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Industry Happenings
HVS Market: Snapshot Seychelles Hundred Islands of Paradise
Larissa Lam | February 28, 2018
By Larissa Lam and Daniel J Voellm Seychelles Tourism Records Stable Growth Seychelles continues to prove its popularity in the European market as a hideaway holiday destination while gaining reputation in the Middle Eastern and Asian markets. Republic of Seychelles is an archipelago of 116 islands located in the Western Indian Ocean east of East Africa. Across all 116 islands, Seychelles has a total land area of 455 square kilometers. The country consists of two distinct island groups: the Mahé group, in the north, and a chain of low-lying coral islands stretching away to the south. All of the country's principal islands belong ...
Steigenberger Hotels & Resorts Signs With ALDAU Development for Steigenberger Pure Lifestyle in Hurghada Opening November 2018
Steigenberger Hotels and Resorts | February 28, 2018
Frankfurt am Main, 28 February 2018 Steigenberger Hotels and Resorts are set to grow in Egypt. Plans are in place for the nine existing hotels in the country to be joined by the Steigenberger Pure Lifestyle in Hurghada from November 2018 onwards. The hotel will be run by the developer ALDAU Development via a franchise agreement and be positioned within the high-end five-star lifestyle segment. It will form part of the Mega Steigenberger ALDAU Resort, which has already won a total of 63 international awards. The resort's present hotels, the Steigenberger ALDAU Beach and the Steigenberger Aqua Magic, are renowned for their high level of h...
PolyU Study Finds How Hotel Loyalty Programmes Can Boost Brand Relationship Quality
February 28, 2018
Well-designed hotel loyalty programmes can increase members' satisfaction and improve the quality of their relationships with the associated brands, according to Dr Ada Lo of the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and her co-authors. In a recently published article the researchers highlight the loyalty programme features that are most effective for building brand relationship quality (BRQ), and how BRQ contributes to outcomes such as members' word of mouth recommendations and purchase intention. The researchers explain that many hotel chains offer loyalty programmes as a means to "rewar...
Harbor Club St. Lucia Signs With Hilton to Join Curio Collection in April 2018
Curio Collection by Hilton | February 28, 2018
GROS ISLET, St. Lucia and MCLEAN, Va. – Feb. 28, 2018 – Hilton (NYSE: HLT) today announces the signing of Harbor Club St. Lucia, Curio Collection by Hilton, the brand's first property on the island and a welcomed addition to Hilton's expanding portfolio in the Caribbean. Owned by The Harbor Club Ltd., the nautically-inspired hotel is set to join Curio Collection by Hilton in April 2018. The property features 115 spacious cabin-style rooms and suites, 10 bars and dining outlets, four swimming pools, a spa, world class gym and meeting space. "As our first Curio Collection by Hilton property in St. Lucia, the signing of Harbor ...
BENCHMARK Appoints Nicole Considine Director of Sales & Marketing for Delta Hotels – Marriott Dallas Allen & Watters Creek Convention Center
February 28, 2018
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, February 2018 … BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has named Nicole Considine director of sales and marketing for Delta Hotels - Marriott Dallas Allen & Watters Creek Convention Center, a Benchmark Resorts & Hotels property currently under construction in Allen, Texas, north of Dallas. The Four Star, full-service hotel and convention center is scheduled to open in January of 2019. Stacy Martin, general manager made the announcement. "It is a pleasure to welcome Nicole to our property and to Benchmark," said Ms. Martin. "She brings award-winning sales and marketing leadership skil...
Nobody Asked Me, But… No. 192; Hotel History: The Negro Motorist Green Book
Stanley Turkel | February 28, 2018
By Stanley Turkel, CMHS Hotel History: The Negro Motorist Green Book This series of AAA- like guides for black travelers was published by Victor H. Green from 1936 through 1966. It listed hotels, motels, service stations, boarding houses, restaurants, beauty and barber shops. Widely used when African American travelers faced a swamp of Jim Crow laws and racists attitudes which made travel difficult and sometimes dangerous. The cover of the 1949 edition advised the black traveler, "Carry the Green Book with you. You may need it." And under that instruction was a quote from Mark Twain which is heartbreaking in this context: "Travel is fat...
