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All Things Independent
Mixed Messages For Meetings Market
Robert Mandelbaum and Gary McDade | February 18, 2014
By Robert Mandelbaum and Gary McDade The U.S. meetings market has lagged in its recovery from the depths of the 2008/2009 lodging industry recession. While transient demand started to grow during the latter part of 2009, it wasn't until 2011 that significant gains were seen in group room nights. After two years of steady growth in the number of group events hosted by hotels, PKF Hospitality Research, LLC (PKF-HR) has observed some recent volatility in the volume of meetings being planned. According to our firm's annual poll of meeting planners, the percentage of event organizers reporting an increase in the number of meetings they are r...
Brice Pean Named General Manager of 595-key Yanqi Lake Kempinski Hotel Beijing
Yanqi Lake Kempinski Hotel Beijing | February 18, 2014
BEIJING, Feb. 18, 2014 -- To call Kempinski's latest project on the outskirts of Beijing ambitious would be an understatement. Scheduled to open in mid-2014, the resort, set on 14-square-kilometre grounds in the heart of scenic Yanqi Lake, Beijing, includes hotels, spas, restaurants, bars and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) facilities. Undoubtedly, the task of managing the opening of such an undertaking requires a rare combination of skills and experience. Kempinski found someone with that combination in Brice Pean, the resort's General Manager. A native of France, Pean graduated from the renowned Fremdenverkeh...
New Boutique Village Hotel, Andell Inn, to Open on Kiawah Island, South Carolina in March 2014
Andell Inn | February 18, 2014
Managed by Local Hotel Adventures, as Part of the Marriott International & Residence Inn Hotel Network KIAWAH ISLAND, SC (February 18, 2014) – Local Hotel Adventures, an independent hotel management company, has announced the opening of the Andell Inn, a new boutique village hotel, in March of this year. Andell Inn, located in Freshfields Village, Kiawah Island, SC offers island visitors a locally inspired, ultra convenient and custom designed hotel experience. As part of the Marriott International network, Marriott Rewards points will be accepted. Built on land once owned by the Andell family and centrally located in Freshfields...
Pan Pacific Hotels Group to Open to PARKROYAL Chengdu and Pan Pacific Zhuhai in China in 2017
Pan Pacific Hotels Group | February 18, 2014
A Debut for PARKROYAL Brand in China SINGAPORE - 18 February 2014 -- Pan Pacific Hotels Group has signed two management agreements for PARKROYAL Chengdu and Pan Pacific Zhuhai, marking the upcoming debut of the PARKROYAL brand and the opening of its sixth "Pan Pacific" property in China. Under the management agreement with Xinyuan Holding Group Co. Ltd, Pan Pacific Hotels Group will manage PARKROYAL Chengdu, China's first PARKROYAL hotel that is scheduled to open in 2017. The capital of Sichuan province, Chengdu is one of the most important economic, transportation, and communication centres in Western China. It enjoys prosperity in ma...
IT’S HERE…International and Domestic Mobile Calling for Your Foreign Guests with GuestMobile™
February 18, 2014
This hotel-branded, guest facing, mobile voice solution enables foreign hotel guests to use their own smartphones to make low-to-no-cost international and domestic phone calls when traveling while also converting legacy hotel PBX systems to VoIP/ Voice over WiFi enabled TORONTO - FEBRUARY 18, 2014 - Today, with the launch of GuestMobile™ - The Mobile Guest Voice Solution, hoteliers can now provide exceptional international and domestic mobile telecom services to foreign guests upon check-in, while driving new revenues from the hotel's PBX. This easy to deploy, hospitality-specific, VoIP/Voice over WiFi solution will enable hotel gues...
PolyU Study Finds Computer-Based Training (CBT) Could Soon Become Prevalent for Hotel Industry
PolyU's School of Hotel and Tourism Management | February 18, 2014
18 February 2014 - Computer-based training (CBT) could soon become prevalent in the hotel industry write Dr Eric Chan of the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and a co-author in a recently published research paper. Drawing on the results of an undergraduate survey conducted in Hong Kong, the researchers show that hospitality and tourism students - the potential hoteliers of tomorrow - perceive CBT not only as an effective method but also one that is compatible with the training needs of hotel employees. Most of the students they surveyed regarded CBT as user-friendly, and noted that th...
