Playa Acquisition, New Resorts and Sustainability Issues: Hotel & Resorts News From February

As winter turns to spring, there’s a lot of news to be had in the hotel and resort category. Hyatt is seeking to acquire Playa Hotels & Resorts, the biggest hotel corporations continue their record expansions and the hospitality industry revealed some big news in both legislation and traveler sentiment. 

Check out the biggest stories facing hotels and resorts from February right here, and click the links provided to read the stories in full. 

Hyatt to Acquire Playa Hotels & Resorts

Hyatt Hotels & Resorts announced a plan to acquire Playa Hotels & Resorts, which owns and operates over 20 all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean. On February 25, Hyatt launched its offer to purchase all outstanding ordinary shares of Playa Hotels & Resorts for $13.50 per share. 

It seems the deal will go through, which will mean Playa’s resorts will become part of Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection and World of Hyatt loyalty program. 

Hotel Fee Transparency, Short-Term Rental Trust Issues and Staffing Shortages

The hospitality industry has faced a few challenges in February. 

In early February, the Hotel Fees Transparency Act, which would provide a single standard for transparency of all hotel or “junk” fees for lodgings and accommodations, was approved by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation and is now on its way towards a full review by the Senate, bringing it one step closer to becoming law. AHLA and other organizations have expressed their support for the bill. 

The hospitality industry has also continued struggling with a staffing shortage that has plagued the industry since the pandemic. New data from AHLA found that 65 percent of hotels surveyed still faced these shortages, despite offering higher wages and better benefits. Hotel employment still rests 10 percent below the 2019 total. 

Additionally, a new survey found that only 18 percent of Americans fully trust platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo to properly vet hosts and guests, with the vast majority citing issues in trusting how these platforms protect their personal data and choose not to use platforms like these due to privacy concerns. 

IHG’s Green Problem

We take a deep dive into IHG Hotels & Resorts’ sustainability plan—and how it’s falling behind on its emissions reductions targets. According to our reporting, IHG’s greenhouse gas emissions are up 7.2 percent from 2019, despite having a goal towards reducing its emissions 46 percent by 2030. 

Now, IHG is saying it will likely not be able to meet that goal, citing the slow progress of transitioning energy grids around the world, the lack of “viable commercial and operating landscape to support energy efficiency,” and the growth of its brands, which enlarges its footprint. 

Preferred Hotels & Resorts Debuts Travel Advisor Portal

In late February, Preferred Hotels & Resorts launched its first travel advisor portal for advisors to make and track bookings, search for hotels, check their commissions and more. Preferred Hotels & Resorts is the world’s largest independent hotel collection. 

New Hotels & Resorts Coming Soon

As always, each month brings with it the news of new and upcoming hotels and resorts opening around the world. This February was no different. 

Hilton announced it would open several new luxury hotels and resorts around the world this year, including the Conrad Athens, the Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique and LXR Hotels & Resorts — Casablanca. It also announced plans to add 350 lifestyle properties to its portfolio by 2028. 

Preferred Hotels & Resorts added ten new properties to its independent hotel portfolio at the end of last year, including the Aurika Udaipur - Luxury by Lemon Tree Hotels. 

Additionally, the growing Hyatt Centric brand, which focuses on locally inspired stays in centralized locations around the world, is opening over 35 new hotels by 2028, with several, including the Hyatt Centric Chicago O’Hare, opening this year. 

Marriott’s also growing its luxury all-inclusive portfolio this year, with the Almare, a Luxury Collection Resort in Isla Mujeres, Paraíso de la Bonita, a Luxury Collection Resort in Riviera Maya and the W Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. 

We also received news that the luxury Bvlgari Resort & Mansions Cave Cay, a luxury private island in the Exumas, will open sometime in 2029. 

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