Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UAE Wrestling Federation to become the Federation’s Official Airline and Strategic Partner, strengthening its commitment to supporting sport, athletes and communities across the Emirates.

Etihad Guest, the award-winning loyalty programme of Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the UAE, signs a new partnership agreement at Arabian Travel Market with Maldivian, the national airline of the Maldives. Etihad Guest members will soon be able to redeem Etihad Guest Miles for flights across Maldivian’s network, giving them a new way to reach the Maldives’ outer islands and regional destinations beyond Malé. The partnership will extend the value of Etihad Guest Miles for travellers heading to the Maldives, whether continuing on from Abu Dhabi or connecting onward once in-country.

For Oktoberfest 2026, the crews of the traditional flights will be dressed in a new look for the Octoberfest season. The collection was designed by Lower Bavarian traditional fashion manufacturer Spieth & Wensky and combines Bavarian tradition with elements of Lufthansa’s design for the first time: the crane from the brand logo, for instance, adorns the buttons of the ladies’ and men’s knitwear. The characteristic “Wing Pattern” — a special Lufthansa design — has been rewoven into the skirt and waistcoat.

Emirates is once again celebrating Oktoberfest this year with a seasonal culinary offering on flights between Dubai and Munich, Frankfurt, Düsseldorf and Hamburg, as well as in the Emirates Lounges at the four German airports. From now until the 4 October, customers across all cabin classes can enjoy a selection of Bavarian-inspired dishes. The seasonal offering is complemented by snacks in the A380 Onboard Lounge, an Oktoberfest movie snack in First Class as well as special food and beverage options in the Emirates Lounges in Germany. Oktoberfest specialties across all cabin classes

British Airways is expanding its network with the addition of two new destinations in Tanzania – Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar. Launching in May 2027, these two new routes will offer customers easy access to explore this fascinating East African country, home to bucket list travel experiences including the Great Migration, Africa’s highest mountain, pristine beaches and world-class diving.

Scenic Group has announced a strategic partnership with Assam Bengal Navigation (ABN), marking its expansion onto the Brahmaputra River and a commitment to have two ultra-luxury Scenic river ships operating in India by 2029–30. The long-term agreement marks a significant next step in Scenic Group’s expansion within the India market and will bring together ABN’s more than two decades of experience, operating river cruises on the Brahmaputra and Ganges. This will align closely with Scenic’s global expertise in all-inclusive ultra-luxury cruising, international operations and unique immersive experiences, that connect guests with the unique destinations they visit.

Located within 160 acres of private polo fields and surrounded by lush greenery, Meliá Desert Palm offers a serene retreat just twenty minutes from Downtown Dubai. Combining boutique luxury with a tranquil countryside setting, the resort provides a welcome escape from the city, where expansive grounds, wellness experiences and relaxed dining come together to encourage guests to slow down and reconnect. From 23 September, Meliá Desert Palm introduces a new Daycation experience, inviting guests to indulge in a restorative wellness and dining journey for AED 549 per person. Designed to rejuvenate both body and mind, the experience begins at SAMĀNA Spa with a one-hour Restorative Relaxing Massage. Using gentle flowing techniques and […]

New developer toolkit lets any travel brand stand up a live, bookable experiences storefront in days rather than quarters, permanently removing the engineering-roadmap blocker that has kept the £300bn experiences opportunity out of reach for much of the industry.

Following its first anniversary on 3 September 2026, Suan Dusit Arun – the 11,200 sq m public rooftop park at Dusit Central Park in the heart of Bangkok – has released its first set of visitor, community, and environmental performance data. The figures demonstrate strong public demand for accessible green space in the Thai capital, with an average of 2,621 unique daily visitors during the 12-month reporting period.

The Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) will lead Saudi’s participation at Monaco Yacht Show 2026, showcasing the Saudi Red Sea diverse destinations, experiences and opportunities emerging along Saudi’s western coastline. Representing an expansive coastline spanning multiple destinations, Saudi Red Sea brings together a diverse portfolio of coastal destinations and experiences, including AMAALA, The Red Sea, and Jeddah. Together, these destinations offer a distinctive proposition for the global yachting community, combining pristine waters, secluded islands, marine experiences, luxury resorts and exceptional hospitality.

