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Industry Happenings
The Peninsula Hotels Appoints Mark K. Kobayashi as Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing
The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited (HSH) | September 6, 2018
The Peninsula Hotels is pleased to announce the appointment of Mark K. Kobayashi as Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, effective on 1 September 2018. In his new role, he will be responsible for global Marketing, Sales, Revenue, Brand Marketing, Communications, E-Commerce, Digital Marketing, Guest Engagement, Global Guest Database Management and the Global Customer Service Center. Mark began his career with The Peninsula Hotels in October 2006, when he joined The Peninsula Tokyo as Director of Public Relations and formed a key part of the hotel's opening team. Having been instrumental in ...
Sea Island Appoints Vijay Singh as Managing Director of Resort Operations
Sea Island | September 6, 2018
SEA ISLAND, GA (Sept. 6, 2018) – Sea Island, a Forbes Five-Star resort on the coast of Georgia, is proud to announce the appointment of Vijay Singh as Managing Director of Resort Operations for Sea Island Company. In this role, Singh will lead all aspects of the resort operations including management of department executives. He will work closely with the Strategic Leadership Team and be responsible for overseeing all day-to-day operational aspects of the coveted resort. "Singh is an outstanding hospitality professional with extensive experience, an impressive resume of results, and a keen grasp of how a vibrant and passionate ser...
Dissecting the Relationship Between Universities and Boutique Hotels
Frances Kiradjian | September 6, 2018
Why do University campuses lend themselves so well to bespoke hotel experiences? By Frances Kiradjian Boutique hotels are "it". After a struggle to be taken seriously as a hospitality vertical, boutique hotels are ahead of every curve when it comes to modern day lodging. Now more than ever there is a steep demand for accommodations that one can take back home with them in the form of a story. It makes sense then, that college towns (areas with particularly high volume of travelers whether they are students, prospective students, professors & staff or parents of students) are adapting and implementing boutique in their own ways. P...
Now Available for Download: Technical SEO on the Hotel Website eBook
HEBS Digital | September 6, 2018
Why It's One of the Most Important Online Revenue Drivers In hospitality, technical SEO is one of the least understood and very much ignored digital technology and marketing disciplines. Technical SEO plays a major role in influencing Google and other search engines to rank your hotel website higher in search engine results pages (SERPs), which results in qualified website visitors and bookings. Google has frequently stated that it is using more than 200 major ranking "signals" with many thousands of sub-signals and variations. The following three categories are well within hoteliers' control, and if the hotel website is optimized t...
What Hoteliers Can Learn From Other Industries When it Comes to the Mobile Guest Journey
the Author | September 6, 2018
By Magnus Friberg CEO, Zaplox The demand for a seamless, hassle-free mobile customer journey isn't unique to the hospitality industry — rather, it's transforming countless industries around the world. Mobile is quickly becoming the experience modern consumers prefer. Utilizing mobile-optimized websites, apps, on-demand services and push-notifications allows brands to create unique communication streams, and better personalize their offerings. Most would agree that the hospitality industry has been slow to begin this shift into the mobile space. This means that hoteliers have the unique opportunity to learn from the industries that...
To Q3 and Beyond: Hotel Industry Forecast for San Diego, Arizona, Colorado, and Other U.S. Markets
Robert A. Rauch, CHA | September 6, 2018
By Robert A. Rauch U.S. Economy Companies are reporting solid revenues as well as profits. Q2 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was at 4.2 percent, the best quarter in five years. Business and consumer confidence and spending are strong and future growth for 2019 looks good. Interest rates and inflation have increased modestly, in sync with movements in the economy. Having said that, my favorite index is the Institute for Supply Management's Purchasing Management Index. That index fell to 58.1 in July, 2018 from 60.2 in June, below market expectations of 59.5. The reading pointed to the weakest expansion in the manufacturing sector in three ...
