IHG Hotels and Resorts is set to introduce its Vignette Collection brand to India, marking a notable shift in how international hotel groups view the country’s luxury travel potential.

Scheduled to open in early 2026, the 145-room property in Panchkula will become the first Vignette Collection hotel in the Indian market. The move reflects growing confidence in demand for high-end, experience-driven stays beyond India’s largest gateway cities.

Vignette Collection is positioned as a portfolio of one-of-a-kind hotels, designed to retain a strong sense of individuality while benefiting from IHG’s global systems and loyalty platform. Rather than focusing on standardization, the brand emphasizes locally rooted design, distinctive rituals, and purposeful luxury.

This approach allows converted or independently styled hotels to maintain character while operating under a recognized luxury umbrella.

A Strategic Entry Point in North India

The debut property will be located in Panchkula, part of the fast-growing Chandigarh Metropolitan Region. The area has emerged as a regional economic hub, supported by IT parks, manufacturing clusters, pharmaceutical companies, and major public sector institutions. Its year-round business activity, combined with strong demand for social events and destination weddings, makes it a strategic location for a luxury lifestyle hotel.

The hotel will feature 145 rooms, including 11 suites, and will offer four dining venues spanning casual and signature concepts. Planned amenities include a spa, swimming pool, fitness center, curated retail spaces, and extensive meeting and event facilities. With more than 2,200 square meters dedicated to events, the property is expected to appeal to both corporate travelers and leisure guests seeking upscale venues for celebrations and retreats.

Executives at IHG have described the brand’s arrival as a response to changing traveler expectations in India. As domestic travel continues to grow and infrastructure improves, travelers are increasingly seeking experiences that feel personal, design-forward, and connected to place. Vignette Collection is intended to meet that demand without replicating the formulaic feel of traditional luxury hotels.

What Vignette Signals for India’s Hotel Market

The launch of Vignette Collection also reflects a broader evolution in India’s hospitality landscape. For years, growth was driven primarily by midscale and upper-midscale hotels serving domestic business travel. Today, stronger financing options, improved connectivity, and rising disposable incomes are creating space for luxury and lifestyle brands to expand alongside mainstream offerings.

For hotel owners, collection-style brands offer a flexible pathway into the luxury segment. Conversions allow existing properties to elevate their positioning without the cost and complexity of a full luxury build. For global operators like IHG, this model supports faster expansion while diversifying the guest experience.

India remains a key growth engine for IHG, which currently operates more than 50 hotels across multiple brands in the country and has a robust pipeline under development. The addition of Vignette Collection strengthens the group’s luxury and lifestyle portfolio, complementing established brands across premium and mainstream segments.

As more global brands look beyond traditional metros, the arrival of Vignette Collection suggests that secondary markets like Panchkula are becoming part of India’s luxury travel conversation. The move underscores a shift from volume-driven growth toward more nuanced, experience-led hospitality across the country.

One of New York City’s most talked-about dining destinations is preparing for its first expansion beyond Manhattan. The Corner Store, a SoHo restaurant known for its hard-to-get reservations and celebrity following, is set to open a new location at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

The move places the buzzy concept directly on the Las Vegas Strip, where demand for high-profile dining experiences continues to grow.

Since opening in late 2024, The Corner Store has built a reputation for blending upscale comfort food with a lively, social atmosphere. The restaurant quickly became a favorite among celebrities and tastemakers, including Taylor Swift, helping elevate its status as one of New York’s most exclusive reservations.

Its appeal lies in a mix of playful creativity and polished execution, offering familiar dishes with unexpected twists that photograph as well as they taste.

The Las Vegas location will open inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, marking the restaurant’s first outpost outside New York. The resort, known for its fashion-forward image and food-driven identity, sees the addition as a natural fit.

Executives from MGM Resorts have described the concept as aligning closely with what Cosmopolitan guests seek – energetic dining paired with a strong sense of place and personality.

