VIVA Cruises has confirmed that its Douro river ship has been renamed VIVA MIRANTE. The 120-guest ship, which entered service in 2024 as Porto Mirante, will adopt the new name with immediate effect. The change comes ahead of the vessel’s first full season operating exclusively for VIVA Cruises, when it will offer 32 departures on the Douro, from March to November, 2027.

Air India hosted an exclusive evening in London with the Hon’ble Minister of Tourism and Culture, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, bringing together leading travel trade partners from across the United Kingdom on the sidelines of World Travel Market (WTM) London. The event provided a platform for meaningful discussions on strengthening inbound tourism to India, unlocking growth opportunities across key international markets, and showcasing the country’s rich and diverse tourism offerings to global travellers.

Broadcasters Julia Bradbury and Kate Humble urged tour operators at WTM London to think carefully about how they target different audiences and the language needed to woo the right customers. Speaking yesterday during sessions on the Wanderlust Stage, they both extolled the virtues of the great outdoors and getting off the beaten track – especially if it encourages travellers to put down their phones and fully experience destinations.

Visit Qatar announced the launch of Stopover Your Way (Enjoy Two Nights on Us) at World Travel Market (WTM) London, offering eligible UK travellers two nights’ accommodation at participating four-star hotels across Qatar. Developed in partnership with Qatar Airways and Discover Qatar, the promotion encourages travellers to turn their journey into an opportunity to discover all that Qatar has to offer, from its rich cultural heritage to its beaches, desert adventures, museums and vibrant culinary scene. There are a number of participating four-star hotels, and customers have flexible options to upgrade or extend their stay.

InteleTravel has joined the Institute of Travel & Tourism (ITT) as a corporate member, with the partnership finalised at World Travel Market (WTM) London 2026. The membership creates further opportunities for InteleTravel’s advisors to develop their industry knowledge and education, expand their professional networks and connect with senior leaders across the travel sector. Through partnership, InteleTravel advisors will have opportunities to attend ITT events, connecting with industry partners and peers while increasing their knowledge of the wider travel industry. With ITT expanding its regional events, the partnership will reach advisors around the country.

FHS Living, Europe’s investment forum for the living sector, has confirmed the first speakers for its Paris edition, taking place at Pullman Paris Montparnasse on 23–24 February 2027. FHS Living is part of Future Hospitality Summit (FHS), the investment series organised by The Bench, which has run hospitality investment forums for more than two decades. FHS also runs FHS World in Dubai, now in its 22nd edition, as well as FHS Saudi Arabia, FHS Africa and FHS Egypt. Senior leaders from real estate investment, development and operations are among the first names confirmed for Paris, with more speakers to be announced in the coming weeks.

Mandarin Oriental today launches MO•RE, a new sustainability platform and manifesto designed to challenge the conventions of luxury hospitality and place resilience, connection and regeneration at the centre of how the Group grows, operates and creates exceptional experiences. Over the past fifteen years, the Group has made significant progress towards its 2030 targets, including a 30% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions and more than 80,000 hours contributed by colleagues through volunteering.

There are few Mediterranean destinations that capture the imagination quite like Sardinia. An island of extraordinary natural beauty, where impossibly blue waters meet rugged coastlines, secluded beaches give way to fragrant Mediterranean landscapes, and a rich cultural heritage provides an enduring sense of place. It is here, against one of Europe’s most captivating backdrops, that Delphina Hotels & Resorts has created a hospitality collection that is increasingly making its mark on the international stage. Following an outstanding evening at this year’s World Travel Awards European Gala Ceremony, the Sardinian hospitality group has even more reason to celebrate, collecting five prestigious awards that recognise its commitment to […]

There is something wonderfully timeless about a family holiday in Italy. Long, sun-drenched days by the Mediterranean, children racing towards the swimming pool, the smell of freshly prepared Italian food drifting across a terrace and evenings filled with laughter, entertainment and the simple pleasure of spending time together. It is a holiday formula that generations have enjoyed, but one Italian hospitality group has made it something of a speciality. Bluserena Hotels & Resorts, named Italy’s Leading Family Resort Brand 2026 at the World Travel Awards European Gala Ceremony, has built its reputation around understanding precisely what families want from their time away. Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2026, the company has […]

There are few places in Greece that capture the imagination quite like Chania. On Crete’s enchanting north-west coast, this historic harbour city is a captivating mix of Venetian architecture, narrow cobbled streets, colourful waterfront tavernas and the unmistakable warmth of traditional Greek hospitality. It is also home to a hotel that is making its own impression on the island’s luxury hospitality scene. The Chania Hotel Crete, Vignette Collection by IHG, has been named Greece’s Leading City Hotel 2026 at the World Travel Awards European Gala Ceremony, retaining an accolade that reflects its growing reputation as one of the country’s most distinctive boutique city hotels.

