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Industry Happenings
Pulling on the Grass Won’t Make It Grow…
Georges Panayotis | December 19, 2017
By Georges Panayotis Desperate times call for desperate measures. The planet is overheating and each and every one of us plays a role in this battle against climate deregulation. The French government wishes to be a forerunner leading the battle to preserve our ecosystems. In the meantime, hoteliers can do their share of the job and participate in the attack, but for that to happen they need some concrete assistance that is useful and can be mobilized. Of course, there are measures to promote the energy transition but they are not enough, the hotel loan is capped at 400,000 euros for example, a drop in the bucket when it comes to the ex...
Janet Tsang Named Director of Sales and Marketing at Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Tsim Sha Tsui
Hyatt Regency Hotels | December 19, 2017
HONG KONG (December 2017) – Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Tsim Sha Tsui is proud to announce the appointment of Ms Janet Tsang to the position of Director of Sales and Marketing. As a professional hotelier with a true passion for the industry, Janet illustrious career spans multiple areas of the sales and marketing division across different international hospitality groups. She began her journey with Hyatt in 1999 at Hyatt International Asia Pacific Divisional Marketing Centre, and continued to grow her career in sales and events roles at Grand Hyatt Beijing and Grand Hyatt Hong Kong. Prior to joining Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Tsim Sha ...
Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach Celebrates Grand Opening with Ribbon Cutting Ceremony in Florida
Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach | December 19, 2017
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (Dec. 19, 2017) — Signifying a resurgence of luxury tourism in Fort Lauderdale, Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach officially debuted today with a grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony followed by an inspiring twist on a champagne cheers, celebratory soiree with cocktails and gourmet bites crafted by Executive Chef Jorge Ramos. Guests in attendance included Chintan Dadhich, General Manager; Joe Berger, Executive Vice President & President, Americas for Hilton; John Vanderslice, Global Head of Luxury & Lifestyle Brands for Hilton; Pierre Heafey, Founder, Chairman and President of Heafey Group; Jose Luis Zapa...
G&G Hospitality Opens Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott in Fort Smith, Arkansas
Fairfield Inn & Suites | December 19, 2017
The 94-room Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott in Fort Smith, Arkansas is now open for business with its smart, inventive public space and guest room design, and its bright and inviting décor. Located at 7601 Phoenix Avenue, the Fairfield Inn & Suites Fort Smith will operate as a Marriott franchise, developed, owned and managed by G&G Hospitality, LLC of Little Rock, Arkansas. Located five miles from historical downtown Fort Smith, the Fairfield Inn & Suites Fort Smith offers guests convenient access to Fort Chaffee and the Fort Smith Regional Airport. "Delivering both function and comfort, our new design and d&ea...
Kerry Hirschy to Retire from dormakaba After a Successful 31 Year Career
dormakaba | December 19, 2017
Hirschy Led dormakaba Electronic Locks to Unprecedented N. American Market Share MONTREAL, December 19, 2017 – dormakaba, one of the top three companies in the global market for access and security solutions, announced its Vice President of Sales Kerry Hirschy will retire on December 31, 2017. Hirschy is completing a stellar 31 year career in the electronic door lock industry. His leadership as a hotel lock sales executive resulted in dormakaba's strong market share position in N. America. Hirschy's successor will be Dale Mathias. dormakaba manufactures the Saflok™ and Ilco™ electronic door locks and provides installat...
Palladium Hotel Group Implements Duetto to Drive Revenue Strategy in Spain
Duetto | December 19, 2017
Palladium Hotel Group Adopts Duetto's Open Pricing and Group Optimization Applications to Grow Business in Ibiza and Tenerife Ibiza, Spain, 19 December, 2017 — Duetto, hospitality's only Revenue Strategy Platform, has partnered with Palladium Hotel Group in Ibiza, Spain, and implemented its GameChanger application to eight Palladium properties on the island, including its Hard Rock Hotel Ibiza and Ushuaïa Ibiza Beach Hotel, as well as the Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife in the Canary Islands. Palladium properties are now also using Duetto's BlockBuster application for optimizing contracted and group business. The Spain-based hotel c...
