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
Now Available for Download: Smart Hotelier’s Guide to 2019 Digital Marketing & Technology Budget Planning
HEBS Digital | September 27, 2018
With budgeting season comes the time to analyze digital marketing initiatives and plan for trends that may arise throughout the year. When constructing your budget, think about upgrades your property needs to make regarding digital technology and marketing strategy. Knowledge of where the industry's key benchmarks are headed is critical to budgeting appropriately and knowing where to focus your efforts to see results. According to STR, the US hotel industry is projected to see growth, slow yet steady, through 2019. However, supply will continue to outweigh demand in many major markets (2.3% vs 2%). Occupancy is increasing by 0.3%; A...
Best Western® Hotels & Resorts Introduces Two Boutique Brands, Sadie Hotel and Aiden Hotel
September 26, 2018
Phoenix (September 26, 2018) – Best Western® Hotels & Resorts today marked an industry first, introducing a pair of boutique brands – Sadie HotelSM and Aiden HotelSM. Sadie Hotel will compete in the upscale segments, and Aiden Hotel will compete in the upper midscale segment. These conversion brands offer developers an opportunity to reposition existing properties to improve their performance and enhance their asset value. These brands will offer hoteliers a design program with unprecedented flexibility. Sadie Hotel and Aiden Hotel's edgy personalities will be reflected across each hotel, starting from the moment tra...
BENCHMARK® Appoints Becky Melchi, CMP, as Director of Sales at Wingspread Retreat & Executive Conference Center
Benchmark Resorts & Hotels | September 26, 2018
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, September 2018 … BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has announced the appointment of Becky Melchi, CMP, as director of sales for Wingspread Retreat & Executive Conference Center, the landmark Frank Lloyd Wright property located in Racine, Wisconsin. The appointment represents a promotion within the Benchmark organization for Ms. Melchi. Chris Steffich, Benchmark's general manager at Wingspread, made the announcement. "We are very pleased that Becky has accepted this position with the Johnson Foundation at Wingspread Retreat & Executive Conference Center," said Mr. Steffich. "We l...
Reimagining Sales Leadership With Josh Lesnick, President & CEO, Associated Luxury Hotels
Andrew Hazelton | September 26, 2018
By Andrew Hazelton AETHOS recently "picked-the-brain" of Josh Lesnick, President & CEO of Associated Luxury Hotels – the parent company of Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI) and Worldhotels. Both are leading global hospitality services organizations that specialize in luxury-level and upper-upscale independently owned or operated hotels and resorts around the world. Associated Luxury defines success as enabling their member hotels to maintain an independent identity while competing effectively with the world's biggest hospitality chains. Lesnick is no stranger to leading complex global teams, having recently served ...
Using the Little Guestroom Features to Differentiate
Larry Mogelonsky | September 26, 2018
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.hotelmogel.com) Oftentimes marketers and hoteliers alike get caught up in the big picture as they try to sell their products on only the flashiest features. Be it the great outdoor pool, the award-winning restaurant or the million-dollar-redesigned chic lobby bar, we aim to emotionally impact potential customers with dynamic visuals and impressive amenities. Through this singular focus we are strategically manipulating the narrative so that it is simple, memorable and unique to the guest – a vital task in today's uber-competitive environment where consumers' attention spans are infinitesimall...
Choice Hotels, Along With Longtime Franchisees Magnolia Hospitality Group and Champion Hotels, to Develop Eight Midscale Hotels
Choice Hotels | September 25, 2018
ROCKVILLE, Md., Sept. 25, 2018 -- Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) has reached agreements with longtime franchisees Magnolia Hospitality Group and Champion Hotels for the development of eight midscale hotels to be located throughout the country, which include a mix of new construction and conversion projects as well as a dual-brand location. Building on its decades-long relationship with Choice, Magnolia Hospitality Group will open five new hotels in Texas: Comfort Inn – Dallas Comfort Inn – Ft. Worth Sleep Inn – Dallas Mainstay Suites – Humble Mainstay Suites – Dallas Champion Hotels, w...
