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What Is the History of European Heritage Days?

September 19, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

The must-attend event of the autumn season, the European Heritage Days attract millions of visitors each year. The event, which will unfold across the country next weekend, marks its 40th anniversary this year. Before lifting the veil on the highlights of this new edition (which we will detail here tomorrow), here is a look back at the origins of the event.

In 1984, Jack Lang, then Minister of Culture, imagined a large “Open Doors Day of Historic Monuments” at a national scale. His objective? To reveal to the greatest number and across the entire country the richness of French heritage through unprecedented appointments, visits, and exceptional openings.

A French invention that became European

But from its second edition in 1985, Jack Lang wished the event to become European, convinced of the major place accorded to cultural heritage by the Council of Europe. The latter works to promote diversity and dialogue around Europe’s common heritage through three axes: its conservation, its protection, and the enhancement of heritage.

In 1992, the event was renamed the “National Heritage Days.” From 1993 onward, 34 European countries joined the event, allowing the public to visit more than 26,000 monuments. In 2000, the event took on its final name of “European Heritage Days.” Or “JEP” for insiders. By then, more than 40 countries participated, making the JEP one of the first major international cultural manifestations.

Abroad, the event is known as Heritage Days. Soon, other countries around the world joined the lineup, such as Turkey and Taiwan. By 2010, there were now 50 states organizing the event, from the Vatican to Portugal, from Belarus to Moldova, to Malta or Saint Martin.

Who organizes the European Heritage Days?

In France, the event was initiated by the Ministry of Culture and its Directorate of Cultural Heritage. The event is also implemented by the territories and the DRACs (Directions Générales des Affaires Culturelles). Throughout the country, private associations join the venture.

At the European level, however, it is the Council of Europe and the European Commission that oversee the JEP.

A large number of the visits organized within the event are free, and private establishments mostly offer reduced-rate options.

What to see during the European Heritage Days?

More than the number of participating countries, the European Heritage Days attract with the variety of sites they open to the public. Civil or religious monuments, agricultural and industrial heritage—the offering is vast, which allows, beyond the places and buildings involved, the spotlight to be cast on the know-how and crafts of those who work there.

Each edition of the event also highlights one or more themes. Cinema, literature, citizenship, sciences, protection, travel, youth, education, sustainability…

European Heritage Days 2026: Discover Paris Museums in a New Way

September 17, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

Les musées de la Ville de Paris ouvrent leurs portes gratuitement les 19 et 20 septembre 2026 - Depositphotos.com, D.serra1

MSC Croisières

The City of Paris Museums will participate in the 43rd European Heritage Days, on Saturday, September 19 and Sunday, September 20, 2026.

On this occasion, the institutions will offer the public a program that is free of charge, structured around the two national themes: the Bicentennial of Photography and Heritage at Risk: Revive, Resist, Reimagine.

Over two days, visitors will rediscover the collections and the buildings of Parisian museums through formats specifically designed for the event.

The program also aims to highlight conservation professions, the know-how related to heritage, and new forms of mediation.

La photographie à l’honneur

In the framework of the bicentennial of photography, several institutions will offer sessions devoted to the history and techniques of photography.

At the Museum of the Liberation of Paris – General Leclerc – Jean Moulin, an urban trail will allow visitors to follow in the steps of Robert Capa and revisit sites associated with his famous photographs of the Liberation of Paris.

A meeting with Thomas Consani, an artist-printer at Picto, a historic laboratory of Robert Capa, will also allow discovery of the techniques and know-how linked to analog photography.

At the Zadkine Museum, visitors will be able to experiment with the cyanotype, an ancient photographic process, notably by creating a cyan herbarium or by printing a sculpture preserved in the collections.

Le patrimoine face aux nouveaux usages

The second theme of this edition, dedicated to heritage at risk, will be addressed notably through experiences aimed at renewing the relationship between the public and the collections.