Warwick Paradise Island – Bahamas Appoints Bahamian Christopher Chea as Executive Chef
Warwick Hotels and Resorts | February 28, 2018
Paradise Island - Bahamas has appointed Bahamian Christopher Chea as the resort's new Executive Chef. Chea brings 40 years of culinary experience and education to his role where he will be responsible for overseeing the operations, menu development and food preparation at the resort's five restaurants. "The addition of Christopher Chea to lead the Warwick Paradise Island – Bahamas culinary team exemplifies our commitment to enhance our culinary offerings," said Benjamin Davis, general manager of the resort. "Chef Chea's training and expertise in international cuisine and techniques will elevate the capabilities of the entire team ...
The Applicability of Blockchain in the Hospitality Sector
Shravan Poorigali | February 28, 2018
By Shravan Poorigali Enterprises across every industry are exploring ways to leverage blockchain technologies for business benefits. As proof, $2.1 billion has been spent globally on blockchain solutions in 2018, according to IDC. This is a clear indicator that this emerging technology is here to stay and bring increased opportunities with it. One industry expected to benefit greatly from blockchain, is the hospitality sector. Blockchain is frequently used in business scenarios that involve multiple parties participating in a transaction. Using distributed-ledger technology, blockchain technology removes the middleman in transactions, s...
Noble House Hotels & Resorts Names Lou Cirelli Director of Sales for Kona Kai Resort & Spa
Kona Kai Resort & Spa | February 28, 2018
SAN DIEGO, Calif. (February 28, 2018) – Noble House Hotels & Resorts, Ltd., a hotel ownership and management group with an upscale portfolio of 15 distinct and visually captivating properties spanning the U.S., today announced the appointment of Lou Cirelli as Director of Sales for Kona Kai Resort & Spa, the hotel group's legendary property located on the tip of Shelter Island in San Diego. An award-winning Noble House veteran with a successful track record for increasing sales, Cirelli will leverage his extensive Southern California expertise to drive sales and boost visibility for the historic San Diego resort. "We're...
The Importance of Bottle Design in Selling Wine
Larry Mogelonsky | February 28, 2018
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.hotelmogel.com) A riff on the classical adage, "Don't judge a book by its cover," let's first examine this more common expression a bit closer to see how it applies to wine, spirits and the pursuit of restaurant profits. We are told not to base our opinions or conclusions about objects and individuals solely on their outward appearance because there is often far more happening beneath the surface worthy of our consideration, if you were only to give said object or person a chance. It's a valuable piece of advice, hence why it sticks. But its popularity, aside from its terse and catchy qualities, ca...
Cleveland Marriott Downtown at Key Center Appoints Hartmut Ott as General Manager
Cleveland Marriott Downtown at Key Center | February 28, 2018
CLEVELAND (February 2018) – Hartmut Ott was appointed general manager of the Cleveland Marriott Downtown at Key Center, 1360 W Mall Dr. With more than 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Ott will oversee all aspects of the property including an extensive renovation currently underway of the property's public spaces, which include the front desk, lobby, meeting and event space, as well as the spa and a redefined restaurant that is soon to take shape. "We are thrilled to welcome Hartmut to our team and look forward to the leadership and guidance he will bring to the Cleveland Marriott and our team of associates," sai...
BENCHMARK® Names Cory Campbell Director of Revenue Management for The Grove Resort & Spa Orlando
The Grove Resort & Spa Orlando | February 28, 2018
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, February 2018… BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has appointed Cory Campbell director of revenue for The Grove Resort & Spa Orlando, a Benchmark Resorts & Hotels property located near Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Bill Lee, general manager, made the announcement. "It is a pleasure to welcome Cory to our resort and to Benchmark," stated Mr. Lee. "Highly experienced and with a keen understanding of the Orlando market as well as guest service excellence, we look forward to Cory's active role within our revenue management and senior leadership team." Cory Campbell brings ov...
