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• Top Middle East leaders - Paul Bridger Rove Hotels (2026-09-30 15:21:05)
  Rove Hotels was created to fill a gap between conventional budget accommodation and design-led lifestyle hotels. The rooms were efficient, the public spaces social and the tone informal. Paul Bridger has been closely involved in translating that concept from one Dubai opening into a growing regional business.Bridger joined Rove in 2016 and became chief operating officer in 2021. He brought more than two decades of hospitality experience across the Middle East, Asia, the UK and Ireland. That career gave him exposure to both international brands and the operational realities of building a new proposition from the ground up.
• Top Middle East leaders - Khalid Anib Abu Dhabi National Hotels (2026-09-30 15:18:01)
  Guests may know the Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi, Sofitel Dubai Jumeirah Beach or JW Marriott Hotel Marina without knowing that Abu Dhabi National Hotels sits behind the asset. Khalid Anib’s role is to ensure that the owner remains an active participant in the performance and long-term value of those properties.Anib became chief executive of ADNH in 2016. Before joining the group, he spent five years in Saudi Arabia managing the hospitality division of Al Hokair Group, experience that gave him a regional operator’s understanding of hotels, restaurants and entertainment assets.
• Top Middle East leaders - Amir Golbarg Minor Hotels (2026-09-30 15:16:38)
  Amir Golbarg began his hospitality career in Dubai in 2007 at Burj Al Arab and Madinat Jumeirah. The experience placed him inside large, high-profile luxury operations at the start of a career that would later span Bangkok, Doha and a rapidly expanding Middle East and African portfolio.He first joined Minor Hotels in 2012 as director of operations and hotel openings at its Bangkok headquarters. International assignments followed, including hotel management at Souq Waqif in Doha. Golbarg then moved to Al Rayyan Hospitality and Katara Hospitality, where he gained experience from the owner and corporate side of hotel operations.
• Top Middle East leaders - Adrian Messerli Four Seasons (2026-09-30 15:14:44)
  Hospitality was part of Adrian Messerli’s life before it became his profession. He was raised in a fourth-generation family-owned hotel in a Swiss resort village, later worked for Swissair and graduated from Ecole hoteliere de Lausanne. In 2005, he joined Four Seasons and began a career that would take him across several continents.Messerli’s assignments included the United States, Caribbean, South America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. He became a general manager in the Seychelles, later led a city hotel in Shanghai and served as regional vice president and general manager of Four Seasons Hotel Madrid. In 2023, he became president of hotel operations for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
• Top Middle East leaders - Rami Almoallim AlUla (2026-09-30 15:12:37)
  AlUla cannot be marketed like an ordinary resort. Its value lies in a cultural landscape formed over millennia, including Hegra, Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, an ancient oasis, dramatic geology and living communities. Rami Almoallim must convert that significance into visitation without allowing demand to overwhelm the place.Almoallim became vice president of destination management and marketing at the Royal Commission for AlUla in March 2023. His career spans more than two decades and includes experience with Saudia in ground-handling agreements and communications work connected to Saudi ports, followed by senior roles across marketing and destination development.
• Top Middle East leaders - Ali Salim Al Midfa Sharjah Airport Authority (2026-09-30 15:09:49)
  Sharjah International Airport sits inside one of the region’s most distinctive aviation models. It supports a large low-cost network, serves a dense resident population and connects tourism, trade and cargo across the UAE’s northern emirates. Ali Salim Al Midfa has been responsible for developing that platform as chairman of Sharjah Airport Authority since 2014.Al Midfa has almost three decades of airport management experience. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the Higher Colleges of Technology in Dubai and has combined aviation leadership with roles across the Sharjah Executive Council and industry organisations
• Top Middle East leaders - Khalid Jasim Al Midfa Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (2026-09-30 15:07:36)
  Sharjah’s tourism identity is built on distinction. Museums, heritage, publishing, art, nature and family experiences give the emirate a proposition that complements rather than copies the wider UAE offer. Khalid Jasim Al Midfa has been one of the central figures in shaping that position.Al Midfa joined the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority in 2011 and became chairman in 2014. He also serves on the Sharjah Executive Council, giving him a role in connecting tourism policy with the emirate’s broader economic and social priorities.
• Top Middle East leaders - Abdelhamid Addou Royal Air Maroc (2026-09-30 15:05:25)
  Royal Air Maroc occupies a strategic position that few airlines can replicate. From Casablanca, it can connect Europe, West and Central Africa, the Americas and the Middle East while carrying Morocco’s brand into international markets. Abdelhamid Addou has led the airline since his appointment as chairman and chief executive in February 2016.
• Top Middle East leaders - Mohamed Amer guiding El Gouna (2026-09-30 15:03:07)
  El Gouna is not a conventional resort. It is a functioning town with hotels, homes, marinas, schools, restaurants, events and a permanent community. Mohamed Amer’s job is to ensure those elements reinforce one another and keep the destination relevant more than three decades after its creation.Amer joined Orascom Development in May 2022 as chief executive of El Gouna. In June 2025, his responsibilities expanded when he became managing director for commercial activities at Orascom Development Egypt. The wider role connects the performance of the flagship destination with commercial strategy across the company’s Egyptian portfolio.
• Top Middle East leaders - Ahmed Adel EGYPTAIR (2026-09-30 14:59:31)
  Ahmed Adel’s relationship with EGYPTAIR began in the cockpit. He joined the airline as a pilot in 1988, became a medium-aircraft captain in 1997 and a widebody captain in 1999. Over the following decades, he moved through training, inspection and operational leadership before first becoming chairman and chief executive in 2018.
• Air Passenger Demand Slips 0.8% in August (2026-09-30 12:25:06)
  The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for August 2026 global passenger demand:Total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), was down 0.8% compared to August 2025. Excluding the Middle East, demand grew by 0.6%. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), increased 0.3% year-on-year. The load factor was 85.1% (-0.9 ppt compared to August 2025).International demand fell 0.9% compared to August 2025. Excluding the Middle East, demand grew by 1.3%. Capacity was flat (0.0%) year-on-year, and the load factor was 85.0% (-0.8 ppt compared to August 2025).
• The UAE Growth Engine: Tourism, Investment and the New Economy. (2026-09-30 10:40:37)
  With Day 2 of FHS World in full swing , we’re pleased to share photos from the session with His Excellency Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy & Tourism, who took centre stage this morning to discuss The UAE Growth Engine: Tourism, Investment and the New Economy.
• Breaking Travel News Q&A: Nick Wood, Founder and Creative Director, Nick Wood Music (2026-09-30 10:19:50)
  In this exclusive Breaking Travel News Q&A, Nick Wood discusses the evolving role of music within hospitality, how the right soundtrack can shape a guest’s perception of a property, the importance of authenticity and local culture, and why hotels and resorts are increasingly turning to music as a key part of their brand identity.
• A curated collection of keepsakes inspired by the cities The Peninsula calls home (2026-09-30 09:33:34)
  The Peninsula proudly presents its Destination Collection, a thoughtfully curated series inspired by the rich cultural heritage, iconic landmarks and distinctive craftsmanship of the destinations The Peninsula calls home. Designed as meaningful mementos of place, the collection invites guests and collectors alike to celebrate the spirit of travel through beautifully crafted keepsakes.
• Air Canada, Virgin Australia and SAS to compete in ‘Battle of the Airline Apps’ at WAF 2026 (2026-09-30 09:26:17)
  Air Canada, Virgin Australia and Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) have been named finalists in the World Aviation Festival’s Battle of the Airline Apps competition, set to take place during WAF 2026 from 13-15 October in Lisbon.The competition, which spotlights innovation in airline mobile technology, will challenge carriers to showcase how their apps are transforming the passenger journey – from booking and check-in to in-flight engagement and post-travel loyalty.
• American Airlines, Currensea & Mastercard launch UK-first AAdvantage debit cards for frequent flyers (2026-09-30 09:20:20)
  American Airlines, in partnership with Currensea, the market-leading payments technology platform for co-branded multibank debit cards, and Mastercard, today announced the launch of the AAdvantage® Platinum Debit Card and AAdvantage® Black Debit Card — the first AAdvantage®-branded debit cards and the first reward-earning debit cards from a oneworld® Alliance airline available to customers in the UK.
• The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism Appoints Jackson Weech as Director General (2026-09-30 09:17:25)
  The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism (BMOT) has appointed veteran Bahamian hospitality executive Jackson Alexander Weech as Director General, effective 1 October 2026. Mr Weech brings more than 35 years of tourism leadership experience across The Bahamas, the Caribbean and the United Kingdom to the Ministry’s senior executive team.Mr Weech is a leading representative of the Bahamian hotel and tourism industry who has worked closely with government, tourism stakeholders and international industry partners on issues including airlift development, workforce development, infrastructure, product improvement and the competitiveness of the destination.
• Why the Future of Business Meetings Must Be Greener, Healthier and More Purposeful (2026-09-30 09:13:46)
  Corporate meetings are evolving beyond venues and technology, with organisations increasingly seeking events that support sustainability, employee wellbeing and meaningful engagement.At Radisson Blu Hotel & Suites GRT Chennai, the GReaT Green Meetings initiative addresses these priorities through environmentally conscious meeting setups, locally sourced cuisine and responsible operating practices. Tree planting is also offered to help offset the carbon footprint associated with meetings.
• Ultra-fast free Wi-Fi powered by Starlink is now available on Aer Lingus flights (2026-09-30 08:22:44)
  Aer Lingus has installed ultra-fast free Wi-Fi powered by Starlink across its entire narrow body transatlantic fleet. This means customers flying to more than 10 North American destinations can stream movies and TV shows and stay connected with family and friends at 35,000 feet.While Aer Lingus is synonymous with flights to Ireland, the airline also serves an extensive network of destinations across North America, giving UK customers easy access to major cities in the US, via Dublin.Customers travelling with Aer Lingus to destinations including Newark, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Nashville, Indianapolis, Hartford Connecticut, Raleigh-Durham, can now enjoy seamless connectivity all throughout their journeys.
• Magipic AI Named One of 10 AI Companies to Demo Live at IBTM World 2026 (2026-09-30 08:20:21)
  Magipic AI, the AI event experience and lead attraction platform for expos and events, is one of 10 companies selected to demo live on stage at the AI for Events Demo Day at IBTM World in Barcelona on Tuesday 17 November 2026, from 10:30 to 10:50 on the Future Stage. From just one selfie, Magipic AI gives guests a branded AI experience, including video, magazine cover, calendar or comic, in seconds, and captures a verified, segmented lead. At Microsoft for Startups’ stand in Athens earlier this year, the platform generated 300 qualified leads in 12 hours, with 98% lead form completion on the booth iPad.
• Rotana Builds on Regional Momentum with Latest Portfolio Expansion at FHS World 2026 (2026-09-30 07:53:01)
  Rotana, one of the leading hotel management companies in the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe and Türkiye, is building on its regional growth momentum at FHS World 2026, following a year of new openings, market expansion and continued investment across its portfolio.With 40 properties and 8,334 keys currently under development, alongside 78 operating properties, Rotana continues to advance its growth plans across key markets, building on more than three decades of operating experience in the region.
• Student accommodation and senior living among key assets shaping GCC’s future real estate market (2026-09-30 07:52:52)
  Student accommodation and senior living concepts are key to shaping the GCC’s real estate sector over the next decade, according to leading real estate advisory and property consultancy, Cavendish Maxwell.These and other concepts like serviced living, co-living, private clubs, shared ownership and other professionally managed residential developments represent some of the region’s biggest future investment opportunities, as traditional lines between where people live, stay, work and socialise are becoming increasingly difficult to define, the company said.
• THE OZEN COLLECTION Takes Centre Stage at the 33rd World Travel Awards (2026-09-30 07:47:26)
  In a world where true luxury is measured by the moments that linger, THE OZEN COLLECTION has once again proven its mastery. The brand claimed top honours at the 33rd World Travel Awards, cementing its position as a global leader in luxury hospitality. From the turquoise waters of the Maldives to the world stage, its commitment to refined elegance, personalised service, and sustainable innovation was celebrated by industry peers and discerning travellers alike.
• Gulf Hospitality Leaders Call for Smarter, Data-Driven Approach to Sustainable Hospitality (2026-09-30 07:40:08)
  Senior sustainability and operations leaders from some of the Gulf’s most influential hospitality brands, including Rotana, TAIBA, and FIVE Hotels & Resorts, came together at an exclusive industry forum hosted by Ecostars in Dubai to examine the future of sustainability and ESG performance in the Gulf hospitalityThe closed-door roundtable highlighted a growing consensus across the sector: in one of the world’s fastest-growing hotel markets, sustainability is becoming a strategic business priority, and meaningful progress will depend on data, technology, and shared learning.
• Amadeus to introduce Amadeus Max for Travel Sellers across the Gulf (2026-09-30 07:25:35)
  Amadeus is preparing to introduce its new “Amadeus Max for Travel Sellers” across the Gulf region as part of its continued commitment to advancing intelligent travel technology and empowering travel sellers with faster, smarter, and more efficient workflows.
• THE PLAZA AND HAMILTON SET THE STAGE FOR AN OVERNIGHT BROADWAY EXPERIENCE (2026-09-30 07:17:26)
  This fall, The Plaza, A Fairmont Hotel, and the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Hamilton invite guests to take their shot at a New York getaway with “Talk Less, Sleep More,” a new overnight package combining the hospitality of the city’s most storied address with the revolutionary energy of the show.
• Brand USA Highlights Anniversaries, Grand Openings, and Events Across America (2026-09-30 07:15:40)
  Brand USA is highlighting the milestone anniversaries, major openings and headline-making events giving international travelers new reasons to explore destinations across the country in 2027. Baltimore celebrates the 200th anniversary of the U.S. railroad, San Jose marks 250 years since its founding, and Bristol, Virginia, commemorates 100 years since the recordings known as the “Big Bang of Country Music.” Georgia’s Okefenokee Swamp debuts as the nation’s newest UNESCO World Heritage Site, while Washington, D.C. hosts the NFL Draft and Wrigley Field welcomes its first MLB All-Star Game since 1990.
