
Michael Bellisario of Baird says the lodging REIT outlook for 2026 is positive but muted after a difficult 2025. He expects the FIFA World Cup to lift REVPAR by at least 75 basis points, providing a modest revenue tailwind. Wealthy travelers are driving growth, with upscale hotels capturing higher ancillary spend compared to economy and mid‑scale properties. Geographically, New York, San Francisco and Maui are rebounding, while REITs plan to sell assets and hold off new acquisitions in early 2026.

Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) posted a net profit after tax of RM137 million (≈ $30 million) for 2025, doubling its 2024 earnings and marking a fourth straight year of profitability. EBITDA surged to RM1.6 billion (≈ $356 million), up from RM788 million the prior year, helped by...
Radisson Hotel Group announced a 2030 ambition for all 100 of its hotels to achieve net‑zero status, expanding the Verified Net Zero Hotels pilot that currently operates in Manchester and Oslo. The initiative targets full elimination of Scope 1 and 2...

Air New Zealand has opened ticket sales for a new trans‑Tasman service linking Auckland International Airport with Western Sydney International Airport (WSI). The three‑times‑weekly flights – Monday, Wednesday and Friday – will launch on 26 October 2026, marking the first international operations from...

The Pavilions Hotels & Resorts has teamed with Privilege, a wellbeing concierge, to launch in‑room wellness services across its three Rome properties – The First Arte, The First Dolce and The First Musica. Guests can book massages, facials, personal training...

Flying Blue has temporarily opened its status‑match program to U.S. residents, allowing elite members of roughly two dozen airlines to purchase Silver or Gold status for a 12‑month period. The fee is $99 for Silver and $199 for Gold, granting...
Lithuania’s Kaunas Airport successfully trialed a 10‑ton hydrogen‑powered heavy‑duty truck, completing roughly 100 km of apron, runway and taxiway cleaning without emitting CO₂. The test is part of the EU‑funded Interreg Baltic Sea Region BSR HyAirport project, which also sees similar pilots...
Loganair, Royal Mail and BETA Technologies completed a ten‑day electric flight trial across Scotland, operating BETA’s ALIA CTOL aircraft on 23 legs that covered 1,006 nautical miles. The flights demonstrated an energy consumption of 1.37 kWh per nautical mile and speeds...

Hyatt has launched the Hyatt Regency Niagara Falls Fallsview, its first property in Niagara Falls, Ontario, joining the World of Hyatt Classics portfolio. The 42‑floor tower houses 611 premium rooms and suites that deliver unobstructed views of the Horseshoe and...

Custom Travel Solutions (CTS) unveiled RouteStack.ai, an AI‑native infrastructure that lets large‑language‑model agents like ChatGPT and Perplexity pull real‑time hotel inventory and generate instant booking links. Built on a proprietary Model Context Protocol, the platform translates conversational queries into structured...
The Zetter has opened a 68‑room boutique hotel in Bloomsbury, converting six Georgian townhouses between Russell Square and the British Museum into a private‑residence‑style property. Designed by James Thurstan Waterworth, the 13,760‑sq‑ft hotel features a 1,000‑sqm garden blending British and...

Recent U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran provoked Iranian drone attacks that hit key Gulf infrastructure, including Dubai International Airport and the Burj Al Arab. Gulf carriers such as Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways have curtailed schedules and grounded flights,...

Vestige Collection has opened Binidufà, the second boutique hotel on its 800‑hectare private estate in Menorca’s untouched north. The 18th‑century property has been meticulously restored using traditional techniques and locally sourced materials. Its plant‑forward restaurant, Mesura, showcases island vegetables while...

Luxury hotel giants are moving onto the high seas, turning their brand prestige into floating resorts. Ritz‑Carlton has rolled out three yachts since 2022, while Four Seasons I, launching in March 2026, will feature 95 suites and a 1:1 staff...

The World Travel Awards announced that the Maldives will host the Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony on 27 September 2026, coinciding with World Tourism Day. The event marks the return of the Indian Ocean leg of the WTA Grand Tour, last...

Chase has upgraded its partnership with Lyft, allowing Southwest Airlines credit‑card holders to earn bonus Rapid Rewards points on every Lyft ride through Dec. 31 2027. The top‑tier Priority and Performance Business cards earn 5 points per dollar, Premier cards earn 3...

