Day Headlines in Travel News: 2026-01-20

  • The state of Jalisco ready to welcome the world as FIFA World Cup 2026 countdown reaches 142 days (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-20 13:05:44)
    With 142 days to go until the FIFA World Cup 2026, Mexico’s state of Jalisco is finalising preparations to welcome international visitors, highlighting its strong tourism, transport and fan-focused readiness. Guadalajara, Jalisco’s capital, will host four group-stage matches at Estadio Guadalajara, including an opening-day fixture and the highly anticipated Mexico vs South Korea match on 18 June 2026.
  • Novotel Unveils “Longevity Everyday” (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-20 12:47:09)
    Novotel, Accor’s founding brand, has launched Longevity Everyday, a new vision designed to redefine how hotels support guests’ wellbeing and quality of life by making longevity practical, intuitive, and accessible through small daily habits. With more than 600 hotels across 67 countries, the brand is responding to the rapidly growing longevity economy, expected to reach $4.6 trillion for the travel and hospitality sector by the end of the decade, and to rising traveller demand for mental and physical wellness. The strategy will roll out from 2026 onwards across four pillars—Eat, Sleep, Move, Meet—through refreshed bedding, healthier and more sustainable dining, movement-focused experiences, and enhanced meetings and family offerings, all underpinned by a commitment to ocean preservation. At the heart of the initiative is the Novotel 37 Collective, a global community of wellbeing leaders and experts inspiring achievable, everyday choices that compound into long-term impact.
  • roomangel Foundation introduces Assetware, a new intelligence category for hospitality (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-20 11:03:25)
    The roomangel Foundation today announced the introduction of Assetware, a new intelligence category designed to redefine how artificial intelligence is connected, governed, and applied across the hospitality industry.The announcement was made during the Hotel Revolution Summit Dubai, where industry leaders gathered to examine the structural changes reshaping hotel performance in an increasingly AI-driven world.
  • World Travel Awards calls for 2026 entries (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-20 08:44:42)
    The Call for Entries for the World Travel Awards 2026 is now open. Travel and tourism organisations worldwide are invited to submit their entries for the opportunity to win the industry’s most prestigious accolade.Organisations demonstrating market-leading excellence are encouraged to participate. All available categories can be viewed online. The application process is quick and straightforward, and entries are submitted via the World Travel Awards website.
  • Monumental land art exhibition opens in the ancient oasis of AlUla (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-20 08:42:25)
    This week marks the official opening of Desert X AlUla 2026, the landmark fourth edition of the international, open-air biennial exhibition. Arts AlUla, in collaboration with Desert X, welcomes visitors to experience a stellar line-up of Saudi and international multi-generational artists whose site-responsive earthworks, sculptures, and installations will engage in a powerful dialogue with the awe-inspiring landscapes and layered heritage of AlUla.
  • Ocean Casino Resort Celebrates Grand Opening of Ocean’s 18 Mini Golf & Bar (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-20 08:40:57)
    Ocean’s 18 Mini Golf & Bar officially opened its doors at Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City on January 17 following a grand opening celebration with a special appearance by actor Christopher McDonald, aka “Shooter McGavin” in Happy Gilmore, and also known for his role on HBO Max’s Hacks. During the celebration, McDonald participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony and mingled with guests and tried his hand on the mini golf course. MTV’s Jersey Shore stars Sammi Giancola aka “Sammi Sweetheart” and Jenni Farley aka “JWoww” also stopped by the event to take a few swings on the course. Located on the Casino Level next to LaScala’s Fire, Ocean’s 18 is the first mini golf course ever built inside an Atlantic City casino and features a full-service bar.
  • Outform Launches Hospitality Division to Accelerate Brand-Driven Guest Experiences (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-20 08:35:57)
    Outform Group, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, “Outform” or the “Company”), an award-winning global innovation and experience agency, today announced the launch of Outform Hospitality, a dedicated business division designed to help hospitality brands rapidly design, source, and deliver high-quality guest environments at scale and with greater cost control.
  • Minor Hotels Sharpens Growth Agenda for 2026 (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-20 08:33:06)
    Minor Hotels will pursue a focused approach to growth in 2026, building on a year of record development momentum to prioritise market depth, portfolio diversification and capital-efficient expansion.The group signed 40 new hotel contracts and master agreements in 2025 – its highest annual total to date – and expects to secure a further 25 signings in the first quarter of 2026, highlighting sustained owner demand and signalling another record growth year ahead.
  • Struggling to Stick With the New Year’s Gym Resolution in Dark January? (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-20 08:31:19)
    A new year goes hand in hand with the best of intentions for a healthy lifestyle, but as we hit mid-January, we may start to struggle a little to stick with the new routines and ambitions. The solution is to plan ahead, book an active holiday in the sun – much better than dark January days anyhow. BeyondBeach is offering fitness weeks in Kefalonia and active family holidays in the French mountains.
  • Celebrate The Year Of Mindful Movement At Namia River Retreat this Tết New Year (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-20 08:28:16)
    As “Tết” 2026 ushers in the Year of the Fire Horse, Namia River Retreat invites travellers to experience a Vietnamese New Year shaped by meaningful presence. This is a Tết to be felt rather than hurried through, one that unfolds gently along the banks of the Thu Bon River.
  • When Time on the Train Becomes Part of the Journey (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-20 08:26:53)
    In most cases, trains are used simply as a means of reaching a destination.At the same time, there are trains in Japan that are designed so that the time spent onboard itself becomes part of the travel experience.
  • Ras Al Khaimah Delivers Record Tourism Performance in 2025 With 1.35m Overnight Visitors (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-20 08:24:44)
    Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) announces another year of record-breaking results for the Emirate, welcoming 1.35 million overnight visitors in 2025 – a 6% year-on-year increase – alongside a 12% growth in tourism revenues.
  • Swan Hellenic Launches Exclusive SCUBA Diving Expeditions in Raja Ampat for 2026 and 2027 (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-20 08:21:42)
    Unmissable new opportunities for SCUBA diving enthusiasts now enrich Swan Hellenic’s luxury expedition cruises in one of the last true paradises on Earth. The cultural expedition cruise specialist has unveiled a series of dedicated SCUBA diving experiences across four exclusive East Asia voyages, exploring the unrivalled marine biodiversity of Raja Ampat aboard the luxury boutique expedition ship SH Minerva.
  • NH Collection Maldives Reethi Returns with Renewed Grace (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-20 08:19:14)
    NH Collection Maldives Reethi Resort, Baa Atoll’s long-standing retreat cherished by generations of guests, has been transformed into a fresh expression of Maldivian hospitality following an extensive refurbishment and rebrand. As the resort enters a new chapter, its enduring legacy has been reimagined for a modern-day traveller seeking meaningful discovery – with 105 transformed villas, refined restaurants and bars, dedicated family spaces, kids’ facilities and a serene spa, all set within the elegantly landscaped natural island of Fonimagoodhoo.
  • Civitatis accelerates its global growth with a 30% increase in Latin America (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-20 08:12:12)
    On the eve of FITUR 2026, Civitatis, the leading curated marketplace for guided tours and activities in Spanish and Portuguese worldwide, and following the recent announcement of its new CEO, announces strong growth momentum for 2026, with Latin America expected to grow by over 30%, alongside the launch of its new App as a key lever to support its global expansion.