Speaking to Al Jazeera Arabic, Bulut Bağcı said the conflict is creating both a shock and a turning point for global tourism, as travellers increasingly prioritise safety, flexibility and political stability when choosing destinations.

Tourism faces immediate disruption

While tourism has historically shown resilience during geopolitical crises, Bağcı noted that travellers are already changing their behaviour.

“People continue to travel, but they change their destinations, the airlines they use, and sometimes even the entire nature of their holidays,” he told Al Jazeera.

The impact is being felt across the wider travel ecosystem, including airlines, airports, hotels, travel insurance providers, tour operators and investors.

According to forecasts from Tourism Economics, international arrivals to the Middle East could decline by between 11% and 27% in 2026 depending on how long the conflict continues. Under an early resolution scenario, the region could lose 23 million visitors and around $34 billion in tourism spending. A prolonged conflict could push losses to 38 million visitors and $56 billion in spending.

Air connectivity under pressure

Aviation remains one of the sectors most exposed to the crisis. The Middle East serves as one of the world’s most important transit regions, accounting for around 14% of global international transit activity. Airspace closures and flight cancellations have already disrupted travel across multiple markets. According to Tourism Economics, more than 5,000 flights were cancelled during the first days of the conflict.

Bağcı warned that Gulf countries face a particularly complex situation because their tourism growth is closely linked to aviation connectivity and perceptions of stability.

Destinations such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha and Riyadh have built strong international tourism brands over the past decade, but disruptions to regional airspace can quickly affect traveller confidence.

HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid reviews report of the Emirates Tourism Council and achievements of the UAE's tourism for 2025

Key results and achievements:
+32 million guests stayed in hotel establishments, reflecting an increase of 5.1% compared to 2024.
AED 49.21 billion in… pic.twitter.com/G78AsKYHd3

— Sinan (@SinanYTRR) May 26, 2026

According to Reuters, passenger traffic at Dubai International Airport fell significantly during the first quarter of 2026 as travel demand weakened amid the conflict.

Safety becomes a competitive advantage

For Bağcı, the crisis reflects a broader shift taking place across the tourism industry.

Tourism is no longer defined solely by beaches, landmarks or luxury hotels. Security, political stability and strong airport connectivity are increasingly becoming central components of the tourism product itself.

Countries capable of providing safety, streamlined visa procedures, reliable infrastructure and effective crisis management are expected to gain a competitive advantage as travellers reassess their priorities.

“The countries that can provide security, facilitate visas, offer strong airports and maintain political stability will attract more tourists in the future,” Bağcı said.

Alternative destinations may benefit

As demand shifts away from perceived conflict zones, several destinations could benefit from changing traveller preferences.

Bağcı highlighted countries including Turkey, Greece, Spain, Italy, Morocco, Egypt, Thailand, Indonesia and the Maldives as destinations that could attract additional visitors due to perceptions of greater stability.

Southern European destinations, in particular, may benefit from strong air networks, established tourism infrastructure and continued demand for sun and cultural tourism experiences.

A changing global tourism landscape

Despite the scale of the disruption, Bağcı does not believe global tourism demand will collapse.

Instead, he expects a redistribution of travel flows, with tourists favouring destinations that offer confidence, security and predictability.

The conflict, he argues, may ultimately reinforce a new reality for the travel industry: in an increasingly uncertain world, safety and stability are becoming just as important as attractions, hospitality and climate.

L’article Middle East could lose 23 million visitors due to Iran conflict est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The case centred on a woman from Rome who stayed at the five-star Hotel Sassongher in Corvara, in the Dolomites, during the 2019 ski season. Staying on a half-board basis, with evening meals included but drinks excluded, she repeatedly requested tap water at dinner rather than bottled mineral water.

According to Italian media reports, hotel staff refused her requests and instead placed a 0.75-litre bottle of mineral water costing €7 on the table each evening. The tourist reportedly even offered to pay for tap water, but the hotel maintained its policy of serving bottled water only.

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The woman later filed a lawsuit claiming her consumer rights had been violated. She argued that water is “a natural resource and a universal human right” and that access to tap water should be considered a basic part of hotel service, comparable to “finding a bed with sheets” or “soap in the bathroom”.

She sought €2,700 in compensation for alleged emotional distress and economic damage.

However, the case was dismissed by lower courts before eventually reaching Italy’s Supreme Court of Cassation, which ruled in favour of the hotel.

Silvio Belardi, the lawyer representing the hotel, told Italian newspaper Corriere Alto Adige that the judges reaffirmed there is “no obligation for the establishment to provide drinking water to customers”.

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Speaking to the BBC, Belardi explained that the hotel’s policy reflected the practices of many high-end establishments in Italy, where only sealed bottled water is served at restaurant tables.

“We also argued that if a person wanted running water, they could easily get that in the hotel, just not at the restaurant,” he said.

