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.
Portillo’s reported a 3.3% decline in fourth‑quarter same‑store sales and a 0.5% drop for the full year, driven largely by weak transaction growth in Texas. The chain announced new CEO Brett Patterson, succeeding interim CEO Mike Miles, who highlighted that the aggressive Texas rollout has become a headwind, eroding margins by roughly 180 basis points. To correct course, Portillo’s is slowing its Sun Belt expansion, opening fewer locations and spacing them to avoid cannibalization, while leveraging its 2 million‑member Perks loyalty program for brand awareness. Early results from a smaller format restaurant in Georgia suggest the revised, measured entry strategy may regain momentum.
Domino’s Pizza Enterprises (DPE), the pizza chain’s largest franchisee with 3,500 stores across Asia‑Pacific and Europe, reported its first annual loss in a 20‑year public history and announced the closure of more than 300 locations, most in Japan. The franchisee’s...
Sweetgreen is piloting three chicken‑based wraps—Classic Chicken Caesar, Chicken Jalapeño Ranch, and Chicken Salad Bacon Club—across New York, the Midwest and select Los Angeles locations. Each wrap contains over 40 grams of protein and is priced between $10.95 and under $15, positioning it...
Consumers are increasingly demanding technology-driven experiences in restaurants, from mobile ordering to contactless payment. Recent surveys reveal a measurable shift toward digital convenience, prompting operators to reassess the balance between tech and traditional hospitality. Restaurants that integrate intuitive tech solutions...
McDonald’s will roll out its half‑pound Big Arch burger in the United States on March 3 as a limited‑time offering. The sandwich, already a permanent menu item in the UK and sold in France and Canada, layers two quarter‑pound patties, white cheddar,...
In a recent Amazing Business Radio episode, Stephen Baer explains how internal employee engagement directly fuels external customer experience. He argues that genuine, relationship‑focused interactions outperform surface‑level personalization and pure convenience. Baer highlights that companies investing in their people see...
London City Airport announced Andy Cliffe as its new chief executive, effective immediately. Cliffe, formerly Group CEO of AGS Airports and senior leader at Manchester Airports Group, joins after helping Macquarie Asset Management acquire a stake in the airport. He replaces long‑time...
EmptyLegFinder.aero, a digital marketplace for discounted empty‑leg private jet flights, has launched across the United States and Canada. At launch the platform lists more than 1,400 empty‑leg opportunities, with over 200 new flights added each day from verified charter operators....
Real estate decisions shape profitability in food‑and‑beverage franchising long before menu or branding take effect. Site location, format and lease terms dictate traffic flow, operating costs and scalability. End‑cap, in‑line and freestanding spaces each present distinct trade‑offs between visibility, rent...
In this episode, founder Mike Kurtz recounts the origins and explosive growth of Mike's Hot Honey, from a spontaneous discovery on a Brazilian hiking trip to its adoption by major chains like Taco Bell and KFC. He details the grassroots...
Seaplane Asia Group and Singapore‑based NexAvian signed a memorandum of understanding at the 2026 Singapore Airshow to accelerate advanced air mobility across Southeast Asia. The deal merges Seaplane Asia’s amphibious aviation operations with NexAvian’s emerging technology and regulatory expertise, targeting...
HBA San Francisco has completed a comprehensive design refresh of Gurney’s Montauk Resort and Seawater Spa in New York, revamping the lobby, two new food‑and‑beverage venues and an expanded fire‑pit outdoor gathering space. The new aesthetic leans on warm woods,...
iGA Istanbul Airport has launched an immersive Ramadan Festival, converting its domestic and international terminals into a Ramadan Village that operates daily from 10 am to 10 pm. The showcase blends traditional Turkish arts—calligraphy, Ebru marbling, and live music—with digital experiences like...
Delta Air Lines reintroduced the Boeing 747 after an 18‑year gap, driven primarily by its 2008 merger with Northwest Airlines. The acquisition added a sizable 747 fleet that supported Delta’s expanded trans‑Atlantic and Pacific long‑haul network. The aircraft served as a...
The International Airport Review eReport outlines how airports are modernising asset management to cope with rising operational, regulatory and sustainability pressures. It highlights a shift from traditional CAPEX/OPEX splits toward a whole‑life TOTEX model that integrates planning, delivery, operation and...
