Tourism News Page 160
LOPOTA LAKE RESORT & SPA IN GEORGIA TAPS ACCLAIMED DESIGN STUDIO “GYSPANDCONCRETE”
Set within the rolling vineyards and forests of Kakheti, Lopota Lake Resort & Spa, a 60-hectares family owned resort, has unveiled a newly completed reception and reimagined gift shop designed by Georgian architect Lado Lomitashvili, founder of Studio Gypsandconcrete, marking the latest chapter in the resort’s ongoing architectural evolution. Conceived as the first point of emotional connection for arriving guests, the new arrival spaces introduce a refined design language that reflects the resort’s identity as a nature-driven, experience-led destination rooted in landscape, heritage, and craftsmanship. Typical of Lomitashvili’s work, the spaces explore the dialogue between materiality, light, and environment.
Italy’s Cultural Tourism: Culture Leads, Sentiment Holds, Geography Shifts
Italy continues to hold the world’s highest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites— 61 in total — with Italian cuisine added to the list of intangible heritage in 2025. Its standing as a leading global cultural destination is firmly established. The deeper story lies in how travellers are interacting with that heritage: which cities are strengthening their appeal, how demand is redistributing geographically, and whether growing visitor volumes are affecting experience quality.
Allegris Business Class seats on the Boeing 787-9 have received certification
Lufthansa has received certification for 25 Allegris Business Class seats on the Boeing 787-9. Sunday, March 15, 2026, the Dreamliner with registration number D-ABPM and the name “Potsdam” flew from Frankfurt to Toronto with 25 certified seats in Business Class. The remaining eight 787-9s equipped with Allegris are also already in service with approved seats as of today or will take off by Wednesday at the latest. Last-minute bookings for these seats on flights departing from March 18 are therefore available immediately.
Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris One of the World’s Leading Destinations for Culinary Excellence
Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris celebrates the renewal of its six Michelin stars in the 2026 edition of the Michelin Guide France. Le Cinq, L’Orangerie, and Le George have each retained their distinctions, further reinforcing the George V’s singular position as a world-class gastronomic destination.
Preferred Hotels & Resorts Welcomes Dusit Thani Bangkok to Legend Collection
Preferred Hotels & Resorts has announced the addition of Dusit Thani Bangkok to its prestigious Legend Collection, welcoming the celebrated Thai hotel into its global portfolio of exceptional properties in the world’s most remarkable destinations. Featuring exquisite accommodations, stellar and intuitive personal service, renowned dining, and exceptional spas, being part of this exclusive group is designated for distinguished properties who represent the very highest levels of luxury.
United Airlines, Currensea and Mastercard launch UK-first loyalty debit card for frequent flyers
United Airlines, in partnership with Currensea, the market-leading payments technology platform for co-branded multi-bank debit cards, and Mastercard, today announced the launch of the United AirlinesSM Debit Card, the first ever rewards debit card offered to UK travellers by a U.S. airline. Available now, the United Airlines Debit Card can be linked to any existing UK bank account and allows customers to earn miles and exclusive travel benefits from United on all their day-to-day spending, at home and abroad, making it easier than ever to earn United MileagePlusSM miles, access exclusive travel rewards and enjoy outstanding exchange rates when spending abroad.
Almost 7 million Lufthansa Group passengers opted for more sustainable flying in 2025
The Lufthansa Group is seeing growing demand for more sustainable travel options. The Group enables its customers to contribute to reducing the climate impact of future flights with various offers for private and business air travel. With success: more than five percent of Lufthansa Group passengers have chosen a more sustainable travel option in 2025 – for example, the Green Fares flight fares. Four years ago, this share was below 0.1 percent. Last year, the volume of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) sold across various offerings more than doubled. Passengers’ active commitment to more sustainable flying is an important pillar of the Lufthansa Group’s sustainability strategy.
A new digital experience: American gives customers more timely flight information
American Airlines operates nearly 7,000 flights every day, connecting 700,000 customers to the people and places that matter most. With a global network, travel plans can occasionally be disrupted by factors like weather, air traffic control or an aircraft that needs unscheduled maintenance. That’s why American is further enhancing the travel experience with a smarter digital platform that gives customers clear explanations when flights are delayed or canceled.
Serve, sip, relax: American aces the lounge experience in Miami
Ready to cheer on fan-favorite tennis stars? American Airlines is welcoming customers traveling for one of the country’s largest tennis tournaments with an elevated experience inside its Flagship® and Admirals Club® lounges at Miami International Airport (MIA). The lounges give travelers a calm, premium space to recharge before or after the tournament.
Emerging Travel Group strengthens its global offering though new partnership with Meliá Hotels
Emerging Travel Group (ETG), a global travel company operating the RateHawk, ZenHotels, and Roundtrip brands, announces a new direct integration with Meliá Hotels International, one of the largest hotel groups in Europe. This agreement marks an important step in ETG’s global expansion strategy, strengthening its ability to offer professional partners a broader, more diverse, and competitive portfolio.
Trademark Collection by Wyndham Marks Milestone, Surpasses 100 U.S. Hotels
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, the world’s largest hotel franchisor with more than 8,300 hotels spanning approximately 100 countries, is celebrating a major milestone for its Trademark Collection by Wyndham brand: more than 100 hotels now open across the U.S. The achievement highlights a rapid rise for the highly-sought-after soft-brand, which, as the fastest growing in the U.S., has doubled the size of its domestic portfolio in the last five years as independents increasingly turn to Wyndham to help pair their hotels’ unique character and individuality with the reach and revenue driving power of a global hospitality leader. That demand has also helped the brand grow to nearly 350 hotels globally with more than 100 additional hotels in the pipeline.
Ocean Maya Royale Emerges as Riviera Maya’s Leading Intimate Five-Star All-Inclusive Sanctuary
Ocean Maya Royale, a five-star, adults-only all-inclusive resort from Ocean Signature Resorts portfolio, announces its official positioning as the top choice romantic getaway for the U.S. market. Perfectly blending traditional colonial-mediterranean ambiance with romantic modern spaces and a spectacular beach, the property offers an intimate, peaceful escape designed specifically for couples seeking serenity, retirement-style relaxation, and personalized hospitality.