HFTP® Acquires Leading Hospitality Industry Brands: Hospitality Upgrade, Hotel-Online, The CIO Summit and The Executive Vendor Summit
Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals | June 25, 2024
Industry Happenings
PhoCusWright Names the Next Generation of Groundbreaking Travel Innovators
PhoCusWright Inc. | November 21, 2013
SafelyStay Wins the $250K General Catalyst Award NEW YORK, NY--( Nov, 2013) - Travel industry research authority PhoCusWright Inc. has announced the award winners of The Travel Innovation Summit, held on Nov. 19, the first day of The PhoCusWright Conference currently underway in Hollywood, Fla. Each year, 30 innovators are selected to demonstrate groundbreaking applications and solutions that are set to change the travel industry, and the winners represent the best of this elite group. "New travel startups and legacy travel companies alike are pushing boundaries through all facets of technology -- from mobile to data to cloud -- to ben...
Host Hotels & Resorts Sells the Four Seasons Atlanta for $62 million
Host Hotels & Resorts | November 21, 2013
BETHESDA, Md., Nov. 21, 2013 --- Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: HST) announced today that the Company sold the 244-room Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta and the associated office space for $62 million. The proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes. "We are excited to announce this transaction. This sale continues to reduce our market presence in our non-target markets and brings our total dispositions since the beginning of last year to over $750 million," said Struan B. Robertson, executive vice president and chief investment officer. ...
So Many Options, So Much Advice: TripAdvisor & Your Hotel’s Profitability; A Best Practices Tool
Taylor Short | November 20, 2013
Building a strong online reputation on review sites like TripAdvisor has become essential to maintaining a profitable hotel. Hoteliers around the world have experimented with various tactics to generate a large quantity of positive reviews, and one has found success in achieving a strong ranking: the Four Seasons Hotel in Austin. The Four Seasons was able to jump more than 20 spots on TripAdvisor's Popularity Index to become the highest ranked hotel in the city in less than two years. To find out how the Four Seasons was able to see such significant increases in their online rankings, Taylor Short of Software Advice, a company that rese...
The Dishes, Drinks & Digs That Will Be Breaking Down Barriers in 2014; AF&Co’s Annual Trends Report
Andrew Freeman & Co. | November 20, 2013
Now in its seventh year, AF&Co's annual trends report has become an industry standard in anticipating market demand and consumer feedback. Compiled from extensive research, the report is intended as a guide to help operators prepare for the coming year. New this year, the AF&Co.'s team of trendologists is introducing the Trends Index – a matrix featuring their top "food calls" for the upcoming year, from the next mutant morsel to predicting the new bacon. "This year's trends are about the experiential," says Freeman. "As technology continues to infuse every aspect of our lives, clientele are looking for deeper personal con...
The European Hotel Design Awards 2013 Winners; The Alpina Gstaad Wins Hotel Design of the Year
the European Hotel Design Awards | November 20, 2013
(London – November 2013) Europe's longest-running and most prestigious architecture and design awards for the hospitality sector, the European Hotel Design Awards, culminated yesterday in an evening of glamour, anticipation and celebration. In the largest European occasion of its kind, some 900 guests from across the Continent gathered together for the reception and dinner, followed by the awards ceremony presented by broadcaster, Lauren Laverne. And the 2013 Winners were....... Architecture of the Year - Conversion and/or Extension of an Existing Hotel Building: Ushuaia Beach Hotel, Ibiza, designed by Estudio Vila 13 Architecture o...
Mona Mellegard Awarded Highest Concierge Honor with Les Clefs D’Or Membership
Royal Palms Resort and Spa | November 20, 2013
Royal Palms Resort and Spa's Concierge is Accepted into the Esteemed Les Clefs d'Or and Receives the Prestigious Crossed Gold Keys Pin PHOENIX - November 20, 2013 - Royal Palms Resort and Spa, Phoenix's acclaimed luxury hotel is proud to announce that Lead Concierge, Mona Mellegard, has received membership in the prestigious guild, Les Clefs d'Or. The honor acknowledges her as one of the best in the business, and recognizes her special dedication to excellence and approach to accommodating each guest with unrivaled expertise. The gold keys pin is a recognized symbol of exceptional, professional service bestowed after a rigorous assessme...
