Analysis-Companies Boost Social and Climate Reporting Amid ESG Backlash
November 4th, 2024
Navigating the Complex World of Conversational AI – Part 2
Travel Outlook, the premier hotel call center™ | July 16, 2024
AI's Role in Hospitality: Enhancing Guest Experience with Conversational AI By John Smallwood, President of Travel Outlook July 2024 As the hospitality industry continues to evolve, Artificial Intelligence has emerged as a powerful tool that allows hoteliers to unlock new levels of efficiency. Not all AI is created equal, and what works for one industry may not work for another. In our previous post, we explored the fundamental questions hoteliers should ask when considering AI solutions, focusing on how AI can provide guests with a warm, engaging, and personalized experience. Continue reading below as we dive into the conversati...
AI’s Flight Path: The Emergence of the Chief AI Officer (CAIO) in the Hotel and Airline Industries
Ivana Johnston | July 15, 2024
By Ivana Johnston The "Chief AI Officer"—or CAIO—is one of the hottest new job titles in the corporate circuit, and both the hotel and airline industries are embracing this role to stay competitive in the digital era. LinkedIn reports that the number of companies with a “Head of AI” position has more than tripled in the last five years. When IBM and Dell cut the ribbon for their Chief AI Officers last year, the race was on, and it wasn't long before Accenture, Arizona's renowned Mayo Clinic, and WPP heard the call and announced their very own CAIOs. In 2023, President Joe Biden pulled all the federal agencies into the AI race, ...
Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants Opens Its First Boutique Luxury Hotel in the Heart of Budapest
Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants | July 15, 2024
BUDAPEST, 15 JULY 2024: Today, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ luxury and lifestyle portfolio, opens Kimpton BEM Budapest, heralded as ‘the city’s newest hotspot in Buda.’ Transformed from a historic 19th-century mansion to a sophisticated 127-room enclave, this boutique hotel welcomes guests with a front-row seat to Budapest’s celebrated historic and cultural landscape. Kimpton BEM Budapest is nestled along the banks of the Danube River on the city’s picturesque Buda side near the UNESCO World Heritage-designated Castle District. Guests will enjoy unrivalled proximity to Budapest’s most...
Gulph Creek Hotels Selected To Manage SpringHill Suites Centreville Chantilly
Gulph Creek Hotels | July 15, 2024
(Wayne, PA) – July 15, 2024 – Gulph Creek Hotels, a leading Mid-Atlantic hotel management and development company, has been selected as the management company for the SpringHill Suites Centreville Chantilly in Virginia. The hotel is strategically located in the heart of Northern Virginia, offering easy access to major attractions, businesses, and Washington Dulles International Airport. “We are thrilled to take on the management of the SpringHill Suites Centreville Chantilly, which will strengthen Gulph Creek Hotels' presence in the DC market,” said Derek Sylvester, Principal at Gulph Creek Hotels. “Our team is committed to lever...
Peter Island Resort Introduces Leadership Team in Preparation for Its Fall 2024 Opening
Peter Island Resort | July 15, 2024
New York, New York, July 15, 2024 – Peter Island Resort in the British Virgin Islands is on schedule to unveil its reimagined, luxury private island hideaway this fall. In preparation, the resort is pleased to introduce its Leadership Team overseeing the much-anticipated relaunch of this treasured Caribbean classic that has been undergoing its transformed to a new level of luxury for the past six years. General Manager, Carrie Bligh A seasoned hotel and real estate professional, Bligh saw the opportunity to oversee the relaunch of Peter Island Resort as the ultimate dream job. Prior to her post as General Manager of Peter Island Re...
