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Industry Happenings
Prism Hotels and Resorts Promotes Ghee Alexander as Senior Vice President of Operations
Prism Hotels and Resorts | August 21, 2018
Jeff Miller Hired as Corporate Regional Director of Sales DALLAS, TX. August 21, 2018 – Dallas-based Prism Hotels and Resorts announced today that it has created two new positions to serve their growing portfolio. Ghee Alexander has been promoted from general manager of El Conquistador Tucson, a Hilton Resort, to fill the role of senior vice president of operations. Jeff Miller has been hired as corporate regional director of sales. Prism Hotels and Resorts' President and CEO Steve Van made the announcement. Alexander is a hospitality industry veteran with 25 years of experience in a variety of roles. His first general manger posi...
Paramount Lodging Advisors Launches Subsidiary, Paramount Capital Advisors
Paramount Capital Advisors | August 21, 2018
Paramount Lodging Advisors (PLA) is pleased to announce the launch of Paramount Capital Advisors (PCA). PCA expands Paramount's reach and expertise into the Capital Markets arena. PCA provides strategic advisory in debt financing and equity placements for institutional and individual real estate investors in the hospitality sector. Since launching the platform in July 2018, PCA's capital advisory team has successfully closed over $75,000,000 in transactions. PCA's capital advisory services further benefits Paramount Lodging Advisors' clients by providing a more extensive suite of services, such as customized capital solutions for acquis...
Douglas A. Neis Appointed Executive Vice President of The Marcus Corporation; Will Continue as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
The Marcus Corporation | August 21, 2018
MILWAUKEE—August 21, 2018—The Marcus Corporation (NYSE:MCS), today announced the appointment of Douglas A. Neis as executive vice president of The Marcus Corporation. He will also continue to serve as chief financial officer and treasurer. "For over three decades, Doug has been a tremendous asset to The Marcus Corporation and both of its divisions," said Gregory S. Marcus, president and chief executive officer of The Marcus Corporation. "As our chief financial officer, a role he has served in for 22 years, Doug has been instrumental to our growth and success, directing our financial reporting, capital allocation and financin...
Mexico’s Velas Resorts Appoints Cynthia Kunz as Global Sales Director – Meetings & Incentives
Velas Resorts | August 21, 2018
With world-class meeting venues in Los Cabos, Vallarta – Nayarit and Riviera Maya, Mexico's Velas Resorts announces it has opened its first US-based group sales office. Spearheading meeting and incentive bookings for all five company resorts, the office in Southern California is headed up by Cynthia Kunz as new Global Sales Director - Meetings & Incentives. "Cynthia has the expertise, creative talent and vision to lead the first US-based Velas Resorts Meetings & Incentives Headquarters," says Jorge Meraz, Director of Cluster Group Sales – International. "Its primary goal is to provide clients with exceptional meeting...
Of Battlegrounds, New Channels and the Need for the Right Strategy
Vera Lye | August 21, 2018
By Vera Lye Over a couple of beautiful winter days Down Under, hotel practitioners gathered at the Sydney Exhibition Centre at the No Vacancy Accommodation Expo 2018 to listen to experts discuss changing trends and challenges faced by the industry. In such company, a discussion about the battlefield with new soldiers will inevitably ensue. This time was no different. The hospitality distribution chain was once again described as a "battleground" – a fight for customers and for ownership of those customers. A panel, entitled "Airbnb vs. hotels vs. OTAs," looking at the upsides and the downsides of the distribution landscape, starte...
First Hospitality Group, Inc., Acquires the 140-Room Hampton Inn Pittsburgh / Monroeville
First Hospitality Group | August 21, 2018
Rosemont, Ill., August 21, 2018 – Rosemont, Illinois-based First Hospitality Group, Inc. (FHG) announced that it has acquired and will manage the Hampton Inn Pittsburgh / Monroeville in Monroeville, Pennsylvania. FHG President David Duncan made the announcement. Located at 3000 Mosside Blvd. in the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the 140-room hotel offers an on-site Outback Steakhouse, fitness room, pool and business center. The hotel will undergo $2.5 million in renovations starting in Q4 2018, including updates to the exterior façade and lobby market, an expanded fitness room and new guest bathrooms. "This ye...