The court ultimately concluded that Italian laws and regulations do not oblige restaurants or hotels to provide tap water and that the decision remains at the discretion of individual establishments.

The ruling has reignited debate over cultural norms and sustainability practices in Italy’s hospitality sector. While requesting tap water in restaurants is common in countries such as the United Kingdom, France and Spain, it remains relatively unusual in Italy, where bottled mineral water is deeply embedded in dining culture.

In England and Wales, licensed premises are legally required to provide free drinking water upon request. Italy, however, has no equivalent regulation.

The case also highlighted changing consumer habits, particularly among travellers seeking to reduce plastic waste and avoid unnecessary bottled water purchases. Although asking for tap water in Italian restaurants is often considered poor etiquette, some establishments have started offering filtered water options in response to growing environmental concerns.

Despite the public attention surrounding the case, the court rejected the tourist’s claim for compensation, ruling there was insufficient evidence of financial or moral harm.

L’article Tourist loses legal battle after Italian hotel refused tap water  est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

A brief history

Tirana grew from a small trading settlement into Albania’s capital by 1920 due to its central location. The city transformed from an Ottoman town into a capital with Italian-influenced architecture, but later endured a harsh communist dictatorship from 1944 to 1992.

Stalinist dictator Enver Hoxha led a harsh, isolationist regime that built bunkers, transformed cityscapes with socialist style housing, and tore down religious buildings.

Today, though, this delightful capital has evolved into a vibrant, colourful European city.

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Communist past

No visit to Tirana is complete without dipping into a period of time that, one imagines, many Albanians may now prefer to consign to history: the communist era.

Having said that, relics from that period are scattered around the city and are now “must see” tourist spots.

These very much include Bunk’art, a communist era nuclear protection bunker which you could easily miss were it not for several large notice boards pointing you in its direction.

This really is a fascinating place to visit. You descend a few steps below ground to encounter several tunnels and rooms, now converted into a museum, art space and learning experience.

@damianos_gkinis Creepy, silent, underground. Bunk’Art #BunkArt #Tirana #VisitAlbania #CreepyPlaces #traveltiktok ♬ Creepy and simple horror background music(1070744) – howlingindicator

These contain sometimes rather harrowing photos and information about the country’s gruesome and recent past.

Located just a few steps from Skanderbeg Square, the city’s main public square, it is arguably at its best when telling the personal stories of those who experienced the worst extremes of communist doctrine.

Another must see attraction is the House of Leaves, a building just outside the city centre that was originally a humble maternity hospital.

It later became an interrogation centre and torture chamber under previous regimes and, again, retells the stories of ordinary Albanians who were sometimes cruelly treated by the feared secret police, known as the “Sigurimi”.

Woe betide anyone considered a “traitor” to the state.

The site also contains an impressive collection showing some of the intriguing ways the political leaders of the time spied on their own people, as well as foreigners.

It seems hardly any conversation escaped recording or monitoring, with listening devices inserted into all manner of objects, including broomsticks, ties and pipes.

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Skanderbeg Square

Think Brussels’ Grand Place but about six times the size and you get some idea of the scale of this huge public space in the centre of Tirana.

It was built by the Austrians in 1917 and is named after Skanderbeg, the 15th century Albanian military leader and national hero. He is also honoured with statues in other cities around the world, including Brussels. Skanderbeg died from malaria in 1468.

The square is surrounded by what can only be described as a highly eclectic mix of architecture, some dating from the communist era, and is a great starting point for any visit to the city.

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Coffee and George W. Bush

Don’t scoff. This city really is in love with both.

Walking around with a cup of coffee has become de rigueur in many places, but here it is deeply ingrained in the local culture as a vital social ritual and not just a caffeine boost.

Tirana is known for having one of the highest numbers of coffee shops per capita in the world. They really do seem to be on every corner. Cafés in Tirana serve as essential hubs for connection, business meetings and leisure.

With the fall of communism in the 1990s, cafés exploded as public social spaces, and you will see people sitting for long periods of time, putting the world to rights over a very often tiny cup of coffee.

This must also be one of the few places with its own dedicated coffee museum.

It is called Komiteti Kafe Museum and, again, is easily missed, not least because it also doubles as a café, albeit one of the most colourfully decorated you are likely to come across.

@eli_radu30 If you’re visiting Tirana, don’t miss Komiteti — Kafe Muzeum, a cafe that feels like stepping into Albania’s story. Every corner is filled with history, vintage decor, and the coziest atmosphere — perfect for a slow coffee moment or an evening drink. Komiteti Kafe Muzeum, Rruga Fatmir Haxhiu, Tirana #tirana #albania #komiteti #travelalbania #cafehopping ♬ original sound – 𝓙ᝰ.ᐟ

It is retro inspired and full of vintage memorabilia, which is worth seeing in itself. But, of course, you should also sample one of its many varieties of coffee and discover more about the country’s coffee culture.

Coffee we understand, but George W. Bush?

