#Trending This Week - F&B Moves Front And Center, Encouraging Guests To Cook, A New Take On Meetings, And This Region Is Really Taking Sustainability Seriously
Issue 117 • November 15, 2022
There was a time when you went to dine at a hotel and the front desk directed you along a hallway or down the stairs to a restaurant or lounge hidden from view. Times have definitely changed because new hotel construction and renovations have completely reoriented F&B locations. This hotel brand is growing produce in the hotel, but there is no restaurant on property. Guess what its for? There’s a new type of meeting emerging based on the changing work patterns around the globe. And while hotels all claim to have sustainable features, more and more properties in this region are really going all out to get off the grid. Check it all out in our three-minute read below.
F&B Operations Now Front And Center
At most hotels around the world, food and beverage operations were tucked into corners here and there. Not anymore. According to a survey of leading hospitality construction firms, there are six key hotel design trends leading into 2023 and one of them is that food and beverage operations pervade the property. F&B is a money stream for many hotels and now rather than hiding their F&B outlets, more and more hotels are being built or redesigned with restaurants and lounges front and center in the lobby. Hotels are turning spaces into boutique speakeasies, food halls, and bars, with rooftop bars more popular than ever. Read more about this trend and five others in Building & Design Construction here.
Giving Guests Access To Fresh Produce
Hydroponic gardens aren’t new at hotels as many are used by chefs to feed their menus. What IS new is a hotel having a hydroponic garden without an on-site restaurant. Marriott’s Element Hotels chain — which are larger suite style accommodations primarily geared for longer-term stays — is adding hydroponic gardens even though the properties don’t have a restaurant. The goal is to have produce available for guests to use as they prepare their own meals in their in-suite kitchens. To make it even easier, the hotels will provide recipes which call for fresh herbs and vegetables. Read more in Restaurant Business here.
“Bonding Business Breaks” Are The New Meetings
A new Amadeus survey has identified five trends shaping the travel industry in 2023. Two, in particular, are of interest. The first is the move of hotels to offer more amenities so guests can travel lighter. The second reflects the shift in the global workplace with more people working remotely. “Bonding business breaks” are a new category of business travel replacing the traditional corporate meeting. It focuses on connecting teams, building relationships, and unlocking creativity. Read more in Insider Travel Report here.
Caribbean Resorts Making Strides Toward Sustainability
Many hotels have made efforts toward being more sustainable including encouraging guests not to have their sheets and towels changed daily, using more energy-efficient light bulbs, etc., but some properties — noticeably in the Caribbean — are getting REALLY serious about being sustainable. While a few properties are working toward being carbon neutral, there are some actually targeting carbon negative. They are using solar and wind to completely power the property, capturing and reusing rainwater, converting sea water to potable water, and even incorporating a crusher system to turn glass bottles into sand to make concrete. Read more in Travel Weekly here.
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Reach out to Jane Coloccia to discuss your needs at Jane@JCCommunicationsllc.com.
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