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
Are Travelers Falling out of Love With Airbnb?
Nancy Huang | August 23, 2018
By Nancy Huang The sharing economy came with the promise of revolutionizing the way we purchase goods and services, creating a frictionless world where buyers are connected to sellers, thereby cutting out the middleman and bringing down costs to consumers. The promise came to fruition. Today, an innovative breed of startups are giving consumers more choice, control, and convenience than ever before — nowhere more so, than in the travel industry. Yet there are signs that sharing economy accommodations are losing appeal. Since launching a decade ago, Airbnb has become the undisputed poster child of an alternative form of travel. Its...
Choice Hotels Promotes Pete Metzger to Franchise Development Regional Vice President for the Ascend Hotel Collection
Ascend Hotel Collection: let the destination reach you | August 23, 2018
ROCKVILLE, Md. (August 23, 2018) – Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), one of the world's largest hotel franchisors, has promoted Pete Metzger to franchise development regional vice president of the Ascend Hotel Collection brand. In this new role, Metzger will lead the growth of the brand's footprint in North America and the Caribbean. "Since its launch 10 years ago, the Ascend Hotel Collection brand continues to rapidly expand and solidify its position as the industry's first and largest soft brand," said Mark Shalala, vice president, upscale franchise development, Choice Hotels. "In the past six months alone, we've st...
WoodSpring Suites Executed 46 Franchise Agreements in First Half of 2018
August 23, 2018
ROCKVILLE, Md., Aug. 23, 2018 -- WoodSpring Suites is on pace to significantly exceed the brand's previous record for the number of new franchise agreements awarded in a single year. Through the first half of the year, the brand, which is franchised by Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), executed 46 franchise agreements, all but two of which took place after being acquired by Choice on February 1. WoodSpring now boasts more than 340 hotels open or in the pipeline. "Since the acquisition, developer interest in the WoodSpring Suites brand has grown tremendously. With demand continuing to increase for longer-term stays,...
Dream Hotel Group Appoints Jeff Donnelly as Vice President of Development
Dream Hotel Group | August 22, 2018
NEW YORK, NY (August 22, 2018) – Renowned hotel brand and management company Dream Hotel Group is pleased to announce the appointment of Jeff Donnelly as Vice President of Development. Based in New York City, Donnelly will play an integral role in the continued growth and success of the company, overseeing the development of new projects and sourcing new deals globally for Dream Hotel Group and its portfolio of lifestyle brands: Dream Hotels, Time Hotels, The Chatwal and Unscripted Hotels. Donnelly brings nearly 10 years of hospitality experience to Dream Hotel Group. He most recently served as principal partner and founder of JD ...
Another Move by the OTAs That Is Harmful to Hotel Profitability – What You Need to Know
HEBS Digital | August 22, 2018
By Max Starkov Background: Two recent events in hotel distribution created a mild media buzz, but unfortunately were ignored by some hoteliers and quickly forgotten by the industry: Expedia's Add-On Advantage and Booking.basic. Below we will discuss the issues with these two new initiatives by Expedia and Booking.com, reminiscent of the old Wild West times of hotel distribution and the early years of unruly OTAs, before rate parity and best rate guarantees. Both OTA initiatives use package or wholesale rates in clear violation of package and wholesale rates contract terms. We feel compelled to remind hoteliers how detrimental these new ...
Enhancing the Guest Experience with Personalized Menus
Larry Mogelonsky | August 22, 2018
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.hotelmogel.com) A modern hotel must give its guests a personalized experience if it hopes to keep pace with traveler expectations. While all hoteliers broadly understand the concept, integration costs and outdated management protocols can become potential barriers. Hence, when I see an effort at personalization that bypasses these barriers, no matter how small, I get excited. Turning our attention to another central aspect of the modern hotel experience – F&B – how do you make patrons in your restaurant feel as if you have personalized the dining experience for them? While undoubted...
