The five wealthiest nations in the Commonwealth, outside of the UK, are worth an average of £218m to Scottish tourism every year, according to recent figures. VisitScotland has revealed it hopes to see this total rise significantly, with the major events of 2014 including the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, the Ryder Cup and Homecoming celebrations, acting as a springboard for economic growth within the sector in future years.

Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing – the Abu Dhabi-backed contender in the 2014/2015 Volvo Ocean Race – has ramped up its campaign for the round-the-world endurance sailing trophy with its 65-foot racing yacht Azzam setting off on an 8,000 mile double Atlantic Ocean training crossing. The journey from the team’s training base in Cascais, Portugal to Newport, Rhode Island is expected to take the nine man crew around 11 days and will be the Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority-backed 2014/2015 syndicate’s longest offshore test so far.

With the FIFA World Cup 2014 beginning this week, Breaking Travel News here takes a look at the sporting and cultural history of host’s Brazil. Founded in 1914 and affiliated to FIFA since 1923, the Confederaçao Brasileira de Futebol boasts a staggering list of honours.

FIFA has revealed the impressive interest from its member associations in hosting a FIFA competition, after the bidding process was opened for eight tournaments including the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019. A total of 31 declarations of interest have been received and FIFA has submitted the bidding documents, which the relevant member associations have to sign and return before the FIFA Executive Committee assigns the tournament.

With the 2014 FIFA World Cup launching in Brazil, the retail operation of FIFA’s licensing business is getting into full swing, offering both Brazilian and international football fans their chance to secure a souvenir to remember the event.

Abu Dhabi’s credentials as a world-class watersports destination will be on full parade at the biggest gathering of global sailing fans this summer, with the emirate signing on as ‘Official Destination Partner’ to Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week, the world’s pre-eminent sailing festival. The annual festival will take place in Cowes, on the Isle of Wight, England from August 2nd-9th 2014.