Marriott International Announces Strategic Agreement with PathSpot, an Innovative Real-Time Hand Hygiene Management System and Safety Operations Suite

Marriott International, Inc. (Nasdaq: MAR) today announced it has entered into a strategic agreement with technology company PathSpot Technologies, Inc., the creator of a real-time hygiene management and digital kitchen system that protects against the threat and spread of illness with a handwashing validation system and equipment monitoring technology. As Marriott continues its legacy of hospitality industry innovation, including food and beverage operations, it is the first hospitality company to make PathSpot technology available to the company’s portfolio of over 9,300 properties across the U.S. and Canada, Caribbean and Latin America, Asia Pacific, and Europe and the Middle East.

“As the world’s leading global hospitality company with over 10,000 food and beverage operations, $7 billion in sales, and 53 Michelin stars across more than 30 leading brands globally, Marriott is focused on the health and safety of the millions of guests that our properties serve each day,” said Stephen Toevs, Vice President of Culinary Operations for Marriott International. “Our collaboration with PathSpot allows Marriott to offer properties cost-effective technology that monitors food safety procedures more efficiently and effectively while empowering associates to better meet the needs of customers."

Using a network of sensors plus visible, audible, and electronic cues, PathSpot’s technology is engineered to immediately notify associates utilizing the scanners when invisible contamination is detected, and additional handwashing is needed. By utilizing PathSpot’s Hand Scanner technology and logging system, Marriott properties have the ability to more efficiently adhere to strict operating procedures while streamlining handwashing record-keeping and monitoring.

All Marriott properties that have installed PathSpot hand scanner technology have also implemented the PathSpot SafetySuite. The interconnected hardware and software tools are helping properties modernize, digitize, and elevate back-of-house operations to create improvements in health and safety standards, like PathSpot’s real time temperature monitoring, which consistently records temperatures in refrigerators and freezers and alerts associates of any temperature-related issues that may impact food quality. 

Implementation of PathSpot’s Hand Scanners and SafetySuite have helped properties save an estimated two to eight hours per day in back-of-house monitoring and logging, freeing up associates to focus on guest-facing efforts and allowing the properties to create efficiencies in maintenance and engineering costs as well as to reduce food waste and energy consumption.

"Marriott is an industry leader in its dedication to health and safety across its portfolio,” said Christine Schindler, CEO and Co-Founder of PathSpot. “By offering PathSpot's cost-effective food safety and operations technology to its properties, Marriott is promoting consistency, quality, efficiency, in their food and beverage operations while focusing on sustainability. We are grateful to work alongside Marriott as they take another proactive step to strengthen their rigorous safety standards. Our contamination-detection technology helps prevent foodborne illness before it can spread, ensuring a higher level of food safety for everyone they serve.”

Marriott’s commitment to innovation began with its founding nearly a century ago. Guided by the company’s core value of embracing change with an unwavering focus on its associates, guests, owners and franchisees, today, Marriott is driving transformation in the hospitality industry through innovative investing, research and development, creative collaborations, and piloting initiatives to test and learn at scale. In addition to the company’s strategic agreement, Marriott also participated in a minority equity investment in PathSpot. To learn more about PathSpot’s technology, visit https://pathspot.com.

Slurp, Savour and Support! Nostalgia’s Second Outlet in Pali Naka Focuses on Local Heritage, Community Collaboration, and a ‘Bring Your Own Fruit’ Concept

Nostalgia in Bandra is one of the few spots in Mumbai’s vibrant cafe landscape that takes you down memory lane. This cosy cafe in a heritage bungalow beautifully rekindled childhood memories, offered comfort and won the trust of anyone who walked in for a cup of coffee with their homely ambience. They are now launching a new outlet at Pali Naka with an altogether different concept. This time, the focus is on honouring Mumbai’s hyperlocal food heritage by weaving together their legacy of railway canteens with meaningful community collaborations and partnerships with local fruit vendors. 

The new outlet is a takeaway spot for fresh beverages and ice-creams, along with savoury snacks from Kerala and Mangalore. A standout on their menu is Iced Filter Coffee and Filter Coffee Affogato, giving the beloved South Indian classic a cool twist. One of the highlights of the new outlet is a ‘Bring your own fruit’ concept where you can buy fresh fruits from the vendors right outside the outlet, walk in to have them on your softies and relish them on the go. To keep up with seasonal fruits, they have a soft-serve machine, so get fresh strawberries or mangoes chopped up on your ice-creams. Drop by, pick a fruit and have it customised for you on the frozen desserts. The idea is also to help the fruit vendors outside and grow together as a community. 

