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
Industry Expert Jeff Zabin and Agilysys to Deliver Timely Webinar on Next-Generation PMS Technology
Agilysys | October 15, 2015
Webinar to Address Benefits, Purchasing Considerations, Success Stories and More ALPHARETTA, GA. — Oct. 15, 2015 — Agilysys, Inc. (Nasdaq: AGYS), a leading global provider of next-generation hospitality software solutions and services, today announced that it is partnering with hospitality benchmarking expert Jeff Zabin to deliver a webinar on selecting a next-generation property management system (PMS) on Tuesday, Oct. 20, from 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. EST. The groundbreaking session will address how hotels, resorts and casinos can boost efficiency, enhance service and create loyalty with guest-facing next-generation technology. We...
The Power of Welcome Baskets
Larry Mogelonsky | October 14, 2015
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.lma.ca) "Welcome to our hotel! Help yourself to some complimentary drinks and snacks." This is what's being communicated on the surface whenever a guest arrives at his or her room and is delightfully surprised by a welcome bag or basket of food and beverages. But beneath the surface, it sounds a lot more like this: "Your business is truly appreciated. We understand that you're tired and perhaps mildly stressed from traveling, so relax and recharge your system in the tranquility of your own room while you plan your next move." In this sense, free in-room welcome baskets go a long way to build rappor...
By Popular Demand: HeBS Digital Hosts Timely Webinar on How to Budget for 2016
HeBS Digital | October 14, 2015
The industry's leading digital technology, full-service hotel marketing and website design firm will host a webinar covering its 10th annual guide to digital marketing budget planning, providing hoteliers with expert analysis and invaluable insight into the 2016 digital landscape. NEW YORK, NY (October 14, 2015) – Due to popular demand, HeBS Digital will host The Smart Hotelier's Guide to 2016 Digital Marketing Budget Planning Webinar on Thursday, October 22nd at 2 p.m. ET (11 a.m. PT). The webinar will help hoteliers in the final stages of 2016 budget planning by covering the top action items in the digital marketing landscape. I...
Owned by Great China International Group, Hilton Shenzhen Futian Opens in Southern China
Rockbridge | October 9, 2015
SHENZHEN, China and McLean, Va. - October 09, 2015 - Hilton Worldwide (NYSE: HLT) and Hilton Hotels & Resorts today announced the opening of Hilton Shenzhen Futian. This hotel marks the second Hilton Hotels & Resorts property and the third Hilton Worldwide hotel in Shenzhen. Strategically situated in the heart of Shenzhen, the 23-story hotel features 320 contemporary guestrooms and suites and is operated by Hilton Worldwide and owned by Great China International Group Co., Ltd. To date, Hilton Worldwide has over 60 operating hotels in Greater China. "China is one of the most important and fastest growing markets for Hilton ...
HeBS Digital Announces the “Your Key to Success in 2016” Promotion for Hoteliers
HeBS Digital | October 9, 2015
Summary: HeBS Digital, the award winning hotel digital technology, website design, full-service digital marketing and website revenue optimization consulting firm, is offering the "Your Key to Success in 2016" promotion, inviting hoteliers to start the year with more direct bookings and $10,000 more to spend on digital marketing. NEW YORK, NY October 9th, 2015 – HeBS Digital, the leading hotel digital technology, full-service digital marketing and website revenue optimization consulting firm, announces the 'Your Key to Success in 2016' Promotion, inviting hotel marketers to start the year with more direct bookings and $10,000 mor...
Hotel Brands’ Struggle to Understand Airbnb: The IHG Edition
Vikram Singh | October 8, 2015
by Vikram Singh When I'm on Twitter, I'm usually catching up on some of my favorite comedians (mostly comediennes) and posting my own material. But every now and then, some non-comedic items capture my attention. This live tweet caught my eye on September 30. Sean McCracken* with Hotel News Now posted this update from IHG's annual conference. *(Let's get our "release the kraken" jokes out of the way. I bet he hears them a lot.) Wow. The "Solomons" referred to in the above tweet is not some mid-level manager at IHG trying to shake up the crowds. He is the Big Kahuna/CEO of Intercontinental Hotels Group! At first I could not believe that...
