Hotels

Universal’s domestic theme parks are gearing up to offer guests a truly enchanting experience with the introduction of new „Wicked“ themed attractions. Set to debut in late October at Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando Resort, these attractions will transport visitors into the magical world of „Wicked.“ At Universal Orlando, „Wicked: The Experience“ will take

When it comes to accommodation options at Walt Disney World, Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground stands out for its unique outdoor experience. The resort offers a variety of activities such as horseback riding, archery, fishing, and campfire sing-alongs. For decades, guests have had the opportunity to stay in one of the 350 cabins scattered across

In recent years, there has been a noticeable shift in the hospitality industry, with llamas emerging as the latest trend in hotel amenities. These four-legged creatures have quickly gained popularity, surpassing the previous goat yoga craze that was prevalent before the Covid-19 pandemic. While llamas and alpacas have long been a staple in South American

Riu Hotels & Resorts recently reopened the Riu Palace Bavaro all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, after a comprehensive renovation and expansion. The property had been closed for several months for these upgrades and enhancements. The Riu Palace Bavaro is just one of the many hotels located within Riu’s vast Punta Cana complex, which

The recent Labor Day weekend walkouts by 10,000 hotel workers across nine U.S. cities, organized by Unite Here, have shed light on the ongoing challenges faced by employees in the hospitality industry. While the workers have returned to their jobs, the possibility of further strikes looms large if contract negotiations do not reach a satisfactory

Travalyst, a not-for-profit organization spearheaded by Prince Harry, has made significant strides in promoting sustainability within the travel industry. The recent announcement of 49 compliant accommodation certifications marks a key milestone in Travalyst’s mission to enhance credibility and consistency in sustainability practices across travel booking platforms. Since its inception in 2019, Travalyst has been dedicated

The issues surrounding daily room cleaning in hotels have become a flashpoint for debate amidst the ongoing labor disputes within the industry. Despite the pandemic-related challenges faced by hotel workers, the decision to reduce or eliminate daily room cleaning has sparked outrage among employees who feel overwhelmed by unmanageable workloads. The push for environmentally friendly

Grupo Xcaret in the Riviera Maya region of Mexico has established itself as a prominent entity with its six ecoparks, three all-inclusive properties, tour operations, and boat transportation services. One of the latest advancements by the group is the introduction of the Xcaret Agents Pro Booking platform. This tool is specifically tailored to streamline the

Hawaii hotels experienced a slight increase in occupancy rates during the month of July, according to new data from the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA). The statewide hotel occupancy rate in Hawaii was reported to be 78.4% in July, which marks a 1.2% increase compared to the same time last year. Despite this small improvement, the

The recent move by Hyatt to acquire Standard International is not an isolated incident in the hotel industry. It reflects a broader trend among major players in the hospitality sector to diversify and expand their portfolio by incorporating boutique brands. This strategy, commonly referred to as a „brand grab“ by industry experts, aims to increase

The term „overtourism“ has been a hot topic of discussion lately, especially in the wake of the post-pandemic tourism boom. Barcelona, in particular, saw protests where residents expressed their frustration by targeting tourists. However, this issue is not exclusive to Barcelona, as many other cities are also grappling with similar challenges. As the tourism industry

In a recent development, United Airlines flight attendants have voted overwhelmingly in favor of authorizing a strike. More than 90% of union members in United’s chapter of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA participated in the vote, showing overwhelming support for potential strike action. However, it is important to note that this vote does not automatically

Grand Canyon National Park recently made the difficult decision to suspend all overnight accommodations on the South Rim starting August 29th. The reason behind this drastic measure is a severe water shortage caused by significant breaks in the park’s primary water supply system, the 12.5-mile Transcanyon Waterline. This suspension affects popular lodges such as El

The concept of risk and reward is fundamental to the travel industry, as discussed in Nate Silver’s book „On the Edge: The Art of Risking Everything.“ Silver’s exploration of risk in poker and venture capitalism sheds light on how individuals and businesses in the travel sector navigate uncertainty and opportunity. Travel industry professionals, from independent

The allure of all-inclusive resorts may be losing its shine as costs continue to rise and demand starts to stagnate. According to Geoff Millar, co-owner of Ultimate All-Inclusive Travel and Ultimate Hawaii Vacations, the once affordable all-inclusive vacations have seen a spike in prices over the past couple of years, almost doubling in some cases.

