Listen to today’s podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/silk-logic-travel-daily/id1842162269
Travel Daily Podcast 10/31/2025
Today’s podcast episode was created from the following stories: a fast-moving mix of new rail links, airline lounge news, hospitality investments, and cultural highlights shaping where and how we travel next.
Brussels rushes to complete Lisbon–Madrid ‘missing link’ in high-speed rail network
By Stefano Porciello — October 30, 2025
The European Commission outlined a plan to slash Lisbon–Madrid train times to under five hours by decade’s end and about three hours by 2034, addressing the Atlantic Corridor’s biggest gap. With nearly €1 billion already committed, the project aims to shift travelers from frequent short-haul flights to lower-emission high-speed rail. A broader EU high-speed rail blueprint and sustainable transport investment strategy are due November 4.
Swiss national railway unveils new night train to Sweden via Denmark and Germany
By Helena Bachmann — October 30, 2025
SBB will launch a EuroNight from Basel to Copenhagen and Malmö starting April 15, 2026, operating three times weekly in both directions with around 350 seats. The route, supported by proposed Swiss federal funding through 2030, skips Copenhagen Central for time savings but connects via nearby stations. Tickets go on sale November 4, 2025, underscoring Europe’s renewed push for viable overnight rail.
Navan raises $923 million in IPO at $6.2 billion valuation
By Not specified — October 30, 2025
Corporate travel and expense platform Navan priced its IPO at $25 per share, debuting at a $6.2 billion valuation. The listing signals renewed investor appetite for growth companies and underscores demand for integrated payments and T&E tools as business travel normalizes. It’s a noteworthy barometer for travel-tech capital markets heading into 2026.
Medical value tourism to propel Kerala as global healthcare hub
By BL Kochi Bureau — October 30, 2025
Kerala is aligning modern medicine with Ayurveda to position itself as a cost-competitive global healthcare destination. Leaders project the state’s Ayurveda economy could quadruple to ₹60,000 crore by 2031, with medical value travel and wellness tourism riding a broader $5.6 trillion global wellness wave. National officials foresee Ayurveda contributing up to 5% of India’s GDP by 2047, backed by more than $1.2 billion in investment proposals.
Visa data shows surging travel to Italy ahead of 2026 Olympic Winter Games
By Business Wire — October 30, 2025
Visa’s data points to a 160%+ jump in international air arrivals to Northern Italy ahead of Milano Cortina 2026, with the U.S., UK, and Canada leading the influx. U.S. cardholders account for 35% of ticket purchases made with Visa, and most Italians and local SMEs expect lasting benefits from the Games. Visa is also expanding contactless payments across transport and ski destinations to streamline the fan experience.
Tempting new restaurants, must-see exhibits: The best of London now
By Laurie Werner — October 30, 2025
London’s cultural calendar is buzzing—from a blockbuster Cartier exhibit at the V&A and the new David Bowie Centre to Banksy and Versace retrospectives. On the dining front, notable openings span Angela Hartnett’s Cicoria at the Royal Opera House to Vietnamese favorite Cô Thánh and elevated British classics at Rosi, with more icons returning soon. A robust hotel pipeline into 2026 suggests the city is gearing up for sustained visitor demand.
It’s official: Southwest Airlines airport lounges are happening — first-ever lease approved in Honolulu
By Gary Leff — October 30, 2025
Southwest secured a five-year lease for a 12,241-square-foot lounge at Honolulu, marking its entry into premium ground services. The move aligns with its push to boost co-brand credit card appeal and premium offerings, with a buildout reportedly around $20 million and annual rent near $1.91 million. Access policies and potential card partnerships with Chase remain to be announced.
India hospitality forecast and competitive landscape report 2025: A $798.95 billion market by 2033
By Research and Markets — October 30, 2025
India’s hospitality sector is projected to grow from US$243.56 billion in 2024 to US$798.95 billion by 2033, driven by rising travel, higher incomes, and pro-investment policies. Asset-light models and tech-forward guest experiences are reshaping operations, even as labor shortages and seasonality remain challenges. Growth spans budget through luxury across all regions, with domestic brands gaining ground alongside global chains.
IHG Hotels & Resorts drives further growth in Eastern India with Holiday Inn Express Siliguri Bagdogra Airport
By Not specified — October 30, 2025
IHG signed a 100-key Holiday Inn Express near Bagdogra International Airport, slated to open in 2028 to serve business and transit travelers to the Eastern Himalayas and nearby borders. The hotel will feature the brand’s latest design focused on smart, efficient stays, adding to IHG’s 51 operating hotels and sizable India pipeline. It strengthens the brand’s footprint along key corridors in Eastern India.
