Regulatory and Legal Affairs

💸 Scottish Hospitality Group (SHG) warns of potential closures for licensed businesses in Scotland due to non-domestic rates revaluation in April 2026. The new rates may increase over 550%, not reflecting current trading conditions. The sector faces rising costs from wages, energy, and food inflation. SHG urges the Scottish Government to introduce targeted rates relief in the upcoming budget (13 January) to prevent closures, job losses, and vacant high streets.

📈 Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa faces visibility challenges despite top authority in Google Business Profiles and #SEO. Paid intermediaries like Booking and Google Travel dominate search results, prompting the European Commission's Digital Markets Act to address this imbalance. Agentic Hospitality aims to empower hotels to secure direct bookings through natural language search without relying on gatekeepers. This movement seeks to ensure fairness and control for hotels in the evolving digital landscape.

🏨 OTH Hotels Resorts will manage Courtyard by Marriott Manassas Battlefield Park starting January 2026. Located in Manassas, near Washington, D.C., the hotel features 149 rooms, 1,248 sq ft of meeting space, a fitness center, an indoor pool, and The Bistro restaurant. This marks OTH's fifth East Coast management contract in 2025, showcasing their regional growth. The focus includes optimizing revenue, maintaining brand integrity, and enhancing guest experiences.

📈 In 2026, hotel revenue management systems like Duetto are essential for dynamic pricing. Gone are manual spreadsheets; automation is key. 📈

🌎 On December 31, 2025, in Washington, D.C., the Trump Administration announced the release of 35,000 supplemental H-2B visas. Rosanna Maietta of the American Hotel & Lodging Association praised the move, which assists small business hoteliers facing staffing shortages. The H-2B visa program, capped at 66,000 visas annually, is essential for filling seasonal roles in remote vacation spots. AHLA urged for a more need-based visa system instead of current arbitrary limits.

💸 During the holidays, a Reddit post alleging unethical practices by an unnamed delivery app went viral on Twitter and Substack. Tony Xu and other DoorDash co-founders publicly denied the accusations. The controversy is linked to dynamic pricing issues, reminiscent of past criticisms involving Wendy's and Instacart. In 2025, AI was widely adopted in hospitality, but consumers haven't seen significant improvements. As AI tools become more accessible, the balance of information and pricing power is shifting, impacting industries like hotels.

💸 Greece, 2026: Offers a stable investment framework for residency in Europe. Greek Golden Visa allows non-EU investors to invest in real estate starting at €250,000, or €800,000 in high-demand areas. Residency permits issued within 3-6 months, with legal residence valid for five years, renewable indefinitely. Investors access Schengen countries visa-free and can apply for EU citizenship after seven years. Additional costs: property transfer tax (3.09%), notary/registry fees (~2.1%), and government fees (€2,000 main applicant, €150 per additional adult).

💸 President Trump delayed 2026 tariff hikes on furniture, kitchen cabinets, and bathroom vanities until January 1, 2027. The existing 25% tariff stays. AAHOA supports the pause, as these items are 15-20% of hotel renovation costs. Chairman Kamalesh Patel and CEO Laura Lee Blake commend Trump for aiding small businesses reinvesting in properties and supporting local economies. The decision allows time for planning amid ongoing trade negotiations.

🏠 Heading into 2026, hoteliers must synchronize Property Improvement Plan (PIP) timing with lenders to avoid transaction roadblocks. Lenders view PIPs as essential, non-optional obligations. Near-term PIPs (within 24 months) require more equity and reserves, while PIPs in the 24–36 month range face stricter cash flow and liquidity requirements. For refinances with PIPs beyond loan maturity, lenders adjust their exit strategies. Owners should integrate PIPs into their business plans for better financing outcomes and leverage.