Hospitality & Leisure

New York – October 14, 2026 -- CSTS Enterprises, a New York-based sports, entertainment, integrated media and travel technology group, has appointed Professor Robert Li, who heads the School of Hotel and Tourism Management at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) Business School, to its Advisory Board.

Li will advise CSTS on sports tourism and hospitality innovation

Li will provide strategic guidance on sports tourism, hospitality innovation and the broader experience economy. CSTS is expanding its international footprint and developing new hospitality products, partnerships and experiences for clients, destinations and global audiences.

Group CEO and Executive Director Abel Zhao called Li "one of the most respected voices in global tourism and hospitality."

Ljubljana – October 14, 2026 -- Bilateral goods trade between Serbia and Slovenia reached approximately US$2.04 billion in 2025, according to the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia, and EXPO 2027 Belgrade is using that base to recruit Slovenian tourism and business partners.

Visit Serbia event opens ticket sales to travel partners

The Visit Serbia B2B Networking event takes place on 15 October 2026 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the InterContinental Ljubljana. It is part of the EXPO 2027 Belgrade international roadshow. The programme introduces the exhibition, officially launches ticket sales for travel partners and includes B2B networking in tourism and business.

Slovenia's pavilion concept will be presented, and the two sides will sign a Memorandum of Cooperation.

LONDON – October 13, 2026 -- Corvex Management, Whitbread's largest active shareholder with c.6.4% of ordinary shares, is urging investors to back its resolution to elect Partner James Gemmel to the board as the hotel group commits to a further c.£2.5bn of capital expenditure.

Corvex holds an economic interest of approximately 7% in Whitbread PLC. The fund manager responded to the company's interim results, saying they do not change its core concerns about capital allocation.

Corvex says record capex is funded by record sale-and-leasebacks

Whitbread is guiding to all-time high capital expenditure this year, according to Corvex. The investor says the spending is funded by all-time high sale-and-leasebacks. It also notes that pre-tax profit has fallen and that UK gilt yields sit near two-decade highs.

Corvex acknowledged RevPAR strength across the portfolio, but said the results leave its position unchanged.

Kohler – October 13, 2026 -- Kohler Co. has appointed Nina Kohler Chief Executive Officer – Hospitality, effective immediately, to run a portfolio across Kohler, Wisconsin; St. Andrews, Scotland; Green Bay, Wisconsin; and Chicago, Illinois. She takes charge of strategy, growth, talent and guest experience as the company advances a multi-year investment in its flagship Wisconsin destination.

Kohler Hospitality reports record results in 2024 and 2025

The company reported consecutive years of record performance in 2024 and 2025. For the past four years, Nina Kohler worked as a consultant and strategic advisor to Kohler Hospitality, advising its leadership team on strategy, brand positioning, design and guest experience. Her work, according to the company, shaped the business's long-term direction and modernization, building on its championship golf reputation while developing wellness, dining and year-round recreation.

Vancouver, Wash. – October 13, 2026 -- Shoot 360 has set a goal of 200 locations open or in development across Asia by 2030, after opening its eighth international site in Quezon City, Manila, on September 17, 2026.

The Manila debut brings the technology-powered basketball training franchise to eight international locations across five countries: Canada, the Republic of Georgia, Japan, the Philippines and Taiwan.

Japan and the Philippines each expected to add at least two locations within a year

Shoot 360's Asia master franchisee is leading the regional expansion. Hong Kong, Indonesia and Thailand are among the markets targeted for future development.

Asia CEO Sean Cheng said development opportunities are now progressing in China, Indonesia, South Korea, Singapore and Thailand. He described the model as a basketball community built around technology and coaching, serving young players, returning adults and families.

Newport Beach – October 13, 2026 -- Pilates Addiction has sold more than 350 licenses across 27 states, with 40 studios open in 12 states and another 75 scheduled to launch through early 2027.

Franchisor shifts from license sales to studio openings

The brand is entering its largest wave of openings to date, just over a year into its national expansion. It is moving from rapid franchise sales to opening studios at scale, supported by systems that guide owners through real estate, training, pre-opening marketing and launch.

New locations are planned across Texas, California, Florida, Nevada, New Jersey, Michigan, Ohio and Georgia. Target markets include Dallas, Austin, San Francisco, Denver and Las Vegas.

CEO Sarah Luna said the 350-license milestone matters less than the next phase, adding that "this fall will set the pace for what's ahead."

Los Angeles – October 13, 2026 -- Culinary & Cannabis, the nurse-founded experience company that has hosted more than 120 events for over 2,900 guests across nine cities, is relaunching as Savor & Solace, a wellness hospitality brand built around culinary discovery, cannabis education and restorative self-care.

The new brand debuts in Los Angeles with three events at The Resort at Playa Vista: Savor & Solace Table on November 5, and The Canna Spa by Savor & Solace and Savor & Solace Sessions on November 7. All events are open to guests aged 21 and over.

Singapore – October 13, 2026 -- YYForce Inc. (NASDAQ: YFOR) projects approximately 10% lower monthly operating costs from a planned service-robot rollout across Novotel Singapore on Stevens and Mercure Singapore on Stevens, a 772-room precinct. The figure comes from a pre-deployment comparison; deployment has not yet begun, and actual costs, productivity and guest-service outcomes will be assessed after rollout.

Cost model covers housekeeping, concierge and F&B, including robot costs

The 10% estimate applies only to selected housekeeping, concierge and food and beverage operations, and the model includes the cost of the robots themselves. A separate planning assumption estimates a potential 5% cut in rooms-department overtime costs. The two estimates use different bases and do not add up to a combined saving. Both depend on the model's cost scope, operating coverage and service assumptions.

Austin – – October 13, 2026 -- Sweatpals has become the Official Event Platform of HYROX365 and an Official Partner of North America, giving HYROX's network of 20,000 affiliate gyms a tool to run and monetize local training events between races.

The deal also makes Sweatpals Official Title Partner of HYROX Miami. The race will be branded Sweatpals HYROX Miami Beach 2027.

Sweatpals deploys a white-label platform inside the HYROX Performance HUB

Sweatpals will supply a white-label solution integrated into the HYROX365 ecosystem. Affiliate gyms can create, promote and manage HYROX training simulations, training events and open gym sessions. Bookings, day passes, payments and member acquisition are handled end-to-end on the platform.

Singapore – October 13, 2026 -- PHAL has launched PHAL OS, which it describes as the world's first Total Hotel agentic AI solution, and has confirmed a third mandate from a Top 10 global hotel group that selected the Singapore firm for an initial proof of concept.

PHAL secures third client mandate within six months

The new client, a Top 10 global hotel group, remains confidential, as with PHAL's earlier engagements. PHAL's inaugural client, also a Top 10 global hotel group, has proved three projects and is scaling to further bespoke builds, with the first solutions ready for production.

A globally recognised luxury operator has signed a Letter of Intent and is progressing to its next steps. CEO and Founder Saurabh Prakash said that three of the world's most significant hotel groups have trusted PHAL within six months.