Today's Hotels Pulse
FAA says Spirit’s LaGuardia slots belong with another low‑cost carrier
The FAA Administrator argues that the coveted take‑off slots Spirit Airlines holds at New York’s LaGuardia should be reallocated to a different low‑cost carrier. Meanwhile, Spirit is preparing to auction off those slots to the highest bidder.
Also developing:
By the numbers: Airbnb leads $58M Series C in WeRoad
People 'Holding Back' On Booking Holidays Amid Rising Costs
Blackpool’s holiday market is feeling the pinch of the UK cost‑of‑living squeeze, prompting many travellers to delay bookings or hunt for last‑minute deals. Hotel operators such as the Fossil Tree and seasoned hoteliers report mixed demand, with some offering payday‑weekend discounts to fill rooms. In response, Blackpool Tourism launched an “Ultimate Ticket” that bundles six major attractions for £65 (about $84), aiming to boost visitor spend. The town’s £2 bn (≈$2.6 bn) visitor economy underpins its bid for City of Culture 2029 and a broader economic revival.
Korean Air’s Record Quarter Signals Broader Shift in Global Aviation Amid Crisis and Changing Travel Patterns
Korean Air posted a record first‑quarter revenue of about $3.5 billion and operating profit of $398 million, a 14% year‑on‑year increase driven by strong passenger and cargo demand. Growth was especially pronounced on Europe‑Asia and transfer routes, benefitting from a broader resurgence...
Slice Factory Launches Wood-Fired Mexican Street Concept Leñasada
Slice Factory, the Chicago pizza franchise, launched Leñasada, a wood‑fired Mexican street‑food concept, inside its 8800 Grand Ave location. The 2,200‑sq‑ft co‑branded space offers tacos, burritos, quesadillas and bowls featuring wood‑fired proteins such as asada, chicken, al pastor and shrimp....
Rosanna Caira Honoured with HSMAI Ontario’s Industry Icon Award
The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) Ontario will host its second‑annual Hospitality Tribute Gala on April 29 at Toronto’s Fairmont Royal York. The event’s top honor, the Industry Icon Award, will be presented to Rosanna Caira, editor‑publisher of...
Operto Launches GEO Consultant
Operto has introduced the GEO Consultant, a free AI visibility tool that lets hotels see how they appear in generative‑AI travel recommendations. By entering a website and chosen prompts, hotels receive a visibility scan, GEO score and specific recommendations within...
Taiwan and South Korea Top Asia’s Travel Shoppers, Agoda Data Shows
Agoda’s latest Travel Outlook Report reveals that 23% of respondents from Taiwan and South Korea say shopping drives their trips, making them the most travel‑focused shoppers in Asia. The survey highlights a broader shift toward retail‑centric itineraries across the region,...
CA Update: Minimum Wage Increases for Hotel Employees
California’s major hospitality markets are set to raise minimum wages for hotel staff starting July 1, 2026. Long Beach will climb to $29.50 per hour by 2028, while Los Angeles adds an $8.15 hourly health benefit, pushing total compensation to...
Jet2holidays Expands Eurocamp Offering with Mainland Spain Parks
Jet2holidays is extending its Eurocamp portfolio for the summer 2026 season to include mainland Spain, adding the popular Costa Brava region. The move brings the UK’s largest tour operator’s Eurocamp offering to 54 parks across Spain, France, Italy and Croatia....
Which Airports Offer U.S. Preclearance at Departure?
U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s preclearance program now operates at 16 airports worldwide, covering Canada, Ireland, the Caribbean and the United Arab Emirates. The latest addition is Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, which opened its facility on March 10 2026. Passengers completing...
A&o Secures £761m Refinancing to Pave Way for Ambitious Growth Plans
European hostel operator a&o Hostels has secured a €874 million (≈ $952 million) refinancing facility from Apollo‑managed funds, replacing its prior loan. The new senior multi‑year loan is collateralised by its portfolio of 44 hostels in 32 cities and funds the second €500 million...
India's Hotel Market to Add 70,000 Rooms by 2030, Valued at $31 B
CBRE's latest outlook predicts that listed hotel operators in India will add more than 70,000 keys by 2030, expanding the sector’s size from $24.6 bn in 2024 to nearly $31 bn by 2029. The forecast follows a 2.5‑fold jump in 2025 hotel...
