Latest Travel & Tourism News

Domaine de Marie Pink Church in Da Lat surrounded by colorful flower gardens and French colonial architecture in Vietnam.

Tours

The magnificent churches of Da Lat and Nha Trang in Vietnam

Exterior view of Elite World Comfy Istanbul Avcilar, the newly opened hotel in Istanbul's Avcilar district.

Accommodation

Elite World opens 48-room hotel in Avcilar, Istanbul

Police officers and ambulances outside a hotel in Istanbul during an emergency response following a serious incident under investigation.

Turkish Travel & Tourism News

Türkiye hotel poisoning case ends with jail terms for 4 deaths

Collage of new Holiday Inn Express hotels in Spain, featuring exterior views, swimming pool, lobby and guest facilities planned for Madrid, Málaga and Barcelona.

Accommodation

IHG to Open Three New Holiday Inn Express Hotels Across Spain

Suitcases outside a closed travel agency storefront after a British travel firm collapse

Tours

Groupia Ltd collapses, cancels all trips from 1 September

Visitors gather at the viewing platform overlooking Manavgat Waterfall, one of Türkiye's most popular natural attractions near Antalya.

Turkish Travel & Tourism News

Manavgat rafting day trip sends 52 tourists to hospital

Accommodation

Hilton Opens Waldorf Astoria Kuala Lumpur in the Heart of the City

A yellow and blue Nederlandse Spoorwegen double-decker train crossing an arch bridge over a Dutch river with flat green countryside in the background

Rail

Netherlands rail pass cuts summer travel to €49 a month for unlimited off-peak journeys

A chauffeur welcomes a traveler with luggage beside a luxury car near the Eiffel Tower, illustrating personalized airport transfer services in Paris.

Road Travel

Paris Travel Trends: The Growing Demand for Personalized Airport Transfers

Interior rendering of Cuber House Valencia showing the La Naviera restaurant dining area with warm timber columns, terracotta stools, colourful ceiling artwork and tropical plants

Accommodation

Hilton to open 84-room Curio Collection hotel in Valencia’s Cabanyal district in late 2026

Tourists wearing life jackets and Vietnamese conical hats enjoy a traditional basket boat ride through coconut palm waterways in Hoi An, Vietnam.

Tours

PATA forecasts 789.2 million Asia Pacific visitor arrivals by 2028 as region exceeds pre-pandemic levels

Waiter presenting a digital menu on a tablet while diners scan a QR code in a modern Turkish restaurant with warm ambient lighting.

Turkish Travel & Tourism News

Turkish Ministry of Agriculture introduces compulsory food information rules for cafes and restaurants

Paper airplane illustration flying downward with motion lines, symbolizing a crash or descent.

Aviation

11 Killed After Skydiving Plane Crashes Near Nancy in France

Aerial view of Dijon city centre showing the Place de la Liberation square, classical stone arcades and historic rooftops stretching across the Burgundy skyline

MICE

Europe’s longest-running business events school marks its 40th year in Dijon

Erik Billgren, General Manager of Anantara Koh Yao Yai Resort and Villas, standing on the resort beach with turquoise sea in the background

Appointments at Travel and Tourism Industry

Anantara Koh Yao Yai appoints Erik Billgren as GM

New Hotel Openings

Elite World opens 48-room hotel in Avcilar, Istanbul

IHG to Open Three New Holiday Inn Express Hotels Across Spain

Hilton Opens Waldorf Astoria Kuala Lumpur in the Heart of the City

Aerial view of ZEL Fuerteventura's infinity pool overlooking Sotavento Beach, with palm trees, arid sandy landscape, and the turquoise Atlantic Ocean in the background, Pajara, Fuerteventura

ZEL Fuerteventura opens with Nadal and influencers

Turkish . News

Elite World opens 48-room hotel in Avcilar, Istanbul

June 30, 2026

Türkiye hotel poisoning case ends with jail terms for 4 deaths

June 30, 2026

Manavgat rafting day trip sends 52 tourists to hospital

June 30, 2026

Turkish Ministry of Agriculture introduces compulsory food information rules for cafes and restaurants

June 29, 2026

Bodrum draws visitors as Türkiye markets Aegean heritage

June 29, 2026

Spanish . News

IHG to Open Three New Holiday Inn Express Hotels Across Spain

June 30, 2026

Hilton to open 84-room Curio Collection hotel in Valencia’s Cabanyal district in late 2026

June 29, 2026

Rising Hotel Bills in Spain Drive Surge in Cruise Bookings, Says MSC Cruises

June 27, 2026

ZEL Fuerteventura opens with Nadal and influencers

June 27, 2026

Spain’s Bars Embrace New Trends While Keeping Tradition Alive in 2026

June 25, 2026

Discover the best tourism news and immerse yourself in unique travel experiences, must-visit destinations and curated guides designed to inspire your next adventure.

