Today's Hotels Pulse
Business Travel to the U.S. Powered by Key International Hubs
A Business Traveller analysis maps the countries and cities that generate the most business travel to the United States, underscoring their impact on hotel demand.
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By the numbers: Airbnb leads $58M Series C in WeRoad
Hot Air Balloon Championship Returns to West Michigan, Boosting Tourism in 2027
The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale will host the 2027 North American Hot Air Balloon Championship at Gull Meadow Farms in Kalamazoo County, West Michigan. The event is projected to attract thousands of international visitors, generating significant tourism revenue and media exposure for the region. Organizers view the championship as a catalyst to showcase West Michigan’s agri‑tourism, outdoor recreation, and craft‑beverage attractions. The competition aligns with a broader shift toward experiential travel, reinforcing the area’s emerging status as a Midwest destination hub.
This New TSA Wait Time Tool Is Better Than The MyTSA App
A new browser‑based TSA wait‑time tracker built by Zach Griff offers checkpoint‑level data for about 19 U.S. airports, including PreCheck and CLEAR lanes where available. Unlike the MyTSA app, which provides only airport‑wide estimates, this tool pulls live feeds directly...
Allegiant Introduces Flexible Travel Policy Amid Ongoing Government Shutdown
Allegiant Air launched a "Travel with Confidence" policy that lets passengers change or cancel eligible flights without fees through the end of the current government shutdown. The flexible option applies to both new and existing bookings and requires customers to...
American Airlines Tells Passenger That It Takes No Responsbility For Returning Her Bag With a Wheel Missing… The DOT Says...
A passenger discovered a wheel ripped off her checked bag after flying with American Airlines. The airline replied that the damage constituted “normal wear and tear” and refused compensation, pointing to its baggage liability policy. However, the U.S. Department of...
This Texas Golf Resort Is Rewriting What A Food Festival Looks Like
Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa in Texas launched SAVOR, a four‑day festival that fuses high‑end dining, live music and golf. The event, timed for April 30‑May 3, 2026, aligns with the "sportscations" trend where travelers build trips around immersive experiences. Celebrity...
The Big Biscuit Partners with TipHaus to Deliver Same-Day Tip Payouts and Modernize Team Member Pay Across 30 Locations
The Big Biscuit, a fast‑growing breakfast and lunch chain with 30 locations in the Midwest, has teamed up with TipHaus to offer same‑day digital tip payouts. The partnership leverages TipHaus’s Earned Tip Access® platform, allowing managers to verify shift data...
SWISSPORT’S MATCHBOX PLATFORM ACHIEVES ISO 27001, 27017 AND 27018 CERTIFICATIONS
Swissport’s Matchbox, a cloud‑based travel document validation platform, has earned ISO 27001, ISO 27017 and ISO 27018 certifications, confirming its information‑security, cloud‑security and privacy controls. The platform already validates more than four million passengers with 100% accuracy on inadmissible traveler...
Hosted PBX in Hospitality: What Hotel Owners Should Re-Evaluate in 2026
Hotel operators are re‑examining their hosted PBX deployments as 2026 brings new operational demands. While hosted systems eliminated on‑site hardware, many still mirror legacy PBX architectures, limiting flexibility for modern integrations. Cost predictability is eroding due to scaling licensing fees...
Five Profit-Killing Restaurant Mistakes
Restaurant operators are repeatedly sabotaging their own margins by overlooking critical performance indicators, mistaking raw food costs for true profitability, and neglecting systematic staff training. Industry expert Roger Beaudoin of Restaurant Rockstars urges operators to shift from simple food‑cost percentages...
Mayor Moreno, Regional Leaders Share Details of Master Plan for Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport
Mayor Helena Moreno and regional leaders unveiled the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) Master Plan, a ten‑year roadmap to accommodate projected growth to 8.6‑9.7 million departing passengers. The plan calls for a second terminal, 10‑15 new gates, upgraded roadways,...
The Country Hotel 45 Minutes From London That’s Perfect for Spring
Coworth Park, a Dorchester Collection country estate near Ascot, offers a luxury countryside retreat just 45 minutes from London. The 240‑acre property features 70 upscale rooms, the UK’s only hotel with its own polo fields, and a carbon‑negative spa with...
The Kensington Unveils Surrealist Afternoon Tea Inspired by V&A’s Schiaparelli Exhibition
The Kensington hotel in London is launching a "Fashion Becomes Tea" afternoon tea inspired by the V&A Museum’s Schiaparelli exhibition. The menu translates Elsa Schiaparelli’s surrealist couture into sculptural pastries, vivid colour palettes and inventive savoury bites, and is priced...
