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
Marriott, Hilton and IHG Comprise 68% of All Projects in Total U.S. Construction Pipeline
Lodging Econometrics | November 9, 2017
November 9, 2017 – PORTSMOUTH, NH According to the recent United States Construction Pipeline Trend Report from Lodging Econometrics (LE), the franchise companies with the largest construction pipelines are; Marriott with 1,298 Projects/166,419 Rooms, Hilton with 1,270 Projects/144,191 Rooms and IHG with 817 Projects/83,728 Rooms. These 3 franchise companies comprise 68% of all projects in the Total Pipeline. The largest brands for each of these companies are; Marriott's Fairfield Inn with 284 Projects/27,411 Rooms and Residence Inn with 189 Projects/23,605 Rooms; Hilton's Home2 Suites with 348 Projects/36,439 Rooms and Hampton In...
Puzzle Partner and HEDNA Join Forces to Deliver Quality Content for the Hotel Industry
Puzzle Partner | November 9, 2017
Agency offering marketing expertise for travel and hospitality technology market engaging with HEDNA to deliver and promote educational resources for HEDNA members and the hotel industry at large. TORONTO, ON (November 9, 2017) – Leading travel and hospitality technology marketing agency Puzzle Partner, today announced their latest alliance with HEDNA, a global forum dedicated to the advancement of hospitality distribution anchored by a fundamental belief in strategic collaboration and knowledge sharing. HEDNA is making bold moves to lead the category and is looking to Puzzle Partner to support their initiatives and help take the ...
Finding the Right Balance: Three Ways That Hotels Can Automate Without Losing Their Personal Touch
Alonso Franco | November 9, 2017
By Alonso Franco Global peer to peer rental giant AirBnB recently earned the top spot on CNBC's Disruptor 50 list, and in March of this year, after raising another $1B in funding, was estimated to be worth the same as traditional hotel groups Hilton and Hyatt combined. Despite legal issues in tourist hotspots including New York and Barcelona, the company remains extremely popular, putting traditional hotels on the ropes with it's wide range of homely and affordable accommodation options, as well as a level of automated convenience which appeals to more independant travellers. Nowadays, aside from being able to handcraft their ow...
Asset-Managing the 2018 Budget Story
Gary Isenberg | November 9, 2017
By Gary Isenberg As summer tumbles into fall, hotel asset managers grapple with the annual challenge of reviewing and approving budgets for their hotel or hotels. As they leaf through page after page of a budget submitted by management and cobbled together with input from all facets of hotel operations—from housekeeping and food and beverage to maintenance and marketing—asset managers ought to look beyond the spreadsheets and revenue projections to conclude whether they are reading a great story. In the case of a hotel budget, the tale being told is that of the asset's revenue goal for the coming year and how it will achieve...
Jill Cully Joins Cendyn as Vice President of Sales for the Americas
Cendyn | November 9, 2017
Boca Raton, Florida – November 9, 2017 – Cendyn, the leading CRM and sales platform in the hospitality industry, has appointed Jill Cully as the Vice President of Sales for the Americas. "We're delighted to have Jill Cully join our team at Cendyn" says Tim Sullivan, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer of Cendyn. "We have seen tremendous growth over the past few years at Cendyn and the appointment of Jill as our VP of Sales, Americas, is a testament to that success. Her wealth of experience and passion for the hospitality industry will be instrumental as a sales leader in our organization." Prior to joinin...
Arielle Feinberg Appointed Director of Spa & Leisure at Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa
Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa | November 9, 2017
Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa, a AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Five-Star resort has appointed Arielle Feinberg Spa & Leisure Director. In her new role, Feinberg will manage Eau Spa, the award-winning 42,000 square foot lifestyle facility known for its trend leading "pause, play, perfect" philosophy and will direct all leisure activities at the oceanfront luxury resort, which include Eau Tennis facilities and Aquanuts and Coast children's and teen programs. Feinberg has more than 15 years of luxury spa expertise and a particular affinity for South Florida, as the region where her career and passion for wellness were initially launche...
