.jpg?width=1280&auto=webp&quality=80&disable=upscale)
Restaurants and Bars Lost Nearly 30K Jobs in February
The February 2026 jobs report showed U.S. employers shed 92,000 positions, pushing unemployment to 4.4%. Within hospitality, restaurants and bars shed nearly 30,000 jobs, marking the first monthly decline after eight straight gains. The loss is largely attributed to Winter Storm Fern, which disrupted operations in late January. Despite the dip, overall staffing in eating and drinking venues remains slightly above pre‑pandemic levels.
American Express Debuts Sidecar Lounge Concept at Las Vegas Airport
American Express has launched a new airport lounge concept called Sidecar at Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport. The pop‑up lounge, situated near Terminal 1, operates 24 hours a day and offers a pay‑per‑use model rather than a traditional membership. Travelers can access...
The Indigo Road Hospitality Group Opens Modern Italian Restaurant in Nashville
Indigo Road Hospitality Group has launched Indaco, a modern Italian restaurant in Nashville’s Germantown district. The venue seats 103 guests, features a street‑level patio, and offers a seasonally rotating menu of wood‑fired pizzas, hand‑rolled pastas, and locally sourced entrees curated...
Lou Malntati’s Signs Lease in St. Charles, Illinois
Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria has signed a lease for its 61st Chicagoland location in St. Charles, Illinois, slated to open in fall 2026. The 6,200‑square‑foot venue will feature a full‑service restaurant, bar, private dining, and outdoor patio with seating for about...
Nashville’s Present Tense Restaurant Reopens in New Space
Present Tense reopened March 6 in Nashville’s Wedgewood‑Houston neighborhood, moving into a deliberately intimate 40‑seat space with a dynamic patio. Co‑founders chef Ryan Costanza and sake sommelier Rick Margaritov pared the menu to about 12 dishes, offering both à la...
The Venetian Resort Las Vegas Announces Upcoming Debut of Lusso Lounge
The Venetian Resort Las Vegas will launch Lusso Lounge, a 10,000‑square‑foot executive lounge and collaborative business environment, in Q4 2026. The space sits on the third floor of the newly renovated convention center, part of a $188 million transformation announced in 2024....
Hawaii’s Mauna Kea Beach Hotel in Names Miguel Soto Chef De Cuisine of Hau Tree Cantina
The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel on Hawai‘i Island’s Kohala Coast has appointed Miguel Soto as Chef de Cuisine of its re‑imagined Hau Tree Cantina, shifting the beachfront venue toward contemporary regional Mexican cuisine. Soto, formerly sous chef at Four Seasons...
The Quail Resort in California Names Brandon Bollenbacher Executive Chef
The Quail Resort in Carmel Valley, California, has named Brandon Bollenbacher as its new Executive Chef. Bollenbacher arrives with more than 15 years of luxury hospitality experience, including leadership roles at Aman Resorts, Alila Hotels, and the Vespera Resort in...
Three Upcoming Events: World Water Day, Earth Hour, Earth Day
World Water Day on March 22 highlights the global water crisis, with Kalahari Resorts & Conventions reporting $12.3 million raised for clean‑water projects that have funded 1,476 initiatives and reached over 295,000 people in Africa. Earth Hour returns on March 28 for its...
Kuwait's Jazeera Airways Resumes Umrah Charters
Jazeera Airways has restarted Umrah charter flights to Saudi Arabia, routing them directly from Jeddah and Madinah to Russia after Kuwait’s airspace closed on Feb. 28 due to the Iran‑related war. The carrier is using three A320‑family aircraft that were...
RMS Announces Partnership With RoomPriceGenie
RMS announced an integration with RoomPriceGenie that embeds the startup’s new Revenue Intelligence capability directly into RMS’s property management system dashboard. The feature delivers real‑time pricing signals, demand forecasts and occupancy projections alongside core operational data, allowing hoteliers to view...
US: TPA to Streamline Passenger Experience This Spring Break
Tampa International Airport (TPA) is preparing for a Spring Break surge of roughly 3.1 million travelers between March 5 and April 13, with daily volumes reaching 75,000‑80,000 and a peak above 90,000 on March 22. To handle the influx, the airport is rolling out new...
