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
HVS Market Pulse: Downtown Los Angeles
Greg Mendell | January 25, 2018
By Greg Mendell and Jessica White Downtown Los Angeles (DTLA), the Central Business District of the city of Los Angeles, covers the area bounded by Interstate 110, Interstate 10, and the Los Angeles River. In the last two decades, attractions like the Staples Center, Walt Disney Concert Hall, and the $3-billion L.A. LIVE entertainment complex have helped reestablish DTLA as a popular destination. In recent years, several multi-unit residential and commercial developments have changed the landscape significantly. The mixed-use Metropolis project (now under construction), the redevelopment of the BLOC retail center, and the addition of th...
The Restoration Appoints Jordan Moore as Executive Chef and Chelsea Nightengale as Director of Food & Beverage
The Restoration | January 25, 2018
CHARLESTON, S.C. (Jan. 25, 2018) – Charleston's first luxury lifestyle hotel, The Restoration, has tapped local culinary veteran Jordan Moore as its new Executive Chef, and hospitality maven and sommelier Chelsea Nightengale as Director of Food & Beverage. Together, this culinary powerhouse will reinvigorate the hotel's food and beverage program with special emphasis on The Watch Rooftop Kitchen & Spirits. "We're thrilled to have this dynamic new culinary team on board to elevate the overall experience at each of our food and beverage outlets," said General Manager Mike Scavo. "We can already feel their passion and energy ...
A Quick Guide to Mexico’s Mariachi Music By Felipe Romero Figueroa, Director of Puerto Vallarta’s Mariachi Vallarta 2000
KWE Partners | January 25, 2018
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (January 25, 2018) – Always wonder about the story behind Mexico's famous mariachi music? Here's a guide to the music that was recognized an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO, written by Felipe Romero Figueroa, Director of Puerto Vallarta's Mariachi Vallarta 2000. Mariachi is believed to have originated in Jalisco, the state in which Puerto Vallarta is found, in the 18th century. You can find Romero and his group nightly at Velas Vallarta resort, where his group has performed 365 days a year for the last 12 years. Romero Figueroa is the son of Felipe Romero Huerta, founder of the legendary mariachi "Lo...
PR and Visibility for Your Start Up: Making the Right Moves
Michael Frenkel | January 25, 2018
By Michael Frenkel, MFC PR Having worked with dozens of start up companies in the hospitality space, I get the question all the time: How do you allocate budget the right way to accelerate the visibility of your start up, and reach critical decision-makers? There's no simple answer. Here are some of the considerations that can guide you as your think about the shortest path to bringing your brand to the consciousness of the right hospitality audiences – to stoke sales and reach scale. 1. Have you raised money, or are you just setting about to do so? The single biggest consideration is where you are in your fundraising cycle &ndash...
TravelClick Unveils Revamped Rate360® Platform with Both Meta and Unlimited Real-Time Shopping
TravelClick | January 25, 2018
Newest Version Offers 600+ Rate Shopping Sources and 95%+ Direct Connections NEW YORK – January 25, 2018 – TravelClick, a leading global provider of data and revenue-generating solutions for hoteliers, today announced the newest version of its industry-leading hotel rate shopping product, Rate360®. The revamped Rate360 offers customers a brand new look and feel, real-time rate shopping, meta shopping and integrated forward-looking demand data via TravelClick's Demand360®. With over 22,000 customers, TravelClick's Rate360 is already the most trusted rate shopping tool in the market. Global brands including Hilton Worl...
Top 10 Must-Have Hotel Technologies in 2018
January 25, 2018
By Jos Schaap CEO and Founder - StayNTouch According to a Walker study, by the year 2020 customer experience will overtake price and product as the key brand differentiator. Studies validate that dynamic shifts in the hotel industry are taking place in 2018 – with the dominance of digital and mobile. It is safe to say that hotel success and technology go hand in hand and hotels must step up their "technological game" if they hope to differentiate themselves and engage with guests. Being ahead of the curve will not only increase your profits, doing something new will get you extra exposure, drive loyalty and bring in new guests. Ex...
