ITC Hotels Limited today announced the signing of a management agreement for a 140-key Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels Jaipur in Rajasthan. This signing further strengthens ITC Hotels’ presence in the majestic state of Rajasthan—one of India’s most loved leisure destinations and reinforces the growing footprint of the Welcomhotel brand across state capitals and high-demand destinations.
As part of an extensive transformation led by internationally renowned design firm P49 Design — whose portfolio spans some of the world's leading luxury hospitality projects across Asia, Africa and the Pacific — Pemako Thimphu, part of Bhutan's first locally owned and operated luxury hotel group, is entering a new era. Set for completion by the end of 2027, the full-scale renovation will see the hotel's guestrooms and public spaces thoughtfully reimagined through a contemporary lens, while remaining deeply rooted in the rich cultural identity and spirit of Bhutan.
Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) today announced the opening of THE BARAI HUA HIN, marking the debut of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand in Thailand.
Ian Millar argues that AI has already taken control of the pre-stay guest journey and that the hospitality industry's most urgent challenge is not technological adoption but the development of genuine AI literacy among its leaders. Rather than treating AI as an IT concern, Millar makes the case that understanding data, prompting systems, exercising critical judgment, and maintaining human oversight are now core leadership competencies. The hotels that will thrive are not those with the most automation, but those with the organizational discipline, shared accountability, and cultural mindset to teach machines well and know when to override them.
As the technologist in the room looking through the lens of the melding of industry workforce and the application of technology, I find this development curious for a number of reasons:AI Singling Out: It's interesting to see the specific technology of AI singled out.
The recent court ruling highlights an important principle: AI adoption should not be a labor replacement solution. The more meaningful question is how AI can help employees work smarter, more efficiently, and ultimately more effectively.Hospitality has always been a people-centered industry.
Hospitality has never been just about systems, processes or efficiency. It has always been about people. The ruling highlights an important point: AI may change how we work, but it should not change what hospitality stands for.As an industry, we should not see AI only as a way to reduce labour costs.
Leonardo Caffo argues that AI and algorithmic image saturation have made pure aesthetic experience, the genuine "wow" of discovery, effectively impossible for the modern traveler. Yet rather than mourning that loss, he proposes a radical reorientation: the last virgin space of authentic experience is not the destination itself, but the friction between what AI leads us to expect and what reality actually delivers.
Cebu's hospitality scene is about to get louder, brighter and far more playful. Radisson RED Cebu Mandaue has officially opened at Astra Centre, a dynamic mixed-use destination with a lifestyle shopping mall at its core, marking the first Radisson RED hotel in the Philippines. With 144 stylish rooms, statement-making design and a social-first energy, the hotel introduces a vibrant new stay for travellers who like their experiences expressive, connected and full of personality.
Set along Kise Beach overlooking the pristine waters of Nago Bay in northern Okinawa, the hotel brings Courtyard by Marriott’s warm, modern hospitality to one of Japan’s most beloved island escapes. Famed for its subtropical climate, crystal-clear waters and easy island rhythm, Okinawa draws millions of domestic and international visitors each year. The hotel sits approximately 72 kilometers, or one hour’s drive, from Naha International Airport.
Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) today announced the official opening of Hyatt Place Seoul Pangyo, marking the debut of the Hyatt Place brand in Seoul. The property is situated in the heart of Pangyo, Korea’s leading IT and business hub. With contemporary design, comfortable accommodations, thoughtfully planned spaces and excellent accessibility, it is an ideal stay for both business and leisure travelers.
Zoltan Istvan challenges the hospitality industry to think beyond its most basic assumption: that its guests will remain human. From life extension drugs and brain implants to humanoid companions and autonomous AI entities, he maps a transhumanist future that renders current notions of the guest experience — and the guest itself — genuinely obsolete.
Accor has announced a new chapter for one of Melbourne’s most iconic coastal addresses, with Saint Kilda Beach Hotel currently undergoing a landmark transformation led by owner ERDI, ahead of its reopening as Novotel St Kilda in October 2026.
One of my favorite short stories of all time is Der Sandmann by German Romantic author E. T. A. Hoffmann. At first reading, it is a Gothic tale about childhood trauma, but beneath the surface lies something far more unsettling: a philosophical autopsy of the fragile boundary between the human and the artificial, and, perhaps, a cautionary tale about the hospitality of tomorrow.
Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE:H), announced today that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into a management agreement with PT PAM and BINA NUSANTARA, strengthening Hyatt’s brand presence in Indonesia and supporting Hyatt’s continued growth across key destinations in Southeast Asia. Hyatt Place Semarang will become part of an integrated ecosystem in Semarang, together with BINUS SCHOOL Semarang, BINUS University @Semarang, 23 Semarang Mall, and other supporting facilities. Through this development, BINA NUSANTARA aims to create a connected environment where education, community, lifestyle, business, and hospitality can grow together and bring added value to the people of Semarang and its surrounding areas.
IHG® Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hospitality companies, has signed a management agreement with Circle View Estate Private Ltd for the development of voco Udaipur. Scheduled to open in Q1 2029, the 140-key newbuild hotel marks a significant milestone in the brand’s growth journey in India, as the Group continues to grow its premium portfolio in high-potential destinations across the country.
Hilton signed 2,000+ new Hilton Garden Inn rooms in China across five properties, targeting core business cities and leisure destinations using its China-specific Gen A prototype.
C9 Hotelworks' 2026 report finds Thailand holds 26% of Asia's branded residences supply, with 13,124 launched units worth THB205bn, led by Bangkok, Phuket, and emerging resort markets.
Minor Hotels, a global hospitality group with more than 640 hotels, resorts and branded residences across 66 countries, has announced the development of Avani Kyoto, marking the brand’s entry into Japan. Scheduled to open in 2030, the hotel forms part of a joint development alongside Taisei Corporation and Heiwa Real Estate Co., Ltd., with Minor participating as both investor and operator.
United States will never adopt the same ruling. It's a capitalist country where businesses needs (not the government) dictate business actions. Smart operators will implement automation where it makes sense and where it augments "human touch".
The classic philosophy in hospitality is that guests require services provided by super nice, smiling, well-trained humans. I believe this philosophy is greatly exaggerated, especially today. A great example of why guests do not care about human-provided services comes from the vacation rental sector.Today, 20% of roomnights are consumed at vacation rentals/ short-term rentals: houses, villas, condos and apartments.
So far I haven't personally seen AI actually cut jobs. I'm not saying it hasn't but I haven't personally seen it yet. It has however empowered people to do a whole lot more, so it might slow down future hires. But I haven't seen it replace anyone that was hired, unless the person utterly refused to learn how to use AI.
Marriott and CG Hospitality Global signed a deal for three properties: Ritz-Carlton Kathmandu, Westin Kathmandu, and JW Marriott Siliguri, adding ~450 keys and targeting a 2031 opening.
Hilton (NYSE: HLT) today announced an agreement with ORIX Real Estate Corporation to bring the Conrad Hotels & Resorts brand to Kobe, Hyogo prefecture. The hotel will be jointly developed by a consortium led by ORIX Real Estate Corporation, comprising six other companies as part of the Kobe City Hall Building No. 2 redevelopment project. Scheduled to open in 2030, the hotel will be managed by Hilton and marks the company’s entry into Hyogo prefecture.