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
Hospitality Financial Leadership – Recording Average Length of Stay
David Lund | January 15, 2018
The one thing I see time and time again with clients is just how poorly their financial statements are set up. The statements almost always lack basic information that is readily available and is critical information for maximizing profitability: poor design and missing features. If they were a car, I would want to call them a Lada. My apologies to any Russian readers. The flip side of this challenge is all the information that is needed to fix this reporting problem is at your fingertips. No new software is required. No real investment. Your team just needs to use what they already have and put it to work. Typical stumbling blocks to c...
Hotels Step Up Their Online Game to Encourage Direct Bookings
JLL Real Views | January 15, 2018
Getting guests to book directly on a hotel's website rather than through an online travel agent (OTA) is a key challenge that hoteliers are gearing up to tackle in 2018. When OTAs first rose to popularity in 2008 during the economic downturn, hotels viewed them as saviors for their ability to fill hotel rooms that otherwise would have remained empty. Today, that view has shifted dramatically. Popular third-party search engines are raking in more bookings than ever and charging significantly higher commissions, too. In fact, momentum toward convenient aggregate websites has grown to such a fever pitch that in 2016 OTA bookings in the U.S...
Upland Capital Corporation Acquires Harbor View Hotel on Martha’s Vineyard
Upland Capital Corporation | January 15, 2018
Historic Edgartown hotel to undergo renovation to its classic Vineyard style in late 2018 Edgartown, Mass. – Jan. 15, 2018 – Upland Capital Corporation, founded by Bernard Chiu, has acquired Harbor View Hotel on Martha's Vineyard. Harbor View Hotel is an iconic hotel located in a pristine neighborhood in the heart of Edgartown with scenic views of the ocean, lighthouse and Edgartown Harbor. Upland Capital is developing plans to renovate Harbor View Hotel starting late fall 2018. The initiative will preserve the hotel's classic island style while improving guest accommodations and public spaces. "Harbor View Hotel has been a...
AVANI Hotels & Resorts to Make March 2018 Debut in Northern Laos Following Rebranding of 53-Room Azeri Hotel
AVANI Hotels & Hotels | January 15, 2018
Bangkok, January 15, 2018: AVANI Hotels & Resorts is proud to announce the launch of its first hotel in the historic town of Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in northern Laos. The 53-room hotel is located on a narrow peninsula at the joining of the Nam Khan and Mekong Rivers. Currently known as the Azerai Hotel, the rebrand will be completed in March 2018. The French neo-classical architectural design resembles the style of the grand villas found in Luang Prabang. The guest rooms offer an open plan living experience with French-styled louvered wooden doors that open out to a balcony overlooking either the pool or a privat...
Wheelock Street Capital Acquires Château Élan Winery & Resort; HEI Hotels & Resorts to Manage
January 15, 2018
BRASELTON, Ga. – Jan. 15, 2018 – Château Élan Winery & Resort, the enchanting 16th century-styled château and full-service winery nestled among North Georgia's picturesque foothills, announces today its official sale to an affiliate of Greenwich, Connecticut based real estate investment firm, Wheelock Street Capital. Together with the estate's newly appointed luxury management team, HEI Hotels & Resorts, and championship golf and club management by Troon Golf, Wheelock will usher in a new era of luxury and refinement for the iconic resort. Investing more than $20 million in a comprehensive renovati...
HFTP Now Accepting Applications for Entrepreneur 20X at HITEC Houston 2018
HITEC | January 15, 2018
Innovative pitch competition for hospitality technology startups Back by popular demand, international nonprofit Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) is proud to host its innovation pitch competition, Entrepreneur 20X (E20X), at the world's largest hospitality technology exposition in 2018. HFTP is currently accepting applications online from hospitality startups who wish to compete in E20X at HITEC® Houston this June. Past applicants and winners are welcome to re-apply as long as they are still considered Series A or a startup. E20X came to be at HITEC Austin in 2015, and since has expanded internatio...
Mariana Safer of HEBS Digital to Be Honored at HSMAI’s 2018 Adrian Awards as a Top 25 Extraordinary Mind in Hospitality
HEBS Digital | January 15, 2018
Summary: HEBS Digital's SVP of Client Success, Mariana Mechoso Safer, has been included in the "Top 25 Most Extraordinary Minds in Hospitality Sales, Marketing, Revenue Optimization" class of 2017. NEW YORK, NY (January 15, 2018) – Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) has awarded Mariana Mechoso Safer, Senior Vice President of Client Success at HEBS Digital, a spot on the 2017 list of the "Top 25 Most Extraordinary Minds in Hospitality Sales, Marketing, Revenue Optimization." This is the third such honor to be given to a HEBS Digital team member, following the selection of Jason Price, Executive Vice...
