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
Owned and Managed by Western States Lodging, the New Build Embassy Suites by Hilton South Jordan Salt Lake City Opens
Embassy Suites Hotels | April 3, 2018
SOUTH JORDAN, Utah and MCLEAN, Va. - Embassy Suites by Hilton, a global brand of upscale, all-suite hotels from Hilton (NYSE: HLT), announced today the opening of a new hotel located in South Jordan. The modern Embassy Suites by Hilton South Jordan Salt Lake City is conveniently located near family-friendly attractions like the Cowabunga Bay water park, the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium and the Hale Center Theater. Owned and managed by Western States Lodging, LLC this upscale hotel is a 192 all-suite property consisting of 159 two-room suites and 33 studio suites offering stunning views of the Salt Lake Valley. The 4,198-square-foot G...
National Hospitality Management Debuts Nevada’s First Home2 Suites by Hilton
Home2 Suites by Hilton | April 3, 2018
LAS VEGAS and MCLEAN, Va. - Home2 Suites by Hilton part of Hilton's (NYSE: HLT) All Suites portfolio, announced today its newest property, Home2 Suites by Hilton Las Vegas Strip South. Designed for travelers who want to maintain their normal routine, the hotel features 120 suites and a range of value, tech-focused and eco-conscious amenities. Just minutes from the Strip, Home2 Suites by Hilton Las Vegas Strip South will help welcome the more than 42 million visitors traveling to the city every year*. "Following a strong 2017 in which we opened more than 70 Home2 Suites properties, debuting our first hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada i...
From Dreaming to Booking Part V: The Experiencing Phase How to Capitalize on the Experiencing Phase of the Travel Planning Journey
HEBS Digital | April 3, 2018
By Margaret Mastrogiacomo, VP Strategy This article is the final contribution in a five-part series that uncovers top strategies for reaching potential guests in meaningful moments throughout every stage of the travel planning journey to increase direct bookings. This article focuses on the fourth stage of travel planning: the experiencing phase. So, you've won the booking. What's next? Travelers are filled with anticipation and excitement for their upcoming trip, and now your hotel brand must deliver the best experience possible. While winning the booking may seem like the end of the customer journey, guiding the guest experience throu...
Cape Town’s Water Crisis Not a Dampener to Tourism Prospects
HTI Consulting | April 2, 2018
Earlier this year, as news of Cape Town's water crisis reach the world and 'Day Zero' predictions loomed ever larger (on 17 January Cape Town Mayor Patricia de Lille announced the city had reached "a point of no return" in its water supplies, and that Day Zero was virtually guaranteed in a matter of weeks) so vital questions were raised as to the impact on visitor numbers to the Mother City and the potential dimming tourism, the country's economic bright spot. Says Wayne Troughton of hospitality, real estate and leisure consulting company, HTI Consulting, "According to Cape Town Tourism and WTCC, tourism accounted for an estimated 9% of...
AETHOS Releases Hotel Asset Management Compensation Survey
AETHOS Consulting Group | April 2, 2018
April 2, 2018 – With survey results of more than 200 responses from asset management executives at public lodging REITS, owners and developers, asset management advisory firms and hotel management companies; AETHOS Consulting Group releases the largest study of its kind: The Hotel Asset Management Compensation Report. According to AETHOS Managing Director David Mansbach, author of the study, "The hotel industry is at an inflection point; the current industry cycle calls for flawless execution on asset preservation initiatives, Yet the supply of high performing asset management executives is at an all-time low." Mansbach adds that ...
Hospitality and Financial Technology Professionals (HFTP) to Develop Joint Program for Students of the NYU School of Professional Studies
the NYUSPS Jonathan M. Tisch Center for Hospitality and Tourism | April 2, 2018
AUSTIN, TEXAS, USA (April 2, 2018) — Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) is pleased to announce the joint development of a new program with the NYU School of Professional Studies (NYUSPS ) Jonathan M. Tisch Center for Hospitality and Tourism, which provides the students with the opportunity to prepare for their HFTP Certified Hospitality Technology Professional (CHTP ®) designation. The program, which is expected to launch in the 2018-2019 academic year, will include HFTP-approved CHTP information in the School's 14-week class syllabus. A faculty advisor, who has attained and maintains the CHTP c...
