Analysis-Companies Boost Social and Climate Reporting Amid ESG Backlash
November 4th, 2024
IHG Partners With ALAND to Open voco Gosford in Australasia
IHG | December 4, 2023
4 December 2023: IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG) is delighted to announce the signing of the seventh voco in Australasia, partnering with leading Sydney developer ALAND to open voco Gosford in regional New South Wales in early 2025. The brand-new voco Gosford will form part of Archibald by ALAND, a landmark mixed-use development precinct overlooking the magnificent Brisbane Water. Named after Archibald Acheson, the second Earl of Gosford, the highly anticipated development covers 5,656sqm and will include 320 residential apartments, a 130-room lifestyle hotel, a portfolio of impressive hospitality venues and a podium outdoor pool with s...
Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Year for 2023 Is “Authentic”: Is Being So More Important Than Ever Before to Our Guests?
Doug Kennedy | December 4, 2023
By Doug Kennedy As the final days of slip away, how interesting it is that Merriam-Webster’s “Word of the Year” for 2023 is “Authentic,” meaning it was the “most searched” on their site. Because I failed miserably at learning a second language, I have become somewhat of an Etymologist, so I was eager to see how Merriam Webster defined it in their announcement. “Authentic has a number of meanings including ‘not false or imitation,’ a synonym of real and actual; and also ‘true to one’s own personality, spirit, or character.’” To me, this year’s announcement seems even more interesting, since 2022’s most sea...
Texas Western Hospitality Opens a Home2 Suites by Hilton in Abilene, Texas
Home2 Suites by Hilton | December 4, 2023
Texas Western Hospitality Adds to Their Presence in Abilene Abilene, TX – December 4, 2023 – Texas Western Hospitality of Addison, Texas today announced the opening of their newest property, Home2 Suites by Hilton in Abilene, Texas. Designed for travelers who want to maintain their normal routine, the hotel features 128 suites and a range of value, tech-focused and eco-conscious amenities. General Manager Amos Davis leads the management team at the Home2 Suites by Hilton Abilene Southwest for Texas Western Hospitality. Located at 3650 Cedar Run Road six miles from downtown Abilene and 10 minutes from Abilene Regional Airport, Hom...
Bowie House, Auberge Resorts Collection, Debuts in Fort Worth, Texas
Bowie House, Auberge Resorts Collection | December 4, 2023
Auberge Resorts Collection’s experience-driven, design-led luxury hotel is now welcoming guests to Fort Worth’s buzzing Cultural District FORT WORTH, TEXAS (December 4, 2023) – Bowie House, Auberge Resorts Collection, the luxury, urban retreat embodying Fort Worth’s unique character, opens its doors today – a hotel destined to become the city’s social nexus. Merging the classic Western personality of Texas with a decidedly modern feel, the hotel captures the approachable sophistication, cultural vibrancy and equestrian spirit of Fort Worth, further establishing the city as an exciting urban destination for discerning travele...
Nobu Hotel Atlanta Names Terry Buchholz as New General Manager
Nobu Hotel Atlanta | December 4, 2023
(Atlanta, GA)– December 4, 2023–Nobu Hotel Atlanta, the epitome of luxury lifestyle accommodations nestled in the vibrant heart of Buckhead, has appointed Terry Buchholzas its new General Manager. Terry Buchholz is a highly driven, successful hospitality industry leader with more than 25 years of experience, including a decade of managing independent and branded properties, overseeing multi-property operations, leading new developments, and creating strategic alliances with key stakeholders. As the General Manager at Nobu Hotel Atlanta, Terry oversees the property's daily operations, sales and marketing, finance management, and third-p...
Banyan Tree Dubai Brings 178 Guestrooms to Bluewaters Dubai Shoreline
Banyan Tree | December 4, 2023
UAE welcomes a modern beach sanctuary for the senses from Asia’s luxury hospitality leader DUBAI, UAE, 4 December 2023 – Banyan Tree, one of the world’s leading hospitality brands, is pleased to announce the opening of its first property in Dubai. Opening on the UAE’s 52nd Union Day 2 December 2023, with a full suite of dining and recreational facilities, Banyan Tree Dubai fronts the shoreline of Bluewaters Dubai– a vibrant lifestyle destination by Dubai Holding offering a mix of residential, retail, hospitality and entertainment options. Modern and streamlined in concept, the property is imbued with a strong sense of ...
