Analysis-Companies Boost Social and Climate Reporting Amid ESG Backlash
November 4th, 2024
U.S. Travel Honors Destination Marketers with Destiny, Mercury Awards at ESTO 2024
U.S. Travel Association | August 16, 2024
WASHINGTON - U.S. Travel Association announced recipients of the 2024 Destiny and Mercury Awards at the 40th annual ESTO conference (Educational Seminar for Tourism Organizations), held August 11-13 in Columbus, Ohio. Winners were announced at a closing night awards dinner and presentation at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. “The Destiny and Mercury Awards not only recognize creative achievement in destination marketing but also the outstanding effort to inspire visitation and promote travel in savvy and imaginative ways,” said Ellen Davis, U.S. Travel Executive Vice President, Business Strategy and Industry Engagement. “O...
Stop It: Ten Bad Customer Service and CX Habits You Need to Stop
Shep Hyken | August 15, 2024
By Shep Hyken Recently, Bob Newhart, a famous comedian and actor, passed away. He started his career as a stand-up comedian and eventually hit it big on television, starring in a TV series aptly named The Bob Newhart Show. His awards include three Grammy Awards, an Emmy Award, a Golden Globe, and the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. In 1960, his comedy record The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart reached No. 1 on Billboard’s pop album chart. But enough about Newhart’s history and accolades, why is he showing up in an article about customer service and experience? The answer can be found in one of his TV specials in a funny ...
U.S. Hotel Results for Week Ending 10 August
CoStar Group | August 15, 2024
WASHINGTON – 15 August 2024 – The U.S. hotel industry reported positive comparisons year over year, according to CoStar’s latest data through 10 August. CoStar is a leading provider of online real estate marketplaces, information and analytics in the property markets. 4-10 August 2024 (percentage change from comparable week in 2023): Occupancy: 68.7% (+0.5%) Average daily rate (ADR): US$159.49 (+1.4%) Revenue per available room (RevPAR): US$109.51 (+1.9%) Among the Top 25 Markets, Houston saw the highest year-over-year increases in occupancy (+31.1% to 76.3%) and RevPAR (+47.2% to US$93.89). Chicago pos...
Auberge Resorts Collection Names Christian Clerc as New CEO
Auberge Resorts Collection | August 15, 2024
Lauded Luxury Hotelier to Lead Auberge's Internationally Acclaimed Portfolio MILL VALLEY, Calif., Aug. 15, 2024 -- Christian Clerc, an accomplished hospitality industry leader with more than three decades of operations and management experience at some of the most esteemed global luxury hotel brands, has been named President and CEO of Auberge Resorts Collection. Clerc succeeds former President and CEO Craig Reid, who is retiring after 10 years at the helm of the company. Clerc's appointment is effective September 1, 2024, and he will be based out of Auberge's Bethesda, MD, office. Clerc previously served as Global President at Fo...
Chef-Driven Hotel Brand Appellation To Open Urban Resort in Morgan Hill, Silicon Valley’s Next Culinary Capital
Appellation | August 15, 2024
Hotel MOHI by Appellation Opens 2025, Boasting 76 Guestrooms, Lush Pool Oasis and Spa, Field-to-Fork Cuisine & Unparalleled Weddings & Event Space MORGAN HILL, Calif., Aug. 15, 2024 -- Appellation, the groundbreaking culinary-first hotel brand by celebrated American chef Charlie Palmer and luxury hospitality veteran Christopher Hunsberger, joins forces with visionary vintner Frank Léal of Léal Hospitality to announce Hotel MOHI by Appellation. Set to debut in fall 2025 in Silicon Valley's charming Downtown Morgan Hill, the opening will mark the first full-service luxury boutique hotel in the destination. Léal Hospital...
KSL Capital Partners to Invest $21 Million for Renovation of 77-Bungalow W Maldives
KSL Capital Partners | August 15, 2024
Underscores Commitment to Investing in Exceptional Businesses, Expanding Tourism and Supporting Economic Growth in the Maldives LONDON, August 15, 2024 – KSL Capital Partners, LLC, a leading investor in travel and leisure businesses, today announced its affiliates will invest $21 million in the W Maldives to fully renovate the resort and plan to recommence capital spending at the Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa (“Sheraton Maldives”) to continue investing in one of the most expansive luxury properties in the Maldives. The $21 million investment will support a comprehensive renovation of the W Maldives that is designe...
