The summer of 2026 has been long, hot, and dry for many. And still, it isn’t over yet. As the temperatures continue to rise, TikTok creators from around the globe have been coming up with all kinds of recipes, hacks, and other useful tricks to stay cool.

One of this year’s most viral trends includes the two-ingredient home made ice cream. Although it is unclear who exactly was at the start of the trend, videos of the delightfully simple yet very refreshing recipe have been popping up everywhere. Whereas many ice cream recipes involve a long list of ingredients and kitchen gear, the Watermelon Ice Cream, as the viral dish is often called, proves that sometimes less is more.

@sameenmaali The perfect 2-ingredient dessert for this heat wave: watermelon ice cream Recipe: • 1 watermelon • Milk (you could sub with condensed milk or heavy cream if you want it creamier) 1. Cut watermelon in half and scoop a hole into the center 2. Freeze 1-2 days so the whole watermelon freezes through 3. Pour milk into the hole 4. Scrape watermelon and mix! #easyrecipe #healthyrecipe #desserttiktok #summerrecipes #asmr ♬ original sound – Sameen

All you need to make the ice cream at home are a little (vegan) cream and a watermelon. If watermelon is not to your liking, any other kind of reasonably big fruit will do: melon, grapefruit, papaya, pineapple, tomato… The idea is to cut the piece of fruit in half, to scoop out a small bowl-sized hole in the middle, and to put it in the freezer until it is frozen solid.

Once frozen, remove the carved-out piece of fruit from the freezer and let it defrost for a little while. How long exactly will depend on the room temperature of your home but the idea is to be able to remove little slivers of the fruit using just a spoon.

@eitan Two Ingredient Melon Ice Cream is exactly as delicious as it looks on the internet. Coconut milk is the way to go and topping it with lime juice and tajin is a perfect final touch…although that makes it four ingredients! #recipe #watermelonicecream #easydessert #icecream ♬ Ivory Check-in – ma-su

When your piece of fruit is sufficiently defrosted, pour some (vegan) cream in the carved-out bowl. Now, grab a spoon and start scraping the sides of the hole in order to scrape off small fruit pieces. Mix these in with the cream until you obtain an ice cream-like substance and enjoy your home made heat wave-proof dessert. Those who prefer a hearty kind of dessert can switch out the cream for olive oil, combined it with a big frozen tomato, for example.

As the number of videos proves, people are clearly enjoying the Watermelon Ice Cream recipe. However, before trying it at home, curious-minded cooks should know that the dish requires quite a bit of a work-out, as it is not necessarily easy to scrape the frozen fruit. Moreover, don’t hesitate to use a pair of gloves or a kitchen towel to protect your hands against the cold.

@superfoodsguy Shaved Frozen Grapefruit #healthyrecipes ♬ kendrick x radiohead – dwells

Those who are looking for yet another kind of fruity home made ice cream will have no hard time finding inspiration on TikTok. Past years, for example, videos showed people shaving frozen pieces of fruit, eating it as is or adding it to their yoghurt for a fresh, vitamin-rich take on their usual breakfast – a recipe that sounds pretty tempting, especially during a heatwave.

L’article Two-ingredient watermelon ice cream becomes viral TikTok summer hit est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Who benefits from the gazetting of land for protection? Obviously, the wildlife and its habitat and tourists who travel to the national parks and reserves. Others are disadvantaged. The ecotourism slogan, “leave only footprints, take only photographs”, reveals the problem. The gazetting of land to conserve wildlife generally requires the removal and exclusion of those who previously lived in or had access to the reserve area for grazing, fodder, thatching grass, honey, fishing and meat.

People in the buffer zone pay the cost of conservation and suffer raids on their crops by wildlife. The IUCN defines ‘human-wildlife conflict’, the ‘struggles that emerge when the presence or behaviour of wildlife poses an actual or perceived, direct and recurring threat to human interests or needs, leading to disagreements between groups of people and negative impacts on people and/or wildlife’. According to the IUCN, human-wildlife conflict is becoming more frequent, widespread, and serious.

