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1. Airlines to cut flights amid fuel price increases
Executives from American Airlines, United Airlines and Southwest Airlines all announced plans to scale back flight schedules as increasing fuel prices due to the Iran War are affecting their bottom lines, Reuters reports.
The changes so far are constrained to the fourth quarter, but executives said if fuel prices remain high, there will be changes made to 2027 schedules, too.
"We are not flying to maximize market share. We're flying to maximize profitability and free cash generation," United's Chief Financial Officer Michael Leskinen said at a Morgan Stanley conference.
2. Hoteliers weigh impact of US interest rate hike
For the first time in three years, the U.S. Federal Reserve has raised interest rates, increasing by 0.25 percentage points from 3.75% to 4%. The reactions from hoteliers were mixed, CoStar News' Bryan Wroten reports, with some acknowledging the potential blow to deal activity and renovation costs and others seeing opportunity with the Fed's action.
“I think raising rates is the right move for the Fed right now,” said Greg Friedman, managing principal and CEO of Peachtree Group. “Paradoxically, that could actually help bring long-term rates down by showing the bond market the Fed is serious about inflation.”
3. Report finds recovery indicators for midscale brands
According to Colliers' U.S. Hospitality Brand Performance Comparison Report that focused on the first half of the year, while luxury hotel brands continued their outperformance, midscale brands started to see some signs of recovery with occupancy growth improving and supply pressures easing.
Beyond luxury, experience-driven brands — such as Atwell Suites, Kimpton, LXR Hotels & Resorts and The Unbound Collection by Hyatt — saw double-digit growth. The full report cites data from brands' 2026 filings.
4. Banyan Group to acquire Newmark
Singapore-based global hospitality company Banyan Group has bought a majority stake in Cape Town-headquartered hospitality management company Newmark Hotels & Reserves. According to a news release, Banyan Group's stake is part of a "phased ownership structure leading to full ownership over time." Through the deal, Newmark joins as a collection brand and folds in its 26-hotel portfolio into Banyan Group's now nearly 130-hotel portfolio.
"Over nearly two decades, Newmark has built its business through strong teams, trusted owner and partner relationships and a portfolio where each property retains its own identity," said Neil Markovitz, founder and CEO of Newmark Hotels & Reserves. "Joining Banyan Group gives us greater international reach and access to a wider network of expertise while retaining what has made Newmark successful. It also gives us greater scope to introduce travelers around the world to the destinations and experiences across our portfolio."
5. Retail sales in US grow in August
The U.S. Commerce Department report Wednesday was stronger than economists expected, according to Reuters, with retail sales increasing 1.2% in August and core retail sales jumping 1.4% — the largest gain since September 2024. Economists polled by Reuters predicted a 0.8% rebound after a previously reported 0.6% drop in July.
"The pace of underlying consumer spending looks to be advancing at a healthy rate," said James McCann, senior economist at Edward Jones. "This should help provide some reassurance around the resilience of the U.S. economy in the face of increasing short-term headwinds to growth, including higher interest rates, a renewed spike in oil prices, trade disruptions and waning support from tax cuts."