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April 8, 2025

56 posts
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  • 2 min

Gruppo UNA rebrands as UNA Italian Hospitality

🏨 Italy-based Hotel group Gruppo UNA rebrands as UNA Italian Hospitality, focusing on Italian heritage with over 50 hotels nationwide, including UNA Esperienze and UNA HOTELS collections. Rebranding aims to boost brand recognition and cater to a growing international audience, with two-thirds of revenue from international guests. CEO Giorgio Marchegiani emphasizes authenticity and "Italianness". A new website with enhanced booking engine, virtual tours, and personalized content supports the rebrand.
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  • 1 min

TOOR Hotel opens in downtown Toronto

🏨 Manga Hotel Group opened TOOR Hotel, its first upscale TOOR brand property, in downtown Toronto, Canada. Located in Toronto's Garden District, the hotel features 232 rooms, 181 residential units, 55” TVs, Nespresso machines, and smart lighting. Amenities include a fitness center, yoga studio, valet parking, event space, and the two-story Muse Bistro & Bar. TOOR Hotel is part of Manga’s portfolio of 33 hotels and more than 6,000 rooms. A second TOOR Hotel is set to open in New York City's Soho later in the year.
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Grand Metropolitan acquires Voile d’Or Hotels and Resorts

🏡 Grand Metropolitan Hotels acquires luxury brand Voile d’Or Hotels and Resorts, including all brand rights and management contracts. Voile d’Or operates in London, Paris, New York, Saint Jean Cap Ferrat, St. Barths, and Courchevel. The first hotel, Hotel La Voile d’Or, opened in 1925 and will reopen in 2029 after renovation. Jacques Oudinot becomes CEO, with Edouard Deschepper as board director. Martin Smura announces plans for expansion into the Maldives, Dubai, and Lisbon.
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  • 3 min

AI and the Benefit of Personalized Hospitality for Hotels and Restaurants

💳 A Boston Consulting Group survey reveals that 80% of consumers expect personalized experiences. AI enhances hospitality and dining by automating services, providing personalized recommendations, and predicting staffing needs. Hotels use AI for guest journey customization and real-time data analysis for operations, while restaurants employ AI for optimizing labor, inventory, yield, and menu recommendations. Consumers crave control and personalization, leading to self-service options in dining and tailored loyalty programs in hospitality that offer unique perks and discounts. AI gathers data to deliver personalized experiences, like anniversary suite suggestions or allergy-safe menu items, and anticipates needs such as late check-outs for delayed flights. AI supports staff efficiency, not replacement, ensuring personalized guest connections.
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Hilton expands in Japan with Waldorf Astoria Osaka

🏦 Hilton introduced the Waldorf Astoria Osaka in Japan, a luxury 252-room hotel situated atop South Park Tower in the Umekita District. Offering rooms and suites on the 31st to 38th floors, the hotel features four F&B venues, a spa with Japanese-inspired treatments, an indoor pool, and 33,000 square feet of event space, including a chapel. Waldorf Astoria aims to more than double its Asia Pacific portfolio within two years, marking the brand's debut in Japan.
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  • 17 min

Tariffs, Unfolding Travel Trends, and San Francisco’s Comeback – Zach Demuth, JLL

📌 In the hospitality industry, optimism peaked in late 2022 due to interest rate cuts beginning in September and strong performance in urban travel, particularly international group and business demand. However, by 2023 and 2024, geopolitical developments and potential trade wars introduced uncertainty. While the fundamentals of travel demand remained robust, hotel investment decisions faced increased uncertainty from tariffs, immigration policies, and inflation, which could lead to higher interest rates. Despite global concerns, the success of individual hotels or hotel collections largely depends on local market conditions. Detailed market knowledge, understanding demand drivers, and leveraging third-party resources like STR and CoStar are essential. Immediate impacts from tariffs include increased construction costs and supply chain disruptions, while longer-term impacts might include reduced consumer discretionary spending, affecting travel demand. San Francisco's hotel market, hit by multiple challenges including the loss of conventions, tech company relocations, and a decrease in Asian travel, particularly from China, saw further declines in 2023 and 2024. Yet, JLL anticipates a recovery starting in 2025, with strong events returning, tech companies reestablishing offices, and investor interest rising, positioning San Francisco for potential growth. Overall, navigating uncertainty requires focusing on controllable factors, understanding local markets, and seizing opportunities during uncertain times.
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  • 2 min

Glion Institute of Higher Education appoints Philippe Vignon as General Director

🎓 Philippe Vignon named General Director of Glion Institute of Higher Education starting June 16, 2025; tasked with expanding the Swiss institution’s global academic brand. With 30+ years of experience, his resume includes roles at Geneva Tourism, Edipresse Digital, EasyJet, and L'Oréal Suisse. Vignon will lead Glion’s campuses in Switzerland and the UK, pushing growth, innovation, and strategic partnerships, while serving on boards and advising on programs like Vision 2030 in Saudi Arabia and sustainable travel startups.
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