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
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Operations
Paramount Lodging Advisors (PLA) Sells the Four Points by Sheraton & Banquet Center Sacramento International Airport
Paramount Lodging Advisors | July 27, 2018
Sacramento – Paramount Lodging Advisors has successfully sold the 100-room Four Points by Sheraton & Banquet Center Sacramento International Airport. The PLA team members representing this sale were Senior Managing Director, Scott Griemsmann and Associate Subu Thiagarajan. This PLA-arranged sale is one of the highest price per key transactions (PPK) in the Sacramento region and one of the highest PPK Four Points by Sheraton trades in the country. JMK Hotels LLC/The Kehriotis Family purchased the hotel. Future plans for this hotel include a $2-million full-scale renovation to include an exterior refresh, all guestrooms, common ...
BENCHMARK® Names Wayne Thomas Director of Food and Beverage for the Doug Pitcock ’49 Texas A&M Hotel and Conference Center
July 26, 2018
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, July 2018… BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has named Wayne Thomas director of food and beverage for the Doug Pitcock '49 Texas A&M Hotel and Conference Center, currently under construction in College Station, Texas. The Benchmark Resorts & Hotelsproperty is expected to open in August. Greg Stafford, general manager, made the announcement. "I am very happy to welcome Wayne to our team," said Mr. Stafford. "He brings important food and beverage management experience to our property, in addition to a strong culinary background as executive chef. We look forward to his leadership ...
Choosing the Right Online Marketing Channel, a Concern for Business Owners
TripAdvisor | July 26, 2018
Online Reputation Management, Mobile Experience and Driving Direct Bookings Critical Areas of Focus for U.S. Travel Businesses, According to New TripAdvisor-Ipsos MORI Study NEEDHAM, Mass., July 26, 2018 -- TripAdvisor, Inc. (NASDAQ: TRIP) today announced the results of its 2018 "Hospitality Sector Report" in partnership with Ipsos MORI showcasing the top concerns and areas of focus for travel businesses, including hotels, restaurants, experiences, tours and attractions listed on TripAdvisor. The results of the study reveal a U.S. travel industry adapting to an increasingly mobile marketplace, focused on online reputation mana...
Hyatt Signs With Városház Utca Projekt Ingatlanforgalmazó Kft for First Hyatt Regency in Budapest, Hungary
Hyatt Regency | July 25, 2018
CHICAGO--Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced today that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into a management agreement with Városház Utca Projekt Ingatlanforgalmazó Kft. for the first Hyatt Regency hotel in Budapest, Hungary. The 231-room property is expected to open in early 2020. Hyatt Regency Budapest will be located in the landmark building Postapalota, the former postal office on Petőfi Sándor Street. Situated near the vibrant Váci Street and a five-minute walk to the Danube river, this upscale hotel will provide the perfect setting for business and leisure travelers to connect with the city....
Frontier Hospitality Group and Choice Hotels Break Ground on New Cambria Hotel Bettendorf in Iowa
Cambria Hotels | July 25, 2018
ROCKVILLE, Md., July 25, 2018 -- Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) and Frontier Hospitality Group, Inc. have broken ground on the Cambria Hotel Bettendorf. Slated to open in 2019, the 112-room property will be the first Cambria property to open in Iowa. The hotel is located at 5061 Competition Drive in the heart of Iowa's Quad Cities region as part of the 75-acre TBK Bank Sports Complex "BettPlex" and High Five Lanes & Games. In addition to its proximity to the Quad City International Airport, the new upscale hotel offers guests convenient access to several businesses, including Rock Island Arsenal, Deere &...
HITEC 2018 Reveals the True Importance of Integration
Larry Mogelonsky | July 25, 2018
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.hotelmogel.com) HITEC this year took place in the hot and humid town of Houston, but the weather was never a deterrent for the 7,000 some odd attendees from all aspects of hospitality. Held during the third week of June, this foremost hospitality technology show was truly enlightening for where our industry is headed. As the convention starts to resemble the famed Consumer Electronic Show (CES) in breadth and scope, the good news this year is that software capabilities are becoming near-universal. Integrations are commonplace and vendors have taken on a 'spirit of partnership' where they recognize ...
