ALGERIA’S TOURISM POTENTIAL IS STILL UNDERVALUED
Algeria’s tourism sector accounts for roughly 3% of GDP despite a diverse mix of Mediterranean coastlines, highlands and Sahara desert. By 2025 the country welcomed about 3.5 million international visitors, half of them to the south, while the government’s 2030 roadmap targets a ten‑percent GDP share and 10‑12 million guests. Growth has stalled due to outdated regulations, limited accommodation capacity and high travel costs. Recent legislative proposals aim to simplify land deals, cut taxes and prioritize youth employment to unlock the sector’s latent potential.
COLOMBIA’S TOURISM PARADOX: RECORD VISITOR NUMBERS, BUT HOTELS STRUGGLE
Colombia welcomed nearly 6 million international visitors in 2025, generating about $9.4 billion in tourism revenue—outpacing traditional export earnings. Yet small hotels expanded only 0.5% and their real earnings fell 2.9%, while vacation‑rental units exploded 635% since 2020, now exceeding 76,000 properties....
ITALIAN HOTELS RECORD SHARP RATE GROWTH IN Q1 2026
Italian hotels kept occupancy steady in Q1 2026 while average daily rates surged 9% to €143 ($156) from €131.23. The jump was driven by a surge in foreign travelers, offsetting a modest dip in domestic demand. Luxury and upscale segments posted...
TURKEY’S TOURISM REVENUE SURGES TO NEARLY $10 BILLION IN Q1 2026
Turkey’s tourism sector generated nearly $10 billion in the first quarter of 2026, marking a 4.2% increase over the same period last year. Visitor spending accounted for $9.69 billion of that total, with independent travelers contributing the bulk of revenue. The diaspora...
Delta Mysteriously Canceling Hundreds Of Flights Due To “Crew Restrictions”
Delta Airlines experienced a sharp rise in flight cancellations on May 1‑2, 2026, scrapping 157 flights (4% of its schedule) on Friday and 204 flights (6%) by Saturday afternoon. The airline cited vague "crew restrictions" as the root cause, despite clear...
JetBlue Plans Big Fort Lauderdale Growth, Filling Gap Left By Spirit
JetBlue announced a rapid crew‑base reshuffle aimed at doubling its Fort Lauderdale (FLL) flight‑attendant staff from 682 to roughly 1,300 after Spirit Airlines ceased operations. The airline will cut 30% of its crew at overstaffed locations such as Orlando, Newark,...
The Airports America Desperately Needs But Can't Get Built
The United States faces a looming airport capacity crisis as daily flights exceed 45,000 and demand continues to rise. Existing hubs like Austin‑Bergstrom, Seattle‑Tacoma, and Atlanta are constrained by limited runways, crowded terminals, and surrounding urban development. Federal and state...
To Loyal Spirit Airlines Customers, Thank Judge Young
Spirit Airlines announced liquidation after failing to secure a last‑minute bailout, ending the ultra‑low‑cost carrier that had pressured fares nationwide. U.S. District Judge William Young had previously blocked JetBlue’s proposed acquisition of Spirit, citing competition concerns. The shutdown underscores that...
Japan Airlines Vs. The World: How Robotics Is Reshaping Aviation and Tourism
Japan Airlines is trialing general‑purpose humanoid robots at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport to handle baggage and cargo, with the program running through ~2028. The initiative addresses Japan’s acute labor shortage and surging tourism, marking a shift from fixed automation to adaptable, human‑like...
Gulf Airlines Race to Recover as Fragile Stability Returns to Middle East Skies
Gulf carriers are accelerating a fragile rebound after years of airspace closures and geopolitical turbulence. Emirates is flooding key routes with A380s to capture premium demand, while Etihad is taking a measured approach, restoring only selective services and tightening costs....
JetBlue Moves Quickly to Fill Spirit's Gap, Adds 11 Routes From Fort Lauderdale
JetBlue announced 11 new routes from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, beginning in July, to replace services lost when Spirit Airlines shut down. Six of the destinations—Barranquilla, Baltimore, Cali, Charlotte, Columbus and Indianapolis—are new to JetBlue’s network. The airline will boost...
