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
Sunset Hospitality Group Accelerates Asia‑Pacific Push with New Mett Hotels and Lifestyle Brands
Sunset Hospitality Group announced the opening of Mett Singapore at Hotel Fort Canning and a 2027 launch of Casa Mett near Orchard Road, part of a broader rollout across Vietnam, Indonesia and Australia. The Dubai‑based operator now runs 98 lifestyle concepts worldwide and employs roughly 8,000 people.
United Airlines Eyeing Assets at Unnamed Airline - CEO
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby told Bloomberg the carrier is in talks with an unnamed airline about purchasing some of its assets. Kirby said United is preparing for the next crisis, aiming to avoid short‑term, reactive decisions. While merger rumors...
Switzerland Wants to Train the “Perfect Tourist.” Hawaii Shows What Comes Next
Switzerland has rolled out a national “Travel with care” campaign that nudges visitors toward cleaner, quieter behavior and provides a toolbox for local authorities to monitor tourism‑related tensions. The initiative relies on soft, multilingual messaging rather than hard regulations. In...
Only 12,000 FIFA Passes Signal Weak World Cup Tourism
Exclusively at @SBJ: Only 12,000 people have opted in to the FIFA PASS to receive an expedited U.S. visa interview appointment for the World Cup. While not a perfect proxy, it’s the last signal that the anticipated spike in tourism...
Invisible Technologies: The Hidden Element of Smart Hospitality - By Tatyana Tsukanova
The hospitality sector is increasingly embedding invisible technologies—AI, IoT, digital twins, and automation—into every guest‑touchpoint, creating an ambient intelligence layer that operates unnoticed. These systems streamline check‑in, climate control, and service delivery while delivering 20‑30% energy savings and freeing staff...
Florida Water Parks Glow After Dark With New Summer Night Events
Florida’s two flagship water parks are extending their operating hours with after‑dark experiences this summer. Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon will host the H2O Glow After Hours event from June 2 through September 5 on 13 select evenings, featuring neon lighting, DJ entertainment and...
OTB (On the Books) in Hotels: What It Means and How to Use It for Pricing
On‑the‑books (OTB) data represents the confirmed room revenue a hotel has secured for future dates, serving as a core metric for revenue managers. By pairing OTB with forward‑looking market insights, hoteliers can monitor booking pace, assess rate‑occupancy relationships, and benchmark...
Emirates Is Working on Private Bathrooms as Airlines Race to Reinvent First Class
Emirates announced it is developing en‑suite bathrooms for its first‑class suites, aiming to raise cabin luxury. President Tim Clark said the concept is being worked on, though no timeline was provided. Adding private bathrooms would reduce seat count and increase...
Ryanair Shutters Base in Berlin With Loss of 210 Jobs in Row Over Airport Fees
Ryanair announced it will close its Berlin Brandenburg base in October 2026, citing a 50% rise in airport fees over six years and a looming 10% increase. The shutdown will shift seven Boeing 737s to lower‑tax airports in Sweden, Slovakia,...
IHG to Open Four Hotels at Vinhomes Green Paradise Can Gio in Ho Chi Minh City
IHG Hotels & Resorts has partnered with Cangio Tourist City Corporation to develop four hotels—InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn Express, and Garner—totaling more than 1,000 rooms at Vinhomes Green Paradise Can Gio in Ho Chi Minh City. The upscale InterContinental and Crowne Plaza are slated for...
Hyatt's Free Night Devaluation Hits 136 Hotels
Hyatt Announced 136 Hotels Changing Free Night Price Categories — Data Shows The Devaluation Is Worse Than It Looks - View from the Wing https://t.co/MOLC7ZqSLV
Now Is The Ideal Time For United To Buy JetBlue… Or Was It All A Bluff?
United Airlines has long hinted at acquiring JetBlue, and recent political and industry dynamics make the timing appear optimal. President Trump’s rumored plan to nationalize Spirit Airlines could soften antitrust concerns, while JetBlue’s $8 billion debt and looming Chapter 11 filing increase...
