News
Entertainment
Science & Technology
Life
Culture & Art
Hobbies
News
Entertainment
Science & Technology
Culture & Art
Hobbies
Shanghai's Premier Hospitality and Design Event: Hotel & Shop Plus 2025
HOTEL & SHOP PLUS, a leading trade fair for the hospitality industry, is set to kick off on March 31, 2025, at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre. The event will feature an expanded showcase of new products and technologies, offering a richer array of procurement options for attendees and focusing on sustainable development, providing integrated solutions from design, construction, and decoration to new products and materials for hotel management companies, designers, real estate, and engineering firms.
Revealing the 25 places to visit in 2025
A new year means new adventures, and just in time, Airbnb is unveiling 25 destinations for guests to visit in 2025. The list includes destinations that are surging in popularity, based on an increase in searches made by solo travelers, families, and group adventurers for trips in 2025 compared to the year prior.* It also includes the most wishlisted cities of 2024 we predict will continue to trend in the new year, including Vancouver and Houston.*
Reflecting on 2024: A year of innovation and growth at Cendyn
As we wrap up 2024, Cendyn celebrates a year marked by significant milestones and collaborations in the hospitality industry. From a refreshed brand identity to prestigious award wins, Cendyn has dedicated efforts to help hoteliers worldwide connect with guests, drive bookings, and explore new revenue streams. This year, as the industry embraced technology to meet evolving traveler expectations, Cendyn led the way.
Human Touch and Technology: Discussing Hospitality Communication and Experiences
Hospitality brands must shift from sterile presentations of features to narrative-driven engagements that address guests’ pain points and build emotional connections. Florencia Cueto Pedrotti, Director of Global Engagement & Sales Enablement at Shiji, sat down with Juanda Núñez, Founder of Smart Travel News. Known for his witty and engaging communication style, Juanda shared his insights about the power of personalisation, the evolving role of technology, and the importance of human connection in hospitality.
NEWH, Inc. Awards $75K in Scholarships During BDNY 2024
NEWH, Inc. (Network of Executive Women in Hospitality), a premier association committed to scholarships, advancing education, mentorship, and networking in the hospitality industry, unveiled its scholarship recipients last month during a series of events held alongside BDNY, from November 8-11, 2024. In its ongoing commitment to empower and elevate the hospitality community, NEWH awarded $75,000 in scholarships to deserving individuals, coinciding with the association’s 40th anniversary.
U.S. Travel Demand Reaches Four-Year High as Americans Plan to Travel More and Spend Bigger in 2025
Accentuated by upticks in brand loyalty and outbound tourism, Americans expressed their strong appetite for travel in the “Winter Edition” of MMGY’s Portrait of American Travelers® study released today. A quarterly examination of the evolving habits, preferences and behaviors of today’s U.S. travel consumers, the survey found that nearly 8 in 10 U.S. adults plan to take a vacation in the next 12 months, a 7% increase since winter 2023.
The FTC has banned “junk fees” in the US: What does that mean for hotels?
On Tuesday 17th December, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) enacted a new rule banning hidden "junk fees" in hotel bookings, vacation rentals, and event tickets. This mandate, which will go into effect in 120 days, requires that all mandatory fees like resort fees and cleaning charges be disclosed upfront, rather than at the final stages of booking. It’s designed to eliminate “drip pricing,” where a customer thinks they’re receiving a certain price until fees are added later on in the booking process.
Checking in Twice: Finding Out If Your Budget is Naughty or Nice | By Tim Hayes
Season’s greetings! As the year comes to a close, so does our industry’s budgeting season. While important, the budgeting season can sometimes be an arduous process, and we can get lost in the numbers in our attempt to complete the process. So, much like a certain jolly figure from the North Pole, we, too, should double-check our work. Here’s some key items to consider before taking a cheerful sleigh ride into the new year.
Designing Wellness Experiences to Attract Hotel Guests | By Indiana Lee
Modern travelers want more than comfortable beds and room service — they want all-encompassing experiences that support their physical, mental, and emotional well-being during their time away from home. Hoteliers that create immersive wellness experiences give guests a compelling reason to choose their accommodations over competitors.