Agilysys Announces Release of Visual One™ PMS v8.51
Agilysys | February 18, 2014
New Version Includes Architectural Improvements, Enhanced Features and Functionality ALPHARETTA, GA. - Feb. 18, 2014 - Agilysys, Inc. (Nasdaq: AGYS), a leading provider of innovative hospitality software solutions and services, today announced the release of the Agilysys Visual One™ PMS v8.51. The latest version of the property management solution features significant architectural improvements that enable quick application deployment, more robust functionality and numerous integration benefits. Features of Visual One PMS v8.51 include: A more powerful installation utility Support for credit card tokenization through Fusebox (Elavo...
Connecticut’s 138-key BEST WESTERN PLUS North Haven Opens; Owned & Operated by WNW Hospitality Group
Best Western International, Inc. | February 18, 2014
NORTH HAVEN, Conn., February 18, 2014 - Best Western International announces the opening of the BEST WESTERN PLUS North Haven Hotel, located at 201 Washington Avenue. Owned and operated by the WNW Hospitality Group. On opening day the BEST WESTERN PLUS North Haven Hotel received the Best Western Chairman's Award, the hotel chain's highest honor for outstanding quality standards with a perfect score of 1000. The 100% smoke-free hotel features 138 guest rooms and five suites. Hotel amenities include a full complimentary hot breakfast, an indoor heated pool, room service and a free 24-hour fitness center. Each room is equipped with a 42" f...
Reaching for the Future: Innovation, Upselling and Delighting the Guest
Nor1, Inc. | February 18, 2014
By Jason Bryant, Founder, CEO, Nor1 "We see our customers as invited guests to a party, and we are the hosts. It's our job every day to make every important aspect of the customer experience a little bit better." - Jeff Bezos ******** Much of a hotelier's time is taken up with operating and managing a property, and taking care of the basics of the guest experience. There's no substitute for delivering outstanding accommodations -- and excellent service provided by a courteous, attentive staff that anticipates guests' needs. What if you could anticipate your guests' needs even better? What if you could connect more directly with them, i...
HTNG’s North American Conference to Focus on Future Tech Trends, Hacker Defense and Mobility
HTNG | February 18, 2014
As Well as Generational Differences, Asia and Disruptive Models CHICAGO (February 18, 2014) - Hotel Technology Next Generation (HTNG), the membership association that unites the world's hospitality companies and technology innovators to solve technology challenges, announced an engaging series of speakers and sessions for its annual North American conference at the Rancho Bernardo Inn near San Diego. The event is open to all hoteliers, and to non-hoteliers with HTNG memberships. HTNG conference agendas focus on helping hoteliers gain a better understanding of business issues that technology can address. The content also helps attendees ...
Take Advantage of Consumer Psychology to Boost Your Hotel Bookings
Travel Tripper | February 18, 2014
There's a famous field test in which a Columbia professor set up a tasting booth at a local grocery store to promote and sell jam. The first week she offered 24 flavors of jam, and the following week she offered six flavors. Which week did she sell more? With 24 flavors of jam, 60% of the store's customers stopped to taste test and 3% of the tasters actually ended up buying jam. The following week with only six flavors available, only 40% of the store's customers stopped to taste test, but 30% of those tasters bought jam. When you run those numbers, that's a sales increase of more than 600%! Being in the hotel reservations business, we ...
IHG Sells the 383-room InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco for $120 Million
IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) | February 18, 2014
18 February 2014 - InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (IHG) [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] today announces the sale of the 383 room InterContinental San Francisco Mark Hopkins**(the "Hotel") to a joint venture between affiliates of Woodridge Capital Partners ("Woodridge") and funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management L.P. ("Oaktree") for $120m gross cash proceeds. IHG will continue to manage the Hotel under a long-term management contract. The Hotel first opened in 1926, and became an InterContinental in 1973. IHG acquired the lessee interest in 1983 and subsequently acquired the freehold in 2010. The new owners have agreed to invest appro...
