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.
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By the numbers: Airbnb leads $58M Series C in WeRoad
Jacu Strauss Unveils Riverview Suites at Sea Containers London
Lore Group’s Creative Director Jacu Strauss has launched a refreshed design programme at Sea Containers London, introducing the Riverview Studio Suite as a new junior‑suite offering and upgrading the existing Riverview Balcony and One‑Bedroom suites. The overhaul deepens the hotel’s transatlantic, nautical narrative through reclaimed ship‑propeller coffee tables, recycled‑plastic terrazzo surfaces and bespoke tapestries. A contemporary sculpture, “Where We Land,” now anchors the lobby, reinforcing the maritime theme. The redesign targets modern travellers who work, linger and entertain in‑room while preserving the river‑front experience along the Thames.
Good Vibrations: Inside the World of Sonic Branding
Sonic branding is moving from niche experiment to core strategy for airlines and hotels, with carriers like Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, and Riyadh Air commissioning bespoke soundscapes that echo local culture. Hospitality groups such as Langham and Accor are hiring...
GHA Discovery Double D$ For Stays At Select Hotels In Europe & North America April 1 – May 31, 2026
GHA DISCOVERY is offering double Discovery Dollars (D$) for stays booked and completed between April 1 and May 31, 2026 at select hotels across Europe, North America, the Caribbean and Latin America. Members earn both the base D$ and an equal promotional amount,...
China and Taiwan Lead Thai Tourism Recovery
Thailand’s inbound tourism is accelerating, driven by a strong rebound from China and Taiwan. Between Jan 1 and Mar 21 the country welcomed 8.44 million international visitors, with Chinese arrivals up 82% year‑on‑year in February and Taiwan’s market growing 12% in the same...
DYLAN’S CANDY BAR NOW OPEN AT ATLANTIS PARADISE ISLAND IN THE BAHAMAS
Dylan’s Candy Bar, the iconic New York‑born confectionery brand, has opened its first Caribbean location in Atlantis Paradise Island’s Marina Village. The store offers a whimsical, Instagram‑ready environment with a curated mix of nostalgic, international and exclusive sweets. Opening hours run...
Series by Marriott Debuts in Japan with the Opening of Sugata Hotel Osaka Shinsaibashi
Marriott International has introduced its Series by Marriott collection to Japan with the opening of the 256‑room Sugata Hotel Osaka Shinsaibashi in the city’s bustling Shinsaibashi district. The brand, which blends independent‑hotel charm with Marriott’s global standards, aims to deliver...
Hoshino Report Highlights Shift in Japan Travel Towards Regional and Longer Stays
Hoshino Resorts' 2025 inbound travel report, based on data from 68 properties, shows international visitors shifting beyond the traditional Golden Route toward regional destinations and longer stays. Guest nights reached 1.33 million, with bookings up 24% year‑on‑year, a slowdown from the...
SAii Hotels & Resorts Introduces Wellness Packages
SAii Hotels & Resorts has launched "Peace of Mind," a portfolio‑wide wellness programme offering flexible, lifestyle‑based packages. The initiative is organized around five pillars—Eat Well, Sleep Well, Move Well, Explore Well and Stay Well—and is customized at each property. At...
Hostaway Launches Booking Website Pro to Strengthen Direct Booking Strategies for Property Managers
Hostaway has introduced Booking Website Pro, an AI‑driven website solution that adds advanced SEO, marketing and a drag‑and‑drop editor to its vacation‑rental platform. The tool integrates a real‑time booking engine with customizable, mobile‑first templates, aiming to boost direct reservations for...
Zannier Bãi San Hô to Reopen on 1st April 2026 Following Major Restauration After Typhoon Kalmaegi
Zannier Bãi San Hô will reopen on 1 April 2026 after a comprehensive restoration prompted by Typhoon Kalmaegi. The refurbishment engaged up to 200 workers to rebuild villas, public areas and landscaped grounds while preserving the resort’s luxury standards. During the closure...
Vikas Chawla Leads Hyatt as New President for India, South-West Asia
Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced that Vikas Chawla will assume the role of President for India and South‑west Asia, effective April 1, 2026. Chawla brings more than three decades of experience in food and beverage operations and consulting. His background includes...
