Travel Industry news

• Phoenix Hospitality Group Welcomes Manish Ahluwalia as Group CEO

  08-10-2026 13:43 via breakingtravelnews.com
  Phoenix Hospitality Group (PHG), the UAE-born hospitality group with a growing portfolio across hotels, restaurants, nightlife and lifestyle concepts, has appointed Manish Ahluwalia as Group Chief Executive Officer, effective October 2026. Manish Ahluwalia will lead the Group’s growth and global expansion, strengthen its corporate structure, nurture a people-first culture and build a robust pipeline of new opportunities.
  
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• AA launches Great British Detour campaign to showcase the best of Britain

  08-10-2026 14:05 via breakingtravelnews.com
  AA Media has launched The Great British Detour, a new campaign celebrating the best of Britain’s hospitality, heritage, landscapes and local experiences.
  The campaign is about reminding travellers that getting from A to B can be about more than simply reaching their destination, encouraging them to look beyond the obvious tourist trail and discover the places, people and experiences that can turn a journey into part of the holiday.
  
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• dnata Travel reports 31% surge in UAE staycation bookings for October half-term

  08-10-2026 14:02 via breakingtravelnews.com
  UAE staycation bookings have increased by 31% year-on-year ahead of the October half-term break, according to the latest booking data from dnata Travel, highlighting growing demand for convenient getaways closer to home.The UAE is the top destination booked by residents for the school holiday period, as families increasingly opt for shorter breaks that offer quality time together without extensive travel. Outbound travel also remains robust, with the Maldives, Spain, France, Thailand, and Maurit
  
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• Saudi Arabia and the UAE Generate 80% of MENA Business Trips as Autumn Season Returns

  08-10-2026 13:58 via breakingtravelnews.com
  Tumodo, the UAE-based online business travel platform, reports on corporate travel demand, pricing and destination trends for Q3 2026. The region had a difficult beginning of 2026, but forecasters expect a recovery. International travel in MENA and South Asia will grow 17% in 2027, more than twice the global rate of 8%.Compared with Q3 2025, trips on Tumodo’s platform rose 112% and spend rose 132%. Against Q1 2026, trips were up 44% and spend was up 72%. A recent report projects that Middl
  
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• THE RISE OF PLACE: MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL REVEALS ASIA PACIFIC’S FUTURE OF FOOD

  08-10-2026 13:50 via breakingtravelnews.com
  Local cuisine emerges as the region’s strongest dining force, as traditional restaurant settings give way to fluid, social spacesMarriott International has unveiled Future of Food 2027, its latest report exploring food and beverage trends across Asia Pacific excluding China. Drawing on conversations with leading chefs, hospitality experts and regional influencers, alongside insights from Marriott International properties across the region, the report reveals a pivotal transformation: the r
  
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• Namibia puts the luxury of space and silence centre stage

  08-10-2026 13:46 via breakingtravelnews.com
  There are few destinations that can make remoteness feel quite as desirable as Namibia. Its vast desert landscapes, extraordinary wildlife and lodges seemingly suspended between earth and sky give the country a powerful proposition in luxury travel. The opportunity now is to turn that appeal into stronger international business, while protecting the qualities that make it worth travelling for.
  
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• Professor Francesco Frangialli Receives WTTC Icon Award for Elevating Tourism to the United Nations

  08-10-2026 13:45 via breakingtravelnews.com
  The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has presented its prestigious WTTC Icon Award to Professor Francesco Frangialli, recognising his lifetime contribution to global tourism governance and his role in securing Travel & Tourism’s place within the United Nations system.The award was presented during a VIP Dinner at WTTC’s 26th Global Summit in Malta, bringing together more than 1,000 delegates, including over 200 of the world’s leading Travel & Tourism CEOs and g
  
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• Five Decades of Bespoke Linen Craftsmanship Enter a New Chapter in Saudi Arabia

