UN Tourism opens call for Best Tourism Villages 2026

 

UN Tourism has opened the call for applications for the Best Tourism Villages 2026 initiative, inviting Member States to submit up to eight candidate villages through their respective National Tourism Administrations.

WTAAA issues global fraud warning to agencies

 

BRUSSELS – The World Travel Agents Associations Alliance (WTAAA) has alerted the global travel agency community to a fraud scheme involving the unauthorised use of agency IATA accreditation numbers to obtain airline NDC access and issue fraudulent tickets.

News in Brief: Seatrade Cruise News Latest Headlines

 

Viking orders expedition newbuilds on Q4 beat, 'robust' demand The company firmed two expedition ships for 2030 and 2031 delivery and took options for two additional ocean ships for 2034. Read full story

Last Opportunity to Secure Preferred Saving

 

Our New Year Savings Event is entering its final days, offering an exclusive opportunity to enjoy select 2026 voyages with up to $1,000 in savings.

Where Champions Meet Culinary Excellence: World of Hyatt Welcomes Back Jessica Pegula as Ambassador and Announces Sponsorship of Taste of Tennis Indian Wells

World of Hyatt reunites with the top-ranked American tennis star while serving World of Hyatt members at the celebrated culinary event at Grand Hyatt Indian Wells.

Penang’s Business Events Sector Rockets to RM1.91 Billion Economic Impact in 2025

 

Penang, Malaysia — The Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau (PCEB) proudly announces a landmark year for Business Events Penang in 2025, reflecting strong growth across all key performance indicators and reinforcing Penang’s position as a premier destination for high-value business events.

Air Astana finalises order for 25 Airbus A320neo Family aircraft

 

Air  Astana Group, the leading airline group in Central Asia and the Caucasus regions by revenue and fleet size, has signed a firm order for 25 Airbus A320neo Family aircraft, the largest ever direct order by the group. The agreement was made on the 20th anniversary since Air Astana started operating its first A320 in 2006, and includes five A320neo and 20 A321neo aircraft.

Air Cargo Demand up 5.6% in January 2026

 

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for January 2026 global air cargo markets showing:

• Total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTK), rose by 5.6% compared to January 2025 levels (+7.2% for international operations).

Cendyn launches Meta Hotel Ads in its DMP

 

Cendyn, a global integrated hotel technology and services company, has launched Meta Hotel Ads within its Digital Marketing Platform (DMP), expanding its portfolio of paid media channels to capture high-intent demand across Meta platforms.

How Star Hotels and Taiwan Host B&Bs Bring You the Perfect Blend of Luxury, Culture, and Authenticity

 

Taiwan is making a bold move to redefine its tourism industry with the introduction of two exceptional accommodation brands: Star Hotels and Taiwan Host B&Bs. These certifications, promoted by the Taiwan Tourism Administration, aim to elevate the visitor experience by ensuring both safety and authenticity.