Viking Launches 2027 Mississippi-Ohio River Cruises On Viking Mississippi: What Tourists Need To Know

New Orleans and Louisville will feel closer than ever for river cruise guests in 2027, as Viking opens bookings on two new itineraries that provide slow-travel comfort together with rich music heritage and flavourful Southern hospitality throughout the Mississippi and Ohio rivers. Travellers who want to explore America’s heartland through water travel will experience the origins of blues jazz and bluegrass music while they relax aboard the Viking Mississippi which features Scandinavian design.

Two new itineraries for 2027

Viking has confirmed that its expanded US river programme will feature the 15‑day Bayous, Blues & Bluegrass itinerary between New Orleans and Louisville, and the 8‑day Mississippi & Ohio River Explorer between Memphis and Louisville. Both sailings will be operated exclusively by the Viking Mississippi and are now open for booking as part of the line’s 2027 season.

Bayous, Blues & Bluegrass is designed as an extended journey through the Deep South and up into Kentucky, combining bayou landscapes, Civil War history and the craft traditions that have shaped modern American culture. The shorter Mississippi & Ohio River Explorer focuses on Tennessee and Kentucky, ideal for guests who want a compact immersion in musical heritage, baseball lore and bourbon without sacrificing the comfort of a premium river cruise.

Viking’s chairman and CEO, Torstein Hagen, has indicated that guests consistently look for history, culture and culinary depth wherever they travel, and that many are now eager to discover destinations closer to home along these storied rivers. This expansion is set to appeal both to seasoned Viking loyalists and first‑time river cruisers curious about seeing another side of the United States.

Bayous, Blues & Bluegrass: 15 days of Southern soul

The new 15‑day Bayous, Blues & Bluegrass itinerary links New Orleans and Louisville, with calls along both the Mississippi and Ohio rivers and a programme of 11 guided tours. Guests can expect to wander among grand antebellum homes that preserve the South’s layered past, step into key Civil War sites such as Vicksburg, and meet local experts who bring these chapters of history to life.

Musically, the voyage connects the dots between the blues clubs of Mississippi, the jazz roots of New Orleans and the bluegrass traditions that echo through Kentucky. For many travellers, evenings are likely to revolve around live performances, local storytellers and culinary experiences that pair smoky barbecue, Gulf seafood and regional specialities with tales of the people who created them.

As the ship heads north, Tennessee and Kentucky introduce a different rhythm: slow‑smoked meats, small‑town main streets and the proud heritage of Louisville’s bat makers and bourbon distillers. The itinerary is positioned as a chance to see multiple facets of American identity in a single journey, while only having to unpack once.

Mississippi & Ohio River Explorer: 8 days between Memphis and Louisville

For guests with less time, the 8‑day Mississippi & Ohio River Explorer offers a more compact route, sailing between Memphis and Louisville and threading past wetlands, river bluffs and riverfront towns that have quietly shaped US cultural history. The programme highlights the rise of blues and rock ’n’ roll in Memphis, with visits linked to icons such as B.B. King and Elvis Presley, before shifting focus to Kentucky’s bluegrass and sporting traditions.

In Louisville, excursions are set to showcase the city’s celebrated baseball museum and historic connection to America’s favourite pastime, alongside tastings and behind‑the‑scenes looks at local bourbon distilleries. The itinerary has been crafted to give guests a sense of how river commerce, music, sport and craftsmanship intersect along the Mississippi–Ohio corridor, all within a one‑week holiday window.

Strengthening Viking’s US river portfolio

These two additions join the Viking Mississippi’s existing line‑up of itineraries, including Mississippi River Odyssey (22 days, New Orleans–St Paul), Mississippi Delta Explorer (8 days, New Orleans–Memphis), Heartland of America (8 days, St Louis–St Paul) and New Orleans & Southern Charms (8 days, roundtrip New Orleans). Together, the programme now offers a spectrum of options from week‑long escapes to nearly month‑long explorations of the full river system.

For the wider US river cruise market, Viking’s move reinforces the growing appeal of domestic itineraries that rival European river routes in comfort and cultural depth. Travel advisors are likely to position these journeys as an alternative for guests who might usually opt for the Rhine or Danube, but now want to discover a different river story without crossing an ocean.

Viking Mississippi: modern comfort on America’s great rivers

At the heart of the experience is the Viking Mississippi, a contemporary river vessel hosting 386 guests in 193 all‑outside staterooms, all with either French or step‑out verandas. The ship draws on Viking’s longship and ocean‑ship DNA, featuring clean Scandinavian interiors, expansive windows and airy public spaces adapted specifically for US river cruising.

Facilities include multiple dining venues, bars and lounges, an infinity‑style pool on the upper deck, and indoor–outdoor spaces designed to keep guests close to the passing scenery in all seasons. With a US registry and a crew complement of around 148, the ship blends Nordic design with American river know‑how, positioning itself as the first truly modern vessel on the Mississippi.

For many travellers, the draw will be the chance to watch small towns, wetlands and working riverfronts glide by from the comfort of a private balcony, before stepping ashore for small‑group tours and time at leisure. The itineraries’ focus on local music, food and stories means days are likely to feel less like ticking off sights and more like slipping into the slower rhythm of river life.

Bottom Line

The three cities of New Orleans, Memphis and Louisville create a cultural triangle which defines contemporary American society through its culinary traditions and local character. The Viking 2027 river programme enables visitors to experience the historical American story in comfort from their riverfront seats. The new Mississippi–Ohio voyages will provide travelers who want to drink bourbon on deck while listening to blues music from the shore with an experience that feels more like a direct encounter with the musical traditions of the American South and Midwest than an actual cruise.

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Dolomites, Italy: Walk Into Luxury Unveils Ultra-Luxe Guided Hikes To Fuel High-End Tourism!

Walk into Luxury has introduced new private Dolomites tours in Italy because mountain tourism has surged for high-comfort travel options. The new collection is expected to stimulate premium tourism spend in northern Italy by encouraging longer stays, higher-value bookings and year-on-year repeat visitation to the country’s alpine heartlands.

The Perth-based operator has confirmed that the Dolomites journeys will run from June through October with no fixed group departures, allowing guests to travel at their own pace while enjoying curated walks, private transfers and handpicked accommodation. Company founder and CEO Nikki King was cited as saying that the brand wanted to reimagine Dolomites hiking so guests could slow down, walk well and return each evening to an elevated level of comfort rarely associated with classic hut-to-hut trekking.

Seven-day Forestis and Aman Rosa Alpina showcase

At the top of the new collection sits a seven-day itinerary that combines stays at Forestis and Aman Rosa Alpina, two properties that have come to symbolise a contemporary style of Dolomites luxury built around wellness, design and intimate service. Guests spend their days walking striking ridgelines and panoramic plateaus before retreating to spa facilities, fine dining and far-reaching mountain views in the late afternoon and evening.

Forestis, set on the Plose massif above Brixen, is known for its minimalist timber-and-glass design, forest-inspired spa rituals and focus on tranquillity, making it a natural fit for travellers seeking restorative time in the mountains after long walking days. Aman Rosa Alpina in San Cassiano, meanwhile, offers spacious suites, refined Alpine-Italian cuisine and easy access to the Dolomiti Superski and surrounding hiking network, anchoring the itinerary firmly within one of Italy’s most prestigious high-mountain enclaves.

Alta Via 1 reimagined for comfort-led walkers

Another of the headline journeys reinterprets the iconic Alta Via 1, one of the Dolomites’ most celebrated long-distance routes, traditionally known for basic rifugio stays and fixed-stage trekking. Walk into Luxury’s version guides guests from Lago di Braies to Cortina d’Ampezzo, incorporating a highlight hike to Tre Cime di Lavaredo, widely regarded as one of the Alps’ most recognisable landmarks and a powerful drawcard for international visitors.

Rather than relying solely on communal huts, the operator has woven in private ensuite accommodation in select mountain lodges, balancing the authenticity of alpine overnights with the privacy and comfort expected at the luxury end of the market. This approach is poised to attract new demographics to the Alta Via 1, particularly time-poor professionals and affluent couples who may have previously been deterred by the route’s rustic reputation, thereby broadening Italy’s adventure tourism base without diluting the landscape-led appeal of the trail.

Extending journeys to Brenta Dolomites and Lake Garda

For travellers seeking deeper immersion and variety, longer programmes extend beyond the classic Dolomites ridges into the Brenta Dolomites before continuing south to Lake Garda, linking dramatic limestone towers with Mediterranean-tinged lakeside scenery in a single, curated journey. Guests can expect a contrast of experiences: one day traversing high passes and rock amphitheatres, the next strolling waterfront promenades and sampling regional gastronomy in villages that benefit directly from this higher-spend visitor segment.

By stitching multiple regions into one seamless itinerary, Walk into Luxury effectively encourages guests to stay longer in Italy and to distribute their spending across mountain towns, lakeside resorts and rural communities, amplifying the economic ripple effect of each trip. The journeys’ private-guiding model and tailored pacing also mean that local guides, drivers and hospitality providers stand to gain from more predictable, premium-level demand throughout the June–October season.

Redefining Dolomites hiking for the luxury segment

Walk into Luxury has positioned the Dolomites as a natural next step for guests who may already know high-end walking holidays in regions such as Western Australia and New Zealand, but are now looking to pair European culture with landscapes of similar wow factor. The company’s Dolomites portfolio blends well-marked alpine trails with features such as luggage transfers, carefully timed lift access and flexible route choices, designed to make the mountains feel accessible to travellers who value experience-rich days but prefer hotel-level comforts at night.

Industry observers have suggested that this style of itinerary responds to a wider global trend in which luxury travellers seek immersive, wellness-leaning experiences rather than purely resort-based stays, and Italy’s Dolomites are emerging as a flagship example of how a mountain destination can meet that demand. As these curated journeys gain traction, tourism stakeholders in northern Italy are likely to see increased interest not only in peak-summer hiking, but also in shoulder-season stays, as guests return to explore different regions and seasons of the country’s alpine arc.

Looking Ahead

The Dolomites serve as a dream destination for many travelers who wish to experience mountain views at sunrise with pink-tinged peaks while sharing meals and stories and experiencing temporary village life in their mountain homes and Walk into Luxury’s new itineraries are crafted to turn that feeling into a polished yet personal reality.

The package delivers an experience that will captivate sophisticated travelers who previously neglected Italy’s mountain regions because they preferred its urban and coastal attractions, which will enhance the country’s image as a place where visitors can experience both exceptional cultural heritage and breathtaking natural beauty in one remarkable journey.

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COMO Hotels And Resorts Welcome Wine-Loving Tourists To Reborn Château Retreat In Bordeaux, France

In spring 2026, travellers who dream of waking up amid vines on the storied Left Bank will find a freshly reimagined haven in Pauillac as COMO Cordeillan-Bages reopens on 1 May, inviting guests to slow down, savour great wine and reconnect with a gentler rhythm of French country life. The 28-room hideaway which marks COMO Hotels and Resorts‘ first entry into the world-famous wine region of Bages sits within a 19th-century château that stands on two hectares of vineyards in the historic Bages hamlet.

