Day Headlines in Travel News: 2025-01-07

  • Sustainability Spotlight: Agnes Pierce, Global Head of Sustainability, Hospitality, Amadeus (Breaking Travel News 2025-01-07 17:23:43)
    As Global Head of Sustainability for Hospitality at Amadeus, Agnes Pierce has leveraged her passion for environmental stewardship to play a pivotal role in driving the company’s sustainability initiatives. Justin Cooke of World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards met up with Agnes to find out more about her approaches to sustainability, and how collaboration is the key to building a net positive future for tourism.
  • Bahrain makes waves: unveiling the Middle East’s first Surf Park in 2026 (Breaking Travel News 2025-01-07 16:59:50)
    Bahrain has announced the launch of Bahrain Surf Park – Club Hawaii Experience, the first surf park in the MENA region to use state-of-the-art ‘Wavegarden Cove’ technology from Spain. Set to open in early 2026, Bahrain Surf Park will be located on the southwest side of the island, on Bahrain’s sunset coast.
  • ATM 2025 to address soaring growth within the aviation sector as connectivity takes centre stage (Breaking Travel News 2025-01-07 08:03:45)
    Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025 to welcome the world’s aviation industry to discuss the latest trends impacting the sector, in line with this year’s theme, ‘Global Travel: Developing Tomorrow’s Tourism Through Enhanced Connectivity’New technology, sustainable aviation, corporate travel, and the ‘gate escape’ to be discussed in detailThe international travel community will explore a broad range of industry-related opportunities at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 28 April to 1 May 2025
  • Minor Hotels Europe & Americas to Debut in the Heart of the Alps (Breaking Travel News 2025-01-07 07:15:46)
    Minor Hotels Europe & Americas announces the upcoming addition of NH Collection Alagna Mirtillo Rosso to the portfolio of the upper-upscale NH Collection Hotels & Resorts brand in Italy. Located in the heart of the Pennine Alps, the four-star property will undergo a renovation process and officially open its doors under the new brand in March 2025.
  • United Announces Accelerated Timeline for Starlink’s Industry-Leading Connectivity in the Sky (Breaking Travel News 2025-01-07 06:43:16)
    United Airlines have announced an accelerated timeline to bring Starlink – the world’s fastest, most reliable connectivity in the sky – to United travelers around the world.The airline now expects to begin testing Starlink next month with the first commercial flight anticipated to take off this spring on a United Embraer E-175 aircraft. United now plans to outfit its entire two-cabin regional fleet by the end of this year and have its first mainline Starlink-enabled plane in the air before the end of this year.
  • Cirium names Delta most on-time North American airline (Breaking Travel News 2025-01-07 06:39:08)
    Delta has once again earned the Platinum Award for operational excellence from aviation analytics firm Cirium by delivering the best on-time performance among airlines in North America in 2024.
  • Qatar Airways to Resume Flights to Syria (Breaking Travel News 2025-01-07 06:22:35)
    Qatar Airways is pleased to announce the resumption of three weekly flights to Damascus, Syria, from 7 January 2025. This marks a significant step in reconnecting the region and providing passengers with seamless access to Qatar Airways’ extensive global network of more than 170 destinations.
  • Etihad opens dedicated U.S. Preclearance Lounge at Zayed International Airport (Breaking Travel News 2025-01-07 06:09:42)
    Etihad Airways opened its new Etihad U.S. Preclearance Lounge at Zayed International Airport on 30 December, enhancing the travel experience for passengers flying to the United States.Located steps away from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Preclearance facility, the new lounge provides eligible guests with a serene space to unwind after completing their U.S. entry formalities and before boarding their flight.The thoughtfully designed facility features a refined selection of beverages and light dining options, complementing Etihad’s premium travel experience. Select flights offer the convenience of direct boarding from the lounge, enhancing the seamless journey.
  • perience The Ultimate Adventure With The World’s First ‘Aqua Slidecoaster’ On A Cruise Ship In 2025 (Breaking Travel News 2025-01-07 06:08:47)
    Vacationers can anticipate the debut of the world’s first ‘Aqua Slidecoaster’ aboard a groundbreaking cruise ship.This innovative ride, a first on both land and sea, will be the highlight of the upcoming Norwegian Aqua cruise liner. Spanning the ship’s upper deck, the Aqua Slidecoaster utilizes magnetic propulsion to launch riders at speeds over 30 miles per hour.
  • Experience The Ultimate Adventure With The World’s First Aqua Slidecoaster On A Cruise Ship In 2025 (Breaking Travel News 2025-01-07 06:08:09)
    Vacationers can anticipate the debut of the world’s first ‘Aqua Slidecoaster’ aboard a groundbreaking cruise ship.This innovative ride, a first on both land and sea, will be the highlight of the upcoming Norwegian Aqua cruise liner. Spanning the ship’s upper deck, the Aqua Slidecoaster utilizes magnetic propulsion to launch riders at speeds over 30 miles per hour.
  • Princess Cruises Announces Nostalgic Diamond Anniversary Voyage Celebrating 60 Years of Sailing (Breaking Travel News 2025-01-07 06:07:15)
    Princess Cruises, known around the world as “The Love Boat,” is celebrating six decades of delivering dream vacations and happiness to millions of cruisers with a special 14-day 60th Anniversary Mexican Riviera Voyage, departing from the Port of Los Angeles on December 6, 2025. On sale now, this milestone cruise onboard Royal Princess will include some of the same ports on the first-ever voyage that set sail on December 3, 1965, on Princess Patricia.
  • Delta, LATAM, and Qatar Airways Shine in Global Spotlight with Aeromexico for Punctuality Excellence (Breaking Travel News 2025-01-07 06:02:37)
    As global tourism rebounded to pre-pandemic levels in 2024, airports and airlines grappled with soaring passenger volumes and on-time performance challenges. Cirium’s annual report spotlighted the year’s most punctual airlines and airports.Aeromexico, Mexico’s national carrier, claimed the top spot as the world’s most reliable airline, achieving an impressive 86.7% of its flights arriving within 15 minutes of schedule.
  • Hong Kong New High-Speed Train Service to Hangzhou West Redefines Travel (Breaking Travel News 2025-01-07 05:51:58)
    Starting from January 5, 2025, the introduction of high-speed train services between Hong Kong and Hangzhou promises to revolutionize travel for commuters and tourists alike. This exciting development, part of China Railways’ schedule adjustments for the first quarter of 2025, will allow travelers to journey between the two major cities in approximately seven hours. The new service will serve as a significant enhancement in regional connectivity, with direct high-speed routes offering convenient and efficient travel options for those looking to explore both metropolitan hubs.