TOP NEWS

🏨 WASHINGTON, D.C.—In FY2026, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) decided to maintain flat government per diem rates, impacting the hospitality industry. The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) highlighted the importance of aligning these rates with rising costs. Rosanna Maietta, AHLA President & CEO, emphasized the decision's strain on both the industry and government travelers. The AHLA plans to advocate for adjustments with the GSA and Congress to support a thriving hospitality sector.

August 13, 2025, Bolivar Peninsula, Texas –  Bolivar Vacations, a Casago franchise partner serving the Texas Gulf Coast, has expanded its profile to manage over 90 beachside vacation homes on the Bolivar Peninsula,…

💻 Resorts World Las Vegas, August 2025, has adopted the Oracle OPERA Cloud hospitality platform to streamline operations and personalize guest services. The cloud-based system has unified guest data across three properties, reduced IT overhead, and eliminated the need for on-premises hardware. Mobile access enhances staff efficiency, while AI solutions and Simphony Cloud POS optimize guest engagement and food and beverage operations. The shift aims to increase revenue and guest satisfaction through tailored services and improved operational efficiency.

💰 Over 3,800 members invested in Six by Nico’s new Six by You initiative within five days, raising over £1.75 million before public launch. Investments start at £360, providing £360 in equity and a £360 Season Pass for two, offering four dining experiences. The initiative, launched on Crowdcube, offers £720 total value for a £360 investment. Nico Simeone, the founder, emphasizes building a community of co-owners to shape the future of the brand.

💻 Aug 13, 2025: Hotels are transforming operations with AI as their core system. Integrated into PMS, CRS, and CRM, AI automates decisions, services, and revenue management. This technology boosts revenue by improving upsell conversion and occupancy rates without increasing staff costs. AI offers hyper-personalized guest experiences, enhancing satisfaction and loyalty. It reduces training time, speeds up responses, and removes inefficiencies, giving hotels a competitive edge in adapting to market changes and maintaining profitability.

🏨 Airbnb is aggressively integrating hotels, especially in U.S. markets with limited rental availability, aiming to convert traditional hotel guests. CEO Brian Chesky and CFO Ellie Mertz focus on independent hotels worldwide, offering competitive commissions. Many hotels join via HotelTonight, boosting U.S. promotions. Targeted growth includes heartland states and Hispanic travelers. Despite this shift, private homes remain Airbnb's core. The strategy ramps up as of August 13, 2025, focusing on existing and new partnerships.

🍴 Bret Thorn, senior food & beverage editor, joined Nation’s Restaurant News in 1999. From 1995-1997, he was a sub editor at Asia Times. He wrote for the New York Sun (2005-2008) and served as IFEC president in 2005. Thorn holds a BA in history from Tufts University (1990) and studied at Le Cordon Bleu in 1986. Notably, he contributed to the Oxford Encyclopedia in 2012 and 2015 and won the 2006 Jesse H. Neal Award.

💸 In Las Vegas, visitor numbers dropped by over 100,000 in one summer month, causing a $40 million loss in room revenue and a daily $1.3 million hit to hotel finances. Off-Strip hotels saw RevPAR fall by 28%. Convention traffic rose 10-11%, with high-end Strip properties maintaining 90%+ occupancy. Off-Strip budget hotels faced 70% occupancy and RevPAR drops of 17.1%-28.7%. Solutions focus on redefining value through technology, personalization, and enhanced human interactions.

🏨 Dubai and Riyadh are becoming powerhouse global hubs. Dubai's transformation over two decades includes architectural icons and sprawling districts, while Riyadh's Vision 2030 drives infrastructure and tourism growth. From 2023-2025, the Middle East remained the world's most profitable hospitality region. Riyadh leads with a 48% F&B margin, outpacing Dubai's 41.3%. Egypt has the lowest labor margin at 11.5% in 2025. The midscale hotel segment shows strong profitability, with upscale hotels maintaining margins in the low 40% range.

🏨 Registration is open for the Independent Hotel Show 2025 on 6–7 October at Olympia London. This event, focused on the boutique, independent, and luxury hotel sector, will feature over 200 suppliers and host thousands of hoteliers, designers, and decision-makers. The 2025 theme, "Redefining Luxury," explores shifting guest expectations through live content across three stages. The event includes the Independent Hotel Show Awards, celebrating industry leaders with categories like Independent Hotel of the Year and Hotel Rising Star.