A New Chapter for a Bordeaux Landmark

COMO Cordeillan-Bages sits at the heart of the Médoc, just moments from the prestigious Château Lynch-Bages estate, long associated with the Cazes family. The hotel’s reopening extends a partnership that unites COMO’s family-owned philosophy with the Cazes’ winemaking legacy, pairing modern hospitality with the traditions of Bordeaux’s great châteaux.

The château’s origins as a discreet wine estate date back centuries, before its reinvention as a refined hotel by the Cazes family in the late 1980s, and it has since become a benchmark address for gastronomy and culture in the Médoc. Now, as COMO Cordeillan-Bages, the property is positioned to carry that heritage forward for a new generation of design-aware, culinary-minded travellers seeking immersive wine country stays.

Design by Paola Navone: Quiet Elegance Among the Vines

The complete transformation of the château is being led by Italian designer Paola Navone, who has already shaped COMO Le Montrachet in Burgundy, bringing a cohesive design language to COMO’s French portfolio. Her vision touches every corner of the hotel, from the 28 rooms and suites – including two signature COMO Suites – to the gastronomic restaurant, 25-metre outdoor pool, gym and sauna.

Interiors balance understated elegance with a vivid sense of place, layering contemporary comfort over the textures and materials of the historic building, whose turrets trace back to the 17th century. Spaces are being crafted to feel calm and luminous, with views to the courtyards, gardens and vineyards encouraging guests to linger between tastings and long lunches.

Immersive Wine Experiences on the Route des Châteaux

Positioned along the legendary Route des Châteaux, COMO Cordeillan-Bages places guests within easy reach of some of Bordeaux’s most renowned estates, including several of the region’s First Growth vineyards. Through the hotel’s close relationship with Château Lynch-Bages, visitors will be offered privileged access to experiences rarely open to the public, making it a natural retreat for oenophiles and serious wine enthusiasts.

Beyond cellar tours and tastings, the wider Médoc landscape stretches from endless vines and pine forests to the Atlantic coast, around 30 kilometres away, giving guests options to pair days in the vineyards with sea air and sandy beaches. The estate’s setting near the Gironde estuary also connects travellers to a broader circuit of Left Bank appellations, ideal for multi-day wine-focused itineraries.

Bages Village: Everyday Life, Artisans and Bistros

A short six-minute stroll from the château leads to the restored village of Bages, where visitors can browse artisanal boutiques, linger over coffee and pastries, or settle into a convivial bistro meal. Nearby villages extend this sense of authentic French country life, blending historic streets with independent shops, wine boutiques and contemporary gastronomy.

For travellers who value immersion as much as comfort, this intimate village setting offers a counterpoint to the grand châteaux: the chance to chat with shopkeepers, discover local producers and feel part of a small community, even during a short stay. This village atmosphere, combined with the château’s refined spaces, positions COMO Cordeillan-Bages as both a base for exploration and a sanctuary to return to at the end of the day.

COMO’s Growing French Canvas: Burgundy to the Riviera

With COMO Cordeillan-Bages joining COMO Le Montrachet in Burgundy and the soon-to-open COMO Le Beauvallon in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, the brand is quietly stitching together a trio of French destinations that celebrate terroir, heritage and design in distinct ways. COMO Le Beauvallon, a Belle Époque palace overlooking the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, is set to reopen on 24 April 2026 with 42 rooms and suites, a 25‑metre pool and a private pontoon for yacht tenders, offering a Riviera counterpoint to the Médoc’s vineyards.

COMO describes itself as a multi-award‑winning, family-owned collection of hotels at inspiring destinations that honour the spirit of place, and its French properties reflect that ethos from Burgundy’s wine villages and Pauillac’s châteaux to the sunlit terraces of the Côte d’Azur. For international travellers planning 2026 itineraries, this creates opportunities to craft multi-stop journeys through France that link wine, wellness, coastal glamour and rural charm under one brand umbrella.

Pauillac: A Soft Landing for Wine-Loving Travellers

The Château will reopen to the public on 1 May 2026 through the combined efforts of Bordeaux and Pauillac which will bring back COMO Cordeillan-Bages to their original location. The newly revived château will provide visitors with both refined service and architectural design elements which include special treatment experiences that create lasting vacation memories through gestures such as perfect drink service and peaceful poolside time and evening vineyard walks. The hotel combines contemporary comfort with Médoc wine traditions and provides direct access to village life which makes it an ideal base for wine enthusiasts and couples and friends who want to explore Bordeaux’s Left Bank at a more relaxed pace.

Image Credit: COMO Hotels And Resorts

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Dubai, UAE: Arctic-Born BegakFly EVO-ONE Ushers In A New Era Of Aerial Adventure Tourism Over The Emirate’s Desert Skies

Visitors on desert safaris and city rooftop lounges in Dubai, UAE looked up in shared amazement as the BegakFly EVO-ONE, a legendary Arctic aero-vehicle that once flew over the North Pole, completed its inaugural flight above the emirate’s golden dunes, signalling a new chapter for experiential tourism in the region. The audience at the debut event explained that the aircraft appeared to hover between two different environments which included ice and sand and which would soon include aerial tours that provide complete experiences for visitors.

This milestone flight, conducted without changing the aircraft’s core engineering between –50°C Arctic conditions and the +40°C desert heat, underlined a level of reliability that positions BegakFly as a serious contender for future tourism-oriented air mobility in the UAE. With Dubai already known for hot-air balloons, seaplane tours and skydiving over Palm Jumeirah, the arrival of a multi-environment platform hints at an upcoming generation of high-tech, story-rich adventures in the sky.

New-class aircraft built for land, water and sky experiences

At the heart of the project is the BegakFly technological platform, a product line of multifunctional electric amphibious vehicles designed to operate on land, water and in flight. This tri-environment capability opens the door to future itineraries where visitors could, in principle, transition from a desert take-off to a coastal glide and a low-altitude scenic flight within a single premium excursion.

The EVO-ONE’s successful performance in Dubai demonstrates that the concept is ready to be integrated into the wider transport ecosystem, including potential tourism and resort-based mobility services. Industry observers in the emirate noted that such platforms could be used for exclusive access to remote desert camps, coastal islands or research-inspired journeys themed around climate, science and exploration, strong hooks for niche travel experiences.

Strategic UAE partnership and tourism ecosystem potential

In a gesture that blended aviation history with local pride, aerospace designer Aleksandr Begak presented the world’s only historic North Pole aircraft to His Excellency Nasser Al Neyadi, President of the Emirates Aerosports Federation. The move has been described as a symbolic handover of Arctic heritage to a leader who has devoted his life to aviation in the UAE, setting the tone for deeper collaboration within the country.​

This act is positioned as the beginning of a long-term strategic partnership aimed at joint industrial production of the BegakFly line in the UAE. For tourists and visitors, such localisation could translate into more frequent operations, better integration with local airports and resorts, and a broader choice of curated aerial experiences anchored in Dubai and other emirates.

From rescue missions to urban tourism: what comes next

The BegakFly flight in Dubai is described as the operational foundation for several upcoming projects, including multipurpose amphibians for strategic and search‑and‑rescue roles and the BegakFly “NEMTY” eVTOL initiative. NEMTY is presented as a family of autonomous aerial transport systems and luxury vertical take-off aircraft designed to transform urban logistics, technology that can also be adapted to air-taxi style sightseeing and resort transfers for high-end travellers.

At the apex of the Astra Lynx portfolio sits the SELENA Space Yacht, a conceptual suborbital spaceplane intended for scientific research and private space programmes. The company envisions SELENA as part of a future in which intercontinental travel and space tourism converge, with Dubai serving as a key launch and marketing hub, an evolution that could one day see visitors combining a city break with edge‑of‑space experiences.

Digital ecosystem to enhance traveller engagement

Alongside its physical platforms, Astra Lynx is building a proprietary digital ecosystem that includes an innovative digital asset with utility across all of Aleksandr Begak’s projects. This fintech layer is planned to grant access to technological developments and resource management across the BegakFly amphibians and SELENA space systems, with details promised in a forthcoming announcement that has already drawn interest from the region’s crypto community.

For tourism stakeholders, such an ecosystem could enable new forms of membership, loyalty, and co-creation, ranging from tokenised access to exclusive flights and behind-the-scenes hangar visits, to early booking privileges for prototype experiences at events such as Dubai Airshow. The approach positions Dubai not just as a place where visitors consume experiences, but as a hub where they can participate in the story and evolution of next-generation flight.

Dubai, UAE: a new frontier for experience‑led travellers

As Dubai continues to brand itself as a city where the future is put on display, the arrival of BegakFly EVO-ONE adds an emotional layer for visitors who are drawn to stories of endurance, exploration and innovation. Travellers watching the Arctic‑born craft trace a path over the desert speak of feeling as though they are glimpsing tomorrow’s version of sightseeing, with the emirate turning extreme engineering into shareable, human‑centred experiences.

Astra Lynx develops various projects which include both amphibious planes and urban eVTOL aircraft and the SELENA Space Yacht to establish its identity as a company that supports the UAE national innovation vision. The company will provide tourists with two types of flights which include peaceful low-altitude scenic flights and later private suborbital journeys which will begin and end in Dubai. The current appearance of BegakFly EVO-ONE presents a strong impression to visitors because it shows how aviation history and vacation experiences are being created in this Gulf region.

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London To Tokyo: How Airbnb’s Reserve Now, Pay Later Is Redefining Flexible Travel Finance!

Travellers who have monitored their spending will find London, Paris and Tokyo plus many other dream locations to be more accessible than before. Airbnb provides its guests with the ability to reserve qualifying accommodations through its Reserve Now, Pay Later RNPL system which requires no initial payment. The holidaymakers will experience a major change because they can now save inspiration posts instead of flying into new cities.

Global rollout reshapes trip planning

Airbnb first introduced RNPL in the United States last summer, allowing guests to choose eligible domestic stays and pay nothing at the moment of booking. After what the company describes as an overwhelmingly positive response, the feature has now been extended to all guests booking eligible listings with flexible or moderate cancellation policies anywhere in the world.

In the final quarter of 2025, RNPL reportedly achieved more than 70 percent adoption for eligible bookings and helped accelerate nights and seats booked compared with the previous quarter. This behaviour signals that when upfront barriers fall, travellers feel more confident committing to trips earlier, crucial in a year shaped by major events such as the FIFA World Cup and Coachella, where securing accommodation early can make or break a travel plan.

How RNPL works for guests

RNPL allows guests to reserve eligible accommodation with zero payment at checkout and be charged closer to their check‑in date, rather than at the time of booking. Listings must have moderate or flexible cancellation policies, which means guests can secure a flat in Barcelona or a townhouse in Manchester while still having an exit route if plans change, without having laid out money upfront.

A survey of US travellers conducted for Airbnb highlighted just how important flexibility has become: a majority of respondents indicated that having flexible payment options is important when booking a holiday, and many already use such tools where available. In practical terms, RNPL frees up cash for flights, visas or festival tickets at the moment of planning, while the accommodation cost is effectively pushed into the future.

Travel benefits: from city breaks to touching grass

For tourists, the clearest benefit is psychological as much as financial: the trip feels real the moment a confirmation email arrives, even though the account balance has not taken a hit yet. This is especially attractive for group travel, friends planning a New Year escape to Edinburgh or a family eyeing summer in Bali can commit to dates without everyone needing instant liquidity.

