Category Tourism, Organisations & Operators

Shanghai’s tourism market rebounded strongly in 2025, with inbound travel rising sharply throughout the year. The city received 9.3602 million inbound visitors over the year, further cementing its position as a leading gateway for international travelers visiting China.

As tourists head into 2026 with more intention, increased curiosity and less capacity for the mental load of planning a holiday, new data reveals a decisive shift in how people want to explore the world. Riviera Travel’s latest booking insights, drawn from thousands of confirmed bookings and website interactions, shows a rising demand for culturally rich, curated and experience‑led holidays. France, Hungary, Germany and Austria remain among the most‑visited destinations for 2026.

As tourists head into 2026 with more intention, increased curiosity and less capacity for the mental load of planning a holiday, new data reveals a decisive shift in how people want to explore the world. Riviera Travel’s latest booking insights, drawn from thousands of confirmed bookings and website interactions, shows a rising demand for culturally rich, curated and experience‑led holidays. France, Hungary, Germany and Austria remain among the most‑visited destinations for 2026.

Dubai has once again set a new benchmark in ultra-luxury travel with the launch of Meridian One by Lushescapes, a fully private, around-the-world journey aboard a chartered Boeing 757, priced at USD 125,000 per guest.

Curated by Dubai-based luxury travel house Lushescapes, Meridian One is a 22-night, invitation-only expedition limited to 40 guests, travelling in an all lie-flat configuration across eight countries and five continents. The journey departs Dubai on 29 November and returns on 21 December, positioning the city at the forefront of next-generation, experience-led luxury travel.

Dubai has once again set a new benchmark in ultra-luxury travel with the launch of Meridian One by Lushescapes, a fully private, around-the-world journey aboard a chartered Boeing 757, priced at USD 125,000 per guest.

Curated by Dubai-based luxury travel house Lushescapes, Meridian One is a 22-night, invitation-only expedition limited to 40 guests, travelling in an all lie-flat configuration across eight countries and five continents. The journey departs Dubai on 29 November and returns on 21 December, positioning the city at the forefront of next-generation, experience-led luxury travel.

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), which represents the private sector in the travel & tourism industry, has cautioned against the introduction of new local visitor levies in England, warning that additional costs and fragmented local policies risk fewer jobs, as well as further weakening the UK’s competitiveness at a time when the sector’s growth is already lagging behind global recovery.

See Monterey has announced the launch of Monterey 1000, a year-long storytelling experience that brings more than a thousand years of Monterey County history to life. As the United States looks ahead to its 250th anniversary, Monterey 1000 (M1000) invites visitors to explore a broader timeline – one rooted in the people, places and ideas that have shaped the region and continue to define it today.

Journeyscape, the North America travel specialist and sister brand of Journey Latin America, has launched a collection of seven brand-new adventures highlighting the regions currently capturing travellers’ imaginations. Designed for curious explorers seeking depth, freedom and authenticity, these new itineraries venture far beyond the usual tourist trail across the USA and Canada.

The Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism has announced the launch of a pioneering duty-free art program. This program aims to position the UAE as a globally trusted and forward-looking destination for the long-term housing, preservation, and display of high-profile artworks. The initiative establishes a framework that prioritizes governance, legal clarity, and institutional oversight as the foundations of participation.

Visitors from 85 nationalities, including the United States, Canada, and France, who do not need a visa will not be able to legally travel to the UK without an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) from 25 February 2026.