Regulatory and Legal Affairs

636 posts

Legal and regulatory news for hospitality: laws, compliance and policy affecting hotels and their operators.

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  • 4 min

Cyberprotecting your hotel matters more than ever. Here’s what small hotels need to know.

💸 Small and mid-sized hotels in 2026 face digital risks affecting guest experiences and revenue. Credential abuse (22%) and vulnerability exploitation (20%) are common cyber threats, with a 34% increase in the latter. Over two-thirds of ransomware attacks from 2024-2025 targeted businesses with under 500 employees. PCI DSS 4.0.1 emphasizes continuous security for payment systems. The IBM 2025 report shows that hospitality breach costs increased and 76% of organizations took over 100 days to recover.
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RateGain’s UNO Booking Engine Integrates Stripe to Strengthen Direct Booking Payments for Hotels Globally

💳 India, 20th March 2026, RateGain Travel Technologies Limited integrates Stripe into UNO, its direct commerce platform for hotels. This integration enhances cross-border payment capabilities in the UNO Booking Engine, supporting various payment methods like cards and digital wallets. Serving 13,000+ customers across 160+ countries, RateGain aims to improve the checkout experience for international travelers, minimizing drop-offs and boosting direct bookings. Founded in 2004, RateGain partners with top hotel chains, airlines, and car rentals.
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UKH warns tourist tax is ‘wrong policy at worst time’

💸 UK Hospitality opposes the UK government's proposal for mayors to introduce overnight visitor levies in England. This move potentially impacts an already struggling hospitality industry facing rising employment and business costs post-2026 revaluation. The proposal could raise holiday costs, reduce domestic travel, and impair international competitiveness, according to 200 industry leaders. UKHospitality demands a nationally consistent flat-fee model, 12 months’ notice, and support for compliance costs to mitigate negative effects.
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PPHE to sell NYC site as it shelves plans for development

🏠 PPHE Hotel Group plans to sell its New York site for $33.5M (£24.7M) to a US developer. The Manhattan property, bought in 2019, was intended for hotel development, but regulatory changes halted plans. Demolition and air rights acquisitions maximized exit value. The sale will close soon, using proceeds to repay $8.3M (£6.1M) debt. Greg Hegarty, co-CEO, cites strategic capital release for reinvestment in core regions.
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Hyatt chairman Pritzker retires over Epstein ties

📅 Thomas Pritzker, executive chairman of Hyatt Hotels since August 2004, retired immediately after the US Department of Justice revealed his email exchanges with Jeffrey Epstein following Epstein's 2008 plea deal in Florida. Pritzker admitted "terrible judgment" and condemned Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Mark Hoplamazian, Hyatt's president and CEO, will succeed him as chairman. Pritzker emphasized his pride in contributing to Hyatt's growth and expressed confidence in the company's future leadership.
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  • 3 min

Tom Pritzker steps down as chairman of Hyatt Hotels in wake of Epstein links

🛋 Thomas Pritzker stepped down as executive chairman of Hyatt Hotels, a position he held since 2004, due to ties with Jeffrey Epstein, effective immediately. Mark Hoplamazian, CEO since 2006, takes over. Pritzker's resignation follows the Wall Street Journal's 2023 report on his frequent visits to Epstein's New York townhouse. His family's association with Hyatt dates to the late 1950s. Pritzker remains executive chairman at the Pritzker Organization. A search of Epstein's files shows 7,000 results linked to the Pritzker name.
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Booking.com delists German Hilton hotels over Iranian political sanctions

💸 Booking.com removed two Hilton hotels in Germany on Feb 17, 2026, due to ownership links to an Iranian banker under UK sanctions. Though the owner isn’t sanctioned by the EU or Germany, hundreds of bookings were canceled. Other platforms still list these hotels. This scenario highlights the impact of geopolitical affiliations and ownership scrutiny on hotel distribution and revenue.
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  • 7 min

The tourist tax debate returns: what it means for London hotels

🛒 London, 2026: A proposed 3% tourist tax could generate over £350m annually for the city, with Central London alone contributing £275m. Hoteliers fear this levy, amid 20% VAT and rising costs, threatens competitiveness. Westminster could raise £95m, while Camden, Kensington and Chelsea, and Tower Hamlets may exceed £20m each. Critics argue this tax, alongside high VAT, could make the UK less appealing to tourists, pushing the VAT rate to 27%. Industry seeks clarity on fund allocation.
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