Digital

From OTAs to changing technologies, the rise of mobile and the growing importance of social media, the hospitality sector is facing huge digital disruption. We have rounded up the latest digital news, trends and insight to help your business stay ahead of the curve.

Adam Handling apologises for TripAdvisor outburst but calls feedback “unfair”

31-Aug-2016 By Hannah Thompson

Chef Adam Handling has branded online criticism as “unfair, frustrating, and personal", but has apologised for replying to a negative TripAdvisor review by saying the customer was an “imbecile” who should “stick to McDonalds”.

Joe’s Southern Table and Bar launches Instagram-inspired avocado buns

17-Aug-2016 By Hannah Thompson

It was bound to happen: between the nation’s obsession with avocados, burgers, carb-free plans and gluten-free diets, an ‘avocado bun’ has finally arrived in London.

Marlin Apartments launches Handy smartphone concierge

03-Aug-2016 By Sophie Witts

Serviced Apartment group Marlin Apartments is to begin offering guests a free smartphone to act as a digital concierge.

Marriott launches social marketing programme M Live in Europe

26-Jul-2016 By Emma Eversham

Marriott International's real-time social marketing initiative M Live is being launched in Europe following its success in its US, Asia Pacific, Caribbean and Latin American regions.

Four ways Pokemon Go can boost restaurant sales

19-Jul-2016 By Sophie Witts

Pokemon Go has taken the UK by storm, and savvy bars and restaurants are already using the game to boost sales.

Pizza Hut launches emoji menu

13-Jul-2016 By Sophie Witts

Diners can often be left flummoxed by elaborate menu descriptions.

Why virtual reality could be the next big bar trend

07-Jul-2016 By Sophie Witts

Virtual reality (VR) is already shaking up the world of gaming and hotel booking, but now cocktails could be set to take on a whole new dimension.

Just Eat to trial robot restaurant delivery service

06-Jul-2016 By Emma Eversham

They have been trialled as servers and concierges in hotels, now robots are to enter the restaurant delivery market through a partnership between takeaway food delivery company Just Eat and Starship Technologies.

Independent B&Bs seeing ten-year ratings high, says TripAdvisor study

27-Jun-2016 By Hannah Thompson

Independent B&Bs and hotels are seeing a ten-year high in average ratings, according to online review site TripAdvisor.

Ryanair to launch budget hotel booking site

22-Jun-2016 By Sophie Witts

Budget airline Ryanair is to launch a new low cost hotel booking site later this year.

GBK offers free bacon and avocado burgers to celebrate new emoji symbols

16-Jun-2016 By Hannah Thompson

High-street burger chain Gourmet Burger Kitchen (GBK) has created a new avocado and bacon burger to celebrate the release of the new bacon and avocado keyboard “emojis”.

PizzaExpress becomes Deliveroo's largest restaurant partner

31-May-2016 By Sophie Witts

Deliveroo has signed a deal to offer home delivery of PizzaExpress dishes across the UK.

Online reviews 'could provide £3.2bn boost to hospitality' by 2026

24-May-2016 By Sophie Witts

Better handling of online reviews left on sites such as TripAdvisor could provide a £2bn boost to the hospitality industry over the next decade, a new study claims.