News
Entertainment
Science & Technology
Life
Culture & Art
Hobbies
News
Entertainment
Science & Technology
Culture & Art
Hobbies
Dutch consumer groups prepare legal action against Booking.com, alleging inflated hotel prices
Two Dutch consumer groups said on Wednesday they are seeking affected customers for a legal claim against Booking.com (BKNG.O), opens new tab, one of the world's largest online travel agencies, over what they described as inflated hotel prices since 2013.The Consumer Competition Claims Foundation (CCC) and the Consumers' Association said in a statement that Booking.com had allegedly been charging consumers too much for hotel rooms for years, leading to "hundreds of millions of euros in damage to Dutch consumers".
Valor Hospitality Partners Announces Strategic Expansion into the Caribbean with New Luxury Development in Tobago
Valor Hospitality Partners, a full-service global hospitality company, is proud to announce its official expansion into the Caribbean market through a strategic partnership with Cove Bay Developments. The collaboration marks Valor’s first Caribbean venture and includes the management of Plymouth Peninsula Tobago, a flagship luxury destination set to open on Tobago’s breathtaking northern coast in 2027.
Canada hotels report highest performance growth of 2025
Canada’s hotel industry reported its highest 2025 monthly growth rates in occupancy and revenue per available room (RevPAR), according to May data from CoStar. CoStar is a leading provider of online real estate marketplaces, information and analytics in the property markets.
Three Critical Clauses Hotel Owners Overlook in Their Management Agreements | By Stephen Rushmore
As a hotel consultant, I have reviewed and negotiated hundreds of hotel management contracts. Each agreement contains hundreds of clauses and provisions that require negotiation. Because hotel companies negotiate these agreements all the time, owners are at a disadvantage and often overlook important clauses that need to be included in their contracts. This newsletter will cover three significant provisions most owners don’t even realize are available to them. These are just three of many overlooked clauses that I will discuss in future newsletters.
The Waldorf Astoria, a hotel that defined hospitality, is reborn
For nearly a century, New York City's Waldorf Astoria set the standard for luxury hotels. Now, after seven years, an army of artisans has brought the Art Deco beauty back to life. "CBS Mornings" co-host Gayle King interviews Hilton's Chris Nasetta and takes a tour, as a grand hotel begins a new chapter.
K9 desktop laser engraver - delivering crisp, detailed engraving on wooden key cards
Are you looking for an entry-level laser engraver for beginners? Do you want to send personalized gifts as a lasting memory to your guests for birthdays, Oktoberfest, Easter, Christmas, and other events? Here it is - GCSTIMES K9 desktop laser engraver.
Hotel activity: Paris saves the day, but for how long? | By Vanguélis Panayotis
The French hotel industry presents a contrasting picture as we enter 2025. On the one hand, Paris is shining brightly, buoyed by exceptional momentum. On the other, the regions, including the Capital Region outside Paris, are struggling to keep pace, revealing economic weaknesses to date.
Introducing Pocketbook Hudson, A New Hotel And Creative Complex
Pocketbook Hudson is a new hotel, spa and arts complex from a dynamic community of creative collaborators, now accepting reservations ahead of its October 2025 opening. Centrally located in downtown Hudson, New York, the property brings new life to one of the largest landmarked buildings in the vibrant city. Located two hours north of New York City and within walking distance of downtown Hudson's Warren Street, the property is set on just over one acre complete with an expansive central courtyard.
The Next Era of Hotel Technology: Agentic, MCP & Multi-Modal AI | By Jordan M Hollander
Massive developments are happening in AI. Just this week the popular Hotel Tech Insider innovation newsletter covered a story about Hyatt laying off 30% of it's US Call Center staff and we're seeing major tectonic shifts like this across the industry each week but most hotels are only just beginning to explore its potential. In many cases, individual hoteliers and staff are experimenting with tools like ChatGPT for writing content or answering questions. Some hotels have added basic AI features into their operations – think of voice-activated assistants in rooms or simple text chatbots on their websites that answer guest FAQs. Others use AI behind the scenes for tasks like summarizing guest feedback or generating reports. These early uses are valuable, but they barely scratch the surface of what’s coming.
Marketing That Moves: Why Storytelling is Hospitality's Hidden Revenue Engine | By Jacqueline Villamil
The hospitality industry has long relied on aesthetics, amenities, and service as its primary marketing differentiators. Yet, in an age where digital attention spans are shrinking and customer acquisition costs are rising, these traditional approaches are no longer enough. Marketing that simply showcases rooms or lists amenities is easy to scroll past. With countless options available to travelers, visual appeal alone can no longer command loyalty. For hotels to stand out, they must connect with potential guests on a deeper, more emotional level.
