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1. Stock market falls ahead of 'Liberation Day'
Another round of tariffs are expected to go into effect on Wednesday, a day President Donald Trump has called "Liberation Day" because the United States will be freed of its reliance on foreign goods, the Associated Press reports. Trump has not yet released any details on the so-called “reciprocal” tariffs he plans to impose nor has he identified any specific countries he's targeting.
After months of a volatile market amid the series of tariff announcements, this week began with "markets swinging wildly," per the AP. On Tuesday before the bell, futures for the S&P 500 dropped 0.5%, and 0.6% for the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Nasdaq futures also dropped 0.5%.
Trump did identify specifics on one tariff that is set to go into effect Wednesday — a 25% tax on "all imports from any country that buys oil or gas from Venezuela," as well as tariffs on Venezuela itself. The U.S. is among the list of countries that buys oil and gas from Venezuela.
Thursday is when Trump's 25% tariff on auto imports will begin, but it is expected to expand to auto parts in the following weeks.
2. Europeans to avoid US this summer
Travel from Europe to the U.S. is expected to decrease, with one hotel executive estimating that drop to be 25% this summer. Accor's CEO Sébastien Bazin told Bloomberg that he sees a “pretty strong deceleration” in European travel to the country in light of Trump's immigration policies. He pointed to other regions — Canada, South America of Egypt — as being more attractive.
Bazin said bookings from Europe to the U.S. is down 25% for this summer, which has grown from an 18% to 20% decline in the first 90 days of the year. He also called the region an "unknown territory" that has created a “bad buzz” that's leaked into the travel industry.
3. Global relations dominate talks at European hotel forum
Reporting from the first day of the International Hotel Investment Forum EMEA, HNN's Bryan Wroten and Terence Baker recapped the day's discussions, which focused largely on how tensions between the U.S. and its allies could dampen travel expectations for the remainder of the year.
“Global linkages have been on a downward trend in the 2020s, with a stronger decline since 2022. … Deteriorating geopolitical alignment is driving deglobalization,” said Alexander Börsch, chief economist and head of research at Deloitte Germany.
Experts at the conference advised hoteliers to focus on supply chains and guest demand amid these daunting global economic trends.
4. Google launches AI-powered hotel booking tool
After years of allowing users to track flights and their prices, Google is rolling out a tool to do the same thing with hotels. Just like with the flights, users can specify dates and regions and save the search to track prices ahead of their trip. The new feature is rolling out this week, TechCrunch reports.
Another travel-related tool set to debut is Google Search’s AI Overviews. This tool, which summarizes results at the top of the page, is expected to provide trip recommendations, which then can be added to an itinerary the user can later export. Google will also allow users to save screenshots and search within the image for locations.
5. Historic Colorado hotel to be renovated, added to Hilton brand
A 100-year-old hotel in downtown Boulder, Colorado, that was acquired by Nashville, Tennessee-based AJ Capital Partners for an undisclosed price in December has revealed its plans for its new era. The Hotel Boulderado will undergo a revitalization process supported by longtime owners Frank and Gina Day, who bought the property in 1980, the Denver Business Journal reported.
After renovations, the hotel, which will keep its name, will join the Graduate by Hilton collection, a brand that was founded by AJ Capital Partners in 2014 and acquired by Hilton in 2024. The construction is expected to begin this year and be completed in spring of 2026.
“The Boulderado is more than a hotel — it’s the pride of the city, an iconic part of Boulder’s distinct character and charm,” said Ben Weprin, founder of Graduate Hotels and CEO of AJ Capital Partners. “We are thrilled and honored to partner with the Days, who have been passionate stewards of this beloved property for over four decades. Together, we look forward to honoring The Boulderado’s unmistakable spirit, celebrating its history, and introducing thoughtful touches that will elevate the guest experience for generations to come.”