This Week in Travel: Top Stories You Can’t Miss
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 shutdown, while Global Entry stays suspended. Spirit Airlines announced a restructuring deal with lenders and targets a Chapter 11 exit by late spring or early summer. Additionally, Jamaica will receive prime‑time exposure on NBC’s TODAY show, and a new webinar explores AI’s role in reshaping travel planning.
20 Takeaways: How AI Is Redefining the Future of Travel Planning
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....
Rediscovering Atlantis Paradise Island
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 Unveils Interiors of New Antarctica Gateway Hotel in Chile
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...
Expanding Access Through ASTA’s Latest VTA Course
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 Introduces Travel Advisor Council
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,...
Hyatt Vivid Grand Island FAM
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’ 9-Day China FAM Tour
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...
Explore the Habsburg Empire (Prague, Vienna & Budapest)
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...
River Cruise FAM Opportunities
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 Rolls Out Fleetwide Lottery with $1M Prize
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 Finalizes 2026 Alaska Season with New Inside Passage Sailings
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 Hits 2,600 Preferred Hotels Worldwide
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...
Stay and Explore Collection Reduces Hotel Changes in Europe
Railbookers has introduced the Stay and Explore Collection, a suite of ten European itineraries that anchor travelers in a single hub city for at least two nights before venturing out on day trips by train. The model eliminates nightly hotel...
Ensemble Travel Network Adds Aqua Expeditions To Supplier Lineup
Ensemble Travel Network has added luxury small-ship operator Aqua Expeditions to its supplier lineup, creating a direct channel for U.S. and Canadian travel advisors. The partnership will deliver coordinated trade engagement, marketing support, and product education to boost Aqua’s presence...
Up Norway Adds Three Small-Group Itineraries for 2026-2027
Up Norway announced three new small‑group itineraries for 2026‑2027, expanding its sustainable luxury portfolio in response to a 14 % year‑over‑year rise in small‑group bookings on TripAdvisor. The trips, limited to 10‑14 participants, include a women‑focused “Women, Blazing Trails” expedition, a...
Disney Cruise Line Reveals Summer 2027 Lineup
Disney Cruise Line opened bookings for its summer 2027 schedule, featuring the first European deployment of the Disney Wish and a renewed Alaska presence from Vancouver with the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder. The lineup also adds extensive Caribbean and...
OUTRIGGER Maldives Expands Wellness Programming for 2026
OUTRIGGER Resorts & Hotels is rolling out an expanded wellness program at its Maldives Maafushivaru Resort for 2026, adding aerial yoga, bungee fit, TRX training and ocean‑front sound healing. The new Alchemy Bar introduces hands‑on workshops such as coconut‑oil cooking...
Transcend Cruises Strengthens Team with New Appointments
Transcend Cruises announced two senior hires to accelerate its growth in the European river cruise market. Bentlie Logan joins as Director of MICE and Agency Sales, bringing recent Carnival Cruise Line experience and a focus on expanding North American group...
MSC Cruises Expands Entertainment with AI Robotics, New Game Shows and More
MSC Cruises is overhauling its 2026 entertainment slate, adding AI‑powered robotic dogs and humanoid robots, new original game shows, and refreshed music and production shows across its fleet. The pilot on MSC Bellissima will expand to Asian sailings and the...
AKTG Expands Leadership Roles to Support Brand Growth
Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group (AKTG) has reorganized its trade sales leadership across the Americas, appointing Debra Fox as Chief Sales Officer – Trade. Fox now oversees global trade sales for all AKTG brands, reporting directly to CEO Cristina Levis....
AmaWaterways Rolls Out 2027 Solo and Group Booking Incentives
AmaWaterways has launched limited‑time 2027 booking incentives aimed at solo travelers and groups, with a 10% reduced single supplement on over 500 sailings and a doubled group discount of $500 per person. The promotions are available for reservations made through...
Free Roundtrip Flights to Anguilla With Zemi Beach House Stay
Zemi Beach House in Anguilla has teamed with AnguillAir to cover the full cost of round‑trip flights between Newark (EWR) and Anguilla (AXA) for guests staying three nights or more. The promotion runs for bookings made by March 15, 2026, with...
CLIA Names Azamara and WorldVia Executives as Committee Co-Chairs
The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has named Michelle Lardizabal, Azamara’s Chief Sales Officer, and Joshua Harrell, WorldVia’s Chief Revenue Officer as co‑chairs of its Trade Relations Committee for the 2026‑2027 term. The committee serves as a strategic bridge between...
