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
HBX Group Deepens Traveloka Ties with Expanded Asia-Pacific Hotel Supply
HBX Group has extended its partnership with Traveloka, adding more than 40,000 locally‑contracted hotels to its Asia‑Pacific supply ecosystem. The deal, announced at HBX’s MarketHub Asia event in Bali, creates a two‑way content distribution channel that deepens coverage in Indonesia and other priority markets. By integrating Traveloka’s portfolio, HBX diversifies its inventory beyond international chains and strengthens its global marketplace reach. Both companies expect the expanded collaboration to boost competitiveness and drive mutual growth across the region.
Palace Hotel Tokyo Becomes First Japanese-Owned Hotel to Secure GSTC Certification
Palace Hotel Tokyo has become the first Japanese‑owned and managed property to earn Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) certification, passing a rigorous audit of 167 criteria. The hotel’s sustainability governance includes a monthly Sustainability Liaison Group and mandatory staff training...
Singapore Oceanarium Highlights Native Seahorses in New Experience
Singapore Oceanarium has introduced Animal Spotlight: Seahorses, a 45‑minute guided experience that offers small‑group, behind‑the‑scenes access to native seahorses and their habitats. Led by animal care specialists, the programme limits each session to eight participants and includes feeding demonstrations, insights...
China to Order up to 120 Airbus Jets
The Chinese government is preparing an incremental order of up to 120 Airbus jets, a move announced by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz during his February 25 state visit to Beijing. The exact aircraft variants, delivery timetable, and contract value have not...
The Ferri Group Rebrands to Reassert Its Role as Metro NY’s Hometown Rep Firm
The Ferri Group, formerly Pecinka Ferri, has rebranded under the independent ownership of Joe Ferri Jr., emphasizing a faster, more agile approach in Metro New York’s foodservice market. The firm highlights its Fairfield test kitchen as a live showroom and...
Nearly $1 Million in Scholarships for Restaurant & Hospitality Students Available for 2026–2027
The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) has opened applications for its 2026‑2027 scholarship program, offering nearly $1 million in awards to students pursuing restaurant and hospitality careers. Scholarships range from $2,500 to $10,000 and can cover tuition, fees, books, and...
JINYA Ramen Bar Takes Its Signature Nikuman to the Skies with Japan Airlines
Japanese restaurant chain JINYA Ramen Bar has partnered with Japan Airlines to feature its signature nikuman steamed bun on select Los Angeles‑Tokyo flights. The offering, available on flight JL15 from March through May, is prepared onboard using a steam oven,...
MAD Concepts Group to Open New Restaurant Park in Benbrook, Texas
MAD Concepts Group will open a new restaurant park in Benbrook, Texas, slated for spring 2026. The 1.5‑acre site at the southwest corner of Benbrook Boulevard and Westpark Drive will host Jakes and Tacos & Avocados, each occupying 4,000‑5,000 sq ft with...
Lufthansa Group and Air India: Closer Ties to Build on EU-India Free Trade Agreement
Lufthansa Group and Air India announced a joint business agreement (JBA), the first airline‑to‑airline JBA since Lufthansa’s 2017 partnership with Singapore Airlines. The deal deepens an existing codeshare and Star Alliance relationship by integrating network planning, joint sales, marketing, schedule...
Marriott Bonvoy Credit Cards Compared: Benefits, Annual Fees, and How to Choose the Right One
Marriott Bonvoy now offers seven co‑branded credit cards—four through Chase and three via American Express—each with distinct annual fees, welcome bonuses, and automatic elite status. The Chase lineup ranges from a fee‑free Bold card to the premium Ritz‑Carlton card, while...
TURKEY’S TOURISM PREPARES FOR RECORD NUMBERS IN 2026
Turkey’s tourism sector posted a strong start to 2026, with foreign arrivals reaching 2.25 million in January – a 3.48% increase over the same month last year. While Iran remained the top source market, its visitor count fell 6.42%, and Russia...
THE GREEK TOURISM SECTOR CONTINUED TO PERFORM STRONGLY IN 2025
Greece’s tourism sector posted strong growth in 2025, with total travel earnings climbing to €23.63 billion, a 9.4% rise over the prior year. Visitor arrivals reached 37.95 million, up 5.6%, and average spend per traveler increased 3.8%, boosting overall revenue. The United...