IACC Board of Directors Elects Alex Cabañas as New Global President
IACC | October 8, 2015
Chicago, Illinois, October 8, 2015 – The International Association of Conference Centres (IACC) announced the election of Alex Cabañas as Global President, effective immediately. Alex Cabañas, CEO of Benchmark Hospitality International near Houston, will serve a two-year term as head of the association, which has over 350 conference and meeting venue members in 22 countries worldwide. Cabañas has been active with IACC for a number of years and serves as Vice President of the IACC-Americas chapter, having joined the IACC-Americas Board in 2011 and the IACC Global Board in 2012. During his tenure, Cabañas...
Moody Gardens Hotel, Spa and Convention Center Migrates to SHR’s WindsurferCRS Distribution Platform
SHR | October 8, 2015
HOUSTON, TX, October 8, 2015– SHR, an innovative provider of advanced distribution technology and services for the hospitality industry, today announced that the Moody Gardens Hotel, Spa and Convention Center has migrated to the WindsurferCRS distribution platform. Moody Gardens Hotel will utilize TopSail™, SHR's responsive booking engine, and will take advantage of WindsurferCRS' many direct connections to third party sites. "We look forward to working with the entire team at Moody Gardens Hotel, Spa and Convention Center. This partnership will allow the hotel to better showcase their rates & packages, while allowing an...
Benchmark Hospitality International Names Calvin J. Banks Director of Training and Development
Benchmark Hospitality International | October 7, 2015
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, October 2015 … Benchmark Hospitality International, a leading U.S.-based hospitality management company, has announced the appointment of Calvin J. Banks as director of training and development. Karen DiFulgo, senior vice president, human resources, made the announcement. "It is with great pleasure that I welcome Calvin to Benchmark Hospitality International," stated Ms. DiFulgo. "I can't imagine anyone more qualified or credentialed to lead our training and employee development programming. We're glad he is a part of our human resources team!" Calvin Banks brings more than two decades of experienc...
Carlson Rezidor Partners with Fund Trust Joint Venture to Develop Park Inn by Radisson Fiji Suva
Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group | October 7, 2015
SUVA, FIJI (OCTOBER 7, 2015) - Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the world's largest and most dynamic hotel groups, today announced the signing of a management contract with Fund Trust Joint Venture, set up by majority shareholder iTaukei Trust Fund and minority shareholder Methodist Church Holdings Trust, to develop Park Inn® by Radisson Fiji Suva. This is the second Carlson Rezidor hotel in Fiji, following Radisson Blu Resort Fiji Denarau Island, which is also jointly owned by iTaukei Trust Fund, an investment entity established by the Fijian government. Park Inn by Radisson Fiji Suva is scheduled to open in the second quarter o...
Disruptor or Innovator? Airbnb & BridgeStreet Partner
BridgeStreet Global Hospitality | October 7, 2015
SAN FRANCISCO and RESTON, Va., Oct. 7, 2015 -- BridgeStreet Global Hospitality – the leading solution for international serviced apartment experiences today unveiled a collaboration with Airbnb, the world's leading community-driven hospitality company. BridgeStreet is now aligning with the hospitality giant to expand their newly unveiled Airbnb for Business product suite offerings to BridgeStreet's well-established client base. "Long term travelers want more than just access to a place to lay their head, they want to get to know their city, neighborhood bookshop, best place for coffee, live like a local, whether that ...
Destination Hotels Selected to Manage Vail, Colorado’s 22-key Christiania Lodge
Destination Hotels | October 7, 2015
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. - October 7, 2015 - Destination Hotels, the largest operator of independent hotels, resorts and residences in North America, will assume management of the Christiania Lodge and its vacation rental portfolio. Purchased in 1976 by Paul and Sally Johnston, the Christiania Lodge is an authentic Bavarian-styled property and features 22 charming rooms & suites, as well as 37 privately-owned condominium residences. "We are excited to expand our vacation residences portfolio with a continued focus in the Colorado resort market," said Steve Santomo, senior vice president of Destination Rental Management. "We l...
