The 76-key First Cortina’s rejuvenation of one of the most desirable addresses on the famous Corso Italia expands the group’s European footprint and heralds a significant evolution of the group’s portfolio into three distinct brands — First, REVĪVŌ and The Pavilions

The portfolio includes Casa Almagro, Madrid by The Pavilions, The First Rome by The Pavilions, The Pavilions Phuket, and The Pavilions Bali, demonstrating the group’s ability to create highly individual hotels across different development models and destinations.

Rooted in the fully integrated offering of REVĪVŌ Wellness Resort in Bali, The First Cortina represents a significant step forward in extending the group’s specialist wellness and longevity brand across its wider portfolio. 

The hotel’s 1,000 sqm REVĪVŌ Spa and Wellness facilities translate the brand’s signature fusion of time-honoured healing traditions and modern, evidence-led wellness into an authentically alpine setting, combining exceptional luxury facilities and state-of-the-art equipment with selected wellness and recovery elements from its transformative six-pillar offering. It follows the successful introduction of REVĪVŌ Spa at Château de Fiac, thoughtfully adapted to its intimate château setting.

The Pavilions Hotels & Resorts founder Gordon Oldham commented, “We have always believed that the most compelling hotels have a strong sense of individuality and belonging to their surroundings. The First Cortina brings that philosophy to one of the world’s great alpine destinations, creating a contemporary social address shaped by design, dining and wellness.”  

An international boutique hospitality group focused on growing through ownership, management and franchise partnerships, The Pavilions Hotels & Resorts continues to explore suitable development opportunities across Europe and Asia. 

“Our growth strategy is focused on building breadth and depth, as well as scale. The Pavilions, The First, and REVĪVŌ provide three distinct platforms from which to pursue opportunities across different destinations and segments, while allowing us to remain selective about the properties and partnerships we take on,” said  Pavilions Hotels & Resorts Chief Executive Officer Florence Wong.

The Pavilions Hotels & Resorts portfolio comprises 13 hotels and resorts across Asia and Europe. The Pavilions Phuket; The First Arte, Rome by The Pavilions; and REVĪVŌ Wellness Resort, Bali were each awarded One Key in the MICHELIN Guide for Hotels 2025.

The Toren, Amsterdam by The Pavilions also secured its fourth consecutive ‘Best of the Best’ recognition in last year’s Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice awards. At the same time, The Pavilions Bali and The First Arte, Rome by The Pavilions were rated among the top 10 per cent of Tripadvisor listings worldwide.

Bookings for The First Cortina by The Pavilions are now open for stays from 4 December 2026. The Cortina Premiere opening offer starts from EUR 663 (UKP568) per night for two adults sharing, including exclusive privileges such as 15% off accommodation, daily breakfast, and afternoon tea at Velo. 

Valid for bookings made by 31 October 2026 for a minimum three-night stay between 4 and 20 December 2026 and 7 January to  3 April 2027, subject to availability. 

(Source: Pavilions Hotels & Resorts)

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Excluding the Middle East, demand grew by 1.2%. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometres (ASK), increased 0.3% year-on-year. The load factor was 85.2% (-0.1 ppt compared to July 2025).

International demand fell 0.1% compared to July 2025. Excluding the Middle East, demand grew by 1.5%. Capacity was up 0.3% year-on-year, and the load factor was 85.2% (-0.3 ppt compared to July 2025).

Domestic demand grew 0.6% compared to July 2025. Capacity increased 0.2% year-on-year. The load factor was 85.3% (+0.3 ppt during the same reference period).

“The peak Northern summer travel season is a mostly positive story for air travel. Overall growth of 0.2% in July was achieved despite year-on-year collective declines by carriers in North America and the Middle East.  Notably, traffic through the Gulf hubs continues its recovery trajectory. Although high fuel costs, economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions continue, carriers are expressing confidence in demand for the last part of the year with an almost 3% expansion of seat capacity in September,” said IATA’s Senior Vice President Sustainability and Chief Economist, Marie Owens Thomsen.

Regional Breakdown – International Passenger Markets 

International RPK fell 0.1%, with capacity rising 0.3%. However, excluding the Middle East carriers, total demand rose 1.5%.

Asia-Pacific airlines saw a 0.7% year-on-year decrease in demand. Capacity decreased 1.7% year-on-year, and the load factor was 84.5% (+0.9 ppt compared to July 2025).

