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
Benchmark Appoints Tobby Rau Director of Operations for The Grove Resort & Spa Orlando, A Benchmark Resorts & Hotels Property
The Grove Resort & Spa Orlando | March 28, 2017
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, March 2017… BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has named Tobby Rau director of operations for The Grove Resort & Spa Orlando. The 878 room all-suite hotel, which is a Benchmark Resorts & Hotels property, opened its first phase on March 10, 2017, just minutes from Walt Disney World® Resort in Orlando, Florida. Bill Lee, The Grove's general manager, made the announcement. "It is a pleasure to have Tobby as a key part of The Grove Resort & Spa Orlando opening team," said Mr. Lee. "He brings important experience from within the Florida market and a keen understanding of all a...
Winning the Digital Marketplace Starts with a Solid Cellular Network
RoamBOOST | March 28, 2017
RoamBOOST identifies five reasons why cellular is key to digital dominance Boston, Mass. — March 28, 2017 — The No. 1 strategic technology goal for more than half (52%) of U.S. hotels today is to improve digital customer engagement (2017 Lodging Technology Study). While some operators are focusing on analytics to drive their digital marketing efforts, others are honing in on connectivity by using handheld tools to book faster reservations, get into their rooms faster with mobile keys and even stream personalized music and content faster from cellular devices. While these new amenities are trendy, RoamBOOST is advising hoteli...
HMC Appoints Peter Ambros General Manager of Holiday Inn Airport & Conference Center in Memphis, Tennessee
Hospitality Management Corporation (HMC) | March 27, 2017
Dallas, TX – Leo Spriggs, President and CEO of Hospitality Management Corporation (HMC), is happy to announce that current team member Peter Ambros will be transferring to Memphis, Tennessee, to oversee the Holiday Inn Airport & Conference Center as the new General Manager. With extensive professional hospitality experience and wide-ranging knowledge of the Hotel and Food & Beverage industries, he will be an invaluable asset in building the Holiday Inn's clientele, guest services and overall performance. He previously held the position of General Manager for the Wyndham Garden Lafayette and the Crowne Plaza Astor, a 4-Diam...
Benchmark Appoints Kristina Turner Director of Marketing for Villas of Grand Cypress and The Grove Resort & Spa Orlando
Villas of Grand Cypress | March 27, 2017
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, March 2017 … BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has named Kristina Turner area director of marketing for the Forbes Four Star-rated Villas of Grand Cypress, a Gemstone Collection property, and The Grove Resort & Spa Orlando, a Benchmark Resorts & Hotels property that opened its first phase on March 10, 2017. Both resorts are located near Walt Disney World® in Orlando, Florida. Ted Davis, chief sales & marketing office for Benchmark, made the announcement. "It is a pleasure to welcome Kristina to our company," said Mr. Davis. "Not only is she supremely qualified, but she c...
sbe Names John Sinclair General Manager of The Redbury New York
sbe | March 27, 2017
NEW YORK, March 27, 2017 -- sbe, the leading lifestyle hospitality company that develops, manages and operates award-winning hospitality venues globally, today announced that John Sinclair has joined as General Manager of The Redbury New York. Located on 29 East 29th Street, in the heart of Manhattan's burgeoning NoMad neighborhood, the hotel is just a short distance from the city's best shopping, restaurants, nightclubs and attractions, including the Empire State Building, Madison Square Park and the Theatre District. "We welcome John to the sbe team to oversee The Redbury New York, which we launched in September 2016,&quo...
Hotel Equities Selected by Quyp Hospitality to Operate Two New Marriott Hotels in Phoenix
Hotel Equities | March 27, 2017
Properties include: 130-Room SpringHill Suites Avondale and 120-Room Fairfield Inn & Suites Tolleson Atlanta, GA–March 27, 2017– Atlanta-based Hotel Equities recently announced its selection as the management firm for the 130-room new build SpringHill Suites by Marriott in Avondale and the 120-room Fairfield Inn & Suites in Tolleson, both in metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona. In a vibrant area that also includes high-end residential and upscale retail outlets and dining, the Avondale site enjoys a central location to all the area's desirable amenities. The hotel in Tolleson, located off Interstate 10, will sit in a mixe...
Wyndham and Zeus International Enter Strategic Development Partnership for 20 New Hotels
Wyndham Hotel Group | March 27, 2017
ATHENS, Greece, 27 March 2017 – Wyndham Hotel Group, the hotel giant with an unmatched global presence of more than 8,000 hotels, and Zeus International, a Greek hotel management and consulting company with international presence, today announced plans to build upon their existing partnership with a new strategic development agreement. Through this new agreement, the two companies will collaborate in developing 20 hotels (conversions or new construction) over the next 10 years in Greece, Cyprus, Bulgaria and Romania. Wyndham Hotel Group and Zeus International initially partnered on development of Wyndham Grand Athens, which opened...
Legacy Systems are so Yesterday, Join the Reigning King – the Cloud PMS!
Hotelogix | March 27, 2017
Is your hotel still stuck with legacy systems? Are you still contemplating cloud? Then you really need to pull up your socks and get down to it. Why should hotels switch over to cloud from a legacy based system? Reliability: With a legacy system if the servers are down or there is a power failure at the property, the hotel can stand to lose out on a lot of data, without proper backup. Cloud-based solutions like Hotelogix ensures that they keep their clients data completely safe and secure. Data security is given utmost priority by using the best data centers and IAAS providers. Failover and redundancy data mechanisms are inbuilt, if one...
