Tourism News Page 259
TAP AIR PORTUGAL POSTS PROFIT OF €126 MILLION IN THE THIRD QUARTER
TAP recorded a positive net profit of 126 million euros in the third quarter of this year and made a profit of 55.2 million euros in the first nine months of 2025. Until September (9M25), TAP carried a total of 12.7 million passengers, which represents an increase of 2.9% compared to the same period in 2024 (9M24). The number of flights operated registered a slight year-on-year growth of 0.7%, in line with the previous period. Capacity increased 3% compared to 9M24, while RPKs grew 4.6%, resulting in a 1.3 p.p. improvement in Load Factor, which reached 84.2% in 9M25.
Oceania Cruises® Unveils a Sneak Peek of Oceania Sonata™
Oceania Cruises®, the world’s leading culinary- and destination-focused luxury cruise line, today unveiled Oceania Sonata, the latest expression of the brand’s signature blend of intimate, luxurious experiences. Set to debut in 2027, the vessel will be the first of four 1,390-guest ships in the new Sonata Class, representing the next chapter in the line’s continued evolution of its intimate, luxurious ships. Marking the ninth vessel in the Oceania Cruises fleet, Oceania Sonata will embark on her maiden voyage in August 2027. A true masterpiece of design, she will deliver a symphony of unforgettable experiences at sea, anchored by the brand’s hallmark passion for gastronomy and its legacy of serving The Finest Cuisine at Sea®.
Six Destinations That Capture the Spirit of Saudi
Saudi continues to inspire travelers from around the world, a country where every destination tells a different story, from ancient civilizations carved into sandstone to coral-framed coastlines and palm-shaded oases. According to the Ministry of Tourism’s latest data, Saudi welcomed 60.9 million visitors in the first half of 2025, maintaining strong growth momentum across both domestic and international tourism. Total tourism spending reached approximately SAR 161 billion, reflecting a 4 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024. Saudi’s tourism sector continues to play a pivotal role in driving economic diversification and shaping Saudi’s global tourism landscape. From UNESCO heritage sites to untouched coral reefs and world-class cultural events, these six destinations showcase the very best of Saudi - each offering a unique experience that blends history, authenticity, and innovation
How to prep for your trip without the panic
Why is it that preparing for a trip often feels more stressful than the trip itself? You book the flights, dream about poolside snacks, and then suddenly you’re deep in a group chat about who’s packing the sunscreen and who’s watching the neighbor’s cat. Somewhere between the to-do lists and the endless piles of “just in case” clothes, the excitement starts to fade. What should feel like a break becomes another job, complete with logistics, timelines, and way too many questions.
Ferrari World Yas Island Abu Dhabi Celebrates 15 Years of Record-Breaking Thrills
For 15 unforgettable years, Ferrari World Yas Island, Abu Dhabi has turned speed, innovation and family fun into an engineering marvel beneath its iconic red roof. This November, the award-winning theme park will commemorate its milestone anniversary with a high-octane, month-long festivities packed with exclusive entertainment and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. The celebration will transform every corner of the park into a living tribute to Ferrari’s storied legacy. Guests can look forward to lively performances and in-park entertainment that bring the vibrant energy of Italian piazzas to Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, complemented by special anniversary-themed F&B offerings available throughout the month.
Riyadh Air Accelerates ‘Pathway to Perfect’ with Landmark Technical, Training, and Travel Agreements
At Dubai Airshow 2025, Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s new national carrier, today announced a comprehensive suite of technical, training, and travel partnership agreements designed to rapidly scale its operations and enhance the passenger experience. These pivotal collaborations encompass a major expansion of its A321neo fleet support through new engine orders and state-of-the-art pilot simulators, technology and comprehensive maintenance & digital operations for its Boeing 787 Dreamliners. An array of strategic travel MoUs signed with key agencies align to cement Riyadh Air’s position as a digital-native, future-focused airline, contributing to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
Etihad Airways enhances guest experience with expanded Viasat partnership
Etihad Airways will deploy Viasat’s next-generation connectivity solution, Viasat Amara, across its entire fleet as part of its ongoing commitment to deliver a world-class guest experience. The expansion, announced today by the Abu Dhabi-based airline and Viasat Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), a global leader in satellite communications, builds on a successful multi-year collaboration. Onboard Etihad aircraft, Viasat will power high-speed connectivity that enables guests to access streaming subscriptions on personal devices, to view Live TV on the aircraft seatback IFE screens—providing a variety of news and sports channels for guests’ enjoyment—and to utilize applications for social media scrolling, browsing, shopping, and more.
Emirates and flydubai: Rewarding travellers through partnership and enhanced connectivity
The Emirates and flydubai partnership exemplifies industry-leading collaboration, seamlessly connecting millions of travellers across an extensive global network while rewarding Emirates Skywards members through the joint loyalty programme.
flydubai selects GE Aerospace digital solutions to elevate flight safety and pilot performance
flydubai, the Dubai-based carrier, and GE Aerospace (NYSE: GE) announced at the Dubai Airshow an agreement to deploy GE Aerospace’s SaaS advanced flight operations software solutions, Safety Insight and FlightPulse, across its entire fleet. The integration will enable flydubai to improve operations by leveraging advanced analytics to enhance flight safety and efficiency
flynas launches the “Literature Journey” Initiative
flynas, the leading low-cost airline in the world and the best LCC in the Middle East, announced launching the “Literature Journey” initiative, aimed at reinforcing Saudi cultural content and supporting the production of Saudi litterateurs, through reproducing and publishing it on flynas’ social media accounts, as part of the company’s sustainability and social responsibility programs that adopt initiatives with a sustainable impact on society. flynas has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Abdullah bin Idris Cultural Center to collaborate in the field of culture. Under the agreement, the center will nominatie literary texts for the initiative, and flynas will digitally reproduce and promote the content across its digital platforms.
El Albergue Ollantaytambo honoured with World’s Leading Small Sustainable Destination 2025
Peruvian heritage eco-lodge El Albergue Ollantaytambo has been recognised with the title of World’s Leading Small Sustainable Destination 2025 by voters at the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards (WSTHA). The prize was revealed in front of hundreds of global leaders of sustainable tourism gathered in Dubai for the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards 2025. The VIP ceremony was held at Terra, Expo City Dubai and recognised the individuals and organisations that are accelerating change in net positive tourism.
Ecoventura honoured with World’s Leading Sustainable Guest Experience title at WSTHA
Cruise provider Ecoventura has been recognised with the title of World’s Leading Sustainable Guest Experience 2025 by voters at the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards (WSTHA). The prize was revealed in front of hundreds of global leaders of sustainable tourism gathered in Dubai for the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards 2025. The VIP ceremony was held at Terra, Expo City Dubai and recognised the individuals and organisations that are accelerating change in net positive tourism.