Miscellaneous

💻 In August 2025, South Palms Resort and Spa Panglao launched with 20,000 connected devices. After a year, including a monsoon season, its system maintained seamless operation. Recognized at AHEAD Asia Awards 2026, it was shortlisted in four categories. The resort boasts a 4.9/5 Tripadvisor rating and Travelers' Choice recognition. Terence Ronson, of Pertlink Limited, ensured its technology remains unnoticed, focusing instead on hospitality and guest experience. The resort’s success is attributed to extensive planning and reliable infrastructure.

✈ In December 2024, NDC transactions made up 20.3% of all ARC-reported transactions, marking an increase from 18.4% the previous year. Despite expectations, NDC has not yet replaced GDS bookings. The Airlines Reporting Corporation provides this insight, reflecting the U.S. travel agency market's current state. The post, “Global Distribution System (GDS): 2026 Guide for Hotels,” was featured on RateGain.

🏠 Staempfli House, located in Cadaqués, Spain's Costa Brava, is on the market for €9,500,000 via Sotheby’s International Realty. Built in 1958 for Swiss art dealer George Staempfli, the house was redesigned by architects Peter Harnden and Lanfranco Bombelli. It served as a retreat and art space for artists Dalí, Duchamp, and others. This mid-century home blends traditional tiles with modern features, maintaining its artistic legacy. Staempfli's gallery in New York operated until 1988.

✈️ Christian Nolle is an aviation-focused maker and editor of *Direction of Travel*. He tested Heathrow's Terminal 5 before it opened and collects route maps. In a podcast episode, Christian discusses his projects, including *Tickets to Everywhere* and his latest reveal, *Airline Atlas*, which caused a one-week delay in the episode's release. The discussion covers historical airline influences and his discovery of abandoned Olympic Airways aircraft at Ellinikon, the former Athens airport.

🏨 Radisson Hotel Group, in 2026, unveiled "Long Stays by Radisson Hotels," targeting increased demand for extended stays. This initiative, aimed at B2B partners, standardizes booking with tiered pricing, unified service, and structured commercial terms to enhance corporate partnerships. It supports markets like Dubai, Riyadh, Zurich, and Amsterdam with personalized services and flexible solutions to optimize revenue and boost partner loyalty.

🏨 Radisson Hotel Group launched "Long Stays by Radisson Hotels" for the growing extended-stay market, offering B2B solutions with streamlined booking, structured pricing, and a consistent guest experience. The initiative targets B2B partners with dedicated long-stay rates and standardized conditions. Available globally, it responds to rising demand in EMEA and APAC regions like Dubai, Riyadh, Zurich, and Amsterdam. Radisson operates over 1,575 hotels in 100+ countries and provides a 20% points incentive via Radisson Rewards.

🌽 CocoKami, a vegan coconut flesh product, offers versatile cooking options as a frozen, ready-to-cook ingredient in strip, chunk, and roll formats, akin to squid or cuttlefish in texture. Well’B initially supplied raw flesh, but in-house processing improved practical use. CocoKami’s single-ingredient profile targets health-conscious consumers, distinguishing it from complex plant-based alternatives. It’s adaptable in Asian cuisines, providing a white meat alternative with no additives, aligning with founder Youle's minimalist philosophy.

🍽 In 2023, China had approximately 240 million single adults, with projections suggesting this will surpass 300 million. These demographic changes, including later and lower marriage rates and more individuals living independently, have influenced dining trends. Traditionally communal, Chinese dining now increasingly accommodates solo diners, prompting restaurants to adapt their service and marketing strategies. This shift reflects evolving societal norms in urban China, with solo dining becoming a mainstream experience across various dining settings.

🧑‍🔬 In 2024, North America led the nutricosmetics sector with a 90.05% revenue share, driven by a rise in health-focused beauty products. Nestlé launched Nestlé Vital, offering drinks for energy, sleep, and vitality. Vital Proteins and Moon Juice are notable for collagen supplements and adaptogens, respectively. Challenges include regulatory complexities and ingredient dosage concerns. Emerging trends highlight NAD+ precursors, creatine, and gut health ingredients as consumer interest propels industry innovation.

📜 Across the Asia Pacific, traditional ingredients are making a comeback in mainstream product development, combining cultural familiarity with new functional benefits. These ingredients are being offered in convenient formats and backed by scientific research, according to Greeshma Kasturi, Consumer Analyst at GlobalData.