Category Events, Tourism, Organisations & Operators

Orlando is serving up vacations filled with unforgettable moments this summer with headline-worthy concerts, nighttime water park takeovers, character-driven moments, food and music festivals, and international sporting events, including a World Cup friendly match. Recently named the No. 1 Summer Travel Destination for 2026 by WalletHub, Orlando continues to expand its mix of entertainment offerings, giving travelers more reasons to return — again and again. 

“Our unmatched combination of world-class theme parks, live entertainment and year-round sunshine, plus our exceptional dining scene, is why families, music lovers and adventure seekers continue to choose Orlando for their summer getaways,” said Casandra Matej, president and CEO of Visit Orlando.

Day 1 of Arival 360 Valencia 2026, the world’s leading conference for the tours, activities and attractions sector, brought together operators, distributors, technologists, and brand innovators to explore the forces reshaping the global experiences industry.  With thousands of delegates from more than 70 countries, Arival opened with a clear message: the experiences sector is entering a new era defined by AI‑driven discovery, multi‑day transformation, open connectivity, and the rapid evolution of traveller expectations.

Across the day’s keynotes and panels, industry leaders unpacked the shifting dynamics of customer acquisition, the rise of multi‑day travel, the growing power of culinary and brand‑led experiences, and the technologies that will define the next decade of growth.

China Ready Workshop, a sold-out, two-hour premium paid training session was held on 15 April at WTM Africa 2026 in Cape Town, marking the first time the workshop has been staged in South Africa. The program was partnership between CBISN and WTM Africa.
Attendance reflected the breadth of the industry, with registered participants spanning hotels, DMCs, attractions, wineries, transportation providers, MICE operators and luxury travel. Senior management from several tourism boards were also present.

SeaWorld San Diego is excited to announce that Shark Encounter, the all-new experience that brings the wonders of sharks to life through a dynamic and engaging exhibit, will open on May 22. This underwater adventure, featuring enhanced visuals and state-of-the-art multimedia, immerses guests in the power and beauty of sharks while dispelling long-held myths. Shark Encounter is the only shark exhibit on the West Coast where guests can upgrade their day for a one-of-a-kind opportunity to feed a variety of large shark species right over the water.

The Capital of Route 66®‘s massive celebration for the 100th birthday of Route 66 set for May 30, 2026, will now be an official GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ attempt, potentially solidifying Tulsa’s place in the history books for the Centennial celebration of the Mother Road. A Guinness World Records adjudicator will be on-site to verify the attempt and if a record has been broken.

“In Tulsa, we don’t do anything halfway,” said Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols. “Making Capital Cruise an official GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ attempt adds another layer of excitement to what was already going to be a once-in-a-lifetime celebration in The Capital of Route 66®. This will be a true citywide celebration, from north to south and east to west, and we can’t wait to show the world how we’ll celebrate the Mother Road in Tulsa.

The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts supported by Van Cleef & Arpels – a worldwide institution whose mission is to introduce the public to all aspects of jewelry culture. The purpose is to strengthen its strategic partnership in the fields of the jewellery industry, craft education and training, cultural exchange, and knowledge development. This partnership underscores RCU’s efforts to further establish AlUla’s position as a global centre for creative industries and the arts.

This Earth Day, Serenity Holidays is highlighting its specialist travel brands — The Gambia Experience, Cape Verde Experience, Goa Experience, Corsican Places and Sardinian Places — showcasing destinations that combine natural beauty with sustainability initiatives and authentic cultural experiences.

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.

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.