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
MSC Steps Up to Return Cruise Passengers Stranded in Dubai
MSC, the world’s third‑largest cruise line, began repatriating stranded guests after the Strait of Hormuz closure left six ships immobilized in the Persian Gulf. The company chartered seven flights and secured commercial seats, moving more than 1,500 passengers from the MSC Euribia in Dubai. Approximately 15,000 cruise travelers remain stranded, with government evacuation efforts hampered by limited flight availability. MSC’s swift action, supported by Emirates and regional authorities, underscores the line’s commitment to passenger safety.
One Hour From London, These Cabins Have Outdoor Baths, Fire-Pit Dinners and a Floating Spa
Firesyde, a new boutique cabin resort near Godalming, Surrey, offers five cedar‑wood cabins just an hour by train from London. Each cabin features a king‑size bed, under‑floor heating, private outdoor baths and fire‑pit porches for cooking. Guests can enjoy a...
Quasar Expeditions’ Darwin Family Cruise and Galapagos Exploration
Quasar Expeditions announced its 40th‑anniversary Darwin Family Cruise, an eight‑day Galapagos itinerary sailing July 18‑25. The trip aboard the newly renovated Quasar Evolution, limited to 32 guests, will visit both popular and remote islands such as San Cristóbal, Genovesa and Santa Fe....
Does Your Marketing Calendar Miss the Travel Planning Window?
Travelboom’s 2026 Leisure Travel Study shows most travelers now plan and book trips within a 1‑3 month window, with 59% planning and 56% booking in that period and 15% deciding within two weeks. This condensed timeline challenges traditional hotel marketing...
Incentives Drive 2026 Riviera Cruises Across Europe
Riviera Travel launched a March‑April 2026 incentive program for North American agents booking European river cruises through 2027. The scheme offers a $75 gift card per reservation and a $3,000 grand prize for the top booker, measured by passenger count...
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Restaurants and Bars Lost Nearly 30K Jobs in February
The February 2026 jobs report showed U.S. employers shed 92,000 positions, pushing unemployment to 4.4%. Within hospitality, restaurants and bars shed nearly 30,000 jobs, marking the first monthly decline after eight straight gains. The loss is largely attributed to Winter...
Top Tips for Taking Reservations at the Front Desk
While 80 percent of travelers complete bookings online, the remaining 20 percent still rely on walk‑in reservations at the front desk. A knowledgeable, courteous staff can turn these offline interactions into revenue opportunities through personalized upselling. Leveraging a modern PMS like WebRezPro...
American Express Debuts Sidecar Lounge Concept at Las Vegas Airport
American Express has launched a new airport lounge concept called Sidecar at Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport. The pop‑up lounge, situated near Terminal 1, operates 24 hours a day and offers a pay‑per‑use model rather than a traditional membership. Travelers can access...
How to Maximize the Revenue Potential of Hotel Function Spaces
Hotel operators are realizing that underused function spaces—ballrooms, rooftops and patios—represent a sizable, untapped revenue stream. By targeting bleisure travelers and micro‑events, hotels can fill weekdays that would otherwise sit dark. The article explains how events generate a "halo effect"...
9 Best Adults Only Cruises – Plus Ships With Adults-Only Areas
The guide surveys the growing landscape of adults‑only cruises, dividing options into fully child‑free fleets, ships with exclusive adult‑only zones, and family‑friendly lines that cater primarily to grown‑up travelers. It highlights flagship brands such as Virgin Voyages, Viking Ocean Cruises,...
The Indigo Road Hospitality Group Opens Modern Italian Restaurant in Nashville
Indigo Road Hospitality Group has launched Indaco, a modern Italian restaurant in Nashville’s Germantown district. The venue seats 103 guests, features a street‑level patio, and offers a seasonally rotating menu of wood‑fired pizzas, hand‑rolled pastas, and locally sourced entrees curated...
Lou Malntati’s Signs Lease in St. Charles, Illinois
Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria has signed a lease for its 61st Chicagoland location in St. Charles, Illinois, slated to open in fall 2026. The 6,200‑square‑foot venue will feature a full‑service restaurant, bar, private dining, and outdoor patio with seating for about...
