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November 4th, 2024
SH Hotels & Resorts Embarks on a Major Global Expansion
SH Hotels & Resorts | January 18, 2024
The Groundbreaking Hospitality Company Behind 1 Hotels, Baccarat Hotels, and Treehouse Hotels Has More Than 30 Projects Open and in the Pipeline MIAMI, FL (January 18, 2024) - Reinforcing its position as a leader in the purpose-driven luxury and lifestyle hotel segment, SH Hotels & Resorts—founded by hospitality visionary Barry Sternlicht—is embarking on a significant worldwide expansion of its portfolio across four continents and 13 countries and territories. With more than 30 hotels and branded residential projects open and in the pipeline, plus a number of deals in the LOI stage, SH Hotels & Resorts is shaping the future of...
“We Deliver Amazing Customer Service”: The Difference Between Perception and Reality / Shep Hyken
Shep Hyken | January 18, 2024
This is an important topic that every CEO, business owner, leader, manager, and supervisor must understand. When it comes to customer service and customer experience (CX), there is a difference between perception and reality. First, how we think our customers perceive our customer service and CX is often not the reality. It’s just our perception. Reality isn’t what we think or believe. It’s what our customers say. Often, there is a big difference between our perception and the reality of our customers’ experiences. Some may be saying, “Shep, you’ve covered this before.” Yes, however, it is worth covering again, espec...
December 2023 International Air Passenger Travel to and from the United States
APIS/I-92 Program | January 18, 2024
Air Passenger Enplanements Up 15.4% Year Over Year in December 2023 Air Passenger Travel Between the United States and Europe Up 9.9% in December 2023 Data recently released by the National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO) show that in December 2023: U.S.-international air traffic passenger enplanements1 totaled: 21.630 million in December 2023, up 15.4% compared to December 2022, with enplanements reaching 102.5% of pre-pandemic December 2019 volume. Originating Non-Stop Air Travel in December 2023 Non-U.S. citizen air passenger arrivals to the United States from foreign countries totaled: 5.201 million in D...
Has the ‘New’ Service Culture Become the ‘No’ Service Culture?
Alan Young | January 18, 2024
By Alan Young In my hometown of Barrie, Ontario, I spent some time chatting with some of the GMs of the hotels within our city limits. Most hotels in Barrie are what we would call “limited service”, however, some do offer more than others when it comes to amenities. I asked each GM what type of true service training each employee receives. Their answers were hit-and-miss. Some offer in-house training, and others offer the brand standard training, but very few of them truly offer service training. Also, due to the increasing turnover of staff, it is difficult to indoctrinate employees fully in a hotel’s service culture. The industry g...
Moxy Hotels Debuts in Canada with the Opening of the Moxy Halifax Downtown
Moxy Hotels | January 18, 2024
HALIFAX, NS (January 18, 2024) – Today, JONO Developments Ltd. (“JONO”) and Hotel Equities (“HE”) announced the official opening of Moxy Halifax Downtown. The 160-room hotel, owned by JONO and operated by Hotel Equities, is the first Moxy hotel to open in Canada. Moxy Hotels is part of Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International’s portfolio of over 30 extraordinary brands, award-winning travel program, and endless experiences. Moxy Halifax Downtown brings a stylish and playful hotel experience to the heart of downtown Halifax, where guests can enjoy an unparalleled atmosphere of modern fun, complete with captivating architecture, ...
Marriott International and Aimbridge Hospitality Collaborate to Develop Three Hotels In Mexico
Marriott International | January 18, 2024
The companies are delighted to boost tourism in the Mexican market with the signing of three exclusive hotels under the Aloft Hotels and Sheraton Hotels & Resorts brands in Guadalajara, as well as Delta Hotels & Resorts in Puebla. Mexico City, January 18, 2023 – Marriott International announced today the expansion into important markets in Mexico with the signing of three agreements to bring the Aloft Hotels and Sheraton Hotels & Resorts brands to Guadalajara and Delta Hotels & Resorts to Puebla. With these agreements, the company reinforces its commitment to a strategic expansion in high-growth markets in Mexico, with a g...
