Seychelles | Deepening Bilateral Ties with Réunion Through Targeted Agreements on Tourism, Professional Training, Creole Culture, and Trade

The Seychelles and Réunion are actively deepening their bilateral ties through targeted agreements, focusing on tourism, professional training, Creole culture, and trade. The two Indian Ocean islands are leveraging their shared identity to build resilient partnerships with a series of initiatives in various fields.

Seychelles Ambassador Alain St Ange and  Réunion Regional Council President Huguette Bello held high- level discussions in Réunion on 23 and 24 May 2026 on the sidelines of the 1st International Summit and Festival of Creole Chefs, focusing on expanding cooperation in tourism, air connectivity, trade and fishing  with both sided identifying their shared Creole identity as a foundation for stronger partnerships.

Tourism emerged as the most advanced area of cooperation. Both islands taking full advantage of their geographical proximity, are exploring integrated, multi - destination holiday and cruise packages under the Vanilla Islands organization of which Seychelles Ambassador is a founding member.

Vanilla Islands is a joint marketing and tourism organization representing six island nations and territories in the Indian Ocean, formed in August 2010, created to promote the region as a combined, cohesive travel destination rather than having each island market itself independently.

Air connectivity featured prominently in the talks, with discussions exploring the conditions required to re - establish a direct flight link between Réunion and Seychelles, including connections to European markets to ensure commercial viability.

Fisheries cooperation was also on the agenda, with meetings focusing on joint training initiatives and shared expertise, bolstered by Réunion 2025 acquisition of a stake in deep - sea fishing operator SAMPER.

Previously the two countries also established a collaboration in the educational sector. The Ministry of Tourism and Culture of Seychelles and the Académie de la  Réunion signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 19 May 2026, an agreement that strengthens professional training and education, particularly within the hospitality and restaurant sectors.

Follow - up steps are expected to include the development of sectoral roadmaps, with both territories looking to engage regional frameworks including the Indian Ocean Rim Association and the Indian Ocean Commission to advance the partnership.

Link

https://atta.travel/resource/seychelles-and-reunion-move-to-deepen-tourism-and-trade-ties.html

The Dominican Republic | The Country and the Secrets Playa Esmeralda Resort & Spa Took Home Top Honours at 2026 Wave Awards

The Dominican Republic and the Secrets Playa Esmeralda Resort & Spa, located in Miches took home top honours at the highly anticipated 2026 Wave Awards, organised by TravelAge West, a leading B2B travel trade publication dedicated to business - savvy travel advisors, providing industry insights, destination newes, and product review, featuring travel trends, firsthand product accounts, and professional development and  owned by Northstar Group, a company headquartered in Rutherford, New Jersey, U.S.

The Wave Awards recognise excellence, innovation, and leadership in the travel and tourism industry, more than 230 destinations, companies, and tourism professionals were honoured during the 2026 ceremony, held at the Ritz - Carlton hotel in Marina del Rey, California, U.S. Winners were selected through a comprehensive evaluation process that included product reviews, site inspections, industry advisor surveys, and online research.

The Dominican Republic and the Secrets Playa Esmeralda Resort & Spa earned major recognition at this relevant event, reinforcing the Dominican Republic’s position as one of the leading tourism destinations in the region.

For the third consecutive year, following wins in 2024 and 2025, the Caribbean country was crowned the Caribbean destination with the Highest Visitor Satisfaction. This award celebrates the country’s world class beaches, top - tier tourism infrastructure, consistent hospitality, and visitor experience.

The Dominican Republic’s tourism success is driven by proactive government support, major infrastructure investments, and rapid expansion into sustainable and eco - luxury models. This allows the country to remain a dominant leader in the Caribbean, generating billions for the national economy.

Secrets Playa Esmeralda Resort & Spa, part of  Hyatt Hotels Corporation’s portfolio, American multinational hospitality company based in Chicago, Illinois is located on the secluded beachfront of Playa Esmeralda in Miches, sits roughly 96 km northwest of Punta Cana International Airport (PUI) secured the prestigious title for the Best New or Renovated Resort in the Caribbean.

