USTA: U.S. air travel unprepared for World Cup, Olympics
The association urges a White House-led task force for global event coordination
The U.S. is unprepared for the 2026 World Cup, to be hosted at Los Angeles’s SoFi Stadium, and 2028 Los Angeles Olympics as outdated air travel systems face strain from increased visitors, visa issues and aging infrastructure, according to a report commissioned by the U.S. Travel Association.
Vishnu Rageev R is a journalist with more than 15 years of experience in business journalism. Before joining Asian Media Group in 2022, he worked with BW Businessworld, IMAGES Group, exchange4media Group, DC Books, and Dhanam Publications in India. His coverage includes industry analysis, market trends and corporate developments, focusing on retail, real estate and hospitality. As a senior journalist with Asian Hospitality, he covers the U.S. hospitality industry. He is from Kerala, a state in South India.
US Air Travel Faces Challenges for 2026 World Cup, 2028 Olympics
THE U.S. IS unprepared for the air travel demands of the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, according to the U.S. Travel Association’s Commission on Seamless and Secure Travel. Without immediate action, the outdated system will struggle with increased visitors amid concerns over visas, aging infrastructure and inadequate security technology.
The USTA-commissioned report estimates the 2026 World Cup, 2028 Olympics and Paralympics, 2025 Ryder Cup and the U.S.’s 250th birthday celebrations could draw 40 million visitors and generate $95 billion in economic activity.
"The next several years will bring unprecedented travel demand that our systems are not prepared to handle," said Geoff Freeman, USTA’s president and CEO. "Washington has a small window to fix major travel pain points and unlock a $100 billion economic opportunity—but it will require a level of urgency that has been missing in recent years."
The U.S. will also host the 2031 Men’s Rugby World Cup, 2034 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, and annual Formula One races in Las Vegas, Miami and Austin. The report calls on the Trump administration to create a senior White House-led task force to coordinate federal efforts for upcoming global events.
USTA emphasizes the need for swift modernization of air traffic control and solutions for controller shortages, alongside security reforms outlined in the report.
Based on the Commission’s report, the U.S. Travel Association calls on Congress and the Trump administration to take four steps:
1.Establish a White House-led task force chaired by a senior official to coordinate federal efforts and maximize the impact of major global events over the next four years.
2.Streamline visa processing for the 2026 World Cup by:
Ensuring full consular staffing for visa processing.
Extending B-1/B-2 visa validity for vetted visitors by two years.
Establishing a National Vetting Service to process all visitor visas within 30 days.
Expanding the "Secure Travel Partnership" as a pathway to the Visa Waiver Program.
3.Modernize airport security screening by investing in advanced technology. Within five years, travelers should be able to carry larger liquids, keep electronics and IDs in bags, and forgo removing shoes, jackets, and belts. End the diversion of the Passenger Security Fee and increase technology funding.
4.Enhance airport border efficiency and security by:
Fully staffing CBP officers at airport customs.
Using biometrics and advanced vetting to eliminate unnecessary customs interviews for returning Americans.
Completing biometric air exit within two years to prevent overstays.
"The advancements we recommend are an opportunity for President Trump and Congress to enact the most significant improvements to air travel since TSA PreCheck, which revolutionized traveler security and screening," said Freeman. "Each of our recommendations will enhance both security and speed, ensuring travelers move efficiently through our airports."
The Commission includes former officials from the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Transportation Security Administration, and the State Department, along with private sector experts in airport management and investment.
An October report by USTA and Ipsos found that air travel hassles cause fliers to skip an average of two trips per year, leading to 27 million avoided trips, a $71 billion economic loss, and a $4.5 billion drop in tax revenue.
IHCL said reports of Taj exiting The Pierre Hotel are incorrect and misleading.
Media reported the Central Park hotel could sell for around $2 billion.
The company holds leasehold rights and continues to operate the New York hotel.
INDIAN HOTELS CO. Ltd. said media reports on Taj exiting its stake in The Pierre Hotel in New York are incorrect, misleading and speculative. In an exchange filing, IHCL stated it does not own The Pierre, but holds leasehold rights and continues to operate the hotel.
NYT reported that the board, advised by Newmark on the Pierre’s revamp, is in final talks to sell the hotel. It said that the Khashoggis, a prominent Saudi family, may provide some financing, while Dorchester, another luxury hotel chain, could manage the renovation. Dorchester is owned by the Sultanate of Brunei.
NYT said Taj defended its management of the building and proposed upgrades that would not require residents to move out.
However, IHCL called the media report speculative.
“IHCL follows the highest standards of governance and disclosure and any material information requiring it to make disclosures under the applicable regulatory requirements will be promptly disseminated by the company to the stock exchanges,” the company said.
In May, Business Line reported that IHCL’s U.S. business has recovered, with The Pierre and Campton Place in San Francisco seeing steady demand. Together, the two hotels have about 300 rooms and contribute around 10 percent of IHCL’s consolidated revenue.
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House introduces AFA to boost franchise model and hotel operations.
The act establishes a joint employer standard.
AHLA backs the bill, urging swift adoption.
THE HOUSE Of Representatives introduced the American Franchise Act, aimed at supporting the U.S. franchising sector, including 36,000 franchised hotels and 3 million workers nationwide. The American Hotel & Lodging Association, backed the bill, urging swift adoption to boost the franchise model and clarify joint employer standards.
The AFA amends the Fair Labor Standards Act and the National Labor Relations Act, which since 2015 have created uncertainty for franchisors and franchisees, AHLA said in a statement.
Rep. Kevin Hern (R-Oklahoma) and Don Davis (D-North Carolina) introduced the AFA.
