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Industry Happenings
Lodgic Hospitality to Break Ground on New Element by Westin in Irving, Texas
| August 13, 2018
IRVING - Dallas-based architectural firm, Mayse & Associates, Inc, is pleased to announce that construction is about to commence on a 157-room, high-rise Element Hotel, part of the Marriott family of hotels. It is to be located at Hwy 114 and Meadowbrook Drive within the Irving, Texas suburb of Las Colinas. The 105,565 gsf. lifestyle hotel was designed as a 12-story high-rise building on the site of the former Sfuzzi Restaurant. The hotel lobby will have a bar and dining area, along with the back-of-house support spaces. Hotel guestrooms are located on levels 2-11, with an enlarged fitness area located on the 2nd level. The Element ...
Robots: Hotel Customers Like Them (Mostly)!
Rohit Verma | August 13, 2018
By Lina Zhong and Rohit Verma When Captain Kirk or Mr. Spock needed information, they would hail the Enterprise's computer, and the computer would respond to their request. In 1966, that was an amazing piece of science fiction. Now, with Siri, Alexa, and other devices with artificial intelligence, we all are figuratively standing on the bridge of the Enterprise, speaking to devices that are "listening" to us and fulfilling our simple requests. As the Internet of things grows, robots and other devices using artificial intelligence can handle a growing list of tasks, such as turning up the heat or air conditioning before a homeowner arriv...
Interstate Hotels & Resorts Appoints David Jurcak as Vice President Operations-Transitions
Interstate Hotels & Resorts | August 13, 2018
ARLINGTON, Va. – Aug. 13, 2018 – Enhancing the evolution of the Interstate Hotels & Resorts vision, a highly innovative leadership team is being assembled with the best-of-the-best industry veterans. The latest addition to the roster of exceptional leaders is David Jurcak as Vice President Operations-Transitions. "As Interstate continues to evolve, it is the right time to enhance our operational expertise with David Jurcak," commented Michael Deitemeyer, president and CEO of Interstate Hotels & Resorts. "David's leadership will be extremely valuable in spearheading transitions as our portfolio expands." David has a r...
Hotel Okura Manila Appoints Jan Marshall General Manager
| August 13, 2018
MANILA, Philippines -- Hotel Okura Manila announced today the appointment of Jan Marshall as its General Manager. The new hotel will open in Manila, Philippines, in the first quarter of 2019. A graduate of the hospitality school of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, he has broad working experience throughout the United States and in Asia, where he spent the last twenty years of his career. His postings include Los Angeles, San Francisco, Manila, Sydney, Bali, Jakarta, Tokyo and Osaka. He served previously as General Manager of Sofitel Tokyo and as Director of Operations for Accor Japan. He also served as General Manager of Hotel Nikko...
NetBase Report Reveals the Most Loved Travel and Hospitality Brands of 2018
NetBase | August 13, 2018
Marriott dominates the travel and hospitality industry; Airbnb is the most loved travel site, and American Airlines leads the airline industry SANTA CLARA, Calif.—August 13, 2018— NetBase, a global leader in enterprise social analytics, today released its annual Social Media Industry Report 2018 Travel and Hospitality. The report leveraged NetBase's social analytics technology to examine the most popular brands across five categories including, Airlines, Car Rentals, Cruise Lines, Hotels and Travel Sites. "Social media plays an extensive role in how customers feel about travel and hospitality brands, and where they choose to...
Lotus Trans Travel and IHG Sign Portfolio Deal for Four Holiday Inn Hotels in India
IHG | August 13, 2018
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), one of world's leading hotel companies has signed a management agreement with Lotus Trans Travel Private Limited to establish a four hotel portfolio under the Holiday Inn banner. Slated to open between 2020 and 2023, Holiday Inn Bodhgaya, Holiday Inn Kushinagar, Holiday Inn Gorakhpur and Holiday Inn Shravasti together will add over 450 rooms to IHG's system and establish company's presence at the Buddhist tourism circuit. As a part of the agreement, Holiday Inn hotels in Bodhgaya, Kushinagar and Shravasti will be refurbished and upgraded, to ensure the portfolio is fully representative of the Holiday...
