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
Minor Hotels Brings Luxury Anantara Hotels & Resorts Brand to Australia - Anantara Perth Hotel
Minor Hotels is launching its luxury Anantara brand in Australia with the Anantara Perth Hotel, slated to open in 2032 as the centerpiece of the AUD $3.8 billion Burswood Point master‑planned development. The waterfront property will offer 150 rooms, two restaurants, a pool, fitness centre and an Anantara Spa, showcasing Thai‑inspired hospitality. Developed by Golden Sedayu, the hotel joins Minor’s portfolio of over 60 Australian properties across its Oaks and Avani brands. The project underscores Perth’s rapid urban growth and its emerging status as a tourism gateway.
JetEffect Marks 25 Years in Business with 900 Transactions Completed
JetEffect celebrates 25 years, having completed more than 900 aircraft transactions. The U.S.-based broker handles turboprop, light, midsize, super‑midsize and long‑range business jets. Over half its workforce has been with the firm for more than two decades, enabling senior‑level advisory...
Shangri-La Hambantota Is Now A Certified Halal-Friendly Hotel
Shangri‑La Hambantota has earned the Halal Friendly Certification from the Halal Assessment Council Guarantee Limited, confirming its ability to serve verified Halal meals from dedicated kitchen facilities. The luxury resort, opened in 2016 as the brand’s first Sri Lankan property,...
TTG Conversations: Five Questions with Michael Ma, Sentosa Development Corporation
Climate change is driving higher temperatures and erratic rain in Singapore, pressuring outdoor attractions to adapt. Sentosa Development Corporation responded with the "Cooling Sentosa" roadmap, a suite of climate‑responsive technologies and nature‑integrated design solutions. The initiative targets improved visitor comfort,...
Qantas Frequent Flyer Program Changes Announced For 2026
Qantas announced its 2026 Frequent Flyer overhaul, adding up to 140 Status Credits from non‑flight activities and allowing members to roll over half of excess credits. The program eliminates lower re‑qualification thresholds, retires Points Club and Green Tier, and introduces...
Singapore Tourism Board Renews Digital Payments Partnership with Ant International
The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has renewed its multi‑year strategic partnership with Ant International, extending the Alipay+ unified wallet gateway across the island. The expanded deal adds joint marketing campaigns for key source markets and introduces new digital tools such...
Klook Inks Osaka Tourism Partnership to Support Regional Growth
Klook has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau to combine its digital platform and traveler data with OCTB’s local expertise. The partnership will deliver joint content, online promotions, data sharing and digital tools such...
Fusion Hotel Group to Develop Beachfront Wellness Resort in Phu Quoc
Fusion Hotel Group has entered a long‑term management deal with Vietnam’s Tropical Corporation to build a beachfront wellness resort on Phu Quoc. The property will feature 51 villas, 158 rooms, a spa‑inclusive Maia Spa, dining venues, meeting spaces and a...
Walk Japan Adds New East Hokkaido Trek to Portfolio
Walk Japan has launched the East Hokkaido Trek, a nine‑day, eight‑night guided hiking tour across eastern Hokkaido’s remote landscapes. The itinerary follows portions of the newly established 410 km Hokkaido East Trail, linking three national parks from Kushiro’s wetlands to the...
World First Non-Stop Flights Between Australia and Las Vegas Set For Take Off in December 2026
Qantas will inaugurate the world’s first non‑stop scheduled service between Sydney and Las Vegas, launching on 29 December 2026 and operating through 12 March 2027. The seasonal route targets peak events such as the Consumer Electronics Show and leverages the...
Coming Soon: Use Your Amex Resy Credit at Wineries and Even More Restaurants
American Express announced that its Resy reservation platform will merge with Tock this summer, integrating more than 25,000 restaurants, wineries and hospitality venues into the Resy network. The combined offering adds over 1,200 wineries and high‑end dining experiences such as...
Global Air Cargo to Expand for Second Successive Year; What Makes for a Winning Cargo-Only Airport?
Air cargo is set to grow for a second consecutive year in 2026, despite lingering global economic uncertainty. While it moves only 1% of world trade by volume, it represents more than 35% of trade value, underscoring its strategic importance....
Hilton Grand Vacations Inc (HGV) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Hilton Grand Vacations reported fourth‑quarter 2020 revenue of $233 million, a 5% sequential increase, and adjusted EBITDA of $35 million (excluding a $3 million CARES Act credit). The company posted a net loss of $143 million, driven by a $209 million non‑cash land impairment. Contract...
