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
Kelli Valade’s Career Comes Full Circle
Kelli Valade, a veteran of Chili’s, Red Lobster and Denny’s, was named chief executive officer of the Women’s Foodservice Forum (WFF) in January 2026, shortly after leading Denny’s through a $620 million private‑equity deal. Valade brings deep operational, HR and leadership experience to the 37‑year‑old nonprofit, which supports roughly 10,000 members and 70 partner organizations. She plans to listen to stakeholders, broaden the network’s reach, and double down on inclusivity and mentorship. Her appointment comes as industry reports highlight rising burnout and stagnant advancement for women in foodservice.
Buy Virgin Points With a 70% Bonus (1.47¢ Each) – Score Deals on Delta, Virgin Atlantic, ANA & More
Virgin Red has launched a limited‑time buy‑points promotion offering up to a 70 % bonus, lowering the effective cost to as little as 1.47¢ per Virgin Point. The offer runs until 31 March 2026, raises the annual purchase cap to 300,000 points before...
The Future of Cold Storage: Innovations in Energy Efficiency & Why They Matter Now More Than Ever
Rising energy prices, stricter regulations, and sustainability goals are forcing cold‑storage operators to prioritize efficiency. New insulation materials such as XPS and vacuum‑insulated panels dramatically reduce thermal loss, while IoT‑enabled smart controls match cooling output to real‑time demand. Manufacturers are...
Treehouse Hotel Miami Beach Taking Root Soon
Treehouse Hotels, the playful hospitality brand founded by Barry Sternlicht, will launch its first resort‑style property in Miami Beach in early 2029. The development reimagines two iconic 1940s Art Deco buildings—Haddon Hall and Campton Apartments—while adding a new tower with...
Why Cost Alone No Longer Defines Chicken Value
Rising food‑away‑from‑home prices and growing protein demand are reshaping how full‑service restaurants evaluate chicken. While private‑label chicken still promises lower case costs, operators are encountering variability that hurts labor efficiency and menu flexibility. Brakebush Brothers positions itself as a consistent,...
UK Aviation Sector Currently Experiencing Busiest Period in History
The UK Civil Aviation Authority reports a record‑breaking 302 million passenger journeys in 2025, a 2 % rise over 2024 and the highest level since the sector began tracking data. Passenger traffic has tripled since 1989, and a third of travelers plan...
Contour Sets Start Date For New EAS Route
Independent regional carrier Contour will launch Essential Air Service flights from South Arkansas Regional Airport in El Dorado to Dallas/Fort Worth on March 16. The airport, which lost scheduled service in November, will receive up to three daily nonstop flights with a varied...
How the MGM Rewards Iconic World Elite Mastercard Can Fast-Track Your Status and Elevate Your Experience
The MGM Rewards Iconic World Elite Mastercard offers a fast‑track to higher MGM Rewards tier status, featuring a limited‑time welcome bonus of 40,000 points and 15,000 Tier Credits for $5,000 spend. Cardholders earn 6 points and Tier Credits per dollar...
Operto Unveils Coordinated AI Team Operto ONE
Operto has introduced Operto ONE, a coordinated AI platform that deploys three specialized teams—distribution, front‑of‑house, and back‑of‑house—across independent hotels. The system comprises seven agents that draw from a shared AI Hub, providing real‑time analysis, recommendations, and supervised actions. A built‑in...
Beyond Dashboards: How Hotels Can Turn Connected Data Into Better Decisions
Hotels have poured billions into modern tech stacks, yet fragmented legacy systems and piecemeal integrations leave data inconsistent and dashboards stale. As integration points weaken, information leaks and decision‑making slows at the property level. The industry is now shifting from...
Voco Times Square – Broadway Debuts
IHG’s voco brand has opened its largest American property, voco Times Square – Broadway, a 32‑story hotel with 419 rooms in Midtown Manhattan. The hotel draws on Prohibition‑era speakeasy aesthetics while offering modern comforts, including the only rooftop venue in...