The Cernuschi Museum will partner with the company Aika to present “Like a Wheel Within a Wheel“, an immersive virtual reality experience. This proposal intends to offer a contemporary reading of the works and heritage narratives. A meeting with curator Martina Köppel-Yang and the Aika team will allow dialogue on the issues of this approach.

At the Petit Palais, a giant scavenger hunt will invite participants to solve puzzles related to threats facing the museum and its works. An opportunity to discover, in a playful way, the behind-the-scenes of conservation and the various professions that contribute to preserving the collections.

The European Heritage Days will also be an occasion for families to discover the collections through hands-on engagement.

At the Zadkine Museum, workshops and interactive tours will notably allow exploring some emblematic works, such as The Bird with the Golden Plumage or The Head with Lead Eyes. The Bourdelle Museum will, in turn, offer activities around modeling, drawing, and working with materials.

At the Museum of the Liberation of Paris, children will be able to make their own diorama dedicated to the Liberation of Paris, guided by a lecturer. Family-friendly guided tours will also enable a playful revisit of the Liberation events and the Rol-Tanguy mission.

Musique, littérature et arts vivants au musée

The program will also bring the collections into dialogue with music, literature, and live performing arts.

At the Bourdelle Museum, the company Les Folies du temps will perform Beethoven’s Serenade Op. 8, while musical tours will offer another reading of Antoine Bourdelle’s works. At the Cognacq-Jay Museum, cellist Zoé Saubat will bring to life pieces by Bach and Marin Marais in the museum’s courtyard.

The Maison de Balzac will host several meetings around La Comédie humaine. Historian Judith Lyon-Caen will address the political dimension of Balzac’s work, while historian Jean-Claude Caron will explore the role of smells and perfumes in the writer’s universe.

At the Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris, artist Pascal Beugré Tellier will present Parlons masculin, a performance in dialogue with Kerry James Marshall’s work.

The Musée de la Vie romantique will host, for its part, students from the Conservatoire à rayonnement régional de Paris – Ida Rubinstein for a program devoted to Chopin, Brahms, Wagner, and Liszt, as well as a performance by the company Les Dramaticules around European and world heritage tales.

Architecture, conservation et savoir-faire

Visitors will also have access to proposals focused on the architecture of museums, their collections, and the crafts that contribute to their preservation.

All of the European Heritage Days programming in the City of Paris museums will be freely accessible on 19 and 20 September 2026, subject to the rules of each establishment.

Practical information and schedules are available on Paris Musées and on the sites of the various museums.

Which European Airports Are Most Affected by Flight Cancellations?

September 17, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

From choosing a place to stay to organizing activities and packing, a trip typically requires several months of preparation. So, what could be more unpleasant than arriving at the airport only to discover that your flight has been canceled?

A situation we want to avoid at all costs and which, fortunately, remains relatively rare, but that nonetheless affects some travelers, no matter which airport they are at.

To determine which European airports are most affected, Maaltalk, a company offering eSIMs usable across Europe, analyzed the air traffic of 115 airports over the past 30 days to identify those with the highest cancellation rates.

The United Kingdom has several airports strongly affected by cancellations

Leading the list of airports with the most cancellations is London City Airport, with 3.70% of its flights canceled during the studied 30-day period. Of the 3,597 scheduled flights, 133 were canceled, roughly one cancellation for every 27 flights. Inverness Airport in Scotland follows in second place with a cancellation rate of 3.43%. Of the 379 scheduled flights, 13 were canceled. Belfast City Airport closes the podium with a 3.17% rate, after canceling 37 of its 1,168 flights.

In fourth place, London Luton Airport shows a 3.13% cancellation rate, with 105 cancellations out of 3,358 scheduled flights. It is followed closely by Aberdeen Airport in Scotland, with 31 cancellations out of 1,002 flights, a 3.09% rate. From England to Scotland, and including Northern Ireland, this top five is therefore made up exclusively of airports located in the United Kingdom. Only in seventh place does the ranking move outside the British Isles, with EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg, which records a 2.45% cancellation rate, with 148 cancellations out of 6,046 flights in total.