Southern Lodging Summit Announces Full Speaker List for 16th Annual Conference August 28th & 29th in Memphis, Tennessee
Southern Lodging Summit | August 13, 2018
MEMPHIS, Tenn., Aug. 13, 2018—Officials of the Southern Lodging Summit, an annual gathering of hoteliers specializing in development and operations in the southern United States, today announced the full speaker roster for its annual conference running August 28-29, 2018, in Memphis, Tenn. "While we pride ourselves on the quality of our speakers every year, this year's line-up and agenda is one of our finest ever," said Chuck Pinkowski, owner of Pinkowski & Company and conference co-founder. "We have represented the perspectives of owners, operators, franchisors and other industry experts to provide one of the most informative...
Teneo Hospitality Group Names Susan Hinfey Director of Sales
Teneo Hospitality Group | August 13, 2018
Eden Prairie (Minneapolis), MN, August 13, 2018… Teneo Hospitality Group, the premier global representation firm, has appointed Susan Hinfey as Director of Sales, Western US. Ms. Hinfey will concentrate on the West Coast territory and comes to us with over 20 years of sales experience with luxury hotels. "We are thrilled to welcome Susan to the Teneo Sales Force," says President Mike Schugt. "As Teneo continues to expand, we are committed to hiring elite sales professionals. Susan is just that, she comes to us with a highly successful hotel sales career with the Ritz Carlton Hotel Company, and I am confident that she will be a pe...
AHLEF Awards Record-Breaking $1.3 Million in Scholarships
AHLEF | August 13, 2018
–Over 70 Percent Female Recipients; Highest Number of Hospitality Students Rewarded to Propel Career Development – Washington, D.C. (August 13, 2018) — The American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation (AHLEF), the philanthropic arm of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), today announced $1.3 million was awarded via 420 scholarships this year – the highest amount ever awarded to students seeking a career in the hospitality industry. More than 70 percent of scholarship recipients are women, and more than one-third of the total recipients are minority students. "With students taking on crippl...
Brown Hotels Plans September Opening of The Lighthouse in Tel Aviv
Brown Hotels | August 13, 2018
Tel Aviv - August 13, 2018: Brown Hotels today announces its largest property to date, The Lighthouse, located in a towering and iconic Brutalist architecture-style property in Tel Aviv's thriving center and just a few blocks from the Mediterranean Sea, softly opening in September 2018. The 100-room hotel will feature a range of high-style amenities, including two outdoor swimming pools (opening 2018/2019), two vibing cocktail bar/lounges, and a sprawling rooftop with an active line of events. The Lighthouse, which is in no way nautical, is not named for its aesthetic but rather for its desired effect: to be a source of energy and l...
Start Thinking About Your Hotel’s “Off-Season” in a Whole New Way
Gary R. Hernbroth | August 13, 2018
By: Gary R. Hernbroth Training for Winners Many things in our world have annual cycles or seasons, such as sports leagues, holiday shopping, the school year, farm crops, you name it. There is usually a slow (or slower) season and a busy (or busier) season, two very different activity levels in play. This industry certainly has its cycles too, where business levels fluctuate between in-season crazy/busy/zany/frantic times and the "wake me up when a customer comes around" slower times. The latter condition is commonly and insufferably known by most as the off-season. "Come and visit during the off-season, our rates are much lower be...
W Kuala Lumpu Appoints Nikie Mok as Director of Sales & Marketing
W Hotels Worldwide | August 13, 2018
Kuala Lumpur, August 2018 – A woman in the top echelons of a largely male-dominated world, Nikie Mok is the newly-appointed Director of Sales & Marketing, W Kuala Lumpur. A proven leader with a passion for mentoring and nurturing future talents, she prides herself on inspiring and influencing people by initiating positive relationships. Nikie has been rocking the hospitality for over 18 years. She began her career at Hotel Nikko Kuala Lumpur, before rising up the ranks at Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel to assume the position of Assistant Director of Sales – Corporate, Meeting & Convention in a short eight years. Her ...
