Miscellaneous

📅 ISHC is accepting nominations for the Rising Star Award Asia Pacific until 14 August 2026. This award targets under-35 professionals in hotel development or investment with a minimum of five years' experience in the APAC region. Winners will be announced at HICAP from 20-22 October 2026 in Singapore. Candidates must be born on or after 23 October 1991 and have at least one year with their current company. Nominations require a submission from a colleague.

📰 Marriott International and The Coca-Cola Company announced a global agreement on August 2025 to expand beverage choices across Marriott's properties worldwide. The partnership, developed with Hot Shoppe Services International, makes Coca-Cola Marriott’s global beverage partner, covering carbonated drinks, hydration, and functional beverages. The rollout begins immediately, enhancing guest experiences in hotels, restaurants, and events. Anthony Capuano, CEO of Marriott, and Henrique Braun, CEO of Coca-Cola, emphasized the collaboration’s focus on quality and guest satisfaction.

🗺 In the high-net-worth travel sector, LVMH’s model is key. Bernard Arnault’s multi-billion-dollar empire thrives on legacy and "savoir-faire." Travel advisors are urged to focus on provenance over mere amenities to capture heritage-driven clients. Unlike algorithmic Online Travel Agencies, human curation offers deep historical context. Advisors using the LVMH mindset can transform travel into an intellectual pursuit, framing heritage properties not just as accommodations but as cultural experiences, thus enhancing the traveler's connection to place.

🎶 On a recent Saturday, a group of around 40 people, including Helen, visited local nursing and disability homes for a singing mission with Josh & Jessie. Despite being two weeks from her due date, Helen energetically led the choir, managing her roles as a mother and church worship leader. This activity, reminiscent of past missions in Texas, aims to uplift both residents and participants, and many faces brightened during the event.

🏨 Accor and H World Group announced their expanded strategic partnership aimed at enhancing hotel choices and loyalty benefits across China, Europe, and the Middle East. This collaboration involves 430 million members and almost two million rooms. Throughout 2026, members will access a wider range of properties and benefits through their respective platforms. Accor's premium brands in China and H World's hotels in Europe and the Middle East will become accessible to members of both loyalty programs.

🎨 British artist Dale Lewis, after considering quitting painting, unveils his fourth exhibition at Edel Assanti, London, his first solo show in five years. Opening until August 14, 2026, Lewis revisits personal memories, from his grandfather's death to childhood in a damp council flat. His new works, such as "The Bell" (2025) and "Kiss Goodbye" (2026), incorporate acrylics, oil, and spray paint, reflecting on class, identity, and nature, with influences from his horticultural studies.

🏠 Tao Group Hospitality, in partnership with Journey, has reimagined the 6,000-square-foot dining spot above Edge at Hudson Yards, New York. The new Avenue Sky Lounge, 1,100 feet above the city, revives the West Chelsea venue as an upscale cocktail lounge with Art Deco design, hosting up to 170 guests. The restaurant, Peak with Priceless, offers intimate interiors with sweeping Manhattan views.

✈️ Varig, VASP, and Panair were key Brazilian airlines that popularized the country's aviation history. Explore their impact through airports like SDU, GIG, CGH, GRU, POA, SSA, and IGU. Relive experiences from Paulistano football derbies to lost luggage and unique flights, including rustic 737s and the Concorde. Remember the World Cup, savor caipirinhas, and enjoy Brazil's heat and vibrant culture. Happy flying!

🏨 Palisociety's integration with Design Hotels challenges Marriott's position. Marriott is evolving into a marketplace, similar to an OTA, with a focus on its Bonvoy platform for guest bookings. This shift allows independent hotels to join through Design Hotels, bypassing traditional brand standards. While Marriott expands with brands like MGM inside Bonvoy and Homes & Villas, its role as a distribution platform may lead owners to reconsider the necessity of Marriott's hard branding, as distribution becomes the key focus.

🍴 Aubrey’s Corner, a new all-day bistro in Summit, New Jersey, designed by Emma Montgomery Design, combines warmth with sophisticated design. The space features herringbone white oak flooring, olive velvet, russet leather banquettes, and French café seating. Expansive curved windows enhance natural light, while a bar-forward layout fosters social interaction. The design embodies “new American ease,” harmonizing timeless materials with a cozy, inviting atmosphere, seamlessly transitioning from day to night dining experiences.