Starbucks is rolling out a new partner incentive program that adds quarterly micro‑bonuses, expands digital tipping, and shifts hourly staff to weekly pay. Baristas can earn up to $1,200 a year by meeting sales and service targets, while digital tip...
BWH Hotels GB is leveraging its global brand to boost independent properties, showcasing three case studies. The Clarence Gardens Hotel in Scarborough saw RevPAR rise 22%, occupancy climb to 85%, and a 30% drop in booking errors after joining the...
Ireland’s Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien and Minister of State Jerry Buttimer toured Cork Airport to review its €200 million (≈$218 million) capital development programme. They officially opened a new staff and goods security screening area finished on‑time and on‑budget by PJ Hegarty...

Marriott International’s Tribute Portfolio has opened Varel Singapore, a 128‑room boutique hotel in the Selegie district. The property, designed by award‑winning firm FDAT, blends heritage shophouse architecture with modern gardens and a rooftop infinity pool. It features four distinct dining...
Las Torres Patagonia, a family‑run estancia in Chilean Patagonia, is showcasing regenerative travel through cultural immersion, zero‑waste hospitality, and on‑site conservation projects. Guests can experience Baqueano cowboy traditions, sip cocktails crafted from native herbs and recycled glass, and dine on...
Viking River Cruises announced that its two newest Nile vessels, the Viking Ptah and Viking Sekhmet, have been floated out at Cairo’s Massara shipyard, signaling the start of final outfitting. The ships, each carrying 82 guests in 41 staterooms, are slated to...

Marriott International announced nine new development agreements in Greece, adding nearly 1,000 rooms and introducing two new brands, Residence Inn by Marriott and Le Méridien, to the market. The deals include luxury and lifestyle properties across islands, coastal areas, and Athens,...

Hyatt Regency Rome Central will open in spring 2026, marking Hyatt's first foray into the Italian market. The 238‑key property sits in Rome’s Esquiline district and features a modern design that nods to the nearby Anio Vetus aqueduct. Its standout...

Thailand’s Ministry of Transport is launching a targeted diesel subsidy on April 1 to cushion interprovincial buses and ride‑hailing firms ahead of the Songkran holiday. The scheme offers a four‑baht ($0.12) per litre discount and runs through April 30, with GPS data...

Minor Hotels has launched the Colbert Collection, a premium soft‑brand aimed at independent hotels that prioritize culinary and cultural experiences. The brand lets properties retain their unique identity while tapping into Minor's global distribution, revenue‑management and loyalty systems. Its debut...

StarCruises is replacing its three‑night Sanya cruises with a new Hong Kong‑Kaohsiung‑Penghu itinerary aboard the Star Voyager, launching on April 12, 2026. The sailings will run on April 12, April 19 and May 10, offering half‑day shore time in Kaohsiung and...

Ibrahim Canliel has been appointed chief executive officer of Air Astana Group, moving up from his role as chief financial officer where he served since 2017. He brings more than 14 years of experience within the airline, having helped shape its strategic...

Dusit International has appointed Marc Handl as managing director of its flagship Dusit Thani Bangkok property. Handl will also oversee the adjacent Dusit Residences and Dusit Parkside within the Dusit Central Park development. He arrives from Abu Dhabi National Hotels,...

Chef Ken Megarr argues that commercial microwaves have evolved from simple reheating devices into precision cooking tools, thanks to inverter technology, programmable controls, and connectivity. Research from Cornell shows microwaves often retain more water‑soluble nutrients than baking, boiling, or steaming....

Shanghai‑based H World Group announced plans to nearly double its hotel portfolio to over 20,000 properties in about 2,000 Chinese cities by 2030. The company already operates 12,000 properties across 19 countries and hit 1 million rooms last year. Growth will...

Flying Food Group (FFG) has launched premium inflight catering for Brussels Airlines at New York’s JFK and Washington Dulles (IAD) airports, covering the carrier’s daily transatlantic flights to Brussels. The service features chef‑crafted menus, premium ingredients, and a scalable delivery model. The move...

Avios is offering a limited‑time bonus of 10% on one‑off transfers and 20% on auto‑conversions of Nectar points into Avios, running until 30 April. The standard 400 Nectar‑to‑250 Avios rate improves to 300 Avios with the 20% boost, cutting the effective cost to about...

