Club Med Expands Its Vision in Seychelles, Blending Tourism Growth with Community Impact
Club Med’s deputy CEO met with Seychelles President Patrick Herminie to discuss deepening the resort’s role in the islands’ tourism ecosystem. The dialogue highlighted the brand’s premium all‑inclusive model, strong occupancy rates and its commitment to local employment and sourcing. Club Med now employs about 400 Seychellois and sources goods from island suppliers, positioning the Saint Anne resort as both a growth engine and a community partner. Both parties pledged to collaborate on connectivity, marketing and sustainable tourism policies to boost visitor numbers while protecting the environment.
New Perspective: Thom Geshay Brings Management Expertise to His Role as AHLA Vice Chair
Thom Geshay, longtime CEO of Davidson Hospitality Group, has been appointed vice chair of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) for 2026, partnering with Chair Liam Brown. Geshay brings a management‑company perspective, stressing the split performance between upscale/luxury and...
HVS Report - Room Supply Constraints Limiting Convention Growth in Hartford - By Jimmy Radwan
Hartford’s hotel market has rebounded, with occupancy and ADR surpassing pre‑pandemic levels. Yet the city has shed roughly 1,300 rooms since 2019, and recent conversions have turned former hotels into residential units. The shortfall leaves the Connecticut Convention Center with...
Exceptional Investment Opportunity: Ohio 2-Motel Boutique Portfolio in Premier Lakefront Resort Location
Laurel Real Estate Co. is marketing a two‑motel boutique portfolio in Geneva‑on‑the‑Lake, Ohio, for $2.4 million. The assets—The Palms Motel and Pete’s Lakefront Motel—offer 32 keys and sit on a prime lakefront strip with private beach access. Recent capital improvements exceeding...
Chipotle Giving Away Chips and Queso Blanco
Chipotle will give away a free side of its handmade chips and queso blanco on digital orders from February 23 through February 25 to celebrate National Tortilla Chip Day. The promotion spotlights chips made each morning with fresh lime and a queso...
CoStar: U.S. Hotel Industry Reports Positive Year-Over-Year Comparisons
The U.S. hotel sector posted solid year‑over‑year gains for the week of Feb 8‑14, 2026, with occupancy climbing to 61.5% (up 2.6%), ADR rising to $167.98 (up 1.9%), and RevPAR reaching $103.35 (up 4.6%). Los Angeles led the top‑25 markets, posting an...
Jack in the Box Launches Matcha
Jack in the Box has rolled out a matcha platform nationwide, featuring a Matcha Iced Latte and an Oreo Matcha Shake. The launch is framed as a “beverage‑forward” innovation aimed at expanding the chain’s flavor palette. Executive chef Ciaran Duffy...
World of Hyatt and American Airlines AAdvantage® Partnership: How It Works and What You Get
World of Hyatt and American Airlines revamped their 2019 partnership in 2024, replacing direct point‑earning with tiered Loyalty Point Rewards and Milestone Rewards. AAdvantage members can trade loyalty points or miles for Hyatt elite status and free‑night awards, while Hyatt...
Building Unity Through Community
The article positions the restaurant industry as a natural community connector that fuels growth for founders and creates belonging for patrons. By sharing experiences through events like the Founderology Growth Summit, leaders expand perspectives and accelerate progress. February’s calendar of...
CLIA Names Azamara and WorldVia Executives as Committee Co-Chairs
The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has named Michelle Lardizabal, Azamara’s Chief Sales Officer, and Joshua Harrell, WorldVia’s Chief Revenue Officer as co‑chairs of its Trade Relations Committee for the 2026‑2027 term. The committee serves as a strategic bridge between...
Modest Lift in RevPAR Forecasted for World Cup Months
The revised U.S. hotel outlook from CoStar and Tourism Economics projects a 1.7% RevPAR increase during the World Cup months of June and July 2026. This modest lift contributes to an overall 0.6% RevPAR growth for the year, up from...
Sean M. Dell’Orto Named Park Hotels & Resorts COO
Park Hotels & Resorts announced that Sean M. Dell’Orto will serve as chief operating officer while continuing as executive vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer. Dell’Orto has held the CFO and treasurer positions since the company’s 2017 spin‑off from...
