Hospitality news today, 24 August 2026: from appointments and openings to international turbulence, here’s what stood out in the sector today.
🇫🇷 National
✨ Appointment | With Eric Boonstoppel having joined the Barrière group, the succession at the head of LVMH Hotel Management is taking shape. According to Parisian rumour, Vincent Billiard, current general manager of the Hôtel de Crillon, a Rosewood Hotel, is tipped to succeed him. #Appointment #France #LVMHHotelManagement
🏨 Opening | British group Maybourne is preparing its arrival in Paris with the Maybourne Saint-Germain, expected in 2027 in the city’s 6th arrondissement. The property will target palace status with 101 keys, six dining venues including a Japanese restaurant, three swimming pools, a Surrenne spa and 23 residences designed by Pierre-Yves Rochon and Laura Gonzalez. #Paris #Palace #Opening
👨🍳 Appointment | At Loire Valley Lodges, Rémi Berment succeeds Thomas Besnault in the kitchen. #LoireValleyLodges #Culinary #Appointment
🥞 Catering | In Brittany, crêperies are struggling to recruit staff: in Morbihan, a restaurateur in Lorient reports a shortage of around 50% in qualified crêpe-makers, with some walking off shift mid-service in the face of demanding working conditions. #Brittany #Catering #StaffShortage
🌍 International
🌍 Tourism, UAE | In the United Arab Emirates, the hotel sector’s recovery remains fragile following the Iranian strikes in spring. Dubai is stepping up incentive programmes for stays (referral schemes, discounts), while the central bank has lowered its 2026 growth forecast from 5.6% to 1.7%, with occupancy still running well below pre-crisis levels. #Dubai #UnitedArabEmirates #Tourism
🏨 Regulation, Vietnam | Ho Chi Minh City is drafting a resolution to formally recognise “smart”, eco-friendly and boutique hotels, a first for Vietnam. The city already counts 4,805 establishments and more than 106,000 rooms, including 81 four- and five-star hotels. #Vietnam #SustainableHospitality #Regulation
💷 Taxation, UK | The British government has launched an independent review of the business rates burden on hotels, led by Jerry Schurder, with conclusions expected by March 2027. UKHospitality has welcomed the move but is calling for immediate measures in the face of bills that have risen 110% over three years for the hospitality sector. #UnitedKingdom #Taxation #Hospitality
✨ Appointment, USA | Auberge Collection has announced the appointment of Joern Schwaiger as general manager of Bowie House in Fort Worth, Texas, following two and a half years leading The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern. #AubergeCollection #FortWorth #Appointment
✈️ Disruption, Spain | The indefinite strike by ground staff at Barcelona-El Prat Airport, which began on 4 August, could run on into September. Travellers are advised to prepare for flight and baggage disruption, with a potential knock-on impact on tourist arrivals in the region. #Barcelona #Airport #Disruption
📊 Occupancy, Switzerland | In Switzerland, hotel overnight stays rose 0.6% year-on-year in July, driven by a 4.1% increase in domestic guests. This offset a 2.3% decline in overseas visitors, particularly marked among travellers from the UK, India and the Gulf states. #Switzerland #Occupancy #Tourism
