AMAALA Yacht Club Opens as Saudi Red Sea Builds a New Winter Yachting Hub

AMAALA Yacht Club clubhouse overlooking the marina at Triple Bay on Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coast

The 119-berth marina at Triple Bay can receive yachts up to 130 metres and will anchor AMAALA’s sailing programme ahead of The Ocean Race Grand Finale in July 2027. KEY TAKEAWAYS AMAALA Yacht Club has begun operations at Triple Bay with 119 berths and capacity for sailing and motor yachts up to 130 metres. The… Read the full news article

Banjul Tops Bailey Robinson Winter-Sun Index as Travellers Look Beyond Familiar Beach Escapes

The Gambia, Costa Rica and Cambodia lead a 35-destination climate ranking built from winter temperature, sunshine, rainfall and wet-day averages. KEY TAKEAWAYS Banjul ranks first in Bailey Robinson’s 35-destination Winter Sun Reliability Index with a score of 90.2 out of 100. Liberia and Guanacaste in Costa Rica place second at 89.5, followed by Siem Reap… Read the full news article

Final O3b mPOWER Satellites Launch as SES Expands Connectivity Capacity for Airlines and Cruise Ships

Launch carrying the final three O3b mPOWER satellites from Cape Canaveral

Boeing-built F11, F12 and F13 complete the 13-satellite constellation and are expected to enter service in mid-2027 after orbit raising and initialization KEY TAKEAWAYS Boeing’s F11, F12 and F13 satellites have joined 10 O3b mPOWER spacecraft already in orbit, completing the 13-satellite constellation. Commercial airlines and cruise lines are among the active mobility customers using… Read the full news article

TAT Uses Gastech 2026 to Pitch Thailand’s Wellness, Low-Carbon and MICE Appeal

Tourism Authority of Thailand showcase for Gastech 2026 in Bangkok

At Bangkok’s four-day global energy gathering, Thailand’s tourism authority is taking its “Healing is the New Luxury” campaign directly to international business leaders, investors and event delegates. KEY TAKEAWAYS TAT is presenting “Power of Journey: Healing is the New Luxury” at Gastech 2026, held from 14–17 September at BITEC in Bangkok. The tourism showcase combines… Read the full news article

Qing Bao turns five with a retro birthday celebration at Smithsonian’s National Zoo

Giant panda Qing Bao eating the frozen number five topper from her birthday fruitsicle cake at Smithsonian’s National Zoo

The Washington attraction marked the giant panda’s birthday with themed enrichment and a fruitsicle cake as cooler autumn weather brings an active season for panda viewing. KEY TAKEAWAYS Female giant panda Qing Bao celebrated her fifth birthday at Smithsonian’s National Zoo on 12 September 2026. Keepers created 1970s-themed enrichment, including decorated food boxes, new puzzle… Read the full news article

TAROM Adds First Boeing 737-8 as Four-Aircraft MAX Renewal Gets Underway

TAROM Boeing 737-8 aircraft delivered as part of the Romanian carrier’s fleet renewal programme

Romania’s flag carrier plans a second 737 MAX delivery by the end of September and two more in 2027, with the new jets intended for routes from Bucharest to major European capitals. KEY TAKEAWAYS TAROM has taken delivery of its first Boeing 737-8, the first 737 MAX to join the Romanian national carrier’s fleet. The… Read the full news article

AirAsia Reports All-Negative Crew Drug Screening as Malaysia Sharpens Fitness-for-Duty Focus

AirAsia passenger aircraft taxiing on an airport runway beneath a blue sky.

The exercise covered active pilots and cabin crew at AirAsia Malaysia and AirAsia X Malaysia, with the group saying every screening result was negative. KEY TAKEAWAYS AirAsia says all active operating pilots and cabin crew at AirAsia Malaysia and AirAsia X Malaysia were screened, with 100% of results returning negative. The group says regular drug… Read the full news article

Shama Turns Staff Uniforms into a Brand Touchpoint with Greyhound Original Collaboration

Group presenting Shama’s new uniform collection beside a Shama logo

The new collection pairs practical hospitality workwear with contemporary Thai fashion cues as ONYX sharpens Shama’s urban-living identity. KEY TAKEAWAYS ONYX Hospitality Group and Greyhound Original have created a new uniform collection for Shama. The collection uses earth tones, minimalist silhouettes, adaptable collars, subtle Asian influences and discreet Shama branding. The design combines Greyhound Original’s… Read the full news article

Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia lead World Travel Awards Middle East 2026 honours

World Travel Awards Middle East 2026 winners graphic

Qatar Airways, Emirates, Etihad, flynas and major hotel brands also feature among the regional winners announced at a gala ceremony in Dubai. KEY TAKEAWAYS Dubai was named Middle East’s Leading Destination, while Abu Dhabi took the business travel destination title and Saadiyat Island won the beach destination category. Saudi Arabia received the regional cultural and… Read the full news article

Dubai Takes Leading Destination Title as World Travel Awards Names Middle East 2026 Winners

One&Only One Za’abeel in Dubai

One&Only One Za’abeel hosted the 13 September gala as Qatar Airways, Jumeirah Al Naseem, Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental and other regional travel brands collected major honours KEY TAKEAWAYS Dubai was named Middle East’s Leading Destination 2026 and also won regional titles for meetings and conferences, festivals and events, and tourist board. Qatar Airways took Middle… Read the full news article

Four Seasons Embarcadero Opens 40th-Floor Sunset Bar Weather Permitting in San Francisco

Guest holding a drink on the Four Seasons Embarcadero 40th-floor terrace at sunset with the Golden Gate Bridge in the distance

The seasonal Friday-to-Sunday terrace bar runs from 3 p.m. to sundown, pairing cocktails, wines and zero-proof drinks with panoramic views across San Francisco Bay. KEY TAKEAWAYS Weather Permitting is a seasonal pop-up bar on the 40th-floor terrace of Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco at Embarcadero. The bar is open Friday through Sunday from 3 p.m…. Read the full news article

Amphawa Turns Food, Light and Riverside Heritage Into a 10-Day Night-Time Tourism Draw

Officials and tourism representatives on stage at the opening of Neramit Amphawa in Samut Songkhram.

TAT’s Neramit Amphawa runs nightly through 20 September, linking the floating market, King Rama II Memorial Park and riverside communities with food, performances and illuminated installations. KEY TAKEAWAYS Neramit Amphawa runs from 11–20 September 2026, daily from 16:00 to 22:00 across Amphawa Floating Market, King Rama II Memorial Park and surrounding riverside areas. The programme… Read the full news article

Shama Reframes Six Bangkok Serviced Apartments Around Work, Medical and Family Stays

Two guests with a dog dining at Shama Yen-Akat Bangkok

ONYX Hospitality Group is positioning its Bangkok residences for travellers whose time in the city increasingly blends business assignments, relocation, healthcare, family commitments and everyday life. KEY TAKEAWAYS ONYX Hospitality Group is positioning six Shama properties in Bangkok around longer and more flexible stays linked to work, relocation, healthcare and family needs. The highlighted properties… Read the full news article

OZO turns destination stays into collectable luggage art with Thai artist Benzilla

OZO x Benzilla campaign artwork showing a suitcase with four LOOOK luggage stickers

Direct-booking guests at participating OZO hotels in Thailand and Malaysia can collect limited-edition LOOOK stickers through June 2027 as ONYX marks its 60th anniversary. KEY TAKEAWAYS OZO has partnered with Thai street artist Benzilla on four limited-edition luggage sticker designs featuring his LOOOK character. Direct-booking guests at participating OZO hotels receive one sticker per room,… Read the full news article

ONYX Maps a Thailand Solo-Travel Trail from Bangkok to the Andaman Coast

Guest in a sunhat walking through a tropical resort swimming pool

The hospitality group is positioning 11 Amari, OZO, Shama and Oriental Residence properties around flexible, self-paced trips as solo travel gains momentum in 2026 KEY TAKEAWAYS ONYX Hospitality Group is positioning 11 properties in Thailand for solo travellers, spanning Bangkok, coastal resorts and Buriram. Bangkok options cover hotel, serviced apartment and luxury residence formats, while… Read the full news article

ONYX Highlights Five Amari Beach Escapes for Multigenerational Family Travel in Thailand

Family sharing a meal together during a hotel stay

A Mother’s Day-themed campaign spotlights family-friendly stays in Pattaya, Hua Hin, Phuket, Koh Samui and Krabi, combining kids’ facilities, dining, spa time and destination exploration. KEY TAKEAWAYS ONYX Hospitality Group is using a Mother’s Day-themed campaign to spotlight five Amari properties across Thailand for multigenerational family travel. The featured stays combine family rooms and suites,… Read the full news article

Pattaya Leans Into Event Tourism as Marathon Weekend Fuels Longer Seaside Stays

Aerial view of runners moving along Pattaya’s beachfront road beside hotels and the shoreline.