The Future of Hotel Growth Is Wellness Driven
Hotel Mogel’s Adam Mogelonsky joins Lisa Starr on the StarrCast podcast to explore how wellness is reshaping hotel growth strategies. The discussion frames wellness as a property‑wide initiative rather than a standalone amenity, influencing guest experience, operational models, and revenue...
IHG One Rewards Double Points & Nights Offers April – May 2026
Chase has launched limited‑time conversion bonuses for points transferred from Ultimate Rewards to Air Canada Aeroplan and IHG One Rewards, offering a 20% boost for Aeroplan and a 70% boost for IHG. The promotions run through April 30, 2026, and...
Korean Air Confirms 103-Unit Boeing Aircraft Order
Korean Air has approved a long‑term purchase of 103 Boeing aircraft, extending deliveries to 2039. The order includes 20 B777‑9s, 25 B787‑10s, 50 B737‑10s and eight B777‑8F freighters, marking the carrier’s first commitment to the new freighter model. A separate...
Airbnb’s ‘America Off‑the‑Map’ List Puts Matador, Texas on the Travel Radar
Airbnb released its first America Off‑the‑Map list on March 23, naming Matador, Texas, among 20 obscure U.S. towns to watch. The tiny West Texas community, home to roughly 500 residents, now joins a national push to drive travelers to rural...
Travel Expert Names Mallorca and Four Others Among 2026’s Hottest Destinations
Travel specialist Lauren Taylor unveiled a curated list of the seven hottest destinations for 2026, highlighting Mallorca, Colombia, South Korea, Georgia and the United States. The rankings reflect growing demand for sustainable luxury, cultural immersion and niche experiences as travelers...
Andre Chiang Opens 1887, a Historic French‑Style Restaurant at Singapore’s Raffles Hotel
Chef Andre Chiang has opened 1887, a French‑rooted fine‑dining venue inside Singapore’s historic Raffles Hotel. The 42‑seat restaurant revives Victorian-era dishes, offers up to 60 courses and showcases original silverware, signaling a bold return for the Michelin‑starred chef to the...
CATRION Partners with Airport Dimensions to Elevate Airport Hospitality in Saudi Arabia
CATRION has teamed up with Airport Dimensions to upgrade airport hospitality across Saudi Arabia, aligning with Vision 2030. The partnership introduces the Connecta digital platform and internationally proven lounge concepts, delivering integrated, data‑driven services for airlines and terminals. It expands CATRION’s...
Stronger Baht Hurts Travel
Thailand’s baht hovering between 30 and 32 per U.S. dollar threatens tourism competitiveness, with a worst‑case scenario of a stronger baht (>30/USD) potentially eroding 15‑17% of revenue. The Thai Hotels Association projects Songkran holiday bookings to fall 5‑10% year‑on‑year as...
PPG Opens Plaza Premium Lounge at Langkawi International Airport
Plaza Premium Group has opened a newly‑relocated Plaza Premium Lounge at Langkawi International Airport, now the airport’s sole lounge. The upgraded facility offers 63 seats, a private dining area and landside access for both arrivals and departures. Entry costs RM 118...
Porter Airlines Welcomes Carlo Rinaldi as Director, Quebec Market Development
Porter Airlines has named Carlo Rinaldi as Director of Quebec Market Development, tasking him with expanding the carrier’s corporate and agency business in the province. Rinaldi returns with more than 20 years of enterprise sales experience, including a decade previously...
Alaska Airlines: 30% Off Select Flights With Promo Code FLY30
Alaska Airlines is rolling out a limited‑time promotion that slashes base fares by 30% on select nonstop routes to Hawaii and a slate of U.S. transcontinental cities. The discount, accessed with promo code FLY30, applies to travel between April 22 and...
Connecting Rivers And Oceans With Windstar Cruises
Windstar Cruises is launching a river‑to‑ocean cruising concept with its new all‑suite yacht Star Explorer, debuting in December 2026. The 224‑guest vessel can travel narrow rivers and then continue onto open‑water itineraries, eliminating the need for ship changes. A dedicated group...