AAA Reports Record U.S. Air Travel in 2025, But Slowing Growth
U.S. airports saw a record 906 million passengers in 2025, but year‑over‑year growth fell below 1 percent, a sharp deceleration from the 5.3 percent rise in 2024. The slowdown reflects lingering economic uncertainty that delayed leisure bookings in the first half...
Hilton Hits 300 Hotels in the Caribbean and Latin America
Hilton closed 2025 with a record 300 hotels operating across 35 Caribbean and Latin American countries, adding more than 30 openings during the year. The chain built a pipeline of over 150 new properties, representing more than 21,000 rooms and...
Destination Vancouver Offers Exclusive FAM to FIFA World Cup
Destination Vancouver is offering two exclusive Familiarisation (FAM) trips for U.S. and Mexican travel advisors to experience the 2026 FIFA World Cup live in Vancouver. Advisors must complete the Vancouver Specialist Program by Feb 28, 2026, and submit applications by March 15...
Nevis Ties Heritage Preservation and Resort Upgrades to America250 Momentum
Nevis is leveraging its historic link to Alexander Hamilton and the upcoming U.S. Semiquincentennial to drive tourism. A $403,000 U.S. Ambassador’s Fund grant is restoring the 200‑year‑old Bath Hotel, the Caribbean’s first hotel. Meanwhile, Four Seasons Resort Nevis celebrates 35...
Cruise Lines Tighten Health Protocols After Recent Outbreaks
Cruise operators are tightening health protocols after recent Legionnaires’ disease cases on Norwegian’s Encore and Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas. The CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program notes that gastrointestinal illness rates have remained steady despite passenger volumes returning to pre‑pandemic...
Victory Cruise Lines Marks America250 With Great Lakes Voyages
Victory Cruise Lines is debuting a series of 2026 sailings that circle all five Great Lakes to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary. The program introduces the Navy Pier Culinary and History Collection in Chicago, a guided walking and tasting tour that...
Celestyal Rolls Out Rewards for Med Group Bookings
Celestyal introduced a limited‑time promotion for travel advisors booking new group reservations on 7‑ and 14‑night Mediterranean cruises for the 2026‑2027 seasons. Incentives include tiered onboard credit ranging from €130 to €200 per person, free cabin rewards for groups of...
Crystal Launches Book & Sail Contest for Advisors
Crystal has unveiled the Book & Sail contest, targeting U.S. and Canadian travel advisors enrolled in its Trade Engagement Program. Running from Feb. 17 to Mar. 31, 2026, advisors earn points for qualifying bookings, with higher‑value sailings yielding more points. The top...
Mexico Tourism Hit All‑Time High in 2025
Mexico's tourism sector reached an all‑time high in 2025 with 98.2 million international visitors, a 13.6% rise over 2024 and the largest total ever recorded. Foreign‑exchange earnings climbed to $34.99 billion, while overnight stays increased 6.1% to 47.8 million. The record underscores strong...
Regent Seven Seas Orders Fourth Prestige-Class Ship
Regent Seven Seas Cruises has signed a contract with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri to construct a fourth vessel in its new Prestige‑Class series, slated for delivery in 2036. The first Prestige‑Class ship, Seven Seas Prestige, debuted in December 2026, with the...
PONANT Launches Epic 62‑Day Antarctic Expedition
PONANT Explorations will launch a 62‑day luxury cruise that circles Antarctica aboard the hybrid‑electric icebreaker Le Commandant Charcot in January 2028. The itinerary splits into a 30‑day western leg from Ushuaia to Hobart and a 31‑day eastern return, covering roughly...
Princess Senses The Mangrove and Princess Grand Jamaica Reopen on Jamaica’s North Coast
Princess Senses The Mangrove reopened on February 1 and Princess Grand Jamaica on March 1, restoring two all‑inclusive resorts on Jamaica’s North Coast after Hurricane Melissa. The adult‑only Mangrove offers 401 ocean‑view suites and 14 overwater villas, while the family‑friendly Grand Jamaica...
ALGV Sets 2026 Schedule With Purpose and Partner Focus
ALG Vacations unveiled its 2026 event calendar, a purpose‑driven lineup designed to match travel advisors’ business goals, market focus, and development stages. The schedule mixes elite revenue‑tier retreats, large‑scale educational fam trips, the WAVEMAKER networking gathering, and new Kindness and...
