Ian Schrager's The Times Square Edition hotel to close permanently

key Take Away

Ian Schrager's decadent hotel in New York's Times Square is closing just over one year after it opened due to financial issues caused by the pandemic

The news comes as the drops in business during the pandemic resulted in a cash shortfall that put the hotel's developer Maefield Development in default of its contract with Marriott International

The Times Square Edition had been temporarily closed since late March when New York governor Andrew Cuomo placed the entire state on "pause" and ordered all non-essential businesses to shut

For more information

www.dezeen.com/2020/05/21/ian-schrager-the-times-square-edition-hotel-close-permanently/?

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Swiggy starts home delivery of alcohol

Key Take Away

Food delivery platform Swiggy started doorstep delivery of alcohol in Jharkhand through the ‘Wine Shops’ category on its app.

To ensure the safe delivery of alcohol and in compliance with applicable laws, Swiggy has introduced measures such as mandatory age verification and user authentication to fulfill orders. All orders will carry an OTP which needs to be provided by the customer at the time of delivery. This is being done to put a cap on the quantity which is being ordered

For More Information:

economictimes.indiatimes.com/small-biz/startups/newsbuzz/swiggy-starts-home-delivery-of-alcohol/articleshow/75863663.cms

Mom’s kitchen to launch digital tiffin business platform

Key Take Away

Mom’s Kitchen, a b2b food delivery business is about to launch its digital tiffin business platform and order booking app, ZOIFFIN.

The tech innovation platform has been built along with the company’s venture builder partner Favcy.

The cloud-kitchen based b2b platform is currently located in two states, Andhra Pradesh (Anantapur Distt) and Haryana (Gurgaon), serving corporate meals to clients such as KIML and Accenture.

For More Information

hospitality.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/restaurants/moms-kitchen-to-launch-digital-tiffin-business-platform/75824023

German cafe tells customers to wear pool noodles to enforce social distancing

Key Take Away

A cafe in Germany has celebrated its grand reopening to customers after lockdown. Rather than using floor markings and perspex screens to keep people apart, the owners of the cafe distributed straw hats with two colorful swimming noodles attached to the top.

The motto at the cafe was: “Keep the social distancing.”

For More Information

edition.cnn.com/2020/05/15/europe/german-cafe-noodle-distancing-scli-intl-grm/index.html

On June 1, Remington will have all its hotels open & welcoming back guests

On June 1, Remington will have all its hotels open & welcoming back guests.

- Sloan Dean Chief Executive Officer & President at Remington Hotels

https://www.remingtonhotels.com/

Qatar Airways cabin crew to wear hazmat suits

Key Take Away

Qatar Airways is one of several airlines to introduce Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) suits for its cabin crew in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

 Passengers will be required to wear face coverings or masks on all its flights from May 25. The airline will be equipped with large bottles of hand sanitizers, which can be used by both cabin crew and passengers.

The move comes weeks after Philippines Airlines and AirAsia reportedly launched new uniforms that incorporate PPE.

For More Information

edition.cnn.com/travel/article/qatar-airways-full-body-cover-protection/index.html

Centara Hotels & Resorts makes food donation to the Thai Government’s Public Relations Department

Key Take Away

Thailand's leading hotel operator recently donated 1,500 food boxes to the Thai Government's Public Relations Department

When a consumer buys a Centara cash voucher for a future escape, Centara will add a further 50% value to the purchase.

For more information:

www.hospitalitynet.org/news/4098708.html

The smart distance awareness device

Smart Distance Awareness Device

The Aura Aware is a smart distance awareness device that helps employees and customers remain a safe and healthy distance in public spaces. 

Our patented technology scans the room to detect if anyone is within the 6 feet distance. A red alert warns employees and customers when they have gotten too close.

learn more

The Boutique Hotel Crisis Guide to Travel

Key Take Away

BLLA held a digital forum recently on the subject of The Boutique Hotel's Crisis Guide to Travel. Leaders in the Travel Industry discussed the current crisis of COVID-19 and how travel restrictions are currently affecting the industry as well as what the future might look like

As recovery begins, it's clear that the boutique industry and travel are inextricably intertwined.BLLA encourages you to reach out with continued questions and concerns - together, we can #SaveBoutiqueHotels and continue the #BoutiqueStrong initiative.

For More Information

www.hospitalitynet.org/opinion/4098772.html

The 4 Powerful Resources of Hoteliers that’ll help You Overcome the Aftermath of Corona

Key Take Away

Hotel industry and tourism are among the sectors most affected by the Corona crisis .To reduce the risk of infection, the hotel product became practically unsellable from one day to the next.

Hoteliers are masters in problem-solving and incredibly creative with solutions. They always keep a cool head and are not easily upset. There are no problems - only challenges to be overcome.