• Cruise Canada Expands in the Yukon with New Whitehorse Depot (2026-09-30 07:06:55)
  Exploring the Yukon by road will become even easier in 2027, with Cruise Canada announcing the opening of its sixth Canadian depot in Whitehorse in the Yukon territory. The new location is set to welcome departures from early May 2027, giving travellers a new way to experience the Yukon’s spectacular landscapes and vast wilderness by motorhome.
• Marriott International Reaches 300 Properties in Mexico, with Over 70 Hotels in the Pipeline (2026-09-30 07:01:22)
  Marriott International, Inc. announced today the company reached the 300-property mark in Mexico, accounting for more than 44,000 rooms across 25 global brands in the country. The milestone reflects sustained investment and travel demand across the country’s Caribbean and Pacific coastlines, historic urban capitals, and rapidly developing industrial corridors.This momentum is supported by the company’s robust development pipeline in Mexico of 76 hotels representing more than 12,000 rooms, as of the second quarter of 2026. Conversions are playing an increasingly important role in the company’s expansion in the country, accounting for 35% of the signed pipeline. The company expects to open more than 10 additional hotels in Mexico before the end of 2026.
• RMAL Hospitality Launches its Ruwad Addiyafah Programme (2026-09-30 06:59:40)
  Championing the next generation of hospitality professionals, RMAL Hospitality PJSC has announced the launch of Ruwad Addiyafah, a fully sponsored, 12-month, full-time employment programme created exclusively for young UAE nationals looking to build a future in F&B and hospitality. The first initiative introduced under RMAL Hospitality’s new Board of Directors, the programme will give participants the practical experience, commercial understanding, and mentorship needed to progress towards F&B entrepreneurship, operational leadership, and long-term careers in the private hospitality sector.
• CLOUDBEDS ANNOUNCES NEW ALLIANCE PARTNERSHIP WITH PREFERRED HOTELS & RESORTS (2026-09-30 06:55:12)
  Cloudbeds, the hospitality management system built for ambitious hoteliers who demand more, today announced its new affiliation with Preferred Hotels & Resorts as the latest addition to the brand’s Alliance Partner Program. This partnership solidifies Cloudbeds’ position as a recommended provider of unified hotel management technology for Preferred Hotels & Resorts member properties across the globe.Through this partnership, Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ member hotels will be able to adopt Cloudbeds’ intelligent platform to help turn technology into a driver of profitable growth. Built on a unified data model, the Cloudbeds platform brings operations, distribution, guest experience, and revenue marketing together, giving teams a shared, real-time understanding of their business and the ability to act on it.
• Breaking Travel News named media partner for WTTC Global Summit in Malta (2026-09-30 06:50:05)
  Breaking Travel News will join the leaders shaping the future of global tourism in Valletta this October after being named as a media partner of the 26th World Travel & Tourism Council Global Summit.The landmark gathering will take place from 7 to 9 October 2026 at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta, bringing together more than 200 chief executives and senior decision-makers from across the international travel and tourism industry.
• FHS World 2026: Hospitality enters a new era of investment, AI and experience-led growth (2026-09-30 06:47:19)
  FHS World 2026 opened in Dubai with around 1,000 hospitality investment professionals from 50 countries gathering at a pivotal moment for the global travel industry. Travel and tourism is forecast to contribute $12 trillion to the world economy in 2026 and support 176 million jobs, according to figures highlighted during the opening of the summit. But the message emerging from the first day of FHS World was about far more than the scale of the industry’s recovery.
• Accor and CITYVIEW Developments expand their partnership (2026-09-30 06:39:39)
  Accor, a world-leading hospitality group, and CITYVIEW Developments, a Dubai-based developer specialising in premium and luxury residential projects, today announced the signing of Pullman Residences & Offices Dubai Meydan at the Future Hospitality Summit – FHS World 2026, further expanding their partnership in Dubai.Scheduled to open in 2029, the mixed-use development will bring together 282 Pullman branded residences and branded offices within one destination. The project marks a significant milestone for Accor, introducing its first-ever branded offices for sale globally and extending the Pullman brand into a new commercial real estate segment.
• Accor and KRD Holding sign Mövenpick Erbil Gomaspan Resort (2026-09-30 06:36:01)
  Accor, a world-leading hospitality group, and KRD Holding, a premier regional investment and development conglomerate, have announced the signing of Mövenpick Erbil Gomaspan Resort, a new-build resort scheduled to open in 2030. Set on the banks of Gomaspan Lake in the Erbil Governorate, the 150-key development will mark Mövenpick’s first property in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and its second in the country.
• IHG Hotels & Resorts to bring its midscale brand, Garner Hotels to the Middle East (2026-09-30 06:32:42)
  IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, is bringing its conversion brand, Garner Hotels, to the Middle East through the signing of two hotels in the UAE with Nooa Holdings. Expected to open in 2026, Garner Hotel Dubai Al Jaddaf and Garner Hotel Ras Al Khaimah Downtown will add a combined 285 keys to IHG’s portfolio in the country. The milestone marks the regional debut of IHG’s fastest-scaling global brand and supports IHG’s continued growth in the UAE.
• Radisson Hotel Group strengthens Middle East and Northeast Africa growth (2026-09-30 06:30:35)
  Radisson Hotel Group is highlighting a strong 12 months of development activity across the Middle East, and Northeast Africa marked by new signing, openings, strategic conversions, and continued expansion across the region. The momentum reflects sustained owner confidence in the Group’s brands and operating platforms, as well as demand for hospitality products that respond to the region’s expanding business, leisure, religious tourism, and residential markets.
• VIDEOS: FHS World 2026 (2026-09-29 11:28:04)
  Reinvest In Our Future29 September - 1 October 2026, Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai
• Ugandans Plant Trees to Protect Gorilla Habitat (2026-09-29 09:54:16)
  For conservationists working around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, protecting mountain gorillas has stopped being just about what happens inside the forest. Increasingly, the fight to safeguard the species is plying out on community land just outside the park boundary one seedling at a time.
• The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort Celebrates a Decade of Distinction This Festive Season (2026-09-29 09:37:47)
  The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort announces its most anticipated festive season yet, commemorating a decade of unparalleled luxury with a distinct celebration themed “Chapter X: Celebrating 10 Years Through the Island’s Story.” From December 20, 2026 through January 7, 2027, the private island resort will celebrate the story of Vommuli Island, Maldivian heritage, and the timeless traditions that define the St. Regis experience.
• FHS World 2026: Hospitality has been tested. Its ambition has not. (2026-09-29 08:17:34)
  As Dubai wakes up this morning, FHS World opens its doors at Madinat Jumeirah at a fascinating moment for global hospitality, and perhaps the most revealing thing about the thousands of investors, owners, operators, developers and government leaders gathering here is that, after one of the more challenging years the industry has faced since the pandemic, nobody appears to have lost their appetite for what comes next.
• Cruise.co.uk expands cruise and rail programme (2026-09-29 06:44:07)
  Online cruise specialist cruise.co.uk has added to its 2027 ‘Cruise & Rail Collection’.The exclusive packages combine rail journeys, tours, and ocean and river cruising.
• Meyyafushi Maldives Celebrates Its First Anniversary with Three Days of Island Celebrations (2026-09-29 06:35:03)
  Meyyafushi will celebrate its first anniversary from 1 to 3 November 2026 with a three-day programme of wellness, gastronomy, entertainment, culture and meaningful island experiences.The anniversary marks an important milestone for the five-star Premium All-Inclusive resort, which has spent its first year welcoming guests to experience its distinctive combination of contemporary luxury, immersive dining, recreation and connection.
• New Tourism Record Set: The Palm Beaches Surpass 6 Million Visitors for the First Half of the Year (2026-09-29 05:58:40)
  Discover The Palm Beaches (DTPB), the destination marketing organisation for Palm Beach County, announced that The Palm Beaches welcomed a record-breaking 6.09 million visitors during the first half of 2026, a 6.4% increase over the same time period last year.
• BRAHMAN HILLS APPOINTS NEW GENERAL MANAGER (2026-09-29 05:58:20)
  Brahman Hills has appointed Anja Bosken as its new General Manager.Bosken, who brings more than four decades of experience with her, joins at a critical point in the Brahman Hills story, as the property continues to shape its vision as a Sanctuary of Serenity, Wellness and Excellence, with the 22-hectare Serenity Garden forming a defining part of its next chapter.
• Airport Parking Costs Fall up to 5.6% in 2026 as Savvy Travellers Drive Down Prices (2026-09-29 05:52:44)
  Travellers heading abroad this autumn could benefit from airport parking that is cheaper than a year ago, according to new analysis from independent airport parking specialist Airport Parking and Hotels (APH.com).Analysis of around 1 million customer bookings has revealed that average daily airport parking rates actually paid in 2026 have been lower than 2025 for five consecutive months between April – August 2026. Prices fell by as much as 5.6% during the peak summer travel period, delivering welcome savings for holidaymakers planning autumn and winter getaways.
• Dusit celebrates Michelin recognition across its global portfolio (2026-09-29 05:46:05)
  Dusit Hotels and Resorts, the hotel arm of Dusit International, one of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies, is celebrating continued Michelin recognition across its international portfolio, spanning distinctive hotel stays and dining experiences across multiple brands and markets.Leading the latest honours is Dusit Thani Bangkok, Dusit’s reimagined flagship hotel opposite Lumpini Park in the heart of the Thai capital, which has been elevated from One to Two Michelin Keys – denoting an exceptional stay – in the Michelin Guide’s 2026 global hotel selection.
• The Hari Hong Kong Joins IHG’s Vignette Collection (2026-09-29 05:40:58)
  The Hari Hong Kong has today officially joined Vignette Collection, IHG Hotels & Resorts’ distinguished collection of independent luxury properties, marking a new chapter for the acclaimed 210-hotel in the heart of Wan Chai.The move connects the hotel with IHG’s global distribution network and IHG One Rewards loyalty programme.
• VIRGIN LIMITED EDITION’S THE LODGE AND CABANE TORTIN ANNOUNCE EXCLUSIVE ALPINE COLLABORATION (2026-09-29 05:33:14)
  Virgin Limited Edition, the award-winning collection of unique retreats part of the hospitality brand Virgin Hotels Collection, is delighted to announce an exclusive collaboration between The Lodge, its private luxury chalet in the heart of Verbier, and Cabane Tortin, an independently run high-alpine retreat perched at 3,000 metres on the edge of the Tortin Glacier. Together, the two properties are offering a single, uninterrupted journey for exclusive private groups, where bespoke high-alpine living meets the warmth and conviviality of an Alpine village retreat.Embodying the rising travel trends of ‘silent luxury’ and ‘the luxury of silence’, the combined experience is available for private parties of eight to 10 guests throughout April 2027, with additional dates on request across the rest of the winter season, subject to availability.
• Etihad Rail connects Abu Dhabi and Dubai as UAE enters new era of passenger travel (2026-09-29 05:29:05)
  The UAE will redraw its tourism map on 30 September when Etihad Rail launches passenger services between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, putting the country’s two biggest visitor destinations just 64 minutes apart by train and, for the first time, offering a genuine alternative to the road that has defined travel between them for decades.
• Rediscover Latin America with Air Canada this Winter (2026-09-29 05:28:49)
  Air Canada is inviting European travellers to start planning their winter escapes with its expanded Winter 2026-27 schedule, offering more seamless connections to Latin America than ever before.With the addition of new services to destinations including Rio de Janeiro, Cartagena, Guatemala City and Costa Rica this winter, Air Canada is making it easier for European travellers to discover destinations than ever. Whether exploring ancient ruins, vibrant cities, or tropical coastlines, passengers can enjoy convenient connections and a smoother journey to the heart of Latin America.
• GCC set to deliver nearly 126,000 new hotel rooms by 2030, taking total supply to 616,000 keys (2026-09-29 05:27:51)
  Countries across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) are set to deliver nearly 126,000 new hotel rooms by 2030, boosting existing supply by 25% and taking total room inventory to 616,000, according to new insight from leading real estate advisory and hospitality property consultancy, Cavendish Maxwell.
• Aleph Hospitality accelerates Dubai expansion (2026-09-29 05:25:11)
  Aleph Hospitality, the largest independent hotel management company in the Middle East and Africa, has officially taken over operation of the landmark hotel Mövenpick Grand Al Bustan.The transition, effective since 1 July 2026, solidifies a rapidly growing partnership. The Mövenpick Grand Al Bustan joins Aleph Hospitality’s existing managed portfolio which includes the Marriott Marquis Dubai Creek and Hilton Dubai Creek Hotel & Residences located in Jewel of the Creek, Dubai. The agreement is indicative of Aleph Hospitality’s management strategy to identify and leverage synergies across all three properties to unlock major operational efficiencies and drive commercial success for the owner.
• BTN exclusive with Hussain Shahid, General Manager of Noku Maldives (2026-09-29 05:13:37)
  As international hotel groups continue to expand their presence across the Maldives, the destination is entering a new chapter of growth—one where increasing investment and global hospitality brands are reshaping the resort landscape. Yet alongside that growth comes an important question: how can the Maldives continue to evolve while preserving the distinctive sense of place, culture and identity that makes the archipelago so compelling to travellers?For Hussain Shahid, General Manager of Noku Maldives, the answer lies in ensuring that development does not come at the expense of authenticity. In this exclusive interview with Breaking Travel News, Shahid discusses the changing face of Maldivian hospitality, the importance of creating experiences rooted in the destination, and how resorts can embrace international standards while retaining a genuine connection to local culture.
• England Rugby & Football Legends Bring Sports Camps to Siyam World Maldives Ahead of Halloween (2026-09-29 05:11:02)
  Siyam World has never been one for quiet celebrations, and its fifth birthday is no exception. True to its promise of “A World Beyond Your Wildest”, the Lifestyle Collection resort under the Sun Siyam umbrella, is marking the milestone with a packed programme of sport, entertainment and island celebrations. England rugby star Danny Care kicks things off with a three-day children’s rugby camp, followed by football sessions with Gary Cahill and Millie Bright, a kids’ carnival, an island-wide Amazing Race, a 3K Fun Run and cinema experiences out on the lagoon. The celebrations reach their peak on 28th October, when Siyam World officially turns five with a full day dedicated to the Maldives, before CULT CLASSICS brings the Birthday Bash to a suitably wild finale on Halloween night.