NYC Real Estate Stumped by Roosevelt Hotel
#NYC #realestate scratches its head over future of #RooseveltHotel as owner #Pakistan embraces redev under a #JV, an idea that's only been kicking around for 5 years. #DC baffled. #hotel #GrandCentral #CRE #Trump #GSA https://t.co/quNa74iZS1
Ashford Trust to Sell New Mexico and Florida Hotels for $153.5M
Ashford Hospitality Trust entered definitive agreements to sell two hotels—La Posada de Santa Fe in New Mexico for $57.5 million and Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront in Florida for $96 million—totaling $153.5 million. The transactions, slated to close in March, are part of a broader...
Disney Cruise Line Reveals Summer 2027 Lineup
Disney Cruise Line opened bookings for its summer 2027 schedule, featuring the first European deployment of the Disney Wish and a renewed Alaska presence from Vancouver with the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder. The lineup also adds extensive Caribbean and...
Transfer Citi ThankYou® Points to Wyndham Rewards With a 25% Transfer Bonus
Citi has introduced a 25% transfer bonus for moving ThankYou® points to Wyndham Rewards, running through March 21, 2026. The promotion applies to all Citi cards, but premium cards like Strata Elite, Strata Premier and Prestige achieve a 1.25 Wyndham‑point per...
Hurricane Grill & Wings Opens in Greater Houston Area
FAT Brands Inc., the parent of Hurricane Grill & Wings and 17 other concepts, opened its first Hurricane Grill & Wings in the greater Houston area, located in Lake Jackson’s Plantation Village shopping center. This marks the brand’s second Texas...
Press Release: Gilat Receives $39 Million in Orders for Sidewinder ESA
Gilat Satellite Networks announced $39 million in orders for its Sidewinder electronically steered antenna (ESA) in‑flight connectivity terminals from a leading satellite operator, with deliveries slated over the next 12 months. The orders cover both line‑fit and retrofit installations, underscoring airlines'...
Delta Unveils Its Largest Hawaii Schedule Ever With New Minneapolis–Maui Route And Boston–Honolulu Return
Delta Air Lines announced its largest seasonal Hawaii schedule for winter 2026‑27, adding a new nonstop Minneapolis‑St. Paul to Maui route and reinstating Boston to Honolulu service, the longest domestic flight in the U.S. The new MSP‑Maui flight operates daily...
EU Warns Russia’s African Recruitment in Ukraine Resembles “Modern Slavery” Exploiting Migration and Tourism Routes
European investigators warn that Russia’s recruitment of African migrants and students for the Ukraine war amounts to a new form of modern slavery, exploiting tourism visas, student exchanges and fake job offers. At least 171 African fighters, many aged 18‑25,...
What the American Customer Satisfaction Index Reveals About 2026
The American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) released its 2026 report, showing the overall national satisfaction score rising to 78.5, the strongest level in seven years. Retail leads the pack with an 82.1 rating, while telecom slips to 70.3, highlighting divergent...
Strategic Sizzle: Why Houston TX Hot Chicken Prioritizes Smart Growth over Rapid Expansion
Houston TX Hot Chicken, a Nashville‑style concept launched in Las Vegas during the COVID‑19 pandemic, now operates 31 units and boasts over 400,000 social‑media followers. The brand’s strong online presence generates organic franchise leads, reducing the need for aggressive sales...
First Watch CFO Mel Hope to Retire
First Watch Restaurant Group announced that Chief Financial Officer Mel Hope will retire later this year after eight years of service. Hope, who joined in 2018, played a pivotal role in the company's IPO and subsequent growth phases. The board...
London Southend Airport to Allow 2 Litres of Liquid in Cabin Baggage
London Southend Airport announced that passengers can now carry up to two litres of liquid in cabin baggage, thanks to the installation of C3 screening technology. The same system also permits laptops, iPads and tablets to remain inside bags during...
SFO Names New Chief Financial Officer
San Francisco International Airport announced Ronda Chu as its new chief financial officer. Chu will manage the airport’s operating budget, fiscal programmes, and revenue‑enhancement initiatives while overseeing finance, accounting, risk‑management, and procurement services. She brings more than 25 years of...
European Aviation Calls for Continued EU Funding
European aviation groups CANSO, ACI Europe and Airlines for Europe have urged EU ministers to maintain co‑funding of the SESAR programme beyond 2027. They argue that continued financing through the Connecting Europe Facility and the European Competitiveness Fund is essential...
