Travel News Page 185
ITC Hotels honoured with host of top titles at World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards
Indian hospitality leader ITC Hotels Limited has secured four major titles at the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards, reinforcing its position as one of the world’s leading sustainable hospitality brands. The company, which today encompasses over 140 hotels across 90+ destinations, was voted: • World’s Leading Sustainable Organisation 2025 • World’s Leading Sustainable Employer 2025 • World’s Leading Sustainable Food & Nutrition Initiative 2025 • World’s Leading Sustainable Marketing Campaign 2025
Marriott Bonvoy Celebrates Spring in the Nation’s Capital
Marriott Bonvoy is celebrating the arrival of spring as the Preferred Hotel Provider, Host Sponsor, and Parade Sponsor for the 2026 National Cherry Blossom Festival. As the city welcomes visitors from around the world to celebrate Washington, D.C.’s most iconic spring tradition, 40 hotels from Marriott Bonvoy’s diverse portfolio in the greater Washington area will offer immersive stays, exclusive one-of-a-kind packages, and cherry blossom-inspired culinary experiences designed to bring the beauty and spirit of the Festival to life.
Italy Takes the Spotlight in Berlin, with Sardinia at Its Heart
Italy knows how to make an entrance. Yesterday at ITB Berlin, the world’s largest travel trade fair, the country unveiled a striking 1,200‑square‑metre national pavilion—an open, light-filled celebration of la dolce vita designed to entice travellers long before they even set foot on Italian soil. This year, however, it is Sardinia that steals the show.
Leadership Exchange: Strategic questions for the next 20 years
With the Leadership Exchange, Phocuswright and ITB Berlin have created a new, exclusive dialogue format that deliberately goes beyond traditional conference formats. In a closed circle of leading decision-makers from the travel industry, technology, investment and strategy, the focus was not on day-to-day operations but on setting the structural course for the next two decades The 90-minute gathering on Tuesday at the CityCube Berlin convened international industry representatives to discuss key issues for the future of the global travel industry. The starting point was the conviction that tourism is at a strategic turning point: technological innovations – especially in the field of AI – changing market structures, geopolitical challenges and ecological conditions are fundamentally changing value creation, competition and responsibility.
Medical spas want to become more visible - ITB Berlin
One year of prevention saves the cost of seven years of medical therapy. This was the conclusion reached by Siyka Katsarova, president of the Bulgarian Association of Health Resorts and Spa Tourism Providers, in her statement on the current longevity trend. She called for greater promotion of medically indicated wellness. Experts supported her position on Tuesday at ITB Berlin 2026 and called for greater emphasis on the value of such therapies in national and European health strategies.
How Airbnb is moving from the city to rural regions
Airbnb offers a range of services in addition to accommodation, from airport shuttles and city tours to private chefs. Speaking at ITB Berlin, Nathan Blecharczyk described it as the booking portal for a complete travel experience. According to the co-founder and CSO of Airbnb, his company relies on AI in various areas. In customer service, a third of all support requests are already handled by AI. The technology can also help with travel planning, because according to Blecharczyk, Airbnb has in-depth knowledge of its customers based on booking history and their interests.
Changing times are challenging tourism - ITB Berlin
Former German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer called on the travel industry to adapt to new geopolitical challenges. In his keynote speech on Tuesday at ITB Berlin 2026, he said the days of a rules-based world order were over. Instead, the rule of might now prevailed, represented by the two world powers, the USA and China, with India perhaps joining them. The leading figures in tourism should try to act preventively, even becoming “part of diplomacy” if possible.
Pioneering Adaptive Coastal Protection Research at JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll Island Resort
Green Globe Certification has awarded JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll Island Resort its inaugural certification. Situated between the blue skies of the Maldives and the Indian Ocean’s azure waters, JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll Island Resort is a secluded sanctuary of 80 private pool villas, an ideal blend of mindful luxury and environmental responsibility.
Family Fun on the Balearic Islands for the Easter Holidays
Every year Easter, or Semana Santa, transforms the Balearic Islands into a sun-drenched playground where spring warmth, stunning scenery and unforgettable family adventures collide. Across this dazzling Mediterranean archipelago, each island comes into its own – from picnics beside ancient fortresses in Palma de Mallorca to savouring Menorcan delicacies and diving into friendly competition in Ibiza and Formentera. For adventure-loving families, experience the Balearic Islands like never before for an Easter escape bursting with energy, culture and island magic.
Saint Lucia Celebrates Female Founders in Tourism for International Women’s Day
The Saint Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA) is shining a light on the entrepreneurial spirit of a collection of women who are creating popular experiences for visitors to enjoy that feature culture, adventure and nature. Across the island’s communities, these female business owners are building meaningful experiences and thriving companies that are at the heart of Saint Lucia’s hospitality
Peru’s Wellness Wonders: The Country’s Most Transformative Retreats for 2026
Peru may be synonymous with soaring Andean peaks and exhilarating Amazon adventures, but it also offers some of the world’s most serene retreats for those seeking true restoration. Amid landscapes rich with ancient energy and extraordinary biodiversity, the country has emerged as a haven for travellers looking to pause, reconnect, and immerse themselves in transformative wellness experiences woven naturally into the rhythm of its breathtaking surroundings.
London to Host 52nd Annual General Meeting of the
The European Hotel Managers Association (EHMA) is honoured to announce that its 52nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held in London from 13 to 15 March 2026, under the compelling theme “Transforming Hotel Hospitality for a Thriving Future.” Building on the momentum and intellectual vitality of recent meetings, the London AGM promises to be a defining moment in EHMA’s ongoing evolution — a moment to reflect, recalibrate and reimagine the future of European luxury hospitality.