Several French airports report fewer than 1% cancellations

The two French airports with the highest number of cancellations are Bordeaux, with 48 cancellations out of 2,155, i.e., a rate of 2.23%, and Lille, which closes the top 10 with a cancellation rate of 2.20%, after six cancellations on 273 scheduled flights. Apart from these two airports, France generally performs fairly well, as several of its airports record a minimal cancellation rate. This is notably the case for Strasbourg Airport, with only two cancellations on 208 flights, a 0.96% rate. The same goes for Brest Airport, which has four cancellations on 415 flights.

Among the best-ranked French airports, Paris-Charles de Gaulle stands out, with many airlines present, reporting a cancellation rate of 0.82%, i.e., 467 cancellations on 56,612 flights. Lyon Airport records a cancellation rate of 0.78%, with 59 cancellations on 7,518 flights, while Paris-Orly shows a rate of 0.77% after 125 cancellations on 16,234 flights.

Five European Cities Not Yet Overrun by Tourists and Worth a Detour

September 14, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

Summer holidays may be over, but that is no reason to give up traveling. The journalists from The Guardian have compiled a list of five particularly pleasant European destinations that are still relatively under-visited by tourists from around the world. Ideal for a long weekend or a week of autumn break, for instance. The first destination is French and it is even the sixth-largest city in the country: Nantes. For the journalists of the British outlet, the Loire-Atlantique commune—which lies directly on the Loire—offers a form of escape that the other major French destinations do not.

A special note is made of the Carousel of the Marine Worlds and its Jules Verne-inspired machines, which you can ride for a few minutes. Art, anyway, has a prominent place in Nantes, especially in its contemporary forms. Just like history, notably represented by the Château des ducs de Bretagne or the Memorial to the Abolition of Slavery, Nantes having been one of the cities at the heart of the slave trade in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Spending time along riverbanks

Our neighbors also offer stunning landscapes to reveal to us. In Switzerland, people mostly know the Geneva region, that of Zurich, or the capital Bern. But Basel is less renowned. Yet this The “city of art and culture on the Rhine” offers sublime scenery around the river—where locals and visitors alike swim willingly. Basel also houses several design-focused museums, such as the Beyeler Foundation and the Vitra Design Museum.

Further north, you could be tempted by Lübeck, in Germany. Again, it is a port city that The Guardian invites us to discover. About 70 km from Hamburg, it is a medieval town, relatively spared from the bombings of World War II, that stands out. Therefore you should of course see the old town, on an island in the center of Lübeck, made of red bricks and streets so intricately woven they resemble a labyrinth. If you can, take the time to learn more about the place’s history by exploring the city’s history and art museums. Lübeck will also appeal to fans of Thomas Mann’s work, Buddenbrooks. It is there that the story of this family unfolds.

Travel ideas for Southern Europe in 2027

If you’re looking to head further south in Europe, The Guardian has also got you covered. And if, instead of Rome, Venice or Florence, you gave Parma a chance for your next Italian getaway? The city is reachable by train from Milan or Bologna, the food is divine yet affordable — including its famous ham — and everything can be explored on foot there. Here again, a river cuts the city in two. But on each bank there are treasures to discover, notably in the form of cathedrals and other Baroque buildings. The National Gallery of Parma, far less visited than other Italian art centers, is worth a look.

In Spain, finally, you may want to stop a few days in Santander, Cantabria. It lies only about 180 km from the French border and could become a new favored destination. Indeed, a new cultural center opened its doors on September 8: 1,000 works, including paintings by Goya, Velázquez, or Picasso, are now exhibited there. An extension of Madrid’s Reina Sofía Museum is also expected for 2027. All of it opens directly onto the Atlantic, and promises pleasant moments of relaxation.

