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Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals | June 25, 2024
Industry Happenings
IHG and Groß & Partner to Bring Kimpton Hotels & Resorts Brand to Germany With 2023 Opening of Kimpton Frankfurt
IHG | July 24, 2018
InterContinental Hotels Group® (IHG®), one of the world's leading hotel companies, will be bringing its rapidly expanding Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants brand to Germany in 2023 with the opening of Kimpton Frankfurt. Set in a listed building of Junghofstrasse in Frankfurt's city centre, the luxury boutique hotel will feature 155 rooms, two large meeting rooms and an onsite gym. In addition to the hotel's signature restaurant, there are also plans for a sky-bar and restaurant on the roof terrace, where guests will be able to enjoy an unrivalled skyline view of the city. The classic 1950s lobby will serve as the main entrance to...
Marriott Signs With Flag Luxury Group to Open More Than $500 Million Ritz-Carlton Hotel and Residences Tower in New York City
Marriott International, Inc. | July 24, 2018
Marriott International (NASDAQ: MAR) today announced that it has signed an agreement with luxury hospitality development firm Flag Luxury Group to bring The Ritz-Carlton brand to New York City's vibrant NoMad neighborhood, also known as North of Madison Square Park. Flag Luxury Group will develop the hotel and residences tower, which will represent a more than $500 million investment. Designed by award winning architect Rafael Vinoly, this landmark project will include both hotel accommodations and branded residences conceived of by renowned interior design firm Yabu Pushelberg. Located at Broadway and 28th Street, the hotel and residen...
Train Your Front Desk Colleagues to Be “Memory Makers”
Doug Kennedy | July 24, 2018
By Doug Kennedy The front desk colleagues at your hotel are creating first impressions that set the tone for the entire guest's stay every shift, every day. Whereas in the past, first impressions were made by a voice reservations agent or during a phone call to inquire about directions or hotel amenities, most guests find these needs met online. Therefore, the first human contact with your hotel is likely to be with the front desk colleague. Tech companies have for many years been trying to automate the guest arrival experience. First, front desk kiosks were placed in lobbies of some hotel brands, yet guests walked right by them even if...
Casa Pepe Welcomes OpenKey Mobile Technology to Mexico City
OpenKey | July 24, 2018
DALLAS, TEXAS (July 24, 2018) – Embracing its one-of-a-kind appeal, Casa Pepe, a boutique hostel in the beautiful historic center of Mexico City, announces the addition of OpenKey's mobile technology to its suite of guest services. The OpenKey mobile app will provide guests with the comfort of easy check-in at their fingertips. Travel + Leisure recently named Mexico City as one of The 2018 World's Best Cities as part of their annual World's Best Awards reader survey. Casa Pepe provides the perfect location and cultural hub for guests to easily access the city. Major landmarks like El Zocalo, the Cathedral, Palacio de Bellas Artes ...
GDPR Compliance Deadline Has Come and Gone; What Does It Mean for Hotels?
Beekeeper | July 24, 2018
Beekeeper Chief Data Officer Dr. Amir Ameri answers hoteliers' frequently-asked questions to better navigate GDPR next steps SAN FRANCISCO, CA July 24, 2018 The European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) compliance deadline has passed, and it now requires every hotel in the world to have guidelines in place that protect European Union (EU) residents' personally identifiable information against security breaches. While a lot has been discussed to help hoteliers become compliant, many are wondering "what comes next?" Dr. Amir Ameri, Data Protection Officer for Beekeeper, a GDPR-compliant developer of a digital workplace app haile...
Darlene Rondeau Joins Pegasus as New VP of Marketing
Pegasus Solutions | July 24, 2018
Rondeau brings a proven and successful background in marketing and strategy to help hotel tech leader continue its rapid growth and accelerate its industry leadership vision Scottsdale, Arizona – (July 24, 2018): Pegasus Solutions, the global leader in hospitality technology solutions, today announced the appointment of Darlene Rondeau as vice president of Marketing. In this role, she will be responsible for developing and implementing integrated marketing strategies that reinforce the value of the company's products and services. Darlene joins the world-class executive team, bringing with her a rich background of hospitality and ...
