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Industry Happenings
Bloomberg TV Presents “C-Suite with Jeffrey Hayzlett”: Profiles MGM Resorts with CEO Jim Murren
October 31, 2013
"C-Suite with Jeffrey Hayzlett" Airs Tuesdays At 9:30 PM ET/PT In this featured clip Bloomberg Television's "C-Suite with Jeffrey Hayzlett," an original prime time series that features an inside look at companies that are shaping the global business landscape, profiles the business of MGM Resorts International. Host Jeffrey Hayzlett goes inside the $15 billion Las Vegas-based company to discover more about its focus on sustainability. Hayzlett spends time with MGM CEO Jim Murren, who explains what pushed MGM to go green and why it's an integral part of the company culture and its overall bottom line. Hayzlett also visits with Cindy Orte...
The 166-room Newly-Built Novotel Phuket Kamala Beach Resort Opens in Thailand
Novotel | October 31, 2013
October 31, 2013 - Travellers to Phuket Island now have an exciting new choice of accommodation with the opening of Novotel Phuket Kamala Beach Resort, a newly-built beachfront resort located on idyllic Kamala Beach on the island's western coast. The opening of the resort marks the 100th Asia Pacific property for Novotel - the world's leading midscale hospitality brand. "We are very excited that Novotel Phuket Kamala Beach Resort has opened as our 100th Novotel in Asia Pacific," said Michael Issenberg, Chairman and Chief Operating Officer of Accor Asia Pacific. "Since launching our first Novotel in Asia Pacific in Singapore in 1982, the...
Valencia Group to Open Hotel Sorella Country Club Plaza Next Week in Kansas City, Missouri
Valencia Group | October 31, 2013
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Oct. 31, 2013) - Kansas Citians and out-of-town visitors will soon experience an oasis for the refined at heart, as the newest jewel of the city opens its doors. Hotel Sorella Country Club Plaza makes its Kansas City debut, opening to the public Wednesday, Nov. 6. Tucked amid the ornate fountains and elegant courtyards of Kansas City's premier shopping district, Hotel Sorella Country Club Plaza is sure to be something special for visitors. With a Mediterranean inspiration and chic, modern design, the hotel pays homage to the Spanish Seville influence of the Country Club Plaza. Hotel Sorella Country Club Plaza is the pe...
$35 Million Expansion & Renovation Launched at The Westin St. John Resort & Villas on St. John, USVI
Westin Hotels & Resorts | October 31, 2013
Orlando, Fla. (Oct. 31, 2013) - Starwood Vacation Ownership, a division of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT), and The Westin St. John Resort & Villas on St. John, USVI, today announced a $35 million renovation project including the launch of luxury Coral Vista Villas and enhancements to the resort's guestrooms, dining facilities, meetings space, pool area and more. "The Westin St. John Resort & Villas is one of the most successful resorts in the Caribbean. As the resort and the on-site vacation ownership continue to play a pivotal role in St John's expansive tourism market, we are thrilled to enhance our ...
Grace Hotels Acquires Historic La Margna Hotel, St. Moritz, Switzerland; Plans Extensive Renovation
Grace Hotels | October 31, 2013
NEW YORK, Oct. 31, 2013 -- Grace Hotels, the privately owned luxury hotel group, has acquired the historic La Margna hotel in the heart of St. Moritz, Switzerland. During 2014 the company will undertake an extensive programme of renovation and transformation to create Grace St. Moritz – a luxury hotel, and Grace St. Moritz Residences – serviced residences built and maintained to the high standards of luxury that have won Grace Hotels global critical acclaim. La Margna, built in 1906, is one of the landmark hotel buildings in St. Moritz which remains one of the world's most glamorous summer and winter destinations as well as being a ...
Ultima Hospitality Acquires the Westin and the Aloft San Francisco Airport Hotels for $125 Million
Ultima Hospitality | October 31, 2013
CHICAGO, Ill. (October 31, 2013) - Ultima Hospitality, an industry-leading investment and hotel management company, announces the purchase, planned improvement and management of the 397-room Westin San Francisco Airport and the 252-room Aloft San Francisco Airport for $125 million. Previously owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts, the two hotels will move to a franchised structure under Ultima Hospitality. The Westin will undergo various capital improvements, including extensive upgrades and renovations of the guestrooms, meeting space, public space and lobby, as well as further capital infusion into the building, mechanicals and exter...