Why Human Hotel Live Chat is Better Than Chabots
Lodging Interactive | January 25, 2018
PARSIPPANY, NJ - January 25, 2018 If you were to call a hotel, which would you rather get: an automated system that spent fifteen minutes and eight side menus to get through without resolving your problem, or an actual person who can help you immediately? You'd choose the person, every time. Everyone would. Live chat is no different. Live chat with real, actual people will be superior than conversations with chatbots on the other side every single time. It may cost a little bit more to pay someone to handle the live chat, but it's a cost that will provide a return on investment multiple times over. Here's how… Chatbots Are Stuck ...
Country Inn & Suites Opens Environmentally Friendly Hotel Following a Multimillion Dollar Renovation
January 25, 2018
MINNEAPOLIS - January 25, 2018 - Country Inn & Suites® by Radisson, a leading upper midscale hotel brand, today announced the opening of Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Bakersfield, CA located at 2310 Wible Road. The hotel recently completed a $2 million renovation which includes upgrades throughout the hotel, along with the installation of new technology to reduce the hotel's carbon footprint. These additions include solar panels, LED lights, a temperature control system to reduce energy consumption and charging stations for hybrid cars. "We are proud to see this refreshed and environmentally friendly hotel be the first t...
Your Hotel Has a Score or Ranking So Why Shouldn’t Your Guest?
Terri Miller | January 25, 2018
By Terri Miller, Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder, Concilio Labs The hotel industry dramatically changed with the launch of TripAdvisor in 2000. Today, the site is one of the largest recognizable brands in the world, with more than 315 million members and over 500 million reviews. While initially reviews were just a small part of their rollout – the site debuted with a button that asked travelers to add their own reviews. Guests embraced the concept and TripAdvisor is now one of the key instruments in measuring guest experiences within the industry. Today, the notion of soliciting user generated content, specifically for t...
New Guide Outlines Strategies for Building Thought Leadership, Influence and Market Leadership
Puzzle Partner | January 25, 2018
Travel and Hospitality marketing agency Puzzle Partner shares content marketing tactics that drive trust, visibility and sales TORONTO, ON (January 25, 2018) – We have entered an age where leadership matters more than ever — thought leadership, to be exact. Building trust, credibility, awareness, and influence to increase profits is more than just a goal of most CEOs and executives. It's also the topic of a new guide from the leading travel and hospitality technology marketing agency, Puzzle Partner. The firm recently published "Thought Leader - Market Leader" developed to help brands become a sought-after source for informa...
Legoland’s Castle Hotel Set for Late April Opening in the Carlsbad Theme Park
AHLA | January 24, 2018
Jan. 25--The wizards, dragons and royal princesses have not yet taken up residency in Legoland's newest hotel, but the castle facade is complete and the themed guestrooms are on track for an April 27 opening, the Carlsbad theme park announced Thursday. The 250-room hotel, which started construction a year ago, marks the second themed lodging destination operating within the park itself, catering to families planning to spend more than a day at Legoland. Although park officials never divulge how much Legoland's owner, London-based Merlin Entertainment Group, invests in park projects, the castle hotel is expected to be even pricie...
Concierge Connoisseur Karen Clancy Joins ALICE in Building a World-Class Concierge Technology Sales Team
ALICE | January 24, 2018
ALICE, the hospitality industry's leading operations technology, welcomes Karen Clancy, as Senior Sales Executive of the Pacific Northwest and Hawaii. Karen was previously the Director of Sales of GoConcierge, a concierge technology rival acquired by ALICE in September, following its $26M Series B funding in August. Karen learned the keys of a concierge at The Ritz Carlton, Kapalua in Maui, Hawaii, where she began her journey as a Lobby Concierge in 1991. A true hospitality enthusiast, Karen wore many hats during her long-standing service with the world-renown hotel group. In 1994, she was promoted to Concierge and Guest Recognition...
