Tourism News Page 262
The Ritz-Carlton and Late Checkout Unveil Chapter Two of Their Award-Winning Collaboration
The Ritz-Carlton continues its journey from defining luxury hospitality to shaping modern luxury lifestyle with the debut of its second collaboration with Madrid-based fashion label Late Checkout. What began as a daring meeting of refinement and irreverence, celebrated with a Gold Cannes Lions award, now returns with a new chapter. The collection expands into accessories, loungewear, and children’s pieces, reflecting The Ritz-Carlton’s timeless appeal across generations and Late Checkout’s vision of hotels as living worlds where style and story meet. A color palette of navy, ivory, and light blue honors The Ritz-Carlton’s heritage while carrying Late Checkout’s signature spirit of playfulness.
ETIHAD EXPANDS WIDEBODY FLEET WITH 32 NEW AIRBUS AIRCRAFT, ARRIVING FROM 2027
Etihad Airways today announced a major expansion of its widebody fleet with 32 additional Airbus aircraft, further accelerating the airline’s growth and reinforcing its position as one of the world’s fastest-growing full-service carriers. The agreement includes a mix of A350-1000s, A350F freighters, and A330-900s through both direct orders and lease commitments, with first deliveries beginning in 2027 – one of the earliest widebody availability windows in the global market.
MANDARIN ORIENTAL HYDE PARK, LONDON UNVEILS ‘THE JEWEL OF THE SEASON WITH DE BEERS LONDON’
Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London is delighted to announce its festive partnership with De Beers London, presenting The Jewel of the Season with De Beers London, an immersive celebration of artistry, heritage, and craftsmanship at one of London’s most iconic addresses. This season, the hotel’s lobby transforms into The Enchanted Lotus Bar, a dazzling space designed in collaboration with the renowned jewellers. The champagne and caviar bar draws its inspiration from the Lotus flower — a signature motif of De Beers Enchanted Lotus collection. The space is a celebration of design artistry, where form, craftsmanship, and luxury converge. The result is a space that captures the spirit of the festive season — sophisticated, sculptural, and beautifully designed.
Etihad Airways Showcases A321LR at Dubai Airshow
Etihad Airways’ brand-new Airbus A321LR takes pride of place on static display at Dubai Airshow – the region’s only narrowbody aircraft featuring private First Suites. With extended range and significantly improved fuel efficiency, this next-generation aircraft serves routes from Abu Dhabi to destinations including Chiang Mai, Dusseldorf, Krabi, Phnom Penh, Phuket, Tunis and Zurich, delivering genuine long-haul luxury for short-and medium-haul sectors.
India Is Officially a She-Planned Nation: 7 in 10 Trips Are Planned by Women, A Thrillophila Report
Thrillophilia, India’s leading AI-powered multi-day tours platform, has released its Women & Travel Decisions 2025 report, revealing a quiet but powerful shift inside Indian households. The country’s real travel decision-maker today is not the travel agent, the algorithm, or the loudest voice in the room; it is the woman who plans, filters, budgets, and ultimately shapes the family’s entire travel experience. Based on an analysis of 212,000 itineraries and 8.9 million planning signals, the report finds that women now influence or directly design 72% of India’s leisure trips, taking ownership of everything from budgeting and safety to emotional comfort and experience curation.
The “Region of Valencia” emerges as a European leader in accessible tourism
The Region of Valencia is reinforcing its position as one of Europe’s most inclusive destinations with the launch of seven new accessible routes, now available on TUR4all Travel, the world’s leading platform dedicated to fully accessible travel experiences and a purpose-driven agency that reinvests 100% of its profits into improving the quality of life for people with disabilities. Ranked among Spain’s Top 5 most accessible destinations and the fastest-growing in this segment, according to the TUR4all Travel 2025 Trends Report — which also places Spain as Europe’s leading country in accessible tourism — the Region of Valencia showcases its diversity beyond the traditional “sun and beach” model through seven new accessible routes.
