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Projects in Early Planning in the Middle East Hotel Construction Pipeline Hit All-Time High in Q2 ‘23
Lodging Econometrics (LE) | August 29, 2023
August 29, 2023 – PORTSMOUTH, NH In the recent Middle East Hotel Construction Pipeline Trend Report from Lodging Econometrics (LE), the region continues to show steady pipeline growth in the second quarter of 2023, with the highest project count since Q1 2020. The total pipeline stands at 597 projects/146,521 rooms, up 10% and 5%, respectively, year-over-year (YOY). At the close of the second quarter, projects under construction stand at 330 projects/90,619 rooms. Projects scheduled to start construction in the next 12 months increased 17% by projects YOY to 102 projects with 23,909 rooms. Projects in the early planning stage increase...
Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa Welcomes Imre Maraczi as Area Director of Food and Beverage
SEAFIRE RESORT + SPA, SEVEN MILE BEACH, GRAND CAYMAN | August 29, 2023
(GRAND CAYMAN, August 2023) – Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa is delighted to announce the appointment of Imre Maraczi as the Grand Cayman property’s new Area Director of Food and Beverage With more than 20 years of service in the culinary industry and a passion for delivering exceptional guest experiences, Maraczi is set to elevate the hotel's dining offerings to new heights. Born and raised in Budapest, Hungary, Imre’s professional journey began in the mid-1990s with an apprenticeship at the Kempinski Hotel Budapest, one of the city’s most esteemed hospitality and culinary destinations. He subsequently trained in five-star hotels...
Bernardus Lodge & Spa Appoints Hartmut Ott as General Manager
Bernardus Lodge & Spa | August 29, 2023
Forbes 12-Star Property Raises the Bar on Hospitality CARMEL VALLEY, CALIF., 2023 – Bernardus Lodge & Spa announced the appointment of Hartmut Ott as General Manager. Ott will be responsible for all aspects of day-to-day management for the award-winning Forbes 12-Star property, consistently ranked top among the nation’s most coveted retreats. A seasoned hospitality leader, Ott will oversee the Forbes 4-star Lucia Restaurant & Bar under the helm of Chef Christian Ojeda as well as the award-winning 5,200 sq. ft., Spa at Bernardus and 73 guestroom property located in Carmel Valley. www.bernarduslodge.com. A veteran of the...
Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong Appoints Leadership Team Ahead of Opening
Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong | August 29, 2023
29 August 2023: Ahead of its much-anticipated opening on 8 September 2023, Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong has announced a dynamic leadership team to elevate the guest experience at Victoria’s newest gem. Situated in the heart of Geelong, just an hour's drive from Melbourne, the IHG Hotels & Resorts property will offer 180 modern and spacious rooms and suites, serving as an ideal base to explore the Bellarine and Surf Coast. As the city’s first new-build hotel in more than 20 years, it is part of Franzé Developments’ new residential and commercial hub, Geelong Quarter. Top talent on the F&B front Executive Chef Mig...
Australia’s Rottnest Island Authority Deploys P3’s Custom Booking Engine to Address Unique Property and Guest Needs
P3 Hotel Software | August 29, 2023
Customized booking solution from P3 modernizes and streamlines booking process for guests of one of Australia’s most unique and diverse tourist destinations. August 29, 2023 — Dublin & Denver — Hotel software solutions provider P3 is being credited for transforming the booking process for Rottnest Island Authority, after developing a customized booking engine that effectively addresses the authority’s diverse range of accommodations and guests. A popular island destination situated just offshore from the city of Perth in Western Australia, Rottnest Island Authority operates Stay Rottnest, offering an expansive array of accommod...
Five Ways Hotel PMS Technology Is Saving Independent Hotelier Operations
Warren Dehan | August 29, 2023
Modern PMS technology provides invaluable support to independent hotel operations from training to disaster recovery By: Warren Dehan Independent hoteliers rely on technology to operate today in a way that has never been necessary. Still, many often need help understanding how to approach gaining access to the tools they need within their allotted budget. Without support from a brand, these operators need access to reliable, centralized tools capable of simplifying operations and improving revenue amid an indefatigable labor crisis. Technology providers have stepped up to the plate across the industry to assist in every way possible, bu...
