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November 4th, 2024
Sunset Hospitality Group Appoints Philipp Knuepfer as New Chief Operating Officer of Sunset Hotels & Resorts
Sunset Hospitality Group | June 14, 2024
Sunset Hospitality Group (SHG) is pleased to announce the appointment of Philipp Knuepfer as the new Chief Operating Officer of Sunset Hotels & Resorts. Philipp joins SHG with over 20 years of international experience in the luxury hospitality sector and will support the growth of Sunset Hotels & Resorts, whilst overseeing global operations, solidifying the Group’s reputation as a leader in hospitality. The strategic hire follows SHG’s recent announcement of the new Sunset Hotels & Resorts, along with an expansion plan of developing, opening, and operating 20 new hotels by the end of 2025. The start of 2024 saw SHG’s a...
Crescent Hotels & Resorts Opens New Sandbourne Santa Monica, Autograph Collection
Crescent Hotels & Resorts | June 14, 2024
Santa Monica, CA (June 14, 2024) - Crescent Hotels & Resorts, the nationally recognized operator of hotels and resorts in the United States and Canada, proudly announces the grand opening of the Sandbourne Santa Monica, Autograph Collection. With an emphasis on engaging all five senses, Sandbourne Santa Monica is a multisensory retreat and will join the Latitudes: Lifestyles by Crescent portfolio. Situated with direct access to the iconic Santa Monica Beach, Sandbourne offers a stylish coastal oasis where urban meets beach. Designed by acclaimed architect Gulla Jónsdóttir, the 175 coastal guest room property is a blend of natural...
Sundance Mountain Resort Breaks Ground on The Inn at Sundance
SUNDANCE MOUNTAIN RESORT | June 14, 2024
From enhanced skier experiences to new accommodation, the next act in the Sundance story balances progress and preservation Sundance, UTAH (June 14, 2024) – Sundance Mountain Resort broke ground on the forthcoming Inn at Sundance Resort, commencing a new era for the famed property. Projected to open in 2025-26, the new 63-room, ADA-accessible inn at the resort’s base village will satisfy a long-awaited need for the renowned destination. Inn at Sundance – the flagship project of the Sundance Mountain Resort’s Act II era – continues the legacy upheld by its iconic founder Robert Redford, and its new ownership group. This next chap...
Chicken Ranch Casino Resort Set to Open in Jamestown, California
Chicken Ranch Casino | June 14, 2024
JAMESTOWN, CA (June 14, 2024) – The eagerly awaited Chicken Ranch Casino Resort is now accepting online reservations. Guests can begin enjoying the resort's offerings with an opening on Monday, July 15. This brand-new destination features 175 luxurious guest rooms, 22 well-appointed suites, a variety of restaurants and bars, and an impressive gaming floor. California’s newest entertainment destination will beautifully display Aztec printed rugs, modern mirrors, and lively artwork in their overall room design, converging contemporary design and the authentic spirit of Chicken Ranch. Each room will also supply an open floor plan that of...
APA Group and APA Hotel USA, Inc. Make Landmark Acquisition of Downtown Seattle Hotel
APA Group | June 14, 2024
Vancouver, B.C. – June 14th, 2024 – APA Hotel Co., Ltd. announced today that it completed the acquisition of the Hilton Seattle, Washington State, USA, through APA Hotel USA, Inc., a fully owned subsidiary of APA Hotel Co., Ltd. The property will remain under the management of Stonebridge Hospitality Management and will be rebranded immediately as Coast Seattle Downtown Hotel by APA. Details regarding the terms of the transaction have not been disclosed. "In acquiring this property in Seattle, APA Hotel Co., Ltd, and APA Hotel USA, Inc. take its first monumental step into the vibrant hospitality landscape of the United States,” sta...
Start With YES … Even If It Doesn’t End That Way
Shep Hyken | June 13, 2024
By Shep Hyken It’s time to revisit the idea of avoiding the word “no,” but this time, I want to approach it from a different angle. First, let me tell you about my friend Dr. Nido Qubein, a devoted husband and father, motivational speaker, entrepreneur, president of High Point University, and mentor to many, who came to this country when he was 17 with little more than $50 to his name. Almost 50 years ago, he attended High Point University, never dreaming that one day he would be president of the institution, a position he accepted in 2005. Since that time, there has been incredible growth at HPU. In his first year, the universi...