Sun PhuQuoc Airways Entrusts European Sales Representation to TAL Aviation Group

September 14, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

Sun PhuQuoc Airways confie sa représentation commerciale en Europe à TAL Aviation Group - DepositPhotos.com, Iryna_Rasko

MSC Croisières

As part of its international expansion, Sun PhuQuoc Airways partners with TAL Aviation Group to structure its commercial presence in the European market.

Based on Phu Quoc Island, the airline, a subsidiary of the Sun Group, plans to grow its fleet to 32 aircraft by the end of 2026, including four widebodies, in order to strengthen its routes in Asia and to prepare its long-haul network.

“The European market is strategically important to us as we develop our international network. The in-depth market knowledge and TAL Aviation’s strong relationships with industry professionals make it the ideal partner to support our long-term growth in the region,” says Tran Viet Loi, the commercial director of Sun PhuQuoc Airways.

A historic order of 40 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners to support long-haul

This expansion strategy rests on a major investment plan to renew the fleet.

On February 18, 2026 in Washington, D.C., the airline formalized a contract worth $22.5 billion for the acquisition of 40 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners.

This commitment represents the largest order of wide-body aircraft in the history of Vietnamese commercial aviation.

The gradual arrival of these aircraft will enable the operator to operate direct connections between Vietnamese hubs, Europe and other international destinations.

Gideon Thaler, CEO of TAL Aviation Group, welcomed the partnership: “We are delighted to represent Sun PhuQuoc Airways in Europe. This partnership reflects our commitment to delivering premier representation and distribution.”

Comprehensive management of sales and partnerships in Europe

TAL Aviation’s mandate includes activating travel agency networks, supporting reservations, and developing strategic partnerships with industry players.

The group will rely on its network of local agencies to establish the airline’s presence among European customers.

Through this framework, Sun PhuQuoc Airways aims to position Phu Quoc and the region’s major Vietnamese cities at the heart of tourist and business flows coming from Europe.

Aviation: Brussels Targets Carbon Quotas, Threatens Prices and European Airlines? [ABO]

September 13, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

ETS : Bruxelles veut étendre les quotas carbone, une menace pour les compagnies européennes ? - Depositphotos.com Auteur symbiot

Hurtigruten

Hard times for the Gulf hubs.

While geopolitical tensions and thus instability persist in the region, affecting air traffic, the appeal of the Gulf’s strongholds— notably the Doha, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi hubs— could further diminish in the years to come.

Indeed, in a proposal for a directive from the European Parliament and the Council, it is learned that the European Commission plans to extend its Emissions Trading System, the ETS, beyond intra-European flights.

Eric Drésin, secretary general of ECTAA (the European association of travel agents and tour operators), told TourMaG that this project is very recent, “we are really at the very beginnings of discussions on these issues. But there could be an increase in costs for the airlines.”

Briefly remind what the ETS are, Emissions Trading Schemes in English, which can be translated as: systems for trading emission rights. A system introduced in 2005 obliging companies to purchase rights to emit CO₂.

Chinese and Americans Spared by Brussels

Regarding air transport, these emission quotas apply only to flights within Europe.

But starting in 2029, Brussels aims to adjust the criteria and include the scheme for flights whose destinations are less than 5,000 kilometers from Frankfurt.

Would then be affected a portion of Africa, of Russia and especially the Middle East with carriers such as Emirates, Qatar, Etihad or even the “little” Riyadh Air. This extension, on the simple principle that the farther you go the more you pay, can be understood. However Brussels is up against the hard law of the strongest which seems to become the law “full stop.” The famous 5,000 kilometers thus completely spare the United States and China, which had suggested that in the event of new “taxes” there would be retaliations.

Carbon quotas: European airlines protest

With this proposed ETS extension, at first glance one might think Brussels is restoring a bit of fairness in the fierce competition between European carriers and those from the Gulf that will now be impacted.

But most major European-based airlines think the opposite. For groups like Air France-KLM, Lufthansa or IAG, this extension would cover hundreds of new routes among those they operate and thus ETS costs would truly explode.

