Quality Inn & Suites Kissimmee by the Lake Sold
DSH Hotel Advisors arranged the sale of the Quality Inn & Suites Kissimmee by the Lake, originally listed at $10.9 million, though the final price remains undisclosed. The firm acted as exclusive advisor for both seller JC Investments FL LLC and an all‑cash international buyer, closing the deal after generating over 140 signed confidentiality agreements and multiple offers. The property’s location on U.S. Highway 192, within walking distance of Walt Disney World, underscores its appeal to leisure and drive‑to travelers. The transaction adds to DSH’s growing portfolio of midscale hotel deals across the Orlando MSA.
The Grinch, Spongebob, Popeyes
McDonald’s leveraged a Grinch‑themed meal, boosting same‑store sales 6.8% and achieving its highest single‑day sales ever, while expanding its value menu and testing a broader beverage lineup. Burger King’s SpongeBob movie tie‑in lifted U.S. same‑store sales 2.6% with $5 and...
Turkish Airlines Unveils Its 500th Aircraft Featuring a Special Livery of 100,000 Employees
Turkish Airlines unveiled its 500th aircraft, dubbed “TK Family,” featuring a special livery that showcases photographs of its 100,000 employees and retirees. The ceremony at Istanbul Airport included children of martyrs, senior executives and a ceremonial flight that traced the...
Maison L’Occitane en Provence Re-Launches Aromachologie Collection
Maison L’Occitane en Provence has re‑launched its Aromachologie amenities collection for premium hotels, restaurants and wellness centres. The line now features a semi‑transparent 300 ml RPET dispenser and 1‑litre recycled‑plastic refills, alongside a new matte black bracket option. All products are...
Chad's Royal Airways Eyes Subsidiary in Cameroon
Royal Airways, Chad's emerging carrier, announced plans to launch a subsidiary in Cameroon, marking its first foray beyond national borders. The move targets the Central African market, leveraging the airline's existing ATR42‑300 fleet for regional routes. International operations are projected...
Deadgood Launches ‘Beautifully Unexpected’ Rug Collection
British design brand Deadgood has launched a new rug collection inspired by abstract elements such as mossy textures, sea‑edge vistas and the graphic lines of pink wafer biscuits. The range uses high‑performance digital printing to deliver bold patterns with a...
Nigeria's Fly Elite Adds First Bombardier Aircraft
Fly Elite, a Lagos‑based aircraft management specialist, has added its first Bombardier Challenger 604 to its fleet, marking the company’s entry into the larger business‑jet segment. The 2004‑built jet, configured for up to ten passengers, completed its inaugural flight on 10 February,...
Avinor Trials Multiple Operations at Remote Tower Centre in Bodø
Avinor has launched a trial at its Remote Tower Centre in Bodø that lets a single AFIS representative manage multiple airports from one workstation. The pilot covers four airport pairs – Rørvik‑Namsos, Mehamn‑Hasvik, Vardø‑Berlevåg and Røst‑Svolvær – and operates under...
AirX Receives Approval to Operate in Saudi Arabia
AirX has secured approval from Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation under the Part 129 framework, allowing the Malta‑based private jet operator to expand its charter services within the Kingdom. The company currently operates a fleet of 21 aircraft, including...
Signature Aviation Launches Digital Portal for Customers
Signature Aviation introduced Signature Vision, a digital portal that consolidates reservations, service updates, and pricing for its customers. The platform offers trip management, real‑time notifications, and visibility into location‑based pricing across fuel types. It also integrates enrollment in the BRAVO...
Kelli Valade Tapped to Lead Women’s Foodservice Forum
Kelli Valade has been appointed president of the Women’s Foodservice Forum, succeeding Therese Gearhart. Valade arrives from a string of C‑suite roles, most recently as CEO of Denny’s and previously leading Red Lobster, Chili’s Bar & Grill, and analytics firm Black Box Intelligence. In her new...
Speaker Spotlight: Eddie Flores, Co-Founder L&L Hawaiian Barbecue, Chairman of L&L Franchise, Inc.
Eddie Flores, co‑founder of L&L Hawaiian Barbecue and chairman of L&L Franchise, Inc., will deliver the opening keynote at the Restaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit in San Diego on March 16‑18, 2026. In his talk, “Franchising the American Dream,” he...
