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Industry Happenings
AHLA Names Rosanna Maietta President of American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation
AHLEF | May 2, 2018
WASHINGTON, D.C. – May 2, 2018 – The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) announced today that Rosanna Maietta has been named president of the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation (AHLEF). Maietta, who has served as interim President of the Foundation since May of last year, currently serves as senior vice president of communications and marketing. As AHLEF President, Rosanna will lead the Foundation and its team to advance its mission of ensuring a strong and viable future for the entire lodging industry by fueling the talent pipeline. She will be responsible for raising the Foundation's profile an...
Riviera Point Development Group Building New Dual Brand La Quinta Inns & Suites and Tryp by Wyndham Near SeaWorld
Riviera Point Development Group | May 2, 2018
Miami, Fl. [May 2, 2018] Miami-based Riviera Point Development Group has obtained a $10.7 million construction loan to build a dual brand hotel on International Drive near SeaWorld. The development's first phase will consist of a 101-room La Quinta Inns & Suites and phase II will consist of a 98-room Tryp by Wyndham SeaWorld. The lender was Miami-based Apollo Bank. The deal closed on Monday, April 23. The loan is a great endorsement for a project that stands to benefit from Orlando's 68 million-tourism industry. "It is an honor and a privilege to build a dual brand hotel development in one of the nation's fastest growing markets," s...
McWHINNEY Breaks Ground on Hyatt Place Hotel at Denver’s Peña Station NEXT Set to Open Late 2019
McWHINNEY | May 2, 2018
DENVER, COLO. - May 2, 2018 - McWHINNEY – a Colorado-based premier real estate investor and developer with expertise in hospitality, mixed-use, commercial and multi-family assets – has broken ground on a new 226-room LEED Silver Hyatt Place hotel at Denver's Peña Station NEXT. Peña Station NEXT is a transit-oriented, mixed-use development adjacent to Denver International Airport and easily accessible by the University of Colorado A Line Train. Embodying and delivering advanced technology, a robust fiber backbone, a unique sense of community, clean energy and mobility; Peña Station NEXT is modeled after r...
Much Ado About Millennials and Hospitality
Stuart Pallister | May 2, 2018
By Stuart Pallister Go to a hospitality conference or forum these days and the topic of millennials is likely to crop up, and more so at the Young Hoteliers Summit staged recently at Ecole hôteliere de Lausanne. At the heart of the issue is a fundamental question for hoteliers. Should you be thinking of changing your offering substantially to cater for this digitally-savvy generation in their early 20s to mid-30s, and, if so, what are they looking for? Are luxury hotels too stuffy and will they need to have a major re-think? In retail, leading designer labels such as Gucci are going all-out to woo these customers, even though they...
Dubai Properties Debuts Element Brand in Middle East with Opening of Element Me’aisam in the UAE
Element by Westin | May 2, 2018
Marriott International today announced the debut of Element Hotels in the Middle East and Africa with the opening of Element Me'aisam in Dubai (United Arab Emirates). Owned and developed by Dubai Properties, Element Me'aisam presents a fresh, appealing concept for short and long stays in the city with its eco-conscious ethos and innovative programming. "A recognized industry leader in the eco-space, Element promotes a life in balance with its emphasis on wellness and sustainability and we are excited to debut the brand in a city like Dubai where sustainability remains a key focus across all sectors," said Alex Kyriakidis, President and ...
Hilton Names Martin Rinck as Global Head of Luxury and Lifestyle Group
Hilton | May 2, 2018
MCLEAN, Va. – Hilton (NYSE: HLT) today named Martin Rinck as Global Head, Luxury & Lifestyle Group. In his new role, Rinck will be responsible for all strategic development, brand innovation and leadership initiatives for the world's fastest growing luxury hotel portfolio, including Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts and Conrad Hotels & Resorts. Rinck will also oversee the continued growth of Hilton's newest lifestyle brand, Canopy by Hilton. "We are excited that Martin has agreed to lead our Luxury & Lifestyle Group, and are confident that his industry knowledge, strong leadership skills and extensive hospitality ex...
