Know What's Happening in Hotels
Know What's Happening in Hotels
High‑end hotels revamp minibars with local, wellness‑focused offerings
Luxury properties are replacing traditional snack trays with curated selections such as locally sourced foods, handcrafted cocktails, wellness products and even pet‑friendly treats. Examples include Aman New York’s complimentary apothecary‑style cocktails and Equinox Hotels’ superfood bites, while The Largo in Porto adds a sommelier‑noted wine fridge.
Pizza Inn is unveiling a fully modernized restaurant in Mesquite, Texas, with a ribbon‑cutting ceremony on March 5. The remodel adds expanded seating, a back‑fed buffet, brighter décor, and energy‑efficient lighting. It retains the brand’s scratch‑style pizza, daily‑made dough and whole‑milk mozzarella, blending nostalgia with contemporary expectations. The Hemani family’s investment reflects Pizza Inn’s systemwide push to modernize legacy locations and strengthen franchisee growth.
P.F. Chang’s has introduced a limited‑time "Flavor In Bloom" campaign, a seasonal dining experience inspired by Japan’s cherry blossom season. The centerpiece is the Cherry Blossom Martini, mixing Hendrick’s Gin, St‑Germain elderflower, strawberry, lychee, pineapple and lemon. The menu pairs...
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey will conduct spring‑2026 trials of electric autonomous shuttles at Newark Liberty International Airport, partnering with Oceaneering, Ohmio and Glydways. The two‑week, non‑public tests simulate a high‑capacity shuttle network that could connect existing...
Timor‑Leste is leveraging its recent ASEAN membership to accelerate a sustainable tourism strategy that showcases its pristine marine and mountainous assets. By joining ASEAN, the nation gains access to regional marketing channels and co‑branding opportunities, allowing it to present itself...
The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) will host its Food & Beverage Summit on March 3, followed by a combined Food & Beverage and Responsible Stay Summit on March 4 at the Hilton McClean Tysons Corner. Sessions will explore menu trends,...
Airline lounges are experiencing severe overcrowding as credit‑card issuers oversell access, diluting the premium experience. Capital One now charges $45 per guest and has removed complimentary guest slots, while American Express restricts guests to those on the same flight. The surge...
Siemens and CAPHENIA announced a partnership to accelerate commercial Sustainable Aviation Fuel production by integrating Siemens’ digitalisation and automation tools with CAPHENIA’s plasma Boudouard reactor technology. The reactor splits bio‑methane into synthesis gas at 1,500 °C with over 86 % efficiency, enabling...
Hotels aiming for revenue growth in 2026 should build a focused competitive set of five to ten primary rivals, optionally adding secondary groups for niche insights. The article advises using OTA search filters—location, accommodation type, price range, rating, and online...
In early 2026, leading third‑party delivery platforms are teaming up with temporary‑housing marketplaces. Airbnb launched an Instacart pilot that lets guests pre‑stock pantries and rewards hosts with cash and free Instacart+ membership, while Landing partnered with Gopuff to give guests...
USALI’s 12th Revised Edition introduces an Energy, Water, and Waste (EWW) schedule that obliges hotels to report both the cost and volume of water usage in their financial statements. The new water account separates municipal water and sewer expenses, requiring...
Outback Steakhouse recorded a 0.9% same‑store traffic increase in Q4 2025, its first positive quarter since 2021, while same‑store sales slipped 0.6% as average checks fell 1.5%. CEO Michael Spanos linked the traffic lift to a new steak lineup launched in November...
EgyptAir announced two new nonstop routes from Cairo to Chicago O'Hare and Los Angeles, expanding its U.S. network to five destinations and a sixth in Canada with Toronto. The carrier will deploy brand‑new Airbus A350‑900 aircraft on the Chicago and...
Hope’s Windows announced its Old World Suite ultra‑luxury steel and bronze windows and doors have achieved certification under the Florida Building Code, including the high‑velocity hurricane zone (HVHZ) standards. The products underwent rigorous testing for wind load, impact resistance, air...
Sunbolt announced an expanded Eclipse Solar Charging Umbrella lineup, adding a refreshed fabric‑canopy version with 88 W of high‑efficiency panels and a new permanent Aluminum Canopy model delivering 110 W. Both units are built in the United States, feature six dual‑port USB/USB‑C...
