Meyer Jabara Hotels to Address Agentic Hotel Distribution at Annual Executive Conference in March
At its March executive conference in Providence, Meyer Jabara Hotels will host Brad Brewer, Co‑Founder and Chief AI Officer of Agentic Hospitality, to discuss “Agentic Hotel Distribution.” Brewer will explain how AI‑powered agents are reshaping the way travelers discover and book hotels, emphasizing the need for hotels to make their digital footprints AI‑ready. He warns that without accurate structured data and a solid booking infrastructure, AI investments will not translate into revenue. MJH’s 45‑property portfolio underscores its commitment to proactive technology education and long‑term owner value.
PriestmanGoode Showcases Thai Airways A321neo Cabin Interiors
PriestmanGoode is extending its partnership with Thai Airways by designing the cabin interior for the carrier’s first A321neo, dubbed Bowonrangsi. The design draws on the historic Bangkok community of Wat Bowonniwet Vihara, merging traditional Thai motifs, silk curtains and a...
Food Accademia Brings Italian Fine Food and Beverage Brands to WTCE 2026
Food Accademia, the Italian fine‑food distributor founded in 2016, will exhibit at the World Travel Catering and Onboard Services Expo (WTCE) in Hamburg from April 14‑16, 2026. The company will present a curated selection of over 20 artisan brands, ranging...
Etihad Airways Honors Ramadan Traditions with Onboard Service Offerings
Etihad Airways has launched a Ramadan‑focused program that brings Emirati hospitality to passengers through curated menus, take‑away bags, and themed entertainment across all cabins and lounges. The airline offers traditional iftar dishes in Business and First lounges in Abu Dhabi...
St. Peter’s Basilica Fourth Centenary: Technology, Faith and the Future of Religious Tourism
St. Peter’s Basilica’s Fourth Centenary launches a comprehensive Digital Ecosystem that blends AI, IoT and a Smart Pass booking platform to streamline pilgrim flow and enrich the visitor experience. The “Beyond the Visible” project adds a real‑time structural monitoring system and a...
JAL Enhances Inflight Dining on International Routes
Japan Airlines is overhauling its international inflight dining, launching chef‑curated menus in First, Business, Premium Economy and Economy classes starting March 2026. Renowned chefs Natsuko Shoji and Nae Ogawa will design exclusive dishes for premium cabins, while rising talent from the RED U‑35...
Milk Signals Creative Shift Ahead of WTCE
Milk announced a comprehensive redesign of its adult amenity kits and children’s engagement kits ahead of WTCE 2026, emphasizing curated storytelling, tactile materials, and sustainable packaging. The new collections aim to extend well‑being and brand relevance beyond the flight, with...
Americans Flock to Japan’s Ski Country for Good Snow and Delicious Food
Americans are increasingly traveling to Hokkaido, Japan, to escape poor snow conditions at U.S. resorts and enjoy abundant “Japow” powder. The island’s ski areas, including Niseko United’s four resorts, receive up to 50 feet of snowfall each year thanks to cold...
US Foods Launches AI-Powered Menu Management Tool
US Foods Holding Corp. introduced Menu IQ on Feb. 20, an AI‑driven menu management solution embedded in its MOXē app. The tool offers real‑time profitability analytics, allowing operators to upload recipes, calculate food costs, and monitor margin‑driving dishes without additional fees....
Regent Spa & Wellness to Launch at Jeddah, Kuala Lumpur, and Kyoto Locations
IHG has unveiled Regent Spa & Wellness, a new global spa concept debuting at Regent Bali Canggu. The brand will roll out locations in Jeddah later this year, Kuala Lumpur in 2027, and Kyoto in 2028, each interpreting the concept...
Green Lodging News Adds ReadyCare to Green Product & Service Directory
Green Lodging News has added ReadyCare to its Green Product & Service Directory, placing the Denver‑based amenity supplier alongside other eco‑focused vendors. ReadyCare, with over three decades serving hotels, spas, and golf clubs, offers luxury in‑room collections, custom private‑label programs,...
Stay and Explore Collection Reduces Hotel Changes in Europe
Railbookers has introduced the Stay and Explore Collection, a suite of ten European itineraries that anchor travelers in a single hub city for at least two nights before venturing out on day trips by train. The model eliminates nightly hotel...
