ACI World Report Shows Revenue Lag
Airports Council International’s 2024 Airport Economics Report shows global passenger traffic rose to 9.4 billion, a 4% increase over pre‑pandemic levels, yet total airport revenue slipped to $194.9 billion, 2.1% below 2019 earnings. Aeronautical income remains 3% under 2019 figures and is expected to recover in 2025, while non‑aeronautical revenue lags 9% behind and won’t rebound until mid‑2026. Return on invested capital improved to 6.3% but stays beneath the weighted average cost of capital, highlighting ongoing financial strain.
Cruise News You Can’t Miss: Dining, Destinations & Beach Upgrades
Royal Caribbean is upgrading public beach access at its Royal Beach Club in Cozumel, adding a new pathway to improve safety, signage and lighting under its SEA the Future sustainability program. Hapag‑Lloyd Cruises will launch ten Indian Ocean expedition voyages...
Indy Airport’s New Dublin Flight Marks Lucky First Year
Aer Lingus celebrated one year of nonstop service between Indianapolis and Dublin, a route launched in May 2025 that has quickly become popular with both leisure and business travelers. In its first year the airline operated over 300 flights and...
Fat Brands Could Sell Its Assets
Fat Brands, burdened by over $1 billion in debt, has filed a Chapter 11 motion to market and sell all or part of its assets, setting an April 3 deadline for non‑binding indications of interest. The company is pursuing debtor‑in‑possession financing and remains...
Outrigger Names Steve Nickerson VP, Operations – The Americas
Outrigger Hospitality Group has appointed Steve Nickerson as Vice President of Operations for the Americas. In his new role, Nickerson will supervise hotel operations across the region, driving service excellence, financial results, and alignment with brand standards. He arrives from...
HHP Acquires Hilton DFW Lakes Executive Conference Center
Highline Hospitality Partners (HHP) has purchased the Hilton DFW Lakes Executive Conference Center, a 397‑room hotel on 29 lakeside acres near Dallas‑Fort Worth International Airport. The acquisition expands HHP’s portfolio to 18 hotels, more than 5,000 rooms and roughly $1.5 billion...
F&B Is a Recipe for Success
Hotel food and beverage (F&B) has evolved from a basic amenity to a strategic differentiator that shapes a property’s identity and profitability. Curated dining concepts, entertainment, and experiential programming turn hotels into destinations that attract both travelers and local patrons....
How to Buy Avios for Just 1.3¢ Each Through March 30
Finnair has relaunched its Avios promotion, offering Plus members up to a 40% discount that brings the price down to roughly 1.3¢ per Avios through March 30, 2026. Members can buy a maximum of 200,000 Avios annually, with the deepest discount applied...
How to Manage Construction Waste During Hotel Renovations
Renovations refresh hotel rooms but create significant construction waste, from drywall to wood and packaging. A structured waste assessment, sorting stations, and disciplined procurement can curb landfill disposal and lower costs. Aligning waste strategies with ESG goals turns compliance into...
LBA Hospitality Adds Two Hotels in Mississippi to Portfolio
LBA Hospitality has added two Hilton Garden Inn properties in Mississippi— a 90‑room hotel in Hattiesburg and a 70‑room hotel in Biloxi—to its management portfolio. The Hattiesburg addition expands LBA’s presence in a market where it already operates two hotels,...
El Pollo Loco Adds Big Experiences to Loyalty Program
El Pollo Loco is enhancing its Loco Rewards loyalty program with new seasonal limited‑time offers, early access to menu items, personalized promotions, and exclusive experiences. A partnership with Coca‑Cola adds a contest where members purchasing two combos by April 9 can...
Taco Bell Adds Premium Chicken Quesadilla to Permanent Menu
Taco Bell announced the Cantina Chicken Rolled Quesadilla will join its permanent menu. The rolled quesadilla is priced at $6.69 and contains twice the chicken of the previous version, delivering higher protein per dollar. The rollout is paired with a...
SMARTLINEN Surpasses 60 Million Scans, Expanding Linen Intelligence
SMARTLINEN announced its linen intelligence network has exceeded 60 million item scans, highlighting rapid scaling across hotels, commercial laundries, and hospitality supply chains. The cloud‑based platform, combined with proprietary hardware, automatically tracks sheets, towels and other textiles, turning them into real‑time...
