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.
Also developing:
By the numbers: Airbnb leads $58M Series C in WeRoad
New Routes Boosting Passenger Traffic in Memphis
Memphis International Airport announced four new nonstop passenger flights—Frontier to Las Vegas and Phoenix, Breeze to San Antonio, and Southwest to Austin—expanding its route network for 2024. The airport added 11 new destinations in 2025, its highest post‑Delta hub growth, and served nearly 4.8 million passengers while handling 6.5 billion pounds of cargo. The "Now at MEM" campaign drives budget‑friendly airline partnerships and highlights MEM’s recent ranking as the nation’s top family‑friendly airport. An economic impact study credits MEM with generating $10.7 billion for Tennessee’s economy.
IHG Names Michael Hoe-Knudsen Managing Director for MLAC Region
IHG Hotels & Resorts appointed Michael Hoe‑Knudsen as managing director for Mexico, Latin America & the Caribbean, succeeding retiring leader Jorge Apaez. Hoe‑Knudsen brings three decades of global hospitality experience, most recently overseeing 120 managed hotels and 45 openings in...
Chili Shack Promotes Elizabeth Orona to COO
Chili Shack, the Denver‑based fast‑casual chain, has promoted Elizabeth Orona from general manager to chief operating officer. Orona will steer the brand’s national franchise rollout, targeting up to 100 new locations over the next several years. The company currently runs...
New Research: Why All-Inclusive Travel Is Having a Moment
New Skift research, commissioned by Hyatt Inclusive Collection, shows all‑inclusive vacations are gaining broad appeal. 87% of U.S. and Canadian consumers have stayed at or considered an all‑inclusive resort, with 84% of prior guests likely to return. Younger travelers drive...
Hospitality Sector Braces for ‘Devastating’ Tube Strikes
London’s hospitality sector is bracing for a series of RMT‑led tube strikes that will hit 12 days between March and May, threatening severe disruption during a critical trading period. Access Hospitality warns that previous strikes slashed bookings by up to...
United Partners With Chef’s Table to Bring World-Renowned Chefs to Business Class Dining
United Airlines has teamed with Netflix’s Chef’s Table series to launch a new Polaris business‑class dining program. Starting August 1, eleven world‑renowned chefs will craft ten regionally inspired meals, each featuring an appetizer, salad and entrée. The menus will debut on...
How AI Automation Turns Static Travel Pages Into Living Content & Experiences via @Sejournal, @TaylorDanRW
AI automation is reshaping travel marketing by turning static destination pages into dynamic, data‑driven experiences that adapt to live flight prices, weather, and user intent. Brands can now generate hundreds of pages weekly, but competitive advantage stems from structured data,...
Sweetgreen Wants to Be a Lifestyle Brand Again
Sweetgreen’s CEO Jonathan Neman announced a strategic pivot back to lifestyle branding, moving away from purely conversion‑driven marketing after a 13% sales decline in 2025. The chain is resetting its media mix, hiring a new agency and leveraging influencers, events,...
How to Not Let the Bots Ruin Your Travel Plans
Travel demand in Asia‑Pacific is surging toward pre‑pandemic levels, with an estimated 430 million more passengers expected this year. However, the sector faces a hidden crisis: ad fraud, where bots account for up to 80% of invalid traffic for travel advertisers,...
Hotel Association of Canada Re-Brands as Hotels Canada
At its annual conference, the Hotel Association of Canada announced a rebrand to Hotels Canada, unveiling a new name and visual identity. The organization now represents more than 8,300 hotels, accounting for over 300,000 jobs and $12 billion in annual government...
Everytable Launches National Franchise Program
Everytable, the Los Angeles‑based food platform with 35 locations, announced a national franchise program aimed at single‑ and multi‑unit operators in California, Arizona and other Western markets. The model relies on a centralized commissary kitchen, allowing storefronts of 500‑1,400 sq ft to...
Introducing the Reimagined CLEAR App: Win the Day of Travel From Home to Gate
CLEAR (NYSE:YOU) unveiled a reimagined mobile app designed to streamline the entire travel journey from home to gate. The flagship "Know When to Leave" feature uses personal preferences, airport patterns, and traffic data to advise the optimal departure time. Integrated...
