Track Choice Hotels (NYSE: CHH) in one feed. This hub aggregates the latest news and franchising developments across Comfort, Quality Inn, Cambria and more, as covered by trusted sources. Follow one of the largest hotel franchisors in the world.
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Loews Hotels Launches “Active Stays” Nationwide, Offering On-Property Fitness Experiences Starting September 9 Across 18 Locations
20 September 2026💪 Loews Hotels & Co launched “Active Stays” on September 9, offering flexible fitness and wellness options across its 18 properties in the U.S. and Canada. The initiative, created with trainer Makena Rae, includes in-room workouts and locally inspired movement experiences. A March 2026 Peloton survey found that 60% of travelers prioritize fitness amenities. Loews properties, including in New York and Chicago, provide curated running maps and special packages, aligning with the growing guest demand for inclusive wellness options.
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#209: Load-Bearing
18 September 2026This article was written by Mauricio Prieto. Click here to read the original article Some friction is worth killing. Some of it turns out to be load-bearing. Special thanks to Propellic for sponsoring this edition of the newsletter: The average traveler starts with ChatGPT, not Claude – and other findings. Propellic spent a week watching U.S. travelers plan trips with AI. The 2026 State of AI Visibility for the Travel Industry Report lays out which LLMs travelers are using, how…
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Building to scale: What it really takes to launch and scale a hotel brand
18 September 2026This article was written by HotelsMag. Click here to read the original article Launching a hotel brand is often associated with its most visible elements: a name, a logo, a prototype and a public announcement. Those elements matter, but they do not create a scalable brand on their own. A successful hotel brand is a complete business system. It must connect a clearly defined guest need with a differentiated product, a practical operating model, compelling owner economics and a development…
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Building for Scale: What it really takes to launch and scale a hotel brand
18 September 2026This article was written by HotelsMag. Click here to read the original article Launching a hotel brand is often associated with its most visible elements: a name, a logo, a prototype and a public announcement. Those elements matter, but they do not create a scalable brand on their own. A successful hotel brand is a complete business system. It must connect a clearly defined guest need with a differentiated product, a practical operating model, compelling owner economics and a development…
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Skift Global Forum Preview: IHG’s Chief Commercial & Marketing Officer on Making Hotels Legible to AI
18 September 2026Heather Balsley is making IHG legible to the AI models while arguing the models will never own the guest. Two bets, one strategy, at Skift Global Forum.
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B&B Hotels opens 406 rooms on Tronchetto, the only area where Venice still allows building
18 September 2026This article was written by HospitalityOn. Click here to read the original article The project was first presented in Milan in October 2022, with an opening originally targeted for summer 2024. The property gives the French budget chain its first foothold in the municipality of Venice proper, following two hotels already operating on the shores of the lagoon, the B&B Hotel Chioggia Airone to the south and the B&B Hotel Quarto d’Altino to the north, near Marco Polo Airport. The…
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H World Group Launches Grand Ji Hotel Brand, Aiming for Chinese-Inspired Premium Hospitality with 20 Properties Planned
18 September 2026🏨 H World Group, one of the largest hotel companies globally with over 13,000 hotels, launched the Grand Ji Hotel, focusing on Chinese hospitality. As of June, two hotels with 441 rooms were open, and 18 more are planned. The brand emphasizes privacy, nature, and technology. H World operates 13,539 hotels worldwide, with 1,738 upper-midscale hotels in China as of Q2 2026. JI Hotel and Hanting ranked first and second globally by room count in a 2026 ranking.
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CollabsMap Connects Thousands of Travel Creators with Nearly 1,000 Brands, Solving Creator-to-Booking Gaps
17 September 2026📰 CollabsMap connects travel creators with businesses through an innovative marketplace model. Videreo’s journey revealed a broken creator-to-booking chain, where demand is created but not captured by creators, as highlighted in Rafat Ali’s Skift article. AI trends show 28% of US leisure travelers start planning with AI, but only 5% book as suggested. TSA’s AI agent saves over 11,660 staff hours and $11 million in labor value annually. GetYourGuide’s Creator Review increases booking likelihood threefold.
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Newport Hospitality Group Stresses Importance of Transparent Owner-Operator-Lender Relationships for Sustained Hotel Value Creation
17 September 2026🏨 Newport Hospitality Group emphasizes transparency in hotel owner-lender relationships, highlighting alignment as crucial. Newport CEO Andrew Carey stresses effective communication, especially during challenging quarters. Blair Bunting from Live Oak Bank underscores the importance of management quality in financing. Lenders focus on metrics like RevPAR index, not just DSCR. For refinancing, discussions should begin 12-18 months prior. Property Improvement Plans require careful coordination to minimize disruption. Newport manages hotels across the U.S. under major brands like Hilton and Marriott.
