Thinking of planning an incentive cruise to Mexico? You won’t be alone. More than 5.6 million passengers docked in the first half of 2025, an 8.4% jump thanks to record ship arrivals and expanded port infrastructure.
Curious what Minecraft has to do with trip planning? Tourism New Zealand is using a fully playable Minecraft map and an AI trip planner to turn online inspiration into real-world bookings.
Looking for a Caribbean escape with five-star flair? The world’s largest sailing yacht, Orient Express Corinthian, sets sail in late 2026 with curated island itineraries, yacht suites and Michelin-starred dining under the stars.
As always, Smart Travel is here to bring you the latest updates shaping the way we move, meet and plan.
Mexico’s Cruise Traffic Surpasses 5.6 Million in First Half of 2025
Cruise tourism in Mexico is full steam ahead. The country welcomed 5.6 million cruise passengers from January to June 2025, an 8.4% increase over the same period last year, according to Secretary of Tourism Josefina Rodríguez Zamora.
That surge was thanks to 1,639 cruise ship arrivals, up 7.8% from 2024, with the Mexican Navy providing official stats. Cozumel once again took the top spot, drawing 2.4 million passengers across 685 ship visits. Mahahual followed with 1.2 million passengers and 302 arrivals, while Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta and Ensenada rounded out the list of top-performing ports.
Rodríguez credited the continued growth to recent investments in Mexico’s National Port System and a coordinated push from all levels of government. “These figures confirm that Mexico continues to consolidate its position as one of the world’s most attractive cruise destinations,” she said.
Tourism New Zealand Launches AI Trip Planner and Playable Minecraft Experience
Planning a trip to Middle-earth just got an upgrade. Tourism New Zealand has teamed up with Matador Network’s GuideGeek to launch an interactive AI trip planner powered by real-time, personalized responses, plus a first-of-its-kind twist: a fully playable version of New Zealand in Minecraft.
Now live on newzealand.com, the AI helps travel planners overcome common hurdles (“How long is the flight?”, “What’s the best time to visit?”) and offers inspiration drawn from actual Kiwi destinations. And if those dream spots are also featured in Minecraft (such as the glowing Waitomo Caves), users can see in-game visuals right in their chat.
The campaign ties into the release of A Minecraft Movie and features collaborations with 11 Māori iwi, Warner Bros. and Mojang Studios. Since its late 2024 debut, the AI has seen more than 200,000 unique users, and engagement is six times higher than the site average. Post-Minecraft launch, active users surged past 50,000 across key international markets.
“This tool helps travelers move from dreaming to booking,” said Tourism New Zealand’s General Manager of Marketing Brodie McLeish. “And our playable Minecraft destination is a world-first.”
Orient Express Unveils 2026 Caribbean Season for Corinthian, the World’s Largest Sailing Yacht
Starting October 2026, Orient Express Corinthian, the world’s largest sailing yacht, will debut its inaugural Caribbean season, with reservations now open for itineraries ranging from two to nine nights.
Following a 14-night transatlantic wellness voyage from Lisbon to Barbados, the opulent yacht will offer immersive journeys through tropical icons like Saint-Barth, the Exumas, Tobago Cays and Moskito Island. Itineraries combine hidden coves, coral reefs and curated onshore excursions celebrating local culture, cuisine and nature.
Aboard, guests will find 54 suites, five restaurants led by Michelin-starred chef Yannick Alléno, a 115-seat cabaret and a state-of-the-art recording studio, with all interiors inspired by the grandeur of vintage rail and ocean travel, reimagined by architect Maxime d’Angeac.
Built-in collaboration with Accor and Chantiers de l’Atlantique, Corinthian is also a feat of sustainable innovation, featuring three SolidSail masts that enable near-total wind-powered propulsion. This is the first of two planned Orient Express Sailing Yachts, with Olympian set to follow in 2027.
Italy Breaks Records as WTTC Global Summit Comes to Rome
Italy’s tourism industry is setting new records in 2025, with international visitor spending projected to reach nearly $70 billion—the highest in history—according to new research from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). The country’s tourism sector is expected to contribute over $69 billion to the national economy (nearly 11% of GDP) and support 3.2 million jobs.
Italy’s appeal continues to grow thanks to a government prioritizing tourism through its ministry, strategic investments in sustainability and innovation and efforts to highlight lesser-known regions beyond Rome, Florence and Venice.
WTTC President and CEO Julia Simpson praised Italy’s resurgence, saying, “This record-breaking growth is a tribute to the strength of Italy’s travel and tourism sector and the passion of the people behind it.”
To celebrate this momentum, the WTTC’s 25th Global Summit will return to Europe for the first time in six years, hosted in Rome Sept. 28–30, 2025. Government leaders, travel CEOs and innovators from around the world will gather to explore the future of sustainable and inclusive tourism.
Looking further ahead, WTTC forecasts the Italian travel sector will reach nearly $326 billion by 2035, supporting 3.7 million jobs.
SWISS Debuts Sleek New A350 Cabins and First Long-Haul Route
Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) just gave travelers a sneak peek at its new ‘SWISS Senses’ first- and business-class seats, part of the airline’s largest product investment ever. The next-generation cabins will debut on SWISS’ brand-new Airbus A350-900s, with Boston announced as the first long-haul destination starting January 2026.
The A350-900 will be the first aircraft in SWISS’ long-haul fleet to feature the SWISS Senses experience, which reimagines the onboard environment with warm tones, high-end materials and thoughtful details. Think sliding doors, wireless charging, lighting designed to reduce jet lag and a new signature scent.
First-class travelers will enjoy private suites with wardrobes, lie-flat beds and oversized screens. Business-class passengers get aisle access from every seat, customizable privacy and various layout options. SWISS premium economy remains unchanged, retaining its nearly 40-inch seat pitch, while Economy upgrades include more legroom, Bluetooth connectivity and 13-inch screens.
Following European testing routes, the A350 will begin flying to Boston this winter, with flights bookable now. More routes featuring the new cabins are expected to roll out in 2026 and beyond.
