Regulatory and Legal Affairs

653 posts

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

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Booking.com took Airbnb’s homes. Airbnb took Booking’s employees to take their hotels. Booking Holdings: $26.9B revenue in 2025. Airbnb: $12.2B revenue in 2025. Until now, they were two completely… | Ashkhen Gevondyan

🏠 Booking.com and Airbnb are converging in the travel industry. By 2025, Booking's revenue will reach $26.9B, and Airbnb's $12.2B. Booking.com's home listings total 8.6M, close to Airbnb's 9M. From 2019 to 2025, Booking.com will increase its share in Airbnb's home market from 25% to 36%. Cities like New York, Barcelona, and Paris are imposing regulations that impact Airbnb's short-term rentals. Airbnb hired Lou Zameryka, a former 20-year Booking.com executive, to lead its hotel expansion.
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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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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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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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200 hospitality leaders urge UK government to scrap tourist tax

💸 UK, April 2025: 200 hospitality leaders, including Hilton and IHG, urge the government to scrap the Visitor Levy in England. This tax could add £100+ to a two-week UK family holiday. Wales and Scotland have already implemented similar taxes, adding significant costs. The sector, facing high taxes and costs, warns this tax will deter domestic travel. The UK’s hospitality VAT rate is already 20%, double that of countries like France and Spain. Consultation closes 18 February 2026.
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