American Airlines Cruises: How to Earn and Redeem AAdvantage Miles, Current Promos
American Airlines Cruises is the airline’s dedicated portal where AAdvantage members can both earn and redeem miles on cruise bookings. The platform, powered by World Travel Holdings, aggregates cruises from over 20 providers and applies the same loyalty mechanics as...
Sage Hospitality Group Appoints Daniel Del Olmo as President and Chief Executive Officer
Sage Hospitality Group announced Daniel del Olmo as its new president and chief executive officer, succeeding co‑founders Zack Neumeyer and Walter Isenberg. Del Olmo, who joined Sage in 2020 and most recently served as co‑CEO, will lead the company’s long‑term enterprise strategy....
Ensemble Travel Network Adds Aqua Expeditions To Supplier Lineup
Ensemble Travel Network has added luxury small-ship operator Aqua Expeditions to its supplier lineup, creating a direct channel for U.S. and Canadian travel advisors. The partnership will deliver coordinated trade engagement, marketing support, and product education to boost Aqua’s presence...
Breeze Announces Two New Destinations From Myrtle Beach, Expands Service to Existing Destinations
Breeze Airways is adding nonstop service from Myrtle Beach to Pittsburgh and a one‑stop BreezeThru flight to Portland, Maine, with fares starting at $39 one‑way. Existing routes to Akron‑Canton, Fort Lauderdale and Long Island will see frequency boosts beginning July...
Caribbean Tourism Leaders Convene in Bermuda for CTO Board of Directors Meeting and Air Connectivity Summit
Caribbean tourism leaders gathered in Bermuda for the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s Spring Business Meetings, bringing together roughly 175 delegates, board directors, ministers and industry experts. The agenda centered on the Air Connectivity Summit, sustainable development and coordinated marketing to boost...
Travelers Name Indy Airport No. 1 for the 14th Year in a Row
Indianapolis International Airport (IND) has been named the Best Airport in North America for the 14th consecutive year and its 15th overall, according to the Airports Council International (ACI) World Service Quality Customer Experience Awards. The 2025 survey highlighted IND’s...
Ontario International Airport Earns Top Global Honor for Customer Experience From Airports Council International
Ontario International Airport (ONT) received the 2025 Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Customer Experience Award for Best Airport at Departures in North America (5‑15 million passengers), a distinction granted by Airports Council International. The honor is derived entirely from passenger survey...
Orlando International Airport Welcomes Historic Zipair Tokyo-Orlando Flight with Passenger Festivities
Orlando International Airport (MCO) welcomed ZIPAIR’s inaugural nonstop charter flight from Tokyo’s Narita, marking the first direct passenger service between Florida and the Asia‑Pacific region. The flight landed with 280 passengers, a water salute, and Disney‑themed festivities, underscoring the airport’s...
G6 Hospitality Announces Partnership With Protect24.ai to Enhance Safety Intelligence
G6 Hospitality, the parent of Motel 6 and Studio 6, announced a strategic partnership with security‑intelligence firm Protect24.ai. The AI‑driven platform will be rolled out across more than 1,500 U.S. and Canadian locations to flag suspicious foot‑traffic, illegal escort operations, repeat high‑risk...
Chili’s Returns to Race Track with ‘Ride the ‘Dente’ Car Design
Chili’s Grill & Bar is back on the race track at Austin’s Circuit of the Americas, debuting a refreshed “Ride the ‘Dente” livery on Spire Motorsports’ No. 77 Chevrolet ZL1 driven by Carson Hocevar. The campaign highlights the brand’s flagship ‘Dente...
Oak & Stone to Open in Addison, Texas
Oak & Stone, an elevated American restaurant known for its self‑pour Tap Wall, announced a new location in Addison, Texas, slated to open summer 2026. The 7,000‑square‑foot venue at 5225 Belt Line Road will seat about 340 guests and operate...
Up Norway Adds Three Small-Group Itineraries for 2026-2027
Up Norway announced three new small‑group itineraries for 2026‑2027, expanding its sustainable luxury portfolio in response to a 14 % year‑over‑year rise in small‑group bookings on TripAdvisor. The trips, limited to 10‑14 participants, include a women‑focused “Women, Blazing Trails” expedition, a...