“Every year, hundreds of humans and thousands of animals die due to human-wildlife conflicts. Habitat loss and, in some instances, conservation successes, combined with an ever-increasing human population, have resulted in humans and wild animals living in closer proximity and sharing the same scarce resources. The conservation of animals is an important global good, but the reality is that those living with wildlife usually carry the cost associated with this conservation imperative, including loss of income, essential crops to support their livelihoods, and tragically sometimes also loss of human life.”  CITES 2023

This issue is rarely addressed. The managers of protected land generally seek to maximise tourism revenues, although there are exceptions, while local communities in the buffer zones see the tourists as they pass through. We shall be exploring the challenge of enabling local communities to benefit from nature-based tourism at WTM Africa in April, the second of three panels discussing the Wildlife Economy in Africa, the White Paper discussed last year along with a report of the panel discussion can be found online. In the 2027 Responsible Tourism Awards, we are looking for tourism businesses, conservation organisations which are making a real contribution to the livelihoods of local communities in and around wildlife and nature destinations.

In too many buffer zones around, protected areas globally not only do the communities bear the cost of living with often dangerous wildlife they also never see what the tourists come to see. Since Responsible Travel launched Trip for a Trip nine years ago they have funded 9,000 trips providing enriching experiences for children in countries from Laos to Pakistan, India, Uganda, Zimbabwe, the UK and beyond.

Their first Trip for a Trip was in Eswatini, where children from the local Neighbourhood Care Points (NCPs) visited Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary to see zebras, crocodiles and hippos for the first time. Responsible Travel believes that “travel can open up horizons, broaden perspectives and ultimately be an unforgettably enjoyable experience. We believe in one for one – for every trip you go on, a child also benefits from a day trip.” More than three quarters of their travellers choose it as their booking

This is not just an issue in Africa. As Tim points out, Brighton draws in around 12 million tourists a year, but not all children living there get to experience its attractions, its coastline, the pebble beach or the rolling South Downs. You don’t have to travel with Responsible Travel to fund a Trip for a Trip.

This is a great way of enabling your clients to do good. Think about it.

L’article Nature tourism: Who benefits and who bears the cost? est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Skift’s findings for Asia show that half (50%) of travellers are seeking cultural immersion, while just under a third (32%) can be categorised as adventure travellers, and 30% are driven by luxury experiences.

Cultural immersion also came out ahead of other travel priorities in the Middle East and North Africa, where it is a motivation for 42% of travellers, as well as in North America (39%) and Europe (36%).

As destinations around the world compete to boost tourist spending rather than sheer visitor numbers, the Skift report provides insight into the experiences that are most likely to make travellers part with their money, with the highest-ranked offerings blending culture, luxury, nature and wellness.

Food tops travel spending priorities

For 71% of respondents, food and gastronomic experiences were the most likely to feature in their spending. Some way behind were adventure and nature experiences at 48%, followed by arts, culture and history (42%). Live events and entertainment and health and wellness scored equally on the spending scale (36%), while sports attracted just 24%.

A feeling of genuineness and legitimacy is also becoming an important factor in any experience, Skift says, calling authenticity the new “North Star” of travel. The report notes that 43% of respondents said “experiences” are what they value most about travel. Perhaps ironically, perhaps understandably, that very search for authenticity comes at the same time as travellers are increasingly using AI and smart tools to shape their trips.

“Traveller behaviour is evolving, marked by rising demand for AI-driven personalisation and a shift toward more sustainable choices,” said Jean-Jacques Morin, group deputy CEO at Accor, commenting on the findings.

Social media reshapes travel discovery

Around 63% of travellers told Skift they now use social media as a source of travel inspiration. Over half (56%) get ideas for activities, experiences and places to eat from social media, while 45% now use it as a comparison tool for accommodation providers.

However, this can result in a vicious circle, with a race to find the latest hidden gem before it becomes saturated with visitors. Any perception that a destination is suffering from overtourism can be off-putting, Skift points out. “Social media has destabilised the discovery cycle,” the report says. “The same platforms that make an unknown destination famous in weeks also make it feel overexposed within months.”