SureStay Plus by Best Western Brooks Makes Its Debut in Alberta
BWH Hotels | December 4, 2023
Alberta, Canada (December 4, 2023) The SureStay Plus by Best Western Brooks has opened its doors in Brooks, Alberta, and invites travelers to experience one of the newest hotel brands in the industry – SureStay® Hotels, comprised of four distinctive brands offering traditional and longer stay travelers comfort and value while away from home. The SureStay Plus by Best Western Brooks will provide guests with an experience they can count on, and the amenities today’s travelers have come to expect. SureStay’s service promise reflects the brand and the hotel’s commitment to providing quality service and value to its guests. Located ...
Michael Gnaegi Appointed General Manager of Chatrium Grand Bangkok
Chatrium Grand Bangkok | December 4, 2023
This highly experienced industry professional joins Chatrium Hospitality’s flagship hotel following a stellar 27-year career that has included management roles in Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific Bangkok, Thailand, 4 December 2023: Chatrium Grand Bangkok, which blends the timeless grace of Thai culture with the grandeur of international luxury hospitality, is delighted to announce the appointment of Mr. Michael Gnaegi, a passionate Swiss Hotelier, as its new General Manager, effective November 2023. A graduate of École Hôtelière de Lausanne, the prestigious hotel school in Switzerland, Michael has 3 decades of leadership ...
Change Is Inevitable, Growth Is Optional
Jeff Bzdawka | December 4, 2023
By Jeff Bzdawka I was asked by my team to provide insights from the road, what I’ve seen, and what trends and challenges are looming on the horizon. I joked that I needed to dust off my crystal ball, but in reality, the only prediction I feel comfortable making is that the Green Bay Packers will not make it to the Big Game this season (wink, wink.) What I can do is provide a look at some industry challenges I’ve seen this year that will continue into 2024. As I traveled to industry shows and visited customers throughout the year, it seemed many conversations expressed frustration about the ongoing need to bring together key data sou...
AHLA Statement in Support of the No Hidden FEES Act
AHLA | December 4, 2023
WASHINGTON (Dec. 4, 2023) – American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) President & CEO Chip Rogers is speaking out today in support of the No Hidden FEES Act, which was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Reps. Young Kim, R-Calif., and Kathy Castor, D-Fla. “The No Hidden FEES Act creates a single standard for mandatory fee display across the lodging industry – from short-term rental platforms to online travel agencies, search engines, metasearch sites, and hotels. This legislation would ensure that wherever consumers shop for lodging, mandatory fees are included in the price they see. AHLA is grateful for th...
The Evolving Landscape of Hotel Reviews: Insights and Implications
Neil James | December 1, 2023
By Neil James The Shiji ReviewPro Guest Experience Benchmark Report has become the industry standard in understanding how we as an industry are managing experience. If expectations are being exceeded, guests talk about it positively and inversely; if not, reviews show it. I’ve spent some time going through the latest report, and here are my thoughts on the subject. The hospitality industry is witnessing a transformative era in how reviews and guest feedback shape its dynamics. The Report for Q3 2023 offers a comprehensive look into this evolution, revealing critical insights about the industry’s current state and future trajectory...
WTTC Statement on the Death of Henry Kissinger
The World Travel & Tourism Council | December 1, 2023
London, UK: The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) today acknowledges the influential contributions of American statesman Henry Kissinger in its founding. Kissinger's encouragement and support were instrumental in giving the Travel & Tourism sector a unified voice on the global stage. In the late 1980s, sector leaders, including James Robinson III of American Express, recognised the lack of awareness about Travel & Tourism’s economic impact within the sector and among governments. Despite being a major job provider, the sector was often seen as non-essential, with no collective data or unified representation. This led ...
