10minhotel.com

Meliá Hotels International continues to accelerate its growth in Argentina with the signing of two new projects in the province of Mendoza, marking its entry into one of the country's most attractive and emerging destinations. Globally renowned for its mountain landscapes, prestigious vineyards, and lifestyle appeal, Mendoza stands out as a unique enclave where nature, gastronomy, and wine tourism converge, now welcoming Meliá's distinctive Spanish hospitality. These two new additions —Meliá Mendoza and Meliá Collection Valle de Uco— reflect the company's ambition to expand in unique destinations, with projects designed to integrate with their surroundings and elevate the guest experience. Meliá Mendoza, located in the very heart of the city, just steps from Plaza Independencia, will feature 140 rooms, a restaurant, a bar, and meeting facilities. Scheduled to open in 2028, it will introduce the Meliá Hotels & Resorts brand to a vibrant and cosmopolitan urban setting, offering a versatile proposition for both business and leisure travelers. Meanwhile, the Meliá Collection brand will bring its most exclusive concept to one of Argentina's most breathtaking landscapes: Valle de Uco, located 100 kilometers from Mendoza city, surrounded by vineyards and framed by the Andes mountain range. This project will focus on a more immersive and exclusive experience, deeply connected to wine tourism, wellness, and nature, positioning itself as a destination in its own right. Also set to open in 2028, the hotel will feature 110 rooms—including 10 branded residences—along with a wellness area, family-friendly spaces, and a diverse and carefully curated gastronomic offering. Argentina: a key growth market in the region These signings come at a pivotal moment for Meliá in Argentina, where the company is undergoing an extraordinary expansion phase. The company currently operates six hotels in the country —four of which have opened in the past two years— and has five additional projects in the pipeline, all signed during this same period. This growth reflects a clear strategic commitment to a high-potential market with increasing demand for premium and lifestyle experiences. In Buenos Aires, Meliá operates four hotels —Meliá Recoleta Plaza, Casa Lucía Meliá Collection, and the Affiliated by Meliá properties Almarena Madero Urbano and Almarena Puerto Retiro— showcasing its commitment to sophisticated urban hospitality. This is complemented by Gran Meliá Iguazú, an iconic property repeatedly recognized as Argentina's Leading Hotel at the World Travel Awards, and Alejandro I Affiliated by Meliá in Salta, strengthening the company's presence in culturally rich destinations. Looking ahead, Meliá will continue expanding with new openings in exceptional locations such as Ushuaia, where a spectacular Gran Meliá hotel will debut at the “end of the world," and Bariloche, with an exclusive Meliá Collection project, both in the luxury segment. Additionally, INNSiDE by Meliá will make its debut in Argentina in Costa del Este, introducing the brand's contemporary and lifestyle-driven concept to the country. Partnership with Grupo Almarena The two newly signed projects are owned by Grupo Almarena, further strengthening the solid strategic alliance between both companies, which now includes five properties, two of them in

ATLANTA – As people rapidly turn to AI to plan trips – now used by more than half of U.S. travelers* – IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG) is making it easier for them to find hotels and book their stays. IHG has launched an IHG app in ChatGPT, and will soon add AI-powered conversational search within IHG.com and the IHG One Rewards app. A New Way to Discover IHG in ChatGPT Designed to complement IHG’s digital platforms, the app in ChatGPT lets users search, compare and explore IHG’s more than 7,000 hotels in over 100 countries. ChatGPT will recommend IHG hotels based on travelers' preferences, surfacing real-time availability, pricing, interactive maps and amenities, helping guests move naturally from discovery to comparison. Once a hotel is selected, users are guided to IHG’s direct booking channels to complete their reservation. Conversational Search Coming Soon to IHG Digital Channels IHG will also soon add conversational search to IHG.com and the IHG One Rewards app, giving travelers the freedom to discover hotels using their own words and more easily book the perfect stay. From inspiration to reservation, guests can expect a seamless, AI-enabled experience that understands the intent and context behind their search, without the limitation of fixed search fields or keywords. Guest expectations are evolving quickly, and we’re evolving with them. With more than one million guests staying with us every night around the world, we’re using AI to make the travel experience more seamless from planning and booking through to their stay. Pairing AI with the warmth of human hospitality ultimately helps us deliver a more exceptional live experience – one that feels personal, responsive and connected to each guest in the moment. Jolie Fleming, Chief Product & Technology Officer, IHG Hotels & Resorts Together these innovations help drive forward IHG’s broader technology and AI-driven strategy focused on enhancing the guest experience, boosting hotel performance and advancing corporate innovation. * Source: Phocuswright research - The AI Surge: Travel's Fastest Behavioral Shift in a Decade

