The Sydney harbour and CBD has once again been reimagined as a vibrant city in colour as Vivid Sydney kicks off its 16th year. In a festival-first, there is no theme for artists and creators to work within, so visitors can expect to see unparalleled creativity across curated Light, Minds, Music, and Food events and experiences this year.

As interest continues to grow in smaller, experience-driven expeditions focused on authenticity, cultural depth, and meaningful access beyond conventional tourism, New Paths Expeditions has announced its 2027 Papua New Guinea expedition, a special founder-led departure marking 30 years of continuous exploration and operations in one of expedition travel's most remote and culturally complex destinations.

Loyalty engagement across Asia Pacific excluding China (APEC) is entering a more complex and mature phase. The new Loyalty Trends Report 2026 by Marriott Bonvoy finds that while 89% of travelers across APEC participate in at least one loyalty program, how they engage is no longer uniform. Instead, engagement is shaped by a combination of travel priorities, everyday value expectations, and distinct local market dynamics, signaling a clear shift away from one-size-fits-all loyalty models.

Mauritius is quietly redefining what a family holiday looks like, shifting from fly-and-flop luxury, immersed in turquoise lagoons, white-sand beaches and warm hospitality, to eco-led, educational adventure that engages children and parents alike. Here, meaningful travel experiences are replacing passive holidays, as families increasingly seek journeys that inspire connection, curiosity and a deeper appreciation of the natural world. Nestled in the unspoiled south of the island Heritage Awali and Heritage Le Telfair are responding to this shift with the opportunity to explore rainforest, reef and real Mauritian culture in one seamless stay.

New data from Wizz Air reveals UK travellers are increasingly choosing European short break destinations known for food and local culture, with demand growing for more affordable, experience-led cities across the continent. Based on Wizz Air flight booking data from the first three months of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025, the airline has identified the fastest growing destinations among UK travellers that are also known for distinctive local dining scenes, regional cuisine and accessible cultural experiences.

Rising demand for premium accommodation and wellbeing-led travel is reshaping the Alpine holiday market. Luxury alpine holidays are entering a new phase, and it has less to do with skiing than with wellness. For decades the Alps have been marketed primarily as a winter sports destination. But a combination of shifting travel habits, rising demand for premium accommodation and growing interest in wellness is quietly transforming how the region is positioned to UK travellers.