Airbnb’s own 2026 travel predictions suggest travellers are keen to swap scrolling for touching grass, favouring real‑world experiences, international city breaks and travel around global events. By letting people lock in rare finds early and pay later, RNPL supports that shift from digital wish‑listing to concrete itineraries, potentially turning more aspirational searches into confirmed bookings.

Long‑term tourism boost

From a tourism‑industry perspective, RNPL can smooth and stretch demand across the calendar. Longer lead times on bookings give hosts and local destinations more visibility on future occupancy, which helps them manage staffing, inventory and pricing. Airbnb has indicated that RNPL has been associated with longer booking lead times and a tilt towards larger entire homes, particularly those with four or more bedrooms, which can bring higher‑value visitors into local economies.

Destination marketing bodies stand to benefit as well: campaigns tied to big events or seasonal festivals can be paired with messaging about flexible payments, making it easier to attract visitors who might otherwise sit on the fence. Over time, easier access to accommodation financing could encourage travellers to trade up from a day trip to an overnight stay, or from a long weekend to a week‑long break, supporting higher spend per visitor in restaurants, attractions and local transport.

A wider payments ecosystem, not a one‑off feature

RNPL sits inside a broader ecosystem of flexible payments that Airbnb has been building for several years. The company already offers Pay Part Now, Part Later, which splits costs into two interest‑free instalments, and maintains a long‑standing partnership with Klarna that allows guests in markets such as the UK to spread payments over multiple interest‑free instalments. Together, these options give guests a spectrum of timing choices from zero‑down reservations, to simple splits, through to regulated credit via third‑party providers.

Industry observers have noted that this effectively turns Airbnb into a more sophisticated payment orchestrator: rather than handing off the transaction entirely to external lenders, the platform keeps more of the journey in its own ecosystem while still integrating fintech specialists where appropriate. For tourism, that means a more seamless checkout experience that feels like part of the trip rather than a separate financial chore.

Balancing flexibility with responsible travel finance

The ability to reserve with nothing down naturally raises questions about speculative bookings, yet Airbnb has sought to manage risk by restricting RNPL to listings with moderate or flexible cancellation policies and charging guests closer to check‑in but before arrival. Hosts retain some protection in the form of clear cancellation windows, while guests gain breathing space instead of immediately tying up funds.

For travellers, RNPL works best when used as a planning tool rather than a licence to over‑commit: locking in that Kyoto townhouse before cherry blossom season, for instance, while budgeting carefully for the eventual payment date. Industry commentators have suggested that, deployed responsibly, such tools can widen access to travel without pushing guests into complex long‑term debt, differentiating RNPL from traditional credit products.

The sunset creates a unique view from London to Los Angeles which reveals how people will experience the financial changes instead of showing their effects in financial reports. The background of booking processes displays RNPL together with its payment systems yet these systems create greater financial benefits for tourists and their vacation spots which want to attract visitors through their capability to reserve now and pay later when their financial situation improves.

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Bintan And Singapore Tourism Join Forces At OTM 2026 To Court Indian Travellers: All You Need To Know

OTM 2026 in Mumbai presented Bintan and Singapore as two main attractions which enabled Indian visitors to travel between energetic world cities and peaceful tropical islands that existed one hour away from each other. Indian visitors to the Singapore Pavilion found it natural to extend their travel methods by flying to Singapore and using ferry service to reach Bintan’s quiet beaches which they wanted to experience.

Bintan Resorts made its OTM debut inside the Singapore Pavilion, underlining how closely the two destinations are working together in the Indian market. The joint presence aimed to position Bintan as Singapore’s island next door, turning a classic city-break into a short, easy island holiday without the need for complex planning or long-haul flights.

Strategy: deeper India push with Singapore Tourism

At OTM 2026, Bintan Resorts focused on expanding its trade network and strengthening relationships with India’s outbound travel community, using the Singapore Pavilion as a high-visibility platform. The team engaged with tour operators, OTAs, MICE planners and wedding specialists from across key Indian cities, spotlighting Bintan as an add-on to Singapore rather than a stand‑alone, hard‑to‑access island.

Abdul Wahab, Chief Operating Officer, Bintan Resorts, noted that India remains one of the destination’s most dynamic growth markets, and said the joint participation with Singapore Tourism helped showcase a twin-destination proposition while reinforcing long-term trade partnerships across India. He indicated that beyond trade outreach, Bintan aims to build stronger B2C visibility this year, so that more Indian travellers recognise the island’s mix of resort luxury, active experiences and value-led pricing.

For Singapore Tourism Board, India continues to be a key source market, with the destination promoting its vibrant city experiences, family attractions and strong MICE infrastructure through VisitSingapore’s international marketing platforms. By aligning with Bintan at OTM, Singapore Tourism added an island component to its pitch, reinforcing Singapore’s role as a gateway hub for regional travel in Southeast Asia.

Market momentum: 13,000+ Indian visitors and growing

Bintan welcomed over 13,000 Indian visitors in 2025, a figure that has encouraged the destination to sharpen its India strategy for 2026. Travel patterns show demand across family holidays, couples’ getaways, wellness retreats and small groups, reflecting the broader shift in Indian outbound travel towards shorter, experience-led breaks.

For 2026, Bintan Resorts is prioritising the FIT segment, aiming to attract independent travellers and small groups who value flexibility, along with a stronger push into MICE and destination weddings. Trade partners at OTM were briefed on how city-plus-island itineraries can be packaged efficiently, pairing Singapore’s events and business meetings with post‑event stays on Bintan’s beaches and golf courses.

Connectivity, access and on‑ground ease

A key message at OTM was Bintan’s ease of access from Singapore, which directly addresses Indian travellers’ preference for simple, time-efficient journeys. After flying into Singapore, visitors can board a direct ferry to Bintan, reaching the island in about one hour via Bandar Bentan Telani Ferry Terminal, which serves Bintan Resorts.

Indian passport holders are eligible for visa-on-arrival when entering Indonesia, including Bintan, subject to prevailing regulations and payment at the ferry terminal, making the process relatively straightforward for short leisure trips. This combination of a well-connected Singapore gateway, a short sea crossing and simplified entry formalities allows Indian travellers to plan twin-destination holidays without navigating multiple complex visas or long internal transfers.

Experiences: beyond the beach, with a soft adventure edge

While Bintan is often imagined as a classic sun, sand and sea escape, its tourism pitch at OTM 2026 leaned strongly into experiences that resonate with today’s Indian traveller. The island’s northern coastline is home to a cluster of integrated resorts, beachfront properties and four golf courses designed by renowned architects, alongside spas, water sports and family-friendly attractions.

Signature events such as the Bintan Triathlon, Mandiri Bintan Marathon and Tour de Bintan have positioned the island as a hub for active, wellness-oriented holidays, appealing to travellers who want their beach break to include a sense of challenge or purpose. These curated events dovetail with VisitSingapore’s broader focus on immersive experiences and lifestyle-driven itineraries, allowing Indian travellers to build a narrative-rich trip that moves from urban food trails and attractions in Singapore to cycling routes, races and seaside wellness on Bintan.

For MICE and weddings, Bintan offers integrated event spaces, beachfront lawns and team-building environments that can complement Singapore’s world-class convention and exhibition facilities, giving planners the option of a split-city-and-island programme within a compact time frame.

India as a long-term partner market

Bintan Resorts enters 2026 with a clear view that India is not just an emerging market, but a long-term partner whose travellers are shaping the island’s offerings and strategy. Trade visitors at OTM were told that as Indian outbound travel continues to favour short-haul, experience-rich holidays, Bintan and Singapore are jointly positioned to satisfy both the appetite for international sophistication and the need for easy, restorative downtime by the sea. The people in the Oxford Theater Market 2026 did their final talks, which showed that Indian travelers andagents already planned their trips from Singapore to watch the sunset at Bintan’s beaches.

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Swan Hellenic Stuns Tourists With A Luxury Golf Escape Linking Portugal’s Algarve, Morocco’s Coasts And Lanzarote’s Lava Landscapes

Golf enthusiasts will find irresistible golf courses which connect Lisbon, Casablanca and Lanzarote to Atlantic Horizons expedition of Swan Hellenic which serves as a mobile golf course designed for travelers who want both cultural experiences and the sensation of a perfect golf swing. The new sailing from Lisbon to Fuerteventura will launch on 7 September 2026 which features a six-night journey aboard the small expedition ship SH Diana and offers an extra package of five championship golf courses which visitors can enjoy between their time in medinas and their Atlantic Ocean views and their peaceful ocean periods.

New golf twist on Atlantic Horizons

The Atlantic Horizons, Lisbon to Fuerteventura voyage has been crafted as a compact cultural route, linking Portugal, Morocco and the Canary Islands with guided explorations in port and unhurried evenings back on board. Now, an add‑on golf package allows guests to book either the full five‑course experience or individual rounds in advance, turning a classic coastal itinerary into a dedicated golf holiday at sea.

Swan Hellenic positions the voyage as a way for guests to see what others don’t, pairing lesser‑visited Atlantic ports with curated experiences and expert‑led talks on board. Company leadership has suggested that nothing about the brand is just par for the course, indicating that the new golf element is intended as a natural extension of its culture‑driven style rather than a bolt‑on excursion list.

Five championship courses across three countries

The golfing journey opens at Palmares Golf Resort in Lagos, where Robert Trent Jones Jr.’s 27‑hole layout combines three loops, Alvor, Lagos and Praia with sweeping sea views that many travelling golfers build whole itineraries around. The course is known for its blend of parkland undulations and links‑style dunes, giving cruise guests a first round that feels firmly rooted in the Algarve’s sun‑drenched coastal scenery.

From there, SH Diana sails south to Casablanca for a round at Tony Jacklin Casablanca, an 18‑hole par‑72 set in the Bouskoura Forest. Here, strategic lakes, immaculate fairways and a tranquil woodland setting offer a different tempo, inviting players to shift from beachside vistas to a more contemplative, tree‑lined round without sacrificing the sense of being on a special journey.

Moroccan Atlantic fairways and medina days

In Essaouira, guests head ashore to play Gary Player’s Golf de Mogador, a course praised for its coastal dunes and Atlantic breezes, before returning to a city where whitewashed walls, souks and sea‑sprayed ramparts reward those who linger after their last putt. Further south, Agadir’s Golf du Soleil offers Championship and Tikida courses, giving golfers a choice of layouts while non‑golfers tap into spa time or beachside excursions laid on by the line.

The final round is staged at Costa Teguise Golf in Lanzarote, a John Harris design framed by a dormant volcano and more than 3,000 palms. Views out to the Atlantic reinforce that this is not a land‑locked golf break but a roving itinerary where every course day is followed by evenings on deck, stargazing or planning the next port over a drink rather than packing and unpacking between hotels.

Comfort‑first for golf travellers

Swan Hellenic’s official programme details highlight that the golf package has been set up with convenience firmly in mind, including transfers, green fees, manual trolleys, warm‑ups and refreshments, with optional e‑trolleys or e‑carts available subject to local conditions. The company also builds in full care services such as baggage handling, golf shoe care and club cleaning, allowing guests to travel lighter and move from cabin to course without fuss.

