Why This Hallmark Town Is Surging Before New Airport Opens In 2026
McKinney, Texas, a 200,000‑resident town, posted roughly $325 million in revenue for 2025, signaling a rapid economic upswing. The city is preparing its McKinney National Airport for commercial flights by late 2026, with Avelo Airlines poised as the anchor carrier. Parallel to the airport, a $200 million Cannon Beach surf‑and‑adventure resort and a $300 million Sunset Amphitheater are slated for 2027, expanding the town’s tourism portfolio. These developments position McKinney as a burgeoning vacation destination beyond its traditional suburban appeal.
Air Asia CEO Tony Fernandes Is Starting A New Airline
Tony Fernandes, co‑founder of AirAsia, announced plans to launch another low‑cost carrier within the next two months. The new airline will draw on AirAsia’s recent 150‑aircraft A220 order, targeting nimble, short‑haul routes across Southeast Asia. To fund the expansion, AirAsia...
Alaska Airlines Expands Its Network With New Routes From Santa Rosa and Long Beach
Alaska Airlines is expanding its California footprint by launching three new seasonal nonstop routes from Santa Rosa to Boise, Phoenix and Salt Lake City, and by restoring twice‑daily service between Long Beach and Seattle beginning September 8. The Santa Rosa...
Spirit Offered Taxpayers 80% Of The Airline — Trump Demanded 90% And The Bailout Died
President Trump’s insistence on a 90% government equity share derailed a proposed $500 million bailout of Spirit Airlines. The airline had offered the Treasury an 80% stake in exchange for the funds, but the higher demand left creditors unwilling to proceed,...
Aegean Miles+Bonus Tier Hold Documentation Change For New Parents + Now Includes Military Service
Aegean Airlines has expanded its Miles+Bonus tier‑hold program to include members performing temporary military service, in addition to the existing parental‑leave option. Eligible Silver and Gold members can request a one‑year status freeze by submitting a family‑status certificate for a...
Up To 10% Off IHG Hotels With New Chase Offer
Chase has re‑launched a limited‑time offer that gives IHG Hotels & Resorts guests 10% cash back on purchases of $400 or more, capped at $62. The promotion, which can be added to any eligible Chase card, expires on June 30,...
Hotel Technology Updates: Expert Partners March & April 2026
During March‑April 2026, Revenue Hub’s Expert Partners unveiled a wave of awards, AI‑driven tools, and strategic alliances reshaping hotel technology. BEONx earned a repeat spot in Deloitte’s Technology Fast 50 Spain, while Bookboost released an AI Agent to automate guest...
From Shoot to Strategy: Hotel Content That Actually Works
The article argues that hotel photography must start with a clear strategy, not just a shot list. It stresses matching visual assets to the platform—hero images for booking pages, vertical videos for social feeds—to maximize engagement. By auditing existing content,...
How Will Cuts to Short-Haul European Flights Impact Hotels?
European airlines are slashing thousands of short‑haul flights as fuel costs surge and geopolitical tensions tighten supply. The cuts target low‑margin intra‑European routes, forcing travelers to seek alternatives. As a result, demand shifts toward domestic and regional trips, rail travel,...
The Real Reason Your Direct Bookings Are Not Growing
Hotel operators often blame OTAs for stagnant direct bookings, but the real culprit is internal friction. A cumbersome booking engine—slow load times, excessive steps, and unclear payment cues—turns intent‑driven guests away. Additionally, more than half of hotel searches occur on...
Why Do SMERF Groups Matter For Independent Hotel Revenue
SMERF groups—social, military, educational, religious and fraternal—provide independent hotels with large, pre‑planned room blocks that can fill otherwise idle inventory. These groups prioritize purpose over corporate agendas, often booking dozens to hundreds of rooms well ahead of time. By targeting...
Doubling Down on Restaurant Marketing Spend
Restaurant owners are bucking recession‑driven caution by planning to boost marketing spend in 2026. A Constant Contact survey of 1,500 small businesses shows 68% will increase budgets and 74% will devote more time to promotion. The focus is on high‑impact...