Train Your Front Desk Colleagues to Be “Memory Makers”
Doug Kennedy | July 24, 2018
By Doug Kennedy The front desk colleagues at your hotel are creating first impressions that set the tone for the entire guest's stay every shift, every day. Whereas in the past, first impressions were made by a voice reservations agent or during a phone call to inquire about directions or hotel amenities, most guests find these needs met online. Therefore, the first human contact with your hotel is likely to be with the front desk colleague. Tech companies have for many years been trying to automate the guest arrival experience. First, front desk kiosks were placed in lobbies of some hotel brands, yet guests walked right by them even if...
Response to the 2018 Hospitality Technology Study: Hoteliers & Technology Vendors Must Work Together for the Greater Good
July 24, 2018
By Jos Schaap CEO and Founder - StayNTouch When it comes to hotel technology, are hotels and their system providers on the same page? The answer to the question can be found in the 2018 Hospitality Technology Study (available for download here) conducted by the leading hospitality technology brands Fuel Travel, Flip.to, and StayNTouch. Over 358 respondents, responsible for buying or selling hospitality technology were asked to identify common priorities along with potential divides among hoteliers and suppliers. Some of the key takeaways: 1. Guest experience is a top priority; leveraging technology is how we accomplish this. 2. The indu...
Katara Hospitality and AccorHotels to Set up an Investment Fund Dedicated to Hospitality in Sub-Saharan African Countries
Katara Hospitality | July 23, 2018
Katara Hospitality, a leading global hotel owner, developer and operator, based in Qatar, and AccorHotels, a world-leading travel & lifestyle group and digital innovator with a presence in 100 countries and c.4,500 hotels, announced the creation of an investment fund with a targeted investment capacity of over USD 1bn dedicated to hospitality in various Sub-Saharan African countries. The fund will amount to up to USD 500 million in equity, of which Katara Hospitality and AccorHotels will contribute respectively up to USD 350 million and USD 150 million over the next 5-7 years, with additional financing capacity reached through lever...
Myla Caceres Appointed as Radisson Blu Resort Phu Quoc’s Director of Commercial
Radisson Hotel Group | July 23, 2018
A seasoned hospitality professional with over 25 years of experience in Vietnam, the Philippines and Thailand has been appointed as Radisson Blu Resort Phu Quoc's director of commercial. In her new role, Myla Caceres will oversee sales, marketing, reservations and revenue at the soon-to-open resort on Phu Quoc's northwest coast. Before joining the property's pre-opening team, Manila-born Caceres worked as Ascott International Group's Cluster Director of Sales and Marketing in Thailand, overseeing 11 properties. She has held director of sales and marketing roles at several leading hotels in Thailand, including the Dusit Thani...
BENCHMARK® Appoints Ruben Sabater as General Manager of Marenas Beach Resort
Marenas Beach Resort | July 23, 2018
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, July 2018… BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has named Ruben Sabater general manager of Marenas Beach Resort, a Gemstone Collection property located in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida, just north of Miami. Rikki Boparai, vice president operations, made the announcement. "It is such a pleasure to announce Ruben's well-deserved promotion," stated Mr. Boparai. "I can't think of anyone more qualified or deserving of this leadership position for such a remarkable resort. Ruben is another terrific example of how professionals can grow their careers within our Benchmark organization." Ruben Sa...
BENCHMARK® Appoints Keith McManis as Director of Sales & Marketing for The Essex – Vermont’s Culinary Resort & Spa
July 19, 2018
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, July 2018… BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has appointed Keith McManis director of sales and marketing for The Essex - Vermont's Culinary Resort & Spa and a Gemstone Collection property located minutes from Burlington, Vermont. Nic Barger, Benchmark's general manager at the resort, made the announcement. "It is with such pleasure that I announce Keith's promotion at our resort and within our company," stated Mr. Barger. "He is a terrific leader and a highly skilled sales and marketing professional. This is a well-deserved promotion and we congratulate him!" Keith McManis' new...
