Fairview Hotel Nairobi – one of Africa’s most cherished heritage hotels – is joining Vignette Collection, a growing family of one-of-a-kind hotels in destinations to remember. The 99-room boutique hotel, affectionally known as Upper Hill’s living garden hotel, represents the brand’s first in Africa and first on the continent to join IHG Hotels & Resorts’ leading Luxury & Lifestyle portfolio, now the second largest in the world. Central to Vignette Collection is the balance of individuality and belonging, with each property unique in its identity yet united by the shared vision to offer a more authentic way to travel. Fairview Hotel Nairobi is a rare urban oasis, offering the next generation of thoughtful venturer serenity in the heart of the city.

IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has announced the signing of a franchise agreement with Sirayane Hospitality, a local high end hospitality investor and operator with over twenty years’ experience in Marrakech, to develop Kimpton Marrakech, a 67-key luxury lifestyle hotel opening in Q4 2026. The signing marks the introduction of the Kimpton brand in Morocco, further expanding IHG’s luxury and lifestyle footprint in the country.

PURE ONE is proud to announce the official launch of our MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Events) division – a significant milestone in our broader strategy to build a diversified, experience-led global travel group. This new product line strengthens our position in the market by providing high-quality, fully customisable corporate travel and event solutions across the UK and Europe. It reflects our long-term vision to develop multiple revenue streams across tour operations, media, retail travel, hospitality, and transport.

As the 50th anniversary of Agatha Christie's death approaches on 12 January 2026, Original Travel reports surging interest in the Nile and their Steam Ship Sudan, on which Christie sailed in 1933 - a journey that inspired one of Hercule Poirot's most famous cases. As the sole UK operator of the SS Sudan, the specialists in tailor-made travel reveals that fans are now booking years in advance to secure a place on the Nile steamer – especially the sought-after Agatha Christie Cabin, where the author stayed with her husband, archaeologist Max Mallowan.

Travel planning has taken a lighter and more personal turn lately. Packed schedules and early alarms no longer appeal to travelers who want trips to feel enjoyable from start to finish. Energy levels change throughout the day, and ignoring that often turns vacations into something that feels tiring rather than refreshing. Effective planning that follows personal energy patterns allows travelers to enjoy activities without feeling worn down halfway through the trip.

As we near the end of this year, 2025, we look back at what was a defining moment for the global travel industry. After years of upheaval and transformation, travel returned with renewed energy, driven by shifting consumer expectations, technological innovation, and a deeper focus on sustainability. Across continents and sectors—from aviation to hospitality, and from digital platforms to local communities—the industry underwent meaningful change.