Hilton Europe & Africa 20% Off Summer Weekends Sale For Stays Until September 7, 2026
Hilton has launched its 2026 Europe and Africa Summer Weekends sale, offering a base 15% discount on best‑available rates with an extra 5% off for Hilton Honors members, for a maximum of 20% savings. The promotion runs for bookings made...
Brussels Airports Orders Airlines To Cancel More Than Half Of The Scheduled Flights For May 12, 2026
On May 12, 2026, a national demonstration in Belgium will limit staffing at Brussels Airport, prompting the airport to ask airlines to cancel more than half of scheduled flights. The cancellations affect both departures and some arrivals, and airlines will...
Editor’s Letter: Inside the 2026 Place Brand Leaders Yearbook
The 2026 Place Brand Leaders Yearbook profiles 32 cities, regions and nations that are redefining place‑branding through governance, institutional alignment and lived experience. It moves beyond narrative‑driven strategies, showcasing examples from Flanders, Gothenburg, Costa Rica, Canberra, Al Madinah and others. Contributions from...
IHG’s “Ready To Roam” Up TP 35% Off Sale For Stays In The Middle East, India & Africa Until August...
IHG has launched a "Ready to Roam" flexible sale offering up to 35% off its Best Flexible Rate for stays in the Middle East, India and Africa through August 31, 2026. The promotion requires no pre‑payment and allows free changes...
Cardamom Tented Camp Reports Strong Conservation Gains
Cardamom Tented Camp in Cambodia released its 2025 Impact Report, showing that its nature‑based tourism model protects over 18,000 hectares of Botum Sakor National Park. In 2025 the camp funded 620 ranger patrols that covered 7,700 km, removed 819 snares...
Save 30% on Award Stays at Virgin Hotels in New Orleans & Dallas (Select Months Only)
Virgin Hotels is offering a limited‑time 30% discount on award stays at its New Orleans and Dallas properties. The New Orleans promotion runs for June 1‑30 2026, while the Dallas deal is available for August 1‑31 2026, both for Chamber‑type rooms. Points required after...
Earn 3X Delta SkyMiles on Airbnb Experiences & Services, but only 1X on Stays Still
Delta expands its long‑standing partnership with Airbnb, now awarding three SkyMiles per dollar on Airbnb Experiences and Services while keeping the original one‑mile‑per‑dollar rate for lodging. The new tier targets activity bookings such as tours, photography, catering, and other local...
Hard Rock’s Big Change, Escaping Vegas, Raiders Mansion Plus Why Were the Visitor Numbers So Good?
Hard Rock completed its iconic guitar‑shaped tower on the Las Vegas Strip, adding a new skyline landmark. March 2026 visitor volume, conventions and gaming win all rose year‑over‑year, while hotel rates climbed to roughly $215 average daily rate. The Raiders’...
Do Hotels Need an AI Policy, Regulations, or a Strategy? Why the Wrong Question Is Costing the Industry Its Future
Hospital operators are rushing to draft AI policies, but without a clear strategy the rules merely push AI use underground, creating shadow AI. The article argues that leadership must first define how AI will enhance guest experiences, staff productivity, and...
World Cup Ticket and Hotel Prices Begin to Drop
Six months after the 2026 World Cup ticket market surged, prices for both tickets and hotel rooms are finally easing. A sharp decline in foreign travel to the United States has reduced demand, prompting FIFA to release thousands of blocked...
Behind Cheesecake Factory’s ‘More Is More’ Strategy
The Cheesecake Factory continues to operate a menu of more than 250 items, defying the industry trend toward streamlined offerings. The chain relies on a highly coordinated kitchen workflow, modular prep stations, and sophisticated inventory management to keep the massive...
Nobu Signs East Midlands Hotel, Restaurant and Residences
Luxury brand Nobu Hospitality has teamed with members‑only club Woolfox to launch a hotel, restaurant and branded residences on a 185‑acre estate in Rutland, near Stamford. The Nobu Woolfox project will offer lake‑view rooms and suites, multiple food‑and‑beverage venues, a...
Where Guest Engagement and Tech Meet For Boutique Hotels
Boutique hotels are capitalising on a surge in experiential travel, with 47% of modern travelers seeking unique, hyper‑individual experiences. Industry forecasts show the global boutique segment expanding from $25.2 bn in 2024 to $50.5 bn by 2034, a 7.2% CAGR. At the...
