The Mirage Hotel & Casino, a longstanding staple on the Las Vegas Strip, is set to close its doors on July 17, marking the beginning of its transformation into the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and Guitar Hotel Las Vegas. This change comes after Hard Rock took control of the Mirage in December 2022, following
The allure of tourism dollars can often lead to hasty development decisions that have long-lasting negative impacts on the environment and local communities. Take the example of Tulum, once revered for its pristine beaches but now suffering from overdevelopment and environmental neglect. As the tourism industry boomed, infrastructure failed to keep pace, resulting in pollution,
Boeing, the aerospace giant, is facing potential criminal charges after allegedly violating a settlement agreement with the Department of Justice. This settlement stemmed from two deadly crashes involving Boeing’s 737 Max aircraft that occurred in 2018 and 2019, claiming the lives of 346 people. The DOJ informed a federal judge that Boeing failed to uphold
Sri Lanka’s Tourism Minister Harin Fernando recently stated that the calls for Indian travelers to boycott the Maldives have been “absolutely” beneficial for Sri Lanka’s tourism industry. This was in reference to a social media dispute in January that led to a significant decrease in Indian tourists visiting the Maldives. India, which was the largest
Chef Losa Yi’s journey in the culinary world began in her native Korea, where she discovered her love for cooking at a young age. Her passion led her to pursue formal culinary education in New York City at the prestigious Culinary Institute of America at Hyde Park (CIA). This marked the beginning of her impressive
The Venice Biennale 2024 is a sensory delight that attracts art enthusiasts from around the globe to immerse themselves in the world’s most extravagant showcase of contemporary art, set against the backdrop of the captivating city itself. However, amidst the myriad of cutting-edge art installations, exhibitions, and performances, the Biennale also offers a chance to
Navan, formerly known as TripActions, is a trailblazing company that is transforming the way corporate travel is managed. Founded in 2015 by Ariel Cohen and Ilan Twig, Navan has quickly gained traction in the industry with its innovative approach to travel and expense management. With headquarters in Palo Alto, California, the company has secured an
Boeing, a troubled aircraft manufacturer, faced a significant setback in April as its orders plummeted while cancellations outnumbered new sales. The company reported receiving orders for only seven planes, a stark contrast to the canceled sales of 33 planes. This decrease in orders, particularly due to the shutdown of Lynx Air, a Canadian discount airline,
The travel industry is constantly evolving, with new technologies reshaping the way we plan our trips and explore the world. Expedia Group’s latest innovation, Romie, is set to revolutionize the travel planning experience. This AI assistant is designed to be a one-stop-shop for travelers, providing planning, shopping, and booking assistance, along with valuable insights and
The month of May is filled with various holidays, but one that may not be as widely recognized outside of the industry is Travel Advisor Appreciation Day. This day serves as a reminder of the essential role that travel advisors play in supporting the success of cruise lines. According to projections by Phocuswright, travel advisors
Recent trends in the European hotel industry have seen a shift towards favoring individual FIT bookings over group business, as hotels aim to optimize revenue. However, this move may come at a cost, jeopardizing the long-standing relationships that tour operators have with these establishments. According to industry experts, this strategy could backfire when travel demand
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has taken a significant step in expanding its presence in the all-inclusive resort market through a new partnership with Decameron Hotels & Resorts, a Colombia-based hospitality company. This strategic alliance has enabled Wyndham to integrate nine midscale resorts into its all-inclusive portfolio, with four of them now falling under the Ramada
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection has unveiled its second ship, the Ilma, drawing design inspiration from Maltese mythology, coastlines, history, and native fauna. Named after the Maltese word for “water,” the Ilma promises a unique and luxurious experience for its passengers. Ship Features The Ilma will be a significant upgrade from its predecessor, the Evrima, boasting
In April, the cost of obtaining a short-term visa to visit Sri Lanka doubled from $50 to $100. The Ministry of Tourism in Sri Lanka attributed this price hike to a “technical issue” with the transition from internal Electronic Travel Authorizations (ETAs) to an e-visa system managed by VFS Global, a visa processing company. The
Several major airlines, in conjunction with an industry trade association, have banded together to challenge a new Department of Transportation rule. This rule mandates earlier disclosure of add-on fees when booking flights. The trade group Airlines for America, along with Alaska, American, Delta, Hawaiian, JetBlue, and United airlines, have taken a stand against this regulation.
Emirates airline, based in Dubai, has announced a record annual profit of 17.2 billion dirhams ($4.7 billion) for the financial year 2023-2024. This marks a significant increase of 63% from the previous year, indicating a strong financial performance. The airline, known as the flag carrier of the UAE, has capitalized on the recovering travel sector
The world is finally making progress in curbing climate-warming emissions by increasing the percentage of electricity generated from renewable sources. As of 2024, a record 30% of worldwide electricity production came from solar, wind, and other renewables. This signifies a significant step towards reducing our dependency on fossil fuels, despite the fact that carbon dioxide
As Dondra Ritzenthaler steps into her role as CEO of Azamara, she is determined to make significant changes to the way the cruise line interacts with travel advisors. Recognizing the pivotal role that advisors play in the booking process, Ritzenthaler is focusing on adjusting financials to increase commissions, bonus commissions, and other incentives for these