Grande Lakes Orlando Welcomes Chef Graeme Little as Executive Chef at JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes
Grande Lakes Orlando | July 15, 2024
ORLANDO, FLORIDA (July 15, 2024) – Grande Lakes Orlando, the 500-acre luxury resort destination in the headwaters of the Florida Everglades anchored by The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes and JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes, is excited to welcome Chef Graeme Little as JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes new Executive Chef. Chef Little brings with him nearly 20 years of culinary expertise, garnered from his extensive experience in luxury hotels. "I am absolutely thrilled to join the Grande Lakes Orlando team,” said Chef Little. “It's an incredible opportunity to be part of such a renowned establishment known for its dedication ...
Fairmont Grand Del Mar Appoints Nenad Praporski as General Manager
Fairmont Grand Del Mar | July 15, 2024
SAN DIEGO, CA – July 15, 2024 – Fairmont Grand Del Mar announces the appointment of Nenad Praporski as General Manager. A seasoned hotelier with over 20 years of experience in the industry, Praporski returns to Fairmont Grand Del Mar, overseeing operations at the award-winning resort and leading multiple department teams to ensure its continued success. Most recently, Praporski was the General Manager at Fairmont Austin where he achieved the “Luxury Hotel of the Year” award for Accor NCA Region. Praporski was previously Executive Director of Rooms at Fairmont Grand Del Mar from 2010-2015 and is thrilled to make a return to...
Overtourism: How To Avoid It for Better Travel Experiences
EHL Insights | July 15, 2024
As the summer travel season kicks into high gear, the specter of overtourism looms large over many of the world’s most beloved destinations. In an interview with two EHL researchers and experts on the topic, we explored the multifaceted issue of overtourism and how savvy travelers can avoid the pitfalls of overcrowded hotspots by traveling during shoulder seasons, staying overnight and discovering destination dupes. Crowded beaches, congested streets and long queues at tourist attractions – these are all unfortunately familiar sightings when traveling to popular places. Even though the prices for flight tickets, hotels and trips ove...
Celebrating Two Years of Progress in National Strategy to Reenergize U.S. Travel and Tourism
International Trade Administration | July 15, 2024
Two years after the U.S. Department of Commerce issued the National Travel and Tourism Strategy and set an ambitious five-year goal to welcome 90 million international visitors annually by 2027, the Department is announcing we expect to reach that goal ahead of schedule. According to the latest estimates from the International Trade Administration, the United States expects to welcome 91 million annual visitors by 2026, surpassing the Strategy’s goal one year in advance of the anticipated timeline. In celebration of all the progress made since the launch of the National Travel and Tourism Strategy, Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo issue...
Travel Prices Decline, Lead the Way for Overall Economy
U.S. Travel Association | July 15, 2024
WASHINGTON - Thursday’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) release for June reveals an encouraging trend: Inflation is easing across the board—and travel-related goods and services are at the forefront. For the second month in a row, prices throughout the travel sector have fallen, and at a steeper rate than the overall economy. According to the U.S. Travel calculated Travel Price Index (TPI), prices decreased an impressive 1.4% from the previous month, led by lower hotel, airline and gas prices. In contrast, the overall economy saw a modest 0.1% decrease, the first monthly decline since 2020. Comparisons month-to-month, year-over-year, and ...
Hotel Loyalty Programs: Betting on the Law of Large Numbers
CBRE | July 15, 2024
Executive Summary Despite 5% growth in global room count last year for the five public hotel companies we analyzed for this report, an 11% increase in hotel loyalty program members resulted in a 2.5-percentage-point (pp) increase in total hotel occupancy attributable to loyalty member bookings. Loyalty programs are becoming less dominated by frequent travelers. Heavy users (30+ nights a year) comprise a declining percentage of total membership as the earning of loyalty points has become more tied with credit cards and affiliate programs and less directly with just frequent travelers. Loyalty program redemption revenues increased by...
The Ritz-Carlton, Turks and Caicos Welcomes Louella Brezovar-van Veen as New General Manager
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC | July 11, 2024
PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands, July 11, 2024 -- The Ritz-Carlton, Turks and Caicos welcomes Louella Brezovar-van Veen as the new general manager of the luxury Caribbean hotel. With an esteemed career across various markets and spanning more than 30 years in hospitality, Brezovar-van Veen will oversee the operations for the 147-room oceanfront resort with 69 residences, located directly on the iconic Grace Bay beach. Brezovar-van Veen's extensive career in hospitality has taken her from her island roots to properties in the United States and across the Caribbean. During the past seven years, Louella has operated as t...