It’s All in the Sauce: The Eric Skae Playbook Behind Rao’s and Carbone’s Billion-Dollar Growth
In this episode, Eric Skay, the mastermind behind turning Rao’s and Carbone into multi‑billion‑dollar brands, shares how he identified undervalued assets, leveraged data‑driven distribution, and built powerful networks to accelerate growth. He explains how Rao’s grew from modest 5% growth...
Miami Mogul David Grutman on Turning Hospitality Into a Cultural Empire
David Grutman, founder of Groot Hospitality, has turned Miami’s nightlife into a cultural empire, overseeing iconic venues such as LIV, Komodo and Papi Steak. He credits a personal brand built on social‑media storytelling and authentic relationships for scaling his businesses....
TRAVEL & TOURISM SEES BEST YEAR EVER AND EMERGES AS THE WORLD’S FASTEST GROWING SECTOR
Travel & Tourism posted its strongest year on record in 2025, delivering a $11.6 trillion contribution to global GDP, or 9.8% of the world economy. The sector’s 4.1% growth outpaced overall economic expansion by nearly 50%, and it supported 366 million jobs,...
Beyond Aero Selects Luxaviation as Launch Operator for Hydrogen-Electric Aircraft
Beyond Aero, a French hydrogen‑electric aircraft developer, has named Luxaviation Group as the launch operator for its six‑passenger business jet. The partnership will shape mission profiles, assess airport hydrogen infrastructure, and develop safety procedures as the aircraft moves toward certification....
IHG Third Night Free Premium Rooms & Suites In Asia-Pacific Resorts Until December 31, 2026 (Book By May 1)
IHG has introduced a "Stay 3 Nights, Pay 2" promotion for Premium Rooms and Suites at its Asia‑Pacific resort portfolio, with bookings open from April 15 to May 1, 2026 and stays valid through December 31, 2026. The deal is exclusive to IHG...
Who Owns Travel in 2046? Artificial Intelligence, Trust and Power Redraw the Map
At Phocuswright’s inaugural Leadership Exchange in Berlin, senior travel executives explored how artificial intelligence will reshape the industry by 2046. Participants agreed AI will cut friction but also redistribute power, making trust the most valuable asset and shifting value from...
Morris Tiedemann Named General Manager of AYANA Midplaza Jakarta
AYANA Hospitality announced Morris Tiedemann as the new General Manager of AYANA Midplaza Jakarta. Tiedemann arrives with nearly three decades of leadership experience across Europe, the Middle East and China, including senior roles at IHG, Wyndham and Rosewood. He will...
Jet Aviation Completes First Installation of In-House IFE and Cabin Management System
Jet Aviation has installed its first in‑house developed in‑flight entertainment and cabin management system, branded IFX, on a customer narrow‑body aircraft during a refurbishment at its Basel, Switzerland centre. The platform, built on certified hardware, offers a fully customizable interface...
“Bed Bug-Safe” Becomes a Bookable Hotel Attribute as Valpas Certification Goes Live on Select Green
Valpas and Select Green Hotels have integrated the globally recognised Valpas bed‑bug‑safe certification into the Select Green booking platform, making “bed‑bug‑safe” a searchable attribute. Travelers can now see which hotels meet the pesticide‑free, non‑toxic room standard before reserving. The move expands the...
LetsFly Unveils New Brand Strategy to Build a One-Stop Distribution Infrastructure for the Global Travel Ecosystem
Letsfly announced a new brand strategy on its 12th anniversary, positioning itself as a one‑stop distribution infrastructure for the global travel ecosystem. The company consolidated its two flagship solutions, AeroHub for air and HiBeds for hotels, under a unified brand...
Munich Airport Officially Opens New Terminal 1 Expansion
Munich Airport inaugurated a new 95,000‑square‑metre pier in Terminal 1, attended by Bavarian and federal officials. The privately funded expansion adds capacity for up to six million extra passengers annually and can accommodate twelve short‑ and medium‑haul aircraft or six wide‑body jets...
ATM Reassures Exhibitors After 2026 Rescheduling
Arabian Travel Market (ATM) has moved its 2026 edition from early May to mid‑August, keeping the Dubai World Trade Centre as its venue. Organiser RX, led by exhibition director Danielle Curtis, is actively reassuring exhibitors, emphasizing continuous communication and support....
