As GCC travellers look for greater flexibility, value and reassurance when booking long-haul holidays, Diamonds Resorts is responding with two timely Maldives offers designed to make the journey feel more seamless from the outset. At Diamonds Athuruga Maldives and Diamonds Thudufushi Maldives, the group is promoting a “GCC Exclusive Maldives Escape – Seaplane Included” package that combines complimentary seaplane transfers, high-speed Wi-Fi, daily activities, curated island and marine experiences, and free cancellation up to seven days before arrival for stays of seven nights or more.

As Independent Accommodation Day takes place today, 24 March, industry data suggests independent accommodation providers are increasingly turning to practical AI tools to improve efficiency and stay competitive in a more demanding market. The shift comes as PwC’s latest hotels forecast says the UK hotel sector enters 2026 with “a sense of resilience and renewed confidence,” supported by strong international demand, event-led travel and a steady recovery in domestic leisure. PwC forecasts 1.5% RevPAR growth and 1.2% occupancy growth across the UK regions in 2026. But, it also points to ongoing cost pressure, tighter margins and softer rate growth, increasing the need for operators to find new efficiencies.

As IHIF EMEA 2026 convenes under the theme Returns Redefined, Value Reimagined, a new briefing published by Valpas exposes a structural gap in how hotel assets are valued: every physical condition risk in a hotel — structural integrity, fire safety, water quality, HVAC performance — has a standardised inspection, a certification requirement, and a recognised impact on transaction value. Every risk except one. Bed bug infestation risk has historically sat in facilities budgets as an unpredictable operational cost: invisible in due diligence, unquantifiable in underwriting, absent from ESG reporting. The briefing — titled The Valuation Blind Spot — maps the regulatory, technological, and market forces that are converging to close this gap, and examines what the evidence from Paris and other early-adopting markets reveals about how quickly the shift is occurring.

Protect Group, a leading provider of reservation and ticket protection solutions, today announced an ambitious goal to protect over $10 billion USD in bookings across airlines, OTAs, events, sports, and hospitality brands by the end of 2026. This represents a 25% increase compared to the previous period, when the company safeguarded over $8 billion USD in bookings.

In celebration of this year’s Hong Kong Art Month, Luxury Group by Marriott International unveils “Art of Arrival,” a new artist residency program that invites emerging Chinese artist Chen Zuo to present a journey across place and perspective. Through an immersive residency, a commissioned piece, and an international exhibition circuit, “Art of Arrival” transforms arrival into a creative journey – inviting guests and audiences to experience the intersection of place, imagination, and design.

Dusit Hotels and Resorts, the hotel management arm of Dusit International, has joined the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, marking a significant step in the company’s ongoing efforts to embed responsible practices throughout its global operations. GSTC is a global non-profit organisation that brings together public and private sector stakeholders to advance sustainable tourism practices worldwide. By joining as a member, Dusit becomes part of a global network committed to knowledge-sharing, collaboration, and the promotion of responsible tourism principles across the industry.