2018 Hospitality Technology Study, Uniting Hotelier and Vendor Technology Perspectives, Now Available Worldwide
Fuel | July 19, 2018
Fuel Travel, StayNTouch and Flip.to examine technology trends to better align suppliers with industry wants and needs Orlando, FL — July 19, 2018 — Fuel Travel, StayNTouch and Flip.to have partnered to launch a new study that examines perspectives from hoteliers and suppliers on industry technology. First debuted exclusively for attendees of the HITEC Hospitality Technology Show in June, the results are now being distributed globally. The study surveyed hoteliers and suppliers to learn how the industry can improve from a technology perspective, with key takeaways for readers from both groups: For hospitality decision-maker...
Suning Group Opens 318-Room Hyatt Regency Zhenjiang in East China’s Jiangsu Province Led by General Manager Irwin Bao
Hyatt Regency | July 18, 2018
CHICAGO--Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced today the opening of Hyatt Regency Zhenjiang in East China's Jiangsu province. Set atop the East Tower of Suning Plaza, the highest skyscraper in Zhenjiang, the 318-room Hyatt Regency hotel is set to provide travelers and locals alike with a fresh perspective of the city by providing an energizing place to connect with the very best of Zhenjiang. "We are very excited to unveil Hyatt Regency Zhenjiang and further expand our Hyatt Regency brand presence in the fast-growing Yangtze River Delta region. We are very grateful for the continuous support and trust of the hotel's owner, the Su...
BENCHMARK® Appoints Jon Conching as Director of Sales and Marketing for Turtle Bay Resort, Oahu
Turtle Bay Resort | July 18, 2018
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, July 2018 … BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has appointed Jon Conching director of sales and marketing for Turtle Bay Resort. The Benchmark Resorts & Hotels property is located on Oahu's legendary North Shore. Jerry Gibson, Benchmark's vice president and managing director for the resort, made the announcement. "It is indeed a pleasure to formally welcome Jon to Benchmark and to Turtle Bay Resort," said Mr. Gibson. "His multi-decade highly successful career and business contacts within the Hawaiian resort market make him a natural for our property, and we look forward to his leader...
Radisson Hospitality AB Signs New 160-Room Radisson Blu Hotel, Prague in Czech Republic
July 18, 2018
Brussels/ Prague - July 18, 2018 - Radisson Hospitality AB, publicly listed on Nasdaq Stockholm, Sweden, and part of Radisson Hotel Group™, is proud to announce the signing of the new Radisson Blu Hotel, Prague in Czech Republic. The upper upscale branded hotel will complement our Park Inn Hotel Prague – a city that is consistently ranked as one of the top 10 destinations in the world. The Radisson Blu Hotel, Prague is a rebranding of an existing hotel and is scheduled to open in the second quarter of 2019. The hotel will undergo a full renovation toprovide guests with the full Radisson Blu experience, including its personal...
Staying Aware of New Housekeeping Legislation
Larry Mogelonsky | July 18, 2018
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.hotelmogel.com) The housekeeping department more often than not represents the heart of a hotel's operations as a clean room is an essential part of guest service delivery. Moreover, it's backbreaking work with wages that aren't exceedingly high, while the room attendants themselves can be put in compromising situations as they roam the corridors by themselves. It would appear, though, that labor unions throughout the United States are starting to gain ground with new legislation in several territories that mandate enhanced protocols for housekeepers' safety. Given this momentum, no matter your mu...
BENCHMARK® Appoints Lloyd Van Horn General Manager of Topnotch Resort, Stowe, Vermont
Topnotch Resort | July 17, 2018
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, July 2018 … BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has named Lloyd Van Horn general manager of Topnotch Resort, a Gemstone Collection property located in Stowe, Vermont. This represents a return to the resort for Mr. Van Horn, who served as resort manager from 2006-2009. Cedric Fasbender, Benchmark's vice president of operations, made the announcement. "We are very pleased to welcome Lloyd back to Topnotch Resort and to Stowe," said Mr. Fasbender. "He brings a wealth of expertise in the hospitality industry, and in luxury hotel management, to his new role at Topnotch Resort. We look forward ...
