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
Maestro PMS Announces New GEM Highlights Guest Response Solution to Increase Loyalty
Maestro Property Management Solution | February 18, 2015
GEM Highlights is a Streamlined Online Guest Comment Solution to Give Mobile Users a Fast Channel to Provide Hotels with Real Time Feedback February 18, 2015 - Maestro PMS™ announced the launch of GEM Highlights, its newest solution to strengthen guest loyalty. GEM (Guest Experience Measurement) Highlights is a streamlined, web-based guest response tool that automates guest perception gathering and monitors responses for prompt property action. The GEM Highlights solution is available to hoteliers now from Maestro. Maestro PMS Enterprise Property Management provides more than 20 hotel software and reservation software solutions for th...
Welcome to the New SHR – Sceptre Hospitality Resources Reveals New Branding and Corporate Website
SHR | February 18, 2015
HOUSTON, TX, February 18, 2015- SHR, an innovative provider of advanced distribution technology and services for the hospitality industry, today revealed their refreshed image, branding, and corporate website, www.shr.global. SHR will be the trade name for Sceptre Hospitality Resources, LLC, reflecting a simplified value proposition and sharpened focus. "Our company's culture revolves around values that include integrity, service, creativity, and teamwork. As we planned our move to a new space designed to reflect our culture and values, we decided to also redesign our logo and express our brand promise in a simpler more focused way", sa...
Hospitality Technology Expert Pam Angelucci Joins RoamingAround to Spearhead Growth of RoamBoost
RoamingAround | February 17, 2015
Former Ritz Carlton CIO recruited to continue exponential growth of RoamBoost DAS division BOSTON, MASS. - FEBRUARY 17, 2015 - With demand for access to cellular networks for 3G voice and 4G data at an all-time high, the hospitality industry's mobile engagement expert, RoamingAround, has recruited distinguished hospitality veteran and former Ritz Carlton Hotel Company CIO Pam Angelucci to head its RoamBoost division as Senior Vice President of Operations. RoamBoost is a scalable Distributed Antenna System (DAS) solution for hotels that solves in-building cellular coverage problems throughout a property or in targeted areas, such as th...
White Lodging Appoints Jason Kreul as Senior Vice President of Full Service Operations
White Lodging Services Corporation | February 12, 2015
MERRILLVILLE, Ind., Feb. 12, 2015 -- White Lodging is pleased to announce Jason Kreul has been hired as Senior Vice President of Full Service Operations. "I'm excited to welcome Jason to White Lodging and this new position as our company continues to grow," said Keith Daub, Chief Operating Officer for the company's full service portfolio. "Jason comes to us with a vast background of knowledge and experience, as well as successful leadership in the hospitality industry. I'm looking forward to the impact he will make within our organization." Kreul brings more than 20 years of hospitality experience to White Lodging. Most recently, he was...
White Lodging to Build a Dual-Branded AC Hotel and Le Meridien Hotel in Denver, Colorado
White Lodging Services Corporation | February 12, 2015
Le Meridien Denver and AC Denver are Slated to Break Ground in Late Spring 2015 and Open in Early 2017 MERRILLVILLE, Ind., Feb. 12, 2015 -- White Lodging is pleased to announce it will build a dual-branded hotel development in downtown Denver, featuring AC Hotels by Marriott hotel as well as a Starwood-branded Le Meridien Hotel. Construction on the 18-story development will begin in Spring 2015 with an opening scheduled for early 2017. The two hotels will add 491 rooms to the heart of the city at 15th Street and California, just one block from the Colorado Convention Center. Le Meridien Denver and AC Denver will be located at the center...
Hilton Worldwide Closes Sale of the Waldorf Astoria New York and Acquires Five Landmark Hotels
Hilton Worldwide | February 11, 2015
February 11, 2015 - MCLEAN, Va. - Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. ("Hilton Worldwide") today announced it closed its previously-announced sale of the Waldorf Astoria New York to Anbang Insurance Group Co. Ltd. ("Anbang") for $1.95 billion. In addition, Hilton Worldwide has signed agreements to redeploy the proceeds of the sale to add five landmark properties in strategic resort and urban locations to its owned portfolio: Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek in Orlando, FL (1,001 rooms) Waldorf Astoria Orlando in Orlando, FL (498 rooms) The Reach, A Waldorf Astoria Resort in Key West, FL (150 rooms) Casa Marina, A Waldorf ...
