Karisma Hotels Licenses Despegar's AI Travel Assistant Sofia

Karisma Hotels Partners with Despegar to Enhance Customer Service with AI Travel Assistant, Sofia

By Nishang Narayan

Published on November 4, 2024

Karisma Hotels & Resorts has announced a strategic partnership with Despegar, Latin America's leading travel technology provider, to license their AI-powered travel assistant, Sofia. This new collaboration marks Karisma’s commitment to enhancing customer service by integrating Sofia’s AI functionalities to provide personalized assistance for guests across their travel journey.

The integration of Sofia will allow Karisma’s customers to experience a streamlined travel planning and booking process. With its AI-driven features, Sofia will offer tailored travel recommendations, seamless assistance, and a comprehensive approach to customer support.

Miguel Ortiz, Chief Strategic Officer of Karisma Hotels & Resorts, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: “We are thrilled to partner with Despegar and integrate their innovative AI travel assistant, Sofia, into our services. This collaboration underscores our commitment to being at the forefront of hospitality technology, ensuring a personalized and enjoyable travel experience.”

Damian Scokin, CEO of Despegar, added, “Our partnership with Karisma allows us to deepen our collaboration with a valued partner and position Karisma as a leader in hospitality innovation. We’re eager to expand Sofia’s capabilities, bringing even more value to travelers and setting a new standard for digital engagement.”

This move is part of Despegar’s broader strategy to license AI-powered solutions to enhance customer experiences while expanding their B2B partnerships. In line with this growth, Karisma recently announced plans for the Porta Rai hotel-residential complex in Montenegro, in collaboration with Dobrov & Family Group, further demonstrating its dedication to advancing hospitality through strategic partnerships and innovation.

Royal Caribbean Opens Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in The Bahamas

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on January 11, 2026

Royal Caribbean has officially opened its newest destination, Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, bringing a first-of-its-kind all-inclusive beach club experience to Nassau, The Bahamas. Designed to blend the natural beauty of the islands with Royal Caribbean’s signature experiences, the beach club offers vacationers a flexible and immersive way to enjoy their time ashore.

Guests visiting Nassau can now purchase all-inclusive day passes through Royal Caribbean’s website, granting access to a wide range of beachside amenities and experiences. The destination features two pristine beaches and three distinct pools, each catering to different moods, from lively celebrations to laid-back relaxation and family fun.

One of the major highlights of the beach club is The Floating Flamingo, the world’s largest swim-up bar, located in Party Cove. With DJ-spun music, tropical cocktails, dancing, and a dedicated VIP section, it serves as the heart of the beach party experience. Guests looking for a premium celebration can also reserve private spaces on The Party Deck, offering pool-front views, exclusive service, and an elevated party atmosphere.

Royal Beach Club Paradise Island has been thoughtfully designed with three main areas to suit every type of vacationer. Family Beach offers a welcoming space for guests of all ages, featuring The Shallow End zero-entry pool, beach games, and relaxed seating options. It is also home to the Ultimate Family Cabana, a two-level private space equipped with a whirlpool, slide, frozen drink machine, and dedicated attendant service.

For those seeking a more peaceful escape, Chill Beach provides white sand shores and access to The Deep End pool, complete with swim-up bar service offering cocktails and mocktails. Guests can further enhance their experience by booking beach or poolside cabanas that include upgraded amenities and personal service.

Beyond the beaches and pools, guests can enjoy unlimited dining at three beach grills and refreshments from 10 waterfront bars. The experience is enriched with live music, local artisan huts, and Bahamian-inspired design elements that reflect the culture and spirit of the islands. Essentials such as lounge chairs, umbrellas, towels, lockers, Wi-Fi, and roundtrip water ferry transportation are included as part of the all-inclusive offering.

Speaking about the launch, Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean, said guests were looking for more ways to make the most of their time in The Bahamas, and the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island was created to meet that demand. He added that the opening marks a bold new chapter in Royal Caribbean’s growing portfolio of destination experiences.

Developed through a unique public-private partnership with the Bahamian government, the beach club supports the local economy by creating jobs and opportunities for Bahamian businesses and entrepreneurs. Local influence can be seen throughout the destination, from architecture and entertainment to shopping and food offerings.

Royal Beach Club Paradise Island joins Royal Caribbean’s popular Perfect Day at CocoCay and is the first in a lineup of upcoming beach club destinations planned across global locations in the coming years.

Japan to Triple Departure Tax for International Travellers from July 2026

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on January 11, 2026

Japan is set to make international travel more expensive from July 2026, with the government confirming plans to triple its departure tax for all travellers leaving the country by air or sea. The levy will increase from the current ¥1,000 to ¥3,000 per person, as part of broader efforts to manage over-tourism and generate additional revenue linked to the country’s booming travel sector.