Chesapeake Lodging Trust Sells The 222-Room Hotel Minneapolis, Autograph Collection for $46 Million
Chesapeake Lodging Trust | November 9, 2017
ARLINGTON, Va.-- Chesapeake Lodging Trust (NYSE:CHSP) (the "Trust") announced today that it has closed on the sale of the 222-room The Hotel Minneapolis, Autograph Collection located in Minneapolis, Minnesota for a sale price of $46.0 million, or $207,000 per key. The Trust used the net proceeds from the sale to repay outstanding borrowings under its revolving credit facility. The Trust acquired The Hotel Minneapolis, Autograph Collection in October 2012 for $46.0 million, or $207,000 per key. The $46.0 million sale price represents a 6.2% trailing twelve month NOI cap rate (after factoring in a needed 2018 renovation estimated at $5.0 ...
Kempinski Strengthens its Partnership with Knowcross in the Middle East
Knowcross | November 9, 2017
KNOWCROSS , the global leader in providing software and technology solutions for the hospitality operations industry, has been selected by four more Kempinski hotels in the Middle East, to help them boost guest satisfaction, increase productivity and reduce labor costs. The installations include Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Pearl – Doha (Doha), Kempinski Summerland Hotel & Resort (Beirut), Kempinski Residences & Suites (Doha) and Kempinski Al Othman Hotel Al Khobar (Al Khobar). Each of these hotels has tapped into KNOWCROSS' software to provide a top-notch service experience for their guests with greater back of house effici...
HMB Management Opens Homewood Suites by Hilton Allentown Bethlehem Center Valley in Eastern Pennsylvania
Homewood Suites by Hilton | November 8, 2017
November 8, 2017 CENTER VALLEY, Pa. and MCLEAN, Va - Homewood Suites by Hilton, part of Hilton's (NYSE: HLT) All Suites portfolio, announced today its newest property, Homewood Suites by Hilton Allentown Bethlehem Center Valley. Designed for guests who want to travel on their own terms, Homewood Suites by Hilton Allentown Bethlehem Center Valley offers guests all the comforts of home, whether they are traveling for work or enjoying a well-earned getaway. With 114 new suites, the hotel's opening complements rising tourism in Pennsylvania, where spending by tourists grew for the sixth straight year*. "Located a short distance...
New Sheraton Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin Opens Marking the Brand Debut in One of Russia’s Largest Cities
Sheraton Hotels & Resorts | November 8, 2017
Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, part of Marriott International, today announced the opening of Sheraton®Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin, marking the brand debut in one of Russia's largest cities. Situated on the confluence of the River Oka with the River Volga, Nizhny Novgorod is recognised as an important economic, educational and cultural centre in the vast Volga-Vyatka region, with significant tourism potential. This latest milestone also solidifies Marriott's portfolio across the country, and promises to revolutionise Nizhny Novgorod's hospitality scene through Sheraton's distinct product offer coupled with its commitment to 'Go Beyond' ...
Super Cyber Weekend Sale Delivers Up to 50% Off Travel at Benchmark Resorts & Hotels and Gemstone Collection
Gemstone Collection | November 8, 2017
Launches Weekend-Long Travel Savings Across its Two Portfolios The Woodlands (Houston), Texas (November 2017) – BENCHMARK, a global hospitality company, rolls out the year's best savings at two dozen of its resorts and hotels during its annual Super Cyber Weekend event. Running from Black Friday (November 24th) through Cyber Monday (November 27th), it includes extraordinary offers from BENCHMARK's two signature brands, Benchmark Resorts & Hotels and Gemstone Collection. Travelers will save up to 50% off stays in top U.S. and Caribbean destinations, including Boston, Miami, Orlando, Jackson Hole, Vail, and Curacao. Access to th...
True North Hotel Group Opens Two Hotels in the Apex Center of New England
Hyatt Place Marlborough/Apex Center | November 8, 2017
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – (November 8, 2017) – True North Hotel Group announces the opening of two neighboring hotels: the 137-room Hyatt Place Marlborough/Apex Center and 108-room Fairfield Inn & Suites Boston Marlborough/Apex Center, which are both located within the Apex Center of New England, a new 43-acre custom-designed destination with multiple state-of-the-art hospitality, business and entertainment experiences located in Marlborough, Mass. Hyatt Place Marlborough/Apex Center and Fairfield Inn & Suites Boston Marlborough/Apex Center were both co-developed by True North Hotel Group and RAVentures, Inc., developer ...
