Events

📱 On 16–17 September in Munich and 5–6 October in London, the Independent Hotel Show highlights communication challenges in the hotel industry. Guests often receive unnecessary information via email, leading to low engagement. WhatsApp is recommended to enhance direct, personal interactions, enabling guests to make bookings or upgrades easily. This personalized communication approach is proposed to reinstate genuine hospitality and improve guest experience.

🌍 Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will speak at the WTTC Global Summit in Valletta, Malta, from October 7-9, 2026. Over 1,000 delegates from 100+ countries, including 200+ CEOs and government leaders, will attend. In 2025, global Travel & Tourism investment surpassed $1 trillion, contributing $11.6 trillion to the world GDP. The summit emphasizes innovation, sustainability, and AI in tourism, with Malta showcasing its tourism success and attracting future investments. Executive Access Passes are limited.

📆 On November 17-18, 2026, HSMAI MEA will host the 9th annual Commercial Strategy Conference MEA at Conrad Dubai, UAE. Attendees will explore themes of "Resilience. Agility. Results." with sessions on artificial intelligence, automation, and commercial strategy. The event features the ROCKSTAR Awards, with nine finalists coached by Kim Iskandar and Tarek Labib, presenting live for top spots. Submissions are open until September 10. This year, Women Voices@CSC will highlight women leaders in hospitality.

📅 PATA and GBTA entered a strategic partnership on August 18, 2026, at PATA Travel Mart in Kuching, Sarawak. The collaboration aims to enhance the corporate business travel component of PATA Travel Mart 2027 in Macao from September 20-22, 2027. GBTA will serve as the Strategic Corporate Travel Partner, leveraging its global network to connect business professionals. The partnership focuses on program development, buyer mobilization, and joint marketing to strengthen business travel in the Asia-Pacific region.

🎨 Guimi You, a Seoul-born artist, presents her painting "Us, on the Han River" at Frieze Seoul 2026 (2-5 September). In Seoul, she recommends exploring Bukchon Hanok Village, Hamgyeongdo Chapssal Sundae for 24-hour dining, and shopping at Dongmyo Flea Market. Visit MMCA Deoksugung for art, and dine at Gangnam Gyoza or Hadongkwan in Starfield Coex Mall. For a cultural escape, Jeju Island offers the inspiration behind You's recent works.

🏨 Independent Hotel Show, partnered with James Hallam Insurance Brokers, is at Olympia London on October 5–6. The 2026 edition theme is ‘Shaping Tomorrow’. It focuses on how hoteliers can adapt to technological advancements, evolving guest expectations, and commercial pressures while maintaining creativity and personal service. This event gathers the independent and boutique hotel community for networking, insights, and product discovery.

📅 AHC 2026 is scheduled for September 14-15 at Manchester Central Convention Complex. Notable speakers include Ritesh Agarwal from OYO, Barclays' Jack Meaning, and IHG's Karin Sheppard. The theme, “All In: Mastering Risk for Reward,” targets strategic growth amid cost pressures in UK hospitality. Attendees can secure a 10% ticket discount. In July 2026, Questex, AHC's organizer, was acquired by Apollo Funds and rebranded as Forge, merging with Emerald.

📚 HIT Scotland introduces the Lead by Design programme, part of the 2026 Executive and Leadership series, targeting senior hospitality leaders in Scotland. Held in Edinburgh on October 7–8 and November 25–26, 2026, the course guides executives in designing cohesive customer and employee experiences. Led by Victoria Taylor, participants will utilize frameworks like the Multi Lens Approach and 4 H Framework. Applications close on September 11, 2026. The series includes AI: The Intelligent Edge and Leadership Redefined: Culture First.