Analysis-Companies Boost Social and Climate Reporting Amid ESG Backlash
November 4th, 2024
IHG and WING Partner to Bring Hotel Indigo and Holiday Inn Express to Budapest
IHG | October 5, 2023
(5 October, Munich) IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hospitality companies and WING, a leading property development and investment group in Central Europe, are proud to announce the signing of Hotel Indigo Budapest Andrassy and Holiday Inn Express Vagohid. Signed at real estate trade fair, EXPO Real 2023, both properties mark brand debuts to Hungary, demonstrating investment and growth in the premium and essentials hotel segments. In the city’s sixth district, Hotel Indigo Budapest Andrassy will open in the second quarter of 2028, with 103 guest rooms, a bar and a restaurant. The property will enjoy a prime locat...
The Iconic & Historic Mauna Kea Beach Hotel to Undergo $180 Million Renovation
Prince Resorts Hawai‘i Inc. | October 5, 2023
KOHALA COAST, Hawaiʻi (October 5, 2023) – Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, an Autograph Collection, Hawaiʻi Islandʻs most iconic and historic resort, announces a $180-million renovation in 2024 that will signal the evolution of its offerings for today’s sophisticated travelers – while preserving its remarkable heritage and timelessness that has captivated guests since Laurance S. Rockefeller opened the resort in 1965. A phased transformation, which will commence in Q2 2024 and be completed in early 2025, will encompass a stunning redesign of the resort’s 252 guest rooms and suites, four dining venues including the resortʻs...
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa Welcomes Ernesto Fernandez as General Manager
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa | October 5, 2023
Clearwater Beach, Florida (October 5, 2023) – Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa, an upscale resort located just steps away from the Gulf of Mexico and Pier 60, welcomes Ernesto Fernandez as general manager. In his new role, Fernandez will oversee the daily operations of the 286-room resort including the on-site spa, more than 20,000 square feet of functional meeting space, and multiple on-site restaurants. “In this role, I look forward to welcoming guests to experience all that our resort has to offer, from our luxurious on-site amenities to convenient access to the beach” said Ernesto Fernandez, general manager at Hyat...
The Wigwam Appoints Veteran Chef Christopher McLean as Executive Chef & Beverage Director
The Wigwam | October 5, 2023
Chef to actors, dignitaries, and presidents appointed to lead The Wigwam’s culinary team and oversee its food and beverage programming. October 5, 2023 (Phoenix, Arizona) – The Wigwam, a historic resort nestled in the West Valley of Phoenix, Arizona, has announced the appointment of Christopher McLean as Executive Chef & Beverage Director. McLean brings over two decades of professional experience earned in kitchens, film sets, presidential kitchens, wine cellars, and directing food-and-beverage operations at hotels and resorts across the American West to his role. He now leads all culinary and beverage operations of the landm...
Staypineapple Hotels Inc. Names Dina Belon as President
Staypineapple | October 5, 2023
Dina Belon transitions from her previous position as Chief Operating Officer to President of Staypineapple Hotels Inc. and its subsidiary Staypineapple brand of boutique hotels BELLEVUE, Wash., Oct. 5, 2023 – Staypineapple Hotels Inc., the Pacific Northwest based third-party licensing and property management company – most notably recognized for its management of all 10 Staypineapple hotels across the United States – announces the leadership transition of Dina Belon into the role of President, effective November 1, 2023. With an impressive track record of over 25 years in the hospitality industry and a passion for delivering ex...
DMV-Like Experience Leading to 27 Million Skipped Trips, $71 Billion in Lost Travel Spend
U.S. Travel Association | October 5, 2023
Federal government must prioritize improvements across air travel ecosystem to achieve greater growth WASHINGTON (October 4, 2023)—A record-breaking summer of travel demand sharpened the impact of government inefficiencies and hassles across the travel system, potentially resulting in air travelers taking an average of two fewer trips per year at a projected total cost of $71 billion to the U.S. economy—according to a new U.S. Travel survey from Ipsos. “When nearly 60% of recent air travelers find the experience the equivalent or worse than going to the DMV, it is a concerning signal that demands action,” said U.S. Travel Asso...