Top tourist destinations to live unforgettable travel experiences

Explore unique tourist destinations and travel experiences across cultural, urban and natural landscapes. Ideal for curious travellers eager to discover the most surprising corners of the world.

Poland tipping guide says 5 to 10 percent is standard

An older man in a pharmacy holds up his smartphone, comparing information while a female pharmacist in a white coat stands nearby, with shelves of medicines and toiletries in the background.

Travel Pharmacy Costs Soar Abroad, Poland Cheapest in 19-Medicine Study

Cyclists riding through vineyard-covered hills along the Baden Wine Route near Schriesheim in southern Germany.

10 German Mountain Hikes for Beginners and Alpine Experts

Panoramic view of Weggis on Lake Lucerne with a church, lakeside village, and surrounding Swiss Alps under a dramatic sky.

Switzerland’s Riviera: Weggis Draws Visitors with Rigi and Lake Lucerne

Young girl hiking beside Bannalpsee lake in Nidwalden, Switzerland

Bannalpsee draws hikers to Switzerland’s secret alpine lake

New Madrid Hotels Opening in 2026

Aerial view of one of the new Maldives resorts at dusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives with curved overwater villas, white-sand beaches, and a turquoise lagoon.

New Maldives Hotels & Resorts, 2025 & 2026

Georgetown, the capital of Penang, Malaysia, was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008 for its well-preserved colonial architecture, multicultural influences and historical significance. It was founded in 1786 as a port to serve British interests in South-East Asia and it became a centre for global trading, attracting foreign merchants, largely from China, India and Arab countries. As a result, Georgetown developed a multi-ethnic society that still exists today. One of the key highlights of its UNESCO World Heritage Site is the colonial district that is full of historical charm and features British-era buildings and structures from the late 18th century. These landmarks are located close to each other so you can visit them on a walking tour so let’s go! Queen Victoria Memorial Clock Tower (photos 2a and 2b montage) A good place to start is the Queen Victoria Memorial Clock Tower or the Jubilee Clock Tower which was built to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee (1837 to 1897) of Queen Victoria, who was Queen Elizabeth II's great-great-grandmother. The clock tower, which was completed in 1902, is over 200 metres or over 60 feet high. Each of the 60 feet represents the years of Queen Victoria’s reign. It was damaged by Japanese bombings during World War 2, resulting in the tower leaning slightly and the tower has undergone restoration over the years. Stanchart Building and Downing Street (photo 3a and 3b) The imposing building at 2 Beach Street, built in 1930, was the home of Standard Chartered Bank for decades but is now a co-working space, after the bank relocated in 2017. It was so delightful to see a couple wearing traditional costumes, having their wedding photos taken in front of the building, which has become a popular backdrop for photo shoots due to its beautiful neo-classical and Art Deco architecture. (photo 3c) Penang has its own Downing Street. It is one of the few places worldwide that shares an identical name with London’s famous Downing Street where the official residence of the British prime minister is located. Right opposite the Stanchart building is the HSBC Bank building which has the prestigious address of No. 1 Downing Street. The history of this building dates back to 1884 and it was rebuilt after World War 2. It is now a six-storey building built in the late Art Deco style and it was the first HSBC (The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation) branch in Malaysia. Fort Cornwallis & lighthouse (photos 4a and 4b) Fort Cornwallis, the largest and oldest standing fort in Malaysia, and marks the landing site of the British under the command of Captain Frances Light in Penang in 1786. The fort features several historical cannons but it has never seen battle. Entry to the fort is ticketed. The fort faces a public park and the Esplanade, a seaside promenade so you can enjoy the sea breeze and a nice walk along the coast. Just right next door is the lighthouse, constructed in a form that resembles a ship's mast, and carries a navigational light which functions as a marker for ships heading towards Penang Harbour. Built in 1882, it is the second oldest lighthouse in Malaysia. Town Hall and City Hall (photo 5a and 5b) The Town Hall and City Hall are two of the most striking colonial buildings in Georgetown. They are located side by side. The yellow-walled Town Hall was completed in 1883 and the City Hall in 1903. The Town Hall was used for social events for the European elite and soon deemed insufficient for the governing of the state, hence the City Hall was built. Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce building (photo 6) The Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce building was constructed in 1928 as the headquarters for Penang's Chinese business community. It was the first Chinese Chamber of Commerce in British Malaya and Malaysia. The building’s western wing featuring Art Deco architectural style, has been converted into a 12-room boutique hotel, The Chambers. Penang State Assembly Building (photo 7) If you see a long building resplendent in white with an orange roof that looks like a Greek temple, it is the Penang State Assembly Building. It was built in the 1820s and the structure exemplifies Anglo-Indian classical architecture. Today, the State Assembly Building is where state laws are enacted, budgets are approved and major decisions for the state are made. Penang High Court (photos 8a, 8b, 8c and 8d montage) The Penang High Court, founded in 1808, is the birthplace of Malaysia’s judiciary system. It is housed inside an imposing classical-style building. featuring columns, porticos and a distinctive domed chamber. It incorporates elements typical of British colonial public buildings, with colonnaded walkways and geometric forms. The current courthouse was built in the early 1900s to replace the original structure that was built at the same site in 1809, the first such court to be set up in the Malay Peninsula. Modern annexes were added later. St George’s Church (photo 9) St George’s Church is a 19th-century church which is the oldest Anglican church in Southeast Asia. In 2007, the church was declared one of the 50 National Treasures of Malaysia. The church was built with a combination of neo-classical, Georgian and Palladian architectural styles, and features a portico of Greek columns. The apex of the roof is topped by an octagonal shaped steeple. Church of the Assumption and State Museum (photos 10a and 10b) Further along the road is The Church of the Assumption, which is a Roman Catholic church that was established following the founding of Georgetown in 1786, making it is the third oldest Catholic church in Malaysia. Right next to the church is the 100-year-old Penang State Museum which is currently undergoing major restoration, which includes rebuilding sections destroyed during World War 2. The Eastern & Oriental Hotel (photo 11a) The crown jewel of the colonial district is the iconic Eastern & Oriental, which echoes its historical heyday in colonial grandeur. Widely revered as a grand dame of heritage hotels, the E&O was established in 1885 by the Sarkies Brothers, who also founded the Raffles Hotel in Singapore in 1887. The ultra-luxury hotel, which has 100 elegant suites, has been upgraded over the years and annexes added, whilst restoring the hotel to its original grandeur, preserving its historic charm and classical character. (photo of 11b) Another architectural inheritance that the hotel takes great pride in is the antiquated cage lift with a sliding grill at the lobby area, that is still in working order but no longer in use. It was featured in the Hollywood film "Crazy Rich Asians". The heritage district features many other historical buildings and landmarks, which I will cover in future articles. In the meantime, you can read about Penang’s other attractions here and Penang Hill.

A nostalgic tour of a bygone colonial era in Penang’s UNESCO World Heritage Site

Heavenly Well at the Temple of Literature in Hanoi, with a green reflective pond, stone railings, and traditional tiled-roof buildings surrounded by trees.

Temple of Literature in Hanoi showcases Vietnam’s ode to academic excellence

Find the best places to stay and top hotels across Spain and other leading travel destinations worldwide. Discover unique accommodations combining comfort, authentic design, prime locations and luxury for unforgettable experiences in cities and popular tourist hotspots.

Media Partners

Promotional banner for PATA Travel Mart 2026 in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia, featuring an orangutan in a rainforest with event dates August 18–20 and PATA 75th anniversary branding.

Industry Insights & Reader FAQ

Global Travel Intelligence at your fingertips

Access our curated travel experiences and real-time tourism news. Stay ahead of industry shifts with updated content on tourist destinations and the world’s most exclusive places to stay.

Turkish . News

Spanish . News

Media Partners

Industry Insights & Reader FAQ

Global Travel Intelligence at your fingertips

Newsletter subscription

Start typing and press enter to search