Sea Cloud Cruises Unveils 2027–2028 Sailings with Savings and European Itineraries
Sea Cloud Cruises announced its 2027‑2028 sailing season, featuring luxury small‑ship voyages on the tall vessels Sea Cloud Spirit and Sea Cloud II. The lineup emphasizes European itineraries, including Irish, Scottish, French Atlantic, and Mediterranean routes. Guests who book by...
Capella Debuts in Japan with Kyoto
Capella Hotels has launched its first Japanese property, Capella Kyoto, in the historic Miyagawa-cho geisha district. Designed by Kengo Kuma & Associates and Brewin Design Office, the four‑storey, 89‑room hotel reinterprets traditional machiya architecture and offers views of Higashiyama and...
Accor Details Pipeline Growth Across Emblems, MGallery, Handwritten, and Ennismore Collections
Accor announced that its collection brands now operate more than 180 hotels worldwide and have a pipeline of over 125 additional properties, representing roughly 65% growth in the coming years. The Emblems Collection targets 60 hotels by 2032, while MGallery...
TSA Pay Lapse Threatens to Disrupt U.S. Air Travel As Funding Fight Drags On
A federal funding lapse has left Transportation Security Administration officers working without pay, driving daily absenteeism to about 10%—five times the normal rate—and spiking to 25‑38% at major hubs such as JFK, Atlanta, and Houston. The staffing shortfall threatens checkpoint...
A&K Sanctuary Unveils Kitirua Plains Lodge
A&K Sanctuary has launched Kitirua Plains Lodge, a new 128‑acre luxury property on the edge of Kenya’s Amboseli National Park, designed with Luxury Frontiers. The lodge features 11 suites and two‑bedroom villas that blend into the landscape through Maasai‑inspired architecture...
Greece International Air Arrivals Rise 5.9% in 2025, Driven by Market Diversity and Off-Season Growth
Greece recorded 31.0 million international air arrivals in 2025, a 5.9% rise from 2024. Athens International Airport handled 12 million passengers, up 9%, while Thessaloniki saw a 10.2% increase. The growth stemmed from a broader market mix—no single source exceeded 17.4%—and a...
Italy Access Advisory Launches to Guide International Investment in Italian Hospitality
Italy Access Advisory (IAA) was launched by Chris Henry of Majestic Hospitality and Christian Scali of LV Toscana to guide international investors into Italy’s hotel market, valued at €1.4 billion (≈$1.5 billion), the highest level in five years. IAA offers end‑to‑end advisory covering...
Hotel Booking Trends 2026: Are Shorter Stays and Last-Minute Searches the New Normal? - By Jonathan Gough
Global hotel search data shows a 9% rise in one‑night stay queries and a 9% increase in bookings made within 28 days from Q1 2023 to Q4 2025, signaling a shift toward shorter trips and last‑minute planning. North America leads the change,...
Allegretto Vineyard Resort Joins Preferred Hotels & Resorts
Allegretto Vineyard Resort has joined Preferred Hotels & Resorts' L.V.X. Collection, the luxury tier of the independent hotel group. The 170‑room Paso Robles property offers a Mediterranean piazza, art gardens, estate‑grown wines, a farm‑to‑table restaurant, spa, and music‑focused wellness programming....
Booking SAS Awards Using Delta SkyMiles: Routes, Availability, and What It Costs to Fly
Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) left Star Alliance for SkyTeam, enabling Delta SkyMiles members to redeem awards on SAS flights. The 2025 codeshare expansion broadened route availability, now covering intra‑European sectors and select long‑haul legs from European hubs to the U.S., Asia,...
Hotel Truths: From AI Concierges to Five-Star Myths
Hospitality leaders Youri Sawerschel and Christian Walter examined how AI concierges are reshaping service delivery, while questioning the relevance of traditional star ratings in today’s market. They highlighted common development missteps, the growing importance of sustainable, guest‑centric design, and the...
Little Caesars Jumps on the Shareable Trend
Little Caesars launched Four‑N‑One Stix, a pizza‑sized shareable snack featuring 16 breadsticks in four flavors for $7.99, available nationwide as a Hot‑N‑Ready item from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. The product is positioned at the intersection of pizza, appetizers, and snacks, aiming...