• FII Institute Announces Bombardier As a Strategic Partner (2026-09-29 05:09:12)
  The Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute and Bombardier today announced a mutual expansion of their partnership, transitioning Bombardier from Summit Partner to Strategic Partner under a new three-year agreement.Building on Bombardier’s successful participation at FII PRIORITY Miami 2026, the expanded partnership secures year-round engagement across the FII Institute’s flagship conference, international summits, ongoing research, specialized initiatives, and global community.
• GOLF SAUDI STRENGTHENS LONG-TERM COMMITMENT TO WOMEN’S GOLF IN THE KINGDOM (2026-09-29 05:07:49)
  Golf Saudi today announced a multi-year commitment to The Championship, a world-class women’s golf tournament in the UK, which from 2027 will be co-sanctioned by the LPGA and the Ladies European Tour (LET) and will carry a prize fund of $4 million. The partnership builds on Golf Saudi’s backing of women’s golf since 2020 - part of a strategy to grow the game of golf and support women’s sport on the world stage and in the Kingdom.
• First Glimpse: The Oberoi Sukoonvilas, Wadi Safar - Opening Q1 2027 (2026-09-29 05:03:05)
  Scheduled to welcome guests in Q1 2027, The Oberoi Sukoonvilas, Wadi Safar will be the first hotel to open in Wadi Safar, offering a distinctive expression of luxury hospitality deeply connected to the destination’s landscape, history and cultural identity.
• CMAC Group partners with iCoupon to enhance airline disruption services (2026-09-29 05:01:54)
  CMAC Group, a trusted partner to airlines providing disruption support and accommodation solutions, is partnering with iCoupon, the global leading intelligent vouchering platform, to improve passenger services for airlines during disruption.
• THAI PM MEETS VIRGIN ATLANTIC AHEAD OF INAUGURAL NON-STOP DIRECT FLIGHT TO PHUKET, THAILAND (2026-09-28 12:48:26)
  Thailand’s Prime Minister, His Excellency Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul met with Dave Geer, Chief Commercial Officer of Virgin Atlantic in London, just weeks before the airline launches its first-ever direct non-stop service to Phuket marking an important new chapter in air connectivity between the UK and Thailand.The meeting took place during the Prime Minister’s visit to London following his attendance at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, as part of a programme of meetings with key UK trade, investment, industry and tourism partners.
• New hotel reservation analysis raise questions about guest experience and lost revenue opportunities (2026-09-28 12:46:26)
  Lobby, the Artificial Intelligence (AI) platform that automates complex booking operations across suppliers of travel, hospitality and experiences, has carried out several analysis of reservation workflows that reveal a consistent pattern and challenge some common assumptions within hospitality.For years, hotels have focused on reducing reservation response times and on increasing conversion rates, as well as operational efficiency. According to Lobby’s analysis, the actual weaknesses in this part of the process are related to information, guest intent and the commercial opportunities lost between request and booking.
• dnata puts Emirati talent at the centre of its future growth (2026-09-28 12:42:49)
  dnata, a leading global air and travel services provider, is participating in Ru’ya Careers UAE at Dubai World Trade Centre from 28 to 30 September, highlighting career opportunities for Emirati talent across its diverse operations.dnata continues to invest in attracting, developing and advancing national talent. UAE Nationals hold 111 different roles across the company, from travel services and frontline airport operations to specialist and leadership positions, reflecting the breadth of career paths available within the organisation.
• Siri Co-Creator to Open New Paris Forum Tackling AI’s Impact on the Traveller Journey (2026-09-28 12:29:51)
  The world is not moving towards a single artificial intelligence future. The United States, Europe, China, the Middle East and India are developing distinct systems shaped by different approaches to innovation, sovereignty, trust, data and scale. On 28 and 29 October, the Global Resilience Network (GRN) will bring those five pathways into one room at the Global Travel Futures Forum in Paris and test what they mean in practice for the global travel economy.
• The Stage Observation Deck Shanghai: Takes Asia’s Leading Tourist Attraction Award (2026-09-28 12:21:33)
  There are cities that reveal themselves slowly, street by street and neighbourhood by neighbourhood, and then there is Shanghai — a city best understood from above. At the 2026 World Travel Awards Asia, Oceania & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony, held yesterday at CROSSROADS Maldives, that elevated perspective took centre stage as The Stage Observation Deck Shanghai was named Asia’s Leading Tourist Attraction 2026.The prestigious award was presented as travel and tourism leaders from across Asia, Oceania and the Indian Ocean gathered in the Maldives for one of the most anticipated nights of the regional tourism calendar. The ceremony, held on 27 September to coincide with World Tourism Day, brought together representatives from more than 40 countries at CROSSROADS Maldives.
• A MORE SELECTIVE ERA FOR HOSPITALITY INVESTMENT (2026-09-28 11:00:45)
  As some of the world’s leading figures in hospitality investment prepare to gather at Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai tomorrow for Future Hospitality Summit – FHS World 2026, investors have set out their views on the trends and strategies that are shaping the future of hospitality investment.Widely regarded as the Middle East’s leading hospitality investment forum, FHS World will welcome more than 200 investors representing over USD$ 5 trillion in assets under management. Some 25 percent of those investors are attending for the first time, and 40 percent are travelling from outside the GCC.
• The stage is set for SOTIC 2026 in Guyana (2026-09-28 10:33:35)
  The Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) 2026 heads to Georgetown, Guyana from Oct. 5-9 under the theme “Tourism Futures: Smart, Sustainable and Inclusive.”Guyana President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali will deliver the keynote address as tourism leaders, industry partners, researchers, media and students examine the forces shaping Caribbean tourism.
• Hong Kong International Airport: Where Asia Takes Flight (2026-09-28 09:28:54)
  There are airports that simply move people from one place to another. And then there are airports that become part of the identity of the city they serve.Hong Kong International Airport belongs firmly in the second category.Set on the island of Chek Lap Kok, on the edge of the South China Sea, Hong Kong International Airport is more than a gateway to one of Asia’s most compelling cities. It is a vast piece of infrastructure, a meeting point for cultures and continents, and an increasingly sophisticated destination in its own right.
• Oakwood Residence Kapil Hyderabad: A New Way to Stay in India’s City of Technology (2026-09-28 09:09:16)
  Hyderabad has always been a city of contrasts. Ancient monuments and bustling bazaars sit alongside glass towers, technology campuses and ambitious new developments, while the aromas of biryani and cardamom drift through streets increasingly shaped by India’s global business economy.In the heart of this rapidly evolving city, Oakwood Residence Kapil Hyderabad offers a different interpretation of the hotel stay: one that feels less like checking into a room and more like arriving at a sophisticated temporary home.
• Hulhule Island Hotel: Where the Maldives Begins (2026-09-28 09:04:04)
  There is a particular magic to arriving in the Maldives. The aircraft descends towards a necklace of islands scattered across an ocean of extraordinary blue, the horizon seemingly dissolving into sky, sea and sand. For many travellers, however, the first chapter of the holiday is traditionally a hurried one: collect the luggage, find the transfer, board a speedboat or seaplane and begin the journey towards a distant resort.At Hulhule Island Hotel, the journey can slow down almost immediately.
• Velaa Private Island: Where the Maldives Becomes a World of Its Own (2026-09-28 08:53:55)
  There are places in the Maldives where luxury is measured in the size of the villa, the length of the infinity pool or the number of metres between your sun lounger and the sea. Then there is Velaa Private Island, where luxury is rather more elusive: the feeling that, for a few precious days, the island exists entirely for you.
• Inspiring Vacations: Taking the Guesswork Out of Seeing the World (2026-09-28 08:43:47)
  There is a particular pleasure in handing over the logistics of a journey to someone else. The flights, hotels, transfers, guides and excursions are already arranged; the route has been considered, the timings tested and the experiences chosen. All that remains is to arrive, look out of the window and let the world unfold.For Inspiring Vacations, that philosophy has become the foundation of a rapidly expanding travel business — and one that has now received another significant international accolade.The Melbourne-born, Australian-owned company has been named Oceania’s Leading Tour Operator 2026 at the World Travel Awards Asia, Oceania & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony, held in the Maldives.
• Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi: Where Island Luxury Reaches Its Most Extravagant Expression (2026-09-28 08:31:55)
  There are Maldives resorts that offer an escape from the world, and then there are places that seem to create an entirely separate world of their own. Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi belongs firmly in the latter category: a private island sanctuary where impossibly blue water, powder-soft beaches, extraordinary villas and quietly meticulous service combine to create an experience of almost cinematic proportions.That reputation has been recognised once again at the 2026 World Travel Awards Asia, Oceania & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony, with Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi named Indian Ocean’s Leading Luxury Island Resort 2026. It is the sixth consecutive year that the resort has taken the title, having also won from 2021 through 2025.
• Cactus Tours Madagascar: Discovering the Island Through Local Eyes (2026-09-28 08:07:32)
  There are few destinations quite like Madagascar. An island separated from Africa for millions of years, it has evolved into a place of extraordinary contrasts: forests alive with lemurs, avenues of ancient baobabs, limestone landscapes that appear almost otherworldly, tropical beaches and mountain ranges stretching towards distant horizons.For travellers, Madagascar can feel like several countries contained within one extraordinary island. The challenge — and the joy — is knowing how to connect its many different experiences into a journey that feels seamless.
• Baros Maldives: The Art of Living Above the Indian Ocean (2026-09-28 07:58:33)
  There are few travel experiences more instantly evocative than waking above the water in the Maldives. Beyond the doors of a private villa, the lagoon stretches towards the horizon in impossible shades of blue; below, coral gardens move with the tide, while the only soundtrack is the gentle rhythm of the Indian Ocean.At Baros Maldives, this familiar Maldivian dream has been refined into something more intimate and deeply personal. The resort has been named Indian Ocean’s Leading Water Villa Resort 2026 at the World Travel Awards Asia, Oceania & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony, held at CROSSROADS Maldives on 27 September 2026.
• Phong Nha–Kẻ Bàng: Vietnam’s Extraordinary Kingdom Beneath the Mountains (2026-09-28 07:49:54)
  There are landscapes that impress from a distance, and then there are those that seem to belong to another world entirely. In central Vietnam, the limestone mountains of Phong Nha–Kẻ Bàng National Park rise through dense tropical forest, concealing beneath them a subterranean universe of rivers, chambers and caverns on a scale that can be difficult to comprehend.That extraordinary landscape has once again received international recognition. At the 2026 World Travel Awards Asia, Oceania & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony, held in the Maldives on 27 September, Phong Nha–Kẻ Bàng was named Asia’s Leading National Park 2026, while also receiving the title of Vietnam’s Leading Nature Destination 2026.
• Plaza Premium Lounge Adelaide: A Refined Pause Before the Journey (2026-09-28 07:40:00)
  Airports are rarely associated with lingering. They are places of departure, of schedules and security queues, of coffee grabbed between gates and the quiet anxiety of watching the departure board. But in Adelaide, there is another way to spend those precious hours before take-off.At Adelaide Airport, Plaza Premium Lounge Adelaide has transformed the pre-flight interlude into something altogether more considered — a place where food, local culture, comfort and thoughtful hospitality come together to create a genuine sense of arrival before the journey has even begun.
• SO/ Maldives: Where Island Life Meets a New Sense of Style (2026-09-28 07:14:17)
  There are few places in the world where the line between landscape and luxury is quite so beautifully blurred as the Maldives. Yet amid the archipelago’s extraordinary collection of private islands, SO/ Maldives has carved out a personality of its own — one that is as much about contemporary design, fashion and atmosphere as it is about white sand and turquoise water.That distinctive approach has now received international recognition, with SO/ Maldives crowned Maldives’ Leading Lifestyle Resort 2026 at the 2026 World Travel Awards.
• Top Middle East leaders - Fernando Eiroa Dubai Holding Entertainment (2026-09-28 07:12:45)
  Dubai’s tourism offer is increasingly built around reasons to visit as much as places to stay. Fernando Eiroa is responsible for many of those reasons. As chief executive of Dubai Holding Entertainment, he oversees a portfolio that includes Dubai Parks and Resorts, Ain Dubai, The Green Planet Dubai, Coca-Cola Arena, Global Village and The View Palm Jumeirah.Eiroa took the role in 2021 after a career spent inside large-scale leisure businesses. He served as chief executive of Palace Entertainment in the United States and later led Parques Reunidos, one of the world’s largest operators of theme parks, water parks, aquariums and zoological attractions. At Parques Reunidos, he guided the business through an initial public offering and oversaw more than 60 parks across 14 countries.
• Top Middle East leaders - Ali Sajwani DAMAC Group (2026-09-28 07:09:32)
  Ali Sajwani’s responsibilities at DAMAC Group extend far beyond the operation of hotels. As managing director for operations, finance and hospitality, he works across the systems that turn property development into functioning destinations: capital allocation, construction, service delivery, technology and long-term asset performance.Sajwani has managed those areas since 2017. By July 2026, DAMAC’s hospitality arm operated eight hotels and resorts with 7,186 keys, including DAMAC Maison Distinction, DAMAC Maison Mall Street and DAMAC Maison Aykon City. The portfolio gives the group a direct role in operating the environments it develops, rather than ending its involvement when apartments are sold or buildings are completed.
• Top Middle East leaders - Chris Nader, Noelle Homsy ENVI Lodges (2026-09-28 07:06:23)
  Chris Nader and Noelle Homsy founded ENVI Lodges in 2021 around a shared frustration with the sameness of conventional resort development. Their answer was a brand focused on immersive, low-impact lodges in natural settings, with architecture, operations and experiences designed around the character of each site. The model is timely: destinations want tourism growth, but increasingly need forms of accommodation that protect the very landscapes drawing visitors.
• Top Middle East leaders - Arnaud Martinez The Helicopter Company (2026-09-28 07:04:51)
  When Arnaud Martinez joined The Helicopter Company as chief operating officer in 2019, Saudi Arabia’s commercial rotorcraft sector was at the beginning of a major expansion. He became chief executive in 2020 and has since led the Public Investment Fund-owned company through rapid fleet, workforce and mission growth. The organization now supports tourism, emergency medical services, private charter and aerial work across a country whose geography makes vertical aviation especially valuable.