Accor Opens Mercure Baku City in Azerbaijan
Mercure | January 18, 2024
FEATURING LOCALLY INSPIRED INTERIORS, MERCURE BAKU CITY OFFERS A COMFORTABLE STAY IN THE HEART OF THE CITY OF WINDS BAKU, 18 JANUARY 2024 - Accor, a world leading hospitality group, announces today the opening of the first Mercure in Azerbaijan. Located in the capital’s city center, Mercure Baku City introduces guests to the country's rich cultural heritage with its "Locally Inspired" brand philosophy. “This important opening further strengthens Accor’s foothold in Azerbaijan and is testament to our ambition to continue to expand in the South Caucasus region, an exciting destination with huge potential for leisure and business trave...
Ennismore Opens SO/ Maldives in the South Asian Archipelago
Ennismore | January 18, 2024
Nestled in an idyllic archipelago overlooking Emboodhoo Lagoon, this new all-villa destination is just a short boat trip from Malé International airport (Maldives) January 18, 2024 - Reinventing the luxury island getaway, SO/, the coveted collection of fashion-forward hotels from Ennismore, unveils trend-setting and avant-garde living in the Maldives with the opening of its latest address, SO/ Maldives – a vibrant private-island destination rooted in fashion, art and design. A swift, 15-minute speedboat transfer from Malé Velana International Airport is all it takes for guests to be whisked away to SO/ Maldives’ luxurious, 1...
Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands Invests Additional US$750 Million in Next Phase of Hotel Transformation
Marina Bay Sands Pte Ltd | January 18, 2024
Singapore (18 January 2024) – As 2024 unfolds, Marina Bay Sands has launched the second phase of its significant reinvestment programme, committing to the iconic integrated resort’s (IR) development as a world-class tourism destination and ensuring that it remains a unique, exhilarating experience for local and international visitors and meaningfully enhances the tourism appeal of Singapore in the decades ahead. Estimated at US$750 million, the second phase of transformation will focus on Tower 3, the Hotel Lobby and Sands SkyPark. It will include a reimagined VIP arrival experience, new premium dining and retail offerings, a lobby tra...
Marriott International, Concord Hospitality and Whitman Peterson Celebrate Groundbreaking of First StudioRes Property in Fort Myers, Florida
Marriott International | January 18, 2024
Ceremony marks milestone for Marriott’s new affordable midscale extended stay brand in U.S. and Canada Today, Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) celebrated the groundbreaking of its inaugural StudioRes brand hotel, as Concord Hospitality began construction of its first property in Fort Myers, Florida. Announced in June 2023, the StudioRes brand is Marriott’s new affordable midscale extended stay brand in the U.S. & Canada. The StudioRes property in Fort Myers is projected to open in Spring 2025 and is being developed by Concord Hospitality with its long-time partner Whitman Peterson. Concord expects to develop around 50 Stu...
Jonas Chorum Welcomes Adam Wilson as New General Manager
Jonas Chorum | January 18, 2024
Jonas Chorum is excited to announce that we have hired Adam Wilson as General Manager to oversee our business operations and enhance our customer-centric focus to software development. Adam brings extensive experience heading customer-oriented companies and teams. He previously served in several roles leading Customer Success at enterprise technology companies across a variety of industries. In these previous roles, he developed a proven track record of ensuring that customer experience led to growth across the business. “I have spent many years overseeing teams that maximize customer engagement and desired business outcomes,” says ...
New Forecast Predicts United States will Continue to Struggle for International Inbound, Domestic Business Travel
U.S. Travel Association | January 18, 2024
United States Trailing Global Competitors; National Leadership Increasingly Critical WASHINGTON (January 18, 2024)—The U.S. Travel Association today released its biannual forecast for travel to and within the United States through 2027, showing international inbound travel and domestic business travel will continue to remain below pre-pandemic levels in 2024. The forecast, prepared by Tourism Economics, was released just days after U.S. Travel revealed the findings of a global competitiveness report conducted by Euromonitor International. The report found the U.S. ranked 17th out of 18 top markets for travel due to decades of underinves...
