News Top: February
Boosting Hotel Security: 4 Ways to Keep Your Guests Safe
Ann Neal | February 22, 2018
By Ann Neal The hotel industry is highly vulnerable to frauds and other forms of felonies, namely burglaries, assaults, and cybercrimes. The consequences of these criminal episodes are unforgiving, causing hotel owners a loss of revenue, reputation, and customer loyalty. As a result, security is a garnering investment that hotel owners are willing to make in order to protect their guests from the above-mentioned criminal offences. The latest technological advancements are helping hotel owners protect their guests and employees from physical threats and cybercrimes. A hotel owner must prioritize hotel security in order to offer safe acco...
Hotel Guests’ Most Common Complaints and How to Prevent Them
Victoria Lim | February 21, 2018
People who travel often know that hotel service isn't always as seamless as they've grown to expect. Furthermore, people who do travel a lot tend to notice some things that regular customers maybe wouldn't. Hotels that do everything in their power to prevent common problems from occurring have a better chance of retaining their customers and keep an undamaged reputation. It's vital for hoteliers to know how to deal with every situation and train their staff to be up to the task if any of the problems occur. Here's our list of common issues that hotel guests encounter when staying at a hotel. Unclean Rooms This is a c...
The Applicability of Blockchain in the Hospitality Sector
Shravan Poorigali | February 28, 2018
By Shravan Poorigali Enterprises across every industry are exploring ways to leverage blockchain technologies for business benefits. As proof, $2.1 billion has been spent globally on blockchain solutions in 2018, according to IDC. This is a clear indicator that this emerging technology is here to stay and bring increased opportunities with it. One industry expected to benefit greatly from blockchain, is the hospitality sector. Blockchain is frequently used in business scenarios that involve multiple parties participating in a transaction. Using distributed-ledger technology, blockchain technology removes the middleman in transactions, s...
10 F&B Trends and the Next Big Bang for the Buck
Frank Schuetzendorf | February 8, 2018
By Frank Schuetzendorf Food and beverage has witnessed health growth over the past couple of years and with this trend there have been some significant shake-ups. The sector has moved increasingly from imitation to innovation. New technology is driving products such as bio-hacked foods which may not sound very appetizing as they are de-composed and then reconstituted based on artificial intelligence (AI). There's also a deeper understanding of F&B components at the molecular level. Quantum computing, as it is called, allows companies to simplify and speed up the process. And as new and fresh supplies are generated, it becomes a new ...
How Hotels Can Increase Revenue Without Putting More Heads in Beds
ALICE | February 4, 2018
by Alex Shashou The rise of the sharing economy and the digital revolution are leading to new ways of thinking about what a hotel can be. By leveraging hotel assets, people and services in innovative ways, hotels have unprecedented opportunity to open new revenue streams, improve loyalty, and grow their customer base. _____ In early 2017, AccorHotels celebrated its 50th anniversary by announcing AccorLocal. A program designed to integrate the brand's hotels into their surrounding communities, AccorLocal invites a new way of thinking of what a hotel can be and provides a blueprint to other hotels looking to leverage their properties and ...
Going Local – How to Attract Locals to Your Hotel’s Restaurant & Why It’s Key in Today’s Hospitality Landscape
Diego Lowenstein | February 26, 2018
By Diego Lowenstein 1. As a hotel owner/developer, why is it important to engage locals as well as travelers? When you own and develop hotels, you're always looking for the "next big thing" that will separate your property from your competitors' properties and bring excitement to the community. This often manifests itself in new restaurant outlets, a singular lobby, and pieces of technology or design updates that 'wow' potential customers. However, updates like this typically only cater to those who stay at the hotel, segmenting off a huge potential market a property can tap in to: locals. When a property engages locals at a high level...
The Liquidation Sale of the Hyatt House Hotel, in Gaithersburg, Maryland, Opens Thursday, March 1st at 10:00 a.m.
