Author: Admin

Forbes Travel Guide (“FTG”), the global authority on luxury hospitality, today announced The Edge List 2025, honoring 20 hotels, resorts and cruises that redefine the boundaries of travel, providing access to remote, awe-inspiring destinations while delivering uncompromising comfort and elevated experiences.

I recently wrote about the Reality Rule in my Forbes column. Apparently, I hit on a topic that resonated with the Forbes readers, which prompted me to write a version for our subscribers to The Shepard Letter.

The launch of TikTok Go, in partnership with Booking.com, is a moment hoteliers cannot ignore. TikTok users can now book hotels directly within the app, enabling content creators to earn commissions when their followers make reservations. It is not just another marketing channel; it is a blueprint for the future of hospitality distribution. We covered the topic some years ago, but at the time, we were explaining how social commerce in China has become a new direct booking channel. It appears that TikTok is adopting an OTA-first approach, rather than basing it on the Chinese model.

Set to open in summer 2026, Eha is a new wellness retreat on Estonia’s unspoilt Hiiumaa Island, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Here, guests embark on a journey of renewal, guided by a philosophy deeply rooted in nature and the rhythm of the seasons. Encircled by the Baltic Sea and steeped in centuries of local tradition, Hiiumaa is one of Europe’s quietest islands, with some of its darkest, clearest skies. Two-thirds forested, with wild beaches and rare biodiversity, it offers the space and stillness that set the tone for every stay.

In a first-of-its-kind twist on hotel check-in, GCSTIMES has unveiled pet-themed, puzzle-style wooden key cards that turn an everyday item into a memorable guest experience. Designed for hotels catering to the growing market of pet-friendly travelers, the new key cards offer a unique blend of functionality, sustainability, and guest delight.

Founded in 1943, Brittain Resorts & Hotels (BRH) is the leading full-service hospitality management company in the southeastern United States. It is recognized for delivering exceptional guest experiences and operational excellence. With over 4,700 rooms, suites, and condos and more than 45 restaurants and bars under management, BRH brings deep expertise across all facets of hospitality, including operations, revenue management, sales, marketing, and HR.

Last week, Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) and Hospitality Upgrade successfully hosted 80 chief information officers (CIO) and hospitality industry professionals for two days of high-level exploration of tech and business trends impacting the hospitality space. In its 23rd year, the CIO Summit was held Sept. 3–5 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Vancouver, B.C. Canada. In its two decades, the CIO Summit is known as a unique, invitation-only event for CIOs from hotel brands, management companies, cruise lines, gaming and independent hotels. The Summit program offers a mix of expert-led sessions and fun social activities that highlight the host city’s local treasures.

Data underscores how integrating the contract & payment workflows unlocks revenue, efficiency and guest satisfaction for hotel leaders

Nezasa, a leader in travel packaging technology for the connected trip, today announced a partnership with TrustYou, the world’s largest guest feedback platform. This collaboration seamlessly integrates TrustYou’s hotel ratings and reviews directly into Nezasa’s TripBuilder platform, helping travel sellers to build client trust, validate hotel choices instantly, and increase booking conversions.

Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, A Belmond Hotel, Oxfordshire, is set to embark on a visionary redevelopment as it enters the next chapter in its history. This pioneering manor house hotel, renowned for Michelin-starred garden gastronomy and founded by Raymond Blanc OBE in 1984, will begin its transformation in January 2026, with a grand reopening scheduled for summer 2027.