Breakfast Briefing - The latest hospitality news
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Sometimes going left feels right #Presidentielle2017 #MacronPresident #France #FrenchElections *RJ terms and conditions apply. Click hereNews of the WeekHospitality remains strong despite consumer spending slowdown
The hospitality sector showed strong growth during a “sharper slowdown” in consumer spending in April, according to Visa’s consumer spending index.The data, compiled by Markit, showed that the overall growth was at its weakest pace for three months, with just a 0.5% year-on-year increase. However, bars, hotels and restaurants saw the strongest growth with a 9% uplift.Kevin Jenkins, UK & Ireland managing director at Visa, said: “Consumer spending slowed down further in April, as consumers tightened their belts in the face of rising prices running up against stalling wage growth. Annual spending growth fell back to 0.5%, from an already subdued rate of 1% in March.”He added: “Easter and the extended half-term break may have contributed towards a strong uplift of over 9% in the hospitality sector.” Read more hereStory of the WeekFood for Soul to open Refettorio Felix in time for London Food Month
Food for Soul, the non-profit organisation founded by chef Massimo Bottura, is partnering with The Felix Project, a London-based food waste charity, to open its third major international project. During London Food Month, Refettorio Felix will provide lunch from Monday to Friday for the homeless and vulnerable individuals. The aim is to serve more than 2,000 meals using five tonnes of recovered food. Read moreeHotelier Hospitality NewsMövenpick signs new hotel in Sylhet, Bangladesh. Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts is set to open a 210-room hotel in Bangladesh in the third quarter of 2018.Learn moreAdvancing the rise of women in lodging. Last week, Atlanta-based non-profit the Castell Project—an organization dedicated to advancing diversity in hospitality industry leadership—hosted its inaugural conference. Read moreNew bill seeks to curb Airbnb in New York—by legalizing it. A Brooklyn state legislator is behind the bill, which seeks to amend the state’s multiple-dwelling law, which currently prohibits rentals for less than 30 days in New York City apartment. Learn moreGlobal Hospitality NewsSingapore's Ascott Limited acquires New York hotel, plans $50M investment. CapitaLand's serviced residence company The Ascott has purchased the Hotel Central Fifth Avenue New York. The company will invest approximately $50 million in renovations and rebranding to open Ascott's first Citadines residence in the U.S. in 2018. Read moreTonic wins catering contract for Event Awards 2017. London caterer Tonic has won the contract to provide catering and hospitality at this year's Event Awards, which will take place on Wednesday 22 November at the Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith. Find out moreLondon’s smallest hotel has opened in Shoreditch… with just one room. A hotel which can claim to be London’s ‘smallest’ has opened in Shoreditch – it contains just one room available to book. Read moreCorners of the worldCoffee order: would you like environmental sustainability with that? Each year billions of non-biodegradable coffee cups, lids and disposable pods pile up in landfill, creating a growing environmental issue. Learn moreEdinburgh soars in global business tourism rankings.Edinburgh has rocketed up the business tourism world league table after attracting a clutch of major events to the capital. Read moreThis Brexit Britain Tour costs over £4,000 and never leaves London.The New York Times' pricey 'Brexit Means Brexit!' tour includes visits to Parliament and City Hall - and a pub lunch. Learn moreFor more information on EP please contact Natalia.latorre@epmagazine.co.uk