UN Tourism’s Member States in the Middle East have looked to the future, coming together to focus on boosting investments into the sector and growing new products to build resilience and expand inclusivity. The Regional Commission for the Middle East welcomed high-level delegations from 13 Member States, including eight Ministers of Tourism. Welcoming delegates, UN Tourism Secretary-General invited all Members to join him in celebrating the Golden Jubilee of the Commission, noting that, over the course of 50 meetings, they have worked together to grow tourism both in size and in impact right ..read more

DOHA, QATAR – Qatar Executive (QE), the corporate jet subsidiary of Qatar Airways Group, has officially welcomed the delivery of two new Gulfstream G700 aircraft to the fleet, becoming the worldwide exclusive commercial operator of the aircraft. Qatar Executive is the first carrier to offer the Gulfstream G700 to charter customers, continuing to provide an ultra-modern fleet with the ultimate in aircraft capabilities, luxury and performance. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said: “Today we welcome the industry’s highest performance ultra-long-range bus ..read more

SOUTHLAKE, TEXAS – Sabre Corporation, a leading software and technology company powering the travel industry, introduced SabreMosaic, a new intelligent, modular and open technology platform – built to transform the way airlines retail. By moving away from the limitations of today’s PNR-driven world to a modern Offer and Order approach, SabreMosaic empowers airlines to deliver a more personalized and dynamic retailing experience, while creating new revenue opportunities. “Defining and building the next generation of airline retailing solutions has been a significant investment and strategic pr ..read more

ipIn November 2023, Another Place secured the expansion of its brand with an agreement to acquire The Machrie hotel and golf course on Islay, Scotland. According to CEO Ben Harper, “The Machrie perfectly complements Another Place, offering a stunning backdrop for relaxing and active getaways.” SeaSpace aparthotel brand launches  with its first property on the site of the former Sands Resort in Cornwall, in summer 2024. SeaSpace: Porth will be the first in a series of coastal aparthotels under the new flag, with discussions underway with investors and developers around growth st ..read more

Finnair adds flights to Rovaniemi in Finnish Lapland, and Tromsø and Trondheim in Norway for the next winter season.* Finnair will have up to 63 weekly flights to Rovaniemi, which is 13 more than last winter. We’ll be adding more flights on the most popular travel days: Wednesdays and weekends. During the peak hours on Saturdays, there will be flights to Rovaniemi as often as every half an hour. Additionally, Finnair will fly from Rovaniemi to Tromsø in Northern Norway six days per week. Flights between Rovaniemi and Tromsø were first introduced back in December 2023, and the c ..read more

LONDON – Marking its 30th anniversary, the African Travel & Tourism Association (ATTA) announced the launch of the ATTA for Action Awards. This new programme aims to recognise and celebrate organisations and companies across Africa making significant strides in impactful tourism practices. The launch of the ATTA for Action Awards comes at a crucial time when the global spotlight on environmental conservation and eco-conscious practices in tourism has never been more intense. Says Nigel Vere Nicoll, ATTA President: “Conscious tourism is vital for Africa as it promotes environmental preserv ..read more

WASHINGTON – Sixty-one percent of Americans plan to travel overnight for leisure in the next four months and 34% of Americans expect to increase their overnight leisure travel this summer compared to last year, according to a new Summer travel poll survey commissioned by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and conducted by Morning Consult. The Summer travel poll poll found that 31% of Americans said they plan to increase their number of hotel stays this summer compared to last summer. Regarding business travel, 35% of Americans said they expect to take an overnight business tr ..read more

The second Quarterly Market Update report for 2024, released by SilverDoor, leading serviced apartment agent, details that shifting political landscapes and legislation particularly in the US and India, alongside increased demand for hybrid working, are key drivers of growth in global corporate travel demand. Bills and ballots Earlier this year, according to Quarterly Market Update report US President Joe Biden signed a bill to assign $50million to reduce passport backlogs and visa wait times. A massive backlog in processing first-time visas, causing delays exceeding a year (up to 400 days in ..read more

Antwerp to host PIANC the PIANC World Congress in 2028. This marks the first time the congress will convene in Antwerp, underscoring the city’s growing prominence on the global maritime stage. The PIANC World Congress, attended by more than 600 professionals, is the premier event for the world’s waterborne transport infrastructure community. Antwerp to host PIANC, with its strategic maritime position and vibrant cultural heritage, offers a perfect backdrop for the 2028 World Congress. The congress will delve into crucial topics across maritime and inland navigation, environment ..read more

MADRID –Paradores and Civitatis renew agreement by which customers of Paradores can book from the thousands of tours & activities offered by Civitatis in Spain. One of the highlights of this collaboration is the objective of promoting sustainable tourism in some of the least populated areas of Spain, in an effort to revitalise these areas and encourage their economic and social development. Caìdiz Spain received 85 million international visitors in 2023, of which 90% were centered in six Spanish regions (Andalusia, the Balearic Islands, the Canary Islands, Catalonia, Valencia, and ..read more