Feb 17th, 2025 — Horwath HTL is pleased to welcome Jason Raimondi as the newest member of our team.

With over 20 years of hospitality leadership, training, and operational consulting experience, Jason brings a wealth of expertise in strategic development, service excellence, and leadership coaching.

Prior to joining Horwath HTL, Jason founded JOR Hospitality Solutions, a consulting firm specializing in hospitality strategy, operational change, and leadership development.

His extensive career includes executive training roles at Forbes Travel Guide, as well as leadership positions at IHG, Hilton, and The Walt Disney Company. Throughout his career, Jason has worked with some of the world’s most renowned hotel brands, helping them enhance guest service, refine operational efficiencies, and cultivate strong leadership teams.
Jason holds a Master of Arts in Management & Leadership from Webster University and has played a key role in developing training programs that drive measurable success in the hospitality industry.

His expertise in emotional intelligence, luxury service training, and strategic hospitality consulting will be instrumental in strengthening Horwath HTL’s service offerings worldwide.

John Fareed, Horwath HTL Global Chairman, expressed enthusiasm about the appointment:
"We are thrilled to have Jason join our team. His deep understanding of hospitality operations and his passion for leadership development align perfectly with our commitment to providing industry-leading advisory services.

We look forward to the impact he will make for our clients and partners around the world."

Toronto, February 6, 2025 – Foodservice sales are forecast to grow by 3.7% in the first quarter of 2025, thanks to a significant boost from the GST and HST holiday, but restaurants are still facing economic headwinds after a weak third quarter, according to Restaurants Canada’s latest Quarterly Report.

Quarterly Report at a glance:
• Restaurant, caterer and bar sales are forecast to surpass $100B in 2025, representing a 3.9% nominal increase over 2024. Adjusted for menu inflation, real sales are forecast to grow by 0.8% compared to relatively flat real sales in 2024.
• Caterers are expected to see the strongest growth in 2025 at 4.3%, followed by quick-service restaurants (4.0%), full-service restaurants (3.8%) and drinking places (1.5%).
• More than a third of Canadians (36%) are going out to eat less frequently. Gen X report the largest reduction in visits to full-service restaurants (41%), while Gen Z are most likely to cut back on quick-service restaurants (42%).
• Menu inflation continued to moderate in the last half of 2024, with November menu prices being 3.4% higher compared to November 2023.
• Restaurants Canada estimates foodservice sales could be $1.5B higher over the GST/HST holiday period than they would have been if there was no tax holiday.
• This issue of the Quarterly also starts to examine how significant changes to immigration and tariff threats will affect the restaurant industry and the economy, how foodservice businesses are responding to a rise in crime, and strategies consumers are employing to make dining out more affordable.
Quotes from Kelly Higginson, President and CEO at Restaurants Canada:
“2024 was a very difficult year for the restaurant industry, and our forecasting tells us that we are not out of the woods yet. Restaurants face significant threats, including drastic cuts to immigration amid a very tight labour market in much of the country outside of urban centres, a tariff dispute with the U.S. and continued low consumer confidence.”

“We are calling on governments to permanently remove sales taxes from restaurant meals. Early data about the GST and HST holiday give us some hope for a stronger start in 2025. Restaurants are the fourth largest employer in the country with nearly 1.2 million workers, they support local economies and initiatives in every community across Canada, and they improve the day-to-day quality of life of Canadians. Restoring food tax fairness is a win for all.”

The Fairfield Inn and Suites has opened in Gravenhurst Muskoka, just in time for the Town of Gravenhurst Winter Carnival! To celebrate, the hotel has offered an All-Inclusive Family Stay & Play Package, featuring cozy accommodations, an indoor pool, complimentary breakfast, and easy access to all the Winter Carnival fun.

Ideally located off highway 11, Gravenhurst is the gateway to Muskoka. The hotel provides easy access to local shopping, restaurants and attractions such as hiking & snowmobile trails, golf courses & more!