European carriers saw a 3.1% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity rose 3.2% year-on-year, and the load factor was 87.1% (-0.1 ppt compared to July 2025). Passenger traffic between Europe and Asia grew 12.1%, representing the strongest expansion of any major international corridor.

North American carriers saw a 2.3% year-on-year decrease in demand. Capacity decreased a similar 2.3% year-on-year, and the load factor was 88.2% (0.0 ppt compared to July 2025). The key transatlantic corridor fell by 2.2%, with notable declines in traffic from the UK, France, and Spain.

Middle Eastern carriers saw a 9.5% year-on-year decrease in demand. Capacity fell 5.8% year-on-year, and the load factor was 80.9% (-3.3 ppt compared to July 2025). The decline in traffic continues to moderate after the double-digit fall earlier in the year.

Latin American airlines achieved a 7.1% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity climbed 7.2% year-on-year. The load factor was 85.7% (-0.1 ppt compared to July 2025).

African airlines saw a 6.4% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity was up 9.0% year-on-year. The load factor was 74.1% (-1.8 ppt compared to July 2025).

(Source: IATA)

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The biennial has now revealed its theme, ‘Unknowns’, and announced the first 12 participating artists.

Helsinki Biennial combines contemporary art with nature, maritime landscapes and vibrant city life in a way that is distinctly Helsinki. 

Located just a short ferry ride from the city centre, Vallisaari Island offers visitors the chance to discover contemporary art amidst wild island nature, historic fortifications and panoramic views across the Baltic Sea. The experience continues in Esplanade Park, Helsinki’s iconic urban promenade, before leading visitors to HAM Helsinki Art Museum, one of Finland’s leading contemporary art institutions. United by the theme Unknowns, the fourth edition invites audiences to explore curiosity, imagination and the possibilities that emerge when we embrace what we do not yet understand.

For travellers seeking culture, design, architecture, food and nature in a single destination, Helsinki Biennial offers from 6 June to 19 September 2027 a compelling reason to visit the Finnish capital during its brightest and most vibrant season. 

International artists, new commissions

Helsinki Biennial 2027 will bring together approximately 45 artists and artist groups from Finland and around the world. The first announced artists are Ari Bayuaji (Indonesia/Canada), Tara Donovan (United States), Laurent Grasso (France), Marguerite Humeau (France/United Kingdom), Matias Karsikas (Finland), Britta Marakatt-Labba (Sápmi/Sweden), Ragnhild May (Denmark), Yoshitomo Nara (Japan), Josefina Nelimarkka (Finland), Tawatchai Puntusawasdi (Thailand), Anna Retulainen (Finland) and Jakob Kudsk Steensen (Denmark). Further participants will be announced in the coming months.

Exploring the Unknowns

Curated by Mami Kataoka and Arja Miller, Helsinki Biennial 2027 is built around the theme Unknowns. Rather than presenting clear answers, the biennial invites audiences to engage with mystery, wonder and uncertainty through art. Drawing inspiration from fields as diverse as astronomy, geology, science, mythology and spirituality, the biennial encourages visitors to imagine new ways of understanding both the visible and invisible worlds around us.

With approximately 568,000 visits recorded in 2025, the Helsinki Biennial has become one of the Nordic region’s contemporary art events and an increasingly important attraction for international visitors. Bringing together internationally acclaimed artists, cultural professionals, and audiences from around the world, the biennial offers a compelling reason to experience Helsinki in summer.

The event reflects what makes Helsinki unique: the opportunity to encounter contemporary art across a historic island, vibrant public spaces, and a leading art museum, all within easy reach of one another.

Art that leaves a lasting mark on Helsinki

A visit to the Helsinki Biennial offers more than a temporary exhibition experience. Several artworks commissioned for previous editions have become permanent additions to Helsinki’s art collection, creating a growing cultural legacy across the city. For visitors, this means that each edition leaves a lasting mark on Helsinki, extending the experience well beyond the summer of the biennial itself.

• Helsinki Biennial 2027
• Unknowns
• 6 June – 19 September 2027
• Vallisaari Island, Esplanade Park and HAM Helsinki Art Museum

• Media Day
• 2 June 2027

• Professional Preview Days
• 3 – 6 June 2027

For more information, visit: www.helsinkibiennial.fi 

(Source: Helsinki Partners)

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Founded in 1950, Club Med operates 69 premium resorts worldwide and has established a global sales network spanning six continents and over 40 countries and regions.

