Emirates Takes a Pioneering Step Toward “Autism-Friendly” Travel in Istanbul
Emirates, the world’s first Autism‑Certified Airline, launched its “Travel Rehearsal” programme at Istanbul Airport, allowing autistic children and families to experience a full flight journey in a supportive setting. The initiative is part of a broader rollout across 17 airports, aiming to make air travel predictable and comfortable for passengers on the autism spectrum. Over 30,000 Emirates crew and ground staff have completed specialised autism‑awareness training, equipping them to provide tailored assistance. The program builds confidence, reduces anxiety, and reinforces Emirates’ commitment to inclusive travel.
Meliá Recognized in the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook 2026 for the Ninth Consecutive Year
Meliá Hotels International has been listed for the ninth straight year in the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook 2026, placing it in the top 10% of the Hotels, Resorts & Cruise Lines sector. The company earned a 77‑point score, ranking first...
IHG Hotels & Resorts Expands Luxury & Lifestyle Footprint in Egypt
IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed a management agreement with JADEER GROUP to develop a 140‑key Hotel Indigo in Cairo’s New Administrative Capital, slated for opening in 2033. The property will join IHG’s growing portfolio in Egypt, which already includes...
IHG Signs Holiday Inn Express Cockburn, Strengthening Western Australia Pipeline
IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed a franchise agreement for a 170‑key Holiday Inn Express in Cockburn, Western Australia, slated to open later this year. The hotel will be part of a mixed‑use development that includes a residential tower and sits near...
Stranded Overnight: Lufthansa Passengers Not Allowed To Deplane A320neo After Airport Closes
On February 19, 2026, Lufthansa flight LH2446 from Munich to Copenhagen was delayed, then cancelled shortly before midnight. With the aircraft still on the ramp, Munich Airport’s 12 a.m. curfew forced the terminal to lock down, and all apron‑bus drivers were...
Why the Proposed Tawau Tourism Jetty Is the Next Big Move for Sabah Travel
Local leaders and the Tawau Tourism Association have submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Environment for a dedicated tourist jetty in Tawau. The jetty is positioned as a maritime gateway that would convert the district...
Kufri Winter Wonderland: A Tourist Hotspot Reviving the Local Himachal Economy
Kufri’s 2025‑2026 winter season delivered an unexpected snowfall surge, with three to four feet of snow covering the hills for the first time in five years. The heavy snow attracted between 300,000 and 500,000 visitors between December and February, reviving...
Is It Worth Joining Point A Hotels ‘A List’ Programme?
Point A Hotels operates a small chain of 11 city‑center properties across the UK and Ireland, targeting budget‑conscious travelers with well‑equipped micro‑rooms priced from £50‑£60 per night. Its free ‘A List’ programme replaces traditional points‑based loyalty with a flat 10%...
Traveling This Weekend? Here’s What to Know About the Snowstorm.
A major winter storm is set to hit the Northeast on Sunday and Monday, bringing blizzard‑like conditions and widespread travel disruptions. Major airports from Boston to Washington, D.C., including JFK, LaGuardia, Logan, Dulles, and Reagan, have warned of significant delays....
Lufthansa Traps Passengers On Plane All Night After Flight Cancels, Airport Closes
Lufthansa flight LH2446 from Munich to Copenhagen was delayed and ultimately cancelled, leaving passengers aboard the Airbus A320neo after the aircraft was parked at a remote stand. With Munich Airport’s midnight curfew in effect, no ground staff or buses were...
THE NON-HOTEL ACCOMMODATION SECTOR IN MAURITIUS IS RISING RAPIDLY
Tourism in Mauritius hit a record 1.44 million arrivals in 2025, generating Rs 103.4 billion in receipts. While hotel guests spend more per night, the non‑hotel accommodation segment—seasonal rentals, villas and apartments—offers longer stays, averaging 15 nights and a higher economic multiplier. Occupancy...
THE FASTEST-GROWING TOURISM DESTINATIONS REVEALED
Emerging markets in Brazil, Ethiopia, and Egypt led 2025’s fastest tourism growth, with global arrivals hitting 1.52 billion, a 4 % rise. Brazil saw a 37 % surge to 9.3 million visitors, driven by new air routes and Embratur marketing. Egypt’s Grand Egyptian Museum...
