Iran Strikes Test Dubai and Abu Dhabi’s Safe-Haven Model
Iran’s missile and drone strikes have shaken Dubai and Abu Dhabi, raising questions about the UAE’s long-standing reputation as a stable financial and lifestyle safe haven.
TAA (Travel Agent Academy)
Travel Agent Academy (TAA) is an online training platform designed for travel advisors and agents. It offers educational courses, certifications, and destination-focused programs to help professionals expand their expertise. Travel suppliers often use TAA to provide product training and strengthen relationships with agents.
Orange Travel and Selectour Expand eSIM Access Through Strategic Travel Retail Partnership
Orange Travel and Selectour have launched a strategic partnership to offer travelers preferential eSIM connectivity rates at the time of booking, expanding distribution across 1,000 agencies.
Cuba Halts Airline Refueling as Energy Crisis Deepens
Cuba has suspended jet fuel refueling at nine airports, disrupting long-haul routes and adding new strain to a tourism sector already hit by an escalating energy crisis.
ASTA Leads Industry Push for Commission Transparency After Norwegian Cruise Line Decision
By
Yuliya Karotkaya
• 3 mins read
ASTA and major travel industry partners are calling for greater commission transparency after Norwegian Cruise Line eliminated non-commissionable fares, marking a potential turning point for advisor compensation.
Trump, International Travel and the Politics Reshaping Global Tourism
By
Yuliya Karotkaya
• 4 mins read
Donald Trump’s return to the White House is reshaping international travel patterns, with political rhetoric, security concerns and foreign policy tensions influencing where – and whether – travelers choose to go.
Italy Fines Ryanair €255 Million Over Alleged Abuse of Market Power
By
Yuliya Karotkaya
• 3 mins read
Italy’s competition authority has fined Ryanair €255 million, accusing the airline of abusing its dominant position by restricting how travel agencies sell and bundle its flights.
Why Young Travelers Are Choosing Destinations Based on Events
By
Yuliya Karotkaya
• 3 mins read
A growing number of young adults are planning trips around concerts, sports games and festivals. New data from Arival shows event-driven travel shaping how millennials and Gen Z choose their destinations.
VISIT USA Act Aims to Restore Brand USA Funding Ahead of Major Global Events
By
Yuliya Karotkaya
• 3 mins read
A new bipartisan bill seeks to restore critical funding to Brand USA, ensuring the United States can fully capitalize on upcoming major global events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup, America 250, and the 2028 Olympics.
Ryanair Unveils Travel Agent Direct Platform to Empower Offline Agencies and Enhance Transparency
By
Yuliya Karotkaya
• 3 mins read
Ryanair has launched Travel Agent Direct (TAD), a platform tailored to offline travel agencies that enables direct booking, transparent pricing, and reliable communication with customers across 230+ destinations.