Day Headlines in Travel News: 2025-05-04

  • Qatar and DCT Abu Dhabi Launch Joint Initiative to Promote Twin-Centre Holiday Packages  (Breaking Travel News 2025-05-04 13:56:39)
    Qatar Tourism and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi)  have unveiled a strategic partnership designed to strengthen regional tourism ties through a new twin-centre holiday offering. This initiative enables travellers to seamlessly combine Doha and Abu Dhabi into a single, multi-city itinerary, making it easier than ever to explore both destinations in one trip.At the heart of this collaboration are Qatar Airways Holidays and Etihad Holidays operated by Capital Holidays, part of ADNEC group, who will jointly curate customised travel packages. Each will draw from a selection of hotels and experiences to design integrated itineraries that capture the essence of both destinations. These packages will be promoted to tour operators across key markets in Europe and North America. 
  • Etihad Airways unveils its Business deals with luxury travel at exceptional prices (Breaking Travel News 2025-05-04 13:39:47)
    Etihad Airways has launched an exclusive Business Sale, with up to 30% on business class fares, offering travellers the chance to experience luxury travel at exceptional prices across its expanding global network.Available until 8 May, the offer features Business fares to sought-after summer destinations including our new destinations launching later this year with Al Alamein at AED 3,595, Sochi at AED 5,995, Warsaw at AED 6,995, Prague at AED 9,995, and Taipei at AED 11,995 as well as our seasonal routes to Mykonos and Santorini at AED 6,995, Antalya at AED 8,595 and Nice at AED 11,795. These special fares are valid for travel between 1 June and 30 September 2025.
  • Emirates Chairman receives PayPal leadership team (Breaking Travel News 2025-05-04 12:00:10)
    His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group, recently received Suzan Kereere, President of Global Markets at PayPal, a global digital commerce platform, at Emirates Group Headquarters. During the meeting, Emirates and PayPal discussed opportunities to build on their 15-year relationship and deepen collaboration within the dynamic digital payments landscape.
  • MSC CRUISES UNVEILS EXCITING NEW FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT FOR SUMMER 2025 (Breaking Travel News 2025-05-04 07:11:24)
    This summer, MSC Cruises is redefining family fun at sea with an enhanced entertainment lineup designed to create unforgettable memories for guests of all ages. From high-energy game shows and interactive experiences to dazzling parades and dynamic parties, the updated programme offers something for everyone, from the youngest cruisers to teens and their parents.Beginning June 2025, families on board MSC Cruises can enjoy brand-new, immersive activities tailored to spark excitement and engagement.
  • PREFERRED HOTELS & RESORTS WELCOMES 19 NEW MEMBER PROPERTIES (Breaking Travel News 2025-05-04 07:07:21)
    Preferred Hotels & Resorts, the world’s largest independent hotel brand, is pleased to announce the addition of 19 new member properties to its global portfolio between January 1 and March 31, 2025. To celebrate, I Prefer Hotel Rewards members can earn 2,500 bonus points on eligible stays at any of these participating locations for a limited time. Ranging from a family-oriented coastal retreat on the shores of Taiwan to a Blueridge mountainside adventurer’s escape, each of these distinct properties will greet travelers with thoughtful personalized service and unique unforgettable experiences that define independent luxury hospitality. Highlights include:
  • British Airways Announces,‘The Original Sale’ for Flights and Holidays (Breaking Travel News 2025-05-04 07:05:28)
    British Airways and British Airways Holidays have today launched ‘The Original Sale’, offering holiday and flight savings for travel in 2025 and 2026 when booked before 20 May.The sale features savings on getaways to the recent top ten most-searched destinations, with New York, Dubai, and Barbados leading the charge. Whether customers are looking to explore the vibrancy of Las Vegas, soak in the Tenerife sunshine or enjoy a luxurious getaway to Mauritius, there’s an escape to suit everyone in the sale.
  • Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Launches Two New Global Bar Initiatives (Breaking Travel News 2025-05-04 07:01:04)
    Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is inviting guests to create special memories with two new worldwide initiatives launching as a part of its newly expanded Global Bar Program. A celebration of hospitality, craftsmanship and storytelling, the bar program elevates the guest experience across Fairmont’s exceptional portfolio of bars and lounges, starting with the debut of a new series of seasonal activations. The series kicks off with the introduction of an ‘It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere’ happy hour at select Fairmont properties around the globe, followed by a record-breaking cross-continental celebration in May 2025 in partnership with PATRÓN Tequila for ‘World Paloma Day’.
  • ROYAL CARIBBEAN SETS SIGHT ON MOST THRILLING AUSTRALIAN SUMMER YET (Breaking Travel News 2025-05-04 07:00:36)
    Adventure is arriving ahead of schedule as Royal Caribbean reveals its most thrilling summer Down Under in 2026-2027. Joining Anthem of the Seas in Sydney, fan-favourite Quantum of the Seas will make its highly anticipated return to Brisbane in October, packed with more short getaways and weekend departures than ever before. Between October 2026 and April 2027, the two top-rated holiday experiences have in store a combination of 3- to 11-night getaways to an array of destinations across Australia, the sun-soaked South Pacific, and breathtaking New Zealand. The new lineup of holidays, along with a showstopping 25-night bucket list adventure from Los Angeles, are available to book now.
  • IHG Debuts luxury-lifestyle brand, Kimpton in UAE with 280-Room Kimpton Dubai (Breaking Travel News 2025-05-04 06:37:30)
    IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s largest hotel groups, has signed a management agreement with API Hotels & Resorts to launch the first Kimpton hotel in the UAE. Set to open its doors in Q1 2026, Kimpton Dubai marks the brand’s debut in the emirate and continues the regional expansion for IHG, which now has more than 122 hotels and close to 44,000 rooms across nine Middle East countries.
  • Alaska Airlines welcomes Philippine Airlines, our newest global partner (Breaking Travel News 2025-05-04 06:19:13)
    Alaska Airlines is celebrating the addition of our newest global airline partner, Philippine Airlines, the flag carrier of the Philippines and the oldest operating commercial airline in Asia. With our new frequent flyer partnership, Alaska becomes Philippine Airlines’ first loyalty partner in North America, opening the door for our guests to book travel to exotic, once-in-a-lifetime destinations such as Palawan and Boracay in the Philippines.
  • Backroads Launches New Active Adventures in Locations Across the Globe (Breaking Travel News 2025-05-04 06:15:10)
    Backroads, the global leader in active travel, today announced more than four dozen inspiring new trips for 2026, spanning America’s West Coast to the wilds of Australia. Each trip is unique, yet all share common elements: human-powered activities, time outdoors in nature and opportunities for genuine connection. Backroads believes engaging actively in the world is key to staying fit for a lifetime and living well.