While perhaps not quite sharing the same level of obsession, the sometimes ridiculed former US president remains highly popular in Tirana.

This is primarily because he was the first sitting US president to visit the country, doing so in 2007, and for his active support of Albanian interests, particularly Kosovo’s independence and Albania’s NATO membership.

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President Bush received a “rock star” welcome in Tirana and the town of Fushë Krujë, where crowds chanted “Boosh-y”.

There is a major road named after Bush, along with a library just outside the city centre.

More broadly, Albania has long held a deep appreciation for the US, dating back to President Woodrow Wilson’s support for Albanian independence in 1919.

An unexpected link with Belgium

Aside from both sharing an affinity with the EU, you would not necessarily expect to find much connecting this Western Balkans state with Belgium.

But pay a visit to the city’s Catholic cathedral and you may meet one of its priests, who hails from Bruges.

Father Koen Van Kershauer is a Flemish born clergyman who has been in Tirana for some 30 years.

He told this site what brought him to the city, saying: “I was in Germany at the time but I heard about how the former communist regime persecuted and even killed priests and burned down churches.

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“It was just after the fall of communism in the early 1990s and I decided I wanted to come here to help. I did not realise I might stay this long but I am happy here.

“I am also happy to say that today all religions, whatever they are, co exist happily together in Albania. I guess that is the best one can do,” said the 83 year old.

“I have witnessed major improvements in how religion is perceived here and how all denominations are treated.”

The stained glass window to the left of the cathedral’s front door features Pope John Paul II and Mother Teresa, who was of Albanian origin.

A statue of Mother Teresa can be found at the entrance of the cathedral, along with a very impressive huge montage made from seashells.

It is a modern looking building that does not resemble a traditional church, but it is well worth a visit.

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So, what else is there to see?

Another religious attraction is the Et’hem Bey Mosque in the city centre, built between 1791 and 1794 by Molla Bey. During the totalitarian rule of the Socialist People’s Republic of Albania, the mosque was closed.

It was later declared a historical monument and underwent restoration in the late 1960s and 1970s.

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On 18 January 1991, despite opposition from the communist authorities, some 10,000 people entered the mosque carrying flags. The event became a milestone in the rebirth of religious freedom in Albania.

The mosque’s frescoes depict trees, waterfalls and bridges.

Other attractions include the Pyramid of Tirana, originally the Enver Hoxha Museum named after the long time communist leader but now transformed into an art space, and the Grand Park of Tirana, ideal for a stroll around its lovely artificial lake.

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Albania and the EU

Earlier this month, the EU celebrated Schuman Day, regarded as the beginning of what would later become the European Union.

While the occasion may have gone largely unnoticed even in some founding member states, there was considerable fanfare in Tirana.

This includes a specially dedicated area in the city centre displaying the flags of all current EU member states alongside the dates they joined the Union.

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Albania, of course, is considered one of the leading frontrunners among Western Balkans countries to join the EU and is aiming to do so by 2030.

Unlike in some current member states, support for the EU is booming here, with public backing for membership said to exceed 90%.

A desire to raise living standards is among the reasons why many Albanians appear eager for their country to become the EU’s next member.

It is also worth noting that prices here remain very favourable, certainly when compared with countries such as Belgium, with a good meal and drink often costing up to 50% less.

L’article From bunkers to cafés: discovering the many faces of Tirana est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The comments come amid ongoing economic and political instability, with the conflict affecting global air travel and raising concerns about potential aviation fuel shortages in the coming weeks.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum said the airline remains well prepared. “From a fuel perspective, Emirates is well-hedged until 2028-29,” he noted, adding that the company has secured the necessary supply to support current operations and a gradual return to pre-disruption levels.

He also pointed to the role of the wider Emirates Group, including its ground handling arm dnata. “Our business streams, scale, portfolio mix, and years of investments give us the resilience and agility to address any near-term challenges,” he said.

Disruption to air traffic in the Gulf region

Reflecting on the impact of the conflict, the Emirates chief said military activity earlier this year had significantly disrupted commercial aviation in the Gulf region. “On 28 February, military activity massively disrupted global commercial air traffic in the Gulf region, including in the UAE,” he said.

Emirates and dnata, he added, mobilised quickly to support passengers, protect assets and maintain operations.

Flights have since gradually resumed at Dubai International Airport, although the airline is still operating below pre-disruption passenger capacity. Cargo operations have increased to support the movement of essential goods.

Dubai’s aviation infrastructure has played a key role in maintaining connectivity, with long-term investments and coordination between authorities enabling the rapid establishment of safe corridors for commercial flights.

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Ceasefire in place as calls for resolution continue

Turning to the broader geopolitical context, Sheikh Ahmed noted that military activities are currently paused under a ceasefire agreement.

“We hope for a clear resolution to the hostilities soon, and a return to market stability,” he said, adding that the airline continues to adapt to the evolving situation.

