TOP NEWS

🏨 Kasada Hotels Africa partners with WOJO to introduce Workspitality® across Africa, integrating coworking spaces into hotels for digital nomads and remote workers, reflecting shifts in work and travel dynamics. The Leela Palace Trail offers a curated cultural journey through India's iconic palaces, emphasizing luxury and sustainability. Marriott Bonvoy Moments transforms loyalty programs with unique experiences, accessible via point bids. Mercure's BONS&VIVANTS enhances local guest experiences in 180 French hotels. Rocco Forte Hotels' Musical Room Service blends dining and live music for cultural immersion.

🍴 25th World Gourmet Festival, Bangkok: This annual event by Minor Hotels has transformed Bangkok into a global dining hub. Scheduled to gather over 3,000 guests and 20+ chefs at the Anantara Siam, it features Michelin-star chefs, mixologists, and Thai talents. Aimed at culinary exchange and innovation, it integrates mentorships and sustainability workshops, redefining hotel-led F&B experiences. The festival celebrates its 25th year as a platform for creativity and cultural exchange.

📰 Launched in June 2025, Accor's Guest Star campaign, featuring Kylian Mbappé, redefines hospitality by treating guests as stars. From September 19-22, 2025, Club Med celebrated its 75th anniversary at Galeries Lafayette in Paris. Four Seasons' White Lotus Experience offers a private jet journey from Hawaii to Sicily and Thailand. Ibis RockCorps, initiated in 2024, combines community service with exclusive concerts. Marriott Bonvoy ventures into the metaverse with Fortnite, creating Marriott Bonvoy Land for virtual travel exploration.

🧃 Chef Marco Pierre White and Master Distiller Chris Sadler's MR WHITE’S GIN is now available at Bottle + Co, Harvey Nichols, Birmingham. Released in spring, this 40% ABV gin (70cl for £30) showcases nine botanicals, mainly from the Mediterranean. Crafted traditionally in small batches, it balances tradition with innovation. Manager Carl Hawkins praises its authenticity and quality. Tasting notes highlight juniper, citrus, spices, and a smooth finish. Perfect for cocktails like Gin and It or White Negroni.

💻 Mirai Omnichannel offers expert management for Sarai, a hotel AI agent, ensuring maximum efficiency without burdening your team. Over 500 hotels globally benefit from this service, which handles initial setup, data maintenance, and performance monitoring. Two models are available: self-service for full control or expert management. The comprehensive Global Omnichannel Service covers all communication channels. Mirai combines AI and human expertise to enhance customer interaction and direct sales. Contact omnichannel@mirai.com for more details.

🏨 CEO managing 30 hotels must ensure alignment across marketing, IT, finance, and operations. Implement a unified "Guest Profile" and "Guest Journey Teams" to ensure personalized experiences. Establish a single BI platform for shared KPIs like Guest Satisfaction (NPS), GOP%, and Marginal Flow-Through. Cross-functional collaboration is crucial to overcome silo challenges. Engage the board with a unified strategic narrative and mentors for key initiatives. Promote trust by consistent storytelling and crisis management. Protect CEO effectiveness through strategic time management and on-ground insights.

💸 **FINLAND, 22 October 2025** — Hostaway, a vacation rental software, reached unicorn status after a 2024 funding round of $365 million, now valued at $925 million. Founded in 2015, it operates in over 90 countries with a remote team across 44 countries. The STR market, valued at $124.5 billion in 2024, is projected to grow to $344 billion by 2034, at 10.7% annually. Hostaway invests in AI, catering to property managers globally.

💸 Flexible financing is revolutionizing hospitality by integrating directly with hotel systems, providing funding based on real-time transaction data. Unlike traditional loans, this approach adapts to business needs, offering approvals potentially within 72 hours without fixed repayment schedules, interest rates, or hidden fees. YouLend exemplifies this shift, allowing repayments to vary with revenue, ensuring hotels access capital precisely when they need it, whether for busy seasons, guest experience enhancement, or unexpected investments.

🏨 For 2026, hotels must adapt quickly to avoid budget failures. Key issues include: outdated assumptions, autopilot budgeting, lack of purposeful spending, data silos, undervaluing brand and experience, and planning for yesterday's market. Strategies like rolling budgets and monthly re-forecasting are recommended. Experts Max Starkov, Tamie Matthews, and Nicole Sideris emphasize tailored strategies and brand investments for better returns. Flexible, insight-driven budgeting is essential as markets evolve rapidly.