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
Sencie Launches and Announces Collaboration With The Bower Coronado
Sencie, a restorative design and sleep‑health firm, has launched its WellSense framework to embed curated sensory experiences into luxury hotel rooms. Its debut offering, the Sleep Ritual Tray, combines scent, touch, light and sound to guide guests toward deeper rest. The Bower Coronado in Irvine, California, becomes the first hospitality partner to roll out this choreographed sleep ritual. The tray includes a moonbeam pillow mist, silk eye mask, phone pouch and guided ritual cards, all presented on a bespoke sculptural tray.
All Aboard for Adaptive Reuse
Track 15 Food Hall opened in March inside Providence’s historic Union Station, a $25 million adaptive‑reuse project led by Marsella Development, Vision 3 Architects and CM&B. The 18,000‑sq‑ft venue houses seven local food vendors, a central bar and a 10,000‑sq‑ft outdoor plaza,...
New York High Court Clears Manhattan Hotel over 2017 Balcony Suicide
New York Court of Appeals cleared the TRYP Hotel of negligence in the 2017 balcony suicide of Dr. Noah Beadell. The majority held the hotel had no control over the guest and that the family’s expectation of an immediate 911...
PSA, Flight Attendants Reach Tentative Labor Agreement
PSA Airlines and the Association of Flight Attendants‑CWA have reached a tentative three‑year labor agreement that delivers an immediate 10 % wage increase, retroactive pay and a boarding‑pay premium that can add up to 16 % to earnings. Over the contract term,...
Hilton Hits 300 Hotels in the Caribbean and Latin America
Hilton closed 2025 with a record 300 hotels operating across 35 Caribbean and Latin American countries, adding more than 30 openings during the year. The chain built a pipeline of over 150 new properties, representing more than 21,000 rooms and...
Unlock Hidden Hotel Revenue by Enhancing Accessibility and Guest Service
Hospital operators are being urged to treat accessibility as a revenue driver rather than a compliance checkbox. The article highlights that roughly half of hotels still make accessible booking difficult, creating friction that costs bookings. AI‑assisted scripts, clear online room...
Destination Vancouver Offers Exclusive FAM to FIFA World Cup
Destination Vancouver is offering two exclusive Familiarisation (FAM) trips for U.S. and Mexican travel advisors to experience the 2026 FIFA World Cup live in Vancouver. Advisors must complete the Vancouver Specialist Program by Feb 28, 2026, and submit applications by March 15...
January U.S. Travel Agency Air Ticket Sales Top $10 Billion
U.S. travel‑agency air ticket sales reached over $10 billion in January 2026, a first since ARC began tracking. The figure represents a 7 % year‑over‑year increase and a 39 % month‑over‑month surge. Passenger trips rose to 28.2 million, with domestic travel up 4 % and...
St. Kitts Closes 2025 with Strong Tourism Growth and Visibility
St. Kitts recorded 168,838 tourist arrivals in 2025, a 6% increase from the previous year, with UK arrivals up 10%. The growth was driven by coordinated public‑private marketing campaigns such as Adventure, Summer Unscripted and Do Not Disturb, and amplified...
Denver’s City-Backed Program Targets Restaurant Food Waste
Denver’s Department of Public Health and Environment has relaunched its Restaurant Food Waste Challenge, a free 12‑week program that provides on‑site audits, technical assistance, and customized action plans to help restaurants cut waste and boost profits. Program coordinator Lesly Baesens...
AI-Driven Infrastructure Dominates Travel Tech’s Third Start-Up & Investor Connect
The Travel Technology Association’s third Quarterly Start‑Up & Investor Connect webinar highlighted a clear industry shift toward AI‑driven operational infrastructure. Four early‑stage founders—Chirrup, HousMthr, Lake.com and Vibe Adventures—presented solutions targeting payments, communications, and supply‑chain efficiency rather than incremental consumer features....
Costa Rica Shifts From Tourism Icon to Diversified Investment Powerhouse
Costa Rica is evolving from a tourism destination known for low‑density eco‑luxury to a diversified investment hub that blends eco‑lodges, ultra‑luxury resorts, and branded all‑inclusive properties. Long‑standing sustainability policies and political stability have become qualifying criteria for global luxury brands...