The Emirates chief acknowledged that both the company and the wider aviation sector have faced “significant challenges”, but stressed that the group has experience navigating crises. “Each time, we placed our focus on our customers and our people, and each time, we have bounced back stronger,” he said.

Record financial results for the Emirates Group

The comments come as the airline released its 2025–26 annual report, showing record financial performance.

For the financial year ending 31 March 2026, the Emirates Group reported profit before tax of US$ 6.6 billion, up 7% year on year, and revenue of US$ 41.0 billion, an increase of 3%.

The results, Sheikh Ahmed said, “reaffirm the strength and resilience” of the group’s business model.

Looking ahead, Emirates enters the 2026–27 financial year with strong cash reserves, allowing continued investment in aircraft deliveries, retrofit programs, and new facilities.

Confidence in Dubai’s position as a global aviation hub also remains strong, with its role described as being “at the nexus of global commerce, trade and travel flows”.

L’article Emirates chief calls for stability as Middle East tensions weigh on aviation est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

More than 1,700 passengers and crew had initially been asked to remain onboard as a precaution after dozens of people reported gastrointestinal symptoms. The ship, carrying 1,233 passengers, mainly from the United Kingdom and Ireland, as well as 514 crew members, arrived in the French port on 13 May and was held there pending the outcome of medical tests.

At the peak of the situation, around 80 individuals experienced stomach-related symptoms, with the highest number of cases reported while the ship was docked in Brest earlier in the week.

Mild viral infection confirmed, norovirus ruled out

French health authorities have since clarified that the situation is under control. The illness affecting passengers has been identified as a mild viral infection with no serious consequences reported.

Initial concerns pointed to a possible outbreak of norovirus, a highly contagious form of gastroenteritis commonly associated with cruise ships. However, tests ruled this out, and further investigations are ongoing. Food poisoning has not been excluded as a possible cause.

Passengers showing symptoms have been instructed to isolate in their cabins, while those without symptoms have now been allowed to leave the vessel.

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Death of elderly passenger unrelated

The incident was further complicated by the death of an elderly passenger during the voyage. Authorities confirmed that the 92-year-old man died of a heart attack before the ship reached Brest, and that his death is unrelated to the gastrointestinal illnesses reported onboard.

Earlier reports had raised concerns about a possible link between the death and the outbreak, but this has since been dismissed.

No link to hantavirus cases on other vessels

The situation also prompted comparisons with a separate health incident involving the MV Hondius, where a suspected hantavirus cluster had been reported after a voyage departing Argentina. French health officials stressed that there is no connection between the two cases.

While gastrointestinal infections such as gastroenteritis are relatively common and typically mild, hantavirus is rare and significantly more severe.

During the confinement period in Bordeaux, enhanced sanitation measures were implemented across the ship. These included intensified cleaning protocols, assisted service in dining areas, and reinforced hygiene guidance for passengers and crew, such as regular handwashing and prompt reporting of symptoms.

In a statement, the cruise operator said it had implemented health and safety protocols in line with public health procedures and was working closely with local authorities.

The Ambition, which departed from the Shetland Islands on 6 May and called at Belfast and Liverpool before arriving in France, is expected to resume its itinerary towards Spain once clearance is granted.

L’article Cruise ship passengers allowed to disembark in Bordeaux after health scare onboard est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Meise Botanic Garden

At Meise Botanic Garden, a single visit feels like a journey around the world. Covering 92 hectares, this botanical haven is among the largest in the world and home to around 18,000 plant species. Visitors can explore medicinal plant collections, a rose garden, and the impressive Plant Palace, a complex of eleven greenhouses including the iconic Victoria House.

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At the heart of the estate stands Bouchout Castle, whose origins date back to the 12^th century. It was extensively renovated around the time of the French Revolution, when the surrounding landscape was redesigned with ponds and enriched with exotic plants. The castle was later home to Princess Charlotte, sister of King Leopold II and former Empress of Mexico, whose dramatic life story still lingers within its walls.

While the castle is rich in history, the garden remains the main attraction. The Plant Palace takes visitors across climates and continents, from arid desert landscapes to lush tropical rainforest and savannah environments. Spring and summer are particularly spectacular, when outdoor flowers are in full bloom, but the site offers a unique experience in every season.

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Among the highlights are the giant water lilies, famous for their strength, and the themed outdoor gardens, including culinary, medieval, and rose gardens, as well as a flower theatre. An hour is barely enough to explore the greenhouses alone, and visitors should allow additional time to discover the wider park.

Easily accessible from Brussels by bus or car, Meise also connects to surrounding walking and cycling routes, making it an ideal starting point for a countryside excursion. Nearby towns such as Grimbergen and Vilvoorde offer opportunities to extend the visit with heritage and cultural stops.

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Gaasbeek Castle and its museum garden

Originally built in 1236 by Godfrey of Leuven as a defensive stronghold, Gaasbeek Castle was later transformed into a romantic neo-Renaissance residence by Marquise Arconati Visconti. She filled it with art, fine metalwork, and stained glass, before donating it to the Belgian state in 1923.