Global Rescue Survey: 20 Percent of Travelers Plan More Trips With Longer Stays in 2026
The Global Rescue Winter 2026 Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey finds that 20 percent of respondents plan to take more trips with longer stays next year, while 11 percent expect longer stays but fewer trips. Nearly half—49 percent—anticipate no change in travel frequency...
StepStone Hospitality Promotes Kristina Randorf
StepStone Hospitality has promoted Kristina Randorf to senior vice president of revenue management, where she will steer enterprise revenue management, strategic analytics, and innovation. Randorf joined the firm in 2017 as an on‑property revenue manager and progressed through area, regional,...
Extreme Hospitality Adds The Franklin on Rittenhouse to Portfolio
Extreme Hospitality has incorporated The Franklin on Rittenhouse, a 20‑room boutique lifestyle hotel in Center City Philadelphia, into its managed portfolio. The property boasts individually decorated guestrooms and a Prohibition‑themed speakeasy, the Franklin Mortgage & Investment Company, reflecting a rebellious...
Dusit Thani Maldives Welcomes Michelin-Starred Chef Christophe Chiavola
Dusit Thani Maldives on Mudhdhoo Island will host Michelin‑starred Chef Christophe Chiavola for a five‑day culinary residency from 5 to 10 March 2026. The program features four intimate events—a masterclass by the ocean, an island‑produce workshop, a sunset cocktail‑dinner, and a one‑night‑only...
New Deal Europe to Host Annual Marketplace and Forum Next Month
New Deal Europe will host its 2026 Marketplace and Forum at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium next month. The B2B event recorded a 20% year‑on‑year rise in attendance and attracted record numbers of UK and international buyers. The Marketplace showcases suppliers from...
Speaker Spotlight: Liz Williams, CEO, El Pollo Loco
Liz Williams, CEO of El Pollo Loco, will speak at the Restaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit in San Diego on March 16‑18, 2026. In the interview she outlines her career path from a paper route to leading a national fast‑casual...
Choice Hotels International Debuts New Prototype for Everhome Suites
Choice Hotels International unveiled a re‑designed prototype for its Everhome Suites brand, aiming to cut construction costs and boost operational efficiency. The new layout reduces per‑room development expenses by roughly 13% while expanding capacity to about 120 suites per property....
Research: 69% of Restaurants Are Adopting AI While 81% Increase Digital Marketing Investment
Research by Popmenu of 328 restaurant leaders shows 44% already use AI and another 25% plan adoption, while 78% are optimizing sites for AI‑driven search. Consumer spending dropped to $90 weekly, a $25 decline, prompting operators to lean on digital...
Ezeiza Opts for Synaptic Ramp Solution
Argentina’s Ezeiza International Airport will roll out Synaptic Aviation’s AI‑powered ramp visibility platform across all passenger gates after a successful 90‑day proof‑of‑concept. The deployment installs more than 60 on‑premises cameras that continuously monitor aircraft push‑back, baggage loading and ground‑crew movements....
Southern Grounds Aims to Be a Bridge Between Starbucks and First Watch
Southern Grounds is launching as an all‑day café that fuses high‑end specialty coffee with chef‑driven, brunch‑style food. The concept positions itself between the mass‑market appeal of Starbucks and the upscale, menu‑focused experience of First Watch. With a funky, community‑centric vibe and...
The Restaurant Industry Gets 2 Big Wins
Federal judges delivered two significant rulings affecting restaurants. In Illinois, a judge held Visa, Mastercard and banks not preempted, allowing states to pursue swipe‑fee reforms. In Oregon, a judge found the state's extended producer responsibility law likely unconstitutional, halting the...
Why DoorDash Isn't Afraid of AI Shopping Agents
DoorDash CEO Tony Xu says AI ordering agents won’t replace delivery apps because DoorDash controls the end‑to‑end experience, from driver dispatch to issue resolution. AI agents may handle search, ordering and payment, but fulfillment and logistics remain platform‑specific. DoorDash posted 32%...
Subway Pulls Back on Its Free Sub Offer
Subway announced it will discontinue the free fourth‑footlong offer that was a key component of its Sub Club loyalty program. The move comes amid stagnant same‑store sales and mounting pressure on margins from rising ingredient costs. By transitioning to a...
