Travel News Page 72
What’s on in Madeira and Porto Santo This Summer
Beyond its year-round sunshine and dramatic landscapes, Madeira is home to a diverse calendar of events celebrating the culture, traditions and flavours of the archipelago. Here, Visit Madeira highlights five events taking place across Madeira and Porto Santo between June and September.
SITA acquires Big Blue Analytics, developer of OCC Assistant Manager (OCCam)
Airlines around the world will now have access to the most advanced and proven AI-enabled disruption management platform in airline operations. Disruption is aviation’s most expensive unsolved problem, costing airlines tens of billions of dollars every year. To address this, SITA has acquired Big Blue Analytics, the team behind OCC Assistant Manager (OCCam), and will scale the platform to airlines worldwide as the foundation of a broader Intelligent Operations Control Center vision.
Frasers Hospitality demonstrates asset management leadership with 2 wins at Real Estate Asia Awards
At the Real Estate Asia Awards, Frasers Hospitality’s Investment and Asset Management arm reaffirmed its strength and expertise through a disciplined, multi-market strategy focused on enhancing asset value and driving sustainable performance across its multinational portfolio.
Waldorf Astoria Sydney Appoints Marlene Poynder as General Manager
Hilton has today appointed globally respected luxury hospitality leader Marlene Poynder as General Manager of the upcoming Waldorf Astoria Sydney, set to open in 2027. Marking the debut of the iconic Waldorf Astoria brand in Australia, the highly anticipated property will be located at One Circular Quay, one of Sydney’s most prestigious harbourfront addresses overlooking the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge.
LANGHAM HOSPITALITY GROUP NAMES JOSH LITTMAN AS EMEA DEVELOPMENT LEAD
Langham Hospitality Group has appointed Josh Littman as Head of Development – EMEA. Based in London, Littman will lead the Group’s expansion efforts across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, with a focus on securing new hotel and branded residence contracts for The Langham Hotels & Resorts, Cordis Hotels & Resorts, Eaton and Ying’nFlo.
Rio Takes Centre Stage as Global Aviation Leaders Gather for IATA AGM 2026
Rio de Janeiro this week welcomes the global aviation industry as host city for the 82nd International Air Transport Association (IATA) Annual General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit, bringing together airline chief executives, government ministers, regulators and industry leaders from around the world. Hosted by LATAM Airlines Group, the event comes at a pivotal moment for aviation. The industry is navigating geopolitical uncertainty, rising fuel costs, supply chain constraints, sustainability challenges and the accelerating impact of artificial intelligence, while continuing to respond to record levels of passenger demand.
Creator-Led Tourism Comes of Age
For decades, destination marketing was built around television campaigns, print advertising and carefully crafted promotional films. Today, a new generation of travellers is discovering the world through creators. The recent IShowSpeed Caribbean Tour may prove to be one of the most important tourism marketing case studies of the year.
From Havana to Rio: How IATA Helped Build the Modern Aviation Industry
As aviation leaders gather in Rio de Janeiro for the 82nd IATA Annual General Meeting (AGM) and World Air Transport Summit (WATS), they return to a city that occupies a unique place in the history of global aviation. Rio was where, in 1999, IATA formally introduced the World Air Transport Summit, recognising that its annual gathering had evolved into something much larger than a trade association meeting. Aviation had become one of the defining industries of globalization, carrying more than 1.5 billion passengers annually and generating over $300 billion in revenues. The AGM had become the forum where airline leaders, governments, manufacturers, airports and regulators debated the future of an increasingly interconnected world.
NEW RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS GROWING DEMAND FOR ‘OFF-GRID’ TRAVEL
New research from Tourism Tasmania reveals a notable shift in British traveller behaviour, with digital fatigue and “always-on” culture increasingly influencing how consumers define and value their holidays. The study, conducted by 3Gem Media Group among 2,000 UK holidaymakers, suggests that traditional holidays are increasingly failing to deliver a true sense of escape, as work, social media and online expectations continue to follow travellers while abroad. As a result, tech-free disconnection is emerging as a key driver of destination and accommodation choice, with implications for travel product development, positioning and pricing.
Happy World Environment Day!
World Environment Day will be observed on June 5 under the theme “Inspired by Nature: For Climate. For Our Future.” The campaign emphasizes the vital connection between healthy ecosystems, climate resilience and sustainable development.
New BTMI Chairman Peter Harris pledges to make Barbados ‘a Standard’
Businessman Peter Harris expressed humility and gratitude after his appointment as chairman of Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI), succeeding Shelly Williams. Harris said he looks forward to building on her foundation while working closely with Tourism and International Transport Minister Ian Gooding-Edghill and the BTMI team.
Caribbean Week in New York begins today
The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) kicks off Caribbean Week in New York 2026 today, perfectly aligned with the start of Caribbean-American Heritage Month. Under the theme “One Caribbean: Infinite Experiences,” this annual event brings together Caribbean tourism leaders, ministers and directors, marketing teams, and industry partners for a week of high-level dialogue, networking, innovation and celebration in the heart of New York City.