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
What You Need to Know About Drone Photography for Hotels
Larry Mogelonsky | October 4, 2017
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.hotelmogel.com) The saying goes, "A picture is worth a thousand words." Now imagine what a video says! Last year, some 750,000 drones – known to the professional industry as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and abbreviated as UAVs – were sold through big box retailers, with a forecast of over a million transactions this year. In parallel are frequent stories on the evening news recanting tales of UAVs making close contact with commercial aircraft in tandem with the fitting calls for regulation of this fast-growing, seemingly recreational activity. If you own or operate a large resort, golf cou...
Competitive Advantage 2018 – The World Has Changed
Robert A, Rauch | October 4, 2017
By Robert A. Rauch The classic model of competitive advantage is Michael Porter's five forces shown below. This is still a useful model for the hotel industry. The most interesting part of this in 2017 is the "substitute" portion of the grid–this is what Airbnb is all about and they will have had a huge impact on our industry by the time most people wake up to it. According to Porter, "the existence of products outside of the realm of the common product boundaries increases the propensity of customers to switch to alternatives." Michael Porter's Five Forces Airbnb has become a powerful force in the hotel industry and as a reactio...
Wyndham Hotel Group Completes Acquisition of AmericInn
Wyndham Hotel Group | October 3, 2017
PARSIPPANY, N.J., Oct. 3, 2017 -- Wyndham Hotel Group has completed its acquisition of the AmericInn® brand and its hotel management company, boosting the hospitality giant's footprint of more than 8,100 hotels and strengthening its position as a midscale segment leader in the U.S. The transaction brings the company's collection of brands to 20 iconic names. Upon closing, the company appointed industry veteran Nasir Raja to senior vice president, brand operations, overseeing the AmericInn brand's strategic direction, daily operations, and owner advisory board. Raja most recently served as executive vice president of fran...
HEBS Digital Guarantees Hoteliers a Boost in Direct Bookings with a 40% Website Conversion Rate Uplift
HEBS Digital | October 3, 2017
NEW YORK, NY — October 3, 2017 — To address the needs of today's hotelier to increase direct website bookings and lower distribution costs, HEBS Digital announces a new promotion that guarantees a 40% increase in website conversion rates with the purchase of a new website. Considering that, on average, less than 2% of website visitors ultimately make a booking, this limited-time promotion can have a profound impact on any hoteliers' bottom line. As part of this promotion, hoteliers will receive: A 25% credit towards the design and development of a new responsive website The award-winning smartCMS® Website Technology P...
IHG Appoints Claire Bennett as Chief Marketing Officer
IHG | October 2, 2017
IHG® (InterContinental Hotels Group), one of the world's leading hotel companies, has today announced the appointment of Claire Bennett as Chief Marketing Officer, effective immediately. Claire joins IHG from American Express, where she held a number of senior, consumer-focused marketing roles over a period of more than 10 years. She brings extensive marketing, brand and loyalty expertise to IHG, and a proven track record of leveraging data and technology to drive powerful marketing investments. During her career with American Express, Claire has overseen global marketing and brand management, leading its worldwide advertising, medi...
Set to Open in 2018, The Párisi Udvar Hotel in Budapest to Join The Unbound Collection by Hyatt
Hyatt Hotels Corporation | October 2, 2017
CHICAGO (October 2, 2017) – Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) today announced plans for the Párisi Udvar Hotel in Budapest – joining Hôtel du Louvre in Paris as the second hotel in Europe for The Unbound Collection by Hyatt and third outside of the U.S. Hyatt has entered into a franchise agreement with Párizs Property Kft for the project, which will see Brudern House in downtown Budapest converted into an upper-upscale 110-room hotel. The Párisi Udvar Hotel is expected to open in 2018 and will be managed by Mellow Mood Hotels, a leading Hungarian hotel operator. The 20th century building is known ...
