The top 5 stories in hospitality this week 11/01 - 15/01
What were some of the top stories in hospitality this week? Here's our pick.
- Michelin has expanded its business model beyond tyres and restaurant guides by buying online restaurant reservation service Bookatable. The company said it was hoping to capitalise on its 'traditional experience in the restaurant industry' by becoming the 'European leader in the online restaurant reservation market'.
- UK restaurant group Hawksmoor is set to open its first site outside the UK in New York's World Trade Centre. The plans - which co-owner Huw Gott admitted were a 'big deal' - will see the restaurant launch in 2017.
- The AA has revealed the latest restaurants to receive three and four rosettes. A total of fourteen restaurants - including The Black Swan at Oldstead and Aiden Byrne's Manchester House - received the high-level awards, which are given to around 10 per cent of all restaurants in the AA guide.
- The hospitality industry's ongoing battle with Airbnb came to a head this week as British Hospitality Association (BHA) chief exec Ufi Ibrahim told a government Select Committee hearing that the site was endangering travellers by allowing users to run 'psuedo hotels' exempt from fire, food and safety regulations.
- Cote has expanded its restaurant empire by buying the Jackson & Rye and Limeyard brands for an undisclosed sum. The restaurant group said it would continue to develop the 'fledgling' concepts alongside its 71-strong core chain.
For a full run-down of this week's news see here.
