Daily briefing

Thursday, October 8, 2026

88 clustered stories — GMT day archive. All days

China Hotel Industry Study 2026

The China Hotel Industry Study 2026, by the China Tourist Hotel Association (CTHA) and Horwath HTL, provides updated market analysis, offering hotel owners, operators, and investors detailed insights into future demand, supply, and performance trends across China's hospitality sector.

Investor Pulse Check: Strong appetite, sharper scrutiny

Investor Pulse Check: Strong appetite, sharper scrutiny jgrcic Thu, 10/08/2026 - 14:56 Thu, 10/08/2026 - 14:56 Resource Type Survey Hospitality Investor surveyed the delegate base at IHIF Asia to capture real-time sentiment from the people who actually allocate capital to hotel assets across Asia and beyond.Download…

Mews Survey: Hotel Guests Don’t Want AI-Led Stays

NEW YORK—New survey data released by Mews found that as AI adoption in hotels accelerates, guest expectations are moving the opposite way; 89 percent of guests want either a hybrid stay blending AI and human service or AI operating quietly in the background on repetitive tasks. Almost none want an AI-led stay. 59…

Port of Galveston Approves Lease for Pelican Island LNG Plant

Galveston Wharves has signed a lease and development agreement with Power LNG, which plans to develop a small-scale, modular liquefied natural gas (LNG) production, storage and fuel bunkering facility on Pelican Island. The agreement outlines requirements related to government permits and approvals, project financing,…

Windstar Applies Star Seeker Lessons to Incoming Star Explorer

Windstar Cruises is applying lessons from its recent newbuild, the Star Seeker, to its sister ship. The Star Explorer, due for delivery in December, gets changes to restaurant service and more freshwater capacity. Speaking during a media call on Oct. 8, Chief Operating Officer Stijn Creuplandt said the biggest lesson…

Samsung Brings The Frame Hospitality Model to U.S. Market

Samsung Electronics America announced that The Frame hospitality model (HL03H model) is now available in the U.S. market, bringing Samsung’s art-inspired display design to luxury hotels and premium hospitality environments. Available in 55-, 65-, and 75-inch sizes, The Frame hospitality model offers Smart TV…

Duetto Announces Acquisition of FLYR Hospitality

SAN FRANCISCO, California—Duetto announced it has acquired FLYR Hospitality. This expands Duetto’s Revenue & Profit Operating System to now include FLYR Hospitality’s AI-first revenue strategy platform, inclusive of its business intelligence tool and advanced AI capabilities. FLYR Hospitality has technology and talent…

Carnival Freedom Heads to Barcelona After Marseille Drydock

The Carnival Freedom is on its way to Barcelona to welcome its first guests following its 35-day drydock in France. The ship entered the Chantier Naval de Marseille shipyard in Marseille, France, in early September. Following the drydock, it is set to arrive in Barcelona, Spain, on Oct. 9 and welcome guests aboard for…

Doing Well by Doing Good: Why Sustainability Pays Off

NATIONAL REPORT—Sustainable hospitality, at its core, means every decision is filtered through three lenses: how it affects the local ecosystem, the surrounding community, and the property’s bottom line. That trinity has not changed, but what has changed is the weight each carries in the boardroom. For years,…

Disney Brought Magic of Its Lakeshore Lodge to New York City

NEW YORK—Disney Experiences invited New Yorkers to discover the magic of Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge through an expansive 3D street mural in Flatiron Plaza earlier this month. Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge, the newest resort hotel coming to Walt Disney World, will celebrate the beauty of nature as seen through the eyes of…

Green Lodging News Welcomes Smarter Flush to Product Directory

ODESSA, FLA.—Green Lodging News welcomes Smarter Flush to the “Toilets/Dual Flush” section of its Green Product & Service Directory. Water & sewer costs continue to rise. Using Smarter Flush’s innovative dual flush technology—the Smarter Flush Toilet Conversion Kit—your property can reduce its water and sewer costs by…

