Kayak co‑founder and long‑time CEO Steve Hafner is stepping down after 22 years, Booking Holdings said in an announcement on Feb. 3-4, 2026. Hafner will become executive chairman of Kayak and take on a newly created, Booking‑wide role focused on advancing artificial intelligence innovation. Peer Bueller, Kayak’s CFO since 2016 and COO since 2021, has been named Kayak CEO. Booking Holdings praised Hafner’s role in pioneering travel metasearch and expanding Kayak’s global footprint since the company’s 2004 founding and its 2013 acquisition by Booking. The change follows a difficult period for Kayak inside a shifting search and AI landscape: Booking took a $457 million writedown on Kayak in October 2025 amid rising competition from Google’s search features and generative AI. Skift reported Hafner had explored taking Kayak private late last year, a plan rejected by Booking CEO Glenn Fogel. Bueller said he will focus on product, user experience and commercial growth, including Kayak for Business, as the company pursues opportunities in a changing travel‑tech market.

The European Commission has unveiled EU‑INC, a proposed optional EU‑wide company regime intended to cut through 27 national corporate law systems and make it easier for firms to start and scale across the bloc. Announced by President Ursula von der Leyen at the World Economic Forum on Jan. 20, 2026, the ‘28th regime’ would allow companies to incorporate online in 48 hours via a single digital portal and operate across all member states under one standardised rulebook. The Commission says EU‑INC would not change tax or labour rules and is designed to lower legal costs, simplify stock option schemes and make the single market more attractive to investors. Brussels seeks parliamentary approval by the end of March, with the first EU‑INC entities targeted to launch in 2027. The initiative has gained grassroots support from the start‑up community — a petition grew from about 15,000 to over 23,000 backers — but member states have yet to formally respond. Supporters say it could help retain European unicorns and attract capital; critics warn it risks eroding national supervisory powers and raises questions about enforcement and cross‑border oversight.

Walt Disney Co. warned this week that its US theme parks face headwinds from a decline in international visitors, though the company said it will offset the shortfall with increased domestic marketing and still expects modest growth in its parks business. Executives reported US and international parks revenue rose about 6% year-on-year to more than $10 billion in the quarter, with attendance up roughly 1% and full-year US bookings about 5% ahead and weighted to the back half of 2026. Disney CFO Hugh Johnston said the company has “less visibility” into overseas travel patterns and is pivoting promotional efforts toward US consumers. The comments came as preliminary US government data showed foreign visits to the United States fell (excluding Mexico and Canada), with steep drops from Canada; analysts and industry groups point to new US travel fees and proposed social-media checks, plus broader political sentiment, as deterrents. Disney shares fell about 4-5% after the results. Despite the visitation warning, Disney’s experiences unit — parks, cruises and related businesses — remained a major profit contributor in the quarter.

European institutions and leaders convened across several major events early February as the EU moved to deepen support for Ukraine and global policymakers gathered in Dubai to debate trade, AI and geopolitics. On Feb. 5 the EU agreed a €90 billion loan package for Ukraine, announced amid ongoing peace talks in Abu Dhabi. Those talks continued even as Russian strikes hit Kyiv on Feb. 4, underscoring the fragility of a diplomatic track. Earlier, on Feb. 3, a large global gathering in Dubai drew around 150 governments and some 500 ministers to discuss how to adapt to technological and economic shifts; topics ranged from artificial intelligence to international trade. Former ECB chief Mario Draghi urged willingness to pursue differentiated EU integration, while in France Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu used a constitutional provision to force through the budget and survived two no-confidence votes. Markets also reacted: gold and silver prices tumbled even as retail demand in Europe remained strong.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to decertify Canadian-made aircraft and impose a 50% tariff has rattled North American aerospace and prompted talks between Transport Canada and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration. Trump said in a social media post last week he would strip certification for Bombardier Global Expresses and “all Aircraft made in Canada” unless Ottawa approved certain Gulfstream business jets; a White House spokesperson later clarified the move would apply only to new aircraft, not planes already in U.S. service. FAA administrator Bryan Bedford declined to say whether the agency would withdraw existing certifications, while Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon said Ottawa is working with the FAA, Bombardier and General Dynamics to resolve outstanding Gulfstream certification matters. Industry sources warned the move — and the uncertainty around enforcement — could hit Bombardier and some Airbus A220 sales to U.S. carriers and inject volatility into aerospace stocks. Regulators have already given the G700 and G800 temporary exemptions elsewhere while Canada continues its review. The dispute has left manufacturers, airlines and regulators seeking assurance that safety processes won’t be politicized amid pressure over market access.

