Miscellaneous

✈️ HTS (Hopper Technology Solutions) introduces 'HTS Seat Upgrades', boosting airline revenue by over 20%. This platform allows travelers to opt for cabin and seat upgrades, including empty seat blocking. It integrates seamlessly with airline systems for dynamic pricing and upgrades, optimizing across cabins. Corsair utilizes HTS for enhanced customer experiences. Ella Alkalay Schreiber, SVP at HTS, highlights the flexible, customizable approach, allowing airlines to capture high-intent users and maintain brand consistency.

🏨 The Kessler Collection has announced a strategic partnership with Highgate, forming a new luxury hotel management platform. Highgate will manage several Kessler hotels in the U.S., including The Casa Monica Resort & Spa in St. Augustine, JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside District, and The Grand Bohemian Lodge Greenville. Kessler's staff will join Highgate's Kessler Hospitality division. This alliance aims to combine creativity with operational expertise, enhancing profitability and setting new standards in the luxury hospitality industry.

📍 Vienna’s Hotel Savoyen will be rebranded as the Sheraton Vienna in early 2027. Operated by MHP Hotel AG under a franchise agreement with Marriott International, this change is part of the company's expansion strategy across Austria.

🛳️ On the Beach (OtB), a leading UK beach holiday specialist, has expanded into cruising holidays. Initially offering cruise-only deals from Celebrity Cruise Lines, Norwegian Cruise Lines, and Royal Caribbean, the company plans to include more cruise lines and full packages soon. Si Morris-Green leads the initiative, leveraging his experience from Planet Cruise and others. Chief Financial Officer Jon Wormald emphasizes meeting customer demand with transparency and value.

✈️ Wizz Air, one of Europe's rapidly expanding low-cost airlines, is enhancing its accounting with Accelya’s FLX ONE Order Accounting. This system supports Wizz Air's retail ambitions, offering real-time transaction precision and visibility. As the airline plans to double its fleet and staff within the next decade, the system will help reduce manual tasks and ensure financial control. According to Michael Berlouis, this aligns with their fast-paced growth strategy, focusing on delivering customer value.

🍴 Bret Thorn, senior food & beverage editor at Nation’s Restaurant News since 1999, resides in Brooklyn, NY. He hosts "In the Kitchen with Bret Thorn" podcast and won the 2006 Jesse H. Neal Award. Educated at Tufts University, Le Cordon Bleu, and studied in China in 1988-89. Thorn wrote for the New York Sun (2005-2008) and Asia Times (1995-1997). He was IFEC president in 2005 and joined Restaurant Hospitality in 2016. Thorn's expertise spans global cuisines and restaurant trends.

🍽 Bret Thorn, senior food & beverage editor at Nation's Restaurant News since 1999, is a key figure in spotting food trends. Thorn, a magna cum laude from Tufts University, studied French cooking at Le Cordon Bleu and spent time in China in 1989. He wrote for The New York Sun from 2005-2008 and won a Jesse H. Neal Award in 2006. Thorn authored works in the Oxford Encyclopedia and Oxford Companion, and was inducted into Disciples d'Escoffier in 2014.

📅 GCP Hospitality, active in the Asia-Pacific region, partners with Triptease for direct booking strategies. In 2025, they aim for 20–30% direct bookings in key leisure spots. Using metasearch, they achieve an 18x ROAS and generate 15% of direct revenue. Triptease's exit messaging drives $170k revenue with a 5% conversion rate. Their intuitive platform supports high adoption across GCP's team, enhancing booking efficiency and collaboration.

📖 Joanna Fantozzi, a Senior Editor at Nation’s Restaurant News, has over seven years in restaurant and hospitality journalism. From August 2021, she has held her current role at Informa’s Restaurant & Food Group. Joanna’s past roles include Associate Editor (July 2019-August 2021) and Assistant Editor (October 2018-July 2019). She holds a bachelor’s from The College of New Jersey and a master’s from CUNY. Her work appears in The New York Times, Forbes, and more.

🛫 In 2025, 57% of frequent travelers reported using airport lounges and 42% visited one in the past year. Despite high demand, 62% would pay more for less crowded spaces, indicating dissatisfaction with current offerings. Access via credit cards, memberships, and pay-per-entry has expanded, diluting exclusivity. Lounges have shifted from loyalty assets to revenue generators. To restore premium value, strategies should include segmented access, capacity planning, and enhanced digital experiences.