Ruby Slipper Announces New Limited-Time Menu
Ruby Slipper is rolling out a limited‑time spring brunch menu from Feb. 25 through Apr. 21 at all locations. The lineup blends colorful sweets like strawberry‑cheesecake beignets and a Fruity Pebbles‑crusted French toast with savory corned‑beef hash dishes and new cocktail‑style drinks. Prices range from $6 for a matcha latte to $17 for the Corned Beef Hash Royale. The chain also launched to‑go alcoholic beverages and promotes its Ruby Bennies loyalty app for rewards and early access.
Culinary Creative Group Shakes Up Leadership Team
Culinary Creative Group announced a leadership overhaul, naming Richard Flaherty as CEO, Blake Edmunds as culinary director, and Lauren Barash as its first vice president of marketing. Flaherty, former CEO of Punch Bowl Social and Wagamama USA, will steer national...
DGCA Mandates 48-Hour Free Cancellation and Strict Refund Deadlines for Indian Airlines
India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has introduced new passenger charter rules that require airlines to offer a 48‑hour free‑cancellation window for tickets booked at least seven days before departure. The regulator also mandates refunds be processed within seven...
Travel Disruption Hit Peru as Airports in Callao and Arequipa Face Over a Dozen Flight Cancellations and Several Delays by...
Peruvian travelers faced a wave of flight disruptions today as Jorge Chávez International Airport in Callao recorded 13 cancellations and 42 delays, while Rodriguez Ballon International Airport in Arequipa logged 3 cancellations and 6 delays. A total of 48 delays...
Geneva, Switzerland: IATA Opens Nominations for 2026 Diversity & Inclusion Awards to Celebrate Equity and Leadership in Global Aviation
International Air Transport Association (IATA) has opened nominations for its 2026 Diversity & Inclusion Awards, which will honor individuals and airlines advancing equity in aviation. The program features three categories – Inspirational Role Model for senior female leaders, High Flyer...
Amex Membership Rewards Pauses Points Transfers to ANA Mileage Club — What to Know
American Express has temporarily halted Membership Rewards point transfers to All Nippon Airways’ Mileage Club from 1 PM MST on Feb 25 until 7 PM MST on Mar 2, citing planned system maintenance. The pause affects the popular 1:1 transfer ratio that many travelers use for...
Apex Order Pickup Solutions Expands Into Casino Market
Apex Order Pickup Solutions announced its entry into the casino sector by installing smart food‑order lockers at Yaamava’ Resort & Casino in Highland, California. The rollout includes two 23‑compartment locker systems at The Grove Express and the new bEATS venue,...
Mews Named Official PMS of AAHOA
AAHOA has appointed Mews as its official property management system, granting members exclusive pricing, rapid onboarding, and access to Mews’ revenue‑management tools. The partnership aims to help economy and mid‑scale hotel owners cut costs and boost profitability amid rising expenses....
Travel Tech Marks 30 Years of Section 230 As Online Reviews Continue to Drive Booking Decisions
Travel Tech commemorated the 30th anniversary of Section 230, the legal shield that enables travel sites to host user‑generated reviews without liability. The association highlighted how online reviews now drive booking decisions, with Expedia’s 2025 Traveler Value Index showing roughly 75%...
Maru San Is Washington, D.C.’s First Nikkei-Style Handroll Concept
Maru San, opened Feb. 20 in Washington, D.C.’s Eastern Market, is the city’s first Nikkei‑style handroll concept. Chef Carlos Delgado, known for his work at Causa/Amazonia and under José Andrés, leads the 25‑seat counter‑service spot offering traditional and premium handrolls plus a...
Applebee’s Strategy: Fewer Promotions, More Manager Visibility
Applebee’s parent Dine Brands trimmed its promotional calendar to four or five events a year, shifting focus to the core menu and the 2 for $25 value platform. The change helped reverse a slump, delivering positive same‑store sales in Q2 2025 and attracting...
Papa Johns Announces 300 Store Closures and 7% Corporate Layoffs
Papa John’s announced a sweeping cost‑savings program that includes closing 300 under‑performing restaurants—200 of them this year—and laying off 7% of its corporate workforce. The plan aims to generate at least $25 million in savings through 2027, with $13 million expected in...
Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport Adds Striker® 6×6 ARFF Vehicle to Support Emergency Readiness
Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) in Puerto Rico has added an Oshkosh Striker® 6×6 Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) vehicle to its all‑Oshkosh fleet. The 6×6 model brings a 3,000‑gallon water tank, 420‑gallon foam capacity, and advanced TAK‑4 independent...
Expanding Access Through ASTA’s Latest VTA Course
The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) has launched a new elective in its Verified Travel Advisor (VTA) certification focused on accessible tourism, developed with Accessible Travel Solutions. Announced on Feb. 26, 2026, the course equips advisors with practical methods to assess...
MKE Airport Celebrates 100 Years of Flight in 2026
Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE) will mark its 100th anniversary on October 5, 2026, launching a year‑long centennial campaign that includes community events and a dedicated website. The airport, which has handled more than 300 million passengers since 1926, highlights a...
Azamara Cruises Introduces Travel Advisor Council
Azamara Cruises has launched a Travel Advisor Council composed of ten high‑performing advisors across North America. The council members, each with at least five years of cruise experience and AWA graduation, will commit to a 12‑month term to test ideas,...
Highlights From Highgate’s Most Recent Charitable Foundation & ESG Efforts
Highgate has spotlighted its charitable foundation and ESG program, underscoring a $500,000 infusion into the Associate Relief Fund for emergency support. The company reports 122 eco‑certified hotels, more than 200 properties powered by 100% renewable electricity, and significant conservation metrics...
Flight Review: Delta One, Airbus A350-900, Paris to Los Angeles
Delta’s Airbus A350‑900, introduced in 2017 with the Delta One Suite, remains the airline’s flagship on long‑haul routes but shows signs of age after nearly a decade. The reviewer praised the suite’s privacy, lie‑flat comfort, and attentive service, including champagne...
Matt Talks Hospitality: A Smarter Housekeeping Model for Hotels, Teams & the Planet
In the latest Matt Talks Hospitality episode, general manager Floris Licht introduced Hotels for Trees, letting guests skip daily stay‑over cleaning in exchange for planting a certified tree. The model reduces cleaning costs from €10‑12 to a net €3.70 per...
Hapi Launches Folio Finder
Hapi has launched Folio Finder, a standard API that lets hotel brands and hospitality tech providers instantly search and retrieve guest folios and invoice details across multiple property‑management systems. The tool tackles fragmented billing data by delivering real‑time access without...
National Restaurant Association Show Names 20 Kitchen Innovations Award Recipients for 2026
The National Restaurant Association Show announced the 2026 Kitchen Innovations Awards, honoring 20 food‑service equipment and technology solutions that improve automation, sustainability, and operational resilience. The winners were chosen for their ability to help kitchens cope with labor shortages, tighter...
National Restaurant Association CEO: ‘Cautious Optimism’ for Growth in 2026
The National Restaurant Association’s 2026 State of the Industry report shows 2025 delivered only 1% sales growth after inflation, with 42% of restaurants operating at a loss and food and labor costs soaring 38% and 35% respectively since 2019. Despite...
Hyatt Vivid Grand Island FAM
Mexico FamTrips announced its 2026 Hyatt Vivid Grand Island FAM, scheduled for September 23‑26 in Cancun. The three‑night, all‑inclusive program costs $650 per participant, covering accommodations, transfers and on‑site training, but excludes airfare. Attendees will receive guided inspections and education sessions...
Outback Steakhouse, Noodles & Company, CAVA
Outback Steakhouse recorded a 0.9% traffic increase in Q4, its first rise in four years, driven by the popular Aussie 3‑Course value meals, though same‑store sales slipped 0.6% because of lower pricing. The chain will allocate $50 million toward further restaurant...
Restaurant Review: Luna Omakase, London
Luna Omakase, a 12‑seat Japanese‑Mexican tasting bar hidden inside Los Mochis on Liverpool Street, has added a second dinner sitting, now serving guests at 6 pm and 8:30 pm Tuesday‑Saturday. The restaurant offers a meticulously choreographed 12‑course omakase priced at £230 per...
