TOP NEWS

🍴 Bret Thorn, senior food & beverage editor at Nation's Restaurant News since 1999, covers F&B trends. He holds a degree from Tufts University (1990) and a culinary certificate from Le Cordon Bleu (1986). Thorn, a former columnist for The New York Sun (2005-2008), has written for the Oxford Encyclopedia and received the 2006 Jesse H. Neal Award. He served as IFEC president in 2005 and was inducted into Disciples d'Escoffier in 2014. Thorn resides in Brooklyn, NY.

💰 Curated Spaces introduces ‘Gift a Trip’, a new travel gifting feature. It allows gifters to anonymously gather preferences and book personalized trips without stress. Alex Oldfield, co-founder, highlights the feature’s focus on meaningful, personalized, and carefully executed experiences. This innovative tool eliminates guesswork and is available year-round, ensuring gifts are both thoughtful and timely.

🏨 Life Hotels, Inwood Hotels, Emerald Stay, Groupe Valdys, and The Boost Society are pioneering sustainable growth in France's hospitality sector. Life Hotels automates payments for efficiency, planning new openings in 2026. Inwood Hotels migrated to an automation-ready platform in 2021, maintaining boutique charm. Emerald Stay's digital model boosts revenue by 30%. Groupe Valdys integrates systems for wellness-focused hospitality. The Boost Society uses automation across 38+ properties for diverse stay management. These groups leverage technology to scale without losing their unique character.

💻 Amadeus highlights 2026 travel trends, including pet-friendly travel, bespoke hospitality, and AI-planned trips. By 2030, the global pet industry could reach $500 billion. SkyePets plans long-haul pet flights between Australia and the US. Airbus A321XLR jets will increase flight range by 700 nautical miles. IndiGo launches India's first non-stop service to Athens in January 2026. Pop culture influences tourism; Bridgerton boosts Bath's economy by £5 million annually. Universal Studios Great Britain construction begins in 2026.

✈️ Dec 3, 2025: In 2026, tourism will prioritize deeper, personal experiences over traditional sightseeing. Skyscanner highlights shifts towards beauty rituals, local food exploration, and mountain travel for serenity. Trips will focus on individual interests—beauty, food, nature—eschewing 'tourist checklist' holidays for authenticity. Travel is increasingly seen as a form of well-being, offering opportunities for self-care, connection with nature, and meaningful cultural engagement. For more, visit the BBC.

🏆 North America will host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, described as the "largest World Cup in history," impacting 16 host cities with a visitor surge. Starting December 5, 2025, demand will spike due to team draws. ADR is expected to rise 20%-45%, with occupancy up 5-15 percentage points. Kansas City, Miami, and other cities will see significant revenue increases. 18% of U.S. fans plan road trips. Hospitality America implements strategies for rate integrity and regional compression forecasting.

📊 In October 2025, India's hotel sector thrived with a 10-12% year-on-year increase in average room rates (ARR) and a slight rise in occupancy rates. This growth was fueled by corporate and MICE travel, alongside a boost from the extended Diwali weekend. Most major markets saw double-digit ARR growth, and occupancy levels improved nationally, despite regional differences.

💻 Shiji was named a finalist for the 2025 Geography and Global AWS Partner Award, specifically in the "Industry Partner of the Year – Travel and Hospitality" category, on December 2, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Shiji's recognition emphasizes its innovative use of AWS services to enhance hotel operational efficiency and guest experiences. Globally, Shiji supports over 91,000 hotels with its cloud-based technology. The awards are reviewed by Canalys, focusing on customer success. Shiji employs over 5,000 worldwide.

💻 Las Vegas is navigating economic challenges by integrating AI into its core industries. RCG Economics reports that up to 95% of hospitality jobs in Southern Nevada are at risk by the end of next year. Despite a 4% visitor drop, tech conventions boosted October attendance. NoMad Las Vegas will be rebranded in early 2026. The Culinary Union guarantees six-month notices for tech affecting jobs. AWS re:Invent 2025 introduced Marengo 3.0, enhancing video analysis. Zoox expands its robotaxi fleet, enhancing Las Vegas transportation.

💻 In 2026, hotels must focus on immersive "active" experiences to boost guest spending, leveraging AI agents for hyper-personalization and cultural mediation. These strategies can increase ADR, loyalty, and emotional connections. AI supports employees by preventing burnout and coaching, essential for Gen Z retention as they dominate frontline roles. Operational AI agents improve productivity with a 6% revenue growth and 20-30% downtime reduction. Early adopters see 5-15% net profit increases through AI-driven efficiency.