Miscellaneous

🏨 15th January 2026, Brussels: The AICR declared the World’s Best Receptionist winners at The 30th World’s Best Receptionist by Bucherer. Mateja Simic from The St. Regis Doha, Qatar, topped the contest, followed by Alicja Panek from Poland and Andrea García Santamaría from the UK. The awards celebrate exceptional front office hospitality standards, with more than 1,400 AICR members from 30 countries participating. The event was sponsored by Bucherer, Forbes Travel Guide, and EHL Hospitality Business School.

🗺️ Skyscanner launched its new "Packages" product in the UK, with plans for further international rollout in 2026. The platform collaborates with selected ATOL-protected providers, including TUI, Jet2, and Expedia. High demand for package holidays is evident, with a 113% increase reported early in the year. Skyscanner's package comparison tool searches 25 million packages daily, aiming to simplify travel planning by offering competitive options from top UK providers. January marks the peak booking period for UK travelers.

🏗️ UAE: In Nad Al Sheba, Binghatti and Mercedes-Benz are investing AED30 billion in a masterplan community spanning nine million square feet. Slated for completion in three phases, it will offer over 13,000 residences across 12 towers, each named after Mercedes-Benz concept cars. The development will include diverse amenities such as gyms, family pools, and social spaces, with a focus on wellness, recreation, and community. This project marks a significant collaboration, emphasizing integrated urban living.

👕 Betsy Freeman joins Josiah Mackenzie in a podcast episode to discuss the creation of Hospitality Daily’s first merch: a special edition t-shirt. The conversation highlights how art and emotion are pivotal in shaping brand identity, emphasizing the importance of collaboration for successful outcomes. Music for the show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound, specializing in music identity design for hospitality brands.

🏨 Jeremy Wells, principal at Longitude and partner at Flyover Developments, discusses how his Christian faith influences his view of hospitality. He sees it as expressing love through daily actions with colleagues and guests, emphasizing humility, openness, and service. This episode highlights integrating personal beliefs into professional settings to enhance hospitality experiences. For more insights, follow Hospitality Daily on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram, or subscribe for daily summaries.

💬 Jeremy Wells, principal at Longitude and partner at Flyover Developments, reflects on his career in a recent LinkedIn post. He discusses how years of adhering to creative norms distracted him from his true goals. Emphasizing authenticity, Wells capitalized on his strengths, attracting better opportunities and partners. This episode highlights how hospitality leaders can strategically use authenticity as a career advantage. Music by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound enhances the episode.

🏠 Houses featuring home saunas are highlighted in Dezeen's lookbook, showcasing designs from Japan, Canada, Finland, and the UK. Notable projects include Sou Fujimoto's Earth holiday home in Japan, Ström Architects' extension in Surrey, UK, and Studio Puisto's Three Square House in Finland. These saunas incorporate timber interiors, natural lighting, and sustainable materials like hemp insulation and reclaimed wood, offering relaxation and well-being in residential settings.

🐶 In January 2026, The Gunter Hotel in San Antonio, Texas, introduced a chef-curated dog menu at its restaurant, Jots. Named “Benson & Friends Favorites,” the menu features dishes like Honey’s Hill Country Breakfast and Nori’s Seattle Treat, focusing on canine wellness with wholesome ingredients. Jiwon Choi, the hotel owner, emphasized enhancing pet-friendly travel by offering special dining experiences for dogs.

📊 Hanushek et al. (2015) found that a one-standard-deviation increase in numeracy proficiency leads to an 18% increase in hourly wages (12% after controls). Problem-solving skills increase wages by 10-12% (6% after controls). The World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2025 cites analytical thinking as essential for 70% of firms. Brynjolfsson et al. (2011) report a 5-6% productivity boost from data-driven decision-making. Zacharopoulos et al. (2021) note that continued math study affects brain chemistry.