Hotels News and Headlines
Hotels News and Headlines
Hotels Pulse
EMAIL DIGESTS
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EMAIL DIGESTS
Daily
Every morning
Weekly
Tuesday recap
Hanam’s mayor Lee Hyun‑jae hosted Eric Trump to showcase the city’s K‑Star World, a 900,000‑square‑meter entertainment complex aimed at turning the Seoul suburb into a K‑pop tourism hub. The plan includes a five‑star hotel, a performance arena, film studios and a potential Trump‑branded golf resort, echoing Las Vegas‑style destination development. By courting the Trump Organization and other international partners, Hanam hopes to accelerate investment and global visibility without involving national diplomatic channels. The initiative reflects a broader shift toward pop‑culture‑driven, experience‑focused tourism in Asia.
Air Tahiti Nui announced Lionel Guérin as its new chief executive officer, effective February 11, 2026. Guérin, a former deputy CEO of Air France and founder of Airlinair, brings extensive airline restructuring experience to the Pacific carrier. The airline, which...
Saudi Arabia’s Future Aviation Forum (FAF) returned to Riyadh, showcasing rapid aviation growth and Vision 2030 ambition. The 2024 edition logged more than 100 agreements worth $20 billion, positioning FAF alongside ICAO Assemblies and the Dubai Airshow. Passenger traffic rose 9.6% in...
Blanc de Blanc Uncorked, an adults‑only champagne‑themed cabaret on Carnival Encounter, was marketed as a premium ticketed alternative to traditional cruise entertainment. The reviewer gave it a one‑star verdict, citing a lack of artistic merit, reliance on shock value, forced...
ALG Vacations unveiled its 2026 event calendar, a purpose‑driven lineup designed to match travel advisors’ business goals, market focus, and development stages. The schedule mixes elite revenue‑tier retreats, large‑scale educational fam trips, the WAVEMAKER networking gathering, and new Kindness and...
AI‑driven hotel booking systems are reshaping the travel value chain, shifting decision‑making from travelers to algorithms. China’s super‑app ecosystem—exemplified by Xiaohongshu and Douyin—offers a live preview of this transformation, integrating discovery, trust signals, and instant booking within a single platform....
Norfolk International Airport (ORF) released its January passenger traffic figures, reporting roughly 1.2 million enplanements—a 3% increase year‑over‑year and about 5% above the five‑year average. The growth was led by a resurgence in leisure travel to Florida and a modest rebound...
Portillo’s announced Brett Patterson as its new president and chief executive officer, effective Feb. 23, 2026, replacing interim CEO Michael Miles Jr. Patterson arrives from Miller’s Ale House Restaurants after more than a decade in restaurant management, including stints at Olive Garden, Ruby...
IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed a deal to develop the 480‑acre Six Senses Camp Korongo resort and residential community near Kanab, Utah, with an expected opening in 2029. The project will feature 41 luxury tented pavilions and 12 branded residences,...
First Hospitality has created a dedicated global sales office led by newly appointed Managing Director‑Global Sales Lance Hornecker. The move adds seasoned sales talent, including Amanda Stredney and Kate Westover, to support group, corporate, meetings, events, leisure and travel‑industry demand...
The National Restaurant Association projects 2026 sales to hit a record $1.55 trillion, marking the most data‑rich year in the sector’s history. Operators face rising food and labor costs, prompting a shift toward AI‑driven kitchen automation, robotics for back‑of‑house tasks, and...
Dreamscape Hospitality has taken over management of two Holiday Inn properties in Stevens Point, Wisconsin – the full‑service Convention Center hotel and the Express & Suites. Together the hotels offer 215 guestrooms, more than 38,000 square feet of flexible meeting...
Hyatt Hotels reported a 4% comparable system‑wide RevPAR increase in Q4 2025, the strongest growth among luxury and upper‑upscale chains. All‑inclusive resort RevPAR surged 8.3% in the quarter and 8.6% for the full year, while net rooms expanded 7.3% YoY,...
Jacobs and PA Consulting have secured a four‑year extension from the UK Department for Transport to lead the National Security Science and Research (NSSR) programme. The consortium, which also includes QinetiQ, TNO, Iconal Technology, Cambridge University Technical Services and Prometheus...
JetBlue was held liable after a passenger’s vintage Louis Vuitton bag was ripped during a domestic flight, invoking U.S. Code of Federal Regulations that mandates a minimum $4,700 liability per passenger for baggage damage. The airline initially stalled the claim,...