Latin American Giant TOTVS Signs on as SiteMinder’s 250th PMS Connectivity Partner
SiteMinder | September 25, 2018
Dallas, USA – The largest enterprise technology company in Latin America, TOTVS, has entered into a partnership with SiteMinder to become the 250th property management system (PMS) provider that will connect into SiteMinder's market-leading hotel guest acquisition platform. The partnership, which comes one day ahead of the ABAV Expo in São Paulo, will allow the 2,500 hotel users of TOTVS's PMS – CMNet – to enhance and automate the distribution of their rooms to the vast sales channels that are available through SiteMinder's platform. SiteMinder's channel network includes more than 350 of the world's top-performi...
AccorHotels Deploys Infor Revenue Management Solution Across France
Infor | September 25, 2018
212 French Hotels Gain Better Visibility to Optimize Revenue NEW YORK, Sept. 25, 2018 -- Infor, a leading provider of industry-specific cloud applications, today announced that its revenue management solution dedicated to the hospitality industry, Infor EzRMS, has been deployed by AccorHotels in France. This is part of a global project and aims to replace the existing solution that will disappear soon and that had been installed in nearly 150 Accor sites in France. EzRMS is currently in place in 212 hotels in France, throughout the territory, allowing each of these establishments to benefit from a better visibility on the customer deman...
Takeaways From the 2018 Guest Experience Assessment Report: Better Alignment of Tech & Value for Guests
Jos Schaap, CEO -Founder and CEO | September 25, 2018
By Jos Schaap CEO and Founder - StayNTouch The relationship between hospitality and technology is ever-evolving as the demands of the modern guest continue to redefine the industry landscape. With the on-going need for guest personalization and value-driven service, the most successful hotels will be those who allocate more of their budgets for technology that actually aligns with delivering a better guest experience for all types of travelers. This may empower a self-service model for some guests, and high-touch, personalized service for others. To gain a better understanding of current guest assessment trends and technological, guest-...
Aston Waikiki Circle Hotel Goes All-In With Knowcross
Knowcross | September 25, 2018
Global leader in hospitality technology adds the much-sought-after jewel in Waikiki to its client roster Washington D.C., September 25th 2018 - KNOWCROSS, the preferred service quality management platform of the finest hotels across the globe, has been chosen by the Aston Waikiki Circle Hotel to maximize control and ensure efficiencies across their hotel operations. This inclusion adds to the growing list of marquee hotels & brands associated with Knowcross in the Americas. The Knowcross platform facilitates automated handling of guest requests, complaints and maintenance jobs while helping to capture, track and significantly reduc...
HEBS Digital Named the Leading Travel Merchandising Solution Provider in North America by the World Travel Awards
HEBS Digital | September 25, 2018
Summary: HEBS Digital's innovative smartCMS® website technology platform was named the best travel merchandising solution provider in North America at the 2018 World Travel Awards Caribbean & North America Gala ceremony. New York (September 25, 2018) - HEBS Digital, a leader in hotel digital marketing and technology, was named the leading travel merchandising solution provider in North America by the World Travel Awards. HEBS Digital received this award in recognition of their innovative smartCMS® website technology platform and will be honored at the 2018 World Travel Awards Caribbean & North America Gala ceremony. The ...
Hospitality Management Corporation Appoints Peter Ambros as New General Manager of Four Points by Sheraton® in Little Rock, Arkansas
Hospitality Management Corporation (HMC) | September 24, 2018
Dallas, TX - Leo Spriggs, President and CEO of Hospitality Management Corporation (HMC), is happy to announce that team member Peter Ambros has taken the role of General Manager at the Four Points by Sheraton® in Little Rock, Arkansas. Prior to joining the team in Little Rock, he held the position of General Manager at HMC's Holiday Inn® Airport and Conference Center in Memphis, TN. With extensive professional hospitality experience and wide-ranging knowledge of the Hotel and Food & Beverage industries, he will be an invaluable asset in building the Four Points by Sheraton® clientele, guest services and overall perfo...
