Day Headlines in Travel News: 2025-11-20

  • Oceania Cruises® Unveils a Sneak Peek of Oceania Sonata™ (Breaking Travel News 2025-11-20 18:23:19)
    Oceania Cruises®, the world’s leading culinary- and destination-focused luxury cruise line, today unveiled Oceania Sonata, the latest expression of the brand’s signature blend of intimate, luxurious experiences. Set to debut in 2027, the vessel will be the first of four 1,390-guest ships in the new Sonata Class, representing the next chapter in the line’s continued evolution of its intimate, luxurious ships.Marking the ninth vessel in the Oceania Cruises fleet, Oceania Sonata will embark on her maiden voyage in August 2027. A true masterpiece of design, she will deliver a symphony of unforgettable experiences at sea, anchored by the brand’s hallmark passion for gastronomy and its legacy of serving The Finest Cuisine at Sea®.
  • Six Destinations That Capture the Spirit of Saudi (Breaking Travel News 2025-11-20 18:17:20)
    Saudi continues to inspire travelers from around the world, a country where every destination tells a different story, from ancient civilizations carved into sandstone to coral-framed coastlines and palm-shaded oases.According to the Ministry of Tourism’s latest data, Saudi welcomed 60.9 million visitors in the first half of 2025, maintaining strong growth momentum across both domestic and international tourism. Total tourism spending reached approximately SAR 161 billion, reflecting a 4 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024.  Saudi’s tourism sector continues to play a pivotal role in driving economic diversification and shaping Saudi’s global tourism landscape.From UNESCO heritage sites to untouched coral reefs and world-class cultural events, these six destinations showcase the very best of Saudi - each offering a unique experience that blends history, authenticity, and innovation
  • Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi unveils UAE’s largest thermodynamic solar system (Breaking Travel News 2025-11-20 16:51:08)
    The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal continues to set new benchmarks in sustainable luxury, unveiling the UAE’s largest thermodynamic solar system, a milestone that reaffirms the resort’s position as a leader in responsible hospitality and innovation.
  • Meeting Needs partners Sandals Foundation Jamaica relief with cash donation (Breaking Travel News 2025-11-20 16:42:01)
    Event industry foundation Meeting Needs has agreed a £5,000 donation to support relief work in Jamaica following the devastating damage to the island by hurricane Melissa.
  • US overcomes shutdown blues to report Thanksgiving travel growth (Breaking Travel News 2025-11-20 15:21:57)
    Travellers in the United States are expected to holiday in a variety of popular hotspots this coming Thanksgiving, gathering in warmer climates, flying into regional airports and choosing direct routes that make each trip smoother
  • BTN Interviews: Ritesh Raj, Co-Founder and COO, CuddlyNest: From India to the Future of AI Travel (Breaking Travel News 2025-11-20 15:01:29)
    CuddlyNest has evolved from its founding ambition of touching every travel vertical into a next-phase company now focused on enhancement rather than building—leveraging AI, expanding into flights and attractions, and redefining how travellers discover and book experiences. Its journey reflects what happens when grit aligns with timing and resilience meets risk, driven by a founder who turned his beginnings in an “unpopular town” into a global vision. Today, CuddlyNest stands as a testament to exploration, determination, and the belief that the world is not only worth seeing—but worth connecting.
  • How to prep for your trip without the panic (Breaking Travel News 2025-11-20 14:29:45)
    Why is it that preparing for a trip often feels more stressful than the trip itself? You book the flights, dream about poolside snacks, and then suddenly you’re deep in a group chat about who’s packing the sunscreen and who’s watching the neighbor’s cat. Somewhere between the to-do lists and the endless piles of “just in case” clothes, the excitement starts to fade. What should feel like a break becomes another job, complete with logistics, timelines, and way too many questions.
  • Antigua & Barbuda Unveil Major Developments, Cultural Milestones and New Luxury Projects Ahead of 20 (Breaking Travel News 2025-11-20 12:05:02)
    Antigua and Barbuda are gearing up for a landmark year in tourism, unveiling an impressive slate of developments, major anniversaries, cultural festivals, and luxury openings—solidifying their position as one of the Caribbean’s most dynamic and culturally rich destinations. The Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Authority used World Travel Market 2025 to spotlight both the island nation’s rapid progress and its strategic vision for 2026.
  • The Commercial Strategy Shift: AI’s Influence on Revenue, Loyalty & Demand (Breaking Travel News 2025-11-20 10:01:57)
    As the hospitality industry accelerates into an era defined by intelligent innovation, few forces loom larger than artificial intelligence (AI). Once a distant concept, AI has rapidly become an everyday catalyst reshaping how hotels engage guests, optimise operations, and drive commercial success. With adoption moving from experimentation to strategic integration, the industry enters a pivotal moment, one that will take centre stage at next week’s HSMAI Middle East & Africa Commercial Strategy Conference (CSC MEA).
  • Ferrari World Yas Island Abu Dhabi Celebrates 15 Years of Record-Breaking Thrills (Breaking Travel News 2025-11-20 07:50:36)
    For 15 unforgettable years, Ferrari World Yas Island, Abu Dhabi has turned speed, innovation and family fun into an engineering marvel beneath its iconic red roof. This November, the award-winning theme park will commemorate its milestone anniversary with a high-octane, month-long festivities packed with exclusive entertainment and once-in-a-lifetime experiences.The celebration will transform every corner of the park into a living tribute to Ferrari’s storied legacy. Guests can look forward to lively performances and in-park entertainment that bring the vibrant energy of Italian piazzas to Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, complemented by special anniversary-themed F&B offerings available throughout the month.
