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1. Trump’s North American tariff takeback and China’s response
After announcing a 25% tariff on Mexico and Canada to go into effect today, U.S. President Donald Trump agreed to delay the execution of the taxes for 30 days while his administration continues conversations with the two countries’ leaders.
However, the 10% tariff on China did officially begin this week. Chinese officials responded with their own 15% tariff on coal and liquefied natural gas products, plus a 10% tariff on crude oil, agricultural machinery and large-engine cars. China’s tariffs on the United States are planned to take effect on Feb. 10, the Associated Press reports.
John Gong, a professor at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, told the AP that it was a “measured” response. Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to meet with Trump in the coming days.
“I don’t think [China] want[s] the trade war escalating,” Gong said. “And they see this example from Canada and Mexico and probably they are hoping for the same thing.”
Among China’s biggest imports to the U.S. are electronics, appliances and furniture, clothing and textiles, and car parts.
2. Indian hotel company gets greenlight for IPO
Brigade Hotel Ventures is seeking to go public and pull in 9 billion Indian rupees ($103.3 million), HNN's Terence Baker reports. According to The Hindu Business Line, the Securities & Exchange Board of India approved the planned IPO on Tuesday.
Founded in 2004, Brigade Hotel Ventures is fully owned by Bangalore/Bengaluru-based conglomerate Brigade Enterprises. The company has nine hotels in operation with six being developed. Its latest hotel is a joint venture with Accor, the 130-room Ibis Styles Mysuru, which opened in August.
It’s just the latest planned IPO since the National Stock Index of India launched the Nifty India Tourism Index in June.
3. Hotels embrace ‘analog travel’ and sleep tourism
What’s new in hotel wellness? According to experts, it’s about in-room features, expanded spa hours and offerings, elevated experiences and more. Guests more than ever are looking to unplug when they travel and embrace the joy of missing out, as well as optimize their sleep during their stays.
“Analog wellness is this idea of a slow travel,” TJ Abrams, vice president of global well-being at Hyatt Hotels, told HNN. “With the Instagram culture and us being so connected to our phone, we're finding that more and more people are looking for tricks that allow them to actually be present and to like truly be immersed at a deeper level.”
Hotel spas should also be broadening their strategies for 2025 to accommodate evening appointments and guests who want to use the facilities — such as saunas or hydrotherapies — if they can’t secure services amid the labor shortage.
4. Long-standing hotel next to White House secures owner
The Georgetown Company, the developer currently working on Georgetown-area Four Season residences, plans to acquire a long-standing hotel in downtown Washington, D.C., Axios reports. Previously known as the Hotel Harrington, the White House-adjacent spot held the title of D.C.’s longest continually operating hotel before shuttering in 2023.
"It is exceedingly rare that a building offering so many flexible redevelopment options becomes available in this phenomenal location," Georgetown Company managing director Peter Armstrong said in a statement. "This is a blank canvas with multiple options we are considering to help build the future of downtown."
While the deal’s value isn’t disclosed, the Washington Business Journal previously reported the hotel’s assessment value as $25.4 million.
5. Former boy band heartthrob to open Florida hotel
The 150-room Hyatt Place Cape Canaveral is slated to open later this month, with former Backstreet Boys member Howie Dorough — known as Howie D — backing up the development team, Florida Today reported.
A key feature of the new spot is the Altitude360 Sky Bar & Observation Deck, which offers stellar views of rocket launches taking off at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station or Kennedy Space Center.
"I think it's going to be a focal point. Lots of people will be coming, especially to see the rockets take off or the cruise ships. It's just going to be something very different for the area that I think is going to really make people be like, 'Wow. This is something cool here, because we have all these great visuals,'" Dorough said.
The hotel is set to open Feb. 20 and hotel reservations kick off March 1.