Your Daily Dose of Travel Gossip

Holidu acquires German vacation rental platform Bestfewo.de | PhocusWire

The deal marks Holidu's thirteenth acquisition and expands its customer base in Germany.

Travel Token Marketplace acquires Camino Network initiator Chain4Travel | PhocusWire

Blockchain startup Chain4Travel was previously named a PhocusWire Hot 25 Travel Startup for 2025.

Why is there a giant hand in the middle of a desert in Chile? | - The Times of India

Rising from Chile's Atacama Desert, the colossal Mano del Desierto sculpture by Mario Irarrázabal stands as a striking landmark. Inaugurated in 1992, this 11-meter-tall concrete hand offers a stark contrast to the arid landscape, inviting diverse int

Barracks, a brewery and an ancient city: New hope for seven endangered heritage sites in Europe | Euronews

The seven sites were selected on the basis of their European cultural and social value.

This Is Why Airline Gates Change at the Last Minute

Airport gate changes often happen due to delays, aircraft swaps, and real-time logistics—here’s why they occur and how to avoid missing your flight.

I Flew to Japan to See Punch, the Viral Baby Snow Monkey—Here's How to Visit

The tiny macaque at Ichikawa City Zoo has drawn thousands of visitors after melting hearts online.

“This should be the rule everywhere in India”: See what happened when a tourist threw orange peels on the roads of Sikkim - The Times of India

Now, it’s a very common scene: A man driving in a car, slows the vehicle, pulls down the windows and bam, throws a handful of orange peels in the midd.

The U.K. Is Now Denying Boarding to Travelers Without This Required Authorization—What to Know

Visiting the United Kingdom just got more expensive.

5 famous tourist destinations with really dark nicknames

Around the world, some of the most breathtaking and culturally significant travel destinations carry nicknames that sound more like titles from a horror novel than entries in a travel brochure. “Door to Hell.” “Ghost City.” “Dead Marsh.” These names weren

8 more African cheetahs to arrive at Kuno National Park on February 28, taking the total to 46 | - The Times of India

India’s ambitious cheetah reintroduction programme is set to enter another phase, with eight more African cheetahs scheduled to arrive at Kuno Nationa.

Romance, art and adventure: Exploring Abu Dhabi through Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone’s eyes | Travel

From spiritual silences to food that feels like a hug, here is how Hindustan Times experienced Abu Dhabi through the eyes of Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone. | Travel

Us Visa: "Not eligible this time": What led to this Indian couple’s US visa rejection despite having FIFA pass - The Times of India

For many travellers, securing a US visa has long been a hurdle. One of the things that can easily derail anyone’s most carefully laid travel plans. In.

Amadeus sees revenue and profit growth in 2025 | PhocusWire

Revenue for the air IT solutions business increased 6.4% to €2.3 billion in 2025 while the hospitality solutions business saw revenue increase 6% to €1 billion.

UN Tourism opens call for Best Tourism Villages 2026

UN Tourism has again opened applications as it looks to recognize the world’s Best Tourism Villages.

Global Search | UN Tourism

​10 of the world’s most expensive cities for luxury living right now

Where does wealth stretch the least in the world? According to the most recent Global Wealth and Lifestyle Report by Julius Baer, these cities command the highest price for luxury living, from prime real estate and private education to fine dining and des

“Nothing can prepare you for Delhi…I felt like I lived...,” foreign traveller on why the capital leaves a lasting impact | - The Times of India

Travelling is always fun, but can be stressful too at times, especially when you are travelling abroad. While some countries ease you in gently, many .

Skyscanner launches flights app in ChatGPT | PhocusWire

Skyscanner joins Hyatt, Accor, MakeMyTrip, Expedia, Booking.com and others in launching its ChatGPT app.

PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: RMS, Klook, Peakwork and more... | PhocusWire

Keep up with all the latest people, partner and product news from around the global travel industry.

Bengaluru Cherry Blossom: Bengaluru gets cherry blossom vibes as Pink Poui blooms across the city; best places to visit | - The Times of India

Bengaluru is unfolding its flair for drama as spring rolls in. It’s the months of February and March, when the city does what locals lovingly call a p.

Snakes swimming in the flooded streets of Bali? Scary videos shock travellers | - The Times of India

Bali is grappling with severe flooding after days of relentless rain, transforming streets into rivers and inundating homes. Amidst this crisis, massive pythons have been spotted navigating the submerged areas, a phenomenon attributed to the snakes seekin

Ryanair and Wizz Air named worst airlines by passengers over ‘confusing’ add-on costs | Euronews

Commenting on the worst-ranking airlines, Which? Travel editor Rory Boland advised passengers to "fly with anyone else, if you can".

OTAs' marketing spend exceeded $20B in 2025 | PhocusWire

Marketing investment from the largest online travel players rose again last year.