QUEBEC CITY, January 16, 2025 – Four First Nations, united under a newly created entity, Atenro, have announced a partnership with InnVest Hotels to acquire a majority stake in Hilton Québec. Hilton will continue to manage the hotel.

The four First Nations represented are the Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach by the Taasipitaakin Trust, the Mi’gmaq of Gespe’gewa’gi by Mi’gmawei Mawiomi Resources LP, the Huron-Wendat Nation by the Wendat Investment Corporation LP and the Cree Nation by the James Bay Eeyou Corporation. Together, they created the Atenro limited partnership, which means “friendship” in the Wendat language.

This agreement marks a significant step in strengthening the economic participation of First Nations in several sectors in Quebec, including the hotel industry. It should be noted that several First Nations already own or share hotel establishments in Quebec.

“Our new partnership demonstrates the willingness of Indigenous communities to invest in the economy in a sustainable way and to strengthen their financial self-sufficiency. The revenues generated by our other investments, such as wind, allow us to diversify our investments,” said Fred Vicaire, CEO of Mi’gmawei Mawiomi Business Corporation, the General Partner of Mi’gmawei Mawiomi Resources LP.

“By investing in hospitality properties, we have the opportunity to create spaces that showcase our heritage and allow visitors to learn more about our cultures. It also strengthens our economic position and financial autonomy, while contributing to the sustainable development of our communities,” said Henry Gull, President of the James Bay Eeyou Corporation.

“This acquisition is a concrete example of how First Nations can play a key role in Quebec’s economic development, while preserving and enhancing their unique cultural heritage. The development of our communities also requires strategic investments outside the territory,” said Louise Nattawappio, Chief of the Naskapi Nation.

“The Wendat Nation is proud of this major investment, which is also found on its magnificent territory, the Nionwentsïo. It is even more significant since it is sealed by an economic alliance with the Eeyou, the Mi’gmaq and the Naskapi. This historic transaction honours the memory of the Wendat ancestors who once had an important network of trade and trade alliances. We continue in the same tradition and set an example for our younger generations where collaboration, ambition and visions can converge into concrete successes that promote our financial independence,” said Grand Chief Pierre Picard.

Acquiring all or most of the shares of a hotel allows you to share and promote the rich culture and traditions of the First Nations with visitors. This can include elements of design, crafts, cultural activities, and unique dining experiences.

“Hilton Quebec is a high-performing hotel in our portfolio, and this very important agreement with our First Nations partners in Quebec allows us to unlock the value of this property while providing a dynamic new investment opportunity for new owners. Our InnVest team will continue to be actively involved with the Hotel as Asset Managers for the new partnership. We are thrilled to welcome the Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach, the Mi’gmaq of Gespe’gewa’gi, the Huron-Wendat Nation, and the Cree Nation on this exciting journey,” said Lydia Chen, CEO of InnVest Hotels.

The new owners plan to implement joint initiatives with Hilton Québec and InnVest Hotels to provide employment and training opportunities for members of all First Nations. All current jobs will be maintained. The new owners recognize the exceptional quality of work of all the hotel’s team members and nothing will change as a result of this acquisition.

Located a few steps from Old Quebec City and Parliament Hill, Hilton Québec is recognized for its excellence in hospitality and services. It is one of the jewels of Quebec City’s hotel industry. It features 569 modern rooms and spacious suites with spectacular views of the city.

Directly connected to the Quebec City Convention Centre, the hotel has the largest ballroom in the city and a total of 22 meeting rooms (23,000 ft2 of space). It has a bar and two restaurants. It also offers a fitness centre and a heated outdoor swimming pool.

The parties involved retained the professional services of Atmacinta, Cain Lamarre, Plan A Capital and Gowling WLG to carry out the acquisition project and acknowledge the exceptional support of Bank of Montreal and the First Nations Bank of Canada for their commitment to ensure successful closing of the acquisition by providing requisite credit financing.