TOP NEWS

🏨 McKeever Hotels, a family-run business, unveiled its 'Beyond Now' strategy for growth and sustainability in Ireland and Scotland. By 2027, a £3m investment will help achieve four-star accreditation for The Lodge in Coleraine and Armagh City Hotel. The company plans a 10% occupancy increase, supported by a central reservations system. By 2030, McKeever aims for a £45m turnover and 600 employees, focusing on community engagement and sustainability. Their 40th anniversary is in 2026.

🏖 Chet Pipkin, founder of Belkin, has ventured into hospitality with Desolation Hotel in South Lake Tahoe and Hope Valley, California. His one-page business plan emphasizes staff development, guest experience, environmental education, and community engagement. The hotels aim to provide immersive experiences, leveraging the locations’ natural beauty and activities. Previously, the South Lake Tahoe site was a 1950s motel. The hotel offers easy access to hiking, beaches, and dining, embodying Pipkin’s values of simplicity and connectivity.

🛫 Business travel check-ins remain a pain point. Nearly 47% of business travelers face check-in issues, with 49% feeling stressed and 27% feeling unprepared for work due to these disruptions. Problems stem from poor communication of payment details, often sent separately, leading to confusion. With API-led payment integrations and virtual card adoption, hotels can streamline check-ins, enhancing efficiency and traveler satisfaction. The technology is available; now it's about commitment to implementation.

📈 WTM, November 2025: The smallest floor yet allowed attendees to walk it in 20 minutes. Amadeus and RateGain were prominent, while others, like Cendyn and Sojern, opted for smaller booths but bigger discussions. SiteMinder hosted an in-demand party, now expanded from 50 attendees to many industry leaders, including co-founder Mike Rogers. The emphasis shifted from AI buzzwords to practical applications. The event was smaller in size but richer in meaningful dialogue.

🚨 On November 9, 2025, Marriott International abruptly terminated its licensing deal with Sonder Holdings Inc. due to contract default, affecting thousands of units. Originally a 20-year licensing deal started in 2024, it allowed Sonder properties to join Marriott Bonvoy. The sudden termination left travelers in limbo and impacted Marriott's 2025 room growth forecast, dropping it to ~4.5%. Sonder's market cap fell to under $7 million, causing its stock to plummet.

🍴 Barrière group reinvests in its F&B vertical, operating over 150 restaurants and bars in casinos, hotels, and independent properties. Hippolyte Gras, Director of Catering, and Julien Huel, Managing Director of Hotels and Catering, highlight the 2025 season's record performance. Gastronomy emerges as a central pillar of their strategy to enhance hotel unit volume and spending. Meet them at the upcoming Hospitality Asset Forum to learn more about their strategic repositioning.

📈 Amber Chastain joined Vision Hospitality Group as a breakfast attendant in November 2021. In less than five years, she became the general manager of Tru by Hilton Chattanooga Hamilton Place. Through Vision’s Gear Up program, Chastain completed a 6-week Level 1 training and a 6-9 month Level 2 training. By July of this year, she was permanently offered the GM position. Vision boasts eight general managers out of 38 who advanced through Gear Up.

📈 The announcement of results for the first half of fiscal year 2025-2026 ended on September 30, marking the 14th consecutive quarter of record performance. This period saw further double-digit growth.