Response to the 2018 Hospitality Technology Study: Hoteliers & Technology Vendors Must Work Together for the Greater Good
July 24, 2018
By Jos Schaap CEO and Founder - StayNTouch When it comes to hotel technology, are hotels and their system providers on the same page? The answer to the question can be found in the 2018 Hospitality Technology Study (available for download here) conducted by the leading hospitality technology brands Fuel Travel, Flip.to, and StayNTouch. Over 358 respondents, responsible for buying or selling hospitality technology were asked to identify common priorities along with potential divides among hoteliers and suppliers. Some of the key takeaways: 1. Guest experience is a top priority; leveraging technology is how we accomplish this. 2. The indu...
ASSA ABLOY Hospitality Enhances VingCard RFID Door Locks With Support of NXP’s MIFARE Plus EV1 IC
ASSA ABLOY Hospitality | July 24, 2018
Innovative hospitality security technology provider enhances RFID offerings with the latest evolution of MIFARE contactless ICs, featuring banking grade security features and improved usability Stockholm – July 24, 2018 – ASSA ABLOY Hospitality, provider of advanced security solutions for the hotel industry, is announcing an enhancement of its VingCard RFID electronic locks with the support of NXP Semiconductors' MIFARE Plus® EV1 smart card IC. Through this strategic collaboration, ASSA ABLOY Hospitality is further strengthening its security protocol with the addition of a seamless and cost-effective upgrade path for ho...
HVS Market Pulse: Tucson, Arizona
Michael Smithson | July 23, 2018
By Michael Smithson The Tucson lodging market often lives in the shadow of its bigger sibling, Phoenix. And while meeting and group demand in both markets is driven by Arizona's idyllic weather during the winter and spring, differences in local dynamics paint significantly different pictures in terms of leisure and commercial demand. Both lodging markets experienced a prolonged recovery following the national recession late last decade, partially attributed to the controversial SB 1070 immigration law; however, the loss of MLB Spring Training in 2011 and the federal government sequestration in 2014 stalled Tucson's recovery even further...
Markos Tzamalis Appointed General Manager of JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa
JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa | July 23, 2018
VENICE, Italy (July 23, 2018) - JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa has announced the appointment of Markos Tzamalis as the resort's new General Manager. In his role, Tzamalis oversees all the day-to-day operations of the luxury private island resort located on Isola delle Rose in Venice, Italy. Tzamalis brings a wealth of luxury hospitality experience to his role as General Manager. He arrived at JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa from the Sheraton Rhodes Resort, where he was the General Manager for four years and consistently delivered results that contributed to the property's success. Prior to his position as General Manage...
Seeing Hotel Industry Threats as Opportunities Opens Up Revenue Strategy
Mark Brandau | July 23, 2018
By Mark Brandau The hospitality universe is constantly shifting and, more importantly, growing. In his opening message at RSS 2018, Duetto CEO Patrick Bosworth encouraged the hoteliers, asset managers and technologists gathered there to see opportunities for better Revenue Strategy, where others might only see obstacles. Properties are fragmented across several different stakeholders. Hotel brands and online travel agencies are racing to consolidate their size and power. Distribution could change significantly if Google, Facebook or Amazon go from having a toe in the water to jumping into the deep end in earnest, as Airbnb has done. "Th...
Hyatt Executes Nine Management and Franchise Agreements in May and June 2018
Hyatt Hotels Corporation | July 23, 2018
CHICAGO (July 23, 2018) – Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) today announced executed management and franchise contracts for nine hotels. The executed contracts, which represent important expansion in key markets or markets in which Hyatt brands are under-represented, are for the following hotels: Hyatt Regency Hyatt Regency hotels and resorts offer a full range of services and amenities, including the space to work, engage or relax; notable culinary experiences; technology-enabled ways to collaborate; and expert event planners who can take care of every detail. Asia Pacific Hyatt Regency Clark in Clark, Philippines Hyatt Rege...
