At Virtuoso Travel Week 2026 in Las Vegas, the global luxury travel network unveiled a new AI-powered collective intelligence and decision-support tool. The solution aims to structure and make accessible the full breadth of data and know-how accumulated by the Virtuoso community.

Between April and June 2026, Preferred Hotels & Resorts welcomed 10 new member properties, from Bali to Kenya, via Belgium and Portugal. This latest wave of additions confirms the brand's strategy around independent hotels of character, amid strong demand for authentic, locally rooted experiences.

A subsidiary of UK-based UnderTheDoormat Group, TrustedStays is launching its platform in France through an exclusive GDS partnership with Amadeus. The move allows professionally managed accommodation, such as Veeve and Quartier Libre, to be booked through the same channels as traditional hotels, as French business travel spend is forecast to reach €31.6 billion in 2026.

Mandarin Oriental, Geneva has announced the appointment of Christian Wildhaber as General Manager, effective 1 September 2026. The Swiss hotelier, a native of Vevey, joins the Geneva property after leading Mandarin Oriental, Jakarta since August 2025. The appointment reflects the luxury hotel group's internal mobility policy and strengthens its presence in one of Europe's most strategic business hubs.

Mövenpick Hotel Casablanca has entrusted its general management to Ismail Ben Younes since July 2026. With more than fifteen years' experience across international groups including Iberostar, Radisson Hotel Group and Accor, the Tunisian executive takes up his post as the property prepares for a full renovation, amid the ongoing acquisition by Pickalbatros Hotels & Resorts.

The Standard, London has entrusted its general management to Murray Scott, who leaves his post as General Manager of The Hoxton, Holborn after two years. The appointment, effective since July 2026, forms part of the lifestyle strategy being deployed by Hyatt Lifestyle Group in London.

🔎 Today's trend: hospitality rethinks its offering to meet new expectations. Between climate urgency, the quest for immersive experiences and the arrival of institutional capital, the sector is adapting worldwide — from Swiss hotels installing air conditioning to Vietnamese investors now prioritising sustainability over location.

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.