Know What's Happening in Hotels
Know What's Happening in Hotels
Easter 2026 drives hotel occupancy to pre‑pandemic highs across key markets
Travel bookings for Easter 2026 surged, pushing hotel occupancy in Europe, North America and Asia to near‑full levels and matching or exceeding pre‑COVID figures. The rebound was fueled by demand for spring destinations such as Italy’s Amalfi Coast, Spain’s Andalusia and Japan’s cherry‑blossom sites, despite ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Tampa International Airport has launched Enhanced Passenger Processing (EPP) in partnership with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, using touchless facial‑comparison technology for U.S. passport holders. The system verifies identity in six to eight seconds, allowing travelers to bypass traditional document checks and head straight to baggage claim. EPP’s deployment at Airside F has cut wait times by roughly 25 percent for U.S. citizens, joining a national rollout now active at 15 airports. The initiative reflects a broader push toward biometric, contact‑free border control across the United States.
Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) said AMAL by Malaysia Airlines will resume flights to Jeddah and Madinah from Kuala Lumpur starting 8 March 2026 following a brief period of limited flights due to the closure of Middle East airspace. Flights to...
The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) has released new guidance for travel advisors as the Middle East conflict disrupts air travel, cruises, and tours. The U.S. State Department issued a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” alert for Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan...
Delta Air Lines faced a severe hailstorm at Atlanta Hartsfield‑Jackson Airport that forced the control tower to evacuate and prompted the FAA to issue a full ground stop. Delta chose to keep the stop in place, leaving hundreds of passengers...
Singapore Airlines has cancelled all flights to and from Singapore-Dubai until 15 March 2026 due to the geopolitical situation in the Middle East.
Hyatt has extended its 500‑bonus‑points‑per‑night promotion for stays at select new hotels through June 30, 2026. The offer now covers 44 properties across the Americas, Asia‑Pacific, and Europe‑Middle East‑Africa, including upcoming openings such as Miraval The Red Sea and Andaz...
The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) marked International Women’s Day with its “Give To Gain” campaign, highlighting the pivotal role of women in the region’s tourism sector. CHTA called on members to shift from mere recognition to concrete actions...
Anantara has unveiled a curated list of Europe’s most romantic wedding destinations for 2026, spotlighting five flagship properties in Rome, Amalfi, Marbella, Vienna and Budapest. Each venue blends historic architecture, local culture and luxury amenities, from rooftop terraces overlooking the...
South African designer Thebe Magugu has unveiled the Thebe Magugu Suite and Magugu House at Cape Town’s Mount Nelson, marking his debut in luxury hospitality design. The two‑story suite blends Afro‑modernist colour, texture and pattern with handcrafted South African art, furniture and bespoke amenities. Adjacent...
Innisfree Hotels is launching The Landing, a new waterfront event venue on Pensacola Beach, featuring panoramic ocean views and a private stretch of sand. The grand opening includes a vendor expo on March 6 and a ticketed low‑country shrimp boil on...
The Dyrt has launched a collection of seven road‑trip guides that map iconic U.S. routes—from the Atlantic Coast Highway to Route 66—each paired with ten top‑rated campgrounds. The guides blend brief route histories, recommended travel durations, optimal seasons, and practical details...
Mastercard’s Priceless program provides cardholders with exclusive discounts, elite status upgrades, and hard‑to‑get tickets to events across the UK and globally. Recent experiences show access to sold‑out theatre shows, backstage ballet rehearsals, and charity‑linked UEFA Champions League tickets. Many offers,...
The Boeing 777X will be Boeing’s next-generation flagship widebody. Its cabin introduces larger windows, a wider interior and redesigned overhead bins designed to improve passenger comfort on long-haul flights. Would you choose the 777X for your next long-haul journey?
SAS Airlines has become the first carrier to launch a dedicated BBC Nordic on‑demand channel, thanks to a partnership brokered by Touch Inflight Solutions. The new offering provides passengers with a curated selection of British titles, ranging from murder mysteries...
SEKISUI KYDEX introduced KYDEX® ECO™ 6565HI, a new aviation‑interior material built on renewable raw materials and verified life‑cycle assessment data. The thermoplastic sheet delivers an 8% cut in global warming potential and a 195% reduction in acidification potential while remaining...
