Today's Hotels Pulse
FAA says Spirit’s LaGuardia slots belong with another low‑cost carrier
The FAA Administrator argues that the coveted take‑off slots Spirit Airlines holds at New York’s LaGuardia should be reallocated to a different low‑cost carrier. Meanwhile, Spirit is preparing to auction off those slots to the highest bidder.
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By the numbers: Airbnb leads $58M Series C in WeRoad
PHX To Offer Enhanced Passenger Processing
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport announced the rollout of Enhanced Passenger Processing for U.S. citizens arriving on international flights. The system, developed with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, uses photo‑matching technology to accelerate the CBP inspection process. Airport officials highlighted the joint effort of technology, operations, airline partners, and CBP in delivering the service. The initiative aligns with PHX’s strategy to expand its international travel market and reinforce its “America’s Friendliest Airport” brand.
Audley Travel Rolls Out New Training for Advisors
Audley Travel has launched the Audley Academy, an online training academy for travel advisors that awards participants the Audley Ambassador accreditation. Graduates receive a comprehensive sales‑and‑marketing toolkit, a $100 bonus gift card, and ongoing newsletters with product updates. Advisors who...
Hyatt Unlocks Growth in the Southeast United States with Expanding Essentials Portfolio
Hyatt Hotels Corp. announced a Southeast expansion of its Essentials portfolio, adding more than 30 new select‑service properties—including Hyatt Studios, Select, Place, and House—representing roughly 4,000 rooms. The pipeline targets fast‑growing secondary markets in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, South Carolina...
One Airport’s Used Equipment Is Another’s Salvation
Amid a turbulent month for U.S. aviation, two airports turned to used equipment to solve operational challenges. Waukesha County Airport sourced snowplows, blowers and sweepers from Minneapolis‑St. Paul, while Salt Lake City International acquired surplus shuttle buses from Denver International....
What Makes SnowPo So Special
The Northeast Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives is hosting its 58th International Aviation Snow Symposium in Buffalo, NY, from April 24‑29. The conference blends practical, real‑world sessions with a volunteer‑driven, peer‑led format that emphasizes collaboration between airports,...
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20 Popeyes Restaurants Close Following Franchisee’s Bankruptcy
Sailormen Inc., one of Popeyes' largest franchisees, filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy in January, citing roughly $130 million in debt and mounting cost pressures. Since the filing, the company has shuttered 20 Popeyes restaurants across Florida and Georgia, reducing its portfolio to 116...
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CAVA Opens Its First Restaurant in Ohio as Part of Midwest Push
CAVA launched its first Ohio restaurant, a 3,200‑sq‑ft venue in Cincinnati’s Oakley Station, offering dine‑in, digital pickup and delivery. The opening extends the chain’s Midwest push that began with Chicago and continued into Indiana and Michigan. In 2025 CAVA added...
Regional Banks Are Lending on Hotels Again: What Middle-Market Borrowers Need to Know
Regional banks are re‑entering hotel financing, offering mid‑6% coupons and up to 70% loan‑to‑value on stabilized middle‑market assets. Deposit growth of roughly $900 billion since 2023 has restored banks' funding capacity, prompting a selective but aggressive lending approach. Compared with CMBS...
Why Haven’t More Airlines Tightened Rules Around Lithium Batteries Despite Mounting Safety Concerns?
In January 2025 an Air Busan Airbus A321 caught fire on the tarmac in Busan after a passenger’s lithium‑ion power bank overheated, injuring seven people. The incident has intensified scrutiny of portable battery safety on aircraft. IATA recently issued new minimum...
Full List: TSA PreCheck® Touchless ID Is Now Open in 58 US Airports
TSA has rolled out its PreCheck® Touchless ID program to 58 airports, with a target of 65 by late spring. The service, available only to enrolled PreCheck members, uses facial recognition to verify identity without presenting an ID or boarding...
Intrepid Travel to Resume Egypt Small-Group Tours
Intrepid Travel will restart its small‑group tours to Egypt on April 1 after pausing operations due to regional airspace disruptions caused by the conflict. While tours to Egypt resume, trips to Jordan and Oman stay suspended until at least April 15. The...
