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Industry Happenings
10 Effective Social Media Marketing Tips for Hoteliers
Deepak Chauhan | February 9, 2018
By Deepak Chauhan Poolside margaritas, chocolate buttons, freshly plucked lilies, smiling concierges – everything that makes your hotel a vacation dreamland should be documented with a rosy Instagrammable filter, and scattered across social media for the entire world to see. How else would you let eager travellers know that yours is the only hospitality they need? Since social media marketing strategies for hotels are as numerous as your completion is, we've compiled a list of top 10 tips to increase your online presence and fill out your guestbook. Pick the Right Channels Whatever business you're in, the general advice concern...
Collier County Seeks Interested Sport Complex Operators; Emerging Sports Destination Issues a Request for Information
Hunden Strategic Partners | February 8, 2018
Naples, FL (February 12, 2018) – Collier County and Hunden Strategic Partners Announce the release of a Request for Indications of Interest (RFI) regarding the Management of the Proposed Collier County Sports Complex. Collier County, Florida is issuing a Request for Indications of Interest (RFI) for the management of the proposed Collier County Sportsplex (Project). The County is in the process of developing a regional tournament caliber sports facility in multiple phases. The Project will be constructed on two tracts of land totaling 120 acres. The Project was conceived after extensive research determined an opportunity to suppor...
Brand Finance Hotels 50 Claims Marriott Closer to Checking In as Most Valuable Hotel Brand
Brand Finance | February 8, 2018
Hilton remains world's most valuable hotel brand but lead over Marriott shrinks 74%; Premier Inn and Holiday Inn are strongest hotel brands as consumers appreciate value for money; Airbnb's disruptive presence only set to grow as it targets business travellers For the third year in a row, Hilton is the world's most valuable hotel brand, with a brand value of US$6.3 billion. However, recording a 24% fall from last year, Hilton has seen their lead at the top over Marriott shrink from more than US$3.3 billion to just US$865 million, a staggering 74% reduction. As Hilton's brand value decreased, Marriott improved its brand value 8% to just...
Noble House Hotels & Resorts Appoints Chad Bustos as Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing
Noble House Hotels & Resorts | February 8, 2018
SEATTLE (February 8, 2018) – Noble House Hotels & Resorts, Ltd., a hotel ownership and management group with an upscale portfolio of 18 distinct and visually captivating properties spanning the U.S., today announced the appointment of Chad Bustos as senior vice president of sales and marketing. Bringing more than two decades of hospitality expertise to this role, Bustos will oversee all marketing strategies and sales efforts for the brand. "Chad Bustos joins Noble House at the perfect time, as we continue to grow our portfolio in locations with distinction and character," said Founder & Chairman of Noble House Hotels &...
Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group Expands Its Development Team in the Americas with Nine Appointments
Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group | February 8, 2018
MINNEAPOLIS (February 8, 2018) – Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the world's largest and most dynamic hotel groups, today announced the appointment of nine field directors within its development team. This new geographical structure allows the team to work more effectively with franchise owners and operators in addition to other business areas across the organization. "The diverse backgrounds of the newly appointed directors will be an enormous asset to our Americas development team as we execute our new 5-year Plan," said Terry Sanders, chief development officer, Americas, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group. "This new team and refre...
PURE Rooms Welcomes Jill Dean Rigsbee as Vice-President, Business Development
PURE Room | February 8, 2018
BUFFALO, NY. Feb. 16, 2018 -- PURE Rooms is pleased to announce and welcome Jill Dean Rigsbee as Vice President, Business Development. Jill will be responsible for the leadership of the PURE sales and business development team, managing new business opportunities and customizing solutions to meet hotels' needs and guest demands. Jill is a well-known trusted advisor in the hospitality industry with over 30 years of experience. Jill began her career working in hotels with various management companies for over a decade. For six years, she focused on hotel room operation supplies, FF&E and innovative products with Guest Supply. Jill com...
