The recent passing of Pope Francis has left a profound mark not only on the global Catholic community, but also on the travel industry—particularly religious and cultural tourism. Tour operators, booking platforms, and local guides across Argentina and Rome are witnessing a significant increase in demand for experiences connected to the life and legacy of Pope Francis. From Buenos Aires to the Vatican, interest in discovering the places that shaped the Pope’s journey has surged in recent days, according to leading industry players.

“Not everyone can come to the Eiffel Tower” stated Stéphanie Renault, a representative from the monument, speaking at the Arival 360 Europe event this week in Valencia (Spain). Despite 10 million tickets sold annually - 80% directly through its official website - demand still far exceeds capacity explained Renault. She emphasized that safety, maintenance, and crowd control are the top priorities, which means not everyone will be granted access. She also criticized the lack of clear communication around this reality, particularly calling out online travel agencies (OTAs) for promoting misleading “skip-the-line” tickets—some priced as high as €300, she said—that don’t actually guarantee faster entry. The growing number of confusing ticket options, she added, only makes it harder for visitors to make informed decisions.

Atlantis Paradise Island, the most iconic destination resort in the world and global leader in culinary tourism, announces a dynamic expansion of its acclaimed dining portfolio. Vibrant new restaurants, exclusive pop-ups, and elevated culinary offerings will launch this spring, featuring the debut of two highly anticipated restaurants, a limited-time summer pop-up with an internationally recognized chef, and several enhanced beachside services. This exciting new lineup complements Atlantis Paradise Island’s extensive collection of restaurants and diverse dining experiences. With more Michelin-starred and James Beard Award-winning chefs than any other destination in the region, Atlantis Paradise Island continues to set the standard for culinary excellence.

MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) announced today that veteran talent agent Ryan Abboushi is joining the company as President of Entertainment. As leader of its entertainment division, Abboushi will oversee MGM Resorts’ unified programming and operations strategy to build on and expand its position as a world-class leader in live entertainment and immersive experiences.

Last year, Switzerland’s Nemo broke The Code and won gold at the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) in Malmö. After a 36-year hiatus, the largest music event in the world has returned to Switzerland and will be hosted this week in the vibrant city of Basel, with the ESC Final taking place on Saturday 17 May. This week, Basel has turned into the Eurovision capital, with themed activities, events, exhibitions and parties happening all around the city.

The Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) Saudi Arabia 2025 is officially underway at the Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah, Riyadh, taking place from 11-13 May. Under the theme “Where Vision Shapes Opportunity,”  FHS Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom’s most influential hospitality investment conference, brings together hospitality leaders, investors and decision-makers to discuss hotel performance and development, the outlook for hospitality investment in the Kingdom and the key market trends driving the sector.