Pace of play is deliberately relaxed, with around four and a half to five hours allocated for each 18‑hole round on foot, which will appeal to travellers who prefer to savour the walk and course design rather than rush for a scorecard. When time allows, practice‑range sessions with complimentary balls are included, and the line notes that there is even a voyage golf award to add a touch of friendly competition to the sailing.

SH Diana: boutique expedition base

SH Diana, Swan Hellenic’s largest and most modern expedition ship, serves as the floating clubhouse for the voyage, combining ice‑strengthened capabilities with a deliberately intimate guest capacity. On board, guests can expect Scandinavian‑influenced interiors, multiple dining venues and an Observation Lounge designed for lectures and destination briefings, reinforcing the line’s identity as a cultural expedition specialist rather than a traditional mega‑ship operator.

The company’s broader 2025–2026 programme emphasises off‑the‑beaten‑track destinations and in‑depth cultural calls, and Atlantic Horizons fits within this philosophy by pairing golf with time in medinas, coastal promenades and historic quarters. For guests travelling with non‑golfing partners or friends, this means shore days can be tailored: one can head to the fairways, the other into souks, galleries or guided city walks, with both back on board for dinner.

Pricing, offers and tourism appeal

The golf package is priced at USD 375 per course or USD 1,500 for all five rounds, with additional play available to book for those who want extra time on selected courses. Travellers who confirm their cruise before the end of February are being offered an Elevated Expeditions promotion featuring free Wi‑Fi upgrades, onboard credit and savings on cruise fares, with lead‑in pricing from around USD 4,025 for the voyage itself.

For European tourism stakeholders and destination marketers, the product neatly taps two growth trends at once: golf tourism and small‑ship cultural cruising. Ports such as Lagos, Casablanca, Essaouira, Agadir and Lanzarote can expect to welcome guests who are not only likely to spend on green fees and club‑house lunches, but who may also extend their stays pre‑ or post‑cruise in local hotels and resorts, bringing additional value beyond the call itself.

A new way to play the Atlantic coast

For many travellers, the appeal of this Lisbon–to–Canary Islands route will lie in the chance to wake up to different Atlantic views knowing that their tee time, transfers and post‑round logistics have all been quietly handled in the background. Golfers who might once have pieced together a multi‑stop land itinerary across Portugal, Morocco and Spain now have another option: to let a small expedition ship do the moving for them, while they focus on the feel of the course underfoot and the character of each port.

The project insiders believe that Swan Hellenic considers this project as a permanent commitment which displays strong interest from travelers who desire their upcoming vacation to provide both luxurious experiences and meaningful activities which include stories that extend from Moroccan medinas to Lanzarote fairways. The September departure of the ship from Lisbon will create a silent atmosphere among guests who believe that their sporting activities constitute an integral part of their Atlantic voyage which they will remember forever after the last putt falls.

Image Credit: Swan Hellenic SH Diana

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Ladudu Transforms London Into A Gateway To Vietnamese Cuisine For Adventurous Tourists: Here’s What You Need To Know

The opening of independent Vietnamese kitchen Ladudu today will bring a warm atmosphere to Wembley, London, UK because local families and adventurous travelers can enjoy their comforting noodle soup and aromatic curry dishes and home-style Vietnamese service. The restaurant at 10 Quay Walk Stonebridge will transform the developing waterside area into a required Vietnamese dining destination which offers customers both daytime meals and interactive cooking sessions and sauce products to take home.

Authentic flavours from a family kitchen

Ladudu is the brainchild of founder Teresa Le, who first introduced her Vietnamese home cooking to Londoners through private lessons before opening a much‑loved restaurant in West Hampstead in 2011. The name Ladudu refers to papaya leaf in Vietnamese and reflects the brand’s roots in fresh, healthy cooking, while Teresa has explained that the philosophy behind her food centres on “happy, healthy, and hearty” dishes made with balance in mind.

From the new canalside kitchen, guests can expect a menu of classic Vietnamese comfort foods such as aromatic pho, vibrant salads, stir‑fries and rich curries, alongside matcha drinks and homemade desserts. Vegan choices and weekly specials are designed to appeal both to London’s diverse residents and to international visitors exploring the city’s food scene, offering an approachable introduction to Vietnamese flavours at lunchtime.

Showcasing Vietnamese cuisine to UK visitors

While Ladudu began life as a restaurant and later as a sauces and seasonings producer, the new Grand Union opening brings those strands together with a clear mission to share Vietnamese food culture more widely in the UK. By focusing on restaurant‑quality dishes that feel like home cooking, the team aims to give first‑time visitors to Vietnamese cuisine an accessible experience, while offering enough regional detail and depth of flavour to satisfy seasoned food travellers.

The restaurant opens daily from 11:00 to 17:00, except Tuesdays, making it an easy lunchtime stop for tourists exploring Wembley Stadium, the designer outlet and the wider regeneration area. With its canalside location and relaxed daytime feel, Ladudu is positioned as a gentle entry point into Vietnamese cooking, where visitors can taste, learn and then take flavours home, turning a simple meal into a part of their UK travel story.

Community hub with cooking classes and play space

Ladudu’s role at Grand Union extends beyond serving food, with the restaurant designed as a community hub and cultural touchpoint. A private dining area will host family‑friendly workshops and interactive cooking classes, giving locals and visitors the chance to prepare and enjoy authentic Vietnamese dishes while learning more about ingredients and traditions.

For families travelling with children, a dedicated play area complete with a miniature kitchen offers a space where younger guests can safely explore their own interest in cooking while adults dine nearby. The team hopes that by making Vietnamese cuisine approachable for all ages, from toddlers to grandparents, the restaurant will help normalise these flavours as part of everyday life in north‑west London.

From West Hampstead favourite to sauces brand

Teresa’s journey with Ladudu began in 2009 with home cooking lessons and expanded into a busy West Hampstead restaurant that became known for its fresh, fast‑paced Vietnamese dishes. After several successful years, the restaurant closed in 2017 so the business could focus on developing sauces and seasonings, drawing on recipes refined in the kitchen to help people cook restaurant‑style dishes at home.

Those sauces now form a key part of the new Wembley offer, with Ladudu selling its signature products on site so guests can recreate their favourite dishes after their visit. The brand’s stated goal is to save home cooks time without compromising on flavour, encouraging them either to prepare authentic Vietnamese meals or to add a South‑East Asian twist to everyday recipes, subtly extending the reach of Vietnamese cuisine into British home kitchens.

Local sourcing and canalside destination appeal

In keeping with its homely ethos, Ladudu sources vegetables and halal beef and chicken from suppliers in nearby Park Royal, just across from Grand Union. This approach supports west London producers while allowing the team to maintain freshness and traceability, something increasingly valued by both London residents and international visitors who seek out more responsible, local‑minded dining options.

For Berkeley Group, which is delivering Grand Union, Ladudu joins a curated mix of independent cafés, nurseries, gyms and community spaces designed to make the canalside location feel like a self‑contained destination. The developer’s managing director has said that backing local entrepreneurs is central to the neighbourhood vision, and the restaurant is viewed as a key contributor to a setting where people can live, eat, work and socialise in one place.

A new stop on London’s Vietnamese food map

The Vietnamese restaurant Ladudu now operates its business because the Grand Union development in Wembley area brings new residential properties and independent shops to the neighborhood. The restaurant presents a complete experience because it offers canalside views and children’s play areas and cooking classes and customers can take home their sauces. The restaurant will become a dining destination because London residents bring their guests to experience Vietnamese cuisine while international visitors learn about the city’s dining culture through its hidden local restaurants.

Image Credit: Ladudu

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World of Coffee Dubai 2026 Welcomes A Record Success, Boosting Coffee Tourism And Culinary Travel In Dubai

World of Coffee Dubai 2026, which DXB LIVE organized at Dubai World Trade Centre together with the Specialty Coffee Association, finished its fifth edition by achieving record results and confirming its sixth edition from 26 to 28 January 2027. The show attracted more than twenty thousand trade visits from industry professionals representing more than fifty countries, making it the largest event in the World of Coffee exhibition series to date and a powerful catalyst for coffee‑led tourism to Dubai.

More than 2,100 companies and brands from 78 countries participated, alongside nine national pavilions, transforming the Dubai World Trade Centre halls into a global marketplace for beans, brewing equipment and café concepts. With international visitors exceeding 70 percent of total attendance and the majority of guests visiting Dubai’s broader dining and attractions scene, the event firmly tied the city’s hospitality and tourism offering to its expanding coffee economy.

A trade show that doubles as a travel experience

Beyond the numbers, the 2026 edition functioned as a curated journey through global coffee culture under one roof, with features such as the Roaster Village, Cupping Rooms, Producers Village and a dynamic auction programme. These elements allowed visitors to taste rare coffees, meet producers and witness live roasting, experiences that increasingly mirror what travellers seek in coffee‑themed itineraries around the city.

Industry professionals accounted for 83 percent of total visitors, and 68 percent were decision makers or purchasing managers, 60 percent of whom reported signing new deals or partnerships during the event. Observers noted that the depth of technical conversations, product launches and competitions translated directly into richer, more informed offerings at Dubai’s cafés, hotel lounges and specialty roasteries that tourists encounter across the emirate.

Fuel for Dubai’s coffee tourism and culinary scene

World of Coffee Dubai is billed as the Middle East’s premier platform for the specialty coffee community, designed for both the UAE’s coffee businesses and international brands looking to enter the regional market. This positioning feeds directly into Dubai’s tourism strategy, as specialty coffee shops, roasteries and coffee‑focused experiences increasingly feature alongside fine‑dining restaurants, street‑food tours and heritage quarters on visitor itineraries.

Travel writers and tour operators have highlighted how visitors can now pair a day at Dubai World Trade Centre’s coffee exhibition with city experiences such as the Dubai Coffee Museum in the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, Arabic coffee tastings on heritage walking tours, and stops at acclaimed roasteries like Cypher Urban Roastery or To The Moon & Back Coffee. The growing network of coffee‑centric venues, from beachside cafés to concept roasteries, adds another layer to Dubai’s reputation as a destination where travellers can explore global flavours from Emirati brews in historic districts to experimental single‑origin pours in contemporary cafés.

Partnerships extending Dubai’s coffee influence

During the 2026 event, 14 memorandums of understanding and partnership agreements were signed between 23 companies, entities and organisations, including a renewal of the partnership between the Specialty Coffee Association and DXB LIVE to organise World of Coffee Dubai for five more years through 2031. The show also saw a three‑year agreement between DXB LIVE and the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority to organise the Bahrain Coffee Festival, extending Dubai’s influence in coffee‑led tourism across the region.

Commentators said these agreements underline Dubai’s role as a regional hub where coffee businesses, tourism boards and hospitality operators shape joint strategies, from destination marketing to café‑driven city trails. With more than 90 percent of exhibitors confirming their intention to return and half of the next edition’s space already reserved during the show days, stakeholders viewed the exhibition as a long‑term engine for both trade and visitor‑focused innovations.

