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Industry Happenings
What I Learned About Video on August 1, 1981
Hospitality Upgrade | July 8, 2013
2013 copyright Hospitality Upgrade by James Lingle Unless you are of a certain age, you are probably wondering what is so important about Aug. 1, 1981. At 12:01 a.m. on August 1, 1981, MTV showed the very first music video on TV. It was by a little known band called The Buggles and was called, "Video Killed the Radio Star." While packing for a recent family vacation, I started counting the number of Wi-Fi-enabled devices that we were taking with us. Being a business traveler and someone in the hospitality business I wondered if the hotel's network would be able to handle all these devices, how many devices will we be able to connec...
Hotel Pricing and Parity Analysis for the Week of June 28, 2013 in US & Canada Region
RateGain | July 8, 2013
2013 - RateGain, The Leading hospitality technology company, released this week's Hotel Pricing Trends and Hotel Rate Parity report. A single window BI dashboard, enabling revenue professionals on cheapest rate visibility, tracking hotel rate parity along with median rate for three (3) months of three, four and five star hotel category across some of the major cities in US & Canada region. Data range spans across July to Sep 2013, starting from the first week of July (all rates in US dollars and for two adults on one-night stay). Performance Facts: In price trends report, Lowest rate trends over the three months are generally fla...
Regatta Travel Solutions Launches in its Hometown with the Charlottesville Albemarle Virginia CVB
Regatta Travel Solutions Inc. | July 8, 2013
Charlottesville, Virginia (July 8, 2013) - Regatta Travel Solutions announced today that it has launched the Regatta booking engine on visitcharlottesville.org as part of its agreement with the Charlottesville Albemarle Convention & Visitors Bureau. Regatta, which is based in Charlottesville, entered the US market in April 2012 after achieving great success with its destination booking engine and online marketing strategies in the Caribbean. Since then the Company has announced several agreements with CVBs all over the US. "Between the history, charm and culinary appeal of Charlottesville, and not to mention the University of Virgin...
Westin St. Maarten Goes Solar
The Westin St. Maarten Dawn Beach Resort & Spa | July 3, 2013
First Westin in World and Only Major Property in Caribbean Installs Phase One of Solar Panels to Offset Resort's Energy Consumption Investment Saves Equivalent of Annual Power for 111 Homes, or CO2 Emissions from Driving 1.2 Million Miles in an SUV PHILIPSBURG, ST MAARTEN (July 3, 2013) – While environmental initiatives may seem standard in the upscale, boutique hospitality industry, there is plenty of room for tourism organizations to make strides to advance green lodging, especially in the area of solar power. According to the Energy Policy and Sector Analysis in the Caribbean (2010 – 2011), the "Caribbean islands have the potenti...
Large Resorts and Solar Power – Westin St. Maarten Captures Caribbean Sun for Energy Consumption
Westin. St. Maarten Resort & Spa | July 3, 2013
First Westin in World and Only Major Property in Caribbean Installs Phase One of Solar Panels to Offset Resort's Energy Consumption; Investment Saves Equivalent of Annual Power for 111 Homes, or CO2 Emissions from Driving 1.2 Million Miles in an SUV PHILIPSBURG, ST MAARTEN (July, 2013) – While environmental initiatives may seem standard in the upscale, boutique hospitality industry, there is plenty of room for tourism organizations to make strides to advance green lodging, especially in the area of solar power. According to the Energy Policy and Sector Analysis in the Caribbean (2010 – 2011), the"Caribbean islands have the potential...
White Lodging Assumes Management of Hilton Garden Inn and Hampton Inn in West Palm Beach, Florida
White Lodging Services Corporation | July 3, 2013
MERRILLVILLE, Ind., July 3, 2013 -- White Lodging is pleased to announce it has officially taken over the management of the Hilton Garden Inn and Hampton Inn hotels in West Palm Beach, Fl. The acquisition expands White Lodging's managed portfolio to 168 hotels, including 10 in Florida. "We are honored with the continued partnership and loyalty RLJ Lodging Trust has placed with White Lodging. These two additional hotels are now part of the 105 we manage for them," said Dave Sibley, President and CEO of White Lodging's Management Division. The hotels will be brought into the White Lodging portfolio under the leadership of Senior Regional ...
