Boeing and Ethiopian Airlines announced today the purchase of six 787 Dreamliner jets as the airline fully exercises commitments from its 2023 landmark order. Ethiopian Airlines will use the 787-9 jets to expand its intercontinental network from Addis Ababa and increase cargo capacity as demand for long-haul travel continues to rise.

Across the cruise sector and wider travel industry, one thing is becoming increasingly clear: in a world of digital tools, virtual training and AI-powered content, face-to-face connection still drives the strongest commercial results. Travel remains a relationship business, and nowhere is that more evident than in how we support and engage our agent partners – or as we call them at Virgin Voyages, our First Mates.

WK Management Consulting GmbH (WKMC) is proud to announce the acquisition of the Little Guest brand and digital assets, strengthening its position in the family travel market. Little Guest is a leading marketing and lead generation platform dedicated to child-friendly hotels and destinations worldwide, connecting the world’s finest child-friendly properties with the discerning families who belong in them, helping guests to discover, compare, and book directly with the hotels themselves. Member properties, meanwhile, benefit from a marketing platform with an engaged database of over 120,000 users, providing unmatched visibility among a highly qualified, travel-ready family audience.

Cheval Collection, the award-winning, UK-based luxury hospitality company, has moved into the branded residences sector with Cheval Residences Dubai Islands. The exclusive beachfront property – Cheval’s third in Dubai and fifth in the Middle East – marks a pivotal milestone in the company’s regional expansion plan, which includes further growth in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf markets.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Dida today announced a strategic partnership with the signing of a Letter of Intent (LOI), selecting Dida as its lead digital distribution partner for the “Trusted Thailand” initiative in the China market. The agreement was signed at Dusit Thani Bangkok by Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, Governor of TAT, and Mr. Daryl Lee, Group CEO of Dida Holdings.

Arival today released its 2026 US Experiences Traveler Outlook, revealing a decisive shift in how Americans travel, plan and spend.  Although most US travelers expect to take the same or fewer trips in 2026, they are spending more on experiences, booking earlier, and allowing tours, activities and attractions to shape where they choose to go. The report, based on a survey of 800 US experiences travelers, shows that three in five travelers now consider experiences a very or extremely important factor in destination choice.  Among 18–34‑year‑olds, experiences are the single most important factor, with 76 percent saying they matter more than weather, food or overall destination appeal. This marks a significant generational shift in how travel decisions are made.

Phocuswright today announced the program for Phocuswright Europe 2026, highlighting a curated agenda shaped by the priorities, pressures and opportunities defining the travel industry today. Designed for senior leaders across the global travel ecosystem, the conference will convene executives, innovators and strategists to exchange perspective, challenge assumptions and engage in the conversations shaping the future of travel.