Understanding Your Hotel’s Glanceability
Larry Mogelonsky | February 11, 2015
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.lma.ca) Is your hotel glanceable? I know that's a made up word, but that doesn't diminish its importance. What I mean by 'glanceability' as it relates to hospitality is how noticeable or different a property is with respect to the average guest's preconceived notions. When consumers research hotels online - whether for business or leisure - statistics indicate that typically browse twenty different sites. Glancing through so many properties, what makes yours pop? It's interesting to note how this harks back to the neuroscience concept of Pre-Attentive Processing, whereby most stimuli to reach our b...
Accor Appoints Marc Sternagel as Vice President of Operations for Midscale Brands
Accor | February 10, 2015
(February 10, 2015) - Accor North America, Central America and the Caribbean (NCAC) region has announced the promotion of Marc Sternagel to vice president of operations for all midscale brands in the region. The segment encompasses all Novotel hotels in the United States and Canada, as well as Novotel properties in Panama and Mexico, and Mercure Guatemala. Marc will also contribute to development projects in the region within this segment. This is the second promotion this year for Sternagel who became vice president operations of HotelServices Novotel North America in February 2014. "Marc continues to serve as a vital part of our Accor...
Aimbridge Hospitality Selected to Manage the Soon to Open Sheraton Four Points in Bentonville, AR
Aimbridge Hospitality | February 9, 2015
Dallas, Texas (February 9, 2015) — Aimbridge Hospitality announces its management contract for the much anticipated Sheraton Four Points Hotel in Bentonville, Arkansas, scheduled for opening in March 19th , 2015 . The property's premier location at 211 SE Walton Boulevard is minutes from Wal-Mart's Corporate Headquarters and will also capture room demand for visitors to the renowned Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. The extensive renovation of the 105-room hotel by new owners, Little Rock-based Reimagine Hospitality, encompasses virtually every area of the original property. Project highlights include new lobby, lounge and bar d...
Waterford Hotel Group Promotes Ron Wichowski to General Manager of Hilton Hartford
Hilton Hartford | February 9, 2015
Waterford, CT (February 5, 2015) --- Waterford Hotel Group, Inc. has announced the promotion of Ron Wichowski to General Manager of the 393-room Hilton Hotel in Hartford, CT. As General Manager, Wichowski is responsible for all of the hotel's operations, sales and administration, as well as the more than 200 associates employed at the property. Waterford Hotel Group professionally manages the Hilton Hartford, a state-of-the-art, luxury hotel with all the benefits and convenience of a downtown location. A 21-year hospitality industry veteran, Wichowski most recently served as the Director of Operations at the Marriott Hartford Downtown i...
FCS Interview by Donald Trump Jr. on Bloomberg Corporate Review Awarded Additional Global Airing
FCS | February 9, 2015
Guest host Donald Trump Jr. interview with FCS' Akina Ho on latest innovations in hospitality operations software and mobile technologies to be re-aired on the Fox Business Network, Bloomberg EMEA and Bloomberg Asia Pacific Boca Raton - February 9, 2015 - FCS Computer Systems (FCS), a leading global provider of comprehensive hospitality solutions and services, recently shared details of its unique expertise in hospitality operations and mobile applications management during an interview with MMP (USA), Inc.'s the Corporate Review. As a segment that provides the industry with valuable insight into current trends along with advice on how ...
Front Desk Training Can Help Secure More Direct Bookings
Doug Kennedy | February 4, 2015
By Doug Kennedy February 4, 2015 As hotel managers look to reduce the costs of customer acquisition by focusing on direct bookings, one often overlooked resource is the front desk team working in your lobby right now. The frontline colleagues staffing the reception desk are interacting with guests every day and have numerous opportunities to help lock-in more direct bookings. Here are some suggestions and training techniques. As a starting place, make sure the frontline colleagues understand the costs of various distribution channels. Those I talk to in my workshops tend to grossly underestimate the distribution costs their hotel is p...
