Oakland International Airport Gears Up for Busy Holiday Travel Season with Festive Offerings and Tips for Passengers

Live music, gift-wrapping station, holiday décor, and more happening at OAK (IN SHORT) Oakland International Airport (OAK) expects over 500,000 passengers during the holiday travel season from December 20 to January 6, with peak travel days on December 20 and 27. Travelers can enjoy festive activities, including a free gift-wrapping station available on December 19,… Read the full news article

Port of Oakland Appeals Court Order on OAK Airport’s New Name, Defends Competition and Local Identity

(IN SHORT) The Port of Oakland has filed an appeal against a court order temporarily barring Oakland International Airport (OAK) from using its new name, arguing that the restriction undermines fair competition and travel options for Bay Area residents. The court dismissed most of San Francisco’s claims, including allegations of consumer confusion, but expressed concern… Read the full news article

Wyndham Hotels Launches Humorous Holiday Campaign Encouraging Travelers to “Stay Close” with Extra Comfort

For a limited time, stay two nights and earn 7,500 Wyndham Rewards points, enough for a free night at thousands of Hotels by Wyndham (IN SHORT) Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has launched its holiday campaign, “Stay Close,” humorously highlighting the benefits of staying at a hotel rather than enduring the challenges of family gatherings, such… Read the full news article

Marriott International and Delonix Group Expand Tribute Portfolio Brand in Mainland China with Eight New Projects

Since launching a long-term cooperation agreement in January, the two companies announce a total of eight signings and two hotel openings in Mainland China (IN SHORT) Marriott International and Delonix Group have expanded their partnership, resulting in eight hotel signings and two openings under the Tribute Portfolio brand in Mainland China. The new properties include… Read the full news article

Westin Hotels & Resorts Partners with Tennis Star Li Na to Launch Wellness Campaign in Greater China

(IN SHORT) Westin Hotels & Resorts has launched the ‘Find Wellness at Westin’ campaign in Greater China, with tennis icon Li Na as its Wellness Ambassador. The campaign highlights Westin’s Six Pillars of Well-Being, focusing on Sleep Well and Move Well, through a brand video showcasing Li Na’s wellness journey. Signature experiences like the Heavenly®… Read the full news article

Hotel Indigo Debuts in Kyushu with the Opening of Nagasaki Glover Street Property

The fifth Hotel Indigo in Japan and the first Hotel Indigo branded hotel in Kyushu opens 13 December 2024 (IN SHORT) Hotel Indigo has opened its fifth property in Japan and first in Kyushu with Hotel Indigo Nagasaki Glover Street on December 13, 2024. Located in Nagasaki’s historic Minamiyamate area, the hotel revives a 19th-century… Read the full news article

Shilpa Ranganathan Returns to Expedia Group as Chief Product Officer to Lead Innovation

(IN SHORT) Expedia Group has appointed Shilpa Ranganathan as Chief Product Officer, marking her return to the company. With over 25 years of experience in customer-centric product development, including leadership roles at Microsoft, Ranganathan will oversee Expedia’s product and design teams to enhance traveler experiences. She will join the Travel Leadership Team in January, reporting… Read the full news article

Blue Islands Launches Direct Flights Linking Channel Islands and Newcastle for Summer 2025

(IN SHORT) Blue Islands has announced new direct flights between Guernsey, Jersey, and Newcastle, starting May 3, 2025, and running through the summer season. With up to three weekly flights, the routes eliminate the need for lengthy road or rail travel to Newcastle and offer convenient, seamless access. The service, which extends through November to… Read the full news article

Hilton Expands Grubhub Partnership to Over 2,600 Hotels for Enhanced Guest Convenience

Guests at Hampton by Hilton, Tru by Hilton, and Spark by Hilton can satisfy their cravings and order essentials from the Grubhub Marketplace (IN SHORT) Grubhub and Hilton have expanded their partnership to include on-demand delivery services at over 2,600 Hampton by Hilton, Tru by Hilton, and Spark by Hilton properties. Guests can access Grubhub’s Marketplace… Read the full news article

Radisson RED Debuts in Ireland with Bold and Vibrant Galway Property

(IN SHORT) Radisson Hotel Group has opened its first Radisson RED property in Ireland, located in Galway’s Crown Square neighborhood near the city center. Combining bold design with a relaxed atmosphere, the hotel features 177 stylish rooms, cutting-edge technology, and vibrant dining options, including Lena’s Rooftop Bar with panoramic views of Galway Bay. With over… Read the full news article