New Guide Details How Hotels Can Use the Latest Technology to Revitalize Operations, Profits, and Service
December 19, 2017
StayNTouch reveals five ways hotels can make smart technology decisions and avoid wasting time and money on outdated systems Bethesda, MD (December 19, 2017) – The difference between the winners and losers in the hospitality industry increasingly comes down to one factor: technology. StayNTouch®, the leading innovator in mobile PMS technology for hotels and resorts, today announced the release of a new guide titled, The Hi-Tech Revolution is Changing Hospitality: 5 Ways Tech Can Revitalize Your Hotel in 2018, designed to help hoteliers win in 2018. The guide suggests that in today's climate, guests are more demanding and that ...
Curio Collection by Hilton Debuts in Riviera Maya with Opening of The Fives Downtown Hotel & Residences in Playa Del Carmen
Curio Collection by Hilton | December 18, 2017
December 18, 2017 PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Mexico and MCLEAN, Va. - Experience both the colors and culture of Playa Del Carmen while enjoying exceptional service and innovative gastronomy at The Fives Downtown Hotel & Residences, Curio Collection by Hilton. Marking the first Curio Collection property in the country and Hilton's first hotel in Playa del Carmen, the boutique hotel features 93 contemporary guest rooms, a rooftop infinity pool overlooking the Caribbean Sea and four dining outlets, including an authentic tequila bar with more than 100 different tequilas and mezcals. "The opening of this distinguished hotel marks the de...
OTO Development Opens South Carolina’s First AC Hotel by Marriott in Spartanburg
AC Hotels by Marriott | December 18, 2017
SPARTANBURG SC (DECEMBER 18, 2017) -- AC Hotels by Marriott, the European-inspired, simplistic, elegant brand for the modern traveler, has announced the opening of AC Hotel Spartanburg, the brand's first location in South Carolina. Nestled in the heart of Spartanburg, this arts-focused AC Hotel blends old with new, emulating a long tradition of urban lodging. Classic masonry combines with custom accents to craft a façade of decorative stone and brick with a barrel tile roof. While echoing the elegance of grand historic hotels, the style emphasizes a simple European-inspired sophistication designed for today's discerning b...
How Disruption is Driving Change for Hotels
JLL Real Views | December 18, 2017
By Natalie Holmes From the likes of Airbnb to growing competition in the food and beverage space, disruptive forces are striking the hotel industry from all angles. Yet this is far from being a bad thing, Arthur Adler, Chairman of JLL's Hotels & Hospitality Group – Americas, believes. Instead, disruption is driving innovation across the industry as hotel brands and operators implement new concepts to improve their offerings and keep their guests coming back for more. "The guest experience and profitablility is really what's driving all of this innovation," says Adler. "As travelers' preferences for their lodging changes, the h...
Penn National Gaming to Acquire Pinnacle Entertainment in Transaction Valued at Approximately $2.8 Billion
Penn National | December 18, 2017
WYOMISSING, Pa. & LAS VEGAS--Penn National Gaming, Inc. (NASDAQ: PENN) ("Penn National") and Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: PNK) ("Pinnacle") announced today that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Penn National will acquire Pinnacle in a cash and stock transaction valued at approximately $2.8 billion. Under the terms of the agreement, Pinnacle shareholders will receive $20.00 in cash and 0.42 shares of Penn National common stock for each Pinnacle share, which implies a total purchase price of $32.47 per Pinnacle share based on Penn National's closing price on December 15, 2017. The transaction reflects...
Waterford Hotel Group Appoints Dustin Kovats to General Manager of Marriott Hartford Downtown
Marriott Hartford Downtown | December 18, 2017
HARTFORD, CT (December 18, 2017) – Waterford Hotel Group has announced the appointment of Dustin Kovats to General Manager of Marriott Hartford Downtown. As General Manager, Kovats is responsible for all aspects of the hotel's operations. Waterford Hotel Group, a national hotel and convention center management firm, manages the 409-room hotel. Kovats started his hospitality journey in New England, receiving his degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He has since traveled around the country working for prominent Marriott brands in various management positions. Most recently, Dusti...
