Today's Hotels Pulse
Business Travel to the U.S. Powered by Key International Hubs
A Business Traveller analysis maps the countries and cities that generate the most business travel to the United States, underscoring their impact on hotel demand.
Also developing:
By the numbers: Airbnb leads $58M Series C in WeRoad
How to Buy a Hotel (Without Being Rich)
Hotel entrepreneur Davonne Reaves, who has overseen more than $1 billion in hotel assets, explains how aspiring investors can acquire hotels without vast personal wealth. She details her own $8.3 million acquisition during the pandemic, the mechanics of the capital stack, and the advantage of starting with properties under $5 million. Reaves also highlights Vestor, a black‑owned crowdfunding platform that has raised over $4 million for hotel projects, aiming to broaden ownership within the Black community. The discussion underscores practical financing strategies and the importance of building the right team.
Editor’s Letter: Inside the 2026 Place Brand Leaders Yearbook
The 2026 Place Brand Leaders Yearbook profiles 32 cities, regions and nations that are redefining place‑branding through governance, institutional alignment and lived experience. It moves beyond narrative‑driven strategies, showcasing examples from Flanders, Gothenburg, Costa Rica, Canberra, Al Madinah and others. Contributions from...
Gateway to the South Downs: Take the Train to a Picture-Perfect Village with a Cracking Pub
The historic village of Amberley in the South Downs has become a weekend hotspot thanks to a direct 1‑hour‑20‑minute train from London Victoria and the reopening of the Black Horse pub under the Gladwin brothers. The brothers, known for their...
Bhutan to Stage Inaugural Travel Mart as Global Engagement Grows
Bhutan will host its inaugural Bhutan International Travel Mart (BITM) from June 11‑13, 2026 in Zhichenkhar, Thimphu, coinciding with the launch of the dedicated website www.bitm.bt. Jointly organized by the Department of Tourism and the Association of Bhutanese Tour Operators,...
Air Astana Taps Transit Boom Amid Network Shift
Air Astana reported a 13.2% jump in first‑quarter revenue to $331 million after reallocating capacity from the Gulf to Asian and European routes. The airline saw a 65% year‑on‑year rise in international‑to‑international transit traffic, driven by a 158% surge in March....
IHG’s “Ready To Roam” Up TP 35% Off Sale For Stays In The Middle East, India & Africa Until August...
IHG has launched a "Ready to Roam" flexible sale offering up to 35% off its Best Flexible Rate for stays in the Middle East, India and Africa through August 31, 2026. The promotion requires no pre‑payment and allows free changes...
Singapore’s Rainforest Wild Adventure to Open Second Phase in May
Singapore’s Mandai Wildlife Group will soft‑open the second phase of its Rainforest Wild Adventure on May 20, 2026, completing a 20‑hectare park that links east and west zones. The new eastern zone introduces Afro‑tropical habitats and four okapis, the species’...
Choice Hotels International Opens Its 70th Annual Convention
Choice Hotels International kicked off its 70th annual convention, themed “Making More Possible,” to showcase AI‑driven tools that aim to boost franchisee revenue and simplify operations. The agenda highlighted the EasyBid RFP platform, the upcoming Business Direct self‑service portal, and...
Experience Culture, Cuisine, and Coastline Activities Found Only in Miami Beach
Miami Beach is unveiling a slate of exclusive experiences that blend luxury hospitality, art, and culture. New boutique hotels such as Casa Cañita, UNFRAMED Miami Beach, and Dolce open on Ocean Drive, while the REEFLINE underwater sculpture park introduces a...
Wafaifo Resort Hoi An Unveils May Stay with Dinner for Two
Vietnam's Wafaifo Resort Hoi An launched a limited‑time May 2026 stay package. The deal includes a one‑night Faifo Room, breakfast for two, a Josper‑grilled dinner with two glasses of house red, and starts at 2.5 million dong (≈US$98). Bookings are accepted...
Newly Renovated Oosterdam to Cruise Europe, the Caribbean and Panama Canal
Holland America Line has relaunched the Oosterdam as the first ship to complete its Evolution program, the cruise line’s largest fleet‑wide investment in 153 years. The revamped vessel debuts eight itineraries across the Western Mediterranean, Caribbean, and a Panama Canal...