ACI World Reveals Best Airports for Customer Experience in 2025
The Airports Council International (ACI) World announced its 2025 ASQ Customer Experience Awards, recognizing 100 airports with 195 honors across categories from staff dedication to cleanliness. The awards arrive as global passenger traffic is projected to hit 9.8 billion in 2025...
Portillo's Is Still Learning What Not to Do From Texas
Portillo’s reported a 3.3% decline in fourth‑quarter same‑store sales and a 0.5% drop for the full year, driven largely by weak transaction growth in Texas. The chain announced new CEO Brett Patterson, succeeding interim CEO Mike Miles, who highlighted that...
Domino's Hopes Its Largest Franchisee Can Turn Things Around
Domino’s Pizza Enterprises (DPE), the pizza chain’s largest franchisee with 3,500 stores across Asia‑Pacific and Europe, reported its first annual loss in a 20‑year public history and announced the closure of more than 300 locations, most in Japan. The franchisee’s...
After Solid Year, First Watch Approaches 2026 with Caution
First Watch posted a solid 2025, achieving 3.6% same‑store sales growth and opening a record 64 restaurants despite a modest traffic dip. The chain projects 2026 same‑store sales growth of 1%‑3% and will temper expansion to 59‑63 new sites while closing...
Sweetgreen Explores a New Menu Platform: Wraps
Sweetgreen is piloting three chicken‑based wraps—Classic Chicken Caesar, Chicken Jalapeño Ranch, and Chicken Salad Bacon Club—across New York, the Midwest and select Los Angeles locations. Each wrap contains over 40 grams of protein and is priced between $10.95 and under $15, positioning it...
Consumers Are Sending a Signal on Tech. Restaurants Should Listen
Consumers are increasingly demanding technology-driven experiences in restaurants, from mobile ordering to contactless payment. Recent surveys reveal a measurable shift toward digital convenience, prompting operators to reassess the balance between tech and traditional hospitality. Restaurants that integrate intuitive tech solutions...
McDonald's Is Bringing Its Big Arch Burger to the U.S.
McDonald’s will roll out its half‑pound Big Arch burger in the United States on March 3 as a limited‑time offering. The sandwich, already a permanent menu item in the UK and sold in France and Canada, layers two quarter‑pound patties, white cheddar,...
Making Great Customer and Employee Relationships Stick with Stephen Baer
In a recent Amazing Business Radio episode, Stephen Baer explains how internal employee engagement directly fuels external customer experience. He argues that genuine, relationship‑focused interactions outperform surface‑level personalization and pure convenience. Baer highlights that companies investing in their people see...
London City Appoints New CEO
London City Airport announced Andy Cliffe as its new chief executive, effective immediately. Cliffe, formerly Group CEO of AGS Airports and senior leader at Manchester Airports Group, joins after helping Macquarie Asset Management acquire a stake in the airport. He replaces long‑time...
EmptyLegFinder.aero Launches Across the USA and Canada
EmptyLegFinder.aero, a digital marketplace for discounted empty‑leg private jet flights, has launched across the United States and Canada. At launch the platform lists more than 1,400 empty‑leg opportunities, with over 200 new flights added each day from verified charter operators....
The Role of Real Estate in F&B Franchise Profitability
Real estate decisions shape profitability in food‑and‑beverage franchising long before menu or branding take effect. Site location, format and lease terms dictate traffic flow, operating costs and scalability. End‑cap, in‑line and freestanding spaces each present distinct trade‑offs between visibility, rent...
The Rise of Mike’s Hot Honey: Founder Mike Kurtz on Authentic Growth & Collaboration in the Hospitality Business
In this episode, founder Mike Kurtz recounts the origins and explosive growth of Mike's Hot Honey, from a spontaneous discovery on a Brazilian hiking trip to its adoption by major chains like Taco Bell and KFC. He details the grassroots...
Seaplane Asia Group and NexAvian Partner on Southeast Asia Air Mobility
Seaplane Asia Group and Singapore‑based NexAvian signed a memorandum of understanding at the 2026 Singapore Airshow to accelerate advanced air mobility across Southeast Asia. The deal merges Seaplane Asia’s amphibious aviation operations with NexAvian’s emerging technology and regulatory expertise, targeting...
