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
Former Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann Retires as HLTA CEO, Ending 12-Year Tenure
Mufi Hannemann announced his retirement as president and CEO of the Hawaiʻi Lodging & Tourism Association (HLTA) during the annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk in Waikiki. The 71‑year‑old, who has led the group for more than a decade, will remain on during a transition while a successor is chosen, raising questions about the future direction of Hawaii’s hotel advocacy.
Singapore Airlines Offers Premium Foot-Wipe Service on Ultra‑Long Hauls
Singapore Airlines flight attendant spotted giving a passenger a foot wipe 😳 On ultra long haul flights, SQ offers on-demand foot cleansing (wipes/towels) for First & Suites to freshen up swollen feet after 18+ hours. Done professionally with gloves. Some call it...
How Digital Signage Is Changing Hospitality Customer Experience
Hospitality operators are turning to Pro AV and digital signage to create immersive, data‑rich guest experiences. Leaders at Almo Pro AV highlight a shift from isolated TVs to integrated ecosystems that blend audio, lighting, displays, and furniture. The trend emphasizes...
Windstar Cruises Launches New Advisor Marketing Tools
Windstar Cruises has teamed with Approach Guides to roll out co‑branded marketing pages that give travel advisors a personalized version of windstarcruises.com. The launch coincides with the addition of two Star Class vessels – Star Seeker, which entered service in...
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This European Airline Has Hotel-Like First-Class Suites—Including Double Beds
Lufthansa’s Allegris brand, launched in 2024, now offers a hotel‑like first‑class Suite Plus with a private door, ceiling‑high walls and two seats that convert into a double bed. The suite is included in the fare but single‑occupancy reservations incur a surcharge....
Brightline Taps Amadeus to Expand Advisor Access to Florida Rail
Brightline reported a 21% year‑over‑year increase in ridership, with March 2026 hitting a record 190,000 passengers and generating $23.6 million in revenue, up 14% from the prior year. The high‑speed rail service is now available on the Amadeus Travel Platform, allowing...
Earn Up to 1,200 Bonus Atmos Points by Shopping: Member Appreciation Bonus
Alaska Airlines is running a Member Appreciation Bonus through May 11, 2026, allowing members to earn up to 1,200 extra Atmos points via its shopping portal. Shoppers receive 400 bonus points after spending at least $150, and a larger 1,200‑point boost after...
AmEx Offers: Get 10% Back on Expedia Hotel Bookings
American Express has re‑launched a limited‑time offer that gives cardholders 10% back, up to $125 in statement credits, for prepaid hotel reservations made through the dedicated expedia.com/amex link. The promotion runs until August 4, 2026, and mirrors earlier cycles that have alternated...
The 2026 World Cup Won’t Deliver Demand the Way Hotels Expected. Here’s How to Respond - By Nicola Graham
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is not delivering the hotel demand surge once deemed guaranteed; bookings across U.S. host cities are hovering near last year’s levels. Demand is arriving later, in smaller, match‑specific bursts, and travelers are showing heightened price...
How Video Marketing for Hotels Is Driving Direct Bookings
Hotels are turning to video marketing to replace static images and third‑party listings, aiming to boost direct bookings. Virtual tours, guest testimonial clips, and short social video ads engage travelers early in the planning process and keep them on hotel...
AKTG Globalizes 100 Club, Uniting Top Advisors in Chicago
Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group (AKTG) turned its biennial 100 Club conference in Chicago into a global gathering, inviting top advisors from the U.S. and abroad. The event showcased the full AKTG portfolio, highlighting Crystal’s first new‑build ship, Crystal Grace, slated...
GBTA BTI - A View From Europe
In this episode, Chris Ely and Visa’s European sales director Romain Mialang dissect the GBTA Business Travel Index (BTI) for Europe, revealing that while overall travel spend has surpassed 2019 levels, growth is uneven across countries and sectors. They highlight...
Up to 110,000 United Miles For New Card: Unlocks Faster Flight Earning, Lower Award Prices
United Airlines has overhauled its MileagePlus program, tying the most valuable earning rates and lower award prices to ownership of a United co‑branded credit card. New card offers now deliver up to 110,000 bonus miles and 3,000 Premier Qualifying Points,...