Nashville’s Present Tense Restaurant Reopens in New Space
Present Tense reopened March 6 in Nashville’s Wedgewood‑Houston neighborhood, moving into a deliberately intimate 40‑seat space with a dynamic patio. Co‑founders chef Ryan Costanza and sake sommelier Rick Margaritov pared the menu to about 12 dishes, offering both à la...
The Venetian Resort Las Vegas Announces Upcoming Debut of Lusso Lounge
The Venetian Resort Las Vegas will launch Lusso Lounge, a 10,000‑square‑foot executive lounge and collaborative business environment, in Q4 2026. The space sits on the third floor of the newly renovated convention center, part of a $188 million transformation announced in 2024....
Press Release: LOT Begins Fitting Viasat Inflight Wi-Fi to Long-Haul Fleet
LOT Polish Airlines has begun installing Viasat’s Amara inflight Wi‑Fi on its long‑haul fleet, starting with Boeing 787 Dreamliner SP‑LSA. Two additional Dreamliners will be equipped by the end of April, offering paid chat ($7) and streaming ($29) bundles while...
Hawaii’s Mauna Kea Beach Hotel in Names Miguel Soto Chef De Cuisine of Hau Tree Cantina
The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel on Hawai‘i Island’s Kohala Coast has appointed Miguel Soto as Chef de Cuisine of its re‑imagined Hau Tree Cantina, shifting the beachfront venue toward contemporary regional Mexican cuisine. Soto, formerly sous chef at Four Seasons...
The Quail Resort in California Names Brandon Bollenbacher Executive Chef
The Quail Resort in Carmel Valley, California, has named Brandon Bollenbacher as its new Executive Chef. Bollenbacher arrives with more than 15 years of luxury hospitality experience, including leadership roles at Aman Resorts, Alila Hotels, and the Vespera Resort in...
Three Upcoming Events: World Water Day, Earth Hour, Earth Day
World Water Day on March 22 highlights the global water crisis, with Kalahari Resorts & Conventions reporting $12.3 million raised for clean‑water projects that have funded 1,476 initiatives and reached over 295,000 people in Africa. Earth Hour returns on March 28 for its...
Kuwait's Jazeera Airways Resumes Umrah Charters
Jazeera Airways has restarted Umrah charter flights to Saudi Arabia, routing them directly from Jeddah and Madinah to Russia after Kuwait’s airspace closed on Feb. 28 due to the Iran‑related war. The carrier is using three A320‑family aircraft that were...
RMS Announces Partnership With RoomPriceGenie
RMS announced an integration with RoomPriceGenie that embeds the startup’s new Revenue Intelligence capability directly into RMS’s property management system dashboard. The feature delivers real‑time pricing signals, demand forecasts and occupancy projections alongside core operational data, allowing hoteliers to view...
US: TPA to Streamline Passenger Experience This Spring Break
Tampa International Airport (TPA) is preparing for a Spring Break surge of roughly 3.1 million travelers between March 5 and April 13, with daily volumes reaching 75,000‑80,000 and a peak above 90,000 on March 22. To handle the influx, the airport is rolling out new...
EOS Hospitality Names Matt Kerver as SVP, Food & Beverage
EOS Hospitality has named Matt Kerver as senior vice president of food & beverage, tasking him with overseeing the chain’s culinary strategy and operations across its hotel portfolio. Kerver will work closely with property teams to boost outlet performance, develop...
Fairmont Grand Del Mar Completes Landscape Architecture Transformation
Design Workshop has finished a multi‑year landscape transformation at Fairmont Grand Del Mar, integrating the resort with the nearby Los Peñasquitos Canyon. New outdoor venues—including the Grand Social pavilion and Canyon Terrace—expand event capacity and guest gathering options. Patio extensions for...
How Measuring Return Visits Links Guest Experience to Profit
Guest experience is evolving from a soft metric to a core commercial driver, with repeat‑visit rates emerging as a critical performance indicator for hotels. The article argues that tracking repeat behavior alongside traditional satisfaction scores links experience directly to profit,...