HBA San Francisco Completes Design Refresh of New York Resort
HBA San Francisco has completed a comprehensive design refresh of Gurney’s Montauk Resort and Seawater Spa in New York, revamping the lobby, two new food‑and‑beverage venues and an expanded fire‑pit outdoor gathering space. The new aesthetic leans on warm woods,...
Ramadan Festival Takes Flight at iGA Istanbul Airport
iGA Istanbul Airport has launched an immersive Ramadan Festival, converting its domestic and international terminals into a Ramadan Village that operates daily from 10 am to 10 pm. The showcase blends traditional Turkish arts—calligraphy, Ebru marbling, and live music—with digital experiences like...
The Real Reason Why Delta Air Lines Brought Back The Boeing 747
Delta Air Lines reintroduced the Boeing 747 after an 18‑year gap, driven primarily by its 2008 merger with Northwest Airlines. The acquisition added a sizable 747 fleet that supported Delta’s expanded trans‑Atlantic and Pacific long‑haul network. The aircraft served as a...
EReport: End-to-End Asset Management for Future-Ready Airports
The International Airport Review eReport outlines how airports are modernising asset management to cope with rising operational, regulatory and sustainability pressures. It highlights a shift from traditional CAPEX/OPEX splits toward a whole‑life TOTEX model that integrates planning, delivery, operation and...
Turkey Joins Poland, Portugal and More to Launch Europe’s Most Competitive Easter 2026 Budget Break Race — How Marmaris, Kraków...
Turkey, Poland and Portugal are promoting Marmaris, Kraków and Albufeira as Europe’s top budget Easter 2026 city‑breaks. The early‑April long weekend creates a compressed travel window that favours walkable, public‑transport‑rich destinations. Official tourism bodies highlight each city’s compact sightseeing zones,...
Dar Es Salaam Sees Tourism Surge with Arrival of Seven Seas Voyager and 600+ Passengers
Luxury liner Seven Seas Voyager arrived in Dar es Salaam on February 18‑19, 2026, bringing over 600 international guests ashore for a two‑day visit. The Tanzania Tourism Board highlighted the immediate economic boost from these high‑spending cruise passengers, who patronized...
Catbalogan Bold Eco-Tourism Moves: Cave Mapping, Marine Biodiversity, and Sustainable Strategies Set the Stage for 2026 Growth
Catbalogan, Samar, is rapidly emerging as a premier eco‑tourism hub, leveraging its waterfalls, caves, reefs and cultural sites. In 2024 the city recorded a 107.22% surge in overnight arrivals and a jump to 646,741 day visitors, far surpassing 2019 levels....
China to Lead Global Outbound Growth by 2030
Chinese outbound travelers, the world’s third‑largest source of visitors and top spender in 2019, are forecast to recover to roughly 50% of pre‑pandemic volumes by 2027 and become the leading outbound market by 2030. Michael Shoory of Tourism Economics notes...
Marriott Bonvoy Taps Indonesia’s Growing Travel Market with New Credit Card
Marriott Bonvoy and Indonesia’s state‑owned Bank Mandiri have launched the Marriott Bonvoy Mandiri credit card, the hospitality brand’s first co‑branded card in Southeast Asia and its 35th worldwide. The product targets Indonesia’s fast‑growing travel segment, leveraging Mandiri’s digital reach and...
Nearly 40 Inches Of Pitch: Delta Air Lines Unveils Seat Map Of New Premium-Heavy Airbus A321neo
Delta Air Lines announced a new Airbus A321neo configuration that includes an unusually large premium cabin. The aircraft will carry 44 first‑class seats with a 38‑inch pitch across the front two‑thirds of the jet. Behind it, a 54‑seat Delta Comfort+...
Plaza Premium Group, IAS Hospitality Expand Lounge Access Across Indonesia and Globally
Plaza Premium Group and IAS Hospitality have forged a partnership that links 26 IAS‑operated lounges in Indonesia with Plaza Premium’s global network of over 100 lounges. The agreement grants Plaza Premium’s airline and corporate clients access to Indonesian terminals where...
Beachfront Pony Experience at Sentosa
Shangri‑La Rasa Sentosa is launching a limited‑time Seaside Pony & Picnic Experience for the March 2026 school holidays, running from March 13 to 22. The package combines a one‑hour guided pony interaction for children aged three to twelve with a...