Facial recognition technology prevents alcohol sales to minors

You may soon be sold alcoholic drinks by a smart vending machine that uses facial recognition technology.

Businesses in Germany and the US are already selling alcohol using "facial age estimation".

Biometric Update reports that Diebold Nixdorf algorithms in Germany and IDScan.net technology in the US are two such examples that are being monitored using AI.

German store Dorfladen Freckenfeld, which is sometimes unmanned, sells alcohol using facial age estimation from Diebold Nixdorf Smart Vision biometric facial age estimation technology, ensuring alcohol is not sold to minors. 

Diebold Nixdorf vice-president of retail technology solutions Matt Redwood said: “The village store in Freckenfeld is a successful example of how modern store technology with self-service checkouts can help to ensure that local supplies, which are urgently needed in rural areas in particular, are available around the clock.”

Redwood added: “The automatic, AI-based age verification solution also enables a faster checkout process. This pleases customers and allows employees to concentrate on their core tasks.”

Then there is 614NOW, a beer vending machine that has been launched in Columbus, Ohio, by craft brewer Land-Grant and local partner VenGuard.

The vending machine reportedly uses face biometrics for age verification by comparing a photo to the image on a scanned ID card. The system is also trained to recognise fake IDs after training an algorithm with fakes collected from local bars.

Mass tourism gets thumbs down in Barcelona

Barcelona wants fewer tourists, but more big-spending visitors.

The Barcelona Tourism Office is dumping its “Visit Barcelona” slogan and replacing it with "This is Barcelona".

The change comes amid growing anti-tourism protests in the Catalan city - which has been a tourism magnet for decades.

But locals have tired of cruise ship visits and visitors on a budget self-catering in rental properties.

“This is Barcelona” is set to launch on August 22, Catalan News reports.

It coincides with a focus on quality tourism rather than the quantity of visitors.

The launch of the new motto will align with the first day of the America’s Cup preliminary regatta.

The new slogan is an attempt to focus on what Barcelona really is, which its leaders say includes being "a city of traditions, sports, gastronomy, museums, and music festivals".

"A real and specific Barcelona, and not just a landscape [is the focus]," said Mateu Hernández, general director of the Barcelona Tourism board.

"We put an end to a global call for them to visit us, and we do a step forward in highlighting us," Hernández said.

In 2023, Barcelona received more than 12 million tourists, and government officials expect the number to increase in 2024. There have been several protests in the city about the impacts of mass tourism. 

Raffles to open luxury hotel in Tokyo

The Raffles Hotels & Resorts business started with one venerable property in Singapore.

Nowadays it is a global brand with news this week of a new Raffles to open in Tokyo.

Scheduled to open in in 2028, Raffles Tokyo will feature panoramic views, parent company Accor announced.

It will be located in the World Trade Center Building in the Hamamatsuchō district.

“We are delighted to grow the Raffles global family with Raffles Tokyo, which will feature the brand's world-renowned hallmarks including personalised Butler Service and an inspiring environment," said Omer Acar, CEO, Raffles Hotels & Resorts.

"World Trade Center Building Inc. and Tokyo Tatemono Co. are likeminded partners that share our vision for delivering luxury hospitality at the highest level, and we look forward to unveiling a new urban icon in one of the world's most vibrant and culturally significant cities.”

Set to occupy the top 46 floors of the WTC building, a landmark in Tokyo since its completion in 1970, Raffles Tokyo will be in close proximity to some of city's most notable landmarks including Tokyo Tower, the Roppongi Museum, and Rainbow Bridge, in addition to having direct access to Hamamatsuchō station.

The hotel is expected to feature 130 guest rooms, including 27 suites, and will have six food and beverage outlets, as well as a fitness studio, swimming pool, and spa and bathhouse.

“We are very pleased to welcome Accor Group, which operates a number of world-class hotel brands, as our partner, and to be working together toward to the opening of first Raffles hotel, one of Accor Group's premier brands, in Japan," said Hitoshi Nomura, President and CEO, Tokyo Tatemono Co.

"Together with Accor Group and the World Trade Center Building, we hope to create a new landmark in Tokyo and contribute to the creation of an even livelier international city and the enhancement of Tokyo's international competitiveness.” 