In the columns of the Dutch daily De Volkskrant, the carrier KLM had said that it already pays €172 million for emission rights, i.e., 1.5% of its total costs, and viewed a massive price rise with dismay in the coming years.

By means of a note published last May, Air France-KLM informed Brussels that it opposes “firmly any extension of the EU ETS to all flights departing the European Union to destinations outside Europe.” The group asserts that such a measure would further increase the decarbonization burden already disproportionately borne by European carriers. It adds that it would amplify distortions of competition vis-à-vis non-European carriers and could provoke retaliation measures from third countries.

And this document, produced by Air France-KLM’s top management, goes well beyond a mere protest. It is also a counterproposal to Brussels’ upcoming revision of the European emissions trading system, to which the group says it would contribute more effectively and profitably to the EU’s 2050 climate neutrality goal.

Among the proposed measures, and besides maintaining the current geographic scope of the ETS, Air France-KLM also calls for extending the free carbon quotas granted to carriers using SAF to beyond 2030, a limit set by Brussels.

Known as FEETS (Fuel EU ETS Support), this temporary mechanism allocates free carbon quotas called SAF Allowances to carriers using SAF to reduce their ETS bill.

This transitional measure, designed as an encouragement to adopt SAF, is supposed to end in principle in 2030 but for Air France-KLM, that limit is incompatible with industrial SAF investments that are planned over 15–20 years and with the ramping up of SAF-fuel obligations, which remains for a long time far more expensive than kerosene and will have to be carried in the tanks at 70% by 2050.

Plans to Abandon Routes?

In Air France-KLM’s document, the group also seems ready for significant concessions, notably route abandonments, provided that this SAF Allowances scheme is extended to intermodal practices feeding the group’s hubs at Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Amsterdam-Schiphol.

In other words, if Brussels were to reward airlines with free carbon quotas for transporting passengers by train to their hub, certain routes could simply be dropped.

The group would like to convert air passengers into rail passengers for those connecting to long-haul flights, replacing short- and medium-haul flights that fall under the EU Emissions Trading System.

We are thinking of certain links between French provinces and CDG, or other European cities near Amsterdam such as Brussels.

A little revolution.

Germany: LMX Touristik’s First Acquisition in a More Ambitious European Project

September 1, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

AUCTUS Capital Partners a pris une participation majoritaire au capital de LMX Touristik, point de départ à la création de Mondiani Group, une nouvelle plateforme européenne dédiée au secteur du tourisme - Depositphotos.com, monsit

Costa Rica

The German investment fund AUCTUS Capital Partners announced on July 16 that it had taken a majority stake in LMX Touristik.

If the name sounds familiar, it is likely because the LMX group is already present in France with LMX Voyages, based in Mulhouse and led by Ludovic Rigel.

This operation is set to serve as the starting point for the creation of Mondiani Group, a new European platform dedicated to the tourism sector.

Based in Leipzig, LMX Touristik thus becomes the cornerstone of a European tourism market consolidation project backed by AUCTUS.

The founder of LMX, Markus Hartwig, remains a shareholder in the company, while the current management team stays in place.

LMX, the operational platform of the new group

AUCTUS thus intends to bring together several players in European tourism within a single structure, while preserving their entrepreneurial independence and regional identity, following its buy-and-build investment strategy.

The principle is to build on an existing company, then progressively undertake further acquisitions to form a larger group.

The fund targets independent, founder-led companies, in a sector marked by high fragmentation, succession issues and growing needs for digitalization and scaling.

LMX Touristik thus constitutes the operational backbone of this strategy.

“With AUCTUS, we have found a partner that perfectly matches LMX. Its specialization in Mittelstand companies and its experience in building platforms through buy-and-build strategies provide an ideal foundation for our next development phase“, stated Markus Hartwig, founder of LMX.

For reference, the company, which currently employs 68 people, has developed in the market for conventional package holidays and dynamic packages. Its portfolio also includes the SunTrips brand, specializing in tailor-made long-haul trips.

