Travel News Page 244
Monumental land art exhibition opens in the ancient oasis of AlUla
This week marks the official opening of Desert X AlUla 2026, the landmark fourth edition of the international, open-air biennial exhibition. Arts AlUla, in collaboration with Desert X, welcomes visitors to experience a stellar line-up of Saudi and international multi-generational artists whose site-responsive earthworks, sculptures, and installations will engage in a powerful dialogue with the awe-inspiring landscapes and layered heritage of AlUla.
Ocean Casino Resort Celebrates Grand Opening of Ocean’s 18 Mini Golf & Bar
Ocean’s 18 Mini Golf & Bar officially opened its doors at Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City on January 17 following a grand opening celebration with a special appearance by actor Christopher McDonald, aka “Shooter McGavin” in Happy Gilmore, and also known for his role on HBO Max’s Hacks. During the celebration, McDonald participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony and mingled with guests and tried his hand on the mini golf course. MTV’s Jersey Shore stars Sammi Giancola aka “Sammi Sweetheart” and Jenni Farley aka “JWoww” also stopped by the event to take a few swings on the course. Located on the Casino Level next to LaScala’s Fire, Ocean’s 18 is the first mini golf course ever built inside an Atlantic City casino and features a full-service bar.
Outform Launches Hospitality Division to Accelerate Brand-Driven Guest Experiences
Outform Group, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, “Outform” or the “Company”), an award-winning global innovation and experience agency, today announced the launch of Outform Hospitality, a dedicated business division designed to help hospitality brands rapidly design, source, and deliver high-quality guest environments at scale and with greater cost control.
Minor Hotels Sharpens Growth Agenda for 2026
Minor Hotels will pursue a focused approach to growth in 2026, building on a year of record development momentum to prioritise market depth, portfolio diversification and capital-efficient expansion. The group signed 40 new hotel contracts and master agreements in 2025 – its highest annual total to date – and expects to secure a further 25 signings in the first quarter of 2026, highlighting sustained owner demand and signalling another record growth year ahead.
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Struggling to Stick With the New Year’s Gym Resolution in Dark January?
A new year goes hand in hand with the best of intentions for a healthy lifestyle, but as we hit mid-January, we may start to struggle a little to stick with the new routines and ambitions. The solution is to plan ahead, book an active holiday in the sun – much better than dark January days anyhow. BeyondBeach is offering fitness weeks in Kefalonia and active family holidays in the French mountains.
Celebrate The Year Of Mindful Movement At Namia River Retreat this Tết New Year
As “Tết” 2026 ushers in the Year of the Fire Horse, Namia River Retreat invites travellers to experience a Vietnamese New Year shaped by meaningful presence. This is a Tết to be felt rather than hurried through, one that unfolds gently along the banks of the Thu Bon River.
When Time on the Train Becomes Part of the Journey
In most cases, trains are used simply as a means of reaching a destination. At the same time, there are trains in Japan that are designed so that the time spent onboard itself becomes part of the travel experience.
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Ras Al Khaimah Delivers Record Tourism Performance in 2025 With 1.35m Overnight Visitors
Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) announces another year of record-breaking results for the Emirate, welcoming 1.35 million overnight visitors in 2025 – a 6% year-on-year increase – alongside a 12% growth in tourism revenues.
Swan Hellenic Launches Exclusive SCUBA Diving Expeditions in Raja Ampat for 2026 and 2027
Unmissable new opportunities for SCUBA diving enthusiasts now enrich Swan Hellenic’s luxury expedition cruises in one of the last true paradises on Earth. The cultural expedition cruise specialist has unveiled a series of dedicated SCUBA diving experiences across four exclusive East Asia voyages, exploring the unrivalled marine biodiversity of Raja Ampat aboard the luxury boutique expedition ship SH Minerva.
NH Collection Maldives Reethi Returns with Renewed Grace
NH Collection Maldives Reethi Resort, Baa Atoll’s long-standing retreat cherished by generations of guests, has been transformed into a fresh expression of Maldivian hospitality following an extensive refurbishment and rebrand. As the resort enters a new chapter, its enduring legacy has been reimagined for a modern-day traveller seeking meaningful discovery – with 105 transformed villas, refined restaurants and bars, dedicated family spaces, kids’ facilities and a serene spa, all set within the elegantly landscaped natural island of Fonimagoodhoo.
Civitatis accelerates its global growth with a 30% increase in Latin America
On the eve of FITUR 2026, Civitatis, the leading curated marketplace for guided tours and activities in Spanish and Portuguese worldwide, and following the recent announcement of its new CEO, announces strong growth momentum for 2026, with Latin America expected to grow by over 30%, alongside the launch of its new App as a key lever to support its global expansion.
Emirates ramps up operations to Manila with four new weekly flights
As part of its ongoing growth strategy in Southeast Asia and commitment to the Philippines, Emirates will introduce four additional weekly flights between Dubai and Manila from 2 April.