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Industry Happenings
Wharf Hotels Appoints Walter Ng as Group Director Business Development
Wharf Hotels | February 2, 2018
2 February 2018 (Hong Kong) – Wharf Hotels is pleased to announce the appointment of Walter Ng as Group Director Business Development. Reporting to the Vice President, Finance and Business Development, Walter will lead the Business Development team to explore new business opportunities, leasing, investments, acquisitions and hotel management agreements. A seasoned hospitality executive and a master's graduate in Real Estate Development from New York University, Walter has 15 years of development experience and has directed numerous international real estate and hotel focused mixed-use opportunities. His expertise include hotel pre...
Dimension Development Names Paul Williamson as Vice President of Sales and Marketing
Dimension Development | February 2, 2018
NATCHITOCHES, La., Feb. 2, 2018 -- Dimension Development is pleased to announce Paul Williamson as Vice President of Sales & Marketing. Mr. Williamson brings over 20+ years of progressive, successful sales leadership experience to Dimension Development. For the past 5 years, he has served as the Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing for GF Management; responsible for overall top line performance of their hotels & resorts. Prior to this position, Williamson served as a Divisional Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Remington Hotels overseeing their Embassy Suites portfolio as well as their Hilton Focused Service ...
Choice Hotels Appoints Chad Fletcher as Vice President of Global Sales
Choice Hotels | February 2, 2018
ROCKVILLE, Md. (February 2, 2018) – Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), one of the world's largest hotel companies, announced Chad Fletcher has joined the company as vice president of global sales. In this role, Fletcher will lead the company's corporate, travel agency and group sales strategy to support the continued growth of business travel. He will oversee the team responsible for maintaining relationships with key corporate clients, and work with Fortune 500 companies and large, global travel agencies. "Our approach to corporate and group sales focuses on segmenting corporate customers across our portfolio of brand...
Pageant Beach Hotel and Aimbridge Hospitality Plan 351-Room Grand Hyatt Grand Cayman Hotel & Residences
Grand Hyatt | February 2, 2018
CHICAGO (February 2, 2018) – Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced today that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into a franchise and related agreements with Pageant Beach Hotel Ltd. for the 351-room Grand Hyatt Grand Cayman Hotel & Residences. The hotel will be managed by an affiliate of Aimbridge Hospitality, one of the largest independent hotel investment and management firms in North America and the Caribbean. "We are delighted that the Grand Hyatt brand is expanding in the Caribbean, and especially in Grand Cayman where the hospitality and tourism sector is primarily aimed at the luxury market," said David Tarr, senior ...
Choice Hotels Completes Acquisition of WoodSpring Suites Brand and Franchise Business
Choice Hotels | February 2, 2018
ROCKVILLE, Md., Feb. 2, 2018 -- Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), one of the world's largest hotel companies, completed its acquisition of the brand and franchise business of WoodSpring Suites, an extended-stay lodging brand, from WoodSpring Hotels LLC. The acquisition was announced on December 18, 2017, and adds nearly 240 extended-stay hotels in 35 states to the Choice Hotels portfolio, creating an extended-stay portfolio of more than 350 properties with existing brands, MainStay Suites and Suburban Extended Stay. WoodSpring Suites highlights include: The nation's fastest growing economy extended-stay hotel bran...
Jumeirah Group Signs Management Agreement with The Onyx for Development to Operate Zabeel House by Jumeirah – The Greens
Jumeirah Group | February 2, 2018
Dubai, UAE, February 2, 2018: Jumeirah Group, the global luxury hotel company and a member of Dubai Holding, today announced it is to operate a new hotel in Dubai under its Zabeel House by JumeirahTM brand, having recently signed a management agreement with The Onyx for Development, a subsidiary of Ishraqah for Development Ltd. The hotel, to be known as Zabeel House by JumeirahTM - The Greens, is scheduled to open in quarter four 2018 and will offer 210 guest rooms, two restaurants, terrace dining around the pool area, conference and business facilities, as well as a gym and spa treatment rooms. Designed to appeal to the curious travell...
