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 4 Restaurant Chains Are Using AI Today
At Olo’s Beyond4 conference, leading restaurant chains demonstrated that artificial intelligence has moved from speculative hype to everyday operations. Krispy Kreme is testing AI agents for contract management, while Nekter Juice Bar uses bots for SEO, social media, and an upcoming voice assistant. Freddy’s introduced an AI‑powered employee knowledge base, and Taco John’s deployed a voice bot that handles up to 93% of drive‑thru orders. Olo unveiled an AI‑ready ordering app designed to become the default data source for future consumer‑facing chatbots.
Dutch Bros' First Los Angeles Location Has Everything but the Drive-Thru
Dutch Bros opened its first Los Angeles walk‑thru store near USC in late November, marking the chain’s initial foray into an urban, drive‑thru‑free format. The location has become the chain’s top‑performing shop, with mobile‑order traffic three times the system average....
Indonesia Promotes #GoBeyondOrdinary at ITB Berlin 2026
Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism launched the #GoBeyondOrdinary campaign at ITB Berlin 2026, occupying a 441 m² pavilion in Hall 26. The exhibition featured over 91 industry participants from 11 provinces, highlighting marine, gastronomy, wellness, traditional textiles, and Muslim‑friendly tourism. Minister Widiyanti emphasized the...
Jean-Georges Vongerichten Restaurants in New York's Tin Building Have Shuttered
Famed chef Jean‑Georges Vongerichten’s Tin Building complex in Manhattan’s Seaport has permanently closed. The 50,000‑square‑foot venue, which housed The Fulton, The Frenchman’s Dough, House of the Red Pearl, T. Brasserie and other concepts, shut its doors on Feb 23, ending a $200 million...
The Secret Behind the Success of Dave's Hot Chicken
Dave’s Hot Chicken CEO Jim Bitticks discussed the brand’s explosive growth on the Restaurant Business podcast, highlighting its recent acquisition by private‑equity firm Roark Capital. He explained how the company’s operator‑executive model drives consistency while enabling rapid expansion across the...
Cracker Barrel Sees some Progress in Rebound From Logo Saga
Cracker Barrel’s traffic fell 10.1% YoY in the quarter ending Jan. 30, driving a 7.1% same‑store sales decline, the second consecutive period of steep foot‑traffic loss after its controversial logo change. The chain has shifted focus to food quality, service and its...
US$12.5 Trillion in Travel & Tourism Investment Drive to Shape G20 Competitiveness Through 2035
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) projects $12.5 trillion of travel‑and‑tourism investment across G20 economies through 2035, outpacing demand growth of 3.3% per year with a 4.6% annual investment rise. The report, released at ITB Berlin with Oxford Economics, warns...
Amex “Add a Card” Bonus Event: Earn Points for Adding Cards
American Express is relaunching its “Add a Card” bonus event in Canada, running from March 3 to April 30 2026. The promotion introduces a tiered structure where supplementary cardholders earn increasing points or credits based on their first‑three‑month spend. Up to two personal...
New York’s Ritz-Carlton Hotel Will Stage a Private Broadway Show in Your Suite
The Ritz‑Carlton New York, Central Park has launched a "Curtain Call" package that brings a private 60‑minute Broadway performance directly into guest suites. Guests can select songs from top shows like Wicked, Hamilton, and The Lion King, enjoy light refreshments, and meet...
New Blue Sky Premier Lounge Opens at Indonesian Gateway
Airport Dimensions opened the Blue Sky Premier Lounge in Terminal 2 of Juanda International Airport, expanding its premium lounge network after successful launches in Jakarta and Makassar. The 462‑square‑metre space accommodates up to 101 guests and blends Western wood tones with...
El Al Resumes Limited Ops as Tel Aviv Reopens
El Al Israel Airlines will restart inbound services on 4 March 2026, operating a single flight per hour as Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport reopens. The limited schedule focuses on repatriating Israelis stranded in 22 European, Asian and U.S. locations, while outbound sales are...
ADB Safegate Sells Terminal Business
Belgian‑based ADB Safegate announced the sale of its Terminal business, sharpening its focus on airside operations. The company will concentrate on next‑generation airfield lighting, intelligent power solutions, and digital platforms, while expanding R&D through its Safegate Labs initiative. Upgrades to...
