Travel & Hospitality · Week of Oct 26, 2026
Resorts book headliners and holiday programs: the week in travel
Resorts and casinos booked headline entertainment and seasonal programming for winter and 2027, while destinations pitched city and holiday getaways.
Live entertainment anchored by resort operators was the clearest thread this week. MGM Resorts International says Rafael Nadal will headline "The MGM Slam Presented by Capital One" on Feb. 28, 2027 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, and Yaamava' Resort & Casino at San Manuel says Latin rock band Maná will play an exclusive 2027 U.S. residency there in spring and fall.
Seasonal programming was the other common theme. Vail Resorts describes its largest investment in food to date across 15 ski resorts, and The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort released a holiday calendar running from Christmas through New Year's. North Dakota Tourism Division and Kansas City's Historic West Bottoms District promoted city visits and a November event weekend. Separately, Brightstar Lottery reported a Canadian launch of its Cash Pop game, and Ontario International Airport received an industry communications award.
Vail Resorts
Vail Resorts Serves Up New Culinary and Après Experiences at its World-Class Ski Resorts this Winter
Vail Resorts says its largest investment in food to date will upgrade the most popular menu items across 15 resorts this winter, with additions including the Vail Ice Bar, Park City Mountain's S'mores Sleigh, Whistler Blackcomb's Caviar and Champagne service and Breckenridge's Climb and Dine series. The program shows the operator putting dining and après offerings forward as part of its winter season.
MGM Resorts International
Tennis Legend Rafael Nadal Returns to The Court to Headline "The MGM Slam Presented by Capital One" Sunday, Feb. 28, 2027 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas
MGM Resorts International says 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal will headline "The MGM Slam Presented by Capital One" on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2027 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, with tickets on sale Friday, Oct. 30 at 10 a.m. PT. The event adds a marquee sports booking to the company's Las Vegas entertainment calendar.
Brightstar Lottery PLC
Brightstar Lottery's Cash Pop Game Launched in Canada with the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation
Brightstar Lottery PLC says Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation has launched its Cash Pop draw-based game, making OLG the first lottery jurisdiction in Canada to offer it. The launch extends the game into a new national market.
North Dakota Tourism Division
North Dakota's Unexpectedly Urban Side: Discover the Food, Art and Energy of Its Cities
North Dakota Tourism Division is promoting Fargo, Grand Forks and Bismarck-Mandan as city getaway destinations, citing independent restaurants, contemporary art and signature events. The campaign positions the state around urban travel.
Historic West Bottoms District
Bring Your Bunch for Blessings in the Bottoms, Nov. 6-8
Kansas City's Historic West Bottoms District says its Blessings in the Bottoms First Friday Weekend, Nov. 6-8, will feature vintage shopping, giveaways, frozen turkey bowling, free line dancing and fireside activities. The event is a local, pre-holiday draw for the shopping district.
Yaamava' Resort & Casino
Yaamava' Resort & Casino at San Manuel to host an Exclusive 2027 U.S. Residency with Maná
Yaamava' Resort & Casino at San Manuel in Highland, Calif., says Maná will perform a limited series of U.S. shows exclusively at the resort in spring and fall 2027. The exclusive residency gives the property a headline entertainment draw for the year.
Ontario International Airport
Ontario International Airport wins top North American honor for redesigned newsletter
Ontario International Airport says it won the top award for Newsletter Campaigns at the Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) 2026 Marketing awards for its redesigned newsletter. The recognition concerns the airport's communications work.
The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort
The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort Unveils Its 2026/27 Holiday "House Of Celebration" Calendar
The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort has released its 2026/27 "House of Celebration" holiday calendar, covering festive events and offerings from Christmas through New Year's. The calendar sets out the French Polynesia resort's peak-season programming.
This roundup is written with AI assistance from the press releases listed above, using only what they state. The releases are the companies' own announcements, not Times Beats reporting.