Hyatt Centric Downtown Denver Appoints Michelle Martinez as New Director of Sales
Hyatt Centric Downtown Denver | August 15, 2024
August 15, 2024, DENVER, CO - Hyatt Centric Downtown Denver proudly appoints Michelle Martinez as the new Director of Sales. With over 18 years of experience in various capacities, primarily in sales, Michelle brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep-rooted passion for hospitality to the sales team at one of Denver’s top-ranking boutique lifestyle hotels. “What excites me about this venture is that it’s my first time working for Hyatt Centric, and this property has so much to offer, not just in terms of its central location but all of the amazing amenities and flexible meeting and event spaces,” says Martinez. “I look forward to le...
Hotel Sales Is High-Touch: Are You Under-Resourced to Compete?
Rick Blackburn | August 15, 2024
As we begin to ask questions specific to the hotel sales team – their strategy, tactics, sales initiatives, business development, client engagement, etc – it becomes quite apparent how “high-touch” the sales discipline is in today’s environment which often includes reduced staffing, loss of legacy talent, and the increased absence of training and corporate resources. The majority of my hospitality clients are franchise hotels, independents, smaller hotel brands, and destination marketing organizations (DMOs, or convention & visitors bureaus). Interestingly enough, the challenges and “pain points” are consistent in all o...
Agilysys Taps Hospitality Veteran Joe Youssef as SVP, Sales & Chief Commercial Officer
Agilysys | August 15, 2024
August 15, 2024 (ALPHARETTA, Ga.) – Agilysys, Inc. (Nasdaq: AGYS), a leading global provider of hospitality software solutions and services, today announced Joe Youssef – who has led multiple functions, solution verticals and regional markets during his 18-year career at global travel and tourism technology innovator Amadeus – will join the Company as Senior Vice President, Sales, Americas and EMEA and Chief Commercial Officer. Joe Youssef’s extensive career in the travel and hospitality industry has established him as a visionary executive and a key market influencer for pioneering technology. Mr. Youssef joined Amadeus in 2006 ...
Wyndham Introduces Trademark Collection to South Korea With Opening of La Vie D’or Hotel and Resort
Trademark Collection by Wyndham | August 15, 2024
La Vie D'or Hotel and Resort debut expands Wyndham's market presence across South Korea to over 30 hotels SINGAPORE, Aug. 15, 2024 -- Wyndham Hotels & Resorts officially introduced its Trademark Collection brand to South Korea with the opening of La Vie D'or Hotel and Resort, Trademark Collection by Wyndham. The new hotel elevates the Company's presence in South Korea to over 30 hotels and joins nearly 20 Trademark hotels across Asia Pacific. La Vie D'or Hotel and Resort offers a unique blend of comfort and tranquility amidst the tourism and transportation hub of Hwaseong-si. Guests can hit the links at the resort's nine-hole course...
Driftwood Hospitality Management Unveils Multimillion-Dollar Renovation of Hilton Cocoa Beach Oceanfront
Driftwood Hospitality Management | August 15, 2024
Cocoa Beach, Fla. (Aug. 15, 2024) – Driftwood Hospitality Management proudly announces the completion of an extensive multimillion-dollar renovation for the Hilton Cocoa Beach Oceanfront, a 295-key flagship property in the heart of Florida's Space Coast. The transformative project showcases DHM’s commitment to providing an unparalleled guest experience in one of the nation's most beloved beach destinations. The renovations, encompassing seven floors and more than 10,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, draw inspiration from Cocoa Beach's natural beauty and vibrant surf culture. Guests will be greeted by a refreshed lobby featurin...
Sayaji Pune Welcomes Rajendra Singh as New Executive Chef
Sayaji Hotels | August 15, 2024
Pune, August 2024: Sayaji Pune is delighted to announce the appointment of Rajendra Singh as the new Executive Chef. With nearly 19 years of professional culinary experience and a distinguished focus on Indian cuisine, Chef Singh brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the esteemed culinary team at Sayaji Pune. Rajendra Singh's core competencies include menu creation, culinary expertise, leadership, and training. His extensive experience encompasses managing production, inventory, equipment, and ensuring compliance with food quality standards. Chef Singh has excelled in building and nurturing customer relationships, while leading and t...
