Day Headlines in Travel News: 2026-01-28

  • THE LUCE, ST. PETE BEACH’S NEWEST COASTAL RETREAT NOW ACCEPTING RESERVATIONS (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-28 14:02:06)
    The Luce, a highly anticipated new addition to St. Pete Beach’s vibrant shoreline, is now officially accepting guest reservations for stays beginning March 15, 2026. With 200 stylish accommodations– including a selection of bungalow studio suites– The Luce offers a playful yet polished retreat designed for both relaxation and celebration. Now part of Marriott’s Tribute Portfolio, The Luce, owned by LCP Safanad, is being transformed from a St. Pete Beach classic boutique hotel into one unforgettable getaway, capturing the charm of SPB and seamlessly integrating the distinctly Floridian experience that celebrates the endless sunshine, eclectic culture and laid-back sophistication of Florida’s Gulf Coast. In celebration of its launch,
  • North Dakota Shines: A Year-Round Destination for Rare Natural Phenomena (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-28 13:00:15)
    Travelers seeking awe-inspiring natural phenomena will find North Dakota delivers year-round experiences. Known for its wide-open spaces and natural beauty, the state offers an array of rare and visually striking experiences, from celestial light shows to dramatic prairie storms and wildlife migrations, while remaining refreshingly uncrowded and affordable.
  • Explore Fairbanks Releases 2026 Visitors Guide (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-28 12:58:31)
    The 2026 Official Fairbanks Visitors Guide is now available for free from Explore Fairbanks. This 72-page, full-color publication is an excellent resource for planning a trip to Fairbanks, Alaska, any time of the year.
  • From Guidebooks to Personal Stories, Shanghai Rethinks the Visitor Experience (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-28 10:31:24)
    For decades, visiting Shanghai meant following a familiar set of stops: the Bund at sunset, a stroll through Yuyuan Garden, perhaps a first glimpse of the skyline from Pudong. Increasingly, though, the city wants travelers to move beyond the checklist — and to describe Shanghai in their own words.
  • Emirates and Marriott International to Bring First-Ever Ritz-Carlton Lodge Globally to Australia (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-28 09:53:07)
    Emirates and Marriott International, Inc. have signed an agreement to open Emirates Wolgan Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Lodge - a 40-key all-inclusive luxury lodge set to be situated on a 7,000-acre conservancy in Australia’s Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage area.
  • Do Schengen Visas Require Hotel Reservations? (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-28 08:30:34)
    The Schengen visa application process is one that millions of people have to go through before visiting France, Spain, Italy,  or any other country in the Schengen area. This area comprises 29 popular destinations in Europe.
  • Sandals® and Beaches® Resorts -  Official All-Inclusive Caribbean Resorts of the Florida Panthers (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-28 08:03:56)
    The adults-only Sandals Resorts and family-friendly Beaches Resorts are bringing the warmth of the Caribbean sun straight to the ice as the Official All-Inclusive Caribbean Resorts of reigning Stanley Cup champions, the Florida Panthers. A two-year partnership with Unique Travel Corp. (UTC), the worldwide representative of Sandals and Beaches Resorts, invites Panthers fans to enjoy their NHL games with a side of Caribbean fun featuring activations, giveaways, and more pop-ups at the team’s home, Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida.
  • Busch Gardens Unveils a Thrilling Live Music Series for 2026 (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-28 07:59:06)
    Busch Gardens returns in 2026 with an expanded, dual-park live music series featuring more than 25 full-length performances across both parks. With concerts included with all forms of park admission, an Annual Pass or Membership offers guests the most flexible way to access the full 2026 concert lineup all season long.
  • Four Seasons Marks 65 Years with a Clear Vision for Long-Term Growth (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-28 07:56:02)
    As Four Seasons marks its 65th anniversary, the company enters the year from a position of strength – guided by a disciplined approach to growth, a deeply embedded culture of service, and a long-term view of value creation across its global portfolio.
  • PRINCESS SENSES THE MANGROVE TO REOPEN FEB. 1, CELEBRATING JAMAICA’S RESILIENCE (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-28 07:54:50)
    Princess Hotels & Resorts Jamaica is excited to announce that Princess Senses The Mangrove will once again welcome guests on Feb. 1, 2026, a moment that reflects both the resort’s readiness and the strong forward momentum Jamaica continues to experience as one of the Caribbean’s leading destinations.
