Birmingham, the UK's second-largest city, pulses with energy across its diverse quarters—from the reinvented Bullring to the historic Jewellery Quarter, from world-class venues like the NEC to the cultural richness of Digbeth. It's a city that draws groups for countless reasons: corporate conferences, family celebrations, sporting events, and cultural experiences that showcase the best of the Midlands.

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) announced the appointment of Mabrian, a Data Appeal company- Almawave Group as a WTTC Regional Member, represented by Mirko Lalli, CEO of The Data Appeal Company, marking a significant milestone in advancing data-driven tourism insights and sustainable sector growth worldwide. On behalf of both companies, Lalli joins more than 200 leaders from the world’s leading Travel & Tourism businesses, collectively accounting for 30% of the sector’s global turnover.

The finest travel brands from across Europe have been honoured at the World Travel Awards in Sardinia, Italy. The industry elite gathered at Forte Village Resort on the idyllic Mediterranean island for the WTA Europe Gala Ceremony 2025 to discover who among them had been crowned the best of the best. The red-carpet evening marked the fourth leg of the WTA’s Grand Tour 2025 – a global search for the finest travel and tourism organisations.

BTN Interviews Jonathan Worsley, Chairman & CEO of The Bench, attributes his nearly 30 years of success in hospitality events to trust, credibility, and a focus on turning conversations into real investments. Reflecting on milestones like the first Arabian Hotel Investment Conference in 2005 and its evolution into FHS World, he highlights Dubai’s strategic location and leadership vision as catalysts for growth. Celebrating the 20th anniversary at Madinat Jumeirah, FHS World 2025 will feature over 200 speakers, new initiatives like PitchPoint and the World Branded Residences Awards, and themes centered on AI, branded residences, sustainability, and empowering next-generation talent. The event aims to continue connecting global visionaries and investors driving hospitality’s future.

Travel after the pandemic now costs more for everyone. Demand spikes, reduced airline capacity, dynamic pricing, ancillary fees, increased lodging tax, and local surcharges have caused an increase in the price of airfare, lodging, ground transportation, and guided tours. This phenomenon is now being generally referred to as vacation inflation, hotel price inflation, and general hiking of prices across the trip spectrum.

This winter, Saint Lucia is calling travelers to feel the Caribbean in a deeply meaningful way with its new destination campaign: "Come To Your Senses." Rooted in inspiration from the island's lush landscapes, undeniable romance and tranquil wellness rituals, the campaign calls on travelers to dive into a world where adventure, connection, and sensory discovery meet in perfect harmony. Celebrated as the Caribbean's Leading Adventure Tourism Destination 2025 and Caribbean's Leading Honeymoon Destination 2025 by the World Travel Awards, Saint Lucia promises unforgettable experiences that ignite every sense and create lasting memories.