HeBS Digital Invites Hoteliers to Be Their Guest at the HSMAI Digital Marketing Strategy Conference
HeBS Digital | February 4, 2015
Conference to be Held in New York City HeBS Digital, the award winning hotel digital technology, website design, full-service digital marketing and website revenue optimization consulting firm, is offering complimentary HSMAI Digital Marketing Strategy conference passes for hoteliers who partner with the firm prior to the conference. NEW YORK, NY February 4, 2015 - HeBS Digital, the industry's leading digital technology, full-service hotel digital marketing, website design and direct online channel consulting firm, is offering a limited number of guest passes to the HSMAI Digital Marketing Strategy Conference in New York City where HeB...
From Slowtelier to Intrapreneur
Larry Mogelonsky | February 4, 2015
by Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.lma.ca) The hotel industry isn't exactly known for operating faster than a speeding bullet. Even in independent properties, there are many layers of management to funnel change and multiple operational departments that must be coordinated to make any transition effective. In other words, when it comes to executing a strategic plan, many hoteliers might as well be known as slowteliers. Pardon the cheesy portmanteau. Don't let this be you! With the current pace of new initiatives, hotel organizations (independent as well as chain) must learn to mimic the agility of a tech startup or an entrepreneuria...
Concord Hospitality Completes $7M Renovation of Renaissance Meadowlands Hotel, Rutherford, N.J.
Rockbridge | February 3, 2015
RUTHERFORD, N.J. - February 3, 2015 - Concord Hospitality, one of the top-ranked hotel developer/owner/operators in North America, today announced the completion of a $7 million renovation of the 167-room (including five suites) Renaissance Meadowlands in Rutherford, N.J. The hotel is owned in a joint venture between Rockbridge, a private equity firm that invests in hotels, and Concord. The five-month project involved a complete rejuvenation of all guest rooms, guest bathrooms, and public spaces. This included a rebranding of the hotel's restaurant, Finch's, and reconfiguration of the lounge and lobby creating more of a "great room" sty...
Hilton Worldwide Partners with CIMC to Develop its First Modular Hotel at Bristol Airport in the UK
Hampton Hotels | February 3, 2015
Construction Model to Facilitate Growth in Mature and Emerging Markets February 03, 2015 - Bristol, UK and MCLEAN, Va. - Hilton Worldwide has reached an agreement with modular building provider CIMC to develop the first hotel at Bristol Airport under its economy Hampton by Hilton brand. Financed and owned by CIMC, the hotel will be managed by Hilton Worldwide, drawing on its extensive experience of operating airport hotels at many of the world's top transport hubs. Today's announcement marks a strategic partnership between Hilton Worldwide and CIMC. CIMC's innovative modular technique significantly reduces the time taken for constructio...
Enterprise Data Services LTD Bringing FCS Solutions to Indian Ocean
FCS | February 3, 2015
Leading Technology Integrator for the Indian Ocean region boosts its hospitality market offerings by adding the FCS line of solutions to their client services portfolio. Rose Hill, Mauritius - February 3, 2015 - FCS Computer Systems (FCS), a leading comprehensive hospitality solutions and services provider, has signed its latest Business Partnership (BP) agreement with Enterprise Data Services Ltd (EDS), a prominent networking and telecommunications integrator for several industries, including finance and hospitality, within the Indian Ocean region. As a result of EDS' newly-appointed BP status, the company will have the full range of ...
Travel Tripper is Certified as a TripConnect™ Premium Partner by TripAdvisor
Travel Tripper | February 3, 2015
Travel Tripper hotel clients now have a powerful tool to generate direct bookings on one of the world's largest travel site NEW YORK, February 3, 2015 - Travel Tripper, one of the industry's most innovative providers of hotel reservation solutions, today announced its certification as a Premium Partner with TripConnect™, a platform created by TripAdvisor that helps independent hotels drive more direct bookings by showcasing rates and availability directly on the hotel's TripAdvisor page. As a Premium Partner, Travel Tripper's hotel clients will be able to take advantage of TripAdvisor's Instant Booking feature that allows travelers t...