This adult - only sanctuary was lauded for its luxurious amenities, gourmet dining and spa offerings, further elevating the Dominican Republic’s reputation for luxury tourism and world - class accommodations.

The resort features 500 spacious suites including swi-  out including swim –-out and oceanfront options, where guests can enjoy a tranquil, adults - only atmosphere. Sitting alongside its sister property, the all – ages Dreams Playa Esmeralda Resort & Spa, the complex offers a massive array of activities, diverse dining options, and nightly entertainment.

 Link

https://dominicantoday.com/dominican-republic-and-secrets-playa-esmeralda-win-top-honors-at-2026-wave-awards/

Russia | Planning to Increase International Tourist Arrivals with a Strategic Initiative

Russia is planning to increase international tourist arrivals to 16 million by 2030 with a strategic initiative designed to revitalise its tourism sector, attract new visitor flows and boost economic revenue. 

The strategy pivots away from Western markets by focusing on Asian, Middle Eastern and CIS countries through targeted infrastructure upgrades and policy changes according to the Eurasian country’s Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernishenko. 

The official unveiled this plan in the halls of the recently concluded XXIX edition of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) that took place from June 3 to 6 with the participation of more than 24.000 people from 141 countries, according to data from the organising committee of the event. 

The Deputy Prime Minister said that Russia expects about seven million international visitors this year with a goal to reach an annual traffic of 16 million by 2030, recalling that the government is studying the possibility of introducing a visa - free regime for citizens of several countries in Asia and the Middle East, where interest in the tourism destination Russia is growing significantly. 

 Key features and growth drivers of the 2030 tourism strategy include: 

•    Strategic Geographic Reorientation: Marketing efforts target visitors primarily from China, India, Qatar, the UAE, and Southeast Asian nations. 
•    Visa Simplification: The expansion of visa – free group travel notably with China and new visa – free mechanisms for countries like Saudi Arabia volume critical to unlocking volume. 
•    Regional Diversification: Beyond the traditional hubs of Moskow and St. Petersburg, the Russian Government is aggressively promoting the Arctic, Lake Baikal, the Far East and Kamchalka to international nature and adventure seekers.
•    Infrastructure Investment: Massive hospitality and transport upgrades are being rolled out to accommodate the rising influx, aiming for long – term GPD growth. 
•    Global Soft Power: International marketing exhibitions in key target countries are being heavily funded on a tool to improve the country’s global image amidst diplomatic isolation. 

With this plan Russia’s tourism aims to experience a major strategic “renaissance” targeting between 6.5 and 7 million visitors this year. While European and western travel has sharply declined since 2022, a massive shift toward Asian and Middle Eastern markets, led by China, India, and the UAE is driving and will drive significant inbound growth. 

Link 

https://infoturlatam.com/rusia-espera-recibir-16-millones-de-turistas-en-2030/

Uganda | Uganda Airlines and Boeing Signed $985 million Deal for 10 Aircraft in Major Fleet Expansion

Uganda Airlines, legally Uganda Airlines Company, the flag carrier of Uganda, headquartered at Entebbe International Airport, in Wakiso District, approximately 34 kilometres south of the central business district of Kampala, the capital and largest city of the African country and Boeing, an American multinational corporation that designs and manufactures airplanes, rotorcraft, rockets, satellites, and missiles worldwide, based in Arlington County, Virginia signed $985 million deal for 10 Aircraft in major fleet expansion.

This landmark agreement for the African carrier was signed in the presence of President of Uganda Yoweri Museveni on 10 June 2026 marking a milestone for the nation, expanding its fleet and with plans to enhance regional connectivity.

The order covers eight passenger aircraft, each with a capacity of 294 seats, along with a Boeing 767 converted freighter,  the industry standard for medium wide - body cargo operations and a Boeing 737 converted freighter, a leading narrowbody cargo aircraft created by modifying retired passenger planes, and offering exxcellent operating economics.

An initial payment of $122 million (more than Ugandan Shs460 billion) has been committed, with the first phase covering four large passenger aircraft. The acquisition would more than double the airline’s current fleet of approximately seven aircraft.

