Chicago increases hotel taxes to finance tourism marketing efforts for Choose Chicago
Chicago Increases Hotel Taxes Amid Tourism Push Just when things in Chicago seemed like they couldn’t get any more bizarre, a new development has surfaced. The city is set to raise hotel taxes in an effort to boost tourism. Ordinance 2026-0022544 aims to take hotel taxes from 17.5% to 19%, with the extra funds directed […]
Citi ThankYou Reduces Value of Hotel Points Transfers (Choice Privileges & I Prefer)
Citi ThankYou has informed its members that point transfers to two of its partners will be diminished in the upcoming weeks. I think it’s likely that many won’t be pleased about this change. Citi ThankYou Adjusts Transfer Values for Choice Privileges and I Prefer Starting April 19, 2026, there will be updates to the point […]
Chicago increases hotel tax for tourists to 19% to enhance tourism marketing budget
Chicago City Council Approves Increase in Tourism Tax The Chicago City Council has decided to raise tourism taxes, aiming to boost marketing programs for tourists. Specifically, an ordinance has been voted on that raises the lodging tax for hotels in the area from 17.5% to 19%. This figure includes various city, county, and state taxes. […]
New York City signs a $1.86 billion, three-year deal to provide hotel accommodations for the homeless.
New York City’s Major Shelter Contract Signed Mayor Zoran Mamdani’s administration has inked a new contract worth nearly $1.9 billion with the hotel sector to furnish emergency shelter for homeless families over the next three years. This substantial deal, totaling $1.86 billion, arrives despite the city seeing a decline in the immigration crisis that previously […]
Four hurt in Dubai hotel fire following alleged Iranian attack
Four individuals sustained injuries when a fire erupted at a hotel in Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah area, amidst reports of loud explosions linked to retaliatory strikes from the Iranian regime in the region. The Dubai Media Office, a government entity, declared on Saturday that they had secured the area and put out the fire. “The safety […]
Fire breaks out at luxury Dubai hotel Fairmont The Palm as Iran launches retaliatory strikes
On Saturday, Iran launched missile strikes targeting a Middle Eastern nation in response to airstrikes by the US and Israel, leading to significant fires in tourist areas of Dubai. The Fairmont hotel on Palm Jumeirah, famous for its luxury accommodations, appeared to be in chaos, with videos and images shared widely online. Reports indicate that […]
Roosevelt Hotel in Pakistan received $146 million in funds from migrants and now has a tax debt of $13.6 million.
The Pakistani government is once again causing issues for New York City taxpayers. Having spent $146.6 million to convert the Roosevelt Hotel into an immigrant shelter over the past two years, the Pakistani-owned property is now leaving the city with $13.6 million in unpaid property taxes and almost $1 million in overdue water bills. Even […]
Hotel workers in New York City prepare for a possible strike during the FIFA World Cup.
Potential Strike by NYC Hotel Unions During FIFA World Cup New York City’s influential hotel unions are gearing up for a potential strike if a new contract isn’t secured before the FIFA World Cup. This situation could significantly impact an event that’s anticipated to attract millions of visitors and bring a considerable economic boost to […]
Brave off-duty ICE officers spring into action to rescue 4-year-old boy submerged for 5 minutes in hotel pool
ICE Officers Save Boy from Drowning In a remarkable act of bravery, two off-duty Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers rescued a 4-year-old boy who was nearly drowned in a hotel pool in Minnesota. According to reports, the officers were enjoying lunch when a frantic mother urgently sought help for her son. A statement from […]
Cocaine used to be served like room service at the Gramercy Park Hotel in New York City.
The Gramercy Park Hotel: A Rock ‘n’ Roll Legacy It all began with David Bowie in February 1973. Too ostentatious for some of the more esteemed hotels, Bowie landed at the Gramercy Park Hotel, decked out in a kimono and sporting his fiery red mullet. He was in New York to perform at Radio City […]