• The Living Landscape

When a Destination Upgrades: The Hospitality Playbook for Construction Seasons & Big Openings

We’re used to seeing “Pardon Our Progress” signs inside hotels. But when an entire destination upgrades—roads, lifts, resorts, attractions—the same principle applies at a much larger scale. Here’s what that season teaches about modern hospitality.

A Familiar Sign — Just Bigger

If you’ve stayed in a hotel undergoing renovation, you’ve seen the sign:

Pardon Our Progress.

• A closed hallway.
• A relocated breakfast room.
• A little daytime noise.

Most guests understand:

This place is investing in itself.

Now zoom out.

What happens when it’s not one hotel renovating—but an entire destination?

In 2026, both the Smoky Mountains region and Branson are in that moment.

Infrastructure First: The Smokies and the Spur

In Sevier County and along the gateway into Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a safety-focused project is underway on the Gatlinburg Spur.

This heavily traveled corridor is receiving long-term improvements designed to enhance safety and traffic flow.

For visitors, that may mean:

• Lane shifts
• Slower travel
• Adjusted arrival routines

For hospitality professionals, it means something else:

• Clarity
• Reassurance
• Leadership

Just as a hotel renovation requires thoughtful hosting, destination-scale upgrades demand stronger communication and guest guidance.

Reimagining Arrival: The Crystal Express

At Anakeesta, Spring 2026 brings the launch of The Crystal Express.

This new scenic lift, with panoramic cabins and glass flooring, transforms the ascent into part of the experience.

Instead of simply transporting guests uphill, it turns arrival into anticipation.

The shift is subtle but powerful:

• Town gives way to treetop.
• Elevation becomes emotional.
• The journey becomes intentional.

Like a redesigned hotel lobby that changes first impressions, The Crystal Express reshapes how visitors enter the Smokies.

Big Openings, Big Expectations: NightFlight

At Dollywood, the upcoming NightFlight Expedition (anticipated Spring 2026) represents another leap in experience design.

Blending storytelling and motion, it reflects a broader trend: destinations embracing their identity rather than copying others.

Here, the Smokies’ relationship with night—cool air, shifting light, changing sounds—becomes narrative inspiration.

Big openings bring:

• Excitement
• Larger crowds
• Heightened expectations
• Operational pressure

And that’s when hospitality skill becomes visible.

Branson’s Next Chapter: Growth With Intention

In Branson, redevelopment and expansion signal confidence in the region’s future.

The Gretna Road / Town & Country redevelopment plan is reshaping a key corridor and redefining how visitors move through the city.

Meanwhile, Silver Dollar City is developing a new resort, targeting a late-2026 opening.

This isn’t just more rooms.

It means:

• Longer stays
• Deeper engagement
• Integrated park-to-lodging experience
• Stronger regional positioning

A new resort changes traffic patterns, staffing needs, and visitor rhythms. It’s “Pardon Our Progress” at destination scale.

The Hospitality Playbook

How Great Teams Navigate Upgrade Seasons

Upgrade seasons reveal the difference between service and hospitality. Here’s the playbook:

1. Name Reality Clearly. Guests don’t mind change as much as uncertainty. Clear communication about timelines, detours, or openings builds trust. Transparency lowers stress.
2. Offer Alternatives, Not Apologies. Instead of saying, “Sorry about the delay,” great teams say: “Here’s the best arrival window.” “Here’s the easiest route.” “Here’s how to make today smooth.” Guidance replaces inconvenience.
3. Protect the Emotional Tone. Guests look to staff for cues. If teams remain calm and confident, guests follow. Upgrade seasons test emotional leadership more than operational skill.
4. Coordinate Across Departments. Construction affects everyone: front desk, transportation, food & beverage, attractions, maintenance. Successful destinations operate as one ecosystem.
5. Celebrate the Outcome. Big openings—like NightFlight or a new resort—aren’t just operational milestones. They’re community milestones. When hospitality professionals frame change as growth, guests feel part of something evolving—not disrupted by it.

Why This Matters for Students

For students participating in intercultural exchange and hospitality roles, this season offers practical lessons:

• Managing expectations
• Communicating across cultures
• Staying calm under pressure
• Supporting safety initiatives
• Adapting to change

If you can deliver confident hospitality when routines are shifting, you can do it anywhere. Upgrade seasons are masterclasses.

The Bigger Picture

Destinations invest when they believe in their future. In the Smokies and Branson, 2026 reflects optimism:

• Safer infrastructure
• More immersive arrivals
• New storytelling experiences
• Expanded lodging
• Renewed corridors

It’s the same message as that sign in the lobby—just larger: Pardon Our Progress. We’re building something better.