Elite Voyages’ 9-Day China FAM Tour
Elite Voyages is launching a 9‑day, 7‑night China familiarization (FAM) tour for travel advisors, with departures on March 29 and April 12, 2026. The itinerary spans Beijing’s Great Wall and Forbidden City, Xi’an’s Terracotta Army, and Shanghai’s Bund, offering a...
Explore the Habsburg Empire (Prague, Vienna & Budapest)
Tour Specialists Inc. is launching a seven‑day familiarization (FAM) trip for travel advisors that explores Prague, Vienna, and Budapest, the historic capitals of the former Habsburg Empire. The escorted program runs from May through October 2026 with five departure windows...
Papa Johns Will Close 300 Restaurants
Papa Johns announced it will shutter 300 underperforming North American restaurants by the end of 2027, targeting sites that generate less than $600,000 in annual sales and typically post negative four‑wall earnings. The closures are part of a broader transformation...
SA Express Wind-Up Nears End, Brand Value $10k
South African Express, the state‑owned carrier, is set to complete its liquidation by April 2026, six years after entering provisional liquidation. The liquidators have recovered movable assets, tax refunds and interest, leaving a free residue of roughly ZAR 3.7 million for distribution....
Wyndham Enhances Group Travel Platform
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has upgraded its group direct‑booking platform, powered by Groups360, adding real‑time visibility, customizable booking pages, and seamless integration with hotel systems. The enhancements let planners manage reservations, rates, rewards and early/late stays from a single dashboard,...
River Cruise FAM Opportunities
AmaWaterways, via FamTrips.Travel, is offering reduced‑rate familiarization (FAM) cruises for travel advisors in 2026, covering European rivers and Colombia’s Magdalena River. The program includes multiple sailings on vessels such as AmaReina, AmaMora, AmaLea, AmaDolce, AmaDante and AmaMagdalena, with pricing starting...
Paul Eckert Named Trailborn Hotels & Resorts COO
Trailborn Hotels & Resorts announced the appointment of Paul Eckert as chief operating officer as the brand accelerates its national rollout. Eckert will oversee operations for the expanding portfolio, including upcoming properties in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and Mendocino, California. He...
Luxury or Performance? Inside the Debate Over “Authentic” Cultural Experiences at Five-Star Resorts in Bali
Luxury resorts in Bali are swapping opulent amenities for curated cultural experiences, from batik workshops to Balinese purification rituals. The Ritz‑Carlton’s program exemplifies a broader industry shift toward “authentic” immersion, driven by high‑net‑worth travelers seeking depth. Yet scholars and local...
Jet2 Announces New Destinations for Summer 2027
Jet2 will launch three new summer 2027 routes, adding Reus from Bournemouth Airport and Crete (Chania) plus Pula from Edinburgh Airport. The Bournemouth service runs weekly on Sundays from 2 May to 31 Oct, while Edinburgh offers weekly Wednesdays to Crete (5 May‑27 Oct)...
Burger King Has Upgraded Its Signature Whopper
Burger King announced its first Whopper reformulation in nearly ten years, driven by guest feedback. The new version keeps the quarter‑pound flame‑grilled beef but adds a premium bun, upgraded mayo, and serves the sandwich in a heat‑retaining box, while eliminating...
Carnival Cruise Line Rolls Out Fleetwide Lottery with $1M Prize
Carnival Cruise Line has introduced Carnival Millions, the cruise sector’s first fleet‑wide linked lottery, linking ships in North America and Europe for a daily draw that can award up to $1 million. Guests purchase tickets through the Carnival HUB app, receiving...
Inside Travel Launches New Experience-Rich ‘Luxury Japan’ Tour
Inside Travel and its Japan specialist brand InsideJapan have unveiled a new 14‑night Luxury Japan small‑group tour launching in 2026. The itinerary spans six destinations, from Tokyo and Kyoto to Inuyama, Lake Biwa, Fukuoka and Nagasaki, blending iconic sights with...
