Need a lift to somewhere that doesn’t have a runway—or a road? Pelorus Aviation is now brokering luxury flights to remote destinations, with sustainable fuel to boot.
Looking for a meeting destination with ocean views and emotional impact? Los Cabos just rebranded with planners (and spa-goers) in mind.
Thinking of pairing tequila tastings with your presentation decks? IHG’s voco brand is expanding in Mexico with six business-friendly conversions by 2027.
As always, Smart Travel is here to bring you the latest updates shaping the way we move, meet and plan.
Pelorus Aviation Takes Flight as On-Demand Luxury Broker
If your attendees’ idea of luxury is less “aisle seat” and more “helicopter to a private island,” Pelorus Aviation is here to deliver. The newly launched on-demand aviation arm of experiential travel company Pelorus is now a licensed broker offering globe-hopping charters, remote landings and seamless air transfers, all with military precision and a healthy dose of adventure.
A sustainability-first model pairs jet-set style with real emissions reductions. Through a partnership with Sustainable Aviation Fuel leader Neste, Pelorus offers clients a first-of-its-kind SAF matching program—up to 10% of flight fuel matched by Pelorus. “When time is the ultimate luxury, every moment matters,” says co-founder Geordie Mackay-Lewis. “Pelorus Aviation removes the stress from travel so clients can immerse themselves in the journey itself—whether that’s a last-minute jet to the Alps or a helicopter landing beside a remote expedition yacht.”
Bonus points for creative itineraries: Recent trips included vineyard-hopping with a Master of Wine, beach-to-summit family adventures and Grand Prix transfers that skip traffic entirely. So if your next event is somewhere remote, rare or ridiculously fabulous, add this to your list of transit options.
New Look, Same Magic: Los Cabos Rebrands with Planners in Mind
Los Cabos is turning the page with a bold new brand campaign, “Where the Land Ends, Your Story Begins,” and for planners, that story could start with a beachfront boardroom or end with a spa day in the Sierra de la Laguna foothills.
Unveiled Sept. 12 by the Los Cabos Tourism Board, the global campaign highlights the destination’s transformation into a full-spectrum luxury and wellness hub, with wide appeal for both leisure travelers and meeting groups. Options include whale-watching team building, desert golf excursions or incentive dinners under the stars.
“The new campaign is an invitation to experience Los Cabos on a deeply personal level,” said Rodrigo Esponda, managing director of the Los Cabos Tourism Board. “It’s not just about where you go—it’s about how the journey changes you.”
From revamped branding and an updated website to captivating new video content, Los Cabos is leaning into emotional storytelling while delivering on logistics, too, thanks to top-tier resorts, direct flights and meeting spaces that bring ocean views into your agenda. Planners looking for high-impact destinations with heart (and hammocks) may just find their next big idea where the land ends.
IHG Hotels & Resorts Accelerates Growth in Mexico with Six Signed voco Hotels
IHG’s voco brand is gaining altitude in Mexico, with six new conversions announced this week in top commercial hubs like Cancun, Guadalajara and Ciudad Juarez. The hotels, slated to open in 2027, aim to blend voco’s signature charm, centered on welcoming touches, vibrant social spaces and warm service, with business-forward functionality.
Planners looking at Mexico for meetings and incentive travel should take note: voco Guadalajara will sit directly across from Expo Guadalajara with meeting rooms and a business center, while voco Cancun offers lagoon views, wellness amenities and proximity to government and business districts. All six hotels will benefit from significant renovations and access to IHG’s loyalty and distribution engines.
“Mexico is an ideal fit for the voco hotels brand,” said Paul Adan, IHG’s SVP for Mexico, Latin America and the Caribbean. “By combining voco’s distinctive character with IHG’s global systems and loyalty network, we can create new opportunities for owners and deliver an elevated, memorable experience for guests.”
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Outrigger Launches First-Ever Family Travel Promise: Grandparent Guarantee
Outrigger is making waves with its newest pledge to family travelers: The Grandparent Guarantee. Launched on National Grandparents Day, this heartfelt offer targets the booming “skip-gen” travel trend—those grand adventures where grandparents take the grandkids and leave the parents behind.
Book a four-night stay in a suite or multi-room accommodation at any Outrigger resort in Hawai‘i, travel with at least one grandparent and one grandchild, and if the experience doesn’t meaningfully strengthen your family bond, they’ll invite you back for a complimentary return stay.
It’s a bold move rooted in Hawaiian tradition, where kūpuna (elders) are revered as keepers of wisdom and connection. “We see that spirit reflected in the growing trend of skip-gen travel,” said Sean Dee, EVP and chief commercial officer. “Outrigger’s Grandparent Guarantee ensures every stay provides a setting where family bonds can deepen across generations—guaranteed.”
From lei-making and lu‘au under the stars to suites with private lanais and access to the Voyager 47 Club Lounge, these multi-generational escapes blend barefoot luxury with shared discovery. For incentive groups that want to incorporate meaningful family time or simply reward VIPs with a deeply personal travel option, this offer hits all the right notes.
Discover Italian Riviera Announces 10 Best Christmas Destinations in Italy 2025
Planning a winter incentive trip or a pre-holiday getaway? Discover Italian Riviera has just released its Best Italian Christmas Destinations of 2025 guide, and it’s packed with charm, twinkling lights and plenty of planning inspiration for event pros.
The roundup includes 10 festive destinations, from the candlelit canals of Venice to the underwater nativity in Vernazza, perfect for planners seeking once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Rome’s Piazza Navona hosts family-friendly markets and traditional presepi (nativity scenes), while Florence dazzles with its Light Festival and German-inspired holiday stalls in Santa Croce.
“Christmas in Italy is more than lights and markets—it’s about food, community and centuries-old traditions,” said Giuseppe Arisi, editor at Discover Italian Riviera. That’s something groups can experience firsthand in Bolzano, home to Italy’s largest Christmas market nestled against the Dolomites, or in Manarola, where the hillside glows with a massive, illuminated nativity.
For incentive groups, the guide offers a way to match vibe with venue—whether that’s sipping vin brulé in medieval squares or booking a buyout in the Italian Alps.
