Tourism News Page 46
Powder Byrne Unveils Exclusive Alpine Summer Experience
Alpine specialists Powder Byrne have unveiled a series of exclusive summer experiences as part of its Client for Life programme, available to book now. From women’s wellness-focused escapes in the Swiss Alps to immersive adventures exploring Japan’s volcanoes, and plenty of family focused active trips, each journey has been carefully curated to offer unforgettable moments throughout the summer. Drawing on more than four decades of expertise and insight, Powder Byrne combines exceptional service with unique destinations to create experiences that stay with guests long after the trip ends.
Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Gloria Guevara, President & CEO of the WTTC, said: “WTTC welcomes the news regarding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to commercial traffic, a critical step in restoring confidence across global Travel & Tourism and the wider economy. "As one of the world’s most important maritime corridors, the Strait underpins not only energy supply chains but also aviation, cruise operations, and global connectivity. "The resumption of movement through this key route will help ease pressure on global travel operations and support the continued recovery and growth of the sector. "Maintaining reliable, efficient international connectivity remains essential to enabling Travel & Tourism to deliver jobs, investment, and economic growth worldwide. WTTC research has shown that destinations and the wider tourism sector can recover quickly from airspace closures and periods of uncertainty.”
La Réserve Golf Links at Heritage Resorts & Golf in Mauritius Surges into Top 30 Intl Courses
La Réserve Golf Links, the flagship course of Heritage Resorts & Golf in Mauritius, has secured the 28th position in Golfweek’s Best Top 100 International Courses (outside the United States) for 2026. Recognising the finest golf courses beyond the United States, these prestigious rankings place the Mauritian course ahead of renowned venues in traditional golfing heartlands, firmly cementing its status as the premier golf destination across Africa as well as the Indian Ocean, and a true must-play for discerning golfers worldwide.
U.S. REMAINS WORLD’S LARGEST TRAVEL & TOURISM MARKET BUT WTTC WARNS THE COUNTRY IS AT A CROSSROADS
The United States remained the largest Travel & Tourism market in the world in 2025 but is losing market share according to the World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) latest Economic Impact Research, sponsored by its Lead Research Partner, Chase Travel. While 2025 saw the best year ever for the Travel & Tourism sector in terms of GDP growth of 4.1%, the story was very different for North America, which was the slowest-growing region globally, rising just 1.0%, and by only 0.9% in the U.S.
Short Stay Summit 2026 Returns to London as Regulation, AI and Innovation Reshape the Sector
The Short Stay Summit 2026 returns to Old Billingsgate in London, on 22nd April, bringing together the short-term rental industry’s key players to explore the challenges and opportunities shaping the sector’s next phase of growth. Hosted by the Short Term Accommodation Association (STAA), the summit stage will see speakers from key industry leaders to politicians setting the agenda. The exhibition hall will host over 1,300 delegates including executives from Airbnb, Expedia and Booking.com, alongside property managers, hosts and technology providers, for a day of insight, debate and industry announcements.
LZ Travel Launches “The Green Journey Collection” Redefining Sustainable Luxury Mobility
LZ Travel has officially unveiled ‘The Green Journey Collection”, a forward- thinking evolution of its luxury transfer offering, placing sustainability at the center of how high-end travel is experienced across South Africa Launched during ILTM Africa, the collection signals a decisive shift in how the company approaches mobility, where refined service meets measurable environmental responsibility.
Majority of FIFA World Cup 2026 Host Cities See Double-Digit Increases in Flight Bookings
RateGain Travel Technologies Limited, a global leader in AI-powered SaaS solutions for the travel and hospitality industry, today launched the FIFA World Cup 2026 Market Pulse Dashboard, a first-of-its-kind, free resource giving travel brands continuous visibility into where travelers are going, how far in advance they're booking, and which markets are driving demand across all 16 World Cup host cities in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Built on Sojern's travel intent data, the world's largest of its kind and now part of RateGain, data paints a more optimistic picture than recent media coverage suggests, showing sharp increases in real-time booking signals across flights and hotels. With the tournament now less than two months away—spanning host cities across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Chedi and Rawasi Explore Landmark Mountain Living in Oman
Building on its long-standing presence in the Sultanate, the collaboration will explore a design-led mountain destination in Jabal Bausher shaped by elevation, perspective, and its natural terrain
Saint Lucia to Host First CTO Latin American Market Summit
The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) announced that Saint Lucia will host the inaugural CTO Latin American Market Summit next year on May 5-6, 2027. The announcement was made this week at World Travel Market (WTM) Latin America in Brazil.
Denver Pride Expands to Month-Long Celebration Across the Mile High City
Denver Pride returns this June with an expanded, month-long celebration that emphasizes the city's deep and ongoing commitment to the LGBTQ+ community.
Taiwan Tourism Administration Highlights Taiwan's Growing Importance as Asia's Cruise Gateway
The Taiwan Tourism Administration (TTA) is highlighting Taiwan's growing role as Asia's cruise gateway at Seatrade Cruise Global 2026, promoting the destination under its international tourism brand, "Taiwan – Waves of Wonder," as a strategic hub for regional cruise itineraries and fly-cruise travel. Building on this brand platform, TTA is also introducing "Taiwan 100 Ways" as a new framework for showcasing the island's breadth of travel experiences through diverse themes, immersive journeys, and shareable moments.
Coolcations Curated to Connect you with Local Culture
Unique, immersive holidays in Finland and Sweden in the cool of September that take travellers off the beaten track and provide meaningful connections with local people and the beautiful natural environments they call home. Nordic Nights & Natural Colour Discover the Wild in Finland's Taiga: A Gentle Arctic Adventure, Thursday 10th - Monday 15th September 2026 This slow September journey through remote Kuhmo forests and Tulijärvi's wilderness allows plenty of time to spot wildlife, unwind in saunas and stargaze in dark Arctic skies. Each experience in ECT Travel's six-day holiday has been carefully chosen to connect travellers with this extraordinary environment.