  08-10-2026 12:11 via breakingtravelnews.com
  Antoine Karam, the Beirut-born luxury linen house renowned for its bespoke home linen and refined lifestyle pieces, is opening a new boutique at Solitaire Mall, marking the latest step in its journey in Saudi Arabia. Present in the Kingdom since 2019 through its Mansard Hotel boutique, the brand has a loyal local clientele, including royal families and private clients who entrust Antoine Karam with bespoke projects for private residences, palaces, and diplomatic residences. The new boutique now
  
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• Simpson Travel acquires South France Villas

  08-10-2026 12:07 via breakingtravelnews.com
  Luxury specialist tour operator Simpson Travel has acquired South France Villas, bringing exceptional new properties across the Languedoc and around the Côte d’Azur/French Riviera to its France portfolio. The acquisition was completed on 4 August 2026.Simpson Travel has watched South France Villas grow over many years and is delighted to welcome the business as the next step in its growth strategy. The deal comes after Simpson added Affinity Villas to its collection in 2025, a move t
  
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• DUBAI-BORN JA RESORTS & HOTELS CELEBRATES JA MANAFARU’S SELECTION IN THE 2026 MICHELIN GUIDE

  08-10-2026 12:05 via breakingtravelnews.com
  JA Manafaru, the private Maldivian island resort located in Haa Alifu Atoll, has earned a place in the 2026 MICHELIN Guide hotel selection, bringing international recognition to the island retreat of Dubai-born JA Resorts & Hotels. On this island in the northern Maldives, hospitality takes its character from the destination: Maldivian flavours served among the branches of a living banyan tree, days spent exploring the surrounding waters, and a team whose personal welcome brings guests into i
  
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• Emirates Holidays unveils Thailand Pass, unlocking exclusive perks and savings for holidaymakers

  08-10-2026 09:11 via breakingtravelnews.com
  Emirates Holidays has launched the Thailand Pass, offering exclusive benefits across shopping, dining and leisure activities for customers travelling to and throughout Thailand.
  Available to Emirates Holidays customers traveling to Thailand, the pass unlocks exclusive offers of up to 40% off, with no minimum spend.In Kenya, travellers can reach Thailand through Dubai. Emirates operates 21 weekly flights between Nairobi and Dubai, with onward connections to Bangkok and Phuket.
  
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• SILVERSEA UNVEILS 103 NEW SAILINGS FOR 2028-2029

  08-10-2026 09:08 via breakingtravelnews.com
  Silversea, the leading experiential luxury and expedition travel brand, has revealed new sailings within its Voyage Collection 2028-2029, ‘Let the World Surprise You.’ Itineraries are timed to the world’s most captivating cultural moments, from Carnival in Venice and Rio de Janeiro to New Year’s Eve in Funchal and Sydney, alongside new S.A.L.T. Culinary Voyages built around Europe’s truffle season and Southeast Asia’s iconic markets. Spanning September 2028 to
  
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• Grenada Commits to the UK Trade with Marketplace and ‘Meet Me in Grenada’ Offer for Agents

  08-10-2026 09:02 via breakingtravelnews.com
  Grenada Tourism Authority (GTA) is emphasising its commitment to the UK travel trade, following the success of its first Grenada Exchange with two engaging initiatives for UK travel professionals: Grenada Marketplace, taking place on island this November, and “Meet Me in Grenada”, a familiarisation offer for UK agents and tour operators travelling before the end of 2026.
  
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• Golf tourism’s international map is being redrawn by investment in a growing market

  08-10-2026 08:58 via breakingtravelnews.com
  Golf tourism is no longer confined to a handful of established destinations. According to Future Market Insights[1], the global golf tourism market is forecast to reach USD 29.5 billion in 2026, and increasingly that growth is coming from destinations that would once have been considered off the beaten fairway.That shift is visible right across the map. From the Gulf to the Caribbean, and from East Africa to East Asia, a new generation of destinations is investing in golf tourism and competing f
  
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• Regulator invites industry to help shape how new information management system will be implemented

  08-10-2026 08:55 via breakingtravelnews.com
  The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has launched a public consultation on the implementation of a new information management system, which is fundamental in the UK’s transition to data-driven, interoperable air traffic management operations.
  
