Analysis-Companies Boost Social and Climate Reporting Amid ESG Backlash
November 4th, 2024
Coast Hotels Celebrates Its Top Achievers
Coast Hotels | April 25, 2024
Vancouver, B.C. – April 25th, 2024 – Coast Hotels Limited, a fully owned subsidiary of APA Hotel Canada, Inc. and one of North America’s fastest-growing and one of Canada’s largest hotel brands, has announced the recipients of its 2023 Coast Hotels Awards during its annual brand conference, held at the Coast Nisku Inn & Conference Centre, Nisku, AB. Coast Hotels recognizes and celebrates Ambassadors, hotel teams, and leaders who demonstrate a commitment to hospitality excellence, outstanding guest experience, and business performance each year. “Our Ambassadors and operators truly went above and beyond last year and we are de...
Wait Lines May Boost Perceived Popularity of Restaurant Brands
Penn State School of Hospitality Management | April 25, 2024
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Restaurants can benefit from keeping their customers waiting, according to a new study from researchers in the Penn State School of Hospitality Management. The research, led by Associate Professor of Hospitality Management Breffni Nooneand published in the International Journal of Hospitality Management, found that the presence of a pre-process wait line, such as waiting to be seated at a restaurant, can increase perceived brand popularity of the business among first-time customers. This effect is increased when paired with a brand popularity statement from an organization that is independent of the restauran...
Le Méridien Fort Worth Downtown Selects General Manager and Director of Sales
Le Méridien Fort Worth Downtown | April 24, 2024
Seasoned Hospitality Professionals To Open Fort Worth’s first Le Méridien FORT WORTH, TX [April 24th, 2024] - Le Méridien Fort Worth Downtown, the eagerly awaited boutique hotel set to debut in the summer of 2024, is delighted to announce the appointment of Chase Chasteen as general manager and Dawn Freeman as the director of sales. Developed in collaboration with premier real estate investment and development company, Blueprint Hospitality, and managed by Remington Hospitality, this 14-story hotel is poised to open its doors in the summer of 2024, paying homage to the city's rich history and dynamic present. "We are thrilled to ha...
AKA Welcomes Hotel AKA Washington Circle to the DMV Metro Area
AKA | April 24, 2024
(Washington D.C.) April 24, 2024 – AKA, a global leader in luxury hospitality and the creator of the World’s Most Livable Hotels® continues to invest in the DMV metro area and today announces the opening of Hotel AKA Washington Circle. The 151-room property is the newest addition to the AKA portfolio after undergoing a full interior design transformation. Globally renowned firm Gensler, the architect of record and design architect, led the redesign of the exterior and reimagined public spaces. Located in the vibrant Foggy Bottom/West End neighborhood, which is situated in downtown Washington, D.C., it’s steps away from the nation’...
Valor Hospitality Partners Selected to Manage DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Huntsville South
VALOR HOSPITALITY PARTNERS | April 24, 2024
The Hilton property will offer premium location and amenities for travelers and locals in Northern Alabama ATLANTA, April 24, 2024 – Valor Hospitality Partners continues to expand its North American portfolio through a recent management acquisition with DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Huntsville South in Huntsville, Alabama. With extensive hotel management experience in the southeastern region of the United States, Valor will infuse innovative strategies and operational excellence aimed at driving revenue growth and guest satisfaction in this new location. Under Valor Hospitality Partners' stewardship, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel ...
Virgin Hotels Chicago Names Anderson Foote as New General Manager
Virgin Hotels Chicago | April 24, 2024
CHICAGO, IL - April 24, 2024 - Virgin Hotels Chicago, the brand’s flagship property located in the bustling Loop neighborhood, is thrilled to announce Anderson Foote as the hotel’s new General Manager effective March 18, 2024. In this role, Foote will oversee the operations of the 250-room luxury lifestyle hotel as well as popular dining outlets Miss Ricky’s, Two Zero Three, and Cerise Rooftop. With over 19 years of hospitality experience, Foote brings a wealth of knowledge in hotel operations, guest experience, and revenue management. Prior to joining Virgin Hotels, Foote led the operational success of The Graduate Evanston where he...
