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BUSCH GARDENS TAMPA BAY APPOINTS JON VIGUE AS NEW PARK PRESIDENT

BUSCH GARDENS TAMPA BAY APPOINTS JON VIGUE AS NEW PARK PRESIDENT

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay today announced the appointment of Jon Vigue as the park's new President, ushering in a new era of growth and innovation at one of America's most iconic theme parks in the midst of a more than $100 million investment in new attractions and park enhancements.

“Huge optimism” as the Middle East re-opens for holidays

“Huge optimism” as the Middle East re-opens for holidays

Worldwide travel specialist Travelbag (Travelbag.co.uk) says there is huge optimism for British travellers now that Dubai and the Middle East are back on the map, following the memorandum of understanding between the U.S. and Iran and the FCO’s lifting of advice against all but essential travel to the area.

AlUla Unveils Manara, A Landmark Destination for Astronomy, Discovery and Astrotourism

AlUla Unveils Manara, A Landmark Destination for Astronomy, Discovery and Astrotourism

Set beneath some of the clearest and darkest skies on Earth, AlUla has unveiled the design of AlUla Manara, a landmark destination for astronomy, scientific discovery and astrotourism that will transform how visitors experience the cosmos. Situated within the world's third-largest Dark Sky Park and designed by Heatherwick Studio, the facility will connect AlUla's rich celestial heritage with the future of scientific exploration, creating a world-class destination for discovery, learning and inspiration.

GAME ON: HOW GLOBAL SPORTS EVENTS RESHAPE CITIES, INVESTMENT & TOURISM

GAME ON: HOW GLOBAL SPORTS EVENTS RESHAPE CITIES, INVESTMENT & TOURISM

Saudi Arabia's emergence as a global sporting destination is reshaping far more than its events calendar. As the Kingdom prepares to host a growing portfolio of international tournaments, from Formula 1 and international football to golf, boxing and e-sports, sport is increasingly recognised as a powerful driver of tourism demand, investment attraction and long-term destination positioning. As David Thomson, Senior Vice President – Development, The First Group Hospitality, puts it: "Mega-events can put a city on the map. When managed well, they reposition a city in the minds of investors and travellers." Four leading hospitality executives share their perspectives ahead of the Future Hospitality Summit – FHS Saudi Arabia, taking place from 22-24 June at Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah, Riyadh.

ONE MOUNTAIN, THREE COUNTRIES, ONE EPIC ADVENTURE: THE RANDONNÉE DU MONT BLANC RETURNS

ONE MOUNTAIN, THREE COUNTRIES, ONE EPIC ADVENTURE: THE RANDONNÉE DU MONT BLANC RETURNS

On 25 July 2026, Courmayeur will host the start and finish of the second edition of the Randonnée du Mont Blanc, the cycling event organised by EPICDAYS.CC. The route circles Mont Blanc clockwise through Italy, France and Switzerland, offering participants a choice between a 330 km course with 9,000 metres of elevation gain and a shorter Express route of 100 km with 3,000 metres of climbing. Both options are available in road and off-road versions, including gravel and mountain bike formats. With no rankings and no timing, the event is designed as a journey, encouraging riders to rediscover the spirit of sharing and adventure.

Sunset World Group Confirms It Is Prepared for the 2026 Hurricane Season

Sunset World Group Confirms It Is Prepared for the 2026 Hurricane Season

With the start of hurricane season in the Atlantic, Sunset World Group announced that its hotels and staff are prepared to handle any weather-related event, thanks to the ongoing implementation of its Storm and Hurricane Prevention and Response Program. The program includes specialized training for staff at all of the group's hotels to act before, during, and after the impact of a tropical storm or hurricane, with the primary objective of safeguarding the well-being of its members, guests, and staff.

Wego and Spain Tourist Office (Turespaña) Partner to Inspire MENA Travelers to Discover Spain

Wego and Spain Tourist Office (Turespaña) Partner to Inspire MENA Travelers to Discover Spain

Wego, the number 1 travel app and the largest online travel marketplace in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), has announced a strategic partnership with Turespaña, Spain's official tourism office, to showcase the country's diverse summer experiences and inspire travelers across the MENA region to discover Spain's unique blend of culture, gastronomy, coastal escapes, and vibrant lifestyle offerings.

Travel's next battleground: checkout

Travel's next battleground: checkout

Travelers increasingly expect the same payment flexibility when booking a trip as they do when shopping online, whether that's paying in installments, using local payment methods, or combining loyalty points with cash. In fact, 60% of travelers are likely to abandon a booking if their preferred payment method isn't available. Yet many travel payment systems weren't built for that level of complexity. This is what John Lunn, CEO of Gr4vy and former PayPal executive, explores in his latest piece on why traditional payment service providers are struggling to keep up with modern travel commerce.

Half of UK Families Can't Afford a Summer Holiday This Year, New Survey Reveals

Half of UK Families Can't Afford a Summer Holiday This Year, New Survey Reveals

As the school summer holidays approach, new research from Park Christmas Savings shows families across the UK are bracing for six weeks of financial strain — with food costs, days out and childcare all piling pressure onto already-stretched household budgets. With the school gates set to close for summer in the coming weeks, a major new survey of UK by Park Christmas Savings has laid bare the financial reality facing families this year.

Check in. Drive out - City Lodge Hotels partners with Avis and Budget to transform travel

Check in. Drive out - City Lodge Hotels partners with Avis and Budget to transform travel

At a time when rising costs and the demand for flexibility are reshaping how South Africans travel, City Lodge Hotels, Avis, and Budget have responded with a new partnership deal. Guests checking into easy online at www.citylodgehotels.com can now also enjoy 15% off Avis car rental and 10% off Budget car rental. From quick business trips to family getaways, travel plans just became even more affordable. Together, these brands are committed to simplifying the travel journey from end to end and delivering meaningful value to both business and leisure travellers. (Terms and conditions apply.)

WHY SOME OF AFRICA'S MOST PROMISING ROUTES STILL HAVE NO FLIGHTS

WHY SOME OF AFRICA'S MOST PROMISING ROUTES STILL HAVE NO FLIGHTS

Two of Sub-Saharan Africa’s strongest unserved routes still have no direct flight: Johannesburg to Mumbai, and Brussels to Cape Town. Both appear in the Airbus Exploring the Horizons study among high-demand corridors where passengers continue to route through a third city because no carrier has yet launched a service. Some of the continent’s connectivity gaps have narrowed over the past year. Qantas added Perth to Johannesburg, Edelweiss introduced its A350 service to Windhoek, Air Congo announced a Brussels link to Kinshasa, and Ethiopian secured approval to serve Mauritius. If those routes can move from proposal to operation, why do others with similarly strong demand remain unserved? That question sat at the centre of a discussion at AviaDev Africa 2026 in Gaborone, the continent’s main route development forum, where airlines, airports and tourism bodies meet to build new air links. It was chaired by Natalia Rosa, Project Lead at the Southern Africa Tourism Alliance (SATA).