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Industry Happenings
Kimpton The Rowan Palm Springs Opens with General Manager Abe Liao at the Helm
Kimpton The Rowan Palm Springs | November 20, 2017
PALM SPRINGS, CALIF. (November 16, 2017) – Kimpton The Rowan Palm Springs makes a splash in the Southern California desert with its opening on November 17, 2017, reaching major milestones for the Kimpton brand and the City of Palm Springs. The seven-story, 153-room urban oasis features the city's first and only rooftop pool, two restaurants and two bars, serene mountain and Coachella Valley views, and inspiring spaces for meetings & events. A major anchor of the Downtown Palm Springs revitalization project and the first ground-up, full-scale hotel built in the area in decades, Kimpton The Rowan Palm Springs puts guests in the ...
AHLA Praises House for Passing Tax Reform
American Hotel & Lodging Association | November 17, 2017
"We applaud the House of Representatives for passing this important legislation that will greatly benefit Americans and strengthen the economy," said AHLA president and CEO Katherine Lugar. "With three out of every five hotels in industry made up of small businesses, and many jobs in local communities dependent on a thriving hotel and tourism sector, these important cuts will go a long way to ensuring economic growth far beyond our industry. Not only will small businesses benefit, but so will their employees and guests. We look forward to working with Senate to advance much-needed tax reform quickly." ...
Owned and Managed by Milan Hotel Group, Fairfield Inn & Suites Opens in Asheville, North Carolina
Fairfield Inn & Suites | November 17, 2017
Asheville, NC – November 17, 2017 – The 80-room Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott in Asheville, North Carolina is scheduled to open today with its smart, inventive public space and guest room design, and its bright and inviting décor. Located at 184 Tunnel Road, the Fairfield Inn & Suites Asheville Tunnel Road will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned and managed by Milan Hotel Group of Asheville, North Carolina. Located 17 miles from Asheville Regional Airport and just minutes from downtown, the Fairfield Inn & Suites Asheville Tunnel Road offers guests convenient access to the Biltmore Estate, the Riv...
David Nadelman Appointed Area Vice President and General Manager of Hyatt Regency Orange County
Hyatt Regency Orange County | November 17, 2017
ORANGE COUNTY, CA (November 17, 2017) – Industry veteran, David Nadelman has been appointed Area Vice President and General Manager of Hyatt Regency Orange County. In this role, Nadelman is responsible for managing all operations for the 653-room hotel, while also overseeing the operations of six additional Hyatt properties in the Southern California region. "I have watched David grow with the company over the years, and regardless of where he is, David gives his best and achieves great results. We are extremely fortunate to gain a leader with such an incredible track record and an individual who is so passionate about the hospita...
Using Gamification to Improve Hospitality Employee Retention Rates
Chris Whitlow | November 17, 2017
by Chris Whitlow High turnover rates are a problem that hotel owners face every day and finding solutions to keep hospitality employees is just as challenging. In 2016, the turnover rate for employees in the hospitality sector was more than 70 percent, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Job Openings and Labor Turnover (JOLTS) program. To counter this and improve employee retention rates, hotel owners should consider utilizing gamification to engage and inspire employees. If you're unfamiliar with gamification, it's the application of game elements into other settings. Many companies are already using gamification for...
Knowcross Appoints Karen O’Neill as President – Americas
Knowcross | November 17, 2017
KNOWCROSS, the global leader in providing software solutions for hospitality operations, is pleased to announce the appointment of Karen O'Neill as President – Americas, to lead the aggressive growth plans of the company in North America. Karen will be responsible for managing and growing the company's operations and sales initiatives in the Americas region. With the evolution of technology, Knowcross' game-changing products for housekeeping automation and workflow management are a must for hotels globally, to meet the growing needs and expectations of customers. And this makes the Americas a key market and an engine of growth for...
