Food and Drink

News Blog

IDEAS: Hamad International Airport Blends Heritage with Hospitality at New Retail Experience

​​Qatar Duty Free has debuted Souq Al Matar - a new experiential mixed retail and dining concept - at Hamad International Airport in Doha. Credit: Qatar Airways Inspired by ‘the bustling energy and aesthetics of Qatar’s iconic traditional markets,' the seven shops and two restaurants are located in the North Node terminal of the airport. Offerings…

News Blog

IDEAS: Qatar Airways Goes Organic with New Onboard Menu

Qatar Airways is introducing a range of new onboard menu items that have been sourced from organic farms in Qatar, in celebration of EXPO 2023 taking place in Doha. Expo 2023 Doha, which is running through March 2024, celebrates the theme of 'Green Desert, Better Environment,' and aims to promote sustainable innovations. Credit: Qatar Airways…

News Blog

IDEAS: Immersive Hospitality Concept, Level 8, Debuts at Moxy & AC Hotel Downtown LA

Conceived by Mark and Jonnie Houston, in collaboration with Mitchell Hochberg of Lightstone, Level 8 is a multi-layered hospitality concept spread across 30,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space at the Moxy & AC Hotel Downtown LA. The new concept encompasses eight distinct maze-like destinations that offer a range of dining, drinking and entertainment…

News Blog

IDEAS: Emirates Launches Inflight Meal Pre-Order Service Across Europe

Emirates has expanded its inflight meal pre-order initiative across Europe, following the successful launch of the initiative on London to Dubair routes and the positive feedback received from passengers. The inflight pre-ordering service is available to Business Class passengers, and allows them to reserve their main course up to 24 hours prior to their departure…

News Blog

IDEAS: The Royal Mansour Launches a Cooking School in Marrakech

The Royal Mansour Marrakech has launched a new culinary school for guests who are looking to elevate their cooking knowledge under the expert guidance of the hotel's chefs. Located just a five minute walk from the famous Djemaa El Fna square, The Royal Mansour Marrakech - hotel, which is widely regarded for its culinary offering…

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IDEAS: Putting Surprise and Storytelling at the Center of ‘Dinner’ in Dubai

'Dinner' by Heston Blumenthal, which recently opened in Dubai at Atlantis The Royal, offers guests a "relaxed" dining experience driven by spectacle and storytelling. As consumer expectations rise, chefs are constantly upping the ante for not just their cuisine, but also the dining experience in order to stand out to guests. The menu explores "the…

News Blog

Lingering Anger Over Pandemic Furloughs Fuels Hotel Jobs Shortage, Study Finds

Hotels and restaurants continue to lag in filling positions in the post-pandemic recovery, and new research suggests that it's anger — rather than fear, laziness, pay disputes, or another factor — that's a critical component creating the worker shortfall. Many skilled hospitality workers who were furloughed or laid off during the pandemic remain angry about…

News Blog

U.S. Hotel Rates Are Now Highest Ever

We all know this having paid nose-bleed rates for anything in travel these days: U.S. hotel rates in April were the highest ever in recorded rate history, according to latest data from STR. That was on a nominal basis, but adjusted to inflation, was up 0.7 percent from 2019 comparables. April 2022 (percentage change from…

News Blog

IHG’s First-Quarter Average Daily Rates Now Back to 2019 Levels

IHG Hotels & Resorts’ 2022 first-quarter RevPAR increased 61 percent compared to the 2021 first quarter, and had now reached 82 percent of 2019's level. Its average daily rate was also up 27 percent versus 2021, and in line with 2019 levels, the company revealed on Friday in a trading update. Americas and the Europe,…

Coronavirus

Airbnb CEO to Tech Platform Peers: Clean Up Your Own Content or the Government Will

The proverbial handwriting is on the wall for Airbnb, Facebook, Google, Tripadvisor, and Yelp, among others. The regulators are coming! The regulators are coming!

Airbnb CEO to Tech Platform Peers: Clean Up Your Own Content or the Government Will