News on Visit Porto & the North of Portugal, India Exotica Travels, Walkers Tours & ArTravele, Fez Travel, Yadi Travel, Vio Travel & Tomorrow Travel
FEBRUARY 2026
Hello Karen,
I hope you've eased into 2026 and are already dreaming of where the year will take you — and your clients.
January kicked off beautifully with a few wonderful weeks in South Africa and Zimbabwe — including some very special time at Zingweni Vlei, one of our Africa portfolio gems. Clarke from our team joined me there, where we were surrounded by noisy, magnificent herds of elephants day and night, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
This month, our Europe and Asia portfolio is buzzing with news.
From Portugal's colorful carnival season in the north to India's vibrant festival calendar gearing up for Holi, it's an exciting few months ahead.
Turkey is offering some great deals through our friends at Fez Travel, and Vio Travel continues to open up incredible corners of Asia— this time with some big connectivity news for the Philippines.
We've also got updates from Morocco, Sri Lanka, and Italy — including a heads-up for anyone with clients heading to Rome (the Trevi Fountain now requires pre-booking).
Upcoming Festivals in India: Holi – Festival of Colors (March) and Theyyam – Northern Kerala (December to April)
Howrah (Kolkata) ↔ Kamakhya (Guwahati) – Vande Bharat Sleeper: India's new premium overnight train links Eastern India with the Northeast, cutting travel time and elevating the journey with modern comfort and amenities.
Did you miss our webinar "Headhunters to Heritage: Northeast India Uncovered - Featuring Nagaland's Hornbill Festival"? You can watch it here.
Starting 29 March 2026, local carriers Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, and Sunlight Air will complete their turboprop transition to Clark International Airport (CRK), opening up a growing hub with smoother connections to key leisure destinations like Coron, El Nido, and Siargao.
Indonesia has officially banned elephant riding across all conservation and tourist facilities nationwide starting 2026.
Louis Vuitton has transformed Baan Trok Tua Ngork, a century-old heritage building in the heart of Chinatown, into an immersive pop-up 'hotel' Reach out to info@vio.travel for bookings
Rome is introducing an entry fee for the Trevi Fountain in early 2026, travelers must pre-book slots at fontanaditrevi.roma.it/en for their clients. Viewing from the upper piazza remains free.
Morocco's diverse landscape is adorned with cities steeped in history, from the ancient alleys of Fes and the vibrant streets of Marrakech to the captivating towns of the north and the mesmerizing Sahara Desert.
Tucked up in the remote hills of Nagaland in northeast India, India Exotica’s Helsa Morung Retreat reveals a side of India that few people beyond the region have ever seen.
Porto is the perfect starting point to explore the north of Portugal, By train, bus, boat or on organized tours, you can visit historic cities, picturesque towns, stunning beaches, and world-famous vineyards — all without needing a car.
New for 2026, discover the lesser-known treasures of Turkey on this 10-day small-group tour with Fez Travel that combines iconic highlights and off-the-beaten-path gems.
Welcome to the Philippines, an archipelago of over 7,000 islands boasting stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters and vibrant marine life. Dive into colorful coral reefs or relax on famous shores like Boracay and Palawan.
We're having a Uganda Tourism Trade Show in Marina del Rey California March 5th from 1-4
For more info please contact karen@emergingdestinations.com
Jenna Farber is going to be in Toronto from March 17th-20th
If you would like to book a meeting with her, please contact karen@emergingdestinations.com
VIDEO OF THE MONTH
Sri Lanka - Just a Smile Away
Walkers Tours latest video takes you on a journey through the heart of Sri Lanka, blending tradition with modern flair. Discover hidden gems and iconic spots that make our island a true paradise.
