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
Earn Double Avios with LeShuttle – and a Reminder of How the Partnership Works
LeShuttle launched Club LeShuttle, adopting Avios as its loyalty currency, the first non‑airline partner. Members earn 3 Avios per £1 on standard tickets and 6 per £1 on Flexiplus, with a double‑Avios promotion offering 6 and 12 Avios respectively for bookings made by 8 March for travel through 28 Feb 2027. Avios can be redeemed for LeShuttle vouchers at roughly 1,000 Avios per £5 credit, usable on all ticket types and accessories but not on insurance or day‑of‑travel fees. Redemption is limited to one voucher per British Airways account per day, and members must manually enter promo code ‘26X2AVIOS’ to qualify.
Millennials and Gen Z Are Spending Smarter, Not Less, on Travel in 2026
Millennials and Gen Z are maintaining or expanding travel budgets in 2026, with 88 % planning to keep or increase spending despite economic headwinds. The Klook Travel Pulse 2026 report shows APAC leading growth, as travelers there are 50 % more likely than their...
What Is Good Tourism? “Good Tourism” & “GT” Travel January-February 2026
The January‑February 2026 issue of the “Good Tourism” blog explores how travel narratives are reshaping geopolitics, sustainability, and industry participation. It highlights a study showing Israeli‑UAE travel writing softening cultural divides after the Abraham Accords, and a critique by Ewan Cluckie...
Philadelphia Moves to Shut Down Restaurant Reservation Scalping as Demand Surges
Philadelphia City Council approved legislation that prohibits third‑party platforms and individuals from selling restaurant reservations without the establishment’s consent. The measure targets marketplaces such as Appointment Trader, which handled over $5 million in reservation transactions and 15,000 sellers last year, and...
Hyatt Inclusive Collection Puerto Vallarta Goes Above & Beyond During Unrest
Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta responded to recent civil unrest in Jalisco by tightening on‑site security and issuing real‑time safety guidance. The hotel offered complimentary extensions for guests staying through February 22 and a discounted “distress” rate for February 23, while waiving cancellation...
Alaska Airlines Passengers Arrive At Destination 7 Hours Late After Power Bank Catches Fire
A power bank ignited on Horizon Air flight AS2117, causing a thermal‑runaway fire aboard an Embraer E175. The crew extinguished the blaze and the pilot returned to Wichita for an emergency landing, where a passenger received minor burns. The aircraft underwent...
Flat Taxi Cab Rates in Las Vegas Between Airport and Hotel
Las Vegas taxi operators now charge flat rates of $21, $25 or $29 for airport‑to‑hotel trips, depending on the zone, after a $1 base‑fare increase in August 2024 that eliminated the fuel surcharge. The three zones cover Sunset Road to Tropicana, Tropicana...
COMAC's Reality Check: Supply Chains and Sanctions Mean Slower Output; Western Access Narrows
COMAC showcased its C919 at the Singapore Airshow, underscoring its ambition to become a global competitor. However, heightened US‑China tensions and dependence on Western suppliers have forced the Chinese OEM to cut 2025 production and delay deliveries. Supply‑chain disruptions, regulatory...
Dearth of Opportunities Stirs Investor Interest in Sicilian and Copenhagen Airport Privatisations
Investor interest is reviving after a dearth of new airport privatisations in Europe. Potential deals are emerging for Sicily’s Catania airport, targeting a logistics hub, and Denmark’s Copenhagen Airport, which may welcome private investors again after a period of renationalisation....
Xenia Hotels & Resorts Inc (XHR) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Xenia Hotels & Resorts reported a Q3 2025 net loss of $13.7 million while generating $42.2 million of adjusted EBITDAre and 23 cents adjusted FFO per share, an 8% YoY decline. Same‑property RevPAR was flat, but excluding the Houston market the portfolio saw...
Why the Perks of Gold Medallion Make It Delta’s Elite Status Sweet Spot
Delta’s Gold Medallion status sits at the sweet spot between attainable spend and valuable perks, requiring $10,000 in Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) for 2026. The tier delivers 8 X SkyMiles on base fares, complimentary upgrades (excluding Basic Economy), free first checked...
Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Results
Ryman Hospitality Properties reported record Q4 and full‑year 2025 results, posting $737.8 million in quarterly revenue and $2.6 billion for the year. Adjusted EBITDAre rose 18.9% YoY to $224.3 million in Q4 and $794.7 million annually, while net income reached $74.5 million and $247.3 million respectively....
President of Plusgrade on Agent-Ready Hotel Revenue
In this episode, Eric Tangen, President of Hospitality Upselling at Plusgrade and co‑founder of Oki, discusses how hotels can boost total revenue by integrating upselling technology with revenue management systems. He explains the shift from focusing solely on RevPAR to...
OUTRIGGER Maldives Expands Wellness Programming for 2026
OUTRIGGER Resorts & Hotels is rolling out an expanded wellness program at its Maldives Maafushivaru Resort for 2026, adding aerial yoga, bungee fit, TRX training and ocean‑front sound healing. The new Alchemy Bar introduces hands‑on workshops such as coconut‑oil cooking...
Buzz Around Opening of New Honey Outlet at Denver International Airport
Denver International Airport has opened its first long‑term retail outlet for Björn Colorado Honey, a Colorado specialty brand. The store, designed by local firm Neoera, features a Scandinavian‑inspired café with honey‑infused beverages and premium honey tastings. Situated in Concourse C...
Transcend Cruises Strengthens Team with New Appointments
Transcend Cruises announced two senior hires to accelerate its growth in the European river cruise market. Bentlie Logan joins as Director of MICE and Agency Sales, bringing recent Carnival Cruise Line experience and a focus on expanding North American group...
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Calling In Sick After Your Vacation? Union Says United Airlines Is Using Tech To Fire Flight Attendants [Roundup]
United Airlines has deployed an algorithmic system to identify flight attendants it deems to be abusing sick‑leave, flagging crew who fail to trade assigned trips or who call in sick after denied time‑off requests. The technology cross‑references scheduling disputes and...
MSC Cruises Expands Entertainment with AI Robotics, New Game Shows and More
MSC Cruises is overhauling its 2026 entertainment slate, adding AI‑powered robotic dogs and humanoid robots, new original game shows, and refreshed music and production shows across its fleet. The pilot on MSC Bellissima will expand to Asian sailings and the...
AKTG Expands Leadership Roles to Support Brand Growth
Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group (AKTG) has reorganized its trade sales leadership across the Americas, appointing Debra Fox as Chief Sales Officer – Trade. Fox now oversees global trade sales for all AKTG brands, reporting directly to CEO Cristina Levis....
Spotlight Series: Jacaruso Enterprises
Jacaruso Enterprises, featured in Hotel Business’s Spotlight Series, is redefining hotel sales operations through AI‑enabled solutions. VP of Bold Moves, April Eskelson, explained how the company’s Lead Shark platform equips hotel partners with real‑time business intelligence. She highlighted AI tools...
Zaxbys Launches a Dry Rub Lineup
Zaxby’s has turned its experimental dry‑rub flavors into a permanent menu offering, debuting garlic parmesan, Nashville Hot and lemon pepper rubs. The rubs can be applied to Chicken Fingerz, wings, fries or bundled in meal combos, expanding the chain’s flavor...
UK Hotel Market Stabilizes with Short-Stay Demand and Diverse Booking Channels
SiteMinder’s 2026 Hotel Booking Trends report shows the UK hotel market has settled into a new normal defined by strong short‑stay demand and a largely domestic guest base. Short stays account for 80.5% of nights, while domestic travelers represent roughly...
Camping as a Strategic Asset in Tourism Supply and Rural Sustainable Development
Spain’s camping sector has shifted from tents to high‑comfort bungalows, glamping units and motorhome facilities, with tents now representing less than 5% of the market. This evolution aligns with growing traveler demand for nature‑based experiences that combine hotel‑level comfort, flexibility...
Beyond the Pipeline: Why Park City’s Growth Is a Function of Scale, Not Oversupply - By Katy Black
Park City is witnessing a surge of residential and hotel construction, highlighted by Deer Valley’s East Village project that will deliver 800 hotel rooms and 1,700 luxury units. The region’s skiable acreage will near 20,000 acres, outpacing the combined terrain...