THE EU TARGETS HOTEL ROOMS TO REDUCE PACKAGING WASTE
The EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) will phase out single‑use toiletries in hotel rooms, with stricter standards taking effect in August 2026 and a full ban on disposable amenity packaging by 1 January 2030. The rule, part of the European Green...
BRAZIL REPORTS RECORD NUMBER OF FOREIGN VISITORS DURING CARNIVAL 2026
Brazil’s 2026 Carnival attracted a record 300,000 foreign visitors, a 17% rise over 2025, driving roughly $186 million in direct tourism revenue. Nationwide economic activity surged to an estimated R$18.6 billion (about $3.5 billion) – the highest since records began in 2011. Rio...
CATALONIA'S TOURISM MODEL REACHES ITS LIMITS
Catalonia, which attracts nearly one‑fifth of Spain’s tourists, is confronting mounting pressure on housing, infrastructure and resident quality of life. In 2025 the region recorded 20.1 million foreign arrivals—a modest 0.6‑1.2% rise—while tourism revenue jumped 4.5% to €24.8 billion, indicating a shift...
SINGAPORE PLANS TO TRIPLE ITS MICE SECTOR WITHIN 15 YEARS
Singapore’s Tourism Board reports Chinese arrivals hit 3.1 million in 2025, a 20 % rise over pre‑COVID levels, while overall visitor growth steadied at 2.3 %. The STB’s Tourism 2040 plan sets a target of S$47‑50 billion in annual earnings by the end of the...
The Aircraft Replacing The Airbus A380 On High-Capacity Routes
The Boeing 777X, particularly the 777‑9 variant, is positioned to succeed the Airbus A380 on ultra‑high‑capacity, long‑haul routes. With a passenger capacity exceeding 400, advanced GE9X engines and folding wingtips, the aircraft promises 10% better fuel efficiency and airport compatibility....
Treasure Beach Village Debuts at Beaches Turks and Caicos
Beaches Turks and Caicos has launched Treasure Beach Village, a $150 million expansion featuring 101 multi‑bedroom suites and six new dining concepts. The flagship CrystalSky 4‑Bedroom Reserve Villas span over 2,600 sq ft and accommodate up to ten guests, while the Chairman’s Penthouse...
Global Aviation Shock: Second Blast Near Dubai Airport Raises Fears for Australian Travellers
A second blast near Dubai International Airport has intensified concerns over Middle East air travel safety, prompting Australia’s foreign minister to warn of severe disruptions. The incident follows the ongoing Iran‑Israel/USA conflict that has already threatened Gulf airspace. Roughly 11%...
Good: United Threatens To Kick Off Passengers Who Don’t Use Headphones
United Airlines has amended its contract of carriage, adding a new clause that passengers must wear headphones when listening to audio or video content. The amendment raises the total list of enforceable behaviors to 22, giving crew the authority to...
Travel Industry Faces Economic Strain, Overtourism, and Infrastructure Challenges
The travel and tourism sector is confronting a perfect storm of economic uncertainty, rising tax burdens, and mounting infrastructure strain. Consumer confidence dips have already curbed discretionary travel spending, while layered fees on flights, hotels and rentals add friction for...
Current Hotel Promotions for March 2026
Hotel loyalty programs are rolling out a slate of March‑2026 promotions aimed at accelerating point earnings and elite status. Major chains such as IHG, Hyatt, Marriott, Hilton and Choice are offering double or triple points, bonus elite nights, and stay‑based...
Press Release: EASA Warns Operators to Avoid Middle East Airspace
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has issued a Conflict Zone Information Bulletin (CZIB) warning operators to avoid the entire airspace of the Middle East and Persian Gulf at all altitudes, following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. The...
Marriott Global Bonus Points Posting & Bonus Elite Nights In July 2026!
Marriott Bonvoy launched a global promotion running Feb 25‑May 10, 2026, granting 2,500 bonus points for each qualifying stay and a bonus elite night credit for every brand visited. The elite night credits are posted up to six weeks after the promotion...
