Day Headlines in Travel News: 2025-11-06

  • Visit Qatar Highlights Record Tourism Growth and UK Market Strength at WTM London 2025 (Breaking Travel News 2025-11-06 12:34:33)
    Visit Qatar is unveiling the country’s significant tourism growth and expanding visitor offerings at World Travel Market (WTM) 2025, from 4-6 November 2025 at ExCeL London. Joined by a strong delegation of 48 partners - including hotels, resorts and destination management companies - Visit Qatar shared its latest milestones in the country’s tourism sector during a press conference on 5 November, highlighting growth in visitor numbers, hospitality expansion, cruise milestones and Qatar’s evolving position as a world-class travel destination.
  • WTM London’s tech audience agree that AI is good for travel (with caveats) (Breaking Travel News 2025-11-06 12:31:07)
    Artificial intelligence is a net positive for travel, according to a show-of-hands after a lively debate which rounded off the Technology Summit at this year’s WTM London. The role of AI in travel was debated by two teams of three. Those agreeing with the proposition – AI is the enemy of travel – were led by Stephen Joyce from Protect Group, with the dissenters led by Christian Watts of Magpie Travel.
  • Jumeirah and Bouguessa Unveil ‘Jumeirah Heritage Club’ Introducing Jumeirah’s Capsule Collection (Breaking Travel News 2025-11-06 12:24:58)
    Jumeirah, the global luxury hospitality brand and a member of Dubai Holding, today unveils Jumeirah Heritage Club – an exclusive capsule collection created in collaboration with acclaimed Dubai-based contemporary fashion house Bouguessa.
  • Saudia Joins the World Travel Market 2025 in London (Breaking Travel News 2025-11-06 12:21:36)
    Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, participated at the World Travel Market 2025 (WTM), hosted in London, United Kingdom, from November 4 to 6. The event is one of the world’s leading travel and tourism events, bringing together industry leaders, decision-makers, and experts from around the globe.
  • Vietnam Airlines Introduces Its First-Ever Signature Fragrance (Breaking Travel News 2025-11-06 12:15:06)
    Vietnam Airlines has become the first airline in Vietnam to introduce its own signature fragrance, LotuScent, marking a significant milestone in its ongoing commitment to enhancing the passenger experience. The fragrance is crafted to enhance the ambiance of select Lotus Lounges and on international flights.
  • Exclusive Livestream of Media Roundtable With HH Princess Sara and Mr. AlHamdan, Riyadh Saudi Arabia (Breaking Travel News 2025-11-06 12:01:00)
    In a pivotal discussion, H.H. Princess Sara bint Salman Al‑Saudi Al‑Saud and Mr. AlHamdan outlined how Saudi Arabia is stepping into the global tourism spotlight by hosting the 26th UN Tourism General Assembly in Riyadh (7-11 November 2025) — coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the UN tourism body. They emphasised Saudi’s intent to leverage this milestone to showcase its transformation under Vision 2030, and to set a new course for the industry under the theme “AI-Powered Tourism: Redefining the Future.” The roundtable highlighted three core areas of focus: deepening international collaboration across 160+ member states; embedding artificial intelligence and sustainable innovation into the travel ecosystem; and using the event as a platform to accelerate Saudi’s role as a global tourism hub and model of responsible growth.
  • A New Economic Blueprint: Maldives Introduces Sustainable Townships (Breaking Travel News 2025-11-06 11:55:35)
    The Maldives is moving to expand its tourism model with proposed amendments to the Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Act. The changes create a new category of Sustainable Townships, designed for large-scale, integrated developments that combine hospitality, residential real estate, health, education, and renewable energy infrastructure.
  • Italian Cuisine World Summit brings Culinary Icons to Ferrari World Abu Dhabi (Breaking Travel News 2025-11-06 11:29:59)
    The 16th edition of the Italian Cuisine World Summit, the longest-running event celebrating Italian gastronomy, restaurants, and authentic Italian-made food and beverages, returned to Ferrari World Yas Island, Abu Dhabi on November 3. The event paid tribute to Italy’s rich culinary heritage and vibrant dining scene, featuring chefs representing Michelin-star-awarded restaurants from across Italy.
  • Vera Versilia: Middle East’s Best Italian Cuisine Restaurant 2025, A Celebration of Tuscan Grace (Breaking Travel News 2025-11-06 10:56:02)
    Dubai’s dining landscape has found its new Italian jewel in Vera Versilia — the recently crowned Middle East’s Best Italian Cuisine Restaurant 2025 at the World Culinary Awards. Located within the elegant Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates, Vera Versilia embodies the soul of Tuscany’s coastal Riviera, where art, cuisine, and culture harmonize with Dubai’s cosmopolitan rhythm.
  • WTM: Croatia Signs Deal with Jet2 as 4.1 Million British Overnight Stays Signal Tourism Boom (Breaking Travel News 2025-11-06 08:10:22)
    The Croatian National Tourist Board made a flying start to the World Travel Market (WTM) taking place from 4-6 November, the largest in event’s 45-year history. Promotional efforts at the checkered and visually impactful Croatian stand were spearheaded by the Minister of Tourism and Sport, Tonči Glavina, the Croatian National Tourist Board’s Director, Kristjan Staničić, Director of the Croatian National Tourist Board’s office in London, Bisera Fabrio, alongside 27 co-exhibitors.