Chesapeake Hospitality Assumes Management of Hilton Garden Inn Fort Myers in Florida
Chesapeake Hospitality | July 3, 2013
GREENBELT, Md., July 3, 2013 -- Greenbelt, Md.-based Chesapeake Hospitality, one of the country's fastest growing third-party hotel management companies ranked in the top 50 largest independent U.S. operators, announced today that it has taken over management of the Hilton Garden Inn Fort Myers in Fort Myers, Fla. Kim Sims, president of Chesapeake Hospitality, made the announcement. Chesapeake's demonstrated expertise in managing property renovations will be critical to the immediate success of the hotel as the owners embark on a $3 million renovation project. Updates to the property will include a complete refresh of the 126 guest room...
The 204-room Royal Apollonia in Cyprus Re-opens Following Renovation
The Royal Apollonia | July 3, 2013
NICOSIA, Cyprus, July 3, 2013 - Named after Apollon, the ancient God of light and the sun, The Royal Apollonia in Limassol, Cyprus has opened its doors after a complete and truly majestic renovation that led to the rebirth of Limassol's very first 5-star hotel. Located in the heart of Limassol's buzzing tourist area and with its very own secluded sandy beach, The Royal Apollonia is Limassol's most centrally located five-star hotel offering an oasis of relaxation and a truly divine hospitality for unforgettable holidays. It now features totally revamped, bright and welcoming public areas with chic fixtures, earthy colours and unobstructe...
Trey Matheu Named as Inaugural General Manager of Salamander Resort & Spa Set to Open in Virginia
Salamander Hotels & Resorts | July 3, 2013
Penny Kriel Appointed as Spa Director MIDDLEBURG, VA (July 3, 2012) - Salamander Hotels & Resorts has appointed Trey Matheu as the new - and inaugural - general manager of the luxurious Salamander Resort & Spa, scheduled to open on August 29 in the storied village of Middleburg in the heart of Virginia's horse and wine country. The resort includes an architecturally stunning spa featuring wellness inspired programs, outdoor stone treatment terraces, and a private courtyard replete with infinity edge relaxation pool and cabanas which overlook the dense forest. Matheu joins the Salamander executive team after a distinguished hospi...
GATE Hospitality Group Names New Leadership and Organizational Structure for its Resort Properties
GATE and The GATE Hospitality Group | July 3, 2013
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., July 3, 2013 - In pursuit to continuously exceed the highest standards of hospitality and quality for members and guests, GATE President John Peyton announced today several changes to the management structure of the company's four world class resort/private club properties - The Ponte Vedra Inn & Club, The Lodge & Club at Ponte Vedra, Epping Forest Yacht Club and The River Club. Management functions for each property will now be consolidated under one organization - The GATE Hospitality Group (GHG). The GHG will combine the functions of human resources/training, information technology, finance, purchasing and...
Travel Exports Continue To Be a Source of Strength for U.S. Economy
U.S. Travel Association | July 3, 2013
Spending by International Travelers Accounts for Close to One-Third of Overall U.S. Export Growth So Far This Year Washington, D.C. - July 3, 2013 - David Huether, senior vice president of research and economics at the U.S. Travel Association, provides analysis on today's Commerce Department announcement that the trade deficit deteriorated by $4.9 billion in May 2013 to $45.0 billion, as the $0.5 billion fall in total exports was augmented by a $4.4 billion surge in imports from April. "Travel exports continued to buck the trend in May. While overall U.S. exports fell in May - the third monthly decline so far this year - travel exports ...
EMEA Hotel Transaction Volumes Rise by 38% in the First 6 Months of 2013 Reports Jones Lang LaSalle
Jones Lang LaSalle | July 3, 2013
UK the most active transaction market with investment volumes equalling 41% of total EMEA volumes UK and France lead strong pickup in hotel transaction activity, particularly in Q1 2013. July 3, 2013 - Hotel investment volumes in H1 2013 in Europe, Middle East and Africa increased by 38% to €5.5 billion, when compared to H1 2012. This growth was primarily in Q1 2013 (+45%) and to some extent in Q2 2013 (+22%). The first half of 2013 re-emphasized the importance of Middle Eastern capital which almost tripled from €745 million in H1 2012 to €2.1 billion in H1 2013 (+282%). Key players were once again sovereign wealth funds from Qat...
