Day Headlines in Travel News: 2026-06-17

  • ARAJET ACCOUNTS FOR MORE THAN 10% OF ALL PASSENGERS TRAVELING TO AND FROM THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC (Breaking Travel News 2026-06-17 07:58:41)
    Arajet, the Dominican Republic’s flag carrier, posted the strongest May in its history, reinforcing its rapid growth and expanding presence in the country’s aviation sector.According to data released by the Dominican Republic Civil Aviation Board (JAC), Arajet carried more than 163,000 passengers on flights to and from the country in May 2026, excluding connecting traffic. The performance allowed the airline to capture more than 10% of all passenger traffic entering or leaving the Dominican Republic during the month.
  • IN A SALUTE TO AMERICA’S 250TH BIRTHDAY, SEAWORLD PARKS LAUNCH THEIR BEST OFFER OF THE YEAR (Breaking Travel News 2026-06-17 07:23:22)
    In celebration of America’s 250th birthday, SeaWorld parks in Orlando, San Diego and San Antonio, as well as Aquatica waterparks in Orlando and San Antonio, are launching the Fourth of July Sale, offering guests the best values of the year on tickets, passes and unforgettable summer experiences.
  • A Parent-Child Wellness Journey at Four Seasons Hotel Beijing (Breaking Travel News 2026-06-17 06:22:37)
    In an increasingly fast-paced world, the pursuit of lightness, balance, and emotional ease has become essential. Along the tranquil banks of Liangma River, Four Seasons Hotel Beijing offers a refined sanctuary where families can rediscover the art of being together—away from distraction, and closer to presence.Designed as a thoughtful parent-child wellness journey, the experience blends movement, nourishment, and restoration, reimagining family time as something both grounding and deeply restorative.
  • Andrea Bocelli to perform at the inaugural Yasalam Classics during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix week (Breaking Travel News 2026-06-17 06:11:53)
    Italian music legend Maestro Andrea Bocelli has been announced as the first artist for Yasalam Classics, a new concert series within the Yasalam presented by e& entertainment programme during Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2026 race week.
  • Civitatis and Despegar Sign a Global Strategic Partnership (Breaking Travel News 2026-06-17 06:08:52)
    Despegar, Latin America’s leading travel tech company, and Civitatis, the world’s leading platform for the distribution of tours and activities in Spanish and Portuguese, have announced the signing of a global strategic partnership. Through this agreement, both companies will work on integrating Civitatis’ catalog into Despegar’s platform. Once this implementation is complete, Despegar’s more than 30 million customers will be able to access Civitatis’ full catalog of tours, excursions, and guided tours across all markets where the company operates.The collaboration combines Despegar’s well-established presence in the Latin American market with Civitatis’ expertise in the Spanish and Portuguese tours and activities segment.
  • Gold Medal launches brand new In Focus: USA & Canada campaign and brochure (Breaking Travel News 2026-06-17 06:06:25)
    As the England squad prepares to take to the pitch at the 2026 FIFA World Cup today, Wednesday, Gold Medal, the flagship brand of Gold Medal Travel Group is riding the wave of wanderlust with a brand-new USA & Canada campaign.‘In Focus: USA & Canada’ features a brand-new 132-page brochure plus a dedicated selling guide packed with practical hints, tips and talking points to assist with converting the anticipated client enquiries that major sporting events often generate. In addition to the book - available to order via Tradegate - a microsite with downloadable marketing assets, ready-made social content, and a curated selection of special offers with accessible regional routes into America’s most iconic destinations, is available for agents to use in their selling.
  • Pegasus Airlines expands its London presence -daily direct London Gatwick - Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen (Breaking Travel News 2026-06-17 06:02:49)
    Pegasus Airlines, one of Europe’s leading low-cost airlines, launched a new direct summer route on 15 June 2026, between London Gatwick and Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International, further strengthening its UK presence network and enhancing connectivity between the UK, Türkiye and beyond.The new London Gatwick route joins Pegasus Airlines’ existing daily service between Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International and London Stansted, giving passengers across London and the Southeast greater flexibility and choice when travelling between the UK and Türkiye.
  • Mallorca Responsible Tourism Foundation Reaffirms its Pledge to Responsible Travel (Breaking Travel News 2026-06-17 05:56:52)
    As part of its strategy to promote sustainable tourism and ensure a positive experience for both residents and visitors, the Consell de Mallorca is encouraging holidaymakers to help preserve the island’s natural environment, cultural heritage and local communities during the summer season. By making responsible choices throughout their stay, visitors can contribute to the long-term sustainability and wellbeing of Mallorca as a destination.Already popular European destinations such as mainland Spain and the Balearic Islands are seeing increased bookings as the ongoing geopolitical situation in the Middle East encourages travellers to holiday closer to home. According to recent data from travel agency lastminute.com, British holidaymakers are gravitating towards familiar and trusted favourites, with Spain accounting for five of the top ten fastest-growing destinations. Mallorca leads the trend, recording a 16% year-on-year increase in bookings.
