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Industry Happenings
Christie L. Finney Joins Sofitel Washington DC Lafayette Square as New Director of Sales and Marketing
Sofitel | December 5, 2017
WASHINGTON, Dec. 5, 2017 -- Sofitel Washington DC Lafayette Square, one of AccorHotels luxury brand properties in the nation's capital, is excited to announce Ms. Christie Finney as the new Director of Sales and Marketing. Christie joins the French luxury hotel with over 16 years of progressive experience in the hospitality industry and extensive knowledge of the luxury market in Washington DC. Prior to starting her new position, she worked as Director of Sales and Marketing for Washington Plaza, one of the District's historic hotels. "We are thrilled to welcome a highly experienced hotelier to our team," said Alexandr...
Middle East Construction Pipeline Shows Growth with Projects Up 12% YOY
Lodging Econometrics | December 5, 2017
December 5, 2017 – PORTSMOUTH, NH – Analysts at Lodging Econometrics (LE) report that the Construction Pipeline Trend Report for the Middle East states that the Total Pipeline has 572 Projects/156,420 Rooms, up 12% by projects Year-Over-Year (YOY). There are 349 Projects/100,485 Rooms Under Construction, up 17% by projects YOY. Those Scheduled to Start Construction in the Next 12 Months are at 113 Projects/30,841 Rooms, up 5%, while projects in Early Planning at 110 Projects/25,094 Rooms are up 3%. The top hotel companies in the Middle East's Construction Pipeline are: Marriott International 95 Projects/22,767 Rooms, Hilton ...
KEYPR Now Live at Fairmont Miramar
KEYPR | December 5, 2017
Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows Selects KEYPR as Exclusive Guest Experience Technology Partner Iconic Santa Monica resort hotel deploys KEYPR's cloud-based platform which brings the latest guest experience technology to the hospitality industry KEYPR®, the leading cloud-based technology platform for the hospitality industry providing an integrated end-to-end experience for guests and staff through embedded and mobile devices, announced today that Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows has deployed its expansive hospitality platform. "We pride ourselves on providing a luxury experience that is efficient and unobtrusive, and as...
Trip Advisor: The Fox Who Believed Himself Judge
Georges Panayotis | December 5, 2017
By Georges Panayotis The earth trembles beneath the feet of the giant Trip Advisor. Long courted by hoteliers and all operators in the tourism and leisure value chain, this colossus seems to have clay feet. When it was created in February 2000, the baby was in good health and a bright future lay ahead. Growing up, it was surrounded by all the professionals of the tourism industry who have been eager to sign partnerships in order to enter this race for customer opinions and e-reputation management . The growing adolescent reached its peak in the summer of 2014, but failed to stay on track. Instead of consolidating and expanding on the fo...
Gekko Group Opens Roomers Munich, an Autograph Collection Hotel, in Germany
Autograph Collection Hotels | December 5, 2017
Autograph Collection Hotels, Marriott International's distinctive collection of passionately independent hotels, today announced its fourth hotel in Germany with the opening of Roomers Munich, located in the city's burgeoning Westend. "With its unparalleled location, immersive design and bespoke dining experiences , Roomers Munich perfectly embodies the exactly like nothing else ethos of the brand," said Brian Povinelli, Senior Vice President and Global Brand Leader, Autograph Collection Hotels. "We are thrilled to welcome it to our growing global portfolio of 125 distinctive hotels around the world." Created by the visionary Gekko Grou...
AJ Capital Partners Opens 304-Room Graduate Minneapolis Following Renovation and Rebranding
AJ Capital Partners | December 5, 2017
Minneapolis, Mn. – AJ Capital Partners is thrilled to announce that Graduate Minneapolis is officially open. The 304-room hotel, formerly The Commons Hotel, is located on the East Bank campus of the University of Minnesota and is the only on-campus lodging. In addition to the hotel's neighborhood gastropub, The Beacon, Graduate Minneapolis will feature food cart service in the lobby with culinary concepting lead by celebrity chef Richard Ruskell. Created for travelers who seek memory-making journeys, Graduate Hotels are part of a well-curated, thoughtfully crafted collection of hotels that reside in the most dynamic, university-an...
