Virgin Atlantic has been announced as the Official Airline Partner of Team GB and ParalympicsGB for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, with Virgin Atlantic Holidays as the Official Holiday Partner. With LA28 two years away, the journey starts today. Virgin Atlantic founder Sir Richard Branson joined athletes Jake Jarman and Kadeena Cox and cabin crew at London Heathrow to declare check in for LA28 officially open.

Emirates is elevating the award-winning Premium Economy experience even further with the launch of the world’s first electrically powered Premium Economy seat, featuring a full-height adjustable privacy screen between every seat. Debuting on newly received Airbus A350 aircraft, the new seat combines industry-leading innovation with elevated comfort, giving customers greater control over their personal space.

Vincent Miccolis is a seasoned hospitality executive with more than 25 years of international industry experience and currently serves as Managing Director, Middle East, Africa & Türkiye at The Ascott Limited, one of the world’s leading international lodging operators. BTN caught up with him to find out the changes taking place in hospitality today!

Saracens is delighted to announce a new partnership with the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA), welcoming the Caribbean destination as the rugby club’s Official Destination Partner ahead of the 2026/27 season. The partnership will connect Saint Lucia with Saracens’ UK and international supporters, showcase the island’s culture, landscapes and experiences, and mark its first partnership with a rugby club as it expands its sports tourism strategy.

The season’s growth is arriving with high-season booking behaviour attached: 42% of luxury clients now book further ahead, and sales one to two years out are up 50%. Autumn has inherited high summer’s demand — and, more consequentially for the trade, its booking behaviour.

Hilton today announced the appointment of Kolin Pound as Area President, Caribbean and Latin America (CALA). In this role, Pound will oversee Hilton’s operations across the region, leading hotel teams and partnering with owners and key stakeholders to drive performance, strengthen Hilton’s culture and support the company’s continued growth. He joins from Ares Management, bringing extensive hospitality, real estate and investment experience across the Caribbean and Latin America. His appointment is effective August 24, 2026, and he will report to Danny Hughes, president, Americas, Hilton,

This autumn, W Costa Navarino invites travellers to rethink what it means to truly recharge, with an escape that brings together movement, time in nature and considered recovery against the landscapes of Messinia in Greece’s southwest Peloponnese.

As Asia’s World City, Hong Kong seamlessly pairs a high-paced urban centre, famed for its globally acclaimed bars and Michelin-standard dining, with serene coastal escapes, rugged mountain trails, and a tapestry of distinct neighbourhoods and outlying islands, each offering a unique sense of discovery. On the back of sustained growth from the UK market, Hong Kong is launching a fresh strategy encouraging travellers to not just visit but stay longer and venture further to discover just how much can be found “Only in Hong Kong”.

Psychic fairs are more than gatherings of mystics and seekers; they are hubs of community, recovery, and self-discovery. With its mix of natural beauty and spiritual interest, North County has become a sought-after travel destination for those interested in exploring their inner selves and the unseen dimensions of life. These events attract travelers and visitors of all backgrounds who are looking for answers or clarity or who want to come together with others who share their interest in the metaphysical world.

Virgin Voyages has launched a new campaign offering Sailors (guests) an instant saving of up to £750, plus 70% off the second Sailor. Available on new bookings made from September 1 to November 2, 2026, the offer applies across all voyages on the adults-only cruise line’s four Lady Ships: Scarlet Lady, Resilient Lady, Valiant Lady and Brilliant Lady.

Intrepid Travel, the world’s largest adventure travel company, is celebrating National Travel Agent Day with a month of agent giveaways and rewards, including trips to Morocco, discounts, and vouchers worth up to £1,000. Founded by Intrepid during the pandemic in 2020, National Travel Agent Day was created to recognise the vital role travel agents play in the industry. Six years on, Intrepid believes it’s as important as ever to recognise the trade. In 2026, National Travel Agent Day falls on 4 September 2026 with rewards and incentives available until the end of the month.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises®, the world’s leading ultra-luxury cruise line, has unveiled its largest-ever wellness offering aboard Seven Seas Prestige™, the line’s first new ship class in a decade, featuring the fleet’s largest Serene Spa & Wellness® space, Regent’s first-ever salt room, first-ever in-suite gym and an expanded menu of longevity-focused treatments when the ship debuts in December 2026.

ITC has unveiled a strategic evolution to bring together its luxury expertise under one elevated luxury proposition amid a brand refresh.  Effective from, 2nd September 2026, the evolution will see Inspiring Travel and Spectate come together under the ITC brand, alongside the introduction of ITC Elite which combines the expertise of Elite Travel Concierge and ITC Private Clients to form an even stronger ultra-high-net-worth proposition for clients, partners and suppliers alike.

Mews, the operating system for hospitality, today launched Mews POS in the United States and Canada. North American hotels can now run their property management, food and beverage operations and payments on one system – every order, charge and guest interaction connects automatically. Introduced in 2024, Mews POS is already live in more than 20 countries across Europe and APAC. The North America launch supports Mews’ broader strategy to give hoteliers one system that covers the full scope of hotel operations, rather than a collection of disconnected tools.

One year after launching its Wellbeing Collection, Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) welcomes seven new members, bringing the carefully curated portfolio to 21 independently spirited hotels across the globe. Spanning the mountains of India and Italy, the forests of Finland and Transylvania, and the tropical landscapes of Bali and Panama, the latest additions broaden a collection created for travellers seeking deeper, more meaningful ways to rest and reconnect.

HBX Group (HBX.SM), a leading B2B travel technology marketplace, and Vorsee (by ZYTLYN Technologies AG), the Swiss travel AI company behind the ActionOS platform, today announced a strategic partnership to bring Vorsee’s predictive travel intelligence and agentic AI capabilities to HBX Group’s hotel partners.

The handsome region of Cognac is close to Bordeaux in south-west France, boasting a rich gastronomic and cultural heritage – and it knows how to craft an experience you won’t forget. From intimate cellar tours to entertaining vineyard safaris, there are many creative ways to explore the Charentes region with its towns, countryside and islands. All the experiences mean meeting and sharing, learning local knowledge from passionate artisans and tasting the produce that makes this terroir unique.

His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, president of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, will deliver the keynote address at the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) 2026, placing the future of Caribbean tourism within the wider regional conversation on economic transformation, resilience, innovation and inclusive growth.

Air Canada today announced an increase in daily flights between London Heathrow and Toronto, increasing the airline’s most distinctive transatlantic offering as part of its Summer 2027 international schedule. From 1 June, Air Canada will increase frequency on the London Heathrow – Toronto route with up to 33 weekly flights, giving UK customers more choice of departure times in both directions. The additional frequency includes the return of the Daytripper from Toronto to London Heathrow, allowing UK travellers making a short trip to Toronto to avoid an extra overnight stay and return to London the same evening.

Virgin Atlantic has today announced the appointment of Richard McCord as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), who will join the travel company and its Executive Leadership Team from 5 October 2026. Richard will lead the Finance team as the airline strengthens its financial foundations to deliver profitable growth, continues to invest in its premium customer experience, and evolves its future strategy. As CFO, he will have overall accountability for Finance, Treasury, Procurement and Fleet, Insurance, and Internal Audit, while he will become a member of the Virgin Atlantic Board.