2013 › April

Blackstone is a very savvy, metrics-oriented hotel investor, and with $10 billion available to invest in real estate, the world's largest hotel operator is a lodging force to be closely monitored. Despite its public company status, Blackstone is fairly tight-lipped about its strategy, and the industry awaits Blackstone's next chess move.

Ensuring legal certainty on property rights, instead of various proxies foreigners have been using so far to buy property in Mexico, is the right step, and could see a U.S.-led boom in retirement relocation, if finally passed in Senate.

Luxury amenities are a welcome treat on long-haul flights, but most airlines reserve the high-end goods for high-paying passengers in business or first class.

A cynic may say that Depardieu will shill for anyone willing to give him meals and some cash. A non-cynic would suggest that Baku's tourism heads look at Google News before signing up a spokesman recently famous for peeing on a plane and abandoning his homeland for tax reasons.

An ironic move given the timing, but the acquisition has been discussed for more than a century and speaks to the importance of the parks despite recent setbacks.

The argument that the program would disservice those without smartphones is shortsighted; Tuesday’s decision give New York City the opportunity to lead in transportation innovation.

The Japanese PM Abe successfully revived an export-led economy, but tourism is a fickle business and travelers could quickly turn elsewhere when the yen begins to climb again.

It’s not often someone works their way down the industry ladder, but running a smaller operation seems like a good deal if it means more time to enjoy the destination you’ve dedicated your working life to. Oh yeah: Also working for one of the world's richest men.

Morgans has always walked the fine line between being cutting edge and cool for the sake of being cool. As it prepares for growth, it will need to focus on being reliable, too.

We like the old, hungrier TripAdvisor better -- the one that didn't hesitate to publicize its annual list of the dirtiest hotels.