Listen to today’s podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-travellers-daily/id1842920062
True Travellers Society Podcast — October 31, 2025
Today’s podcast episode was created from the following stories: a global roundup of travel wins, bold bets on infrastructure, and fresh ways to experience culture, wellness, and adventure.
On the Up: Rotorua’s Te Puia named Supreme Winner of 2025 New Zealand Tourism Awards
Rotorua’s Te Puia took home the Air New Zealand Supreme Tourism Award, capping a multi-category night that recognized its post-pandemic transformation and community-first approach. Judges praised its sustainability focus and standout visitor experience as the attraction rebuilt around domestic engagement while retaining global appeal. With nearly 200 staff and new experiences on the way, Te Puia’s rise signals renewed momentum for Rotorua and Aotearoa’s tourism sector.
Sardenha está entre os principais destinos turísticos para 2026
Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2026 spotlights Sardinia for its nuragic archaeological treasures, bike and trekking routes, and rare cultural authenticity. It’s the island’s first time on the list—and the only European region honored—on the heels of Cala Goloritzè being named 2025’s best beach, UNESCO recognition for the Domus de Janas, and a first direct U.S. flight launching in May 2026. The nod positions Sardinia for a banner year of thoughtful, experience-led travel.
Japan Legal Wedding service offers a path for travelers to hold destination weddings in Japan
Because ceremonies in Japan aren’t legally binding by themselves, Sendai-based Michinoku Wakon now bundles traditional weddings with end-to-end legal registration through its Japan Legal Wedding service. New “Shogun Wedding” packages at the Sendai Castle Ruins and Shiroishi Castle add samurai armor photo shoots to the celebration. Couples are advised to start planning 3–6 months ahead, easing a once-complex process into a seamless destination experience.
Inside the exclusive world of traveling for high-end health treatments
Luxury medical tourism is booming as affluent travelers seek regenerative therapies and longevity programs in hospital-hotel hybrids from Dubai to Switzerland. Think collagen recovery, exosomes, and cryotherapy paired with Michelin-grade dining and alpine views—plus VIP floors and concierge-level aftercare. While Turkey wrestles with a two-tier reputation, top clinics are redefining standards with accreditation, design, and comprehensive recovery models.
In Québec, Ice Canoeing Turns Frozen Rivers Into Adventure Playgrounds
Guides with Canot à Glace Expérience are opening up Québec’s centuries-old tradition of ice canoeing to adventurous travelers on the St. Lawrence River. Part endurance sport, part cultural immersion, the outings blend “scootering” across ice with paddling frigid channels—plus hot cocoa breaks on drifting ice slabs. With roots stretching from Indigenous birchbark canoes to modern fiberglass racers, the sport offers a visceral, winter-only way to experience Québec.
Saudi Arabia wants to become a tourist hot spot and is building 300,000 new hotel rooms to get there
As part of Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia is scaling tourism with new carriers, airports, and 300,000 hotel rooms to attract 150 million visitors annually by decade’s end. The push includes marquee events (2029 Asian Winter Games, 2034 FIFA World Cup), new routes like Delta’s 2026 Atlanta–Riyadh service, and sustainability pledges tied to preserved mountain and Red Sea destinations. It’s a transformational bet to diversify the economy and expand jobs for youth and women.
За час в любую точку Земли: крупнейшее турагентство Японии пообещало запустить суборбитальные перелёты
Read the original story (Russian)
Nippon Travel Agency and Innovative Space Carrier plan suborbital spaceplane service that could shrink Tokyo–New York to 60 minutes in the 2030s, at an estimated roundtrip cost of ¥100 million (~$657,000). Flights would operate via offshore platforms, targeting ultra-fast passenger travel and express cargo beyond traditional “space tourism.” Massive technical hurdles remain, but a phased development starting next year underscores Japan’s appetite for next-gen mobility.
An insider’s guide to Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town’s moment is here, blending rugged outdoors with a design-forward, culinary-rich city scene—and increasingly direct flights to match. The guide highlights standout stays (Cape Grace, Ellerman House, One&Only, The Silo, Mount Nelson), bespoke experiences (African Lynx, marine safaris, private wine walks), and buzzworthy dining and bars. It’s a concise playbook for making the Mother City the main event, not just a safari stopover.
Eurostar wars: Virgin on track for cross-Channel trains after regulator approval
Britain’s rail regulator approved Virgin’s access to Eurostar’s Temple Mills Depot, a key step toward launching rival cross-Channel services by 2030. The move could unlock £700 million in investment and 400 jobs, though Virgin must still secure a commercial agreement—and depot capacity may force tough choices as Eurostar plans fleet expansion. After three decades of monopoly, competition on the route is finally within sight.
Why effective destination marketing is the future of contextual (year-round) advertising
In-flight “destination marketing” delivers captive, context-rich audiences and real-time analytics, letting brands target travelers by route, event, and mindset year-round—not just holidays. Examples range from conference-bound B2B flights to sports mega-events, with measurable brand lift across the full journey now that the traditional in-flight “dead zone” is over. As performance channels crowd, this contextual approach offers a differentiated way to earn attention.
