(IN SHORT) IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed a franchise agreement with Samco Holding for Development to open Holiday Inn Express Cairo New Capital in 2030. Located in the rapidly developing New Administrative Capital, the hotel will feature 125 guest rooms and will cater to both business and leisure travelers. This expansion continues IHG’s strategy… Read the full news article
(IN SHORT) IHG Hotels & Resorts has announced a management agreement with API Hotels & Resorts to open the first Kimpton hotel in the UAE in Q1 2026. Located along the Business Bay Canal in Dubai, Kimpton Dubai will feature 280 luxurious rooms, innovative dining options, and top-tier amenities, including a rooftop pool, spa, fitness… Read the full news article
(IN SHORT) Frontier Airlines has signed an enhanced distribution partnership with Amadeus, introducing New Distribution Capability (NDC) content via a Global Distribution System (GDS) for the first time. This move is a significant part of Frontier’s New Frontier transformation, allowing the airline to offer a more personalized and seamless booking experience, along with improved pricing… Read the full news article
(IN SHORT) Marriott International has announced the acquisition of citizenM, a leading lifestyle brand known for its innovative approach to select-service hotels. This acquisition will strengthen Marriott’s global portfolio and provide additional lodging options for Marriott Bonvoy members. With a strong pipeline and plans for continued expansion, citizenM will benefit from Marriott’s development network, while… Read the full news article
(IN SHORT) Emirates and Philippine Airlines (PAL) have met at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai to discuss expanding their partnership with a potential reciprocal codeshare agreement. The agreement would enhance connectivity between Dubai and the Philippines, offering passengers a more convenient travel experience with a single ticket, competitive fares, and unified baggage policies. Additionally,… Read the full news article
(IN SHORT) Emirates has expanded its global reach with the activation of a reciprocal codeshare partnership with Condor and a new agreement with Air Seychelles. These partnerships enhance connectivity for Emirates customers, providing greater access to destinations in Europe, the Caribbean, and the Seychelles. The agreements also offer passengers convenient booking options, seamless travel experiences,… Read the full news article
(IN SHORT) dnata and Jetstar have agreed to extend their partnership for another four years, expanding the agreement to include Jetstar Asia operations based in Singapore. dnata will continue providing inflight retail products across Jetstar’s extensive Asia Pacific network, offering a range of pre-order and buy-on-board options for millions of customers. The partnership is supported… Read the full news article
(IN SHORT) Auckland Airport has released its updated Master Plan, setting out a long-term vision for the airport’s development into the 2040s. The draft plan covers key priorities such as terminal integration, a second runway, and a future mass rapid transport corridor. The updated timeline for the second runway, now expected later than initially planned,… Read the full news article
(IN SHORT) PATA and the European Travel Commission (ETC) have entered into a strategic partnership to advance sustainable tourism practices and promote greater connectivity between Asia Pacific and Europe. The collaboration, announced during the PATA Annual Summit 2025, will focus on a range of initiatives including supporting Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), promoting balanced tourism… Read the full news article
(IN SHORT) The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has partnered with CrescentRating to launch the Halal Travel Trends 2025 report, developed in collaboration with Mastercard. The report provides crucial insights into the preferences and behaviors of Muslim travelers, helping destinations and travel businesses better cater to this growing market. The launch was celebrated at the… Read the full news article
(IN SHORT) ACI World’s latest report highlights a continued disparity between the recovery of passenger traffic and total airport revenues. While passenger traffic nearly reached pre-pandemic levels in 2023, airport revenues still lagged by 11.4%. The report shows that while total airport revenues increased by 21.4% to US$146 billion in 2023, they remain below 2019… Read the full news article
(IN SHORT) Kuwait Airways and Emirates have signed an MoU at the Arabian Travel Market to develop an interline agreement that will provide passengers with enhanced connectivity to Dubai and other destinations in Emirates’ global network. This partnership aims to offer more flight options and convenient schedules for Kuwait Airways customers. The agreement was signed… Read the full news article
(IN SHORT) Emirates and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises have partnered to offer exclusive luxury air-sea packages starting in the 2026/2027 season. This collaboration will create seamless travel experiences for cruise passengers, with special fares and synchronized itineraries to enhance connectivity between Emirates flights and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ luxury ships. The partnership will focus on offering exceptional service, integrating… Read the full news article
(IN SHORT) Emirates will roll out its upgraded Boeing 777s, Airbus A380s, and the first long-range Airbus A350 to eight additional cities by the end of 2025, enhancing customer experiences with modernized cabins and more Premium Economy seats. The airline’s retrofit programme, with a US $5 billion investment, will refurbish 219 aircraft, serving over 70… Read the full news article
(IN SHORT) Emirates and flydubai have announced a major milestone, carrying 5 million passengers in the past year, representing a 36% growth in joint passenger numbers. The partnership, which started in 2017, has expanded to 240 destinations across more than 100 countries, offering seamless travel experiences, enhanced connectivity, and an integrated loyalty programme. Both carriers… Read the full news article
