Analysis-Companies Boost Social and Climate Reporting Amid ESG Backlash
November 4th, 2024
Navigating AI Strategy: Beyond the Hype to Real Business Value
Mark W. Munger | October 29, 2024
Introduction As a technology consultant working with business leaders across industries, I consistently hear variations of the same question: “I know AI needs to be a priority, but how does it actually fit into MY business?” It’s a valid concern, especially given the intense media focus on AI and the pressure to “keep up” with technological advancement. This article aims to provide clear, actionable insights, backed by recent research and real-world examples, on how to approach AI strategy in your business. Rather than theoretical possibilities, we’ll focus on practical implementation and proven results. The Two Paths to ...
IHG Signs With Plaipol to Develop InterContinental Phang-Nga Bay Resort in Thailand
IHG Hotels & Resorts | October 29, 2024
Bangkok, Thailand – 29 October 2024: The growth of IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, continues at pace in Thailand with its latest signing adding to an increasingly-impressive portfolio of luxury resorts. Opening in 2028, InterContinental Phang-Nga Bay Resort will be located in Samet Nangshe – a one-of-a-kind picturesque destination in Phang-Nga. The result of a management agreement between IHG and first-time partner Plaipol Co., Ltd. – a leading gold business owner in Thailand – the 150-key property will be the ideal choice for travellers seeking a relaxing getaway in an idyllic...
Government Action Needed To Boost Vital £32bn UK Visitor Economy
IHG Hotels & Resorts | October 29, 2024
Strong industry-Government partnerships are key to ensuring the UK's visitor economy continues to thrive, according to a new report by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) in partnership with IHG Hotels & Resorts. To help grow the tourism, hospitality, events and attractions industries, the report makes a series of recommendations to policymakers. It calls on Government to: Reform apprenticeship funding in England to support more training opportunities by firms in the visitor economy Reform business rates by reducing the multiplier for both small and standard rates Reconsider the evidence around tax free shopping for vis...
Reuben Brothers Acquire W South Beach From Tricap and RFR
Reuben Brothers | October 29, 2024
Miami Beach, FL (October 29, 2024) – In a milestone transaction that is set to redefine the luxury hotel market in Miami, Reuben Brothers have acquired the renowned W South Beach from Tricap and RFR. The landmark deal, valued at over $400 million, reinforces Reuben Brothers' commitment to strategically expanding their hospitality portfolio in the United States and beyond. David Edelstein (Tricap) and RFR acquired the 3.5-acre property in 2004 and commenced the development of a new world-class luxury hotel, W South Beach, along with The Residences at W South Beach. When it opened its doors in 2009, it significantly reshaped the landscape o...
Sofitel Unveils the Refurbished Sofitel Sydney Wentworth
Sofitel | October 29, 2024
October 29, 2024 - Located in Sydney (Australia), the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth is delighted to throw open its doors and begin welcoming guests again. With 436 guest rooms and suites, the hotel’s original charm has been reignited and modernised for the 21st century. Situated in the heart of Sydney’s central business district, Sofitel Sydney Wentworth offers unparalleled convenience, being located just minutes from iconic landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge and the luxury fashion district. A refreshed Sydney icon The refurbishment re-ignites and celebrates the hotel’s glamorous past while propelling it ...
Ennismore and TWG Partner To Bring 21c Museum Hotels to Indianapolis
Ennismore | October 29, 2024
Ennismore, the fastest-growing lifestyle and leisure hospitality company, and TWG, a national developer of multifamily housing and mixed-use projects, are thrilled to announce the signing of 21c Museum Hotel Indianapolis. Dedicated to making art and culture accessible to all, the multi-venue contemporary art museum will showcase globally renowned and regionally relevant artists in site-specific installations and rotating curated exhibitions throughout the year. At 21c Museum Hotel Indianapolis, art will be integrated into every aspect of the guest experience. From the moment guests arrive, they can expect to find installations designed...
