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.
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By the numbers: Airbnb leads $58M Series C in WeRoad
Mediterranean Yachting Gets Greener with the Arrival of Fully Electric Silent Grace in 2026, Everything You Need to Know
MYSEA announced the Silent Grace, a fully electric 62‑foot catamaran slated for Mediterranean charter service in summer 2026. Powered by solar panels and high‑capacity batteries, the yacht delivers zero‑emission, noise‑free cruising while offering three decks of luxury space. Its wellness‑focused amenities and eco‑friendly water toys target affluent, environmentally conscious travelers. The vessel’s reduced Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA) of 25% promises lower operating costs compared with conventional motor catamarans.
Kempegowda and Frankfurt Airports Sign MoU to Enhance Cargo Connectivity
Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) and Frankfurt Airport (FRA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to create a more integrated cargo corridor between South India and Europe. The agreement outlines joint trade‑lane analytics, a digital corridor, pharma integrity standards and...
Firecircle Expands Award-Winning 5×5 Method with New Tourism Entrepreneur Guidebook
Firecircle, a digital training and mentorship firm for tourism entrepreneurs, has published a new guidebook titled "Firecircle 5×5 Method – The Definitive Guide to Igniting and Transforming Your Tourism Business" on Amazon. Authored by founder‑CEO Deneen Allen, the book delivers...
Travelodge Canada Continues Growth
Travelodge Canada has launched the Travelodge Suites by Wyndham Estevan, adding a 132‑room, kitchenette‑equipped hotel in Saskatchewan. The property, managed by Globex Management Corp. alongside a local ownership group, offers amenities such as complimentary breakfast, free Wi‑Fi, fitness facilities, and...
The World Comes to Berlin: ITB Berlin at 60 Navigates Tourism’s Future in an Age of Change
ITB Berlin celebrated its 60th edition in March 2026, centering on the theme “Leading Tourism into Balance.” Over 400 global experts gathered across seven tracks to debate how tourism can thrive amid geopolitical tension, climate urgency, and rapid digital change....
What’s New in the Algarve for 2026
Visit Algarve outlines a vibrant 2026 calendar, adding new sports events and announcing Formula 1’s return for the 2027‑28 season. The lineup features Festival Med in Loulé, an international music and arts showcase in June, followed by Afro Nation’s three‑day Afrobeats...
Not Just Travel Retains Best Lifestyle Franchise in the World
Not Just Travel’s Travel Franchise has been crowned Best Lifestyle Franchise in the World for the second year running at the International Franchise Association’s Global Franchise Awards. The accolade makes it the only UK‑based and the only travel‑sector franchise to...
New Deal on Copa ConnectMiles: Buy Miles With up to a 60% Bonus (1.88¢ Each)
Copa Airlines is running a ConnectMiles promotion that adds a 60% bonus to purchases, bringing the effective price down to 1.88 ¢ per mile for transactions up to 100,000 miles. The offer runs until 11:59 p.m. ET on March 27 2026, limits members to...
What’s New in St Louis in 2026
St. Louis is launching a direct, four‑times‑weekly flight to London on 19 April 2026, enhancing its appeal as a gateway for European travelers, especially during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The city’s cultural scene is expanding with a new immersive zone at the...
Melbourne Airport Unveils Details of $4.5 Billion International Terminal Expansion
Melbourne Airport announced a A$4.5 billion expansion of its international terminal, adding five new gates, extra aircraft stands and enlarged check‑in, baggage‑claim and retail areas. The programme will roll out in stages, tied to new pick‑up and drop‑off zones at the...
Registration Opens for Hotel & Resort Design South 2026
Hotel & Resort Design South (HRDS) 2026 has opened registration for its free‑to‑attend exhibition and conference in Miami Beach on June 9‑10. The event will host more than 250 exhibitors focused on hotel, resort and private‑island design across the Southern States,...
Shannon Joins Regional Airports Programme
Shannon Airport has been added to Ireland’s Regional Airports Programme 2026‑2030, expanding the scheme to cover airports handling up to three million passengers annually. The programme, backed by the Sectoral Investment Plan for Transport, earmarks roughly €45 million in capital spending...