Capella Hotel Group with Country Group Development Plan Late 2018 Opening of Capella Bangkok
Capella Hotel Group | December 5, 2017
SINGAPORE, Dec. 5, 2017 -- Capella Hotel Group together with leading real estate developer Country Group Development PCL, announce the opening of Capella Bangkok in the last quarter of 2018. Located along the rejuvenated Chao Phraya River waterfront promenade, Capella Bangkok is an all-suite urban resort offering 101 suites and villas with panoramic views of Thailand's revered river. Poised on the east bank of the River of Kings, Capella Bangkok is an integral part of the prestigious new development, Chao Phraya Estate. All 101 suites and villas offer unobstructed river views complemented by the exceptional hallmarks of Capella Hote...
Meeting Trends for 2018 as Forecasted by Kindred Resorts & Hotels
Kindred Resorts & Hotels | December 5, 2017
Non-traditional Breaks, Retreat-like Meetings and an Uptick in Bookings Expected Next Year RICHMOND — (December 5, 2017) – With a new year on the horizon, Kindred Resorts & Hotels, a collection of independent hotels and resorts uniquely focused on the group and meetings market in North America, is pleased to share their findings for 2018 meetings trends. This data is based on a survey distributed among their 63 properties located throughout the United States in locations ranging from Hawaii to Florida. Next year looks to be a promising one for the meetings industry with an array of interesting trends expected to dominat...
Chesapeake Lodging Trust Opens Hilton Denver City Center Following $27 Million Multi-Phased Renovation and Rebranding
Hilton Hotels & Resorts | December 5, 2017
December 5, 2017 DENVER - Denver community leaders gathered today to celebrate the opening of Hilton's (NYSE: HLT) newest hotel, Hilton Denver City Center, a modern, upscale retreat in the heart of the city. The ribbon cutting ceremony introduced the 613-room hotel, which towers 20-stories high and features newly renovated public spaces, guest rooms and dining venues following the completion of a $27 million multi-phased renovation. The ribbon cutting ceremony was attended by CEO of Visit Denver, Richard Scharf, and Councilman Albus Brooks as well as Tim Benolken, Hilton's senior vice president of operations for North America. ...
Hyatt Regency Trinidad Completes Four-Phase Renovation Led by General Manager Russell George
Hyatt Regency Trinidad | December 5, 2017
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – December 5, 2017 – Hyatt Regency Trinidad, located in Port of Spain International Waterfront Development, has completed an extensive upgrade that helps solidify its position as a leading business and leisure hotel in the Caribbean. The hotel now has 423 rooms with 15 suites including the Presidential and Diplomat Suites. The Hyatt Regency brand experience is designed around one objective: to connect today's travelers to who and what matters most to them. Therefore, guest rooms, event spaces, dining venues, main lobby, Spa Esencia and all community gathering places were enhanced to meet the continual...
Fujita Kanko to Develop 170-Room Hotel Gracery Namba in Osaka, Japan
Fujita Kanko | December 5, 2017
December 5, 2017, Tokyo – Leading Japanese hotelier Fujita Kanko Inc. announced its plan to open Hotel Gracery Namba in Osaka, Japan. Construction is expected to begin in January 2018, with an opening scheduled for summer 2019. Hotel Gracery Namba will be the 11th hotel in Fujita Kanko's Hotel Gracery brand, and the first Gracery property in Osaka. The second biggest metropolis after Tokyo, Osaka is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Japan, and only 2.5 hours away from Tokyo by bullet train. Often described as "the kitchen of Japan" because of the variety of gastronomic delights available, Osaka is also known for its ...
Dear Airbnb…
Daniel Lesser | December 5, 2017
By Daniel H. Lesser Airbnb started as an online marketplace founded by two unemployed entrepreneurs who seized upon an opportunity to earn money by renting three airbeds in their living space. Today, a significant amount of Airbnb's activity in cities such as New York and San Francisco does not originate from the listings of "regular people" who are merely renting out a spare room. Instead, professional landlords are removing multifamily stock from local markets and providing availability exclusively for tourists and business travelers. In some cases, landlords are even evicting residential tenants and jettisoning rent-controlled housin...
