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
AccorHotels Signs an Agreement to Acquire Mantra Group Limited
AccorHotels | October 16, 2017
AccorHotels today announced the signature of an agreement with Mantra Group Limited with the view to acquire all issued capital in Mantra by way of a scheme of arrangement to be approved by Mantra shareholders. Under the terms of the agreement, AccorHotels would offer AUD3.96 in cash for each Mantra share including any potential special dividend. Sébastien Bazin, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AccorHotels said, "We are delighted to have come to an agreement to acquire the Mantra Group. This operation will underpin our long-term growth in the Asia Pacific region. Mantra's portfolio would offer AccorHotels additio...
Beekeeper Introduces Custom Integrations, Bringing Chat and Operations Under One Hub for 2 Billion Non-Desk Workers
Beekeeper | October 12, 2017
New additions to the Beekeeper platform merge legacy systems with proprietary communications tech tailor-made for non-desk workers. "The ability to integrate our HRIS with Beekeeper has been instrumental in automating administrative processes that were time-sensitive." Claudia Scherrer Domingos, Head of HR, Domino's Pizza SAN FRANCISCO, CA OCTOBER 12, 2017 - While many workplace tools specialize in peer-to-peer, top-down, or bottom-up communication, it is rare to encounter a workplace app that tackles all three. Running on the belief that an intuitive user interface (UI) and open communication builds cross-organizational trust, Beek...
Beekeeper Poises for Global Growth with Prominent Staffing Changes
Beekeeper | October 12, 2017
McCarthy, Slotosch and Frioli tasked with expanding the global reach of the company's digital-communications platform for geographically-displaced workforces and non-desk workers SAN FRANCISCO, CA OCTOBER 12, 2017 - Beekeeper, a workplace communication company focused on connecting non-desk workers and their employers, is announcing internal promotions and adding new talent to further support it swift growth and corporate directional changes. Cristian Grossmann, CEO, has appointed Corey McCarthy, former VP of Marketing North America, to VP of Global Marketing, and Andreas Slotosch, former Vice President of Global Marketing, to Vice Pres...
Dream Hotel Group and Ciel Capital Partner to Debut Unscripted Hotels Brand with 2020 Opening of Unscripted Birmingham Central Hall in England
Unscripted Hotels | October 12, 2017
NEW YORK, Oct. 12, 2017 -- Renowned hotel brand and management company Dream Hotel Group today announced plans to debut Unscripted Hotels, its newest lifestyle brand and hospitality concept designed for the progressive, creative traveler, in England in 2020. The latest hotel signing with London-based Ciel Capital represents a major milestone for Dream Hotel Group, positioning the company as international hospitality innovators and leading the way for new growth in the region. "Driven by hyperlocal food and beverage, innovative design and a culture of friendly service, Unscripted gives adventurous travelers what they want in a lifes...
Marriott International Signs Seven New Hotels in Africa Marking a Debut in Ivory Coast
Marriott International | October 12, 2017
KIGALI, Rwanda, October 12, 2017 -- From the Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) (www.Africa-Conference.com) in Kigali, Rwanda, Marriott International (NASDAQ: MAR) (www.Marriott.com) today announced further expansion plans in Africa with seven new hotel signings. Marriott International was the first global chain to make a significant investment in Africa with the acquisition of Protea Hotels for $210 million in 2014. The company is targeting over 200 hotels with 37,000 rooms open or in the pipeline by 2022, equating to around $8.5 billion of capital investment by its real estate partners, reinforcing its continued commitment to expans...
HRI Properties Breaks Ground on Dual-Branded Hyatt Place and Hyatt House Development Project in Downtown Indianapolis
HRI Properties | October 12, 2017
INDIANAPOLIS – October 12, 2017 – HRI Properties announced today that they have financially closed and started construction on the dual-branded Hyatt Place and Hyatt House hotel located in the Wholesale District in Indianapolis, directly across from the main entrance to Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Construction on the property began in September 2017, with a targeted opening date in second quarter 2019. HRI Lodging, an affiliate of HRI Properties, will manage the property under franchise agreements from Hyatt Hotels Corporation. The dual-branded hotel will represent a prominent landmark within central downtown and creates an exp...
