Latest news: Global unrest tops concerns; Frasers adds 18 in APAC; trade in London

Global unrest tops concerns. Geopolitical anxiety has eclipsed the economy as the top barrier to travel, according to new Travel Weekly reader survey. In a pivot from the trends that closed out 2025, 72% of advisors report that clients are hesitant to book due to global conflict, outstripping concerns over rising travel costs by a wide margin. The March survey found that the category of geopolitical unrest, conflicts and wars overtook others that had ranked higher in previous surveys — including the economy and the rising price of travel — for the first time since readers were posed the question last summer. The next-highest concern was the rising price of travel, cited by 55.2%.

Frasers adding 18 in APAC. Frasers Hospitality, a business unit of Singapore-based Frasers Property, plans to open 18 new serviced and hotel residences across Asia by 2028. The expansion pipeline is anchored by a new Fraser Suites flagship in Bangkok, set to open in the second half of 2026. Frasers Hospitality has secured six new signings across Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, China and Japan. Two of these properties are expected to open this year, bringing the total to seven new serviced and hotel residences scheduled across Asia.

Leonardo acquires in London. Leonardo Hotels has acquired the 272-key Hotel Saint in Aldgate, London, from an affiliate of Cerberus Capital Management for £130 million. The hotel, which has been operated by Highgate Hospitality, will be rebranded as Leonardo Hotel London Aldgate. This will be Leonardo’s 11th property in London.

Trump library could include hotel. President Donald Trump said his planned presidential library in downtown Miami will likely have a hotel component. The waterfront project was unveiled earlier this week. Asked by a reporter about the scope of the skyscraper, Trump said it would most likely be “a hotel with a beautiful building underneath, and a 747 Air Force One in the lobby.” He added that the project could also include office space. The president said that construction on the project would not begin until he leaves office.

Newcrest rebrands in Dallas. The 296-key Hotel Mockingbird opened in March after renovations and a rebrand. It is now part of Marriott’s Tribute Portfolio after a renovation and rebranding. The property was acquired in October 2024 by Dallas-based NewcrestImage and is managed by Coury Hospitality.

$20.5M loan in Alabama. Chattanooga, Tennessee-based ViaNova Development has secured a $20.5 million bridge loan to help open the 112-key Hotel Indigo in Huntsville, Alabama. The hotel is expected to open in the next few weeks. Delray Beach, Florida-based Forman Capital financed the transaction.

Braemar extends with Ashford. Dallas-based REIT Braemar Hotels & Resorts has extended its agreement with its external advisor, Dallas-based Ashford, Inc., for an additional ten years. The extended term will begin on January 24, 2027 and run through January 24, 2037, with all existing terms remaining in effect. Braemar announced last year that it was putting itself up for sale and said Ashford would accept a $480 million termination fee under its advisory agreement.