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Industry Happenings
CHTA Launches ‘One Caribbean Family’ Initiative to Help Hurricane-Hit Communities
the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) | October 3, 2017
President Troubetzkoy reaches out to hotels and Caribbean-focused businesses MIAMI (October 3, 2017) - The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) has launched a booking initiative that allows hotels across the region to help those who have been adversely impacted by Hurricanes Irma and Maria while also highlighting that more than 70 percent of Caribbean destinations have not been affected and are ready to welcome visitors as usual. CHTA's "One Caribbean Family" movement has been developed to help the vital tourism industry get back on its feet and will serve as a hub for hotels, travel advisors and tour operators w...
Florida’s Lodging & Hospitality Association of Volusia County Recognizes This Year’s Outstanding Employees and Hospitality Students
Lodging & Hospitality Association of Volusia County | October 3, 2017
DAYTONA BEACH, FL – On October 3, 2017 - The Lodging and Hospitality Association of Volusia County held its Annual Employee Appreciation & Scholarship Luncheon at Café 101, located in the Mori Hosseini College of Hospitality and Culinary Management on the campus of Daytona State College. Over 180 people attended the event that recognized 30 employees in the hospitality industry and presented six Hospitality Students from both Bethune-Cookman University and Daytona State College with scholarships. The guest speaker for the luncheon was Ken Lawson, President and CEO of Visit Florida. The Culinary and Hospitality students at Daytona St...
Hospitality Financial Leadership – How Can You Turn $250 Savings into $1,000,000 In Asset Value
David Lund | October 3, 2017
By David Lund That's right, your eyes and the headline are not fooling you. I learned this from a client in a backward kind of way and now I want to share it with you. It is a powerful way to justify and prove a return on investment (ROI) for financial leadership training. I use this story as well to show my clients what they are leaving on table in the way of profits and asset value if they are not using financial leadership in their hotel. I had just finished a half-day hospitality financial leadership workshop for a client, one of a series of six that they had contracted me to do. The General Manager got up and thanked me and ask...
New Version of Agilysys InfoGenesis® POS Offers More Payment Gateways and Enhanced Casino Management System Integration
Agilysys | October 3, 2017
Award-Winning Enterprise POS Solution Continues to Add Innovative Capabilities ALPHARETTA, GA. — October 3, 2017 — Agilysys, Inc. (Nasdaq: AGYS), a leading global provider of next-generation hospitality software solutions and services, today announced InfoGenesis® POS v4.4.10, the latest version of its award-winning POS system. The new release includes new and improved P2PE and EMV gateway options, improved casino management system (CMS) integration and enhancements to the user experience making it easier than ever to boost efficiency and increase revenue. InfoGenesis® POS is the comprehensive point-of-sale system fr...
Nakheel and Centara Reach New Milestone on 600-Room Beachfront Resort at Deira Islands; Enter Joint Venture
Centara Hotels & Resorts | October 3, 2017
Hotel management agreement confirmed as joint venture company officially incorporated Bangkok, 3 October 2017 - UAE-based master developer Nakheel and leading Thai hotel group Centara Hotels and Resorts today reached a key milestone on their 600-room beachfront resort and waterpark at Dubai's Deira Islands, with the official formation of the joint venture company and the signing of a management agreement. The joint venture, cemented by Nakheel Chairman Ali Rashid Lootah and Centara Chairman of the Board, Suthikiati Chirathivat, at a signing ceremony at Centara's headquarters in Bangkok, will deliver a family-centric lifestyle destinati...
IHG Appoints Claire Bennett as Chief Marketing Officer
IHG | October 2, 2017
IHG® (InterContinental Hotels Group), one of the world's leading hotel companies, has today announced the appointment of Claire Bennett as Chief Marketing Officer, effective immediately. Claire joins IHG from American Express, where she held a number of senior, consumer-focused marketing roles over a period of more than 10 years. She brings extensive marketing, brand and loyalty expertise to IHG, and a proven track record of leveraging data and technology to drive powerful marketing investments. During her career with American Express, Claire has overseen global marketing and brand management, leading its worldwide advertising, medi...
