Category: 3. Business

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s army chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir has engaged with senior American military and political leadership during his ongoing visit to the United States, the military’s media wing said on Sunday, as Islamabad seeks closer defense and security ties with Washington. 

The development takes place as Pakistan eyes greater collaboration with the US under President Donald Trump. After years of strained relations, mainly over counter‑terrorism disagreements, both nations appear keen to rebuild military and economic ties under the new American administration.

“Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), Chief of Army Staff (COAS), is undertaking an official visit to the United States,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing, said in a statement.

“During the visit, he has engaged in high-level interactions with senior political and military leadership, as well as members of the Pakistani diaspora.”

In Tampa, the Pakistan army chief attended the retirement ceremony of outgoing United States Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander General Michael E. Kurilla, and the change of command ceremony that marked the assumption of command by Admiral Brad Cooper, his successor, the military’s media wing said.

Munir lauded General Kurilla’s leadership and his contributions to strengthening bilateral military cooperation between Pakistan and the US.

He extended his best wishes to Admiral Cooper, expressing confidence in continued collaboration to address shared security challenges, the ISPR added. 

The Pakistani army chief also met US Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine, where matters of mutual professional interest were discussed, the military’s media wing said.

“On the sidelines, COAS interacted with Chiefs of Defense from friendly nations,” the statement added, without mentioning the names of the countries. 

Munir’s engagements included an interaction with the Pakistani diaspora in the US, during which the army chief urged them to “remain confident in Pakistan’s bright future and to actively contribute to attracting investments.”

“The diaspora reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Pakistan’s progress and development,” the ISPR said. 

Munir’s visit to the US signifies growing closeness between Pakistan and the US. This is the Pakistan army chief’s second visit to the country since June, when Trump hosted him for an unprecedented lunch at the White House. 

Both leaders discussed the tensions in the Middle East, particularly the then Iran-Israel military conflict. 

Under Trump’s renewed outreach, Washington has praised Pakistan’s leadership and reinstated military cooperation previously curtailed over Afghanistan-related concerns. Islamabad, in turn, seeks to balance its longstanding partnership with China, including arms supply and defense infrastructure, with growing engagement with the US. 

Both countries last week finalized a trade deal according to which the US will charge a 19 percent tariff on imports from Pakistan, compared to a 29 percent reciprocal tariff announced in April that had raised alarm in Islamabad.

Separately, Trump highlighted a partnership with Pakistan to develop the country’s oil reserves. 

Pakistan’s powerful military, which has ruled the country directly for nearly half of its history and holds sway in political matters even when not in power, plays a central role in shaping its foreign and security policies.

The Accenture Life Trends 2025 report highlights a powerful shift in consumer behavior called “social rewilding,” a quest to reconnect socially in the real world, often but not always around nature, and to balance technology’s role in the moments that bring people joy and well -being. According to the report, 41.9% of respondents said their most enjoyable experience in the previous week was a physical one, while only 15.3% said it was digital. This is an optimistic signal for the travel industry, as the findings suggest a strong desire by people to return to authentic, sensory-rich, and meaningful experiences.  

Embracing the local: cultural connection over tourist checklists 

Travelers seeking more authentic, purposeful experiences are choosing to engage deeply with local cultures and traditions. From a cooking class with a local chef to an off-the-map hiking trail, people are choosing travel that reflects their individual interests.  

This is where the travel industry can truly shine, curating experiences that connect visitors to the heart and soul of a place. And technology has a key role to play here. Generative AI for example, can help travel brands deliver smarter, more responsive personalization, recommending relevant added services, adapting itineraries in real time, or making suggestions based on past preferences. When thoughtfully embedded across the full journey, from discovery and booking to the trip itself and even post-travel engagement, it becomes a tool to create seamless, emotionally resonant travel that keeps people coming back. According to Accenture’s Consumer Pulse Survey 2025, 80% of travelers are already using gen AI tools, with 93% of active gen AI users saying shaping their own travel experiences is key to the connection they feel with a brand.

For those companies that get it right, it is an opportunity to drive new revenue streams, with travelers willing to pay extra for moments that feel curated and meaningful. 

Luxury travel reimagined: a shift in priorities 

Luxury travel is evolving in step with this shift toward meaningful, immersive experiences. Leading global brands are no longer defining luxury by thread counts or square footage alone, they’re leaning into heritage, wellness, and cultural connection. 

