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1. Second major storm batters UK and disrupts transportation
Wind, rain and flooding continue to batter the United Kingdom, with many towns and roads flooded. After Storm Bert hit the U.K. last weekend, Storm Conall brought up to two weeks' worth of heavy rain in nine hours to southern parts of the country including London. A National Severe Weather Warning is due to end later on Nov. 27, according to the Met Office.
In Kent, the country to the southeast of London, the M26 motorway has been closed due to flooding. Flights have been canceled from Norwich Airport, among others.
The after-effects of Storm Bert, which hit the U.K. last weekend, are still felt in communities across the country. Member of Parliament Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, chair of the public accounts committee, said in a statement that “Storm Bert has caused a tragic loss of life and misery to families and businesses across the country. Such devastating floods are becoming an annual feature of our national life.” The death toll from Bert now is five people.
2. Irish hotels face rising costs
The Irish hospitality industry is facing pressure from rising salaries and taxes, according to Excel Recruitment's Hotel & Catering 2025 Salary Guide. Businesses have felt no relief on value-added/sales taxes, which are currently at 13.5%.
“Hospitality businesses have struggled to maintain their high standards amid rising operational costs. As the cost of living increases, particularly in 2025, the pressure on the industry will continue to mount, leading to the potential closure of beloved establishments that are unable to sustain themselves,” Excel's report said.
Ireland's national minimum wage in Ireland is set to increase to €13.50 ($14.15) an hour on Jan. 1. Another concern, the report said, is that “many establishments are resorting to ‘cash in hand’ payments, driving a resurgence of the black market. This trend poses a serious risk to the economy, undermining legitimate businesses and, without government intervention, could worsen, leading to worker exploitation and diminished job security.”
On the jobs front, the report added there has been a trend in which “many businesses are shrinking their management teams and narrowing the salary gap between entry-level and supervisory roles.”
Ireland's hotel industry is doing very well in terms of transactions volumes, with notable acquisitions in Dublin across 2024.
3. Indian wedding season to see 4.8 million unions in two months
The peak of wedding season in India comes in November and December, and this year there will be a record 4.8 million weddings, up 30% year over year, India's Business Standard reports. Indian weddings are expected to generate 6 trillion Indian rupees ($71.2 billion) in revenue, and many of the celebrations, receptions and parties will be held in hotels.
India's capital city Delhi is expected to see more than 450,000 weddings during the two-month period. Business Standard added that “the bustling wedding market is set to have a ripple effect across various sectors, including jewelry, retail, hotels and automobiles, as families indulge in extravagant celebrations.”
4. More than 70 million Americans to drive for Thanksgiving
It's another record year for travel over the Thanksgiving holiday, according to AAA. AAA predicts that 71.7 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more by car over the holiday period, writes Hotel News Now’s Rachel Daub and Trevor Simpson. In total, almost 80 million Americans will travel over the seven-day period between Nov. 26 and Dec. 2.
“Thanksgiving is the busiest (US) holiday for travel, and this year we’re expecting to set new records across the board, from driving to flying and cruising,” said Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel.
5. Blackstone acquires Grand Hyatt Athens for €235 million
Private-equity firm Blackstone has acquired the 548-room Grand Hyatt Athens for €235 million from joint-venture seller Henderson Park and Hines, CoStar UK reports. The price per key for the transaction is approximately €428,800. It is Blackstone’s 10th hotel in the Greek capital.
According to data from CoStar, Henderson Park and Hines bought the hotel in June 2017 when the hotel was the 315-room Ledra Marriott. CoStar added the acquisition price in 2017 was approximately €33 million.