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Industry Happenings
Beyond Spa – Embrace the Wellness Revolution
Babs Harrison | June 8, 2018
By Babs Harrison Spa directors are in a funk. Many see declining bookings and just about all see diminished buzz but face reality: the pendulum has swung and the spa that had been so in maybe 10 years ago now is plummeting towards obsolescence. There's a stampede of guests occurring - just not for the same-old spa services. Smart properties already are enjoying boom times. That's the boldfaced message in a New York Times story by reporter Elaine Glusac headlined "Your Next Trip Might Change Your Life." Once upon a time, a pampering vacation involving lots of massages, some Sanskrit chanting, a twirl of a crystal, an...
Did You Miss the NYU 2018 Hospitality Conference?
hotelAVE | June 8, 2018
Overall Conference Sentiment Modestly Positive: Driven by upward revisions in near-term RevPAR outlook, consumer confidence (18-year high), plentiful and low-cost debt, and the return of business travel impacted by recent tax cuts. STR increased their 2018 RevPAR growth forecast to 2.9% (from 2.7%), driven primarily by ADR gains and strong transient demand. This marks 98 months of consecutive RevPAR gains. 2019 RevPAR growth forecast remains at 2.4%. Impact of the Tax Reform: Is viewed as the lodging cycle extender. Due to the increase in GDP and corporate travel budgets, business travel is fueling growth. This is quantified in the Top ...
ITC Hotels Debuts ITC Kohenur in Hyderabad’s HITEC City, India
ITC Hotels | June 8, 2018
NEW DELHI, INDIA, June 8, 2018 - Ushering in a new wave of grandeur in Hyderabad's HITEC City, ITC Kohenur makes its debut today as the 12th property to join the ITC Hotels Luxury Collection portfolio. "Rare and Priceless" guest experiences are envisaged through a showcase of local cuisine, arts, innovative wellness offerings, matched by hi-tech accent on services, nodding as much to the region's past as the future of the growing urban epicenter. Overlooking the picturesque Durgam Cheruvu Lake, ITC Kohenur's super-premium offerings include 271 hi-tech rooms, ranging from luxe Grand Presidential Suites to women's only EVA rooms and a ded...
Dream Hotel Group Signs With Tamayo Desarrollos to Launch The Chatwal in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico in 2020
Dream Hotel Group | June 8, 2018
NEW YORK, NY (June 8, 2018) – Renowned hotel and brand management company Dream Hotel Group today announced plans to launch its five-star luxury brand The Chatwal in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico in 2020. The latest hotel signing with Mexico-based Tamayo Desarrollos represents a major milestone for Dream Hotel Group, positioning the company as international hospitality innovators and leading the way for new growth in the region. "We are honored to partner with Alejandro Tamayo and his team in bringing The Chatwal brand to San Miguel de Allende," said Dream Hotel Group CEO Jay Stein, "San Miguel is one of the most creative and cult...
TTRG and Dunn Hospitality Bringing Dual-Branded Hyatt Place and Hyatt House to Fishers District in Indianapolis
Dunn Hospitality | June 8, 2018
Indianapolis, IN – Thompson Thrift Retail Group (TTRG) is excited to announce that we are currently working with Dunn Hospitality Group to bring the dual branded – Hyatt Place and Hyatt House, to The Yard at Fishers District. This unique concept incorporates the two different hotels within a single six-story building of 211 rooms. David Dunn, President and COO for Dunn Hospitality stated, "We had been analyzing various sites throughout the Indianapolis metro area for some time and were drawn to 116th Street due to the announced projects including Top Golf and IKEA and its close proximity to numerous other demand generat...
L’Auberge de Sedona Appoints Sean Olmstead General Manager and Franck Desplechin Director of Food & Beverage/Executive Chef
June 8, 2018
SEDONA, Ariz. (June 8, 2018) – L'Auberge de Sedona, A Destination Hotel, the Southwest's premier luxury resort, named two hospitality executives to leadership roles as it continues to refine its star power. Together, the team is overseeing all aspects of the property's operations and food and beverage offerings, ensuring the highest quality experiences for which L'Auberge de Sedona is known for. Sean Olmstead is a hospitality veteran appointed general manager of L'Auberge de Sedona where he oversees day-to-day operations, including guest relations and property development. A native of Hawaii, Olmstead graduated from the California...