EOS Hospitality Names Matt Kerver as SVP, Food & Beverage
EOS Hospitality has named Matt Kerver as senior vice president of food & beverage, tasking him with overseeing the chain’s culinary strategy and operations across its hotel portfolio. Kerver will work closely with property teams to boost outlet performance, develop...
Fairmont Grand Del Mar Completes Landscape Architecture Transformation
Design Workshop has finished a multi‑year landscape transformation at Fairmont Grand Del Mar, integrating the resort with the nearby Los Peñasquitos Canyon. New outdoor venues—including the Grand Social pavilion and Canyon Terrace—expand event capacity and guest gathering options. Patio extensions for...
How Measuring Return Visits Links Guest Experience to Profit
Guest experience is evolving from a soft metric to a core commercial driver, with repeat‑visit rates emerging as a critical performance indicator for hotels. The article argues that tracking repeat behavior alongside traditional satisfaction scores links experience directly to profit,...
Island Hospitality Adds TownePlace Suites in Nashville to Portfolio
Island Hospitality Management has been appointed to operate the new 193‑suite TownePlace Suites by Marriott Nashville Midtown. The property blends upscale extended‑stay features with an on‑site bar offering Nashville skyline views, a 24/7 fitness center, and 330 sq ft of meeting space....
Hilton Day Use Rooms: A Smart Travel Hack for Early Arrivals, Late Flights — and Earning Elite Nights
Hilton’s Day Use rate lets travelers book a room for a few hours instead of a full night, catering to early arrivals, late departures, or short‑term city breaks. The option is available across many Hilton brands without needing a logged‑in...
Raines Tapped to Manage Courtyard by Marriott Columbus
Raines Hospitality Group has been selected to manage the Courtyard by Marriott Columbus in Columbus, Mississippi. The 110‑key hotel, owned by Krish Hotel LLC after a December 2025 purchase, offers a Bistro, meeting spaces, pool, fitness center, and on‑site retail....
Introducing HD Expo + Conference’s Inaugural Curators
Hospitality Design’s HD Expo + Conference has launched its inaugural Curators, a hand‑picked education committee of 16 industry leaders spanning design, ownership, development and operations. The Curators will guide the 2026 education program, offering insight into pressing industry conversations and...
Hotel Distil, Autograph Collection, Announces Debut of Peerless Distilling Suite
Hotel Distil in Louisville has launched the Peerless Distilling Suite, an immersive bourbon‑themed accommodation created with Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co. The suite features Peerless branding, historic artifacts, a custom coffee blend crafted by Master Taster John Waddell, and a package...
Roommaster Appoints Mark Bloomquist As Chief Revenue Officer
Roommaster has named Mark Bloomquist as its new Chief Revenue Officer as it pushes global expansion and platform modernization. Bloomquist brings over 20 years of sales leadership, including 15 years in hospitality technology, and will oversee revenue strategy, sales, product...
$8.1B Traveller Spend Projected for FIFA World Cup 2026
Expedia Group has teamed with PredictHQ to embed event‑driven demand forecasts into its Partner Central platform, giving lodging partners forward‑looking insights. The joint model projects total traveller spending of more than $8.1 billion across accommodation, transport and food‑and‑beverage in North America’s...
Scenic Group Simplifies Pricing With Four New Fare Options
Scenic Group will roll out a four‑tier pricing structure in the U.S. on March 9, 2026, replacing its long‑standing 2‑for‑1 model. The new tiers—Full Fare, Select Fare, Preferred Fare, and Preferred+ Fare—retain core inclusions while varying payment terms, discounts, and...
Why the Social Media Burger Wars Are Good for the Industry
Burger chains are waging a high‑visibility social‑media battle, turning menu drops and meme challenges into traffic‑driving events. The podcast episode highlights how this digital rivalry benefits the broader restaurant sector by generating free user content and accelerating trend detection. It...
As Culver's Expands Into New Markets, Menu Innovation Accelerates
Fast‑casual chain Culver's is accelerating its geographic footprint, adding dozens of locations across the Midwest, South and West. The expansion is paired with a wave of menu innovation, including region‑specific burgers, a new line of plant‑based proteins, and limited‑time offerings...
