Spokane Tribe Resort & Casino Partners With Travel Outlook to Elevate Guest Service Experience
Travel Outlook, The Premier Hotel Call Center™ | October 2, 2024
Debunking Common Myths About AI: Why Human Hotel Staff Are Still Irreplaceable
John Smallwood, President of Travel Outlook | September 17, 2024
Operations
White Lodging Completes Purchase of Indianapolis Marriott Downtown; Extensive Renovation Planned for Early 2017
White Lodging Services Corporation | July 18, 2016
MERRILLVILLE, Ind., July 18, 2016 -- The original developer of the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown closed last week on the purchase of the hotel, reacquiring a property it developed and opened more than 15 years ago. Affiliates of White Lodging Services Corporation and REI Investments purchased the 622 room hotel and plan an extensive renovation for the hotel, scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2017. While White Lodging has managed the hotel since its inception, the reacquisition allows for the company to keep the property in its portfolio for years to come. "This acquisition is a reaffirmation of our long term commitment an...
Ten-X Begins 2016 With Nearly $200 Million in Hospitality Closings
July 18, 2016
TEN-X BEGINS 2016 WITH NEARLY $200 MILLION IN HOSPITALITY CLOSINGS IRVINE AND SILICON VALLEY, CALIF. – July 18, 2016 – Ten-X, the nation's leading online real estate transaction marketplace, announces its hospitality division has closed on 50 assets totaling $190 million from January 2016 through May 2016 on the on the Ten-X Commercial online platform. The Ten-X hospitality division's momentum follows a record-setting 2015, where the company closed 117 hotel transactions with sales proceeds exceeding $461 million, nearly double its 2014 hospitality performance of $256.3 million. Ten-X has closed on approximately $2 billion i...
Kirk Jones Promoted to Chief Financial Officer of Benchmark Hospitality International
July 15, 2016
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, July 15, 2016 … Alex Cabañas, chief executive officer of Benchmark Hospitality International®, has announced that Kirk Jones has been promoted to chief financial officer of the recognized global leader in the management and marketing of resorts, hotels and conference centers. The company's Benchmark Resorts & Hotels-brand portfolio merged with Gemstone Hotels & Resorts this past Monday, bringing the total number of properties managed to 58. Mr. Jones was previously senior vice president of finance for Benchmark Hospitality. "On behalf of our newly joined management team, I c...
Concord Hospitality Opens Newly Built Hampton Inn & Suites in Pittsburgh Suburb of Robinson Township
Concord Hospitality Enterprises Company | July 15, 2016
PITTSBURGH, Pa. and MCLEAN, Va. - Hilton Worldwide's (NYSE: HLT) Hampton by Hilton brand, the global mid-priced hotel that serves value-conscious and quality-driven travelers around the world, today announced the opening of its newest property, Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Pittsburgh Airport South-Settlers Ridge. The 100-room hotel joins the Hampton by Hilton family of Hampton Inn by Hilton and Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton hotels. Located at 5000 Campbell's Run Road, the hotel is managed by Concord Hospitality Enterprises Company. Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Pittsburgh Airport South-Settlers Ridge is nearby po...
Hotel Leaders, “What’s Your MTP?” – A Question About Business Transformation and Technology
Thomas Mielke | July 14, 2016
By Thomas Mielke There may be no better way for hospitality firms to learn and gain inspiration for successfully transforming their businesses by leveraging technology than by looking at some of the "unicorns" that have successfully tapped into the hospitality sector. The firms that positively stand out in this respect all appear to have understood their "MTP", that is according to a recent book that should be on your summer reading list – "Exponential Organisations: Why new organisations are ten times better, faster, and cheaper than yours (and what to do about it)" (2014, by Salim Ismail, Mike Malone, Yuri van Geest). The simple...
The Q3 2016 Edition of HeBStrategy: Hospitality Digital Technology & Marketing Strategy Whitepaper Now Available!