Combatting Unpredictability: How Hotels Can Comply with Fair Scheduling Laws and Drive Employee Engagement in the Process
Mike Zorn | October 2, 2017
By Mike Zorn For hospitality organizations, sporadic demand is inevitable - it's for this reason that many hotels have difficulty transitioning to fair scheduling laws. Last month, Oregon passed Senate Bill 828 (the "Fair Work Week" law). The law requires hospitality, food service, and retail employers to comply with a number of requirements relating to hourly employee scheduling. Specifically, Oregon employers with 500 or more employees worldwide will now need to inform employees of their schedules one week in advance (and two weeks in advance after 2020). While this law is specific to companies in Oregon, a number of cities including ...
Owned and Managed by Concord Hospitality, New Courtyard by Marriott Houston Intercontinental Airport Opens in Texas
Courtyard by Marriott | September 28, 2017
Houston, TX – September 28, 2017 – Courtyard by Marriott Houston Intercontinental Airport opened its doors in Houston, Texas on September 18, 2017. 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 1538 John F Kennedy Boulevard, the 127-room hotel will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned and managed by Concord Hospitality of Raleigh, North Carolina. Located less than one mile away from George Bush Intercontinental Airport, the Courtyard Houston Intercontinen...
Owned by NewcrestImage, Newly-Built Embassy Suites by Hilton Opens in Amarillo, Texas
Embassy Suites by Hilton | September 28, 2017
AMARILLO, Texas and MCLEAN, Va. - Embassy Suites by Hilton, a global brand of upscale, all-suite hotels from Hilton, announced today the opening of a newly-built hotel in Amarillo, TX. Owned by NewcrestImage, the full service Hilton property is located in the heart of downtown Amarillo and within walking distance to great local restaurants, the Civic Center and Globe News Center for Performing Arts. Embassy Suites by Hilton prides itself on offering guests an approachable and stress-free experience at each of its spacious, all-suites hotel properties. Embassy Suites by Hilton Amarillo Downtown has 226 contemporary suites and is ideal fo...
HEBS Digital Awarded Nine Travel Weekly Magellan Awards for its Website Design & Technology Solutions Built to Boost Customer Engagement and Direct Bo
Travel Weekly | September 28, 2017
New York, NY – September 28, 2017 – Travel Weekly announced the winners of the 2017 Magellan Awards, with HEBS Digital earning nine awards total. With entries from across the U.S. and around the world, the Magellan Award winners represent the best in the travel industry and salute the outstanding travel professionals behind it all. HEBS Digital earned the following Magellan Awards: Gold Awards: Pure Salt Luxury Hotels Website: a collection of two exquisite properties in the Mediterranean The Maven Website: a new, independent property located in Denver, Colorado Silver Awards: Atton Hotels Website: the leading chain of ...
X Fund Properties Limited and Aimbridge Hospitality Unveil Jewel Grande Montego Bay Resort & Spa
X Fund Properties Limited | September 28, 2017
MONTEGO BAY, JAMAICA – (Sept 28, 2017) – X Fund Properties Limited and Aimbridge Hospitality announce the opening of Jewel Grande Montego Bay Resort & Spa nestled on a private cove between Jamaica's sprawling rolling hills and vibrant Caribbean Sea, a mere fifteen minutes from Sangster International Airport. The Jamaican owned all-inclusive resort exemplifies the island's laidback ambiance paired with a myriad of premium amenities from a 30,000-square foot island villa-inspired Grande Spa to 12 epicurean marvels. The new addition to the Jewel chain of resorts boasts three beachfront towers—Sabal, Silver and Sentry...
Direct Booking Woes? Let Guests Buy Room Attributes!
Pierre Boettner, Founder and CEO, hospitalityPulse | September 28, 2017
By Pierre Boettner, Founder and CEO, hospitalityPulse It should come as no surprise that guests want to pick their rooms. According to a Hilton survey, 84% of business travelers want to choose their own room (Fortune). I'm not sure why leisure travelers don't have a say, but I'll tell you what both groups really want. It's not to pick their exact room. That requires too much energy, never mind knowledge of the hotel you plan staying at. Think if the car rental company asked you to pick your car down to the VIN number. No, thank you. But if they asked if I want Bluetooth, a sunroof, storage for more than two bags, and visual navigation&h...
