Category: Recent News

Marriott International (Nasdaq: MAR) today announced the retirement of two long-time leaders and the appointment of three seasoned executives to drive the company’s continued expansion, underscoring Marriott’s deep bench of talent and commitment to growth across global regions.

Most hotel leaders will look back at 2026 and realize it was the year the rules changed without an announcement.

In 2025, the hospitality industry experienced a more normalized operating environment. Average daily rates grew modestly while overall occupancy softened, and demand remained stable amid rising operating costs and broader economic uncertainty. Several macro-level factors shaped hotel performance during the year. The implementation of new tariffs increased the cost of construction materials, furnishings, and equipment, making new development and renovation projects more expensive. At the same time, economic uncertainty and changing global conditions, including policy and political considerations, affected international travel patterns to the United States.

In an industry where competition for guest loyalty is fierce, hotels are increasingly seeking innovative ways to differentiate themselves. But beyond offering exceptional service and top-tier amenities, what if hotels could leverage their existing assets to create tangible, lasting value for their communities? Purpose-driven hospitality is emerging as a powerful model for doing just that, and it doesn’t require significant new investments—only the smart repurposing of what’s already at hand: vacant rooms.

There’s an old expression: Feedback is a gift. Whenever a customer is willing to take time to share feedback by talking to you, emailing you, or leaving an online comment, it’s a gift. It either validates that what you’re doing is working or points out opportunities to improve. Companies obsess over survey scores and online reviews, and that’s smart. But if you only focus on what customers are telling you, you might miss important feedback that’s unintentionally hidden in what they don’t mention.

January is cold by nature, yet it is also a month of anticipation. While winter lingers, our thoughts begin to drift toward early spring to movement, fresh air, and the freedom of being outdoors again.

Tambourine, the global leader in hotel marketing technology, announced the successful completion of a comprehensive digital overhaul for Settlers Hospitality, a leading independent hospitality group based in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains. The collaboration brought to life a fully reimagined online ecosystem spanning nine websites across the group’s collection of boutique hotels, restaurants, retail businesses, and corporate brand.

Registration and hotel reservations are now available for the 2026 Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC®), the largest and longest-running, nonprofit event of its kind. Produced by Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®), HITEC 2026 will be held on June 15–18 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas USA.

As we step into 2026, we would like to wish you, your teams, and your organisations a strong and successful year ahead. A new year brings new opportunities — to sharpen our thinking, strengthen our leadership, and continue building a hospitality industry that is commercially strong, future-ready, and people-driven. As part of this momentum, we’re pleased to share a preview of our upcoming events, designed to inform, connect, and support you throughout the year ahead.

Colicchio Consulting, a national leader in identifying, strategically planning and securing unique food, beverage and entertainment experiences for developers and hospitality groups, has released its latest report, “The State of Food Halls 2026,” which confirms that the segment experienced an overall growth rate of 24.89 percent since 2023, the last year the report was issued. The 2026 report continues to examine the most impactful trends shaping food halls across the commercial, mixed-use, student housing, retail and hospitality sectors, including key takeaways from industry leaders and data from the more than 500 food halls that have opened in the US since researchers began tracking the segment in 2014.