Women Leaders Redefine Travel’s Future
What better way to celebrate Women’s History Month than with an uplifting, women-led event by @latinoworldtravelers? Join us for Power in Motion: Mujeres Shaping the Future of Travel, a live conversation exploring how influence moves across storytelling, innovation, and institutional...
AI and Data Personalize Hospitality, Boosting Loyalty and Profits
Data, AI, and loyalty are converging to create truly individualized restaurant and hospitality guest experiences that drive measurable business impact. https://t.co/Z6AVdpOTbF https://t.co/6wO8l57slU
Island Hospitality Adds TownePlace Suites in Nashville to Portfolio
Island Hospitality Management has been appointed to operate the new 193‑suite TownePlace Suites by Marriott Nashville Midtown. The property blends upscale extended‑stay features with an on‑site bar offering Nashville skyline views, a 24/7 fitness center, and 330 sq ft of meeting space....
Hilton Day Use Rooms: A Smart Travel Hack for Early Arrivals, Late Flights — and Earning Elite Nights
Hilton’s Day Use rate lets travelers book a room for a few hours instead of a full night, catering to early arrivals, late departures, or short‑term city breaks. The option is available across many Hilton brands without needing a logged‑in...
Raines Tapped to Manage Courtyard by Marriott Columbus
Raines Hospitality Group has been selected to manage the Courtyard by Marriott Columbus in Columbus, Mississippi. The 110‑key hotel, owned by Krish Hotel LLC after a December 2025 purchase, offers a Bistro, meeting spaces, pool, fitness center, and on‑site retail....
GOL Introduces Airbus A330neos to Launch Long-Haul Flights From Brazil
Brazilian carrier GOL Linhas Aéreas announced it will acquire up to five Airbus A330‑900neo aircraft, slated for delivery in 2026‑27, to launch its first long‑haul international services. The wide‑body jets, seating nearly 300 passengers and capable of 15‑hour flights, will...
Introducing HD Expo + Conference’s Inaugural Curators
Hospitality Design’s HD Expo + Conference has launched its inaugural Curators, a hand‑picked education committee of 16 industry leaders spanning design, ownership, development and operations. The Curators will guide the 2026 education program, offering insight into pressing industry conversations and...
Hotel Distil, Autograph Collection, Announces Debut of Peerless Distilling Suite
Hotel Distil in Louisville has launched the Peerless Distilling Suite, an immersive bourbon‑themed accommodation created with Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co. The suite features Peerless branding, historic artifacts, a custom coffee blend crafted by Master Taster John Waddell, and a package...
Press Release: TrueNoord Delivers Three Factory-New A220s to Breeze
Specialist regional aircraft lessor TrueNoord has delivered three brand‑new Airbus A220‑300 jets to Breeze Airways under a long‑term sale‑and‑leaseback agreement, marking TrueNoord’s first Airbus transaction and its largest aircraft type to date. The deliveries, completed in February 2026, support Breeze’s...
250 Years: American Airlines Named Official Partner of America250 Celebration
American Airlines has been named the official sponsor and partner of America250, the nonprofit leading the nation’s 250th‑anniversary celebrations of the Declaration of Independence. The airline will debut two aircraft painted in America250‑themed liveries and serve as the Official Airline...
Roommaster Appoints Mark Bloomquist As Chief Revenue Officer
Roommaster has named Mark Bloomquist as its new Chief Revenue Officer as it pushes global expansion and platform modernization. Bloomquist brings over 20 years of sales leadership, including 15 years in hospitality technology, and will oversee revenue strategy, sales, product...
Press Release: Arajet Expands Fleet with 14th Boeing 737 MAX
Dominican carrier Arajet received its 14th Boeing 737 MAX 8, christened “Salto de Jimenoa,” continuing a rapid fleet expansion. Each aircraft is named after a protected natural site to promote the Dominican Republic’s biodiversity and sustainable tourism. CEO Víctor Pacheco...
$8.1B Traveller Spend Projected for FIFA World Cup 2026
Expedia Group has teamed with PredictHQ to embed event‑driven demand forecasts into its Partner Central platform, giving lodging partners forward‑looking insights. The joint model projects total traveller spending of more than $8.1 billion across accommodation, transport and food‑and‑beverage in North America’s...
