The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has updated its travel advice for Morocco, covering passports, dating apps, outdoor activities and adventure tourism, e-scooters and bikes, quad biking, hot air balloons, beaches and wildfires, rabies, food hygiene and allergies, carrying money in/out, and illegal drugs and prison sentences. Travelers are advised to be aware of related safety and health risks.
Travelport has formally launched TripServices, its cloud-native API platform and the engine powering the next generation of travel experiences. The platform normalises and curates content across multiple sources from a single connection, ranks content dynamically using machine learning and includes embedded orchestration. It is already live with Travelport's growing partner base, with air, hotel and ancillary content flowing through it. TripServices is also the platform through which Travelport's collaboration with Cognizant and Anthropic takes effect, bringing AI capability into the workflows travel builders and agencies rely on.
The U.S. State Department issued a Level 2 travel advisory for Spain, advising increased caution due to terrorism and unrest. Terrorists may target tourist locations, transportation centers, hotels, and other public places. Demonstrations are common. Travelers should reconsider travel to Ceuta due to unrest.
Regent Hotels & Resorts hosted a private luncheon in Aspen, gathering cultural tastemakers and entrepreneurs, marking the launch of its experiential series 'Regent Hosts'. The event aimed to extend the brand's spirit beyond hotels through curated dining and design, showcasing modern luxury.
The Brazilian National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) jointly published safety objectives for eVTOL (vertical take-off and landing capable aircraft). The document is necessary due to eVTOL's innovative design and operational characteristics, differing from conventional aircraft. This publication is a key step towards developing a regulatory framework for certification, with international harmonization in mind.
Cathay Pacific has unveiled renovated lounges in Hong Kong and Beijing, including the reopened The Wing First, The Bridge, and its Beijing flagship. The design emphasizes residential comfort, distinct zones for dining, relaxation, work, and wellness, with dedicated lounge ambassadors and enhanced privacy.
Hilton's luxury brand Conrad has opened its first hotel in Nagoya, Japan, located on the upper floors of The Landmark Nagoya Sakae, a new landmark in the Sakae district. The hotel features 170 guest rooms, including 29 suites, six restaurants and bars, Conrad Spa, indoor pool, fitness center, and meeting and event facilities. The Conrad 1/3/5 program offers guests local cultural experiences.
Expedia Group has acquired Layla, an AI-native trip planning and booking platform, to accelerate its AI strategy. Layla, founded in 2023 and based in Berlin, helps travelers discover destinations, create personalized itineraries, and plan complete trips through a conversational travel agent. The acquisition combines Layla's advanced planning and personalization capabilities with Expedia Group's global supply, first-party traveler insights, marketplace scale, and booking technology, aiming to create richer, more personalized travel experiences and move travelers seamlessly from inspiration to booking.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) have signed an MOU to strengthen collaboration in aviation training and education. They will establish a framework for cooperation in civil aviation training and capacity-building through joint programmes, academic exchanges, and executive education. The first initiative is a new Masters programme in Intelligent Civil Aviation Management, delivered by the Singapore Aviation Academy and SJTU's Antai College, launching in 2027 for Asia-Pacific aviation professionals.
IHG's Holiday Inn Express has announced Chinese actor Bai Ke as its brand ambassador and a collaboration with the comedy film 'Make Zhonghe Great Again' to deepen its connection with young travelers. The partnership embeds the brand's 'Recharge & Restart' promise within culturally resonant entertainment, using Bai Ke's relatable screen presence and the film's everyday humor to authentically address travelers' need for both productivity and personal reset. Holiday Inn Express operates over 400 hotels in Greater China.
Amadeus reported resilient H1 2026 results despite geopolitical impacts on global air traffic. Group revenue grew 5.1% at constant currency to €3,334.9 million, adjusted EBIT increased 4.9% to €1,011.5 million, and adjusted diluted EPS grew 7.3%. Air Distribution bookings declined 3.7%, but revenue per booking grew 5.1%. The company highlighted the resilience of its diversified business and continued progress on AI strategy and partnerships.
Brazil's National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) held a roadshow on July 27-28 in Brasília to present the competitive procedure for renegotiating the Brasília airport concession contract and reinforced the deadline of August 7 for Public Consultation No. 10/2026. The event, organized with the Investment Partnerships Program (PPI) and the Civil Aviation Secretariat, aimed to clarify project details and encourage contributions. Seven groups participated in in-person and online meetings.
SAP Concur published a blog post offering practical guidance for managing corporate travel programs, covering policy development, booking tool selection, integrating travel and expense management, and fulfilling duty of care. The article notes challenges such as cost, disruption, and weak spend visibility, recommends centralized or hybrid booking approaches, and emphasizes that connecting travel and expense systems improves compliance, cost control, and streamlines processes.
BCD Travel announced a strategic investment in AMGINE, a corporate travel AI automation platform, to accelerate AI-powered solutions for better traveler experience and service delivery. The expanded partnership covers group air management, email automation, and more. BCD's AI strategy includes building AI into Tripsource, integrating specialized AI from partners like AMGINE, and enabling access to third-party AI tools.