Park Hyatt New York Appoints Vincent De Croock as New Director of Sales & Marketing
Park Hyatt New York | October 29, 2024
NEW YORK (October 29, 2024) — Park Hyatt New York, the five-star award-winning hotel located on Manhattan’s Billionaires’ Row, is pleased to announce the appointment of Vincent De Croock as Director of Sales & Marketing. With a passion for excellence and a dynamic approach to sales leadership, De Croock will focus on growing strategic accounts, cultivating key relationships and further strengthening the hotel’s reputation as a leading luxury destination. This year the flagship hotel of the Park Hyatt brand celebrates its 10th anniversary with a transformative renovation and the addition of the Manhattan Suite, a new 3,500-square-...
Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin To Launch $275 Million Transformation and Expansion Project
The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin | October 29, 2024
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Oct. 29, 2024 – The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin announced the largest renovation and expansion in the property’s history, highlighted by the addition of 120,000 square feet of event space to its current meeting and convention floorplan. The entire project is an investment of $275 million over the next several years and will also include modernized upgrades to existing meeting spaces and Swan guest rooms; and technology enhancements throughout the property. The expansion will bring the triplex’s total meeting space to 469,000 square feet between its three buildings, the Swan, Dolphin and Swan ...
The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort Welcomes New Executive Chef Chris Johnson
The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort | October 29, 2024
SIMONS ISLAND, GA (October 29, 2024)—The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort, aMMI Hotel Groupproperty, is thrilled to announce the appointment of Chef Chris Johnson as the new executive chef. Chef Johnson will lead the culinary team for the resort's signature restaurant, ECHO, as well as banquet dining and other outlets across the campus. His arrival marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the resort, with an emphasis on elevating the resort’s culinary presentation across the board. Chef Johnson first discovered his passion for the food and beverage industry at fourteen, gaining extensive experience working in restauran...
Dallas Leads Nation’s Hotel Boom: Nearly 200 Projects Set to Transform Texas Hospitality Landscape
Lodging Econometrics | October 29, 2024
PORTSMOUTH, NH - October 29, 2024 According to the Q3 2024 U.S. Hotel Construction Pipeline Trend Report from Lodging Econometrics (LE), at the close of the quarter, the five markets with the largest hotel construction pipelines are led by Dallas with a record-high of 194 projects and 22,803 rooms, followed by Atlanta with a record-high 166 projects accounting for 19,174 rooms, Nashville with a record-high 130 projects and 16,966 rooms, Phoenix with 123 projects/15,999 rooms, and Austin with a record-high 119 projects accounting for 13,962 rooms. These top five markets combined account for 732 projects/88,904 rooms. At Q3, five U.S. ...
Herbert Park Hotel and Park Residence Increases Direct Bookings and Revenue With P3 Custom Booking Engine
P3 Hotel Software | October 29, 2024
P3's customizable booking engine boosted the luxury hotel’s revenue by 47% and reduced reliance on Online Travel Agencies. October 29 2024 — Dublin & Denver — P3 Hotel Software, a leading innovator in hotel booking solutions, has announced that Herbert Park Hotel and Park Residence, a renowned four-star boutique in the heart of Dublin, has achieved significant boosts in revenue and direct bookings by implementing P3's Custom Booking Engine. The hotel has seen a 47% increase in booking engine revenue within the first 11 months of using P3's system, alongside improving its operational efficiency and guest experience. The shift h...
BirchStreet Extends Partnership With Sodexo North America as Preferred Procure-to-Pay Technology Partner
BirchStreet Systems | October 29, 2024
Renewed strategic partnership agreement highlights continued trust and innovation LAS VEGAS – October 29th, 2024 - BirchStreet Systems, a leading provider of cloud-based procure-to-pay solutions for the hospitality industry, announces the extension of a partnership agreement with Sodexo North America, a leading provider of sustainable food and integrated facilities management. The renewed multi-year agreement highlights the ongoing relationship between two companies, reinforcing the trust and collaboration built over the years. BirchStreet Systems has been one of Sodexo North America’s partners of choice for many years, currently servic...
