Organisations & Operators News Page 293
Mercury Holidays Reports 55% Surge in Solo Escorted Tour Bookings
Mercury Holidays has reported a 55% year-on-year increase in solo escorted tour bookings, reflecting a strong rise in demand from older, independent travellers seeking structured, sociable holiday experiences.
Virgin Atlantic launches non-stop flights from London Heathrow to Phuket
Virgin Atlantic is delighted to be launching new services between London Heathrow and Phuket for Winter 2026, connecting sunshine seekers with Thailand’s breathtaking beaches and vibrant nightlife. The three times a week service will operate seasonally from 18th October 2026, capturing the growing demand for luxury winter escapes. As the only direct route from London Heathrow to Phuket, Brits will now be able to enjoy a seamless journey to one of Thailand’s most popular holiday destinations. Customers will be able to book package holidays with Virgin Atlantic Holidays from 30th October 2025, with prices starting from £999 per person. Flights will also be available to book from 26th November 2025 on virginatlantic.com.
3.6% Air Passenger Growth in September
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for September 2025 global passenger demand with the following highlights: Total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), was up 3.6% compared to September 2024. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), was up 3.7% year-on-year. The September load factor was 83.4% (-0.1 ppt compared to September 2024).
Anantara Kafue River Tented Camp, Zambia: A Sanctuary Suspended Above the Wilderness
Anantara, the purveyor of immersive hospitality, is unveiling its first safari tented camp – Anantara Kafue River Tented Camp – set to launch in April 2026. Poised high above the banks of the Kafue River, one of Zambia’s most vital waterways, the luxury camp connects guests directly to Kafue National Park, the country’s largest and oldest reserve, drawing them into a vast, protected wilderness where wildlife roams across untouched terrain.
Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort Introduces Mekong Explorer Pool Suites
High above the confluence of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar, where mist rolls over jungle-cloaked hills and elephants roam freely through bamboo groves, Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort invites travellers to embrace the spirit of adventure with the launch of its new Mekong Explorer Pool & Mekong Explorer Family Suites. Available for bookings starting from November 1st, the four reimagined sanctuaries offer a fresh perspective on jungle luxury, inspired by the legacy of adventurers who once charted the Mekong River’s winding course.
Minor Hotels Announces the Expansion of Tivoli Hotels & Resorts in Italy
Minor Hotels, a global hospitality group with hotels, resorts and branded residences across 59 countries, announces a new Tivoli Hotels & Resorts in Italy, in the heart of Puglia. Following a comprehensive renovation, the Tivoli Palazzo Risorgimento Lecce is set to open in April 2026, establishing itself as a new landmark in luxury hospitality for one of Italy´s most sought-after and fastest-growing travel destinations.
Radisson Hotel Group surpasses 210 signings and openings in 2025 as global growth accelerates
Building on a record-breaking 2024, Radisson Hotel Group has carried its momentum into 2025, accelerating growth across EMEA and APAC while staying true to its Responsible Business commitments. With more than 210 signings and openings already secured this year, the Group is steadily advancing its transformation towards becoming one of the world’s most prominent hotel companies, anchored by a portfolio designed for today’s travellers and tomorrow’s priorities.
COP30 to Feature Regenerative Tourism Experiences in the Brazilian Amazon
During COP30, MUDA! – The Brazilian Collective for Responsible Tourism invites conference participants and visitors to take part in two regenerative tourism experiences on islands near Belém (PA). These initiatives showcase how community-based tourism and bioeconomy practices can inspire new ways to address the climate and social crises.
Preferred Hotels & Resorts Welcomes 14 New Members
Preferred Hotels & Resorts has expanded its global portfolio with 14 new member properties added in Q3 2025, offering travelers distinctive luxury experiences across iconic destinations. Highlights include the music-infused Backstage Hotel Stockholm, the reimagined beachfront Don Carlos Marbella, the nature-forward Paru Boutique Hotel in Brazil, the all-encompassing BON Park Hotel in Mexico, and the glamorously rebranded Sun Rose West Hollywood.
Hurricane Melissa: A message from Sandals Resorts International
Following Hurricane Melissa's landfall in Jamaica, we are grateful to share that all guests and team members staying at our resorts are safe. The safety and well-being of our guests and team members remain our highest priority.
Santiburi Koh Samui Revives 100 Miles Menu with a Green Promise
Santiburi Koh Samui, the luxury retreat by S Hotels & Resorts, is ushering in the new season with a refreshed 100 Miles Dining Programme at its signature Sala Thai at Santiburi restaurant, a beloved culinary landmark for over 30 years. The five-course set continues to celebrate authentic Thai cuisine crafted exclusively from ingredients sourced within 100 miles of the resort, with the head chef personally handpicking fresh produce from local markets and the resort’s own organic garden, ensuring the highest quality and authenticity in every dish.
Meliá Hotels International expands its footprint in the Middle East with its first hotel in Bahrain
The Middle East is increasingly asserting its role as a pivotal force in global tourism, both as a high-value outbound market and as a destination defined by immersive, experience-led travel. With a forward-looking strategy, Meliá Hotels International has taken a significant step in its regional growth by announcing its first property in Bahrain, set within the exclusive enclave of Amwaj Island.