A Playful Take on Classic American Dining

At its core, The Corner Store is a modern reinterpretation of a classic American joint. The menu leans into nostalgia while adding luxurious upgrades and whimsical touches. Signature items include Lobster and Caviar Rolls, Wagyu French Dip sandwiches, and indulgent desserts like the Samoa Sundae. The beverage program plays an equally important role, with creative martinis that have become social media standouts and a defining part of the brand’s identity.

The Las Vegas expansion is being developed by Catch Hospitality Group, the team behind several high-profile dining concepts across major cities. For the group, the move represents confidence in The Corner Store as a scalable brand without losing its sense of exclusivity. Rather than opening multiple locations at once, the focus appears to be on carefully chosen destinations that can sustain the same energy and demand as the original.

The new restaurant will replace an existing dining space at the resort, signaling a shift toward more trend-driven concepts on the Strip. Las Vegas has increasingly positioned itself as a destination for restaurants that first earn credibility in cities like New York before expanding west. The Corner Store follows that pattern, offering visitors a taste of Manhattan nightlife culture without boarding a plane.

As Las Vegas continues to compete on culinary reputation as much as entertainment, the arrival of The Corner Store adds another name to a growing list of restaurants redefining Strip dining. For fans of the original, it offers a new chance to experience a coveted reservation. For the city, it reinforces Las Vegas’s role as a stage for the country’s most influential restaurant brands.

Hilton is kicking off the year with the introduction of Apartment Collection by Hilton, a new lodging category designed to meet rising demand for flexible, apartment-style accommodations.

The move signals Hilton’s most direct push yet into the short-term rental and extended-stay space, as travelers increasingly look for more room, privacy, and home-like amenities without sacrificing professional hospitality standards.

Launching initially in the United States, the new collection will be bookable through Hilton’s direct channels as early as the first half of 2026.

The brand is being introduced through a strategic partnership with Placemakr, an apartment hospitality operator known for blending residential living with hotel-style services in urban and suburban markets.

Early locations will include major U.S. cities such as New York City, Washington, D.C., and Atlanta, with additional markets expected to follow. Units will range from studios to four-bedroom furnished apartments, catering to solo travelers, families, business travelers, and longer-stay guests alike.

Each Apartment Collection by Hilton property is designed to feel residential while maintaining consistency across the portfolio. Guests can expect chef-ready kitchens, separate living and sleeping areas, and on-site laundry facilities, allowing for greater independence during longer stays.

At the same time, Hilton is emphasizing reliability and service, with dedicated team members available on-site 24/7 to support guests throughout their stay.

Blending Apartment Living With Hilton’s Global Ecosystem

The Apartment Collection builds on Hilton’s existing footprint of approximately 10,000 apartment-style units worldwide, with the Placemakr partnership expected to add up to 3,000 additional apartments over time. Hilton has also signaled plans to further expand the concept through future franchise agreements with owners in the multifamily housing sector, positioning the collection as a scalable platform rather than a limited experiment.

Beyond the apartments themselves, many properties will offer shared amenities that mirror upscale residential communities, including fitness centers, communal gathering spaces, and dedicated work areas. Select locations may also feature rooftop pools, terraces, on-site dining, or retail, depending on the market and building configuration. This approach allows Hilton to deliver a more localized, neighborhood-driven experience while maintaining brand standards.

Importantly, Apartment Collection by Hilton will fully participate in the Hilton Honors loyalty program. Hilton’s more than 235 million loyalty members will be able to earn and redeem points on stays, integrating apartment-style accommodations into the company’s broader travel ecosystem. This move differentiates Hilton from many traditional short-term rental platforms by tying flexible lodging directly into a global loyalty network.

Hilton leadership has positioned the launch as a natural evolution of the company’s portfolio rather than a departure from its core identity. With demand growing for longer stays, hybrid travel, and accommodations that support work and daily life, the Apartment Collection reflects Hilton’s strategy to offer “a Hilton for every stay.”

As the line between hotels and residential living continues to blur, Hilton is betting that consistency, service, and loyalty will give it an edge in the increasingly competitive apartment hospitality space.