A federal appeals court has vacated a Biden administration rule that would have required airlines and ticket agents to disclose baggage, change and other ancillary fees upfront during booking. In an en banc decision issued Feb. 3, 2026, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in New Orleans found the Department of Transportation violated the Administrative Procedure Act by failing to give the public a chance to comment on a study relied on in its cost‑benefit analysis. The rule, issued in April 2024, was challenged in May 2024 by trade groups including Airlines for America and IATA and six U.S. carriers; the Fifth Circuit had stayed the rule in July 2024 so it never took effect. The en banc court reversed a January 2025 three‑judge panel decision and vacated the regulation in full, saying the procedural defect undermined the entire rulemaking. The DOT said it was pleased with the outcome, as did Airlines for America. Travel agent group ASTA supported the transparency aim but had opposed some offline disclosure requirements for advisors.

A Jet2 passenger flight from Lanzarote to Manchester declared a medical emergency after one of its pilots became incapacitated during the final approach, airline and local reports said. Flight LS980, an Airbus A321 that departed Lanzarote at about 15:45 GMT on Tuesday, Feb. 3, transmitted a squawk 7700 general emergency code roughly 25 minutes before its scheduled arrival. The co-pilot landed the aircraft safely at Manchester Airport at 20:14 local time, where emergency services and medical personnel were waiting on the stand. Passengers disembarked normally and there were no reported injuries among those on board. Jet2 said the aircraft requested a priority landing after a pilot’s medical issue and confirmed the plane landed safely. Manchester Airport and emergency crews assisted the affected crew member on arrival. The incident did not cause wider disruption to airport operations, and initial accounts indicate standard cockpit redundancy and emergency procedures were followed.

Boeing plans the first flight of a production-configured 777X in April 2026, a company document and Reuters reporting show, marking a key step toward FAA certification and customer deliveries. The airframe, built for Lufthansa, is undergoing fuel system checks at Paine Field in Everett, Washington, with engine tests due later this month. The 777X programme is about six years behind schedule and has generated roughly $15 billion in charges. Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg recently disclosed a potential new issue with engines supplied by GE Aerospace, though the company says it does not expect the problem to change delivery plans. Boeing expects certification of the 777X in the second half of 2026, with entry into service likely in 2027. Separately, Boeing told reporters at the Singapore Airshow it will begin delivering improved 787-9 and 787-10 Dreamliners in the first half of 2026; upgrades will boost range by about 400 miles or add five to six tonnes of cargo capacity. Together these developments affect Boeing’s commercial launch cadence, airline fleet planning and competitive positioning versus Airbus.

MSC Cruises will add its premium MSC Yacht Club ‘ship‑within‑a‑ship’ experience to two additional vessels, MSC Musica and MSC Orchestra, expanding the offering to 19 ships across its fleet. MSC Musica is scheduled to debut its Yacht Club accommodations for a South America season from November 2026 through April 2027, including festive sailings to Buenos Aires, Montevideo and Punta del Este and a 16‑night transatlantic crossing from Santos to Genoa on April 1, 2027. MSC Orchestra’s upgraded Yacht Club will begin sailings from Bari, Italy, between March 13 and April 24, 2027, on Mediterranean itineraries calling at Izmir, Istanbul, Piraeus and Corfu. The Yacht Club provides suites with 24‑hour butler service, a dedicated concierge, private restaurant, lounge and sundeck, in‑suite treats and a complimentary bottle of premium spirits, plus priority embarkation, unpacking/packing, private shopping appointments and bespoke shore excursions. The rollout will complete Yacht Club coverage across all four Musica‑class ships (Poesia, Magnifica, Musica and Orchestra) and follows planned upgrades to other vessels this year. Bookings for the new suites will open soon, according to company announcements in early February 2026.

Disney warned this week that international attendance at its U.S. theme parks is weakening and could dent results in the months ahead. Executives flagged “international visitation headwinds” in the company’s latest quarterly update and said they will shift marketing toward U.S. consumers. Preliminary U.S. International Trade Administration data show foreign visits to the United States fell about 2.5% last year excluding Mexico and Canada; other industry measures put overall arrivals down roughly 5–6% in 2025, with visits from Canada plunging more than 20% year‑to‑date. Disney reported U.S. and international parks revenue rose about 6% to more than $10 billion in the quarter while total company revenue was $26 billion and profits slipped nearly 6%. Attendance at California and Florida parks dipped about 1%, though bookings remain on track for modest growth. The visitation slowdown and concerns over U.S. policy — higher visitor fees, a $250 visa integrity charge and proposals to check five years of social media — helped send Disney shares down roughly 4–5% after results.