Scenic Group Simplifies Pricing With Four New Fare Options
Scenic Group will roll out a four‑tier pricing structure in the U.S. on March 9, 2026, replacing its long‑standing 2‑for‑1 model. The new tiers—Full Fare, Select Fare, Preferred Fare, and Preferred+ Fare—retain core inclusions while varying payment terms, discounts, and...
Why the Social Media Burger Wars Are Good for the Industry
Burger chains are waging a high‑visibility social‑media battle, turning menu drops and meme challenges into traffic‑driving events. The podcast episode highlights how this digital rivalry benefits the broader restaurant sector by generating free user content and accelerating trend detection. It...
As Culver's Expands Into New Markets, Menu Innovation Accelerates
Fast‑casual chain Culver's is accelerating its geographic footprint, adding dozens of locations across the Midwest, South and West. The expansion is paired with a wave of menu innovation, including region‑specific burgers, a new line of plant‑based proteins, and limited‑time offerings...
Elsner Elektronik Offers New eTR Series of KNX Devices for the Hotel Industry
Elsner Elektronik has launched the eTR series, a pair of KNX‑compatible devices designed for hotel room service management. The eTR DND/MUR Switch lets guests toggle Do Not Disturb or Make Up Room via a touch‑glass panel, while the eTR DND/MUR...
Should You Keep an Airline’s Consumer or Business Credit Card?
Frequent Miler examines whether to keep an airline’s consumer or business credit card when both versions exist. Business cards generally don’t report utilization to personal credit bureaus, protecting credit scores, while consumer cards can add positive credit history. The analysis...
Swan Aviation Adds Türkiye's First G700
Swan Aviation announced it has taken delivery of the first Gulfstream G700 to operate in Turkey. The G700 is Gulfstream’s flagship ultra‑long‑range business jet, capable of flying up to 7,500 nautical miles with up to 19 passengers. The acquisition marks...
One Hidden Legal Risk in Restaurant Marketing
High‑impact images now drive restaurant traffic, but many operators overlook licensing requirements. A growing wave of lawsuits targets eateries that post unauthorized photos, with demand letters demanding quick settlements of $5,000‑$10,000. Insurance carriers are responding by adding IP exclusions, leaving...
Container Hotel Turns to Heat Pump Technology to Deliver Sustainable Hot Water
A European hotel chain is converting shipping containers into a 240‑room boutique hotel in San Francisco, pairing the modular design with a fully electrified heating strategy. To meet hot‑water demand, the project installed Lync’s air‑source heat‑pump water heaters, equipped with coastal‑grade...
Schiphol Airport to Begin Renewal Works on Taxiways A & B
Schiphol Airport will commence a major renewal of taxiways A and B from March to June 2026. The project replaces roughly 65,000 m² of asphalt, upgrades drainage, installs new lighting, signage and 32 km of electrical cabling, and is split into two...
China Eastern Returning to Stockholm Arlanda Airport
China Eastern Airlines will restart service to Stockholm Arlanda after a six‑year gap, launching a direct Stockholm‑Shanghai route on June 22, 2026. The flight will operate three times weekly—Monday, Thursday and Saturday—connecting Sweden’s capital with China’s financial hub. The airline...
How Unified Customer Experience Management Is Driving Restaurant Growth
Restaurants are adopting AI‑powered Unified Customer Experience Management (UCXM) to consolidate every interaction—calls, reservations, reviews—into a single, actionable profile. Machine learning and natural language processing instantly surface preferences, allergies, and behavioral cues for staff on any device. Agentic AI handles...
Locals View Dublin Airport as a Positive Force for the Community
Independent research by RED C Research shows 82% of Fingal residents view Dublin Airport as a positive community force, while 86% say it supports economic growth and local jobs. Support for further airport development remains high at 82%, and 77%...
Argentina: Ezeiza Airport Launches $100m Expansion to Boost Airside Capacity
Aeropuertos Argentina is investing over $100 million to expand Ezeiza International Airport. The project adds a new aircraft apron (Platform Golf) for seven narrow‑body planes, rehabilitates the secondary runway, upgrades lighting and taxiways, and introduces renewable‑energy and water‑treatment systems. Landside, the...