Flip.to Lands Hospitality Maverick to Lead European Sales
Flip.to | October 30, 2013
Orlando — October 31, 2013 — Flip.to, the brand advocate platform that helps hotels turn their guests into advocates, recently hired well-known hospitality sales executive, Alfredo Moreno de la Santa, to lead their European sales efforts. Moreno de la Santa has extensive knowledge of the European market. In his prior role, he helped establish EZ Yield as one of the premier channel management platforms in Europe. He led the sales efforts in Southern Europe and was instrumental in expanding their customer base. "The first time I saw Flip.to I was amazed at its simplicity. It uses the natural inclination of a hotels' customers to be so...
Old Kinderhook Announces New Lodge & Conference Center at Lake of the Ozarks, MO
Old Kinderhook | October 30, 2013
Old Kinderhook Announces New Lodge and Conference Center Old Kinderhook, the Lake of the Ozarks' premiere golf and lake resort, unveils The Lodge at Old Kinderhook, a new 84-room lodge and conference center. "The lodge completes the destination resort experience at Old Kinderhook. For nearly 15 years, Old Kinderhook has built a reputation for exceptional golf, outstanding dining venues, marina facilities and lake living the way it's meant to be. With the addition of 84 guest rooms, a state of the art conference center and new amenities, we will better serve the 25,000 people that visit Old Kinderhook each year and welcome new guests," s...
Hyatt Reports Q3 2013 Net Income of $55M Compared to $23M Prior Year; RevPAR Growth of 6%
Hyatt Hotels | October 30, 2013
CHICAGO (October 30, 2013) - Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) today reported third quarter 2013 financial results as follows: To download the third quarter 2013 earnings release with tables, please visit the Hyatt Investor Relations wesbite. Adjusted EBITDA was $159 million in the third quarter of 2013 compared to $154 million in the third quarter of 2012, an increase of 3.2%. Adjusted for special items, net income attributable to Hyatt was $36 million, or $0.23 per share, during the third quarter of 2013 compared to net income attributable to Hyatt of $30 million, or $0.18 per share, during the third quarter of 2012. Net income a...
Google Analytics vs. Adobe Site Catalyst for Hotels by Vikram Singh
Vikram Singh | October 30, 2013
Marketing is evolving, especially the Internet kind. Website analytics have come a long way in the past decade. We have access to more information than ever before. You can now monitor in detail how people are interacting with your website, where they are coming from, and where they are going. Google Analytics vs. Adobe Site Catalyst (previously called Omniture) is one of those questions that I get asked regularly, so here are my thoughts. I have been an ardent user/supporter of Google Analytics for a while. I am amazed at the power and value it provides for free. On top of that, almost every year Google Analytics rolls out product upda...
Strengthening Communities Through Volunteerism; Stories of Service & Hospitality Around the World
Hilton Worldwide | October 30, 2013
Hilton Worldwide Completes Over 2,400 Volunteer Projects During Annual Global Week of Service McLean, VA - October 30, 2013 - Hilton Worldwide celebrated the company's annual volunteer campaign completing more than 2,400 volunteer projects in over 700 cities in 72 countries throughout the month of October. Now in its second year, Global Week of Service is Hilton Worldwide's largest annual volunteer service event which recognizes the company's service and volunteer culture and strengthens the communities Hilton Worldwide serves. Team Members from over 900 properties and offices completed projects including resume building for and mentori...
Casa Velas in Puerto Vallarta Honored in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2013 Readers’ Choice Awards
Casa Velas | October 30, 2013
"Beyond All-Inclusive, Beyond All Compare" Velas Resorts' Boutique Offering Named One of Top Hotels in Mexico Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (Oct. 30, 2013) - Casa Velas adults-only boutique hotel and Ocean Club in Puerto Vallarta is honored as a top regional Mexican resort in the prestigious 26th Annual Condé Nast Traveler's "Best in the World" Readers' Choice Awards. The all-inclusive resort was ranked as one of the 15 Best Hotels in Mexico by more than 80,000 discerning readers of Condé Nast Traveler. Casting a record 1.3 million votes, readers determined the ultra-competitive awards, given to top hotels and resorts, destinations, airline...
