Elegant Hotel Collection, the global luxury soft brand powered by HotelREZ Hotels & Resorts®, today announces its transition to Elegant Hotels of the World®, marking a new phase of scale, ambition and commercial discipline. Anna Payne, Vice President of Global Brands, HotelREZ Group, commented: “Elegant Hotels of the World reflects the progression of a pioneering soft brand that is expanding its value proposition to offer independent hotels the global platform and commercial strength required to compete more effectively. Continued investment in the brand’s route to market sits at the centre of this progression, with the launch of new digital platforms that strengthen how hotels are discovered, considered, and ultimately booked.

As Pride Month shines a spotlight on progress, community, and inclusion, Preferred Hotels & Resorts is marking a major milestone: the 15th anniversary of Preferred Pride, its pioneering LGBTQ+ travel programme that has helped shape more welcoming hospitality experiences around the world since 2011. Launched at a time when LGBTQ+ travellers had far fewer trusted resources for identifying genuinely inclusive accommodations, Preferred Pride was created to connect travellers with hotels that not only welcomed the community but actively supported it. Fifteen years later, the programme has evolved into a global network of member hotels, travel advisors, and industry partners united by a shared commitment to ensuring every guest feels seen, valued, and respected.

A&K Sanctuary, the boutique luxury lodge, camp and riverboat collection from Abercrombie & Kent, announces the relocation of its longstanding Ngorongoro Crater Camp to a carefully chosen new setting within the UNESCO-listed Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Alongside the move, the camp has been entirely redesigned, creating a more immersive guest experience that reflects the landscapes, cultures and craftsmanship of East Africa. The relocation and redesign reflect A&K Sanctuary’s enduring approach to creating exceptional camps and lodges in destinations where the company has operated for decades: selecting remarkable locations, investing thoughtfully in the guest experience, and ensuring every development is shaped in partnership with local communities and with deep respect for the surrounding environment.

Meyyafushi is delighted to announce an exclusive culinary residency with acclaimed French chef Nicolas Isnard from 20 to 26 July 2026, bringing Michelin-starred expertise and contemporary French gastronomy to the heart of the Indian Ocean. Renowned for his innovative approach to French cuisine and his passion for celebrating exceptional ingredients, Chef Nicolas Isnard has built an international reputation through his Michelin-starred restaurants, culinary collaborations and appearances at prestigious gastronomic events around the world.

Olympia Events, managed by Legends Global, has secured new multi-year agreements with three of the UK’s most influential business events - London Tech Week, Big Data LDN and Decorex - reinforcing Olympia’s position as a leading destination for world-class events, further enhanced by its recent £1.3 billion redevelopment. The agreements see all three events secure their long-term relationships with Olympia, citing the venue’s evolving destination offer, investment into enhanced event infrastructure, unrivalled transport links, growing hotel capacity and ability to support future growth as key factors behind their commitments.

JCB is pleased to announce that JCB Contactless is now available for use on Metro de Madrid, enabling cardmembers to access the metro network with a simple tap of their card or mobile device. From June 2026, passengers can enter metro stations by tapping their contactless-enabled JCB Cards or mobile wallets directly at fare gates. While card payments have already been available at metro station ticket machines, this new functionality allows users to bypass ticket purchases and access the network more efficiently, helping to reduce waiting times, particularly during peak hours, by tapping directly at fare gates.