World’s best countries for women in 2025–26 revealed

In a world where gender equality remains uneven, a select group of nations continues to demonstrate what meaningful inclusion, justice, and security for women truly look like. The 2025-26 Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Index, published by the Georgetown

John Krasinski's Approach to Travel is Like a Homing Pigeon: ‘I Always Stumble Upon Something Super Cool’

From unforgettable walks to road trips, 'The Office' and 'Jack Ryan' star is all about following his instincts when he travels.

Formula 1’s 2026 Season Is Bringing New Teams, New Rules, a New Track—and a Bigger Disney Collaboration

Lights out and away we go for another exciting F1 season.

India was “a battle every day,” but this foreign traveller says she’d still return, here’s what she loved most | - The Times of India

Not every trip is a picture-perfect vacation. I agree hundred percent. There are certain things that we can never be prepared for like weather, people.

World's 8 most stressful cities to live in and their biggest pressure points

City life promises opportunity, diversity and career growth, but it can also bring daily pressures that slowly add up. Long commutes, rising grocery bills, concerns about crime, difficulty accessing healthcare and polluted air can shape how stressful life

Holi 2026: 5 amazing ways to experience Holi in Mathura–Vrindavan | - The Times of India

Mathura and Vrindavan, the land of Lord Krishna, transform into a vibrant spectacle for Holi, extending beyond a single day into weeks of joyous celebration. Experience unique traditions like Phoolon Wali Holi with flowers, the playful Lathmar Holi in Bar

The Travel Industry Needs a New Way to Read OTA Results

OTAs have posted double-digit growth even as consumer travel spending declined. The industry needs a new framework for reading these results.

Affiliate monetization platform Stay22 lands $122M | PhocusWire

The company said the fresh capital will be used for global expansion and for platform and team growth.

Athira Thoppil Archives - Skift

The 2026 travel landscape is increasingly bifurcated. Visa-free policies and growing airline capacity are accelerating growth in the East, while the West must navigate significant policy-driven uncertainty.

Skift Travel Health Index: January 2026 Highlights - Skift Research

The 2026 travel landscape is increasingly bifurcated. Visa-free policies and growing airline capacity are accelerating growth in the East, while the West must navigate significant policy-driven uncertainty.

Mexico Travel Returns to 'Business as Usual'—But Advisories Vary by State

Days after violence escalated throughout popular tourist destinations in Mexico, the U.S. government is updating its travel guidance for the region

Flyers will now be able to cancel or amend bookings without extra charge: Here’s how the 48-hour ‘Look-in option’ works | - The Times of India

Air passengers in India will now get a wider window to change their minds after booking tickets. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has .

Rafat Ali, with AI analysis Archives - Skift

eDreams's Q3 results require reading between the lines: what it emphasizes matters less than what it doesn’t.

How to Read Travel Subscription Earnings: eDreams Results

For anyone evaluating travel subscription businesses, here's what actually matters in reports such as those from eDreams.

World’s top 10 tourism economies ranked, India on the list

Global travel is no longer just about leisure, it is a powerful economic engine. Starting from the aviation and hotel sectors to retail, infrastructure, and cultural sectors, tourism has become a source of employment for millions of people and has added t

Planning a holiday in Europe this year? All of 2026’s new tourist taxes explained | Euronews

Barcelona's visitor fee is now one of the highest in Europe.

These are the best airports for customer experience in Europe | Euronews

Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport and Rome Fiumicino Airport were among those recognised in the 2025 Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Customer Experience Awards.

Digital nomads swap skis for laptops at this Bulgarian resort | Euronews

A cosmopolitan community of digital nomads have been drawn to Bansko by its co-working spaces, high-end restaurants and active lifestyle.

Trip.com Group see growth from inbound travel | PhocusWire

The company increased net revenue in Q4 2025 by 21% to $2.2 billion attributed to travel demand. For the full-year net revenue increased 17% to almost $9 billion.

Viral video shows Delhi auto driver allegedly offering illegal services to foreign tourist; social media demands action | - The Times of India

A short auto-rickshaw ride in Delhi has triggered a larger conversation about tourist safety, public conduct and accountability after a foreign travel.

Trip.com Group Points to Massive Inbound Tourism Opportunity in China

Trip.com reports a strong revenue increase and highlights significant inbound tourism growth potential in China.

Armenia scraps visas until July. Visit for monastery hikes, bold architecture and cool cafes | Euronews

New entry rules mean citizens from 113 countries can now visit without needing a visa until 1 July 2026.

Bulgaria ski station becomes refuge for digital nomads | Travel

Bulgaria ski station becomes refuge for digital nomads | Travel

Up Buddhist Sites: UP’s Buddhist destinations draw record foreign visitors; how to explore the circuit via train | - The Times of India

Uttar Pradesh’s Buddhist destinations have recorded a dramatic rise in foreign tourist arrivals over the past three years, with numbers, reportedly, i.

Travel Quote of the Day by Saadi Shirazi: “A traveller without observation is a bird without wings..." - The Times of India

Few travel quotes capture the exact spirit of travellers as powerfully as this line by Saadi Shirazi, a famous Iranian poet, philosopher, and travelle.