For More Information

www.hospitalitynet.org/opinion/4098744.html

The Corona virus may not be the biggest threat to the hospitality industry

Key Take Away

The travel industry has come to a halt with the COVID-19 virus causing a third of the world's population to stay home and forcing the majority of the world to practice social distancing. 

With the travel industry at a stand-still, hoteliers are taking the opportunity to revisit their technology partnerships to be in a strong competitive position when the market rebounds and travelers take to the skies, roads, and hotel beds. The last thing the industry and hoteliers need right now is the loss of trust when travelers return.

For More Info

www.hospitalitynet.org/opinion/4098756.html

Marriott to launch a virtual meeting offer

Key Take Away

Starting with Australia and New Zealand, Virtual Meetings by Marriott Bonvoy Events aim at offering clients a large scale of remote meeting possibilities.

A new adaptation for the world number one to the world after COVID-19 pandemic.

For More Information

hospitality-on.com/en/mice/marriott-launch-virtual-meeting-offer

When you’re ready to travel again, we’ll be ready to welcome you. - Keith Barr CEO at InterContinental Hotels Group

The full post here

Key Take-Aways:

•  The Cleveland Clinic added to IHG Way of Clean

• Establishing a Global Cleanliness Board

• Using hospital-grade disinfectants to deep clean

• sanitizing stations in lobbies

• cleaning kits in guest rooms.

• paperless check-out and touch-less transactions at reception

• protective equipment for staff where necessary

see more

Recommended Reading

Dream Hotel Group Signs Three New Locations In Tulum, Mexico

Key Take Away

Celebrated hotel and brand management company Dream Hotel Group announced today a new partnership with leading Tulum-based real estate development group Los Amigos to operate three new properties in Tulum, Mexico.

With 16 hotels open today and another 20+ locations in various stages of development worldwide, Dream Hotel Group remains one of the fastest-growing independent lifestyle hotel companies in the world.

For more Information

www.hospitalitynet.org/news/4098748.html

IDeaS Releases Revenue Management Online Learning to the Public

Key take Away

In uncertain times, IDeaS opens its Revenue Management Foundations courses to all and partners with renowned universities to educate and empower tomorrow’s revenue leaders

Get the courses here > ideas.com/revenue-management-foundations/

 Additionally, it has added the William F. Harrah College of Hospitality, University of Nevada, Las Vegas to its growing list of prestigious academic partners.

5 Insights Into the Changing Landscapes of Hospitality and Higher Education

Key Take Away

Successful hospitality professionals know that multiple institutions have shifted their educational offer from the physical space into a distance-learning format in record time - proof of how the educational system can evolve.

With Covid-19 acting as a trigger for change in our educational model for more individualization, flexibility and global reach, we can now return to the original meaning of "crisis" as a turning point for better hospitality educational models in the future. The difference between success and failure often depends on how we deal with challenges and difficulties.

For More Information

www.hospitalitynet.org/opinion/4098730.html

Accor has re-opened 250 hotels since end-April. To date, 42% of the Accor network is operating

Key Take Away

Accor announces that it has signed an agreement with a consortium of 5 banks for a new €560m Revolving Credit Facility (RCF).

It has been underwritten by the following 5 banks: BNP Paribas, Crédit Agricole CIB, Crédit Industriel et Commercial, Natixis and Société Générale

Accor has re-opened 250 hotels since end-April. To date, 42% of the Accor network is operating.

For more information

www.hospitalitynet.org/news/4098732.html

Plant-based meat maker Growthwell snares $11.4m in Temasek-led funding round

Key Take Away

Plant-based meat manufacturer Growthwell Group has clinched US$8 million (S$11.4 million) in a funding round led by Temasek to set up local research and development (R&D) Centre and to launch a new product line with an Israeli start-up.

Started in 1989, Growthwell specializes in vegetarian food solutions for food and beverage businesses and organisations in Singapore, Australia, India and the United States.

For More Information

www.straitstimes.com/business/companies-markets/growthwell-snares-114m-in-temasek-led-funding-round

London recorded “worst hotel performance on record” in April

Key Take Away

The UK capital suffered its worst hotel performance on record last month, as a result of the Covid-19 lockdown and global travel restrictions.

Average Daily Rates fell 38.9 per cent to £87.18, while revenue per available room fell 83.5 per cent to £19.11.

STR shows that occupancy fell to 21.9 per cent last month – down from 32.7 per cent in March 

For More Info

https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/2020/05/16/london-recorded-worst-hotel-performance-on-record-in-april/?utm_source=Mailer&utm_medium=ET_batch&utm_campaign=ethospitality_news_2020-05-16&dt=2020-05-16