Paramount Lodging Advisors Launches Subsidiary, Paramount Capital Advisors
Paramount Capital Advisors | August 21, 2018
Paramount Lodging Advisors (PLA) is pleased to announce the launch of Paramount Capital Advisors (PCA). PCA expands Paramount's reach and expertise into the Capital Markets arena. PCA provides strategic advisory in debt financing and equity placements for institutional and individual real estate investors in the hospitality sector. Since launching the platform in July 2018, PCA's capital advisory team has successfully closed over $75,000,000 in transactions. PCA's capital advisory services further benefits Paramount Lodging Advisors' clients by providing a more extensive suite of services, such as customized capital solutions for acquis...
PolyU Study Evaluates Airbnb – Friend or Threat?
August 21, 2018
Home rental sites such as Airbnb do not yet represent a threat to Singapore's budget hotel operators, although the market is under considerable pressure from new entrants, according to a study by Professor Brian King and Edward Koh, student of the Doctor of Hotel and Tourism Management (D.HTM) programme, of the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU). Their findings, however, suggest that the threat posed by the rapidly growing home rental market could intensify unless the government introduces regulations to "level the playing field" in the near future. Technology has generated "hug...
Best Western and My Green Resident Co. to Debut BW Signature Collection by Best Western With Signing of Tawaravadee Resort in Thailand
August 20, 2018
(Bangkok – August 20, 2018) Best Western Hotels & Resorts will introduce its newest brand, BW Signature Collection by Best Western, to Asia for the first time this year, following the signing of an exquisite lakeside resort - Tawaravadee Resort - in Thailand's historic Prachinburi province. Nestled in Thailand's verdant countryside, approximately 160km from Bangkok, this low-rise resort was inspired by the ancient Dvaravati culture that thrived in the area between the 6th and 11th centuries. "We are excited to debut BW Signature Collection by Best Western to the Asia market with the Tawaravadee Resort," said Ron Pohl, senior v...
Contract and Non-Management Employee Payrolls Rise in 2017
Robert Mandelbaum | August 20, 2018
By Robert Mandelbaum As the pace of revenue growth continues to decelerate for U.S. hotels, the capability of hotel operators to control costs will determine the ability of a property to increase profits from year to year. According to the 2018 edition of Trends® in the Hotel Industry, total operating revenue increased by just 2.0 percent in 2017 for the average hotel in the survey sample. Fortunately, by limiting the growth in operating expenses to 1.9 percent, managers at the Trends® properties realized an increase in gross operating profits (GOP) for the year. Unlike 2016, it was non-labor related costs that were the primary ...
Yield Management: Offensive and Defensive Strategy
Anne R. Lloyd-Jones | August 20, 2018
By Anne R. Lloyd-Jones Many markets in the U.S. have experienced substantial increases in inventory, with some recording year-over-year supply increases of 5.0% or more. Thus far, occupancy levels have generally remained strong, as most markets have seen demand growth keep pace with supply. The same cannot be said for average rates. The first signs of market saturation are often found in the average rate trends. Why? The short answer to this question is yield management. Yield management is the practice of adjusting the price and availability of inventory in response to changing market conditions, including consumer preferences and dem...
Ten New Hilton Garden Inn Properties Mark Expansion in U.S. and Germany Along With Firsts in France and Zambia
Hilton Garden Inn | August 16, 2018
MCLEAN, Va. – August 16, 2018 – Hilton Garden Inn, Hilton's (NYSE: HLT) global, upscale brand of hotels, has opened 10 new properties in travel-friendly destinations, including firsts for the brand in France and Zambia. The latest openings, across four different countries, continue the brand's rapid global growth in popular markets, such as Bordeaux – France's highly sought-after wine-growing region and the top city in the world1 to visit in 2017. "With these 10 new properties, we are building on our commitment to anticipate and cater to the evolving needs of today's modern traveler," said John Greenleaf, global head, ...
