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.
Plaza Premium Group has named Cyrus Wong as General Manager for Oceania, overseeing regional operations and performance. Wong, who joined the firm in 2020, previously served as Director of Asset Management, steering portfolio performance and long‑range commercial planning. His experience includes leading feasibility assessments and negotiating with airlines, airports, and hospitality partners to support international expansion. The appointment positions him to drive growth across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific.
Juan Losada has been reappointed as General Manager of Regent Phu Quoc, the luxury resort on Vietnam’s premier island. Losada previously led the property’s pre‑opening and launch from 2019 to 2022, establishing its market positioning. He returns with more than...
The West Tower of the former Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport has been sold to the Paradise Group and will reopen as Hyatt Regency Incheon Paradise City on March 9, 2026. Hyatt’s website now lists the property as a Category 4 hotel,...
President Donald Trump’s 2026 State of the Union emphasized tariffs, massive investment and a “golden age” narrative, while omitting climate and LGBTQ issues. The travel and tourism industry, especially in Europe, interpreted the rhetoric as a potential cost increase and...
Chase has announced Wyndham Rewards as a new transfer partner for its Ultimate Rewards portfolio, extending the option to Sapphire Reserve, Sapphire Preferred, J.P. Morgan Reserve and Ink Business Preferred cardholders. The transfer ratio is expected to be 1:1, though the...
Airbnb has rolled out a Reserve Now, Pay Later option across most Asia‑Pacific markets, letting guests secure eligible homes without an upfront card payment. The feature applies to listings with flexible or moderate cancellation policies and charges guests just before...
Early design packages for the A$4.1 billion West Footscray‑to‑Albion rail upgrade have been released, marking the first phase of Melbourne Airport Rail. The plan redevelops Sunshine Station into a multi‑modal "superhub" with extra platforms and a new pedestrian‑cycling bridge, while a...
The Philippine Hotel Owners Association (PHOA) opposes a legislative proposal to eliminate the national travel tax, arguing it could derail domestic tourism recovery. The tax currently funds tourism infrastructure, marketing, and development programs. PHOA warns that scrapping the tax may...
IHG has launched its second Buy Points 100% Bonus Sale for 2026, running through March 17, 2026. Members can earn a full 100% bonus on purchases of 30,000 points or more, with tiered bonuses starting at 80% for 5,000 points....
Four Seasons Yachts announced its 2027‑2028 Caribbean season, unveiling 18 new voyages and destinations, including a first‑time stop in Costa Rica. The itineraries emphasize intimate marinas, wildlife encounters such as humpback whale migrations, and a Panama Canal transit for select...
Emirates has carried more than one million tourists to Mauritius between 2022 and 2025, accounting for over 20% of the island’s total arrivals. The airline’s network helped push total visitor numbers to a record 1,436,250 in 2025, a 3.9% increase...
Pulse Hotels & Resorts announced Aura Maldives, a new 5‑star island resort slated to open in Q4 2026 in the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The property will feature 71 private villas ranging from 246 to 710 sqm, each with its own...
The Madeira Flower Parade will be split across two Sundays—May 3 and May 17, 2026—under a new format introduced by the Regional Secretariat for Tourism, Environment and Culture. The change addresses the parade’s growing length, improves viewing conditions, and allows more groups...
The Ritz‑Carlton, Langkawi has launched Dayang Mastura, a private 620‑ft Lagoon sailing catamaran that offers luxury charters for up to 20 guests. The vessel features Nauta Design interiors, a dedicated yoga and meditation space, and a suite of water‑sports equipment....
Shep Hyken’s 2026 State of Customer Service report surveyed 2,000 U.S. consumers and found that 83% are generally happy with the companies they use. Only 41% believe service quality has improved over the previous year, while 42% report more bad...
David Cooke of BDM argues that airport retail remains stagnant, relying on long‑term leases and static shopfronts despite high foot traffic. He proposes pop‑up stores as a fast, low‑risk solution that can be deployed within days, delivering higher brand visibility...
Fast Casual’s new white paper, sponsored by Momos Guest AI, reveals that multi‑location restaurant and retail brands can reclaim up to $28 million annually by revitalizing their lowest‑performing stores. The report highlights that 96 % of unhappy guests never complain, and that...