Margaritaville at Sea Launches 2027 Unlimited Cruise Membership

Margaritaville at Sea has announced a 2027 Annual Cruise Membership, giving guests the freedom to sail again and again across the entire fleet through December 31, 2027. In a press release, the company said the membership starts at $2,499 for two adults, and $1,999 for returning Paradise Pass holders for a limited…

WAC Group Founder Inducted into ALA Lighting Hall of Fame

TUCSON, ARIZ.—Tony Wang, Chairman and Founder of WAC Group, was inducted into the American Lighting Association Hall of Fame during the 2026 ALA Conference on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, in Tucson, Ariz. The ALA Lighting Hall of Fame recognizes individuals whose careers exemplify outstanding service, leadership, and…

Hyatt Details New Financing Options and Prototypes

CHICAGO, Illinois—Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced that it is accelerating growth opportunities across its brand portfolio with new financing solutions, new-build prototypes, and conversion-focused brands. Hyatt has room to expand across more than 300 U.S. submarkets and substantial opportunity to deepen its brand…

Kerzner Brings SIRO to the USA

Kerzner International has found a way to bring its SIRO brand to the US market, signing a site in Miami The post Kerzner Brings SIRO to the USA appeared first on THP News.

Why Hotel Operators Need to Think More Like Owners

Asset-light growth can help hotel companies scale faster, but owners still carry the capital risk. Operators with skin in the game may be better positioned to test ideas, challenge investment assumptions, and focus on long-term hotel value.

Viking’s Latest Longship, Rota, Joins its European River Fleet

Viking has taken delivery of the Viking Rota, its newest Viking Longship, named after a Valkyrie and warrior maiden from Norse mythology. The 190-guest ship will sail itineraries on the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers, including “Rhine Getaway,” “Grand European Tour,” “Danube Waltz,” “Tulips & Windmills,” “Christmas on…

Adventure Canada Unveils Expanded 2028 Expedition Collection

Adventure Canada has announced it is expanding its 2028 expedition portfolio with new journeys through the Canadian Arctic, Northern Europe and Antarctica. The collection introduces a new eastern gateway voyage to the Northwest Passage, a North Atlantic expedition linking Iceland and the Faroe Islands and a new…

Holland America Opens Bookings for New Oosterdam Voyages

Holland America Line has opened bookings for five newly added voyages aboard the Oosterdam following the ship’s transformation through Holland America Evolution. The new cruises give guests additional opportunities to experience the reimagined ship beginning October 31, 2027. “One of the great joys of travel is being…

Oslo Planning New Tax for Cruise Passengers

The Oslo City Council plans to introduce a new tax for cruise passengers, according to a report by Aftenposten. The news source said that the fee is being planned as compensation for the use of the city’s infrastructure and would be used for general maintenance. Aftenposten said that the destination has been welcoming…

Where Can The Guest Be Powered

Pertlink applies McKinsey's Global Energy Perspective 2026 to hospitality, arguing that energy constraints will determine where AI and guests can be served, and proposes tracking AI token costs alongside utility costs per occupied room.

The Shepherd Mayfair opens its doors

The Shepherd Mayfair has officially opened in Shepherd Market, introducing an 82-room boutique hotel shaped by the history and social […] The post The Shepherd Mayfair opens its doors appeared first on Sleeper.

Whitbread Acquires Two Future Inns

Whitbread has agreed a two hotel acquisition deal, giving it quick conversions to grow its Premier Inn brand in Bristol and Plymouth The post Whitbread Acquires Two Future Inns appeared first on THP News.

She Started as the Receptionist. Now She’s the CEO.

On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline sits down with Angela Val, President and CEO of Visit Philadelphia, to talk about her remarkable journey from answering phones as the organization’s receptionist to ultimately leading it as CEO. Angela shares why she didn’t apply for the CEO role the first time it…