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
How Hoteliers Can Use Reddit to Strengthen Visibility and Brand Reputation
Reddit, while not a traditional marketing channel, now shapes how travelers research destinations and evaluate hotels, often appearing in search results and AI‑driven answers. Hoteliers can leverage the platform by monitoring brand mentions and competitor discussions rather than engaging directly. Insights from Reddit threads help refine messaging, pricing transparency, and content strategy, feeding into higher direct‑booking performance. Simple keyword tracking tools or enterprise listening platforms enable scalable, strategic listening without turning Reddit into a customer‑service forum.
Mexico’s Tourism Security Challenge: Why the Country Needs a National Tourism Police
Mexico’s high‑season tourism faces a perception crisis after the February 2026 killing of cartel boss El Mencho sparked retaliatory violence, notably slowing visitor flow in Puerto Vallarta. While several destinations have created Tourism‑Oriented Police (TOPPs) units, they suffer from fragmented funding,...
Scaremongering by AENA Chairman Cannot Mask Flimsy Arguments for Increasing Airport Charges
IATA sharply rebuked AENA Chairman Maurici Lucena for linking airline calls to cut airport charges with safety concerns, labeling the argument as scaremongering. AENA is seeking a 16% increase in airport fees despite airlines’ push for cost‑efficient pricing. IATA highlighted...
SEABOURN INTRODUCES “YOURS TO EXPLORE EVENT,” OFFERING SUITE UPGRADES AND SHIPBOARD CREDIT
Seabourn has launched the “Yours to Explore Event,” a promotion running through May 5 2026 that grants a complimentary two‑category Veranda Suite upgrade and shipboard credit for bookings on 2026 and later voyages. Credits are tiered at $300 for itineraries of 13...
Embraer Unveils Praetor 600E and Praetor 500E
Embraer introduced the Praetor 600E and Praetor 500E, the first evolution of its Praetor family, featuring redesigned cabins and advanced passenger‑focused technology. The flagship 600E adds a 42‑inch 4K OLED Smart Window that supports video conferencing and real‑time external views. Both jets...
Jamaica’s Tourism Minister Calls for Innovation and Resilience Amid Global “Poly-Crisis” At ITB Berlin
Jamaica’s Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett addressed ITB Berlin, warning that global tourism is confronting a “poly‑crisis” of climate, geopolitical and economic shocks. He highlighted Jamaica’s recent accolades—Destination of the Year and his own Tourism Minister of the Year Worldwide award—underscoring...
Predatory OTAs Are Hijacking Your Boutique Hotel Bookings
Boutique hotels are losing direct bookings to predatory online travel agencies that purchase paid‑search ads for exact hotel names and pose as official reservation desks. The ads funnel high‑intent guests into opaque checkout flows with hidden fees and non‑refundable terms,...
How Much Would You Pay For Evacuation/Repatriation Flight? Case: €2,300 Muscat -Helsinki Oneway Charter
The Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs arranged a one‑way charter from Muscat to Helsinki priced at €2,300 per passenger, far above typical market rates. By contrast, Estonia secured a similar repatriation flight for roughly €450, and commercial Emirates tickets to...
Hotels.com Rewards Is BACK – and Better than Ever for Low Spenders
Hotels.com announced the return of its original loyalty program for UK customers, ending the One Key scheme. The revamped Rewards gives a £100 credit after every ten nights booked, provided the average nightly rate is at least £75. This flat‑rate...
Abu Dhabi and Cambodia Success for SITA
SITA signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Abu Dhabi Airports to develop an AI‑driven Intelligent Total Management (iTAM) platform, aiming to unify real‑time data across the airport ecosystem. In parallel, SITA’s technology powered the opening of Cambodia’s new Techo International...
Thailand Tourism Targets Balkans to Expand Longhaul Group Travel
Thailand’s Tourism Authority is targeting the Balkans with a 2026 roadshow to capture long‑haul group travel demand. The initiative, visiting Belgrade, Cluj‑Napoca, Bucharest and Sofia, linked fifteen Thai tourism entrepreneurs with eighteen regional buyers. Rising middle‑class income, improved air connectivity...
