Travel & Food news · 29 October 2026
Vietnam Airlines Named World's Best Culinary Airline at 2026 World Culinary Awards
Vietnam Airlines became the first Asian carrier to win the World's Best Culinary Airline title at the 2026 World Culinary Awards, beating Emirates, Qatar Airways and Singapore Airlines. London Heathrow also took top honours as the World's Best Airport for Dining.
Canada's Winter Tourism Season Opens with 6% Revenue Growth Forecast and Major Ski Resort Investments
Destination Canada forecasts approximately 6% growth in total Canadian tourism revenue across all of 2026, reaching an estimated C$140.9 billion, as Banff Sunshine Village and Lake Louise target a 6 November opening and Whistler Blackcomb prepares to welcome skiers on 20 November. Large-scale infrastructure investment on both sides of the border is creating new opportunities for the 2026–27 winter season.
Auckland Airport's Satellite-Guided Arrival Procedures Reduce Fuel and Noise as New Zealand Tourism Demand Rises
Auckland Airport operates an established programme of satellite-guided arrival procedures called SMART Approaches, developed with Airways New Zealand, which allow aircraft to descend more continuously and reduce fuel consumption and community noise. An April 2026 trial examined wider use of existing procedures, while Queenstown visitor days rose 9% year-on-year and trans-Tasman airline schedules shifted unevenly, with increases on some routes and decreases on others.
Grenada Sets Visitor Spending Record of US$387.8 Million in 2025
Grenada recorded approximately US$387.8 million in visitor spending in 2025, the first year the destination has exceeded the EC$1 billion threshold, with expenditure projected to climb further to US$395.6 million in 2026.
Air New Zealand Launches Three-Weekly Flights from Western Sydney Airport to Auckland
Air New Zealand began service between Western Sydney Airport and Auckland on 26 October 2026, operating three flights a week. The route is forecast to add more than 100,000 passengers annually and drive 10–15% growth in Sydney–Auckland tourism.