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.
JFK International Air Terminal (JFKIAT) announced that Terminal 4 has been recertified at the LEED Platinum level for existing buildings, marking its second Platinum award. The achievement comes amid a $1.5 billion transformation that embeds energy‑efficiency, renewable energy, electric mobility and water‑conservation measures. Initiatives such as a 12 % reduction in carbon emissions, installation of 58 electric‑ground‑support charging stations and rainwater harvesting systems underscore the terminal’s sustainability drive. The certification supports the Port Authority’s broader net‑zero‑by‑2050 target for the entire JFK campus.
Mandarin Oriental announced Simone Biles as its first global wellness ambassador, marking a strategic move to embed holistic wellbeing into its luxury hospitality portfolio. Biles will work with the brand’s Wellness Board to shape programs that blend physical, mental and recovery...
During the initial climb of a Batik Air Boeing 737‑800, economy seats in an exit row tipped backward, flattening into the row behind and blocking the aisle near the emergency exit. The crew re‑seated passengers and the aircraft underwent an...
Avia Solutions Group is extending its global footprint by leveraging its Australian subsidiary, Skytrans, to launch a new charter route between Sydney and Cobar. Weekly flights began on 19 January 2026 and will run through mid‑May, using a 36‑seat Dash 8‑200...
Highgate and The Kessler Collection announced a strategic alliance that establishes a Kessler Hospitality division within Highgate and adds several Kessler‑managed properties to its portfolio. The partnership leverages Highgate’s revenue‑management expertise, technology platforms, and buying power to improve profitability and...
Central Park Towers, a $500 million integrated luxury resort, is under construction on Kazbegi Avenue in Tbilisi and slated to open in 2027. The 24‑hour destination will combine roughly 1,200 hotel rooms with high‑end retail, dining, wellness, entertainment and a 4,000‑guest...
IHOP announced its first National Pancake Day on March 3, offering a free short stack of buttermilk pancakes at participating locations from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The event includes an in‑person appearance by social‑media influencer Mr. Fantasy at the Hollywood restaurant. IHOP...
KFC is testing two distinct value platforms in Ohio and Florida from late February through March, offering flat‑rate bundles at $8 and $10 respectively. The Ohio market provides an everyday all‑day menu with choices of tenders, wings or nuggets, while...
Colicchio Consulting has opened Eastern Edge, an 11,000‑square‑foot, all‑electric culinary and community hub in Cambridge’s Kendall Square adjacent to MIT. The 275‑seat venue hosts nine local food vendors, two bars, and flexible event space, operated by the Gather Group with...
Hilton Los Angeles Airport is investing $50 million to renovate its 1,234‑room property ahead of a wave of global sporting events, including the FIFA World Cup, Super Bowl and Olympic Games. The phased redesign, set to finish next month, converts all...
Practice Hospitality’s founder Bashar Wali unveiled The Compton, a 142‑room independent lifestyle hotel on Bentonville’s historic Square, designed to feel native to the Ozarks. The property blends biophilic architecture, local art and folklore, and a cycling‑centric service model that includes...
Hotel Business urges hospitality suppliers to leverage B2B media for growth. The editorial stresses that strategic placement in trusted trade publications delivers audience alignment, authority, and lasting brand equity, especially during economic uncertainty. It argues that visibility in reputable outlets...
DKN Hotels has launched the SpringHill Suites by Marriott Ventura Oxnard, a 121‑suite extended‑stay hotel in Oxnard, California. The property sits within walking distance of The Collection RiverPark and a short drive from downtown, beaches, and Channel Islands National Park....
Caesars Rewards has introduced a new perk for its Diamond Elite tier: a complimentary 7‑night Norwegian Cruise Line voyage in an Oceanview stateroom to destinations such as the Caribbean, Bermuda, or the Mexican Riviera, with an alternative Alaska itinerary in...
Global Hospitality Investment Group (GHIG) and a partner have secured Boston Zoning Commission approval for a new all‑electric hotel on Anchor Street in the Seaport District. The 438‑room, 160,000‑sq‑ft property will join the existing Aloft and Element hotels, completing a...
The European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) has opened ticket sales for EBACE26, scheduled for 2‑4 June in Geneva. The event will feature a refreshed static display in a new airport location, showcasing turboprops and ultra‑long‑range jets. New amenities include an operators...
