Tourism News Page 319
Finnair becomes the first airline to introduce ancillary combos using modern retailing capabilities
The Finnish national carrier, Finnair, has taken the next step in its digital transformation and is the world’s first airline to introduce ancillary combos, also referred to as bundles in the industry, built on modern retailing capabilities, powered by Amadeus technology. Finnair’s transition from legacy technology to native orders earlier this year now allows customers to buy ready-bundled ancillaries easily and for a better price.
Rotana Appoints Ghassan Dalal to Lead Iraq & Turkey, Driving Growth in Strategic Regional Markets
Rotana, the Middle East’s leading hospitality management company, has announced the appointment of Ghassan Dalal as Country General Manager for Iraq & Turkey, in addition to his continuing role as General Manager of Babylon Rotana, Baghdad. The move reflects Rotana’s commitment to building leadership depth in markets central to its regional growth strategy, as Iraq and Turkey emerge as focal points for tourism investment and long-term hospitality demand.
Excitement Peaks in Cancún with Just Over Two Days until the WTA’s Latin America Gala Ceremony 2025
With just over two days to go, excitement is reaching fever pitch for the World Travel Awards (WTA) Latin America Gala Ceremony 2025, set to take place on Saturday, 27 September in the tropical paradise of Cancún, Mexico. This prestigious event will be hosted at the luxurious AVA Resort Cancun, where the red carpet will roll out for the region’s top travel and tourism leaders. The evening promises glamour, celebration, and recognition of excellence across Latin America’s vibrant travel sector.
Sandals® and Beaches® Resorts Unveil “Nature’s Vow” Inspiration
Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts have unveiled Nature’s Vow, a new eco-chic wedding inspiration poised to define 2026 celebrations. Rooted in the spirit of the Caribbean, the design blends sustainable elements with elevated style, offering couples a trend-forward way to honor love, nature, and purpose, surrounded by friends and family.
Culture, Design, and a Sense of Place: Hotel Indigo Expands Its Lifestyle Collection to New Cairo
IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed a management agreement with Jadeer Group to bring Hotel Indigo to New Cairo, adding 120 rooms to the city’s hospitality landscape by 2031. The upcoming Hotel Indigo New Cairo will be part of the Red (G) mixed-use development, which combines residences, retail, and hospitality in one of the capital’s most dynamic districts. Positioned on North 90 Street near the New Administrative Capital and the American University in Cairo, the hotel will cater to both business and leisure travelers in a fast-growing urban hub.
Marriott International Debuts in Mongolia
Marriott International, Inc. today announced a signed agreement with HTL Gateway LLC to open AC Hotels by Marriott Ulaanbaatar. This strategic move is set to mark Marriott’s entry in Mongolia, underscoring the company’s vision to strategically grow its presence across Asia Pacific. Expected to open in 2027, AC Hotel by Marriott Ulaanbaatar will reflect the brand’s signature design philosophy that harmonizes form and function, offering purposeful design, flexible spaces, and signature moments for a new generation of discerning business and leisure travelers.
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Catalonia to Host an International Congress on Regenerative Ecotourism
From 22 to 24 October 2025, Catalonia will become the global epicentre of regenerative ecotourism, hosting the Global Ecotourism Forum 2025 (GEF2025) at Món Sant Benet in Sant Fruitós de Bages, Barcelona. GEF2025 will bring together international experts, institutional leaders, and local stakeholders to redefine the future of ecotourism and sustainable tourism. The Forum aims to address current challenges, share best practices and global insights, and foster an international network of ecotourism professionals.
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Hop Aboard the World’s Most Amazing Rail Routes With Lonely Planet’s Epic Train Trips of the World
Discover the thrill of train travel with 200 amazing rail routes from Lonely Planet’s latest release Epic Train Trips of the World. Continuing the collectible Epic series, this new addition will take readers on an incredible journey around the globe to explore the greatest railway experiences. This beautifully designed coffee-table book has a train trip for everyone, as each rail route is broken down by category, allowing readers to choose from luxury, every day and epic. Featuring 50 fascinating first-person stories of world-famous and lesser-known railway routes, readers will hear from seasoned train travellers including Oliver Smith, Monisha Rajesh, and Shafik Meghji.
Original Travel Launches First Rail Brochure
As the trend for rail travel continues to grow and in the month that marks the 200th anniversary of the modern railway, Original Travel has published its first ever train brochure. With countries across Europe reintroducing sleeper trains and investing heavily into rolling stock and rail infrastructure, train travel has never been better, easier or more appealing. Coupled with a growing desire to travel more cleanly and greenly, it’s no wonder that Original Travel have reported a huge rise in bookings and enquiries for trips by train; bookings are up 37% compared to this time last year and enquiries are up 125% compared to 2023.
Dubai Design District starts open call for new d3 Awards
Dubai Design District (d3), the global creative ecosystem that is part of TECOM Group PJSC, has launched an open call for its new regional awards, as part of its Beyond a Decade of Design celebrations. The awards aim to champion emerging talent from the MENA region.
Why Travel in 2025 Hits Different – Chaos, Culture & Future Vibes
Discover why travel in 2025 feels like the ultimate remix – from hidden gems and sustainable hacks to the chaos we secretly love. Dive into the vibes, not the guidebooks.
Arabian Travel Market to launch dedicated Travel Tech show at 2026 edition
Arabian Travel Market (ATM) has announced the launch of ATM Travel Tech, a new co-located event that will debut at ATM 2026, taking place from 4–7 May 2026 at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC). Evolving from its previous role as a high-growth sector on the show floor, ATM Travel Tech will now span two dedicated halls in recognition of the importance of this rapidly growing market segment, providing an immersive platform for the ideas, innovations and partnerships that will shape the future of global travel.