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Industry Happenings
Your Wine List Is Too Long
Larry Mogelonsky | October 18, 2017
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.hotelmogel.com) One of the fundamental marketing principles I abide by is: Keep It Simple Stupid. While that fourth word is often incorporated only to make it into a highly memorable acronym (KISS), it is not far from the truth. Perhaps the more apt word is 'busy' in that we are all too rushed and distracted to notice everything that's happening around us. For example, you stand at a busy urban intersection. Have you noted what the make and model of every car that passes by? Have you read every billboard? Do you notice the attention to detail that goes into each person's fashion sense? We have so m...
Meyer Jabara Hotels Celebrating 40 Years of Strength in Hospitality
Meyer Jabara Hotels | October 18, 2017
Partners William Meyer and Richard Jabara share their insights on longevity and how to successful operate a family-owned and operated hotel company for four decades and counting [Danbury, Conn., October 18, 2017]—What is the key to success and longevity in hospitality? For William Meyer and Richard Jabara, founding partners of Meyer Jabara Hotels, it's having mutual respect between partners and bringing no ego to work each day. With 2017 marking the 40th anniversary of this privately-owned and family-operated hotel company, Meyer and Jabara are sharing their insight on beating the odds, overcoming challenges, learning lessons and ...
Launch of FCS Analytics Provides Hoteliers with Total Business Intelligence Solution
FCS | October 18, 2017
Cutting edge data management and reporting software offers full consolidation of analytics from disparate property systems to enhance business performance, spot trends and boost revenue. Singapore – 18 October, 2017- FCS Computer Systems, a leading global provider of comprehensive hospitality guest services applications and solution design services, announces the launch of FCS Analytics V1.1, the latest addition to the company's growing portfolio of hotel technology solutions. A new state-of-the-art business intelligence platform, FCS Analytics offers a comprehensive overview of a hotel's entire operation through a single interfa...
Cendyn Opens Office in Munich, Germany After Seeing Continued Growth in EMEA Region
Cendyn | October 18, 2017
Munich, Germany – October 18, 2017 – Cendyn, the leading CRM and sales platform in the hospitality industry is broadening its reach in EMEA by opening a second European office in Munich, Germany in addition to its existing office in the United Kingdom. "Europe has been an exceptional region of growth for us over the past couple of years and our continued commitment of local resources for our clients is always at the forefront of that growth." says John Seaton, Managing Director, EMEA & APAC. "We're seeing that hoteliers are more and more aware of the changing digital landscape in the industry. They understand the ne...
Fornova Partners with eRevMax to Create a One-Stop Shop for Smart Distribution, Benefiting Hotels Worldwide
Fornova | October 18, 2017
Fornova brings distribution monitoring, intelligence and strategic recommendations to eRevMax's LIVE OS platform NEW YORK and GENEVA, October 18, 2017 – Fornova announced that it is joining forces with eRevMax, bringing its market intelligence and market visibility tools to the eRevMax LIVE OS platform. Now hotels that visit the platform for best of breed technology solutions can access Fornova's industry leading Strategic Distribution Management tools, which provide unparalleled insight into a hotel's online market position, efficacy in selling across markets, and recommendations to help optimize distribution. These benefits will...
As Business Centers Remain Required – Space Savings Technologies Provide Innovative Solutions
TTI Technologies | October 18, 2017
October 18, 2017 – New York, NY – What is the current status of the Hotel business Center? "It's evolving," says Steve Blidner CEO of TTI, "Business centers are still a service hotels need to provide, however, environments and guest requirements continue to change. Space has become an issue in many properties which opens the door to utilize new technologies." "One such example" Blidner went on to say is The Americana Inn, In New York. "The property had limited lobby space however their guests still needed to print boarding passes. Also they wanted to provide a concierge, market services and set up a profit center. We worked ...
