The Hospitality Newsletter
Today Tuesday, August 25, 2026
Hilton Launches Upper-Midscale Undergraduate Brand
FeaturedoperationsLodging Magazine··1 min·For: Owner, Investor, GM, Revenue

Hilton Launches Upper-Midscale Undergraduate Brand

Hilton introduced Undergraduate by Hilton, an upper-midscale brand targeting college towns to complement its upper-upscale Graduate portfolio. Designed for both new builds and conversions within three miles of campus, the scalable concept has long-term potential for 400-500 hotels.

Key Takeaways

  1. 1Upper-midscale brand targeting college towns with long-term potential for 400 to 500 properties.
  2. 2Designed for new builds and conversions located within three miles of university campuses.
  3. 3Features flexible room layouts, localized design, and a dedicated all-day market F&B concept.
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Top Stories

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Trinity Sells Grande Lakes Orlando for Record $1.38B
financeHotel Business··1 min·For: Owner, Investor, GM

Trinity Sells Grande Lakes Orlando for Record $1.38B

Trinity Investments has agreed to sell the 1,592-key Grande Lakes Orlando Resort to Ryman Hospitality Properties for $1.38 billion. The deal marks the largest non-gaming U.S. resort transaction on record.

Key Takeaways

  1. 1Trinity originally acquired the 409-acre luxury property in 2018 for $870 million.
  2. 2The resort includes a Ritz-Carlton, a JW Marriott, 320,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, and a golf course.
  3. 3This marks Trinity's third major resort disposition in the past 15 months.
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Las Vegas Tourism Drops 7.5% as Lower Occupancy Hits Tip Income
operationsasianhospitality.com··1 min·For: Owner, GM, Revenue, Ops

Las Vegas Tourism Drops 7.5% as Lower Occupancy Hits Tip Income

Las Vegas recorded a 7.5% decline in visitors last year, leading to reduced hours, lower tip earnings, and labor adjustments across properties.

Key Takeaways

  1. 1Las Vegas visitor volume fell by 3.1 million, marking the steepest non-pandemic decline since 1970.
  2. 2Canadian visitation dropped 17.4%, prompting local hotels and casinos to launch targeted promotions.
  3. 3Declining occupancy has forced venue schedule cutbacks and reduced tip income for front-line hospitality staff.
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Global Tourism Investment Surpasses $1 Trillion in 2025
financeeHotelier··1 min·For: Owner, Investor, GM

Global Tourism Investment Surpasses $1 Trillion in 2025

Global travel and tourism investment reached $1 trillion in 2025, an 8.5% year-on-year increase according to a new report from the WTTC. The US, China, India, and Saudi Arabia accounted for nearly half of the total capital, driven by major infrastructure projects and policy support.

Key Takeaways

  1. 1Global travel and tourism investment grew 8.5% year-on-year to exceed $1 trillion in 2025.
  2. 2The US, China, India, and Saudi Arabia led capital investment, contributing nearly $500 billion combined.
  3. 3The WTTC projects the sector will contribute $17.1 trillion to global GDP by 2036.
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Agoda CEO Omri Morgenshtern to Lead Booking Holdings' B2B Unit
generalSkift··1 min·For: Owner, Revenue, Marketing, Investor

Agoda CEO Omri Morgenshtern to Lead Booking Holdings' B2B Unit

Booking Holdings is consolidating its Agoda, Booking.com, and Priceline B2B operations into a new entity called the Booking Partner Division. Agoda CEO Omri Morgenshtern will lead the unit, while Agoda's CPO Ittai Chorev steps up as COO.

Key Takeaways

  1. 1Omri Morgenshtern named CEO of the new Booking Partner Division.
  2. 2New unit combines B2B operations from Agoda, Booking.com, and Priceline.
  3. 3Agoda CPO Ittai Chorev promoted to COO to support Agoda's leadership transition.
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Minor Hotels Core Profit Reaches $84M in Resilient Q2
financeHotel Business··1 min·For: Owner, Investor, GM, Revenue

Minor Hotels Core Profit Reaches $84M in Resilient Q2

Minor Hotels achieved a 2% YoY increase in Q2 core profit to $84.3 million, boosted by strong performance in Europe and the Americas despite Middle East disruptions. The group signed 20 new management agreements in Q2, accelerating its asset-right strategy.