U.S. Hotel Results for Week Ending 25 November
CoStar Group | December 1, 2023
WASHINGTON – 1 December 2023 – As expected due to the Thanksgiving holiday, U.S. hotel performance fell from the previous week, according to CoStar’s latest data through 25 November. CoStar is a leading provider of online real estate marketplaces, information and analytics in the property markets. 19-25 November 2023 (percentage change from comparable week in 2022): Occupancy: 49.4% (-1.4%) Average daily rate (ADR): US$138.29 (+0.9%) Revenue per available room (RevPAR): US$68.32 (-0.6%) Among the Top 25 Markets, Oahu Island saw the largest year-over-year increases in occupancy (+9.4% to 76.3%) and RevPAR (+16.3% ...
LuxUrban Hotels to Operate Two New Four-Star Boutique Hotels in New York City
LuxUrban Hotels Inc. | December 1, 2023
MIAMI--LuxUrban Hotels Inc. (“LuxUrban” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: LUXH), which utilizes an asset-light business model to lease entire hotels on a long-term basis and rent out hotel rooms in these properties in key major metropolitan cities, today announced that it has signed separate 25-year Master Lease Agreements (MLA), inclusive of two five-year options, to operate two new boutique hotels in New York City: The Royalton Hotel and the Truss Hotel. These properties will be re-branded as “The Royalton by LuxUrban” and “The Truss Hotel by LuxUrban” and are expected to begin welcoming guests early next month. LuxUrban expects bo...
HVS ANAROCK Hotels & Hospitality Overview, November 2023
Akash Datta | December 1, 2023
By Akash Datta, Dipti Mohan, Dhwani Gupta Read the latest edition of the HVS ANAROCK monthly industry update, Hotels & Hospitality Overview (H2O), for the key trends in the Indian hospitality industry. Key highlights include: In October 2023, India witnessed a notable 11% increase in domestic air passenger traffic compared to the corresponding period in the previous year. The onset of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup in the country significantly bolstered hotel occupancy in various markets hosting the matches. Consequently, national hotel occupancy rates for October 2023 exceeded pre-pandemic levels by 1-3 pp. The heigh...
IHG Hotels & Resorts Partners With Nepal’s Swornim Hotels to Open the First Holiday Inn Express Hotel in Kathmandu
IHG | December 1, 2023
IHG Hotels & Resorts partners with Nepal’s Swornim Hotels to open the first Holiday Inn Express hotel in Kathmandu. Kathmandu - Nepal, 1 December 2023 - IHG Hotels and Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, today inaugurated the first Holiday Inn Express in Nepal. Holiday Inn Express Kathmandu Naxal offers modern accommodations with all the amenities to meet the needs of today’s travellers in this truly unique capital city, which is teeming with rich culture and world heritage sites. With smartly designed social spaces and vibrant guestrooms, guests can easily accomplish what they need to while on the road, whether...
IHG Opens InterContinental Bangkok Sukhumvit in Thonglor
IHG | December 1, 2023
Marrying traditional Thai craftsmanship and contemporary design to appeal to the new curious modern traveller 1 December 2023, Bangkok, Thailand: IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies with more than 6,000 hotels across 19 brands, announces the opening of InterContinental Bangkok Sukhumvit, a new luxury lifestyle destination for the discerning modern traveller. Situated in Thonglor, the property offers 241 beautifully appointed rooms and suites, and seamlessly weaves traditional Thai craftsmanship with modern international influences to create an unparalleled destination that mirrors the essence of one of ...
Hawks Cay Resort Appoints Lynne Lulfs as Vice President, Sales & Marketing
Hawks Cay Resort | December 1, 2023
Lulfs joins the legacy resort ahead of its 40th anniversary in 2024 DUCK KEY, FLA. — December 1, 2023 – Hawks Cay Resort, the largest and most iconic resort in the Florida Keys, is thrilled to announce the appointment of Lynne Lulfs as its Vice President of Sales & Marketing. Lulfs, a seasoned hospitality professional with a proven track record, joins the Hawks Cay team, bringing a wealth of experience and a deep passion for creating exceptional guest experiences. "We are delighted to welcome Lynne to our team. Her extensive experience, deep understanding of the South Florida market, and unwavering dedication to guest satisf...
