Travel Industry News Page 660
Future Hospitality Summit – FHS World 2025 to mark 20 years in the UAE
After another record event in 2024, Future Hospitality Summit – FHS World, will return to Dubai from 27-29 October 2025 for what will be a milestone event for organisers The Bench, marking 20 years in the UAE for the region’s leading hospitality and tourism investment event, previously known as AHIC. FHS World 2024 saw a record 1,596 attendees representing 735 companies from 60 countries, of which over 550 were women facilitated by the organiser’s #FHSWomenPower initiative.
UN Tourism Secretary-General to Address Global Tourism Resilience Conference and Expo in Jamaica
Secretary General of United Nations Tourism, H.E Zurab Pololikashvili is scheduled to participate in the Global Tourism Resilience Conference and Expo, scheduled for February 17-19, 2025, in Hanover, Jamaica, highlighting the critical role of sustainable and adaptive tourism strategies in a changing global landscape. The United Nations World Tourism Organization now UN Tourism, is a specialized agency of the United Nations which promotes responsible, sustainable and universally-accessible tourism.
Yas Island and Saadiyat Island Achieve Record-Breaking Success
Miral, the leading creator of immersive destinations and experiences in Abu Dhabi, continues to redefine excellence, celebrating an extraordinary year of achievements for Yas Island and Saadiyat Island, as they hit a new milestone in 2024 compared to 2023, with over 190 regional and international awards across their attractions. Yas Island, renowned for its world-class leisure and entertainment offerings, reached a historic milestone in 2024, by clinching more than 175 accolades that highlight its global appeal and innovation. Meanwhile, Saadiyat Island cemented its position as the Middle East’s leading beach destination, amassing an impressive array of prestigious awards in recognition of its luxurious resorts, cultural landmarks and exceptional dining experiences. These achievements reflect Miral’s unwavering commitment to setting new benchmarks in creating unforgettable experiences and solidifying Abu Dhabi as a top global destination for leisure and entertainment.
‘FIBO meets Riyadh’ pop-up bridges the gap between hospitality and fitness industries
Event highlights opportunities for hotels to transform gyms and wellness facilities into profit-driving powerhouses
Haute Retreats Expands Luxury Villa Portfolio in the French Riviera and Mallorca
Haute Retreats, the award-winning leader in luxury villa rentals, has announced an exciting expansion into two of Europe’s most coveted summer destinations—the French Riviera and Mallorca. This latest addition enhances the company’s exclusive collection, offering travelers an unparalleled selection of high-end private villas that redefine luxury vacationing.
Why Costa Rica is a Paradise for Watersports Enthusiasts
Costa Rica is a haven for those who enjoy water sports. It offers both calm relaxation and exciting activity. The nation offers amazing beaches from the Pacific to the Caribbean that perfectly combine leisure with action. Kayaking on calm rivers or surfing amazing waves lets one appreciate Costa Rica's aquatic surroundings. Water sports aficionados love this Central American jewel because of its perfect weather and great marine life.
Eyewear Brands Help Drive Growth in the Travel Retail Sector
As travel and tourism continue to expand, so do the retail channels that cater to travel environments like airports, cruise terminals, and other duty-free zones.
Visito unveils AI phone call agent for hotels
Visito, a leading conversational AI platform for independent hotels, today announced the launch of Visito Voice, an AI-powered voice assistant designed to handle incoming guest phone calls with natural, real-time interactions. Visito Voice enables hotels to automate phone-based guest support, resolving over 50% of incoming calls while ensuring a seamless hand-off to staff when needed. Available 24/7 in more than 50 languages, the AI assistant eliminates hold times, understands conversational speech, and integrates directly with leading property management systems.
RYANAIR OPENS 7 NEW LONDON ROUTES FOR SUMMER 2025
Ryanair, the UK’s No.1 low fares airline, have announced its London Summer 2025 schedule with 206 routes, including 7 new routes from Stansted to Bodrum, Clermont-Ferrand, Dalaman, Münster, Lübeck, Linz & Reggio Calabria, as well as extra frequencies on 30 other London routes to Gdansk, Ibiza, Malaga, Milan, Rome, Turin, and Valencia. To support this traffic growth, Ryanair will base 1 new B737 in London Stansted for S25 – an additional $100m investment in London – bringing Ryanair’s total London-based fleet to 56 aircraft (an investment of $5.6bn) and creating 30 new highly paid jobs for pilots, cabin crew and engineers.
easyJet partners with SignLive to help deaf and hard of hearing customers
easyJet has partnered with interpreting service SignLive enabling deaf and hard of hearing customers to communicate using British Sign Language (BSL). The new free-to-use service will help remove barriers to communication for deaf and hard of hearing customers by offering the option of easily connecting via video with a certified BSL interpreter, who can provide two-way translation, and enabling a real-time conversation with easyJet’s dedicated Assistance Team.
Air Canada Named One of Canada's Top Employers for Young People 2025
Air Canada has been recognized for the second consecutive year as one of Canada's Top Employers for Young People 2025 by Mediacorp. This respected award reflects the company's commitment to creating opportunities for young people to flourish and establish themselves as the leaders of tomorrow. Air Canada has been recognized for the second consecutive year as one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People 2025 by Mediacorp. (CNW Group/Air Canada) Air Canada offers paid internship programs in a variety of disciplines with numerous professional development opportunities, including access to a range of online learning videos.
QANTAS MARKS NEW ERA FOR THE AIRLINE WITH UNIFORM REDESIGN SET FOR THE RUNWAY
Qantas is embarking on a major uniform redesign for the first time in over a decade as the national carrier ramps up its historic fleet renewal program, continues to invest in customers and prepares to conquer the final frontier of aviation with the launch of Project Sunrise. As the airline cements its path to an ambitious future ahead, it will begin to overhaul one of the most visual representations of the brand – the Qantas uniform – by searching for a new Australian designer to take it into the next era.