Air China is launching a new direct route between Beijing and Venice this summer, adding another China link to northern Italy and strengthening its wider expansion across Europe.
Italian regulators have opened an antitrust investigation into Booking.com over how hotels are ranked and promoted on its platform, raising new questions about transparency in online travel marketplaces.
LOT Polish Airlines is expanding from Krakow with new year-round routes to Rome, Barcelona, and Madrid, while also adding Warsaw-Bologna service. The move strengthens Krakow’s role as a growing hub for both leisure and business travel in Central Europe.
Venice is again charging day visitors to enter the historic city on selected peak dates from April through July. The system is now more practical than symbolic: register in advance, get a QR code, and pay more if you leave it too late.
Marriott’s planned joint venture with Lefay shows how quickly wellness is moving from hotel add-on to full brand strategy. By bringing a specialist Italian resort operator into its luxury portfolio, Marriott is betting that high-end travelers increasingly want health, longevity, and nature-led stays to define the trip itself.
Orient Express has opened its second hotel, this time in Venice, as Accor continues to build the brand beyond trains and into a wider luxury travel platform. The new property adds another layer to a strategy that ties hotels, rail, and soon yachting into one premium identity.
TUI Cruises has canceled more spring sailings after two vessels remained unable to leave the Arabian Gulf. The disruption is now affecting repositioning voyages and early Mediterranean schedules tied to the summer season.
Italy leads global travel demand for 2026, while AI tools and shifting traveler behavior redefine how trips are planned and experienced.
Marriott is expanding its midscale presence in Europe with Series by Marriott, targeting demand for affordable, design-led stays in Italy and the UK.
ITA Airways will join Lufthansa’s Miles & More program, giving passengers access to a global loyalty network and expanded benefits.