New 80-Room Fairfield Inn & Suites Opens in Alexandria, Minnesota With General Manager Victoria Nelson at the Helm
Fairfield Inn & Suites | June 8, 2018
Alexandria, Minnesota – June 8, 2018 – The 80-room Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott in Alexandria, Minnesota is now open for business with a new décor that provides guests with a feeling of warmth and calm while traveling. Located at 4929 Sanibel Drive, the Fairfield Inn & Suites Alexandria will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned by Alexandria Hotel Group and managed by American Hospitality Management, Inc. of Cheboygan, Michigan. General Manager Victoria Nelson leads the management team at the three-story property. Located across from the Boulder Tap House and just minutes from downtown Alexandria where...
Discounting Is for Dummies – Part Two
Vertical Booking | June 8, 2018
Drive More Direct Bookings Without Sacrificing Your Bottom Line By Mark Lewis-Brown, CEO & President at Vertical Booking USA Remember last week when we decided that discounting is for dummies – and made it official by shouting it from our rooftop patios? If not, you've got some catching up to do! Today, I'm going to share the second (of three!) important takeaway from this article series: how hotels can boost direct bookings WITHOUT discounting or adversely affecting their bottom lines. So, let's get started. Close your eyes and think back to the last time that you were more than satisfied with a hospitality experience –...
Marriott, Hilton and AccorHotels Lead Construction Pipeline in the Middle East and Africa
Lodging Econometrics (LE) | June 8, 2018
June 8, 2018 – PORTSMOUTH, NH – According to the recent Hotel Construction Pipeline Trend Reports for Africa and the Middle East, the top hotel company construction pipelines in the Middle East and Africa are: Marriott International with 154 Projects/33,386 Rooms, Hilton Worldwide with 130 Projects/32,725 Rooms, AccorHotels with 103 Projects/25,430 Rooms, Radisson Hotel Group with 44 Projects/11,184 Rooms and InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) with 31 Projects/7,445 Rooms. The largest brand in the Pipeline for each of the these companies are: Marriott's Courtyard with 23 Projects/5,033 Rooms, Hilton's full-service hotel wit...
Positive Expectations Continue for Mauritius Hotel and Tourism Sector
HTI Consulting | June 8, 2018
"Increasingly strong travel and tourism trends for the Indian Ocean nation of Mauritius are paving the way for continued positive hotel operating performances," says Hubert Golay, Vice-President of international hospitality real estate and leisure consulting firm, HTI Consulting, who have recently established a presence on the island. Mauritius experienced yet another year of record tourism arrivals in 2017. This is according to stats from the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) who announced that the island country had outperformed official predictions last year, attracting a total of over 1.34 million tourists. "Mauritius' co...
Owned and Developed by Majid Al Futtaim, Aloft City Centre Deira Opens in Dubai
Aloft Hotels | June 7, 2018
Marriott International today announced the opening of Aloft City Centre Deira, the company's design-led Aloft brand's third property in the buzzing city of Dubai. Owned and developed by Majid Al Futtaim, the leading shopping mall, communities, retail and leisure pioneer across the Middle East, Africa and Asia, Aloft City Centre Deira is situated in the cultural heart of Dubai and is the first hotel in the region to offer movie-themed suites, alongside a VOX Cinemas' OUTDOOR screen and the Aloft brand's signature programming. "Aloft continues to redefine the traditional hotel experience in the region and we are delighted to introduce the...
Autograph Collection Hotels Opens 272-Room RYSE in Seoul’s Hongdae Neighborhood
Autograph Collection Hotels | June 7, 2018
Autograph Collection Hotels, Marriott International's distinctive collection of passionately independent hotels, today announced the opening of RYSE in Hongdae, the neighborhood known to be a creative trendsetters in Seoul. RYSE is the second Autograph Collection hotel in Seoul and joins the brand's diverse portfolio of more than 135 hotels around the world that champion values of vision, design and craft. "Autograph Collection Hotels is growing in lockstep with global demand from travelers for independent hotels and individual experiences when traveling: from dining to design," said Jennifer Connell, Vice President, Global Brand Market...
