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
Destination Hotels to Launch $9M Renovation/Rebranding for The Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch
The Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch, A Destination Hotel | March 25, 2015
September 2015 Completion Planned March 25, 2015 - SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Scottsdale Resort & Conference Center, A Destination Hotel, will embark on a massive renovation July 1 that will transform the independent resort and revitalize its amenities. The resort is the newest property in the Destination Hotels portfolio and the only resort in the Phoenix metropolitan area to undergo a substantial renovation in 2015. In September, the property will be unveiled as The Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch, A Destination Hotel, and it will have a gorgeous, updated look to accompany its new name. The first phase of the renovation will inject ...
Five Uses for Tablets in a Mature Market
Larry Mogelonsky | March 25, 2015
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.lma.ca) Tablets are soon to be classified as a 'mature' technology product, if they aren't already. What this means is that there are many competing devices in various sizes available for purchase - even those besides the industry leading iPad and its little nephew, the iPad Mini - and that many consumers have already or plan to make such an acquisition. Moreover, true mobile and smartphones already fulfill many of the tasks that the larger tablets are best suited for. Tablets aren't as light as mobile devices, making them a tad more cumbersome for transport, and on the other end, they aren't as ad...
Hotel Equities Selected to Operate a One-of-a-Kind SpringHill Suites in Northwest Houston
Hotel Equities (HE) | March 25, 2015
Atlanta, GA – March 25, 2015 – Atlanta-based Hotel Equities (www.hotelequities.com) recently announced it was chosen as the management firm for a one-of-a-kind SpringHill Suites by Marriott under construction in Northwest Houston, Texas. Set to open in summer 2015, the hotel is Hotel Equities' fourth Marriott-branded property in the state. The hotel is located on the Northwest Freeway in Houston's growing medical and business corridor. Unique to the SpringHill brand, the hotel features 4,500 square feet of meeting space plus an additional 1,500 square feet of pre-function space to accommodate the strong conference demand in the mark...
Kim Hollfelder Returns to Director of Sales Role at Residence Inn Hartford Downtown
Residence Inn by Marriott | March 20, 2015
HARTFORD, CT (March 20, 2015) – Waterford Hotel Group has announced the appointment of Kim Hollfelder as Director of Sales for the Residence Inn by Marriott in Hartford, Connecticut. The 120-suite Residence Inn Downtown Hartford is professionally managed by Waterford Hotel Group, Inc., a national hotel and convention center management firm. Hollfelder served previously as Director of Sales for the Residence Inn Hartford Downtown from 2006 to 2011. In this role, Hollfelder is responsible for the total sales effort of the hotel, including developing and maintaining new accounts, supervising sales related personnel, and implementing sale...
Waterford Hotel Group Appoints Sandra Romeo as Director of Sales for Homewood Suites, Ithaca, NY
Homewood Suites by Hilton Ithaca | March 20, 2015
WATERFORD, CT (March 20, 2015) - Waterford Hotel Group has announced the appointment of Sandra Romeo to the position of Director of Sales at the Homewood Suites by Hilton, Ithaca, New York. The 91-room Homewood Suites is managed by Waterford Hotel Group, a national hotel and convention center management firm with headquarters in Waterford, Connecticut. As Director of Sales, Sandra is responsible for the total sales effort of the hotel. She joins the Homewood Suites Ithaca from her most recent position at the Greek Peak Mountain Resort in Cortland, New York. Her past experience includes serving as Sr. Director of Sales for the Affluent T...
Benchmark Hospitality’s Benchmark Resorts & Hotels Reveal The “Top Ten Meeting Trends for 2015”
March 19, 2015
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, March 2015 ... Benchmark Resorts & Hotels, a division of Benchmark Hospitality International, announces the "Top Ten Meeting Trends for 2015" as observed by its properties. Benchmark Hospitality International is a leading U.S.-based hospitality management company, which operates 40 award-winning hotels, resorts, and conference centers coast to coast and off shore. Ted Davis, chief sales & marketing officer for Benchmark Hospitality, made the announcement. "We believe 2015 is shaping up to be a great year for the meetings industry," said Mr. Davis. "We're seeing strong demand growth from most indus...
