Virginia Messina, Group CEO of ATTA® said: “WTTC’s latest Economic Impact Research reinforces Africa as a major global player within travel and tourism, and one of the fastest growing regions following Asia and the Middle East. “International visitor spending to Africa was up by 5% in 2025 and the continent is outperforming mature markets like Europe (+1.3%) and North America (still below pre-pandemic levels). “According to the report, Travel & Tourism contributed a total of $211 billion to the region’s GDP in 2024, representing 7.8% of the African economy which was an increase of 9.8% compared to 2019. The sector also supported 27.9 million jobs across the continent, a share of 5.6% of total employment.

Jumeirah, a global leader in luxury hospitality and a member of Dubai Holding today announced the iconic Jumeirah Burj Al Arab is set to undergo a carefully phased and thoughtful restoration programme, designed to safeguard its legacy for generations to come.  With an odyssey of over twenty-five years of continuous operations, the conservation of the architectural masterpiece will see its distinctive interior décor enhanced with the same attention to detail as preserving a work of art. Since opening in 1999, Jumeirah Burj Al Arab has stood as an architectural and cultural icon of modern luxury, with its dhow sail silhouette shaping the identity of the skyline of Dubai. From its launch, it set new international standards, pioneering […]

Dubai launches a new program to help government employees use AI in daily tasks, focusing on practical skills rather than theory. Participants will gain hands-on experience with the latest AI technologies, including large language models, applicable across various industries. The initiative fits into Dubai’s broader vision of integrating AI into government services and operations, enhancing efficiency and user experience. The program aims to build employee confidence in using AI through structured training and real-world applications. This effort supports the UAE’s ambition to be a global AI hub by fostering growth in both public and private sectors.

Some 74 per cent of travellers say they want their trips to be personalised, and the results suggest that if modern retailing opportunities like room attributes are pitched strategically, they can deliver significant returns

Lighthouse, the AI commercial operating system for the travel and hospitality industry, today announced the launch of The Hotels Network app, the first direct booking app for hotels available inside ChatGPT. Powered by Lighthouseʼs Connect AI engine, the app gives hotels a direct presence in AI conversations for the first time. The app is available to hotels of every size worldwide on a flat fee subscription with zero booking commissions.

CapeTownMagazine.com (CTM) has launched its Secret Season Campaign – an open invitation to owner-run businesses, brands, and tourism bodies to come together around a shared opportunity: Rethinking how Cape Town and the Western Cape are experienced in winter. Secret Season positions winter as a secret season worth seeking out and leveraging through real connection.

The Africa Tourism Investment Conference (ATIC), held on 14 April 2026 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), stands as a defining moment for the African tourism industry. This one-day conference, produced in partnership with JLL Africa and an affiliate member of the United Nations Tourism Organization (UNWTO), brought together key stakeholders from across the continent. Investors, policymakers, tourism authorities, and leaders from the private sector gathered with a shared mission: to ignite high-level discussions about unlocking tourism investment opportunities across Africa.

Companies in Saudi Arabia and the UAE are treating supply-chain modernization as a long-term business priority rather than a temporary response to disruption. Recent reporting points to rising interest in artificial intelligence, automation, and real-time data tools as firms look for stronger logistics performance and better resilience.

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.

The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) today announced details for the Caribbean Travel Forum 2026, a reimagined working session designed to advance commercial alignment across the region’s hospitality and tourism industry. The Forum will take place on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Sandals Grande Antigua Resort & Spa in Antigua & Barbuda, immediately preceding the opening of the Caribbean Travel Marketplace.

One Planet Group, a closely held private equity firm that owns and operates a portfolio of technology and media businesses, today announced the upcoming launch of Quite Remarkable, a new travel and lifestyle company built to redefine the standards of modern luxury through technology, service, one-of-a kind properties, experiences and intentional design. The platform is slated for initial launch in Fall 2026.

TLC Jet, a leading private aviation charter provider renowned for providing the smartest way to fly private, today announced a partnership with American Airlines. This collaboration integrates American’s award-winning AAdvantage® program, enabling TLC Jet clients who are AAdvantage® members to earn AAdvantage® miles and Loyalty Points when flying private with TLC Jet. Customers who are not yet AAdvantage® members can join for free by visiting American’s website.

As the first leaves return to the vines, Charentes slips into one of its most appealing seasons. Spring remains something of an insider’s secret. Between April and June, this quietly compelling French destination near Bordeaux offers something increasingly rare: space, authenticity and the freedom to savour it at your own pace. The roads are quieter and the experiences – from tastings to tours – feel more personal. With seasonal direct flights from the UK to La Rochelle, just a 2h30 train ride from Paris, and straightforward rail connections between Angoulême, Saintes and Cognac itself, exploring the region is sustainable and effortless.

This summer, Gaylord Hotels invites guests to step into a season of spectacular experiences with the announcement of Super Hero Summer featuring DC and All-American SummerFest. From exclusive DC Super Hero activities to festive firework shows and water park celebrations, Gaylord Hotels delivers the ultimate summer destination for families and guests of all ages. Spanning coast to coast across six iconic resorts, Gaylord Hotels builds on its legacy of all‑under‑one‑roof immersive entertainment across its signature atriums, water parks and dining venues designed to create unforgettable moments together. To book rooms and buy activity tickets, visit www.gaylordhotels.com.

Vicuna Air, the in-cabin pet travel company redefining how pets fly, today announces the expansion of its North American network with new routes between New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. The launch gives more pet owners access to seamless domestic travel within the U.S., while also making it easier for travellers across North America to connect onwards to the company’s existing international services from New York to London and Paris.

A travel health kit is one of those things people tend to appreciate most when they actually need it. It is easy to focus on passports, chargers, and clothes, then assume you can sort out health basics later if anything comes up. But small problems feel much bigger when you are in transit, dealing with a language barrier, or trying to find the right pharmacy in a place you do not know well.

With the United States Semiquincentennial approaching on July 4, 2026, interest in historic sites and Revolutionary War–era destinations is building, with early booking trends pointing to increased demand—and growing concerns about overcrowding at iconic locations. Award-winning author and travel expert Jessica James has released a timely solution: The Patriot’s Journey: 250 Sites to Visit for America 250, a comprehensive travel guide designed to help visitors experience America’s founding story—without fighting the crowds.

Puerto Rico isn’t just a place to vacation; it’s an oasis for deeper connections with the natural world and with yourself. Discover Puerto Rico and their agency of record R&R Partners teamed up with Matador Network to present the island through the eyes of a local in a three-part series, “Puerto Rico: Mountains to Coast,” streaming now on Matador Network and Roku.

The Abaco Club, a 500-acre private club community on Great Abaco Island in The Bahamas, ushers in an exciting new era by unveiling a significant $350 million transformation, one of the largest private club investments in the Caribbean. Developed, owned and operated by Southworth, a family-owned leader in private clubs, this investment – the current phase of a ten-year investment plan – reflects a long-term commitment to elevating an already exceptional member experience while thoughtfully expanding the community through new amenities and residential offerings.

Marking a decade of redefining Caribbean luxury, Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa introduces “Come Celebrate Your 10 With Us,” a year-long celebration inviting guests, families and friends to commemorate their own milestones in one of the Caribbean’s most coveted beachfront destinations.