Regulatory and Legal Affairs

📑 UK, 12 May 2025: The Labour government unveiled immigration reforms, including raising the skilled worker threshold to RQF 6 (graduate level) and increasing salaries. The Immigration Skills Charge will rise by 32%, and the settlement period extends to 10 years. New English language requirements will apply broadly. Less than 10% of hospitality roles qualify for skilled visas, impacting sectors like care and hospitality. Temporary Shortage List roles must meet specific criteria for visa access.

🍔 Beef & Bass to open first site at 356-360 King’s Road, Chelsea. The 4,512 sq ft restaurant features a 14-cover speakeasy bar, an open kitchen, charcoal grill, and a private dining room. Founders Alessandro Verdenelli and Daniele Pampagnin join other debuts on Sloane Stanley’s Estate. Hannah Grievson from Sloane Stanley highlighted the area’s F&B hub. Mister Lasagne also opens at 273 Fulham Road. Miles Commercial and Levy Real Estate represent Sloane Stanley Estate.

🚨 On Tuesday, 06 May 2025, the European Multi-sectoral Social Partners released guidelines to address third-party violence and harassment (TPVH) at work, aiming to improve workplace health and safety. Key aspects include implementing TPVH policies, making tools accessible, raising risk awareness, and developing preventive measures. HOTREC and EFFAT support the guidelines, emphasizing protection and quality service in hospitality, and advocate for national implementation and sharing of practices.

🚂 Great Rail Journeys, a rail specialist tour operator founded in 1973 in York, was acquired by Vitruvian Partners for an undisclosed amount. The management team, led by CEO Dave Riley, remains, as former investors Duke Street exit. The company offers over 400 global itineraries with a TTV growth from £88 million in 2018 to £175 million in the current financial year. This acquisition adds to Vitruvian's travel portfolio, which includes Travel Counsellors, Sykes Cottages, Civitatis, Klook, and OAG. Under Duke Street’s ownership, Great Rail Journeys doubled its profits and expanded into the US and river cruise markets.

💥 A severe storm resulted in extensive damage to a home, with a lightning strike causing the loss of power and hurling objects across a room. The home, constructed with about $20,000 of salvaged materials 25 years ago, now faces rewiring costs estimated by an electrician at $100,000 due to melted insulation. The family's car was also damaged by hail two days later. Amidst these challenges, the author finds solace in their child's affectionate greeting, highlighting the importance of simple joys and love.

💰 TPG Capital to acquire Sabre's Hospitality Solutions for $1.1 billion in cash. Hospitality Solutions serves over 40% of top hotel brands with a SaaS platform. Sabre's net proceeds of approximately $960 million will largely pay down debt. The deal, advised by Haynes Boone, was announced on April 28, 2025, and is expected to close by the end of Q3 2025, pending regulatory approvals.

🏨 The U.S. House of Representatives passed the bipartisan Hotel Fees Transparency Act of 2025, introduced by Representatives Young Kim (R-CA-40) and Kathy Castor (D-FL-14). The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) praised the decision and urged the Senate to follow suit. AHLA has advocated for federal fee-transparency bills, including the 2024 House-passed No Hidden FEES Act and the Senate’s Hotel Fees Transparency Act. This legislation aims to establish a federal standard for price advertising in the lodging industry to ensure consumers see all-in upfront pricing.