🔎 Trend of the day: time for capital decisions. A stock-market listing or refinancing for Ennismore, a successful exit for Crescent in Alpharetta, EKN's withdrawal in Petaluma, a fresh bet from Corinthia in the Turks and Caicos: investors and operators are reshuffling the deck.

Glion Institute of Higher Education has announced a redesign of its three full-time Master's programmes from 2027, featuring new specialisations, a stronger focus on artificial intelligence and deeper immersion in industry. The Swiss institute is responding to the spread of hospitality skills beyond the hospitality sector itself, into luxury, wellness and the wider experience economy.

Hilton has appointed Hendrick Calles General Manager of Casa Alba, LXR Hotels & Resorts, in Casablanca. He takes up the post in September 2026 to lead the pre-opening of the property, expected in 2027. After nearly twenty-two years with the group, beginning in France, he leaves the Seychelles, where he oversaw Hilton's six properties across the archipelago.

In September 2026, Ali Nassila took up the post of General Manager of Maysan Doha, the Qatari address of LXR Hotels & Resorts, Hilton's collection of independent luxury hotels. Trained in Morocco and then in France, this operations specialist has built most of his career with Marriott International, from Paris to Fez and on to the Gulf. He now leads an urban resort set in a former palace in the Qatari capital.

On 25 September 2026, IHG Hotels & Resorts announced the signing of Garner Hotel Jim Corbett, a 50-key property in Ramnagar, Uttarakhand, scheduled to open in the second quarter of 2027. Owned by Victorian Corporation and operated by United Hospitality Management (UHM) India, the project is the brand's sixth signing in India. It confirms the group's strategy of establishing a presence in leisure destinations beyond the major metropolitan areas.

Hilton has announced the opening of Montara Hotel, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, in the mountains of Heredia, Costa Rica. With this fully renovated 97-room property, the group's lifestyle brand makes its debut in Costa Rica and in Central America. Hilton thereby strengthens its presence in a region where it already operates 315 hotels.

Prince Resorts Hawaii, the Hawaiian division of Japan's Seibu Holdings, has appointed Yusuke Ishii as president. He succeeds Shigeki Yamane, who is returning to Japan, and takes charge of a portfolio of three hotels and three golf courses spread across Oahu and the island of Hawaii. The internal promotion places the Hawaiian assets in the hands of an executive who has directly shaped the group's investment strategy in the archipelago.

IHG Hotels & Resorts has brought its premium voco hotels brand to East Africa with the September 2026 opening of voco Nairobi Airport Suites. The 112-suite property sits on Mombasa Road, close to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. It marks the brand's debut in Kenya and targets both transit guests and long-stay travellers at one of the region's main gateways.

Brazil bans online sports betting and digital casinos. In New York, the Attorney General is taking on Polymarket, which has hit back in federal court. In France, the platform is challenging its block in the courts. Meanwhile, the prediction market leader has raised $1bn from Donald Trump Jr's fund, raising the question of the balance of power between states and the new players in online gaming.

On 23 September 2026, Red Sea Global (RSG) announced the launch of Yachting Network, a new entity that will operate its marinas and yacht clubs along Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coast. From winter 2026, private and charter yachts will be able to cruise between AMAALA and Shura Island under a single berthing contract. For the PIF-backed developer, the aim is to put the Red Sea on the international yachting map.

In mid-August 2026, Expedia Group launched a reorganisation of its Product and Technology teams around artificial intelligence, with the departure of at least eight vice presidents and senior vice presidents, before filing notice in September of 58 further job cuts in Seattle. Born of the internet revolution, one of the world's leading online booking platforms must now reinvent itself in the face of AI agents, which could eventually hand control back to hotel groups and brand owners.

Hospitality news of the day, 25 September 2026: openings, new funds, appointments and tax debates – here is what mattered in the sector today.