Day Headlines in Travel News: 2026-01-21

  • Anantara Chiang Mai Resort Appoints Tudsaporn Jaiboonchuen as General Manager (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-21 13:37:57)
    Anantara Chiang Mai Resort, a luxury resort operated by global hospitality group Minor Hotels, announces the appointment of Tudsaporn Jaiboonchuen as its new General Manager, effective 1 January 2026.In her new role, Tudsaporn will lead the resort’s overall strategy and operations, with a focus on elevating guest experience, driving commercial performance, upholding brand standards, and fostering team development across the property.
  • Football Fever: How Saudi is Becoming the World’s Hottest Destination for Global Football (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-21 13:33:52)
    Saudi is rapidly transforming into a global powerhouse for sports. Football is seeing a renaissance in the country, but beneath the dazzling headlines lies a deep, multi-generational passion for the beautiful game. That passion is now being amplified by an unprecedented wave of focus on football locally, nationally, and internationally.The clearest sign of this ambition is Saudi’s successful bid to host the FIFA World Cup 2034. This monumental undertaking involves developing cutting-edge infrastructure, from state-of-the-art stadiums to expansive fan zones and advanced transport networks; all meticulously planned to deliver an unparalleled global spectacle. In the meantime, Saudi is showcasing its hosting credentials by bringing major European club competitions like the Spanish andItalian Super Cups to its pitches.
  • The Invisible Engine Behind Every Great Journey: A Travel Through TBO.com (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-21 11:51:54)
    Every memorable journey begins long before a suitcase is packed or a boarding pass is scanned. It starts in the quiet moments of planning—when routes are mapped, hotels compared, and experiences imagined. Behind these moments, powering seamless travel across continents, is an invisible engine that keeps the global travel ecosystem moving. One such force is TBO.com, a platform that has quietly transformed the way travel is bought, sold, and experienced around the world.
  • Middle East outbound travel spend projected to pass US$60bn by 2030 (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-21 09:35:45)
    With overseas travel spend by Middle East residents expected to grow by 6% per year until the end of the decade, where it will top US$60 billion according to the latest ATM Travel Trends Report, exhibition space is in high demand among international participants at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026, which will take place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 4-7 May.
  • Avelo Airlines Extends its Charlotte / Concord Flight Schedule Through Summer 2026 (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-21 09:33:42)
    Avelo Airlines announced today that it is extending its Concord-Padgett Regional Airport (USA) flight schedule through Aug. 18, 2026, just in time to start planning summer travel.
  • MGM Resorts Powers Up to 100% of Daytime Las Vegas Strip Electricity with Solar (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-21 09:31:31)
    MGM Resorts International has reached a significant milestone in its renewable energy strategy, now powering up to 100% of its daytime electricity needs on the Las Vegas Strip with solar energy. The achievement was made possible after the Company began receiving 115 MW of solar energy and 400 megawatt-hours (MWh) of battery storage in December of 2025 from the recently completed Escape Solar and Storage Project, located in Lincoln County, Nevada.
  • Choice Hotels International Launches New Global Campaign Centered on Travel Values (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-21 09:28:27)
    Choice Hotels International, Inc. today unveiled its latest global marketing campaign centered on Travel Values, celebrating how the right stay can unlock more meaningful travel experiences. The campaign highlights how staying with Choice Hotels gives guests more value for their money, helping them make the most out of the moments they care about.
  • ATLAS OCEAN VOYAGES ANNOUNCES LUXURY EXPEDITION SAILING YACHT (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-21 09:25:44)
    Atlas Ocean Voyages today announced that it is currently building its first-ever luxury expedition sailing yacht, a next-generation newbuild platform that represents a significant milestone in the company’s continued evolution and growth within the luxury expedition cruise industry.
  • A Valentine’s Escape at Crossroads Maldives Love, On Your Own Terms (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-21 09:23:20)
    At CROSSROADS Maldives, Valentine’s Day is treated not as a single evening gesture but as a full-day celebration shaped by choice, movement and shared experience. Set across two islands connected by the lagoon, the destination invites couples to create their own rhythm of romance — moving effortlessly between energy, creativity and calm.
  • Guatemala Emerges as a Top Travel Trend for 2026, Reports Journey Latin America (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-21 09:20:20)
    Specialist tour operator Journey Latin America is delighted to announce a significant rise in demand for holidays to Central America — with Guatemala emerging as one of 2026’s fastest‑growing Central American destinations.Long beloved by backpackers for its affordability, adventure and culture — from smouldering volcanoes to vibrant chicken buses — Guatemala has traditionally flown under the radar for luxury travellers. That is now rapidly changing as discerning visitors increasingly seek out both its iconic sights and hidden gems. With a surge in demand fuelled by MICHELIN recognition, high‑profile media exposure, and renewed traveller curiosity, Guatemala is stepping confidently into the spotlight.
  • GRAND MERCURE BUSINESS BAY OPENS IN DUBAI FOLLOWING THE REBRANDING OF GULF COURT HOTEL BUSINESS BAY (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-21 09:08:40)
    Grand Mercure Business Bay has officially opened its doors in Dubai following the rebranding of Gulf Court Hotel Business Bay, owned and managed by Gulf Hotels Group (GHG), under a franchise agreement with Accor. This milestone marks a new chapter for the hotel, shaped by Grand Mercure’s distinctive approach to hospitality that celebrates pride of place through refined grandeur, cultural immersion and heartfelt human connection.Rooted in international hospitality standards while deeply anchored in its destination, Grand Mercure Business Bay reflects the brand’s philosophy of elevating locality through meaningful gestures, warm rituals and intentional service.
  • Rotana Strengthens Saudi Portfolio with the Signing of Centro Hail (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-21 09:06:06)
    Rotana, one of the leading hotel management companies in the region, has announced the signing of Centro Hail, a next-generation lifestyle hotel to be developed in collaboration with Alkhorayef Investment and Development Co. and the Tourism Development Fund (TDF).
  • andBeyond Phinda Zuka Lodge returns after a soulful refurbishment (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-21 09:03:47)
    andBeyond Phinda Zuka Lodge reopened on 18 December 2025 after a thoughtful refurbishment, welcoming guests back to a place that feels both familiar and entirely new. Emerging as a next-generation private safari retreat designed for intimate gatherings, perfect for small groups, multi-generational families and milestone celebrations. The result is a key destination shaped for life’s most meaningful moments, carried by the warm, effortless hospitality that has always defined the Zuka experience. As part of andBeyond’s ongoing commitment to investing in its lodge portfolio, this much-loved lodge within Phinda Private Game Reserve returns as a home for every generation.
  • Dubai named ‘World’s Leading Sustainable City’ at World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-21 08:59:07)
    Dubai has been recognised with the title of ’World’s Leading Sustainable City 2025’ by voters at the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards.The prize was revealed in front of hundreds of global leaders of sustainable tourism at the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards 2025, held at Terra, Expo City Dubai. The VIP ceremony recognised the individuals and organisations that are accelerating change in net positive tourism.