Looking ahead to 2027: more reasons to visit Dubai

Dubai: As the city looks towards the sixth edition of World of Coffee Dubai at Dubai World Trade Centre in January 2027, local cafés, hotels and tour operators are already preparing new ways to welcome travellers eager to plan trips around the event. Tourism insiders suggested that future editions will increasingly inspire bundled experiences, combining entry to the exhibition with specialty café tours, cooking classes, coffee‑pairing dinners and heritage walks that showcase Dubai’s diverse culinary landscape.

For visitors, the World of Coffee event in Dubai will provide an opportunity to experience the top specialty coffee trade show while they explore local neighborhoods and traditional aromas and regional stories which continue after the final coffee tasting session.

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Island of Ireland Emerges As High‑Interest, Food‑Forward Escape In New Tourism Ireland Sentiment Research

The Island of Ireland has become an international travel destination which research demonstrates through people showing their desire to visit and their developing interest in its culinary traditions and natural scenery and its relaxed lifestyle. Holidaymakers who evaluated Ireland as a travel destination described the country as a place that enables visitors to relax their bodies while they enjoy quality food from the moment they enter the country.

Strong interest and a hunger for exploration

Tourism Ireland’s latest Overseas Sentiment Research, carried out with RED C in November and December, surveyed more than 8,000 potential holidaymakers across eight key markets: Great Britain, the United States, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Canada and the Netherlands. Over 70 percent of respondents expressed interest in visiting the island of Ireland at some point, with intention to travel within the next two years and active planning levels described as stable, suggesting solid medium‑term demand.

Exploration emerged as the leading holiday need, cited by 79 percent of those surveyed, underlining the appeal of itineraries that involve touring, discovery and getting under the skin of local culture. The ability to disconnect came through as the second most influential factor in destination choice, with 67 percent saying they look for places where they can switch off from everyday pressures, a space where Ireland’s quiet roads, coastal walks and small towns are seen as a natural fit.

Value for money and the pull of landscapes

Perceptions of value remain central, with around half of potential visitors believing they will find good value for money on the island of Ireland, broadly in line with or ahead of other Northern European destinations such as England, Norway and Switzerland. Some Southern European destinations continue to be regarded as stronger on value, but previous visitors to Ireland were more likely to rate their stay as good value, indicating that the on‑the‑ground experience can exceed expectations and leave people feeling the trip was worth the spend.

Beautiful landscapes remain the single biggest reason people say they consider the island of Ireland for a future holiday, particularly among travellers from Germany, France and the Netherlands. Respondents associated Ireland with dramatic coastlines, rolling green countryside and scenery that lends itself naturally to road trips, hiking and slow touring across both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Where visitors stay and how they get inspired

Hotels continue to attract the highest overall consideration, but the research shows that B&Bs, guesthouses and rental properties play an important role, especially for countryside breaks and longer stays where visitors want a homely base and local contact. This mix suggests that visitors are open to combining city hotels with more intimate rural stays, creating itineraries that move between Dublin or Belfast and smaller coastal or inland communities.

Word of mouth remains influential as travellers choose where to go, but digital channels are now firmly embedded in the inspiration phase. Online search was cited by 37 percent of respondents as a key source, while social media and TV or film were each mentioned by 23 percent, underlining the power of evocative imagery, short‑form video and screen portrayals of the island. Around one third of potential visitors had experimented with AI tools for trip research, and 11 percent reported using them regularly, indicating that AI‑driven planning is becoming a growing influence on destination decisions.​

Food, drink and the chance to tell a richer story

Food is now central to destination choice, with 70 percent of potential overseas visitors naming it as a factor in how they decide where to go on holiday. More than 70 percent expect that food on the island of Ireland will be good, with especially strong expectations in the United States (90 percent) and Great Britain (83 percent), suggesting that many travellers already imagine warming pub dishes, quality local produce and a convivial dining scene.

Expectations are more modest in Mediterranean markets, where confidence in Irish food sits closer to 60 percent, but Tourism Ireland views this as an opportunity to reshape perceptions. The research found that potential visitors most often associate the island with farm‑to‑fork food, pub dishes and home‑cooked traditional fare, while there is room to spotlight seafood and the diversity of contemporary culinary experiences, from coastal shellfish shacks to chef‑driven city restaurants.

Using insights to shape future trips to Ireland

Tourism Ireland’s Chief Executive, Alice Mansergh, said the organisation regarded the findings as confirmation that exploration, the wish to disconnect and the island’s landscapes remain powerful drivers of choice for overseas holidaymakers, and that food offers significant scope for future storytelling as part of a memorable, almost magical trip. She indicated that, although value for money continues to be a concern for many travellers, those who have already visited tend to view the experience more favourably, reinforcing the need to highlight quality and authenticity across the visitor journey.

The organization intends to apply its research findings for optimal marketing improvement across key markets which will involve close collaboration with airlines ferry companies international tour operators and regional business partners to convert customer interest into confirmed travel reservations. The future visitor experience will improve through customized marketing initiatives which deliver authentic food and landscape stories together with straightforward access to itineraries that provide daytime exploration and nighttime Irish hospitality experiences to help them envision their upcoming visits to the island of Ireland.

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Royal Caribbean Unveiled Its New Smart Glasses Rules Aim To Give Passengers More Privacy At Sea

Royal Caribbean introduced its smart glasses policy creates peaceful onboard experiences which travellers to Caribbean, Mediterranean and Alaskan destinations want to experience. The line has updated its prohibited items guidance to restrict the use of wearable eyewear with built‑in video and audio recording in a number of sensitive public spaces. The new security measures at the airport allow guests to enjoy their holiday without any concerns about being recorded without their knowledge.

What has changed in Royal Caribbean’s smart glasses policy?

Royal Caribbean’s official prohibited‑items page now specifies that smart glasses from various manufacturers which can record video and audio may not be used in certain areas onboard. These include public restrooms, youth programme areas, medical facilities and casino spaces, all places where the company says privacy and security must be paramount.

The cruise line stresses that this is not an outright ban on bringing such eyewear on a cruise; guests may still carry smart glasses and use them in non‑restricted areas, as long as they respect the rules in the clearly designated zones. The responsibility for enforcement lies with chief security officers and senior ship staff, who are authorised to remove or temporarily hold any device that breaches the terms.

How the rules benefit passengers and families

For families making the most of sea days, the clearest benefit is around children’s spaces and youth clubs. By blocking the use of recording‑enabled glasses in youth programme zones, Royal Caribbean aims to create a safer environment where parents can feel more at ease about their children joining group activities without being covertly filmed by strangers.​

Adults, too, stand to gain from a more relaxed atmosphere. In restrooms, medical centres and wellness areas, the updated rules are designed to reduce the unease that discreet recording devices can generate, especially when they look almost identical to ordinary spectacles. In the casino, the company is signalling that both fair play and a sense of discretion are part of the overall onboard experience, something many cruisers value when choosing a line for a special holiday.

A tourism angle: making ships feel more like resorts

Royal Caribbean’s stance aligns with a broader travel and tourism trend in which resorts, airlines and other cruise lines are tightening rules on covert recording technology. MSC Cruises, for example, has already barred smart glasses from all public areas on its ships, allowing them only in cabins, ashore and other non‑public spaces in order to preserve a calm, resort‑style ambience. Industry observers have noted that many holidaymakers want the freedom to take photos and videos with obvious devices such as smartphones, while still feeling that more discreet tech is kept in check.

For Royal Caribbean, the message is that its ships should feel like floating resorts where fellow guests can mingle, sunbathe, dance and dine without constantly worrying about being unknowingly featured in someone’s wearable tech feed. By tightening rules around smart glasses rather than cameras in general, the company is trying to strike a balance between embracing innovation and protecting the sense of escape that draws so many people to cruising in the first place.

Practical guidance for passengers and prescription users

The cruise line advises guests who wear prescription smart glasses to pack a second pair of non‑recording eyewear for use in the restricted areas, so that day‑to‑day life onboard is not disrupted. Travellers who rely on wearable technology for accessibility are encouraged on external industry sites to contact the line in advance, so that any needs can be discussed before boarding. Royal Caribbean has not published a detailed list of affected brands or models, instead stating that the rules apply broadly to any device capable of capturing images or sound.

Online discussions show that regular cruisers expect more ships to establish identical operational limits because they believe clearly defined rules which crew members communicate effectively will help everyone enter vacation mode. The Royal Caribbean cruise line currently informs passengers who want to travel to the Caribbean Mediterranean Northern Europe or other destinations that they need only additional glasses to experience the newest ships while safeguarding other passengers’ personal information.

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Le Commandant Charcot’s Australian Debut Supercharges Luxury Cruise Tourism: Here’s What You Need To Know

The local residents who assembled at Hobart’s waterfront watched Le Commandant Charcot sail into the Tasmanian capital at 4:15pm AEST on Saturday 14 February which marked the ship’s first appearance in Australia and brought significant benefits to the country’s cruise tourism development. The arrival of PONANT EXPLORATIONS’ flagship polar vessel after a half-circumnavigation of Antarctica from Ushuaia is being framed by industry leaders as a defining moment for positioning Hobart and by extension Australia, as a serious high-end gateway to the White Continent.

Defining moment for Australia’s polar cruise network

PONANT EXPLORATIONS’ Asia Pacific CEO Deb Corbett characterised the maiden Australian call as a watershed for Antarctic tourism, noting that with Australia now firmly woven into the line’s most ambitious itineraries, Hobart stands to play a strategic role in future polar deployment. The brand is already known for its small‑ship luxury expeditions, and integrating Hobart into the operational map of Le Commandant Charcot gives local stakeholders access to some of the most exclusive itineraries in the global cruise market.

Industry observers view the call as more than a one‑off visit, instead describing it as the start of a new chapter in cruise networking that will link Tasmanian ports with remote Antarctic regions such as Adélie Land, Wilkes Land, the Shackleton Ice Shelf and Queen Mary Land. Such routing not only diversifies the cruise offering out of Australia but also encourages longer stays, higher‑value shore spending and stronger integration with local operators and scientific institutions.

From Ushuaia to Hobart: a prestigious Antarctic highway

Le Commandant Charcot’s arrival in Hobart capped a rare half‑circumnavigation from Ushuaia through some of East Antarctica’s least‑visited stretches, an itinerary usually associated with scientific or government vessels rather than passenger ships. By completing this route on a commercial voyage with paying guests, PONANT EXPLORATIONS has effectively mapped a prestigious Antarctic “highway” linking South America and Tasmania, with Hobart as a natural hinge between hemispheres.

The vessel’s presence also underscores Hobart’s evolving role alongside ports such as Ushuaia and Lyttelton as an operational base for polar logistics and tourism, supported by its existing Antarctic research community and infrastructure. Local tourism planners suggest this can translate into pre‑ and post‑cruise itineraries across Tasmania, from food and wine regions to wilderness experiences, creating a more layered visitor economy rather than a simple embark‑disembark stop.

2028 circumnavigation: Hobart as the pivot

Looking ahead, PONANT EXPLORATIONS has opened bookings for what it describes as its most ambitious Antarctic itinerary yet: a 62‑day circumnavigation of the continent in early 2028, operated roundtrip from Ushuaia on Le Commandant Charcot. The voyage will span roughly 14,300 miles and is split into two sellable legs, with Hobart acting as the pivotal midpoint, first as the terminus of a 30‑day Ushuaia–Hobart segment, then as the departure port for a 31‑day Hobart–Ushuaia return via Eastern Antarctica.

