Miscellaneous

🌏 The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) launched a campaign to find the 7 Contemporary Wonders of the World. Nominations open on July 7, 2026, with the winners announced on July 7, 2027. The initiative highlights landmarks built after 1801 that significantly impact tourism and local economies. The campaign involves public nominations, narrowing 70 nominees to 30 finalists, and selecting the final seven. The aim is to inspire investment in tourism infrastructure and cultural assets worldwide.

📸 Hilton, with ambassador Deepika Padukone, launched a new campaign in 2023, following a previous one that garnered 11 billion views. The campaign, shot at Conrad Bengaluru, focuses on Hilton's hospitality during travels. Directed by Nadia Marquard Otzen, with choreography by Shay Latukolan and music by Mikey McCleary, it highlights spontaneity and cultural resonance. As Hilton aims for 400 hotels in India, the campaign reinforces "Hilton. For The Stay," emphasizing meaningful, frictionless travel experiences.

🗺 In a quiet Kansas City suburb, Mark and Lisa Reynolds planned a special trip for their 25th anniversary in Mallorca. They sought intimate experiences over popular landmarks, eventually guided by personalized online recommendations. A travel writer's past experiences provided insights into hidden gems like vineyards in the Tramuntana mountains and a boutique hotel in Deià. As the internet evolves, the shift from a click-based economy to a recommendation-driven one highlights how shared experiences enrich our journeys.

🍴 Oberon, a 90-seat restaurant, opens this week in the New Museum’s recent 60,000 sq. ft. expansion in Soho, NYC. Designed by OMA, the restaurant blends art with dining in an immersive cork-themed space. Chefs Julia Sherman and Ali Ghriskey crafted the menu, while designer Minjae Kim added textural elements. A 30-foot bar features ash wood with Ian Cheng’s video installation, and chocolates wrapped with Laurie Anderson's poems bid farewell to diners.

🍫 Chef David Toutain, a two Michelin Star and Green Star holder, collaborates with Fouache at Duet, a French-inspired restaurant with a plant-focused twist. They import premium proteins from France while sourcing local Thai ingredients like kaffir lime for added depth. Their signature chocolate dessert uses Chiang Mai's Kad Kokoa single-origin chocolate, celebrated for its rich flavors. This approach highlights Thailand's terroir and enhances the fusion of French and local culinary techniques.

🍷 Founded by Swiss anthropologist Markus Madeja, Sơn Tinh was inspired by traditional Vietnamese rượu and Phú Lộc’s sticky-rice liquor. In 1999, the first Sơn Tinh bottles were tested at Hanoi's Highway4 bar, marking Vietnam’s inaugural craft distillery. Madeja, who never aimed to create a brand, developed herbal blends using local ingredients. He used modern distillation techniques to meet international quality standards, while preserving the spirit's cultural essence.

😋 Konjac, a staple in Asian diets, is booming in the wellness retail industry due to its low-carb, low-glycemic, and "zero calorie" benefits. This versatile ingredient's popularity is rising in both retail and foodservice sectors, aligning with health trends.

🍳 In 2005, Sam Barak transformed his garage into a food production space in Melbourne, Australia, to create gluten-free foods. Now, Well & Good, his family business, offers products certified by Coeliac Australia, Vegan Australia, and more, meeting HACCP and SQF safety standards. Known for exceptional taste and texture, their products are widely used by foodservice operators across Australia. Well & Good caters to dietary needs, offering mixes free from dairy, eggs, soy, and nuts, suitable for plant-based diets.

🍳 In Tokyo's Nagatacho district, KIGI restaurant, partnered with SRA-Japan since 2020, boasts three stars in the Food Made Good standard. Community engagement is key, as CEA Hideaki Omote emphasizes.