WTTC CEO Gloria Guevara Meets at the White House as U.S. Tourism Faces Growing Pressure
World Travel & Tourism Council chief Gloria Guevara met with senior U.S. officials at the White House to flag a sharp slowdown in international visitor arrivals and spending. She presented data showing the United States lagging behind global tourism growth...
New B2C Marketing Guidance Aims to Eliminate Greenwashing Claims to E.U.
The EU Empowering Consumers Directive (EmpCo) will take effect on September 27, 2026, tightening B2C rules on sustainability claims and environmental labels. Member states must transpose the law by March 2026, banning non‑certified labels and vague terms such as “green”...
Travel Headlines You Can’t Miss
Geopolitical tension in the Middle East threatens jet fuel supplies, as roughly a quarter of the world’s fuel passes through the Strait of Hormuz, prompting airlines to anticipate flight cuts and higher fares this summer. Dubai’s tourism board is actively...
Air New Zealand Puts Economy to Bed
Air New Zealand will debut its world‑first Economy Skynest, a bunk‑style, lie‑flat pod, on new Boeing 787‑9 Dreamliners starting May 18, 2026. The pods sit between Economy and Premium Economy cabins and can be booked for a four‑hour sleep session at an additional fee....
Nikki Beach To Launch Marrakech Resort in 2028
Nikki Beach Hospitality Group announced that its Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Marrakech will open in 2028 along the scenic Route de l’Ourika. The development will feature more than 100 private suites, ranging from 484‑square‑foot rooms to a 5,381‑square‑foot Celebration...
Portugal To Privatize National Airline TAP, Sell 44.9% Stake: Two Airlines In Running
Portugal’s government has relaunched the privatization of TAP Air Portugal, aiming to sell a 44.9% stake while offering employees a 5% share, leaving the state with a 50.1% holding. The airline, which posted a €1.6 billion (≈$1.74 billion) loss in 2021 and...
Air Canada’s New Airbus Jet Signals a Subtle Shift in Global Aviation Politics
Air Canada took delivery of its first Airbus A321XLR in April 2026, part of a 30‑aircraft order that expands its fleet to 136 Airbus jets. The narrow‑body, long‑range plane can fly about 4,700 nautical miles, opening nonstop routes to smaller...
Why I Bought Hotel Points to Save Money on a Flight
The author needed a small top‑up of Emirates Skywards miles and chose to buy Marriott Bonvoy points during a 40% bonus promotion. The purchased points were transferred at a 3:1 ratio, providing the exact 6,000 miles needed and costing $162.50,...
It's Time to Book Your Flight and Accommodation to Lisbon ! 🇵🇹
The NFC Summit 2026 in Lisbon, scheduled for June 4‑6, is urging attendees to book travel now. Organizers have partnered with Nomadz, a Web3‑based booking aggregator that won the Solana Mobile Hackathon and is backed by the Solana Foundation. Nomadz offers...
U.S. Hotel Results for Week Ending April 18
The U.S. hotel sector posted solid year‑over‑year gains for the week ending April 18, with occupancy at 66.5%, ADR at $167 and RevPAR at $111.14, marking increases of 8.4%, 5.7% and 14.6% respectively. The surge reflects a rebound from a weak...
Casa Mani Resort Napa Valley Opens as Curio Property
Hilton’s Curio Collection has opened Casa Mani Resort Napa Valley, a 203‑room urban resort in downtown Napa. The property was fully redeveloped, adding upscale guestrooms, suites, a spa, and new dining venues, including the upcoming BOA Steakhouse. Designed by DyeLot...
Restaurant Tycoons
The Age’s "Restaurant tycoons" series profiles ten influential figures shaping Melbourne’s dining landscape, from former student Tinee Suntivatana’s staff‑support venture to chef‑entrepreneur Daniel Andrews’ political foray. It chronicles high‑profile feuds, such as Shane Delia’s clash with George Calombaris, and personal setbacks, including...
Viator Reports Busiest Summer Yet, Spotlights Cooling Getaways and Skills‑Based Experiences
Viator announced its busiest summer on record, posting double‑digit year‑over‑year growth in experience bookings. The data shows travelers gravitating toward cooler locales, Asia‑Pacific hotspots, and skill‑building activities, underscoring a shift toward immersive, outdoor travel.
