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It might be whisky (with no ‘e’) when referring to Scottish, Canadian, or Japanese grain spirits, but when it comes to grain spirits distilled in Ireland and the United States – it’s whiskey (with an ‘e’). Regardless of how it’s spelled, today, Saturday 18 May the world will unite to celebrate World Whisky Day - the annual day celebrating whisky, inviting everyone to try a dram and celebrate the water of life, but do you know the history of whiskey in Illinois? Kentucky and Tennessee might be the states that come to mind when thinking of whiskey in the United States however, Illinois and more specifically Peoria,  located along the Illinois River160 miles southwest of Chicago, was known as ‘The Whiskey Capital of the World.’

The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) proudly announces its official partnership with Atlanta United, one of Major League Soccer’s most iconic clubs. The strategic alliance marks a significant milestone in promoting Belize as a premier travel destination and underscores the country’s commitment to fostering meaningful connections with global communities. As the “Official Caribbean Tourism Partner of Atlanta United,” Belize is poised to showcase its breathtaking landscapes, vibrant culture and unparalleled hospitality to the passionate fanbase of Atlanta United and the broader Atlanta community. From special sweepstakes opportunities to integrating the brand into the team’s home at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the partnership is one fans should look forward to.

Experience Abu Dhabi kicks off summer 2024 with a special collaboration with French swimwear brand Vilebrequin. The exclusive Abu Dhabi Limited Edition capsule, in partnership with Vilebrequin and Experience Abu Dhabi, debuted last night at L’Ondine & Vilebrequin La Plage during the 77th Cannes Film Festival’s opening day. Among the star-studded guests were Nour Arida, Shanina Shaik, and Romee Striid. Adorned with hues of rich, refined blues and gold accents, the inspiration behind the limited-edition collection is the stunning landscape of Abu Dhabi’s waters, with a touch of Saint-Tropez elegance.

Family vacations are the perfect opportunity to spend quality time with loved ones and strengthen family bonds. One study found 40 percent of parents planned to spend more on international travel with their families this year. There is also a growing trend of multiple generations traveling together.

From Monday, May 20 to Thursday, May 23, the Caribbean Travel Marketplace, a showpiece of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourist Association (CHTA), will convene at the Montego Bay Conference Centre in St James. It is the premier event for connecting suppliers of Caribbean travel products and services with global buyers. On the final day, which happens to be Labour Day in Jamaica, the marketplace for the first time in its 42nd staging will be observing Marketplace Responsible Tourism Day, a new addition to Caribbean Travel Marketplace Conference, dedicated to sustainable tourism in Jamaica.

The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) aims to reimagine the region’s tourism landscape at the third annual Caribbean Travel Forum, taking place Monday, May 20 in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Kicking off this year’s Caribbean Travel Marketplace, the annual event brings together leading regional and international thought leaders to discuss tourism business opportunities and strategies for success in the Caribbean, the heart of the global travel industry.

With things looking up for tourism in The Bahamas, representatives of the country’s Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation (BMOTIA) are set to build on their success at the 42nd edition of Caribbean Travel Marketplace. Hosted by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) and scheduled for 20 - 23 May 2024 at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in Jamaica, the Caribbean’s largest tourism marketing event will offer opportunity for The Bahamas to shine as buyers and sellers of tourism products and services from countries across the region convening for business. In 2023, The Bahamas saw record-breaking tourism growth accounting for 9.6 million visitors, up 38% from 2022. While foreign air arrivals rose 17% to record 1.7 million in 2023, cruise arrivals surged 43.5% to record 7.9 million. The country’s 16 islands all enjoyed significant increases, with visits to New Providence, for instance, up 36% in 2023, to Grand Bahama up 44%, and the Out Islands up 40%.

Vendée’s majestic Domaine de La Chabotterie will be the setting for the thirteenth Floralies Internationales Festival from 17-26 May 2024, an event held every five years that brings together the very best floral and plant creativity in a series of artistic presentations.

The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) is gearing up for its first multi-destination media trip, designed to illuminate the interconnectedness and diversity across the Caribbean. Scheduled from May 17 to 27, this initiative will showcase the vibrant cultures, breathtaking landscapes, and unique experiences spanning St. Lucia, Barbados, Jamaica and the Cayman Islands.

