Hawaii offers a wave of fresh offerings from farm tours and new luxury suites to cultural cleanups and omakase dinners, international arrivals into Mexico just hit 16.5 million for the year, a new U.S. Travel–Ipsos poll reveals that Americans are fed up with clunky airport screening and want their travel dollars used to fix it, Royal Caribbean reveal its 2027–2028 Caribbean sailings and JetBlue in New York debuts its first-ever lounge.
There’s no shortage of reasons to start scouting your next meeting destination or incentive retreat. In Hawai‘i, a wave of fresh offerings from farm tours and new luxury suites to cultural cleanups and omakase dinners is making it easier than ever to pair purpose with pleasure.
In Mexico, international arrivals just hit 16.5 million for the year, with growth across North America, Europe and Asia signaling big momentum heading into 2026. Over in New York, JetBlue is giving travelers a very good reason to show up early: the debut of its first-ever lounge, BlueHouse, bringing a little Art Deco glamour to JFK Terminal 5. And there’s more where that came from.
As always, Smart Travel is here to bring you the latest updates shaping the way we move, meet and plan.
Hawai‘i Announces Culinary, Experiential and Property Updates
The Hawaiian Islands are serving fresh reasons to start plotting that 2026 incentive trip.
New luxury meets local flavor at Grand Hyatt Kauai’s lagoon-side Na Aliʻi cabanas and Hyatt Regency Waikiki’s new mural-filled “Art House” suite. Volcano Village Estates is leaning into family-friendly experiences with an Explorer Pack.
Read More: Qurator: Hawaii’s New, All-encompassing Tourism Certification Program
On the culinary front, Four Seasons Hualalai is showing off its new omakase concept, while Kona Brewing is pouring a limited-edition liliko‘i witbier (a beer variety) across the islands. And for Michelin-minded travelers, Nobu Grand Wailea and Okdongsik Honolulu are bringing international tastes to local tables.
Finally, new guest experiences are heating up, such as cacao farm tours with treehouse lunches on Maui, distillery deep-dives on Oahu and luxe spa dates on Poipu Beach.
Mexico Welcomes 16.5 Million Air Arrivals in 2025
From January through October 2025, Mexico welcomed more than 16.5 million air travelers, marking a steady climb from last year and a 10.2% increase over pre-pandemic 2019 levels, according to the Ministry of the Interior’s latest data.
The top three source markets are the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. U.S. travelers continue to dominate with more than 11.1 million arrivals so far this year, while Canadian visits jumped 11.4% over 2024. The U.K. saw a 3.2% bump, and additional growth came from Italy (+14.8%), Argentina (+14.3%), South Korea (+11.6%) and China (+10.6%).
Tourism Secretary Josefina Rodríguez Zamora attributed the numbers to Mexico’s combination of hospitality, infrastructure and diverse offerings and said, “These results confirm that Mexico is a reliable destination for the millions of people who visit us each year.” Travelers ages 30–44 led the way, followed by those in the 45–59 and 60+ brackets, affirming Mexico’s wide appeal for everything from family vacations to wellness retreats.
Americans Want Congress to Stop Diverting 9/11 Security Fees
A new U.S. Travel–Ipsos poll reveals that Americans are fed up with clunky airport screening and want their travel dollars used to fix it, starting with the 9/11 Passenger Security Fee. The $5.60 charge, tacked onto every airline ticket to support TSA operations and security upgrades, has largely been diverted to unrelated federal spending since 2014, adding up to more than $1.5 billion per year not going toward safer, smoother checkpoints.
With major upcoming global events including America 250, the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympics, U.S. Travel President and CEO Geoff Freeman says now’s the time to reinvest in technology that speeds lines and strengthens security. “Stealing 9/11 security dollars is shameful,” he said. “This is a bipartisan fix waiting to happen.”
Travelers overwhelmingly support modernization efforts: 80% want to keep shoes on, 86% are fine with carrying on larger liquids and 81% back TSA’s use of facial biometrics, especially with privacy safeguards in place.
Six in 10 Americans believe the U.S. is falling behind globally on travel efficiency, and nearly 90% say every cent of the 9/11 fee should fund screening improvements. More than 75% say TSA officers and air traffic controllers should be paid during shutdowns.
Royal Caribbean Reveals 2027–28 Caribbean Sailings
Royal Caribbean just dropped its 2027–28 Caribbean lineup, featuring 13 ships sailing from eight ports, including Fort Lauderdale, Miami, New Orleans, Cartagena and San Juan. Headliners include the bold Legend of the Seas and the amped-up Allure of the Seas, with itineraries spanning three to nine nights across the Eastern, Western and Southern Caribbean.
Read More: Royal Caribbean Launches “World’s Biggest Weekend” Cruise with New Mega-Ship Utopia of the Seas
Also on deck? Fan favorites like Freedom, Adventure and Grandeur of the Seas, all offering new ways to hit Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Beach Clubs in Cozumel and Paradise Island, and new ports like Samaná, Dominican Republic.
JetBlue Debuts Its First Lounge at JFK
JetBlue is giving its most loyal travelers a reason to show up early for their next flight out of JFK. The New York–based airline just announced the December 18 grand opening of BlueHouse, its first-ever airport lounge.
Spanning 9,000 sq. ft. across two floors in Terminal 5, BlueHouse channels a chic NYC apartment, complete with Art Deco touches, Union Square–curated bites, local beverages and quiet corners to relax or recharge. From draft cocktails to JetBlue-branded chess sets, the space feels like a grown-up clubhouse for travelers who appreciate both comfort and character.
Access is complimentary for Mosaic 4 members, JetBlue Premier Cardholders and Mint transatlantic customers, with limited passes rolling out in 2026 for other frequent flyers. BlueHouse is part of JetBlue’s larger JetForward strategy to bring more premium experiences to both sky and terminal, and a second lounge is already in the works for Boston Logan in 2026.