How Travel Apps Are Stirring up Wanderlust Among Youngsters in Asia
Travel apps are exploding across Asia as Generation Z, now 32% of the global population, prioritize experiential, budget‑conscious trips. Mobile platforms like Traveloka and Klook have captured the majority of young travelers, with 83% of APAC smartphone owners already installing...
Riyadh Air Reveals 15 New Global Routes: See All Flights Now
Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s flagship carrier aligned with Vision 2030, has submitted an initial network for the 2026 summer season, outlining 15 prospective routes across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. The airline already operates daily non‑revenue flights to London...
Where ‘Wow’ Factor Design Meets Operational Discipline
Restaurants are merging bold, maximalist design with operational efficiency to meet evolving guest expectations. The “death of beige” sees saturated colors, layered textures, and immersive storytelling replace minimalist aesthetics. Operators adopt food halls, selective technology, and 21+ bar concepts to...
Malaysia Airlines Extends Doha Suspension Through March 2026
Malaysia Airlines has extended the temporary suspension of its Doha flights until 20 March 2026 due to continued security developments in the region. The route was initially suspended from 28 Feb due to airspace closures. The airline said it is...
Marriott's Flexible Free Night Certificates Require More Points
Marriott Made Free Night Certificates More Flexible — But You Still Need More Points To Book The Same Hotels - View from the Wing https://t.co/julDoiO9Oo
Why Don’t Many US Airlines Offer Premium Economy On Every Aircraft?
U.S. airlines largely skip premium‑economy on domestic flights because the class is tied to wide‑body, long‑haul aircraft and retrofitting costs run into millions. Instead they sell upgraded‑economy products like Comfort+, Economy Plus, and Main Cabin Extra that add legroom with minimal...
GHA Discovery’s Paid Status Match: Underrated Deal
GHA Discovery is offering a paid status match promotion, which could be a great deal. This hotel loyalty program often flies under the radar, but it shouldn't. https://t.co/T5X03Pjogw
Smart Hotels Blend General and Specialized Robots
Hospitality Reimagined: Smart Hotels Powered by Collaborative General-Purpose and Specialized #Robots via @ZappyZappy7 #EmergingTech #Technology #Innovation #Tech https://t.co/MQi0r9qqiE
Executive Housekeepers in the Spotlight at Halekulani
Audrey Goh has served as Executive Housekeeper at Halekulani in Honolulu since 1991, overseeing a team of more than 160 room attendants. The pandemic forced the department to lose 50 staff members, prompting a broadened recruitment strategy and intensive training...
It Takes a Village – the Pioneering Tourism Project Breathing New Life Into India’s Mountain Communities
Village Ways, a community‑based tourism initiative founded in 2005, now links over 30 villages from Uttarakhand to Kerala, offering low‑impact hiking stays in guesthouses rather than homestays. By distributing earnings equally among cleaners, porters and guides, the model has hosted...
Macao Strengthens European Engagement with New Tourism Offerings at London Event
At a London showcase, the Macao Government Tourism Office unveiled new multi‑destination travel packages linking Macao, Hong Kong and mainland China, aimed at European tourists. The event brought together UK travel trade, media and cultural partners, highlighting Macao’s blend of...
Air New Zealand to Cancel Over One Thousand Flights, Rebook Passengers Amid Soaring Fuel Costs, Disrupted Energy Supply Routes, and...
Air New Zealand will cancel over 1,100 flights by early May 2026, affecting roughly 40,000 passengers, as soaring jet‑fuel prices strain its finances. The price surge stems from geopolitical tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, which have disrupted global oil supply...
Joby’s Electric Air Taxis Usher In A New Era For US Tourism
Joby Aviation has begun flight testing its first FAA‑conforming eVTOL, N547JX, marking a critical step toward Type Inspection Authorization and eventual type certification. The aircraft meets FAA‑approved design standards and will undergo final TIA tests at Joby’s Marina, California facility...
