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
Benchmark Hospitality International Appoints Emily Smith Director of Development
Benchmark Hospitality International | October 1, 2015
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, October 2015 … Benchmark Hospitality International, a leading U.S.-based hospitality management company, has announced the appointment of Emily Smith as director of development. Ms. Smith will operate out of Benchmark's regional offices in Washington, DC. Jarrad Evans, vice president, business development & strategy, made the announcement. "I am absolutely thrilled to welcome Emily to Benchmark Hospitality International," said Mr. Evans. "Not only does she bring immense experience and business relationships to our company, she will contribute significantly to our eastern US growth, as well as s...
Hilton Worldwide Partners with Sunshine Business PLC for $42M Hilton Awassa Resort & Spa, Ethiopia
Hilton Hotels & Resorts | September 30, 2015
September 30, 2015 ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia & McLean, Va - As the hospitality industry converges on Addis Ababa for the African Hotel Investment Forum 2015 (AHIF), Hilton Worldwide today announced the signing of a management agreement with Sunshine Business PLC for the upscale Hilton Awassa Resort & Spa, Ethiopia which is expected to begin welcoming guests in 2020. "With a strong legacy of hospitality in Ethiopia, Hilton Awassa Resort & Spa will join Hilton Addis Ababa in offering world-renowned service, in this rapidly evolving part of the country," said Patrick Fitzgibbon, senior vice president of development, Europ...
Best Western Introduces Masterbrand and Reveals New Logos to Broaden Appeal
Best Western Hotels & Resorts | September 30, 2015
New Company Name, New Abbreviation, New Logos, New Hotel Brand HONOLULU (September 30, 2015) – The long trusted and familiar logo for the Best Western brand has been a constant along its journey of global expansion and quality improvement, as the company has grown to a diverse collection of more than 4,100 properties in over 100 countries. Yesterday, at its annual convention, the company's leadership team revealed plans to signal to the world Best Western's amazing journey. "For more than two decades, Best Western has had a familiar, recognizable, and visible logo. But with our investments in this 69-year old brand during the last...
AccorHotels Partners with TrustYou to Power Its Voice of the Guest Program
TrustYou | September 30, 2015
The customized online reputation management platform reaches 3,000 hotels worldwide. A study conducted by AccorHotels, Trust You and the Munich Ludwig Maximilian University proves the link between a hotel's online reputation and its performance. Munich, Germany and Paris, France September 30th 2015 – AccorHotels has chosen TrustYou, the global leader in online reputation management, to power its new Voice of the Guest (VOG) platform. The TrustYou platform provides the Group's hoteliers with a crystal-clear snapshot of their hotel's online reputation from the web as well as from guest satisfaction surveys. VOG centralizes all ...
TrustYou Study with AccorHotels Shows Effect of TripAdvisor Reviews on Bookings
TrustYou | September 30, 2015
Study sheds light on the effect of TripAdvisor reviews on hotel rankings, the impact of hotel review scores on bookings, and more Munich, Germany and Paris, France, September 30th 2015 - While we know that travel reviews influence traveler decisions—95% of travelers report using travel reviews regularly to make booking decisions*—the impact of reviews on hotels goes much further than just making the final cut. For instance, a Cornell study found that a one-point increase in reputation (based on a five-point scale) may result in a hotel's ability to raise room rates up to 11.2%. A TrustYou heat mapping study found that given ...
RLJ Lodging Trust Completes Acquisition of the 156-room Residence Inn Palo Alto Los Altos for $70M
RLJ Lodging Trust | September 28, 2015
September 28, 2015 - BETHESDA, Md. - RLJ Lodging Trust (the "Company") (NYSE:RLJ) today announced that it has closed on the previously announced acquisition of the 156-room Residence Inn Palo Alto Los Altos (the "Hotel"), for a purchase price of $70.0 million, or approximately $449,000 per key. The purchase price represents a forward capitalization rate of approximately 8.1% on the Hotel's projected 2016 net operating income. The Company assumed $33.4 million of existing debt and funded the remaining portion with cash available on the balance sheet. The Hotel, which is located in the heart of Silicon Valley, recently underwent a compreh...