Hotel Zephyr Appoints Reggie Kumar as Director of Operations
Hotel Zephyr | February 8, 2018
SAN FRANCISCO (February 8, 2018) – Hotel Zephyr, a boutique waterfront property located in San Francisco, is pleased to announce the recent appointment of Reggie Kumar as director of operations at Hotel Zephyr. In his new role, Kumar is responsible for spearheading all operations for the 361-room property, including strategic planning, maximizing hotel efficiency, project management, and front office staff management. "We are so pleased to welcome Reggie to the Hotel Zephyr team," said Jason Williams, general manager at Hotel Zephyr. "With over a decade of experience working in the hospitality industry in Northern California, his ...
10 F&B Trends and the Next Big Bang for the Buck
Frank Schuetzendorf | February 8, 2018
By Frank Schuetzendorf Food and beverage has witnessed health growth over the past couple of years and with this trend there have been some significant shake-ups. The sector has moved increasingly from imitation to innovation. New technology is driving products such as bio-hacked foods which may not sound very appetizing as they are de-composed and then reconstituted based on artificial intelligence (AI). There's also a deeper understanding of F&B components at the molecular level. Quantum computing, as it is called, allows companies to simplify and speed up the process. And as new and fresh supplies are generated, it becomes a new ...
5 Hospitality Trends to Keep an Eye on in 2018
Jana Love | February 8, 2018
By Jana Love Where did January go? Are you still focused on your New Year's resolutions? Looking back through the rear view mirror (if you will) is an exercise I find interesting each year. What happened, what didn't, what is inevitably going to continue to happen, what do I want more of, less of, that sort of thing. Lot's of trend articles will surface about the previous year. In fact, here was ours last year: 2017 Trending. This year, as I was reading through some of the top trends, I came across a very interesting article by Simone Puorto, called Five hospitality trends to keep an eye on in 2018. So instead of looking bac...
Supply-Induced Hotel Demand in Portland, Maine: An HVS Case Study
Erich Baum | February 8, 2018
By Erich Baum Portland, Maine, is the northernmost outpost of the Atlantic Seaboard, host to a six-month winter and minor league hockey. A small, third-tier city, with steady but slow economic growth, Portland's downtown hotel inventory recently grew from five to ten properties over a six-year period. Why did developers and loan underwriters think there was enough demand potential to support approximately 1,000 new rooms, a 127% increase? Because it could, evidently. Credit goes to induced demand. Downtown Portland Lodging Market Trends The following table details key rooms-revenue metrics for Downtown Portland between 2013 and 2016. Do...
Hotel Sales Volume Declines, Average Price Per Room Increases Moderately
Lodging Econometrics | February 8, 2018
February 8, 2018 – PORTSMOUTH, NH – According to analysts at Lodging Econometrics (LE), in 2017 there were 827 hotel transactions where selling prices were reported into the public domain. The Average Selling Price Per Room (ASPR) for the period was a reported $141,479, down from the peak of $154,230 set in 2015, but up 8.6% Year-Over-Year (YOY). There was $15.3B in purchases of hotel assets and property transfers in 2017, excluding M&A activity, down substantially from the peak established in 2015 of $26.1B. REITs were the largest net investors for their portfolios with $4.2B in investments, followed by privately held e...
Belmond Acquires Castello Di Casole in Tuscany, Italy for €39 Million ($48 Million)
Belmond Ltd. | February 8, 2018
HAMILTON, Bermuda--Belmond Ltd. (NYSE: BEL) ("Belmond" or the "Company") today announced that it has acquired Castello di Casole, a luxury resort and estate in Tuscany, Italy. The Company purchased from the current owner the entire equity capital of two entities that together own Castello di Casole, one of the largest private real estate properties in Tuscany. The purchase price, including transaction costs, is approximately €39 million ($48 million) with a possible further €2.85 million ($3.5 million) payable contingent upon certain real estate sales being realized. The property is the latest addition to Belmond's family of '...