Elsner Elektronik Offers New eTR Series of KNX Devices for the Hotel Industry
Elsner Elektronik has launched the eTR series, a pair of KNX‑compatible devices designed for hotel room service management. The eTR DND/MUR Switch lets guests toggle Do Not Disturb or Make Up Room via a touch‑glass panel, while the eTR DND/MUR...
Swan Aviation Adds Türkiye's First G700
Swan Aviation announced it has taken delivery of the first Gulfstream G700 to operate in Turkey. The G700 is Gulfstream’s flagship ultra‑long‑range business jet, capable of flying up to 7,500 nautical miles with up to 19 passengers. The acquisition marks...
Container Hotel Turns to Heat Pump Technology to Deliver Sustainable Hot Water
A European hotel chain is converting shipping containers into a 240‑room boutique hotel in San Francisco, pairing the modular design with a fully electrified heating strategy. To meet hot‑water demand, the project installed Lync’s air‑source heat‑pump water heaters, equipped with coastal‑grade...
Schiphol Airport to Begin Renewal Works on Taxiways A & B
Schiphol Airport will commence a major renewal of taxiways A and B from March to June 2026. The project replaces roughly 65,000 m² of asphalt, upgrades drainage, installs new lighting, signage and 32 km of electrical cabling, and is split into two...
China Eastern Returning to Stockholm Arlanda Airport
China Eastern Airlines will restart service to Stockholm Arlanda after a six‑year gap, launching a direct Stockholm‑Shanghai route on June 22, 2026. The flight will operate three times weekly—Monday, Thursday and Saturday—connecting Sweden’s capital with China’s financial hub. The airline...
Locals View Dublin Airport as a Positive Force for the Community
Independent research by RED C Research shows 82% of Fingal residents view Dublin Airport as a positive community force, while 86% say it supports economic growth and local jobs. Support for further airport development remains high at 82%, and 77%...
Argentina: Ezeiza Airport Launches $100m Expansion to Boost Airside Capacity
Aeropuertos Argentina is investing over $100 million to expand Ezeiza International Airport. The project adds a new aircraft apron (Platform Golf) for seven narrow‑body planes, rehabilitates the secondary runway, upgrades lighting and taxiways, and introduces renewable‑energy and water‑treatment systems. Landside, the...
Air Charter Scotland Adds Capacity on Wick-Aberdeen Route
Air Charter Scotland has boosted capacity on the Wick‑Aberdeen Public Service Obligation route by introducing an 18‑seat Jetstream J32, adding ten seats per day from Monday to Friday and Sunday. The turboprop, wet‑leased from Dutch carrier AIS Airlines, replaces the...
BlackRock’s GIP to Acquire TCR
Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), BlackRock’s infrastructure arm, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire TCR, the world’s largest independent lessor of airport ground support equipment, from 3i Infrastructure. The deal includes a co‑investment by TCR’s management team, underscoring confidence in...
The Allure of Traveling to the French Riviera in the Winter
The French Riviera, traditionally a summer hotspot, is gaining attention as a winter destination thanks to its mild Mediterranean climate and rich cultural heritage. Visitor numbers drop to roughly one‑third of the summer peak, allowing travelers to enjoy historic towns...
Hotel Indigo Transforms Former BBC Studios
Hotel Indigo London K West Shepherd’s Bush is slated to open in March 2026, converting the former BBC Kensington House recording studios into a 231‑room boutique hotel. The property blends contemporary design with nods to its broadcasting heritage, featuring Signature Suites,...
Kuwait: Yutong Delivers 16 New Apron Buses to Jazeera Airways
Yutong delivered 16 apron buses to Jazeera Airways, marking its first entry into Kuwait’s aviation market. The deal highlights Yutong’s broader expansion across the Middle East, targeting growing airport infrastructure needs. By partnering with Kuwait’s first private airline, Yutong positions...
ASEAN–Japan Sustainable Tourism Initiative: Reimagining Travel for a New Era
In October 2023 ASEAN and Japan launched the ASEAN‑Japan Sustainable Tourism Initiative, a practical platform that showcases real projects ranging from community‑based tourism to low‑carbon travel. The effort moves beyond policy rhetoric, emphasizing knowledge exchange, job creation, ecosystem protection, and...