For Australia’s cruise network this structure is highly significant, as it effectively anchors Hobart within a marquee global expedition that visits coveted regions including the Ross Sea, Charcot Island, Marie Byrd Land, the Balleny Islands and other rarely accessed coasts. Travel planners expect that the stopover – currently designed as a three‑day window – will encourage fly‑in guests, encourage Australian travellers to join or leave the voyage in Tasmania, and stimulate premium hotel, touring and dining demand in and around Hobart.

A luxury icebreaker tailored to modern travellers

Delivered in 2021, Le Commandant Charcot has been promoted by PONANT as the first hybrid‑electric polar exploration vessel powered by liquefied natural gas, blending serious icebreaking capability with the comfort expected of a five‑star resort. The ship carries around 245 guests in balcony staterooms and suites, supported by multiple restaurants, lounges, a spa with snow room and indoor pool, and extensive scientific facilities that allow collaboration with researchers during voyages.

Travel specialists point out that this elevated onboard environment positions Hobart to welcome high‑spend expedition guests, many of whom may extend their travels across mainland Australia before or after their polar journey. In tourism terms, Le Commandant Charcot’s design represents a bridge between classic expedition travel and ultra‑luxury cruising, a segment that destination marketers in Australia have been eager to attract to diversify beyond mass‑market ship calls.

Personal ties, shared ambitions and a boost for Australian tourism

At the helm for the Hobart arrival was Captain Stanislas Devorsine, who was reported to have reflected on a deeply personal milestone, recalling his years in Hobart and his decade commanding the French icebreaker L’Astrolabe within the long‑standing French–Australian Antarctic partnership. He also indicated that since contributing his icebreaker experience during the design phase of Le Commandant Charcot in 2018, seeing the ship now poised to undertake a full Antarctic circumnavigation felt like a turning point in modern polar exploration, a sentiment that resonates strongly with local tourism aspirations.

The emotional homecoming of a captain with historic ties to Hobart and the low-emission luxury icebreaker and the future circumnavigation voyages function as more than a schedule update because they create a story which connects shared goals and collective exploration. The tourism bodies believe this story will attract new visitors who will begin their Antarctic journey at Australian coastal areas.

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Khamas Hospitality Names Gurbani Chanana Cluster Director Of Marketing And PR To Power Tourism-Led Growth In Dubai, UAE

The Khamas Hospitality group operates hotels in Dubai and the UK and Italy, which will implement a new storytelling method after they selected Gurbani Chanana as their new Cluster Director of Marketing and PR. She will use her fifteen years of experience in hospitality and food and beverage and lifestyle brands to develop the visitor experience at the group’s urban and castle and lakeside properties.

Khamas Hospitality, established and headquartered in Dubai, has grown into one of the region’s leading hotel management entities, with a portfolio that spans the UAE, Italy and the United Kingdom. The group positions itself around service excellence, exceptional dining and superior amenities, promising “all the comforts of home” to guests whether they visit for work or leisure.

Strengthening a growing international portfolio

The new appointment comes as Khamas Hospitality continues expanding its footprint with new hotels and branded residences in key destinations. Its current portfolio includes Dubai favourites such as The Canvas Hotel Dubai, an MGallery by Accor in the heart of the city, Royal Ascot Hotel, Sea View Hotel, Ascot Hotel and lifestyle-focused Mama Shelter Dubai, alongside DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai, Al Jadaf.

Beyond the UAE, the group also manages the storybook Thornbury Castle in the UK and the waterfront Grand Hotel Campione in Italy, both appealing to travellers seeking immersive, sense-of-place experiences. Upcoming projects, including Courtyard by Marriott JVC and Ritz Carlton Residences Business Bay in Dubai, are set to deepen its presence in the city’s competitive hospitality and tourism landscape.

Industry observers suggested that by consolidating marketing and PR across this multi-country portfolio, the new role is designed to deliver a more unified brand voice that resonates with international travellers and trade partners.

Experience rooted in hospitality and lifestyle travel

Chanana’s background spans hospitality brands, destination dining and lifestyle concepts, giving her a grounded understanding of how guests choose hotels, restaurants and experiences when planning trips. She has led multi‑channel campaigns, brand launches and repositioning initiatives that have delivered measurable growth and enhanced market presence for regional hospitality brands.​

Before joining Khamas Hospitality, she worked as Marketing Manager at Super Eats Investment, overseeing marketing for multiple award‑recognised dining concepts, including brands listed in the Michelin Guide. Her remit included PR strategy, influencer collaborations, digital marketing and experiential activations that drew diners and tourists to high‑profile restaurants.​

Earlier in her career, she held a senior marketing role with Al Habtoor Hospitality in Dubai, where she directed integrated marketing campaigns across F&B outlets and hotel services such as dining, banquets, spa and events. Colleagues are understood to have highlighted her ability to optimise marketing spend while supporting revenue growth across several hospitality verticals, positioning her as a commercially minded marketer with a strong feel for guest behaviour.

​Tourism-focused mandate across UAE, UK and Italy

In her new role, Chanana will oversee cluster-wide marketing and PR strategy for Khamas Hospitality’s portfolio, aligning brand positioning and guest engagement with the group’s growth ambitions in the UAE and abroad. The brief includes shaping integrated campaigns that highlight the diversity of its destinations: from heritage-rich Bur Dubai, with quick access to the Gold & Spice Souqs and Dubai Creek via The Canvas Hotel Dubai, to beachside stays, lifestyle hubs and European escapes in England and Italy.

Travel trade sources indicated that she is expected to focus on creating stronger narratives around each property’s locale, promoting shopping, art, architecture, adventure and nightlife in line with the brand’s promise to help guests enjoy all of it during their stay. By tying hotel stays more closely to local experiences, the group aims to attract both international tourists and staycationers looking for curated itineraries across its properties.

Her appointment also signals continued investment by Khamas Hospitality in seasoned marketing leadership capable of blending creative storytelling with data‑driven execution and measurable impact. Industry commentators noted that such roles are increasingly central to how hotel groups capture demand from emerging source markets, digital‑first travellers and experience‑focused guests.

Boosting the wider hospitality and tourism ecosystem

Within Dubai’s competitive hospitality market, where new hotels and branded residences are rapidly reshaping the skyline, Khamas Hospitality’s refreshed marketing leadership is expected to amplify the visibility of its mid‑scale, upscale and luxury offerings. By highlighting its hotels’ proximity to major attractions such as Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa, historic Bastakiya and the city’s waterfront districts, the group is poised to play a more active role in attracting travellers who want to combine urban exploration with comfortable, characterful stays.

Travel professionals suggested that stronger, coordinated campaigns across the group’s Dubai, UK and Italy properties could encourage multi‑destination itineraries, with guests pairing a city break in Dubai with a castle stay in England or a lakeside escape in Italy. This kind of cross‑portfolio storytelling not only supports Khamas Hospitality’s growth, they said, but also contributes to the broader tourism ecosystem by lengthening stays, increasing repeat visitation and driving higher overall spending in key markets.

The ongoing development of Dubai as a worldwide tourism center will proceed with Khamas Hospitality building two new properties which include Courtyard by Marriott JVC and Ritz Carlton Residences Business Bay. The organization seeks to create hotel experiences for its guests that go beyond mere accommodation through its latest leadership appointment which will improve their travel connection to Dubai and the English countryside and the Italian lakes.

Image Credit: Royal Ascot Hotel by Khamas Hospitality

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Türkiye Set To Expand Its Sports Tourism Sector Beyond Football: Everything You Need To Know

Antalya and Erzurum are set to welcome a growing wave of travellers who want more than a beach or city break from their time in Türkiye, as the country moves decisively to turn sports into a year-round tourism engine. Visitors who once came mainly for summer sun or city sightseeing are now being courted with promises of world-class cycling routes, snow-sure ski slopes and pristine golf courses that keep resorts buzzing even in the depths of winter.

Türkiye is rolling out a broad strategy to diversify sports tourism beyond football, with plans covering 12 disciplines from cycling and golf to winter sports and emerging activities such as padel. Officials and industry leaders see this as a way to tap into a global sector that already represents around 10 percent of all tourism activity worldwide, compared with just 1.5 percent of Türkiye’s current tourism mix.

A national plan to grow a year‑round sports hub

The Turkish Sports Tourism Association has outlined an ambitious roadmap to showcase facilities across the country and attract more international athletes, teams and amateur enthusiasts. Its president, Nida Kiraz, has indicated that collaboration between the government and private sector will be essential if Türkiye is to claim a larger share of global sports tourism.​

Authorities are positioning sports as a pillar of sustainable tourism, alongside the country’s established strengths in culture, city breaks and coastal holidays. With Istanbul and Antalya already among the world’s most visited cities, extending stays and spreading visitor numbers into shoulder and winter seasons is seen as a natural next step.

​Antalya: cycling, golf and Europe’s biggest sports tourism fair

Antalya, long known as a Mediterranean favourite for beach holidays and all‑inclusive resorts, is now being recast as a base for active travellers and professional training camps. The city will host what is billed as Europe’s largest sports tourism fair from 31 May to 3 June, bringing leading sports companies, tour operators and destination managers together on the Turquoise Coast.

Cycling sits at the centre of this new identity, with Antalya emerging as a key destination as the sport’s popularity surges globally. In 2026, the region will stage three major events, the Tour of Antalya, a Gran Fondo and the Padelia event, which are expected to draw both elite riders and amateurs looking to combine racing with a holiday in the sun. Golf is also thriving, with courses in and around Antalya reported to be fully booked, turning what used to be quiet winter months into a lucrative season for hotels, caddies and local businesses.​

Winter sports: Uludağ, Erciyes and Erzurum’s Palandöken

On the winter side, Türkiye is promoting its mountain regions as an alternative to more crowded European ski hubs, highlighting both value and variety. Uludağ, near Bursa and within easy reach of Istanbul, is described as the country’s oldest and most popular ski resort, with snow typically covering the mountain from December to May and a modern cable car linking visitors to its hotels and pistes.

Further inland, Mount Erciyes in Central Anatolia offers dramatic volcanic scenery, long runs and reliable snow for skiing and snowboarding, appealing to travellers who want to combine a city stay with days on the slopes. In Erzurum, Palandöken Mountain has become one of Türkiye’s leading winter sports centres, with a ski season that can stretch to six months, night skiing, steep trails and powder conditions that have already convinced international organisers to bring major events to the region. These high-altitude resorts are being bundled into winter holiday packages that encourage visitors to stay longer, mixing skiing with local culture and cuisine.

Keeping hotels open and communities working through winter

Industry representatives have underlined how sports tourism is changing the rhythm of the tourism year in destinations like Antalya and Erzurum. Months once considered the dead season from December to February are now seeing rising numbers of athletes, amateur sports groups and active travellers, filling hotel rooms that previously sat empty and supporting jobs in hospitality, transport and guiding.

Sports tourism is being described as a crucial tool for maintaining employment continuity, allowing hotels to keep staff on year-round rather than relying on short, intense seasonal contracts. Local communities in mountain towns and coastal resorts alike benefit when restaurants, rental shops and small businesses can plan for steady winter trade instead of abrupt closures.

