Riu Hotels & Resorts recently reopened the Riu Palace Bavaro all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, after undergoing an extensive renovation and expansion. The property, which had been closed since May, is part of Riu’s larger Punta Cana complex that includes other hotels such as Riu Palace Punta Cana, Riu Palace Macao, and Riu
Hotels
The recent Labor Day weekend walkouts staged by 10,000 hotel workers across nine U.S. cities sent shockwaves through the hospitality industry. Although the workers have returned to their posts, the threat of further strikes looms large, signaling a potential stalemate in contract negotiations. The Widespread Strikes Organized by the labor union Unite Here, the strikes
Hotel workers, especially housekeepers like Fatima Amahmoud, are facing overwhelming workloads due to the reduction in daily room cleaning. The decline in automatic room cleaning and the increase in guests opting out of cleaning services have left housekeepers with unmanageable tasks. This has been aggravated by labor cuts and worker shortages experienced during the Covid-19
Travalyst, a not-for-profit organization spearheaded by Prince Harry of England, has recently announced the launch of the first batch of accommodation sustainability certifications that meet its stringent criteria. With a total of 49 compliant certifications, this marks a significant milestone for Travalyst’s overarching initiative to enhance credibility and consistency in the way sustainability certifications are
Grupo Xcaret, a prominent player in the Riviera Maya region of Mexico, has been making waves with its innovative approach to hospitality. The recent launch of the Xcaret Agents Pro Booking platform is a testament to the group’s commitment to simplifying the hotel reservation process for travel advisors. This dedicated tool is designed to provide
The recent news of Hyatt’s acquisition of Standard International is just one of many examples of major players in the hospitality industry seeking to enhance their portfolios with boutique additions. This move reflects a growing trend where large hotel companies are adopting a more expansive strategy by acquiring smaller, independent brands to broaden their reach.
In July 2024, Hawaii hotels experienced a slight boost in occupancy rates, with a statewide hotel occupancy of 78.4%. This marked a 1.2% increase compared to the previous year. However, despite the increase in occupancy, the Average Daily Rate (ADR) plummeted by 5.5% year over year, reaching $385 across all the Islands. This decline in
The term “overtourism” has gained traction recently, particularly in popular European cities such as Barcelona, Amsterdam, and Venice. The surge in tourism post-pandemic has led to tensions between residents and travelers, sparking protests and debates about the impact of mass tourism on local communities. One of the main challenges highlighted by travel experts is the
United Airlines flight attendants have recently voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike. More than 90% of union members in United’s chapter of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA participated in the vote, with almost unanimous support. This strong show of solidarity among the flight attendants indicates a high level of dissatisfaction and a desire for change
Grand Canyon National Park has recently made the decision to suspend all overnight accommodations on the South Rim starting on August 29. This drastic measure was taken due to a severe water shortage caused by multiple breaks in the Transcanyon Waterline, the primary water supply system for the park. The affected accommodations include El Tovar,
Nate Silver’s book “On the Edge: The Art of Risking Everything” challenges readers to reconsider their understanding of risk and reward, particularly in the context of the travel industry. Silver’s background as both a political forecaster and a professional poker player provides him with a unique lens through which to explore the concept of expected
The popularity of all-inclusive resorts has seen a significant surge in recent years, but this trend seems to be slowing down. Geoff Millar, co-owner of Ultimate All-Inclusive Travel and Ultimate Hawaii Vacations, attributes this slowdown to the rising costs associated with these resorts. Prices at many all-inclusives have almost doubled over the past couple of
Circa Resort & Casino, located in downtown Las Vegas, is set to expand its inventory by 106 rooms and suites, a 20% increase, starting in late October. This expansion comes after leaving four floors as shells when the property opened in 2020 to better understand customer demands. I recently interviewed Derek Stevens, the CEO of
Outrigger Resorts & Hotels has been expanding its presence in Hawaii, with recent additions such as the Outrigger Kaanapali Beach Resort in Maui and the Outrigger Kauai Beach Resort & Spa. Additionally, the company has made strategic moves in the Asia-Pacific market, establishing properties in Fiji, Thailand, Mauritius, and the Maldives. This growth signifies a
Madagascar, a country known for its unparalleled biodiversity with over 80% of its species found nowhere else on the planet, is increasingly becoming a sought-after destination for travelers interested in luxury responsible tourism experiences. This tropical island off the coast of East Africa offers unique opportunities to explore marine life, pristine beaches, dense forests, and
Paris Las Vegas is marking its 25th anniversary with a stunning upgrade to its Versailles Tower, featuring 756 luxury guestrooms. These rooms are some of the largest standard accommodations available on the famous Vegas Strip, boasting an impressive 420 square feet of space each. Additionally, 38 of the rooms now offer new 55-square-foot balconies with
As The Beaumont Mayfair gears up to celebrate its 10th anniversary in September, the luxury five-star hotel is preparing to unveil a multimillion-dollar renovation. The highlight of this overhaul will be the addition of 29 brand new rooms and suites, enhancing the already existing 72 rooms. In addition to the room upgrades, the lobby, bar,
Universal Orlando Resort has recently announced plans for the opening of their latest luxury property, the Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel, set to debut in conjunction with the highly anticipated Epic Universe theme park in 2025. This 500-room resort will offer a unique experience for visitors, blending Mediterranean and celestial-inspired design elements to