“Hotel franchising is a pathway to the American Dream for many entrepreneurs,” said Rosanna Maietta, AHLA president and CEO. “It is a proven win-win business model that enables partnerships between franchisees and franchisors. The American Franchise Act codifies a clear joint employer definition and is essential to protecting this framework.”
AFA aims to protect the franchise model, which has long enabled women and minority entrepreneurs to run their own businesses with support from larger brands, the statement said. It will clarify the employment relationship by establishing a joint employer standard that protects workers and preserves franchisee autonomy.
Mitch Patel, AHLA board chair and Vision Hospitality Group CEO, said that as a hotel franchisee, he has seen how the model enabled him and others to achieve the American Dream.
“Throughout my career, my hotel business has employed thousands of people who have built lifelong careers in our industry,” he said. “The American Franchise Act is essential to preserving this foundation. For the benefit of both employers and employees, we strongly encourage the swift passage of this critical legislation.”
"As one of the few franchisees in Congress, I understand how damaging an ever-changing joint-employer rule is to the franchise business model,” said Hern. “I'm pleased that we were able to come together in a bipartisan effort to create legislation that safeguards small businesses and individuals working to achieve the American Dream across the country."
Davis said changes to joint-employer rules have created prolonged uncertainty in the industry.
“The American Franchise Act aims to restore stability by clarifying that franchisors and franchisees operate as independent employers while safeguarding workers through established labor standards,” he said.
Separately, a petition for a referendum on Los Angeles’s “Olympic Wage” ordinance, which sets a $30 minimum wage for hospitality workers by the 2028 Games, fell short of signatures. The ordinance will take effect, raising hotel wages from $22.50 to $25 next year, $27.50 in 2027 and $30 in 2028.
Noble broke ground on StudioRes Mobile Alabama at McGowin Park.
The 10th StudioRes expands Noble’s long-term accommodations platform.
Noble recently acquired 16 WoodSpring Suites properties through two portfolio transactions.
NOBLE INVESTMENT GROUP broke ground on StudioRes Mobile Alabama at McGowin Park, a retail center in Mobile, Alabama. It is Noble’s 10th property under Marriott International’s extended stay StudioRes brand.
“Noble is institutionalizing one of the most resilient and undersupplied segments at the intersection of hospitality, mobility and how people stay,” said Shah. “We are scaling a branded platform to capture secular demand that creates stable cash flow and long-term value.”
In May, Noble acquired 16 WoodSpring Suites properties through two portfolio transactions, expanding its platform in branded long-term accommodations.
Noah Silverman, Marriott International’s global development officer, U.S. & Canada, said breaking ground on the 10th StudioRes with Noble reflects the brand’s growth and the companies’ three-decade partnership.
“With both companies’ expertise in long-term accommodations, Marriott’s distribution channels, and the power of our nearly 248 million Marriott Bonvoy members, we are confident StudioRes is uniquely positioned to generate customer demand at scale, drive performance and sustain long-term growth,” he said.
Meanwhile, Marriott has more than 50 signed StudioRes projects, about half under construction, the statement said. The first StudioRes opened in Fort Myers, Florida.
Hersha Hotels & Resorts sold The Boxer Boston to Eurostars Hotels.
The company acquired the property in 2012 for $12.6 million.
The property now sold for $23.6 million.
HERSHA HOTELS & RESORTS sold The Boxer Boston, an 80-room hotel in Boston’s West End, to Eurostars Hotels, part of Spain’s Grupo Hotusa. The company, which reportedly acquired the property in 2012 for $12.6 million, received $23.6 million for it.
The seven-story hotel, built in 1904, is near TD Garden, the Charles River Esplanade, One Congress, North Station and Massachusetts General Hospital, said JLL Hotels & Hospitality, which brokered the sale. It also has a fitness center.
Hersha Hotels & Resorts is part of the Hersha Group, founded in 1984 by Hasu Shah. Jay Shah serves as senior advisor and his brother Neil Shah is president and CEO.
JLL Managing Director Alan Suzuki, Senior Director Matthew Enright and Associate Emily Zhang represented the seller.
"The Boxer’s prime location at the crossroads of Boston's West End, North End and Downtown districts, combined with its strong cash flow and its unencumbered status regarding brand and management, made this an exceptionally attractive investment," said Suzuki. "Boston continues to demonstrate resilient lodging fundamentals driven by its diverse demand generators, including world-class educational institutions, medical facilities, corporate presence and convention and leisure attractions."
The property will become the Spanish hotel chain Eurostars’ fifth U.S. hotel, supporting the group’s North American expansion, the statement said.
Amancio López Seijas, president of Grupo Hotusa and Eurostars Hotels Co., said the addition of Eurostars’ The Boxer strengthens the company’s presence in key locations and promotes urban tourism.
Peachtree recognized by Inc. and the Atlanta Business Chronicle.
Named to the 2025 Inc. 5000 list for the third year.
Chronicle’s Pacesetter Awards recognize metro Atlanta’s fastest-growing companies.
PEACHTREE GROUP ENTERED the 2025 Inc. 5000 list for the third consecutive year. The company also won the Atlanta Business Chronicle Pacesetter Awards as one of the city’s fastest-growing private companies.
The Inc. 5000 list provides a data-driven look at independent businesses with sustained success nationwide, while the Business Chronicle’s Pacesetter Awards recognize metro Atlanta’s fastest-growing privately held companies, Peachtree said in a statement.
“We are in the business of identifying and capitalizing on mispriced risk, and in today’s environment of disruption and dislocation, that has created strong tailwinds for our growth,” said Greg Friedman, managing principal and CEO. “These recognitions validate our ability to execute in complex markets, and we see significant opportunity ahead as we continue to scale our platform.”
The Atlanta-based investment firm, led by Friedman; Jatin Desai, managing principal and CFO and Mitul Patel, principal, oversees a diversified portfolio of more than $8 billion.