Luxury Travel

FORT LAUDERDALE – November 10, 2026 -- The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection has appointed Alan Leibman, former CEO of Kerzner International, as chief executive officer and promoted Tatiana Ferreira to president, consolidating sales, IT, marketing and guest experience under a single executive for its three-yacht fleet.

Ferreira takes on four functions in expanded role

Ferreira, previously chief sales officer, will continue to oversee sales and commercial activities. She now also oversees information technology, marketing and guest experience. The company says combining these functions will speed growth and improve the end-to-end guest experience.

Her background spans nearly 25 years at Louis Vuitton, Neiman Marcus, Starwood Hotels & Resorts and The Walt Disney Company.

BETHESDA – November 04, 2026 -- Marriott International has opened its 800th property in Asia Pacific excluding China (APEC) and entered Laos for the first time with La Résidence Phou Vao, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, in Luang Prabang.

36-suite hilltop resort anchors Marriott's Laos debut

The resort occupies three acres of tropical gardens on Phou Vao hill, two kilometers from Luang Prabang's old town. Marriott describes it as the only hillside retreat within the UNESCO World Heritage zone. It joins The Luxury Collection with its original architecture, landscape and hilltop pool preserved. Interiors, culinary identity and guest rituals have been reworked to meet the brand's global standards.

Rajeev Menon, President, Asia Pacific excluding China, said the milestone reflects the trust owners and guests place in Marriott. He said the opening underscores the company's commitment to expanding "thoughtfully" in culturally rich destinations.

BENGALURU – October 28, 2026 -- Hilton (NYSE: HLT) has opened the 226-room The Den Bengaluru in Whitefield, marking the first India property under its LXR Hotels & Resorts luxury brand. The hotel is owned by Dan Hospitality India Pvt. Ltd. and managed by Hilton.

Hilton names India among its most important growth markets

Zubin Saxena, senior vice president and regional head for South Asia at Hilton, said India is "one of Hilton's most important growth markets." He added that the expectations of the country's luxury travellers are creating opportunity for brands that offer individual, experience-led stays. Hilton is continuing to grow its luxury portfolio across the country, and Saxena described Bengaluru as a natural market for the next phase because of its global connectivity and diverse traveller base.

New York – October 15, 2026 -- VistaJet will host Members for three days in the Ferrari Paddock Club at the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, preceded by a first-time pickleball session with Brand Ambassador and Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc.

VistaJet builds Austin Race Week around Ferrari access

Members will fly to Austin on VistaJet's silver-and-red fleet. The Paddock Club program covers Friday practice, Saturday qualifying and Sunday's Grand Prix. It includes Pit Lane Walks, curated sessions with team personnel, and appearances by Ferrari ambassadors, drivers and the Team Principal.

Leclerc described VistaJet as his "home away from home" during the season.

Kafue – October 13, 2026 -- Anantara has opened Anantara Tented Camp Kafue River, its first safari property in Africa, with opening rates from USD 6,289 per room per night for two guests sharing a suite. The 13-key, off-grid camp sits on the Kafue River in Zambia's largest national park and launches in the year Anantara marks its 25th anniversary.

Camp pairs wellness with conservation-led safari programming

The camp was three years in the making. Its safari experiences were developed in partnership with African Parks, and wellness is given equal weight with conservation in the product. The rate covers full board, premium beverages, twice-daily game drives, personalised butler service and one 90-minute spa treatment per person per stay.

White Plains, N.Y. – September 19, 2026 -- Wings Air Helicopters has been selected to operate VIP helicopter transportation connecting Resorts World New York City at JFK and Resorts World Catskills, cutting a multi-hour ground trip to a 45-minute flight.

Seasonal service extended after summer launch

The program began as a seasonal summer offering and has since been extended, according to the companies. Wings Air Helicopters, an FAA-certified air carrier with nearly 25 years of operating history, runs the chartered flights from strategically located heliports in the New York area using its Airbus AS350 and AS355 helicopter fleet.