Travel News Page 268
South African Tourism and GuideGeek launch new AI travel genius, ‘Siyanda’
North American travelers considering a trip to South Africa can now get expert advice from “Siyanda,” a cutting-edge AI travel assistant that provides instant answers to any travel or tourism-related questions about the country. Siyanda is built on Matador Network’s industry-leading GuideGeek chat platform and is tailored to support travelers seeking authentic, vibrant, and joy-filled journeys across South Africa.
The Future of Adventure Travel: Backroads Announces 2026 Trend Outlook
Backroads, the global leader in active travel since 1979, today announced its Top Adventure Travel Trends for 2026, based on early guest bookings and insights from its worldwide team of Trip Leaders and Travel Experts representing more than 60 countries across 550 itineraries worldwide. Decades of proprietary guest data and on-the-ground research reveal that travelers, now more than ever, are prioritizing meaningful, wellness-focused adventures and authentic connections with off-the-beaten-path destinations and communities.
Top Destinations to Visit in 2026
The year 2026 is shaping up to be an exciting one for travelers, with destinations that stand out for their culture, breathtaking landscapes, and innovative offerings. From cities revamping their culinary and hospitality scenes to beaches committed to sustainable tourism and emerging hotspots gaining well-deserved attention, next year’s top destinations bring fresh inspiring options for your next getaway—whether you’re seeking adventure, relaxation, luxury, or cultural immersion.
Stars, Stripes and Seaside Spirit: Celebrate America 250 in Myrtle Beach
Visit Myrtle Beach is gearing up to celebrate a major national milestone as America celebrates 250 years, offering a moment to recognize the journey that brought the country to where it is today and the possibilities ahead. Along South Carolina’s Grand Strand, events, attractions and festivities spotlight the region’s enduring spirit, creativity and resilience that have helped shape the nation since 1776.
Royal Air Maroc Launches First Nonstop Service Between Los Angeles and Casablanca
Royal Air Maroc will launch a new nonstop service between Los Angeles (LAX) and Casablanca (CMN) on June 7, 2026. The route marks the first direct air link between Africa and the U.S. Pacific Coast, offering a 11-hour connection and representing a major step forward in the expansion of the airline’s long-haul network.
DREW BARRYMORE JOINS MSC CRUISES TO CELEBRATE OPENING OF SALES FOR ALL-NEW MSC WORLD ATLANTIC
MSC Cruises opened sales today for its newest World Class ship, MSC World Atlantic, offering Port Canaveral cruises starting in November 2027. The ship will feature MSC Cruises’ signature mix of European style and American comfort alongside new venues, offering alternating 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises to some of the most iconic destinations – including Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, MSC Cruises’ private island in the Bahamas.
Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix brings 339,000 fans to Yas Island
Ethara, the organisers of the Formula 1® Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, announced that the 2025 race week broke attendance records with a combined total of 339,000 fans across events. The 2025 season finale featured a three-way title battle between McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, contributing to the record 203,000 attendance at Yas Marina Circuit – a near 6% jump from 192,000 in 2024.
STS Travel Ignites Spring Break 2026 with Month-Long Bahamas Beach Bash
STS Travel is turning up the heat with the Bahamas Spring Break 2026 Beach Bash, an electrifying, month-long blowout happening March 2–27, 2026. This year’s event features adrenaline-pumping 4- and 5-night all-inclusive packages with both airfare-inclusive and resort-only options.
SOUTHWEST AIRLINES TO OPEN NEW CREW BASE FOR PILOTS AND FLIGHT ATTENDANTS
Southwest Airlines Co. has announced that a new Crew Base for Pilots and Flight Attendants will open in March 2026 in Austin, Texas, creating more than 2,000 new jobs based at Austin Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) and positioning the airline for continued growth in Central Texas
Meet the HSMAI Middle East’s three newly crowned Rockstars
In this special Breaking Travel News feature, we got to sit down with HSMAI Middle East’s three newly crowned Rockstars, Nawfal Mbamba, Kuda Mukonoweshuro, and Hasan Khan. Each brings a distinctive approach to innovation, from elevating product storytelling and unlocking demand in tertiary markets to reshaping F and B performance through real time intelligence. Together they represent a new generation of commercial leaders whose ideas are already influencing how hotels think, operate, and grow. Their insights reveal the challenges they set out to solve, the inspiration behind their winning concepts, and the impact their work is making across the region’s hospitality landscape. Read on as they take us inside their award winning pitches and share the lessons, breakthroughs, and ambitions shaping their journey.
Airbus and partners complete successful wake energy retrieval trials
Airbus in partnership with Air France, Delta Air Lines, French bee, and Virgin Atlantic, and operations partners, AirNav Ireland, DSNA, EUROCONTROL and NATS, has successfully completed a new phase of trials for Airbus’ fello’fly project. Fello’fly takes inspiration from migrating geese and showcases the power of collaboration by pairing flights to reduce fuel consumption. With this flying technique, the first aircraft creates an uplift that drives fuel efficiency for the following aircraft, called ‘wake energy retrieval’. Once operational, wake energy retrieval has the potential to make fuel savings of up to 5% on long-haul flights.
CANES & TALES AT WALDORF ASTORIA OSAKA SET TO HOST INAUGURAL ESSENCE SERIES EVENTS
Canes & Tales at Waldorf Astoria Osaka announces the first program of guest shifts, seminars, cultural exchanges and more as part of The Essence Series. Conceptualized by Hilton luxury brands as an annual event, The Essence Series was designed as a way to foster connection and creativity within the bar community in key cities across Asia-Pacific. Over several days within the host city, members of the trade are invited to a series of immersive events featuring top talent from Hilton bars as well as the wider region. With masterclasses, panel discussions, cultural exchanges and world class guest shifts, these events aim to celebrate the spirit of a city through bar culture.