Arbor Lodging Partners Acquires Chicago Marriott Schaumburg Through Joint-Venture with Middleton Partners
Arbor Lodging | February 2, 2018
(CHICAGO; February 2, 2018)–Arbor Lodging Partners, the Chicago-based, leading hotel investment and management company, today announces the acquisition of their first property in the Chicagoland market, Chicago Marriott Schaumburg. Located at 50 North Martingale Road, Schaumburg, Illinois, the 398-room hotel marks Arbor Lodging's fifth Marriott International-branded hotel and was acquired through a joint-venture with Middleton Partners. The full-service hotel will be managed by Arbor Lodging Partners' affiliate Arbor Lodging Management and is the first in a series of new additions coming to Arbor's growing portfolio in 2018. Upon ...
Extended-Stay Hotels Account for 27% of All Projects Under Construction
Lodging Econometrics | February 2, 2018
February 2, 2018 – PORTSMOUTH, NH – According to recent reports from Lodging Econometrics (LE), 1,370 Projects/143,344 Rooms in the U.S. Construction Pipeline are extended-stay projects. Of these, 424 Projects/46,551 Rooms are Under Construction, accounting for 27% of all projects Under Construction in the Total Pipeline. Additionally, 605 Projects/64,121Rooms are Scheduled to Start Construction in the Next 12 Months while an additional 341 Projects/32,672 Rooms are in Early Planning. Home2 Suites by Hilton currently has the largest Extended-Stay Pipeline with 355 Projects/37,188 Rooms. The second largest brand is Marriott&#...
Guests from the European Union Could Soon Cost Unprepared Hoteliers
John Barchie | February 2, 2018
By John Barchie As of May 25, 2018, hotels accepting reservations from citizens of an European Union (EU) country could be at risk for fines, depending on how those reservations were made. This is because hotels may fall under the purview of the new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) when it takes effect. GDPR was designed to better protect EU citizen data and ensure that companies storing that data should possess it. Standards vary based on where the data originates from, but generally any information like name, address, credit card number, etc. is covered. In the domestic U.S., protected data is defined as Personally Identifyin...
How to Convert Travel Dreamers into Bookers at the Start of 2018
MyTravelResearch.com | February 2, 2018
At this time of year, millions of people all over the world start dreaming about their next holiday as they return to work after the December-January break. The travel industry needs to inspire those dreamers via an emotional connection then trigger them into making a booking, says MyTravelResearch.com, which shows travel destinations how to convert travel trend insights into actions that grow visitation and yield. "Many tourism businesses don't enjoy marketing," says Carolyn Childs, co-founder and strategist for the company. "They prefer to focus on delivering the experience. But to the potential customer, the first touch point is part...
Why 2018 Will Be Great: Hotel Industry Forecast
Robert A. Rauch, CHA | February 2, 2018
By Robert A. Rauch The big news in 2017 was the stock market, consumer confidence and the economy in general. Tax reform, wage growth, reduced regulations and the strength of our nation could keep this robust economy going and dramatically enhance it. Supply growth has begun to moderate somewhat, in part due to high construction costs and also due to lender restraint. Oil prices are back up, consumer confidence is solid, interest rates remain low albeit forecast to inch up and the U.S. and global economies seem stronger than last year. Gross domestic product may actually approach 3 percent in 2018, personal income growth is strong and l...
The Growing Value of Hotel Bars
Chamberlin Public Relations | February 2, 2018
The days of sad, lonely, hidden-away hotel bars are long gone. Today, hotels are turning their bars into community watering holes, encouraging locals and guests alike to mix and mingle and providing a literal taste of the destination with local fare and libations. With savvy design (and top mixologists behind the counter), midscale and upscale hotels alike are finding new ways to bring in foot traffic and increase revenue at the same time. It's no surprise that when The World's 50 Bars published its list for 2017, five of the top 10 were located in hotels, including the top four on the list. The New Lobby Marriott's new millennial-focus...