The U.S. Construction Pipeline Showed Healthy Growth in the First Quarter
Lodging Econometrics | May 2, 2018
The U.S. Construction Pipeline kicked off the first quarter of 2018 with 5,255 Projects/636,174 Rooms, up 4% by projects and 6% by rooms Year-Over-Year (YOY), according to analysts at Lodging Econometrics (LE). In comparison to the highest Pipeline level recorded by LE, the current quarter is just 628 Projects/149,373 Rooms, or 11% beneath the peak which occurred in Q208. We expect the Pipeline to continue its modest growth through 2018. There are 1,592 Projects/205,449 Rooms Under Construction, up 5% by projects YOY. Projects Scheduled to Start Construction in the Next 12 Months, at 2,297 Projects/272,459 Rooms are down 5% by pr...
5 Signs It’s Time to Change Your Hotel Property Management System
May 2, 2018
By Jos Schaap CEO and Founder - StayNTouch Your hotel property management system (PMS) is the beating heart of your hotel - responsible for streamlining operations, optimizing guest service and maximizing revenue. However, like most technology, it has a limited lifespan. As technology evolves, so will your property's (and guest's) unique needs and goals; resulting in the inevitable necessity to reevaluate your current PMS. Even a once-invaluable PMS can eventually outlive its suitability; at that point, replacing your PMS may be a more effective decision than reworking it. Unfortunately, hoteliers often delay the replacement of this ess...
Nobody Asked Me, But… No. 195: Hotel History: The Elephantine Colossus Hotel
Stanley Turkel | May 2, 2018
By Stanley Turkel, CMHS When Coney Island went from a sandbar resort in Brooklyn to the city's biggest beachfront playground in the 1880s, all sorts of attractions popped up. There were beer halls, roller coasters, so called "freak shows" and a one-of-a-kind gaudy structure known as the Elephantine Colossus. It was constructed in 1884 by James V. Lafferty (1856-1898) who thought that the next great architectural step was to design buildings in the shape of animals, birds and even fish. During the twelve years before it burned down, the jumbo-size hotel in Brooklyn was known as the Colossus of Architecture and the Elephantine Colossus. A...
Two Roads Hospitality Selects Inntopia for Company-Wide CRM Platform
Inntopia | May 2, 2018
[STOWE, May 2, 2018] – Two Roads Hospitality, the Denver-based lifestyle hotel management company that includes Thompson Hotels, Destination Hotels, and Joie de Vivre Hotels, has contracted with Vermont-based Inntopia for a custom CRM database, marketing automation, and guest recognition platform to be installed across most of its North American properties in 2018. "We chose Inntopia for three reasons," said Two Roads Hospitality CMO Sherri Gilligan. "First, their technology is better than anything else out there in hospitality CRM. Second, their company culture is very similar to ours, and we know that our people will work well w...
Milestone Partners With Yelp to Launch New Client Offering
Milestone Inc | May 2, 2018
Milestone Launches Comprehensive Reputation Management Offering that includes Yelp SILICON VALLEY, CA. May 2, 2018 -- Milestone, a provider of digital marketing solutions for location-based businesses, today announced participation as a Yelp Ads Certified Partner (YACP) to enable Milestone to help location-based businesses manage their presence on Yelp. This new offering helps consolidate the work of managing a businesses' online presence by allowing location-based businesses to manage their Yelp listings, restrict competitive advertising on the Yelp page with branded profiles and leverage the advertising-based solutions managed by Mile...
KN Hospitality Opens Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Opens in Somerset, Pennsylvania
Fairfield Inn & Suites | May 2, 2018
Somerset, PA – May 2, 2018 – The 80-room Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott in Somerset, Pennsylvania is scheduled to open today with its smart, inventive public space and guest room design, and its bright and inviting décor. Located at 117 Tollgate Road, the Fairfield Inn & Suites Somerset will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned and managed by KN Hospitality, LLC of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Whether traveling for business or pleasure, the Fairfield Inn & Suites Somerset offers guests convenient access to the Flight 93 National Memorial, Seven Springs Mountain Resort, Mountain Playhouse and Idlewild Pa...