AndBeyond Launches Two New Under Canvas Camps in Botswana
South African luxury travel operator andBeyond has opened two new Under Canvas camps—Sandibe and Nxabega—in Botswana’s Okavango Delta. The camps, each with three upscale tents for up to six guests, complete a seven‑night circuit that also includes the refurbished Chobe...
Qantas Unsure If They Have Adequate Jet Fuel Access From Mid-May
Qantas warned that from mid‑May it may not have sufficient jet fuel to sustain its full schedule, prompting the airline to reconsider international lounge access on Jetstar‑operated flights. The carrier recently settled a flight‑credit class‑action lawsuit for A$105 million (about $70 million...
Record 2025 for Global Airports — But Is 2026 Already at Risk?
Global aviation posted a record 2025, with 9.8 billion passengers—3.6 % higher than 2024 and 7.3 % above pre‑pandemic levels. Atlanta, Dubai and Tokyo Haneda led traffic, together handling over 300 million travelers, while the top ten airports accounted for 9 % of worldwide passenger...
BITAC Luxury 2026 Keynote: Adam Mogelonsky on Why Luxury Needs a Niche
At BITAC Luxury 2026, Adam Mogelonsky argued that luxury hospitality must shift from generic branding to niche experiences tailored to guests’ values, interests, and lifestyles. He noted that discerning travelers now prioritize authenticity, sustainability, and personalized service over traditional opulence....
Mondrian Lounge to Open at Gold Coast Aviation Terminal
Platinum Business Aviation Centre has teamed up with luxury hotel brand Mondrian Gold Coast to open the Mondrian Lounge at its private aviation terminal in Gold Coast Airport. The lounge will serve private‑jet passengers, crew and charter guests with hotel‑grade...
IHG Inks Agreement for Holiday Inn Hotel in Goa
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has signed a management agreement with Indian developer NCPL to build a 100‑room Holiday Inn in Panaji, Goa, slated for opening in the first quarter of 2030. The hotel will sit in the Kadamba district, near key...
New Tank-to-Tap Brewery to Open at Resorts World Sentosa
Burnt Ends Hospitality Group will open People People Brewing Co. at Resorts World Sentosa on April 15, 2026. The 836 m² venue combines a working brewery, kitchen and social space, serving beer fresh from tank to tap. Five 1,500‑litre tanks will...
Legoland Malaysia Brings Back Underwater Dining Experience
Legoland Malaysia Resort has revived its Sea Life Underwater Dining Experience, offering a four‑course menu inside the aquarium. Guests can choose from premium meat entrees and a tropical coconut panna cotta dessert while surrounded by marine exhibits. The venue features...
Omio Launches in ChatGPT, Bringing Its Real-Time Multimodal Travel Search to 900 Million Users
Omio, the leading multimodal travel platform, has launched a ChatGPT app that lets users search and book journeys in real time through conversational AI. The integration taps into ChatGPT’s 900 million weekly users, exposing Omio’s network of over 3,000 transport partners...
Say “I Do” On the Water: Destination Weddings with Bhaya Cruises in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam.
Bhaya Cruises has launched a suite of destination‑wedding offerings on Vietnam’s UNESCO‑listed Ha Long Bay, including the ultra‑luxury Bhaya Soul, the larger‑capacity Au Co, and the private‑charter Bhaya Legend. Each vessel provides bespoke, all‑inclusive packages that cover venues, catering, décor, photography and dedicated...
Conrad Bengaluru Names New Hotel Manager
Conrad Bengaluru has named Aagman Baury as its new hotel manager. Baury previously served as general manager of The Leela Ambience Convention Hotel in Delhi, where he drove operational performance and refined market positioning. In his new role he will oversee all...
United Airlines CEO Has Floated The Idea Of Buying American Airlines
United Airlines chief Scott Kirby has informally floated a merger‑or‑acquisition proposal with rival American Airlines, even briefing senior U.S. government officials about the idea. Kirby, a former American Airlines president, sees the deal as both a strategic and personal opportunity....
Club Med Faces Backlash over Shark‑deterrent Tactics
Club Med SAS has landed in the middle of a furor over the best way to keep sharks from attacking tourists at its more than $120 million South African resort https://t.co/WZxLSRM7Sy
Cosmos Unveils New Brand Campaign ‘TRAVEL DEALS YOU CAN TRUST’ via Town Square
Cosmos, a 65‑year‑old value tour operator, has launched a new brand campaign titled “Travel Deals You Can Trust” across Australia and New Zealand. Developed with Melbourne‑based agency Town Square, the campaign spotlights low‑cost, no‑frills tours that deliver reliable, experience‑rich travel. It...