BENCHMARK Appoints Nathan DeWindt Director of Operations for Hotel Contessa, San Antonio, Texas
Hotel Contessa | February 1, 2018
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, February 2018 … BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has named Nathan DeWindt director of operations for Hotel Contessa, a Benchmark Resorts & Hotels property located on the Riverwalk in historic San Antonio, Texas. Troy Mathews, general manager, made the announcement. "I am very pleased to welcome Nathan to Hotel Contessa," said Mr. Mathews. "He brings solid hotel operational experience to his new role, and a love of travel, which is so important to our property and our guests' experiences here and in our city." Nathan DeWindt most recently held the position of director of front ...
Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants in Partnership with SCG America Group Developing Kimpton in Grove District Anaheim Resort Area
SCG America | February 1, 2018
SAN FRANCISCO (February 1, 2018) -- Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants announced today its first property in the Grove District Anaheim Resort area in the city of Garden Grove, expanding the brand in Southern California. The mixed-use development by SCG America Group is slated to open in 2021. The hotel will join the ten Kimpton properties across the region including Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Huntington Beach and Palm Springs. The five-acre Garden Grove development complex is located along Harbor Boulevard within the Grove District Anaheim Resort area. The project will include a four-star 200-room Kimpton hotel, along with re...
Iconic Berkshires Resort and Estate, Blantyre, Joins Ocean House Management Collection
Blantyre | February 1, 2018
LENOX, MA (February 1, 2018) – The iconic Blantyre, one of New England's most legendary resorts, is set to embark on a new chapter that pays homage to its storied past, while reimagining its future as the Berkshires' premier luxury destination. Today, Blantyre announces that the hotel will join the Ocean House Management (OHM) Collection of prestigious hotels including Ocean House, Weekapaug Inn and Watch Hill Inn, in Westerly, Rhode Island. Blantyre's new owner Linda S. Law, a long-time Silicon Valley real estate developer and investor, will relaunch with OHM this Relais & Châteaux and Forbes Five-Star property in April...
Cetis Announces VoIP Phones Interoperable with Broadsoft
Cetis | February 1, 2018
TeleMatrix and Teledex brand VoIP phones have completed interoperability testing with the BroadWorks Call Control Platform. Cetis announces that Teledex and TeleMatrix brand VOIP telephones have formally completed interoperability testing with BroadWorks. The telephones are now interoperable with the BroadWorks SIP interface.The testing covers the Cetis versions and BroadWorks release listed below. Other versions tested previously are documented in the PCG. Cetis Version 3.0.0-040|BroadWorks Release 22.0 TeleMatrix 9600IP, 9602IP, 3300IP, 3300IP-TRM, 3302IP, 3302IP-TRM Teledex E100IP, E100IP-TRM, E103IP, E200IP, E200IP-TRM, E203IP, N...
Destination Hotel in South Africa Chooses IDeaS for Dynamic Pricing Capabilities
IDeaS | February 1, 2018
Four-star Spier Hotel selects IDeaS RMS to strategically maximise revenue for high and low seasons LONDON -- IDeaS Revenue Solutions, the leading provider of revenue management software solutions and advisory services, is pleased to announce a partnership with one of South Africa's best-known destination hotels, the Spier hotel, which has selected flagship IDeaS Revenue Management System (IDeaS RMS) to streamline their business. Situated in the Cape Winelands on a historic wine farm, the 155-room Spier Hotel has become increasingly popular with both conferencing clients and leisure visitors wanting to experience the beauty of the So...
Hotel Equities Enters Canada; Creates Regional Support to Manage Two Marriott Hotels in Edmonton, Alberta
Hotel Equities | February 1, 2018
ATLANTA–February 1, 2018 – Hotel Equities has entered the Canadian market to oversee two Marriott hotels in Edmonton, effective immediately. Hotel Equities adds its first hotels in Canada after the firm's executive team recently restructured the organization to support both domestic and international growth. Located in Alberta, in the western region of Canada, the new Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Edmonton North and the recently built TownePlace Suites by Marriott Edmonton South are owned by Iliyan Hospitality, Inc. Owners of Iliyan Hospitality explored several management options and felt Hotel Equities was a great ...