Special Job Titles Deserve Special Prices
Larry Mogelonsky | May 2, 2018
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.hotelmogel.com) A fun solution to help drive more restaurant profitability may be in further specializing your F&B team then giving these dedicated experts uniquely alluring names. The inspiration that sparked this concept came about tangentially when discussing a somewhat recent initiative at select Ritz-Carlton alpine resorts where they have introduced a 'smoreologist' which is, in essence, a fancy name for a pastry chef who spends a bit more of his or her experimenting with fancy graham crackers and marshmallows. Still, though, the name resonates, helps create some excitement amongst the fam...
Canadian Vacation Ownership Association (CVOA) Announces Agenda and Sponsorship Opportunities for VO-Con 2018
Canadian Vacation Ownership Association (CVOA) | May 2, 2018
VANCOUVER, CANADA (May 2, 2018) –The Canadian Vacation Ownership Association (CVOA) has announced plans for VO-Con 2018, the association's annual vacation ownership conference which will be held September 25-27 at the Westin Trillium House Resort in Blue Mountain, Ontario, Canada. "Vo-Con is unique in that it provides an open forum to gain new perspectives and engage in candid discussions," said Zwickel. "Our sponsorship program is extremely affordable, and we already have supporters who have committed to sponsoring some of our upcoming events." The theme for the first day is "Big Challenges Demand Bigger Solutions". Panel discuss...
Radisson Hotel Group Set to Open 174-Room Radisson RED Glasgow in the United Kingdom
Radisson RED | May 1, 2018
Brussels/ Glasgow - May 1, 2018 - Radisson RED – the upscale, select-service brand from the Radisson Hotel Group, which presents a playful twist on conventional hotel stays – is excited to open its first UK hotel. Radisson RED Glasgow is here. A fresh new take on hospitality, Radisson RED is all about casual service style, a buzzing social scene and cool, contemporary design, the perfect ingredients for a fun, upbeat vibe. "Radisson RED is bold and pushes the boundaries of the traditional hospitality experience, and I can't think of a better fit for the UK's first RED than the city of Glasgow. We're genuinely excited to give...
Hotels Create Sense of Place With Local Design
Chamberlin Public Relations | May 1, 2018
Travelers want a real sense of place when they stay in a hotel, and designers are doing their part to make sure guests feel completely immersed in a destination from the moment they arrive. Here are just a few notable hotels from historic to ultra-modern (and modern twists on historic properties) that are evoking destination in their design. Yotel The airline-inspired Yotel brand already has a solid presence in airports and in urban hubs alike. The New York property, opened in 2011, was designed in collaboration by Rockwell Group and Softroom, and blends the airport aesthetic with a distinctly Gotham vibe, starting with the façad...
Royal One Real Estate II, LLC to Develop Even and Indigo Hotels in Long Island City, New York
Even Hotels | May 1, 2018
CHICAGO--Developer Eric Chang of Royal One Real Estate II, LLC is pleased to announce the development of two new hotel properties in the vibrant Long Island City, New York. InterContinental Hotels Group's Even Hotel will open in the Summer of 2019 followed by Hotel Indigo in the Winter of 2020. The InterContinental Hotel Group has a broad portfolio of brands including the InterContinental, Kimpton, HUALUXE, Crowne Plaza, Hotel Indigo and Even Hotels. The Even Hotel will feature a yet to be named full-service restaurant as well as a fitness center. The Indigo Hotel will showcase a 4,000 sq. ft. roof-top bar and a full service restaurant,...
Gold Key | PHR Hotels & Resorts Completes $13 Million Room Renovation of the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront
Gold Key | PHR Hotels & Resorts | May 1, 2018
The award-winning Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront has completed a $13 million room renovation, pairing spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean and award-winning dining offerings with 289 completely refreshed guest rooms and suites. The renovation comes as the hotel enters its second decade as the centerpiece of Virginia Beach's nationally recognized boardwalk. "We are committed to offering the best experience to our guests and this includes stylish, new rooms," says Bruce Thompson, President and CEO of Gold Key | PHR Hotels & Resorts, which owns and manages Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront. "Attention to detail has been a hallmark ...
