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November 4th, 2024
Accor Signs With Naia Developments for Two Swissôtel Properties in Ras El Hekma
ACCOR | June 10, 2024
Set to open in Q3 2027, Swissôtel Ras El Hekma and Swissôtel Residences Ras El Hekma will offer 250 keys and 100 branded residences. Accor, a world-leading hospitality group, has signed a milestone agreement with Naia Developments to develop two Swissôtel addresses, marking the brand’s debut on Egypt’s Mediterranean coast in Ras El Hekma. The partnership agreement will see Accor operate Swissôtel Ras El Hekma and Swissôtel Residences Ras El Hekma, both of which are set to open in Q3 2027, strengthening Accor’s presence on the North Coast of Egypt. Boasting a prime seafront location, Swissôtel Ras El Hekma and Swissôt...
Cordish Gaming Group Appoints Jamie Williams as Director of Sales of New $270+ Million Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana
Live Casino LA | June 10, 2024
Williams brings over 25 years of experience as a leader in the hospitality field and is a well-known industry veteran in Louisiana. Bossier City, LA (June 10, 2024) – Cordish Gaming Group, the gaming division of The Cordish Companies, today announced the appointment of JAMIE WILLIAMS as DIRECTOR OF SALES of the highly anticipated $270+ Million LIVE! CASINO & HOTEL LOUISIANA, a world-class gaming, hotel, dining and entertainment destination set to open in early 2025. Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana will be the first land-based casino in the Shreveport-Bossier market and the first Live! branded property in Louisiana. Ms. Willi...
Anne Buckland Appointed General Manager of Snow King Resort, Jackson, Wyoming
Snow King Resort | June 10, 2024
Jackson Hole, Wyoming (June 10, 2024) – Anne Buckland has been appointed General Manager for Snow King Resort. Troy Mathews, vice president, operations, for Benchmark/Pyramid Luxury & Lifestyle, made the announcement. Anne brings more than 17 years of hospitality experience to Snow King Resort where she was initially hired as a sales manager and most recently served as director of sales and marketing. Snow King Resort is Jackson’s largest full-service resort & spa with 203 guestrooms and 45 luxury condominiums. “Anne’s experience, passion and knowledge of Jackson Hole and its unique destination, combined with her extensive...
Grand Hyatt Deer Valley Appoints Key Leadership Positions Ahead of November Opening
Grand Hyatt | June 10, 2024
Park City, UT (June 10, 2024) – Grand Hyatt Deer Valley, poised to become the new icon of mountain luxury accommodations, is nearing its November 2024 debut. To bring this significant milestone in the world of refined ski travel to life, two esteemed Hyatt Hotels Corporation leaders have been appointed: General Manager Anthony Duggan and Director of Sales, Marketing & Events Christina Richardson. With a wealth of luxury resort brand positioning experience, Duggan and Richardson bring an abundance of knowledge and passion to this brand new luxury build anchoring the highly anticipated East Village expansion to Utah’s beloved Deer Valle...
AHLA Workforce Report: Hotels Add 700 Jobs in May
AHLA | June 10, 2024
Hotels more than 190,000 jobs short of pre-pandemic levels amid economy-wide labor shortage WASHINGTON (June 10, 2024) – U.S. hotels added 700 jobs to their payrolls in May, according to the latest government data that shows the nationwide workforce shortage continues to make it difficult for hotels to fill open jobs. Total hotel employment stands at about 1.92 million, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s 191,500 fewer workers in the industry than in February 2020, just before the pandemic hit, a shortfall that reflects the scarcity of available employees since then. “Hotels are ready to grow and create more...
Turning Social Media Posts Into Hotel Bookings With Custom Landing Pages
Lodging Interactive | June 10, 2024
Hotels looking to increase booking conversions and customer conversations should consider using custom landing pages in combination with their social media marketing efforts. A custom landing page (defined by Adobe) is a web page that is created specifically for a particular marketing campaign or offer. It is designed to capture the attention of visitors and encourage them to take a specific action, such as booking a hotel room. When used in conjunction with social media marketing, custom landing pages can be a powerful tool for driving traffic to a hotel's website and increasing conversions. Here are a few benefits of using custom land...
