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Industry Happenings
Global Hotel Investment Sentiment Survey Shows Positive Trading Expectations for EMEA Hotels
Jones Lang LaSalle | December 18, 2013
Focused on Core German Cities, London & Paris December 18, 2013 - Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels & Hospitality Group (JLL H&H) has released the results of their Global Hotel Investment Sentiment Survey and its good news for hotels in the EMEA region with trading expectations remaining positive both for the short term (six months) and medium term (two years) with investors feeling more confident than they did earlier this year. Of the 31 cities tracked, 21 are expected to show growth in performance over the next six months, rising to 28 when looking to the medium term. Investor sentiment is highest for cities in Germany (Munich, F...
Hotel Social Media Strategies in 2014: Painfully Authentic, Help not Hype, and 24/7 Coverage
Daniel Edward Craig | December 18, 2013
By Daniel Edward Craig In our most recent ReviewPro webinar, Top Social Media Strategies for 2014, we asked our expert panelists to discuss the latest trends in social media and what hotels should do about them. Here's a recap of our discussion. Strategy #1: Identify and target social media personas Hotels often try to be all things to all people in social media, but you'll be more effective if you identify and focus on key target markets. "Traditionally, hotels have broken target markets into categories like corporate, group and FIT and by geography or demographics. But those segments often miss critical questions," said panelist Rober...
TMI Hospitality to Open 98-room Courtyard Stafford Quantico in Virginia
Courtyard by Marriott | December 18, 2013
Stafford, Virginia - December 18, 2013 - Courtyard by Marriott is rolling out its innovative lobby and room design in Stafford, Virginia. This is the newest Courtyard in the area featuring the Refreshing Business lobby environment, where guests can enjoy an open and flexible space. Along with media pods, Wi-Fi and a variety of seating zones, the redefined space is ideal for everything from pop-up meetings to social gatherings. The 98-room Courtyard Stafford Quantico also offers a refreshing and stylish room design that helps guests stay connected, productive and comfortable. Thoughtfully planned, each room features plush bedding, a func...
Mobile Photo Share by RoamingAround Making ‘Winter on the Wharf’ Event Engaging and Fun
RoamingAround | December 18, 2013
Digitally-branded photos showing visitors enjoying the city's newest ice-skating rink tucked in the Archway on the Boston waterfront provides a signature souvenir and also spread awareness of the hotel's event across the social media channels BOSTON, MASS. - DECEMBER 18, 2013 - When "Winter on the Wharf" debuted this week at the Boston Harbor Hotel at Rowes Wharf, RoamingAround was there. The first-time event is a seasonal compilation of food, drink and merriment, anchored by a new 2,500 square foot ice-skating Rotunda Rink, located under the hotel's iconic Archway. To make the event memorable and take it viral, the Boston Harbor Hotel ...
Oceanfront Lodging II Opens 72-key Four Points by Sheraton in Jacksonville, FL Through Conversion
Four Points | December 18, 2013
December 18, 2013 - STAMFORD, Conn. - Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) today announced its rapidly expanding Four Points brand has opened its second hotel in Jacksonville, Florida. Four Points by Sheraton Jacksonville Beachfront features 72 spacious oceanfront suites with the classic style and uncomplicated comfort that has made Four Points a hit with guests worldwide. Owned by Oceanfront Lodging II Inc., the hotel just completed a $2 million renovation prior to raising the Four Points flag. "Four Points by Sheraton Jacksonville Beachfront is a terrific new option for travelers to the vibrant city of Jacksonvill...
The 140-room Holiday Inn Express Chennai Mahindra World City Opens in India
Holiday Inn Express brand Hotels | December 18, 2013
New Delhi, India, 18 December 2013: InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) today announced the opening of Holiday Inn Express Chennai Mahindra World City in the corporate hub of Mahindra World City near Chennai. The property was officially opened today by IHG's Pascal Gauvin, COO India, Middle East and Africa and Douglas Martell, Vice President Operations South West Asia alongside Saurabh Sonthalia, Country Head - Duet India Group, Naveen Jain, President, Duet India Hotels and Sangeeta Prasad, CEO - Integrated Cities & Industrial Clusters, Mahindra Lifespace Developers Ltd. This is the second hotel to open under a joint venture partner...