Choice Hotels and Oz Real Estate Sign LOI for Contemplated Joint-Venture That Could Result in 50 New Cambria Hotels
Cambria Hotels | September 24, 2018
ROCKVILLE, Md., Sept. 24, 2018 -- Building on Choice Hotels International, Inc.'s (NYSE: CHH) dedication to the growth of its upscale Cambria Hotels brand, the company entered into a letter of intent (LOI) with an affiliate of Oz Real Estate, the real estate platform of Oz Management (NYSE: OZM), that sets forth a framework for a co-investment platform to accelerate the development of Cambria Hotels throughout the United States. "The Cambria Hotels brand continues to drive success for Choice Hotels and, as evidenced by signing this LOI, we are attracting some of the largest institutional real estate investment groups in the wor...
SHR Announces New CRS Product Features, Plus PMS and OTA Integrations
SHR | September 24, 2018
HOUSTON, TX, September 24, 2018—SHR, Sceptre Hospitality Resources, a pioneer of advanced hotel distribution technologies, has unveiled several new features within their Windsurfer® CRS Enterprise and Essentials products, in addition to two new key product integrations. Windsurfer Enterprise clients will now be able to Assign Policies by Channel, allowing them, for example, to set one cancellation policy for the Windsurfer® Booking Engine and a different policy for GDS. They will also enjoy a newly-expanded Registered Guest Reports feature. This means that reports can now be pulled at hotel level or chain level, helping En...
Hospitality & Technology – Innovation is Being Stifled by Lack of Leadership
Thomas Mielke | September 21, 2018
By Thomas Mielke Whenever a company is merging with or being taken over by one of its competitors — something increasingly commonplace in 2017 and 2018 (thanks largely to Accor's busy buying spree) — AETHOS is keen to point the sector's attention to the importance of senior leadership "stepping up its game" to proactively manage transition periods. The same, of course, is true for times of major industry shifts which alter the conditions and the environment businesses operate in. Sadly, it seems, ignorance is wide-spread when it comes to all that is happening in the tech space with few leaders taking decisive steps forward t...
Marriott International & White Lodging Reveal Plans for New Autograph Collection Hotel & AC Hotel by Marriott® in Austin, Texas
White Lodging | September 21, 2018
Merrillville, IN (September 21, 2018) – Marriott International, Inc. announced today two anticipated lifestyle hotel openings in Austin, the dual-branded AC Hotel Austin and The Otis Hotel, an Autograph Collection hotel. Developed by White Lodging, the country's fastest-growing hotel ownership, management, and development company, the dual-branded complex is set to open its doors in Q4 of 2019. Located at 1901 San Antonio Street along the southwest edge of University of Texas at Austin's campus, the two hotels will set a new standard of Texan hospitality and bring 347 rooms to the city; 191 rooms including 29 suites at The Otis Ho...
The Resort at Garden of the Gods Receives Four Diamonds
Garden of the Gods Collection | September 21, 2018
Luxury Resort Honored with Prestigious Award for the First Time Colorado Springs, Colorado, September 2018 … Garden of the Gods Collection, Colorado Springs' luxury resort and a Gemstone Collection property, has been honored with its first designation as a AAA Four Diamond property. Scott Marble, interim general manager for the luxury resort, made the announcement. "Garden of the Gods Collection has seen a complete transformation through our owners' vision and has been brought to life by the dedication and tireless work of our staff," said Mr. Marble. "We are humbled and honored to receive this award." Perched atop a mesa in Colo...
Blurred Lines Between Hotels and Airbnb
Luigi Major | September 20, 2018
By Luigi Major In this new day in age, the meaning of travel has taken an interesting turn in terms of what is driving consumers away from home. The generation of material pleasantries has come and gone, and what people are really looking for these days are new and engaging experiences. Curiosity is driving interest away from the status quo. While the necessities, like having a great location, providing safety and security while keeping a high standard for quality, will always hold value, consumers are seeking ways to leverage their travel by experiencing and becoming one with the surrounding environment. A new fine line has been create...
