Hihotels Adds Three Properties
Hospitality International’s hihotels brand announced the conversion of three independent hotels into its franchise network. The additions include a 45‑room Scottish Inns & Suites in Vinton, Louisiana, a 41‑room Scottish Inns & Suites in Kingwood, Texas, and a 48‑room Red Carpet Inn & Suites in Maple Shade, New Jersey. CEO Chris Guimbellot highlighted the owner‑first philosophy and the role of franchisee referrals in the signings. Property owner Anil Patel cited the brand’s long‑standing stability as a key factor.
Stayntouch Partners with Regency Hotel Management
Stayntouch has signed a partnership with Regency Hotel Management to roll out its cloud‑based property management system across 27 independent Regency hotels. After a seven‑month evaluation, Regency chose Stayntouch for its mobile‑first, tablet‑driven platform, enabling properties to go live in...
Hyatt Reveals Plans for Andaz Heber Valley
Hyatt Hotels announced the Andaz Heber Valley, its first mountain‑focused Andaz property, slated for a January 2029 opening in Utah’s Heber Valley. The 85‑room hotel will sit within The Slope, a mixed‑use lifestyle community that also includes 62 condominiums and...
Jacaruso Launches Lead Shark
Jacaruso Enterprises unveiled Lead Shark, an AI‑driven SaaS platform tailored for hotel sales teams. The tool consolidates prospecting, verified contact intelligence, market data and competitor analysis to accelerate outreach. Built on two decades of hotel sales experience, it serves both...
Trade Invited to Experience Community Tourism in Nepal First-Hand
The Community Homestay Network (CHN) in Nepal is launching two familiarisation trips for travel agents and tour operators, scheduled for May 10‑19 and August 25‑September 1, 2026. The initiative aims to expand CHN’s reach, boost agent sales, and integrate community‑centric...
InterContinental The Red Sea Resort Unveils Interiors
Kristina Zanic Consultants revealed the interior design for InterContinental The Red Sea Resort on Shura Island, created in partnership with Foster + Partners. The luxury retreat offers 210 sea‑facing rooms and suites, seamless indoor‑outdoor spaces, and a curated mix of...
Savouring Singapore
Singapore’s dining landscape is evolving from pure gastronomy to cultural storytelling. Travelers now seek immersive experiences that reveal the history, rituals and personalities behind iconic dishes. Tour operators, heritage venues and hotels are packaging food with narratives, turning hawker stalls,...
Sunshine Coast Airport Opens New Outbound Baggage Facility
Sunshine Coast Airport has inaugurated a new outbound baggage facility, a cornerstone of its AU$170 million terminal transformation. The upgrade introduces Rapiscan CT screening and higher‑efficiency processing to accommodate rising passenger numbers and tighten security compliance. Construction now moves to the...
Belfry Hotel & Resort Unveils 2026 Charity Partnerships
The Belfry Hotel & Resort announced three 2026 charity partners—St Giles Hospice, the Motor Neurone Disease Association, and Hospitality Action—aiming to top its 2025 £120,000 fundraising total. The resort will mobilise staff across departments to host events such as car...
Tee Off with Swan Hellenic on a Golf Expedition
Swan Hellenic is debuting a six‑night golf expedition on its boutique ship SH Diana, sailing from Lisbon to Fuerteventura in September 2026. The itinerary features five championship‑designed courses across Portugal, Morocco and Lanzarote, offered as a full package (£1,095 per...
Velocity FBO Network Acquires BTR Jet Center in Baton Rouge
Velocity FBO Network, backed by private‑equity firm Tallvine Partners, announced the acquisition of BTR Jet Center at Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport. The deal adds a well‑established South‑central FBO with Jet A and 100LL fueling, lounges, crew cars and concierge services to...
Sustainability, without Compromised Design
Corby of Windsor is embedding sustainability into every stage of guestroom design, from material selection to end‑of‑life repair. The company has eliminated over 82,000 chrome‑plated items by switching to polished stainless steel and introduced energy‑saving products such as battery‑free scales...
