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.
Meliá Hotels International has rebranded its former Bali property as Paradisus by Meliá, introducing the chain’s upscale all‑inclusive offering to Asia for the first time. The resort adopts the company’s Destination Inclusive concept, blending Mediterranean hospitality with local Balinese culture and a new wellness pillar focused on biohacking, yoga and meditation. Management frames the launch as a long‑term positioning move, targeting luxury travelers, families, and corporate groups while emphasizing trade education to clarify the premium all‑inclusive model. Early market focus will be on guests already familiar with all‑inclusive holidays before expanding across Southeast Asia.
H World Group has launched Hanting Inn, an economy‑hotel brand designed for asset‑light expansion and rapid rollout in price‑sensitive markets. The brand lowers investment thresholds through simplified construction standards, modular renovation kits, and flexible location criteria. Leveraging the group’s existing network...
Nobu Hospitality, in partnership with Sarat International, is launching its first Maldives property on the private island of Munyafushi in Laamu Atoll. The mixed‑use development will feature 26 beach villas, 30 overwater villas, and a collection of ten standalone Island...
Hilton Global Foundation announced a $5.4 million grant program supporting 18 nonprofit organizations across the Americas, Asia‑Pacific, and EMEA. The funding, the foundation’s largest annual investment, aims to create over 170,000 learning and career opportunities, provide more than 400,000 meals, and...
European tourism is experiencing a surge driven by “granfluencers”—influencers over 60—who inspire seniors to travel solo and seek adventure. Research shows seniors now spend an average €568 per trip, significantly higher than younger travelers, while Gen Z remains the highest...
Japan will raise tourist visa fees dramatically in April 2026, with single‑entry visas climbing from ¥2,000 to ¥15,000 and multiple‑entry visas to ¥30,000. The government also plans to increase the $7 departure tax and expand hotel taxes in Tokyo and...
Washington D.C.’s Ronald Reagan National Airport has replaced its paper Flight Progress Strips with a digital ground‑control system supplied by Leidos. The upgrade is part of the FAA’s $12.5 billion National Airspace System modernization program and brings the United States in...
The latest “GT” Insight Bites explores whether a career in travel and tourism is a gateway to the world or a professional dead‑end. Four contributors from Canada and Southeast Asia share candid advice for newcomers, highlighting both the allure of...
The Chubu region leveraged its successful 2025 Tourism Expo to capture a larger share of Japan’s inbound tourism, which reached 35.5 million visitors in the first ten months of 2025. New attractions such as the Toilet Museum, culinary tours, and ecotourism...
Coach has launched a 56‑seat modern steakhouse, The Coach Restaurant, inside Jewel Changi Airport, leveraging the venue’s iconic Rain Vortex backdrop. The restaurant weaves Coach’s heritage—leather‑trimmed menus, bronze mirrors, a suspended yellow taxi—into a full‑service dining experience that complements its...
Ferraro’s Ristorante will host an intimate Vallepicciola Toscana wine dinner on March 7, 2026, limited to 40 guests. The event features a curated tasting of four estate wines, each paired with chef‑crafted Tuscan dishes, and includes winemaker Alessandro Cellai as...
Forward bookings and average fares for July 2026 transatlantic flights are down, signalling a softer peak summer than 2025. Visitor numbers from Western Europe to the United States remained below pre‑pandemic levels, with seven of the ten largest origin markets...
The World Travel & Tourism Council warns that England’s new overnight stay tax could slow tourism recovery, reduce visitor spending and jeopardise jobs. The proposal lets local authorities levy £2‑£10 per person or a percentage of room rates on hotels,...
Berlin recorded 29.4 million overnight stays in 2025, down from 30.6 million in 2024 and below the 2019 pre‑pandemic peak of 34 million. Domestic visitors contributed 58.9% of stays, while the top international markets each fell year‑on‑year. Visit Berlin’s CEO highlighted the city’s top‑five...
The CJNG cartel launched coordinated attacks in Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara, setting fires, targeting vehicles and security checkpoints, and allegedly storming Guadalajara International Airport. U.S. officials issued an urgent shelter‑in‑place alert for American citizens, prompting major carriers such as Air...