Kelli Valade’s Career Comes Full Circle
Kelli Valade, a veteran of Chili’s, Red Lobster and Denny’s, was named chief executive officer of the Women’s Foodservice Forum (WFF) in January 2026, shortly after leading Denny’s through a $620 million private‑equity deal. Valade brings deep operational, HR and leadership...
Buy Virgin Points With a 70% Bonus (1.47¢ Each) – Score Deals on Delta, Virgin Atlantic, ANA & More
Virgin Red has launched a limited‑time buy‑points promotion offering up to a 70 % bonus, lowering the effective cost to as little as 1.47¢ per Virgin Point. The offer runs until 31 March 2026, raises the annual purchase cap to 300,000 points before...
The Future of Cold Storage: Innovations in Energy Efficiency & Why They Matter Now More Than Ever
Rising energy prices, stricter regulations, and sustainability goals are forcing cold‑storage operators to prioritize efficiency. New insulation materials such as XPS and vacuum‑insulated panels dramatically reduce thermal loss, while IoT‑enabled smart controls match cooling output to real‑time demand. Manufacturers are...
Treehouse Hotel Miami Beach Taking Root Soon
Treehouse Hotels, the playful hospitality brand founded by Barry Sternlicht, will launch its first resort‑style property in Miami Beach in early 2029. The development reimagines two iconic 1940s Art Deco buildings—Haddon Hall and Campton Apartments—while adding a new tower with...
Why Cost Alone No Longer Defines Chicken Value
Rising food‑away‑from‑home prices and growing protein demand are reshaping how full‑service restaurants evaluate chicken. While private‑label chicken still promises lower case costs, operators are encountering variability that hurts labor efficiency and menu flexibility. Brakebush Brothers positions itself as a consistent,...
UK Aviation Sector Currently Experiencing Busiest Period in History
The UK Civil Aviation Authority reports a record‑breaking 302 million passenger journeys in 2025, a 2 % rise over 2024 and the highest level since the sector began tracking data. Passenger traffic has tripled since 1989, and a third of travelers plan...
How the MGM Rewards Iconic World Elite Mastercard Can Fast-Track Your Status and Elevate Your Experience
The MGM Rewards Iconic World Elite Mastercard offers a fast‑track to higher MGM Rewards tier status, featuring a limited‑time welcome bonus of 40,000 points and 15,000 Tier Credits for $5,000 spend. Cardholders earn 6 points and Tier Credits per dollar...
Operto Unveils Coordinated AI Team Operto ONE
Operto has introduced Operto ONE, a coordinated AI platform that deploys three specialized teams—distribution, front‑of‑house, and back‑of‑house—across independent hotels. The system comprises seven agents that draw from a shared AI Hub, providing real‑time analysis, recommendations, and supervised actions. A built‑in...
Beyond Dashboards: How Hotels Can Turn Connected Data Into Better Decisions
Hotels have poured billions into modern tech stacks, yet fragmented legacy systems and piecemeal integrations leave data inconsistent and dashboards stale. As integration points weaken, information leaks and decision‑making slows at the property level. The industry is now shifting from...
Voco Times Square – Broadway Debuts
IHG’s voco brand has opened its largest American property, voco Times Square – Broadway, a 32‑story hotel with 419 rooms in Midtown Manhattan. The hotel draws on Prohibition‑era speakeasy aesthetics while offering modern comforts, including the only rooftop venue in...
Ashford Trust to Sell New Mexico and Florida Hotels for $153.5M
Ashford Hospitality Trust entered definitive agreements to sell two hotels—La Posada de Santa Fe in New Mexico for $57.5 million and Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront in Florida for $96 million—totaling $153.5 million. The transactions, slated to close in March, are part of a broader...
Disney Cruise Line Reveals Summer 2027 Lineup
Disney Cruise Line opened bookings for its summer 2027 schedule, featuring the first European deployment of the Disney Wish and a renewed Alaska presence from Vancouver with the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder. The lineup also adds extensive Caribbean and...
Transfer Citi ThankYou® Points to Wyndham Rewards With a 25% Transfer Bonus
Citi has introduced a 25% transfer bonus for moving ThankYou® points to Wyndham Rewards, running through March 21, 2026. The promotion applies to all Citi cards, but premium cards like Strata Elite, Strata Premier and Prestige achieve a 1.25 Wyndham‑point per...
