Japan’s new tourism basic plan: From volume to value, Spain becomes Europe’s high-value travel champion and more...

Japan’s new tourism basic plan: From volume to value
Wednesday, 20th May 2026

Japan’s Cabinet approved the new Tourism Nation Promotion Basic Plan on 27 March 2026, setting the direction for tourism policy through 2030.

As inbound demand continues to grow despite geopolitical headwinds, the strategy marks a decisive shift from volume-driven expansion to a focus on value sustainability and regional revitalization >>

Singapore and Universal Music Singapore form global multi-year partnership
20 May 2026 : STB and Universal Music Singapore signed a three-year MOU to amplify Singapore's global appeal through international artiste-led moments and exclusive fan experiences >>

Spain becomes Europe’s high-value travel champion as global visitor spend reaches record
19 May 2026 : While global Travel & Tourism continues its recovery, global international visitor spending reached a record and Spain is emerging as one of the world’s standout high-value travel destinations >>

Minor's Anantara Vacation Club to Minor Vacation Club
19 May 2026 : Minor Hotels is announcing the evolution of its vacation ownership business with the rebranding of Anantara Vacation Club to Minor Vacation Club, aligning the brand more closely with the scale, diversity, and future direction of the Group’s timeshare portfolio >>

HIGHLIGHT ARTICLE

What ChatGPT’s Decision to Move Away From In-Platform Transactions Means for Hotels
Wednesday, 20th May 2026

AI-powered search engines like OpenAI’s ChatGPT are changing the way guests find and plan their travel experiences, direct bookings are back in your hands >>

Future-Proofing Tourism: Building a Workforce-First Path
When guided by people-centered principles, digitalization can amplify human ingenuity, foster innovation, expand workforce opportunities, and strengthen the industry’s competitiveness >>

Azuma Brand Launch Signals Larger Hotel Category Trends
There was a fascinating hotel brand launch that occurred just after Earth Day, courtesy of none other than Adrian Zecha, founder of Aman >>