UN adopts new tourism employment indicator to guide efforts towards the SDGs

 

The United Nations has taken a major step in recognizing tourism’s role in sustainable development by adopting a new tourism employment indicator as part of the official Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Indicator Framework.

Final call for entries: ATM Start-Up Pitch Battle seeks the region’s top travel innovators

  In partnership with Intelak, the ATM Start-Up Pitch Battle invites start-ups to submit their industry-disrupting ideas

 The live competition will take place on ATM’s Future Stage on 1 May

 Start-ups must submit their entries by the final deadline of 21 March

EU’s phased implementation of the Entry/Exit System: Implications for European tourism

 

The European Union (EU) is advancing its border management protocols with the planned introduction of the Entry/Exit System (EES), an automated digital registry designed to record the entry and exit of non-EU nationals visiting the Schengen Area for short stays. After multiple delays due to technical challenges and preparedness concerns, the EES is now expected to commence operations in 2025.

IHG opens first branded net zero carbon hotel

 

IHG Hotels & Resorts has opened voco Zeal Exeter Science Park in the U.K.—the company’s first branded net zero carbon hotel—in partnership with Zeal Hotels and Valor Hospitality. It has been designed to operate entirely on renewable and solar energy.

nNews in Brief

D.C. businesses capitalize on panda return to zoo

(Shannon Finney/Getty Images)

The return of giant pandas to the National Zoo is likely to spark a surge in visitor numbers and economic activity in Washington, D.C., where the zoo saw a 16% drop in attendance last year when it had no pandas. Businesses and hotels have created panda-themed promotions, such as the Lyle Washington DC's Panda-monium package and the Conrad Washington DC's luxury panda experience.

 Full Story: Travel Weekly (3/8)

 White House forms task force for 2026 World Cup

The U.S. Travel Association has praised the Trump administration for establishing a task force to prepare for the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico. "The creation of this task force was a top priority for U.S. Travel and will ensure the US is fully prepared to host the world's largest sporting event," U.S. Travel President and CEO Geoff Freeman said.

 Full Story: TravelPulse (3/8) 

Emirates wishes customers 'Holi Hai'

 

Dubai, UAE, 12 Mar 2025: On 13 and 14 March, Emirates will be celebrating the most colourful festival in the world, wishing customers a happy Holi onboard select flights to India with refreshing Thandai drinks and sweet Holi treats.

The Leela Gandhinagar Celebrates International Women’s Day with a Grand Event Highlighting Empowerment, Luxury, and Adventure for 30 Dynamic Women Drivers, in Partnership with BMW and Mini Gallops Autohaus

 

On International Women’s Day, The Leela Gandhinagar, a beacon of luxury in India’s hospitality landscape, hosted a spectacular event that seamlessly blended elegance, empowerment, and celebration. Partnering with BMW Gallops Autohaus and Mini Gallops Autohaus, the event brought together over 30 dynamic women drivers for a unique experience that offered a perfect mix of luxury, adventure, and fine dining.

Informa Partners with Dubai World Trade Centre in a Seven Hundred Million USD Global Exhibitions Deal as Events Industry Surges, Driving Record Growth and Expanding Business Trade Shows

 Informa, the world’s largest business exhibitions and academic publishing group, has cemented its leadership in the global events sector with a landmark partnership with Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC). The agreement, announced on Thursday, is set to drive more than $700 million in revenue, expanding Informa’s footprint across key industries including healthcare, energy, aviation, food, and IT.

How Will Toronto’s Irish Heritage Celebration Influence Travel Trends and Tourism Strategies for Ireland? Exploring Slow Tourism, Weddings, and More at the St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon

 

In March 2025, Toronto’s Irish community gathered at the Fairmont Royal York hotel for the Ireland Funds’ annual St. Patrick’s Day luncheon.

SIHOT delivers hotel reservations to Apple and Google Wallets

 

GERMANY – SIHOT, one of the leading hotel management systems, has digitalised booking information, enabling guests to add hotel reservations to their Apple or Google Wallets.