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Industry Happenings
Songy Highroads and The Wampold Companies Sign Deal to Develop the First Margaritaville Resort in the Lone Star State
Songy Highroads, LLC | April 4, 2019
New York, N.Y. – April 4, 2019 – Margaritaville Holdings, Songy Highroads (SHR) and The Wampold Companies today announced a new Margaritaville Resort coming to Lake Conroe, located approximately one hour north of Houston. With 186 acres of prime waterfront property, the Margaritaville Resort will feature 360 guestrooms, signature Margaritaville dining concepts, a golf course, spa, and more. The resort is scheduled to welcome guests in Q3 2020. "We are thrilled to bring our first Margaritaville resort in Texas to the Houston area with an incredible location on Lake Conroe," said Rick Cunningham, SVP Margaritaville Development...
Board Diversity Within The Lodging Industry – Moving Away From Ordinary Thinking
David Mansbach | April 4, 2019
David Mansbach Results from a recent gender diversity study I conducted for the lodging industry indicate that of the 238 board seats available among the 28 U.S. lodging companies, only 51 were occupied by women (21%), a woefully low number. If we live in a world where women account for 80% of consumer spending and a multitude of credible studies point to a correlation between greater gender diversity and strong board performance, it is certainly time for us to address this issue head on. I have personally facilitated countless client board meetings and can say with unwavering confidence that gender diversity within the boardroom leads ...
PDSI Completes $28M Renovation Project of Tampa’s 727-Room Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina
PDSI | April 4, 2019
TAMPA, Fla., April 4, 2019 -- PDSI, a premier hotel development management consultancy, is pleased to announce the completion of renovations to the 17-story, 727 room Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina. Strategic Property Partners (SPP) engaged PDSI to manage the renovation of portions of the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina as the first component in the Water Street Tampa project, a multi-use project designed to transform downtown Tampa into a vital live, work, play, and stay hub. Given the high profile and scope of the Marriott transformation, SPP knew that it needed an exceptional team – and that team was PD...
sbe Partners With Byzantine Holdings for 2020 Debut of Temple Detroit, a House of Originals Hotel
sbe | April 4, 2019
NEW YORK, April 4, 2019 -- sbe, a leading international hospitality group that develops, manages and operates award-winning global hospitality brands, is proud to announce the debut of Temple Detroit, a House of Originals hotel, in collaboration with developer Byzantine Holdings and its partners Christos Moisides, David Sutherland and Gretchen Carhartt Valade. The $72 million project is the first hotel to be signed following the announcement of the House of Originals debut. Temple Detroit, slated to open in June of 2020, will feature 100 hotel rooms and 70 residential units in addition to a sbe restaurant and mixology / nightclub venues...
Understanding the Resistance to Change Within the Hospitality Industry
Sheetal Singh | April 4, 2019
By Sheetal Singh, Court Williams Frustrating, painful, draining, scary, exciting, unsettling, and exhausting are some of the words people, who are on the receiving side of change, use to describe their experience. It is a highly personal and emotional experience for most of us. Now imagine needing to serve guests cheerfully in a hospitality setting while you are experiencing these negative emotions. As a result, the toll change takes on hospitality professionals is greater than for most other industries. It is, therefore, critical that we understand the resistance to change as well as, have a plan to convert the "resistance" t...
Phoenix American Hospitality Adds Florida Hotel to Portfolio: Residence Inn by Marriott Cape Canaveral Cocoa Beach
Phoenix American Hospitality | April 4, 2019
COCOA BEACH, FL (April 4, 2019) – Phoenix American Hospitality has acquired an interest in a new hotel, the Residence Inn by Marriott Cape Canaveral in Cocoa Beach, Florida, and took over management of the property on March 28, 2019. With the addition of this hotel, Phoenix American Hospitality now owns 17 hotels nationwide. All 17 hotels are managed by PAH Management. Located just one mile away from Port Canaveral, the Key West style hotel is conveniently located near popular South Florida attractions, including Cocoa Beach Pier, Kennedy Space Center, NASA and Canaveral National Seashore. In addition, PAH Management will begin a ...