RateHawk’s 2025 booking data offers a clear snapshot of how global travel demand evolved over the past year – and where pressure points are likely to emerge in 2026. Based on bookings made by travel professionals rather than consumer searches, the trends highlight not just where travelers wanted to go, but where trips were complex enough to require expert planning.

The result is a practical map of destinations seeing sustained popularity, rapid acceleration, luxury skew, and longer-than-average stays, all of which shape availability, pricing, and trip design going forward.

Italy emerged as the most booked destination overall, reinforcing its position as a perennial favorite rather than a fleeting trend. Japan, meanwhile, recorded the fastest year-over-year growth, signaling how quickly momentum can build when a destination remains culturally prominent for multiple seasons.

Beyond headline destinations, RateHawk’s data also surfaced Bolivia as a budget standout, Egypt as a luxury leader, and island destinations such as Aruba and the Maldives as magnets for extended stays.

Where Demand Accelerated and Concentrated

Italy’s dominance in 2025 bookings was driven by classic city demand, with Rome, Milan, Florence, and Venice accounting for the bulk of stays. These cities continue to anchor short breaks, pre- and post-cruise stays, and first-time European itineraries.

The data also revealed how high-end demand layered on top of volume, including one of the platform’s most expensive bookings of the year: a $311,000, two-week luxury stay in Sardinia. This combination of mass appeal and premium demand suggests Italy will remain highly competitive during peak travel windows.

Japan’s rise was even more striking. Hotel bookings through RateHawk surged 94% year over year, reflecting record inbound tourism that surpassed 30 million arrivals by October. While Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto remained the main drivers, travelers increasingly ventured into regions such as Hokkaido and Okinawa.

Rapid growth creates a different kind of pressure than steady popularity, with availability tightening first around centrally located hotels, rail segments, and reservation-based experiences rather than flights alone.

Budget, Luxury, and Long-Stay Signals

Outside the most talked-about destinations, RateHawk’s trends highlight how travelers balanced cost, comfort, and trip length. Bolivia stood out as the most budget-friendly destination, with average nightly rates of $79 and strong interest in La Paz, Santa Cruz, and the Uyuni salt flats.

Egypt, by contrast, skewed heavily toward luxury, with five-star hotels accounting for 60% of all stays. Red Sea resorts, Nile cruises, and Cairo continued to attract travelers willing to book premium accommodations early.

Length of stay was another defining factor. While the global average trip lasted three nights, destinations such as Aruba and the Maldives saw travelers staying around six nights. Longer stays increase exposure to disruptions – from missed connections to delayed transfers – making planning buffers and flexible terms more critical than on short city breaks.

Taken together, RateHawk’s 2025 travel trends show that popularity is no longer just about crowds. Concentrated demand reshapes cancellation policies, pricing spreads, and recovery options when plans change.

For travelers and advisors looking ahead to 2026, the lesson is less about chasing trends – and more about recognizing where flexibility, timing, and early planning will matter most.

These findings align closely with broader destination rankings shaping traveler behavior heading into next year. Tripadvisor’s recently released list of the world’s top travel destinations for 2026 underscores how quickly attention can concentrate around a relatively small group of headline cities and leisure hotspots.

When viewed alongside RateHawk’s booking data, the overlap reinforces a key takeaway for 2026 planning: destinations that dominate rankings tend to experience faster tightening of availability, earlier price escalation, and less room for last-minute flexibility.

For travelers and advisors alike, understanding how these lists interact is becoming just as important as choosing the destination itself.

Wizz Air has reached a significant milestone, carrying more than 500 million passengers since launching operations just over two decades ago. Founded in 2004, the airline has grown from a small Central European operator into one of the continent’s largest low-cost carriers.

Its expansion has been driven by aggressive route development, a young fleet, and a strong presence in emerging and secondary European markets.

The carrier’s rise has been particularly rapid in the past decade, fueled by demand for affordable point-to-point travel. Wizz Air now operates hundreds of routes across Europe, the Middle East, and parts of Asia, with a fleet centered on Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft.