The deal comes after months of operational disruption, including flight cancellations to London, England, UK, Mumbai, India, and Nigeria following mechanical issues that grounded key aircraft earlier this year.

Boeing has pledged technical support, training and capacity - building programmes as part of the agreement.

This purchase add to a broader wave of fleet investment across East Africa, with Ethiopian Airlines and Kenya Airways, also planning expansion, underscoring intensifying competition and cargo traffic across the region.

Works and Transport Minister Fred Byaamukama said the expansion would reduce Uganda’s reliance as regional transit hubs and improve direct international connectivity for both tourists and investors.

Link

https://atta.travel/resource/uganda-airlines-signs-985-million-boeing-deal-to-expand-fleet-and-regional-connectivity.html

Spain | International Tourism Continues to Surge in Visitor Numbers and Revenue Breaking Historical Records

 International tourism in Spain continues to surge in visitor numbers and revenue, breaking historical records. The country recently welcomed 9.1 million visitors and reached revenues of €36.7 billion in April alone as an official said.  

In total, the number of tourists in the first four months of the year increased by 3.4 percent, to more than 26.5 million. This growth is essentially fuelled by a strong post - pandemic demand and travellers redirecting from geopolitically unstable regions.

According to the agencies that evaluate the behaviour of the sector in Spain, the April data confirm a first quarter of the year in which the growth in opening remains above the increase in the pace of arrivals. 

In April, the United Kingdom was the main source market with the highest cumulative expenditure with a 15% of the total, marking a growth of 4.7% followed by Germany with a 12.5% of the total and France with a 9.5%.  

The main destination regions with the greater weight in traveller spending in April were Catalonia (with 19 per cent of the total) Andalusia (16 per cent) and the community of Madrid (15.7 per cent). 

 Among the issuing countries, the United Kingdom stood out in April with 1.7 million, followed by France, 1.3 million and Germany with 1.2 million. 

During this month, each tourist spent an average of €1.291, which represents an increase of 2.1 per cent compared to April of the previous year. 

On the other hand, the duration of the majority stay was four to seven nights, with almost 4.6 million and an annual increase of 2.7. 

Catalonia received 1.866.599 visitors, Andalusia 1.495.335, and the Balearic Islands 1.372.978, confirming the continuous appeal of these three communities as relevant tourist destinations for numerous international travellers. 

Key Growth Metrics: 

•    Visitor Numbers: Spain hit a historic high of 96.8 million international visitors in 2025, cementing its position as a global tourism powerhouse. 
•    Revenue Increase: Tourism income is outperforming visitor growth, with international tourists spending upwards €135 billion.
•    Economic Impact: The sector directly accounts for roughly 13% to 15% of Spain’s total GDP and supports over 2 million jobs.

Why the Numbers are Up: 

•    Geopolitical Shifts: Travellers avoiding Middle East and Asia - Pacific destinations are redirecting to perceived safer European markets like Spain. 
•    Robust Infrastructure: Excellent air connectivity and expansive resort markets continue to drive high demand. 
•    Surge in Off - Peak Travel: Spending and arrival increases are no longer limited to peak ummer, with the shoulder and off – peak seasons experiencing notable bumps. 

Link
https://infoturlatam.com/sube-turismo-internacional-en-espana-en-visitas-e-ingresos/

Meliá Hotels International | To Develop Two New Hotels in Argentina, Located in Mendoza and Valle de Uco

Meliá Hotels International, a Spanish hotel chain founded in 1956 and based in Palma de Mallorca has announced plans to develop two new hotel projects in Argentina, located in Mendoza and Valle de Uco, marking the company’s entry into Mendoza province, located in western Argentina at the foothills of the Andes, globally renowned for its world - class wine production, breathtaking mountain landscapes featuring the America’s highest peak, and over 300 days of sunshine a year.

Meliá Mendoza and Meliá Collection Valle de Uco , scheduled to open in 2028 are owned by Grupo Almarena, an active company founded in 2012 and headquartered in Costa del Este, a firm dedicated to the exploitation, marketing and operations of hotels all kinds in Argentina. 