The 129-room Courtyard by Marriott Jazan Opens in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Marriott International, Inc. | November 20, 2013
Jazan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 20 November 2013 – During an opening ceremony attended by his Highness Prince Mohammad Bin Nasser Bin Abdel Aziz Al Saud the Emir (Prince) of Jizan Region and Alex Kyriakidis President and Managing Director Marriott International, Middle East & Africa - Marriott International announced the opening of the Courtyard by Marriott Jazan, owned by Abdulrahman bin Saad Al Rashid. This is Marriott International's first hotel in Jazan, the economic city in the Southwest of Saudi Arabia., and it is the second Courtyard by Marriott property in Saudi Arabia, as Courtyard by Marriott Riyadh Diplomatic Quarter op...
Best Western International Appoints Greg Adams as Vice President of eCommerce
Best Western International, Inc. | November 20, 2013
PHOENIX (November 20, 2013) – Best Western International, the World's Biggest Hotel Family®, announced the hiring of Greg Adams to a new position of vice president, eCommerce. Adams has more than 20 years of experience in hospitality sales and marketing leadership positions. "I am delighted to announce Greg is joining our team," said Best Western President and CEO David Kong. "As we continue our industry leading online strategies, Greg's experience will be a great asset to our hotels and organization." Adams initial focus is to make it even easier for more people to make a reservation for their next trip on the company's award-winnin...
Inland American Real Estate Trust Acquires Hyatt Key West Resort and Spa in Florida for $76 Million
Inland American Lodging Advisor, Inc. | November 20, 2013
Oak Brook, Ill. - November 20, 2013 – Inland American Lodging Group, Inc. ("Inland American"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Inland American Real Estate Trust, Inc., and Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H), today announced that Inland has purchased Hyatt Key West Resort and Spa in Key West, Fla., from a Hyatt affiliate for a purchase price of approximately $76 million. The resort, located in the heart of Key West on the Gulf of Mexico, will continue to be managed by Hyatt under a new management agreement. "We are extremely pleased to have added Hyatt Key West Resort and Spa to our portfolio," said Marcel Verbaas, president and CEO of In...
Regent Hotels & Resorts Appoints Arjan de Boer as Senior VP of Development & Technical Services
Regent Hotels & Resorts | November 20, 2013
Taipei, Taiwan - November 20, 2013 - Regent Hotels and Resorts, a global luxury hospitality brand, would like to welcome Mr. Arjan de Boer as the newly appointed Senior Vice President of Development and Technical Services. Mr. de Boer possesses a Bachelor's degree in Hotel Administration from Christelijke Hogeschool in the Netherlands, and has broad experiences in all aspects of resort and hotel development, operations, asset management and technical services garnered in luxury boutique villa resorts and hotels throughout Asia. Mr. de Boer has joined Regent following nearly 11 years of employment at Alila Hotels and Resorts, where he le...
Psychographics And Hotel Lifestyle Branding
KWE Partners | November 20, 2013
By Karen Weiner Escalera Special interests and passions are driving travel decisions more and more, from themed weeks at hotels and cruise ships and tour operator offerings to learning vacations and now, hotel brands. Drivers in travel buying decisions are increasingly about psychographics - behavior - rather than demographic determinants. Let's take a look first at the traditional "big four" of demographics: gender, age, geography and income and their influence today: Gender lines continue to blur with women taking on more of the traditional role of men and vice versa, and the advent of same sex marriage. Age is also less important....
CSM Lodging Appoints Dan R. Maurer Director of Sales and Marketing for Marriott Minneapolis West, MN
CSM Lodging | November 20, 2013
Minneapolis, Minnesota, November 20, 2013 - CSM Lodging, a division of CSM Corporation, has named Dan R. Maurer director of sales and marketing for the Marriott Minneapolis West Hotel. Lori Geiwitz, general manager, made the announcement. "I am very pleased to welcome Dan to our hotel and back to CSM Lodging" said Ms. Geiwitz. "Having been an active part of the company's professional sales team earlier in his hospitality career, we're thrilled he has returned to us in this important new leadership role at the Marriott Minneapolis West." Dan Maurer was most recently director of sales & marketing for the Minneapolis Marriott Northwest...