Beyond the Booking: Where Real Non-Room Revenue Still Lives
The Intelity piece argues that while hotels chase day‑pass and members‑club revenue, the biggest non‑room profit pool already exists within the staying guest’s itinerary. Industry benchmarks show non‑room spend accounts for 30‑50% of total guest spend at full‑service and luxury...
How Hotels Can Regain Control Over Direct Pricing
Hotels are increasingly losing control of their direct room rates as OTAs undercut prices, with 75% of global searches showing a lower OTA price than the hotel’s own site. Leakage occurs through wholesale and bed‑bank contracts—49% of wholesale sales end...
You’re Watching the Comp Set. They’re Forecasting Demand
The article argues that traditional competitive set (comp set) reports reveal what competitors are doing but not why demand shifts occur. It highlights that sales, revenue, and marketing teams often forecast demand in isolation, leading to misaligned pricing and missed...
These Are The 4 Most Exciting New Train Routes In Europe This Summer
Travel Off Path highlights four brand‑new European train routes debuting this summer, spanning Vienna to Trieste, Paris to Berlin, Malmö to Oslo, and Budapest to Belgrade. Each service promises daily or frequent connections, travel times between 3 and 15 hours,...
Entries Open for the Global Branded Residence Awards
Boutique Hotel News has opened entries for the Global Branded Residence Awards, the first awards dedicated to the international branded‑residence sector. Developers can enter any of the 18 categories—including best urban residence, innovative technology, and regional bests—at no cost, with...
Airline Satisfaction Rises Despite Travel Woes. JetBlue, Delta, and Southwest Lead Rankings
The JD Power 2026 North America Airline Satisfaction Study, which surveyed more than 10,000 U.S. travelers, shows that airline satisfaction is rising despite higher fares and airport congestion. JetBlue Airways reclaimed the top spot in First‑ and Business‑Class satisfaction for...
You Can Actually Stay in These UK Lighthouses
The United Kingdom’s network of more than 300 lighthouses is being transformed into unique holiday rentals, ranging from remote island cottages to boutique B&Bs attached to historic towers. Properties such as the four‑bedroom Eilean Sionnach on a private Skye island,...
JetBlue Bankruptcy Filing Rumors Are Swirling — They’re Fake, But The Problems Are Real
Spirit Airlines' shutdown creates a market opening that benefits Frontier and JetBlue. JetBlue, after six consecutive years of losses, carries roughly $9 billion of debt and has been downgraded by Fitch to a CCC+ rating, while fuel price volatility adds pressure....
Cheval Collection Adds UK Branded Residences
Cheval Collection has opened its second branded‑residence project, Cheval Residences Knightsbridge Gate, in London’s upscale Knightsbridge district. The Grade II‑listed building houses 15 ultra‑luxury apartments ranging from one to six bedrooms, all offered for sale rather than short‑term booking. Owners will...
Whine Wednesdays: Overcrowded Korean Air Prestige Lounge At Incheon Airport T2
Following the merger of Asiana and Korean Air, Incheon Airport’s Terminal 2 now funnels all premium‑class and elite‑status travelers from both carriers into just two Korean Air Business Lounges. The lounges, built for a single airline’s clientele, are overwhelmed, with queues...
Why 30 Days Is Too Late for Restaurant Financial Reporting
Relying on a 30‑day financial reporting cycle leaves restaurant operators vulnerable to compounding issues such as inventory shrinkage and rising food costs. Emma Whelan, CFO of MarginEdge, argues that daily visibility into sales, labor and food costs transforms reporting from...
IHG One Rewards “Pick Your Points” Promotion For Stays May 20 – August 31, 2026
IHG One Rewards is re‑launching its “Pick Your Points” summer promotion, running May 20‑August 31, 2026. Members can register for either 2,000 points per two qualifying nights or 8,000 points per four qualifying nights, with unlimited earnings. Only paid cash stays exceeding $30...
