Hotels News and Headlines
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Backroads announced over 3,000 private‑group departure dates for its 2027 adventure portfolio, with pricing locked at 2026 rates through April 15, 2026. The early‑access program lets groups of any size reserve exclusive slots or take over unbooked departures, offering up to 100 % savings for parties of twelve or more. Hiking trips have outpaced biking in private‑group growth since the 2020 surge. Backroads also introduced Private Reserve trips, now available to as few as ten guests, expanding options in both classic and emerging destinations.
AwardWallet’s 2026 travel guide spotlights nine diverse destinations—from Caribbean gems like Barbados to emerging markets such as Oman and Ethiopia—while detailing how points‑and‑miles strategies can fund both flights and hotels. The article pairs each locale with specific credit‑card offers, including...
Buffalo Wild Wings GO opened its first takeout‑focused restaurant in Teays Valley on March 4, 2026. The 26‑sauce menu emphasizes rapid service through a dedicated pickup window and delivery options. The location is owned by Little General Stores, a franchise group...
All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Japan Airlines (JAL) dominate Japan‑US transpacific traffic, but their route structures differ. In March 2026 ANA scheduled 465 one‑way flights from Tokyo, offering about 118,000 seats, while JAL operated 545 flights from four Japanese airports...
Airbnb is embedding large‑language‑model AI into every layer of its platform, from a conversational search that understands natural‑language requests to automated guest‑support workflows. In Q4 2025 the company reported that its in‑house AI now resolves roughly 30% of North‑American support tickets...
Following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, airspace across the Middle East was shut down, prompting widespread commercial flight cancellations. Major hubs—including Dubai International, Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International, and Doha’s Hamad International—suspended operations until further notice. Gulf carriers and global...
JetBlue’s checked‑bag fees vary by route, fare class, travel dates and when the bag is added, with peak‑season prices ranging from $50 to $70 for the first bag on domestic flights and $70 to $115 on trans‑Atlantic routes. Blue Plus...
Airlines are increasingly rewarding members with birthday freebies, ranging from discount coupons to bonus miles. Programs such as AirBaltic Club, Aeroplan, and Qatar Airways offer 10%‑50% flight discounts, while carriers like Singapore Airlines and Lufthansa add up to 2,000 bonus...
A fire erupted at Dubai's Fairmont The Palm on February 28, 2026, injuring four people but causing no confirmed fatalities. Authorities have not determined whether the blaze resulted from a direct Iranian strike or debris from intercepted missiles. The incident...
Restaurant owners must focus on three core metrics—prime cost, breakeven point, and weekly profit benchmark—to turn profit from a guessing game into a predictable outcome. Prime cost, the sum of food and labor expenses, should sit around 55% of sales...
Restaurant operators face rising food, labor, and utility costs, prompting many to trim insurance premiums. The article warns that focusing solely on price can create coverage gaps that jeopardize operations during claims, injuries, or closures. It advocates a smarter insurance...
WestJet will discontinue 16 U.S. routes, cutting about 13 % of its transborder seat capacity for 2026. The airline cites a sustained decline in leisure travel demand, with Canadian departures to the United States down 12.5 % year‑over‑year in 2025. Political friction,...
Vietnamese sandwich pioneer Bun Mee, founded in San Francisco in 2011, operates five Bay Area locations. The brand is launching its first New York City outlet through a franchisee, marking its inaugural entry into the East Coast market. This move...
Massive explosions rattled Riyadh, prompting immediate safety alerts and disrupting air traffic at King Khalid International Airport. Authorities have not confirmed causes or casualty numbers, but flights face delays and possible rerouting amid heightened regional tension. Western governments issued travel...
Airports are no longer judged solely by runway capacity or airline connections; they are now evaluated on how seamlessly they integrate with rail, metro, road and emerging modes like eVTOLs. Multimodal hubs enable passengers to book door‑to‑door journeys, as exemplified...
Holland America Line announced its 2027‑2028 South America and Antarctica cruise season, running from October 2027 through March 2028. The program features 14‑day‑plus itineraries on Nieuw Amsterdam and Zuiderdam, including a 26‑day Inca Coast voyage, a 28‑day Amazon Explorer, and a 22‑day South...