BCD’s Travel Buyer Survey Reveals Shifting Priorities in Corporate Travel Policies
BCD Travel | June 13, 2024
UTRECHT, The Netherlands, June 13, 2024 – Leading global travel management company BCD Travel’s recent study explores modern corporate travel policies and changes happening due to shifting priorities and trends. The results are based on an online survey from April 2024 of more than 200 travel buyers worldwide. The top three travel program priorities include duty of care, policy compliance and cost control. All three ranked highly in 2023 and have since gained importance. However, the ratings of other priorities went slightly down. Traveler satisfaction dropped in importance as one of the top priorities from 2021 to 2023 to fourth in 2024...
Türkiye’s Travel & Tourism Sector Reached Record-Breaking New Heights Last Year
The World Travel & Tourism Council | June 13, 2024
London, UK: The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) 2024 Economic Impact Research (EIR) has revealed Türkiye’s Travel & Tourism sector broke all records last year, reaching new milestones across four key metrics. In 2023, the sector contributed TRY 3.11TN to the economy, accounting for 12% of total GDP. This is a significant increase of almost 30% from the previous peak in 2019. The sector also supported more than 3.2MN jobs, representing one in 10 jobs across the country, and more than 18% above the 2019 high point. International and domestic visitor spending also exceeded their previous records, reaching TRY 1.68TN a...
May Events Pushed Berlin Hotel Performance
CoStar Group | June 13, 2024
WASHINGTON – 13 June 2024 – Helped by a number of events, Berlin hotels saw improved performance in May, according to preliminary data from CoStar. CoStar is a leading provider of online real estate marketplaces, information, and analytics in the property markets. May 2024 (year-over-year % change): Occupancy: 78.8% (+2.6%) Average daily rate (ADR): EUR133.90 (+6.0%) Revenue per available room (RevPAR): EUR105.57 (+8.7%) Berlin was the host of several events in May, including CWIEME Berlin, Carnival of Cultures, Desertfest Berlin, and the Global Business Summit. The market’s highest daily occupancy levels were...
U.S. Hotel Results for Week Ending 8 June
CoStar Group | June 13, 2024
WASHINGTON – 13 June 2024 – The U.S. hotel industry reported higher performance results from the previous week but mixed comparisons year over year, according to CoStar’s latest data through 8 June. CoStar is a leading provider of online real estate marketplaces, information and analytics in the property markets. 2-8 June 2024 (percentage change from comparable week in 2023): Occupancy: 69.1% (-0.1%) Average daily rate (ADR): US$160.90 (+1.8%) Revenue per available room (RevPAR): US$111.26 (+1.7%) Among the Top 25 Markets, Houston saw the highest year-over-year increases in occupancy +14.8% to 71.1%) and RevPAR (...
Atrium Hospitality Debuts Multimillion-Dollar Renovation at Renaissance Phoenix Glendale Hotel & Spa in Arizona
Atrium Hospitality | June 13, 2024
Extensive Makeover of Full-Service Phoenix-Area Hotel Includes 100,000 Square Feet of Event Space GLENDALE, Ariz. & ALPHARETTA, Ga.--Elevate your experience in the Valley of the Sun at the beautifully renovated Renaissance Phoenix Glendale Hotel & Spa in Glendale, Arizona. The 324-key hotel is operated by Atrium Hospitality, one of the nation’s largest hotel operators. Encompassing a water and earth theme and modern enhancements, our hotel’s nine-month, multimillion-dollar makeover spanned all guest accommodations, lobby, common areas, conference center, fitness center, indoor and outdoor pools, restaurants and bars, and 100,...
Unique Factors Shaping the Buffalo Lodging Market
Christian Cross | June 13, 2024
As a border town, Buffalo has historically been heavily reliant on Canadian visitors and U.S. travelers stopping over en route to/from Canada for lodging demand. Based on a recent hotel market study and many hotel appraisals in the greater Buffalo-Niagara area I have performed, it is clear that traffic volume at the land crossings has an impact on these border markets. Below is a brief timeline of the changing restrictions for border crossings from 2020 until 2023. Key Dates for Border-Crossing Restrictions As the one-year anniversary recently passed since all COVID-19 border restrictions were lifted, I wanted to take a look at the co...
