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Industry Happenings
SACO- The Serviced Apartment Company Collaborate With ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions and KeezApp to Implement Advanced Mobile Access Functionality
ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions | February 5, 2019
UK-based accommodation company integrates guest-facing KeezApp platform with Mobile Access by ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions, ensuring secure and hassle-free check-in/out experience Stockholm – February 5, 2019 –ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions, provider of advanced security technologies for the hospitality industry, announces the successful implementation of its Mobile Access solution by SACO- The Serviced Apartment Company via integration with KeezApp, a leading provider of guest-facing mobile app solutions. A UK-based organization overseeing more than 80,000 apartments in 35 countries, SACO sought out a security access solution ...
Hotel Internet Services Showcases Latest Enhancements in In-Room Television Casting, Voice Control and Wi-Fi Network Solutions at Stay Boutiqu
Hotel Internet Services, Inc. | February 5, 2019
Leading provider of in-room entertainment, voice-activated and secure hotel Wi-Fi guestroom technology to demonstrate newest industry trends at Los Angeles boutique hotel show. Los Angeles — February 5, 2019 — Hotel Internet Services (HIS), a full-service provider of Internet services and solutions for the hospitality industry, is set to exhibit the latest technological advances in guestroom television casting, voice activated amenity control and secure hotel Wi-Fi functionality at this year's Stay Boutique Live Trifecta conference, taking place February 11-13, in Los Angeles, CA. Exhibiting at booth #303, HIS will showcase ...
SiteMinder Reveals the Top 12 Hotel Booking Revenue Makers of 2018 as Consumer Choice Rises
SiteMinder | February 5, 2019
Dallas, USA – SiteMinder, the global hotel industry's leading guest acquisition platform, today unveils its annual lists of the channels that brought the highest total booking revenue to hotels in the USA & Canada and other top travel destinations around the world in 2018. Varying from direct hotel websites to a new host of third-party channels, the diversity of the lists this year reflects a rise in consumer choice that is forcing hotels to compete for business on more booking channels than ever before. Speaking on the lists, SiteMinder's managing director, Mike Ford, says the increased diversity is also indicative of a booki...
Shiji Acquires Touchpeak Software Inc, an International Payment Solutions Provider
Touchpeak Software, Inc. | February 5, 2019
Adding to Shiji Payment Solutions, Touchpeak Software Inc will further enhance Shiji's global payment solutions. Atlanta, 5 February 2019, Shiji completed the acquisition of Touchpeak Software, Inc. and its subsidiary EFT Middleware LLC. After being an investor in the company for a number of years, Touchpeak will now be incorporated into Shiji Payment Solutions and continue to operate its business and serve its customers as it has before as a wholly owned company of the Shiji Group. Touchpeak Software, Inc. which was founded in 2014 had built and deployed a payments system integration framework that is in use in the USA, Canada, UK, an...
Spain’s Hotels Power up for an Eco-Friendly Future
Jll Real Views | February 4, 2019
Across Spain, hotels are prominently flagging their green credentials as they increasingly take steps to reduce their environmental footprint and appeal to a new generation of eco-aware consumers. The country's Paradores, state-run hotels in historic buildings such as former palaces and monasteries, are the latest to look to a greener future, switching to renewable energy sources by incorporating features such as biomass technology or solar panels. "The Paradores' commitment to become 100 percent green energy driven is an important milestone in the Spanish hotels sector," says Carlos Ortega, Executive Vice President of the Hotels divisi...
Choice Hotels Promotes Jill Burke to Regional Vice President of Franchise Services
Choice Hotels International | February 4, 2019
ROCKVILLE, Md. (Feb. 4, 2019) – Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), one of the world's largest hotel franchisors, has promoted Jill Burke to regional vice president of franchise services. In this role, Burke will lead the company's area directors, a team of franchise operations business consultants, to drive system-wide hotel performance and owner satisfaction throughout the central United States. "As one of the few hotel companies to still provide on-the-ground guidance and support to owners, our area director organization is a testament to Choice's enduring commitment to franchisee success," said Curtis Osekowsky, vic...
