TOP NEWS

📝 85% of UK hospitality workers experienced poor mental health in the past year, with 67% desiring more notice of shift patterns. Planday's survey of over 2,000 shift workers informs The Single Biggest Shift campaign, targeting enhanced employee retention and happiness. 15% wouldn't recommend the industry, citing low pay (66%), long hours (57%), and rota control (46%). Currently, 53% plan to leave their jobs, and 68% considered industry change due to erratic scheduling. Planday CEO, Dave Lee, suggests planning shifts ahead and better mental health support to retain staff; 47% prioritize work-life balance, and 25% want regular working patterns.

```html ✈ ``` In June, the annual Travel and Mobility Sector Attractiveness Report was published, focusing on investment trends in aviation, ground transport, hospitality, and online travel. Despite global instability, corporate funding into Asia's Travel and Mobility Tech remained stable during the pandemic (2020-2023), with total venture funding in Asia dropping to $78.1 billion USD in 2023 from 2021's $187.4 billion USD. Ground Transport and Online Travel, especially OTAs like AirTrip, Yanolja, EaseMyTrip, and Trip.com, led corporate investments in Asia, deviating from global trends where Aviation dominated. Investments are geared towards enhancing the digital consumer experience, with booking innovations and fintech solutions being top priorities. Non-travel corporations, such as Douyin, are increasingly entering the travel sector, integrating travel services to offer seamless booking experiences within their platforms.

📈 Acclaimed chef, author, and TV host Carla Hall to keynote at the National Restaurant Association Show 2025, scheduled for May 17-20 at McCormick Place, Chicago. The keynote session is set for May 18, 2025, at 1 p.m. Registration for the event is available with an early bird rate until November 18. Hall, a former "Top Chef" contestant and "The Chew" co-host, will share industry insights and her journey from accountant to culinary icon, aiming to inspire foodservice professionals. Michelle Korsmo, President and CEO of the National Restaurant Association, will provide an industry outlook and host a Q&A with Hall. Hall's work includes judging on Food Network shows and advocating for causes like No Kid Hungry. The National Restaurant Association Show, started in 1919, is a platform for foodservice innovation and trends.

📣 Cloudbeds, headquartered in San Diego, CA, partners with PXier, enhancing its property management system with sales, catering, and spa software solutions. Cloudbeds, serving properties in 150+ countries, has been honored by Hotel Tech Report (2021-2024) and World Travel Awards (2022), and featured in Deloitte's Technology Fast 500 (2023). The integration leverages Cloudbeds’ open API for real-time data sync, centralized event management, and automated spa management, catering to hotels of all sizes.

🏨 A 2018 Cornell University study highlights that a hotel's brand significantly impacts its reputation more than star classification or chain scale. Consistency in guest experience is key to building brand trust and loyalty, with positive reviews on platforms like TripAdvisor boosting a hotel's market share. Negative feedback, when managed well using Reputation Management Software, can turn into improved service. The Library Hotel Collection exemplifies success through top TripAdvisor rankings, achieved by prioritizing guest happiness and encouraging online sharing of positive experiences. Hotels that prompt guests to review their stay see a 4-6% higher rating than unprompted reviews. Brand strength, closely tied to guest satisfaction, is essential for long-term profitability and competitiveness.

🏨 On October 3, 2024, Ruby Molly Hotel Dublin, boasting 272 luxury rooms, integrated Shiji's Enterprise Platform to boost automation, consolidate guest data, and enhance efficiency. This technology enables rapid integration of new properties, streamlines check-in/check-out, and supports Ruby's "lean luxury" approach, balancing high quality with cost optimization. Shiji, established in 1998, serves 91,000 hotels and Ruby, starting in 2013, now runs 19 hotels with more upcoming, plus workspaces across Europe.

💡 Hoteliers can achieve energy efficiency without sacrificing guest comfort or incurring high costs. Motion sensors and occupancy-based systems can save energy while advanced sensors recognize sleep mode to maintain comfort. Wireless technology and factory pre-programmed systems reduce installation costs and complexity. Balancing energy code compliance, cost control, and guest satisfaction is key. Strategic planning and the right IoT solutions can transform energy regulation challenges into opportunities for innovation, maintaining both environmental and economic benefits.

🏨 Luxury independent hotel properties have seen a resurgence in 2024, particularly in popular UK destinations like York, Edinburgh, Liverpool, and Glasgow. The broader hospitality market in 2024 remains flat, with the global MICE market predicted to grow from $970.76 billion in 2024 to $1,932.73 billion by 2032. Hoteliers face challenges in rate strategies, direct bookings, management costs, and investment in technology and talent. Opportunities lie in long-term planning and personalization to gain competitive advantage.

📅 Cisneros discusses the evolving role of revenue managers in the hospitality industry, emphasizing understanding customer digital patterns and demand. He predicts technology, especially AI, will shape future sophisticated, data-centric revenue management strategies. Mint House uses attribute-based selling, offering services like "Stock Your Stay" for groceries and partnerships with local restaurants for food delivery. He also touches on the challenges of sourcing revenue management talent, highlighting three types of managers: operational, technical, and platform experts.

🎄 Despite 59% of consumers expecting inflation to impact their holiday spending, average spending is set to rise 7% to $1,638 in the 2024 holiday season. Gen Z and Millennials prioritize sustainable shopping, while Gen X and Baby Boomers opt for convenience. 29% plan to spend less, averaging $776, while 26% will spend more, around $3,076. Millennials lead overall spending, with Gen Z's budget increasing by 59%. Over half (52%) will finish shopping post-Thanksgiving. Gen Z's average spend is $1,752, with 35% increasing their budgets. Holiday travelers in the U.S. (46%) lean towards staying with family/friends, with 56% preferring this to reduce costs. Men are projected to spend 13% more on tech and travel. Tech innovations are key for retailers combating economic pressures, aiming to offer value and personalized experiences.