FIFA World Cup Hotel Demand Falls Short of Expectations, AHLA Report Finds
Hotel bookings tied to the 2026 FIFA World Cup are lagging behind early forecasts, with 80 % of surveyed properties reporting lower-than-expected occupancy. Visa hurdles and geopolitical concerns are curbing international travel, shifting demand toward domestic guests. Over‑allocation of FIFA room...
Orlando Airport Goes Galactic With Star Wars-Inspired May the Fourth Video
Orlando International Airport (MCO) rolled out a 74‑second Star Wars‑themed video on May 4, 2026, using augmented reality to stage the iconic opening crawl inside its terminals. The clip shows stormtroopers racing through gates, a holographic cameo by Mayor Buddy Dyer, and...
How Does AI Room Pricing Work for Small Hotels? A Guide to Stop Guessing Your Room Rates - By Femke...
Lighthouse’s AI‑driven Pricing Optimization helps small independent hotels set room rates using real‑time market data. The platform monitors competitor rates, local events, booking pace, occupancy and historical patterns, delivering hourly rate recommendations within user‑defined guardrails. Hotels that adopt the tool...
JetBlue Enhances Status Match: Get Three Months of Mosaic Status, Challenge to Extend Through 2027
JetBlue has upgraded its status‑match program, granting three months of Mosaic elite status to members holding qualifying tiers on seven major airlines. The enhancement specifically upgrades former Spirit Free Spirit Gold members to Mosaic 2 instead of Mosaic 1. During the trial, travelers...
New Amex Offers for Hotel Stays: Best Western, Expedia, Ascend, Cambria, WorldHotels and More
American Express has rolled out a suite of new Amex Offers targeting hotel stays, covering brands such as Best Western, WorldHotels, Ascend Collection, Cambria, Margaritaville Beach House, Opal Collection, Barceló, and AKA, plus a 10% cash‑back deal on prepaid Expedia...
Florida’s Luxury Hotel Scene: What’s New & Improved
Florida’s luxury hotel market is seeing major upgrades across Miami, Boca Raton, and Naples. In Miami, Minor Hotels will launch Anantara Miami Resort & Residences, a 50‑story mixed‑use tower slated for 2030 with 50 suites, 100 private residences and a...
The Future of Hotel Brand Conversions
Hotel brand conversions are emerging as a fast, cost‑effective alternative to ground‑up builds, allowing owners to reposition existing assets quickly. By aligning a property’s physical attributes with a suitable brand, operators can meet evolving guest expectations while conserving capital. Conversions...
Italian Travel Tech Startup Smartness Raises €47 Million In Series B Funding Round
Italian travel‑tech startup Smartness announced a €47 million (approximately $51 million) Series B round, led by existing backer XYZ Capital with participation from new investor ABC Ventures. The financing pushes the company’s post‑money valuation beyond €200 million, reflecting strong market confidence in its AI‑driven...
Antigua and Barbuda Gears Up for Caribbean Travel Marketplace
Antigua and Barbuda is set to host the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association’s Caribbean Travel Marketplace from May 12‑15 at the American University of Antigua. CEO Colin James highlighted a coordinated public‑private effort to deliver seamless B2B meetings, media immersion...
New Orleans Hotel Industry Generates Nearly $9 Billion Economic Impact in 2025
The American Hotel & Lodging Association’s Oxford Economics study shows New Orleans hotels generated nearly $9 billion in economic impact for 2025, supporting more than 51,000 jobs—about 19% of the city’s workforce. Hotel activity produced $5 billion of the city’s GDP and $1.2 billion...
CTO Presents 2026 Caribbean Sustainable Tourism Award Winners
The Caribbean Tourism Organization announced the 2026 Caribbean Sustainable Tourism Award winners during its Sustainable Tourism Conference in Belize. Turneffe Flats (Belize), Guyana Inni Lodge, Jamaica’s REDI II programme, and the Turks and Caicos National Trust were honored for excellence in...
Edmonton International Airport (YEG) Launches YEGplus – Canada’s First Airport Loyalty Program
Edmonton International Airport (YEG) unveiled YEGplus, Canada’s first airport‑wide loyalty program, allowing travelers to earn points on every dollar spent at the terminal. The free, spend‑based program features three tiers—Essential, Silver and Gold—each unlocking higher‑value perks such as parking upgrades...
