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
Israel Cancels Participation ITB Berlin 2026
Israel’s state tourism delegation announced on March 2, 2026 that it will not attend the ITB Berlin trade show, scheduled for March 3‑5. The withdrawal is directly linked to escalating Middle‑East tensions, which have made international travel planning volatile. Organisers confirmed the decision a day before the event’s opening, but emphasized that the fair will still host a broad array of global exhibitors. Industry observers warn the move signals wider uncertainty for tourism markets amid geopolitical instability.
Hampton Inn & Suites and Holiday Inn Express & Suites Orlando-Apopka Sold
HVS Brokerage & Advisory closed the sale of two midscale hotels in Apopka, Florida: the 81‑key Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton and the 77‑key Holiday Inn Express & Suites. Each property was sold separately to private regional investors, with the Holiday Inn purchased by a Connecticut 1031‑exchange...
Illinois Hotel Industry Holds ‘No Room for Trafficking’ Seminar to Help Employees Prevent Human Trafficking
The Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association and the American Hotel & Lodging Association convened a “No Room for Trafficking” seminar at the Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk, training more than 100 hotel employees on how to spot and report human trafficking....
Twin Dolphin Earns Audubon International Signature Sanctuary Gold Certification
Twin Dolphin Club, a private golf community in Los Cabos, Mexico, has been awarded Audubon International Signature Sanctuary Gold certification, advancing from its 2022 Bronze status. The Gold level recognizes the course’s comprehensive sustainability program, including water‑efficient irrigation, integrated pest...
Gulfstream G700 Receives India Certification
Gulfstream Aerospace secured certification from India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation for its G700 jet, clearing the way for deliveries within the country. The approval follows earlier certifications of the G600 and G500 models earlier in 2025, underscoring growing market...
MXR Hospitality Names Dawne Brado VP, Development
MXR Hospitality announced the appointment of Dawne Brado as its first Vice President of Development and Valerie Bolton as its inaugural Executive Vice President of Human Resources. Brado will oversee construction funding management across MXR’s portfolio, drawing on more than...
Princess Cruises and The Travel Institute Launch Advisor Education Partnership
Princess Cruises has signed a year‑long strategic alliance with The Travel Institute to elevate travel advisor education. The partnership will launch a new Alaska Destination Specialist curriculum timed with the debut of the Star Princess cruise. Princess will fund scholarships...
Newmark Arranges $172.5M Acquisition Financing for The Ben, Autograph Collection
Newmark arranged a $172.5 million acquisition loan for The Ben, Autograph Collection, a 208‑key luxury hotel in West Palm Beach, on behalf of Related Ross. The financing was supplied by Nomura and led by Newmark’s senior debt team. The Ben, delivered...
Only 67% Full: Icelandair's 10 Emptiest US Routes Revealed
Icelandair carried 1.6 million round‑trip passengers between Europe and the United States in the 12 months to September 2025, a 7 % increase that outpaced overall market growth. Across its 15 US‑focused routes the airline posted an average load factor of 81.2 %, but...
OneJourney Launches SwiftPay in Spain, Turning Hotel Supplier Payments Into a New Income Stream
OneJourney has launched its SwiftPay platform in Spain, marking the first European deployment of its Hospitality Payment Card (HPC) infrastructure. The digital‑wallet solution lets hotels and restaurants route supplier payments through SwiftPay, generating incremental net income without altering banking relationships...
Hunter Conference to Honor Glade M. Knight
The Hunter Conference has named Glade M. Knight, founder and executive chairman of Apple Hospitality REIT, as its 2026 Award for Excellence and Inspiration recipient. The honor recognizes Knight’s 25‑plus years of shaping the modern hotel REIT model and building...
Germany Coordinates Gulf Evacuations as World Tourism Network Urges Support for Stranded ITB Berlin Delegates
Germany is arranging special repatriation flights through Saudi Arabia and other open Gulf hubs to bring home citizens stranded after regional airspace closures. The World Tourism Network has urged Berlin to extend those evacuation resources to international delegates of the...
Lufthansa Unveils Airbus A380 in Striking 100th Anniversary Livery
Lufthansa has added an Airbus A380 to its centennial fleet, unveiling a bold blue livery featuring a 47‑meter crane motif and the dates 1926 | 2026. The aircraft was repainted over 34 days by 35 specialists at Shannon Airport, covering more than...