A richer, more active way to experience Türkiye

For travellers, Türkiye’s push into sports tourism promises a more layered and personal experience of the country, whether that means pedalling along the coast near Antalya, carving fresh tracks on the slopes of Uludağ or soaking up Erzurum’s high‑altitude air after a day on Palandöken. Visitors who might once have flown in for a few days on the beach or a quick city break are increasingly being invited to stay longer, train harder and explore deeper, discovering local traditions and warm hospitality along the way.

Türkiye aims to create new tourist facilities through its investments in various sports venues which include velodromes and Olympic complexes together with ski resorts and golf courses. The aspiration is for visitors to leave with more than just photographs because they will bring back experiences of shared transportation with others and their time spent descending snowy slopes together with newly developed friendships which began during their post-game dining experiences. The tourism industry believes that using sports as a core element of travel in Antalya and Erzurum and Uludağ and Erciyes will create a sustainable visitor economy which benefits both tourists and local residents.

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Frosty nights, Snow And Ice: Urgent UK Travel Alert As Forecasters Warn Of Dangerous Conditions!

The United Kingdom is preparing for a winter storm that will bring snow, ice and frosty nights conditions, which will create travel disruptions at popular tourist sites throughout the country. Travelers who had hoped for milder late‑February conditions are instead being urged to wrap up warm, allow extra journey time and stay alert to rapidly changing weather as temperatures dip below average for the time of year.

The Met Office headline for the period highlights sunny spells and blustery showers, turning colder, signalling a mixed but increasingly wintry pattern.

Tonight: snow in northern Scotland, ice widely

Snow will continue to fall across northern Scotland through Monday evening before becoming more showery overnight, particularly affecting Highland areas and routes towards the Cairngorms and the North Coast 500. Further south across the rest of Scotland, Northern Ireland and parts of northern and eastern England, showers will tend to fade, allowing clear skies and a drop in temperatures.

These clearer conditions will encourage a widespread frost, with icy patches developing on untreated roads and pavements in Northern Ireland, Scotland and eastern England. Forecasters have indicated that such wintry hazards could lead to longer journey times and tricky conditions for those driving between popular city breaks such as Edinburgh, Belfast, Newcastle and York.

Tuesday: cold, bright start before cloud builds in the southwest

Tuesday begins cold and frosty for much of the UK, with many areas starting the day dry under sunny spells, a pattern that will appeal to visitors heading out early to explore historic centres like London, Bath and Oxford. However, a few scattered showers remain possible, mainly across northern and eastern parts of the country, where coastal locations and upland routes may see brief wintry bursts.

Later in the day, cloud is expected to thicken across the southwest, affecting destinations such as Cornwall, Devon and the wider South West England holiday belt. Temperatures through the day are set to remain below the seasonal average, reinforcing the chill already in the air despite any bright intervals.​

Midweek outlook: hill snow in the south, frosty nights and rain later

From Wednesday to Friday, the Met Office expects a north–south split, with the north often dry while the south faces periods of rain and hill snow. This means that while cities such as Glasgow and Aberdeen may experience more settled but cold weather midweek, routes through higher ground in southern Britain, including the Brecon Beacons, Dartmoor and Exmoor, could see accumulating snow on the hills.​

Forecasters say that frosty nights are likely to remain a feature, with temperatures repeatedly dropping below freezing and raising the risk of ice on rural lanes and urban streets alike. By Friday, a more organised area of rain is expected to spread in from the west, potentially affecting travel into and out of western gateways such as Bristol, Cardiff and Liverpool, and bringing a change from snow and ice to wetter, still chilly conditions.

Tourist hotspots likely to feel the impact

Several key tourist destinations across the UK are set to be affected as the wintry pattern develops. Among the locations facing impacts from snow, ice, frost or heavy rain are:

• Edinburgh, Glasgow and the Scottish Highlands, including the Cairngorms and routes associated with the North Coast 500, where snow and ice are a particular concern.
• Belfast and wider Northern Ireland, with icy stretches and frosty nights creating challenging conditions for drivers and walkers.
• Eastern England, including York, Newcastle and coastal towns along the North Sea, where frost, ice and brisk winds are expected.
• Southern upland areas such as the Brecon Beacons, Dartmoor and Exmoor, which carry a risk of hill snow as bands of rain move across colder air midweek.​
• South West and Southern England holiday areas, including Cornwall, Devon and coastal parts of Dorset and Hampshire, where cloudier skies, rain and some wintry showers could affect coastal walks and driving conditions.

Visitors planning scenic drives, hiking trips or city tours are being encouraged to keep their itineraries flexible and monitor the latest local forecasts before setting out.

Safety protocols for tourists in snow and ice

Travel specialists, referring to Met Office guidance, have advised that tourists should avoid unnecessary journeys during periods of heaviest snow or when ice warnings are in force wherever possible. Where travel is essential, people are urged to plan their route in advance, allow extra time, check for road closures or public transport delays, and be prepared to adjust plans at short notice.

Visitors heading out on foot are advised to wear sturdy footwear with good grip, watch out for black ice on pavements and car parks, and walk slowly to reduce the risk of slips and falls. Drivers are being reminded to carry warm clothing, blankets, water and a charged mobile phone, and to keep windscreens, lights and number plates clear of ice and snow before setting off. Health guidance also stresses the importance of several warm clothing layers and staying dry to reduce the risk of hypothermia and frostbite in exposed locations.

Bottom Line

The winter weather conditions will create an enduring memory for visitors to the United Kingdom during this current week. The visitors will experience winter weather because the United Kingdom is currently experiencing a combination of sparkling frosty mornings and sudden snow showers and grey rain-laden skies that will create deep winter conditions which extend beyond the normal spring transition. Travel experts recommended that tourists should implement sensible precautions which should include flexible travel arrangements while they monitor official travel updates so they can explore the country’s castles and coastlines and countryside in safety during the upcoming chilly weather period.

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Four Seasons Hotel Milano Italy Attracts Tourists With A Dramatic Designer Makeover With New Presidential And Designer Suites

The Lombardy capital now provides visitors with an additional reason to stay inside because Four Seasons Hotel Milano in Italy has finished its renovation of all 118 guest rooms and suites. The hotel unveils its new Presidential Suite and modern Designer Suite as the main attraction of its renovated facilities. The historic city center offers guests a luxurious residential experience which combines fashion and culture with peaceful relaxation at a location. The hotel provides access to both the Duomo and the Quadrilatero della Moda fashion district.

The heritage property, housed in a 15th‑century former convent, has been refreshed under the eye of celebrated designer Pierre‑Yves Rochon, who has been said to have sought to honour Milan’s design DNA while bringing in a quietly modern, boutique aesthetic. For visitors, that means more natural light, tactile materials and artful details, without losing the sense of staying in a classic Milanese palazzo.

Presidential Suite: private residence in the fashion quarter

At 177 square metres, the new Presidential Suite is positioned by the hotel as its flagship urban residence, occupying its own wing overlooking a private courtyard for added privacy and calm. Leisure guests and high‑profile travellers can use the suite as a self‑contained home base, with a generous living area, bedroom, dressing room, bathroom and private kitchen laid out in a residential flow that suits longer stays or family visits.

Design‑wise, the suite blends avant‑garde touches with historic bones, pairing a traditional wooden ceiling and a black marble fireplace with contemporary furniture and curated Italian art. Materials including wool, bouclé, leather and richly worked wood are layered for a sensory experience that encourages guests to slow down between shopping trips and gallery visits.

The bathroom has been reimagined as a destination in its own right, showcasing Breccia Calacatta marble threaded with red and aubergine veins and a geometric floor that gives the room a strong architectural personality. For guests, this translates into a spa‑like setting for getting ready for an evening at La Scala or winding down after a business day in the nearby financial district.

For entertaining, the suite’s fully integrated cocktail bar, with its own counter, wine storage and professional equipment allows private aperitivi, intimate dinners or discreet meetings to unfold without leaving the room. Hotel insiders suggest that the space is already being eyed for fashion‑week gatherings, pre‑show warm‑ups and confidential deal‑making away from the public eye.

Designer Suite: contemporary Milanese pied‑à‑terre

The 91‑square‑metre Designer Suite has been conceived as a luminous urban pied‑à‑terre for design‑savvy guests who want to feel embedded in Milanese daily life. Iconic oval windows draw in natural light across the bedroom, living area and work space, while views of the courtyard keep the atmosphere calm despite the central location near Via Montenapoleone.

Hardwood floors, custom‑loomed carpets and crisp Frette linens create a warm, tailored mood that nods to mid‑century Italian masters, from Gio Ponti to Fornasetti, while textiles by Rubelli and Dedar add colour and texture. This mix of references means design enthusiasts can spot subtle homages to Italian modernism while still enjoying the comforts expected of a contemporary five‑star stay.

A spacious Carrara marble bathroom with deep European soaking tub and separate walk‑in shower is geared towards guests seeking restorative downtime between museum visits or shopping appointments. A discreet guest powder room, accessed through a walk‑in closet, and a living room with fold‑down wall bed make the suite practical for small families, close friends travelling together or an assistant accompanying a business traveller.

Near the bedroom, a compact library inspired by Charlotte Perriand adds an architectural note and provides a quiet corner for reading trip guides, checking emails or planning the next day’s itinerary. The hotel team has indicated that the suite is designed to feel liveable, encouraging guests to unpack and treat the space as a temporary Milanese apartment rather than a traditional hotel room.

Benefits for leisure guests and business travellers

Beyond the two headline suites, all rooms and suites at Four Seasons Hotel Milano have undergone a full refresh, retaining original marble in bathrooms while introducing redesigned sinks and custom woodwork crafted by local artisans. For guests, this ensures a coherent experience, whether they book an entry‑level room, a Renaissance Suite with historical stucco ceiling or one of the signature new spaces.

Key guest‑facing amenities remain in place, including complimentary premium Wi‑Fi, 24‑hour in‑room dining, twice‑daily housekeeping and access to the hotel’s intimate spa, making the property suitable for both short business trips and extended city breaks. Families benefit from flexible occupancy in suites such as the Designer Suite, which can host up to three adults or two adults and a child, and from services like rollaway beds, cots and connecting options in selected categories.

Its location, a short walk from the Duomo, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and the fashion district, positions the hotel as a convenient hub for sightseeing and shopping, while the refreshed interiors give returning guests a new reason to rediscover familiar surroundings. Hotel representatives have remarked that the redesign aims to let visitors experience the city’s fashion, design and culinary scenes in an atmosphere that mirrors Milan’s own blend of history and innovation.

Milan stays with a renewed sense of place

For travellers planning a future escape to Milan, Italy, the renewed Four Seasons Hotel Milano now offers a sharper sense of place, with suites that feel closely tuned to the city’s identity as a capital of fashion and design. Couples dreaming of a romantic weekend, families plotting a culture‑rich holiday and executives returning for repeated stays may find that the new Presidential and Designer Suites turn the hotel itself into one of the trip’s most memorable sights, alongside the Duomo and Brera’s galleries.

