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Casago, a premier franchise-based vacation rental management company, has expanded its Idaho presence with a new locally owned and operated franchise serving McCall and the greater Boise area, led by Idaho residents Alex and Susan Pedigo.

The launch marks the continued rollout of Casago’s franchise-first model following its 2025 acquisition of Vacasa, converting markets into locally owned and operated businesses. Under this structure, local franchise owners lead operations on the ground, supported by Casago’s systems and national platform, ensuring homeowners and guests are served by teams directly accountable to their communities.

Alex Pedigo brings more than 15 years of vacation rental experience, beginning in resort lodging at a ski resort in Colorado and a lengthy career at Vacasa sales and business development. He then joined Casago to assist with market sales and the transition of Vacasa markets to locally owned and operated Casago franchises. Susan brings a background in marketing and business leadership. Together, they are focused on delivering a hands-on, locally led management approach tailored to each homeowner and market.

The new franchise officially went live on March 1 and includes 100 homes in the McCall area and 20 homes in Boise, supported by a team of 14 locally based employees.

The expansion reflects Casago’s core ethos: local ownership, local expertise and a commitment to strengthening the communities it operates in. For Alex and Susan, that means employing local people, actively supporting small businesses and helping ensure tourism dollars stay within the region.

Alex and Susan Pedigo, owners of Casago Idaho, said: “Idaho is incredibly community-driven, and that’s a big part of why this opportunity felt like such a natural fit for us. We’re focused on building a business that reflects the character of these communities. That means hiring and supporting local people, strengthening relationships with homeowners and small businesses, and creating a more personal, high-quality experience for every guest. For us, it’s about being truly present in these markets and helping both McCall and Boise continue to thrive.”

Steve Schwab, founder and CEO of Casago, said: “Alex and Susan represent exactly what Casago stands for – locally invested, community-minded operators delivering a better experience for homeowners and guests. Our model is built around empowering people who know their markets best, and we’re proud to support their growth in Idaho.”

The Idaho expansion forms part of Casago’s rapidly growing footprint across the U.S., Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. By combining local decision-making with the reach and resources of a national brand, Casago is raising the bar for professional vacation rental management.

In addition to property management services, the franchise plans to spotlight independent restaurants, shops and experiences across McCall, Long Valley and Boise through guest communications, social media and digital platforms.

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La Réserve Golf Links, the flagship course of Heritage Resorts & Golf in Mauritius, has secured the 28th position in Golfweek’s Best Top 100 International Courses (outside the United States) for 2026.

Recognising the finest golf courses beyond the United States, these prestigious rankings place the Mauritian course ahead of renowned venues in traditional golfing heartlands, firmly cementing its status as the premier golf destination across Africa as well as the Indian Ocean, and a true must-play for discerning golfers worldwide.

As the first and only contemporary links course in the Indian Ocean, set in the unspoilt south-west of Mauritius within Bel Ombre, La Réserve Golf Links has redefined the region’s golfing landscape. Co-designed by acclaimed architect Peter Matkovich and Open Champion Louis Oousthuizen, the course offers panoramic ocean views from every hole, elevated infinity greens and rolling fairways, delivering a playing experience of exceptional beauty and strategic depth.

“To break into the top 30 international courses outside the United States is a tremendous achievement and a defining moment for Mauritius in the global golfing landscape,” said Thierry Montocchio, Chief Executive Officer of ER Hospitality, the parent company of Heritage Resorts & Golf.

“With La Reserve Golf Links, we dared to bring an ambitious vision to life in Mauritius. This recognition reflects the passion, expertise, and dedication of our entire team in creating a course that is not only outstanding, but which represents the pinnacle of golfing excellence on the island, in Africa and across the Indian Ocean.

From its challenging links design and spectacular coastal panoramas to its unwavering commitment to sustainability, this distinction affirms our place on the world golfing stage, an achievement of which we are immensely proud.”

La Réserve Golf Links is also the first golf course in Africa to achieve the GEO Certified® Development Status, reflecting its commitment to environmentally responsible and sustainable golf development.

Together with Le Château Golf Course, it forms part of a 45-hole championship offering within the 2,500-hectare Bel Ombre estate at Heritage Golf Club, where volcanic mountains meet a pristine lagoon in one of Mauritius’ most preserved natural settings.