Delta One Lounge At JFK Makes Guests Check Bags Before Dinner — Then Asks Them To Tip In SkyMiles
Delta’s flagship Delta One lounge at JFK has introduced a new “no‑bags‑allowed” rule in its dining room, requiring guests to check luggage before entering. The airline also rolled out a digital tip prompt that lets passengers tip staff with SkyMiles,...
Latin America’s Coolest Airline Wingo Connects Medellín with Montego Bay
Wingo Airlines will begin a direct Medellín‑Montego Bay service on June 23, 2026, operating three times weekly with roughly 32,000 seats per year. Introductory fares start at $159 one‑way, targeting price‑sensitive Colombian travelers. The route builds on the earlier Bogotá‑Montego...
Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority Returns as Gold Sponsor for 12th AUA Rohrman Trail & Swim Fest
The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority has re‑joined the AUA Rohrman Trail & Swim Fest as a Gold Sponsor for its 12th edition on April 11‑12, 2026. The two‑day endurance festival will host more than 100 athletes from the Caribbean, North America, Europe and beyond, competing...
Nepal, Against the Odds, Emerges as a Global Leader in Accessible Tourism
On March 31, 2026 Nepal marked its 8th National Accessible Tourism Day, positioning the country as a global frontrunner in inclusive travel. The event highlighted pioneering projects such as South Asia’s first wheelchair‑friendly trekking trail in Kaskikot and the WheelTrek...
Airbnb Launches Private Car Pick‑Up Service in 125 Cities
Airbnb has rolled out a private‑car pickup option in 125 cities worldwide, partnering with Welcome Pickups to let travelers book airport and station transfers directly in the app. The move deepens Airbnb’s Services suite and is aimed at generating up...
March Madness Puts Las Vegas Back in the Game
Las Vegas cemented its status as the premier destination for March Madness, drawing thousands of bettors and fans to its sportsbooks. In 2025, Nevada gamblers placed an estimated $466 million on the tournament, roughly three times the wagering volume of the...
Save Up to 35% In India and Nepal With Radisson Rewards — Plus…
Radisson Rewards is offering up to 35 % off room rates at participating hotels in India and Nepal from May 1 to June 30 2026, with nightly prices as low as $37.89 and breakfast included. The promotion also grants members an extra 2,000 points...
Air India Will Start Weighing Flight Attendants — Overweight Crew Will Be Pulled From Flights Without Pay
Air India will enforce a new Cabin‑Crew Health and Fitness Compliance Policy starting May 1, requiring flight attendants to maintain a BMI between 18 and 24.9, with conditional allowances up to 29.9. Crew members with a BMI of 30 or higher...
Ryanair Says Its Going to Stop Trolling Passengers and Celebrities On Social Media
Ryanair announced it will abandon its notorious trolling approach on X and Facebook, adopting a more corporate and professional tone. The shift follows years of aggressive "trashposting" that targeted passengers, celebrities, and even sparked a public spat with Elon Musk...
Alaska Atmos Rewards Ascent Card Offering 85K Bonus
Alaska Airlines has refreshed its Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® card with an 85,000‑mile sign‑up bonus and a $99 companion fare after $4,500 of spending in the first 120 days. The card carries a $95 annual fee and offers 3X...
The Empress of Little Rock in Little Rock, Arkansas
The Empress of Little Rock, built in 1888 by James H. Hornibrook, is a premier example of Gothic Queen Anne architecture in Arkansas. Its ornate gables, stained‑glass windows, and turret reflect Gilded Age opulence. After serving as a private residence,...
SAN Promotes Reed To VP And COO
The San Diego County Regional Airport Authority appointed Brendan Reed as vice president and chief operations officer of San Diego International Airport, effective March 25. Reed previously served as senior director of operational planning and readiness and director of airport planning...
The Ritz-Carlton Studied 400,000 Guests and Found One Thing That Changed Their Brand.
The Ritz‑Carlton examined 400,000 guest comment cards and discovered that the very first interaction determines whether a guest will return or lodge a complaint. This insight led to the ten‑foot rule—employees must greet anyone within ten feet with a genuine...
Nashville International Airport® Launches 18-Month Central Core Enhancement to Support Future Growth and Elevate the Traveler Experience
Nashville International Airport (BNA) announced an 18‑month, $40 million Central Core Enhancement slated to start in June 2026 and finish by December 2027. The renovation will boost escalators from six to sixteen and add a third, larger elevator, expanding capacity to...