3 Hotel Stocks to Watch for Now as Industry Headwinds Persist
U.S. hotel and motel sector faces persistent cost and demand headwinds, squeezing margins as labor, utilities and maintenance expenses rise. Despite weak performance—industry rank #179 and under‑performance versus the S&P 500—analysts see modest recovery beginning in 2026 with RevPAR and ADR...
How Hotels Are Reinventing F&B for Profit and Growth
Hotels are overhauling their food and beverage operations to become a primary profit center. By leveraging data analytics, direct sourcing, and kitchen automation, they are cutting waste and procurement costs while enhancing guest experiences. The shift also emphasizes community‑focused concepts...
Hilton Honors Premium Clubs: Where to Find Them and How to Access These Exclusive Spaces
Hilton has launched a network of Premium Clubs across its high‑end brands, offering exclusive lounges with elevated food, beverage and concierge services. Diamond Reserve members now enjoy complimentary entry for themselves and one guest, a benefit that replaces the previous...
LAM Mozambique Faces Five Criminal Probes
Mozambique’s flag carrier LAM is facing five separate criminal investigations into alleged mis‑management, corruption and embezzlement. Probes cover irregular aircraft sales, a questionable lease of a B737‑300F freighter, a suspect MoU with South African consultancy Fly Modern Ark, and inflated...
Now Open: Ômage Hotel Montréal/Laval
Ômage Hotel Montréal/Laval opened after a ten‑month transformation of the former Hilton Laval, joining Marriott Bonvoy’s Tribute Portfolio. The boutique property offers 190 guestrooms across ten floors, including 42 extended‑stay suites with full kitchens. Designed around natural elements, the hotel...
BCHA Unveils 2026 Awards of Excellence Finalists
The British Columbia Hotel Association (BCHA) has released the finalists for its 2026 Awards of Excellence, covering categories such as Culinary Excellence, Housekeeping, Sustainability Champion, and Hotelier of the Year. The awards ceremony will take place during the BCHA Summit...
Transavia Expands Distribution Agreement with Amadeus
Transavia has broadened its global distribution agreement with Amadeus, granting travel sellers access to every fare class, including the Smart Fare and a new Fare Family Upsell feature. The deal covers both Transavia France and the Netherlands, ensuring consistent content...
Reclaim Expands Luggage Management Network with Addition of Voco The Darwin
reclaim, the premium luggage‑management platform, has added on‑demand service for the voco The Darwin Atlanta Midtown hotel, an IHG property. Guests can schedule bag pickup from the hotel lobby up to six hours before departure, with tamper‑evident tags and real‑time...
Speaker Spotlight: Chris Noffze, Director of Direct Franchising and Operations, Gong Cha
Chris Noffze, director of direct franchising and operations for Gong cha Americas, will speak at the Restaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit in San Diego (March 16‑18). In his role, he guides franchisees through onboarding, store openings, and ongoing operations to ensure...
Save On IHG Hotel Stays With Amex Offers ($50 Off $250+, Targeted)
American Express has launched a targeted Amex Offers promotion for IHG hotel stays. Cardholders who spend at least $250 on eligible IHG properties between February 25 and May 26, 2026, receive a $50 statement credit, effectively a 20% rebate. The offer applies to...
Mott MacDonald Strengthens MAG Ties
Engineering consultancy Mott MacDonald has secured a five‑year appointment on Manchester Airports Group’s Capital Investment Consultancy Services Framework. The firm will deliver advisory, design and fire‑engineering services for major projects at Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands airports. The partnership aligns...
ICE Trains to Serve Brussels Airport Under DB and Brussels Airlines Cooperation
Deutsche Bahn and Brussels Airlines have signed a codeshare agreement to launch the first direct ICE high‑speed rail link to Brussels Airport, slated to begin on 7 September 2026. The service will run twice daily between Cologne Central Station and the airport, continuing onward...
Changi and Airport Resilience
Singapore’s Changi Airport Group announced a S$3 billion, six‑year investment to upgrade Terminals 1‑4, targeting baggage handling, check‑in, immigration and Skytrain links. The upgrades replace aging systems and are designed to boost capacity ahead of Terminal 5, slated for the mid‑2030s. Changi currently...