Voyat Debuts Voyat Black, Latest Platform Release that Brings Hotels and Guests Even Closer Together
Voyat | October 18, 2017
New suite of technologies enhances personalized communications to help hotel brands drive more direct bookings Voyat, the company that helps hospitality brands use custom communications to drive direct bookings, today launched Voyat Black, the latest platform release that builds on the Voyat eCommerce Optimization Platform to target high-value traffic with data-driven and highly-relevant messages. The new features go further than ever before in helping hotel brands enhance customer interaction and boost direct revenue. "Our services keep advancing while our mission remains the same—to bring hotels and their guests closer together ...
How Machine Learning Boosts Personalization in Travel
AltexSoft | October 18, 2017
She opens the browser, puts the cursor in the search bar, types "cheap flights from Boston to London," and up pops the first ten links from Google's results page. After some surfing, she lands on Skyscanner filtering the flights by date and cost, and selects the cheapest deal from Norwegian Airlines. As Skyscanner aggregates the offers from providers, she again bulk opens multiple links leading to deals by online travel agencies. She glances over the pages, never staying more than 30 seconds on any of them. At one of the online travel agencies, she opens flight details, hastily closes a pop-up window without reading its contents, and co...
Guests At The Greenwich Hotel Have A New Way To Get In Touch With The Front Desk
ALICE | October 17, 2017
Luxury NYC boutique hotel reports greater satisfaction among both guests and staff New York, NY, October 18, 2017 – ALICE, the operations platform that empowers hotels to deliver a better guest experience through consistently excellent service, is celebrating a successful year of partnership with New York City's Greenwich Hotel and Alta, the tablet provider that enhances a guest's stay by allowing users to discover and request available goods and services. Through this partnership, guests at The Greenwich Hotel have been requesting services and amenities as well as uncovering the surrounding area, all without having to swing by ...
Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine Names Enrique Valero Managing Director of Spain’s Historic Property
| October 17, 2017
Sardón de Duero, Spain – October 17, 2017: Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine has named Enrique Valero the Managing Director of the historic property in Spain's Duero wine-growing region. Mr. Valero has served as the CEO of Abadía Retuerta Winery since 2009, and with this additional appointment he assumes complete responsibility for both the restored 12th-century abbey hotel and the estate's award-winning winery. "With the consolidation of management, an exceptional opportunity has been created to accelerate the synergism between our extraordinary hotel and world-class winery," said Mr. Valero. "We will be able to fur...
Shangri-La’s Le Touessrok Resort & Spa, Mauritius Appoints Gerhard Hecker as General Manager
Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts | October 17, 2017
Mauritius, October 17, 2017 – Shangri-La's Le Touessrok Resort & Spa, Mauritius announced today the appointment of Gerhard Hecker as the new general manager of the iconic resort. Joining the property in October, Hecker is responsible for the management of the 200-guestroom property, including the three exclusive Beach Villas, as well as overseeing all operations and teams within the hotel. Hecker will continue to establish the resort as one of the leadinghotels in the Indian Ocean, following its extensive renovation and relaunch in November 2015. Hecker has over 24 years of experience specializing in the management of luxury ...
Waterford Hotel Group Appoints Nicole Mclean as General Manager of Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott New York Brooklyn
Fairfield Inn & Suites New York Brooklyn | October 17, 2017
BROOKLYN, NY (October 17, 2017) - Waterford Hotel Group has announced the appointment of Nicole McLean as General Manager of the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott New York Brooklyn. Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott New York Brooklyn is a stylish hotel located at 181 3rd Avenue in Gowanus, a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Brooklyn. The hotel is owned by an affiliate of Troutbrook Company and is professionally managed by Waterford Hotel Group. As General Manager, McLean is responsible for all of the hotel's operations, sales, administration, and human resources. McLean joins the Brooklyn team with a depth of indus...
