TOP NEWS

📌 Hotel room demand expected to increase in 2025, presenting both opportunities and staffing challenges for hoteliers. Housekeepers prefer daily room cleanings for ease and guest satisfaction, aligning with the American Hotel & Lodging Association's findings on cleanliness importance. Chicago saw 58% of hotel workers report workplace sexual harassment, leading to mandated panic buttons for safety. The Prince George Hotel Halifax incentivizes meticulous cleaning with prizes; staff also value recognition and schedule flexibility. Some hoteliers consider temporary staffing with W2 employees over 1099 contractors for fluctuating needs.

🏫 Blenheim Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, launches an ambitious £12M roof restoration to be completed by 2026, to protect its heritage. Starting Spring 2025, visitors can enjoy three exclusive experiences: 'Roof Top View,' 'Life Below Stairs,' and 'Family Treasures.' These provide unique perspectives, uncover servant history, and reveal private treasures. Group tickets start at £39, with discounts for 15+ visitors, free access for group leaders, and perks for coach drivers. Restoration addresses water damage, beetle infestation, and preserving the ceiling fresco by Sir James Thornhill. The project also aims to improve environmental controls, safety, and energy efficiency. Contact for group bookings: 01993 815600 or email groups@blenheimpalace.com.

📰 Creator media economy generated nearly $250 billion in revenue last year, 15% of the global media and entertainment (M&E) market. It's grown approximately 25% annually over the past four years, accounting for almost half of global M&E growth, while corporate media has grown at 3%. The creator economy is expected to exceed $600 billion and 25% of global M&E revenue by 2030. Technological, cultural, demographic, and economic factors suggest it could grow even faster, increasingly at the expense of traditional media.

🏦 Sloan Dean, CEO of Remington Hospitality, discusses the merits of smart growth over rapid scaling in a podcast episode. On February 3, 2025, insights into building a people-first company and the significance of food and beverage in the hospitality industry were shared. This episode is featured among the "Most Popular Episodes" on the Hospitality Daily Podcast.

💸 In 2025, the business travel industry witnesses traditional practices evolving with technology. The "Value of Business Travel report" from June 2024 indicated a 62% CEO expectation for increased travel budgets compared to 2023. Decentralization of trip booking and AI integration play significant roles, with TravelPerk incorporating AI to aid customer experience. 2024 saw industry consolidation, a trend expected to persist due to consistent unit economics. Despite technological advancements, the core need for in-person interaction continues to drive business travel.

🏨 - **Who:** Donte Johnson and Jason Bass, previously from Hotel Revival in Baltimore, now at Thompson Atlanta Buckhead. - **What:** Developed a concept called "impact hospitality" and produced a textbook on the subject. - **Where:** Baltimore and Atlanta. - **When:** Events mentioned occurred in late 2019; the timeframe of the interview is not specified. - **How:** By creating events and leveraging community engagement, they transitioned their hotel into a community hub and sparked industry interest. - **Key Facts:** - Donte was impressed by Jason's event management skills and creativity. - In October 2019, they collaborated on a successful event. - By December 2019, Jason proposed an innovative mobile beverage experience. - Their unique approach to hospitality was highlighted at an annual meeting, leading to Jason's involvement in consulting. - The duo emphasizes building community alongside business for better outcomes. - Their transition from Baltimore to Atlanta maintained their momentum. - In Atlanta, they formed an advisory board of community leaders to ensure their hotel initiatives align with local needs. Summary: Donte Johnson and Jason Bass, known for their unique approach to hospitality through community engagement at Hotel Revival in Baltimore, have taken their expertise to Thompson Atlanta Buckhead. They've produced a textbook on "impact hospitality," a concept that integrates hotels into their communities for mutual benefit. Their success began with events in 2019 and has since evolved into

🏆 iSeatz released its annual U.S. travel loyalty report analyzing behavior, program design, and tech adoption data from 256 decision-makers and 4,341 consumers. Findings show 55% of U.S. consumers are in travel rewards programs, a majority for the first time. Brands now use customer lifetime value (47%) and net promoter score (43%) to measure success. Savings remain the top priority for 44% of consumers, yet 62% find booking experiences frustrating. Only 29% of brands are enhancing user experience, revealing a disconnect. AI use is reported by 47% of consumers, with 45% of brands seeing AI integration as a challenge. Personalization is key, with high demand among luxury members (84%) and households with children (76%). 📥 Download the full 2025 report for more insights.

🏥 The 24th Hospitality Awards, organized by Hospitality ON, celebrated industry innovation and excellence. Puneet Chhatwal of Indian Hotels Company presented awards across 20+ categories. B&B HOTELS ACADEMY won for talent management, Sunlife Marine Conservation for environmental protection, and Land & Life Foundation for social responsibility. Accor's The Wave x Paris 2024 and La Glace x Paris 2024 took marketing honors, while the Best Innovative Guest Experience went to Anantara Luxury Rail Journey. Local awards included Best F&B Experience Innovation by Spice Spoons (Anantara, MINOR) and Best Health & Wellness Experience by Thalazur – Epigenetic Experience. More details are available on the Awards platform, showcasing innovative ideas and strategies in the hospitality sector.

🏨 Hotel Property Management Groups (PMGs) are struggling to keep up with modern traveler preferences, economic pressures, and commercial optimization challenges. PMGs are underperforming in guest service/experience and owner revenue/profits. Factors include the demand for personalized and digital experiences, unique stays, global economic fluctuations, rising operational costs, and intense competition from alternative accommodations. Successful PMGs must integrate technology, offer unique experiences, and have a strong commercial strategy. Net Operating Income (NOI) is the critical metric for hotel real estate profitability, yet PMGs are often found lacking in this area. Owners and investors are seeking better management options that can adapt to evolving guest expectations and maintain asset profitability.