Netvision Partnership with FCS Provides Industry-leading Solutions to Croatia’s Hospitality Market
FCS | March 19, 2015
Regional IT telecommunications specialists to offer FCS' best-in-class Hotel Operations Management Applications throughout Adriatic region Zagreb, Croatia - March 19, 2015 - FCS Computer Systems (FCS), a leading comprehensive hospitality solutions and services provider, announces the signing of a Business Partnership (BP) agreement with Netvision, a regional specialist for Croatia in the telecommunications, multimedia networking and IT security and management fields. The new partnership comes as a result of Netvision's mission to be consistently recognized as the prime source for sophisticated, state-of-the-art hospitality solutions thr...
French Riviera Icon, Boscolo Exedra Nice, Joins Marriott’s Autograph Collection
Autograph Collection | March 18, 2015
March 18, 2015: Autograph Collection today adds a third French property to its collection of 24 strikingly independent hotels in Europe, the Boscolo Exedra Nice. The hotel, originally designed by renowned architect Charles Dalmas, is situated on the Riviera and has been fully restored, replicating the beauty of its former glory years in 1913 and the iconic Belle Époque style of the time. The recent renovations have been crafted by internationally renowned architects and designers; among them Maurizio Papiri, Massimo Iosa Ghini, Sergio Minorello and Simone Micheli. The lobby is steeped in old-world grandeur and contemporary style with m...
Group Sales Promotions in Ten Steps
Larry Mogelonsky | March 18, 2015
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.lma.ca) Ten step formulas are in vogue when it comes to conveying a simple guideline for marketers to follow. Here is one designed for making better group sales promotions. 1. Set your objectives. We've all heard of SMAC principles (Specific, Measureable, Achievable, Comparable) as an approach to business management. Start by clearly stating objectives and defining them holistically. Take your time with this one because if you start off on the wrong path, changing course is all the harder to do. 2. Identify the competition. Do your research. Understand the properties that you compete with for group...
Why Hoteliers Cannot Afford Free Analytics Tools
the Authors and HeBS Digital | March 16, 2015
By Sara O'Brien and Max Starkov There is a saying that goes, "I don't have enough money to buy cheap things." That statement also rings true for implementing free analytics: hoteliers simply cannot afford it. Many hoteliers will invest thousands of dollars in best-in-class hotel website design and digital marketing strategies and technologies. After launch, those same hoteliers will utilize cheap or free analytics tools and base integral marketing decisions on inferior information, which can result in millions of dollars of missed revenues. Today's hyper-connected traveler spends about 17 days in their journey to a decision on a booking...
Hyatt Names Debra Goetz & Sandra Cordova Micek to Corporate & Brand Marketing Executive Positions
Hyatt Hotels Corporation | March 13, 2015
CHICAGO (March 13, 2015) – Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) today announced that Hyatt has selected two strategic global marketing leaders – Debra Goetz as senior vice president, corporate marketing and global communications, and Sandra Cordova Micek as senior vice president, global brands. Both will report to Maryam Banikarim, global chief marketing officer. "Sandra and Debra are both exceptional marketers with deep expertise across a diverse portfolio of brands. The Hyatt brand has garnered tremendous equity over the years, and these roles are critical to strategically build on that foundation while continuing to drive the disti...
Wyndham Hotel Group Names Barry Goldstein as Chief Digital & Distribution Officer
Wyndham Hotel Group | March 13, 2015
PARSIPPANY, N.J. (March 13, 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 appointment of Barry Goldstein as chief digital and distribution officer, a newly created role designed to support the company's digital marketing and distribution strategies. Barry GoldsteinIn this position, Goldstein will be responsible for managing and optimizing Wyndham Hotel Group's digital assets and presence including its web and mobile sites, next generation mobile apps, online media, digital content, third party di...