The group reports revenue above €350 million and more than 400,000 customers per year.

“LMX holds a solid position in the market, a scalable technology base, and an experienced management team. Together, we want to build on these foundations to develop a leading tourism group“, explained Daniel Meuthen, partner at AUCTUS.

New acquisitions already envisaged

LMX’s growth is expected to continue in parallel with its integration into the new structure.

Mondiani Group also plans to actively seek new investment opportunities in the European tourism sector.

Lars Ludwig, who currently leads LMX and will become CEO of Mondiani Group, will also be a shareholder of the new entity. “We want to develop Mondiani Group in a targeted manner through new acquisitions and we are open to discussions with potential partners“, he says.

With this operation, AUCTUS thus launches a new consolidation platform in European tourism, taking LMX Touristik as its anchor. The group will now need to pursue organic growth while identifying new companies likely to join its perimeter.

Published by Amelia Brille TourMaG.com journalist
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After Montenegro, Banyan Tree Announces Its European Ambitions

August 28, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

Mamula Island by Banyan Tree est juché sur un ilot isolé dans la baie de Kotor, au Monténégro. © Banyan Tree

Costa Rica

Since 2025, Banyan Tree, the flagship brand of the Singaporean-origin hotel group Banyan, has established its first address in Europe, specifically in Montenegro: “perched on an isolated islet, Mamula Island by Banyan Tree is installed in one of the three forts built in the mid-19th century to protect the Bay of Kotor”, details Kishan Chandnani, the new Global Head of Brand Marketing and Management.

The Bay of Kotor is part of the UNESCO World Heritage list. The fortress sits between sea and sky, on Mamula Island, dating from the period when Montenegro was under Austro-Hungarian rule.

It had been abandoned for quite some time. Before it could become an elegant five-star property, seven years of restoration work were required under the impulse of Samih Sawiris, a billionaire Egyptian businessman, who has been the majority shareholder of FTI Group since the Covid crisis and is already known for his tourism investments, notably in Montenegro, Egypt and Morocco.

Regenerative travel

Une chambre du Mamula Island By Banyan Tree © Banyan Tree

Open from April to October and accessible only by private boat or helicopter, Mamula Island by Banyan Tree promises ultra-luxury experiences and can, upon request, be fully privatized for weddings or private events.

This private retreat of 32 rooms and suites (from €700 per night in the shoulder season and €1,471 in high season) with views over the Adriatic Sea features a beach, a Spa installed in the fortress’s central tower, three pools, three restaurants, and a bar. Resident artists are invited, and opera nights are held there.

Mamula Island by Banyan Tree targets a very high-end clientele seeking an authenticity that “luxury hotels don’t always offer”.

Banyan Group has no intention of stopping there. The brand now carries ambitious plans for Europe, both in Western and Eastern Europe. « We are on the lookout for new opportunities, provided they align with our philosophy », insists Kishan Chandnani.

A singular venture that began in Thailand

Banyan Tree AlUla s'intègre merveilleusement dans l'environnement désertique de la vallée d'Ashar © PB

In a world that is increasingly fast-paced, Banyan Tree seeks to give its guests time to slow down and reconnect with what they love. Kishan Chandnani speaks of “regenerative travel.”

< b> The brand has stayed true to this approach since its beginnings. Banyan Tree is, in fact, a unique adventure born in 1994 at the initiative of two Singaporeans, Ho Kwon Ping and his wife Claire Chiang.

< b> This adventure first rooted in Thailand. In 1984, during a holiday at Bang Tao Bay on Phuket’s west coast, in the Andaman Sea, the couple discovered a vast tract of land nestled in a secluded lagoon. Enchanted by the beauty of the site, they bought it, believing it to be the perfect place to build a nature hotel.

Unfortunately, Ho Kwon Ping and his wife were disappointed: the land had been polluted by the discharge from a tin mine. They had to implement an environmental regeneration program by introducing native plants and planting nearly 7,000 trees.