Red Roof Promotes Lisa Jordan to Vice President of Marketing
Red Roof | June 6, 2024
COLUMBUS, Ohio, June 6, 2024 – Red Roof®, an award-winning leader in the lodging industry, has promoted Lisa Jordan to vice president of marketing. A veteran of nearly 20 years in the hospitality industry, Jordan joined Red Roof in 2021 to lead an integrated digital marketing team. Her leadership has spanned the company’s digital platforms from web to advertising to social media. She has played an integral role in the enhancement of redroof.com and collaborated with communication, sales, revenue management and operations to create an improved customer experience and drive revenue. “I look forward to the opportunity my new role offer...
Resolute Road Hospitality Expands Managed Portfolio With Addition of Residence Inn by Marriott Boise West
Resolute Road Hospitality | June 6, 2024
Boise, Idaho, June 6, 2024—Resolute Road Hospitality, a third-party management company founded on the promise to change the way owners think of their management company, has announced a strategic partnership with Virga Capital to manage the Residence Inn by Marriott Boise West. This addition expands Resolute Road's management footprint in Idaho, where it already manages hotels in Boise, Twin Falls, and Coeur d'Alene. The 104-key property is located near Boise State University, Boise Towne Square Mall, Boise Airport, Downtown Boise, and Micron Technology Inc. Its extended stay style and modern amenities make it an ideal choice for both corp...
My Place Hotels of America Opens My Place Hotels-Grand Rapids, MN
My Place Hotels of America, LLC | June 6, 2024
ABERDEEN, SD — June 6, 2024 — My Place Hotels of America has opened My Place Hotels-Grand Rapids, MN in Grand Rapids, MN. This is the brand’s second hotel to open in Minnesota and the 71st opened and operating My Place property in the United States. The hotel is owned by Iron Range MP, LLC, and was developed by Legacy Development, LLC. It is managed by Legacy Management, LLC. The 63-key property was designed by The Richardson Design Partnership using the My Place “Chalet” prototype, which was selected to complement the natural beauty of northern Minnesota’s rolling hills, lakes, and deep woods. The hotel is outfitted with stand...
LuxUrban Hotels Appoints Michael James Chief Financial Officer
LuxUrban Hotels Inc. | June 6, 2024
MIAMI--June 6, 2024--LuxUrban Hotels Inc. (“LuxUrban” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: LUXH), a hospitality company which leases entire existing hotels on a long-term basis and rents rooms in its hotels to business and vacation travelers, today announced the appointment of Michael James as Chief Financial Officer, effective June 4, 2024. Mr. James succeeds Shanoop Kothari, the Company’s current Chief Executive Officer and former Acting Chief Financial Officer. Mr. James brings more than four decades of experience as a financial and operating executive, board member, and investor to his new role. He has advised and led financial strate...
Occupancy vs ADR, the Never Ending Discussion in Revenue Management
Patrick Landman | June 6, 2024
By Patrick Landman Since the early days revenue management has been applied in hotels, there has been an intriguing ongoing discussion. What drives more value to the business, ADR, average daily rate, or occupancy? I have been in hotel revenue management consulting since 2006, and it is a question that keeps coming back. ‘How can I make more profit with my hotel?’ Owners that are closely watching the P&L statement are especially keen to understand how they can drive the bottom line of their hospitality business. Which is it? So what is it, Occupancy or Average Room Rate (ARR)? The answer is of course both! As t...
Travel & Tourism in China Set to Surpass Pre-Pandemic Levels This Year
The World Travel & Tourism Council | June 6, 2024
Beijing, China: The World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) 2024 Economic Impact Research (EIR) has revealed today that China’s Travel & Tourism sector is set to inject a record-breaking ¥12.62TN into the national economy by the end of this year. In partnership with Oxford Economics, a world leader in global economic forecasting, WTTC’s latest research shows that domestic travel spend is also set to reach new heights this year – expected to contribute ¥6.79TN into China’s economy in 2024. According to the global tourism body, employment in Travel & Tourism is expected to represent 10.6% of all jobs in the countr...