Nick Lim to Lead Railbookers Group as Asia VP
Railbookers Group announced the appointment of Nick Lim as Vice President for Asia, bolstering its executive team in the region. Lim brings more than 25 years of travel‑industry experience, most recently serving as CEO, Asia at The Travel Corporation. He...
Aviramp Secures New Irish Contract
Aviramp has installed a solar‑powered, step‑free boarding ramp at Ireland West Airport in Knock. The ramp offers a gentle slope, added passenger shelter, and is designed for wheelchair users, parents with prams and other travelers with reduced mobility. Airport operations...
Palisociety to Debut in Beverly Hills with The Hôtel Lili
Palisociety will launch its first Beverly Hills property, The Hôtel Lili, in April 2026. The 1939 private residence has been transformed into a 44‑room boutique hotel that fuses European‑inspired style with classic Los Angeles charm. Design highlights include soft whites,...
Travel Takes the Lead
Visa’s latest Spending Momentum Index shows travel as the fastest‑growing consumer category in Asia‑Pacific, expanding about 2.5 times faster than overall spend in 2025. Cross‑border card use surged as tourists adopted digital wallets, while affluent consumers generated roughly three‑quarters of...
Reykjavik Keflavik International Airport Redevelops Arrivals Area
Reykjavik Keflavik International Airport is modernising its decades‑old arrivals area, with construction slated for completion in spring 2026. The project expands the arrivals lobby, upgrades the customs corridor and adds new service counters for car‑rental firms. Retail space is being enlarged,...
Shanghai’s Tourism Comeback: 9.36 Million Visitors Return as Tokyo, Seoul Rivalry and US Geopolitics Reshape Asia Travel
Shanghai welcomed 9.36 million inbound visitors in 2025, a 39.6% year‑over‑year increase, marking a robust tourism rebound. Growth was driven by diversified source markets, notably South Korea, Russia and Southeast Asia, and by improved visa policies and airline connectivity that doubled...
Emirates Expands China Reach Through Loong Air Interline Deal as Gulf–China Competition Intensifies
Emirates has signed an interline agreement with Hangzhou‑based Loong Air, instantly adding 22 Chinese domestic destinations to its network. The deal lets passengers book single‑ticket itineraries with coordinated baggage and fare rules, extending Emirates’ reach into secondary cities such as...
Meet 'BABS': The AI-Powered Assistant Enhancing the Airport Experience at Birmingham Airport
Birmingham Airport has launched BABS, an AI‑powered virtual assistant developed with Hello Lamp Post, as part of its Connected Personal Experiences (CPE) rollout. Passengers can access BABS via smartphones or digital kiosks for instant answers on check‑in, gate locations, dining...
Why Inventory Management Is the Silent Driver of Restaurant Profitability
The episode highlights inventory management as a critical, yet often overlooked, driver of restaurant profitability, explaining how accurate counts affect food costs, waste, labor efficiency, and customer satisfaction. It details the challenges of manual, inconsistent inventory practices and the financial...
Why Packaging Decisions Matter More Than Ever in Foodservice
The episode explores how rising labor costs, inflation, and the surge in grab‑and‑go have turned packaging from a backstage operational detail into a front‑line driver of profitability, efficiency, and consumer trust in foodservice. Inline Plastics explains its practical approach—expanding formats,...
AirAsia X Is Returning to London with Kuala Lumpur Flights
AirAsia X will resume London Gatwick service with daily flights from Kuala Lumpur starting 26 June, routing through its new Bahrain hub. The airline will operate Airbus A330 aircraft offering a Premium Flatbed product that sits between economy and traditional business class....
ACI Report 2026 Highlights Mobility and Talent Pressures in Travel Sector
The ACI Report 2026 reveals that workforce mobility and talent shortages remain acute in the travel, tourism and hospitality sector despite broader market stabilization. Unemployment rose to 6% from 2% last year, and 58% of respondents intend to change jobs...
ATM 2026 Sees Rise in Asia-Pacific Exhibitor Participation
Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026, scheduled for May 4‑7 at Dubai World Trade Centre, anticipates a 13.95% compound annual growth in Asia‑Pacific exhibitor participation through 2026. The surge reflects strong GCC demand for destinations such as Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam and...