The Big Cut: Qatar Airways Slashes London Flights For Spring 2026
Qatar Airways announced a 14% cut to its spring 2026 London schedule, reducing total outbound flights from 951 to 818 between April and June. Weekly departures for the week of May 1 drop to 59, with Heathrow losing 11 slots and...
The Melt Doubling San Fran Footprint
The Melt, a San Francisco‑based fast‑casual chain, is set to double its Southern California presence in 2026, adding eight new restaurants and raising its regional total from six to 14. The rollout targets high‑traffic retail hubs such as Brea Mall,...
Urban Plates Expands Grass-Fed Burger Lineup
Urban Plates is adding three chef‑crafted, 100 % grass‑fed burgers—Bacon Cheeseburger, Avocado Cheeseburger, and Crispy Onion Cheeseburger—bringing its grass‑fed options to four. The new items, priced between $13.25 and $14.75, debut on the latest seasonal menu at all 22 California locations...
Norrøn Architects Deliver Dichotomous Interiors at Hotel Hans
Hotel Hans, the latest Brøchner Hotels addition, opened in a restored 1900s red‑brick building in Copenhagen. Norrøn Architects crafted two contrasting interiors that echo the neighboring districts of Nørrebro and Frederiksberg, linked by a custom aluminium lighting system. The design...
West Woodward Unveils New Terminal
Oklahoma’s Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics and West Woodward Airport completed a $12 million upgrade, adding a new terminal, corporate‑box hangar, expanded apron, taxi lane, and utility infrastructure. The project was funded through the ODAA’s five‑year Airport Construction Program and the...
BIT 2026: Milan Reinvents the Travel Trade Show — Putting People, Not Products, at the Center of Tourism’s Future
The 46th BIT Milan trade show rebranded around “Travel Makers,” positioning people and ideas above product displays. More than 1,000 exhibitors from 54 nations gathered for the new Travel Makers Fest, delivering over 100 hours of talks on AI, storytelling,...
Wild British Airways Passenger Water Bottle Rant: “Not To Be A Karen, But…”
A TikTok user complained that a British Airways flight attendant answered her request to open a water bottle with a condescending tone. The passenger, who admits difficulty opening bottles, had previously received help without issue, but on a recent flight...
Air Charter Service Appoints Robert Nicholes as Atlanta CEO
Air Charter Service (ACS) has named Robert Nicholes as chief executive of its Atlanta office, marking his return after a brief stint elsewhere in the industry. Nicholes brings more than a decade of internal experience, having started in New York, moved...
Flight Pro International Opens Office at Farnborough Airport
Flight Pro International (FPI) has opened a new office inside Farnborough Airport’s terminal, marking its latest expansion in the United Kingdom. The move follows the addition of Jo Sutherden and Kelly Long to the UK team in January 2026, building...
A Lufthansa Airbus A380 Has Been Scrapped & You Can Buy A Part
Lufthansa has begun scrapping one of its retired A380s, registration D‑AIMI, after mothballing six quad‑jets during the pandemic. The aircraft, which logged over 25,000 flight hours, was sent to Tarbes and later sold to a U.S. firm before its fuselage...
NATS in Control at Birmingham Airport
NATS has taken over air traffic control and engineering services at Birmingham Airport under a new 10‑year contract awarded after a competitive tender. The handover follows a 12‑month readiness programme and the transfer of more than 50 controllers and engineers...
Busy Start to Lunar New Year for Brisbane Airport
Brisbane Airport is marking the Year of the Horse with a record‑high Lunar New Year flight schedule, boosting inbound capacity to key Asian hubs by 17.4%. Major carriers are expanding seats dramatically—China Southern by 66.9%, Cathay Pacific and EVA Air...
How Many Hours Can A McDonnell Douglas MD-11 Fly Without Refueling?
The McDonnell Douglas MD‑11 can stay aloft for roughly 12‑13 hours with a typical payload, covering up to 6,725 nautical miles. In ferry configuration, its range extends beyond 15 hours and 8,000 nm. Operational endurance varies with payload‑fuel trade‑offs, especially on...
The Case for Smarter Facility Management at Airports
Airports face relentless operational pressure, requiring facility maintenance that never halts passenger flow. Fragmented asset data and multi‑stakeholder environments hinder rapid response to failures in power, baggage, or runway systems. Hexagon’s enterprise asset management (EAM) solution consolidates inspections, work orders,...