Katara Hospitality and AccorHotels to Set up an Investment Fund Dedicated to Hospitality in Sub-Saharan African Countries
Katara Hospitality | July 23, 2018
Katara Hospitality, a leading global hotel owner, developer and operator, based in Qatar, and AccorHotels, a world-leading travel & lifestyle group and digital innovator with a presence in 100 countries and c.4,500 hotels, announced the creation of an investment fund with a targeted investment capacity of over USD 1bn dedicated to hospitality in various Sub-Saharan African countries. The fund will amount to up to USD 500 million in equity, of which Katara Hospitality and AccorHotels will contribute respectively up to USD 350 million and USD 150 million over the next 5-7 years, with additional financing capacity reached through lever...
IHG and Ninety Four Feet Partner to Debut New Zealand’s First Hotel Idigo With 2021 Opening of Hotel Indigo Auckland
IHG | July 23, 2018
Auckland will welcome New Zealand's first Hotel Indigo to the neighbourhood in 2021, with IHG signing an agreement with Ninety Four Feet, an Australasian property development, investment, and construction company, to open Hotel Indigo Auckland. Uniquely, no two Hotel Indigo properties are the same, with each drawing on the story of its local area to inspire every aspect of the hotel to help guests feel part of the destination. The "City of Sails" will set the backdrop for this boutique hotel, drawing inspiration from local artists for its design, service, amenities, food and beverages. The 225-room hotel will be part of a mixed-use deve...
Best Western® Hotels & Resorts’ Surestay Hotel Group® Surpasses 100 Hotels in North America
July 23, 2018
PHOENIX (July 23, 2018) - Best Western Hotels & Resorts announced today that its SureStay Hotel Group franchise has reached yet another milestone – revealing the brand has over 100 hotels in its North American portfolio. This announcement underscores the brand's overarching success, as it now has a total of 189* properties worldwide in less than two years since its launch, making it one of the fastest growing brands in the hotel industry today. SureStay Hotel Group's accelerated growth can be attributed to a number of factors. The brand has become known as a trusted and respected lodging option among travelers – offe...
Myla Caceres Appointed as Radisson Blu Resort Phu Quoc’s Director of Commercial
Radisson Hotel Group | July 23, 2018
A seasoned hospitality professional with over 25 years of experience in Vietnam, the Philippines and Thailand has been appointed as Radisson Blu Resort Phu Quoc's director of commercial. In her new role, Myla Caceres will oversee sales, marketing, reservations and revenue at the soon-to-open resort on Phu Quoc's northwest coast. Before joining the property's pre-opening team, Manila-born Caceres worked as Ascott International Group's Cluster Director of Sales and Marketing in Thailand, overseeing 11 properties. She has held director of sales and marketing roles at several leading hotels in Thailand, including the Dusit Thani...
Small Luxury Hotels of the World™ Appoints Jean-François Ferret as Chief Executive Officer
Small Luxury Hotels of the World | July 23, 2018
[London, July 23, 2018] Small Luxury Hotels of the World™ (SLH), the champion of small, luxury, independently owned hotels today announced the appointment of Jean-François Ferret as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) starting September 2018. Based in the company's London headquarters, Ferret will take responsibility for SLH's international teams and will lead strategic direction of the brand's luxury portfolio of over 500 SLH hotels in more than 80 countries. Ferret has extensive broad sector experience and most recently worked at the French association Relais & Châteaux, where he held the position of CEO for more than...
Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort Appoints Johanna Marlin as Director of Resort Sales
Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort | July 23, 2018
AMELIA ISLAND (July, 2018) – Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort is pleased to announce the appointment of Johanna Marlin as director of resort sales. Marlin, who previously served as director of group sales at the resort, will now oversee resort sales including conference services. "Johanna has proved to be an extremely valued team member to the property through her position as director of group sales." said Donald Stamets, Area Managing Director. "Her drive and passion for our resort is essential to our organization and we look forward to her continued success at Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort." Through her previous posit...