Grand Hotel Karel V Joins the WorldHotels Luxury Collection
WorldHotels | December 1, 2023
Phoenix, Arizona (December 1, 2023) – WorldHotelsTM announced today the addition of Grand Hotel Karel V to the WorldHotels Luxury collection as the brand continues its expansion throughout the Netherlands. Located in the historical cultural centre of Utrecht, Grand Hotel Karel V offers the coveted luxury of peace and rest amidst stunning gardens in this medieval town. "As we continue to grow our Luxury collection within WorldHotels, it is exciting for such an iconic property to join our portfolio," said Ron Pohl, President of WorldHotels. “The addition of Grand Hotel Karel V is a testament to what the WorldHotels team is trying to ...
Andronis Hotels Expands to Paros With Acquisition of Minois Hotel Paros
December 1, 2023
SANTORINI, GREECE – DECEMBER 1, 2023 – Andronis Hotels, a family-owned collection of luxury five-star hotels and villas in Athens and Santorini, today announced its expansion into Paros with the acquisition of Minois Hotel Paros. This strategic expansion aligns with the ongoing plan to extend Andronis presence to Milos, with a potential upscale establishment slated to debut, tentatively in 2025. Part of Small Luxury Hotels of the World™ (SLH), the most desirable community of independently spirited hotels in the world, this initiative further cements the brand’s position as the foremost independent luxury hospitality operator in Greece...
Dusit Signs With Gamuda Land for ASAI Gamuda Cove in Malaysia
Dusit International | December 1, 2023
ASAI Gamuda Cove, Gamuda Land’s maiden hotel project, will uniquely link guests with a host of eco-friendly attractions, such as SplashMania Waterpark, Discovery Park, and Paya Indah Discovery Wetlands in a beautiful location just 40 minutes by car from Kuala Lumpur city centre. Bangkok, Thailand – 1 December 2023 – Dusit Hotels and Resorts, the hotel arm of Dusit International, one of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies, has signed a Hotel Management Agreement with Gamuda Land, Malaysia’s leading property developer, to manage ASAI Gamuda Cove – Dusit’s first hotel in Malaysia and the first hotel dev...
Virgin Hotels New York City Names Denise Luna as General Manager
Virgin Hotels New York City | December 1, 2023
New York, NY (December 1, 2023) – Virgin Hotels New York City, part of the luxury-lifestyle hotel brand by Sir Richard Branson, is pleased to announce the appointment of Denise Luna as General Manager. In her new role, Denise will oversee the operations of the 460-room hotel located in the heart of Manhattan’s NoMad neighborhood. She will manage all departments, strategic planning, team development, and community engagement to further establish the hotel as a premier destination for both New Yorkers and out of town visitors, and continue ensuring the highest level of guest satisfaction and quality of service. "We are thrilled to have Den...
Record Numbers at BDNY Reinforce the Growth of the Boutique and Lifestyle Hospitality Industry
BDNY | December 1, 2023
Event brings 15,000 hospitality and design professionals back to NYC NEW YORK, NY (December 1, 2023) — Boutique Design New York (BDNY), the leading trade fair and conference for the boutique hospitality and lifestyle industry, gathered nearly 15,000 designers, architects, brand executives, hoteliers, developers, purchasers, manufacturers, and other professionals at the Javits Center November 12-13 to experience new products, engaging conversations, and strategic networking events. BDNY maintained the momentum from 2022, a testament to the resilience and growth of the boutique and lifestyle hospitality industry. In comparison to 2022, ...
Jeff Senior, Gina Stouffer to Receive HSMAI Career Achievement Honors
HSMAI | December 1, 2023
McLean, VA (Dec. 1, 2023) – The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) announces the Career Achievement Awardees for the Albert E. Koehl Award for Hospitality Marketing and the Winthrop W. Grice Award for Hospitality Public Relations. These awards recognize individuals who have spent a major portion of their careers in the hospitality and travel profession and have contributed to the betterment of the industry in a significant and lasting way, over an extended period of time. Jeff Senior, a recently retired marketing executive, is receiving the Albert E. Koehl Award for Career Achievement in Hospitality Marke...
