Tony Bandanza has been appointed head of Uber’s US&C Restaurant Advertising business, overseeing strategy and execution for one of the company’s fastest‑growing revenue streams. He rejoined Uber in 2022 to lead the global Yum! Brands partnership, expanding Pizza Hut’s presence across 30 countries before shifting focus to advertising in 2025. Bandanza brings a decade of experience applying emerging technologies to marketplace efficiency and a background in financial risk management. His leadership emphasizes inclusive teams and long‑term, trust‑based partnerships with merchants.
Tyler Schack has been appointed Vice President of Technology & Guest Insights at Walk‑On’s Sports Bistreaux, where he will steer enterprise technology strategy and guest‑intelligence programs. His mandate includes boosting brand growth, franchisee profitability, and operational scalability across the restaurant...

IHG has opened its first Hotel Indigo in the Turks and Caicos Islands, branding the new property as Hotel Indigo Turks & Caicos Grace Bay. The boutique hotel sits steps from the world‑renowned Grace Bay Beach and features 56 rooms...

Delta Air Lines announced its largest‑ever summer schedule, operating an average of 95 daily nonstop flights across the North Atlantic in Q3 2026 – a 1.6% increase over its previous record. The airline will serve 28 European airports, including new seasonal...

Hotel Business released a Straight From the Source video featuring Zac Crump, director of business development at Cetis. Crump outlines Cetis’ end‑to‑end guest‑room solution across five brands, covering in‑room phones, appliances, and upcoming product lines. The segment also provides a...

The American Hotel & Lodging Association hosted its fourth Responsible Stay Summit, uniting its Sustainability and Food & Beverage committees for the first time. Attendees exchanged best practices on responsible sourcing, waste reduction, and water conservation, while the event honored...

Marriott International reported a record‑breaking 2025 in its Caribbean and Latin America (CALA) region, signing 94 deals that added 10,461 rooms. The portfolio grew to 555 open properties and more than 95,000 rooms across 37 countries, a 40% jump in...

The Points Guy released a comprehensive guide that maps credit‑card points and miles to their airline and hotel transfer partners, detailing transfer ratios and current valuations. It highlights the top flexible‑points cards from issuers such as American Express, Chase, Capital...

Premium economy, first introduced in the late 1970s, has evolved into a core revenue product for airlines worldwide. Today, carriers from legacy to hybrid low‑cost operators equip new A350 and 787 aircraft with factory‑installed premium cabins offering up to 42‑inch...

A new MMGY Travel Intelligence study of 300 planners and 1,000 attendees shows cost and safety dominate U.S. meetings decisions. Sixty‑three percent of planners flag travel expenses, while 72 % weigh crime levels when selecting cities. Despite these pressures, 90 % still...

European upscale hotel chain Motel One completed a full migration of its 101 properties in 13 countries to Oracle’s OPERA Cloud PMS within a four‑month window. The cloud platform delivers a unified data foundation, built‑in analytics, and access to over...

Accor’s European and North‑Africa CEO Karelle Lamouche warned that while artificial intelligence drives pricing, personalization and marketing efficiencies, an over‑reliance could erode the human connection that defines hospitality. She highlighted risks such as disintermediation, commoditisation and loss of brand differentiation if...

Hotel News Resource reports that the $185 million Monarch San Antonio, part of Hilton’s Curio Collection, opened in the Hemisfair District with 200 rooms, including 28 suites. The 17‑story property offers upscale amenities such as a full‑service spa, a 550‑sq‑ft fitness...

Happy Joe’s is rolling out its first Arizona location, a NextGen prototype slated for spring 2026 near Tucson, that blends family‑focused entertainment—game room, golf simulator, fire‑pit patio—with a hybrid service model offering a value‑priced lunch buffet and full‑service dinner. CEO...
Israel's Ministry of Tourism launched Operation “Roaring Lion,” activating 24/7 virtual assistance and shuttle services to expedite tourist departures via the Taba border crossing. Four land border crossings remain operational with specific hours, while Destination Management Companies retain full logistical...

This week’s hospitality news is dominated by a series of senior‑level appointments across hotels, resorts, and related service firms. Trailborn Hotels & Resorts named Paul Eckert COO, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts hired Amit Sripathi CFO, and Westgate Resorts added Jared...
Alliants CEO Tristan Gadsby and VP Gareth Fraser discussed how the company’s people‑first culture fuels its hospitality technology strategy. The firm emphasizes automating routine tasks with AI while empowering staff to deliver exceptional, contactless guest experiences, exemplified at Resorts World...

