Maximum Occupancy New Zealand 2026 is set to return to Auckland with a packed agenda and over 30 speakers confirmed to take the stage.

Bringing together the country’s leading hoteliers, tourism executives, technology innovators and industry bodies, the conference will deliver a full day of commercially focused insights designed to help accommodation operators grow revenue, strengthen direct bookings and drive long-term profitability.

Delegates will hear proven strategies and real-world case studies on how to increase revenue in a shifting demand landscape, strengthen direct booking performance and reduce OTA dependency, leverage technology and AI to improve marketing and operations, and capitalise on major events, business travel and international recovery

Who’s coming to Auckland?

This year’s speaker line-up represents every corner of the accommodation and tourism ecosystem, including:

• Hon. Louise Upston – Minister for Tourism and Hospitality
• Craig Bonner – Managing Director, Cordis Auckland
• Lisa Hopkins – Chief Executive, BEIA
• Prue Daly – General Manager, NZICC
• Kirsty Phillips – Chief Executive, HNZ
• Karl Luxon – CEO, Scenic Hotel Group
• Rod Munro – Managing Director Australasia, BWH Hotels
• Tim Alpe – Managing Director, Lylo
• David Ovendale – CEO, TOP10 Holiday Parks
• James Doolan – Hotel Council Aotearoa
• Paul Wilson – Vice President Hospitality APAC, Amadeus (flying in from Bangkok)
• Michael Stamboulidis – General Manager, QT Auckland
• Raymond Faulkner – Vice President Operations, Swiss-Belhotel International

With representation from global hotel brands, independent operators, event leaders, tourism bodies and international technology providers, the 2026 conference promises one of the strongest line-ups in the event’s history.

Hotel101 Group, the hospitality arm of DoubleDragon Corporation, rang in the Lunar New Year and welcomed the Year of the Fire Horse with a celebration that brought together its top executives.

Present during the event were Hotel101 Group general manager Charley S Magabo, head of public relations Brian Ong, senior sales manager Nikho Bacar, and e-commerce manager Ron Nunez.

Also in attendance were Hotel101-Fort hotel manager Lawrence Valerio and Jinjiang Inn – Makati hotel manager Wesley Ann Go-Sta. Maria.

Galloping in for the Year of the Fire Horse

It was announced during the celebration that several new Hotel101 locations are set to open in Davao, Cebu, and Libis, among others. 

These will be joined by properties in international locations which include Madrid, Spain; Niseko, Japan; Los Angeles, USA; Milan, Italy; and Melbourne, Australia.

These upcoming properties are all part of Hotel101’s vision to eventually operate in 100 countries. 

Currently, Hotel101 Group already operates Hotel101-Fort, Hotel101-Manila, Jinjiang Inn – Ortigas, Jinjiang Inn – Makati, Jinjiang Inn – Boracay Station 1, and Injap Tower Hotel in Iloilo. 

The skyline of Vietnam’s southern hub Ho Chi Minh City has been transformed yet again by a new addition: Saigon Marina IFC.

During this year’s celebrations on the eve of the Lunar New Year, this new landmark lit up the night sky in a spectacular fashion with a fireworks display that left spectators spellbound.

The moment was more than a celebration of light, but more of an emotional milestone, as a new symbol of the city rose and shone across the Saigon skyline.

Reflected over the Saigon River, the firework show marked the arrival of the New Year and was broadcast live nationwide on Vietnam’s national broadcaster VTV1 which transmitted the celebratory spirit of the city for audiences across the country.

A reflection of a city’s spirit

Designed to become an international financial centre, Saigon Marina IFC reflects Ho Chi Minh City’s pioneering spirit.

This new architectural icon was envisioned not only as a premium commercial complex, but as a central platform supporting financial institutions, international investors, and cross-border capital flows in the years ahead.

Set in the historic Ba Son district, once the industrial and maritime heartbeat of the city for more than two centuries, Saigon Marina IFC now stands as a convergence point of finance, technology, and modern lifestyle. 

Surrounding the tower is a contemporary light-art space where architectural design, advanced lighting technology, and the reflective waters of the Saigon River blend together into a vibrant visual spectacle. 

dnata formally announced the appointment of Marwan Essa as its new managing director for operations in Zanzibar.

Essa’s appointment further strengthens dnata’s leadership in one of East Africa’s growing tourism and aviation gateways.