CROATIA PLANS TO LIMIT THE EXCESS OF SHORT-TERM RENTALS
Croatia is tightening rules on short‑term rentals in Dubrovnik to curb overtourism and protect housing affordability. Amendments to the 2025 Hospitality Law now require registration, higher taxes and neighbour consent, prompting thousands of owners to shift toward long‑term leases. Parallel...
Why It’s Time to Switch to Red Gold Barbecue Sauce
The episode highlights how barbecue sauce has become a pivotal menu driver for independent restaurants, now appearing on everything from burgers to flatbreads. It explains that health‑conscious diners are demanding lower sodium and no high‑fructose corn syrup, making sauce composition...
Florida Tourism Hits Record Highs Despite Drop in Some Foreign Visitors
Florida’s tourism industry posted a record 140 million visitors last year, the highest ever, driven largely by domestic travelers. While overall arrivals surged, Canadian and some European visitor numbers fell amid political tensions and economic pressures. The state responded by adjusting...
Southwest Priority Credit Card Review: Earn 4X Points, Free Bag, Free Seats, Priority Boarding, And More
Southwest’s Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card carries a $229 annual fee but offers a hefty welcome package that includes a Companion Pass through Feb 2027 and 40,000 bonus points after $5,000 spend. Cardholders earn 4X points on Southwest purchases, 2X at gas stations...
$5.2 Million NYC Restitution Deal Signals Tougher Oversight of Delivery Platforms
New York City officials announced a $5.2 million settlement with Uber Eats, Fantuan, and HungryPanda for violating the city’s Minimum Pay Rate for delivery workers, compensating over 49,000 workers and requiring Uber to reinstate up to 10,000 deactivated couriers. Mayor Zohran Mamdani...
The Secret Side of Mozambique: Why Everyone Is Suddenly Talking About Nampula
Mozambique’s Nampula Province is emerging as a strategic tourism hub, leveraging its location along the northern development corridor and proximity to the deep‑water Nacala port. A World Bank‑financed masterplan is converting the Mossuril district into a high‑end resort destination, while...
Santorini Targets Overweight Tourists With Donkey Weight Limit
Greek authorities enforce a 100 kg weight limit on donkeys, horses, and mules used for tourist transport in Santorini. The rule, part of 2018 animal‑welfare legislation, aims to prevent spinal injuries and exhaustion caused by overloaded animals. Enforcement has been uneven,...
American Airlines Expands Digital Self-Service for Baggage to Streamline the Airport Journey
American Airlines is rolling out digital self‑service options for checked baggage across its website, mobile app, and airport kiosks. Customers can now prepay for up to three bags at booking, make same‑day changes without agent assistance, and receive automatic refunds...
Lufthansa Elevates Short-Haul Comfort with A320 Cabin Modernisation Programme
Lufthansa is retrofitting 38 Airbus A320s with Geven ergonomic seats, larger overhead bins and dual USB‑A/USB‑C ports, bringing short‑haul cabins in line with its long‑haul product standards. The new bins are 40% larger, allowing vertical luggage stowage and faster boarding....
EL AL Leaves 140 Suitcases Behind At LAX Over “Free Palestine” Stickers
On February 16, 2026, EL Al flight LY6 from Los Angeles to Tel Aviv was delayed after airport staff discovered "Free Palestine" stickers on 140 checked suitcases. The airline deemed each bag a security risk, requiring individual explosive screening, which extended...
United Airlines Strengthens Loyalty Proposition with Accelerated Miles and Exclusive Polaris Saver Access
United Airlines announced a suite of new MileagePlus cardholder perks designed to accelerate mileage earnings, lower award‑ticket costs, and unlock exclusive Polaris Saver inventory. Starting 2 April 2026, primary cardholders will earn up to double the miles on United flights and receive...
GOL Partners with Anuvu to Redefine Inflight Entertainment Experience with Premium Content
Brazilian carrier GOL Linhas Aéreas has appointed Anuvu as its new inflight entertainment partner, aiming to digitize and upgrade its content offering. The partnership brings premium libraries including HBO Max and Formula 1, while promising seamless technical integration with zero service...
Nashville International Airport Partners with The Boring Company to Launch Zero-Emission Music City Loop
Nashville International Airport (BNA) has partnered with Elon Musk’s The Boring Company to build the Music City Loop, a zero‑emission underground high‑speed transit system linking the airport with downtown and key transit hubs. The all‑electric loop is designed to accommodate...
