All published updates

Hilton Opens and Renovates Worldwide This Season: From Kaua'i to Kuala Lumpur

Hilton has announced its seasonal global openings and renovations, spanning multiple brand debuts in new markets: NoMad debuts in Singapore, Waldorf Astoria and Conrad debut in Kuala Lumpur, Curio Collection debuts in Hawai'i, Tapestry Collection enters Baja California, and Curio Collection enters Valencia, Spain. In the U.S., Signia Hilton expands to Naples and Indianapolis, while Apartment Collection by Hilton enters Pittsburgh and Huntsville. Renovations include a $25 million property-wide renovation of Conrad Indianapolis timed to its 20th anniversary. Hilton Honors is running the More Points to Play promotion from Oct. 15 to Dec. 31, 2026.

Skift Forum: Premiumization Should Be Structural Strategy, Not a Product Upgrade

At Skift Global Forum, Air Canada Chief Commercial Officer Mark Galardo and ZS Managing Partner Kunal Shah said premiumization should be a structural company strategy rather than layered on top of existing operations. Galardo said premium revenue share at Air Canada grew from about 20% a decade ago to 30% today, with a target of 35% by end of decade. Shah said the industry too often equates premium with upscale, but midscale and economy properties can also capture value through pricing and personalization, and premium travelers prefer digital-first experiences. Galardo said premium demand is directly correlated to the health of the economy and strength of equity markets, and warned against…

Starbucks Bets on In-House Tech, to Shutter 250 Stores

Starbucks plans to open a technology hub in Chennai, India, in fiscal year 2027, gradually bringing work currently performed by third-party service providers in-house to gain more direct control over technology. Separately, as part of its Back to Starbucks plan, the company will close 250 locations in North America this week, about 1% of its more than 18,000 North American coffeehouses. Starbucks said it carefully reviewed its North America portfolio and identified locations where it cannot consistently deliver the desired experience for customers and partners or where it sees no path to acceptable financial performance. More than 1,000 coffeehouses across the U.S. and Canada have been rede…

Alberta Courts Gulf Investment and Tourists as Etihad Launches Calgary Route

Travel Alberta is pursuing two things from the Gulf at once: high-spending leisure travelers and the capital and expertise to build niche resorts and attractions it currently lacks. Etihad will launch a direct Abu Dhabi-Calgary service next month, operating four times weekly. Jon Mamela, chief commercial officer of Travel Alberta, said the airline is "placing a significant bet on Alberta," indicating inherent interest and demand already exist in the market. Because the flight from Abu Dhabi is roughly 13 hours, Mamela suggests a minimum stay of seven days — ideally 10 to 14 — which is expected to push spend well above average. Top source-market spend is about C$1,100 to C$2,200 ($785 to $1,…

North American Transborder Freight Reaches $157.6 Billion in July 2026, Up 18.8%

The U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) released transborder freight data on September 23: total freight between the U.S. and Canada and Mexico reached $157.6 billion in July 2026, up 18.8% year over year. U.S.-Canada freight was $62.8 billion, up 7.8%, while U.S.-Mexico freight was $94.8 billion, up 27.5%. By mode, trucks moved $108.2 billion, up 23.9%; railways $15.6 billion, up 8.7%; pipelines $10.4 billion, up 15.4%; vessels $9.9 billion, up 12.0%; and air $5.9 billion, down 3.8%. Laredo, Ysleta, and Detroit were the top ports by value, with computer-related machinery and parts the largest commodity.

WOWorks Turns to Self-Ordering Kiosks to Scale Co-Branded Concepts

WOWorks, parent of Saladworks, Frutta Bowls, Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh, The Simple Greek, Barberitos and Zoup! Eatery, has opened 27 restaurants this year with 12 more in development, bringing its footprint to nearly 240 nationwide and a pace of nearly 38 new locations by year-end. Co-branding accounts for nearly half of year-to-date openings, but the clash between pay-first and pay-last workflows created a register bottleneck. The company responded by deploying self-ordering kiosks, with more than 10 locations now kiosk-only and a legacy register kept solely for cash. CEO Kelly Roddy said kiosks let guests enter a full multi-brand order at once and route it to different stations, while…

Colliers report: Luxury hotel brands led RevPAR growth in H1 2026

A Colliers report shows the U.S. hotel industry in H1 2026 reflected a "K-shaped economy": luxury and upper-upscale brands posted robust RevPAR growth while the economy segment saw year-over-year declines in occupancy, ADR and RevPAR. At least one luxury brand from each of Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott and IHG achieved double-digit YOY RevPAR growth. IHG's Atwell Suites led all brands at 22.7% growth, followed by Kimpton (15%), Hilton's LXR (12.9%), Hyatt's Unbound Collection (12%) and Marriott's W Hotels (10.8%). June overall RevPAR rose 8.4% year over year, with luxury up 13.3%. Mid-market brands showed signs of stabilization.