W Hotels Worldwide Signs With Ruang Teknik Group to Develop W Bali - Ubud
W Hotels Worldwide | April 4, 2019
NEW YORK – April 4, 2019 – W Hotels Worldwide, part of Marriott International, Inc., today announced the signing of W Bali – Ubud, the brand's newest W Escape. Developed in partnership with Indonesia's Ruang Teknik Group, W Bali – Ubud is set to bring W's bold design, signature Whatever/Whenever® service and innovative programming to the cultural heart of Bali. Perched on a hilltop, oriented toward the morning sun rising in the east, and southwards over stunning, unobstructed views of the Tanggayuda Valley, W Bali – Ubud will reinvent the dreamy Ubud experience with eclectic, surprising art and design s...
Driving Innovation: How Frugal Can Hotels Be?
Margarita Cruz | April 4, 2019
By Margarita Cruz and Isabella Blengini When speaking of innovation in the hospitality industry, we often hear about new technologies and processes capable of breaking the standards on how the industry works. Typically, these innovations require large amounts of investments; as well as the design and implementation of new processes. According to the EU Industrial R&D Investment Scorecard, in 2017 alone, investments in innovation made across different industries around the world surpassed €700bn. However, only a small percentage of players are effectively able to implement innovations of this kind. In fact, 90% of the world's R&...
YOTELPAD Mammoth Breaks Ground Summer 2019
| April 4, 2019
MAMMOTH, Calif. (March 2019) – YOTELPAD Mammoth, the brand's third U.S. location following the successful launches of Park City and Miami, is slated to break ground in Summer 2019. YOTELPAD Mammoth offers future guests and buyers the opportunity to stay and live within walking distance of the gondola and The Village at Mammoth, a four-season destination, and one of the country's top ski resorts with one of the longest ski seasons in North America. As the first new-build amenitized community on the mountain in more than a decade, YOTELPAD Mammoth will feature 156 efficient PADs (condominiums). With flexible and adaptable spaces, PA...
Interact With the Industry’s Only Purpose-Built Virtual Assistant and Voice-activated Technology Solution at The Mercantile Hotel New Or
Angie Hospitality | April 4, 2019
While visiting New Orleans for HT-NEXT, stop by the historic "Big Easy" boutique hotel and meet Angie. New Orleans – April 4, 2019 – Angie Hospitality, developer of the industry's first 24-hour interactive guest room assistant purpose-built for the hotel environment, invites you to come and interact with their virtual assistant at The Mercantile Hotel New Orleans. The historic property, located within walking distance of both the city's famed French Quarter and the HT-NEXT event, partners with Angie Hospitality to equip its lobby and all 90 luxury guest suites with Angie's patented voice control and touch screen device. Sto...
Quore Bringing Its Award-Winning Housekeeping & Engineering Solutions to HITEC EUROPE
Quore | April 4, 2019
See why 3,600 hotels and 560 management companies from 29 countries are relying on Quore's Housekeeping, Work Order Automation, Preventative Maintenance and Engineering software; Visit Quore in Booth 139, April 9 to 11, at the Palau de Congressos Palma in Mallorca, Spain FRANKLIN, TENN.– April 4, 2019 – For the first time, Quore, America's fastest-growing provider of workforce communication and engineering/housekeeping management technologies, will bring its award-winning solutions to HITEC Europe 2019. Known to more than 3,600 hotels and 560 management companies in 29 countries as the "friendlier solution" and named a ...
SpringHill Suites by Marriott to Open Doors in Tifton, Georgia
The Sage Agency | April 4, 2019
Marriott International announced today that the SpringHill Suites by Marriott in Tifton, Georgia is scheduled to open on Monday, April 15, 2019. The 104-suite hotel, located at 401 Boo Drive, will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned and managed by Stafford Hospitality, Inc. The SpringHill Suites Tifton is situated at exit 62 off I-75, at the intersection of I-75, US Highway 319 and US Highway 82. The ideal location offers guests convenient access to historic downtown Tifton, the Georgia Museum of Agriculture, the University of Georgia Tifton Campus and the Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. "As a brand opening a new hotel every 10...