Et tu, Brute? Why “Book on Google” and “Book on TripAdvisor” Will Be a Nightmare for the Industry
the Author and HeBS Digital | September 28, 2015
By Max Starkov Topic of the Day Background Following the lead of Kayak.com, which has turned itself into a meta-OTA-type of a service for quite some time now, TripAdvisor rolled out their "Instant Book" feature over the past year or so (now called "Book on TripAdvisor"), which, at up to 15% commission, is a de facto OTA-like channel. Recently Google launched a copycat service -"Book on Google", which is a similar OTA-like/commission-based option in their Hotel Price Ads (HPA) meta search program. Now both Google and TripAdvisor are running two parallel tracks within their meta search programs: A. OTA-type of a program, based on commissi...
Hospitality Management Corporation Promotes Del Robinette to Vice President of Sales and Marketing
Hospitality Management Corporation (HMC) | September 28, 2015
Experienced Sales/Marketing Executive to Oversee HMC Properties Monday, September 28, 2015 - Dallas, TX - Leo Spriggs, President and CEO of Hospitality Management Corporation (HMC), is pleased to announce the elevation of Del Robinette to Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Robinette previously held the position of Regional Director Sales & Marketing and through his outstanding performance, service oriented philosophy and established 18+ years of success in the industry, will take on the new role of creating new and innovative revenue results across HMC's portfolio of hotels. Robinette has been a member of the HMC team since ...
Owned by Lodging America, Managed by Aimbridge Hospitality, the Aloft College Station Opens in Texas
Aloft Hotels | September 28, 2015
September 28, 2015 - STAMFORD, Conn. - Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.® (NYSE:HOT) today announced the launch of its tech-forward Aloft brand in College Station, Texas, marking the Aloft brand's milestone 100th hotel worldwide. Located less than a mile from the Texas A&M University campus, Aloft College Station is the eighth Aloft hotel in Texas, and is the first of nine new Aloft hotels slated to open in the state in the next three years. Owned by Lodging America and managed by Aimbridge Hospitality, Aloft College Station is designed for today's hyper-connected global traveller with 105 spacious loft-like rooms, t...
Hilton Worldwide Appoints Four Key Members to Asia Pacific Leadership Team
Hilton Worldwide | September 25, 2015
SINGAPORE, Sept. 25, 2015 -- Hilton Worldwide (NYSE: HLT) today announced four new appointments in its Asia Pacific leadership team, signaling the high growth potential of this dynamic region. The promotions and appointments, all of which internal, are: Ben George - senior vice president, sales and revenue management, Asia Pacific Michael Slaton - vice president, finance, Asia Pacific Rupert Hallam - vice president, sales, Asia Pacific Stephen Russell - vice president, operational effectiveness, Asia Pacific "Talent is the driving force behind our success in Asia Pacific. Our human capital development efforts have successfull...
Benchmark Hospitality Names Pattee Graves Winner of the Bob Zappatelli Culinary Arts Scholarship
The Bob Zappatelli Culinary Arts Scholarship Fund | September 25, 2015
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, September 2015 … Benchmark Hospitality International® has announced the recipient of the Bob Zappatelli Culinary Arts Scholarship for 2015. This year's recipient is Pattee Graves, a culinary student at Gateway Technical College in Racine, Wisconsin. Ms. Graves also works within the hospitality industry, serving as steward and prep cook at The Johnson Foundation at Wingspread, the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed architectural masterpiece. The scholarship, launched in 2009 in partnership with The James Beard Foundation in New York City, celebrates the life and legacy of Benchmark Hospitality's first ...
FCS Adds m-2Talk to its Rainbow Solution, Enabling Push-To-Talk Capabilities via Mobile App
FCS | September 24, 2015
Mobile app designed for hospitality and gaming industries optimizes staff communications with a secured walkie-talkie app for smartphones Hong Kong – September 24, 2015 – FCS Computer Systems (FCS), a leading comprehensive hospitality solutions and services provider, announces the introduction of m-2Talk, a push-to-talk mobile app designed to provide instant and secure staff communication for hotel properties. Using m-2Talk, management, runners, room attendants and supervisors can communicate instantly with each other by speaking directly through walkie-talkie style conversations on their smartphones. The ability to instantl...
