Category: Recent News

After a process of adaptation and strategic repositioning, the former The Lodge Porto reopens with a new identity and management, becoming Forte de Gaia, Autograph Collection, with the aim of becoming a benchmark of luxury and sophistication in the city.

The hospitality industry thrives on providing exceptional guest experiences, but achieving this goal has always been a balancing act between personalized service and efficient operations. Enter artificial intelligence (AI)—a transformative technology that is reshaping how hotels, resorts, and other hospitality businesses operate. From streamlining backend processes to enhancing guest satisfaction, AI is revolutionizing every aspect of hospitality. In this blog, we’ll explore how AI is driving change and helping hospitality businesses meet the demands of a tech-savvy, convenience-driven world.

Aptech, a leading provider of scalable accounting, business intelligence, financial planning and management solutions for the hospitality industry, today announced the debut of an updated logo and branding to the hospitality industry, reflecting its commitment to innovation and offering industry-leading solutions to its customers.

Originally published on Amadeus Insights.

Hilton (NYSE: HLT) has confirmed plans to open three properties in Athens following franchise agreements with Aluma Greece IKE. Adia Aluma Athens, Curio Collection by Hilton and Anise Aluma Athens, Tapestry Collection by Hilton are both expected to open in 2025, with Skylark Aluma Athens, Tapestry Collection by Hilton set to open in 2026. The signings of these three new hotels across the Curio Collection by Hilton and Tapestry Collection by Hilton brands will further strengthen Hilton’s lifestyle portfolio, adding over 500 new rooms for guests in the Athens.

The International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC) in partnership with The Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) presented Ben Weprin, Founder and CEO of AJ Capital Partners and creator of several hospitality brands such as Graduate Hotels, Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts, Field & Stream Lodge Co., with the 2025 Pioneer Award. The Award each year recognizes an individual who is considered a pioneer in their field by making an outstanding contribution, achievement, or improvement in the hospitality industry.

Preferred Travel Group, the family-owned company that operates global travel and hospitality brands and programs: Preferred Hotels & Resorts, Beyond Green, Historic Hotels of America, Historic Hotels Worldwide, and PTG Consulting, proudly celebrated top honors – including 2024 Career Achievement Awardee, Michelle Woodley, and Top 25 Extraordinary Minds honoree, Jennifer Munro, alongside award-winning digital and social media campaigns – at the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) Adrian Awards Celebration on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at the New York Marriott Marquis.

Virtuoso®, the leading global network specialising in luxury and experiential travel, accepted over 30 travel agency members since January 2024, highlighting the network’s ongoing commitment to strategically expanding its global footprint. Virtuoso’s Asia regions led the way by welcoming 10 new agency members, including seven in Greater China alone. This growth reflects the region’s substantial influence in luxury travel. In 2024, Virtuoso installed a dedicated team for North & Southeast Asia in addition to its established team within Greater China, allowing the network to better serve the varying needs of agencies, partners and travellers.

First Hospitality, a national hotel operating and development company, kicked off 2025 celebrating its 3,500+ associates and 40th anniversary at the company’s annual First Honors Awards Gala that took place in February 5-6 at the voco Chicago Downtown. In attendance was general managers and directors of sales from every property within the portfolio, the First Hospitality corporate team of associates, our valued hotel owners and asset managers, and brand partners including Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt and IHG.

With the rise of immersive technologies such as augmented reality and mixed reality, globe-trotting, skydiving, wine-tasting and many more exhilarating tourism activities can now be enjoyed from the comfort of one’s own home. We are living in the era of the metaverse – the seamless convergence of the real and virtual worlds. This trend heralds an upcoming transformation in tourism management and marketing, according to Professor Daniel Leung and Professor Michael Lin of the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, working with a co-author. The researchers offer a vision of how the metaverse could reshape the tourism experience, highlighting both exciting opportunities for the sector and significant challenges ahead.