Day Headlines in Travel News: 2025-10-17

  • Luxury Mediterranean Cruise: The Perfect Ocean Escape (Breaking Travel News 2025-10-17 11:23:17)
    Discover elegance, culture, and serenity on a luxury Mediterranean cruise with Explora Journeys. Oceanfront suites, fine dining, and iconic destinations await.
  • Emirates introduces Airbus A350 and Premium Economy service in Oslo (Breaking Travel News 2025-10-17 10:28:01)
    Emirates marked a significant milestone with the launch of its iconic Airbus A350 to Oslo bringing its award-winning Premium Economy offering to Scandinavia for the first time. The airline hosted an exclusive celebration at the airport, welcoming invited guests and media for an afternoon that underscored its commitment to delivering exceptional service in the region.The introduction of the A350 service to Oslo marks a new chapter in the airline’s investment to the Norwegian market. Renowned for comfort and service, it features the airline’s newest signature Business Class, Premium Economy, and Economy Class interiors – setting a new standard for passenger excellence across all classes.
  • Top Natural Wonders in Turkey: A Guide to Turkey’s Most Breathtaking Landscapes (Breaking Travel News 2025-10-17 09:51:11)
    When it comes to travel, many people are drawn to Turkey for its rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning landscapes. The confusion lies in deciding which destinations to prioritize. Turkey Trips offers something for everyone whether you seek adventure or nature sightseeing.
  • BTN Interviews Duncan O’Rourke, CEO of Accor’s Premium, Midscale & Economy division MENA (Breaking Travel News 2025-10-17 09:37:12)
    In this pre-FHS World 2025 interview, Duncan O’Rourke, Chief Executive Officer, Premium, Midscale & Economy Division for Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific at Accor, reflects on how hospitality has evolved into a diversified, purpose-driven ecosystem, where investors now focus on long-term value through lifestyle brands, sustainability, and technology. Looking ahead, he highlights personalisation, responsible investment, and talent development as key drivers of growth, with technology enhancing both operations and guest experience. At FHS World 2025 in Dubai, Duncan will join the UAE Africa Investment Tourism Summit panel, “Private Sector Leading the Way: Investors and Operators at the Forefront,” discussing how collaboration and private investment are shaping innovation across regions. He looks forward to engaging with peers to champion a more inclusive, tech-enabled, and human-centric future for hospitality.
  • BTN Interviews Amith Khanna, Head of Franchise, India Middle East & Africa at IHG Hotels & Resorts (Breaking Travel News 2025-10-17 09:31:22)
    Amith Khanna, Head of Franchise, India, Middle East & Africa at IHG Hotels & Resorts, highlights how IHG is accelerating regional growth through a strong focus on franchising, with 100% of its 2024 UAE signings under franchise agreements. The model’s success reflects both the market’s maturity and IHG’s global expertise, offering franchisees advanced tools, technology, and localised support. With 60 franchised hotels currently operating across MEA and 30 more in the pipeline, IHG is partnering with experienced owners and third-party operators to ensure scalability and brand consistency. As markets such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Africa evolve, Amith expects franchising to become an increasingly dynamic, flexible, and strategic driver of sustainable growth for the region.
  • IDeaS and Red Sea Global Hospitality Establish Portfolio-Wide Technology Agreement (Breaking Travel News 2025-10-17 09:25:43)
    Adoption of G3 RMS across growing portfolio marks IDeaS continued strength in the Gulf region
  • Hospitality Tech’s Next Chapter: AI, Data, and Human Connection (Breaking Travel News 2025-10-17 08:03:17)
    Ahead of Future Hospitality Summit - FHS World in Dubai, technology leaders reveal how AI, automation, and personalisation are driving innovation in hospitality
  • Faena Appoints Tareq Derbas as Area General Manager, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Breaking Travel News 2025-10-17 07:53:28)
    Faena is proud to announce the appointment of Tareq Derbas as Area General Manager, Faena – KSA, marking a significant milestone in the brand’s continued expansion across the Kingdom.
  • HOLEY MOLEY GOLF CLUB AND THE FIRST-EVER U.S. LOCATION OF HIJINX HOTEL (Breaking Travel News 2025-10-17 06:42:25)
    Known globally as the premier creator of competitive socializing experiences and entertainment concepts, Funlab announces the upcoming debut of two of its most iconic experiences in one location. Holey Moley Golf Cluband the first-ever U.S. location of Hijinx Hotel are set to open this December spanning a whopping 35,000-square-feet within Irvine Spectrum Center, Southern California’s premier hub for shopping, dining, and entertainment in a vibrant, al fresco atmosphere.
  • Agoda and Premier Inn elevate cross-continental travel, inviting guests to explore Europe (Breaking Travel News 2025-10-17 06:40:39)
    In a move that could reshape how travelers from Asia explore Europe, global digital travel platform Agoda has partnered with the United Kingdom’s largest hotel chain, Premier Inn, to list more than 900 of its hotels across the UK, Germany, and Ireland. The collaboration is expected to give Agoda users—particularly from Asia—greater access to reliable, well-priced accommodation as international travel demand surges.Agoda’s internal data shows that interest among Asian travelers in visiting the UK and Europe is on a sharp rise, with a 20 percent increase in searches in 2025 compared with the same period last year. The UK has even climbed into the top five most searched international destinations for Asian travelers, signaling a clear appetite for European experiences.
