IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has announced the signing of a franchise agreement with Sirayane Hospitality, a local high end hospitality investor and operator with over twenty years’ experience in Marrakech, to develop Kimpton Marrakech, a 67-key luxury lifestyle hotel opening in Q4 2026. The signing marks the introduction of the Kimpton brand in Morocco, further expanding IHG’s luxury and lifestyle footprint in the country.

PURE ONE is proud to announce the official launch of our MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Events) division – a significant milestone in our broader strategy to build a diversified, experience-led global travel group. This new product line strengthens our position in the market by providing high-quality, fully customisable corporate travel and event solutions across the UK and Europe. It reflects our long-term vision to develop multiple revenue streams across tour operations, media, retail travel, hospitality, and transport.

As the 50th anniversary of Agatha Christie’s death approaches on 12 January 2026, Original Travel reports surging interest in the Nile and their Steam Ship Sudan, on which Christie sailed in 1933 - a journey that inspired one of Hercule Poirot’s most famous cases. As the sole UK operator of the SS Sudan, the specialists in tailor-made travel reveals that fans are now booking years in advance to secure a place on the Nile steamer – especially the sought-after Agatha Christie Cabin, where the author stayed with her husband, archaeologist Max Mallowan.

As we near the end of this year, 2025, we look back at what was a defining moment for the global travel industry. After years of upheaval and transformation, travel returned with renewed energy, driven by shifting consumer expectations, technological innovation, and a deeper focus on sustainability. Across continents and sectors—from aviation to hospitality, and from digital platforms to local communities—the industry underwent meaningful change.

Hilton has announced the Africa expansion of DoubleTree by Hilton, its upscale brand known for its warm hospitality, with the signing of three new properties in key destinations across North, West and Central Africa: Morocco, Togo and the Republic of Congo. These latest signings include Hilton’s debut in Togo and underscore Hilton’s commitment to growing its footprint on the continent, where the global hospitality company now has more than 100 hotels in its pipeline.

Hilton will introduce its Canopy by Hilton brand to Türkiye with two openings this month in Istanbul and Izmir. The brand entry follows the Turkish debut of the Tapestry Collection by Hilton brand earlier this year and continued expansion under the Curio Collection by Hilton brand. The launch comes as Hilton’s Lifestyle category experiences record growth globally, now representing a fifth of Hilton’s pipeline with more than 400 lifestyle hotels already trading.