BD Hotels Opens Flagship 665-Room Pod Times Square in the Heart of Manahattan, New York
The Pod Hotels | January 24, 2018
New York, NEW YORK (January 24, 2018) — The Pod Hotels today announces the opening of its flagship property, Pod Times Square, right in the center of New York City's hustle and bustle. A BD Hotels property (The Mercer, The Marlton, The Bowery, The Maritime, The Greenwich), Pod Times Square becomes the fifth asset in the Pod Hotel collection following the great success of Pod 51 and Pod 39; Pod BK, the first property in an outer-borough; and Pod DC, the first property outside of New York City. The innovative hotels' proven micro-model boasts the highest percentage of occupancy across the entire BD Hotels portfolio. Pod Times Square...
HRI Lodging Unveils Holston House in Nashville’s Historic 1920s-Era James Robertson Hotel Building
HRI Lodging | January 24, 2018
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (January 24, 2018) – HRI Lodging, LLC and Hyatt proudly unveil Holston House, located in the heart of downtown Nashville and the newest addition to The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand, a group of unique, story-worthy stay experiences. The 191-room premier boutique hotel is located in an iconic 88-year-old Art Deco building just blocks from the Cumberland River, where the city of Nashville was born. Located next to many of Music City's signature attractions, Holston House has an ideal location for modern travelers to discover Nashville's vibrant streets and neighborhoods. "We're excited to open our doors to the g...
Managed by AZUL Hospitality Group, Sheraton Redding at the Sundial Bridge Opens in California Anchoring Turtle Bay Exploration Park
Sheraton Hotels & Resorts | January 24, 2018
Redding, CA –The Sheraton Redding Hotel at the Sundial Bridge opens its welcoming doors. Located at 820 Sundial Bridge Drive in Redding California, the 130-room hotel boasts a one-of-a-kind location. The hotel is nestled within the grounds of the 300-acre Turtle Bay Exploration Park and stands next to the Sundial Bridge, one of the world's largest working sundials and an icon in the area. The Sheraton Redding's unique setting is unlike any other in Northern California. The hotel offers leisure guests a natural playground perfect for families and outdoor adventurers. The property features 80,000 square feet of beautiful indoor/outd...
CMS Lodging Set to Open New Courtyard by Marriott in St. Louis Park, Minnesota
Courtyard by Marriott | January 24, 2018
St. Louis Park, MN – January 25, 2018 – Courtyard by Marriott Minneapolis West is scheduled to open its doors in St. Louis Park, Minnesota on Thursday, February 1, 2018. Featuring an innovative lobby space as well as Courtyard's latest contemporary room design, the new hotel provides flexibility and choices that allow guests to optimize and elevate their travel experience. Located at 9980 Wayzata Boulevard, the 142-room hotel will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned and managed by CSM Lodging of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Whether traveling for business or pleasure, the Courtyard Minneapolis West offers guests convenient acce...
HFTP Chapters Offer Regional Education for Hospitality Finance and Technology Professionals
HFTP | January 24, 2018
Online registration open for Mid-South Atlantic Regional and Florida Regional Several chapters of Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) have banded together to curate and host regional, educational conferences in 2018. HFTP's regional conferences showcase the many advantages of HFTP membership, and provide continuing education and networking opportunities to hospitality professionals in the area. To date, two HFTP regional conferences have been scheduled in areas across the United States. "HFTP's regional conferences are known for their intimate nature and top-notch education sessions," said F...
AHLA President Lugar Highlights Hotel Industry Economic Impact on Nation’s Cities at U.S. Conference of Mayors
American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) | January 24, 2018
Pledges to Partner with Mayors on Economic Development, Workforce WASHINGTON, D.C. – January 24, 2018 – American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) president and CEO Katherine Lugar today pledged to partner with U.S. mayors to strengthen communities, build a modern, dynamic workforce, and give travelers world-class experiences in their cities. Speaking at the U.S. Conference of Mayors' (USCM) annual winter meeting in Washington, D.C., Lugar highlighted the hotel industry's contributions to local economies and workforce development. "From small and independent hotels to the global hotel brands to real estate owners, our i...
BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, Announces Wingspread Retreat & Executive Conference Center Open for Collaborative Corporate Meetings
January 24, 2018
Frank Lloyd Wright Masterpiece a Benchmark Resorts & Hotels Property The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, January 2018 … Wisconsin's iconic Wingspread Retreat & Executive Conference Center is now available to organizations committed to collaborative meetings with purposeful outcomes. BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, which has managed the property since 1991 on behalf of The Johnson Foundation at Wingspread, made the announcement jointly with The Foundation. The historic property, noted for its unique Frank Lloyd Wright architectural design, is located near Lake Michigan in Racine, Wisconsin, just 35 minutes from M...
UNLV’s Harrah College of Hospitality Celebrates 50 Years with Opening of Hospitality Hall
| January 24, 2018
LAS VEGAS - January 24, 2018 - At the peak of its 50th anniversary, UNLV's Harrah College of Hospitality is ringing in the New Year – and the new semester – with the opening of its state-of-the-art academic building, Hospitality Hall. Inspired by the atmosphere of a boutique hotel, the 93,500-square-foot Hospitality Hall was designed "for the industry, by the industry," according to principal architect Michael Del Gatto of Carpenter Sellers Del Gatto Architecture. Hospitality Hall features sweeping views of the Las Vegas Strip and serves as a bridge to the hospitality and gaming industry. With co-mingled classroom, laborator...
Impact of Countervailing Forces on Hotel Values and Cap Rates
Suzanne R. Mellen | January 24, 2018
By Suzanne R. Mellen After more than five years of relative stability, new factors are at play in the hotel investment market that will affect hotel capitalization rates and values in a changing economic landscape. Hotel sales transaction activity declined in 2017, while cap rates continued to rise modestly, and hotel values held stable. The outlook for 2018, while uncertain because of the changing political and economic landscape, is more positive than a year ago due to the tax reform's favorable treatment of commercial real estate and a more optimistic business environment. This article presents recent trends and a sensitivity analysi...
The Year-End U.S. Hotel Construction Pipeline Continues Its Upward Growth Trend, Projects Up 4% YOY
Lodging Econometrics | January 24, 2018
January 24, 2018 – PORTSMOUTH, NH – According to the year-end U.S. Construction Pipeline Trend Report from Lodging Econometrics (LE), the pipeline stands at 5,151 Projects/623,695 Rooms, up 4% by projects Year-Over-Year (YOY). There are 1,544 Projects/200,632 Rooms Under Construction, up 2% by projects YOY. Projects Scheduled to Start Construction in the Next 12 Months, at 2,101 Projects/245,214 Rooms are down 12% by projects YOY. Projects in Early Planning are at 1,506 Projects/177,849 Rooms, up 44% by projects YOY. The rapid growth of new brands announced by major franchise companies in 2017 contributed to the increase in ...
Young Hoteliers Summit 2018 - Eyes on the Future: Following the Momentum of Growth
Young Hoteliers Summit | January 24, 2018
Over the course of the Young Hoteliers Summit 2017 (YHS), several hospitality industry leaders provided extensive insights into upcoming trends, challenges and opportunities. The Young Hoteliers Summit (YHS) was initiated by students of École hôtelière de Lausanne in 2010. It has since taken advantage of its position as the most influential student-organised hospitality summit on a global scale, attracting both students and industry professionals. Last year, YHS welcomed more than 300 students from 40 hospitality schools in 19 different countries to the summit to "tackle the Challenge of Conventionalism in the H...
Aimbridge Hospitality Names Adrian Nieto as Director of Sales for The Statler
The Statler | January 24, 2018
DALLAS – The Statler, an iconic downtown Dallas hotel, announces the hiring of Adrian Nieto as Director of Sales. Aimbridge Hospitality, the nation's largest hotel management company, manages The Statler. Aimbridge selected Nieto for his vast hospitality experience and proven record of sales achievements within leadership roles. Nieto's extensive knowledge with multiple lodging brands, systems and operating procedures will play a key part in his success at The Statler. His duties include planning, directing, and implementing all sales strategies and activities to boost overall revenue at the 159-room historic hotel that recently u...