NCL/ National Content Liquidators, Inc. | February 26, 2018
Everything Must Go! Gaithersburg, Maryland (February, 2018) – The Gaithersburg Hyatt House has contracted with NCL/National Content Liquidators, Inc., the leading expert in hotel liquidation management, to clear the hotel of its current contents as a prelude to the property's redevelopment. The 140 room hotel liquidation is being held on-site at the Hyatt House, located at 200 Skidmore Blvd., Gaithersburg, MD., 20877, and is open to both the hospitality industry and the general public. The sale begins at 10:00 am, Thurs., March 1st, and will continue until sold out, Monday-Saturday, 10:00 am-7:00pm and Sundays, 12:00 pm-5:00 pm. ...
10 Effective Social Media Marketing Tips for Hoteliers
Deepak Chauhan | February 9, 2018
By Deepak Chauhan Poolside margaritas, chocolate buttons, freshly plucked lilies, smiling concierges – everything that makes your hotel a vacation dreamland should be documented with a rosy Instagrammable filter, and scattered across social media for the entire world to see. How else would you let eager travellers know that yours is the only hospitality they need? Since social media marketing strategies for hotels are as numerous as your completion is, we've compiled a list of top 10 tips to increase your online presence and fill out your guestbook. Pick the Right Channels Whatever business you're in, the general advice concern...
The Value of Social Media in the Hospitality Industry
Jordan Jones | February 19, 2018
By Jordan Jones In 1991 there was no way of foreseeing the impact that social media would have on the industry. Presently, 2.3 billion people are active on social media, and that number increases daily. Companies should no longer debate having a social media presence but rather HOW to utilize the various platforms to increase the experience for your guests and value for your hotels. As a privately owned hotel development and hospitality management company, we implement our social media plan adhering to both the guidelines of the hotel brands we work with, as well as, our own ideas about what makes social media successful in the hospital...
Why 2018 Will Be Great: Hotel Industry Forecast
Robert A. Rauch, CHA | February 2, 2018
By Robert A. Rauch The big news in 2017 was the stock market, consumer confidence and the economy in general. Tax reform, wage growth, reduced regulations and the strength of our nation could keep this robust economy going and dramatically enhance it. Supply growth has begun to moderate somewhat, in part due to high construction costs and also due to lender restraint. Oil prices are back up, consumer confidence is solid, interest rates remain low albeit forecast to inch up and the U.S. and global economies seem stronger than last year. Gross domestic product may actually approach 3 percent in 2018, personal income growth is strong and l...
Penn State School of Hospitality Management and Alumni to Honor CEO of World’s Largest Hotel Company, Arne Sorenson, in 2018
Marriott International | February 1, 2018
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State School of Hospitality Management in the College of Health and Human Development and The Penn State Hotel & Restaurant Society (PSHRS), have named Arne Sorenson, president and CEO of Marriott International, as the 2018 Hospitality Executive of the Year. With Marriott's purchase of Starwood last year, it reigns as the world' largest hotel company with over 6,000 hotels, more than 1 million rooms and over 30 brands in 122 countries. The University will honor Sorenson at a reception at the historic Nittany Lion Inn on April 12, 2018. The award and events precede the University's 2018 Blue-Whit...
How Artificial Intelligence Is Changing the Game for the Hotel Industry
Hotelogix | February 26, 2018
Artificial Intelligence has already made a mark across varied businesses and the hospitality industry is fast catching up with this trend. While the hotel industry is an already crowded market, innovation is the key element for hotel owners to stay ahead of the competition. Technologies such as artificial intelligence are vital to maintain a constant growth and to generate more revenues. Hoteliers are already striving for new methods to reach out to customers, know them better, engage them to earn their loyalty. If you are a hotelier, the sooner you embrace smart technologies, the better it would be for your success. Wouldn't it be grea...
The Kolter Group Plans New 238-Room Hyatt Centric Hotel on Las Olas Boulevard in Downtown Fort Lauderdale
100 Las Olas | February 21, 2018
WEST PALM BEACH, Florida -- Kolter Hospitality, a division of The Kolter Group, has proudly announced plans for a new Hyatt Centric hotel at 100 E. Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale. This hotel will occupy the first fifteen levels of the 46-level brand new building in the heart of the vibrant downtown, the first mixed-use building agreement for the Hyatt Centric brand. Destined to become the tallest building in Fort Lauderdale at 499 feet, the 100 Las Olas building will be home to a full-service Hyatt Centric hotel with 238 guest rooms, a lobby-level restaurant and bar with indoor and outdoor seating, 121 luxury condominium residenc...
