Day Headlines in Travel News: 2026-01-30

  • Etihad Guest Takes Off Across India with Massive Partner Expansion (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-30 10:01:43)
    Etihad Guest, the award-winning loyalty programme of Etihad Airways, is celebrating a major milestone across India, as the airline welcomes five new heavyweight loyalty partners to its rapidly expanding programme. The partnership launch was celebrated last night at a glittering event in Mumbai, attended by partners, media and stars of Bollywood.
  • Etihad Airways launches first-ever nonstop flights between the Middle East and Calgary (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-30 09:58:12)
    Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, has announced the launch of the first-ever nonstop flights between the UAE and Calgary, creating a new strategic air link between the Middle East and Western Canada. Launching on 3 November 2026, the route marks another step in Etihad’s global expansion and supports Abu Dhabi’s long-term ambitions to drive international trade, tourism and investment.
  • IN IT FOR THE LONG HAUL: VIRGIN ATLANTIC STRENGTHENS ITS HOME IN THE NORTH (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-30 09:29:02)
    Virgin Atlantic is boosting its long-haul flying from Manchester this summer with additional services to Orlando, reinforcing its long-term commitment to the airline’s home in the North. Following Aer Lingus’ decision to withdraw its long-haul flying from Manchester, Virgin Atlantic is increasing Manchester to Orlando capacity by 12% in peak Summer 2026 with additional flights. These changes ensure customers across the North of England can continue to benefit from direct, long-haul connectivity and will be on sale from Tuesday 3 February.
  • Air India Orders 30 Boeing 737 MAX Jets to Expand Single-Aisle Fleet (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-30 09:26:00)
    Boeing and Air India announced today the airline has ordered 30 more fuel-efficient 737 MAX jets, expanding its Boeing order book to nearly 200 airplanes across the company’s single-aisle and wide body airplane families.
  • The U.S. Virgin Islands Announces Dates for 2026 St Thomas Carnival (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-30 09:23:43)
    The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism, in collaboration with the Division of Festivals, is pleased to announce the official dates for St. Thomas Carnival 2026, set to take place from April 26 to May 2, 2026. The island’s marquee cultural celebration will once again bring together residents and visitors for a vibrant week honoring the Virgin Islands’ heritage through music, food, and vibes!
  • BTN exclusive Interview with Adam Tuttle, Co-Founder and CEO of Yipy (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-30 09:19:52)
    The Leading Hotels of the World (LHW), the global collection of more than 400 independent luxury hotels across 80 countries, has selected Yipy, creator of the industry’s first Hospitality Standards Management System, as a preferred provider through its Leading Strategic Sourcing (LSS) program.
  • Future Hospitality Summit Saudi Arabia announces first speakers for 2026 edition (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-30 09:11:31)
    World-leaders in hospitality and tourism take centre stage at Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah Riyadh, 20-22 April
  • OTA bookings hit surge, direct sales slide across global experiences industry (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-30 09:11:17)
    Arival, the global research authority for the tours, activities, attractions and experiences sector, today released its Global Operator Landscape 4th Edition: The State of Experiences, the most comprehensive study of the in‑destination experiences industry.  Based on more than 5,000 qualified operator responses worldwide, the report shows an industry that has surpassed pre‑pandemic performance but is now navigating a new era of digital disruption, shifting traveler behavior, and operational pressure.
  • FHS Africa 2026 to Spotlight Investment, Innovation and Destination Growth Across Sub-Saharan Africa (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-30 09:09:22)
    The Future Hospitality Summit Africa (FHS Africa) will return to Nairobi on 31 March - 1 April 2026, bringing together some of the most influential leaders shaping hospitality, tourism and investment across the continent. The event will take place at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Nairobi Upper Hill.
  • Valpas expands to Iceland as Black Sand Hotel becomes the first guaranteed bedbug safe hotel in the (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-30 09:07:41)
    Black Sand Hotel has become the first hotel to join Valpas’ network, the platform for safe, sustainable and bed bug-free travel in Iceland. With this new addition, Valpas has expanded its global reach to 25 countries, including Belgium, France, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
  • Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives Joins the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) Portfolio (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-30 09:03:39)
    Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives is delighted to announce its official partnership with Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), the world’s largest alliance of independent hotel brands. This exciting milestone marks a new chapter for the five-star private island resort as it enhances its global visibility and connects with a wider community of discerning travellers seeking authentic, meaningful luxury experiences.
  • Web in Travel announces WiT Africa 2026 – set to take place in Cape Town this April (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-30 09:00:07)
    Web in Travel (WiT), the leading travel‑technology and innovation platform across Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, today announced the return of WiT Africa 2026, taking place on April 9 at Innovation City, Cape Town.  The event marks a milestone year for WiT as it celebrates its 20th anniversary with a powerful theme: “The Next 20.”
  • Tap into the Astrotourism Trend & Celebrate a Year of Celestial Events with Silolona Sojourns (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-30 08:57:27)
    Phinisi yacht charter specialists Silolona Sojourns have unveiled their calendar of the best astrotourism experiences for travellers wanting to make the most of some of the most exciting celestial events this year. Astrotourism, the concept of planning travels based around night sky and celestial events, or focusing on night-time experiences while on holiday, has been identified as a growing trend for 2026. With many seeking out the darkest skies possible, clear from light pollution, Silolona Sojourns’ two vessels, Silolona and Si Datu Bua, are perfectly positioned to deliver this out on the ocean under the Indonesian skies.
  • Dubrovnik wins ‘World’s Leading Sustainable Destination’ (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-30 08:55:39)
    The Croatian tourism capital City of Dubrovnik has been recognised with the title of ‘World’s Leading Sustainable Destination 2025’ by voters at the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards.Dubrovnik’s ‘Respect the City’ initiative is a pioneering model for managing overtourism while preserving cultural heritage and enhancing residents’ quality of life. Launched in 2017, the strategic, multidisciplinary project positions Dubrovnik as a sustainability leader in the Mediterranean by balancing economic growth with the protection of its UNESCO-listed Old Town. Through innovative technology and coordinated governance, the city has introduced Croatia’s first electric car-sharing scheme, implemented an AI-powered visitor forecasting system, and launched the Dubrovnik Pass – integrating attraction access and visitor flow management.
  • S4BT responds to client demand for financial operating system for modern corporate travel (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-30 08:53:27)
    Following demand from clients for a more modern financial operating system for corporate travel, S4BT – Solutions for Business Travel today announces the launch of Trevium.This next-generation financial solution is designed to modernise how travel-related payments and expenditure are managed across Europe for a market still reliant on fragmented legacy processes.
  • Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics Prompt 146% Nightly Rate Surge (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-30 08:50:17)
    As the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics approaches, new data by The Data Appeal Company and Mabrian, both part of Almawave Group, reveals accommodation rates across host destinations are set to more than double during the core days of the event, as an estimated 1 million visitors generate unprecedented pressure on local hospitality capacity.