Benchmark Names John Kingston Director of Human Resources for Villas of Grand Cypress Resort
Villas of Grand Cypress Resort | November 20, 2013
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, November 20, 2013 - Benchmark Hospitality International®, a leading U.S.-based hospitality management company, has appointed John Kingston director of human resources for the Villas of Grand Cypress. Mark Cox, Benchmark's general manager for the Villas, Benchmark's Personal Luxury Resort® in Orlando, Florida, made the announcement. "I am very pleased to welcome John to our resort," said Mr. Cox. "He brings a strong skill-set in human resource management to the Villas, as well as success in engaged leadership of his staff and the property overall. It's good to have him on our executive team." John Kingst...
Monopolies are Made and Unmade by Georges Panayotis
MKG Group | November 20, 2013
At the opening ceremony of the 14th Worldwide Hospitality Awards, Georges Panayotis, founder of the event and President of MKG Group, spoke at length about the difficult relationship of the hospitality industry and distribution. For many years, I have observed marketing and distribution in hospitality and I am surprised that it has come to this conflict today. Admittedly, the hotel industry has always had a problem with the external market. Remember! Not too long ago, hoteliers were reluctant to pay commissions to tour operators and travel agents, because the hoteliers believed that they were delivering a great service by lodging their ...
Marriott International & FibraHotel Partner to Operate 20 Hotels in Mexico by 2016
FibraHotel | November 20, 2013
November 20, 2013 - Today Marriott International (NASDAQ: MAR) announced plans to operate 20 hotels expected to be developed by FibraHotel, the largest and first publicly traded Mexican lodging REIT (BMV: FIHO12), across key Mexican cities by 2016. The first six hotels, whose development contracts were signed this week, will add approximately 800 rooms to the Mexican market and create well over 400 jobs for Mexican nationals. "With a portfolio of 23 hotels across five Marriott brands, Mexico is one of the largest, most important and dynamic international markets for our company," said Craig S. Smith, President of the Caribbean and Latin...
M&R Hotel Management Signs its First Third-Party Agreement
| November 20, 2013
GREAT NECK, N.Y. (Nov. 20, 2013) - M&R Hotel Management of Great Neck, N.Y., today announced the signing of its first third-party management agreement, a contract to operate a 201-room, full-service Holiday Inn now under construction at the intersection of Brookville and Rockaway boulevards in Jamaica, N.Y., just east of John F. Kennedy International Airport. The Holiday Inn New York - JFK Airport, which is being constructed by one of the largest lodging developers in the metropolitan area, will become M&R's fourth hotel at the airport, the nation's sixth busiest in terms of total passenger traffic. M&R currently owns and op...
Viceroy Hotel Group Appoints Martin Kipping General Manager of 46-key Viceroy Zihuatanejo in Mexico
Viceroy Zihuatanejo | November 20, 2013
Zihuatanejo, Mexico - November 20, 2013: Viceroy Hotel Group is pleased to announce the appointment of Martin Kipping as the General Manager of Viceroy Zihuatanejo, the exclusive beachfront resort in Zihuatanejo, Mexico. Mr. Kipping comes to Zihuatanejo from the Viceroy Hotel Anguilla, in Anguilla, BWI, where he was the resort manager. "Martin's intimate understanding of Viceroy's tradition of excellence and high standards, combined with his proven ability to enhance the guest experience, make him the ideal candidate to guide Viceroy Zihuatanejo to greater success," said Bill Walshe, CEO of Viceroy Hotel Group. Mr. Kipping has more than...
Maestro ResWave2 Maximizes Online Group Revenue for Independents; Increases Upsell and Bookings
Maestro Property Management Solution | November 20, 2013
Savvy Hoteliers Leverage Mobile Friendly ResWave and Custom Branded Landing Pages to Drive Direct Group Bookings, Boost Conversions; Impresses Meeting Planners and Engages Guests to Add Revenue-Generating Upgrades Markham, ON - November 20, 2013 - Business travel and group bookings are forecast to increase 7.2% in 2014, according to Global Business Travel Association. Maestro's integrated ResWave2 Booking Engine is the key to promoting more online direct group bookings. It enables independent operators to keep pace with growing demand by offering groups fast, easy-to-use, real-time reservations that increases revenue. NORTHWIND provides...
