HFTP® Acquires Leading Hospitality Industry Brands: Hospitality Upgrade, Hotel-Online, The CIO Summit and The Executive Vendor Summit
Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals | June 25, 2024
Industry Happenings
Voice Search and Digital Voice Assistants: The Next Big Thing in Hotel Distribution and Marketing Background
HEBS Digital | April 12, 2018
As one of the most exciting trends in hotel marketing and distribution strategy, voice search has galvanized the hospitality industry, both in preparation for evolving consumer behaviors and technology advancements. Termed "the next billion" by the Wall Street Journal, voice search through digital assistants is here and the possibilities for the technology are endless. With the forthcoming generation of Internet users worldwide preferring communication with images and, most importantly, voice activation, there is a great opportunity for hotels in this landscape. Speaking to a digital voice assistant that can understand and execute a req...
FAU Entering Top 25 ‘Best Master’s in Hospitality Management’
Florida Atlantic University (FAU) | April 12, 2018
Boca Raton, Florida, April 12, 2018 — Florida Atlantic University (FAU)'s hospitality and tourism management program has now been ranked among the Top 25 "Best Master's in Hospitality Management" programs. This ranking is from College Choice, a leading authority in college and university rankings and resources. The full ranking is available here. This now puts both the undergraduate and master's programs in hospitality and tourism among the Top in the country with the undergraduate program among the Top 30 as ranked by The Best Schools. Peter Ricci, director, mentions that this fast movement to be among the best is a combination o...
Watson Elite Chooses Specialist Legal Tem for First Venture into Hotels
Squire Patton Boggs | April 11, 2018
SYDNEY – 12 April 2018 – Squire Patton Boggs has assisted Sydney property development and investment company Watson Elite to sign with Intercontinental Hotel Group's (IHG) lifestyle brand "Hotel Indigo". The proposed hotel will have 168 guestrooms with five suites once it has been completed and is set to open in 2021. The opening will mark the first Hotel Indigo in Sydney, and the third in Australia. The project also represents the developer's first foray into hotels – it has previously focused on residential and other real estate assets. "Being selected to assist Watson Elite through its first hotel project is a recog...
ALICE Welcomes Hospitality Technology Specialist Custódio Barreiros as Company Officially Expands into Europe
ALICE | April 11, 2018
ALICE, the hospitality industry's leading operations technology, welcomes Custódio Barreiros as Director of Enterprise of Europe to enlarge ALICE's footprint internationally. Custódio joins ALICE after the company's acquisition of concierge technology GoConcierge. The increased traction in recent months has resulted in a tripling in the size of its salesforce across North America and Europe. Thousands of hotels around the world have chosen ALICE for the transformative effect joining all hotel staff departments onto a single platform has for improved task management and employee communication. ALICE's guest engagement t...
Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants Appoints Scott Gingerich as Senior Vice President of Restaurants and Bars
Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants | April 11, 2018
SAN FRANCISCO (April 11, 2018) – Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants announced today that Scott Gingerich has been named Senior Vice President of Restaurants + Bars, promoted from his former role of Vice President of Restaurants + Bars, West. In this new position, Gingerich will head the restaurant division and run Kimpton's more than 80 unique restaurants and bars in the Americas, with a focus on generating a profitable bottom-line. Gingerich will partner with executive chefs and general managers in delivering exceptional guest experiences that showcase Kimpton's innovative culinary and beverage offerings. He will also work closely ...
Travel Agencies Face Challenges with Payment Processing
HRMA-LLC | April 11, 2018
Even in an increasingly internet driven world, travel agencies have remained an integral part of the travel industry. Once, the travel agent was the sole means of purchasing travel arrangements. Today, the internet is saturated with outlets where the average person is able to make all their travel purchases without having to speak to a single person. Even with these changes to the business norms, many still want the service and personal touch associated with a travel agent. Over the last ten years, the travel industry as a whole has seen staggering growth. Revenue growth inevitably increases competition and the saturation of a market, t...
