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U.S. Hotel Results for Week Ending 2 September
CoStar Group | September 8, 2023
WASHINGTON – 7 September 2023 – Following seasonal patterns, U.S. hotel performance showed mixed results from the previous week but positive comparisons year over year, according to CoStar’s latest data through 2 September. CoStar is a leading provider of online real estate marketplaces, information and analytics in the property markets. 27 August through 2 September 2023 (percentage change from comparable week in 2022): Occupancy: 62.7% (+0.2%) Average daily rate (ADR): US$150.52 (+1.8%) Revenue per available room (RevPAR): US$94.38 (+2.0%) Among the Top 25 Markets, Minneapolis saw the largest year-over-year inc...
Luxury Hospitality: Trends, Challenges, and Best Practices
EHL Insights | September 8, 2023
By Dr. Sowon Kim, Dr. Florent Girardin, Dr. Matthias Fuchs Luxury is the new black. Post the pandemic, the global luxury industry recorded sales of €1.15 trillion in 2021, and continued its growth in 2022 by 19%-21% (Bain & Company, 2023). Luxury hospitality, luxury cars, and personal luxury goods represent over 80% of the total market. In this article, we zoom into the world of luxury hospitality to examine the trends that shape this industry, the challenges that are associated with the trends, and the best practices that illustrate how firms are managing such challenges. The trend of personalized meaningful experiences The luxu...
“Volleyball Day in Nebraska” Sets World Attendance Record and Boosts Hotel Demand / Sara Olson
Sara Olson | September 8, 2023
Approximately 92,000 Nebraska volleyball fans packed Memorial Stadium on August 30, 2023, to watch the Nebraska Huskers sweep Omaha in an outdoor match, setting a new women’s sporting event attendance record. Local hotels benefited from the midweek event, as most available guestrooms in the market were filled. The “Sea of Red” is a common sight in Downtown Lincoln as the fall months begin, with area crowds tailgating, packing the bars, and running around Downtown in Husker gear. But typically, this type of crowd is associated with the Nebraska Husker football team. On Wednesday August 30, 2023, known as “Volleyball Day in Nebraska...
Motto by Hilton New York City Times Square Debuts in Manhattan
Hilton | September 8, 2023
NEW YORK – In a new era of Hilton growth in one of the world's most iconic destinations, Hilton (NYSE: HLT) has opened Motto by Hilton New York City Times Square, the second hotel from the Motto by Hilton brand in New York City. The 400-room tower is in the heart of Manhattan's famed Times Square neighborhood, offering an immersive and authentic affair under the lights of Broadway. “We are thrilled to welcome guests to Motto by Hilton Times Square, a landmark moment for the brand and an ideal addition to Hilton’s presence in New York City,” said Theodora De Souza, brand leader, Motto by Hilton. “This new hotel exemplifies the...
Best Western Shackleford Now Open in Arkansas
BWH HOTELS | September 8, 2023
Little Rock, Arkansas (September 8, 2023) – Best Western® Hotels & Resorts announces the opening of the Best Western Shackleford, located at 8 Shackleford Road in Little Rock, Arkansas. The hotel is owned by Rahul Patel and features 40 standard guest rooms and 20 suites. The Best Western Shackleford recently underwent a nearly $1 million renovation where the brand’s signature blue and white hues shine throughout the property. The new design showcases modern furniture and finishes throughout the common spaces which include the hotel’s lobby, sitting area and breakfast bar where guests can indulge in complimentary hot breakfast ...
Elizabeth Mullins Appointed Managing Director for The Fifth Avenue Hotel and Chief Operating Officer of Flâneur Hospitality
The Fifth Avenue Hotel | September 8, 2023
The Fifth Avenue Hotel is delighted to announce the appointment of Elizabeth Mullins as Managing Director for the hotel, and Chief Operating Officer of Flâneur Hospitality. Bringing over three decades of experience in the luxury hospitality sector, Elizabeth is a respected leader who will oversee all hotel operations, as well as leadership of Flâneur Hospitality. Elizabeth received a Bachelor of Science from The University of New Hampshire and launched her career at The Ritz-Carlton, Boston, fulfilling a childhood dream of being part of the iconic brand. For the next 28 years, Elizabeth’s career spanned continents as she led hotels in ...
