Emirates and Marriott International, Inc. have signed an agreement to open Emirates Wolgan Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Lodge, a 40-key all-inclusive luxury lodge located within a 7,000-acre conservancy in Australia’s Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage area. Expected to open in mid-2026, the project marks the first-ever Ritz-Carlton Lodge globally and represents a major milestone for regional luxury tourism in New South Wales.

Conceived as purpose-built sanctuaries in nature, Ritz-Carlton Lodges are designed to reflect their surroundings while maintaining a minimal environmental footprint. Emirates Wolgan Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Lodge is envisioned as an expression of the brand’s signature luxury, comfort, and craftsmanship, offering guests a deeply immersive experience rooted in nature and place.

Since 2006, Emirates has invested AU$150 million in the Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort, developing the property with strong respect for environmental and cultural heritage. Restoration efforts have included preserving historic landmarks such as the original homestead dating back to 1832, along with large-scale conservation initiatives including the planting of over one million native trees across the site. Emirates is now investing an additional AU$50 million in renovations, working closely with Marriott International to transform the property into a world-class Ritz-Carlton Lodge.

Despite the closure of Wolgan Valley Road in 2023, Emirates has continued to maintain the site with locally employed staff during the period when the property was unavoidably nonoperational, reinforcing its long-term commitment to the destination.

The project is expected to recreate close to 150 jobs for the local community, while also supporting regional suppliers, including producers of fresh Australian ingredients and essential goods. Guests will access the lodge via a four-wheel drive journey along the Donkey Steps, designed as part of the rural off-road experience, or by helicopter.

Sir Tim Clark, President, Emirates Airline, said, “In our 30 years of operations in Australia, Emirates has consistently sought to deliver value to our customers, and to Australia. Our commitment extends well beyond the provision of air transport services. It is reflected in the strong, enduring relationships we have built with our industry partners, and in our active engagement with the broader Australian community through Emirates Wolgan Valley, and our extensive sponsorships in sports and the arts.

“We are proud of our long-term investment into the Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort which launched one of Australia’s first conservation-based luxury resorts. Our unwavering commitment to the resort leads us to today’s announcement of an exciting agreement with Marriott International to open the world’s first Ritz-Carlton Lodge.

“For us, Emirates Wolgan Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Lodge will not only be an extraordinary resort appealing to discerning travellers seeking to be close to nature, but also a powerful engine for local economic growth, helping to rejuvenate the Wolgan Valley locality.

“We are deeply grateful for the support from the Federal government, and for our partnerships with the State government, Lithgow City Council, and the Wolgan Valley community who have helped Emirates make this project possible.”

Rajeev Menon, President, Asia Pacific excluding China, Marriott International, said, “We’re honoured to collaborate with Emirates on this milestone development, which sees the world’s largest hotelier and the world’s largest international airline come together to reinvigorate the luxury tourism offering in New South Wales. Marking the brand’s lodge debut globally, Emirates Wolgan Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Lodge will be a major drawcard for our network of 260 million loyal Marriott Bonvoy members around the world, particularly with the upcoming plans in store for immersive experiences that connect them deeply to the local area - something our luxury travellers are increasingly prioritising.”

Nestled within a 7,000-acre conservation reserve, the lodge will occupy less than two percent of the protected landscape, ensuring privacy, space, and seclusion. Guests will enjoy access to pristine wilderness, clear night skies, rare flora such as the ancient Wollemi Pine, and native wildlife including kangaroos, bare-nosed wombats, and brush-tailed rock wallabies.

Emirates Wolgan Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Lodge is expected to feature 40 private lodges with individual pools and bespoke amenities. Planned experiences include a signature sleep-out journey, offering guests a guided overnight stay in remote wilderness under the stars, complete with outdoor dining and campfire relaxation.

The main homestead will house a welcoming arrival lounge, signature restaurant, lounge bar, wine room, and curated dining experiences showcasing premium Australian produce and wines. Wellness and recreation facilities will include an outdoor pool, tennis courts, equestrian stables, fitness centre, and The Ritz-Carlton Spa, along with a dedicated naturalist hub led by a resident expert.

The lodge will complement The Ritz-Carlton’s existing presence in Australia, which includes The Ritz-Carlton, Perth and The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne, further strengthening the brand’s footprint in the country.

KLM has begun offering free in-flight Wi-Fi to passengers travelling on its European routes, becoming one of the first airlines in the region to provide complimentary internet access on short-haul flights. The service is available from January 22 and allows passengers to browse the internet, send emails, stream content, listen to music, and use online apps throughout the flight.

The airline said the rollout will take place in phases across most aircraft operating within Europe. As of this week, around half of KLM’s European fleet is already equipped with free Wi-Fi. The service will be gradually extended to all A321neo aircraft, Embraer 195-E2 jets, and a portion of the Boeing 737-800 fleet over the coming years.

KLM stated that the decision was driven by repeated customer requests, particularly since its European aircraft do not feature in-seat entertainment screens. Passengers can access the free Wi-Fi after logging in or registering as a Flying Blue member, with unlimited connectivity available for the entire duration of the flight.

Commenting on the initiative, Stephanie Putzeist, responsible for customer experience at KLM, said, “We listen carefully to what our passengers value and free internet has been on their wish list for some time. Through this step, we are making travel within Europe more personal and comfortable: everyone can plan their flight in their own way and stay connected. We are delighted to realize this now for our passengers.’’

As part of its wider effort to enhance the short-haul travel experience, KLM has also strengthened its European fleet with new aircraft. The airline said it has added 12 new A321neo aircraft since August last year. These aircraft operate exclusively on European routes and feature onboard Wi-Fi along with redesigned seating aimed at improving passenger comfort.

KLM added that the combination of new aircraft and complimentary onboard internet reflects its continued focus on improving connectivity, comfort, and overall passenger experience on European flights.

The year began on a positive note, with pleasant weather and high travel enthusiasm giving global tourism a strong start. However, this optimism soon faced a setback due to rising political tensions and extreme weather conditions across key regions. A major disruption occurred on January 3, 2026, following the arrest of Nicolás Maduro, who led Venezuela, by U.S. forces. The military operation in Caracas led to airspace closures and safety concerns across the Caribbean and northern South America. Destinations close to Venezuela faced flight bans and cancellations, with Canadian travellers avoiding Aruba and Curaçao. Colombia prepared for possible refugee movement and border instability, while Guyana increased security amid Essequibo tensions.

Even countries not directly involved felt the impact as travel advisories weakened visitor confidence. The FAA halted hundreds of flights to Puerto Rico, Aruba, Curaçao, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, stranding thousands during the peak holiday season. Puerto Rico alone saw over 400 flight cancellations, though airlines such as JetBlue and American offered flexible rebooking, and cruise operations resumed shortly after.

At the same time, tensions involving Iran disrupted Middle East tourism through flight cancellations and heightened advisories across the Gulf and Levant. Destinations including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Jordan were affected, with Petra witnessing a drop of over 75 percent in visitors and hotel occupancy falling to just 10 percent.

Adding to this slowdown, severe snowstorms across Russia and parts of Europe grounded flights, delayed transport, and restricted access to Alpine regions. Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula faced its worst snowfall in decades, discouraging tourism, while parts of France, Italy, Austria, and Switzerland dealt with closures and safety warnings. Together, these factors have slowed January's global tourism, though stability is expected to return soon.