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Operations
BENCHMARK® Appoints Deborah E. Tant Director of Finance for the Doug Pitcock ’49 Texas A&M Hotel and Conference Center
August 8, 2018
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, August 2018… BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has named Deborah E. Tant controller 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 this month. Greg Stafford, general manager, made the announcement. "It is such a pleasure to welcome Deborah to our team," said Mr. Stafford. "Not only is she highly qualified, she is a long-time Benchmark executive and keenly aware of the company's signature 'Be the Difference' service philosophy. She will be an importa...
Alila Hotels and Resorts Chooses Infor to Streamline Operations and Increase Business Efficiency
Alila | August 8, 2018
Customer Service and Satisfaction was Key to Selection Choice NEW YORK - Aug 08, 2018 - Infor, a leading provider of industry-specific cloud applications, today announced that Alila Hotels and Resorts has deployed Infor Hospitality Management System (HMS) and Infor Revenue Management Solution (RMS) for its hotel operations in Kuala Lumpur to increase business agility and further enhance efficiencies. Alila Hotels and Resorts launched in Indonesia 15 years ago. Today it is the luxury brand under Two Roads Hospitality and manages hotels and resorts in India, Asia Pacific and Oman. In streamlining and automating its processes and enabling ...
Why Offering Local Tours and Activities Is a Huge Revenue Opportunity for Hotels
HEBS Digital | August 7, 2018
By Max Starkov, President & CEO at HEBS Digital Background: Offering local tours and activities - i.e. experiences in the destination - is a multibillion dollar business, with the OTAs having shown a growing interest in this sector. Expedia alone is looking to grow its local tours and activities sales fivefold - from approximately $400 million a year to over $2 billion. Expedia currently has 4,000 suppliers providing 27,000 tours and activities worldwide. Airbnb, through its Experiences offering, has been rolling out tours and activities in many of its key destinations with the goal of bringing its offerings to 1,000 cities. Recentl...
Dubai’s DAMAC Properties and Radisson Enter Agreement for First Radisson Hotel in the Middle East at Dubai’s DAMAC Hills in the United Arab Emirat
Radisson Hotel Group | August 7, 2018
Radisson Hospitality AB, publicly listed on Nasdaq Stockholm, Sweden and part of Radisson Hotel Group, is proud to announce the signing of its first Radisson hotel in the Middle East at Dubai's DAMAC Hills in the United Arab Emirates. The new signing is in partnership with leading Dubai-based real estate developer DAMAC Properties. Radisson Hotel Group portfolio now features 81 hotels and more than 20,000 rooms in operation and under development across the Middle East region. The new upscale, full-service brand with Scandinavian-inspired hospitality, will be situated in Damac Hills. It's part of a new 3.9 million square-meter residentia...
Prestige Hospitality Group Appoints Mr. Robin W. Hottle to Lead PHG’s Southeast Operations
sbe | August 7, 2018
CHARLOTTE, NC –– James C. Frenis, CHA, Chief Executive Officer of Prestige Hospitality Group, LLC (PHG) is pleased to announce the expansion of its team and the launch of a new office in Charlotte, North Carolina. Headquartered in Albany, New York, PHG is a rapidly growing hospitality development and management company. This North Carolina location allows PHG to pursue new development and third-party management opportunities throughout the southeast region. "PHG has experienced significant geographic growth over the past few years," noted Mr. Frenis. "Our presence in North Carolina is an important step in our continued expa...
Gradebook for Cleanliness for Hotels
University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee | August 7, 2018
Cleanliness is one of the main factors in a hotel selection, regardless of property size, brand affiliation, or location. High standard of cleanliness of a hotel helps to form customer loyalty, generate positive word of mouth, and, as a result, increase the hotel's occupancy and profitability. This report aims to answer an important question: Does spending more on housekeeping make a hotel look cleaner? Data collected from 1,139 hotels across 15 brands showed that spending more money on cleaning a room does not guarantee higher guest scores for cleanliness. Generally, upper upscale brands spent more than other hotels on housekeeping in 2...