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Google’s DMA Changes Lead to 30% Reduction in Free Direct Booking Clicks for European Hotels
17 September 2026📈 Google’s DMA changes have led to up to a 30% drop in free direct booking clicks for European hotels. The Broadmoor generated nearly $1 million in direct revenue over three months through systematic follow-up calls. Banyan Group acquired Newmark Hotels & Reserves, adding 26 properties across seven African countries. The UN Tourism forecast for 2026 international arrivals was cut to 1-2%. Black Friday campaigns drove 60.5% direct revenue growth in 2025, showing the importance of conversion infrastructure.
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Ontology for Hotels, what does it mean?
17 September 2026I recently wrote about preparing for AI that hotels should build the infrastructure to prepare for it. There is a layer to this that I think will become increasingly important: ontology. It’s the latest AI-buzzword so I figured let’s try to decrypt it for a hotel. The word isn’t new, it comes from the Greek words “onto-” meaning “being” or “existence,” and “-logy” meaning “study of.” It was first used in philosophy to talk about the study of existence, and now…
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Hotels Should Prepare for AI by Implementing Ontology to Optimize Operations and Improve Efficiency
17 September 2026💻 Hotel AI strategy: Ontology, derived from Greek meaning “study of existence,” is key. Room 407, a Deluxe King, connects to 408 and takes 31 minutes to clean. AI can optimize by analyzing data like cleaning time, travel between floors, or supply retrieval reducing tasks by 18 minutes per shift. Start by listing hotel elements, SOPs, and data systems. Avoid over-collecting; a 40-room hotel doesn’t need excessive tracking. Use AI tools like Claude or Gemini to structure data.
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Martin Soler Highlights Importance of Ontology in AI Optimization for Hotel Operations
17 September 2026📊 Hotels should prepare for AI by focusing on ontology, a structured way to describe knowledge. Example: Room 407, a Deluxe King, connects to Room 408, cleaned in 31 minutes, 75 meters from linen store. This helps AI optimize operations like reducing housekeeping walk time by 18 minutes per shift. Start small by listing elements like rooms and tasks, and gather SOPs to structure data. A 40-room hotel doesn’t need extensive tracking.
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Hotels Must Prioritize AI Investment and Data Quality in Budget Planning to Enhance Direct Bookings and Profitability
17 September 2026📈 Hotel budgets are evolving due to AI, data, and digital strategies. Only 29% of tech leaders report AI-ready data, with 60% of AI projects abandoned due to poor data quality. OTA commissions, ranging from 10% to 40%, impact revenues. Cendyn serves over 35,000 clients in 150+ countries, generating $20 billion annually. Investment in AI, direct bookings, and cybersecurity is essential for sustainable growth.
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Royal Orchid Metropole and Hoysala Village Hotels in India Offer Guests Immersive Historical and Cultural Experiences
17 September 2026🏨 In Mysore, India, the Royal Orchid Metropole hotel intertwines history with hospitality, transforming guest stays through the narrative of the Wadiyar dynasty’s curse of no male heirs, recently broken with two sons. In Hassan, the Hoysala Village hotel immerses guests in rituals, like sandalwood blessings and cow-worship, and is near 12th-century temples. Suites mimic Hoysala palaces, emphasizing experiential over transactional tourism, offering access to local history and culture.
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Global Hotel Industry Faces Competitive Era as AI, Sustainability, and Selective Consumer Demand Shape 2026 Market Dynamics
17 September 2026🏨 By 2026, the travel and tourism sector is projected to contribute $12 trillion to the global economy, accounting for 9.9% of GDP and supporting 376 million jobs. This industry is expected to grow by 3.2%, outpacing global economic growth of 2.4%. Central and South America’s tourism sector is projected to grow by 4.1%. AI and sustainability will reshape operations, while guest preferences will drive luxury hotel competition. Domestic travel in India has surged to over 4 billion visits.
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dormakaba to Acquire Alliants, Enhancing Hospitality Offerings Across 100,000 Hotel Rooms with Digital Guest Engagement
16 September 2026💻 dormakaba, on September 2026, signed an agreement to acquire Alliants, impacting over 100,000 hotel rooms globally. This acquisition aims to enhance dormakaba’s hospitality services by integrating Alliants’ guest experience technology, offering seamless digital engagement and access solutions. The financial terms remain undisclosed, and the transaction is expected to close this year, pending regulatory approval. dormakaba operates in over 130 countries, emphasizing growth in the hospitality sector. Both firms will maintain interoperability with other tech providers.
