A recent New York Times analysis warns U.S. international travel is slipping into 2026, with fewer visits and lower spending driven by fees, visa delays, and border friction, risks that hit Hawaiʻi hard given its reliance on Canada and Japan.
2026 Hawai’i Hotel Hui Predictions
HHH wraps its first year with 10 predictions for 2026, from flat hotel performance and luxury resilience to AI-driven search, hotel debt activity, Green Fee debates, and rising CEO compensation.
America Continues to Pull in the Welcome Mat
New U.S. travel proposals, including higher fees and mandatory social media disclosure, are adding friction for international visitors, contributing to declining arrivals and raising concerns for tourism demand.
Brand USA Funding Might Finally Catch a Break
Congress is moving to restore Brand USA’s funding through the VISIT USA Act, aiming to counter declining global sentiment and strengthen U.S. competitiveness ahead of major events by using surplus visa fees, not taxpayer dollars.
It’s Baaack: Vacasa Gets Rewired
Casago’s acquisition and dismantling of Vacasa signals a shift to its franchise-first model, raising questions about whether lean local operators and tight owner-manager splits can sustain a new era of vacation rental management in Hawaiʻi.
Hopper: One Last Hop Before Exit?
Hopper’s future is in question as Capital One moves to acquire the tech behind its travel portal and hires key teams, signaling a shift that leaves the once-hyped OTA struggling for relevance amid slowing growth and changing industry dynamics.
TripAdvisor Lost the Plot — and Now 20% of Its Staff
TripAdvisor is laying off 20% of its staff as it pivots toward experiences and AI, but years of overmonetization and declining trust mean the platform’s bid for relevance may already be too late.
![[Aggregator] Downloaded image for imported item #2418](https://hawaiihotelhui.com/wp-content/uploads/image-503x282.jpg)
Sonder Went Bust. Marriott Went Missing
Sonder’s collapse was predictable, Marriott’s mishandling wasn’t. The failed SPAC burned through cash, dissolved 7,700 licensed rooms, and left guests stranded, exposing major cracks in Marriott’s due diligence and partnership strategy.
K-Shaped Recovery Joins the HHH Dictionary
Travel’s “K-shaped recovery” is here, premium airlines and luxury spend are booming while midscale hotels and budget travelers pull back, splitting the industry between those climbing and those sliding.
Wyndham Solves Loyalty by Charging for It
Wyndham launches a $95/year “Rewards Insider” subscription, part hotel perks, part travel club, joining IHG and Outrigger in the pay-to-play loyalty trend as brands chase recurring revenue and new ways to keep guests engaged.