This scale has allowed the airline to maintain low fares while steadily increasing capacity, even during periods of industry disruption.

From Ultra-Low-Cost Roots to New Ambitions

While Wizz Air remains firmly rooted in the low-cost model, recent moves suggest a broader strategic vision. The airline has introduced a new product called Wizz Class, aimed at attracting business travelers and passengers willing to pay more for comfort and flexibility. This marks a notable shift for a carrier traditionally associated with no-frills flying.

Wizz Class does not represent a traditional long-haul business class, but rather a premium short-haul experience. Passengers receive enhanced seating, additional personal space, priority services, and greater flexibility with ticket changes. The offering is designed to appeal to corporate travelers who still prioritize efficiency and value but expect a higher level of comfort than standard economy seating.

Balancing Scale, Comfort, and Cost

The launch of Wizz Class reflects broader changes in the European aviation market, where distinctions between low-cost and full-service airlines continue to blur. Business travel demand has gradually recovered, and many companies are seeking cost-conscious alternatives to legacy carriers. Wizz Air appears positioned to capture this segment by offering a simplified premium product without the overhead of traditional business class cabins.

At the same time, the airline continues to focus on fleet efficiency and cost control. Its emphasis on high-density aircraft layouts, fast turnaround times, and ancillary revenue remains central to its business model. The challenge will be integrating premium offerings without undermining the operational simplicity that has fueled its growth.

Reaching 500 million passengers underscores the scale Wizz Air has achieved in a relatively short time. Few European airlines have expanded so quickly while maintaining profitability across multiple markets. As the carrier looks ahead, its success may depend on how effectively it balances mass-market affordability with selective upgrades aimed at higher-yield travelers.

The introduction of Wizz Class suggests that Wizz Air sees opportunity beyond pure volume growth. By refining its product mix while continuing to expand its network, the airline is signaling that the next phase of its evolution will focus not just on how many passengers it carries, but on who those passengers are and what they expect from the journey.

Four Seasons is expanding its presence in Colombia with the opening of Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Cartagena, now accepting reservations for stays beginning May 15, 2026.

The new property marks the luxury brand’s third location in the country, joining its two existing hotels in Bogotá, and signals a continued focus on culturally rich, historic destinations.

Set in Cartagena’s vibrant Getsemaní neighborhood, the hotel sits just outside the city’s iconic walled center and directly across from the convention center, placing guests at the crossroads of history, art, and contemporary urban life.

The 131-room hotel occupies a remarkable collection of restored historic structures spanning several centuries. These include a 16th-century cloister and temple, former theaters, and the early 20th-century Club Cartagena, a beaux-arts landmark dating to the 1920s. The project blends preservation with modern luxury, offering 27 Spanish colonial-style accommodations alongside 104 contemporary rooms and suites.

Among the standout offerings are the three-bedroom Casa Ambrad suite, complete with a private rooftop plunge pool, and the Catroux Suite, a two-bedroom Presidential Suite named after French designer François Catroux, who played a key role in shaping the property’s interiors.

Design and restoration were led by a wide team of international and local specialists, reflecting Four Seasons’ commitment to authenticity and craftsmanship. Architecture and interiors were handled by firms including WATG, Wimberly Interiors, AvroKO, and SBM, with restoration overseen by Colombian experts.

Local artisans contributed custom furniture, textiles, and garden elements, ensuring the property reflects Cartagena’s layered cultural heritage while delivering the polished aesthetic expected of the brand.

Dining is positioned as a major pillar of the Cartagena opening. The hotel will feature eight restaurant and bar concepts, including Four Seasons’ first collaboration with Major Food Group, the hospitality company behind globally recognized dining brands. Guests can expect a diverse lineup ranging from a steakhouse and speakeasy to a pizzeria, café, and rooftop bar, designed to appeal both to hotel guests and the local dining scene.

