Bringing in Blue Zone Foods
Larry Mogelonsky | December 23rd, 2020
Drinks Trends: 7 Festive Beverages to Discover From Around the World
EHL | December 23rd, 2020
News Archive: December
Jan Vanhaelewyn Appointed General Manager for The St. Regis Bermuda Resort Opening Spring 2021
St. Regis Hotels & Resorts | December 17, 2020
St George’s, Bermuda – December 17, 2020 – The St. Regis Bermuda Resort, slated to open in Spring 2021, is proud to announce the appointment of Jan Vanhaelewyn as General Manager. Jan joins the resort with over 12 years of luxury hospitality experience, boasting expertise in both hotel and food and beverage management. A tenured industry veteran, he will be responsible for all aspects of operations, bringing a new era of luxury to this iconic destination. “We are delighted to welcome Jan Vanhaelewyn as General Manager of The St. Regis Bermuda Resort. His extensive knowledge and expertise align with the unparalleled excellence for w...
Mark Hehir Appointed General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands Opening in 2021
Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company | December 7, 2020
Male, Maldives – December 07, 2020 – The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. is pleased to announce that Mark Hehir has been appointed General Manager of the highly anticipated and luxurious Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, set to open in Q2 of 2021. With more than 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry and 20 years of experience in the Maldives, Mark is truly an accomplished resort executive in the region. Born and raised in Australia, Hehir worked in his home country as well as in Europe, Asia and the Indian Ocean region but came to the know the Maldives region by chance. His first role in ...
Top Ten Trends in Hospitality 2021
Robert Rauch | December 1, 2020
By Robert Rauch Today’s hotel business models look entirely different from their predecessors. COVID-19 is just one earthquake that has jolted the landscape this year. The hotel industry must evolve and reinvent itself to exploit the opportunities and cope with the challenges it faces. After all, this industry is no stranger to disruptions. As we do every year on December 1, the top trends shaping our industry next year will be: 1. Sanitation and Cleanliness Standards Hotel employees and guests must participate in a complete upgrade of sanitization and cleanliness. Each brand has added a different touch, but there are now tw...
Florida’s JW Marriott Tampa Water Street Names Leadership Team With Area General Manager, Ron McAnaugh at the Helm
JW Marriott Tampa Water Street | December 10, 2020
Tampa, Florida – December 10, 2020 – With a soft opening date slated for late December and a grand opening celebration in March 2021, JW Marriott Tampa Water Street is excited to introduce its leadership team. Together, this skilled collection of hospitality professionals will ensure that the highly anticipated property offers guests an enriching, immersive escape in the midst of Tampa’s exciting Water Street neighborhood. “We’ve gathered an incredibly talented group of hospitality industry experts here on Water Street,” said Ron McAnaugh, Area General Manager at JW Marriott Tampa Water Street and Tampa Marriott Water Street. ...
Sonesta International Hotels Corporation to Acquire RLH Corporation, Creating One of The World’s Largest Hotel Companies With Diversified Brands...
Sonesta | December 31, 2020
NEWTON, Mass., Dec. 31, 2020 -- Sonesta International Hotels Corporation (Sonesta) today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire RLH Corporation (NYSE: RLH). RLH is the 10th-largest U.S.-based hotel franchise company with more than 900 hotels. After the closing of the transaction, Sonesta will become one of the largest hotel companies in the U.S. with approximately 1,200 hotels in diversified brands across multiple market segments. Sonesta also announced that upon closing of this transaction, 35-year hotel industry veteran Keith Pierce will be joining Sonesta as Executive Vice President, President of Franchi...
RIU Opens the 800-Room Riu Dubai in the UAE
RIU | December 10, 2020
Palma de Mallorca, 10 December 2020 - The Riu Dubai hotel has just opened its doors, marking a new milestone in the RIU chain’s history and bringing a new concept to hospitality in Dubai, UAE. It is the Spanish chain’s first hotel in the Middle East, and it is the emirate’s first 4-star all-inclusive, beachfront family hotel. The project is the result of a partnership between RIU Hotels & Resorts and world-leading master developer Nakheel, creator of world-famous, innovative developments including The Palm Jumeirah and Dubai’s new coastal city, Deira Islands. In adding this new hotel to RIU’s portfolio, it also adds a n...
Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa Appoints Laura McIver as General Manager
Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa | December 9, 2020
SAN DIEGO, Calif. (Dec. 9, 2020) — Southern California’s only Relais & Châteaux property, Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa, has announced Laura McIver as the new general manager. A leader in the hospitality industry with over 30 years of experience, McIver will be leading the award-winning resort and spa which spans 45 sprawling acres with wide open spaces, lush gardens and olive and citrus groves. “We are pleased to welcome Laura McIver to the Rancho Valencia family,” said Jeff Jacobs, co-owner of Rancho Valencia. “Her vast knowledge and expertise in the hospitality space will inspire our team as we continue to elevate our gu...
The Spirit of Hospitality Is Nurtured by Gratitude
Doug Kennedy | December 21, 2020
By Doug Kennedy As we count down the final days and prepare to turn the calendar to a new year, so many of us are tempted to think “good riddance to 2020.” When I read posts and view memes on social media, it seems that most of us cannot wait to put this year behind us. Indeed, it has been a tough one for all, especially those of us who work in the hospitality and tourism industry. Yet when I sit at my desk writing my last training article of this crazy year, thinking of all the ups and downs I have gone through, I find myself being grateful for 2020, because 2020 taught me how to be even more grateful. This year has made me realize ...