Bits: Qatar Airways Tightens Security on Avios Redemptions, Best Priority Pass Lounges of 2025
Qatar Airways is tightening Avios redemption rules effective early June, limiting bookings to a maximum of ten people – six on a Family & Friends list and four on a “My List” of Privilege Club members. New Privilege Club accounts...
Cardamom Tented Camp Reports Strong Conservation Gains
Cardamom Tented Camp in Cambodia released its 2025 Impact Report, showing that its nature‑based tourism model protects over 18,000 hectares of Botum Sakor National Park. In 2025 the camp funded 620 ranger patrols that covered 7,700 km, removed 819 snares...
Public Lodging for Foreigners in Busan Nearly Fully Booked Ahead of June BTS Concert
Busan’s municipal government opened 400 public‑run accommodations for foreign visitors ahead of BTS’s June 12‑13 concert, and reservations are now almost sold out. The city’s reservation platform Nol Universe reported a mid‑80% booking rate for June 11‑12 and a 99.56% fill...
Get a 50% Bonus Transferring Avios Into ALL Accor Hotel Points
ALL Accor’s loyalty program is offering a limited‑time 50% transfer bonus for Avios and several other airline miles. Converting 2,300 Avios from Finnair Plus yields 750 ALL Accor points, valued at roughly €15 (about $16). Accor points are fixed at...
After airBaltic, AirAsia Is Set to Become the New Poster Child for the A220
AirAsia confirmed on May 6 that it will purchase 150 Airbus A220‑300 aircraft, opting for a new high‑density cabin layout. The deal marks the first major low‑cost carrier endorsement of the A220, echoing airBaltic’s earlier role in elevating the type...
Why Düsseldorf Airport – a Logical Choice – Was Never Germany’s Hub Airport and Maybe Never Will Be
At the CAPA Airline Leader Summit, Condor’s CEO explained why Düsseldorf Airport, despite serving the densely populated Rhine‑Ruhr industrial region, never became Germany’s primary hub. Post‑war infrastructure investment was funneled into Frankfurt, cementing its role as Lufthansa’s hub, while Düsseldorf’s...
The Weather Company’s New Ad Play Aims to Sell Experiences and Hotel Bookings
The Weather Company and travel‑content platform Steller are piloting a new ad product on Weather.com that surfaces creator‑led destination videos and direct booking links whenever users search for out‑of‑town weather. Leveraging the site’s more than 400 million monthly users, the feature...
Save 30% on Award Stays at Virgin Hotels in New Orleans & Dallas (Select Months Only)
Virgin Hotels is offering a limited‑time 30% discount on award stays at its New Orleans and Dallas properties. The New Orleans promotion runs for June 1‑30 2026, while the Dallas deal is available for August 1‑31 2026, both for Chamber‑type rooms. Points required after...
World Cup Unlikely to Spark Major US Tourism Surge
I hadn't thought about this twist. Although, I'm hearing there might not be much of a spike in tourism in most of the FIFA World Cup American host cities. At least, based on hotel reservations.
Da Nang Leverages Slow‑Travel Trend with Cultural Immersion Focus
Da Nang is aligning its tourism brand with the growing slow‑travel movement, highlighting nearby Hoi An’s top‑foot‑travel rankings and expanding cultural experiences at My Son. The city’s strategy aims to draw longer, more immersive stays from travelers seeking deeper connections...
Hoteliers Call for Subsidies as Pattaya Demand Weakens Sharply
Thai hoteliers in Pattaya and Chonburi warned that occupancy could fall to just 30‑40% this month, far below the 60‑70% they normally achieve in the low season. They met with Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul to request a revival...
Hilton Launches 251‑Room Adelaide East End Hotel Amid $2,161‑Room Development Surge
Hilton, through a franchise with Auriga Investments and operator Trilogy Hotels, announced a 251‑room, 27‑storey hotel at 299 Pirie Street. The project adds to a pipeline of 15 hotels that will deliver 2,161 new rooms across Adelaide, reflecting unprecedented investor...
4 Takeaways From Day One of HD Expo 2026
Day one of HD Expo 2026 underscored a paradigm shift in hospitality design. Panels highlighted wellness as a baseline that now permeates every guest space and even the home, while cinematic choreography is being used to script emotional guest journeys....
Expedia Group Inc (EXPE) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
Expedia Group reported a strong Q1 2026, with gross bookings reaching $35.5 billion, up 13% year‑over‑year, and revenue climbing 15% to $3.4 billion. Adjusted EBITDA surged to $542 million, delivering a 15.8% margin—the highest in 15 years, aided by favorable FX and cost...