Braemar Hotels & Resorts Inc (BHR) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Braemar Hotels & Resorts reported Q1 2019 results highlighting its luxury‑focused strategy, including the acquisition of the Ritz‑Carlton Lake Tahoe and the launch of a $50 million Enhanced Return Funding Program (ERFP). RevPAR grew 14.3% portfolio‑wide, driven by a 32.8% surge at...
Explora Journeys Turns the Ocean Into a Five-Star Hotel
Explora Journeys launched a global “hotel without an address” campaign, positioning its cruise ships as five‑star floating hotels. Developed by McCann Paris and directed by Jonas Lindstroem, the film showcases on‑board rituals reimagined as hotel experiences. The brand highlights its...
Press Release: Delta Supports New Georgia Tech Aero Engineering Building
The Delta Air Lines Foundation has pledged $5 million to support the construction of Georgia Tech’s new Aerospace Engineering Building. The state‑of‑the‑art facility will expand research in advanced aircraft design, propulsion, materials, cybersecurity, autonomy, hydrogen and eVTOL technologies. Georgia Tech’s Daniel...
HX Expeditions Finalizes 2026 Alaska Season with New Inside Passage Sailings
HX Expeditions has announced its 2026 Alaska season, adding two new Inside Passage itineraries aboard the MS Roald Amundsen, the world’s first hybrid, battery‑powered cruise ship. The 9‑night Fjords of the Great Land sails from Vancouver to Whittier, while the...
Vrbo Guests Can Pay Fees to Get Refunds When Rain Ruins a Stay
Vrbo has teamed with WeatherPromise to sell a weather‑guarantee add‑on that automatically refunds guests when rain exceeds predefined thresholds during their stay. The coverage price varies dynamically between 3 % and 8 % of the total trip cost, reflecting destination, dates and...
Virgin Voyages Promo: Get 80% Off Second Guest, Free Drinks, & Free Onboard Credit
Virgin Voyages announced a limited‑time promotion that slashes the price of a second cabin guest by 80%, adds up to $350 in complimentary drinks, and provides up to $300 in onboard credit on select Caribbean sailings. The deal is available...
COVID Deals and Tourism Power Networks: Former UNWTO Chief’s Name Surfaces in Expanding Spanish Probe
Spain’s expanding “Koldo case” probe has uncovered WhatsApp messages linking former UNWTO Secretary‑General Zurab Pololikashvili to political adviser Koldo García, businessman Víctor de Aldama, and airline bailout negotiations during COVID‑19. The investigation centers on a €475 million state aid package for...
Delta Flash Sale Offers 15–20% Off SkyMiles Awards To Warm-Weather Destinations
Delta Air Lines announced a limited‑time SkyMiles flash sale offering 15‑20% off award tickets to select Caribbean and Central American destinations. The promotion runs from February 24‑26, with travel windows in March and early April for flights departing New York City and...
Why Every Restaurant Needs a Google Review Response Strategy
The Brand To Table podcast explains why restaurants must actively respond to Google reviews. Host Henry Kaminski Jr. outlines how thoughtful replies signal care, improve online reputation, and boost local search visibility. He introduces the AAR Method—Appreciate, Address, Redirect—to turn...
Miami-Dade County Mayor and American Airlines Unveil Plans for MIA’s Concourse D Expansion
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and American Airlines CEO Robert Isom announced a $1 billion expansion of Concourse D’s Gate D60 at Miami International Airport. The three‑level project will convert the existing area into 17 new contact gates, upgraded boarding lounges, retail,...
PHL Surpasses 30 Million Passengers for Second Consecutive Year
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) handled 30.1 million passengers in 2025, marking the first consecutive 30‑million‑plus years since 2018‑19. International traffic rose 7.5% to over 4.1 million passengers, driven by new routes from Aeroméxico, American Airlines and Frontier. Cargo volumes increased 7.4% to...
Seasonal Flights Between Blue Grass Airport and Minneapolis Return
Delta Air Lines will resume seasonal nonstop service between Lexington’s Blue Grass Airport and Minneapolis‑Saint Paul International Airport, operating Saturdays from May 9 to August 8, 2026. The route, previously discontinued in 2021, will be flown on a 76‑seat CRJ‑900, offering travelers a...
