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
Research: 69% of Restaurants Are Adopting AI While 81% Increase Digital Marketing Investment
Research by Popmenu of 328 restaurant leaders shows 44% already use AI and another 25% plan adoption, while 78% are optimizing sites for AI‑driven search. Consumer spending dropped to $90 weekly, a $25 decline, prompting operators to lean on digital ordering, automation, and personalized marketing. Eighty‑seven percent of restaurants use technology to tailor messages, and 31% are testing dynamic pricing to boost margins. Despite economic headwinds, 63% remain optimistic and many plan expansion, relying on cloud platforms.
Ezeiza Opts for Synaptic Ramp Solution
Argentina’s Ezeiza International Airport will roll out Synaptic Aviation’s AI‑powered ramp visibility platform across all passenger gates after a successful 90‑day proof‑of‑concept. The deployment installs more than 60 on‑premises cameras that continuously monitor aircraft push‑back, baggage loading and ground‑crew movements....
Southern Grounds Aims to Be a Bridge Between Starbucks and First Watch
Southern Grounds is launching as an all‑day café that fuses high‑end specialty coffee with chef‑driven, brunch‑style food. The concept positions itself between the mass‑market appeal of Starbucks and the upscale, menu‑focused experience of First Watch. With a funky, community‑centric vibe and...
The Restaurant Industry Gets 2 Big Wins
Federal judges delivered two significant rulings affecting restaurants. In Illinois, a judge held Visa, Mastercard and banks not preempted, allowing states to pursue swipe‑fee reforms. In Oregon, a judge found the state's extended producer responsibility law likely unconstitutional, halting the...
Why DoorDash Isn't Afraid of AI Shopping Agents
DoorDash CEO Tony Xu says AI ordering agents won’t replace delivery apps because DoorDash controls the end‑to‑end experience, from driver dispatch to issue resolution. AI agents may handle search, ordering and payment, but fulfillment and logistics remain platform‑specific. DoorDash posted 32%...
Subway Pulls Back on Its Free Sub Offer
Subway announced it will discontinue the free fourth‑footlong offer that was a key component of its Sub Club loyalty program. The move comes amid stagnant same‑store sales and mounting pressure on margins from rising ingredient costs. By transitioning to a...
In the Social Media Era, Be Careful What You Wish For
Five Guys launched an anniversary promotion that dramatically outperformed its internal forecasts, driven by a wave of social‑media buzz. The unexpected surge highlighted how digital platforms can amplify marketing offers far beyond traditional channels. Companies across sectors are now grappling with...
La Madeleine Eyes Accelerated Growth Following 'Ignite the Joy' Turnaround
French‑inspired bakery‑café La Madeleine reported its strongest expansion pipeline in nearly a decade after a year of operational restructuring under CEO John Dillon. The 2025 “Ignite the Joy” plan delivered positive sales, with off‑premise revenue reaching roughly 50% and new...
Birmingham Airport Publishes New Sustainability Strategy
Birmingham Airport (BHX) has unveiled its 2026‑2030 sustainability strategy, organized around ten strategic themes that align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The plan builds on a 30% reduction in direct emissions achieved since 2019 and reinforces the airport’s...
Restaurants Challenged to Manage the Cost/Inflation Margin Squeeze in 2026
The U.S. restaurant sector enters 2026 facing a steep cost squeeze, with food and labor expenses 30% above 2019 levels. Operators have raised menu prices 31% since 2020, yet profit margins remain tight at just 3‑5%. Consumer demand is shifting...
Avelo Airlines Cuts 29% Of Flights: Why Is The Budget Carrier Shrinking So Fast?
Avelo Airlines announced a 29% cut to its Q2 2026 schedule, removing over 3,000 flights compared with a year earlier. The reduction stems from closing two East Coast bases, ending West Coast operations, and accelerating the retirement of its Boeing...
What Power Banks Do You Use & Why?
Japan’s transport ministry will ban power‑bank use on all flights starting April 2026, prompting airlines to adjust safety protocols. China has extended its 30‑day visa‑free program to UK and Canadian passport holders through the end of 2026, easing travel barriers. Meanwhile,...
FLYR Hospitality Now Available on Shiji Daylight PMS
Shiji announced that its cloud‑native Daylight PMS now integrates directly with FLYR Hospitality’s AI‑first commercial optimization platform. The connection lets hotel groups automate pricing, forecasting and performance analytics within their existing PMS, replacing manual spreadsheet workflows. FLYR’s Optimize and Insights...
