Rio de Janeiro is preparing to welcome the global aviation industry as the countdown begins to the 82nd IATA Annual General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit, taking place from 6 to 8 June 2026. Hosted by LATAM Airlines Group, the event will bring airline chiefs, aviation policymakers, manufacturers, airports, technology leaders, investors and media to Brazil at a decisive moment for global air transport. The decision to stage the AGM in Rio places South America firmly at the centre of the aviation conversation. IATA says the event will be held in “the largest aviation market in South America”, underlining the role air transport can play as a driver of social and economic prosperity across the region.

In Austria, wellness is not an indulgence—it is a way of life. Thermal springs rise from deep beneath alpine valleys, steam curls into mountain air, and the ritual of water—healing, restorative, quietly transformative—has been practiced here for generations. But in recent decades, one name has come to define the modern interpretation of that heritage. VAMED Vitality World.

The travel industry has undergone a remarkable digital transformation over the past decade. From mobile boarding passes and AI-powered travel planning to contactless hotel check-ins, technology now influences almost every stage of the traveller journey.

JW Marriott, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s global portfolio of more than 30 brands, today announces its collaboration with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan as a Global Brand Ambassador. Through this, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan will elevate and bring renewed expression to the brand’s global “Stay in the Moment” platform, bringing a thoughtful, globally resonant perspective that deepens its relevance across key international markets.

Visit California and Virgin Atlantic Holidays will launch “California Games”, an immersive two-day takeover of Outernet London designed to bring the playful energy and excitement of the Golden State to the heart of London.

Reopening for the summer 2026 season, Porto Carras Grand Resort enters a new chapter in the story of one of Greece’s most iconic hospitality estates. Set across a vast private estate in Sithonia, Halkidiki, where pine-covered hills meet the Aegean Sea, the resort re-emerges with a renewed focus on timeless Mediterranean hospitality, vineyard heritage, gastronomy and experience-led travel.

China’s Travel & Tourism (T&T) sector is undergoing a phase of accelerated expansion, positioning it as a strong example of sustained tourism growth, and placing the country firmly on track to become the world’s leading T&T economy in the coming years if current trends continue. According to new 2026 Economic Impact Research (EIR) data from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), sponsored by Chase Travel, Lead Research Partner, China is emerging not only as the standout performer in Asia-Pacific, but also as a leader for how to coordinated policy, innovation, and long-term investment in infrastructure can drive high-impact tourism growth at scale.

Bob W, the award-winning AI – and tech-powered hospitality operator, has announced plans to open a new 136-unit aparthotel in Stuttgart’s historic Bad Cannstatt district, bringing its signature blend of technology, design and local storytelling to one of Germany’s most significant cultural neighbourhoods. Scheduled to open in 2027, the new property will occupy a site spanning more than 3,000 square metres and is built on the location of a former World War II bunker. The development will feature 136 smart apartments across five floors, alongside a communal kitchen and lounge, co-working space, laundry facilities and a 550-square-metre fitness area.

In an industry where competition is relentless and destinations are ever-evolving, excellence rarely stands still. It adapts, refines, and—on rare occasions—redefines the rules entirely. Asia DMC is one of those rare forces. In 2026, the company once again finds itself nominated for Asia’s Leading Destination Management Company at the World Travel Awards. Another year, another nomination—and yet the story here is not repetition. It is reinvention. Because in a crowded field of global operators, Asia DMC has become something else entirely: the benchmark others quietly measure themselves against.

European travel demand to the United States is evolving as European travelers are approaching long-haul trips to U.S. destinations with greater selectivity, shorter planning windows, and a stronger appetite for diverse, authentic experiences that extend beyond iconic urban centers. This is the key takeaway from The Evolution of European Demand to the U.S.: Understanding Shifting Travel Patterns, a white paper developed by The Data Appeal Company / Almaviva Group, in collaboration with Phocuswright, aimed at sparking analysis and discussion ahead of Phocuswright Europe 2026, to be held June 15–17 in Barcelona. “As the industry convenes in Barcelona this June for Phocuswright Europe, the timing could not be more relevant: the decisions […]