Meanwhile, Marriott is venturing beyond traditional hotel walls, tapping into the allure of nature. From curated camping accommodations that balance comfort with adventure, to wellness-led stays, the definition of luxury is expanding. At the Grand Cayman Marriott Resort, for instance, the focus has shifted toward transformative wellness retreats, giving guests a chance to reconnect with themselves, and their surroundings. 

Luxury, it seems, is no longer just about indulgence. It’s about intention. 

Data-driven insights: the rise of experience spending 

Travel is no longer a standalone activity, it’s increasingly merging with entertainment, dining, and culture to create rich, multi-sensory experiences. We’re seeing a clear convergence where travelers aren’t just visiting places, they’re living stories, seeking out concerts, culinary trails, night markets, and local performances as essential parts of their journeys. Millennials and Gen Z are leading the charge, prompting a transformation in industry offerings to focus more on cultural immersion, interactive experiences, and purpose-driven journeys. Music and sports events have emerged as key motivators. Concerts have been seamlessly integrated into milestone celebrations in India. The “Taylor Swift Effect” in the U.S. boosted hotel occupancy rates wherever her tour stopped, proving that events with emotional significance drive travel demand.  

A New Era: purpose-driven travel and personal growth 

Looking ahead, purpose-driven travel will continue to gain momentum. Travelers are asking themselves not just where to go, but why and how they travel. They seek personal growth, emotional healing and deeper connections with people, culture, and nature. 

This desire for meaningful experiences is pushing brands to innovate, not with gimmicks, but with authenticity, cultural sensitivity, and human connection at the core. 

The travel industry stands at a pivotal crossroads. The future of travel is not a nostalgic return to a pre-digital era, but a harmonious blend of technology, cultural immersion, and sensory engagement. 

Travelers want digital convenience, but they also crave human connection, local authenticity, and experiences that touch the soul. The way forward is clear: put people, culture, and nature at the center of travel experiences. 

By understanding the forces pushing consumers towards social rewilding, the industry has a chance to meet travelers where they are and adjust their business strategies accordingly. Perhaps it’s about designing journeys that go beyond sightseeing, tapping into a deeper need for tactile, sensory, and emotionally resonant experiences. Travelers today want to feel rooted in the places they visit, to slow down, engage fully, and walk away with a sense of connection that lasts. 

The opinions expressed in Fortune.com commentary pieces are solely the views of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of Fortune.

The US’s Southwest Airlines has publicly apologized after two women who are blind were both left behind by a plane flying to Orlando that the pair evidently should have had the opportunity to be on.

Southwest eventually ended up flying the women, Camille Tate and Sherri Brun, on another flight for which they were the only two passengers, with the rest being rebooked on a plane that left earlier, according to recent reporting from the Orlando news stations WSVN and WOFL. Nonetheless, as WSVN noted, the two friends from Florida remained outraged at their experience, which resulted from their not being able to see information about the rebooked flight and not being verbally notified of the switch by the airline.

“The way they help their customers [who] require additional assistance needs to change,” Brun told the outlet. Tate added: “There needs to be some improvement in how they communicate with passengers, especially those that have disabilities.”

Brun and Tate booked themselves to take flight 2637 from New Orleans to Orlando on 14 July, and it was delayed by five hours. They waited at their original gate for the duration of the delay and then realized they were the only passengers on the flight when they boarded.

According to Brun, she and Tate were told: “You’re the only two people on this flight because they forgot about you.”

A statement from a Southwest spokesperson explained that nearly all of Brun and Tate’s would-be fellow passengers were rebooked on another of the airline’s flights that left to Orlando earlier from a nearby gate. Neither Brun nor Tate were rebooked on that earlier flight, and the friends said they had no idea it was even an option because – without sight – they never saw information related to rebooking.

“Nobody … told us anything,” Brun said, according to WSVN and WOFL. “Nobody came to get us … The time passed.”

Tate reportedly remarked: “That airplane took off and our boarding pass had not been swiped.”

The two friends said they took their unique flight story to the media to raise awareness about something that could happen to other similarly situated passengers unless the airline implements changes.

Southwest’s statement said it had offered Brun and Tate each a $100 voucher, explaining how they were not eligible for a full refund because they had completed their originally scheduled flight.

“We apologize for the inconvenience,” the statement continued. “Southwest is always looking for ways to improve our customers’ travel experiences, and we’re active in the airline industry in sharing best practices about how to best accommodate passengers with disabilities.”

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