Omni Hotels & Resorts Modernizes Guest Engagement with Canary Technologies
Omni Hotels & Resorts announced it will integrate Canary Technologies’ Guest Experience Platform across its portfolio. The rollout includes AI‑powered Guest Messaging via SMS, WhatsApp and 100+ languages, plus a mobile‑friendly Digital Compendium that consolidates property information. The partnership aims...
Dexamenes Expands Accommodation Offering with New Suites
Greek winery‑turned‑hotel Dexamenes Seaside Hotel has introduced eight new Seaview Terrace Suites, expanding its accommodation portfolio. The suites are constructed atop restored fermentation tanks, featuring floor‑to‑ceiling folding windows, verandas, and a floating pergola canopy. Additional amenities include converted office wellness...
United States and Germany Lead the Way as Boeing 777X Introduces Groundbreaking Wingtip Safety System
Boeing’s 777X will enter service with a first‑of‑its‑kind active takeoff inhibition system that verifies the folding wingtip configuration before departure. The aircraft’s 235‑foot wingspan can be reduced to 212 feet on the ground, allowing it to fit existing Code E gates at...
Lesotho’s High-Altitude Bet: Can Tourism Infrastructure Turn a Mountain Kingdom Into an Investment Destination?
Lesotho is repositioning tourism as an infrastructure‑finance engine, using public‑private partnerships to attract private capital and extend visitor stays. The flagship Katse Tourist Village aims to turn a major reservoir into an eco‑destination that spurs roads, utilities and local supply...
First Look at Grecotel’s Brand-New Cretan Icon – Creta Palace
Grecotel has announced the launch of Creta Palace, a new luxury resort on Crete’s north‑coast. The property will offer roughly 300 rooms, several high‑end restaurants, a full‑service spa, and extensive meeting facilities. Construction is slated for completion in early 2025,...
Emirates Skywards Offers Ramadan Rewards and Chance to Win Share of 2 Million Skywards Miles
Emirates Skywards has launched a Ramadan promotion offering members a chance to win a share of 2 million Skywards Miles, with 20 winners each receiving 100,000 Miles. Participants earn a 25% bonus on all spends through the Skywards Everyday app and...
Faith-Based Travelers Turn to Biblical Greece for a More Stable Journey
Faith‑based travelers are increasingly choosing Greece for New Testament pilgrimages, driven by its biblical relevance and robust tourism infrastructure. Greece recorded a historic 40 million international arrivals in 2024, with early 2025 data confirming continued growth. Tour operators, especially U.S.‑based firms,...
Divi Resorts Highlights Exclusive Direct Booking Perks
Divi Resorts is promoting a suite of direct‑booking perks across its Caribbean portfolio, including a Best Price Guarantee, flexible pay‑over‑time options, and cash‑back rewards through The Guestbook. The program also offers discounted non‑refundable rates, family‑friendly all‑inclusive pricing, and up to...
Luxury Cruising Enters Its Personalization Era
Luxury cruising is shifting from a hierarchy‑based model to a personalization‑driven market, where affluent travelers choose ships that match their vibe, values, and lifestyle. Internova’s research shows over 80% of luxury travelers are interested in yacht cruising and two‑thirds favor...
Discover Europe’s Newest Hotel Barge Destination: Inland Brittany Aboard Nymphea
European Waterways is launching a brand‑new hotel‑barge itinerary aboard the Nymphea, taking guests through inland Brittany via the historic Canal de Nantes à Brest between Josselin and Redon. The six‑guest barge offers an intimate, slow‑travel experience that includes medieval towns,...
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection and Johanna Ortiz Debut a First-of-Its-Kind Takeover at Sea
The Ritz‑Carlton Yacht Collection has teamed with Colombian fashion house Johanna Ortiz for a first‑of‑its‑kind onboard takeover on the yacht Ilma, debuting February 17. The partnership dresses the Pool Deck and Observation Terrace with Ortiz’s signature tropical prints, creating two...