Wellness and leisure amenities include two rooftop pool decks overlooking the city, an Umari Spa with six treatment rooms, salon services, and a 24-hour fitness center. The hotel also places strong emphasis on events and celebrations, offering two grand ballrooms and additional meeting spaces housed within restored historic venues. Full-property buyouts are available, positioning the hotel as a premium choice for destination weddings and large-scale cultural events.

With its blend of historic architecture, high-end design, and culinary ambition, Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Cartagena underscores the brand’s strategy of anchoring luxury hospitality in destinations with strong identity and global appeal.

G Adventures and National Geographic Expeditions have officially launched National Geographic Signature with G Adventures, a new portfolio of premium travel experiences designed for culturally curious travelers seeking depth, purpose, and comfort.

Rolling out from January 2027, the collection features 32 itineraries across 28 destinations, ranging from seven-day journeys to immersive explorations lasting up to 19 days. Destinations span Southern Africa, Peru, Central Asia, Japan, Costa Rica, Morocco, Vietnam, and Palau, which marks a brand-new destination for G Adventures.

The new Signature line brings together National Geographic’s 135-year legacy of exploration, science, and storytelling with G Adventures’ long-standing commitment to community-based tourism. Rather than focusing solely on luxury amenities, the collection emphasizes meaningful access, expert education, and a deeper understanding of the places visited.

Each itinerary supports the nonprofit National Geographic Society, ensuring that every trip contributes directly to research, conservation, and education initiatives around the world.

Accommodations across the collection are intentionally elevated, featuring five-star or best-in-region properties that reflect local character, from boutique safari camps and historic riads to eco-lodges, vineyard retreats, and design-forward city hotels.

The result is a product positioned not as traditional luxury travel, but as immersive, knowledge-driven exploration with comfort woven seamlessly into the experience.

Signature Moments and Rare Access

At the heart of each itinerary are carefully curated Signature Moments designed to bring National Geographic’s spirit of discovery to life. These experiences go beyond standard sightseeing, offering travelers behind-the-scenes access and private encounters rarely available to the public.

In Cambodia, travelers visit restricted conservation centers dedicated to restoring looted antiquities. In Morocco, guests explore ancient medinas alongside expert storytellers and pioneering chefs, gaining insight into centuries-old culinary and cultural traditions.

Many itineraries also include early or after-hours access to landmark sites, allowing for a more intimate and educational experience. Examples include private visits to archaeological ruins at sunset, exclusive access to historic war rooms, and before-hours entry to canopy walkways and protected reserves. These moments are designed not just to impress, but to deepen understanding of history, culture, and conservation.

Travelers are accompanied by National Geographic Expedition Leaders and subject-matter experts such as photographers, historians, conservationists, archaeologists, and biologists. Many of these experts are local to the destination, offering first-hand perspectives and on-the-ground knowledge that transform each journey into a living classroom.

Flagship Journeys Across the Globe

Among the standout itineraries is Peru from Machu Picchu to the Amazon Jungle, a 12-day journey tracing historic expeditions while engaging with Indigenous weaving cooperatives and cutting-edge conservation projects in the Amazon. In The Five Stans & the Heart of the Silk Road, travelers follow ancient trade routes through Central Asia, experiencing nomadic traditions, curator-led museum visits, and after-hours access to historic mausoleums.

Southern Africa features prominently with a route from Cape Town to Victoria Falls that combines wine culture, Indigenous storytelling, private safaris with conservation experts, and stays in iconic safari lodges. Meanwhile, Palau emerges as one of the most distinctive offerings, with a marine-focused itinerary that includes snorkeling in protected ecosystems, kayaking through limestone islands, and hands-on conservation work such as giant clam planting.

Additional journeys explore China’s Great Wall and the Gobi Desert, Japan’s cultural landscapes, Costa Rica’s biodiversity, and Vietnam’s layered history. Together, the Signature collection signals a shift toward travel that prioritizes knowledge, access, and positive impact – positioning G Adventures and National Geographic at the forefront of a new era in experiential luxury tourism.