Historic Harrison’s Chesapeake House Reborn as Wylder Hotel Tilghman Island Following Renovation and Rebranding
Wylder Hotels | February 15, 2018
Tilghman Island, MD, February 15, 2018 – For over a century Harrison's Chesapeake House, an iconic hotel on Maryland's Tilghman Island, served as a refuge for politicians, U.S. senators, governors and sports figures from the nation's capital. Despite its storied past, the once glorious Chesapeake House fell into despair with the 2008 financial downturn. Now, Harrison's Chesapeake House is completely renovated and reborn as Wylder Hotel Tilghman Island, making it a destination unto itself as the newest lifestyle resort in the Chesapeake Bay. Debuting April 2018, Wylder Hotel Tilghman Island invites guests to a true waterfront haven...
Kathleen Shea Named Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Chatham Bars Inn and The Inn at Perry Cabin
Chatham Bars Inn | February 7, 2018
New York, NY – February 7, 2018 – Two iconic resorts – Chatham Bars Inn on Cape Cod and the Inn at Perry Cabin on Maryland's Eastern Shore – will see a new sales and market strategy this year, courtesy of luxury hospitality authority Kathleen Shea who has joined the resorts as Vice President of Sales and Marketing. In this newly-created role, Shea will be responsible for driving awareness, market share and sales for the resorts, which pair locally-inspired traditional East Coast elegance with authentic contemporary charm. She will also debut the Pete Dye-designed Links at Perry Cabin in Spring 2018, and later ove...
The Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa Appoints Abhay Singh as Director of Food & Beverage
Westin Hotels & Resorts | February 22, 2018
LANGKAWI, MALAYSIA, 22 February 2018 – Abhay Singh is appointed Director of Food & Beverage for The Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa. In his new role, he will be managing the overalls operations and services of all F&B venues and the resort's banquets. Abhay attended the University of Huddersfield and obtained a BA (Hons) in Hotel Management. His dedication and passion for the hospitality industry have led him to garner experiences of more than 9 years in various hotel brands in India. Abhay began his career in 2008 as a part of the Voyage Trainee Management Programme with Marriott International. The hunger to attain i...
NewcrestImage Begins Construction of Adaptive Reuse Property in Downtown Houston to Become AC Hotel by Marriott
NewcrestImage | February 13, 2018
NewcrestImage has begun transforming a 104-year-old building in downtown Houston into a 195-room, 10-floor AC Hotel by Marriott, with Houston-based Arch-Con Construction serving as general contractor. Opening is expected during the summer of 2019. The property, located at 723 Main Street, will feature a large fitness center; business center; cocktail lounge; and dining area, which will be integrated with the Zoe Theatre, originally opened in 1914 as a silent movie theatre on the building's ground floor. There will also be approximately 4,000 square feet of meeting and ballroom space with the latest technology for large screen presentati...
The Growing Value of Hotel Bars
Chamberlin Public Relations | February 2, 2018
The days of sad, lonely, hidden-away hotel bars are long gone. Today, hotels are turning their bars into community watering holes, encouraging locals and guests alike to mix and mingle and providing a literal taste of the destination with local fare and libations. With savvy design (and top mixologists behind the counter), midscale and upscale hotels alike are finding new ways to bring in foot traffic and increase revenue at the same time. It's no surprise that when The World's 50 Bars published its list for 2017, five of the top 10 were located in hotels, including the top four on the list. The New Lobby Marriott's new millennial-focus...
Marketing Trends in Hospitality: From Technology to Niches
Dr. Meng-Mei Maggie Chen | February 13, 2018
By Dr. Meng-Mei Maggie Chen Over the past year, Google made major inroads into the travel and tourism sector, changing the layouts of Google Flights and Hotels and, as a result, it's hard to differentiate these from online travel agencies and metasearch sites. Further, Google Trips now offers discounts for tours and activities, and allows users to create folders for future travel plans. This option could help Google identify the travel intentions of consumers early in the planning process and make relevant suggestions based on the travel history. Certainly, Google's footprint in the travel ecosystem is expanding. Depending on hoteliers'...
