Miscellaneous

📖 January 2026, Riyadh: Dusit Thani College (DTC) partners with Alkhaleej to launch the Talent Opportunity Programme (TOP) in Saudi Arabia. The six-month program offers 280 hours of training and a four-month internship. Alkhaleej’s Riyadh center will offer the first non-Swiss skills-based hospitality training in Saudi. Saudi Arabia’s tourism is projected to contribute 10% of GDP by 2025, with 2.7 million jobs, boosting demand for training. Dusit expands globally, including opening Dusit Princess Al Majma’ah in Q1 2026.

🌍 Thomas Cook achieved a record-breaking Black Friday since shifting online in September 2020, with revenue soaring 274% year-on-year. Spain, Egypt, and the USA were the most-booked destinations, with 44% of bookings being all-inclusive. Longer stays prevailed, with 72% exceeding five days, and nearly 20% of customers planned trips within 8-12 weeks. Thomas Cook's affordable deposits start at £39, appealing to value-focused travelers during peak promotional events.

💰 Global travel subscription company eDreams ODIGEO has redeemed 9 million shares within five months, representing 7.57% of its share capital. This aligns with shareholder-approved capital reductions initiated in July 2025. The company's capital now stands at EUR 11,862,505.9, divided into 118,625,059 shares. Aiming for 13 million subscribers by 2030, eDreams plans a €100 million share repurchase over two years, leveraging its robust cash flow and 7.7 million member base.

🏨 More than 50% of “loyal” hotel members don't repeat a stay within a year, challenging the hospitality industry's claims of 70% loyalty-driven bookings. Brands often count members based on mere email sign-ups for discounts, falsely presenting it as repeat business. Frequent travelers tend to settle on preferred hotels by their third trip. Independent hotels should focus on true loyalty, fostering a few hundred repeat guests over millions of inactive members.

🎄 Lodging Interactive and CoMMingle, digital marketing agencies, launched the 4th Annual Hotel Christmas Tree Contest, offering a $1,500 donation to a local charity chosen by the winning hotel. Last year, Detroit's Hotel David Whitney won, leading to a donation to Alternative for Girls. The contest invites global hotel participation, focusing on festive displays and community giving. Founded in 2001, Lodging Interactive serves worldwide hotels with digital marketing. Contact: 877-291-4411 ext. 704.

🥙 Anna Kjerrumgaard from RaceTrac Inc. highlighted at the 2025 NACS Show in Chicago that bold flavors remain key in convenience retail, with snacks evolving from gap fillers to full meals. RaceTrac ranks No. 17 among U.S. c-store chains. Gen Z, with projected spending power of $9 trillion by 2034, favors intense flavors and values digital engagement and ethical responsibility. C-stores excel in assortment and innovation, appealing to Gen Z's nostalgic leanings towards the 1990s.

🍽 In 2026, the U.S. food and beverage scene is poised for transformation. At the forefront: revamped bar culture with counter seating, "Tini Tuesdays" at Recreation Bar, and a focus on wellness drinks. Guests demand smaller, curated menus and Southeast Asian flavors, while matcha expands into cocktails. Retro desserts make a theatrical comeback, omakase diversifies beyond sushi, and limited-time offerings increase their appeal. Expect garden-grown cocktails and crunchy textures to reign supreme in this evolving culinary landscape.

✈️ Global travel tech company Justgotrip and air travel automation firm RightRez have joined forces to enhance air operations for travel companies. Justgotrip, established in 2006, operates with 200 professionals across offices in China, Hong Kong, Singapore, the US, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. RightRez, with 20 years of expertise, offers API-driven solutions for flight booking and ticketing. Their partnership seeks to boost travel sellers' performance and compliance globally using systems like Amadeus, Sabre, and Galileo.

🎁 AAA projects 122.4 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home between December 20 and January 1, 2025, a 2.2% increase from 2024. Popular domestic destinations include Florida, Southern California, and Hawaii, while international favorites are Mexico, the Caribbean, and Australia. This travel surge reflects diverse holiday celebrations, from family road trips to tropical getaways.