Day Headlines in Travel News: 2025-10-06

  • Breaking Travel News Investigates: Saint Lucia: the light in an evolving Caribbean (Breaking Travel News 2025-10-06 19:05:29)
    While in the destination for the World Travel Awards Caribbean, Sapphire Goss takes in some of the sites of this island of contrasts.
  • How can you best mitigate against risk across your supply chain? (Breaking Travel News 2025-10-06 18:59:49)
    Risk management can be a daunting prospect for even the hardiest of travel managers and certainly recent years of pandemics, political elections and price rises have not made managing suppliers and traveler safety any easier. Surprising, then, to see results from the recent global buyer survey* from Business Travel Show America which highlighted that only just over a third – some 38% - provide traveler safety training for their travelers.
  • Digital Habits Are Reshaping The Way We Experience Hotel Stays (Breaking Travel News 2025-10-06 18:13:43)
    Hotels are more than just fluffy pillows and sophisticated lobbies, because they are also currently striving to try to keep up with our digital lives. We enter hotels with phones with our streaming apps and our gaming habits that follow us everywhere, and we actually expect the WiFi to be as speedy as it is at home. You don’t want to mess around with heavy remote controls or wait in line to check in when these things are just a simple swipe away. This is why hotels are experiencing a rapid digital transformation that introduces smart rooms, contactless check-ins, and customized entertainment that ensure that the experience of the visitor is optimized. And it is remarkable how much farther hotels will go in accommodating our present lifestyle, work-related habits, and leisure.
  • Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association and BTN Forge Landmark Multi-Year Media Partnership (Breaking Travel News 2025-10-06 17:53:30)
    The Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA), the leading advocate and representative body for the Caribbean hospitality and tourism industry, has announced a landmark two-year media partnership with Breaking Travel News (BTN), the world’s leading travel industry news platform.
  • Gulf Air Celebrates the Relaunch of Its Direct Flights to New York (Breaking Travel News 2025-10-06 15:33:15)
    Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, celebrated the relaunch of its direct flights from Bahrain International Airport to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York, marking a move that reflects the depth of the longstanding friendship and strategic cooperation between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United States of America.This milestone event highlights the commitment of both countries to strengthening ties and strategic partnership, opening up new horizons for developing relations in various commercial, cultural, and tourism sectors. It also reinforces Gulf Air’s position as a key player in connecting Bahrain to global markets, further supporting economic growth and expanding opportunities for trade and cultural exchange between the two nations, thus bolstering Bahrain’s status as a vital aviation hub on the international map.
  • Riyadh Air and Kayanee Announce Strategic Partnership (Breaking Travel News 2025-10-06 15:31:34)
    Riyadh Air, the new national carrier of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, announced a new partnership with Kayanee, a leading Saudi wellbeing brand, to bring a fresh sense of comfort and care to the skies. The collaboration will upscale in-flight comfort by offering Riyadh Air’s Business Elite, Business, and Premium Economy long-haul guests a specially designed collection of amenity kits and loungewear, aimed at refreshing and rejuvenating travelers from take-off to landing.
  • flynas Celebrates Launching Direct Flights Between Dammam and Damascus (Breaking Travel News 2025-10-06 15:29:25)
    flynas, the leading low-cost airline in the world and the best LCC in the Middle East, celebrated launching direct flights between Dammam and Damascus, as of October 3, to further expanding its network and enhancing air connectivity between the two sisterly countries in alignment with national objectives in the tourism and aviation sectors and in line with Vision 2030.As of October 3, flynas started operating three weekly flights between King Fahad International Airport in Dammam and Damascus International Airport, after becoming the first Saudi airline to resume flights to Damascus last June.
  • Emirates launches world-class facility for 25,000 cabin crew (Breaking Travel News 2025-10-06 15:28:12)
    Emirates has opened a new world-class facility in Dubai, to provide a luxurious training experience to almost 25,000 cabin crew, focused on the art of hospitality excellence. The USD 8 million learning zone and programme features a sprawling restaurant and lounge for up to 170 guests, elegant presentation kitchens and 8 tech-enabled classrooms. More than 10,000 Emirates cabin crew will be trained in the new facility by the end of the year.
  • Qatar Airways Celebrates a Season of Global Events with Qatar as the Centre Stage (Breaking Travel News 2025-10-06 15:26:19)
    Qatar Airways is proud to reaffirm its role as the airline of choice for connecting fans, professionals and visitors from across the globe to Qatar’s remarkable line-up of international events. With the country once again at the forefront of sport, culture, and innovation, the airline is set to welcome the world to an unparalleled season of experiences.From the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025™ and the return of the QATAR AIRWAYS FORMULA 1® QATAR GRAND PRIX, to the FIFA Arab Cup 2025™ and the upcoming Web Summit Qatar 2026, each event showcases Qatar’s capability as a leading global host nation. As the national carrier, Qatar Airways provides seamless connections from over 170 destinations worldwide, ensuring that fans, delegates, and communities can experience these moments with ease and comfort.