Winning the $90 Consumer: How Economic Pressure Is Reshaping Restaurants
Economic pressure has driven U.S. diners to cut back, with average weekly restaurant spend dropping to $90—a $25 decline since mid‑2025. In response, 97% of operators are sharpening guest‑experience strategies, investing in themed events, affordable menu options, and AI‑driven tools....
Wyndham Member Month: Earn 7.5k Points For Every Two Nights (Extra 7.5k For Cardholders)
Wyndham Rewards is running its Member Month promotion through June 30, 2026, granting 7,500 points for every two nights booked. Cardholders of Wyndham’s credit or debit cards receive an additional 7,500 points, while businesses enrolled in Wyndham Rewards Business can earn 15,000...
SiteMinder’s Hotel Booking Trends Reveals the Top 12 Revenue-Drivers for UK Hotels
SiteMinder’s 2025 Hotel Booking Trends report shows a more predictable UK hotel market, with average daily rates (ADR) edging up 1.35% to £191.55 and cancellation rates holding steady at 18%. Lead times remain long at 35 days, while Friday nights...
Olympia To Open First Hospitality Venue This Month
London’s historic Olympia exhibition centre is nearing the completion of its £1.3 billion regeneration, which will house more than 25 food and drink venues, two hotels, office space and a 3,800‑seat music venue. The first hospitality offering, Pillar Hall, opens on...
Rohde & Schwarz Redefines Screening
Rohde & Schwarz is rolling out its QPS Walk2000 millimetre‑wave screening system, which combines AI‑driven detection with continuous walk‑through capability. Early deployments at Dallas Fort Worth and Frankfurt airports demonstrate higher passenger throughput and reduced false alarms. The technology has earned ECAC detection...
Minor Hotels Announces Avani+ Lanexang Vientiane Strengthening Avani’s Footprint in Laos
Minor Hotels announced the upcoming launch of Avani+ Lanexang Vientiane, a design‑focused premium lifestyle hotel slated for opening in the second quarter of 2026. The 197‑room property, located on Fa Ngum Road near Wattay International Airport, will be the chain’s...
Tired of Roaming Charges? Here’s How eSIMS Work
Travelers and business users are increasingly frustrated by high roaming fees, prompting a shift toward embedded SIM (eSIM) technology. eSIMs store multiple carrier profiles digitally, allowing users to activate local data plans without swapping physical cards. Major carriers across Europe,...
ITC Hotels Honoured with Host of Top Titles at World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards
ITC Hotels Limited captured four top honors at the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards, including World’s Leading Sustainable Organisation, Employer, Food & Nutrition Initiative, and Marketing Campaign for 2025. The Indian hospitality chain now operates over 140 hotels in...
Vista America Receives FAA Diamond Award of Excellence
Vista America has earned the Federal Aviation Administration’s Diamond Award of Excellence, the highest U.S. distinction for maintenance training. The award required every eligible technician to finish a year‑long curriculum covering advanced aircraft systems, regulations and safety procedures. The company...
Hilton Honors Diamond Status Extensions For 2026 (Remember To Request)
Hilton has re‑launched its one‑time Diamond Status Extension for members whose Diamond tier expires on March 31, 2026. To qualify, members must have held Diamond for at least three years and logged either 250 paid or reward nights, or earned...
Saxon Air Adds Agusta AW139 to Managed Fleet
Saxon Air has expanded its managed fleet with a 2025‑built Agusta AW139, registration G‑MCFC, now available for charter services. The medium‑twin helicopter seats seven in an executive layout and offers increased payload, range, and flexibility for UK and European missions, including...
Milano Linate Prime Opens New Terminal Wing
SEA Prime inaugurated a new wing at the Milano Linate Prime Terminal, adding 2,000 sqm of lounge space and expanded parking. The wing features nine glass‑walled lounges that operators can customize, and incorporates sustainable technologies such as photovoltaic panels and CO₂‑monitoring...
Myanmar Airways International Deploys Maxamation’s Aviator System to Strengthen Revenue Strategy
Myanmar Airways International (MAI) has rolled out Maxamation’s cloud‑based Aviator revenue‑management system to sharpen pricing, demand forecasting and seat‑inventory control across its 42‑destination network. The platform delivers real‑time analytics that automatically adjust fares and allocate capacity as market conditions shift....
