Maldivian Private Island Residences and Idyllic Longer Stays Await at JA Manafaru
JA Manafaru, a private‑island resort in the Maldives’ northern Haa Alifu Atoll, has introduced two long‑stay promotions aimed at affluent travelers. The “Stay 7 Nights, Pay for 5” deal, available through December 2026, adds two complimentary nights, free breakfast, seaplane transfers and dining discounts for stays of seven nights or more. The “Maldives Private Residence Escape” offers 30% savings for JA DISCOVERY members, a private villa with an infinity pool, dedicated butler service and extensive amenities for bookings of five nights or longer. Both packages emphasize extended immersion, privacy and premium service to boost occupancy during the high‑season window.
Royal Caribbean Group Officially Launches Royal Caribbean Group Foundation
Royal Caribbean Group announced the launch of the Royal Caribbean Group Foundation, formalizing its decades‑long charitable commitments. The foundation’s inaugural pledge funds a cutting‑edge emergency‑medicine residency program at Jackson Health System in South Florida. This effort dovetails with the company’s...
ORA Developers Expands UAE Footprint Through New Land Acquisition
ORA Developers has acquired an additional 4.8 million sqm of land in Ghantoot from Modon Holding, doubling its UAE land bank to 9.6 million sqm. The new parcel is slated for a total investment of AED 30 billion (about $8.1 billion) once fully developed, expanding the mixed‑use...
World Food Travel Association Launches World Culinary Heritage Day
The World Food Travel Association announced World Culinary Heritage Day, an annual observance on April 18 that spotlights traditional foodways at risk. The initiative expands the eight‑year‑old World Food Travel Day to focus on cultural heritage rather than travel alone. WFTA...
The Luxury Collection Celebrates 120 Years of Italian Heritage
Luxury Collection announced a partnership with designer Margherita Maccapani Missoni to launch Maccapani Edits, an immersive pop‑up and capsule collection at its Casa Brera hotel in Milan. The seven‑day event, running 20‑26 April 2026, coincides with Milan Design Week and...
Casago Expands Idaho Presence with New Locally Led Franchise in McCall and Boise
Casago has launched a locally owned franchise in Idaho, covering McCall and the greater Boise area. The franchise, led by Idaho residents Alex and Susan Pedigo, began operations on March 1 and manages 120 vacation homes—100 in McCall and 20 in...
Erling Haaland & Vinicius Júnior Front New Marriott Bonvoy and Visa ‘For Fans, Everywhere’ Campaign
Marriott Bonvoy and Visa have teamed up for a global "For Fans, Everywhere" campaign tied to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, featuring football stars Erling Haaland and Vinícius Júnior. Starting April 14, the partnership will roll out more than 600...
La Réserve Golf Links at Heritage Resorts & Golf in Mauritius Surges Into Top 30 Intl Courses
La Réserve Golf Links, Heritage Resorts & Golf’s flagship course in Mauritius, has been placed 28th in Golfweek’s 2026 Best Top 100 International Courses, the highest ranking for an African venue. The course, co‑designed by Peter Matkovich and Open Champion Louis Ousthuizen, offers...
Experience Victoria Falls at Its Peak with Avani’s Newly Refreshed Resort
Avani Victoria Falls Resort has reopened after a comprehensive refresh, unveiling redesigned rooms, new dining concepts, and expanded adventure offerings. The property sits on 46 hectares within Zambia’s Mosi‑oa‑Tunya National Park, providing direct, year‑round access to the iconic falls and...
Jumeirah Burj Al Arab to Undergo Phased Restoration Programme
Jumeirah, part of Dubai Holding, announced a phased restoration of its flagship Burj Al Arab hotel. The programme will meticulously refurbish the iconic sail‑shaped resort while preserving its celebrated interior craftsmanship. Launched in 1999, the property has set global benchmarks...
The First Direct Booking App for Hotels Launches in ChatGPT, Powered by Lighthouse
Lighthouse has launched The Hotels Network app, the first direct‑booking solution for hotels embedded inside ChatGPT. Powered by Lighthouse’s Connect AI engine, the app lets hotels of any size appear in AI‑driven conversations with live rates, verified photos and brand‑controlled...
From Winter Slump to Secret Season: Cape Town Campaign Invites the Industry to Reimagine ‘Winter.’
CapeTownMagazine.com has launched the Secret Season campaign, positioning Cape Town’s winter as a distinct tourism offering rather than a low‑demand period. The initiative invites owner‑run businesses, brands and tourism bodies to showcase intimate, story‑driven experiences that appeal to locals and...