• The Vanguards of Travel: What the World Travel Awards Winners Say About the Future of the Industry (2026-09-28 07:03:19)
  From India and the Philippines to Malaysia, Maldives, Australia and beyond, the winners at the World Travel Awards Asia, Oceania & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony reveal what it takes to lead an industry built on people, experience and constant change.
• Top Middle East leaders - Samer Majali Royal Jordanian (2026-09-28 07:02:33)
  Samer Majali’s relationship with Royal Jordanian spans almost half a century. He joined the airline in 1979, rose through its management and served as president and chief executive from 2001 to 2009. During that first tenure, Royal Jordanian joined the oneworld alliance in 2007 and completed its privatization in 2008. When Majali returned as vice chairman and chief executive in 2021, he came back to an institution he had already helped transform.
• Top Middle East leaders - Muzzammil Ahussain Almosafer (2026-09-28 07:00:22)
  Muzzammil Ahussain’s leadership reflects the rapid maturation of Saudi Arabia’s travel market. As chief executive of Almosafer, part of Seera Group, he oversees businesses serving consumers, corporations, government clients, inbound visitors, leisure groups and pilgrims. The breadth matters: rather than treating travel as a single booking transaction, Almosafer is building infrastructure across the full journey and across the Kingdom’s tourism priorities.
• Top Middle East leaders - Saurabh Tiwari Taj Hotels (2026-09-28 06:57:05)
  Saurabh Tiwari assumed responsibility as vice president of operations for the Middle East, the Maldives and Sri Lanka in August 2026, after establishing himself at the centre of Taj Hotels’ Dubai business. His promotion places him over a portfolio that includes three Dubai hotels with 821 keys, three Sri Lankan properties with 672 keys and two Maldives resorts with 126 keys, alongside a development pipeline extending into Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Ras Al Khaimah.
• Top Middle East leaders - Mohamad Haj Hassan Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (2026-09-28 06:55:42)
  Mohamad Haj Hassan leads Wyndham Hotels & Resorts across a territory where the industry’s greatest opportunities and sharpest execution challenges coexist. As market managing director for the Middle East and Africa, he is responsible for growth, owner relationships and performance across markets ranging from global Gulf hubs to cities with limited internationally branded supply.
• Tourism and hospitality elite honoured at World Travel Awards 2026 in the Maldives (2026-09-27 19:11:44)
  The best travel organisations in Asia, Oceania and the Indian Ocean were honoured at a VIP gala ceremony in the Maldives. The stars of the industry convened at CROSSROADS Maldives for the World Travel Awards Asia, Oceania & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony 2026 to discover who had won the most prestigious and highly sought-after honours in global tourism.
• Top Middle East leaders - Prateek Kumar Dusit Hotels & Resorts (2026-09-27 09:08:36)
  Prateek Kumar’s regional brief is unusually broad. As senior vice president of operations for Dusit Hotels & Resorts, he oversees properties across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, India, the Philippines, Singapore, the Maldives and Japan, as well as selected hotels in Thailand. The map spans city hotels, islands, mature markets and new destinations, but the common task is preserving a Thai-rooted service identity while adapting it to local guests and owners.
• World Travel Week Jamaica launches on World Tourism Day (2026-09-27 09:07:08)
  Jamaica has today, World Tourism Day, officially launched World Travel Week Jamaica 2026, a landmark six-day gathering bringing together leaders and organisations from across the international travel, tourism and hospitality industry.Taking place from 10-15 October 2026 at Princess Resorts in Negril, World Travel Week Jamaica will bring a portfolio of major international awards, industry gatherings and showcases together in one destination, placing Jamaica at the centre of the global tourism conversation.
• Top Middle East leaders - Bani Haddad Aleph Hospitality (2026-09-27 09:04:09)
  Bani Haddad founded Aleph Hospitality in 2015 around a structural opportunity. The Middle East and Africa had no shortage of hotel projects or international brands, but many owners needed an experienced operating partner able to manage properties locally, protect their interests and work flexibly with brand franchises. Aleph was built to occupy that space. Today, with more than 50 hotels across 23 countries, it describes itself as the region’s largest independent hotel management company.
• Top Middle East leaders - Talal Jassim Al-Bahar IFA Hotels & Resorts (2026-09-27 09:00:01)
  Talal Jassim Al-Bahar is best understood not simply as a hotel executive, but as an investor in the environments around hotels. As chairman and group chief executive of IFA Hotels & Resorts, he oversees a business whose interests span hospitality, branded residences, leisure and mixed-use real estate. His leadership reflects a central lesson of resort economics: the most valuable asset is often the destination ecosystem rather than the room inventory alone.
• Top Middle East leaders - Essa Faqeeh Areen Hospitality (2026-09-27 08:57:01)
  Saudi Arabia’s hotel pipeline is often described in keys, brands and construction value. Essa Faqeeh’s work begins where those headlines become difficult: feasibility, concept, design coordination, pre-opening and performance. As chief executive of Areen Hospitality, he leads a company built to guide hospitality assets across their full life cycle, helping owners translate tourism ambition into properties that can actually operate.
• Top Middle East leaders - Stephen Ansell Hyatt (2026-09-27 08:55:39)
  Stephen Ansell’s appointment as managing director for the Middle East and Africa in April 2024 brought his Hyatt career back to the region where it began. He joined the company in 1996 as director of food and beverage at Hyatt Regency Riyadh, then built an international record through hotel and regional leadership roles in Europe, Central Asia and the Middle East. That continuity gives him an unusually deep understanding of the company he is now expanding.
• Top Middle East leaders - Mahmood Alhashmi Ajman tourism (2026-09-27 08:50:59)
  Mahmood Alhashmi is leading Ajman’s tourism sector through an important institutional transition. After taking responsibility for tourism development in 2022, he became director general of the emirate’s Department of Tourism, Culture and Media when the integrated body was established in 2025. The new structure reflects a modern view of destination management: what a place offers, how it understands itself and how it communicates cannot be separated.
• Top Middle East leaders - Andrew Tyler-Smith Red Sea International Airport (2026-09-27 08:48:44)
  Andrew Tyler-Smith leads an airport with a deliberately different purpose. Red Sea International Airport is the principal gateway to The Red Sea and AMAALA, Saudi Arabia’s new luxury tourism destinations. It must provide international connectivity and premium service while supporting a development model that places environmental limits and carefully managed growth at its core. As chief executive since January 2025, Tyler-Smith is responsible for making those priorities operationally compatible.
• Top Middle East leaders - Nadia Zaal - Zaya (2026-09-27 08:45:47)
  Nadia Zaal is one of the Gulf’s most distinctive hospitality entrepreneurs because her projects begin with landscape rather than buildings. As co-founder and chief executive of Zaya, she has placed privacy, nature and design at the centre of high-end residential and resort development. Her best-known creation, Nurai Island near Abu Dhabi, demonstrated that a locally conceived private-island experience could compete for the world’s most demanding luxury guests.
• Top Middle East leaders - Sara Ahmed Buhiji Exhibition World Bahrain (2026-09-27 08:42:54)
  Sara Ahmed Buhiji stands at the junction of two systems that Bahrain needs to work together: destination demand and the venues capable of converting that demand into visits. Appointed chief executive of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority in January 2024 and serving as chair of Exhibition World Bahrain, she has a mandate that reaches from international marketing to business events, festivals, investment and workforce development.
• Top Middle East leaders - Khalifa Bin Braik Majid Al Futtaim Asset Management (2026-09-27 08:39:18)
  Khalifa Bin Braik’s career tracks the evolution of Gulf real estate from stand-alone construction into integrated destination management. As chief executive of Majid Al Futtaim Asset Management, he is responsible for a portfolio that includes 29 shopping malls and seven hotels across the Middle East and North Africa. The scale is substantial, but the more revealing feature is the combination: retail, hospitality, leisure and place-making are managed as connected drivers of visitation and value.
• World Tourism Day website launches to connect events and stories worldwide (2026-09-27 07:57:57)
  A new website dedicated to celebrating and promoting World Tourism Day has launched, bringing together a global events directory, stories from across the travel industry and opportunities for people and organisations to get involved.
• Four Seasons Introduces New Curated Itineraries Across Japan, Thailand and Hawaii (2026-09-27 07:49:53)
  Four Seasons is expanding its collection of curated itineraries, introducing three new multi-destination experiences that connect multiple Four Seasons properties through one seamlessly coordinated itinerary. The latest additions include stays and experiences across Japan, Thailand and Hawaii.
• ONYX Hospitality Group Targets Growing Russia & CIS Demand (2026-09-27 07:13:08)
  ONYX Hospitality Group, a leading management company for hotels, resorts, serviced apartments, luxury residences, restaurants and spas across Asia-Pacific, is strengthening its focus on the Russia and CIS travel market following a successful September sales mission across Moscow, St. Petersburg and, for the first time, Minsk in Belarus.The multi-city mission comes as demand for Thailand from Russia continues to perform strongly, while new air connectivity from Belarus is set to create further opportunities for leisure travel to Bangkok and Phuket.
• FH55 HOTELS REDEFINES ITS IDENTITY: A NEW BRAND TO TELL THE STORY OF CONTEMPORARY ITALIAN LUXURY (2026-09-27 07:09:36)
  Founded more than seven decades ago by Dino Innocenti, FH55 Hotels has built its identity over time on the ability to bring together tradition and innovation: on one side, the historic heritage of its locations and their strong connection with their destinations; on the other, an ongoing journey of renovation and enhancement, with a focus on design, service quality and the overall guest experience.
• 72% of Indians Discover Offbeat Destinations Through Reels, But Trust Remains the Final Step (2026-09-27 07:05:13)
  Travel inspiration today is increasingly digital, with social media and artificial intelligence becoming important parts of how Indians discover and plan their journeys. A recent survey by zingbus, based on 2,371 respondents, reveals how short-form content, AI-powered planning and trusted travel information are influencing travel decisions.The findings come ahead of World Tourism Day on September 27, whose 2026 theme, “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism,” reflects the growing role of technology in shaping the future of travel.
• SERRAS SEVILLA INTRODUCES A NEW BRAND OF BESPOKE LUXURY SERVICE TO SEVILLE (2026-09-27 07:01:39)
  After much anticipation, Serras Sevilla officially opened its doors on 11 September, introducing Serras Collection’s signature philosophy of intuitive, highly personalised hospitality to Andalusia and unlocking the city’s most coveted experiences for guests.
• THE CHANCE FOR AGENTS TO WIN £3,000 TOWARDS THEIR NEXT GOLD MEDAL HOLIDAY (2026-09-27 07:00:43)
  Gold Medal, the flagship brand of Gold Medal Travel Group, has today launched its sixth brochure of the 2026-27 portfolio, In Focus: Australia, New Zealand & South Pacific, along with a supporting campaign running throughout September and October 2026. The campaign pairs the new brochure which can be ordered via Tradegate and online hub with fantastic benefits for agents, including double Farebank Rewards and a £3,000 holiday contribution giveaway.
• How Le Méridien Phuket Mai Khao Beach Resort Is Reshaping the Festive Season (2026-09-27 06:55:33)
  As travellers increasingly seek meaningful ways to celebrate the festive season, Le Méridien Phuket Mai Khao Beach Resort is unveiling its festive programme, blending international traditions with Phuket’s culture, cuisine and community through culinary experiences, a community-inspired Christmas Market and signature beachfront celebrations.
• AE Expedition marks three-and-a-half decades of firsts (2026-09-27 06:53:43)
  AE Expeditions is celebrating 35 years of pioneering expedition travel, marking a journey from a small Australian operation taking adventurous travellers to Antarctica, to a global expedition operator exploring all seven continents.
• Oman to deliver 700 new hotel rooms by year end with winter season (2026-09-27 06:52:38)
  The Sultanate of Oman is set to deliver 700 new hotel rooms between now and the end of 2026, taking total inventory to 40,800 keys, according to leading real estate advisory and hospitality property consultancy, Cavendish Maxwell.Oman opened 400 new rooms in H1 2026 – all in Q1 – amid reduced hospitality sector activity as regional travel disruptions affected international connectivity and tourism trade.
• What World Tourism Day means to me (2026-09-27 06:31:37)
  World Tourism Day is an opportunity to celebrate one of the world’s great economic and social forces. It is also a moment to ask whether the choices we are making today will leave destinations and communities stronger tomorrow.By Justin Cooke, Editor-in-Chief, Breaking Travel News
• Jamaica launches World Travel Week as global tourism spotlight turns to Negril (2026-09-27 06:00:22)
  Jamaica has used World Tourism Day to officially launch World Travel Week Jamaica⁠ 2026, an ambitious new gathering designed to bring some of the biggest international platforms in travel, tourism and hospitality together in Negril.
• World Travel Awards 2026: Meet the Maldivian Leading Nominees (2026-09-26 19:16:00)
  The travel industry turns its attention to the Maldives on 27 September 2026 as the World Travel Awards Asia, Oceania & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony 2026 brings leading names from across the three regions to CROSSROADS Maldives.Now in its 33rd year, World Travel Awards recognises organisations and destinations across aviation, hospitality, tourism, travel services, cruise and visitor experiences. The regional ceremony provides a snapshot of an industry that continues to evolve through new openings, stronger destination identities, more specialised guest experiences and increasing attention to sustainability, design and service.For travellers and the trade, the nominations also provide a useful guide to the companies shaping tourism across Asia, Oceania and the Indian Ocean. From major airlines and tourism boards to private-island resorts, specialist tour operators and airport services, the 2026 field reflects the breadth of the modern visitor journey.
• Top Middle East leaders - Kamil Al-Awadhi International Air Transport Association (2026-09-26 08:34:41)
  Kamil Al-Awadhi occupies one of aviation’s most consequential intermediary positions. As the International Air Transport Association’s regional vice president for Africa and the Middle East, he represents airlines across a region of global hubs, fast-growing markets and persistent structural constraints. His task is not to run a carrier but to improve the conditions in which many carriers operate, making the case for regulation, infrastructure and charges that support safe, competitive connectivity.
• Top Middle East leaders - Christoph Mares Boutique Group (2026-09-26 08:31:02)
  Christoph Mares did not arrive at Boutique Group to build another collection of luxury hotels. He arrived to help define a new category. The Public Investment Fund-owned company is converting former royal palaces into ultra-luxury hospitality assets, a task that demands commercial discipline, conservation judgement and a service culture capable of making monumental buildings feel personal. Since taking the chief executive role in January 2025, Mares has become the operator charged with turning that ambition into a repeatable guest experience.