Country Inn & Suites Opens Hotel Near Syracuse Hancock International Airport Following a Multimillion Dollar Renovation
August 6, 2018
Minneapolis (August 6, 2018) - Country Inn & Suites® by Radisson, a leading upper midscale hotel brand, today announced the opening of Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Syracuse North, NY located at 401 7th North Street. 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. Guests traveling into town have the added convenience of being only three miles from Syracuse Hancock International Airport. "As part of our 5-year strategic plan, we aim to accelerate the transformation of our Country Inn...
Hyatt Appoints Mia Kyricos as Senior Vice President, Global Head of Wellbeing
Hyatt Hotels Corporation | August 6, 2018
CHICAGO (August 6, 2018) – Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced today that Hyatt has selected Mia Kyricos as senior vice president, global head of wellbeing, underscoring Hyatt's commitment to care for people so they can be their best. Kyricos will report to Mark Vondrasek, Hyatt's chief commercial officer. "As a pioneer in the business of wellbeing, Mia is uniquely qualified to further define Hyatt's wellbeing efforts across all 14 brands to ensure colleagues, guests and customers can be their best," Vondrasek said. "She is a respected leader in the wellbeing industry and her expertise across wellness, hospitality and bra...
Radisson Hotel Group Signs With Astor Group for Development of Radisson Riga in the Baltics
Radisson Hotel Group | August 6, 2018
Radisson Hospitality AB, publicly listed on Nasdaq Stockholm, Sweden and part of the Radisson Hotel Group, is proud to announce the signing of a new Radisson in Europe, rolling out its upscale hotel brand across EMEA. Radisson Riga is being developed in collaboration with the group's long-term partner, Astor Group. Currently named Astor Riga Hotel, it will be rebranded to the Radisson Old Town Riga Hotel in late 2018. Elie Younes, Executive Vice President & Chief Development Officer of Radisson Hotel Group said: "We're delighted to sign the first Radisson hotel in the Baltics. This hotel is a great addition to our portfolio in this ...
New Doug Pitcock ‘49 Texas A&M Hotel & Conference Center Offers Current and Former Aggie Students Hospitality Training for Superb Service and Career
August 6, 2018
Aggies Serving Aggies at University's New "Guest House" Opening in August College Station, Texas, August 6, 2018 … The new Doug Pitcock '49 Texas A&M Hotel & Conference Center, opening this month, will be more than a luxury hotel and state-of-the-art meetings venue. The 250-room structure, adjacent to legendary Kyle Field, will take its place as the university's guest house, the embodiment of Aggie pride and spirit, staffed largely by students and graduates of one of the world's most highly regarded research universities. The new property will offer students an insight into the many opportunities presented by the hospital...
Now Available for Download: HEBStrategy Q3 2018 Hotel Digital Marketing, Technology, and Trends Whitepaper
HEBS Digital | August 6, 2018
HEBS Digital's third installment in 2018 of the HEBStrategy—our whitepaper series covering the latest news and trends in hotel digital marketing and technology—is now available for download! The HEBStrategy Q3 offers strategies for hoteliers to reach potential guests throughout the travel planning journey. Download the HEBStrategy Q3 2018 whitepaper to learn about: What's Trending: Stay in the loop with the must-know trends of the quarter, including an updated Google Maps experience, Alexa for Hospitality and more. From the Design Studio: Get inspiration from some of our most creative clients who use their websites to pro...
Owned by Latam Hotel Corporation and Operated by GHL, Hyatt Place San Pedro Sula Opens in Honduras
Hyatt Place | August 2, 2018
CHICAGO--Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced today that Hyatt Place San Pedro Sula is officially open, marking the second Hyatt-branded hotel in Honduras and fifth Hyatt Place hotel in Central America. The new hotel features the Hyatt Place brand's intuitive design, casual atmosphere and practical amenities for multi-tasking travelers, such as free Wi-Fi and 24-hour food offerings. The hotel is owned by Latam Hotel Corporation, which currently owns six hotels and convention centers in its growing portfolio, and operated by GHL, a Colombian based group with 70 hotels owned or under management in Latin America. "As the Hyatt Plac...