Capital One Venture X Business Card Review: Powerful Earnings, Tons of Perks
The Capital One Venture X Business card is a premium charge card targeting small‑business owners, offering a 150,000‑mile welcome bonus after $30,000 spend and a $395 annual fee. It delivers flat‑rate earnings—10 X miles on Business Travel hotels and rentals, 5 X on flights...
ANA Passenger Finds Metal Wire in Premium Cabin Meal
A passenger on an All Nippon Airways (ANA) flight from Mumbai to Tokyo discovered a sharp metal wire in a premium‑cabin meal, prompting concerns about food safety. The incident was shared on X, highlighting the potential hazard of ingesting foreign...
30% Transfer Bonus From Capital One Miles to Preferred Hotels I Prefer
Capital One is running a limited-time promotion that adds a 30% transfer bonus when moving Capital One miles to Preferred Hotels & Resorts I Prefer. The bonus changes the conversion rate to 1,000 miles for 2,600 I Prefer points, up from the standard...
Discovery World Invests ₱265 Million to Expand Palawan Properties
Discovery World Corp. is injecting ₱265 million into its Palawan resort portfolio, subscribing to ₱250 million of shares in Euro Pacific Resorts and ₱15 million in Palawan Cove to fund new beachfront developments and bolster working capital. The move also raises JT Perle Corp.'s...
Serengeti National Park Faces Climate Onslaught
Heavy rains have flooded key transport corridors in Tanzania's Serengeti National Park, submerging the Seronera‑Nabii road and stranding hundreds of tourist vehicles. Conservation Commissioner Mussa Nassoro Kuji inspected the damage and ordered urgent road improvements, while emergency teams work to...
Turn of Fortunes As Thai Airways Posts Record 30.9 Bln Baht Profit For 2025
Thai Airways reported a record FY2025 net profit of 30.9 billion baht, reversing a 26.9 billion‑baht loss from the prior year. Revenue rose 1.3% to 190 billion baht, edging past pre‑pandemic levels. The carrier plans to expand its fleet to about 100 aircraft...
The Global Tourism War Economy Seen From Amazing Thailand
The escalating Gulf conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran is rippling through global tourism, prompting sentiment‑driven hesitation among long‑haul travelers while leaving Thailand largely insulated. Short‑term booking delays and modest fare increases are expected as airlines absorb higher...
Vogue Editor Downgrades Herself From American First Class Due To Bad Service
Former Vogue editor Gabriella Karefa‑Johnson, an American Airlines Concierge Key member, downgraded herself from first class to business on a JFK‑London flight after experiencing substandard service and micro‑aggressions from a flight attendant. She highlighted being the only Black woman among...
Passengers On American Airlines Flight From Philadelphia Experience One of the World’s Longest Ever ‘Flights to Nowhere’
American Airlines flight AA-120 from Philadelphia to Doha was forced to turn back after seven hours when Gulf airspace closed amid the Israel‑Iran escalation. The Boeing 787‑9 spent a total of 16 hours in the air, becoming one of the...
Batik Air Cancels Dubai Flight Amid Middle East Airspace Closure
Batik Air Malaysia has cancelled today’s flight to Dubai from KL due to the closure of airspace in the Middle East. The airline said in a statement that it continues to monitor the situation in the region. Passengers travelling on...
Drone Attack on Burj Al Arab Hotel in Jumeirah, Dubai
Dubai’s iconic Burj Al Arab suffered limited exterior damage after the city’s air‑defence systems intercepted a hostile drone on March 1, 2026. Falling debris sparked a small fire on the hotel’s façade, which emergency crews quickly extinguished. No structural damage...
Gulf Airspace Shutdown Strands ITB Berlin Travelers on Qatar Airways, Emirates and Others
A surprise US‑Israel strike on Iran triggered an immediate shutdown of Gulf airspace, leaving thousands of travelers—including ITB Berlin delegates—in Doha, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Bahrain stranded. Major carriers such as Qatar Airways, Emirates and Etihad scrambled to provide emergency...
Here’s How Much Longer The Airbus A350-1000 Is Compared To The Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner
The Airbus A350‑1000 measures 242 ft 1 in, about 18 ft longer than Boeing’s 787‑10, which is 224 ft 0 in. It also offers a 9,000 nm range versus the 787‑10’s 6,330 nm, targeting high‑capacity long‑haul routes. Airbus has secured 367 firm orders for the A350‑1000, just ten more...