Reuben Brothers Appoints Auberge Resorts Collection to Operate Cambridge House in Mayfair – a New Luxury Hotel at London’s Most Storied Ad
Auberge Resorts Collection | July 11, 2024
Transforming the former In and Out Military Club, Auberge continues strategic growth in Europe LONDON, July 11, 2024 -- Auberge Resorts Collection, the award-winning portfolio of one-of-a-kind luxury hotels, resorts and residences, has been appointed by Reuben Brothers, London-based global leaders in real estate, to manage Cambridge House, the former In and Out Military Club, in Mayfair, London. The imaginative renewal of this historic property at 94 Piccadilly will capture the spirit of London like no other hotel to provide a magnetic new Mayfair destination for Londoners and international visitors alike. Set ...
BCD Survey Reveals Gap Between Travel Policy and Traveler Compliance
BCD Travel | July 11, 2024
While over half of travel buyers consider their travel policies very effective, two-thirds of travelers still book outside of the travel policy UTRECHT, The Netherlands, July 11, 2024 – While many business travelers know of and often refer to their company’s travel policy, there’s still a gap between policy awareness and policy compliance, according to a recent BCD Travel survey of 1,200+ business travelers worldwide. The survey looked at changes in travel policies and traveler satisfaction with current regulations. Travel policy awareness In a corresponding April survey of 200+ travel buyers, BCD found that two-thirds of travel...
Lessons From Gaming: What Can Hospitality Learn From Video Games?
Mews | July 11, 2024
Are you a PlayStation pro or a Nintendo novice? From consoles to PCs to phones, gaming is a multi-billion-dollar industry, with estimates valuing the worldwide market at around $350 billion. Even if your gaming experience doesn’t go beyond Pac Man or Candy Crush, there are still plenty of valuable takeaways from this innovative industry. Let’s look at how gaming can inspire us to greater hospitality – no cheat codes required. Ready, player one? The power of customization In the early 80s, games began to incorporate a radical new feature: customization. At first it was very simple: players could change their character’s name....
AHLA Statement on the Human Trafficking Awareness Training Recognition Act
AHLA | July 11, 2024
WASHINGTON (July 11, 2024) – American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) Interim President & CEO Kevin Carey released the following statement today regarding the introduction of the Human Trafficking Awareness Training Recognition Act, which requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish a certification program for businesses that train their employees to recognize and respond to suspected human trafficking. “The Human Trafficking Awareness Training Recognition Act would complement our industry’s anti-trafficking efforts by providing important third-party validation for hotels’ training and prevention initia...
Creating the Wow Factor in Hospitality
Sean Flakelar | July 11, 2024
We have all heard of the Wow Factor. We see it in architecture, the view, the interiors of a resort or in a sensational meal. We feel it in the smallest and most unexpected touches and gestures. The Hospitality Wow Factor Creating the Wow Factor in hospitality involves going beyond your guests’ expectations to deliver memorable and delightful experiences. Bringing the Wow Factor into your business will set you apart from the competition and build brand integrity. Wow Factor Contributors: Know your Surroundings Utilise the surrounding landscape (rural or urban). Know what’s in your backyard and develop local partnerships to create un...
U.S. Hotel Results for Week Ending 6 July
CoStar Group | July 11, 2024
WASHINGTON – 11 July 2024 – Due to the Fourth of July, the U.S. hotel industry reported lower performance results from the previous week and mixed comparisons year over year, according to CoStar’s latest data through 6 July. CoStar is a leading provider of online real estate marketplaces, information and analytics in the property markets. 30 June through 6 July 2024 (percentage change from comparable week in 2023): Occupancy: 61.3% (-0.9%) Average daily rate (ADR): US$157.27 (+0.5%) Revenue per available room (RevPAR): US$96.35 (-0.4%) Among the Top 25 Markets, New Orleans saw the highest year-over-year increases...