Five London Hotels Capture 57% of AI Recommendations, Revenue Intelligence Embeds in PMS
Recent research shows five London luxury hotels captured 57% of AI-driven travel recommendations, highlighting a winner‑take‑all distribution model. Google’s AI Mode appears to prioritize OTA partners, limiting direct‑booking visibility for many properties. Meanwhile, RoomPriceGenie’s revenue‑intelligence now embeds directly into 15...
Portillo’s Hires Former Papa Johns Exec as Chief Development Officer
Portillo’s announced the appointment of Jennifer Pecoraro‑Striepling as its new chief development officer, bringing more than 25 years of multi‑unit restaurant development experience from brands like Papa Johns and Miller’s Ale House. The hire follows a recent slowdown in Portillo’s...
Trademark Collection by Wyndham Marks Milestone, Surpasses 100 U.S. Hotels
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts announced its Trademark Collection soft‑brand has surpassed 100 operating hotels in the United States. The portfolio has doubled in size over the past five years, bringing the global total to nearly 350 properties with another 100...
Real Reason Guests Book Via an OTA Instead of Your Website
Travelers often encounter hotels first on an online travel agency (OTA), turning the property into a line‑item among many rather than a distinct brand. The article argues that low direct bookings stem from this upstream introduction problem, not merely a...
Palace Hotel Tokyo Awarded Industry-Leading GSTC Certification for Sustainability
Palace Hotel Tokyo has become the first Japanese‑owned and managed hotel to earn the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) certification, confirming compliance with 167 sustainability benchmarks. The hotel’s Eco‑Palace program integrates rigorous staff training, waste‑to‑compost initiatives, and a Sustainability Liaison...
How Certified Laundry Solutions Reduce Allergen Exposure in Hospitality Fabrics
Hospitality operators are turning to certified laundry detergents to dramatically lower allergen and chemical residue levels in linens, towels, and upholstery. The Asthma & Allergy Friendly Certification requires >95% allergen removal, non‑sensitizing ingredients, and VOC emissions below strict limits. When...
Why Hyatt's Guest of Honor Perk Stands Out
World of Hyatt's Guest of Honor perk is one of my favorite elite benefits in the hotel industry. Here's how it works, and why I value it so much. https://t.co/H8jzsLGU1A
Walk-On’s to Open New Nashville Restaurant with Country Music Star Cole Swindell
Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux announced a new franchise partnership with Marriott franchisee Jamie Daniel of Daniel Hospitality and country music star Cole Swindell to open a Walk-On’s location on Broadway in Nashville, slated for 2027. The collaboration adds a high‑profile celebrity...
Five London Hotels Capture 57% of AI Recommendations: What a New Study Reveals About AI Travel Distribution
A LuxDirect CS7 study of 2,700 AI queries across 25 London luxury hotels found five properties captured 57% of AI recommendations. The concentration appears faster than early SEO trends and is independent of hotel size or brand, with a 26‑room...
Garner Becomes Fastest-Scaling Global Brand for IHG
Garner, IHG's midscale conversion brand, has opened 100 hotels worldwide since its August 2023 debut, making it the fastest‑scaling brand in the company’s history. A pipeline of roughly 80 additional properties will almost double its footprint, extending the brand to...
Sonic Launches Caffeinated Refreshers as QSR Drinks Boom
Sonic is adding three lightly caffeinated fruit refreshers—Strawberry Passionfruit, Mango Peach and Berry Citrus—to its permanent menu on March 23, available in still and sparkling formats for $2.99. Each 20‑ounce drink contains about 45 mg of caffeine, a green‑tea base, and...
Coco Wolf Delivers Outdoor Furnishings for Oceanus Mustique
Coco Wolf was chosen to outfit the exterior spaces of Oceanus, a luxury villa on Mustique, with a fully bespoke collection that mirrors the interior aesthetic while withstanding the island’s harsh climate. Each piece is handcrafted in Britain from responsibly...
Press Release: Starling Aerospace to Unveil New Seat Family at AIX
Starling Aerospace will debut its new SA‑designated seat family at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, featuring the economy‑focused SA4000, the premium modular SA5000, and the ultra‑luxury rotating SA6000 for private jets. The lineup emphasizes weight efficiency, advanced connectivity, and...
Red Roof Reports Success in 2025
Red Roof announced that 2025 was a transformative year, positioning the brand for profitable growth through operational excellence, technology upgrades, and heightened franchise demand. The company lifted market share, with The Red Collection gaining 2% and Red Roof Inn 1.1%,...