Five IoT solutions that can improve your guest experience radically
Valpas Enterprises | September 6, 2018
Anticipating guests' needs and creating personalized experiences is becoming a norm in hospitality industry. Competition is fierce and in order to stand out, modern systems need to be implemented to provide the satisfaction the contemporary traveller requires. Take a look at our list of convenient IoT solutions that will significantly improve every hotel's guest experience. Amazon Alexa – voice-based interaction with services and devices "Hey, Alexa. I'd like to listen to some music." "Okay, let me play some smooth jazz." Alexa enables the guest to use voice-control on different smart home devices. It's basically a guest's persona...
The Impact of Influencer Marketing on the Booking Journey
Angharad Miller | September 6, 2018
By Angharad Miller Let's set the scene. Up until the digital revolution, traditional marketing and word-of-mouth were the only real ways to grow consumer awareness at a notable scale. With today's consumers, however, traditional marketing through channels such as television and radio produces a disconnect between audience and the business. What has changed? Obviously, the consumers of today can be found online. One of the largest generation of consumers to date, millennials, now spend one in every five mobile minutes on Instagram or Facebook. Digital word-of-mouth reaches millions more potential customers around the world more rapidly t...
Meet Gen Z and Here’s How Your Hotel Can Appeal to Them
Hotelogix | September 6, 2018
Hotel marketing ideas are increasingly shifting from traditional (read generic) to more 'targeted'- whether it is geo-specific marketing, catering to a specific demographic or even a tiny subset of a larger demographic. And the next big thing that every hotelier is focussing on is the 'Generation Z or iGeneration'. A generation that may be young but has more power to influence than any other; a generation that is not just tech savvy but whose online presence is stronger than any other generation ever! What is the definition of Generation Z? To know who Generation Z are, it is important to know who the generation that precedes them- Mill...
Nordic Choice Hotels Eliminates Siloed Systems While Improving Hotel Operations and Enabling SMS Communication Between Their Guests and Hotel Staff
ALICE | September 5, 2018
Nordic Choice Hotels, one of the largest hotel groups in Scandinavia with 190 properties, has selected ALICE to standardize their hotel operations and guest engagement across their diverse brand portfolio. ALICE is the hospitality industry's leading operations technology, connecting every department of the hotel with one platform for all staff communication and guest requests. Last year, ALICE acquired concierge software provider GoConcierge to augment its technology and customer service offering. The signing of Nordic Choice Hotels is ALICE's second major enterprise deal following Grupo Posadas S.A.B. de C.V., the largest hotel operato...
HP Hotels Adopts PurpleCloud Technologies Hotel Task Software
HP Hotels | September 5, 2018
Atlanta, Georgia, September 6, 2018 - HP Hotels, a leading third-party hotel management company with a portfolio of over 40 hotels in 17 states, is implementing PurpleCloud Technologies' hotel task software across its entire management portfolio. HP Hotels President and CEO Charles Oswald and PurpleCloud Technologies CEO and Co-Founder Adria Levtchenko made the announcement. PurpleCloud Technologies, whose customizable modules include Housekeeping, Engineering, Front Office, Service Person and Management, streams real-time data directly to hotel associates to improve the efficiency of hotel operations, while also collecting significant amo...
RLJ Lodging Trust Sells The Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club for Total Consideration of $188.5 Million
RLJ | September 5, 2018
BETHESDA, Md.--RLJ Lodging Trust (the "Company") (NYSE: RLJ) today announced that the Company has sold the 362-room Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club for total consideration of $188.5 million, consisting of the contractual sales price of $185.0 million and the release of $3.5 million in member deposits. The total consideration represents approximately $521,000 per key. "We are very pleased with the highly accretive valuation this iconic hotel garnered, which further underscores our ability to maximize value from the sale of our non-core assets," commented Leslie D. Hale, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Our ...
