First Watch Cuts Its COO
First Watch announced the termination of Chief Operations Officer Dan Jones, part of a broader restructuring of its operations leadership. Jones, who joined around the 2021 IPO, oversaw the chain’s expansion from 435 to 633 restaurants by 2025. The company emphasized that its strategy and long‑term priorities remain unchanged, with the operations team now reporting directly to President and CEO Chris Tomasso. Simultaneously, First Watch is searching for a successor to CFO Mel Hope, who will retire after a replacement is found.
Dubai Throws Hotels a Lifeline as Iran War Devastates Tourism
Dubai announced a AED 1 billion ($272 million) relief package for hotels and tourism operators as the Iran war slashes visitor numbers. The scheme defers government, sales and tourism dirham fees for three months, starting April 1, 2026, to shore up liquidity. Crown Prince Sheikh...
Star Alliance Welcomes ITA Airways as Lufthansa Group — But Eurowings Is Not
ITA Airways officially joined Star Alliance on April 1, becoming the network’s 26th member and linking its Rome and Milan hubs to more than 1,150 destinations in 190 countries. The airline adds over 350 daily flights and serves roughly 16 million...
The Making of a Drive-Thru Record
Almost a quarter‑century ago, a McDonald’s in Cheyenne, Wyoming, set a drive‑thru benchmark by serving more than 400 cars in a single hour. The feat was achieved through relentless process obsession and a suite of emerging technologies that streamlined order...
Sysco Makes a Huge Play for More Local Restaurants
Sysco announced a $29 billion cash‑and‑stock acquisition of Jetro Restaurant Depot, adding a network that serves roughly 725,000 local restaurants. The deal gives Sysco a foothold in the cash‑and‑carry segment, which it currently does not participate in, and is expected to...
Firehouse Subs Sweetens Franchise Incentives
Firehouse Subs has rolled out an expanded Development Incentive Program through 2028, offering $75,000 for opening a single restaurant and $100,000 for two or more. New tiers such as the 10‑in‑2, Grow A‑Gain and Accelerated Market incentives add bonuses up to...
DoorDash Invests in EV Startup with Plans to Automate More Deliveries
DoorDash is investing in Also’s $200 million Series C round and launching a multi‑year partnership to develop autonomous electric‑vehicle delivery units. The collaboration builds on DoorDash’s earlier Dot robot rollout and aims to create purpose‑built, small EVs that can navigate bike lanes...
Accent Inns and Hotel Zed Strengthen Executive Team
Accent Inns Inc., the parent of Accent Inns, Hotel Zed and ROAR, announced two senior hires: Rachel Johns as Vice‑President of Marketing, Sales and Revenue, and Jeff Hope as Vice‑President of Finance. The new VP, Marketing, Sales and Revenue role consolidates...
Western Sydney Appoints Lagardère AWPL as Duty Free Operator
French‑based Lagardère AWPL has been awarded the duty‑free and travel‑essentials concession at Western Sydney International Airport for the next ten years. The operator will manage roughly 3,100 m² of retail space, including 1,900 m² dedicated to duty‑free and 1,200 m² for travel essentials...
How Nimbus Is Revolutionizing Aviation Operations
WiseAero unveiled Nimbus, an AI‑powered aviation assistant that consolidates flight‑preparation tasks into a single mobile platform. The solution automates landing‑permit acquisition, coordinates ground services, and provides real‑time aircraft tracking. By centralising these functions, Nimbus promises faster turnarounds and reduced manual...
Queensway to Transform City Office Building Into 239-Bed Hotel
Queensway has obtained planning permission to convert the 75,000 sq ft office at 29 Clements Lane into a 239‑room hotel in the City of London. The retrofit‑first scheme will retain the building’s structure, restore the original lightwell, and aim for a BREEAM...
UK: CAA Publishes Initial Proposals for Heathrow H8 Price Cap
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has released initial proposals to cap Heathrow Airport’s passenger fees for the H8 regulatory period (2027‑2031) at £27.70‑£30.50 per passenger (approximately $35.5‑$39.0). The midpoint of the range, £28.80 (about $36.90), is a modest £0.40...