ITA Data Release: International Inbound Visitors Spent $18 Billion in July 2023
NTTO | September 8, 2023
Data recently released by the National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO) show that in July 2023: International visitors spent nearly $18 billion on travel to, and tourism-related activities within, the United States, an increase of nearly 24 percent compared to July 2022 and the highest level of monthly spending since December 2019. Conversely, Americans spent more than $17.2 billion traveling abroad during July, yielding a balance of trade surplus of $777 million, and the fourth consecutive month during which the United States enjoyed a balance of trade surplus for travel and tourism-related goods and services. International visit...
Radisson Hotel Group Unveils Radisson Blu Pune Hinjawadi Following Comprehensive Renovation
Radisson Hotel Group | September 8, 2023
Radisson Hotel Group is delighted to announce the much-anticipated re-opening of the Radisson Blu Pune Hinjawadi post comprehensive renovations. Positioned as a gateway to the city's bustling business and vibrant entertainment hubs, this exquisite hotel is located amidst verdant greenery and enjoys proximity to major corporate parks. The hotel is easy to reach from Pune International Airport, Pune railway, and bus stations. It also has ample parking space for those traveling by car. Boasting its strategic location, Radisson Blu Pune Hinjawadi further offers proximity to notable landmarks such as Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park, Shaniwar Wada,...
JOALI Introduces New General Managers & Area General Manager
JOALI Maldives | September 8, 2023
MALDIVES (September 8, 2023) – JOALI, an immersive lifestyle luxury hotel brand, is delighted to announce a series of exciting appointments set to begin a new era of hospitality, effective from September 1, 2023. Enver Arslan is promoted to Area General Manager from the General Manager of JOALI Maldives. In this role, Enver will be responsible for overseeing JOALI Maldives, JOALI BEING and BIJAL Turkey. Enver has been a pioneer leader of JOALI Maldives since pre-opening and has made a tremendous impact on the success of the brand. A seasoned hotelier, he has brought a keen understanding of true luxury and a lifelong passion for travel to ...
Reimagined Americana Motor Hotel Debuts on Route 66
Practice Hospitality | September 8, 2023
Inspired by Flagstaff’s natural wonders, scenic drives and lunar history, Americana Motor Hotel is open following an extensive transformation led by Practice Hospitality, a Dallas-based hotel management company and operator of award-winning hotels with intentionally-crafted experiences and soul. Parked right on historic Route 66, this retro-futuristic motor hotel offers 89 artful rooms, a year-round heated pool, fenced in “Barkyard” with dog wash station, spacious Backyard with firepits, and telescopes to explore the star-spangled sky in the world’s First International Dark Sky City. “Flagstaff is a year-round playground filled...
BDNY Returns to NYC in November With a Curated, Authentic, and Immersive Hospitality Experience
BDNY | September 8, 2023
NEW YORK, NY (September 8, 2023) — Boutique Design New York (BDNY), the leading trade fair and conference for hospitality’s boutique and lifestyle design community, returns to the Javits Center on November 12-13, 2023. This annual, high-energy event connects interior designers, architects, purchasing agents, hoteliers, owners, brands, and developers with innovative manufacturers of hospitality interior products for two days of networking, inspiration, and exclusive insight into today’s boutique and lifestyle hotel trends. BDNY’s bespoke, curated fair experience features more than 650 exhibitors that focus on a selection of exceptional...
HSMAI Expands Presence in Latin America With New Conferences in Mexico, Colombia, Peru and Chile
HSMAI | September 8, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: McLean, VA (Sept. 8, 2023) – The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) is excited to announce an expansion in Latin America with a new conference series launching this month in Mexico, Colombia, Peru, and Chile. HSMAI chartered its Brazil chapter in 2014 and this expansion is being led by a new Latin American Advisory Board formed in 2022. HSMAI Latam, led by Gabriela Otto, managing director of HSMAI Brazil and now also Latam, aims to support the performance of sales, marketing and revenue management professionals in the hospitality industry. "This significant framework brings the associ...
