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
ALL Accor Meeting Planner Double Points At Sofitel, MGallery & EMBLEMS Through December 31, 2026
ALL Accor is offering meeting planners double ALL points for events booked at Sofitel, Sofitel Legend, MGallery and EMBLEMS properties between April 1 and December 31, 2026. Members must register and can apply the bonus to up to three qualifying meetings, earning two points for every €2 spent (approximately $2.15), which translates to roughly 2% of event revenue returned as points. The promotion caps the bonus at 50,000 points per event and excludes status‑earning points. Direct bookings are required; reservations through third‑party travel sites are ineligible.
How to Spend an Extra Day in Cape Town
Cape Town is expanding with the Granger Bay mixed‑use development reshaping the V&A Waterfront. New luxury options include Atzaró’s six‑suite boutique retreat and the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa, which houses over 500 works. Visitors can experience authentic cuisine...
Traffic on the Rise at Sweden’s Airports
Swedish airport operator Swedavia reported that March 2026 saw close to 2.6 million passengers across its ten airports, marking a 5 % increase over the same month a year earlier. Both international and domestic travel contributed to the rise, with international traffic...
Best Western Plus Sets P600-M Subic Hotel Expansion
Best Western Plus Hotel Subic announced a P600‑million (≈$10.8 million USD) expansion to add a new building. The project will add 120 rooms, commercial spaces, a three‑floor parking garage, restaurants and parks, extending the existing five‑storey, 94‑room property. Construction is slated...
Travel Trends: Booking In
Literary‑themed travel is booming, with Pinterest searches for book‑retreat ideas soaring 265% and 32% of travelers choosing destinations cited in novels. Skyscanner reports 78% of travelers have booked or would consider a literature‑inspired trip, while its hotel “library” filter usage...
Premier Inn Introduces Dog-Friendly Stays in Dubai
Premier Inn Middle East has launched dog‑friendly stays at its Dubai Al Jaddaf and Silicon Oasis hotels, allowing guests to bring dogs up to 15 kg for an additional AED 50 (~$13.5) per night. Each dedicated floor features pet‑specific amenities, a Doggy Welcome Pack, and...
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Debuts New Immersive “Special Happens…” Experiences Across Its Portfolio
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has launched six new immersive "Special Happens…" experiences across its global portfolio, organized into four themes: After Dark, In the Wild, Around the Table, and In the Spotlight. The offerings include a Great Wall helicopter tour...
Pixie Honeymoons Recognized as One of the Best Sandals Travel Agencies in the United States
Pixie Honeymoons has been reaffirmed as one of the United States’ top Sandals travel agencies, earning the Sandals Resorts Chairman’s Royal Club Platinum Elite status and the Executive Preferred Agency designation. These are the highest accolades Sandals offers to its...
Sono Signs Hotel Project in Hanoi Old Quarter for 2026 Opening
Vietnam’s Sono Hotels & Resorts Asia has inked a management agreement with Binh Minh Urban Construction Investment to develop Sono Belle Hanoi Old Quarter, its first city‑hotel in the capital. The 56‑room, nature‑led urban lifestyle property is slated to open...
Safeguarding Stock
Airport retail theft is escalating as travel retail rebounds, with organized crime groups targeting high‑value items and generating annual shrink of $330,000‑$660,000 at major hubs. The offenses follow a coordinated “fly‑in, operate, fly‑out” model that exploits open‑plan terminals and rapid...
Virgin Atlantic Increases Charges on Saver Rewards by up to £400 for UK Departures
Virgin Atlantic has eliminated the carrier surcharge that previously lowered taxes and fees for its Saver reward tickets on UK‑origin flights. As a result, a round‑trip Upper Class Saver now costs an extra £400 (about $520) in taxes and charges...
Guest Column: Mastering the Passenger Experience From Transaction to Journey
In a guest column, Ethiopian Airlines’ Group VP of Customer Experience argues that the airline’s competitive edge now lies in delivering a seamless, end‑to‑end passenger journey rather than merely expanding fleet size or routes. He outlines how Ethiopian maps every...
