Travel Industry Events News Page 88
World Tourism Film Awards Set to Take Place in Guimarães, Portugal
For the first time, the World Tourism Film Awards will take place in Portugal, with the city of Guimarães chosen to host the 37th edition of this prestigious international event, scheduled for 4 and 5 December. The initiative is organized by the International Committee of Tourism Film Festivals (CIFFT) and the Guimarães Municipality, with the support of Tourism Porto & North of Portugal, and recognizes the best audiovisual productions while highlighting the role of video as a strategic tool for promoting destinations, products, and tourism services. The official awards ceremony will be held at Teatro Jordão, in Guimarães, on 5th December, bringing together tourism professionals, creative agencies, production companies, media from across the world, as well as national and international guests from countries such as Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Poland, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Colombia, the United Kingdom, Germany, Greece, Morocco, among others
Dubrovnik honoured with World’s Leading Sustainable Destination title
Croatian tourism capital City of Dubrovnik has been recognised with the title of World’s Leading Sustainable Destination 2025 by voters at the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards (WSTHA). The prize was revealed in front of hundreds of global leaders of sustainable tourism gathered in Dubai for the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards 2025. The VIP ceremony was held at Terra, Expo City Dubai and recognised the individuals and organisations that are accelerating change in net positive tourism.
Dubai honoured World’s Leading Sustainable City title World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards
Dubai has been recognised with the title of World’s Leading Sustainable City 2025 by voters at the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards (WSTHA). The prize was revealed in front of hundreds of global leaders of sustainable tourism gathered in Dubai for the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards 2025. The VIP ceremony was held at Terra, Expo City Dubai and recognised the individuals and organisations that are accelerating change in net positive tourism.
Aitken Spence Hotels honoured with World’s Leading Sustainable Female Empowerment Initiative title
Hospitality provider Aitken Spence Hotels has been recognised with the title of World's Leading Sustainable Female Empowerment Initiative 2025 by voters at the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards (WSTHA). The prize was revealed in front of hundreds of global leaders of sustainable tourism gathered in Dubai for the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards 2025. The VIP ceremony was held at Terra, Expo City Dubai and recognised the individuals and organisations that are accelerating change in net positive tourism.
Emirates and Air Canada to Extend Strategic Partnership with Major, Multi-Year Expansion Agreement
Emirates and Air Canada today announced a commitment to expand and extend their strategic partnership, building on the success of a three-year-old agreement between two of the world’s leading airlines. Since launching their strategic partnership in 2022, the airlines have already served more than 550,000 customers, connecting travellers across 56 codeshare routes linking Canada, the U.S., Dubai and key destinations around the globe. The carriers have signed a memorandum of understanding to extend the reciprocal codeshare and loyalty partnership until December 31, 2032. The renewed agreement will deepen their cooperation, lead to enhanced services for customers and cargo shippers, and create the potential for new gateways within Canada in the codeshare network.
Emirates and South African Airways enhance codeshare agreement, building on 28 years of partnership
Building on almost three decades of strong and successful partnership, Emirates and South African Airways are further enhancing their relationship, working towards a reciprocal codeshare agreement, ahead of the busy peak travel season. With single ticket fare and hassle-free baggage handling, Emirates customers will be able to enjoy seamless access from Johannesburg to three domestic points in South Africa – Cape Town, Durban and Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), and a further thirteen regional points in Africa including Abidjan, Accra, Botswana, Dar es Salaam, Kinshasa, Windhoek, Lagos, Lusaka, Lubumbashi, Harare, Victoria Falls, Windhoek, and Mauritius. The codeshare will enable Emirates to tap into feeder traffic from South Africa, and regionally alongside long-haul connecting passengers from the UK and US.
Emirates orders 8 additional Airbus A350-900 aircraft worth US$ 3.4 billion at Dubai Airshow 2025
Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, today announced orders for 8 additional Airbus A350-900 aircraft, powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB84 engines, at the Dubai Airshow 2025. Worth US$ 3.4 billion at list prices, this top-up order will boost the airline’s A350-900 fleet to a total of 73 units when all deliveries are completed. To date, Emirates has received delivery of 13 A350 aircraft. Emirates’ additional A350-900s ordered today are expected to be delivered during 2031.
Lisbon Set for a Standout Year of Music in 2026
Lisbon is gearing up for an exceptional year of music as the 2026 editions of Rock in Rio Lisboa and NOS Alive unveil some of the biggest global names set to perform in the city next summer. Rock in Rio Lisboa returns over the last two weekends of June, 20-21 June and 27-28 June, at Parque Tejo, one of Lisbon's largest waterfront venues overlooking the Tagus River. The festival has already revealed a standout selection of international headliners.
EXPERIENCE THE THRILL OF THE 2026 WINTER GAMES AT PALACE MERANO
To mark the 2026 Winter Games, Palace Merano is launching the Revital® 2026 Winter Games Hospitality programme, a stay reserved for a limited number of guests that allows them to experience the skiing and snowboarding finals from a privileged and exclusive viewpoint. A unique experience that combines the adrenaline of international sport with the Revital® deep-down regeneration programmes. From 7 to 22 February 2026, Palace Merano will open its doors to guests who would like to experience the Winter Games first-hand, with a programme that combines performance and wellness, adding the enjoyment of the competitions to the tailored programmes from the Medical Spa that created the Revital® Method. Guests will be able to choose between five signature programmes - Detox & Longevity, Revital Spa, Sport & Remise en Forme, Sport Performance and Relax & Balance - enhanced by other benefits and dedicated services, for a truly memorable stay.
“THREE CHEFS, FRIENDSHIP, AND A FLAVOUR-FILLED JOURNEY TO CANNES”
The Cocoon Collection will be proudly hosting three exclusive gastronomy evenings during ILTM on the French Riviera from 2 - 4 December 2025 – showcasing the art of Italian cuisine, sustainability, and a deep passion for authentic flavour. Cuisine has always been an essential component of The Cocoon Collection experience, which celebrates gastronomic culture through Gourmet Weeks: high-profile events that enliven its properties in the Maldives and Zanzibar, where leading national and international chefs reinterpret flavours and traditions to offer guests a unique culinary journey.
ETIHAD EXPANDS WIDEBODY FLEET WITH 32 NEW AIRBUS AIRCRAFT, ARRIVING FROM 2027
Etihad Airways today announced a major expansion of its widebody fleet with 32 additional Airbus aircraft, further accelerating the airline’s growth and reinforcing its position as one of the world’s fastest-growing full-service carriers. The agreement includes a mix of A350-1000s, A350F freighters, and A330-900s through both direct orders and lease commitments, with first deliveries beginning in 2027 – one of the earliest widebody availability windows in the global market.
Etihad Airways Showcases A321LR at Dubai Airshow
Etihad Airways’ brand-new Airbus A321LR takes pride of place on static display at Dubai Airshow – the region’s only narrowbody aircraft featuring private First Suites. With extended range and significantly improved fuel efficiency, this next-generation aircraft serves routes from Abu Dhabi to destinations including Chiang Mai, Dusseldorf, Krabi, Phnom Penh, Phuket, Tunis and Zurich, delivering genuine long-haul luxury for short-and medium-haul sectors.