Do You Train Your Team To Be Locally Authentic?
Larry Mogelonsky | November 8, 2017
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.hotelmogel.com) By now, the phrase 'local authentic experience' has been tattooed on every hotelier's back ever since it started to trend some five to ten years ago. And yet, even to this day many properties have some serious shortcomings in this area, either through a lack of attention to detail when it comes to soft goods and decor items with local flair, or associates' lack of knowledge regarding the immediate neighborhood. True, we have brand standards to abide by, but that shouldn't stop you from engaging in small acts of regional expressionism, especially when you already know that it is such...
Hard Rock International Appoints Michael Coury as Corporate Executive Chef
Hard Rock International | November 8, 2017
ORLANDO, Fla., Nov. 8, 2017 -- Hard Rock International – owner of one of the world's most-recognizable and iconic brands – announces the appointment of Michael Coury as Corporate Executive Chef. In his new role, Coury will draw on 25 years of experience in the restaurant industry, to lead culinary efforts and menu innovation for 178 corporate and franchise locations around the world. Coury will report directly to Hard Rock Cafe's Vice President of Food and Beverage, Leigh Merritt. "Michael's culinary talent and passion for our brand is unmatched, and we are honored to have him join the Hard Rock Team as Corp...
Paul Sposare Appointed as Director of Sales & Marketing of Montage Beverly Hills
Montage Beverly Hills | November 8, 2017
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (November 8, 2017) - Montage Hotels & Resorts has announced the appointment of Paul Sposare as director of sales & marketing of Montage Beverly Hills. A 30-year industry veteran, Sposare will be responsible for leading the sales, marketing and revenue team in all strategic and creative initiatives. "With extensive knowledge of the hospitality industry, Paul will bring a fresh perspective to the hotel," said Rick Riess, vice president of Montage Hotels & Resorts and managing director of Montage Laguna Beach. "We are honored to have Paul join our team as we approach the 10-year anniversa...
Tourism Boom: How Spain’s Hotels Are Capitalizing by Owning Their Supply
Mateus Coelho | November 8, 2017
By Mateus Coelho "In today's world, either you change or you will be changed. So, either you act and then you make some hard decisions and take some risk … or somebody is going to be acting for you – that's somebody called Booking.com, Expedia, Airbnb, Google, Amazon, Facebook." They're the words of Sébastien Bazin, CEO of AccorHotels, who spoke at this year's South America Hotel Investment Conference on the need for hotels to take control – or risk losing their place in the driver's seat. According to MicroMetrics, OTAs now have access to more than 99 percent of the world's hotel inventory. This, alone, isn't ...
January Opening Planned for Radisson Blu Bali Uluwatu, Indonesia’s First Radisson Blu Resort
Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group | November 8, 2017
Bali, Indonesia (November 8, 2017) Just a 40-minute drive from Bali Ngurah Rai International Airport lies Uluwatu – a rural jewel in Bali's Bukit peninsula's crown. On this southwestern tip of the Island, Indonesia's first Radisson Blu resort, Radisson Blu Bali Uluwatu reinterprets Balinese style for the modern travelers. Set to welcome guests from January 2018, the brand's 100% Satisfaction Guarantee is evident in every dimension of the resort's unique character. Bali's best surfing beach is on the resort's doorstep, and many more pristine shores and popular oceanside hangouts, such as Bali Collection in Nusa Dua, are within...
dormakaba Delivers ‘Smart Design Access’ at HX With Quantum® Pixel and Ambiance Solutions
dormakaba | November 8, 2017
HX 2017 in New York: Visit dormakaba in Booth # 2919 Jacob Javits Convention Center NYC November 12-13 dormakaba's New HX Booth Demos Access Systems that Make Hospitality Smart and Secure MONTREAL, November 8, 2017 – dormakaba, one of the top three companies in the global market for access and security solutions, will arrive at the HX hospitality expo at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York with a total-property access solution that includes mobile access electronic door locks and new software for hotels. dormakaba manufactures the Saflok™ and Ilco™ electronic door locks and provides installation and service ...