L’article Cultural immersion emerges as leading travel priority, report finds est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Rather than following bucket lists, “Tiny Tourists” look for small and local experiences. That could mean visiting a supermarket, taking public transport, going for a run or looking around a local pharmacy. Travellers could also explore residential streets, visit second-hand shops or pay more attention to details such as street signs and gardens. The report describes this as a desire to experience the everyday way of living somewhere and compare it with life at home.

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The idea comes at a time when many popular destinations are struggling with overtourism. Large numbers of visitors are often concentrated around the same attractions, neighbourhoods and viewpoints. Social media can add to that pressure when a particular beach, restaurant or street suddenly goes viral. Tiny Tourism turns that logic around by suggesting that a viral video can sometimes be an indication of where not to go.

Everyday activities can instead become part of the travel experience. A supermarket abroad can introduce visitors to unfamiliar products and flavours, while public transport shows how residents move around their city. Local markets and neighbourhood shops can offer another perspective on a destination. Instead of constantly looking for spectacular sights, the Tiny Tourist Report encourages travellers to focus on smaller details and observe everyday life.

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Brussels provides an interesting example of how the approach could work. Almost every visitor knows the Grand-Place, Manneken Pis and Atomium, but much of daily life takes place away from those famous sights. Tourism data published by visit.brussels shows how concentrated visitor movements can be. In a 2023 survey, 97% of respondents visited or planned to visit the Grand-Place and city centre, compared with 20% for Flagey and Châtelain and 13% for Saint-Gilles.

A Tiny Tourist could therefore take a tram out of the historic centre and spend time in Saint-Gilles. Around the Parvis de Saint-Gilles, visitors can find a local market, terraces and small shops, while simply walking through the neighbourhood reveals its Art Nouveau and Art Deco architecture. The same approach could lead travellers to the Marolles, with its second-hand shops and flea market at Place du Jeu de Balle. Matongé and Saint-Boniface offer another side of Brussels through their grocery stores, cafés, restaurants and specialised shops.

If visitors spread their time across different neighbourhoods, Tiny Tourism could potentially help redistribute some of the pressure created by tourism. Instead of thousands of people following almost identical itineraries, travellers could spend more time in different parts of a destination. Their spending could also reach neighbourhood cafés, markets and independent businesses outside the main tourism areas. However, Tiny Tourism is a travel philosophy rather than a proven solution, and the report does not establish that it can reduce overtourism.

The approach also has limitations. If thousands of travellers begin searching for the same supposedly authentic neighbourhoods and hidden places, today’s quiet street could become tomorrow’s viral attraction. Residential neighbourhoods are places where people live and should not simply become new tourist attractions. At the same time, there is no reason visitors should feel guilty for seeing famous landmarks, many of which are popular because of their cultural and historical importance.

Tiny Tourism therefore does not have to replace traditional sightseeing. Travellers could visit the Grand-Place in the morning before spending the afternoon wandering around Saint-Gilles or browsing the Marolles. Rather than trying not to be tourists, visitors could simply distribute their time and attention differently. Tiny Tourism may not be the single answer to overtourism, but its focus on smaller places and everyday experiences offers a different way to think about how we travel.

L’article Could the ‘Tiny Tourist’ approach be the answer to overtourism? est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

More than 80,000 people hike the Tour du Mont-Blanc every year, an influx that places strain on infrastructure in small towns and villages. Even places accustomed to visitors, such as Saint-Gervais-les-Bains, in Haute-Savoie, a village inFrance’s third-largest ski area, and a starting point for the Tour, cannot cope, according to mayor Jean-Marc Peillex.

In remarks to Swiss broadcaster SRF, Peillex recently pointed to how crowded parts of the Mont-Blanc trail have become, with back-to-back groups of hikers moving in single file. Littering and a lack of respect for the countryside are also problems. He wants visitor numbers to be restricted through a system of permits, with penalties for non-compliance.

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A set of rules coming into force next spring in Saint-Gervais and several other French municipalities will mean Tour du Mont-Blanc hikers are required to make advance reservations for a place in a mountain hut or an authorised basic bivouac zone. Anyone who finds the accommodation fully booked would have to postpone their plans, reducing visitor numbers and human pressure on the trail, Peillex says.

These Mont-Blanc municipalities are not the first to introduce advance reservations. Three mountain refuges (Nid d’Aigle, Tête Rousse and Goûter) already operate a similar system. However, the spread of pre-booking rules is causing debate among the hiking community.