Frontier Development & Hospitality Group LLC Acquires The Westin Baltimore Washington Airport – BWI for $34 Million
Frontier Development & Hospitality Group LLC | April 11, 2018
BALTIMORE, April 11, 2018 -- Frontier Development & Hospitality Group LLC today announced the closing on the purchase of The Westin Baltimore Washington Airport – BWI for $34 million. The 260-room hotel is located at 1110 Old Elkridge Landing Road, Linthicum Heights, MD. The hotel features 10,000 square feet of meeting space, a state-of-the-art fitness center and indoor pool, an executive club lounge, an outdoor bar/patio with fire pit, and 'The Luminous,' a contemporary American restaurant and bar. The hotel is conveniently located near Baltimore Washington International Airport with easy access to downtown Baltimore and Wash...
Investra Capital Group Ltd and Hospitality Ventures Management Group (HVMG) Complete Joint Venture Acquisition of 12 Hotel Portfolio
Investra | April 11, 2018
ATLANTA, April 11, 2018—Hospitality Ventures Management Group (HVMG), an Atlanta-based, private hotel investment, ownership and management company, in conjunction with Investra Capital Group Ltd through its subsidiary Investra Capital Inc, a private equity real estate investor and asset manager, today announced the completed joint venture acquisition of a 12-hotel portfolio totaling 1,465 rooms comprised of Marriott- and Hyatt-branded hotels across the Southeastern, Southwestern and Midwestern United States. HVMG also will operate the entire portfolio. "As we grow our footprint into the U.S., our acquisition philosophy aligns with...
Floor Bleeker, Chief Information Officer, Mövenpick Group, Named New Board President to Lead HTNG
HTNG | April 11, 2018
CHICAGO (April 11, 2018) - Floor Bleeker, Chief Information Officer, Mövenpick Group, succeeds Monika Nerger, Global Chief Information Officer, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, as President of HTNG. Now that President Nerger has completed her term, Floor Bleeker has been elected by the Board to steer the direction of HTNG with his recent appointment to President. Bleeker has served on HTNG's Board of Governors for over nine years and held the Treasurer position since 2015. Bleeker has nearly two decades of international hospitality technology experience and holds a number of board and advisory positions with other organizations. Comm...
Chef David Burke Joins The Adelphi Hotel as Culinary Director
Adelphi Hospitality Group | April 11, 2018
Saratoga Springs, NY – April 11, 2018 – The Adelphi Hospitality Group (AHG) is excited to announce that the esteemed Chef David Burke has joined the team at The Adelphi Hotel and Salt & Char as Culinary Director, overseeing all food and beverage operations. Chef Burke joined the hotel this month and is currently working to refine the elevated dining experience at the restaurants as well as catering and in-room dining services. Chef Burke and his culinary team will reveal enhanced menus that will echo his signature style for The Adelphi Hotel's restaurant concepts, The Blue Hen and Morrissey's Lounge, as well as the adjac...
HFTP Shares Dates and Location for Second Annual HITEC Dubai
HITEC | April 11, 2018
Save the date for December 5-6, 2018 at the Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai, UAE Building on the expertise of planning and producing the world's largest hospitality technology show, Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®), producers of Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC®), will host HITEC Dubai 2018 from December 5-6, 2018 at the Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai, UAE. Produced in partnership with Naseba, HFTP's HITEC Dubai will serve as the association's third and final HITEC of 2018. The event is a Middle Eastern counterpart to the tremendously successful annual HITEC which brings...
Highgate Welcomes Cheryl Williams as Regional Vice President of Sales and Marketing in Hawaii
Highgate | April 11, 2018
NEW YORK, NEW YORK (April 11, 2018) — Highgate, a premier real estate investment and hospitality management company, has appointed Cheryl Williams as regional vice president of sales and marketing in Hawaii. Williams will oversee Highgate's expanding portfolio of Hawaii properties. "Cheryl is known for her strategic focus, customer relationships and creative thinking, which have led to market-leading results in her previous leadership roles," said Steve Barick, chief operating officer of Highgate. "We look forward to her leadership in our six Hawaii properties, including the newly launched 'Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach." Will...