Round Hill Hotel and Villas Appoints Josy Karabolad as Head of Global Sales and Marketing
Round Hill Hotel and Villas | April 24, 2024
Montego Bay, Jamaica - April 24, 2024 – Round Hill Hotel and Villas Managing Director Mr. Josef Forstmayr is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Josy Karabolad as Head of Global Sales and Marketing. With a distinguished career spanning more than 15 years in the luxury hospitality industry, Ms. Karabolad brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the iconic Montego Bay resort. In her new role, she will be responsible for driving revenue growth, expanding brand presence and enhancing the guest experience through innovative sales and marketing strategies. "We are delighted to welcome Josy into the Round Hill family," said Forstmay...
California’s Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa Completes $26 Million Property-Wide Renovation
Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa | April 24, 2024
Storied La Jolla retreat enters next chapter of excellence following multi-phase renovation LA JOLLA, Calif. (April 24, 2024) – Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa, an award-winning Noble House Hotels & Resorts property in the San Diego area owned by Pebblebrook Hotel Trust, today announced the completion of its property-wide, $26M renovation and redevelopment as it celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. A nod to its heritage with historic touches masterfully blended with modern design, Estancia La Jolla’s refreshed experience includes elevated guest rooms and suites, a new lobby and pool complex and upgraded meeting and group spac...
Schwartz Family Company Acquires Leura Gardens Resort
Schwartz Family Company | April 24, 2024
Schwartz Family Company has acquired a prized Blue Mountains resort to strengthen its position as the region’s premier leisure and conference provider. Leura Gardens Resort consolidates the Schwartz Family Company presence in the Blue Mountains, joining the award-winning Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains and Leura Golf Club, all within a few minutes' drive of each other. Leura Gardens Resort is the 15th hotel in the Schwartz hotel network and was acquired for $25 million from the Elanor Hotel Accommodation Fund. The recently refurbished Leura Gardens Resort is an expansive 92-room hotel set in four and a half acres of landscaped...
Onsite Culinary Experiences and Guest Transformation
Adam Mogelonsky, Larry Mogelonsky | April 24, 2024
For the purposes of the hospitality industry, transformative experiences refer to activities or encounters that not only provide immediate enjoyment but also leave individuals in a better state than they were before. This could include educational sessions, immersive interactions or engaging activities that promote personal growth or wellbeing. One area where this transformation is prominently being incorporated into hotel programming is through culinary experiences. Properties like the Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan offer cooking classes where guests can learn about traditional Balinese cuisine, while the Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto hosts tea ...
Canadian Hotelier Sukhdev Toor Announces 2024 Opening of First TOOR Hotel in Downtown Toronto
TOOR Hotel | April 24, 2024
This design-forward property in downtown Toronto will offer bespoke stays and premium rental residences with unparalleled lake and city views TORONTO, April 24, 2024 - Visionary Canadian hotelier, Sukhdev Toor announces the first TOOR Hotel: a distinct lifestyle hotel and residences located in downtown Toronto. This boutique property will offer 232 guest rooms and suites, as well as 181 premium residential rental units. The project will feature a modern French-inspired bistro and bar set over two floors, valet parking, a 1,500 square foot fitness centre and yoga studio, a 3,000 square foot terrace, and an additional 1,100 square feet...
THE PLAYERS Championship’s Impact on Jacksonville Hotels in 2024
Angela Lahti | April 24, 2024
By Angela Lahti Each year, Ponte Vedra Beach in the greater Jacksonville, Florida, area hosts THE PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass. The event, often referred to as “golf’s fifth major,” is an annual tournament on the PGA Tour and offers the largest purse of any regular-season PGA Tour event. A University of North Florida study completed in 2015 estimated the total economic impact of the event in Duval and St. Johns counties at over $40 million. The 2024 edition, held March 11–17, marked the event’s 50th anniversary; a record-setting $25-million purse was offered, with $4.5 million claimed by this year’s winner, Sco...