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has unveiled Noted Collection, its 21st brand aimed at converting upscale and upper‑upscale independent hotels into the IHG portfolio. The new premium brand offers access to IHG’s global distribution network, revenue‑management tools, and the One Rewards...
Beyond Green has become the latest accommodation partner of the Travalyst Coalition, a not‑for‑profit group dedicated to standardising sustainability data in travel. The partnership gives Beyond Green’s global portfolio of independent hotels a voice in shaping emerging data models, metrics...
Agoda’s Rocket Travel division has partnered with China Airlines to launch StayMiles, a white‑label hotel booking platform for the carrier’s loyalty members. The service gives members access to over 600,000 properties worldwide and lets them earn up to 10,000 miles...
Sumitomo Fudosan Villa Fontaine has unveiled an all‑inclusive experience at its Villa Fontaine Premier Haneda Airport hotel, directly linked to Terminal 3. Starting April 2026, guests can book a curated "Wonderful Japan" itinerary that bundles executive‑level rooms, daily meals, spa treatments, and...
Mövenpick Resort & Spa Bintan Lagoon has appointed Richard Margo as its general manager ahead of the resort’s scheduled opening in the second quarter of 2026. Margo arrives with more than three decades of hospitality leadership across Europe, the Middle East...
Pan Pacific Hotels Group has appointed Kung Teong Wah as cluster general manager for Parkroyal Collection Pickering and Parkroyal on Beach Road in Singapore. In this expanded role he will retain leadership of the Pickering property while taking strategic oversight...
Panini Kabob Grill opened its 31st restaurant, the sixth in San Diego, inside the Park 12 building near Petco Park and the Gaslamp Quarter. The new location continues the brand’s aggressive expansion strategy, emphasizing a true scratch kitchen and daily...
The 2026 Independent Restaurant Industry Report shows that independent eateries face a shrinking margin between revenue and costs, even as traffic rises. Price increases above ten percent in 2025 hurt profitability because diners are increasingly price‑sensitive. A growing share of...
Capital One Shopping is sending targeted cash‑back offers that promise $125 back when customers spend $275 or more on a Hertz rental. The rebate translates to roughly a 45% return, though the reward can only be redeemed for select third‑party...
Cebu Pacific’s next growth wave hinges on the Philippines’ airport expansion projects. The carrier has placed orders for more than 100 aircraft, aiming to build on post‑pandemic gains and a weakened competitive landscape. However, congestion at Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International...
EOS Hospitality announced the appointment of Abe Liao as Vice President of Operations, where he will oversee a select group of assets including Kingston Resorts, Brittain Resorts & Hotels, the Hamilton Hotel and Embassy Suites Georgetown. Liao brings more than...
Virgin Atlantic’s loyalty program, combined with Virgin Red, lets members earn and redeem points for a wide range of travel experiences. Until February 28, Chase Ultimate Rewards offers a limited‑time 40% transfer bonus to Virgin Atlantic, dramatically increasing point value....
Airports in 2026 face a rapidly evolving threat matrix that blends physical, digital and human risks, from sophisticated stowaways and drone incursions to a 600% surge in cyber‑attacks. Balancing passenger convenience with robust security is no longer optional—it defines the...
Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar is launching Big Bad’s Monthly Drops, a rotating lineup of limited‑time burgers beginning in March. The inaugural offering, the French Onion Smash Burger, combines a smashed beef patty with caramelized onions, Swiss and provolone, onion straws,...
Chatham Lodging Trust reported mixed Q3 results and outlined a Q4 outlook marked by modest RevPAR declines and steady earnings. The REIT sold five low‑performing hotels at roughly a 6% cap rate, repurchased about 500,000 shares at $6.85, and expanded...
Marriott Vacations Worldwide reported strong Q4 2025 results, with adjusted EBITDA up 9% to $1.4 billion and full‑year adjusted EBITDA rising 8% to $5.38 billion. The company expanded its portfolio to nearly 1.78 million rooms across 9,800 properties, adding a record 610,000‑room pipeline...
Service Properties Trust reported Q2 2025 results highlighting a rapid hotel disposition program, with non‑refundable deposits received for 111 Sonesta hotels worth $900 million and three additional hotels pending at $20 million. The company expects total 2025 hotel sales of $966 million, representing an...