Lufthansa Launches Direct Frankfurt‑Kuala Lumpur Service 2026
Lufthansa Airlines will start flying direct 5x weekly Frankfurt-Kuala Lumpur from 25 October 2026. The flight will be operated by its B787-9 with 287 seats in a 3-class configured Alleris cabin. Lufthansa said Kuala Lumpur is the fourth destination for the...
Chatrium Hospitality Goes for the Sun, Sand and Sea
Chatrium Hospitality, traditionally a city‑hotel operator, is set to debut its first beach resort, Chatrium Rawai Phuket, with an opening slated for July‑August 2024 on Rawai beach in southern Phuket. The new property will comprise 304 rooms and eight villas...
Caesars Rewards Spending Offers: 10% Chase Offer & $25 Citi Offer (Stack with Targeted Capital One Shopping Promo)
Caesars Rewards is running two targeted card‑linked offers: a Chase promotion that returns 10% of spend up to $500, and a Citi deal that credits $25 on purchases of $250 or more. Both offers apply only to Caesars properties in...
India's Adani Group Severed From Nairobi Airport Expansion Role; Government to Go It Alone with PPPs
Kenya terminated the 30‑year lease agreement with India’s Adani Airports for the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, citing transparency concerns. The government will now pursue the airport’s expansion through public‑private partnerships, issuing tenders for a new terminal, a second runway, and...
Full House Resorts Inc (FLL) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Full House Resorts (FLL) reported strong Q4 2025 results, highlighting a $120 million non‑core hotel sale at a 21‑times EBITDA multiple and a 3.2% RevPAR increase in its core portfolio. The company invested nearly $300 million in 2025 capital projects, including a...
Tuniu Corp (TOUR) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Tuniu Corp reported a 20% year‑over‑year rise in Q4 net revenue to RMB123.5 million, driven by a 35% surge in packaged tour sales which now represent 83% of quarterly revenue. The company posted a modest RMB1.5 million GAAP net profit and RMB3.5 million...
Glass Or No Glass? How The DC-10 & McDonnell Douglas MD-11’s Cockpits Are Different
The McDonnell Douglas DC-10 and MD-11 share an iconic tri‑jet silhouette, but their flight decks diverge dramatically. The older DC-10 retains a traditional analog cockpit with mechanical gauges, while the MD-11 introduced a glass cockpit featuring digital displays and integrated...
WTCE Roundtable Explores Digital Path to Profitable Inflight Food Retail
Ahead of the 2026 World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo, a WTCE‑hosted virtual roundtable explored how airlines can turn inflight food and beverage (F&B) from a cost centre into a profitable, digitally enabled retail experience. Panelists highlighted a mindset...
SH Airport Lounge Builds Scalable Hospitality Brand Across Vietnam Airports
SH Airport Lounge, operated by Noi Bai Aviation Services, has rebranded from its Sông Hồng roots to become a scalable hospitality brand across Vietnam’s airports. The network now runs more than 26 locations, offering two concepts: the open‑access SH Premium...
Southwest Is Testing Cleaning Only Premium Seats Between Flights — A Flight Attendants Union Leader Says It’s ‘Titanic’ Class Service
Southwest Airlines is trialing a new cleaning protocol that brings contract cleaners aboard between flights but limits their work to the premium extra‑legroom seats. Union safety chair Chris Click likened the move to "Titanic" class service, arguing it creates a...
Spirit Airlines Slashes International Routes As Network Shrinks Further
Spirit Airlines announced a sweeping reduction of its international network, cancelling 11 routes and trimming frequencies on 22 more beginning mid‑April 2026. The cuts focus heavily on Florida gateways, with Fort Lauderdale and Orlando losing several Caribbean and Central American...
Bomb Threat on Newark Flight Triggers Temporary Ground Stop at New York LaGuardia Airport
The FAA temporarily halted all arriving flights at New York LaGuardia Airport after a bomb threat was reported on Scandinavian Airlines flight SK 907, which had just landed at Newark Liberty International Airport. Authorities quickly determined the threat was unfounded, allowing...
Our Top Tips – Social Media for Event Marketing
The article offers a step‑by‑step playbook for event marketers, stressing that the “during” and “after” phases of social media promotion are frequently neglected. It recommends assigning a dedicated digital helper to post live updates, answer attendee questions, and curate user‑generated...