Courtyard by Marriott Houston Sugar Land/Lake Pointe Opens in Sugar Land, Texas with General Manager Andy Harris at the Helm
Courtyard by Marriott | October 2, 2017
Sugar Land, TX – October 2, 2017 – Courtyard by Marriott Houston Sugar Land/Lake Pointe is scheduled to open its doors in Sugar Land, Texas today. Featuring an innovative lobby space as well as Courtyard's latest contemporary room design, the new hotel provides flexibility and choices that allow guests to optimize and elevate their travel experience. Located at 16740 Creek Bend Drive, the 135-room hotel will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned by Woodbine Development Corporation and managed by InterMountain Management, LLC of Monroe, Louisiana. Whether traveling for business or pleasure, the Courtyard Houston Sugar Land/L...
K.A.R.S. Investments Opens Home2 Suites by Hilton OKC Midwest City Tinker AFB in Oklahoma
Home2 Suites by Hilton | October 2, 2017
MIDWEST CITY, Okla. and MCLEAN, Va. - Home2 Suites by Hilton, part of Hilton's (NYSE: HLT) All Suites portfolio, announced today its newest property, Home2 Suites by Hilton OKC Midwest City Tinker AFB, bringing the brand one step closer to its 200th property milestone. Designed for travelers who want to maintain their normal routine, the hotel features 99 suites and a range of value, tech-focused and eco-conscious amenities. Home2 Suites by Hilton OKC Midwest City Tinker AFB caters to the booming tourism sector in Oklahoma, which is the state's third largest industry.* "Whether you're visiting Tinker Air Force Base or c...
Owned and Managed by Hawkeye Hotels, New Fairfield Inn & Suites Set to Open in Coralville, Iowa
Fairfield Inn & Suites | October 2, 2017
Coralville, IA – October 2, 2017 – The 95-room Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott in Coralville, Iowa is scheduled to open in mid-October with its smart, inventive public space and guest room design, and its bright and inviting décor. Located at 650 Coral Ridge Avenue, the Fairfield Inn & Suites Coralville will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned and managed by Hawkeye Hotels of Coralville, Iowa. General Manager, Brian Bowser leads the management team at the property. Located across the street from the Coral Ridge Mall and 16 miles from Cedar Rapids Eastern Iowa Airport, the Fairfield Inn & Suites Coral...
How to Manage Your Hotel’s Online Reputation
Magnuson Worldwide | October 2, 2017
London UK/Spokane WA - October 2, 2017 - Online reputation has become vitally important across all industries and for those operating in the hospitality sector it's an essential area to manage. Today when booking a hotel, googling and reading reviews is one of the most common steps travellers will take – it has a huge impact on your bottom line. Those hotels that fail to manage their online reputation can seriously harm the number of reservations they're achieving. It's not an area that you can afford to skip on. The sheer number of holidays and reservations made online should give you an indication of why your digital reputation ...
Set to Open in 2018, The Párisi Udvar Hotel in Budapest to Join The Unbound Collection by Hyatt
Hyatt Hotels Corporation | October 2, 2017
CHICAGO (October 2, 2017) – Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) today announced plans for the Párisi Udvar Hotel in Budapest – joining Hôtel du Louvre in Paris as the second hotel in Europe for The Unbound Collection by Hyatt and third outside of the U.S. Hyatt has entered into a franchise agreement with Párizs Property Kft for the project, which will see Brudern House in downtown Budapest converted into an upper-upscale 110-room hotel. The Párisi Udvar Hotel is expected to open in 2018 and will be managed by Mellow Mood Hotels, a leading Hungarian hotel operator. The 20th century building is known ...
Hilton and Fess Parker Family Announce Extensive Remodel and Rebranding of Santa Barbara’s Iconic Beachfront Resort
Hilton Hotels & Resorts | October 2, 2017
SANTA BARBARA, Calif., Oct. 2, 2017 -- Hilton (NYSE: HLT) and the Fess Parker family, announce the first phase of a complete renovation and rebrand of The Fess Parker, A Doubletree by Hilton Resort. Upon completion, the hotel will be known as Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort. Originally built in 1986, the property will remain managed by Hilton and jointly owned by Park Hotels & Resorts (PK-NYSE) along with Fess Parker's children who are proud to continue their 30-year partnership with Hilton. "We are fortunate to have an operating partner in Hilton, whose properties around the globe are synonymous with the highest sta...