Hotel Equities and F&F Break Ground on Staybridge Suites in Davie, Florida
Hotel Equities | October 12, 2017
Atlanta, GA and Davie, FL–October 12, 2017–Hotel Equities and F&F, LLC broke ground recently on a new-build Staybridge Suites by IHG at 4901 Griffin Road in Davie, Florida. Construction is underway for the hotel with completion expected in late 2018. Hotel Equities serves as the management company for the property. Amin and Ramzan Gulamali, Principals with F&F, LLC, the owners and developers of the hotel, welcomed special guests to the event. "We at F&F, LLC seek strategic partnerships that advance our mission to provide nothing less than excellent hospitality to our patrons," said Amin Gulamali, Principal with F...
Waterford Hotel Group Appoints Jenny Mazzurco as New Director of Sales at Fairfield Inn & Suites Boca Raton
Fairfield Inn & Suites Boca Raton | October 11, 2017
Waterford, CT (October 11, 2017) - Waterford Hotel Group has announced the appointment of Jenny Mazzurco to Director of Sales of the 119-room Fairfield Inn & Suites in Boca Raton, FL. Fairfield Inn & Suites Boca is managed by Waterford Hotel Group, a national hotel and convention center management firm located in Waterford, CT. In her new role as Director of Sales, Mazzurco is responsible for the total sales efforts for the hotel, including developing and maintaining new accounts, supervising sales related personnel, and implementing sales and marketing strategies to maximize profits while also maintaining guest satisfaction. Ma...
“Our Operation Is Effortless and Guests Feel It” – Success Stories By Maestro PMS Clients from Large Scale Resorts to Boutique Indies
Maestro PMS | October 11, 2017
Flexibility, Customization and an Unlimited Database Make Maestro Ideal & Scalable for Indie Operators Markham, Ontario – October 11, 2017 – One size never fits all. That is why Maestro PMS leveraged its experience of four decades in hospitality to develop a property management suite of 20+ integrated modules. Maestro adapts perfectly to large, full-service independent hotels, resorts and multi-property groups, as well as luxury boutiques. This makes Maestro PMS property software ideal and scalable for virtually any operation. Barnsley Resort is a full-service luxury destination located in the Blue Ridge Mountains 60 mil...
Reinvigorate Your Guest Satisfaction Surveys
Larry Mogelonsky | October 11, 2017
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.hotelmogel.com) Does any hotel still offer customer satisfaction surveys? Do you, as a hotelier, rely upon comment cards as a quality control for your operations? A decade ago, the answer would undoubtedly be yes, but now it isn't so black-and-white. Let's reflect on what's happened, specifically related to the advent of internet-born travel websites. With the success of online review sites, including the behemoth that is TripAdvisor, it's all too easy to surmise that their growth was primarily because of how they aggregated hotels and cross-linked to OTA booking engines. However, we must also stom...
Two Roads Hospitality Selects NAVIS to Optimize Direct Channel Revenue
NAVIS | October 11, 2017
Award-winning international hotel management company expands partnership after properties using NAVIS solutions prove 'wildly successful.' BEND, Ore. (October 11, 2017) – Following a comprehensive review of available technology solutions, Two Roads Hospitality has selected NAVIS as their preferred partner for optimizing reservation sales and marketing. NAVIS, currently being used by 16 of their client properties, today announced that they have entered into an expanded business alliance which will benefit Two Roads Hospitality's collection of truly individual hotels, resorts, and vacation residences. Recognizing the positive impact...
Hyatt Hotels in Partnership with ORIX Corporation Reveal Plans for the First Joint Hyatt Centric and Hyatt House Hotels in Japan
Hyatt House | October 10, 2017
CHICAGO (October 10, 2017) – Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced today that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into a management agreement with ORIX Corporation for a Hyatt Centric hotel and Hyatt House hotel in Kanazawa, Japan's north coast in the Hokuriku region. The hotels, expected to open in mid-2020, will mark Hyatt's first joint development and first Hyatt House hotel in Japan. "We are delighted to announce the first Hyatt Centric and Hyatt House hotel combination in Japan," said Hirohide Abe, senior vice president of Hyatt, Japan and Micronesia. "The opening of these hotels will allow us to meet the expectations of tra...