  • Brits splurge record amounts on staycations and overseas holidays – but can we keep spending? (Breaking Travel News 2025-10-17 06:36:31)
    The last few years have been challenging for many of us. It’s no wonder getting away from it all continues to be so important to many Brits. That’s reflected in the latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) consumer trends report. It reveals that we spent record amounts on holiday staycations last year and that our spending overseas only fell slightly short of 2023’s record amount.The report reveals that Brits spent £183.1bn on hotels in 2024 and £40.4bn on other types of accommodation, from B&Bs to short-term holiday lets. Both these amounts smashed our spending totals for 2023, which were themselves a record high. Back in 2023, we spent £175.1bn on hotels and £38.7bn on other accommodation.
  • Swiss International Air Lines takes delivery of its first A350-900 (Breaking Travel News 2025-10-17 06:32:01)
    Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS), member of the Lufthansa Group, has taken delivery of its first of ten A350-900. Supporting the airline’s fleet modernisation programme, the latest-generation widebody is set to become SWISS’s flagship aircraft. The A350 will be operated on long-haul routes from its home base in Zurich to destinations like Boston, strengthening the airline’s global network.
  • Virgin Atlantic Board Announces New CEO (Breaking Travel News 2025-10-17 06:30:29)
    The Virgin Atlantic Board is pleased to announce its succession plan for the airline’s Chief Executive Officer, Shai Weiss.After a successful seven-year tenure, Shai will stand down as Chief Executive and leave the airline on 31 December 2025. Corneel Koster will succeed Shai and become CEO on 1 January 2026.
  • Emirates lights up the skies with Diwali celebrations onboard and in lounges (Breaking Travel News 2025-10-17 06:25:59)
    In celebration of Diwali - the Hindu festival of lights, Emirates will be sweetening the skies with Diwali delights and entertainment onboard flights to and from India, from 17-24 October. Diwali delicacies will be served in all classes and select lounges to customers travelling to and from Dubai to Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Kochi, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Thiruvananthapuram, Kolkata and Mumbai.
  • Emirates and AC Milan extend storied partnership (Breaking Travel News 2025-10-17 06:24:32)
    Emirates and AC Milan are proud to announce the extension of their iconic partnership. The landmark renewal reinforces one of football’s longest and most successful collaborations, with Emirates continuing as the Principal Partner, Official Airline Partner, and Official Men’s Jersey Partner of the prestigious Italian club.As part of the renewal, Emirates’ signature ‘fly better’ logo will remain emblazoned on the front of AC Milan’s Men’s First Team shirts across all major competitions including Serie A, Coppa Italia, UEFA, FIFA fixtures, and international friendlies. Emirates iconic logo will also extend to the jerseys of AC Milan Academy youth players, enabling the partnership to cultivate not only sporting excellence but also the next generation of footballing talent from grassroots to the global stage.
  • 96 Hours in Riyadh, SA (Breaking Travel News 2025-10-17 06:16:57)
    Rising at the crossroads of heritage and innovation, Riyadh has become one of the world’s most exciting capitals to explore. Its museums and souqs speak to centuries of tradition, while its entertainment districts, world-class restaurants, and glittering skyline showcase a bold future in motion. Spend 96 hours here and you’ll discover a city that lives in the present while setting the pace for what’s next.
  • MANDARIN ORIENTAL AND PANTONE INTRODUCE THE PANTONE CELADON SUITE AT MANDARIN ORIENTAL HYDE PARK (Breaking Travel News 2025-10-17 06:13:30)
    Following the global debut of Mandarin Oriental Celadon Green in collaboration with the Pantone Color Institute™ earlier this year, Mandarin Oriental is proud to unveil the Pantone Celadon Suite at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London. Conceived in collaboration with Paris-based design collective Uchronia, the Suite will be revealed in time for Frieze London, offering guests an immersive encounter with the new signature shade.Known for their bold, emotionally resonant spaces, Uchronia has reinterpreted Mandarin Oriental Celadon Green through their distinct lens, fusing vibrant forms, tactile textures and refined craftsmanship. The result is a transformative suite that serves as a physical expression of the colour’s essence: rooted in heritage, yet boldly modern.
  • VisitEngland’s New 2025 Christmas Experiences, Enchanting Lights Trails & Festive Set-Jetting (Breaking Travel News 2025-10-17 06:11:41)
    This winter, England is set to sparkle brighter than ever with a spectacular line-up of new and much-loved Christmas experiences across the country. Magical moments await, from enjoying a film-inspired festive adventure to soaking up seasonal spirit on a historic steam train or wandering through an illuminated winter garden.
  • NOW OPEN: Laugarás Lagoon, a New Chapter for Icelandic Wellness Tourism on The Golden Circle (Breaking Travel News 2025-10-17 06:09:28)
    The Golden Circle’s most ambitious project yet - Laugarás Lagoon – is now open, marking a new chapter for Icelandic wellness tourism, combining natural beauty, innovative design, and culinary excellence.This two-level geothermal experience is unlike any other in the area. Opening in time for prime Northern Lights viewing, the groundbreaking venue transforms the traditional Icelandic lagoon experience with a waterfall feature connecting the two levels.
  • Eurowings introduces Premium BIZ Seat on medium-haul flights and expands services to Germany (Breaking Travel News 2025-10-17 06:06:27)
    Eurowings, the value airline of the Lufthansa Group, is introducing affordable comfort on nonstop medium-haul routes while simultaneously deepening its presence in the Gulf region. Launching its new Premium BIZ seat this year and introducing expanded services to Germany in the 2025/26 winter schedule, Eurowings offers an innovative value option in comfort and connectivity for leisure and visiting friends and relatives (VFR) travel.