HeBS Digital Unveils the smartCMS, Transforming Content Management System Technology in Hospitality
HeBS Digital | February 3, 2015
The industry's leading digital technology, full-service hotel marketing and website design firm has launched its 6th generation CMS technology, the smartCMS 6.0., granting hoteliers complete control over website content as well as unprecedented capabilities for dynamic content personalization and one-to-one marketing. NEW YORK, NY February 3, 2015 - HeBS Digital, the industry's leading digital technology, full-service hotel marketing and website design firm, announces the launch of its 6th generation CMS technology, the smartCMS 6.0. This award-winning technology offers complete control over website content and provides unprecedented ca...
Carlson Rezidor to Resume Direct Radisson Brand Development in Latin America
Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group | February 3, 2015
MINNEAPOLIS (February 3, 2015) - Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the world's largest and most dynamic hotel groups, today announced the company has entered into a definitive agreement to resume direct Radisson brand development from Royal Hotels International Inc. (Royal). "This is a very exciting opportunity for Carlson Rezidor to assume full control of Latin America and continue to further develop the footprint of our brands in the region. We have been a strong player in the region and look forward to further strengthening our position," said Javier Rosenberg, chief operating officer, Americas, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group. "Royal ...
In Memoriam, a Tribute to James Simkins, 1952-2015
January 30, 2015
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, January 2015 ... James Simkins, who was until recently Benchmark's Chief Operating Officer for Personal Luxury Resorts & Hotels and instrumental in the successful launch of the Personal Luxury brand, passed away peacefully on January 16th. He had been engaged in a heroic struggle with cancer. James was a legend and a giant within the hospitality industry, and a person for whom every day held a unique adventure. A consummate world-class hotelier, he mused at the completion of his career on how fortunate he had been to be mentored by many of the world's finest hoteliers, and to have had the opportunity ...
Hard Rock International Honors Outstanding Employees, Franchisees and Partners for 2014
Hard Rock International | January 30, 2015
Orlando, Fla., January 30, 2015 - Hard Rock International is proud to announce the winners of its 2014 awards in recognition of outstanding accomplishments and dedication of employees, franchisees and partners throughout the year. Hard Rock selected the top "rock stars" from more than 197 Hard Rock venues in 62 countries and hundreds of partners worldwide. The awards were chosen based on financial performance, unique sales accomplishments, community contributions, creativity, strategic marketing, philanthropy, brand loyalty and leadership. This year's conference was held at Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya in Mexico. The conference's top aw...
White Lodging Announces New Regional Vice Presidents and General Managers Named in Q4 2014
White Lodging | January 28, 2015
MERRILLVILLE, Ind., Jan. 27, 2015 -- White Lodging is pleased to announce the following individuals have been named regional vice presidents and general managers last quarter across the company. Chris O'Donnell was promoted to regional vice president, overseeing hotels in Texas; Nashville, Tenn.; and Bloomington, Ind. O'Donnell has been with White Lodging since 2007 when he joined the company as the general manager of the Courtyard Hartford-Farmington. He also served as the dual general manager of the Courtyard and Fairfield Inn & Suites Phoenix-Chandler. He was a regional director of sales and marketing before his promotion to regi...
Best Western International has Record Breaking Year
Best Western International | January 28, 2015
This follows the company's previous two year record of a RevPAR index of 110 or above and represents a 26.8 percent growth rate in RevPAR since 2011 Phoenix, January 28, 2015 - Best Western International set a brand record achieving a North American revenue per available room (RevPAR) index of 111.2 in 2014* (100 represents fair market share). This follows the company's previous two year record of a RevPAR index of 110 or above and represents a 26.8 percent growth rate in RevPAR since 2011, outpacing the competition by six points. 2014 also saw the brand reach two other milestones; generating total revenue of $3.9 billion in North Ameri...