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Hyatt Charging $20 For A Coffee Pod, MGM Wants $180 For Two Drinks—You’re Now A Mark, Not A Guest [Roundup]
A recent roundup highlights aggressive ancillary pricing, with Grand Hyatt São Paulo charging $20 for a single Nespresso pod and MGM’s Dolby Theatre in Las Vegas tacking $180 for two cocktails plus an admin fee. The piece also spotlights the Bilt Palladium credit...
Helping Airports Leaders Navigate the Digital Transformation
Ookla has formed a strategic partnership with Imagine Wireless to help airport leaders steer digital transformation. The alliance merges Ookla’s network measurement suite—including Speedtest Insights, Speedtest Certified and Ekahau—with Imagine Wireless’s advisory services, delivering independent validation for private 5G, Wi‑Fi...
Spotlight Series: Outrigger Hospitality Group
Outrigger Hospitality Group’s president and CEO Jeff Wagoner highlighted the critical role of leadership in navigating today’s volatile hospitality landscape. He emphasized the brand’s commitment to authenticity, arguing that genuine guest experiences drive loyalty and revenue. Wagoner also detailed the company’s...
Pizza Inn to Open Modernized Restaurant in Mesquite, Texas
Pizza Inn is unveiling a fully modernized restaurant in Mesquite, Texas, with a ribbon‑cutting ceremony on March 5. The remodel adds expanded seating, a back‑fed buffet, brighter décor, and energy‑efficient lighting. It retains the brand’s scratch‑style pizza, daily‑made dough and whole‑milk...
P.F. Chang’s Launches Dining Experience Inspired By Japan’s Cherry Blossom Season
P.F. Chang’s has introduced a limited‑time "Flavor In Bloom" campaign, a seasonal dining experience inspired by Japan’s cherry blossom season. The centerpiece is the Cherry Blossom Martini, mixing Hendrick’s Gin, St‑Germain elderflower, strawberry, lychee, pineapple and lemon. The menu pairs...
Self-Driving Shuttles to Be Tested at Newark Liberty This Spring
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey will conduct spring‑2026 trials of electric autonomous shuttles at Newark Liberty International Airport, partnering with Oceaneering, Ohmio and Glydways. The two‑week, non‑public tests simulate a high‑capacity shuttle network that could connect existing...
How Timor-Leste Uses Tourism to Cement Its ASEAN Role
Timor‑Leste is leveraging its recent ASEAN membership to accelerate a sustainable tourism strategy that showcases its pristine marine and mountainous assets. By joining ASEAN, the nation gains access to regional marketing channels and co‑branding opportunities, allowing it to present itself...
AHLA Food & Beverage, Responsible Stay Summits Set for March 3 to 4
The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) will host its Food & Beverage Summit on March 3, followed by a combined Food & Beverage and Responsible Stay Summit on March 4 at the Hilton McClean Tysons Corner. Sessions will explore menu trends,...
Airline Lounge Overcrowding
Airline lounges are experiencing severe overcrowding as credit‑card issuers oversell access, diluting the premium experience. Capital One now charges $45 per guest and has removed complimentary guest slots, while American Express restricts guests to those on the same flight. The surge...
Siemens and CAPHENIA Partner to Scale SAF Production
Siemens and CAPHENIA announced a partnership to accelerate commercial Sustainable Aviation Fuel production by integrating Siemens’ digitalisation and automation tools with CAPHENIA’s plasma Boudouard reactor technology. The reactor splits bio‑methane into synthesis gas at 1,500 °C with over 86 % efficiency, enabling...
How to Build Your Perfect Competitive Set in 2026
Hotels aiming for revenue growth in 2026 should build a focused competitive set of five to ten primary rivals, optionally adding secondary groups for niche insights. The article advises using OTA search filters—location, accommodation type, price range, rating, and online...
Partnerships Spell Potential Trend for 3PD Platforms and Temporary Housing Marketplaces
In early 2026, leading third‑party delivery platforms are teaming up with temporary‑housing marketplaces. Airbnb launched an Instacart pilot that lets guests pre‑stock pantries and rewards hosts with cash and free Instacart+ membership, while Landing partnered with Gopuff to give guests...
USALI 12 & Water: What Hotels Need to Know About Water Reporting
USALI’s 12th Revised Edition introduces an Energy, Water, and Waste (EWW) schedule that obliges hotels to report both the cost and volume of water usage in their financial statements. The new water account separates municipal water and sewer expenses, requiring...
