Is the massive blaze at Heathrow Airport top of mind for you this week? Same here—the airport’s chief executive has just shared the latest updates. Feeling the chill from government spending freezes hitting your event? You’re not alone. Thinking about the Caribbean for your next meeting or incentive? We’ve got fresh data on the region’s tourism performance and what it means for planners.
As always, Smart Travel is here to bring you the latest must-read news in the travel and tourism industry.
Fire Forces Heathrow Airport Closure, Severely Disrupting Travel
Some flights out of Heathrow Airport are set to resume travel following a massive fire that caused a power outage at one of the world’s busiest airports. Tens of thousands of passengers experienced travel disruption during an incident Heathrow’s chief executive, Thomas Woldbye, called “unprecedented.”
Woldbye also said that he expects the airport to be operating at 100 percent by Saturday, but many travelers will continue to feel the impact of the fire throughout the weekend. The blaze began at the North Hyde electricity substation, with the London Fire Brigade arriving on the scene around 6:30 a.m. local time on Friday.
While no immediate evidence of foul play was discovered, Britain’s counterterrorism police are now leading an investigation of the incident due to questions about the security measures in place to protect citizens and travelers from severe impacts on critical national infrastructure. London’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, assured the public that the presence of counterterrorism officers is routine when such a major incident has occurred, and that there was “no reason at all for anyone to be concerned or alarmed.”
Travel Freeze on Department of Defense Civilian Employees Impacts Convention Attendance
The Department of Defense has ordered all civilian employees to cancel any upcoming travel “that is not in direct support of military operations, not for a permanent change of station and not otherwise deemed exempt as mission-critical by a DoD component head,” the Defense Travel Management Office said.
The 30-day travel ban was imposed as an executive order issued on February 26 and was accompanied by a freeze of civilian employees’ travel credit cards unless their travel has been certified as exempt. The White House also directly addressed upcoming events employees were scheduled to attend, issuing a statement that reads, “[Federal agency heads] shall prohibit agency employees from engaging in federally funded travel for conferences or other nonessential purposes.”
Earlier this month, United CEO Scott Kirby spoke at the J.P. Morgan 2025 Industrials Conference and addressed the overall impact on government travel, saying that the 2 to 3% of the carrier’s business from the U.S. government is “running down about 50% right now. So [that’s] a pretty material impact in the short term…And we’ve had some bleed over to the domestic leisure market.”
Sandals Resorts International Consulting with Banks for a Sale
Sandals Resorts International may be up for sale, according to a recent report from The Wall Street Journal, which notes the company is working with financial advisors to evaluate its options. The potential deal could be valued between $6 billion and $7 billion, though sources say a final decision has yet to be made—and Sandals has declined to comment on the speculation.
This isn’t the first time the luxury all-inclusive brand has explored a sale. In 2017, Sandals engaged Deutsche Bank to consider its options.
Founded in 1981 by the late Gordon “Butch” Stewart, Sandals has grown into a powerhouse in Caribbean hospitality, with 17 adults-only resorts and three family-focused Beaches properties across destinations such as Jamaica, Turks and Caicos, the Bahamas and St. Lucia. Since Stewart’s passing in 2021, his son Adam Stewart has led the company as executive chairman, spearheading a strategic expansion and brand refresh—including a nearly $1 billion investment to grow the Beaches portfolio.
The potential sale comes amid a wave of activity in the all-inclusive space, with increasing demand drawing attention from major players. Hyatt, for example, recently announced plans to acquire Playa Hotels & Resorts for approximately $2.6 billion, including debt.
For meeting profs, a change in ownership could shape future offerings and experiences at Sandals’ sought-after group and incentive destinations. Stay tuned as this story develops.
Mabrian Joins Forces with WTTC to Advance Data-Driven Tourism Growth
Travel intelligence platform Mabrian has signed a strategic partnership with the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), positioning itself as a new Knowledge Partner to the global tourism organization. The collaboration, which also includes The Data Appeal Company – Almawave Group, aims to bolster the sustainable growth of travel through deeper, data-led insights.
Under the agreement, WTTC will gain access to Mabrian and The Data Appeal Company’s rich travel intelligence databases, offering comprehensive insights into air connectivity, traveler sentiment, demand profiling, accommodation supply and more. The data will inform WTTC’s research, policy development and thought leadership initiatives.
“Data-driven insights are critical to the sustainable growth of the Travel and Tourism sector,” said Virginia Messina, WTTC’s senior vice president of advocacy & communications. “We are delighted to welcome Mabrian as a Knowledge Partner and look forward to leveraging their expertise, as well as The Data Appeal Company’s, to enhance our research and advocacy efforts.”
Mirko Lalli, CEO at The Data Appeal Company, added, “Joining this partnership with WTTC is a significant step in our mission to empower the travel and tourism sector with data-driven insights…and drive more sustainable tourism development worldwide.”
The agreement was formalized at ITB Berlin, further cementing Mabrian’s long-standing relationship with WTTC.
CHTA Report Highlights Caribbean Tourism’s Growth and Optimism for 2025
The Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) has released its annual Caribbean Tourism Industry Performance & 2025 Outlook Report, offering a promising view of the region’s travel sector despite ongoing challenges. Based on a survey of tourism businesses across 20 Caribbean destinations, the report details a year of revenue growth, increased investment and expanding visitor markets.
Read More: The Caribbean: Crystalline Dreams
While high operating costs, labor shortages and profitability concerns persist, most businesses still reported profits in 2024—signaling resilience and continued optimism.
Key 2024 Findings:
- Revenue Gains Despite Rising Costs: 65% of businesses raised room rates to offset expenses, with 57% also reporting increased food and beverage revenue.
- Hiring on the Rise, but Skills Gap Remains: 47% expanded their workforce in 2024, and 36% plan to hire in 2025. Still, 73% reported challenges finding specialized staff like chefs and engineers.
- Capital Investment Trends: 62% increased capital spending, with tax incentives playing a crucial role. Of those using incentives, over half said the projects wouldn’t have been feasible otherwise.
- Market Growth: The U.S. continues to lead as the primary source market, with notable gains from the U.K., Canada and the Caribbean.
- Profit Pressure: One-third of businesses reported a net loss, mainly due to surging costs. A striking 87% cited increased operating expenses, with more than half saying those increases outpaced inflation.
Looking to 2025, confidence is high—98% of respondents are optimistic about the year ahead. Businesses plan to continue investing in infrastructure, workforce development and destination marketing to keep pace with growing demand.
“The Caribbean tourism industry continues to show incredible resilience and adaptability,” said Vanessa Ledesma, CHTA CEO. “Even with rising costs and global uncertainties, the region remains one of the world’s top travel destinations, thanks to strategic investments and a strong commitment to growth.”