AI in Restaurants: Separating the Promise From the Practical
The restaurant industry is awash with AI hype, but the technology is a tool, not a cure‑all. Operators gain real value when AI reduces repetitive administrative work and turns raw reservation data into actionable insights. Over‑automation, however, can add cognitive...
Consultancy of the Year Winners Advantage Utilities Delivers £500,000+ in Energy Savings for UK Leading Hotel Portfolio
Advantage Utilities has been crowned Consultancy of the Year for Large Customers at the 2025 TELCA Awards, recognizing its rapid rise in the UK hotel sector. The firm delivered more than £500,000 in energy savings within two years for a...
Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris Claims ‘World’s Leading Sustainable Supply Chain Programme’
Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris has been named the World’s Leading Sustainable Supply Chain Programme 2025 at the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards in Dubai. The hotel’s responsible purchasing charter now covers 14 product categories, with 66% of...
Emirates Expands Payment Flexibility in Kenya Through Cellulant’s Split-Payment Solution
Emirates has introduced a split‑payment solution for Kenyan travelers through its partnership with Cellulant’s Tingg gateway. The feature lets customers combine mobile money, banking and card methods and pay an initial amount online followed by up to four instalments within...
Finnair Leans Even More Into Its Unique ‘Finnishness’ With Brand New Boarding Music
Finnair has launched a new boarding music suite called “Matkantekijä,” composed by fourth‑generation Finnish musician Lauri Porra, to deepen its Finnish‑centric brand identity. The soundscape, featuring traditional instruments like the jouhikko and kantele, will play on aircraft, in lounges, and...
Philippine Airlines Plans New Manila To Chicago Route As Of Mid-2026
Philippine Airlines has filed a request with the U.S. Department of Transportation to launch nonstop service between Manila and Chicago, a roughly 8,132‑mile ultra‑long‑haul route slated for the summer 2026 IATA traffic season. The airline plans to deploy its newly...
How Data-Led Diversification Helps Restaurants Better Meet Guest Needs
Restaurant operators are turning to AI‑enhanced guest engagement platforms to capture comprehensive data from reservations, payments, Wi‑Fi and loyalty interactions. By unifying this information, they can segment customers by actual behavior, refine menus, and personalize marketing rather than relying on...
LW Design Reveals 2026 Design Forecast
LW Design’s 2026 forecast spotlights a shift toward holistic, experiential wellbeing, positioning wellness as a core element of hospitality rather than an add‑on. The studio has diversified beyond its GCC roots, unveiling a slate of high‑profile openings across Saudi Arabia,...
Lufthansa Joins Airlines to Introduces IATA Turbulence Aware Real-Time Flight Safety
Lufthansa has rolled out IATA’s Turbulence Aware platform across parts of its fleet, including Swiss International Air Lines and Edelweiss Air, to provide pilots with near‑real‑time turbulence alerts. The system gathers anonymised sensor data from participating aircraft and displays colour‑coded...
Uganda Airlines Hunts Short-Term ACMI While A330s Are AOG
Uganda Airlines announced that its two Airbus A330‑800 long‑haul jets are out of service due to unscheduled maintenance, prompting the carrier to hunt for a short‑term wet‑lease to keep intercontinental routes operational. The grounding affects flights to London Gatwick, Mumbai,...
Desert Jet Expands Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport Campus
Desert Jet has secured an additional 7.5 acres at Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport, expanding its Desert Jet Center FBO and maintenance footprint. The lease extension will enable new hangars, more aircraft parking, and upgraded maintenance capabilities, with construction slated to...
From the French Riviera to Kyoto, Japan, 5 New Luxury Hotels
Five new luxury hotels are set to debut worldwide, ranging from a restored 350‑year‑old palace in India to boutique properties on the French Riviera and in Utah. The Oberoi Rajgarh Palace in Khajuraho has been transformed into a 65‑room resort...
