Market Trends

📰 Tim Harmon, founder and CEO of Palisades Hospitality Group, advocates for storytelling and spontaneity in hotel operations, emphasizing the balance between consistency and creativity in hospitality management. He highlights the need for hands-on leadership and a trust-based, empowering culture to achieve exceptional guest experiences that also deliver financial returns. Harmon stresses the significance of being present at properties to connect with their unique energy and dynamics and believes in motivating employees for financial success.

🌱 Furikake, a Japanese seasoning blend containing seaweed, sesame seeds, and dried fish, is witnessing a 36% growth on restaurant menus over four years, with a forecasted rise of 52% in the upcoming four years, according to Datassential’s Menucast. The seasoning, which appeals to Asian consumers and those interested in global flavors, is increasingly used by chefs in the United States to enhance various dishes due to its umami-rich taste and minimal cost implications for restaurants.

🎄 INNSiDE by Meliá UK offers Christmas festivities in Liverpool, Newcastle, and Manchester with a winter tea tasting event in collaboration with Bird & Blend Tea Co. On December 4th, INNSiDE Manchester and Liverpool will host hour-long sessions from 7PM, priced at £10, including nine tea flavors and discounts. Newcastle's event is on December 10th. The hotels also feature Gino D’Acampo's festive Italian menus and stays from £99 for exploring local Christmas markets.

🏦 Schweizerhof Hotel & Spa in Bern, a UNESCO heritage site, and Swissline both celebrate milestones in 2024: 165th and 35th anniversaries, respectively. The hotel introduces six Swissline treatments and a special spa package. The 500 sqm spa features a heated pool, Finnish sauna, steam room, and three treatment rooms. Treatments range from 30 to 75 minutes, focusing on skin barrier support, collagen production, and addressing inflammation. From October to December 2024, guests can enjoy the "A Moment in Time Ritual" promotional package.

🏬 Etro Home Interiors reveals its 2024 collection, merging 60s and 70s rediscovery with modern style. Furniture boasts clean lines, lacquered finishes, and up to nine color options. The Rotunda collection features sideboards and other units, complemented by the Arnica top. The Around mirror, with glossy lacquered wood and LED lighting, adds vintage elegance. Hand-tufted mohair Cherry, Cream, and Yellow Hues rugs introduce geometric motifs. The Dice collection's totemic lampshades enhance interiors with sophisticated lighting.

🎄 Pedrali collections offer design gifts for Christmas, with items like the flexible Diego side table by Jorge Pensi Design Studio, featuring an aluminum die-cast base, a trapezoidal HPL tabletop, and adaptable positioning. For plant enthusiasts, Hevea, designed by Victoria Azadinho Bocconi, is a versatile pot-holder that allows vertical arrangements. Giravolta lamps by Basaglia Rota Nodari provide 360-degree rotation, a handle, and touch control with three light intensities, enhancing festive atmospheres with their wireless design.

🏆 The Gold Service Scholarship 2025 semi-finals featured high-caliber candidates from the hospitality industry, including renowned venues like Trinity and Core by Clare Smyth. The quarter finals occurred in October at London's Langham and Hotel Café Royal, where 50 semi-finalists were chosen for the next round on November 29, 2024, at Rosewood London. The final takes place on January 13, 2025, at Corinthia London, with the award ceremony on February 10 at Claridge’s. The scholarship began in 2012.

🎨 Lily Ackerman, founder and director of Ackerman Design Studios, discussed the importance of art in hospitality for emotional connections and storytelling. The conversation highlights recent projects, collaborations with iconic and emerging artists, and practical insights on using art to enhance hospitality experiences. Lily's father, with his background in hospitality, influenced her approach, emphasizing the emotional impact of spaces. A pivotal moment in her career was the founding of Ackerman Studios, spurred by her father's illness and passing. Ackerman Studios curates art for hospitality, balancing budget, environment, and artistic integrity, aiming to make art accessible and engaging for guests and staff. Hospitality providers benefit from showcasing both renowned and emerging artists, creating a win-win situation by supporting artists' careers and enriching the guest experience. 🖼️