Radisson Hotel Group Appoints Catherine Higgins Whiteside as Vice President of Marketing for the Americas
Radisson Hotel Group | August 16, 2018
Minneapolis - August 16, 2018 - Radisson Hotel Group today announced the appointment of Catherine Higgins Whiteside as Vice President of Marketing in the Americas. In this role, Higgins Whiteside will be responsible for the creation and execution of strategic marketing programs that build consumer awareness, deliver exceptional experiences and ultimately drive loyalty of Radisson Hotel Group brands throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Latin America. She will lead the Creative Services, Brand Marketing, Digital Marketing, Field Marketing and Social Media teams. "The addition of a strong leader like Catherine will have a large impact o...
The Critical Alignment of Systems: The History of Hospitality API
August 16, 2018
By Jos Schaap CEO and Founder - StayNTouch It's no secret — providing a high-level guest experience requires the support of high-level technology. As we shift into a mobile-centric, hyper-personalized era led by the digital demands of the modern consumer, the pressure for hotels to continuously introduce new technology and advance their existing offering(s) is staggering. While the adoption and timely implementation of new technology is undeniably paramount in a hotel's appeal to the modern consumer — the success of this new technology relies largely on whether that technology is built on an open API. Think of it this way: i...
BENCHMARK® Names Kendra P. Clough Director of Conference Services for the Doug Pitcock ’49 Texas A&M Hotel and Conference Center, a Benchmark Resor
August 15, 2018
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, August 2018… BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has appointed Kendra P. Clough director of conference services for the Doug Pitcock '49 Texas A&M Hotel and Conference Center, which is nearing completion in College Station, Texas. The Benchmark Resorts & Hotels property is expected to open in August. Greg Stafford, general manager, made the announcement. "I am very pleased to welcome Kendra to our property," said Mr. Stafford. "She brings vast skills and experience in meeting and event planning to her new role, from both the venue's as well as the professional planner's perspectiv...
BENCHMARK® Names Geraldine Moment Area Director of Revenue
August 15, 2018
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, August 2018… BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has named Geraldine Moment area director of revenue for Benchmark's Hotel Contessa, located in San Antonio, and the company's new Doug Pitcock '49 Texas A&M Hotel and Conference Center, scheduled to open this month in College Station, Texas. Ted Davis, chief sales and marketing officer, made the announcement. "It is such a pleasure to congratulate Geraldine on her promotion," said Mr. Davis "She has been and continues to be a tremendous contributor to Benchmark's revenue management team, and intimately understands our company's Be The D...
The Potential and Pitfalls of a Hotel Management Takeover
Gary Hogan | August 15, 2018
By Gary Hogan Taking over an underperforming property can seem like a daunting task. After the excitement of being awarded a management contract, the transition period that follows can be filled with roadblocks — from distrustful employees, to outgoing management diverting their bookings to other hotels, to owners placing unrealistic expectations on performance. While it takes time to rebuild a property to its full potential, leveraging the right opportunities can help you establish quick wins that may ease the transition and create a solid foundation for success. Communicate with your employees Be prepared to encounter rumors, go...
BENCHMARK® Names Trevina Height Director of Catering and Conference Services at Delta Hotels-Marriott Dallas Allen & Watters Creek Convention Center
August 14, 2018
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, August 2018 … BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has appointed Trevina Height director of catering and conference services for Delta Hotels - Marriott Dallas Allen & Watters Creek Convention Center, a Benchmark Resorts & Hotels property under construction in the city of Allen, Texas, north of Dallas. The full-service hotel and convention center is scheduled to open in January of 2019. Stacy T. Martin, managing director, made the announcement. "It is a real pleasure to welcome Trevina to our property," said Ms. Martin. "She intimately understands the selling and servicing process,...