Unlocking Africa’s Tourism Potential: The Impact of the Africa Tourism Investment Conference (ATIC)
The Africa Tourism Investment Conference (ATIC) convened in Cape Town on April 14, 2026, gathering investors, policymakers, and tourism executives to spotlight the continent’s untapped tourism potential. Speakers highlighted that tourism now accounts for roughly 8 % of Africa’s GDP and...
CHTA ANNOUNCES CARIBBEAN TRAVEL FORUM 2026 AS ACTION-ORIENTED WORKING SESSION
The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) announced the Caribbean Travel Forum 2026, a three‑hour, action‑oriented working session set for May 12, 2026 at the Sandals Grande Antigua Resort & Spa. The event replaces a traditional conference with a data‑driven dialogue among...
One Planet Group Announces $50M in Initial Investment to Launch Quite Remarkable
One Planet Group is injecting $50 million to launch Quite Remarkable, an AI‑native travel and lifestyle platform slated for a Fall 2026 debut. The service aims to blend high‑end luxury with personalized technology, offering curated homes, experiences, and wellness programming. A portion...
How to Celebrate Spring in Charentes With Explore Cognac
Spring in France’s Charentes region, from April to June, has become an insider’s travel gem thanks to quieter roads, abundant vineyards and seamless transport from the UK and Paris. New 2026 experiences such as the Apéro Boat cruise and hands‑on...
Gaylord Hotels Announces an Extraordinary Lineup of Summertime Programming
Gaylord Hotels unveiled its 2026 summer slate, featuring the DC‑themed Super Hero Summer and the All‑American SummerFest. The superhero program will run at Gaylord National, Pacific, Palms, and Rockies, offering light shows, scavenger hunts, character dining and a $50 nightly...
TRAVEL & TOURISM SEES BEST YEAR EVER AND EMERGES AS THE WORLD’S FASTEST GROWING SECTOR
Travel & Tourism posted its strongest year on record in 2025, delivering a $11.6 trillion contribution to global GDP, or 9.8% of the world economy. The sector’s 4.1% growth outpaced overall economic expansion by nearly 50%, and it supported 366 million jobs,...
NEIT, THE INDEPENDENT IRISH WHISKEY MAKER, PRESENTS THE OPENING CHAPTER OF “NEIT OUT”
NEIT, the independent Irish whiskey maker, launched the first chapter of its NEIT OUT series, called “Sin Plan,” at Milan’s Salone del Mobile. The pop‑up runs from April 18 to 26 at Via Maiocchi 3, offering coffee, cocktails and food alongside a new limited‑edition whiskey...
Who Owns Travel in 2046? Artificial Intelligence, Trust and Power Redraw the Map
At Phocuswright’s inaugural Leadership Exchange in Berlin, senior travel executives explored how artificial intelligence will reshape the industry by 2046. Participants agreed AI will cut friction but also redistribute power, making trust the most valuable asset and shifting value from...
Morris Tiedemann Named General Manager of AYANA Midplaza Jakarta
AYANA Hospitality announced Morris Tiedemann as the new General Manager of AYANA Midplaza Jakarta. Tiedemann arrives with nearly three decades of leadership experience across Europe, the Middle East and China, including senior roles at IHG, Wyndham and Rosewood. He will...
“Bed Bug-Safe” Becomes a Bookable Hotel Attribute as Valpas Certification Goes Live on Select Green
Valpas and Select Green Hotels have integrated the globally recognised Valpas bed‑bug‑safe certification into the Select Green booking platform, making “bed‑bug‑safe” a searchable attribute. Travelers can now see which hotels meet the pesticide‑free, non‑toxic room standard before reserving. The move expands the...
Omio Launches in ChatGPT, Bringing Its Real-Time Multimodal Travel Search to 900 Million Users
Omio, the leading multimodal travel platform, has launched a ChatGPT app that lets users search and book journeys in real time through conversational AI. The integration taps into ChatGPT’s 900 million weekly users, exposing Omio’s network of over 3,000 transport partners...
Say “I Do” On the Water: Destination Weddings with Bhaya Cruises in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam.
Bhaya Cruises has launched a suite of destination‑wedding offerings on Vietnam’s UNESCO‑listed Ha Long Bay, including the ultra‑luxury Bhaya Soul, the larger‑capacity Au Co, and the private‑charter Bhaya Legend. Each vessel provides bespoke, all‑inclusive packages that cover venues, catering, décor, photography and dedicated...