Brazil's National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) launched a campaign on World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, focusing on the risk of online grooming of children and adolescents. The campaign is displayed at airports and other transit points, and highlights the entry into force of the Digital Statute for Children and Adolescents. UN data shows one in three trafficking victims worldwide in 2024 was a child; a 2025 UNICEF survey found 52% of cases began through online contact.
Hilton announced the signing of three lifestyle hotels in Phuket, Chiang Mai, and the Maldives, including a Curio Collection in Phuket and two Tapestry Collection properties in Chiang Mai and the Maldives. This supports Hilton's ambition to surpass 250 luxury and lifestyle hotels in Asia Pacific and double its portfolio in Southeast Asia.
The eighth annual SAP Concur Global Business Travel Survey reveals AI is now part of the business travel experience, but governance lags. 75% of travelers use AI tools for business trips, and 72% have used or would use unapproved 'shadow AI'. 85% of CFOs worry employees use unapproved AI tools. The survey also found 60% of CFOs say travel expense fraud is increasing, and 73% believe employees may use AI to falsify expenses.
The UK CAA published its final decision on the regulatory treatment of early costs for Heathrow expansion. It allows Heathrow Airport Limited (HAL) to recover early costs incurred in 2025-2026 through airport charges, capped at £320 million (2024 prices), with safeguards. It also allows Heathrow West Limited (HWL) to recover approximately £4.14 million. The maximum charge per passenger is expected to increase by around 15p in 2028, rising to an estimated 30p in subsequent years.
The US State Department issued a Level 2 travel advisory for Bangladesh, advising increased caution due to unrest, crime, terrorism, and kidnapping. Protests can occur without notice; avoid all gatherings. Do not travel to the Chittagong Hill Tracts, areas near the Burma border, and refugee camps near Cox's Bazar due to kidnapping risk. US government employees must consult embassy security before travel outside Dhaka.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) published its Airspace Architecture Concept of Operations, outlining a vision to move drone operations from isolated trials to widespread commercial use. It explores enabling Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drones alongside crewed aircraft through technology, digital services, and risk-based safety measures. The vision includes electronic detection, conflict avoidance, reliable communications, digital traffic management, and information sharing.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and SAFRA will trial Unmanned Aircraft Flying Areas (UAFAs) at four SAFRA clubhouses from 3 August 2026 for six months. The trial sites are indoor futsal and squash courts at Choa Chu Kang, Mount Faber, Tampines, and Toa Payoh, equipped with drone gates. The public can book free slots via the SAFRA app or web portal. The trial aims to explore safe repurposing of enclosed spaces for recreational drone flying, with potential expansion if successful.
Travelport and EGYPTAIR announced a long-term distribution agreement covering both EDIFACT and NDC content. The agreement gives Travelport-connected agencies continued access to EGYPTAIR's content through established EDIFACT channels while adding a new, richer layer of NDC content, including a broader range of NDC-enabled content and ancillary services. EGYPTAIR's content will be accessible through both Smartpoint, Travelport's booking application, and TripServices, its cloud-native API platform. Amr Adawy, VP commercial at EGYPTAIR, said adding NDC content alongside existing EDIFACT distribution allows the carrier to reach Travelport's global agency network with a broader range of products…
Brazil's National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC), through its Airport Infrastructure Superintendence, published the 'Manual on Responsive Regulation in Civil Aviation Security against Acts of Unlawful Interference (AVSEC)'. The document details how the agency applies responsive regulation in AVSEC oversight, as established by Resolution No. 761 of 2024, replacing the system under Resolution No. 472 of 2018. The model considers risk management, compliance history, ability to correct non-conformities, cooperation, and voluntary adoption of good practices, aiming for more proportionate and efficient oversight. Due to restricted information, the manual is not public and is provided directly to co…
At GBTA Convention 2026, SAP Concur announced a set of AI-powered travel and expense (T&E) capabilities spanning a delegates dashboard, an approval management agent, enhanced admin controls, corporate card management, and a meeting planning agent. The company says it ranked first in worldwide T&E management software with 48.1% 2025 market share. Most features are in early adopter phase, with general availability spread from Q3 2026 to Q1 2027.
High-level representatives from Ukraine, Romania, Moldova, and the European Commission met to discuss security threats to commercial navigation in the Black Sea and the Danube, following intensified attacks on civilian ships by Russian forces. The Quad reaffirmed commitment to supporting Ukraine's access to world markets through enhanced cooperation along the Danube corridor and stands ready to implement alternative routes. Solidarity Lanes have helped Ukraine export around 226 million tonnes of goods and import around 108 million tonnes of essential merchandise.
The European Commission has published an implementation strategy to support Member States in applying new EU directives on driving licences and driving disqualifications. Measures include an EU-wide accompanied driving scheme for 17-year-olds, a probationary period for novice drivers, more systematic fitness-to-drive checks, and revised training and testing requirements emphasizing vulnerable road user safety. The strategy also outlines steps for mobile driving licences and EU-wide recognition of driving disqualifications.