Elevate Jet Launches Booking App with AI-Powered Pricing
Elevate Jet unveiled a new private‑jet booking app that delivers instant pricing across six aircraft categories, from light jets to ultra‑long‑range models. The platform is driven by Ruby, a proprietary AI agent that evaluates range, availability, fuel needs, crew limits...
ITW GSE: Good Gate Economics
ITW GSE is expanding its Odense, Denmark facility with a new production hall slated to open in May 2026, boosting European output by roughly 50%. The company’s strategic shift from selling standalone gate boxes to delivering integrated gate systems, branded as...
Port Polska Takes the Next Step
Port Polska, Poland’s new greenfield airport, is being positioned as a major gateway for Central and Eastern Europe. The project will serve both passenger and cargo traffic while directly supporting LOT Polish Airlines’ expansion plans. Integrated high‑speed rail will link...
Bowood Estate Names Cockhill as Head of Business Development
Bowood Estate has appointed Kathrin Cockhill as its first head of business development, a role created to steer commercial growth across the hotel, spa, golf resort, and Bowood House & Gardens. Cockhill brings over 20 years of senior sales experience...
Plaza Premium Group Names New Oceania GM
Plaza Premium Group has named Cyrus Wong as General Manager for Oceania, overseeing regional operations and performance. Wong, who joined the firm in 2020, previously served as Director of Asset Management, steering portfolio performance and long‑range commercial planning. His experience...
Juan Losada Takes Helm at Regent Phu Quoc
Juan Losada has been reappointed as General Manager of Regent Phu Quoc, the luxury resort on Vietnam’s premier island. Losada previously led the property’s pre‑opening and launch from 2019 to 2022, establishing its market positioning. He returns with more than...
UPDATE: New Hyatt Regency Incheon Paradise City Now Listed As Category 4
The West Tower of the former Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport has been sold to the Paradise Group and will reopen as Hyatt Regency Incheon Paradise City on March 9, 2026. Hyatt’s website now lists the property as a Category 4 hotel,...
State of the Union 2026: What Trump Said — and What the Tourism Industry Heard
President Donald Trump’s 2026 State of the Union emphasized tariffs, massive investment and a “golden age” narrative, while omitting climate and LGBTQ issues. The travel and tourism industry, especially in Europe, interpreted the rhetoric as a potential cost increase and...
Chase Adds New Transfer Partner
Chase has announced Wyndham Rewards as a new transfer partner for its Ultimate Rewards portfolio, extending the option to Sapphire Reserve, Sapphire Preferred, J.P. Morgan Reserve and Ink Business Preferred cardholders. The transfer ratio is expected to be 1:1, though the...
Airbnb Lets Asia Pacific Guests Book Without Paying Upfront: Here’s How It Works
Airbnb has rolled out a Reserve Now, Pay Later option across most Asia‑Pacific markets, letting guests secure eligible homes without an upfront card payment. The feature applies to listings with flexible or moderate cancellation policies and charges guests just before...
Work Underway on Stations for Melbourne Airport Rail Project
Early design packages for the A$4.1 billion West Footscray‑to‑Albion rail upgrade have been released, marking the first phase of Melbourne Airport Rail. The plan redevelops Sunshine Station into a multi‑modal "superhub" with extra platforms and a new pedestrian‑cycling bridge, while a...
Philippine Hotel Owners Oppose Plan to Scrap Travel Tax
The Philippine Hotel Owners Association (PHOA) opposes a legislative proposal to eliminate the national travel tax, arguing it could derail domestic tourism recovery. The tax currently funds tourism infrastructure, marketing, and development programs. PHOA warns that scrapping the tax may...
IHG Buy Points Buy Points 100% Bonus Sale Through March 17, 2026
IHG has launched its second Buy Points 100% Bonus Sale for 2026, running through March 17, 2026. Members can earn a full 100% bonus on purchases of 30,000 points or more, with tiered bonuses starting at 80% for 5,000 points....
