Hospitality, Travel & Events

Las Vegas -- IGT has appointed Adam Chibib as Chief Financial Officer effective September 18, 2026, subject to regulatory approvals, succeeding Fabio Celadon in a leadership transition tied to the gaming technology firm's push for stronger cash flow and operating discipline.

Chibib arrives with a track record of six successful exits across public and private equity-backed companies

Most recently CFO of Raptor Technologies, which Warburg Pincus acquired in January 2026 after the company's transformation under Thoma Bravo and JMI Equity ownership, Chibib brings more than three decades of financial and operational leadership. His earlier roles include financial leadership positions at Self Financial, NetSpend and several technology companies.

Cancún, Mexico – September 18, 2026 -- Sunset World Group will launch a formal partnership with recycling non-profit ECOCE on September 18, 2026, to align its hotel operations with Mexico's Circular Economy Law.

Sunset World Group commits to circular economy standards across its hotel portfolio

The agreement targets the integration of processes that meet the principles and standards set by the Circular Economy Law, covering resource use, waste reduction, and reintroduction of materials into production cycles. Sunset World Group operates six hotels across Cancun and Playa del Carmen.

Stockholm – – September 18, 2026 -- Sweden's regulated online gambling market generated an estimated €2.5 billion in annual revenue, with operators facing a 22% tax on gross gaming revenue (GGR), according to Bettingbladet's newly released Swedish Online Gambling Market Report H1 2026. The report tracks operator performance, supplier market shares, payment methods and return-to-player (RTP) levels across Sweden's licensed market during the first half of the year.

London – – September 18, 2026 -- Travel + Leisure, a People Inc. brand, will host its sold-out World's Best Summit outside New York for the first time, staging the two-day B2B event at The Dorchester in London on October 27-28, 2026.

Sold-out event marks first international expansion beyond three annual New York editions

The London edition, curated by Travel + Leisure editor in chief Jacqueline Gifford, will bring together travel executives, advisors, and industry leaders to discuss media and AI, hospitality design, and luxury travel trends. The venue, Dorchester Collection's flagship property, recently underwent a renovation.

Abu Dhabi – September 18, 2026 -- Miral will invest more than AED 12 billion in Yas Island over the next five years, funding new attractions, expanded theme parks and additional hotel capacity across the Abu Dhabi destination.

Investment targets attraction expansion and hospitality growth

The capital will support new immersive rides and experiences at existing theme parks, alongside enhancements designed to meet shifting visitor expectations. Miral also plans to grow Yas Island's hotel room inventory and upgrade its accommodation portfolio as part of the five-year pipeline.

Spending sits outside the previously announced Disney project

The AED 12 billion commitment is separate from Miral's earlier announced Disney development on Yas Island, representing an additional layer of investment rather than a consolidation of existing plans.

Paradise Valley, Ariz. – – September 18, 2026 -- Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa has transitioned to independent local ownership under a joint partnership between Berger Holdings and RJ Hospitality, backing a multi-year, multi-million-dollar renovation across all 110 accommodations starting in Summer 2027.

New owners commit multi-year capital plan touching every guest room by September 2027

The renovation, designed by architecture firm Hart+Howerton, will refresh all 110 guest rooms and casitas beginning Summer 2027, with a target completion date of September 2027. A second phase in 2028 will focus on upgrades to the resort's culinary outlets and its Sanctuary Spa.

Marshall, Texas – September 18, 2026 -- Nomadar Corp. (NASDAQ: NOMA) has signed a definitive agreement to acquire a majority interest in Fox Soccer Academy (FSA), a youth soccer organization serving approximately 2,100 players across the United States, United Kingdom and Austria.

Deal expands Nomadar's footprint across four countries

FSA operates programs in New York, North Carolina, the U.K. and Austria, co-founded by former Premier League champion Christian Fuchs and executive Raluca Gold-Fuchs. The acquisition is expected to close in the coming weeks, pending customary closing conditions and final transaction structuring.

Fort Worth – September 17, 2026 -- BODYBAR Pilates completed the largest reformer Pilates class on record in the United States, gathering 100 participants on 100 reformers in Frisco, Texas, and raising $10,000 for the Foundation for Women's Cancer.

Franchise stages record-setting class tied to two milestones

The 50-minute session, held Sunday, September 13, coincided with the 100th anniversary of Pilates and BODYBAR's own 100th studio opening. The event took place during BODYBAR's annual franchise conference at the Omni Frisco Hotel at The Star and included franchise owners, instructors and media from across the brand's network.

Kamille McCollum, BODYBAR's Chief Brand Officer, President and Co-Founder, led the class alongside a team of certified instructors. She said the event exceeded expectations and reflected the growth of both the Pilates discipline and the franchise's community.

Ajman, UAE – September 17, 2026 -- The Ajman Department of Tourism, Culture and Media will participate in Arabian Travel Market 2026, running September 14-17 at the Dubai World Trade Centre under the theme 'Travel 2040: Driving New Frontiers Through Innovation and Technology.'

Fifteen tourism entities join Ajman's stand at Dubai trade event

The emirate's pavilion will feature 15 participating organizations spanning hospitality, wellness and travel services, including Ajman Saray (a Luxury Collection Resort), Al Zorah Beach Resort, Fairmont Ajman, Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel, Dusit Ajman Resort & Villas, Wyndham Garden Hotel and Radisson Blu Hotel. Additional participants include Zarya Wellness Spa Management Company FZE, Ewan Ajman Suites Hotel, Ajman Chamber, Bronz Tourism, MUSANDAM ADVENTURE Travel, Arabian Oryx Travel and Tourism LLC, Flash Horizon and Rida International Tourism & Travel.

Newark, Del. – September 17, 2026 -- Xanh Entertainment Inc. is pursuing a $2.5 million seed funding round to scale EscapeSquid, its platform linking virtual stationary cycling with fitness studios, local events and destination travel.

Xanh Entertainment targets $2.5 million to build fitness-to-travel infrastructure

John Phung, Founder and CEO of Xanh Entertainment Inc., said the proposed seed round is intended to fund technology development and partnerships across fitness, hospitality and travel sectors. The capital would support a model designed to move participants from at-home virtual rides into studio classes, local experiences, regional events and destination travel.