The White House and Republicans in Congress have reached a deal to raise the debt ceiling, agreeing to about $1 trillion in cuts over the next 10 years to lower the deficit and prevent the first government default in U.S. history.

HSBC plans global layoffs as banks sells 195 U.S. branches to First Niagara for $1 billion.

PBS plans to launch a digital TV channel in the U.K. as network's president talks it up to TV critics.

Airbnb sees another crime victim come forward as suspect is arrested in first incident.

Alibaba resolves dispute with Yahoo.

Apple's Taiwan vendor FoxConn to replace workers with robots, while iPhone rises, iPad tops tablet brand survey for customer satisfaction, and iPod sinks.Continue reading...

Hilton Hotels & Resorts, vying to be considered the global leader in hospitality, has developed “a tailored experience for Chinese travelers that takes its name from the Chinese word for 'welcome.'”

Beginning in August, Chinese travelers will find the Huanying program in place  at 30 Hilton properties including San Francisco, New York, Hawaii, Vancouver, London, Tokyo and Sydney.  

It’s all part of a global outreach by the world's top hotel brands as increasing numbers of tourists from mainland China join the global travel market as hotels compete for their business.

"Chinese travel is going to provide one of the great opportunities that we'll ever see in the business," said Hilton CEO Chris Nassetta.Continue reading...

While the global economic recovery may be meager, hotels chains are anxious to move on and drive up occupancy rates. That's why two of the top chains, Marriott International and Hilton Worldwide, are pursuing new initiatives to convince upscale travelers to stay at their high-end properties.

Marriott is forming "strategic partnerships" with other brands to create "a deeper luxury guest experience." The company said it will work with Aromatherapy Associates, auction house Christie's, nutritionist Keri Glassman, international vintner Treasury Wine Estates, and Tumi, makers of travel luggage, eyewear and accessories.

In partnership with Christie's, for example, its Grosvenor House in London, a JW Marriott Hotel, is hosting a unique photographic exhibition this month — Beatles Illuminated: The Discovered Works of Mike Mitchell — which brought out celebrities such as Sienna Miller to the preview of never-before-seen photographs of the Beatles’ first hysteria-inducing trip to America in 1964.

Marriott will marshal these partners specifically to enhance its JW Marriott hotel brand, which is a notch below Marriott's ritzy Ritz-Carlton, but ranks above Marriott hotels. Mitzi Gaskins, VP of JW Marriott, admitted to the New York Times that there is "some confusion" between JW Marriott and Marriott.Continue reading...

American Idol viewers crowned a new winner: Scotty McCreery.

AT&T expands 4G network.

Ashton Kutcher invests in Airbnb, his biggest social investment to date.

Carven, the French fashion brand, mulls possible IPO.

China widens lead in renewable energy ranking.

Diageo reorganizes business units.

DoubleTree by Hilton launches year-long global rebranding.

Facebook's Zuckerberg says movies, TV and music are next social frontiers as site announces music service with Spotify.Continue reading...

John Vanderslice is Hilton Worldwide's global head of luxury and lifestyle brands, which means the Conrad and Waldorf Astoria hotel brands.

He's also the host of The Luxury Manifesto, a new web video series that will run online and on the Facebook pages for Conrad and Waldorf Astoria to highlight Hilton's corporate commitment to the luxury sector through conversations with other luxury brand leaders.Continue reading...

It's a given that frequent traveler loyalty programs pitch points for hotel stays and airline flights, right? Well, Hilton Worldwide is shaking up that convention with its new rebranding of the Hilton HHonors loyalty program.

Using the theme, "A World of Experiences Worth Sharing," Hilton HHonors is now promoting (particularly on its Facebook page, above) the memorable experiences travelers have rather than focusing on earning points or miles.Continue reading...

"Instead of providing gamers with better and more immersive alternatives to reality, I want all of us to be become responsible for providing the world with a better and more immersive reality.” That’s the theme of Jane McGonigal’s TED Talk, above.

Games are a serious business, projected to grow from $100 million this year to $1.6 billion in 2015, according to M2 Research. That's why brands are getting on board, and not just as a marketing tool.Continue reading...

Global brands respond with relief efforts for Japan.

Adidas kicks off biggest-ever campaign on March 16th.

Amazon tops survey of brand value perception.

BMW relies on X-3 and 6 Series for profit growth.

BYD may prove a terrible bet for Warren Buffett.

Disney tries to learn from failure of Mars Needs Moms. 

Facebook takes aim at Groupon, which also faces competition from Gowalla.Continue reading...