2013 to Finish Strong for Hotels – TravelClick Reports
TravelClick | December 18, 2013
The North American hotel sector can end 2013 on a positive note. Both group and transient segments (individual business and leisure travelers) will finish 2013 showing year-over-year increases in occupancy and average daily rate (ADR), according to data from the November 2013 TravelClick North American Hospitality Review (NAHR). "Group sales were a disappointment through the first three quarters of the year," said Tim Hart, executive vice president, business intelligence, TravelClick. "However, recent group sales pace (new commitments added over the last month), has been quite strong, improving the group segment outlook not only heading...
Foremost Hospitality HIEX GmbH & IHG to Open Two Holiday Inn Express Hotels in Germany
IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) | December 18, 2013
Opening in Hamburg in 2014 & Freiburg in 2015 18 December, 2013 - InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG®), one of the world's largest hotel companies, today announces the expansion of its Holiday Inn Express® brand in Germany with the signing of two more hotels: Holiday Inn Express Hamburg - City Hauptbahnhof and Holiday Inn Express Freiburg - City. These franchised hotels are part of a multiple development agreement (MDA) with IHG's long standing lessee partner Foremost Hospitality HIEX GmbH. Holiday Inn Express Hamburg - City Hauptbahnhof will join its sister properties Holiday Inn Express Hamburg - City Centre and Holiday Inn Expr...
Driftwood Hospitality Management to Develop New-Build 94-room Hotel in Truro, Nova Scotia
Driftwood Hospitality Management | December 18, 2013
Slated for Q2 2015 Completion North Palm Beach, Fla. - December 18, 2013 - Driftwood Hospitality Management (www.TheDriftwoodDifference.com) today announced plans to develop a new upper mid-scale hotel in Truro, Nova Scotia. The hotel will be built in partnership with the Millbrook First Nation community and marks Driftwood's official entry into the Canadian market. "With a booming economy, ideal location near Highway 102 and less than 40 minutes from Halifax Stanfield International Airport, this hotel will emerge as one of the leading properties in the area," said David Buddemeyer, president of Driftwood Hospitality Management. "We loo...
nSight Releases 2013 Holiday Season Global Travel Trends Infographic
nSight | December 18, 2013
New York heads the Top 10 Searched and Booked Destinations Lists, Dubai Surprises at No.9; While 50% of top destination travelers book as planned for both holidays NASHVILLE, TN - December 18, 2013 - nSight, the largest aggregator of global travel search and booking data, today released its analysis of the top ten global holiday travel destinations for December 23, 2013, through January 2, 2014. The holiday travel insights are based on hospitality expert assessments of online consumer search and booking data from over 80 million daily transactions across 5,000 travel websites, aggregated into nSight's data warehouse and custom business ...
Midas Hospitality Breaks Ground for 100-key Residence Inn by Marriott-Dublin in Ohio; To Open Q4 ‘14
Residence Inn by Marriott | December 18, 2013
SAINT LOUIS, MO, December 18, 2013- St. Louis-based hotel owner, operator and developer, Midas Hospitality, LLC hosted a groundbreaking ceremony to commemorate the official groundbreaking of Dublin's newest, all-suite hotel, a 100-room Residence Inn by Marriott. Breaking ground in October, 2013 the Residence Inn by Marriott - Dublin is on schedule to open their doors in Q4 2014. Located on the southeast corner of Rt-161 and Frantz Rd, just off I-270, the $13 million, 4-story project will include 100-suites, indoor pool, sport court, outdoor social area and 500 sq. ft. of meeting space. Kurt Furlong, EVP & Principal - Sales & Mar...
MSI to Integrate Best Western International’s CRS and MSI CloudPM™
December 18, 2013
Phoenix - December 18, 2013 - Multi-Systems, Inc. (MSI), a leading hotel cloud services hospitality technology provider, announced an extended partnership with Best Western International to integrate Best Western's Central Reservation System with its hotel cloud property management system, MSI CloudPM™. The solution will be an option for all Best Western Member properties. Scott Gibson, chief information officer for Best Western International, stated, "We've worked with MSI for 20-plus years. This history merited our decision to offer our Best Western member properties an option to install complete cloud technology with MSI CloudPM™...