FastCasual Opens Nominations for 2026 'Perfect Pitch'
FastCasual has opened nominations for its 12th‑annual Perfect Pitch competition, inviting emerging fast‑casual brands to pitch for a national spotlight. Entrants have until June 8, 2026 to apply, and the live showdown will run Oct. 4‑6 at the Fast Casual Executive Summit in...
'Don't Go Viral without This System:' Keynote to Reveal Growth Framework at Restaurant Marketing Workshop
The Restaurant Marketing Workshop returns to Boston June 2‑3, 2026, featuring a keynote by Salad House CMO David “Rev” Ciancio titled “Don’t Go Viral Without This System.” Ciancio will reveal the growth frameworks that brands like Dave’s Hot Chicken use to convert...
Sociability: The Accessibility App Making Money for Hospitality Venues Across the UK
The UK accessibility app Sociability is helping hospitality venues generate new revenue streams by integrating inclusive design features that benefit both disabled and non‑disabled patrons. Parallel social‑enterprise initiatives are gaining traction: disability advocates stress universal design, TERN supports refugee entrepreneurs...
Indonesia and Japan Seal First Bilateral Tourism Agreement
Indonesia and Japan signed a Memorandum of Cooperation on tourism on March 30 in Tokyo, marking the first formal bilateral framework between the two nations. The pact targets business events, wellness tourism, gastronomy and sustainable tourist villages, aiming to deepen...
Zipair Targets Fleet Expansion as It Builds Tech-Driven Low-Cost Model
Japanese low‑cost carrier Zipair plans to more than double its Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner fleet, increasing from eight aircraft to over 20 within four years. The airline, which launched in 2020, emphasizes a technology‑enabled model featuring free Starlink internet, an on‑demand...
Mimaru to Open Two Apartment-Style Hotels in Osaka in 2026
Mimaru, operated by Cosmos Hotel Management, will launch two apartment‑style hotels in Osaka in September and October 2026, adding 66 and 68 rooms respectively. The properties target families and groups with 40 m² rooms featuring kitchens, multilingual staff from 39 nationalities,...
Airalo Partners Busan to Provide eSIM Services for International Visitors
Airalo has signed a letter of intent with Busan Metropolitan City to distribute 100,000 free eSIM vouchers and launch destination‑specific eSIM packages for international visitors. The partnership also includes discounted eSIMs for Busan residents traveling abroad, joint marketing campaigns, and...
Millennium Hotels and Resorts Names CCO to Steer Brand and Commercial Strategy
Millennium Hotels and Resorts, a Hong Leong Group subsidiary of City Developments, appointed Cinn Tan as its chief commercial officer. Tan, who joined in January 2026, will steer global branding, marketing, loyalty, sales, revenue management and digital platforms. She brings over three decades of...
Morpheus Research Report Alleges 'Anti-Competitive' Practices by MakeMyTrip Despite CCI Order
Morpheus Research released a report accusing MakeMyTrip of continuing anti‑competitive price‑parity practices despite a 2022 Competition Commission of India fine of $26 million. The activist short‑seller alleges the platform uses an internal “price competitiveness score” to indirectly enforce parity, while also...
Hong Kong: A City of Moments” Featuring Lola Hubner
Travel commerce platform BYRDLI announced its first international destination partnership in Asia, launching a Hong Kong‑focused Travel Club with Australian creator Lola Hubner. Hubner built a fully bookable itinerary in real time, showcasing the city as both a 48‑hour stop‑over and a...
Marriott’s 39th Brand: A Two-Property Italian Wellness Resort
Marriott announced a joint venture with Italy’s Lefay Resorts to launch its 39th brand, marking the company’s first dedicated wellness label. The partnership brings Lefay’s two boutique resorts—one on Lake Garda and another in the Dolomites—under Marriott’s long‑term management while...
FROM £1,000: Etihad Business Class Flight Deals Still Available Across Asia, Maldives, Australia
Etihad is extending its ultra‑low‑priced business‑class fares across Asia, the Maldives and Australia, with return tickets as low as £1,073 ($1,360) from Europe and €1,217 ($1,340) from Dublin. The deals, valid through June, require a stopover in Abu Dhabi and...
