News Top: April
Airbnb’s Market Share of U.S. Lodging Demand Increasing at a Decelerating Rate
Hans Detlefsen | April 25, 2018
By Hans Detlefsen Since 2007, when Airbnb was created, the U.S. lodging industry has experienced a rapid increase in both traditional hotel demand and lodging demand occurring in the sharing economy. Airbnb has become a dominant channel for listing available lodging units in the sharing economy.[1] In this article, Hotel Appraisers & Advisors (HA&A) estimates Airbnb's market share of U.S. lodging demand, measured by room nights booked. We also discuss historical growth rates and the recent deceleration of Airbnb's demand growth pace. HA&A collaborated with AirDNA[2] and relied on numerous other data providers, such as STR, S...
5 Social Media Strategies for Successful Hotel Marketing
Pipeline Social Media | April 2, 2018
By Leslie Wilkins, Pipeline Social Media A social media presence is essential in the field of hospitality, as we now face a world run largely by digital content. How, then, can you successfully integrate social media with your hotel's marketing campaign? Is it worth the effort? Below are a few practices that will bring you more visibility and ultimately give your hotel competitive superiority. 1. Verify Your Facebook Page Do you see a grey check mark beside the name of your hotel on your Facebook business page? If you don't, you might have a duplicate page in the world of Facebook with unanswered reviews. Let me explain — when a g...
Ranking Hotel REITs 2018: Dividends, Profit Margins, and Overhead
Hans Detlefsen | April 24, 2018
By Hans Detlefsen Hotel Appraisers & Advisors (HA&A) is pleased to announce our third annual ranking of hotel real estate investment trusts (REITs). HA&A currently monitors 16 hotel REITs, discussed throughout this report. Some hotel REITs are more effective than others at generating earnings and passing profits on to investors. In this year's report, we rank each of these hotel REITs according to three metrics: (1) dividend yields; (2) profit margins; and (3) overhead expenses. Our 2018 rankings are based on year-end 2017 data from each of the 16 hotel REIT companies we monitor. Hotel REITs offer some of the highest dividen...
How Self-Service Is Replacing Traditional Guest Service In The Ideal Guest Experience
April 3, 2018
By Jos Schaap CEO and Founder - StayNTouch Traditionally, the guest experience with a hotel is defined by their interaction(s) with hotel staff, the upkeep of the property and amenities, and the provision of a room which meets or exceeds expectations. However, as any savvy hotelier knows, the current hospitality landscape has outgrown that tradition to make room for improved technology and an enhanced, personalized guest experience. Where guests previously expected to be greeted with cheerful front desk staff, they now prefer mobile check-in, allowing them to bypass lines and interact with the hotel freely (and immediately). Moreover, g...
The True Essence of Hotel Revenue Management
Dan Skodol | April 17, 2018
By Dan Skodol In 1972, an employee of British Overseas Airways Corporation by the name of Ken Littlewood provided the genesis of what has become today's revenue management (RM) discipline. He established "Littlewood's Rule," a yield management rule that addressed revenue maximization by proposing that discounted fares be accepted if their revenue value exceeded anticipated revenue from the expected value of full-fare tickets. Littlewood's algorithm led to experimentation with "fenced" pricing and a forecasting system based on seat inventory. Airlines also tried to fill as many seats as possible by predicting how many booked passengers w...
The Growing Use of Technology and Robotics in Food Service
Court Williams | April 5, 2018
By Court Williams Opponents of artificial intelligence (AI) have long predicted the time will come when robots take over the jobs of human employees. That day has arrived, with a number of food service companies using technology in previously human-filled roles. Reasoning Behind the Shift Ever since vending machines started to dispense food in 1897, food service automation has gained ground, moving towards self-service and eventually machine services. There are multiple reasons why food service companies are looking for alternatives to the traditional ways of producing and serving food, including: The shortage of kitchen workers, whic...
5 Ways to Build Soft Skills in Hospitality
April 9, 2018
A classroom can teach you hard skills that will help you land your first hospitality job. What's much harder to teach — and ultimately necessary to rise through the ranks to your dream job — are soft skills. Sometimes called people skills, soft skills address how you communicate, work with others, and handle the day-to-day aspects of your job. Try these 5 ways to work on your soft skills and impress your employers. 1. Listen to Others Active listening is key to success in hospitality. When you actively listen to a customer, you can not only understand what they need, but demonstrate that you hear them and proactively wo...