How AI Will Affect Paid Search for Hoteliers
Valentina Suarez | August 28, 2023
By: Valentina Suarez Artificial Intelligence or AI, is already making a huge impact on a variety of global industries, including hospitality. Google has already seen success with their own AI implementations, including their fully AI-powered Performance Max ads, which have seen ‘on average over 18% more conversions at a similar cost per action’ vs. other paid search ads. A separate case study by Google found that India’s travel booking engine, Goibio, saw a 25% increase in hotel transactions with Smart Bidding, with a 22% lower cost per conversion rate for non-brand paid search campaigns. With any new innovation, adopting A...
MCR Acquires New York’s Iconic Gramercy Park Hotel, Shuttered Since 2020
MCR | August 28, 2023
The historic luxury hotel will receive a full renovation and reopen in 2025. NEW YORK--August 28, 2023--MCR — the country’s 3rd-largest hotel owner-operator — has acquired the iconic Gramercy Park Hotel in New York City. MORSE Development, which developed the experiential TWA Hotel at New York City’s JFK Airport, will bring back the magic and glamour of the five-star hotel, which has been closed since 2020. An extensive renovation will revitalize the lobby, the first-floor restaurants and bars, and the hotel’s 197 guestrooms and suites. The spectacular 7,000-square-foot rooftop bar — the only venue with a view o...
Cultivating a Happy Workplace With Wellbeing-Focused Leadership
Insa Thalau | August 28, 2023
By: Insa Thalau As employment trends and workplace technology continue to evolve quickly, it’s hard to predict what future jobs and careers will look like. One thing remains clear: the most valuable asset of every organization will always be its human capital. Recent studies prove that happy workplace and positive human interactions remain the key to success for any organization that employs people, or provides services and/or products for people, no matter what digitalization and AI technology brings. As a leader, you can try anticipating the evolving nature of work, and keep an eye on emerging trends, but those things won’t have ...
The Florida Panhandle Remains a Top-Tier Destination
Hannah McManus | August 28, 2023
By Hannah McManus The Florida Panhandle, once a quiet haven with “mom and pop” motels and condominium towers, is now lauded as a top-tier beach and leisure destination that boasts a robust inventory of vacation rental units, nationally branded hotels, and independent properties. Short-term lodging was particularly attractive in the post-pandemic period. The area’s position as a drive-to destination with ample outdoor attractions and minimal restrictions drew new and repeat visitors. An examination of gross tourist tax collections (a 5% tax levied on short-term rental and hotel room revenues) in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and ...
World Travel Awards Winners Unveiled at Ceremony in Saint Lucia
World Travel Awards | August 28, 2023
The finest travel brands from across the Caribbean and the Americas have been unveiled at a glittering Gala Ceremony in Saint Lucia. The industry elite travelled from across the region to the paradise island for the World Travel Awards (WTA) Caribbean & The Americas Gala Ceremony 2023 to find out who amongst them had been crowned best of the best. The red carpet evening, hosted at Sandals Grand St. Lucian, marked the opening leg of the WTA’s landmark 30th anniversary Grand Tour 2023 – a global search for the finest travel and tourism organisations. Winners on the night included Jamaica, which saw off a tough field to emer...
Texas Western Hospitality Opens Home2 Suites by Hilton Orlando South Davenport in Florida
Home2 Suites by Hilton | August 28, 2023
The 128-Suite Hotel Offers Easy Access to the Orlando Theme Parks Davenport, FL – August 28, 2023 – Texas Western Hospitality of Addison, Texas today announced the opening of their newest property, Home2 Suites by Hilton in Davenport, Florida. 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 Kari Hall-Adams leads the management team at the Home2 Suites by Hilton Orlando South Davenport for Texas Western Hospitality. Located at 164 Thrive Road among the numerous shops and restaurants near Championsgate Village,...