Midas Hospitality Creates New Sister Company
Midas Capital | April 2, 2018
Midas Hospitality, a premier hotel management group, recently created a sister company called Midas Capital. The company's new office, which is located at 63 Wall St. in New York, will be led by Director of Investments Josh Burrell. Director of Investments Eric Goettelmann will head the St. Louis office, which is located at 1804 Borman Circle in St. Louis and is the headquarters of Midas Hospitality. Midas Capital will offer investors a new fund vehicle in order to raise money for future hotel acquisitions and developments. Instead of investing in only one hotel, this new opportunity gives Midas investors greater diversification as the ...
Hospitality Financial Leadership – The OTA Distraction – Pushing Rather Than Pulling
David Lund | April 2, 2018
By David Lund You cannot go a day online in the hotel community without seeing a ton of OTA related discussion. Hoteliers are like scared kittens when it comes to how they have been treated by the evil empire that the "On-Line Travel Agencies" has created. There is no doubt that the OTAs have dramatically changed the landscape in the last 20 years since Expedia bounced into the world under the strict parenting of Microsoft. In this piece, I want to offer a different perspective—one based on a different view of the OTA revenue creation and resulting costs. I also want to look at and analyze some black and white revenue and profit f...
Blueprint RF Keeps Club Magnolia Guests Connected During the Masters Golf Tournament
Blueprint RF | April 2, 2018
ATLANTA – April 2, 2018 – Guests of Augusta, Georgia's exclusive, five-star Club Magnolia will once again enjoy high-speed wireless connectivity compliments of Blueprint RF, which is owned by Cox Communications, Inc., who also owns Cox Business. Blueprint RF will provide high-bandwidth connectivity for the VIP guests who visit the Club during Master's week. "From our putting green to our sky deck, Club Magnolia guests have come to rely upon the comprehensive, stable and secure WiFi connectivity that blankets our property. We're excited once again to provide an uninterrupted connectivity experience that includes the WiFi, bus...
Virgin Hotels, Along with its Partners, Purchased the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas
Virgin Hotels | April 2, 2018
MIAMI, April 2, 2018 -- Virgin Hotels, the lifestyle hotel brand by Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson, in partnership with a group led by Juniper Capital Partners and Fengate Real Asset Investments along with their partners Dream, Cowie Capital Partners, and other private investors, has purchased the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas from a Brookfield-managed private real estate fund in a transaction that closed today. The group plans to open a reconceptualized and revitalized property, the Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, in the late fall of 2019. The Virgin Hotels brand's entrance into the entertainment capital of the world...
Outrigger Hotels and Resorts Appoints Jeff Wagoner, a Former Trump Executive, as President and CEO
Outrigger Hotels and Resorts | April 2, 2018
HONOLULU - April, 2018 - Outrigger Hotels and Resorts has announced that Jeff Wagoner is joining the company as president and chief executive officer, effective April 26, 2018. KSL Resorts co-founder and CEO Scott Dalecio, who has been serving as Outrigger's interim CEO since early 2017, has been appointed executive chairman of the global hospitality brand. Wagoner joins Outrigger with wide-ranging hospitality leadership experience in both domestic and international markets. His previous appointments include executive vice president of hotel operations for Trump Hotels as well as several senior level positions within the Wyndham Hotel G...
American Hotel Income Properties Enters Agreement for Aimbridge Hospitality to Assume Hotel Management Responsibilities
American Hotel Income Properties REIT LP | April 2, 2018
VANCOUVER, April 2, 2018 - American Hotel Income Properties REIT LP ("AHIP") (TSX: HOT.UN, HOT.U and HOT.DB.U) is pleased to announce that Aimbridge Hospitality ("Aimbridge"), a leading U.S.-based hotel management company, has entered into a binding agreement with ONE Lodging Management ("ONE") to assume the hotel management responsibilities for all of AHIP's 115 hotels. Aimbridge's assumption of management responsibilities is expected to take place by the end of April 2018, and the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions. There will be a transition period with ONE's leadership te...