Benjy Harmon outlines his elite‑status playbook for the three U.S. legacy carriers. He maintains American Airlines Executive Platinum each year through Loyalty Points, while abandoning United’s traditional status in favor of a credit‑card‑fed Travel Bank that funds first‑class and Polaris...
Travelers can fly intra‑Japan for as few as 6,000–7,500 miles, with Japan Airlines offering 7,500 American AAdvantage miles and zero taxes, while ANA’s Tokyo‑Osaka segment costs 6,000 United miles plus a modest fee. Japan‑Korea routes start at roughly 7,000 miles...
SUNx Malta, the International Institute for Peace Through Tourism (IIPT) and the World Tourism Network (WTN) have launched a global partnership to roll out the Dodo4Kids early‑learning program across more than 450 Peace Parks. The initiative blends climate education, sustainability...
Euroairlines, despite owning only one aircraft, has become a major global airline brand by acting as a ticket‑validating carrier for dozens of unrelated airlines. The company’s IATA licence allows it to place its code in booking systems, creating a “shadow...
Rental car giants Hertz and Sixt have deployed AI‑powered inspection tunnels that automatically photograph vehicles at return and generate damage claims. Hertz’s partnership with UVeye aims to cover 100 U.S. airport locations, while Sixt uses ProovStation with a human‑review step....
Managing director Kully Sandhu warns aviation must rebuild career confidence after pandemic‑induced layoffs. Candidate hesitancy, especially for entry‑level and shift roles, stems from unpredictable schedules, lengthy security clearances, and limited commuting options. Sandhu proposes sustainable recruitment: streamlined hiring, flexible rosters,...
United Airlines is deploying analytics tools to identify flight attendants it believes are abusing sick‑leave, and the resulting terminations have become the airline's leading cause for dismissals. Managers examine digital footprints such as denied time‑off requests, swap attempts, and social‑media...
Amazon Prime members automatically qualify for a complimentary Grubhub+ subscription, which offers $0 delivery fees, reduced service fees, and a 5% credit on pickup orders. The benefit activates by linking the Prime account to Grubhub and remains active as long...
LG Electronics USA has been awarded Leader-level recognition in the MindClick Sustainability Assessment Program for its hospitality TVs, digital signage, and commercial monitors. The evaluation highlighted top scores in guest health and responsible supply chain, making LG the only commercial...
Accor ALL points remain valid for 12 months from the last credit, resetting each time new points are earned. If no activity occurs within a 365‑day window, the balance expires. Members can extend validity through a variety of earn methods,...
Milan Malpensa Airport will close runway 35L/17R from March 16 to May 9, 2026 for full repaving, taxiway refurbishment, and LED lighting upgrades. During this period MXP will operate on a single runway, sharply reducing its handling capacity. The airport has arranged...
Hilton’s daily food‑and‑beverage credit for Gold and Diamond members operates on a calendar‑day cycle, resetting at midnight rather than a 24‑hour window. Unused credit rolls over only to the checkout day, after which any remaining balance expires. The policy is...
SafariCo Group is allocating $72 million to expand and refurbish its Tanzanian lodges, backed by a $50 million International Finance Corporation loan. The plan adds 184 rooms, pushing the portfolio beyond 1,000 keys across the Elewana, Explorer and Sopa brands. Tanzania’s tourism...
Emirates, the world’s first Autism‑Certified Airline, launched its “Travel Rehearsal” programme at Istanbul Airport, allowing autistic children and families to experience a full flight journey in a supportive setting. The initiative is part of a broader rollout across 17 airports,...
Meliá Hotels International has been listed for the ninth straight year in the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook 2026, placing it in the top 10% of the Hotels, Resorts & Cruise Lines sector. The company earned a 77‑point score, ranking first...
IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed a management agreement with JADEER GROUP to develop a 140‑key Hotel Indigo in Cairo’s New Administrative Capital, slated for opening in 2033. The property will join IHG’s growing portfolio in Egypt, which already includes...
IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed a franchise agreement for a 170‑key Holiday Inn Express in Cockburn, Western Australia, slated to open later this year. The hotel will be part of a mixed‑use development that includes a residential tower and sits near...
On February 19, 2026, Lufthansa flight LH2446 from Munich to Copenhagen was delayed, then cancelled shortly before midnight. With the aircraft still on the ramp, Munich Airport’s 12 a.m. curfew forced the terminal to lock down, and all apron‑bus drivers were...
