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1. US unemployment claims fall week over week
The number of U.S. applications for unemployment benefits fell by 13,000 in the week ending Dec. 13. Around 224,000 applications were submitted that week, according to the Labor Department, compared to the previous week's 237,000.
ABC News reports that falls in the "historically healthy range" compared to the past few years but is more than analysts’ forecast of 200,000 new applications. According to the report, the four-week average of claims rose by 500 to 217,500.
2. UK, Japan announce interest rate changes
The Bank of England cut interest rates on Thursday by a quarter point, to 3.75 percent as inflation reportedly slowed more than economists expected, the New York Times reports. The bank had previously held rates due to concerns about persistent high inflation.
“We’ve passed the recent peak in inflation and it has continued to fall, so we have cut interest rates for the sixth time” in the past year and a half, Andrew Bailey, the governor of the bank, said in a statement.
Meanwhile, The Bank of Japan increased its benchmark interest rate to 0.75 percent, which falls far below rates in other major economies. However, "it is the highest level in Japan — which for decades has used near-zero rates to battle deflation — since 1995," according to the New York Times.
3. Hotels to serve up tasty food, beverage trends
In its annual Culinary and Cocktail Trend Forecast, IHG Hotels & Resorts' Kimpton brand revealed its in-house experts' predictions of the ingredients and strategies that will define food and beverage in 2026, CoStar News' Trevor Simpson reports.
“As guests seek deeper connections through what they eat and drink, we’re seeing a shift toward experiences that engage every sense. Cocktails, beverage programs and food menus have become storytelling platforms — expressions of place, culture, and creativity," Katherine Wojcik, director of programs and partnerships at IHG Hotels & Resorts, said in a news release. "Our chefs and bartenders blend global inspiration with local character to craft drinks and dishes that surprise, delight and invite conversation. It’s not about chasing trends — it’s about leading with authenticity, artistry, and a touch of play."
4. Canada sees hotel performance declines for the first time since April
Canada's record hotel performance year has tempered with the country's first year-over-year declines in occupancy and revenue per available room since April, according to November 2025 data from CoStar. The dips follow a historically strong summer with August bringing in the highest occupancy for any month since August of 2014, according to CoStar News.
In November, Canada hotels saw a 1% drop to 61.6% occupancy, as well as a 1% decline in RevPAR to 120.79 Canadian dollars ($87.75). Average daily rate was flat at 195.94 Canadian dollars.
5. 2026 hotel openings to keep an eye on
Condé Nast Traveller revealed next year's most buzz-worthy hotel openings. The list, which is organized by destination, includes over 30 hotels across the globe — from Texas and South Carolina to Japan and Australia.
"With the new year comes new opportunities, and 2026 is shaping up to be an unforgettable moment for hotels — from new boutique brands entering the chat, to luxury stalwarts expanding into bold new territories," according to the article.