Condor Hospitality Trust Announces the Departure of COO Jeffrey Dougan
Condor Hospitality Trust, Inc. | April 2, 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 Jeffrey Dougan, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, gave notice to the Company of his resignation, effective April 27, 2018. Mr. Dougan has accepted a position as the Chief Executive Officer of a Boston-based hospitality management company. "It has been a privilege to be a part of Condor's remarkable repositioning over the last three years. We have successfully transformed the portfolio into one consisting of high-quality, hig...
Holiday Inn Express and Marriott Earn Top Customer Experience Ratings for Hotels, in Temkin Group’s Annual Survey
Temkin Group | April 2, 2018
WABAN, Mass., April 2, 2018 -- Holiday Inn Express and Marriott deliver the best customer experience in the hotel industry, according to the 2018 Temkin Experience Ratings, an annual customer experience benchmark of companies based on a survey of 10,000 U.S. consumers. Out of the 20 hospitality companies included in this year's Ratings, Holiday Inn Express and Marriott tied for the top spot. Each earned a score of 78% and came in 34th place overall out of 318 companies across 20 industries. Hampton Inn secured the third place spot with a rating of 76% and an overall rank of 51st. Overall, the hotel industry averaged a 70% rating in ...
Rory McCook Named General Manager of Sheraton Harrisburg Hershey in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Hospitality Management Corporation | April 2, 2018
Dallas, TX – Leo Spriggs, President and CEO of Hospitality Management Corporation (HMC), is happy to announce that former team member Rory McCook will return to the company as General Manager of the Sheraton Harrisburg Hershey. As an established hospitality professional, he brings extensive knowledge of hotel management and familiarity with the Harrisburg market. He previously held the position of General Manager for the Sheraton Wilmington South Hotel in New Castle, Delaware. Prior to that, McCook worked for HMC as Assistant General Manager at the Sheraton Harrisburg Hershey. His experience also includes numerous management posit...
5 Social Media Strategies for Successful Hotel Marketing
Pipeline Social Media | April 2, 2018
By Leslie Wilkins, Pipeline Social Media A social media presence is essential in the field of hospitality, as we now face a world run largely by digital content. How, then, can you successfully integrate social media with your hotel's marketing campaign? Is it worth the effort? Below are a few practices that will bring you more visibility and ultimately give your hotel competitive superiority. 1. Verify Your Facebook Page Do you see a grey check mark beside the name of your hotel on your Facebook business page? If you don't, you might have a duplicate page in the world of Facebook with unanswered reviews. Let me explain — when a g...
Owned by American Life, the Embassy Suites by Hilton Seattle Downtown Pioneer Square Opens
Embassy Suites Hotels | April 2, 2018
SEATTLE and MCLEAN, Va - Embassy Suites by Hilton, a global brand of upscale, all-suite hotels from Hilton (NYSE: HLT), announced the opening of a new hotel located in Pioneer Square, Seattle's first neighborhood. The bright and modern Embassy Suites by Hilton Seattle Downtown Pioneer Square is conveniently located near all attractions the city is known for, including Pike Place Market, Pier 55 and the Seattle Art Museum. With its close proximity to CenturyLink Field and Safeco Field, guests are a short walk away to various sporting events. The hotel is also located next to King Street Station off I-5 and just a mile from ferry terminal...
Completing Conversion, Interstate Europe Opens Hotel Indigo Durham with Paul Borg as General Manager
Hotel Indigo | April 2, 2018
Famous for its eponymous university, Durham is laden with historic pubs, listed buildings, cosy cafes and spellbinding churches, surrounded by rolling countryside and quiet villages. Durham may be quaint, but the University's Botanic Gardens, compete with woodland and tropical plants, the River Wear and the city's striking scenery provide visitors a retreat into peace and tranquillity or the perfect opportunity to get outdoors. A stone's throw from the city's cathedral and castle – which together make up the city's famous UNESCO World Heritage Site – the hotel is also within easy walking distance from Durham train sta...