The 110-room Press Hotel Will Open in Portland, ME in May 2015 as Part of the Autograph Collection
Autograph Collection | March 12, 2015
Located in the Historic Portland Press Herald Newspaper Building and Managed by Trust Hospitality BETHESDA, Md., March 12, 2015 -- Autograph Collection, Marriott International's exclusive portfolio of hotels recognized for celebrating individuality, will welcome a new boutique property to its collection. The Press Hotel, located in Portland, Maine, is housed in the historic Portland Press Herald newspaper building and will be Portland's first lifestyle, boutique hotel when it is scheduled to open in May 2015. Driven by the vision and passion of local developer Jim Brady, The Press Hotel will capture the essence of Portland by getting un...
Branded Hotel Guide to Generating Revenues Above-and-Beyond the Brand
the Authors and HeBS Digital | March 11, 2015
By Sara O'Brien & Ryan DeJong Branded hotels are in a unique digital marketing predicament. On the one hand the brand is a marketing organization and can open doors and steer demand to the branded hotel that is far out of the reach of any independent hotel. The investment in a brand affiliation provides the competitive benefit of attracting national and global travelers, brand-loyal guests, and Fortune 500 business travelers. Yet with all the good intentions of the brand, tremendous revenue opportunities still exist for any branded property above and beyond the core focus of the major brand. The branded hotel faces fierce competitio...
Al Habtoor Group’s Habtoor Grand Beach Resort & Spa in Dubai Joins Marriott’s Autograph Collection
Autograph Collection | March 11, 2015
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – March 11, 2015 – Habtoor Grand Beach Resort & Spa, a distinct five-star beachfront resort located in Dubai has joined the Autograph Collection, Marriott International's exclusive global portfolio of independently owned hotels. The new partnership will elevate the Habtoor Grand Resort & Spa's iconic status throughout the region by participating in Autograph's global sales and marketing channels, the award-winning Marriott Rewards frequent travel program and the company's management and franchise expertise. Autograph Collection is an evolving ensemble of strikingly independent hotels, with each de...
Autograph Collection Welcomes Triada Palm Springs Following Multimillion-Dollar Renovation
Autograph Collection | March 11, 2015
Bethesda, Md., March 11, 2015 – Autograph Collection, Marriott International's distinctive portfolio of high personality, one-of-a-kind independent hotels, is delighted to announce the next addition to its desirable Collection, Triada Palm Springs. An iconic property rich with local and Hollywood history, Triada Palm Springs was originally designed in 1939 in the style of a traditional Spanish hacienda. Today, Triada is "exactly like nothing else" following an extensive multimillion-dollar renovation. The newly launched Triada Palm Springs offers an elevated experience for guests in 2015, whilst still honoring the original inspiration...
Managed by HRI Lodging, the 188-room Aloft New Orleans Downtown Opens
Aloft Hotels | March 11, 2015
STAMFORD, Conn.-- Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.® (NYSE:HOT) today announced that its game-changing Aloft brand has arrived in New Orleans, following the completion of an adaptive re-use project that transformed a historic building in the city's Central Business District. The hotel is controlled by 225 Baronne Complex Subtenant, LLC, an affiliate of HRI Properties, LLC, and managed by HRI Lodging, LLC, Aloft New Orleans Downtown features 188 spacious, loft-like rooms, an active social scene and innovative brand-led programming. "We are thrilled to introduce the Aloft brand, with its distinct design aesthetic, buzzing soc...
Maestro PMS Launches Swift SMS Gateway Text Messaging Integration for Instant Guest Communication
Maestro Property Management Solution | March 11, 2015
Fully Integrated SMS Text Message Module Gives Guests Room Availability, Group Member Alerts, Property Promotions and Events to Personalize Service March 11, 2015 - Maestro PMS™ launched its new SMS text communication module to enhance flexible, personal guest communications and service. The new SMS service is fully integrated with Maestro PMS to provide timely messages for early check-in room availability, group member alerts, spa appointments, property promotions and concierge services. Click here to learn more about Maestro's solutions for profitability and productivity. Maestro PMS provides its guest text message module in partner...
