According to Amadeus Travel Intelligence, during Oktoberfest, air bookings from India and Japan increased by 60% and 31% respectively, while the US declined by 10%. Solo travelers accounted for 47% of air bookings, and stays of 14 nights or more rose 13% year-on-year. Hotel occupancy averaged 70.9%, with ADR slightly up to €326.
IHG's Holiday Inn brand partnered with global educational esports provider EStars to launch Holiday Inn x Elite Gaming Pods across four hotels in Saudi Arabia, available until December 2026. Each hotel has two gaming pods with MSI gaming PCs, next-generation consoles, curved monitors and premium accessories, with complimentary access to titles including Fortnite, Rocket League and Overwatch. Participating hotels will host competitions with prizes including hotel stays, food and beverage vouchers and IHG One Rewards points. The initiative launched during the Esports World Cup 2026.
Inception Group is set to open The Admiral's Mess, a new 2,400 square foot bar concept, within the Waldorf Astoria London – Admiralty Arch. The 60-seat bar will offer a distinctive experience inspired by the building's heritage. The hotel, restored by Reuben Brothers in partnership with Hilton, will feature 114 rooms and restaurants by Clare Smyth and Daniel Boulud.
Hilton has signed the London Bridge Hotel under its Tapestry Collection brand through a franchise agreement with Gama Holdings, marking the lifestyle brand's debut in London and becoming Hilton's ninth brand in the city. The 153-room hotel, located at 8-18 London Bridge Street, is expected to open in early 2028 after a transformation costing over £12 million. It will offer easy access to landmarks such as The Shard, Borough Market, and Tower Bridge. This signing supports the growth of Tapestry Collection across the UK and Ireland, with the brand expected to reach six hotels by 2028.
IHG and Alphanam Group have partnered to launch The Residences at InterContinental Sapa Resort in Muong Hoa Valley, Sapa, marking the debut of InterContinental branded residences in Northwest Vietnam. The development includes 79 branded villas within the 83-hectare Alphora Muong Hoa International Resort Complex and is expected to become the highest-altitude InterContinental branded residential project globally.
Hilton announced the signing of DoubleTree by Hilton Parramatta, a 100-room hotel set to open in late 2028 at 34 Hassall Street in Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia. The hotel will form part of a mixed-use development by Deicorp Group and be operated by Trilogy Hotels under a franchise agreement. It will feature guest rooms of 20 to 45 square metres, an all-day dining restaurant and lounge, 667 square metres of event space including meeting rooms, a boardroom and pre-function areas, and fitness and wellness facilities. The signing introduces Hilton to the Parramatta market and strengthens its Greater Sydney pipeline.
ALL Accor, Accor's booking platform and loyalty program, partners with KATSEYE to create an immersive pre-concert experience in a Parisian hotel, including beauty prep, meet-and-greets, and backstage access. The initiative aims to turn hotels into gateways to members' passions, reflecting the 'Endorphin Economy' trend.
Air India's Maharaja Club and IHG One Rewards partnered, allowing members to earn points on stays and exchange points. IHG operates 53 hotels in India with a pipeline of 110.
Hilton announced the opening of Xi Zhe Wuxi, Curio Collection by Hilton, marking the brand's first property in Jiangsu Province. The hotel combines a historic residence with a new building, blending Jiangnan heritage with contemporary design, and features 105 guest rooms and suites. Located in Wuxi's cultural heart, it offers dining, pools, fitness, and more. This marks Hilton's continued expansion of its lifestyle brand portfolio in China.
Hilton announced the signing of Hilton Garden Inn Batam City Centre, its first hotel on the island of Batam, Indonesia. Expected to open in 2028, the 199-room hotel will be located in Batam's central business district, with easy access to commercial, retail, and transportation hubs, including ferry terminals and Hang Nadim International Airport. Developed by PT. Sabang Raya Investama, the property aims to capture growing demand from corporate travel, meetings and events, leisure, and medical-related stays.
IHG Hotels & Resorts is enhancing the guest journey with concert-focused hospitality solutions across Greater China, responding to growing demand for live entertainment travel. Participating hotels offer tailored packages, transport links, and loyalty rewards, extending the concert experience beyond the venue. InterContinental is also extending its 'Ticket Stub Economy' into theatre and arts through collaborations with cultural institutions.
Amadeus data shows that during Celine Dion's Paris residency, international flight searches to Paris rose 11% YoY, and bookings rose 5%. The U.S. accounts for 26.5% of searches, followed by Brazil and Canada. APAC shows strong growth, with Thailand bookings up 200%. Paris hotel RevPAR is up 13% YoY, with longer stays.
