Day Headlines in Travel News: 2026-07-18

  • AMOH Rhodes: A New Greek Icon of Luxury Sets Its Sights on World Travel Awards Glory (Breaking Travel News 2026-07-18 08:46:46)
    The Greek island of Rhodes has long captivated travellers with its timeless blend of ancient history, golden beaches and sparkling Aegean waters. Now, the island has a dazzling new address that is already making waves on the international luxury travel scene.Just months after welcoming its first guests, AMOH, a Luxury Collection Resort, Rhodes has earned two prestigious nominations at the 2026 World Travel Awards, recognised as a contender for Europe’s Leading New Resort while its spectacular Rhoda Presidential Suite has been shortlisted for Greece’s Leading Hotel Suite.
  • OMIO GROUP TO ACQUIRE RAIL EUROPE TO CONSOLIDATE THE GROUND TRANSPORTATION LANDSCAPE (Breaking Travel News 2026-07-18 08:25:50)
    Omio Group, the world’s leading multimodal travel company, has today announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire Rail Europe, the globally renowned rail distribution platform.Upon completion, Rail Europe will become part of Omio Group, joining Omio’s B2C booking platform, its B2B distribution business, and its travel discovery brand, Rome2Rio. With the addition of Rail Europe, Omio Group (OG) would sell 22 million train tickets per year, work with over 28,000 transport operators and travel sellers, and offer the world’s most comprehensive ground transportation proposition.
  • Oceania Cruises® Invites Travellers to Discover the Caribbean Through a New Lens (Breaking Travel News 2026-07-18 06:29:08)
    Oceania Cruises® is inviting travellers to discover the Caribbean’s vibrant cultures, sun-drenched islands and diverse coastal destinations aboard the line’s newest and most recently refreshed ships, all offering a sophisticated, adults-only environment. Each itinerary, ranging from seven to 14 days, is designed for guests to explore the region from a new perspective. For a limited time, guests who book by 8 September 2026 can enjoy remarkable added value, with complimentary airfare  and one night pre-cruise hotel on select itineraries from the United Kingdom and chosen European departure points.
  • EXPLORA JOURNEYS REVEALS NEW CULINARY, WELLNESS AND ENRICHMENT EXPERIENCES FOR EXPLORA II (Breaking Travel News 2026-07-18 06:27:34)
    Life aboard EXPLORA II takes on a distinct character for the Winter 2026-2027 season, bringing the charm of the Mediterranean’s quieter months directly into the guest experience. Focusing on discovery, reflection and renewal, the programme for A Serene Mediterranean takes inspiration from the region’s quieter seasonal rhythm – softer light, milder temperatures and an unhurried pace, transforming time between destinations into a meaningful opportunity for enrichment and pause.“Our Serene Mediterranean Journeys reflect the way today’s discerning guests increasingly want to travel,” said Anna Nash, President of Explora Journeys. “They are seeking experiences that feel more connected, more immersive and more personal. Every element of the journey has been designed to reflect the character of the destinations we visit, from seasonal gastronomy and Ocean Wellness to enriching cultural encounters.”
  • WILDERNESS RESERVE JOINS RELAIS & CHATEAUX (Breaking Travel News 2026-07-18 06:24:08)
    Wilderness Reserve, the extraordinary 6,000-acre private estate nestled within Suffolk’s Yox Valley, is proud to announce its partnership with Relais & Châteaux, joining the internationally renowned collection of independently owned luxury hotels and restaurants. Spanning three adjoining estates, Sibton Park, Chapel Barn and the recently unveiled Blyth Estate, Wilderness Reserve offers an exceptional portfolio of 28 houses and cottages set amongst ancient woodland, lakes and parkland. Accommodation ranges from one-bedroom ‘lost’ cottages, complete with private lakes and rowing boats, to expansive Spa Houses designed for larger gatherings, featuring hot tubs, saunas and steam rooms. Together, they offer complete privacy, flexibility and immersive countryside experiences.