Aimbridge Hospitality Appoints Jeff Pope as General Manager and Kevin Sullivan as Director of Sales and Marketing for Canopy by Hilton Dallas Uptown
Canopy by Hilton | February 28, 2018
DALLAS, TEXAS – FEB. 28, 2018 – Canopy by Hilton Dallas|Uptown announces it has appointed a General Manager/"Chief Enthusiast" and Director of Sales and Marketing/"Lead Sales Enthusiast". The hotel is set to open in uptown Dallas in spring 2018. Aimbridge Hospitality, which manages Canopy by Hilton Dallas Uptown, selected Jeff Pope as General Manager and Kevin Sullivan as Director of Sales and Marketing. Jeff Pope brings more than 18 years of hotel management experience to the Canopy by Hilton Dallas Uptown. Pope served as General Manager under Aimbridge Hospitality for six years at Hyatt House Dallas. Previously, Pope held ...
Everwood Hospitality Partners Acquires 263-Key Sheraton Suites Plantation for $24.66 Million From PHF Plantation LP
HVMG | February 28, 2018
PLANTATION, Fla. (February 28, 2018)—Officials of Everwood Hospitality Partners (EHP), a leading hotel owner/operator with a growing portfolio of full- and select-service hotels nationwide, today announced the company has acquired the 263-suite Sheraton Suites Plantation in the heart of Broward County, Fla. The hotel was purchased for $24.66 million from PHF Plantation LP, an affiliate of San Francisco-based Fillmore Capital Partners. Hospitality Ventures Management Group (HVMG), an Atlanta-based, private hotel investment, ownership and management company, will operate the hotel. "The Sheraton Suites Plantation benefits from its r...
RLH Corporation Sells Two Hotels in Redding and Eureka, California for $17.35 Million
RLH Corporation | February 28, 2018
DENVER (February 28, 2018) — RLH Corporation (NYSE:RLH) announced today the sale of Red Lion Hotels in Redding and Eureka, California for $17.35 million. The two hotels are part of the 11 hotels being marketed for sale previously disclosed in October 2017 and are being sold to affiliates of the same buyer. The buyer will continue to operate the hotels under the Red Lion Hotel brand in addition to an 80-room hotel in Monterey, California converting to a Red Lion this summer. RLH Corporation's total gain on the sales is expected to be over $6.0 million and $15.3 million of the proceeds of the sales were used for debt repayment at th...
Hotel Industry Partners With Pearson to Offer Debt-Free College Degrees to Employees
the American Hotel & Lodging Association | February 28, 2018
10 Hotel Companies Launch Innovative Pilot Program to Offer Employees No-Cost Associate and Low-Cost Bachelor's Degrees WASHINGTON, DC - The American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation (AHLEF), the foundation arm of the American Hotel and Lodging Association, today announced a pilot program to offer streamlined degree programs to hotel industry employees in partnership with Pearson's AcceleratED Pathways program. Through this groundbreaking initiative, ten hotel companies will engage employees across 1,500 hotel properties, allowing them to pursue higher education pathways at no cost to the employee. The announcement underscores...
Intelity Development Efforts Align with Industry Demands
Intelity | February 28, 2018
Study shows the technologies that hoteliers will be investing in the most in 2018 are those found in the Intelity Guest Service Platform [Orlando, Fla. – February 28, 2018] — As hoteliers continue to cautiously increase IT budgets and place a higher priority on digital guest engagement in 2018, according to Hospitality Technology's 2018 Lodging Technology Study, Intelity continues to develop new tools to meet hoteliers' and guests' demands. The developer of the world's first and most widely used integrated guest services platform will showcase its ICE (Interactive Customer Experience™) platform at HT-NEXT in San Di...
Case Study: Historic Airlie, International Conference Destination Relies on Maestro’s Cloud PMS to Support Growth, Go Green and Deliver Mobile Guest
Maestro PMS | February 28, 2018
"When Airlie opened lodging to public and leisure guests we found that our existing system was inadequate. We researched many systems and installed Maestro PMS in the Cloud to support total property operations. It was the right decision. Maestro enables flexible mobile check-in throughout our 300 plus acre property and supports our company's efforts to be as paperless as possible. We had a very fast, professional installation with the Maestro team and my staff loves the system. The Maestro cloud solution is fantastic." Suzanne Gilmartin, Airlie's Director of Rooms. Airlie, located one hour from Washington, DC in Warrenton, Virginia, was...