U.S. Hotel Development Kicks Off Q1 2024 With Growth and Record-Highs
Lodging Econometrics (LE) | April 24, 2024
April 24, 2024 – PORTSMOUTH, NH As seen in the Q1 2024 U.S. Hotel Construction Pipeline Trend Report from Lodging Econometrics (LE), at the end of the first quarter, there are 6,065 projects with 702,990 rooms in the pipeline. This new all-time high represents a 9% year-over-year (YOY) increase in projects and a 7% YOY increase in rooms compared to last year. The details can be seen directly within the stages of the pipeline, which all saw YOY growth in Q1. Presently, there are 1,144 projects comprising 141,336 rooms under construction, marking a 9% increase in projects and a 1% increase in rooms YOY. Projects slated to start construc...
From Wall Street and Silicon Valley to Hospitality Leader: Exclusive Interview and Insights From DerbySoft Co-Founder Feng Ou
Alan E. Young | April 24, 2024
By Alan Young Steve Jobs once said, “The mark of an innovative company is not only that it comes up with new ideas first, but also that it knows how to leapfrog when it finds itself behind.” There is, perhaps, no more relevant sentiment to apply to the hospitality industry – a sector that is continuously molded by the fire of consumer preference yet often utterly resistant to the crashing waves of technological change. Of course, this isn’t a novel observation; hospitality has long been criticized for its slow adoption of new-age technology and processes. However, it is a reality that bears repeating, both to identify the progr...
AHLA: DOL Overtime Rule Will Hurt Hotels and Limit Employee Opportunities
AHLA | April 24, 2024
WASHINGTON (April 24, 2024) – American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) Interim President & CEO Kevin Carey issued the following statement today after the Department of Labor (DOL) released its final overtime rule to raise the minimum salary threshold under which all employees must be paid overtime for any hours worked over 40 in a week. “This rule is part of a growing list of aggressive federal regulatory efforts that are making it even harder for hoteliers to operate their businesses in this challenging environment. The impacts of this regulation will risk the elimination of jobs and make it more difficult for employees to ...
Red Roof Names Zack Gharib as President
Red Roof | April 24, 2024
COLUMBUS, Ohio, April 24, 2024 – Red Roof®, an award-winning leader in the lodging industry, has named hotel industry veteran Zack Gharib as President, effective immediately. Gharib brings more than two decades of senior management experience in franchising, operations and brand management with companies such as Marriott, Vacasa, LaQuinta by Wyndham and Highgate Homes. He is widely regarded as a hospitality management innovator, having created and launched award-winning development, strategic planning and franchise operations programs over more than two decades of industry leadership. He joins Red Roof as the company accelerates its gro...
Wherever You Go, There Is Artificial Intelligence
Klaus Kohlmayr | April 24, 2024
By Klaus Kohlmayr It’s a daily occurrence to see mentions of Artificial Intelligence (AI) throughout multiple industries, including the hotel space. And why not? AI systems can effortlessly perform tasks associated with the cognitive functions of humans, and rather than reducing jobs, AI applications seek to enhance employment opportunities. The hotel industry is one of the most promising business sectors that can leverage the power of AI. This is due to the ongoing processing of vast amounts of data to better understand the underlying demand patterns or elevate pricing strategies. AI is also a growing opportunity to improve business ...
Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa Welcomes Jesse McDannell as Executive Chef
Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch | April 23, 2024
Scottsdale, Arizona (April 23, 2024) – Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch, the premier Arizona desert resort located at the base of the McDowell Mountains, welcomes Jesse McDannell as Executive Chef. In his role, McDannell will oversee the dining experiences at the resort as it completes a $110 million renovation and transformation to a Grand Hyatt property. “We are thrilled to welcome Jesse McDannell to the incredible team at Hyatt Regency Scottsdale,” said Lance Marrin, General Manager of Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa. “Jesse’s extensive experience working in the hospitality industry paired with...