Groupe Voyages VP Automates Mining and Medical Repatriation Workflows with Amgine

Quebec-based travel agency Groupe Voyages VP has tapped corporate travel AI platform Amgine to automate workflows in mining workforce travel and medical repatriation services. The agency is first using Amgine to streamline workflows on its group and events desk while keeping agents in the booking process, helping meet clients' growing expectations around speed and visibility. General manager Steven Lang said that for mining and medical repatriation clients, where timing, accuracy and responsiveness are critical, this is an important step forward in service delivery. The agency plans to expand its use of Amgine across other service lines in the future.

Expedia and PredictHQ: Major US Summer Sporting Events Projected to Drive Over $537M in Visitor Spe…

New research from Expedia Group and PredictHQ finds that 18 major US summer sporting events across basketball, baseball, tennis, golf and hockey were forecast to attract more than 4 million attendees and generate over $537 million in visitor spending, including roughly $259 million on accommodation and $233 million on hospitality. Four New York events alone accounted for $304 million, rising to over $423 million for the wider region when the Southampton golf event is included. Demand spilled into surrounding counties, with Solano County, California up 180% year on year. Canada was the largest inbound market by travel intent, while Brazil, Mexico, the UK and Japan also grew.

European Commission President Delivers 2026 State of the Union Address

European Commission President von der Leyen delivered the 2026 State of the Union address in Strasbourg on 16 September 2026, outlining EU policy directions on security, economy, climate, technology and migration. She announced new initiatives including a European security strategy, a European Instrument for Strategic Enablers, a European Corporation on Critical Raw Materials, a Climate Insurance Alliance, a European Heatwave Plan, a European Water initiative, the EU KIDS Act and the Digital Fairness Act, while emphasising faster Single Market reform, administrative simplification, clean energy and AI development.

Destination Canada promotes autumn travel products in Chengdu

On 8 September, Destination Canada, together with the tourism boards of British Columbia, Ontario, the Northwest Territories and Quebec, held an autumn product sharing event in Chengdu under the theme "Autumn Wonderland, Canada of Course", attended by more than 100 travel agency representatives from Sichuan and Chongqing, industry media and travel influencers. The event presented autumn resources from Canada's east to west coast and promoted brands such as "Endless Coast", "Wilderness" and "World Capital of the Aurora", plus classic itineraries linking Toronto, Niagara Falls and Ottawa. More than 350,000 Chinese visitors travelled to Canada in 2025, and Sichuan Airlines operates the Chengdu…

Fairmont Expands 'Special Happens' Experience Programme

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, part of Accor, expanded its global 'Special Happens...' programme with eight bespoke experiences across four categories: After Dark, In the Spotlight, Around the Table and In the Wild. Offerings range from an after-hours journey through Istanbul's Spice Bazaar to a private music experience in Prague, performing on stage in San Juan, and a private ski escape in Mont-Tremblant. Fairmont has over 90 hotels worldwide and is part of Accor, which counts more than 5,800 properties.

Air Canada to Launch Vancouver-Guangzhou Nonstop in 2027

Air Canada announced it will launch year-round nonstop service between Vancouver and Guangzhou starting May 4, 2027, with three weekly flights on Boeing 787-9 aircraft, making it the only North American carrier flying directly to Guangzhou. This move marks the first entry of a North American airline into the Guangzhou market, competing with China Southern's hub.

Marriott and LG Partner on Cloud Display to Revolutionize In-Room Tech

Marriott and LG announced a strategic partnership to build a cloud-based guest room technology platform, piloting across 40 properties in the US and Canada. The platform replaces legacy video systems with cloud-managed LG displays, eliminating local servers and turning TVs into smart room gateways. It supports streaming, FAST channels, and future room controls, aiming to reduce tech debt and improve operational efficiency.

Mews Launches POS in North America; Borgata Announces $107M Renovation

Mews launched its POS system in the US and Canada, integrating property management, payments, and F&B. MGM's Borgata Tower began a $107 million renovation starting Sept 13, with first rooms available in October.

