2026 › February

The Indian hotel group is focusing on steady expansion in UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and select GCC markets.

Even bigger numbers are expected when Dubai Al Maktoum International Airport is fully up and running: 260 million passengers could eventually pass through.

The initial 10-day shutdown of a U.S. commercial airport for unspecified “special security reasons” was highly unusual. The Trump administration has said the closure was necessary because a cartel drone breached U.S. airspace.

This is a smarter structure than its failed gamble in the 2010s – but success may hinge on filling three-leg itineraries in a market already saturated with one-stop Gulf competition.

As India strives to become a destination for meetings, incentives, conferences, and events, the pricing and sales trends around the AI Impact Summit show that Indian hotels now have the ability to charge higher rates, and people are willing to pay.

Marriott isn't treating the Olympics and World Cup as one-off windfalls. It says experiences-driven travel remains strong and that 'live tourism' has become a steady growth lever.

Cruises are carrying TUI’s results, but distribution is moving away from the web and toward apps and artificial intelligence.

As villa rentals become increasingly standardized through platforms, a small cohort of high-end operators is pushing back and competing on high-touch service and long-term owner relationships.

With U.S. room demand staying subdued, Marriott may find its 2026 profit growth in a higher-margin place: credit card swipes on its co-branded cards.

Travel brands are racing to adopt AI, but real progress comes from rebuilding foundations rather than layering tech onto legacy systems. Airlines that take an AI-first approach can operate proactively, personalize at scale, and deliver smoother experiences.