Day Headlines in Travel News: 2025-05-02

  • Register now for Caribbean Travel Marketplace, happening in Antigua & Barbuda, May 18–22, 2025 (Breaking Travel News 2025-05-02 17:51:41)
    In addition to business appointments, the week-long event will feature Responsible Tourism Day, Caribbean Travel Forum, and an all-new Direct Booking Summit
  • Etihad and Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi celebrate record success (Breaking Travel News 2025-05-02 11:17:49)
    The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Etihad Airways celebrated the remarkable success of the Abu Dhabi Stopover Programme at Arabian Travel Market 2025, with visitor numbers continuing to accelerate at an impressive pace.The Stopover Programme has achieved 25,000 bookings in the first four months of 2025, representing a 47% growth in sales compared to the same period in 2024. More significantly, the number of visitors has surged to 44,000 between January and April 2025, marking a substantial 76% increase over the 25,000 visitors recorded during the same period last year.
  • Saudi tourism secures landmark global partnerships at ATM 2025, fueling next wave of tourism growth (Breaking Travel News 2025-05-02 10:03:15)
    Saudi Tourism Authority signed 14 MoUs and facilitated 52 MoUs between Saudi partners and the global tourism sector. Building on the record achievement of welcoming almost 116 million visitors in 2024, Saudi showcased its diverse summer season, reinforcing its position as the world’s fastest-growing tourism destination. Dynamic “Saudi Land” pavilion captured global attention, highlighting unique destinations, rich cultural experiences, and upcoming global events such as the Esports World Cup.
  • Lorenzo Giannuzzi: A Visionary Leader in High-End Hospitality with a commitment to CSR (Breaking Travel News 2025-05-02 08:03:44)
    From Forte Village to Palazzo Doglio and Palazzo Fiuggi, Lorenzo Giannuzzi has built a model of hospitality rooted in solidarity, culture, and sustainability. In an era where global tourism faces the challenges of overtourism, the need for a new, more conscious paradigm of hospitality is becoming increasingly clear — one that is responsible, balanced, and forward-thinking. A model that harmonizes with the environment, respects the identity of each destination, and generates authentic value for local communities, while embracing a broader, international perspective.
  • 2025 World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards opens for entry (Breaking Travel News 2025-05-02 07:34:05)
    World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards has today opened entries for its 2025 programme. Individuals and organisations across the globe accelerating change and making an impactful contribution to sustainable travel and tourism are invited to enter free of charge.30 categories covering all sectors of sustainable travel and tourism have been selected by the Awards Advisory Board of experts to reflect the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and net positive framework of People, Planet, Place, Prosperity and Partnerships.
  • NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE® ANNOUNCES UPGRADES TO NORWEGIAN EPIC™ AND PRIDE OF AMERICA™ (Breaking Travel News 2025-05-02 07:32:26)
    Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), the innovator in global cruise travel, today announced that Norwegian Epic and NCL’s Pride of America will both undergo revitalization projects just in time for the 2025 summer travel season.Designed to give guests MORE to do and MORE to enjoy with the freedom and flexibility to design their very best vacation, the new enhancements range from the addition of a reimagined water park for children, the expansion of the adults-only Vibe Beach Club, additional accommodations and more.
  • Choice Hotels International Announces New Enhancements to Breakfast Offerings (Breaking Travel News 2025-05-02 07:29:55)
    Choice Hotels International, Inc, one of the world’s largest lodging franchisors, is refreshing its complimentary breakfast program at Comfort and Country Inn & Suites by Radisson as part of its broader strategy to refine and differentiate its upper midscale brands and help attract travelers. The company is piloting new signature breakfast items, including a Comfort breakfast bowl and a Country Inn & Suites biscuit sandwich, at select properties. As part of this initiative, Choice has signed agreements with Florida’s Natural and General Mills to offer guests refreshing, high-quality orange juice and a selection of the most beloved cereal brands so guests can start their day on a tasty note.
  • Abu Dhabi Selected to Host the 2025 Pritzker Architecture Prize Ceremony (Breaking Travel News 2025-05-02 07:25:05)
    The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has announced that Abu Dhabi will host the 2025 Pritzker Prize ceremony, marking a historic first for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Middle East.As the world’s most esteemed recognition in the field of architecture, the Pritzker Architecture Prize honours living architects whose work demonstrates a combination of talent, vision, and commitment. Their contributions must show consistent and significant impact on humanity and the built environment through the art of architecture.