Caesars Entertainment Reports Q3 2013 Net Loss of $761.4M Compared to $505.5M Prior Year
Caesars Entertainment Corporation | October 30, 2013
LAS VEGAS, Oct. 29, 2013 Caesars Entertainment Corporation (NASDAQ: CZR) today reported the following third quarter 2013 results. For complete results and accompanying tables please visit: http://investor.caesars.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=801329 Continued positive underlying trends in third quarter Las Vegas hotel and F&B revenue as a result of resort fees and hospitality investments Effective cost containment generated $65 million in cost savings in the third quarter 2013, compared to the third quarter 2012 Strengthened debt maturity profile through refinancing of CMBS and LINQ/Octavius debt Raised approximately $200 ...
Tracy Blair Appointed Director of Sales and Marketing of Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel in Colorado
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. | October 30, 2013
DENVER - October 30, 2013 - The Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel announced that Tracy Blair has been appointed as its new director of sales and marketing. Blair brings over 25 years of hospitality experience to the position at Colorado's largest hotel. "Having Tracy on board is a big asset for us," said Tony Dunn, the hotel's general manager. "Her leadership and market experience will drive our group and convention business in some exciting ways," he continued. Blair is no stranger to Denver downtown hotels, coming to the Sheraton from the 430-room Westin Denver Downtown where she was director of sales and marketing for five years after b...
Hector Pabon Named Executive Sous Chef at Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort and Spa in Florida
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort and Spa | October 30, 2013
CLEARWATER BEACH, Fla. (October 30, 2013) - The AAA Four Diamond Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort and Spa, the newest luxury resort on Florida's west coast, proudly announces the appointment of Chef Hector Pabon to the position of executive sous chef. With more than 13 years of culinary experience, Chef Pabon comes to Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach from its sister property, Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay, where he most recently served as chef de cuisine at the hotel's world-renowned Oystercatchers Restaurant. Prior to joining the Hyatt family, Chef Pabon worked at several leading restaurants in the Tampa Bay area, including the Centre Club ...
David Martinez Named Director of Sales & Marketing for 1,230-room Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach, HI
Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa | October 30, 2013
HONOLULU, HI (October 30, 2013) - Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa announces the appointment of David Martinez as the new Director of Sales and Marketing for the 1,230 room resort. An enthusiastic hospitality professional with 14 years of Hyatt experience, Martinez brings to the resort a strong knowledge of global and leisure travel markets and a long history of sales and marketing successes in the hospitality industry. Martinez most recently served as Director of Sales and Marketing for Hyatt Regency Jersey City. "David is the perfect fit for our Oahu 'ohana," says David Nadelman general manager at Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach...
Boykin Management Company Increases Florida Call Center Revenue; Tracks ROI on Marketing, Ad Spend
Boykin Management Company | October 30, 2013
Boykin Management Company's Florida Resorts Track 'Every Penny' of Revenue for Each Ad Buy at 4 Properties; Company Uses Real-Time Voice-Caller Data Display to Increase Conversions, Capture Call Information for Outbound Sales October 30, 2013 - Resort operators spend big money to drive business to their properties. They use print ads, online promotions and banners, email blasts and direct mail. Some of it works, but which campaigns? It is difficult to accurately measure which programs are effective and pay for themselves. The Holy Grail in marketing is knowing exactly how much revenue each online and offline campaign generates. If a com...
Las Cruces CVB to Implement Regatta Travel Solutions Booking Engine
Regatta Travel Solutions Inc. | October 30, 2013
Charlottesville, Virginia (October 30, 2013) - Regatta Travel Solutions announced today that the Las Cruces CVB has signed an agreement to use the Regatta booking engine on its official website, explorelascruces.com. "We are very excited about this new partnership," said Chris Faivre, Director of Marketing & Communications at the Las Cruces Convention & Visitors Bureau. "Regatta's solution is better for the hotels, better for visitors to our destination and better for us, the DMO. We looked at several solutions but only Regatta provided everything we wanted in an ideal solution." "Our solution will allow potential visitors to ea...