Doug Kennedy Announces Next Topic in His Webcast Training Series: Proactive Prospecting: Meet Your Hotel’s 2024 Sales Goals by Transitioning to
Doug Kennedy | October 5, 2023
Complimentary Registration Sponsored By Travel Outlook, Better Talent, and Track Hospitality Software Kennedy Training Network Inc. (KTN) announced today the topic for Doug Kennedy’s next training webcast: Proactive Prospecting: Meet Your Hotel’s 2024 Sales Goals By Transitioning to “Sales Hunting” scheduled for Friday, October 20 from Noon – 12:40pm EDT. REGISTER HERE Is netting “fair share” going to be enough to meet your hotel’s 2024 sales goal? Given an uncertain economic climate, is your sales team being challenged to do more prospecting? KTN’s next webcast covers realistic, actionable, daily sales habits that help...
Nashville and Los Angeles Lead in Year-Over-Year Percent Growth for September
KNOWLAND | October 5, 2023
September event volume increased 21.7 percent compared with last year ARLINGTON, Va. — Oct. 5, 2023 — Knowland, the world’s leading provider of data-as-a-service insights on meetings and events for hospitality, reports Nashville has seen the highest percent growth at 30.7 percent, with Los Angeles coming in at 22.3 percent over 2022. For the top five performing markets, National Associations took the lead, with Healthcare, Education, and Weddings leading as top industry growth drivers. This data is sourced from Knowland’s sales intelligence platform designed to help hoteliers build and protect a hotel’s revenue base. Nashvill...
MDO Extends Leadership Position in Hotel Business Intelligence and Back-Office Automation With Acquisition of HelloGM
mdo | October 5, 2023
The acquisition of HelloGM further enables MDO to deliver data-driven solutions for the hospitality industry, equipping hoteliers to operate more efficiently and gain actionable insights from their data. ATLANTA, GA., OCTOBER 5, 2023 – MDO, a hotel data platform that centralizes and operationalizes critical performance and financial data for hotel companies, has bolstered its back-office automation and business intelligence capabilities with the acquisition of HelloGM. HelloGM, a centralized data analytics and automation platform, enables hotel operators to better understand property-level operating performance and automate previously...
Hawkeye Hotels Exits Moxy Omaha at Opening
Hawkeye Hotels | October 4, 2023
Moxy Hotel Celebrates Hotel Completion in Omaha's Vibrant Historic Old Market District Omaha, NE – Despite the challenging financing landscape and concerns about rising interest rates, Hawkeye Hotels not only built the hotel but also sold it at over $200,000 per room. This achievement underscores the resilience of the hotel industry, as well as the presence of eager buyers who are willing to transact. Hawkeye Hotels is proud to announce the highly-anticipated completion of the Moxy Hotel in Omaha, Nebraska's Historic Old Market District. This stylish and innovative addition to the hospitality scene in Omaha promises to redefine the ci...
Anantara Koh Yao Yai Resort & Villas Opens in Thailand
Anantara | October 4, 2023
Bangkok, October 4, 2023: A secluded hideaway located on an untouched island in the middle of Thailand’s Phang Nga Bay, Anantara Koh Yao Yai Resort & Villas is the latest addition to Anantara’s world-spanning archipelago of hotels and resorts. On the pristine Koh Yao Yai, couples and families will find a nature-ensconced sanctuary to rest, connect and play, with unspoiled beaches, lush jungles, picturesque sunsets, and amazing sea life. Once a coconut palm plantation, the 27-acre site occupied by Anantara Koh Yao Yai is situated between a wooded hill and a turquoise bay dotted with jungle-clad limestone islets that countless b...
Mobile Check-In Technology Enhancements Beyond Just Checking In
Adam and Larry Mogelonsky | October 4, 2023
By Adam and Larry Mogelonsky The check-in experience is perennially under the microscope because first impressions are everything. When you consider the context of the guest that’s arriving – jetlagged, lower back pain from being crammed like sardines into an airplane, stressed from being in a foreign city – it makes sense to prioritize upgrading this aspect of the hotel stay, particularly when there are so many tech vendors who can help you solve the challenges of long lineups and disgruntled travelers who may not want to deal with a front desk agent. First and foremost, we must mention the non-mobile upgrades because they are im...
