Travel Industry News Page 161
Sandals Dunn's River Set the Stage as NBC's 'TODAY with Jenna & Sheinelle' Broadcast
Sandals Dunn's River took center stage on national television as NBC's TODAY with Jenna & Sheinelle traded the studio for the resort's oceanfront setting, airing two special episodes that showcased Jamaica's vibrant culture, music and natural beauty to millions of viewers across the country. Filmed at iconic destination hotspots and along a stretch of the resort's beach, the shows captured the co-hosts' first trip since Sheinelle Jones officially joined Jenna Bush Hager earlier this year. Sponsored by Sandals Resorts and the Jamaica Tourist Board, the hosts were welcomed to an immersive celebration of the island's rhythm, flavor and creativity, all set against the shores of Jamaica's north coast.
Visitors are Invited to Experience the Spirit of Miami Beach
This April, Miami Beach invites travelers from around the world to celebrate love, pride, and unforgettable experiences with a vibrant calendar of events, athletic competitions, and exclusive hotel offers designed to showcase the destination's signature energy and inclusivity. From colorful Pride celebrations and beachside festivals to international fitness competitions and iconic sporting events, Miami Beach offers visitors an exciting reason to plan a spring getaway.
AMBROS DAYTONA JOINS TRADEMARK COLLECTION BY WYNDHAM AS DAYTONA BEACH’S FIRST PROPERTY IN THE BRAND
Daytona’s first boutique hotel, Ambros Daytona, has joined Trademark Collection by Wyndham, part of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, becoming the first property in the portfolio in Daytona Beach. The 50-room hotel, opened in January 2026, is designed for leisure travelers with an emphasis on wellbeing, and aims to transform the coastal city’s hospitality offerings.
EVOK COLLECTION APPOINTS ADAM BENTALHA AS GROUP EXECUTIVE CHEF
Evok Collection announces the appointment of Adam Bentalha as Group Executive Chef, a natural progression for someone who has been supporting the group since 2018. Trained in Parisian palaces and leading fine dining institutions, Adam Bentalha has developed a cuisine that is both contemporary and generous, rooted in seasonality and a sense of place. Over the years, he has played a defining role in crafting the gastronomic identities of several of the group’s addresses, including Brach Paris, Brach Madrid, Sinner and Cour des Vosges
Jill Chalmers, Glenapp Castle MD, Honoured with Prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award
Jill Chalmers, Managing Director of the five-star Glenapp Castle on the Scottish southwest coast, and one of Scotland’s most respected figures in luxury hospitality, has been honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award - announced last night at the prestigious Scottish Excellence Awards ceremony in Edinburgh.
THE RITZ-CARLTON ORLANDO, GRANDE LAKES DEBUTS SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES
Grande Lakes Orlando, the 500-acre luxury resort destination and home to The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes, is pleased to announce the launch of the exclusive Ritz-Carlton Signature Experiences featuring curated luxury programming changing the way guests travel. As the only resort in Central Florida to receive a Forbes Five Star recognition, the resort continues to demonstrate what makes it special through these unique experiences tied to their property and location, including culinary immersions, astro-tourism activities, nature escapades and more.
The Iconic Extreme 19th Returns
One of the world’s most extraordinary golfing experiences is back. The legendary Extreme 19th, located at the renowned Legend Golf & Safari Resort, is officially re-opening on the 7th of May, inviting golfers and adventure seekers to once again take on the most dramatic par-3 in the world of golf.
SriLankan Airlines Records Revenue Increase with AI and ML-Powered Revenue Management System
SriLankan Airlines has recorded a revenue increase following the implementation of a next-generation, AI and Machine-Learning (ML) powered Origin and Destination (O&D) revenue management platform. The system enables dynamic pricing and smarter inventory optimisation, while delivering a superior passenger experience across all sales channels through real-time seat availability and predictive analytics.
Hotel Sacher Vienna celebrates its 150th anniversary - with sculptures by Erwin Wurm
The Hotel Sacher Vienna opened its doors in 1876 and celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2026. The anniversary year begins with the presentation of the sculptures "Step Big" and "Dancer" by renowned artist Erwin Wurm in front of the hotel entrance. On 26 March 2026, these were ceremoniously unveiled in the presence of the artist, Vienna's Mayor Dr. Michael Ludwig and the owner family. They remain on display there throughout the anniversary year.
The Small Changes Revolution: Novotel Launches Star-Studded Collective to Make Longevity Accessible
In a world where 68% of working adults crave better work-life balance and extreme wellness feels out of reach, Novotel has introduced the Novotel 37 Collective – a game-changing community of world-class athletes, culinary innovators, and wellness experts united by one revolutionary belief: small, sustainable changes compound into extraordinary transformations.
Majority of U.S. travelers now use AI for trips, marking fastest behavioral shift in a decade
More than half of U.S. leisure travelers now use artificial intelligence to plan, book or navigate their trips, according to new research from Phocuswright, signaling the fastest behavioral shift the travel industry has seen in ten years. Phocuswright’s new report – The AI Surge: Travel's Fastest Behavioral Shift in a Decade – shows that 56% of travelers used AI for at least one trip in the past 12 months, up sharply from 43% in late 2025 and more than double the share in 2024. Overall AI use among travelers – not limited to travel tasks – has also climbed to 59%.
Multi-day tours enter new phase of growth as operators shift toward smaller groups
Multi-day tour operators worldwide are entering a new phase of growth marked by rising demand for small-group travel and accelerating adoption of AI, according to The State of Multi-Day Tours, 2nd Edition, a new global research report from Arival. The findings come as the sector prepares to gather at Arival 360 Valencia, the company’s flagship global event for the experiences industry. The report, based on a survey of 569 operators and nearly 50 executive interviews and conducted with the support key sponsors TourRadar, kimkim and Lemax, shows that 78% of multi-day operators, identifies key shifts in tour products, distribution, the role of OTAs, the state of technology and AI use across the industry and much more.