Choice Hotels to Acquire WoodSpring Suites Brand and Franchise Business for $231 Million
Choice Hotels | December 18, 2017
ROCKVILLE, Md., Dec. 18, 2017 -- Choice Hotels International (NYSE: CHH), one of the world's largest hotel companies, today announced that it has reached a definitive agreement to acquire the brand and franchise business of WoodSpring SuitesSM from WoodSpring Hotels Holdings LLC, a portfolio company of Lindsay Goldberg, for approximately $231 million, subject to customary adjustments. The acquisition will add 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®. Highlights...
Colm O’Callaghan Named Managing Director of California’s Montage Beverly Hills
Montage Beverly Hills | December 18, 2017
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (December 18, 2017) - Montage Hotels & Resorts has announced the appointment of Colm O'Callaghan as managing director of Montage Beverly Hills. Drawing upon over 30 years of experience at luxury properties from coast to coast, O'Callaghan will oversee all operations of the urban hotel located steps away from iconic Rodeo Drive in the heart of the Golden Triangle of Beverly Hills. "Colm's extensive background in luxury hospitality and his wide-ranging experience in gateway cities across the country will be a true benefit to Montage Beverly Hills," said Alan J. Fuerstman, founder, chairma...
New Hotel Booking Sites Take Advantage of Industry Loopholes
Nancy Huang | December 18, 2017
By Nancy Huang Almost seven years since HotelTonight launched its tonight-only hotel booking app, the industry has been flooded with a host of ambitious startups looking to find similar success. At the recent PhocusWright Summit, almost half of the 24 startups presenting their ideas were related to hotel booking apps. However, during a rapid 3-minute question round, potential investor Chris Hemmeter questioned the sustainability of one of the startup's business models, raising concerns that it merely took advantage of industry loopholes. In the following post, we'll look at how some newer hotel booking apps are striving to find their ow...
IACC Meeting Room of the Future™ Shows Shift in Meeting Planner Objectives
December 18, 2017
Ground-Breaking Project of BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, and IACC Tracks Trends in Technology, Design, ROI, Impactful Experience The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, December 2017 … Like the quest for the Holy Grail, the search to find the Meeting Room of the Future may never end. The latest report from the ground-breaking IACC Meeting Room of the Future™, shows that yesterday's breakthroughs are today's technology and that meeting planners and conferees now have specific, rapidly evolving goals and great expectations. Technology has greatly expanded and redefined the definition of what a meeting room is and can ...
Crescent Hotels & Resorts to Manage Michigan’s Radisson Hotel Detroit Metro Airport
Crescent Hotels & Resorts | December 18, 2017
Detroit, MI (December 18, 2017) – Crescent Hotels & Resorts has been selected to manage the recently renovated Radisson Hotel Detroit Metro Airport. Crescent, based in Fairfax, Virginia is a nationally recognized operator of major hotels, resorts and conference centers throughout the United States and Canada. The Radisson unveiled its new contemporary design at the hotel's grand opening in January 2017, following a multi-million-dollar modernization of the entire property, providing guests with a comfortable and luxurious stay at the new hotel. Conveniently located near DTW, Downtown Detroit and Ann Arbor, the Radisson Hot...
Hoteles City Express Opens City Express Junior León Centro de Convenciones and City Express Tijuana Otay
Hoteles City Express | December 18, 2017
MEXICO CITY, Dec. 18, 2017 -- Hoteles City Express S.A.B. de C.V. ("Hoteles City Express" or "The Company") (BMV: HCITY) announces the opening of 5 hotels – 2 of them today and 3 more within the next two weeks - of its 2017 Development Pipeline, reaching 135 hotels in operation and more than 15,200 rooms installed before year end. The two hotels that the Company opened today are: City Express Junior León Centro de Convenciones and City Express Tijuana Otay, meanwhile the hotels City Centro Oaxaca, City Express Monterrey Lindavista and City Express Plus León Centro de Convenciones will be receiving...