Guest Column: Why Every Airline Should Be Looking at Embedded Payments
Airlines are urged to adopt embedded payment systems that let passengers order and pay for onboard items directly from their devices, eliminating the need for crew‑mediated transactions. The column argues that friction—having to flag down crew, handle cards, or wait...
Why Restaurant HVAC Has Become a Financial Lever, Not Just a Utility
Restaurant HVAC is shifting from a basic utility to a strategic profit lever, especially in dense markets like New York City. Operators face volatile food and labor costs, making energy spend one of the few controllable line items. Expert Mike...
MAG Adds Two Routes, Resumes Fukuoka with B737‑8
MAG Update: 2 new destinations + 1 resumption to Fukuoka all will be operated by Malaysia Airlines using its B737-8 aircraft from July-September. MAG President & CEO Captain Nasaruddin said depending on the demand to Fukuoka and timely delivery of...
Malaysia Aviation Adds Shenzhen, Changsha, Fukuoka Routes
Malaysia Aviation Group just announced 3 destinations today: Shenzhen, Changsha and Fukuoka More info to follow.
Bits: 10000 Bonus Radisson Points, ITA Joins Star Alliance, GWR Boosts Gatwick Trains
Radisson Rewards is offering a limited‑time bonus of 10,000 points—roughly US$19 in cash value—for prepaid stays at select UK hotels, with bookings due by April 14 and stays by May 18. Italian carrier ITA Airways officially joined the Star Alliance,...
Airbnb Launches Private Car Pickups in 125 Global Cities with Welcome Pickups
Airbnb has rolled out private car pickup services in 125 cities across Asia, Europe and Latin America through a partnership with UK‑based Welcome Pickups. The move, part of a broader push into hotel‑style amenities, targets an additional $1 billion in annual...
Here’s How Much Space Premium Economy Adds Compared To Economy
Premium economy seats add five to seven inches of legroom and two to three inches of extra recline compared with standard economy, while offering wider cushions and upgraded amenities. Major U.S. carriers—Delta, American, and United—bundle these physical upgrades with perks...
PPG Appoints Eric Pateman as Senior Vice President, North America
Plaza Premium Group (PPG) has named Eric Pateman as Senior Vice President for North America, covering Canada, the United States, Mexico and the Caribbean. Pateman arrives from Vancouver International Airport, where he served as Chief Experience Officer and helped the...
AirBaltic SWOT: Achievement and Challenge as 2025 Brings Record Revenue, but Another Loss
AirBaltic posted record revenue for 2025, yet recorded its sixth net loss in seven years, though the deficit narrowed versus 2024. The Latvian carrier operates a fleet of 53 Airbus A220‑300 aircraft, focusing on Baltic connectivity and expanding an ACMI...
Video of the Week: Aviation in an Age of Uncertainty – Crisis as the New Normal
The airline sector is confronting a new normal of relentless uncertainty, driven by escalating Middle East tensions that close airspace and extend flight routes, while volatile fuel prices squeeze already thin margins. Executives are shifting from reactive recovery tactics to...
Virgin Voyages Brings Brilliant Lady to LA with Wellness‑Driven Programming
Virgin Voyages has deployed its adult‑only ship Brilliant Lady to Los Angeles, marking the brand’s first West Coast homeport. The vessel arrived on April 6 after a 16‑day Panama Canal transit from Miami and will launch a wellness‑focused itinerary series. New onboard concepts...
US Charter Broker IsraJets Launches In-House Carrier IsraFly
US charter broker IsraJets announced the launch of its own air‑operator subsidiary, IsraFly, leveraging the FAA Part 135 certificate previously held by Crow Executive Air. The new carrier will initially operate a single 2006 Hawker 800XPi (N870TX) configured for nine passengers and...
Marriott Bonvoy and Ethiopian Airlines Launch Loyalty Points Partnership Across Africa
Marriott Bonvoy and Ethiopian Airlines announced a new loyalty partnership that lets members earn and redeem points on flights to more than 60 African destinations. The program launches in June 2026 and includes a limited‑time offer of 10,000 bonus points...
