Regulatory and Legal Affairs

🏨 Ares Management and EQ Group sold the 151-room Novotel London Greenwich in the UK, acquired in 2024 for £400 million. Servatur Hotels bought the 312-room Allegro Isora in Tenerife, planning renovations. First Atlantic and Signa acquired the 70-room Lindenhof Resort in Italy, managing it from 2027. Extendam and Ker Hospitality sold the 64-room 1932 Hotel & Spa Cap d'Antibes in France, upgraded to four stars in 2022. Morgans Group bought The Harper hotel in Langham, UK, after a £6 million investment.

🍷 Bordeaux's 2025 En Primeur campaign is halfway through, with no wines sold out yet. Despite this, it's poised to be a standout year, ranking among the top three vintages of the last 18 years, just behind 2022. The campaign is cautious due to past disappointments and oversupply. However, high-quality wines with limited volumes are available, making 2025 a vintage worth considering. The En Primeur system's effectiveness has declined recently due to pricing issues and changing market dynamics.

📈 On May 26, Meliá Hotels International announced the immediate cessation of management and commercialization services for 15 hotels in Cuba owing to geopolitical and economic challenges. This decision affects hotels like Gran Hotel Bristol Habana Vieja and Paradisus Varadero. The majority were non-operational due to energy constraints and reduced demand. The company emphasizes an orderly disengagement and transparent communication with stakeholders, while monitoring future opportunities in Cuba.

💻 June 2, 2026, the White House issued an Executive Order on AI innovation and security. It mandates federal agencies to prioritize cyber defense within 30 days, establishes an AI cybersecurity clearinghouse, and extends AI cybersecurity tools to critical infrastructure. The Order emphasizes AI as a national strategic asset, urging collaboration for system modernization and intellectual property protection. For hospitality, it underscores the need for responsible AI governance and securing intelligent environments to enhance guest experiences.

💡 In 2026, eco-certifications are pivotal for hotels worldwide seeking to establish credibility with environmentally conscious travelers. These certifications validate sustainable practices and drive stronger demand. The article highlights the top eight green hotel certifications, emphasizing their role in transforming green initiatives into tangible benefits for the hospitality industry.

🏨 Revo Hospitality Group, operating 175 properties mainly in Germany and Austria, filed for insolvency in January at the Charlottenburg District Court, Berlin. At its peak, Revo managed up to 250 hotels. By June, the group faced full liquidation, with 450 staff in Berlin made redundant. Administrators are marketing 120 contracts to five selected bidders from over 100 offers. Prism, Oyo’s parent, and Aroundtown are speculated to be among these bidders.

📅 Late 2024 saw a reform in Palace distinctions in France: mandatory RSE and digitalisation, room size at least 26 sqm, and label validity reduced from five to three years. Six new entrants joined, including Cheval Blanc Paris (opened September 2021) and Bulgari Hotel Paris (opened December 2021). Hôtel Martinez regained its Michelin star in March 2025. 27 renewals occurred, while four departures included Mandarin Oriental Paris. The commission, headed by Pierre Ferchaud, emphasizes stringent criteria.

🏨 Safestay is selling its Glasgow Charing Cross hostel for £5.1 million to an independent investor. The transaction needs lender approval and should complete by August 28, 2026. The hostel, purchased in October 2019 for £3.2 million, generated £1.5 million revenue and £0.4 million profit in 2025. The sale follows the Edinburgh hostel's £5.4 million sale and a £3.1 million Brighton sale-and-leaseback, aligning with Safestay's strategy to enhance shareholder value.

✈️ In Washington, D.C., numerous organizations, including airlines and hotel associations, urged the DHS to avoid reducing Customs and Border Protection operations at U.S. airports. They warned that disruptions at major international gateway airports could lead to nationwide chaos affecting travelers, supply chains, and commerce. The coalition emphasized the importance of stable federal inspection services and called for strengthening, not weakening, airport infrastructure amid increasing international travel demand.