• Top Middle East leaders - JS Anand LEVA Hotels (2026-09-26 08:28:12)
  JS Anand founded LEVA Hotels in 2019 after more than 25 years in hospitality, including experience with Hilton, Marriott International and other major operators. The first flagship, LEVA Hotel Mazaya Centre in Dubai, established a contemporary, accessible lifestyle proposition. From that base, Anand has expanded through the Middle East, Europe and West Africa.LEVA now operates through four hospitality sub-brands: LEVA Hotel Residences, LEVA, EKONO by LEVA and ZEN by LEVA. The architecture allows Anand to respond to different assets and price points without forcing every owner into one format. It also reflects his central thesis: a smaller operator can move faster, tailor agreements and give owners more direct access to decision-makers.
• Top Middle East leaders - Muin Serhan Amsa Hospitality (2026-09-26 08:24:43)
  Muin Serhan became chief executive of Amsa Hospitality in 2024, bringing about 25 years of international hotel experience to a Saudi company founded in 2020. Amsa’s mission is to invest in and manage hotels that support the Kingdom’s tourism growth while preserving cultural identity. By mid-2025, it operated three hotels and had 20 in the pipeline across Saudi Arabia.Serhan’s career with leading hotel groups gave him a grounding in global brand standards and multi-market operations. At Amsa, he applies that experience from the owner’s and operator’s side, where the priorities include project selection, management agreements, pre-opening, talent and long-term asset value. His appointment signalled the company’s move from entrepreneurial formation towards institutional scale.
• Top Middle East leaders - Carolyn Turnbull Nammos Hotels & Resorts (2026-09-26 08:22:38)
  Carolyn Turnbull became chief executive of Nammos Hotels & Resorts in June 2025, taking responsibility for a brand born from a famous Mykonos beach club and now backed for global growth by ADMO Lifestyle Holding. Her brief is to preserve the energy, social confidence and Mediterranean identity that made Nammos desirable while building the systems, service and owner credibility of an ultra-luxury resort operator.Turnbull brings more than two decades of international experience. Her career has included IHG, Hyatt and Aman, exposing her to different interpretations of luxury and brand scale. Around 2016 she became the inaugural chief executive of Azerai, helping establish a new boutique hotel portfolio in Asia. She later returned to Australia to lead Tourism Western Australia, where she treated destination positioning, aviation and industry partnerships as connected parts of the visitor economy.
• Top Middle East leaders - Ralph Porciani JA Resorts & Hotels (2026-09-26 08:20:36)
  Ralph Porciani became chief executive of JA Resorts & Hotels in 2024 with more than 40 years in luxury hospitality behind him. Roughly a third of that career was spent in leading central London hotels, followed by two decades at Scotland’s Turnberry resort. There he helped guide the property to Forbes Five-Star status, mastering the complexities of a destination combining hotel, golf, food, heritage and international reputation.That experience is well suited to JA, a home-grown Dubai company founded in 1981. The portfolio now comprises nine properties and 1,879 keys across the UAE, Maldives and United Kingdom. It includes the three hotels at JA The Resort in Jebel Ali, JA Ocean View Hotel, JA Hatta Fort Hotel and Indian Ocean assets. Porciani inherited a brand with history, land, loyal guests and considerable unrealized international potential.
• Top Middle East leaders - Mohamed Awadalla TIME Hotels (2026-09-26 08:18:14)
  Mohamed Awadalla is co-founder and chief executive of TIME Hotels, a UAE-born operator established in 2012. The group has grown to 17 hotels and around 4,000 keys across seven countries, using a portfolio of hotel and apartment brands aimed at market segments often overshadowed by the Gulf’s luxury openings.Awadalla’s hospitality career spans more than 30 years, including experience with Mövenpick, Hilton and Rotana. In 2007 he joined a private investment company in the UAE, where he helped develop a hospitality division before co-founding TIME. The transition from international brands to an entrepreneurial operator gave him both structured training and an owner’s sensitivity to returns.
• Top Middle East leaders - Ahmad Abu Ghazaleh International Wings Group (2026-09-26 08:15:44)
  Ahmad Abu Ghazaleh has led International Wings Group since 2003, building a portfolio that includes Royal Jordanian Air Academy, Arab Wings, Queen Noor Technical College and Gulf Wings. The structure reflects a systems view of aviation: aircraft operations depend on pilots, engineers, training, regulation and specialist services developing together.Arab Wings gives the group an operating presence in business aviation, while the Royal Jordanian Air Academy and Queen Noor Technical College address the sector’s human-capital needs. Gulf Wings extends the footprint into the Gulf. By combining these activities, Abu Ghazaleh can connect education with industry demand and expose trainees to the standards expected by active operators.
• Top Middle East leaders - Hadi Mouawad ExecuJet Middle East (2026-09-26 08:12:48)
  Hadi Mouawad has led ExecuJet Middle East since 1999, when Dubai’s private-aviation market was still nascent. The company became the city’s first private aircraft operator and fixed-base service provider, giving Mouawad a pioneering role in the infrastructure that now supports one of the world’s busiest business-aviation destinations.Over more than a quarter century, he has developed operations at Dubai International and Al Maktoum International, providing ground handling, lounges, charter and aircraft management. ExecuJet has been reported to hold about 40 per cent of Dubai’s private-aviation market, serving flights to around 120 destinations. Its managed fleet grew from 18 aircraft to 23 during 2025, a measure of owner confidence as well as market demand.
• Top Middle East leaders - Stefan Leser Adeera Hospitality (2026-09-26 08:09:30)
  Stefan Leser leads Adeera Hospitality with a mandate that is both commercial and national. The Public Investment Fund-owned company is building a Saudi hotel-management platform with home-grown brands designed for different market segments. In a country attracting virtually every major international operator, Adeera’s purpose is to ensure Saudi Arabia also develops its own hospitality intellectual property, operating capability and leadership pipeline.
• Top Middle East leaders - Adel Al Ali Air Arabia (2026-09-26 08:04:55)
  Adel Al Ali has served as group chief executive of Air Arabia since its establishment in 2003. Over more than two decades, he has led the company from a Sharjah start-up into a multi-hub airline group and one of the region’s defining low-cost carriers. His achievement is not simply growth. It is the creation of a business model that widened access to air travel while maintaining an unusual focus on profitability and cost discipline.
• BTN Focus: Abu Dhabi Builds a Cultural Destination from Deep Time to the Future (2026-09-26 07:35:43)
  BTN explores how Abu Dhabi is building a global cultural destination from desert heritage, deep history and contemporary art.
• Travel leaders gather in the Maldives for World Travel Awards (2026-09-26 06:33:11)
  The Maldives is preparing to welcome travel and tourism leaders from across the region for the World Travel Awards Asia, Oceania & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony 2026, powered by Bank of Maldives. The ceremony will take place at CROSSROADS Maldives on Sunday, 27 September 2026, coinciding with World Tourism Day.The evening will bring together leading travel, tourism and hospitality brands from across Asia, Oceania and the Indian Ocean to celebrate excellence across a wide range of categories, including hotels, resorts, airlines, tour operators, destinations and tourism attractions.
• Fari Islands Festival 2026 brings together creativity, culture, wellness and conservation (2026-09-26 06:28:09)
  The Maldives’ Fari Islands archipelago came alive from 13–15 August as the second edition of the Fari Islands Festival unfolded across Patina Maldives and The Ritz-Carlton Maldives. Guided by its ‘One Festival, Every Sense’ philosophy, the festival welcomed an international community of artists, cultural voices, chefs, musicians, wellness practitioners and conservationists, including headline contributor Rosamund Pike and acclaimed designer Sean Wotherspoon.
• Travel Tech Leaders Agree: Artificial Intelligence Will Transform Tourism (2026-09-26 06:26:23)
  On September 27th, UN Tourism celebrates World Tourism Day. In 2026, it will centre on how digitalization and Artificial Intelligence are redesigning tourism. To mark the date, Belvera Partners, a PR firm exclusively focused on supporting B2B travel technology companies, has brought together thought leaders across the travel technology ecosystem to explore the opportunities, challenges, and responsibilities associated with the rapid adoption of technology, in general, and AI, in particular, across hospitality, distribution, and travel experiences.
• Brazil sees 14.03% increase in European tourists in 2026; British arrivals reach highest volume in 1 (2026-09-26 06:23:42)
  European visitors to Brazil is experiencing its best January-to-August period in two decades. In the first eight months of 2026, the country recorded 1.28 million tourist arrivals from Europe, a 14.03% increase compared to the same period in 2025.
• China commits to ‘global gateway’ WTM London with largest-ever pavilion and extensive line-up (2026-09-26 06:21:54)
  The China Pavilion at this year’s WTM London will be almost 22% bigger than last year, with the stand configured to combine live cultural experiences, destination discovery and high-value business networking across all the three days of the world’s most influential travel and tourism event, powered by RX Global.The expanded footprint reflects the importance China places on rebuilding international tourism links through WTM London, while deepening cooperation with the UK and wider global travel trade.
• Accor reaches a new milestone with ALL Concierge (2026-09-26 06:18:00)
  Pioneering the next era of personalized hospitality, Accor, a world-leading hospitality group, today announces the full launch of its ALL Concierge. Following a successful pilot phase, this launch constitutes a major development in Accor’s AI strategy and is the first time a hospitality group has undertaken a large-scale roll-out of a fully conversational AI companion.Providing a continuous and intelligent presence across every touchpoint, this next-generation interface is a major evolution in Accor’s approach to guest engagement, from initial travel inspiration through to booking management and in-stay interactions.
• Endless Trails: Discover Lithuania’s Wild Side on Foot (2026-09-26 06:16:17)
  Beyond Lithuania’s cities lies a landscape of quiet drama: ancient forests, misty bogs, glacial lakes and dunes shaped by the Baltic winds. Best explored on foot, these wild places offer a different side of Europe — one where you can walk for hours through seemingly untouched landscapes and still be back in town by evening.The Baltic nation is attracting growing international interest with an impressive 74% of visitors. Beyond its historic cities, cultural attractions and increasingly acclaimed food scene, Lithuania offers another compelling reason to visit: an extraordinary variety of accessible natural landscapes and its dynamic seasonality.
• Cincy Region On The Rise: British Airways Expands Daily Service For Summer 2027 (2026-09-26 06:11:43)
  The Cincy Region is set for an even stronger connection with the UK in 2027, as British Airways announces a significant expansion of its nonstop service between London Heathrow and Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG).
• Malaysia Airlines builds on China momentum with expanded connectivity and digital partnerships (2026-09-26 06:08:10)
  Malaysia Airlines is strengthening its presence in China through an expanded network, deeper digital partnerships and closer collaboration with the travel trade, building on growing demand between China and Malaysia while reinforcing Kuala Lumpur’s position as a gateway to Malaysia and the wider region.
• Breaking Travel News Q&A: Amir Golbarg, COO, Minor Hotels Middle East & Africa (2026-09-26 06:03:47)
  As the hospitality landscape across the Middle East and Africa continues to evolve, Minor Hotels is positioning itself for a new phase of growth, driven by changing traveller expectations, an expanding portfolio and the opportunities emerging across some of the world’s most dynamic destinations.In this Breaking Travel News Q&A, Golbarg discusses the outlook for hospitality across the Middle East and Africa, the trends shaping guest expectations, the importance of delivering distinctive experiences, and Minor Hotels’ approach to growth across the region.
• Polar travel signals a shift in premium tourism (2026-09-26 05:59:04)
  Polar expedition travel is highlighting a broader shift in premium tourism, as travellers increasingly seek access, expertise and deeper experiences rather than scale, according to Sam Seward, President of Quark Expeditions, in the latest episode of the Travel Trends Podcast.Speaking to Travel Trends host Dan Christian, Seward describes a market where both booking behaviour and traveller expectations are changing – from earlier bookings for Antarctica to growing demand for specialist experiences such as photography, kayaking and citizen science.
• Edmund Bartlett calls for US$10bn Global Tourism Resilience Fund as Jamaica champions Tourism 3.0 (2026-09-25 19:59:51)
  Jamaica Tourism 3.0 and the Case for a Global Tourism Resilience Fund
• World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards Opens 2026 Voting (2026-09-25 08:40:45)
  World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards has unveiled its 2026 nominees and opened global voting, following the assessment of hundreds of entries spanning 60 countries and territories.
• Banyan Tree Samui and Banyan Tree Krabi Retain Two MICHELIN Keys (2026-09-25 07:20:57)
  Two of Thailand’s most iconic beachfront resorts, Banyan Tree Samui and Banyan Tree Krabi, have been awarded Two Keys by the MICHELIN Guide to Thailand for the third consecutive year.Equivalent to MICHELIN stars for restaurants, the award of “Two Keys” is bestowed on a hotel or resort described by MICHELIN as “an exceptional stay”, in that it offers a remarkable experience in every regard, including distinctive character, outstanding design and impeccable service.
• Top Middle East leaders - Joseph Karam chief operating officer of Ishraq Hospitality (2026-09-25 07:16:09)
  Joseph Karam has moved from running individual hotels to shaping an owner-operator platform, bringing experience across Asia and the Gulf to a portfolio where performance, people and responsible growth must reinforce one another.
• Top Middle East leaders - Shaikha Al Kaabi Erth Abu Dhabi (2026-09-25 07:12:55)
  Shaikha Al Kaabi has recast an institution rooted in service to the UAE Armed Forces as a contemporary Emirati hospitality brand, using food, sport, heritage and welcome to connect national identity with global guests.
• Top Middle East leaders - Hussein Sherif AIRCAIRO’s chief executive (2026-09-25 07:09:35)
  Hussein Sherif returned to AIRCAIRO after previously multiplying its fleet, bringing more than three decades of commercial aviation experience to a carrier now entering its next stage of growth.
• Top Middle East leaders - Adel Mardini Jetex (2026-09-25 07:06:15)
  Adel Mardini founded Jetex to bring hotel-style service and consistent standards to business aviation, then expanded the Dubai company into an international network of terminals and ground support.
• Top Middle East leaders - Said Al Shanfari Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre (2026-09-25 07:03:37)
  At Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre, Said Al Shanfari has turned venue leadership into destination advocacy, positioning meetings and exhibitions as a route to investment, knowledge and year-round visitation.