‘Avignon Warmed Our Bones and Fed Our Souls’: Readers’ Favourite Early Spring Trips to Southern Europe
Travel writers surveyed their favorite early‑spring getaways across southern Europe, highlighting destinations from Annecy’s Alpine greenways to Naples’ vibrant streets, Corsica’s wildflower‑laden hills, and Avignon’s golden evenings. Each spot is praised for mild weather, reduced crowds and easy rail or...
What Are The Best Seats In Each Class Of Delta Air Lines' Boeing 757s?
Delta Air Lines operates the largest U.S. fleet of Boeing 757s—about 110 aircraft—as of late 2025, but the airline has deliberately avoided a single cabin layout. This results in noticeable differences in seat comfort across the 757‑200 and the more uniform 757‑300,...
From Motor Scooters to Billionaires
Smiling Albino, founded in 1999, has evolved from motor‑scooter tours in remote Thai regions to curating ultra‑luxury experiences for billionaires. The company redefines luxury as authentic, community‑based encounters rather than five‑star hotels, emphasizing sustainable partnerships and fair compensation for local...
Thai Hoteliers Forecast Flat 2026 Foreign Arrivals, Cite Safety Concerns
Thai hotel operators project foreign tourist arrivals for 2026 to remain flat, driven by stagnant short‑haul demand despite modest growth in long‑haul markets. Occupancy held at 77 % in January, with the south outperforming at 84 % while the north fell to...
Komodo Visitor Cap Sparks Concern Among Operators
Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry has imposed a daily visitor cap of 1,000 for Komodo National Park, citing the need to safeguard its terrestrial and marine ecosystems. The quota, trial‑run from March 2026, follows a series of weather‑related sailing suspensions and...
Sono Hotels & Resorts Asia Enters Japan with Nagoya Hotel
South Korea’s Sono Hotels & Resorts Asia has signed its first Japanese project, the Sono Moon Nagoya, a mid‑scale lifestyle hotel located eight minutes from Nagoya Station. The property will be owned by Escon Japan REIT Investment Corporation and leased...
Bits: New Korean Air Amex Offer, IHG Launches ‘Noted’ Brand, Radisson Opens on Lake Como
Korean Air has revived its American Express cashback promotion, offering £100 back on £750 spend for UK bookings made by 29 March. IHG announced its 21st brand, the Noted Collection, targeting upscale independent hotels with a goal of 150 properties in...
Southwest Airlines Staying “Optimistic” For Boeing 737 MAX 7 Debut In Early 2027
Southwest Airlines remains optimistic that Boeing will deliver the 737 MAX 7 in early 2027 after a series of delays spanning seven years. The carrier, which holds 90% of the MAX 7 order book and 269 firm orders, has accelerated MAX 8 deliveries to...
Braemar Hotels & Resorts: HST Four Seasons Sale, Updated Thoughts
Host Hotels & Resorts (HST) announced the sale of its Four Seasons Resort Orlando and Four Seasons Jackson Hole for a combined $1.1 billion, translating to roughly $1.9 million per room key. The deal provides a fresh multiple benchmark for luxury hotel...
How Does Hilton’s ‘Guaranteed Connecting Hotel Rooms’ Feature Work?
Hilton has introduced a guaranteed connecting‑room option across its portfolio, allowing guests to book adjacent rooms directly on hilton.com. Travelers must select “two rooms,” book at least three days in advance, and the system filters out non‑connectable types. While cash...
![[Unsubstantiated Rumor] New Chase Park Hyatt Card ($795 Annual Fee), Category 9 & 10 Properties And More](/cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://www.doctorofcredit.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/hyatt.png)
[Unsubstantiated Rumor] New Chase Park Hyatt Card ($795 Annual Fee), Category 9 & 10 Properties And More
A rumor circulating on Reddit suggests Chase will launch a premium Park Hyatt credit card with a $795 annual fee, a 100,000‑point sign‑up bonus, automatic Explorist status and 20 free nights at the start of the year. The card would...
Gategroup Documentary on CNBC Highlights Leadership in Inflight Catering
gategroup is the focus of a new documentary streaming on CNBC.com, part of the network’s Global Sustainability & Transformation Initiative. The film, produced by Acumen Media, tours the Zurich headquarters and the San Francisco production hub, illustrating how the company delivers...
PIT First Airport to Be Awarded Universal Design Certificate From IDEA Center
Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) became the first airport globally to receive Universal Design Certification from the University at Buffalo’s IDEA Center. The award recognizes PIT’s superior performance in wayfinding, lighting, mobility access, and sensory inclusion, and highlights its newly reimagined...