Saudi Arabia’s Tourism Bet Meets a World on Edge
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism recently shut 33 hospitality venues and fined dozens more, signaling a shift from rapid expansion to tighter governance. The Kingdom’s Vision 2030 tourism drive, which once aimed for 100 million visitors and now targets 150 million, is being...
Bristol Airport to Invest £10 Million Into New Energy Centre
British airport Bristol (BRS) announced a £10 million investment to build a new energy centre that will replace its gas boilers with air‑source heat pumps and an electric boiler. The modular facility will generate, store and distribute low‑carbon heat and cooling...
Hot Off the Press — March 2026
Hotel Business’s March 2026 issue spotlights food‑and‑beverage strategy, with Colicchio Consulting guiding hoteliers on menu and service planning. The cover story is complemented by a Central Perk sidebar and features on Morrissey Hospitality and the AI‑centric Otonomus Hotel in Las Vegas. Additional...
Lombok, Indonesia: The Island That Doesn’t Want to Be Bali
Indonesia is positioning Lombok as a sustainable alternative to Bali, emphasizing high‑value, low‑impact tourism. The government and private investors focus on quality visitors, eco‑resorts, and the Mandalika development anchored by a MotoGP circuit. Improved infrastructure, including a larger airport and...
Manchester Airport Introduces Shared Terminal Model Using Biometric Technology
Manchester Airport has rolled out a shared‑terminal model in Terminal 2, using biometric identity technology developed with Amadeus. The system lets domestic and international travelers use the same arrival and departure zones, automatically routing passengers based on their travel status. Early...
Ending March 31: Get 300k Lufthansa Miles, Lounge Access, a Fast Track to Hilton Diamond, and More via ASmallWorld
ASmallWorld is offering its Prestige membership at a 10% discount until March 31 2026 for €4,950 (≈$5,700). The tier grants 300,000 Lufthansa Miles & More miles, 1,600+ Priority Pass lounge accesses, a 90‑day Hilton Honors Diamond match, and elite status across several travel brands. At...
HB Exclusive: Enseo Introduces New Corporate Identity
Enseo, a 26‑year hotel technology provider, unveiled a new corporate identity to signal its strategic evolution from hardware manufacturer to an integrated software platform. The rebrand highlights a unified solution that merges in‑room entertainment, managed Wi‑Fi, marketing tools, property monitoring...
Show Coverage: Hotels Canada Conference 2026
The Hotels Canada conference unveiled a rebranding that unites over 8,300 properties under a modern identity, highlighting the sector’s $74 billion in assets, 300,000 jobs and $12 billion in annual government revenue. New strategic pillars focus on stronger advocacy, partnerships, future‑focused leadership...
The Accidental Franchisor: Eddie Flores Jr. Kicks Off Restaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit with Candid Look at L&L Hawaiian Barbecue
Eddie Flores Jr., the accidental franchisor of L&L Hawaiian Barbecue, recounted the brand’s evolution from a single Honolulu drive‑in in 1976 to more than 235 locations across the U.S. and overseas. The chain’s Hawaiian identity, low‑cost franchise fee and word‑of‑mouth marketing...
Fairmont Hotel Vancouver Welcomes New GM
Fairmont Hotel Vancouver has appointed Cole Millen as its new general manager. Millen, a Vancouver‑born hospitality professional, brings an MBA and extensive Fairmont experience, most recently leading the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald to its first Michelin One Key and Condé Nast Readers’ Choice...
Malta Broadens Tourism Strategy, Courting LGBTQ Americans and Chinese Travelers
Malta is expanding its tourism outreach by targeting two distinct segments: U.S. LGBTQ travelers attracted by the island’s progressive rights record, and high‑spending Chinese tourists drawn to its Mediterranean heritage and English‑speaking environment. The dual campaign blends Pride‑focused messaging with...
Germany’s Relentless Transport Strikes Disrupt Travel Nationwide
Germany’s transport sectors—aviation, rail and public transit—are experiencing a wave of strikes that have halted flights, trains and buses nationwide. The actions stem from unions demanding higher wages, better pensions and improved working conditions amid inflation and chronic staffing shortages....
