Nestled among majestic mountains at over 3,400 meters above sea level, Cusco—the ancient capital of the Inca Empire and a UNESCO World Heritage Site—will soon welcome the latest Peruvian destination of Meliá Hotels International. The leading Spanish hotel group has just announced the upcoming opening of the Hotel Cusco La Paccha Affiliated by Meliá, scheduled for January 1, 2026.
In some ways, 2025 has been a challenging year for sustainability in the hospitality industry, particularly in the US, where the policy changes of the new administration are less supportive of programs addressing environmental and social initiatives. Nevertheless – I am heartened that the work goes on and progress is still being made across hospitality and tourism.
The starting point of my short feedback here is Donella Meadows" twelve leverage points. I am looking at current hospitality practices and what could be "transformative" (for lack of better word) along those leverage points (LP).
Understanding Opting-In and Opting-Out Strategies Knowing the difference between opting-in and opting-out is essential when aiming to influence behaviour and drive change effectively. The "default option" principle can be applied to almost any business or operational process, allowing organisations to guide decisions without lengthy explanations or losing control over outcomes.
In 2026 hospitality should prioritise shifting from surface-level sustainability actions to systemic change through investment in leadership training. While technical improvements remain important, the primary focus must be on transforming internal mindsets.
As we say goodbye to 2025, I am optimistic for the future of the hospitality industry in 2026 and beyond, it is truly a resilient business. Travelers continue to seek a memorable experience and the corporate sector is back doing events that fuel our economic growth!
Profitability is what every budget really comes down to. Still, building a budget is more than just organizing or plugging numbers into the excel file (If it´s your go-to tool, still). It's about understanding what is coming in, what's going out, and how your revenue plan ties everything together.
For our 2026 budget, my primary focus will be on sustaining brand awareness and strengthening the property’s positioning. Guests today are increasingly attentive to consistency; they expect the same level of quality and service regardless of market conditions or rate fluctuations.
In line with its commitment to discovering authentic destinations and creating unforgettable travel experiences, Meliá Hotels International proudly announces its debut in Honduras with the opening of its first property on the island of Roatán—one of the Caribbean's most captivating and lesser-known treasures. Scheduled to open in December under the revitalized Sol by Meliá brand, the resort promises a fresh take on summer holidays, tailored to the expectations of today's traveler and set against a backdrop of pristine nature and serene beauty.
Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) and La Compañía Hotels & Resorts announced today the grand opening of Elysium Spa & Wellness House, a restorative 22,000 sq. ft. wellness sanctuary located at Hotel La Compañía del Valle, The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand's newest luxury retreat in the scenic highlands of Panama's El Valle de Antón.
TAFER Hotels & Resorts, the forward-thinking leisure and hospitality company celebrated for its portfolio of award-winning hotels, luxury resorts, and boutique villas across Mexico and the Caribbean, proudly announces its newest development in Puerto Vallarta - Garza Blanca Sanctuary Tower, opening early 2026, with an additional Sanctuary tower debuting in late 2026. Rising 20 stories above the turquoise waters of Banderas Bay, Garza Blanca Sanctuary introduces 118 oceanfront suites that blend contemporary design with TAFER's signature hospitality. This expansion will significantly increase the brand's presence in Puerto Vallarta, offering modern high-design spaces for families, groups and couples alike.
Essendi, a leading hotel owner and operator in Europe, announces the strategic sale of its portfolio of assets in Argentina to ISWM Group. The portfolio is composed of five hotels located in Buenos Aires and Mendoza. This transaction is a key step in Essendi's asset management strategy, aimed at consolidating the Group's positioning in the economy and midscale segments in Europe.
In the future, brands and OTAs will need to: Reduce their inventory and storytelling — so it's portable, embeddable, and instantly bookable anywhere. Invest in API-first distribution — enabling social, AI, and agent ecosystems to transact on their behalf.