Investing in Travel Services: What to Check Before Buying a Taxi Cab
Buying a taxi is one of the most important investments a driver or small operator can make. It is not just about finding a vehicle that looks good or fits the budget, but about ensuring it meets the right standards, keeps running costs low, and supports long-term reliability. Whether expanding a fleet or upgrading your first vehicle, getting these checks right can save time, money, and stress later on. Below, we cover what every buyer should look for, from local authority requirements to the details that keep your taxi on the road and earning.
Abu Dhabi Tourism Strategy 2030 Fuels Robust H1 Tourism Growth
The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) announced robust tourism growth in the first half of 2025, a testament to the successful execution of its ambitious Tourism Strategy 2030. A key pillar of this overarching strategy is Abu Dhabi’s commitment to diversify offerings that profoundly reshape its visitor landscape. Through strategic initiatives and investments that aim to preserve its rich cultural heritage while embracing a forward-looking vision, the emirate is being established as a city renowned worldwide for its culture and creativity.
Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa Co-Founder Honored with Ramon Magsasay Award
Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa proudly celebrates Maldivian conservationist and co-founder, Shaahina Ali, who has been honored with the 2025 Ramon Magsaysay Award, one of Asia’s most prestigious recognitions of leadership and social impact — for her pioneering work in marine conservation, community engagement, and sustainable tourism in the Maldives. She is thefirst Maldivian to receive this award, recognized for her unwavering commitment to protecting the marineecosystem of the Maldives with passion, vision, and inclusivity, ensuring her work will be carried on by another generation of Maldivians.
Etihad Guest Introduces Full Flexible Option Across Every Seat Onboard
Etihad Guest, the award-winning loyalty programme of Etihad Airways, has significantly enhanced its exclusive member experience by allowing every seat to be purchased with miles, and with different layers of flexibility. GuestSeat awards will now be branded as ‘Saver Award’ and provide a low starting price for redemption tickets. These updates are designed to provide members with greater flexibility, transparency, and value when booking flights with Etihad Guest Miles, aligning with Etihad’s commercial fares. Mark Potter, Managing Director Etihad Guest, said, “Etihad Guest is designed to reward loyalty, and these changes ensure our members enjoy even greater flexibility and transparency when redeeming their miles. Saver Award seats highlight the exclusive value our members deserve, with more ways to tailor their travel to their needs and flexibility across every seat.”
MANDARIN ORIENTAL RECOGNISED AT WORLD SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL & HOSPITALITY AWARDS 2025 IN DUBAI
Mandarin Oriental is proud to announce that it has been named the winner of World’s Leading Sustainable Energy Efficiency Initiative, World’s Leading Sustainable Cultural Heritage Project, and World’s Leading Sustainable Policy Initiative at the 2nd annual World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards in Dubai. These accolades highlight Mandarin Oriental’s leadership in accelerating change and creating meaningful impact across ultra-luxury hospitality. The recognition highlights the Group’s pioneering approach to to reduce our environmental impact, safeguard cultural heritage and inspiring more mindful travel experiences. Launched at COP28, the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards celebrate organisations that transcend traditional hospitality by integrating sustainability and environmental stewardship at the core of their operations.
British Visitors in Wartime Kyiv: Tourism as an Act of Solidarity
Even with the war still going on, a lot of Brits keep coming to Ukraine, but not for fun, but with a specific goal. Volunteers, documentary filmmakers, and entrepreneurs keep coming to Kyiv and other cities to support a country fighting for its independence. For them, their very presence has become a form of support — a silent message that says: we are here with you. British citizens are among the top 10 most popular foreign visitors to Ukraine in 2025, with 17,210 registered entries in the first half of the year — a slight increase compared to 2024. According to exclusive border crossing data analyzed by VisitKyiv.com, this trend indicates a growth in solidarity trips. After all, most of these visitors come not for leisure, but to support Ukraine and its people.