Luxury Hospitality and the Risk of Obsolescence
Stuart Pallister | February 4, 2019
By Stuart Pallister Luxury hospitality is at risk of becoming obsolete, according to PwC Global industry leader for hospitality and tourism, Nicolas Mayer. That's because it no longer fulfills the 'needs and desires' of clients that they couldn't get elsewhere. Mayer told EHL students recently in classroom sessions that, in decades gone by, luxury had involved 'standard expectations' about security, beautiful surroundings and service levels that guests were willing to pay for. Whereas now, this brand promise and standardization, this consistency promise, doesn't need to be obtained from a luxury operator anymore. You can get it online a...
Hyatt Signs With Jabal Omar for Development of Jabal Omar Hyatt Centric Makkah Hotel and Residences Slated to Open in 2023
The Hyatt Centric Experience | February 4, 2019
CHICAGO (February 4, 2019) – Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced today that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into a management agreement with Jabal Omar Development Company, a leading developer in the Middle East, for a Hyatt Centric hotel in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, as part of the Jabal Omar integrated real estate development. Jabal Omar Hyatt Centric Makkah Hotel and Residences will boast a prime location in close proximity to the Grand Mosque of Makkah, ideally positioned within one of the fastest growing religious tourism markets in the world. "We're honored to work together again with Jabal Omar Development Company on the ...
Pacifica Capital to Open Japan’s First Fairfield by Marriott Summer 2020 in Osaka
Pacifica Capital K.K. | February 4, 2019
TOKYO--Namba Hospitality K.K., a 100% subsidiary of Tokyo-based Pacifica Capital K.K., has signed a franchise agreement with Marriott International to open the first "Fairfield by Marriott" in Japan. Construction of the 300-room "Fairfield by Marriott Osaka Namba" commenced January 2019 and the hotel is expected to open in summer 2020. At completion of construction, Namba Hospitality K.K. will lease the building from the owner and operate the hotel. The hotel is just a five-minute walk from Namba Station, the favorite accommodation destination in Osaka for international visitors, both because of its direct rail access from Kansai Intern...
Marriott, Hilton and IHG Development Projects Lead the U.S. Hotel Construction Pipeline
Lodging Econometrics | February 4, 2019
February 4, 2019 – PORTSMOUTH, NH – In the Lodging Econometrics (LE) year-end report for 2018, analysts detailed the leading franchise companies and their brands in the construction pipeline. Marriott International tops the list with 1,498 projects/197,227 rooms, Hilton Worldwide with 1,359 projects/152,060 rooms, and InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) with 972 projects/98,377 rooms. Sixty-nine percent of the projects in the pipeline derive from these three franchise companies. Marriott and Hilton both have pipelines that are up 6% by project count year-over-year (YOY). The two companies set new all-time pipeline records at...
Hospitality Financial Leadership: The 5 Hidden Costs of Being Branded
David Lund | February 4, 2019
By David Lund Marriott. Hilton. IHG. Wyndham. Choice. For years these chains have publicized the advantages of working with them: advanced loyalty programs that promise to bring consistent customers, low fees, tough negotiations with OTAs, and preferred financing options. Not so fast. Are the brands' claims actually true? While many owners have fallen victim to the claims of the brands, you need not do the same. As Mark Twain once said, "Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect." Let's take a closer look at what the brands are claiming, to make sure you know what to expect before entering i...
Gaming CEO Pay in a Year of Reckoning
Keith Kefgen | February 4, 2019
By Keith Kefgen The last eighteen months has been a reckoning for powerful men in the business world and gaming has been no exception. The #MeToo Movement struck down one of the most recognizable names in the gaming industry when Steve Wynn stepped down from the company he founded, Wynn Resorts. These issues have continued to shine a spotlight on CEO pay, severance and golden parachutes. Four other CEOs in gaming are out or on the way out soon. Caesars recently announced that Mark Fissora is stepping down at the end of the year. All that said, it was a very solid year for casinos stocks, with many of the bigger companies outperforming t...
