TOP NEWS

🍽 Phila Lorn, chef and co-owner of Mawn in Philadelphia, won the 2023 Emerging Chef award at a James Beard Foundation gala in Chicago. Bûcheron in Minneapolis was named Best New Restaurant. The foundation, since 1991, adapted its awards to include social responsibility, boosting smaller markets. New beverage awards recognized Identidad Cocktail Bar (San Juan), Arjav Ezekiel (Austin), and Ignacio Jimenez (NYC). Key winners included Jungsik Yim (NYC) and Frasca Food and Wine (Boulder).

💻 Carl Winston, from the Payne School at San Diego State University, addressed AI's impacts on hospitality at HITEC 2025, urging ethical scrutiny. AI's bias, data misuse, and job impact are immediate concerns. For instance, a 2023 study predicts AI could match a country's electricity use by 2030. AI reflects societal biases, and unchecked data can harm operations. Emphasizing transparent, inclusive AI practices, Winston advocates training staff and planning for tech failures to mitigate risks.

💻 Since 2020, Jurny has raised approximately $16 million in funding. Jurny launched Jurny Virtual in 2021, and its Management Operating System in 2022. In 2023, they introduced JurnyOS 2.0 and NIA, evolving into multi-agent tools in 2024. The latest, JurnyOS 3.5, offers advanced AI capabilities. Notable industry leaders, like Paul Tuscano, joined their advisory board. AI adoption is crucial, enhancing efficiency and personalization, with a potential 30% boost in guest retention through hyper-personalization.

📖 Sam Seigler, Managing Director at Trinity Bridge, emphasizes the role of effective leadership in hospitality recovery, highlighting strategic hiring, innovation, and succession planning in a fast-changing global landscape. Modern leaders must prioritize people, embrace change, and balance strategy with hands-on management. With a focus on diversity, technology, and long-term talent investment, Seigler advocates for empowering management and recruiting from diverse sectors to enhance performance and adaptability in the hospitality industry.

💬 VSR introduces VAIA® at HITEC in Indianapolis, Booth 3214. VAIA, a multimodal AI voice assistant, enhances guest satisfaction and hotel efficiency. Available in multiple languages, it handles queries via voice, text, chat, and email without app downloads. VAIA integrates with PMS, POS, and over 7,000 apps for seamless operations. It's deployable in days, reduces front desk workload, and boosts revenue through upselling. VAIA is PCI, GDPR, and HIPAA compliant, ensuring secure guest data management.

📈 Economic growth for tourism in OECD countries is projected to slow, with global growth decreasing from 3.3% in 2024 to 2.9% in 2025 and 2026. The US GDP growth is expected to decline from 2.8% in 2024 to 1.6% in 2025. Labour shortages persist in the tourism sector, which comprises half of tourism employment. Innovative approaches, such as digital solutions and cross-season employment, are needed, with examples from Finland and Switzerland. AI and data strategies enhance tourism business opportunities and sustainability.

💻 VSR unveils VAIA® at HITEC in Indianapolis, Booth 3214. Designed for hotels, this AI voice assistant offers multilingual responses via voice, text, chat, and email. It enables 24/7 guest service, cutting front desk workload, while boosting revenue through upsell opportunities. VAIA integrates with PMS, POS, and other tools, offering rapid deployment in days. Compliant with PCI, GDPR, and HIPAA, it enhances guest satisfaction and loyalty, providing insights through a real-time dashboard.

💰 May saw a 0.1% rise in the consumer price index, with annual inflation at 2.4%, less than expected. Food prices increased by 0.3% monthly and 2.9% annually, while restaurant prices rose 3.8% year-over-year. Menu prices have been higher than grocery prices for 26 consecutive months, with a 160 basis point gap, down from 190. Egg prices dropped 2.7% but remain 41.5% higher than in May 2024. Inflation's impact on restaurant sales persists, despite easing compared to previous years.

🕷 By month five, Live Oak Lake reached peak occupancy with rising weekly rates and strong Instagram presence. The lake played a key role in their marketing until it was overtaken by duckweed the day before YouTuber Shelby Church, with 1.7 million subscribers, visited. Efforts to clear the duckweed, including raking and spraying, failed. The situation seemed dire, leading to a night spent praying for a solution.