FEATURE: Hopes Grow for Early Restart of North Korea-Bound Tourism at China Border
A daily passenger train linking Dandong, China and Pyongyang resumed in March after a six‑year pause, but it currently serves only diplomats, businesspeople and students as North Korea has not yet reissued tourist visas. Before the pandemic, roughly 350,000 Chinese visitors spent about $175 million in North Korea, making tourism a critical revenue stream. Local officials and tour operators in Dandong view an early reopening of cross‑border tourism as vital for their livelihoods, especially with the new Yalu River Bridge slated for operation by the end of 2026. Improved diplomatic ties between Beijing and Pyongyang are fueling optimism that people‑to‑people exchanges will soon revive.
Failed Coffee Farmstay Costs My Friend $130,000
Vietnamese couple invested VND3.5 bn (~US$132k) to convert a coffee farm into a farmstay, far exceeding their original VND1 bn budget. The venture relied heavily on personal networks, with 30% of guests being friends, and struggled with high operating costs and staffing....
The Qantas Fleet Order In 2000 That Locked It Out Of The World's Most Popular Widebody
In 2000 Qantas, led by CEO James Strong, placed a landmark fleet order that favored Airbus—12 A380s, 13 A330s, and six 747‑400ERs—while rejecting the Boeing 777, citing the aircraft’s size for domestic routes and Australia’s strict ETOPS limits that made...
This Sailing Yacht Might Be the Most Luxurious—And Unique—Way to Cruise the Med This Summer
Jumeirah, the Dubai‑based luxury hotel group, has teamed with the iconic superyacht The Maltese Falcon to offer week‑long, fully‑serviced charters in the Mediterranean this summer and the Caribbean in winter. The 12‑guest vessel, famed for its three‑mast DynaRig system, features...
The Fife Arms in Scotland Just Unveiled a ‘Secret’ Coco Chanel–Inspired Room
The Fife Arms, a five‑star boutique hotel in Braemar, has launched a “secret” guestroom inspired by Coco Chanel, with nightly rates starting at $1,355. Guests must solve Camellia‑themed clues to locate a trompe‑l’œil door that hides the entrance, turning a routine...
Brian Chesky on Boutique Hotels Vs. Chains, Taking on Expedia and Booking, and Where Airbnb Has Stumbled
Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky used a San Francisco media roundtable to announce a strategic pivot toward boutique and independent hotels, which he says better reflect the company’s brand than large chains. He highlighted a renewed focus on the creator economy, positioning...
Hospitality in the GCC: Hotel Owner and Investor Sentiment on the U.S.-Iran Conflict - By Hala Matar Choufany
HVS surveyed owners and investors of roughly 160,000 GCC hotel rooms to gauge reactions to the 2026 U.S.–Iran conflict. The war disrupted aviation links and traveler confidence, pressuring RevPAR during the region’s peak season. While sentiment has grown more cautious,...
Gategroup CEO Christoph Schmitz on Why Consistency Is the New Premium in Airline Catering
gategroup CEO Christoph Schmitz says consistency is the new premium in airline catering, pledging identical world‑class service from Zurich to Sydney. The company is pouring capital into digital infrastructure, AI‑driven forecasting and standardized production to lock in quality at scale....
JW Marriott Mount Kenya Rhino Reserve Safari Camp Now Open for Bookings
JW Marriott has opened reservations for its Mount Kenya Rhino Reserve Safari Camp, slated to welcome guests in July 2026. The luxury retreat, owned by Lazizi Solio Limited, will feature 19 tented suites, including a two‑bedroom family suite, set within...
Expedia Group Survey: How Gen Z & Millennials Are Reshaping Sustainable Travel
Expedia Group’s new "Travel with Purpose" survey of 7,000 travelers shows Gen Z and Millennials now place sustainability and overtourism prevention at the core of trip planning. Ninety‑four percent are willing to travel off‑peak or choose less‑crowded alternatives, and 83%...
Delta CEO Brushes Off Elon Musk, Says Amazon Offers More Than Starlink
Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian defended the airline’s selection of Amazon’s low‑Earth‑orbit satellite network, Leo, over SpaceX’s Starlink. He emphasized that Amazon offers a lower price and a suite of services—including Prime video, gaming, retail and advertising—that go beyond...
Almare Beach Resort Las Terrenas, Curio by Hilton, Set for 2028 Opening in Dominican Republic
Hilton announced the signing of Almare Beach Resort Las Terrenas, a Curio Collection property slated to open in 2028 on the Dominican Republic’s Samaná Peninsula. The beachfront resort will comprise 252 accommodations, including 90 hotel rooms and 162 residential units,...
Expedia to Launch Agentic AI Tools for B2B Partners
Expedia Group will roll out a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server in the coming months, allowing B2B partners’ AI agents to directly access its travel inventory. The MCP acts as a standardized interface, replacing custom integrations and enabling scalable AI‑driven...
CASE STUDY: Resort Leadership Breakdown & Revenue Decline - By Rick Blackburn
A seasonal independent resort lagged more than $1 million in room revenue year‑over‑year as staff morale eroded under inexperienced leadership. BRN Solutions intervened, replacing the general manager, adding dedicated HR, outsourcing revenue management, and revamping marketing and sales tactics. Within five...
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How Restaurants Can Once Again Become an Employer of Choice
Restaurant labor shortages have eroded the industry’s reputation as an employer of choice, with turnover now at historic highs. Associate professor Audrey Benet urges operators to adopt a "Miss Pat" mindset—personal, welcoming, and community‑focused—to rebuild belonging and psychological safety. She...