Today, visitors can step into her vision inside the castle, and outside wander through an expansive park dotted with a pleasure pavilion, a triumphal arch, and the remarkable museum garden.

The garden itself tells a fascinating story of horticultural excellence. In centuries past, the castle’s residents relied entirely on what was grown on the estate, enjoying produce cultivated without modern pesticides or chemicals. Their gardeners were among the most skilled of their time, attracting learners from across Europe eager to master advanced growing techniques.

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That legacy continues today. The Gaasbeek Museum Garden recreates the spirit of 18^th and 19^th century castle gardens, with rare fruit trees, forgotten vegetables, and ornamental plants. Its collection of espaliered fruit trees is particularly distinctive, while informational panels explain traditional cultivation and preservation methods, from beekeeping to historic fruit storage.

The wider area also invites exploration. Visitors can easily turn their trip into a full day by combining the castle with nearby green spaces such as Groenenberg Park or the renowned rose gardens of Coloma, especially striking in early summer.

Park of Tervuren

Once the hunting grounds of the Dukes of Brabant, the Park of Tervuren is now an elegant landscape park covering 205 hectares. Visitors can stroll along ponds through a neoclassical French garden, wander into the Warande forest with its ancient oaks and beeches, and encounter traces of noble history, including the baroque St Hubert Chapel dating from 1617 and the remains of the ducal palace.

On the edge of the park lie the AfricaMuseum and the Tervuren Arboretum, where around 700 tree species from the northern hemisphere can be discovered.

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The park is easily accessible from Brussels via Tram 44, a scenic route that combines heritage and nature.

Tervuren also serves as a gateway to the Brabantse Wouden National Park. Stretching from the Hallerbos to the Sonian Forest and the Meerdaal Forest, this vast natural area covers more than 10,000 hectares. Dense forests, winding rivers, and open landscapes create a rich and biodiverse environment, offering countless opportunities for walking, cycling, and reconnecting with nature.

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Whether you are looking for a peaceful walk, a cultural discovery, or a full day immersed in nature, the parks and gardens around Brussels offer a rich and varied escape. Just a short distance from the capital, these green spaces reveal another side of the region, where heritage, biodiversity, and tranquillity come together in every season.

L’article Green escapes around Brussels: three parks and gardens to discover est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The initiative, led by visit.brussels, relies on recognised experts based in the Belgian capital to bring large scale conferences to the city, reinforcing its role as a European hub for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions, known as MICE tourism.

A growing but uncertain global market

The move comes at a time when business travel and events are showing strong recovery, despite geopolitical and economic headwinds.

According to the latest Global Events Barometer by the Events Industry Council, demand for business events remains robust. Hotel group room nights have reached 97% of 2019 levels, while event planners’ requests for proposals now exceed pre pandemic figures at 102%.

At the same time, pricing has surged, with global room rates for business events averaging 139% of 2019 levels, reflecting sustained demand alongside rising structural costs.

Longer term forecasts remain positive. The global business travel market, valued at $689.7 billion in 2021, is expected to reach $2.1 trillion by 2031, with spending potentially hitting $1.8 trillion as early as 2026, according to the Global Business Travel Association.

However, the outlook is not without risk. Geopolitical tensions, including instability in the Middle East, as well as economic uncertainty and shifting travel patterns, could affect short term planning and investment decisions.

Brussels’ strategy: expertise as leverage

Against this backdrop, Brussels is positioning itself not just as a destination, but as a knowledge hub capable of attracting high value events.

The Business Events Ambassadors programme brings together leading professionals from sectors such as medicine, science, technology and environmental research, encouraging them to use their international networks to secure major congresses for the city.

Rather than focusing solely on promotion, the model is built on influence and expertise. Ambassadors help prepare bids, connect international associations with local ecosystems and ensure that events hosted in Brussels are anchored in relevant industries.

The impact has been significant. Over the past nine years, 135 ambassadors have contributed to attracting more than 300,000 delegates, generating over $250 million in economic benefits for the tourism sector.

Such events are also seen as strategic tools, supporting knowledge exchange, innovation and year round tourism flows, while reinforcing Brussels’ international reputation.

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A competitive edge in Europe

Brussels’ institutional landscape remains one of its strongest assets. As host to European Union institutions and a wide range of international organisations, the city offers direct access to policymakers, regulators and industry leaders.

This makes it particularly attractive for conferences that go beyond networking and aim to influence policy, investment or sector development.

The ambassador network, capped at around 150 members, is designed to remain active and selective, ensuring continued engagement across priority sectors.

Tourism, investment and global events

Recent developments in the tourism sector illustrate how business events are evolving.

Among those recognised within the ambassador programme is Bulut Bağcı, President of the World Tourism Forum Institute, who has played a role in bringing the Global Tourism Forum 2026 to Brussels.