How Sustainable Aviation Fuel Is Reshaping the Industry’s Path to Net Zero, One Gallon at a Time
Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is moving from niche to mainstream in business aviation, offering a drop‑in replacement that cuts lifecycle carbon emissions by 75‑80%. At NBAA‑BACE 2025, Avfuel and Bombardier highlighted that a 30:70 SAF‑jet fuel blend delivers significant emissions...
BBGA Launches Future Flight Working Group in 50th Anniversary Year
British Business and General Aviation Association (BBGA) announced a new Future Flight working group during its 50th‑anniversary conference. The group will focus on urban and regional air mobility, providing member consultation, regulator outreach, and technology integration. Led by BBGA vice‑chair...
Capstone Jet Charter Launches Advisory-Led Brokerage Backed by Guardian Jet
Capstone Jet Charter has launched an on‑demand charter brokerage that emphasizes advisory evaluation over a simple aircraft marketplace. Led by veteran Victoria Reina‑Duffy and backed by Guardian Jet, the firm vets operators, maintenance records, and mission suitability before recommending flights....
Tourplan Welcomes New Chief Technology Officer
Tourplan, a provider of software solutions for tour operators and destination management companies, announced the appointment of Eduard Liebenberger as its new chief technology officer. Liebenberger arrives with more than 25 years of technology leadership experience across New Zealand, Australia, Germany,...
Signature Aviation Opens New Private Terminal at Glasgow Airport
Signature Aviation inaugurated a 433 sq m private aviation terminal at Glasgow Airport on March 16, featuring an expanded lounge, VIP area, meeting space, showers and a dedicated screening room. The opening ceremony included senior executives from both companies and highlighted charitable donations...
Talon Air Adopts MySky Platform to Support Fleet Growth
Talon Air, a New York‑based charter and management operator, has adopted MySky’s AI‑powered financial automation platform to streamline its accounting and sales functions as it expands its fleet. The company added 12 aircraft in 2025, bringing its managed fleet to...
Brazil Is Poised for Interesting Market Dynamics in 2026 as Its Aviation Sector Enters a New Era
Brazil’s aviation sector is entering a new era in 2026 as its three largest carriers—Azul, GOL and LATAM—have emerged from Chapter 11 restructurings, creating a more rational market landscape. The industry still wrestles with high fuel costs, extensive litigation and lingering...
Earning Points and Miles as a College Student: How to Do It and Why to Start While You’re Enrolled
College students can start earning travel rewards by using credit cards for tuition, rent, and everyday expenses. Strategic card selection—such as Citi Double Cash, Capital One Venture, or Bilt Rewards—lets them meet sign‑up bonuses while building credit. Leveraging shopping portals...
HotelTechReport Releases the 2026 HotelTechIndex™ Market Leaders Report, the Industry's Most Comprehensive Technology Ranking
HotelTechReport unveiled its 2026 HotelTechIndex Market Leaders Report, the most comprehensive hospitality‑technology ranking built on 80,921 verified reviews from hoteliers in 152 countries. The study introduces the inaugural Shift Index™ that isolates ten macro trends reshaping hotel‑tech adoption, alongside the...
United and Marriott Pitch Ad Strategies to Target Travelers on Plane and Hotel Screens
United Airlines and Marriott are urging advertisers to shift spend toward in‑flight and in‑room screens, arguing that travelers are most receptive while en route or staying at a destination. Both companies have built proprietary platforms—United’s Kinective Media and Marriott Media—that...
PHX To Offer Enhanced Passenger Processing
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport announced the rollout of Enhanced Passenger Processing for U.S. citizens arriving on international flights. The system, developed with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, uses photo‑matching technology to accelerate the CBP inspection process. Airport officials highlighted...
Audley Travel Rolls Out New Training for Advisors
Audley Travel has launched the Audley Academy, an online training academy for travel advisors that awards participants the Audley Ambassador accreditation. Graduates receive a comprehensive sales‑and‑marketing toolkit, a $100 bonus gift card, and ongoing newsletters with product updates. Advisors who...
Hyatt Unlocks Growth in the Southeast United States with Expanding Essentials Portfolio
Hyatt Hotels Corp. announced a Southeast expansion of its Essentials portfolio, adding more than 30 new select‑service properties—including Hyatt Studios, Select, Place, and House—representing roughly 4,000 rooms. The pipeline targets fast‑growing secondary markets in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, South Carolina...