Connecting Revenue and Profitability: Flow Through and Flex Explained
The article introduces Flow Through and Flex as complementary metrics that translate hotel revenue changes into profitability outcomes. Flow Through measures the percentage of incremental revenue that becomes gross operating profit, while Flex gauges how well a property shields profit...
AmaWaterways Rolls Out 2027 Solo and Group Booking Incentives
AmaWaterways has launched limited‑time 2027 booking incentives aimed at solo travelers and groups, with a 10% reduced single supplement on over 500 sailings and a doubled group discount of $500 per person. The promotions are available for reservations made through...
It’s Personal Stories Launches New Website
It’s Personal Stories, a hospitality leadership podcast founded in 2022, has launched a redesigned website that consolidates nearly 300 interviews with global hospitality leaders. The new platform offers a searchable archive by guest name, title, company, and thematic categories, with...
HSMAI DC Webinar to Focus on Sales Prospecting Strategies, Tactics
The Washington, D.C. chapter of the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) is hosting a free, one‑hour webinar on February 25 to sharpen hospitality sales prospecting strategies for 2026. The session features Bob Anderson of Star Performance Inc., who will...
JFK Airport’s Terminal 4 Awarded Leed® Platinum Certification
JFK International Air Terminal (JFKIAT) announced that Terminal 4 has been recertified at the LEED Platinum level for existing buildings, marking its second Platinum award. The achievement comes amid a $1.5 billion transformation that embeds energy‑efficiency, renewable energy, electric mobility and water‑conservation...
MANDARIN ORIENTAL APPOINTS SIMONE BILES AS THE BRANDS FIRST GLOBAL WELLNESS AMBASSADOR
Mandarin Oriental announced Simone Biles as its first global wellness ambassador, marking a strategic move to embed holistic wellbeing into its luxury hospitality portfolio. Biles will work with the brand’s Wellness Board to shape programs that blend physical, mental and recovery...
Exit Row Seats Collapse Into Row Behind During Takeoff—Latest Safety Scare For Troubled Airline
During the initial climb of a Batik Air Boeing 737‑800, economy seats in an exit row tipped backward, flattening into the row behind and blocking the aisle near the emergency exit. The crew re‑seated passengers and the aircraft underwent an...
Avia Solutions Group Expands Global Reach as Skytrans Australia Eyes National Growth with New Sydney–Cobar Route
Avia Solutions Group is extending its global footprint by leveraging its Australian subsidiary, Skytrans, to launch a new charter route between Sydney and Cobar. Weekly flights began on 19 January 2026 and will run through mid‑May, using a 36‑seat Dash 8‑200...
Highgate and Kessler Join Forces to Power Up Performance
Highgate and The Kessler Collection announced a strategic alliance that establishes a Kessler Hospitality division within Highgate and adds several Kessler‑managed properties to its portfolio. The partnership leverages Highgate’s revenue‑management expertise, technology platforms, and buying power to improve profitability and...
Central Park Towers: Tbilisi’s First Integrated Luxury Resort Set to Transform Georgia’s Tourism Market
Central Park Towers, a $500 million integrated luxury resort, is under construction on Kazbegi Avenue in Tbilisi and slated to open in 2027. The 24‑hour destination will combine roughly 1,200 hotel rooms with high‑end retail, dining, wellness, entertainment and a 4,000‑guest...
IHOP Goes Analog to Celebrate National Pancake Day
IHOP announced its first National Pancake Day on March 3, offering a free short stack of buttermilk pancakes at participating locations from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The event includes an in‑person appearance by social‑media influencer Mr. Fantasy at the Hollywood restaurant. IHOP...
KFC Is Piloting Two Value Platforms
KFC is testing two distinct value platforms in Ohio and Florida from late February through March, offering flat‑rate bundles at $8 and $10 respectively. The Ohio market provides an everyday all‑day menu with choices of tenders, wings or nuggets, while...
Colicchio Consulting Launches Culinary Hub in Cambridge, MA
Colicchio Consulting has opened Eastern Edge, an 11,000‑square‑foot, all‑electric culinary and community hub in Cambridge’s Kendall Square adjacent to MIT. The 275‑seat venue hosts nine local food vendors, two bars, and flexible event space, operated by the Gather Group with...
