Qatar’s official tourism platform is expanding its digital offer catalogue beyond Doha’s hotels, restaurants and urban attractions. The Visit Qatar app promotes exclusive savings of up to 50%, while its public platform currently presents more than 300 offers and deals. That inventory includes a half-day desert safari featuring Khor Al Udaid and a stand-up paddleboarding […]
Human expertise remains a powerful influence on holiday bookings despite the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence across the travel industry. A North American survey commissioned by small-group adventure company Explore Worldwide found that 78% of travellers were more likely to reserve a holiday when experts with direct destination experience created the itinerary. The findings suggest
Singapore, Japan and other Asian markets are accelerating biometric passenger processing as airports seek faster journeys and stronger identity verification. Facial recognition, iris scans, advance passenger information and digital travel credentials increasingly support movement through immigration and airport checkpoints. These systems can reduce queues and simplify document checks. However, they also make aviation more dependent
China’s rapid tourism growth is making digital preparation increasingly important for international visitors navigating payments, transport, accommodation and local discovery. The country recorded 154.5 million inbound visits in 2025, rising 17.1% from the previous year. Foreign nationals accounted for 35.17 million visits, while their spending reached US$131.1 billion. Visa-free travel supported that expansion. China registered
Tourism businesses across Africa face a growing digital visibility challenge as artificial intelligence changes how younger travellers discover and book holidays. Industry findings available in September 2026 indicate that 72% of Generation Z travellers use AI during trip planning. This shift has major implications for independent hotels, safari camps and tour operators across Kenya, Rwanda
Mapito Safari Camp, Serengeti, Autograph Collection, is celebrating its first anniversary after a year of luxury tourism growth and community partnerships. The property opened as Tanzania’s first Marriott-branded safari camp. It has since built its reputation around personalised wildlife experiences, conservation awareness and locally connected hospitality. The milestone arrives as its developers prepare for another
China is aligning with several fast-growing Asian travel markets as airport passenger growth begins to outpace the delivery of suitable hotel rooms. Airports across Asia-Pacific are forecast to record annual passenger growth of 4.8% between 2025 and 2028. Southern Asia leads the outlook with 6.3%, while South-eastern Asia is expected to expand by 5.1%. Vietnam
Rihga Royal Hotel Osaka, Vignette Collection, will stage a month-long Halloween gourmet festival featuring seasonal cakes, breads and savoury dishes. The hotel’s Autumn Harvest Festival will run from 1 October through 31 October 2026 at Gourmet Boutique Melissa. The collection combines Halloween designs with popular Japanese autumn flavours, including pumpkin, purple sweet potato, black sesame
South Africa’s accommodation sector is entering an important travel period as Tourism Month promotes domestic exploration across all nine provinces. Hotels, safari lodges, resorts, guesthouses and bed-and-breakfast properties could benefit as the campaign encourages residents to explore cities, small towns, villages, coastal areas and rural destinations. The programme will lead into South Africa’s national World
UP Group Asia is expanding its partnership-led strategy across Thailand as hotels and convention centres pursue new revenue opportunities in 2026. The company plans to work alongside hospitality teams through an integrated service model. Its approach is designed to improve guest value while strengthening the commercial potential of participating properties. Thailand’s growing appeal for regional
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has unveiled Dolce Nova, a new hospitality concept designed to bring slower, more meaningful travel experiences to destinations across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Developed under the wider Dolce Hotels & Resorts offering, the brand will focus on wellbeing, social dining, restful accommodation and connections with local communities. The concept
Finnair and Radisson Hotel Group have launched a loyalty partnership that allows members to transfer rewards between their airline and hotel accounts. The collaboration introduces two-way conversions between Finnair Plus Avios and Radisson Rewards points. It also gives eligible Finnair frequent flyers access to elevated Radisson Rewards membership tiers. Members can convert 10 Radisson Rewards