Never Let Your Breakfast Be Boring
Larry Mogelonsky | September 27, 2017
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.hotelmogel.com) It's about time that our chefs in the hotel industry collectively woke up to something different than the same old bacon and eggs or oatmeal and raisins. In this sense, breakfast is another overlooked opportunity to wow your guests and leave a lasting impression. Glass half empty, it's also an instance where you can irk customers by underserving them. Here's a simple test to see if your morning foodservice is staid. Order breakfast in your own restaurant and take a picture of what's served on the plate. Now, go to any Denny's – or any other well-known diner of this ilk –...
FCS Computer Systems Raises Bar on Hotel Housekeeping Efficiency with Release of FCS Housekeeping V3.1
FCS | September 26, 2017
Industry leading housekeeping solution now available with enhanced features that further streamline staff efficiency while reducing operational costs. Singapore – 26 September, 2017- FCS Computer Systems, a leading global provider of comprehensive hospitality guest services applications and solution design services, has announced the General Availability (GA) of FCS Housekeeping V3.1 with new features that serve to further boost housekeeping department efficiency and guest satisfaction. The latest release includes the ability to implement task assignment rules that can adapt to changing priorities throughout the day. Other useful...
Mobile Check-In & Check-Out: There’s So Much More on the Way
September 26, 2017
Jos Schaap, CEO and Founder StayNTouch There has been a great deal written about how more and more people use mobile devices to book both air travel and make hotel reservations. There is little doubt that the proliferation of mobile devices within the travel ecosystem is increasing year over year. A Phocuswright research study in 2016 which focused on the mobile landscape outlined that travelers turn to their smartphones when deciding where to go, choosing travel products, during their trip and for sharing experiences. In another report from Phocuswright called Chat, Shop, Buy, released in April of 2016, researchers analyzed how travele...
BridgeStreet Global Hospitality and SiteMinder Connect in Pivotal Strategic Relationship for Business Travel
BridgeStreet Global Hospitality | September 26, 2017
Reston, USA – BridgeStreet Global Hospitality, the first OTA dedicated to business travel, has partnered with the global hotel industry's leading cloud platform, SiteMinder, to strengthen the visibility of serviced apartments around the world. The partnership sees BridgeStreet Global Hospitality join SiteMinder's vast supplier network of more than 350 distribution channels, and allows their supply to also be seen by business travelers worldwide. Leveraging exceptional client and supplier assets into a streamlined system that ultimately improves visibility, reliability and revenues, today's partnership is a definitive step toward u...
Agilysys Executives to Participate on Gaming Industry Panels at G2E 2017
Agilysys | September 26, 2017
CEO and Director of Product Management Each to Discuss Current Hospitality Trends ALPHARETTA, GA. — Sept. 26, 2017 — Agilysys, Inc. (Nasdaq: AGYS), a leading global provider of next-generation hospitality software solutions and services, today announced that Ramesh Srinivasan, President and CEO, and Robert Rebholz, Director of Product Management, will be featured on industry panels at the upcoming Global Gaming Expo (G2E) in Las Vegas. Mr. Srinivasan will be a featured panelist for the: 'Hand in Hand - How Gaming and Non-Gaming Work Together" session, an open forum discussion centered on helping operators understand the big...
Hyatt Selects Mark Vondrasek as Executive Vice President, Global Head of Loyalty & New Business Platforms
Hyatt Hotels Corporation | September 25, 2017
CHICAGO (Sept 25, 2017) – Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) today announced the selection of Mark Vondrasek as executive vice president, global head of loyalty & new business platforms, reporting to Mark Hoplamazian, president and chief executive officer. In this newly created leadership position, Vondrasek will direct Hyatt's integrated experience strategy, which currently includes the World of Hyatt loyalty platform as well as Hyatt's wellness initiatives including Miraval and exhale. Vondrasek will also be charged with creating and scaling new business opportunities, products and services. "Mark's successful track record, ...