BW Premier Collection Enters South-East Asian Market
BWH Hotels is launching the BW Premier Collection soft brand in Southeast Asia with the Costamigo Phan Thiet resort in Vietnam. The beachfront property will feature 150 rooms, 34 villas, and extensive leisure amenities such as an infinity pool, Mediterranean...
British Airways Cabin Crew Rushed To Hospital After Consuming Cannabis-Laced Gummies From Passenger
British Airways cabin crew members were hospitalized after unknowingly consuming cannabis‑infused gummies presented by a passenger following a London‑Los Angeles flight. The edibles contained a high 300 mg dose of THC, causing panic, disorientation and intense anxiety before the crew recovered...
Get a 30% Bonus Transferring Avios Into ALL Accor Hotel Points
Qatar Airways Privilege Club has introduced a 30% transfer bonus for moving Avios into ALL Accor hotel points, improving the rate from 3,500 Avios per 1,000 points to 1,300 points per 3,500 Avios. The bonus lifts the effective value of...
JetBlue Plays to Its Strength in Fort Lauderdale After Spirit Shrinks in South Florida
JetBlue is rapidly expanding its presence at Fort Lauderdale‑Hollywood International Airport as Spirit Airlines enters a second Chapter 11 filing, shrinking its South Florida operations. The Florida hub, once Spirit’s growth engine, now offers JetBlue valuable slots and gate capacity. Airport...
Video of the Week: Aviation's Digital Inflection Point – From AI Hype to Operational Reality
The aviation industry is moving beyond hype as AI, cloud, biometrics and automation begin to deliver operational gains. Recent pilots in generative AI for disruption management, biometric boarding and dynamic retailing have shown tangible efficiency improvements. However, entrenched legacy systems,...
Video of the Week: Aviation's Digital Inflection Point – From AI Hype to Operational Reality
Airlines are moving beyond hype to embed AI, biometrics and cloud tools into daily operations, yet success hinges on leadership, data integration and talent. Recent pilots in disruption management, biometric boarding and dynamic retail have shown measurable efficiency gains. Persistent...
Cottonseed Oil Is Driving Consistent Fried Performance With Quality Across Menus
In this episode, Stratas Foods’ Joshua Tuinstra explains how cottonseed oil serves as a high‑performance, versatile cooking oil for foodservice operators. He highlights its high smoke point, natural antioxidant stability, and neutral flavor, which deliver consistent texture and taste across...
Construction Officially Begins on The Chambray in Historic Downtown Roswell
Construction broke ground on The Chambray, a 125‑key boutique hotel in historic downtown Roswell, slated to open in summer 2027. Developed by DSM Real Estate Partners and Stafford Development, the property will be operated by Indigo Road Hospitality Group and...
Princess Senses The Mangrove and Princess Grand Jamaica Reopen on Jamaica’s North Coast
Princess Senses The Mangrove reopened on February 1 and Princess Grand Jamaica on March 1, restoring two all‑inclusive resorts on Jamaica’s North Coast after Hurricane Melissa. The adult‑only Mangrove offers 401 ocean‑view suites and 14 overwater villas, while the family‑friendly Grand Jamaica...
Comcast Advertising, Adara Launch New Measurement Tools for Travel Industry
Comcast Advertising and Adara have unveiled a joint measurement platform that links Comcast’s premium video‑viewing data with Adara’s first‑party travel booking and revenue data. The solution provides advertisers with direct attribution of TV and streaming ads to actual traveler bookings,...
2026 HD Women in Design Honorees Announced
Hospitality Design announced the 2026 Women in Design Awards honorees, recognizing six influential leaders during a breakfast session at the HD Expo + Conference on May 5. The awardees include Grace Escaño‑Maniatis (Auberge Collection), Heather Holdridge (Lake Flato), Kavitha Iyer (global...
K-Pop, Crypto and Trump: Hanam Mayor’s Bold Play to Become Korea’s Next Las Vegas
Hanam’s mayor Lee Hyun‑jae hosted Eric Trump to showcase the city’s K‑Star World, a 900,000‑square‑meter entertainment complex aimed at turning the Seoul suburb into a K‑pop tourism hub. The plan includes a five‑star hotel, a performance arena, film studios and a...
Air Tahiti Nui Appoints Lionel Guérin as CEO to Lead New Strategic Transformation
Air Tahiti Nui announced Lionel Guérin as its new chief executive officer, effective February 11, 2026. Guérin, a former deputy CEO of Air France and founder of Airlinair, brings extensive airline restructuring experience to the Pacific carrier. The airline, which...
