Travel News

Portugal started construction on its first high-speed rail line between Porto and Lisboa on October 12, 2026, covering 290 km in three phases. The 71-km initial section is under construction with a €2.651 billion PPP budget and plans to reduce travel time to 1 hour 20 minutes.

Low water levels on the Danube and Rhine in 2026 forced Riviera Travel, Viking, and Tui River Cruises to cancel or revise multiple river cruise itineraries. Operators used ship swaps and alternate ports to manage disruptions while advising travel insurance coverage.

Travelodge Gangnam Yeoksam Seoul opened on 15 October 2026 with 360 rooms, making it the largest Travelodge hotel in Asia. The hotel features extensive amenities and is located in Seoul's Gangnam district near major landmarks.

Virgin Group will begin operating up to 20 daily high-speed trains between London and major European cities starting October 1, 2030. The service will add nearly 7.5 million seats annually and compete directly with Eurostar on cross-Channel routes.

A 4-diamond hotel near Xi'an Bell Tower cut room prices from over 600 RMB during National Day to 1 RMB afterwards. Despite nearly 19 million tourists and 92% hotel occupancy during the holiday, prices fell sharply due to oversupply and competition.

WTM London 2026 grants free entry to travel agents registering via TTG or Travel Gossip partners despite new paid visitor tickets. The event runs November 3-5 at Excel London.

UK holiday searches for Egypt surged on October 13, 2026, showing growing travel demand. French travel agencies reported a 25% rise in bookings to Egypt.

Low water levels on the Danube and Rhine rivers in 2026 have forced cancellations and itinerary changes for European river cruises. Operators like Riviera Travel and Viking have implemented ship swaps, alternate embarkation points, and hotel stays to manage disruptions.

JW Marriott opened its first all-inclusive luxury resort in Costa Elena, Mexico, in October 2026. Meanwhile, Xi'an's hotel market sees rising tourist visits but faces oversupply, steep price declines, and postponed luxury hotel openings.

WTM London 2026 runs November 3-5 at Excel London, offering travel agents free admission through TTG and Travel Gossip partnerships. The event introduces paid tickets for general visitors for the first time.