Hilton Appoints Jerry Huang as President of Development in Greater China & Mongolia
Hilton | September 5, 2018
SHANGHAI, Sept. 5, 2018 -- Hilton (NYSE: HLT) today announced the appointment of Jerry Huang as president of development in Greater China and Mongolia. Effective September 10, 2018, Huang will oversee the team responsible for the overall development strategy for China. "Jerry's experience within the vast China hospitality market is nearly unparalleled," said Matt Fry, senior vice president, development for Asia Pacific. "Having someone of his calibre join our team will allow us to build on the success we have had in this very important market." Hilton today has more than 500 hotels open and under development in G...
Owned and Managed by Sunridge Hotel Group, New TownePlace Suites by Marriott Clovis Set to Open in New Mexico
TownePlace Suites by Marriott | September 5, 2018
Clovis, NM – September 5, 2018 – Get ready to be real and be you on long stays. Marriott International's TownePlace Suites by Marriott Clovis is scheduled to open for business on Tuesday, September 11, 2018. On average, a TownePlace Suites opens every six days. Built for travelers looking for a simple and friendly place where they can settle-in, keep their routine, and easily connect to the Clovis area. The new hotel located at 4612 North Prince Street will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned and managed by Sunridge Hotel Group of Mesa, Arizona. "We are excited to introduce the TownePlace Suites brand to the Clovis area,"...
Commonwealth Hotels Names Marty Allen Dual General Manager for Tru by Hilton Louisville Airport and Hampton by Hilton Louisville Airport, Kentucky
Commonwealth Hotels, LLC. | September 5, 2018
COVINGTON, Ky., Sept. 5, 2018 -- Commonwealth Hotels LLC announces Marty Allen has been promoted to the position of Dual General Manager for the new Tru Louisville Airport and the Hampton Inn Louisville Airport. The Tru Louisville Airport, which is owned by Garnett Hospitality, is scheduled to open September 2018 and boasts 88 contemporary rooms. The 130 room Hampton Inn Louisville Airport is owned by Diamond Hospitality. As Dual General Manager, Marty will direct all areas of the hotels' operations. "Marty has been an asset to our Commonwealth team for many years and his tenure will continue to help the Tru by Hilton Louisvill...
Interstate Hotels & Resorts Completes $25 Million Renovation of Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa in Dana Point, Calif.
Interstate Hotels & Resorts | September 5, 2018
ARLINGTON, Va. – September 5, 2018 – Interstate Hotels & Resorts, a leading powerhouse in third-party hotel and resort management, announces the completion of a $25 million renovation of the Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa in Dana Point, California. The project includes a complete rooms makeover, and the introduction of an exciting new food and beverage concept, Outer Reef, from Chef John Tesar, a four-time James Beard nominated chef, and a two-time contestant on Bravo's "Top Chef," currently slated to open first quarter of 2019. "Interstate has the depth to handle multidimensional development projects like Lagun...
What IS Boutique?
Frances Kiradjian | September 5, 2018
By Frances Kiradjian As representatives for a distinguished community of entrepreneurial spirits, we are often presented with a deceptively simple question: What is boutique? Some years ago, a new kind of lodging accommodation began to disrupt the trillion-dollar tourism industry. As the boundaries between business and leisure travel grew increasingly blurred, an emergence of a new type of traveler called for a more holistic approach to lodging. Thus, the boutique hotel was born. Perks like free wifi became givens, and in their absence demand for personalization grew exponentially. The traveler of today is looking for services and featu...
Flag Luxury Group and Marriott Celebrate Groundbreaking of $500 Million Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad in Manhattan
Marriott International, Inc. | September 5, 2018
BETHESDA, Md., Sept. 5, 2018 -- Marriott International and luxury development firm Flag Luxury Group today celebrated the start of construction on The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad in Manhattan's vibrant NoMad neighborhood. The luxury hotel is expected to open in 2021. "Once complete, this exciting project will become a landmark hotel in one of New York City's most intriguing neighborhoods," said Tony Capuano, EVP and Global Chief Development Officer, Marriott International. "Steeped in history, NoMad is one of the city's fastest-growing hubs for creative and tech firms, as well as world-class retail, dining an...