In the Social Media Era, Be Careful What You Wish For
Five Guys launched an anniversary promotion that dramatically outperformed its internal forecasts, driven by a wave of social‑media buzz. The unexpected surge highlighted how digital platforms can amplify marketing offers far beyond traditional channels. Companies across sectors are now grappling with...
La Madeleine Eyes Accelerated Growth Following 'Ignite the Joy' Turnaround
French‑inspired bakery‑café La Madeleine reported its strongest expansion pipeline in nearly a decade after a year of operational restructuring under CEO John Dillon. The 2025 “Ignite the Joy” plan delivered positive sales, with off‑premise revenue reaching roughly 50% and new...
Birmingham Airport Publishes New Sustainability Strategy
Birmingham Airport (BHX) has unveiled its 2026‑2030 sustainability strategy, organized around ten strategic themes that align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The plan builds on a 30% reduction in direct emissions achieved since 2019 and reinforces the airport’s...
Avelo Airlines Cuts 29% Of Flights: Why Is The Budget Carrier Shrinking So Fast?
Avelo Airlines announced a 29% cut to its Q2 2026 schedule, removing over 3,000 flights compared with a year earlier. The reduction stems from closing two East Coast bases, ending West Coast operations, and accelerating the retirement of its Boeing...
FLYR Hospitality Now Available on Shiji Daylight PMS
Shiji announced that its cloud‑native Daylight PMS now integrates directly with FLYR Hospitality’s AI‑first commercial optimization platform. The connection lets hotel groups automate pricing, forecasting and performance analytics within their existing PMS, replacing manual spreadsheet workflows. FLYR’s Optimize and Insights...
Omni Hotels & Resorts Modernizes Guest Engagement with Canary Technologies
Omni Hotels & Resorts announced it will integrate Canary Technologies’ Guest Experience Platform across its portfolio. The rollout includes AI‑powered Guest Messaging via SMS, WhatsApp and 100+ languages, plus a mobile‑friendly Digital Compendium that consolidates property information. The partnership aims...
Dexamenes Expands Accommodation Offering with New Suites
Greek winery‑turned‑hotel Dexamenes Seaside Hotel has introduced eight new Seaview Terrace Suites, expanding its accommodation portfolio. The suites are constructed atop restored fermentation tanks, featuring floor‑to‑ceiling folding windows, verandas, and a floating pergola canopy. Additional amenities include converted office wellness...
United States and Germany Lead the Way as Boeing 777X Introduces Groundbreaking Wingtip Safety System
Boeing’s 777X will enter service with a first‑of‑its‑kind active takeoff inhibition system that verifies the folding wingtip configuration before departure. The aircraft’s 235‑foot wingspan can be reduced to 212 feet on the ground, allowing it to fit existing Code E gates at...
Lesotho’s High-Altitude Bet: Can Tourism Infrastructure Turn a Mountain Kingdom Into an Investment Destination?
Lesotho is repositioning tourism as an infrastructure‑finance engine, using public‑private partnerships to attract private capital and extend visitor stays. The flagship Katse Tourist Village aims to turn a major reservoir into an eco‑destination that spurs roads, utilities and local supply...
First Look at Grecotel’s Brand-New Cretan Icon – Creta Palace
Grecotel has announced the launch of Creta Palace, a new luxury resort on Crete’s north‑coast. The property will offer roughly 300 rooms, several high‑end restaurants, a full‑service spa, and extensive meeting facilities. Construction is slated for completion in early 2025,...
Emirates Skywards Offers Ramadan Rewards and Chance to Win Share of 2 Million Skywards Miles
Emirates Skywards has launched a Ramadan promotion offering members a chance to win a share of 2 million Skywards Miles, with 20 winners each receiving 100,000 Miles. Participants earn a 25% bonus on all spends through the Skywards Everyday app and...
Faith-Based Travelers Turn to Biblical Greece for a More Stable Journey
Faith‑based travelers are increasingly choosing Greece for New Testament pilgrimages, driven by its biblical relevance and robust tourism infrastructure. Greece recorded a historic 40 million international arrivals in 2024, with early 2025 data confirming continued growth. Tour operators, especially U.S.‑based firms,...
Divi Resorts Highlights Exclusive Direct Booking Perks
Divi Resorts is promoting a suite of direct‑booking perks across its Caribbean portfolio, including a Best Price Guarantee, flexible pay‑over‑time options, and cash‑back rewards through The Guestbook. The program also offers discounted non‑refundable rates, family‑friendly all‑inclusive pricing, and up to...