#Prévention Ascension du Mont Blanc
Rappels :
Réservations obligatoires aux refuges
Bivouac interdit en-dehors du campement de base
Aux faux guides aux prix attractifs !
Nos camarades du @PGHMchamonix veillent sur votre sécuritéhttps://t.co/AiIMvh9AWd
F. Garcia pic.twitter.com/FK9DE4jgwz

— Gendarmerie nationale (@Gendarmerie) August 16, 2019

Mountain guides have highlighted the unintended impact on their work, saying they must now reserve places in refuge huts a year in advance, before they have client bookings. Critics of the reservation system also say it undermines people’s freedom to roam the mountains, could discourage active lifestyles, and may affect local economies by reducing visitor numbers and pushing hikers towards trail entry points elsewhere, such as Switzerland, where no such restrictions are currently planned.

However, for those who see the Alpine trail as already suffering from overtourism, reducing visitor numbers is a desirable goal.

Meanwhile, Swiss authorities such as Joachim Rausis, mayor of Orsières in the canton of Valais, have acknowledged that some regulation is needed but warned of the potential for visitor confusion amid differing rules between destinations. He called above all for “coordination between Switzerland, Italy, and France”, suggesting further access restrictions could be on their way.

L’article Popular Mont Blanc hiking trail faces new reservation rules from 2027 est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The deal emerged from an auction held as part of Spirit’s court-supervised liquidation, with Google submitting the highest bid for the digital assets. The transaction remains subject to approval by the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York, with a hearing scheduled for 19 August.

Google beat a $7.5 million offer from Mercor, a company that connects professionals with artificial intelligence training projects. Google had reportedly initially offered $5 million before increasing its bid during the auction process to secure the assets for $10 million.

The scale of the data involved is substantial. According to court filings, the package contains around 100 million employee emails and 500 million Microsoft Teams messages, as well as spreadsheets, calendars and other internal business information accumulated during Spirit’s operations.

The acquisition also includes information covering areas such as marketing, productivity, finance and accounting, airline operations and website analytics. The material therefore provides Google with a large dataset reflecting the day-to-day activities of a major US airline across several areas of its business.

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100 million emails and 500 million Teams messages

Google has said the information could be used to improve its products and AI models. The acquisition comes as technology companies increasingly seek large volumes of real-world data to develop and train artificial intelligence systems, particularly material that reflects how people communicate and work within organisations.

However, Google will not acquire Spirit customer or credit card information. The data must be de-identified by a third party before being transferred to the technology company, removing personally identifiable information. Passenger profiles and loyalty programme information are also excluded from the acquisition.

A Google spokesperson said any data received by the company would be “rigorously scrubbed” of personally identifiable information before being transferred, stressing that the company is not purchasing Spirit customer information or credit card data.

Spirit’s assets sold following airline collapse

The sale is part of the ongoing disposal of Spirit Airlines’ remaining assets following the collapse of the carrier earlier this year. Attorneys overseeing the bankruptcy proceedings have continued selling the former airline’s assets as the liquidation process advances.

As reported by Travel Tomorrow, Spirit ceased operations on 2 May 2026 following years of financial difficulties, repeated bankruptcy proceedings and unsuccessful attempts to secure additional funding. The airline had recently sought $500 million in assistance from the US government in an effort to remain operational, but the request did not prevent its eventual shutdown.

Around 50,000 people were flying with Spirit each day by the time of its demise, making it the seventh-largest US carrier. Approximately 17,000 employees were also affected by the airline going out of business.

Spirit had served US passengers for nearly three and a half decades and became one of the country’s best-known ultra-low-cost carriers. Its business model was built around low base fares, with passengers paying separately for a range of additional services.

Despite criticism of that model, Spirit played a significant role in making air travel more affordable for price-sensitive passengers and contributed to competitive pressure on fares in the US aviation market.

Its collapse has left a range of valuable assets to be sold through the bankruptcy process, extending beyond aircraft and airport infrastructure to the enormous volume of digital information generated during decades of operations.

