Miscellaneous

🍴 During the COVID-19 era, restaurants mastered takeout and delivery. Steve Starr, CEO of StarrDesign, notes the shift from social dining to convenience, impacting dine-in revenues. Despite higher dine-in checks, restaurants lose out on experiences and sales, like alcohol. Starr emphasizes creating engaging experiences beyond food to draw patrons back. Simple, intentional designs foster connection, countering the device culture. Restaurants must focus on unique experiences that delivery can't offer to remain relevant.

🍎 Technomic’s 2026 report shows growing demand for high-protein and high-fiber foods. 35% of consumers now consume more protein than a year ago, while 45% of those aged 18-34 do so. 7-Eleven, based in Irving, Texas, sells 62,000 protein drinks daily and expands its protein snack range. Fiber consumption increased for 27% of consumers. Robert Byrne highlights that 95% of Americans lack sufficient fiber intake, with just 58% meeting daily recommendations.

🎤 Five years ago, Live Oak Lake opened after construction hurdles in 2021. Airbnb suspended it but gained popularity on Instagram. Forrest Frank, a musician, rose to fame online, bypassing labels. In December, tickets for his new tour were released. Relocated to Mexico, a giveaway was made, nominating William for tickets, a friend of Zach, who died after a four-year cancer battle diagnosed at age five. William supported Zach throughout his illness.

🚀 GDS and NDC are reshaping the airline industry. GDS platforms, like Travelport, Amadeus, and Sabre, offer centralized airline content distribution, while NDC, an IATA standard, provides direct airline connectivity with personalized offers and dynamic pricing using XML/JSON APIs. The coexistence of GDS and NDC enables OTAs to offer more choices and competitive pricing. Understanding both systems is crucial for developers and travel tech professionals as the airline distribution landscape evolves.

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💰 In 2024, Marriott International's loyalty program generated $660 million in credit card fees, causing discontent among hotel owners due to unequal revenue distribution. In response, Marriott lowered loyalty charge-out rates to 5% and enhanced reimbursement on high-demand nights but faced owners' backlash. Hilton's CEO, Chris Nassetta, reduced loyalty fees and rewarded guest satisfaction to boost hotel returns. Marriott's CEO, Tony Capuano, introduced a new incentive in the US and Canada, offering fee discounts for top hotels with high guest satisfaction.

🎬 A24’s "On Location in New York City" features 179 film locations across NYC's five boroughs, including landmarks like the Empire State Building and Katz's Delicatessen. The guide, priced at $36 (£28), includes maps and categories like Entertainment, Shopping, and Nightlife. Notable scenes: Tom Hanks’ "Big" piano in FAO Schwarz and Katz’s "When Harry Met Sally" table. Celine Song praises NYC's unique allure, shown in her films "Past Lives" (2023) and "Materialists" (2025).

🍷 Cardiff is welcoming back the Wine Passport from 6th August to 27th September 2026. Held from Sunday to Thursday, it lets you explore 13 independent venues, including three new ones. For £30, enjoy six selected drinks, contributing to the over £80,000 generated since its 2022 start. With potential food pairings, it’s an opportunity to support local businesses amid rising costs. Don't miss the subscriber-only discount available from 31st July!

🍹 14 Stories in London introduces a botanical cocktail collection inspired by gardeners Phoebe and Shunsuke at the Fen Court Rooftop Garden, located at 120 Fenchurch Street. The limited-edition cocktails, priced at £15, are available until September. The bar offers three new drinks, including Phoebe’s Ace, Shun’s Fig & Dig, and First Harvest, blending ingredients like tequila, gin, and fresh botanicals. Alcohol-free options are also available for sipping amidst panoramic city views on the 15th floor.

📸 Estonian artist Merike Estna and curator Natalia Sielewicz are showcasing "The House of Leaking Sky" at the 2026 Venice Art Biennale, held at Patronato Salesiano Leone XIII in Venice's Castello district until November 22, 2026. The exhibit features a slow-form painting across 22 canvases, spanning 22 by 6 meters. In Tallinn, they recommend Karjase Sai, Klorofüll, and Pegasus Restoran for dining, and the Contemporary Art Museum of Estonia and the Estonian Museum of Design and Applied Arts for art.