Hospitality & Leisure

Changsha County – – September 30, 2026 -- The Fifth Changsha Tourism Development Conference opened in Changsha County, Hunan Province, on September 29, with organizers reporting that tourist arrivals and total tourism spending in Changsha doubled in 2025 compared with 2021.

Inbound tourist spending rose more than 40 percent year on year in 2025

The conference disclosed that spending by inbound visitors to Changsha increased by over 40 percent in 2025 versus the prior year, a marker of accelerating international tourism recovery in the city.

Lisbon – September 30, 2026 -- SOFTSWISS has released its 2027 iGaming Trends report, drawing on a survey of more than 500 industry experts and analysis of over 480,000 media headlines to map the sector's regulatory, technological and competitive trajectory.

Fifth anniversary edition adds cross-sector benchmarking against e-commerce and crypto

Marking five years of publication, this edition introduces a new "Beyond iGaming" framework comparing the industry against e-commerce, sports, film, gaming, streaming, e-pharma and crypto on metrics including market size, growth rate, regulatory maturity and digital adoption.

Las Vegas – September 30, 2026 -- IGT has secured a deal to install its IGT ADVANTAGE X casino management system at Soboba Casino Resort in San Jacinto, California, following a competitive bidding process.

Soboba retains Everi FinTech during systems transition

Soboba Casino Resort will continue using Everi FinTech alongside the new IGT platform, pairing the two providers to reduce friction in player transactions and payouts.

Deployment includes Service Window and jackpot automation tools

Beyond the core CMS, Soboba will roll out a Service Window gaming experience powered by IGT's M5 solution, the Lucky Coin Bonus feature, and the Taxable Accrual module, which automates jackpot hand pays.

"An IGT ADVANTAGE X-powered gaming floor enables Soboba Casino Resort to deepen player connections, modernize patron flows, and scale our operations for future opportunities," said Jason Cozart, Soboba Casino Resort General Manager.

Kohler, Wisconsin -- Kohler, Wisconsin will host the No Tees Tour on October 1, 2026, staging a head-to-head short-game competition at The Baths of Blackwolf Run beginning at 5:00 p.m. CT.

Kohler becomes one of four host destinations for the emerging golf format

The resort will provide luxury accommodations for the competing field while its facilities at The Baths of Blackwolf Run host the tour's signature short-game showdowns. Thirty-two professional golfers, athletes, entertainers and digital creators will compete in the event, which is open to resort guests.

Tyler, Texas – September 29, 2026 -- Nobel Golf has closed on 100% ownership of Hollytree Country Club, a private club in Tyler, Texas established in 1983, taking over an 18-hole championship golf course, tennis and pickleball facilities, dining and pool amenities.

Multiphase renovation targets deferred maintenance

The new ownership has launched a multiphase renovation plan addressing significant deferred maintenance, including repairs to the golf course irrigation system, replacement of non-operational maintenance equipment, and modernization of pool facilities.

Nobel Golf plans AI investment for member experience

Das Nobel, CEO of Nobel Golf, said the acquisition centers on strategic investment in AI technology to enhance member experiences while modernizing amenities and preserving the club's traditions.

Plymouth – September 29, 2026 -- Haynes, a Massachusetts- and Rhode Island-based construction management firm, will begin a multi-level renovation of Hotel 1620, a boutique waterfront hotel in Plymouth operated by Linchris Hotel Corporation, starting in early November.

Renovation spans lobby, guestroom floors and hotel amenities

The scope includes a new main lobby and reception area, an adjoining work lounge, micro market, pub, pre-function corridor and public restrooms. On the first floor, Haynes will renovate the indoor pool cabana, event room, adjacent fitness corridor and additional restrooms. Work on the third and fourth floors will extend to elevator lobbies, carrying the design through the hotel's guestroom levels.

Memphis – September 29, 2026 -- Titan Fitness has launched Titan Fitness Commercial, a new division targeting organizations that build or upgrade strength training facilities, backing its equipment with a 10-year warranty on steel frames.

New commercial lineup targets high-traffic facility demands

The division introduces commercial-grade plate-loaded and selectorized strength machines, racks, benches, free weights and equipment storage engineered for heavy daily use. Titan Fitness Commercial will serve athletic performance facilities, schools, government facilities, commercial gyms, hotels and residential fitness centers.

Hollywood, Fla. – September 29, 2026 -- Hard Rock International was named Land-Based Operator of the Year at the 2026 Global Gaming Awards Americas in Las Vegas, marking the company's third win in this category. A panel of 100 senior industry executives determined the winners, with the voting process independently adjudicated by KPMG US.

Judges cite Canada and California expansions as key growth drivers

The award recognized Hard Rock's operational performance over the past 12 months, including the opening of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa, the company's first fully integrated resort in Canada. Judges also pointed to continued progress at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon in Kern County, California, which completed Phase One of development in November 2025 and includes 150,000 square feet of gaming space located 90 minutes north of Los Angeles.

Las Vegas – September 29, 2026 -- UrVenue has won the 2027 Global Gaming Business Gaming & Technology Award for Best Consumer Service Technology, recognizing its Venue Management Software that converts hotel and casino amenities into bookable, revenue-generating inventory. The award will be presented during Global Gaming Expo (G2E), running Sept. 28 through Oct. 1 at The Venetian Expo in Las Vegas.

San Francisco – – September 29, 2026 -- U.S. restaurant and foodservice sales are projected to hit a record $1.55 trillion this year, a 4.8% increase from 2025, according to the National Restaurant Association, as OpenTable releases its first U.S. Restaurant Impact Report quantifying the sector's economic ripple effects. Dining at OpenTable restaurants rose 11% year-over-year, with average per-person spend up 3% to $60, based on OpenTable data covering July 2025 through June 2026.

Restaurant meals trigger $138 in additional nearby spending

60% of diners spend money at neighboring businesses before or after a meal, averaging $138 per visit, per a Ripple Research survey of 1,501 U.S. consumers conducted July 28–August 4, 2026. That figure climbs to $171 for Gen Z diners and $158 for Millennials, pointing to generational differences in local economic contribution.