The $10 million Google transaction demonstrates that such data can itself represent a valuable asset in the age of artificial intelligence. The deal will now depend on approval from the bankruptcy court at the hearing scheduled for 19 August.

L’article Google wins $10 million auction for Spirit Airlines data to train AI est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

For many people in regions in the path of totality, 2026 gave them their first-ever glimpse of a total eclipse. Iceland, where around 80,000 stargazers are reported to have travelled this time, had not experienced a total eclipse since 1954 and will not witness one again in those viewers’ lifetimes, with the next scheduled for 2196.

In Spain, which was expecting up to six million eclipse arrivals thanks to the promise of clear skies and good views, it was the first total eclipse for 121 years.

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But in 2027, an eclipse is to come that will eclipse all that. At the start of August, the longest total solar eclipse of the century will sweep over Spain, North Africa and the Middle East, creating six and a half minutes of wonder in locations as iconic as Egypt’s Valley of the Kings.

Alongside Egypt, countries and territories in the path of totality include Algeria, Gibraltar, Libya, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Spain, Tunisia and Yemen, as well as parts of the Atlantic and Indian oceans, meaning that uncanny eclipse darkness will fall on destinations including Cádiz, Tangier, Luxor and Jeddah.

Eclipse-related bookings are likely to soar again, especially in places already known as tourist magnets, like Marbella, which will see nearly three and a half minutes of totality. Brits and European’s wishing to stick to the region may also flock to Gibraltar, where totality will stretch as long as four minutes and 28 seconds.

The Italian Pelagian island of Lampedusa, accessible mainly by ferry or mainland air connections, is not out of the eclipse picture either, but, like Gibraltar, its infrastructure could struggle to cope with an influx of eclipse visitors.

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Morocco’s Tangier will get almost five minutes of totality. The Tunisian port of Sfax will go dark for two minutes and 56 seconds, and Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah and Mecca will both experience more than five minutes in the moon’s shadow.

But it is Egypt that is attracting the most attention. The Siwa Oasis is likely to offer reflections of the eclipse in stunning salt lakes and against dramatic desert backdrops, as will the otherworldly ancient ruins of Shali Fortress, with a full five minutes and 33 seconds to get the perfect shot. The Bahariya Oasis is another option.

Asyut is a more off-the-beaten-path city destination steeped in history, and religious and cultural heritage that will be plunged into darkness for just over six minutes. But, as a less touristy, more conservative area, it may be more suitable for more experienced travellers.

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Luxor’s eclipse, meanwhile, will last six minutes and 22 seconds, combining extended viewing time with probably zero cloud cover in the pharaohs’ ancient royal burial ground. Its monuments possess a “scale and grandeur” that cannot be matched by “anything in the world”, according to Lonely Planet, while the 2027 eclipse promises to add an out-of-this-world experience.

L’article Where to travel to see the “eclipse of the century” in 2027 est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The Abu Dhabi-based carrier will add flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays alongside its existing daily service, representing a 57% increase in weekly frequencies on the route.

Etihad is increasing capacity across its network in response to strong demand, with more choice for guests travelling to, from and through Abu Dhabi.

Brussels increases to 11 weekly flights, Dhaka becomes year-round, Kraków rises to four weekly flights, and seasonal services to… pic.twitter.com/gJ0xNDlytL

— Etihad Airways (@etihad) July 1, 2026

The additional services will be operated with Etihad’s Airbus A321LR, configured with 160 seats across three cabin classes: two First Suites, 14 Business Class seats and 144 Economy Class seats.

The aircraft’s First Suites feature private, enclosed spaces with sliding doors and fully lie-flat beds, while Business Class also offers lie-flat seating. Economy passengers have access to an upgraded cabin with 4K inflight entertainment.

New evening departure from Brussels

The additional EY55 service will depart Abu Dhabi at 2:25 pm and arrive at Brussels Airport at 7:00 pm. In the opposite direction, EY56 will leave Brussels at 8:50 pm and arrive in the UAE capital at 6:45 am the following morning.

Etihad’s existing daily EY57/EY58 service will continue alongside the four additional frequencies.

The expanded schedule will give passengers more choice when travelling between Belgium and the UAE while improving connection opportunities through Etihad’s Abu Dhabi hub to destinations across Asia, the Indian subcontinent, the Middle East and Australia.