American Bringing Back Seat Back TVs On Narrow Body Planes? “Stay Tuned”
American Airlines is reportedly weighing a reversal of its seat‑back TV removal, potentially reinstalling screens across its narrow‑body fleet. The move, hinted at by Chief Customer Officer Heather Garboden, could be decided within weeks and is part of a broader...
Jordanians Struggle as Mideast Wars Scare Tourists Away
Jordan’s tourism season has collapsed as regional wars drive visitors away, leaving the iconic site of Petra nearly empty. Camel owners who once catered to a steady stream of tourists report traffic at just 1% of pre‑conflict levels. Even after...
Spirit Airlines Begins Orderly Wind-Down of Operations
Spirit Aviation Holdings announced an immediate, orderly wind‑down of Spirit Airlines, cancelling all flights. The decision follows a failed restructuring effort with bondholders and a sudden surge in fuel prices that erased the hundreds of millions of dollars needed for...
Palma De Mallorca Takes Centre Stage in Mallorca’s New Way of St James
Palma de Mallorca has become the focal point of a newly formalized 67‑kilometre Way of St James route, dubbed El Camino de Lana, that starts at the Lluc Sanctuary and ends at the 13th‑century Church of Sant Jaume in the city centre....
US's Spirit Airlines Suspends Operations
Spirit Airlines announced an immediate, orderly wind‑down of operations on May 2, 2026, cancelling all flights after failing to secure additional liquidity. The carrier, under Chapter 11 protection, had hoped a $500 million U.S. aid package and a recent bondholder restructuring would...
Bits: India Avios Blackout Update, Melia and Jumeirah Launch Amex Cashback Deals
British Airways has partially lifted its Avios blackout for India: outbound seats are back in Delhi and all cabins are available in Mumbai, while Bangalore still shows only a handful of Premium Economy seats within 45 days. Meanwhile, American Express...
Emirates Showcases Retrofit Programme in Playful New Campaign
Emirates has unveiled a new video campaign to promote its US$5 billion aircraft retrofit programme, which will refurbish 219 wide‑body jets. The ad, styled as a DIY home‑renovation gameshow, follows a captain’s family as they “renovate” a 777, then shifts to...
How to Earn Virgin Points at Best Western Hotels – and Get a Status Match
Best Western Rewards lets members earn 500 Virgin Points per stay and offers a generous status‑match, including matching Virgin Flying Club Silver to Best Western Platinum and Gold to Diamond. The free‑to‑join program awards 10 points per US$1 spent on...
EgyptAir Opens Sensory Support Room at Cairo International Airport
EgyptAir has opened a dedicated sensory support room in Cairo International Airport’s Terminal 3, aimed at travelers with invisible disabilities such as autism and learning difficulties. The low‑stimulation space, positioned near Gate 4, offers a calm environment and a specialized support team...
Savour WestJet’s European Summer
WestJet is launching a summer 2026 transatlantic schedule from Halifax that adds three new nonstop routes—Copenhagen, Lisbon and Madrid—and resumes service to six existing European cities, bringing the total to nine nonstop destinations. The airline also boosted its domestic network...
United Airlines to Cut O’Hare Flights After FAA Safety Order
United Airlines will cut more than 100 daily departures at Chicago O'Hare starting mid‑May 2026 after the FAA ordered a 12% reduction to ease congestion and address air‑traffic controller staffing gaps. The airline is targeting short‑haul routes operated by 50‑seat...
Beloved Local Brand Opens Urban Lodge Taproom & Kitchen at Bradley International Airport
SSP America, a division of the global SSP Group, has opened Urban Lodge Taproom & Kitchen inside Bradley International Airport (BDL). The new venue is a partnership with Manchester‑based Urban Lodge Brewing Co., bringing its craft‑beer‑focused menu and lodge‑style hospitality...
MIA Lets the Dogs Out at First-Ever Adoption Day Event
Miami International Airport partnered with Miami‑Dade County Animal Services to host its first‑ever Adopt a Shelter Pet Day on April 30, 2026. The terminal‑based event featured two adoption sessions with eight dogs and several cats available for adoption. Travelers and...
Classic Vacations Launches Travel Advisors Sweepstakes
Classic Vacations has unveiled the Classic Loves Travel Advisors Sweepstakes, running from May 1 to November 30, 2026, to honor Travel Advisor Appreciation Month and sustain engagement year‑round. Registered U.S. advisors earn one entry for each new deposited booking, with no cap,...