When WhatsApp Messages and Emails Became Insufficient to Keep A Growing Concierge Services Team Organized, Concierge Software Came to the Rescue
ALICE | February 27, 2018
Holland's premier concierge & lifestyle service, Con Questa, uses ALICE's concierge technology to keep them organized, aligned, and continuing to delight their clients. Con Questa, Holland's premier concierge & lifestyle service, has selected ALICE's concierge software to keep their growing team organized and aligned. ALICE is the hospitality industry's leading operations technology, used by independent and managed hotels, hotel groups, residential condominiums, serviced apartments, vacation rental companies, and concierge companies looking to provide exceptional service through mobile staff technology and guest communication ch...
TRACK/ResortsandLodges.com and Doug Kennedy Announce Upcoming Webinar for March 13
ResortsandLodges.com | February 27, 2018
Cottage Grove, Minn.- As part of its ongoing commitment to education and training, TRACK Hospitality Software and ResortsandLodges.com are pleased to announce their next sponsored quarterly webinar with Doug Kennedy, the lodging industry's most experienced sales and guest service trainer. The webinar "Tracking And Following Up On Voice Inquiries Is Key To Increasing Direct Voice Reservations Booking" will take place at 11:00 am CST on March 13th, 2018. To register click here. This is a wonderful learning opportunity for managers at hotels, resorts and vacation rental companies to learn how they should be tracking voice inquiries and als...
Smartotels Hospitality International Limited Plans Spring Opening for Flagship FORM Hotel Dubai
FORM Hotels | February 27, 2018
FORM Hotel Dubai announces its opening date for this Spring. This 136-room property is the flagship from Smartotels Hospitality International Limited; a technology-driven upscale design concept hotel in the up-and-coming neighborhood of Al Jadaf and Culture Village. As an innovative new brand for the Middle East delivered by a best-in-class team, FORM Hotel Dubai will offer a timelessly-designed environment built around brand 'obsessions' and curated add-ons. With a strong visual art and design narrative, and emphasis on wellbeing, FORM Hotel Dubai hopes to provide a sanctuary from the city, whilst being conveniently located near to maj...
Kimpton Ink48 Hotel Names Nick Ivezaj as New General Manager
Kimpton Ink48 Hotel | February 27, 2018
NEW YORK – (February 27, 2018) – Kimpton Ink48 Hotel, a distinctive boutique hotel in the heart of Hell's Kitchen, is delighted to announce the appointment of Nick Ivezaj as its new General Manager. In his role, Nick will oversee all aspects of the hotel and its day-to-day operations as well as its continued growth and success. "Nick's extensive experience as a General Manager makes him the perfect addition to the Kimpton Ink48 family," said Ron Vlasic, Vice President of Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants. "His expertise both in the industry and New York City are exactly what the hotel needs to bring it to the next level. We l...
Vince Vito Joins Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort as Director of Sales, Marketing & Events
Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort and Spa | February 27, 2018
(BEAVER CREEK, Colorado) January 27, 2017 – Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort and Spa, the only ski-in, ski-out resort in Beaver Creek, Colorado, announces the appointment of Vince Vito as Director of Sales, Marketing & Events. In his new role, Vito will oversee the Sales and Marketing operation of the hotel as well as manage the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek guest experience. "I'm thrilled to join the talented and dedicated staff at Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort & Spa," Vito says. "I'm passionate about achieving results in a team environment, and together, I'm confident that we will continue to refine and elevate the guest experi...
Starwood Capital Group Acquires Portfolio of Seven Hilton Hotels Throughout the United Kingdom
Starwood Capital Group | February 27, 2018
MIAMI, Feb. 27, 2018 -- Starwood Capital Group, a leading global private investment firm, announced today that a controlled affiliate of Starwood Global Opportunity Fund XI has acquired a portfolio of seven Hilton hotels throughout the United Kingdom, totalling over 1,300 rooms from Park Hotels & Resorts for £135 million. The portfolio is located in several of the UK's top hotel markets, including London, Edinburgh, Bath and Belfast, which benefit from high occupancies, high barriers to entry and solid investment fundamentals. Starwood Capital Group plan to refurbish a number of the assets in order to transform operating p...
