Business of Travel.
News and analysis for the people who run travel, from hotel boardrooms to airline route desks.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Shanghai Luxury Hotel Rates Climb Amid Inbound Tourism Surge
A two-night stay at premium properties on Shanghai's Bund now costs RMB 7,000–8,000, driven by a significant increase in international visitors.
Independent Hotels Must Redefine Competitors Beyond Traditional Sets
A recent PriceLabs survey, current as of October 2026, reveals 82 percent of guests booking small hotels would consider short-term rentals, challenging conventional revenue strategies.
NZ$221M: SkyCity Sells Auckland Grand Hotel to Eden Global, ACCL
The New Zealand leisure giant will continue managing the property until mid-2027, as the consortium of buyers, with interests across Southeast Asia, expands its Australasian portfolio.
PM Hotel Group Expands Portland: Hotel Equities, Indigo Road Appoint
PM Hotel Group has grown its footprint in the Portland, Oregon metro area to seven properties, while Hotel Equities and The Indigo Road Hospitality Group recently announced key leadership appointments.
Foodservice LGBTQIA+ & Allies Forum Launches for Industry Inclusivity
The new independent body, backed by industry associations, aims to create a welcoming environment for professionals across the global hospitality sector.
China Hotel REITs: Major Groups Secure New Approvals
Several major hospitality groups have secured regulatory approval for new trusts, building on reforms introduced at the end of 2025 to attract international investment.
Braemar Divests Scottsdale Resort, Nears Self-Management Goal
Braemar Hotels & Resorts is selling the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale for $372 million, aiming to finalise its separation from Ashford Inc. and become self-managed by mid-November.
Sansiri Capital Purchases Lake Como Edition Hotel in Italy
The acquisition by the Thai developer marks its strategic expansion into Europe's luxury hospitality sector, just months after the hotel's March 2026 debut.
Sansiri Leads Thai Developers' Shift to European Hotel Assets
Thai real estate firms are increasingly acquiring properties in developed European markets, exemplified by Sansiri's recent purchase of a five-star hotel in Italy.
Pebblebrook Hotel Trust Divests Portland's Hotel Zags for $10m
The 174-room property in Portland, Oregon, was sold to an undisclosed buyer, following a period of net operating losses for the asset.
Philippine Hotels See US$6.2 Billion Investment Amid Flat Arrivals
Philippine hotel developers have committed 387 billion pesos (US$6.2 billion) to new properties through 2032, while foreign tourist arrivals reached 4.4 million from January to August 2026, largely flat year-on-year.
Simpson Travel acquires South France Villas, expands luxury portfolio
The luxury tour operator completed the acquisition on 4 August 2026, adding properties in Languedoc and French Riviera, following its 2025 expansion into Portugal.
Hyatt Refines Hotel Prototypes, Cuts Owner Costs
Hyatt has updated its Hyatt Place and Hyatt Studios designs, reducing key counts and building footprints to improve development economics for hotel owners globally.
Dubai Luxury Hotels Add Perks to Maintain Room Rates
Facing weak international demand, properties like Atlantis Dubai are offering resort credits and complimentary upgrades to residents instead of price reductions.
Amadeus: October Hotel Pace Reflects Group Softness, Not Demand
Amadeus has worldwide hotel occupancy for October pacing behind last year, but the softness sits in group business that has always filled last. Unsold group block rose from 15 to 19 per cent of the mix, so the September snapshot may be missing business that is still coming.
Ex-Delta Flight Attendant Sues Airline and Marriott Over Savannah Incident
Candace Carter, a former Delta Air Lines flight attendant, has filed a lawsuit in Georgia alleging discriminatory termination by the airline and a hostile environment at a Courtyard by Marriott in Savannah following a March 2025 layover incident.
Travel + Leisure, Wyndham Partner on Sports Illustrated Hotels
The collaboration, announced on Monday, 5 October 2026, aims to expand the sports-themed brand beyond its initial timeshare model into standalone hotel properties.
Pili Pili Wins Luxembourg's 2026 Bistrospill Board Game Award
The Bistrospill award, backed by Horesca and Spillfabrik, seeks to reintroduce tabletop gaming to cafes and bars, aiming to enhance social interaction for patrons.
New York, Paris Lead Global Shift in Short-Term Rental Regulation
New York's 2023 enforcement of short-term rental rules boosted hotel revenues by up to $2.9bn, while Barcelona plans to not renew over 10,000 tourist flat licences by 2028.
Robinsons Land Expands Fili Luxury Hotel Brand to Metro Manila
The new Fili property is scheduled to open in Bridgetowne in 2027, marking the second location for the Philippines' homegrown five-star hotel brand.
CPP Investments Fuels India Hospitality Sector with US$441 Million Stake
The Canadian pension fund has acquired a 27 per cent interest in Prestige Hospitality Ventures Ltd., an Asia-Pacific platform, to back its expansion plans.
The Guest You Don't Recognise: What La Siesta Premium Saigon's MICHELIN Guide Selection Says About Vietnamese Hospitality
La Siesta Premium Saigon has entered the MICHELIN Guide 2026 hotel selection. Its chairman's explanation fits in one line: work as if no one is watching.
Choice Hotels Adds Six Upscale Properties Across United States
Choice Hotels International announced the opening of two Cambria Hotels and four Ascend Collection properties on 1 October 2026, expanding its premium offerings in Florida, Colorado, Vermont, and Wisconsin.
A Quiet Milestone in Hue: What aNhill Boutique's MICHELIN Guide Selection Says About Vietnam's Old Capital
A small, independently run retreat on Thien An Hill has entered the MICHELIN Guide Hotel Selection 2026. The recognition belongs to the hotel. The consequences may belong to Hue.
Choice Hotels acquires RV travel firm Harvest Hosts
The US$130 million all-cash transaction expands Choice Hotels' presence in the growing outdoor hospitality sector.