Unlucky Again? American Airlines Boeing 787 Remains Grounded 1 Month After Madrid Incident
American Airlines’ Boeing 787 Dreamliner was forced to land in Madrid on February 3, 2026 after a nose‑gear failure, then ferried to the carrier’s Tulsa maintenance hub for repairs. The incident follows a spate of recent AA mishaps, including a...
Prioritizing Prevention: Kitchen Safety Through Automation, Carbon Monoxide Control, and Smarter Design
Motion Technology’s AutoFry, a fully enclosed ventless fryer, is being promoted as a core safety solution for commercial kitchens. By automating basket handling, sealing the cooking chamber, and integrating fire‑suppression and temperature monitoring, the unit removes open‑flame and oil‑splatter hazards....
Langkawi Dishes up Natural Charms for the European Market
Langkawi Development Authority unveiled fresh visuals for its Naturally Langkawi branding at ITB Berlin 2026, spotlighting the island’s UNESCO Global Geopark status and nature‑based attractions such as the SkyCab cable car. European travelers remain the island’s traditional long‑haul market, delivering...
Think the Same Avios Flight Costs the Same via BA, Qatar and Finnair? Think Again
Recent expansion of Avios to Qatar Airways Privilege Club and Finnair Plus means the same award flight can cost very different amounts depending on which platform you use. A Helsinki‑Osaka round‑trip example shows British Airways charging the highest taxes, Qatar...
Bangkok Airways Deepens Regional Connectivity in New Strategic Direction
Bangkok Airways is shifting from its boutique airline image toward a sustainability‑focused strategy that emphasizes regional connectivity, especially through a new secondary hub in Phuket. The carrier has begun decarbonisation by using a 1% Sustainable Aviation Fuel blend on international...
Tomorrowland Model to Boost Local Thai Economy
Organisers of Tomorrowland Thailand opened ticket sales on February 28, 2026 for a three‑day festival in Pattaya. The event is projected to generate about 5.5 billion baht ($177 million) in its first year and 30 billion baht through 2030. Authorities expect 50,000 daily...
Save 15% on Reward Nights at New IHG Hotels
IHG One Rewards is extending its 15% discount on reward‑night redemptions to a six‑month window, up from the usual three months. The promotion applies to a curated list of newly added IHG hotels, with stay‑by deadlines ranging from March to...
Philippines Introduces Senior Tour Guide Programme
The Philippine Department of Tourism, together with the National Commission on Senior Citizens, launched the Tourism Legacy and Livelihood Program, allowing seniors to become accredited community tour guides after a week‑long training. By February 2026, 15 senior citizens, including former...
Garrya Mù Cang Chải Redefines Mountain Wellness for 2026
Garrya Mù Cang Chải is launching a data‑driven well‑being concept for 2026 that moves beyond traditional spa stays to structured, results‑focused programmes. Guests will complete a digital pre‑arrival assessment and receive a dedicated Wellbeing Trainer who tailors itineraries around sports...
AMI Group Secures New Office Space in Chicago’s West Loop
AMI Group has signed a 10,641‑square‑foot lease in Chicago’s West Loop, establishing a new office and test kitchen for its Culinary Design Solution team. The facility will serve as a collaborative hub to develop and refine onboard dining concepts for...
Video of the Week: Asia Pacific’s Talent Test - Staffing Growth in a Constrained Labour Market
Asia‑Pacific airlines face a decade‑long talent crunch as passenger traffic surges, requiring over 400,000 additional aviation professionals by the mid‑2030s. The shortage spans pilots, engineers, cabin crew and digital specialists, creating a structural mismatch between demand and supply. Recruitment struggles...
Barkley Regional Airport Launches Fly Barkley Pledge to Strengthen Local Air Service, Boost Regional Economy, and Enhance Access to Global...
Barkley Regional Airport in Paducah, Kentucky launched the Fly Barkley Pledge, urging residents and businesses to prioritize the airport for travel. The airport now offers daily nonstop flights to Chicago O’Hare and Houston George Bush Intercontinental, linking passengers to United’s network of...