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott in Calgary, Alberta Reveals Exciting Makeover
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Calgary Downtown, located at 239 12thAvenue SW, today announced that it has completed an extensive renovation of its guest rooms and public spaces. The general contractor was Ryan Murphy Construction Inc while Bozena Licensed Interior Design Inc.was responsible for the new concept and context of the makeover.
Meliá named Most Sustainable Hotel Company in Europe by TIME and Statista
Meliá Hotels International has been recognized as the most sustainable hotel company in Europe and the second worldwide in the newly released World's 500 Most Sustainable Companies 2025 ranking, published by the prestigious TIME magazine in collaboration with data analytics firm Statista. Meliá is also listed among the top 20 Spanish companies in this global index, which highlights organizations with the strongest commitment and progress in sustainability.
Hilton Named India’s No. 1 Great Place to Work for Third Consecutive Year
Hilton (NYSE: HLT), Asia’s fastest-growing hospitality company, has once again been recognized as India's #1 Company to Work For by Great Place to Work. This marks the third consecutive year Hilton has achieved this honor, making it the only hospitality company in India to achieve this distinction. It reflects the company’s consistent leadership in fostering a culture of purpose, wellbeing, inclusion and growth.
MyResorts Optimizes Online Distribution and Boosts Efficiency with RateTiger Channel Manager
MyResorts, a boutique hospitality group in South Africa, has implemented RateTiger Channel Manager to simplify its OTA management and enhance rate and inventory distribution across multiple sales channels. The hotel selected RateTiger to centralize control over its online sales and reduce the time spent on manual updates while ensuring rate parity and real-time availability across all connected platforms.
Unpacking the Guest Experience: Insights for the Modern Hotelier | By Florencia Cueto
I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Araceli Budia, Senior Manager of Global Digital & Guest Experience at Palladium Hotel Group. Our conversation peeled back the layers to reveal what it truly means to create memorable experiences for guests in today’s hospitality world. Palladium is a dynamic, family-run company in expansion mode, having recently entered the UAE market and boasting over 40 hotels across eight destinations. This allows them to move quickly, fostering an environment that encourages innovation, disruptive ideas, and a unique collaborative energy.
Where next? The Travel Foundation shares four big ideas to power tourism’s climate transition
Today at London Climate Action Week, the Travel Foundation announced an ambitious new initiative under the banner: Where Next? Big ideas for tourism's climate transition. The global NGO introduced four such "big ideas" that will form the basis of a global engagement and consultation process leading up to the COP30 UN Climate Summit in Brazil this November.
Marriott International Signs Multi-Unit Agreement with Corporación Polaris and Cardedeu to Debut City Express by Marriott in El Salvador
With the expected opening of four properties, this agreement accelerates the expansion of the City Express by Marriott brand into strategic markets across the region.
Courtyard Bridgetown, Barbados Unveils Interior Renovation and An Elevated Dining Experience
Courtyard Bridgetown, Barbados is proud to unveil a $350,000 thoughtfully designed renovation of its lobby and signature restaurant, Kitchen & Bar, drawing inspiration from the vibrant colors and atmosphere of the Caribbean. This transformation aims to create a serene and welcoming oasis that captures the spirit of the island while offering guests a modern and comfortable hospitality experience.
RMS appoints new CFO to strengthen financial leadership and bolster next phase of growth
Leading hospitality platform for hotels, motels, serviced apartments and short-term rentals RMS, has announced the appointment of Chetan Arjun as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) as it strengthens its executive team to support global growth.
Raines Announces Lantern Columbia: Columbia’s Premier Boutique Hotel
Raines, a leading hospitality organization, has announced that its upcoming Columbia, South Carolina boutique property will be known as The Lantern Hotel Columbia. This unique initiative combines an adaptive reuse of Columbia's historic firehouse with a team of hospitality professionals with special abilities. Lantern Columbia is more than just a hotel, it's a purpose-driven property that will serve as a beacon of inclusion and pride for the Columbia community.