Staybridge Suites Columbus-Airport Hotel Listed for Sale
Staybridge Suites Columbus‑Airport, an 87‑suite all‑suite hotel built in 2001, has been placed on the market by CBRE Hotels. The property sits on 2.15 acres just a mile from John Glenn International Airport and offers studio, one‑ and two‑bedroom suites with...
Adventure Time Bar Opens in Denver with Rotating Themes and Menus
Adventure Time Bar opened in Denver’s Baker neighborhood, offering a permanent venue with rotating immersive themes. Its debut, Neon City, features cyber‑punk décor, sound‑reactive lighting, and a cocktail menu built on molecular techniques. Patrons purchase tickets for timed seatings that...
Los Cabos Reports Nearly 130% Growth in Visitor Arrivals Over Past Decade
Los Cabos closed 2025 with nearly 3.8 million visitors, marking a 130 % rise over the past decade. Average Daily Rate climbed to $440 USD, the highest in Mexico, while RevPAR grew to $306. Hotel inventory expanded from 15,000 to over 22,000...
'Moon‑mentous' Moments Await at Florida’s Kennedy Space Center
Visitors to Florida’s Kennedy Space Center in February and March 2026 can see NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket on Launch Complex 39B, the vehicle slated for Artemis II. Artemis II will be the first crewed flight of the SLS and Orion,...
Cendyn Honored With Three Adrian Awards at HSMAI Celebration
Cendyn was honored with three Adrian Awards at the 69th HSMAI ceremony, winning a silver for its multi‑channel campaign with The Watergate Hotel and bronze awards for a paid‑media campaign for Royalton Resorts and a website redesign for The Maven....
A Floating Sauna With Mountain Views
In Queenstown, New Zealand, Watershed launched a floating sauna that blends traditional Finnish steam with lake‑side thermal contrast, accommodating up to 20 guests across communal and private cabins. In Mexico City, Casa Bosques expanded its hospitality arm, Pension, adding seven uniquely designed...
FAA, EASA Qualify Boeing 777-9 Flight Simulator
The FAA and EASA have issued initial qualification certificates for the Boeing 777‑9 flight simulator, a joint effort by Boeing and CAE. The simulator, housed at Boeing's Gatwick training campus, will now be used by regulators to validate training courseware before...
Topgolf Appoints David McKillips CEO
Topgolf International announced David McKillips as its new chief executive officer, effective February 23, 2026. McKillips arrives with more than three decades of experience in family entertainment, most recently steering CEC Entertainment through a $350 million strategic investment and a Chapter 11...
The Portuguese Hotel Market Can No Longer Grow As Before
Portugal’s hotel sector posted a record‑breaking RevPAR of €72.38 in 2025, up 4.3% year‑over‑year, while ADR rose 4.0%. Occupancy, however, barely moved from 57.8% to 57.9%, meaning revenue growth stemmed almost entirely from higher room rates. Regional analysis shows secondary...
(Update) Chase Sapphire Reserve ‘Points Boost’: Removes 1.5% Travel Redemption, Adds Boost Feature For 2% On Select Travel
Chase is revamping the Sapphire Reserve and Sapphire Preferred travel redemption structure by retiring the flat 1.5% (and 1.25% for Preferred) rate and introducing a variable "Points Boost" that can reach 2% on qualifying flights and hotels. The change takes...
Patina Group to Operate Monsieur Dior by Dominique Crenn at House of Dior Beverly Hills
Patina Group announced it will operate Monsieur Dior by Dominique Crenn, a new restaurant inside the House of Dior Beverly Hills on Rodeo Drive. The venue pairs LVMH’s Dior brand with Michelin‑starred chef Dominique Crenn, aiming to blend couture elegance with...
Sudamala Resorts Elevates Sustainable Tourism with Solar Power Integration & Coral Reef Restoration Programs
Sudamala Resorts has installed a 300 kW solar system at its Seraya location, now covering 80‑85 % of the resort’s electricity needs. The array, featuring 480 panels and a 770 kWh battery, generates roughly 410,000 kWh of clean energy annually, cutting diesel use and...
Wendy’s Is ‘Undervalued’ and Could Face Takeover by Nelson Peltz
Activist investor Nelson Peltz, through Trian Fund Management, has filed with the SEC stating Wendy’s is significantly undervalued and signaling possible actions, including buying more shares to gain control or divesting his stake. The fast‑food chain’s stock has slumped about...