This world-class golf experience is complemented by stay options at the adjacent five-star hotels -the refined and elegant Heritage Le Telfair, the vibrant Heritage Awali, and in private villas at Heritage The Villas.
Together, they position Heritage Resorts & Golf as a premier destination for luxury golf tourism, where championship courses, heartfelt hospitality, and immersive experiences come together in perfect harmony.

For more information and to book, visit: www.heritageresorts.mu

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Avani Victoria Falls Resort introduces a newly refreshed stay at Victoria Falls, offering guests direct access to one of the world’s most iconic natural wonders. Located within Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, the resort combines redesigned rooms, destination-led dining and year-round access to adventure, creating a contemporary base for exploring Livingstone year-round.

Set across 46 hectares of protected land, the resort is defined by its immediate connection to nature. Wildlife moves freely through the grounds, from zebras and giraffes to impalas and monkeys, creating an experience that feels both unstructured and distinctly local.

Fifty Superior Rooms and four Suites have been redesigned with a more considered, contemporary approach, drawing on the tones and textures of the Zambezi riverfront. Clean lines and natural materials shape calm, functional spaces, while subtle nods to Zambian craft bring in a sense of place without overstatement. Layouts have been refined for ease, flowing from indoor living to terraces and balconies that look out across gardens, pools and the resort’s lagoon.

Experiences extend beyond the resort, with the Falls offering a different perspective throughout the year. Guests can explore a range of activities, from guided dips in Devil’s Pool to white-water rafting, gorge swings and scenic flights over the Zambezi, each bringing them closer to the landscape.

Dining continues this connection to place. Mukuni Boma offers an open-air setting centred on regional flavours and cultural storytelling, while private dining along the Zambezi creates a more intimate experience shaped by its surroundings. Families are equally considered, with AvaniKids programmes focused on outdoor exploration, guided discovery and wildlife themed activities.

Positioned for year-round discovery, Avani Victoria Falls Resort brings together location, design and access, set within one of Africa’s most recognised landscapes. Getting there is straightforward, with direct flights from Johannesburg into Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport, followed by a short transfer, or via Victoria Falls Airport just across the border.

Rooms start from USD1,100 per night, based on two adults sharing a Superior Pool View Room, inclusive of breakfast, taxes and fees. For more information and to book, please visit avanihotels.com/en/victoria-falls, email [email protected] or call +260 76 885 0507

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Club Med is pleased to announce the appointment of Marc Lauret as Sales Director for Singapore and Malaysia, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to accelerating growth and deepening partnerships across two of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic outbound travel markets.

With a proven track-record in driving commercial performance, digital transformation, and trade engagement, Marc brings a wealth of international experience to his new role. His appointment comes at a pivotal time as Club Med continues to strengthen its premium positioning while expanding its footprint across both sun and ski resort offerings.

A Proven Leader in Driving Sales Transformation and Trade Growth

Marc Lauret joins the Southeast Asia team with an impressive portfolio of achievements across multiple markets, including the UK, Ireland, and the Nordics. Known for his strategic and data-driven approach, he has successfully led initiatives that significantly enhanced indirect and MICE sales performance.

Among his key accomplishments:

·      Accelerated Indirect Sales Growth
Marc defined and executed a multi-market commercial strategy that positioned the Club Med Travel Agent Portal as the central ecosystem for travel partners—integrating booking tools, product content, and performance tracking.
This contributed to a threefold increase in bookings during the Winter 2026 sales campaign, driven by stronger engagement with agency partners.

·      Strengthened Trade Partnerships
He introduced a structured Service Level Agreement (SLA) framework and launched a travel agent loyalty programme, rewarding high-performing partners and elevating long-term collaboration.

·      Expanded Product Mix
Successfully increased the share of sun resort bookings from 13% to 20% within two years, even within traditionally ski-focused distribution environments.

·      Elevated MICE Offering
Marc played a pivotal role in positioning Club Med as a premium Meetings & Events (MICE) provider, delivering +36% growth through curated resort experiences and large-scale privatizations, while increasing direct corporate client share to 58%.

·      Scaled Digital Distribution
He strengthened e-distribution capabilities through API integrations and Channel Connectivity Manager for BA, notably elevating partnerships such as British Airways Holidays to become a leading global distribution partner (outside China).

·      Champion of Data & Performance Insights
By implementing automated reporting and AI-driven insights for travel agents, Marc enabled partners to make smarter, faster business decisions.