HeBS Digital | July 14, 2016
New York, NY – July 14, 2016 – Hoteliers can now download the HeBStrategy Q3 2016 Edition, which includes a recap of the most important hospitality technology and digital marketing news from Q2, actionable ideas on how to increase direct website bookings in Q3, and more. Created by HeBS Digital, the whitepaper outlines how hoteliers can think big picture to reach their consumers in all stages of the travel planning journey: by engaging, acquiring, and retaining past and future guests. Download the HeBStrategy Q2 2016 Edition to learn about: Notable Q2 Events: Includes 'book direct' campaigns taking over the limelight, a re...
AccorHotels Reveals Initiative to Convert HotelInvest into a Subsidiary to Accelerate Growth
AccorHotels | July 13, 2016
July 13, 2016- After three years of transformation that have resulted in the development of two well- structured, strategically related business lines with record performances, AccorHotels is pursuing its strategy of continuous improvement and significant expansion by initiating a project to create a dedicated subsidiary for its HotelInvest operations. The aim of the project is to strengthen AccorHotels' financial resources in order to accelerate growth, while also providing a legal structure that will ultimately enable third-party investors to hold the majority of HotelInvest's capital. AccorHotels would use the additional fina...
Showcase Your Chefs To Entertain Guests
Larry Mogelonsky | July 13, 2016
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.lma.ca) Earlier this year, I was invited up to the BMO Institute for Learning (IFL) in the suburbs of my hometown of Toronto. The purpose of my visit was to guest judge the regional IACC Copper Skillet Competition for Ontario whereby chefs operating in conference centers were given all the same ingredients and only two skillets in order to complete dishes in less than 45 minutes. As one of two evaluators alongside Rose Reisman, we marked each chef's creation based upon taste, presentation and applicability to a banqueting or catering scenario. This year's contest included: Luc McCabe from the NAV...
Indie Operators Expand with Maestro Multi-Property Management and Loyalty Programs
Maestro PMS | July 13, 2016
Independent Hotel Management Groups Tap Maestro Multi-Property to Support Growing Portfolios; Add Loyalty Programs, Cross Enterprise Consolidated Marketing and Promotions July 13, 2016 – The hospitality industry continues to enjoy a cycle of solid business growth. Hotel companies are adding to their portfolios and many independent operators are turning to Maestro PMS to provide the enterprise platform to sustain their growth. Maestro Multi-Property Management is perfectly suited to support independent hotel group enterprise operations with chain loyalty programs to increase revenue. Hundreds of hotels operated by 26 hotel managem...
It’s Official: AccorHotels Shareholders Approve Acquisition of Fairmont, Raffles and Swissôtel Brands
AccorHotels | July 12, 2016
Following the approval of shareholders at the General Shareholders Meeting on July 12, 2016, AccorHotels Group officially announces the acquisition of FRHI Hotels & Resorts (FRHI) and its three prestigious luxury hotel brands: Fairmont, Raffles and Swissôtel. This addition of three remarkable brands instantly positions AccorHotels as a leading player in the global luxury hotel market, increases long term growth potential and profitability, and significantly expands the company's footprint in North America, the world's largest and most influential consumer market. "Today is a great day for our Group. The acquisitio...
STOP Waiting . . . They’re NOT Coming!
RoamBOOST | July 12, 2016
RoamBOOST dispels myths about wireless carriers and receiving funding for DAS Boston, Mass. — July 12, 2016 — Are you among the many hoteliers still waiting for a wireless service provider to do a site assessment and install a Distributed Antenna System (DAS) at their expense to give guests the cellular coverage they expect while at your hotel? If yes, we've got some bad news. They aren't coming. Unless a building is strategic to the phone company – like serving as the headquarter hotel for the Super Bowl – hoteliers are on their own to find a fix for insufficient cell coverage. "Several hoteliers told us during...
Managed by Midas Hospitality, Comfort Inn-Miami Valley Centre Mall in Piqua, Ohio Undergoes Total Renovation
Midas Hospitality | July 11, 2016
St. Louis, Mo., (July 11, 2016) Renovations totaling $2.8 million on the Comfort Inn-Miami Valley Centre Mall located in Piqua, OH will be completed by Aug. of 2016. Midas Hospitality, a premier hotel management group, has managed the 987 East Ash St. property for the past two years. INNSource of St. Louis handled the nearly year-long renovation, which involved combining rooms to create 20 two-room suites, will bring the hotel from 122 to 102 total rooms. Additional improvements include refinishing the entire building's exterior, as well as a complete renovation of all guestrooms, corridors, indoor pool, breakfast area, and fitness room...
