Miscellaneous

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💰 In 2024, Marriott International's loyalty program generated $660 million in credit card fees, causing discontent among hotel owners due to unequal revenue distribution. In response, Marriott lowered loyalty charge-out rates to 5% and enhanced reimbursement on high-demand nights but faced owners' backlash. Hilton's CEO, Chris Nassetta, reduced loyalty fees and rewarded guest satisfaction to boost hotel returns. Marriott's CEO, Tony Capuano, introduced a new incentive in the US and Canada, offering fee discounts for top hotels with high guest satisfaction.

🎬 A24’s "On Location in New York City" features 179 film locations across NYC's five boroughs, including landmarks like the Empire State Building and Katz's Delicatessen. The guide, priced at $36 (£28), includes maps and categories like Entertainment, Shopping, and Nightlife. Notable scenes: Tom Hanks’ "Big" piano in FAO Schwarz and Katz’s "When Harry Met Sally" table. Celine Song praises NYC's unique allure, shown in her films "Past Lives" (2023) and "Materialists" (2025).

🍷 Cardiff is welcoming back the Wine Passport from 6th August to 27th September 2026. Held from Sunday to Thursday, it lets you explore 13 independent venues, including three new ones. For £30, enjoy six selected drinks, contributing to the over £80,000 generated since its 2022 start. With potential food pairings, it’s an opportunity to support local businesses amid rising costs. Don't miss the subscriber-only discount available from 31st July!

🍹 14 Stories in London introduces a botanical cocktail collection inspired by gardeners Phoebe and Shunsuke at the Fen Court Rooftop Garden, located at 120 Fenchurch Street. The limited-edition cocktails, priced at £15, are available until September. The bar offers three new drinks, including Phoebe’s Ace, Shun’s Fig & Dig, and First Harvest, blending ingredients like tequila, gin, and fresh botanicals. Alcohol-free options are also available for sipping amidst panoramic city views on the 15th floor.

📸 Estonian artist Merike Estna and curator Natalia Sielewicz are showcasing "The House of Leaking Sky" at the 2026 Venice Art Biennale, held at Patronato Salesiano Leone XIII in Venice's Castello district until November 22, 2026. The exhibit features a slow-form painting across 22 canvases, spanning 22 by 6 meters. In Tallinn, they recommend Karjase Sai, Klorofüll, and Pegasus Restoran for dining, and the Contemporary Art Museum of Estonia and the Estonian Museum of Design and Applied Arts for art.

🚆 In February 2020, a semi-truck transported a 110,000-pound train car, Car 306, over icy roads to its new home in Texas. Originally part of a railroad dismantled in the 1950s, it was purchased for $3,000. The challenging move required two years to organize and included a bulldozer assisting the truck. Once used for grain storage, Car 306's journey symbolizes a new chapter, nestled at the property’s hillside edge.

📰 Americans are still discussing the World Cup, a rare continuation post-event. Airports in the US are upgrading to 3D luggage scanners. Misinformation affects global perceptions, with Europeans misjudging the US and vice versa. In the early 2000s, American media portrayed France negatively over the Iraq War disagreement. Attention-driven media distorts facts, impacting travel perceptions. The travel industry must focus on genuine storytelling to counteract media sensationalism. Coca-Cola spends $4-5 billion annually on branding, highlighting the power of consistent global imagery.

💡 Dior's "Godron" collection, inspired by archives from 1947, features a blend of art deco motifs and modern design, with roots in the 1974 collection. The new Limoges porcelain range, showcasing blue stripes and gold accents, includes items from egg cups to platters. Launched by Cordelia de Castellane, the collection offers luxurious items like trays, linens, and beachwear. It is available from £95, with pieces also complementing the Dior Greenhouse furniture collection.

👓 On 30 July 2026, Cubitts opened its first Manchester store at 16 Smithfield Buildings in the Northern Quarter, marking its 21st global and 19th UK location. This eyewear shop inhabits part of the historic Affleck & Brown department store. Local studio Youth designed the interiors, blending Manchester's industrial heritage with contemporary elements. The store features 72 optical frames, a repairs desk, optometric room, and a social oak counter, reflecting Cubitts' "precision with soul" philosophy.