Miscellaneous

📅 Expedia's "Flight Deals," launched in the UK, is a mobile feature in the Expedia app offering airfares at least 20% lower than typical predicted prices. It includes a customisable deal feed and an iOS interactive map to identify value destinations. The tool evaluates over 30 price-context factors and filters out inconvenient flights. Updated every 24 hours, it aims to reduce booking uncertainty and enhance decision-making for travelers, as stated by CJ Allen, VP of Product at Expedia.

✈️ In 2025, airline startup investments dropped to 31 deals from 39 in 2024, marking a five-year low. Only seven airlines invested, with United Airlines leading with 10 deals. Asian airlines, particularly in Japan, China, and Korea, doubled their investment share to 30%. Cleantech/sustainability was the top focus, comprising 42% of investments, while AI accounted for about 25%. Airlines favored later-stage, de-risked startups, with 65% of investments in mature companies.

🏖️ HONOLULU—In 2025, the OUTRIGGER Waikiki Paradise Hotel joined the GHA DISCOVERY loyalty program, integrating OUTRIGGER's global portfolio into the alliance. Located on Princess Ka‘iulani’s former ʻĀinahau estate, the 443-room hotel boosts demand from sports teams and conferences. The program led by Paradise Originals offers Art + Flea markets and dining at Appetito Craft Pizza & Wine Bar. GHA DISCOVERY supports 45 hotel brands, enhancing loyalty revenue and brand identity.

📷 Feb 19, 2026: Social media's influence is reshaping the dining sector. Influencers drawn to photogenic dishes cause operational disruptions, like elongated restroom use for photo sessions. Traditional eateries struggle as younger consumers demand visual appeal, impacting established brands like Poilâne. Restaurateurs face a strategic choice: enhance visual elements or focus on traditional quality. Rising costs and changing habits also challenge the industry, highlighting that influencer culture is just one facet of a broader shift.