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.

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.

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.

Meliá Hotels International has announced the signing of a new The Meliá Collection hotel in Lerici, on the Ligurian Riviera, under a franchise agreement with SoGes Group. The 80-to-90-room property will mark the group's first foothold on this stretch of coastline and become its 18th hotel in Italy, with opening scheduled within 24 months.

Minor Hotels has announced Avani Kota Kinabalu, a 352-room lifestyle hotel due to open in the first quarter of 2027 in Sabah, East Malaysia. Set within the The Logg Luyang development led by KTI Landmark, the property marks the Avani brand's debut in the destination and strengthens the group's portfolio in the country.

HHM Hotels has announced a strategic combination with Wurzak Hotel Group, which joins its management platform with eleven hotels located in Florida and the US Mid-Atlantic. The deal, unveiled on 11 August 2026 in Philadelphia, does not change ownership of the properties but transfers their management to HHM Hotels, extending a professional relationship between the two groups that dates back more than thirty years.

Accor has announced the opening of the Mercure Oradea, the brand's first hotel in this city in western Romania, representing an investment of around EUR 15 million. The 90-room property, operated under franchise by Grand Hotel West, strengthens the group's presence in the country and connects Oradea to the international travel circuit.

IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed a franchise agreement with Morina Development & Investment Co. LLC to convert a 107-room hotel in Riyadh under the Noted Collection banner. Expected to open by the end of 2026, this marks the brand's first foray into the Middle East and underlines Saudi Arabia's strategic role in the group's development.

Hyatt has announced the integration of Hotel Palace Berlin, a historic property in City West, which will become Hyatt Regency Palace Berlin from the first quarter of 2027. The move strengthens the group's positioning in the business and MICE segment of the German capital.

Accor announces the arrival of the Pullman Hotels & Resorts brand in Panama, marking the opening of the Group's very first premium hotel in the country. Due in 2028, the Pullman Panama City will feature 300 rooms, event spaces, coworking, restaurants, wellness areas and a rooftop, in one of Latin America's leading business hubs.