Iberostar Installs First Green Hydrogen Fuel Cell in a Hotel
Iberostar Hotels & Resorts and utility Redexis have installed Europe’s first green hydrogen fuel cell at the Iberostar Waves Bahia de Palma hotel in Mallorca. The system draws renewable hydrogen produced at the solar‑powered Lloseta plant, delivering both thermal energy and electricity. It consumes at least 8 tonnes of hydrogen each year, covering more than 70 % of the hotel’s heating demand and over 20 % of its electricity use, moving the brand toward its 2030 operational emissions‑neutral goal. The project dovetails with the EU‑backed European Green Hysland initiative, highlighting tourism’s potential to drive the clean‑energy transition.
Activist Investor Calls for Whitbread Sale in Response to Sale-and-Leaseback Plan
Activist investor Corvex Management has urged Whitbread plc to consider a sale of the company after the hotel operator announced a sale‑and‑leaseback of a substantial portion of its freehold hotel portfolio. Corvex argues the move is “value‑destructive” and could erode...
Luxury Hotels Lead Indonesia Rebound
Indonesia’s luxury hotel sector has rebounded to pre‑pandemic occupancy levels, outpacing all other hotel classes. Luxury occupancy for the 12 months to March 2026 matches 2019 benchmarks, while mid‑scale and economy segments lag 5.5 percentage points. Average daily rates rose 42 percent since...
Sydney to Host ATE27 as Tourism Growth Plan Ramps Up
Sydney will host the 2027 Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE27), returning after a five‑year hiatus, as Tourism Australia pushes its long‑term “Tourism 2035” plan. International arrivals have rebounded to 9.1 million, 99 % of 2019 levels, and visitor spending rose 14 % to A$56 billion...
A HISTORIC MILESTONE FOR THE ONE PALÁCIO DA ANUNCIADA
The One Palácio da Anunciada, H10 Hotels’ 5‑star Lisbon flagship, has become the first Portuguese property to join the global Beyond Green alliance, the most rigorous sustainability standard for hotels. The designation reflects compliance with over 50 indicators across cultural heritage preservation, nature protection...
Minor Hotels to Develop Anantara Resort and Residences in Egypt
Minor Hotels has signed a development agreement for Anantara Somabay Resort & Residences, expanding its Anantara brand on Egypt’s Red Sea coast. The integrated project will deliver 300 hotel keys and 150 branded residential units, combining sea‑view rooms, lagoon villas...
How Destinations Can Move From Managing Overtourism to Actively Reshaping Demand: The Case of Catalonia
Barcelona’s overtourism sparked protests, prompting Catalonia to pair regulatory measures with a proactive demand‑shaping strategy. In 2025 the Catalan Tourist Board, together with GLP Films, launched a regional storytelling campaign highlighting the Pyrenees, coastal Costa Brava and lesser‑known villages to...
IRAN CONFLICT CLOUDS THE CYPRUS SUMMER TOURISM SEASON
Cyprus’s summer tourism outlook has dimmed as the Iran‑related conflict spreads regional insecurity. Airlines have removed roughly 600,000 seats, a 5% capacity cut, and Hermes Airports projects a 10% drop in arrivals—about half a million fewer visitors. Hotel reservations plunged...
Perks At Sea: How to Status Match to MSC’s Voyagers Club
MSC Cruises, the Swiss‑based challenger in the cruise market, has rolled out a generous status‑match program for its Voyagers Club loyalty scheme. The initiative lets members of 55 partner hotel, airline and cruise programs jump to any tier up to...
Transfer Citi ThankYou® Points to Wyndham Rewards With a 25% Transfer Bonus
Citi is offering a 25% transfer bonus for moving ThankYou® points to Wyndham Rewards through June 13, 2026. Premium Citi cards (Strata Elite, Strata Premier, Prestige, AT&T Access More) convert at 1.25 Wyndham points per ThankYou point, while standard cards convert at...
Tripmasters Expands with New Experience-Focused Vacation Packages Designed for Stress-Free Travel
Tripmasters, a veteran independent‑vacation provider, has rolled out two new product lines—Experience Packages and the “Unpack, Relax & Explore” collections—targeting travelers who want slower, more immersive European trips. The offerings let guests set up a single base city—such as Florence...