Circa Resort & Casino in downtown Las Vegas is set to increase its room inventory by 20% by adding 106 new rooms and suites to its tower starting in late October. This strategic decision comes after the resort opened during the pandemic in 2020 with limited room capacity to better assess customer demands and preferences.

Outrigger Resorts & Hotels has been making significant strides in its home state of Hawaii, with the addition of the Outrigger Kaanapali Beach Resort in Maui and the Outrigger Kauai Beach Resort & Spa. These acquisitions have helped the company establish a strong presence in the local market, further solidifying its position as a key

Paris Las Vegas is commemorating its 25th anniversary with a lavish redesign of 756 luxury guestrooms located in its Versailles Tower. These guestrooms are among the largest standard rooms on the Strip, boasting a starting size of 420 square feet. Notably, thirty-eight of these rooms now feature new 55-square-foot balconies that offer stunning views of

Madagascar, a biodiverse island known for its unique wildlife and ecosystems, is becoming a top destination for travelers seeking exclusive and responsible experiences that go beyond traditional tourism offerings. With new luxury initiatives and responsible tourism experiences emerging, Madagascar is quickly establishing itself as a hotspot for travelers looking to connect with nature while making

The Beaumont Mayfair, a luxurious five-star hotel in London, is gearing up to celebrate its 10th anniversary in September. As part of the milestone celebration, the hotel is set to unveil a multimillion-dollar renovation that promises to take the guest experience to the next level. One of the key highlights of the renovation is the

Universal Orlando Resort has recently announced plans to unveil its newest luxury property, the Universal Helios Grand Hotel. This 500-room resort, set to open in 2025 as part of the highly anticipated Epic Universe theme park, will be co-owned and operated by Loews Hotels & Co. This addition to Universal’s lineup promises to offer guests

The Family Reunion at the Salamander Middleburg is not just a gathering, it is an experience that transforms strangers into family. With approximately 1,000 attendees, the challenge of fostering deep connections may seem daunting. However, at the welcome reception, guests quickly formed bonds over wine, conversation, and even dancing the Cupid Shuffle. In its fourth

The Casa de Campo Resort & Villas, located in the beautiful La Romana region of the Dominican Republic, is gearing up to host its second annual Casa de Campo Food & Wine Festival from Oct. 10 to 12. This event promises to be a culinary extravaganza, featuring renowned chefs and top-notch tastings that will leave

The recent announcement of Hyatt’s acquisition of Standard International, parent company of The Standard and Bunkhouse Hotels brands, has sent shockwaves through the hotel industry. This strategic move is expected to have significant implications for both companies involved, as well as for the industry as a whole. Hyatt has agreed to pay a base purchase

The newly unveiled Cape Stout estate at Moskito Island Estates in the British Virgin Islands is the epitome of luxury and exclusivity. Situated on three acres of pristine land, this estate boasts six buildings, seven suites, and can accommodate up to 14 guests. The property features four pools and three Jacuzzis, including a unique canal-style

Marriott International recently signed a long-term licensing agreement with Sonder Holdings, a company specializing in apartment-style accommodations. This partnership is expected to bring over 9,000 rooms to Marriott’s portfolio by the end of this year, with an additional 1,500 rooms in the works. These accommodations will be part of a new collection called Sonder by

The Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino is currently in the process of a $100 million renovation that includes the construction of a new oceanfront tower. This new tower, facing Palm Beach, will offer 161 units, including 18 oceanfront suites with a modern design and exclusive amenities such as swim-up pools and an adults-only rooftop

One year after being devastated by catastrophic wildfires, Maui’s road to recovery has been slow and arduous. The impact of the wildfires has weighed heavily on Hawaii’s overall tourism performance, with tourist arrivals and spending taking a hit in the first half of 2024. The Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) reported a 3.7% decrease in visitor

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

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