As travel becomes increasingly experience-led, travellers around the world are looking beyond the traditional holiday to seek out events and experiences that give them a compelling reason to visit a destination. From major sporting competitions and music festivals to cultural celebrations, seaside activities, arts events and city-wide festivals, these experiences offer the opportunity to connect with a destination in a more meaningful way, turning a trip into a collection of memorable moments and stories.

Runners Mauro Martín Quimare, Jennifer Yáñez Cruz and Reyes Giltro Satevo Sarabeachi will represent Mexico at the UTMB World Series Finals, the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB), which will take place from 24 to 30 August in Chamonix, France, and run through the Alps across France, Switzerland and Italy.

Among the inaugural experiences is Italy: The Grand Italia Rally, a six-night classic-car expedition inspired by The Luxury Collection’s participation in the 2026 edition of the legendary 1000 Miglia. While attending the race, The Luxury Collection discovered that the 1000 Miglia is far more than a motoring event. It is a celebration of Italian craftsmanship, design, hospitality, culture, and the spirit of exploration which mirrors The Luxury Collection’s approach to travel.

YTL Hotels, spanning 35 five-star properties around the world – each with their own distinctive design, character and sense of place – is delighted to unveil its key news for the 2026-2027 season across its premium resorts in Malaysia. From a new spa package combining bucket-list wildlife activities with holistic healing to an extraordinary opera event on a private island and a new all-inclusive offer, YTL Hotels provides treasured moments for travellers of all tastes.

Red Sea Global (RSG), the regenerative tourism developer, has announced the opening of Rosewood AMAALA, a luxury resort located at Triple Bay on Saudi Arabia’s northwestern Red Sea coast. The opening marks another milestone in the company’s strategy to establish AMAALA as the Kingdom’s flagship wellness destination. Inspired by the natural beauty of the Red Sea and the mountains of Tabuk, the low-density resort has been designed by Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel (ACPV) to sit gently within the landscape. It blends contemporary Arabian design with restorative wellbeing experiences rooted in nature, culture and a strong sense of place.

Britain’s best-known city-break destinations may attract millions of visitors, but some of their most rewarding experiences are still hiding in plain sight. Hotel managers in Edinburgh, Cambridge and Bath have revealed the viewpoints, neighbourhoods, walks and historic places they believe visitors too often miss.

Celebrity Cruises has launched its new Mini Wave campaign today, giving travellers the chance to save up to 35% off the cruise fare for the first and second guest, on top of additional savings – plus agents can earn triple Celebrity Rewards on every sailing booked.

Maybourne, operator of some of the world’s most storied and extraordinary hotels, is delighted to welcome José Silva as Chairman. Widely regarded as one of luxury hospitality’s most accomplished leaders, Silva has been appointed to help lead Maybourne’s next phase of global growth while preserving the exceptional standards of service, design and guest experience that define its hotels. With more than four decades of industry experience spanning Europe, North America and the Middle East, Silva has built a distinguished career leading some of the world’s most prestigious hospitality brands. Silva joins Maybourne following a highly successful tenure as Chief Executive Officer of Jumeirah Group, where he led the transformation of the […]

Hotel de France, one of Jersey’s leading luxury hotels, has launched The Wellness Reset, a new holistic programme designed to give guests the time and space to reconnect with themselves through a combination of movement, mindful practices, Ayurvedic treatments and restorative experiences.

Travellers looking for a last-minute summer getaway can fly direct from London Gatwick to Tobago from £508 return this August, putting an affordable Caribbean break within easy reach. With uncrowded beaches, vibrant communities and one of the Caribbean’s most remarkable rainforests, Tobago offers the space and freedom for a spontaneous escape beyond the ordinary.

Leading Australia and New Zealand escorted tour operator, AAT Kings, has launched its 2027/28 season itineraries. The new programme features 10 new tours, the majority of which are seven-days or less, highlighting flexibility and value of guided touring for travellers looking to complement their broader Australia or New Zealand itinerary. Early bookings made before 30 September 2026 can save up to £650 per person or £1,300 per couple, based on March 2028 departures of the 22-day Highlights of Australia and New Zealand tour.