• Top Middle East leaders - Paul de Salis chief executive of RoyalJet (2026-09-25 07:00:44)
  Paul de Salis has taken the helm of RoyalJet with four decades of aviation experience and a mandate to strengthen a business spanning charter, aircraft management, medical evacuation and VIP terminal operations.
• Top Middle East leaders - Siddeek Ahmed chairman and managing director of ITL World (2026-09-25 06:57:16)
  Siddeek Ahmed is chairman and managing director of ITL World, a travel-management company operating across corporate travel, leisure, meetings and related services. His leadership sits within the wider Eram Holdings group, a diversified business with interests across dozens of verticals. That entrepreneurial ecosystem has given ITL access to networks, capital and operating experience beyond travel alone.Ahmed has led ITL World since 2006, building on a business history connected with India and the Gulf. The company has grown in markets where corporate clients require much more than ticketing. Travel management now includes policy compliance, data, traveller security, payments, negotiated content, round-the-clock service and the integration of meetings and leisure.
• Top Middle East leaders - Ahmed Ben Zaied cluster general manager of Sharjah Collection (2026-09-25 06:53:59)
  Ahmed Ben Zaied serves as cluster general manager of Sharjah Collection, overseeing seven retreats built around the emirate’s natural and cultural settings. The portfolio ranges across desert, mountain, coastal, archaeological and wellness environments. His responsibility is to give each property operational strength while ensuring the collection adds up to a coherent destination proposition.Cluster leadership is often described as an efficiency measure, but in Sharjah it has a larger strategic purpose. The emirate’s attractions are geographically and experientially diverse. A coordinated portfolio can encourage guests to move between landscapes, extend their stay and understand Sharjah beyond a single city break. Ben Zaied sits at the point where that itinerary becomes operational reality.
• Top Middle East leaders - Julien Bergue Valor Hospitality Partners (2026-09-25 06:51:38)
  Julien Bergue is co-founder and managing partner for the Middle East and CIS at Valor Hospitality Partners, where he has helped establish a third-party management platform across a region extending from the Gulf to Central Asia. With two decades in hospitality and 17 years focused on project development, he operates at the boundary between investment concept and hotel performance.Bergue co-founded Valor’s regional operation in 2018. Since then, the business has assembled a pipeline of about 3,900 keys across Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Uzbekistan, Georgia, Pakistan and Kazakhstan. The geographic range reveals the strategy: enter markets where owners need international operating capability but may prefer an independent manager capable of working with different brands.
• Top Middle East leaders - Marco Mejia CEO of King Salman International Airport Development Company (2026-09-25 06:45:20)
  Marco Mejia has served as acting chief executive of King Salman International Airport Development Company since 2021, placing him at the centre of a project intended to transform Riyadh’s connectivity and urban future. The planned airport is not merely a replacement terminal. It is conceived as a vast aviation, logistics and commercial platform supporting the capital’s growth and Saudi Arabia’s wider economic diversification.
• Top Middle East leaders - Simon Leigh and Premier Inn’s value-led Gulf expansion (2026-09-25 06:42:49)
  Simon Leigh leads Premier Inn Middle East at a moment when the region’s hotel conversation is broadening beyond luxury. The company has outlined investment of about $545 million to add six to eight hotels and roughly 3,500 rooms across the UAE and Saudi Arabia, effectively doubling its inventory. Leigh’s task is to make that expansion feel disciplined rather than opportunistic, preserving the simple promise on which the brand depends.
• SCHLOSS Spa Named Scotland’s Best Hotel Spa For a Second Year (2026-09-25 06:37:07)
  SCHLOSS Spa, located in the elegant 5* SCHLOSS Roxburghe Golf Resort, has once again been crowned Scotland’s Best Hotel Spa at the prestigious World Spa Awards, this time taking the 2026 title. Having retained the accolade it first won in 2025, the spa’s back-to-back success is the perfect excuse for an autumn or winter getaway to the Scottish Borders.With state-of-the-art facilities, an outdoor heated infinity pool and panoramic views over the Scottish countryside, SCHLOSS Spa continues to set the benchmark for wellness in Scotland. The award reflects the spa’s ongoing commitment to exceptional treatments, tranquil surroundings and a genuinely restorative guest experience.
• A New Chapter of Timeless Hospitality Unfolds in Oman’s Capital (2026-09-25 06:33:47)
  Tivoli Hotels & Resorts is pleased to announce the opening of a new landmark address in the capital, Tivoli LA VIE Muscat Hotel & Residences, introducing the brand’s renowned European elegance enriched with Oman’s rich culture and heritage.Located in the prestigious LA VIE development and inspired by the joy of life, Tivoli LA VIE has been developed as a destination that feels both timeless and contemporary.
• Up to 50% off Interrail Passes now available through Rail Europe, following recent rebranding (2026-09-25 06:29:21)
  Rail Europe is offering travellers access to Interrail’s limited-time promotion from today, 24 September, until 10:00 CEST on 30 September. Continuous Global Passes valid for one, two or three months are 50% off the regular price, whille other Global and One Country Passes included in the promotion are discounted by 15%; an invitation to finally take “the trip you always said you’d take.”
• Jordan Tourism Board and Wizz Air Announce Strategic Partnership (2026-09-25 06:00:31)
  The Jordan Tourism Board (JTB) and Wizz Air, one of Europe’s leading low-cost airlines, today announced a renewed strategic cooperation agreement alongside the resumption of Wizz Air services to Jordan, commencing on 22 September 2026 with the return of direct flights between Budapest and Amman.The agreement marks an important new chapter in the longstanding relationship between Jordan and Wizz Air and reflects a shared commitment to strengthening air connectivity between the Kingdom and key European markets, supporting the recovery and sustainable growth of Jordan’s tourism sector, and making Jordan more accessible to international travellers.
• Fairmont Hotels & Resorts signs Fairmont Chania Resort (2026-09-25 05:53:27)
  Accor and its world-renowned luxury hospitality brand Fairmont Hotels & Resorts,in partnership with Hersonissos Group Hotels, today announced the development of Fairmont Chania Resort on the historic Greek island of Crete, a 104-key resort slated to open in 2029. The project further strengthens Fairmont’s global growth strategy and reinforces Accor’s luxury portfolio across key Mediterranean destinations.Omer Acar, CEO, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts said, “We are delighted to announce the signing of Fairmont Chania Resort, a landmark moment marking Fairmont’s inaugural entry into Greece. This development stands as a testament to the enduring strength of the brand, extending our distinctive heartfelt hospitality to the world’s most cherished destinations.
• The Nautilus Maldives Makes Its MICHELIN Key Debut with Two Keys (2026-09-25 05:50:11)
  The Nautilus Maldives proudly announces its debut in The MICHELIN Guide’s global hotel selection with Two MICHELIN Keys, earning Two MICHELIN Keys in its first year of inclusion. This remarkable achievement places The Nautilus among the world’s most exceptional hotels and represents a defining milestone for the independently spirited Maldivian hideaway.Described by The MICHELIN Guide as representing “an exceptional stay,” Two MICHELIN Keys recognise hotels that are truly unique, memorable and distinguished by their character, sense of place and consistently outstanding hospitality.
• Giza Palace Hotel & Spa Partners with IDeaS to Implement Advanced Revenue Management Capabilities (2026-09-25 05:48:43)
  IDeaS, a SAS company and the world’s leading provider of hospitality revenue management software and services, has deployed the G3 Revenue Management System (RMS) at Giza Palace Hotel & Spa in Cairo, Egypt.A member of The Leading Hotels of the World, Giza Palace Hotel & Spa is a brand-new luxury hotel in a prime location in West Cairo. The grandiose hotel features 560 rooms, eight distinctive dining venues, a spa, and extensive conference and meeting facilities. Blending architectural excellence with a curated art collection, the hotel is renowned for its exceptional service and guest experience.
• Major business travel destinations expand their footprint at IBTM World 2026 (2026-09-25 05:45:10)
  Multiple major business travel destinations are set to increase their presence at IBTM World this year, including VisitScotland, which is increasing its stand size by 162%. Demonstrating the strong value exhibitors place on attending IBTM’s flagship show, more than 85% of this year’s suppliers are returning to the event, which takes place at Fira Gran Via in Barcelona from 17-19 November 2026.Big-name returning destinations with larger representation this year include Egypt, with a 76% larger stand, and the Italian National Tourism Destination, ENIT, with a 12% bigger stand. Meanwhile, VisitScotland is not only significantly increasing its stand size, it is almost tripling the number of partners it brings to the show, from five to 14.
• CONTIKI BRINGS UGANDA BACK TO ITS PORTFOLIO WITH NEW EAST AFRICA WILDLIFE ADVENTURES FOR 2027 (2026-09-25 05:43:31)
  Leading youth travel brand for 18 to 35s, Contiki, has brought Uganda back to its portfolio with a new collection of East Africa wildlife adventures for 2027, giving travel agents new opportunities to connect young travellers with the continent’s most iconic wildlife encounters. Departures will start from May 2027 and are available to book now.The launch also introduces a new accommodation concept across Contiki’s East Africa trips, giving agents a flexible option to offer clients, with travellers able to choose between camping and chalet-style accommodation on the same departure, whilst still sharing the same group travel experience.
• Barbados Celebrates Unprecedented British Airways Service Expansion (2026-09-25 05:39:07)
  Barbados is set to receive its largest-ever boost in airlift from British Airways (BA), as the airline announced a 70% increase in seats for the 2026/2027 winter season and, an over 100% increase in summer 2027 capacity.This expanded schedule could deliver more than 120,000 additional seats to the island a year, thanks to the relaunch of a year-round Gatwick service from the United Kingdom (UK).
• Women’s Wellness Pioneer Adds Reset to its Bali Retreat Collection (2026-09-25 05:28:20)
  Goddess Retreats, one of the world’s original women-only wellness retreats, has launched Reset Goddess, a new program at its Seminyak sanctuary built around open days, daily spa care and no fixed itinerary. Guests arrive with no goal beyond listening to what their body wants, whether that is a sunrise yoga class, an afternoon by the pool, a coastal walk, or simply doing nothing at all.
• Cloudbeds and Klook Expand Distribution Opportunities for Hotels Across Asia Pacific (2026-09-25 05:26:02)
  Cloudbeds, the hospitality management system built for ambitious hoteliers who demand more, today announced an integration with Klook, a leading platform for experiences and travel services in Asia Pacific. By connecting hotels with travelers across a broader trip-planning ecosystem, the partnership creates new opportunities to drive bookings and revenue through streamlined, automated distribution.Klook differentiates itself by bringing accommodation together with experiences, attractions, activities, local transport and travel essentials in one travel ecosystem. With a strong presence across markets including Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and the Philippines, the platform gives Cloudbeds customers an opportunity to put their properties in front of travelers as they plan and book more of their trip in one place.
• Anguilla advances luxury yachting strategy at Monaco Yacht Show (2026-09-25 05:23:29)
  Anguilla is advancing its luxury yachting strategy at the Monaco Yacht Show 2026 this week, engaging directly with yacht owners, operators, developers and industry leaders while gathering insights to strengthen the island’s destination and port-of-entry experience.
• Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai Celebrates 10 Years of Evolving Excellence in Central Vietnam (2026-09-25 05:20:08)
  This December, Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, Hoi An, Vietnam marks 10 years of extraordinary experiences, celebrating a journey that has shaped its place among the most iconic destinations in the region.Through the past decade, Four Seasons has continued to expand and evolve the ways in which travellers experience Central Vietnam—from thoughtfully refurbished villas to innovative dining concepts and immersive wellness retreats—while staying true to its original vision of locally rooted luxury.
• Luxury Train Hub Brings Five Luxury Rail Operators Together in One Trade-Only Platform (2026-09-25 05:16:02)
  Luxury Train Hub (LTH) has set out the current operator network available to travel agencies through its trade-only platform, which launched on 14 July 2026.The network covers five luxury rail operators and 13 individual trains, with published journeys with journeys across Europe, Africa, Asia, Central Asia and South America.
• Royal Caribbean–Sandals Investment Highlights Opportunities Across Cruise and Land-Based Tourism (2026-09-25 05:08:50)
  The proposed investment by Royal Caribbean Group in Sandals Resorts is highlighting the potential for cruise and land-based tourism partners to work more closely together, creating broader opportunities for travelers, destinations, businesses and communities across the Caribbean.Under the agreement announced yesterday, Royal Caribbean Group plans to acquire a 50% equity interest in Sandals and Beaches Resorts for approximately $3 billion. The companies said the transaction is expected to close in early 2027, subject to customary approvals and closing conditions.
• Saleh Al Geziry: the destination-builder shaping Abu Dhabi’s tourism future (2026-09-24 17:05:50)
  Named among Forbes Middle East’s leading travel and tourism figures for 2026, DCT Abu Dhabi’s Director General for Tourism has spent more than two decades turning destinations into experiences, and experiences into economic growth.
• CHTA MARKS WORLD TOURISM DAY BY ADVANCING PRACTICAL AI ADOPTION ACROSS CARIBBEAN HOSPITALITY (2026-09-24 14:40:07)
  This year’s World Tourism Day on September 27 carries the theme “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism,” framing AI as the industry’s next major transformation and asking how it can support smarter decision-making, stronger skills, and better-managed destinations. For the Caribbean, the opportunity is not technology for technology’s sake, but using AI in ways that strengthen competitiveness, improve productivity, support the workforce and enhance the distinctive experiences at the heart of the Caribbean hospitality and tourism industry.
• Launch of SunRay Social & Swim Club expansion to SAii Lagoon Maldives (2026-09-24 13:31:11)
  BTN attends the launch of SunRay Social Day club at SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton
• easyJet announces fourth based aircraft at London Southend Airport and new route to Rhodes (2026-09-24 11:04:54)
  easyJet has today announced it will add a fourth based aircraft at London Southend Airport, further expanding its presence at the airport and supporting continued growth and jobs.Alongside the additional aircraft, easyJet has announced a new route from London Southend to Rhodes, providing customers across Essex and the wider region with even more choice for their summer holidays.The new service to the popular Greek island will commence on 27 April and operate twice a week on Tuesdays and Saturdays, providing convenient options for customers looking for a summer getaway.
