Dubai’s mid-market hotels maintained comparatively higher occupancy than those in the premium sector in H1 2026 as regional airspace disruption and heightened geopolitical uncertainty weighed on hotel demand, says leading real estate advisory and property consultancy, Cavendish Maxwell. Hotels in the Upper Midscale category secured the highest occupancy rates at nearly 66%, while Midscale properties recorded rates of almost 64%. By contrast, Luxury and Upper Upscale hotels and resorts averaged 51% and 52% respectively, according to Cavendish Maxwell’s Dubai Hospitality Sector H1 2026 Market Performance report.

PATA Travel Mart 2026 (PTM 2026) officially opened today in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia bringing together over 1,100 tourism delegates from 48 countries and destinations for one of Asia Pacific’s leading international business-to-business travel trade events. Hosted at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) from August 18-20, PTM 2026 marks the first time that PATA’s flagship travel trade event has been held in Sarawak. The event brings together 221 buyers, representing 215 companies, from 29 source markets and over 365 sellers representing over 200 organisations and destinations, creating opportunities for tourism businesses and destinations to connect with international markets and develop new partnerships.

VIVA Boutique – part of VIVA Cruises – has unveiled the shore excursion programme for its 2027 Italy programme. The operator will begin sailing on the Venetian Lagoon and the Po River in May on new ship VIVA UNIQUE, the second vessel in the VIVA Boutique brand.

voco Bonnington Dubai is proving that a proper break doesn’t need weeks of planning, a packed itinerary or even a flight. Tucked into Jumeirah Lake Towers, the hotel is positioning itself as the escape that’s ready whenever guests are, whether that’s a spur-of-the-moment staycation or an easy Friday night out.

TAP Air Portugal is set to connect Porto directly to the island of Sal in Cape Verde. From 25 October, Porto will have another intercontinental route operated by the airline, which already connects the city to New York, Boston, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Luanda and Praia, as well as London, Paris, Zurich, Geneva, Terceira and Funchal.

Ser Casasandra introduces Retiros del Ser, a new collection of intimate transformational retreats designed to guide guests on a journey of self-discovery, emotional healing and inner awareness. Taking place throughout September, October and November, the programme brings together internationally recognised facilitators, each offering a distinct methodology while sharing one common purpose: helping participants reconnect with their true nature.

Europcar Mobility Group UK has welcomed the government’s decision to bring forward the review of the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate. Gavin Morgan, Commercial Director at Europcar Mobility Group UK, said: “We welcome the government’s decision to bring forward the review of the ZEV mandate from 2027.

With experience-led travel on the rise, Aspen and Snowmass Village should be next on your travel list. Whether you’re chasing adrenaline, keen to uncover the area’s interesting history, or simply looking for different ways to experience the mountains, these towns offer no shortage of guided adventures throughout the summer months. From whitewater rapids and overnight backcountry hikes to Ice Age discoveries and sunset dinners, here’s ten of the best guided experiences this season.

A beach vacation can be more than beautiful. It can leave travellers with a deeper understanding of the people, traditions and natural environments that make a destination worth visiting in the first place. That desire is growing: according to Booking.com’s 2025 global research, nearly seven in 10 travelers (69%) want to leave the places they visit better than when they arrived. Across four resorts in Koh Samui, Khao Lak, Phi Phi Island and Phuket, OUTRIGGER brings that intention to life through locally shaped experiences centered on ocean health, cultural connection and the well-being of beach communities.

China Eastern will now be available for travelers directly via KAYAK.co.uk as they compare flight options, as well as discoverable through Ask AI, KAYAK’s conversational travel planning experience that helps travelers search, compare, and book trips. With KAYAK’s reach spanning over 60 countries and territories, the partnership will broaden China Eastern’s visibility and help the airline showcase its global route network, services, and products to travelers abroad.

British holidaymakers are being warned not to assume Europe’s newly announced cabin baggage rules are already in force, as millions prepare to travel during the peak summer holiday period. The warning follows widespread coverage of new EU air passenger rights approved in July, including changes relating to hand luggage and greater transparency around baggage costs.

Leading UK based travel wholesaler, Major Travel, has launched a new function to enable travel agents to make cruise bookings on their digital portal, Major Go. The new launch gives agents a new way to create, price and book tailor-made cruise holidays across the entire journey using one single booking interface.

Cruise holidays are witnessing growing popularity among Indian travellers, driven by a rising preference for immersive, experience-led vacations that combine multiple destinations and luxury hospitality. Recognizing this growing trend, Thomas Cook (India) Limited, India’s leading omnichannel travel services company, and its Group Company, SOTC Travel, have strengthened their luxury cruise holiday portfolio with curated ocean and expedition voyages across Europe, the Mediterranean, Antarctica and the Arctic.

Anantara Villa Padierna Palace Benahavís Marbella Resort, a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, will be the setting for a truly special celebration on 10 September. To mark the 25th anniversary of the Anantara brand, the resort will pay tribute to the country where the brand was born with an event that will bring the essence of Thailand to the heart of the Costa del Sol.

Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International’s portfolio of 30 extraordinary hotel brands and highly awarded travel program, invites its hotel guests and local residents to experience the magic of the Mid-Autumn Festival in Thailand this year, with a series of auspicious mooncake collections at seven hotels in Bangkok and Phuket, inspired by the “Year of the Fire Horse.

NEMA Design Hotel & Spa in Analipsi, Crete unveiled an exclusive new level of guest experience on 1 August, marking a transformative new chapter for the property. This exciting expansion features an exclusive collection of ultra-luxury villa-style suites alongside the new NÁ LE MA dining experience, cementing NEMA’s status as a premier design destination and elevating its offering to the highest tier of Mediterranean hospitality.

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has concluded its Experience Abu Dhabi UK Roadshow 2026, bringing its largest-ever tourism delegation to the UK. Visiting London, Chester and, for the first time, Glasgow, the roadshow brought together more than 30 hotels, attractions, destination management companies, airlines and tourism partners to engage with the UK travel trade. Across the three cities, DCT Abu Dhabi reinforced the UK’s importance as one of the emirate’s key international source markets.

As millions of travellers head abroad during the peak summer holiday season, Europe has reinforced its position as the world’s leading leisure travel destination, capturing one-third of all global leisure travel spending in 2025, according to new 2026 EIR data from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), sponsored by Chase Travel, Lead Research Partner. The latest figures show that global leisure travel spending reached $6.15TN in 2025, up 3.5% year-on-year and accounting for 80.5% of total global travel expenditure. Of this, Europe attracted $2TN, equivalent to $1 in every $3 spent worldwide on leisure travel, highlighting the region’s enduring appeal as travellers embark on this year’s summer holidays.

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) welcomes the Egyptian Tourism Authority (ETA) as a Destination Partner, strengthening collaboration with one of the world’s leading tourism destinations. The partnership will enhance cooperation between WTTC and the ETA to promote sustainable tourism growth, strengthen public-private collaboration, and showcase Egypt’s diverse tourism experiences to travellers, investors, and industry stakeholders worldwide.

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and the World Governments Summit Organization (WGS), an initiative of the Prime Minister’s Office of the United Arab Emirates, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that marks a new era of public-private sector collaboration to shape the future of Travel & Tourism. By bringing together WTTC’s global network of private sector leaders and the World Governments Summit’s unique convening power among governments and policymakers, the partnership creates a platform for stronger cooperation on the key issues influencing the sector’s long-term growth, resilience and competitiveness.