IHG Introduces Voco Scenia Bay Nha Trang to Vietnam's Stunning Central Coastline
IHG Hotels & Resorts opened voco Scenia Bay Nha Trang in March 2026, marking its third voco property in Vietnam. The 31‑storey, 250‑room beachfront hotel sits in Nha Trang’s new northern coastal precinct, just ten minutes from Tran Phu Street....
Beyond Aggregator Dependency: How Balancing Your Channels Turns Into a Strategic Advantage. A Practical Framework
Restaurants are rethinking reliance on third‑party delivery aggregators as commissions climb above 30% and data walls limit customer insights. A new framework advises brands to treat aggregators as acquisition tools while building intuitive direct channels that capture up to 60%...
“It’s a Kitchen that Cares About the Details”: Two Chefs Join Sheraton Sydney
Sheraton Grand Hyde Park in Sydney has added two chefs to its culinary leadership team to boost the profile of its flagship restaurant, Sydney Common. Chef Allen Varghese joins as executive sous chef and concept lead, bringing Michelin‑starred experience and a...
Indian Airport Concessions Set to Restart; Bangalore Airport to Join the Fray as a Bidder?
India is preparing the third tranche of airport concessions, targeting smaller regional hubs that will be bundled with larger, more attractive airports to create compelling packages for bidders. The government hopes lessons from the 2006 and 2020‑21 rounds will streamline...
Collette Debuts ‘University 201’ Training for Advisors
Collette has launched Collette University 201, an expanded self‑paced training platform for travel advisors. The curriculum is split into two tracks—one for advisors with five or more years of experience and another for newcomers. New modules covering brand storytelling, product...
Is the Middle-Class Traveler Disappearing - or Just Being Priced Out?
Travel recovery is increasingly uneven, with luxury and upscale hotels maintaining strong pricing while average daily rates remain above pre‑pandemic levels for mid‑range properties. This price pressure is squeezing middle‑class travelers, prompting shorter trips, off‑peak bookings and greater reliance on...
The Ritz-Carlton Opens Hotel in Wuhan’s Yuexiu Global Financial Center Tower
The Ritz‑Carlton has launched its first hotel in central China, occupying the 48th floor and above of Wuhan’s 330‑metre‑tall Yuexiu Global Financial Center Tower. The 204‑room property features a 270 sq m suite, a rooftop bar, Cantonese restaurant, and a sky‑high spa...
Marriott Opens Four Points by Sheraton São Vicente Resort in Cape Verde
Marriott International has opened the Four Points by Sheraton São Vicente Resort, its first hotel in Cape Verde and the 500th select‑service property in the Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) region. The 127‑room resort sits above Laginha Beach in Mindelo and...
Strong Demand, Weak Margins: The New Reality of Hotel Performance in 2026
U.S. hotels are seeing occupancy and ADR hold steady, even surpassing pre‑pandemic RevPAR in many markets. Yet operating expenses—especially labor, energy and insurance—are climbing, squeezing profit margins. Industry leaders such as Marriott and Hilton are pivoting from pure revenue growth...
AAT Kings Is Rewarding Top-Performing Trade Partners With Exclusive Tour
AAT Kings is relaunching its A‑LISTERS ON LOCATION incentive, rewarding top‑performing travel agents who book guided holidays and short breaks between Jan. 1 and July 31, 2026 for travel departing by March 31, 2027. Two agents per region will be selected based on highest passenger...
Interesting (To Me): American Admirals Clubs Are Getting Citi Branding
American Airlines will begin displaying Citi branding at the entrances of its Admirals Club lounges starting in April 2026, beginning with locations in Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles and Miami. The move expands the exclusive credit‑card partnership between American and Citi,...
Garrett Nicholson, Google
Google has appointed Garrett Nicholson to head its Global Food Ordering Partnerships within the Search and Gemini Partnerships team. Nicholson brings 13 years of experience at Google, spanning Ads, Commerce, and Search, and a two‑year stint in sales at IAC....
Francesca Aquino, Science on Call
Francesca Aquino, VP of Solutions & AI Transformation at Science On Call, oversees support operations and AI‑driven automation for the company’s 24/7, platform‑agnostic restaurant technology support service. The service now covers more than 1,000 U.S. restaurant locations, integrating with major...