  • Travel agents reveal how geopolitical tensions are reshaping this year’s ‘Great British Getaway’ (Breaking Travel News 2026-07-18 06:22:27)
    Following heightened geopolitical uncertainty in the Middle East, new data reveals a significant shift in British holidaymakers plans. With more than 800 respondents, primarily travel agent and tour operator sales staff agents based across the British Isles, the research* highlights a clear trend towards closer-to-home travel. Carried out by Travel Uni, the largest global training and engagement platform for the travel trade, and run in partnership with Discover Ferries, which represents 12 passenger ferry operators; the findings also highlight a growing preference this year for flight-free routes and domestic escapes.
  • 7PINES RESORT IBIZA LAUNCHES NEW NIKKEI RESTAURANT IKISAKI AS GASTRONOMY TAKES CENTRE STAGE FOR 26 (Breaking Travel News 2026-07-18 06:17:02)
    Gastronomy takes centre stage on Ibiza’s wild west coast this season, as 7Pines Resort Ibiza unveils its new headline restaurant offering, IKISAKI, a new Nikkesi restaurant perched cliffside hosting uninterrupted ocean views, and where Japanese precision meets the bold, sunlit flavours of Peru.The launch anchors a wider culinary reinvention at the all-suite 5* resort, joined by the return of fire-inspired Nela with Óscar Salazar, the reimagined Cone Club, and the debut of the immersive, garden-to-table INODEQ Garden, alongside a new poolside Taittinger Champagne Bar.
  • Inside the Indian Ocean’s last quiet whale corridor (Breaking Travel News 2026-07-18 06:14:26)
    Marine protected areas are increasingly recognised as critical refuges for humpback whales, offering rare stretches of ocean where they can communicate, navigate and breed without the growing pressures of shipping noise and military sonar. Annual migrations along South Africa’s east coast have been growing for over three decades, with iSimangaliso Wetland Park recording more than 11,000 whales in a single migration season, highlighting the importance of protecting these increasingly rare quiet corridors.
  • SILVERSEA LAUNCHES PARTNERSHIP WITH PERRYGOLF (Breaking Travel News 2026-07-18 06:12:41)
    Silversea, the leading experiential luxury and expedition travel brand, has introduced a new collection of golf-focused voyages in partnership with PerryGolf, a leading provider of international golf travel. These new voyages grant guests access to some of the world’s most iconic courses, from the legendary host course of The Open, Royal Liverpool, to the future host of the Ryder Cup, Camiral. Guests can enjoy guaranteed tee times, equipment care, and green fees included, while journeying aboard Silversea’s intimate, luxury ships.
  • GuruWalk launches an interactive map revealing travellers’ global movements (Breaking Travel News 2026-07-18 06:08:12)
    GuruWalk, the world’s largest free tours platform, has reviewed its free tour bookings for the coming months to build a unique interactive map showing the global movements of travellers worldwide, including Britons.The map also reveals the movements of travellers from many other countries. In Ireland, Spain leads preferences with 13.8% of bookings, followed by Italy with 12.1%. In Poland, however, Italy takes the top spot with 10.9%, followed by the UK with 8.8%, while Spain trails at just 4.7%. In Taiwan, travellers prioritise destinations such as Germany (10.9%) and Czechia (9.1%), while in the Dominican Republic the favourite is Colombia, with 18%, followed by Peru (13.1%) and Canada (11.5%).
  • Radisson Resort Layan Phuket opens on Phuket’s peaceful Northwest coast (Breaking Travel News 2026-07-18 06:06:02)
    Nestled between the pristine shores of Layan Beach and the protected landscapes of Sirinat National Park, Radisson Resort Layan Phuket welcomes guests to experience one of Phuket’s most peaceful coastal destinations. The contemporary 300-room resort strengthens Radisson Hotel Group’s growing presence in Thailand, combining modern tropical design, diverse lifestyle experiences and authentic Thai hospitality with effortless access to the island’s beaches, nature and vibrant lifestyle attractions.
  • Travellers Warned to Check Passports as New EU Border Checks Cause Delays (Breaking Travel News 2026-07-18 06:04:10)
    Holidaymakers planning trips to Europe this summer are being urged to check their passports and travel documents well before they travel, as new digital border checks continue to cause delays and confusion at some European airports.The EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) is now operating across the Schengen area, replacing passport stamps with a digital record of when non-EU travellers enter and leave participating countries. The system applies also to British passport holders travelling for short stays and records facial images, fingerprints and passport details at the border.