Four Seasons Hotel Toronto has retained its Forbes Travel Guide Five‑Star Hotel and Five‑Star Spa ratings, marking the sixth consecutive year of the property’s 10‑Star distinction. The hotel is now one of only four Five‑Star hotels in Toronto and one...
Chicago released a two‑minute animation unveiling the $1.3 billion Concourse D, part of the ORDNext terminal redevelopment. The new concourse, designed by SOM, Ross Barney, Juan Gabriel Moreno Architects and Arup, will feature 19 flexible gates, skylit multi‑level spaces, lounges, retail and landscaped views of...
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has launched its first Vietnamese property, Fairmont Hanoi, a luxury hotel in the city’s Old Quarter. The 241‑room hotel features 38 Fairmont Gold rooms, 12 suites, and a flagship Presidential Suite blending Art Deco and Vietnamese...
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) launched an Early Bag Check service on February 11, allowing travelers to drop off luggage before reaching the terminal. The free service, operated by Bags, is available for domestic flights on Alaska, American, Delta, Frontier,...
Elegancia MEP, a subsidiary of Estithmar Holding, secured the contract to deliver mechanical, electrical, plumbing (MEP) and extra low voltage (ELV) systems for Damascus International Airport’s Terminal 2. The scope includes HVAC, power distribution, fire‑fighting, surveillance, control and plumbing installations designed...
Buffalo Wild Wings teamed with Grammy‑winning artist T‑Pain to launch a brand‑specific anthem, “Let’s Go Buffalo Wild (A Pick 6 Love Song),” promoting its new Pick 6 Meal for Two. The meal bundle, priced at $19.99 nationally, includes two entrées, two sides,...
Heathrow has appointed ABM to run its assistance service for passengers with access needs across Terminals 2‑5, deploying a team of more than 1,600 staff. The contract leverages ABM’s proprietary, Disability Rights UK‑accredited training programmes and a technology‑enhanced service model. ABM will...
Guernsey is reshaping its tourism model by courting high‑value, experience‑driven visitors rather than chasing mass arrivals. The island leans on its WWII heritage, coastal walks, and boutique gastronomy to attract mature UK couples and a growing French ferry market. Yet...
Air Canada announced a firm order for eight Airbus A350‑1000 wide‑body jets, citing the aircraft’s 9,000‑nautical‑mile range and 25% lower fuel burn as key efficiency drivers. The purchase enables new nonstop routes to Southeast Asia, India and Australia. It arrives...
Capella Hotel Group has launched its 95‑key Capella at Galaxy Macau, joining the resort’s elite line‑up alongside Raffles and The Ritz‑Carlton. The property showcases jungle‑inspired design, with suites ranging from 128 sqm apartments to 700 sqm penthouses that include private indoor plunge...
In this episode, Zafeiris Akranis, President of Philly’s Best Steak Co., explains how hand‑trimmed beef and chicken boost operator profitability by delivering consistent yields, reducing labor, and eliminating gristle that slows service. He shares the company’s origin story—from a family...
Mora Group, launched in July 2024, now operates six hotels across Surabaya, Yogyakarta and Banjarbaru while developing six additional projects in Indonesia. The company will open new properties in Ciwidey (April) and Palu (November) and has pipeline projects in Jakarta,...
Agoda has launched the "Hat Yai Lights Up" campaign to revive tourism in Southern Thailand’s Hat Yai after last year’s flooding. Partnering with the Hat Yai Songkhla Hotels Association, the initiative runs through March 2, 2026 and offers hotel discounts, a curated...
Ascott is shifting its sustainability focus from guest‑facing gestures to system‑level operational improvements, targeting cooling efficiency, refrigerant discipline, and maintenance quality. The 2024 CarbonClear Initiative standardises energy audits and sets property‑level targets, using utility data and sub‑metering for verification. These...
Scenic Group launched Scenic & Emerald Rewards, a global loyalty programme that merges its Scenic Club and EmeraldEXPLORER schemes into a single platform covering cruises, yachts, and escorted land journeys. The new system consolidates existing status points, introduces a four‑tier...
Swedavia, Sweden’s state‑owned airport operator, unveiled a green‑bond framework to fund airport infrastructure through public‑private partnerships. The model ties financing to ESG criteria, requiring projects such as terminals, car parks and people movers to meet strict environmental standards, often incorporating...
Hong Kong‑based Cathay Pacific has appointed Spafax as its exclusive media sales representative, consolidating advertising sales across its omni‑channel ecosystem. The agreement gives Spafax control over inflight entertainment, onboard publications, digital platforms and experiential formats on more than 200 routes....