Phoenix Sky Harbor Sets Passenger Records
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport recorded its busiest month ever in March, handling 5,128,429 passengers – a 1.27% increase over the previous March record. The airport also set a single‑day record on March 8, screening 86,250 travelers, with 1,520 takeoffs and...
IHG Extends 15% Discount on Award Stays to These 129 New IHG Properties
IHG is extending a 15% discount on award‑night bookings to 129 newly opened hotels worldwide, with expiration dates of August 31, September 30 or October 31 2026 depending on the property. The offer applies only to stays of three nights or fewer and cannot...
MSC Cruises Brings Yacht Club Experience to Formula 1 Grand Prix
MSC Cruises will debut a floating MSC Yacht Club hospitality venue at the 2026 Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix. The 50‑foot‑tall, 264‑foot‑long structure will sit along turns 5 through 9, providing spectators with panoramic views of up to five corners. The multi‑deck...
The Importance of Customer Service in the Hospitality Industry
The article underscores that exceptional customer service is the cornerstone of the hospitality industry, arguing that empathy, employee empowerment, and memory‑making differentiate brands. It outlines four core values—service as a core value, hiring caring people, empowering staff, and creating memorable...
The Untapped Revenue Opportunity in Hotel Digital Signage – 2026 Event Advertising Pulse Survey Report
Hotel digital signage is largely underutilized, serving mainly informational purposes while missing sponsor revenue. A 2026 survey of hotel owners, GMs and event leaders reveals a widening gap between sponsor expectations and current capabilities. One Chicago property achieved a 73%...
Cruise News: All Aboard for Summer Specials
Luxury and river cruise lines are rolling out summer‑season promotions to fill ships and attract price‑sensitive travelers. Explora Journeys is offering up to $2,000 off its Ocean Terrace Suites on Mediterranean, Western and Northern Europe itineraries through May 26. Trafalgar’s Spotlight...
What You Need to Know About the Spirit Airlines Shutdown
Spirit Airlines, the pioneer of the ultra‑low‑cost model, has halted most flights and stopped ticket sales as it files for a second bankruptcy within two years. The carrier faces a debt load over $2.8 billion, soaring fuel costs, higher labor expenses...
A-List Preferred Behind Priority? Southwest Airlines Launches Updated Boarding Process
Southwest Airlines announced an updated boarding hierarchy effective April 30, 2026, moving A‑List Preferred members ahead of Group 1 while A‑List members board with Group 1. The carrier will assign a single boarding group per reservation and extend tier benefits to up...
My Almost Interview with Our Industry’s First Chief Water Officer
A resort briefly introduced the hospitality industry’s first Chief Water Officer (CWO) to lead water‑stewardship initiatives, only to suspend the role a week later. The move underscores growing water scarcity, highlighted by the U.S. Drought Monitor’s alerts for southern Georgia...
7 Of The Most Spacious Transatlantic Premium Economy Seats You Can Book Today
A new roundup highlights the most spacious premium‑economy cabins on transatlantic routes, covering British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Delta, United, Lufthansa, Air France and American Airlines. The analysis details seat pitch, width, recline and cabin configuration for each carrier’s Boeing 787‑9,...
Devaluations Are Coming Thick and Fast Right Now — Here's What You Need to Know About How to Protect Yourself
Loyalty programs are rapidly devaluing, raising the points or miles needed for awards and adding fees. Recent changes include Aeroplan’s up‑to‑33% partner cost hike, Lifemiles’ business‑class jump to 92,400 miles, Hyatt’s category upgrades pushing nightly rates to 75,000 points, and...
Inside Sublime Sand, a Luxe New Resort Nestled in Portugal’s Jet-Set Hot Spot
Sublime Sand, the latest luxury resort from Portuguese hospitality brand Sublime, opened today in Comporta, a coastal village an hour south of Lisbon. The new property features 43 architect‑designed villas with private pools and rates starting around $1,400 per night....
Starbird Names Stefanie Lee CFO
Starbird, the San Francisco‑based chicken chain, appointed Stefanie Lee as chief financial officer, bringing over 18 years of franchise finance experience. Lee previously served as CFO of TITLE Boxing Club and held senior finance roles at Dine Brands Global, Krispy Kreme, and...