The creators of the project transformation state their intent to maintain the convent’s original architectural elements while providing modern amenities for visitors because they believe this approach will appeal to guests who value historical accuracy and contemporary comfort. The updated property in Milan currently supports international fashion trends while attracting modern visitors who seek hotels that complement the city’s sophisticated and assured atmosphere.

Image Credit: Four Seasons Hotel Milano

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Air India Summer 2026: Tourists Prepare For A Treat As Airline Unveils Next‑Gen Cabins And Extra Flights

Air India’s Northern Summer 2026 schedule introduces a completely new experience to visitors who want to explore London and Melbourne and Toronto and Tokyo next year. The airline plans to deliver an upgraded experience through its new aircraft operations which will include refurbished widebody planes and upcoming generation jet aircraft on its most traveled international routes.

Big step in global network strategy

Air India has announced a significant product and network enhancement for Summer 2026, centred on upgraded cabins and added capacity on long‑haul routes. Key destinations benefiting from the move include Tokyo (Haneda), Toronto, Seoul, Shanghai, London and Melbourne, all of which will see aircraft with new or retrofitted interiors, plus more seats on select routes.

From Delhi, flights to Tokyo Haneda will use Boeing 787‑9 aircraft in a three‑class layout, adding Premium Economy and increasing monthly seat capacity on the route. Delhi–Toronto will rise from 7 to 10 weekly services, while flights to Seoul Incheon and Shanghai will also see frequency bumps, strengthening connectivity between India and key East Asian and North American hubs.

New cabins and more premium choice

At the heart of the plan is a rapid rollout of new or thoroughly refurbished cabins across Air India’s widebody fleet. The airline is deploying new Boeing 787‑9s and retrofitted 787‑8s with updated interiors on more international routes, while continuing a retrofit programme for 26 legacy 787‑8s, each receiving redesigned cabins and the carrier’s new livery.

Premium Economy will appear on more city pairs, including Delhi–Tokyo and Bengaluru–London Heathrow, giving travellers an option between traditional Economy and Business on long sectors. First Class, which has been gradually re‑introduced as part of the broader transformation, will feature on select Boeing 777‑300ER routes such as Delhi–Melbourne and flights to Birmingham and London Gatwick, offering eight suites alongside business‑class flatbeds and a large economy cabin.

Industry observers noted that airline executives described these upgrades as part of a deliberate push to create a more consistent new Air India experience, rather than a patchwork of old and new cabins.

Strengthening aviation networks

These aircraft and product changes are designed not only to improve comfort on board, but also to deepen Air India’s role in international aviation networks linking India with Europe, North America and Asia–Pacific. Additional frequencies to Toronto, Seoul and Shanghai, together with upgraded capacity to London and Melbourne, increase the number of connection options via Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru for passengers travelling onward across India or beyond.

On the Delhi–Melbourne route alone, the introduction of upgraded 777‑300ERs with First Class will add nearly 4,000 extra seats per month, creating more room for both leisure and corporate demand between India and Australia. On the India–UK corridor, the use of new 787‑9s and refreshed 787‑8s on Mumbai–London and Bengaluru–London, together with improvements on Delhi–London, further consolidates Air India’s position as a key non‑stop player between the two countries.

Commentary around the airline’s transformation programme has indicated that 2026 is being viewed internally as the year when passengers will most clearly notice the change, as more upgraded widebodies join the long‑haul network.

What it means for travellers

For passengers, the immediate impact of the Summer 2026 plan will be felt in the cabin rather than on a route map. Many flights that once alternated between older and newer interiors will, under the revised schedule, be consistently operated by aircraft with upgraded seating, refreshed décor and updated inflight entertainment.

Premium Economy should be particularly attractive to long‑haul travellers from India who want extra space and comfort without the cost of Business Class, especially on overnight flights to London, Tokyo and Toronto. Families heading for summer holidays, students travelling abroad and members of the Indian diaspora visiting home are likely to benefit from the additional frequencies and seat capacity, which can help ease pressure on fares and improve availability at peak times.

Observers also pointed out that the integration of more A350 and 787‑9 aircraft, with their modern cabin pressurisation and quieter interiors, was expected to make long‑haul journeys feel less tiring, something frequent flyers have been keen to see on India–Europe and India–Australia routes.

A traveller‑focused chapter in Air India’s reinvention

London, Melbourne, Toronto and Tokyo may just be waypoints on a global map, but for the travellers who will pass through their airports next summer, Air India’s 2026 upgrades could shape how they feel about flying from India for years to come. For many, the prospect of boarding a quieter aircraft, settling into a more thoughtfully designed seat and enjoying smoother connections will make the idea of long‑haul travel a little less stressful and a lot more enticing.

The airline operates its new cabin configurations and additional flight schedules through its entire network system which results in enhanced international travel connections and provides passengers with improved options to travel between continents. The combination of enhanced aviation connections and superior onboard service which Air India will introduce in 2026 will provide international travelers from India with their next flight selection decision support.

Image Credit: Air India

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Rixos Murjana Debuts As Saudi Arabia’s Largest Ultra All‑Inclusive Red Sea Resort, Boosting Tourism Vision

The Rixos Murjana resort in King Abdullah Economic City which exists on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast operates as the largest all‑inclusive resort in the country while serving as a new tourist attraction for families. The beach area welcomes travelers with its extensive white sand beach and sparkling swimming pools and vista of overwater villas which extend into the Red Sea. The coastal escape style which the beach area offers has become a popular destination for both local residents and international tourists who previously traveled abroad to find similar experiences.

A flagship for Saudi’s Red Sea tourism drive

Rixos Murjana has opened in King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), north of Jeddah, as Saudi Arabia’s largest ultra all‑inclusive resort, reinforcing the country’s ambition to become a leading global beach destination under Vision 2030. The resort is described as the first fully integrated, all‑inclusive property in the kingdom, combining accommodation, dining, entertainment and waterpark access in a single stay, which aims to keep visitor spending within Saudi Arabia and extend average trip length.

The project has been enabled by the Tourism Development Fund (TDF), which financed and invested in the resort in partnership with Emaar Economic City as investor and FTG Company as developer, reflecting a model of public–private collaboration to accelerate tourism infrastructure. Officials highlighted that the development is expected to generate around 250 jobs for Saudis, supporting local employment and skills in hospitality and resort operations.

Tourism minister Ahmed Al‑Khateeb was cited as saying that the opening marks an important milestone in the roll‑out of high‑quality destinations, demonstrating that major projects are ready to move into full operations and welcome visitors from within the kingdom and abroad while expanding family travel choices and contributing to Vision 2030 goals.​

Scale, design and accommodation

Spread across a large coastal site in KAEC, Rixos Murjana offers 488 rooms and suites alongside 33 villas, many with direct or panoramic views of the Red Sea. Accommodation ranges from premium sea‑view rooms and suites to expansive Royal Suites of around 686 square metres, with private jacuzzi, steam room, sauna and dedicated living and dining spaces designed for extended family stays and high‑end travellers.

Club Privé by Rixos introduces an ultra‑exclusive enclave featuring private villas, maid’s rooms and tranquil pools, with guests receiving butler service and access to a dedicated Club House and Beach Club. The resort also offers Maldivian‑style overwater villas, giving the Red Sea shoreline a distinctive profile and offering an alternative for guests who might otherwise opt for long‑haul Indian Ocean retreats.

Architecturally, the interiors draw inspiration from Hijazi coastal design, integrating regional motifs with contemporary, sustainable finishes to create a sense of place while meeting international luxury standards. This aesthetic is echoed throughout public spaces, reinforcing Saudi cultural identity for both domestic and overseas guests.

Middle East’s longest pool and an integrated waterpark

Among the headline features is what is reported to be the Middle East’s longest swimming pool at 111 metres, which runs alongside landscaped gardens and provides a focal point for daytime relaxation. The resort also fronts a private white‑sand beach with access to clear Red Sea waters and nearby coral reefs, catering to sun‑seekers and water‑sports enthusiasts.

Murjana Waterpark, described as Saudi Arabia’s first fully integrated hotel waterpark, spans tens of thousands of square metres and features 11 slides and rides, wave and snorkel pools, splash zones for younger children and multiple food and beverage outlets. The park’s design is said to be inspired by Hijazi architecture and local stories, blending cultural elements with high‑energy attractions for families and thrill‑seekers.

For families, the resort also houses what is promoted as the largest kids’ club in Saudi Arabia, Rixy Kids Club, alongside a dedicated Teens Club, both offering supervised activities, workshops and entertainment tailored to different age groups. Adults can access extensive fitness facilities and an Exclusive Sports Club with expert‑led classes including CrossFit, yoga and TRX, positioning the property as a wellness‑oriented escape as well as an entertainment hub.

Dining, spa and all‑inclusive lifestyle

Rixos Murjana follows the brand’s all‑inclusive, all‑exclusive concept, with guests benefiting from unlimited access to multiple restaurants, cafés and beach bars as part of their stay. Signature venues include Terra Mare for international buffets, Alâ Aksam steakhouse, Piazzetta Italiana, MykOrini for Greek tastes, People’s Restaurant and Godiva Café, collectively designed to keep guests on‑site and engaged across different cuisines.

The award‑winning Anjana Spa features 12 treatment rooms, steam and sauna facilities and couple suites, supporting longer wellness‑focused itineraries for couples and multi‑generational groups. Combined with the destination’s beach clubs, cabanas and adults‑only pool zones, the offering is tailored to both high‑spend leisure travellers and regional weekend visitors looking for short, intensive breaks.

Strengthening Saudi Arabia’s hospitality ecosystem

Industry leaders have framed Rixos Murjana as a qualitative leap in KAEC’s evolution from industrial city to lifestyle and tourism destination, helping to attract foreign direct investment and international brands to the Red Sea corridor. Tourism Development Fund chief Qusai Al‑Fakhri was quoted as saying that the project embodies the fund’s strategy to empower the private sector and deepen partnerships that elevate hospitality standards and enrich guest experiences, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s position as a global hub for all‑inclusive stays.

For the wider hospitality sector, the resort is expected to stimulate demand for supporting services such as transport, excursions and events, while its gateway to holy cities positioning leverages KAEC’s accessibility to Mecca and Medina for visitors combining pilgrimage with coastal holidays. By setting a benchmark for large‑scale all‑inclusive operations and integrated waterparks, Rixos Murjana is also likely to spur competitive upgrades at existing properties and influence the design of future Red Sea developments.

Rixos Hotels chairman Fettah Tamince was reported as observing that the opening is a defining milestone for the brand in Saudi Arabia, expressing confidence in the country’s tourism vision and describing the property as bringing together scale, innovation and elevated guest experiences that set a new standard for ultra all‑inclusive hospitality in KAEC.

A new Red Sea ritual for Saudi and global travellers

A new ceremonial practice which involves the Red Sea will be available for both Saudi citizens and international visitors to experience. The Rixos Murjana resort in King Abdullah Economic City will enable Jeddah and Riyadh families and families from other locations to create Red Sea vacation traditions which require no international travel but provide resort amenities including water slides and spa services and oceanfront dining which people used to think were exclusive to Antalya and Maldives. The all-inclusive resort will demonstrate how Saudi Arabia can combine its heritage with continuous entertainment and high-end service to develop a unique coastal vacation experience.

Image Credit: Rixos Murjana

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