Business Travel
Marriott International announced a new direct integration with cloud-based travel technology provider Spotnana, expanding their existing partnership to enhance corporate travel distribution. The integration connects Spotnana directly to Marriott’s central reservation system, enabling real-time rates and inventory, self-service booking modifications, and verified loyalty linking with Marriott Bonvoy—a first for a corporate booking technology company. Corporate travelers gain access to negotiated rates and seamless management tools, as Marriott continues to innovate its corporate travel offerings in a competitive landscape.
NYC Tourism + Conventions announced on Wednesday that Fred Dixon will return as President and CEO starting December 1. He previously held the role from 2014 to 2024 and spent the last two years leading Brand USA, the destination marketing organization for the United States. With a widening gap in international visitors and pressure on the hotel industry in New York, Dixon's return is expected to drive visitor growth and economic opportunities across the city.
Hilton introduces the Signia Restore wellness concept, combining fitness, recovery, and retail, with a planned debut in January at Signia Hilton in Indianapolis and gradual expansion to select Signia hotels worldwide.
In a press release issued on Thursday, CoStar and Tourism Economics significantly upgraded their 2026 U.S. hotel performance outlook, projecting a 4.4% year-over-year increase in RevPAR, up from the previous forecast of 2.8%. The upgrade is attributed to stronger-than-expected leisure and business travel demand driven by the World Cup and America 250 celebrations. The two organizations also raised their growth forecasts for 2027.
The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) released its 2026 Business Travel Index, projecting that global business travel spending will hit a record $1.71 trillion, up 7.2% year-over-year; trip volume is expected to exceed 1.84 billion, growing only 1.3%. The report notes that rising transportation and travel costs are dampening demand, with companies placing greater emphasis on the value of each trip.
IHG has opened a dual-brand hotel in Orlando, Florida, featuring Even Hotel and Staybridge Suites with 288 rooms, adjacent to the Universal Orlando Resort. Developed in partnership with Japan's Daiwa House Group, the hotel aims to combine two complementary lodging experiences and further expand IHG's presence in the Orlando market.
Hyatt Hotels Corporation plans to open its first Hyatt Regency hotel in downtown Tucson by the end of 2027. The hotel, converted from the former Braniff Place property, will offer 291 guest rooms and 22,000 square feet of meeting space, strengthening its presence in Southern Arizona.
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, with partner Reside, opened Reside Craftsman, a 110-unit apartment-style property in a historic downtown Los Angeles building. The property features original Ernest Batchelder tilework in the lobby, full kitchens, in-unit laundry, and 24/7 front desk service. It is the seventh property in the Wyndham-Reside collection and the brand's first in Los Angeles, joining locations in Scottsdale, Philadelphia, New York, Seattle, Houston, and Washington, D.C. The brand president stated the collection is defined by a consistent experiential standard, not a single asset type. Wyndham first partnered with Reside in 2024 through a 10-year agreement to grow its upscale extended stay portfolio.
The U.S. Travel Association projects U.S. travel spending to grow 1% in 2026 to $1.37 trillion, with acceleration to 3% in 2027 and 2028. Domestic leisure and business travel spending will increase, and international inbound travel is expected to rebound to 1.6% growth, supported by World Cup-related travel. However, economic pressures such as inflation and geopolitical uncertainty could partially offset resilient demand. Challenges include weakened consumer sentiment, negative sentiment toward the U.S. in key source markets, and potential visa fee increases and extended wait times.