Melbourne Airport Deploys Veovo Intelligent Airport Platform to Enhance CX and Operational Efficiency
Melbourne Airport has rolled out the Veovo Intelligent Airport Platform, a web‑based system that unifies flight, resource and operational data into a single source of truth. The platform leverages management‑by‑exception alerts and continuous integration to improve real‑time coordination among operations...
Marriott Bonvoy® Rewards Program Guide: Everything You Need To Know
Marriott Bonvoy, the loyalty arm of the world’s largest hotel chain, spans more than 9,300 properties across 144 countries. The program features six elite tiers, offering bonus points, late‑checkout guarantees and exclusive upgrades, while a suite of co‑branded credit cards...
Florida Lawmakers Vote To Rename Palm Beach International Airport After Donald Trump
Florida lawmakers approved a bill to rename Palm Beach International Airport after Donald J. Trump, pending Governor Ron DeSantis' signature and FAA approval. The change could take effect as early as July 2026, making it the first major U.S. airport...
Minor Hotels Elevates Italy’s UNESCO Designated Culinary Heritage
Minor Hotels is promoting Italy’s UNESCO‑listed culinary heritage through a curated series of high‑end restaurants across its Italian properties. Each venue, from Venice’s Da Lorenzo to the Amalfi Coast’s Dei Cappuccini, is led by Michelin‑starred chefs who reinterpret regional traditions...
From Corporate Iftars to Deep Discounts, Ramadan Reshapes Dubai Business
Ramadan slows Dubai’s relentless pace, trimming private‑sector workdays by two hours and compressing school schedules. Evening becomes the new business hub as hotels and convention halls host corporate iftars and late‑night suhoor gatherings that double as networking platforms for Muslims...
Gategroup Elevates Lufthansa Long-Haul Dining with FOX Collaboration
Lufthansa has teamed with catering giant gategroup to roll out the Future Onboard Experience (FOX) across its long‑haul fleet, marking a major upgrade to in‑flight dining for all cabin classes. The program, launched as part of Lufthansa’s 100‑year anniversary, introduces...
GWR’s Bizarre IT Upgrade on Tuesday Will Wipe Out Your Future E-Tickets!
Great Western Railway (GWR) is rolling out a new mobile app on Tuesday, requiring all users to reset passwords and, crucially, to retrieve or export their existing e‑ticket data before Monday night. Bookings for travel on or after 24 February...
Servair Sends Culinary Creations by Anne-Sophie Pic to Space
Servair is sending a curated menu created by Michelin‑starred chef Anne‑Sophie Pic to the International Space Station for astronaut Sophie Adenot’s first long‑term mission. Over a year of R&D, the team adapted gourmet recipes to meet the constraints of microgravity,...
Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport Named Best Overall Nonhub Airport in the U.S. for 2025
Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport (GRB) was named the 2025 Best Overall Non‑hub Airport in the United States by Swelbar‑Zhong Consultancy, a leading aviation research firm. The award recognizes GRB’s superior air‑service options, high‑quality passenger experience, strong financial performance, and...
New FIS Unveiled at Norfolk International Airport
Norfolk International Airport unveiled a new two‑story, 26,000‑square‑foot Federal Inspection Services (FIS) building, designed to streamline customs and baggage handling. The $31 million project, funded partly by $13.5 million in federal aid, features floor‑to‑ceiling windows, an open floorplan, and a dedicated Global...
American AAdvantage Miles Vs. Loyalty Points: What's the Difference?
American Airlines displays two balances—award miles and Loyalty Points—on its member portal. Award miles are the redeemable currency for flights, upgrades and seats, and they never expire for active accounts. Loyalty Points, however, are the metric used to qualify for...
Free Roundtrip Flights to Anguilla With Zemi Beach House Stay
Zemi Beach House in Anguilla has teamed with AnguillAir to cover the full cost of round‑trip flights between Newark (EWR) and Anguilla (AXA) for guests staying three nights or more. The promotion runs for bookings made by March 15, 2026, with...
The 4 Best Ways To Use Points and Miles for Emirates First Class in 2026
Emirates First Class remains a coveted award cabin in 2026, but tighter availability and elite‑status requirements make booking increasingly challenging. Travelers can secure seats directly through Emirates Skywards, either by redeeming full‑fare miles or by upgrading a Business Class award,...
