Why airlines need a new approach to payment, IHG signs landmark 14-hotel portfolio deal in Japan and more...

Why airlines need a new approach to payment
Wednesday, 26th August 2026

A passenger selects a flight, the schedule works, the fare is right, they add a bag and choose a seat but the sale is not complete until the payment works. That final step needs to be quick, secure, and familiar but it’s slow and the sale is at risk.

That risk is not theoretical. IATA found that 17% of travelers who attempted to purchase an ancillary service could not complete their purchase. Why? Because the initial payment attempt failed and no other option was available >>

2026 GBTA Business Travel Index Global Report & Forecast
26 Aug 2026 : The 2026 GBTA Business Travel Index (BTI) provides a comprehensive outlook for business travel spending and volume across 72 countries and 44 industries >>

IHG signs landmark 14-hotel portfolio deal in Japan
25 Aug 2026 : 12 Garner hotels and one Holiday Inn Express hotel across Kyoto to join IHG’s system in the next 12 months, positions IHG as one of the largest international hotel companies in Kyoto >>

US Travel Association, A4A, AHLA urge congress to resolve funding differences, protect America's travel system
25 Aug 2026 : Following House and Senate passage of separate continuing resolutions to keep the federal government funded, a joint letter urging congress to quickly resolve the differences between the two measures and enact a stopgap funding bill before the deadline >>

Infinitude Hospitality expands in Central Asia
24 Aug 2026 : Infinitude Hospitality, a leading independent third-party hotel management and hospitality advisory firm operating across Asia, Japan and the Middle East, is pleased to announce more projects in Uzbekistan >>

HIGHLIGHT ARTICLE

Generic 'Eco-Friendly' Hotel Claims Are About to Become a Major Legal Risk
Wednesday, 26th August 2026

The EU establishes strict consumer protection prohibiting generic green claims, unverified self-badges, and carbon-offset neutral statements. This means sustainability can no longer sit solely within marketing. If a hotel promotes durable products, circular practices, repairability or responsible sourcing, those claims must be capable of being substantiated >>

OTA Commissions and Direct Bookings: Build a Better Hotel Channel Mix
Use OTAs for broad discovery while building direct booking as the property-owned, lower-distribution-cost route >>

In case you've missed it: Global eNewsletter of August 24, 2026
Google is acquiring Spirit Airlines' business data, European hotel investment surges and more >>