Sofitel partners with Nespresso to offer a limited-edition 'Please Disturb' croissant and coffee pairing menu from September 1 to November 26, 2026, at 20 selected hotels worldwide, featuring three signature pairings to elevate in-room dining.
Hilton's 'Behind the Stay' series spotlights the DoubleTree by Hilton Bengaluru Whitefield team, which anticipates guest needs and adapts to changing schedules for seamless business travel. During an extended stay, an international guest faced a medical emergency; the team assisted with hospital transport and continued care. The hotel offers thoughtful touches like packed breakfasts and fosters an inclusive culture, including sign language communication among staff.
Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, part of IHG, has opened its new Americas flagship property, Crowne Plaza Manhattan Times Square, in the heart of New York City. Developed by Al Rayyan Tourism Investment Company (ARTIC) and managed by Highgate, the 22-story hotel features 685 guestrooms and is a key milestone in the brand's estate transformation. With half of its global estate now new or renovated, the hotel showcases Crowne Plaza's modern design philosophy and caters to the blended traveler, offering flexible social spaces, dining venues, and meeting facilities. The property is located steps from Times Square, Rockefeller Center, and Central Park, positioning it as a prime destination for bus…
The Adriatic is becoming a top luxury destination. In 2027, Hotel Palace Portorož (Minor Reserve Collection) in Slovenia and Anantara Adriatic Istria Resort in Croatia will open, with 183 and 186 rooms respectively, the latter featuring a golf course.
Minor Hotels' new luxury brand The Wolseley Hotels will debut in New York, occupying a landmark building in Midtown Manhattan with 76 rooms and introducing the renowned Wolseley restaurant concept. Expected to open in early 2027.
Colbert Collection has launched its first hotel, Porta Rossa Hotel Firenze, in Florence's historic center. The property features 69 rooms and suites, blending heritage with modern comforts. The brand emphasizes culture, gastronomy, and connection, with a second hotel in London scheduled for Q4 2026.
Minor Hotels has launched four new brands: The Wolseley Hotels, Minor Reserve Collection, Colbert Collection, and iStay Hotels, each catering to different traveler needs, from luxury to convenience, reflecting the growing diversity in travel.
Minor Hotels has launched iStay Hotels by NH, with first properties in Valencia, Zaragoza, and Berlin. The brand focuses on comfortable rooms, reliable Wi-Fi, and efficient service, catering to modern urban travelers seeking convenience and value.
IHG has signed a franchise agreement with United Hospitality Management India for a Garner Hotel in Ahmedabad, scheduled to open in 2029 with 40 rooms. Located near Narendra Modi Stadium and the bullet train hub, it marks the first Garner property in Ahmedabad.
Hilton announces the opening of Motto by Hilton Guadalajara Centro Historico, a 154-room lifestyle hotel in a restored 1950s Art Deco building in Guadalajara's historic center. The hotel offers flexible rooms and locally inspired F&B, marking the second Motto property in Mexico.
Hilton Australia has been recognized as the No. 1 hospitality workplace in Australia for 2026 by Great Place to Work in the category of companies with more than 1,000 employees. The recognition reflects Hilton's people-first culture and inclusive leadership. Hilton is expanding across Australasia with upcoming openings in Sydney, Cairns, Gold Coast, Suva, and Auckland.
Hilton is connecting the trip-planning journey through new AI tools on Hilton.com, the Hilton Honors App, Google AI Mode, and ChatGPT. Travelers can now discover Hilton hotels within Google's AI Mode and incorporate Hilton Honors Points in searches via natural-language prompts. Hilton is also developing a Claude Connector to bring property information into Claude.
Accor's MGallery Collection announced the opening of Financial City Chengdu, a 155-room hotel inspired by Tang Dynasty poetry. This is the third MGallery in Chengdu and the tenth in China, supporting the brand's plan to double its Greater China portfolio by 2030. The hotel features 480 sqm of event space and integrates sustainability practices.
Hilton announced the signing of Maravé Manuel Antonio, LXR Hotels & Resorts, marking the brand's debut in Costa Rica. The property is expected to open in 2029, featuring 173 accommodations including 57 hotel rooms and 116 branded residences. Located near Manuel Antonio National Park on a nearly 40-acre estate, it will include a beach club and spa.
Mercure Hotels & Resorts introduces Mercure's Local Maps, a digital experience curated by hotel teams worldwide, offering recommendations for local restaurants, markets, cultural landmarks, and hidden gems across 100+ destinations. Accessible online and via QR codes, the maps aim to deepen guests' connection with destinations. Research shows 86% of travelers value local food scenes, 57% seek new experiences, and 58% value experiences over possessions.