Olympia Hospitality Adds Spruce Point Inn Resort & Spa
Olympia Hospitality has entered a management partnership with Stonehouse Capital to operate Spruce Point Inn Resort & Spa in Boothbay Harbor, Maine. The historic 85‑room oceanfront resort, founded in 1892, is slated to reopen for the 2026 season in May...
Garrya Mù Cang Chải Launches Highland Retreat with Direct Hanoi Helicopter Service
Garrya Mù Cang Chải has opened a high‑end retreat in Vietnam’s northern highlands, adding a dedicated helicopter shuttle from Hanoi that seats eight guests per 60‑75 minute flight. The move blends remote cultural immersion with premium transport, highlighting a growing...
IHG and ANA Launch Loyalty Tie‑Up, Linking Hotel Stays to Airline Miles
IHG Hotels & Resorts and All Nippon Airways announced a new loyalty partnership that will go live after October. The deal lets IHG One Rewards members earn double points on select ANA flights and enables two‑way exchange between ANA miles...
Westminster Abbey’s Cellarium Café Unveils Summer Afternoon Tea in Historic Medieval Vaults
Westminster Abbey’s Cellarium Café & Terrace has introduced the Abbey in Bloom Afternoon Tea, a seasonal menu priced at £38 (≈$48) per person, available daily throughout summer 2026. The offering combines classic British flavors, seasonal ingredients, and a selection of...
Raines Grows Southeast Footprint
South Carolina‑based Raines Hospitality has opened the 118‑room Courtyard by Marriott Sugar Mountain Banner Elk in North Carolina. Raines is managing the hotel for Sugar Mountain Hospitality LLC, a joint venture with Clarendon Properties and Commercial Realty Advisors, and oversaw...
Singlepane Launches Conversational AI Assistant ScoutAI
Singlepane has introduced ScoutAI, a conversational AI assistant that lets hotel ownership executives ask natural‑language questions about their portfolio data. The tool taps directly into the platform’s financial, operational and competitive sources, delivering instant, data‑driven answers without navigating dashboards. ScoutAI...
More than a Rough Patch: Recent Restaurant Closures Signal Market Correction
Recent closures of Wendy’s, Pizza Hut, Jack in the Box and other chains highlight a market correction driven by sustained traffic declines and rising cost pressures. Analysts point to soaring food, labor, insurance and rent expenses that are eroding margins,...
Reader Question: ALL Accor Platinum Lounge Access Benefit Includes Kid?
Accor’s ALL Platinum members receive lounge access only for adults registered to the room they occupy, a rule enforced at Pullman Vung Tau in Vietnam. A guest discovered that her 13‑year‑old daughter was denied entry unless a fee was paid,...
Airline Alliances Shift as Emirates Bets on a Fast Travel Rebound
American Airlines and Alaska Airlines are in talks to deepen their partnership with a revenue‑share model that could reshape U.S. airline competition. Emirates Airlines expressed confidence that travelers will quickly move past the disruptions caused by the Iran war, forecasting...
Boundary Rooftop Reopens for Summer with Mediterranean Menu and Analog Culture Arts Programme
Boundary Rooftop & Bar, perched atop the Boundary Shoreditch hotel, is reopening for the 2026 summer season with a Mediterranean‑focused menu that emphasizes charcoal‑grilled small plates and a 35‑day salt‑aged T‑bone steak for sharing. The venue retains its 360‑degree views...
Omni Hotels & Resorts Launches Nationwide Celebration of Heritage and Timeless Traditions
Omni Hotels & Resorts has unveiled a year‑long "Celebrate America" program to mark the United States' 250th anniversary. The initiative rolls out a dedicated microsite, brand campaign, and a slate of summer festivals, live‑music concerts, free drive‑in movie nights, and...
Why Hotel Owners Are Turning to Brands to Stay Competitive in Asia
Hotel owners across Asia are shifting from new builds to converting existing properties into global brands. Conversions deliver faster market entry, profitability gains of 15‑40%, and lower OTA commissions—about 30% reduction. Accor’s flexible brand portfolio lets owners match assets to...