Airports International’s inaugural 2026 issue expands its scope to include Air Traffic Management, positioning the magazine as a comprehensive source for aviation infrastructure insights. The edition spotlights "Gate Expectations," exploring how smart technologies address current airport bottlenecks, and "Singapore Swing,"...
Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) announced a new all‑time passenger record of 659,867 travelers in 2025, a 6.3% increase over the prior year. The growth stems from airlines adding seats and deploying larger aircraft to meet rising demand for the Monterey...
San Diego International Airport launched SAN Assist, a program to aid travelers with non‑visible disabilities. The service offers on‑day travel guides and pre‑travel familiarization tours, available in Terminals 1 and 2. Requests require three business days for guides and two‑to‑three weeks for...
At its March executive conference in Providence, Meyer Jabara Hotels will host Brad Brewer, Co‑Founder and Chief AI Officer of Agentic Hospitality, to discuss “Agentic Hotel Distribution.” Brewer will explain how AI‑powered agents are reshaping the way travelers discover and...
Marriott Bonvoy points can be transferred to 36 airline partners, typically at a 3‑to‑1 ratio, but transferring 60,000 points often adds a 5,000‑mile bonus, effectively improving the ratio to 3‑to‑1.25. United MileagePlus provides a special 2‑to‑1 conversion with a 10,000‑mile...
PriestmanGoode is extending its partnership with Thai Airways by designing the cabin interior for the carrier’s first A321neo, dubbed Bowonrangsi. The design draws on the historic Bangkok community of Wat Bowonniwet Vihara, merging traditional Thai motifs, silk curtains and a...
Choice Hotels is offering a limited‑time timeshare promotion that costs $149 and includes a three‑night stay at one of eight U.S. destinations. Guests must attend a two‑hour sales presentation and can choose either 30,000 Choice Privileges points or a $100...
Food Accademia, the Italian fine‑food distributor founded in 2016, will exhibit at the World Travel Catering and Onboard Services Expo (WTCE) in Hamburg from April 14‑16, 2026. The company will present a curated selection of over 20 artisan brands, ranging...
Etihad Airways has launched a Ramadan‑focused program that brings Emirati hospitality to passengers through curated menus, take‑away bags, and themed entertainment across all cabins and lounges. The airline offers traditional iftar dishes in Business and First lounges in Abu Dhabi...
St. Peter’s Basilica’s Fourth Centenary launches a comprehensive Digital Ecosystem that blends AI, IoT and a Smart Pass booking platform to streamline pilgrim flow and enrich the visitor experience. The “Beyond the Visible” project adds a real‑time structural monitoring system and a...
Japan Airlines is overhauling its international inflight dining, launching chef‑curated menus in First, Business, Premium Economy and Economy classes starting March 2026. Renowned chefs Natsuko Shoji and Nae Ogawa will design exclusive dishes for premium cabins, while rising talent from the RED U‑35...
Milk announced a comprehensive redesign of its adult amenity kits and children’s engagement kits ahead of WTCE 2026, emphasizing curated storytelling, tactile materials, and sustainable packaging. The new collections aim to extend well‑being and brand relevance beyond the flight, with...
Americans are increasingly traveling to Hokkaido, Japan, to escape poor snow conditions at U.S. resorts and enjoy abundant “Japow” powder. The island’s ski areas, including Niseko United’s four resorts, receive up to 50 feet of snowfall each year thanks to cold...
American Airlines is rolling out a new wave of targeted AAdvantage promotions that award bonus loyalty points for premium‑cabin travel. Members can earn 4,000 points after completing four First, Business or Premium Economy flights, with a 60‑day completion window, while...
American Express has launched a targeted Offer for Viator that awards a $25 statement credit when cardholders spend $200 or more in a single transaction. The credit can be applied up to two times, delivering a maximum of $50 back...
US Foods Holding Corp. introduced Menu IQ on Feb. 20, an AI‑driven menu management solution embedded in its MOXē app. The tool offers real‑time profitability analytics, allowing operators to upload recipes, calculate food costs, and monitor margin‑driving dishes without additional fees....
