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
Adrian Oyekanmi Appointed as Senior Vice President, Global Strategic Sourcing for Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group
The Rezidor Hotel Group | November 22, 2017
BRUSSELS - November 22, 2017 Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the most dynamic hotel groups in the world, today announced the appointment of Adrian Oyekanmi as Senior Vice President, Global Strategic Sourcing. Adrian will report to Iñigo Capell, Executive Vice President & Global Chief Resources Officer. Adrian joined Carlson in April 2017 as Vice President, Global Strategic Sourcing. Since then, he has worked to develop and implement a comprehensive strategic sourcing strategy build to improve value proposition for the entire hotel portfolio and its owners, focusing on cost reductions and promoting the company's responsibl...
5 Things Hotel Marketers Are Thankful for This Thanksgiving According to Tambourine
Maestro PMS | November 22, 2017
For most, Thanksgiving is a time for football, traveling to see relatives and diet-busting feasts. It's also the time of year we ask clients, colleagues and industry experts what they are feeling good about. And once again, we heard that the economy, industry dynamics and hotel consumer behavior are working in our favor like never before. Based on our informal survey, here are 5 things hoteliers are feeling thankful for this Thanksgiving: 1. Evidence That Direct Booking Campaigns Are Working In 2016, major hotel brands and smaller hotels went after OTAs with a fervor and pushed aggressive campaigns to convince travelers that booking dir...
Brazil Hospitality Group (BHG) Enters Partnership with AccorHotels for Management of 17 of BHG’s Owned Hotels
BHG | November 22, 2017
NEW YORK--Brazil Hospitality Group (BHG) announces today the beginning of its partnership with AccorHotels, which will manage 17 of BHG's owned hotels. AccorHotels also acquired LEBSPE Ltda from BHG, a company that manages The Capital São Paulo Itaim and Grand Plaza São Paulo Jardins hotels, in São Paulo; Soft Inn São Luis, in Maranhão; and Presidente Uberlândia Hotel, in Minas Gerais. BHG, the largest owner of hotel assets in Brazil, with more than R$ 1.2 billion in properties, will invest approximately R$ 300 million, in the next four years, in the renovation and repositioning of the 17 hotels ...
Al Badr For Investments and Commercial Spaces Company Signs for First Crowne Plaza Hotel in Cairo
IHG | November 21, 2017
IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group), one of the world's leading hotel companies, has announced the signing of Crowne Plaza Cairo Sheikh Zayed City in partnership with Al Badr For Investments and Commercial Spaces Company. The new development aligns with IHG's strategy to grow the Crowne Plaza brand across Middle East and North Africa (MENA), by further strengthening its presence in top-tier business epicentres and primary markets in the region. IHG currently has 2,169 rooms in Cairo under the InterContinental Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn and Staybridge Suites brands. Scheduled to open in 2021, the 187-room new build will form part of...
Hotel Development Partners Celebrates Grand Opening for Residence Inn Atlanta Perimeter Center Dunwoody
Hotel Development Partners, LLC (HDP) | November 21, 2017
ATLANTA (November 21, 2017) – Atlanta-based Hotel Development Partners (HDP) celebrated the Grand Opening of the 127-suite Residence Inn by Marriott Atlanta Perimeter Center Dunwoody, Georgia. The hotel operates as a Marriott franchise, owned by Hotel Development Partners and managed by Hotel Equities (HE). Joe Fallis serves as the General Manager and Susan Zuppardo is the Director of Sales. The hotel marks the third property owned by HDP and managed by Hotel Equities in the vibrant, upscale Atlanta Perimeter Center market. The other properties are the Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Atlanta Perimeter Dunwoody and the Fairfield...
BENCHMARK Names Brian C. P. Connors Area Director of Finance for the Ames Boston Hotel and Copley Square Hotel
Ames Boston Hotel | November 20, 2017
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, November 2017 … BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has named Brian C. P. Connors area director of finance for the Ames Boston Hotel and the Copley Square Hotel. Both properties, located in Boston, are part of Benchmark's Gemstone Collection. Kirk Jones, chief financial officer, made the announcement. "I am very pleased to welcome Brian to both the Copley Square Hotel and Ames Boston Hotel," said Mr. Jones. "He has had a distinguished career in finance and accounting, both at the corporate and property level, and brings this expertise to both of our properties and to Benchmark." Brian Con...