Owned by Pure Strike Development and WS Centennial, New WoodSpring Suites Denver Centennial Opening in Colorado
WoodSpring Hotels | October 10, 2017
Charlotte, N.C., October 10, 2017 - WoodSpring Hotels, the nation's fastest growing extended-stay hotel company, today announced the grand opening of WoodSpring Suites Denver Centennial. The hotel, owned by Pure Strike Development, LP, and WS Centennial LLC, will be operated by Overland Park, Kansas-based Hotel Management & Consulting, LLC (HMC). The hotel is located at 13253 E. Briarwood Avenue, Centennial, Colo., 80112-6853. "We continue to seek strategic and ambitious partners such as Pure Strike Development as we continuously grow the WoodSpring brand nationwide," said Ron Burgett, executive vice president of franchise developme...
Aimbridge Hospitality Opens New Home2 Suites by Hilton Dallas Downtown at Baylor Scott & White in Texas
Home2 Suites by Hilton | October 9, 2017
DALLAS, Texas and MCLEAN, Va. - Home2 Suites by Hilton, part of Hilton's (NYSE: HLT) All Suites portfolio, announced today its newest property, Home2 Suites by Hilton Dallas Downtown at Baylor Scott & White, bringing the brand one step closer to its 200th property milestone. Designed for travelers who want to maintain their normal routine, the hotel features 132 suites and a range of value, tech-focused and eco-conscious amenities. Home2 Suites by Hilton Dallas Downtown at Baylor Scott & White offers a new extended-stay lodging option for the 48.9 million travelers visiting the Dallas metro area annually.* "Whether you&...
Alex. Brown Realty JV with Hotel Development Partners to Develop Courtyard by Marriott in Alpharetta, Georgia
Alex. Brown Realty | October 9, 2017
BALTIMORE--October 9, 2017--Alex. Brown Realty, Inc. (ABR) and Hotel Development Partners (HDP) have announced plans to develop a 115-room Courtyard by Marriott in Alpharetta, Georgia. ABR Chesapeake Fund V, a value-add real estate fund sponsored by ABR, invested $7.2 million in the joint venture. Financing for the project will be provided by the Bank of North Georgia, a division of Synovus Bank. The joint venture recently closed on the 1.9 acre site located off of Old Milton Parkway directly across from Avalon – the 86-acre mixed-use development that is expected to be a major demand generator for the hotel. "Alpharetta is experie...
Midas Hospitality Appoints Deb Benhoff New Regional Operations Leader
Midas Hospitality | October 9, 2017
St. Louis, MO, October 09, 2017 - Midas Hospitality, a premier hotel management group, recently hired Deb Benhoff as Regional Operations Leader. In this position, Benhoff will oversee multiple hotels and ensure each one is in accordance with the parent company's vision. She will be responsible for providing a hands-on leadership approach with respect to top-line revenue, guest service, profitability, and associate satisfaction. Benhoff will be involved with each hotel's operations, which includes ensuring brand compliance and setting department goals to achieve first-rate service. Benhoff has more than 25 years of hospitality experience...
sbe Opens Mondrian Doha in Qatar and Mondrian Park Avenue in New York
sbe | October 6, 2017
NEW YORK, Oct. 6, 2017 -- This week, sbe, the leading lifestyle hospitality company that develops, manages and operates award-winning international hospitality brands, welcomed their first guests to Mondrian Doha in Qatar and Mondrian Park Avenue in New York. Both properties opened their doors in two of the greatest cities in the world on the very same day. Sam Nazarian, founder and CEO of sbe, said: "Mondrian is a brand with international allure and we're thrilled to announce the openings in Doha and New York – two of the most dynamic and vibrant cities in the world. Mondrian is an extremely valuable brand to sbe and we ...
BENCHMARK Appoints André D’Amour General Manager for Stonewall Resort, A Benchmark Resorts & Hotels Property
Stonewall Resort | October 6, 2017
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, October 2017… BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has named André D'Amour general manager for Stonewall Resort, a Benchmark Resorts & Hotels property located in Roanoke, West Virginia. Todd Felsen, senior vice president of operations, made the announcement. "I am very happy to welcome André to Stonewall Resort," stated Mr. Felsen. "A seasoned hospitality leader and long-time Benchmark team member, André has important insights into our company's 'Be The Difference' service culture, which is so important for the guest experience. He brings this and key leadership ex...
