Hotels
RIU unveils revamped RIU Partner Club website for travel advisors
RIU Hotels & Resorts has launched its new RIU Partner Club website -- the loyalty program from RIU designed exclusively for retail travel agents. The platform has been completely revamped to offer an independent, more visual, accessible and user-friendly environment, specifically crafted to help agents optimize their time and easily access all the benefits the program has to offer. Created to recognize the hard work and commitment of travel agents to RIU, the Riu Partner Club serves a dual purpose: helping professionals deepen their product knowledge to boost sales while...
Minor Hotels launching new lifestyle, wellness resort in Australia
Minor Hotels has announced Avani Cypress Lakes Resort -- a premium lifestyle and wellness resort set to launch in phases from October 2026 in New South Wales’ Hunter Valley. The development will bring together the existing Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort and adjoining Elysia Wellness Retreat across 340 acres, creating what will become Australia’s largest integrated resort wellness precinct. Avani Cypress Lakes Resort will be the largest Avani property in Australasia, offering 204 rooms and suites across two distinct accommodation experiences. Facilities will include an 18-hole golf...
A Blockbuster Deal: Royal Caribbean Group acquires 50% equity interest in Sandals and Beaches Resorts
It is a blockbuster of a deal. Royal Caribbean Group and Sandals Resorts have signed an agreement to form a partnership in the all-inclusive resort space, that includes a 50% investment from Royal Caribbean Group. Building on Sandals and Beaches Resorts' more than four decades of leadership in Caribbean hospitality, the joint venture will create new opportunities for continued resort growth while broadening the experiences across Royal Caribbean Group's vacation platform. The partnership brings together two of the travel industry's most celebrated vacation companies, pairing...
Sandals and Beaches Resorts in 10 Minutes featuring Sandals Dunn’s River
“Sandals and Beaches Resorts….in 10 Minutes” – the popular, bite-sized, live training sessions developed exclusively for the Canadian market by Unique Vacations Canada – returns with a special fall edition. The upcoming discussion on Fri., Sept. 25 will focus on Sandals Dunn’s River in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. Canadian travel advisors are invited to join host Lorna Richards, National Training Manager, Unique Vacations Canada and her special guest, Carnel Smith, Director of Sales, Groups and Conventions, Sandals Dunn’s River as they have a brief but informative conversation...
Royalton returns to full strength in Jamaica with reopening of five resorts
Royalton Hotels & Resorts has reopened its complete Jamaica portfolio, welcoming travellers back to five resorts across Negril and Montego Bay following a significant investment in accommodations, public spaces and the overall guest experience. Royalton Negril, Royalton Hideaway Negril and Grand Lido Negril are now welcoming guests on Jamaica’s celebrated west coast, while Royalton Blue Waters and Royalton Hideaway Blue Waters have reopened in Montego Bay, bringing the company’s full Jamaican resort collection back into operation. Across the five resorts, extensive...
RIU marks a milestone with Thailand debut
RIU Hotels & Resorts marks a new international milestone with the launch of the Hotel Riu Palace Phuket, a sophisticated 5-star establishment that represents the company's long-awaited debut in Thailand. This newly opened hotel enjoys a prime beachfront location on the northwest coast of Mai Khao, adjacent to Sirinat National Park, and is 16 kilometres from Phuket International Airport and 40 kilometres from the historic city centre. The hotel offers 24-hour All Inclusive service. The resort's culinary experience has been crafted to bridge the richness of Thai gastronomy...
Expedia Group checks in with major Vrbo product launch
Expedia Group has announced new partner products and functionalities across its vacation rental brand, Vrbo. With several products already live and a steady drumbeat continuing through 2027, vacation rental partners can tap into new features spanning advertising tools, promotional capabilities, and policy options. Tim Rosolio, Vice President of Vacation Rental Partnerships at Expedia Group, observed: “We are entering into one of the most exciting eras in our vacation rental history at Expedia Group. Our intentional investments across every corner of the business were designed to...
WestJet Vacations expands Punta Cana portfolio
WestJet Vacations is expanding its portfolio of properties in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, offering it customers that chance to discover three distinct Lopesan resort experiences within the brand’s expansive Punta Cana complex. That complex includes Lopesan Costa Bávaro Resort, Spa & Casino, Lopesan Serenity Cove and Lopesan Caoba Lagoon. Lopesan Costa Bávaro Resort, Spa & Casino, a five-star all-inclusive resort located on Playa Bávaro, offers a beachfront escape set along white sands, warm, clear waters and a natural coral reef barrier. The expansive property...