Had Elite Status with Spirit? These Airlines Are Offering a Status Match
Spirit Airlines' shutdown left its Saver$ Club and Free Spirit elite members without a loyalty home. In response, Avelo, JetBlue, and Southwest are rolling out free or low‑cost status‑match programs to capture these high‑frequency flyers. Each match has specific eligibility...
MSC Cruises Unveils 50‑Foot Yacht Club at Miami Grand Prix
MSC Cruises has installed a 50‑foot yacht club structure at the Miami Grand Prix circuit, offering an exclusive lounge that merges maritime luxury with the excitement of Formula 1. The move signals a growing trend of high‑end hospitality providers anchoring experiences...
Overtourism Pushes Hotels, Airlines and Cities to Capacity Limits
Travel demand has surged past 1.5 billion arrivals, straining hotels, airlines and iconic sites. Cities from Venice to Amsterdam are levying fees and fines, while industry workers warn of burnout and capacity crunches.
Luxury Hotel Car Impresses, but Ownership Feels Unnecessary
In Morocco, our hotel sent someone to escort us through airport immigration and help with bags. A nice touch I've always loved these Bentley Bentaygas. I imagined that one day I'd get one, so it was shocking that THIS was the...
Hotel Scammers Now Know Your Reservation Details — Demand Payment Through Zelle, PayPal Or Venmo
Scammers are exploiting a recent Booking.com data breach to steal reservation details from guests of three Hilton properties in San José, Costa Rica. Using the leaked names, emails and travel dates, fraudsters pose as hotel staff and demand payment through Zelle, PayPal...
From Safari to Beach: Air Tanzania Opens Seamless Travel Route to Seychelles
Air Tanzania has launched its first Dar es Salaam‑Seychelles flight, creating a direct link between Tanzania’s mainland and the Indian Ocean archipelago. The new route is positioned as a seamless corridor that combines iconic safari experiences with luxury beach vacations,...
United’s Premium Boeing 787s With New Cabins: Which Routes Do They Fly?
United Airlines has begun delivering a new fleet of 222‑seat Boeing 787‑9 Dreamliners, branded United Elevate, featuring an ultra‑premium cabin layout. The aircraft house 64 Polaris business seats—including eight Studio seats—35 Premium Plus seats and 123 economy seats. Currently four...
Eye on POS: Preferred Hotels Prefer Toast; NCR Voyix Expands at Stater Bros. Markets
Toast Inc. joined Preferred Hotels & Resorts' Alliance Partner Program, becoming an endorsed point‑of‑sale provider for the luxury hotel group’s 625 independent properties across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Ireland. The partnership opens a new hospitality revenue...
Travel Demand Stays Resilient Despite Global Crises
Booking Holdings (via RBC): "We have navigated similar moments many times before, including the global shutdown of travel during the Covid period and, more recently, Russia-Ukraine war, which began in 2022, and Israel-Hamas conflict, which began in 2023. Each time,...
Hotel Scammers Using Reservation Data to Demand Digital Payments
Hotel Scammers Now Know Your Reservation Details — Demand Payment Through Zelle, PayPal Or Venmo - View from the Wing https://t.co/asVLZrKbJl
Buy $300+ Delta Gift Card, Get $20 Starbucks Gift Card: Good Deal?
Delta is running a promotion that gives a $20 Starbucks eGift card when customers purchase a Delta gift card of $300 or more, valid through May 11 2026. The bonus translates to roughly a 6.7% nominal return, but the purchase is processed...
Spirit Airlines’ Exit Removes 21.3 Million Seats From the U.S. Air Connectivity Network
Spirit Airlines announced it will cease operations on May 2, eliminating 21.3 million seats from the U.S. aviation market. The lost capacity represents 4.5% of domestic low‑cost seats and 1.4% of total U.S. connectivity through December 2026. Over 91% of the seats were...
Toast Announces New Alliance Partnership With Preferred Hotels & Resorts, The World’s Largest Independent Hotel Brand
Toast (NYSE: TOST) announced it has joined Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ Alliance Partner Program, becoming the recommended point‑of‑sale and payments provider for the independent luxury hotel brand. The partnership covers Preferred’s portfolio of more than 625 hotels, resorts and residences...