AccorHotels and SNCF Group Sign a Strategic Partnership for the Development of the Orient Express Brand
AccorHotels | October 5, 2017
134 years to the day after the first Orient Express trip between Paris and Constantinople (October 4th, 1883), SNCF Group, owner of the iconic "Orient Express" brand, teams up with AccorHotels to continue the development of Orient Express within the luxury hospitality sector globally. As part of this partnership, which will combine the expertise and savoir-faire of the two groups, AccorHotels will be acquiring a 50% stake in the share capital of Orient Express, until now fully-owned by SNCF. The Orient Express brand is a timeless symbol of the art of luxury travel, steeped in culture, splendor and refinement. The legendary tra...
Hotel Equities to Manage TownePlace Suites in Tallahassee, FL
Hotel Equities | October 5, 2017
ATLANTA–October 5, 2017–Atlanta-based Hotel Equities recently announced its selection as the management firm for the TownePlace Suites by Marriott in Tallahassee, Florida. The Edgewater Group owns the property and Terry Foye serves as the General Manager. The extended stay hotel is located on Capital Circle NE between Centerville and Miccosukee Roads in Tallahassee, Florida. It stands less than a mile from Florida State University and directly across from Capital Regional Medical Center. It is also convenient to downtown Tallahassee, Florida A&M University, Governor's Square Mall and Maclay Gardens State Park. "We are ex...
Owned by Mac Haik Enterprises and Managed by Aimbridge Hospitality, Embassy Suites by Hilton Opens in College Station, Texas
Embassy Suites by Hilton | October 4, 2017
COLLEGE STATION, Texas - Embassy Suites by Hilton, a global brand of upscale, all-suite hotels from Hilton (NYSE: HLT), announced today the opening of a newly-built hotel in College Station, TX. Embassy Suites by Hilton prides itself on providing guests an approachable and stress-free experience at each of its spacious, all-suites hotel properties. Embassy Suites by Hilton College Station offers a central location to Texas A&M University, the ideal home base for travelers in town for the big game or an official college visit. Kyle Field and the George Bush Presidential Library are just miles from the hotel and visitors can explore t...
How Should I Compensate My Sales Manager?
Leora H Lanz | October 4, 2017
By Leora H Lanz and Eydie Shapiro This is a very common question, and yet one which typically has a complicated answer. But should it? It's unfortunate that many hotels boast about how much money was spent on artwork decorating their lobbies and yet compensation increases for the sales managers who book business to their rooms are embarrassingly low. Sadly, the cost of living, the price of gas, and other expenses have increased, while, generally, the rate of pay increase has either stayed stagnant or has not kept up. Recently, we've been approached by a handful of different hotel owners asking for guidance on how to compensate the sales...
Two Roads Hospitality Appoints Rika Lisslö as Vice President of Acquisitions and Development
Two Roads Hospitality | October 4, 2017
Denver, Co., October 4, 2017 – International lifestyle company Two Roads Hospitality has appointed Rika Lisslö to Vice President of Acquisitions and Development. Lisslö comes to the Two Roads Hospitality team with over 10 years of experience as a real estate executive with a proven track record in mixed-use developments across the hospitality, retail, office and restaurant sectors. Her multi-disciplinary background will be applied to growing the Two Roads Hospitality family of brands across the Eastern United States. "Rika's vast network in hospitality finance and experience in hotel and real estate development make her ...
SHR CEO to Speak on Global Technology Panels in Hong Kong and Singapore
SHR | October 4, 2017
HOUSTON, TX, HONG KONG, SINGAPORE, October 4, 2017—Rod Jimenez, CEO for SHR, Sceptre Hospitality Resources, a leading provider and pioneer of advanced hotel distribution technologies, will be speaking as an expert panelist at two major hospitality technology events. The first panel, The Future of Hotel Technology, will be held at the Revenue Strategy Forum, Hong Kong, Hotel ICON, on October 11, 12:00-1:00 p.m. This discussion will revolve around how innovative hotel companies are beginning to rethink their tech stack, and are looking for new ways to integrate multiple systems in a modern cloud architecture to better personalize of...