It was only ten years later that they were able to construct their very first five-star complex, the Banyan Tree Phuket: 173 luxurious private villas, nestled in lush greenery.

Banyan Tree: luxury in nature

Avec Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree, la marque a enfin pris pied à Singapour. © Banyan Tree

By betting on authentic and eco-friendly luxury on an island — Phuket — known for mass tourism excesses, Ho Kwon Ping and his wife established themselves as pioneers.

Even though, today, the Banyan Tree brand also develops urban hotels in key markets like Bangkok, Dubai, Doha, the aim of harmonizing with the environment continues to guide the design of its hotel complexes, not unlike Six Senses (IHG).

Wherever they are, Banyan Tree properties are anchored in the spirit of the place.

This is the case with Banyan Tree AlUla, in Saudi Arabia. Wrapped in the silence of the Ashar desert valley, its 72 standalone villas, cloaked in canvas, display the sandy hues of the surrounding dunes and neighboring sandstone towers.

They confirm Banyan Tree’s intention to immerse itself in local history — here, the Nabataean civilization — combining service excellence with environmental respect to offer unique experiences to travel connoisseurs.

This is also true of the Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree, which marked in November 2025 the brand’s debut in Singapore, in the heart of a nature reserve. Its 338 rooms and 24 Tree Houses shaped like seeds perched in trees were designed in harmony with nature, as were the wellness offerings, retreats, and guided walks.

This Resort has also earned the BCA Green Mark Platinum certification for its low environmental impact.

Reconnect one’s soul to wildlife

Les villas de Buahan, A Banyan Tree Escape sont guidées par la philsophie "ni murs, ni portes". © Banyan Tree

Similar concerns have shaped Ubuyu, A Banyan Tree Escape, which will, next August, become the brand’s very first safari retreat.

Located in Tanzania, this intimate eco-luxury refuge inviting “to reconnect one’s soul with the wild” comprises only six villas. Built by artisans and inspired by Maasai architecture, they blend into the surrounding savanna where wildlife roams freely.

However, the most accomplished expression of Banyan Tree’s nature-led luxury surely lies, since June 2022, in Bali, Indonesia.

Guided by the philosophy “no walls, no doors”, the 16 wooden private villas, decorated with handcrafted items from Buahan, A Banyan Tree Escape, invite a deep communion with the rice paddies, the tropical forest, and the Ayung River that surrounds them.

In partnership with AccorHotels

Published by Paula Boyer Head of LuxuryTravelMaG – TourMaG.com
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These 5 European Airports Named After Major Cities Are Sometimes Located More Than 100 Kilometers Away

August 27, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

When you book a flight, you may be tempted to choose Paris-Beauvais Airport instead of Orly or Charles de Gaulle because of a more attractive price. Yet, Paris-Beauvais Airport is located about one hundred kilometers from the capital, roughly a 1 hour 30 minute drive. While many French people know the quirk of this airport in the Oise region, there are several airports in Europe that are not situated in the immediate vicinity of the city they serve, as noted by the Daily Mail.

When booking your tickets for a trip to London, Stockholm or Barcelona, you may face the unpleasant surprise of having to spend a few extra hours of travel before reaching your final destination. So even if the price of the plane ticket seems cheaper, this saving can quickly be erased by a long, unforeseen shuttle or taxi ride. Consider estimating the cost of the additional journey against the savings from the flight to see if it is really worth it.

The Frankfurt-Hahn Airport

If you plan to visit Frankfurt like millions of fellow travelers, beware of being misled by the Frankfurt-Hahn Airport. Despite its name, it is far from the German economic capital, as it is located in Lautzenhausen, about 124 kilometers from Frankfurt, roughly a 1 hour 30 minute drive. To reach the city directly, it’s better to choose Frankfurt International Airport. You should allow roughly twenty minutes to reach the city center.