After a remarkable development in travel & tourism, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are committed to build consistency across the region while remaining unique and authentic, as shown by Connecting Travel Insight Report 2024, powered by Mabrian travel intelligence.

Today the respected Turkish destination in-bound tour operator Yuppi Group has announced the successful launch of a B2B accommodation booking platform called Pax2Night.

Seeking the perfect gift this Father’s Day? Lonely Planet has released its top travel and lifestyle inspiration titles for Dads, from cycling adventures close to home to journeys exploring the offbeat side of North America to incredible train journeys around the world and inspiration for gardening enthusiasts. The global travel expert has the perfect book for every interest.

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) together with IC Bellagio and Members of the private Travel & Tourism sector, has launched a new consumer focussed initiative helping travellers understand how they can discover the world sustainably.

Boutique Group, a pioneering ultra-luxury hospitality group fully owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, marks its first independent participation at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM), one of the most significant tourism industry events in the world.

With Lisbon, in Portugal, revealed as host of the annual EuroPride festival in 2025, and more than 100,000 people expected to attend annual Lisbon Pride events over two weekends in June, the team at Visit Lisbon (visitlisboa.com/en) has revealed its recommendations for uncovering the best of the region for LGBTI+ travellers. The annual Pride March (22 and 23 June 2024), transforms the city with a kaleidoscope of colour, music, and festivity, serving as a celebration of love and freedom and providing a platform for LGBTI+ advocacy and awareness. A week later, Pride Village (29 and 30 June) is held in the iconic river-facing square, Praça do Comércio, with open-air bars, concerts and DJ sets that acclaim gay community and culture, and workshops that address the LGBTI+ experience.

The legendary Loch Ness Monster resurfaces today at Busch Gardens Williamsburg as the park’s signature roller coaster reopens following a full restoration. In addition to 900 feet of “Nessie’s” signature steel track being replaced, riders will encounter new sights, sounds and surprises during their journey through the Scottish terrain.

Southwest Airlines recently announced the launch of its new Orlando – Nassau route. Daily nonstop flights will connect Central Florida’s metropolitan hub with The Bahamas’ capital city at the height of the summer months. The Orlando – Nassau flights will operate from 4 June to 4 August, with departures from Orlando and arrivals in Nassau. “The expansion of Southwest Airlines’ Central Florida route map to include a new daily service to Nassau is another testimony to the government’s efforts and commitment to grow air stopover arrivals throughout our 16-islands destination aggressively,” says the Honourable I. Chester Cooper, Bahamas Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments, and Aviation.

Antigua and Barbuda have reached a significant milestone in their tourism industry, welcoming the 500,000th cruise passenger of the year at St. John’s Harbour on May 9, 2024. The historic event occurred in under five months, showcasing a rapid increase in cruise traffic compared to previous years. Antigua Cruise Port’s Operation Manager Rawle Reynolds, highlighted the exceptional growth to the local media, saying, “In the years of being a cruise tourism destination, this is the first time at such a fast pace in the 4th month of the year that we’ve been able to reach 500,000 passengers at this time of the year.”

CTO’s Media Marketplace returns this year during Caribbean Week in New York.

More than 20 universities from around the world will present research at the Tenerife Global Summit 2024, which will be held from 19 to 21 June 2024. The conference will bring together national and international experts from different fields related to the tourism sector to discuss the state of the art of the industry and the challenges it faces.

Jeddah Historic District Program (JHD), under the patronage of the Saudi Ministry of Culture, and Cruise Saudi, a fully-owned Public Investment Fund company, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This agreement aligns with the ambitious development goals of Saudi Vision 2030. This partnership is strategically designed to accommodate the increasing number of international cruise visitors who enjoy exploring the authentic sites of the historic district. Central to the goals of both Jeddah Historic District Program and Cruise Saudi is preserving the area’s distinctive cultural identity and historical landmarks while stimulating local economic growth. This collaboration encourages local entrepreneurship and investment, drawing on the private sector’s innovative capacities to enhance the visitor experience. This proactive involvement aims to boost job creation, foster small businesses, and promote sustainable economic activities that benefit the entire community.