Hampton by Hilton Unveils New Prototype
Hampton by Hilton | May 1, 2018
MCLEAN, Va.--Hampton by Hilton, Hilton's (NYSE: HLT) upper-midscale brand, announced today a new Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton and Hampton Inn by Hilton prototype for the Americas. Featuring a contemporized exterior design, refreshed public space décor and updated guestroom case goods, the new prototype provides owners and developers with a flexible building model that embraces emerging guest preferences, improved functionality and design efficiency. The new prototype builds on Hampton's existing model, positioning the brand for continued success and category leadership. In addition, the new prototype will help continue to d...
The Westin Prince Appoints Catherine McAuley as Director of Sales & Marketing
New Castle Hotels & Resorts | May 1, 2018
TORONTO (May 1, 2018) - - Didier Dolivet, general manager at The Westin Prince, Toronto today announced the appointment of Catherine McAuley as director of sales & marketing for the 395-room, award-winning hotel. A career hospitality executive, McAuley brings 25 years' experience with Starwood Hotels and Resorts to the job. Most recently, she was the director of sales, global business travel for the Starwood sales organization in Toronto, where she led a team of 10 sellers across Canada and the U.S. Previously, she served as Starwood's global account director, and global sales and account director, business travel. Earlier in her ca...
The Juggle is Real for Today’s Travel Managers
IHG | May 1, 2018
A poll of attendees at IHG Expo 2018 reveals top considerations for travel managers 1 in 3 travel managers say traveller satisfaction is top priority Three quarters of travel managers find catering to millennials complex 52% believe personalisation will have the biggest impact on corporate travellers Duty of care, cost management and policy compliance have long been key focus areas for travel managers. However, a snap poll at this year's IHG Expo, an annual event run by InterContinental® Hotels Group (IHG®) for travel buyers, bookers and managers, revealed that they are not the only priorities when putting together a trave...
Condé Nast Traveler Unveils 2018 Hot List Awards
May 1, 2018
NEW YORK, May 1, 2018 -- Condé Nast Traveler today announced the winners of its 2018 Hot List, recognizing 102 properties around the world as the hottest hotel openings of the last year. For the 22nd edition of the Hot List, the magazine's editors, reporters, and photographers spent thousands of hours flying tens of thousands of miles to experience and review more than 400 recently-opened properties firsthand. The widely anticipated list uncovers the top trends inspiring modern travelers. The full list of properties recognized on this year's list can be found here. The 2018 Hot List identifies big brands breaking out of t...
Nobu Hospitality to Launch the Nobu Hotel and Restaurant in Tel Aviv
Nobu Hospi | May 1, 2018
NEW YORK, May 1, 2018 -- Global lifestyle brand Nobu Hospitality, founded by Nobu Matsuhisa, Robert De Niro and Meir Teper, is delighted to announce its continued global expansion into Tel Aviv, Israel. Nobu Hotels are synonymous with instinctive design, fine ingredients, a powerful energy and a passion for service. The Nobu Hotel Tel Aviv is the 17th hotel in the brand's expanding portfolio. With a vision crafted by Gerry Schwartz and Heather Reisman, the Nobu Hotel Tel Aviv will attract tastemakers and style setters - wrapping the concept of a luxurious hotel around energized public spaces. "Heather and I are delighted to int...
Exploring Niche Markets in Hospitality: Seizing Untapped Opportunities
Dr. Meng-Mei Maggie Chen | May 1, 2018
By Dr. Meng-Mei Maggie Chen Distribution challenges for the hotel industry include the rising cost of customer acquisition, the ownership of customer data, the lack of loyalty from customers, and the growing popularity of Airbnb. The hotel industry is already struggling to attract, convert, and retain customers. Without major investment in marketing, convincing customers to switch from paid channels to the hotels' own channels is simply a mission impossible. Yet, some interesting players have taken a different approach by going after niche markets. For example, nhow Hotels (part of the NH Hotel Group) offer state-of-the-art music studio...
