Regulatory and Legal Affairs

📑 Bipartisan members of Congress introduced the American Franchise Act to the U.S. House. The act aims to redefine "joint employer" to absolve franchisors from franchisee labor law liabilities unless they share control over employment terms. This follows a decade of fluctuating standards. Notable changes include the 2015 Browning-Ferris decision and 2020's revised rule. In March 2024, a federal judge blocked an expanded rule. Supported by industry groups, the act seeks stable regulations to boost entrepreneurship.

🍎 Robert F. Kennedy Jr. led the MAHA Commission's "Make Our Children Healthy Again" strategy, released Tuesday. This U.S. plan urges food additive reviews, revised nutrition labels, and clearer definitions of ultra-processed foods. Key initiatives include partnerships with the National Institutes of Health and FDA, updating dietary guidelines, and limiting unhealthy food marketing to children. Since 2003, fast-food chains like McDonald's have included healthier kids' meal options, such as fresh fruit. The Trump administration banned petroleum-based synthetic food dyes in April.

📑 On 3rd September 2025, the European Employers Institute published a study led by Erik Sinander from Stockholm University on the implications of EU-level subcontracting restrictions. The study warns of risks like legal complexity, competitiveness concerns, and sustainability threats. HOTREC, representing 2 million European hospitality businesses, argues against EU restrictions, advocating for existing national legislation enforcement to support over 10 million jobs. The study's detailed findings emphasize maintaining flexibility for SMEs.

✈️ VistaJet, based in Dubai, begins domestic operations in Saudi Arabia, becoming the first international private jet operator approved for flights within the kingdom. With a fleet of 270 jets, VistaJet capitalizes on Saudi Arabia's US$100 billion aviation boom, including projects like King Salman International Airport and giga-projects such as Neom. The Middle East's private jet market, valued at US$566 million in 2024, is projected to reach US$943 million by 2029. Saudi Arabia saw double-digit growth in business jet movements in 2024.

📚 August 29, 2025, Hotelogix Blog published a guide by Vanshikha Dhar for small hotels. The guide emphasizes meeting safety, cleanliness, and data laws to avoid fines in 2025 using the right tools. This compliance guide aims to assist small hotel owners in understanding and implementing necessary regulations effectively. The article was published on the Hotelogix Blog under the section, "Tips & Trends in Hospitality.

🖥 HOTREC, with over 30 national hotel associations, leads a collective action against Booking.com for anti-competitive best price clauses. More than 15,000 hotels across Europe have registered at www.mybookingclaim.com before the deadline on 29 August 2025. This follows the European Court of Justice's ruling on 19 September 2024, declaring such clauses violated EU competition law. The lawsuit will be filed in the Amsterdam District Court by the end of 2025.

🛠️ August 28, 2025, Barcelona: Shiji Horizon Distribution, a global hospitality leader, partners with HyperGuest to enhance real-time B2B connectivity. This strategic move allows Shiji’s hotel partners to leverage HyperGuest's network for increased direct bookings and broader market reach. HyperGuest simplifies distribution by removing intermediaries, offering centralized control and secure transactions. Shiji serves over 91,000 hotels worldwide, underscoring its commitment to innovative solutions in the hospitality industry.

📈 Brussels, 28 August 2025 – More than 15,000 European hotels have joined a collective lawsuit against Booking.com, alleging anti-competitive rate parity clauses. Supported by HOTREC and 30 national hotel associations, the action follows a European Court of Justice ruling on 19 September 2024. Majority participation came from Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Greece, and Austria. The lawsuit will be filed with the Amsterdam District Court by year-end, consolidating hotel data. Registration deadline is 29 August.

📈 UK, since October: The hospitality sector faced 89,000 job losses, over half of the UK's total cuts, as a consequence of NICs policy changes. This figure triples the initial forecast of 50,000 and represents a 4.1% workforce reduction, seven times the broader economic rate. UKHospitality, led by Kate Nicholls, urges the government to lower business rates, fix NICs, and cut VAT in the upcoming Budget to safeguard employment.

📑 By August 2025, Spain's short-term rental (STR) density decreased to 6.6 properties/km² from 6.8 in 2024. Notable declines occurred in Alicante (-1.2 points), Santa Cruz de Tenerife, and Pontevedra (-0.8 points). Alicante's density fell from 20 to 18.80 properties/km². Conversely, Malaga (+0.4 points), Seville (+0.5), and Girona (+0.1) saw increases. The national registry for rentals, implemented in July 2025, contributed to these changes, with Malaga reaching 19.31 properties/km².