Why Not List Your Hotel on Airbnb?
April 19, 2018
Ever since Barry Manilow's drummer, David Rozenblatt, convinced Airbnb to start renting out whole properties in 2010, it has been technically possible for a hotel to be listed on the platform. However, it was only recently that Airbnb began to actively court the hotel sector. The segment particularly targeted by the sharing economy platform is boutique hotels and bed and breakfasts (B & B's), which can offer the 'personalized experience' that Airbnb seeks to provide to its customers. By August 2017, Airbnb had listings for 15,000 boutique hotels, about 10 months after introducing them to the platform, according to th...
Two Roads Hospitality Assumes Management of The Elms Hotel & Spa in Excelsior Springs, Missouri as Part of Destination Hotels Brand
Destination Hotels | April 30, 2018
DENVER, CO. – April 30, 2018 - Two Roads Hospitality, the international lifestyle company featuring an unrivaled collection of truly individual hotels, resorts and vacation residences, has assumed management of The Elms Hotel & Spa in Excelsior Springs, Missouri as part of its Destination Hotels brand. Located 30 minutes from Kansas City and owned by Chicago-based Horizon-Midway Group with Horizon Hotel Group as its asset management company, The Elms is located 30 minutes from Kansas City, offering luxury and comfort in a historically vibrant setting with 16 acres of landscaped grounds and gardens. The property has served as a...
MDR Hotels and R.D. Olson Construction Break Ground on New Build Dual-Brand Marriott Hotel in Marina del Rey
R.D. Olson Construction | April 30, 2018
Irvine, Calif. – April 30, 2018 – R.D. Olson Construction, an award-winning general contracting firm in California, commenced ground-up construction on a waterfront dual-brand hotel by Marriott in Marina del Rey, California. Located on Via Marina and Tahiti Way near world-famous beaches, seaside dining and waterfront activities, the hotel will include a Courtyard and Residence Inn by Marriott overlooking the harbor. The 2-acre property will feature two podium-type buildings with 288 guest rooms in total and is close to Venice Beach, Redondo Beach Pier, Los Angeles International Airport and major freeways. "We are honored to ...
Voice Search and Digital Voice Assistants: The Next Big Thing in Hotel Distribution and Marketing Background
HEBS Digital | April 12, 2018
As one of the most exciting trends in hotel marketing and distribution strategy, voice search has galvanized the hospitality industry, both in preparation for evolving consumer behaviors and technology advancements. Termed "the next billion" by the Wall Street Journal, voice search through digital assistants is here and the possibilities for the technology are endless. With the forthcoming generation of Internet users worldwide preferring communication with images and, most importantly, voice activation, there is a great opportunity for hotels in this landscape. Speaking to a digital voice assistant that can understand and execute a req...
Is Your Hotel Ready for Today’s ‘Age of Assistance’?
Thomas Grundner | April 20, 2018
By Thomas Grundner A common scenario in 2021: A weary business traveler walks into a hotel in Dubai, one that she's booked effortlessly a few days before using her smartphone. She bypasses the check-in desk and heads straight to her room. The door opens without the need for a keycard. The room is on her preferred side of the hotel and she is pleased because she didn't specifically request it. Lighting and temperature have been set too to her preferences, remembered from her previous visit. Tired after a long flight, she orders her favorite beverage to be brought up, without even opening her mouth. The drink is brought in just a couple o...
Meliá Hotels International to Launch Paradisus Playa Mujeres in Early 2019
April 5, 2018
New York (April 5, 2018) – Leading Spanish hotel group, Meliá Hotels International, has announced its latest addition in Mexico with the launch of Paradisus Playa Mujeres in Q1 2019. The luxury hotel will be Mexico's fifth Paradisus branded property. Nestled just off the coast of Cancun, Playa Mujeres is the new popular destination for travelers and locals alike. Located 35 minutes from Cancun International Airport and 10 minutes from downtown, Paradisus Playa Mujeres is situated on the seafront, offering a tranquil and relaxing setting. It is within close proximity of Isla Mujeres, with thriving bars, restaurants and shops...