Due to Memorial Day, U.S. Hotel Industry Reported Lower Performance Results From the Previous Week
CoStar Group | June 6, 2024
WASHINGTON – 6 June 2024 – Due to Memorial Day, the U.S. hotel industry reported lower performance results from the previous week but slightly positive comparisons year over year, according to CoStar’s latest data through 1 June. CoStar is a leading provider of online real estate marketplaces, information and analytics in the property markets. 26 May through 1 June 2024 (percentage change from comparable week in 2023): Occupancy: 62.0% (+0.9%) Average daily rate (ADR): US$150.87 (+0.1%) Revenue per available room (RevPAR): US$93.50 (+1.0%) Among the Top 25 Markets, New Orleans saw the highest year-over-year occup...
Simplify the Complicated (Part Three)
Shep Hyken | June 6, 2024
By Shep Hyken This is the third article this year about the concept of simplicity. Why? It apparently resonates with our subscribers, as there have been many comments and emails. Consider these quotes: It was either Mark Twain, Benjamin Franklin, Pascal, Cicero, or some other famous smart person who said, “If I had more time, I would have written a shorter letter.” Einstein said, “Genius is making complex ideas simple, not making simple ideas complex.” What else can I add to this concept? The same day the last article came out in The Shepard Letter, I was asked to complete some “paperwork.” Once again, I ha...
Sam Nazarian’s sbe Unveil First Sites for Project HQ in Montreux, Switzerland and Detroit, Michigan
sbe | June 6, 2024
Well Poised for Continued Domestic and International Expansion, Project HQ Has 15+ Additional Hotels Under Discussion With Applications in Both Adaptive Reuse and Conversion Developments LionGrove Has Committed to Building 10 HQ Hotels Across the Caribbean and Along the Sun Belt of the US sbe Announces a $50MM Key Money & Sliver Equity Fund for HQ Hotels that will Propel Its Growth and Further Expansion sbe Announces the Expansion of its Hotel Platform Leadership Team with the Addition of Over 15 Highly Experienced Industry Veterans from Around the Globe LOS ANGELES, June 6, 2024 -- Project HQ Hotels & Residences, led by Sam N...
Everhome Suites Expands in the Northeast With Three New Groundbreakings in New Hampshire, New Jersey, and New York
Everhome Suites®: Closer to Home | June 6, 2024
Choice Hotels continues to strengthen its leadership position in extended stay with Everhome Suites' growth NORTH BETHESDA, Md., June 6, 2024 -- Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), one of the world's largest lodging franchisors, continues to expand its Everhome Suites brand with recent groundbreakings in Portsmouth, New Hampshire; Rochester, New York; and Somerset, New Jersey, developed in collaboration with Highside Companies. The extended stay demand fundamentals make these locations an ideal fit for the Everhome Suites midscale brand, catering to both business and leisure travelers. Within the category, Choice has nearly ...
Minor Hotels Introduces NH Collection and NH Brands in Sri Lanka
Minor Hotels | June 6, 2024
Bangkok, June 6, 2024: Global hotel owner and operator Minor Hotels has added two properties in Sri Lanka, marking the introduction of its upper-upscale NH Collection Hotels & Resorts and upscale NH Hotels & Resorts brands in the country. Minor Hotels will manage the two properties, one in the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo and the other in the beachside town of Bentota, following an agreement with Softlogic Holdings, the properties’ owner. NH Collection Colombo Hotel opened its doors on June 1st in the heart of the city, steps away from Liberty Arcade and the Indian Ocean, and within a 10-minute drive of the National Museu...
Playa Hotels & Resorts and Marriott Sign Agreement to Open Paraiso de la Bonita, a Luxury Collection Adult All-Inclusive Resort, Riviera Maya
Playa Hotels & Resorts N.V. | June 6, 2024
Anticipated to open in late 2024, the property will undergo a conversion process before bringing The Luxury Collection brand to the Mexican Caribbean Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (June 6, 2024) – Playa Hotels & Resorts, owner and operator of all-inclusive resorts in Mexico, Jamaica, and Dominican Republic, is pleased to announce an agreement with Marriott International Inc. to expand The Luxury Collection brand in the Mexican Caribbean with Paraiso de la Bonita, a Luxury Collection Adult All-Inclusive Resort, Riviera Maya. Set to open in late 2024, the resort will be situated on 14 acres of lush natural landscape, nestled between a mangrov...
