Travel

Updates on travel industry trends, tourism, and economic impact.

Travel
Airline profits set to rise slightly in 2025: IATA
Airline profits are expected to increase slightly in 2025, according to a new forecast by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). IATA projects the airline industry’s net profits this year will be US$36 billion, up from the $32.4 billion seen in 2024. This is lower than its December forecast of $36.6 billion, however. “The first half of 2025 has brought significant uncertainties to global markets. Nonetheless, by many measures including net profits, it will still be a better year for airlines than 2024, although slightly below our previous projections,” said IATA director general Willie Walsh. “The biggest positive driver is the price of jet fuel which has fallen 13% compared with 2024 and 1% below previous estimates. Moreover, we anticipate airlines flying more people and more cargo in 2025 than they did in 2024, even if previous demand projections have been dented by trade tensions and falls in consumer confidence.” While global GDP growth is likely to be lower this year than in 2024, airline profitability is set to be boosted by low oil prices, according to IATA. Net profit margins are expected to reach 3.7%, up from both 2024’s 3.4% and the 3.6% projected in December. IATA has forecast that total
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Etihad brings new business class suites to Sydney route
Etihad Airways will add the Airbus A350-1000 to its flights between Sydney and Abu Dhabi, which will feature new business class suites. The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners currently serving routes to Sydney and Melbourne will also be upgraded to include the new business suites as the airline overhauls its Australian routes. “We are delighted to bring more premium travel options to Australia with the arrival of our A350 on this important route. When the schedule is fully deployed early next year, we will have grown overall seat availability by 10%, and premium seat count by over 20%,” said Etihad chief revenue and commercial officer Arik De. “We have increased our flight frequencies to Sydney this year, offering guests greater flexibility and enhanced connectivity across our expanding global network. This growth provides more seamless travel options to key destinations in Europe, the Middle East and Africa and also welcomes more visitors to our home in Abu Dhabi, where they can enjoy our exclusive stopover programme, featuring one or two-night complimentary stays at a premium hotel.” The A350s’ business class includes 44 Business Studio suites, which the airline said will boost its premium seat count by over 20%. Each suite fe
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Celebrity Cruises plans $250m upgrade to Solstice ships
Celebrity Cruises will invest over US$250 million to modernise its five Solstice-class ships, updating its recreation, accommodation, and dining offerings. The upgrades will include new restaurants, suites, and outdoor spaces. Celebrity Solstice will be the first in the series to be renovated, and will set sail with its new modifications in March 2026. “Our Solstice Series ships represent the best of classic cruising, and now we're elevating this vacation experience even further by adding brand new experiences and enhancements at every turn," said Celebrity Cruises president Laura Hodges Bethge. “Guests will enjoy more ways to explore and restore, all while staying true to what made our guests fall in love with these ships in the first place.” The Solstice ships will feature a new entertainment venue with both daytime and evening events known as Boulevard Lounge, as well as six other new bars, restaurants, and lounges. Several existing restaurants and venues will also be redesigned and updated, the company said. The Retreat, Celebrity Cruises’ high-end onboard accommodation offering, will see upgraded suites along with a new sundeck. The ships’ AquaClass staterooms will include spa elements for wellness-focused trav
Travel
Saudi Arabia, Egypt advance high-speed rail link
Saudi Arabia and Egypt have finalised plans for a historic high-speed rail connection spanning the Strait of Tiran, linking Ras Hamid and Sharm el-Sheikh. Officials confirmed that technical planning was complete, with construction set to begin soon. The project, first envisioned by King Salman in 2016, will feature either a bridge or tunnel, facilitating seamless travel between the two nations.Strategic Gateway Between ContinentsThe rail link will serve as a critical trade and transport corridor, connecting Asia, Africa, and Europe. Integrated into Egypt’s national rail system, it will enable direct access from the Arabian Peninsula to the Mediterranean. The estimated $4 billion investment will support passenger and cargo transport, boosting regional trade and tourism while reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s NEOM megacity infrastructure.Egypt Expands Domestic Rail NetworkAlongside the cross-border project, Egypt is investing $7.8 billion in a 2,000 km high-speed rail network, linking Sokhna Port to Alexandria and Aswan. The route has been carefully planned to avoid archaeological sites like Abydos, ensuring heritage preservation. Key construction partners include Siemens Mobility, Orascom Construction, and Arab Contractors, reflecti
Travel
China, Vietnam reopen railway line after 5yr-hiatus
China and Vietnam have officially resumed their cross-border passenger train service, marking a significant step in post-pandemic tourism recovery. The route, which connects Nanning in China’s Guangxi region to Hanoi, Vietnam, has been suspended since February 2020 due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. Analysts suggest the reopening could boost tourism flows between the two nations and attract more international visitors to China. Beijing has expanded visa-free access to more countries, aiming to revitalise its tourism sector as part of broader economic recovery efforts. Vietnamese citizens can now enter China visa-free at select ports, provided they are part of a tour group organised by a Chinese travel agency. This policy is expected to increase visitor numbers and strengthen China’s position as a regional travel hub. The Nanning-Hanoi train service, originally launched in 2009, resumed operations on 25 May 25. The journey takes 11.5 hours, offering a convenient alternative to flights and buses. The train’s return is expected to enhance connectivity, particularly for Vietnamese travellers looking to access China’s high-speed rail network for onward journeys to major cities like Beijing and Shanghai. Tourism betw