Hurricane Grill & Wings Opens in Greater Houston Area
FAT Brands Inc., the parent of Hurricane Grill & Wings and 17 other concepts, opened its first Hurricane Grill & Wings in the greater Houston area, located in Lake Jackson’s Plantation Village shopping center. This marks the brand’s second Texas...
Delta Unveils Its Largest Hawaii Schedule Ever With New Minneapolis–Maui Route And Boston–Honolulu Return
Delta Air Lines announced its largest seasonal Hawaii schedule for winter 2026‑27, adding a new nonstop Minneapolis‑St. Paul to Maui route and reinstating Boston to Honolulu service, the longest domestic flight in the U.S. The new MSP‑Maui flight operates daily...
EU Warns Russia’s African Recruitment in Ukraine Resembles “Modern Slavery” Exploiting Migration and Tourism Routes
European investigators warn that Russia’s recruitment of African migrants and students for the Ukraine war amounts to a new form of modern slavery, exploiting tourism visas, student exchanges and fake job offers. At least 171 African fighters, many aged 18‑25,...
Strategic Sizzle: Why Houston TX Hot Chicken Prioritizes Smart Growth over Rapid Expansion
Houston TX Hot Chicken, a Nashville‑style concept launched in Las Vegas during the COVID‑19 pandemic, now operates 31 units and boasts over 400,000 social‑media followers. The brand’s strong online presence generates organic franchise leads, reducing the need for aggressive sales...
First Watch CFO Mel Hope to Retire
First Watch Restaurant Group announced that Chief Financial Officer Mel Hope will retire later this year after eight years of service. Hope, who joined in 2018, played a pivotal role in the company's IPO and subsequent growth phases. The board...
London Southend Airport to Allow 2 Litres of Liquid in Cabin Baggage
London Southend Airport announced that passengers can now carry up to two litres of liquid in cabin baggage, thanks to the installation of C3 screening technology. The same system also permits laptops, iPads and tablets to remain inside bags during...
SFO Names New Chief Financial Officer
San Francisco International Airport announced Ronda Chu as its new chief financial officer. Chu will manage the airport’s operating budget, fiscal programmes, and revenue‑enhancement initiatives while overseeing finance, accounting, risk‑management, and procurement services. She brings more than 25 years of...
European Aviation Calls for Continued EU Funding
European aviation groups CANSO, ACI Europe and Airlines for Europe have urged EU ministers to maintain co‑funding of the SESAR programme beyond 2027. They argue that continued financing through the Connecting Europe Facility and the European Competitiveness Fund is essential...
ACI World Reveals Best Airports for Customer Experience in 2025
The Airports Council International (ACI) World announced its 2025 ASQ Customer Experience Awards, recognizing 100 airports with 195 honors across categories from staff dedication to cleanliness. The awards arrive as global passenger traffic is projected to hit 9.8 billion in 2025...
Domino's Hopes Its Largest Franchisee Can Turn Things Around
Domino’s Pizza Enterprises (DPE), the pizza chain’s largest franchisee with 3,500 stores across Asia‑Pacific and Europe, reported its first annual loss in a 20‑year public history and announced the closure of more than 300 locations, most in Japan. The franchisee’s...
After Solid Year, First Watch Approaches 2026 with Caution
First Watch posted a solid 2025, achieving 3.6% same‑store sales growth and opening a record 64 restaurants despite a modest traffic dip. The chain projects 2026 same‑store sales growth of 1%‑3% and will temper expansion to 59‑63 new sites while closing...
Consumers Are Sending a Signal on Tech. Restaurants Should Listen
Consumers are increasingly demanding technology-driven experiences in restaurants, from mobile ordering to contactless payment. Recent surveys reveal a measurable shift toward digital convenience, prompting operators to reassess the balance between tech and traditional hospitality. Restaurants that integrate intuitive tech solutions...
McDonald's Is Bringing Its Big Arch Burger to the U.S.
McDonald’s will roll out its half‑pound Big Arch burger in the United States on March 3 as a limited‑time offering. The sandwich, already a permanent menu item in the UK and sold in France and Canada, layers two quarter‑pound patties, white cheddar,...