Here’s the latest from The Wise Traveller on what’s happening in the world of travel.
World: For those looking to travel around the world in one fell swoop, Crystal has announced its 2029 world cruise, which includes the line's first-ever circumnavigation of Australia.
The 127-night voyage aboard Crystal Symphony departs January 7 2029, from Melbourne and concludes on May 13 2029, in New York City.
The cruise liner will call in at eight points across Australia, including Adelaide and Perth, then continuing to the Indonesian islands of Komodo, Sumba, Bali and Kupang, and Timor, before completing its Australia circumnavigation via Darwin, Cairns, Airlie, Brisbane and Sydney.
The journey covers 22 countries spanning Australasia, the South Pacific, South America, the Caribbean and North America.
"Our 2029 World Cruise is designed to connect remarkable regions of the world in one seamless journey. This voyage reflects our commitment to crafting itineraries that are both far-reaching and thoughtfully paced," said Mario Parodi, Crystal's VP of itinerary planning and port and fuel operations.
Prices for the 2029 World Cruise start from £53,000 per person, based on double occupancy.
Switzerland: For the ninth consecutive year, Zurich Airport has been named the best airport in Europe at the Airport Service Quality Award, and all based on passenger surveys.
The airport has remained unbeaten in the "Best Airport in Europe with 25 to 40 million passengers" category.
The ASQ Award is presented annually by Airports Council International, ACI World, and is based on comprehensive passenger surveys evaluating 34 categories, including infrastructure, food and beverage services, and hygiene standards.
Hungary: Expansion plans are afoot for Budapest Airport, which expects to handle 20 million passengers in 2026.
A foundation stone was laid for a new terminal at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport following a 35% increase in traffic since French company VINCI Airports, with a 20% stake in the airport, assumed operations through a joint investment with the Hungarian state.
The expansion will include a new 35,000-square-meter main terminal featuring centralised check-in facilities, integrated retail and commercial spaces, and a new 19,000 m² passenger pier, along with the expansion of aircraft apron areas by 132,000 m², adding 13 new aircraft stands and a dedicated de-icing facility.
The Government also foresees major upgrades to airport connectivity, including plans for a direct rail link and the refurbishment and widening of the airport expressway.
Indonesia: The Indonesian Government is cracking down on the short-term lets industry, giving a March 31 deadline for all short-term rental owners listed on online platforms like Airbnb to apply for the relevant business licences.
Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana said it covers all operators, from one-unit owners to large vacation rental property management businesses listed online.
He said registering for a permit makes the sector fair for all accommodation operators, and all will then be paying their fair share of tax.
Europe: The EU's new biometric border control system has heightened concerns about waiting times at passport control, particularly during peak travel periods.
Under the new Digital Entry-Exit System (EES), non-EU travellers entering the Schengen Area have their fingerprints and photographs recorded, and their passport information digitised.
Launched gradually in October, the system is currently implemented at approximately half of the border crossing points. Recent congestion at Geneva and Tenerife airports has been reflected on social media, with queues at passport control in Geneva reaching up to three hours.
Airports Council International Europe, which represents airports across Europe, points out that the new system has increased processing times at border crossings by 4-5 times. Insufficient staffing and technical problems are cited as major risks, and the situation could worsen during the Easter and summer seasons.
Travel industry representatives and experts are warning travellers planning to travel in the coming months to be prepared for long waiting times.
Shanghai: TUI Hotels & Resorts is to open a new TUI BLUE five-star hotel in Shanghai. The 103-room TUI BLUE Yangtze will open on June 1.
Hotel owner, Shanghai Donghu (Group), operates 12 hotels and landmark projects, including several 'garden-style' state guesthouses. TUI's addition of TUI BLUE Yangtze Shanghai marked 'another important step' in its expansion in China, particularly within key gateway cities.
TUI Hotels & Resorts CEO Artur Gerber said: "It is an honour to be entrusted with operating this historic landmark hotel. With its prime location near People's Square and its distinctive heritage character, TUI BLUE Yangtze Shanghai is set to become a flagship urban property within the brand's Asia portfolio."
Norway: Scandic has opened the first Scandic Go hotel in Norway, located in downtown Oslo.
The 96-room hotel is centrally located and is the first Scandic Go property in the country. Scandic Go Grensen 20 is certified by the Nordic Swan Ecolabel, meeting requirements for climate, resource use, and chemicals. Additional Scandic Go hotels are planned for Tromsø and Stavanger.
The launch of Scandic Go in Norway is part of Scandic's growth strategy. Scandic operates the hotel, and Ragde Eiendom owns the property.
Japan: The Palace Hotel Tokyo has received certification from the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), becoming the first Japanese-owned and managed hotel to achieve the recognition.
The GSTC is an independent non-profit organisation that establishes international standards for sustainable travel and tourism.
Certification is awarded following an independent third-party audit assessing compliance with 167 criteria across four areas: sustainable management, social and economic benefits to the local community, cultural heritage, and environmental impact.
Environmental measures include cooperation with the Ministry of the Environment's Kokyogaien National Garden Office to monitor and manage aquatic plant growth in the Wadakura moat, located adjacent to the hotel.
A hotel official said: "The GSTC certification is as meaningful as our Five Stars from Forbes Travel Guide and our Three Keys from Michelin. We are wholeheartedly committed to incorporating sustainability throughout our various pursuits as we endeavour to extend our distinctive omotenashi (Japanese hospitality) to our guests."
Andy Probert is a freelance journalist whose work about global travel news, aviation, business and human-interest features has appeared internationally in print and digital formats.