Istanbul Leads, Regions Rise: Turkish Airports Build a Platform for Long-Term Rowth
Turkey’s aviation sector posted one of Europe’s strongest growth stories in 2025, driven by a surge in passenger demand and a resilient operational model. Istanbul Airport solidified its rank among Europe’s top hubs, handling record traffic while introducing triple independent...
Singapore Airshow: Part Two – Embraer and ATR Target Asia Pacific Growth Opportunities
At the Singapore Airshow, Embraer and ATR highlighted the Asia‑Pacific region as the next growth frontier for regional aircraft. While turboprops already hold a solid share, regional jets remain under‑represented, with narrow‑ and wide‑bodies making up more than 90% of...
Last Chance: Earn up to 5 Free Nights (or 60,000 Points) Through World of Hyatt Credit Card Offers
The World of Hyatt Credit Card’s sign‑up bonus, offering up to five free nights, expires at 7 a.m. ET on February 26, 2026, making this the final window to claim the reward. The Business version continues to provide a 60,000‑point bonus after $5,000...
Fabio Gamba Steps Down From ACA
At the Airline Catering Association’s second annual Leadership Symposium in Toulouse, Managing Director Fabio Gamba announced his resignation after eight years of building the organization from the ground up. Gamba highlighted ACA’s growth to 22 member companies and its increasing...
Hosting on Airbnb Means Accepting Constant Small Hassles
If you want to become an Airbnb Host you have to accept 5% of the time you will be Critiqued by guests Your phone might ring in late evening Items will be broken Finding the right help will be difficult People will often...
SSCP-Owned Applebee’s in Texas to Bring Back Dollarita for One Day
SSCP Management, operator of 48 Applebee’s restaurants across Texas, is staging a week‑long countdown to National Margarita Day with daily drink specials priced from $5 down to $1. The promotion culminates on Sunday, Feb 22, with the one‑day return of the...
LGA Opens Capital One Lounge
LaGuardia Airport’s Terminal B unveiled a new 12,500‑square‑foot Capital One Landing lounge, developed with José Andrés Group. The lounge showcases floor‑to‑ceiling windows, a 30‑foot hand‑painted mural by Amrita Marino, and a Spanish‑inspired menu featuring tapas, wines, local beers, and premium coffee....
HSMAI Celebrates 69th Annual Adrian Awards
Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) hosted its 69th Adrian Awards on February 18 in New York, honoring the year’s most innovative travel and hospitality campaigns. The ceremony introduced a refreshed structure with 30 categories split across Paid, Earned,...
Noodles & Company Executes 8-for-1 Reverse Stock Split
Noodles & Company completed an 8‑for‑1 reverse stock split on Feb. 19, 2026, moving its share price from $0.50 to roughly $4.00 to satisfy Nasdaq’s $1 minimum listing requirement. The split was approved by more than 96% of shareholders at a...
Nigeria’s Tourism Potential: Ekiti State Signals a New Path for a Country Still Shielded From Global Tourism
Ekiti State has approved a ten‑year Tourism Development Master Plan (2025‑2035) aimed at positioning the region as a heritage and nature‑based destination within Nigeria and West Africa. The plan focuses on eco‑tourism, cultural tourism, adventure travel and business tourism while...
AAA Reports Record U.S. Air Travel in 2025, But Slowing Growth
U.S. airports saw a record 906 million passengers in 2025, but year‑over‑year growth fell below 1 percent, a sharp deceleration from the 5.3 percent rise in 2024. The slowdown reflects lingering economic uncertainty that delayed leisure bookings in the first half...
LGBTQ Tourism Shifts Away From the United States as New Global Winners Emerge
The global LGBTQ travel market, now worth hundreds of billions and projected to exceed $500 billion by 2032, is rapidly rebalancing away from the United States. New data from the Spartacus Gay Travel Index shows the U.S. slipping to 48th place,...
Denny’s Launches $14.99 Spring Break Pass Offering Free Breakfast Daily
Denny’s introduced a $14.99 Spring Break Pass, a limited‑edition crossbody bag with a unique QR code that grants a free Everyday Value Slam breakfast each day from March 2 to April 14, 2026—over $300 in meals for a single purchase. The pass launches...