PolyU Study Finds Hotel Location Determines Tourist Activities
PolyU School of Hotel and Tourism Management | October 30, 2013
October 30, 2013 - Hotel location has a significant effect on how tourists move around a destination, according to a research paper published by Professor Bob McKercher of the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, graduate student Erica Ng and two co-authors. Using data collected in Hong Kong from global positioning system (GPS) loggers, the researchers show that "hotel location has a profound impact on tourist movements". The tourists tracked spent most of their time "in the immediate vicinity of the hotel", which has significant implications for tourism industry stakeholders. The import...
Evolution Hospitality Adds DoubleTree Golf Resort San Diego, CA to Management Portfolio
Evolution Hospitality | October 30, 2013
San Clemente, CA - (October 30, 2013) - Effective October 28, 2013, Evolution Hospitality has assumed management of the 130-acre DoubleTree Golf Resort San Diego. The hotel becomes the 25th property in Evolution's management portfolio. The property is owned by Laurus Corporation, a private real estate investment and development firm based in Los Angeles, CA. Located in North San Diego County off I-15, DoubleTree Golf Resort San Diego is about 25 minutes from Downtown San Diego and San Diego International Airport, and within five miles of leading technology companies including Intel, General Atomics, Broadcom, Cymer, Hewlett-Packard, Si...
The Hotel Group Selected to Manage Courtyard by Marriott-Walla Walla Opening in Fall 2014 in WA
The Hotel Group (THG) | October 30, 2013
Edmonds, Wash. (October 30, 2013) - The Hotel Group, (THG) an award-winning hotel management and ownership company, is excited to announce the groundbreaking of the newest hotel in its management portfolio - the Courtyard by Marriott in Walla Walla, Wash. Owned by Walla Walla Hospitality, LLC, the Courtyard by Marriott is slated to open in the end of 2014. "We are pleased to add another Courtyard by Marriott to our growing portfolio," said Doug Dreher, president and CEO of The Hotel Group. "Walla Walla offers a unique combination of beautiful scenery, world-famous wineries and a collection of shops, restaurants and cultural attractions....
$9 Million Re-Design at Ocean Drive’s South Beach Marriott Beachfront Nears Completion
South Beach Marriott | October 30, 2013
MIAMI, FL - October 2013 - On May 1, 2013, South Beach Marriott, a boutique beachfront hotel in the much sought after South of Fifth (SoFi) neighborhood of Miami Beach, began a six-month, $9 million redesign. Jeffrey Beers International (JBI), an award-winning hospitality design and architecture firm, is spearheading the design project, which is slated for completion by the end of this year. The renovation is intended to introduce a livable yet luxurious, residential feel, with high quality finishes, all new hard and soft goods, and attention to the smallest details. Known for projects including The Cove Atlantis, Fifty St. James in Lon...
Brigade Group & IHG to Open 10 Holiday Inn Express Hotels in India By 2020
October 30, 2013
Bangalore, 30 October 2013: InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has signed a deal with South India's leading real estate developer, Brigade Group. Under the agreement, 10 Holiday Inn Express hotels are to be built in southern India, owned by Brigade Group and managed by IHG. The newly-signed hotels will add to IHG's strong pipeline of properties of the Holiday Inn brand family, which now represent 88% of IHG's growth in India. The first two hotels under this partnership will open in Bangalore in early 2017, while the remaining eight hotels are scheduled to open within the next four to seven years. IHG and Brigade Group are currently in ...
Selling as a Community: Create Seamlessness for Your Customers
Gary R. Hernbroth and Training for Winners | October 29, 2013
by Gary R. Hernbroth Through many customer (planner) panels, events and conversations over the years, several themes stand out, and the idea of what they want and need from a particular destination is as clear as day. Whether planning a full-tilt convention, or a smaller corporate gathering, or even a family reunion or wedding, event planners want to sleep well at night knowing that they've made the right choice in the destination and facilities, and also that that destination is going to be all it said it was going to be for their attendees/delegates. Collaboration Every business has its own agenda, goals, constraints, etc., but it wor...