The announcement is part of a wider capacity increase across Etihad’s network as the airline responds to stronger demand in several markets.

“The response from our guests has exceeded our expectations, with strong demand across very different markets, from Brussels and Dhaka to Kraków, Zanzibar and Palma, and we’re responding by adding capacity where demand is strongest,” said Arik De, Etihad Airways’ Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer.

“These additional flights and extended seasonal services are bringing more visitors to Abu Dhabi while strengthening connections across our growing global network.”

Etihad expands capacity across five routes

Alongside Brussels, Etihad is increasing its Abu Dhabi–Kraków service from three to four weekly flights from 27 July 2026. The seasonal route is also operated with the A321LR.

The airline has meanwhile confirmed that its recently launched Abu Dhabi–Dhaka connection will operate year-round following strong demand. The four-times-weekly service, which began on 26 June, is operated by a Boeing 777 with 28 Business Class and 374 Economy Class seats.

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Etihad is also extending two seasonal leisure routes. Flights between Abu Dhabi and Zanzibar will now continue until 31 March 2027, instead of ending in September, while its A321LR service to Palma de Mallorca has been extended until 18 October 2026.

The airline said the changes reflect its strategy of adding capacity in markets where demand has been strongest as it continues to expand its fleet and international network. The four additional Brussels frequencies are already open for booking.

L’article Etihad to increase Brussels–Abu Dhabi service to 11 weekly flights  est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

In a real-life version of the Hollywood blockbuster Catch Me If You Can, 34-year-old Dallas Pokornik, from Toronto, thought he had found a way to have his cake and eat it.

Having worked as a flight attendant for a Canadian airline from July 2017 until October 2019, he knew the perks of airline life well, and when he left, he most obviously was not ready to give them up. On the contrary, he wanted what pilots could get: the possibility of flying free on other airlines through reciprocal agreements, with access even extending to the cockpit jumpseat.

Dallas Pokornik, 33, of Toronto, is accused of posing as a pilot and flight attendant to score hundreds of free U.S. flights over four years. pic.twitter.com/3ba3b4Xqqc

— 6ixBuzzTV (@6ixbuzztv) January 21, 2026

Posing as a pilot, Pokornik managed to score hundreds of free flights on three US airlines between January 2020 and October 2024 using a fake employee badge from his former Canadian employer. Neither that airline nor the three US carriers he defrauded have been publicly named.

As his social media showed, he made good use of it, regularly sharing photos from London, Los Angeles, Mexico and Phuket.

In a selfie posted in December 2023, in which he could be seen lugging a carry-on suitcase through London’s Heathrow Airport, Pokornik wrote, ’Many of my friends are married. Many of my friends are having kids. I’m over here trying to avoid checking my bag and hoping for a window seat.”

His scheme did work. Until he was caught, that is.

@militarybasetok #movie #fypシ #tiktok #catchmeifyoucan #leonardodicaprio #tomhanks ♬ original sound – MilitaryTok

It all began to unravel when an airline staff member flagged his ID, took a photo of the badge and passed it on to Pokornik’s former employer. They confirmed that the ID was fraudulent, partly because it had an expiry date of 2027, among other irregularities.

Pokornik was later arrested in Panama and extradited to the United States.

Last week, he pleaded guilty to wire fraud in a US federal court. He now faces up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release. He has also agreed to pay restitution to the three affected airlines. His sentencing hearing is scheduled to take place on 8 December 2026 before US District Judge Shanlyn A. S. Park.

CJ Ammons, acting special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Honolulu, said that Pokornik “took advantage of travel security protocols for his own benefit, and he will now face the consequences of his actions”.

His attorneys have so far declined to comment.

Ken Sorenson, US Attorney for the District of Hawaii, said that “travel security protocols help keep our citizens and visitors safe, and anyone who breaches those protocols should expect to be brought to justice”.

Dan Bubb, a former pilot who is now a professor-in-residence at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, told CBC News that the case was a “wake-up call” showing that, in a world of artificial intelligence and advanced technology, people can manufacture authentic-looking IDs.

