Miscellaneous

🎶 ILC's Confab in Chicago witnessed a vibrant gathering of hoteliers and designers focused on crafting meaningful experiences. Bespoke Sound curates music to foster a sense of belonging, introducing new clients like Goldener Hirsch in Park City and Baker's Place in Madison. Their recent rebranding, in collaboration with Vasily Grogol and Bursa Studios, emphasizes minimalism and intention, reflected in their new visual identity and website. Meanwhile, old-school letter-pressed business cards by Casual Letterpress highlight their commitment to quality.

🛫 Etraveli Group, headquartered in Stockholm, partnered with KKR as a new minority investor alongside CVC Capital Partners, who acquired it in 2017. The new strategic partnership aims to bolster Etraveli's global expansion. An eight-year agreement with Booking.com, active since 2019, continues. Etraveli also launched a Fintech division offering Precision, a fraud management tool for airlines. CEO Mathias Hedlund emphasized innovation and global growth with CVC and KKR. Financial details remain undisclosed.

📱 Thomas Cook, the UK's oldest travel agency, now part of eSky Group, launched its first app on iOS and Android. This app allows users to book ATOL-protected dynamic packages from hundreds of airlines and thousands of hotels globally, all in one transaction. Chief Holidays Officer Alan French highlighted the growing mobile trend, emphasizing the app's role as both a booking tool and a personal travel guide. Developed in-house, it supports Google Pay, Apple Pay, Mastercard, and Visa.

💰 Paid $27 for a ride less than a mile via Uber, with the driver receiving only $6. Non-surge fares for similar distances are around $4. The gig economy platforms benefit from surge pricing, often leaving drivers with a small fraction. California challenges these platforms due to unfair practices. The digital economy needs a serious reevaluation to ensure fair compensation for service providers. Until reforms occur, these platforms remain exploitative in nature.

🍴 Bret Thorn, a senior editor since 1999, covers food and beverage trends for Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. He previously wrote for The New York Sun (2005-2008) and spent 1992-1997 in Thailand with Asia Times and Manager magazine. Thorn is a Tufts University graduate and Le Cordon Bleu alumnus. He served as IFEC president in 2005 and won a 2006 journalism award. Thorn authored entries for Oxford encyclopedias in 2012 and 2015.

🍴 DESTIN, Florida—On the official opening of Primrose Coastal Italian at Henderson Beach Resort, led by Executive Chef Scott Plumley. The restaurant offers a unique coastal cuisine experience, featuring house-made pastas, locally sourced seafood, and Mediterranean ingredients. Menu highlights include Blue Crab Zeppole, Lobster & Summer Stone Fruit Caprese, and Linguine al Frutti di Mare. Primrose is now open for nightly dinner service, welcoming guests to savor dishes that blend Italian heritage with Florida’s Gulf Coast flavors.

🏨 July 6-12, 2025, Arlington, Virginia—U.S. hotel industry performance declined year-over-year. Occupancy fell by 3.2% to 67.2%, ADR slightly decreased by 0.5% to $158.42, and RevPAR dropped by 3.7% to $106.39. St. Louis saw occupancy rise by 21% to 81.3%, ADR up 8.1% to $145.21, and RevPAR increase by 30.8% to $118.10, influenced by the 62nd General Conference Session of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Houston's metrics plummeted due to 2024's Hurricane Beryl comparison.

🏠 San Francisco's urban design could learn from Japan's high commercial density, where mixed-use zoning allows shops everywhere. American zoning laws often limit commercial spaces, making neighborhoods less walkable and engaging. Recent reforms by San Francisco's mayor aim to streamline business permits, reducing red tape for small businesses. Japan's policies favor small retailers, creating vibrant, walkable neighborhoods. Encouraging small retail footprints, improving public transit, and enhancing safety can transform cities into lively urban spaces.

🏆 The Stadium Events & Hospitality Awards 2025 took place at The American Express Stadium, Brighton, attended by over 400 guests from 70 UK venues. Brighton & Hove Albion FC won the Overall Matchday Hospitality Experience. Manchester City FC won multiple awards, including the Event Agents Choice Award. The event featured 71 clubs, 45 awards over 15 categories, judged independently by experts. Next year's event will be hosted at Hill Dickinson Stadium, Everton FC.

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