Key Takeaways

  1. 1Q2 core revenue rose 1% YoY to $1.08 billion, with EBITDA increasing 2% to $220 million.
  2. 2Europe and the Americas led growth with 5% RevPAR expansion, offsetting Middle East weakness.
  3. 320 new property agreements were signed in Q2, keeping the group on track to exceed 40 signings in 2026.
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Radisson Launches Global Long-Stay B2B Offer
marketingservicedapartmentnews.com··1 min·For: Owner, GM, Revenue, Marketing

Radisson Launches Global Long-Stay B2B Offer

Radisson Hotel Group has introduced 'Long Stays by Radisson Hotels', a global B2B proposition designed for corporate travel buyers, TMCs, and relocation companies. The program streamlines extended-stay bookings through existing GDS channels with standardized terms and special commission structures.

Key Takeaways

  1. 1Provides corporate partners access to dedicated long-stay rates and standardized terms globally.
  2. 2Integrates directly into existing GDS and travel procurement platforms for seamless booking.
  3. 3Offers bookers a 20% bonus on Radisson Rewards points alongside flexible guest services.
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Gencom Restructures Platform and Announces Senior Leadership Changes
financeLodging Magazine··1 min·For: Owner, Investor, Ops

Gencom Restructures Platform and Announces Senior Leadership Changes

Gencom has restructured its operations into two divisions, Gencom Capital and Gencom Real Estate, while announcing several key executive promotions and a new senior hiring. The new structure aims to strengthen leadership and sharpen accountability as the hospitality firm prepares for its next growth phase.

Key Takeaways

  1. 1Operations split into Gencom Capital (investments) and Gencom Real Estate (development and asset management).
  2. 2Donald McGregor promoted to President of Gencom Real Estate; Alessandro Colantonio leads Gencom Capital as CIO.
  3. 3Jake Lynch hired as Senior VP of Asset Management alongside three Managing Director promotions.
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61% of Gen Z Travelers Book via Reviews Over Brands
marketingasianhospitality.com··1 min·For: Owner, GM, Marketing, Revenue

61% of Gen Z Travelers Book via Reviews Over Brands

A new study reveals that Gen Z travelers prioritize guest reviews, free breakfast, and Wi-Fi over hotel brand names when making booking decisions. Only 14 percent of Gen Z cite hotel brands as a primary influence, while short-term rentals continue to gain ground.

Key Takeaways

  1. 161% of Gen Z prioritize guest reviews, compared to just 14% influenced by hotel brands.
  2. 2Free breakfast (56%) and free Wi-Fi (50%) are the top valued amenities for Gen Z travelers.
  3. 3Hotels are the primary choice for only 43% of Gen Z, with 21% preferring short-term rentals.
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operationsLodging Magazine··1 min·For: Owner, Investor, GM, Revenue

Cambria Hotels Expands Portfolio with Oregon and Texas Openings

Choice Hotels International's upscale Cambria brand has opened two new properties in Texas and Oregon, pushing its footprint to over 75 open hotels nationwide. These additions support Choice's strategic expansion in high-demand business and leisure travel markets.

Key Takeaways

  1. 1New properties opened in Euless, Texas (107 rooms) and Bend, Oregon (131 rooms).
  2. 2Choice's upscale pipeline includes over 50 properties, with future sites in Boston and Canada.
  3. 3Properties feature locally inspired food and beverage, regional design elements, and outdoor amenities.
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Ashford Trust Sells Hyatt Regency Long Island for $26.5M
financeHotel Dive··1 min·For: Owner, Investor, GM

Ashford Trust Sells Hyatt Regency Long Island for $26.5M

Ashford Hospitality Trust has closed on the $26.5 million cash sale of the 358-room Hyatt Regency Long Island. The transaction is part of the REIT's ongoing strategy to divest assets and improve overall leverage and liquidity through 2026.

Key Takeaways

  1. 1Ashford Trust sold the 358-room Hyatt Regency Long Island for $26.5 million in cash.
  2. 2The sale aligns with Ashford's strategic plan to offload properties to enhance liquidity and cash flow.
  3. 3The REIT previously netted $238.5 million from five hotel sales in the first quarter of 2024.
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TPG Appoints Jens Baake to Elevate Portfolio F&B Strategy
operationsLodging Magazine··1 min·For: Owner, GM, F&B, Revenue

TPG Appoints Jens Baake to Elevate Portfolio F&B Strategy

TPG Hotels & Resorts has appointed Jens Baake as senior vice president of food and beverage to reintroduce culinary experiences as a core driver of guest satisfaction. Baake will focus on developing in-house boutique dining concepts that attract both hotel guests and local residents.

Key Takeaways

  1. 1Jens Baake joins TPG Hotels & Resorts with over 30 years of hospitality and restaurant experience.
  2. 2The strategy shifts focus from third-party restaurant operators toward internally managed, localized culinary concepts.
  3. 3Initial priorities include designing new dining concepts from scratch and reimagining existing outlets across boutique properties.
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