Fairview Hotel Nairobi – one of Africa’s most cherished heritage hotels – is joining Vignette Collection, a growing family of one-of-a-kind hotels in destinations to remember. The 99-room boutique hotel, affectionally known as Upper Hill’s living garden hotel, represents the brand’s first in Africa and first on the continent to join IHG Hotels & Resorts’ leading Luxury & Lifestyle portfolio, now the second largest in the world. Central to Vignette Collection is the balance of individuality and belonging, with each property unique in its identity yet united by the shared vision to offer a more authentic way to travel. Fairview Hotel Nairobi is a rare urban oasis, offering the next generation of thoughtful venturer serenity in the heart of the city.

IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has announced the signing of a franchise agreement with Sirayane Hospitality, a local high end hospitality investor and operator with over twenty years’ experience in Marrakech, to develop Kimpton Marrakech, a 67-key luxury lifestyle hotel opening in Q4 2026. The signing marks the introduction of the Kimpton brand in Morocco, further expanding IHG’s luxury and lifestyle footprint in the country.

PURE ONE is proud to announce the official launch of our MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Events) division – a significant milestone in our broader strategy to build a diversified, experience-led global travel group. This new product line strengthens our position in the market by providing high-quality, fully customisable corporate travel and event solutions across the UK and Europe. It reflects our long-term vision to develop multiple revenue streams across tour operations, media, retail travel, hospitality, and transport.

As the 50th anniversary of Agatha Christie's death approaches on 12 January 2026, Original Travel reports surging interest in the Nile and their Steam Ship Sudan, on which Christie sailed in 1933 - a journey that inspired one of Hercule Poirot's most famous cases. As the sole UK operator of the SS Sudan, the specialists in tailor-made travel reveals that fans are now booking years in advance to secure a place on the Nile steamer – especially the sought-after Agatha Christie Cabin, where the author stayed with her husband, archaeologist Max Mallowan.

The newly opened Waldorf Astoria Shanghai Qiantan marks a bold new chapter not only for the brand, but for the evolving riverside district it calls home. As the Qiantan District of Pudong rapidly transforms into one of the city’s most vibrant lifestyle destinations, the hotel brings Waldorf Astoria’s global gastronomic excellence into the dynamic, Bund-adjacent neighborhood, redefining Shanghai’s luxury dining scene through its thoughtfully curated culinary offerings.

Civitatis, the leading curated online marketplace for guided tours and activities for Spanish and Portuguese speaking consumers, today announces a planned leadership transition. Founder and CEO Alberto Gutiérrez will step down from his executive role and name Andrés Spitzer, currently Chief Product and Technology Officer, as the new Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1st. Alberto will remain on the Board of Directors, lending his extensive technology experience, industry knowledge, and credentials to continue supporting the company's growth strategy and vision. This transition marks a natural evolution for the company. After nearly two decades of success and rapid growth, Alberto Gutiérrez leaves a legacy that has transformed a personal project into a global category leader where 1.2 million travelers book activities monthly.