What’s the Big Deal About Big Data? Indie Operators Want to Know
Maestro PMS | October 7, 2015
It's All in How You Crunch the Numbers: Maestro PMS Turns Business Intelligence into Effective Marketing, Optimized Rates, and Solid Occupancy Markham, ON – October 7, 2015 – Is "Big Data" just the latest technology buzz word...or can it help independent hotel operators compete? Every advantage counts, because indies have to work harder and smarter than their franchised comp set. Big Data can drive healthy revenue. But to do it, hoteliers must choose a system built for the hospitality industry. Coupled with Maestro PMS, Maestro™ Analytics Business Intelligence (BI) delivers the numbers to boost indie prof...
Midas Hospitality Completes $6M Redo of Staybridge Stes & Holiday Inn Express-St. Louis/O’Fallon, MO
Midas Hospitality, LLC | October 7, 2015
SAINT LOUIS, MO, October 7, 2015 – St. Louis-based hotel owner, operator and developer, Midas Hospitality, LLC has completed a $6 million renovation on the 97-room Staybridge Suites and 122-room Holiday Inn Express – St. Louis / O'Fallon, MO. Opening in 2005, the Staybridge Suites and Holiday Inn Express sit adjacent to each other, located at 1155 and 1175 Technology Drive, O'Fallon, Missouri respectively. The hotels are located on the northwest corner of I-63/Hwy 40 and Hwy K, 30 miles west of downtown St. Louis. Acquired by an investment group led by Midas Hospitality, LLC in November, 2013, the hotels completed a collecti...
NewcrestImage Breaks Ground in Downtown Amarillo, Texas for 226-room Embassy Suites Convention Hotel
NewcrestImage | October 7, 2015
October 7, 2015 - A public/private partnership -- led by NewcrestImage, a Dallas-based hotel development and construction firm -- is about to enhance the face of downtown Amarillo with a new upscale all-suites hotel that is being kicked-off during a festive groundbreaking ceremony at 11 a.m. on Friday, October 16. The 226-room, six-story Embassy Suites hotel, which will be a mixture of two-room and studio suites, will be located across the street from the Amarillo Civic Center and is scheduled to open in June of 2017. The groundbreaking event will include a ceremonial dirt-turning at the site, followed by a luncheon for about 250 invite...
Reinventing the Gin and Tonic – An Opportunity in its Subtleties
Larry Mogelonsky | October 7, 2015
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.lma.ca) A dinner party, an afternoon in the sun, happy hour after work or just a night out; it's time for a 'G&T', or a gin and tonic to be more precise. One might immediately think this cocktail as being a simple pour of gin (I'm particularly fond of Tanqueray No. 10) and sparkling tonic water on ice with a lime garnish. "Not so fast!" says Nader Chabaane, Mixology Director of the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City. The complexities of each of the drink's components: the gin, the tonic water and even the garnish provide an opportunity for endless variations. Such is the fact at the r...
Paramount Lodging Advisors Arranges Sale of Residence Inn Los Altos / Palo Alto California
Paramount Lodging Advisors | October 6, 2015
Paramount Lodging Advisors arranges the sale of Los Altos Hotel Associates LLC's interest in the Residence Inn by Marriott Los Altos / Palo Alto, California. October 12, 2015 - Paramount Lodging Advisors (PLA) is pleased to announce the successful sale of Los Altos Hotel Associates LLC's interest in the Residence Inn by Marriott to RLJ Lodging Trust for a purchase price of $70 million or $449,000 per room. The hotel is located at 4460 El Camino Real in Los Altos, California. The hotel caters to extended stay travelers visiting nearby Palo Alto and Stanford University. The hotel's location is proximate to a diverse base of demand genera...
RoomKeyPMS Launches New Branding and Logo
RoomKeyPMS | October 6, 2015
RoomKeyPMS launches new logo and website to emphasize our focus on being the single, integrated hotel software provider. One Partner, Infinite Possibilities Vancouver, BC: October 6, 2015 – RoomKeyPMS, the leading cloud-based hotel Property Management System (PMS) for independent hotels and chain properties, is excited to launch new branding to reflect our customer-focused offering -- a flexible, integrated hotel PMS. One Partner, Infinite Possibilities. The rebrand will encompass a new logo, marketing materials, tradeshow presence and website with a powerful new customer support portal. Our new support portal makes technical res...