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Düsseldorf-Weeze Airport

Still in Germany, be careful when booking your upcoming trip to Düsseldorf. If Düsseldorf-Weeze Airport is offered, know that it is located about 80 kilometers from the city. To avoid a long extra journey, favor Düsseldorf International Airport. It will take you only about fifteen minutes to reach the city center.

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Stockholm Västerås Airport

The name may still be misleading. Stockholm Västerås Airport is actually located about 100 kilometers from Stockholm, more than an hour by car. For travelers who want to reach the Swedish capital quickly, Stockholm Arlanda Airport presents a more convenient option.

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Barcelona–Reus Airport

The capital of Catalonia also has its own “trap airport.” Despite its name, Barcelona–Reus Airport is located about one hundred kilometers from Barcelona. It officially bears the name Reus Airport. To land as close as possible to the city, it is wiser to choose Barcelona–El Prat Airport, located about a 20-minute drive from the city center.

New Trends and Geopolitical Conflicts: European Tourism Holds Strong

August 18, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

Le tourisme européen résiste face aux conflits géopolitique et aux nouvelles priorités des voyageurs, Depositphotos.com

CroisiEurope

Despite a complex economic and geopolitical backdrop, the desire to travel remains steadfast in Europe.

On Thursday, July 9, 2026, the European Travel Commission (ETC) published its indicators for the second quarter of 2026. The assessment reveals solid growth: across the continent, international tourist arrivals show a rise of 5.0 % compared with the same period in 2025, while hotel overnight stays increase by 4.8 %.

This performance nevertheless occurs in a climate of waning consumer confidence and increased pressure on purchasing power.

If growth remains overall positive, holidaymakers’ behaviors are shifting toward more selective choices. Budget considerations, safety, geographic proximity and flexibility are now the decisive factors in choosing stays.

Strong Uptick in Northern Europe and Mediterranean Disparities

The regional results illustrate a healthy overall momentum, even if about one in five destinations manages to reach double-digit growth.

Northern Europe outperforms the rest of the continent, with arrivals up by 10.0 % and overnight stays up by 8.4 %. Meanwhile, Central and Eastern Europe, buoyed by the appeal of new experiences and competitive prices, records a 5.2 % rise in arrivals and a 6.9 % increase in nights spent.

The Mediterranean basin remains a major driver in absolute volume, although the situation there is more uneven. If Greece, with a 38.3 % rise in arrivals, and Italy, up 21.1 %, show excellent performances, Turkey and Cyprus experience a clear slowdown, recording declines of 2.1 % and 17.9 % respectively due to their perceived geographic proximity to the Middle East conflict.

This instability has also been felt in European air traffic: after a very strong first quarter with 7.0 % growth, the pace fell sharply to 1.0 % in April due to changes in air corridors.

A Summer Budget Safeguarded but More Closely Monitored

Spending data indicate an average expenditure per visitor often higher than last year. In Greece, for example, tourism receipts jumped by 64.3 %, far outpacing the rise in physical flows. In Italy, the trend reverses with expenditures rising more modestly (+4.3 %) despite a substantial increase in traveler volumes.

For summer 2026, leisure travel remains a top priority: Europeans plan to devote 13.0 % of their total consumption budget to it, a figure well above the global average set at 8.5 %. Non-European sending markets follow the same trend, increasing from 7.5 % in 2025 to 7.7 % this year.

Nevertheless, price sensitivity accelerates as major departures approach. Nearly 48 % of professionals surveyed in the Travel Industry Monitor say financial accessibility has become the key issue of the quarter, up from 32 % at the start of the year. The southern European destinations benefit from this, capturing 61 % of stay intentions between June and November.

Finally, there is a marked shift toward the off-season. September bookings are rising strongly across Europe, as travelers increasingly seek to avoid extreme heat waves and overtourism.

At the same time, while interest in sustainable tourism grows in online searches, only 41 % of consumers say they are ready to concretely modify their transport or stay habits for environmental reasons.