Fresh From The Oven: Hospitality News + Trends 2.28

We are closing out February with even more tumult in Asian markets, the James Beard Awards, and hospitality technology trends. Read more below…

News:

Here are the 2020 James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards Semifinalists [Grub Street]
The James Beard Foundation shared the list of semifinalists for the 30th annual James Beard Awards, highlighting some of the most talented, creative, and accomplished people working in food throughout the United States.
National Restaurant Association Predicts Moderate Growth This Year [Restaurant Business]
Restaurants are expected to generate almost $900 billion in sales in 2020, led by quick-service restaurants and takeout.
Southeast Asia’s Tourist Hubs Court Local Market as Coronavirus Shuts Chinese Out [New York Times]
To make up for foregone revenues, firms in the region are dangling discounted airfares, hotel accommodation and tour add-ons in a bid to boost domestic travelers.
Richard Branson’s New Luxe Cruise Line Won’t Allow Children [Bloomberg]
Virgin’s fleet will aim to capitalize on a boom in cruising among younger people.
China Hotel Performance Recovered Quickly Following SARS [Hospitality Net]
STR analyzed historical data for China and found that the country’s hotel performance recovered quickly following the containment of SARS in 2003.

Tock Time Wants to Be the Restaurant Concierge You Didn’t Know You Needed [Bloomberg]
Benefits include snagging impossible-to-get anniversary dinner reservations, helping with food-based travel, and making group meal planning easier.
TripActions Launches Virtual Card Product for Corporate Travelers [Skift]
As the global battle for the lower end of the corporate travel management market rages on, top players are beginning to move beyond travel itself into solving problems above just booking and servicing.

Google’s Customized Travel Search Features Receive Massive Traffic in the U.S. [Skift]
It’s travel-specific vertical search modules generate nearly as much traffic as expedia.com and booking.com, combined, do in the U.S. We estimate that its any ad offerings may have raked in as much as $16 billion from travel companies in 2019.

State of Artificial Intelligence in Travel [Hospitality Net]
As the technology matures, businesses are beginning to include artificial intelligence in their strategic investment roadmaps.

Got $30 extra to spend on sitting around after a meal? [Hotel News Now]
A hotel restaurant is trying a different pricing model to help it handle increased demand during a nearby conference, and it’s both outrageous and completely logical at the same time.
You Can Check Out Any Time You Like [New York Times]
Hotels are embracing more flexible check-in and checkout times — a move that changes the guest experience, particularly for business and red-eye travelers.
Travel Megatrends 2020: Consumer Brands Jump Into Hospitality Mashups [Skift]
Millennials prefer lifestyle brands and non-cookie-cutter hotels that they can show off on social media sites such as Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest.

100 Best Companies to Work For [Forbes]
Congrats to Hilton and Kimpton for making the list this year again!
Resorts World Las Vegas and Hilton Partner to Introduce New Multi-Brand Las Vegas Resort [Hilton]
“Hilton embodies the values and top-level hospitality that align with Resorts World’s priority of bringing an unmatched guest experience to the Las Vegas market.”

Penn National Closes Deal to Acquire 36% Ownership in Barstool Sports [CDC Gaming Report]
Penn National Gaming completed in $163 million deal Thursday that gave the casino operator 36% ownership in sports media platform Barstool Sports.