HMC to Manage 83-room New-Build Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham to Open in Kenedy, Texas in Q1 2014
Hospitality Management Corporation (HMC) | November 20, 2013
Dallas, TX, November 20, 2013: Leo Spriggs, President/CEO of Hospitality Management Corporation (HMC), one of the country's largest third-party privately held hotel management companies ranked in the top 40 (of all third party and owner operated) largest independent U.S. Hotel Operators is pleased to announce the signing of a property management agreement for a new build Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham, located in Kenedy, Texas adding to HMC's growing portfolio of managed properties. The Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham will have a total of 83 guest rooms and is to be completed by early February 2014. Some of the Hotel amenitie...
Cities with Rail-to-Airport Connection Boost Hotel Revenue
The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) | November 20, 2013
Hotels within 1/4 Mile of a Rail Station Average Nearly 50% Higher Room Rate November 20, 2013 - Washington, D.C. - Several American cities have a secret weapon to attract business travelers and lucrative meetings and conventions - a rail line to the airport terminal. According to a study released by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) and the U.S. Travel Association, hotels in cities with direct rail access from downtown to airport terminals receive nearly 11 percent more revenue per room than hotels in cities without a rail airport connection. APTA President and CEO Michael Melaniphy said, "Clearly investment in loca...
Thanksgiving-like Passenger Congestion to be Year-Round Norm without Major Infrastructure Investment
The U.S. Travel Association | November 20, 2013
Major Investment in U.S. Air Travel System Needed to Avoid Serious Delays and Economic Harm WASHINGTON (November 20, 2013) - U.S. air travel infrastructure is in such bad shape that Thanksgiving-like passenger congestion will be a year-round reality at nearly all of the top 50 U.S. airports within the decade, two new studies find. The companion studies, released Wednesday by the U.S. Travel Association and the Eno Center for Transportation, reveal that infrastructure is already struggling to keep up with current air travel demand. Expected growth in passenger volume threatens to overwhelm the system completely, and significant harm to ...
eRevMax Upgrades its Sales Management Leadership in Asia and Europe
eRevMax | November 20, 2013
John Seaton Appointed as Vice President, Sales - Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific to Lead Business Growth London, November 20, 2013: eRevMax, leading online distribution and channel management solution provider for the hospitality industry, today announced the appointment of John Seaton as Vice President - Sales, EMEA and APAC. John will be responsible for the continued growth of the RateTiger and Connect solutions across Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific region focusing on further growing its geographical footprint and developing new market segments. An industry veteran of 18 years, John has been with eRevMax sin...
HeBS Digital Wins Big with Eight HSMAI Adrian Awards
HeBS Digital | November 20, 2013
HeBS Digital has been recognized for excellence in hospitality digital marketing by receiving eight HSMAI Adrian awards, including three Gold Awards. The HSMAI awards highlight outstanding achievements in advertising, public relations, and digital marketing in the hospitality and travel industries. New York, NY - November 20, 2013 - HeBS Digital, the leading digital technology, marketing and online channel revenue optimization consulting firm for the hospitality industry, was recognized for excellence in digital marketing with eight HSMAI Adrian awards this year. The HSMAI awards highlight the best in advertising, public relations, and ...
Martin Hoellrigl Named GM of GALLERY One, a DoubleTree Suites by Hilton in Fort Lauderdale, FL
DoubleTree By Hilton | November 20, 2013
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - November 20, 2013 -- Martin Hoellrigl has been appointed general manager of GALLERY One, a DoubleTree Suites by Hilton in sunny Fort Lauderdale, Florida, according to Ted Ratcliff, senior vice president, operation for Hilton Worldwide. Hoellrigle will oversee the operations of the 13-story, 231 guest suite resort, located on the Intracoastal Waterway, just two blocks from Fort Lauderdale beaches, effective immediately. He most recently held the position of director of operations at Hilton Sharm Waterfalls Resort in Egypt, a position he held since 2009. After graduation from an Austrian tourism school and a food a...