Don’t Sleep on Google Penguin: Adopt a Solid Defensive SEO Strategy
the Author and HeBS Digital | September 24, 2015
By Asher Fusco When Google Penguin originally rolled out more than four years ago, it impacted results for a staggering 12 percent of search queries. The update put into place stringent requirements on the quality of inbound links Google rewarded. After the initial Google Penguin update, websites could no longer build links inorganically or acquire spammy links in order to attain higher search engine rankings. In the years since the initial release of Google Penguin, the search engine has done what it does best: build its algorithm's accuracy through a number of updates. Google has released five major updates or refreshes to its origina...
Willows Lodge, a Benchmark Personal Luxury Hotel in Woodinville, WA, Completes Renovation
Willows Lodge | September 23, 2015
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, September 2015… In celebration of its 15th anniversary this month, Willows Lodge, a Benchmark Personal Luxury Hotel and a favorite Pacific Northwest retreat in the heart of Woodinville Wine Country near Seattle, announced the completion of an extensive refresh to the property, which included all guest rooms, meeting space and the lobby. While multiple updates have been made to Willows since opening in 2000, including a significant redesign and expansion of the hotel's Fireside Lounge, the most current also counts as its most comprehensive. "When Willows Lodge opened its doors in 2000, there wer...
Hotel Equities Names Jason Caughron GM for Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Dunwoody/Perimeter Center
Hotel Equities | September 23, 2015
An early 2016 opening is planned for the 132-key North Atlanta hotel Atlanta, GA - September 23, 2015 - Atlanta-based Hotel Equities announced the hiring of Jason Caughron as the General Manager of the new Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Dunwoody/Perimeter Center in North Atlanta. Mr. Caughron has responsibility for overseeing the management of all operations at the hotel including food & beverage concepts plus sales, marketing and revenue management strategies. He will also execute timelines and oversee all activities to prepare the hotel for opening. Hotel Development Partners, based in Dunwoody, owns the 132-room hotel under c...
When Hoteliers Become Heroes – Are Your Staff CPR Trained?
Larry Mogelonsky | September 23, 2015
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.lma.ca) Don't dismiss this so hastily; it could happen to you. On the unusually warm spring night at New York's Hotel Pennsylvania, Security Supervisor Ruben Hernandez had just begun his shift when he received an urgent call for help. The call was for an unconscious male, not breathing and not showing a pulse. Ruben immediately removed the onsite automated external defibrillator (AED) from its box and responded to the location. Upon arrival, he and his fellow Security Officer, Danny Sandoval, began administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). After numerous CPR attempts failed to revive the g...
PT. Carlson Panorama Hospitality Signs Management Contract for Radisson Medan in Indonesia
PT. Carlson Panorama Hospitality | September 22, 2015
SINGAPORE, (SEPTEMBER 22, 2015) - PT. Carlson Panorama Hospitality, a joint venture between Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group and Panorama Group, today announced the signing of a management contract for Radisson Medan, in North Sumatra, Indonesia. As part of the rebranding exercise, the existing property will be extensively renovated under a USD $5 million property improvement plan. The hotel will remain open throughout the renovations and launched as Radisson Medan in the second half of 2016. Radisson Medan will be the fifth Carlson Rezidor hotel scheduled to open in Indonesia after Radisson Blu Bali Uluwatu, Radisson Golf & Convention C...
Wyndham Hotel Group Signs Ramada Plaza in Voronezh City Centre, Russia
Ramada | September 22, 2015
LONDON, U.K. (22 September 2015) – Wyndham Hotel Group, the world's largest hotel company based on number of hotels and one of three hospitality business units of Wyndham Worldwide (NYSE: WYN), today announced the signing of the 210-room Ramada® Plaza Voronezh City Centre in Russia. Due to open in October this year, the Ramada Plaza marks the first property for the hotel group in this historic and cultural city, adding to Wyndham Hotel Group's existing portfolio in the country which includes three further properties in Ekaterinburg, Kazan and at Domodedovo Airport in Moscow. "Our expansion within Russia through the signing of ...
