Virgin Galactic to Launch Space Tourism Flight as Waiting Lists Grow

“Low-cost” and “long-haul” can feel like oxymorons when it comes to airlines, with seat comfort often sacrificed for affordable fares. But with several new budget international airlines launching around the world in recent years, it’s possible to snag perfectly-bearable long-haul flights for under $500 roundtrip.

Finnair is showing off its new Schengen Lounge at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL) that's slated to open on July 9. The lounge will primarily serve customers traveling on short-haul flights within Europe and passengers connecting in Helsinki from the U.S. and traveling onward to Finland's Lapland and the wider Nordic and Baltic regions.

Duetto, the hotel revenue management company, said Thursday that it has been acquired by private equity firm GrowthCurve Capital.

Vitruvian Partners, an international investment firm, made an additional $50 million venture investment in Civitatis, a curated marketplace for tours and activities mainly serving travelers from Spain and Latin America.

EOS-X SPACE, the first European space exploration company, of Spanish origin, faces the last half of 2024 in a decisive way to complete its start-up and mark a historic milestone for Spain in this incipient industry, which currently represents a market of more than 9 billion dollars in revenues. Kemel Kharbachi´s company, founder and CEO, is finalizing the development of the Spaceship capsules, the necessary validation tests -which will take place soon- together with military pilots, and the the collaboration of the National Institute for Aerospace Technology (INTA). The aim is to start operating flights both in Seville, the company’s headquarters in Spain, and in Abu Dhabi, around the third quarter of 2025. In total, the company will have invested more than 230 million dollars in engineering and development in both countries.

Tourism in the Middle Eastern country of Oman is improving. The Gulf nation was hit hard by Covid and had long struggled to recoup its tourism sector. But government measures are helping.

Booking flights across the pond just got cheaper, with tickets starting at 6,000 points for Virgin Atlantic’s big birthday sale. 

The excitement was palpable earlier this month as the inaugural American Airlines flight from Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) to Copenhagen Airport (CPH) geared to take off. Speeches were made, a balloon arch filled with red-and-white Denmark flags decked the departure gate, and Danish pastries were served to the very loud and upbeat soundtrack of what can only be described as the Danish take on hip-hop.

India’s National Stock Exchange has launched the Nifty India Tourism Index to capture the performance of travel and tourism companies within the Nifty 500 Index. The index is used by investors to manage their investment portfolios and serve as a benchmark for different purposes, including tracking expected returns of certain segments. 

Geneva Tourism is delighted to unveil the inaugural Geneva Food Guide, produced in collaboration with Sébastien Ripari, a Geneva-born international gastronomic expert and food consultant. Developed to highlight Geneva’s authentic and diverse culinary culture, the Geneva Food Guide was launched at a high-profile press conference early this morning.  Designed to be a trusted companion for locals and guests to the city, an initial 170 restaurants were tried and tested to select the very best of Geneva’s gastronomic offering, with the final edition of the Geneva Food Guide showcasing 60 recommended establishments personally tested and approved by Ripari. Providing visitors with an opportunity to discover Geneva’s diverse gastronomic scene, the Guide’s carefully curated recommendations will ensure that even the most discerning of foodies enjoy their stay in the city, with hidden treasures to suit every taste and budget. 

Luxury lifestyle brand Virgin Hotels is on track to make its London debut later this year.

Since 2021, international reservations are making up a bigger piece of bookings at Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy: It has surged from 14% to 38% of the total, according to vice president Jennifer Hsieh.