Market Trends

👨 Bashar Wali, CEO of Practice Hospitality, has stayed at 249 New York City hotels and numerous others globally, never repeating a stay to better understand the guest experience. He critiques the hotel industry's reliance on shock and awe tactics, emphasizing the importance of meaningful gestures and emotional connections over points-based loyalty programs. He highlights a personal experience at W Hotel Bangkok, where personalized teddy bears created a memorable moment. Wali encourages the hospitality industry to shift from transactional service to creating memorable, emotionally resonant experiences, comparing hotels to theater where the staff's performance is key to leaving a lasting impression on guests.

🖤 REM, a furniture manufacturer for over a century, caters to the Salon, Beauty Spa, and now the Hotel and Hospitality sectors. They focus on high-quality, aesthetically pleasing, and durable furnishings like massage tables and Pedispas. Their Design Team prioritizes trends, sustainability, ergonomics, and materials. REM's environmentally-friendly product line, REM Earth, targets eco-conscious consumers. For custom-designed spa furniture that integrates comfort and ergonomics, REM collaborates with hospitality businesses. Contact at [email protected] or visit www.rem-earth.co.uk.

🍴 Bret Thorn, Senior Food & Beverage Editor for Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality, guides F&B trends reporting since joining in 1999. Hosts "In the Kitchen with Bret Thorn" podcast. Wrote for The New York Sun (2005-2008), and in Thailand for Manager magazine and Asia Times (1995-1997). Magna cum laude graduate of Tufts University (1990), studied at Le Cordon Bleu (1986), and reported for ABC News during the Tiananmen Square protests (1989). His column won the 2006 Jesse H. Neal Award. Inducted into the Disciples d’Escoffier (2014). Contact: [email protected]; Social media: LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter (@foodwriterdiary), Instagram (@foodwriterdiary).

🏨 Paradise Resort Gold Coast achieved an average upsell per reservation of A$139 using Mews. Hostellerie Cèdre & Spa increased revenue by €14k+ in less than a month. Old Stocks Inn saw an 8% ADR increase within two months. Green Hotels attained an 18% direct booking conversion rate. The Julius, Prague, generated over €55k from parking in the first half of 2023. GuestHouse Hotels earns €9,000/month through upselling. All benefited from Mews Hospitality Cloud's automated solutions for rate management, upselling, secure payments, and direct bookings.

🔔 U.S. Leisure & Hospitality sector added 8 million jobs since April 2020, reaching 16.9 million employed by April 2024, yet travel industry unemployment remains at 6%. Over 1 million job openings were reported in Accommodation in May 2024, despite a 7% decline in accommodation employees since March 2019, contrasting a 16% increase in room revenue. Between 2019 and 2024, hotel industry employees decreased by 7%, hourly salary rose by 32% (from $17.98 to $23.76), and room revenue grew by 16% (from $167.9B to $195.5B).

🏦 The EU's Action Plan on Skills and Labour shortages, adopted on 20 March 2024, addresses labour and skills gaps in Member States, especially post-pandemic in sectors like hospitality. It includes five policy areas: activating underrepresented groups, supporting skills and education alignment, improving work conditions, promoting intra-EU mobility, and attracting non-EU talent. European Year of Skills saw over 2000 events, the Pact for Skills reaching 2500 members, and campaigns touching 69 million via social media. The tourism sector can utilize funds like the €99 billion European Social Fund Plus (2021-2027), the Recovery and Resilience Facility with 13% budget for education/training until 2026, and the €26.2 billion Erasmus+ program.

📅 On September 18, 2024, an article titled "What's Changed in Hospitality Since The Ritz-Carlton Was Founded - Horst Schulze" was published, exploring the transformations in the hospitality industry since the establishment of The Ritz-Carlton. The article includes links to listen to the podcast on platforms such as Apple Podcasts and Spotify, as well as featured and recent episodes about hospitality leadership and innovation. The footer features a logo linking to the Hospitality Daily podcast.

📅 On September 15, 2024, an article featuring a meeting with Horst Schulze, the creator of The Ritz-Carlton and Capella, was highlighted. The story, shared by Josiah Mackenzie, can be found on a podcast platform offering various episodes from experts in the hospitality industry. Listeners can tune in through platforms such as Apple Podcasts and Spotify. The article also provides a sidebar featuring categories like "Featured Episodes" and "Recent Episodes," with titles ranging from leadership lessons to innovative technology in hospitality.

🍴 Nuri Steakhouse opened on August 20, 2023, in Dallas' Uptown, with a $20 million design and buildout cost. The 9,500 square foot venue offers seating for 150 inside and 50 outside. Wan Kim, Smoothie King’s global CEO, introduced the steakhouse presenting a menu that blends steakhouse classics with Korean flavors, designed by culinary director Minji Kim and executive chef Mario Hernandez. It also features a wine cellar with 750 labels and 6,000 bottles, curated by master sommelier Barbara Werley.

🏠 Bedruthan Hotel & Spa offers a unique stay overlooking Mawgan Porth beach, with rooms equipped with Hypnos beds ensuring a restful sleep. Hypnos, with over 120 years of experience, caters to diverse hospitality needs and has partnered with Bedruthan to enhance guest comfort. The hotel features adaptable guestrooms with beds and sofa beds. Hypnos will showcase at the Independent Hotel Show, Olympia, on 15-16 October, and at HIX, Business Design Centre, on 27-28 November.