Edition 211 · January 2026

We welcome short stories on innovations, and success stories and stories that reflect the positive things that the tourism industry is doing to ensure that the industry returns and re-builds.

Submit stories to editor@tourforce.com

The largest ski resort in the United States is creating an open-air art museum and sculpture park for both skiers and hikers. In late 2023, Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings purchased a majority stake in Powder Mountain near Salt Lake City in Utah to establish a year-round destination for those who love art. The park will open in 2026.

Further information: https://powdermountain.com/powder-art-foundation

Tourism Northern Territory is offering funding for tour operators to train new or upskill existing tour guides to strengthen the workforce. The Tour Guide Training Support Program covers qualifications such as First Aid, heavy vehicle licences, maritime operations, four-wheel drive operation, EcoGuide or Savannah Guides certification. It offers funding for Chinese and Japanese-speaking guides committed to delivering tours in Kakadu and/or Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Parks. Applications close 31 March 2026.

Further information: https://grantsnt.nt.gov.au/grants/tour-guide-training-support-202526

The Adventure Travel Conservation Fund has announced the 2025 Conservation Grant winners which includes six projects from around the globe that are protecting wild places, safeguarding biodiversity, and restoring habitats. These community-led initiatives span Indonesia, Ecuador, Malaysia, Panama, and Zimbabwe. Since its inception the fund has supported 53 conservation projects and initiatives across 29 countries.

Further information: https://www.adventuretravelnews.com/atcf-announces-2025-grant-winners-community-conservation-from-ecuador-to-malaysia

Swiss transport company Twiliner has launched a new night bus service offering business-class comfort on routes connecting key tourist destinations in Europe. The company aims to give eco-conscious travellers another alternative to short-haul flights by using vehicles that run on a renewable fuel derived from waste fats and vegetable oils. It will start with two routes from Zurich to Amsterdam and Barcelona with a view to expanding to 30 destinations in three years.

Further information: https://www.twiliner.com/

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore is applying the world-first green levy on all departing flights from Changi and Seletar Airports to make Sustainable Aviation Fuel account for one percent of all jet fuel used in Singapore in 2026. The cost of the green aviation levy will vary by flight distance and class of travel. It will take effect for tickets sold from 1 April 2026 and applies to departing flights from 1 October 2026. Transit or transfer passengers connecting through Singapore will be exempt.

Further information: https://www.caas.gov.sg/who-we-are/newsroom/Detail/new-SAF-levy-to-apply-from-1-apr-2026-for-flights-departing-from-1-oct-2026

White Bay will be the first cruise terminal in the Southern Hemisphere to offer shore power to cruise ships by connecting to a landside charger resulting in fewer emissions. The Port Authority of New South Wales project is a major step towards reducing pollution and ensuring the industry can be more sustainable by enabling cruise ships to switch from diesel engines to shoreside electricity offset by renewable energy generation. The $60 million project is set for completion by the end of 2026.

Further information: https://www.destinationnsw.com.au/newsroom/sydney-powers-up-for-cleaner-cruise-ship-visits

A new hospitality brand has unveiled its first property in Tropical North Queensland promising a new blueprint for environmental luxury. Ever Bloomfield Lodge will open in the second half of 2026 as a 14-key retreat offering guests access to two World Heritage areas and a rare diversity of landscapes and stories in partnership with the local Walker and Dobie families. The Ever Lodges brand represents a shared ambition to change the way high-end travellers experience Australia.

Further information: https://ever.au/

The Greek Ministry of Tourism is introducing a comprehensive legal framework to regulate the popular glamorous camping trend. The new regulations aim to standardise the industry by ensuring sustainable development and high-quality services align with international luxury standards. Under the new framework, glamping sites will be classified similarly to high-end hotels with specific criteria tailored to nature-based tourism.

Further information: https://greekreporter.com/2026/01/06/greece-regulations-glamping/

Blackstone have entered into an agreement to acquire Hamilton Island in the Whitsunday Islands in Queensland from the Oatley family. The iconic integrated resort destination spans more than 2,800 acres across two islands with five hotels, more than 20 restaurants and bars, 20 retail outlets, an 18-hole championship golf course, a marina, and a commercial airport. The sale is subject to regulatory approvals and builds on Blackstone’s leading global position in leisure and hospitality across Australia, Japan, and India.

Further information: https://www.blackstone.com/news/press/blackstone-announces-agreement-to-acquire-hamilton-island-australias-iconic-resort-destination/

10 tourism projects have secured major funding through the City of Gold Coast’s Nature Based Tourism Program. The funded projects include a range of low-impact products and immersive experiences that span across the Gold Coast’s hinterland and waterways. This is the second round of funding which aims to support and encourage innovative sustainable tourism projects and nature-based experiences.

