WTTC Encourages Barcelona to Reconsider Proposed Cruise Tourist Tax Increase
WTTC warns that raising Barcelona's cruise tourist tax risks reducing visitor spend, cutting jobs, and eroding the city's edge over rival Mediterranean ports.
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The Regulation Tide Is Coming: What Overtourism Means for the Hospitality Business
Athens mayor considers hotel caps as cities across Europe impose visitor taxes and licensing restrictions, with Barcelona's decade of regulation offering lessons on unintended consequences.
By Iana Petrova, Business development leader and hospitality technology expert, Iana Petrova
Hospitality Horizons 2026: The Top 5 Trends Shaping Travel & Hotels
Academic research identifies five interconnected forces transforming hospitality in 2026, with AI automation and economic polarization driving both luxury premiumization and demand for authentic local experiences.
By Jungho Suh, PhD, Assistant Professor of Management at GW School of Business, UN Tourism Expert, GWU
RIU Hotels reaffirms its commitment to fighting child exploitation across the Americas
RIU joins ECPAT organizations across US, Dominican Republic and Mexico, implementing training programs and policies to combat child exploitation in tourism.
A visit from an A-list celebrity to a hotel can send demand soaring by as much as 142%
Simonstone Hall in Yorkshire saw 142% demand spike after hosting A-list cast, with owner Jake Dinsdale sharing insights on leveraging celebrity stays.
The Operational Tax Hotel Groups Don’t Realize They’re Paying
Hotels waste months of labor annually on repetitive tasks like rate updates and reporting, with one group saving 312 working days by automating rate code management alone.
By Linda Girrbach, Co-Founder & Head of Hospitality Consulting, RobosizeME
PATA and DevelopmentAid Partner for Stronger Cross-sector Collaboration between Development and Tourism Industries
The agreement provides PATA members with funding intelligence, training opportunities, and partner matchmaking services to enhance tourism sustainability projects.
The Future of Travel is Sleep
The sleep tourism market, valued at $640.9 billion in 2023, positions rest as hotel infrastructure rather than amenity, addressing guest needs for recovery, clarity, and connection.
By Daphne Yuanidis, Sr. Consultant, Market Intelligence, HKS
Palladium Hotel Group Signs an Agreement with the Tourism Development Fund (TDF) to Advance its Expansion in Saudi Arabia
The Spanish hotel group will explore development opportunities in Jeddah and Yanbu as part of its 13-property expansion plan through 2028.
Latest WTTC research shows that at least £14 billion would be lost from the UK economy if daily visitor taxes are introduced
Study of 2,502 travelers shows 29% of international visitors and 39% of UK residents would avoid destinations with visitor taxes.
Emotionality, Wellness, and Longevity: Demand and Risk Mitigation Through 2030
The wellness tourism sector approaches $1 trillion by 2025 while longevity markets reach $600 billion, requiring hotels to navigate economic disruptions and evolving guest expectations through strategic planning.
By Mia Mackman, Owner and Principal, MACKMAN|ES
Sojern’s 2026 State of Destination Marketing Report: Measuring Economic Impact Ranks as DMOs’ Top Priority Amid AI Disruption
Study of 350+ DMOs finds economic impact measurement now tops traditional metrics like visitation as organizations face budget pressure and AI disruption.
New data shows South Side residents earned $15M from tourism in 2025, Obama Presidential Center to bring more visitors to the neighborhood
Analysis shows South Side Airbnb hosts earned $15.1M in 2025, with major events like Beyoncé concerts driving 140% revenue increases.
Taormina Market Pulse 2026 - From the Grand Tour Heritage to a Global Luxury Destination
The report shows Taormina's hotel ADR exceeded €1,200 in 2025, up 80% since 2018, driven by luxury positioning and White Lotus exposure.
From Global Connections to Domestic Realities: Navigating the USA's Evolving Hotel Landscape
International visitor spending in the US is projected to fall from $181 billion in 2024 to $169 billion in 2025, forcing hotels to pivot to domestic tourism.
By Justin Taillon, Professor & Department Head, Highline College
Europe (Finally) Opens Its Eyes to Tourism
Europe launches its first coordinated tourism strategy to address fragmented investment and maintain leadership against organized global competition.
By Vanguélis Panayotis, CEO MKG Consulting & Hospitality ON / MRICS, Hospitality ON
Hoshino Resorts Inbound Travel Report 2025: What 1.33M Guest Nights Reveal About Japan’s Next Phase of Tourism
Hoshino Resorts data shows 24% growth in international bookings for 2025, down from 94% in 2024, with Western travelers staying longer and regional destinations gaining popularity.
WTTC warns that new UK tourism levies would dent growth, restrict jobs and reduce competitiveness
WTTC data shows UK tourism growth at 4.3% lags 36% behind global average of 6.7%, with country already ranking 113th for price competitiveness.
The Bench launches Future Hospitality Summit Egypt
The November 2026 event will focus on Egypt's $9B hospitality market opportunity, driven by record tourism and branded residences growth.
Saudi Arabia’s 171,650 key hotel market set to expand with 94,500 rooms in the pipeline as visitor growth races towards a new 150 million target
Knight Frank report shows 94,500 hotel rooms under construction, with 75% focused on luxury segment as the Kingdom targets 150 million annual visitors by 2030.