Events

🌍 B2B tour operator Vista, after rebranding in 2023, celebrates a record year with cruise sales now over a third of their business. A new dedicated Touring team expands their services to meet the growing demand for authentic travel experiences. The Touring team supports the strategy of Hays Travel for a balanced booking distribution. Kathleen Molloy highlights the growth in cruise sales from just over 20% and the importance of bespoke itineraries. Heather Hutton, with 18-year industry experience, leads the Touring division, offering expert agent support and exclusive offers. Fam trips have also been introduced.

📅 February 25-26, 2026, at London ExCel, NoVacancy Hotel + Accommodation Industry Expo will debut. Dan Assor emphasizes the irreplaceable serendipity of in-person events over AI. From 2026 to 2030, expect a rise in conferences. Growth Advisors International Network (GAIN) will attend with a VIP event. The #GAINmomentum Podcast will continue exploring tradeshow success and hospitality trends.

🐶 BARK Air’s 2026 State of Pet Travel Report highlights the trend of prioritizing pet comfort during travel. In 2025, 88% of pet owners traveled with dogs, and 94% are willing to forego traditional amenities for pet-friendly experiences. BARK Air, now collaborating with HigherDOSE, offers wellness services at airport lounges and plans retreats with Kona Village Resort in March and May 2026. They launched a Companion Concierge for seamless dog travel, managing paperwork and logistics across airlines.

🍽 Five-star Bovey Castle in Dartmoor will host the "Battle of Eden 2026: A Night at the Movies" competition on 28 February 2026. Five head chefs from the Eden Hotel Collection will compete, including Stu Deeley, a MasterChef winner. Guests will judge film-inspired dishes. The chefs have over 80 years of combined fine dining experience. The event is part of a two-night stay with themed activities, golf, and spa access starting 27 February. Mark Chambers praised the chefs' elite backgrounds.

📅 March 31 to April 3, 2026, Shanghai New International Expo Center hosts Hotel & Shop Plus, Asia's premier hospitality trade fair. Expect 2,200+ exhibitors over 220,000+ sqm, with 130,000+ visitors. Key areas include AI, sustainability, and smart tech. Highlights: Hall E (smart hotels), Hall W (hotel supplies), Hall N1–N4 (cleaning tech), Hall N5 (smart home). New zones focus on sustainability and smart integration. Features: 80+ forums and events, including Design Week Shanghai.

📅 Webinar by Incite on exporting to APAC markets in 2026. Participants will learn how to select distributor partners, craft pricing strategies, and develop marketing plans. The session will end with a Q&A, leveraging Incite’s 15 years of experience in F&B brand growth in Asia-Pacific.