Amex MR (NL) To Cathay Pacific Asia Miles Conversion Devalued By 59%
American Express has slashed the transfer ratio from its Membership Rewards points in the Netherlands to Cathay Pacific's Asia Miles program by 59%, dropping the conversion from a 1:1 rate to roughly 0.41 points per mile. The change takes effect...
JetBlue Offers Status Match to Former Spirit Airlines Elite Members
JetBlue announced a status‑match program for Spirit Airlines’ Free Spirit Silver and Gold members, moving them into JetBlue’s Mosaic 1 or Mosaic 2 tiers. The offer coincides with JetBlue’s addition of 11 former Spirit routes from Fort Lauderdale, expanding its...
At 100, Route 66 Still Ties the US and the World Together
Route 66 celebrated its 100‑year anniversary, reminding travelers that the historic highway still serves as a cultural bridge between America and the world. The centennial sparked a wave of restoration projects, with federal and state funds earmarked for pavement repairs, signage...
How This Travel Company's AI Rollout Drove a 73% Satisfaction Boost: A 5-Step Playbook for Your Business
Booking.com transformed its partner‑to‑guest communication with an agentic AI system called Smart Messenger, cutting response times from minutes to seconds. By building a Snowflake‑based data platform that incorporates ThoughtSpot, Airflow, Immuta, Arize and open‑source LangGraph, the company staged a two‑phase...
DoorDash Is Bad For Restaurants, Drivers, And Customers — Why Does Everyone Keep Using It?
DoorDash’s commission model forces restaurants to add surcharges and absorb 15‑30% fees, squeezing already thin profit margins. Drivers receive low pay and often deliver sub‑par service, leading to food‑quality issues. Consumers face higher total costs, while restaurants lose direct customer...
Air Canada Suspends Several More US Routes as Network Adjustments Continue
Air Canada announced the suspension of four U.S. routes—Toronto to Sacramento (effective August 1), Vancouver to Raleigh (effective July 29), Toronto to Charleston (effective September 6) and a temporary pause on Montreal to Austin (September 5‑October 19). The cuts follow the airline’s earlier decision to...
IHCL, Lemon Tree Hotels Topped Room Additions in 2025
Indian Hotels Company Ltd (IHCL) and Lemon Tree Hotels led the Indian hospitality sector in 2025, together accounting for roughly 4,600 of the 14,199 branded rooms added nationwide. IHCL opened 30 properties, contributing about 3,000 keys, while Lemon Tree launched...
DiamondRock Sells Courtyard Hotel in Manhattan for $33M
DiamondRock Hospitality Company sold its leasehold interest in the 189‑room Courtyard by Marriott New York Manhattan/Fifth Avenue for $33 million. The price reflects a 6.3‑times multiple on the hotel’s projected 2025 adjusted EBITDA and a 13.3% capitalization rate on 2025 net...
Travel Experts Spotlight Five Overseas Hotspots for Wildflower Blooms
Travel specialists highlight five overseas destinations where wildflowers burst into bloom this spring and summer, from Japan’s cherry‑blossom avenues to the Yorkshire Dales. The guide underscores a growing trend toward seasonal, nature‑focused travel, offering readers concrete itinerary ideas.
Broncos Unveil $150‑Acre Mixed‑Use Stadium District Plan for Denver’s Burnham Yard
The Denver Broncos have submitted a 150‑acre infrastructure master plan for Burnham Yard, outlining a mixed‑use stadium district with an Entertainment Zone, new parking structures and a tailgate park. The proposal, which expands Eighth Avenue and adds a “Broncos Way”...
LE: Latin America Pipeline Grows 6% YOY
Lodging Econometrics reports that Latin America’s hotel construction pipeline reached 755 projects and 113,663 rooms in Q1 2026, a 6% rise in projects and a modest 1% increase in rooms year‑over‑year. At quarter‑end, 300 projects covering 50,139 rooms are under construction,...
Las Vegas Resorts Open Hundreds of Pools to Public for a Fee, Expanding Daylife Revenue
A wave of Las Vegas resorts—including Aria, Bellagio, Caesars Palace and Wynn—are opening their pools to non‑guests for a fee, creating a new “daylife” revenue source. The shift reflects hotels’ push to monetize amenities amid tight margins, while a handful of...