Air Canada to Add Five International Destinations in 2027

Air Canada announced five new international nonstop routes for summer 2027, including Vancouver-Guangzhou, Toronto-Oslo, Toronto-Shannon, Montreal-Basel, and Montreal-Dubrovnik, plus a new Toronto-Nice route.

How Airports Are Growing Without Blowing Their Climate Goals

Airports worldwide are pursuing the paradox of hitting net-zero targets while accommodating passenger growth, and many believe the answer lies in building less. Vancouver International (YVR), Amsterdam Schiphol, and Heathrow are using digital twins and analytics to squeeze more capacity from existing assets, avoiding emissions and costs of new construction. Where expansion is unavoidable, operators like Aena, San Diego International, and YVR design in efficiency, renewables, and modularity from the start. However, Scope 3 emissions, dominated by flights, remain the biggest challenge, with aviation accounting for roughly 2.5% of global carbon emissions.

Celine Dion's Paris Residency Drives 11% Surge in Flight Searches

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.

Intrepid Partners With Air Canada Vacations Amid Canada's Domestic Travel Push

Intrepid Travel has partnered with Air Canada Vacations to offer eight small-group Canadian adventure itineraries through its booking platform and advisor network. The launch coincides with U.S.-Canada trade tensions and political calls for Canadians to travel domestically. Travel from Canada to the U.S. is down about 25% in 2025, while domestic tourism spending rises. Intrepid's CEO says timing is coincidental, but Canada is its fastest-growing market with 2026 bookings up 26%.

WestJet Business Travel: Reliability, Reach and Rewards

WestJet highlights three key advantages for business travelers: operational reliability, an expanding network, and a loyalty program. Through investments in on-time performance and baggage handling, and codeshare partnerships with Virgin Atlantic, Icelandair, and others, WestJet offers seamless international connectivity. WestJet Rewards enables frequent travelers to earn points and enjoy tier benefits.

Marriott Presses Sales Teams on $1.55B 'Gap to Goal' for 2027 Groups

Internal materials seen by Skift reveal Marriott is pushing group sales teams at its managed hotels in the U.S. and Canada to close a $1.55 billion group revenue gap to goal for 2027 via its 'Drive to Win' incentive program. Marriott characterizes this as a routine annual stretch target, not a forecast or performance signal. However, the push coincides with the CFO's description of 2027 group pace as 'flattish' and appears to trail rivals like Hyatt. Analysts suggest new convention supply may be softening demand.

Trade War Escalation Threatens Canadian Travel Recovery to U.S.

Escalating trade tensions between the U.S. and Canada threaten the recovery of Canadian travel to the U.S. The U.S. imposed 50% tariffs on Canadian goods, and Canada retaliated with tariffs on roughly $20 billion of goods. This comes as Canadian travel to the U.S. had seen four consecutive months of year-over-year growth, with a July survey showing 28% of Canadian travelers had visited the U.S. in the past six months, up from 23% a year earlier. The dispute could reverse this trend, posing risks for hotels and destinations.

Impact and considerations

Canada is one of the largest inbound markets for the U.S.; trade tensions could dampen travel demand, impacting hotels, attractions, and related businesses.

Airbnb Expands in China Outbound Travel: From Stays to Full Travel Ecosystem

Airbnb reported Q2 2026 revenue of $3.6 billion, up 17% YoY, with gross booking value of $27.2 billion. The company is evolving from accommodations to a full travel ecosystem including experiences and services. Major events like the World Cup drove growth. In China, Airbnb is localizing to attract young travelers, launching features like 'Travel Circle' to cater to group travel and longer stays.

NYC hotels urge resolution in US-Canada trade war

The Hotel Association of New York City is urging the federal government to resolve the escalating US-Canada trade war, warning it threatens tourism and deepens economic challenges for hotels. In 2025, NYC saw 26% fewer Canadian visitors and a 28% decrease in spending. New tariffs could further impact the hotel industry and its 40,000 workers.

BWH Hotels expands boutique offerings with Aiden openings

BWH Hotels is expanding its design-driven boutique brand Aiden with new openings across North America, Asia-Pacific, and Europe. In the U.S., Aiden by Best Western Sacramento Downtown in California and Aiden by Best Western Kansas City Downtown in Missouri recently opened, with properties also debuting in Germany and Thailand. Additional openings are scheduled for the remainder of 2026, including Denver, Tempe, Arizona, and Pullman, Washington. Brad LeBlanc, SVP and chief development officer at BWH Hotels, said the expansion comes as travelers seek hotels with 'personality, a sense of discovery and a connection to the destination.' The Sacramento hotel, opened in May, features design elemen…