One Airport’s Used Equipment Is Another’s Salvation
Amid a turbulent month for U.S. aviation, two airports turned to used equipment to solve operational challenges. Waukesha County Airport sourced snowplows, blowers and sweepers from Minneapolis‑St. Paul, while Salt Lake City International acquired surplus shuttle buses from Denver International....
What Makes SnowPo So Special
The Northeast Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives is hosting its 58th International Aviation Snow Symposium in Buffalo, NY, from April 24‑29. The conference blends practical, real‑world sessions with a volunteer‑driven, peer‑led format that emphasizes collaboration between airports,...
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20 Popeyes Restaurants Close Following Franchisee’s Bankruptcy
Sailormen Inc., one of Popeyes' largest franchisees, filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy in January, citing roughly $130 million in debt and mounting cost pressures. Since the filing, the company has shuttered 20 Popeyes restaurants across Florida and Georgia, reducing its portfolio to 116...
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CAVA Opens Its First Restaurant in Ohio as Part of Midwest Push
CAVA launched its first Ohio restaurant, a 3,200‑sq‑ft venue in Cincinnati’s Oakley Station, offering dine‑in, digital pickup and delivery. The opening extends the chain’s Midwest push that began with Chicago and continued into Indiana and Michigan. In 2025 CAVA added...
Regional Banks Are Lending on Hotels Again: What Middle-Market Borrowers Need to Know
Regional banks are re‑entering hotel financing, offering mid‑6% coupons and up to 70% loan‑to‑value on stabilized middle‑market assets. Deposit growth of roughly $900 billion since 2023 has restored banks' funding capacity, prompting a selective but aggressive lending approach. Compared with CMBS...
Intrepid Travel to Resume Egypt Small-Group Tours
Intrepid Travel will restart its small‑group tours to Egypt on April 1 after pausing operations due to regional airspace disruptions caused by the conflict. While tours to Egypt resume, trips to Jordan and Oman stay suspended until at least April 15. The...
Five London Hotels Capture 57% of AI Recommendations, Revenue Intelligence Embeds in PMS
Recent research shows five London luxury hotels captured 57% of AI-driven travel recommendations, highlighting a winner‑take‑all distribution model. Google’s AI Mode appears to prioritize OTA partners, limiting direct‑booking visibility for many properties. Meanwhile, RoomPriceGenie’s revenue‑intelligence now embeds directly into 15...
Portillo’s Hires Former Papa Johns Exec as Chief Development Officer
Portillo’s announced the appointment of Jennifer Pecoraro‑Striepling as its new chief development officer, bringing more than 25 years of multi‑unit restaurant development experience from brands like Papa Johns and Miller’s Ale House. The hire follows a recent slowdown in Portillo’s...
Trademark Collection by Wyndham Marks Milestone, Surpasses 100 U.S. Hotels
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts announced its Trademark Collection soft‑brand has surpassed 100 operating hotels in the United States. The portfolio has doubled in size over the past five years, bringing the global total to nearly 350 properties with another 100...
Palace Hotel Tokyo Awarded Industry-Leading GSTC Certification for Sustainability
Palace Hotel Tokyo has become the first Japanese‑owned and managed hotel to earn the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) certification, confirming compliance with 167 sustainability benchmarks. The hotel’s Eco‑Palace program integrates rigorous staff training, waste‑to‑compost initiatives, and a Sustainability Liaison...
How Certified Laundry Solutions Reduce Allergen Exposure in Hospitality Fabrics
Hospitality operators are turning to certified laundry detergents to dramatically lower allergen and chemical residue levels in linens, towels, and upholstery. The Asthma & Allergy Friendly Certification requires >95% allergen removal, non‑sensitizing ingredients, and VOC emissions below strict limits. When...
Walk-On’s to Open New Nashville Restaurant with Country Music Star Cole Swindell
Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux announced a new franchise partnership with Marriott franchisee Jamie Daniel of Daniel Hospitality and country music star Cole Swindell to open a Walk-On’s location on Broadway in Nashville, slated for 2027. The collaboration adds a high‑profile celebrity...