BENCHMARK® Appoints Ruben Sabater as General Manager of Marenas Beach Resort
Marenas Beach Resort | July 23, 2018
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, July 2018… BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has named Ruben Sabater general manager of Marenas Beach Resort, a Gemstone Collection property located in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida, just north of Miami. Rikki Boparai, vice president operations, made the announcement. "It is such a pleasure to announce Ruben's well-deserved promotion," stated Mr. Boparai. "I can't think of anyone more qualified or deserving of this leadership position for such a remarkable resort. Ruben is another terrific example of how professionals can grow their careers within our Benchmark organization." Ruben Sa...
How Hotels Are Upping Their Game on Food and Drink
JLL Real Views | July 23, 2018
By Emily Perryman From partnering with world-renowned chefs to letting guests order room service via Amazon Alexa, hotels are increasingly offering innovative food and beverage (F&B) experiences. F&B is an important revenue generator for hotels, with overall consumer spending in the U.S. alone rising by 5.5 percent annually since 2011, according to Technomic. The biggest driver of F&B, however, is a desire among hotels to tap into today's experience-led economy. "Having a memorable experience is especially important among today's young people," says Alexis Marcoux-Varvatsoulis, Consultant – Hotels F&B Specialist at...
Hospitality Financial Leadership: Educating Our Leaders Is the Highest Form of Service
David Lund | July 23, 2018
By David Lund If Serving is Beneath You, then Leadership is Beyond You While creating hospitality financial leadership workshops, I learned three very valuable lessons. The third lesson was by far the most powerful and transformating for me and my way of seeing the role I was playing as a financial leader. First lesson: Students like learning, subject matter and material They all responded very positively to the workshops and subject matter. From this revelation I realized that students could now see that this "financial piece" everyone touts as the hard and confusing part of hospitality, was indeed not so difficult. It is very accessib...
Driftwood General Managers Offer Tips to Help Hotels Weather Hurricane Season
Driftwood Hospitality Management | July 23, 2018
As 2018 Atlantic Hurricane Forecast; Improves, Driftwood Hospitality Management Urges Hotels to Remain Vigilant and Prepared North Palm Beach, Fla. – July 23, 2018 – Driftwood Hospitality Management (DHM), a North Palm Beach-based hotel management company that operates 51 hotels throughout the United States and Costa Rica, recently surveyed its general managers to gather hurricane preparedness insights in anticipation of the climax of hurricane season. "Unforeseen weather patterns require hotels to remain vigilant when it comes to the safety of guests and associates," said Michael Diaz, chief operating officer for Driftwood...
5 Reasons Why Hotel Business Intelligence Is the Future
Hotelogix | July 23, 2018
It should come as no surprise that hospitality business intelligence is fast becoming the most sought-after technology in the hotel industry. And why not! Expecting miracles by merely collecting data is not the smartest way to go about doing things, today. Exploiting all the available BI technologies to derive insights that are most relevant to you, at the right time is what will fetch you results. But here's the catch. Even though it has become a buzzword, have we ever truly understood what Business Intelligence means, and why adoption of BI in hotel industry is as important? What is Business Intelligence? "The term Business Intelligen...
MMI Hotel Group Executive Team Grows with Addition of Dave Jenner and Rich Byrd
MMI Hotel Group | July 21, 2018
Founded in 1956, MMI Hotel Group has been involved in the advancement of an industry, experienced numerous economic cycles, and established a service culture that continues to exceed the ever-increasing expectations of travelers. More than sixty years of serving others could wear others down, but this full-suite hotel management company has enjoyed the preservation of its values, financial performance of its portfolio and tenure of its team members over the long haul. The combination of a solid track record and a new generation's energy are what attracted new executives to the company. MMI recently gained two, new key leaders who are al...