Hotel Okura Co. Signs with International Hotel Group to Manage Hotel Okura Manila, Philippines Opening in 2018
Travellers International Hotel Group Inc. | December 18, 2017
TOKYO--Hotel Okura Co., Ltd. announced today that it has entered an agreement with Travellers International Hotel Group Inc. (TIHGI) to manage Hotel Okura Manila, which will open in Manila, Philippines in 2018. Located near Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), the 191-room Hotel Okura Manila will be conveniently situated within Resorts World Manila, an integrated resort owned by TIHGI. As a gateway to Makati City, the country's financial district, the hotel will offer easy access to Manila's business and leisure centers. Hotel Okura Manila will be a state-of-the-art resort destination distinguished by its sophisticated Ok...
How the Composition of RevPAR Growth Impacts Changes in Profits
Robert Mandelbaum | December 18, 2017
By Robert Mandelbaum To project changes in profits we obviously need to look at the expected relative changes in revenues and expenses. Profit growth can only be realized when the dollar value of the change in revenue exceeds the dollar value of the change in expenses. Within the lodging industry, there are other metrics that have historically been reliable indicators to measure the potential for hotel profit growth. One is the change in rooms revenue, or RevPAR. Using data from our annual Trends® in the Hotel Industry, we find an 86 percent correlation between annual changes in RevPAR and Gross Operating Profit (GOP) from 1960 to 2...
MCR & Morse Development Celebrate Topping Out of the TWA Hotel Located at New York’s JFK Airport
| December 18, 2017
NEW YORK, NY (DECEMBER 18, 2017) – MCR, the seventh-largest hotel owner-operator in the U.S., joined hundreds of construction workers at John F. Kennedy International Airport on Tuesday to top out the TWA Hotel's first hotel structure. Once complete, the TWA Hotel will preserve Eero Saarinen's iconic TWA Flight Center, adaptively reusing the terminal as a world class hotel with 505 guestrooms, 50,000 square feet of state of the art meeting and event space, and a variety of high quality food, beverage and retail options. One of the largest construction projects in New York City, the TWA Hotel will create more than 3,700 permanent a...
Thor Equities Acquires The James New York – SoHo
Thor Equities | December 18, 2017
New York, December 18, 2017 – Thor Equities, a global leader in urban real estate development, leasing and management, has closed on its acquisition of The James New York – SoHo, company executives announced today. Thor Hospitality Group, a newly formed division of Thor Equities, is planning substantial renovations and upgrades to the property. Located at 27 Grand Street on the corner of Thompson Street, The James New York – SoHo has been named one of "The Best Hotels in New York City" by Travel + Leisure. The 18-story, 75,800-square-foot boutique property features 114 guest rooms, three food and beverage outlets, and ...
HSMAI Honors 2017 Top 25 Extraordinary Minds
HSMAI | December 18, 2017
Recipients in Sales, Marketing, and Revenue Optimizationto be recognized at Adrian Awards Gala (McLean, VA, December 18, 2017) The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI), has named 25 hospitality professionals as the 2017 HSMAI Top 25 Extraordinary Minds in Sales, Marketing, and Revenue Optimization. The honorees will be celebrated during the HSMAI Adrian Awards Dinner Reception & Gala on February 20, 2018 at the New York Marriott Marquis, and in a private ceremony co-hosted by Questex Hospitality + Travel. The HSMAI Top 25 Americas awards recognize leaders in sales, marketing, and revenue optimization of ...
RLJ Lodging Trust Completes Sale of Fairmont Copley Plaza Boston for $170 Million ($444K Per Key)
RLJ | December 18, 2017
BETHESDA, Md.--RLJ Lodging Trust (the "Company") (NYSE: RLJ) today announced that the Company has sold the 383-room Fairmont Copley Plaza in Boston, MA (the "Boston Copley") for $170.0 million or approximately $444,000 per key. "We are pleased by the execution of the sale of this iconic asset at a very attractive valuation that is significantly accretive to our shareholders across a number of metrics. The disposition of this asset is consistent with our objectives of selling non-core assets and unlocking shareholder value," commented Ross H. Bierkan, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Our ability to sell this asset shortly after cl...