Rotana, one of the leading hotel management companies in the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe and Türkiye, has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with dnata Travel Group, which represents the travel division of dnata, one of the world’s largest air and travel services providers.Signed during Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026 in Dubai, the agreement will increase access to Rotana’s portfolio through dnata Travel Group’s travel brands and partner channels across leisure, wholesale, corporate and group travel.

This World Rhino Day, Anantara Stanley & Livingstone Hotel, set in the lush Victoria Falls Private Game Reserve in Zimbabwe, is celebrating a historic conservation achievement: the arrival of the first white rhinos, in addition to the black rhinos in the reserve. Now home to both species, the reserve stands as one of the only places in Victoria Falls where guests can experience this in the wild. This achievement highlights the success of the reserve’s Intensive Protection Zone (IPZ), established in 2006, which provides a secure and thriving environment for these critical populations.

World Spa Awards has announced its 2026 winners, celebrating excellence across the global spa and wellness industry. Now in its twelfth year, the awards programme recognises the outstanding spas, wellness retreats, brands and experiences setting the benchmark for excellence in a rapidly evolving sector.

An immersive virtual tour of Etihad Airways’ Arabian Travel Market 2026 stand offers a closer look at the aircraft cabins, lounge concepts and new products shaping the Abu Dhabi carrier’s next phase of growth.

For GCC travellers who want more from a Maldives holiday than the traditional fly-and-flop escape, CROSSROADS Maldives is putting dining, socialising and entertainment at the heart of the island experience. On 24 September, the destination will welcome SunRay Maldives, a new oceanfront social and swim club bringing together laid-back daytime gatherings, playful programming and sunset socialising. Its arrival adds another dimension to The Marina @ CROSSROADS, where 12 restaurants and bars, live entertainment, shopping, wellness and activities connect three resorts within one destination. CROSSROADS Maldives is the proud host of the Asia, Oceania & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony of the World Travel Awards on the 27th of this month.

InteleTravel, the world’s oldest and largest host travel agency with a growing network of more than 170,000 independent travel advisors worldwide, will bring together 500 advisors, partners and industry leaders in Krakow, Poland, for its largest and most comprehensive annual conference. ITQ (InteleTravelQuest) 2026, will run under this year’s theme ‘Xcelerate Your Success’. Taking place from 25th – 27th September, ITQ 2026 will deliver an intensive programme focused on empowering advisors to think like CEOs, strengthen their entrepreneurial mindset, improve sales performance, maximise social media engagement, understand the growing importance of accessible travel and continue delivering exceptional customer service.

As anticipation builds for one of the world’s most glamorous sporting and social events, Explora Journeys has today opened reservations for suite-only stays and suites with 3-day Grandstand access aboard EXPLORA I for the FORMULA 1® GRAND PRIX DE MONACO 2027. Suites with 3-day Paddock Club™ hospitality will also be released soon, offering guests an additional opportunity to experience the race weekend with access to gourmet dining, pit lane walks and appearances by Formula 1 legends.

Silversea, the leading experiential luxury and expedition travel brand, has embarked on its Grand Voyage Mediterranean 2026 – a 50-day journey aboard Silver Spirit connecting Lisbon to Athens (Piraeus). Sailing through 7 November, the voyage spans 40 destinations, 12 countries, and 48 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, pairing iconic calls such as Istanbul, Dubrovnik, Casablanca, and Barcelona with lesser-travelled stops including Volos, Gythion, Kotor, and Amalfi.

The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) today announced that Bruce Poon Tip, founder of G Adventures and one of the travel industry’s most influential entrepreneurs, will deliver the keynote address at the 2026 Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF), taking place November 16-18 at the Wyndham Grand Barbados Sam Lord’s Castle All-Inclusive Resort.

Qantas today announced a collaboration with wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin, marking the occasion with a campaign image featuring an entire cabin full of the man himself. The campaign also features Robert and a Qantas cabin crew explaining to the world that “nah yeah” means yes and “yeah nah” means no, and discovering another Qantas cabin crew has had his artwork tattooed on their arm for years.