The Impact of Advanced Technology on Employment
Christopher Martinez | July 11, 2024
As our world has evolved, so has companies' hiring process across the workforce. Advancements in technology, including artificial intelligence or AI, have changed how employers review applications. Many employers have become reliant on technology and AI to identify quality candidates, and such a practice has negatively impacted applicants, as the usage of AI technology to review applications has significantly decreased individuals’ chances for employment. With algorithms and AI being used to review submitted applications and evaluate applicant responses in online assessments, qualified individuals who apply for open positions can be reje...
Training Customers to Do It Themselves
Shep Hyken | July 11, 2024
More and more, customers are open to using self-service solutions. Our customer experience research shows that while customers might prefer the human touch, some expect digital, self-service solutions. In certain cases, they even demand it. And it’s not just in customer service. Consider Amazon, the perfect example of a self-service retailer. From researching to purchasing a product, and even in most customer service situations, everything is a self-service experience. Each step of the process is logical and intuitive. For customer service issues, the customer is prompted through a process. Along the way, if the customer still wants ...
IHG Hotels & Resorts Accelerates Presence in Spain With Four New Signings
IHG | July 11, 2024
11.07.24 (London, UK) – IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, today announces the signing of four new properties in Spain, adding over 500 rooms across key mature markets in desirable destinations. The latest agreements demonstrate owner and guest appetite for brands across each of IHG's Luxury and Lifestyle (Hotel Indigo), Premium (voco hotels), and Essentials (Holiday Inn Express) collections, in what is one of the company's priority growth markets in Europe. (Mrs) Willemijn Geels, Vice President, Development, Europe, IHG Hotels & Resorts, commented: “We are thrilled to expand our presenc...
The Surrey, A Corinthia Hotel Set to Open in Early September in NYC’s Iconic Upper East Side
Corinthia | July 11, 2024
First built in 1926 as a residential hotel and located on the corner of East 76th Street and Madison Avenue, the original Surrey was frequented by celebrities, creatives, and world leaders, establishing an illustrious legacy. In its latest iteration, The Surrey, A Corinthia Hotel is primed to reestablish itself as one of the city’s most sought-after destinations for visitors and New Yorkers alike. Simon Casson, CEO of Corinthia Hotels says “The addition of this property represents a significant milestone for Corinthia Hotels and we are both proud and grateful for our partnership with the Reuben Brothers whose vision has made this possi...
Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens Appoints Jann Kaiser as New General Manager
Four Seasons Astir Palace Athens | July 11, 2024
July 2024, London | Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens is delighted to announce the appointment of Jann Kaiser as General Manager. Jann brings a wealth of expertise in luxury hospitality to his role, with over two decades of experience working across five countries, six cities and seven Four Seasons properties, including London, Chicago, Istanbul and Beirut. Jann’s journey in the hospitality industry began at the Hotel School The Hague in Holland, where his first tenure was secured with Four Seasons and his career began at the renowned Beverly Wilshire, Beverly Hills. He then progressed to Restaurant Manager and Director of Food &...
Mission Resort + Club Introduces Newest Additions to Food & Beverage Team
MISSION RESORT + CLUB | July 11, 2024
Historic Central Florida Resort Appoints New Food & Beverage Director and Executive Chef HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS, FL (July 11, 2024) – Mission Resort + Club, a MMI Hotel Group property, is thrilled to introduce James Pyles, a Central Florida native with over two decades of experience in the food and beverage industry, as its new Food & Beverage Director. With a marked dedication to guest satisfaction and operational excellence, Pyles will oversee the resort’s four culinary outlets in addition to wedding, meeting and special event catering. The resort is also pleased to announce the promotion of former Banquet Chef Charles Anderson ...