Knowland Acquires Competitive Marketing Exchange (CMX)
Knowland | February 7, 2018
Rosslyn, VA February 7, 2018 —Knowland announced today that it has acquired Competitive Marketing Exchange (CMX) effective February 1, 2018. Knowland is a globally recognized provider of meeting and group data that offers extensive insight into market analytics, group industry trends, and powerful benchmarking tools. The company is headquartered in Rosslyn, Virginia, right outside the nation's capital. CMX was founded in 1991 by Guy DiCara. Headquartered in Chicago, CMX has grown to be a leader in supplying competitive group and meeting data to hotels across several markets. Tracking the meeting and catering activities of business...
Rosewood Hotel Group Appoints George Tanzman as Vice President of Finance for Americas and Europe
February 8, 2018
George Tanzman has been appointed vice president of finance, Americas and Europe for Rosewood Hotel Group. In this role, Tanzman will be responsible for providing analysis and direction on Rosewood Hotels & Resorts' operating performance and for managing all aspects of corporate and property finance for all existing and upcoming hotel properties. Tanzman joins Rosewood with nearly three decades of experience in the financial services sector of the luxury hospitality industry. Most recently, Tanzman served as the chief financial officer for Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas where he was responsible for matters related to corporate and o...
Forbes Travel Guide Unveils 2018 Star Rating Awards; 199 Hotels Achieve Five-Star Status
Forbes Travel Guide | February 20, 2018
199 Hotels Across the Globe Achieve Coveted Five-Star Award; 27 New Hotels Receive Top Honors for First Time Launching in 15 New Destinations, with the Largest and Most Diverse Group of Winners, Awards Continue Global Expansion into the Middle East and Africa The Middle East Debuts with Four Five-Star, 21 Four-Star and Six Recommended Hotels; South America Earns Its First Five-Star Hotel Forbes Travel Guide Celebrates Its 60th Anniversary In 2018; Forbes Travel Guide Announces Website Redesign ATLANTA, Feb. 20, 2018 -- As it celebrates its landmark 60th anniversary, Forbes Travel Guide today unveiled its 60th list of worldwide Star Rati...
New Lodge at the Presidio Set for June Opening in Former Army Post’s Montgomery Street Barracks Located in San Francisco’s National Park
the Presidio Trust | February 14, 2018
PRESIDIO OF SAN FRANCISCO (February 14, 2018) - The new Lodge at the Presidio, located in San Francisco's national park, is now taking reservations in anticipation of a June opening. As the closest lodging in San Francisco to the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, this newly rehabilitated historic boutique hotel will provide unparalleled views of the bridge, the Presidio's lush 300-acre forest, the San Francisco Bay, and the city skyline. The park's first hotel, Inn at the Presidio, has enjoyed a 94% occupancy since opening in 2012, welcoming over 75,000 guests in its 26 rooms in that time. The Inn has earned such accolades as the "Historic Hot...
Marriott International and Witkoff to Develop Integrated Resort and Casino, The Drew Las Vegas, Debuting EDITION Brand and Marking The Strip’s first
Marriott International | February 12, 2018
LAS VEGAS – February 12, 2018 – Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) and global development firm Witkoff announced today a plan to open a new resort at 2755 Las Vegas Boulevard South. Ushering in a new era of world-class hospitality, the integrated resort and casino to be named The Drew Las Vegas will debut the EDITION brand in Las Vegas and mark The Strip's first JW Marriott. Anticipated to open in late 2020, the resort will feature nearly 4,000 rooms and suites as well as over 500,000 square feet of convention and meeting space. Once open, the hotels will be managed by Marriott International. "The Drew Las V...
U.S. News & World Report Releases 2018 Best Hotels Rankings
U.S. News & World Report | February 6, 2018
WASHINGTON, Feb. 6, 2018 -- U.S. News & World Report, the global authority in rankings and consumer advice, today announced the 2018 Best Hotels, which evaluate more than 24,000 luxury hotels across the USA, Europe, Canada, Mexico and Bermuda. In the Best Hotels in the USA rankings, Hawaii's Four Seasons Resort Lanai took the No. 1 spot, followed by The Peninsula Chicago at No. 2 and The Langham, Chicago at No. 3. U.S. News awards the top 10 percent of ranked hotels with a Gold badge. These four destinations are home to the highest number of Gold badge-winning hotels for 2018: New York City has 24 Gold badge winners out of 231...