ITALIAN TOURISM BREAKS NEW RECORDS: 141 MILLION ARRIVALS EXPECTED
Italy’s tourism sector is set to host a record 141 million arrivals in 2026, a 2.1% rise over the previous year, while overnight stays are projected at 479 million. Visitor spending is expected to reach €133 billion (about $145 billion), up 4% despite higher...
How Much Does It Cost To Upgrade To First Class?
Upgrading to first class can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on airline, route, timing, and seat availability. Early booking, off‑peak travel days, and leveraging miles can dramatically lower the price, while premium carriers like Emirates...
![6,000-Mile Flights: United Airlines' New Longest Nonstop Boeing 787-8 Route [Map]](/cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://static0.simpleflyingimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/023-united-airlines-boeing-787-8-roger-utting-_-shutterstock.jpg?w=1600&h=900&fit=crop)
6,000-Mile Flights: United Airlines' New Longest Nonstop Boeing 787-8 Route [Map]
United Airlines announced a daily nonstop service between Chicago O’Hare and Tokyo Narita, operated by a Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner. Covering 6,274 miles, the route is United’s longest city‑pair flown with the 787‑8, edging out its previous record to Tel Aviv. The...
Barbados to Host Caribbean Travel Marketplace 2027
Barbados has been confirmed as the host for the 45th Caribbean Travel Marketplace, scheduled for May 18‑21, 2027. The announcement, made by CHTA president Sanovnik Destang at the 2026 closing ceremony, marks the island’s return to the flagship tourism forum...
Into 'The Grand Budapest Hotel'? This Limited-Edition Travel Experience Brings the Magic of Wes Anderson's Cinematography Into Your Holiday —...
W Hotels has teamed with London’s Design Museum to launch “The Director’s Route,” an immersive hospitality experience inspired by Wes Anderson’s cinematic style. The program rolls out across three European properties—W London, W Prague and W Budapest—featuring Anderson‑themed suites, menus...
Who Is The New Tourism Minister in Bahamas: Hon Glenys Hanna-Martin
Hon Glenys Hanna‑Martin was sworn in as the Bahamas' first female Minister of Tourism, marking a historic cabinet change. A six‑term MP with senior roles in education, transport and aviation, she brings extensive government experience to the portfolio. The tourism sector,...
Jamaica To Host Next CTO Air Connecitvity Summit
Jamaica will host the second Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) Air Connectivity Summit on Feb. 23, 2027 in Kingston, following the inaugural event in Bermuda last February. The announcement by Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett highlighted the summit’s role in shaping regional air‑travel strategy...
DOLL Introduces X-CAT L Highloader
DOLL has launched the X‑CAT L highloader, a new catering vehicle built to serve high‑capacity aircraft such as the A380’s upper deck. The larger‑format loader offers increased delivery height, enabling faster, more reliable galley service for wide‑body jets. It shares the...
First Class Holidays Launches '20-Minute Masterclass' Series
First Class Holidays has launched a bi‑weekly “20‑Minute Masterclass” webinar series aimed at travel agents. Each 20‑minute session delivers destination‑focused training on selling, itinerary building and upselling, allowing agents to convert enquiries faster. The program includes ready‑to‑sell itineraries and practical...
The Latest in Travel & Tourism News
The 2026 FIFA World Cup’s tourism forecasts are being revised downward as early data suggests lower visitor spending than originally projected. Viking announced Leah Talactac as its new CEO while reporting robust forward bookings for 2026‑2027 sailings. ASTA’s latest industry...
Unforgettable Croatia Launches 2027 Season and Michelin Star Add On
Unforgettable Croatia has unveiled its 2027 small‑ship cruising program, offering 136 guaranteed departures on six intimate vessels from May to October. The lineup includes 12 itineraries and nine cruise‑and‑land journeys, with a maximum of 18 cabins per ship, covering iconic...
Miraval Resorts Debuts First International Resort at The Red Sea, Saudi Arabia
Miraval Resorts launched its first international property, Miraval The Red Sea, on Saudi Arabia’s Shura Island. The adults‑only, all‑inclusive wellness retreat adds 180 rooms, suites and villas and opened on May 15, 2026. The resort features a 3,000 sqm Life in...
Ramada Residences by Wyndham at Dubai Islands - a Q&A with Abhishek Jalan, CEO of Grovy Developers
Grovy Developers announced its first branded‑residence project, Ramada Residences by Wyndham on Dubai Islands. The development, oversubscribed, pairs Grovy’s smart‑home expertise with Wyndham’s global hotel brand, offering hotel‑grade service and short‑term leasing rights. Branded residences are gaining traction in Dubai...