Dawn Schuller Joins JW Marriott Houston Downtown As Senior Sales Manager
JW Marriott Houston Downtown | February 17, 2014
Houston (Feb. 18, 2014) – JW Marriott Houston Downtown today announced the appointment of Dawn Schuller as senior sales manager at the under-construction hotel to open in summer 2014. The conversion of the historic Samuel F. Carter Building at 806 Main St. will provide much-needed hotel rooms to further Houston as a tourist and convention destination. Schuller has more than 13 years of hospitality and sales experience and most recently served as a corporate sales manager at the Four Seasons Hotel Houston. In her new role, Schuller will be responsible for developing the business traveler market and maintaining relationships with key co...
Survey of FL’s Volusia County Lodging Industry Shows Rebound with $62 M Invested in Hotel Upgrades
The Hotel & Lodging Association of Volusia County | February 17, 2014
February 17, 2014 - The large-scale development project announced for our area over the past few months are indicators of a countywide rebirth of the lodging industry in all of Volusia County. The national economy seems to be rebounding at a slow but steady pace and this can only bode well for area businesses with an eye on the future. As I travel around the county attending various meetings, I am continually asked the same question, "When can I expect to see more quality accommodations in Volusia County?" The answer is NOW! You have probably noticed construction activity in many of our established hotels and inns, but it is impossible ...
Hotel Brand Revitalization by Aaron Laurie of HVS
Aaron Laurie | February 17, 2014
Feb 17, 2014 This article discusses the concept of hotel brand revitalization – a hotel company's initiatives aimed at re-positioning its brand. Brands that have recently undergone or are currently undergoing this brand process are reviewed. Hotel Brand Revitalization Like any commercial product, a hotel brand follows a life cycle. At its maturity, the brand becomes tired in the face of changing consumer preferences, new brand competition floods the market, and brand development stagnates while brand-wide revenue flat lines. Although lodging companies continuously try to promote their brands, at this point in the brand life cycle only...
Hyatt Reports Q4 2013 Net Income of $32M Compared to $16M in Year Ago Quarter; RevPAR up 6.2%
Hyatt Hotels Corporation | February 17, 2014
CHICAGO--(February 14, 2014)--Hyatt Hotels Corporation ("Hyatt" or the "Company") (NYSE: H) today reported fourth quarter 2013 financial results as follows: Adjusted EBITDA was $178 million in the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to $147 million in the fourth quarter of 2012, an increase of 21.1%. Adjusted for special items, net income attributable to Hyatt was $51 million, or $0.32 per share, during the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to net income attributable to Hyatt of $33 million, or $0.20 per share, during the fourth quarter of 2012. Net income attributable to Hyatt was $32 million, or $0.20 per share, during the fourth quarte...
Benchmark Hospitality International Releases Top Ten Meeting Trends for 2014
February 17, 2014
As Observed by its Properties The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, February 17, 2014 - Benchmark Resorts & Hotels, a division of Benchmark Hospitality International, announces the "Top Ten Meeting Trends for 2014" as observed by its properties. Benchmark Hospitality International is a leading U.S.-based hospitality management company, which operates 40 award-winning hotels, resorts, and conference centers coast to coast and off shore. "With 33 years of history and experience delivering exceptional meetings, we are honored to share our 2014 meeting trend insights with the industry," said Alex Cabañas, president & CEO of Benchmark Hos...
Urban Commons Acquires the 333-room Sheraton Pasadena in California
Urban Commons | February 17, 2014
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 17, 2014 -- Urban Commons, LLC, together with Brighton Management, announces today the purchase of the 333-room Sheraton Pasadena Hotel. The full-service Hotel is located in the premier vacation and group/corporate meeting destination of Pasadena and is the only hotel directly adjacent to the recently expanded Pasadena Convention Center, which draws thousands of visitors and exhibits year-round. The Hotel is also located within 3 miles of the city's historic landmarks and attractions such as the Rose Bowl, the Norton Simon Museum, and The Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens. The Companies have already received ful...