Los Angeles International Airport’s Tom Bradley International Terminal has transformed into a culinary showcase, featuring chef‑driven concepts from Michael Voltaggio’s Ink.sack to Wolfgang Puck’s WPizza. Travelers can choose from upscale sandwiches, Oaxacan‑inspired Mexican fare, pressed‑espresso coffee, craft beer, artisanal pizza,...
Aviointeriors has partnered with Salient Motion to equip its Allegra and Allegra HD business‑class seats with a new Seat Actuation Control System. The modular, software‑defined solution reached qualification‑ready status in under a year, leveraging Salient Motion’s rapid certification process. The...
Classic Vacations has grown its Preferred Hotel Portfolio to 2,600 properties worldwide, responding to advisor feedback for broader destination coverage. The expansion adds luxury assets across North America, Europe, Asia and Africa, including iconic hotels such as The Beverly Hills...
Plus Ultra Líneas Aéreas will restart direct Madrid‑Caracas flights on March 3, 2026, initially twice weekly, expanding to three flights in April and four by July. A weekly Tenerife‑Caracas service will begin on April 1, 2026. The routes were suspended...
Marriott International named veteran Henri Michel as General Manager of the Paris Marriott Champs‑Élysées effective February 1, 2026, shortly after completing a couture‑inspired renovation. The redesign, executed by Muza Lab, blends classic French elegance with contemporary design, delivering new guest rooms, suites,...
Los Cabos is rapidly expanding its upscale tourism offering with several new luxury and boutique hotels slated to open throughout 2026, including the Kadun Hotel Boutique, Amanvari, St. Regis Los Cabos at Quivira, Grand Hyatt Los Cabos at Oleada, and Soho...
Germany’s Verdi union launched a 48‑hour public‑transport strike on February 27, 2026, halting local buses, trams and U‑Bahn services across major cities such as Berlin, Hamburg and Munich. The action involves roughly 100,000 workers from 150 transport firms and aims...
Flyadeal will launch year‑round nonstop flights from its Madinah base to Jazan, Qassim and Arar on March 1, 2026, raising the number of direct destinations from the city to ten. The routes will be operated with Airbus A319s, offering two daily...
MYSEA announced the Silent Grace, a fully electric 62‑foot catamaran slated for Mediterranean charter service in summer 2026. Powered by solar panels and high‑capacity batteries, the yacht delivers zero‑emission, noise‑free cruising while offering three decks of luxury space. Its wellness‑focused...
Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) and Frankfurt Airport (FRA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to create a more integrated cargo corridor between South India and Europe. The agreement outlines joint trade‑lane analytics, a digital corridor, pharma integrity standards and...
Firecircle, a digital training and mentorship firm for tourism entrepreneurs, has published a new guidebook titled "Firecircle 5×5 Method – The Definitive Guide to Igniting and Transforming Your Tourism Business" on Amazon. Authored by founder‑CEO Deneen Allen, the book delivers...
Travelodge Canada has launched the Travelodge Suites by Wyndham Estevan, adding a 132‑room, kitchenette‑equipped hotel in Saskatchewan. The property, managed by Globex Management Corp. alongside a local ownership group, offers amenities such as complimentary breakfast, free Wi‑Fi, fitness facilities, and...
ITB Berlin celebrated its 60th edition in March 2026, centering on the theme “Leading Tourism into Balance.” Over 400 global experts gathered across seven tracks to debate how tourism can thrive amid geopolitical tension, climate urgency, and rapid digital change....
Visit Algarve outlines a vibrant 2026 calendar, adding new sports events and announcing Formula 1’s return for the 2027‑28 season. The lineup features Festival Med in Loulé, an international music and arts showcase in June, followed by Afro Nation’s three‑day Afrobeats...
Not Just Travel’s Travel Franchise has been crowned Best Lifestyle Franchise in the World for the second year running at the International Franchise Association’s Global Franchise Awards. The accolade makes it the only UK‑based and the only travel‑sector franchise to...
Copa Airlines is running a ConnectMiles promotion that adds a 60% bonus to purchases, bringing the effective price down to 1.88 ¢ per mile for transactions up to 100,000 miles. The offer runs until 11:59 p.m. ET on March 27 2026, limits members to...
St. Louis is launching a direct, four‑times‑weekly flight to London on 19 April 2026, enhancing its appeal as a gateway for European travelers, especially during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The city’s cultural scene is expanding with a new immersive zone at the...
Melbourne Airport announced a A$4.5 billion expansion of its international terminal, adding five new gates, extra aircraft stands and enlarged check‑in, baggage‑claim and retail areas. The programme will roll out in stages, tied to new pick‑up and drop‑off zones at the...