New Train Will Launch This Summer Connecting 3 Scandinavian Cities
Swedish operator Snälltåget will launch a daily Malmö‑to‑Oslo train on June 15, running via Gothenburg and stopping at ten intermediate stations. The 6.5‑hour service eliminates the need for transfers or the 7‑hour bus ride that previously linked Sweden’s west coast to...
HB Exclusive: Q&A with Klaus Kohlmayr Before ITB
In a pre‑ITB interview, IDeaS chief evangelist Klaus Kohlmayr warned that 2026 is a volatile year for hoteliers, with cost pressures, labor shortages and geopolitical shocks disrupting booking patterns. He emphasized that artificial intelligence has moved from a buzzword to...
AI, VR, and Agents Redefine Travel Planning
The Future of Travel — AI Chatbots, VR and Agents Travel tech is evolving fast: AI chatbots, virtual reality and intelligent agents are all shaping how we plan, book and experience travel. Read more 👉 https://lnkd.in/eaRP8NXG #AI #TravelTech #Innovation #BernardMarr
Papa Johns Plans CX Upgrades Following Corporate Cuts
Papa Johns will embed an AI‑powered ordering agent in its mobile app in Q2 2026, enabling voice and group ordering while streamlining re‑orders for Papa Rewards members. The loyalty program now touches roughly 41 million fans and drives 2.5 times more orders than...
Gulf Airlines Recovering From Iran Attacks: How Tricky Will It Be?
The United States and Israel struck Iran, prompting Iranian drone attacks on the United Arab Emirates that damaged Dubai Airport and the Burj Al Arab hotel. In response, Gulf carriers Emirates, Etihad and Qatar suspended flights for at least three...
Experience the 2026 Formula 1 with Silverstone Hospitality
Silverstone has unveiled its 2026 British Grand Prix hospitality portfolio, featuring four premium experiences—Fusion Lounge, Racing Green, Octane Terrace and Ignition Club—priced between £410 and £710 per person. The rollout follows a record‑breaking weekend that saw over 500,000 fans and...
ALL Accor 2X/3X Points For Stays In Europe & Beyond April 6 – June 8, 2026 (Book March 2 –...
Accor has launched a spring bonus promotion that awards double ALL points to regular members and triple points to ALL Accor+ members for stays across Europe, North Africa and select regions from April 6 to June 8 2026. Participants must register by April 13 2026...
Top 5 Customer Service & CX Articles for Week of March 2, 2026
The weekly roundup highlights five must‑read CX pieces, revealing a widening gap between perceived and actual customer loyalty, the power of data‑driven insights to turn first‑time buyers into repeat shoppers, and the critical role of employee trust in shaping the...
Middle Eastern Airports Are Now Targets Of War. Are European Airports Next?
Iranian forces used armed drones to strike Dubai International Airport and Kuwait International Airport in February 2026, causing structural damage and injuring airport personnel. The attacks marked the first confirmed direct hits on major civilian hubs in the Gulf, shifting...
US: SFO to Close Runway 1 to Facilitate Improvement Works
San Francisco International Airport will close Runway 1 from March 30 to October 2 2026 for a six‑month repaving and taxiway upgrade. All arrivals and departures will be shifted to Runways 28 Left and 28 Right, while Runway 1 will serve as an auxiliary taxiway. The airport projects less...
Finding the Operational ‘Sweet Spot’
A joint study by Revenue Management Solutions and Merchant Centric identified an operational "sweet spot" where strategic labor investment, guest sentiment, and unit profitability converge. The research shows that well‑trained, low‑turnover restaurant teams consistently earn higher review scores, Net Promoter...
Heathrow Airport Chaos: 15 Middle East Jets Grounded As Airspace Remains Shut
Middle East airspace closures have left 15 Gulf carrier jets grounded at London Heathrow, the continent’s busiest hub for the region. Emirates and Etihad each have three aircraft on the tarmac, while Qatar Airways accounts for six, including multiple A380s....