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• Escape to Egypt’s North Coast for an Autumnal Break at Address Beach Resort Marassi

  08-10-2026 08:53 via breakingtravelnews.com
  Swap grey skies for Mediterranean sunshine this autumn and into winter with a stay at Address Beach Resort Marassi, the luxurious beachfront retreat on Egypt’s spectacular North Coast, which will remain open throughout the winter season.The cooler months on the Egyptian North Coast offer an altogether more laid-back way to experience the destination. Pleasantly warm days invite long walks along Marassi’s white-sand shoreline, afternoons by the pool and leisurely rounds of golf, while
  
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• Trafalgar Launches “The Great Godmother Search”  Ahead of Trafalgar Dreamer’s 2027 Seine Debut

  08-10-2026 08:51 via breakingtravelnews.com
  Trafalgar is launching a search for the Godmother of its newest river ship, Trafalgar Dreamer, ahead of her debut on the Seine in April 2027. Through The Great Godmother Search, the brand is inviting past guests to submit a meaningful story or memory from their travels with Trafalgar for the chance to become part of Trafalgar history. 
  The selected Godmother will christen Trafalgar Dreamer and sail on the ship’s inaugural voyage. If the winner names a travel agent in their application
  
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• DUNES 2026 is expanding, and more brands are joining the lineup.

  08-10-2026 08:41 via breakingtravelnews.com
  With new partners, exhibitors and federations coming on board, the DUNES ecosystem continues to bring together more of the businesses, organizations, and experiences shaping Saudi Arabia’s outdoor and adventure market.This November, DUNES 2026 brings the industry together at RICEC, Riyadh, November 17–19, 2026.
  
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• Regent Seven Seas Cruises®Unveils New Bar and Beverage Experiences Aboard Seven Seas Prestige™

  08-10-2026 08:37 via breakingtravelnews.com
  Regent Seven Seas Cruises®, the world’s leading ultra-luxury cruise line, has unveiled a collection of new and enhanced bars, lounges and beverage concepts debuting aboard Seven Seas Prestige™ in December 2026. From Italian aperitivo and Mediterranean-inspired cocktails to thoughtfully curated zero-proof creations, each experience has been designed to give its setting a distinct identity and bring a sense of discovery to every occasion.
  
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• Iberostar recognised by the World Economic Forum

  08-10-2026 08:34 via breakingtravelnews.com
  Iberostar Wave of Change, a movement pioneered by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts, has been recognised by the World Economic Forum (WEF) at the first edition of the Beyond Tourism Impact Stars awards. This recognition reflects the Group’s dedication to science-led operational innovation. By embedding sustainability across all areas of hotel management, Iberostar demonstrates that responsible tourism not only generates a positive impact on destinations but also serves as a key driver of oper
  
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• Anguilla’s Maundays Bay named world’s No. 2 beach

  06-10-2026 18:09 via breakingtravelnews.com
  Anguilla’s Maundays Bay has been named the second-best beach in the world in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards, recognizing the island’s exceptional natural beauty and enduring appeal as a Caribbean destination.Four Anguilla resorts also earned recognition in the awards’ Caribbean Islands resort category led by Cap Juluca, A Belmond Hotel, Anguilla, at No. 2. Malliouhana Resort ranked No. 20; Zemi Beach House, LXR Hotels & Resorts, No. 23;
  
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• November Luxury Bookings Up 70% as Mexico’s Pacific Coast Joins the Winter Leaders

  06-10-2026 16:21 via breakingtravelnews.com
  Virtuoso’s forward data puts November bookings and sales more than 70 per cent ahead, the Global Travel Collection places Mexico among the early holiday leaders, and the luxury end of that demand is concentrating on the Pacific side of the country.
  