The partnership between Meliá Hotels International and Grupo Almarena now includes five properties, two of which are in the capital of the country, Buenos Aires, as well as a future project in Costa del Este,  a town in the province of Buenos Aires, belonging to La Costa Partido, located on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean,  well known for its pristine beaches and a very attractive, natural environment.

The two announced hotel developments in Mendoza Provice are:  

Meliá Mendoza  - The hotel is located in Mendoza, vibrant city in the Andean foothills, Argentine premier wine - producing - hub, especially Malbec wines, boasting a rich cultural heritage and a thriving arts scene. The city is celebrated for its perpetually sunny, desert - oasis climate, wide tree - lined avenues,  with a blend of colonial and modern architecture,  and it serves as cosmopolitan yet peaceful gateway to the Andes.

The property will open its doors in central Mendoza, near the vibrant and lively Plaza Independencia squares surrounded by four small satellite plazas ( Chile, España, Italia, and San Martin), an area packed by trendy bars, fine restaurants and offering several entertainment and shopping options.

The hotel will feature 140 comfortable rooms, a restaurant, a bar, meeting facilities and will operate under the  Meliá Hotels & Resorts brand.

Meliá Collection Valle de Uco - The hotel will open in Valle de Uco, in the heart of Argentina’s premier high - altitude wine region, located about 100 km south of Mendoza, renowned for its dramatic Andean scenery, world - class Malbecs, luxury winery architecture, and terroir - driven vineyards range from 900 to over 1.500 metres above sea level.

The property will offer 110 comfortable rooms, including 10 branded residences, as well as wellness area, family - friendly spaces, and multiple dining options.

The hotel will join the Meliá Collection brand, a portfolio of bespoke, hand - picked hotels featuring historical and architectural charm. 

Meliá Hotels International currently operates six hotels in Argentina, four of which have opened in the past two years. The company has five additional projects in the pipeline, all signed during the same period.

In Buenos Aires, Meliá Hotels International operates Meliá Recoleta Plaza, Casa Lucia Meliá Collection, and the Affiliated properties Almarena Madero Urbano and Almarena Puerto Retiro. Other properties in the country include Gran Meliá Iguazú and Alejandro I Affiliated by Meliá in Salta.

Future expansions plans in Argentina include new hotels in Ushuaia and Bariloche, as well as the introduction of the INNSIDE by Meliá brand in Costa del Este.

Link

https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article141625.html

Scandic Hotels | Added to its Portfolio a New Franchise Hotel, Located in Köping, Sweden

Scandic Hotels, a Swedish hotel chain based in Stockholm, a pioneer within sustainability, boasting the majority of its properties certified with the Nordic Ecolabel requirement added to its portfolio a new franchise hotel located in Köping, a charming town in Västmanland County, situated on the shores of Lake Mälaren a pproximately1.5 hours by car from Stockholm.

Köping is a lively centre that uniquely blends centuries old heritage, dating back to 1474 with modern services and infrastructure, home to Sweden’s second – largest inland port, offering  outdoor recreation, and famous for a significant manufacturing and automotive history.   

The hotel currently marketed under a different brand and operated by Norlandia Hotel Group, a privately held subsidiary of Hospitality Invest AS headquartered in Oslo, Norway, managing hotel operations, and developments across the Nordic region, is undergoing a full renovation.

The hotel is sitiated near the city centre and Kristinnelund Sportsfierld offering an easy access to major attractions including Köping Museum that provides insights into the town’s history, which dates back to its official charter in 1474.

The property will offer 110 newly renovated, comfortable rooms, a restaurant, and meeting facilities for up to 150 participants.

The hotel will be operative under the Scandic Hotels brand starting in January 2027 as part of a strategic plan to enhance the presence of Scandic in destinations with a relevant potential and will be certified with the Nordic Swan Ecolabel, the official environmental certification for the Nordic countries, meeting requirements for climate to ensure minimal environmental impact.

The agreement expands Scandic Hotels’s franchise portfolio in the Nordic region and Norlandia Hotel Group will continue to operate the hotel under a franchise agreement with Scandic.

Links                                                                

https://www.scandichotelsgroup.com/media/press-releases/2026/scandic-expands-with-new-franchise-hotel-in-koping/

https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article141487.html