EP Breakfast Briefing 30.08.2017
Quote of the week
"Doings."Comedy writer Simon Blackwell highlighted a recent Trump tweet: “Just arrived at Camp David, where I am monitoring the path and doings of Hurricane Harvey (as it strengthens to a Class 3). 125 MPH winds!”
Tweet of the week 
Police officer dances at Notting Hill carnival A video on Twitter shows a police officer dancing while on duty at Notting Hill carnival in London on Monday. The officer is spotted by one of the DJs and then shows off his moves to the enthusiastic crowd.Watch the full video
News of the week
UK holidaymakers think future of travel lies in techAccording to research conducted by Apadmi;- 48% of UK tourists would like to see investment in interactive technology.
- Consumers like the idea of using virtual reality to view hotels, destinations and transport prior to booking, and augmented reality to interact more with their surroundings.
- A fifth (21%) of UK holidaymakers would like artificial intelligence and digital assistants to personalise the travel experience.
The research surveyed 1,000 people who had taken a holiday in the last 12 months and suggests there is a need to embrace new technologies. Whether artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), the aim is to create a more immersive and enjoyable travel experience for holidaymakers.
Video of the week
“He's had a shocker”Ousmane Dembele fails in first attempt to emulate Neymar with keepy-ups. However the £97.1m new player didn’t do so well…View full video
Hotel News of the week
Jonas, the UK’s first hybrid hotelA ground-breaking UK hotel concept, created by the University of Sheffield, has sold 4,000 rooms in its first two weeks. The unique venue, which houses students and regular hotel guests under one roof, has rooms that cost as little as £25 and include use of shared kitchens and social spaces.“Business has exceeded our expectations and endorses our belief that the introduction to the UK of a hybrid hotel model was long overdue,” commented general manager Andy Flowers, third from left. “Bookings are coming from individuals and groups wanting the communal living, design features and flexibility of stay which no other standard hotel or student accommodation in the UK currently offers.”
Event of the week
How vulnerable is your hospitality business to a cyber attack?The hospitality industry is susceptible to cyber attacks and companies need to protect themselves from threats of this kind. In today’s world there is no excuse for not being ready and protected. It is not just the big players but companies of all sizes that are targeted.Sponsored by IndiCater, on 19th September EP will host a stimulating breakfast forum to take a close look at cyber security: what it is, how vulnerable companies are to a cyber-attack and what businesses can do to ensure they can keep running when something happens.For more information and to attend please contact Ben.Butler@epmagazine.co.uk
News of the week
Hotel Chocolat is opening in Hong Kong in the latest phase of its international expansion.Hotel Chocolat has teamed up with local partner B&S for its first retail move outside Europe, the Sunday Times reported.Hotel Chocolat co-founder and chief executive Angus Thirlwell said: “In London, we were getting a high proportion of Asian people buying a lot of products and stuffing them into their suitcases to take home.Read more
eHotelier News
US hotel construction pipeline up 7 per cent year-over-year with a 20 per cent increase in new supply forecast for 2017. According to a recent report by Lodging Econometrics (LE), the US construction pipeline stands at 4,973 projects/598,371 rooms, with projects up 7 per cent year-over-year (YOY). Read moreAmericans rush to North Korea ahead of travel ban. A looming US travel ban has prompted some daring American globetrotters to fast-track their vacations to North Korea. Beginning September 1, United States passports will be invalid for travel to the hermit kingdom. Read moreThe Shinta Mani Foundation, in collaboration with Global Dental Relief and Husk Cambodia, recently ran its third extensive dental clinic this year for disadvantaged students in Siem Reap. Since its inception in 2014, SMF, GDR and Husk Cambodia have three-four clinics each year and treated over 12,000 children in that period. Read more