The Walt Disney World Resort has recently filed permits for construction work at the Magic Kingdom in order to make way for the expansion of Frontierland, featuring attractions from Pixar’s popular „Cars“ franchise. This expansion is said to be the largest in the history of the Magic Kingdom, according to Disney. The new area will
Hotels
Oracle software billionaire Larry Ellison recently added the 309-room Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa in Manalapan, Florida to his extensive hotel portfolio. This acquisition, from the London-based Lewis Trust Group, marks another strategic investment for Ellison who already owns several luxury properties across the United States. Some of the other notable properties in Ellison’s
Disney recently unveiled a series of exciting new developments at its D23 fan event in Anaheim, Calif., including expansions and enhancements across its various parks. One of the major highlights is the introduction of a villains-themed land at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World Resort, along with several other exciting projects. Let’s delve into
Gravity Haus, a relatively new player in the hospitality industry, has been expanding its footprint in various Western destinations with a unique concept that blends work, play, and outdoor adventures. The brand’s approach of offering both membership perks and open access to non-members sets it apart from traditional hotel models. One of the key features
Expedia Group, holding the number 2 spot on Travel Weekly’s Power List, has recently faced challenges with softening demand in the travel industry. CEO Ariane Gorin highlighted the decrease in demand during the third quarter, aligning with reports from various sectors of the travel industry. While the company did meet the high end of its
In March, Avanti Destinations launched a website aimed at assisting travel advisors in creating and finding custom group trips. This initiative offers a unique opportunity for advisors to target specific groups and craft tailored itineraries. Ricarda Haeger, Avanti’s director of group sales and operations, emphasizes the importance of focusing on niche groups that advisors are
Marriott International’s acquisition of the Hoteles City Express brand marked a significant milestone in the company’s expansion strategy. With a portfolio of 152 hotels across Mexico and other Latin American countries, the $100 million deal included all the Hoteles City brand portfolio, as well as their loyalty programs. Each sub-brand of hotels is tailored to
Disney’s theme parks experienced a moderation in demand in the company’s fiscal Q3, a trend that is anticipated to persist for the next several quarters. Despite this, revenue in the Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products division displayed growth. The company noted that park attendance remained consistent year over year, and guest spending saw a slight
Tripadvisor recently announced a small increase in second-quarter revenue, but it was not the only news coming from the company. The introduction of a new service that allows members to book hotel stays directly within the app was revealed on the same day. This addition to the platform comes as a result of a partnership
The Cayo Levantado Resort, nestled on a private island in the picturesque Samana region of the Dominican Republic, has recently introduced a captivating new activity for its guests – a cassava workshop. This workshop delves into the rich history and cultural significance of cassava, a root vegetable deeply embedded in the culinary tradition of the
Hyatt Hotels Corp. recently experienced a decline in demand for their all-inclusive resorts, particularly in Mexico and the Caribbean. CEO Mark Hoplamazian attributed this shift to a „return to pre-pandemic seasonality“ in the region. The CFO, Joan Bottarini, highlighted the strong performance of Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection portfolio in the first quarter, followed by a more
Booking Holdings CEO Glenn Fogel recently shared the company’s financial results for the second quarter of 2024 with analysts in a call that displayed a decidedly optimistic tone. The CEO highlighted several positive data points such as total revenue of $5.9 billion, up 7% year over year, and gross travel bookings reaching $41.4 billion, a
Hornblower Group, a ferry service and day-tour company, recently appointed hotel industry executive Mike Flaskey as its new CEO following the completion of the company’s bankruptcy proceedings. Flaskey takes over the position previously held by Kevin Rabbitt, who had been the chief executive since June 2020. Flaskey brings with him a wealth of experience in
