News on Visit Porto & the North of Portugal, India Exotica Travels, Walkers Tours & ArTravele, Fez Travel, Yadi Travel, Vio Travel & Tomorrow Travel
January 2026
Happy New Year, Travel Friends!
We hope you had a wonderful holiday break and are ready to tackle 2026 with fresh energy!
As we kick off the new year, we're thrilled to share some exciting news: Emerging Destinations is welcoming Tomorrow Travel to our portfolio of cool companies & cool places. They come highly rated from a tour operator friend and join an incredible lineup of new partners that includes Vio Travel (Asia), ILS Tours (Argentina/Chile), Great Lakes Safaris (East Africa) and Boutique Hotel La Yegua Loca (Chile).
Looking back, 2025 was a year of growth and transformation for us — from launching our operations manual to surviving(!) a complete CRM overhaul. Now we're ready to make 2026 even bigger and better, with more fantastic destinations, our upcoming Joe Meets Earth podcast, and continued support for your clients' travel dreams.
Thank you for being part of the Emerging Destinations community. Your partnership and support mean everything to us, and we can't wait to see what adventures we'll create together this year.
In this issue:
● Welcome blog for Vio Travel, our new partner covering 15 destinations across Asia, the South Pacific and Middle East.
● Porto & Northern Portugal's clever new MICE campaign "The Big Trend" (featuring Ofelia de Souza's signature style).
● Latest news from Turkey, Morocco, Sri Lanka, India, and more.
Here's to an incredible 2026!
Warmly, Jane and the ED Team
Jane Behrend | President
Specials & Promotions
🇹🇷 Fez Travel
Turkish Odyssey, Hattusa & Black Sea Explorer, Pearl of Hattusa & Black Sea – all with 15% Early Bird Discount until 31 January 2026. For more information contact [email protected]
News at a Glance
🇹🇷 Tomorrow Travel, Italy
● Venice Entry Fee: The day-tripper entry fee scheme is expanding for 2026. Advise clients that last-minute bookings (less than four days in advance) will incur a higher charge. Ensure clients staying overnight understand they pay a separate tourist tax, while day-trippers must register and pay the entry fee on designated days.
● Rome Trevi Fountain Fee: From February 2026, a €2 fee will be introduced for close-up access to the Trevi Fountain. Incorporate this minor cost and the potential for crowding into Rome itineraries.
🌏 Vio Travel, Asia
● Japan New Entry Rules
Online Travel Authorization: An electronic travel authorization system (similar to the U.S. ESTA) is being introduced for visa-exempt travelers, requiring online registration and approval before departure.
🇹🇷 Fez Travel, Turkiye
● In case you missed our webinar: Discovering Silent Luxury: Turkey's Hidden Gems with Fez Travel you can watch it here.
🌏 India Exotica Travels, India, Bhutan & Nepal
● Mumbai becomes a dual-airport city as Navi Mumbai International Airport began commercial operations.
● Air India’s Winter schedule brings 170+ weekly flights, including:
New direct routes: Delhi–Jaipur, Delhi–Jaisalmer
Increased frequencies to Udaipur, Jodhpur, Indore, Bhopal, Varanasi, Guwahati, Port Blair.
🇵🇹 Visit Porto & the North of Portugal
● We proudly present "The Big Trend", a film that reinforces Porto and the North of Portugal as a leading European destination for the MICE industry. Learn more
🇱🇰 Walkers Tours, Sri Lanka
● Cyclone Ditwah Update: Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) remains
fully operational, with no flight cancellations or rescheduled services. All major expressways and road networks linking the island’s key tourism regions are open, ensuring smooth access to the cultural triangle, southern beaches, hill country, and wildlife hotspots.
● Sri Lanka Named One of Travel + Leisure’s 50 Best Places to Travel in 2026. Read more
●The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection Makes Inaugural Call to Sri Lanka Read more
🇲🇦 Yadi Travel, Morocco
● Delta Air Lines, USA Delta’s first-ever route to Morocco, a nonstop service from Atlanta to Marrakech, has launched with strong demand.
● Royal Air Maroc Launches 3 weekly flights from Los Angeles (LAX) to Casablanca starting June 7, 2026. Learn more
Our Blogs
An awesome way to discover the many tastes and textures of Turkish cuisine is a “Türkiye Foodie Private Tour” with Fez Travel. Embark on a 16-day adventure through Turkey’s timeless wonders and rich culinary traditions.
Emphasis on the “high” because this India Exotica adventure tour takes adventurous hikers to 17,600 feet (5,364 meters) in the Himalayas over the course of three weeks, through some of our planet’s most spectacular scenery.
Anyone planning a journey through the Asia-Pacific region should definitely check out Vio Travel, a DMC that specializes in seamless access to 15 destinations.
Escape to the Maldives, where crystal-clear waters meet powdery white sands and luxurious overwater villas await. Explore vibrant coral reefs, indulge in world-class spa treatments, and savor fresh seafood under starry skies.
A journey into the captivating embrace of Marrakech, where the ordinary morphs into the extraordinary. Traverse the labyrinthine alleys of the ancient medina and immerse yourself in the lively souks, each step echoing with the city's rich history
Vila do Conde is a vibrant coastal city where maritime heritage meets a relaxed, artistic spirit. Cobblestone streets lined with contemporary art lead to sun-drenched beaches, such as Praia Azul and Praia do Forno.
🎥 Video of the month
Turkish Delights: Where 250 Years of Sweet Tradition Live On
Step into the original shop where Turkish Delight — or Lokum as it’s known in Türkiye — was first created over 250 years ago. The Sultan’s master candy-maker who gave the world its most delightful treat.