HMC Assumes Management of the Candlewood Suites Located in Vicksburg, Mississippi
Hospitality Management Corporation (HMC) | September 22, 2015
The Hotel is Conveniently Located near Vicksburg's Convention Center in the City Center Dallas, TX – Leo Spriggs, President and CEO of Hospitality Management Corporation (HMC), proudly announces managerial responsibilities for this 83-room Candlewood Suites in Vicksburg, MS. The company continues its ongoing business expansion which is made up of full service, conference center, select service and limited service hotels. HMC is one of the country's largest third-party privately held hotel management companies, ranked in the top 40 of all third party and owner operated hotel management corporations. The hotel is ideally located in ...
Benchmark Names Joe Orichiella Director of Food & Beverage for Eaglewood Resort & Spa, Chicago
Eaglewood Resort & Spa | September 21, 2015
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, September 2015 … Benchmark Hospitality International®, a leading U.S.-based hospitality management company, has named Joe Orichiella director of food & beverage for Eaglewood Resort & Spa, a Benchmark Resorts & Hotels® property located near Chicago. Tom Garcia, general manager, made the announcement. "It is a pleasure to welcome Joe to our resort," said Mr. Garcia. "Exceptionally qualified and with strong leadership skills, we look forward to his success in our food & beverage department and his contributions to our executive team." Mr. Orichiella brings three deca...
Benchmark Hospitality International Names Greg Champion President & Chief Operating Officer
Benchmark Hospitality International | September 21, 2015
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, September 2015 … Benchmark Hospitality International, a leading U.S.-based hospitality management company, has announced the promotion of Greg Champion to President & Chief Operating Officer. Alex Cabañas, chief executive officer for Benchmark, made the announcement. "Bringing Greg on board as a senior executive for Benchmark Hospitality is one of the most important decisions our company has made in its 35-year history," said Mr. Cabañas. "Since he came to us, our growth trajectory and profitability has increased exponentially under his leadership. His commitment to Benchmark's 'B...
Crete’s Iconic Domes of Elounda Joins Autograph Collection, Following Multi-Million Pound Expansion
Autograph Collection Hotels | September 21, 2015
Bethesda, Md., September 21, 2015 - Autograph Collection Hotels, Marriott International's evolving ensemble of strikingly independent hotels, is celebrating further expansion across Europe and the brand's entry into a new territory with the announcement of Domes of Elounda, Crete joining the Collection. Proud to be the first Autograph Collection hotel in Greece, the award-winning Domes of Elounda is located in the heart of one of the world's most exceptional destinations. Boasting a distinctive collection of 78 lavish suites and 40 villas, Domes of Elounda recently completed a multi-million pound expansion which includes 28 Domes Luxury...
HeBS Digital Continues its 2015 Winning Streak with Five Travel Weekly Magellan Awards
HeBS Digital | September 21, 2015
HeBS Digital, the hospitality industry leader in digital technology, marketing and consulting, won five Magellan Awards, including two Gold Awards. NEW YORK, NY - September 21, 2015 – HeBS Digital proudly announces it has won five Travel Weekly Magellan Awards in the Hospitality category, including two Gold awards. The 2015 Magellan Awards honor the best in travel – from design to digital technology and marketing to services – and salute the outstanding travel professionals behind it all. After receiving entries from top travel organizations worldwide, the 2015 Magellan Awards designated winners who displayed a high s...
Benchmark Hospitality Intl Adds Landmark Doral Arrowwood to Benchmark Resorts & Hotels Portfolio
September 17, 2015
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, September 2015 … Benchmark Hospitality International, a leading U.S.-based hospitality management company, has added one of the nation's premier conference retreats to its Benchmark Resorts & Hotels portfolio – Doral Arrowwood. Located amid 114 wooded acres in Rye Brook, New York, Doral Arrowwood is north of New York City and easily accessible to metro airports. The property is the latest addition to Benchmark's exceptional collection of hotels and resorts with superb meeting facilities throughout the United States. "Doral Arrowwood ranks among the conference industry's most prominent and...
