Tourism News Page 31
United Airlines has expanded its MileagePlus Miles Pooling feature
United Airlines has expanded its MileagePlus Miles Pooling feature to now include 40+ partner airlines – including Lufthansa, ANA, Virgin Australia and Air Canada – making it easier for families and friends to combine their miles and book future travel together.
THE CARIBBEAN HOTEL & TOURISM ASSOCIATION (CHTA) ANNOUNCES CHIEF 2026
The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) today announced the Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF) 2026, taking place November 16-18 at the Wyndham Grand Barbados Sam Lords Castle. Held under the theme, Caribbean Tourism 2030: Resilient. Regenerative. Ready., CHIEF 2026 will convene hospitality and tourism leaders from across the region to explore emerging trends, share practical solutions and prepare their businesses and destinations for the next era of Caribbean tourism.
Design Hotels Announces Addition of Multi-Property Portfolio
Design Hotels today announced a landmark portfolio expansion with Palisociety, the Los Angeles-based independent hospitality brand known for its design-forward hotels in key U.S. markets. Design Hotels has entered into agreements with the owners of 16 hotels across nine U.S. destinations operated by Palisociety to join Design Hotels’ portfolio, marking the largest portfolio addition in the brand’s history.
Rediscover the Art of Gathering with the Luxury Group by Marriott International
The Luxury Group by Marriott International is launching the third edition of its Luxury Dining Series, offering curated culinary journeys under the theme “Across the Table.” From August to October, the series will take place at luxury hotels including JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa, The Naka Island, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Phuket, The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort, Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto, and will conclude with an experience at sea with Luminara, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection.
Museum of Ice Cream Opens Its Newest and Largest Location in Las Vegas
Museum of Ice Cream, the globally beloved immersive experience, opens its doors at AREA15’s Zone 2 in Las Vegas on July 3 for its sweetest adventure yet. Tickets are now on sale at MuseumofIceCream.com, starting at $42.
H10 Hotels elevates the guest experience with the launch of its new mobile app
With the aim of adapting its services to the demands of the digital environment and continuing to enhance guest satisfaction, H10 Hotels has announced the official launch of its new mobile app. This revamped digital tool transforms the way guests interact with the group’s properties, delivering an improved customer experience by providing direct and easy access to hotel services. The new app has been developed to cover the three key stages of the travel cycle: before travelling to the destination, during the stay, and after departure. In addition, it allows H10 Rewards members to comprehensively manage their stays across the chain.
JA Mar Hall Golf & Spa Resort has officially joined the GHA DISCOVERY loyalty programme
JA Mar Hall Golf & Spa Resort has officially joined the GHA DISCOVERY loyalty programme, the only hotel in Scotland to be part of the global alliance, marking a major milestone in the resort’s continued evolution as part of the JA Resorts & Hotels portfolio.
WTTC forecasts Guatemala tourism spending to surpass pre-pandemic levels by 21%
Guatemala’s tourism sector is set for another year of strong growth, according to new forecasts from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), with international visitor spending expected to reach GTQ 14.9 billion (USD 1.9 billion) in 2026 - 21.4% higher than pre-pandemic levels in 2019. The latest WTTC Economic Impact Research (EIR) reveals that international visitor spending is forecast to increase by 9.3% year-on-year in 2026, highlighting Guatemala’s growing appeal among international travellers.
Etihad enters its biggest summer yet with 10% more capacity
Etihad Airways is entering its largest summer season ever, operating more than 300 daily flights, carrying near-record passenger loads and launching or returning nine destinations within days as demand for travel to, from and through Abu Dhabi continues to accelerate. The milestone comes as Etihad continues its rapid growth trajectory, with summer capacity up 10% year-on-year and supported by a fleet that has grown by 23 aircraft compared with the same period last year. With flights operating at close to 90% load factors, the airline is seeing strong demand across its network spanning Europe, Asia, North America, Africa and the Middle East.
Aer Lingus celebrates 10 years of AerClub with its first transatlantic Avios-Only flight
Aer Lingus has announced its first-ever transatlantic Avios-Only flight, with an exclusive service from Dublin to New York (JFK) set to take off as part of the airline’s celebrations for 10 years of its loyalty programme, AerClub. Marking a decade of rewarding loyal customers, the milestone flight represents a major moment for Aer Lingus’ popular Avios-Only offering – where every seat onboard is exclusively available to purchase using the airline’s reward currency Avios. This is the first time the concept is being extended across the Atlantic with Aer Lingus.
Eurowings Expands Mallorca Commitment with Winter Growth and New Jobs Initiative
Eurowings and the Government of the Balearic Islands have agreed to work together to further position Mallorca as an attractive travel destination beyond the summer months. The agreement was reached during a meeting between Balearic President Marga Prohens and Eurowings CEO Max Kownatzki at the government headquarters in Palma. The goal is to distribute tourism demand more evenly throughout the year and create additional employment opportunities, particularly during the autumn and winter months.
Vietnam Airlines Remains Among the Top 100 Companies in the Fortune Southeast Asia 500
Vietnam Airlines has further strengthened its position among Southeast Asia’s leading companies, securing a place in the Top 100 of the 2026 Fortune Southeast Asia 500 for the third consecutive year. The national carrier is the only Vietnamese airline and one of just three airlines included in this Top 100, alongside Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways International.