Otelier and Avalara have launched a two-way integration to help hotel finance teams manage lodging and sales tax obligations. The system transfers daily revenue summaries and tax exemption details to Avalara for tax return preparation and filing. It also flags differences between verified tax rates and those applied in a hotel's property management system, allowing teams to correct errors before filing. A new process requires staff to record a reason for each tax-exempt line item. The integration is designed to reduce manual work and tax errors for hotel groups operating across multiple jurisdictions. Read more

International visitors spent $19.9 billion in the United States in August 2026, down 5% from the same month last year, according to National Travel and Tourism Office data. Spending on lodging, dining, recreation, shopping, and other travel-related services fell nearly 9%, putting pressure on sectors that depend on inbound tourism. International visitors spent about $10.8 billion on these activities, compared with $11.8 billion a year earlier. Education, medical tourism, and short-term worker spending rose more than 3%, offering some support. For hotel operators, the figures point to weaker international visitor spending, although they do not establish whether fewer visitors or lower spending per visitor drove the decline. Read more

Sonesta has launched its F1RST Meetings Collection, bringing together 25 hotels under its Royal Sonesta and Sonesta Hotels & Resorts brands. The portfolio offers a combined 500,000 square feet of event space across major markets, including Chicago, San Francisco, Washington, DC, and Toronto. Designed for mid-sized and multi-city events, the collection gives meeting planners one point of coordination across participating properties. Hotels offer flexible event spaces and packages, while eligible planners can earn two Sonesta Travel Pass points for every dollar spent. The program aims to make event planning easier for organizations that need consistent service across several destinations. Read more.

Five Iron Golf has introduced Five Iron Lounge, a licensing platform that lets hotels, casinos, resorts, bars, and entertainment venues add branded indoor golf experiences without opening a full-scale golf facility. The offering includes simulator technology, space planning, interior design, and guidance on the guest experience. BrewDog, owned by Tilray Brands, is the first licensing partner, with an initial lounge planned for its Las Vegas location. The smaller format can range from a few simulator bays to a dedicated golf lounge. The move gives hospitality operators another way to attract guests and build entertainment offerings around food, drinks, and social activities. Read more

The United States will mark 200 years of commercial passenger rail travel in 2027, bringing renewed attention to scenic train routes, historic stations, and railway-themed stays. Travelers can explore the Rocky Mountains aboard the California Zephyr or follow parts of Route 66 via Amtrak's Southwest Chief. The anniversary will also feature heritage train rides, museum programs, and restored railway properties. Hotels housed in former stations and converted train carriages offer guests a way to extend the experience beyond the journey itself. For hospitality businesses, the anniversary could create opportunities to attract rail travelers through themed stays, local partnerships, and packages built around scenic routes. Read more

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