A 14-year-old pupil stabbed a 60-year-old art teacher multiple times during class at La Guicharde secondary school in Sanary-sur-Mer, southern France, on Feb. 3, 2026, leaving her in critical, later described as serious, condition. Prosecutor Raphaël Balland said the boy took a knife from his home and admitted the attack, telling investigators he acted out of “too much hatred.” He allegedly stabbed the teacher three to four times in front of about 20–22 classmates and was arrested in the schoolyard and held on suspicion of attempted murder. Authorities say the incident appears linked to personal tensions after the teacher filed disciplinary reports about the pupil; investigators have found no evidence of a political or religious motive. Education minister Édouard Geffray visited the school and counselling was offered to students and staff. The stabbing adds to a string of recent attacks on school personnel in France and has renewed debate about security, pupil welfare and protections for educators.

MSC Cruises has announced a pair of major investments in the Bahamas aimed at boosting cruise capacity and visitor offerings across the archipelago. In January the Bahamian government signed an agreement with MSC for a roughly $450 million development in Freeport on Grand Bahama Island, including a $400 million cruise berthing and pier complex plus $50 million for a beach club and refurbishment of an existing retail village. The project will add a welcome plaza, retail, dining and entertainment venues and new transportation throughways intended to increase visitor flow and local business opportunities. Separately, MSC is upgrading its private Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, extending the pier so the island can accommodate two ships simultaneously by late 2027 and adding four new dining venues, an adults-only Paradise Sands area, expanded family facilities at Seakers Cove, more cabanas and an immersive marine conservation programme. Work at Ocean Cay is already underway and the company is reportedly developing a nearby secondary islet, “Little Cay.” The investments build on recent and planned cruise developments on Grand Bahama and reflect growing industry competition for Caribbean cruise visitors.

DFDS is pursuing multiple new ferry services connecting parts of the UK with Europe and between islands, but each proposal faces logistical and regulatory hurdles. In the Channel Islands, DFDS has proposed an inter‑island route via the UK linking Jersey and Guernsey; the planned timetable would allow Jersey travellers to disembark in Guernsey on a Friday night but would not permit Guernsey residents to travel to Jersey until the ferry returns from the UK on Monday, prompting mixed reaction from islanders and concerns from weekend event participants. The scheme requires approval by Guernsey’s States. Separately, DFDS and Dunkirk port have discussed a proposed Rosyth–Dunkirk service — a potential ~20‑hour crossing with three sailings a week and long‑run passenger estimates near 80,000 — but launch timing is unconfirmed. Key obstacles include the absence of a Border Control Post at Rosyth, post‑Brexit biosecurity and customs checks, and outstanding UK–EU plant and animal health arrangements. Scottish ministers and port operators are engaged in options, including using Grangemouth for checks or seeking legislative tweaks to allow the link to proceed.

Central Holidays and Smithsonian Journeys announced new 2027 travel programs timed for the Aug. 2, 2027 total solar eclipse. Central Holidays unveiled an 11-day Egypt itinerary that includes a three-night stay in Cairo with a visit to the Grand Egyptian Museum, a seven-night Nile River cruise, roundtrip domestic flights between Cairo and Aswan, and an optional Abu Simbel excursion; the operator says an expert-led, professionally arranged viewing will let guests witness the eclipse (reported as up to six minutes of totality). Smithsonian Journeys revealed a slate of 2027 offerings that include three dedicated eclipse itineraries: a Nile cruise in Egypt, a Ponant Explorations cruise along the Iberian Peninsula and a weeklong land trip in Spain, alongside other cultural and river-cruise departures (including partnerships with AmaWaterways). Both operators emphasize expert guides, curated educational content and premium observation arrangements aimed at eclipse chasers and cultural travelers.

Two travel studies published Feb. 3-4, 2026 highlight shifting demand for romantic getaways ahead of Valentine’s Day. Safari operator Go2Africa analysed more than 1.5 million reviews across 200+ global sites and found the Matterhorn in Zermatt, Switzerland ranked the world’s most romantic destination, with 98.66% of couple reviews rating it four or five stars; runner-up was Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni. Travel + Leisure released a companion U.S.-focused roundup naming a most-romantic spot in each state — from the Grand Canyon to Griffith Observatory — while TravelPulse highlighted off‑the‑grid escapes (Bimini, Arenal, Lake Atitlán, Big Sur, Koh Yao Noi, Lapland, Tofino, Oaxaca Coast) for quiet, nature-led stays. Features driving appeal include car‑free village charm in Zermatt, glacier excursions like Klein Matterhorn’s glacier palace, reopened Highway 1 access to Big Sur, and small luxury or eco-resorts offering privacy and wellness experiences. The reports arrive at a peak booking season and offer a snapshot of consumer preferences for experiential, often higher‑margin travel.

