Market Trends

🏨 Saudi Arabia has made a strategic move to boost its hospitality sector by waiving hotel licensing fees. This bold initiative is expected to stimulate growth in hotel offerings, although the article does not specify the effective date or the duration of this fee waiver. There are no specific numbers, statistical data, or other factual information provided regarding the impact of this policy change. The article image was uploaded in October 2024 but lacks further context or details. Author: Debiprasad Sarangi, associated with @Hotelogix.

📋 In a recent podcast, Adam Zembrowski, an operations leader and hotel investor, discussed systemic issues in the hospitality industry that impact innovation and staffing. Despite wage increases from $10 to $15, employees still need multiple jobs to make ends meet. Zembrowski criticized nonprofit organizations for being ineffective in supporting hotel workers and emphasized the disconnect between industry executives and front-line staff. He highlighted the need for hospitality leaders to connect with the next generation and recommended DECA, a high school program promoting business skills, as a way to engage and mentor youth. His perspective challenges the industry to adopt a more abundant mindset and prioritize genuine progress over maintaining the status quo.

🍴 Holy Basil Market, designed by Weiszblüth & Brown, is a compact Thai restaurant in Los Angeles with a second location in Atwater Village. Occupying just 90 square feet, it boasts 16 seats, emulating the feel of a bustling Bangkok street market. The space features stainless steel counters, small chairs, stools, and flexible tables with vinyl-wrapped tops displaying food imagery. Red baskets are used for storage and can be rearranged as table bases or extra stools. Additional seating is available outside under a neon sign.

🎼 New York-based Gachot Studios redesigned The Metropolitan Opera's patrons lounge, the Keebler J Straz Lounge, at Lincoln Center. The 1,861-square-foot space features textured wallpaper, black granite, brass accents, and furniture from Roche Bobois customized for all ages. The studio, founded in 2012, took inspiration from the original designer Billy Baldwin. The project included Elle Décor magazine collaboration and was photographed by William Jess Laird.

🏨 In the week of September 22-28, 2024, U.S. hotel industry showed year-over-year growth: Occupancy rose to 68.4% (a 2.6% increase), the Average Daily Rate (ADR) reached $170.24 (7.5% up), and Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) climbed to $116.50 (10.2% higher). New York City led the Top 25 Markets with the highest upticks: Occupancy soared by 11.4% to 93.2%, ADR jumped 52.8% to $523.69, and RevPAR grew 70.1% to $488.32, influenced by the United Nations General Assembly. Meanwhile, San Francisco faced a RevPAR decline of 17.6% ($177.81), and Nashville saw a 5.5% drop ($136.06). Effects of Hurricane Helene on southeast markets are still to be assessed.

🏨 On October 4, 2024, Jennifer Clay, Vice President of Hotel Operations at Appellation, discussed the importance of hotel design in guest immersion and operational leadership. Key points included hotels embodying local culture [01:58], evolving designs using local materials and artisans [02:34], the selection process of design elements [04:12], the importance of balancing aesthetics and functionality [07:03], and ensuring the hotel's physical product matches its advertised experience [08:11].

🍸 The 2024 hospitality trends report by af&co and Carbonate highlights the revival of "Clarified Classics" cocktails, using milk clarification and alternative methods like agar agar or a centrifuge. This technique, which originated in the Victorian Era, enhances flavor and texture in cocktails and is gaining popularity among bartenders nationwide. Carbonate, a creative agency, produces this annual report with af&co, which is recognized by major publications like The New York Times and Forbes.

🏨 Jennifer Clay, Vice President of Hotel Operations at Appellation, is recognized for her creative thinking and results-oriented leadership in the hospitality industry. Clay has an international background with experience in brand compliance for luxury hotel groups such as Mandarin Oriental, The Peninsula, and Six Senses, and leadership roles in Napa Valley resorts. She focuses on guest experience, service, loyalty, and maintains Appellation’s industry leadership through defining experience standards, brand partnerships, and directing an experiential learning program.

🏖 In Hilton's annual Trends Report, 2025 is dubbed the 'Year of the Travel Maximizer,' with travelers seeking to balance relaxation with high-impact adventures. Key findings include: 70% of travelers are active on vacations; 58% revisit childhood destinations with their children; 63% value digital room keys; 25% of solo travelers bring pets; 30% travel with 'frolleagues'; 70% of parents consider children's preferences in vacation planning; 50% book restaurants before flights; 25% are sober-curious; revenue from Hilton Worldwide Sport Sales tripled from 2019 to 2024, with youth sports driving 80% of the growth.

🍸 On October 2, 2024, the Edinburgh Marriott Hotel Holyrood released the 'Tales of the Old Town' cocktail menu, in partnership with Bacardi, featuring eight signature cocktails inspired by Edinburgh landmarks. Each cocktail reflects its namesake story, such as the Mercat Cross and Greyfriars Bobby. The hotel collaborated with Invisible Cities to offer a self-guided tour of landmarks connected to the cocktails, starting from Canongate Kirk. Lead Bartender Yubaraj Tiwari highlighted the menu's connection to Edinburgh's history. For more, visit marriott.com/edimh and invisible-cities.org.