Nanuku Auberge Resort Appoints Oliver Scarf Executive Chef
Nanuku Auberge Resort Fiji | February 8, 2018
Pacific Harbour, Fiji (February 8, 2018) – Recognized within Fiji for the extremely high quality of its award-winning cuisine, Nanuku Auberge Resort has appointed Oliver Scarf as Executive Chef of the resort. A key component of Chef Oliver's overall activity will focus on raw, dehydrated and wellness cuisine with sustainably-sourced, local Fijian produce. This is intended to dovetail with Nanuku's on-site wellness program that offers guests the perfect solutions for everyday stress, in the process promoting and instilling the formulas required for a healthy lifestyle though a combination of cuisine, spa and relaxation therapy. "Fi...
U.S. News & World Report Names 20 BENCHMARK® Properties to “Best Hotels List” for 2018
February 8, 2018
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, February 2018 … BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has announced that 20 of its luxury properties within the company's Benchmark Resorts & Hotels and Gemstone Collection brands have been named to the prestigious U.S. News & World Report "Best Hotels" list for 2018. Villas of Grand Cypress, located in Orlando, Florida, and a Gemstone Collection property, also placed in the Silver Badge Winner category as a Best Hotel in Orlando-Walt Disney World, and in Florida. Silver winners are in the Top 30 percent of all ranked luxury hotels within a destination. Alex Cabañas, CEO, mad...
Sage Hospitality Names Randall Baldwin as Executive Chef and Kathy Hastings Food & Beverage Director for JW Marriott Denver Cherry Creek
JW Marriott Denver | February 8, 2018
Denver, Colo. (Feb. 8, 2018) - The JW Marriott Denver Cherry Creek is pleased to announce that Kathy Hastings is now serving as the Food & Beverage Director and that Randall Baldwin is now serving as Executive Chef at the award-winning hotel. With more than a decade of experience with Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, Hastings previously served as the Area Director of Food & Beverage at the Grand Hyatt Seattle and as the Director of Food & Beverage at the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort & Spa. Executive Chef Baldwin brings more than 15 years of Colorado culinary experience to the JW Marriott Denver. A graduate of the Art Instit...
Nobody Asked Me, But… No. 191: Hotel History: “Buffalo Bill” Cody
Stanley Turkel | February 8, 2018
By Stanley Turkel "Buffalo Bill" Cody (1846-1917) William Frederick "Buffalo Bill" Cody (1846-1917) was an American legend, bison hunter, government scout, Wild West showman, pony express rider and hotel developer. In 1902, Cody opened the Irma Hotel named after his daughter. He anticipated an increasing number of tourists coming to Cody, Wyoming on the recently-built Burlington Railway. While most Americans knew about the legendary Buffalo Bill because of his Wild West Show, he was also a promoter of tourism in the Yellowstone National Park. After his father's death, Bill Cody became a rider for the Pony Express at age fourteen. Durin...
Rosewood Hotel Group Appoints George Tanzman as Vice President of Finance for Americas and Europe
February 8, 2018
George Tanzman has been appointed vice president of finance, Americas and Europe for Rosewood Hotel Group. In this role, Tanzman will be responsible for providing analysis and direction on Rosewood Hotels & Resorts' operating performance and for managing all aspects of corporate and property finance for all existing and upcoming hotel properties. Tanzman joins Rosewood with nearly three decades of experience in the financial services sector of the luxury hospitality industry. Most recently, Tanzman served as the chief financial officer for Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas where he was responsible for matters related to corporate and o...
JQH Appoints Nigel Cossey as General Manager at Newly Renovated Courtyard by Marriott Dallas Allen
Courtyard by Marriott Dallas Allen at the John Q. Hammons Center | February 8, 2018
DALLAS & ALLEN, Texas & SPRINGFIELD, Mo.--John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts (JQH) today announced Nigel Cossey's promotion to general manager at the company's Courtyard by Marriott Dallas Allen at the John Q. Hammons Center in Texas. Located in a thriving suburb north of Dallas, this newly renovated, 2017 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence hotel is in a prime location near the Allen Event Center and The Village at Allen outdoor shopping mall. Cossey most recently served as assistant general manager at JQH's award-winning Embassy Suites by Hilton San Marcos Hotel, Conference Center & Spa in San Marcos, Texas. He has mor...