PolyU Study Evaluates Airbnb – Friend or Threat?
August 21, 2018
Home rental sites such as Airbnb do not yet represent a threat to Singapore's budget hotel operators, although the market is under considerable pressure from new entrants, according to a study by Professor Brian King and Edward Koh, student of the Doctor of Hotel and Tourism Management (D.HTM) programme, of the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU). Their findings, however, suggest that the threat posed by the rapidly growing home rental market could intensify unless the government introduces regulations to "level the playing field" in the near future. Technology has generated "hug...
Enseo Makes the Inc. 5000 for the Third Time
Enseo | August 21, 2018
Sustained Growth Earns Enseo Listing for Back-to-Back Years Richardson, TX – Aug. 21, 2018 – Inc. magazine revealed that Enseo, Inc. has once again been recognized as one of the nation's fastest-growing private companies. This is the third time for Enseo to rank on the Inc. 5000. The list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economy's most dynamic segment—its independent small businesses. Enseo one of is the fastest growing provider of technology-based services with an 18-year history in innovation, spanning markets such as hospitality, education, hospitals, and government insta...
Royal Caribbean International Gives High Approval to Videotel Digital
Videotel Digital | August 21, 2018
SAN DIEGO (PRWEB) August 20, 2018 Creating waves of the best kind on the open seas, Videotel Digital receives a great review from Royal Caribbean International cruise lines. Having come on board with their PUSH Interactive Digital Signage Solution with the VP71XD Media Player, the company lends a hand in an unforgettable entertainment experience for those sailing. Proving to be essential in the hospitality industry for the personalized way guests can be intrigued during visits to venues, hotels, resorts, cruise lines, trains, bars, restaurants, and the like, the company takes center stage. "Videotel's equipment has been a proven so...
HVS Market Pulse: Greater Phoenix, AZ
Michael Smithson | August 21, 2018
By Michael Smithson Following several years of strong RevPAR growth leading up to Super Bowl XLIX in 2015, growth in the Phoenix market has slowed somewhat. ADR growth was modest in 2016, as much of the market experienced a post-Super Bowl correction, but ADR rebounded in 2017. Occupancy growth has remained relatively modest since 2016, slowing even more in 2017 but remaining positive. Year-to-date data through May 2018 illustrate modest increases in both occupancy and ADR, resulting in moderate RevPAR gains. Phoenix Market Performance Source: STR The introduction of new supply has contributed to slowing RevPAR growth over the past cou...
Shiji Group Expands to the USA, Opens International Office in Atlanta, Georgia
Shiji | August 21, 2018
Atlanta, GA: 21 August 2018, Shiji Group continues its international expansion and opens a new office in Atlanta, Georgia USA. The office, led by Greg Berman, COO Americas, consists of over 40 specialized staff focused on sales, service delivery, software development, and customer support for Shiji Group products and services. By the end of 2018, the Shiji international office in Atlanta will grow to include 100 staff. "For Shiji Group, act local - be local is part of the company DNA. It didn't take long for us to realize that we needed a strong on-site team to support the day to day operations for our US hospitality customer-base," sai...
Pilot Hotels Launches as a New Brand in the Boutique Hotel and Hospitality Space
Pilot Hotels | August 20, 2018
SAN DIEGO, Aug. 20, 2018 -- Announced today, American private investor Marcy Holthus, launches an exclusive boutique luxury hotel brand: Pilot Hotels. Incorporating the unrivaled 12-room Washington School House Hotel in Park City, Utah and the soon-to-launch Hotel Château du Grand-Lucé in France's Loire Valley, Pilot Hotels elevates authentic, curated, destination-defining properties to an extraordinary level. Pilot. A Helmsman, a leader guiding ships to various ports, delivering intrepid travelers to imaginable and unimaginable locations and indescribable destinations. With a background in finance and real estate, and ...