  • Qatar Airways Expands Connectivity to the United States and South America with Aer Lingus and LEVEL (Breaking Travel News 2025-10-06 15:23:28)
    Qatar Airways is now providing access to 18 additional routes in the United States through expanded codeshares with its International Airlines Group (IAG) partners, Aer Lingus and LEVEL. With the latest enhancements, Qatar Airways has strengthened its partnership with IAG and its carriers to expand global connectivity between the Americas, Europe, and the Middle East.Following the successful codeshare launch with Aer Lingus in 2024, Qatar Airways has grown its partnership with Aer Lingus to share code on the Irish carrier’s flights from Dublin Airport (DUB) to 11 U.S. cities, including Boston, Bradley International in Connecticut, Cleveland, Indianapolis, Minneapolis, Nashville, Newark, Orlando, Philadelphia, and soon to Las Vegas.
  • Etihad Airways Continues to Soar Across Southeast Asia (Breaking Travel News 2025-10-06 11:32:54)
    Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates, celebrated the launch of two new routes into Southeast Asia, bringing the airline’s global network to 83 destinations. On 2 October, the airline operated its first-ever flight to Medan in Sumatra, Indonesia, followed by the launch of flights to Phnom Penh, the capital of the Kingdom of Cambodia, on 3 October. These new routes strengthen the airline’s commitment to enhancing global connectivity and enriching cultural exchange and economic connections between Southeast Asia and markets across the Middle East, Europe and Africa.“We’re proud to expand our network in Southeast Asia, inviting more guests across the region to explore our home with a convenient and direct route to Abu Dhabi, creating new connections for commerce and tourism between Abu Dhabi and the region. We’re also pleased to encourage and inspire travel to these two new culturally rich and diverse places, both Sumatra and Phnom Penh are extraordinary destinations with both natural and man-made wonders to offer and explore,” said, Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer at Etihad Airways.
  • Hyatt Collaborates with HYROX as the Official Regional Hotel Partner in Asia Pacific (Breaking Travel News 2025-10-06 09:31:52)
    World of Hyatt, the award-winning loyalty program from Hyatt, is announcing a new regional collaboration with HYROX Asia Pacific—one of the world’s premier fitness racing series. As HYROX’s Official Hotel Partner across Asia Pacific, World of Hyatt highlights the continued commitment of every Hyatt hotel to providing exceptional hospitality experiences that meet the evolving needs of today’s travelers.HYROX is known for its innovative race format that combines running with functional workouts, attracting thousands of fitness enthusiasts across the region. Each race challenges participants to push their limits and compete alongside athletes from around the world. To complement the HYROX experience, participating Hyatt hotels across Asia Pacific will offer tailored wellness-focused stays designed to support athletes and guests throughout their race journey—from thoughtful amenities, nutritious dining options, and access to wellness facilities that help them prepare and recover at their best. Whether staying in a luxury city hotel or a modern extended-stay property, guests may choose from distinctive stay options suited to their travel preferences.
  • Future Hospitality Summit spotlights dynamic Asian tourism and hospitality market (Breaking Travel News 2025-10-06 08:33:35)
    Future Hospitality Summit – FHS World is putting the Philippines in the spotlight with a dedicated pavilion highlighting the country’s dynamic, diverse hospitality and tourism sector throughout the event, taking place at Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai, 27-29 October. Philippine tourism is experiencing a massive rebound, with the number of visitors rising 36-fold from 164,000 in 2021 to nearly 6 million in 2024, and over 3.9 million tourist arrivals from January to August this year alone. The country is aiming for more than 10 million visitors and an additional 120,000 new hotel rooms by 2028.
  • Dubai Airports launches next phase of accessibility strategy (Breaking Travel News 2025-10-06 07:39:39)
    Dubai Airports today announced the next phase of its accessibility strategy, a renewed 10-year commitment to transform both Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC) into the world’s most accessible and inclusive airports by 2035.The long-term plan focuses on maintaining strong foundations, enhancing the guest experience across all touchpoints, and positioning DXB and DWC as global leaders in inclusive travel. The strategy aligns with international best practice, the UAE’s commitment to the rights of People of Determination (PoD), and Dubai’s vision to be a disability-friendly city.