This is not just an expansion but creating unique stories and concepts around Nostalgia while staying true to its roots. The new outlet pays tribute to founder Sinan Khader’s grandfather, who began his journey at a tea stall at Dadar Central railway station in the 1950s. Over time, he grew to manage 8 stalls in railway canteens, creating a legacy of enterprise. Tiny bits of his railway canteen legacy now lives on at Nostalgia - be it the bun maska or the savoury snacks from Kerala and Mangalore on the racks. It’s a coming together of family heritage to give back to the community. 

The next time you’re craving freshly cut strawberries on your vanilla cup or want to revisit the familiar taste of Pallonjis in the summer swelter, stop by Nostalgia in Pali Naka. For an ice-cream run, don’t forget to pick your fruits from the local vendor outside. Sip, savour and smile! 

Address: Pali Mala Road, Pali Naka, Bandra West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400050. Landmark: Next to Jimi’s Burger

Hyatt Regency, Pune Lifts Coveted Trophy: Poona Hoteliers Association Premier League 7.0

The Poona Hoteliers Association Premier League (PHAPL 7.0) concluded on a high note on 21 st March 2025, marking yet another milestone in the Pune hospitality sector’s sporting legacy. Organized by the Poona Hoteliers Association (PHA), the five-day inter-hotel cricket tournament took place at Azam Campus Grounds and witnessed an overwhelming participation of 42 teams from hotels and hotel management institutes. With 630 players and over 1,000 enthusiastic spectators in attendance, the tournament was a spectacular showcase of sportsmanship, camaraderie, and competitive spirit.

The grand Opening Ceremony on 17 th March 2025 was inaugurated by Mr Jimmy Shaw, President of the Hotel And Restaurant Association (Western India) – HRAWI, accompanied by his wife Ms Fida Shaw, alongside Mrs Abeda Inamdar, Vice President of Maharashtra Cosmopolitan Education Society, Pune; and Mr Amit Sharma, President of PHA, along with other distinguished members of PHA. The dignitaries encouraged the teams to “Play Well, Play Hard but Play Fair” and symbolically released colourful balloons to declare the tournament open.

“The 7 th edition of PHAPL is truly special as it coincides with the 25 th anniversary of the Poona Hoteliers Association and the 75 th year of HRAWI. This tournament is not just about cricket; it embodies the spirit of unity, teamwork and enthusiasm that defines the hospitality industry. The event has grown tremendously over the years, bringing hospitality industry professionals together in a competitive yet friendly atmosphere. We commend PHA for organizing such a fantastic initiative, and I look forward to seeing this tournament reach even greater heights in the coming years,” says Mr Jimmy Shaw, President, HRAWI.

The grand finale saw Hyatt Regency, Pune, clinch the trophy after a thrilling match against runners-up Novotel, Pune. Royal Orchid, Pune and Courtyard by Marriott, Chakan secured spots in the top four. Individual accolades were dominated by Roop Lal (Hyatt Regency), who claimed the Man of the Match, Orange Cap (Best Batsman) and Player of the Tournament titles. Deepak Dada (Courtyard by Marriott) earned the Purple Cap for Best Bowler.

“PHAPL 7.0 reached new heights with live streaming of all 57 matches across two grounds, making it accessible to a much wider audience. The matches were not only broadcast live on YouTube and mobile platforms but were also showcased in hotel staff cafeterias and restaurants, allowing colleagues and families to experience the action. This initiative elevated viewership from 1,000 on-field spectators to over 6,000 virtual viewers, adding to the tournament’s growing appeal,” adds Mr. Santanu Sarkar.

The tournament’s seamless execution was made possible by the dedicated efforts of Director of the Tournament, Manu, along with umpires, scorers, and ground staff, who ensured smooth operations throughout the event.

“After six successful editions, PHAPL 7.0 has firmly established itself as one of India’s largest inter-hotel cricket tournaments. The planning and execution of this year’s event were credited to the PHAPL 7.0 Organizing Committee, led by Amit Sharma, Santanu Sarkar, Sharan Shetty, Abhishek Sahai, Prapti Deshpande, Sumit Sharma, Vikram Raj Shetty, Bhushan Kumud, Pankaj Saxena and Sanjay Singh. With the PHA Executive Committee already gearing up for PHAPL 8.0, next year’s tournament promises to be even bigger, more creative and more exciting, further cementing its status as the most sought-after sporting event in the Indian hospitality industry,” concludes Mr. Amit Kumar Sharma.