Brian Kelleher Appointed General Manager of Capital Hilton
Capital Hilton | February 8, 2018
McLean, Va. – February 8, 2018 – Brian Kelleher has been appointed general manager of the historic Capital Hilton, located two blocks from the White House in Washington, D.C. Kelleher returns to the 547-room landmark hotel and will oversee the operations of the icon that has been the site of many of Washington's most noteworthy events. He most recently served as general manager of Hilton McLean in Tysons Corner since 2009 overseeing the extraordinary renovation, repositioning and redevelopment of the property. A true hospitality professional, Kelleher has extensive experience in managing revenue and operations initiatives at...
Vertical Booking Adds More Than 1000 New Hotels in 2017
Vertical Booking | February 8, 2018
Portland, Ore – February 8, 2018 – Vertical Booking, a recognized leader in global reservation technology, announced today tremendous growth in 2017 with the addition of more than 1000 hotels utilizing their revenue generating solutions. "Vertical Booking continues to expand and grow worldwide because more and more hotels are realizing the benefits of a real-time, centralized solution designed to assist hoteliers in making more informed decisions and maximizing revenue," said Mark Lewis-Brown, President/CEO of Vertical Booking USA. Hotels rapidly jumped on board to utilize the plethora of reservation upselling tools designed...
Use Data to Unlock Meaningful Guest Insights
the Author | February 8, 2018
By Terri Miller, Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder, Concilio Labs Today's hotelier is constantly bombarded with information. In the ongoing effort to keep guests happy, a single hotel may maintain many different systems and solutions in place to keep operations running seamlessly—everything from the PMS to various POS platforms to a CRM and more. Each of these systems, solutions, and platforms represent a potential data goldmine to glean information about guest preferences, purchase habits and even sentiment. Sometimes, more data is just that – more. Access to this data reveals a larger question for hoteliers: How...
Intelity Named HTNG 2018 TechOvation Award Semi-Finalist
Intelity | February 8, 2018
Intelity Voice Request ranked in the Top 3 'Most Liked' product submission videos by the public; Winner to be named at HT-NEXT in March in San Diego [Orlando, Fla. – February 8, 2018] — Intelity, designated as the Official Forbes Travel Guide Mobile and In-Room Technology, was named a 2018 TechOvation Award Semi-Finalist by Hospitality Technology Next Generation (HTNG) this week. The award program recognizes companies for innovative products new to the marketplace from 2017 or coming in 2018. Intelity is one of 10 semi-finalists vying for this top honor. Intelity's Voice Request video submission was ranked among the Top 3 "M...
Urgo Hotels & Resorts Selects Aptech’s Enterprise Financial Systems for 42 Properties
Urgo Hotels and Resorts | February 8, 2018
Urgo Taps Aptech's Execuvue Business Intelligence, Targetvue Budgeting and Forecasting and PVNG Enterprise Accounting for Growing Family Business PITTSBURGH – February 8, 2018 – Aptech Computer Systems announced Urgo Hotels & Resorts selected its Execuvue® Hospitality Business Intelligence, Targetvue Budgeting and Forecasting and PVNG® Enterprise Accounting Systems. Aptech will automate data gathering, performance reporting and analysis, and accounting for Urgo's portfolio of properties. Aptech is the leading provider of business intelligence, budgeting and forecasting, and enterprise accounting hotel software s...
NAVIS Ends a Record Year of Client and Company Growth and Notable Industry Recognition
NAVIS | February 8, 2018
# 1 reservation sales and marketing technology provider for the hospitality industry announces biggest year in company history BEND, Ore. (February 8, 2018) –NAVIS, the leading provider of sales and marketing technology solutions for the hotel, resort and vacation rental industry, today announced that 2017 was a banner year for client acquisition, product innovation, partner integration and new market expansion. The company was also top-rated by the prestigious Forbes Travel Guide for their reservations services. As one of the fastest growing hospitality marketing and sales technology companies, NAVIS is considered an essential pa...
