The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is delighted to announce Manfredi Lefebvre, chairman of Heritage Group and co-chair of luxury travel company Abercrombie and Kent, as its Chair-Elect. Lefebvre, who will take over the position in September, during the global tourism body’s 25th Global Summit in Rome, Italy, has been a Member of WTTC for more than 20 years. He will follow current Chairman, Greg O’Hara, Founder and Senior Managing Director of Certares Management LLC (“Certares”), who has been in the position since November 2023.

Bumblebee Management has officially opened the newly renovated Bumblebee RV Park & Campground and the debut of Beehive Domes, Maryland's first-ever geodesic dome glamping destination, located at the scenic Deep Creek Lake. After a complete redevelopment, the property now features expanded RV accommodations and designed from scratch luxury glamping domes, offering guests a unique way to connect with nature without sacrificing comfort. Each dome comes equipped with queen beds, a full kitchen, private bathrooms, and personal saunas.

Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism, His Excellency Ahmed Al-Khateeb has officially launched TOURISE, a bold new global platform designed to shape a new horizon and plot a shared roadmap for the next 50 years of tourism.

The new Picnic Island will soon be reopening as an all-inclusive luxury private island experience off Tasmania's stunning east coast. The exclusive retreat, located just 800 meters offshore from Coles Bay near the world-renowned Freycinet National Park, expects to welcome its first guests in November 2025 following a comprehensive transformation. Completely immersed in nature, Picnic Island offers a rare combination of complete privacy, bespoke luxury service, and refined accommodations for up to six guests (with an additional host suite soon to be added, increasing total capacity to eight guests). The island's distinctive copper-clad lodge will be thoughtfully renovated in the months ahead with sophisticated style, sustainable luxury, and personalized experiences as guiding principles.

A distinguished group of former global tourism leaders has united to endorse Gloria Guevara as the next Secretary-General of UN Tourism, citing her unmatched experience, visionary leadership, and proven ability to drive inclusive and sustainable growth across the Travel & Tourism sector.

TOURISE is the first global platform designed to unite visionary leaders from both the public and private sectors across the tourism, technology, investment, and sustainability ecosystems. Anchored by a high-level advisory board of global industry figures, TOURISE aims to unlock unprecedented deal flow and high-value investment opportunities poised to reset the tourism landscape. The platform will also feature the TOURISE Awards, a program recognizing best-in-class destinations that deliver purposeful, unforgettable travel experiences aligned with the evolving expectations of today’s travelers. The inaugural, invite-only TOURISE Summit will be held in Riyadh from 11–13 November 2025, serving as the launchpad for a year-round platform that will redefine how the world travels, connects, and grows.