Four Seasons Yachts Unveils 2027 Caribbean Season Featuring 18 New Voyages
Four Seasons Yachts announced its 2027‑2028 Caribbean season, unveiling 18 new voyages and destinations, including a first‑time stop in Costa Rica. The itineraries emphasize intimate marinas, wildlife encounters such as humpback whale migrations, and a Panama Canal transit for select...
One Million Visitors and Counting: Emirates Drives Tourism Demand for Mauritius
Emirates has carried more than one million tourists to Mauritius between 2022 and 2025, accounting for over 20% of the island’s total arrivals. The airline’s network helped push total visitor numbers to a record 1,436,250 in 2025, a 3.9% increase...
Pulse Hotels & Resorts Unveils Aura Maldives: A New Era of Mindful Luxury, Opening Q4 2026
Pulse Hotels & Resorts announced Aura Maldives, a new 5‑star island resort slated to open in Q4 2026 in the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The property will feature 71 private villas ranging from 246 to 710 sqm, each with its own...
Madeira’s Flower Parade to Be Held Over Two Sundays
The Madeira Flower Parade will be split across two Sundays—May 3 and May 17, 2026—under a new format introduced by the Regional Secretariat for Tourism, Environment and Culture. The change addresses the parade’s growing length, improves viewing conditions, and allows more groups...
THE RITZ-CARLTON, LANGKAWI INTRODUCES DAYANG MASTURA
The Ritz‑Carlton, Langkawi has launched Dayang Mastura, a private 620‑ft Lagoon sailing catamaran that offers luxury charters for up to 20 guests. The vessel features Nauta Design interiors, a dedicated yoga and meditation space, and a suite of water‑sports equipment....
This Is How Your Customers Think About Your Customer Service In 2026
Shep Hyken’s 2026 State of Customer Service report surveyed 2,000 U.S. consumers and found that 83% are generally happy with the companies they use. Only 41% believe service quality has improved over the previous year, while 42% report more bad...
Predictability Is Boring!
David Cooke of BDM argues that airport retail remains stagnant, relying on long‑term leases and static shopfronts despite high foot traffic. He proposes pop‑up stores as a fast, low‑risk solution that can be deployed within days, delivering higher brand visibility...
Make Every Location Your Best Location: Drive More Revenue From Your Underperforming Stores
Fast Casual’s new white paper, sponsored by Momos Guest AI, reveals that multi‑location restaurant and retail brands can reclaim up to $28 million annually by revitalizing their lowest‑performing stores. The report highlights that 96 % of unhappy guests never complain, and that...
IHG Targets Upscale Conversions with Noted Collection Brand
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has unveiled Noted Collection, its 21st brand aimed at converting upscale and upper‑upscale independent hotels into the IHG portfolio. The new premium brand offers access to IHG’s global distribution network, revenue‑management tools, and the One Rewards...
Beyond Green Joins Travalyst Coalition as Accommodation Partner
Beyond Green has become the latest accommodation partner of the Travalyst Coalition, a not‑for‑profit group dedicated to standardising sustainability data in travel. The partnership gives Beyond Green’s global portfolio of independent hotels a voice in shaping emerging data models, metrics...
China Airlines, Agoda Launch StayMiles Hotel Platform
Agoda’s Rocket Travel division has partnered with China Airlines to launch StayMiles, a white‑label hotel booking platform for the carrier’s loyalty members. The service gives members access to over 600,000 properties worldwide and lets them earn up to 10,000 miles...
Villa Fontaine Premier Haneda Airport Rolls Out New All-Inclusive Experience
Sumitomo Fudosan Villa Fontaine has unveiled an all‑inclusive experience at its Villa Fontaine Premier Haneda Airport hotel, directly linked to Terminal 3. Starting April 2026, guests can book a curated "Wonderful Japan" itinerary that bundles executive‑level rooms, daily meals, spa treatments, and...
Mövenpick Resort & Spa Bintan Lagoon Appoints GM
Mövenpick Resort & Spa Bintan Lagoon has appointed Richard Margo as its general manager ahead of the resort’s scheduled opening in the second quarter of 2026. Margo arrives with more than three decades of hospitality leadership across Europe, the Middle East...