In the ever-changing landscape of the hospitality industry, TMC Hospitality, a subsidiary of TMC Group, has managed to create a unique niche for itself within the boutique hotel space. With the introduction of the residential-style Bode concept in 2018, followed by the unveiling of lifestyle brand Drift in 2021, the company has continued to expand
Christina Korp’s career trajectory is nothing short of remarkable. She transitioned from singing with Ringo Starr to managing Buzz Aldrin, the second man to walk on the moon, earning her the title of „Astronaut Wrangler.“ This unexpected shift in her career path highlights the power of seizing opportunities and embracing new challenges. In her previous
As the travel industry continues to recover from the impact of the pandemic, a new trend is emerging among travelers – the embrace of destination „dupes“. These are destinations that offer similar experiences to popular, overcrowded, and expensive locations. According to advisors and suppliers, travelers are increasingly opting for these alternative destinations in what has
Virgin Hotels is set to make a grand entrance into the London hospitality scene with the opening of the Virgin Hotels London-Shoreditch on August 1st. Taking over the Mondrian Shoreditch London, the hotel will undergo a transformation into a fully-fledged Virgin property, promising a unique and luxurious experience for its guests. Unveiling of the Virgin
Viva Resorts by Wyndham recently introduced a new program called Viva Pro Rewards, aimed at providing travel advisors with a unique rewards system. This program allows advisors to cash in commissions at any time and choose between cash, Amazon gift cards, or all-inclusive stays at any Viva Resort by Wyndham. The Viva Pro Rewards program
A surge in anti-tourism sentiment in popular destinations like Barcelona and Maui has fueled a wave of new legislation targeting short-term vacation rentals. This crackdown on short-term rentals is not a new phenomenon, but it is gaining momentum across the globe. Daniel Guttentag, an associate professor at the College of Charleston and director of the
The recently opened Four Seasons Hotel Osaka, located in the Dojima neighborhood, is offering a unique experience on its 28th floor called the Gensui floor. This floor aims to provide guests with a „contemporary ryokan“ experience, incorporating traditional elements such as tatami floor mats, sliding doors, low-slung seating, and futon-style sleeping platforms. Upon arrival, guests
Marriott International’s CEO, Anthony Capuano, emphasized the significance of groups in the company’s business during the second-quarter earnings call. According to Capuano, groups accounted for 24% of the company’s worldwide room nights for the quarter. Furthermore, revenue per available room (RevPAR) increased by 10% for groups compared to the previous year. Capuano mentioned that Marriott
The latest data from the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) reveals a concerning trend for hotels across Hawaii. In June, occupancy rates dipped to 75.5%, marking a 1.2 percentage point decrease from the previous year. Additionally, the average daily rate (ADR) fell by 3.7% to $373, indicating a challenging period for the hospitality sector in the
Universal Studios has set out to create an unparalleled experience for Harry Potter fans with the upcoming opening of the Harry Potter-themed section at Epic Universe. This new addition promises to be a game-changer, featuring what Universal describes as „the most ambitious, groundbreaking ride“ ever created. Dubbed „Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry,“
Sandals Resorts International has recently announced that they will be transforming the Sandals Emerald Bay in the Bahamas into the Beaches Exuma. This oceanfront resort is set to close on August 15th in order to undergo renovations, with work expected to commence in the fall. While an exact reopening date has not been specified by
The recent update of the U.S. State Department travel advisory for Jamaica has maintained the destination’s Level 3 status, indicating that while tourist areas generally have lower rates of violent crime, there are still risks to be aware of. Furthermore, the advisory now emphasizes that reports of sexual assaults, including those involving U.S. citizen tourists
The hospitality industry has seen a heartwarming trend in recent years with the presence of dogs in hotels. The idea of having a lobby dog has become popular as it not only benefits the guests but also adds a unique touch to the hotel experience. Training and managing a lobby dog requires careful planning and
