Since 1 June 2026, Michael Braun has led Lanserhof Tegernsee in Bavaria, following more than six years at the helm of the Althoff Seehotel Überfahrt. The appointment forms part of a broader renewal of hotel leadership at the health and longevity resort, as the group accelerates its international development. It draws on a career shaped in some of the industry's leading luxury houses, spanning Berlin, Dubai, Doha, Istanbul and the Tegernsee.

Diane Daudin Clavaud, previously Corporate Director of Global Business Development at Nobu Hospitality, joins British firm Rhodium as Chief Development & Strategy Officer. Based in London, she will take charge of development strategy for a group whose portfolio of 40 ultra-luxury developments in London, Dubai and Athens is valued at approximately €14 billion. The appointment, effective since June 2026, comes as Rhodium steps up its partnerships with international luxury brands.

Hyatt Hotels Corporation and local developer Green Rock have announced the signing of a franchise agreement for Hyatt Regency Dilijan, marking the Hyatt Regency brand's entry into Armenia. The agreement was celebrated at a groundbreaking ceremony on 27 July 2026, forming part of the group's development across Europe, Africa and the Middle East and of the destination strategy driven by Green Rock in Dilijan.

US timeshare operator Westgate Resorts has announced the opening of Westgate Bimini Bay, its first Caribbean destination, on the island of North Bimini in the Bahamas, less than 80 kilometres from the Florida coast. The new property marks a strategic step in the group's development beyond North America. Bookings are open for arrivals from 1 October 2026.

Hilton has today inaugurated Hilton Istanbul Airport, a 485-room property located just steps from Istanbul Airport. The first internationally branded hotel to be built on Turkish airport grounds, it marks the group's 100th hotel in the country and underlines its growing momentum in this strategic market.

Sports Boulevard Development Company has signed an agreement with Rikaz Properties to establish its third real estate investment fund, worth over €161 million (SAR 700 million). The vehicle will finance a five-star hotel within Urban Wadi, a mixed-use destination of the giant Sports Boulevard project in Riyadh. The deal illustrates the growing momentum of the public-private partnership model championed by the Saudi capital under Vision 2030.

The Helicopter Company (THC), a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, has signed a letter of intent with Bombardier at the Farnborough Airshow to acquire up to 60 business jets. The agreement marks THC's entry into business aviation and strengthens the PIF-led Tourism, Travel and Entertainment ecosystem, of which hospitality is one of the strategic pillars.

Lodging Econometrics has released its quarterly report on Europe's hotel construction pipeline, recording 1,736 projects and 255,976 rooms at the close of Q2 2026, up 3% year-on-year. The American firm has unveiled an openings forecast through 2028 for the first time, confirming the European market's development trajectory for investors and operators across the sector.

A subsidiary of the Sight Acre Group, Elysium Retreats plans to grow its portfolio by up to 12 additional destinations across the UK over the next two years. The growth programme, driven by acquisitions, refurbishments and new-builds, is underpinned by a recently strengthened operational team following the arrival of Matt Pressman as Operations Director.

Palladium Hotel Group has appointed Farah C. Jaber to the newly created role of Managing Director, Southeast Asia, based in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Effective since March 2026, the appointment marks the Spanish hotel group's first structured foothold in the Asia-Pacific region, with Vietnam as the anchor point for its development.

Auberge Resorts Collection has announced the appointment/promotion of Clayton van Hooijdonk to the role of General Manager of The Inn at Mattei's Tavern, in Los Olivos, California. The appointment, effective since July 2026, follows a year spent by the hotelier at Madeline Hotel & Residences, Auberge Resorts Collection, in Telluride, Colorado. It reflects the internal mobility strategy the luxury group is pursuing across its North American portfolio.

On 4 August 2026, Airbnb announced a distribution agreement with Lark Hotels, a US boutique hotel operator, bringing more than 75 properties onto its platform. The deal confirms the hotel pivot the Californian company has pursued since the spring, as independent hoteliers look to diversify their distribution channels in the face of the major online travel agencies.