Vivo, Andaz Delhi Explore Screen-Free Dining Moments
Vivo has teamed with Andaz Delhi by Hyatt to launch “Switch Off,” a screen‑free dining concept at the hotel’s Soul Pantry restaurant. The program, which began on April 16, 2026, asks diners to place their phones in a locked box...
Ryanair Tightens Airport Check-In Rules as Fears Grow Over EES Border Queues
Ryanair will raise its airport check‑in and bag‑drop cut‑off to 60 minutes before departure starting 10 November, extending the current 40‑minute limit by 20 minutes. The policy targets the 20 % of its passengers who check bags, roughly 40 million travelers each year, and...
Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso Ink Deal on New Joint Airline
Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso have signed a memorandum of understanding to launch a joint airline that will link their capitals and key regional hubs. The partnership commits roughly $50 million to acquire an initial fleet of four ATR‑72‑600 turboprop aircraft,...
Atlantis Celebrates May With Elevated Partner Perks
Atlantis Paradise Island is launching a three‑tiered partner program for May 2026 to celebrate Travel Advisor Appreciation Month. From May 1‑31, agents earn an 18% commission on direct or GDS bookings that generate stays through Dec 15, 2026. The initiative adds double...
More than a Post: Turning Influencers Into Content Engines for Your Restaurant
At the Restaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit, a panel of restaurant CMOs argued that influencer marketing is evolving from a peripheral tactic to a core content engine. They cited a $5,000 influencer video that outperformed traditional Meta ads and highlighted...
Zedwell Wins Approval for Trafalgar Square Hotel Conversion
Zedwell, the modular hotel brand owned by Criterion Capital, has received planning permission to convert the historic Trafalgar Buildings on London’s Trafalgar Square into a boutique hotel. The approval adds a flagship property to Zedwell’s pipeline, marking its first major...
Sleep Expert Shares 5 Beautifully Strange Tips to Help You Fall Asleep Anywhere
Sleep tourism is booming, with hotels adding sleep coaching and pillow menus to attract weary travelers. A British mattress firm reports an 809% surge in Google searches for “how to fall asleep,” now averaging 135,000 monthly queries. Dr. Deborah Lee,...
Edinburgh Airport Is a Key Economic Driver for Scotland
A BiGGAR Economics report shows Edinburgh Airport delivered about $3.4 billion of economic value in 2025, supporting 44,000 jobs in Scotland and 72,000 across the UK. Tourism linked to the hub generated roughly $2.25 billion in visitor spending, while air freight handled...
Dubai Hotels Pull Nearly 2,000 Rooms for Renovations as Iran War Hits Occupancy
Dubai’s hotel sector is withdrawing nearly 2,000 rooms for refurbishment after the Iran‑Israel conflict slashed occupancy to 36.2% in March, down from 71.4% a year earlier. Seven properties, ranging from budget brands to ultra‑luxury icons, have announced closures, with JW...
Indigenous Luxury Travel Surges as Communities Lead High-End Journeys
Indigenous luxury travel is expanding rapidly, with demand rising 20‑25% each year and revenue surpassing AUD 1.5 bn (≈$1 bn) in Australia by 2025. Operators such as Intrepid Travel and G Adventures now offer over 100 community‑run experiences, positioning Indigenous custodians as architects...
M&G Real Estate Snaps up Barcelona Hotel for €50m
UK asset manager M&G Real Estate has acquired a hotel in Barcelona for €50 million (approximately $54 million) on behalf of its M&G European Property Fund. The purchase expands the fund’s exposure to the hospitality sector in a market that is seeing...
Backroads Unveils 2027 Adventure Tour Lineup Across Romania, Iceland, Switzerland and More
Backroads announced its 2027 global adventure tour lineup, introducing new itineraries in Romania, Iceland, Switzerland, Germany, Spain, Costa Rica, Panama and Zanzibar. The expansion targets hikers, cyclists and cultural explorers seeking immersive outdoor experiences.
New Routes and More Flights From Avianca This Summer
Avianca is boosting its U.S. network for Summer 2026 by adding 42 weekly flights, expanding capacity on existing routes and launching new services. The carrier will debut a nonstop San Francisco‑Guatemala City flight in June and resume several seasonal routes such...