According to dnata’s regional CEO for airport operations in APAC and EMEA Alexandra Doisneau:“Marwan’s journey within dnata demonstrates the strength of our internal talent pipeline. He brings a deep understanding of our operational standards and a clear focus on performance and partnership. We are confident he will continue to build on the strong foundations established in Zanzibar.”

Furthermore, Essa’s appointment underscores dnata’s long-term commitment to nurturing Emirati talent and fostering an environment where high-performing leaders can progress into senior roles across its international operations.

A proud first

In his new role, Essa will have full accountability for dnata Zanzibar’s business performance and development, overseeing ground handling and cargo operations while driving service excellence for airline customers and airport partners. 

His appointment also marks the first time an Emirati has been named to lead one of dnata’s international airport operations businesses.

Since joining the company in 2017, Essa has held a series of operational and performance-focused leadership roles between the UAE and Zanzibar, gaining broad experience across ground handling and airport operations. 

Most recently, he served as head of operations and acting managing director in the East African outstation, supporting the business through a period of growth and increased activity.

The Extraordinary Travel Festival (ETF) announced that North Korea (DPRK) defector Eunhee Park will be sharing her powerful story when she delivers the festival keynote this October in Bangkok, Thailand.

Park’s appearance at ETF which runs from 22nd to 25th October will certainly bring a powerful and deeply human dimension to the event. 

While many ETF speakers explore the world by choice, her story reflects what it means when movement itself becomes an act of defiance.  

This amazing journey from oppression to freedom is likewise recounted in Park’s book The Courage to Die.

Courage against all odds

Park’s story is not one of elective adventure compared to the tales shared by other speakers, but more of an escape characterised by extraordinary courage.

Born and raised in North Korea under one of the most restrictive regimes in the world, Park made the life-altering decision to defect, risking imprisonment, forced labour, and even execution. 

Her journey to freedom required leaving behind family, home, and certainty for an unknown future beyond the regime’s tightly controlled borders.

ETF co-founder Ric Gazarian said of her experience: “Travel, at its core, is about freedom: freedom of movement, freedom of thought, freedom to choose your path. Eunhee’s story reminds us that for millions of people, that freedom does not exist. Her courage embodies resilience at the highest level, and we are honored to provide her a platform at ETF.”

A delegation from North East England is set to promote the region’s unique travel offerings at the British Travel Trade Show in Birmingham on 19 March. This premier UK event will gather over 200 attractions, hotels, and destinations, alongside more than 2,000 group travel organisers, travel agents, and coach operators.

The Destination North East England Stand will feature partners such as Visit County Durham, NewcastleGateshead Initiative, and Visit Northumberland. Attractions like Alnwick Castle, The Alnwick Garden, Beamish Museum, Kynren, The Auckland Project, Ad Gefrin, and Hilton Hotel Sunderland will also be represented. The stand aims to highlight the region’s dedicated travel trade website, which offers bookable products, destination management company (DMC) and guide information, and trade resources, including an image library and promotional materials.

Additionally, a Virtual Fam Trip will be available to inspire tour operators and group travel organisers with new itinerary ideas for their clients. The British Travel Trade Show is a key event for those seeking fresh travel ideas, and the North East delegation hopes to attract interest with its diverse offerings. Visitors can find the North East England delegation at Stand B4

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Air Astana has reached a significant milestone by completing its 50th C-check on an Airbus A320 family aircraft at its Engineering and Technical Centre in Astana. This achievement underscores the airline’s commitment to advancing its technical capabilities and expanding heavy aircraft maintenance capacity in Kazakhstan.

The completion of 50 C-checks is a testament to Air Astana’s systematic investment in engineering infrastructure, workforce training, and in-house maintenance capabilities. Each C-check involves tens of thousands of scheduled maintenance tasks, including detailed structural and systems inspections, requiring over 20,000 manhours to ensure compliance with global aviation standards.

Robert Dando, Director of the Astana Technical Centre, stated, “The 50th C-check milestone is the result of our consistent investments in engineering expertise, infrastructure, and human resources. Performing complex maintenance checks in-house enables full control over work quality, reduces reliance on overseas maintenance providers, and contributes to the development of domestic technical expertise in civil aviation.”

