive Partnership With FC Barcelona (Breaking Travel News 2025-12-12 08:05:52)
    Hotel Arts Barcelona has announced a landmark partnership with FC Barcelona, one of the world’s most celebrated football clubs and a symbol of Catalan pride, unveiling the “FC Barcelona Match Experience” stay package. The collaboration includes seats in the coveted Players’ Zone at Spotify Camp Nou, Barça’s home stadium.Combining the thrill of elite football with the sophistication of a stay at Hotel Arts Barcelona, the experience grants guests privileged access to the Players’ Zone, an area typically reserved for players and their closest companions, located directly behind or beside the team benches. From here, guests enjoy unmatched proximity to the squad and an exceptional view of the pitch. The vantage point also offers unique perspectives of the Players’ Tunnel and post-match interview area, placing fans at the very heart of the action.
  • Journeyscape Reveals Canada’s Top National Parks to Visit in 2026 (Breaking Travel News 2025-12-12 08:03:30)
    Specialist tour operator Journeyscape, in partnership with Destination Canada, has unveiled its definitive ranking of the most inspiring Canadian national parks to explore in 2026. The list compares parks using data on wildlife diversity, Instagram popularity, visitor reviews, accessibility, and park size - helping visitors to plan for unforgettable adventures.
  • Lisbon Named Europe’s Best MICE Destination (Breaking Travel News 2025-12-12 08:01:04)
    Lisbon has been named as Europe’s Best MICE Destination in 2025 at the 6th edition of the World MICE Awards, announced in Sakhir, Bahrain. The city once again stands out among the leading international destinations for congresses, meetings, and corporate events.This distinction, awarded for the third time, highlights Lisbon’s performance in the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) segment, which has gained increasing economic relevance and international visibility. The combination of efficient accessibility, hotel capacity, modern facilities, and a diverse cultural offer has contributed to consolidating Lisbon’s appeal.
  • WIZZ AIR LAUNCHES NEW ROUTE FROM LONDON GATWICK TO VALENCIA, SPAIN (Breaking Travel News 2025-12-12 07:58:48)
    Wizz Air today announces a new route connecting London Gatwick with Valencia, further expanding the airline’s connections from the UK to Spain.The route is the sixth new Spanish route Wizz Air will launch in 2026, joining recently announced connections between London Luton and Bilbao, Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia and Seville, reiterating Wizz Air’s position as a key provider of low-cost travel to Spain.
  • Phocuswright releases ‘Travel Forward: Data, Insights & Trends for 2026’, sponsored by Travel Guard (Breaking Travel News 2025-12-12 07:56:00)
    Phocuswright today released Travel Forward: Data, Insights & Trends for 2026, sponsored by Travel Guard, its annual year-end and year-ahead report that provides a clear, data-driven view of the $1.67 trillion global travel market. The free report brings together the company’s most insightful analysis and presents it through interactive charts and visuals that reveal the forces shaping the year ahead.The global travel industry enters 2026 with steady momentum. Total gross bookings are projected to reach $1.67 trillion as international demand strengthens and travelers continue to prioritize experiences despite economic and geopolitical pressures. Travel and tourism is expected to generate more than $11.7 trillion toward global GDP this year and support nearly 371 million jobs, underscoring the sector’s enduring resilience even as growth patterns vary by region.
  • Aloft Energizes Shanghai Hongqiao Transport Hub with New Hotel Opening (Breaking Travel News 2025-12-11 12:49:56)
    Aloft Hotels, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s global portfolio of more than 30 hotel brands, recently announced the opening of Aloft Shanghai Hongqiao. Nestled in the core of the West Hongqiao Business District, the new hotel neighbors the National Exhibition and Convention Center and the Hongqiao transportation hub. Offering a vibrant, social, and stylish stay for modern explorers, Aloft Shanghai Hongqiao features energetic public spaces, tech-savvy rooms, and a design-driven experience that’s anything but ordinary.
  • Where coconut palms hum and sustainability feels like luxury: Ana Mandara Cam Ranh (Breaking Travel News 2025-12-11 12:33:50)
    There’s a certain hush that falls the moment you slip off the beaten track and find yourself on Bai Dai’s sun-baked sand, palms tilting like ushers toward a long, quiet sea. At Ana Mandara Cam Ranh, that hush is intentional — not the silence of isolation but the carefully curated stillness of design that lets the ocean, garden and sky do the talking. It’s a place that has quietly been collecting accolades for that very balance: in 2025 Ana Mandara Cam Ranh was crowned Vietnam’s Leading Green Resort at the World Travel Awards.
  • Turkish Airlines Opens its First European Lounge Abroad in Edinburgh (Breaking Travel News 2025-12-11 12:24:09)
    Turkish Airlines has opened its first-ever European lounge at Edinburgh Airport, aside from the world-famous one at its Istanbul hub, bringing another dimension of its world-renowned hospitality to travellers in Scotland. The new lounge further elevates Edinburgh’s premium travel offering while reinforcing the airport’s growing role as an international gateway.Türkiye’s flag carrier, which flies to more countries than any other, hosted a celebratory event at Edinburgh International Airport on 10 December to mark the opening of its eighth lounge outside of Türkiye. Turkish Airlines continues to bring scaled-down slices of its five-star Lounge in İstanbul to its international gateways to maintain a seamless and luxurious experience.
  • Etihad for Business Enables Corporate Clients to Purchase Carbon-Offsets (Breaking Travel News 2025-12-11 12:22:11)
    Leveraging its existing collaboration with CarbonClick*, Etihad Airways has introduced a new enhancement to its Etihad for Business (EYB) platform, enabling corporate clients to redeem EYB credits for carbon-offsets directly through the Etihad for Business portal.
  • Ferrari World Abu Dhabi Celebrates 15 Years with Star-Studded Anniversary (Breaking Travel News 2025-12-11 10:44:36)
    Ferrari World Yas Island, Abu Dhabi celebrated its 15th anniversary on December 3, 2025, in the presence of Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari HP Formula 1 Driver, Ferrari executives including Maria Carla Liuni, Ferrari’s Chief Brand Officer, Julien Kauffmann, CEO of Miral Experiences, tier 1 media outlets, and the park’s dedicated annual pass holders and VIP guests. The milestone event brought together partners, fans and long-time supporters to honor 15 years of record-breaking rides, innovation and unforgettable family experiences under the park’s iconic red roof.