In this week’s Smart Travel, we look at developments that could influence everything from contingency planning to incentive inspiration. As flight disruptions ripple across parts of the Middle East, charter providers are stepping in to support evacuation movements, underscoring the importance of backup travel strategies for international programs. Meanwhile, immersive experiences abroad continue to evolve, with a Scottish castle turning team bonding into a real-life game of strategy inspired by The Traitors.
There’s more on the horizon, from luxury yacht itineraries that could inspire high-end incentives, to new research showing travelers increasingly trust AI to help plan their trips, and fresh meeting space opening at Sandals Dunn’s River in Jamaica.
As always, Smart Travel is here to bring you the latest updates shaping the way we move, meet and plan.
Charter Evacuation Flights Increase as Middle East Disruptions Continue
As geopolitical unrest continues to disrupt aviation across parts of the Middle East, private charter providers are stepping in to support evacuation movements for governments, corporations and private travelers.
London-based ACC Aviation confirmed it is arranging charter flights for clients seeking to exit affected areas as commercial aviation capacity tightens and airspace restrictions continue to evolve. The company currently has the capability to arrange private charter departures from Muscat and several airports in Saudi Arabia, while monitoring additional routing options as operating conditions shift.
“Our absolute priority is the safety and well-being of our clients,” said Charlie Wilcox, director of charter at ACC Aviation. “We are monitoring the airspace situation in real time and working closely with trusted operators and relevant authorities to ensure every flight is conducted to the highest possible standards.”
ACC Aviation says it has already seen an increase in evacuation-related charter inquiries as conditions change across the region. The company is also advising travelers and organizations to exercise caution when arranging private flights during periods of disruption, noting that opportunistic pricing and unverified operators can emerge when demand spikes.
For meeting planners managing international programs or executive travel, the situation is a reminder that contingency planning remains essential. When commercial options become constrained, vetted charter providers can offer an additional layer of flexibility for relocating attendees, supporting executives or maintaining critical travel movements.
The Traitors-inspired Group Experience Highlights Demand for Entertainment-Focused Programming
For planners searching for incentive experiences that feel truly unforgettable, a new Scottish Highlands program turns a private castle into the stage for a real-life game of strategy and suspense.
Inspired by the hit series The Traitors, the immersive experience invites groups to step into a multi-day storyline built around shifting alliances, secret missions and dramatic round-table debates. Over three nights, a historic Scottish castle becomes the setting for challenges designed to test trust, observation and teamwork.
Guests arrive deep in the Highlands before setting out across rugged terrain to locate the castle where the game begins. From there, the narrative unfolds through a series of daily challenges that may take place on remote lochs, wooded trails or within the castle’s halls. Clues are decoded, alliances formed and suspicions quietly build.
Between missions, the program weaves in Highland storytelling, clan history and ancestry insights led by expert guides, along with moments to relax, such as fireside whisky tastings inside the castle.
Evenings culminate at the “round table,” where participants debate, accuse and vote on who might secretly be working against the group. The final night ends with a candlelit banquet and a dramatic reveal of who among the players was a Traitor all along.
Designed for groups of about 10 to 30 participants, the experience reflects the growing appetite for immersive, story-driven incentive programs where the destination itself becomes part of the narrative. For planners looking to reward top performers or create memorable team bonding, a Scottish castle mystery might be one way to keep everyone guessing—in the best possible way.
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection Expands Asia and Alaska Voyages for 2027
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection has unveiled new Summer 2027 itineraries aboard Luminara, including expanded sailings in Alaska and new ports across Asia, offering planners another option for high-end incentive travel and executive retreats.
The season will feature 21 voyages between April and October 2027, with 15 sailings exploring Alaska’s Inside Passage and four journeys across Asia, plus two transcontinental crossings. Sailing between Vancouver and Whittier, Alaska, itineraries emphasize smaller ports such as Wrangell and Klawock, along with glacier cruising through Tracy Arm Fjord and opportunities for wildlife viewing during bear and salmon seasons.
“Our Summer 2027 season on Luminara reflects our continued focus on immersive exploration by sea,” said Ernesto Fara, president and CEO of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. “These voyages invite guests to connect with remarkably distinct regions in a way that feels seamless and enriching.”
Asia itineraries introduce new ports, including Seoul as a turnaround gateway and Tianjin, providing access to Beijing. Northern Japan also joins the lineup with inaugural calls in Otaru and Akita, adding smaller cultural destinations to voyages that begin or end in Tokyo.
With just 226 suites accommodating up to 452 guests, the yacht’s intimate scale allows access to smaller harbors while offering private terraces, expert-led talks, wildlife observation sessions and curated shore excursions.
For meeting planners designing luxury incentives or executive experiences, yacht-style voyages like these offer a growing alternative to traditional cruise programs, combining the privacy of a charter-style setting with built-in cultural programming and destination access.
New Research Shows Travel Tops the List for AI Trust
A new survey of more than 1,000 consumers by travel publisher Matador Network found that respondents trust generative AI to assist with travel planning more than any other common task. Thirty-six percent of those surveyed said they have complete or near-complete trust in AI to provide travel recommendations and itineraries, ranking higher than shopping advice, information searches and work-related tasks.
“Travel is one of the most effective ways to use AI, and also one of the most fun and lowest stakes,” said Matador Network CEO Ross Borden. “With just a little high-level info about who you are and what you care about, AI can cut through 95% of the noise in the travel planning process.”
The findings reflect growing adoption of AI-powered tools such as GuideGeek, Matador’s conversational travel platform that generates customized itineraries through messaging apps like WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook Messenger. Since launching in 2023, the tool has grown to more than 1 million users and now integrates more than 1,000 sources of travel data.
As travelers become more comfortable using AI to shape itineraries, destination discovery and trip logistics, planners may see growing opportunities to incorporate AI-driven tools into attendee recommendations and pre-event travel guidance.
Sandals Dunn’s River Debuts New Conference Center in Jamaica
Sandals Resorts has expanded its meetings offering in Jamaica with the debut of the Louis Grant Conference Center at Sandals Dunn’s River in Ocho Rios.
The new facility introduces 8,000 sq. ft of dedicated meeting and event space, making it the largest conference venue within the Sandals portfolio in Jamaica. The flexible main venue spans 5,396 sq. ft. and can host up to 500 guests reception-style or be divided into three separate ballrooms. Two boardrooms and two pre-function areas support registration, networking and breakout sessions.
Executive Chairman Adam Stewart said the space honors the legacy of longtime Sandals leader Louis Grant, who spent more than 25 years with the company and previously served as general manager of Sandals Dunn’s River. “I am a huge believer in paying tribute to those who came before us, and we owe so much to Mr. Louis Grant, whose leadership helped define the very soul of this resort,” Stewart said.
The addition expands options on Jamaica’s north coast with a purpose-built conference venue set within the resort’s all-inclusive environment. Located minutes from Ian Fleming International Airport, the property combines conference infrastructure with beachside programming, group excursions and resort amenities, offering planners the ability to blend meetings, incentives and leisure experiences in one destination.