Since 2019, Air Astana has independently conducted all types of C-checks on Airbus family aircraft at its bases in Almaty and Astana. The airline has completed a variety of maintenance checks, including twenty-eight C1-checks, five C2-checks, ten C6-checks, and seven C12-checks. The company boasts a team of certified engineers and mechanics with internationally recognised EASA Part 66 licences.

This expansion of high-technology maintenance capabilities highlights Air Astana’s role in advancing Kazakhstan’s aviation industry, enhancing technological self-sufficiency, and maintaining high standards of aircraft reliability and safety

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Mark Eletr, the General Manager of Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives, has been appointed to the Executive Board of the Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI) for the 2026 to 2029 term. The appointment was confirmed during MATI’s 36th Annual General Meeting on 15 February 2026. Eletr joins a 19-member board chaired by Hussain Afeef of KASA Holdings Pvt Ltd.

MATI, established in 1982, is a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting the Maldivian tourism sector. It collaborates with government stakeholders, conducts research, and promotes sustainable tourism development. Eletr expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “It is a great honour to be appointed to the MATI Executive Board.”

Eletr aims to bring fresh perspectives from his global tourism experience, particularly in island resort operations. His appointment coincides with MATI’s recent election to the UN Tourism Board of Affiliate Members, marking a milestone as the first Maldivian entity on the board. This reflects the Maldives’ growing influence in the regional and global tourism landscape.

Eletr emphasised his commitment to sustainability, saying, “Sustainability has always been a key focus of my leadership, not only in environmental initiatives, but also in supporting communities and strengthening governance.” His appointment reinforces MATI’s dedication to industry collaboration and sustainable development, further solidifying the Maldives’ position as a leading tourism destination

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Regent Seven Seas Cruises has confirmed an agreement with Fincantieri to construct a fourth vessel in its Prestige-Class series, set for delivery in 2036. This announcement follows the anticipated debut of Seven Seas Prestige in December 2026, with subsequent ships launching in 2030 and 2033. All vessels will be built at Fincantieri shipyards in Italy.

Jason Montague, Chief Luxury Officer of Regent Seven Seas Cruises, expressed enthusiasm for the new addition, stating, “It is with great excitement that we announce a fourth Prestige-Class ship—an investment that underscores our commitment to leading the ultra-luxury cruise market for the decade ahead and beyond.” The Prestige-Class ships are designed to offer unparalleled luxury, with Seven Seas Prestige being 40% larger than previous ships but accommodating only 10% more guests, ensuring spaciousness and exclusivity.

The Seven Seas Prestige will feature all-balcony suites, including the largest all-inclusive suite in cruise history, the Skyview Regent Suite. Guests will enjoy 11 dining experiences, including a new Mediterranean concept, Azure. The ship will also offer unlimited shore excursions, gourmet cuisine, fine wines, and onboard entertainment.

The inaugural season of Seven Seas Prestige will include 13 voyages to destinations across the Caribbean and Europe, starting with a 14-night transatlantic journey from Barcelona to Miami on 13 December 2026. The season promises a blend of exploration and indulgence, with up to 97 included shore excursions per voyage

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The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) has shared its expert evidence with the COVID-19 Inquiry, which is now featured in a newly published report. The report, released on 16 February 2026, underscores the profound impact the pandemic had on the travel industry, which ABTA claims was affected “like no other” sector.

ABTA participated in a roundtable discussion as part of its engagement with the inquiry, aiming to shed light on how pandemic measures affected travel businesses. The association acknowledged the priority of protecting public health but criticised the lack of consideration for the operational realities of the travel industry. Financial support was another focal point, with ABTA noting that travel businesses struggled to utilise furlough schemes due to the need to manage cancellations. The association’s lobbying efforts were crucial in securing grant support for travel agents, although other sectors, such as coach and tour operators, received no national support.

Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive of ABTA, stated, “The travel industry felt the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic like no other sector. When travel shut down, unlike most other businesses, travel companies couldn’t pivot—no international travel meant no revenue.” He emphasised the importance of the inquiry hearing from the industry to ensure future policy responses balance public health with business needs.

The report also acknowledges the role of Refund Credit Notes, an initiative by ABTA that gained support from the Civil Aviation Authority and the Government, helping to stabilise travel businesses and reassure consumers financially. As the industry continues to recover, ABTA’s insights aim to inform more balanced policy-making in potential future crises

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