Hospitality News of the Day, 13 August 2026: between openings, investments and a tribute to an industry legend, here’s what stood out today in the sector.
🌍 International
Tribute | The Society of the Golden Keys has paid tribute to Michael De Cozar, Head Concierge at The Ritz London for 53 years, who passed away on 10 August at the age of 69. He joined the hotel as a bellboy in 1973 at just sixteen years old, becoming, at 24, the youngest Head Concierge in the history of the London landmark. Renowned for his extraordinary memory, his encyclopaedic knowledge of London and his dedication to service, he had this year received Honorary Life Membership of the Society of the Golden Keys, one of the profession’s highest honours. Colleagues have paid tribute to a towering figure of British luxury hospitality, whose legacy will continue to inspire future generations of concierges. #RitzLondon #Tribute #Concierge
🇨🇭 Climate | Air conditioning is becoming the number one requirement for travellers, particularly Americans, in Swiss hotels. While some establishments have invested despite the constraints of older buildings, others, such as the Nomad Design & Lifestyle Hotel in Basel, are relying on natural ventilation and occasionally facing cancellations as a result. #Switzerland #AirConditioning #Tourism
🇯🇲 Opening | UNICO Hotel Collection has opened bookings for its UNICO 18°77° Montego Bay in Jamaica — the brand’s first expansion outside Mexico. The adults-only, all-inclusive resort, scheduled to open in March 2027, will feature 451 rooms, nine restaurants and bars, and the group’s largest Esencia spa. #Jamaica #Opening #AllInclusive
💰 Investment | IHG Hotels & Resorts is partnering with Arini Capital Management, which manages approximately $21 billion in assets, to support hotel development projects across Europe. The group already has close to 1,250 hotels open or in the pipeline on the continent, with an initial focus on major cities and beach destinations. #Europe #IHG #Investment
🏗️ Development | In Zanzibar, Tanzania, engineering firm MAKS Engineering Consultants is overseeing the design and management of the KASA Resort & Hotel project, which will comprise 102 rooms and 8 private chalets designed to blend into the island’s natural surroundings. #Zanzibar #Tanzania #Resort
🇻🇳 Trends | In Vietnam, resort investors are moving away from location as the sole deciding factor, prioritising infrastructure, sustainability and operational capacity instead, according to Radisson. Tourists, meanwhile, are increasingly opting for shorter stays and multi-destination itineraries. #Vietnam #Radisson #Trends
✈️ Results | German tour operator TUI saw its quarterly EBIT fall by 27%, to €233.8 million, hit by the war in Iran: stranded cruise ships, customer repatriations and rising fuel costs. Management noted, however, that bookings have returned to normal in recent weeks. #TUI #Results #Cruise