Hotel Business released its February 2026 issue, featuring a cover story on Preferred Hotels & Resorts and a detailed look at the Waterford Hotel Group’s merger with Maverick Hotels & Restaurants. The issue also includes an exclusive interview with new...
onworld alliance announced Ole Orvér as its new chief executive officer, starting April 1, 2026. Orvér joins from Finnair, where he served as chief commercial officer and reshaped the airline’s network and loyalty strategy. His résumé includes senior roles at...
Cuba’s chronic fuel shortage is disrupting hotel operations and travel logistics, as generators replace unreliable grid power and transport services face cuts. State‑run buses and airport transfers are delayed, while rental‑car users endure long refueling queues. Hotels are absorbing higher...
British Airways unintentionally published the seat map for its re‑configured A380 fleet, exposing a new layout that trims capacity to 421 seats, a 10% reduction. The redesign introduces 12 First Class suites, 84 World Traveller Plus seats, 215 World Traveller...
The European Commission announced that after the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) rollout completes on 10 April 2026, member states may partially suspend the system for up to 90 days, with a possible 60‑day extension to cover the summer travel peak. This flexibility...
Ontario has proclaimed February 23 as the province’s first Hospitality Workers Appreciation Day, a holiday that honors restaurants, hotels, event venues and catering firms for their economic contribution. The legislation passed unanimously in the Legislative Assembly after advocacy by industry...
Thailand’s hotel sector is adding 43,067 rooms through 167 projects, with Bangkok, Phuket and Pattaya leading the pipeline. While demand continues to recover, supply growth now exceeds demand in many periods, tightening occupancy and ADR prospects. Luxury developments such as...
West Star Aviation announced a major expansion of its Chattanooga Airport campus, increasing total space to roughly 400,000 square feet by February 2027. The project adds a 40,000‑square‑foot Hangar 26 with shop and office areas and a two‑story, 30,000‑square‑foot addition to...
Travelers and agencies are discovering that booking Eurowings flights through Lufthansa can cost up to double the price of direct Eurowings purchases, despite identical aircraft, baggage allowances, and service levels. The price gap stems from Lufthansa’s separate fare structures and...
Domino’s reported a stronger‑than‑expected 2025, with U.S. same‑store sales climbing 3.7% and a one‑point gain in market share that lifted its pizza‑category share to 30%. The earnings beat sent the stock up about 5% in pre‑market trading. The company added...
Nice Côte d’Azur and Cannes Mandelieu airports now generate €2.8 billion in regional GDP and support 40,800 full‑time equivalent jobs, marking a 31% and 8% rise respectively since the 2019 study. Passenger traffic grew modestly by 3%, yet the economic impact...
Travelsphere and Just You have introduced a trade‑led tree‑planting campaign that will automatically plant a tree for every new escorted tour booking made in 2026. The trees will be placed at the Maya Forest Restoration Project in Mexico or the...
Airports of Thailand (AOT) announced that the international passenger service charge will rise from THB 730 to THB 1,120 per departing passenger, effective June 20, 2026. The domestic charge remains at THB 130. AOT projects the hike will generate roughly...
Chicago Midway International Airport has opened Gameway, a premium video‑gaming lounge featuring high‑end PCs, Xbox and PlayStation stations, high‑speed Wi‑Fi, and a full beverage bar. The lounge is part of a broader $75 million concessions investment that has added roughly 30,000 sq ft...
Apple shoppers can earn a limited‑time boost of 3.5‑ to 4‑times airline miles per dollar through four major airline shopping portals. The promotion runs on February 23 2026 and applies to most Apple products except flagship iPhones, Vision Pro, and several accessories. Alaska...
Restaurants are evolving into digital ecosystems, relying on cloud POS, loyalty apps, and third‑party delivery platforms. This shift creates a broader attack surface, making cybersecurity as vital as food safety for protecting brand trust. Leaders are adopting defense‑in‑depth strategies, unified...
The U.S. food‑truck sector is projected to reach $2.8 billion by 2026, according to IBISWorld. Research by the Food Liability Insurance Program (FLIP) evaluated the 200 largest metros and ranked New York City, Austin, Los Angeles, Miami and Houston as the...