Hersha Hospitality Trust to Be Acquired by KSL Capital Partners
Hersha Hospitality Trust | August 28, 2023
PHILADELPHIA and DENVER, Aug. 28, 2023 — Hersha Hospitality Trust (NYSE: HT) (“Hersha” or the “Company”), owner of luxury and lifestyle hotels in coastal gateway and resort markets, and KSL Capital Partners, LLC (“KSL”), a leading investor in travel and leisure businesses, today announced a definitive merger agreement, entered into on August 27, 2023, under which affiliates of KSL will acquire all of the outstanding common shares of Hersha for $10.00 per share in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $1.4 billion. The purchase price represents a premium of approximately 60% over Hersha’s closing share price on August...
Vi Nguyen Appointed Campus Director of Sales and Marketing for Dual-Branded Hotel Citrine and AC Hotel Palo Alto
Hotel Citrine, an Autograph Collection Hotel by Marriott | August 28, 2023
August 28, 2023 (Palo Alto, CA) - Hotel Citrine and AC Palo Alto announce Vi Nguyen, CMP as Campus Director of Sales and Marketing for the dual-branded property in the heart of Palo Alto. The campus-style development features more than 4,000 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor meetings and events space, multiple food and beverage concepts including Wild Onion Bistro & Bar in addition to nearly 300 guestrooms. The destination is managed by California-based Evolution Hospitality. Raised in the San Jose area, Nguyen was actively involved in various organizations throughout her school years, thriving off of collaborating with ...
Red Roof Inn Opens in Nacogdoches, Texas
Red Roof | August 28, 2023
NACOGDOCHES, TX, August 28, 2023 — Red Roof®, the leader in economy lodging, has announced the opening of the Red Roof Inn Nacogdoches, TX. Located minutes away from the TX-224 Loop and the US-59 Highway, the Red Roof Inn Nacogdoches is a 66-room hotel that offers free Wi-Fi, a free expanded cable package, a snack center, free coffee in the lobby and a microwave and mini-refrigerator in all guestrooms. The Red Roof Inn Nacogdoches, TX, is a pet-friendly hotel. Red Roof Inn Nacogdoches, TX, is near a number of area landmarks and destinations, including Nacogdoches Trade Days and Flea Market, Stephen F. Austin State University, Stone F...
Andaz Mayakoba Resort Riviera Maya Appoints César Moreno as New General Manager
Andaz Mayakoba Resort Riviera Maya | August 28, 2023
RIVIERA MAYA, MEXICO (August 28, 2023) – One of Mexico’s leading luxury resorts, Andaz Mayakoba, is pleased to announce the appointment of César Moreno as its new General Manager. In his new role, Moreno will manage every aspect of the resort, from larger scale initiatives to day-to-day operations, including the 214 guestrooms and suites, Naum Wellness & Spa, four distinct restaurants and leading events spaces. In this new post, César will use his ambitious work ethic and hands-on approach to leadership to drive the resort’s team to further successes within the luxury hospitality sphere and provide an outstanding guest experien...
Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino Welcomes Pascal Dupuis as General Manager
Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino | August 28, 2023
Incline Village, Nevada (August 28, 2023)– Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino, a spacious resort nestled in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and on the shore of North Lake Tahoe, announces Pascal Dupuis as general manager. Dupuis joins the property from Andaz Mayakoba in Riviera Maya, Mexico. In his new role, Dupuis oversees the daily operations of the 422-room resort, including the full-service Stillwater Spa, 65,000 square feet of functional meeting space, and multiple on-site restaurants. “I am thrilled to join the incredible team at Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe, and to being a part of the Incline Village community,” said Pasc...
U.S. Travel Honors Destination Marketers With Mercury, Destiny Awards at ESTO 2023
U.S. Travel Association | August 28, 2023
WASHINGTON — U.S. Travel Association announced recipients of the 2023 Destiny and Mercury Awards at the 39th annual Educational Seminar for Tourism Organizations (ESTO) conference, held August 19-22 in Savannah, GA. “These awards—the only of their kind to recognize excellence in travel and tourism marketing campaigns at the city and state level—are a best-in-class showcase of creativity reflecting the unique travel destinations of our country,” said Nan Marchand Beauvois, Senior Vice President of Membership and Industry Relations at the U.S. Travel Association. “Congratulations to this year’s Destiny and Mercury award w...
