​The small Gulf country of Oman is now poised to become a pioneer in the development of AI-powered tourism as Visit Oman introduces an AI digital hub that will revolutionize the travel and tourism industry all over the world.  

​Escorted touring brands Travelsphere and Just You have launched a ‘Holiday Assurance Guarantee’.

Valid on new bookings made until May 31 and for tours departing in 2026, it allows travellers to amend their booking as many times as required up to 75 days prior to departure without any amendment fees*.  

​Virgin Voyages has confirmed the return of its annual Eat & Drink Festival, with a new ‘Festival of Senses’ concept.

The programme will run across the four-ship fleet on a limited number of August and September sailings, offering a series of food and beverage-led experiences designed to enhance onboard dining for Sailors (guests).

New for 2026 is ‘A Feast for the Senses’, an immersive culinary event hosted in the onboard nightclub, The Manor. The experience combines film, interactive elements and tasting opportunities, with Sailors moving through a series of staged food and drink moments.  

​Costa Rica closed 2025 with 2.68 million international air arrivals. Growth of just 1%, against a global tourism industry that expanded 6.7% over the same twelve months. For a destination that has built its reputation on sustainable luxury and nature-based travel, the gap is bruising. Guatemala grew 10% in the same period. The Dominican Republic continued to break its own records. Colombia kept posting double-digit gains quarter after quarter.  

​The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) today revealed that the Middle East is experiencing strong Travel & Tourism growth, with the sector expanding by 5.3% in 2025, outpacing the global average of 4.1% and reinforcing the region’s position as one of the world’s most dynamic travel markets.

WTTC’s latest Economic Impact Research (EIR), a leading global study of Travel & Tourism performance, highlights the region’s strong performance across key indicators, including international visitor spending, domestic travel, and business travel.