Rohde & Schwarz has introduced the QPS Walk2000, a millimeter‑wave walk‑through scanner that uses AI and machine learning to detect both metallic and non‑metallic threats in real time. The system allows passengers and staff to walk through at a normal pace...
Hypnos has equipped Seaham Hall, a historic Georgian country house turned coastal wellness resort, with its Signature Collection beds. The boutique hotel emphasizes sleep as a core component of its wellbeing program, aligning with the bedding maker’s focus on handcrafted...
Puerto Rican star Bad Bunny appears to have chartered Qantas' Airbus A380 for the Sydney leg of his Debí Tirar Más Fotos World Tour. The aircraft, registration VH‑OQA, flew non‑stop from São Paulo to Sydney via Auckland, carrying the artist’s entourage...
The article urges American travelers to treat the UAE like a domestic road‑trip, emphasizing that renting a car is essential to experience the region’s sprawling attractions. It highlights the UAE’s luxury‑first mindset, from five‑star hotels and high‑end brunches to premium...
Virgin Australia’s Velocity Frequent Flyer program is running a limited‑time promotion from 12 January to 31 March 2026 that awards up to 125 bonus Status Credits for flights booked and flown during the period, even if the flights have already been completed. Members...
India’s aviation expansion is often defined by large narrowbody aircraft orders. But Embraer is strengthening its India strategy in a different segment: the 80–146 seat regional jet market while advancing defence modernisation and aerospace manufacturing localisation. The push aligns with the Government’s...
The pet industry is projected to hit $500 billion globally by 2030, with pet‑related travel accounting for roughly $2‑3 billion each year. Fred Barou, senior vice‑president for customer success management, Asia‑Pacific at Amadeus, says travel operators can capture this growth by speaking...
The Peninsula Hong Kong will host its annual “Forever Begins Here” wedding showcase on 1 March 2026, inviting engaged couples to explore the hotel’s luxury venues and meet its wedding planners. The day‑long, free‑admission event will feature three staged spaces—the Salisbury Room,...
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Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River is launching In Good Company, a one‑day riverside breakfast‑brunch on Saturday, February 28, 2026, from 9 am to noon. Guests will enjoy family‑style dishes crafted by Executive Chef Andrea Accordi, live DJ music,...
Four Seasons Resort Mallorca at Formentor reopens on March 18, 2026, positioning itself as a wellness‑centric luxury retreat. The resort introduces a revamped spa featuring premium brands like Biologique Recherche and a 7‑Step Skin Journey that changes monthly. Outdoor programs...
Kempinski Hotels is rolling out a curated series of iftar and suhoor experiences across its Middle East, Africa, and Asian properties, blending local culinary traditions with the brand’s luxury standards. Prices vary by market, from AED 199 in Dubai to...
Mt Mulligan Lodge will launch a purpose‑built spa in March 2026, featuring a tented design that integrates the Australian outback landscape into every treatment. The centerpiece is a private, solar‑heated mineral bathing pool with temperature control from 2 °C to 38 °C. Treatments are...
Elite Havens Luxury Villas is marketing exclusive‑use wedding villas across Bali and Phuket, positioning them as premium yet cost‑effective destination wedding venues. The portfolio includes the cliff‑top Pandawa Cliff Estate, hosting up to 50 guests, and the award‑winning Villa Amanzi...
A major winter storm swept the Northeastern United States and Canadian Maritimes on February 22‑23, 2026, prompting airlines to cancel more than 8,000 flights across two days. Delta, United, American, JetBlue and Air Canada each issued travel waivers that waive...
The World’s Best Cities 2026 ranking confirms London, Paris and New York as the top three urban brands, but it also highlights a shift toward livability and experiential quality as key differentiators. The new tripartite framework—Livability, Lovability, Prosperity—shows that cities excelling across...
Design Hotels has appointed Aik Wee Ong as senior director for the Asia Pacific region, bolstering its executive team. Ong previously served as deputy managing director at a Singapore‑based design‑and‑build studio, where he led a multidisciplinary team and drove growth....
The Consortium of Inbound Tourism Alliance (CINTA) has launched a six‑month AI‑driven training programme for small Malaysian travel operators, enrolling 600 participants. Partnering with Asnirez, Viator’s connectivity partner, and Malaysia Airlines Academy, the curriculum teaches building online platforms, booking engines,...