The 33rd Pattaya Marathon on 26–27 September is set to draw runners and accompanying visitors, while ONYX positions Amari Pattaya and OZO North Pattaya for event-led city breaks. KEY TAKEAWAYS The Pattaya Marathon 2026 is scheduled for 26–27 September in Pattaya City, Chon Buri, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s September events calendar. ONYX… Read the full news article

Cape Air to Add Eight Cessna Grand Caravan EX Aircraft for Eastern Montana Flights in 2027

Cessna Grand Caravan EX single-engine turboprop aircraft

The fleet transition will support Billings links to five regional communities with greater passenger, baggage and cargo flexibility. KEY TAKEAWAYS Cape Air has ordered eight Cessna Grand Caravan EX turboprops for its regional passenger operation in Montana. The airline plans to begin introducing the aircraft into its Montana network in 2027. Cape Air currently links… Read the full news article

Oman Air creates first Chief Guest Experience Officer role to unify passenger journey upgrades

Oman Air Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft in flight.

The new executive will coordinate cabin, dining, digital and loyalty improvements as the Muscat-based carrier moves into the next phase of its transformation. KEY TAKEAWAYS Oman Air is recruiting its first Chief Guest Experience Officer to lead the passenger experience across booking, airport services, onboard meals, loyalty and other customer touchpoints. The new role follows… Read the full news article

flydubai restores 85% of network as Dubai carrier passes 125 destinations

flydubai accelerates network growth with more than 125 destinations

The airline is averaging 2,200 weekly flights, scaling Bangkok service and launching daily flights to Pokhara on 23 September as it rebuilds capacity through DXB. KEY TAKEAWAYS flydubai says it has restored operations to 85% of its network and now serves more than 125 destinations in 56 countries. The carrier is operating an average of… Read the full news article

ONYX targets lower-energy hotel operations in Thailand with SP Group cooling partnership

Two representatives standing outside Amari Don Muang Airport Bangkok beneath the hotel sign

The agreement builds on a 1,195-RT cooling upgrade at Amari Don Muang Airport Bangkok that is expected to cut energy use by more than 40 per cent. KEY TAKEAWAYS ONYX Hospitality Group and SP Group will explore Cooling-as-a-Service and renewable-energy solutions across suitable hotel developments in Thailand. The partnership builds on a 1,195-RT cooling upgrade… Read the full news article

ONYX Reframes Four Hotel Brands for an AI-Shaped Travel Planning Era

Three adults relaxing in a resort swimming pool beside a rainbow inflatable, with blue parasols and palm trees in the background.

Skyscanner says 54% of travellers are confident using AI to plan or book trips, while ONYX links Amari, OZO, Shama and Oriental Residence to distinct travel styles. KEY TAKEAWAYS Skyscanner’s global survey of 22,000 travellers found 54% are confident using AI to help plan or book travel in 2026, up from 47% the year before…. Read the full news article

Dragonpass Targets UK Scale-Ups as Global Expansion Pushes Corporate Travel Costs Higher

New corporate memberships bundle airport lounges, Fast Track, dining, connectivity and transfers as growing companies seek alternatives to premium airfares. KEY TAKEAWAYS Dragonpass has launched a dedicated corporate travel programme that combines lounge access, Fast Track, dining credit, travel eSIMs and airport transfers under annual employee memberships. Deloitte says 88% of UK scale-ups are prioritising… Read the full news article

Aethos Turns Italy’s Shoulder Season Into Four Distinct Autumn Escapes

Aethos Saragano on a hilltop in Umbria with its outdoor pool and surrounding countryside at sunset

From late-season hiking in the Aosta Valley and quiet Costa Smeralda beaches to Milan dining and Umbrian harvest experiences, the group is using autumn to showcase four contrasting Italian stays. KEY TAKEAWAYS Aethos is promoting four contrasting Italian autumn stays across Monterosa, Milan, Saragano and Sardinia. Aethos Monterosa closes for its seasonal break on 27… Read the full news article