Travel Industry News Page 577
ATM 2025 is set to welcome over 55,000 attendees from around the world next week
RX Global, the organisers of Arabian Travel Market (ATM), held a press conference today in collaboration with the event’s strategic partners: the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, Emirates, IHG Hotels & Resorts, and Al Rais Travel. Hosted at voco Dubai by IHG, the press conference unveiled plans for the upcoming edition, which will take place next week, from 28 April to 1 May at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
PKFARE Launches Branded Fares Product
PKFARE, a leading travel product aggregator, today launched its branded fares product, delivering rich fare content from GDS and direct-connected airlines through secure, scalable API integrations. This solution empowers OTAs to present differentiated service levels and upsell opportunities directly tied to airline products.
Etihad Airways Joins IATA’s Turbulence Aware Programme
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has become the latest airline to join IATA’s Turbulence Aware programme. Turbulence Aware collates anonymised data about turbulence from flights operated by participating airlines. This real-time, accurate reporting in turn helps pilots and flight dispatchers minimise the effects of turbulence and plot the smoothest and most efficient flight paths.
Sports sponsorship by the Middle East aviation sector
Breaking Travel News’s aviation correspondent Phil Blizzard, ahead of ATM 2025, looks at the development of sports sponsorship by the Middle East aviation sector - starting with Dubai’s home based Emirates Airline who is the official airline for Arabian Travel Market.
Banyan Group Unveils Garrya Mu Cang Chai, the First Garrya Hotel in Vietnam
Banyan Group, an independent, global hospitality company, announces the opening of Garrya Mu Cang Chai, a serene resort in the renowned mountain and rice terrace region of Mu Cang Chai, Yen Bai province, Northern Vietnam. Celebrated as one of Southeast Asia's remarkable landscapes, this area is known for its majestic mountains and layered emerald rice terraces. Recognised as a national natural heritage site, Mu Cang Chai attracts visitors with its seasonal beauty and vibrant culture, located over 300 kilometres north of Hanoi.
Disney Dining and Drinks Offer Launching Soon
From 29th April, UK and Ireland guests can book Free Disney Dining and Drinks on selected meals (excluding gratuities) at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida for selected holidays in 2026. Guests from the UK and Ireland who book a stay at participating Walt Disney World Resort Hotels along with a Park Ticket package between 29th April 2025 and 5th November 2025 can enjoy Free Disney Dining and Drinks on selected meals (excluding gratuities), plus, guests can double the magic with 14-day tickets for the price of 7!
NSW GOVERNMENT SECURES SAILGP 2026 FOR SYDNEY
Sydney will once again take centre stage on the global sporting calendar, with the NSW Government securing the return of SailGP to the Harbour City in February 2026. A showcase of speed, skill and spectacle, SailGP brings the world's best sailors and high-tech foiling catamarans to one of the world's most iconic natural amphitheatres. First launched in Sydney in 2019, the championship has since become a global phenomenon — and a key event in NSW's major events calendar.
Viking Announces Float Out of Newest Egypt Ship
Viking® (www.viking.com) has announced its newest ship for the Nile River—the 82-guest Viking Amun—was “floated out,” marking a major construction milestone and the first time the ship has touched water. Set to sail in September 2025, the Viking Amun will join the Company's growing fleet of state-of-the-art ships for the Nile River and will sail Viking's popular 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary.
Enjoy a Host of New Art Attractions in Hauts-De-France
Skip the crowds in Paris and head to the Hauts-de France region which sees a flurry of new art attractions this year. Enjoy a complete transformation of the Louvre Lens' dedicated permanent collection - Galerie du Temps; the return of Lille's biannual Lille3000 art festival with highlights including a Pom Pom Pidou exhibition and the recently reopened Musee Matisse in the artist's hometown of Le Cateau-Cambresis.
Qatar Airways to Launch FIFA World Cup 2026™ Travel Packages
Qatar Airways’ leisure division, Qatar Airways Holidays is set to launch unparalleled travel packages for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ in Canada, Mexico and the United States. The much-awaited tournament will have 48 teams competing during the biggest World Cup ever with more than 104 planned matches across three countries and 16 host cities. The travel packages will include international flights, domestic flights, transfers to various cities, hotel accommodation in four and five-stars hotels, airports and stadium transfers, and match tickets. The packages are the first chance for football lovers and sport enthusiasts around the world to secure their seat at the historic FIFA World Cup 2026™.
Minor Hotels Appoints Shobhit Khattri as Associate Vice President of Development
Minor Hotels, a global hospitality leader with over 560 properties in 58 countries, announces the appointment of Shobhit Khattri as Associate Vice President of Development for India, Nepal and Bangladesh as the group accelerates its expansion in the South Asian countries.
Registration Open for CI Marathon
China Airlines (CAL), a Taiwan-based carrier, announced that registration for the 2025 CI Marathon - Starry Night Run are now open. Everyone is invited to hit the road together at Dajia River Park in Taipei on Saturday, October 11 for the Half-Marathon (21km) division, the Run for Health (10K) division, and the Family Starlight (5K) division. As a bonus, there will be a prize draw worth more than TWD 3.3 million, including 35 air fares and mileage rewards. Registration is open until June 23. The number of places is limited so runners should register early.