How to Understand & Utilize Different Types of Data in Hotel Systems
Sameer Umar | October 4, 2023
By Sameer Umar Does this situation sound familiar? You walk into a meeting with the entire operational team and every department – from Finance to Sales to Revenue Management to Operations – has different figures that they’ve extracted from the system(s) they use for monitoring their progress; in some cases, the same source systems give each department different versions of the truth, in different reports. As I’m sure you’ve experienced many times before, this situation leaves you wondering which department has the most accurate data, resulting in confusion and uncertainty – and makes it almost impossible to make accurate strat...
Three JMBM Partners Recognized by EB5 Investors Magazine
JMBM’s Global Hospitality Group | October 4, 2023
JMBM is pleased to announce that partners Jim Butler, Catherine DeBono Holmes and David Sudeck have been named to EB5 Investors Magazine’s “Top 15 Corporate and Securities Attorneys” list for 2023. Jim Butler authors the Hotel Law Blog and chairs JMBM’s Global Hospitality Group®, which provides business and legal advice to hotel owners, developers and commercial real estate investors. Jim’s team has provided clients with global business and legal advice on more than 4,700 hotels worth more than $125 billion. This advice includes both traditional and specialty financing like C-PACE and EB-5. JMBM’s team has closed more than ...
How to Equip Staff to Deliver Guest Hospitality (Not Guest Service)
Rohith Kori | October 4, 2023
By Rohith Kori Hotel employees have been trained to focus on "service", but is that enough? Merriam-Webster defines service as the act of serving such as a helpful act, but if that's all staff provide, guests aren't receiving the exceptional experiences that encourage repeat stays and five-star reviews. Properties that view guest service as more than just following standard protocols focus on equipping team members to offer above-and-beyond efforts that make guest experiences exceptional. True "hospitality" goes far beyond guest service in a hotel environment. The goal of providing top-level, hyper-personalized guest experienc...
Stephen Husbands Named General Manager for The Harbor Club, Curio Collection by Hilton in St. Lucia
The Harbor Club | October 4, 2023
GROS ISLET, ST. LUCIA – October 2023 – The Harbor Club, Curio Collection by Hilton is delighted to announce the recent appointment of Stephen Husbands as General Manager. Stephen joins The Harbor Club, bringing with him an impressive track record of success in the hospitality industry. With thirty years’ experience in diverse positions including International Director of Finance of the Golden Tulip Hotel group, Vice President for Operations and Finance at Louvre Hotels, Financial Controller for the Intercontinental Hotel Group in London, he more recently, as General Manager, led success for iconic properties such as Body Holiday Sain...
Valor Hospitality to Operate The Octa Karachi in Pakistan
Valor Hospitality Partners | October 4, 2023
ATLANTA, Oct. 3, 2023 – Industry-leading Valor Hospitality Partners has been named lead operators of a new, multi-use development in Karachi, Pakistan by AAA. The Octa Karachi development consists of 314 commercial, retail and community spaces and will be Valor’s second property in Pakistan. This brings the global brand’s portfolio to more than 6,000 keys—with more than 900 in the Middle East. Valor Hospitality will oversee the 5-star, international property complete with 114 rooms and suites, an airy lobby, more than 32,000 square feet of banqueting space—including a ballroom and meeting rooms—an ‘Executive Club,’ cigar r...
Kimpton Gray Hotel Appoints Luis Silva as New Executive Chef
Kimpton Gray Hotel | October 4, 2023
CHICAGO (Oct. 4, 2023) — The Kimpton Gray Hotel, a luxury lifestyle hotel in the heart of Chicago’s Loop neighborhood, is thrilled to announce the appointment of Executive Chef Luis Silva to the team. “We’re ecstatic to welcome Chef Silva to the food and beverage team at The Gray,” said General Manager Lisa Ares. “Under his leadership, we look forward to reaching new culinary heights and continuing to deliver exceptional dining experiences to our guests throughout the property.” Chef Silva’s love for cooking ignited when he was a young child. He consistently showed interest in his mother’s cooking and she knew there was po...
Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans Appoints Nate Ferguson as Director of Marketing
Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences New Orleans | October 4, 2023
October 4, 2023 (New Orleans, LA) – Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans is pleased to announce the appointment of Nate Ferguson as the property’s new director of marketing. For more than a decade, Ferguson has played integral roles at Four Seasons hotels and resorts across the country, working with award-winning teams in Baltimore, St. Louis, Jackson Hole, Vail, and at One Dalton Street, Boston. His wealth of experience within the Four Seasons brand is invaluable to his new role as director of marketing at Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans, where he will drive revenue for Louisiana’s only AAA Five Diamond hotel as they continue to take luxur...
Data Travel Announces Hapi Guest Focus on Salesforce AppExchange, the World’s Leading Enterprise Cloud Marketplace
hapi | October 4, 2023
MIAMI, FL, October 4th, 2023 – Data Travel, LLC today announced it has launched Hapi Guest Focus on Salesforce AppExchange, empowering hotel companies to craft personalized guest check-in experiences and drive upsell opportunities right at the front desk. Hapi Guest Focus is currently available on AppExchange. Hapi Guest Focus Hapi Guest Focus empowers front desk team members to leverage the wealth of guest data residing in Salesforce. By transforming this data into actionable insights, hotels can now curate exceptional guest interactions starting at time of arrival. Through the app, front desk agents can curate the check-in proces...
Mews Acquires Nomi to Accelerate AI Guest Experiences and Personalization
Mews | October 4, 2023
[4th October, Nashville, Tenn.] — Mews, the industry-leading hospitality cloud, has today announced its acquisition of Nomi, a Nashville-based hospitality startup, as it continues focusing on its mission to enable remarkable guest experiences. Nomi will be included within Mews Guest Journey, empowering hoteliers to provide a hyper-personalized experience for guests. Founded in 2021, the Nomi team has developed a local tour guide for travelers, using predictive analytics and AI to respond to recommendation requests while considering the personality type of each user, unique preferences, interests and needs. For hotels, Nomi delivers real-ti...
Converging Factors: Is a Soft Landing Possible?
Aaron Szyf | October 3, 2023
With mixed economic data, economists—for over a year—have been warning of a possible recession sometime in 2023, though they seem to have consistently pushed the can down the road. By Aaron Szyf As we enter the final quarter of the year, is this recession still happening? And what does this mean for travel? Optimism, among some: To the delight of many, in recent weeks, the term “soft landing”—an ideal situation when the Fed can raise interest rates just enough to curb high inflation but without causing a recession—has been gaining traction. In fact, Goldman Sachs has significantly cut their recession odds over the nex...
Lodging Dynamics Selected to Manage Residence Inn by Marriott Los Angeles/Redondo Beach
Lodging Dynamics | October 3, 2023
PROVO, Utah, Oct. 3, 2023 -- Lodging Dynamics Hospitality Group (Lodging Dynamics), a leading hotel management company, has been appointed to manage the Residence Inn by Marriott Los Angeles/Redondo Beach. This hotel is the ninth managed by Lodging Dynamics in Southern California and one of several Southern California Hotels developed and owned by Mogul Capital. Located just off the 405 in the heart of the South Bay, the Residence Inn by Marriott Los Angeles Redondo Beach is ideally located for leisure and business travelers. Conveniently situated, the hotel is near Redondo Beach Pier, neighboring Manhattan and Hermosa Beaches, and ...
Survey Reveals Consumers Are Splurging on Travel and Experiences Again After Years of Saving
5WPR | October 3, 2023
NEW YORK, Oct. 3, 2023 -- 5WPR, one of the largest independently-owned PR Firms in the U.S., reveals that 51% of American consumers tend to splurge and buy the best they can afford when thinking about making travel and experience purchases, compared to 38% of consumers who listed the category as a splurge in the agency's 2022 survey. "Since Q4 2022, consumers have reported a 13% increase in their interest to splurge rather than save on travel and experiences, indicating their appetite for travel has increased over the course of 2023, and going into 2024," said 5WPR Co-CEO, Dara A. Busch. "With travel heavily influenced by external facto...