Benchmark Resorts & Hotels and Gemstone Hotels & Resorts Join Together
July 11, 2016
New Company Operates 58 Independent Properties in US and Internationally The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, July 11, 2016 Benchmark Hospitality International® and Gemstone Hotels & Resorts, a Gencom affiliate, both recognized global leaders in the management and marketing of resorts, hotels and conference centers, announce that Benchmark and Gemstone have joined together to create a portfolio of 58 unique and distinctive properties with 10,000 staff members across the globe. "This merger was a natural fit," explains Benchmark Hospitality International CEO Alex Cabañas. "Not only do we share a similar focus on...
New Meeting Package, Technical Innovations, Unique Teambuilding Programs, Refreshed Guestrooms & Conference Space
Doral Arrowwood Resort | July 7, 2016
Mark the Summer Conference Season at Doral Arrowwood Rye Brook, New York, July 2016 …Legendary Doral Arrowwood, the New York metro area's top resort, is ready for the summer conference season with a new meeting package, next-generation technology, 110,000 additional square feet of space, refreshed guestrooms and an inspiring new teambuilding program from True North Team Building LLC. These innovations were launched by Benchmark Hospitality International, a leading U.S.-based hospitality management company, which added the award-winning property to its Benchmark Resorts & Hotels portfolio last September. The packages offered a...
Sage Hospitality Appoints Mike Case as New General Manager of Denver Marriott TechCenter
Sage Hospitality | July 7, 2016
Denver, Colorado (July 7, 2016) – The Denver Marriott Tech Center & Sage Hospitality are pleased to announce that Mike Case is now serving as General Manager of the hotel. The hotel also just completed the first phase of a major property rejuvenation launched last fall. Case joins the Denver Marriott Tech Center from Sage's Westin Westminster, where he served as General Manager for four years. A graduate of Colorado State University, Case has previously served as the General Manager of the JW Marriott Denver Cherry Creek, The Oxford Hotel and the Denver Airport Marriott at Gateway Park. The Denver Marriott Tech Center is curre...
HeBS Digital Gives Hoteliers a 20% Credit to Help Boost Direct Bookings and Lower Distribution Costs
HeBS Digital | July 6, 2016
New York, NY – July 6, 2016 – Hoteliers that want to boost website revenue and lower their distribution costs in the upcoming quarter can sign on for HeBS Digital's new "Jumpstart Your Direct Bookings" package. With a comprehensive suite of digital technology and marketing services designed to generate more direct online bookings, HeBS Digital's clients experience average direct channel distribution costs (property website) of 4.5%, compared to the hefty OTA commissions of 18%-25%. Included in the "Jumpstart Your Direct Bookings" package: 20% Credit Towards a New Responsive Website Complimentary Add-Ons: Direct Booking...
Smart Data Marketing in Hospitality: The Secret to Maximizing Direct Bookings
the Authors and HeBS Digital | July 5, 2016
By Margaret Mastrogiacomo and Max Starkov Smart Data vs. Big Data By now, many hoteliers are tired of hearing about "Big Data" and why they should be utilizing it for customer engagement and marketing. Many hoteliers assume that utilizing Big Data equals past guest data i.e. CRM Data. At the property level, CRM Data means past guest profile information, past booking history, service preferences, purchasing habits while on property, affiliation with the hotel guest loyalty program, booking channel preferences, preferences for auxiliary services, opt-in email recipients, etc. In our view, CRM Data is only part of the equation, and only th...
Benchmark Hospitality International Appoints Bill Lee, General Manager, and Tony Aslanian, Director of Sales & Marketing at The Grove Resort &
The Grove Resort & Spa | July 1, 2016
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, July 2016 … Benchmark Hospitality International, a leading U.S.-based hospitality management company, has named Bill Lee as general manager and Tony Aslanian as director of sales and marketing for The Grove Resort & Spa, an all-suite hotel located just minutes from Walt Disney World® Resort in Orlando, Florida. The Grove Resort & Spa is scheduled to open its first phase this November with 184 of its 878 two- and three-bedroom residential-style guest suites. The Grove's professional sales team was also announced. The Grove Resort & Spa is part of the prestigious Benchmark Resorts &am...