White Lodging Celebrates Opening of Dual-Branded Hampton by Hilton and Homewood Suites by Hilton in Teaneck, New Jersey
Hampton by Hilton | August 14, 2018
TEANECK, N.J. and MCLEAN, Va - Hilton (NYSE: HLT) today announced the opening of its newest hotel, the dual-branded Hampton Inn by Hilton Teaneck Glenpointe and Homewood Suites by Hilton Teaneck Glenpointe, bringing a total of 350 new rooms to the Meadowlands area. The dual-brand hotel adds even more versatile lodging options for guests visiting New Jersey, which increased to 101 million travelers in 2017*. "New Jersey's booming tourism gives us a promising opportunity to expand our footprint in the Garden State, and this dual-branded property diversifies our presence in the market," said Shruti Buckley, global head, Hampton by Hilton. ...
Country Inn & Suites Opens Hotel Near Wichita State University Following a Multimillion Dollar Renovation
August 14, 2018
Minneapolis - August 14, 2018 - Country Inn & Suites® by Radisson, a leading upper midscale hotel brand, today announced the opening of Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Wichita East, KS located at 333 South Webb Road. The hotel recently completed a multimillion dollar renovation featuring the brand's latest design, which includes modern interiors, stylish furnishings and spacious guest rooms and suites. The hotel's central location off I-35 and U.S. 400/54 allows guests to easily reach nearby upscale shopping and dining, as well as Wichita State University and Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (ICT). The hotel h...
Start Thinking About Your Hotel’s “Off-Season” in a Whole New Way
Gary R. Hernbroth | August 13, 2018
By: Gary R. Hernbroth Training for Winners Many things in our world have annual cycles or seasons, such as sports leagues, holiday shopping, the school year, farm crops, you name it. There is usually a slow (or slower) season and a busy (or busier) season, two very different activity levels in play. This industry certainly has its cycles too, where business levels fluctuate between in-season crazy/busy/zany/frantic times and the "wake me up when a customer comes around" slower times. The latter condition is commonly and insufferably known by most as the off-season. "Come and visit during the off-season, our rates are much lower be...
Waterford Hotel Group Appoints Jeff McClure as Director of Sales at DoubleTree Little Rock
DoubleTree by Hilton Little Rock | August 9, 2018
LITTLE ROCK, AR (August 9, 2018) – Waterford Hotel Group has announced the appointment of Jeff McClure as Director of Sales of the DoubleTree by Hilton in Little Rock, AR. The 288-room DoubleTree is professionally managed by Waterford Hotel Group, Inc., a national hotel and convention center management firm. In his new role as Director of Sales, McClure is responsible for the total sales efforts for the hotel, as well as supervising sales related personnel, and implementing sales and marketing strategies to maximize profits while also maintaining guest satisfaction. McClure joins the DoubleTree team with over 15 years of hospitali...
Now Available for Download: From Dreaming to Booking eBook
HEBS Digital | August 9, 2018
We all know from experience that a lot goes into planning the perfect vacation, and with so many devices and planning resources, the journey is complex. According to a leisure travel study conducted by Phocuswright, 60% of respondents reported that a vacation was their largest discretionary purchase. In light of this, before making this large investment, travelers are thoughtfully taking time to research all the possibilities. Download our latest eBook to learn strategies to implement in order to reach travelers at every stage of their travel planning journey. It is crucial to be present at every step of the way in order to capture the ...
Understanding Modern Dietary Restrictions
Larry Mogelonsky | August 8, 2018
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.hotelmogel.com) Setting aside allergic considerations, the number and diversity of self-imposed dietary restrictions these days are enough to make any F&B director shake his or her head. I'm not opposed to any of these; rather, it is imperative that all hoteliers embrace these eating habit changes. There are vegetarians that don't consume any flesh, vegans who go a step further by not touching dairy or eggs, pescatarians who eat seafood but not any terrestrial animals, pollo-pescatarians for fish or chicken but never red meat, paleo dieters who abstain from grain and a host of religious regimen...
