
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 and release tip earnings electronically on the same day. Automated calculations, centralized reporting and secure payouts replace cash handling and reduce back‑office complexity. The move is positioned as a scalable pay solution as the brand expands into new markets.

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...

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...

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,...
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...

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 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 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...

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 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 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 (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...

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 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....

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,...
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 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 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...

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...

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...

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 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...

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 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....

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...

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...

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 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 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, 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...

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 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...

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 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...

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 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...
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...
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...

Saudi Arabia will host the Umrah & Ziyarah Forum 2026 in Madinah during March‑April, gathering around 40,000 visitors, 150 exhibitors and 160 speakers. The three‑day summit is positioned as a showcase for global pilgrimage innovation, digital solutions and new partnership...
Indonesia’s 2026 Eid travel season saw passenger traffic climb to 10.9 million, an 8.6% increase over the previous year. Railways led the surge, transporting 3.35 million travelers, up 13.5%, while ferries, air travel, and buses also posted double‑digit growth. Robust infrastructure, coordinated...
Singapore Airlines will lift its UK‑Singapore schedule to a record 43 flights per week in 2026, adding double‑daily services from London Gatwick and extra summer frequencies. The carrier will operate the new slots with Airbus A350‑900 aircraft, offering a modern...
Iraq has extended its airspace closure for an additional 72 hours, joining Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Iran in a regional aviation shutdown. The ban halts all arrivals, departures and transit flights, forcing carriers such as Emirates, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines...
Mumbai International has filed a petition in court demanding repayment of approximately $92 million owed by the insolvent Jet Airways. The claim comes as the airline’s liquidator continues to manage asset sales, including pending auctions of Boeing 777‑300ERs and the transfer...

A limited‑time promotion lets shoppers earn 3.5‑4 times the usual airline miles on Apple purchases through major airline shopping portals. The highest multiplier, up to 4x, is offered by Alaska Atmos Rewards and United MileagePlus, while American AAdvantage and Delta SkyMiles...

British Airways is allowing members to purchase up to 1,000 Club tier points for £1 each by contributing to Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) before the club year ends on March 31. The scheme provides 10 Avios per £1 and caps...

Omani low‑cost carrier SalamAir has teamed up with UK travel‑tech firm Arcube to embed eSIM and e‑Visa services into its booking platform. The eSIM solution gives travelers access to more than 5,000 data packages in over 213 countries, while the...

IndiGo and Air India, India’s two largest carriers, are confronting pivotal CEO succession decisions. IndiGo’s foreign‑born chief Pieter Elbers stepped down on March 10, 2026, while Air India’s expatriate CEO Campbell Wilson will likely depart when his contract ends in 2027. Both executives were...

Premium airport lounges are evolving into full‑service lifestyle hubs, offering museum‑grade art, Michelin‑starred dining, and wellness amenities. The article highlights five leading international terminals—Tokyo Haneda, Doha Hamad, Singapore Changi, Paris Charles de Gaulle, and Zurich—each delivering unique ultra‑luxury experiences such...

AwardWallet aggregates points from over 620 loyalty programs, but Delta, Southwest, and United restrict direct data access. The article outlines three workarounds—email linking, auto‑forwarding travel emails, and manual copy‑paste updates—to keep mileage balances current within AwardWallet. Each method balances convenience,...

Chinese tourist arrivals to Japan plunged sharply in early 2026, with March figures down 45.2% year‑over‑year and a combined January‑February drop of 54%. The decline follows heightened diplomatic friction after Japanese leader Sanae Takaichi warned of possible forceful action over...