  • The Gambia Experience Announces New Airline Partner (Breaking Travel News 2025-05-02 07:06:48)
    The Gambia Experience is thrilled to announce an exciting new partnership with Ascend Airways, bringing key enhancements to its upcoming winter flight programme. With an increased number of flights, a new Saturday service, and flexible travel options, the Hampshire based tour operator is offering customers even more choice for the same great holiday.
  • Emirates caps record-breaking ATM, welcoming over 27,000 visitors (Breaking Travel News 2025-05-02 07:04:57)
    Emirates has capped off its busiest ever presence at the Arabian Travel Market, forging and deepening nearly 40 partnerships spanning tourism organisations, technology partners, cruise line companies, airlines and rail operators, among others.Across the event’s four-day run, the airline’s stand was buzzing, welcoming over 27,000 visitors to experience Emirates’ full suite of products across its three aircraft types, including its latest-generation A350 Business Class seats and Premium Economy alongside the signature Onboard Lounge and Shower Spa, as well as its sustainability and accessible travel initiatives.
  • Emirates forges strategic partnerships with four tourism organisations to enhance inbound tourism (Breaking Travel News 2025-05-02 07:02:57)
    Emirates has signed four more Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) on the side-lines of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) with the Ministry of Tourism and Handicraft in Madagascar, Vietnam-based, multi-sector conglomerate Sun Group, the Greek Ministry of Tourism and Fjord Norway. The newly inked agreements further support tourism flows into these markets from across the airline’s global network.
  • On World Pilots’ Day Emirates commits to hiring 1,500 aviators (Breaking Travel News 2025-05-02 07:00:19)
    On World Pilots’ Day, Emirates honoured the resilience and dedication of its pilots and the community worldwide. As the airline embarks on its next era of growth and global expansion, it reaffirmed its commitment to welcoming over 1,500 new pilots within the next two years.The airline is riding on the success of its Accelerated Command programme which fast-tracks First Officers to the role of Captain, with more than 80 pilots well on their way to achieving this command upgrade.Aviators wishing to join the world-class community can look forward to a suite of thoughtfully curated and benchmarked benefits.
  • Emirates and American Express Middle East Sign MOU (Breaking Travel News 2025-05-02 06:58:26)
    Emirates and American Express Middle East (AEME) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) that intends to expand their collaboration to explore new offerings for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in select countries across the Middle East and North Africa.Together, Emirates and American Express Middle East will explore ways to reach and engage with Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) through differentiated offers and value driven initiatives.  This may include payments solutions tailored to SMEs, the extension of potential incentives provided by Emirates to American Express Middle East Card Members participating in the Emirates Business Rewards program, among other benefits.
  • Emirates and MSC Cruises extend long-term partnership (Breaking Travel News 2025-05-02 06:56:17)
    Emirates and MSC Cruises have extended their long-term strategic partnership aimed at enhancing the air-sea traveller experience, supporting Dubai’s cruise ambitions to become a major cruise hub, and exploring future opportunities for joint growth across the airline’s extensive network.Announced at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai, the partnership builds on a decade long year relationship and will leverage the strengths of the airline and MSC Cruises to enhance the guest experience and support the growth of Dubai’s cruise tourism eco-system.
  • IDeaS Cruise RMS Named “RMS Innovation of the Year” In 2025 TravelTech Breakthrough Awards Program (Breaking Travel News 2025-05-02 06:54:06)
    IDeaS, a SAS company and the world’s leading provider of hospitality revenue management software, today announced it has been selected as winner of the “RMS Innovation of the Year” award in the 3rd annual TravelTech Breakthrough Awards program conducted by TravelTech Breakthrough, a leading independent market intelligence organization that evaluates and recognizes standout travel technology companies, products and services around the globe.
  • Mohammed bin Rashid visited Arabian Travel Market 2025 (Breaking Travel News 2025-05-02 06:48:50)
    His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, toured the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025, which concluded yesterday at the Dubai World Trade Centre.