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LODGING Staff

405 posts

AHLA Foundation's FORWARD/26 Event in Atlanta Focuses on Advancing Women in Hospitality Leadership Roles

📈 Over April 26-27, 2026, Atlanta hosted the AHLA Foundation's FORWARD/26 event at Signia by Hilton. Over 1,000 professionals attended, focusing on leadership and influence in hospitality, particularly for women. The event featured 50+ speakers, including Bobbi Brown and Tiera Kennedy, and 20 breakout sessions such as "Empower Hour" and "Women Leaders on Hotel Ownership." The initiative aims to advance women in the industry through mentorship and community building.
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G6 Hospitality Opens Over 35 New Studio 6 Locations in Diverse U.S. Markets in Q1 2026

🏠 In 2026, G6 Hospitality, owner of Motel 6 and Studio 6, opened over 35 new Studio 6 locations in cities like Birmingham, Sacramento, and Chicago. These new sites, a mix of conversions and new builds, meet strong business travel and long-term guest demand. CEO Sonal Sinha and VP Anuj Ladha highlight the focus on franchise partnerships to maintain quality and value, emphasizing the need for extended-stay accommodations driven by workforce mobility and long-term travel.
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Sojern Reports Double-Digit Growth in Flight Bookings for 2026 FIFA World Cup Across U.S., Mexico, and Canada

🏆 Sojern released an analysis of travel demand for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, showing flight bookings increased compared to last year. Key growth figures include Dallas (42%), Houston (38%), and Monterrey (67%). The tournament runs from June 9 to July 18 across the US, Mexico, and Canada. The UK leads international bookings at 19.5%, followed by Canada at 18.4%. European and APAC demand also rose. 65% of travelers plan 6 to 12+ day trips.
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U.S. Hotel Industry Sees Mixed Performance with ADR Up 1.5% and RevPAR Up 0.4% Through April 11, 2026

📊 April 5-11, 2026, Arlington, Virginia: The U.S. hotel industry showed mixed results. Occupancy was 64.9% (down 1.1% from 2025) while ADR rose to $165.23 (up 1.5%) and RevPAR increased to $107.16 (up 0.4%). Orlando led with a 7.5% occupancy rise. Miami's ADR jumped 14.3% to $290.58, and Anaheim's RevPAR climbed 12.4% to $170.05. However, Las Vegas and Atlanta faced significant RevPAR declines of 26.4% and 21.3%, respectively.
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Sheraton San Diego Resort Completes $123 Million Renovation, Unveils 3,600 Sq. Ft. Garden Terrace for Events

🏖 In November 2024, the Sheraton San Diego Resort completed a $123 million renovation, unveiling the waterfront Garden Terrace on Harbor Island. With 3,600 square feet, it hosts up to 300 wedding guests and 250 event attendees. The resort offers 132,367 square feet of meeting space. Renovations included 717 guestrooms in the Marina Tower, featuring modern decor and the Sheraton Sleep Experience. Sean Clancy, VP and GM, highlighted the resort's transformation, embodying San Diego's best.
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Stonebridge to Manage New 216-Room Kimpton Hotel in Downtown Salt Lake City, Opening in Early 2028

🏢 Stonebridge will manage a 216-room Kimpton hotel in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah, developed by The Domain Companies. Expected to open in early 2028, the 10-story hotel will feature a fitness center, 7,000 square feet of meeting space, two dining options, and a rooftop bar. Located near key city landmarks, the hotel aims to enhance Salt Lake City's hospitality scene. Stonebridge plans to implement a strategy focused on maximizing rates and premium demand.
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Maribeth Bisienere Retires After Over 30 Years of Leadership at The Walt Disney Company and Walt Disney World Resort

📅 Maribeth Bisienere retired in 2025 after over 30 years with The Walt Disney Company. She held senior roles in resorts, transportation, and food & beverage. Starting in 1995 as GM at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, she later managed Disney Institute and Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Bisienere served on the Central Florida Hotel Association and Johnson & Wales University boards and joined the AHLA Board post-COVID-19.
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RMS Integrates with GoCardless to Offer Cost-Effective Direct Bank Payments for Hospitality Sector

💵 RMS, on May 5, 2025, in London, announced integration with GoCardless to help hospitality operators handle rising payment costs and margin pressures. Card processing fees typically range from 1.5% to 3%, often higher for online or manual transactions. The integration enables direct bank payments, including direct debit and real-time payments, aiming to reduce costs and improve payment reliability for deposits, installments, and longer stays. RMS CEO, Adam Seskis, emphasizes strategic payment methods for cost control.
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Amadeus Research Finds 74% of Travelers Seek Personalized Trips, AI and Sustainability Crucial by 2026

🗺 Amadeus' "Travel Dreams 2026" reveals 41% of 6,000 travelers use trips for mental health resets. 33% desire digital detox destinations. Key revenue attributes: early check-in, room selection, wellness amenities, sleep packages, air quality, and local guides. 74% want trip personalization. AI spending averages $320,000 per hotel in 2026, with the U.S. at $400,000. AI adoption is nearly universal. 75% of travelers consider sustainability an expectation, paying 11.7% more for eco-friendly hotels, with hoteliers allocating 7% of expenses to sustainability.
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Stayntouch Expands Partnership with Storey Hotel Management to Support Six Properties and Over 500 Rooms

📈 Storey Hotel Management Group expands its partnership with Stayntouch, utilizing their cloud-based PMS to support six properties with over 500 rooms, including The Fairlane Hotel and The Walton Residence. The platform enhances scalability, accelerates onboarding, and integrates with evolving technologies. Jonathan Holcomb, VP at Storey, emphasizes the strategic growth and maintaining hotel individuality, while Priya Rajamani, SVP at Stayntouch, highlights the focus on efficient scaling and resource support for optimal performance.
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