A Distinguished New Look for The Royal Livingstone Hotel
The Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls Zambia Hotel by Anantara has completed a full refurbishment of 93 rooms, adding four new Junior Suites and modernising existing categories. The redesign blends the property’s historic safari‑Victorian charm with contemporary Zambian aesthetics, featuring upgraded...
Travelgate, Part of Travelsoft Group, Acquires AO UK Ltd
Travelgate, a unit of Travelsoft Group, has acquired AO UK Ltd, adding its enterprise content‑orchestration platform to the hotel‑connectivity network. AO UK brings over 20 years of product‑information expertise and operates in the UK, Australia and North America. The deal introduces AO Campaign 5, an...
WTM Africa 2026 Unveils Its Most Ambitious Programme Yet as Show Opens Today
World Travel Market (WTM) Africa 2026 kicked off on April 13 at Cape Town International Convention Centre, launching a three‑day B2B showcase. The event brands its agenda as the most ambitious yet, centering on responsible tourism, innovation and market access....
Edge Riyadh Al Rabie Is Now Open in Riyadh
Edge Riyadh Al Rabie, the newest hotel under the Edge by Rotana brand, has opened in Riyadh’s Al Rabie district. The property offers 71 modern rooms and suites, three distinct dining venues, and a 550‑guest ballroom alongside multiple meeting spaces. It...
The Small Changes Revolution: Novotel’s Star-Studded Collective Makes Longevity Accessible to All
Novotel has launched the Novotel 37 Collective, a global community of athletes, chefs and wellness experts that champions the idea that a 1% daily improvement can compound into a 37‑fold health boost over a year. The initiative, backed by research from...
MAKE SPECIAL HAPPEN THIS SPRING & SUMMER WITH FAIRMONT HOTELS & RESORTS
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is rolling out a slate of spring‑to‑summer experiences across its global portfolio, from cherry‑blossom afternoon teas in Vancouver and Washington, D.C., to Earth Day zero‑waste workshops at Le Manoir Richelieu. The brand is spotlighting Mother’s Day...
Four Seasons Resorts Asia Spotlights Immersive Family Travel Experiences
Four Seasons Resorts is rolling out a curated suite of immersive family experiences across its Asian portfolio, from Chiang Mai to the Maldives and Palau. The program blends hands‑on learning, cultural workshops, and shared wellness activities designed for multigenerational travelers. Highlights...
Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur Introduces AI-Enhanced Experiences for Meetings, Events and Weddings
Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur has launched a suite of AI‑enhanced services aimed at upgrading meetings, events and weddings. The offerings include an AI‑powered conference assistant for self check‑in and agenda access, real‑time multilingual interpretation, a holographic AI emcee, instant...
IHG Hotels & Resorts Signs Holiday Inn Express Surat Gauravpath
IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed a management agreement with Yashvi Greenco LLP to develop a 110‑room Holiday Inn Express in Surat’s Gauravpath corridor, slated to open in 2029. The project marks IHG’s first hotel signing in Surat and reinforces its push...
COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT WAIKIKI BEACH UNVEILS MULTI‑MILLION‑DOLLAR TRANSFORMATION
Courtyard® by Marriott Waikiki Beach has completed a multi‑million‑dollar overhaul of its 405‑room property, unveiling redesigned guestrooms, an 850‑sq‑ft penthouse retreat, and an open‑air lobby overlooking a new pool oasis. The renovation adds the CRATE grab‑and‑go concept, two signature dining...
Aqaba to Host Landmark Global Marine Sports and Diving Event
Aqaba will host the inaugural “ABOFA – Aqaba Blue Ocean Future in Action” from September 9‑12, 2026, drawing roughly 4,000 participants from 25 nations. The event, organized by Arabia First and the Aqaba Development Corporation with Fira Barcelona, will showcase...
Scotland Brings Tartan Taxis to Manhattan for NYC Tartan Week
Scotland has rolled out tartan‑wrapped taxis across Manhattan as part of NYC Tartan Week, a cultural showcase organized by VisitScotland. The campaign coincides with performances by the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and a parade led by Outlander star Sam Heughan. VisitScotland...
United Airlines Marks 35 Years of Flying From Heathrow
United Airlines is celebrating 35 years of operations at London Heathrow, having moved more than 58 million passengers, 2.2 million tonnes of cargo and 328 000 flights since its inaugural April 1991 service. The carrier now runs up to 20 daily nonstop flights to...