Club Med’s products include sun‑and‑beach destinations, mountain and ski locations, and near‑urban destinations. For its mountain‑and‑ski offerings, Club Med has a presence in all four of the world’s major ski destinations: the European Alps, Hokkaido in Japan, North America and Northeast China. 

Club Med has a 76-year brand heritage, a premium all-inclusive resort model and a distinctive G.O. (Gentils Organisateurs, or “Gracious Organisers”) culture. These qualities enable Club Med to provide guests with immersive vacation experiences characterised by active participation and emotional connection. 

Leveraging Club Med’s brand influence and global operating capabilities, ClubMed Lifestyle Group expands its vacation offerings through an asset-light model, including Integrated Vacation Destinations and Cultural-Tourism Complexes, as it continues to build diversified vacation lifestyles. With the mission of “Better Vacation, Better Life”, it is committed to delivering high-quality vacation experiences to guests worldwide.

WTTC President & CEO Gloria Guevara said: “We are delighted to welcome ClubMed Lifestyle Group as a Global Member. For more than seven decades, Club Med has helped shape the global leisure travel landscape, building a trusted premium brand with a worldwide footprint and a strong reputation for delivering exceptional guest experiences. Through its combination of world-class resort operations, innovative vacation concepts and expanding lifestyle offerings, ClubMed Lifestyle Group reflects the dynamism and long-term vision that are driving the future of Travel & Tourism.”

Fosun International, Chairman of ClubMed Lifestyle Group, CEO Xiaoliang Xu said: “We look forward to engaging in business discussions with tourism business leaders and experts from across the globe. We hope to explore more collaboration opportunities and jointly identify the future development directions of the tourism industry.”

(Source: World Travel & Tourism Council)

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Together, The Marmara Hotels and PURO Hotels will add 15 hotels to GHA DISCOVERY, further enriching GHA’s award-winning loyalty programme.

The Marmara Hotels and its six properties across Turkey are already live in the programme, with PURO Hotels’ nine-property portfolio set to follow in Q3 2026.

“Independent hotel brands are increasingly looking for ways to reach more international travellers while staying true to their local identity,” said GHA CEO Chris Hartley. “GHA enables brands to achieve this by combining global reach and scale with the freedom to maintain their individuality. With their amazing history and unique culture, Turkey and Poland are destinations experiencing significant growth in international demand, as people expand their travel horizons, and we are now able to offer a fabulous choice of hotels in these markets.”

Marmara Hotels 

Headquartered in Istanbul, Marmara Hotels brings together contemporary comfort with a strong sense of Turkish heritage. From its landmark location in Taksim Square and Pera to properties in Bodrum and Antalya, each hotel reflects the character of its destination. The Marmara Hotels’ connection to place also extends to preserving cultural heritage, including historic landmarks such as the Esma Sultan Palace by the Bosphorus and the restored Zeyrek Çinili Hamam.

PURO Hotels

PURO is a modern urban hotel brand that creates distinctive hospitality experiences in Poland and beyond. Today, the portfolio comprises eight hotels located in Warsaw, Wrocław, Kraków, Poznań, Gdańsk, and Łódź. The brand continues to expand its footprint, preparing to open its first hotels outside Poland, in Budapest in 2026 and Prague in 2027.

“These brands are particularly exciting additions to GHA, marking the arrival of our first homegrown Polish and Turkish hotel brands. Each brings a strong sense of place, deep local expertise and a distinctive hospitality culture to our portfolio. This is at the heart of what we want to offer our members: authentic experiences rooted in the destinations they visit, while giving independent brands a global platform to share their unique stories,” concludes Hartley.

(Source: GHA)

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The latest figures show that global leisure travel spending reached USD6.15 trillion in 2025, up 3.5% year-on-year and accounting for 80.5% of total global travel expenditure. Of this, Europe attracted USD2 trillion, equivalent to USD1 in every USD3 spent worldwide on leisure travel, highlighting the region’s enduring appeal as travellers embark on this year’s summer holidays.

Southern European destinations remain at the heart of this success. France, Spain, Italy and Türkiye remain among the most sought-after summer destinations globally, benefiting from strong international demand, diverse source markets, world-class tourism offerings and robust connectivity.