On an island celebrated for its dramatic volcanic landscapes, beautiful coastline and distinctive Korean culture, Jeju Shinhwa World Marriott Resort offers something rather special for companies looking to take their events beyond the conventional conference hotel. Combining international five-star hospitality with an impressive collection of meeting facilities, leisure attractions and opportunities for memorable experiences, it makes a compelling case for choosing Jeju Island as the setting for an incentive programme, corporate gathering or international business event.

MPs and Members of the House of Lords have launched a new All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) dedicated to the UK cruise industry. The group will focus on growing the benefits of cruise across the UK, supporting jobs, businesses and communities, while exploring how policy can strengthen the UK’s competitiveness in the international cruise industry, from skills and decarbonisation to tourism and regional growth.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises®, the world’s leading ultra-luxury cruise line, has unveiled the entertainment programme for Seven Seas Prestige™, Regent’s first new ship class in a decade. Conceived as an integral part of the journey, the programme debuts with six original productions and Regent’s most expansive live music offering yet, including the line’s first onboard DJ, jazz duo and string duo. Two fresh concepts complete the programme: The Broadway Experience, arriving aboard Seven Seas Prestige on January 20, 2027, with recent and current Broadway and West End talent, and Luminaries at Sea, a fleetwide speaker series.

Escorted tour operator Travelsphere has launched a new travel agent incentive running until November 30. Every new booking made up to the end of the month will go into a prize draw to win a £500 Christmas shopping voucher of the winner’s choice.

Strengthening Tourism for a Resilient and Regenerative Future was the theme of the 20th anniversary WTM Ministers’ Summit, held on day two of World Travel Market, London 2026, part of RX Global. The summit, held in association with UN Tourism and the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is one of the largest annual gatherings of tourism ministers, with 50 present for this year.

Listening and liaising with customers, communities and industry partners was a key theme debated across the stages during the second day of WTM London, part of RX Global. Speakers on the accessibility panel on the Wanderlust Stage urged the travel industry to listen more and give disabled travellers better information to help them make travel decisions.

Bangladesh has officially launched a global partnership campaign to celebrate the centenary of its iconic Paddle Steamer PS Mahsud, which will complete 100 years in 2028. The campaign, titled “100 Years • 100 Global Partners,” was formally unveiled on 03 November,2026 by Ambassador Muhammad Abdul Muhith, High Commissioner of Bangladesh to the United Kingdom, at the Bangladesh Tourism Board Pavilion during the World Travel Market (WTM) London 2026 at ExCeL London.

More than 800 primary school students in Cape Town enjoyed a day of rugby, learning and creativity as Emirates, European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) and the Kolisi Foundation brought the Emirates Nourishment Programme to life at a local school. Joined by DHL Stormers players, Kolisi Foundation founder Siya Kolisi, Emirates Cabin Crew and team members from South Africa and Dubai, and EPCR representatives, the partners showed how good nutrition, education and the power of sport can help children build confidence and realise their potential.

Modern hospitality extends far beyond guest comfort and dining. Behind every stay lies operational decisions that dictate how water and energy are conserved, how waste is handled, and how local communities are supported. For Hospitality Management Holding (HMH), these practical choices define responsible hotel management.

Elevate World, a leading UAE-based global travel and tourism group, is expanding its ancillary product offering through its GoElevate brand, adding a wider portfolio of activities, attraction tickets, event and concert tickets, experiences and airport transfers as it takes its offering beyond accommodation. These products, previously available only through the Elevate DMC brand, are now open to a wider audience through GoElevate, the group’s online distribution platform. To support the expansion, Elevate World is investing in technology that sources the right ancillary products for each destination and matches them to the needs of its demand partners, using the latest AI technologies through Yara AI. Announced at World Travel Market […]