Amadeus Accelerates Expansion in Hospitality Sector With $1.52bn Agreement to Acquire TravelClick
Amadeus | August 13, 2018
Deal will significantly expand Amadeus' presence in the hospitality sector. Addition of TravelClick's cloud-based solutions for mid-chain and independent hotels will enable Amadeus to reach all segments of the market with an enhanced portfolio. Madrid, 13 August 2018 - Amadeus has agreed to acquire TravelClick from Thoma Bravo, a leading private equity investment firm, for USD $1.52bn. TravelClick, which is headquartered in New York City, is a leading global hospitality provider that serves more than 25,000 customers across 176 countries. It provides innovative cloud-based solutions, including an independent and mid-size hotel Central R...
Enchantment Group Appoints Jason Trollip as Managing Director of The Cove, Eleuthera
The Cove, Eleuthera | August 13, 2018
ELEUTHERA, BAHAMAS (August 13, 2018) – Enchantment Group, a leader in the development, management and experiential programming of luxury boutique resorts, is pleased to announce the appointment of Jason Trollip as Managing Director of The Cove, Eleuthera. A seasoned and highly motivated executive, Trollip brings over 20 years of experience in the luxury hospitality industry to The Cove, boasting an extensive background in hotel leadership and management internationally. A talented leader with an excellent track record of upgrading hotel brands and experiences, Trollip's adaptability and specialized capabilities in operations, cons...
McKibbon Hospitality Appoints Industry Veteran Rod Radcliff as Vice President of Development
McKibbon Hospitality | August 13, 2018
Gainesville, G.A. (August 13, 2018) – McKibbon Hospitality, an award-----winning leader in the hotel development and management industry, is pleased to announce the addition of Rod Radcliff as Vice President of Development. In his new role, Radcliff will help manage large development projects for McKibbon, such as the Hotel Arras and Arras Residences in Asheville, NC. This project is a redesign of the tallest and most iconic building in Asheville and will include an independent hotel, two restaurants, and luxury high-rise condominiums. Radcliff will help oversee department operations for McKibbon Hospitality's new development and ...
iVvy to Showcase New Generation Sales and Catering Technology at Hotel Data Conference
iVvy | August 13, 2018
NEW YORK, NY (August 13, 2018) ─ iVvy Inc., the award-winning global Venue Management Software company, will be showcasing their new generation sales and catering solution for meetings, events & group accommodation at this year's Hotel Data Conference. The highly-anticipated annual event takes place in Nashville from August 15th to 17th and iVvy will be sponsoring the networking lunch on Friday starting at 12:25 pm. The Australia-based company has expanded its North American presence in the US and is on a trajectory for continued growth due to increasing demand within the hospitality industry for a solution to connect the buyer to...
All-Inclusive Hotels: Looking Beyond RevPAR
Dan Skodol | August 13, 2018
By Dan Skodol, Vice President of Revenue Analytics at Rainmaker When people think of all-inclusive resorts, they may conjure up images tied to bland buffet food, endless banana daiquiris, and conga lines of partying singles dancing around the poolside – all for one budget-conscious package price. Today's all-inclusives still tempt travelers with comprehensive packages that include meals, lodging, and entertainment options. But the all-inclusive business model has evolved significantly from its 1950s origins.1 Today, gourmet meals are often made from sustainable, locally sourced ingredients, and served along with handcrafted cockta...
Why Resorts Make Commercial Sense in India
Hotelivate Private Limited | August 13, 2018
Will the next few years belong to resorts in leisure destinations or to big city hotels that are driven primarily by commercial demand? Should investors focus on resorts or on business hotels? In an evolving hotel industry such as India's, such questions do not have one conclusive answer. This notwithstanding, some exciting trends have been observed in hotel development, operation and consumption, which point to the serious emergence of resorts as a credible investment class. 1) Consumption versus Investment – The Indian growth story has always hinged on two aspects: investment-led growth (linked to private capex which is still so...
