Miscellaneous

🎤 Beyoncé's "Cowboy Carter Tour" hit Paris and London in February. Paris saw ticket sales skyrocket, with a third date added due to overwhelming demand. American tourists, who made up 20% of ticket buyers, boosted searches for flights to Paris by 51%. Ticket prices in Paris ranged from €88 to €280, significantly less than $3,000 in the U.S. Airbnb searches surged by 75%, with Americans, Germans, English, and Australians leading bookings.

🏫 CIDH and Les Roches partner to offer members preferred conditions and partial scholarships for Executive Master’s programs in Switzerland, Spain, and the UK. The partnership, over a decade strong, includes up to three additional scholarships per program for CIDH candidates and collaboration on annual awards. Online courses through Les Roches eAcademy will support emerging talent. CIDH and Les Roches aim to foster leadership and adaptability in the hospitality industry.

📈 Dellisart added six new full-service hotel management contracts in Q2 2025, showcasing its expansion in third-party management. These additions cover diverse markets and hotel segments. Chairman Douglas Artusio highlighted their expertise with Hilton, Marriott, and Wyndham, and the operational capabilities provided by their proprietary platforms, Hotel Sales Max and Hotel Rev Max. Dellisart, headquartered in Wrightsville Beach, N.C., offers comprehensive operational support to optimize performance and maximize ROI nationwide.

🥘 Paule Béké, a Franco-Ivorian chef and founder of Douceurs d’Ivoire, blends Côte d’Ivoire's ancestral techniques with French refinement in London. She transitioned from corporate life to culinary arts after realizing the lack of recognition in her corporate job. Paule appeared on MasterChef: The Professionals and emphasizes sustainability and the preservation of Ivorian cuisine. As head chef at KATO and Kassava, she blends global culinary traditions, aiming to popularize Ivorian cuisine in the UK.

✈ KlasJet, a premium private jet charter company, part of Avia Solutions Group, joined the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in 2025. After passing the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA), KlasJet demonstrated compliance with global aviation safety standards. Compliance Manager Indre Liveikyte highlighted this as a major milestone. The company employs a structured management system with regular audits and training. IATA membership enhances its global reputation, allowing access to IATA resources for continuous improvement.

🚌 Transfeero is expanding to Tenerife South, Girona, Paros, and Perugia, enhancing its presence in high-tourism areas in Spain, Greece, and Italy. Over five years, the company has quickly adapted to diverse mobility needs in urban, island, and regional areas. These destinations were selected for their strategic value and growth potential. Marzia Bernardini, Head of Customer Service, emphasizes the importance of constant customer support. Transfeero aims for sustainable network expansion, balancing efficiency and customer relationships.

🛫 Jun 25, 2025, the U.S. sees fewer airport passengers over 90 days compared to 2023. TSA reports the first decline since COVID-19. Airline tickets and hotel prices dropped between April and May. Bank of America highlights lower-income Americans cutting travel spending, while wealthier travelers stick to luxury. Canadian travel to the U.S. fell 25% in May. Vacations are shorter and cheaper. Hyatt and Booking Holdings cite economic and political unease, suggesting upcoming economic challenges.

✈️ Jun 25, 2025, global conflicts are altering flight paths, notably due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and Middle East tensions, causing longer routes and higher costs. GPS spoofing incidents rose 500% in 2024, affecting up to 1,500 flights daily near conflict zones. Detours add 3.5 hours to some routes, increasing operating costs by 19–39% and CO₂ emissions by 18–40%. Despite safety, pilots face heavier workloads, adapting to system failures and unexpected geopolitical events.

📖 Joanna Fantozzi is a Senior Editor at Nation’s Restaurant News, writing about the restaurant and hospitality industry for over seven years. She has degrees from The College of New Jersey and CUNY. Her career includes roles at Insider and The Daily Meal, with contributions to The New York Times and Forbes. Since 2018, she's been with Informa, progressing from Assistant Editor to Senior Editor, and moderating industry events like MUFSO and Restaurants Rise.

🍴 May 29, Austin, Texas: Le Calamar opened, replacing Underdog, a bar known for natural wines and Korean food. Chef Casey Wall relocated from Australia to join cofounders Claudia Lee and Richard Hargreave. The 3,000-square-foot space includes a 12-seat bar and patio. Menu highlights include deboned chicken wings, grilled trout, and Carolina Gold rice. The wine list emphasizes sustainable practices. Hargreave oversees the beverage program focusing on French, Mexican, and Texan influences. Lunch service is set to launch soon.