Further information: https://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/Invest-do-business/Supporting-business/Business-incentives-investment-programs/Nature-based-tourism

A new project has been launched to promote Spain as a world-class cycling tourism destination, support cooperation and coordination between stakeholders, and encourage economic development and competitiveness. Pedal Spain will see the establishment of a National Coordination Centre for Cycling Tourism to act as a central hub to oversee and coordinate project activities. It is supported by the Ministry of Industry and Tourism and the Spanish Government through the European Union Next Generation Funds.

Further information: https://pro.eurovelo.com/news/2025-08-04_pedal-spain-growing-spain-into-a-cycling-tourism-destination

Western Australia’s Coral Coast has unveiled a free downloadable Hikes and Trails guide inviting nature-based visitors to explore the region and iconic locations including Pink Lake, Kalbarri National Park, the Shark Bay World Heritage Area and Monkey Mia. The guide is divided into sub-regions with highlights including the Pinnacles Desert View Walk Trail, Mandu Mandu Gorge, Cape Range National Park, and Wanamalu Trail. It is designed to cater to a range of hiking abilities with itinerary ideas and helpful trip-planning tips.

Further information: https://www.australiascoralcoast.com/see-do/hikes-and-trails

The Agentic Tourism Initiative was launched at the inaugural TOURISE Summit in 2025 introducing the world’s first Agentic Protocol for Tourism and building upon the whitepaper Tourism’s AI Takeover – Reinventing Travel through Agentic Tourism which lays out five AI agent archetypes shaping the future of travel. Developed in partnership with Globant, TOURISE and Kearney the initiative brings together a coalition of members across technology, infrastructure, aviation, and destination leadership.

Further information: https://www.globant.com/news/tourise-2025-agentic-tourism-initiative

Sweden has welcomed its first marine national park on the East Coast which encompasses more than 1,000 islands, skerries, and reefs. Nämdöskärgården in the Stockholm Archipelago forms one of the largest continuous landscapes in the Baltic Sea shaped by the forces of wind and waves. The aim of the new national park is to preserve and make accessible the biodiversity found within its archipelagos, kelp forests, and underwater ecosystems.

Further information: https://news.cision.com/visit-sweden/r/new-marine-national-park–sweden-s-east-coast-unveils-namdoskargarden—a-baltic-sea-gem,c4210393

Image: Kayak camp on Långviksskär, Nämdö archipelago
Photo: Claes Grundsten

A new agreement has been announced between Dinosaur Experiences Australia, Tourism and Events Queensland, and the Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation to position Queensland as a world leader in fossil discovery and palaeo tourism. This two-year partnership will drive the development, promotion, and sustainability of dinosaur tourism experiences across the state.

Further information: https://dinosaurexperiences.com/queensland-roars-ahead-new-agreement-fuels-dinosaur-tourism-growth-across-the-outback/

Destination Southern New South Wales has launched a new tourism initiative that aims to position the region as Australia’s premier mountain biking destination. The Great Southern Trails features more than 550 kilometres of dedicated trails across 10 mountain bike trail networks and towns across the South Coast, alpine region and Australian Capital Territory. The initiative was developed by Destination New South Wales with support from Mountain Bike clubs, tourism industry operators, local councils and government.

Further information: https://www.destinationnsw.com.au/newsroom/great-southern-trails-mountain-bike-tourism-initiative

The Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation has entered into an agreement with Adelaide-based tourism group Journey Beyond for the sale of Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia’s operational assets including Ayers Rock Resort at Yulara in Central Australia and the Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre in Tropical North Queensland. Journey Beyond already operates 20 travel brands including The Ghan, Indian Pacific, Outback Spirit, Sal Salis, and the recently acquired Sailaway Port Douglas. It will continue to embed Anangu and Kuku Yalaji culture at the heart of these world-class experiences with an agreement expected to be finalised in early 2026.

Further information: https://media.journeybeyond.com.au/news/ilsc-and-journey-beyond-agree-sale-of-voyages-indigeous-tourism-australia/

Visit California has introduced a dedicated trade and consumer resource designed to empower travellers with disabilities to plan and explore the Golden State with ease and confidence. The new Accessibility Hub is an online platform designed to gather essential information in one place from wheelchair-friendly hotels and sensory-friendly attractions to transportation options, planning tips, and answers to common accessibility questions. With its mix of practical tools and inspirational storytelling, the hub aims to position California as a leader in accessible travel.

Further information: https://www.visitcalifornia.com/things-to-do/accessible-travel/

A new Ambassador Penguin Encounter will open at the West Coast Wildlife Centre in Franz Josef on the South Island of New Zealand. The multimillion-dollar extension to the existing facility is for sick and injured little blue penguins that cannot be released back into the wild. The new encounter will enhance the existing kiwi and tuatara conservation programs by highlighting practical ways individuals can support sustainable fishing practices, reduce plastic waste, and become involved in local conservation initiatives.