Staypineapple Hotels Promotes Beth Anne King
Staypineapple Hotels promoted Beth Anne King to vice president of operations while she continues as general manager of its Chicago property. King, a hospitality veteran with over 20 years of experience, has been with the brand since 2019, leading Hotel...
Fans Will Forgive a Loss; They Won’t Forgive Bad Hospitality
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will test U.S. hospitality systems as millions of fans flood airports, hotels, restaurants and transit hubs. Premium rail fares between Manhattan and New Jersey surged past $100 round‑trip, prompting backlash, while Philadelphia responded with free public...
Gordon Ramsay Is Taking over the Restaurant in a Five-Star London Hotel Next to the River Thames
Gordon Ramsay Restaurants has signed a partnership with the five‑star Sea Containers hotel on London’s South Bank to launch Gordon Ramsay at Sea Containers. The new venue, opening in autumn 2024, will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner inspired by the...
'Average' AI Risks Stripping Travel of Its 'Human Soul', Industry Warned
The travel sector has rapidly adopted AI to speed up bookings and itinerary creation, but industry leaders warn that reliance on generic, "average" AI threatens to erase the personalized, human‑centric service that defines premium travel. Unlike bespoke solutions, off‑the‑shelf models...
Wellness Travel Has Become A Serious Business Opportunity
Wellness travel has evolved from a niche perk to a core revenue driver in hospitality, posting roughly 6% compound annual growth over the past decade. CEO Andrew Barnard of BodyHoliday St Lucia says post‑COVID health awareness, social‑media‑fuelled beauty standards, and a...
The Landmark London Unveils Refurbished Spa
The Landmark London is set to launch a newly refurbished 710 m² spa in July 2026 after a £4 million ($5.1 million) investment. Designed by Alex Kravetz Design, the space blends stone, marble and soft‑glow lighting to create a modern, calming environment. It will...
Independent Agents Add 'Real Value' To a Tui Blue Booking, Says Brand Director
TUI Blue’s brand director highlighted that independent travel agents deliver tangible value when booking the brand’s holiday packages. He noted that agents provide personalized service, local insights, and bespoke itinerary tweaks that enhance the guest experience. The director cited that...
Agoda, Macao to Promote Outer Harbour Boutique Hotels
Agoda has deepened its partnership with the Macao Government Tourism Office to promote boutique and independent hotels in Macau’s Outer Harbour District. The 2026 initiative will showcase properties in ZAPE and NAPE, offering travelers neighbourhood experiences beyond the traditional casino...
PATA Makes AI, ESG Micro-Learning Courses Available to Tourism Professionals
The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has launched two micro‑credential courses—one on artificial intelligence and another on ESG sustainability—targeted at travel and tourism professionals. Designed by industry experts Alan Elliot Merschen and Natasha Montesalvo, the bite‑sized modules are self‑paced and...
Hilton Grows Lifestyle Portfolio with Nanjing and Wuxi Hotels
Hilton has signed two new lifestyle hotels in Jiangsu province, adding a Curio Collection property in Nanjing and a Tapestry Collection hotel in Wuxi. The Nanjing hotel will feature 232 rooms and open in 2028, while the Wuxi property will...
Romance Is in the Air at Zentis Osaka
Zentis Osaka has launched a two‑night Romantic Escape package for couples, available for booking from May 18, 2026. The offering bundles a studio, corner studio or suite stay with daily breakfast, a prix‑fixe dinner, a bottle of Japanese sparkling wine, canelés and...
United Airlines to Introduce Nonstop San Francisco-Sapporo Route in December
United Airlines announced a new nonstop service between San Francisco International Airport and Sapporo’s New Chitose Airport, slated to begin in December 2026. The airline will deploy its Boeing 787‑9 Dreamliner, offering daily flights with a mix of Economy, Premium Plus and Business...
Hotel Owners Expected a World Cup Boom - so Far It Hasn't Happened
Hotel owners expected a World Cup‑driven boom, but occupancy is lagging across U.S. host cities. The American Hotel and Lodging Association reports eight in ten hotels see lower bookings, with Houston’s Wanderstay at 45 % capacity versus 70 % last year. High...
