Miscellaneous

🏆 In 2019, Will Prosser, originally from Tui’s graduate program (2012), won the Travolution Rising Star award and is now director of digital marketing & eCommerce. Tobie Bowdler, 2021 winner, progressed to easyJet’s web merchandising manager and trained as cabin crew in 2024. In 2024, Jordy Vernes won and advanced to senior digital manager at Qantas. Boris Bijlstra, last year's winner, co-founded Hubby eSIM three years ago. Nominations close this Friday, 18 September.

🕹 In São Paulo, Brazil, Soho House features a monolithic billiard table with sculptural legs and deep netted pockets in a games room. The navy-topped table matches the room's ornate patterns. Meanwhile, in Indonesia, House Kala by Caceres + Tous offers panoramic jungle and sea views. This lookbook explores billiard tables in various settings, from bars and hotels to homes, showcasing diverse cloth colors like blues, reds, and neutrals for spontaneous play across the globe.

🏘 Georgia O'Keeffe's architectural fascination is showcased in a new exhibition at the Detroit Institute of Arts from September 11, 2026, to January 3, 2027. Curated by Benjamin W. Colman, the exhibition features 36 paintings spanning nearly 40 years. Highlights include works influenced by O'Keeffe's time in New York and New Mexico, such as "Stables" (1932), "My Shanty, Lake George" (1922), and "Ladder to the Moon" (1958). The show includes immersive elements like a 360-degree video of O'Keeffe's Ghost Ranch.

🏨 Up Hotel Agency won seven awards at the 2026 Web Marketing Association WebAwards, including Best Hotel and Lodging Website for Arcus and six Outstanding Website awards. The winning designs emphasize user experience and responsive layouts, integrating booking systems across devices. Websites like Bertrand’s Townhouse, Mayfield Hotels, and Haddington House reflect unique styles and practical navigation. The WebAwards, established in 1997, recognize excellence in design, innovation, and usability, with top entries scoring over 60 out of 70.

✈️ Hyatt Hotels Corporation and Delta Air Lines announced a strategic loyalty collaboration linking the World of Hyatt and Delta SkyMiles programs. Launching in the coming months, this partnership will allow elite members to earn both Hyatt points and Delta miles on qualifying travel. World of Hyatt elite members can earn points on Delta airfare, while Delta SkyMiles Medallion members can earn miles for stays at participating Hyatt properties. Additional program details will be shared later this year.

🏠 On 9 July, a Grade II listed property at 2 Kilwardby Street, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, was auctioned by Bond Wolfe. Initially a restaurant and café bar, this attractive property, spanning 847 sq ft, has a guide price of £250,000+. The building features an apartment and a walled garden. Operating for over 40 years as La Zouch Restaurant, it offers diverse potential uses. The auction included 173 lots and was livestreamed for remote bidding.

🏠 Set on the hills of Brunate, Villa Jolanda in Lake Como becomes the stage for an interior project by Angelo Cappellini and Opera Contemporary, in collaboration with Garamonds. This project highlights Italian design and craftsmanship. Key elements include Clarissa, Osiride, and Ivette beds by Opera Contemporary, and a Louis XV-style living room by Angelo Cappellini. The villa's dependency is dedicated to "five o’clock tea." The project merges Italian heritage with contemporary aesthetics for international clients.

✈️ Former ACI director general Luis Felipe Oliveira emphasized the need for clear RFPs for airport technology investments at a World Aviation Festival webinar. With global air travel expected to more than double by 2050, airports are adopting AI, biometrics, and robotics. However, investments should align with operational realities, considering airport size and complexity. Oliveira highlighted the importance of a technology roadmap for interoperability and maintaining human services, crucial for enhancing passenger experiences and revenue.

📍 2018, Hereford: The Green Dragon Hotel, with over 900 years of history, was acquired by Herefordshire investors. It underwent substantial refurbishment, maintaining historic character, to enhance its 83-room accommodations and facilities. Now for sale, the hotel remains operational, with no disruptions expected for stakeholders. Marketed by Graham and Sibbald with Christie and Co, the sale is strategic after achieving its revitalization goals, positioning it for new ownership to further develop the business.

🏨 Stoke Park in Buckinghamshire is set to unveil a five-venue dining and drinking operation from autumn 2026, following its acquisition by Reliance Industries Limited in 2021. Key venues include The Penn with a 48-cover dining room, The Piano Bar, The Terrace and Glasshouse, The Tea Room, and The Clubhouse. The estate's wine cellar and bar offerings are curated by Carolina Seibel and Giuseppe Masala, with interiors designed by Studio Shayne Brady.