As Europe experiences another busy summer season, the region’s tourism performance reflects not only strong seasonal demand but also its longer-term competitiveness. Leisure spending growth remained resilient across key destinations in 2025, with France expanding by 3.6%, Spain by 2.6% and Italy by 2.2%.

Looking ahead, Europe’s growth momentum is expected to continue beyond the summer months and into 2026, when the region is forecast to expand by 3.7%, outpacing the global average of 3.1%.

Italy is projected to lead this next phase of growth with a 4.7% increase in leisure spending, followed by Spain (+4.3%), Türkiye (+4.1%) and France (+2.6%), reinforcing Southern Europe’s position as a powerhouse of global tourism demand.

This sustained growth is also being supported by evolving global travel patterns, with Southern European destinations increasingly benefiting from demand redirected from other regions, further strengthening their competitive positioning.

WTTC President & CEO, Gloria Guevara, said: “With summer travel at its peak, Europe continues to set the pace for global leisure tourism, capturing one-third of all spending worldwide and demonstrating the strength, diversity and resilience of its tourism sector.

Southern Europe remains the engine of this growth. Destinations such as Spain, Italy, France and Türkiye continue to attract strong international demand thanks to their unique visitor experiences, excellent connectivity and competitive tourism offerings.

With millions of travellers currently holidaying across the continent, destinations must continue investing in infrastructure, connectivity and sustainable tourism management to support future growth and maintain their global competitiveness. The outlook for 2026 shows Europe is well positioned to continue leading global Travel & Tourism.”

WTTC’s Economic Impact Research is produced in partnership with Oxford Economics and is among the world’s most authoritative datasets on the economic contribution of Travel & Tourism. 

Forecasts for 2026 are based on current economic and geopolitical conditions at the time of publication and include assumptions related to inflation, energy prices, consumer demand, and regional geopolitical developments. As the global situation evolves, projections may change.

(Source: WTTC)

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A Lufthansa Airbus A320neo will be the first to offer passengers internet bandwidth above the clouds that, in many cases, will be faster than their home or office internet connection.

Starlink is collaborating with the Lufthansa Group to equip 850 aircraft across all of its airlines by 2029. The system is supported by low Earth satellite technology and enables viewing of video content, cloud-based work, and other high-speed applications during the flight. This makes Lufthansa Group the largest airline group in Europe to equip its fleet with this modern high-speed internet product. 

The project is part of the Lufthansa Group’s extensive investments in new aircraft as well as product and service innovations across the entire travel chain.   

Other group airlines — SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, ITA Airways, Edelweiss, Discover Airlines, Air Dolomiti, Lufthansa City Airlines, and Eurowings — are currently preparing to roll out the new technology.

The new Wi-Fi will allow passengers to browse the web once they agree to etiquette terms and guidelines gleaned from recent surveys of Lufthansa Group customers. In short, passengers are required always to wear headphones when playing audio and video content, refrain from making voice and video calls, and refrain from broadcasting live streams aboard the aircraft. 

The Lufthansa Group Wi-Fi portal is sponsored by Mastercard, which has already been a partner of the previous FlyNet.

The new internet service will be free of charge for all Miles & More customers and Travel ID users – across all travel classes.

(Source: Lufthansa Group)

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With over 50 years of experience, Piñero has an integrated business model covering development, management, and services across the travel value chain.

Its hospitality division operates 25 owned hotels across Spain, Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica, under a range of management models. 

Real Estate & Golf focuses on developing premium residential communities and operating PGA of America-accredited golf courses in the Caribbean. 

Soltour, an independent tour operator in Spain and Portugal, leads its travel sector. At the same time, the mobility segment delivers land and maritime transport solutions that complement the broader tourism offering.

WTTC President & CEO, Gloria Guevara, said: “As an international tourism group with over 50 years of experience, Piñero brings valuable expertise across hospitality, real estate, travel, and mobility. Their strong commitment to a regenerative approach to tourism and creating positive impact in destinations aligns closely with WTTC’s priorities. It will further strengthen our collective efforts to drive a more sustainable and resilient Travel & Tourism sector worldwide.”

(Source: WTTC)

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The cruise ship Rotterdam will once again homeport in Rotterdam for the 2028 Europe season.