Secondary Cities on the Rise: Why Meeting Planners are Flocking to Emerging Destinations | By Mike Schugt
Following the pandemic, the meetings and events industry has seen a noticeable shift in destination preferences. Major cities—long the epicenters for conferences, meetings, and events—are facing increasing competition from secondary cities.
Interview with Richard Hyde, COO of SLH
This month, Hospitality’s Leading Voices invites you into the world of Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH), where every stay is a story. In an exclusive conversation, Richard Hyde, COO of SLH, reveals how this global collection of boutique properties is setting the standard for intimate luxury.
Radisson Collection builds on the success of its “Taste of Heritage” Gastronomy Series with the Bilbao edition
The third edition of the Taste of Heritage gastronomy series features a collaboration between Radisson Collection Hotel, Gran Vía Bilbao and local gastronomy content creator Alejandro Biel (@gastro_barna) to create a gastronomy video and guide to the city. Additionally, the brand has created a print culinary guide to the city of Bilbao and the surrounding Basque region curated in collaboration with three-Michelin starred Chef Eneko Atxa, who also heads up the signature restaurant Eneko Basque at the Radisson Collection Hotel, Gran Vía Bilbao.
2024 Flashback: Bridging Communities, Celebrating Excellence, and Redefining Hospitality
As a Premium Partner of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, we embraced our shared values of excellence and responsibility, uniting the world in celebration. Our storied heritage propelled us to new heights, marked by significant anniversaries and milestones, including the 60th anniversary of Sofitel and the impressive 1000th Mercure hotel opening.
Banyan Group Celebrates its Landmark 30th Year with Record Openings; On Track to Welcome 100th Resort for its Singapore Homecoming in 2025
Banyan Group ("Banyan Tree Holdings Limited" or the "Group" – SGX: B58), an independent, global hospitality company, reflects on a landmark 30th year of progress and celebrations, alongside announcing an exciting pipeline for 2025. The Group is set to welcome its 100th resort for its homecoming debut in Singapore, and will see openings in new destinations beyond Asia, including Tanzania and the Dominican Republic.
The Digital Bodhisattva: Simone Puorto’s Revolutionary AI Clone at BTO 2024 | By Henri Roelings and Simone Puorto
At BTO 2024, Simone Puorto surprised the audience with a groundbreaking presentation: his keynote was entirely delivered by a digital clone created with advanced AI technologies. This avatar, built from 25 years of personal and professional content, perfectly replicated not only his communication style but also his voice, gestures, and signature provocative and philosophical approach. A concrete demonstration of AI's potential, the presentation pushed the hospitality industry to reflect on the future of human-artificial interaction. Below is an exclusive interview in which Simone shares how his digital clone project came to life and the implications this innovation could have for the future.
Sous-vide salmon cooking: why color isn't a key indicator | By Morgane Dumollard
We’ve all been there, anxiously checking if our salmon is that perfect shade of pink to know if it’s done. But here’s the thing: color isn’t always a reliable guide. Relying on it alone can leave you with dry, overcooked salmon or a raw center. Enter sous-vide cooking under the guidance of our Chef Cyrille Lecossois, Senior Lecturer at EHL and sous-vide expert: the foolproof method that focuses on temperature, not color. With precise temperature control, sous-vide takes the guesswork out of cooking and delivers salmon that’s perfectly tender every time.
The importance of faculty development in higher education | By Aurélie Boulos
The knowledge and skills transfer from faculty to students forms the core of what education is all about. One of the most rewarding and important roles in a school is played by the department that strives to support those on the front line of education delivery: the teachers. Welcome to the role of faculty development!
The Rise of Ultra-Luxury Hotels: Trends and Insights from Adam Mogelonsky’s BITAC Keynote Address
In mid-November 2024, Adam Mogelonsky delivered the keynote speech at the BITAC Owners Fall 2024 conference on the topic of luxury and ultraluxury hotels, and some of the incredible ways that they are supporting their nightly rates.