The Gabriel South Beach Welcomes Ryan Rauscher as General Manager
The Gabriel South Beach | June 6, 2024
MIAMI BEACH, FL (June 6, 2024) – The Gabriel South Beach, a modern art deco property on Ocean Drive managed by Highgate, has announced the appointment of Ryan Rauscher as general manager. Rauscher has had a distinguished career in the hospitality industry, marked by various leadership roles and successes in repositioning, branding and opening properties across the country. “Ryan’s hospitality background and innovative approach to hotel management make him an excellent fit for The Gabriel South Beach,” said Jimmy Shandor, Vice President of Operations Luxury & Lifestyle at Highgate. “We are confident that under his leadership, t...
Innisfree Hotels Opens Surf & Sand Fernandina Beach at Amelia Island
INNISFREE HOTELS | June 6, 2024
Part of Choice Hotels’ Ascend Hotel Collection, the new Surf & Sand Fernandina Beach at Amelia Island is a one-of-a-kind boutique property that blends modern design with a beachy vibe. FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. — Innisfree Hotels (innisfreehotels.com) is proud to announce the opening of the new Surf & Sand Fernandina Beach at Amelia Island, a modern and beachy boutique hotel located at 2801 Atlantic Avenue in the heart of beautiful Fernandina Beach. The Surf & Sand Fernandina Beach at Amelia Island stands at the former Comfort Suites Fernandina Beach site, which has undergone a significant renovation. The new space featu...
New Labor Challenges Arise in 2023
Robert Mandelbaum | June 6, 2024
By Robert Mandelbaum, Andrea Grigg The scarcity of employees has long been the primary labor concern for U.S. hoteliers, even before the onset of the COVD-19 pandemic. Historically, jobs in the lodging industry have had a negative perception as being too physically demanding, requiring too long of hours, and requiring work on weekends and holidays. The shortage of personnel was exaggerated during 2021 and 2022 as many of the employees that were laid off during the pandemic in 2020 opted not to return to the industry. The difficulty of attracting workers to fill line-level positions within hotels lessened somewhat in 2023. Reductions in ...
The Ritz-Carlton Bacara Appoints Bradley Cance as New General Manager
The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara | June 5, 2024
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – June 5, 2024 – The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara– the premier resort by the sea on the Gaviota Coast, welcomes Bradley Cance as General Manager. Cance’s career in luxury hospitality has spanned over three decades and includes General Manager roles at The Ritz-Carlton, Tiburon in Naples, St. Louis, Palm Beach, Pentagon City and Washington, D.C. Cance has celebrated success in every property he has managed, whether achieving five diamonds and five stars for his hotels or leading a $125 million renovation and rebirth of The Ritz-Carlton in Palm Beach. His balanced approach to ensuring his employees, guests, a...
U.S. Business Travel Industry Responsible for Almost 2% of U.S. GDP and 3.5% of Employment in Latest Full-Year Figures
GBTA | June 5, 2024
GBTA’s study reveals for every 1% of growth in business travel, the U.S. economy sees nearly 60,000 jobs, $2.9 billion in paid wages, $1.2 billion in tax revenue and $4.8 billion in new GDP The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) today unveiled a new study, the “GBTA U.S. Economic Impact Study: Business Travel’s Impact on Jobs and the U.S. Economy,” which quantifies the significant economic impact of traveling for work in the U.S. The report shows the business travel industry provided a major boost to the U.S. economy in 2022*, the latest full year for which a complete set of data is available for analysis. The U.S. was t...
How To Extinguish Hospitality Burnout
Matthijs Welle | June 5, 2024
By Matthijs Welle We work in an exhausting industry. So much of our time is dedicated to ensuring that our guests have remarkable experiences that we forget to pursue our own happiness. I’ve worked in both sides of industry – on the front lines at reception and behind the scenes in hospitality tech – and in both areas I’ve often felt exhausted and overworked. So what’s the solution? Obviously, I don’t have all the answers. It took me years to find the best ways to recharge and find my personal balance. But I do believe that hoteliers and anyone in hospitality have a particular responsibility to look after themselves...
