In the aftermath of catastrophic wildfires that devastated Lahaina, Maui, the island’s tourism industry has been struggling to recover. According to the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA), tourist arrivals and spending statewide have experienced a decline in the first half of 2024. Maui, in particular, has seen a significant decrease in visitor arrivals and spending, with
Hotels
The Walt Disney World Resort has recently filed permits for construction work at the Magic Kingdom in order to make way for the expansion of Frontierland with attractions inspired by Pixar’s “Cars” franchise. This announcement marks the largest Magic Kingdom expansion to date, according to Disney. The addition of characters such as Lightning McQueen, Tow
Tech mogul and Oracle software billionaire, Larry Ellison, has made headlines once again with his recent acquisition of the luxurious Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa in Manalapan, Florida. This stunning 309-room property, located just south of Palm Beach, was purchased from the London-based Lewis Trust Group. The exact price of the acquisition has not
Disney fans have exciting news to look forward to as a new villains-themed land is set to open at the Walt Disney World Resort’s Magic Kingdom. This expansion will bring a dark and thorny atmosphere to the park, featuring antagonists from classic Walt Disney Animation Studios films. With two attractions, dining options, and shopping opportunities,
Hospitality and travel have always been industries that thrive on innovation and unique experiences, and Gravity Haus is no exception. With a philosophy that seeks to merge “work, play and outdoor adventures at world-class destinations,” Gravity Haus stands out as a brand that defies traditional hotel models. Unlike exclusive clubs like Soho House, Gravity Haus
Expedia Group, a major player in the travel industry, has recently reported a softness in demand during the third quarter, according to CEO Ariane Gorin. This revelation comes in line with similar reports from other sectors of the travel industry. Despite this downturn, the company’s second-quarter results exceeded expectations, with gross bookings reaching $28.8 billion,
Tripadvisor recently announced a second-quarter revenue increase of 1%, along with the rollout of a new service that allows its members to book hotel stays directly within its app. This service comes as a result of a partnership with Hopper Technology Solutions (HTS). The total revenue for the quarter was $497 million, slightly higher than
Disney’s fiscal Q3 results have shown a moderation in the demand for Disney theme parks, which is a trend that the company anticipates will persist in the upcoming quarters. Despite this, there was a growth in revenue in the Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products division. Park attendance remained steady year over year, with guest spending
The City Centro by Marriott San Luis Potosi is a hidden gem that defies expectations. Originally a City Express hotel, this salmon-colored building from the 19th century now stands as a testament to the marriage of historic architecture and modern design. With a renovation in 2016 and the subsequent acquisition by Marriott International, this hotel
In an effort to empower travel advisors, Avanti Destinations recently launched a website dedicated to assisting them in finding and creating custom group trips. The platform offers a variety of resources and tools to enhance the advisor’s ability to cater to the needs of group clients and establish fruitful partnerships. The Boost Your Business section
Cayo Levantado Resort, situated on a private island in the Samana region of the Dominican Republic, has recently added a cassava workshop to its range of activities. This workshop offers guests the opportunity to learn about the cultivation of cassava and the art of making cassava bread. Learning About Cassava Cultivation The cassava workshop at
Booking Holdings reported positive financial results for the second quarter of 2024, showcasing a total revenue of $5.9 billion, which was up 7% year over year. The CEO, Glenn Fogel, highlighted the gross travel bookings of $41.4 billion, representing a 4% increase from the previous year. Additionally, the company’s adjusted EBITDA in Q2 reached $1.9
Hyatt Hotels Corp. experienced a decline in demand for all-inclusive resorts in the second quarter, leading to a “return to pre-pandemic seasonality” in Mexico and the Caribbean. The CFO, Joan Bottarini, noted that the Inclusive Collection portfolio initially had a strong first quarter with double-digit net package RevPAR growth but saw a more modest 3%
Allegiant Travel Co.’s Sunseeker Resort Charlotte Harbor in Florida is currently undergoing major financial challenges. During a recent Q2 earnings call, Allegiant’s executive chairman and outgoing CEO Maurice Gallagher expressed that “all options,” including the potential sale of the property, are being considered. The resort is projected to experience a cash loss of around $15
Virgin Hotels is set to make its mark in London with the opening of the Virgin Hotels London-Shoreditch on August 1st. This new venture will involve the transformation of the Mondrian Shoreditch London into a fully-fledged Virgin Hotel. With a total of 120 rooms, the Virgin Hotels London-Shoreditch will retain its existing Spanish restaurant, BiBo,
Following the recent completion of the ferry service and day-tour company’s bankruptcy proceedings, Hornblower Group has announced Mike Flaskey as its new CEO. Flaskey, who was previously the CEO of Diamond Resorts, brings a wealth of experience in the hotel industry to his new role. Flaskey’s background includes leadership positions at Wyndham Vacation Resorts and
TMC Hospitality, a subsidiary of the well-known real estate giant TMC Group, has been making waves in the boutique hotel sector since its inception in 2016. The company introduced its Bode concept in 2018, followed by the launch of the Drift lifestyle brand in 2021. With a focus on creating unique and immersive experiences for
In an industry where loyalty and dedication play a crucial role, Viva Resorts by Wyndham has just raised the bar by launching the Viva Pro Rewards program. This innovative travel advisor rewards program is set to change the game for travel agents looking to cash in on their commissions in a unique and flexible way.