Tourism News Page 221
Visit Qatar announces the return of 25N51E Music Festival
Visit Qatar has announced the return of the 25N51E Music Festival, taking place on 30 January 2026 at the iconic Stadium 974, bringing one of Qatar’s most exciting electronic-dance music experiences to life with an extraordinary lineup of international artists across two dynamic stages.
RIU Hotels sees out 2025 by reopening the Riu Jalisco following a full refurb
RIU Hotels & Resorts has reopened the doors of the iconic hotel Riu Jalisco, located in Riviera Nayarit, following the completion of an ambitious renovation project. The establishment has undergone an extensive transformation to add a variety of new dining options, as well as create a special area for the youngest members of the family that includes a splash pad with slides. In parallel to the refurbishment, work was carried out to extend the hotel and add 120 rooms in a newly constructed area.
How to fly to the 2026 World Cup with SAS
Scandinavian Airlines ensures that fans from Norway, Denmark, and Sweden can travel smoothly to the FIFA World Cup next summer. With direct flights across the Atlantic and strong partnerships, SAS is the natural choice for supporters heading to matches in the hosting countries United States, Mexico and Canada.
RYANAIR LAUNCHES BIGGEST EVER SEAT SALE 10M SUMMER 2026 SEATS ON SALE
Ryanair, Europe’s No.1 airline, has launched its biggest ever seat sale with over 10 million Summer 2026 seats on offer at big discounts for early bookers. What better way to beat the post-Christmas blues than by planning your Summer 2026 holiday across Ryanair’s industry leading network of over 235 destinations, including top sunshine hotspots like Corfu, Faro, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Ibiza, Lanzarote, Malaga, Malta, Palermo, Palma, Rhodes, Santorini, and Tenerife, as well as exciting city breaks to Athens, Barcelona, Berlin, Dubrovnik, Lisbon, Madrid, Milan, Pisa, Paris, Valencia, and Rome.
JetBlue Unveils “Wicked Blue,” a Boston-Inspired Livery
JetBlue recently celebrated Wicked Blue, the airline’s newest specially painted aircraft, featuring a Boston-themed livery as a tribute to the city that JetBlue has proudly served for more than 20 years. “Wicked Blue embodies our pride in the Boston community, crewmembers and customers who have helped build JetBlue into the airline we are today,” said Marty St. George, president, JetBlue. “Boston is one of our most important markets with a huge loyalty base, and it’s a key driver of our JetForward strategy to offer the best East Coast leisure network. We wanted to say thank you to Bostonians who’ve supported us for over 20 years, and what’s more fitting than sending our pride for Boston flying all over our network?”
Aeroflot successfully tested biometric boarding service
Aeroflot, in partnership with Pulkovo Airport and the Biometric Technology Center, successfully tested the “Migom” service in December. The service enables passengers to pass pre-flight checks using biometric identification without presenting a passport.
flydubai and Amazon Web Services (AWS) announce collaboration
flydubai, the Dubai-based carrier, and Amazon Web Services (AWS) announced a new collaboration to advance the airline’s digital capabilities and enhance its customer journey through AWS’s cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) services, reinforcing the airline’s commitment to driving innovation.
flynas Celebrates the Launch of Direct Flights Between Jeddah and Moscow
flynas, the leading low-cost airline in the world and the best LCC in the Middle East, celebrated the launch of its direct flights between Jeddah and Moscow, effective now. This launch further strengthens air connectivity with the Russian capital in collaboration with the Saudi Tourism Authority and the Air Connectivity Program, as part of flynas’ growth and expansion plan and in alignment with the Kingdom’s national objectives in the tourism and aviation sectors.
Aer Lingus launches five new European routes for summer 2026
Aer Lingus is expanding its European and transatlantic network with six brand-new routes launching next year. Taking off in time for summer 2026, the airline will commence five short-haul services from Dublin and Cork, offering its customers even more options for unforgettable getaways to some of Europe’s most charming destinations. From May 2026, the airline will also commence a new service to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The new route brings the total number of routes Aer Lingus operates from Ireland to North America to twenty-four. The continued growth of the airline’s North American network is part of its Dublin Hub strategy, providing a convenient gateway connecting North America, Ireland, the UK and Europe.
Philippine Airlines takes delivery of its first Airbus A350-1000
Philippine Airlines has taken delivery of its first A350-1000, becoming the 10th airline worldwide to operate the largest version of the long range leader. The aircraft, configured in a premium three-class layout with 382 seats, will open a new chapter in Philippine Airlines’ long haul operations across the Pacific. The A350-1000’s advanced efficiency will enable the national carrier to expand its transpacific network with non-stop services to major destinations in North America.
Lufthansa’s first anniversary aircraft lands in Frankfurt
It has landed! The Boeing 787-9 with its impressive special livery marking the 100th anniversary of the founding of the first Lufthansa arrived in Frankfurt last week. Numerous plane spotters, travelers, and spectators welcomed the special aircraft at Germany’s largest airport, which was transferred from the Boeing plant in Everett, Washington. The divisional board of Lufthansa Airlines also personally welcomed the Dreamliner with the registration D-ABPU and the name “Berlin”.
Ikos Odisia: Corfu’s Crown Jewel of Luxury Hospitality
Perched gracefully on a sun-drenched peninsula on the northwest coast of Corfu, Ikos Odisia has solidified its reputation as one of Europe’s most exceptional luxury retreats. For the second consecutive year, this stunning resort has been honored as Europe’s Leading All-Inclusive Resort at the prestigious World Travel Awards — a testament to its unwavering commitment to excellence, elevated guest experiences, and thoughtful luxury.