Paralympic swimmer Simone Barlaam, a 13-time world champion who won three golds and a silver at the 2024 Paris Olympics, offers a personal guide to Milan ahead of the Milano Cortina Winter Games (6-22 February) and the Paralympics (6 March-15 March). Barlaam, a torchbearer and ambassador who also worked as a graphic designer for the Games, highlights neighbourhoods, eateries and cultural sites he frequents: his NoLo district, Via Paolo Sarpi’s Chinatown, Pasticceria Grossi, Panificio Storico Vailati, Pizzeria da Mimmo, Grano e, Ratanà and Vietnam Mon Amour. He points to green spaces such as Parco Sempione (linked to Castello Sforzesco and Arco della Pace) and the Acquario Civico, and notes museums including Mudec and the Museum of Natural History. Barlaam emphasises recent accessibility improvements driven by the Games — for example a new metro elevator near his home — while urging further work on ageing buildings. The piece also notes cultural oddities like Maurizio Cattelan’s L.O.V.E. statue and mentions original Olympic posters on display until 15 March.

Rome has begun charging tourists €2 (about $2.40) to access the basin of the Trevi Fountain as of Feb. 2, 2026, aiming to curb overcrowding and raise funds for conservation. The small ticket is required for non-residents who walk down to the fountain’s edge during designated daytime hours; the surrounding piazza remains freely viewable. Exemptions include registered Roman residents, children (reported as under six), and people with disabilities and their carers. Tickets can be bought online in advance, at civic museums, from tourist information points, authorized retailers or at the fountain entrance. The move accompanies a new €5 ticket for entry to some city museums and follows similar measures at other Italian landmarks such as the Pantheon and Venice’s day‑tripper tax. City officials estimate the measures could net about €6.5 million a year; authorities said roughly 10 million people visited the Trevi in the 12 months to December 2025. Officials say the fee will improve visitor flow and help pay upkeep for the 18th‑century monument, while many tourists interviewed called the charge modest for access.

Tumbling River Ranch, an all-inclusive guest ranch in Colorado’s Pike National Forest about an hour (roughly 60 miles) from Denver, reopened in February 2026 after an $8 million renovation timed to mark the property’s eightieth anniversary. The historic ranch’s 21 guestrooms and cabins — including a restored four-bedroom Ranch House dating to 1936 — were refreshed and five new rooms were created, bringing the total to 21 accommodations that can host up to 60 guests. The 5,500 sq ft lodge was rebuilt with a presentation kitchen, dining room, bar, lounge and activity spaces. Upgrades emphasize sustainable materials and bespoke design: organic Birch Luxe mattresses, sustainable linens, Waterworks fixtures, custom cabinetry by Carma House, and original furnishings. Seasonal, all-inclusive programming covers three daily meals and activities such as horseback riding, archery, mountain biking, ice skating, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, with optional excursions (rafting, rock climbing, fly-fishing) available for a fee. Renovation work was led by Resort Design Architects and Carma House; nightly rates start around $840 in winter and $1,180 in summer.

Boeing announced two significant commercial deals at the Singapore Airshow on Feb. 3-4, 2026, bolstering its presence in Southeast Asia. The company secured its largest landing-gear exchange agreement to date with Singapore Airlines Group, covering overhaul and exchange support for more than 75 aircraft across the 737 MAX and 787 fleets to reduce maintenance downtime and improve schedule flexibility. Separately, Boeing confirmed a landmark sale to Air Cambodia: a firm order for 10 737-8 MAX jets with options for 10 more (up to 20), marking the Cambodian carrier’s first Boeing purchase. Boeing said the 737-8’s range, capacity and fuel-efficiency will help Air Cambodia expand direct services across North and Southeast Asia. Boeing framed the deals as part of its broader aftermarket and commercial-sales strategy to enhance fleet readiness and deepen regional ties. Both announcements were released by Boeing and reported by industry outlets and PR channels at the Singapore Airshow.

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.

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.

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.