• Vietnam Airlines Partners with Visa and AWS to Advance Digital Transformation and AI (2026-09-24 10:41:05)
  During the visit to the United States by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam’s Central Committee and President To Lam, accompanied by a high-level Vietnamese delegation, Vietnam Airlines exchanged signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) with Visa and Amazon Web Services (AWS) to strengthen cooperation in payments, travel, technology and data.
• Finnair strengthens its Japan network and will operate up to three daily flights to Tokyo next summe (2026-09-24 10:39:01)
  Finnair is responding to growing demand for travel to Asia, and Japan in particular, by increasing flights to Tokyo for the 2027 summer season. The airline will add frequencies on its Tokyo Narita route during the peak summer travel period, operating up to two daily flights to the destination. In addition, Finnair will continue to serve Tokyo Haneda Airport daily.
• Wyndham Garden Expands Across Türkiye with New Hotels in Antalya and Istanbul (2026-09-24 10:34:05)
  Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s largest hotel franchising companies, announced the opening of Wyndham Garden Antalya Konyaaltı, marking the latest addition to its Wyndham Garden portfolio in Türkiye, as the company prepares for the brand’s debut in Istanbul with the upcoming opening of Wyndham Garden İstanbul Tuzla Marina. Expected to open in October 2026, the 93-room hotel will extend Wyndham Garden’s presence into Türkiye’s largest city and strengthen the brand’s position across the country’s key urban and leisure markets.
• WTTC, JATA and Tourism Expo Japan Join Forces to Drive Japan’s Global Tourism Growth (2026-09-24 10:30:53)
  The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), the Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA) and the Tourism EXPO Japan (TEJ) Executive Committee have joined forces to strengthen Japan’s position at the heart of the global Travel & Tourism community, signing a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) focused on collaboration, innovation, knowledge exchange and international engagement.WTTC President & CEO Gloria Guevara has signed the agreement alongside JATA Chairman Yuji Hara and Tourism EXPO Japan Executive Committee Chairperson Eijiro Yamakita, bringing together three leading organisations with a shared ambition to strengthen connections between Japan’s Travel & Tourism sector and the global industry. The agreement will create new opportunities for knowledge exchange, international dialogue, industry engagement and collaboration across the sector.
• Breaking Travel News Q&A, Karen Campbell, Chief Executive Officer of Jayasom (2026-09-24 10:26:20)
  In this Breaking Travel News Q&A, Karen Campbell, Chief Executive Officer of Jayasom, discusses the evolving wellness landscape, the changing expectations of today’s wellness travellers and the importance of creating experiences that deliver lasting benefits beyond the traditional holiday. She also shares her perspective on the opportunities shaping the future of wellness hospitality and how Jayasom is continuing to develop its distinctive approach in an increasingly dynamic international market.
• BTN Trends: Travel insurance enters the booking journey as disruption reshapes traveller protection (2026-09-24 09:54:29)
  Following Arabian Travel Market 2026, Breaking Travel News speaks directly with insurance and travel technology leaders about how repeated disruption is changing the role of travel protection, from a largely overlooked booking add-on to a more dynamic part of the traveller journey.
• ATM 2026 in trends: Travel technology moves from ‘smart’ to useful (2026-09-24 08:07:20)
  Following Arabian Travel Market 2026, Breaking Travel News speaks directly with technology and travel industry leaders about how AI, data and digital infrastructure are changing the traveller journey, and why the next stage of travel technology will be judged by what it enables rather than the technology itself.
• Qatar Airways Brings Chef Behind Two-Michelin-Starred Restaurant Onboard for New UK Inflight Menu (2026-09-24 06:36:09)
  Qatar Airways has launched a new signature onboard menu created by British chef, James Knappett, chef-patron and co-founder of two-Michelin-starred restaurant, Kitchen Table, in London.
• Discover Dominica launches new destination training course for UK travel advisers (2026-09-24 06:34:55)
  The Discover Dominica Authority (DDA) has just launched a new destination training course, via Online Travel Training (OTT), designed to give UK travel advisers both the knowledge - and the all-important necessary confidence - to sell the Caribbean Nature Island of Dominica to their clients.Now available on the OTT UK and US platforms, the self-paced course covers Dominica’s seven tourism pillars: Adventure, Health & Wellness, Romance, Aqua, Culture - Events & Entertainment - plus Agro and Kalinago.
• Bob W signs long-term lease for 160-unit flagship office conversion in central Rotterdam (2026-09-24 06:31:52)
  Bob W, the tech-powered hospitality operator, has signed a long-term lease agreement with Dudok Real Estate to repurpose four floors of office space at Weena 147 into a new 160-unit flagship property in the heart of Rotterdam.Bob W Rotterdam Central is targeted to open in summer 2027 and will occupy 5,169 sqm across floors six to nine of the mixed-use building. The floors, currently used as offices, will be converted into design-led Bob W accommodation, with additional guest areas at street level.
• flyadeal Marks Saudi National Day with Cashback, Bonus Alfursan Miles and Kingdom-Wide Celebrations (2026-09-24 06:22:58)
  flyadeal, Saudia Group’s fast-growing low-cost carrier in the GCC, has launched a multi-dimensional campaign to celebrate the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s National Day, bringing exclusive fare and loyalty offers to customers as it encourages travellers to discover more of the Kingdom’s destinations.This year’s celebrations carry added significance for the airline: flyadeal itself took to the skies for the first time on National Day, 23 September 2017, with its maiden flight from Jeddah to Riyadh. Nine years on, the carrier marks the occasion from a considerably larger domestic and international network.
• eviivo is now a Connectivity Partner of Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy (2026-09-24 06:20:33)
  eviivo, the all-in-one property management platform for short-term rentals (STR), property management companies (PMCs), hotels, B&Bs, serviced apartments and other independent accommodations, today announced it is now a Connectivity Partner of Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy. The integration allows eligible PMCs and vacation rental managers using eviivo to distribute their listings, rates and more to the premium home rental platform directly from within eviivo Suite™, reaching a global audience of more than 300 million Marriott Bonvoy members.
• Inhabit Hotels Brings the Oceanic Global Short Film Festival to London (2026-09-24 06:15:09)
  Inhabit Hotels will present the Oceanic Global Short Film Festival at Inhabit Southwick Street on Thursday 8 October 2026 as part of the Design Hotels Screening Series, in collaboration with ocean non-profit Oceanic Global. The evening brings the year’s winning short films to an intimate audience of guests, followed by a panel discussion on our connection to the sea and why those stories matter.
• SITE brings research and 20 years of Young Leaders to IMEX America 2026 (2026-09-24 06:12:52)
  SITE (Society for Incentive Travel Excellence) will bring its latest research, professional development and global community together at IMEX America 2026, with activity in Las Vegas from 11 to 15 October. Highlights include the first presentation of the 2026 Incentive Travel Index, a conference and reception marking 20 years of SITE Young Leaders, and SITE NITE North America, which will bring together more than 1,500 incentive travel professionals.
• US$90 BILLION HOTEL PIPELINE SET TO EXPAND GCC AND NORTH AFRICA ROOM SUPPLY BY 27% (2026-09-24 06:08:44)
  The GCC and North Africa has US$90 billion worth of hotels and resorts in the pipeline, with 200,000 upcoming new rooms set to boost the region’s existing supply by 27 percent, according to HVS data released ahead of the 2026 edition of Future Hospitality Summit – FHS World, taking place at Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai from 29 September – 1 October.With around 88,000 rooms currently under construction and another 25,000 in the final planning stages, over 55% of upcoming hotels in the region are set to be delivered between now and 2030, experts say.
• Melissa Noel to host SOTIC 2026 in Guyana (2026-09-24 06:03:48)
  Guyanese-American award-winning journalist, producer and media executive Melissa Noel will host the 2026 State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC), taking place Oct. 5-9 in Guyana.Noel will guide delegates through the conference program, helping set the stage for five days of dialogue, collaboration and cultural exchange under the theme “Tourism Futures: Smart, Sustainable and Inclusive.”
• Regent Hong Kong Unveils the Terrace A Spectacular New Waterfront Venue for Extraordinary Occasions (2026-09-24 05:59:01)
  Regent Hong Kong introduces The Terrace, a spectacular new indoor-outdoor waterfront venue elevated above the iconic Victoria Harbour. Created for occasions of personal significance, The Terrace offers a rare sense of openness and intimacy—where the harbour’s changing light, the city’s energy and a deeply considered sense of place come together.
• Ski Safari Exclusively Introduces Up and Coming Powder Paradise Oppdal in Norway for Winter 2026/27 (2026-09-24 05:56:37)
  Ski Safari continues to expand its popular Norway programme, exclusively adding Oppdal for winter 2026/27.A resort long held in high regard by Norwegian and Swedish skiers, but almost entirely unknown to Brits, Oppdal offers some of the most accessible off-piste skiing in Scandinavia and is located just two hours from Trondheim.
• Walk Dolly’s Hometown Story (2026-09-24 05:51:26)
  Next month, the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce will unveil In Dolly’s Footsteps, a self-guided walking tour designed to share important moments from Dolly’s early years as told through the places and people of her hometown, Sevierville. Visit the former theater where she played her first paying gig, hear Dolly recall her first visit to Red’s Café via video, and learn exactly what the Dolly statue means to a community that will always love her. Along the way, discover the people, experiences, and hometown connections behind her extraordinary journey from Sevierville to stages around the world.
• Autograph Collection Welcomes Leopard Sands Kruger Park (2026-09-24 05:11:26)
  Leopard Sands Kruger Park joins Autograph Collection, marking the brand’s first safari lodge in South Africa. Inspired by the XiTsonga phrase garingani wa garingani (“let me tell you a story”), the lodge draws on the traditions, craftsmanship and cultural heritage of neighbouring Tsonga communities, offering a distinctive perspective on Kruger National Park and the surrounding region.
• Niagara Parks Reimagining Iconic Niagara Falls Attraction (2026-09-24 05:04:47)
  For over 130 years, Journey Behind the Falls has captivated visitors from around the world, bringing guests 125 feet below ground to witness the unforgettable, multi-sensory experience of standing face-to-face with the mighty Horseshoe Falls.
• Virgin Voyages promotes SJ Walker to UK Market Director following record-breaking growth (2026-09-24 04:59:05)
  Virgin Voyages has promoted SJ Walker to Market Director, UK, effective immediately, recognising her growing influence across the brand’s commercial performance in a market that just helped deliver the brand’s best summer on record.The UK is Virgin Voyages’ second-largest market globally, and UK numbers show an award-winning brand on track to become the go-to name for anyone planning a holiday built entirely around adults. Walker’s expanded remit reflects the broader commercial lens she has brought to the UK business behind that momentum.
• AIR INDIA EXPRESS WINS ‘BEST USE OF AI IN CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE’ AWARD FOR AI-POWERED GUEST SUPPORT (2026-09-24 04:57:58)
  Air India Express has been recognised with the ‘Best Use of AI in Customer Experience’ award at the UBS Forums 25th CX Strategy Summit & Awards 2026 for its AI-powered guest support capabilities led by Tia, the airline’s digital face for guest assistance.
• Stasher secures £3m backing to expand smart luggage lockers across UK hotels (2026-09-24 04:54:40)
  Stasher, the luggage storage platform with more than 10,000 locations across 1,200+ cities, has secured £3 million in new funding to accelerate the expansion of its global marketplace and smart luggage locker network.
• Minor Hotels and Grupo Petra Expand Partnership in Paraguay (2026-09-24 04:51:35)
  Minor Hotels, a global hospitality group with over 640 properties operating and in development across 67 countries, and Grupo Petra, one of Paraguay’s leading real estate players, have signed two agreements in Madrid to strengthen their collaboration in the country. The agreements comprise a strategic partnership to explore new hotel development opportunities and a management contract for a new 116-room NH hotel in Asunción. The four-star property will operate under the NH Hotels & Resorts brand.
• Cloudbeds and Oolio Partner to Connect Hotel Stays, F&B and On-Property Revenue (2026-09-24 04:41:59)
  Cloudbeds, the hospitality management system built for ambitious hoteliers, today announced a partnership with Oolio, the Australian hospitality technology provider powering more than 22,000 venues, to better connect accommodation and food and beverage operations across hotels, resorts, pub groups and multi-venue properties. By integrating Oolio’s Bepoz, Swiftpos and Idealpos platforms directly with Cloudbeds, the partnership connects the systems behind the stay with the systems behind on-site spend, giving operators a more unified foundation for managing guest activity and the revenue it generates.
• St Helena Invites Travellers to ‘Come and Find Me’ as Remote Island Steps into the Tourism Spotlight (2026-09-23 14:43:56)
  One of the world’s most remote inhabited islands is stepping confidently onto the international tourism stage, with St Helena increasingly positioning its extraordinary landscapes, wildlife, history and sense of isolation as compelling reasons for travellers to venture deep into the South Atlantic.
• 2026 BEST HOTEL SPA IN INDIA BY WORLD SPA AWARDS (2026-09-23 14:13:10)
  The Imperial Spa at The Imperial New Delhi has been named 2026 Best Hotel Spa in India at the 12th Annual World Spa Awards, marking its debut as India’s most distinctive wellness destination on the world stage.A serene sanctuary shaped by artistry and masterful craftsmanship, its architecture brings together Moroccan influences interwoven with Moghul and Indian design sensibilities. Every arch, every intricate detail and play of light is thoughtfully composed to create an atmosphere of meditative calm. Ten thoughtfully designed treatment rooms, beautiful hydrotherapy areas, and signature suites for couples, boast tailored experiences delivered by expert hands. A quintessentially sublime haven for recuperative Ayurvedic and contemporary therapies, the spa is a healing destination blending hand-picked signature rituals, bespoke oils and ancient traditions.
• NOMAD SINGAPORE OPENS FOR RESERVATIONS (2026-09-23 14:06:06)
  Bookings are now live for NoMad Hilton Singapore, which is set to open in late 2026, marking the brand’s debut in Asia Pacific. Positioned to meet growing demand for elevated, experience-driven stays, the hotel will reflect NoMad’s refined yet eclectic vision of luxury hospitality, with a focus on sophisticated design, world-class dining, and immersive cultural programming.