Turkey, Poland and Portugal are promoting Marmaris, Kraków and Albufeira as Europe’s top budget Easter 2026 city‑breaks. The early‑April long weekend creates a compressed travel window that favours walkable, public‑transport‑rich destinations. Official tourism bodies highlight each city’s compact sightseeing zones,...
Luxury liner Seven Seas Voyager arrived in Dar es Salaam on February 18‑19, 2026, bringing over 600 international guests ashore for a two‑day visit. The Tanzania Tourism Board highlighted the immediate economic boost from these high‑spending cruise passengers, who patronized...
Catbalogan, Samar, is rapidly emerging as a premier eco‑tourism hub, leveraging its waterfalls, caves, reefs and cultural sites. In 2024 the city recorded a 107.22% surge in overnight arrivals and a jump to 646,741 day visitors, far surpassing 2019 levels....
Chinese outbound travelers, the world’s third‑largest source of visitors and top spender in 2019, are forecast to recover to roughly 50% of pre‑pandemic volumes by 2027 and become the leading outbound market by 2030. Michael Shoory of Tourism Economics notes...
Marriott Bonvoy and Indonesia’s state‑owned Bank Mandiri have launched the Marriott Bonvoy Mandiri credit card, the hospitality brand’s first co‑branded card in Southeast Asia and its 35th worldwide. The product targets Indonesia’s fast‑growing travel segment, leveraging Mandiri’s digital reach and...
Delta Air Lines announced a new Airbus A321neo configuration that includes an unusually large premium cabin. The aircraft will carry 44 first‑class seats with a 38‑inch pitch across the front two‑thirds of the jet. Behind it, a 54‑seat Delta Comfort+...
Plaza Premium Group and IAS Hospitality have forged a partnership that links 26 IAS‑operated lounges in Indonesia with Plaza Premium’s global network of over 100 lounges. The agreement grants Plaza Premium’s airline and corporate clients access to Indonesian terminals where...
Shangri‑La Rasa Sentosa is launching a limited‑time Seaside Pony & Picnic Experience for the March 2026 school holidays, running from March 13 to 22. The package combines a one‑hour guided pony interaction for children aged three to twelve with a...
LeShuttle launched Club LeShuttle, adopting Avios as its loyalty currency, the first non‑airline partner. Members earn 3 Avios per £1 on standard tickets and 6 per £1 on Flexiplus, with a double‑Avios promotion offering 6 and 12 Avios respectively for...
Millennials and Gen Z are maintaining or expanding travel budgets in 2026, with 88 % planning to keep or increase spending despite economic headwinds. The Klook Travel Pulse 2026 report shows APAC leading growth, as travelers there are 50 % more likely than their...
The January‑February 2026 issue of the “Good Tourism” blog explores how travel narratives are reshaping geopolitics, sustainability, and industry participation. It highlights a study showing Israeli‑UAE travel writing softening cultural divides after the Abraham Accords, and a critique by Ewan Cluckie...
Philadelphia City Council approved legislation that prohibits third‑party platforms and individuals from selling restaurant reservations without the establishment’s consent. The measure targets marketplaces such as Appointment Trader, which handled over $5 million in reservation transactions and 15,000 sellers last year, and...
Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta responded to recent civil unrest in Jalisco by tightening on‑site security and issuing real‑time safety guidance. The hotel offered complimentary extensions for guests staying through February 22 and a discounted “distress” rate for February 23, while waiving cancellation...
A power bank ignited on Horizon Air flight AS2117, causing a thermal‑runaway fire aboard an Embraer E175. The crew extinguished the blaze and the pilot returned to Wichita for an emergency landing, where a passenger received minor burns. The aircraft underwent...
Las Vegas taxi operators now charge flat rates of $21, $25 or $29 for airport‑to‑hotel trips, depending on the zone, after a $1 base‑fare increase in August 2024 that eliminated the fuel surcharge. The three zones cover Sunset Road to Tropicana, Tropicana...
COMAC showcased its C919 at the Singapore Airshow, underscoring its ambition to become a global competitor. However, heightened US‑China tensions and dependence on Western suppliers have forced the Chinese OEM to cut 2025 production and delay deliveries. Supply‑chain disruptions, regulatory...
Investor interest is reviving after a dearth of new airport privatisations in Europe. Potential deals are emerging for Sicily’s Catania airport, targeting a logistics hub, and Denmark’s Copenhagen Airport, which may welcome private investors again after a period of renationalisation....