The Curtis Hotel Announces Key Promotions in Partnership with Hotel Teatro
The Curtis Hotel | August 15, 2024
DENVER – August 15, 2024 – The Curtis Hotel is pleased to announce the promotion of Lizzie Raudenbush to Area General Manager and Megan Pierce to Area Director of Sales and Marketing serving the Denver area at The Curtis Hotel and Hotel Teatro, expanding the properties’ excellence in hospitality through downtown Denver under Sage Hospitality Group. The Curtis Hotel is a vibrant and eclectic hotel located in the heart of Denver. Known for its unique pop-culture design and commitment to the local community, the property offers a memorable stay for anyone seeking an immersive experience, with 13 themed floors and accompanying hyper them...
Lang & Schwander Principals Acquire Hotel Engadinerhof in Switzerland
Lang & Schwander | August 15, 2024
Renovation and repositioning of historic property in Pontresina will showcase Lang & Schwander’s multiple hospitality verticals within their existing ecosystem MIAMI, FL (Aug. 15, 2024) – Sebastian Lang and Marcus Schwander, founding partners of Miami-headquartered Lang & Schwander, a hotel interior design firm specializing in FF&E (furniture, fixtures, and equipment), have acquired the Hotel Engadinerhof, located in Pontresina, a picturesque mountain village in southeast Switzerland. Terms of the sale were not disclosed. The 85-key hotel, which originally opened in 1905, complements the idyllic Swiss locale with its Bel...
LE Forecasts Over 1,100 New Hotels to Open in Europe by 2026
Lodging Econometrics | August 15, 2024
August 15, 2024 – PORTSMOUTH, NH In the Q2 2024 Europe Hotel Construction Pipeline Trend Report from Lodging Econometrics (LE), analysts report the region’s total pipeline stands at 1,680 projects/249,454 rooms at the quarter’s close. Hotel projects currently under construction in Europe at Q2 stand at 755 projects/117,908 rooms, representing 45% of the projects and 47% of the rooms in the total pipeline. Projects planned to start construction in the next 12 months account for 412 projects/59,850 rooms, making up 25% of the projects and 24% of the rooms. Projects in the early planning stage comprise 513 projects/71,696 rooms, acco...
CBRE Hotels Adjusts Outlook for 2024 Due to Economic Conditions, Predicts Modest U.S. RevPAR Growth
CBRE Group, Inc. | August 15, 2024
Dallas – August 15, 2024 – CBRE is reducing its forecast for U.S. hotel performance this year, as lodging demand softens due to weaker-than-expected leisure travel and slowing corporate profit growth. CBRE now projects a 1.2% increase in revenue per available room (RevPAR) growth for 2024, down from the 2.0% estimated in May 2024. Nevertheless, CBRE anticipates 2% year-over-year growth in RevPAR in the second half of 2024, up from 0.5% year-over-year growth in the first half, driven by international tourism and election-related events. CBRE forecasts GDP growth of 2.3% and average inflation of 3.2% in 2024. The performance of the lod...
Travel Prices Remain Stable Through July
U.S. Travel Association | August 15, 2024
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index release for July reflected a continuation of the encouraging trend of stable prices both for consumers overall and for travelers. Overall prices rose slightly for the month, while travel related prices were flat. “Overall, comparisons month-to-month, year-over-year, and against pre-COVID-19 levels all show today’s prices are more favorable for travelers,” said Joshua Friedlander, Vice President of Research at the U.S. Travel Association. According to the U.S. Travel Association-calculated Travel Price Index (TPI), prices were on average the same in July as for the prior m...
Carillon Miami Wellness Resort Appoints Ryan Fletcher as Director of Food & Beverage
Carillon Miami Wellness Resort | August 14, 2024
MIAMI, FLORIDA – August 14, 2024 – Carillon Miami Wellness Resort today announces the appointment of Ryan Fletcher as the Director of Food and Beverage across the luxurious beachfront destination’s restaurants and takeaway outlets, including Michelin-starred Tambourine Room by Tristan Brandt; contemporary Mediterranean restaurant The Strand; The Corner Store café and juice bar; the Seaglass Café at the Cabana Pool; and all in-suite dining and banqueting for over 15,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space. A return engagement—although his first time serving in this role, Fletcher also oversees guest satisfaction, worki...