NewcrestImage to Begin $10 M Renovation of Historic New Orleans’ Cotton Exchange Hotel
NewcrestImage | December 18, 2013
To Operate as AC Hotels By Marriott December 18, 2013 - One of Europe's hottest hotel concepts is coming to the United States with the renovation and rebranding by NewcrestImage of the historic Cotton Exchange Hotel in New Orleans. The company is investing $10 million to make this property among the first in the country to operate under the AC Hotels by Marriott brand. "We are transforming a historic hotel into a new, hip and urban environment," said Mehul Patel, Chairman and CEO of NewcrestImage. "Every detail, from the design to the service will provide our guests with a memorable travel experience that is unique and authentic." Accor...
Waramaug Hospitality/Interstate Hotels Joint Venture Acquires 276-room Sheraton Albuquerque in NM
Waramaug Hospitality | December 18, 2013
BOCA RATON, FLORIDA, DECEMBER 18, 2013 - Waramaug Hospitality, a private investment group, along with Interstate Hotels & Resorts and an alternate money management firm, announced today they have acquired the 276-room Sheraton Albuquerque Airport Hotel. This is the seventh hotel acquired by the joint venture. The Sheraton Albuquerque Airport Hotel recently completed a $14 million renovation and boasts dramatic views of the Sandia Mountains and Rio Grande Valley to complete a memorable stay for guests. It is conveniently located near area attractions such as the Historic Old Town, the eclectic Nob Hill, University of New Mexico, the ...
Hotels Pay Their Debt By Robert Mandelbaum and Viet Vo
Robert Mandelbaum and Viet Vo | December 17, 2013
In 2009 the average hotel participating in PKF Hospitality Research's (PKF-HR) Trends® in the Hotel Industry survey suffered a staggering 35.4 percent decline in net operating income (NOI). This is the greatest annual decline in profits recorded by PKF-HR in the 77 years the firm has been tracking the performance of U.S. hotels. For U.S. hotel owners it is the cash flow from operations that they rely on to pay their debt obligations. Therefore, owners, and their lenders, were in shock when facing the severe impact of the great recession on the lodging industry. As expected, the number of hotels that were unable to generate sufficient c...
OKIDOKEYS to Unveil First Consumer Products Powered by OpenWays’ Mobile Key Technology
OpenWays | December 17, 2013
The world's leading mobile key and access management solution provider selected by the major U.S and global hotel chains brings its proven and secure technology to consumers' homes Las Vegas - Dec. 17, 2013 - OKIDOKEYS, part of OpenWays Group, today announces the launch of its first line of consumer products. OKIDOKEYS' smart lock and key solution debuts at the 2014 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas on Jan. 7, 2014, featuring a line of smart devices dedicated to home automation. "The consumer smart locks are in their infancy, and we look to provide consumers with the best product on the market backed by a team having more tha...
PAR Springer-Miller Announces New Suite of Mobile Hospitality Apps Beginning with SMS|Host Anywhere™
PAR Springer-Miller | December 17, 2013
Powered by Glad to Have You™ New Hartford, NY - December 17, 2013 -- PAR Springer-Miller Systems, Inc. (PSMS) - a wholly owned subsidiary of PAR Technology Corporation (NYSE:PAR) and the leading provider of guest-centric hospitality management systems today announces the availability of their new suite of mobile hospitality apps, beginning with the release of check-in and check-out solution, SMS|Host Anywhere™ powered by Glad to Have You™ the leading provider of mobile hospitality and Guest Management Solutions. The partnership between PAR Springer-Miller and Glad to Have You has resulted in an innovative line of integrated mobile...
The 197-key Ritz-Carlton Herzliya Opens in Israel
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC | December 17, 2013
Chevy Chase, Md., - December 17, 2013 - The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. unveiled its first hotel in Israel today, with the much anticipated official opening of The Ritz-Carlton, Herzliya. Spectacularly located overlooking the Mediterranean, the property is a first-of-its-kind industry leader for Israel's luxury hotel market and the country's first true 21st century "Urban Resort". "It is a privilege to bring The Ritz-Carlton legendary service to Israel at this beautiful seafront location in the greater Tel Aviv area" said Herve Humler, President and Chief Operations Officer, The Ritz-Carlton. "The Ritz-Carlton service philosophy ...