Tripadvisor has released its latest Travelers’ Choice rankings, offering a clear snapshot of how global travel tastes are evolving for 2026. Based on millions of reviews and booking patterns, the lists highlight both enduring favorites and destinations gaining rapid momentum.

This year’s selections show travelers balancing familiarity with discovery, pairing classic cities with emerging coastal and cultural hubs. Across all categories, flexibility, local experiences, and strong infrastructure continue to shape where people choose to go next.

Top Destinations – World

The Top Destinations list reflects places that consistently deliver across accommodation, attractions, dining, and overall experience. These destinations tend to combine strong global connectivity with a wide range of activities, making them reliable choices for both first-time visitors and repeat travelers.

The mix of major capitals, cultural centers, and leisure destinations shows that travelers are still drawn to places that offer variety and year-round appeal. These cities and regions continue to anchor long-haul and multi-stop itineraries worldwide.

Top 10:

1. Bali, Indonesia
2. London, U.K.
3. Dubai, U.A.E
4. Hanoi, Vietnam
5. Paris, France
6. Rome, Italy
7. Marrakech, Morrocco
8. Bangkok, Thailand
9. Crete, Greece
10. New York City, U.S.

Trending Destinations – World

Trending Destinations capture where interest is accelerating fastest, often driven by new air routes, increased visibility, or shifting traveler priorities. Many of these places are not new, but they are being rediscovered through a fresh lens, whether as alternative city breaks or relaxed coastal escapes.

This category highlights travelers’ appetite for destinations that feel authentic, affordable, or less saturated. It also reflects how social media and word-of-mouth continue to influence travel planning at speed.

Top 10:

1. Madeira, Portugal
2. Tbilisi, Georgia
3. Chicago, U.S.
4. Quy Nhon, Vietnam
5. Puerto Escondido, Mexico
6. Milan, Italy
7. Glasgow, U.K.
8. Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.
9. Recife, Brazil
10. San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina

Food Destinations – World

Food-focused travel remains a major motivator, with travelers increasingly choosing destinations for their culinary reputation alone. The strongest food destinations combine everyday local dining with high-end restaurants, markets, and food traditions rooted in culture.

These places reward curious travelers who want to explore a destination through taste, whether via street food, regional specialties, or modern interpretations. Culinary credibility is now as influential as landmarks when shaping travel decisions.

Top 10:

1. London, U.K.
2. Dubai, U.A.E.
3. Rome, Italy
4. Hong Kong, China
5. Paris, France
6. Majorca, Spain
7. Doha, Qatar
8. Crete, Greece
9. Bangkok, Thailand
10. Marrakech, Morocco

Honeymoon Destinations – World

Honeymoon destinations emphasize romance, privacy, and a sense of occasion, often blending luxury with natural beauty. Island escapes dominate, but cultural and wine-region destinations also feature strongly for couples seeking depth alongside relaxation.

These locations are defined by memorable settings, elevated hospitality, and experiences designed for slow, shared travel. The list reflects how honeymoons are becoming more personalized rather than one-size-fits-all.

Top 10:

1. Bali, Indonesia
2. Mauritius
3. Maldives
4. St. Lucia
5. Galle, Sri Lanka
6. Hue, Vietnam
7. Napa, U.S.
8. Positano, Italy
9. Watamu, Kenya
10. Antigua

Solo Travel Destinations – World

Solo travel continues to grow, driven by flexibility, remote work, and a desire for independent experiences. The best solo destinations tend to be walkable, socially open, and rich in culture, making it easy to connect with both locals and other travelers.

Safety, public transport, and a strong café or cultural scene play a key role in these rankings. This list reflects destinations that support confidence and freedom without sacrificing depth.

Top 10:

1. Dublin, Ireland
2. Berlin, Germany
3. London, U.K.
4. Santiago, Chile
5. Edinburgh, U.K.
6. New York City, U.S.
7. Hanoi, Vietnam
8. Madrid, Spain
9. Bali, Indonesia
10. Cape Town Central, South Africa

The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) has rallied the travel industry around a renewed call for commission transparency, following a landmark decision by Norwegian Cruise Line to permanently eliminate non-commissionable fares.