Percipia Releases Frequency PBX Video Calling for Hospitality Administrative Phones
Percipia | October 29, 2024
New Functionality Allows the Use of Administrative Desk Phone Cameras for Video Calling CHICAGO, October 29th, 2024 – Percipia, a leading provider of hospitality phone systems and enhanced guest room technology for hotels, resorts, casinos, and conference centers, announces the release of Frequency PBX Video Calling, a new feature that enables administrative staff to make video calls using the camera on their desk phones. This feature is designed to improve communication among staff, making it easier to complete operational tasks and collaborate remotely. The Frequency Video Calling feature is built on Percipia’s industry-leading IP pho...
Four Seasons Hotel Rabat at Kasr Al Bahr Opens in the Heart of Morocco’s Capital
Four Seasons | October 28, 2024
In a city whose present day energy is intertwined with both its rich history and its bright future, a new beacon of luxury hospitality opens today: welcome to Four Seasons Hotel Rabat at Kasr Al Bahr. “At Four Seasons we are always inspired by the destination that surrounds us in planning a new experience for our guests, and that is certainly the case in Rabat as we had the opportunity to bring new life into the walls of such a storied landmark,” says Rainer Stampfer, President, Global Operations, Hotels and Resorts. “Our collection of luxury hospitality and residential properties in Morocco is as diverse as the country itself, wit...
Delta Sues CrowdStrike Over Software Update That Prompted Mass Flight Disruptions
October 28, 2024
By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Delta Air Lines on Friday sued cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike in a Georgia state court after a global outage in July caused mass flight cancellations, disrupted travel plans of 1.3 million customers and cost the carrier more than $500 million. Delta's lawsuit filed in Fulton County Superior Court called the faulty software update from CrowdStrike "catastrophic" and said the firm "forced untested and faulty updates to its customers, causing more than 8.5 million Microsoft Windows-based computers around the world to crash." The July 19 incident led to worldwide flight cancellations and hit indu...
US October Nonfarm Payrolls Seen Taking a Hit From Striking Aerospace, Hotel Workers
October 28, 2024
By Lucia Mutikani WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. nonfarm payrolls in October could be reduced by as many as 41,000 jobs amid strikes in the aerospace manufacturing industry and at three hotel chains, government data showed on Friday. The Labor Department's monthly strike report showed 33,000 Boeing employees were idle at the planemaker's plants in California, Oregon and Washington state during the October payrolls survey. Another 5,000 members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, the union representing the Boeing factory workers, were also on strike at Textron, an aircraft company, in Kansas. The repor...
Paramount Lodging Advisors Closes Out the Sale of the Courtyard by Marriott and Hampton Inn Statesville, NC
Paramount Lodging Advisors | October 28, 2024
Paramount Lodging Advisors (PLA) has successfully transacted the Courtyard by Marriott and Hampton Inn Statesville, NC. PLA Partners Mike Schlictman and Andrew Makhlouf represented the seller in the transactions. The 94-room Courtyard and 80-room Hampton Inn are both proximate to all local leisure demand generators, most notably Statesville Civic Center, Lake Norman, and Statesville Park and Soccer Complex. The properties were sold individually as part of a larger institutional portfolio sale. “As part of our ongoing efforts to deliver exceptional results for our clients, we’re proud to have recently brokered the sales of two instit...
Wyndham Expands Extended Stay Offerings, Teams with Reside to Introduce Wyndham Residences in the U.S.
Reside | October 28, 2024
PARSIPPANY, N.J., Oct. 28, 2024 -- Guests seeking contemporary, upscale residence-style accommodations in urban destinations now have new offerings to consider in key cities like Houston, Washington D.C and more as a result of a 10-year development relationship between Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, the world's largest hotel franchisor, and Reside, a leading residential hospitality management company. The franchise agreements bring five residence-style hotels that are open or under development to the Wyndham brand—marking the debut of its Wyndham Residence® tier in the U.S.—with a focus on expanding its offerings across top 50 markets...