Arbor Lodging Management Appoints Lucio Pelloso as Corporate Director of Sales
Arbor Lodging | April 11, 2018
(CHICAGO; April 11, 2018)–Arbor Lodging Management, the Chicago-based, leading hotel management company, proudly announces the appointment of Lucio Pelloso as Arbor's corporate director of sales. In this role, Pelloso oversees the sales and marketing departments of Arbor Lodging's growing portfolio of hotels across the U.S. Working directly with the property teams, he is responsible for improving sales performance across the portfolio and acts as a driving force in revenue optimization. "Lucio's extensive experience and enduring relationships within the hospitality industry are an incredibly valuable asset to Arbor Lodging," ...
RLJ Lodging Trust Announces CEO Succession – Leslie D. Hale to Become President and Chief Executive Officer
RLJ Lodging Trust | April 11, 2018
BETHESDA, Md.--RLJ Lodging Trust (the "Company") (NYSE: RLJ) today announced that President and Chief Executive Officer Ross H. Bierkan will retire from the Company, effective at the end of the term of his existing employment agreement on August 22, 2018. In alignment with the Board's executive succession planning, the Board of Trustees has named Leslie D. Hale as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective August 22, 2018. Mr. Bierkan will not stand for election at the 2018 Annual Meeting, and Ms. Hale will be nominated for election at the 2018 Annual Meeting. Ms. Hale currently serves as Executive Vice President, Chief Operating ...
Marriott’s Expansion in the Middle East & Africa Aims to Increase Portfolio by 50 Percent and Debut Additional Brands
Marriott International, Inc. | April 11, 2018
Marriott International (NASDAQ: MAR) today announced ambitious growth plans for its Middle East and Africa region following signings for more than 30 properties and over 5,000 rooms in the last 12 months. The signings put Marriott on track to increase its portfolio in the region to nearly 370 hotels – an increase of more than 50% over the next five years. This will amount to more than 80,000 rooms across 21 brands, including the introduction in the region of brands such as EDITION, Element and AC Hotels by Marriott. Also in line with its development plans, the company and its property owners expect to add 30,000 new jobs across th...
BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, Appoints Denielle Godwin Director of Sales and Marketing for Snow King Hotel
Snow King Hotel | April 11, 2018
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, April 2018 … BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has appointed Denielle Godwin director of sales and marketing for Snow King Hotel, a Benchmark Resorts & Hotels property located in Jackson, Wyoming. Geoff Young, general manager, made the announcement. "It is a real pleasure to welcome Denielle to our hotel and back to Benchmark," said Mr. Young. "Not only does she have a keen understanding of Benchmark's 'Be The Difference' service culture, she has important experience in leading effective sales teams, as well as in ski resort sales and marketing." Denielle Godwin's new position ...
Hospitality Social Media Marketing News – April 4, 2018 Issue
Lodging Interactive | April 11, 2018
It's just been two weeks since we sent our last social media update newsletter, and so much has already changed. Keep reading to see what these changes mean for hotels and resorts in the hospitality industry, and don't forget to keep an eye out for biweekly updates moving forward! We don't want you to miss a single thing that could improve your hotel's social performance, so we'll be compiling bi-weekly lists of the most important changes happening on social media and how it will affect the hospitality industry. Instagram New Working Hashtags & Account Links in Bios Instagram just released a new feature that allows users to attach ...
Wyndham Hotel Group Unites Its Family of Hotel Brands Under One Name Adding by Wyndham Label to 12 Brands
Wyndham Hotel Group | April 11, 2018
LAS VEGAS, April 11, 2018 -- Starting today, 12 Wyndham Hotel Group brands – including iconic names such as Super 8, Days Inn and Ramada – are adding the powerful "by Wyndham" suffix to their names. Unveiled in front of thousands of its franchisees at the company's Global Conference, the plan to unite its signature lodging brands under the Wyndham banner is one of the largest name changes in the industry's history. Brands adding the "by Wyndham" hallmark are Super 8, Days Inn, Howard Johnson, Travelodge, AmericInn, Baymont, Ramada, Ramada Encore, Dolce, Dazzler, Esplendor, and Trademark – re...
