Regulatory and Legal Affairs - 10 Minutes News for Hoteliers - Page 24

2 min

Brisbane Airport achieves new global…

✈️ Brisbane Airport, in June 2025, became the world's first airport to complete IATA's new global security program assessment. The Security Management Systems (SeMS) certification included a full audit focused on governance, resource management, threat management, and more. Brisbane Airport handles 24 million passengers annually and aims to align with global standards ahead of the 2032 Olympics. The certification ceremony took place in Geneva, highlighting its commitment to proactive and innovative security practices.

1 min

Cotswold inn The Horse and Groom sold for £1.5m

🏠 The Horse and Groom, a 16th-century inn located in Upper Oddington, has been sold for £1.5 million to an unnamed buyer.

Overtourism: when destinations play the tax is right

💸 Barcelona is intensifying efforts to combat overtourism. Starting this year, the tourist tax will be €3.40 per night in 4-star establishments and €2 in other lodging types. By 2029, this tax will reach €8 per night. Additionally, cruise passengers stopping for less than 24 hours in the Catalan region will face a €12 fee, up from €7. These measures aim to preserve local ecosystems and improve resident quality of life.

1 min

eDreams ODIGEO denounces Google’s ‘blatant’…

📈 eDreams ODIGEO criticizes Google-parent Alphabet Inc for not complying with the Digital Markets Act (DMA) in Europe, 17 months after the obligations took effect. Google continues harmful practices, affecting millions of European businesses and consumers. Despite preliminary findings of breach, the European Commission has not made a final enforcement decision. eDreams calls for immediate action, urging the Commission to enforce a zero-tolerance policy to protect the European digital ecosystem and uphold the DMA.

4 min

Inside the Fraud Economy: Evolving Cyber Threats in Hospitality

Nearly half of Americans plan leisure trips in summer 2025, raising cybercrime risks in hospitality. Cybercriminals exploit guest Wi-Fi, property management systems, and loyalty programs. Fraud-as-a-service on the dark web targets hotel bookings, offering up to 70% discounts using stolen data. Tactics include mimicking legitimate businesses and phishing hospitality staff. Industry leaders must adopt real-time threat intelligence sharing, behavioral analytics, and mobile-specific controls as standard practices to combat these threats.

Amex GBT and CWT merger clears key hurdle

💰 Jul 31, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice dropped its lawsuit against the $570 million merger of American Express Global Business Travel and CWT. The merger, set to close in Q3, will create a $45.5 billion industry leader, doubling BCD Travel's $23 billion sales. Despite the UK’s CMA approval, antitrust concerns persist about price increases and reduced innovation. Amex GBT argues that competition remains strong from tech-driven and traditional agencies. Independent companies criticize the merger’s potential oligopolistic effects.

Global business travel spending to hit $1.57 trillion in 2025

🛫 Jul 31, 2025: Global business travel spending expected to reach $1.57 trillion, growing at 6.6% in 2025 amidst trade tensions and economic uncertainty. By 2029, spending should surpass $2 trillion. The U.S. leads with $395.4 billion, trailed by China at $373.1 billion. Fast growth seen in India, South Korea, and Turkey, while Spain and the Netherlands lag. Average trip spending hits $1,128. Payment trends show 69% corporate card access, 64% mobile wallet use, especially in Asia Pacific.

3 min

Mindful AI Integration: Cendyn President Discusses AI-Enabled CRM Approaches

💻 Cendyn, a 30-year-old hospitality solutions provider, is advancing AI-enabled analysis to enhance hotel marketing. In March, they enhanced business intelligence, aiming to integrate their platforms by next year. Their partnerships include Loyalty Juggernaut in May and Knowland last October, focusing on loyalty systems and MICE bookings. Cendyn balances AI's rapid evolution with cautious deployment, addressing data privacy laws like GDPR and CCPA. By 2030, Microsoft predicts over 90% of code will be AI-written.

1 min

Irish Hotels Federation challenges govt’s VAT cost cut estimate

🏨 The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) disputes claims that lowering the hospitality VAT rate would cost the state €1 billion annually. ????

2 min

Deadline extended: Hotels have until 29 August to join collective action against Booking.com

🏨 On 30 July 2025, HOTREC announced an extension of the registration deadline for a legal action against Booking.com to 29 August 2025. Over 10,000 hotels across Europe have already joined the initiative to claim compensation for financial losses due to Booking.com’s illegal "best price" clauses, as ruled by the European Court of Justice on 19 September 2024. The action, supported by HOTREC and 30 national hotel associations, is free and risk-free for all eligible hotels.

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