Elevate Your F&B Game at the Stay Boutique Leadership Conference!
Frances Kiradjian | October 2, 2017
Once upon a time, planning and budgeting for food and beverage was almost an afterthought in the process of running a hotel. But ever since the sea change brought about by boutique and luxury lifestyle hotels, on-site bars and restaurants have been linchpins of the hotel sector; and today your hotel brand could perhaps be said to live and die on the quality of its food and beverage offering. It's an important factor in attracting potential hotel guests, for whom the quality of these services may well be paramount; but also the increasingly large share of revenue coming from outside patrons, who may be drawn to your establishment as a de...
Performance Hospitality Management (PHM) Appoints Richard J. Cotter as Chief Operating Officer
Performance Hospitality Management | October 2, 2017
FORT LAUDERDALE–National hospitality organization, Performance Hospitality Management (PHM), announced the appointment of Richard J. Cotter as Chief Operating Officer. Cotter has over 30 years' experience working in many of the hospitality industry's most emblematic hotels and resorts. In his new role, he will oversee the operations of its portfolio of managed independent and branded full-service and lifestyle hotels and resorts including B Hotels & Resorts properties throughout the Southeast, CoCo Key Hotel & Water Resort, Sagamore Hotel Miami Beach, Sheraton Tampa Riverwalk and others. A respected industry leader, Richar...
Connecticut Lodging Association’s “2017 Stars of the Industry” Award Winners Honored
Connecticut Lodging Association | October 2, 2017
New Haven, CT - October 2, 2017 - The Connecticut Lodging Association (CLA) held their 113th Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner on September 28th at the Hilton Mystic, with record breaking numbers in attendance. Anne S. Evans, Director of the US Department of Commerce International Trade Administration, Connecticut, served as keynote speaker emphasizing the importance of international inbound tourism highlighting the new airline partnerships as a vital part of Connecticut's economy. 2017 Stars of the Industry Awards The CLA's "Stars of the Industry" awards were created to recognize outstanding achievements in Connecticut...
Temple Hotels Completes Sale of Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites in Sherwood Park, AB
Temple Hotels Inc. | October 2, 2017
MISSISSAUGA, ON, Oct. 2, 2017 - Temple Hotels Inc. ("Temple" or "the Company") (TSX: TPH) announced today that the Company has completed the sale of the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites in Sherwood Park, a suburb of Edmonton, AB. The disposition was completed for $9.6 million, excluding taxes and transaction costs. "This divestiture is an important step in the execution of our strategic plan that will drive the long-term success of the Company," said K. Rai Sahi, Chief Executive Officer. "The opportunistic sale of this property enables us to meet our financial obligations while continuing to stra...
Historic Hotels Names Winners of the 2017 Awards of Excellence
October 2, 2017
Washington, DC – October 2, 2017, Historic Hotels of America® and Historic Hotels Worldwide® are pleased to announce the winners of the 2017 Awards of Excellence. Recipients were honored at a special ceremony and gala at The Omni Homestead Resort (1766) in Hot Springs, Virginia on Thursday, September 28. Awards were presented before an audience of more than 200 invited media, industry leaders, owners, senior management, and representatives of the finest historic hotels from across America and from around the world. Honors were given in multiple categories ranging from Hotelier of the Year and Hotel Historian of the Year to...
Bacara Resort & Spa in Santa Barbara, California Acquired by Carey Watermark Investors and Carey Watermark Investors 2
Carey Watermark Investors | October 2, 2017
NEW YORK, Oct. 2, 2017-- Carey Watermark Investors Incorporated (CWI 1) and Carey Watermark Investors 2 Incorporated (CWI 2), two non-traded real estate investment trusts (REITs) that invest in lodging and lodging-related properties, announced that they have acquired Bacara Resort & Spa. Strategically located on 78 oceanfront acres in close proximity to Santa Barbara and the Santa Ynez Valley wineries, the irreplaceable 358-key resort is one of a limited number of luxury oceanfront resorts on the California coast. Key Facts Extensively renovated, luxury oceanfront resort: The property recently completed a four year renovation tota...