Etijah Claims ‘World’s Leading Sustainable Education & Training Programme’
Etijah, an Egyptian youth‑development nonprofit, was named the World’s Leading Sustainable Education & Training Programme 2025 for its hospitality employability initiative at the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards in Dubai. The award recognises a curriculum that blends hospitality skills...
Minor Hotels Delivers 32% Profit Growth in 2025
Minor Hotels posted a record 32% rise in full‑year core profit to THB 6.84 billion in 2025, driven by lower finance costs and pricing‑led revenue growth. System‑wide occupancy climbed to 68% while ADR and RevPAR increased 3% and 4% respectively. The Europe‑America...
Jumeirah Capri Palace Reopens on 16 April 2026
Jumeirah Capri Palace will reopen on 16 April 2026, unveiling a refreshed calendar of culinary, cultural and wellness experiences. The hotel expands its four‑hands dinner series with a roster of Michelin‑starred guest chefs and returns pastry maestro Pierre Hermé. Its Capri Medical...
Sofitel Introduces Le Vestiaire by Cordelia De Castellane
Sofitel has unveiled Le Vestiaire, a global wardrobe created with French designer Cordelia de Castellane. The 45‑piece collection, tested with 110 staff, will dress roughly 25,000 employees across 120 hotels beginning late 2026. It blends couture sensibility with everyday comfort, allowing mix‑and‑match...
Radisson Hotel Group and Amadeus Launch Direct API Connectivity to Modernize Hotel Distribution
Radisson Hotel Group and Amadeus have created a direct API link between Radisson’s EMMA central reservation system and the Amadeus Travel Platform, replacing traditional GDS connections. The integration streams real‑time rate and availability data, while AI‑driven data mapping aligns fields...
Destination by Hyatt Brand Expands in the Mid-Atlantic with the Historic Seaview Hotel & Golf Club
Hyatt Hotels Corporation has incorporated the historic Seaview Hotel & Golf Club in Galloway, New Jersey into its Destination by Hyatt brand. The 670‑acre resort offers 296 rooms, 34,500 sq ft of flexible meeting space and two championship golf courses. Its proximity to...
IHG Introduces a New Era of Luxury Hospitality in Papua New Guinea
IHG Hotels & Resorts has partnered with Gulf Province Properties Limited to develop InterContinental Port Moresby, a 179‑room luxury hotel slated to open in late 2028. The property will anchor a mixed‑use precinct in the diplomatic core of Papua New Guinea’s capital,...
EaseMyTrip to Raise Rs 500 Cr to Scale Hotels and Holidays Biz
EaseMyTrip, one of India’s leading online travel platforms, announced plans to raise up to Rs 500 crore through a rights issue, QIP or other approved methods. The capital will be used to deepen its hotel and holiday‑package business, upgrade technology, and pursue...
How Does the British Airways Status Extension for New Parents Work?
Since 2017 British Airways lets Bronze, Silver and Gold members extend their tier status when they have a baby, whether by birth, adoption or shared parental leave. Eligible members can apply twice within any five‑year window by emailing baby@ba.com with...
Got Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite Hotel Status? You Get United Airlines Status for Free
Marriott Bonvoy Titanium and Ambassador Elite members can now claim United Airlines MileagePlus Premier Silver status for free through the RewardsPlus partnership. The status provides a free checked bag, complimentary Economy Plus seat selection, and the ability to transfer up...
The Airlines With The World's Most Spacious Economy Seats In 2026
In early 2026 a handful of carriers stand out for offering the most spacious economy cabins, measured by seat pitch and width. ANA and Japan Airlines lead with up to 34 inches of pitch, while Emirates standardises 32 inches across its A350...
Millennials and Gen Z Will Drive Travel Spending in 2026: Klook
Klook’s Travel Pulse 2026 report reveals that 88% of global travelers intend to keep or increase their travel budgets despite economic headwinds, with Asia‑Pacific travelers 50% more likely to boost spending than their Western counterparts. The survey of 11,000 Klook...