Hospitality Transactions and Development: Insights from Industry Experts | By Jon Peck
At the recent annual meeting of Cayuga Hospitality Consultants, we brought together a panel of experts to discuss the state of transactions and development in the hotel industry. Here is a look into some of the key topics and points from the panel.
The Five Easiest Customer Service Tactics Anyone Can Do | By Shep Hyken
It’s the holiday season, and whatever holiday you choose to celebrate – or choose not to celebrate – gifting is the norm. So, I have a gift for you: the five easiest customer service tactics that anyone and everyone can do – and they won’t cost a thing!
AAHOA Welcomes FTC Ruling Requiring Transparency in Lodging Pricing
AAHOA (Asian American Hotel Owners Association), the world's largest hotel owners association, applauds the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for finalizing the Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees, also known as the "Junk Fees Rule," on Tuesday, December 17. This landmark rule requires upfront disclosure of total prices, including mandatory fees, to ensure transparency and fairness for consumers booking short-term lodging and live-ticket events.
Otonomus Brings Hospitality Back to CES 2025 with AI-Powered Hotel
Otonomus, a leading AI-driven technology and hospitality company, announces its flagship Otonomus Hotel in Las Vegas will exhibit at CES 2025, showcasing what it believes to be the first AI-powered hotel. The company will demonstrate how they blend AI, attribute-based booking, and personalized guest services to CES attendees at their booth in Tech East, LVCC, North Hall, Grand Lobby, and Level 1 Meeting Rooms — 8543.
Shadowing as a Pedagogical Tool for Trainer Development | By Kaushiki Khanijo
For this, new creative methods are essential for hospitality to leverage teaching excellence based on the transfer of knowledge among professionals, i.e., experts from the industry who wish to expand their professional skills to include practical facilitation and teaching.
Auberge Resorts Collection Welcomes The Woodward, Geneva’s Finest Hotel and Only Three-Michelin Key and Two-Michelin Star Dining Destination, Overlooking Lake Geneva
Auberge Resorts Collection, the award-winning portfolio of one-of-a-kind luxury hotels, resorts and residences, has been selected by The Bastion Collection to manage The Woodward, Switzerland’s most celebrated luxury hotel and epicurean hotspot, ushering it into its exciting next chapter. Auberge will assume its new management role beginning February 1, 2025. Behind its iconic 1901 Belle Époque façade at Geneva’s most exclusive address, the Three Michelin Key, all-suite Swiss jewel reveals contemporary Pierre-Yves Rochon interiors, two floors of wellbeing centered around The Guerlain Spa, and 26 unique and expansive suites, almost all with panoramic lake and Alpine views. From sanctuary to social nexus, The Woodward also encompasses a constellation of exceptional dining venues, curated by The Bastion Collection, including Geneva’s only Two Michelin Star restaurant, L’Atelier Robuchon, Le Jardinier, and Bar 37.
Elevating careers in Revenue Management: How HOSPA Professional Development is guiding the next generation of talent
As HOSPA Professional Development ushers in a new cohort of learners undertaking its Revenue Management programme for the Vacation Rental sector – the organisation has shared how a previous course graduate has applied the learnings to further their career.
Accor and DOJI Group Announce the Signing of Sofitel Diamond Crown Hai Phong in Vietnam
Accor, a global leader in hospitality, is proud to announce the signing of Sofitel Diamond Crown Hai Phong in Vietnam, a new luxury hotel being developed in partnership with DOJI Group. This exceptional property, set to open in 2026, will be the first internationally acclaimed hotel located in diamond crown Hai Phong Complex, bringing signature French zest and offering state-of-the-art facilities at the top of a 45-story tower.
Capturing Hotel Demand at Scale: How Digital Marketing Automation is Shaping the Future of Hospitality | By Toni Marti
In today's hyper-competitive hospitality landscape, hotels can no longer rely on a “build it and they will come” mindset. The hunger for travel is insatiable, but the demand for a hyper-personalized experience that starts long before a potential traveler clicks ‘book now’ has hit an all-time high. In this market, loyalty must be earned – not given, and digital marketing is not a luxury, it's a necessity.