WCG Hotels Completes 17-Month Multi-Million Dollar Renovation of Embassy Suites by Hilton Atlanta Alpharetta
Embassy Suites by Hilton | August 9, 2018
ALPHARETTA, GA – August 9, 2018 – The Embassy Suites by Hilton Atlanta Alpharetta, owned and managed by WCG Hotels, also known as Windsor Capital Group, Inc., celebrated the official grand re-opening of its newly renovated property by hosting a summer solstice reception for hotel guests and clients. The Embassy Suites by Hilton Atlanta Alpharetta has just finished putting its final touches on their multi-million renovation, which began February of 2017. The guest suites, lobby, atrium, restaurant/bar, indoor pool, fitness center, and meeting spaces were completely transformed. As noted by General Manager, Cheryl Catrair, "It is great t...
Montage Laguna Beach Appoints Anne Marie Doyle as Director of Sales and Marketing
Montage Laguna Beach | August 9, 2018
LAGUNA BEACH, Calif. (August 9, 2018) - Montage Laguna Beach has announced the appointment of Anne Marie Doyle as director of sales and marketing. With over 27 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Doyle will lead the resort's sales and marketing efforts including driving revenue and brand strength, creating and implementing innovative business strategies, and offering visionary leadership to her team. "We are delighted to welcome Anne Marie Doyle to the Montage Laguna Beach family," said Anne-Marie Houston, general manager of Montage Laguna Beach. "With an extensive marketing and sales background, we look ...
Casa Velas Names Geraldine Zaragoza as Hotel Manager
Casa Velas | August 9, 2018
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (August 9, 2018) -- Geraldine Zaragoza has been named hotel manager of Casa Velas in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. In her new role, she is responsible for the adults-only hotel's 80 designer suites with luxury amenities, celebrated cuisine and special gourmet happenings. A member of SLH (Small Luxury Hotels of the World), Casa Velas is the only boutique hotel on the Mexican Pacific coast to hold Four Stars from Forbes Travel Guide. The appointment is effective immediately. A member of the Velas Resorts' team since 2010, Geraldine Zaragoza most recently served as Director of Groups and Conventions at Grand Velas Rivier...
Waterford Hotel Group Appoints Jeff McClure as Director of Sales at DoubleTree Little Rock
DoubleTree by Hilton Little Rock | August 9, 2018
LITTLE ROCK, AR (August 9, 2018) – Waterford Hotel Group has announced the appointment of Jeff McClure as Director of Sales of the DoubleTree by Hilton in Little Rock, AR. The 288-room DoubleTree is professionally managed by Waterford Hotel Group, Inc., a national hotel and convention center management firm. In his new role as Director of Sales, McClure is responsible for the total sales efforts for the hotel, as well as supervising sales related personnel, and implementing sales and marketing strategies to maximize profits while also maintaining guest satisfaction. McClure joins the DoubleTree team with over 15 years of hospitali...
Gabrielle Nicholson Named World’s Greatest Hospitality Talent at Emaar Hospitality Group in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Emaar Hospitality Group | August 9, 2018
After evaluating more than 4,000 applicants, Emaar Hospitality Group, the hospitality and leisure business of Dubai-based global developer Emaar Properties, has announced the winner of its first-of-a- kind global initiative to scout for 'The World's Greatest Hospitality Talent.'Gabrielle Nicholson, 22, from the United Kingdom, secured the coveted position after the exhaustive process that saw applicants from 66 countries apply to win a senior level position with Emaar Hospitality Group. The comprehensive three-year all-expenses paid nurturing programme will result in a corporate directorship or General Manager position for G...
PM Hotel Group Names Alexandra Byrne as General Manager of the Recently Opened Canopy by Hilton Washington, DC-Bethesda North
PM Hotel Group | August 9, 2018
CHEVY CHASE, Md., Aug. 9, 2018 -- PM Hotel Group, an award-winning leader in the hotel management industry, has announced Alexandra Byrne as General Manager of the recently opened Canopy by Hilton North Bethesda. The Canopy brand offers a fresh, lifestyle experience to its guests through hotel properties that are designed as a natural extension of their neighborhood, delivering thoughtfully, local experiences. Alexandra's career includes more than 25 years of hospitality experience across management, sales and marketing, operations and finance. Most recently she was the General Manager of the Sofitel Lafayette Square where she manag...
