As millions of travellers head abroad during the peak summer holiday season, Europe has reinforced its position as the world’s leading leisure travel destination, capturing one-third of all global leisure travel spending in 2025, according to new 2026 EIR data from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), sponsored by Chase Travel, Lead Research Partner. The latest figures show that global leisure travel spending reached $6.15TN in 2025, up 3.5% year-on-year and accounting for 80.5% of total global travel expenditure. Of this, Europe attracted $2TN, equivalent to $1 in every $3 spent worldwide on leisure travel, highlighting the region’s enduring appeal as travellers embark on this year’s summer holidays.

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) welcomes the Egyptian Tourism Authority (ETA) as a Destination Partner, strengthening collaboration with one of the world’s leading tourism destinations. The partnership will enhance cooperation between WTTC and the ETA to promote sustainable tourism growth, strengthen public-private collaboration, and showcase Egypt’s diverse tourism experiences to travellers, investors, and industry stakeholders worldwide.

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and the World Governments Summit Organization (WGS), an initiative of the Prime Minister’s Office of the United Arab Emirates, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that marks a new era of public-private sector collaboration to shape the future of Travel & Tourism. By bringing together WTTC’s global network of private sector leaders and the World Governments Summit’s unique convening power among governments and policymakers, the partnership creates a platform for stronger cooperation on the key issues influencing the sector’s long-term growth, resilience and competitiveness.

PATA Nepal Chapter has been selected as the winner of the PATA Award of Excellence, presented by the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA HQ) during the PATA Chapter and Student Chapter Awards Ceremony held on Monday, August 17, 2026, at Commons Café, Old Court House, Kuching — a day ahead of PATA Travel Mart 2026 in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.

Alipay today launched China’s first full-stack agentic commerce platform at its AI Ecosystem Partner Conference in Hangzhou, providing merchants with the tools to shift from digital operations to AI-powered operations. “Agentic commerce is poised for rapid growth over the next 6 to 12 months. AI agents will become a new interface connecting hundreds of millions of users with tens of millions of merchants, unlocking a new intent-driven commercial ecosystem. Through trust, connectivity, and an open ecosystem, Alipay will help build a new generation of AI-powered services and support agentic commerce growth,” said Cyril Han, CEO of Ant Group.

Qatar Airways Holidays is set to elevate the Qatar stopover experience with the launch of exclusive FORMULA 1® QATAR AIRWAYS QATAR GRAND PRIX 2026 packages. For the first time, three-day Formula 1® race tickets have been integrated into Qatar Stopover packages along with flights and hotel accommodation, allowing passengers transiting through Hamad International Airport to transform their journey into an unforgettable Grand Prix getaway.

The CTO Chapter U.K. & Europe has appointed hospitality veteran Nadine Rankin as its new chapter manager. Rankin’s appointment marks an important new phase for the CTO Chapter U.K. & Europe as it continues to strengthen its support for members, expand its program of activities, and champion Caribbean tourism across the U.K. and European markets.

The recently renovated Windjammer Landing Resort & Residences has appointed Almando Rigby as general manager of the highly rated St. Lucia property. Rigby, who most recently served as executive assistant manager at Rock House Resort, part of Grace Bay Resorts, Turks & Caicos, brings more than 20 years of experience in luxury resort operations across the Caribbean

As the Caribbean’s cruise industry gathers in Jamaica this October, the Port Authority of Jamaica arrives with an extraordinary hat-trick of nominations — recognition of an island whose relationship with the sea has become one of the great success stories of Caribbean tourism. There are few more evocative ways to arrive in Jamaica than by sea. Long before the first glimpse of the island’s green mountains comes into view, there is the anticipation: turquoise water stretching towards the horizon, the promise of reggae, rum, warm hospitality and that unmistakable Jamaican rhythm waiting on shore.

As the aviation industry gathered at the Farnborough International Airshow, artificial intelligence, connected data and modern retailing were high on the agenda as airlines looked to improve both operations and the passenger experience. In this interview with BTN, Balaji Bashyam, Chief Strategy Officer, Airlines, Travel & Transportation at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), explores how AI could help airlines anticipate and manage disruption, deliver more personalised and connected journeys, and give frontline teams better tools to support passengers when it matters most. He also discusses TCS’ strategic partnership with Amadeus, the industry’s shift towards Offer and Order models, and how platforms such as TCS Aviana are helping […]

Aleph Hospitality, the largest independent hotel management company in the Middle East and Africa, announces the appointment of Rob Kucera as Regional Vice President for East & South Africa. Based in Nairobi, Rob joins Aleph Hospitality as the company continues to expand its regional presence and grow its hotel portfolio across the continent. In his new role, Rob will oversee the operation of 25+ hotels, six brands in 20 destinations across nine countries in East and South Africa. He will also lead the development of future hotels for the group, growing Aleph Hospitality’s portfolio in the region. Rob’s mandate includes driving the region’s financial, commercial and operational performance, strengthening relationships with the […]

IHG One Rewards, the global loyalty programme of IHG Hotels & Resorts, today announced a partnership with Live Nation Asia across the Greater China region, bringing together hospitality with live entertainment. As part of this, new and existing IHG One Rewards members will have access to exclusive travel experiences in Hong Kong and Taiwan markets that pair stays at IHG Hotels & Resorts with select concerts, along with member-exclusive ticket giveaways and promotions across IHG One Rewards platforms and social media channels.

