Priya Nair
Writes on the business of travel for GlobalTravelPost: hotel and airline earnings, distribution, deals and travel tech, seen from Asia.

Business Travellers Prioritise Hotel Function Over Bleisure, French Survey Shows
A Coach Omnium study in France during early 2026 found most business guests favour practical hotel amenities and personal service, with bleisure travel a low priority for domestic visitors.

Philippines Promotes Visayas Multi-Island Travel via Cebu Hub
The Philippine Department of Tourism and Mactan-Cebu International Airport launched 'Discover the Visayas', a campaign formalised on October 23, 2026, to connect travellers to six islands from Cebu.

Global Hotel Groups Appoint New Leadership Across Key Properties
New managing directors and general managers will oversee operations from Washington D.C. to Rome, with some leaders bringing extensive experience from Asia's luxury hospitality sector.

Jakarta Promotes Tourism and MICE Sector at ITB Asia 2026
The Jakarta Tourism and Creative Economy Agency led a 17-member delegation to Singapore, seeking to expand international networks and partnerships for its travel and events sectors.

JetBlue Reaffirms 2027 Profitability Goal Amidst Q3 Loss
The US airline's shares rose over 10% on Monday, 26 October 2026, after it maintained its long-term financial targets despite reporting a wider third-quarter loss and cutting its 2026 forecast.

Booking.com Report: India's Alternative Stays Market Nears ₹415 Billion
A new study from Booking.com and VIDEC Consultants projects India's alternative accommodation sector to reach ₹415 billion in gross booking value by fiscal year 2029, driven by evolving traveller preferences and corporate demand.

Shree Naman Group Acquires JW Marriott Bengaluru, Crowne Plaza Pune
The Indian hospitality firm completed an Rs18bn transaction, expanding its operational footprint to approximately 1,000 rooms across five properties in three cities.

Hertz Customer Faces Three-Month Refund Delay for Erroneous Charge
A Hertz customer has spent three months attempting to resolve an unauthorised $1,367.38 charge for a rental car they never collected, despite the company confirming a refund.

Walk Japan Expands Tokyo Operations, Adds New 2027 Tours
Tour operator Walk Japan, established in 1992, opened its inaugural Tokyo office on 2 October 2026, enhancing its presence in Japan's capital.

Hongkong Land Launches Central Revitalisation Campaign
Hongkong Land initiated its 'Destination CENTRAL' campaign on 23 October 2026, bringing together key financial and tourism leaders to bolster the long-term renewal of Hong Kong's Central district.

Xiamen–Los Angeles Leads China-US Route Load Factors
In July 2026, the Xiamen to Los Angeles air corridor achieved the highest passenger load factor, though Taipei to San Francisco recorded the largest passenger volume across 40 China-US services.

Spain Draws Visitors Off-Peak, Outperforms Mediterranean Rivals
Spain recorded 47% of its tourism activity outside the traditional high season, a figure significantly higher than Italy and Greece, according to a new study presented on 20 October.

Thailand's TAT Targets Vietnam, ASEAN for Tourism Growth
The Tourism Authority of Thailand aims for 6.2% revenue growth from ASEAN visitors in fiscal 2027, with specific campaigns for Vietnam and Malaysia.

TravClan Secures $5M for AI Travel Tech Expansion in Asia, ME
The Indian travel technology platform will enhance its AI-driven booking systems and expand destination operations across Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

IHG Q3: US Occupancy Highest Since 2017, RevPAR Up 6.8%
The hotel group saw Americas RevPAR increase by 6.8% year-on-year, with United States occupancy reaching its highest point since 2017 during the quarter.

Conrad Singapore Orchard Names Min Seojoo Lee Hotel Manager
Min Seojoo Lee assumes the Hotel Manager position, leading a team that includes new directors for marketing communications and food and beverage.

Pan Pacific Targets Southeast Asia with Ten New Projects by 2027
The Singapore-based hotel group anticipates strong regional tourism demand, driven by affluent short-haul travellers seeking premium experiences across the region.

Holafly Index Reveals Key Obstacles for Digital Nomads Globally
International eSIM provider Holafly's 2026 Digital Nomad Friction Index assessed 17 destinations, identifying administrative hurdles and internet reliability as primary challenges for remote workers.

Major Credit Cards Expand Global Travel Loyalty Point Transfers
New analysis reveals how American Express, Chase, and other issuers enable rewards conversion to over 20 airline and hotel programmes, including Asian carriers like Singapore KrisFlyer and Cathay Pacific.

Accor Forecasts Flat Fourth Quarter Amid European Unrest, Middle East Conflicts
The Paris-based hotel group has incorporated prudence into its full-year outlook, citing recent civil disturbances in France and ongoing geopolitical tensions across the Middle East.

Hong Kong Tourism Board Unveils Film Location Guide for Visitors
The new 'Hong Kong Good Take' series, launched 21 October 2026, features over 100 sites from 50 movies, aiming to attract travellers to the city's cinematic heritage.

Mainland Chinese Outbound Travel Rises 7.5 Percent in Q3 2026
China's National Immigration Administration reported 48.5 million outbound trips by mainland residents in the third quarter, with Hong Kong and Macau leading as primary destinations.

Viet Nam Tourism, Market Depts Partner to Boost Shopping Tourism
The Department of Domestic Market Management and Development and the Viet Nam National Tourism Administration formalised a cooperation memorandum on 15 October 2026, valid until 2030, to enhance visitor experiences and promote domestic goods.

China Border Crossings Surge on Visa-Free Policies in Q3
China recorded 192 million border crossings in the July–September period of 2026, marking a 7.9 per cent year-on-year increase, driven by expanded visa-free access.

India's Hotel Revenue Growth Expected to Ease in Current Quarter
Despite robust performance in September 2026, brokerage Jefferies anticipates India's hotel revenue per available room (RevPAR) growth to moderate in the current quarter, with the 2027 wedding calendar poised to support future demand.

Greek Islands Face Water Crisis: Hospitality Sector Adapts
Seven Greek islands in the Aegean Sea declared a drought emergency this year, prompting hotels to reconsider water management as extreme heat strains local resources and creates tension with communities.

Hotel Asset Managers Forecast RevPAR Growth Through 2027
A survey by the Hospitality Asset Managers Association reveals nearly half of asset managers anticipate 4% to 6% year-over-year revenue per available room increases in 2026.

Indonesia Tourism Ministry Launches 'Go Beyond Ordinary'
Indonesia's Ministry of Tourism has launched its "Go Beyond Ordinary" campaign, developing new products around gastronomy, wellness, and heritage to broaden visitor offerings beyond traditional attractions.

Major US Airline Credit Cards Now Offer Free Checked Bags
Over two dozen co-branded credit cards from major US airlines like Alaska Airlines and American Airlines now include free checked luggage, mitigating costs for frequent flyers and groups.

Lodging Conference: ADR up 3.7%, AI reshapes bookings
Executives at the 2026 Lodging Conference noted year-to-date average daily rate growth of 3.7% year-over-year, while also highlighting artificial intelligence's impact on booking channels.