Himachal Pradesh Introduces SHE Travel Policy Revolutionizing Solo Travel for Women with Enhanced Safety Support and Empowerment
Himachal Pradesh’s tourism department launched the SHE Travel Policy to make solo female travel safer and more supportive. The initiative introduces safety audits, women‑friendly accommodation certification, a dedicated travel portal, and SheGuard staff at key transport hubs. Targeting popular spots...
Viking Eldir Brings New Luxury To Rhine, Main, And Danube Cruises
Viking has launched the Viking Eldir, a 190‑guest river cruise ship built at Meyer’s Neptun Werft in Germany. The vessel will operate luxury itineraries on the Rhine, Main and Danube, offering spacious staterooms, panoramic views, and upscale dining. Its addition...
Somerset Valero Makati: A Destination for Luxury and Wellbeing
Somerset Valero Makati, the latest Ascott Limited Philippines launch, offers 182 luxury serviced apartments ranging from 37 to 124 square metres. The development blends upscale living with wellness‑focused features, including a first‑of‑its‑kind WellTech suite equipped with massage chairs and scent...
Wynn Resumes Construction on Ras Al-Khaimah Project
Wynn Resorts announced that construction has resumed on its $5.1 billion integrated resort on Al‑Marjan Island, Ras Al‑Khaimah. The 70‑floor, 283‑metre tower, topped out in December 2025, will feature 1,500 rooms, high‑end retail, MICE facilities and the UAE’s first licensed gaming...
Middle East Flight Disruptions Slow Wellness Travel to India
Escalating US‑Iran tensions have disrupted flight connectivity between the Middle East and India, prompting cancellations and rerouting of wellness travelers. Kairali Ayurvedic Group lost three direct Middle‑East guests and faces uncertainty for five others traveling via the region. While short‑term...
Singapore Tourism Board, Scoot Unveil Campaign Reimagining the Merlion
The Singapore Tourism Board and low‑cost carrier Scoot have launched the third edition of the Singapore Superfans campaign, positioning the Merlion as an active guide encouraging visitors to explore beyond the city’s iconic landmarks. The campaign, anchored by a rock‑inspired...
Malaysia Expands Halal Tourism Strategy Into Spa and Wellness Sector
Malaysia’s Islamic Tourism Centre (ITC) and the Association of Malaysian Spas (AMSPA) signed a memorandum of understanding at ITB Berlin to extend the country’s halal tourism strategy into the spa and wellness sector. The agreement will launch a Muslim‑Friendly Spa...
Australia Rolls Out Programme Linking School Leavers with Travel Industry Jobs
The Travel Gap, a 29‑week paid programme launched in Melbourne, links school leavers with the Australian travel industry through a partnership between My First Job and the Australian Travel Industry Association. Participants rotate through four six‑week placements across diverse travel...
StarCruises Launches Five-Night Hong Kong Cruises to Okinawa, Vietnam and Sanya
StarCruises will launch three five‑night cruises from Hong Kong in 2026 aboard the Star Voyager, adding itineraries to Okinawa, Vietnam and Sanya. The Okinawa voyages depart on March 22 and May 3, while the Vietnam‑Sanya cruise sets sail on April 26. These new...
Breeze Airways Cuts Nine Routes and Adds One
Breeze Airways announced the termination of nine routes across its network, including under‑performing services from Manchester to Orlando, Tampa to Orange County, and several Westchester County connections. The airline will introduce a single new route, offering twice‑weekly flights between Raleigh‑Durham...
Bits: Royal Jordanian Status Match Update, Andaz Lisbon Hotel Opens
Royal Jordanian has resolved a website glitch that prevented some travelers from opening a Royal Club account and requesting a top‑tier hotel status match to British Airways Silver‑equivalent status. The airline now provides a direct enrollment link, and eligible members...
Missed the Cherry Blossoms? Klook Might Refund You
Klook has launched a "Bloom back guarantee" that refunds 30% of the price if cherry blossoms in Japan or South Korea fail to bloom during the official forecast period. The guarantee is offered as a free add‑on with the promo...
Norse Atlantic Airways: Another Loss in 2025, but Profitability May Be Within Reach
Norse Atlantic Airways posted its fourth consecutive annual loss in 2025 despite achieving a record‑high 96% load factor and a 99.4% flight‑completion rate. The airline has begun shifting away from a summer‑centric Atlantic model, adding winter services to Thailand and...