U.S. Travel Association Welcomes Progress on FAA Chief Nomination
U.S. Travel Association | September 8, 2023
WASHINGTON - U.S. Travel Association Executive Vice President of Public Affairs and Policy Tori Emerson Barnes issued the following statement on the nomination of Michael Whitaker as administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA): “The FAA is long overdue for a permanent leader in this critical role, and we welcome progress toward that end. While this position has remained vacant, aviation policymaking has largely remained at a standstill. The U.S. Senate must work quickly to confirm an administrator and extend vital FAA programs—and Congress must come together to avoid a disastrous government shutdown, which would ...
Travel Outlook Partners With Thrio to Advance the Travel Industry Customer Service Experience
Travel Outlook The Premier Hotel Call Center | September 7, 2023
With Thrio's Revolutionary Cloud Contact Center Technology, Travel Outlook Is Taking Consumer Reservations and Customer Service to the Next Level SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO (September 2023): Travel Outlook, The Premier Hotel Call Center™, is pleased to announce a partnership with Thrio, a revolutionary contact center platform that’s making waves in the customer service industry. As the first and only call center certified by the Kennedy Training Network (KTN), Travel Outlook uses a unique, industry-leading sales approach developed exclusively by KTN to train their reservations specialists. With the KTN system, Travel Outlook closes up to ...
The Biggest Opportunity in Customer Service
Shep Hyken | September 7, 2023
By Shep Hyken I was asked the same question three times in the last week: “What is the biggest opportunity in customer service?” If you had asked me this question a month ago – or asked it a month from now – there could be a different answer. But today’s answer is not just timely, but also timeless. And the answer is: The Speed to Happiness The meaning of this short answer is simple. If a customer has a problem, issue or question, the speed in which you move them from concerned or upset to happy could be the difference between the customer coming back or not. And when I refer to happiness, I’m not talking about utter del...
VICI Properties Inc. Completes Acquisition of Four Properties in Alberta, Canada in Sale-Leaseback Transaction With Century Casinos, Inc.
VICI Properties | September 7, 2023
Expands Partnership with Century Casinos, Inc. by Adding Four Additional Assets to Existing Master Lease NEW YORK — VICI Properties Inc. (NYSE: VICI) (“VICI Properties” or the “Company”) an experiential real estate investment trust, today announced it has completed the previously announced transaction to acquire the real estate assets of Century Casino & Hotel Edmonton, Century Casino St. Albert and Century Mile Racetrack and Casino, each in Edmonton, Alberta and Century Downs Racetrack and Casino in Calgary, Alberta, (collectively the “Century Canadian Portfolio”) from Century Casinos, Inc. (NASDAQ: CNTY)...
MCR Acquires the Courtyard by Marriott North Charleston
MCR | September 7, 2023
MCR’s latest acquisition in The Palmetto State is just 10 minutes from the Charleston International Airport. NEW YORK — MCR — the country’s 3rd-largest hotel owner-operator — has acquired the Courtyard by Marriott North Charleston, a four-story hotel with 138 rooms in North Charleston, South Carolina. The hotel was purchased with acquisition financing in place and is MCR’s fourth hotel in The Palmetto State. Opened in 2019, the hotel is located 10 minutes from Charleston International Airport and 20 minutes from beautiful Downtown Charleston. With strong leisure demand driven by nearby beaches and...
Host Hotels & Resorts Provides Update on Maui Wildfires and Other Recent Weather Events
HOST HOTELS & RESORTS | September 7, 2023
BETHESDA, Md., Sept. 07, 2023 — Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (NASDAQ: HST) (the “Company”), the nation’s largest lodging real estate investment trust, today provided an update regarding the impact of the Maui wildfires and other recent weather events on its hotels and the communities where they operate. As the largest hotel real estate owner on Maui with a presence for over 20 years, Host Hotels & Resorts shares a deep connection to the island’s people and culture. Lahaina has long been revered as a sacred place and home to some of the island’s most precious historical and cultural assets. The August wildfires touched ev...
