Paul Gauguin Cruises is launching a Zero Single Supplement program on seven South Pacific itineraries, eliminating extra fees for solo travelers starting March 2026. The small‑ship m/s Paul Gauguin, refurbished with private balconies and upgraded amenities, will sail to destinations such as Tahiti, the Tuamotus, the Cook Islands, Fiji and Bali. The move targets the rapidly growing solo‑female market, which now accounts for 82% of travel decisions and shows a three‑fold rise in online searches. Curated onboard meetups and cultural excursions aim to blend safety with independent exploration.
Travel advisor platform Travelsavers highlighted two senior women executives for International Women’s Day. Chief Sales Officer Kathryn Mazza‑Burney credits crisis‑driven customer service and agency‑focused consulting for reshaping the business model. Marketing head Nicole Mazza says the pandemic taught her that...
Travel industry updates this week include Marival Group’s COO detailing how the hotel chain protected guests during the Jalisco cartel‑related unrest and confirmed that flights to western Mexico have fully resumed. TSA PreCheck will remain operational despite a partial federal...
A recent Recommend webinar gathered travel experts to discuss AI’s growing role in itinerary creation, client communication, and market analysis. Nearly half of attendees already use AI tools both personally and professionally, citing rapid itinerary generation and significant time savings....
Atlantis Paradise Island has completed a $250 million refresh, modernizing its iconic resort while preserving its mythic brand. The upgrade expands the 141‑acre Aquaventure waterpark, adds new marine‑habitat experiences, and introduces upscale dining concepts such as Paranza and Claudio’s, targeting families,...
Silversea has revealed the interiors of The Cormorant at 55 South, a 150‑room hotel slated to open in October in Puerto Williams, Chile. Marketed as the southernmost hotel on Earth, it serves as the land‑based anchor for Silversea’s Antarctica Fly...
The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) has launched a new elective in its Verified Travel Advisor (VTA) certification focused on accessible tourism, developed with Accessible Travel Solutions. Announced on Feb. 26, 2026, the course equips advisors with practical methods to assess...
Azamara Cruises has launched a Travel Advisor Council composed of ten high‑performing advisors across North America. The council members, each with at least five years of cruise experience and AWA graduation, will commit to a 12‑month term to test ideas,...
Mexico FamTrips announced its 2026 Hyatt Vivid Grand Island FAM, scheduled for September 23‑26 in Cancun. The three‑night, all‑inclusive program costs $650 per participant, covering accommodations, transfers and on‑site training, but excludes airfare. Attendees will receive guided inspections and education sessions...
Elite Voyages is launching a 9‑day, 7‑night China familiarization (FAM) tour for travel advisors, with departures on March 29 and April 12, 2026. The itinerary spans Beijing’s Great Wall and Forbidden City, Xi’an’s Terracotta Army, and Shanghai’s Bund, offering a...
Tour Specialists Inc. is launching a seven‑day familiarization (FAM) trip for travel advisors that explores Prague, Vienna, and Budapest, the historic capitals of the former Habsburg Empire. The escorted program runs from May through October 2026 with five departure windows...
AmaWaterways, via FamTrips.Travel, is offering reduced‑rate familiarization (FAM) cruises for travel advisors in 2026, covering European rivers and Colombia’s Magdalena River. The program includes multiple sailings on vessels such as AmaReina, AmaMora, AmaLea, AmaDolce, AmaDante and AmaMagdalena, with pricing starting...
Carnival Cruise Line has introduced Carnival Millions, the cruise sector’s first fleet‑wide linked lottery, linking ships in North America and Europe for a daily draw that can award up to $1 million. Guests purchase tickets through the Carnival HUB app, receiving...
HX Expeditions has announced its 2026 Alaska season, adding two new Inside Passage itineraries aboard the MS Roald Amundsen, the world’s first hybrid, battery‑powered cruise ship. The 9‑night Fjords of the Great Land sails from Vancouver to Whittier, while the...
Classic Vacations has grown its Preferred Hotel Portfolio to 2,600 properties worldwide, responding to advisor feedback for broader destination coverage. The expansion adds luxury assets across North America, Europe, Asia and Africa, including iconic hotels such as The Beverly Hills...