Teneo Hospitality Group Expands Its Sales Organization in the Northeast, Appoints Meghan Kelleher Director of Sales for Region
Teneo Hospitality Group | October 17, 2017
Eden Prairie, MN, October 17, 2017 … Expanding its sales force, Teneo Hospitality Group, the premier global firm representing 300+ independent and luxury branded hotels, resorts and DMCs, today increased its presence in the Northeastern market with the appointment of Meghan Kelleher as Director of Sales Northeast. "We're delighted to welcome Meghan to the expanding Teneo Sales Team," says Teneo President, Mike Schugt. Her exceptional track record, in-depth knowledge of the New England market and extensive relationships in the region will be a tremendous asset to Teneo and to our members." Kelleher, a leading New England hotel sal...
Dream Hotel Group Appoints Abid Butt as Chief Executive Officer for Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa
Dream Hotel Group | October 17, 2017
NEW YORK, NY (October 17, 2017) – Renowned hotel brand and management company Dream Hotel Group appoints Abid Butt as Chief Executive Officer for Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa. In this role, Mr. Butt is responsible for the continued growth and global expansion efforts of Dream Hotel Group and its portfolio of lifestyle brands—Dream Hotels, Time Hotels, The Chatwal and Unscripted Hotels—in established and emerging urban and resort destinations across the region. With more than 30 years of global experience in the hospitality industry, Abid Butt's strategic acumen and drive to innovate has been instrumental in the...
TRACK/ResortsandLodges.com and Doug Kennedy Announce Upcoming Webinar for October 23
ResortsandLodges.com | October 17, 2017
As part of its ongoing commitment to education and training, Track Hospitality Software (TRACK) and ResortsandLodges.com are pleased to announce their next sponsored quarterly webinar with Doug Kennedy, the lodging industry's most experienced sales and guest service trainer. The webinar, titled 7 Trainer Tips for Hotel Reservation Sales Success, will take place on October 23rd, 2017, at 12:00PM EDT (11:00AM CDT). To register click here. Members of the lodging industry can join in as hotel training expert Doug Kennedy presents seven of his real-world tips that reservations sales and front desk agents can use to convert more inquiry calls...
BENCHMARK Appoints Larry Johnson Director of Finance for Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center
The Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center | October 17, 2017
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, October 2017… BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has named Larry Johnson director of finance for Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center, a Benchmark Resorts & Hotels property located in Roanoke, Virginia. Hotel Roanoke is a part of Curio - A Collection by Hilton. Brian Wells, general manager, made the announcement. "I am very happy to welcome Larry to our property," said Mr. Wells. "He comes to us with important experience in hotel finance, gained in several leadership positions across multiple hotels. We look forward to his active participation as part of our executive team." Larry J...
Resorts World Las Vegas Awards $400 Million Worth of Bids for Las Vegas Strip Project
Resorts World Las Vegas | October 17, 2017
LAS VEGAS, Oct. 17, 2017 -- Resorts World Las Vegas (RWLV) today announced the selection of W.A. Richardson Builders, LLC (WARB) as Construction Manager for the first, ground-up, integrated resort development on the Las Vegas Strip in a decade. WARB will manage all aspects of construction on the 87-acre site, previously the location of the former Boyd Gaming "Echelon" site and Stardust. Additionally, RWLV today announced that it has, up to today, awarded more than $400 million in contracts ranging from bulk orders for concrete and steel to tower crane equipment and operators. "Bill Richardson has tackled complex, multi-bi...
Conrad New York Appoints Marlene Poynder as General Manager
Conrad New York | October 17, 2017
NEW YORK, NY. – October 17, 2017 – Conrad New York announced today the appointment of Marlene Poynder as General Manager. In her role, Marlene will oversee the day-to-day operations of the 463 all-suite luxury hotel located in the heart of lower Manhattan's vibrant and residential Battery Park City neighborhood. Poynder brings an impressive 30 years of experience in the tourism and hospitality fields to Conrad New York, having managed luxury hotels in Australia, Asia and the U.S. Most recently, Poynder served as the general manager at Waldorf Astoria Chicago. "It is an exciting time to be appointed General Manager at Con...