  • Tripadvisor Trendcast 2026 Introduces The Year of Meaningful Travel Experiences (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-28 07:52:38)
    Tripadvisor®, the world’s largest travel guidance platform, today announced the launch of its second annual Trendcast report, exploring the trends defining travel this year.Informed by Tripadvisor’s global insights, the 2026 Trendcast is based on search, booking and behavioral data, along with user generated content from the platform’s more than one billion reviews and contributions.
  • Chiva-Som Hua Hin Welcomes 2026 With a Year-Long Celebration of Holistic Wellbeing (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-28 07:50:24)
    With a history spanning more than 2,500 years, Traditional Thai Medicine is a holistic healing system centred on harmony between the body, mind, and environment. It has been embedded in Chiva-Som Hua Hin’s offering since the resort’s inception and remains fundamental to its integrative approach to balancing physical, mental, and emotional health. Time-honoured treatments - including therapeutic bodywork, movement disciplines, and herbal remedies - are delivered by the resort’s experienced certified TTM practitioner, drawing on the indigenous wisdom for which the country is renowned.
  • Eri Maldives Debuts as an Eco-Chic Lifestyle Island Resort (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-28 07:48:12)
    ERI Maldives , an eco-chic lifestyle island resort nestled in the pristine North Malé Atoll, welcomes guests after a comprehensive rebranding and renovation. With a beautiful house reef, turquoise waters, swaying palms, and a philosophy rooted in barefoot simplicity, Eri invites guests to experience a vibrant, unhurried island escape where connection, cultural richness, wellness-focused experiences and eco-conscious island living meet.
  • The Sarojin Launches Exceptional Summer 2026 Rates (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-28 07:34:55)
    For a limited time, luxury boutique resort The Sarojin in Thailand is offering exceptional summer rates for stays between May and October 2026, with bed and breakfast room rates from £145 per night*, or seven-night B&B package stays including flights from the UK from £1,549 per person, when booked by 16th February 2026.
  • AVENEW Development and Hilton Announce Waldorf Astoria Dubai Islands and Waldorf Astoria Residences (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-28 07:31:53)
    AVENEW Development, a Dubai-born real estate innovator, has signed an agreement with Hilton (NYSE: HLT) to open Waldorf Astoria Dubai Islands and Waldorf Astoria Residences Dubai Islands, introducing the iconic luxury brand to one of the city’s most anticipated coastal destinations.
  • United Expects Biggest Summer Yet at Chicago O’Hare, Growing to Record 750 Flights Per Day (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-28 07:23:58)
    United today announced it will reach 750 flights per day this summer from Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), 200 more than its next largest competitor and the largest schedule ever flown by any airline operating here.Throughout 2026, Chicago’s hometown airline will offer nonstop service to 222 destinations – more than any other airline at ORD, and 38 more than its next largest competitor – including 47 international cities across Europe, Asia and South America as well as 175 U.S. destinations. Starting as early as April, and on sale January 29, the airline is strengthening connectivity across the Midwest with five new routes from ORD to cities including:
  • andBeyond evolves leadership structure to support global growth and long-term impact (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-28 07:21:40)
    As andBeyond rapidly expands across Africa, Asia and South America, our Scaling Impact 2030 ambition to help protect more of our world’s irreplaceable places requires a leadership structure designed for global growth, specialist excellence and long-term impact.The updated structure, effective 01 March 2026, is designed around specialist focus, with dedicated leadership for world-class lodges, camps and yachts, and tailormade tour operations. This allows each area of the business to benefit from deep expertise while remaining fully integrated under the andBeyond brand.
  • Minor Hotels Announces First Signing Under its New Minor Reserve Collection Brand (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-28 07:19:34)
    Minor Hotels, a leading global hotel owner and operator, has announced the signing of the first property under its new luxury collection brand, Minor Reserve Collection. Slated to launch in 2028, Aventora Resort Baía Formosa, Minor Reserve Collection, will be located in Brazil’s Rio Grande do Norte in the northeast of the country, in an area recognised as a key destination for eco-tourism.