Award-winning hospitality management company Davidson Hospitality Group has been tapped to operate Parrot Key Hotel & Villas in Key West, Florida. Situated less than three miles from Old Town Key West, the resort features 148 rooms, suites, and villas; four pools; a signature restaurant and bar showcasing fresh island flavors, and onsite adventurous excursions in partnership with Sunset Watersports, from jet ski rentals to snorkeling. In collaboration with ownership, Davidson will oversee a planned renovation this summer encompassing the restaurant, reconfiguration and upgrades of public spaces, and enhancements to exterior areas. We are proud to welcome this idyllic waterfront haven to our growing portfolio. Leveraging our team's robust experience in the Florida Keys and decades of institutional knowledge, we look forward to stewarding an exciting renovation that will transform Parrot Key Hotel & Villas into a truly best-in-class, elevated retreat for guests, families, and locals alike. Jason Reader, Chief Operating Officer, Davidson Hospitality Group Tucked within five acres of lush gardens, Parrot Key Hotel & Villas is a refreshing escape and oasis where tropical serenity meets Key West style. Touted as some of the most spacious accommodations in Key West, each of its rooms, suites, and villas are surrounded by native landscaping. The intimate hideaway is a quick complimentary shuttle ride away from Duval Street and Smathers Beach. Within the Florida Keys, Davidson currently operates Baker's Cay Resort in Key Largo; Amara Cay Resort, La Siesta Resort & Villas, and Three Waters Resort & Marina in Islamorada, and Key West Historic Inns collection in Key West.

China’s Travel & Tourism (T&T) sector is undergoing a phase of accelerated expansion, positioning it as a strong example of sustained tourism growth, and placing the country firmly on track to become the world’s leading T&T economy in the coming years if current trends continue. According to new 2026 Economic Impact Research (EIR) data from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), sponsored by Chase Travel, Lead Research Partner, China is emerging not only as the standout performer in Asia-Pacific, but also as a leader for how to coordinated policy, innovation, and long-term investment in infrastructure can drive high-impact tourism growth at scale. In 2025, China welcomed more than 68 million international visitors, marking a 15.5% year-on-year increase, nearly three times the global growth rate of 5.4%, while international visitor spending rose by 10.5% to $135 billion, exceeding pre-pandemic levels and significantly outperforming the global average growth of 3.2%. The country recorded an additional 9 million arrivals compared to 2024, representing the largest increase globally. This strong performance is having a significant impact, with China’s wider T&T sector continuing to outperform regionally, expanding by 9.9% in 2025 to reach $1.8 trillion, more than double the global growth average of 4.1%. China is also playing a central role in propelling Asia-Pacific to become the fastest-growing T&T region in the world, achieving 8.1% growth. The recovery is being driven by a combination of progressive policy reforms and technological innovation, supported by the strong strategic vision of the Government of China in positioning Travel & Tourism as a key pillar of national economic growth. Expanded visa facilitation measures now cover more than 50 countries, offering visa-free stays of up to 30 days and extended transit stays of up to 10 days. Since 2020, arrivals from visa-exempt markets have increased fivefold, including an additional 18% growth in 2025 alone. At the same time, China is enhancing the visitor experience through seamless travel initiatives, including the rollout of biometric systems at entry points and the widespread adoption of advanced digital payment platforms, enabling a smoother end-to-end journey for international travellers. These efforts highlight the importance of innovation and digitalisation as core enablers of tourism growth. Investment in air connectivity and high-speed rail infrastructure is further strengthening accessibility, improving connections between major international gateways and secondary cities, and supporting a more balanced distribution of tourism flows across the country. In parallel, large-scale development of new tourism zones, cultural attractions, and theme parks is diversifying China’s tourism offering and reinforcing its global competitiveness, underscoring the sector’s growing role as a driver of economic diversification, regional development, and job creation. WTTC President & CEO, Gloria Guevara, presented these latest findings during her visit to China, underscoring how the country is playing a pivotal role in accelerating growth across the global T&T landscape, supported by a clear long-term commitment from the Chinese Government to the sector’s continued development. China’s recovery shows how targeted policy reforms can translate directly into stronger inbound demand and sustained growth. Continued progress in visa