Virginia Crossings Hotel & Conference Center Joins Tapestry Collection by Hilton Marking Brand’s Second Property
Tapestry Collection by Hilton | November 8, 2017
GLEN ALLEN, Va. and MCLEAN, Va. - Historic Virginia charm and colonial architecture make their debut today as part of Hilton's newest collection brand, Tapestry Collection by Hilton. Virginia Crossings Hotel & Conference Center becomes the second property to join the collection of independent upscale hotels each with a unique identity. "Virginia Crossings Hotel & Conference Center truly reflects our dedication to handpicking hotels that provide travelers the best of both worlds - original hotels with the world renowned hospitality of Hilton and our Hilton Honors program," said Mark Nogal, global head, Tapestry Coll...
Time Hotels Appoints Nathan Goodman Area Director of Sales & Marketing and Tina Mazullo General Manager of The Time Nyack
The Time New York | November 8, 2017
NEW YORK – Nov. 8, 2017 – Time Hotels announced the appointment of two major roles within the growing hospitality brand. Nathan Goodman was named Area Director of Sales and Marketing and Tina Mazullo inserted as General Manager of The Time Nyack. Goodman will oversee all sales and marketing operations for both the hotel chain's locations in New York City and Nyack, while Mazzullo will manage operations for the two-year old Time Nyack property. "Nathan and Tina have shown a true dedication to supporting the growth of both the Time New York City and Nyack properties during their tenures with the company, and we are thrilled to...
Who Knew Direct Bookings Could Look So Good?
Lily McIlwain | November 8, 2017
This Autumn, we hosted the Direct Booking Summit series in New York and Barcelona - you may have heard us mention it once or twice. For the hoteliers who attended, it was two days full of strategising, inspiration and no small amount of empathising which each other's direct booking struggles. It was also an absolute blast. We'd love to thank all the hoteliers and partners who made this year's series such a success. We learned a lot from you - including a fair few dance moves! In our post-event magazine we've wrapped up all of the tips and tricks we learned at the events along with our favourite photos from the parties (keepi...
Petra Götting Appointed Vice President Sales & Marketing at Deutsche Hospitality
Deutsche Hospitality | November 8, 2017
Frankfurt am Main, 8 November 2017 Petra Götting has taken up the position of Vice President Sales & Marketing with Deutsche Hospitality in November. In her new role, which is based at the company's head office in Frankfurt, she has overall responsibility for the global hotel business. She will work together with the sales team in Frankfurt as well as 14 international sales offices. In addition, she will be in charge of marketing for the Steigenberger Hotels and Resorts, Jaz in the City and IntercityHotel brands. The German and Swiss national has 30 years professional experience in the hotel industry. Following early operationa...
Travelport Global Survey Highlights Different Digital Traveler Habits
Travelport | November 8, 2017
- 81% use online reviews when researching their journey - 43% want to switch off when away, but 60% lost without a smartphone - 16 app categories are typically used on a trip - India tops global rankings of digital travelers LANGLEY, U.K., Nov. 8, 2017 -- Travelport (NYSE: TVPT), the leading Travel Commerce Platform, published today the results of a Global Traveler Survey of 11,000 people worldwide that highlights the use of digital tools when planning, booking and experiencing a journey. The main findings from the global report are: When planning a trip: 81% use peer to peer reviews when researching a trip 47% use voice search, us...
The Siegel Group Nevada Completes Sale of 92-Unit Siegel Suites® St. Louis in Las Vegas, Nevada for $7.30 Million
The Siegel Group Nevada, Inc. | November 8, 2017
LAS VEGAS —November 8, 2017 — The Siegel Group Nevada, Inc., a real estate investment and management company founded by Stephen Siegel, announced today that it had completed the sale of its Siegel Suites® St. Louis, a 92-unit multi-residential complex in Las Vegas, Nevada, for $7.30 million. The Siegel Suites® brand was not included as part of the sale and all branding and signage was immediately removed prior to closing. The buyer was an investor based out of California that was involved in a 1031 exchange and aggressively pursued the acquisition of the property. Cathy Jones with Sun Commercial Real Estate exclusive...