Princess Grand Jamaica will reopen on March 1, 2026, restoring the full two‑resort portfolio of Princess Hotels & Resorts Jamaica after the February launch of Princess Senses The Mangrove. The family‑focused resort features 590 ocean‑view suites, an aquatic park, kids...
The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) partnered with Ivalua to overhaul its procurement function, delivering over 400 million AED (more than 100 million USD) in savings across 2024‑2025. Streamlined contract‑lifecycle management and a centralized repository cut procurement cycle times by 23 %...
North Dakota Tourism is promoting affordable spring road‑trip itineraries that emphasize slower travel and extended stays. The agency highlights three main corridors—the I‑94 Badlands route, the U.S. Highway 2 northern corridor, and the Enchanted Highway—each paired with budget‑friendly lodging and cultural...
First Light Resorts announced three visitor‑focused upgrades for Yosemite: a 2026 shift from peak‑hour reservations to real‑time traffic management, an online ticket‑purchase system that speeds entry, and new Wi‑Fi at the Big Oak Flat entrance. These changes aim to reduce...
China’s 2025 Spring Festival set a new record for international tourism, with millions of visitors flocking to both iconic metropolises and lesser‑known regions. Streamlined visa policies, including a 240‑hour visa‑free transit, and a surge in cultural‑focused itineraries drove a 21.29%...
Sri Lanka officially launched a digital nomad visa in February 2026, offering remote workers a one‑year stay that can be renewed annually for a €425 fee. Eligible applicants must earn at least €1,700 per month, with an additional €425 required...
RIU Hotels & Resorts announced an expanded child‑protection programme across the United States, the Dominican Republic and Quintana Roo, Mexico. The chain has signed new agreements with PACT USA, MAIS‑ECPAT and ECPAT Mexico, elevating its status to a “Changemaker for...
Heritage Boutique Hotel, tucked inside Sighisoara’s UNESCO‑listed medieval citadel, is being hailed as Transylvania’s most magical stay. The 18‑room property blends restored stone walls and wooden details with modern comforts such as high‑speed Wi‑Fi, air‑conditioning and complimentary breakfast. Rates in...
The 2026 dining outlook emphasizes cleaner, lighter cuisine that puts high‑quality ingredients front and center. Restaurateurs are pivoting from flashy indulgence to relationship‑driven hospitality, offering personalized service, non‑alcoholic pairings, and curated take‑out experiences. Trends such as mushroom‑centric menus, fermentation, plant‑forward...
HSBC is offering a limited‑time 25% bonus on converting HSBC Premier credit‑card points to British Airways Avios, ending at midnight on 28 February 2026. The bonus applies only to transfers into a BA Avios account and the bonus points usually arrive instantly,...
Paul Gauguin Cruises is launching a Zero Single Supplement program on seven South Pacific itineraries, eliminating extra fees for solo travelers starting March 2026. The small‑ship m/s Paul Gauguin, refurbished with private balconies and upgraded amenities, will sail to destinations...
Wynn Rewards has switched its exclusive cruise partner from Holland America to MSC Cruises, offering members up to a 30% discount on select MSC sailings. The benefit can be self‑activated online or via the Wynn app, with vouchers required by...
Scooter’s Coffee announced it has reached 900 stores nationwide, adding 83 new locations in 2025 across 32 states. The expansion represents a 10% increase over the prior year, following a 16% growth spurt in 2024. The company attributes the growth...
Independent restaurants are feeling a K‑shaped economy where high‑spending guests continue to splurge while price‑sensitive diners cut back, creating a mismatch between busy dining rooms and shrinking profit margins. Rising labor and food costs, combined with lower check averages and...
Turkish Airlines publicly refuted claims that it had halted all flights to Iran, confirming that daytime services remain operational. Evening departures from Istanbul to Tehran were cancelled, but the airline framed these as routine operational adjustments rather than a strategic...
Travel advisor platform Travelsavers highlighted two senior women executives for International Women’s Day. Chief Sales Officer Kathryn Mazza‑Burney credits crisis‑driven customer service and agency‑focused consulting for reshaping the business model. Marketing head Nicole Mazza says the pandemic taught her that...
IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite offers a balanced mix of perks and accessibility, delivering a 60 % points bonus, space‑available upgrades and Milestone Rewards. Travelers can earn the tier by completing 40 nights or accumulating 60,000 qualifying points, or obtain it...
