Oberoi Rajvilas in Jaipur Named 'World's Best Hotel' by Travel + Leisure

San Francisco has been ranked as the most food-forward city in the United States, according to a recent ranking by Datassentials. The ranking takes into account factors such as food innovation, the number of ethnic restaurants, and consumer response to gastronomic proposals [d4ece31b].

The restaurant industry in the US is a significant contributor to the economy, with many US restaurant chains being famous globally. The global food tourism market is projected to reach a market value of $1,796.5 billion in 2027. Gastronomical options are essential for attracting visitors and generating revenue through gastro-tourism [d4ece31b].

The Specialty Food Association (SFA) has announced the winners of its 52nd annual sofi™ Awards, which celebrate creativity, innovation, and culinary excellence in the food industry [5c25ebaf]. The sofi Gold Award winners represent the best of the best in 48 specialty food and beverage categories. The products showcased bold flavors in unique combinations, indicating key trends in the industry. The awards were judged by experts at the Food Innovation Center at Rutgers University, as well as specialty food buyers, influencers, and members of the media [5c25ebaf].

The winners will be showcased at the Summer Fancy Food Show in New York City and the five top-scoring products from each category will compete for the sofi Grand Honors Awards. The winners will be announced at the sofi Awards Gala during the Summer Fancy Food Show [5c25ebaf].

San Francisco and Los Angeles, both in California, dominate the top positions in the ranking of food-forward cities. Miami and Washington DC also make the list. New York City occupies the sixth position, while Houston, Austin, and Monterrey are also included. Las Vegas represents Nevada in the ranking [d4ece31b].

In related news, Vinnie Van Go-Go’s in Savannah, Georgia has made Yelp's 2024 list of Top 100 Pizza Spots in the U.S., ranking at #68. The restaurant offers a thin-crust pizza called a Neapolitan and bakes its dough fresh every night. Most of the best pizza spots on the list are in New York and California, with 10 spots from each state. The number 1 spot is Pequod’s Pizzeria in Chicago [c2c0d4af].

San Antonio, Texas is experiencing an explosion of gastronomic success, with over 100 new restaurants opening since 2020. The recovery speed of San Antonio has surpassed many other major metropolitan areas in the United States. The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) opened its fourth location in San Antonio, providing a solid educational foundation for chefs in the city. San Antonio has been recognized globally as a Creative City of Gastronomy by UNESCO. The city's culinary scene is a fusion of diverse cultures and flavors, with influences from Europe, Asia, Africa, and Mexico. San Antonio's gastronomic offerings extend far beyond traditional Tex-Mex cuisine, with a wide range of international cuisines available. The city's culinary success is driven by its connection to the past and its innovative and creative spirit. San Antonio's rich history and diverse geography contribute to its unique and continuously evolving cuisine. The city's culinary culture is celebrated and supported by the community, driving its economy and businesses. San Antonio's hospitality industry brought nearly $262 million into the city's coffers in 2022, with the economic impact of the restaurant businesses contributing $10 billion to the city's overall economy. The city is experiencing an explosion of gastronomic success as eateries embrace the vibrant and diverse cultural and social atmosphere of Alamo City [28a5d659] [2a538c7f] [f6ddc123].

Two cities in New York State, Syracuse and Buffalo, have been named in the top 10 best food festivals in the United States according to the USA Today's 10 Best Cities for Food Festivals reader's choice poll. The International Taste Festival in Syracuse offers a variety of homegrown favorites and international foods, along with live entertainment and a race. Buffalo's Taste of Buffalo showcases the city's food truck and restaurant scene, as well as wines from New York State vineyards. The event also raises scholarship money for students studying hospitality and culinary arts [397457f9].

Atlanta is now being considered as a potential host for the Sundance Film Festival, which has traditionally been held in Utah. Alongside San Francisco, upstate New York, and Savannah, Atlanta is on the shortlist of cities vying to host the prestigious film festival. Atlanta is seen as a strong contender due to its well-developed infrastructure, numerous theaters and screens, ample hotel rooms, and a major international airport. The Sundance Film Festival, a pinnacle for independent and up-and-coming filmmakers, has been held in Park City, Utah since 1985. In 2023, the festival sold nearly 140,000 tickets and attracted over 20,000 attendees, generating more than $118 million in revenue. Cities interested in hosting the festival in 2027 have until June 27 to submit their proposals [2e1d331d].