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport’s Investments Raise Its Game in Gateway Competition with Sydney
Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport is undertaking its second‑largest single‑project investment in Australian aviation, focusing on a major terminal expansion. A third runway, expected to be operational by 2031, will bring its capacity in line with Sydney’s Kingsford Smith. Additionally, an air‑rail...
Leading Hotels of the World Points Sale: Get up to 100% Bonus (6 Cents per Point)
Leading Hotels of the World launched a points sale from February 17 to April 3, 2026, offering three purchase tiers with 50%, 75% and 100% bonus points. The top tier drops the effective price to 6 cents per point, half...
Hotel Industry News Today – March 11, 2026 | Hotel News Resource
The hotel sector is contending with a $600 million‑per‑day loss in the Middle East as the Iran conflict disrupts travel demand. Hotels are turning to loyalty programs to capture direct bookings and reduce reliance on online travel agencies. Luxury supply is...
Three-Michelin-Star Chef Heinz Beck to Lead Culinary Transformation at Orient Express Venezia
Orient Express Venezia has hired three‑Michelin‑star chef Heinz Beck to oversee its entire culinary program. Beck will design menus for the flagship 20‑seat Heinz Beck Venezia restaurant, casual venues like La Casati, and the Wagon Bar, drawing on lagoon ingredients...
BermudAir Unveils Expanded Summer 2026 Schedule With 29 Weekly Flights
BermudAir announced its summer 2026 schedule, offering 29 weekly flights from nine North American gateways. The airline adds daily service from Boston and combined daily frequencies for the New York area, while Toronto sees six‑day‑a‑week operations. All flights use Embraer...
Delta Launches Euro Summer 2026 Travel Inspiration Campaign With Interactive Destination Quiz
Delta Air Lines has rolled out a digital campaign called Delta Destinations to inspire European summer travel for 2026. The initiative pairs curated city guides—starting with Amsterdam, Malta, Porto and London—with an interactive “Euro Summer Destination Match Quiz” that aligns...
Stays Beyond the 2026 U.S. Grand Prix Circuits
Formula 1’s 2026 calendar features three U.S. Grands Prix—Miami (May 1‑3), Austin (Oct 16‑18) and Las Vegas (Nov 19‑21). The article highlights how travelers can extend race weekends with curated stays in nearby destinations such as Savannah’s Ann Savannah, Key West’s Eden House, and the...
Dromoland Castle Shines Among Elite Luxury Hotel Picks
As a luxury travel professional, I'm incredibly fortunate to experience many of the world’s most extraordinary hotels and the wonderful people behind them. I was especially happy to share a place that is truly near and dear to me in...
Delta Air Lines Is Planning Nonstop Los Angeles to Manila Flights for Summer 2027
Delta Air Lines announced plans to launch a daily nonstop flight between Los Angeles International Airport and Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport starting in summer 2027. The service will be operated with an Airbus A350‑900 configured with 32 Delta One,...
The Ultimate Guide to Bilt Elite Status: SkyTeam Status, Helicopter Rides, and More
Bilt Rewards introduced a four‑tier elite program—Blue, Silver, Gold, and Platinum—rewarding members for rent payments, credit‑card spend, and partner activity. Status can be achieved either by accumulating qualifying points (50,000‑200,000 per year) or by meeting annual spending thresholds of $10,000‑$50,000...
Bilt 2.0 Is Charging 0.2% Foreign Transaction Fees Despite Claiming There Are None
Bilt’s newly launched 2.0 credit cards are marketed as having no foreign transaction fees, yet users have identified a 0.2% charge on overseas purchases. The fee originates from Mastercard’s mandatory currency‑conversion surcharge, which most issuers absorb but Bilt appears to...
Why Restaurants Should Embrace the Inner Kidult
The article highlights the growing "Kidult" trend—adults, especially Gen Z, who gravitate toward nostalgic, child‑like experiences—as a low‑cost, high‑impact lever for restaurants. Data from Placer.ai shows that promotions such as McDonald’s Grinch Meal and Starbucks’ Bearista generated the largest traffic spikes...