TOP NEWS

📈 Dishoom, a UK restaurant group, is set to debut in the US in August through a collaboration at Pastis in New York City. JKS, another London-based group, is eyeing New York, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas for expansion. San Carlo Group plans a Miami launch as a testbed for further US growth. Sexy Fish launched in Miami in 2022, while Chotto Matte established a Miami presence in 2018, expanding to San Francisco with more cities planned. Hawksmoor opened in NYC in 2021, followed by Chicago, signaling more North American openings. UK brands face a competitive US market, with Carluccio’s, Pizza Express, and YO! having struggled previously. Despite challenges, the US market presents significant opportunities for successful UK restaurant brands.

🏠 Adoption of biometrics in hotels is expected to rise in 2024 and 2025, addressing privacy concerns and staffing challenges. CyberLink's FaceMe system boasts a 99.83% accuracy, tested by NIST. Martin Chevalley of InnSpire suggests the technology allows staff to focus on guest engagement over clerical tasks. Facial recognition is favored over fingerprints due to environmental resilience and lower spoofing risk. While current costs are high, prices are anticipated to fall, making the technology more accessible.

📱 W Sydney, a five-star hotel with 588 rooms, chose IRIS for digital guest experience solutions. The IRIS app enhances the guest experience with mobile ordering and information on hotel amenities, local weather, and attractions. B&F Director Anand Prabeer reported a significant increase in room service orders and ancillary revenue within the first 6 months. The app's integration into the hotel's operations has led to optimized staff workflows and reduced costs. IRIS VP Sales and Marketing Graham Rushin expressed excitement about the partnership's success in meeting guest demands.

🏨 AI in the hospitality industry enhances hotel searches, online reservations, and customer service. Conversational bots like ChatGPT simplify booking processes and improve customer interactions. By leveraging AI for SEO, predictive analytics, and personalized services, hotels can increase visibility and revenue. However, challenges remain, such as high implementation costs, integration difficulties, and maintaining high-quality, ethical AI-generated content. AI-driven strategies include creating user-friendly websites, influencer marketing, social media engagement, and direct bookings to optimize user experience and drive sales. Nadav, co-founder of Virdee, has extensive software engineering and product team leadership experience.

🍴 John and Desiree Chantarasak to open AngloThai with MJMK Restaurants in Marylebone, London, in autumn. The 50-cover venue will offer Thai-British cuisine, sourcing ingredients from the British Isles, and serve biodynamic European wines. The menu will be seasonal with a la carte dishes, daily chef selections, and British-grown Asian produce. The restaurant features a private dining room, Baan, set to open later. AngloThai's Fitzrovia location deal fell through in 2021 after plans were announced. Opening now set for October.

🍴 Hospitality insolvencies climbed 20% year-on-year to 3,752 cases by May 2024, with the sector facing the third highest business failures. Dishoom, an Indian restaurant group, will launch its first overseas collaboration with New York's Pastis for breakfast dishes from August 19-30, 2024. Nick Beardshaw is set to open Starling, a 40-seater in Esher, Surrey, at August's end, featuring British seasonal dishes. Leeds' Bavette was named Britain’s Best Local Restaurant by The Good Food Guide. Liz Cottam's Leeds restaurant Home will close in September 2024 after seven years, due to economic pressures.

🏨 Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, known for its economy segment with brands like Days Inn, spun off in 2018 and now has 25 brands. President and CEO Geoff Ballotti discussed the company's Q2 2024 earnings, mentioning a growth slowdown four years post-COVID. U.S. RevPAR for select-service segments grew 2.6% annually since 2000. STR predicts RevPAR growth of 2% for 2024 and 2.6% for 2025. Wyndham's Echo Suites Extended Stay launched in 2022, with the first location in Spartanburg, S.C., and a pipeline of over 270 properties. New supply in the economy segment is down 1-2%, with a shift towards extended-stay, expecting 6% annual growth. Wyndham opened more than 18,000 rooms in Q2, 16% more domestically than the previous year, and its global development pipeline increased 7.4% YOY to 245,000 rooms. Internationally, room growth was 8%, with RevPAR up 7%. They're leveraging technology like Wyndham Connect and anticipate an additional $15 million in adjusted EBITDA by 2026 through royalty rate increases. The company also sees the $1.2-trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act as a potential $3.3-billion opportunity.

🏨 Accor's H1 2020 revenue increased by 11% to €2,677 million ($2,903.05 million), with RevPAR up by 6%. Premium, midscale, and economy division grew 4% to €1,473 million ($1,597.38 million), while luxury and lifestyle surged 22% to €1,243 million ($1,347.96 million). Potel & Chabot takeover contributed €117 million ($126.87 million) to the latter. Group EBITDA rose 13% to €504 million ($546.55 million) despite currency impacts. Accor opened 146 hotels, totaling 24,000 rooms, and expects 2024 RevPAR growth of 4-5% and EBITDA between €1,095 million ($1,187.46 million) and €1,125 million ($1,220 million).

🔔 Over 70% of guests would pay extra for preferred amenities, impacting booking decisions and review positivity. Epic Hotel in Miami and Dorsett Hotel in Hong Kong cater to niche markets with personalized amenities, while Brewdog craft beer hotels and Hard Rock offer unique experiences. McKinsey found that 71% of consumers expect personalized interactions, with 76% frustrated when absent. Tailored amenities, like monogrammed pillow slips at The Peninsula Beverly Hills, enhance guest experiences. Oracle and Skift report 43% desire voice-activated room controls. Hotel 1000 in Seattle integrates heat sensors and offers Topgolf Swing Suite, while InterContinental in China introduces AI service rooms. Personalization, unique offerings, and advanced technology are key to guest satisfaction.

🚧 NTIA leads a campaign to save Boxpark Shoreditch after closure announcement. Founding in 2011, Boxpark created over 1,000 jobs, contributed £80m annually to the local economy, totaling over £1bn, and welcomed 10 million visitors. Negotiations for site extension failed despite efforts with multiple stakeholders. Lease expiration and planned redevelopment by Bishopsgate Goodsyard and London authorities led to the closure set for summer end. Open letter urges Hackney Council to prevent a major setback in Shoreditch's regeneration efforts.