Florida’s Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort Completes $140 Million, Three-Year Renovation
the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort | October 2, 2017
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Oct. 2, 2017 – The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort has completed the largest transformation in the resort's history: a $140 million, three-year project which included a redesign of all guest rooms, complete transformation of the Dolphin Resort lobby and renovation of all meeting space. "This is both a huge accomplishment for our team and a significant moment for our guests," said Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort General Manager Fred Sawyers. "With the transformation now complete, our guests can enjoy a stylish new look, new amenities, the latest in technology, an operation with mor...
U.S. MarketFlash | Houston CRE Market Shows Resilience in Face of Hurricane Harvey
CBRE Hotels | October 2, 2017
Hurricanes, tropical storms and floods are familiar occurrences in Houston and the surrounding Texas Gulf region; more than eight severe floods/hurricanes have impacted the Houston MSA since 1998. But when Hurricane Harvey struck the region near Rockport, TX on August 25, the Category 4 storm was the strongest to hit the region since 1961, dumping more than 50 inches of rain in a matter of days and causing extensive property damage due to flooding. In addition to its devastation on Greater Houston, Harvey's impact was national in scope as well. Port Houston—the largest U.S. port in foreign tonnage and home to the nation's largest ...
Resort Fee Litigation Advisory Group: Impending Eruption of Litigation over Resort Fees?
Jim Butler | October 2, 2017
By Jim Butler and the Global Hospitality Group® Hotel Lawyers | Authors of www.HotelLawBlog.com 2 October 2017 Note: If you are a consumer with a Resort Fee issue, please do NOT contact us! We do not represent consumers with complaints against hotels. We are part of the fabric of the hotel industry and are committed to informing, educating and assisting players in the hotel industry. Impending eruption of government and private litigation over Resort Fees (mandatory service fees) There were earthquakes and tremblors for at least 17 years before Pompeii was destroyed in the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. The past ...
AD1 Global Acquires Wyndham Garden Tallahassee Capitol Hotel in Florida
AD1 Global | October 2, 2017
Hollywood, FL, October 2, 2017 -- AD1 Global, a hotel investment, acquisition and development company recently announced the purchase of the Wyndham Garden Tallahassee Capitol hotel. This is the second acquisition in a week for the burgeoning hospitality company. AD1 also purchased the Quality Inn Royale Parc Suites Orlando by Choice Hotels located in Kissimmee, Fl, last Wednesday. "We are in the strategic acquisition mode," said President Daniel Berman. "This property like the others in our expanding portfolio appeals to the demand-driver's in this market, and is in a great location." This is AD1 Global's fourth acquisition in 201...
Woodbine and IMG Academy Break Ground on The 150-Room Legacy Hotel at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida
Woodbine Development Corporation | October 2, 2017
BRADENTON, FLA. (Oct. 2, 2017) — Woodbine Development Corporation (Woodbine) and IMG Academy (IMG) broke ground on a 150-room upscale boutique hotel on the northern edge of IMG's 500-plus-acre campus in Bradenton. The five-story hotel—which will be known as The Legacy Hotel at IMG Academy—will serve guests and clients of the world-class training facility, including visiting teams, coaches, student-athletes, staff and parents. Additionally, it will provide a go-to destination for visitors to the surrounding community. The hotel is anticipated to open in the fall of 2018. Dallas-based Woodbine is developing the property ...
Dream Hotel Group Signs with SkyCity Leisure Resorts for First Hotel in the Philippines Set to Open in 2020
Dream Hotel Group | October 2, 2017
BANGKOK, THAILAND (October 2, 2017) – Dream Hotel Group today signed its first hotel in the Philippines. The 220-key Dream Hotel is located on the white sand beaches of Carabao Island just three miles north of Boracay and eight miles from the international airport. Recently rated third best island destination in the world by Condé Nast Traveler magazine, Borocay plays host to more than three million visitors annually, including local holiday makers and international visitors from Europe and North Asia. Dream Carabao Island will anchor an integrated gaming and adventure resort destination spanning more than one million squar...