Zaxbys Recruits Cameron and Cayden Boozer for Loyalty Promotion
Zaxbys launched a limited‑time loyalty drive called the “Transfer Portal,” offering the first 100,000 new Zax Rewards members a free dry‑rub menu item with any drink purchase. The app feature lets shoppers migrate existing restaurant loyalty points to Zaxbys and claim...
Indianapolis' Most Exciting 2026 Grand Opening Is A Chic Hotel With Skywalk Access To Lucas Oil Stadium
Hilton announced the upcoming Signia by Hilton Indianapolis, a 38‑story, 800‑room luxury hotel slated to open in fall 2026. The tower will be the city’s tallest hotel and will feature a skywalk connecting directly to the Indiana Convention Center and...
Ramada Hotel in Jacksonville, FL, Sold for $13.5M
Kabani Hotel Group brokered the sale of the vacant Ramada by Wyndham Jacksonville I‑95 for $13.5 million to an undisclosed nonprofit buyer. The hotel was delivered empty, reflecting negative cash flow, and the buyer intends to convert the building into veteran...
Find the OKU Hotel that Fits Your Summer Style
OKU Hotel Group now showcases four Mediterranean resorts—OKU Kos, OKU Bodrum, OKU Ibiza and OKU Andalusia—each designed around a distinct travel tribe. Kos offers an adults‑only wellness retreat with historic spa treatments, while Bodrum blends Turkish cuisine, craft workshops and gulet cruises. Ibiza caters...
Donohoe Hospitality Services Promotes Two Executives
Donohoe Hospitality Services promoted Jeremy Huvard to vice president of sales and marketing and Malcolm Mitchell to vice president of restaurants and bars. Huvard, a 25‑year sales veteran, will now steer portfolio‑wide sales, revenue and marketing strategies. Mitchell, a chef‑author...
Embassy Suites Dallas Love Field Changes Hands
Hunter Advisors brokered the sale of the Embassy Suites by Hilton Dallas Love Field to Scenic Capital Advisors. The eight‑story, 248‑suite hotel adjacent to Dallas Love Field Airport was sold by FelCor Dallas Love Field Owner LLC. Scenic Capital plans...
UAE Hotels Slashing Prices To Off Peak Lows Due To Travel Crisis
UAE luxury hotels are slashing room rates to July‑off‑peak levels as the Iran conflict curtails international travel and drives occupancy down. Government agencies and hotel operators have launched aggressive stay‑cation promotions, discount packages, and free‑attraction offers to stimulate domestic demand....
Transfer Citi ThankYou Points to Virgin Atlantic with 30% Bonus
Citi is offering a limited‑time transfer bonus that adds 30% more Virgin Atlantic miles when you move ThankYou points to the airline’s program. The promotion runs until 11:59 p.m. ET on April 18, 2026, and is part of a broader set...
India Lifts Commercial LPG Allocation to Ease Hotel Kitchen Shortages
The Indian government announced a boost in commercial LPG allocation to address acute fuel shortages affecting hotel kitchens and laundry services. While officials said the move will help stabilise operating costs, the exact size of the increase was not disclosed....
Yas Waterworld Yas Island, Abu Dhabi Expands with 11 New Slides and Attractions
Miral announced that Yas Waterworld on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island will unveil an expansion on April 4, 2026, adding eleven new slides and attractions. The upgrade introduces eight new slides, two jump platforms and a leisure pool, pushing the park’s...
2 Extra Inches On 237 Aircraft: EasyJet Orders New Airbus A320neo Seats As Newcastle Base Opens
easyJet announced a partnership with Mirus Aircraft Seating to install lightweight Kestrel seats on roughly 240 Airbus A320neo family aircraft, delivering extra legroom and a 20% weight reduction. The lighter seats are projected to cut fuel burn enough to avoid...
British Airways Places Corpse In Galley For 13 Hours, Passengers Complain Of “Foul Smell”
A British Airways A350‑1000 flying from Hong Kong to London experienced a passenger death about an hour after take‑off. Instead of diverting, the crew continued the 14‑hour flight and placed the wrapped body in the rear galley for the remainder...
Hotel Indigo Lands in Turks and Caicos
Hotel Indigo has opened its first Caribbean location in Grace Bay, Turks & Caicos, adding a 56‑room, design‑forward property to the archipelago. The hotel is owned by Molo Hotel Group and operated by Lighthouse Hotel Management, featuring locally inspired décor,...