Emaar Hospitality Group Launches Global Hunt for ‘World’s Greatest Hospitality Talent’ for Under 26-Year-Olds
Emaar Hospitality Group | April 2, 2018
Dubai, UAE; April 2, 2018: Are you below the age of 26 years? Are you passionate about the hospitality industry? Are you creative, innovative and a go-getter? The opportunity to jumpstart your career for a corporate director/general manager role in the hospitality industry has just opened for you. Emaar Hospitality Group, the hospitality and leisure business of Dubai-based global developer Emaar Properties, has announced a first of its kind global initiative to scout for the 'World's Greatest Hospitality Talent.' Open for all young talents below the age of 26 years from anywhere in the world, Emaar Hospitality Group's international tale...
The Shelbourne, Dublin, Appoints JP Kavanagh as General Manager
The Shelbourne | April 2, 2018
April 2, 2018 (Dublin, Ireland) - The Shelbourne Hotel Dublin is delighted to announce the appointment of JP Kavanagh as General Manager. Bringing nearly two decades of experience in hospitality, Kavanagh will oversee all operations at the iconic hotel and work to enhance The Shelbourne's legacy as an Irish landmark. Originally from Dublin, JP Kavanagh has a Bachelor Degree in Management Science from Trinity College Dublin and a Higher Diploma in Hotel Management from Dublin College of Catering. Kavanagh most recently served as General Manager of The Belmond Grand Hibernian in Dublin where he oversaw the launch of Ireland's firs...
Briad Lodging Group Breaks Ground on 150-Room, AC Hotel by Marriott in Bridgewater, New Jersey
April 2, 2018
Livingston, New Jersey –April 2, 2018 – Having opened two hotels last year and one earlier this year, the Briad Lodging Group is continuing its impressive growth with new openings in the pipeline including a new build 150-room AC Hotel by Marriott. The robust pipeline continues the Briad Lodging Group's extensive growth over the past few years. "With a long track record in hotel development, ownership and management, we believe we have a competitive edge in the hotel real estate niche market, primarily in the Tri-State area. We will keep our focus on premium-branded hotels under such flags as Marriott and Hilton," said Brad ...
Rove Hotels Enters Management Agreement for New Build 270-Rove Mina Seyahi Hotel in Heart of Dubai Marina
Rove Hotels | April 2, 2018
Dubai, UAE; April 2, 2018: Rove Hotels, a joint venture between Meraas and Emaar Properties PJSC, has announced that it has reached a landmark first hotel management agreement in the UAE, with Mada'in Properties PJSC, to operate Rove Mina Seyahi in the heart of Dubai Marina. A contemporary midscale hotel brand, Rove Hotels has signed a long-term management agreement with Mada'in Properties PJSC to operate the 270-room Rove Mina Seyahi and Rove Residences Mina Seyahi, an exclusive collection of 443 serviced residences which will soon open for sale. The Rove Mina Seyahi is envisioned as a 50-story tower featuring a hotel and serviced resi...
Nashvillle’s Soon to Open Bobby Hotel Names Jeff Gillick as Director of Sales and Marketing and Steven Weaver as Director of Food & Beverage
Bobby Hotel | April 2, 2018
Bobby Hotel, opening in Nashville's Printer's Alley this May, announces the appointments of hospitality veteran Jeff Gillick as Director of Sales and Marketing and restaurant expert Steven Weaver as Director of Food & Beverage. Gillick will orchestrate strategic marketing of the hotel and its unique attributes like the rooftop lounge, while driving strong sales with the focus on leisure and small group. With two decades of hospitality experience, Gillick most recently honed this role at The Langham Huntington in Pasadena, an iconic California landmark hotel and social centerpiece. His CV is star- studded with Santa Barbara's Bacara ...
NextGuest Technologies and HEBS Digital Names Peter Seidenberg as its Chief Executive Officer
NextGuest Technologies | April 2, 2018
NEW YORK, NY (April 2, 2018) –NextGuest Technologies ("NextGuest"), the parent company of HEBS Digital and Serenata CRM, today announces Peter Seidenberg as its Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. NextGuest Technologies, founded by entrepreneur Max Starkov is an award-winning digital technology and marketing firm. Seidenberg will be responsible for continuing to drive innovation, developing new product offerings, and improving operational practices. Seidenberg has been involved with HEBS Digital and the growth of its holding company NextGuest since 2015, when PPC Enterprises ("PPC") acquired a majority ownership stake ...
