Travel News Page 520
NSW GOVERNMENT SECURES SAILGP 2026 FOR SYDNEY
Sydney will once again take centre stage on the global sporting calendar, with the NSW Government securing the return of SailGP to the Harbour City in February 2026. A showcase of speed, skill and spectacle, SailGP brings the world’s best sailors and high-tech foiling catamarans to one of the world’s most iconic natural amphitheatres. First launched in Sydney in 2019, the championship has since become a global phenomenon — and a key event in NSW’s major events calendar.
Viking Announces Float Out of Newest Egypt Ship
Viking® (www.viking.com) has announced its newest ship for the Nile River—the 82-guest Viking Amun—was “floated out,” marking a major construction milestone and the first time the ship has touched water. Set to sail in September 2025, the Viking Amun will join the Company’s growing fleet of state-of-the-art ships for the Nile River and will sail Viking’s popular 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary.
Enjoy a Host of New Art Attractions in Hauts-De-France
Skip the crowds in Paris and head to the Hauts-de France region which sees a flurry of new art attractions this year. Enjoy a complete transformation of the Louvre Lens’ dedicated permanent collection - Galerie du Temps; the return of Lille’s biannual Lille3000 art festival with highlights including a Pom Pom Pidou exhibition and the recently reopened Musee Matisse in the artist’s hometown of Le Cateau-Cambresis.
Qatar Airways to Launch FIFA World Cup 2026™ Travel Packages
Qatar Airways’ leisure division, Qatar Airways Holidays is set to launch unparalleled travel packages for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ in Canada, Mexico and the United States. The much-awaited tournament will have 48 teams competing during the biggest World Cup ever with more than 104 planned matches across three countries and 16 host cities. The travel packages will include international flights, domestic flights, transfers to various cities, hotel accommodation in four and five-stars hotels, airports and stadium transfers, and match tickets. The packages are the first chance for football lovers and sport enthusiasts around the world to secure their seat at the historic FIFA World Cup 2026™.
Minor Hotels Appoints Shobhit Khattri as Associate Vice President of Development
Minor Hotels, a global hospitality leader with over 560 properties in 58 countries, announces the appointment of Shobhit Khattri as Associate Vice President of Development for India, Nepal and Bangladesh as the group accelerates its expansion in the South Asian countries.
Registration Open for CI Marathon
China Airlines (CAL), a Taiwan-based carrier, announced that registration for the 2025 CI Marathon - Starry Night Run are now open. Everyone is invited to hit the road together at Dajia River Park in Taipei on Saturday, October 11 for the Half-Marathon (21km) division, the Run for Health (10K) division, and the Family Starlight (5K) division. As a bonus, there will be a prize draw worth more than TWD 3.3 million, including 35 air fares and mileage rewards. Registration is open until June 23. The number of places is limited so runners should register early.
The Slovak exposition opens its gates at the World Expo in Japan
As of 13 April, the public can now visit the World Expo in Osaka, Japan. Slovakia is also represented at this prestigious international event. A total of more than 28 million people are expected to visit the World Expo, which is open to the public from 13 April to 13 October.
Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines align operations
Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines are integrating airport spaces across several key airports as part of a network-wide initiative aimed at streamlining operations and delivering a more seamless and efficient travel experience for guests. “We are committed to enhancing guest convenience to set the stage for future collaborative efforts that will benefit all our guests,” said Celley Buchanan, vice president of operations and customer service at Alaska Airlines. “These moves represent a significant step in that direction.”
Discover Puerto Rico Launches The Green Path
In celebration of Earth Day, Discover Puerto Rico, the Island’s official Destination Marketing Organization (DMO), proudly announces the launch of The Green Path, an innovative new microsite empowering visitors to become certified “Responsible Travelers” through engaging educational content and immersive storytelling rooted in sustainability. This interactive platform is a pivotal part of the organization’s broader commitment to promoting responsible tourism and preserving Puerto Rico’s unique natural, cultural, and historical assets for generations to come.
EVA Air Launches Non-Stop Service Between Taipei and Dallas
EVA Air is launching a new service between Taipei and Dallas on October 3 this year, offering three weekly flights and bringing the total to nine passenger gateways in North America, including Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, Toronto, and Vancouver. The new gateway not only enables EVA Air to offer the greatest number of destinations and the most extensive flight network from Taiwan to North America but also makes it the only airline in Asia operating two destinations in Texas.
AutoRentals.com becomes first online car rental site to offer users retail shopping experience
InterLnkd, the travel industry’s intelligent shopping mall partner, has today announced a partnership with online car rental marketplace AutoRentrals.com. Leveraging InterLnkd’s innovative AI-driven solution, AutoRentals.com will provide customers with a virtual shopping mall to give them personalised shopping recommendations from thousands of fashion, beauty, and retail brands, all specially curated for their upcoming trips.
Gaylord Hotels Unveils DC Summer
Gaylord Hotels and Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences (WBDGE) introduce DC Summer, a first-of-its-kind collaboration coming to select Gaylord Hotels this May. This debut, multi-location partnership invites guests to step into a world of legendary DC Super Heroes and notorious Super-Villains through more than a dozen DC-themed experiences from check in to check out. DC Summer at Gaylord Hotels will include spectacular atrium light shows, Super Hero scavenger hunts, themed character dining, Super Hero waterpark celebrations, and pop-up retail stores featuring exclusive DC merchandise.