L’article Fake pilot flies for free hundreds of times before getting caught est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

From 4 to 6 September 2026, breeders, riders, researchers, artists and horse enthusiasts from across Europe, Asia, the Middle East and beyond will come together for the World Beauty Championship and Equestrian Sports Competition of the Heavenly Akhal-Teke Horses. More than a sporting event, the championship will serve as a celebration of heritage, science, culture and international cooperation.

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A Horse Like No Other

The Akhal-Teke is widely regarded as one of the oldest and most distinctive horse breeds in the world. Renowned for its remarkable endurance, intelligence, elegance and shimmering metallic coat, it has fascinated horse lovers and historians for centuries.

Euronews recently described the breed as “the extremely rare horse with satin-like reflections”, highlighting its unique appearance and rarity. The breed’s prestige extends far beyond Turkmenistan. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, for example, is known to own an Akhal-Teke horse, reflecting the admiration the breed commands throughout the Turkic world.

The Akhal-Teke has also left its mark on European history. In 1993, a horse of this breed was presented to French President François Mitterrand, symbolising friendship and cultural diplomacy. Distinguished by its tall stature, long legs, refined head, expressive eyes, long, elegant neck and exceptional athleticism, the Akhal-Teke is considered by many specialists to be one of the most beautiful horse breeds in the world.

A symbol of freedom and Turkmen identity

For the Turkmen people, as for many nomadic civilisations of Central Asia, the horse has always been far more than a means of transportation. It has represented freedom, honour, strength and survival.

Today, the Akhal-Teke stands at the heart of Turkmenistan’s national identity and cultural heritage. Its image appears in official symbols, works of art, literature, and public celebrations.

@ankastables “Atanız geldi” #ahalteke ♬ оригинальный звук – ЕРКЕБҰЛАН ДӘУЛЕТКЕЛДІҰЛЫ

The breed’s history, however, has not been without hardship. During the Soviet collectivisation campaigns and political repression of the 1930s, traditional horse breeding suffered dramatic setbacks. The number of horses across Central Asia declined sharply, and many pure Akhal-Teke bloodlines disappeared. Despite these challenges, dedicated breeders managed to preserve the breed, ensuring its survival for future generations.

The resilience of the Akhal-Teke mirrors that of the people who raised it. From the deserts of Turkmenistan to international equestrian arenas, it remains a living symbol of endurance and perseverance.

Gathering the world’s finest Akhal-Tekes

The festivities will begin on 4 September 2026 with the arrival of participating horses at the Peelbergen Equestrian Centre.

On Friday, 4 September, visitors will witness the opening stages of the World Beauty Championship, where young horses and mares will be evaluated by an international panel of judges. Participants will be assessed on conformation, movement, breed characteristics, elegance and overall presentation.

The sporting program will also commence with a dressage competition, offering spectators a demonstration of the precision, grace, and intelligence for which the Akhal-Teke is famous.

Championship Day

On Saturday, 5 September, guests will be welcomed to the Peelbergen Equestrian Centre before attending the open conference of the International Akhal-Teke Horse Breeding Association. Visitors will also be able to explore exhibitions dedicated to horse breeding, equestrian culture, traditional craftsmanship, visual arts and creative works inspired by the Akhal-Teke.

The championship competition will continue with presentations of adult horses before judges select the winners in each category.

The ultimate highlight will be the crowning of the World Champion Akhal-Teke Horse, the highest distinction in international Akhal-Teke breeding.

The day will conclude with an awards ceremony honoring the winners of the beauty and sporting competitions, as well as artists, sculptors, painters, photographers, and carpet weavers whose works celebrate the beauty of the horse.

More than a championship

For three days, Kronenberg will become the world capital of the Akhal-Teke. The event will celebrate not only the finest representatives of this exceptional breed but also the enduring relationship between humans and horses that has shaped civilizations for thousands of years.

In September 2026, the Akhal-Teke will be more than a champion. It will be a living ambassador of history, beauty, resilience, and cultural heritage, reminding the world that some traditions are truly timeless.

Entry is free for all visitors. More information about the programme and practical details is available on the oficial Akhal-Teke Championship 2026 event page

L’article Legendary Akhal-Teke horses are coming to Europe est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.