Business Exchange
Cognitec introduced FaceVACS-Entry, a lightweight 5‑megapixel biometric camera that captures facial images, detects presentation attacks, and verifies travelers in seconds across eGates, kiosks and border booths. The device’s new firmware adds QR‑code reading and broader capture ranges, streamlining EU Entry/Exit...
Geopolitical Uncertainty Highlights Tourism’s Safety Appeal
Travel sellers at ITB Berlin 2026 warned that the ongoing US‑Israel‑Iran war is pushing tourists toward regions perceived as safe. They highlighted Asia‑Pacific’s stability, low crime rates and effective crisis management as key selling points. Singapore, Taiwan, Japan and Bhutan...
Francophonie Summit to Boost Cambodia Tourism
Cambodia will host the Francophonie Summit in November, prompting tourism leaders to view the event as a catalyst for repositioning the country as a hub for trade, talent, and long‑stay visitors. Industry voices urge the government and private sector to...
RedDoorz to Add up to 150 Company-Operated Hotels in Indonesia by 2027
RedDoorz plans to add 100‑150 company‑operated hotels in Indonesia by 2027, expanding its owned portfolio from roughly 100 to a target of 4,700 properties by the end of 2026. The rollout will feature the Sans and Urbanview brands, aimed at...
Disney Adventure Arrives in Singapore Ahead of March 2026 Maiden Voyage
Disney Cruise Line’s newest vessel, Disney Adventure, docked at Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore and will launch its maiden voyage on March 10, 2026. The ship will operate three‑ and four‑night family‑focused itineraries from Singapore under a five‑year homeport agreement....
With 70 Percent of Operators Under Cost Pressure, Cuts Become Critical
More than 70% of restaurant operators list food costs as their biggest operational hurdle, forcing brands to tighten margins while preserving quality. Margaritaville partnered with Entegra’s Performance Kitchen to conduct blind, real‑world menu tests across its 30‑plus concepts. The testing...
Minecraft Experience Arrives in Singapore This April
Minecraft Experience: Villager Rescue will debut in Singapore at Green Canvas, Mandai Wildlife Reserve from April 24 to September 13, 2026. The one‑hour, family‑friendly adventure features eight themed rooms, large‑scale projections, motion‑tracking gameplay and a handheld Orb of Interaction. Tickets...
Gulf Airlines Resume Limited Flights After Regional Airspace Disruption
Gulf carriers Emirates, Etihad and flydubai have resumed a limited slate of flights from Dubai International and Abu Dhabi airports as of March 2‑3, primarily to repatriate passengers stranded by the escalating US‑Israel‑Iran conflict. All regular commercial services remain suspended...
Wyndham Rewards Shopping Portal Closing on 4/4/26
Wyndham Rewards announced its shopping portal will cease operations on April 4, 2026, with the last day to make qualifying purchases on April 3. Points from purchases must be approved by retailers by June 3, 2026. The portal, known for...
Reclaiming the Senses: The Role of Sustainable Key Cards in Digital Detox Hospitality
Hospitales are launching digital‑detox programs that deliberately limit screen interactions, replacing in‑room tablets and app‑based directories with tactile, low‑tech touchpoints. Sustainable key cards made from wood, PLA and plant‑based leather become the first physical interaction, reinforcing a sensory‑rich experience. These...
Geopolitics Continues to Influence Demand From Canada to the US as Capacity Shifts Elsewhere
Canadian airlines are trimming U.S. leisure capacity and redirecting aircraft to Latin America and the Caribbean as geopolitical tensions and trade‑policy shifts dampen cross‑border demand. Air Canada signals that the decline may be bottoming out, while Porter Airlines adds new...
Aircraft Interiors Industry Development Summary: Jan/Feb-2026 - A321XLR Lavatory Headaches
CAPA’s latest bi‑monthly analysis flags growing passenger backlash over the lavatory design on the Airbus A321XLR. The aircraft’s extended range and flexible cabin layouts have prompted airlines to experiment with new interior configurations, but cramped restroom spaces are sparking complaints....
MGM Rewards Relaunches Status Match – Get Gold or Platinum Into 2028
MGM Rewards has relaunched a status‑match program that grants a 90‑day Gold or Platinum trial to guests who present a competing loyalty card and ID in person. Applicants must enroll by June 30 2026, and can extend the status to 2028 by...