(IN SHORT) Emirates has signed eight new Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with tourism boards from Sharjah, The Philippines, Maldives, Visit Britain, Thailand, Japan National Tourist Organisation (JNTO), Uganda, and Hungary during the Arabian Travel Market (ATM). These partnerships will focus on boosting inbound tourism to these destinations through joint marketing initiatives, promotional campaigns, and familiarization… Read the full news article
(IN SHORT) Minor Hotels has entered into a partnership with Soma Bay Hotel Company SAE to develop a luxury resort under the Anantara brand in Soma Bay, Egypt. The resort, scheduled to open in the coming years, will feature a range of luxury accommodations and wellness facilities, including a renowned thalassotherapy center. Located along the… Read the full news article
(IN SHORT) Four Seasons has partnered with Al Zorah Development Company to manage the upcoming Four Seasons Resort Ajman at Al Zorah, scheduled to open in 2026. The resort will feature 23 villas and 74 rooms and suites, offering stunning views of the Arabian Gulf. With world-class amenities, including a luxury spa, private beach, and… Read the full news article
(IN SHORT) Shannon Airport expects over 53,000 passengers to travel through the airport during the May bank holiday period, representing an 18% increase compared to last year. This marks a strong start to the summer season with a wide range of popular destinations such as Madeira, Lanzarote, and several European city breaks. Shannon offers 36… Read the full news article
(IN SHORT) Finavia has announced a €3 million investment to extend Rovaniemi Airport’s terminal, which is set to be completed by winter 2025–2026. The extension will enhance the airport’s capacity to handle the growing number of international passengers visiting Lapland. This is part of Finavia’s ongoing efforts to support the region’s tourism growth, which has… Read the full news article
(IN SHORT) Finavia has appointed Niclas Köhler, its CFO, as the new CEO of AVIA Real Estate, following the airline’s acquisition of 100% ownership in the company. Köhler will transition to his new role by the end of April 2025, taking over from Ilkka Pitkänen, who is stepping down to pursue new opportunities. Finavia also… Read the full news article
(IN SHORT) flydubai has partnered with Dubai Chambers to offer preferential air freight rates to members of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce, helping local businesses expand globally. The partnership aims to facilitate imports and exports, reduce operational costs, and create new opportunities for Dubai-based companies in international markets. This collaboration supports Dubai’s position as a… Read the full news article
Joint Release With OpenAI (IN SHORT) Singapore Airlines (SIA) has partnered with OpenAI to bring advanced Generative AI solutions to the airline’s customer service and operations. The collaboration will enhance SIA’s AI-powered virtual assistant, providing smarter, personalized support for customers and improving staff productivity. SIA will also leverage AI to optimize operational tasks like flight… Read the full news article
(IN SHORT) Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has signed an exclusive development agreement with Soliteight Hotel Projects to bring its Super 8® brand to Spain and Portugal. Over the next decade, Soliteight will develop 40 Super 8 hotels, addressing the growing demand for affordable and high-quality accommodations in the region. The project capitalizes on the booming… Read the full news article
(IN SHORT) Edmonton International Airport (YEG) is partnering with Diesel Tech Industries (DTI) to integrate hydrogen and diesel technology into its runway snow sweepers. This initiative, supported by Alberta Innovates, will reduce emissions from YEG’s operations, foster hydrogen adoption in transportation, and contribute to the global shift toward more sustainable aviation practices. The conversion of… Read the full news article
(IN SHORT) Minor Hotels has announced the signing of the Avani+ Fujairah Resort, a new beachfront destination set to open in 2028. Developed in collaboration with long-term partner Al Fahim Group, the resort will offer 232 rooms and 16 villas, some with private pools and lagoon access. Located on the Gulf of Oman, the resort… Read the full news article
(IN SHORT) Minor Hotels has appointed Shobhit Khattri as Associate Vice President of Development for India, Nepal, and Bangladesh, signaling its intention to fast-track expansion in the South Asian market. With over 17 years of experience in hotel development across India, the Middle East, and Africa, Khattri will lead the group’s development strategy from New… Read the full news article
(IN SHORT) Air India has become the first Indian airline to receive the internationally recognised Good Distribution Practices (GDP) certification for pharmaceutical cargo, affirming its compliance with global standards in transporting time- and temperature-sensitive medicines. The certification enhances Air India’s logistics capabilities across key domestic hubs and international destinations like New York, Frankfurt, and London…. Read the full news article
(IN SHORT) PATA has released a major new report at PAS 2025 in İstanbul, titled The Evolving Tourism Workforce: Human Capital Development in APAC, produced in collaboration with Pear Anderson. Drawing from a year of in-depth research, the report explores the region’s pressing workforce challenges—such as talent attraction, skills gaps, and disconnects between education and… Read the full news article
(IN SHORT) The PATA Annual Summit 2025 in İstanbul united over 260 tourism leaders from 35 destinations under the theme “Timeless Wisdom for a Sustainable Future.” The event saw the ratification of PATA’s new Vision and Mission, strategic governance updates, and the advancement of the PATA 2030 Strategy. With panels on climate change, innovation, aviation,… Read the full news article