Best Western and My Green Resident Co. to Debut BW Signature Collection by Best Western With Signing of Tawaravadee Resort in Thailand
August 20, 2018
(Bangkok – August 20, 2018) Best Western Hotels & Resorts will introduce its newest brand, BW Signature Collection by Best Western, to Asia for the first time this year, following the signing of an exquisite lakeside resort - Tawaravadee Resort - in Thailand's historic Prachinburi province. Nestled in Thailand's verdant countryside, approximately 160km from Bangkok, this low-rise resort was inspired by the ancient Dvaravati culture that thrived in the area between the 6th and 11th centuries. "We are excited to debut BW Signature Collection by Best Western to the Asia market with the Tawaravadee Resort," said Ron Pohl, senior v...
W San Francisco Launches Guest Room Renovation Led by General Manager Roger Huldi
W San Francisco | August 20, 2018
SAN FRANCISCO (August 20, 2018) – W San Francisco, in the heart of San Francisco's SoMa neighborhood, is pleased to announce its upcoming "Gold Fever" guest room renovation that will begin on August 20. Inspired by San Francisco's rich gold mining history and its current ambitious search for fortunes, the "Gold Fever" emerges at W San Francisco as the modern-day Gold Rush in an exciting era of innovation in the city. Themes of San Francisco's culture and landmarks, such as its infamous dissolving fog, are present throughout the new transformation. Slated to be completed in 2019, the guest room upgrade will aim to enhance guests' o...
GHM Prepares for September Opening of Heritage Resort Al Bait Sharjah, UAE
GHM | August 20, 2018
SINGAPORE (August 20, 2018) - General Hotel Management Ltd (GHM) has announced Sept. 1, 2018 as the opening date of Al Bait Sharjah, a 53-key property that celebrates the heritage of Arabia and that will stand as GHM's second property on the peninsula after the award-winning Chedi Muscat. Developed in partnership with Shurooq (the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority), Al Bait Sharjah is making its debut with a refined level of luxury, sophistication and personalised service never experienced before in the Emirate. As a critical building block in the region's biggest restoration project, known as 'Heart of Sharjah', the opening ...
Tambourine: Use Data to Get More This Budget Season
Tambourine | August 20, 2018
This budget season, you'll need to prove how much hotel revenue you brought in or risk losing your funds. A successful hotel marketing budget not only requires the guts to ask for what you need, but the data to back it up. We're constantly pushing hotel marketers to attach numbers to their success and to keep track of hotel marketing metrics that matter, instead of simply touting website visitors, social media followers, ad impressions and email open rates. Nowhere does data become more critical than during budget season. Your owners care about bottom line results and hold your marketing team accountable for revenue just as much as they...
The National Conference Center Launches Eight Innovative Experiential Learning Concepts
The National Conference Center | August 20, 2018
Introduced at Reston-Herndon Meeting Planner's Summer Camp Leesburg, Virginia, August 2018 …The National Conference Center, the largest training and meeting conference center on the East Coast, and a leader and enabler in learning, development and training meetings, has launched eight innovative experiential learning concepts. The concepts were introduced at the recent Reston Herndon Meeting Planners' (RHMP) Summer Camp hosted at The National. RHMP is a membership organization of meeting and event industry professionals that are located in the Northern Virginia and Washington, DC metro area. RHMP focuses on educating meeting plan...
Phoenix American Hospitality Acquires Hilton Garden Inn and Homewood Suites in Fort Wayne, Indiana
Phoenix American Hospitality | August 20, 2018
DALLAS (AUGUST 20, 2018) –Phoenix American Hospitality has acquired two new hotels – Hilton Garden Inn and Homewood Suites – both located in Fort Wayne, Indiana. With the addition of these hotels, Phoenix American Hospitality now owns 16 hotels nationwide. All hotels will be managed by PAH Management. Located just ten minutes from Fort Wayne International Airport, The Hilton Garden Inn and Homewood Suites are centrally located with easy access to downtown shopping, dining, entertainment and close proximity to area businesses and the Grand Wayne Convention Center. The Hilton Garden Inn will stay open during its upcoming...