Qatar Airways Halts Flights Until Airspace Reopens
Qatar Airways said its flight operations remain temporarily suspended due to the closure of the Qatari airspace. The airline added that it will resume operations once the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority announces the safe reopening of the country’s airspace.
Wireless Tech Drives Seamless Guest Experiences
Smart Hospitality: How #Wireless #Tech Is Powering Seamless Guest Experiences by @NordicTweets #Innovation #EmergingTech #TechForGood https://t.co/ETlhtOJ3mD
Avelo Airlines Extends Flights Through Fall 2026
Avelo Airlines announced it will keep its flight schedule active through mid‑November 2026, allowing bookings to more than 30 popular U.S. and Caribbean destinations. One‑way fares start at $42 and children 14 and under travel free with an adult. The carrier...
Etihad Flights Suspended Until 2 AM Local Time On March 2, 2026
Etihad Airways announced that all flights to and from Abu Dhabi Airport are suspended until 02:00 UAE time on Monday, March 2, 2026, citing ongoing regional airspace closures. The carrier is offering free rebooking for tickets issued on or before February 28,...
Sunset World Group Elevates Culinary Art in Cancun and the Riviera Maya with Innovation
Sunset World Group is revamping its culinary offerings across six Cancun and Riviera Maya resorts by investing in European‑led haute cuisine training and expanding themed dining concepts such as the Azúcar restaurant. The brand continuously refreshes menus to accommodate allergens,...
SEABOURN ELEVATES ITS CULINARY PROGRAM WITH ENHANCED SEABOURN SQUARE MENUS
Seabourn announced a fleet‑wide culinary refresh targeting its Seabourn Square cafés and The Colonnade dining venues. The updates introduce expanded breakfast and lunch menus featuring warm sandwiches, Roman‑style pizza, artisanal gelato, and a new specialty coffee program roasted onboard. Live...
United States Airlines Enforce Ban on Smart Glasses and Wearable Recording Devices for Employees Over Privacy Concerns
Southwest Airlines announced a company‑wide ban on smart glasses and other wearable devices capable of recording audio or video for all employees, both on and off duty. The policy targets corporate staff, frontline crew, and contractors to eliminate the risk...
UAE Joins Turkey, Qatar, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, And More As UK Issues Historic Travel Advisory For Middle East...
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office issued its strongest ever travel advisory for the Middle East after US‑Israel strikes on Iran, urging British nationals to avoid all but essential travel to the UAE, Turkey, Qatar, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain...
Backroads Announces Thousands of 2027 Trip Dates for Private Groups
Backroads announced over 3,000 private‑group departure dates for its 2027 adventure portfolio, with pricing locked at 2026 rates through April 15, 2026. The early‑access program lets groups of any size reserve exclusive slots or take over unbooked departures, offering up to 100 %...
Qatar Airways Flights Stay Suspended & Next Update At 9 AM On Monday March 2, 2026
Qatar Airways announced that all flight operations from Hamad International Airport remain suspended due to the closure of Qatari airspace. The airline will issue its next operational update at 09:00 Doha time on Monday, March 2, 2026. Current flight information...
9 Places To Travel in 2026 — And How To Get There With Points and Miles
AwardWallet’s 2026 travel guide spotlights nine diverse destinations—from Caribbean gems like Barbados to emerging markets such as Oman and Ethiopia—while detailing how points‑and‑miles strategies can fund both flights and hotels. The article pairs each locale with specific credit‑card offers, including...
Buffalo Wild Wings GO Expanding in Texas
Buffalo Wild Wings GO opened its first takeout‑focused restaurant in Teays Valley on March 4, 2026. The 26‑sauce menu emphasizes rapid service through a dedicated pickup window and delivery options. The location is owned by Little General Stores, a franchise group...
ANA VS JAL: Who Actually Dominates The Japan-US Market In 2026?
All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Japan Airlines (JAL) dominate Japan‑US transpacific traffic, but their route structures differ. In March 2026 ANA scheduled 465 one‑way flights from Tokyo, offering about 118,000 seats, while JAL operated 545 flights from four Japanese airports...