Tétouan, Morocco | Royal Air Maroc Announced the Opening of a New Base at Tétouan Sania Ramel Airport

Royal Air Maroc (RAM), the Moroccan national carrier, as well as the country’s largest airline, ranking among the largest in Africa, wholly owned by the Moroccan Government with its headquarters on the grounds of Casablanca of Casablanca - Anfa Airport and member of One World Alliance, announced the opening a new base at Tétouan Sania Ramel Airport (TTU) enhancing regional and international access.

The airport located at 89 Avenu 9 Avril in the suburb of Sania Ramel, near Río Martín, a town situated at the mouth of the river of the same name, serving the city in the Tangier - Tétouan- Al Hoceima region , is also the closest airport to the Spanish city of Ceuta, and currently serving around 300.000 passengers with future plans to significantly increase passenger capacity to 1 million by 2027.

From Tétouan air hub, Royal Air Maroc will launch direct services to Barcelona, Brussels, London Gatwick, Madrid, Malaga and Paris from 27^th March 2026.

Developed in partnership with the Moroccan National Tourist Office, this initiative will enhance connectivity in northern Morocco, responding to growing demand and complementing RAM’s hub in Tangier.

All routes will be operated by Embraer E190 aircraft, with airline also adding three weekly Tétouan - Casablanca flights to bolster domestic links.

This initiative also aims to diversify Moroccan destinations, part of the country's strategies, placing Tétouan as a destination of relevance in the international landscape.The city known as  “The White Dove,” for its whitewashed buildings, boasts a rich blend of Andalusian heritage, Spanish influence, and traditional Moroccan culture, greatly highlighted by a unique Hispano - Moorish architecture.

The city boasts several attractions include its UNESCO – listed medina, a maze of narrow whitewashed alleys, bustling souks for leather, textiles, spices and traditional artisans plus historic gates like Bab Okla and Bab Sebta, a centre that is an artistic and cultural hub, famous for fine craftmanship (pottery, leather, carpets), music, and a strong tradition of scholarship, with schools of art and music and institutions like the Archaeological Museums and Ethographic museum, all set against the suggestive Rif Mountains and near Mediterranean beaches.

This Royal Air Maroc expansion targets key European source markets and is expected to support regional tourism and economic development, with RAM's executives and the Moroccan National Tourist Office (ONMT) leadership highlighting improved access and sustainable growth for the north of the country in 2026 and beyond.

Link

https://atta.travel/resource/royal-air-maroc-opens-tetouan-base.html

Santiago, Chile | Incorporation of Hundreds of New Articulated Electric Buses to Strengthen Electromobility in the City

Santiago, Chile’s capital and largest city, located in a valley on the Mapocho River, surrounded by the snow capped Andes and the Chilean Coast Range, the political and financial centre of the South American country hosting the regional headquarters of many multinational corporations and organizations, a metropolis which offers several dining, entertainment and shopping options alongside a rich arts scene and a vibrant nightlife, continues to strengthen electromobility in the city with the incorporation of new articulated electric buses from Chinese manufacturers.

This move is part of a long term - strategy led by the government to position the capital of Chile as the operator of the largest electric bus fleet outside of China.

 According to Crónica Digital, a social, republican and community media outlet based in Santiago, the city premiered its first fleet of articulated electric buses, within the framework of the a national program pushes for sustainable sustainable transport by 2050, aiming to electrify 68% of its fleet soon, reducing environmental pollution generated by fossil fuels, lowering operating costs, and improving urban mobility. 

The new unites manufactured by Chinese companies, stand out for their quiet operation,  capacity to carry up to 140 passengers, modern equipment, including air conditioning, security cameras and charging ports for electronic devices.

In addition, these articulated electric buses can carry around more passengers than conventional 12 - metre models, they improves the performance of the system, and reinforcing the contribution to more sustainable urban mobility. 

Key Details of the Initiative: 

•    Fleet Expansion: Santiago’s transit authority plans to have over 4.400 electric buses, forming 68% of its fleet by early 2026, integrating them into its Red Metropolitana Movilidad (RMM) system. 
•    Manufacturers: The majority of these buses primarily sourced from Chinese original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) , with major deliveries from Zhongtong and established fleets from Yutong, Futon, and BYD, noted for quick delivery and falling costs. 
•    Features: The new buses feature modern amenities for passenger comfort and safety, including air conditioning, Wi - Fi, USB chargers, accessibility features, security cameras and proximity sensors.
•    Environmental Impact: The shift significantly cuts emissions, reducing particulate matter and noise, improving air quality for millions, and aligns with Chile’s goal to decarbonize transport. 
•    Economic Benefits: E - buses offer substantial savings, with estimated operational costs up to 44% lower for maintenance and 65% cheaper per kilometre compared to diesel buses. 
•    Infrastructure and Policy: The move is supported by national policies and infrastructure upgrades, including new charging stations at terminals, making Santiago a leader in Latin America for large e - bus adoption. 
•    National Goal: This initiative is part of Chile’s broader national electromobility strategy, which aims for 100% of new public transport vehicle sales to be zero – emissions from 2035 onward, and the entire national fleet to be electric by 2040.  