Xenia Hotels & Resorts reported a Q3 2025 net loss of $13.7 million while generating $42.2 million of adjusted EBITDAre and 23 cents adjusted FFO per share, an 8% YoY decline. Same‑property RevPAR was flat, but excluding the Houston market the portfolio saw...
Delta’s Gold Medallion status sits at the sweet spot between attainable spend and valuable perks, requiring $10,000 in Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) for 2026. The tier delivers 8 X SkyMiles on base fares, complimentary upgrades (excluding Basic Economy), free first checked...
Ryman Hospitality Properties reported record Q4 and full‑year 2025 results, posting $737.8 million in quarterly revenue and $2.6 billion for the year. Adjusted EBITDAre rose 18.9% YoY to $224.3 million in Q4 and $794.7 million annually, while net income reached $74.5 million and $247.3 million respectively....
In this episode, Eric Tangen, President of Hospitality Upselling at Plusgrade and co‑founder of Oki, discusses how hotels can boost total revenue by integrating upselling technology with revenue management systems. He explains the shift from focusing solely on RevPAR to...
OUTRIGGER Resorts & Hotels is rolling out an expanded wellness program at its Maldives Maafushivaru Resort for 2026, adding aerial yoga, bungee fit, TRX training and ocean‑front sound healing. The new Alchemy Bar introduces hands‑on workshops such as coconut‑oil cooking...
Denver International Airport has opened its first long‑term retail outlet for Björn Colorado Honey, a Colorado specialty brand. The store, designed by local firm Neoera, features a Scandinavian‑inspired café with honey‑infused beverages and premium honey tastings. Situated in Concourse C...
Transcend Cruises announced two senior hires to accelerate its growth in the European river cruise market. Bentlie Logan joins as Director of MICE and Agency Sales, bringing recent Carnival Cruise Line experience and a focus on expanding North American group...
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United Airlines has deployed an algorithmic system to identify flight attendants it deems to be abusing sick‑leave, flagging crew who fail to trade assigned trips or who call in sick after denied time‑off requests. The technology cross‑references scheduling disputes and...
MSC Cruises is overhauling its 2026 entertainment slate, adding AI‑powered robotic dogs and humanoid robots, new original game shows, and refreshed music and production shows across its fleet. The pilot on MSC Bellissima will expand to Asian sailings and the...
Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group (AKTG) has reorganized its trade sales leadership across the Americas, appointing Debra Fox as Chief Sales Officer – Trade. Fox now oversees global trade sales for all AKTG brands, reporting directly to CEO Cristina Levis....
Jacaruso Enterprises, featured in Hotel Business’s Spotlight Series, is redefining hotel sales operations through AI‑enabled solutions. VP of Bold Moves, April Eskelson, explained how the company’s Lead Shark platform equips hotel partners with real‑time business intelligence. She highlighted AI tools...
Zaxby’s has turned its experimental dry‑rub flavors into a permanent menu offering, debuting garlic parmesan, Nashville Hot and lemon pepper rubs. The rubs can be applied to Chicken Fingerz, wings, fries or bundled in meal combos, expanding the chain’s flavor...
SiteMinder’s 2026 Hotel Booking Trends report shows the UK hotel market has settled into a new normal defined by strong short‑stay demand and a largely domestic guest base. Short stays account for 80.5% of nights, while domestic travelers represent roughly...
Spain’s camping sector has shifted from tents to high‑comfort bungalows, glamping units and motorhome facilities, with tents now representing less than 5% of the market. This evolution aligns with growing traveler demand for nature‑based experiences that combine hotel‑level comfort, flexibility...
Park City is witnessing a surge of residential and hotel construction, highlighted by Deer Valley’s East Village project that will deliver 800 hotel rooms and 1,700 luxury units. The region’s skiable acreage will near 20,000 acres, outpacing the combined terrain...
The article introduces Flow Through and Flex as complementary metrics that translate hotel revenue changes into profitability outcomes. Flow Through measures the percentage of incremental revenue that becomes gross operating profit, while Flex gauges how well a property shields profit...
AmaWaterways has launched limited‑time 2027 booking incentives aimed at solo travelers and groups, with a 10% reduced single supplement on over 500 sailings and a doubled group discount of $500 per person. The promotions are available for reservations made through...
It’s Personal Stories, a hospitality leadership podcast founded in 2022, has launched a redesigned website that consolidates nearly 300 interviews with global hospitality leaders. The new platform offers a searchable archive by guest name, title, company, and thematic categories, with...
