Breakfast Briefing - The latest hospitality news
Quote of the Day
"Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It is already tomorrow in Australia"
Charles M. Schulz
Tweet of the Week
Comedian Milton Jones reacting to Fidel Castro's death
News of the Week
Music stops but holidays continue in Cuba
Nine days of mourning for the former leader will last until 4 December
The music has died, temporarily, in Cuba, with bars and restaurants turning off their sound systems during the nine days of mourning for the late president, Fidel Castro. Until noon on 4 December, all public events have been cancelled in Cuba. A rally will take place on 3rd December in Santiago de Cuba, where Castro began his revolutionary.
Story of the Week
$400 Million Cocoa Investment Aims To Tackle Poverty And Empower Farmers
The Fairtrade Mark will be removed from Cadbury Dairy Milk to signify that the cocoa will no longer be certified.
Today the cocoa industry is worth billions, yet the bitter truth behind the sweet treat is that too many cocoa farmers are struggling to survive, trapped in a cycle of poverty and hunger, living in communities without basic housing, electricity, healthcare or education. Fairtrade farmer Fortin Bley from Cote D’Ivoire says: “A person who brings so much pleasure and joy to others, lives in poverty himself.” Though his country is the lead global exporter of cocoa, farmers still earn as little as 40p per day.
When the expansion is rolled out next year, the FAIRTRADE Mark will be removed from Cadbury Dairy Milk to signify that the cocoa will no longer be certified but for the first time Fairtrade will become a partner across the whole programme. The partnership will be communicated on all Cadbury chocolate packs in the UK and Ireland so that consumers know it is sustainable.
eHotelier Hospitality News
Australia’s hotel industry set for ‘room boom’: A hotel building boom is set to change the face of Australia’s hotel industry, with some 120 hotel projects in the pipeline, which will grow the accommodation stock by 30% between 2016 and 2021. Find out more Leonardo Hotels launches new lifestyle brand NYX Hotels: Leonardo Hotels is launching NYX Hotels – its fourth brand that stands for a completely new generation of hotels. It combines the best of the existing Leonardo brands. Learn more Hotel Technology Summit addresses the women role in hospitality finance and technology: Women are traditionally underrepresented in the hospitality industry, especially in finance and technical positions and at leadership levels. Find out more
Global Hospitality News
UK operators must put pressure on costs: Sources believe the U.K. hotel operating landscape is still a very good place to be in business, but practitioners must work together, be aware of costs and actively look for opportunities in order to thrive in volatile times. Learn more
US companies look to adapt, broaden European footprint: U.S. hotel operators can be successful in Europe if companies forge good relationships, can show investors sound convictions and track records, and if they demonstrate added value to owners. Find out moreOccupancies slump as oil prices drop across the globe: An analysis of oil prices and occupancies in five oil-driven markets around the world shows a clear correlation between the two. Read moreMajor expansion planned for HK Disneyland: Disney and the Hong Kong government have announced plans for a multi-year expansion of Hong Kong Disneyland.Find out more