Arch Amenities Group Opens Newly Renovated 13,000-Square-Foot Privai Spa + Fitness Center at the Luxury Kimpton EPIC Hotel in Miami
Arch Amenities Group | January 18, 2024
ROCKVILLE, Maryland (Jan. 18, 2024) – Arch Amenities Group, a full-service, global provider of wellness, amenity management and meeting services for commercial and residential properties, hotels, private clubs and pools, today announced the opening of its first Privai Spa + Fitness Center in a hotel: the 411-room, luxury Kimpton EPIC Hotel in Miami. The 13,000-square-foot, newly renovated facility incorporates a 5,000-square-foot fitness and wellness center and features a full range of innovative and restorative spa treatments, Technogym fitness equipment, group and private classes, a Wellness Lounge and programs designed to deliver worl...
Pivot Tapped by KHP Capital Partners to Manage Key West Historic Inns Collection
KHP Capital Partners | January 17, 2024
KHP Capital Partners taps leading lifestyle operator to oversee portfolio of five historic properties in The Florida Keys ATLANTA, Jan. 17, 2024 -- Pivot, the lifestyle operating vertical of Davidson Hospitality Group, has been tapped by KHP Capital Partners to manage the Key West Historic Inns Collection, a portfolio of five historic and reimagined properties including: Winslow's Bungalows; Lighthouse Hotel; Ridley House; Ella's Cottages, and Fitch Lodge. Situated in the heart of Old Town Key West, the collection features seven outdoor pools and two distinctive pool bar experiences. "We are proud to build upon our longstanding relatio...
Hard Rock International and Pointe Vista Holding Company to Develop Hard Rock Hotel and Residences at Lake Texoma
Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos® | January 17, 2024
LAKE TEXOMA, Texas, Jan. 17, 2024 -- Today, Hard Rock International in partnership with Pointe Vista Holding Company announced development plans for the Hard Rock Hotel at Lake Texoma and The Residences at the Hard Rock Hotel Lake Texoma. Set to begin construction in March 2024, the Hard Rock Hotel and Residences will be located within the Pointe Vista development, joining a 2,700-acre master-planned resort community featuring over 19 miles of shoreline, a golf course, enclosed waterpark, family entertainment center, amphitheater, casino and more. The project is expected to create over 9,000 jobs in the area. With a planned Q2 2026 o...
Little Rock, Arkansas: New Developments and Opportunities for Hotels
Kathleen D. Donahue | January 17, 2024
By Kathleen D. Donahue Little Rock is experiencing growth, both recent and potential. Propelled by average rate growth, hotel RevPAR in Little Rock continued to improve in 2023, with occupancy meeting or exceeding prior pandemic levels at most hotels. In addition to a recovery trend in both business travel and group demand, tourism and leisure demand in the Natural State experienced significant growth after the pandemic. There is a push for a resurgence in Downtown Little Rock, focusing on enhancements to the River Market District, including creating a revamped meeting and group destination. A deck park, similar to Dallas’ Klyde Wa...
Hyatt Plans First Hyatt Centric Hotel in Nepal With Hyatt Centric Soalteemode Kathmandu
Hyatt Centric | January 17, 2024
Hyatt Place Kathmandu to be fully transformed into a 153-room Hyatt Centric hotel centrally located in the lively city of Kathmandu CHICAGO (January 17, 2024): Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) today announced an agreement between a Hyatt affiliate and City Hotel Limited to transform Hyatt Place Kathmandu into the planned Hyatt Centric Soalteemode Kathmandu, fully rebranding into the first Hyatt Centric hotel in the country upon completion of a renovation. The rebrand will come with a renovated entrance and lobby area, a unique sky bar and lounge, and enhanced amenities. Every element of this transformation will be carefully curated t...
Ten Room Features to Help Guests With Insomnia Conditions
Adam and Larry Mogelonsky | January 17, 2024
By Adam Mogelonsky, Larry Mogelonsky Sleep tourism is in vogue and will be for quite some time because many travelers now value getting good sleep to prioritize their health and wellbeing. With that in mind, we can look beyond just some of the fancier amenities that hotels are developing and look more specifically at insomnia-like conditions with these ten features. With a big emphasis to start, both of us are not trained medical professionals. These ten features are ideas that we’ve come up with after reading extensively on the root causes of insomnia and how hotel guestrooms or hotel spaces can be redesigned in a value-engineered wa...