Hotel Development Partners Breaks Ground for Courtyard in North Atlanta, Hotel Equities to Manage
Hotel Development Partners, LLC | December 5, 2017
ATLANTA (December 5, 2017) – Hotel Development Partners (HDP) recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Courtyard by Marriott Alpharetta, Georgia, located across the street from Avalon, a high-end shopping mall in the heart of a booming, mixed-use development north of Atlanta. Hotel Equities will manage the 115-room Courtyard by Marriott. Alex Brown Realty, Inc. serves as a joint venture partner with HDP in developing the hotel that is expected to open in late 2018. "We are pleased to bring a unique, custom-designed Courtyard by Marriott to the Avalon development and this affluent area of North Atlanta," said Allen O'Brien, ...
10 Secrets for Stellar Email Opens & Click-Throughs
Cendyn | December 5, 2017
Best Practice Guide for Hotel Digital Marketers Emails are the first, and often the last contact guests have with your hotel. The impact is the same as when a guest enters your front door, but not if your emails don't get opened and your click-through rate isn't where it should be. In our new inforgraphic, we offer up 10 secrets to keep your hotel's emails from getting lost in a crowded inbox. ...
SKYE Hotel Suites Parramatta Partners with Intelity and ASSA ABLOY Hospitality to Implement Digital Key Functionality
ASSA ABLOY Hospitality | December 5, 2017
Newly opened luxury Australian property provides latest in guestroom access convenience with ASSA ABLOY Hospitality Mobile Access and Intelity-based mobile app [Stockholm – December 5, 2017] – SKYE Hotel Suites Parramatta, a five-star hotel and one of the newest property additions to Sydney, Australia, has partnered together with ASSA ABLOY Hospitality and Intelity to provide its guests with state-of-the-art digital key functionality. With the implementation of ASSA ABLOY Hospitality Mobile Access in 72 of its apartment-style suites, along with the use of Intelity's downloadable mobile app, the property can now allow guests ...
Bettoja Hotels Appoints Mr. Ciro Verrocchi as New Director General
Bettoja Hotels | December 5, 2017
Rome, Italy, December 5, 2017 … Bettoja Hotels (Hotel Mediterraneo, Atlántico and Massimo D'Azeglio), one of Italy's most venerable family-owned hotel groups, announces the appointment of Mr. Ciro Verrocchi as Director General. Mr. Verrocchi has been part of the hospitality industry for the last three decades. He has held numerous hotel leadership positions at renowned international companies, including Managing Director for IHI Italia, part of the Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG); General Manager of the Westin Europa & Regina, in Venice; and General Manager of the St. Regis Grand in Rome. At IHG, Mr. Verrocchi help...
Beekeeper Hospitality Webinar Series Wraps with a Lesson on ‘Leadership and Followership’
Beekeeper | December 5, 2017
Hospitality professionals passionate about advancing their career should take the advice of renowned MBA professor Dr. Linda Herkenhoff in her upcoming leadership webinar SAN FRANCISCO, CA DECEMBER 5, 2017 - In childhood, "Follow the Leader" was a fun and interactive game. In business, however, followership determines a person's livelihood and it can impact one's opportunity for advancement within the organization. Following the wrong type of leader can also be problematic. If the manager is too passive, employees may lack motivation to perform. If the leader is too aggressive, staff may lose self-confidence and end-up hating a job they...
Kimpton Ink48 Hotel Appoints Ileana Acosta as New Director of Sales and Marketing
Kimpton Ink48 Hotel | December 5, 2017
NEW YORK – (December 5, 2017) – Kimpton Ink48 Hotel is delighted to announce the appointment of Ileana Acosta as its new Director of Sales and Marketing. In her role, Acosta will execute strategies to increase hotel occupancy and revenue as well as drive bookings for Kimpton Ink48's 6,000 square feet of contemporary meeting and event space. An accomplished and results-oriented sales professional, Ileana will also grow key accounts, implement partnerships and elevate the hotel's profile through creative marketing initiatives. "Ileana's extensive sales background makes her the ideal sales and catering leader for Kimpton Ink48,...