In a joint statement signed by dozens of major agency groups, networks, and travel companies, ASTA positioned the move as more than a single supplier change, framing it instead as an opportunity to reset how advisors are compensated across the travel ecosystem.

Non-commissionable fares, commonly known as NCFs, have long been a point of contention for travel advisors, particularly in the cruise sector. These fees reduced the portion of a booking on which advisors could earn commission, despite advisors often providing end-to-end service, consultation, and post-booking support.

ASTA’s statement argues that the practice undermined transparency and failed to reflect the true scope of advisor contributions to both travelers and suppliers.

A Turning Point for Advisor Compensation

With Norwegian Cruise Line’s policy change taking effect for sailings departing May 1, 2026 and beyond, the entire cruise fare, excluding taxes and fees, will now be commissionable. That places the brand alongside a small but growing group of cruise companies, including Explora Journeys, Viking, and Virgin Voyages, that have already eliminated NCFs from their fare structures.

ASTA President and CEO Zane Kerby described the move as meaningful leadership, saying that non-commissionable fares have been one of the most persistent and opaque challenges facing advisors.

By removing them entirely, the industry takes a step toward compensation models that are clearer, more equitable, and easier for advisors to explain to clients. According to ASTA, transparency in pricing and commissions is not only a business issue but a trust issue that affects the advisor-client relationship.

The joint statement emphasizes that when advisors are fully compensated, they can reinvest in service, technology, and professional development, ultimately improving the traveler experience. Fair compensation, the organization argues, benefits the entire distribution chain, not just individual agencies.

Industry Unity Sends a Broader Message

What sets this initiative apart is the breadth of support behind it. The statement was signed by ASTA’s Executive Committee and Consortium Council, along with senior leaders from many of the world’s most influential travel networks and agencies, including Virtuoso, Signature Travel Network, Travel Leaders Network, Cruise Planners, Avoya Travel, and Expedia Cruises.

ASTA leadership highlighted that this level of unity is rare in an industry often fragmented by competing commercial interests. By speaking with one voice, advisors and their partners are signaling that transparency and fair compensation are no longer niche concerns but foundational requirements for a healthy travel marketplace.

The organization is also urging travel advisors to actively support suppliers that demonstrate respect for the advisor role through transparent and equitable policies. By prioritizing partnerships with such companies, ASTA argues, advisors can reinforce positive behavior and help raise standards across the industry.

While the immediate focus is on cruising, the implications extend beyond a single sector. ASTA’s call invites airlines, tour operators, and other travel suppliers to reevaluate how their fare structures align with modern expectations of fairness, clarity, and collaboration. As distribution models evolve, the message from advisors is clear: sustainable growth depends on transparency, mutual respect, and compensation that reflects real value delivered.

IHG Hotels & Resorts is entering new territory with the upcoming opening of Voco Sandpiper All-Inclusive Resort in Port St. Lucie, Florida, its first all-inclusive property in the United States.

Set on the former site of Club Med Sandpiper Bay, the 335-room resort has undergone a $50 million transformation and is scheduled to welcome guests beginning January 30. Located about 45 minutes north of Palm Beach, the resort is positioned as a warm-weather, family-friendly alternative to Caribbean all-inclusive destinations – without requiring a passport.

The newly redesigned rooms and suites are spacious and modern, each featuring either a private balcony or a walkout patio with views of the resort or the St. Lucie River. Dining is a central focus of the experience, with seven restaurant and bar concepts included in the all-inclusive offering.

Highlights include Riverside Market, an international buffet with global flavors ranging from Moroccan tagines to Italian classics, as well as Lucie’s, a beachfront American restaurant, and Solara, a seasonal coastal dining concept. The culinary program is led by executive chef Mark Jones, whose background includes work at Michelin-starred restaurants across Europe.