RIU Hotels & Resorts Acquires Zanzibar’s Hideaway of Nungwi Resort & Spa from Emerald Hotels
RIU Hotels & Resorts | April 18, 2018
RIU Hotels & Resorts has just added Zanzibar to the catalogue of exotic destinations the chain offers to its loyal customers. The Riu Palace Zanzibar is a luxury hotel with 102 rooms and suites located on the northern tip of Unguja, the main island of the archipelago of Zanzibar, less than an hour from the airport and the capital, Zanzibar City, the centre of which is known as Stone Town. RIU formalised the purchase of the hotel today, 18 April 2018, from the Emerald hotel chain, which up to now has operated the hotel as the Hideaway of Nungwi Resort & Spa. The New Riu Palace Zanzibar will be the perfect complement to RIU's ...
Frontier Development & Hospitality Group LLC Acquires The Westin Baltimore Washington Airport – BWI for $34 Million
Frontier Development & Hospitality Group LLC | April 11, 2018
BALTIMORE, April 11, 2018 -- Frontier Development & Hospitality Group LLC today announced the closing on the purchase of The Westin Baltimore Washington Airport – BWI for $34 million. The 260-room hotel is located at 1110 Old Elkridge Landing Road, Linthicum Heights, MD. The hotel features 10,000 square feet of meeting space, a state-of-the-art fitness center and indoor pool, an executive club lounge, an outdoor bar/patio with fire pit, and 'The Luminous,' a contemporary American restaurant and bar. The hotel is conveniently located near Baltimore Washington International Airport with easy access to downtown Baltimore and Wash...
Top Concerns Hotels Need to Know About the GDPR and How to Prepare Your Action Plan
HEBS Digital | April 20, 2018
By Margaret Mastrogiacomo, Vice President Strategy By now you've probably heard of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and should have started considering the effects of this regulation on your hotel website, data strategy, and hotel digital marketing. With the GDPR just around the corner, we've put together an overview that includes an explanation of the GDPR, the top misconceptions, and the most important considerations that will need to be implemented on your hotel website and included in your digital strategy. What is the GDPR? The GDPR is a regulation in EU law on data protection and privacy for all individuals within the...
5 Big Hotel Website Design Trends for 2018
Steffan Berelowitz | April 12, 2018
By Steffan Berelowitz Web design trends rarely stay still for long. In 2018, we're seeing some creative new ideas and a few reimagined versions of retro designs. In the hyper-competitive hotel industry, great design is especially crucial. Guests compare options quickly and judge hotels within seconds based on the look and feel of their website. Great design instantly tells your potential customers they're in the right place. It lets them know your hotel offers the kind of experience they're looking for. But more than that, it has the ability to distinguish you from the crowd, and hint at the possibility that your hotel offers something ...
The Outlook for U.S. Hotel Profits in 2018
Robert Mandelbaum | April 24, 2018
By Robert Mandelbaum and Bram Gallagher Ph.D. Since 2014, U.S. lodging industry owners and operators have seen a steady decline in the pace of revenue growth. In 2014, rooms revenue per available room (RevPAR) increased by a healthy 8.2 percent according to STR. Per the December 2017 edition of CBRE's Hotel Horizons®, RevPAR is forecast to increase by just 2.5 percent in 2018. Facing lackluster revenue growth, hotelier's sights are now focused further on down the operating statement to determine what the impact of slow top-line gains will be on bottom-line profits. To provide U.S. hotel owners and operators with a sense of expected ...
American Hotel Income Properties Enters Agreement for Aimbridge Hospitality to Assume Hotel Management Responsibilities
American Hotel Income Properties REIT LP | April 2, 2018
VANCOUVER, April 2, 2018 - American Hotel Income Properties REIT LP ("AHIP") (TSX: HOT.UN, HOT.U and HOT.DB.U) is pleased to announce that Aimbridge Hospitality ("Aimbridge"), a leading U.S.-based hotel management company, has entered into a binding agreement with ONE Lodging Management ("ONE") to assume the hotel management responsibilities for all of AHIP's 115 hotels. Aimbridge's assumption of management responsibilities is expected to take place by the end of April 2018, and the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions. There will be a transition period with ONE's leadership te...