There are places you go to escape. And then there are places designed to recalibrate you entirely. Perched above the glistening Mediterranean in Alicante’s Sierra Helada Natural Park, SHA Spain is not your typical wellness retreat—it is a destination that speaks fluently in the language of longevity, merging science with serenity in a way that feels both cutting-edge and curiously timeless. As the global wellness industry becomes increasingly sophisticated, SHA remains its quiet overachiever—an institution that has long blurred the lines between medical clinic, holistic spa, and luxury retreat. That distinction has not gone unnoticed: in 2026, SHA Spain has been nominated across multiple categories at the World Spa Awards, including […]

There are places that invite you to visit, and then there are those that seem to exist entirely outside of time—destinations that feel dreamt rather than built. Hoi An Memories Resort & Spa is unapologetically the latter. Set on its own tranquil island embraced by the Thu Bon River, the resort unfolds like a private world within a world, surrounded by the poetic charm of Hoi An’s UNESCO-listed old town—where ochre facades glow beneath silk lanterns and history hums in every cobbled lane. From the moment you cross the water and step onto the island, there’s a subtle but profound shift. The noise of modern life dissolves into the soft choreography of rustling palms, the scent of frangipani, and the distant rhythm of oars slicing […]

As the global travel industry races to understand the implications of artificial intelligence, a gathering of industry leaders in Shanghai and Hangzhou offered a compelling glimpse into what the next era of travel may look like. Hosted by Alibaba Group and Fliggy, a three-day Europe-China executive dialogue brought together 75 senior leaders from 17 countries to explore how AI, digital commerce and connected consumer ecosystems are reshaping the traveller journey. The programme, held during the week of ITB China, featured 27 speakers and contributors spanning tourism, technology, government, investment and media.

The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) invites governments, development banks, tourism authorities, regional institutions and private sector leaders to adopt a new, broader framework for evaluating tourism’s contribution to the Caribbean. The proposed approach looks past visitor spending alone to measure three things that shape the region’s future: the economic value retained within Caribbean economies, the investment tourism makes in Caribbean people, and the industry’s impact on the natural environment.

In the misty uplands of Southwest China, Anantara Guiyang Resort’s wine insider Jason is engaged in a delicate tightrope act. In a region where the fiery Moutai liquor has dominated social functions for millennia, his mission is to show how tradition can open itself to new expressions – in this case, through wine. As Anantara Hotels & Resorts marks its 25th anniversary with the ‘People Who Inspire’ series, Jason captures the brand’s stewardship of authentic local experiences and the confident rise of China’s wine culture.

Qantas’ Project Sunrise Airbus A350-1000ULR has completed its maiden test flight, marking a significant milestone ahead of the launch of commercial flights that will connect Australia’s east coast to London and New York, non-stop, for the first time ever. Operated by two Airbus Flight Test Pilots, three Flight Test Engineers and one Ground Test Engineer, Qantas’ ultra long range A350 took off for the first time from Toulouse yesterday afternoon local time and flew for three hours 43 minutes over France and the French Atlantic Coast.

Valiant Lady has returned to service following a two-week dry dock, with a series of onboard updates including new dining, refreshed venues and more than 20 new Happenings events (onboard programming). The ship is sailing in the Mediterranean this summer before repositioning to San Juan in the autumn. Updates include the launch of Ariya by Razzle Dazzle, a new modern Indian restaurant, as well as redesigned spaces across The Athletic Club, The Roundabout, Grounds Club Too, The Manor, On the Rocks, The Dock and retail areas. All 1,300+ crew have also completed a “Virgin Way” culture booster as part of the ship’s return to service

Hilton’s Lifestyle portfolio continues to expand globally, with Curio Collection by Hilton and Tapestry Collection by Hilton surpassing 200 open hotels each. This momentum reflects sustained growth as travelers increasingly seek locally grounded, experience-led stays, a demand underscored by Hilton’s 2026 Trends Report, which found that 86% of travelers value experiences over material gifts.

Lufthansa is focusing more than ever on premium service: Following the introduction of the new in-flight service on all long-haul flights in early May, the number of destinations where passengers can experience the new Allegris cabin will increase significantly starting this coming winter. The new cabin interior was introduced in 2024 and offers passengers in all classes an exclusive and personalized experience with innovative seating concepts, high-quality materials, and state-of-the-art technology.

Millennium Hotels and Resorts (MHR), an international hospitality group with over 145 hotels across key gateway cities worldwide, announced today the June 1, 2026, reopening of Millennium Premier Hotel New York Times Square following a complete renovation of its 124 guest rooms and public spaces.