Theobalds Estate in Hertfordshire to Become First Hotel in IHG’s New Noted Collection
IHG has announced that Theobalds Estate in Hertfordshire will be the inaugural hotel in its newly launched Noted Collection, a premium brand aimed at upscale independent properties. The historic 18th‑century estate will undergo extensive refurbishment, adding a spa, hyperbaric oxygen...
Bits: Virgin Holidays ‘Hotel only’ £150 Offer, Accor Sale, Free Dessert at The Ivy
Virgin Atlantic Holidays is offering a hotel‑only promotion that can shave up to £150 (≈ $190) off stays when you spend over £3,750 (≈ $4,800) and earn Virgin Points. Accor’s summer sale launches with a flat 25% discount on flexible member rates...
Forget Hotel Gyms—The Latest Luxury Is Wellness Rooms
Luxury hotels are moving beyond traditional gyms, installing bespoke wellness kits directly in guest rooms. The trend aligns with a booming $6.8 trillion global wellness economy, prompting properties like The Berkeley in London and Equinox Hotel in New York to offer curated...
Indy Airport Hotel Tops Out, Structure Is Complete
The Westin Indianapolis International Airport hotel has topped out, marking structural completion of the $205.8 million project. Funded by airport revenue bonds, Marriott key money and airport equity, the hotel is slated to open in late 2027 with 253 rooms, a full‑service...
Pleasant Holidays Adds Nearly 60 New Luxury Hotels to Its Global Portfolio
Pleasant Holidays has expanded its inventory by nearly 60 luxury hotels and resorts across Asia, Europe and Mexico, adding brands such as Waldorf Astoria Bangkok, Helsinki, and a Ritz‑Carlton Reserve in Nayarit. The new properties range from iconic luxury chains to...
This CEO Says There’s ‘No Moat’ in Hospitality: Peregrine’s Playbook
Peregrine Hospitality, the operating arm of private‑equity firm KSL Capital Partners, runs an asset‑heavy, owner‑operator model across 64 hotels valued at roughly $2.5 billion. CEO Greg Kennealey argues that hospitality lacks natural moats, so the company leans on disciplined operations, talent...
Vollrath Rolling Out New Products at NRA 2026
The Vollrath Company showcased a fresh suite of food‑service equipment at the National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago, May 16‑19. Highlights include a vertical contact bun toaster, a three‑well rethermalizer, a compact half‑size warmer, and extended‑length dishers in new sizes....
Disney Cruise Line Unveils New Onboard Entertainment This Summer
Disney Cruise Line is adding a slate of new onboard entertainment for the summer, debuting Frozen‑themed sing‑alongs, scavenger hunts and a Nordic‑inspired dining menu on the Disney Wonder and Disney Magic. The line is also expanding its Broadway Stars Series,...
U.S. Travelers Sustain Strong Summer Plans as Recession Fears Ease, Fuel and Airfare Costs Rise, Reports Future Partners
U.S. travelers remain eager for summer vacations in 2026, with recession concerns easing to a 47.5% outlook and leisure travel budgets staying robust. However, rising gasoline prices and higher airfare are emerging as the primary cost deterrents. Interest in the...
Revenue Management: Hotel Cantlie Suites: A Success Story - By Rikki Cavanagh
Hotel Cantlie Suites, a 250‑room downtown Montreal property, partnered with revenue‑management consultant Marc Bertrand and adopted Rate Yield’s RMS through an IQware integration. The system enabled real‑time dynamic pricing, propelling the hotel ahead of its competitive set within the first week....
Paula Anne Chavarria Joins Ten Five Hospitality
Ten Five Hospitality has appointed Paula Anne Chavarria as its director of acquisitions. In her new role, she will source and execute luxury lifestyle hotel purchases and management deals as the company expands its U.S. portfolio. Chavarria arrives from Realberry,...
Airport Dimensions Appoints Daniel Tárrega President, North America to Accelerate Growth and Scale Delivery
Airport Dimensions announced Daniel Tárrega as President of North America, tasked with scaling its lounge portfolio and launching new concepts. The company now operates over 30 lounges that served more than 5.6 million guests in 2025. Tárrega will oversee operations, brand...
American Express Gold Card Turns 60: Check Out These New Travel Benefits
American Express marks the Gold Card’s 60th anniversary with a suite of new travel‑focused perks aimed at younger cardmembers. Earn 5× Membership Rewards points on prepaid hotel bookings through Amex Travel, receive complimentary Hertz Five Star status, and see the...