Further information: https://wildkiwi.co.nz/ambassador-penguin-encounter-in-franz-josef/

Intrepid Travel has released a new open-source guide aimed at demonstrating how its B Corp certification has helped deliver tangible business gains across the key areas of governance, financial performance, brand reputation, strategic partnerships and employee engagement. The guide aims to assist travel trade professionals navigating B Corp certification and is the latest in a collection of free resources for the travel industry aimed at fostering greater levels of collaboration and knowledge-sharing on key sustainability issues.

Further information: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/au/newsroom/releases/new-open-source-b-corp-resource

Evaneos and consulting firm Roland Berger have designed the first Overtourism Index built from external data collected from a sample of the world’s top 100 tourist destinations. It proposes typologies of overtourism based on the analysis of a sample of 70 destinations to measure their degree of exposure to overtourism, each destination is rated from one to five by combining four criteria tourist density per capita, per square kilometre, seasonality, and the host country’s sustainability maturity. It was designed as a decision-making tool for tourism stakeholders to stop selling summer trips to exposed destinations.

Further information: https://www.evaneos.fr/presse/actualites/index-surtourisme/

Six Senses Fiji is launching a new marine restoration initiative for guests as part of its partnership with global non-government organisation Coral Gardeners. The new ‘Become a Coral Gardener’ program means guests can join marine biologists in actively restoring the reef around Malolo Island. Once established these corals attract a diverse array of marine life including turtles, which naturally help maintain a balanced ecosystem.

Further information: https://coralgardeners.org/

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council, in partnership with Content with Purpose, has launched the first global digital series on sustainable tourism. The Travel Redefined: Tourism for People and Planet series takes an in-depth look into how sustainable and regenerative tourism supports people, planet, and prosperity by sharing real stories and expert insights from inspiring people and organisations around the world. The series examines the role of tourism in promoting biodiversity conservation, green mobility, responsible waste practices, equitable economic development, cultural preservation, and accessible experiences.

Further information: https://contentwithpurpose.co.uk/gstc/travelredefined/

UN Tourism and the World Tourism Alliance have developed a comprehensive outline for developing Community-Based Tourism as a strategy for sustainable development. The Developing Local Communities through Sustainable Tourism Development Roadmap publication aims to address challenges such as poverty, inequality, and environmental sustainability through responsible tourism. It provides practical strategies for local communities to ensure tourism development leads to equitable economic benefits, cultural preservation, and environmental stewardship.

Further information: https://www.wta-web.org/eng/news/news_545

UN Tourism, the TUI Care Foundation, and the University of Cambridge’s Centre for Resilience and Sustainable Development have joined forces to create sustainable and circular food systems across the tourism value chain. The 2040 Impact Roadmap for Sustainable Food Systems in Tourism will build upon the Global Roadmap for Food Waste Reduction developed by the One Planet Sustainable Tourism Program and supported through the TUI Care Foundation’s Field to Fork program.

Further information: https://www.untourism.int/circular-economy/food-for-good-initiative

The Queensland Government have released a new one-stop shop to help the tourism industry navigate government processes including grants and permits. The Tourism Support Hub is a key deliverable of the Queensland Governments 20-year tourism plan and aims to streamline access to business development support by cutting red tape for operators focusing on delivering world-class experiences ahead of Brisbane 2032 and beyond.

Further information: https://www.detsi.qld.gov.au/tourism/tourism-support/support-hub

Historic Environment Scotland, in a collaboration with VisitScotland, has published a guide to safeguard Scotland’s heritage tourism sector from the impact of climate change. The Climate Change Adaptation Manual for Heritage Tourism is designed to help a wide range of tourism businesses that generate income from visitors interested in or who experience heritage including guided tour operators, museums, natural heritage landscapes, historic attractions, organisers of heritage festivals and sporting events.

Further information: https://www.visitscotland.org/news/2025/heritage-climate-change-manual-published

The World Tourism Cities Federation has released a report which provides an overview of tourism development from the perspectives of the globe, regions, countries, cities, industries, and companies. The 2024 World Tourism Economy Trends report analyses global tourism economy trends, pattern changes of regional development, and prominent characteristics of key countries. It also outlines recovery strategies for tourism cities, development trends of critical industries and adjustments to business strategies.

Further information: https://en.wtcf.org.cn/20240729/c21ec5ae-f6f9-5d0e-c789-d1aa7b10d26b-i.html

The Transformational Travel Council has released the latest Transformational Travel: State of the Industry report helping destinations understand how to be better stewards of their places and communities. The concept of transformational travel is part of the tourism industry growing into an interconnected, self-organising, regenerative system that positively impacts visitors, hosts, and communities. The report reflects many studies across decades of research in transformational travel and was created in partnership with the Transformational Travel Institute for Wellbeing, Peace, and Eco-Consciousness.