149-Room Hyatt House Hotel Planned for Irvine, CA
BuildCentral | February 17, 2014
Hotel-Online and BuildCentral Add/Update 158 Hotel Projects to the New Hotel Construction Projects Database Chicago, IL. February 17, 2014 - Hotel-Online and BuildCentral have added or updated 158 hotel projects in the last two weeks to Hotel Construction, a nationwide database of hotel construction projects, openings, and key decision makers (Owner/Developers, Architects and Contractors). These proposed hotels are still in the planning stages. Now is the perfect time to have your product drawn into plans, or offer construction services: FM 620 Hotel (Austin, TX) Fairview Avenue Hotel (Seattle, WA) Cambria Suites Hotel (Schaumburg, ...
Strand Development Company Grows to 56 Properties, Increases Profitability
Strand Development Company LLC | February 17, 2014
Automated Property Data Collection, Analysis, Performance Reports, and Forecasting Raise Operating Standards, Support Steady Growth for Multiple Ownership Groups February 17, 2014 - "Strand Development prides itself on providing its owners with effective and accurate financial reporting on a timely basis - there is no room for error, no room for tardiness," says John Johnson, Strand's CFO. "We know that our continued relationship is contingent on delivering solid bottom line results. This is our top priority." With 56 properties and multiple ownership entities, Strand relies on its corporate business intelligence system to automate the...
Hotel Equities Names Bert Haifley Task Force Manager for Firm’s Portfolio
Hotel Equities (HE) | February 17, 2014
ATLANTA (February 17, 2014) -Atlanta-based Hotel Equities (HE) recently named Bert Haifley to the position of Task Force Manager for the firm's portfolio. As Task Force Manager, Mr. Haifley is available to assist in new transitions and acquisitions for the firm as Hotel Equities continues its strong growth momentum. His responsibilities cover the overall operation of the hotel including hiring, training and all of the metrics required to assure its success. This is an opportunity to continue to hit the ground running day one on all new hotels that come into the portfolio and make a real difference quickly for HE's ownership groups. "Ber...
Mr Taleb Rifai, Secretary General of the UNWTO, to Speak at the Young Hoteliers Summit
YHS | February 17, 2014
March 17-19, 2014 in Lausanne, Switzerland February 17th, Lausanne - The Young Hoteliers Summit (YHS) is proud to announce that Mr Taleb Rifai will be joining as Keynote Speaker at the Young Hoteliers Summit 2014 in Lausanne, on Tuesday the 18th. Mr Taleb Rifai has been serving as Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) since 2010, re-elected to a second term in 2014. He had previously served as Deputy Secretary General from 2006 until 2009. Having served in Jordan as Government Minister, as well as internationally in the ILO and Jordanian Trade Missions, he has developed an extensive background in international and...
Organic Service: Adapting Experiences to the Experience by Roberta Nedry
Roberta Nedry | February 14, 2014
Organic! That word is everywhere in today's world. Consumers are seeking Organic food for healthier lifestyles. Restaurants are showcasing more Organic menu creations and even growing their own organic gardens. People are choosing more Organic lifestyles and exploring ways to simplify their lives and become healthier. Organic farming means no drugs, synthetic chemicals or hormones are used. Organic business growth means new business that comes from existing business or customers. Organic organizations are known to encourage and respect the teams within and encourage new ideas and teamwork; to encourage employees to perform at their ...
Passkey and Flip.to Launch an Industry First
Flip.to | February 14, 2014
Helping Hotels Turn Their Group Guests Into a Dynamic Marketing Force ORLANDO, FL - FEBRUARY 14, 2014 - Passkey and Flip.to today announced the successful integration of their platforms and launch of a new online toolset that allows hotels for the first time to turn their group guests into trusted brand advocates, creating a new marketing force for every event. These marketing forces create a significant, measurable impact for both the group and leisure business of a hotel. "For years, Passkey has been helping hotels maximize revenue from their groups," noted Sam Fahmy, Senior Vice President, of Corporate Development and Marketing. "The...