The State of Voice for 2019
Angie | February 4, 2019
Did you know that voice technology has been adopted faster than nearly any other technology in history? Over the last year, we've seen a tremendous increase in voice technology adoption in the home: 53% of U.S. Adults actively use a voice assistant each month, 57.8 million adults use smart speakers, and the number of households with smart speakers in the U.S. has increased 78% in the last year.4 It's no surprise that the most rapidly growing digital communication method is also the oldest. Voice is shaking up industries from retail to healthcare, and hospitality is no different. Hospitality Voice Technology Guests enjoy their ho...
Hyatt Place Calgary Airport Opens in Alberta Offering 127 Guestrooms
Hyatt Place | February 1, 2019
CHICAGO (February 1, 2019) – Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) today announced Hyatt Place Calgary Airport, the second Hyatt Place hotel in Alberta, and the ninth Hyatt-branded hotel in Canada, is officially open. The new hotel features the Hyatt Place brand's intuitive, innovative design, upscale-casual atmosphere and practical amenities, such as free Wi-Fi and 24-hour food offerings. Nestled in the heart of the Calgary Airport business sector, Hyatt Place Calgary Airport allows guests to exit the terminal, hop aboard the free airport shuttle and arrive at the hotel within five minutes, making the hotel the perfect destination f...
2019 and Lodging Technology: Is There a One-Size-Fits-All Approach?
Matt Peterson | February 1, 2019
By Matt Peterson Turning the page on another calendar year is always fun and reflective. As we look to 2019, there are some interesting trends and new technologies that should continue to impact the lodging industry. Following is a look into two specific groups, employee and customer experiences, and how we should continue to embrace technology so it can positively affect the bottom line. With higher costs and questionable growth over the next few years, employee costs and retention will continue to be a hot topic. It goes without saying that a "happy" or "satisfied" employee is more likely to stay with their employer, but how do we mak...
Excellence Group Plans Early 2020 Opening of Finest Punta Cana in Dominican Republic
Excellence Group | February 1, 2019
PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic, Jan. 31, 2019 -- Following the success of Finest Playa Mujeres, Excellence Group Luxury Hotels and Resorts has announced plans to open the second outpost from their Finest Resorts brand. Set to open its doors the first half of 2020, Finest Punta Cana will be set on the shores and crystal blue waters of Punta Cana and will be the third Excellence Group property in the Dominican Republic. The first of its kind in the area, Finest Punta Cana will house all of the exacting standards and personalized luxury that Excellence Group has become renowned for, with 450 suites, including 60 family suites, that will ra...
Boston & Cambridge Lodging Market Peaks in 2018 as Demand Outpaces Supply
Sebastian J. Colella | February 1, 2019
Sebastian J. Colella The Boston and Cambridge lodging market accommodated approximately 7.5 million roomnights in 2018, growth in demand of 3.4% from the prior year. The market's supply increased 2.8% with the opening of four new hotels and a guestroom expansion which combined for approximately 760 new rooms available nightly. As a result of these dynamics, the market's occupancy increased 0.3% to 82.7%, its highest point in history. Despite the market's continued demand growth and capacity constraints through much of the year, average daily rate (ADR) increased only 1.6% to $262. Similar to the trends experienced nationally, the market...
Rockbridge Acquires The Tennessean Hotel and Holiday Inn Knoxville Downtown Hotel
Rockbridge | February 1, 2019
Columbus, OH (FEBRUARY 1, 2019) – Rockbridge announces the acquisition of The Tennessean Hotel and the Holiday Inn Knoxville Downtown Hotel, both of which sit in prime locations in downtown Knoxville. Aimbridge Hospitality will manage both hotels. "We look forward to delivering a transformational renovation to the Knoxville Community that will bring economic prosperity to the region," said Jim Merkel, Rockbridge CEO. "Matt Welch, who led this investment for Rockbridge, was instrumental in delivering our core values, that will result in a win-win-win for our customers, the Knoxville Community, and our investors." The Tennessean fea...