On March 6, a United Airlines Boeing 737 collided with a deicing truck at Denver International Airport during a cold‑weather departure. The impact knocked the truck onto its side, injuring the contractor driver who was hospitalized. The flight, UA‑605 to...
A Cafeteria study of 900 Gen Z travelers shows that by 2026 the cohort will prioritize unique experiences, direct bookings, and digital tools over traditional luxury travel. They are willing to sacrifice higher‑priced flights and hotels to spend on local food,...
Frequent Miler’s latest podcast episode walks listeners through the digital toolbox that powers points‑and‑miles success. Host Bill shares specific platforms for tracking balances, scouting award flights, booking hotels, renting cars and even reserving trains. Each segment includes practical tips on...
GOL Linhas Aéreas announced its inaugural long‑haul route, a nonstop service between Rio de Janeiro’s Galeão Airport and New York’s JFK, launching on July 8. The airline will operate the route three times weekly using its new Airbus A330‑900 aircraft. The...
A Sheraton Atlanta Perimeter North manager refused a guest’s reservation because she arrived with a service dog, citing the hotel’s "no pets" policy. Police intervened, pointing out that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires public accommodations to accept legitimate...
Kalido House Hotels is launching Block House, a 19‑suite boutique property that becomes Gastown’s only dedicated hotel. The opening on March 21 marks the debut of Kalido’s unified brand after its Smithe House and Keefer House concepts. Block House blends mid‑century design, heritage architecture and...
Avianca LifeMiles launched an award sale offering economy seats from the United States to Central and South America for as little as ~3,500 miles one‑way and business class from ~13,000 miles. The promotion also includes European routes, with Washington‑Madrid economy...
MSC, the world’s third‑largest cruise line, began repatriating stranded guests after the Strait of Hormuz closure left six ships immobilized in the Persian Gulf. The company chartered seven flights and secured commercial seats, moving more than 1,500 passengers from the...
Firesyde, a new boutique cabin resort near Godalming, Surrey, offers five cedar‑wood cabins just an hour by train from London. Each cabin features a king‑size bed, under‑floor heating, private outdoor baths and fire‑pit porches for cooking. Guests can enjoy a...
Quasar Expeditions announced its 40th‑anniversary Darwin Family Cruise, an eight‑day Galapagos itinerary sailing July 18‑25. The trip aboard the newly renovated Quasar Evolution, limited to 32 guests, will visit both popular and remote islands such as San Cristóbal, Genovesa and Santa Fe....
Travelboom’s 2026 Leisure Travel Study shows most travelers now plan and book trips within a 1‑3 month window, with 59% planning and 56% booking in that period and 15% deciding within two weeks. This condensed timeline challenges traditional hotel marketing...
Riviera Travel launched a March‑April 2026 incentive program for North American agents booking European river cruises through 2027. The scheme offers a $75 gift card per reservation and a $3,000 grand prize for the top booker, measured by passenger count...
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The February 2026 jobs report showed U.S. employers shed 92,000 positions, pushing unemployment to 4.4%. Within hospitality, restaurants and bars shed nearly 30,000 jobs, marking the first monthly decline after eight straight gains. The loss is largely attributed to Winter...
While 80 percent of travelers complete bookings online, the remaining 20 percent still rely on walk‑in reservations at the front desk. A knowledgeable, courteous staff can turn these offline interactions into revenue opportunities through personalized upselling. Leveraging a modern PMS like WebRezPro...
American Express has launched a new airport lounge concept called Sidecar at Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport. The pop‑up lounge, situated near Terminal 1, operates 24 hours a day and offers a pay‑per‑use model rather than a traditional membership. Travelers can access...
Hotel operators are realizing that underused function spaces—ballrooms, rooftops and patios—represent a sizable, untapped revenue stream. By targeting bleisure travelers and micro‑events, hotels can fill weekdays that would otherwise sit dark. The article explains how events generate a "halo effect"...
The guide surveys the growing landscape of adults‑only cruises, dividing options into fully child‑free fleets, ships with exclusive adult‑only zones, and family‑friendly lines that cater primarily to grown‑up travelers. It highlights flagship brands such as Virgin Voyages, Viking Ocean Cruises,...
Indigo Road Hospitality Group has launched Indaco, a modern Italian restaurant in Nashville’s Germantown district. The venue seats 103 guests, features a street‑level patio, and offers a seasonally rotating menu of wood‑fired pizzas, hand‑rolled pastas, and locally sourced entrees curated...
Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria has signed a lease for its 61st Chicagoland location in St. Charles, Illinois, slated to open in fall 2026. The 6,200‑square‑foot venue will feature a full‑service restaurant, bar, private dining, and outdoor patio with seating for about...
Present Tense reopened March 6 in Nashville’s Wedgewood‑Houston neighborhood, moving into a deliberately intimate 40‑seat space with a dynamic patio. Co‑founders chef Ryan Costanza and sake sommelier Rick Margaritov pared the menu to about 12 dishes, offering both à la...
The Venetian Resort Las Vegas will launch Lusso Lounge, a 10,000‑square‑foot executive lounge and collaborative business environment, in Q4 2026. The space sits on the third floor of the newly renovated convention center, part of a $188 million transformation announced in 2024....
LOT Polish Airlines has begun installing Viasat’s Amara inflight Wi‑Fi on its long‑haul fleet, starting with Boeing 787 Dreamliner SP‑LSA. Two additional Dreamliners will be equipped by the end of April, offering paid chat ($7) and streaming ($29) bundles while...
The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel on Hawai‘i Island’s Kohala Coast has appointed Miguel Soto as Chef de Cuisine of its re‑imagined Hau Tree Cantina, shifting the beachfront venue toward contemporary regional Mexican cuisine. Soto, formerly sous chef at Four Seasons...
The Quail Resort in Carmel Valley, California, has named Brandon Bollenbacher as its new Executive Chef. Bollenbacher arrives with more than 15 years of luxury hospitality experience, including leadership roles at Aman Resorts, Alila Hotels, and the Vespera Resort in...
World Water Day on March 22 highlights the global water crisis, with Kalahari Resorts & Conventions reporting $12.3 million raised for clean‑water projects that have funded 1,476 initiatives and reached over 295,000 people in Africa. Earth Hour returns on March 28 for its...
Jazeera Airways has restarted Umrah charter flights to Saudi Arabia, routing them directly from Jeddah and Madinah to Russia after Kuwait’s airspace closed on Feb. 28 due to the Iran‑related war. The carrier is using three A320‑family aircraft that were...
RMS announced an integration with RoomPriceGenie that embeds the startup’s new Revenue Intelligence capability directly into RMS’s property management system dashboard. The feature delivers real‑time pricing signals, demand forecasts and occupancy projections alongside core operational data, allowing hoteliers to view...
Tampa International Airport (TPA) is preparing for a Spring Break surge of roughly 3.1 million travelers between March 5 and April 13, with daily volumes reaching 75,000‑80,000 and a peak above 90,000 on March 22. To handle the influx, the airport is rolling out new...
EOS Hospitality has named Matt Kerver as senior vice president of food & beverage, tasking him with overseeing the chain’s culinary strategy and operations across its hotel portfolio. Kerver will work closely with property teams to boost outlet performance, develop...
Design Workshop has finished a multi‑year landscape transformation at Fairmont Grand Del Mar, integrating the resort with the nearby Los Peñasquitos Canyon. New outdoor venues—including the Grand Social pavilion and Canyon Terrace—expand event capacity and guest gathering options. Patio extensions for...
Guest experience is evolving from a soft metric to a core commercial driver, with repeat‑visit rates emerging as a critical performance indicator for hotels. The article argues that tracking repeat behavior alongside traditional satisfaction scores links experience directly to profit,...
What better way to celebrate Women’s History Month than with an uplifting, women-led event by @latinoworldtravelers? Join us for Power in Motion: Mujeres Shaping the Future of Travel, a live conversation exploring how influence moves across storytelling, innovation, and institutional...
Data, AI, and loyalty are converging to create truly individualized restaurant and hospitality guest experiences that drive measurable business impact. https://t.co/Z6AVdpOTbF https://t.co/6wO8l57slU
Island Hospitality Management has been appointed to operate the new 193‑suite TownePlace Suites by Marriott Nashville Midtown. The property blends upscale extended‑stay features with an on‑site bar offering Nashville skyline views, a 24/7 fitness center, and 330 sq ft of meeting space....
Hilton’s Day Use rate lets travelers book a room for a few hours instead of a full night, catering to early arrivals, late departures, or short‑term city breaks. The option is available across many Hilton brands without needing a logged‑in...