The departure tax, officially known as the International Tourist Tax, applies to all travellers aged two years and above, regardless of nationality, when departing Japan for an international destination. The charge is included directly in airline and ferry tickets. Aircraft crew members and transit passengers who leave Japan within 24 hours remain exempt from the tax.

Introduced on January 7, 2019, the departure tax has become a consistent source of tourism-linked revenue. According to official figures, Japan collected a record ¥52.48 billion in departure tax revenue in the year ending March 2025, driven by a sharp rise in inbound and outbound travel volumes.

The Japanese government plans to channel the additional revenue generated by the higher tax into addressing challenges associated with over-tourism, including overcrowding, congestion, and inappropriate behaviour at popular tourist sites. It also expects tourism-related tax revenue for the 2026 fiscal year, from April 2026 to March 2027, to rise nearly 2.7 times to approximately ¥130 billion.

Japanese citizens travelling overseas will also be subject to the higher departure tax. To offset the impact on residents, the government is considering using part of the additional revenue to reduce passport issuance fees for Japanese nationals.

Beyond the departure tax increase, Japan is planning additional travel-related charges in the coming years. By 2028, the country is expected to introduce the Japan Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (JESTA) for travellers from visa-free countries. Fees for this pre-screening system are anticipated to range between ¥2,000 and ¥3,000 per person.

If implemented as planned, the combined cost of the higher departure tax and JESTA could raise total travel-related charges to around ¥5,000 to ¥6,000 per traveller. Additionally, visa issuance fees for travellers who require entry permits, including visitors from China and parts of Southeast Asia, may increase by up to five times. Short-term visa-exempt travellers, however, are not expected to be affected by these visa fee changes.

The measures underscore Japan’s growing focus on balancing tourism growth with sustainability, infrastructure management, and long-term visitor experience.

Etihad Rail to Launch UAE’s First Passenger Train Network Connecting Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Fujairah in 2026

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on January 10, 2026

The United Arab Emirates is on the cusp of a major transport transformation with Etihad Rail confirming the launch of its national passenger train service in 2026. The long-anticipated network will connect cities from Al Sila in the west to Fujairah on the east coast, significantly enhancing inter-emirate connectivity and redefining how residents travel across the country.

Etihad Rail has officially confirmed four key passenger stations: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and Fujairah, which will form the backbone of the initial rollout. In total, the network will feature 11 strategically located passenger stations, serving urban centres, coastal towns, desert communities, and educational hubs across the UAE.

Designed as a high-speed, congestion-free alternative to road travel, the passenger trains will operate at speeds of up to 200 km/h. Travel times are expected to reduce dramatically, with journeys such as Abu Dhabi to Dubai taking just 57 minutes, and potentially as little as 30 minutes on high-speed services. Abu Dhabi to Fujairah will take approximately 105 minutes, offering a seamless east–west connection for the first time.

Beyond speed, Etihad Rail’s passenger service places strong emphasis on comfort and experience. The trains, manufactured by Spain’s CAF, can accommodate up to 400 passengers per journey and feature a cabin environment inspired by airline travel. Guests will be able to choose from First Class, Business Class, and spacious Economy seating, all equipped with charging ports, high-speed Wi-Fi, and advanced climate-control systems designed for the region’s extreme temperatures. Onboard food and beverage services will further enhance the travel experience.

Seamless first- and last-mile connectivity is a core pillar of the project. Major stations such as Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai will connect directly to the Dubai Metro, while other stations will integrate bus terminals, taxi zones, and digital ticketing systems. A fully digital-first approach will allow passengers to plan, book, and access their journeys via a mobile app, ensuring smooth and efficient travel from door to door.

The project is a key component of the UAE’s “Projects of the 50” initiative and is expected to significantly reduce carbon emissions, with rail transport projected to cut emissions by 70–80 per cent compared to road travel. In addition to easing congestion on major highways such as the E11 and E311, the network is expected to boost economic integration, workforce mobility, and overall quality of life.

Commenting on the launch, Shadi Malak, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Rail, said the project goes beyond transportation. “Our goal is to create a network that is safe, efficient, and sustainable. This is not just about moving people, it’s about enhancing the quality of life for every citizen and resident in the UAE.”

As of early 2026, 10 of the 13 planned passenger trains have already arrived in the UAE and are undergoing final safety certification. With infrastructure in place and testing underway, Etihad Rail’s passenger service marks the beginning of a new chapter in the nation’s transport journey, one that promises faster, greener, and more connected travel across the Emirates.

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Karisma Hotels Partners with Despegar to Enhance Customer Service with AI Travel Assistant, Sofia

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Royal Caribbean Opens Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in The Bahamas

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