HFTP Announces 2026 HITEC North America Advisory Council

October 30, 2025 (Austin, Texas) — Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®), producer of HITEC, is pleased to announce the 2026 HITEC North America Advisory Council. This esteemed group of hospitality technology leaders will guide the educational planning and program development for the 2026 Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC®) in San Antonio, Texas, taking place June 15–18 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center.

Minor Hotels Announces the Expansion of Tivoli Hotels & Resorts in Italy with the Tivoli Palazzo Risorgimento Lecce

Minor Hotels, a global hospitality group with hotels, resorts and branded residences across 59 countries, announces a new Tivoli Hotels & Resorts in Italy, in the heart of Puglia. Following a comprehensive renovation, the Tivoli Palazzo Risorgimento Lecce is set to open in April 2026, establishing itself as a new landmark in luxury hospitality for one of Italy´s most sought-after and fastest-growing travel destinations.

Marco Novella, General Manager of The St. Regis London, on launching London’s most anticipated luxury opening in 2026

Since his appointment as General Manager of The St. Regis London, Marco Novella has been preparing for the grand debut of the landmark Mayfair hotel opening mid-2026. Blending London’s rich heritage with the spirit of modern luxury, the hotel is set to offer a new culturally engaging home away from home for both global travellers and discerning Londoners alike. Together with his team, Marco will infuse the world-renowned St. Regis experience with creative energy—fostering connections with art and fashion while redefining bespoke service excellence by integrating the signature butler service at the very heart of Mayfair.

Preferred Hotels & Resorts Welcomes 14 New Members

Preferred Hotels & Resorts, the world’s largest independent hotel brand, is pleased to announce the addition of 14 new member properties to its global portfolio between July 1 and September 30, 2025. To celebrate, I Prefer Hotel Rewards members can earn 2,500 bonus points on eligible stays at any of these participating locations for a limited time. Ranging from a recently transformed beachfront resort on Spain’s famous Costa del Sol to a cultural playground designed for music lovers in the heart of Stockholm, each of these distinctive and independent properties invite travelers to immerse in some of the world’s most extraordinary destinations. Highlights include:

Opening 1st May 2026, Zannier Bendor Brings a New Chapter to Île de Bendor in the South of France

Zannier Bendor, one of Europe’s most highly anticipated openings, is set to debut on the private French island of Île de Bendor in spring 2026, after five years of transformation. With bookings now live, Zannier Hotels has appointed Emmanuel Blanchemanche as General Manager and renowned chef Lionel Levy as Executive Chef, as the project unveils expansive dining and wellbeing programming in a combined effort of Société Paul Ricard and Zannier Hotels to restore the isle’s legacy as a convivial gathering place steeped in old-world glamour. The Ricard family, guardians of Paul Ricard’s vision, joins forces with the excellence of Zannier Hotels to write this new chapter.

Unlimited Content, Unlimited Boredom?

There’s something paradoxical about our times. We are entering an era of unlimited content. AI is generating articles, videos, music, animations (Sora and others are opening up new visual glut/slop – let’s just call it streams). But despite this tidal wave of creativity, we’re seeing a steady rise in boredom. [link]