Is Your Hotel Booking Engine Destroying Your Profitability?
Vikram Singh | April 16, 2018
By Vikram Singh Almost every other day, I see a headline about the latest trend that is going to have a massive impact on hotels and travel. Some might even be worth exploring. However, the fact remains that if your hotel booking engine is hard to use, none of the trends will have any impact on your net operating income and profits. Having worked in hotels most of my adult life, and having traveled extensively, I have vast experience booking rooms every way possible: using phones, travel agents (yes, I am that old), OTAs, and directly from apps. The one consistent problem I find on hotel websites is a disregard for the basic usability p...
Investors Spent Top Dollar for Hawaii Hotels in 2017 Averaging the Nation’s Highest Per-Room Price at Over $536K
April 9, 2018
April 09--Investors spent top dollar in 2017 to buy Hawaii hotels, which averaged the highest price per room of any state. Last year the average Hawaii hotel sold for $536,481 per room, according to STR, a hotel research company based in Tennessee. That's more than double the average price paid for hotels nationwide: $240,000 per room. "People trust the Hawaii market. The destination does a good job from a visitor satisfaction point, and we've had increased demand along with significant increase in air seats to the islands," said Keith Vieira, principal of KV & Associates, Hospitality Consulting. "Investors se...
2018 Waterpark Forecast: Expansion
David J. Sangree | April 10, 2018
By David J. Sangree, MAI, CPA, ISHC Introduction The waterpark industry continues to expand in North America, with more than $1 billion in new investment in indoor and outdoor waterparks and their related resorts in 2018. Nearly 60 expansions and new facilities will open in 2018. We project 14 municipal and eight private outdoor waterparks will open, outpacing 2017's nine municipal and four private outdoor additions. We foresee increased growth in the indoor segment, where an additional 464,000 square feet of waterpark space is planned. Two of this year's most anticipated new waterparks are the SoundWaves Waterpark at Gaylord Opryland R...
CityCenter Holdings Enters Into Definitive Agreement to Sell the Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas for $214 Million
CityCenter | April 26, 2018
LAS VEGAS, April 26, 2018 -- CityCenter Holdings, LLC ("CityCenter"), a venture between MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) and Infinity World Development Corp, today announced that it has recently entered into a definitive agreement to sell the Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas (the "Hotel") and adjacent retail parcels for approximately $214 million in cash, subject to satisfactory completion of due diligence and customary closing conditions. The transaction is expected to close in the summer of 2018. The Hotel is located at the entryway of CityCenter and in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip featuring 392 guestrooms, inc...
Top Three ‘Best US Hotels in 2018’ Rely on dormakaba Electronic Locks
dormakaba | April 18, 2018
Half of U.S. News & World Report 'Top Hotels Worldwide in 2018' Trust dormakaba Locks MONTREAL, QC, CANADA – April 18, 2018 – dormakaba, the provider of Saflok™ and Ilco™ electronic locks, congratulates its clients in the U.S. News & World Report 2018 'Best Hotels' list. The top three hotels in the publication's U.S. ranking are the Four Seasons Resort Lanai, The Peninsula Chicago, and The Langham, Chicago. All use dormakaba electronic locks for reliable, secure guestroom access. For more information on dormakaba electronic hotel locks, click here. The Langham, Chicago Director of Safety and Risk John Wa...
California’s Legendary Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa Joins Benchmark Resorts & Hotels Management Portfolio
Marriott International, Inc. | April 16, 2018
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, April 16, 2018 … BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has added one of Southern California's most acclaimed properties to the company's Benchmark Resorts & Hotels portfolio: Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa. Located in the San Bernardino National Forest along the shores of Lake Arrowhead, the Four Diamond Resort is part of the Marriott Autograph Collection. "We are honored to add this prestigious and historic resort to our growing list of California properties," says Benchmark CEO Alex Cabañas. "For decades, the resort has been a favorite with Hollywood celebrities and several fi...