Full Video: Staying Competitive as Asia’s Hotel Market Shifts
At the Skift Asia Forum 2026, Accor’s chief development officer Andrew Langdon highlighted a rapid shift in Asia’s hotel landscape, where 80% of properties remain unbranded. Generational turnover among family‑owned hotels is prompting owners to seek global brand partnerships, especially...
Chase Ultimate Rewards Points: How to Redeem for Maximum Value
Chase Ultimate Rewards points are currently valued at about 2.05 cents each, according to The Points Guy’s May 2026 valuation. The guide highlights that transferring points to Chase’s airline and hotel partners—such as Virgin Atlantic, United, Air France‑KLM, Singapore Airlines, and World...
Huey Magoo’s Adds a New Prototype to Support National Growth
Huey Magoo’s is rolling out a new 1,850‑sq‑ft freestanding drive‑thru prototype that slashes ground‑up development costs by roughly 40% and fits on parcels as small as half an acre. The design maintains seating for 55 guests—37 indoors and 18 on...
Bilt Rent Day: Avios Airways Transfer Bonus Of Up To 100%
Bilt’s Rent Day rewards members with 4‑6x points on the first of each month, capped at 1,000 points. On May 1, 2026 the program added a limited‑time Avios transfer bonus that can reach 100% for Platinum members and 40‑75% for lower...
The Best New Hotels Around the World for May 2026
May 2026 saw a wave of high‑end hotel openings spanning five continents, from the refreshed Delano Miami Beach to the ultra‑luxurious Orient Express Venezia. Brands ranging from Marriott’s Series by Marriott to Four Seasons and Soho House introduced properties that...
Hyatt New Hotels Bonus Offer: Earn 500 Extra Points per Night at These 29 Properties
Hyatt’s May 2026 new‑hotel bonus awards 500 extra World of Hyatt points for each night stayed at 29 recently opened properties, provided the checkout date falls within the promotional window. The list includes locations across the U.S., China, Europe, the Middle...
Firm Bookings, Fast Refunds: EasyJet and On The Beach Aim to Reassure Jittery Travellers with Holiday Pledges
Amid rising jet‑fuel costs and uncertainty from the US‑Israel conflict, easyJet and holiday‑booking platform On The Beach have launched consumer‑confidence pledges for the summer season. easyJet’s “book with confidence” promise guarantees no extra fuel surcharges and a full summer schedule...
How Perishable Inventory Visibility Reduces Food Loss and Protects Restaurant Margins
Restaurant operators are grappling with rising labor costs and volatile menus, but hidden margin erosion stems from poor visibility into perishable inventory. Without real‑time data on aging stock, emergency purchases and write‑offs surge, hurting both profitability and guest experience. Implementing...
VIEWPOINT: Don't Write Off Hospitality: The Hotel Market Is Sending Contractors a Clear Signal
Despite industry chatter that hotel construction is cooling, contractor Craig Plescia reports a thriving pipeline. From 2021‑2025, hospitality bid invitations rose steadily, and Q2 2024 reached a record 6,095 projects covering 713,151 rooms, a 9% year‑over‑year increase. Strong domestic air travel—119 million...
Infinity Aviation Group Opens Remodeled FBO at Nashua, New Hampshire
Infinity Aviation Group has opened a remodeled and expanded Fixed‑Base Operator at Boire Field (KASH) in Nashian, New Hampshire. The new terminal provides more than 150,000 sq ft of heated hangar space and full services such as de‑icing, fueling, and premium passenger...
Virgin Voyages Marks Month of Access and Events for Advisors
Virgin Voyages is dedicating the entire month of May to its First Mate (travel advisor) community in North America through its annual First Mate Appreciation Month. The program, dubbed “VV Fest,” runs May 4‑29 and features a 16‑session virtual training series...
Lufthansa Selling Miles & More Miles With 60% Bonus (1.29 Cents Each): Worth It?
Lufthansa’s Miles & More program is running a May‑long Bundle&Go promotion that adds a 60% bonus to purchased mileage bundles. Prices range from $103 for 4,800 miles to $2,071 for 160,000 miles, delivering a best‑case cost of 1.29 cents per...