Fillmore Hospitality Appoints Lacey Lamm General Manager and Shelly Campbell Director of Sales and Marketing for Cambria Dallas Downtown
Cambria Hotels & Suites | February 1, 2018
DALLAS - Cambria Dallas Downtown announces it has appointed a General Manager and Director of Sales and Marketing. The hotel partially opened in late 2017, and will fully open in mid-February 2018. Bringing an upscale hotel experience to downtown Dallas, the Cambria Dallas is designed for the modern traveler with boutique accommodations and tech-minded amenities. Fillmore Hospitality, which manages the Cambria Dallas, selected Lacey Lamm as General Manager and Shelly Campbell as Director of Sales and Marketing. Lacey Lamm brings more than 20 years of hotel management experience to the Cambria Dallas. Most recently, Lacey was Vice Presid...
Sage Hospitality Appoints Pritpal Singh General Manager of Perry Lane Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Savannah Opening Spring 2018
Perry Lane Hotel | February 1, 2018
SAVANNAH, GA. (February 1, 2018) – Sage Hospitality announced the appointment of Pritpal Singh as General Manager of Perry Lane Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Savannah. Scheduled to open in Spring 2018, Perry Lane Hotel is one of the most anticipated hotel openings in the U.S. The property will feature 167 guest rooms, a rooftop pool and sundeck, 8,100 square feet of meeting and event space and three lively dining concepts: Emporium Kitchen and Wine Market, a unique concept by Sage Restaurant Group, The Wayward Bar, and Peregrin Rooftop Pool & Bar. Commenting on Pritpal's appointment, George Fischer, Vice President of Opera...
Tourism Tidbits: Customer Service: Going Beyond the Expected
Dr. Peter Tarlow | February 1, 2018
by Dr. Peter Tarlow Leisure travel and tourism are all about turning dreams into realities. Be it the traveler seeking adventure, spirituality, knowledge, or relaxation, all travelers are united by certain commonalities. Among these is the fact that the person has sought out this experience, and has chosen a specific locale. Destinations that forget this basic principle are bound to disappear. In fact it does not matter if the Travelers seek the enchanted moments, or dreams turned into memories, how we treat the person will set not merely the tone for the trip but also the person's willingness to return. Some of the main reasons that tr...
Jumeirah Group Appoints Nordine El Yafi General Manager for Bahrain’s Jumeirah Royal Saray
Jumeirah Group | February 1, 2018
Dubai, February 1, 2018: Jumeirah Group today announced the appointment of Mr Nordine El Yafi as General Manager for Jumeirah Royal Saray hotel in Bahrain. Scheduled to open in February 2018, the beachfront Jumeirah Royal Saray will offer two royal suites as well as luxury guest rooms and a variety of dining and recreational choices, including a state of the art health club and spa. Mr El Yafi joins Jumeirah with an established a career in hospitality, most recently as Director of Hospitality Asset Management for Meraas, a Dubai-based holding company with investments in the property, hospitality, retail, healthcare, food & beverage,...
How Metasearch Tools Are Empowering Hotels in 6 Points
February 1, 2018
By Diego Alonso Jiménez Today, hundreds of thousands of hoteliers around the globe are empowered to take control of their hotel profiles and drive bookings through the use of metasearch marketing tools. And these metasearch tools are becoming increasingly crucial in staying competitive, just as metasearch is showing to be increasingly important in the booking journey. Which makes it important for hotel advertisers, too. Metasearch creates an unbiased and transparent marketplace for the independent hotel, the OTA, and the chain to grow their business and connect with the millions of travelers searching for and booking hotels onlin...
Virgin Hotels Embarks on Its First European Property in Edinburgh, Scotland
Virgin Hotels | February 1, 2018
MIAMI, Feb. 1, 2018 -- Virgin Hotels, the luxury lifestyle hotel brand by Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson, has announced plans to open in Edinburgh, Scotland. Expected to open in 2020, the development marks an important moment in Virgin Hotels' history and is expected to be joined by more UK and European projects in the coming years. The hotel will be located in the landmark India Buildings at 1-6 Victoria Street in Edinburgh's Old Town. The space itself will feature 225 Chambers and Grand Chamber Suites; multiple dining and drinking outlets, including the brand's flagship space, Commons Club, as well as numerous me...