Columbus Group and Waterford Hotel Group Celebrate Opening of New Bedford Harbor Hotel in New Bedford, Massachusetts
New Bedford Harbor Hotel | August 2, 2018
NEW BEDFORD, MA (August 2, 2018) – A ribbon cutting ceremony was held Wednesday to mark the grand opening of the New Bedford Harbor Hotel in New Bedford, MA. A distinguished group of dignitaries, including New Bedford's Mayor Jon Mitchell, New Bedford city officials, hotel ownership, and Waterford Hotel Group representatives attended the ceremony to officially introduce the new hotel. Located at 222 Union Street, the New Bedford Harbor Hotel is part of the Ascend Hotel Collection by Choice Hotels, is developed by Columbus Group LLC, and is managed by Waterford Hotel Group. The owner entity, NB Hotel LLC, is an affiliate of Colu...
Impact Properties Opens New 132-Room Hyatt Place Tampa/Wesley Chapel in Florida
Hyatt Place | August 2, 2018
TAMPA, Fla. (August 2, 2018) – Hyatt Place Tampa/Wesley Chapel, the first Hyatt-branded hotel in Wesley Chapel and Pasco County, is officially open. The new hotel features the Hyatt Place brand's intuitive design, casual atmosphere and practical amenities, such as free Wi-Fi and 24-hour food offerings. The hotel is owned and operated by Impact Properties. "As Pasco County continues to grow and thrive economically, we are excited to add to the momentum by welcoming the first Hyatt Place hotel to the area," said General Manager Steven Giovanniello. "With our smartly designed social spaces and guestrooms with separate work and sleep ...
Radisson Hotel Group Signs With Nowak Group for New Radisson Hotel & Suites, Gdansk in Poland
August 2, 2018
Radisson Hospitality AB, publicly listed on Nasdaq Stockholm, Sweden and part of the Radisson Hotel Group, is proud to announce the signing of the Radisson Hotel & Suites, Gdańsk in Poland. In March 2018, the group announced its plan to rollout Radisson, the upscale hotel brand, across EMEA – and this is the first hotel to open in Central & Eastern Europe (CEE). The new Radisson will bring the group's portfolio to 16 hotels (3,500+ rooms) in operation or under development in Poland. The upscale, full-service hotel will deliver Scandinavian-inspired hospitality and complement our Radisson Blu hotel in Gdańsk, ranked as t...
C&O Bloomington, LLC and Choice Hotels to Develop New Cambria Hotel in Twin Cities
Cambria Hotels | August 2, 2018
ROCKVILLE, Md., Aug. 2, 2018 -- Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) finalized an agreement with C&O Bloomington, LLC to develop the Cambria Hotel Minneapolis-Saint Paul Airport. Slated to open in 2019, the five-story, 170-room upscale hotel will be the third Cambriaproperty to enter the booming area, joining the already opened Cambria Hotel Minneapolis Maple Grove and the future Cambria Hotel Downtown Minneapolis. Located at 8001 28th Avenue South, the Cambria Hotel Minneapolis-Saint Paul Airport is conveniently situated in a mixed-use corridor adjacent to the Mall of America, offering guests easy access to nearby dining, ...
How Mobile and Self-Service Technology Can Set Your Hotel Apart from the Competition [Guide]
August 2, 2018
StayNTouch introduces a free guide to help hotels explore mobile strategies that increase staff efficiency and operations while creating a unique guest stay that is reflective of their brand promise Whether we like it or not, we are living in a mobile-first, self-service world. From dating apps to online shopping, app-based taxi service and food delivery, mobile check-in and more — the modern consumer has demonstrated a decided preference for on-demand, uninhibited access to services via mobile devices. This trend has quickly worked its way into the hospitality industry, breaking down the traditional hotel service-model to one whi...
Staff Efficiencies at The Chateaux Deer Valley Upgrade From Bunny Hill to Black Diamond With ALICE
ALICE | August 1, 2018
The Chateaux Deer Valley has selected ALICE to improve staff communication and enhance its guest services at its ski hotel nestled amid the majestic Park City mountains. ALICE is the hospitality industry's leading operations technology, connecting every department of the hotel with one platform for all staff communication and guest requests. Last year, ALICE acquired concierge software provider GoConcierge to augment its technology and customer service offering. As part of Stein Collection, The Chateaux Deer Valley joins sister properties, Stein Eriksen Residences and The Residence at The Chateaux Deer Valley, on the ALICE platform, all...