Sunstone Hotel Investors Completes Acquisition of the Boston Park Plaza for $237,400 per key
Sunstone Hotel Investors: | July 3, 2013
ALISO VIEJO, Calif., July 3, 2013 -- Sunstone Hotel Investors (the "Company") (NYSE: SHO) announced today that it has closed on the previously announced acquisition of the 1,053-room Boston Park Plaza hotel located in Boston, Massachusetts. The contractual purchase price was $250.0 million (or approximately $237,400 per key). The acquisition was structured as a tax-deferred exchange and was funded with a combination of proceeds received from the sale of four hotels and a commercial laundry facility in January 2013, cash on hand and the assumption of a non-recourse loan secured by the hotel. The assumed loan has a principal outstanding b...
Wyndham Hotels and Resorts Brand Debuts in Ecuador with the Opening of 179-room Wyndham Guayaquil
Wyndham Hotels and Resorts | July 3, 2013
GUAYAQUIL, Ecuador (July 2, 2013) - Wyndham Hotel Group, the world's largest hotel company with approximately 7,380 hotels and part of Wyndham Worldwide Corporation (NYSE: WYN), today celebrated its continued expansion in Latin America with the addition of the 179-room Wyndham Guayaquil in Ecuador, marking the introduction of the upscale Wyndham Hotels and Resorts® brand in the South American country. The newly constructed, full-service property in Guayaquil is the fifth hotel to open under an agreement between Wyndham Hotel Group and the hotel's ownership group, Nobis, to develop and franchise eight additional hotels in the country un...
Wyndham Hotel Group Opens the Newly Constructed 307-room Wyndham Istanbul Petek in Turkey
Wyndham Hotels and Resorts | July 3, 2013
ISTANBUL (July 2, 2013) – Wyndham Hotel Group, the world's largest hotel company with approximately 7,380 hotels and part of Wyndham Worldwide Corporation (NYSE: WYN), today announced the opening of the newly constructed, 307-room Wyndham Istanbul Petek, the second upscale Wyndham Hotels and Resorts® property to open in Turkey in just six months. The opening of Wyndham Istanbul Petek adds to Wyndham Hotel Group's growing presence in Turkey, becoming the 20th property in the country to fly a Wyndham Hotel Group brand flag. Currently, the company has properties open and operating under the Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, TRYP by Wyndham® ...
Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts Opens the 508-room Jing An Shangri-La, West Shanghai
Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts | July 3, 2013
Shanghai, July 3, 2013 - Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts unveiled its third luxury hotel in Shanghai on June 29 on the Puxi side of the Huangpu River. Positioned in the very heart of Shanghai, Jing An Shangri-La, West Shanghai is part of the city's most fashionable neighborhood and features a glamorous design inspired by Shanghai's vibrant past, present and future. The 508-room hotel is the centerpiece of the impressive new 450,000-square-meter (4.8 million-square-foot) Jing An Kerry Centre. In 1993, Kerry Holdings Limited began purchasing parcels of land where Jing An Kerry Centre sits with the vision of developing a high-end, mixed-use ...
Flora Hospitality Opens its New-Build 80-room Flora Al SOUQ Hotel in Dubai
Flora Hospitality | July 3, 2013
DUBAI, July 3, 2013 -- Flora Hospitality, will officially open the doors of its newest 2 star hotel Flora Al SOUQ, by the end of June 2013. The new property is situated in the main business and shopping area of the city, Al Baniyas district, surrounded by a variety of oriental stores and just 15 minutes' drive from Dubai airport. The Hotel's prime location offers convenience and accessibility. Dubai Gold Souk and Spice Souk, the traditional market with a variety of fragrances and spices are just 10 minutes walk from the hotel offering to guests an extraordinary shopping experience, immersing them in the heart of the old Dubai with its a...
Chinese Hotel Chain Signs eRevMax for Market Expansion and Revenue Growth
Rosedale Hotel Group | July 3, 2013
5 Rosedale Properties Leverage RateTiger Channel Manager for Optimal e-Distribution Hong Kong, 3 July, 2013: Rosedale Hotel Group has recently partnered with eRevMax to expand its online visibility to further improve market share. All five Rosedale properties have subscribed to RateTiger's integrated channel management platform to update room rates and availability and benchmark competitor prices to enhance online revenue opportunities. The intense competition in the Chinese hospitality sector has made it important for accommodation providers to optimize all demand sources. Online travel booking is growing in double digits in China and ...
