In the fast-moving world of hospitality, staying informed can feel like chasing a moving target. That’s why we’re launching Hospitality Hits—a new series designed to keep you effortlessly up to speed. Each edition rounds up the latest headlines, trends, and must-know news from across the industry and delivers it in a clean, digestible format. Whether you’re running a boutique hotel, managing a restaurant group, or just love tracking the pulse of hospitality, think of this as your quick-hit briefing to start the week informed and inspired.
No fluff. Just the hits. Let’s dive into the Hospitality Hits from the week of March 24, 2025!
A collaborative solution to culinary career challenges
In partnership with the City of Fairfax, Town of Vienna, and the Virginia Restaurant, Lodging, and Travel Association Foundation (VRLTAF), George Mason is working on a solution: the Culinary Careers Collaborative (CCC) is a workforce development project to get restaurant workers the foundational skills they need to succeed.
Tourism: New attractions open, break ground statewide
In 2024, Virginia’s three casinos brought in about $732.2 million in adjusted gaming revenues, up nearly 32% from 2023. Part of that increase can be attributed to the Caesars Virginia casino in Danville, which opened its temporary facility midway through 2023 and its permanent casino in December 2024.
40% of DC restaurants likely to close by the end of the year, survey shows
WASHINGTON D.C. - Two out of five D.C. restaurants say they could close down by the end of the year, according to a recent survey. The survey shows that two in five, or 40%, of full-service casual places said the year likely to close in the coming year.
Retail Sales at Bars and Restaurants Slow in February
According to new data from the Department of Commerce, retail sales at bars and restaurants dipped by 1.5 percent in February compared to the previous month—a sign that Americans are scaling back on “nice-to-haves,” according to The Wall Street Journal.