MICE Show Asia 2026 will return from 21 – 23 October 2026 at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre, Singapore, bringing together destinations, venues, MICE suppliers, meeting planners, corporate travel professionals and buyers to build partnerships and explore business opportunities across Asia Pacific. The expansion reflects continued demand for business events opportunities across the region, as buyers and suppliers navigate changing expectations around destinations, event experiences, flexibility, technology, sustainability and the growing importance of measurable business and experiential value.

Luxury travel specialist Travellers’ Tales has announced an exclusive partnership with Tagomago Private Island, allowing clients to experience one of the Mediterranean’s most remarkable private retreats through its bespoke travel planning service. Just 900 metres from Ibiza’s north-east coast, Tagomago is one of the very few privately owned islands in the Mediterranean available for exclusive use. Spanning 148 acres of protected Balearic wilderness, the island is home to a single luxury villa, ensuring complete privacy for one group at a time. With no neighbouring villas, no hotel guests and no public access, Tagomago offers a level of privacy and tranquillity rarely found in Europe.

Following the success of her 2025 freediving retreat at Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort, eleven-time freediving world-record holder and ocean conservationist Hanli Prinsloo will return to Baa Atoll this September with an expanded programme across two Minor Hotels resorts. Hanli will begin with a Family Freediving Retreat at Avani+ Fares Maldives from 7 to 10 September before continuing to NH Collection Maldives Reethi for Into the Blue, a four-night retreat running from 14 to 18 September. Together, the two experiences offer different ways to explore the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, from a playful introduction for families to a more immersive programme for beginners and experienced freedivers aged 16 and above.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises®, the world’s leading ultra-luxury cruise line, reveals details of a breathtaking new crystal light installation that will debut aboard Seven Seas Prestige™ when she launches in December 2026. The installation serves as both an artistic marvel and a luminous symbol of the legacy beginning with Regent’s first new ship class in a decade.  A beautiful behind-the-scenes video has been created detailing the craftsmanship that has gone into creating this one-of-a-kind feature.

Most student competitions end with a certificate and a group photo. The Future Traveler Global Challenge, launched today by Dida, the AI-first travel technology group, and Tsinghua x-lab, is designed differently. The strongest solutions will be tested inside Dida’s live operations, with the best having a pathway into production. The challenge is the first global initiative under the five-year strategic partnership signed by Dida and Tsinghua x-lab in April.

In communities across different regions of Brazil, tourism supports small businesses, creates jobs and income, and helps keep alive the knowledge, celebrations and production methods passed down through generations. Seven destinations that represent this reality are competing in the Best Tourism Villages 2026 initiative, organised by UN Tourism, alongside 268 other candidates from around the world. Araçá, in Santa Catarina; Conceição de Ibitipoca and Delfinópolis, in Minas Gerais; Holambra and São José do Barreiro, in São Paulo; Lençóis, in Bahia; and Vila Flores, in Rio Grande do Sul, make up this year’s Brazilian selection. The results will be announced in December during a ceremony in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

San Diego is welcoming autumn 2026 with a host of new openings, major festivals and family-friendly experiences, making it an ideal time for UK travellers to discover Southern California’s laid-back coastal lifestyle. From the arrival of internationally acclaimed restaurant Zuma and exciting new museum exhibitions to seasonal celebrations and significant hotel investments, the destination continues to expand its visitor offering. Families planning an October escape can also take advantage of the return of the popular Kids Free San Diego programme, while food lovers, culture seekers and outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty of new reasons to explore the region throughout the season.

As Indian destination weddings increasingly evolve into multi-day celebrations centred around experiences, Sarova Hotels & Resorts is strengthening its offering for the Indian market, bringing together beachfront celebrations, personalised hospitality and Kenya’s diverse leisure and safari experiences. With a portfolio spanning city hotels, beach resorts, and safari lodges, Sarova offers Indian couples the flexibility to combine their wedding celebrations with a wider Kenyan holiday. The proposition allows families and guests to experience the destination together, from the Indian Ocean coastline and cultural attractions to Kenya’s renowned wildlife destinations.

Autumn in the mountains is a season waiting to be rediscovered: colours change, landscapes are transformed and the pace of life slows down. From September 13 to October 4, Alta Badia invites visitors to experience this special time of year through “Munts dl altonn – From the valley to the peaks”, a series of authentic experiences designed to explore the mountains in a mindful, immersive and sensory way.