  • Park Hyatt Celebrates Over Four Decades of Personalized Luxury (Breaking Travel News 2025-10-06 06:29:36)
    Hyatt Hotels Corporation announces that the Park Hyatt brand’s commitment to personalized luxury is reflected not only in its philosophy to provide service at the highest standard, but also in the brand’s thoughtful approach to entering desirable locations across the globe.In 2025, Hyatt commemorates the 45th anniversary of Park Hyatt—an iconic brand that has helped redefine luxury hospitality since the debut of Park Hyatt Chicago in 1980. The first global Park Hyatt marketing campaign in over five years, Luxury is Personal, showcases the brand’s articulation of intuitive service and intentional enrichment. Through a subtle symphony of refined details, each Park Hyatt stay experience is composed to enrich the way our guests stay with us. From scent, to space, to service, the campaign captures the quiet resonance and seamless sensory harmony that occurs when each detail is orchestrated with care and attuned to the individual.
  • Emirates, flydubai and Dubai Finance partner to accelerate ‘Dubai Cashless strategy’ (Breaking Travel News 2025-10-06 06:27:58)
    Emirates and flydubai have signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Dubai Finance (DOF) to advance digital payment initiatives and promote ‘Dubai Cashless Strategy’ among international tourists, cementing the city’s position as a global digital economy hub.With over 18.7 million tourists visiting Dubai in 2024, cash-reliant travellers represent the emirate’s greatest untapped potential for digital payment adoption.Two separate MoUs were signed by Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer and Hamad Obaidalla, flydubai’s Chief Commercial Officer with Ahmad Ali Meftah, Executive Director of the Central Accounts Sector at DOF, in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline & Group, His Excellency Abdulrahman Saleh Al Saleh, Director General of DOF along with senior Emirates Group and flydubai executives.
  • Emirates expands London Heathrow schedule to 48 weekly flights (Breaking Travel News 2025-10-06 06:25:24)
    Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, is unlocking more opportunities for travel with the addition of six weekly flights to its London Heathrow schedule, starting 26 October 2025.The boosted schedule for the winter season follows record growth and demand, providing more convenience and departure time choices for travellers journeying to and from London Heathrow, and is well-timed to serve the year-end travel peak.Emirates already flies six times a day to and from London Heathrow, and all flights are served by its flagship Airbus A380. The additional flights will operate on all days except for Fridays during the winter period with the airline’s Boeing 777-300ER, offering over 350 seats each way in a three-class configuration split between First, Business, and Economy.
  • IHG Hotels & Resorts accelerates growth of voco hotels in Southern Europe (Breaking Travel News 2025-10-06 06:24:43)
    IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, announces the continued growth of voco through nine new signings and openings across Southern Europe, adding over 1,000 keys to the brand’s portfolio. The accelerated growth sees properties in France, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Türkiye significantly strengthen IHG’s premium presence in the region.Since launching in 2018, voco has quickly become the fastest growing brand within IHG’s premium segment, having recently celebrated the milestone of 100 open hotels globally. Building on this success, the new signings and openings join 35* open and 22* pipeline voco properties across Europe. Each voco property is distinct, with an inviting atmosphere which creates a space where guests can truly unwind and feel at ease, whilst also ensuring the reliability of a global brand.
  • InterContinental debuts in Hokkaido with the Opening of Sapporo’s first international luxury hotel (Breaking Travel News 2025-10-06 06:21:57)
    InterContinental, the world’s first and largest international luxury hotel brand, continues its legacy of pioneering in new destinations with the opening of InterContinental Sapporo, offering guests rich cultural discovery in one of Japan’s most captivating destinations.Sapporo, located on Hokkaido – Japan’s northernmost island – is renowned as a world-class winter resort destination with scenic ski slopes, a distinct culinary scene, and its status as a UNESCO Creative City of Media Arts. InterContinental Sapporo serves as an ideal gateway for guests to connect to the cultural heartbeat of the city, set within the Nakajima Park area and moments from the vibrant Susukino entertainment district. The guest journey has been designed around the brand’s vision of facilitating cultural discovery, leaning on unrivalled concierge knowledge to deliver rich experiences for modern day travellers.
  • Hilton Opens 9,000th Hotel, Fueled by Owner Preference for Hilton’s Brands (Breaking Travel News 2025-10-06 06:19:25)
    Hilton has announced it has reached the milestone of 9,000 hotels globally, representing nearly three openings per day since reaching 8,000 hotels just a year ago.  Driven by owner interest in Hilton’s brands around the world and strong conversion activity, Hilton continues to grow its portfolio at a robust pace.