How to Increase Repeat Guests at Your Hotel
Eva Lacalle | August 24, 2023
By Eva Lacalle Are you looking to increase repeat guests at your hotel? Customer retention is one of the pivotal metrics for hoteliers because it indicates how well you're performing. Happy guests are more likely to return and become regulars. Loyal guests also cost less – you only have to invest once in acquiring them, which can be one of the most expensive fixed costs in the hotel business. Let's look at the best strategies for increasing the number of repeat guests at your hotel that will help you to boost your hotel's success and profitability. Why is it important to increase repeat guests at your hotel? The success of your hot...
2023: A Challenging Year for California’s Hotels
HotStats | August 24, 2023
The first half of 2023 proved to be a roller coaster for the California hotel industry, with varying performance across luxury, full-service, and select-service segments. The year started on a high note, especially for luxury hotels, before experiencing a dramatic decline in Q2 across all major areas, compared to the same period in 2022. Luxury hotels’ RevPAR saw a significant boost in Q1 of 2023 posting a 27.2% increase driven largely by a surge in occupancy of 12.1 percentage points. However, this trend was tempered in Q2 which saw a slight decline in occupancy and ADR resulting in a 3.4% drop in RevPAR compared with Q2 of 2022. How...
U.S. Hotel Results for Week Ending 19 August
CoStar Group | August 24, 2023
WASHINGTON – 24 August 2023 – Following seasonal patterns, U.S. hotel performance declined from the previous week but showed most positive comparisons year over year, according to CoStar’s latest data through 19 August. CoStar is a leading provider of online real estate marketplaces, information and analytics in the property markets. 13-19 August 2023 (percentage change from comparable week in 2022): Occupancy: 67.0% (-0.1%) Average daily rate (ADR): US$154.10 (+1.8%) Revenue per available room (RevPAR): US$103.22 (+1.8%) Among the Top 25 Markets, San Francisco saw the largest year-over-year occupancy increase (+...
Don’t Fake the Personal Touch
Shep Hyken | August 24, 2023
By Shep Hyken One of the most powerful customer service and CX tactics is personalization. We interviewed more than 1,000 consumers for our CX research, and 71% said a personalized experience is important to them. When personalization is used correctly, customers feel as if you recognize them. Using their name, remembering their past purchases, their buying patterns, and more can build confidence and trust. While personalization is nice, it is not required, and if you decide to do it, there are some mistakes you must avoid. For example, if you’ve ever talked to a customer service agent who uses your name repeatedly to the point t...
Margaritaville Hotel San Diego Gaslamp Quarter Debuts Following $30 Million Renovation
August 24, 2023
The Highly Anticipated Hotel Brings Margaritaville State of Mind to San Diego San Diego, Aug. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Margaritaville Hotel San Diego Gaslamp Quarter is now open in downtown San Diego, marking the beloved brand's first city-center location on the West Coast. Following a nearly $30 million property-wide reimagination, the property is a distinctly Southern Californian take on the Margaritaville experience and is now home to San Diego's largest rooftop pool deck, vibrant and beachy accommodations, three dining and entertainment destinations to sip and savor, flexible meetings and events spaces, and thoughtful ameni...
Alterra Mountain Company to Expand Deer Valley Resort
Alterra Mountain Company | August 24, 2023
Utah Resort Will Double Its Skiable Terrain While Adding Premier Hospitality via a New Village and Portal DENVER--(August 24, 2023)--Alterra Mountain Company, the world’s premier mountain operating company, has announced a major terrain expansion of Deer Valley Resort that will add 3,700 acres of terrain to its world-renowned, ski-only destination located in the Wasatch Mountains in Park City, Utah. In addition, the development of a new village and portal will dramatically improve access to the resort while adding world-class lodging, dining, and retail amenities in partnership with Extell Development Company. The expansion...