The Hidden Cost of Restaurant Turnover and How to Stop the Revolving Door
Restaurant turnover now exceeds 75 percent, with quick‑service locations sometimes topping 150 percent. Replacing a front‑line employee costs roughly $5,864, meaning a midsize eatery can lose over $100,000 annually to churn. Operators cite low pay, erratic schedules and limited growth...
TAT Bets on Domestic Travel Boom with Thailand Tourism Festival 2026
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) will host the 44th Thailand Tourism Festival (TTF) from March 25‑29, 2026 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre in Bangkok. The event will feature nine themed zones that showcase cultural, culinary and creative...
Hilton London Paddington Embarks on Heritage-Led Renovation
Hilton London Paddington, celebrating 173 years, has unveiled a multi‑million‑pound (≈$12.5 million) refurbishment of its guest rooms, ballrooms and public areas. The first phase, focusing on the historic left wing, will debut in spring 2026, blending Victorian architecture with Art Deco flair while...
GBTA BTI Global Highlights
In this episode of the Business of Travel podcast, GBTA Research Director Chris Ely talks with Edward Galvin, head of Visa Commercial Solutions for North America, about the latest Business Travel Index (BTI) forecast. The BTU projects global business‑travel spend...
Zero in on Cruising: Emissions-Free Ships on the Horizon
The cruise industry is moving beyond LNG toward truly zero‑emission vessels, with hydrogen fuel cells, biogas, solar sails and large batteries leading the charge. Viking Cruises will launch the world’s first hydrogen‑powered ship, Viking Libra, in late 2026, while Scandinavian...
Star Alliance Raises the Bar at LAX — But How Do Oneworld and SkyTeam Compare?
Star Alliance has opened its ninth Star Connection Centre at Los Angeles International Airport, a hub handling over 350,000 annual connecting passengers. The centre provides proactive, real‑time assistance, including on‑the‑ground agents and fast‑track rebooking, to keep tight connections intact. In...
Air Astana Hits $1.45 B Revenue on Expansion
Air Astana Posts US$1.45bil Revenue in 2025 as International Expansion Gains Pace. Kazakhstan’s flag carrier grew revenue and capacity in 2025 via expansion, partnerships and fleet investment before 2026 tensions shifted traffic flows. Read more ⬇️ https://open.substack.com/pub/bbaviation/p/air-astana-posts-us145bil-revenue?r=3ug267&utm_medium=ios
Novotel Invites the World to Rethink Rest with Australia’s Leading Sleep Expert Olivia Arezzolo
Novotel is rolling out the sleep‑focused chapter of its Longevity Everyday platform in March 2026, positioning rest as a core pillar of everyday wellbeing. The hotel chain has appointed Australian sleep authority Olivia Arezzolo as its official Sleep Expert, joining the...
Sofitel Rio De Janeiro Ipanema: An Iconic Transformation Redefining Sofitel in Brazil
Sofitel announced the transformation of its Rio de Janeiro Ipanema property into the brand’s first Brazilian flagship, slated to open at the end of 2026. The hotel will feature 172 rooms and suites, a rooftop infinity pool, spa, and a...
Destination by Hyatt Brand Debuts in Portugal with Opening of Masana Algarve
Hyatt Hotels Corporation has launched Masana Algarve, the first Destination by Hyatt resort in Portugal, located in Olhos de Água, Albufeira. The property features 33 upscale residences, including one‑ and two‑bedroom suites and villas with private pools or sea views,...
Hyatt Introduces the Grand Hyatt Brand in Izmir, Türkiye
Hyatt Hotels Corporation has rebranded its former Hyatt Regency property in İzmir as Grand Hyatt İzmir İstinyePark, marking the second Grand Hyatt hotel in Turkey. The 160‑room resort offers Gulf‑front views, a 14,638‑sq ft spa, and a new courtyard that connects directly to...
GFA, Hilton Announce Waldorf Astoria Residences Guadalajara
Grupo Imobiliario GFA and Hilton announced the Waldorf Astoria Residences Guadalajara, the first standalone Waldorf Astoria branded residence in Mexico, the Caribbean and Latin America. The 30‑story, 128 m tower will host 114 luxury one‑ to four‑bedroom units and is slated for delivery...
Canada Joins United States, Australia in Thailand’s Major Visa Overhaul, Slashing Stays to Just 30 Days, Transforming the Future of...
Thailand announced a sweeping visa overhaul effective April 1, 2026, cutting the standard tourist stay for Canadians, Americans and Australians from 60 to 30 days. The change adds mandatory proof of vaccination, a negative COVID‑19 test and travel‑insurance coverage of at least...