IHG Hotels & Resorts Expands Philadelphia Presence With Opening of Holiday Inn Philadelphia Airport – Stadium Area
IHG | September 7, 2023
ATLANTA (September 7, 2023) – IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, recently celebrated the opening of a new Holiday Inn property in South Philadelphia following a conversion and renovation. Located minutes from Philadelphia International Airport, and within walking distance of the city’s primary sports and entertainment facilities complex (which includes Lincoln Financial Field, Citizens Bank Park and Wells Fargo Center), Holiday Inn Philadelphia Airport – Stadium Area delivers a convenient, comfortable and welcoming experience appropriate for the “City of Brotherly Love.” A conversion...
Deepak Ohri Will Step Down as CEO of lebua Hotels and Resorts After 20 Years
Deepak Ohri | September 7, 2023
[BANGKOK] September 7, 2023—Today, Deepak Ohri, visionary hospitality executive, announced his departure as CEO of lebua Hotels and Resorts, the brand he founded and established as a luxury leader in Southeast Asia. During his time as CEO, Ohri dedicated his career–and succeeded–in making lebua a renowned name in global luxury hospitality. He will stay on as CEO through the end of the year. “We want to thank Deepak for his dedication and contributions to lebua," said Narawadee Bualert, president of lebua. "During his tenure, lebua became a leader in luxury hospitality thanks to his grit and natural instincts. Deepak put our company ...
Accor Expands Its Portfolio in Georgia With the Opening of Tbilisi Philharmonic Hotel by Mercure
Accor | September 7, 2023
TBILISI, 7 SEPTEMBER 2023 – Accor, a world leading hospitality group, announces the opening of Tbilisi Philharmonic Hotel by Mercure. Located in a historic building on Petre Melikishvili Avenue, the hotel represents the brand's philosophy “Locally Inspired” seamlessly fitting into the surrounding landscape. The new hotel offers guests the perfect combination of reasonable price and a high level of service at any time of the year, as well as additional privileges and access to the ALL – Accor Live Limitless global loyalty program. In addition, the second property under the “by Mercure” endorsement in Tbilisi – Tbilisi Saburtal...
Dorchester Collection’s The Beverly Hills Hotel Appoints Ashley James as New Culinary Director
Dorchester Collection | September 7, 2023
Beverly Hills, September 7, 2023 – Chef Ashley James has been appointed Culinary Director of the iconic Beverly Hills Hotel, overseeing the entire culinary operation including all restaurants, banquets and in-room dining. Chef Ashley James brings a wealth of expertise to the position, with more than 30 years cooking in prestigious kitchens throughout the world including positions in England, France, Spain, Singapore, Mexico, Germany, Argentina, and the United States. Most recently, he was Managing Director of Culinary at Di Bruno Bros, Philadelphia, PA. Prior to this, he was Vice President of Culinary Starr Catering Group. He spent 18...
Calmwater Capital Acquires Banyan Cay Resort & Golf Club
Banyan Cay Resort & Golf Club | September 7, 2023
Sept. 7, 2023 – West Palm Beach, Fla. – Calmwater Capital, a direct commercial real estate bridge lender headquartered in Los Angeles, today announces its acquisition of Banyan Cay Resort & Golf Club. As the new property owner, Calmwater Capital affiliate U.S. Real Estate Credit III has immediately introduced financial and professional resources to reopen the golf course and club and complete the hotel, spa and fitness complex. Centrally located in West Palm Beach, the property most notably features Jack Nicklaus’ 300th Signature 18-hole course surrounded by West Palm Beach’s natural beauty. Extensive renovations to restore t...
Brisas Hotel Group Opens Galería Plaza Monterrey in Mexico
Grupo Brisas | September 7, 2023
Grupo Brisas celebrates the ribbon cutting of its newest and most luxurious 206-room property with world-class amenities located in the financial heart of Nuevo León *The hotel corporation will continue with plans to expand its prestigious business brand with the upcoming opening of Galería Plaza León and Galería Plaza Insurgentes, in Mexico City Monterrey, NL, Mexico (September 7, 2023) – Grupo Brisas inaugurates Galería Plaza Monterrey, its most recent property in the financial heart of Nuevo León, in which it invested around 42 million USD to provide travelers who visit the city for business or pleasure with the most comfortab...