  • “Healing is the New Luxury”: Thailand Unveils its Latest Travel Vision (Breaking Travel News 2025-11-06 08:09:50)
    The Tourism Authority of Thailand has launched a new “Amazing Thailand” campaign, redefining luxury through the lens of personal healing, sustainability, and cultural connections for a new generation of travellers.The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is setting out a bold new vision for the country’s tourism industry with the campaign “Unforgettable Experience: Healing is the New Luxury”. In a world where speed, stress and uncertainty dominate daily life, Thailand is positioning itself as a destination where travellers can slow down, recharge, and reconnect with themselves and nature.
  • Guiding Global Tourism Toward a Shared, Sustainable Future (Breaking Travel News 2025-11-06 08:07:00)
    Tourism is entering a new era of transformation defined by sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation. UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili shares how global collaboration is reshaping travel, empowering communities, and driving long-term, responsible growth worldwide.
  • Hilton & Wirgan Hospitality Announce Plans to Open Two Hotels in Makkah (Breaking Travel News 2025-11-06 08:04:03)
    Hilton today announced during World Travel Market in London the signing of an agreement with Wirgan Hospitality to rebrand two of their trading hotels in Makkah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – the first Tapestry Collection by Hilton in Makkah and a DoubleTree by Hilton. Both hotels are set to open before the end of the year, further strengthening Hilton’s presence in the Kingdom and the Holy City. The signings will almost double Hilton’s trading presence in Makkah – by rooms – to more than 4,100 keys.
  • Inside WTTC’s Vision for Travel and Tourism (Breaking Travel News 2025-11-06 08:01:40)
    Jamie Wortley, Vice President of Communications at the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), discusses sustainable growth, workforce renewal, and innovation in the sector.
  • Kuda Villingili Maldives Unveils ‘Through the Decades’ (Breaking Travel News 2025-11-06 07:56:26)
    This festive season, Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives invites guests to step into an elevated journey of celebration, nostalgia, and rejuvenation with its 2025–2026 Festive Program, themed “Through the Decades.” Between December 23, 2025, and January 7, 2026, the island will transform into a vibrant canvas of shimmering gold, sparkling silver, and neon hues. The resort’s signature ethos — “time and space redefined” — sets the tone, as guests are invited to leave the ordinary behind and relax, celebrate, and reconnect in absolute luxury.
  • Inclusion, AI and Sustainability take centre stage on day two of WTM London 2025 (Breaking Travel News 2025-11-06 07:54:51)
    The second day of World Travel Market London 2025 welcomed the main sessions of this year’s DEAI Summit. It also saw more discussions on AI, sustainability and marketing and touched on how humour can be used to sell travel.An early session in the DEAI Summit highlighted ‘inclusion fatigue’ and political resistance to diversity initiatives.“There is definitely a rollback that is making it more challenging,” said Joanna Reeve, of tour operator Intrepid Travel. But she suggested travel could make us feel connected to other cultures so “there’s less of ‘us and them’ and more ‘us’.”
  • TV stars share travel marketing tips at WTM London (Breaking Travel News 2025-11-06 07:52:10)
    Yesterday, British TV stars Bettany Hughes and Maisie Adam took to the stage at WTM London to share their tips about marketing travel and holidays.Comedian and star of Taskmaster and A League of Their Own, Maisie Adam, spoke on the marketing summit panel ‘Comedy Sells’ whereby she told delegates: “It’s about making the ordinary, extraordinary”, as she recalled interviews with passengers about etiquette on planes. Having worked with several tourism boards, Adam went on to explain “There is a human element to travel…we have to grab [consumers] with more than just where it is. You don’t have to show off Machu Picchu; you could be at an airport talking about the mundane”.The comedian showed clips from her recent Swiss tourism film, which featured activities such as sliding down a bobsleigh run and trying a fondue. Adam said: “It’s about telling a story well and enjoying yourself. Other people see you’re having a great laugh, so they want to come and find out more”. She closed by telling the audience: “Humour is a special language…and a great tool for connection.”
  • Ministers identify investment and education as key to delivering on tourism’s global potential (Breaking Travel News 2025-11-06 07:49:15)
    Ministers gathered at WTM London 2025 shared their views on how smarter, more inclusive investment models can help destinations to share more widely the benefits of travel and tourism.The 19th edition of WTM London’s Ministers’ Summit, in association with UN Tourism and WTTC, offered examples of how the public and private sectors are working together to fund the opportunities and mediate the challenges of growing travel and tourism markets.Many destinations are using tax breaks and other incentives to drive tourism development. Christina Frasco from the Philippines talked about how it was offering fiscal incentives and opening new economic zones for tourism that champion sustainability, green innovation and job creation.
  • Maldives Unveils Sustainable Townships as the Foundation of a Diversified Economic Future (Breaking Travel News 2025-11-06 07:47:17)
    The Maldives is moving to expand its tourism model with proposed amendments to the Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Act. The changes create a new category of Sustainable Townships, designed for large-scale, integrated developments that combine hospitality, residential real estate, health, education, and renewable energy infrastructure.The government’s aim is to diversify the tourism sector and attract next-generation projects that complement the traditional resort model. Sustainable Townships are expected to generate long-term opportunities in premium real estate tourism, wellness and medical services, and education-focused travel. By integrating residential, commercial, and public service components, these projects broaden revenue streams, create employment across multiple sectors, and establish the Maldives as a destination for long-stay visitors and high-value investors.