Wynn Resorts Ltd (WYNN) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
Wynn Resorts reported solid Q1 2026 performance across its core markets, with Las Vegas adjusted property EBITDAR up 5% to $232.5 million and RevPAR climbing nearly 10%. Macau saw mass drop rise 19% and handle 32%, while Encore Boston Harbor delivered $50.5 million...
Tripadvisor Inc (TRIP) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
Tripadvisor reported Q1 2026 consolidated revenue of $382 million, a 4% decline but in line with internal guidance, while adjusted EBITDA of $22 million beat forecasts. The Experiences segment saw bookings grow 11% and conversion improve over 20% despite macro‑related...
Earn 3X Delta SkyMiles on Airbnb Experiences & Services, but only 1X on Stays Still
Delta expands its long‑standing partnership with Airbnb, now awarding three SkyMiles per dollar on Airbnb Experiences and Services while keeping the original one‑mile‑per‑dollar rate for lodging. The new tier targets activity bookings such as tours, photography, catering, and other local...
Bucher Extends Galley Lifecycles with Lufthansa Group Refurbishment
Bucher Leichtbau completed a large‑scale galley refurbishment for Lufthansa Group, updating A320/A321 galleys originally installed in 2011. The program used inspection, structural assessment and targeted upgrades rather than full replacement, extending service life. Bucher’s lightweight aluminum frames and modular design...
Two-Night Sustainability Package in Chiang Mai, Thailand Helps Communities in Need
Thai hotel chain Meliá Chiang Mai has introduced a two‑night sustainability package that includes breakfast and a three‑course dinner, with a portion of the proceeds earmarked for Scholars of Sustenance (SOS) Thailand, a food‑rescue foundation. The program channels surplus food...
Lemon Tree Hotels Achieves 100 Percent Green Certification Across Owned Hotels; Renewable Energy Usage Reaches 50 Percent
Lemon Tree Hotels Ltd. announced that all 41 of its owned properties have earned IGBC green building certification, achieving a 100% green‑certified portfolio. The company also reported that renewable energy now powers 50% of its operations as of March 31, 2026. The...
Novel Foods Unveils Exclusive Range of Indulge Corn Snacks for British Airways
Novel Foods announced that its Indulge corn snack line will be served on British Airways’ European routes under the exclusive "The Great British Crunch" brand. The range was co‑designed with the airline to match the cabin experience, featuring bold flavors,...
Hightower Launches Modo Pouf with Table & Silo Power
Hightower announced two new Hightower Studio collections: the Modo Pouf with Table, a mobile seating‑and‑surface hybrid, and Silo Power, a freestanding floor power unit with wireless charging. Both products are domestically produced, feature 10‑year warranties, and are designed for flexible...
Europe’s Summer of Anxiety: War, Oil and the Fragile Future of Global Tourism
Europe’s summer tourism faces unprecedented risk as the conflict around Iran’s Strait of Hormuz threatens oil supplies, driving jet‑fuel prices sky‑high. Airlines are already cutting routes and raising fares, while travel insurers tighten war‑risk coverage. The squeeze hits low‑margin carriers...
Noodles & Company Raises Guidance on Strong First Quarter
Noodles & Company posted a stronger‑than‑expected first‑quarter, raising its full‑year guidance. Same‑store sales climbed 9.1% system‑wide, driven by higher traffic and a 4.4% lift in average check size. Restaurant‑level margins expanded to 14.9%, and the net loss narrowed to $3.4 million...
Hard Rock’s Big Change, Escaping Vegas, Raiders Mansion Plus Why Were the Visitor Numbers So Good?
Hard Rock completed its iconic guitar‑shaped tower on the Las Vegas Strip, adding a new skyline landmark. March 2026 visitor volume, conventions and gaming win all rose year‑over‑year, while hotel rates climbed to roughly $215 average daily rate. The Raiders’...
Restaurant Leaders Share Strategies Driving Robust Off-Premises Operations
Restaurant leaders at the Food On Demand Conference outlined new off‑premises strategies, highlighting Papa John’s rollout of Google Cloud’s Food Ordering AI Agent and a planned integration of Deliverect’s AI management platform across U.S. locations by 2027. Applebee’s announced an...