BENCHMARK Names Colin Ankersen General Manager for The Heldrich, New Brunswick, New Jersey
The Heldrich Hotel | November 20, 2017
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, November 2017 … BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has named Colin Ankersen general manager for The Heldrich, a Benchmark Resorts & Hotels property located in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Greg Champion, Benchmark's president & COO, made the announcement. "I am very pleased to welcome Colin to Benchmark and to The Heldrich," said Mr. Champion. "He comes to us with extensive leadership experience running hotels, particularly within New Jersey. He also brings to his new role management experience gained outside the hospitality industry. He will be an excellent leader of this...
Wyndham Signs with Galwan for Dual-Branded Wyndham Grand and TRYP by Wyndham in Miami’s Brickell District
Wyndham Hotel Group | November 20, 2017
PARSIPPANY, N.J., Nov. 20, 2017 -- Wyndham Hotel Group, the hospitality giant with an unparalleled global portfolio of more than 8,300 hotels, today announced the signing of the largest hotel development in the Brickell district of Miami to its managed hotel portfolio: a new 445-room, dual-branded hotel leveraging a never-before-seen combination of the Wyndham Grand® and TRYP by Wyndham® brands. The combination of brands celebrates Miami's distinct spirit - both the upper-upscale Wyndham Grand brand and select-service, lifestyle TRYP by Wyndham brands embrace the charm and character of the local destination - incorporating M...
A New Fort Collins Destination Shines on The Elizabeth Hotel’s Custom Website
HEBS Digital | November 16, 2017
The Elizabeth Hotel, set to open in fall 2017 in Downtown Fort Collins, CO, needed a one-of-a-kind website to reflect their highly anticipated Old Town property. The hotel partnered with the HEBS Digital team to create a fully responsive website, featuring industry-leading technology to drive direct bookings and showcase The Elizabeth Hotel's thoughtful amenities and vibrant spaces. They utilize the Smart Personalization Engine in order to deliver high-converting, tailored experiences across every customer touch point. Packed with technologies that allow the tracking and the capturing of visitor behavior data, the engine serves custom d...
BENCHMARK® Names Tom Garcia Vice President and General Manager for High Hampton Inn & Country Club
High Hampton Inn & Country Club | November 16, 2017
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, November 2017 … BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has named Tom Garcia vice president and general manager of High Hampton Inn & Country Club. A Benchmark Resort & Hotels property, the legendary resort is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Cashiers, North Carolina. Greg Champion, Benchmark's president & COO, made the announcement. "Tom has been instrumental in supporting our company's continued growth," said Mr. Champion. "He brings our company's signature Be The Difference brand promise to High Hampton Inn, and his experience and expertise will...
HEBS Digital’s “Closing the Loop on the Travel Journey” Article Featured in The Hotel Yearbook 2018 – Technology
HEBS Digital | November 15, 2017
Summary: HEBS Digital's "Closing the Loop on the Travel Journey" article, which details comprehensive 360-degree past and future guest engagement, retention, and acquisition strategies, has been featured in The Hotel Yearbook 2018 – Technology. The Hotel Yearbook has just launched The Hotel Yearbook 2018 – Technology, an e-book offering technology insights from hospitality industry thought leaders, and HEBS Digital is proud to be featured in this respected publication. In "Closing the Loop on the Travel Journey," Max Starkov, President & CEO, and Margaret Mastrogiacomo, Vice President, Strategy at HEBS Digital, share str...
How to Develop a Successful Hotel Concept
Patrick Landman | November 15, 2017
By Patrick Landman A hotel concept is much more than the design and physical layout of your hotel. It also encompasses the service you offer as a hotel management company, ambiance, attention to detail, the type of experience for guests, and the quality of your products. A hotel concept is what you want your hotel to be known and remembered for. Why do you need a hotel concept? Not only do you need one, in the modern hotel landscape you must carry out concept development that sets your property apart as unique and remarkable. Hoteliers face challenges today that hotels from twenty or even ten years ago didn't have to worry about. Compet...
