Sabre Hospitality has officially rebranded as Aven Hospitality following its carve-out, bringing a new name, logo, and platforms; but the same SynXis core and a bigger question about what comes next.
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Exploding Grills, Wyndham Tiptoes onto Kauaʻi, and a Resort Fee Ban That Wasn’t
Grills, bills… and bitter pills. The condo liability mess, Wyndham’s quiet Kauaʻi surprise, and why the ‘Green Fee’ plan is still MIA.
Heads in Beds, Hands in Cuffs
A recent Visitor Public Safety Conference highlighted growing use of drones, cameras, and AI in Waikīkī, raising a harder question: as surveillance expands for safety, how far should privacy be allowed to shift?
We Finally Stop Lecturing and Start Selling
HTA and HVCB have shifted from Mālama messaging to the new “Hawaiʻi Stays With You” campaign, leaning into cinematic, shareable storytelling that feels more invitational, while raising questions about reach on a limited budget.
Airbnb and Hotels: We’ve Heard This Before. This Time Might Be Different.
Airbnb is reviving its hotel push as short-term rental rules tighten, elevating hotel listings in key markets, hiring Booking.com veteran Lou Zameryka to lead global hotels, and signaling a major AI-driven distribution play.
The Passport Gap: Easy Out, Hard In.
The 2026 Henley Passport Index shows a widening global mobility gap: Singapore leads with 192 visa-free destinations, the U.S. still ranks strong at 179, but remains far less open to inbound travelers, while China is rapidly expanding visa-free access as a competitive travel lever.
The Netscape Moment: Is ChatGPT Losing the Room?
A “Browser Wars” replay may be emerging in generative AI: as ChatGPT shows signs of drift and user friction, Google Gemini is gaining ground through tight integration, massive distribution, and new moves that turn AI from chatbot into transaction engine.
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Waikīkī Dystopia, NYC vs. Hawaiʻi Dirt, and Airbnb Roars
Sun, sand, surf… and surveillance. Airbnb eyes hotels as Hawaiʻi rolls out a friendlier marketing push.
Different Cities, Same Math: NYC vs. Hawai’i
New York City’s strict short-term rental rules remain intact, tightening visitor supply and lifting hotel rates, while recent Manhattan ground-lease land pricing offers a striking comparison to Waikīkī’s underlying land value.
The Green Fee Arrives. Accountability Pending.
Hawaiʻi’s Green Fee is now live, raising the state TAT to 11% and adding new cost and complexity to hotel stays, while questions remain about how the roughly $100M in annual revenue will actually be allocated.
