Organisations & Operators News Page 324
GBTA Foundation launches SAF Corporate Connect
For companies committed to sustainability, Sustainable Aviation Fuel is one of the few viable solutions available to reduce air travel-related emissions
Saint Lucia completes 14th annual UK showcase to elevate community tourism
The Saint Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA) hosted its 14th annual Showcase, 14th -20th September 2025 for more than 400 UK travel industry specialists. The aim of the Showcase is to update industry partners on news and to hear from key operators, airlines, agents and media on what they need to market the destination to its optimum.
Dida appoints industry veteran Daryl Lee as Group CEO
Dida Holdings - an AI-first tech leader and one of the fastest-growing global traveltech companies, today announced that its founder, Rikin Wu has appointed Daryl Lee as its new Group Chief Executive Officer, effective 5 October 2025. A pivotal leadership appointment: Lee was previously global CEO WebBeds and before that led GTA across the Middle East & Asia Pacific. He began his career in aviation and hospitality with Singapore Airlines and earned a degree in Economics from the London School of Economics. He joins Dida at a decisive moment for both the company and the wider industry as travel and hospitality are being reshaped by AI, automation, and digital connectivity and Dida is uniquely positioned at the crossroads of these transformative shifts.
World Spa Awards announces 2025 best in global spa and wellness
The global spa and wellness community has spoken and the World Spa Awards has revealed its 2025 winners. Following a year of exceptional global participation, the programme has honoured the world’s finest spa and wellness brands, recognising excellence and innovation across a wide range of experiences – from hotel and resort spas to wellness retreats and specialist brands.
Emirates Flight Catering launches inaugural Culinary Arts Apprenticeship Programme
Emirates Flight Catering (EKFC) has launched its inaugural Culinary Arts Apprenticeship Programme, in partnership with the Dubai College of Tourism (DCT), part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). Designed to provide foundational culinary skills through practical training and industry exposure, the programme has inducted its first cohort of 15 apprentices representing six nationalities: the Philippines, Uganda, India, Nepal, Ghana, and Sri Lanka.
Trip.Biz Launches Trip.Biz ONE
Trip.Biz, the business travel management brand of Trip.com Group, launched Trip.Biz ONE, an all-in-one solution that redefines how organisations manage business travel, at its annual Trip.Biz Transform 2025 conference in Singapore. As an all-in-one solution that makes the entire business travel experience more seamless for corporates, Trip.Biz ONE is designed to help organisations overcome existing challenges such as booking leakages in the form of off-platform bookings and overspending, non-adherence to travel policies and inefficient reconciliation processes.
eTip Concludes Housekeeping Week with Record $14,000 Tip
eTip, the pioneer in digital tipping for hospitality, announced the close of Housekeeping Week with a historic milestone: a single tip of $14,000 given through the platform. This unprecedented moment highlights both the generosity of guests and the growing importance of digital solutions that make staff recognition seamless and impactful.
Omio and České dráhy announce strategic partnership, elevating European cross-border train travel
Omio, the leading global multi-modal travel booking platform, and České dráhy, the National Czech Railway operator, today announced a significant partnership. This collaboration creates the opportunity for Omio travellers to book České dráhy services, including Regio, InterCity (IC) and EuroCity (EC) long-distance routes, plus high-speed train options (Railjet/Comfortjet). The addition of České dráhy's comprehensive inventory from this September bolsters Omio's unmatched position as the multimodal leader in European transportation and beyond. Omio is an important distribution partner that offers the complete range of České dráhy routes.
Uzbekistan Airways Orders up to 22 Boeing 787 Dreamliners
Boeing and Uzbekistan Airways announced today the single largest order in the airline's history as the flag carrier plans to acquire up to 22 787 Dreamliners. Uzbekistan Airways' purchase of 14 787-9 airplanes, with options for eight more of the ultra-efficient jets, will modernize its Boeing widebody fleet while supporting nearly 35,000 U.S. jobs.
Golden Week 2025 Powers Travel Shifts: Strategic Planning, Alternative Stays, and Top Destinations
Golden Week 2025 is set to be one of the busiest travel periods in recent years, with outbound accommodation bookings from China experiencing three-digit growth year-on-year. Coinciding with the Mid-Autumn Festival, this year's holiday offers an average eight-day break, and extends up to 12 days for those who take an additional three days of leave, leading to a "super holiday" fueling diverse travel plans. Trip.com Group's data further reveals that outbound travel from mainland China remains on a strong upward trajectory, with momentum that is expected to carry through Golden Week and the wider autumn season.
Croatia in the Limelight: Anticipating Its Strongest Off-Season on Record
Croatia's star continues to rise as one of Europe's most sought-after film and television destinations, captivating millions of UK viewers this summer. The country recently featured in two prime-time TV hits — the BBC's brand-new gameshow Destination X and Channel 5's Rich Holiday, Poor Holiday — together reaching nearly 40 million viewers.
Cartology Travel Unveils Exclusive VIP Experience for Inaugural Montreux Jazz Festival Franschhoek
The legendary Montreux Jazz Festival is making history as it touches down in Africa for the very first time, bringing its celebrated spirit to the heart of South Africa's Cape Winelands in Franschhoek from 27th-29th March 2026. This marks the first African edition of the internationally renowned festival, which has been held in Switzerland since 1967. London-based Cartology Travel, winners of Condé Nast Traveller Top Travel Specialists 2025 (five agents), 2024 (two agents) and 2023 (co-founder Justin Huxter), with deep South African roots, is uniquely positioned to offer discerning travellers an unparalleled VIP experience combining this milestone musical celebration with insider access to one of the world's most spectacular wine regions.