His approach reflects a broader shift in how such events are positioned. “We make billion dollar investment decisions in Brussels. For me, Brussels is not a destination, it is a home,” Bağcı said. “We bring together governments, investors and industry leaders around the same table.”

Bulut Bagci has been recognized by https://t.co/avHrtKzb93 as a 2026 Business Events Ambassador. This is not just an award, it’s a strong signal that Brussels is becoming a key hub for global tourism investment and decision-making through the Global Tourism Forum. pic.twitter.com/jnST3o9hC4

— Global Tourism Forum (@gtourismforum) May 3, 2026

He argues that tourism is increasingly linked to wider economic strategy, particularly in areas such as infrastructure, investment and international cooperation. “Tourism is economic infrastructure,” he added, pointing to the role of large scale forums in connecting public and private stakeholders.

As global demand for in person events continues to recover, cities are competing to attract gatherings that deliver not only visitor numbers but long term impact. For Brussels, the Business Events Ambassadors programme is a key part of that strategy, aligning local expertise with international opportunity.

L’article Brussels boosts MICE ambitions through Business Events Ambassadors est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

For many such people, planning and predictability are critical, and an airport represents a world of unknown processes and stimuli.

This is why one leading airline has now arranged what it calls “bespoke Travel Rehearsals” across more than 40 cities globally over the past year.

The aim is to familiarise individuals who have accessible travel requirements with airport and aircraft procedures ahead of travel.

We’ve supported more than 250 families across 6 continents, with ‘Emirates Travel Rehearsals’ for children and young people with autism.

To reduce travel anxiety and practice for a real trip – these are guided, real-world experience of every step of the airport process,… pic.twitter.com/xnYfU9Wfol

— Emirates (@emirates) April 20, 2026

Emirates says this shows its “continued commitment to making travel more accessible for all.”

With more than 250 families already positively impacted, the scheme is designed to support children and young adults with autism, allowing them to practise the journey through the airport to prepare for real flights, easing travel anxiety and empowering them to fly with more confidence.

After the initial travel rehearsals in Dubai resulted in positive feedback from families, schools and autism organisations, the airline’s Office of Accessibility & Inclusion developed the travel rehearsal into an official programme to be rolled out across its global network.

Since April 2025, its Airport Services teams have come together to arrange more than 40 of these travel rehearsals across airports, including Accra, Athens, Bali, Barcelona, Brussels, Cairo, Dublin, Hong Kong, London, Madrid, Paris, Sydney, Toronto, Venice and Vienna.

The latest to join the scheme is Brussels Airport at an event that took place on World Autism Day.

For the launch, held in conjunction with Centrum kLIM, five children with autism, along with their families and escorts, were hosted for the day on a full walkthrough of Brussels Airport, from check-in and immigration to security, duty-free shopping and through to the gate.

The session then followed the arrival process, visiting baggage reclaim and customs.

Jean-Pierre Martin, Emirates’ Country Manager in Belgium, said: “As the world’s first Autism Certified Airline, we are committed to breaking down invisible barriers that may prevent neurodiverse passengers from exploring the world.

“This global programme brings together key stakeholders from across the journey with a common vision, empowering participants with confidence and independence.”

Sylvie Van den Eynde, Chief Passenger Officer at Brussels Airport, added: “We want every traveller to feel comfortable when they pass through our airport. That also means giving extra time and support to passengers who need it.

“Through initiatives like this travel rehearsal and our participation in the Sunflower programme, including the use of the sunflower lanyard, we ensure that passengers with invisible disabilities are recognised and respectfully assisted by our airport staff. Inclusive travel is not an exception for us. It’s an integral part of how we welcome people at the airport.”

More than 35,000 staff have been trained to support customers with autism and can help facilitate travel and travel rehearsals.

The airline’s teams work closely with airport authorities and partners to make sure each rehearsal is a supportive and successful experience for families.

Sami Aqil Abdullah, Senior Vice President, Emirates Airport Services Outstation & Business Support, told this site: “The Emirates Travel Rehearsal programme has been a resounding success across six continents, with impressive collaboration and drive shown by all stakeholders, from our own Emirates teams to our airport partners, and the parents and teachers who trusted us to support their children.

“We will continue to amplify this success with more locations, more teams involved, and more families positively impacted and empowered to fly with confidence.”

What is a Travel Rehearsal?

As the world’s first autism-certified airline, Emirates says it is aware that for many families, international air travel is a highly challenging experience, or something to be avoided completely due to the high level of sensory stimuli involved.

The Travel Rehearsal initiative is a purposeful community collaboration and learning exercise arranged by the airline, with the support of international airport teams, border control and security teams, and schools and autism centres around the world.

The travel rehearsals empower neurodivergent people to participate in a real-time journey through the airport, practising the actions of checking in, dropping baggage, going through immigration and security, and experiencing the hustle and bustle of retail and dining areas.