IHG's Holiday Inn announced the opening of a new property near Denver Airport, the first new-build featuring a reimagined lobby design that integrates front desk, ordering counter, and bar. The 106-room hotel offers complimentary airport shuttle and targets business, group, and leisure travelers. Holiday Inn has been named the most trusted US travel and hospitality brand for six consecutive years.
InterContinental Hotels & Resorts announced the extension of its global partnership with Timeshifter, providing guests at its 242 hotels and resorts with complimentary access to personalized jet lag mitigation plans. The collaboration aims to help travelers overcome jet lag using circadian technology, enhancing restorative travel experiences.
MGallery brand opens several new hotels in 2026, including Kove Hotel & Spa Mykonos in Greece, Bel Hotel Oléron Thalasso & Spa in France, V Villas Maldives at Mirihi in the Maldives, and the upcoming Nírema Hotel & Spa Samos in Greece opening in September. Each property offers unique local culture and experiences.
Signia Hilton announced a new integrated wellness concept, Signia Restore, debuting at Signia Hilton Indianapolis, which is accepting reservations for January 2027. The concept combines high-performance fitness, advanced recovery experiences, personalized wellness guidance, and curated retail. It features dedicated recovery zones with infrared saunas, cold therapy rooms, and more. It is expected to expand to select Signia properties globally.
Accor and Al Qimmah Hospitality signed an agreement for a new 850-key Novotel in Makkah, bringing their partnership to five hotels with over 4,000 keys. The hotel is expected to open in 2030, supporting Saudi Vision 2030 tourism goals. The partnership also includes Saudi talent development through the Tamayyaz program.
HUALUXE Hotels & Resorts, part of IHG, has partnered with Chinese lifestyle brand SHANG XIA to launch a co-branded bath amenities collection and cultural experience series, infusing tea aroma and contemporary design into guest stays. The amenities will roll out across HUALUXE hotels in Greater China from September, while cultural experiences begin in August in Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen, featuring bamboo weaving, tea appreciation, and more.
Novotel will launch its inaugural 'Longevity Week' on September 7, 2026, offering free masterclasses and expert tips to promote daily wellness habits. Based on a survey of 13,000 consumers, which found 71% are more interested in their future wellbeing than five years ago, the initiative will be available across its 630+ hotels worldwide.
Hilton has announced the appointment of Kolin Pound as Area President for the Caribbean and Latin America (CALA), effective August 24, 2026. In this role, Pound will oversee Hilton's operations in the region, leading hotel teams and partnering with owners and key stakeholders to drive performance and support continued growth. He joins from Ares Management, bringing extensive hospitality, real estate, and investment experience. Hilton currently operates 315 hotels and resorts in the region, with 150 more in development.
Hilton has announced the appointment of Kolin Pound as Area President for the Caribbean and Latin America (CALA), effective August 24, 2026. In this role, Pound will oversee Hilton's operations in the region, leading hotel teams and partnering with owners and key stakeholders to drive performance and support continued growth. He joins from Ares Management, bringing extensive hospitality, real estate, and investment experience. Hilton currently operates 315 hotels and resorts in the region, with 150 more in development.
IHG signed a management agreement with Discover Resorts Neral to convert a property in Karjat to its voco brand, expected to open by early 2028, adding over 200 rooms. Located in Maharashtra's Karjat, near Mumbai and Pune, the hotel targets leisure and MICE markets.
IHG signed a landmark portfolio deal with GCP Hospitality for 14 hotels in Kyoto totaling 1,063 rooms, including 12 Garner hotels, one Holiday Inn Express, and one unbranded hotel. All will be converted and open in phases over the next 12 months, marking one of Japan's largest conversion deals in recent years.
IHG Hotels & Resorts, the official hotel and loyalty program of the US Open Tennis Championships, returns for its eighth year with the new IHG Racquet Cruiser, a complimentary premium motorcoach that transports fans from Arthur Ashe Stadium to select IHG hotels in Manhattan. Onboard experiences include Prince St. Pizza slices, express facial treatments, post-match replays, device charging, Wi-Fi, and surprise gifting. The popular Watermelon Slice cocktail also returns to the IHG Racquet Bar. IHG One Rewards members can enjoy additional perks and exclusive experiences.
Hilton Honors helps members redeem points seamlessly at all-inclusive resorts, with reward stays starting at 51,000 points. Redemptions include accommodations, dining, drinks, and more, with no blackout dates, waived resort fees, and Fifth Night Free for elite members. The article highlights several all-inclusive resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean, such as Hilton Cancun Mar Caribe All-Inclusive Resort starting at 100,000 points per night, Hilton Vallarta Riviera All-Inclusive Resort at 80,000 points, and resorts in Curaçao and Punta Cana at 98,000 points.