🇫🇷 NATIONAL | France
🚨 Bordeaux | Protests weigh on hotel bookings
Strikes and demonstrations are disrupting hotel business in Bordeaux during the French autumn half-term holidays. Several properties are reporting rising cancellations and declining bookings. At one hotel with more than 60 rooms, approximately 30 cancellations were reportedly recorded during the week of 17 October. Industry professionals fear a prolonged deterioration in visitor numbers.
🎓 Nice | FERRANDI Paris to open a campus in September 2027
FERRANDI Paris and the Nice Côte d’Azur Chamber of Commerce and Industry are joining forces to establish a campus in the Nice Méridia eco-district. Expected eventually to accommodate more than 400 students, it will offer two bachelor’s programmes in culinary arts and hotel management from September 2027. Four training laboratories, a teaching restaurant and, ultimately, a training hotel will complete the facilities.
🎓 Nice | A university diploma for future hospitality entrepreneurs
Université Côte d’Azur is partnering with hospitality and restaurant industry professionals to create a continuing education university diploma entitled “Devenir Ent’Repreneur du tourisme, de l’hôtellerie et de la restauration durables” (Becoming an Entrepreneur in Sustainable Tourism, Hospitality and Restaurants). Developed with the involvement of academic and researcher Jean-Pierre Boissin, the programme aims to prepare future business leaders for the economic and operational realities of establishing or acquiring a business.
📊 Accor | IDeaS strengthens its role in the group’s commercial performance management
Accor has included Optix, the business intelligence solution developed by IDeaS, among the tools available to its hotels worldwide. The platform aims to simplify commercial reporting and accelerate revenue management decisions. The agreement extends an established technology partnership between the two companies but does not constitute a mandatory rollout across the entire network.
🌍 INTERNATIONAL | Europe
🇪🇸 🏗️ Marbella | €60 million hotel development enters public consultation
Marbella Leisureland Investments SL, linked to Magna Hotels & Resorts, is proposing a five-star Gran Lujo hotel with up to 220 rooms on a site of approximately 13.4 hectares north of Marbella. The proposed investment is around €60 million. The project remains subject to public consultation and has attracted environmental objections. Neither final planning approval nor an opening date has been announced.
🇬🇧 💷 United Kingdom | VAT reduction could generate £6.28 billion in additional spending
According to research by payment services provider Dojo, a reduction in VAT for the British hospitality and restaurant industry could generate up to £6.28 billion in additional annual spending. The projection is based on changes in consumer spending observed in Ireland following a tax reduction. However, this remains a hypothetical estimate rather than a demonstrated economic benefit.
🇳🇱 ♻️ Amsterdam | The Social Hub secures early B Corp recertification
The Social Hub has announced that it has achieved B Corp recertification under B Lab’s new requirements, following an audit covering 157 criteria. Operating 21 properties across Europe, the group is also preparing a membership-based model, with the first transformations planned for Barcelona, Glasgow and Amsterdam. The initiative combines governance, social impact and development strategy.
🇪🇸 🏆 Spain | World Travel Awards recognise several prominent properties
The 2026 World Travel Awards have recognised properties including Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, Four Seasons Resort Mallorca at Formentor and Mandarin Oriental Ritz Madrid. Majestic Hotel & Spa Barcelona also received a European distinction in the Luxury Hotel & Spa category. These awards illustrate the diversity of Spain’s hospitality offering, spanning urban hotels, resorts and luxury properties.
🇮🇹 ⛵ Yachting | Benjamin Bensahel appointed CEO of Camper & Nicholsons
Following Sea Expandary Group’s acquisition of a majority stake, Camper & Nicholsons International has appointed Benjamin Bensahel as Chief Executive Officer. Previously Chief Commercial Officer for Europe and the Middle East, he succeeds Paolo Casani, who is stepping down after nine years at the helm of the company. The appointment accompanies a new phase in the international development of the yachting group.
🌎 INTERNATIONAL | Americas, Africa and Asia-Pacific
🇦🇺 💼 Perth | Worldwide Hotels acquires Holiday Inn West Perth
Singapore-based Worldwide Hotels has acquired the 101-room Holiday Inn West Perth from Australian Development Capital. Completed in 2016, the property combines a contemporary hotel tower with a heritage building dating back to 1902. JLL advised on the transaction. The sale price has not been disclosed.
🇺🇸 👔 United States | Meyer Jabara Hotels restructures its operations
Meyer Jabara Hotels has reorganised its portfolio into two divisions: Full Service & Lifestyle and Focus Service. Jared Karras joins the group as Senior Vice President of Operations to oversee the former, while James Kirkland takes responsibility for the latter. The new structure is intended to provide more specialised operational oversight across different hotel segments.
🇺🇸 🎨 United States | Nelsen Architects launches Nomad Hospitality Interiors
Nelsen Architects has established Nomad Hospitality Interiors, an independent studio specialising in luxury and lifestyle hotel design, led by Heather Chilton-Gantt. Among its first assignments is the refurbishment of the 157 guest rooms and public spaces at La Posada de Santa Fe, a Tribute Portfolio property. The studio will also target resorts, wellness facilities and private clubs.
🇧🇯 🌍 Benin | Tourism and culture at the centre of an investment strategy
Benin is continuing its tourism development strategy, focusing on its cultural heritage, upscale hospitality and leisure infrastructure. According to an opinion article published by Agence Ecofin, the country aims to increase tourism’s contribution to GDP to 13.4% by 2030, supported by an announced €1.2 billion investment programme. Coastal development and improving the appeal of inland destinations are two key priorities.
At a Glance | Global Hospitality News – 29 October 2026
France: Bordeaux hotels face booking cancellations, while Nice prepares two new hospitality education initiatives.
Investment: Worldwide Hotels acquires the 101-room Holiday Inn West Perth; Marbella considers a €60 million luxury hotel development.
Leadership: Meyer Jabara Hotels restructures its operations, while Benjamin Bensahel becomes CEO of Camper & Nicholsons.
Technology: Accor expands its commercial analytics options through IDeaS Optix.
Sustainability: The Social Hub achieves early B Corp recertification under more demanding standards.
Market outlook: UK hospitality VAT reform remains under discussion, while Benin pursues tourism-led economic diversification.