Somabay Announces Opening of Good Days Boutique Hotel, a Lifestyle-First Boutique Concept
Somabay has launched Good Days Boutique Hotel, its seventh property on Egypt’s Red Sea Riviera, offering a 24‑room, lifestyle‑first concept. The hotel features pool‑side lodges, lake‑front rooms, and premium Ridge suites with private terraces and hot tubs. Guests can dine...
Patina Maldives Launches Transformative Solo Retreats at Fari Studios
Patina Maldives has repurposed its Fari Studios into solo‑traveler focused retreats called Reconnect, Recharge and Renew. Guests can choose three‑, five‑ or seven‑night packages that include daily breakfast and dinner, pool access, speed‑boat transfers and a rotating menu of wellness...
Alaska Airlines Returns to the Desert as the Official Airline of Coachella and Stagecoach
Alaska Airlines is back as the official carrier for Coachella and Stagecoach, debuting an immersive "35,000‑feet" activation that showcases its new global routes to London, Rome, Tokyo and Seoul. Festival‑goers can enjoy complimentary drinks, on‑site free Wi‑Fi that mirrors the...
Kids Can Stay & Eat Free This Summer at Divi Resorts
Divi Resorts announced a Kids Stay & Eat Free promotion for its Caribbean portfolio, allowing one child to stay and eat free per paying adult on all‑inclusive or bed‑and‑breakfast bookings. The offer, booked with promo code KIDSSUMMER26, must be reserved...
Trump Hotels Launches ‘Never Settle Summer’ for Unforgettable Summer Getaways Worldwide
Trump Hotels unveiled the "Never Settle Summer" program, a limited‑time collection of luxury experiences available from May 1 to September 7, 2026. The initiative spans eight flagship properties worldwide, offering upgraded rooms, exclusive perks such as a $100 credit in Chicago and a...
VidantaWorld Voyages Introduces ELEGANT: A Luxury Ultra Yacht Experience
VidantaWorld Voyages unveiled ELEGANT, a luxury ultra‑yacht that will sail Mediterranean itineraries from April 11 to October 2, 2026 and again in 2027. The vessel, originally built for over 600 guests, will host only 216, enabling a near 1:1 crew‑to‑guest ratio and expansive, resort‑style...
ILTM Africa 2026 Showcases Sensory-Led Luxury
ILTM Africa 2026 returns to Cape Town’s Norval Foundation from April 10‑12, marking the largest post‑COVID edition of the luxury‑travel showcase. Delegates from 32 countries will converge for three days of immersive, sensory‑led experiences, from a bespoke event fragrance to...
Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives Achieves Dual Nominations
Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives has been nominated in the Resorts category for both the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (UK) and the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (US). The dual nomination follows a strong track record, including a 5th‑place global...
Minor Hotels Signs Anantara’s First Resort and Urban Hotel in India
Minor Hotels announced its first Anantara resort and first urban Anantara hotel in India. The 69‑key Anantara Zanti Coorg Resort, designed by Channa Daswatte, will open in 2028 in Karnataka’s Western Ghats, while the 170‑key Anantara Kolkata Hotel is slated...
How Korea Is Boosting Domestic Spending Through a Nationwide Shopping Event
South Korea’s Ministry of SMEs and Startups launched the Donghaeng Festival, a 30‑day nationwide shopping event that synchronises tourism, cultural programs and retail discounts. In April 2026 the festival mobilised more than 33,000 SMEs across roughly 200 distribution channels, linking...
Dida Signs 5-Year Partnership with Tsinghua University
Dida, a global travel‑technology firm, has signed a five‑year strategic partnership with Tsinghua x‑lab, the innovation platform of Tsinghua University in Beijing. The collaboration will focus on technology development, incubation of research projects, and talent development, linking academic breakthroughs with Dida’s...
Wyndham Will Pay You $20K to Live It Up Exploring Route 66 with Your Grandma This Summer
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is launching "The (Grand) Mother Road Trip," a summer contest that will pay a grandparent‑grandchild duo $20,000 (including a $5,000 travel stipend) to travel the 2,400‑mile Route 66 corridor. The winners will stay seven nights at various...
Oceania Cruises® Announces the Reinspiration of Oceania Marina™
Oceania Cruises announced that its flagship Oceania Marina will enter dry dock in October 2026 for a full reinspiration. The 1,250‑guest ship will have every stateroom redesigned with new layouts, marble bathrooms and rainforest showers, while public areas receive updated furnishings and...