Choice Hotels’ Ascend Collection Surpasses 500 Openings
Choice Hotels’ Ascend Collection has crossed the 500‑property threshold, highlighted by recent openings such as The Harrison Hotel in Florida and The Gould Hotel in New York. The brand now boasts a pipeline of 70 additional properties in key U.S....
Empiria Group Arrives in Milos with Eréma
Empiria Group will launch Eréma, a Design Hotels member, on June 15, 2026, marking its first property on Milos and expanding its presence in the Cyclades. The 41‑suite resort, designed by Athens‑based Laboratorium, integrates volcanic stone, marble and earth tones...
Accor Signs Deal with EXTENDAM to Expand TRIBE in Paris
Accor has signed a partnership with private‑equity firm EXTENDAM to develop a 209‑room TRIBE hotel in Paris’ Python‑Duvernois redevelopment. The mixed‑use project, covering 100,000 sqm and featuring residential, office, retail and a 3.3‑hectare park, targets a 2028 opening and BREEAM Excellent...
Inside V&E Hospitality’s Vision to Create Spaces Where Guests Feel Valued
V&E Hospitality Group, led by CEO Matias Pesce, is pursuing a customer‑centric strategy that spans quick‑service coffee shops, casual‑dining restaurants and boutique hotels under five core concepts, generating $150 million in annual sales across 28 locations. The firm emphasizes a differentiated...
Not Just Travel Names New Chief Financial Officer to Drive Growth
Not Just Travel has appointed ICAEW‑qualified chartered accountant Helen Foottit as chief financial officer to steer its accelerated growth strategy. Foottit joins from The Property Franchise Group, where she spent over ten years supporting the CFO through multiple acquisitions and...
Experience the Future of Baggage Handling at PTE World 2026
Cognex is showcasing its next‑generation 360° automated tag reading (ATR) system at PTE World 2026 in London. The AI‑powered solution claims up to 99% read accuracy, full IATA compliance, and seamless integration with RFID, dimensioning and OCR technologies. Its 360‑degree...
Mott MacDonald Boosts Aviation Business
Mott MacDonald has reinforced its aviation, maritime and offshore practice by appointing Jason Buckland as aviation director and Kim Yates as sustainable aviation and green ports market lead. Buckland brings senior roles at British Airways, Etihad, GE and Arcadis, and will steer the...
Three Financial Guardrails You Need Before Opening a Fourth Location
Opening a fourth restaurant shifts a business from proof‑of‑concept to true scale, exposing hidden cash‑flow gaps and operational blind spots. Operators must move beyond optimistic pro‑formas and run a consolidated stress test that captures cannibalization, tighter vendor terms, and construction...
Emirates Reroutes Flights After Drone Attack on Dubai’s Airport
Emirates responded to a drone strike at Dubai International Airport by rerouting flights to nearby hubs, temporarily suspending operations at the main terminal. The incident forced a shutdown for safety inspections, prompting the carrier to shift services to Abu Dhabi...
India and Maldives Tourism Boost with New Celebrity-Led Curated Tours, Get the Details Here
India and the Maldives have unveiled a series of celebrity‑led curated tours aimed at Indian travelers seeking luxury experiences. The itineraries combine high‑end accommodations, private island access, and immersive marine activities, all marketed through the personal brands of Indian celebrities....
Traveller Made Highlights Branding as Key to Luxury DMC Growth
Traveller Made’s CEO Quentin Desurmont warns luxury destination management companies (DMCs) that superior logistics alone no longer secures profitability; they must develop distinct brand identities. He suggests borrowing branding tactics from the luxury goods sector, where desirability and exclusivity have...
AI Adoption at Marriott Bonvoy - Drew Pinto, Chief Revenue & Technology Officer, Checks-In on Progress to Date
Marriott Bonvoy has completed a major re‑platforming of its core systems, creating a flexible, cloud‑native architecture that readily accommodates artificial‑intelligence solutions. Executives say AI is now embedded across finance, HR, marketing and other functions, with partnerships to OpenAI and Google...
Recognition Is the Loyalty Perk Most Restaurants Aren’t Offering
New Toast survey of 1,400 U.S. diners shows only 20% receive a personalized experience. While discounts remain popular, diners—especially Boomers—prefer recognition, preferential seating, and tailored perks. Operators in the South, Midwest, and rural areas lag in personalization, creating an opportunity....