Springer-Miller Systems Expands Mobile PMS Solution to Include Housekeeping
Springer-Miller Systems | June 7, 2018
Hotels and Resorts Embrace Guest Service Potential of Mobile Application STOWE, VT — June 7th, 2018 – Springer-Miller Systems (SMS), the leading provider of guest-centric hospitality and spa management systems, today announced new housekeeping functionality and enhanced dashboards in the latest release of their mobile PMS application, SMS|Host Anywhere. The addition of these new features allow hotels and resorts to enhance the guest experience while enabling staff to work more efficiently. Seamless Service Opportunities Providing flexibility and mobility to hotel and resort staff, the SMS|Host Anywhere application provides n...
Fairmont San Jose Appoints Dan McGowan as General Manager
Fairmont San Jose | June 7, 2018
*SAN JOSE, June 2018 – Paul Tormey, Regional Vice President and General Manager California Region, AccorHotels, is pleased to announce the appointment of Dan McGowan as General Manager of Fairmont San Jose, effective June 1, 2018. Dan will oversee all operational, financial and strategic aspects at the 805-room landmark hotel in the heart of Silicon Valley. "Dan brings a wealth of hospitality and leadership experience, along with extensive knowledge of the Fairmont brand, to his new role at Fairmont San Jose," said Tormey. "We are delighted to welcome him to the California region and look forward to seeing the continued success of...
Restin Hospitality and Prestige Hospitality Group Celebrate Opening of New Comfort Inn & Suites Harrisburg Airport Hershey South in Middleton, Pennsyl
Restin Hospitality | June 7, 2018
(Middletown, PA) – On Tuesday, June 5, 2018, Restin Hospitality held a ribbon cutting event to celebrate the opening of the new 87-room Comfort Inn & Suites hotel in Middletown, Pennsylvania. The new Comfort Inn & Suites, located within 3 minutes of the Harrisburg Airport, features 4-stories, 87 rooms, 31 king suites, a saltwater indoor pool, meeting facilities, complimentary breakfast, fitness room, business center and airport shuttle. The Comfort Inn & Suites-Harrisburg Airport Hershey South is owned by Restin Hospitality and managed by Prestige Hospitality Group of Albany, New York. The hotel welcomed its first gues...
The Resort at Pelican Hill Welcomes Simaan Hawa as Director of Sales
June 7, 2018
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. – June 7, 2018 – The Resort at Pelican Hill® today announced the appointment of Simaan Hawa as director of sales. Hawa will support the 504-acre coastal destination's initiatives to welcome the world's most discerning travelers, including groups of 10 to 400 guests for meetings, incentives, conferences and special events. "As Pelican Hill welcomes Simaan to our leadership team, we continue to elevate the guest experience for our luxury group clientele from around the world," said Pelican Hill Managing Director Tom Donovan. "Well-aligned with the resort's service culture, our new leader will advance ...
ISHC Worldview: Sharing Economy and the Appeal of Timeshare
ISHC WorldView | June 7, 2018
7 June 2018 ISHC WorldView revealed that 69% of members surveyed believe the appeal of timeshare is diminishing. With Airbnb.com now allowing hotel listings through 3rd party distribution platforms, it's clear the sharing economy hasn't stopped evolving to increase their piece of the pie. What does the sharing economy have that timeshare doesn't? Insights from ISHC members revolve around two common themes: flexibility and unique experiences. ISHC's Tim Peck, Chairman of OBM International Limited commented, "The sharing economy allows far more flexibility in being able to have your home away from home." "Why would a consumer want to lock...
Red Planet Japan Acquires Two Flagship Hotel Developments in the Philippines
Red Planet Japan, Inc. | June 7, 2018
TOKYO, June 7, 2018 -- Red Planet Japan Inc. (Red Planet Japan), the JASDAQ-listed (3350:JP) subsidiary of the rapidly-growing Bangkok-based Red Planet Hotels, today announced the establishment of a new subsidiary in the Philippines and the acquisition of two local flagship properties by the new subsidiary. The planned opening of the two hotels in 2019 and 2020 will double the number of rooms in Red Planet Japan's portfolio and is expected to greatly contribute to its future revenue and earnings. This acquisition follows the opening of Red Planet Japan's fourth hotel in Sapporo on 1 June 2018. The new subsidiary, Red Planet Hote...
