FHS World 2025 honoured leading luminaries shaping the future of the Middle East’s hospitality and tourism sector with four FHS Awards to celebrate the best of the best in the industry.
Expedia Group Advertising today released comprehensive findings from The Science of Wanderlust research, uncovering what makes the perfect travel content to drive bookings in today’s world of AI. The study showcases how travelers feel, react and engage with travel-related content, finding six ingredients that spark the feeling of wanderlust - the emotional spark that drives travel decisions – to help brands inspire, connect and convert travelers.
Last week, Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) hosted its signature education and membership event, the HFTP Annual Convention. The convention was held at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, Fla. from October 22–24, 2025 with 465 professionals in attendance. It offered an energizing and informative experience presenting education, industry insights, networking and celebration.
The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) announced its 2025 General Managers of the Year Awards during The Hospitality Show in Denver, Colorado. The awards recognized general managers going above and beyond for their guests and employees.
The GBTA Foundation, the cause-led arm of the Global Business Travel Association, hosted its 2025 WINiT Summit, Awards & Gala yesterday at Civic Hall in New York City. Now in its 11th year, GBTA WINiT (“Women in Travel”), a program dedicated to helping women thrive in their travel industry careers, continues to evolve as a catalyst for change — offering mentorship, training, research and awareness to dismantle advancement barriers.
UN Tourism has joined together public and private sector actors to commit to take concrete steps to advance women’s empowerment in tourism.
Four in five (79%) travellers in EMEA intend to go on more or the same amount of holidays in 2026 compared to 2025, including 39% who plan to go on an increased number, according to new industry research conducted by Mortar, of more than 22,000 adults across 11 key travel markets in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Green Valley Ranch, Henderson’s beloved local’s destination, has unveiled its new logo, marking the next chapter in the resort’s story as it continues its $200 million property-wide renovation and approaches its 25th anniversary in December 2026. The refreshed identity also introduces a new monogram—a modern shorthand that subtly blends the G-V-R into an elegant shorthand—reflecting the property’s evolution while honoring its legacy.
Wyndham Rewards®, the #1–rated hotel rewards program known for its groundbreaking simplicity and generosity, is once again transforming the loyalty landscape with the launch of Wyndham Rewards Insider℠—a first-of-its-kind travel and entertainment subscription from a major hotel rewards program, designed to pay for itself in as little as one trip.
Europe, the world’s most visited continent, attracts nearly 700 million travellers each year* — a testament to its rich culture, diverse landscapes, and warm hospitality. This remarkable success presents not only opportunities but also a shared responsibility to ensure tourism remains a force for good, enriching local communities while protecting the environment for generations to come.
UN Tourism has renewed the UN Tourism QUEST certification for the Fundació Turisme Responsable de Mallorca (Spain), recognising the organisation's ongoing commitment to excellence in destination management and governance.
Travel has always been personal, but in 2026 it will move far beyond one-size-fits-all itineraries. In 2026, travelers will reject conventions and lean into passions that feel distinctive and truly their own. From adrenaline-fueled compatibility tests to mystical detours and stays in futuristic homes, every trip becomes a bold expression of individuality and identity: this is who I am, this is what I want, and this is what I love.
During its EXPLORE Connect B2B event for APAC partners, Expedia Group unveiled a new suite of AI and machine learning-powered tools designed to help partners drive speed, scale and personalization. Highlights include Smart Trip AI™, a new trip planning tool that provides hotel and activity inspiration, and the piloting of the Lodging Sponsored Listings API, a new advertising solution that unlocks advertising for B2B partners.
Radisson Hotel Group has launched Career Fest 2025, its largest-ever career festival designed to inspire, upskill, and attract the next generation of hospitality professionals. Running throughout October 2025, the month-long hybrid event brings together more than 75,000 team members and future talent across +105 countries to celebrate career growth, learning, and mobility in the hospitality sector. Career Fest underscores Radisson Hotel Group’s reputation as an employer of choice in one of the world’s most dynamic industries.
The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) is proud to announce the launch of its newest chapter, HSMAI Florida Gulf Coast, officially chartered on October 2, 2025. This new chapter underscores HSMAI’s ongoing commitment to expanding its reach, cultivating local engagement, and delivering enhanced value to hospitality professionals through regionally tailored education and networking opportunities.
Today, Booking.com has announced the launch of its first customer-facing agentic AI innovations: Smart Messenger and Auto-Reply, designed to make partner-to-guest communication faster, streamlined, and more intuitive.
Royalton Hotels & Resorts today announced the launch of the Royalton Reserve Collection, an exclusive new portfolio of independent luxury resorts within the Royalton universe, defined by uncompromising standards of service, design, gastronomy, and individuality. The legendary Paraíso de la Bonita, a Luxury Collection Resort, Riviera Maya, Adult All-Inclusive, Member of Royalton Reserve Collection has been chosen as the inaugural member, marking the global debut of this collection and setting a new benchmark in the luxury all-inclusive space.
For years, hotel benchmarking has defaulted to one metric: RevPAR. It was the universal KPI that every property, brand — and in every boardroom was used to shape strategy and direction.
Skyscanner, a global leader in travel, launches its Travel Trends 2026 report showcasing the seven key trends which will define travellers’ behaviour in the coming year and outlining the big trends shaping the future of travel.
In the year ahead, travelers are redefining the journey and choosing trips that begin with purpose, not just a place. According to Hilton’s newly released 2026 Trends Report, The Whycation: Travel’s New Starting Point, the question isn’t “Where are we going?”, it’s “Why are we going?”