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Florida to see record tourism over Memorial Day weekend
Florida is back on top as America’s most-visited travel destination, drawing nearly one million travellers over the Memorial Day weekend. The state’s theme parks, beaches, and year-round sunshine continue to attract tourists. But Florida isn’t alone — other hotspots are seeing record-breaking numbers as the United States travel industry roars back to life in 2025. According to the latest rankings, the top 10 U.S. travel destinations are Orlando, New York City, Maui, Yellowstone National Park, Glacier National Park, Charleston, Washington D.C., Key West, San Diego, and Las Vegas. These locations offer a mix of natural wonders, cultural landmarks, and entertainment hubs, catering to a diverse range of travellers. Orlando leads the pack, fuelled by Disney World, Universal Studios, and a booming hospitality sector. Travel revival boosts local economies, with hotel occupancy rates soaring and airports reporting record traffic. Cities like New York and Las Vegas are seeing a surge in international visitors, while national parks like Yellowstone and Glacier benefit from ecotourism trends. Investors are eyeing hospitality stocks, airlines, and travel tech firms, as the sector shows strong post-pandemic recovery. For global
Travel
Forecasts show half-million Antarctic tourists by 2033
Antarctica, once the domain of scientists and explorers, is fast becoming a tourist hotspot. A recently published study warns that annual visitor numbers could skyrocket to 452,000 by 2033 — nearly four times current levels. Researchers argue that without intervention, the fragile ecosystem could suffer irreversible damage. Proposed solutions include visitor caps and tourism taxes, but tour operators insist existing regulations are sufficient. The surge in Antarctic tourism is driven by bucket-list appeal. Despite its remoteness and high costs, the continent has seen a dramatic rise in visitors — from 8,000 in the mid-1990s to 125,000 in 2023-24. The study, published in the Journal of Sustainable Tourism, used historical data to project future trends. If accurate, the forecast raises urgent questions about how to balance accessibility with environmental protection. Tourism activities — kayaking, polar plunges, helicopter rides, and camping — bring economic benefits but also pose risks. Experts warn of wildlife disturbance, pollution, invasive species, and black carbon emissions. The study highlights concerns that tourism, combined with climate change, could trigger habitat degradation and biodiversity loss.
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EasyJet stocks plummet following widening losses
Budget airline, EasyJet, experienced a large drop in shares after reporting losses for the first half of 2025, but still remains confident in its financial year targets. The company announced headline loss of £394 million before tax for the first half of this year, compared to £350 million last year. Shortly after the market opened, EasyJet’s shares were down by 3%. EasyJet CEO Kenton Jarvis told CNBC’s Squawk Box Europe that the first half is normally an interesting time for airlines. “The first quarter is October through to December, and in that quarter, we actually performed very well,” he said. “Now in the second quarter, where we did make a slightly larger loss, that’s the period where airlines ramp up ... In this quarter, we made important capacity investments and flew further, which helped drive productivity, and that helped reduce our unit costs during the half.” Jarvis also said that while capacity strains affect all airlines, demand is still there and he is confident that the company will meet forecasts and report a profit for the financial year. He said EasyJet is expecting good demand in the summer. “As you said, our book position for both our third quarter, which ends in June, and our fourth qu
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Dexus reprieve: Melbourne Airport stake sale blocked
Dexus has successfully resisted the forced sale of its 27% stake in the company that owns Melbourne Airport with a court granting it a temporary reprieve. The New South Wales Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to Dexus’ request that the Australia Pacific Airports Corporation (APAC) be restrained from putting the stake up, known as the Dexus Bloc, for sale. The property group said it filed proceedings in the Court contesting the validity of a notice alleging it misused confidential information, to protect the interests of the Dexus Bloc shareholders. The injunction will continue until a hearing of APAC’s allegations that Dexus used a confidentiality deed poll and disclosed confidential information while trying to sell part of the stake. “The Injunction is to remain in place until the Court makes its final ruling in the proceeding, which is scheduled to be heard on 11 and 12 August 2025,” Dexus said. The injunction temporarily lifted the suspension of the governance, voting and information rights of the shareholders arising from the notice and prevented the finalising of any valuation of the stake while the dispute is being determined. NSW Supreme Court judge James Stevenson will deliver his reasons for granting the