Booking.com released its inaugural Travel Happiness Index, surveying over 10,000 travelers across 10 APAC markets. The report shows that despite uncertainty, travel remains a source of joy and reset. 84% of APAC travelers say travel helps them reset mentally and emotionally, and 9 in 10 would rather adapt their plans than cancel. Travelers are becoming more intentional, prioritizing local experiences and better value.
The U.S. Department of State updated its travel advisory for Mongolia, maintaining Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions. Travelers are advised to enroll in STEP, review the Country Security Report and CDC health information, and consider purchasing travel insurance.
Vrbo released the Built to Stay Report, surveying over 1,700 travelers across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, UK, France, Germany, and Australia. The study found that 86% of travelers would pay more for a higher-quality listing, and 81% would pay more for a property with strong trust signals. Cleanliness, reliable amenities, and quick host response are key quality signals, while verified reviews and overall scores are important trust signals.
GBTA and ALTOUR released the 2027 Global Business Travel Forecast, indicating that business travel prices will remain elevated through 2026 due to higher energy prices, rising labor costs, and resilient demand, before moderating in 2027. Global average airfare is forecast to reach $756, up 4.7%; hotel ADR is expected to increase 3.7% to $168; car rental rates are forecast to increase 3.6% to $46.50 per day.
SAP Concur published a blog comparing leading expense management software in 2026, including SAP Concur, Navan, Ramp, Expensify, Zoho Expense, and Emburse. The article provides selection criteria such as ease of use, AI capabilities, integrations, scalability, and pricing models, highlighting SAP Concur's #1 ranking on G2.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA), the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO), and Airports Council International (ACI) have launched a joint initiative to reduce the risk of runway incursions. The initiative focuses on improving safety reporting and data capture, strengthening Local Runway Safety Teams, and sharing progress and lessons learned.
The U.S. State Department has updated its travel advisory for Kenya, maintaining Level 2 but adding an 'other' risk indicator. Nairobi neighborhoods of Eastleigh and Kibera, and counties of Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, Lamu, Tana River, and coastal areas north of Malindi are listed as 'Do Not Travel' due to kidnapping and terrorism. West Pokot and western Turkana counties are also 'Do Not Travel' due to crime.
The U.S. State Department has issued a Level 2 advisory for Laos due to crime, unrest, and unexploded ordnance. Reconsider travel to Xaisomboun Province due to civil unrest. Crime risk exists in areas bordering Burma and several provinces, and unexploded ordnance is present in parts of the country.
The U.S. State Department has issued a Level 2 advisory for Kenya due to risks of crime, kidnapping, terrorism, unrest, health, and traffic safety. Violent crimes include armed carjacking, mugging, home invasion, sexual assault, and kidnapping for ransom. Terrorists may target government buildings, tourist locations, transportation hubs, hotels, and more. Demonstrations and strikes can turn violent, disrupting traffic. Medical services are limited, and traffic accidents are common.
The U.S. Department of State has issued a Level 2 travel advisory for Uruguay, urging increased caution due to crime. Crime is most prevalent in the departments of Montevideo, Canelones, Maldonado, and Rivera. Violent crimes include homicide, armed robbery, carjacking, and theft. Criminals often operate in pairs on motorcycles, approaching victims with weapons to demand belongings. Armed criminals also target grocery stores, restaurants, financial centers, and small businesses.
The U.S. Department of State rates The Bahamas as Level 2 'Exercise Increased Caution' due to crime. Violent crime, including armed robberies, burglaries, and sexual assaults, can occur anywhere, with most crime in Nassau and Freeport on New Providence and Grand Bahama islands. Jet ski and boating operations are poorly regulated, with injuries, deaths, and reports of sexual assault; U.S. government employees are barred from using or renting jet skis and personal watercraft from independent operators on New Providence and Paradise Islands. Operating a fishing boat or charter in Bahamian waters without a Port Department license is prohibited, and police have detained American boaters, with pe…
IHG Hotels & Resorts has announced the beta launch of AI-powered conversational search on IHG.com and the IHG One Rewards app, starting in the US. The feature allows travelers to describe their needs in natural language and receive tailored hotel recommendations with rich content, including interactive maps, real-time availability, and property details. IHG also plans an AI-optimized hotel content platform to improve property visibility in AI searches.
The U.S. State Department has updated its Level 2 advisory for Uruguay due to crime. Crime is most common in Montevideo, Canelones, Maldonado, and Rivera, including homicide, armed robbery, carjacking, and theft. Travelers are advised to be aware of surroundings, avoid ATMs at night or in remote areas, not display wealth, and have security plans.
The U.S. State Department has issued a Level 2 advisory for Laos due to crime, unrest, and unexploded ordnance. Reconsider travel to Xaisomboun Province due to civil unrest. Areas bordering Burma and several provinces have crime risks, and unexploded ordnance is present in parts of the country. Avoid Special Economic Zones, especially Bokeo and Boten, due to scam centers and organized crime.