Web Exclusive: Hilton Los Angeles Airport Guestrooms Land a Makeover
Hilton Los Angeles Airport is investing $50 million to renovate its 1,234‑room property ahead of a wave of global sporting events, including the FIFA World Cup, Super Bowl and Olympic Games. The phased redesign, set to finish next month, converts all...
Web Exclusive: The Compton Finds Its Footing in the Ozarks
Practice Hospitality’s founder Bashar Wali unveiled The Compton, a 142‑room independent lifestyle hotel on Bentonville’s historic Square, designed to feel native to the Ozarks. The property blends biophilic architecture, local art and folklore, and a cycling‑centric service model that includes...
Use Our Business to Grow Your Business
Hotel Business urges hospitality suppliers to leverage B2B media for growth. The editorial stresses that strategic placement in trusted trade publications delivers audience alignment, authority, and lasting brand equity, especially during economic uncertainty. It argues that visibility in reputable outlets...
DKN Hotels Opens SpringHill Suites in Oxnard, CA
DKN Hotels has launched the SpringHill Suites by Marriott Ventura Oxnard, a 121‑suite extended‑stay hotel in Oxnard, California. The property sits within walking distance of The Collection RiverPark and a short drive from downtown, beaches, and Channel Islands National Park....
“Free” Norwegian Cruise for Caesars Diamond Elite Members
Caesars Rewards has introduced a new perk for its Diamond Elite tier: a complimentary 7‑night Norwegian Cruise Line voyage in an Oceanview stateroom to destinations such as the Caribbean, Bermuda, or the Mexican Riviera, with an alternative Alaska itinerary in...
GHIG JV Approved for All-Electric Hotel in Boston’s Seaport District
Global Hospitality Investment Group (GHIG) and a partner have secured Boston Zoning Commission approval for a new all‑electric hotel on Anchor Street in the Seaport District. The 438‑room, 160,000‑sq‑ft property will join the existing Aloft and Element hotels, completing a...
EBACE26 Ticket Sales Open for June Event
The European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) has opened ticket sales for EBACE26, scheduled for 2‑4 June in Geneva. The event will feature a refreshed static display in a new airport location, showcasing turboprops and ultra‑long‑range jets. New amenities include an operators...
Hot Off the Press — February 2026
Hotel Business released its February 2026 issue, featuring a cover story on Preferred Hotels & Resorts and a detailed look at the Waterford Hotel Group’s merger with Maverick Hotels & Restaurants. The issue also includes an exclusive interview with new...
Ole Orvér Becomes Chief Executive Officer Of Oneworld
onworld alliance announced Ole Orvér as its new chief executive officer, starting April 1, 2026. Orvér joins from Finnair, where he served as chief commercial officer and reshaped the airline’s network and loyalty strategy. His résumé includes senior roles at...
Cuba’s Fuel Crisis: Hotels Under Strain, Transfers Disrupted, & Soaring Operating Costs
Cuba’s chronic fuel shortage is disrupting hotel operations and travel logistics, as generators replace unreliable grid power and transport services face cuts. State‑run buses and airport transfers are delayed, while rental‑car users endure long refueling queues. Hotels are absorbing higher...
British Airways Accidentally Leaks Seat Map For Reconfigured A380 Superjumbos But Refit Project Could Be in Trouble
British Airways unintentionally published the seat map for its re‑configured A380 fleet, exposing a new layout that trims capacity to 421 seats, a 10% reduction. The redesign introduces 12 First Class suites, 84 World Traveller Plus seats, 215 World Traveller...
EU Member States Are Able to “Partially Suspend” EU Entry/Exit System During the Summer Travel Peak
The European Commission announced that after the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) rollout completes on 10 April 2026, member states may partially suspend the system for up to 90 days, with a possible 60‑day extension to cover the summer travel peak. This flexibility...
Ontario Celebrates Hospitality Workers Appreciation Day
Ontario has proclaimed February 23 as the province’s first Hospitality Workers Appreciation Day, a holiday that honors restaurants, hotels, event venues and catering firms for their economic contribution. The legislation passed unanimously in the Legislative Assembly after advocacy by industry...