The Origins of the Hospitality Industry and What Lies Ahead
Samuel Wich | August 20, 2018
By Samuel Wich Away from home, surrounded by strangers and yet you feel welcome. The original idea of hospitality has remained unchanged since the creation of the word itself. Derived from the Latin word "hospes", meaning both visitor and stranger, hospitality has its roots in ancient history. Thousands of years ago, when road networks were scarce and traveling was cumbersome strangers arriving in a foreign land had to rely on either their camping skills or a local's kindness when looking for shelter. During the age of pilgrimage and the development of major trade routes throughout Europe, it was mostly inns and taverns offering primiti...
Hilton Manila Welcomes Dennis Leslie as Executive Chef
Hilton Hotels & Resorts | August 20, 2018
MANILA, Philippines - Hilton Manila recently announced the appointment of Dennis Leslie as the hotel's Executive Chef. "We are glad to welcome Chef Dennis Leslie to Hilton Manila. His culinary background is backed with a fine dining experience, having worked in five star and luxury branded hotels and restaurants around Europe and Australia. Leslie is an Australian with Filipino roots. This is his' "homecoming" to the Philippines to introduce new and exciting flavors and cuisines," said Simon McGrath, general manager, Hilton Manila. An experienced chef and hospitality professional, Leslie has over 21 years of global experience in the hos...
Hospitality Financial Leadership: Who Inspired You?
David Lund | August 20, 2018
By David Lund Who inspired you – Who was the one person in your career you would have done anything for? Be you for a moment and re-live the experience you had when your career really took off. That place in your past that had you really growing and learning your craft at a rapid rate. You had someone in your world that was an inspiration, a bright light to follow. Some would call this person a mentor or a guide or adviser or a guru. This person took it upon themselves to help you find your way. And how exactly did they do this, what was their method or system to help you? "Show me a successful individual and I'll show you someone...
Thomas Blundell Appointed General Manager for Hyatt Centric Times Square, New York
Hyatt Centric | August 20, 2018
NEW YORK (August 20, 2018) –– Hyatt Hotels Corporation is pleased to announce the appointment of Thomas Blundell as General Manager of Hyatt Centric Times Square, New York. With over 27 years of hotel expertise, Thomas' new role at Hyatt Centric's flagship property sees him responsible for directing the overall day-to-day operations at the 487-room property and ensuring that every guest experiences world-class hospitality. Thomas joins Hyatt Centric Times Square from the Hyatt Regency Boston Harbor where he held the position of General Manager (October 2014 - July 2018). Prior to this, Thomas was General Manager at the Hyatt...
FACT: The Mobile Guest Journey Matters
the Author | August 20, 2018
By Magnus Friberg CEO, Zaplox What makes a great guest experience? This is a question that remains top of mind for every hotelier, and the question which drives much of the evolution within our industry. As the guest journey continues to evolve in terms of touchpoints and expectations, hoteliers are expected to adapt and curate a unique and continuously guest-centric experience. While the defining factors of an ideal guest experience may vary based on whom you ask, there are a few indisputable realizations, one of which is this: Hotels must offer a frictionless guest experience, and much of that experience is rooted in mobile. Research...
Contract and Non-Management Employee Payrolls Rise in 2017
Robert Mandelbaum | August 20, 2018
By Robert Mandelbaum As the pace of revenue growth continues to decelerate for U.S. hotels, the capability of hotel operators to control costs will determine the ability of a property to increase profits from year to year. According to the 2018 edition of Trends® in the Hotel Industry, total operating revenue increased by just 2.0 percent in 2017 for the average hotel in the survey sample. Fortunately, by limiting the growth in operating expenses to 1.9 percent, managers at the Trends® properties realized an increase in gross operating profits (GOP) for the year. Unlike 2016, it was non-labor related costs that were the primary ...