Travel industry updates this week include Marival Group’s COO detailing how the hotel chain protected guests during the Jalisco cartel‑related unrest and confirmed that flights to western Mexico have fully resumed. TSA PreCheck will remain operational despite a partial federal...
El Pollo Loco unveiled a "Protein Packed Menu" featuring 24 items priced under $15, each delivering 23 to 74 grams of protein. The lineup includes burritos, bowls, salads and a chicken side, all built around the chain’s citrus‑marinated, fire‑grilled chicken....
The National Retail Federation’s Retail’s Big Show in New York is now a proving ground for restaurant technology, showcasing AI, automation, and data‑driven loyalty tools that were once retail‑only. Sessions highlighted Dine Brands’ 34% cut in ticket‑resolution time and the...
The Asian American Hotel Owners Association hosted its 2026 Helping Young Professionals Evolve (HYPE) conference in Miami, gathering emerging hospitality leaders for two days of education and networking. Sessions covered leadership, extended‑stay performance, AI‑driven operations, financing through AAHO Lending, and...
Hotel executives at a recent industry forum championed asset‑heavy ownership, citing control over development, favorable debt terms, and stronger ESG execution. Whitbread, Fattal and Essendi disclosed that a majority of their portfolios are owned outright, enabling rapid market entry and...
Travelers face a complex tipping landscape as customs vary worldwide, from modest European gratuities to mandatory U.S. percentages. Google searches for travel‑tip guidance jumped 121% this year, highlighting growing anxiety. In the United States, digital payment presets push tip rates...
Las Vegas’ casino and hotel market showed modest declines in 2025 visitation compared with 2024, yet resilience persisted thanks to a robust calendar of major events and sports‑driven traffic. Per‑visitor spending rose, shifting performance drivers from sheer volume to premium...
The Airport Experience (AX) Awards Gala celebrated top performers in airport concessions, hospitality, and property management, drawing more than 450 North American executives. The ceremony recognized excellence across nearly 40 categories, including best passenger service, sustainability initiatives, and DE&I leadership....
Red Cliffs Lodge in Moab has completed a property‑wide renovation that revamps its lodge, 79 guest rooms, and 31 riverfront cabins, while introducing Ember, a new signature restaurant and cocktail lounge. The redesign emphasizes natural materials, floor‑to‑ceiling river views, and...
The HVS Europe Hotel Transactions Bulletin for the week ending 20 February 2026 lists a series of high‑profile hotel deals across the continent. Indian conglomerate SanRaj, via Clearsense Ventures, bought three Accor‑branded hotels in the UK (478 rooms) from Ares and EQ....
On The Go (OTG) announced Matt King as its new chief executive officer, replacing Jeff Yablun who moves to a senior‑advisor role. King brings over 30 years of multi‑unit foodservice, hospitality and airport‑concession experience, most recently as president of Elior...
Peter Anderson’s article uses the seemingly trivial choice between disposable and reusable spa slippers to illustrate how micro‑level decisions shape the financial performance, brand identity, and sustainability of resort spas. He argues that spas are no longer ancillary amenities but...
Norfolk International Airport (ORF) has named Jerald Humphrey senior manager of airside operations. Humphrey brings more than two decades of United States Navy experience, most recently as air operations officer at Naval Air Station Oceana. He highlighted the airport’s growth,...
Miami International Airport has secured 12‑year extensions with concessionaires Hudson and HMSHost, allowing them to continue operating existing venues and launch new concepts across the North, Central and South terminals. The extensions are part of the airport’s $9 billion Modernization in...
Avolta has launched its health‑focused "Eat Well. Travel Further." concession line at Chicago O’Hare, with Los Angeles International and Phoenix Sky Harbor slated for later rollout. The collection offers high‑protein, plant‑based, macro‑balanced items free from artificial flavors, synthetic colors, high‑fructose...
London City Airport outlined a plan to lift annual traffic to 9 million passengers, following 2024 government approval to increase capacity without adding flight movements. Aviation Minister Keir Mather visited the airport, meeting new CEO Andy Cliffe and frontline staff. The growth...
Choice Hotels International launched its 11th annual Mastery technology and innovation summit in Scottsdale, gathering more than 800 associates for a week of hands‑on workshops, competitions and knowledge‑sharing sessions. The agenda centers on artificial intelligence, cloud platforms, data analytics, and...