Las Vegas, Nevada has been ranked as the most festive city in the United States, according to a consensus methodology. The city earned an Insider Monkey Score of 4, thanks to its extravagant holiday displays and experiences created by casinos, restaurants, bars, and other attractions. In 2023, tourism in Las Vegas rose, achieving new post-pandemic records in March. Vegas welcomed over 40 million visitors, surpassing the 40 million mark for the first time since 2019. Clark County saw gaming revenue reach $13.5 billion in 2023, marking a second consecutive year of setting market records. The Las Vegas Strip saw hotel occupancy rates climb to 90.5% in 2023. The development of more entertainment venues has played a key role in driving the success of the Las Vegas economy and making it the most festive city in the US [93a6f9b0] [d4ece31b].

New York City, in the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA Metro Area, has the most restaurants per capita in the US, with 0.003184 restaurants per person. The city has around 19,550 full-service restaurants. The restaurant and food industry in the US is a prominent sector, contributing around $1.53 trillion to the country's GDP in 2023. Americans spend around 12.8% of their household budgets on food. The National Restaurant Association estimates that the restaurant industry sales will reach $1.2 trillion by 2030, with the workforce exceeding 17 million. McDonald's Corp. plans to expand its operations to 50,000 restaurants by 2027 and aims to operate 10,000 outlets in China by 2028 [97dd4db8] [d4ece31b].

Austin, Texas is a unique city known for its food, culture, and leisure. The city is a liberal enclave in conservative Texas and is famous for its slogan 'Keep Austin Weird'. Visitors can enjoy the best Tex-Mex at Joe's Bakery, go shopping at By George, and visit the West Chelsea Contemporary art gallery. They can also take a dip at Deep Eddy or Barton Springs, and enjoy seafood at Clark's Oyster Bar. Other recommendations include brunch at Elizabeth Street Café, attending Rodeo Austin, visiting the Museum of the Weird, and enjoying barbecue at Franklin Barbecue [6f7125d3].

Grand Rapids, Michigan is known as Beer City, USA, with over 100 breweries, distilleries, and cideries. The city also has a vibrant arts and culture scene, with the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park showcasing sculptures by renowned artists such as Ai Weiwei and Auguste Rodin. Grand Rapids was once known as Furniture City, as it was the capital of fine American furniture design in the late 19th century. The city is home to several art and history museums, including the Grand Rapids Public Museum and the Grand Rapids Art Museum. The city is investing in new projects, such as the Acrisure Amphitheater and a new professional soccer stadium, which will incorporate public art. Grand Rapids' creative energy extends to its dining scene, which features restaurants that rely heavily on the agricultural richness of western Michigan. [24188e3f].

Wine Spectator has released the winners of the 2024 Restaurant Awards, recognizing outstanding eateries with exceptional wine lists. This year, 3,777 restaurants in the U.S. and over 70 other countries were honored, including 39 in Wisconsin and 23 in the Milwaukee Metro area. Four Milwaukee restaurants received the Best of Award of Excellence, including Lake Park Bistro and Story Hill BKC. Additionally, 19 venues in Milwaukee and its suburbs were honored with the Award of Excellence. The Grand Award, the program's highest honor, was not awarded to any Midwest restaurants. The full list of winners can be found on Wine Spectator's website [fb0b3938].

Regent Hong Kong has been named the #1 Hong Kong City Hotel at the 2024 Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards. The hotel also ranked #2 among the 20 Favourite City Hotels and #7 among the 100 Hotels Voted Best in the World. Regent Hong Kong Managing Director, Michel Chertouh, expressed gratitude for the recognition and highlighted the hotel's personalized service and commitment to quality. The hotel has previously received awards such as Best Hong Kong Hotel at the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2024 and a Travellers' Choice Awards Winner by TripAdvisor. The hotel's signature Cantonese restaurant, Lai Ching Heen, has retained two MICHELIN Stars and two Diamonds in the Black Pearl Restaurant Guide for several years. [dfd02553]

The Oberoi Rajvilas in Jaipur has been named the 'best hotel in the world' by Travel + Leisure magazine. The award was voted on by over 186,000 readers and highlights the luxury and service standards of the hotel. The Oberoi Rajvilas offers elegant accommodations, world-class dining, and a tranquil spa on its 32-acre property. It provides a variety of cultural experiences and activities for guests to enjoy. The CEO of The Oberoi Group, Mr. Vikram Oberoi, attributes the recognition to the vision of the Chairman Emeritus, PRS Oberoi. Other top-rated hotels include La Casa de la Playa in Mexico and The Ritz-Carlton in Doha. The article also mentions the top 10 hotels in the world according to Travel + Leisure, as well as the top 12 hotels from India. The Oberoi Rajvilas is followed by news about Raffles Hotels & Resorts opening in Jaipur, the Rajasthan Budget 2024 announcements for Jaipur, and the key highlights of the budget presented by Diya Kumari.