That's an interesting question. However, I don't believe social media will become transactional when it comes to travel and hospitality. That doesn't mean it can't and won't become so for other industries - I can see this already happening for everyday purchases: apparel, jewelry, consumer goods, clothings, etc.
Good one! 💡 I definitely get a lot of product and service inspiration through my social media feeds. Entertainment is a big factor, but as someone tied into the hospitality sector, I particularly enjoy seeing industry offerings—whether that's cutting-edge technology or tangible experiences like hotels, resorts, and restaurants.
The shift toward experience-based booking is absolutely transforming the game. AI can finally solve the paradox of choice. Hotels can now showcase everything they offer but in a way that's targeted and relevant. Don't sell me a romantic getaway when I'm traveling alone.
There is a massive industry gap here. Full stop. Discussion about this capability in the industry is topical. Those in a position to enable it are few, if even thinking about it. Packages are a clumsy solution to the underlying problem of being able to successfully deliver rooms digitally.
If the game has shifted...so must our KPIs. Today's revenue leaders must zoom out and focus on TRevPAR, capturing not just what happens in the room, but around it. Whether you're luxury or budget, you can take advantage of experiential revenue, something that thanks to digitalization, every hotel can play (and not only ultra-luxury resorts).
Meliá Hotels International, Spain's leading hotel group, has announced the signing of a new luxury hotel as part of its strategy to strengthen its presence in key Latin American destinations while continuing to expand its luxury portfolio. Under The Meliá Collection brand, which brings together a curated selection of unique hotels, the company will add an exclusive property in Argentine Patagonia.
Today, Autograph Collection Hotels has announced the opening of Santa Lucía Jungle Hacienda, introducing a new brand of luxury set on a storied tropical enclave at the base of Carara National Park and along the serene Tárcoles River. Just 90 minutes from San José, Santa Lucía offers travelers a rare retreat—where timeless elegance meets untamed wilderness by blending elevated design, personalized service, and immersive natural beauty.
Royal Grand Resorts is an exclusive destination for gay men, located in the heart of Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. This luxury retreat blends elegance with natural beauty, offering world-class service and a tranquil setting surrounded by rainforest and ocean views.
Reflecting a growing demand for residential-style luxury,The Retreat Costa Rica, an acclaimed luxury wellness boutique resort and spa, has completed Santosha Residence, a stunning 2,500-square-foot villa for couples, larger groups and extended stays.
Online personalisation is easy, as it's mostly a pattern-matching algorithm between known guest likes and available services, and the results are pumped out via emails or into a guest portal. It isn’t personalisation, rather it is just mass customisation.
We all talk about personalization, but I worry that we lack a common and agreed definition of the term - a definition that is crucial if we are to deliver on the personalization promise.
The problem isn't that personalization fails on property. The problem starts much earlier: we still don't speak the right language of guest experience in the digital space. Take booking. A traveler may want a big bed, a walk-in shower, and a quiet location.
Online personalisation is easy, as it's mostly a pattern-matching algorithm between known guest preferences and available services. It isn't personalisation, rather just mass customisation. On property, a guest walking around is essentially anonymous, even after checking in.
This is a question at the heart of hospitality’s digital transformation. Hotels excel at digital personalisation (curated offers, smooth booking, and tailored communications) because online, data is structured, accessible, and actionable.
Moxy Hotels, part of Marriott Bonvoy's portfolio of over 30 extraordinary hotel brands, proudly announces the opening of Moxy Tulum, marking a pivotal moment in Marriott International's growth strategy for the Caribbean and Latin America. As the first Moxy property in the region, Moxy Tulum introduces a fresh, youthful energy to CALA's hospitality landscape—catering to a new generation of travelers seeking immersive, design-forward experiences.
A mix of events helped São Paulo’s hotel industry post its highest average daily rate (ADR) and revenue per available room (RevPAR) on record, according to September preliminary data from CoStar, a global leading provider of online real estate marketplaces, information, and analytics in the property markets.