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Vietnam’s $300B Digital Tech Push May Boost AI Travel by 2030
Vietnam is one of Asia’s fastest growing digital economies. The country has a massive technology push that could revolutionize tourism and travel services. By 2030, this push could change smart airports and AI-enabled visitor experiences.
BTN Interviews : Danielle Curtis, Regional Portfolio Director, UAE, RX
WTM Spotlight Riyadh has been launched to connect the global travel industry with one of the world’s fastest-evolving tourism markets, as Saudi Arabia accelerates its Vision 2030 ambitions across destination development, aviation, hospitality and infrastructure. According to Danielle Curtis, Regional Portfolio Director, UAE, RX, the new event is designed as a focused, curated platform that reflects both sides of the Kingdom’s tourism opportunity: its rapid rise as an inbound destination and its growing influence as a high-value outbound market. Bringing together more than 450 exhibitors, over 6,500 regional and international visitors, and 150 hand-selected international hosted buyers, the inaugural edition aims to move brands beyond interest into practical business development through pre-scheduled meetings, targeted networking and market insight. With Riyadh positioned at the centre of Saudi Arabia’s transformation, the event will provide direct access to local buyers, decision-makers and stakeholders, while encouraging deeper conversations around premium travel, market access, resilience, visitor confidence and long-term collaboration.
Quito Airport’s New International VIP Lounge Turns Farewells into an Experience
The Mariscal Sucre International Airport inaugurated its new International VIP Lounge, a space designed to transform the final moments before traveling into an experience connected to Quito’s identity, architecture, gastronomy, and Andean landscape. The renovated lounge, developed by Corporación Quiport as part of the airport’s expansion and modernization plan, includes an expansion of approximately 1,560 m² and increases capacity for international passengers by 15%.
Virgin Atlantic Announces Chairman Transition
The Virgin Atlantic board announced today that Peter Norris will step down as Chair on 31 May 2026, after 14 years in the role. He will be succeeded at Virgin Atlantic by Josh Bayliss, CEO of Virgin Group. Peter has served as Chair of Virgin Atlantic since 2012, guiding Virgin Atlantic through one of its most important defining periods. He has worked with successive management teams to shape the airline’s strategy, strengthening its partnerships and championing its distinctive brand, service and people.
2028 Four Seasons Private Jet Experience Journeys Connect Travellers to New Destinations
Four Seasons announces the first of its 2028 Private Jet Experience journeys with the return of Uncharted Discovery and New World Icons, redesigned to seamlessly connect guests with new hotels and exclusive experiences including: Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Cartagena, Four Seasons Resort and Residences Puerto Rico, and Danieli, Venezia, A Four Seasons Hotel, which will open later this year.
Pierre & Vacances Reveal the Top Family-Friendly Hotel Picks for Summer 2026
With the May half term fast approaching and the summer holiday season just a few months away, now is the ideal time to book in a family getaway that perfectly balances entertainment and relaxation. From dedicated kids' clubs to a wide range of sporting and water-based activities, Pierre & Vacances, a leader in Spanish hospitality, offers an extensive portfolio of family-friendly properties in some of Spain's most sought-after destinations.
From Forest Sanctuaries to Quiet Islands: Opodo Highlights Hidden Spots for a Spring Mental Refresh
As Mental Health Awareness Week arrives this May, Opodo (part of eDreams ODIGEO) encourages travellers to think beyond the traditional spring clean – focusing not just on their homes but on their wellbeing. With stress levels rising and screen time at an all-time high, a growing number are seeking ways to “reset”. Travel is emerging as one of the most effective tools for a mental refresh. Short, restorative breaks in unexpected, low-tech, nature-rich destinations can help achieve a bit of calm and clarity, while sticking to our digital boundaries. So, Opodo has curated a selection of calm, nature-rich destinations ideal for a bit of a mental reset this spring....
Chad and Mauritania Buck the Trend for Tourism in the Sahel & Southern Sahara
A new group trip to Chad will launch next year, taking guests to explore some of the most striking landscapes anywhere in the Sahara. In the vast expanses of the desert sea, there are soaring peaks, along with oases and waterholes home to the last Saharan crocodiles.
JanSport Launches the Good Latitude Travel Collection: A New Era of Modern Travel
JanSport, one of the world's most trusted names in carry for nearly 60 years, today unveils its most comprehensive travel line to date: the Good Latitude Travel Collection. Engineered for a new generation of adventurers, the collection fuses expedition–level durability with a refined, casual aesthetic—an evolution rooted in the brand's legacy of relentless innovation and purposeful design. With this launch, JanSport officially enters the modern travel category with a bold, future–facing point of view.
Colombia Leads the World in the Largest Global Bird Count
The 2026 Global Big Day once again highlighted Colombia's exceptional bird diversity, with the country topping the event organized by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
Tignes Performs at Every Level This Summer
Tignes doesn't just host sport; it is, quite literally, a natural stadium. The resort has earned the title, as a high-altitude training base for Olympic squads, Tour de France contenders, international rugby and football teams, and world-ranked individual athletes. This summer, Tignes opens two new MTB trails, a spectacular Himalayan-style footbridge, the resort's first wellness retreat, and a calendar of events that turns the mountains into an arena for all. The summer season goes from 20 June to 6 September 2026.
Hudson Yards Names Blacklane Official Chauffeur Partner
Blacklane, the global chauffeur service, today announced it has been named the Official Chauffeur Partner of Hudson Yards, New York City’s fastest-growing neighborhood and home to dozens of shops and restaurants, industry-leading businesses and cultural institutions.