Featuring Holland America Line’s highest number of Europe port calls in nearly a decade, the 2028 season includes record numbers of visits to Norway, Spain, Ireland and the Netherlands. Guests can discover more than 200 UNESCO World Heritage sites — including in-depth exploration of Norway’s UNESCO-listed fjords — and experience each destination through regional cuisine, local traditions and immersive shore excursions.

Holland America recently expanded its European deployment year-round, with departures from January through early December 2028 and itineraries ranging from seven-day getaways to 48-day Legendary Voyages. 

Five ships — Rotterdam, Nieuw Statendam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Volendam and Zuiderdam — will sail throughout the region, giving guests a wide range of options across Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands and transatlantic crossings. Overnight stays, extended calls and late-night departures in select ports provide additional time to explore destinations from Northern Europe’s historic capitals and fjord communities to the sun-soaked coasts of the Mediterranean.

Mediterranean Sailings 

The Mediterranean features prominently in Holland America Line’s 2028 Europe season, with voyages ranging from seven to 11 days and departures from six homeports. Sailings visit destinations across Spain, Italy, Greece, Croatia and Turkey. At the same time, Nieuw Amsterdam returns to Europe for the first time in more than a decade, allowing travellers to experience several of the ship’s signature offerings, including Morimoto by Sea, Chef Masaharu Morimoto’s only dedicated restaurant at sea. Rotterdam and Nieuw Statendam offer spring and fall departures, and Zuiderdam returns following her Evolution enhancements.

Many of the itineraries are designed for guests to sail back-to-back, seeing more of the Mediterranean on a longer vacation with few or no repeat ports. Travellers looking for a more extended exploration can also choose the 48-day Legendary Mediterranean Voyage, sailing roundtrip from North America and visiting destinations across the region. The season includes Holland America Line’s highest number of visits to Spain since 2017 and a record six calls at Portofino in 2028.

Rotterdam, Nieuw Statendam and Zuiderdam will sail Northern Europe voyages ranging from seven to 28 days, visiting Norway, Iceland, Greenland, the British Isles and the Baltic. Itineraries pair major cultural capitals with smaller coastal destinations while offering opportunities to combine multiple regions into a single vacation.

(Source: Holland America)

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In a press statement last week, the airline said the Warsaw-Hanoi route would operate year-round, with three flights per week, adding a fourth frequency at the start of the winter timetable in October 2027.

Hanoi will become the fifth city in the airline’s Asian long-haul flight network, complementing the existing connections with Tokyo, Seoul, New Delhi, and Bangkok (starting October 2026).

Asia has long attracted travellers with its cultural richness and some of the world’s most interesting tourist destinations. The growing interest in travelling to Asia is reflected by the consistent expansion of LOT Polish Airlines’ route network, with the latest addition, Hanoi, served year-round with three flights per week. 

Departures from Warsaw’s Chopin Airport will take place on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, while return flights from Hanoi will take to the skies on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. 

Flights from Warsaw to Hanoi will last approximately 10 hours and 25 minutes, and the return journey will take 11 hours and 20 minutes, operated by a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner with a three-cabin configuration of 252 seats — business 18, premium economy 21, and economy 213.

Vietnam is one of the most dynamic markets in Asia, and its importance to Polish business and tourism is steadily growing. It is a country of exceptional cultural and natural richness, captivating with its authenticity, exquisite cuisine, and diverse landscapes – from the vibrant city of Hanoi to the picturesque Ha Long Bay. 

“The launch of the Hanoi route reflects our ambition further to strengthen LOT Polish Airlines’ presence in Asia and continue developing our Warsaw hub as a gateway between Central and Eastern Europe and some of the world’s most promising destinations,” said

LOT Polish Airlines Board Member, Chief Commercial Officer, Robert Ludera. 

Flight schedule

LO061 departs Warsaw (WAW) at 1505 and arrives in Hanoi (HAN) at 0635 plus a day. Flights depart Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
LO062 departs Hanoi (HAN) at 0825 and arrives in Warsaw (WAW) at 1440. Flights depart Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Tickets and fares for this new route are now on sale directly through LOT Polish Airlines’ official website (lot.com). Round-trip fares start at USD1322 (Trip.com).

However, because the route has just been announced for a 31 March 2027 launch, some third-party aggregators and general metasearch tools (like Google Flights) may need more time to reflect live pricing and the flight schedules across all external booking platforms. 

(Source: LOT Polish booking website)

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