Miscellaneous

🍽 In 2026, the U.S. food and beverage scene is poised for transformation. At the forefront: revamped bar culture with counter seating, "Tini Tuesdays" at Recreation Bar, and a focus on wellness drinks. Guests demand smaller, curated menus and Southeast Asian flavors, while matcha expands into cocktails. Retro desserts make a theatrical comeback, omakase diversifies beyond sushi, and limited-time offerings increase their appeal. Expect garden-grown cocktails and crunchy textures to reign supreme in this evolving culinary landscape.

✈️ Global travel tech company Justgotrip and air travel automation firm RightRez have joined forces to enhance air operations for travel companies. Justgotrip, established in 2006, operates with 200 professionals across offices in China, Hong Kong, Singapore, the US, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. RightRez, with 20 years of expertise, offers API-driven solutions for flight booking and ticketing. Their partnership seeks to boost travel sellers' performance and compliance globally using systems like Amadeus, Sabre, and Galileo.

🎁 AAA projects 122.4 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home between December 20 and January 1, 2025, a 2.2% increase from 2024. Popular domestic destinations include Florida, Southern California, and Hawaii, while international favorites are Mexico, the Caribbean, and Australia. This travel surge reflects diverse holiday celebrations, from family road trips to tropical getaways.

🏊 Unlimited waterpark fun at Great Wolf Lodge starts at $65 per person with the new Season Pass. Valid from January 2026 to April 2026, it’s available at Perryville, Md.; Webster, Texas; Atlanta; and Naples. Weekday passes are $65, while anytime passes are $269. The demand for day passes has increased by 25% over the past two years. More than 50% of day-pass users expressed interest in a multi-day option, leading to the introduction of this pass for flexible family enjoyment.

📱 Who? The author, Rory (an artist, author, singer, and songwriter), and his wife Rebecca. When? Monday afternoon in December. Where? At home, outside by the creek, and in conversation with Rory. What? The author struggles with digital distraction, affecting his creativity. How? By constantly checking his phone and social media, the author feels creatively blocked. Key actions? Remove social apps, leave phone out of the bedroom, focus on relationships, and engage in art and nature.

🍽 Bret Thorn has been the senior food & beverage editor for Nation’s Restaurant News since 1999. In 2005, he served as president of the International Foodservice Editorial Council. He was awarded the 2006 Jesse H. Neal Award for his column. He studied at Tufts University and Le Cordon Bleu, Paris, and worked for ABC News during the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989. Thorn is based in Brooklyn, NY, and runs a podcast, In the Kitchen with Bret Thorn.

🍴 Hai Hospitality will open Uchibā, a Japanese cocktail bar and restaurant, in Charlotte's Plaza Midwood in early 2026. The 2,200-square-foot venue will have a 24-seat bar, a 38-seat dining room, and a 1,500-square-foot rooftop for 60 guests. Chef Shaun King will lead the kitchen, inspired by Japanese flavors. Uchibā adds to locations in Dallas (2018) and Austin (2023). The design is by Hai Design Studio and Mother Studio.

🚗 Ryanair, with over 207 million passengers annually, partners with CarTrawler for car rentals. The collaboration offers exclusive rates and rental options via the Ryanair website and myRyanair App, powered by CarTrawler's cloud-based Connect Platform. CEO Eddie Wilson highlights the competitive pricing and integration, while CarTrawler's CEO, Peter O’Donovan, praises the partnership's potential for delivering top car rental deals and value.

🛢 Hilton, in collaboration with Explora Journeys, will allow Hilton Honors members to earn and use points for cruises starting summer 2026 in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, and the Caribbean. Explora Journeys plans a fleet of six ships by 2028. A limited-time offer till June 7, 2026, includes 100,000 bonus points per suite and up to $/€400 Journey Experience Credits. AAA projects 21.7 million Americans will cruise in 2026, an increase of 4.5% from 2025. Hilton Honors has 235 million members.

🌐 Hubby eSIM partners with Flight Centre Travel Group to offer global mobile connectivity through the new World360 Rewards programme. Launched last month, the $249 AUD-a-year Member Plus tier includes a complimentary eSIM, offering mobile data in over 200 destinations. Members earn points when traveling or shopping with 300 partners, redeemable on travel services. Boris Bijlstra highlights the practical benefits of reliable mobile internet for travelers, while James Kavanagh emphasizes enhanced connectivity for Australians abroad.