Redefining Hotel Technology
Michael Toedt | April 23, 2024
Embracing Guest Centricity Over Transactions By Michael Toedt Doug Rice, a distinguished figure in hotel technology, recently critiqued the stagnation of Property Management Systems (PMS)[1] in his piece for Hospitality Upgrade. Despite three decades, the core functionality of PMS has remained largely unchanged. While interfaces have evolved, the underlying processes have not, posing a significant roadblock to efficiency and personalization. PMS may be the nerve center of on-site operations, yet the broader technological landscape of a hotel comprises numerous systems, all purporting to enhance the guest experience. The real questio...
stayAPT Suites & Powerhouse Hotels Forge Partnership to Expand Presence With 30 New Locations
stayAPT Suites | April 23, 2024
Six Locations to Break Ground in 2024 MATTHEWS, N.C., April 23, 2024 -- stayAPT Suites, the innovative apartment-style hotel brand, is pleased to announce a significant expansion initiative in partnership with Powerhouse Hotels, a joint venture between JCap Realty Group and Cullinan Holdings. This collaboration involves signing a multi-unit development agreement, adding 30 new locations to stayAPT Suites' portfolio, and expanding the brand footprint to 25 states over the next five years, with six locations that will break ground in 2024. The strategic alliance between stayAPT Suites and Powerhouse Hotels underscores confidence in the b...
Six Senses Kyoto Opening Marks Brand’s Entry Into Japan
Six Senses | April 23, 2024
KYOTO, Japan – April 23, 2024 – Six Senses Kyoto opens its doors today, marking the brand’s entry into Japan and an exciting new addition to its flourishing urban collection. Conveniently situated among the iconic heritage shrines and palaces within the ancient capital, Six Senses Kyoto invites guests to both an epicenter and an escape, to enjoy holistic wellness, signature sustainability and out-of-the-ordinary experiences. Six Senses Kyoto marks a historic milestone of taking the Six Senses brand into new frontiers, while continuing to enrich IHG's luxury and lifestyle portfolio - now the second largest in the world. A Tribute...
Customer Satisfaction Climbs Again as Travel Industry Rebounds to Pre-Pandemic Levels, ACSI® Data Show
the ACSI | April 23, 2024
ANN ARBOR, Mich., (April 23, 2024) — If last year’s industrywide customer satisfaction improvement pointed to the travel industry returning to normal, then this year’s marks confirm it: Travel is back! Satisfaction across airlines, lodging, car rentals, and online travel agencies climbs again, returning to prepandemic levels, according to the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI®) Travel Study 2023-2024. The airline industry stands out, hitting an all-time customer satisfaction high of 77 after a second straight 1% year-over year improvement. “Airline customer satisfaction has climbed to new heights, reaching scores not...
The Future of Hotel Procurement Is in the Cloud—Here’s Why
Johannes Vocke | April 23, 2024
By Johannes Vocke If your hotel uses in-house software to manage procurement, leadership may be reluctant to adopt a cloud-based solution—especially if an on-premise system has served you well for many years. This mindset is likely to put your hotel behind competitors in the near future if it hasn’t already. Many leading hoteliers are leveling up their procurement departments with cloud-based infrastructure - investments that are now key to streamlining procurement operations, navigating an uncertain market, and satisfying new guest expectations. Even more than AI, the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, or robotics, hoteliers bel...
Canada Hotels Record First Transient Occupancy Increase in Four Months
CoStar Group | April 23, 2024
WASHINGTON – 23 April 2024 – After four consecutive months of year-over-year declines, Canada’s hotel industry reported a marginal lift in transient occupancy, according to CoStar’s March 2024 data. CoStar is a leading provider of online real estate marketplaces, information and analytics in the property markets. March 2024 (percentage change from 2023): Occupancy: 61.0% (-2.1%) Average daily rate (ADR): CAD185.23 (+3.9%) Revenue per available room (RevPAR): CAD112.99 (+1.7%) Transient, according to CoStar, includes rooms sold to individuals or groups occupying less than 10 rooms per night. “The slight increa...