9 Best Hotel Bakeries in London You Might Not Have Heard Of
London’s luxury hotels are turning their kitchens into public bakeries, offering Instagram‑ready pastries and cakes alongside traditional hotel services. Establishments such as Claridge’s, The Savoy and The Berkeley showcase collaborations with renowned patissiers, with prices ranging from $4 to $8...
AI in Hospitality: The Shift From Exploration to Execution
Hospitality operators are moving from AI pilots to full‑scale deployment, according to Canary’s 2026 AI in Hospitality Report. Seventy‑one percent of surveyed IT leaders now report transformative impacts on daily operations. Budgets for AI tools are expanding across hotel categories...
Bahia Principe Refreshes Look and Streamlines Experience
Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts unveiled a refreshed brand architecture that splits its portfolio into two audience‑centric segments—adults‑only Escape and family‑focused Explore—accompanied by a modernized sun logo and the "Fully & Freely" positioning. The overhaul aligns the brand with Hyatt’s...
Four Seasons Launches Ultra‑Private Beach Villa in Florida for High‑End Travelers
Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts has introduced an ultra‑private beach villa in Florida, expanding its luxury portfolio with a high‑end, exclusive beachfront residence aimed at affluent travelers. The new offering underscores the brand’s push into private‑rental experiences within resort settings.
JetBlue Unveils Subscription-Based Loyalty Perks and Expanded Redemption Options
JetBlue has launched TrueBlue Subscriptions, a recurring points program that lets members earn loyalty points through monthly or annual plans, with three tiered options offering higher earning rates and redemption rebates. The airline also broadened redemption possibilities, allowing points to...
Heatwave Forces US Ski Resorts to Relocate Snow, Hotels Scramble to Adapt
A record heatwave has pushed more than half of the 120 ski resorts in the U.S. West to close or relocate snow, slashing ski‑run availability and forcing on‑site hotels to slash occupancy, reprice rooms and add alternative amenities. Vail Resorts...
Why Linen Visibility Is Becoming a Strategic Priority for High-End Hotels
High‑end hotels are deploying RFID‑enabled, cloud‑based linen management platforms to achieve real‑time visibility of inventory and lifecycle. The technology delivers instant data on stock levels, location, shrinkage and wear, enabling precise par‑level control and faster housekeeping workflows. By cutting losses,...
Scandic’s Long-Term Climate Targets Validated by Science Based Targets Initiative
Scandic Hotels has secured validation of its climate targets from the Science Based Targets initiative, confirming alignment with Paris Agreement goals. The company now aims for net‑zero greenhouse‑gas emissions across its entire value chain by 2050, with interim reductions of...
Restaurants Launch Promotions Aimed at Gas Price Relief
Rising gasoline prices are prompting quick‑service chains to roll out targeted promotions aimed at easing consumer cost pressures. Revenue Management Solutions data shows a $1 increase in gas reduces drive‑thru traffic by six customers per day. Brands such as Snooze...
Global Tourism Industry Faces Mounting Challenges in 2026
The global tourism sector faces a convergence of labor shortages, security threats, and aging infrastructure that jeopardizes its growth trajectory. Destinations struggle to find multilingual, tech‑savvy staff, while human trafficking and terrorism raise safety concerns for travelers. Cybercrime adds a...
Boutique Hotel Restaurants Are Getting More Intriguing
Why Boutique Hotel Restaurants Are More Interesting Than Ever - Stories - HIP Hotels https://t.co/dQmTfwoMTH
Extended Stay America Suites Expands in Houston
Extended Stay America opened a new Extended Stay America Suites in Houston’s Galleria district, adding a 146‑room property owned by SAI RAM Galleria LLC. The brand highlights its strategy of expanding in high‑barrier, high‑demand urban submarkets that serve corporate, healthcare...
Marriott Names Federico Greppi President, CALA
Marriott International has appointed Federico Greppi as president of its Caribbean and Latin America (CALA) division, marking the first time a Latin American leads the region. Greppi, formerly CALA COO and previously CFO overseeing franchise operations, succeeds Brian King, who...