“The Loyalty Divide – Operator and Consumer Perspectives, Hotels 2018” Reveals Operators Are Struggling to Find Relevance Among Younger Gues
Oracle | April 11, 2018
NEW YORK, April 11, 2018 -- Oracle Industry Connect -- Oracle today announced the findings of a global study titled "The Loyalty Divide, Operator and Consumer Perspectives, Hotels 2018" auditing consumer perceptions and hospitality brand realities of loyalty programs and influences. "The Loyalty Divide" reveals that hotel operators believe they offer personalized and relevant rewards while consumers disagree and look to social influencers for aspirational recommendations that drive their travel experience. "Oracle Hospitality envisions a future where loyal guests are rewarded for their behaviors as we evolve bey...
Choice Hotels Enters Strategic Alliance With Spain’s Sercotel Hotels for Global Footprint Brand Expansion
Choice Hotels | April 11, 2018
ROCKVILLE, Md., April 11, 2018 -- Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), one of the world's largest hotel companies, reinforces its focus on international growth through a strategic alliance announced today with Sercotel Hotels, a leading hotel operator and franchisor based in Spain. The alliance establishes the framework for the extension of Choice Hotels' global footprint into Spain and other markets, as well as the creation of new opportunities for additional hotel development across Europe and Latin America. Through this alliance, Choice Hotels' brands will leverage the hotel management arm of Sercotel Hotels to ...
Hospitality Design Group and Hilton Partner on Design Challenge
HD Expo | April 11, 2018
Winner of the Box, a Hospitality Design event, to be brought to life at HD Expo New York, NY (April 11, 2018) – Hospitality Design Group has partnered with Hilton on the Box, a one-of-a-kind design competition that in January, challenged 12 top design firms to create the ultimate luxury guestroom in 24 hours. The winning concept, from Toronto-based Chapi Chapo Design in collaboration with the two dozen sponsoring manufacturers, will make its debut on the show floor at booth #1883 during HD Expo, May 2-4 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. "When Hilton came to us with the idea, I jumped on the chance. It was amazing...
Does Your Hotel Have a Policy on Piercings?
Larry Mogelonsky | April 11, 2018
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.hotelmogel.com) Just over a year ago on Hotel-Online, I wrote about the need to put in definite terms what your hotel would tolerate for visible tattoos as well as how this policy might vary for back-of-house versus front-of-house. It's an important topic because tattoos are on the rise amongst the younger demographics, and yet a guest from a more traditional upbringing may be turned off by such ink. If you don't have the proper documentation and signed agreements from everyone at the associate level, you risk irritating customers or running into problems surrounding discriminatory hiring practices...
HVS Market Pulse: Birmingham, AL
Benjamin A. Levin | April 11, 2018
By Benjamin A. Levin Birmingham's economy is largely driven by the healthcare sector, with top employers such as the UAB Health System, Baptist Health System, and St. Vincent's Health System, whose hospitals and clinics are expected to change their name to Ascension. The name change is part of a greater effort to coordinate healthcare efforts across the entire Ascension system, which is the largest chain of Catholic hospitals in the world. The UAB Healthcare System is also undergoing some changes. U.S. News & World Report's top ranked hospital in Alabama added seven operating rooms to the Callahan Eye Hospital in April 2017, whi...
Nobody Asked Me, But… No. 194: Hotel History: John McEntee Bowman (1875-1931)
Stanley Turkel | April 11, 2018
Hotel History: John McEntee Bowman Part 2 During his lifetime career as a hotel developer and operator, John Bowman was a horse lover and a thoroughbred racing enthusiast. He was president of the United Hunts Racing Association and the National Horse Show. For a time, he served as the president of the Havana-American Jockey Club that operated the Oriental Park Racetrack in Marianas, Cuba. In addition to the six Biltmore Hotels which I described in Nobody Asked Me, But… No. 193, here are the descriptions of ten more Biltmore hotels. Flintridge Biltmore Hotel- located in La Canada Flintridge atop the San Rafael Hills in Californi...