NH Collection to Debut in Tanzania with Pemba Island Resort
Minor Hotels has signed the NH Collection Pemba Island Resort, a 145‑key luxury property slated to open in February 2030. The development, created with Infinity Developments—the owners of the Anantara Zanzibar project—extends the NH Collection brand into Tanzania’s Zanzibar archipelago. Located...
FlyOnE to Debut eVTOLs on Existing Route
FlyOnE will commence electric vertical take‑off and landing (eVTOL) operations on the busy Perth‑to‑Rottnest Island corridor, adding to its existing schedule of up to 25 daily legacy flights. The company has already completed a proof‑of‑concept with electric test flights and...
German Outbound Travel Confirms Europe’s Strength and the Rise of Culture-Nature Destinations
German outbound travel remains Europe‑centric, accounting for 41.3% of EU trips in 2024, the highest national share. Data from Civitatis and GetYourGuide shows Germans favor nearby destinations such as Austria, Poland, Spain, France and Italy, with Thailand the sole long‑haul...
Japan’s Mitsui Garden Hotel Sapporo Brings Nature, Comfort, and Culinary Excellence Together to Deliver a Unique Experience in Hokkaido
Mitsui Fudosan announced the reopening of Mitsui Garden Hotel Sapporo on February 1, 2026 after a comprehensive renovation that emphasizes nature‑inspired design and sustainability. The hotel now offers 177 rooms, including expanded triple and quadruple configurations to serve families and...
Scenic and Emerald Offering Double River Rewards Points
Scenic and Emerald have launched a limited‑time promotion that doubles River Rewards points for new bookings. The offer applies to all River Rewards members and is valid through the end of the quarter. By awarding twice the usual points, the...
Bahrain Unites With Qatar, and Kuwait Plunged Into Grave Security Risk Zone as U.S. Elevates Travel Advisories to Level 3...
The U.S. State Department upgraded travel advisories for Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait to Level 3, urging Americans to reconsider trips amid rising tensions with Iran. The advisories cite heightened risks of missile and drone attacks, potential armed conflict, and significant disruptions...
GO7 Unveils Orchestrated VI to Bring Full Interlining Capabilities to Virtual Connections
GO7 launched Orchestrated Virtual Interlining (Orchestrated VI), a rules‑based platform that lets airlines sell seamless multi‑carrier journeys without traditional interline contracts. The solution adds patented ThruBag baggage transfer, optional ConnectProtect disruption coverage, and flexible settlement via IATA Clearing House or...
After ‘Priceless’ Violin Flies on Lap, Lufthansa Changes Carry-On Rules
Lufthansa’s cabin‑size policy forced German violinist Carolin Widmann to purchase an extra seat for her 1782 Guadagnini violin after staff deemed the case too long for the overhead bin. The multimillion‑dollar instrument was wrapped in a sweater and held on...
A Crisis in the Alps: Airbnb, Climate Change and Americans
In the French Alps, short‑term rentals now occupy half of all beds, creating seasonal vacancy cycles known as “lits froids.” Airbnb listings have surged from 38,000 in 2019 to 72,000 in 2025, making France its second‑largest market after the United States....
Aven Hospitality Partners with Protect Group to Launch Refund Protect to Its Hotel Portfolio
Aven Hospitality and Protect Group have launched Refund Protect within Aven's booking engine, allowing hotels to sell refundable stays at checkout. The service is activated through Protect's Onboarding Platform, offering a quick, tech‑led rollout without altering existing rate policies. Refund Protect aims...
Luxaviation UK Adds Third Embraer Praetor 600 to Fleet
Luxaviation UK has taken delivery of a third Embraer Praetor 600, making it the largest UK operator of the midsize jet. Based at Luton, the aircraft offers a 4,000‑nautical‑mile range, speeds of 863 km/h and can operate from runways as short as...
Guardian Jet Establishes Asia-Pacific Sales Leadership
Guardian Jet has named Anantha Krishna as its new sales director for the Asia‑Pacific region, creating dedicated leadership for private aviation consulting and brokerage. The appointment comes as demand for private jet services surges among multinational corporations, family offices, and...