Japan’s First Caption by Hyatt Hotel Opens in Osaka
Caption by Hyatt | June 13, 2024
Caption by Hyatt Namba Osaka debuts, marking the introduction of the select-service lifestyle brand in Japan Chicago (June 13, 2024) –– Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE:H) announced today the opening of Caption by Hyatt Namba Osaka, a dynamic, community-minded hotel in the heart of Osaka, Japan. The 167-room lifestyle hotel features self-activated touchpoints, vibrant social spaces, and a trendy design aesthetic with an unmistakable neighborhood feel. Caption by Hyatt hotels offer a seamless and efficient guest experience that allows guests to customize interactions on their own terms. DIY touchpoints include self-service check-in, digit...
Courtyard by Marriott La Paz, Baja California Sur Opens in Mexico
Courtyard by Marriott | June 13, 2024
LA PAZ, BAJA CALIFORNIA SUR, MEXICO – June 13, 2024 - Courtyard by Marriott, part of the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio of more than 30 extraordinary brands, announced today the opening of Courtyard by Marriott La Paz, Baja California Sur, the first Courtyard by Marriott in the Southern California territory. La Paz, Baja California Sur, is a charming tourist destination on the rise that offers a unique combination of natural wonders and a vibrant cultural scene, offering a complete experience for all visitors. Known for its stunning white sand beaches and crystal clear waters, it is a true paradise for water sports lovers and nature enthus...
Shangri-La Paris Appoints Tony Xu as Executive Chef of Shang Palace
Shangri-La Paris | June 13, 2024
Chef Tony Xu appointed Executive Chef of Michelin-starred Shang Palace Restaurant at Shangri-La Paris For immediate release: Shangri-La Paris is delighted to announce the appointment of Chef Tony Xu as Executive Chef of Shang Palace, the only Michelin-starred Chinese restaurant in all of France. Having retained the international accolade for the past 13 years, Chef Xu, who hails from the city of Chengdu located in southwest China, aims to continue the culinary heritage that has made the restaurant famous since it opened in 2011, while bringing his own personality to the table. "It's a real honor to take the helm at Shang Palace, this auth...
Hotel Effie Sandestin Joins Marriott’s Autograph Collection
Autograph Collection Hotels | June 13, 2024
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort’s Boutique Property Joins Marriott Bonvoy’s Growing Portfolio of Independent Hotels MIRAMAR BEACH, FL – Hotel Effie, the 250-room boutique hotel located at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, announced today that it has become a part of Marriott Bonvoy’s Autograph Collection. As a newly minted member of the Autograph Collection, Hotel Effie enters the brand’s unique portfolio of diverse and dynamic properties, with more than 295 hotels globally. Carefully selected for hotels’ thoughtful vision and passion, each Autograph Collection property creates a singular and special guest experience through ...
March 2024 Total International Travel Volume To and From the United States
NATIONAL TRAVEL AND TOURISM OFFICE (NTTO) | June 13, 2024
In March 2024, International Visitor Arrivals to the United States Totaled 5,893,360, an Increase of 12.6% Compared to March 2023 Outbound Travel Departures from the United States by U.S. Citizens Totaled 9,009,439 in March 2024, an Increase of 15.4% Compared to March 2023 Data recently released by the National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO) show that in March 2024: International Arrivals to the United States Total non-U.S. resident international visitor volume to the United States of 5,893,360 increased +12.6% compared to March 2023 and represented 94.2% of the pre-COVID total visitor volume reporte...
Great Wolf Lodge Celebrates “Topping Out” Milestone for Mashantucket Resort in Connecticut
Great Wolf Resorts, Inc. | June 13, 2024
The first Great Wolf Lodge in Connecticut is now accepting reservations for summer 2025. MASHANTUCKET, Conn.. – (June 13, 2024) – Great Wolf Lodge Mashantucket reached a significant milestone today as Turner Construction hoisted the final beam needed to complete vertical construction into place for the family-friendly indoor water park resort. Now, Turner, along with Neuman Pools and ID3 Group, will focus on completing the elaborately themed interior portions of the resort, including all 549-guest suites, the 91,000-square-foot indoor water park and 61,000-square-foot Great Wolf Adventure Park, along with the various eateries a...