  • HUNTERMOSS LAUNCHES NEW BASQUE TO BORDEAUX SUPERCAR TOUR AS PART OF NEW 2027 LINEUP (Breaking Travel News 2026-06-17 05:53:55)
    HunterMoss has launched its 2027 calendar, bringing together the company’s signature driving journeys across Europe and North America, alongside a pioneering new route: the Basque to Bordeaux Supercar Tour.  Running from 26thApril to 2nd May 2027, the seven-day journey traces from Bilbao through San Sebastián and Biarritz to the vineyards of Saint-Émilion, joining the dots between two of the most celebrated culinary and cultural regions in Europe.
  • Travelex launches latest Nomad mobile stores at Manchester and Liverpool airports (Breaking Travel News 2026-06-17 05:36:18)
    Leading foreign exchange company Travelex has launched its new mobile store concept, Nomad, at Manchester Airport and Liverpool John Lennon Airport, following a successful pilot at Zurich Airport earlier this year.Nomad combines complete in-store capabilities with a pop-up flexibility that allows it to be moved around to serve high passenger footfall. The mobile store offers customers convenience and accessibility and can be opened and closed within minutes to be securely stored outside of trading hours.
  • CLUB MED ADVANCES STRATEGIC NORTH AMERICAN EXPANSION (Breaking Travel News 2026-06-17 05:34:31)
    Club Med, the pioneer of the all-inclusive concept with nearly 60 resorts in some of the world’s most desired vacation destinations, and VICI Properties Inc. an S&P 500 experiential real estate investment trust, announced today the acquisition and planned redevelopment of the iconic Carambola Beach Resort, located in the U.S. Virgin Islands, marking the return of Club Med to U.S. shores. The future Club Med St. Croix will reinforce the hospitality brand’s leadership in the premium all-inclusive category, while bringing a renewed spirit to the destination’s most historic beachfront property.
  • Explore Pompeii, Mount Vesuvius and Sorrento by train with Campania Express on Rail Europe (Breaking Travel News 2026-06-17 05:31:45)
    Travellers heading to southern Italy now have an additional way to explore Pompeii, Herculaneum and Sorrento by train thanks to the addition of Campania Express to Rail Europe’s portfolio.For many travellers, Italy begins with Rome, Florence or Venice. Campania Express offers another reason to say “Ciao Campania”, inviting visitors to discover a different side of the country — from the ancient streets of Pompeii and Herculaneum to the sea views, lemon groves and laid-back atmosphere of Sorrento.
  • Sharjah hotel guests surge 22% to reach 2.1 million as annual revenues hit AED780 million (Breaking Travel News 2026-06-17 05:28:20)
    Sharjah’s 102 hotels welcomed 2.1 million guests in 2025, an increase of 22% on the previous year, according to leading real estate advisory and property consultancy, Cavendish Maxwell.Annual revenues rose 20% to reach AED780 million, with the average length of stay at 2 nights. Sharjah’s hospitality sector is currently operating at 78% occupancy, with an average daily rate (ADR) of AED305, the company said
  • Il Sereno Lake Como and Kulm Hotel St. Moritz, launch their cross-border Lake-to-Lake Summer special (Breaking Travel News 2026-06-17 05:25:51)
    This summer, two of Europe’s most iconic lakeside retreats come together to create an extraordinary cross-border journey. Il Sereno on the tranquil shores of Lake Como and Kulm Hotel overlooking Lake St. Moritz in the Engadin Valley introduce an exclusive “Lake to Lake” experience, seamlessly connecting the timeless elegance of Italy with the alpine grandeur of Switzerland.The launch comes at a particularly exciting moment for Il Sereno, which has recently been recognised as a Condé Nast Traveller Triple Crown property. One of the most prestigious accolades in global hospitality, the distinction is awarded only to hotels that have achieved all three of Condé Nast Traveller’s most coveted honours: the Hot List, recognising the world’s best new hotels; the Gold List, celebrating editor-selected favourites; and the Readers’ Choice Awards, voted for by travellers themselves. The award places Il Sereno among an exceptionally select group of hotels worldwide recognised for excellence in design, service and guest experience.
  • SH Minerva became the first cruise ship in the world to receive the DCA ESG Certification (Breaking Travel News 2026-06-17 05:21:06)
    SH Minerva, the first of three ships in Swan Hellenic’s fleet, has earned the DCA ESG Certification from Dream&Charme, an internationally accredited certification body specialising in hospitality. Dream&Charme is accredited against ISO/IEC 17065 by ACCREDIA under the supervision of the Italian Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy.
  • Invest in Wellbeing Launches helping hotels create profitable spa membership businesses (Breaking Travel News 2026-06-17 05:10:34)
    Invest in Wellbeing, a new specialist consultancy helping hotels create profitable spa membership businesses from existing wellness facilities has been launched.This new venture is aimed at independent and boutique hotel operators looking to generate sustainable local revenue streams from underutilised pool, sauna and steam room facilities, while responding to growing consumer demand for wellbeing experiences.