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🍴 Bret Thorn, senior food & beverage editor, joined Nation’s Restaurant News in 1999. From 1995-1997, he was a sub editor at Asia Times. He wrote for the New York Sun (2005-2008) and served as IFEC president in 2005. Thorn holds a BA in history from Tufts University (1990) and studied at Le Cordon Bleu in 1986. Notably, he contributed to the Oxford Encyclopedia in 2012 and 2015 and won the 2006 Jesse H. Neal Award.

💸 In Las Vegas, visitor numbers dropped by over 100,000 in one summer month, causing a $40 million loss in room revenue and a daily $1.3 million hit to hotel finances. Off-Strip hotels saw RevPAR fall by 28%. Convention traffic rose 10-11%, with high-end Strip properties maintaining 90%+ occupancy. Off-Strip budget hotels faced 70% occupancy and RevPAR drops of 17.1%-28.7%. Solutions focus on redefining value through technology, personalization, and enhanced human interactions.

🏨 Dubai and Riyadh are becoming powerhouse global hubs. Dubai's transformation over two decades includes architectural icons and sprawling districts, while Riyadh's Vision 2030 drives infrastructure and tourism growth. From 2023-2025, the Middle East remained the world's most profitable hospitality region. Riyadh leads with a 48% F&B margin, outpacing Dubai's 41.3%. Egypt has the lowest labor margin at 11.5% in 2025. The midscale hotel segment shows strong profitability, with upscale hotels maintaining margins in the low 40% range.

🏨 Registration is open for the Independent Hotel Show 2025 on 6–7 October at Olympia London. This event, focused on the boutique, independent, and luxury hotel sector, will feature over 200 suppliers and host thousands of hoteliers, designers, and decision-makers. The 2025 theme, "Redefining Luxury," explores shifting guest expectations through live content across three stages. The event includes the Independent Hotel Show Awards, celebrating industry leaders with categories like Independent Hotel of the Year and Hotel Rising Star.

📈 7 August 2025, Santa Rosa Beach, Fla. — Key Data's Q2 2025 Index highlights the US vacation rental market's outstanding performance, with short-term rentals (STRs) exceeding hotel performance by 9 percentage points in RevPAR. The Mid-Atlantic, New England, Rocky Mountains, and Hawaiian Islands reported RevPAR growth of 11%, 10%, 9%, and 6%, respectively. Conversely, the Southwest saw a 4% decline. An 11% drop in forward occupancy for September 2025 indicates growing pressures amid evolving market dynamics.

💻 Elon Musk's five-step algorithm focuses on questioning, removing, simplifying, accelerating, and automating to transform the hotel guest journey. Key strategies include minimizing social media presence, streamlining booking forms to essential details only, replacing long emails with concise communication, and eliminating physical front desk queues. This approach enhances guest satisfaction and boosts profitability by reducing friction and creating an intuitive experience. For hoteliers, simplicity and efficiency are the new luxury, achieved through relentless questioning and editing.

💳 Booking.com launched the Genius Rewards Visa Signature in the U.S. on August 7, 2025, to boost direct bookings. Cardholders earn travel credits, not points, with 6% back on hotel/rental bookings via the app and 5% on other services. Benefits include no annual fee, Genius tier 3 perks, and $150 travel credits for $1,500 spent in 90 days. A $100 bonus is earned annually for $15,000 spent. The initiative aims to increase U.S. market presence.

🏨 Republic Investment Company and Capstone Equities acquired the 100-key Smyth Tribeca in New York, with Rebel Hotel Company managing operations. They plan enhancements in 2026 after $10M in prior investments from 2018-2023. Smyth Tribeca has 88 guestrooms, 12 suites, two dining venues, and 7,000 sq ft of event space. It offers access to 17 subway lines and local landmarks. This marks Republic’s seventh New York hotel acquisition since its 1983 founding.

🍵 Sheraton Grand London Park Lane hosts "The Great Gatsby: Only Afternoon Tea!" from May 16 to September 7, 2025, priced from £65. Complimentary sparkling wine on weekdays in August. 🍣 SUSHISAMBA Edinburgh offers a Summer Champagne Afternoon Tea daily in July and August for £65. 🍰 London Marriott Hotel County Hall provides afternoon tea with views of Big Ben and London Eye for £65. 🛤️ St. Pancras London features Laurent-Perrier Afternoon Tea for £59. 🍾 The Register Club, Edinburgh offers The Grand Afternoon Tea for £60.

📰 August 5, 2025, Skift's report on U.S. Traveler Trends 2025 reveals evolving travel habits: 66% of Americans embarked on leisure trips focused on relaxation and experiences. AI tools like ChatGPT aid nearly 33% in trip planning, while over 50% book via social media. Direct bookings fell to 41%, favoring OTAs for convenience. Rising costs lead to mid-range lodging choices. The report also compares U.S. trends with China, India, France, and the UK.