Preferred Hotels I Prefer Up To $250 In Reward Certificates For Stays May 5 – August 31, 2026
Preferred Hotels’ I Prefer program has launched a Summer Promotion running May 5‑August 31, 2026. Members who stay at least two nights at a distinct hotel earn a $50 Reward Certificate, with a cap of five certificates (up to $250 total). Certificates are usable...
Customers Don’t Care About Your Intentions – They Care About Results
Customer‑service guru Shep Hyken argues that customers ignore a company’s good intentions and focus on measurable results. He stresses that vague goals like “be friendly” must be turned into concrete, timed behaviors. By defining clear standards—such as greeting a shopper...
The Resort Retail Opportunity
Luxury brands are turning high‑end resorts and five‑star hotels into seasonal retail venues, turning vacation lobbies into pop‑up boutiques. The model, pioneered in European hotspots like Mykonos and Ibiza, now spans U.S. destinations from the Hamptons to Aspen, with Dior,...
Save 15% on IHG Award Stays at New Hotels
IHG continues its 15% discount on award stays at newly opened or refreshed hotels, adding fresh properties each month. Starting March 2026, the booking window for these hotels expanded from three to six months in advance. The latest list includes...
Delta & AirBnB Partner – Earn Up To 3x Miles
Delta Air Lines has teamed with Airbnb to let travelers earn Delta SkyMiles on every booking, crediting one mile per dollar spent. New members receive a $25 discount on their first stay plus up to 1,000 bonus miles, though a...
Hyatt Points Advance: The Globalist Perk You Didn’t Know About (Lock in Current Award Pricing)
Hyatt’s Globalist members can use the Points Advance feature to book award stays even when they lack sufficient points, with the award price locked at the time of reservation. Points are only deducted seven days before check‑in, allowing travelers to...
Save on Stays at Choice’s Cambria & Ascend Collection Brands with Targeted Amex Offers
American Express has rolled out two targeted offers for Choice Hotels’ upscale brands. A $50 statement credit is available after spending $200 on Ascend Collection properties in the U.S. and Canada, while a $100 credit is granted after $300 spend...
Video Shows Rental Car Returned With Spaghetti On The Seat — And Windows Left Down In The Rain
A rental‑car customer dropped off a vehicle after hours with a full plate of red‑sauce spaghetti on the passenger seat and windows left down during rain. The next‑day inspection revealed water‑soaked seats, sauce stains and potential mold, prompting the agency...
Delta and Airbnb Expand Partnership With Higher Earnings and Easier Booking
Delta Air Lines and Airbnb have deepened their partnership, boosting SkyMiles earnings to 1 mile per $1 on Airbnb homes and 3 miles per $1 on qualifying experiences and services. Travelers can now link their SkyMiles account directly to Airbnb,...
WGM Weekly: Miami Is Monaco Not Manhattan, Carbone Beach vs Met Gala, & Delano 1st Look
The post frames Miami as a Monaco‑like city‑state, attracting massive international capital while local small businesses feel the squeeze. It highlights high‑profile real‑estate drama, such as the $500 million Deauville lawsuit, and luxury purchases by a mystery billionaire and Palantir CEO...
Westin Launches Its First All-Inclusive Resort in Mexico at Playa Vallarta
Westin reopens its Puerto Vallarta property as The Westin Playa Vallarta, the brand’s first all‑inclusive resort in Mexico after a multi‑million‑dollar renovation. The ocean‑front hotel now features 280 redesigned suites, including plunge‑pool and swim‑up rooms, ten dining and entertainment venues,...
Portland’s Escape Lounges Tops Priority Pass 2026 Excellence Awards
Priority Pass announced its 2026 Excellence Awards, naming Escape Lounges at Portland International Airport as Global Lounge of the Year. The honor is based on over 700,000 member ratings that highlight a shift toward lounges offering local identity, curated experiences,...
Vintry and Mercer Reopens Rooftop Terrace with Château Minuty Partnership, Bringing Provençal Rosé to London
Vintry & Mercer has reopened its rooftop terrace in the City of London, rebranding it as the Mercer Minuty Terrace. The venue partners with French winery Château Minuty to feature Provençal rosé, including the Cuvée Prestige, alongside a seasonal British menu. Guests...