Caribbean Airlines and TTALPA Reach Agreement on Wage Negotiations for 2015-2020

(IN SHORT) Caribbean Airlines has finalized an agreement with the Trinidad and Tobago Airline Pilots Association (TTALPA), concluding outstanding wage negotiations for 2015-2020. This resolution highlights the strong collaboration between the airline and TTALPA, reflecting their mutual dedication to the airline’s success and the well-being of employees and customers. The airline expressed gratitude to TTALPA,… Read the full news article

HSMAI Celebrates 2024 Top 25 Extraordinary Minds for Outstanding Leadership in Hospitality

(IN SHORT) The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) has announced its 2024 Top 25 Extraordinary Minds, recognizing leaders in hospitality sales, marketing, and revenue optimization for their exceptional achievements over the past 18 months. These honorees, selected by a panel of industry experts, will be celebrated at the HSMAI Adrian Awards on February… Read the full news article

ANA Launches Pokémon Kids’ Lounge at Haneda Airport to Enhance Family Travel Experience

The ANA Lounge’s kids’ area at Haneda Airport (Domestic Terminal, Main Building South) will feature the “ANA Pokémon Kids TV Lounge” in December 2024. The redesigned space will feature Pokémon-themed décor inspired by the Pikachu Jet NH and Eevee Jet NH. (IN SHORT) All Nippon Airways (ANA) will open the Pokémon-themed “ANA Pokémon Kids’ TV… Read the full news article

Destination Toronto Joins ELX Community, Strengthening Global Leadership in Corporate Events

As the only Canadian DMO, Destination Toronto joins this invitation-only community of international senior event leaders (IN SHORT) Destination Toronto has joined the exclusive Event Leaders Exchange (ELX) community, becoming the only Canadian destination marketing organization in this global network for senior event leaders. The membership reflects Toronto’s innovative and multicultural approach to corporate events, aligning… Read the full news article

IHG Expands Presence in Spiritual Tourism Hub with New Holiday Inn Express in Ayodhya

The 125-key hotel will be a standout addition to IHG’s portfolio and strengthen presence in key spiritual destinations in India. (IN SHORT) IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed a management agreement to open a Holiday Inn Express hotel in Ayodhya, India, scheduled for mid-2028. The new 125-room hotel will cater to the growing influx of… Read the full news article

IHG Hotels & Resorts Announces the Signing of voco Bandung Setiabudi in Collaboration with PT Sun Land Investama and Nova Chandra

Landmark signing of voco Bandung Setiabudi with long-term partner PT Sun Land Investama and new partner Nova Chandra (IN SHORT) IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed an agreement to introduce its voco brand to Bandung, Indonesia, in partnership with PT Sun Land Investama and Nova Chandra. The 162-room voco Bandung Setiabudi is set to open… Read the full news article

IHG Hotels & Resorts Unveils Year-End Celebration Packages for the 2024 Festive Season

(IN SHORT) IHG Hotels & Resorts has launched its year-end promotion, “Every Gathering Moment Counts at IHG,” offering a variety of curated packages for the holiday season. These include three themes—Gathering Everywhere, Vibrant Meets, and Seasonal Party—designed for diverse gatherings ranging from family reunions to corporate meetings and festive celebrations. IHG has also embraced digital… Read the full news article

Emirates Urges Passengers to Plan Ahead for Increased Holiday Travel Demand in December

(IN SHORT) Emirates is advising passengers to plan ahead for December travel, with an expected 20% increase in departures compared to last year. Passengers are encouraged to arrive at the airport up to three hours before their flight and to use Emirates’ various check-in options, including online check-in, the Emirates City Check-In & Travel Store,… Read the full news article

Emirates Expands Service Between Dubai and Melbourne with New Daily Non-Stop Flight

Retrofitted Boeing 777 aircraft debuts on Dubai-Melbourne route from 30 March 2025 Latest development means all Melbourne services offer airline’s latest generation products Airline restores pre-pandemic capacity and offers an unbeatable schedule of 77 weekly services between Dubai and Australia with the resumption of second daily Perth service on 1 December (IN SHORT) Emirates is… Read the full news article

Emirates and Collingwood Extend Premier Partnership Through 2029

The airline will remain the Premier Partner of the Collingwood Football Club until 2029 (IN SHORT) Emirates and Collingwood Football Club have renewed their Premier Partnership for another five years, continuing the collaboration until 2029. This extension emphasizes the shared commitment of both organizations to community engagement through sport. Emirates will remain a prominent sponsor,… Read the full news article

dnata to Serve 18 Million Festive Meals for Airline Passengers Worldwide This December

