Tourism News Page 16
RateHawk Defines Ten Trends Shaping Travel Distribution over the Next Decade
RateHawk, a B2B online platform for booking hotels, flights, and transfers, and PhocusWright, a leading tourism market research think tank, released a joint study on the future of travel distribution. The report identifies 10 key trends that travel professionals should keep in mind to stay competitive and succeed by 2036. The report was presented at the RateHawk Futurecast online event on June 23, 2026
Meyyafushi Maldives to Host Michelin-Starred Chef Nicolas Isnard for Exclusive Culinary Residency
Meyyafushi is delighted to announce an exclusive culinary residency with acclaimed French chef Nicolas Isnard from 20 to 26 July 2026, bringing Michelin-starred expertise and contemporary French gastronomy to the heart of the Indian Ocean. Renowned for his innovative approach to French cuisine and his passion for celebrating exceptional ingredients, Chef Nicolas Isnard has built an international reputation through his Michelin-starred restaurants, culinary collaborations and appearances at prestigious gastronomic events around the world.
Free Admission to Parks Canada Sites across Nova Scotia Return With Canada Strong Pass for Summer 26
Tourism Nova Scotia is encouraging UK travellers to make the most of the Canada Strong Pass this summer, offering free admission to some of the province’s most iconic attractions and experiences. Running from 19 June to 7 September 2026, the Canada Strong Pass provides free admission for all visitors to national historic sites, national parks and national marine conservation areas operated by Parks Canada, alongside a 25% discount on camping and overnight accommodation fees at participating Parks Canada locations.
JCB Contactless Expands to Metro de Madrid Enabling Seamless Tap-to-Ride Access Across the Network
JCB is pleased to announce that JCB Contactless is now available for use on Metro de Madrid, enabling cardmembers to access the metro network with a simple tap of their card or mobile device. From June 2026, passengers can enter metro stations by tapping their contactless-enabled JCB Cards or mobile wallets directly at fare gates. While card payments have already been available at metro station ticket machines, this new functionality allows users to bypass ticket purchases and access the network more efficiently, helping to reduce waiting times, particularly during peak hours, by tapping directly at fare gates.
VOLOTEA’S DIRECT FLIGHT MODEL AVOIDS 54% OF CO₂ EMISSIONS
Volotea, the airline connecting small and mid-sized European cities, operates a direct-flight connectivity model that helps significantly reduce the environmental impact of air travel. According to a company study, direct flights can avoid CO2 emissions by 54% compared with itineraries requiring connecting flights. This improvement is driven by several factors, including avoiding 58% of the travel time associated with connections and a 37% decrease in distance travelled. As a result, fuel consumption, and therefore CO₂ emissions generated per journey, is significantly reduced. These benefits are further supported by a load factor that has remained above 90% since 2018 and reached 91% in 2024, helping maximize operational efficiency and optimize resource utilization.
Dan Snow Explores Ancient Maya Secrets in Belize for Major History Hit Documentary and Podcast
History Hit, the podcast, SVOD and content platform network founded by Dan Snow, is heading deep into the jungles of Belize to uncover the story of one of the most significant Maya archaeological discoveries in decades and explore the extraordinary ancient sites that make Belize one of the world’s most fascinating archaeological destinations. In July 2025, archaeologists working at Caracol announced the discovery of the burial chamber of one of the Maya civilisation’s greatest rulers, Te K’ab Chaak, the founder of the Caracol dynasty and the first ‘named person’ royal tomb uncovered at the site in more than 40 years. Inside they found remarkable treasures including jadeite ornaments, ritual pottery and a mosaic death mask, offering fresh insights into the power, sophistication and beliefs of the Classic Maya world.
AI, identity and demand shifts take center stage as industry leaders confront a fast‑changing travel
Day 2 at Phocuswright Europe opened with a clear message: the forces reshaping travel are accelerating, and the industry must adapt with equal speed. From AI‑driven distribution battles to digital identity pilots, shifting demand patterns and new expectations for loyalty, the day delivered a steady stream of insight, debate and practical direction for the year ahead. Travel demand stays resilient as AI reshapes the path to purchase
Agadir, Morocco’s Best-Kept Coastal Secret, is Now Directly Connected to Montréal, Canada
The Morocco National Tourist Office (MNTO) and Air Transat recently announced a historic new nonstop route connecting Montréal (YUL) to Agadir (AGA), launched on June 12. This marks the first-ever direct flight between Montréal and Agadir, as well as the first direct connection between North America and southern Morocco - where a hidden gem awaits travelers. Described as one of the most beautiful bays in the world, Agadir sits along Morocco’s western Atlantic edge with a 10-kilometre beachfront, palm-lined promenades, and more than 300 days of sunshine annually. With its almost omnipresent sunshine, Agadir has earned a reputation as an exceptional holiday destination within the country. Styled more like a Mediterranean resort, Agadir is much different than how many travelers might conceptualize Morocco.
Spain, Portugal & Croatia: The ultimate digital nomad hotspots offering the best work-life balance
Around 165,000 British citizens now live and work abroad as digital nomads, and with 730,000 monthly searches worldwide, this number is expected to rise further as remote and flexible working continues to reshape how people travel and work. To help identify the destinations best suited to this growing trend, luxury travel advisors Bailey Robinson analysed some of the world’s most sought-after locations for remote professionals.
The 36th Hong Kong Book Fair unveils annual theme: ‘Cultural Legacy - Joyful Journeys’
The 36th Hong Kong Book Fair, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), will be held from 15 to 21 July (Wednesday to Tuesday) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), running concurrently with the Hong Kong Sports and Leisure Expo and the World of Snacks. As one of the signature summer cultural and leisure events in Hong Kong, the three fairs are estimated to bring together more than 770 exhibitors from nearly 30 countries and regions, offering citizens and tourists a one-stop destination for culture, sports and leisure experiences.
Saudi Red Sea Authority Issues Yacht Chartering License to 1760 Limited Company
Saudi Red Sea Authority (SRSA) has issued a yacht chartering license to One Thousand Seven Hundred and Sixty Limited Company, as part of its continued efforts to build a more regulated and reliable coastal tourism sector, enhance the readiness of maritime and navigational tourism activities in the Red Sea, ensure service quality, protect the marine environment, and enable specialized investment growth in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
Jamaica Takes Over the UK’s Largest Travel Agency
The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) brought the warmth, culture and energy of the island directly to the heart of the UK’s biggest retail travel agency. In a full-scale Jamaica Takeover Day at Hays Travel’s head office, the JTB partnered with a number of leading hotel brands to immerse the agency’s team in the spirit of Jamaica, from its cuisine and culture to its world-class resort offering. Hays Travel, the UK’s largest independent travel retailer with over 500 shops nationwide, welcomed the JTB and hotel partners across its sales, social media, accounts and support teams, ensuring the entire office, including more than 60 homeworkers joining online, experienced a taste of Jamaica first-hand.