Hospitality Industry Veteran Don DeMarinis to Join Agilysys as Senior Vice President of Sales, Americas
Agilysys | January 15, 2018
ALPHARETTA, GA. — January 15, 2018 — Agilysys, Inc. (Nasdaq: AGYS), a leading global provider of next-generation hospitality software solutions and services, today announced that Don DeMarinis has been named Senior Vice President of Sales, Americas, effective January 15, 2018. In his new role, DeMarinis' primary responsibilities will be to lead the company's Americas sales activities, designing innovative sales strategies, and accelerating revenue growth across Agilysys' vertical industry markets. He will report to Ramesh Srinivasan, President and Chief Executive Officer. DeMarinis joins Agilysys with extensive industry expe...
Owned by Dreamcatcher and Managed by Sun Capital Hotels, Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Now Open in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Fairfield Inn & Suites | January 15, 2018
Albuquerque, NM – January 16, 2018 – The 89-room Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott in Albuquerque, New Mexico opened in December with its smart, inventive public space and guest room design, and its bright and inviting décor. Located at 4875 Pan American West Freeway NE, the Fairfield Inn & Suites Albuquerque North will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned by Dreamcatcher and managed by Sun Capital Hotels. Located 10 miles from Albuquerque International Sunport and five minutes from downtown, the Fairfield Inn & Suites Albuquerque North offers guests convenient access to businesses located in the Albuqu...
Advance Management & Investment Opens Courtyard by Marriott Temecula Murrieta in California
Courtyard by Marriott | January 14, 2018
Murrieta, CA – January 16, 2018 – Courtyard by Marriott Temecula Murrieta is now open for business in Murrieta, California. 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 25419 Madison Avenue, the 183-room hotel will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned and managed by Advance Management & Investment, LLC of Kingman, Arizona. Whether traveling for business or pleasure, the Courtyard Temecula Murrieta offers guests convenient access to Pechanga Casino, L...
Canadian Vacation Ownership Association (CVOA) Announces VO-Con 2018
CVOA | January 13, 2018
VANCOUVER, CANADA (January 15, 2018) –The Canadian Vacation Ownership Association (CVOA) has announced plans for VO-Con 2018, the only event of its kind in Canada. Scheduled for September 25-27, VO-Con 2018 will be held at the Westin Trillium House Resort in Blue Mountain, Ontario. About a 75-minute drive from Toronto's Pearson International Airport, Blue Mountain, a year-round resort nestled between the shores of Georgian Bay and the heights of the Niagara Escarpment will be the setting where VO-CON attendees will learn, network and participate in the future of the vacation ownership industry in Canada. According to Jon Zwickel, ...
2017 Year In Review: US Hotel Transactions
MGAC | January 12, 2018
In 2017, MGAC Research tracked 303 non-confidential, single-asset, mid-scale-and-up hotel transactions across the US. These properties totaled over 73,500 keys, and can be explored in the interactive cluster map below: <span data-mce-type="bookmark" style=&am...
Attention Hotel Corporations, This Is How You Will Lose A 25+ Year Contributor (or any valuable employee)
Cathy Cook | January 11, 2018
by Cathy Cook I had the pleasure of working 27 years for not only the BEST hotel company in the industry but by the time I left the company it was indeed the largest in the world. I loved this company like a family because I always felt that I was treated like family. I was completely loyal to my fellow associates, customers, vendors, and partners. I worked in operations at 6 different properties, task forced at least 20 properties, and worked at our company's Headquarters office for 19 years. I survived three reorganizations while working at Headquarters, resulting in completely new reporting lines and departments. This meant that I ha...
The Future of the Hotel Internet Booking Engine
Glenn Wirick | January 11, 2018
By Glenn Wirick Expedia launched October 22, 1996 as a division of Microsoft. It was in that decade the Internet Booking Engine (IBE) was born. It took hold of the travel industry, dominating the space ever since. A plethora of booking engines was developed during that time. Some did well, and some did not. The one constant was the unending pursuit of perfection in creating a booking experience that met not only the needs of the industry—but also the needs of the guest. The IBE was initially developed for use on a desktop computer since the 90's pre-dated mobile devices. A great deal has changed since then, including guest buying ...
Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa Introduces Culinary Veteran Mark Dayanandan as Executive Chef
Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa | January 11, 2018
AUSTIN, TEXAS (Jan. 11, 2018) – Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa and adjoining Barton Creek Country Club today officially announced the hiring of Executive Chef Mark Dayanandan. In this role, Dayanandan will lead concept and menu development for six new restaurants that will open as part of Omni Barton Creek's multi-million-dollar transformation currently in progress. He will also oversee culinary operations for the property's existing Hill Country Dining Room and Bartons Lounge, in addition to managing all catering, in-room dining and poolside dining endeavors. Chef Dayanandan brings 40 years of culinary experience to Omni Bart...
20 Legendary Historic Hotels Inducted into Historic Hotels of America
January 11, 2018
WASHINGTON, D.C. – (January 11, 2018) -- Historic Hotels of America® has inducted 20 historic hotels into membership in 2017. Hotels nominated and accepted into the prestigious National Trust for Historic Preservation Historic Hotels of America program range in age from 246 years to 52 years old. The oldest historic hotel inducted dates back to 1771. Seven of the 20 historic hotels are listed in the National Register of Historic Places and one has been designated by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior as a National Historic Landmark. The 20 inducted historic hotels represent independent hotels, brands, and collections from acro...