Mandarin Oriental, Singapore Welcomes Jill Goh as General Manager
Mandarin Oriental, Singapore | January 17, 2024
Announcing the appointment of the property’s first female General Manager Singapore, 17 January 2024 – Mandarin Oriental, Singapore is delighted to announce the appointment of Jill Goh, the property's first female General Manager. A veteran hotelier with over three decades of experience in the global luxury hospitality industry, Jill brings a wealth of expertise and knowledge in hotel operations and management to her new role as she takes reins at the newly transformed Mandarin Oriental property in the iconic Marina Bay precinct in Singapore. Jill is no stranger to Mandarin Oriental, Singapore, having served as Resident Manager b...
White Lodging Set to Open Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa
AUTOGRAPH COLLECTION HOTELS | January 17, 2024
- Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa to open on Thursday, January 18 - - The luxury hotel features 253 oversized modern guest suites, elevated dining, a resort-style pool, expansive meeting spaces and more - SAN ANTONIO, TX (January 17, 2024) - San Antonio’s first Autograph Collection Hotel, Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa, is set to open this Thursday, January 18. The new luxury hotel at the corner of South Alamo Street and East Cesar Chavez Boulevard features 253 oversized guest rooms, two restaurants/bars, expansive meeting space, and repurposed 19th century historic buildings that are home to a day spa and a one-of-a-kind bungalow s...
IBS Software Acquires APS® for $90 Million as It Targets Major Growth in Hospitality Sector
ABOVE PROPERTY SERVICES (APS®) | January 17, 2024
Acquisition allows IBS Software to add state-of-the-art CRS, PMS and RMS capabilities to its established booking engine and distribution platform, significantly increasing its addressable market in hospitality Atlanta, 17 January 2024 – IBS Software, a leading SaaS solutions provider to the travel industry globally, has reached an agreement to acquire the ground-breaking hotel and travel technology provider Above Property Services (APS®). The $90 million transaction will further solidify IBS Software’s position in the hospitality market and strengthen the brand, to underpin an ambitious expansion of its reach in the hospitality i...
IHG Hotels & Resorts Appoints Leanne Harwood to Lead Luxury & Lifestyle Portfolio in the Americas
IHG | January 17, 2024
Company, Industry Veteran to Begin New Role as SVP, Managing Director, Luxury & Lifestyle Americas in March ATLANTA (January 17, 2024) – IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, today announced the appointment of Leanne Harwood as its new Senior Vice President (SVP), Managing Director, Luxury & Lifestyle Americas (LLA). Upon assuming her role on March 1, Harwood will oversee the daily operations of the LLA organization, drive performance and operations of IHG’s six Luxury & Lifestyle brands and support their growth in the region. An industry veteran with nearly three decades of hospi...
Everline Resort & Spa Announces Steve Uricchio as Director of Food and Beverage
Everline Resort & Spa | January 17, 2024
Olympic Valley, Calif. (January 17, 2024) – Everline Resort & Spa, a spacious mountain resort in North Lake Tahoe’s Olympic Valley, announces Steve Uricchio as Director of Food and Beverage. Uricchio joins the property from Cannery Casino Resorts in Las Vegas. In his new role, he will be responsible for overseeing the resort’s dining experience including banquets and the property’s six on-site restaurants. “We are thrilled to welcome Steve Uricchio to our team at Everline Resort,” said Andre Priemer, Managing Director at Everline Resort & Spa. “Steve’s impressive background and unwavering commitment to curating incr...
Gencom Retakes Majority Ownership in Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne Resort in Miami
Gencom | January 17, 2024
The Gencom-led partnership is planning a $100M transformation and repositioning of the cornerstone hotel asset in 2025 MIAMI, FL – Jan. 17, 2024 – Affiliates of Gencom, an international owner, developer and manager of hospitality and residential properties, announced today that it has retaken majority ownership in the 291-key Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne. The transaction was financed by Citigroup and affiliates of KSL Capital Partners, LLC for an undisclosed amount. Situated at 455 Grand Bay Drive, the 275,000-square-foot Ritz-Carlton resort rises over 13 stories on Miami’s barrier island of Key Biscayne. The upscale resort f...