Note to the C-Suite: Do You Encourage or Discourage?
Ken Greger | July 1, 2016
By Ken Greger I was originally going to title this article: Leaders: Do You Encourage or Discourage? Sadly, I instantly realized the title was wrong and will share my reason for that later, so read on. First, let's take a quick look at the C-Suite. As we know, the 'C' stands for 'Chief,' as in Chief Executive Officer, Chief Marketing Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Information Officer, Chief Human Resources Officer, etc. Some of you reading this article hold such titles. While one can easily look up the Latin origin of 'Chief' or Webster's definition, let's see what the good ol' Thesaurus has to offer as synonyms for this noun: ...
AccorHotels Finalizes Sale of 85-Hotel Portfolio in Europe for €504 Million ($561.9M)
AccorHotels | July 1, 2016
As part of the transformation of the HotelInvest asset base, AccorHotels announces the sale of a portfolio of 85 hotels in Europe in the Economy and Midscale segments, for a total consideration of €504 million, in accordance with the terms announced on January 27, 2016. These hotels will now be brought together in Grape Hospitality, a dedicated hotel platform owned 70% by Eurazeo and 30% by AccorHotels. This newly created structure will be led by Frédéric Josenhans, formerly Managing Director of the Mercure and Novotel brands, assisted by a team of hotel and real-estate professionals. The portfolio transferred to Grap...
K.B. Kachru Appointed Chairman Emeritus and Principal Advisor, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, South Asia
Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group | June 30, 2016
SINGAPORE (June 30, 2016) - Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the world's largest and most dynamic hotel groups, announces that K.B. Kachru has been appointed Chairman Emeritus and Principal Advisor, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, South Asia, effective July 1, 2016. Kachru has been instrumental in building the business in India since 1998. Most recently, he was chairman and a mentor to Raj Rana, chief executive officer, South Asia, of the Group, since 2013. Prior to that, Kachru served as executive vice president, responsible for the overall strategy, hotel development, management and functional support of key markets within South Asia,...
Jekyll Island-State Park Authority RFP 326: Request for Proposals to Design, Construct and Operate a 100+/- Room Limited Service Hotel
June 30, 2016
The Jekyll Island State Park Authority (the "Authority" or "JIA") is seeking proposals from qualified and a highly experienced Hotel Developer to design, construct and operate a 100+/- room limited service hotel on a site in the Jekyll Island Beach Village. The new Jekyll Island Beach Village is the culmination of ten (10) years of island-wide revitalization. The Beach Village features retail shops, restaurants and lodging adjacent to pristine beaches and the Jekyll Island Convention Center. More information on Jekyll Island can be found at www.jekyllisland.com. To be considered, proposals must arrive at the offices of the Jekyll Island...
Summer Travel Spotlight: What to Expect from American Travelers this Season
Choice Hotels | June 30, 2016
Choice Hotels reveals the top findings from its annual summer poll of American leisure and business travelers ROCKVILLE, Md., June 30, 2016 -- With gas prices down and more money in the pockets of Americans, Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), one of the world's largest hotel companies, reveals the findings from its annual summer travel survey, which tracks the travel habits of American leisure and business travelers. Here's what Americans are considering when making their summer travel trip plans: Leisure travelers are out in force. Loyalty programs drive trip decisions. Almost two-thirds (61%) of travelers say th...
Benchmark Hospitality International Names Chris Steffich Director of Operations for Eaglewood Resort & Spa
Eaglewood Resort & Spa | June 29, 2016
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, June 2016 … Benchmark Hospitality International, a leading U.S.-based hospitality management company, has named Chris Steffich director of operations for Eaglewood Resort & Spa, a Benchmark Resort located in Itasca, Illinois, 30 minutes from the Chicago Loop. Tom Garcia, vice president and general manager for the resort, made the announcement. "Chris comes to us with a wealth of knowledge and 'hands on' experience, having worked for Benchmark Hospitality International since 2003," said Mr. Garcia. He was at Eaglewood from 2005 to 2007 as our assistant food & beverage director, and has an ex...