Denihan Hospitality Makes Duetto First Revenue Management System Integrated with Sabre’s SynXis CRS
Denihan Hospitality Group | December 17, 2013
Duetto and Sabre Hospitality Enable Denihan to Manage all Room Segments and Room Types Dynamically, Driving Higher ADRs with an "Open Pricing" Strategy New York, December 17, 2013 ... Denihan Hospitality Group's hotels now manage room pricing dynamically to drive higher Average Daily Rates (ADR), thanks to the integration of Duetto's revenue strategy software solution with Sabre Hospitality's SynXis CRS. The integration went live at Denihan properties in November, and marks the first interface between the two systems. By working together using standard HTNG messaging, Duetto and Sabre Hospitality were able to expedite the delivery of th...
The 125-suite Home2 Suites by Hilton Salt Lake City/South Jordan Opens in Utah
Home2 Suites by Hilton | December 17, 2013
Owned by South Jordan Hotel Ownership & Managed by Widewaters Hotels SOUTH JORDAN, Utah and MCLEAN, Va. - December 17, 2013 - Home2 Suites by Hilton, Hilton Worldwide's award-winning mid-tier, all-suite hotel brand, today announced the opening of its 25th U.S. hotel: Home2 Suites by Hilton Salt Lake City/ South Jordan. "Home2 Suites' 25th property is the culmination of a strong year for the brand. Not only did our portfolio nearly double in size, but we also introduced our innovative extended stay concept to new audiences, including internationally," said Bill Duncan, global head, Home2 Suites by Hilton. "This achievement is a testa...
Vijay Mahida to Build 100-room, $9 Million Comfort Inn & Suites in Berkshire County, Massachusetts
| December 17, 2013
LENOX, Mass., Dec. 17, 2013 -- A leader in the Berkshire County hospitality sector has announced plans to bring a Comfort Inn & Suites to either Lenox or Pittsfield, MA. Mr. Vijay Mahida plans to select a site in 2014 for a 100-room, $9 million hotel, with opening targeted for late 2015, or early 2016. Mr. Mahida, who has a long record of successfully operating under the Comfort Inn & Suites flag, was recently granted the exclusive Comfort franchise for a new hotel in the heart of the Berkshires. With both existing Comfort Inn hotels exiting the system in 2014, Mahida saw an opportunity to become the only Comfort Inn & Suite...
Turkey Creek Hospitality Launches Development of 140-key Hilton Garden Inn in Memphis, Tennessee
Hilton Garden Inn | December 17, 2013
MEMPHIS, Tenn. and MCLEAN, Va. - Dec. 17, 2013 - Hilton Worldwide today announced the signing of a license agreement to operate a Hilton Garden Inn hotel in downtown Memphis, Tenn. The new-build, 140-room Hilton Garden Inn Memphis Downtown, expected to open in May 2016, will be owned and managed by Turkey Creek Hospitality. "We're thrilled about the signing of a Hilton Garden Inn hotel in the heart of Memphis, home to our Hilton Worldwide Memphis Commercial Services Center and Hilton Garden Inn brand," said Adrian Kurre, global head, Hilton Garden Inn. "By working with Turkey Creek Hospitality, we will bring our brand of upscale, yet af...
Development Underway for 225-key Hyatt Regency Sentul City, to Open in Indonesia in 2017
Hyatt Regency | December 17, 2013
CHICAGO (December 17, 2013) – Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced today that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into a management agreement with PT Eka Ilalang Suryadinamika for a Hyatt Regency hotel in Sentul City, Indonesia. Hyatt Regency Sentul City will be the sixth Hyatt-branded hotel in Indonesia. "We are delighted to enhance our brand presence in Indonesia, and Sentul City's growth over the past few years has been impressive," said Ratnesh Verma, senior vice president, real estate and development, Asia Pacific for Hyatt Hotels & Resorts. "The first Hyatt hotel opened in the Indonesian market more than 30 years ago, and ...
Hilton Worldwide to Develop Four New Properties Across Three Brands in Istanbul and Izmir, Turkey
Hilton Worldwide | December 17, 2013
December 17, 2013 - ISTANBUL and MCLEAN, Va. - Having announced it was the first hotel company to reach 10,000 rooms trading and under development in Turkey earlier this year, Hilton Worldwide has signed agreements on another four hotels to further boost its portfolio in the country to 24 trading properties and 25 in its development pipeline. This latest announcement sees Hilton Worldwide expand its existing presence in Istanbul and the port city of Izmir, home to Turkey's third largest urban population, with two new hotels in each city. The deals span the DoubleTree by Hilton, Hilton Garden Inn and Hampton by Hilton brands, all of whic...