Dubai’s Deira and Gold District hotel cluster has launched a “Work From Hotel” staycation package aimed at remote workers. The program, available at six Accor‑branded properties, offers shared workspaces, complimentary coffee and tea, and daily rates beginning at AED 169 (about...

Air Astana has launched its Airbus A321LR on the Astana‑Frankfurt route, featuring a newly designed business‑class cabin. The product includes 30 fully lie‑flat seats with 42‑inch pitch, direct aisle access, and a modern mood‑lighting scheme. Passengers receive a three‑course Kazakh‑inspired menu,...

German airports are committing to major infrastructure upgrades despite ongoing operational hurdles and rising cost pressures. Elevated taxes, charges and stricter environmental rules are forcing airlines to adopt more selective capacity and network strategies. Frankfurt and Munich airports are receiving...
Classic Vacations has launched a limited‑time incentive that pays full commission on all new affiliate and preferred hotel bookings, running through April 30 2026 for reservations that travel by December 31 2026. The program covers its worldwide portfolio, with exclusions only for certain hotels,...
Xanterra Travel Collection has launched the “America’s 250th Travel Sale,” running April 17‑29, 2026, to mark both the nation’s 250th anniversary and the company’s 150‑year hospitality heritage. The promotion offers discounts of up to 30% at flagship national‑park lodges, a...

UAE‑based proptech startup estaie announced a seven‑figure pre‑seed round—roughly $5 million—led by PlusVC and Orbit Ventures, with participation from Falak Angels and Value Makers Studio. The AI‑native marketplace focuses on extended‑stay bookings of 30 to 365 nights, positioning itself between traditional...

Delta’s average stage length rose to 821 nautical miles in April 2026, an 11 % increase since 2019 and the third‑longest among U.S. legacy carriers. The carrier introduced ten ultra‑short routes, highlighted by a 64‑nm Detroit‑Lansing flight that takes about 20...

Jacksonville Aviation Authority awarded HMSHost (Avolta) a 15‑year contract to design, build and operate the 5,000‑square‑foot Oak & Ocean Food Hall in the new Concourse B at Jacksonville International Airport. The food hall, slated for completion by December 2026, will feature national chains Chick‑fil‑A,...
Uber Eats announced on March 11 a revision to its Marketplace fee structure, raising the Lite tier commission from 15% to 20% and increasing the pickup fee to 7% for all tiers. The Plus tier remains at 25% but jumps...

Virtual Dining Concepts is rolling out its Mukbang Burger brand to every Ruby Tuesday location in the United States, adding 200 new points of sale. The sliders are built on King’s Hawaiian Original Hawaiian Sweet® rolls, blending a sweet‑savory profile with oversized...

The Cheesecake Factory rolled out its first mobile app on April 1, 2026, meeting its promise to launch in the first half of the year. The app lets Rewards members make reservations, place pickup orders, browse the menu, track rewards and receive...

Chagee, the Shanghai‑based tea chain, reported a Q4 revenue decline of 3.34 billion RMB (≈$483 million) and a share price plunge to $9.31 after its earnings release. The company posted a $5 million operating loss tied to restructuring and admitted it underestimated competitive pressures...
Philadelphia International Airport’s retail arm, PHL Food & Shops, opened Penn’s Landing Market between Terminals B and C on April 1, 2026. The new shop blends a newsstand and gift store, offering travel essentials alongside a curated selection of more...
New allergen disclosure laws in California and New York are set to reshape menu transparency for restaurants in 2026. California’s Senate Bill 68, effective July 1, requires chains with 20 or more locations to list the nine major allergens on...
Wellness tourism is evolving to embed skincare rituals as core travel experiences. Travelers increasingly seek coastal and humid destinations that naturally support skin hydration while reducing stress. Brands like Plu Laboratories offer science‑backed botanical products that enable consistent routines on...

United Airlines recorded a record 20.9 million long‑haul passengers in 2025, a 6.6 % rise, but those flights made up only 11.5 % of its total traffic. Analysis of Department of Transportation data shows ten long‑haul routes with load factors below 55 %, six...

Hotel Montalembert, a historic boutique property in Paris’s 7th arrondissement, is touted as the premier lodging choice for Paris Fashion Week. Its Art Deco façade sits just an eight‑minute walk from the Musée d’Orsay and the main runway venues, placing guests...