Milwaukee's $455 Million Convention‑Center Hotel Proposal Seeks Public Funding
The Wisconsin Center District is evaluating a 650‑room hotel linked to the Baird Center that could cost up to $455 million. Officials say rising interest rates and construction costs make public financing essential, igniting a debate over taxpayer risk versus tourism...
Hotel Loyalty Members Snag Best Rooms, OTAs Give Worst
Booking sites (OTAs) give you the worst rooms in a hotel The best rooms go to members of the hotel loyalty programs Before I book directly I always sign up to their site and you're a member Just being a member when you...
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and Jfkiat, Operator of Jfk International Airport’s Terminal 4, Select Jfk T4...
The Port Authority and JFKIAT have selected JFK T4 Retail Partners LLC, a joint venture of global travel retailer ARI, Queens‑based International Shoppes, and five New York small businesses, to redesign and operate the duty‑free and specialty retail concessions in...
Hotel Industry News Today – April 2, 2026 | Hotel News Resource
Luxury hotel chains are broadening their portfolios beyond traditional rooms, moving into aviation, rail and cruise experiences to capture affluent travelers. U.S. hotel performance rebounded in February and late March, led by San Francisco’s event‑driven occupancy and ADR gains, while New Orleans...
Hampton Inn & Suites Selma-San Antonio-Randolph AFB Listed for Sale in Expanding San Antonio Market
The Hampton Inn & Suites Selma‑San Antonio‑Randolph AFB has been placed on the market. The 150‑room limited‑service hotel, located off I‑35 near Randolph Air Force Base and The Forum at Olympia Parkway, completed a full 2024‑2025 renovation, leaving it with minimal near‑term capital needs. Ongoing...
Why Restaurants Should Consider Second-Chance Hiring
Restaurants face a tightening labor market and immigration constraints, prompting many to consider applicants with criminal histories. Over 150 U.S. cities and counties now enforce Fair Chance or Ban‑the‑Box ordinances that limit blanket exclusions. The Department of Labor has allocated...
Radisson Hotel Group Surpasses 100 Hotels in Africa, Accelerating 2030 Growth Ambition
Radisson Hotel Group announced it now operates or has under development more than 100 hotels across Africa, marking a key milestone in its 2030 growth plan. In the past 12 months the brand signed over 15 new hotels, adding roughly...
Synect Unveils Airport Experience Solutions for a Mega-Decade of Global Events
Synect announced EventReady™, a modular airport‑wide passenger engagement platform designed to handle surges from upcoming mega‑events such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympics. The solution overlays custom branding, multilingual wayfinding, AI‑driven assistance, and dynamic data feeds...
Sofitel London St James Completes Suite Renovation by Pierre-Yves Rochon
Sofitel London St James has finished a multi‑phase overhaul of its six signature suites, unveiling the new Suite 70 and the Opera Suite. The redesign was executed by Paris‑based interior‑architecture studio Pierre‑Yves Rochon, featuring bespoke furniture, custom textiles, and curated 1970s‑inspired art....
PPG Taps Pateman As Senior VP North America
Plaza Premium Group (PPG) has appointed Eric Pateman as senior vice president for North America. Pateman previously served as chief experience officer at Vancouver International Airport and has advised governments, cities, and Fortune 500 companies while running several businesses. His blend...
Carnival’s Celebration Key Earns Autism Sensory Inclusion Certification
Carnival Cruise Line’s private island Celebration Key in Grand Bahama has earned KultureCity’s sensory inclusion certification, becoming the first cruise destination worldwide to meet the nonprofit’s standards. The achievement caps a six‑year partnership that has equipped more than 400 team...
Trafalgar Rolls Out 2026 Europe River Cruise Advisor Rates
Travel company Trafalgar has launched a 60% discount Travel Advisor Rate for select 2026 European river cruise sailings. Advisors who complete Trafalgar’s Masterclass eLearning can book up to two cabins on the Best of the Rhine & Amsterdam and Best...
First National Hospitality Industry Survey: The Time to Hire an IDD Workforce Is Now
A new national survey of 633 U.S. hospitality leaders reveals an "inclusion paradox": most managers believe hiring people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) improves reliability and culture, yet actual hiring remains low. The Global Down Syndrome Foundation’s pilot training...