Property Management Systems – A New Beginning
Jos Schaap | January 11, 2018
By Jos Schaap CEO and Founder - StayNTouch "Super easy to navigate. Which makes it easy to train new front desk agents on how to use the system. They support crew are helpful with answering your questions." "The system is simple and makes training new team members easy. No need to endless hours of "computer training" before taking someone new to the desk. With SNT you can hire for personality and trust that training the skills will be a breeze." "You have to keep up-to-speed with technology and not let interfaces and needless restrictions sit around for a decade untouched. This system pushes you to stay current and flexible." ...
New Guest Service Gold® Tourism Teaches Service Delivery Skills for Destinations
the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) | January 11, 2018
Orlando, Florida, January 2018—The American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) has launched a new tourism-focused version of its bestselling Guest Service Gold® training and certification program designed to arm all hospitality and tourism employees with the skills they need to deliver high-caliber service to every guest, every time. In a digital world where 9 out of 10 travelers think reading online reviews is important, and 70% of travelers who use review sites look at up to 20 reviews in the planning stages of their trips, it is essential that tourism businesses deliver experiences that lead to positive revie...
Key International Acquires Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Destin
Key International | January 11, 2018
MIAMI (Jan. 11, 2018) ─ Key International, a prominent real estate investment and development company specializing in hospitality, announced today that it has acquired the Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Destin. The hotel was purchased from McNeill Hotel Co., which will continue to provide management services for the property. The transaction amount was not disclosed. This acquisition supports Key International's proven and ongoing strategy of building its portfolio of hotel properties in core coastline cities, including in the Florida seaside destinations of St. Augustine Beach, Clearwater Beach, New Smyrna Beach and Miami Beach. ...
In Memoriam: HVS’s Michael Brophy
| January 11, 2018
Atlanta, GA: HVS is deeply saddened to announce the sudden passing of Michael Brophy, Managing Director, Senior Partner of HVS Atlanta. A 14-year veteran of the firm, Mike established the HVS presence in Atlanta, a city he and his family came to love. According to Rod Clough, MAI and President of HVS Americas, "Mike was a true leader and friend. From the start of his HVS career, he was one of the most dedicated team members, working long hours when needed and with the best attitude. When an opening presented itself in Atlanta, he stepped up and took on a new leadership position with the firm, transcending into that role well beyond expe...
Statement from Arne Sorenson, President and CEO, Marriott International, Inc. Regarding Incidents Involving Business with China
Marriott International | January 11, 2018
Marriott International respects and supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of China. Unfortunately, twice this week, we had incidents that suggested the opposite: First, by incorrectly labelling certain regions within China, including Tibet, as countries in a drop-down menu on a survey we sent out to our loyalty members; and second, in the careless "like" by an associate of a tweet that incorrectly suggested our support of this position. Nothing could be further from the truth: we don't support anyone who subverts the sovereignty and territorial integrity of China and we do not intend in any way to encourage or incite any su...
Los Angeles Welcomes Record 48.3 Million Visitors in 2017
Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board | January 11, 2018
LOS ANGELES -- Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board (L.A. Tourism) President & CEO Ernest Wooden Jr. today announced Los Angeles welcomed 48.31 million visitors in 2017, setting a new tourism milestone for the seventh consecutive year. The record figure is 1.0 million visitors higher than 2016's total, an increase of 2.2%, driven by an all-time high of 41.2 million domestic visitors. International visitation overall grew 0.9% to a record 7.1 million visitors, outperforming both its projected forecast and inbound travel to the United States as a whole in 2017. International markets recording ...
The Hotel Group Expands Portfolio with Addition of Home2 Suites by Hilton – Yakima Airport, Washington
The Hotel Group | January 11, 2018
Seattle, WA, January 11, 2018 — The Hotel Group, a leading national hotel management and investment company, announced today the addition of the four-story Home2 Suites by Hilton Yakima - Airport, Washington to its growing portfolio. The property broke ground in late 2017 and is scheduled to open Spring 2019. The hotel is being designed to comfortably host families and sports teams, along with business and leisure travelers. The property is being developed by Yakima based Hogback Development and will feature 107 studios with one-bedroom suites and kitchenettes. The Home2 Suites by Hilton Yakima Airport is designed to appeal to "sa...
Key Real Estate Holdings Announces Partnership with EMC Acquisitions on Exclusive
Splash Public Relations | January 11, 2018
New York, NY - KEY Real Estate Holdings today announced a new equity partner in EMC Acquisitions, led by Chief Executive Officer Edgar Costa. Mr. Costa, an entrepreneur and private equity investor, also holds the CEO position for ECOJETS, a leading provider of private aviation services in North America. "The company is pleased to welcome Mr. Edgar Costa as Vice President of KEY Real Estate Holdings," said Don Wellington, KEY's Chairman. "We will benefit greatly from his broad business background. His experience makes him a great addition to our board." The alliance brings a partnership on several New York based real estate developments,...