Paramount Lodging Advisors Sells Ocean Front Gold Beach Inn, Ireland’s Rustic Lodges & RV Park and Ireland’s Commercial Income Property in OR
Paramount Lodging Advisors | January 31, 2019
Paramount Lodging Advisors (PLA) has successfully executed the transaction of the Ocean Front Gold Beach Inn, Ireland's Rustic Lodges & RV Park and Ireland's Commercial Income property in Gold Beach, OR. Senior Managing Director Scott Griemsmann and Senior Associate Subu Thiagarajan represented the seller in the sale. This transaction presented the buyer a unique opportunity to acquire two independent hotels, an RV Park, and commercial rental units on several acres between the Pacific Ocean and coastal Highway 101. Upon completion of a property improvement plan (PIP), upgrading technology, and implementation of professional manageme...
Embassy Suites by Hilton Tampa Downtown Convention Center Appoints Graham Zimmerman as Executive Chef
Embassy Suites by Hilton | January 31, 2019
TAMPA, Fla. - Embassy Suites by Hilton Tampa Downtown Convention Center, today announced that Graham Zimmerman has been appointed executive chef of Embassy Suites by Hilton Tampa Downtown Convention Center's in-house restaurant TASTE. Embassy Suites by Hilton is a global brand of upscale, all-suite hotels from Hilton (NYSE: HLT). After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America at Hyde Park in 2007, Zimmerman moved to the Napa Valley in 2010, securing the position of executive chef of the Napa Valley Embassy Suites. He was also sous chef for the team at Eiko's Napa when it first opened, and before that, assisted in the launch of Morimo...
UAB Education Foundation Opens 295-Room Hilton Birmingham at UAB Following Renovation and Rebranding
UAB | January 31, 2019
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Today dignitaries from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the City of Birmingham and Hilton Hotels & Resorts gathered for the grand opening of Hilton Birmingham at UAB, the university's flagship hotel on campus. Following a multimillion-dollar renovation, representatives from UAB and Hilton welcomed members of the community to observe the hotel's collaborative transformation into a property that reflects UAB in both subtle and significant ways. The grand opening activities included property tours and a ribbon cutting, with appearances by members of the UAB Spirit Program and Pep Band. Formerly the DoubleTre...
Eden Hotels to Convert Amsterdam’s American Hotel to Hard Rock Hotel Amsterdam American Set to Open April 2020
Hard Rock International | January 31, 2019
LONDON, Jan. 31, 2019 -- With a presence spanning more than 76 countries, Hard Rock International announces the continued expansion of its hotel portfolio, with the opening of Hard Rock Hotel Amsterdam American in April 2020 — bringing the signature Hard Rock vibe to this exciting cultural capital. Located on the lively Leidseplein Square, Hard Rock Hotel Amsterdam American will be brought to life in one of the city's most famous Art Nouveau style buildings, built in 1900 and formerly known as the American Hotel. Showcasing 173 rooms and suites and newly-renovated interiors, the hotel will keep all vintage decorative features ...
RosenCare® Revolutionary Employee Healthcare Approach Could Boost Medical Travel to the USA
the Authors | January 31, 2019
By Frederick J. DeMicco, Ph.D. and Abe Pizam, Ph.D. High medical costs and an ineffective healthcare system in the USA have encouraged outbound medical travel and dissuaded many foreign patients from considering it as a medical travel destination. An innovative, self-insured employee healthcare model developed by Harris Rosen, the founder of Rosen Hotels & Resorts in Florida, has the potential to revolutionize medical care. Professors Frederick J. DeMicco, Ph.D. and Abe Pizam, Ph.D. look at what RosenCare® offers. Harris Rosen, Central Florida's largest independent hotelier, is widely recognized as an entrepreneur and passionate...
Interstate Partners With SCG American for Development of New Le Méridien Hotel in Orange County, California
Interstate Hotels & Resorts | January 31, 2019
ARLINGTON, Va. – January 31, 2019 – Following a signing ceremony that took place yesterday, Interstate Hotels & Resorts today announced its executed management agreement with New York City-based SCG America (SCGA) – the company leading the development of a new Le Méridien hotel in Orange County, California. Construction is anticipated to commence Q3 of 2019 with the hotel slated to open in 2021. This latest management contract is part of the company's strategy to grow its high-end hotel portfolio and follows news of Interstate's two Westin hotel additions (Alexandria and Portland, Maine) and the historic Hil...