Oculus Inc. Acquires Staicoff Design Company, Amplifies Focus on Hospitality Interior Design
Oculus Inc. | November 16, 2017
ST. LOUIS and PORTLAND, Ore. (Nov. 15, 2017) — Oculus Inc., a full-service architecture and interior design firm headquartered in St. Louis, today announced the acquisition of Staicoff Design Company, an award-winning hospitality interiors design firm that serves clients nationally from its base in Portland, Ore. Staicoff Design will operate as a division of Oculus Inc. and the brand will anchor the Oculus hospitality business group. James Staicoff, principal and founder of Staicoff Design, will serve as Director of Hospitality for Oculus Inc. "Jim's outstanding reputation and track record in high-profile, truly innovative hospita...
A New Fort Collins Destination Shines on The Elizabeth Hotel’s Custom Website
HEBS Digital | November 16, 2017
The Elizabeth Hotel, set to open in fall 2017 in Downtown Fort Collins, CO, needed a one-of-a-kind website to reflect their highly anticipated Old Town property. The hotel partnered with the HEBS Digital team to create a fully responsive website, featuring industry-leading technology to drive direct bookings and showcase The Elizabeth Hotel's thoughtful amenities and vibrant spaces. They utilize the Smart Personalization Engine in order to deliver high-converting, tailored experiences across every customer touch point. Packed with technologies that allow the tracking and the capturing of visitor behavior data, the engine serves custom d...
Nearly 51 Million Americans to Travel This Thanksgiving, Highest Volume in a Dozen Years
the AAA travel forecast | November 16, 2017
Travel times could be more than three times longer over the holiday week ORLANDO, Fla. (November 16, 2017) – AAA projects 50.9 million Americans will journey 50 miles or more away from home this Thanksgiving, a 3.3 percent increase over last year. The 2017 holiday weekend will see the highest Thanksgiving travel volume since 2005 with 1.6 million more people taking to the nation's roads, skies, rails and waterways compared with last year. AAA and INRIX, a global transportation analytics company, predict travel times in the most congested cities in the U.S. during the holiday week could be as much as three times longer than the opt...
Christopher A. Jones Named Executive Chef at Wintergreen Resort in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains
Wintergreen Resort | November 16, 2017
WINTERGREEN, Va. (Nov. 16, 2017) — Christopher A. (Chris) Jones, who has 18 years of experience in the culinary and hospitality industries, has joined Wintergreen Resort as Executive Chef. A President's List graduate of National Institute for Culinary Arts, Jones is a classically-trained chef. His culinary business expertise includes managing costs and driving profits in hotels and resorts as well as privately owned casual and fine dining establishments. Jones, who is Serv-Safe Certified and an active member of World Association of Chefs and National Culinary Association, makes it a habit of getting to know the community and cater...
Emiliano Andres Di Franca Appointed Food and Beverage Operations Manager of Rosewood Washington, D.C.
Rosewood Washington, D.C. | November 16, 2017
Emiliano Andres Di Franca has been appointed food and beverage operations manager of Rosewood Washington, D.C., the luxurious urban retreat located in the heart of Georgetown. In his new role, Di Franca will oversee all aspects of Rosewood Washington, D.C.'s food and beverage services, including operations at the hotel's sophisticated neighborhood restaurant, The Grill Room, and chic cocktail lounge, The Rye Bar. Located in one of Washington, D.C.'s most charming neighborhoods, the 49-room property is situated alongside the C&O Canal with many of the city's most coveted cultural attractions nearby. Di Franca brings over 12 years of ...
Michael Tighe Tapped as General Manager of The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village
The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village | November 16, 2017
Cape Coral, FL – November 16, 2017 – The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village announces the appointment of Michael Tighe as general manager. Widely known and respected within the Marriott family, Tighe brings more than 27 years of experience and leadership and will oversee day-to-day operations of the resort. "With the city experiencing such a positive economic outlook and bolstering job creation, it's an exciting time to join the burgeoning Cape Coral community, especially ahead of the highly anticipated opening of the Tarpon Point Ballroom," said Tighe. "I look forward to strengthening our presence in Southwest Flori...