Hotel Equities Rolls Out Full Service & Resorts Division, Taps Dominic Buompastore as Vice President
Hotel Equities (HE) | October 6, 2015
ATLANTA, GA (October 6, 2015) - In response to its dynamic growth, Atlanta-based Hotel Equities (HE) announced the formation of the firm's Full Service & Resorts Division and named long-time industry veteran Dominic Buompastore as the Vice President of Operations, Full Service & Resorts. Mr. Buompastore reports to Chuck Powell, Senior Vice President of Operations. Mr. Buompastore's responsibilities include oversight of all full service and resort operations including renovation and design, as well as food and beverage for the firm's portfolio. He works closely with Hotel Equities' executive team, as well as the R...
IHG Names Two New Area General Managers for North and South Regions of South West Asia
IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) | October 5, 2015
New Delhi, India, October 05, 2015: InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), one of the world's leading hotel companies, has announced the appointment of Arindam Kunar as Area General Manager, South India and Greesh Bindra as Area General Manager, North India. In his new role, Arindam is responsible for driving the performance of IHG's hotels in South India. This includes the company's two hotels in Kochi: Crowne Plaza Kochi and Holiday Inn Kochi; Crowne Plaza Bengaluru Electronics City, and the latest addition to the IHG family, Holiday Inn & Suites Bengaluru Whitefield. The company's two hotels due to open in Chennai over ...
Personal Luxury Resorts & Hotels, Benchmark Cast Off with Fresh Dishes for National Seafood Month
Benchmark Hospitality International | October 5, 2015
The Woodlands (Houston), TX (October 5, 2015) – Benchmark Hospitality International dives into National Seafood Month this October with a collection of recipes from its Personal Luxury Resorts & Hotels® and Benchmark Resorts & Hotels® portfolios. Crafted by top chefs from more than a dozen properties across the country and the Caribbean – including Willows Lodge's award-winning Barking Frog in Seattle's Woodinville wine country, the buzzy Dirty Habit Restaurant & Bar at San Francisco's Hotel Zelos, and the Forbes Four Star-rated Nine18 at Villas of Grand Cypress in Orlando – these culinary how-tos o...
Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group Names Ashish Chopra Director of Development for U.S. Southwest Region
Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group | October 1, 2015
MINNEAPOLIS (Oct. 1, 2015) - Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the world's largest and most dynamic hotel groups, today appointed Ashish "Alex" Chopra as director of development for the U.S. Southwest region.He will report directly to Philip Silberstein, executive vice president, Development, Americas. "We have some great development momentum right now, and we see opportunity for growth for our brands in the Southwest region of the U.S. where Alex will be focused," said Silberstein. "His tenure in the industry and broad development experience will certainly prove to be an asset to our team." Chopra brings more than 16 years of hotel f...
NewcrestImage to Repurpose and Renovate 13-story Building for New Dual-Branded Hotel in New Orleans
NewcrestImage | October 1, 2015
October 1, 2015 - NewcrestImage has purchased the 13-story building at 1600 Canal Street in New Orleans for repurpose development as the area's first dual-branded hotel. The property is strategically located at the intersection of Interstate 10, just nine blocks from the historic French Quarter district. It is adjacent across the interstate highway to the city's 1,500-acre, $1.2 billion BioDistrict, which has become a model of collaboration in health care and research between medical facilities, educational institutions, and private enterprise. The building, built in 1960 but vacant since 2005, will undergo a major renovation to house a...
So You’ve Hired an Intern, Now What?
Larry Mogelonsky | October 1, 2015
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.lma.ca) Interns are far more than just temporary recruits brought aboard to finish all the menial jobs piling up around the office. In many cases, there are laws preventing this kind of treatment – the sorts of laws stipulating that interns must complete 'meaningful labor' and that's inscribed by that terminology. Recently, I was approached by an eager hotelier looking to get the most of her shiny new autumn intern fresh from a premier university. This hotelier was in essence seeking a road map to help direct her own efforts in guiding the intern on a path of meaningful labor. After some deli...
