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1. A look at the arduous task of leaving the Middle East
With major airports across the Middle East largely shut down, Reuters reports on how travelers stranded across the region are anxiously trying to get on flights that actually take off to get home.
The news agency reports travelers stuck in hotels are regularly updating each other on the few flights that are leaving the region and their travel options.
"The biggest decision is whether we stay put or try to cross a land border," American travel blogger Deirdre Amola told the news outlet while stranded in Dubai. "Then it's: Where should I even try to fly?"
2. An unexpected economic stimulus: tariff refunds
Tariff uncertainty has largely been a bad thing for markets, but there are now signs that Wall Street is seeing some optimism over hopes that $180 billion in tariff refunds could be on the way due to a recent court ruling, NPR reports.
Some hedge funds are now offering to buy importers' tariff refund claims, offering a smaller payment to the sellers in exchange for taking on the risk and work of getting the claims paid.
A federal judge specifically ruled Wednesday that companies are entitled to refunds, clarifying an earlier Supreme Court ruling that invalidated President Donald Trump's widespread tariffs, CBS News reports.
3. Remington focused on controlling costs, international expansion
Expanding their markets and contracting their costs are the top goals in 2026 for Remington Hospitality, Chief Operating Officer Jason Kreul told CoStar News' Natalie Harms.
Kreul is among a wave of new leaders at the Dallas-based third-party hotel manager, and he said he's keenly interested in the opportunity the company has in the Caribbean and Latin America.
"From a growth standpoint, we've been leaning in heavily to the Caribbean-Latin America market, and we've had some great opportunities that have come our way there," he said. "We've delivered great results for a lot of different owners, and there's still a lot more opportunity for great operators in the Caribbean and Latin America, and we just need to continue to capitalize on those opportunities."
4. China projects lowest growth target in decades
While a gross domestic product growth rate of 4.5% to 5% would be robust for most countries, China's projection of that number is sending international waves due to the fact it's their lowest growth target since 1991, BBC reports.
The country is in the midst of reshaping its economy due to "weak consumption, a shrinking population, an ongoing property crisis, global trade tensions and an energy crunch due to the Iran war," the news agency reports.
5. Indian hotels rely on 'experience economy'
India has been regularly described as the biggest international opportunity for hotel companies, and concerts and events have been the biggest global driver of travel. Reuters takes a look at how those two things are intersecting, with more artists adding stops in India to their international tours.
"Coldplay has changed the game by coming to India," said Vijay Dewan, managing director of Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels, said. "Concerts are going to be very helpful in terms of improving occupancies."