Day Headlines in Travel News: 2026-02-03
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Registration now open for Caribbean Travel Marketplace 2026 in Antigua and Barbuda (Breaking Travel News 2026-02-03 15:48:26)
Registration is now open for Caribbean Travel Marketplace (CTM) 2026, taking place May 12-15 in Antigua and Barbuda, host destination for this year’s event. Presented by the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA), CTM is the region’s largest tourism forum and a year-round business platform where Caribbean hospitality and tourism stakeholders transform insight, relationships, and regional alignment into measurable commercial outcomes.
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Tova Hamilton on tourism, cruise partnerships and local opportunity (Breaking Travel News 2026-02-03 11:45:41)
Speaking at the 2026 FCCA PAMAC Cruise Summit, Jamaica’s Minister of State for Tourism Tova Hamilton highlighted the importance of cruise tourism in driving local economic inclusion and stressed that direct engagement with industry partners leads to more informed policymaking.
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Billy Griffith, Shannah Butterfield named in Bermuda Tourism appointments (Breaking Travel News 2026-02-03 11:43:58)
Caribbean tourism veteran William “Billy” Griffith has been appointed chairman of the Bermuda Tourism Authority (BTA) Board while Shannah Butterfield joins the Board of Directors.
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Decker/Royal named Seatrade Agency of Record (Breaking Travel News 2026-02-03 11:39:34)
Informa has appointed The Decker/Royal Agency (D/R) as the public relations agency of record for Seatrade Cruise Global 2026, the world’s largest and longest-running B2B cruise industry conference, taking place at the Miami Beach Convention Center from April 13–16, 2026, alongside the F&B@Sea event on April 15–16. Following its 40th anniversary year, which attracted more than 11,500 attendees from 128 countries, Seatrade Cruise Global is entering a new era, with Decker/Royal selected for its industry expertise, creativity and experience. The travel-focused agency will support communications across North America and the UK, working with Miami-based consultant Michael Hicks.
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Miral to Honor the Talent Powering Yas Island at 2nd Edition of Ruwad Awards (Breaking Travel News 2026-02-03 11:12:15)
Miral, the leading creator of immersive destinations and experiences in Abu Dhabi, is set to host the second edition of the Ruwad Awards on 12 February. The annual awards programme celebrates the people shaping world-class guest experiences across Yas Island.
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Etihad Airways Named Official Partner and Sponsor of Race 1 at the Abu Dhabi Gold Cup (Breaking Travel News 2026-02-03 10:31:36)
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has been announced as the Official Partner of the Abu Dhabi Gold Cup and Presenting Partner of Race 1. The strategic partnership with Abu Dhabi Turf Club sets the stage for an extraordinary celebration of sport, heritage, and world-class hospitality as Abu Dhabi continues to rise as a destination for elite international events.
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Andaz Shanghai ITC, in the heart of the city’s famed heritage district, opens its doors today (Breaking Travel News 2026-02-03 10:23:57)
Located in the heart of Shanghai’s heritage district, this stunning new luxury hotel offers fabulous views across the vibrant and bustling metropolis. Open to guests from February 3, 2026, Andaz Shanghai ITC is the last word in urban comfort, appealing to discerning travellers who appreciate quality and style. Designers drew on the theme of nostalgia, referencing numerous iconic Shanghai sights, tastes, sounds and smells that will invoke warm feelings of yesteryear among visitors from near and far.
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Minor Hotels Appoints Winston Gong as General Manager of Avani Kota Kinabalu (Breaking Travel News 2026-02-03 10:16:02)
Minor Hotels, a global hospitality group with hotels, resorts and branded residences across 59 countries, has appointed Winston Gong as General Manager of Avani Kota Kinabalu, reinforcing the group’s leadership as the hotel accelerates its commercial strategy and guest experience agenda ahead of the hotel’s launch in Q2 2026.
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IHG’s Vignette Collection Reaches 10 Open Hotels in Greater China (Breaking Travel News 2026-02-03 10:10:20)
IHG Hotels & Resorts recently announced that Vignette Collection has reached the milestone of 10 open hotels in Greater China, marking the continued growth of the group’s luxury and lifestyle portfolio across the region.
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Experience Refined Ramadan Evenings at Al Diwan, Jumeirah Burj Al Arab (Breaking Travel News 2026-02-03 10:00:18)
Jumeirah Burj Al Arab welcomes guests to embrace the spirit of Ramadan at Al Diwan – a refined open-air setting for Iftar and Suhoor that brings together timeless tradition and modern Arabian hospitality beneath the stars.
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Boeing and Air Cambodia Announce Airline’s Largest Single-Aisle Order for up to 20 737 MAX Jets (Breaking Travel News 2026-02-03 09:56:46)
Boeing and Air Cambodia today announced the airline’s largest single-aisle order for up to 20 737 MAX airplanes in an agreement unveiled at the Singapore Airshow. This marks the Southeast Asian carrier’s first purchase of fuel-efficient Boeing airplanes.
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FAIRMONT HOTELS & RESORTS ARRIVES IN VIETNAM WITH FAIRMONT HANOI (Breaking Travel News 2026-02-03 09:53:40)
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, part of the world leading hospitality group Accor, today proudly announces the opening of Fairmont Hanoi, the luxury brand’s first property in Vietnam.
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IHG Hotels & Resorts to bring its premium brand, voco to Lucknow, India (Breaking Travel News 2026-02-03 09:47:05)
IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has signed a management agreement with Rajdeep Infra & Sales Pvt Ltd for the development of voco Lucknow. Scheduled to open in Q3 2029, the upcoming hotel will introduce IHG’s fastest-growing premium brand to this vital capital city, reinforcing the company’s strategic expansion in high-potential urban centres across India.
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Ecoventura voted ‘World’s Leading Sustainable Guest Experience’ at WSTHA (Breaking Travel News 2026-02-03 09:40:44)
Cruise provider Ecoventura has been recognised with the title of ‘World’s Leading Sustainable Guest Experience’ by voters at the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards.
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India’s Largest DoubleTree by Hilton Opens Near Bengaluru International Airport (Breaking Travel News 2026-02-03 09:34:59)
Hilton today announced the opening of DoubleTree by Hilton Bengaluru Airport, the brand’s largest hotel in India. The opening joins seven Hilton hotels operating in Bengaluru and solidifies Hilton’s multi brand-presence in the city, from luxury, full-service and focused-service offerings. Developed in partnership with Dangayach Group, the hotel brings DoubleTree by Hilton’s signature warm hospitality to the city’s fast-growing airport corridor, reinforcing the growing importance of Bengaluru as India’s most significant commercial and technology-led market.
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United Spotlights Starlink Wi-Fi in New Big Game Ad (Breaking Travel News 2026-02-03 09:16:03)
In less than a year, United has equipped most of its two-cabin regional fleet – more than 300 aircraft – with Starlink, the fastest, most reliable high-speed Wi-Fi in the sky*. Over the last 10 months, the airline has flown more than 7 million passengers on Starlink-equipped aircraft across more than 129,000 flights, powering 3.7 million devices – and Wi-Fi customer satisfaction scores on those airplanes nearly doubled during that time.