MCR Acquires Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton in Chicago Suburb for $12.75 Million
MCR | October 17, 2017
NEW YORK--MCR, the seventh largest hotel owner-operator in the United States, today announced that it has acquired the 120-room Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton located in Mount Prospect, Illinois, a northwest suburb of Chicago, for $12.75 million. The property is located in Randhurst Village, a one million square foot open-air lifestyle center. "The acquisition of this property by MCR represents the investment of a high-quality hotel with an industry leading brand at a price well below replacement cost," said Tyler Morse, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Partner of MCR. "The hotel is positioned to provide attractive returns to ou...
Supply and Demand Policy: The Destination Alone will Decide
Georges Panayotis | October 17, 2017
By Georges Panayotis We are entering a prosperous period, let's not miss it! France's calendar is filling up with major events such as the Olympics 2024 and perhaps Expo 2025. Economic growth is taking off in Europe and finally in France as well; the time is right to take advantage of this favorable period to align our accommodations supply with customer expectations. As we have already mentioned, new technologies, new services and changes in mentalities in the management of human resources will all play important roles in renewal; but that is not all. It is also essential to revitalize investments in the sector to develop a coheren...
IHG® Welcomes Fergus Stewart to the Europe Region as Vice President, Luxury Operations
IHG | October 17, 2017
IHG® (InterContinental Hotels Group), one of the world's leading hotel companies, has welcomed IHG veteran Fergus Stewart to the Europe region as Vice President, Luxury Operations. Fergus will be responsible for operations across IHG's luxury brands in Europe. The move reflects IHG's thriving luxury business with the continuing growth of both InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts and Kimpton® Hotels & Restaurants. Based in IHG's Headquarters in Denham, Buckinghamshire, he will report to Stephen McCall, Chief Operating Officer for the region, and form part of the Europe Operations Leadership Team. Stewart has enjoyed a c...
Marriott Signs with Imperium Hospitality to Open Sheraton Grand Hotel in Lahore, Pakistan
Sheraton Hotels & Resorts | October 17, 2017
Marriott International, Inc. announced an agreement with Imperium Hospitality to open a Sheraton Grand Hotel in Lahore – marking the company's first hotel in Pakistan's key gateway city. Scheduled to open in 2021, the hotel will carry the Sheraton Grand designation which represents the premier tier of Sheraton hotels recognised for their enticing destinations, distinguished designs and excellence in service and guest experiences. "Sheraton continues to maintain its first mover advantage through strategic pipeline development and growth plans and we are now excited to introduce the brand in Lahore," said Samir Baidas, Chief Develop...
Condé Nast Traveler Reveals the All-New 2017 Readers’ Choice Awards: The World’s Best Hotels, Resorts, Cities, Islands, Airlines, and Cruise Line
| October 17, 2017
NEW YORK, Oct. 17, 2017 -- Condé Nast Traveler today announced the results of its 30th annual Readers' Choice Awards, ranking the best hotels, resorts, cities, islands, airlines, airports, and cruise lines in the world. Over 300,000 readers submitted millions of ratings and tens of thousands of comments, voting on a record-breaking 7,320 hotels and resorts, 610 cities, 225 islands, 468 cruise ships, 158 airlines, and 195 airports–thereby creating our largest-ever list of Readers' Choice Award winners. THE 2017 READERS' CHOICE AWARD WINNERS: Top Large and Small U.S. Cities: Chicago for the first time ever and C...
How Hotels Can Mitigate the Digital Impact of Natural Disasters
Matt Tutt | October 17, 2017
By Matt Tutt With this year's Atlantic hurricane season being one of the 10 most active hurricane seasons on record (14 named storms and 8 hurricanes), combined with the devastating earthquakes in Mexico, the hotel industry in these affected areas have taken a serious hit—both physically through damage to their properties and financially through the loss of bookings. The Miami Herald reported that hotels in Miami-Dade were only 42 percent full between Sep 6 and 9, nearly 38% less than the same time last year. Tourism to Caribbean islands in the hurricane belt, whose islands experienced some of the worst damage, may take even longe...