A Positive Outlook for 2026 and Beyond

Marc’s appointment signals a forward-looking strategy for Club Med in Singapore and Malaysia—one that prioritizes trade empowerment and digital innovation.
“We are seeing strong momentum across both markets, driven by robust trade partnerships and evolving traveller expectations. I look forward to collaborating closely with our partners to unlock new growth opportunities and deliver exceptional holiday experiences to our guests,” said Marc Lauret.
With travel demand continuing to rise and forward bookings showing robust performance, Club Med is well-positioned to drive sustained growth across Singapore Malaysia markets.

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The United States remained the largest Travel & Tourism market in the world in 2025 but is losing market share according to the World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) latest Economic Impact Research, sponsored by its Lead Research Partner, Chase Travel.

While 2025 saw the best year ever for the Travel & Tourism sector in terms of GDP growth of 4.1%, the story was very different for North America, which was the slowest-growing region globally, rising just 1.0%, and by only 0.9% in the U.S.

80 million more people travelled internationally in 2025 compared with the year before yet they chose other destinations. U.S. visitor numbers declined 5.5% against 2024 and international visitor spending fell 4.6% to US$176 billion.

While the U.S. continues to lead in scale, contributing US$2.63 trillion to global GDP, WTTC highlights that the country is now at a crossroads in its tourism development. With the right actions, it has a significant opportunity to restore international visitor spending, sustain job creation, and strengthen its global leadership – particularly as competition intensifies from fast-rising markets in Asia Pacific, such as China.

In 2025, the Travel & Tourism sector in the U.S. supported 20.4 million jobs, up 1.2% year-on-year, and added approximately 242,000 new jobs, a positive signal for both the sector and the wider economy. Domestic visitor spending remained strong at US$1.54 trillion, up 0.3% year-on-year and 14.3% above pre-pandemic levels.

Sustaining this momentum will depend on increasing investment and promotion of the United States, rebuilding international demand, changing perception and ensuring the U.S. remains competitive as a global destination.

With the country set to co-host major football events in 2026, WTTC highlights a significant and immediate opportunity. The event is expected to bring around 1.24 million

international visitors* during the tournament period, offering a powerful platform to showcase the American experience, and convert visitors into promoters of travel to the country.

China, the second largest market in the world, is rapidly gaining ground, with Travel & Tourism contributing US$1.75 trillion to GDP in 2025, growing 9.9% year-on-year and supporting 84.6 million jobs (+2.0%). Both international visitor spending (up 10.5% to US$135 billion) and domestic spending (up 10.7% to US$890 billion) saw strong gains.

This momentum reflects the broader strength of Asia-Pacific, now the fastest-growing Travel & Tourism region globally. The region’s GDP grew 8.2% in 2025 to reach US$3.29 trillion, with several markets outperforming the global average, led by Malaysia (11.2%) and the Philippines (10.8%), followed by China (9.9%), India (7.3%), and Indonesia (7.2%).

Gloria Guevara, President & CEO of WTTC, said:

“The United States remains the largest Travel & Tourism market in the world and has an amazing foundation. To avoid losing its leadership position the U.S. must invest in promoting its attractiveness, both in international markets and during the summer of football; change perception and position the U.S. as a welcoming destination; and grow international visitor spend, encouraging stopovers and new experiences.”

Jason Wynn, CEO of Chase Travel, said:
“As WTTC’s latest research shows, the U.S. Travel & Tourism sector continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience, supporting millions of jobs and driving trillions of dollars in economic growth even amid global headwinds. With the U.S. set to host a series of global events through 2028, we have an extraordinary opportunity to welcome new visitors and bring travellers from around the world closer together, fostering meaningful connections across countries and communities.

“At Chase Travel, we are committed to being the go-to partner and provider for both domestic and international travel, leveraging our world class marketplace to empower travellers, advisors, and partners to elevate every trip and drive lasting growth for the industry.”

WTTC will continue working with governments and industry leaders to support sustainable Travel & Tourism growth, strengthen competitiveness, and ensure the sector remains a driver of jobs, investment, and economic opportunity.

Chase Travel remains dedicated to making travel more accessible and rewarding for cardmembers by connecting them to trusted partners, seamless booking and support, and the experiences that matter most.

*Source: Oxford Economics