Favourite traditional roast turkey meals to be served to airline customers Special dietary dishes make up 45% of all meals delivered Desserts biggest difference between passengers in celebrating countries (IN SHORT) dnata, a global leader in air services, will prepare 18 million festive meals for its airline partners this December, including traditional roast turkey with… Read the full news article

Air India Expands Vista Stream Wireless Entertainment Service Across Narrowbody Fleet

Over 1600+ hours of premium curated content will be available to customers on ‘Vista Stream’, Air India’s wireless inflight entertainment service (IN SHORT) Air India has expanded its wireless inflight entertainment service, Vista Stream, to its narrowbody fleet, following its successful introduction on the widebody fleet in August 2024. Passengers can now stream over 1600 hours… Read the full news article

Mekong Kingdoms Unveils Bohème: A New Era of Luxury River Cruising in Southeast Asia

(IN SHORT) Mekong Kingdoms has introduced Bohème, a luxury river cruise ship offering a six-day, five-night journey between Luang Prabang and Vientiane, starting December 9, 2024. The cruise features a blend of relaxation, cultural excursions, and fine dining, with onboard activities such as cooking and mixology classes. Passengers can explore Laos’ natural wonders, including the… Read the full news article

Japan Airlines (JAL) and JAL Engineering Win “IT Award” for Pioneering Aircraft Maintenance Digital Transformation

(IN SHORT) Japan Airlines (JAL) and JAL Engineering have won the “IT Award (Open Innovation Area)” at the 42nd IT Award, marking their third consecutive win. The award recognizes JAL’s digital transformation efforts in aircraft maintenance, particularly through their “Zero Zero 100” initiative, which focuses on predicting and preventing failures before they occur. Key innovations… Read the full news article

Qatar Airways Celebrates Student Club’s Fourth Anniversary with Charitable Partnership

Qatar Airways to donate $10 for every Student Club member booking between 5 – 16 December 2024 (IN SHORT) Qatar Airways is celebrating the fourth anniversary of its Student Club programme by partnering with Education Above All. From December 5 to 16, 2024, Qatar Airways will donate $10 to the charity for every booking made… Read the full news article

Qatar Executive Introduces Starlink Technology to Gulfstream G650ER Fleet for Unmatched Inflight Connectivity

(IN SHORT) Qatar Executive has announced the integration of Starlink technology into its Gulfstream G650ER fleet, providing passengers with high-speed Wi-Fi speeds of up to 350 megabits per second. Starting 14 December 2024, the first Gulfstream G650ER equipped with Starlink will offer seamless connectivity for streaming, working, and entertainment during flights. By May 2025, five… Read the full news article

Cathay Pacific Supports Hong Kong’s SAF Policy Whitepaper, Driving Sustainable Aviation Fuel Adoption

Cathay looks forward to contributing to wider sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) adoption and usage at its home hub (IN SHORT) Cathay Pacific has expressed strong support for the Policy Whitepaper on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Strategy for Hong Kong, released by the Hong Kong Sustainable Aviation Fuel Coalition. The whitepaper outlines a comprehensive plan to… Read the full news article

Qantas Unveils Festive Fleet and Enhanced Travel Experience for Record-Breaking Holiday Season

(IN SHORT) Qantas is enhancing the travel experience for millions of holiday travelers with festive offerings, including specially decorated aircraft such as the QantasLink Q400 ‘Dasher-8’ and Boeing 737 ‘Roo-dolph.’ Passengers flying on these aircraft in December will earn double points. Additionally, new seasonal menus featuring premium Australian produce, revamped beer selections, and festive cocktails… Read the full news article

Emirates Renews Partnership with Australian Open Until 2029, Launches Social Impact Initiative

Emirates will remain the Official Airline of the Australian Open until 2029 As part of the renewal, Emirates and the Australian Tennis Foundation will also join forces to support social impact initiatives across Australia   Emirates returns to the Australian Open 2025 with a wealth of experiences hosted by Emirates, including Kids Tennis Day, Emirates Day… Read the full news article

Emirates to Launch Retrofitted Boeing 777 on Dubai-Vienna Route Starting January 2025

(IN SHORT) Emirates will begin operating its retrofitted Boeing 777 on flights EK125/126 between Dubai and Vienna starting 3 January 2025, making Vienna the fourth European city to receive the enhanced aircraft. The Boeing 777 features Premium Economy, Business, and First Class with upgraded interiors and advanced amenities. Emirates has already rolled out 10 of… Read the full news article