National Restaurant Association Show Names 20 Kitchen Innovations Award Recipients for 2026
The National Restaurant Association Show has named 20 recipients of its 2026 Kitchen Innovations Awards, spotlighting equipment and technology that boost automation, sustainability, and operational resilience. The honorees address the day‑to‑day challenges of labor shortages, tighter margins and the need...
Nevis Ties Heritage Preservation and Resort Upgrades to America250 Momentum
Nevis is leveraging its historic link to Alexander Hamilton and the upcoming U.S. Semiquincentennial to drive tourism. A $403,000 U.S. Ambassador’s Fund grant is restoring the 200‑year‑old Bath Hotel, the Caribbean’s first hotel. Meanwhile, Four Seasons Resort Nevis celebrates 35...
Best Western Nordic Hit By Data Breach: Cybercriminals Targeting Guests Via WhatsApp & SMS
Best Western hotels in Sweden, Denmark and Norway suffered a data breach that exposed guest names, check‑in dates, email addresses and phone numbers. Cybercriminals are now using the stolen details to launch phishing attacks via WhatsApp and SMS, directing victims...
Smoothie King Is Doubling Down on Food
Smoothie King is expanding its menu beyond smoothies, adding ovens and new food items such as bowls, toasts, protein boxes and chicken bites. The company will fund the oven equipment for franchisees, reinforcing a franchisee‑first strategy. Enhanced technology from Crunchtime...
Choice Hotels Reports $369.9M Net Income in 2025
Choice Hotels International posted a record $369.9 million net income for 2025, accompanied by an all‑time adjusted EBITDA of $625.6 million. The company added 440 new hotels, with international openings surging 82% and net rooms expanding 12.5% worldwide. U.S. extended‑stay...
TGI Fridays Dips Into a Cheese Fondue Platform
TGI Fridays has introduced a $3 “Fondue‑It” upgrade that adds a warm cheese pour to five popular menu items, served on a cast‑iron skillet. The launch coincides with two new offerings—a rib‑sandwich called the FRRIB and a Dubai Chocolate Espresso...
Press Release: Sun PhuQuoc Airways Orders up to 40 Boeing 787s
Sun PhuQuoc Airways, a Vietnam‑based carrier owned by Sun Group, announced an order for up to 40 Boeing 787‑9 Dreamliners, the largest widebody purchase in the country’s history. The aircraft will form the core of the airline’s long‑range fleet, linking...
Report: 2025 Demand Slowed as Operators Protected Profit
U.S. hotels ended 2025 with weaker demand, as RevPAR dropped 9.6% in Q4 and fell 6.3% year‑over‑year, while ADR slipped only 0.9% quarter‑over‑quarter. Despite the revenue dip, GOP margin improved to 38.3% for the full year, reflecting tighter labor discipline...
Groupe GM & Compagnie De Provence Collaborate on New Hotel Line
Groupe GM, a global premium amenity provider, has launched an exclusive hotel‑line in partnership with French heritage brand Compagnie de Provence. The collection blends Groupe GM’s distribution reach with Provençal-inspired, up‑to‑98% natural formulas and minimalist amber‑toned packaging. It introduces two...
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Taco Bell Adds a Chicken Bacon Ranch Street Chalupa
Taco Bell introduced a limited‑time Chicken Bacon Ranch Street Chalupa on February 19, 2026, priced at $5.99 for a two‑pack and paired with $4.99 Nacho Fries. The new item joins the $9 Discovery Luxe Box, which also includes a Cheesy Bean and...
Why Jack in the Box Bets Parking Lot Paint Can Cure Sales
Jack in the Box reported a 6.7% same‑store sales decline in Q1 2026, an improvement over the 7%‑plus drops in the prior two quarters. Restaurant‑level margins fell to 16.1% and franchise margins to 38.6%, signaling unit‑level pressure. The chain is executing...
Transforming Experience for Business Outcomes – Interview with Sid Banerjee, Mike Murchison and Paloma Paraja
The Punk CX podcast captured insights from Medallia’s Experience event, where Sid Banerjee, Mike Murchison and Paloma Paraja discussed a turning point for customer experience. They emphasized moving beyond survey‑based metrics toward AI‑driven financial outcomes such as retention, loyalty and...