Cassie Duvall, Mo’Bettahs
Cassie Duvall has been appointed Director of Catering at Mo’Bettahs, bringing over two decades of restaurant and hospitality expertise. She previously led Cafe Rio’s catering division, overseeing a team that expanded sales across more than 160 locations. At Cafe Rio,...
Rich Shank, Technomic
Rich Shank serves as senior principal and vice president of innovation at Technomic, a premier research and advisory firm for the foodservice sector. He directs the restaurant advisory and innovation practices, helping clients with brand development, menu optimization, pricing analytics,...
E58. The Dealmaker
In a special “Checking In” episode honoring International Women’s Month, Hotelier Magazine’s editor Rosanna Caira interviews Patricia Phillips, CEO and Chair of the PBA Group of Companies. Phillips, one of the few female CEOs in the hospitality sector, has steered...
Wahlburgers Launches Limited-Time ‘Brothers’ Combo’
Wahlburgers has rolled out a limited‑time “Brothers’ Combo” that bundles one of three brother‑selected signature burgers with fries and a drink for as low as $12. The three burgers—Chef Paul’s Our Burger, Donnie’s BBQ Bacon Burger, and Mark’s O.F.D.—feature Certified...
Emily Williams-Knight, Texas Restaurant Association
Dr. Emily Williams Knight has been president and CEO of the Texas Restaurant Association and its foundation since August 2019. She leveraged her 20‑plus years of global experience to obtain critical government waivers and federal aid that helped thousands of...
Flore Café Celebrates First Anniversary with Cherry Blossom-Themed High Tea
Flore Café marks its first anniversary with the “Flore in Bloom” cherry‑blossom high‑tea, debuting March 8 and later expanding to a pop‑up at Oasis Sushi & Listening Bar. The 14‑course, $89 menu blends European tea service with Japanese influences, featuring lobster...
Yaofei Feng, Fantuan Delivery
Yaofei Feng co‑founded Fantuan Delivery, an Asian food‑delivery and life‑service platform active in North America, the United Kingdom and Australia. Before Fantuan, he engineered large‑scale systems at Amazon, gaining deep infrastructure expertise. As Fantuan’s former CTO, Feng built the R&D...
Tony Bandanza, Uber Technologies
Tony Bandanza has been appointed head of Uber’s US&C Restaurant Advertising business, overseeing strategy and execution for one of the company’s fastest‑growing revenue streams. He rejoined Uber in 2022 to lead the global Yum! Brands partnership, expanding Pizza Hut’s presence across...
Tyler Schack, Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux
Tyler Schack has been appointed Vice President of Technology & Guest Insights at Walk‑On’s Sports Bistreaux, where he will steer enterprise technology strategy and guest‑intelligence programs. His mandate includes boosting brand growth, franchisee profitability, and operational scalability across the restaurant...
Wyndham Rewards Is Now a Transfer Partner of Chase Ultimate Rewards
Wyndham Rewards has joined Chase Ultimate Rewards as a transfer partner, allowing eligible Chase cardmembers to move points at a 1:1 ratio into Wyndham accounts. The transfer typically completes by the next business day, though it can take up to...
This IHG Hotel in Turks & Caicos Is Now Open Near a Stunning Turquoise-Water Beach
IHG has opened its first Hotel Indigo in the Turks and Caicos Islands, branding the new property as Hotel Indigo Turks & Caicos Grace Bay. The boutique hotel sits steps from the world‑renowned Grace Bay Beach and features 56 rooms...
Delta Air Lines Smashes Summer Flights To Europe: Largest-Ever Schedule Revealed
Delta Air Lines announced its largest‑ever summer schedule, operating an average of 95 daily nonstop flights across the North Atlantic in Q3 2026 – a 1.6% increase over its previous record. The airline will serve 28 European airports, including new seasonal...
Straight From the Source: Cetis
Hotel Business released a Straight From the Source video featuring Zac Crump, director of business development at Cetis. Crump outlines Cetis’ end‑to‑end guest‑room solution across five brands, covering in‑room phones, appliances, and upcoming product lines. The segment also provides a...