Expotel Hospitality to Open and Manage Historic 118 Room Hotel Indigo in Memphis, Tennessee
Expotel Hospitality | September 25, 2017
New Orleans, Louisiana, USA - August 25, 2017 - Expotel Hospitality (www.expotelhospitality.com), a New Orleans-based hotel management and development company, today announced it has signed an agreement to provide development consulting, pre-opening services, and post-opening operations management services for the previously announced adaptive re-use project of the circa 1963 former Holiday Inn in downtown Memphis. The iconic, "mid-century modern" structure on the corner of B.B. King Boulevard and Court Avenue will undergo an intensively thorough renovation to include all new mechanical, plumbing, and electrical, new guest room finishes...
Agilysys Provides Property Management Software to Hospitality School to Promote Practical Learning
Agilysys | September 25, 2017
ALPHARETTA, GA. and LAS VEGAS, NV — Sep. 25, 2017 — Agilysys, Inc. (Nasdaq: AGYS), a leading global provider of next-generation hospitality software solutions and services, and The International School of Hospitality (TISOH), today announced that Agilysys will provide their innovative rGuest Stay property management system for instructional use at the institution. This partnership which includes installation, training and support, will help ensure a practical learning experience for hotel operation students. "TISOH is all about practical learning. The ability for students to directly apply their classroom knowledge to real w...
Paramount Lodging Advisors Sells 12th Consecutive Property in the Indiana Market
Paramount Lodging Advisors | September 22, 2017
Indianapolis, IN -- Paramount Lodging Advisors (PLA) is pleased to announce four transactions in Indiana over the last 14 days – starting with the sale of the Quality Inn South Bend and the Quality Inn Indianapolis. The properties were sold to a single buyer for an undisclosed amount. Managing Directors Bennett Webster and Brent Clemens, Senior Associate Mike Schlictman, and Associate Hussain Waseem represented the seller in these transactions. The 246-room portfolio was ideally positioned next to the University of Notre Dame in South Bend and the I-465 Beltway in Indianapolis. The buyer was looking to substantially supplement the...
Owned by New Era Partners and Managed by Aimbridge Hospitality, Courtyard by Marriott Set to Open in Flower Mound, Texas
Courtyard by Marriott | September 22, 2017
Flower Mound, TX – September 22, 2017 – Courtyard by Marriott Dallas Flower Mound is scheduled to open its doors in Flower Mound, Texas on Friday, September 29, 2017. Featuring an innovative lobby space, with a stunning three-story atrium, and Courtyard's latest contemporary room design, the new Courtyard property is the first hotel in Flower Mound and provides flexibility and choices that allow guests to optimize and elevate their travel experience. Located at 4330 Courtyard Way, the 146-room hotel will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned by New Era Hotels and Resorts, developed by New Era Partners and managed by Aimbrid...
Sage Hospitality Names Luis San Martin Director of Food & Beverage at Embassy Suites by Hilton & Hilton Garden Inn Opening this Fall in Boulder
Sage Hospitality | September 22, 2017
Boulder, Colo. (Sept. 22, 2017) – The Embassy Suites by Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn - two new hotels opening this Fall in Boulder – are pleased to announce that Luis San Martin is now serving as the Dual Director of Food & Beverage. With more than 16 years of hospitality industry experience, San Martin most recently served as General Manager of Food & Beverage at The Maven Hotel including Kachina Southwestern Grill & Poka Lola Social Club, Sage Restaurant Group concepts that opened this spring adjacent to the Maven in Denver's new Dairy Block mixed-use development. He previously was the General Manager of Food &...
Dream Hotel Group Appoints Danielle Inzano as Director of Sales & Marketing for Dream Downtown
Dream Hotel Group | September 22, 2017
NEW YORK, NY (September 22, 2017) – Renowned hotel brand and management company Dream Hotel Group announces the appointment of Danielle Inzano as new Director of Sales & Marketing for Dream Downtown in Manhattan NYC. Danielle joins Dream from Grandlife Hospitality, where she most recently served as Director of Sales, overseeing all sales and catering efforts for Soho Grand Hotel. Danielle also opened The James Royal Palm Hotel in Miami Beach and spent five years at Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. Prior to moving into the hospitality industry, Danielle spent ten years in the New York fashion industry working for Donege...
