Europe
Data shows Europe leading in tourism
Europe has reinforced its position as the world’s leading leisure travel destination, capturing one-third of all global leisure travel spending in 2025, according to new data from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), sponsored by Chase Travel, Lead Research Partner.
Fez Travel programme expands for 2027
Fez Travel is marking its 30th anniversary in 2027 with the launch of its most diverse touring programme yet, featuring new experiences, expanded destinations, and greater choice for travellers.
NZ Liberation Museum and more
A New Zealand museum in the French town of Le Quesnoy is encouraging visitors to explore the history, art and experiences on offer in the surrounding areas when they visit.
Travelmarvel’s early release of Europe 2028
Travelmarvel has an early release of its 2028 Europe collection. This includes a collection of river cruises, as well as land and rail journeys. Travelmarvel’s best-selling tours return for 2028, with a range of itineraries offering optional city stays before or after cruising.
APT releases 2028 Europe
APT Luxury Travel has made an early release of its 2028 Europe programme, which includes all river cruising itineraries, alongside a selection of land and rail journeys, catering to a wide range of travel styles.
Connect with nature at Keenaghan Cottage
Beside the shores of Keenaghan Lough in County Fermanagh, Keenaghan Cottage is an example of slow travel with an authentic experience that resonates with today’s experience-led traveller.
Slow and easy in County Donegal
With quiet beaches and miles of coastal scenery, County Donegal in Ireland’s North West enables clients to reconnect with nature and find downtime from the interruptions of a busy life.
Sighing for cider in County Armagh
In the heart of County Armagh, Long Meadow Cider offers an award-winning visitor experience set on a third-generation family farm in ‘Orchard County’.
Belfast to host large music event
Belfast will show why it deserves its UNESCO City of Music status this summer as it hosts the world’s largest Irish music festival, Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, for the first time.
Innovative’s Greece 2027
Innovative Travel Company has released its Greek Island hopping and cruise packages for 2027.
Legendary telescopes in Armagh
Astronomy plays an important part in the history of Ireland and clients can gain an insight during a one-of-a-kind tour at Armagh Observatory and Planetarium.
Boutique escape on Causeway Coast
Northern Ireland’s Elephant Rock Hotel, a boutique destination overlooking the Atlantic in the seaside town of Portrush, has had a stylish transformation.
Special prices on French canals
Riverly has released pricing of up to 30% off for some of its French canal self-drive cruise itineraries on select dates from July through to October 2026. This is valid for bookings up to 14 July 2026.
Spell of Spelga
Spelga House and Lodge has self catering accommodation in the heart of the Mourne mountains in County Down, Northern Ireland.
Aristocratic mystery with Antipodean touch
Clients can step through the ancient stone threshold of Malahide Castle, located in a heritage village by the water, for an evening where Irish ‘craic’ meets aristocratic mystery and sophistication. The Hunt Dinner Party is more than a meal; it’s an immersive journey into the heart of the Talbot legacy.
Eurail Pass network expands, agent only promo
Eurail has several recent updates to its pass network, improving connectivity between France, Italy, Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden and Norway.
Brendan Vacations launches sale, trade incentives
Brendan Vacations has limited-time savings across its Ireland and Scotland portfolio, including small group tours and flexible independent itineraries.
The edge of Ireland on the Wild Atlantic Way
Dingle Dolphin Boat Tours takes clients out onto the Wild Atlantic Way from the heart of Dingle Harbour. From there they will find towering cliffs, hidden sea caves, wild open water and other spectacular scenery.
Whiskey revival on hand in Dublin
Located in the heart of Dublin’s historic Liberties, Teeling Whiskey Distillery opened its doors in 2015 as the city’s first new operational distillery in over 125 years.
Stillness and Sanctuary at Ballynahinch Castle
Ballynahinch Castle Hotel in Connemara, Co. Galway, has a two-night retreat package designed to restore balance and reconnect guests with nature.
Brews in Cork
Standing on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way, Blacks Brewing & Distilling is situated in the town of Kinsale, Co Cork.
Celtic Heart: Belfast on stage
Belfast has a new ‘destination’ stage show, Celtic Heart, that has taken up residency at the Waterfront Hall.
Package at Killarney National Park
A package encompassing accommodation at Gleneagle Killarney and a tour of nearby Muckross House, is now available to trade in New Zealand.
Lingering longer in Londonderry
Local guide David Douglas encourages visitors to ‘Linger longer in Londonderry’ and enjoy a ‘Dander around Derry.’
Renvyle House – slow down by the Atlantic
For travellers drawn to dramatic coastlines, open landscapes and character-filled stays, Renvyle House offers an Irish escape in the heart of Connemara.
Hotel base for Hidden Heartlands
Set in the heritage town of Castlepollard, Castle Varagh Hotel offers a gateway to Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands – an emerging region that continues to capture international attention for its unspoiled landscapes and relaxed pace of travel.
Fired up for distinctive dining in Derry
Wild & Fired offers visitors a distinctive taste of Ireland’s north west through live fire cookery, seasonal produce and local hospitality.
Exploring the flavours of Dublin
Flavour Trails offers a number of guided experiences that run seven days a week. These showcase Dublin’s food, drink and storytelling traditions.
Castle of astronomical importance
In the heart of Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, Birr Castle Demesne continues to evolve as a distinctive heritage attraction, blending science, sustainability and immersive visitor experiences across 120 acres of parklands and gardens.