Accor has extended its Meeting Planner double‑point promotion for North and Central America through June 30 2026. ALL members can earn two reward points per two euros spent for up to three qualifying events booked by May 31 2026. The offer applies to events...
Local leaders and the Tawau Tourism Association have submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Environment for a dedicated tourist jetty in Tawau. The jetty is positioned as a maritime gateway that would convert the district...
Kufri’s 2025‑2026 winter season delivered an unexpected snowfall surge, with three to four feet of snow covering the hills for the first time in five years. The heavy snow attracted between 300,000 and 500,000 visitors between December and February, reviving...
Point A Hotels operates a small chain of 11 city‑center properties across the UK and Ireland, targeting budget‑conscious travelers with well‑equipped micro‑rooms priced from £50‑£60 per night. Its free ‘A List’ programme replaces traditional points‑based loyalty with a flat 10%...
A major winter storm is set to hit the Northeast on Sunday and Monday, bringing blizzard‑like conditions and widespread travel disruptions. Major airports from Boston to Washington, D.C., including JFK, LaGuardia, Logan, Dulles, and Reagan, have warned of significant delays....
Lufthansa flight LH2446 from Munich to Copenhagen was delayed and ultimately cancelled, leaving passengers aboard the Airbus A320neo after the aircraft was parked at a remote stand. With Munich Airport’s midnight curfew in effect, no ground staff or buses were...
Tourism in Mauritius hit a record 1.44 million arrivals in 2025, generating Rs 103.4 billion in receipts. While hotel guests spend more per night, the non‑hotel accommodation segment—seasonal rentals, villas and apartments—offers longer stays, averaging 15 nights and a higher economic multiplier. Occupancy...
Emerging markets in Brazil, Ethiopia, and Egypt led 2025’s fastest tourism growth, with global arrivals hitting 1.52 billion, a 4 % rise. Brazil saw a 37 % surge to 9.3 million visitors, driven by new air routes and Embratur marketing. Egypt’s Grand Egyptian Museum...
Croatia is tightening rules on short‑term rentals in Dubrovnik to curb overtourism and protect housing affordability. Amendments to the 2025 Hospitality Law now require registration, higher taxes and neighbour consent, prompting thousands of owners to shift toward long‑term leases. Parallel...
The episode highlights how barbecue sauce has become a pivotal menu driver for independent restaurants, now appearing on everything from burgers to flatbreads. It explains that health‑conscious diners are demanding lower sodium and no high‑fructose corn syrup, making sauce composition...
Choice Privileges announced a January 2026 update that lets co‑branded credit‑card spend count toward elite qualification, introducing Elite Qualifying Credits (EQCs). The new Titanium tier requires 110 k EQCs, which can be earned with $22 k of spend in the 5× bonus categories....
Delta Air Lines paid $1.3 billion in profit‑sharing bonuses on February 13, representing 8.9 % of employee salaries – roughly a month’s pay. The payout exceeds the combined profit‑sharing amounts of all other U.S. airlines and marks the ninth year since 2014 the...
Florida’s tourism industry posted a record 140 million visitors last year, the highest ever, driven largely by domestic travelers. While overall arrivals surged, Canadian and some European visitor numbers fell amid political tensions and economic pressures. The state responded by adjusting...
Southwest’s Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card carries a $229 annual fee but offers a hefty welcome package that includes a Companion Pass through Feb 2027 and 40,000 bonus points after $5,000 spend. Cardholders earn 4X points on Southwest purchases, 2X at gas stations...
Frequent Miler explains how to move Avios points among British Airways, Qatar, Iberia, Aer Lingus, Finnair and Loganair. The guide walks users through signing up for each program, ensuring identical profile details, and using the “Move Avios” tool on Avios.com. Transfers...
New York City officials announced a $5.2 million settlement with Uber Eats, Fantuan, and HungryPanda for violating the city’s Minimum Pay Rate for delivery workers, compensating over 49,000 workers and requiring Uber to reinstate up to 10,000 deactivated couriers. Mayor Zohran Mamdani...
Frontier Airlines is cutting nine of its ten routes that serve New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, leaving only a daily flight to Atlanta. The eliminated city pairs include Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Orlando, San Juan and Tampa, with cancellations...