Berlin Hotel Room Rates Jumped During an Eventful July
CoStar Group, Inc. | August 14, 2024
WASHINGTON – 14 August 2024 – Boosted by three key events, Berlin’s hotel industry posted its highest July levels in average daily rate (ADR) and revenue per available room (RevPAR), according to preliminary data from CoStar. CoStar is a leading provider of online real estate marketplaces, information, and analytics in the property markets. July 2024 (year-over-year % change): Occupancy: 77.9% (-0.1%) ADR: EUR136.94 (+17.3%) RevPAR: EUR106.73 (+17.2%) The 14 July final of the UEFA European Football Championship between Spain and England pushed the market’s ADR to EUR353.56 (+171.4% year over year) and RevPAR to E...
Zleep Hotels Merges With Core Hospitality
Core Hospitality | August 14, 2024
All 14 Zleep Hotels in Denmark are merging with the management company Core Hospitality to create one of the largest hotel operators in the country. Danish hotel company Zleep Hotels A/S is merging with the third-party hotel management company Core Hospitality A/S, creating the 4th largest hotel operating company from Denmark. The merger happens immediately after a split with Deutsche Hospitality; while the German hotel group now owns 100% of the Zleep Hotels brand, Core Hospitality owns 100% of the operations in Denmark. Combined, the new management company will continue as “Core Hospitality”, signifying its multi-brand strategy a...
IHG Army Hotels Celebrates 15 Years of Delivering True Hospitality for Heroes
IHG Army Hotels | August 14, 2024
ATLANTA – August 14, 2024 – IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, is proud to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the IHG Army Hotels military lodging program this month. Since its inception under the U.S. Army’s Privatization of Army Lodging (PAL) Program, IHG Army Hotels has continued to expand and deliver True Hospitality for Good to military guests, veterans and their families through on post accommodations under the familiar and trusted Holiday Inn Express, Candlewood Suites and Staybridge Suites brands. To commemorate the milestone, IHG Hotels & Resorts today will host an event a...
Cross Hotels & Resorts Inks HMA Deal With Yutthaporn Development for Two Hotels in Bangkok
Cross Hotels & Resorts | August 14, 2024
Bangkok - Thailand, 14th August 2024 – Cross Hotels & Resorts is thrilled to announce a significant Hotel Management Agreement (HMA) with Yutthaporn Development, marking an exciting step forward for both companies. This two-hotel deal for Cross Vibe Bangkok Srinakarin and Lumen Bangkok Srinakarin exemplifies our shared commitment to delivering outstanding lifestyle hospitality experiences in Bangkok’s dynamic Srinakarin district. Located in Bangkok’s bustling eastern suburbs, Srinakarin blends urban energy with suburban charm. Just a short 20-minute taxi ride from Suvarnabhumi International Airport and connected by the new MRT Yell...
Graduate by Hilton Debuts in Princeton, New Jersey
Graduate by Hilton | August 14, 2024
August 14, 2024 - Graduate by Hilton, the global hospitality company’s university-anchored hotel brand, announced the opening of Graduate Princeton today. Located on historic Nassau Street in the heart of downtown, directly opposite campus, Graduate Princeton boasts 180 guest rooms and a signature restaurant, Ye Tavern. Paying homage to the town’s rich history, architecture, and design, the opening marks the first new hotel to open in Princeton in nearly 90 years—and only the second hotel in its historic downtown, nearly doubling the number of available hotel rooms in town. “When we started Graduate ten years ago, Princeton was ...
Crafting a Unique Employer Brand for Today’s Talent Market
Veronika Mercier | August 14, 2024
By Veronika Mercier In today’s competitive job market, employer branding has become an essential strategy for attracting and retaining top talent. However, many managers still don’t know what exactly constitutes a strong employer brand. Is it down to company culture, work-life balance, benefits and compensation, or is there some other secret sauce that makes an employer desirable? To find out what makes an employer brand truly effective, we consulted with industry experts and entrepreneurs who have devised proven strategies for creating a unique and strong employer brand. From their experience and diverse roles in renowned companies...