Europe’s Big Three Legacy Airline Groups: Capex Cycle Remains on a Plateau
European legacy carriers Lufthansa Group, IAG and Air France‑KLM are entering 2026 with modest capex adjustments. IAG and Lufthansa plan slightly higher net spending than 2025, while Air France‑KLM trims its budget. In aggregate the three groups will reach a...
Arthur Street Hotel Launches Large-Scale 'Mutual Aid' Art Installation
Arthur Street Hotel unveiled a sprawling new art installation curated by Hannah Dewitt, who commissioned eight Louisville‑based artists to explore the theme of mutual aid. The publicly visible work blends hospitality with contemporary art, drawing attention from residents and visitors...
Significant Flight Additions at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport for Derby 152
Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport is adding 24 new routes and six nonstop markets to handle the surge of visitors for the 152nd Kentucky Derby. American Airlines leads the expansion with 13 new markets, while Delta, Southwest, Spirit and United...
The Getaway That Asks You to Stay Still: The Global Rise of Yoga Travel
Yoga travel has evolved from niche ashram pilgrimages into a global industry that offers everything from modest Indian retreats to five‑star resorts in Greece. Travelers are drawn to the promise of a structured, low‑stimulus escape that replaces itineraries with breath...
LVMH’s Bumpy Quarter: What War Impact Signals About Luxury Travel
LVMH reported a 6% drop in first‑quarter sales, falling to €19.1 billion (about $20.8 billion). The decline was driven largely by the Middle East conflict, which slashed tourist spending in the region by 30‑70% and erased roughly one percentage point of organic...
Report: Western Winter Resorts Weakness Continued in March; Summer Bookings Up
The March market brief from DestiMetrics shows western ski resorts battling a warm, dry season, with overall occupancy down 12% year‑over‑year and winter revenue falling 13.9%. Colorado and Utah lagged behind the Rest of the West, but even the latter...
Toronto Retractable‑roof Office Tower Scrapped; Boutique Hotel Plan Approved for 160 John St.
Constantine Enterprises Inc. withdrew the long‑awaited 11‑storey retractable‑roof office tower at 160 John St., citing a weak downtown office market, and submitted a new boutique‑hotel concept featuring 43 rooms and a 142‑square‑metre restaurant. The shift reflects Toronto’s pivot from office...
New Investment Opportunity – Fairfield Inn & Suites Elizabethtown, Kentucky
Mumford Company is marketing a Fairfield Inn & Suites in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, located just off Interstate 65 at Exit 94. The property offers walkable access to nearby restaurants and benefits from multiple demand generators, including steady patronage from Fort Knox personnel. The...
Miami Mandarin Oriental Luxury Project Secures $1 B Funding Amid Wealth Boom
Swire Properties announced a $1 billion financing package for a new 34‑story Mandarin Oriental hotel and a 66‑floor residential tower on Miami’s Brickell Key. The development, slated for completion in 2030, has already generated $1.3 billion in sales, driven by domestic U.S....
Luxury Ice Craze Hits Upscale Hotel Bars as Premium Cubes Command $75‑$100 Prices
Boutique hotels and upscale hotel bars are embracing a new luxury ice trend, sourcing crystal‑clear cubes from specialist firms that charge $75 for nine cubes or $100 for six glacial pieces. The market, driven by brands such as Hundredweight Ice...
U.S. Tourism Rebound Continues, But Asia Is a Soft Spot
U.S. inbound tourism rose to roughly 2.5 million visitors in March, marking a 3.6% year‑over‑year gain and extending the recovery that began in February. The surge was powered primarily by a 6.4% jump in travelers from Western Europe and solid growth...
Autonomous Wheelchairs Land at DTW’s Evans Terminal
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) is piloting autonomous wheelchairs in its Warren Cleage Evans Terminal through a partnership with mobility‑tech firm Unifi. The AI‑driven devices, powered by Blueberry Technology, will ferry passengers to gates, restrooms and concessions while offering obstacle detection,...
American Airlines Loyalists Don’t Get Elite Benefits in Basic Economy
American Airlines announced that, starting May 18, 2026, AAdvantage members will no longer earn miles or Loyalty Points on Basic Economy tickets. The carrier also raised checked‑bag fees by $10 for all passengers and an extra $15 for Basic Economy travelers, and...