Luxury Cruising Enters Its Personalization Era
Luxury cruising is shifting from a hierarchy‑based model to a personalization‑driven market, where affluent travelers choose ships that match their vibe, values, and lifestyle. Internova’s research shows over 80% of luxury travelers are interested in yacht cruising and two‑thirds favor...
Discover Europe’s Newest Hotel Barge Destination: Inland Brittany Aboard Nymphea
European Waterways is launching a brand‑new hotel‑barge itinerary aboard the Nymphea, taking guests through inland Brittany via the historic Canal de Nantes à Brest between Josselin and Redon. The six‑guest barge offers an intimate, slow‑travel experience that includes medieval towns,...
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection and Johanna Ortiz Debut a First-of-Its-Kind Takeover at Sea
The Ritz‑Carlton Yacht Collection has teamed with Colombian fashion house Johanna Ortiz for a first‑of‑its‑kind onboard takeover on the yacht Ilma, debuting February 17. The partnership dresses the Pool Deck and Observation Terrace with Ortiz’s signature tropical prints, creating two...
‘Avignon Warmed Our Bones and Fed Our Souls’: Readers’ Favourite Early Spring Trips to Southern Europe
Travel writers surveyed their favorite early‑spring getaways across southern Europe, highlighting destinations from Annecy’s Alpine greenways to Naples’ vibrant streets, Corsica’s wildflower‑laden hills, and Avignon’s golden evenings. Each spot is praised for mild weather, reduced crowds and easy rail or...
What Are The Best Seats In Each Class Of Delta Air Lines' Boeing 757s?
Delta Air Lines operates the largest U.S. fleet of Boeing 757s—about 110 aircraft—as of late 2025, but the airline has deliberately avoided a single cabin layout. This results in noticeable differences in seat comfort across the 757‑200 and the more uniform 757‑300,...
From Motor Scooters to Billionaires
Smiling Albino, founded in 1999, has evolved from motor‑scooter tours in remote Thai regions to curating ultra‑luxury experiences for billionaires. The company redefines luxury as authentic, community‑based encounters rather than five‑star hotels, emphasizing sustainable partnerships and fair compensation for local...
Thai Hoteliers Forecast Flat 2026 Foreign Arrivals, Cite Safety Concerns
Thai hotel operators project foreign tourist arrivals for 2026 to remain flat, driven by stagnant short‑haul demand despite modest growth in long‑haul markets. Occupancy held at 77 % in January, with the south outperforming at 84 % while the north fell to...
Komodo Visitor Cap Sparks Concern Among Operators
Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry has imposed a daily visitor cap of 1,000 for Komodo National Park, citing the need to safeguard its terrestrial and marine ecosystems. The quota, trial‑run from March 2026, follows a series of weather‑related sailing suspensions and...
Sono Hotels & Resorts Asia Enters Japan with Nagoya Hotel
South Korea’s Sono Hotels & Resorts Asia has signed its first Japanese project, the Sono Moon Nagoya, a mid‑scale lifestyle hotel located eight minutes from Nagoya Station. The property will be owned by Escon Japan REIT Investment Corporation and leased...
Bits: New Korean Air Amex Offer, IHG Launches ‘Noted’ Brand, Radisson Opens on Lake Como
Korean Air has revived its American Express cashback promotion, offering £100 back on £750 spend for UK bookings made by 29 March. IHG announced its 21st brand, the Noted Collection, targeting upscale independent hotels with a goal of 150 properties in...
Southwest Airlines Staying “Optimistic” For Boeing 737 MAX 7 Debut In Early 2027
Southwest Airlines remains optimistic that Boeing will deliver the 737 MAX 7 in early 2027 after a series of delays spanning seven years. The carrier, which holds 90% of the MAX 7 order book and 269 firm orders, has accelerated MAX 8 deliveries to...
How Does Hilton’s ‘Guaranteed Connecting Hotel Rooms’ Feature Work?
Hilton has introduced a guaranteed connecting‑room option across its portfolio, allowing guests to book adjacent rooms directly on hilton.com. Travelers must select “two rooms,” book at least three days in advance, and the system filters out non‑connectable types. While cash...