While familiarising themselves with the airport, participants are also issued mock boarding passes and given the chance to meet the many uniformed staff encountered along the way. In some airports, Emirates’ teams have also arranged access to real aircraft for children and young adults.

L’article How Emirates is making airports easier for autistic travellers worldwide est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

This sprawling hotel and wellness centre stands on what was once a popular zoo. It is entirely possible that where guests now lay their heads at night or relax in the whirlpool during the day was once the very place where elephants were exercised or lions trained.

That all came to an end in 1989 when Thermae 2000 first opened. The zoo animals went their separate ways, and, instead, thermal spas, restaurants, wellness facilities, and, a few years later, hotel rooms took their place.

What did remain, and had to remain as it is protected by law, is a very large and impressive mammoth tree, one of the world’s largest, heaviest and oldest tree species. The new centre had to be built around the tree and, today, it still stands proudly among the state-of-the-art facilities.

A striking location above Valkenburg

The centre is located in the southern part of the country, just a 90-minute drive from Brussels, making it an easy escape for those seeking a restorative short break.

It is not only the oldest and biggest of its kind in the Netherlands but surely also one of the most distinctive in design.

Thermae 2000 resembles the eye-catching shape of a pyramid, which is fitting as it is perched on the Cauberg, probably the most famous “mountain” in the country, just outside the pretty and popular town of Valkenburg.

It was founded by two Dutch physiotherapists, Marcel Jaspars and Mijndert Verschuur, which seems appropriate because this is exactly the kind of place to head when body and mind are in need of some recharge and TLC.

When it came to naming the centre, the two men came up with a novel idea. They chose the first letter from their Christian names, M, and put them together to create MM, which, as every Latin scholar will know, means 2000 in Roman numerals, hence Thermae 2000.

The pair later went their separate ways but reunited a few years ago for a major staff reunion celebrating the centre’s 30^th anniversary.

Wellness on a grand scale

Today, the resort comprises just about everything needed for a relaxing getaway: a wellness centre, spa treatments, a four-star hotel and restaurants where guests do not even need to change for dinner, as dining in a bathrobe is perfectly acceptable.

The wellness facilities are second to none and include what must be the largest number of saunas on one site in the country. In fact, you could stay for a week, trying a different one each day, and still have several left to experience.

The largest and most popular is Infinitum, which comes with huge windows and splendid panoramic views over the unspoilt surrounding countryside.

But there is far more here than saunas, both indoor and outdoor. Guests can also indulge in a wide range of spa treatments, and whichever one is chosen, aching bones and tired muscles are likely to feel far less tense afterwards.

There is even a relaxation cinema where, for a relatively small extra charge, visitors can watch a nature-themed film while reclining in a massage chair.

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Signature treatments and loyal staff

As with much else about this lovely place, it is probably the friendly Dutch staff who truly make it what it is.

One good example is Patricia, one of the longest-serving members of the team, who has worked as a masseuse here for more than 30 years.

One of her specialities is the Lomi Lomi massage, likened to the therapeutic effect of waves rolling onto a Hawaiian beach. Guests are covered from head to toe in fragrant oil before being gently massaged for 50 minutes.

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Another option is the Lotus massage, also lasting 50 minutes, covering the front and back of the body as well as the face.

The newest treatment is the Japanese head spa, focusing on cleansing, soothing and revitalising the scalp. It uses specially developed products and a nourishing mask carefully massaged in before finishing with conditioner that leaves hair feeling supple and healthy.

Guests can choose a 45-minute treatment (€89.95), focusing on deep cleansing, steam therapy and a refreshing scalp massage, or a 75-minute treatment (€114.95) for a more extensive experience with extra attention to the back, neck, face and scalp.

For Patricia, working here is also a family affair, as her husband does the same work at the centre.

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Stay the night in comfort

While many visitors come only for the day, the experience may tempt them to stay longer.

Thermae 2000 has 74 rooms in total, including 14 wellness suites.

Some of the newest suites opened last year in what used to be office space. Those offices were relocated to make way for impressive guest rooms featuring their own infrared sauna, modern comforts and cracking views of the countryside and recently renovated gardens.

All rooms are connected to the wellness centre, allowing guests to meander around in a bathrobe all day. The spa does, however, have designated swimwear and nude days, so it is best to check in advance.

Another long-serving member of staff, Patty, who works in the wellness area, explains how the centre first came about and reveals a curious link with the past.

Patty, who joined five years after it opened in 1989, recalls that her uncle both worked as a lion tamer and actually lived at the zoo that once occupied the site.

Food, drink and Dutch hospitality

If the friendliness of staff like Patty leaves guests with a feel-good glow, so too will the food.

There are several places to eat, including Bread & Bites, which overlooks the pool and wellness area. Tasty dishes currently include butter chicken curry, crispy skin salmon fillet, pork tenderloin skewer, burgers and local specialities such as Flammkuchen with goat’s cheese.

It is an ideal lunch stop between treatments and activities.