The Hotel Narrative is Written by Guests
Larry Mogelonsky | March 11, 2015
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.lma.ca) Hotels are all about delivering an experience; bestowing guests with an uplifting story to enrich their lives. At least that's the aspiration. Sadly, we fall short sometimes. Whenever we breach this topic, we often discuss a hotel in terms of the 'narrative' it offers to those who visit. But this narrative must change from the hotel's point-of-view to that of each individual guest. Although it's a step in the right direction to even contemplate what a property's narrative is, any efforts along these lines may prove to be a tad blindsided or self-centered if you are only considering what the...
FCS e-Connect System Demonstrates Superior Guest Service and Management Efficiency at Rotana Hotels
FCS | March 10, 2015
Report provides account of how a leading hotel management company leverages FCS e-Connect across multiple properties as an integrative service management tool to maximize operational performance and guest request response times Dubai, March 10 2015 - FCS Computer Systems (FCS), a leading global provider of comprehensive hospitality solutions and services, has teamed up with Rotana Hotels for an industry-leading case study on their technology partnership. Rotana has partnered with FCS to bring the e-Connect solution to its hotels across the MENA region to help drive guest satisfaction through the optimization of guest services management...
IHG Appoints Sandi Macfie to Newly Created Role of Director, Hotel Performance Support for Africa
IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) | March 10, 2015
10 March, 2015 - InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), one of the world's leading hotel companies, announces the appointment of Sandi Macfie to the newly created role of Director, Hotel Performance Support for Africa. Based in Johannesburg, Sandi will lead the operations and performance of IHG's 17 franchised hotels across six countries in Africa. A native South African by birth, Sandi joins IHG with 30 years of extensive experience across the hospitality, finance and technology industries. She was most recently Group Director of Revenue in Tsogo Sun Hotels, during which time her background in information technology also put her in good ...
Hotel Equities to Manage New, Under Development, Fairfield Inn & Suites Waxahachie/South Dallas
Hotel Equities | March 9, 2015
Atlanta, GA–March 9, 2015 – Atlanta-based Hotel Equities (www.hotelequities.com) recently announced its selection as the management firm for the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott under development in Waxahachie, Texas. Set to break ground in April 2015, the hotel will be located at 2020 Civic Center Ln., the intersection of Interstate 35 E and Highway 287, just 30 minutes south of Dallas, Texas. Expected to open in March 2016, the hotel will sit beside the Waxahachie Civic Center, site of numerous events and meetings, and across from the newly completed Baylor Scott & White Hospital. "Expanding our management portfolio deep...
HRI Lodging Welcomes Kristen Jordan-Wood as VP Sales & Marketing
HRI Lodging | March 5, 2015
NEW ORLEANS (March 5, 2015) – HRI Lodging (HRIL) announces the appointment of Kristen Jordan-Wood as vice president of sales & marketing, effective Monday, March 2, 2015. She will have direct oversight of the entire HRIL/MWTH portfolio. Jordan-Wood previously served as vice president of sales & marketing for the MetWest Terra Hospitality (MWTH) portfolio, a position she had since July 2013. Under her leadership, the hotel group experienced significant success, including the relaunch of the high-end Casa Madrona Hotel & Spa. "Through Kristen's guidance, the MWTH sales teams continue to stand out among competitors and succee...
Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, Americas Names Annual Award Winners
Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group | March 4, 2015
MINNEAPOLIS (March 4, 2015) - Carlson Rezidor Hotel Groups, one of the world's largest and most dynamic hotel groups, announced the companies top performers of 2014 at its annual Americas Business Conference last week. "We take this opportunity to celebrate and honor the outstanding people and hotels that make Carlson Rezidor so special by connecting with our customers," said Javier Rosenberg, chief operating officer, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, Americas." Rosenberg was joined by David Berg, Carlson's chief operating officer, as they cited the impressive accomplishments and customer accolades for the 2014 award winners. Four people ear...