Raffles Hotels & Resorts traces its roots to 1887 with the opening of the original Raffles Hotel in Singapore. It now operates luxury hotels around the globe. 

Cherubino unveils new cellar door eatery for Margaret River

Winemaker Larry Cherubino will partner with chef Ben Jacob for a new "relaxed yet refined" Italian dining experience at the Cherubino Wines Caves Road site in Margaret River this spring.

Masseria Restaurant will be helmed by chef Jacob (Lagoon Yallingup) who has developed a menu that will aim to "transport diners to the Italian countryside", showcasing casual Italian-Mediterranean cuisine using traditions with a south-west twist.

Think house-made focaccia, a selection of the season’s best antipasti and cured meats to a range of hand made pastas. From the charcoal grill expect the likes of Bistecca Fiorentina and whole Augusta Nannygai. To finish, perhaps Tiramisu made to share on the table.

“Ben has been aligned with our vision from the get-go,” said Larry Cherubino “We wanted to create a dining experience in the region that is accessible but still elevated and both the food and wine menus reflect that wholeheartedly."

The name loosely translate to farmhouse in Italian.

A wine list crafted by Cherubino City Cellar’s sommelier Simone Ratti and Group Venue Manager Jonathan Diaz will include rare and exclusive back vintages.

“I am very excited to align with the Cherubino brand in opening Masseria.” said Jacob “I am committed to utilising my depth of knowledge and skill as a chef and restaurateur to create a welcoming atmosphere where families and friends can indulge in an Italian-Mediterranean menu focused on casual, simple, but delicious food, right here, in the south-west.”

Masseria will open just in time for spring/summer 2024 dining.

Oktoberfest city adds alcohol-free zone

You know consumer trends are drastically changing when the home of one of the world’s biggest celebrations of beer adds an alcohol-free space.

Yep, Munich - home of the legendary Oktoberfest - has created an area near its central railway station where sad ass revellers can drink zero-alcohol beers.

Called Die Null (The Zero), the venue will serve exclusively alcohol-free drinks to visitors before the festival, which is due to be held for the 189th time from September 21 to October 6.

The decision to open Die Null was also partly taken in an attempt to curb anti-social behaviour before and during Oktoberfest, when thousands of beer fans descend on the city of Munich to raise a stein or two… or three.

Local government officials decided to position the alcohol-free beer garden in the middle of the city so that it would be “anchored in the centre of society.”

Die Null was opened by Munich city mayor Dieter Reiter last week and will remain open until the provisional date of September 15 to encourage a peaceful build-up to Oktoberfest.

Guests at the open-air, alcohol-free establishment will be allowed to bring their own food, and there will be free live entertainment provided by bands, choirs and DJs. Soft drinks, mocktails, juices, water and non-alcoholic beers will be on offer to thirsty visitors.

It just doesn't sound all that festive to me. 

Yering Station links with MIFF

Yarra Valley wine producer Yering Station has long-time links with the arts community.

As well as a long-standing partnership with National Gallery of Victoria and the annual Sculpture Exhibition at the estate each spring, Yering Station has now partnered with the Melbourne International Film Festival as official wine sponsor.

MIFF, which begins on August 8 and continues through August 25, will include over 250 features, shorts and extended reality experiences landing across Melbourne, around Victoria and online Australia-wide.

The program launch was presented by Yering Station with artistic director Al Cossar saying: "This year’s MIFF program features over 250 films, with more than 400 sessions across 18 days, bringing together incredible Australian filmmaking, world cinema, drama, comedy, horror, animation, bold experimentation – things you’ve been waiting months to see, and others you never thought you’d get a chance to.

"The MIFF program this year, like every year, is a multi-faceted festival of cinematic excess, designed to delight, and sure to bring out the best in your imaginations."

International guests attending the festival include British screenwriter and director Luna Carmoon, award-winning Latvian animator Gints Zilbalodis and American filmmaker, poet, and photographer Raven Jackson.

The Yering Station marketing team describes the collaboration as "a beautiful partnership that celebrates the art of cinema and fine wine, proudly upholding our legacy of supporting the arts".