Miscellaneous

🍴 Bret Thorn, a Colorado native living in Brooklyn, NY, is the Senior Food & Beverage Editor for Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. He joined NRN in 1999 and became part of Restaurant Hospitality in 2016. Thorn, a Tufts University graduate, has been recognized with the 2006 Jesse H. Neal National Business Journalism Award. He served as president of IFEC in 2005 and joined the Disciples d’Escoffier in 2014. Thorn has authored entries in food encyclopedias published in 2012 and 2015.

🍹 Hilton partners with Derek Brown to revamp Tempo by Hilton’s beverage program starting January 1, 2026, in the U.S. The updated cocktail menu, featuring both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options, emphasizes functional ingredients and mindful drinking. Highlights include "Sage Against the Machine," "Pink Grapefruit Club," and "Pear Necessities." This initiative aligns with Hilton's focus on balance and well-being for travelers, offering an inclusive and memorable bar experience at every Tempo by Hilton location.

🛒 Walmart, December 2025: Restricted AI agents can explain policies and show store info, but can't perform transactions or make decisions. Unlike Amazon, Walmart doesn't block them outright. Only 1% of websites use the rare "llms.txt" file format, created to help AI use sites. Walmart's recent "llms.txt" was deleted after partnering with ChatGPT, aiming to prevent unauthorized bots.

📈 Dan Frommer's new Consumer Trends Report, a collaboration with Coefficient Capital, includes a 122-slide presentation. It covers consumer spending despite economic challenges, with 3,000 U.S. consumers surveyed in partnership with Toluna. Key topics are the creator economy, and lifestyle optimization, and new medications like Ozempic. The New Consumer offers a free report and subscriptions at $20/month or $200/year. Previous reports span from 2021 to 2025, focusing on trends like food, wellness, and the economy.

🛩 In 2024, 22% of all U.S. flights were delayed, sparking an analysis by TNMT on traveler satisfaction versus on-time performance (OTP). Using 15,000 Tripadvisor reviews for top U.S. and European airlines, TNMT found no clear link between high OTP and traveler happiness. Notably, "Pleasers" like Southwest Airlines, with 78% OTP, still scored high in comfort and crew friendliness. In the U.S., legacy carriers showed a correlation between OTP and satisfaction, but in Europe, more punctuality often led to lower satisfaction.

📖 January 2026, Riyadh: Dusit Thani College (DTC) partners with Alkhaleej to launch the Talent Opportunity Programme (TOP) in Saudi Arabia. The six-month program offers 280 hours of training and a four-month internship. Alkhaleej’s Riyadh center will offer the first non-Swiss skills-based hospitality training in Saudi. Saudi Arabia’s tourism is projected to contribute 10% of GDP by 2025, with 2.7 million jobs, boosting demand for training. Dusit expands globally, including opening Dusit Princess Al Majma’ah in Q1 2026.

🌍 Thomas Cook achieved a record-breaking Black Friday since shifting online in September 2020, with revenue soaring 274% year-on-year. Spain, Egypt, and the USA were the most-booked destinations, with 44% of bookings being all-inclusive. Longer stays prevailed, with 72% exceeding five days, and nearly 20% of customers planned trips within 8-12 weeks. Thomas Cook's affordable deposits start at £39, appealing to value-focused travelers during peak promotional events.

💰 Global travel subscription company eDreams ODIGEO has redeemed 9 million shares within five months, representing 7.57% of its share capital. This aligns with shareholder-approved capital reductions initiated in July 2025. The company's capital now stands at EUR 11,862,505.9, divided into 118,625,059 shares. Aiming for 13 million subscribers by 2030, eDreams plans a €100 million share repurchase over two years, leveraging its robust cash flow and 7.7 million member base.

🏨 More than 50% of “loyal” hotel members don't repeat a stay within a year, challenging the hospitality industry's claims of 70% loyalty-driven bookings. Brands often count members based on mere email sign-ups for discounts, falsely presenting it as repeat business. Frequent travelers tend to settle on preferred hotels by their third trip. Independent hotels should focus on true loyalty, fostering a few hundred repeat guests over millions of inactive members.

🎄 Lodging Interactive and CoMMingle, digital marketing agencies, launched the 4th Annual Hotel Christmas Tree Contest, offering a $1,500 donation to a local charity chosen by the winning hotel. Last year, Detroit's Hotel David Whitney won, leading to a donation to Alternative for Girls. The contest invites global hotel participation, focusing on festive displays and community giving. Founded in 2001, Lodging Interactive serves worldwide hotels with digital marketing. Contact: 877-291-4411 ext. 704.