Travel Industry News Page 468
Bem-vindo, City Express by Marriott — Now Arriving in Brazil
Marriott International, Inc. announced the signing of seven City Express by Marriott hotels in Brazil with FÁBRICA DE HOTÉIS marking the brand’s anticipated debut in the country. This milestone is part of a broader multi-unit development agreement to open 30 City Express by Marriott properties across Brazil’s Northeast region over the next 15 years.
Intrepid Travel Provides Update on Grand Canyon Wildfires and Calls For Continued Support
In response to the ongoing Dragon Bravo and White Sage wildfires at Grand Canyon National Park, Intrepid Travel is reaffirming its commitment to responsible travel and calling on travelers to continue supporting America’s national parks during this critical time. The Dragon Bravo Fire, sparked by lightning on July 4, has burned more than 5,000 acres, destroying structures including the iconic Grand Canyon Lodge and forcing the closure of the North Rim for the remainder of 2025. The South Rim remains open and fully accessible, and Intrepid Travel and Wildland Trekking, powered by Intrepid, will continue operating their small-group trips in unaffected areas.
Google’s AI Mode to redefine travel search within next 12 months
Google CEO Sundar Pichai revealed the clearest roadmap yet for the company's shift toward AI-first search. At the heart of the announcement is AI Mode, Google’s new conversational experience, which is already live as a separate tab — a testing ground before its full integration into the main search interface. Unlike traditional search, AI Mode transforms how users interact with information, enabling them to have dynamic, multi-step conversations. Travelers searching for “family-friendly tours in Costa Rica” will no longer see just a list of links. Instead, Google’s AI can respond to follow-up queries like “What about for kids under 8?” or “Which ones include wildlife viewing?”
The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa Celebrates Unhurried Luxury with Extended Stays & Unique Experiences
With the growing popularity of the “slow travel” trend, where travellers are trading packed itineraries and whistle-stop tours for an unhurried, more considered approach to their getaways, the five Red Star, two Michelin-Key Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa is inviting guests to enjoy an extended stay with their Stay Four, Enjoy More offer. Visitors who stay for four nights or more will receive their final night complimentary, allowing them to immerse themselves in all the exciting experiences the hotel has to offer, from hot air ballooning to penny farthing rides, as well as explore the surrounding UNESCO World Heritage city of Bath and its rich array of historic landmarks and stunning landscapes.
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The Red Sea Wellness Retreat Delivers Transformative Five-Day Journey at Six Senses Southern Dunes
The Red Sea Wellness Retreat, powered by lululemon, welcomed guests from the UK, Spain, Russia, Saudi, and across the GCC for five days of movement, mindfulness, and deep inner connection at Six Senses Southern Dunes, The Red Sea. Designed to give participants a transformative wellness experience rooted in local culture and internationally recognized practices, the program also highlighted The Red Sea’s growing appeal as a destination for well-being.
New Strategic Integrations Expand Traxo Marketplace’s Capabilities Across Compliance, Risk, ESG, and
Traxo, the global leader in unlocking and distributing real-time corporate travel data, announces the addition of six new fully integrated category-leading partners to its growing Traxo Marketplace. This expansion reinforces Traxo’s position as the go-to platform for companies seeking to move travel booking data, whether from TMC or off-channel sources, into the tools their travel programs rely on. With the Traxo Marketplace, travel managers eliminate long-standing delays that have hindered performance, safety, and oversight. Over 400 companies have enabled integrations from our marketplace—all of which are monitored and managed by Traxo.
Agentic AI and Hotel PMS: Brace Yourself for Positive Impact
The business community has welcomed artificial intelligence as a key means of adapting to today’s changing workforce and recommending actions based on data analytics; however, according to experts, the hotel industry has yet to leverage it fully. A recent study by McKinsey found that as many as 78 percent of respondents say their organizations use AI in at least one business function, a 6-percentage-point increase from 2024. With so many core processes now informed by AI, hoteliers must bring these capabilities into the heart of their operations: the property-management system.
Five Food & Beverage Trends Getting Diners ‘Joyfully’ Back to Hotel Restaurants
Mobile ordering and delivery apps are making it too convenient for people to order meals in vs. going out to eat; To bring diners back it takes the right concepts, menus, ingredients, portion sizes, local flavors, and more
SOUTHWEST TO SERVE ST. THOMAS, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS, BEGINNING IN EARLY 2026
Southwest Airlines Co. intends to grow its network in 2026 initially with new service at Cyril E. King International Airport (STT) on St. Thomas, adding the U.S. Virgin Islands to the carrier's tropical destinations in the Caribbean. Service is expected to begin in early 2026* and will be available for purchase soon.
COUNTDOWN TO THE GAMES OF THE FUTURE 2026 ASTANA BEGINS
Phygital International, promoter and rights holder of the Games of the Future (GOTF), has officially confirmed Astana as the host city for the 2026 edition, taking place from 18 July to 1 August 2026.
Wind Spirit Island Hops Through the Canary Islands in Winter 2026/27
Camel treks across golden dunes. Volcanic toboggan rides into historic wine country. Stargazing under some of the clearest skies on Earth. This isn't a typical cruise — it's Wind Spirit's debut to the Canary Islands for a season of warm-weather adventure and untamed island charm.
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises brings high-performance Australian acrobatics on board
The Australian circus company Circa is a sensation worldwide and is currently captivating audiences on the EUROPA 2. Circa stands for breathtaking artistry – an exhilarating mix of high-performance acrobatics, dance and avant-garde design. No circus ring, no illusions – just pure physical artistry. A huge hit with guests, and it’s already been decided: Hapag-Lloyd Cruises will continue its collaboration with Circa in 2026: guests can look forward to an unforgettable experience on two fantastic cruises with the EUROPA 2 around Hawaii and the South Seas. Here are some impressions of the performance on board the current cruise: