Travel Industry News Page 104
From Forest Sanctuaries to Quiet Islands: Opodo Highlights Hidden Spots for a Spring Mental Refresh
As Mental Health Awareness Week arrives this May, Opodo (part of eDreams ODIGEO) encourages travellers to think beyond the traditional spring clean – focusing not just on their homes but on their wellbeing. With stress levels rising and screen time at an all-time high, a growing number are seeking ways to “reset”. Travel is emerging as one of the most effective tools for a mental refresh. Short, restorative breaks in unexpected, low-tech, nature-rich destinations can help achieve a bit of calm and clarity, while sticking to our digital boundaries. So, Opodo has curated a selection of calm, nature-rich destinations ideal for a bit of a mental reset this spring....
The Ultimate Holiday Hack? Pack the Grandparents
New research uncovers a surprisingly effective way to get more out of family holidays: packing the grandparents. Dubbed the “Gran-ual Leave” effect, the trend is reshaping how families travel together - and benefiting the whole clan. A new study of 1,000 British grandparents by Hilton shows that multi-generational travel is firmly on the rise. A quarter (25%) say they're holidaying more with their children and grandchildren than five years ago, with more than two thirds (69%) having done so in the past year - and everyone is reaping the rewards.
Chad and Mauritania Buck the Trend for Tourism in the Sahel & Southern Sahara
A new group trip to Chad will launch next year, taking guests to explore some of the most striking landscapes anywhere in the Sahara. In the vast expanses of the desert sea, there are soaring peaks, along with oases and waterholes home to the last Saharan crocodiles.
Minor Hotels Announces Rebrand of Anantara Vacation Club to Minor Vacation Club
Minor Hotels is announcing the evolution of its vacation ownership business with the rebranding of Anantara Vacation Club to Minor Vacation Club, aligning the brand more closely with the scale, diversity, and future direction of the Group’s timeshare portfolio.
JanSport Launches the Good Latitude Travel Collection: A New Era of Modern Travel
JanSport, one of the world's most trusted names in carry for nearly 60 years, today unveils its most comprehensive travel line to date: the Good Latitude Travel Collection. Engineered for a new generation of adventurers, the collection fuses expedition–level durability with a refined, casual aesthetic—an evolution rooted in the brand's legacy of relentless innovation and purposeful design. With this launch, JanSport officially enters the modern travel category with a bold, future–facing point of view.
Colombia Leads the World in the Largest Global Bird Count
The 2026 Global Big Day once again highlighted Colombia's exceptional bird diversity, with the country topping the event organized by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
Tignes Performs at Every Level This Summer
Tignes doesn't just host sport; it is, quite literally, a natural stadium. The resort has earned the title, as a high-altitude training base for Olympic squads, Tour de France contenders, international rugby and football teams, and world-ranked individual athletes. This summer, Tignes opens two new MTB trails, a spectacular Himalayan-style footbridge, the resort's first wellness retreat, and a calendar of events that turns the mountains into an arena for all. The summer season goes from 20 June to 6 September 2026.
TripWorks Launches A.N.I.E., the first native AI chatbot to complete end-to-end bookings
TripWorks, the operator-built platform transforming how tour and activity businesses manage pricing, automation and growth, today announced the launch of A.N.I.E. (Assistant for Next-gen Interactive Engagement) – the first native AI chatbot purpose-built for the tours and activities industry that can guide a guest from question to confirmed booking entirely within a single conversation.
Hudson Yards Names Blacklane Official Chauffeur Partner
Blacklane, the global chauffeur service, today announced it has been named the Official Chauffeur Partner of Hudson Yards, New York City’s fastest-growing neighborhood and home to dozens of shops and restaurants, industry-leading businesses and cultural institutions.
YAS ISLAND TO BE HOME OF SPHERE ABU DHABI, A NEW GLOBAL ICON FOR IMMERSIVE ENTERTAINMENT
The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and Sphere Entertainment Co. today announced that Yas Island has been selected as the location for Sphere Abu Dhabi, a landmark project with a construction phase cost of USD 1.7 billion. Poised to become a global icon, the venue will attract tourists from around the world, boost economic diversification, and strengthen Abu Dhabi's sense of place for residents and visitors alike. Sphere Abu Dhabi, which will be the first Sphere venue outside the United States, will be built on a plot of land between Yas Mall and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, with lush green surroundings and proximity to other Yas Island theme parks and attractions. Construction on the venue is expected to be completed by the end of 2029.
Aman Tokyo: A Timeless Beacon Above the City
High above Tokyo’s financial district, Aman Tokyo continues to stand apart as one of the world’s most refined urban sanctuaries — a hotel that feels suspended between the momentum of the modern city and the quiet rituals of traditional Japan.
Balancing Pressure and Possibility: The New Playbook for Hotel F&B
How rising costs, shifting guest expectations, and new technologies are redefining profitability and creating a path forward for innovative operators By Guy Reinbold