Etihad Guest to Be Dropped From American Express Membership Rewards Transfer Partners on 6/30/26
American Express Membership Rewards will cease Etihad Guest transfers on June 30, 2026, giving members a final window until June 29 to move points. The change trims one of Amex’s many airline partners, though Etihad’s award program is already limited...
Delta Adds New York Times To Seatback Screens — ‘Free Access’ Is Really A Subscription Pitch
Delta Air Lines has partnered with The New York Times to provide SkyMiles members aged 18 and older with free, all‑access NYT content through its seat‑back entertainment system, Delta Sync. The offer grants up to 24‑hour access and can be used up to...
Louisiana’s Hotel Monroe Becomes First Fully Gluten‑Free Certified Hotel in U.S.
The Hotel Monroe in Monroe, Louisiana, has been certified by the Gluten‑Free Food Program and endorsed by the National Celiac Association as the United States’ first 100% gluten‑free, full‑service hotel. The certification covers every dining venue and event space, creating...
New Hyatt Promo Worth Up To 100K Points, JetBlue Raises Bag Fees & Delta Is Ditching Starlink
Delta Air Lines and Amazon’s Leo platform announced a partnership to embed next‑generation connectivity and digital services across Delta’s fleet, signaling a strategic shift from satellite‑based solutions like Starlink. Hyatt’s Under Canvas brand launched a limited‑time promotion that rewards glamping...
Jess Conroy, CEO of ROH, on Building the Financial Core Hotels Never Had
In this episode, Peter Renton interviews Jess Conroy, CEO and co‑founder of Roe, about the massive gap in financial infrastructure within the hospitality industry. Conroy explains how hotels still rely on manual, error‑prone processes to capture, reconcile, and track payments—from...
Now Open: 1 Hotel Tokyo–A Nature-Infused Urban Sanctuary
1 Hotel Tokyo, the first 1 Hotels property in Japan, opened in the Akasaka Trust Tower offering 211 rooms and panoramic city views. The luxury resort showcases biophilic design, reclaimed materials, and extensive greenery, reflecting both the brand’s nature‑led ethos...
Destinations International Announces Class of 2026 for “30 Under 30” And “Rising Industry Professionals” Programs
Destinations International unveiled its 2026 cohorts for the 30 Under 30 and Rising Industry Professionals programs, recognizing 30 emerging tourism leaders and four rising staff members from member and partner organizations. The year‑long initiatives, backed by the DI Foundation and...
Off The Page: Concessions Leaders Discuss Challenges During AXC Roundtable
Airport concession CEOs convened at the 2026 Airport Experience Conference to flag mounting labor costs, aggressive union demands, and the limits of passing wage hikes to passengers. They highlighted the rise of AI and technology as partial mitigants, but noted...
Wells Fargo Choice Privileges 60,000 Points
Wells Fargo’s Choice Privileges Mastercard is offering a 60,000‑point sign‑up bonus for cardholders who spend $1,000 within the first three months, extending the promotion through April 7, 2026. The card earns 5X points on stays at participating Choice hotels, 3X on gas, groceries,...
Holland America Line Launches Anniversary Sale
Holland America Line has launched a month‑long Anniversary Sale to celebrate its 153rd year, running from April 2 to April 30, 2026. The promotion offers up to $400 in onboard credit per stateroom for sailings departing now through spring 2027, covering itineraries from four...
Temple Bar Publican Gets Green Light for Hotel Facing on to Dame Street
Dublin City Council has approved a planning application by Tom Cleary’s Chambers Properties Ltd for a new 43‑room hotel on Dame Street, part of the historic Temple Bar district. The revised scheme trims the original 47‑room proposal and redesigns the fifth‑floor addition...
Starwood Hotels Promotes Shadi Omeish to SVP, Operations, Americas
Starwood Hotels has promoted Shadi Omeish to senior vice president of operations for the Americas, overseeing its 17‑property portfolio that includes 1 Hotels, Baccarat, and Treehouse brands. Omeish, who joined Starwood in 2016, brings nearly 30 years of experience from Four...