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• Cayman Islands Department of Tourism to power 2026 CMEx Leadership Awards

  06-10-2026 13:31 via breakingtravelnews.com
  The Cayman Islands Department of Tourism has been named lead sponsor of the 2026 Caribbean Media Exchange (CMEx) Leadership Awards and Fundraiser which will take place Sunday, Dec. 6 at Loews Coral Gables Hotel in the Miami area.The annual awards luncheon recognizes Caribbean and international leaders whose work has strengthened tourism, aviation, hospitality, media, sustainability, destination development and community service. The event also raises funds for CMEx’s educational, media and
  
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• flyadeal Arrives in Mumbai, Expands India-Saudi Arabia Connectivity

  06-10-2026 13:27 via breakingtravelnews.com
  flyadeal, Saudia Group’s fast-growing low-cost carrier and one of the largest low-cost airlines in the GCC, has launched its non-stop service between Mumbai and Riyadh, marking the airline’s second destination in India after Hyderabad, and further strengthening its presence in one of its key international markets.
  
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• Concord Hospitality Expands Management Portfolio

  06-10-2026 13:26 via breakingtravelnews.com
  Concord Hospitality, a leading hotel development and management company, announced today that it has been selected to assume management of more than a dozen hotels and restaurants across multiple markets, further expanding its diverse portfolio of full-service, lifestyle and boutique properties.The new assignments represent continued momentum for Concord across key hospitality segments, with a pipeline that includes several distinctive new developments and established properties transitioning to
  
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• Hyatt Names Amar Lalvani Its First Chief Creative Officer

  06-10-2026 13:20 via breakingtravelnews.com
  Hyatt Hotels Corporation has announced that Amar Lalvani has been appointed Hyatt’s first-ever Chief Creative Officer, in addition to his role as President & Creative Director of the company’s Lifestyle Group, effective immediately. Lalvani will continue to serve on Hyatt’s senior leadership team and report to Mark Hoplamazian, Hyatt’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer.The appointment reflects Hyatt’s continued evolution as a more insights-led and
  
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• Four aviation start-ups named finalists in World Aviation Festival competition

  06-10-2026 13:12 via breakingtravelnews.com
  Four start-ups addressing AI-driven flight shopping, AI search optimisation, airline ancillaries, and airport boarding processes have been selected to compete in the World Aviation Festival’s annual Start-up Competition next week.The live final takes place on Tuesday 13 October at FIL Lisbon, where each company will pitch its solution to a panel of industry leaders and investors. Hosted by Irra Ariella Khi, Co-Founder and CEO of Zamna, the competition gives early-stage disruptors a platfor
  
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• People, Technology, and Standards Together will Drive Safety Improvements

  06-10-2026 13:11 via breakingtravelnews.com
  The International Air Transport Association (IATA) highlighted the need for stronger integration of people, technology, and global standards to deliver the next advances in aviation safety.“Aviation is safer today than it was a decade ago. In that timeframe, fatal accident rates have improved from one accident per 3.5 million flights to one per 5.6 million flights. But 2025 still saw the loss of 394 lives in aviation accidents. Every fatality strengthens our resolve to do better. The next
  
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• Travel Operators Can’t Just Watch as AI Reroutes the Customer Journey

  06-10-2026 13:07 via breakingtravelnews.com
  Operators of hotels, resorts, theme parks, and cruises succeed by making their customers feel welcome, looked-after, and alive. It’s therefore understandable that they are often cautious about adopting technology that might make their customer experience less human.When it comes to AI adoption, however, there’s a real danger that operators will suffer strategic damage if they don’t move fast enough.
  
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• Oliver Hotels & Resorts Accelerates Strategic Growth Through Rebrand, Owner-Focused Approach

  06-10-2026 11:46 via breakingtravelnews.com
  Oliver Hotels & Resorts is set to transform the hotel management industry, embracing a new brand identity and a new era that puts owners first and builds on a legacy of operational excellence and expertise.
  Formerly known as OCI Hospitality, the family-owned and operated hospitality company manages more than 30 properties across 14 states, representing nearly 5,000 keys and 20 brands, including Hyatt, Marriott, Hilton and IHG.
  
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