Organisations & Operators News Page 289
Borderless Adventures: One Visa, Six Countries, Endless Experiences in the GCC
Launching in late 2025, the GCC Grand Tours Visa marks a new chapter for tourism in the Gulf by allowing travellers to visit all six GCC nations: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, with a single, unified visa. The visa opens the door to seamless cross-border travel and invites visitors to experience the full spectrum of the region's culture, landscapes and hospitality without the hassle of multiple entry requirements.
Blockbuster end to WTM London 2025
World Travel Market London 2025 closed with a high-profile fireside chat, this year featuring an Oscar-nominated British actor sharing his love of travel with a senior member of the UK government in front of a standing-room-only crowd. Richard E Grant, nominated for an Oscar for Can You Ever Forgive Me? in 2019, talked travel with Sir Chris Bryant MP, recently appointed the UK’s minister of state for trade policy.
Global Leaders Gather at WTM London
Global leaders from tourism, travel-tech, and destination management met at a private, invitation-only roundtable hosted by Mabrian, The Data Appeal Company – Almawave Group, and the Global Tourism Resilience Council to explore how data and innovation can transform the future of event management. The closed-door session, titled “Strategic Event Intelligence – Data, Impact and the Future of Events Tourism,” was held at the Crowne Plaza Docklands during World Travel Market (WTM) London and brought together a select group of senior executives from JCDecaux, ICF, This is Breeze and Queer Destinations, alongside tourism and destination leaders from Europe
TAP IS THE OFFICIAL AIRLINE OF TEAM PORTUGAL
TAP Air Portugal has established a partnership with the Portuguese Olympic Committee (COP) and the Portuguese Paralympic Committee (CPP) through an agreement that makes the national airline the Official Airline of Team Portugal and Olympic Partner until the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles. This agreement covers the entire Olympic cycle, including transport for the Portuguese delegation to the 2028 Games, as well as to qualifying events, training camps and international preparation missions.
Quito strengthened its international positioning at the World Travel Market London 2025
As part of its internationalization and global positioning strategy, Quito took part in the World Travel Market (WTM) 2025, held in London from November 4 to 6. The Ecuadorian capital was part of Ecuador’s national stand, with the goal of consolidating its image as a cultural and sustainable destination in the markets of the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and the Netherlands.
WTM: Croatia Signs Deal with Jet2 as 4.1 Million British Overnight Stays Signal Tourism Boom
The Croatian National Tourist Board made a flying start to the World Travel Market (WTM) taking place from 4-6 November, the largest in event's 45-year history. Promotional efforts at the checkered and visually impactful Croatian stand were spearheaded by the Minister of Tourism and Sport, Tonči Glavina, the Croatian National Tourist Board's Director, Kristjan Staničić, Director of the Croatian National Tourist Board's office in London, Bisera Fabrio, alongside 27 co-exhibitors.
“Healing is the New Luxury”: Thailand Unveils its Latest Travel Vision
The Tourism Authority of Thailand has launched a new “Amazing Thailand” campaign, redefining luxury through the lens of personal healing, sustainability, and cultural connections for a new generation of travellers. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is setting out a bold new vision for the country’s tourism industry with the campaign “Unforgettable Experience: Healing is the New Luxury”. In a world where speed, stress and uncertainty dominate daily life, Thailand is positioning itself as a destination where travellers can slow down, recharge, and reconnect with themselves and nature.
Guiding Global Tourism Toward a Shared, Sustainable Future
Tourism is entering a new era of transformation defined by sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation. UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili shares how global collaboration is reshaping travel, empowering communities, and driving long-term, responsible growth worldwide.
Hilton & Wirgan Hospitality Announce Plans to Open Two Hotels in Makkah
Hilton today announced during World Travel Market in London the signing of an agreement with Wirgan Hospitality to rebrand two of their trading hotels in Makkah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – the first Tapestry Collection by Hilton in Makkah and a DoubleTree by Hilton. Both hotels are set to open before the end of the year, further strengthening Hilton’s presence in the Kingdom and the Holy City. The signings will almost double Hilton’s trading presence in Makkah – by rooms – to more than 4,100 keys.
Inside WTTC’s Vision for Travel and Tourism
Jamie Wortley, Vice President of Communications at the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), discusses sustainable growth, workforce renewal, and innovation in the sector.
Kuda Villingili Maldives Unveils ‘Through the Decades’
This festive season, Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives invites guests to step into an elevated journey of celebration, nostalgia, and rejuvenation with its 2025–2026 Festive Program, themed “Through the Decades.” Between December 23, 2025, and January 7, 2026, the island will transform into a vibrant canvas of shimmering gold, sparkling silver, and neon hues. The resort’s signature ethos — “time and space redefined” — sets the tone, as guests are invited to leave the ordinary behind and relax, celebrate, and reconnect in absolute luxury.
TV stars share travel marketing tips at WTM London
Yesterday, British TV stars Bettany Hughes and Maisie Adam took to the stage at WTM London to share their tips about marketing travel and holidays. Comedian and star of Taskmaster and A League of Their Own, Maisie Adam, spoke on the marketing summit panel ‘Comedy Sells’ whereby she told delegates: “It’s about making the ordinary, extraordinary”, as she recalled interviews with passengers about etiquette on planes. Having worked with several tourism boards, Adam went on to explain “There is a human element to travel…we have to grab [consumers] with more than just where it is. You don’t have to show off Machu Picchu; you could be at an airport talking about the mundane”. The comedian showed clips from her recent Swiss tourism film, which featured activities such as sliding down a bobsleigh run and trying a fondue. Adam said: “It’s about telling a story well and enjoying yourself. Other people see you’re having a great laugh, so they want to come and find out more”. She closed by telling the audience: “Humour is a special language…and a great tool for connection.”