Daniel Hunger-Milkowitsch Appointed General Manager of the Steigenberger Hotel and Spa Krems
Steigenberger Hotels and Resorts | November 16, 2017
Frankfurt am Main, 16 November 2017 - Daniel Hunger-Milkowitsch is to take over as General Manager at the Steigenberger Hotel and Spa Krems with effect from 1 January 2018. He succeeds Adelheid de Durand-Maier, who will retire at the start of the New Year following 30 years with the company and 26 years at the helm of the Steigenberger Hotel and Spa Krems. Daniel Hunger-Milkowitsch is 34 years old and began his career by completing vocational education and training in the occupation of hotel specialist at the Steigenberger Hotel Bad Pyrmont. He went on to work both for companies within Steigenberger Hotels AG and for competitors, includ...
Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa Welcomes Doug Sears as New General Manager
Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa | November 16, 2017
HONOLULU, HI (November 16, 2017) – Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa announces the appointment of Doug Sears as the new General Manager for the resort. A seasoned Hyatt veteran of 38 years, Sears brings to the resort a deep knowledge of the travel industry and the culture and values of the Hawaiian Islands, having previously served for a total of 19 years in positions at Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa as well as Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa, Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa, and the former Hyatt Regency Waikoloa. Prior to his appointment at Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa, Sears served as Gener...
BENCHMARK® Names Tom Garcia Vice President and General Manager for High Hampton Inn & Country Club
High Hampton Inn & Country Club | November 16, 2017
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, November 2017 … BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has named Tom Garcia vice president and general manager of High Hampton Inn & Country Club. A Benchmark Resort & Hotels property, the legendary resort is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Cashiers, North Carolina. Greg Champion, Benchmark's president & COO, made the announcement. "Tom has been instrumental in supporting our company's continued growth," said Mr. Champion. "He brings our company's signature Be The Difference brand promise to High Hampton Inn, and his experience and expertise will...
Sys-Con to Renovate and Convert Historic Apartment Building to Hilltop Suites & Spa in Montgomery, Alabama
Sys-Con, LLC | November 16, 2017
MONTGOMERY, AL – Sys-Con, LLC announced today the renovation of historic long-vacant, nine-story Hilltop Arms Apartments building into a modern upscale boutique hotel in downtown Montgomery, AL. The new hotel, Hilltop Suites & Spa, will feature 80 suite hotel rooms, over 6,000 square feet of spacious meeting and event areas, and numerous bars and restaurants. One of the most unique features of the hotel will be the roof top bar and lounge that overlooks the breathtaking views of downtown Montgomery and Alabama River. Construction will start in spring of 2018 on the Hilltop Suites & Spa and intended to complete by the fall ...
Tavistock Development Reveals Plans for 2018 Groundbreaking of Lake Nona Resort in Orlando, Florida
Lake Nona | November 16, 2017
(Orlando, FL) NOVEMBER 16, 2017 – Tavistock Development Company, a diversified real estate firm owned by Tavistock Group, today announced details surrounding an iconic performance resort and spa at its master-planned Lake Nona community in Orlando, Fla. Arquitectonica, a leading Miami-based architecture firm, is designing the Lake Nona Resort, which is planned to break ground in 2018 with an opening date set for 2020. Located along the southern shore of Lake Nona and just steps away from the new USTA National Campus – the world's largest tennis campus with 100 courts – the eight-story Lake Nona Resort will feature cutt...
Chatham Lodging Acquires Courtyard by Marriott in Greater Charleston South Carolina for $20.2 Million
Chatham Lodging Trust | November 16, 2017
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., November 16, 2017—Chatham Lodging Trust (NYSE: CLDT), a hotel real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on investing in upscale, extended-stay hotels and premium-branded, select-service hotels, today announced that it has acquired the 96-room Courtyard by Marriott Charleston Summerville, S.C., for $20.2 million, or approximately $210,000 per room. "This is a high-quality hotel located in Nexton, an emerging mixed-use community that sits in the heart of a rapidly expanding area just outside of Charleston," said Jeffrey H. Fisher, Chatham's chief executive officer and president. "This hotel, as well as the a...