Bars and lounges are spread throughout the property, from a poolside hideaway to a sports bar and a sunset-focused riverside venue. Guests also have access to three pools, including an adults-only infinity pool overlooking the water, a family pool, and a kids’ splash area. While the resort sits on the river rather than the ocean, nearby Jensen Beach is only a short drive away.

Amenities, Programming, and a Bigger Play for the Voco Brand

Beyond dining and pools, the resort leans heavily into activity-driven programming. Complimentary kayak and paddleboard rentals, fitness classes, waterfront yoga, mixology sessions, dance lessons, and evening entertainment are all part of the experience.

Families are a core audience, with dedicated kids’ programming that includes crafts, games, and scavenger hunts. The property also features tennis and pickleball courts, an arcade, mini-golf, an on-site marina, and 18,000 square feet of meeting and event space, positioning it for both leisure and group travel.

The opening of Voco Sandpiper is significant not just as an all-inclusive debut, but as part of the broader momentum behind IHG’s Voco brand. Launched in 2018, Voco has now surpassed 100 hotels globally in just seven years, reflecting strong demand for flexible, lifestyle-oriented hospitality that blends consistency with local character.

We have previously covered this rapid expansion, as well as recent Voco openings in major urban markets including Berlin, Dublin, and Mexico.

With Sandpiper, IHG is extending that same brand philosophy into the resort space, testing how the Voco identity translates to longer stays, family travel, and all-inclusive pricing. As domestic travelers increasingly look for hassle-free vacations closer to home, the success of this Florida opening could shape how global hotel groups rethink the future of all-inclusive travel in the U.S.

The United States is set to freeze immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries beginning January 21, a move that underscores the Trump administration’s renewed focus on restricting long-term immigration pathways.

The pause, described by the State Department as indefinite, will remain in place while officials reassess screening and vetting procedures tied to the so-called “public charge” provision of U.S. immigration law.

According to internal guidance circulated to U.S. consulates worldwide, officers have been instructed to refuse immigrant visas under existing law while a broader review is conducted. The affected countries span multiple regions, including Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, Eastern Europe, and parts of Asia. Among them are Somalia, Afghanistan, Russia, Iran, Egypt, Nigeria, Thailand, Brazil, and Haiti, alongside dozens of others.

The policy applies strictly to immigrant visas, meaning pathways to permanent residency, and does not extend to non-immigrant visas such as tourist, business, or student travel. However, immigration experts note that immigrant visa suspensions can still have indirect effects on travel behavior, family reunification, workforce mobility, and long-term international engagement with the United States.

At the core of the decision is the administration’s interpretation of the public charge rule, a long-standing element of U.S. immigration law that allows officials to deny entry to applicants deemed likely to rely on government assistance. While the provision has existed for decades, its enforcement has varied significantly between administrations. Under President Trump’s first term, the definition was expanded to include a wider range of public benefits, before being narrowed again under President Biden.

The renewed approach instructs consular officers to assess applicants across a broad set of criteria, including age, health, financial resources, English proficiency, employment prospects, and potential need for long-term medical care. Past use of government cash assistance or institutional care may also weigh against applicants. State Department officials have said that exceptions to the pause will be extremely limited and granted only after applicants clear public charge concerns.

The freeze follows heightened scrutiny of certain immigration pathways, including increased attention on fraud investigations linked to benefit programs. Somalia, for example, has faced additional attention after a high-profile fraud case in Minnesota involving misuse of public funds, though officials stress the visa pause applies broadly and is not limited to any single case.

From a global perspective, the decision reinforces a perception that entering the U.S. is becoming more complex and uncertain for large parts of the world. While tourists and students remain unaffected for now, immigration analysts warn that prolonged pauses and shifting criteria can create confusion, deter long-term planning, and strain diplomatic relationships.

As the reassessment continues with no clear timeline for resolution, the visa freeze stands as one of the most expansive immigration restrictions of Trump’s second term, reshaping the landscape of global mobility and signaling a tougher stance on who can build a future in the United States.