Citrus County’s traditional influx of Canadian snowbirds is waning, with recent tourism data showing fewer winter visitors from Canada. Analysts attribute the dip to a stronger U.S. dollar, higher airfare and fuel costs, and shifting preferences toward Mexico, the Caribbean,...

The Hawthorn by Galway Bay, a €60 million luxury resort, will open in May 2026 as Ireland’s first five‑star hotel in Galway in over two decades. The property features 114 rooms—including junior and penthouse suites—an 18‑hole championship golf course originally designed by...

The Monarch, a $185 million, 17‑story luxury hotel in San Antonio, opened under Zachry Hospitality and Hilton’s Curio Collection. Featuring 200 rooms—including 28 suites—its butterfly‑inspired design integrates natural materials, a $2 million La Mariposa art pavilion, and expansive public spaces. The property houses...

A walking‑tour operator has launched the Independence Trail Tours across New York City, Boston and Philadelphia, timed for the United States’ 250th anniversary in 2026. The small‑group, guide‑led experiences weave through Revolutionary‑War landmarks such as Federal Hall, the Freedom Trail...

Neen Williams, a professional skateboarder turned strength coach, turned his online health‑focused content into NADC Burger, a fast‑casual chain now operating 11 locations. He first launched a line of spice blends to build audience trust, then partnered with Michelin‑starred chef...
Thompson Savannah has hired acclaimed chef Ari Taymor as its new Executive Chef, tasking him with directing four distinct dining venues that emphasize locally sourced, seasonal Southern fare. The concepts include the signature Fleeting restaurant, rooftop Bar Julian, artisan bakery...
Rogers Bank has introduced the Rogers Red World Legend™ Mastercard, Canada’s first World Legend‑branded credit card, priced at a $495 annual fee and featuring a metal design. The card offers 2% cash back globally for Rogers‑affiliated customers (1.5% for others),...

In December 2025 LATAM Airlines introduced the Altitude Collection, a series of six collectible amenity kits created with Brazilian brand Costa Brazil and executed by WESSCO International. The kits draw on South America’s diverse landscapes, using vegan, Amazon‑sourced ingredients and...
RMT Global Partners introduced the Collapsible ATLAS Drawer, a lightweight galley drawer that folds flat when not in use. Designed with input from caterers and cabin crews, the drawer features snap‑open and quick‑collapse mechanisms that speed loading and reduce handling...

Restaurant technology platform Olo unveiled its first consumer‑facing digital ordering app as part of the new Olo Network. The app functions like a marketplace but charges restaurants zero commission and lets them retain full guest‑data ownership. Built on the password‑free...

gategroup has launched Conscious Kitchen, a cross‑functional initiative that reimagines airline special meals as purpose‑built, plant‑forward, and nutritionally balanced offerings. The program embeds ESG, nutrition, procurement and operations expertise into a monthly working group, driving lower‑impact cooking methods and waste...

The Falkensteinerhof hotel in South Tyrol has been upgraded to a 4 * Superior rating following a comprehensive refurbishment completed in 2025. The renovation adds modernised interiors, expanded wellness facilities with adult‑only and family saunas, indoor and outdoor pools, and new...

Icelandair has rolled out an allergen‑guaranteed special‑meal program that delivers sealed, passenger‑opened boxes on roughly one‑third of its flights. Developed with Foodcase International under the Libero Special Meals Program, the service adheres to a strict EU/U.K. Top 14 allergen‑free framework and...
Luxury resorts are increasingly designing wellness retreats specifically for female travelers, capitalizing on the momentum of International Women’s Day. Ananda in the Himalayas offers a data‑driven, Ayurveda‑centric program for high‑performing women dealing with burnout and hormonal issues. In Phuket, Layan...
The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) outlined a strategic plan to manage rapid air‑traffic growth in the Asia‑Pacific region. CAAS provides navigation services over 670,000 km², with 400 controllers handling 676,000 movements annually, including 374,000 at Changi Airport in 2025—a...

Red sauce has become a staple across full‑service restaurant menus, rising from 63% of menus in 2022 to 74% in 2025, according to Datassential. Operators favor Red Gold’s fully‑prepared marinara because it offers a long‑shelf‑life, consistent flavor, and the ability to...