Famagusta Tourism Sector on Edge as Flight Cut Fears Threaten Cyprus Summer Economy
Airlines have trimmed roughly 600,000 seats from Cyprus’s 2026 summer schedule, a cut of under 5 % that reflects soaring fuel costs, Middle‑East airspace risks and waning European consumer confidence. The Famagusta district, heavily dependent on direct leisure flights from Britain,...
Cartwheel Expands ezCater Integration to Streamline Catering Deliveries
Cartwheel has expanded its integration with ezCater, letting restaurant operators access ezCater Dispatch directly from the Cartwheel dashboard. The unified interface supports hybrid delivery models that blend in‑house drivers with third‑party networks and automates mandatory real‑time tracking standards. Enhanced navigation...
Egypt Tourism Gains Global Spotlight with WTTC Leadership Event
President Abdel Fattah El‑Sisi met World Travel & Tourism Council leaders in Cairo as Egypt secured the WTTC Global Tourism Leaders’ Journey, bringing about 270 senior tourism executives to the country. The event underscores growing international confidence in Egypt’s stability, infrastructure upgrades...
Destinations International Second Cohort of “Tourism for All” Certificate Program
Destinations International has opened registration for the second cohort of its six‑month virtual "Tourism for All" certificate program, which runs June 5‑Nov 30, 2026. The initiative equips destination leaders with tools, expert guidance and a peer network to embed inclusive, community‑driven tourism practices....
D.C. Tourism Flatlines as Foreign Visitors Fall and Hotel Tax Funds Get Redirected
Washington, D.C.’s tourism market stalled in 2025, adding only 20,000 visitors to reach 27.2 million. International arrivals slipped 4 % as National Guard deployments and federal shutdowns dampened overseas interest. The city’s tourism agency saw its advertising budget slashed by two‑thirds after...
Smartness Secures €47 Million ($51M) Series B to Expand AI Hospitality Automation
Smartness, the Trentino‑based AI platform for lodging operators, raised €47 million ($51 million) in a Series B round led by United Ventures and CDP Venture Capital. The funding will fuel product expansion, engineering hires, and global market penetration, underscoring rapid investor confidence...
Madison Realty Capital Provides $110M Refi for Silicon Valley Hotel
Madison Realty Capital, together with Newbond Holdings, provided a $110 million refinancing for Hotel NIA, a 250‑key Marriott Autograph Collection property in Menlo Park, California. The loan was arranged by Sonnenblick‑Eichner Company and reflects strong cash‑flow expectations. Hotel NIA benefits from a surge in...
Kayak Founders Team Up for Booking Holdings AI Startup: Scoop
Kayak co‑founders Steve Hafner and Paul English are launching Lola, an AI‑driven travel startup under Booking Holdings. The venture follows Booking’s purchase of the Lola.com and Lola.ai domains and marks the brand’s return after a previous stint as a business‑travel...
Do Hotels Need an AI Policy, Regulations, or a Strategy? Why the Wrong Question Is Costing the Industry Its Future
Hospital operators are rushing to draft AI policies, but without a clear strategy the rules merely push AI use underground, creating shadow AI. The article argues that leadership must first define how AI will enhance guest experiences, staff productivity, and...
Hotel Industry Poised for Growth: Top 3 Stocks to Buy Now
The Zacks Hotels & Motels industry is poised for a modest rebound as travel demand steadies and 2026 marquee events such as the FIFA World Cup and America 250 are expected to boost bookings. Revenue per available room (RevPAR) should edge...
Murder Mystery Vacations Are Turning Travelers Into Detectives
Murder‑mystery vacations are turning hotel stays into interactive whodunits, letting guests play suspects, sleuths, or witnesses while they travel. Properties such as Indiana’s French Lick Resort are marketing multi‑day mystery weekends for 2026, and luxury operators like Black Tomato are pairing...
How Transit Hubs Are Using Design to Calm Confused Travelers
Transit hubs are increasingly turning to intentional design to reduce passenger stress and improve wayfinding. Airports are integrating calming color schemes, natural lighting, and tactile materials that guide travelers intuitively. The trend extends to airline cabins, where Etihad’s new amenity...
Dubai Hotel Occupancy to Plummet to 10% in Q2 — Moody’s
Moody’s Analytics projects Dubai’s hotel occupancy to tumble from 80% in February to just 10% in the second quarter of 2026, driven by the Iran‑UAE conflict. The war has sharply reduced air traffic, visitor arrivals, and room bookings, prompting widespread...