Saudi Arabia’s Aviation Diplomacy Takes Off as Future Aviation Forum Competes with Global Giants
Saudi Arabia’s Future Aviation Forum (FAF) returned to Riyadh, showcasing rapid aviation growth and Vision 2030 ambition. The 2024 edition logged more than 100 agreements worth $20 billion, positioning FAF alongside ICAO Assemblies and the Dubai Airshow. Passenger traffic rose 9.6% in...
Champagne, Shock & a One-Star Verdict: Blanc De Blanc Uncorked on Carnival Encounter Divides Cruise Audiences
Blanc de Blanc Uncorked, an adults‑only champagne‑themed cabaret on Carnival Encounter, was marketed as a premium ticketed alternative to traditional cruise entertainment. The reviewer gave it a one‑star verdict, citing a lack of artistic merit, reliance on shock value, forced...
ALGV Sets 2026 Schedule With Purpose and Partner Focus
ALG Vacations unveiled its 2026 event calendar, a purpose‑driven lineup designed to match travel advisors’ business goals, market focus, and development stages. The schedule mixes elite revenue‑tier retreats, large‑scale educational fam trips, the WAVEMAKER networking gathering, and new Kindness and...
China’s Super-App Ecosystem Offers Preview of AI-Driven Hotel Booking Shift
AI‑driven hotel booking systems are reshaping the travel value chain, shifting decision‑making from travelers to algorithms. China’s super‑app ecosystem—exemplified by Xiaohongshu and Douyin—offers a live preview of this transformation, integrating discovery, trust signals, and instant booking within a single platform....
ORF Reports January Passenger Volume
Norfolk International Airport (ORF) released its January passenger traffic figures, reporting roughly 1.2 million enplanements—a 3% increase year‑over‑year and about 5% above the five‑year average. The growth was led by a resurgence in leisure travel to Florida and a modest rebound...
Portillo’s Hires Outback Steakhouse Vet as CEO
Portillo’s announced Brett Patterson as its new president and chief executive officer, effective Feb. 23, 2026, replacing interim CEO Michael Miles Jr. Patterson arrives from Miller’s Ale House Restaurants after more than a decade in restaurant management, including stints at Olive Garden, Ruby...
IHG Signs 480-Acre Six Senses Camp Korongo Resort in Southern Utah
IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed a deal to develop the 480‑acre Six Senses Camp Korongo resort and residential community near Kanab, Utah, with an expected opening in 2029. The project will feature 41 luxury tented pavilions and 12 branded residences,...
First Hospitality Adds Lance Hornecker to Lead Global Sales Office
First Hospitality has created a dedicated global sales office led by newly appointed Managing Director‑Global Sales Lance Hornecker. The move adds seasoned sales talent, including Amanda Stredney and Kate Westover, to support group, corporate, meetings, events, leisure and travel‑industry demand...
2026 State of the Industry: 10 Trends Redefining the Restaurant Landscape
The National Restaurant Association projects 2026 sales to hit a record $1.55 trillion, marking the most data‑rich year in the sector’s history. Operators face rising food and labor costs, prompting a shift toward AI‑driven kitchen automation, robotics for back‑of‑house tasks, and...
Dreamscape Hospitality Adds Two Hotels in Stevens Point, WI
Dreamscape Hospitality has taken over management of two Holiday Inn properties in Stevens Point, Wisconsin – the full‑service Convention Center hotel and the Express & Suites. Together the hotels offer 215 guestrooms, more than 38,000 square feet of flexible meeting...
Luxury, Upper-Upscale Hotels Fuel Hyatt Q4 RevPAR Growth
Hyatt Hotels reported a 4% comparable system‑wide RevPAR increase in Q4 2025, the strongest growth among luxury and upper‑upscale chains. All‑inclusive resort RevPAR surged 8.3% in the quarter and 8.6% for the full year, while net rooms expanded 7.3% YoY,...
Jacobs and PA Consulting to Continue Work on UK Transport Security
Jacobs and PA Consulting have secured a four‑year extension from the UK Department for Transport to lead the National Security Science and Research (NSSR) programme. The consortium, which also includes QinetiQ, TNO, Iconal Technology, Cambridge University Technical Services and Prometheus...