BOSTON, MA – The Massachusetts Lodging Association hosted a sold-out 2026 Stars of the Industry event at Fenway Park on June 2, 2026 to honor exemplary employees and unique programs in the lodging industry, highlighting service that goes above and beyond a hotelier’s line of duties to ensure a phenomenal experience for all guests. Emcee’d by NESN’s Jenny Johnson, this event brought together over 450 attendees, making it one of the MLA’s most coveted events. Today's nominees have demonstrated not only tenacity, courage, and compassion, but also a spirit of cooperation and adaptability. They are people who understand: victory at the highest level comes from working as a team. MLA President and CEO Christina Pappas 2026 MLA Board Chair Trish Berry added, “The individuals who were honored today embody the very essence of our industry. Their dedication, innovation, and passion serve as an inspiration to us all.” This annual celebration has one mission: to acknowledge and celebrate the shining stars whose contributions elevate the standards of excellence in lodging. New this year, the MLA recognizes stars of our industry in both front and back of the house roles in hotels with 250 rooms or less, 251–500 rooms, and 500+ rooms. We welcomed the Inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award Class of 2026 and awarded the first Amicus Hospitum Award – a new award selected by the MLA and distributed at any MLA event. Join us in celebrating this year's recipients of the Stars of the Industry Awards: Community Service 250 rooms or less: Four Seasons Hotel One Dalton Street, Boston – Camp Dalton Dreams 251–500 rooms: Hyatt Regency Boston Harbor – HYBO Helping Hands Under HEI Loves 500+ rooms: The Westin Copley Place, Boston – Community Service Initiatives Employee Relations 250 rooms or less: Pelham House Resort/Pelham Hospitality – Protectors of Pelham – POP/Tell Me Something Good 251–500 rooms: The Newbury Boston – The Quarter Century Club 500+ rooms: Hilton Boston Park Plaza – Five-Star Friday Innovation 250 rooms or less: Raffles Boston – The Art of the Donut: A Weekly Ritual at Raffles Boston 251–500 rooms: The Liberty Hotel – Liberty Loves Initiatives Amicus Hospitum Boston Hotel Watch Outstanding Manager of the Year – Front of House 250 rooms or less: Tara Rothburg, Kimpton Marlowe Hotel 251–500 rooms: Madelyne Warny, Hyatt Place Boston/Seaport District 500+ rooms: John Hines, Omni Parker House Outstanding Manager of the Year – Back of House 250 rooms or less: Maxwell Theissen, Four Seasons Hotel One Dalton Street, Boston 251–500 rooms: Lexeen White, The Langham, Boston 500+ rooms: Patrice Skelton, Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport Stevan Porter Emerging Hospitality Leader of the Year 250 rooms or less: Max Wesp, Wequassett Resort and Golf Club 251–500 rooms: David Kim, The Newbury Boston 500+ rooms: Daniel Han, Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport Employee of the Year – Front of House 250 rooms or less: Marjan Etemad Moghaddam, Hampton Inn Boston-Natick 251–500 rooms: Erdi Kaja, Revere Hotel Boston Common 500+ rooms: Devon Varmahmoodi, Hilton Boston Park Plaza Employee

The financial pressure on hotel operators is mounting. Recently, Sircle Hotels, operator of the W Hotel Amsterdam and multiple Park Hotel locations, has been unable to meet its rental obligations to landlords. In Germany, Revo Hospitality filed for bankruptcy. These incidents underscore a wider pattern of operational and financial stress across the hotel sector. Even financially healthy operators are feeling the squeeze, as unfavorable and uncapped indexation clauses in lease contracts collide with stagnating RevPAR growth. Previous comfortable margins are now turning into a genuine strategic concern. To make matters worse, the headwinds are not just on revenue level, but also on expense level. Across many regions, labour costs are rising sharply due to collective labour agreement increases and tight job markets. Food and beverage procurement has become more expensive as a result of inflation and supply chain disruptions have become more frequent and impactful due to increasing geopolitical instability. Furthermore, this instability has been fuelling (pun intended) higher energy and raw material prices. Governments are also looking at where to apply higher taxes to deal with higher government spending (on defence for example). In the Netherlands, for instance, the VAT rate on hotel stays was raised from 9% to 21% in 2026. Additionally, tourist taxes in cities across Europe have repeatedly been increased by local authorities to makes ends meet. These are extra costs that the operators cannot simply pass on to guests without risking a decline in occupancy. The combined effect of these trends is increasing pressure on Gross Operating Profit (GOP) margins . Many hotel operators are now approaching the minimum required GOP margin to sustain healthy operations. The instinctive response of further reducing headcount and cutting other operational costs has reached its limits. Beyond a certain point, staff reductions degrade service quality, generate negative reviews and ultimately costs more due to lost revenue than it saves in payroll. A promising approach lies in the deployment of AI agents that can reduce operating costs and grow revenue simultaneously without compromising the guest experience. In an industry still largely focused on Revenue per available room (RevPAR), GOP is the actual value driver. The Compelling Math Consider a typical 150-room upscale hotel generating €10 million in annual revenue with a 37% GOP margin (€3.7 million GOP). A 5% revenue increase (through better personalization, higher conversion, dynamic pricing, and upselling) brings revenue to €10.5 million. A 3 percentage point reduction in operating expenses (from automation of admin tasks, optimized staffing, predictive maintenance, and smarter procurement) increases GOP by more than 700K. The combined effect would push GOP well above €4.4 million,a 19–25% uplift depending on starting efficiency. This is transformative for both independent hotels and chains fighting margin pressure. How could AI agents make this possible? Not through one single chatbot, but through networks of combined, specialized, autonomous agents that handle repetitive work while empowering staff to deliver genuine hospitality. Modern AI agents go far beyond basic chatbots. They think, act, and adapt across systems, learn from your standard operating