Boeing and Ethiopian Airlines announced today the purchase of six 787 Dreamliner jets as the airline fully exercises commitments from its 2023 landmark order. Ethiopian Airlines will use the 787-9 jets to expand its intercontinental network from Addis Ababa and increase cargo capacity as demand for long-haul travel continues to rise.

Across the cruise sector and wider travel industry, one thing is becoming increasingly clear: in a world of digital tools, virtual training and AI-powered content, face-to-face connection still drives the strongest commercial results. Travel remains a relationship business, and nowhere is that more evident than in how we support and engage our agent partners – or as we call them at Virgin Voyages, our First Mates.

WK Management Consulting GmbH (WKMC) is proud to announce the acquisition of the Little Guest brand and digital assets, strengthening its position in the family travel market. Little Guest is a leading marketing and lead generation platform dedicated to child-friendly hotels and destinations worldwide, connecting the world’s finest child-friendly properties with the discerning families who belong in them, helping guests to discover, compare, and book directly with the hotels themselves. Member properties, meanwhile, benefit from a marketing platform with an engaged database of over 120,000 users, providing unmatched visibility among a highly qualified, travel-ready family audience.

Cheval Collection, the award-winning, UK-based luxury hospitality company, has moved into the branded residences sector with Cheval Residences Dubai Islands. The exclusive beachfront property – Cheval’s third in Dubai and fifth in the Middle East – marks a pivotal milestone in the company’s regional expansion plan, which includes further growth in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf markets.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Dida today announced a strategic partnership with the signing of a Letter of Intent (LOI), selecting Dida as its lead digital distribution partner for the “Trusted Thailand” initiative in the China market. The agreement was signed at Dusit Thani Bangkok by Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, Governor of TAT, and Mr. Daryl Lee, Group CEO of Dida Holdings.

Arival today released its 2026 US Experiences Traveler Outlook, revealing a decisive shift in how Americans travel, plan and spend.  Although most US travelers expect to take the same or fewer trips in 2026, they are spending more on experiences, booking earlier, and allowing tours, activities and attractions to shape where they choose to go. The report, based on a survey of 800 US experiences travelers, shows that three in five travelers now consider experiences a very or extremely important factor in destination choice.  Among 18–34‑year‑olds, experiences are the single most important factor, with 76 percent saying they matter more than weather, food or overall destination appeal. This marks a significant generational shift in […]

Phocuswright today announced the program for Phocuswright Europe 2026, highlighting a curated agenda shaped by the priorities, pressures and opportunities defining the travel industry today. Designed for senior leaders across the global travel ecosystem, the conference will convene executives, innovators and strategists to exchange perspective, challenge assumptions and engage in the conversations shaping the future of travel.

Dusit Hotels and Resorts are inviting travellers to extend their stays for less with the launch of ‘A Night on Us’, a limited-time offer featuring complimentary nights on eligible stays of two to eight nights. Available for just six days, from 22 to 27 April 2026, exclusively on dusit.com, with early access for Dusit Gold members from 22 to 24 April, the offer provides exceptional value across a curated collection of participating Dusit properties in Guam, Malaysia, the Maldives, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.

The hospitality industry is no stranger to uncertainty, but the current environment presents a level of disruption that is both immediate and highly visible. Regional tensions, shifting travel patterns and evolving global perceptions are not only impacting demand, but influencing how, when and whether people choose to travel at all. This is the reality the industry is operating within today.

Centara Mirage Beach Resort Dubai is taking family-friendly fun to the next level with two unmissable offers. Offering extended staycations packed with family-friendly moments and fun-filled daycations with exclusive savings, this captivating resort promises unforgettable experiences by the beach on every visit.

Adalte, the leading distribution system for travel packages and multi-day tours, has announced today a strategic partnership with Repayd, a purpose-built Merchant of Record payment solution for the travel industry. The integration is designed to simplify and strengthen payment operations for travel professionals managing complex, multi-day itineraries across multiple suppliers and currencies. Optimising the multi-day tour workflow

The inaugural Anantara Concorso Roma, presented by UBS, took place over the weekend, bringing together over 70 historic Italian cars in the heart of Rome for a weekend of competition and celebration. In the spirit of ‘La Dolce Vita della Automobili’, visitors enjoyed a stunning combination of Roman hospitality and the nation’s finest cars, all set against the historic backdrop of the Eternal City.

Phu Quoc International Airport is set to become a next-generation, fully self-service aviation hub ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2027 Forum. Sun Group, one of Vietnam’s largest private conglomerates, has partnered with SITA to lead this transformation. To support Vietnam’s rapidly growing air travel demand, the parties have also signed a Memorandum of Understanding establishing a framework for broader collaboration across Sun Group’s future airport developments in Vietnam

Emirates has continued its commitment to making travel more accessible for all, by successfully arranging bespoke Emirates Travel Rehearsals across more than 40 cities globally over the past year. With more than 250 families positively impacted, Emirates Travel Rehearsals are designed to support children and young adults with autism, allowing them to practice the journey through the airport to prepare for real flights – easing travel anxiety and empowering them to fly with more confidence.

The Guatemala Tourism Institute (INGUAT) has announced the launch of Guatemala Insider, a new online travel trade training platform, developed in partnership with Equator Global and Travel Uni, and designed to support travel professionals inselling Guatemala to their clients.

To celebrate its 153rd anniversary, Holland America Line marked its enduring Dutch roots with the official naming of its newest signature tulip – “Savour the Journey” – during a ceremony at the iconic Keukenhof Gardens in the Netherlands. The vibrant orange tulip serves as a living symbol of the brand’s Dutch heritage and longstanding ties to Dutch culture, craftsmanship and tradition. 

AROYA Cruises, the first Arabian cruise line, is currently making its way to Jeddah, its homeport in the Red Sea, where it will resume scheduled sailings during the month of May. The upcoming programme features multi-country itineraries across the Red Sea, with calls in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan, combining regional destinations with AROYA’s distinctive onboard experience.

The Global Restaurant Investment Forum (GRIF) and boutique hospitality consultancy Juniper Strategy Ltd have today launched the UAE Hospitality Industry Barometer, a research-led report combining real-time operator insight with analysis of past global crises to show how hospitality businesses are performing today, why confidence remains strong, and how the sector is expected to recover.

Wizz Air, London’s local airline, is giving British travellers the chance to swap predictable holidays for something far less expected, with the return of its Let’s Get Lost campaign. A select group of 30 winners will board a flight departing from London Luton Airport on Saturday 9 May to a destination that will remain a secret until arrival. The experience is designed to showcase the breadth of Wizz Air’s network with a focus on culturally rich cities and emerging destinations that are often overlooked in favour of more traditional hotspots.

BTN delivers exclusive video interviews from WTM Africa 2026, one of the leading B2B travel and tourism events on the continent, bringing together top buyers, exhibitors, and industry decision-makers from across Africa and around the world. Influential leaders and senior executives share expert insights into regional and global travel trends, sustainable tourism development, digital innovation, investment and partnership opportunities, destination growth strategies, and the evolving frameworks shaping the future of the African travel marketplace.