Outback Posts First Traffic Growth in 5 Years
Outback Steakhouse recorded a 0.9% same‑store traffic increase in Q4 2025, its first positive quarter since 2021, while same‑store sales slipped 0.6% as average checks fell 1.5%. CEO Michael Spanos linked the traffic lift to a new steak lineup launched in November...
EgyptAir's Huge US Expansion: Confirms 2 Historic New Nonstop Routes
EgyptAir announced two new nonstop routes from Cairo to Chicago O'Hare and Los Angeles, expanding its U.S. network to five destinations and a sixth in Canada with Toronto. The carrier will deploy brand‑new Airbus A350‑900 aircraft on the Chicago and...
Hope’s Windows Expands Ultra-Luxury Steel Window & Door Products
Hope’s Windows announced its Old World Suite ultra‑luxury steel and bronze windows and doors have achieved certification under the Florida Building Code, including the high‑velocity hurricane zone (HVHZ) standards. The products underwent rigorous testing for wind load, impact resistance, air...
Sunbolt Expands Solar Charging Umbrella Lineup
Sunbolt announced an expanded Eclipse Solar Charging Umbrella lineup, adding a refreshed fabric‑canopy version with 88 W of high‑efficiency panels and a new permanent Aluminum Canopy model delivering 110 W. Both units are built in the United States, feature six dual‑port USB/USB‑C...
Airport Eats: Where to Eat and Drink at LAX’s Tom Bradley International Terminal
Los Angeles International Airport’s Tom Bradley International Terminal has transformed into a culinary showcase, featuring chef‑driven concepts from Michael Voltaggio’s Ink.sack to Wolfgang Puck’s WPizza. Travelers can choose from upscale sandwiches, Oaxacan‑inspired Mexican fare, pressed‑espresso coffee, craft beer, artisanal pizza,...
Press Release: Aviointeriors Taps Salient Motion for Seat Actuation
Aviointeriors has partnered with Salient Motion to equip its Allegra and Allegra HD business‑class seats with a new Seat Actuation Control System. The modular, software‑defined solution reached qualification‑ready status in under a year, leveraging Salient Motion’s rapid certification process. The...
Classic Vacations Hits 2,600 Preferred Hotels Worldwide
Classic Vacations has grown its Preferred Hotel Portfolio to 2,600 properties worldwide, responding to advisor feedback for broader destination coverage. The expansion adds luxury assets across North America, Europe, Asia and Africa, including iconic hotels such as The Beverly Hills...
Madrid and Tenerife to Caracas: Plus Ultra Restores Direct Flights, Expanding Air Access to Venezuela
Plus Ultra Líneas Aéreas will restart direct Madrid‑Caracas flights on March 3, 2026, initially twice weekly, expanding to three flights in April and four by July. A weekly Tenerife‑Caracas service will begin on April 1, 2026. The routes were suspended...
Paris Marriott Champs-Élysées Hotel Transforms with New Leadership and Couture-Inspired Renovation, Get the Details Here
Marriott International named veteran Henri Michel as General Manager of the Paris Marriott Champs‑Élysées effective February 1, 2026, shortly after completing a couture‑inspired renovation. The redesign, executed by Muza Lab, blends classic French elegance with contemporary design, delivering new guest rooms, suites,...
Los Cabos Welcomes New Hotels and Attractions
Los Cabos is rapidly expanding its upscale tourism offering with several new luxury and boutique hotels slated to open throughout 2026, including the Kadun Hotel Boutique, Amanvari, St. Regis Los Cabos at Quivira, Grand Hyatt Los Cabos at Oleada, and Soho...
Germany’s Largest Public Transport Strike in Years Begins, Causing Major Disturbances in Cities Like Berlin, Hamburg, and Munich, Affecting Millions...
Germany’s Verdi union launched a 48‑hour public‑transport strike on February 27, 2026, halting local buses, trams and U‑Bahn services across major cities such as Berlin, Hamburg and Munich. The action involves roughly 100,000 workers from 150 transport firms and aims...
Flyadeal to Operate New Year-Round Flights to Jazan, Qassim, and Arar, Strengthening Saudi Tourism and Connectivity
Flyadeal will launch year‑round nonstop flights from its Madinah base to Jazan, Qassim and Arar on March 1, 2026, raising the number of direct destinations from the city to ten. The routes will be operated with Airbus A319s, offering two daily...