Regulatory and Legal Affairs - 10 Minutes News for Hoteliers

13 min

The Deep Dive: Will the UK end the use of asylum hotels by 2029?

📝 By 2029, the UK plans to end using hotels to house asylum seekers. As of September 2025, over 36,000 asylum seekers reside in hotels, with costs projected to reach £15.3 billion over the next decade. Migrant arrivals via small boats reached 41,472 in 2025. The government aims to collaborate with local authorities for alternative accommodations, yet challenges remain due to housing shortages and planning constraints. Hotel reliance reflects deeper systemic issues, questioning the feasibility of the 2029 deadline.

1 min

Sales launch for Pendry Residences Mexico City

🛌 UK, 2026: Chronic housing shortages and asylum processing backlogs have made hotels central to asylum accommodation. The hospitality industry faces a 2029 deadline to transition away from this model, raising concerns about feasibility. As hotels take on this role, questions about the industry's capacity and the government's plans for sustainable solutions become increasingly urgent. Reading time for this article is approximately 12 minutes.

3 min

Hilton Announces Apartment Collection by Hilton as Newest Brand

🏨 Hilton, in McLEAN, Virginia, announced Apartment Collection by Hilton, a new category offering furnished apartments, launching in the first half of 2026 across the U.S. in partnership with Placemakr. Hilton aims to expand its apartment inventory by 3,000 units, adding to its existing 10,000. The properties offer studio to four-bedroom apartments with kitchens and 24/7 support. Placemakr will manage these properties, leveraging its expertise in the furnished apartment sector.

1 min

China opens antitrust probe into Trip.com

📈 China, Jan 15, 2026: An antitrust investigation targets Trip.com, China's largest online travel platform, under the Anti-Monopoly Law. Regulators assess whether Trip.com abused its market dominance, potentially impacting competition. Despite the investigation, Trip.com pledges full cooperation while maintaining operations. The news prompted a significant sell-off of Trip.com shares, reflecting increased regulatory concerns. If found guilty, Trip.com faces substantial fines and corrective actions. This aligns with China's broader regulatory scrutiny on major tech platforms.

1 min

AAHOA Issues Statement on Reintroduction of the Credit Card Competition Act in Congress

💳 ATLANTA, Georgia—January 2026, AAHOA praised the reintroduction of the Credit Card Competition Act in Congress. The bill, backed by Sens. Marshall (R-KS), Durbin (D-IL), Reps. Gooden (R-TX), Lofgren (D-CA), and endorsed by President Trump, aims to introduce competition against Visa and Mastercard to reduce swipe fees. AAHOA, representing nearly 20,000 hotel owners, emphasizes the act's importance to curbing costs for small businesses generating over $100 billion in annual tax revenue.

2 min

Former Standard International CEO Amber Asher joins Helbraun Levey

📈 Amber Asher, former CEO of Standard International, joins Helbraun Levey as partner and chair to scale its hotel practice. Under Asher, Standard International expanded from 4 to 25 hotels globally, with a 400% revenue increase by 2024. The company was sold to Hyatt for up to $335 million. Helbraun Levey, based in New York, offers legal and strategic services for hotel operators, brands, and investors navigating industry growth and consolidation.

2 min

UKH warns of over 2,000 closures without business rates relief

🏠 More than 2,000 UK hospitality venues could close in 2026, driven by a business rates hike in April, says UKHospitality. Forecasted closures include 963 restaurants, 574 hotels, and 540 pubs. Business rates for hotels may rise by £28,900 next year, totaling a 115% increase over three years. Pubs might see a 15% rise, adding £1,400, and a 76% increase over three years. UKH urges the government to increase the rates discount from 5p to 20p.

2 min

Skift recently referenced a new mojo to be seen with Expedia in 2025 – and my industry radar was telling me the same. So, I decided to have a closer look especially on how Expedia is doing versus… | Vineeth Purushothaman

💰 Expedia's stock soared by 55% in 2025, surpassing Booking.com's increase of just over 10%. Over the past 18 months, Expedia's approach has involved acting as the infrastructure for travel services rather than competing for consumer traffic. Ryanair, Revolut, and British Airways are now partnered with Expedia. Expedia's wholesale bookings increased 26% year-over-year in Q3 2025. Booking.com was designated an EU "gatekeeper," limiting its pricing strategies under the Digital Markets Act.

3 min

Panasonic to Showcase Next-Generation Projection and LED Solutions at ISE 2026

📹 Panasonic is showcasing its visual innovations at ISE Barcelona 2026, introducing cutting-edge projection and LED technology. Highlighted are the PT-RQ45 projector with 42,000-lumens, a game-changing projection platform, and the first 4K LCD projector for immersive applications. A 55" LED platform enhances signage and retail displays. The event takes place in January 2026 at Fira Barcelona Gran Via, Stand 3J500. Panasonic's 2024 net sales were €54.12 billion. Register free with their unique event code.

How US political shifts are reshaping international travel

🗺 Jan 13, 2026, Washington, D.C.: U.S. political decisions are reshaping global travel. Policies on immigration, border control, trade, and foreign relations impact international travelers' confidence in visiting the U.S. Consequences include reduced travel demand from certain markets, affecting airlines, hotels, and local economies. Official guidance and media narratives further influence travel behavior. Destinations perceived as stable may gain from this shift. For comprehensive insights, visit the [BBC article](https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20260109-how-us-politics-is-affecting-international-travel).

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