The Emotional Impact of Overpriced In-Room Bottled Water
Larry Mogelonsky | August 1, 2018
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.hotelmogel.com) I am constantly perplexed at the continued reluctance of hoteliers to recognize activities that truly are unbecoming unbearable for guests. In this case, I am referring to our proclivity towards affixing outrageous prices to such basic amenities as bottled water. In a recent stay at a well-known chain property, my first vision upon entering was a largish bottle of water with the outrageous price tag of $7 (plus tax, of course). Most travelers look at this and, subconsciously reflecting on this number, conclude the following: Why is this bottle $7 when I can buy it in the supermar...
RLJ Lodging Trust and Interstate Complete Multi-Million Dollar Renovation of 176-Room Courtyard by Marriott Charleston Historic District
RLJ Lodging Trust | August 1, 2018
Charleston, SC – August 1, 2018 – The Courtyard by Marriott Charleston Historic District hotel located at 125 Calhoun Street is pleased to unveil its new look after a multi-million dollar transformation that includes extensive renovations to the guest rooms, guest bathrooms, public spaces and meeting rooms plus an upgraded Bistro. The 176-room hotel operates as a Marriott franchise, owned by RLJ Lodging Trust of Bethesda, Maryland and managed by Interstate Hotels & Resorts of Arlington, Virginia. This six-story property is ideally situated downtown, adjacent to Marion Square, the host of many world-renowned festivals. Th...
Gatehouse Capital Selects Hotel Equities to Manage Two Marriott Conference Center Hotels Near Dallas, Texas
Hotel Equities | August 1, 2018
Atlanta, GA – August 1, 2018 – Hotel Equities (HE) just announced their selection as the management company for two conference center hotels near Dallas, the Courtyard by Marriott-Dallas Midlothian at the Midlothian Conference Center located at 3 Community Circle Drive in Midlothian, and the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott-Decatur at Decatur Conference Center located at 1910 West US Highway 380 in Decatur. The hotels are owned by Gatehouse Capital, LLC based in Dallas. "We are thrilled to welcome this new ownership group and these two Marriott hotels to the HE family," said Joe Reardon, HE's SVP of Business Developmen...
General Manager Alicia Jacobson Set to Welcome Guests to New 128-Room Courtyard by Marriott Tampa Northwest/Veterans Expressway
Courtyard by Marriott | July 31, 2018
Tampa, FL – July 31, 2018 – Courtyard by Marriott Tampa Northwest/Veterans Expressway is scheduled to open its doors in Tampa, Florida on Wednesday, August 1, 2018. Featuring an innovative lobby space as well as Courtyard's latest contemporary room design, the new hotel provides flexibility and choices that allow guests to optimize and elevate their travel experience. Located at 12730 Citrus Park Lane, the 128-room hotel will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned by Citrus Park Hotel, LLC and managed by Hotel Equities of Atlanta, Georgia. Whether traveling for business or pleasure, the Courtyard Tampa Northwest/Veterans Exp...
AccorHotels Signs Agreement to Acquire 85% Stake of 21c Museum Hotels for $51 Million
AccorHotels | July 31, 2018
AccorHotels today announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire 85% of 21c Museum Hotels, an award-winning hospitality management company pushing the boundaries of the museum and hotel worlds to create a new kind of travel experience. 21c combines a multi-venue contemporary art museum, boutique hotels and chef-driven restaurants, with 11 properties currently open and under development across the United States. 21c Museum Hotels was founded in 2006 in Louisville by philanthropists and contemporary art collectors Laura Lee Brown and Steve Wilson. The pair had seen the region's farmland and rural landscapes fall to development while...
The Top 5 Things You Need to Know Now in Hotel Digital Marketing: July Edition
HEBS Digital | July 31, 2018
By Margaret Mastrogiacomo, VP Strategy This month, the latest digital innovations include big announcements from Google regarding new merchandising features on Google AMP Stories, new LinkedIn advertising opportunities, and Instagram's new questions sticker functionality for Stories. From SEO to design, find out the top five things you need to know now in hotel digital marketing. 1. SEO: Google releases AMP Stories 1.0 with advertising opportunities. If you haven't already heard, AMP stories are standalone compilations of pages with AMP and HTML layers of elements such as video, photography, analytics, text and more. Similar to Snapcha...
