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Emirates is ending 2025 on a sky-high note with another 5 global accolades won, this time at the 32nd annual World Travel Awards, held in Bahrain. Adding to its impressive portfolio of more than 20 accolades received in 2025, the latest titles celebrate Emirates as a leading airline brand, as well as recognising its multi award-winning inflight entertainment system ice, more honours for Emirates First Class onboard experience and First Class Lounges, and another nod to Emirates Skywards – as the World’s Leading Airline Rewards Programme 2025.

Phocuswright today released Travel Forward: Data, Insights & Trends for 2026, sponsored by Travel Guard, its annual year-end and year-ahead report that provides a clear, data-driven view of the $1.67 trillion global travel market. The free report brings together the company’s most insightful analysis and presents it through interactive charts and visuals that reveal the forces shaping the year ahead.

The global travel industry enters 2026 with steady momentum. Total gross bookings are projected to reach $1.67 trillion as international demand strengthens and travelers continue to prioritize experiences despite economic and geopolitical pressures. Travel and tourism is expected to generate more than $11.7 trillion toward global GDP this year and support nearly 371 million jobs, underscoring the sector’s enduring resilience even as growth patterns vary by region.

Lisbon has been named as Europe’s Best MICE Destination in 2025 at the 6th edition of the World MICE Awards, announced in Sakhir, Bahrain. The city once again stands out among the leading international destinations for congresses, meetings, and corporate events.

This distinction, awarded for the third time, highlights Lisbon’s performance in the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) segment, which has gained increasing economic relevance and international visibility. The combination of efficient accessibility, hotel capacity, modern facilities, and a diverse cultural offer has contributed to consolidating Lisbon’s appeal.

Wizz Air today announces a new route connecting London Gatwick with Valencia, further expanding the airline’s connections from the UK to Spain.

The route is the sixth new Spanish route Wizz Air will launch in 2026, joining recently announced connections between London Luton and Bilbao, Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia and Seville, reiterating Wizz Air’s position as a key provider of low-cost travel to Spain.

Aloft Hotels, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s global portfolio of more than 30 hotel brands, recently announced the opening of Aloft Shanghai Hongqiao. Nestled in the core of the West Hongqiao Business District, the new hotel neighbors the National Exhibition and Convention Center and the Hongqiao transportation hub. Offering a vibrant, social, and stylish stay for modern explorers, Aloft Shanghai Hongqiao features energetic public spaces, tech-savvy rooms, and a design-driven experience that’s anything but ordinary.

Turkish Airlines has opened its first-ever European lounge at Edinburgh Airport, aside from the world-famous one at its Istanbul hub, bringing another dimension of its world-renowned hospitality to travellers in Scotland. The new lounge further elevates Edinburgh’s premium travel offering while reinforcing the airport’s growing role as an international gateway.

Türkiye’s flag carrier, which flies to more countries than any other, hosted a celebratory event at Edinburgh International Airport on 10 December to mark the opening of its eighth lounge outside of Türkiye. Turkish Airlines continues to bring scaled-down slices of its five-star Lounge in İstanbul to its international gateways to maintain a seamless and luxurious experience.

Leveraging its existing collaboration with CarbonClick*, Etihad Airways has introduced a new enhancement to its Etihad for Business (EYB) platform, enabling corporate clients to redeem EYB credits for carbon-offsets directly through the Etihad for Business portal.

Ferrari World Yas Island, Abu Dhabi celebrated its 15th anniversary on December 3, 2025, in the presence of Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari HP Formula 1 Driver, Ferrari executives including Maria Carla Liuni, Ferrari’s Chief Brand Officer, Julien Kauffmann, CEO of Miral Experiences, tier 1 media outlets, and the park’s dedicated annual pass holders and VIP guests. The milestone event brought together partners, fans and long-time supporters to honor 15 years of record-breaking rides, innovation and unforgettable family experiences under the park’s iconic red roof.

WorldTicket by GO7, which gives travel agents access to 150+ airline partners through its W2 ticket stock, has today gone live in IATA’s Billing and Settlement Plan (BSP) in Armenia.

This enables IATA-accredited travel agents in the country to sell, issue, and settle W2 tickets in Armenian dram through their existing BSP setup – with instant ticketing and no additional configuration.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises®, the world’s leading ultra-luxury cruise line, celebrated a momentous milestone in Seven Seas Prestige’s™ construction journey as the ship floated from dry dock on 27 November, 2025. The first new ship class for Regent in 10 years, Seven Seas Prestige will usher in a new legacy for ultra-luxury cruising.

“Seven Seas Prestige touching water for the first time marks an extraordinary moment for Regent Seven Seas Cruises, representing the culmination of years of planning and collaboration with our long-standing partners at Fincantieri,” said Jason Montague, Chief Luxury Officer for Regent Seven Seas Cruises. “The overwhelming response to this vessel affirms that discerning travelers recognize something truly exceptional is on the horizon; emphasized by the ship’s launch day which became our biggest single booking day for a new ship in our history. From the unprecedented Skyview Regent Suite to every thoughtfully designed detail, Seven Seas Prestige embodies our dedication to redefining ultra-luxury travel.”