Trends & Reports

London voted top destination for US travellers

London voted top destination for US travellers

By Lorraine Heller

London is the top European destination for US travellers this year, although the Royal Wedding is not one of the attractions drawing the extra tourists, according to a survey by TripAdvisor.

UK hotel performance improved, but future uncertain

UK hotel performance improved, but future uncertain

By Lorraine Heller

UK hotels saw a significant recovery in 2010 following a challenging environment the year before, but the road ahead remains uncertain, according to an annual hotelier survey from PKF.

Consumers distrust businesses’ green claims

Consumers distrust businesses’ green claims

By Becky Paskin

Only seven per cent of consumers trust companies’ claims to be actively reducing their carbon emissions, although more than half admit they would be more loyal to a brand if action was clearly demonstrated to them.

Hospitality employers disliked and disrespected

Hospitality employers disliked and disrespected

By Becky Paskin

Hospitality employers have been criticised for the lack of support and motivation they lend to their staff, after research revealed over a third of restaurant, pub and hotel workers don’t respect or even like their manager.

Pub groups criticised over “dangerous” salt usage

Pub groups criticised over “dangerous” salt usage

By Becky Paskin

Wetherspoons, Punch Taverns and Hungry Horse Pubs have been criticised for using too much salt in their pie dishes, after research revealed levels exceeded the recommended daily allowance.

Pubs and restaurants report rise in February sales

Pubs and restaurants report rise in February sales

By Mark Wingett

Pub and restaurant groups reported a rise in like-for-like sales in February against a strong comparative period in 2010, helped by a month of fair weather and families eating out during half term.

Chain hotel market stabilises, boosted by budget demand

Chain hotel market stabilises, boosted by budget demand

By Lorraine Heller

The Accor hotel group is by far the market leader in the European chain hotel sector, although Carlson was the chain to see most growth over the past year, according to the latest data from MKG Hospitality.

UK hotels reveal trends to beat competition in 2011

UK hotels reveal trends to beat competition in 2011

By Lorraine Heller

Most UK hoteliers don’t plan to increase room rates in 2011, but a more competitive landscape is prompting them to invest in renovation, mobile marketing and social media, according to a new survey by TripAdvisor.

‘Non-essential’ hotel spend due to decline, warn asset managers

‘Non-essential’ hotel spend due to decline, warn asset managers

By Lorraine Heller

Hotels throughout the country are expecting to see more growth in their food and beverage offering than in their overall business, but asset managers Vision warn that the landscape ahead is not so rosy for the non-room side of hotel business.

Hotels across UK hit by tough trading in January

Hotels across UK hit by tough trading in January

By Lorraine Heller

Hotels in London were faced with lower demand for their rooms in January, indicating that even the resilience of the capital is impacted by the traditionally tough trading month.

Quarter of operators fail to upsell wines

Quarter of operators fail to upsell wines

By Becky Paskin

A quarter of hospitality operators are missing out on potential revenue by failing to encourage their staff to upsell wines, research has found.

Pret A Manger remains most admired brand

Pret A Manger remains most admired brand

By Lorraine Heller

Pret A Manger and McDonald’s are the UK’s most admired food and beverage brands by people in the industry, according to a new survey released today.

Food Trends 2011: Dining Trends

Food Trends 2011: Dining Trends

By Becky Paskin

Vouchers and discounts have meant big business for restaurants over the last year, but with consumers increasingly looking for value in more than just their wallets, and with warnings that vouchers could permanently damage brands, restaurants will need...

Food trends 2011: Top ingredients

Food trends 2011: Top ingredients

By Lorraine Heller

BigHospitality brings you an exclusive insight into which ingredients will be top of the agenda for some of the UK’s top chefs this year.

Restaurant and pub sales plummet in December

Restaurant and pub sales plummet in December

By Becky Paskin

Pub and restaurant operators have seen sales plummet in December compared to last year, after the heavy snow encouraged consumers to stay indoors at home.

Food trends 2011: Popular cuisines

Food trends 2011: Popular cuisines

By Becky Paskin

British diners have become more aware than ever of their expanding waistline and shrinking pockets, shifting their taste for out-of-home dining towards lighter, healthier meals that give value for money.

London hotels add £12 to average room rates

London hotels add £12 to average room rates

By Lorraine Heller

As much of the hospitality industry struggles to keep up revenue streams, hotels in the capital managed to make 2010 a year of growth by charging more for a night’s stay.

Review of the Year 2010: The future

Review of the Year 2010: The future

By Becky Paskin

With 2010 almost over its time to look ahead to what the future brings. We’ve spoken to some of the industry’s key players to find out what they believe 2011 has in store for them and the industry, and look forward to the major openings hitting the UK.

Review of the Year 2010: Hotels

Review of the Year 2010: Hotels

By Becky Paskin

As 2010 draws to a close, we take a look back at how the hotel sector has evolved in the past 12 months.

Heathrow hotels

Heathrow hotels "cash in" on stranded passengers

By Becky Paskin

Hotels situated near London Heathrow have been accused of cashing in on the plight of thousands of stranded airline passengers by charging up to 300 per cent more for rooms than they would for next month.

Pubs advised to live life in the fast lane

Pubs advised to live life in the fast lane

By Joe Lutrario

Food-led pubs can learn vital lessons from the burgeoning fast-casual sector this year by concentrating on increasing their speed of service, research from retail consultancy him! has shown.

Review of the Year 2010: Pubs

Review of the Year 2010: Pubs

By Becky Paskin

As 2010 draws to a close, we take a look back at how the pub sector has evolved in the past 12 months.

Linking food preparation to flavour is key, finds diner survey

Linking food preparation to flavour is key, finds diner survey

By Lorraine Heller

As we look to the dining trends that are likely to pick up in the new year, a recent survey of UK diners suggests that people are especially interested in discovering new flavours that are linked to the way food is prepared.