Travel News Page 147
TRAVEL & TOURISM SEES BEST YEAR EVER AND EMERGES AS THE WORLD’S FASTEST GROWING SECTOR
Travel & Tourism has strengthened its position as the world’s fastest-growing sector in 2025, with new data from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and Chase Travel, Lead Research Partner, revealing the sector significantly outpaced global economic growth. According to WTTC’s latest Economic Impact Research (EIR), Travel & Tourism’s global GDP contribution reached arecord US$11.6 trillion in 2025, accounting for 9.8% of the global economy. The sector’s growth (4.1%) exceeded overall global economic growth (2.8%) by almost 50%, underscoring its role as a primary engine of global expansion.
NEIT, THE INDEPENDENT IRISH WHISKEY MAKER, PRESENTS THE OPENING CHAPTER OF “NEIT OUT”
NEIT proudly presents Sin Plan, the first chapter of the NEIT OUT format, during Salone del Mobile where installations, openings, and events follow one another at a relentless pace. As part of this presentation, NEIT Whiskey offers a moment to slow down, coinciding with the launch of a new limited edition expression, matured in a mezcal cask. Conceived as an open and flexible platform, NEIT OUT was created as a series of pop-up moments in which the brand connects with people, places, and conversations. Each edition takes shape from its own context, while keeping curiosity, sharing, and freedom at its core.
Cycling Tour Ready: The Essential Gear Guide for First-Time Riders
Cycling tourism has grown far beyond hardcore riders chasing mountain passes and personal records. More people now see cycling tours for what they really are: a rewarding way to travel, slow down, cover real ground, and experience places more closely than you ever could from a car or bus window. It is active, scenic, and often surprisingly freeing.
Argentina: South America’s Rising Star for 2026 and Beyond
There are destinations that flirt with your imagination—and then there are those that completely capture it. Argentina, long celebrated for its passion and personality, is stepping confidently into a new era of global tourism. As a leading nominee at the World Travel Awards South America ceremony, this vast and vibrant nation is no longer just a bucket-list idea—it’s becoming the destination. From electric football stadiums to glacier-carved wilderness, Argentina offers a rare blend of cultural intensity and natural spectacle. And in 2026, the world is finally catching on.
Who Owns Travel in 2046? Artificial Intelligence, Trust and Power Redraw the Map
Who will control travel in 2046: AI companies, governments, or the travelers themselves? What will determine value in an AI-driven industry? And will travel remain accessible to all, or become a privilege? These questions were at the heart of the inaugural Leadership Exchange, hosted by Phocuswright, a leading global travel research and events company, and ITB Berlin, on March 3, 2026, at CityCube Berlin.
Morris Tiedemann Named General Manager of AYANA Midplaza Jakarta
AYANA Midplaza Jakarta proudly announces the appointment of Morris Tiedemann as its new General Manager. Bringing nearly three decades of international hospitality leadership across Europe, the Middle East, and China, Mr. Tiedemann steps into the role with a clear vision to further elevate the hotel as one of Jakarta’s most distinguished urban destinations. Strategically positioned in the heart of the capital, AYANA Midplaza Jakarta has long been recognised as a sanctuary within the city where business, culture, wellness, and refined dining converge. Under Mr. Tiedemann’s leadership, the hotel enters a new chapter focused on thoughtful growth, authentic guest experiences, and people-centric excellence.
“Bed bug-safe” becomes a bookable hotel attribute as Valpas certification goes live on Select Green
Valpas and Select Green Hotels are bringing bed bug-safe certification into the booking experience for the first time. Travellers using the sustainable hotel platform will now be able to see which hotels hold Valpas certification making “bed bug-safe” a visible, verifiable attribute before a reservation is made. “Bed bug safety belongs where every other hotel standard already lives: in the booking flow, visible to the traveller before they decide” says Martim Gois, Co-Founder and CEO of Valpas. “Select Green Hotels shares our belief that trust should be built before not after arrival. This is what it looks like when a new hotel category becomes real and bookable.”
Disney Springs® Resort Area Hotels Extend Special Spring Rate Starting At $92
Travelers seeking a Disney spring fling can find special rates starting at $92 per night plus tax, available to book and stay now through June 30, at Disney Springs Resort Area Hotels.
What Sunglasses Are Ideal for Beach Travel Experiences?
A beach trip sounds relaxing until you find yourself squinting under intense sunlight or dealing with glare reflecting off the water. The right sunglasses can completely transform your experience, offering both protection and comfort while enhancing your overall style. Whether you’re lounging on the sand, swimming, or exploring coastal spots, choosing the ideal pair of sunglasses is more important than many people realize.
Costa Rica Blue: essential COSTA RICA launches new platform to protect the country’s oceans
According to the National Geographic Institute, Costa Rica’s marine territory is ten times larger than its land area, yet this reality is not always part of the country’s collective awareness. In response, and with the goal of promoting conservation and education, the essential COSTA RICA country brand launched Costa Rica Blue, a digital platform designed to bring Costa Ricans closer to the knowledge and importance of their oceans.
Omio launches in ChatGPT, bringing its real-time multimodal travel search to 900 million users
Omio, the world’s leading multimodal travel platform, has today announced the launch of its ChatGPT app to enable passengers to search and compare travel options in real time through conversational AI. The launch represents a key step in Omio’s ambition to become a leading AI-native platform. It brings Omio’s global transport network of over 3,000 partners to ChatGPT’s 900 million weekly users, marking a significant shift in how travel is planned and booked.
Say “I Do” on the Water: Destination Weddings with Bhaya Cruises in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam.
Couples seeking an extraordinary destination wedding can now exchange vows in one of the world’s most breathtaking natural settings with Bhaya Cruises, offering bespoke celebrations set against the dramatic limestone karsts and the emerald waters of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ha Long Bay in Vietnam.