Indy Airport to Launch Incubator Space for Culinary Talent
Indianapolis International Airport will open a culinary incubator in Civic Plaza by fall 2027, giving emerging Indiana chefs mentorship and exposure to the airport’s 10.6 million annual travelers. The project, led by James Beard‑award‑winning chef Steve Oakley and operated by CC Holdings,...
Achieve Perfect Fried Chicken in Less Than 3 Minutes
Fried chicken sandwiches now appear on 12.3% of full‑service restaurant menus, a 30% increase over four years, while consumer awareness sits at 95% and trial at 86%. Hormel Foodservice’s FLASH 180™ Battered Sous Vide Chicken offers a pre‑cooked, batter‑coated product that...
How Avocado Is Spreading Across Menus
Avocado’s surge in consumer demand is prompting operators to seek reliable, high‑yield solutions for menu inclusion. Traditional whole‑fruit handling often results in 50‑75% usable yield due to bruising, over‑ripeness, and waste, threatening margins. WHOLLY® avocado products, processed via high‑pressure technology,...
Snooze to Reopen Chapel Hill Location on March 1
Snooze is set to reopen its Chapel Hill location on March 1, ending a months‑long closure caused by extensive water damage from July flooding. The 4,567‑square‑foot restaurant will debut three new menu items—a biscuits & gravy plate, a three‑cheese fire‑roasted...
Pure Wellness Announces Partnership With Prime Group US
Pure Wellness has teamed with Prime Group US and Shaner Hospitality to roll out its Pure rooms at three Florida properties—Playa Largo Resort & Spa, Art Ovation Hotel, and Hilton Aventura Miami. The Pure rooms use a proprietary multi‑step treatment that delivers 99% anti‑viral and anti‑microbial protection,...
JWA Opens Three New Concessions
John Wayne Airport announced the launch of three new concessions: a Dunkin’ coffee shop operated by HMSHost, the Harbor Exchange boutique run by Paradies Lagardère, and a Brookstone electronics and travel‑retail outlet managed by Hudson. The additions broaden the airport’s food‑and‑beverage...
PHL Opens PrimoHoagies
Philadelphia International Airport has added a PrimoHoagies cafe, bringing the South Philly sandwich staple to travelers. The outlet is part of the airport’s “Founded in Philly” initiative and is run through a partnership between The Grove Inc., ACDBE partner M2 Concepts,...
SSP Canada Opens Two Eateries At YLW
SSP Canada has opened two new dining concepts at Kelowna International Airport (YLW): Vintners Exchange Gastrobar, featuring Okanagan wines curated with sommelier Bram Bolwijn, and Ellison Field Taphouse Kitchen & Bar, a BC Ale Trail‑partnered craft‑beer venue. The launches were...
Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok Unveils the First Chapter of ‘Unfolding Legacies’, Its 150th Anniversary
Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok marked its 150th anniversary by launching the first chapter of the multi‑year Unfolding Legacies programme. The celebration began with a gala dinner on 14 February 2026, held under the patronage of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. The event featured a...
Is Your Hotel Technology Stack Ready for the Future? 7 Key Considerations for Revenue Managers - By Jonathan Gough
The article outlines seven essential considerations for hotel revenue managers aiming to build a future‑proof technology stack. It stresses the shift from legacy tools to AI‑driven platforms that automate pricing, distribution and demand analysis. Consolidating solutions, leveraging real‑time data, and...
COMO Hotels and Resorts to Open COMO Cordeillan-Bages in Bordeaux in May 2026
COMO Hotels and Resorts will reopen the historic COMO Cordeillan‑Bages in Pauillac, Bordeaux on May 1, 2026. The 19th‑century estate will feature 28 rooms and suites, a 25‑meter pool, gym, sauna, and a restaurant, all designed by Paola Navone. A...
Opinion: English Fizz Is Shaking Champagne’s Hold on Luxury Travel
English Fizz, a premium non‑alcoholic sparkling water, is gaining traction among first‑class and private‑jet travelers, eroding champagne’s traditional dominance in luxury travel. Airlines and high‑end hotels are adding English Fizz to their beverage carts, citing health‑conscious passenger demand and lower...