G6 Hospitality Honors 2017 Franchisee of the Year Recipients Along with Top Performer Awards
G6 Hospitality LLC | November 16, 2017
ORLANDO, Fla.--November 16, 2018--G6 Hospitality, the all-American leader in economy lodging and known for its iconic brands Motel 6 and Studio 6, announced the 2017 Franchisee of the Year along with other award recipients as part of the company's annual brand convention held earlier this month at the Grande Lakes Resorts in Orlando. Themed "The Magic Within", the conference celebrated the brand's leading franchisees, including the 2017 G6 Hospitality Franchisees of the Year Rajashekar M. Reddy of the Motel 6 in Marble Falls, Texas and Nilesh (Mike) B. Patel of the Studio 6 in Mesa, Arizona. G6 Hospitality leaders, franchisees and speci...
Marriott’s Sorenson, STR’s Smith Inducted into U.S. Travel Hall of Leaders
U.S. Travel Association | November 16, 2017
The pair join 94 previous recipients of the travel industry's highest honor WASHINGTON (November 16, 2017)—Arne Sorenson, president and CEO of Marriott International, and Randy Smith, co-founder and chairman of data and analytics firm STR, were inducted into the U.S. Travel Hall of Leaders Tuesday night. Inclusion in the Hall of Leaders, widely regarded as the highest honor in the travel industry, is bestowed to recipients by the U.S. Travel Association for "sustained, noteworthy contributions that have positively impacted the travel industry, stimulated greater achievement and raised industry-wide standards." "...
Hospitality Industry Impact Studies
Heidi S. Nielsen | November 16, 2017
By Heidi S. Nielsen With the pace of new supply growth accelerating, owners of existing hotels are increasingly concerned as to how their properties will fare in a more competitive market. As brands continually add new product types to fill a niche, hotel operators are becoming more aware of the potential threats from within their brand family. From Vīb and GLō, which are part of the Best Western family, to Tru by Hilton and Marriott's Moxy brand, hotel companies are introducing new product and revamping their brands' design prototypes, such as the Formula Blue initiative for the Holiday Inn Express, which reflects a new contemporary ...
AAA Four and Five Diamond Ratings: A Path to Success and Profitability for Your Resort
Federico Moreno-Nickerson | November 16, 2017
By Federico Moreno-Nickerson In the digital age, surveys, ratings systems, and consumer reviews are an inescapable fact of life. For hotel owners and operators – and their guests -- there is one rating system, developed before the internet's inception, that in many ways is more valuable and persuasive than all of the other information found across the web. The AAA Diamond Rating System, a comprehensive, objective and closely-followed evaluation of travel destinations and experiences. The fact is, hotels in the luxury category that have earned the AAA Four-Diamond and AAA Five-Diamond ratings are at a distinct advantage over their ...
Aptech’s PVNG Web-Based Enterprise Accounting Goes Live at 2 Hotel Companies
Aptech Computer Systems, Inc. | November 16, 2017
Multi-Property, Multi-Brand Operators Standardize Accounting on Easy-to-Use PVNG PITTSBURGH – November 16, 2017 – Aptech Computer Systems announced Milestone Hospitality Management and Bellstar Hotels & Resorts implemented the PVNG enterprise accounting system. PVNG is Aptech's next generation enterprise accounting hotel software solution that is deployed in the cloud. Aptech is the leading provider of hospitality enterprise accounting, budgeting and forecasting, and business intelligence hotel software systems. Click here for more on Aptech's products and services. "Milestone selected PVNG because Aptech is a hospitalit...
[Infographic] Classic Resorts Nets a New Channel of Travelers by Launching Advocacy with Flip.to
Flip.to | November 16, 2017
Classic Resorts are getting introduced to their best audience yet at a scale, quality and value that's unmatched Orlando, FL — November 16, 2017 — Classic Resorts have tapped Flip.to to open up an entirely new marketing channel for two of their vacation rental resorts in the islands of Hawaii—Kaanapali Alii and Lahaina Shores Beach Resort. Together, they paired up with the advocacy platform to top their goals in 2017, getting introduced to new audiences at a higher quality and lower cost. See more industry benchmarks at Wordstream With Flip.to, Classic Resorts is inspiring travelers around the world with authentic...
