The Family Reunion at the Salamander Middleburg is not your typical event. It is a unique gathering where attendees are encouraged to come as friends and leave as family. With roughly 1,000 people in attendance, fostering deep connections amongst everyone is no easy task. However, during the welcome reception, guests quickly bonded over wine, conversation,
Hotels
Marriott International has recently entered into a long-term licensing agreement with Sonder Holdings, a company specializing in apartment-style accommodations. This partnership is expected to significantly expand Marriott’s inventory, adding over 9,000 rooms by the end of the year, with an additional 1,500 rooms in the works. Sonder’s properties will be part of a new collection
The Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino is currently in the process of a $100 million enhancement project, set to be completed in fall 2025. The highlight of this project is the addition of a 161-unit oceanfront tower facing Palm Beach. This new tower will feature 18 oceanfront suites across seven room and suite categories,
Maui, one year after facing catastrophic wildfires, is still struggling with its recovery, which is negatively impacting Hawaii’s overall tourism performance. According to the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA), there has been a noticeable decline in tourist arrivals and spending in the Aloha State during the first half of 2024. The total visitor arrivals in Hawaii
Larry Ellison, the software billionaire, has recently acquired the Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa in Manalapan, Florida. The exact price of the acquisition has not been disclosed, but it is a significant move for Ellison in expanding his hotel portfolio. The previous owner, Lewis Trust Group, purchased the hotel back in 2003, and after
The Walt Disney World Resort has recently filed permits for construction work at the Magic Kingdom, with the aim of expanding Frontierland by incorporating attractions from Pixar’s popular “Cars” franchise. This ambitious project, announced by Disney over the weekend, marks the largest expansion in the history of the Magic Kingdom. The proposed expansion will involve
Disney recently announced a plethora of exciting new attractions and expansions coming to its parks, with a focus on its Magic Kingdom in Orlando. Among the highlights are the introduction of a new Villains-themed land, complete with two new “Cars” attractions in the Frontierland section. The addition of these attractions is part of Disney’s ongoing
Gravity Haus offers a fresh take on hospitality with its approach to merging “work, play, and outdoor adventures at world-class destinations” in a hotel and social club concept. Unlike members-only models like Soho House, Gravity Haus opens its amenities to nonmembers, creating a blend of exclusive perks for members while welcoming all guests. This unique
Expedia Group, ranked No. 2 on Travel Weekly’s Power List, has recently reported a softness in demand during the third quarter, according to CEO Ariane Gorin. This decrease in demand is reflective of the wider trend observed in the travel industry. Despite this, the company’s second-quarter results exceeded expectations, with gross bookings increasing by 6%
The City Centro by Marriott San Luis Potosi stands out as a hidden gem in the heart of Mexico’s Centro historico. Originally a City Express hotel, this salmon-colored building dates back to the 19th century and underwent a remarkable transformation in 2016. After Marriott International acquired the property in 2023, it seamlessly combined the original
Tripadvisor recently announced a new service that allows its members to book hotel stays directly within its app through a partnership with Hopper Technology Solutions (HTS). This move comes on the heels of a 1% increase in second-quarter revenue and highlights the company’s efforts to deepen user engagement and drive profitability. While Tripadvisor reported a
In Disney’s fiscal Q3, there was a noticeable moderation in the demand for Disney theme parks, a trend that is expected to continue for the next several quarters. However, despite this moderation, revenue in the Disney Parks, Experiences and Products division saw growth. The company reported that park attendance remained comparable year over year, with
Creating custom group trips can be a lucrative business for travel advisors, but it requires a strategic approach. Ricarda Haeger, Avanti’s director of group sales and operations, emphasizes the importance of building relationships with organizations, clubs, and businesses that align with the advisor’s chosen niche. Whether it’s food, wine, history, religion, or sports, advisors should
Hyatt Hotels Corp. experienced a decrease in demand for its all-inclusive resorts in the second quarter, particularly in Mexico and the Caribbean. CEO Mark Hoplamazian attributed this decline to a “return to pre-pandemic seasonality” in the region. CFO Joan Bottarini noted that while Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection portfolio had a strong first quarter with double-digit net
Located on a private island in the Samana region of the Dominican Republic, the Cayo Levantado Resort has recently added a unique activity to its offerings – a cassava workshop. This workshop, held twice a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays, allows guests to delve into the cultivation and preparation of cassava, a staple root vegetable
Booking Holdings’ CEO, Glenn Fogel, recently shared the company’s financial results for the second quarter of 2024, highlighting several positive data points. Despite facing a significant fine from a regulator in Spain, the company reported total revenue of $5.9 billion, reflecting a 7% increase year over year. Additionally, gross travel bookings rose to $41.4 billion,
Allegiant Travel Co.’s Sunseeker Resort Charlotte Harbor in Florida is currently experiencing significant financial challenges. The resort is expected to incur a cash loss of around $15 million this year. The total operating revenues for the property were $16.8 million in the second quarter, with an occupancy rate of only 35% and an average daily
TMC Hospitality, a subsidiary of the TMC Group, has been making waves in the boutique hotel industry since its inception in 2016. Focused on creating unique and engaging experiences for guests, the company introduced the Bode concept in 2018, followed by the launch of the Drift lifestyle brand in 2021. These two brands cater to