Hilton Istanbul Airport opens its doors today, redefining the airport hospitality experience by combining the convenience of an airport location with Hilton’s iconic hospitality. The 485-room hotel is the latest addition to the growing Hilton Hotels & Resorts portfolio, marking the 100th Hilton hotel in Türkiye, and is ideally positioned as the first internationally branded hotel next to the airport grounds in Türkiye.

Back by popular demand, Niva Kuramathi Maldives – available exclusively through Kuoni in the UK – is thrilled to announce the return of Campioni Soccer Academy for 2027. Taking place over Easter ‘27 and Summer ‘27, the football camp for boys and girls of all abilities aged 4–16 promises an unforgettable island escape, with memories for the whole family and a truly exclusive experience for children.

This autumn, experience a taste of Bavaria in the Texas Hill Country as Fredericksburg hosts its annual Oktoberfest, returning Friday, 2 October – Sunday, 4 October 2026, to the historic Marktplatz. Built on more than four decades of tradition, Oktoberfest brings a three-day Texas taste of German heritage including music, food and dancing to the heart of Fredericksburg. It remains one of the region’s most beloved community events, blending authentic German customs with Texas hospitality. The festival offers flexible single-day and multi-day passes for adults, with discounted admission for children aged 12 and under and free entry for children under 6.

Daily summer-season service will operate between Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Austin (AUS) starting March 2027. Delta’s seasonal Austin-Paris nonstop flight will operate daily on an Airbus A330-900 with Delta One®, Delta Premium Select, Delta Comfort and Delta Main cabin offerings. March 27, 2027, Delta will launch the first-ever non-stop service between Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Austin, giving direct access to the Live Music Capital of the World®. It’s about to be quicker and easier than ever for French travellers to experience the thrill of the US Formula 1, a year-round offering of festivals, MICHELIN-starred BBQ and the Texas Hill Country.

Seaside Collection is delighted to showcase its portfolio of luxury properties at IMM LUX UK, with a focus on Finolhu, a Seaside Collection Resort, and its hotels in the Canary Islands, all known for exceptional design, wellness and gastronomy. Located within a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and a member of Design Hotels, Finolhu features 125 beachfront and overwater villas set alongside the Maldives’ longest sandbank. Guests can enjoy four restaurants, a new luxury teens and kids’ club, unique experiences such as the Beach Bubble sleep-under-the-stars stay and bespoke overwater dining. In 2026, the resort will host a series of artist residencies as part of its art and design programme, including a residency by British designer Matthew […]

QnA International, the organiser behind the world’s most prestigious B2B platform for destination weddings, today announced the 17th edition of the Destination Wedding Planners (DWP) Congress — marking a landmark moment as the Congress sets foot on Indian soil for the very first time. DWP Congress 2026 will be held from 6 to 8 October at the magnificent Fairmont Udaipur Palace, with Fairmont Udaipur Palace as the Host Palace Partner. The announcement follows a landmark success at DWP Congress Macao in April 2026 and signals India’s arrival as a premier global destination for luxury wedding events and trade. More than 350 of the world’s foremost luxury destination wedding planners, creative suppliers, hoteliers, tourism boards, and […]

The Hari London, The Hari Hong Kong and the forthcoming The Hari Singapore are partnering with IHG Hotels & Resorts’ Vignette Collection, a distinguished collection of independent luxury properties. The repositioning, which is to take effect later this year, builds on a strategic relationship between the Harilela Group and IHG that spans more than five decades and extends their partnership to six hotels across Asia and Europe.

Hyatt Hotels Corporation today announced that one of its affiliates has entered into a franchise agreement for Hyatt Regency Palace Berlin. The landmark Hotel Palace Berlin is expected to undergo a phased renovation and join the Hyatt Regency brand and World of Hyatt in early 2027. Located in Berlin’s City West district, opposite the Berlin Zoo and within walking distance of Kurfürstendamm, the Europa-Center and the city’s major transportation links, the hotel will complement Hyatt’s existing portfolio in the German capital, joining Grand Hyatt Berlin, Me and All Hotel Berlin East Side, Lindner Hotel Berlin Ku’damm, which is part of JdV by Hyatt and five Mr & Mrs Smith hotels.