Outrigger Hospitality Group announced the appointment of Nathan Decker as director of group sales, effective March 2, 2026. In his new role he will pursue new sales prospects and deepen client relationships across the brand’s properties and commercial unit. Decker arrives with...
Marcus & Millichap topped North America’s hospitality brokerage in 2025, closing 258 deals worth $2 billion. The firm credits its expansive buyer network and deep market expertise for the performance. This achievement places the company ahead of traditional competitors across all...

Mumford Company is marketing a Residence Inn at Shreveport Regional Airport as a new investment opportunity. The hotel sits directly off Interstate 20, adjacent to the airport exit, and is close to multiple commercial and recreational demand generators. It is currently...

JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group arranged a $37 million non‑recourse refinancing for Ambiente, a 40‑room adults‑only luxury landscape hotel in Sedona, Arizona. The deal, executed through a debt fund, includes a sizable cash‑out component that recapitalizes the property to fund ongoing...

Southwest Airlines is offering a limited‑time 50% discount on Rapid Rewards point purchases, pricing points at 1.5¢ each through April 4, 2026. The discount applies to purchases of 5,000 points or more, with a minimum buy of 2,000 points and a daily...

Chatham Lodging Trust bought six Hilton‑branded hotels for $92 million, adding 589 rooms in Kentucky, Illinois and Missouri. The portfolio averages ten years of age, with 66% of rooms classified as extended‑stay, and posted 2025 RevPAR of $116 and EBITDA margins...

Pizza operators face intense competition, making digital menus a critical differentiator. Common pitfalls include cluttered item lists, weak visuals, unsynced POS data, paper‑style kiosk designs, and treating kiosks merely as labor‑saving tools. Experts at INFI show that optimized, visual‑first kiosks...

Expedition Cruise Network (ECN) has added two new operator members—66° Expeditions and Royal Galapagos—bringing its total to 32. ECN also launched an Associate Membership tier, admitting Kaptio and The Polar Collective as the first associates. The new category targets organizations linked...

Widewaters has appointed Schulte Hospitality Group (SHG) to manage its portfolio of seven hotels, covering day‑to‑day operations, revenue management, sales and marketing, and food‑and‑beverage programming. The partnership also retains Basin Ventures as the asset‑management overseer to drive value across the...

American Express launched Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge at Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport, a compact, restaurant‑style concept that seats just 33 guests. The space replaces the traditional lounge model with upscale small plates, curated cocktails and a rotating selection of Old‑World wines,...

Hotel pillow menus, a legacy of the late‑1990s, are resurging as a low‑cost way to personalize sleep. By letting guests select from three to seven pillow types—soft, medium, firm, hypoallergenic or down—properties can turn a routine stay into a memorable...

Heathrow Airport has appointed Netcompany as its primary digital operations partner, deploying the AIRHART Airport Operations Orchestration Platform. The solution promises real‑time situational awareness, AI‑driven decision support and predictive planning for the hub’s 80 million annual passengers. By consolidating airline, ground...
Pleasant Holidays has expanded its global rail portfolio by adding Rail Europe, granting travel advisors access to regional and high‑speed train services across more than 20 European countries. The partnership brings major carriers such as SNCF, DB, Trenitalia, and Eurostar...
SUNRATE, a global payment and treasury platform, announced a strategic partnership with travel‑focused merchant‑account provider Repayd at ITB Berlin 2026. The alliance merges SUNRATE’s worldwide financial network with Repayd’s specialist travel payment infrastructure. Together they will deliver faster international payouts,...
At ITB Berlin 2026, Omio Group announced a dual‑track growth strategy focused on technology innovation and global expansion. The travel platform now serves over one billion users, with inventory from 3,000 partners in 46 countries, and aims to operate in...

Atlific Hotels announced it will assume management of Nova Scotia’s Oak Island Resort & Conference Centre effective February 17, 2026. The coastal property features 119 nautically inspired guestrooms, ocean‑front chalets, suites, and villas, complemented by extensive amenities including indoor/outdoor pools,...

Detroit’s historic Motown Museum confirmed it will reopen its doors on July 1, 2024, ending a year‑long closure for extensive renovations. The revival includes upgraded audio‑visual installations, expanded exhibit space, and a new interactive experience that traces the label’s global...