British Airways Partners with Audible to Enhance IFE with Brand-New Audiobook and Podcast Offerings
British Airways has teamed up with Audible to embed more than 250 hours of free audiobooks and podcasts into its long‑haul inflight entertainment system. The curated library spotlights British talent, featuring titles such as the full‑cast Harry Potter edition and...
TAP Air Portugal Selects New JFK Terminal 6 for Future Operations
TAP Air Portugal announced it will relocate its JFK operations to the new Terminal 6, slated for a phase‑one opening in 2026. The boutique terminal, part of the Port Authority’s $19 billion JFK transformation, will feature ten gates—nine for wide‑body aircraft—and a...
Shining Bright: Norwegian Luna Celebrates Its Official Christening
Norwegian Cruise Line christened its newest Prima Plus vessel, Norwegian Luna, at Port Miami, positioning it as a flagship for the line’s Freestyle cruising model. The 3,565-passenger ship boasts family‑focused amenities such as the Aqua Slidecoaster, Moon Climber, and Luna...
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ResortPass Coupon Code: 20% Off in March 2026
ResortPass lets travelers purchase day passes to luxury hotels for as little as $25, granting access to rooftop pools, spas and day rooms without an overnight stay. The service operates across North America and the Caribbean and partners with brands...
Malta Tourism Authority Showcases Luxury & MICE Excellence Across North America Roadshow
The Malta Tourism Authority wrapped up a three‑city North America roadshow in New York, Chicago and Toronto, targeting luxury‑travel advisors and MICE professionals. The timing aligns with Delta’s new nonstop JFK‑Malta service launching June 7, offering direct access for high‑end...
Trafalgar Adds New Tools And Savings For Family Travel
Trafalgar is targeting the booming family‑travel market for Summer 2026 with discounts of up to $1,500 per child on select tours departing June through August. The price cut translates to $100 per day per youngster and can be combined with...
UN Tourism Pushes Global Food Waste Action Through “Recipe of Change” Initiative
UN Tourism and UNEP have launched the “Recipe of Change” initiative to cut food waste across the tourism sector. The program unites companies serving more than 600 million guests and generating over $56.5 billion in revenue, committing them to measure and reduce...
United Airlines Adds Godiva Chocolate To First Class Service
United Airlines will serve Godiva chocolate to passengers in domestic first‑class cabins on flights longer than 901 miles throughout April, marking the Belgian chocolatier’s 100‑year anniversary. The chocolates are presented during the pre‑arrival service, about 90 minutes before landing, on...
Jamaica Tourism Minister Heads to Washington for High-Level Four-Day Engagement
Jamaica’s Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett will spend four days in Washington, D.C., from April 7‑10 to strengthen ties with U.S. travel advisors, policymakers, and financiers. The agenda features a book launch on tourism crisis resilience, a distinguished lecture at George Washington...
Four Ways To See Barbados With O2 Beach Club & Spa
O2 Beach Club & Spa, part of Ocean Hotels Group Barbados, now offers four curated island tours that go beyond its beachfront amenities. The itineraries—Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary, Island Discovery, Nature’s Hearts, and Heritage Escape—combine wildlife spotting, historic sites, and...
Atlas Ocean Voyages Transitions to an All-Suite Fleet
Atlas Ocean Voyages announced an industry‑first all‑suite fleet that will launch on April 2, 2026. The new model introduces a three‑tier suite hierarchy—Signature, the newly created Concierge, and premium Reserve—across all ships. Concierge suites debut on World Navigator, followed by World Voyager...
Eagle County Regional Airport Selected as Host of TakeOff North America 2027
Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE) has been chosen to host TakeOff North America 2027, the premier forum for domestic aviation route development. The selection follows a record‑breaking year, with winter capacity exceeding 330,000 seats—a 13% increase year‑on‑year—and over 30 daily...
Best Practices in 2026 for Workers’ Comp: A Smarter Playbook for New York Restaurants
The Friedlander Group promotes a New York Workers’ Compensation Safety Group for restaurants, bars and nightclubs that can slash premiums by as much as 57% through group discounts and dividend payouts. Since 1993 members have saved $244 million, with recent dividends...