Miscellaneous

🛢 Hilton, in collaboration with Explora Journeys, will allow Hilton Honors members to earn and use points for cruises starting summer 2026 in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, and the Caribbean. Explora Journeys plans a fleet of six ships by 2028. A limited-time offer till June 7, 2026, includes 100,000 bonus points per suite and up to $/€400 Journey Experience Credits. AAA projects 21.7 million Americans will cruise in 2026, an increase of 4.5% from 2025. Hilton Honors has 235 million members.

🌐 Hubby eSIM partners with Flight Centre Travel Group to offer global mobile connectivity through the new World360 Rewards programme. Launched last month, the $249 AUD-a-year Member Plus tier includes a complimentary eSIM, offering mobile data in over 200 destinations. Members earn points when traveling or shopping with 300 partners, redeemable on travel services. Boris Bijlstra highlights the practical benefits of reliable mobile internet for travelers, while James Kavanagh emphasizes enhanced connectivity for Australians abroad.

🛩 Travelsoft forms a strategic alliance with Gekko Group, integrating Teldar Travel and Infinite inventories into Travelgate and Travel Compositor. This move expands real-time hotel access for travel agencies, boosting visibility and distribution. Fabrice Perdoncini, CEO of Gekko Group, and Christian Sabbagh, CEO of Travelsoft, emphasize their commitment to enhancing travel technology solutions and meeting industry needs. The collaboration strengthens Travelsoft's pivotal position in the travel tech ecosystem.

✈️ Airlines face a "perfect storm" of challenges in 2023, including trade policy shifts, rising costs, and demand for personalization. Accenture reports 70% of travelers prefer booking through Online Travel Agencies (OTAs). Modernizing order management systems can enhance customer loyalty and operational efficiency. 44% of travelers would change airlines for real-time improvements. Airlines must integrate real-time data to deliver seamless, personalized experiences and maintain competitive advantage.

🍴 In 2025, notable restaurant concepts emerged across the U.S., particularly in New York, California, Boston, Nashville, and Washington, D.C. Highlights included celebrity-owned eateries, international expansions, sports bars, and unique pizza places. Standout locations ranged from a converted boogie board factory to a restaurant near the White House. These venues showcased innovative flavors and local ingredients, and they captured the attention of food enthusiasts. Explore the top 10 restaurant stories that captivated readers this year.

📚 Joanna Fantozzi, a Senior Editor at Nation’s Restaurant News, has over 7 years in the restaurant and hospitality industry. From August 2021, she’s held her current role at Informa Restaurant & Food Group, having progressed from Assistant Editor since October 2018. Joanna holds a bachelor's degree from The College of New Jersey and a master’s degree from CUNY. Her work is featured in The New York Times and Forbes, focusing on restaurant news and cultural issues.

📰 Leigh Anne Zinsmeister, based in NYC, is the content manager for Informa’s Restaurant and Food Group since February 2020. Previously, she served as the digital content manager (April 2018-Feb. 2020) and digital content producer (June 2016-April 2018) at the same company. Her career includes roles at Mail Online (2014-2016) and Gannett's Phoenix Design studio (2012-2014). She has a journalism degree from Arizona State University. Follow her on Twitter @LeighAnneZin.

🍴 At Chicago's Atelier, founded in 2023, a Michelin star was quickly earned. By summer 2025, it closed temporarily to relocate within Lincoln Square, reopening in October in an 1,800 sq ft space with 36 seats. A $500,000 capital was raised through SMBX, offering minimum $10 public investments. Investors enjoy monthly interest and tiered perks. Chef Bradyn Kawcak leads with a global, seasonal menu, while Ali Martin heads diverse beverage options. Lacey values community support and a welcoming atmosphere.

🍽 Bret Thorn, Nation’s Restaurant News Senior Food & Beverage Editor since 1999, lives in Brooklyn, NY. With a BA in history from Tufts University (1990) and a cooking certificate from Le Cordon Bleu (1986), he served as IFEC president in 2005. Thorn won the 2006 Jesse H. Neal Award and contributed to food encyclopedias in 2012 and 2015. Previously, he wrote for The New York Sun (2005-2008) and lived in Thailand for five years.