Recently, I experienced a revolutionary spa treatment at Aescape’s headquarters in New York City that completely changed my perspective on massage therapy. The use of two state-of-the-art robotic massage arms that hovered just above my shoulders provided a unique and futuristic approach to traditional massages. Unlike conventional massages, I remained fully clothed in a specially
Future Found Sanctuary, nestled on the scenic slopes of Cape Town’s Table Mountain in South Africa, has recently introduced a range of wellness packages to provide guests with a rejuvenating and holistic experience. These new offerings, curated by Steve Uria, the wellness director at Newmark Hotels & Reserves, aim to appeal to a growing trend
As the travel industry slowly recovers from the impacts of the global pandemic, a new word is starting to circulate within the travel landscape: normalization. Travel sales trends are beginning to resemble something closer to the pre-Covid era, indicating a sense of hope and optimism within the industry. A recent survey conducted by host agency
Tanzania’s iconic Serengeti National Park has welcomed the opening of new luxury accommodation options in recent months, catering to discerning travelers seeking an upscale safari experience. One Nature Mara River Lodge, located in the northern Serengeti near the Kogatende Airstrip, is one of the latest offerings in the region. This lodge boasts seven villas, including
Maui is on the verge of implementing stricter regulations on vacation rentals, with the Maui Planning Commission recently voting unanimously in favor of a proposal that could lead to the elimination of over 7,000 short-term rentals across the island. This proposal is a significant step towards cracking down on the burgeoning vacation rental industry in
In the realm of tourism, some destinations have a knack for rising quickly to fame, attracting both attention and visitors in a short span of time. Think of the likes of Vietnam, Maldives, and Turks and Caicos. But what about Palau? While not quite there yet, this tiny nation in western Micronesia might just be
In the second quarter, attendance at Universal theme parks in Florida and California experienced a decline, marking a departure from the record levels seen in 2022 and 2023. The parent company, Comcast Corp., noted that this decline was a result of normalization following the initial post-lockdown boom. President Mike Cavanagh acknowledged that the theme parks
Jackson Hole, Wyoming is set to unveil its latest gem on August 1st – the Hotel Yellowstone. Nestled atop the East Gros Ventre Butte, this adults-only hotel promises a unique experience for visitors seeking a tranquil getaway in the heart of nature. With its prime location, guests will have easy access to the spectacular outdoor
Intrepid Travel, known for its adventurous tours and commitment to responsible travel, is now making moves to expand into the realm of lodging. This strategic decision aims to enhance the overall travel experience for Intrepid’s customers by offering unique and immersive accommodations. By acquiring hotels in key destinations, Intrepid hopes to create a seamless journey
Golden Rock Resort, a luxury eco-retreat on St. Eustatius, has recently introduced Statia Divers, a PADI-authorized dive center that offers a unique and exhilarating experience for diving enthusiasts. Situated cliffside with stunning views of the coastline, the dive center provides a wide range of services and courses for divers of all skill levels. Statia Divers
Selina Hospitality, once a promising company catering to digital nomads, has faced a devastating blow as its board of directors filed a statement with the Securities Exchange Commission declaring the company’s inability to avoid insolvency. Since its initial public offering in December 2021, where it was valued at $1.2 billion, Selina has seen a significant
Traveling to new and exciting destinations is always a thrilling experience, but what happens when Mother Nature decides to rain on your parade? This is where Sensible Weather, founded by Nick Cavanaugh, steps in to provide a safety net for travelers. As a former hedge fund analyst with a background in climate science, Cavanaugh recognized
Princess Hotels & Resorts Group is set to introduce two brand new all-inclusive resorts in Jamaica on September 15. Known as Princess Senses The Mangrove and Princess Grand Jamaica, these resorts are located in the town of Green Island, East of Negril in Hanover parish. The first resort, Princess Senses The Mangrove, is an adults-only
The UNWTO predicts that international tourism will reach pre-pandemic levels by the end of this year. Meanwhile, Los Cabos has already surpassed these expectations over the past three years. The Los Cabos Tourism Board announced that the Baja California Sur travel capitals of San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas achieved full recovery in