Travel News Page 435
Where Sunday Never Ends: The Sundays and Olympic Class Sailing Debut at Hamilton Island Race Week
Front-row seats of the racing from a superyacht. Josh Niland on the menu. MECCA COSMETICA SPF in your beach bag. The Sundays – Hamilton Island’s new boutique hotel - brings a fresh take on Race Week. Designed to capture the spirit of a long, lazy Sunday — every day of the week — The Sundays opened to acclaim in April 2025 earning praise for its refined coastal aesthetic and relaxed island sensibility. At its heart is Catseye Pool Club, the hotel’s signature restaurant led by acclaimed culinary duo Josh and Julie Niland.
Lucid Air Grand Touring Wins GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ Title with 1,205 kilometers on a Single Charge
Lucid Group, Inc, maker of the world’s most advanced electric vehicles, set a new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title for the longest journey by an electric car on a single charge last weekend. Covering an incredible range of 1,205 kilometers (~ 749 miles) without charging, the Lucid Air Grand Touring1 conducted its record-breaking journey between St. Moritz, Switzerland and Munich, Germany, including alpine roads, highways, and secondary roads. Lucid exceeded the previous record for the longest journey of 1,045 kilometers set in June 2025 by 160 kilometers.
New Orleans & Company Partners With Mindtrip To Help Visitors Experience The Perfect Getaway
Mindtrip, an AI-powered platform that empowers everyone to travel differently, today announced a B2B partnership with New Orleans & Company to transform the DMO’s inspiring content into personalized and actionable trip plans for visitors. From the lively sounds of jazz in the French Quarter to absorbing stunning Creole architecture, mouthwatering cuisine, and captivating celebrations, Mindtrip for Business will integrate into neworleans.com, generating custom, end-to-end itineraries — connecting visitors to local businesses and making exploration across the city both exciting and instantly tangible based on personalized traveler interests.
HolidayPirates Group appoints Mila Genova as Chief Marketing Officer
The HolidayPirates Group, the leading social-driven online travel marketplace has appointed Mila Genova as Chief Marketing Officer. Graduated in International Economic Relations and holding a master’s degree in business management, Genova joined HolidayPirates in January 2015 as a Business Development Manager.
Portugal’s Travel & Tourism Sector Enters Golden Era
New data from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) reveals Portugal’s Travel & Tourism sector is set to continue growing in 2025, following a landmark year in 2024 that saw the industry surpass all previous peaks across economic contribution, employment, and visitor spending. According to the latest Economic Impact Research (EIR), developed in collaboration with Oxford Economics, Travel & Tourism in Portugal is forecast to contribute €62.7BN to the national economy this year, representing 21.5% of GDP, and towering above the 2019 peak by nearly 38%.
Rome to Welcome the World for WTTC’s 25th Global Summit
This September, the eyes of the global Travel & Tourism sector will turn to Rome as Italy hosts the 25th edition of the World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) Global Summit, the most influential event on the global tourism calendar. Taking place from 28-30 September at the Auditorium Parco della Musica, the Summit will bring together titans of industry from Italy and around the world, alongside ministers, mayors, CEOs, and creative leaders, to shape the future of a sector that continues to prove its power to generate jobs, economic resilience, and global connection. The event is hosted in partnership with the Italian Ministry of Tourism, ENIT (the Italian national tourist board), the Municipality of Rome, and the Lazio Region.
PATA Debuts “Tourism in Focus”: Monthly Insights Tracking the Future-Defining Trends in Tourism
The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has released the first edition of Tourism in Focus, a new series of monthly publications designed to capture key tourism trends and developments across the Asia Pacific region and present such crucial information in a concise, accessible format.
flydubai partners with emaratech to introduce smart biometric gates
As part of its ongoing commitment to innovation and investing in the latest technologies, flydubai has partnered with emaratech, a leading technology organisation in the UAE, to implement smart border control solutions for its pilots and cabin crew. Located at the carrier’s Airport Operations Centre, the new smart gates utilise advanced biometric technology, AI-driven verification and real-time data integration to streamline immigration processes. This provides a faster and more efficient immigration experience for its flight operations, supporting the carrier’s commitment to operational efficiency, especially during busy travel periods.
Taru Villas LeViTta: A New Highland Serenity Where Culture, Nature & Reflection Meet
Just opened, Taru Villas LeVita https://www.taruvillas.com/levita-kandy redefines slow travel in the mist-wrapped hills just outside the spiritual hub of Kandy. Overlooking the glassy expanse of the Victoria Reservoir, this boutique retreat invites guests to step off the world’s fast-moving stage and into a place of reflection, where mirror-like water and mountain air craft an atmosphere of true serenity. Now part of a refined island-wide portfolio featuring eight Taru Villas properties (soon to be nine), LeVita balances discreet luxury with deep cultural connection.
EVA AIR LAUNCHES NEW FOURTH-GENERATION PREMIUM ECONOMY CLASS IN THE UNITED STATES
EVA Air, the world’s first airline to introduce Premium Economy Class in 1992, is set to debut its all-new fourth-generation Premium Economy in the United States this fall. Launching on October 3rd, the redesigned cabin will make its U.S. premiere on the inaugural flight of EVA Air’s new Taipei–Dallas Fort Worth route, offering American travelers their first opportunity to experience the airline’s most advanced Premium Economy product to date—designed with enhanced comfort, upgraded technology, and thoughtful, sustainable features.
China Airlines and The New Terminal One Announce Strategic Partnership
China Airlines (CAL), a Taiwan-based carrier, will begin operations at The New Terminal One at New York John F. Kennedy International Airport in 2026, launching an elevated travel experience for its valued customers. The long-term partnership between China Airlines and the New Terminal One will support the carrier’s ambition to expand its network in North America, transforming the customer experience at one of the airline’s top international gateways.
MGallery Collection unveils its first luxury property in Albania
MGallery Collection, a portfolio of boutique hotels with unique designs and stories, announces the grand opening of its very first property in Albania. Nestled between the majestic mountains and the turquoise waters of the Ionian Sea, Green Coast Hotel - MGallery Collection seamlessly blends contemporary elegance with Albania’s rich heritage, offering a unique travel experience.