• IATA Brings World Passenger & Financial Symposium to Macao (2026-09-23 13:49:26)
  The International Air Transport Association (IATA) will hold the joint World Financial Symposium (WFS) and World Passenger Symposium (WPS) on 28–29 October 2026 in Macao (SAR), China. Under the theme “From Vision to Value: The Next Era of Air Travel,” the event will bring together leaders from across airline retailing, finance, and passenger experience.
• Eri Maldives Reimagines Beach Shack Through a New Takeover Series (2026-09-23 13:47:50)
  At Eri Maldives, becoming begins with experiences that invite guests to see the island differently, and art has always offered one of the most powerful ways in.The resort welcomed Maldivian artist Ismail Maaish for a collaboration that turned a beloved island landmark into something new: Beach Shack, a humble beach bar set beside one of the island’s favourite stretches of reef, became a living canvas for the first time.
• Emmy Stoel Appointed General Manager of Mandarin Oriental Conservatorium, Amsterdam (2026-09-23 13:45:48)
  Mandarin Oriental is pleased to announce the appointment of Emmy Stoel as General Manager of Mandarin Oriental Conservatorium, Amsterdam, effective 1 September.A highly respected leader in luxury hospitality, Stoel returns to Amsterdam following her role as General Manager of InterContinental Athénée Palace Bucharest. With more than three decades of international experience, she is widely recognised for her people-focused leadership, operational excellence and ability to create exceptional guest experiences while fostering strong connections with local communities.
• Antor celebrates the best in travel media at 2026 Awards (2026-09-23 12:41:45)
  The Independent, Travel Weekly and travel writer, Ross Clarke were crowned winners at Antor’s fifth annual Travel Media Awards, as the association brought together the travel media and destinations in London during its landmark 75th anniversary year.
• Miral Destinations signs 30 MoUs at Arabian Travel Market 2026 (2026-09-23 12:32:08)
  Miral Destinations, a subsidiary of Miral and one-stop destination partner for Yas Island, signed 30 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) during Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026, held in Dubai from 14 to 17 September.
• BTN heads to FHS World 2026 as Official Media Partner (2026-09-23 10:46:37)
  Breaking Travel News will report live from the global hospitality investment summit in Dubai, with industry leaders invited to join its interview programme at Stand 40
• ROYAL CARIBBEAN GROUP AND SANDALS RESORTS ANNOUNCE LANDMARK PARTNERSHIP (2026-09-23 06:55:11)
  Royal Caribbean Group and Sandals Resorts today announced the signing of an agreement to form a partnership in the all-inclusive resort space with a 50% investment from Royal Caribbean Group. Building on Sandals and Beaches Resorts’ more than four decades of leadership in Caribbean hospitality, the joint venture will create new opportunities for continued resort growth while broadening the experiences across Royal Caribbean Group’s vacation platform.
• Visit Malta Welcomes Latest Flight Route from Glasgow (2026-09-23 06:51:29)
  Visit Malta is delighted to welcome easyJet’s new direct service from Glasgow Airport. The route strengthens connectivity between Scotland and Malta, providing Scottish travellers with convenient, direct access to Malta’s year-round sunshine, rich history and vibrant culture.
• Regent Seven Seas Cruises® Expands Motorsport Lab Collaboration (2026-09-23 06:48:11)
  Regent Seven Seas Cruises®, the world’s leading ultra-luxury cruise line, has expanded its collaboration with Motorsport Lab to introduce four exclusive pre- and post-cruise programmes across seven European voyages in 2027.Designed for automotive enthusiasts and travellers seeking immersive destination experiences, the new collection invites guests to explore the celebrated motoring cultures of Barcelona, England’s Goodwood Estate, and Italy’s Motor Valley through supercar and classic-car driving, private automotive access, motorsport activities, regional cuisine, and destination-led cultural experiences.
• Viva Resorts by Wyndham Brings More Ways to Enjoy All-Inclusive Fun in the Caribbean (2026-09-23 06:44:17)
  At Viva Resorts by Wyndham, fun is part of the all-inclusive experience. Across its collection of beachfront resorts in the Dominican Republic, Mexico and the Bahamas, guests can fill their days with sports, water activities, entertainment, excursions and time together, creating a vacation that is as active, social or relaxing as they want it to be. With beautiful Caribbean beaches as the backdrop, Viva offers travelers more ways to enjoy every moment of their stay.
• Zambia to Host Aviadev Africa 2027 (2026-09-23 06:40:02)
  Earlier this year it was announced for Zambia to host AviaDev Africa 2027, taking place at the Lusaka International Convention Centre from 9–11 June.  The event will bring together airlines, airports, tourism authorities and global aviation industry leaders to support route development and strengthen connectivity across Africa.
• NIZUC Resort & Spa Awarded Its First MICHELIN Key (2026-09-23 06:37:35)
  NIZUC Resort & Spa has been awarded its first One MICHELIN Key, joining the MICHELIN Guide’s 2026 selection of distinguished hotels.According to the Guide’s classification, One MICHELIN Key represents “a very special stay,” honoring properties with a distinctive character, a high level of service, and an experience that stands out within its category. MICHELIN evaluates five universal criteria for this distinction: architecture and interior design; quality and consistency of service; personality and character; value for money; and the hotel’s contribution to its surroundings or destination.
• “Arajet Effect” Passenger Traffic Between Latin America and the Dominican Republic Grows 143% (2026-09-23 06:34:06)
  The Dominican airline projects it will carry more than 2 million passengers in 2026 and exceed 3 million in 2027, the year in which it expects to reach a fleet of 25 aircraftSanto Domingo, Dominican Republic.—Arajet, the Dominican Republic’s flag carrier, celebrated its fourth anniversary by highlighting the impact its connectivity model has had on the growth of air traffic between the country and Latin America, as well as the major milestones achieved since it began operations in September 2022.
• African Bush Camps Launches New Conservation Experience to Celebrate World Rhino Day (2026-09-23 06:31:17)
  In celebration of World Rhino Day, African Bush Camps announces that guests at Bumi Hills Safari Lodge can now experience Matusadona National Park through three newly launched safari and conservation experiences. The experiences offer an exclusive opportunity to learn about the historic return of critically endangered black rhinos and the ongoing efforts of the park team to conserve the species and landscape.
• Queensland’s Best Stargazing Destinations Revealed as Astro-Tourism Continues to Rise (2026-09-23 06:27:19)
  From meteor showers to the Milky Way, more travellers are venturing into regional Queensland in search of unforgettable night sky experiences with a 100% increase for the word ‘astrotourism’.New research by LifeFlight Lotteries has ranked the state’s best stargazing destinations, highlighting where visitors can enjoy spectacular views while reminding adventurers to prepare before heading off the beaten track.
• Galaxy Macau Rewrites the Rules of Luxury Resort Hospitality from the Palm of Your Hand (2026-09-23 06:22:43)
  There is a particular art to making a guest feel known. Galaxy Macau unveils the new Galaxy Resort App and its companion Galaxy Rewards membership programme — a next-generation digital platform built to anticipate rather than merely serve, from award-winning restaurants and world-class shows to tailored retailtainment privileges – designed to transform each and every visit into a shining moment.
• MAIA WELCOMES MICHEL REYBIER HOSPITALITY TO ITS LUXURY PORTFOLIO (2026-09-23 06:18:18)
  A new collection of extraordinary destinations has joined the MAIA portfolio. As of 1 September 2026, MAIA has been appointed to represent a selection of Michel Reybier Hospitality across the GCC.For the first time, MAIA will be representing two standout mountain addresses in Switzerland.In Interlaken, Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa brings together over 160 years of Belle Époque heritage with the ease and breadth of a true resort. Set against views of the Jungfrau, the Grand Hotel is designed as much for families and longer stays as it is for restorative escapes, with an expansive Spa Nescens and a varied culinary offering, from Michelin star cuisine at Radius by Stefan Beer to Trattoria dining at Sapori, forming part of the experience.
• THE FESTIVE SEASON BLOSSOMS WITH “ENCHANTED GARDENS” AND UPLIFTING EXPERIENCES AT NOKU MALDIVES (2026-09-23 06:09:04)
  Noku Maldives, Vignette Collection, the boutique resort nestled in the pristine Noonu Atoll, will be transformed into a festive wonderland this December as it rings in Christmas and New Year amid the “Enchanted Gardens” of Kuda Funafaru, its verdant island home.From 20th December 2026 to 7th January 2027, Noku Maldives will showcase 19 days of experiences that flow throughout the entire resort journey, from wellness and conservation to gastronomy and entertainment, to create cherished memories for couples and families alike.
• Lisbon Introduces Fixed-Price Taxi Journeys from the Airport (2026-09-23 06:07:26)
  Turismo de Lisboa has introduced a new voucher system whereby passengers arriving in Lisbon can now know the price of their taxi journey from Humberto Delgado Airport in advance. Prices start at €16 and vary according to the destination zone and time of travel.
• Historic Week for Jamaica Tourism as Minister Bartlett Honoured on Three Continents in Five Days (2026-09-23 05:46:25)
  Global recognitions and high-level engagements underscore Jamaica’s growing influence in shaping the future of tourism
• HERITAGE MONTH: CELEBRATING SOUTH AFRICA’S EVOLVING CUISINES (2026-09-23 04:23:41)
  If it’s September, it’s Heritage Month in South Africa. A time when the traditions, stories and values that shape our shared identity fall under the spotlight. And for many, few things say heritage quite like food. It sits at the heart of any celebration, bringing us together around the dishes we cook, share and pass on.So, what does South African heritage taste like? Ask ten people, and you may get ten different answers. Pap and morogo. A Durban curry. Potjiekos. Bobotie. Vetkoek. Koeksisters. Perhaps the unmistakable smell and taste of a braai.
• The Hemingways Collection Unveils a River Camp Mara Redo (2026-09-23 04:22:04)
  The Hemingways Collection in East Africa has just completed a comprehensive, heritage-focused interior refresh of River Camp Mara.Originally built by Richard Roberts, a third-generation conservationist, and his wife Liz, the camp was founded on a deep respect for nature, privacy, and personalized service, located within the Mara North Conservancy in Kenya, which forms a part of the Serengeti ecosystem. Anchoring Hemingways’s renewed commitment to low-impact conservation and authentic local design, Hemingways has significantly reinforced its operational environmental footprint at the eight-tent camp.
• SKI SOLUTIONS REVEALS BRITAIN’S POPULAR FAMILY SKI RESORTS FOR 2027 (2026-09-23 04:21:13)
  With the ski season now underway, families are already looking ahead and planning their next adventure in the mountains. To help families find the perfect destination, Ski Solutions has rounded up its recommendations for the best family-friendly ski resorts proving popular for the upcoming season. From the snowy slopes of Norway to family favourites across France and Italy, these resorts offer something for every generation, from beginner friendly pistes and excellent ski schools to exciting off-slope activities and family focused facilities.
• AE Expeditions launches 2026–27 Antarctic season with 27 voyages - and 18 scientists at sea (2026-09-23 04:19:16)
  Australian-owned expedition company AE Expeditions is gearing up for its 2026–27 Antarctic season, with 27 voyages across three purpose-built small ships taking expeditioners from the Antarctic Peninsula to the Ross Sea and East Antarctica. But this season, the adventure will be about more than reaching some of the most remote places on Earth.Across 11 voyages, 18 scientists will join AE Expeditions ships to conduct active Antarctic research, turning the company’s vessels into floating platforms for fieldwork spanning whale ecology, penguin populations, wildlife health, marine biodiversity and deep-sea exploration.
• Mar-Bella Collection expands into Crete with the addition of Cayo Exclusive Resort & Spa (2026-09-23 04:13:29)
  Mar-Bella Collection, a family-owned Greek hospitality brand, is delighted to announce the addition of Cayo Exclusive Resort & Spa to its portfolio, marking the group’s first expansion into Crete. The luxury resort will welcome guests under its new ownership from next season, reopening on April 22, 2027.Located in Plaka, Elounda and overlooking the historic island of Spinalonga, Cayo Exclusive Resort & Spa joins the portfolio’s existing properties, MarBella, Nido and Avali in Corfu and Elix on the Greek mainland. The addition represents a natural next chapter in the company’s growth, bringing the brand to one of Greece’s most sought-after luxury destinations.
• Minor Hotels Appoints Judd Rabbidge as General Manager of Avani Singapore Hotel (2026-09-23 04:11:15)
  Minor Hotels, a global hospitality group, has appointed Judd Rabbidge as General Manager of Avani Singapore Hotel, the group’s first property in Singapore, scheduled to open in Q2 2027.Rabbidge transfers from Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort, where he has served as General Manager since joining Minor Hotels in July 2024. His appointment brings an experienced leader from within the group to oversee the Singapore opening, combining pre-opening expertise with a strong background in resort operations, commercial strategy and lifestyle hospitality.
• Ireckonu calls for unification of fragmented data to unlock revenue potential (2026-09-23 04:09:09)
  As World Tourism Day approaches this weekend (Sunday, September 27, 2026), Ireckonu, the leading Hospitality Customer Data Platform (CDP) has called on the industry to unify data for the benefit of both guests and hotels.A recent study by Ireckonu found that hotels are missing out on the opportunity to re-engage up to 20% of guests due to the fragmented nature of accurately capturing their data.
• Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita Welcomes Gregory Viaud as General Manager (2026-09-23 04:07:31)
  Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita announces the appointment of Gregory Viaud as General Manager, bringing 22 years of Four Seasons experience across some of the brand’s most celebrated hotels and resorts worldwide to the acclaimed island resort.A seasoned Four Seasons hotelier, Gregory Viaud arrives in Mauritius from Four Seasons Hotel Rabat Kasr Al Bahr, where, as opening General Manager, he successfully led the launch of the brand’s newest property in Morocco’s capital.
• Protect Group and MyTicketPro partner to strengthen booking confidence for global live-event travel (2026-09-23 04:06:36)
  Protect Group, the global specialist in booking protection and ancillary products, has announced a new partnership with MyTicketPro, the live entertainment, sports and attractions ticket seller connecting the travel industry to primary tickets with live inventory and instant confirmations globally.Through the partnership, MyTicketPro will make Refund Protect available within its expanding distribution ecosystem. Participating online travel agencies, tour operators and other travel businesses will be able to give customers the option to add refund protection when purchasing eligible event tickets.

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