TOP NEWS

📰 Bret Thorn, senior food & beverage editor at Nation’s Restaurant News since 1999, reports on culinary trends. He hosts the podcast "In the Kitchen with Bret Thorn." Thorn studied at Tufts University, Le Cordon Bleu, and in China. He was a columnist for The New York Sun (2005-2008) and won the 2006 Jesse H. Neal Award. Inducted into Disciples d’Escoffier in 2014, Thorn specializes in French and Asian cuisines. He resides in Brooklyn, NY.

🏨 Independent Tuesday, launched by TakeUp, emphasizes the value of independent hotels amidst the rise of "fauxtiques." These corporate-designed hotels lack the authentic experience offered by independently owned properties. Independent Tuesday aims to encourage travelers and hoteliers to support genuine hospitality that reflects local character and originality. TakeUp, an AI-powered platform, supports independent hotels in maximizing revenue and efficiency. Join the movement to preserve the soul of hospitality.

📈 Sylvie Bergeret, member of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, with 25 years in the hotel sector, shares insights on hospitality investment outlook. As Head of Research at MKG, she highlights current market trends and investment strategies.

🏨 During the Cayuga Hospitality Consultants Annual Conference 2025 in Scottsdale, experts discussed the evolving hotel industry. Key insights highlight the need for agility in commercial strategies, with a focus on direct revenue and guest-centric experiences. AI and technology are pivotal, enhancing data analytics, marketing automation, and personalized outreach. Adaptability and strong leadership skills, such as digital fluency and agility, are crucial for future success. Revenue strategies now encompass all hotel spaces, adopting dynamic pricing to optimize profitability.

🌊 PATA released "Developing Sustainable Tourism in Tropical Coastal Cities: Global Case Studies" on November 18, 2025, in Sanya at the 2025 Tropical Coastal City Tourism Event. 🌍 Sea-surface temperatures in the South-West Pacific reached unprecedented levels in 2024. Key initiatives: Sanya's marine ranch, Thailand's water resource management, and Indonesia's Desa Potato Head's 97.5% recycling rate. The report emphasizes resource management, local harmony, economic diversification, and private sector sustainability.

🏨 Hotel PMS implementations are challenging but rewarding. Ryan King, Shiji's Senior VP of the Americas, highlights key strategies for success: clear communication (30-40% better outcomes), strong leadership alignment, and treating go-live as mission-critical. Empowering champions at each property accelerates adoption. Integration issues must be finalized 60 days before go-live to avoid chaos. Diverse training methods cater to generational differences. Projects succeed when teams are disciplined, communicative, and collaborative, treating each other as partners.

📅 Google has introduced AI-powered features in Search, allowing users to plan trips and find deals from a single prompt. I tested this by asking Google to suggest family-friendly hotels for Christmas in London. Results included Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, Royal National Hotel, and Hilton London Metropole, among others. The AI derives suggestions from sources like Tripadvisor and Facebook, emphasizing the importance of being present in these platforms for hotel visibility. Visibility now depends on user-generated content and niche sites as much as traditional SEO.

🗺 AI use in travel planning jumped from 10% in 2024 to 18% in 2025, driven by Gen Z and Millennials. In China, 40% use AI for planning, compared to 27% in the US. 28% of travelers plan trips in off-peak months to avoid heat and crowds. Europe sees a 3% rise in international arrivals, with visitor spending projected to increase by 9.9% in 2025. Rising costs push interest to Central and Eastern Europe.