The 171-room DoubleTree by Hilton Campbell – Pruneyard Plaza Opens in California
DoubleTree By Hilton | July 3, 2013
MCLEAN, Va. - July 3, 2013 - DoubleTree by Hilton and Hilton Worldwide today announced the opening of the new DoubleTree by Hilton Campbell - Pruneyard Plaza, following comprehensive hotel upgrades. Formerly an independent boutique hotel, the property located at 1995 S. Bascom Avenue in Campbell, Calif., becomes the newest addition to the DoubleTree by Hilton portfolio, which boasts more than 340 hotels worldwide. Following the opening, the hotel will continue its dramatic property-wide renovation with upgrades to the lobby, an updated fitness center and a revamp of the hotel's food and beverage offerings. DoubleTree by Hilton Campbell ...
Owned and Managed by Shamin Hotels the DoubleTree by Hilton Richmond – Midlothian Opens in Virginia
Shamin Hotels | July 3, 2013
RICHMOND, Va. - July 3, 2013 - DoubleTree by Hilton today announced the opening of DoubleTree by Hilton Richmond - Midlothian, a contemporary hotel situated just a short drive from downtown Richmond. The building, formerly the Holiday Inn Koger Conference Center, is nearing the completion of a $6.5 million renovation that includes upgrades throughout the hotel's public spaces and guest rooms by the end of 2013. The modern property boasts upscale accommodations and the most expansive hotel meeting and event space available in Richmond-Midlothian. Both the hotel and conference center are owned and managed by Shamin Hotels Inc. "DoubleTree...
The 140-key Fairmont Baku, Flame Towers, Opens in Azerbaijan
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts | July 3, 2013
Toronto July 3, 2013 - Fairmont Hotels & Resorts today announced the opening of Fairmont Baku, Flame Towers, the luxury brand's first development in the emerging destination of Azerbaijan. Located within the highest part of the city in the heart of Baku's vibrant centre, Fairmont Baku lies within one of the three Flame Towers: an extraordinary, award-winning, new development, now the tallest building complex in the country. Described by some as one of the most audacious buildings of modern times, the Flame Towers' three columns are an apt symbol for this "land of fire". Extraordinary as it seems, HOK International, the architects be...
CHESAPEAKE HOSPITALITY ADDS HILTON GARDEN INN FORT MYERS TO MANAGEMENT PORTFOLIO
Chesapeake Hospitality | July 3, 2013
GREENBELT, MD.,— Greenbelt, Md.-based Chesapeake Hospitality, one of the country's fastest growing third-party hotel management companies ranked in the top 50 largest independent U.S. operators, announced today that it has taken over management of the Hilton Garden Inn Fort Myers in Fort Myers, Fla. Kim Sims, president of Chesapeake Hospitality, made the announcement. Chesapeake's demonstrated expertise in managing property renovations will be critical to the immediate success of the hotel as the owners embark on a $3 million renovation project. Updates to the property will include a complete refresh of the 126 guest rooms and renovat...
ISHC Adds New Member
HyperDisk Marketing | July 2, 2013
Steven V. Seghers, President of HyperDisk Marketing, officially became a member of the prestigious International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC) on March 20, 2013. He will be awarded his membership pin at the ISHC Annual Conference in Panama City, Panama, on October 3, 2013. ISHC is celebrating its 25-year anniversary as the preeminent source for hospitality expertise, counsel, and strategic support within the hospitality vertical, representing professionals across six continents. Mr. Seghers will compliment ISHC's far-reaching hospitality expertise by providing a highly specialized digital marketing skill set. Since the early...
The St. Regis Aspen in Colorado Welcomes New Executive Chef David Viviano
The St. Regis Aspen Resort | July 2, 2013
Aspen, CO - July 2, 2013 - The St. Regis Aspen is pleased to announce the appointment of new Executive Chef David Viviano to lead the culinary team at the Aspen resort. Chef Viviano joins The St. Regis Aspen Resort with great enthusiasm for the culinary arts and a diverse scope of experience, including over fifteen years working in the hospitality industry. As Executive Chef, Viviano oversees all of the resort's food and beverage operations, including new authentic Italian restaurant, Trecento Quindici Decano, as well as banquet, catering and in-room dining. As a child, Viviano inherited a love of food and Italian cuisine at his family'...