Hilton Phuket Continues to Sponsor English Lessons for students in Kamala, Phuket
Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort & Spa | April 4, 2019
Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort & Spa has continued to sponsor English lessons for students in Kamala, Phuket. General Manager Markus Kosch, together with the management team of Hilton Phuket, handed the donation of THB 15,000 to fund English lessons for the students in Kamala. The hotel has been supporting Phuket Has Been Good to Us Foundation since 2018. The fund has been raised from the proceeds of the in-house flea market organized by hotel team members. Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort & Spa is happy and grateful to gain the opportunity of supporting students to give them a brighter future. ...
Las Vegas Sands Enters Into Agreement With Singapore Government to Expand Marina Bay Sands IR
Las Vegas Sands Corp. | April 3, 2019
LAS VEGAS, April 3, 2019 -- Las Vegas Sands today announced a bold expansion plan for Marina Bay Sands in Singapore which will see the world's most successful and recognizable integrated resort add significant new tourism offerings to the property. The company has entered into a development agreement with the Singapore government and said it will quickly begin work on the new project. Located immediately adjacent to the existing Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort (IR), the key elements of the development will be a state-of-the-art 15,000-seat arena, a luxury hotel tower and additional MICE (Meeting, Incentive, Convention, and Exhibi...
OTO Development Breaks Ground on Hyatt Place National Harbor in Prince George’s County, Maryland
OTO Development | April 3, 2019
SPARTANBURG SC (April 3, 2019) – OTO Development, part of The Johnson Group, has broken ground on Hyatt Place National Harbor. Slated to open in late 2020, the seven-story waterfront hotel will be the first Hyatt-branded property in Prince George's County, Maryland. It's the latest hospitality addition to National Harbor, a 350-acre destination on the banks of the Potomac River with a variety of shopping, dining and entertainment opportunities. Based in Spartanburg, South Carolina, OTO previously developed a Hampton Inn & Suites in National Harbor and now manages that property for Blackstone. "It's always exciting to break gro...
Meet the Bleisure Demand With Meeting Experiences
Larry Mogelonsky | April 3, 2019
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.hotelmogel.com) A clever portmanteau between business and leisure, hybrid travel is now mainstream, so much so that it is starting to influence how meeting planners select their destinations and host hotels. After all, in a world where video conferencing can connect anyone, anywhere and at any time, the purpose of travel is to offer guests a unique and stimulating setting. The bleisure incentive has thus far been the prospect of extending a few days on either end of the main event to fully appreciate said location. However, the demand for heightened experiences on the leisure side are starting to c...
U.S. Citizen International Outbound Travel Up Six Percent in 2018
| April 3, 2019
Annual 2018/2017 Comparisons U.S. air travel to overseas markets (1) totaled 41.8 million, up nine percent for the year. Regional results were: Europe, 17.7 million travelers, up 12 percent Caribbean, 8.3 million travelers, up five percent Asia, 6.3 million travelers, up eight percent Central America, 3.2 million travelers, up seven percent Middle East, 2.4 million travelers, up six percent South America, 2.1 million travelers, up nine percent Oceania, 861,000 travelers, up 11 percent Africa, 432,000 travelers, up seven percent U.S. travel to North American markets totaled 51.3 million, up four percent compared to 2017. To M...
Wexford Lodging Advisors & Trinity Private Equity Group Complete JV Acquisition of 138-Suite DoubleTree Suites Hotel Nashville Airport
Trinity Private Equity Group | April 3, 2019
JV to Invest $2.5 Million to Upgrade Hotel NASHVILLE, Tenn.—April 3, 2019 --Officials of Wexford Lodging Advisors, a leading hotel asset management and investment firm, and Trinity Private Equity Group, one of the nation's top alternative asset management firms, today announced the acquisition of the 138-suite DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Nashville Airport. The joint venture will invest approximately $2.5 million to upgrade the property with a targeted completion date of year's end 2019. HVMG will continue to operate the hotel. "Nashville remains one of the strongest and fastest-growing markets in the nation for hotel demand...