Multiple travel outlets (Feb. 3–4, 2026) highlight a clear shift in Valentine’s Day travel toward secluded, nature-forward and wellness-led experiences. U.S.-focused roundups identify romantic spots ranging from state icons (Niagara Falls, Griffith Observatory, Vermont’s Route 100, Cheaha State Park) to glamping winners such as Candee Mountain Retreat (North Carolina) and private yurts in California. International features promote off‑the‑grid escapes — Bimini (Bahamas), Arenal (Costa Rica), Lake Atitlán (Guatemala), Koh Yao Noi (Thailand), Tofino (Canada), Lapland (Finland) and the Oaxacan coast (Mexico) — and India’s luxury wellness retreats in the Himalayas and backwaters. Reporters and data teams note reopened routes (Highway 1/Big Sur) and analysis of hundreds of thousands of reviews to rank romantic glamping stays. Common elements across the pieces are privacy, low crowds, immersive nature, hot tubs/thermal pools, wellness programming and curated, intimate service. These trends are being packaged for Valentine’s bookings, honeymoons, proposals and anniversaries, with boutique operators, eco-lodges and wellness resorts prominently featured.

Early booking data and industry moves show the 2026 FIFA World Cup is already reshaping global travel patterns and commercial activity across host markets. Airbnb bookings indicate Gen Z and family groups are leading demand — Gen Z accounts for more than 15% of World Cup–related bookings, with many trips lasting three to five nights. International visitors drive roughly 70% of “gateway” travel, extending stays to explore host countries; travelers from Argentina and Germany are among those taking the longest, multi-destination trips. High-interest matches include USA vs. Paraguay (Los Angeles), Haiti vs. Scotland (Boston) and Brazil vs. Morocco (New York/New Jersey). TravelPulse also reports Royal Caribbean signed on as Miami’s official host-city supporter, providing fan zones, stadium tours and festival entertainment. Skift reports corporate clients are treating the tournament as a multi-city business platform for client entertainment and incentive travel, though friction over U.S. border policy could threaten revenue and planning. The tournament kicks off June 11, 2026, with the final outside New York City on July 19, 2026, and continues to spur a booking surge across North and South America since the schedule release in December.

The U.K. government has confirmed the fee for its new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) will rise from £16 to £20 ahead of the scheme’s launch and stricter enforcement on Feb. 25, 2026. The ETA is compulsory for visa‑exempt nationals from 85 countries, including the United States and Canada, and grants multiple short stays of up to six months for two years or until a passport expires. Applications are processed via the official UK ETA app or GOV.UK and are usually decided within minutes, although the Home Office warns processing can take longer in some cases. The ETA is a digital permission, not a visa, and carriers will refuse boarding to passengers required to hold one who do not. Officials say the system aligns the U.K. with other countries’ pre‑travel authorisation systems (for example, the U.S. ESTA) and is designed to strengthen border checks. The government also warned travellers to use official channels to avoid third‑party surcharges or scams.

Pleasant Holidays, the U.S.-based vacation packager owned by A|T Collective, on Feb. 4, 2026 unveiled refreshed branding, a new logo and a redesigned travel-advisor website alongside a “Benefits That Deliver” campaign targeted at travel agents. The revamped pleasantadvisor.com features a modern, more intuitive interface, hotel and destination pages that surface available offers and keep them visible through the booking flow, and a dashboard to monitor reservations from booking through travel. New advisor tools include social-media content templates, webinar training, sales flyers and the option to display or suppress commission information. The company also introduced a reduced deposit policy — reservations can be held for $100 per person (a $100 reduction) plus applicable fees — and extended courtesy holds from three to five days. The campaign stresses direct contracting with hotels, booking-source transparency (sharing agency name, consortia and ARC number) and 100% commission protection with the firm’s cancel-for-any-reason cash-back plan. The updates follow a 2025 restructuring and technology-led changes under CEO David Hu, hired January 2025.

Discover Carmarthenshire has launched “The Sisterhood” themed breaks aimed at groups of women seeking skills-led, wellbeing and creative getaways across south-west Wales. The curated and bespoke packages let visitors choose west, central or coastal itineraries with stays ranging from barns to glamping pods. Local providers grouped under Wild Kin offer pottery, painting, coastal foraging, horse-handling, guided walks, massage and jewellery-making. The Guardian feature follows a weekend spent at Ardderfin Farmhouse near Carmarthen and visits to Llandeilo, Llansteffan and Newcastle Emlyn, describing hands-on workshops with potter Yoka Kilkelly, yoga and willow-wreath making with Lowri Johnston, a walk on the Tywi estuary beside Llansteffan Castle, and a jewellery workshop run by Elen Bowen. The piece highlights local food provision (including New Curiosity restaurant and Wright’s Food picnic deliveries) and ties to community traditions such as the Women’s Institute. Organisers market the breaks as an alternative to nightlife-focused weekends, emphasising mindful, seasonal and craft-led experiences that showcase regional makers and attractions.