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US Properties Urged to Adopt Bulk Procurement for Linens and Amenities to Enhance Efficiency and Cut Costs
16 September 2026🛌 United States, 18 minutes ago: Hotel linens and amenities are critical for guest satisfaction. Bulk procurement is key, using a 3x par stock formula for linens and towels to prevent shortages during peak times. Thread count affects linen choice; T-180 for budget, T-300 for luxury. Pre-packaged amenity kits save labor time. Eco-certification and EcoBox packaging are increasingly standard. US-based suppliers offer quicker lead times. Hotel Items (A & S Suppliers, Inc.) specializes in comprehensive hospitality solutions near Miami, Florida.
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Robert A. Rauch Releases Book Offering Hotel Industry Insights and Strategies After 50+ Years in Hospitality
16 September 2026📖 Robert A. Rauch, known as “The Hotel Guru,” released a book titled “The Hotel Guru’s Journey: A Guide to Excellence in the Hotel Industry.” With over 50 years in hospitality, Rauch shares insights on leadership and success strategies in 20 chapters. Key topics include revenue management, AI, cybersecurity, and eco-friendly development. Rauch has managed hotel assets over $1 billion and has published Hospitality Innsights since 1984. The book is available on Amazon.
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KSL Capital Partners Acquires Majority Stake in Soneva, Appoints Neil Gallagher as CEO to Guide Evolution
16 September 2026🌴 In 1995, Sonu and Eva Shivdasani launched Soneva Fushi in the Maldives, pioneering “barefoot luxury.” As of 2025, Neil Gallagher leads Soneva, which includes three resorts with 130 keys and over 20 dining spots, supported by KSL Capital Partners. Soneva’s philosophy emphasizes emotional intelligence and sustainability, from coral restoration to zero-kilometer menus. The “Soneva Stars” program features athletes and specialists, while complimentary 24-hour chocolate and ice cream rooms enhance guest experiences. The brand plans expansion beyond the Maldives.
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Delamere Launches 97ml Oat Drink for Hospitality, Available Nationwide Through Brakes and Wholesalers
16 September 2026🍼 Delamere, based in Knutsford, Cheshire, launched a 97ml oat drink, ideal for hospitality settings like hotel trays and buffets. This plant-based alternative to cow’s milk caters to diverse dietary needs. With a six-month shelf life, the drink comes in recyclable glass bottles and is available via Brakes and wholesalers. Each bottle offers 3-4 servings, reducing single-use plastics. Dan Yates highlights its sustainability and convenience, predicting its integration into guest experiences.
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Dormakaba Acquires Guest Experience Tech Firm Alliants, Enhancing Global Hospitality Access Solutions Portfolio
15 September 2026📰 dormakaba has signed an agreement to acquire Alliants, a guest experience technology company with over 100,000 hotel rooms served, founded in 2009 in Southampton, UK. This acquisition aims to enhance dormakaba’s global hospitality access solutions, combining digital guest engagement with room access. Alliants employs over 100 people and has been recognized by TIME Magazine for its digital hotel key technology. The transaction is expected to close by year-end, pending regulatory approval. Financial terms remain undisclosed.
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Hospitality Industry Faces Talent Crisis with 65% of Hotels Experiencing Staffing Shortages as Perception Gaps Widen
15 September 2026💼 As of early 2025, 65% of hotels report staffing shortages, with 71% unable to fill roles. The hospitality industry’s quit rate is 4% monthly, and by 2035, there’ll be an 8.6 million worker shortfall. Gen Z, now 30% of the workforce, values purpose and growth. Omni Hotels’ revamped management program cut completion time to six months. Omni’s mentorship initiative helped 92% of participants, growing from 60 to over 100 mentees.
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Boutique Hotels Offer Personalized Experiences and Cultural Connections, Competing with Chain Hotels Through Unique Design and Local Touch
14 September 2026🏨 Boutique hotels, typically with 10-100 rooms, offer personalized stays shaped by local culture and design, unlike chain hotels with 150+ rooms that prioritize consistency and standardized amenities. Boutique hotels thrive in culturally rich neighborhoods and adapt quickly with sustainable practices. Despite challenges from larger chains, they attract travelers seeking unique experiences through personalized service and creative amenities. Smart technology aids boutique hotels in competing effectively by streamlining operations and enhancing guest experiences without the corporate overhead.
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Wall Design Becomes Key Element in Interior Spaces, Enhancing Aesthetic and Functional Qualities Across Various Sectors
14 September 2026🏠 Walls, the new protagonists in design, are revolutionizing spaces in homes, offices, hotels, and retail. Textured materials like stone, wood, and ceramics, including 3D tiles from Atlas Concorde, offer aesthetic continuity and dynamic depth. These elements enhance visual comfort and character, contributing to acoustic improvement and brand identity. Interior designs now leverage walls not just for division but for creating unique, functional, and aesthetically pleasing environments that cater to specific needs across various sectors.
