Travel News Page 63
CTO Honors Journalistic Excellence at Annual Caribbean Media Awards in New York
The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) celebrated leading storytellers, broadcasters and digital creators from the U.S. and Caribbean during the annual Caribbean Media Awards Luncheon, a signature event of Caribbean Week in New York. Sponsored by The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, the luncheon honored outstanding journalism and content creation that showcase the Caribbean’s people, culture, environment and evolving tourism landscape.
Caribbean Week and the Emergence of a New Caribbean Tourism Agenda
My first Caribbean Week in New York came with a degree of curiosity. Over the past year, I have covered many of the defining gatherings in global travel, from the WTTC Global Summit in Rome, the UN Tourism General Assembly and TOURISE in Riyadh, FITUR in Madrid and ITB Berlin, to ILTM Africa and WTM Africa in Cape Town, ITB China in Shanghai, Caribbean Travel Marketplace in Antigua & Barbuda and the IATA Annual General Meeting in Rio de Janeiro. Against that backdrop, I arrived wanting to understand why Caribbean Week continues to hold such an important place in the region’s tourism calendar.
From Pitch to Paradise: Football Fever Puts Cape Verde’s Islands in the Spotlight
Cape Verde’s growing visibility on the international football stage, including recent success and qualification for the FIFA World Cup, is driving fresh interest in the Atlantic nation as a year-round holiday choice, according to UK specialist operator Cape Verde Experience. With increased global attention on the islands the operator says more travellers are looking beyond Cape Verde’s well-known beach offering and discover its wider appeal, including volcanic landscapes, Creole culture, live music, hiking and island-hopping experiences.
Circus Circus Las Vegas Offers Iconic Family Fun, Entertainment and Unforgettable Summer Memories
Circus Circus Las Vegas, the iconic Las Vegas Strip resort and the city’s premier family-friendly destination, is welcoming in guests this summer to experience the Las Vegas that started it all: coin-operated slots, paper bingo cards, mesquite-grilled steaks, circus acts, carnival midway, and a five-acre indoor theme park all under one roof.
Atout France Adds Six New Palace Hotels to Its National Collection
On 2 June, Atout France was pleased to unveil the 2026 collection of France’s Palace hotels, an exclusive selection of properties that embody the excellence of French expertise in hospitality. This prestigious distinction, above five star, was re-awarded for the first time in seven years. Recognized for the unique experiences they offer their guests, these flagship establishments of French hospitality now total 33, including six new additions for 2026.
Faial island’s first five-star hotel, The Book Hotel, will open its doors in June
Faial island’s first five-star hotel, The Book Hotel, will open its doors in June 2026, setting a new benchmark for hospitality in the Azores. Located on Faial island - known as the blue island for the hydrangeas that bloom across its landscape - the Book Hotel is a new boutique hotel that combines heritage, culture and contemporary luxury, bringing a new level of high-end hospitality to one of Portugal’s most captivating island destinations.
Icelandair Selects Successful Candidate for Unconventional Photographer Role
Icelandair, Iceland’s national carrier, is proud to announce the selected candidate in its viral quest to find the world’s worst photographer, ready to become the unexpected name behind a new global ad campaign. Icelandair launched this unconventional recruitment drive after discovering that many people believe images of Iceland look “too good to be true.” By championing imperfect photography – whether blurry, poorly composed, or poorly lit – Icelandair aims to prove that Iceland’s natural beauty is so breathtaking it transcends technical photographic prowess. No filters. No AI trickery. Just raw, authentic moments that remind us why Iceland actually deserves all the hype.
Villa Argentina and Villa Orsula Reopen in Dubrovnik Following Landmark Transformation
Adriatic Luxury Hotels has announced the reopening of Villa Argentina and Villa Orsula, welcoming guests from August 2026 following the transformation of two of the city’s most recognisable coastal properties. Positioned beside Dubrovnik’s historic city walls and overlooking Lokrum Island, the Adriatic and the Old Town, the neighbouring hotels return with renewed interiors, expanded outdoor spaces and a reconfigured layout designed to maximise light, views and privacy.
MGM Resorts Sets Ultimate Summer Stage for Spectacle, Sports and Sun in Las Vegas
MGM Resorts International is turning up the heat on summer travel with a lineup of vacation deals, high-energy entertainment and destination-wide events across its Las Vegas properties. From poolside fun and major sports event-viewing to patriotic celebrations and vacation packages, guests can live it up with a season-long slate of offerings designed for the ultimate escape.
SEABOURN QUEST EMERGES FROM DRYDOCK WITH REIMAGINED SPACES AND A MORE REFINED ONBOARD EXPERIENCE
Seabourn’s award-winning Seabourn Quest has emerged from drydock with the most comprehensive interior update in the line’s history. Enhancements across suites, public spaces, dining venues and the spa create a more relaxed and refined onboard experience, further elevating the sense of comfort and understated luxury guests know and value. The ship will continue its Mediterranean season through November 2026, and sail a series of immersive seven-day voyages between Dubrovnik, Fusina (Venice), Istanbul and Athens, calling on yacht harbors and islands in Croatia, Greece, Montenegro and Turkey. Each voyage can be combined to create 14- and 21-day sailings.
Four Seasons and Blasson to Expand in Spain with New Hotel in Sevilla’s Plaza Nueva
Luxury hospitality leader Four Seasons, together with Spanish real estate investment firm Blasson, announce plans to expand its presence in Spain with a new hotel in Sevilla.
A NEW ERA OF ALPINE LUXURY DEBUTS AT FAIRMONT JASPER PARK LODGE
Today, Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge is proud to announce the landmark opening of its reimagined resort with the unveiling of an extensive CAD $100MM, property-wide transformation. This marks far more than a reopening, but the arrival of a new expression of wilderness luxury in the Canadian Rockies, brought to life through a refreshed Main Lodge and fully redesigned guest rooms.