This integration of Chinese electric buses marks a radical transformation for Santiago’s public transport, boosting quality, sustainability, and efficiency. 

The successful implementation is a result of a robust public - private collaboration and a government policy that spans multiple administrations, ensuring continuity and attracting investment from private bus operators and international manufacturers. 

Chile’s Minister of Transport and Telecommunications, Juan Carlos Muñoz, said that this incorporation represents a new advance in the capital’s electromobility strategy where 3.676 electric buses are already operating to 56% of the total system. 

Link 
https://tvbrics.com/es/news/ciudad-de-santiago-incorpora-buses-el-ctricos-articulados-chinos-para-fortalecer-la-electromovilidad/

Madrid, Spain | FITUR - International Tourism Trade Fair - From 21st to 25th January 2026

Madrid, Spain’s capital and largest city will host from 21st to 25th January 2026 FITUR, also known as the “International Tourism Fair”, one of the world’s leading tourism fair focusing on global tourism trends, sustainability and accessibility, offering professional days (Jan 21 - 23) for business meetings, trend analysis, new product launches, partnerships, and cutting - edge training and for the public (Jan 24 - 25) offering a unique opportunity to explore and discover global destinations,  experiencing interactive exhibits and learn about tourism offerings as well as industry innovations. 

FITUR takes place annually at the Feria de Madrid - IFEMA Exhibition Centre located at Avenida del Partenón, a venue situated near the Adolfo Suárez - Madrid - Barajas Airport and well - connected to public transport. This location offers great flexibility and capacity for the numerous exhibitors. 

Since its inception in 1981, FITUR has evolved into a significant event in the tourism industry and is considered the most important fair on the Iberian Peninsula, serving as a unique platform for decision - makers in the tourism industry, such as tour operators, travel agencies and tourism associations to develop new strategies in consumer demand, offering a wide range of themes and products from traditional tourism to the latest technologies in the tourism sector.

FITUR is the benchmark event in the sector and the leading trade fair for inbound and outbound international markets, the ideal place for connecting tourism professionals, destinations, and innovators for networking, deal - making, and exploring future travel concepts like digitalization, Artificial Intelligence (AI) , and eco - friendly practices. 

Through lectures, interactive experiences, seminars, and interactive experiences, FITUR provides participants with valuable insights and enables them to stay informed about current trends and development in the tourism industry.

In the national pavilions of FITUR, the unique features of various regions are showcased, with a special focus on the Latin American market. This makes the fair an important gateway for business rfelationships in this region. 

FITUR Focus Areas (Knowledge Hub): 

•    FITURTechY.
•    FITUR Know - How & Export.
•    FITUR Sports. 
•    FITUR Screen. 
•    FITUR LGBT+.
•    FITUR 4all (accessibility). 
•    FITUR Lingua. 
•    FITUR Talent. 
•    FITUR Woman. 
•    FITUR Cruises. 

What to Expect: 

•    Global Representation: Halls dedicated to Americas, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia – Pacific, and Spain. 
•    Specialized Zones: Pavilions for technology, sports, cruises, screen tourism (film/TV), and more. 
•    Industry Insights: Conferences, seminars, workshops, and exhibitions on sustainable and accessible tourism, eco – friendly practices, responsible tourism, and focus on water management (FiturNext Challenge). 
•    Innovation & Tech as Highlights: Showcases Big Data, AI, smart destinations, and digital transformation in tourism. 
•    Networking Opportunities: A prime platform for meeting tourism boards, agencies, tech companies, hotels, and airlines. 

Scale and Impact: 

•    Hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of professionals from over 150 countries. 
•    Significant economic impact on Madrid, driving business and innovation in the global tourism sector.

o    For specific exhibitor information or to book meetings, you’ll need to check the official IFEMA Madrid FITUR website as the event approaches. 

Beyond business, FITUR is also a stage for awards and recognitions, such as the “Best Stand Awards," which honour the most creative exhibition Stands. Each year, a partner country is highlighted, which gets a special opportunity to present its culture and tourist offerings. 

Overall, FITUR is an indispensable event for professionals in the tourism industry, a strategic platform and a significant meeting point for exchanging ideas, networking, fostering business relationships, and developing strategies that advance the tourism business worldwide.

Links
https://www.ifema.es/en/fitur
https://www.tradefairdates.com/Fitur-M13176/Madrid.html