In Eastern Europe, local OTAs beat the giants by going narrow

 

Booking.com leads accommodation in nearly every Eastern European market. Yet the region’s fastest-growing online travel agencies (OTAs) are homegrown players that know their customers better than any global platform can.

U.S. Review September 2026: Rate Environment Pinches Supply but Helps Occupancy

  

Key Takeaways

• August and September demand grew 2.1% combined, the fastest pace since October 2025, once the Labor Day calendar shift is netted out.

Tim Hentschel, Reservations Group, tells hotel savings to soften airfares rise

 

US Holiday travelers should not count on last-minute airfare bargains this year, according to Hotelplanner (Reservations Group) co-founder and CEO Tim Hentschel, who said airlines are increasingly focused on maximizing revenue rather than filling every seat.

'Constant intention to buy' forces hotels to rethink the marketing funnel

 

Hotels must prepare for a marketing funnel that no longer ends at the booking, as consumers constantly look for inspiration, with high numbers now re-shopping after completing a transaction.

Labor Day just moved to September. So did the demand.

 

U.S. July 2026 Recap: September is the new August

Women hold half of hospitality’s jobs and a third of its leadership seats

 Hospitality has traditionally been a thriving place for women to work but it has failed when it comes from translating that into seniority where people are more empowered and can make an impactful difference.

Madrid capitalizes on screen tourism by funding famous US filmmaker next movie

New York, Paris, Barcelona, Rome, London and now Madrid. Woody Allen’s next feature film will place Spain’s capital firmly in the spotlight, as it will become far more than simply a filming location.

The Untapped Revenue Opportunity in Hotel Digital Signage – 2026 Event Advertising Pulse Survey Report

 

Sponsors want visibility. Your screens already have it. Yet for most hotels, those screens are working without earning, mainly looping agendas, wayfinding and welcome slides while sponsorship revenue walks out the door.

On-Time Performance Review. 2025

 

Cirium On-Time Performance Review 2025. We are excited to put this valuable resource in your hands. GET THE REVIEW

European Central Bank moves to break Visa and Mastercard grip in the European Union

 

The Financial Times reported that the European Central Bank (ECB) is intensifying its push to reduce Europe’s reliance on US payment giants like Visa and Mastercard by laying the groundwork for the launch of a digital euro.

Could TSA Chaos Return to the Atlanta Airport? DHS Funding to Run Out

 

More than 60 days into a partial government shutdown, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said the agency may have to stop paying salaries in May.

Greece Calls for EU Action as Middle East Crisis Disrupts Transport Sector

 

Greece is calling for a coordinated European response to mounting disruptions in the transport sector, as the ongoing Middle East crisis drives up fuel costs and strains supply chains across the region.

A note from an Antarctic investigative journalist

 

Last week, we fired off 20 questions that became a Wall Street Journal story. It began as a fact check: probing a call by a space communications firm urging US President Donald Trump to acquire a vast piece of Antarctica. Antarctic Treaty law forbids new territorial claims; the firm argued otherwise. We found former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott on the board.

GRIF and Juniper Strategy launch UAE Hospitality Industry Barometer

The report draws on real-time input from 30 senior hospitality leaders collectively operating over 400 venues across the UAE, alongside analysis of tourist recovery patterns through past global crises.

On-Time Performance Review. 2025

 

Thank you for requesting the Cirium On-Time Performance Review 2025. We are excited to put this valuable resource in your hands.

Athens International Airport Welcomes the Holy Fire from Jerusalem

 

The Hellenic Republic Gulfstream HAF 678 transported the Holy Fire from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem to Athens. The Holy Fire, taken from the tomb of Jesus Christ, is used to light the candles of Orthodox believers celebrating the Resurrection on Saturday night.

Malaysia Joins Russia, India, Turkey, China, Thailand and More as Strait of Hormuz Sees Increased Traffic Despite Tariffs Since the Choke Amid US, Israel and Iran Conflict with Hopes of Oil Price Recovery Set to Potentially Help Airfare Surge, Tourism Recovery and Lifestyle Costs

 

Malaysia, Russia, India, Turkey, China, and Thailand have emerged as the primary navigators of a shifting maritime landscape as the Strait of Hormuz sees increased traffic despite the heavy tariffs imposed since the initial choke and this steady flow of tankers is fueling a cautious oil price recovery, which is set to potentially help stabilize global energy markets.

Multi-day tours shift toward small groups and digital adoption

 

NEW YORK, NY, and VALENCIA, SPAIN – Arival has released its latest global research report, “The State of Multi-Day Tours, 2nd Edition,” highlighting a new phase of growth for multi-day tour operators worldwide, driven by evolving traveller preferences and increasing technology adoption.

Unlock Easter Celebrations On The Go With HoneyBaked’s Expert Travel Guide And Exclusive Discounts

 

The  has released a new guide to make it easier for families to celebrate the holiday as they travel. Honey Baked has seen people taking vacation more often, whether it’s for a beach rental, a road trip, or a flight, and has decided to give helpful and safe travel tips.

The Mid-Funnel Advantage Most European Brands Aren’t Exploiting in Social

 

Europe currently has a structural advantage in the social mid-funnel.

Not because European brands are more sophisticated, and not because the platforms work differently. And not because brand building has changed. Instead, it’s because Europe is earlier in the attention lifecycle than the United States.