Radisson Hotel Group Signs Two Hotels in Wuhan, China: Radisson Blu Wuhan ETD Zone and Radisson Wuhan Optics Valley
Radisson Hotel Group | September 5, 2018
Radisson Hotel Group™ will be introducing its globally renowned Radisson Blu® and Radisson® brands to central China, with the signing of two new hotels, Radisson Blu Wuhan ETD Zone and Radisson Wuhan Optics Valley in the city's high-tech business and development zones. These two hotel properties will provide high-quality accommodation and world-class facilities for the rising number of domestic and international visitors attracted to Wuhan's economic zones. The capital of Hubei province, Wuhan is a bustling metropolis that is home to approximately 10 million people. Nicknamed the "Detroit of the East," this city has one of...
Aggregating Your Hotel Data With CRM
Nicki Graham | September 5, 2018
The problems with multiple data sources By Nicki Graham It wasn't long ago that all the information hotels had on a guest could fit on a single registration card. In the late 1980s, the introduction of the property management system marked the beginning of the digitization of data. Since then, the number of platforms used by hotels to engage guests, streamline operations and drive revenue has proliferated. Today, a hotel may use a dozen or more applications, from revenue management systems to guest survey solutions to marketing automation software. "Guests leave a tremendous amount of data in their wake at the various touchpoints during...
Château Élan Winery & Resort Welcomes Ed Walls as General Manager
September 5, 2018
BRASELTON, Ga. – Sept. 5, 2018 – Château Élan Winery & Resort, the enchanting 16th century-styled château and full-service winery nestled among North Georgia's picturesque foothills, proudly announces Ed Walls as general manager. In this role, Walls will be responsible for managing the resort's day-to-day success, overseeing all operational aspects, including everything from sales and marketing to food and beverage, while maximizing company revenue. "I am incredibly honored to join Chateau Elan Winery & Resort," said Ed Walls, general manager. "With the resort's unparalleled amenities, exceptional ...
Hotel El Ganzo Appoints Carlos Peregrina Serralde as Executive Chef
Hotel El Ganzo | September 5, 2018
San Jose Del Cabo, Mexico (September 5, 2018): Hotel El Ganzo, San Jose del Cabo's boutique culture hub, has appointed new Executive Chef Carlos Peregrina Serralde to lead its culinary offerings. Peregrina´s hiring follows the debut of El Ganzo's signature wine, El Ganzo Red Blend, which is locally produced in Ensenada and served at the hotel. The changes continue El Ganzo's focus on sustainable, regional cuisine, as the new Chef brings his passion for incorporating locally sourced ingredients to his menus. In line with El Ganzo's ever-evolving attitude, the hotel's gastronomy program has grown to offer sustainable cocktails a...
Inntopia Launches Facebook Integration for Enhanced Social Media Ad Targeting
Inntopia | September 5, 2018
STOWE, VT - Inntopia recently announced a new integration with Facebook that allows Marketing Cloud users to automatically push custom guest lists to the social network's ad platform as audiences. "There is no arguing with the value and potential of social media targeting in terms of guest outreach and marketing," said Inntopia's CEO, Trevor Crist. "Inntopia's unmatched ability to aggregate and cleanse guest data already gives our clients a massive leg up versus other platforms, and now they can use all those guest insights and behaviors to create extremely targeted audiences on these social platforms." The integration is an extension o...
Nobody Asked Me, But… No. 201: Hotel History: Architect Morris Lapidus
Stanley Turkel | September 5, 2018
By Stanley Turkel, CMHS Hotel History: Architect Morris Lapidus (1902-2001) Morris Lapidus was an architect, primarily known for his Neo-baroque "Miami Modern" hotels constructed in the 1950s and 60s, which have since come to define that era's resort-hotel style – synonymous with Miami and Miami Beach. A Russian immigrant raised in New York, Lapidus designed over 1,000 buildings during a career spanning more than 50 years, much of it spent as an outsider to the American architectural establishment. Born in Odessa in the Russian Empire (now the Ukraine), his Orthodox Jewish family fled Russian pogroms to New York when he was an in...