Wynn Resorts Appoints Erik Hansen as First Chief Sustainability Officer
Wynn Resorts | June 7, 2018
LAS VEGAS, June 7, 2018 -- Wynn Resorts announced today the appointment of Erik Hansen as the company's first Chief Sustainability Officer. In this newly-created role, Hansen is responsible for the development of the company's global sustainability strategy and energy procurement goals. "Erik has proven to be a visionary as we continue to deepen our company's sustainability strategy and make monumental moves towards taking control of our energy future," said Kim Sinatra, EVP and General Counsel for Wynn Resorts. "His experience extends across all facets of environmental protection and government regulation, an...
Hilton Appoints Vera Manoukian as Global Brand Head of Hilton Hotels & Resorts
Hilton | June 7, 2018
MCLEAN, Va. - Hilton (NYSE: HLT) today announced the appointment of Vera Manoukian as Senior Vice President and Global Head, Hilton Hotels & Resorts. Effective June 11, 2018, Manoukian will oversee the brand portfolio for Hilton Hotels & Resorts and will be responsible for promoting, elevating and growing the iconic brand. "We are thrilled to have Vera as the newest member of our brand management leadership team," said Jon Witter, Chief Customer Officer. "She is extremely well-regarded within the hospitality industry, and given her diverse global business experience, I am confident she will be a tremendous asset to Hilton and ou...
Have We Tossed Our Treasures out to Sea?
Georges Panayotis | June 7, 2018
By Georges Panayotis More than 1.2 billion tourists traveled worldwide in 2017 and on this constantly growing wave, just over 25 million people have taken advantage of the cruise product. This represents just a mere 3% of the total volume of tourists, but make no mistake, this figure is increasing slowly but surely. Indeed, this industry, unlike the hotel industry, has not stopped investing. While some operators sold off their walls and businesses, subcontracting and ceasing to invest in communications, cruise lines went full throttle in development and investment, gaining access by sea to the world's treasures. A handful of operato...
Anaheim Planning Commission Approves BPM Real Estate Group for 326-Key Radisson Blu
Radisson Hotel Group | June 7, 2018
ANAHEIM, Calif.--The Anaheim Planning Commission approved 4 to 1 for BPM Real Estate Group to build a 326-key Radisson Blu to be constructed on a 3.3-acre site on I-5 and South Anaheim Boulevard. "We are excited to add an upscale hotel to accommodate discerning travelers in Anaheim," said Walter C. Bowen, Founder and CEO of BPM Real Estate Group. "This marks our second hotel with Radisson, which is synonymous with outstanding levels of service and comfort delivered with utmost style." Prominently located near the Anaheim Resort District, Radisson Blu Anaheim will be within walking distance to Disneyland Resort's main entrance, near Anah...
All Customers Are Created Equal – Just Some Are More Equal Than Others
Shep Hyken | June 7, 2018
By Shep Hyken In 1945 George Orwell published the literary classic, Animal Farm, which was required reading in my middle-school English class. I always remembered the line: All animals are created equal, just some animals are more equal than others. Someone recently referenced the book and this famous line, and it made me think about how customers are treated. Are all customers equal? Loyalty programs promote perks, rewards, elite status and more, which might suggest that not all customers are equal. Now, I agree that loyal customers can receive some type of reward or discount for their loyalty. But, what about when it comes to customer...
Condor Hospitality Trust Under Contract to Sell Its Non-Core Legacy Super 8 Hotel in Creston, IA for $5.1 Million
Condor Hospitality Trust, Inc. | June 7, 2018
BETHESDA, Md.--Condor Hospitality Trust, Inc. (NYSE American:CDOR), a hotel-focused real estate investment trust (REIT) headquartered and incorporated in the state of Maryland, today announced that one of its legacy hotels, the 121-room Super 8 in Creston, IA, is now under contract to sell for $5.1 million and is expected to close in the third quarter of 2018. Net proceeds from the anticipated sale will be applied to outstanding debt on the Company's $150 million secured credit facility. "Given a projected closing of the Creston Super 8 in the third quarter, we will have sold four legacy hotels for gross proceeds of $20.4 million since ...