RLJ Lodging Trust Completes Sale of 205-Room Embassy Suites Napa Valley for $102 Million ($498K Per Key)
RLJ | July 16, 2018
BETHESDA, Md.--RLJ Lodging Trust (the "Company") (NYSE: RLJ) today announced that the Company has closed on the sale of the 205-room Embassy Suites Napa Valley ("Embassy Suites Napa") for $102.0 million or approximately $498,000 per key. "The sale of the Embassy Suites Napa is another example of how we seek to unlock shareholder value through both non-core and opportunistic sales," commented Ross H. Bierkan, President and Chief Executive Officer. "The premium multiple on this sale is indicative of the strong investor appetite for properties in resort-like locations, which allowed us to capture the embedded redevelopment value in this as...
RLJ Lodging Trust Names Sean M. Mahoney Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
RLJ | July 16, 2018
BETHESDA, Md.--RLJ Lodging Trust (the "Company") (NYSE: RLJ) today announced that Sean M. Mahoney will join the Company as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, effective August 1, 2018. Mr. Mahoney will report directly to Leslie D. Hale, the Company's incoming President and Chief Executive Officer. "We are excited to welcome Sean to the RLJ team. Sean is a seasoned REIT executive with broad industry experience and deep financial knowledge with a proven track record of prudent balance sheet management. He is well-respected by the investment community and will be a great addition to RLJ," stated Leslie D. Hale....
Hotel Equities Opens 96-Room TownePlace Suites by Marriott in Mesquite, Texas
Hotel Equities | July 16, 2018
Atlanta, GA – July 16, 2018 – Hotel Equities (HE) announced the official opening of the new TownePlace Suites by Marriott-Dallas/Mesquite. The all-suite hotel owned by Profound Hotel Group, LLC is located at 500 Rodeo Center Boulevard. HE was brought on board in the preliminary phases of the project to ensure the project's success. Matt Saumer serves as General Manager and Thyme Ford serves as Director of Sales for the hotel. Connor Reyer serves as Assistant General Manager. HE's recent opening of a Texas regional office, based in Houston, was part of a strategic growth plan to provide optimal support for the firm's growing ...
Radisson Hotel Group Appoints Kristen Richter as Vice President of Revenue Optimization for the Americas
Radisson Hotel Group | July 16, 2018
Minneapolis (July 16, 2018) - Radisson Hotel Group today announced the appointment of Kristen Richter as Vice President of Revenue Optimization in the Americas. In this role, Richter will drive the overall Revenue Optimization vision and strategies in the Americas, working closely with global partners to define new best practices. She will lead the Americas Revenue Optimization team, which includes Strategy, Revenue Optimization Services and Revenue Generation Systems Support. These teams play a critical role in driving and maximizing revenue through defining strategic initiatives, executing programs to increase market share performance...
The Evolution of Traveling – From Leisure to Luxury
HEBS Digital | July 16, 2018
World outbound travel is booming and, according to IPK's World Travel Monitor®, the global travel industry set new records over the first eight months of 2017. The luxury travel sector in particular has embarked on a paramount transformation fueled by changing consumer preferences that will have far-reaching ripple effects in the years to come. While luxury travel only accounts for 7% of all international trips, it encompasses nearly one-fifth of global travel spending due to its high prices. Bouncing back from an underperforming 2016, the International Luxury Hotel Association (ILHA) forecasts that the global luxury travel market i...
Sage Hospitality Appoints Kim Corrigan General Manager at HALCYON, a hotel in Cherry Creek
HALCYON, a hotel in Cherry Creek | July 16, 2018
DENVER, Colo. (July 16, 2018) – HALCYON, a hotel in Cherry Creek is proud to announce the appointment of Kim Corrigan as general manager of the 154-room hotel that captures the spirit of the treasured Colorado lifestyle in one of Denver's chicest neighborhoods. With over three decades of management experience in the hospitality industry, Corrigan brings a refined expertise to her new position with a promise to bring authenticity, exclusivity and individuality to the guest experience. "Kim's passion and enthusiasm paired with her impressive background is the perfect combination for the continued success of the hotel," said John Arn...