All Aboard the Emerald Pullman
If clients would enjoy a draught Guinness on a vintage 60-year-old heritage train as the Irish countryside rolls past their window the Emerald Pullman is for them. This seven-night, eight-day private rail tour takes guests through the best of Ireland and Northern Ireland in pure Pullman style.
New guide launched, strong turnout at Swiss event
A new travel trade guide created specifically for the Kiwi market was unveiled at Switzerland Tourism’s New Zealand roadshow at JW Marriott Auckland last Thursday.
Foodie foray in France
World Journeys has released its 2027 French Cooking School package, which is now a day longer and includes a new excursion to Mont-Saint-Michel.
Seeing Spain slowly
World Journeys reports more travellers wanting to experience Spain beyond what some regard as over-touristed hot spots such as Barcelona.
Paris to Cappadocia 2026 with Golden Eagle
Golden Eagle Luxury Trains has released the Aurelian Odyssey, a new 14-day tour across seven countries in Europe beginning in Paris, travelling through France, Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Turkey.
Scotland four ways with WJ
World Journeys has four different ways for clients to experience Scotland.
New resort for Mallorca, Spain
Mandarin Oriental Punta Negra, Mallorca will open in the European spring this year.
Ottolenghi restaurant to open in Amsterdam
Chef, restaurateur and author, Yotam Ottolenghi will return to Amsterdam this year to open his first restaurant in the Netherlands, and second in mainland Europe.
Dubrovnik: Walls, saints and ‘that series’
Dubrovnik, primarily its famous walled Old City, has become one of the most coveted stops during a cruise in the Mediterranean and is a highlight of Viking’s Venice, the Adriatic & Greece eight-day, seven-night cruise.
Mandarin Oriental opens in Vienna
Mandarin Oriental has debuted in Austria with Mandarin Oriental, Vienna, a restoration in the heart of the city’s First District.
Venice – beyond San Marco on Viking stop
Clients visiting Venice for the first time will always want to see (and have accommodation close to if possible) the famous San Marco and Rialto area.
Scotland, Ireland specialist launches in ANZ: Adventure World exclusive partner here
Celtic travel specialist Brendan Vacations has officially launched in the New Zealand and Australian markets.
More to Montenegro
Encouraging longer stays, embracing the shift towards small group touring and promoting self-drive itineraries are all on the agenda for destination management company (DMC) Montenegro Adventures.
Mons makes most of cultural appeal
The Belgian city of Mons may not be on every traveller’s must-do list but a number of factors are combining to amplify its appeal amongst visitors to Europe, according to the destination’s promotion and communications manager.
Ireland’s greenways recognised
Ireland’s greenways offer a safe and sustainable way to experience the island’s scenery and historical and cultural sites by foot, or on pedal bike or ebike.
Classic Paris with modern touch
The Hotel Plaza Elysées in Paris has opened after an extensive renovation of the 1874 building.
Ireland's Halloween toolkit
Tourism Ireland has released a toolkit for travel agents that helps the trade promote a visit to the destination during Halloween.
Agents lap up Europe update
More than 200 agents turned out to hear from European destinations, many of which are just starting to focus on New Zealand travellers, at the Emirates Dubai Britain & Europe Roadshow in Christchurch and Auckland this week.
GFOB's 2026 Europe
Globus family of brands (GFOB) has launched a new suite of brochures featuring itineraries across Europe for all three of its brands – Globus, Cosmos, and Avalon Waterways.
Italy’s tourism board visiting in October – keen to satisfy NZ agents thirst for knowledge
Encouraging New Zealand travel agents to take full advantage of the destination’s trade training platform will be one of the key objectives of the Italian National Tourist Board (ENIT) when it takes part in the Emirates Dubai, Britain & Europe Roadshow in Christchurch and Auckland on 20 and 21 October.
Rare wines, luxury train, markets
World Journeys is promoting a special departure on its luxury rail journey aboard Golden Eagle’s Danube Express Christmas Markets of Central Europe itinerary, ideal for wine-loving clients.
Italo joins Rail Online
Rail Online has added Italo, a private rail operator in Italy, to its portfolio of European high-speed rail services.
ANZ travel agents discover Ireland
Eight travel agents from Australia and New Zealand visited the island of Ireland recently, as guests of Tourism Ireland.
New in Italy's e-learning platform
The Italian National Tourist Board has launched new modules dedicated to walking in Italy on the “Travel to Italy Academy” training site for travel agents.
Nordic operators join forces
50 Degrees North has a new partnership with Nordic Tours A/S and Equip Capital.
More...
New southern Cotswolds hike
On Foot Holidays, has launched a self-guided hiking holiday in the Cotswolds months before the 250th anniversary of Austen’s birth on 16 December this year.
New brochure for eastern Med
Sun Island Tours is releasing two tour and land brochures this year to accompany its 2026 Mediterranean Cruising programme.
Ireland and beyond – luxury specialist explores opportunities in NZ
New Zealanders’ desire to stay in small boutique properties, explore beyond and connect with locals has encouraged an Ireland-based high-end travel operator to explore opportunities with trade in this market.
Serbia prepares for World EXPO
Belgrade, Serbia is preparing to raise its profile on the global stage as the host of EXPO 2027, which will take place from 15 May to 15 August 15.