The Greater Miami & the Beaches Hotel Association Recognizes Hospitality Managers During its Seventh Annual Hospitality Leadership Awards Event
the GMBHA | December 5, 2017
Teodora Reytor, Housekeeping Manager, EAST, Miami and James Anderson, Director of Sales & Marketing, Dream South Beach Win "Manager of the Year" Awards Miami, FL (December 5, 2017) – The Greater Miami & the Beaches Hotel Association (GMBHA), a membership organization comprised of hoteliers and allied members across Miami-Dade County, presented its "Hospitality Leadership Awards" on November 20th, honoring 160 outstanding managers of the various hotel departments. With over 400 guests in attendance, GMBHA's President & CEO Wendy Kallergis and Past Chair Raj Singh presented the awards at the seventh annual prog...
Viceroy Hotel Group Welcomes Aaron Feeney as San Francisco Area Director of Sales and Marketing
Viceroy Hotel Group | December 5, 2017
SAN FRANCISCO (December 5, 2017) – Viceroy Hotel Group is pleased to announce Aaron Feeney as the new Area Director of Sales & Marketing for San Francisco. Aaron brings more than a decade of hospitality experience to the role, where he will spearhead the development and execution of strategic sales and marketing initiatives for three boutique properties in San Francisco – Hotel Zelos, Hotel Zetta and Hotel Zeppelin – all within Viceroy's Urban Retreat Collection. "We are thrilled to welcome Aaron to Viceroy Hotel Group and look forward to leveraging his deep hospitality experience, sales expertise, and creative vis...
Receive Products from Performance Food Group AND Update Costs in Seconds with a New Interface from Clear Sky Software
December 5, 2017
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina – December 5, 2017 – Clear Sky Software, Inc. ® announced today the release of a new software interface between the company's food inventory control system, called Clear Sky FOOD and Performance Food Group (PFG ®). This interface is available immediately. Through the company's PFG interface, users of Clear Sky FOOD now have a food tracking system that streamlines the process of receiving PFG products. Once a PFG order arrives at a customer site, users select the Clear Sky FOOD receiving function and import PFG electronic invoices. Product pricing is updated to current amounts and product sub...
Kimpton® Hotels & Restaurants Shares Fourth Annual Culinary & Cocktails Trend Forecast
December 5, 2017
From Nordic cuisine to Vadouvan, Kimpton's chefs and bartenders from 80+ restaurants and bars reveal what's on the horizon for 2018 SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 5, 2017 -- Chifa and Nordic-influenced cuisine, nut-based spreads, visual filters, sour beers and upcycling of ingredients are among the top dining trends of the new year according to Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants' fourth annual Culinary & Cocktails Trend Forecast, released today. From dishes like Choereg Bread with Za'atar to Vadouvan Curried Carrots, the trends of 2018 are sure to spark imaginations from the kitchen to the bar. This year's forecast not only c...
New Industry White Paper – “The Business Case for Vanity Websites”
December 5, 2017
JACKSONVILLE, FL – Vizergy®, the industry's leading digital marketing company with Mark Glickman, author of Marketing Paradise, have co-written a new hospitality-focused white paper - The Business Case for Vanity Websites This piece was written to educate hoteliers by answering the question of WHY hotel owners and management companies should invest in a vanity site with supporting research data, case studies, and verified information. "The data (collected over the past 14 years) supports the case suggesting that vanity sites drive more revenue for branded hotels." Download the Free White Paper Now! "If you had a cost-effective...
Fontainebleau Miami Beach Selects Solution Suite from Rainmaker to Optimize Hotel Revenue and Drive Competitive Advantage
Rainmaker | December 5, 2017
Iconic Property Implements Rainmaker's Industry-Leading Revenue Optimization Solutions ALPHARETTA, GA. — Dec. 5, 2017 — The Rainmaker Group (Rainmaker), a leading provider of cloud-based hospitality revenue and profit optimization software, today announced that Fontainebleau Miami Beach has selected a comprehensive solution suite, including guestrev®, grouprev®, revcaster® and revintel®, to optimize hotel revenue and drive competitive advantage at the 1,504-room property. The agreement expands Rainmaker's footprint in the luxury hotel and resort market. Fontainebleau Miami Beach, South Florida's most iconic r...
