United Airlines has announced a new nonstop service between St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands (STX) and Newark/New York (EWR), becoming the only airline to offer service to the New York City area from St. Croix. The new route will commence on October 31, 2026 and will operate on Saturdays on a Boeing 737-700 aircraft, featuring 126 seats including 12 in business class.

The Luxury Collection today introduces The London, a Luxury Collection Hotel, New York City offering a renewed vision for the distinguished Midtown Manhattan property, marking the brand’s return to New York. Situated in the heart of Midtown at 151 West 54th Street, steps from Central Park, Carnegie Hall, Broadway theaters, and some of the city’s most celebrated dining, the hotel reflects the dialogue between London and New York – bringing together cosmopolitan sensibility and local character in a setting long woven into the rhythm of Manhattan life.

Sherpa Hospitality Group is shaping a new narrative for Nepal — one where travel moves beyond traditional adventure and becomes an encounter rooted in meaning, connection, and transformation. For decades, Nepal has drawn travellers with its towering Himalayan landscapes, spiritual depth, and long-standing tradition of hospitality. Today, however, a quieter shift is underway. The country is increasingly being discovered not only as a destination for exploration but as a place for reflection, where journeys are designed with intention, depth, and a growing emphasis on purpose-led luxury.

The Fari Islands Festival returns from 13 to 15 August 2026, bringing together Patina Maldives, Fari Islands and The Ritz Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands for a second edition headlined by Academy Award-nominated actor and humanitarian Rosamund Pike. The programme spans music, wellness, gastronomy, art, and marine conservation across three days and two resorts – moving through a natural daily rhythm from reflective mornings to conversational afternoons, to gatherings in the evenings and performances into the night.

Onguma Safari Camps in Namibia has just launched Onkolo Soundscapes, a brand new activity on the reserve – and the first experience of its kind in Namibia. Using a network of sensitive microphones discreetly and strategically positioned around Onguma’s water-level Onkolo Hide, the system captures and amplifies the living soundscape of the surrounding bushveld far beyond what the human ear alone can detect. The result is an intimate, sensory-first encounter that changes the way guests experience the African bush entirely.

Beyond its year-round sunshine and dramatic landscapes, Madeira is home to a diverse calendar of events celebrating the culture, traditions and flavours of the archipelago. Here, Visit Madeira highlights five events taking place across Madeira and Porto Santo between June and September.

Airlines around the world will now have access to the most advanced and proven AI-enabled disruption management platform in airline operations. Disruption is aviation’s most expensive unsolved problem, costing airlines tens of billions of dollars every year. To address this, SITA has acquired Big Blue Analytics, the team behind OCC Assistant Manager (OCCam), and will scale the platform to airlines worldwide as the foundation of a broader Intelligent Operations Control Center vision.

At the Real Estate Asia Awards, Frasers Hospitality’s Investment and Asset Management arm reaffirmed its strength and expertise through a disciplined, multi-market strategy focused on enhancing asset value and driving sustainable performance across its multinational portfolio.

Hilton has today appointed globally respected luxury hospitality leader Marlene Poynder as General Manager of the upcoming Waldorf Astoria Sydney, set to open in 2027. Marking the debut of the iconic Waldorf Astoria brand in Australia, the highly anticipated property will be located at One Circular Quay, one of Sydney’s most prestigious harbourfront addresses overlooking the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge.

Langham Hospitality Group has appointed Josh Littman as Head of Development – EMEA. Based in London, Littman will lead the Group’s expansion efforts across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, with a focus on securing new hotel and branded residence contracts for The Langham Hotels & Resorts, Cordis Hotels & Resorts, Eaton and Ying’nFlo.

Rio de Janeiro this week welcomes the global aviation industry as host city for the 82nd International Air Transport Association (IATA) Annual General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit, bringing together airline chief executives, government ministers, regulators and industry leaders from around the world. Hosted by LATAM Airlines Group, the event comes at a pivotal moment for aviation. The industry is navigating geopolitical uncertainty, rising fuel costs, supply chain constraints, sustainability challenges and the accelerating impact of artificial intelligence, while continuing to respond to record levels of passenger demand.

For decades, destination marketing was built around television campaigns, print advertising and carefully crafted promotional films. Today, a new generation of travellers is discovering the world through creators. The recent IShowSpeed Caribbean Tour may prove to be one of the most important tourism marketing case studies of the year.

As aviation leaders gather in Rio de Janeiro for the 82nd IATA Annual General Meeting (AGM) and World Air Transport Summit (WATS), they return to a city that occupies a unique place in the history of global aviation. Rio was where, in 1999, IATA formally introduced the World Air Transport Summit, recognising that its annual gathering had evolved into something much larger than a trade association meeting. Aviation had become one of the defining industries of globalization, carrying more than 1.5 billion passengers annually and generating over $300 billion in revenues. The AGM had become the forum where airline leaders, governments, manufacturers, airports and regulators debated the future of an increasingly interconnected world.

New research from Tourism Tasmania reveals a notable shift in British traveller behaviour, with digital fatigue and “always-on” culture increasingly influencing how consumers define and value their holidays. The study, conducted by 3Gem Media Group among 2,000 UK holidaymakers, suggests that traditional holidays are increasingly failing to deliver a true sense of escape, as work, social media and online expectations continue to follow travellers while abroad. As a result, tech-free disconnection is emerging as a key driver of destination and accommodation choice, with implications for travel product development, positioning and pricing.

World Environment Day will be observed on June 5 under the theme “Inspired by Nature: For Climate. For Our Future.” The campaign emphasizes the vital connection between healthy ecosystems, climate resilience and sustainable development.

Businessman Peter Harris expressed humility and gratitude after his appointment as chairman of Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI), succeeding Shelly Williams. Harris said he looks forward to building on her foundation while working closely with Tourism and International Transport Minister Ian Gooding-Edghill and the BTMI team.

The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) kicks off Caribbean Week in New York 2026 today, perfectly aligned with the start of Caribbean-American Heritage Month. Under the theme “One Caribbean: Infinite Experiences,” this annual event brings together Caribbean tourism leaders, ministers and directors, marketing teams, and industry partners for a week of high-level dialogue, networking, innovation and celebration in the heart of New York City.

The Balmoral, a Rocco Forte Hotel, invites suite guests to make it official with Scotland in a new experience, Be a Scot for the Day, a bespoke journey into Scotland’s culture, ancestry and traditions, culminating in a ceremonial moment recognising guests as an official Scot for the day. Designed for all who feel a connection to Scotland, whether through heritage, curiosity or a love of its rich culture, this immersive experience offers a meaningful introduction to the country’s enduring traditions.

Artificial intelligence is quickly changing the way people plan travel. For many travelers, AI is no longer just a tool for finding destination ideas or building sample itineraries. It is becoming part of a more practical decision-making process: helping people understand whether a hotel, Airbnb, or vacation rental is actually the right place to stay before they commit.

From 17 to 20 September 2026, Verdura Resort, a Rocco Forte hotel, will host ALMA by ANÍMA marking a new chapter for the wellness festival as it celebrates its fifth edition in Sicily. The annual immersive gathering brings together wellbeing, culture, longevity, and human connection in a setting deeply rooted in Mediterranean living. Surrounded by nature and the expansive beauty of the resort, guests are invited to slow down, reconnect and experience a more intentional rhythm of life.