News in Brief:

Transform Your Food & Beverage Marketing in 2026! Stay ahead with the Food & Beverage Industry Media Kit! Packed with the latest tools, strategies, and ideas, this kit is your go-to resource for planning campaigns that resonate. With digital tools and resources to enhance your outreach, get real results in the year ahead. Download Now.

 

Data experts assess economic challenges for hospitality Hospitality experts at the 2026 Hunter Conference are maintaining their outlook for the year despite ongoing macroeconomic challenges, with Jan Freitag of CoStar and Adam Sacks of Tourism Economics highlighting the disconnect between GDP growth and hotel demand, as well as the impact of a K-shaped economy, which benefits luxury and upper-upscale hotels while middle-class spending on discretionary goods, including hotel stays, declines. Full Story: CoStar Group (3/23)

Marriott may launch new brand   (Cheng Xin/Getty Images) Marriott International has filed a trademark for "Matter Hotels," which could indicate a new brand launch. The company has registered the trademark in the US and Jamaica and secured related domain names. This move follows similar recent brand expansions by Hilton Hotels, suggesting Marriott might be looking to enter a new segment and attract more members to its loyalty program. Full Story: InsideHook (3/23) Common Thread Hotels acquires Laguna Beach property Common Thread Hotels and PRG Investment & Management have acquired Hotel Joaquin, a luxury boutique hotel in Laguna Beach, Calif., marking the 10th hotel in the company's portfolio. "Hotel Joaquin is a perfect complement to our existing portfolio, including Casa Laguna Hotel & Spa in Laguna Beach, which we reopened after an extensive renovation and repositioning in 2015," says Britten Shuford of Common Thread Hotels. Full Story: Lodging (3/23) UAE hotels slash prices as domestic tourism becomes focus UAE hotels have drastically reduced prices amid a decline in international tourism caused by regional conflict, with luxury hotels offering rates lower than those typically seen during the off-peak summer season. The government and private sector are introducing staycation deals and free access to attractions to encourage local spending, but occupancy rates have dropped significantly, with some hotels reporting rates as low as 1%. Full Story: Skift (tiered subscription model) (3/23)

Elevate your Travel & Hospitality Marketing with SmartBrief Access the Travel & Hospitality Industry Media Kit for audience insights and turnkey marketing solutions. Build campaigns that connect, convert, and deliver measurable impact in the year ahead. Download now.

One Beverly Hills secures $4.3B in financing One Beverly Hills, featuring The Beverly Hilton and Aman Beverly Hills, has finalized $4.3 billion in funding, securing both a $1.5 billion mezzanine loan from VICI REIT and a $2.8 billion senior loan from J.P. Morgan. This marks the completion of one of the largest mixed-use development financings in the past decade, cementing the project's financial foundation as it moves forward with construction and commercial partnerships. Full Story: Hotel Investment Today (Rutherford, N.J.) (3/24), Bloomberg Law (3/23)