Two Landmark Vietnam Hotels Sold for Combined 53 7million
Two landmark hotel assets in Vietnam were sold for a combined $53.7 million. Singapore‑based UOL Group off‑loaded the 186‑room Park Royal Saigon in Ho Chi Minh City to a domestic investor, while the five‑star Hotel Perle D’Orient Cat Ba on Cat Ba Island was...
Chicago Proposes Record Hotel Tax, Signaling a High-Stakes Shift for Investors
Chicago's city council is considering a 1.5% surcharge that would lift the total hotel tax to nearly 19%, the highest among major U.S. cities. The additional revenue, projected at $40 million annually, would be earmarked for a tourism improvement district managed...
Visit Qatar Announces a New Activation: Al Ruwais- the Maritime Heritage Festival
Visit Qatar announced the Al Ruwais Maritime Heritage Festival, scheduled for 18 March to 4 April 2026 along the northern coastline. The activation will transform the town into a living village featuring dhow displays, artisan workshops, marine‑education zones, and a culinary village highlighting coastal...
New Taxi Booking Service at Sydney Airport
Sydney Airport has teamed with global travel services firm WeKnow to launch a premium taxi and Uber booking platform at the T1 International terminal. Passengers can pre‑book and pre‑pay through multilingual self‑service kiosks or staffed desks, receiving priority pickup bays...
Hilton to Introduce Iconic Luxury Brand Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts to Goa
Hilton announced the signing of Waldorf Astoria Goa, its third Waldorf Astoria property in India and fourth Hilton hotel in the state. The 20‑acre beachfront resort, developed by a Dempo‑Triton joint venture, will feature 148 rooms, suites and villas and is scheduled to...
Hilton Debuts Its First Onsen Resort in South East Asia with the Opening of Hilton Quang Hanh Onsen
Hilton announced the opening of Hilton Quang Hanh Onsen Resort, its first onsen‑style property in Southeast Asia, located in the mineral‑rich Quang Hanh valley of northern Vietnam. The resort features 178 villas and 38 rooms, each with a private onsen,...
Lufthansa Miles&More Buy Miles 50% Bundle Bonus March 1 – 31, 2026
Lufthansa’s Miles&More program is running a limited‑time promotion from 1‑31 March 2026. All members can purchase mileage bundles and receive a 50 % bonus, turning 150 000 bought miles into 225 000 usable miles. Prices are roughly €1 750 for 150 000 miles (≈1.16 cents per mile) and...
Which Prep Format Holds Up Under Pressure?
Restaurant operator Sean Stone compared scratch, frozen, refrigerated, and shelf‑stable hashbrown formats across seven Bisbee Breakfast Club and three Jerry Bob’s locations. Side‑by‑side testing showed Golden Grill® shelf‑stable hashbrowns delivered superior browning, texture, and flavor consistency while reducing kitchen storage...
Rankings Vs. Reality: What the Latest Nordic Sustainable Development Report Means for Country Brands
The 2025 Nordic Sustainable Development Report confirms that Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden continue to dominate European SDG rankings, reinforcing their reputation as sustainable nation‑brands. However, the data reveal a plateau in overall SDG progress since 2021, with environmental...
Business Exchange
Clear Channel Outdoor’s Airports Division has locked in a 10‑year contract, with a five‑year renewal option, to continue its advertising partnership with the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority at Reagan National and Dulles, a relationship that has nearly doubled revenue since...
AirAsia Launches 4‑weekly KL‑Wuhan Flights, RM399 Fares
AirAsia (AK) will start flying 4x weekly Kuala Lumpur-Wuhan from 22 May 2026. The airline is currently offering promotional all-in one-way fares from RM399 for KL-Wuhan flights for travel between 22 May - 24 Oct 2026. The promotion is available from...
Can You Extend an Expiring British Airways American Express 2-4-1 Companion Voucher?
British Airways updated the terms of its American Express 2‑4‑1 Companion Voucher in mid‑2024, allowing a three‑month extension in limited circumstances. Extensions are evaluated case‑by‑case and require supporting documentation such as medical or bereavement proof. The change formalises a practice...
UAE Covers Accommodation Costs For Stranded Passengers
UAE airports were shut for two days after Israeli and US strikes on Iran triggered Iranian missile and drone attacks on Gulf allies. The closure left tens of thousands of passengers stranded in transit hubs. The General Civil Aviation Authority...