Further information: https://www.transformational.travel/state-of-industry-report

The Expedia Group is again partnering with The Travel Foundation to offer the Destination Climate Champions program to support destination management and marketing organisations to build resilient, climate-smart tourism. This initiative provides staff in Destination Marketing Organisations with the practical tools and training needed to embed climate intelligence into their strategies.

Further information: https://www.thetravelfoundation.org.uk/campaign/destination-climate-champions/

Aotearoa New Zealand is joining the world-renowned Michelin Guide which is making its first-ever expansion into Oceania in 125 years. The inaugural edition will provide an opportunity to showcase New Zealand’s unique culinary offering across restaurants in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Queenstown. Tourism New Zealand will also support paid advertising, social media, PR and trade activity to position New Zealand as a must-visit global culinary destination for international travellers.

Further information: https://www.tourismnewzealand.com/news-and-activity/michelin-guide-coming-to-aotearoa-new-zealand/

Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, in partnership with Djabugay’s Buda:dji Aboriginal Development Association, has been awarded the Interpretation Australia National Excellence Award – First Nations Interpretation Project for The World’s Oldest Rainforest Story. This collaborative project uses innovative GPS-based technology delivered via the Skyrail Audio Guide App to place a virtual Djabugay Ranger inside every gondola to share the knowledge, language and stories of the Djabuganydji. Skyrail Rainforest Cableway is an accessible ecotourism experience that takes visitors on a journey through Queensland’s World Heritage-listed Wet Tropics Rainforest.

Further information: https://interpretationaustralia.asn.au/ias-2025-awards-recipients/

Marriott International has released a report that shows dining habits and preferences are changing across the Asia Pacific region with a trend towards healthier eating including vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options. The Future of Food 2026 report draws on insights from chefs, mixologists, industry insiders, regional food media and food and beverage teams in 270 properties in 20 markets. It also found that third-generation chefs are using traditional ingredients to create flavours with deep cultural significance, as well as driving sustainable food movements empowering local farmers and promoting biodiversity.

Further information: https://news.marriott.com/static-assets/component-resources/newscenter/news/2025/10/14/future-of-food-2026-asia-pacific.pdf

The World Travel and Tourism Council has launched a landmark report with the support of the Ministry of Tourism of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Coraggio Group, Miles Partnership, and Hong Kong Polytechnic University. The Future of the Travel and Tourism Workforce report focused on 20 economies to provide future trends, challenges, and opportunities for employers in the sector. It highlights how shrinking working-age populations relative to economic growth will further impact the sector and provides recommendations on how businesses can boost recruitment and retention to deal with labour shortages and skills gaps.

Further information: https://wttc.org/news/wttc-report-shows-travel-and-tourism-set-to-support-91mn-new-jobs-by-2035

Expedia Group has released their global travel insights report which highlights shifts in traveller behaviour and the destinations set to dominate itineraries in 2026. The Unpack ’26: The Trends in Travel provides a comprehensive look of the niche behaviours, unique experiences, trending destinations, and innovative stays travellers are chasing in 2026. The report draws on first-party data from Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo, alongside an online survey of 24,000 travellers across 18 countries who are planning domestic or international travel in the next three years.

Further information: https://www.expedia.com/newsroom/unpack-26-expedia-hotelscom-vrbo/

The International Air Transport Association has released the results of its 2025 Global Passenger Survey which shows how passengers want to book, pay, check in, and move through airports. The survey based on more than 10,000 responses from travellers across 200 countries shows that international air travellers are least satisfied with border control and baggage collection but are keen to use biometrics to take the friction out of flying.

Further information: https://www.iata.org/en/pressroom/2025-releases/2025-11-05-02/

The Luxury Travel Summit will be held in Monaco from 24-27 February 2026. Hosted by Forbes Travel Guide, this three-day event attracts decision-makers from hospitality, travel and luxury brands.

Further information: https://summit.forbestravelguide.com/

The 13th World Congress on Snow, Mountain and Wellness Tourism will take place in Andorra from 25-27 March 2026. The congress will focus on the transformation of mountain tourism in the face of changes driven by digitalisation, artificial intelligence and new technologies.

Further information: https://www.untourism.int/events/13th-world-congress-on-snow-mountain-and-wellness-tourism

The Australian Cruise Association Annual Conference will be held in Brisbane from 2-4 September 2026. The event is attended by cruise line executives, port and destination representatives, tour operators, shipping agents, and other cruise and tourism stakeholders.

Further information: https://www.australiancruiseassociation.com/sites/default/files/2025-09/Media%20Release%20-%20And%20the%20winner%20is…Brisbane%21.pdf