News Archive: May
Just the Facts, Ma’am: Direct Bookings are 9% More Profitable for Hotels
Hospitality Upgrade | May 23, 2016
OTAs, metasearch, wholesalers and traditional travel agencies can be an important part of the mix, but they are no match for booking direct May 23, 2016 – Following the launch of book direct campaigns by a few of the major hotel brands, some articles have surfaced with unsubstantiated information questioning the value of the business through direct channels. Hospitality Upgrade sought the guidance of an industry expert to find out what the industry data actually shows. Kalibri Labs, a Rockville, Md. based big data firm maintains a growing database from more than 25,000 hotels and tracks all bookings, revenues and customer acquisi...
The “Internet of Things” Is Making Hotels Smarter
Aravind Chamarti | May 4, 2016
By Aravind Chamarti, Ph.D. Imagine a hotel experience in which guests' smartphones ask permission to access hotel preference settings hours before arrival, so when guests enter the lobby, they are checked in, greeted by name, and immediately given directions to their rooms. Guests open the doors to their rooms by waving their phones by a sensor, and walk in to find adjustable beds already set to their comfort level, the temperature and lighting is perfect for each individual, and the music that's playing is a favorite song. Turning to the big screen, customized entertainment is downloaded and ready for a private theater-like experience....
GoConcierge Takes Luxury to a New Level
GoConcierge.net | May 25, 2016
Web Based Application Adds Efficiencies Throughout Hotel Operations BEVERLY HILLS, CALIF.—May 25, 2016—GoConcierge, the lodging industry's leading guest service operations solution, is streamlining communication services at many of the top hotels around the world, including the iconic Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel. Web-based GoConcierge, produced by Los Angeles-based GoConcierge.net, is primarily used for task tracking, whether it be a restaurant reservation, a lost and found item, or the logging of an incoming package. Using GoConcierge's Guest Task Calendar, a hotel associate can log and track guest and other requests...
Federal Judge Takes Decisive Action to Protect Hotels from ADA Abuse by a High Frequency Litigant: ADA Compliance and Defense Lawyer
Martin H. Orlick | May 3, 2016
By Jim Butler and the Global Hospitality Group® Author of www.HotelLawBlog.com 3 May, 2016 Federal Judge Takes Decisive Action to Protect Hotels from ADA Abuse by a High Frequency Litigant by Martin H. Orlick, Chair, JMBM's ADA Compliance and Defense Group In a rare and decisive action, a Central District Court Judge dismissed an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) lawsuit filed by an Arizona disabled plaintiff who has recently filed a wave of over 70 ADA lawsuits against Southern California hotels. The plaintiff, who claims she is confined to a wheelchair, called an Orange County hotel to book a room. She asked the hotel represen...
Interstate Hotels & Resorts Acquired by Kohlberg & Company from Thayer Lodging and Jin Jiang International Hotels
Interstate Hotels & Resorts | May 4, 2016
ARLINGTON, Va. / NEW YORK, N.Y. May 4, 2016 – Interstate Hotels & Resorts ("Interstate" or the "Company"), the global leader in third party hotel management, and Kohlberg & Company LLC ("Kohlberg"), a leading private equity firm headquartered in New York, today announced that Kohlberg has acquired Interstate from Thayer Lodging and Jin Jiang International Hotels. The transaction provides Interstate with a new strategic partner and positions the Company to enrich its value proposition in the hotel and hospitality industry, with enhanced global relationships and access to capital resources benefiting its third party manageme...
Hospitality Focus on Construction Costs
The Author | May 27, 2016
By Elaine Sahlins The feasibility of a new hotel is driven by a number of factors, foremost among them – the availability of sites, the costs to build, the price and accessibility of financing, and the demand for hotel rooms at a rate point that supports all these and other elements. With several of these items falling into place in many markets across the U.S., hotel construction continues to accelerate. Cushman & Wakefield's Hospitality & Gaming practice provides consulting and valuation services for new and existing hotel properties across the country. In recent years, the majority of new hotel projects we have worked o...
U.S. Department of Labor Issues Final Rule on Overtime
U.S. Department of Labor | May 18, 2016
Defining and Delimiting the Exemptions for Executive, Administrative, Professional, Outside Sales and Computer Employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act On May 18, 2016, President Obama and Secretary Perez announced the publication of the Department of Labor's final rule updating the overtime regulations, which will automatically extend overtime pay protections to over 4 million workers within the first year of implementation. This long-awaited update will result in a meaningful boost to many workers' wallets, and will go a long way toward realizing President Obama's commitment to ensuring every worker is compensated fairly for their...
Marshall Jones Appointed Director of Sales & Marketing for Fairmont San Jose
Fairmont San Jose | May 5, 2016
SAN JOSE, CA – May 5, 2016 – General Manager Michael Musarra is proud to announce the appointment of Marshall Jones as Director of Sales & Marketing at Fairmont San Jose. Jones brings over 22 years of progressive hospitality experience to the position. As Director of Sales & Marketing at Fairmont San Jose, his leadership and vision will direct hotel market positioning, continue to drive revenue results and increase overall guest satisfaction. Jones will oversee all aspects of sales, catering, advertising, public relations, revenue management, social media and marketing at the hotel. "It is a great pleasure to welcome...
