Travel News Page 332
A Night of Triumph for Vietnamese Tourism
In a dazzling celebration of excellence, Vietravel—Vietnam’s pioneering travel company—shone brightly at the Asia & Oceania Gala Ceremony of the 2025 World Travel Awards, where it proudly claimed the title of Asia’s Leading Tour Operator 2025. The announcement drew thunderous applause, marking not only a defining achievement for Vietravel but also a moment of immense pride for Vietnam’s tourism industry as a whole. For over two decades, Vietravel has been a trusted name for travellers seeking authentic and enriching experiences across Asia and beyond. This year’s win reaffirmed the company’s leadership in crafting journeys that blend discovery, culture, and comfort—an achievement that resonates deeply in an era where travellers crave meaningful connections with the destinations they visit.
A Cultural Crown for Vietnam’s Northern Highlands
The breathtaking Dong Van Karst Plateau UNESCO Global Geopark in Tuyên Quang, Vietnam, has achieved a remarkable milestone. At the prestigious Asia & Oceania Gala Ceremony of the 2025 World Travel Awards, the geopark was named Asia’s Leading Regional Cultural Destination 2025—a well-deserved recognition of its cultural richness, geological significance, and dedication to sustainable tourism. As the announcement echoed through the gala hall, representatives from Vietnam stood tall with pride. For them, this was more than an accolade; it was an acknowledgment of years of careful stewardship—of a land where culture and nature intertwine, where every stone, terrace, and smile tells a centuries-old story.
Moxy Hotels Debuts in Mexico’s Bohemian Paradise
Moxy Hotels, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of over 30 extraordinary hotel brands, proudly announces the opening of Moxy Tulum, marking a pivotal moment in Marriott International’s growth strategy for the Caribbean and Latin America. As the first Moxy property in the region, Moxy Tulum introduces a fresh, youthful energy to CALA’s hospitality landscape—catering to a new generation of travelers seeking immersive, design-forward experiences.
Loews Hotels & Co Partners with Cozy Earth to Launch Exclusive Lounge Set and Pop-Up Experiences
Loews Hotels & Co, the leading brand in refined hospitality, today announces an exclusive partnership with Cozy Earth, the premium lifestyle brand known for elevated comfort essentials. Together, the two brands are unveiling a limited-edition Cozy Earth x Loews Hotels Lounge Set, available for purchase online and through curated events hosted at Loews properties.
GET READY FOR ENDLESS ENTERTAINMENT ON CELEBRITY XCEL
When Celebrity Xcel sets sail in November, guests will be immersed in all-new entertainment experiences, featuring the most resident performers delivering the greatest variety ever offered by the vacation brand. With three brand-new theatre productions, two interactive club shows, music experiences, elevated high-energy dance parties, interactive activities and endless surprises in between, every moment onboard is designed to spark connection and delight from morning to night.
KAYAK INTRODUCES AI MODE: CONVERSATIONAL TRAVEL SEARCH, JUST IN TIME FOR HOLIDAY PLANNING
KAYAK, the world’s leading travel search engine, has launched AI Mode, a natural-language search experience that combines KAYAK’s data with ChatGPT to deliver smarter, contextual results, right from the home page. KAYAK is the first major travel site to let users plan complete trips by typing questions directly into a search box.
FONTAINEBLEAU MIAMI BEACH ANNOUNCES NEW YEAR’S EVE 2026 PERFORMANCE BY GRAMMY®-WINNER DAVID GUETTA
Fontainebleau Miami Beach, the iconic luxury resort spanning 20 acres of prime oceanfront in the heart of Miami Beach, will ring in 2026 with one of South Florida’s most anticipated New Year’s Eve celebrations, welcoming chart-topping DJ David Guetta on Wednesday, December 31. Guetta will take over the resort’s renowned oceanfront poolscape, leading the crowd in a virtual ball drop and countdown to the New Year. Guests will enjoy spectacular live entertainment, premium dining, open-bar experiences, and family-friendly festivities.
The Elf on the Shelf® is Home for the Holidays at Beaches® Resorts
The holidays are set to shine even brighter in the Caribbean as Beaches Resorts welcomes back The Elf on the Shelf Scout Elf™ for another season of festive fun. Starting November 28, families can bask in all-new surprises, including the debut of The Elf on the Shelf Caribbean Vacation Suite, where North Pole sparkle meets island flair. As the Official Caribbean Vacation of The Elf on the Shelf, Beaches Resorts in Jamaica and Turks and Caicos will be brimming with Scout Elf-approved experiences all season long, from festive holiday parties to cozy storytimes, merry movie nights under the stars, and countless magical moments for the whole family to enjoy.
Global Wellness Summit Unveils Packed 3-Day Agenda for 2025 Conference in Dubai, November 18-21
The Global Wellness SummitTM (GWS), the most influential conference for the multitrillion-dollar wellness industry, has released the full agenda for its 19th annual conference taking place November 18-21 at the Mandarin Oriental in Downtown Dubai.
One Coast, Limitless Adventure: Florida’s Space Coast Offers Fun for All
A 2024 survey found that over 60% of travelers say the range and quality of local activities are key when determining their destinations. Those travelers must have had Florida’s Space Coast in mind, where there is never a shortage of things to do, making it an ideal vacation destination for all.
Coastal Mississippi Announces 2025 Winter Events
This holiday season, travelers are invited to experience the beauty of winter on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, where festive lights sparkle against the 62 miles of shoreline, making it the perfect destination for families, couples, and holiday adventurers and cherished traditions come alive. From Thanksgiving to New Year’s Eve, Coastal Mississippi offers a calendar full of events that make it the perfect destination for families, couples, and holiday adventurers alike.
OVER 70% OF TRAVELERS ARE EMBRACING THE “JOY OF MISSING OUT” AS THE NEW WAY TO VACATION
After years of “revenge travel” and jam-packed holidays, a new mindset is taking hold and reshaping how people think about vacation: the Joy of Missing Out (JOMO). Unlike tightly packed trips driven by the Fear of Missing Out (FOMO), where travelers raced to check off bucket-list destinations and capture every moment for social media, JOMO embraces a slower, more intentional approach. According to a new survey conducted by YouGov1 on behalf of Norwegian Cruise Line® (NCL), over 70% of travelers are moving away from fast-paced sightseeing toward more restorative, meaningful escapes that prioritize personal well-being, flexibility and choice.