Using Microlearning and Training Tech to Boost Team Morale
Larry Mogelonsky | November 15, 2017
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.hotelmogel.com) Making guests happy is a noble pursuit for any hotel as we all know this translates into higher occupancies, the ability to grow rate, more asset value and quite a few other monetary advantages. While we can talk to no end about physical and operational upgrades that contribute to this goal, perhaps none is more impactful than having motivated and attentive associates servicing your customers. After all, this is a people business, so your guests' experiential satisfaction will ultimately be influenced by the happiness of your very own employees. This leads to the question about how ...
New 165-Key TownePlace Suites Miami Airport Opens in Florida Led by General Manger Edgardo Rodriguez
TownePlace Suites by Marriott | November 15, 2017
Miami, FL – November 15, 2017 – Get ready to be real and be you on long stays. Marriott International's TownePlace Suites by Marriott Miami, Florida is scheduled to open for business today. On average, a TownePlace Suites opens every six days. Built for travelers looking for a simple and friendly place where they can settle-in, keep their routine, and easily connect to the Miami area. The new TownePlace Suites Miami Airport located at 4021 NW 11th Street, continues to exemplify the brand's rapid growth. The new hotel will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned by Hotelex Airport, LLC. and managed by Naples Hotel Group of...
Radisson Blu Opens in Ajman, United Arab Emirates Led by General Manager Siddhartha Sattanathan
Radisson Blu | November 14, 2017
BRUSSELS/DUBAI - November 14, 2017 - Radisson Blu, the iconic hotel brand driven by innovation and design, is proud to announce the opening of its first hotel in Ajman, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Located just a few minutes from the city center and close to the Hamriyah Free Zone, the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ajman is also home to the Emirates' newest entertainment destination, with seven distinctive, diverse restaurants and bars to experience. Mark Willis, Area Senior Vice President, Middle East, Turkey and Africa, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group said, "We are delighted to bring the iconic Radisson Blu brand to Ajman, and increase our presence ...
Concord Hospitality Plans Early 2018 Opening for New AC Hotel Gainesville Downtown, Florida
Concord Hospitality | November 14, 2017
MIAMI — November 2017 — The new AC Hotel Gainesville Downtown, a chic and modern 144-room property in the heart of Gainesville, F.L., is nearing completion and is slated to open in early 2018. Located just a Heisman's throw from Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, more popularly known as "The Swamp," the property will be managed by Concord Hospitality and marks the third AC Hotel in Florida and the first outside of Miami. Just steps from the University of Florida, consistently ranked among the top 10 public universities in the U.S., AC Hotel Gainesville Downtown features 144 European-inspired guestrooms. Designed with AC Hot...
Shinhwa Theme Park at Jeju Shinhwa World Selects InvoTech Systems to Manage Employees’ Uniform Inventory
InvoTech Systems, Inc. | November 13, 2017
InvoTech Uniform Management System Increases Efficiencies and Reduces Operating Costs at New 280,000 Square Meter Shinhwa Theme Park at Jeju Shinhwa World LOS ANGELES, CA – November 14, 2017 – InvoTech Systems, Inc. announced that the Shinhwa Theme Park at Jeju Shinhwa World in Jeju, South Korea implemented a uniform management and control process with InvoTech's RFID Uniform System. InvoTech is a leading provider of software management and control systems for laundry, linens, and uniform operations that increase profitability for hotels, resorts, theme parks, sports arenas, and convention centers. InvoTech has implemented U...
BENCHMARK Names Caleb Lara Executive Chef for The Essex – Vermont’s Culinary Resort & Spa
November 10, 2017
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, November 2017… BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has appointed Caleb Lara executive chef for The Essex - Vermont's Culinary Resort & Spa, a Gemstone Collection property located minutes from downtown Burlington in the foothills of the legendary Green Mountains. Nic Barger, general manager, made the announcement. "I am thrilled to welcome Caleb to our resort," said Mr. Barger. "Highly credentialed and with experience gained at top restaurants in the United States, he is the perfect choice for this important leadership position at Vermont's Culinary Resort & Spa." Caleb Lara b...
South Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association Names Midas Hospitality’s Michael Heater Hotelier of the Year
Midas Hospitality | November 9, 2017
(St. Louis, Mo., Nov. 9, 2017) Michael Heater, Regional Operations Leader and Brand Manager at Midas Hospitality, was recently named "Hotelier of the Year" by the South Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association (SCRLA) and its Greater Greenville chapter. The award honors the best leaders in the area's hospitality industry. Heater has over 25 years of experience in hospitality and currently oversees nine hotels for Midas Hospitality, a premier hotel management group headquartered in St. Louis, MO. Heater started his career with Midas when he opened the Candlewood Suites Hotel in Greenville, SC as General Manager. Due to the success of ...
Super Cyber Weekend Sale Delivers Up to 50% Off Travel at Benchmark Resorts & Hotels and Gemstone Collection
Gemstone Collection | November 8, 2017
Launches Weekend-Long Travel Savings Across its Two Portfolios The Woodlands (Houston), Texas (November 2017) – BENCHMARK, a global hospitality company, rolls out the year's best savings at two dozen of its resorts and hotels during its annual Super Cyber Weekend event. Running from Black Friday (November 24th) through Cyber Monday (November 27th), it includes extraordinary offers from BENCHMARK's two signature brands, Benchmark Resorts & Hotels and Gemstone Collection. Travelers will save up to 50% off stays in top U.S. and Caribbean destinations, including Boston, Miami, Orlando, Jackson Hole, Vail, and Curacao. Access to th...
Hard Rock International Appoints Michael Coury as Corporate Executive Chef
Hard Rock International | November 8, 2017
ORLANDO, Fla., Nov. 8, 2017 -- Hard Rock International – owner of one of the world's most-recognizable and iconic brands – announces the appointment of Michael Coury as Corporate Executive Chef. In his new role, Coury will draw on 25 years of experience in the restaurant industry, to lead culinary efforts and menu innovation for 178 corporate and franchise locations around the world. Coury will report directly to Hard Rock Cafe's Vice President of Food and Beverage, Leigh Merritt. "Michael's culinary talent and passion for our brand is unmatched, and we are honored to have him join the Hard Rock Team as Corp...
Traditional Lodging Makes Waves on the High Seas
Thomas Mielke | November 8, 2017
By Thomas Mielke One has to applaud the blue-sky thinking of Ritz Carlton's management team for having the guts to 'go for it'. Whilst the brand continues to proliferate across the globe in city and resort destinations alike, and remains an estate agent's and developer's darling when it comes to branded residences, it has not yet, to date, conquered the other 72% of the world – which is the percentage of the world covered by oceans. This is about to change with the launch of Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection in 2019. Intrigued by Ritz-Carlton's optimism and decisiveness, and wearing my HR and Talent Management advisory hat, I was thin...
Maestro PMS at HX in New York: Full-Service & Multi-Property Independents Get Powerful Mobile & App Based Profitability Tools
Maestro PMS | November 8, 2017
HX 2017 in New York: Visit Maestro PMS in Booth # 3146 Jacob Javits Convention Center NYC November 12-13 Latest Maestro Browser Based Tools for Operator Flexibility; Web Check-in, Dynamic Booking Controls for Discounts with Advanced Payment, Mobile Housekeeper Special Requests Personalize Service Markham, Ontario – November 8, 2017 – If you are an independent operator shopping for cloud or on-premise property management technology at HX in New York, your first stop should be Maestro PMS at booth #3146. Maestro PMS is the leading provider of revenue-generating property software tools and productivity enhancing technology th...
Marriott Has the Largest Construction Pipeline of Any Franchise Company in the U.S.
Lodging Econometrics | November 8, 2017
November 8, 2017 – PORTSMOUTH, NH Marriott International, due in part to the acquisition of the Starwood brands, currently has the largest construction pipeline of any franchise company with 1,298 Projects/166,419 Rooms. Their largest brands in the Total Pipeline are: Fairfield Inn with 284 Projects/27,411 Rooms, Residence Inn with 189 Projects/23,605 Rooms and TownePlace Suites with 183 Projects/18,590 Rooms. Marriott has the most rooms currently Under Construction with 516 Projects/69,721 Rooms, which represents almost 1/3 of all Pipeline rooms Under Construction. Additionally, they have the most rooms Scheduled to Start Constru...