BirchStreet Systems Launches Operational Insights to Help Hospitality Customers Attain Operational Goals
BirchStreet | June 13, 2024
New solution helps companies achieve up to $500,000 in savings per year LAS VEGAS – June 13, 2024 – BirchStreet Systems, a leading global provider of enterprise procure-to-pay -solutions to the hospitality sector, today announced the launch of Operational Insights, an interactive reporting and analytics solution designed to help customers achieve operational goals for Purchasing and Accounts Payable processes and yield substantial cost savings. Operational Insights is the first product in the ongoing ‘Insights’ series targeted specifically to the unique needs of the hospitality industry. The new offering further advances BirchStree...
Nominations Open for the ISHC Lori Raleigh Award for Emerging Excellence in Hospitality Consulting
The International Society of Hospitality Consultants | June 13, 2024
June 13, 2024: The International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC) announced that nominations are being accepted for the Lori Raleigh Award for Emerging Excellence in Hospitality Consulting. Launched in 2015 in honor of Lori Raleigh, founder of the Travers Group and executive director of ISHC 2000-2013, the award honors young, successful industry professionals with leadership qualities and a perceived bright future in hospitality consulting. Candidates for The Lori Raleigh Award must be 35 years of age or younger at the time of the award presentation and meet the criteria for ISHC’s associate membership. They also must be recogni...
The Courtyard Los Angeles Pasadena/Old Town Unveils Renovation
Courtyard by Marriott | June 13, 2024
PASADENA, CA - June 13, 2024 - Positioned in the artistic heartbeat of the city near iconic landmarks like the Armory Center for the Arts and Pasadena City Hall, The Courtyard by Marriott® Los Angeles Pasadena/Old Town has concluded an extensive property renovation. Under the management of HHM Hotels, the property's refreshed guest rooms and communal spaces pay tribute to a skillful blend of old and new that reclaims the heritage of Pasadena's early downtown charm, creating a canvas that serves as a stylish hub for guests and locals alike. General Manager Erikk Hilgert shared, "In response to the evolving travel landscape where work and l...
The Embers Hotel Appoints New General Manager and Executive Chef
The Embers Hotel | June 13, 2024
Ben McKethan and Matthew Betlach join the team with years of hospitality and culinary management expertise BLOWING ROCK, N.C. (June 13, 2024) – The Embers Hotel, Blowing Rock’s newest boutique hotel nestled in the enchanting Blue Ridge Mountains, is pleased to announce the appointment of two new key members to its leadership team: General Manager Ben McKethan and Executive Chef Matthew Betlach. Together, the two will play pivotal roles in enhancing guest experiences at the hotel. Ben McKethan, a seasoned expert in the hospitality industry, has been appointed as the new general manager of The Embers. A High Country native, McKeth...
InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco Appoints Bob Bracy as Director of Food & Beverage
The InterContinental Hotels & Resorts | June 13, 2024
(San Francisco, CA – June 13, 2024) –The InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco is pleased to announce that Robert (Bob) Bracy is their new Director of Food and Beverage. Bob Bracy is a target-driven business development professional with almost 30 years of nurturing relationships that increase revenue and propel growth. He has a proven track record of success in sales, ensuring that plans are aligned with organizational objectives. Bob fosters an atmosphere of teamwork and collaboration with an emphasis on goal attainment. He creates and develops highly effective teams, shifting the mindsets of team members from fulfilling tasks ...
Shiji Announces Summer Update for F&B Tech, Infrasys Cloud POS and Digital Dine
Shiji | June 13, 2024
In preparation for the busy summer, Shiji Infrasys Cloud POS and Shiji Digital Dine launch new features and integrations to improve staff mobility, guest payments, business intelligence. ATLANTA, Georgia, USA, June 13, 2024 - Shiji, the hospitality technology innovator, has unveiled a series of new features and partnerships for their F&B (Food & Beverage) tech ecosystem, designed to meet the evolving needs of the hospitality industry. The annual summer update of Shiji’s F&B products went live on June 12, in preparations for the summer season of the northern hemisphere. Supported by strategic partnerships, Shiji Infrasys...