  • Riyadh Air Accelerates ‘Pathway to Perfect’ with Landmark Technical, Training, and Travel Agreements (Breaking Travel News 2025-11-20 07:48:38)
    At Dubai Airshow 2025, Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s new national carrier, today announced a comprehensive suite of technical, training, and travel partnership agreements designed to rapidly scale its operations and enhance the passenger experience.These pivotal collaborations encompass a major expansion of its A321neo fleet support through new engine orders and state-of-the-art pilot simulators, technology and comprehensive maintenance & digital operations for its Boeing 787 Dreamliners. An array of strategic travel MoUs signed with key agencies align to cement Riyadh Air’s position as a digital-native, future-focused airline, contributing to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
  • flydubai signs MoU for 75 Boeing 737 MAX Airplanes (Breaking Travel News 2025-11-20 07:45:16)
    Boeing and flydubai announced today the airline has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for its fourth 737 MAX purchase. The agreement for 75 orders and 75 options will enable flydubai to modernize its fleet and further expand its growing network.
  • Gulf Air Increases Boeing 787 Dreamliner Order (Breaking Travel News 2025-11-20 07:43:37)
    Boeing and Gulf Air announced today the airline has finalized a firm order for 15 787 Dreamliners with options for three more as the Bahrain-based carrier looks to further develop its international network.The order adds three Boeing 787s to the airline’s commitment this July(opens in a new tab) and brings Gulf Air’s order book to 17 of the versatile widebody jets.The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the Dubai Airshow by Martin Gauss, chief executive officer of Gulf Air, and Brad McMullen, Boeing senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing
  • Etihad Airways enhances guest experience with expanded Viasat partnership (Breaking Travel News 2025-11-20 07:41:08)
    Etihad Airways will deploy Viasat’s next-generation connectivity solution, Viasat Amara, across its entire fleet as part of its ongoing commitment to deliver a world-class guest experience. The expansion, announced today by the Abu Dhabi-based airline and Viasat Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), a global leader in satellite communications, builds on a successful multi-year collaboration.Onboard Etihad aircraft, Viasat will power high-speed connectivity that enables guests to access streaming subscriptions on personal devices, to view Live TV on the aircraft seatback IFE screens—providing a variety of news and sports channels for guests’ enjoyment—and to utilize applications for social media scrolling, browsing, shopping, and more.
  • Emirates and flydubai: Rewarding travellers through partnership and enhanced connectivity (Breaking Travel News 2025-11-20 07:39:55)
    The Emirates and flydubai partnership exemplifies industry-leading collaboration, seamlessly connecting millions of travellers across an extensive global network while rewarding Emirates Skywards members through the joint loyalty programme.
  • Emirates signs MOU with Rolls-Royce to conduct engine MRO on its own A380 fleet from 2027 (Breaking Travel News 2025-11-20 07:37:19)
    Under a Memorandum of Understanding signed between Emirates and Rolls-Royce today at the Dubai Airshow 2025, Emirates will perform Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) for the Trent 900 engines powering its own A380 fleet from 2027. Emirates has also extended the TotalCare service agreement with Rolls-Royce for its A380s into the 2040s.Emirates will build a new facility with the first induction forecast from 2027. Emirates will complete fan case repairs at the facility, and Rolls-Royce will maintain module repair capability within the global network.
  • flydubai selects GE Aerospace digital solutions to elevate flight safety and pilot performance (Breaking Travel News 2025-11-20 07:35:06)
    flydubai, the Dubai-based carrier, and GE Aerospace (NYSE: GE) announced at the Dubai Airshow an agreement to deploy GE Aerospace’s SaaS advanced flight operations software solutions, Safety Insight and FlightPulse, across its entire fleet. The integration will enable flydubai to improve operations by leveraging advanced analytics to enhance flight safety and efficiency
  • flynas launches the “Literature Journey” Initiative (Breaking Travel News 2025-11-20 06:55:01)
    flynas, the leading low-cost airline in the world and the best LCC in the Middle East, announced launching the “Literature Journey” initiative, aimed at reinforcing Saudi cultural content and supporting the production of Saudi litterateurs, through reproducing and publishing it on flynas’ social media accounts, as part of the company’s sustainability and social responsibility programs that adopt initiatives with a sustainable impact on society.flynas has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Abdullah bin Idris Cultural Center to collaborate in the field of culture. Under the agreement, the center will nominatie literary texts for the initiative, and flynas will digitally reproduce and promote the content across its digital platforms.
  • El Albergue Ollantaytambo honoured with World’s Leading Small Sustainable Destination 2025 (Breaking Travel News 2025-11-20 06:51:59)
    Peruvian heritage eco-lodge El Albergue Ollantaytambo has been recognised with the title of World’s Leading Small Sustainable Destination 2025 by voters at the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards (WSTHA).The prize was revealed in front of hundreds of global leaders of sustainable tourism gathered in Dubai for the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards 2025. The VIP ceremony was held at Terra, Expo City Dubai and recognised the individuals and organisations that are accelerating change in net positive tourism.
  • Ecoventura honoured with World’s Leading Sustainable Guest Experience title at WSTHA (Breaking Travel News 2025-11-20 06:49:12)
    Cruise provider Ecoventura has been recognised with the title of World’s Leading Sustainable Guest Experience 2025 by voters at the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards (WSTHA).The prize was revealed in front of hundreds of global leaders of sustainable tourism gathered in Dubai for the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards 2025. The VIP ceremony was held at Terra, Expo City Dubai and recognised the individuals and organisations that are accelerating change in net positive tourism.