Sri Lanka Unveils Ambitious ‘Love Sri Lanka, Always’ Campaign to Redefine Tourism, Attract Year-Round Visitors and Strengthen Its Position as...
Sri Lanka has launched the "Love Sri Lanka, Always" campaign to revitalize its tourism sector. The initiative targets year‑round visitors by promoting cultural, natural, and culinary attractions through a digital‑first strategy. It includes partnerships with airlines, influencer collaborations, and a...
Singapore Airlines Renews Distribution Agreements with Amadeus
Singapore Airlines has renewed its multiyear distribution agreements with Amadeus, covering both legacy EDIFACT messaging and the newer New Distribution Capability (NDC) technology. The deal guarantees continued access for travel sellers on the Amadeus platform to SIA’s fares, products, and...
Air Fares From Asia to the UK Soar Amid Middle East Crisis: Are Airlines Profiteering or Providing a Service?
Air fares from Asia to the United Kingdom have surged as the Middle East conflict disrupts key flight corridors, limiting available seats and prompting airlines to adjust pricing. Capacity cuts and rerouted paths have pushed ticket costs up by 30‑40...
Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok Redefines Thailand’s Luxury Landscape: A New Era of Bespoke Wellness and Organic Suite Amenities
Kimpton Maa‑Lai Bangkok has launched a suite of organic in‑room amenities and partnered with Araksa to serve premium teas, positioning the property as a wellness‑focused luxury hotel in Thailand’s capital. The initiative blends bespoke spa services, locally sourced organic toiletries,...
New Direct Flights From Jakarta to Da Nang: Vietjet Links Indonesia to Vietnam’s Beach Paradise, Boosting Travel Between Jakarta, Da...
Vietjet announced the launch of direct flights between Jakarta and Da Nang, set to begin in April 2026. The new service offers discounted fares, providing a faster, cheaper option for travelers heading to Vietnam’s coastal resorts. By linking Indonesia’s capital...
Dusit Thani Bangkok Joins Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ Legend Collection
Preferred Hotels & Resorts has added Bangkok’s iconic Dusit Thani to its Legend Collection, its elite group of luxury properties. The hotel reopened in late 2024 after a major redevelopment as part of the Dusit Central Park project, offering 257...
UAE’s Armada Club Launches Exclusive Yacht Access: How Members Are Sailing Into Ultimate Luxury with Private Yachts and Bespoke Experiences
Armada Club in the UAE has unveiled a private‑members yacht access program, granting elite subscribers direct booking of a curated fleet of luxury vessels. The offering includes bespoke itineraries across the Gulf, on‑board concierge services, and exclusive events tailored to...
Kenya Airways Boosts Cargo Ops via B747 Capacity Partnership
Kenya Airways has added a Boeing 747‑400 freighter through a capacity agreement with Terra Avia, raising its cargo lift from roughly 70 tonnes to about 180 tonnes. The airline plans to push capacity beyond 250 tonnes as part of a broader push to position...
Hyatt Announces the Opening of Andaz Lisbon
Hyatt Hotels Corporation has launched Andaz Lisbon, its first Andaz property in Portugal, located in the Baixa neighborhood overlooking Praça do Comércio and the Tagus River. The 170‑room hotel integrates Portuguese materials such as cork and mosaic with contemporary design...
IHG Brings World’s First and Largest Luxury Hotel Brand Back to Manila
IHG Hotels & Resorts announced the signing of InterContinental Manila, a 212‑key luxury hotel slated to open in 2032 in Bonifacio Global City. The project marks the brand’s return to the Philippine capital after more than 15 years, underscoring IHG’s...
IHG Hotels & Resorts Appoints Neetu Mistry as Managing Director for UK & Ireland
IHG Hotels & Resorts announced Neetu Mistry as Managing Director for the UK & Ireland, overseeing more than 400 open and pipeline hotels across its eleven brands. Mistry brings over two decades of hotel industry experience in the UK and...
Motto by Hilton to Debut in Australia with Sydney CBD Property
Hilton announced the debut of its Motto by Hilton lifestyle brand in Australia with the signing of Motto by Hilton Sydney City Centre on York Street. The 152‑room hotel, slated to open in late 2027, will feature flexible room types,...