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 cruise lines and travel‑advisor networks, focusing on advisor engagement, trade‑facing programs, and industry communication. Their 24‑month tenure coincides with CLIA’s flagship Cruise360 summit in April 2026, where the committee will convene with industry stakeholders. The appointments underscore CLIA’s push to strengthen collaboration across the cruise distribution channel.
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...