W Amsterdam Faces Eviction Over €23.4M Unpaid Rent – What This Means for Your Marriott Bonvoy Stay
W Amsterdam’s operator, Sircle Collection, has failed to pay rent for nearly three years, accruing €23.4 million in arrears. The hotel’s annual lease is about €10 million, and the landlord, German investor Deka, has filed for eviction with a court ruling expected...
Toast Courts Fast Food Restaurants
Restaurant POS provider Toast announced plans to launch a dedicated drive‑thru product in 2026, targeting fast‑food operators for the first time. The move follows a rapid expansion last year, with 30,000 new restaurants joining its platform, bringing total customers to...
#317 Nicole Antonio-Gadsdon Founder at Banana Pepper HR - Hiring for Human Magic and Hospitality Alchemists
In this episode, host Michael welcomes Nicole Antonio‑Gadsdon, founder of Banana Pepper HR, to discuss her new book *Help Wanted*, which reframes hiring as a form of hospitality that seeks "human magic" rather than just technical competence. Nicole argues that...
Samoa Steps Into the Global Spotlight Through the King’s Baton Relay
Samoa hosted a leg of the 2026 King’s Baton Relay, the Commonwealth Games’ newly re‑imagined tradition that delivers a custom baton to each member nation. The island nation used the event to showcase its cultural heritage, youth engagement and a...
Neste & World Fuel Services to Expand Availability of SAF
Neste and World Fuel Services have signed a five‑year extension to broaden the supply of Neste‑produced sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) across more than 100 airports in the UK and Europe. The agreement aligns World Fuel’s extensive distribution network with Neste’s...
Delta Pilot Reports Attempted Cockpit Breach, Passenger Restrained—But Airline Claims It Never Happened
Delta Air Lines Flight 2557 from Houston to Atlanta reported a passenger attempting to breach the cockpit shortly after take‑off, prompting the captain to alert air‑traffic control. The Boeing 717 returned to Houston, where the individual was restrained and handed over...
JLL Forecasts Robust Global Hotel Investment
JLL’s Hotels & Hospitality Group projects a strong rebound in global hotel investment, with 2025 transaction volumes rising 22% from the 2023 trough. The Americas posted the steepest growth at 27%, while Asia‑Pacific fell 20% but is slated for recovery...
Accor EBITDA Beats Forecasts as RevPAR Rises 4.2%
Accor posted a 4.2% rise in RevPAR for FY 2025, driving recurring EBITDA to €1.20 bn – a 13.3% increase at constant currency that beat its 11‑12% outlook. Revenue grew 4.5% to €5.6 bn, led by a 9.8% jump in the luxury...
RaceTrac: Don't Expect a Potbelly in Every Convenience Store
RaceTrac bought Potbelly for $566 million but will not install a sandwich shop in every convenience store. Senior vice‑president Jennifer Durham says the rollout will be selective, starting with a pilot company‑owned location in Atlanta. The acquisition’s core purpose is to...
Are Hotels the Anchor or Accessory for Branded Residences?
At Hotel Analyst’s HIDE event, industry leaders debated whether branded residences should be anchored to hotels or function as standalone assets. Speakers from Marriott and Hilton emphasized that co‑location still offers the strongest financing and brand‑equity benefits, especially in emerging...
IHG Profits Jump 13% to $1.3bn Amid ‘Record’ Hotel Openings
IHG Hotels & Resorts posted a 13% jump in operating profit to $1.3 bn for 2025, driven by a record 443 hotel openings that added 65,100 rooms. Group RevPAR rose 1.5% overall, with Europe‑EMEAA up 4.6% while Greater China fell 1.6%....
US Supports Palau Airport Upgrades
The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) is providing technical‑assistance funding to Palau’s National Aviation Administration to upgrade Palau International Airport (ROR). The assistance will update the airport’s master plan, evaluate runway extensions for larger aircraft, and outline broader aviation...
London Gatwick Set for Busiest Ever Summer Season
London Gatwick is gearing up for its busiest summer since 2019, with 62 airlines serving the airport and a record‑wide network of more than 230 destinations. Emirates has added a fourth daily Airbus A350 service to Dubai, marking the first A350...