Have we become immune to the terrorism around us? Travel. It is a privilege for all of us. Some may say it is a right for all of us as human beings. Travel is the way to connect and learn from each other -- the manner to promote tolerance and understanding. The activity from which we all grow and evolve as citizens of the world. And yet, the last 16 years of world terror have shaped and quite literally directed how many of us travel. READ MORE

The shift in calling a public area an art gallery first and a function space (pre-function) second was interesting to note. That's because, particularly during the last 10 years, art has become a necessary part of the story for all upper-end, boutique hotels. This is especially true in the United States, where there is scant opportunity for the display of notable, public art. Thankfully, hotels have been filling that niche, bringing excellent art to the general public and making it accessible. Now, quality art is not a nicety; it's an expectation. READ MORE

Because of the various food-related television series, podcasts, and websites, today's guests are certainly more knowledgeable when it comes to the culinary aspect of their visit, whether it is for vacation or attending a meeting. Today, there is no longer a standard formula for group dining and the development of group dining menus, especially when specific dietary requirements need to be addressed. This creates an interesting challenge when creating and developing menus for hotels. However, whether it is a group of 10 or 700, the end goal is the same: Satisfy the needs and wants of each one of the attendees. READ MORE

As so many hotel owners and operators can attest, food-focused travel is on the rise. The trend is unmistakable: more and more hotel guests are selecting destinations and planning itineraries around regional, local, or even restaurant-specific food and beverage options. These guests, referred to as culinary travelers, not only make food and drink experiences a priority during their travels, they are often willing to go well out of their way to make those experiences happen. Experience is the key word here. We are in an experience economy and consumers are placing a great deal of value on the F&B experience. Look at the trend in roof top bars for example. READ MORE

The dining experience in the hotel and resort environment has been changing for decades. Gone are the days when most Americans eat meat and potatoes, and the occasional salad, for dinner. Immigrants from all over the world who settled into the urban areas of our country brought culturally significant dishes that opened up a whole new supply chain of ingredients, and introduced flavor profiles unfamiliar to the food scene. Before this cultural transformation, American families eating out seemed to be more interested in socializing outside of the home than in having a culinary experience. As new foods appeared on the scene, dining out became more focused on exploring new fads and flavors. READ MORE