All articles tagged with #hospitality industry
Netflix's Culinary Class Wars: Black and White Chef Season 2 has spurred a surge in culinary tourism, with contestant restaurant reservations up about 303% five weeks after the premiere, reflecting a broader trend of travelers seeking authentic food experiences that cross cultural boundaries and influencing national hospitality strategies.
Americans are drinking less, squeezing restaurant profits as alcohol revenue declines; operators like Pineapple Express in Montclair, NJ closed in part due to weak drink sales, prompting a shift from alcohol to food as the main revenue source.
Las Vegas has moved away from the old era of $1 buffets to premium experiences, with luxury buffets priced around $175, as seen at the A.Y.C.E Buffet in the Palms, signaling a significant shift in the city’s dining and hospitality market.
Time Out Market Chicago announced its Fulton Market location will close on January 23, ending its run that began in 2019 after a mission to showcase Chicago’s top food and drink talents. Time Out Chicago, the media brand, will remain and continue covering the city’s scene. CEO Michael Marlay cited inconsistent foot traffic in the area due to hybrid work and rising operating costs as factors limiting profitability, while thanking vendors, chefs and staff for their contributions.
The year 2025 was particularly challenging for Washington D.C.'s restaurant industry, with numerous closures including the historic Beuchert’s Saloon, reflecting ongoing struggles in the hospitality sector as it braces for more difficulties in 2026.
Las Vegas is experiencing a significant drop in tourism, leading to a stagnant job market with fewer shifts for service workers, despite a slight decrease in Nevada's unemployment rate. The decline in visitor numbers has impacted hotel occupancy, revenue, and employment in the hospitality sector, although gaming revenue has seen a modest increase.
A year after Hurricane Helene devastated Asheville, the city is hoping for a strong fall tourist season to help revive its struggling hospitality sector, which has faced significant losses, closures, and workforce challenges due to the storm's destruction and ongoing economic headwinds.
A Reddit thread reveals surprising and sometimes shocking behind-the-scenes secrets from hotel workers, including handling of dead guests, contamination practices, guest misconduct, and the use of deception to satisfy high-end clients.
Bar K, a popular dog-friendly venue in Kansas City, along with its locations in St. Louis and Oklahoma City, has announced the immediate closure of all its sites due to multiple challenges including economic pressures, construction issues, and reduced consumer spending, marking the end of its community-focused operations since 2018.
Las Vegas is experiencing a significant decline in tourism, partly due to hidden and unexpected fees like a $50 charge for unplugging a cord at Paris Las Vegas, along with broader economic pressures such as inflation, high wages, and reduced visitor numbers, leading to a backlash against fees and a drop in hotel occupancy and revenue.
The UK government has decided not to implement a smoking ban in pub gardens to avoid harming the hospitality industry, but is considering banning smoking in children's playgrounds and outside schools and hospitals. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill aims to create a smokefree generation by prohibiting cigarette sales to those currently aged 15 or under. The government also plans to regulate vaping, including banning single-use vapes and restricting flavors and packaging. Health charities support the measures but call for more support to help current smokers quit.
The Tropicana in Las Vegas is selling thousands of items, including guest bedroom furniture and kitchen equipment, ahead of its closure to make way for a proposed Major League Baseball stadium. The sale, currently a private VIP preview, will open to the public possibly next month, with items ranging from king-size beds for $99 to artwork for $1. The iconic Tiffany-style glass ceiling will be preserved, and a date for the public sale will be announced by the liquidations service.
Choice Hotels International has terminated its hostile bid for rival Wyndham Hotels & Resorts after failing to gather enough support from the target's shareholders. The company will also withdraw its nomination of independent director candidates for election at Wyndham's 2024 annual meeting. Ending the takeover bid could result in an upside for Choice, with an analyst upgrading the budget hotel operator to "buy" from "underperform."
A Boston celebrity chef, Jen Royle, engaged in a public spat with a customer, Trevor Chauvin-DeCaro, who disputed a $250 cancellation fee using his credit card’s travel protection insurance. The customer claimed to have canceled due to a hospitalization, but the chef accused him of disrespecting her restaurant and staff. The dispute has sparked a debate about cancellation fees and customer service, with the chef reportedly receiving death threats as a result.
The owner of Lutsen Lodge has spoken out about the financial difficulties faced by the business and addressed rumors of arson, emphasizing that the challenges are due to the broader struggles in the hospitality industry and not criminal activity. The owner highlighted the impact of the pandemic and urged support for small businesses in the community.