Porto’s recognition as Europe’s Best Tourist Destination at the World Travel Awards represents more than a prestigious accolade. It reflects a broader transformation underway in European urban tourism — one increasingly shaped by authenticity, sustainability and meaningful cultural engagement rather than sheer visitor volume.

Finland’s national flag carrier, Finnair, has just announced an expansion to its long-haul network, starting flights to Melbourne, Australia from next autumn. The route will be operated daily via Bangkok with an Airbus A350 aircraft.  The new route marks a completely new destination for Finnair, connecting Australia directly to Finnair’s extensive network via Finnair’s Helsinki hub.

The era of scaling hospitality businesses simply by counting rooms is over, according to The Bench, organisers of Future Hospitality Summit, which says that the future of hospitality lies in creating integrated ecosystems, lifestyle platforms and purpose-driven destinations. After nearly 1,600 hospitality leaders from more than 70 countries checked in to Dubai for FHS World 2025, it is clear that a new wave of factors is shaping the future of hospitality in the Middle East – and globally – from the rise of non-hospitality brands in real estate to the critical intersection of Artificial Intelligence.

For greater efficiency and lower CO₂ emissions: Lufthansa Group is retrofitting its existing Airbus A320 fleet to optimize flight routes. Starting in 2026, 134 Airbus A320s will be equipped with the FANS-C digital communication system. The ADS-C EPP (Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Contract Extended Projected Profile) technology automatically transmits 4D flight path information – i.e., data on position, altitude, direction, and time – to air traffic control in real time. This allows flight routes to be better adapted to actual conditions in the air. The result: more fuel-efficient flight routes, lower CO₂ emissions, and greater punctuality.

The Emirates Airline Foundation and Emirates Auction are partnering for an exclusive online auction to offer special Emirates Skywards membership numbers that come with Platinum tier status benefits valid for up to 20 years. Running from 17 December 2025 until 17 January 2026, bids can be made for special membership numbers with Platinum tier status benefits. The auction will be open to bidders worldwide.

With the opening of Fever’s Machu Picchu: Journey to the Lost City in west London and Manchester, intrepid adventurers can find themselves in the awe-inspiring mountain citadel on their doorstep. This free-roam virtual reality adventure was built in collaboration with historians and 3D specialists to ensure that travellers are treated to a historically accurate feast for their eyes. The rising interest in visiting ethereal places, titled ‘Mystic Outlands’, has been declared the biggest travel trend for 2026 by Pinterest, with Millennials and Boomers seeking out mystical destinations like ruins shrouded in mists. Travellers looking to experience this remarkable site and trend in person can expect a sensory experience that provides holistic nourishment for the mind, body, and soul, positioning Peru as a destination tapped into the increasing demands of wellness tourism.