Author: Admin

Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals Association (HFTP®) today announced the formation of a new AI council dedicated to navigating the complexities of artificial intelligence (AI) within the hospitality sector. This strategic group will focus on establishing industry standards, acting as a knowledge hub, and providing expert guidance to professionals navigating the rapidly evolving AI landscape.

On a small birch wooden key card, a forest celebration is unfolding. A Mexican gray squirrel leaps between branches while a yellow-billed tern flashes through the canopy. A tree frog peeks curiously from a leaf. Nearby, an Asian elephant, a great hornbill, a red-breasted parakeet, and a Yunnan snub-nosed monkey gather in a lively woodland scene. Together, animals and plants become cheerful hosts of a grand forest party.

The European Travel Commission (ETC) and Eurail have published the new Long-Haul Travel Barometer 1/2026, providing forward-looking insights into travel intentions, preferences and barriers among travellers from seven key overseas markets to Europe: Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Japan, South Korea and the United States. The findings point to a more cautious outlook for long-haul travel throughout 2026, shaped by affordability concerns, growing preference for domestic or closer-to-home trips and limited vacation time.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State School of Hospitality Management will offer scholarships to employees of Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association (PRLA) dues-paying member organizations who wish to pursue a Master of Professional Studies in Hospitality Management program or a Graduate Certificate in Hospitality Management program at Penn State.

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has concluded a high-level meeting in Madrid, bringing together global industry leaders, ministers and senior policymakers to examine investment challenges and opportunities across the Travel & Tourism sector worldwide.

Another vibrant edition of FITUR has come to a close, and 2026 may well be remembered as a milestone year for the hospitality sector. Over just three days at Madrid’s IFEMA convention center, FITUR 2026 welcomed more than 255,000 visitors, confirming its role as a global nexus for tourism and innovation.

The Ascott Limited (Ascott), the wholly owned lodging business unit of CapitaLand Investment (CLI), signed a record 19,000 units across 102 properties in 2025, marking 27% year-on-year growth in new signings. Its asset-light expansion was led by higher-fee segments such as resorts, supported by accelerating franchise momentum and strong conversion activity. Ascott entered more than 10 new cities across Asia Pacific and Europe, growing its global footprint to over 230 cities in more than 40 countries. The company now operates and has under development more than 1,000 properties[1] with over 176,000 units globally.

Tourism and hospitality are entering a period defined by rapid change. Climate volatility, evolving traveler expectations, workforce transitions and accelerating digitalization are challenging long-established models.

Bo Frederique van den Bosch is a second-place winner (in a four-way tie) in the HFTP Fall 2025 Blog Competition.

In line with its commitment to sustainability, Relais & Châteaux is pleased to announce four joint initiatives with UNESCO, spanning multiple continents and promoting sustainable hospitality and culinary practices in harmony with all life on earth.