Bradley International Airport has reopened its sole Escape Lounge after a comprehensive remodel. The renovation, led by CAVU, adds several thousand square feet, an expanded menu featuring local flavors, and longer operating hours to serve more passengers. Airport officials highlighted...
The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation awarded International Shoppes (iShoppes) a 10‑year contract to operate retail and in‑bond duty‑free concessions at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) and Kahului Airport (OGG). The deal replaces DFS, which is exiting after 63 years,...
Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers announced Todd Paladini as its inaugural chief information officer. Paladini, a veteran with over two decades leading IT for brands like Cafe Rio and Cinemark, will oversee modernization of the chain’s technology infrastructure. The hire...
Currito, the Cincinnati‑based fast‑casual bowl chain, will open 11 new restaurants across the Midwest and Mid‑Atlantic in 2026, following a record year that saw 25 franchise units sold in the past 18 months. The expansion targets markets such as Dayton,...
Caribbean hotels are confronting escalating climate threats, prompting a shift toward resilient architecture, nature‑based defenses, and renewable energy systems. Operators are integrating solar PV, battery storage, and micro‑grids to slash energy costs, while water‑wise technologies and circular waste solutions reduce...
H&H and Aman Group have unveiled Janu Dubai, a 1.3 million‑square‑foot mixed‑use tower in Dubai’s DIFC. Designed by Herzog & de Meuron, the development combines a 150‑room hotel, 57 branded residences—including a 11,323 ft² triplex penthouse—and premium office, retail, and club spaces. High ceilings, expansive...
Future Travel Experience (FTE) announced Max Gosney as its new Managing Director, adding 15 years of aviation media and events expertise. Gosney previously served as Portfolio Director and Conference Chairman at Mark Allen Group, overseeing Ground Handling International and MA...
Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport unveiled a new 21,000‑square‑foot Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) facility, Station 92, on February 6. The modern station replaces the older unit and joins two existing fire stations, providing round‑the‑clock coverage for the airport. Featuring six...
Three restaurant operators—Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, CEC Entertainment and Starbucks—have each added senior technology executives to accelerate digital transformation and scale operations. Freddy’s appointed its first CIO, Todd Paladini, to unify franchisee systems, while CEC promoted Nathan Hunstable to...
The Oberoi Group has launched its inaugural luxury residence, Naila Fort, a meticulously restored 1849 heritage fort near Jaipur. Set on a hilltop overlooking the Aravalli range, the property blends Rajasthan’s historic architecture with contemporary comforts and curated artworks. Executives...
Peter Piper Pizza operates about 115 restaurants across Arizona, Texas, New Mexico and northern Mexico, offering a $10.99 all‑you‑can‑eat lunch buffet aimed at workers, families and budget‑conscious diners. Chief marketing officer Genaro Perez emphasizes targeting different demographics at various times...
Toronto Pearson International Airport has been named to Forbes Canada’s Best Employers 2026 list for the third straight year, climbing five spots to rank 102nd among the nation’s top 300 workplaces. It is the only airport featured in the ranking,...
Dubai’s new Woohoo restaurant places an AI persona, Chef Aiman, at the heart of its dining experience, orchestrating lighting, large‑scale LED visuals and spatial audio. The venue uses Vivid Studio’s SP Grid platform as a low‑code control brain that links...
Heathrow Airport logged its busiest January on record, moving 6.5 million passengers – a rise of more than 2 % versus January 2025. The hub introduced new security lanes across all terminals while maintaining its reputation as Europe’s most punctual airport. Passenger...
Brussels South Charleroi Airport has completed a multi‑year airfield lighting overhaul, replacing roughly 200 km of underground cabling and installing 2,650 LED fixtures. About 95% of the runway lighting is now LED, slashing power demand from roughly 152 kW to 25 kW –...
Al‑Ula International Airport in Saudi Arabia has become the Middle East’s first fully remote air traffic control facility, with controllers operating from a centre in Jeddah 550 km away. The digital tower uses high‑definition cameras, sensors and a 4K 360° videowall...
LeBlanc + Smith, a New Orleans hospitality group, has launched The Chloe boutique hotel in Nashville. Housed in two restored 1920s Craftsman cottages that once housed Asylum Records, the property offers 19 guest rooms, an all‑day restaurant, three bars, a...
Airports are seeing passenger growth but aeronautical revenues are constrained by regulation and taxation, prompting a shift toward non‑aeronautical income. Justin Erbacci of ACI World warns that traditional funding will fall short for the capital‑intensive decarbonisation agenda, recommending public‑private partnerships...
