Family Travel & Safety: A mother and teenage daughter from the Chicago area are feared kidnapped in Israel after Hamas’ surprise attack, with the pair last seen near the Gaza border during Simchat Torah. Cruise & Luxury Travel: China’s new homegrown large cruise ships are being marketed as “cruise plus culture,” with the Adora Flora City launching Nov. 22 from Guangzhou on a 17-day Maritime Silk Road route. Rail Upgrades: Japan’s Shinkansen is adding private “Supreme Class” luxury suites from October 1, with lockable cabins and Wi‑Fi on select trains. Travel Disputes: A Kerala consumer forum ordered Goibibo to refund a family after they were denied a hotel room despite a confirmed booking. Tourism Growth Watch: Qatar reported 1.13 million visitors in Q1 and expects a second-half 2026 surge as summer events ramp up. On-the-Ground Travel Planning: A new planning app report says family trips are the most planned leisure travel type in 2026, and many travelers “lock” plans around a 56-day mark. Local Getaways: Ohio’s summer road-trip crowd is driving demand, with AAA projecting record travel for the Fourth of July week.