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Close by is another eatery, slightly more sophisticated, called The Lounge Bar, which appears to be the evening choice for many guests.

Current offerings include veal fillet, aubergine-filled ravioli and zander fillet. There is also an excellent selection of beers and wines, and, considering the quality, prices are very reasonable.

For a quick bite or drink, there is even an on-site food truck.

Again, the welcoming staff make the visit even more memorable and are a credit to the owners. Near-perfect English is spoken throughout, and all information is also available in English, which may be useful for visitors from the UK looking for a short Benelux escape.

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More than just a spa break

Not everyone immediately thinks of the Netherlands for a holiday, while this modest country does not claim to rival the South of France or Tuscany, this resort undoubtedly has something unique to offer.

One particularly distinctive feature is the source of the many gallons of water needed each year to supply the pools. This is pumped from its own 381 metre deep thermal spring in the Cauberg, dating back thousands of years.

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Yet the owners do not rest on their laurels. While this former zoo has been a roaring success over the past 37 years, it continues to evolve.

The garden was redesigned last year, last June, the resort unveiled a fully renovated lobby along with 12 new luxury hotel suites, each with a balcony.

Time permitting, visitors should also explore nearby Valkenburg, where parking is free for the first hour and where they can currently enjoy Everyday People, local street art featuring life-size concrete sculptures of real people, running until 8 June. There are also caves and castle ruins nearby, making for an excellent day out.

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So, if you are looking for a short break this spring or summer and do not wish to venture too far from Belgium, Thermae 2000 deserves serious consideration.

It is unlikely to disappoint, not least because of the warmth of the welcome, with guests even offered a glass of bubbles on arrival.

L’article Thermae 2000: the remarkable Dutch spa resort with a wild past est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The warning comes as the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy corridors, has remained effectively closed for more than six weeks amid escalating tensions involving Iran, the United States and Israel. The strait typically handles around 20% of global oil and gas flows, making it a vital artery for jet fuel exports from the Gulf to international markets.

A fragile supply chain under pressure

According to the IEA, Europe relies heavily on the Middle East for its aviation fuel needs, with around 75% of its jet fuel imports traditionally coming from the region. With these supplies disrupted, European countries are now scrambling to secure alternative sources, notably from the United States and Nigeria.

However, the agency cautioned that even with a rapid increase in exports from these countries, replacement volumes may only cover just over half of the lost supply. If Europe fails to replace at least 50% of its Middle Eastern imports, “physical shortages may emerge at select airports, resulting in flight cancellations and reduced demand,” the IEA said in its latest oil market report.

Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the IEA, warned that the consequences could soon become visible to travellers. “In Europe, we have maybe six weeks or so of jet fuel left,” he said, adding that continued disruption could lead to cancellations on certain routes between cities.

Rising costs and early disruption signals

The crisis has already sent jet fuel prices soaring. Benchmark European jet fuel prices reached a record €1,387 per tonne earlier this year, compared with around €627 before the conflict began. Fuel typically accounts for between 20% and 40% of airline operating costs, placing significant financial pressure on carriers.

Several airlines are beginning to feel the impact. easyJet reported an additional €29 million in fuel costs in March alone due to the crisis, despite having hedged a large share of its fuel in advance. Meanwhile, KLM announced it would cancel 160 European flights in the coming month, citing rising fuel costs, although it stressed that it is not currently facing a physical shortage.

Industry groups are also preparing for potential disruption. Airlines UK said it is in discussions with the government about possible support measures, including reducing regulatory burdens, should the situation deteriorate.

JUST IN: Global aviation fuel prices rise 66% to $4.69 per gallon due to Iran war. pic.twitter.com/tNfi1004wd

— BRICS Monitor (@BRICStracker) April 11, 2026

No shortages yet, but risks ahead

Despite the warnings, authorities maintain that there is currently no immediate shortage. The European Commission said there is “no evidence of fuel shortages” in the European Union at present, with crude oil supplies to refineries remaining stable. However, it acknowledged that supply pressures could emerge in the near future if disruptions continue.

Analysts suggest that even if the Strait of Hormuz reopens soon, the effects will linger. Rebalancing global supply chains and restoring fuel flows could take several weeks, raising concerns ahead of the peak summer travel season.

“There could still be shortages in some areas of Europe,” said Amaar Khan of Argus Media, noting that major hubs such as Heathrow are likely to be prioritised over smaller airports.

A wider economic risk

Beyond aviation, the crisis could have broader implications for the global economy. The IEA has warned that prolonged disruption could push countries towards slower growth or even recession, driven by higher energy prices and supply constraints.

With more than 80 energy assets in the region reportedly damaged and recovery potentially taking months or even years, the outlook remains uncertain.

For now, Europe’s aviation sector is racing against time to secure alternative fuel supplies. Whether those efforts will be enough to avoid disruption during the busy summer months remains an open question.

L’article Could Europe run out of jet fuel in six weeks? est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.