Travelers Choose Driving over Flying this Holiday Season, Opting for Reliable Methods of Travel and Familiar Destinations
Studio 6 | October 28, 2024
DALLAS, Oct. 28, 2024-- Americans are trading in their sleigh rides for car rides this holiday season, as they seek comfort in familiar, flexible, and budget-friendly travel options more than ever before. New data from Motel 6 and Studio 6 reveals that over half of those traveling to celebrate winter holidays this year will hit the road to their destination (51%) rather than take to the sky (13%). The study, which surveyed 2,000 Americans who plan to celebrate winter holidays this upcoming season, found an increase in road travelers from last year (+2% OnePoll 2023), a choice driven by the proximity of their destination (46%) and the desir...
Hozpitality Group Announces the Power List of 30 Most Popular Hospitality & Tourism Leaders in the Middle East
Hozpitality Group | October 28, 2024
These visionary leaders, selected through a public voting process, represent a wide range of expertise and organizational backgrounds. DUBAI, UAE, Oct. 28, 2024-- Hozpitality.com proudly presents its prestigious Power List of the 30 Most Popular Hospitality and Tourism Leaders, recognizing the remarkable achievements of top executives who have made a profound impact on the region's dynamic hospitality and tourism industries. The honorees include influential figures from airlines, hotels, tourism boards, and hospitality management firms, all of whom have played pivotal roles in transforming the Middle East into a global travel hub. Th...
Hyatt and Grupo Piñero Plan to Form Strategic Venture for Growth of Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts Brand
Hyatt Hotels Corporation | October 28, 2024
Strategic joint venture will strengthen Hyatt’s position as a global leader in the all-inclusive space and boost the growth of Grupo Piñero's hotel division and its ability to reach new clients in key markets. CHICAGO, & PALMA DE MALLORCA, Spain--Hyatt Hotels Corporation today announced plans for affiliates of Hyatt and Grupo Piñero to enter into a long-term asset-light strategic joint venture, headquartered in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, which will manage Bahia Principe-branded hotels and resorts and own the Bahia Principe brand. The 50/50 joint venture is expected to expand Hyatt’s all-inclusive room portfolio by approximately ...
Abe Liao Tapped as Managing Director of The Watergate Hotel in Washington, DC
Watergate Hotel | October 28, 2024
Washington, D.C. (October 28, 2024) – Abe Liao, an esteemed leader in the luxury and lifestyle hospitality industry, has been appointed Managing Director at the famed Watergate Hotel. With an impressive track record in overseeing premier properties and guiding operations to new heights, Liao brings a wealth of experience, insight, and passion to this iconic property. Previously, Liao served as Vice President of Operations at Aimbridge Hospitality, where he oversaw up to 20 hotels across the continental United States, with a specialization in Independent and Soft-Branded Hotels. This diverse portfolio spanned luxury and lifestyle produc...
PPDS Brings Hospitality Solutions to Life Inside First PPDS Master Showroom Experience Center in North America
PPDS | October 28, 2024
Inspiration, innovation, and co-creation: Extending PPDS’ global network of PPDS Studios to nine – and the second of the company’s regional Master Showrooms – the new, state-of-the-art, 2,368 ft² PPDS Studio NYC Metro opens new opportunities for partners and hotel owners to discover and experience the benefits and capabilities of Philips Professional Displays. Atlanta, October 2024: PPDS, the exclusive global provider of Philips Professional Displays and complementary solutions, is delighted to announce the latest expansion of its North American business, with the grand opening of its stunning new PPDS Master Showroom experience cen...
HSMAI Welcomes Brian Hicks as President & CEO, Continuing the Legacy of Innovation and Leadership
HSMAI | October 28, 2024
McLean, VA (Oct. 28, 2024) – The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) is proud to announce the appointment of Brian Hicks as its new President and CEO. Hicks, a distinguished hospitality leader with more than 30 years of international experience, steps into this role as only the fifth CEO in HSMAI’s nearly 100-year history, marking a new chapter in the organization's legacy of leadership. His proven track record of driving growth, innovation, and leadership across major hotel brands and regions positions him well to continue building upon the foundation laid by the late Bob Gilbert, who served as President ...