Noble and Simon Open 146-Key Homewood Suites by Hilton Edina Minneapolis as Part of Southdale Center’s Mixed-Use Complex
Homewood Suites | September 20, 2018
Atlanta and Indianapolis – September 18, 2018 - Noble Investment Group ("Noble"), and Simon®, a global leader in premier shopping, dining, and mixed-use destinations, (NYSE:SPG), announces the opening of the Homewood Suites by Hilton Edina Minneapolis, located in the heart of Edina as part of Southdale Center's mixed-use complex. The hotel is proximate to the corporate headquarters of major employers such as Best Buy, Dairy Queen, United Health, General Mills, and Regis Corporation, and hospitals, including the renowned Methodist Hospital and Fairview Hospital. The Homewood Suites by Hilton Edina Minneapolis is less than ten m...
The Top 5 Things You Need to Know Now in Hotel Digital Marketing: September Edition
HEBS Digital | September 20, 2018
By Margaret Mastrogiacomo, VP Strategy This month, Google's search engine algorithm update takes full effect, Facebook rolls out new video format to more advertisers, and animated typography helps website content pack a punch. From SEO to design, read on to learn the top5 things you need to know now in hotel digital marketing. SEO: The Google search algorithm update on August 1 is now officially rolled out. Overall, the search engine update is considered a broad core algorithm update, so there are no specific optimizations that the SEO community should be focused on. However, now more than ever, marketers should ensure that the websit...
Choice Hotel Launches Clarion Pointe, a Midscale Select-Service Brand Extension of Clarion
Clarion Pointe | September 20, 2018
ROCKVILLE, Md., Sept. 20, 2018 -- Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) today unveiled Clarion Pointe, a midscale select-service brand extension of Clarion that brings together the premium elements guests desire and an affordable travel experience. It also meets hotel owners' strong demand for a new select-service opportunity that is a differentiator in the popular midscale segment. "As customer expectations continue to evolve, we know that guests desire high-quality and affordable lodging options when they travel," said Patrick Pacious, president and chief executive officer, Choice Hotels. "Clarion Pointe dem...
Hospitality Leadership Series On ‘Professional Visibility’: The 3 Cs of Executive Presence
Andrew Hazelton | September 20, 2018
By: Andrew Hazelton, Philadelphia | Thomas Mielke, London Last month, we investigated what it takes to be visible in the professional market place and concluded with the suggestion that "visibility" is only worth something if it is tied to "relatability". In this article, we stipulate that the former and the latter should be complemented by "executive presence". Google "executive presence" and you'll be "inundated" with 163 million hits. You're bound to learn useful tips if you can somehow sift through this avalanche of material to find the tried and true nuggets of wisdom. Or, you could take the Dale Carnegie's course on public speakin...
The Rainmaker Group Now Integrates With Central Reservation System, Windsurfer® CRS, to Provide a More Streamlined Interface for Customers
Rainmaker | September 20, 2018
ALPHARETTA, GA. — September , 2018 —The Rainmaker Group (Rainmaker), a leading provider of cloud-based hospitality revenue and profit optimization software announces a full integration between Rainmaker's premier revenue management system, guestrev®, and SHR, Sceptre Hospitality Resources, a pioneer of advanced hotel distribution technologies and developer of Windsurfer® CRS. This integration allows guestrev® to send pricing recommendations directly to Windsurfer CRS, giving properties the ability to access strategic information as they make pricing decisions. Hotel properties that utilize both guestrev® and ...
SHR Integrates With Rainmaker Guestrev® to Provide Advanced Revenue Optimization Tool
SHR | September 20, 2018
ALPHARETTA, GA and HOUSTON, TX, September 20, 2018—SHR, Sceptre Hospitality Resources, a pioneer of advanced hotel distribution technologies and developer of Windsurfer® CRS, has become fully integrated with the The Rainmaker Group's guestrev® product to help drive revenue and manage forecasting for SHR clients. Hotel properties that utilize both guestrev and Windsurfer will now be able to see Daily Rates, overbooking (at the property level or room type level), and Open/Close to Stay-Through within the CRS, instead of waiting for their PMS to relay the same data. And by sending pricing recommendations directly to Windsurfe...