HBX Group launches in Europe Cyber Risk Assessment service with Wallbid for hotels
HBX Group (HBX.SM), a leading independent B2B travel technology marketplace, has partnered with Wallbid, a world class embedded insurance provider backed by Fairfax, to provide hospitality businesses access to Cybersential, a cyber risk assessment service specifically designed for the hospitality sector, powered by Wallbid ecosystem partners. The initiative is part of HBX Group’s ongoing commitment to support hotel partners with solutions that reflect the realities of today’s increasingly digital operating environment and will be available to businesses in Europe.
Let's Say "Hello World"! - Our customized wooden fridge magnets that double as key cards!
Every time we attend an international exhibition — whether in Europe, the Middle East, or just last week in America—we bring along something special: our customized wooden fridge magnets that double as key cards!
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection Reveals Winter 2026–2027 Itineraries Marking Debut in Polynesia and New Ports in Asia Pacific
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection unveils its Winter 2026–2027 itineraries, introducing an expanded portfolio of luxury yachting experiences across French Polynesia, Hawaii, and Asia-Pacific aboard Evrima and Luminara. Sailing from October 2026 through April 2027, the season will feature 32 new voyages, reflecting the luxury brand’s continued global momentum and ongoing commitment to providing access to the world’s most sought-after regions.
Strategies for Seasonal Impact | By John Hirt
In hospitality, seasonality isn’t just a footnote in the budget—it’s often the main storyline. Whether it’s summer vacationers filling oceanfront suites, fall group travel spiking occupancy, or citywide events creating compression across an entire market, these seasonal surges are what make or break performance.
Issue 796: Boutique Hospitality Embraces Storytelling, Style, and Social Relevance | By Ariela Goharik Kiradjian
Boutique hospitality is thriving on the power of reinvention. This week’s stories center on how hotel brands are reactivating legacy properties and redefining their presence in both rural and urban markets. Casetta Hotels’ revival of Big Bear’s iconic Marina Riviera and its new launch in Taos reflect a strategy rooted in thoughtful expansion and community alignment. Similarly, Bridgeton’s reimagination of Montauk’s Ruschmeyer’s captures a deeper shift toward preserving nostalgia while updating the guest experience for today’s conscious traveler.
Triptease introduces new ways for hotels to win more valuable guests
LONDON, UK - Triptease, leaders in hotel marketing technology and pioneers of the Direct Booking Movement, today announced major updates to its Data Marketing Platform (DMP) and website personalization products as part of the company’s ongoing drive to level the playing field between hotels and Online Travel Agents (OTAs). These foundational enhancements will enable hotels to win more valuable guests through integrated multi-channel marketing campaigns, powered by a unique hotel-specific dataset and AI-driven intelligent targeting.
UN Tourism Launches the “Safe Destinations Challenge” to Strengthen Tourism Resilience in Europe and Beyond
The Safe Destinations Challenge aims to protect both tourism destinations and the people who inhabit and visit them. Over the past 50 years, Europe has faced more than 1,700 climate, fire, weather, and water-related hazards resulting in over 160,000 lives lost and economic damages exceeding half a trillion US dollars. In this context, strengthening preparedness and crisis response capacity has never been more urgent.
78.8% of Saudi Travelers Go Solo This Summer, Wego Reports
As temperatures soar in the Kingdom during the summer, Saudi travelers are heading abroad in record numbers, not only to traditional destinations, but also to emerging tourism destinations that offer cooler weather, cultural depth, and affordability. New data from Wego, the Middle East’s largest online travel marketplace, reveals shifts in travel patterns for summer 2025, marked by a sharp rise in solo travel and a growing demand for luxury accommodation.
Kempinski Hotels win prestigious awards at Global Hotel Alliance Awards in Brussels
Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), the world’s largest alliance of independent hotel brands, with the award-winning loyalty programme GHA DISCOVERY, of which KEMPINSKI DISCOVERY is a part of, has announced the winners of its 2025 awards.
The Commercial Strategy Disconnect: Is Your Digital Strategy Driving Hotel Profit or Just Activity?
In today's competitive landscape, the goal isn't just to be busy, it's to be profitable. As a commercial leader, you're focused on the big picture: optimizing revenue, driving direct bookings to reduce acquisition costs, and building a brand that commands market share.
How Food Well-being Is Changing Hospitality: 6 Key Trends Explained | By Valentina Clergue and Nicola Gryczka Kirsch
“A healthy mind in a healthy body”, “food as medicine”, “you are what you eat” – these insights into food and well-being have been around for millennia, but today they are gaining more traction as consumer trends shift towards an increased demand for healthy, ethically-sourced food.