ITB Berlin 2026: The Top News
Comfortable shoes on, cameras ready: once again we hit the floor at ITB Berlin to track down the industry’s most exciting news. Between long walks from hall to hall, quick coffee breaks, and plenty of conversations with luxury travel insiders, we gathered quite a few stories along the way. Here are our highlights from around the world!
A&K Relocate its Ngorongoro Camp
Following a UNESCO decision, the Ngorongoro Crater Camp operated by A&K Sanctuary in Tanzania has been relocated. It is now situated outside the crater near two traditional Maasai villages, around a 20-minute drive from Senator Gate. The accommodations are no longer tents but newly built, higher-end units with proper bathrooms, comparable to Tambarare Camp. Despite the upgrade, rates remain unchanged. The move also allows guests to experience the Maasai communities more closely.
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Magnifica Air Gets its First Aircraft
Magnifica Air has unveiled its first Airbus Corporate Jet ACJ321neo at Orlando International Airport, marking the debut aircraft of the new U.S. luxury airline. The jet will feature the new Private Class cabin, positioned between First Class and a private jet and designed for a small number of passengers with a strong focus on privacy. The ACJ321neo will now enter an ten-month outfitting phase. Flight operations are scheduled to begin in 2027, initially between South Florida and New York.
Image: Magnifica Air
Uga Adds Another Sri Lanka Property
With Uga Ghiri in Ella, Uga Resorts is opening its eighth property, expanding the luxury hotel group’s presence across Sri Lanka. This is quite an important step: the new location now makes it possible to travel across the entire island and stay in a Uga hotel in every region. Uga Ghiri in the central highlands around Ella consists of just 15 private villas set across a ten-hectare terraced hillside estate. The resort will offer all-inclusive dining with a strong focus on Sri Lankan cuisine.
Image: Pradeep Gamage
Seabourn sails from pole to pole in 2027
Lynn Narraway (pictured), Vice President Sales & Marketing UK & EMEA at Seabourn, reported strong demand from Europe at ITB. According to Narraway, 2025 has been the most successful year in the brand’s history, with expedition cruises emerging as a particularly strong growth segment. For 2027, the cruise line has therefore introduced a special voyage: Seabourn Venture will sail from pole to pole in 94 days, from August 17 to November 19, 2027. The journey begins in Reykjavik and leads via Greenland, Canada, the Northwest Passage, the U.S., the Caribbean, South America and the Falkland Islands to Antarctica. The return flight is scheduled from Ushuaia. According to Narraway, interest in the voyage is already very strong.
Image: LuxuryWise
LUX Collective Expands in China
Growth along the Tea Horse Road: LUX Hotels & Resorts continues to expand its collection and has announced the new LUX Tea Horse Road Mount Tiantai. The luxury hotel near Chengdu is scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2027 and will add another chapter to the historic trade route through the provinces of Sichuan and Yunnan. The resort is set in the cooler highlands overlooking tea fields and will feature two distinct areas: ten rooms in the old town by the river and 90 rooms in a mountain retreat about 35 minutes away.
Image: The LUX Collective
Regent Seven Seas Revamps Leadership
Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises have announced a new global leadership structure to strengthen sales. Wesley D’Silva (pictured) has been appointed President of Regent Seven Seas Cruises and reports to Chief Luxury Officer Jason Montague. Nathan Hickman (Oceania Cruises) and Shawn Tubman (Regent) will serve as Chief Sales Officers, overseeing global sales. Jerod Evans remains as Vice President North America Sales, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, while Steve Odell will act as brand ambassador.
Image: Regent Seven Seas Cruises/Heather Coronel
Rovos Rail Train Crashes in Afrika
Incident in Namibia: A Rovos Rail train derailed on March 1 near Naute in Namibia. According to the company, part of a bridge had been washed away, causing two locomotives and two service cars to leave the tracks. The train was immediately brought to a stop by the automatic braking system. The two locomotive drivers were killed in the accident, while passengers and crew on board were unharmed. Rovos Rail stated that the remainder of its scheduled luxury train journeys are continuing to operate as planned.
Image: Dookphoto
U.S Aims to Attract more Visitors
Unlike a year ago, trips to the U.S. are currently no longer selling themselves. At ITB, Geoff Freeman (pictured), President and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, sought to address concerns about entering the country. According to Freeman, worries about entry procedures are unfounded, as there have been no changes to the rules. Mandatory disclosure of social media accounts or extended family contacts is not current practice. Freeman said the industry is working closely with the U.S. government to shape any potential changes with travelers in mind. To attract more international visitors, the sector is also focusing on faster visa processing, additional customs officers, new technologies at entry checkpoints and investments of more than twelve billion U.S. dollars in air traffic control.
Image: LuxuryWise
Centara Debuts with Hotel in Nepal
Centara has recently expanded into Nepal with the Himalayan Hideaway Resort Pokhara, The Centara Collection (pictured). The new property by the Thai hotel group offers a mix of experiences focused on adventure, wellness and culture and features 42 rooms, suites and villas. Meanwhile, the Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas on Krabi is currently undergoing a major renovation and is scheduled to reopen at the end of 2026 as the second property of the young Centara Reserve brand. The hotel group is also planning a new property on Phuket, expected to open in 2028.
Image: Centara Hotels & Resorts
Star Clippers Expands its Med Routes
For the 2027 summer season, Star Clippers has recently announced new Mediterranean routes with a total of 29 additional ports of call. The three tall sailing ships Royal Clipper, Star Clipper and Star Flyer will increasingly visit smaller coastal towns and lesser-known islands beyond the classic cruise routes – including Menton on the Côte d’Azur, Cefalù in Sicily, Carloforte in Sardinia, Kastellorizo in Greece and Çeşme in Turkey. The goal is to offer luxury travelers a particularly intimate sailing experience in the style of an elegant private yacht voyage across the Mediterranean countries.
Image: Anselm F. Wunderer/Star Clippers
Black Sand Hotel Opens in Iceland
The new Black Sand Hotel is set to open in March in the Ölfus region in southern Iceland. The property features 79 rooms across seven categories, all designed in a clean, minimalist Nordic style. Among the top accommodations are the Executive Suite and the Signature Suite (pictured), while the real highlight is the sweeping view of Iceland’s very dramatic coastal landscapes. The hotel also includes a restaurant with bar: Ómur serves seasonal, regional specialties inspired by the nordic island’s cuisine. Iceland's capital city Reykjavik is located about a 40-minute drive away.
Image: Black Sand Hotel
Expedia TAAP Supports Agents with AI
The partner program Expedia TAAP (Travel Agent Affiliate Program) continues to grow strongly. According to Robin Lawther (pictured), Vice President Expedia TAAP, more than 40,000 travel agencies and over 200,000 travel advisors in 35 countries now work with the platform worldwide. After major investments in technology and features in recent years, the program recorded a record year in 2025. Key updates include more flexible payment options, the ability for agencies to add service fees directly into bookings, and the "TAAP Rewards" loyalty program. Service and support functions have also been expanded, including AI-powered virtual assistants, live chat support and fast phone assistance with an average wait time of under 20 seconds. Expedia plans to further expand the TAAP program with additional product improvements, new features and increased use of AI.
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