AHLA Brings Industry Leaders Together to Accelerate Responsible Growth
The American Hotel & Lodging Association hosted its fourth Responsible Stay Summit, uniting its Sustainability and Food & Beverage committees for the first time. Attendees exchanged best practices on responsible sourcing, waste reduction, and water conservation, while the event honored...
Marriott International Achieves Record Growth in Caribbean and Latin America in 2025
Marriott International reported a record‑breaking 2025 in its Caribbean and Latin America (CALA) region, signing 94 deals that added 10,461 rooms. The portfolio grew to 555 open properties and more than 95,000 rooms across 37 countries, a 40% jump in...
Credit Card Transfer Partners: Guide to Transferring Points and Miles to Airlines and Hotels
The Points Guy released a comprehensive guide that maps credit‑card points and miles to their airline and hotel transfer partners, detailing transfer ratios and current valuations. It highlights the top flexible‑points cards from issuers such as American Express, Chase, Capital...
The Premium Economy Boom That Expanded Fast Is Now A Revenue Staple
Premium economy, first introduced in the late 1970s, has evolved into a core revenue product for airlines worldwide. Today, carriers from legacy to hybrid low‑cost operators equip new A350 and 787 aircraft with factory‑installed premium cabins offering up to 42‑inch...
Cost and Safety Concerns Reshape U.S. Meetings Industry, MMGY Study Finds
A new MMGY Travel Intelligence study of 300 planners and 1,000 attendees shows cost and safety dominate U.S. meetings decisions. Sixty‑three percent of planners flag travel expenses, while 72 % weigh crime levels when selecting cities. Despite these pressures, 90 % still...
Motel One Innovates Operations Using Oracle Cloud
European upscale hotel chain Motel One completed a full migration of its 101 properties in 13 countries to Oracle’s OPERA Cloud PMS within a four‑month window. The cloud platform delivers a unified data foundation, built‑in analytics, and access to over...
UK Airport Hopes Hydrogen-Powered Ground Equipment Will Cut Emissions
Exeter Airport in the UK is conducting a second two‑week winter trial of hydrogen‑powered ground support equipment, focusing on a dual‑fuel (hydrogen/diesel) ground power unit operating in cold, inclement weather. The trial follows an April test that deployed a hydrogen...
Accor Exec Warns AI Could Weaken Hotels’ ‘Human Connection’
Accor’s European and North‑Africa CEO Karelle Lamouche warned that while artificial intelligence drives pricing, personalization and marketing efficiencies, an over‑reliance could erode the human connection that defines hospitality. She highlighted risks such as disintermediation, commoditisation and loss of brand differentiation if...
$185 Million Monarch San Antonio, TX Hotel Debuts With 200 Rooms Downtown
Hotel News Resource reports that the $185 million Monarch San Antonio, part of Hilton’s Curio Collection, opened in the Hemisfair District with 200 rooms, including 28 suites. The 17‑story property offers upscale amenities such as a full‑service spa, a 550‑sq‑ft fitness...
Envisioning the NextGen Pizza Restaurant Experience
Happy Joe’s is rolling out its first Arizona location, a NextGen prototype slated for spring 2026 near Tucson, that blends family‑focused entertainment—game room, golf simulator, fire‑pit patio—with a hybrid service model offering a value‑priced lunch buffet and full‑service dinner. CEO...
Tourism Emergency Procedures Activated in Israel and Gulf Region
Israel's Ministry of Tourism launched Operation “Roaring Lion,” activating 24/7 virtual assistance and shuttle services to expedite tourist departures via the Taba border crossing. Four land border crossings remain operational with specific hours, while Destination Management Companies retain full logistical...
This Week’s Comings & Goings
This week’s hospitality news is dominated by a series of senior‑level appointments across hotels, resorts, and related service firms. Trailborn Hotels & Resorts named Paul Eckert COO, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts hired Amit Sripathi CFO, and Westgate Resorts added Jared...
From Culture to Contactless: How Alliants Is Transforming Hospitality
Alliants CEO Tristan Gadsby and VP Gareth Fraser discussed how the company’s people‑first culture fuels its hospitality technology strategy. The firm emphasizes automating routine tasks with AI while empowering staff to deliver exceptional, contactless guest experiences, exemplified at Resorts World...