Choice Privileges Pros and Cons | Coffee Break Ep95 | 3-3-26
Choice Privileges, the loyalty program for Choice Hotels brands such as Clarion, Comfort Inn and Quality Inn, has rolled out several updates. The podcast notes that elite status can now be earned through credit‑card spend beginning in early 2026, the...
Kalahari Surpasses $12.2 Million to Fund Clean Water Access in Africa; Changing Lives for Over 295,000 People
Kalahari Resorts & Conventions announced that, through its partnership with charity: water, it has raised $12.29 million to fund clean‑water projects across Africa. The contributions have enabled 1,476 projects—including school wells, health‑clinic systems and piped networks—benefiting roughly 295,000 people as of...
Southwest Faces Pushback on Assigned Seating One Month In
Southwest Airlines abandoned its 53‑year open‑seating model on Jan. 27, becoming the last U.S. carrier to switch to assigned seating. Within a month, passengers voiced strong dissatisfaction, citing standby assignments and family separations despite available seats. In response, Executive Vice President...
Centara Leads Fight Against Climate Change in the Maldives
Centara Hotels & Resorts is leveraging extensive sustainability measures at its Maldives flagship, The Atollia, which comprises the Centara Mirage Lagoon and Centara Grand Lagoon resorts. Solar photovoltaic installations have produced 2.32 MWh of clean electricity this year, averting 645,318 liters...
Singapore Airlines Newark–Singapore Flight Clips a Spirit Jet at the Gate — One of the World’s Longest Routes Sits for...
Singapore Airlines Flight 21, a 19‑hour‑10‑minute non‑stop Newark‑Singapore service, clipped the tail of a Spirit Airlines aircraft while departing the gate. The low‑speed contact prompted a six‑and‑a‑half‑hour delay while the A350‑900 underwent mandatory structural checks. FAA officials classified the event as...
Chase Travel Reveals Top Trending Spring Break Destinations for 2026
Chase Travel released its 2026 spring‑break outlook, highlighting a slate of high‑growth destinations such as Carmel (90% YoY increase) and Scottsdale (62%). The data shows a clear shift toward longer, warm‑weather vacations, with 65% of travelers preferring extended spring trips...
Nine Percent of Full-Service Restaurants at Risk of Closing in 2026, Black Box Warns
Black Box Intelligence warns that nine percent of full‑service restaurants in the United States are “at risk” of closing by 2026 after falling more than 30 % of their peak sales since 2019. The at‑risk units are concentrated in the West,...
Not Done Weekly - Vibe Coding 101 for Hotels
Choice Hotels CEO Pat Pacious outlined a multi‑pronged growth plan, highlighting a rebound in the economy‑to‑midscale segment, rapid expansion of extended‑stay rooms, and a shift toward “suits and boots” travelers who need on‑the‑road lodging. He described AI as an equalizer,...
Tourvest Retail Catering Appoints Michael Raasch as Chief Growth Officer
Tourvest Retail & Catering appointed Michael Raasch as Chief Growth Officer effective March 1. Raasch brings over two decades of leadership in aviation, digital commerce and technology‑enabled solutions, most recently as CEO and co‑founder of Omnevo. In his new role he...
Finnair Integrates Music by Finnish Composer Lauri Porra Into Passenger Experience
Finnair has introduced a new soundscape featuring Lauri Porra’s album Matkantekijä, which will play on aircraft, in lounges and across marketing touchpoints. The rollout begins on February 27 and the tracks will also be streamed on Spotify. This music initiative is a core...
Earn Up to 1,000 Bonus Rapid Rewards Points by Shopping for Mystery Bonus
Southwest Airlines is running a Mystery Bonus promotion on its Rapid Rewards Shopping portal through March 16, 2026. Shoppers earn an extra 500 points after spending $100 or 1,000 points after spending $250 at qualifying retailers, on top of standard points. The...
Why FlightPath3D Stays Ahead of Geopolitics for Aviation Map Clients
FlightPath3D, a leading 3‑D moving‑map supplier for more than 90 airlines, has built a rapid‑response system to update geopolitical changes on inflight displays. The firm monitors global disputes, executive orders and naming mandates, rolling out map revisions—such as the Taiwan...