Hotel & Resort Design South (HRDS) 2026 has opened registration for its free‑to‑attend exhibition and conference in Miami Beach on June 9‑10. The event will host more than 250 exhibitors focused on hotel, resort and private‑island design across the Southern States,...
Shannon Airport has been added to Ireland’s Regional Airports Programme 2026‑2030, expanding the scheme to cover airports handling up to three million passengers annually. The programme, backed by the Sectoral Investment Plan for Transport, earmarks roughly €45 million in capital spending...
The restaurant industry is awash with AI hype, but the technology is a tool, not a cure‑all. Operators gain real value when AI reduces repetitive administrative work and turns raw reservation data into actionable insights. Over‑automation, however, can add cognitive...
Advantage Utilities has been crowned Consultancy of the Year for Large Customers at the 2025 TELCA Awards, recognizing its rapid rise in the UK hotel sector. The firm delivered more than £500,000 in energy savings within two years for a...
Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris has been named the World’s Leading Sustainable Supply Chain Programme 2025 at the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards in Dubai. The hotel’s responsible purchasing charter now covers 14 product categories, with 66% of...
Emirates has introduced a split‑payment solution for Kenyan travelers through its partnership with Cellulant’s Tingg gateway. The feature lets customers combine mobile money, banking and card methods and pay an initial amount online followed by up to four instalments within...
Finnair has launched a new boarding music suite called “Matkantekijä,” composed by fourth‑generation Finnish musician Lauri Porra, to deepen its Finnish‑centric brand identity. The soundscape, featuring traditional instruments like the jouhikko and kantele, will play on aircraft, in lounges, and...
Philippine Airlines has filed a request with the U.S. Department of Transportation to launch nonstop service between Manila and Chicago, a roughly 8,132‑mile ultra‑long‑haul route slated for the summer 2026 IATA traffic season. The airline plans to deploy its newly...
Restaurant operators are turning to AI‑enhanced guest engagement platforms to capture comprehensive data from reservations, payments, Wi‑Fi and loyalty interactions. By unifying this information, they can segment customers by actual behavior, refine menus, and personalize marketing rather than relying on...
LW Design’s 2026 forecast spotlights a shift toward holistic, experiential wellbeing, positioning wellness as a core element of hospitality rather than an add‑on. The studio has diversified beyond its GCC roots, unveiling a slate of high‑profile openings across Saudi Arabia,...
Lufthansa has rolled out IATA’s Turbulence Aware platform across parts of its fleet, including Swiss International Air Lines and Edelweiss Air, to provide pilots with near‑real‑time turbulence alerts. The system gathers anonymised sensor data from participating aircraft and displays colour‑coded...
Uganda Airlines announced that its two Airbus A330‑800 long‑haul jets are out of service due to unscheduled maintenance, prompting the carrier to hunt for a short‑term wet‑lease to keep intercontinental routes operational. The grounding affects flights to London Gatwick, Mumbai,...
Desert Jet has secured an additional 7.5 acres at Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport, expanding its Desert Jet Center FBO and maintenance footprint. The lease extension will enable new hangars, more aircraft parking, and upgraded maintenance capabilities, with construction slated to...
Five new luxury hotels are set to debut worldwide, ranging from a restored 350‑year‑old palace in India to boutique properties on the French Riviera and in Utah. The Oberoi Rajgarh Palace in Khajuraho has been transformed into a 65‑room resort...
Elevate Jet unveiled a new private‑jet booking app that delivers instant pricing across six aircraft categories, from light jets to ultra‑long‑range models. The platform is driven by Ruby, a proprietary AI agent that evaluates range, availability, fuel needs, crew limits...
ITW GSE is expanding its Odense, Denmark facility with a new production hall slated to open in May 2026, boosting European output by roughly 50%. The company’s strategic shift from selling standalone gate boxes to delivering integrated gate systems, branded as...
Port Polska, Poland’s new greenfield airport, is being positioned as a major gateway for Central and Eastern Europe. The project will serve both passenger and cargo traffic while directly supporting LOT Polish Airlines’ expansion plans. Integrated high‑speed rail will link...
Bowood Estate has appointed Kathrin Cockhill as its first head of business development, a role created to steer commercial growth across the hotel, spa, golf resort, and Bowood House & Gardens. Cockhill brings over 20 years of senior sales experience...
