News Archive: April
How Google Reviews Is Crushing TripAdvisor
Vikram Singh | April 9, 2019
By Vikram Singh An interesting trend has been brewing in the travel business. Quietly but surely, Google Reviews has been expanding their online review market share for brick and mortar businesses. Since hotels, inns and B&Bs are a 100% location-driven business, this change directly impacts both their revenue and branding. Online reviews left by strangers have become almost as trusted as personal recommendations. However, placing this much trust in reviews requires the user to be able to filter real reviews from fake ones. This sorting process can be extremely frustrating, especially on websites like TripAdvisor where everything is ...
Hotel.Online News Notes…November 6, 1996
April 25, 2019
Hotel.Online News Notes…November 6, 1996Extended Stay America, Wayne Huizengas startup lodging chain , is given an interesting reporters analysis in the Nov. 6, 1996 Tulsa World.The mob-style shooting of Paul Tatum, a partner in the Radisson- Slavyanskaya in Moscow is the topic of two articles. Read the Nov. 6 Journal of Commerce and the Nov. 5, 1996 Commercial Appeal.In 1991 Holiday Inn moved its corporate office to Atlanta from Memphis…they seem happy with that move as reported in the Journal of Commerce. Read David Beasleys Nov. 6, 1996 article titled Corporations Hail Atlanta as Commerce Crossroads.The Tip Jar – p...
Hamilton Hotel Investors and Centerbridge Partners Complete Acquisition of Belgian Nine-Hotel Portfolio From WNE
Hamilton Hotel Partners and Hamilton Hotel Investors | April 15, 2019
LONDON, April 15, 2019 - Hamilton Hotel Investors and Centerbridge Partners have completed the acquisition of a portfolio of nine hotels located in Belgium and France from WNE Investor S.À R.L. The hotels comprise 1,120 keys in total and are located in some of Belgium's key commercial and tourism destinations (Antwerp, Hasselt, Ghent and Liege) and Calais in France. Five of the nine hotels operate under the Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express brands, and Hamilton Hotel Partners will assume management of the portfolio going forward. "We are excited to acquire the Brabo hotels and to work in close partnership with the team at Hamil...
The Westin Long Beach Launches $23 Million Renovation Set for Completion Summer 2019
Westin Long Beach | April 22, 2019
Long Beach, Calif. (April 2019) – The Westin Long Beach, 333 E Ocean Blvd, has officially kicked off a $23 million renovation, which will introduce one of Long Beach's hottest new dining concepts, Navy Proof Food & Spirits, the much-anticipated coffee culture hub, Bluestone Lane, as well as a refreshed lobby and revitalized guest rooms to the community. Set to be unveiled in summer 2019, all of the designated spaces reflect a modern, sophisticated style reflecting the property's vibrant California coastline setting. "This is such an exciting time to be in Long Beach. There is an abundance of growth as well as an overall elevat...
Ryan Wollman Joins Los Angeles Airport Marriott as Director of Group Sales
Los Angeles Airport Marriott | April 16, 2019
Los Angeles, CA (April 16, 2019) The Los Angeles Airport Marriott (LAX Marriott) announces the addition of Ryan Wollman to the hotel's executive team as the new Director of Group Sales. With the completion of a $50 million renovation wrapping up later this summer, this new role supports the Los Angeles Airport Marriott's accelerated performance in meetings and events and solidifies its place as the premier west coast airport property. In his new role, Wollman maximizes group revenue and profitability through the sale of guest rooms, catering and tours, and for directing, managing and coordinating all group sales activities. Additionally...
What Hoteliers Need to Know About Staying Relevant with Google Hotel Ads
Vizergy | April 25, 2019
It's no secret that Google has played a significant role in the hospitality industry when it comes to online searches and generating direct bookings vs indirect bookings via OTAs. Online travelers often turn to Google when researching hotels, resulting in millions of hotel search queries each day. With so many eyes on these search engine results, it's important for hoteliers to be aware of Google's new hotel advertising product. Looking to compete with other hotel booking sites, Google quietly released its own hotel booking site on March 8th. On Google Hotel Search, online travelers can search for hotels by price, location, ratings, vie...
Negotiation-Based Pricing: The Future of Direct Bookings for Hotels?
Matthieu Mauguin | April 11, 2019
By Matthieu Mauguin Looking back on the history of hotel pricing strategies, nothing really stands out until the early 80s. Before the deregulation years, most hotels stuck to a traditional model of rates, based on economic fundamentals, such as cost price and profit margin. The rise of neo-liberalism allowed for ambitious and previously unseen business tactics. One of them, first developed in the context of airlines, was the variable pricing strategy known as Yield Management. Understandably, Yield Management was a true game-changer which quickly generated large profits for lots of companies in multiple industries, and was propelled to...
Waterparks: Growth Trends in 2019
David J. Sangree | April 15, 2019
Diving Into Waterpark Growth Trends in 2019: 2019 will bring growth to the U.S. & Canadian markets as waterparks continue to evolve their attraction mix. By David J. Sangree, MAI, CPA, ISHC For the ever-growing waterpark industry, 2019 will be another year for robust growth as over $1 billion in investment is slated for indoor and outdoor waterparks and their related resorts. We project 21 municipal and private outdoor waterparks will open and three resorts will add or expand outdoor waterparks. The indoor segment will total 629,200 square feet of new waterpark space in 12 properties. Three of this year's most anticipated and exp...