Historic Hilton Checkers Los Angeles Completes Multimillion Dollar Renovation
Crestline Hotels & Resorts, LLC | April 3, 2019
Los Angeles, CA – April 3, 2019 -- The Hilton Checkers Hotel in Los Angeles announced the completion of a multimillion-dollar renovation that honors its historic past while creating a welcoming ambience for guests. The transformation includes the addition of the new "1927 Bar+Kitchen" that embodies the timeless splendor of the roaring 20's. This modern-day speakeasy is a celebration of innovation and a tribute to yesteryear with a fun vibe and contemporary fare and spirits. In addition, each of the hotel's 193 guestrooms and suites received a complete refresh with new soft goods, furnishings, and bathrooms. The public spaces a...
What the Hotel World Looks Like in 2020
Robert A. Rauch | April 3, 2019
Bob Rauch and Sarah Andersen Hotel Distribution is arguably the big topic of the near term. Expedia Group and Booking Holdings (previously Priceline) are the two big online travel agencies (OTAs), dominating well over 70% of OTA market share. Now this duopoly faces major disruption by Airbnb, Facebook, and Google. Airbnb just bought HotelTonight, an app-based company that sells last-minute, unused boutique and independent hotel inventory. Meanwhile, SiteMinder's "BookingButton" already integrate into Facebook business pages as a widget, eliminating the need to click away from the site to make a booking. Add in the possibility that Googl...
Travel Trends Index: International, Domestic Travel Growth Projected to Dwindle
| April 3, 2019
WASHINGTON (April 3, 2019)— Travel to and within the U.S. grew 3.2% year-over-year in February, according to the U.S. Travel Association's latest Travel Trends Index (TTI). However, the predictive Leading Travel Index (LTI) continues to project a slowdown in both international and domestic travel growth, as both segments could continue to feel the effects of rising trade tensions, volatile financial markets and weakening business and consumer confidence. These factors have the potential to stunt travel growth and dull American competitiveness at a time when the U.S. is seeking to reverse its declining share of the global inter...
Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center Completes Multi-Million Dollar Renovation
Hyatt Regency | April 3, 2019
DENVER -- Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center announced today the completion of a multi-million dollar renovation to its guestrooms, lobby and public spaces. Managed by Columbia Sussex, the 451-room hotel is located in the growing business and economic trading center in the southeastern portion of the Denver metropolitan area, home to several corporations and in close proximity to restaurants, bars and hotels. Denver Tech Center (DTC) is at the junction of I-25 and I-225, allowing for easy access throughout Denver and conveniently situated minutes from downtown, the airport, and steps from the Belleview light rail station. The area surroun...
Hyatt Signs With Towa Real Estate to Develop 120-Key Hotel at Japan’s Historic Fuji Speedway
Unbound Collection by Hyatt | April 3, 2019
CHICAGO -- Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced today that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into a management agreement with Towa Real Estate Co. Ltd., an affiliate of TOYOTA Group, to develop a 120-key hotel at the Fuji Speedway, Japan's historic racing circuit. Slated to open in 2022, the project will be the first in Japan under The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand and the first hotel in the world to be built by Towa Real Estate. "As we look to expand Hyatt's brand footprint in Japan, we are excited to be entering into a management agreement with TOYOTA group company, Towa Real Estate, as it builds its first-ever hotel." Hotel a...
Beekeeper to Debut Shift Schedules at HT-NEXT in New Orleans
Beekeeper | April 3, 2019
New mobile tool reduces use of non-compliant messaging services in the workplace by moving shift schedule communication to Beekeeper; Visit Beekeeper in Booth #30 April 8 to 11 during HT-Next at the Hilton Riverside San Francisco, April 3, 2019 — Next week Beekeeper will unveil a new mobile capability at HT-NEXT in New Orleans that will enable every hotel employee to check the most up-to-date work schedules personalized to them and delivered straight to their pocket via Beekeeper. The idea for this solution came when Beekeeper identified a gap in the market for operational shift communication. Although there are many effective shi...