Lufthansa Group Marks 65 Years of Hong Kong Presence with Promise of Product Innovation
Lufthansa Group celebrates 65 years of Hong Kong‑Frankfurt service, reaffirming its commitment to Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area (GBA). The carrier currently runs two daily Lufthansa flights to Frankfurt and a Swiss International Air Lines service to Zurich,...
ILTM Appoints One Rep Global as Official India Partner
RX Global has appointed One Rep Global as its official partner for the Indian Buyer Program, covering flagship events such as ILTM Cannes, ILTM Asia Pacific, IBTM Barcelona and the International Golf Travel Market. The partnership aims to recruit senior Indian...
BWH Hotels Delivers Portfolio Growth Across Asia in 2025
BWH Hotels announced a wave of new openings across Asia in 2025, highlighted by the 91‑key Best Western Premier Imperial Dalat in Vietnam’s Central Highlands. The chain also added three properties in Thailand, a relaunched hotel in the Philippines, and...
Eurowings and SunExpress: Expanded Codeshare and New CEOs Point to Closer Ties
Eurowings and SunExpress have expanded their codeshare agreement from five to fourteen routes, adding thirteen new connections and dropping four under‑performing services. The new routes focus on linking German cities with Western European leisure destinations, shifting away from the original...
The Best Ways to Avoid Paying High Fuel Surcharges When Booking Flights With Avios
British Airways’ Avios award bookings often carry fuel surcharges that can top $1,000 per way, eroding the appeal of “free” tickets. The airline’s own flights remain expensive, but many partners—Aer Lingus, Iberia, American, Alaska, Qantas, and JAL—offer the same Avios currency...
CZECHIA REMAINS POPULAR TRAVEL DESTINATION IN THE HEART OF EUROPE
Czechia welcomed nearly 23.6 million guests in 2025, generating 59.1 million overnight stays and surpassing pre‑pandemic levels. International arrivals rose 4.1% to 10.9 million, with foreign visitors staying longer and spending more. Domestic tourism also grew, adding 2.5% more Czech residents to accommodations....
CHINESE OUTBOUND TOURISM LIKELY TO KEEP GROWING IN 2026
Chinese outbound tourism is set to expand in 2026, driven by a stronger yuan, broader visa‑free access and improved economic confidence. Forecasts predict 165‑175 million trips, roughly a 10 % rise that approaches pre‑pandemic levels. Generation Z now dominates the traveler pool, favoring...
THE SAFEST COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD IN 2026
The HelloSafe Safety Index released its 2026 rankings, evaluating 50 nations across public safety, political stability, health security, cybersecurity, and environmental risk. Iceland tops the list with a 92.4 score, followed by Switzerland, Norway, Finland and Denmark, underscoring Europe’s dominance....
LONG-HAUL DEMAND DRIVES EUROPEAN TOURISM
Long‑haul travelers from the United States, Canada, China, Japan, South Korea and Australia are reshaping European tourism, according to a new Mabrian and Data Appeal report. Direct flights from these six markets grew 5.2% in 2025, spreading visitor flows to...
HOTEL INVESTMENT IN THE CARIBBEAN AND CENTRAL AMERICA KEEPS GROWING
Caribbean and Central America are experiencing a surge in luxury hotel investment in 2026, with a strong focus on sustainability and technology. The Dominican Republic leads the market, welcoming 11.6 million visitors and achieving over 70% hotel occupancy, which has attracted...
MEGA PROJECTS AND A CLEAR STRATEGY DRIVE EGYPT'S TOURISM BOOM
Egypt’s tourism rebounded dramatically in 2025, welcoming 19 million international visitors—a 21% year‑over‑year increase—and generating $18‑$24 billion in revenue. The surge is driven by flagship investments such as the Grand Egyptian Museum, which opened in November 2025, and ambitious Red Sea coastal...
Where You Can Still Find Value in Wyndham Rewards Post-Vacasa
Wyndham Rewards saw two major setbacks in 2025: the termination of its Vacasa partnership, which eliminated the ability to book high‑value vacation rentals for up to 30,000 points, and the removal of the automatic Caesars Diamond status match for Business...