Hilton Garden Inn Launches Six Region-Specific Customizable Hotel Prototypes Geared to Developers Worldwide
Hilton Garden Inn | March 23, 2017
MCLEAN, Va.--March 23, 2017--Hilton Garden Inn, an upscale brand from Hilton (NYSE: HLT), has today announced a revamped hotel design approach that provides six new, customizable hotel prototype options – one for each region of the world where the brand operates. Designed for hotel developers seeking to cost-efficiently expand their portfolios while maximizing revenue, the new North American prototype, known as Magnolia, will: Reduce footprint by 8 percent – making it easier to acquire land and building sites, Provide sizable cost efficiencies – an estimated 6 percent reduction in construction costs, and Yield a st...
An Art Deco Gem, Seattle’s Hotel Deca Joins Benchmark’s Gemstone Collection
Gemstone Collection | March 23, 2017
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, March 23, 2017 … Seattle's iconic Art Deco gem, the Hotel Deca, is the newest member of the Gemstone Collection, a dynamically expanding portfolio that is part of BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company. The historic 158-guestroom property, featuring three Penthouse Suites, is situated in Seattle's spirited University District, close to the campus of the University of Washington and just minutes from the attractions of downtown Seattle. BENCHMARK includes 70 domestic and international properties under two distinctive and unique brands, Benchmark Resorts & Hotels and the Gemstone Collection...
The Smart Hotelier’s Action Plan to Capitalize on Facebook City Guides
the Author and HeBS Digital | March 23, 2017
By Victoria Hsia Facebook recently began rolling out a new feature that further positions the platform as a travel planning tool: City Guides. Available on the mobile app, City Guides serve as Facebook-curated destination guides, complete with recommendations of places to go and things to do. This functionality was first launched back in December, but is now being rolled out on a larger scale. How Do Facebook City Guides Work? There are two ways to access a City Guide: by tapping "City Guides" in the app menu or by searching for a particular city in the search bar. When you access City Guides through the app's menu, you will see various...
Introducing the “Psychometric SWOT” Exercise for Effective Team Development
James Houran, Ph.D. | March 23, 2017
By James Houran, Ph.D. and Chris Mumford Growth. Expansion. Development. Progression. These words translate in a business sense to an increase in size, footprint, market share, revenue and profit or shareholder value. They are common aspirations of most companies eager to accelerate along an upward trajectory, as opposed to crisis managing a downward spiral. In the current climate, most hospitality operating businesses are in aggressive growth mode and faced with "positive problems," such as how to acquire new contracts, how to staff new openings, or how to satisfy growing customer numbers. For small- to medium-sized businesses in parti...
Ocean Park Inn Chooses Agilysys rGuest® Solution Suite to Strengthen Operations and Enhance Guest Service
Agilysys | March 23, 2017
Boutique Beachfront Property Implements Next-Generation PMS, Payment Solutions ALPHARETTA, GA. — March 23, 2017 — Agilysys, Inc. (Nasdaq: AGYS), a leading global provider of next-generation hospitality software solutions and services, today announced that Ocean Park Inn in San Diego has selected Agilysys' next-generation cloud-based rGuest® Stay property management system and the rGuest® Pay payment solution to strengthen operations and enhance guest service at the 72-room boutique hotel. The beachfront property caters to both business and leisure travelers, with its contemporary rooms and suites, in-room amenities a...
Paramount Lodging Advisors Welcomes Managing Directors Andy Wardner and Brian Guernier
Paramount Lodging Advisors | March 22, 2017
Paramount Lodging Advisors (PLA) is delighted to announce Andy Wardner and Brian Guernier as PLA's newest Team Members. Andy Wardner is the Managing Director of the new PLA office in Atlanta. Prior to joining PLA, Andy was a Vice President with Starwood Capital Group where he oversaw the full investment cycle and asset management responsibilities of SCG's portfolio of North American full-service hotels. Over his 15 year career with SCG, Andy was involved in the successful acquisition and disposition of over $3 billion in real estate transactions and over $1 billion in debt placement or refinancing. Brian Guernier is the Managing Directo...
Maestro PMS Housekeeping App Personalizes Guest Engagement
Maestro PMS | March 22, 2017
Automated "Room is Ready" Text Message Gets Guests into Their Room Faster via Integrated Hotel Management Software App Markham, Ontario, March 22, 2017 – How often have you arrived at your hotel early only to find that your room is not ready? Your bags can go into the bell stand closet, but you still want to get to your room as soon as possible. Maestro PMS understands this and its new Housekeeping App has you covered. Scenario: A guest arrives at the hotel. The room is not yet ready. Then the guest receives a TEXT: "Your Room is Ready." Room Status Updates via Staff Handheld Devices and Maestro Front Office hotel management soft...
sbe in Advanced Discussions with Hakkasan Group for Potential Merger
sbe | March 22, 2017
NEW YORK, March 22, 2017 -- sbe, the leading lifestyle hospitality company that develops, manages and operates award-winning hospitality venues globally, today announced that it is in advanced discussions to merge Hakkasan Group into the sbe family. sbe Founder and CEO, Sam Nazarian stated, "sbe is in advanced discussions with Hakkasan Group regarding a potential merger. As currently contemplated, sbe would welcome Hakkasan's global portfolio of prestigious restaurants and best in class nightlife assets into sbe's international platform of lifestyle hospitality and entertainment assets to create the most dynamic hospitality...
Villas of Grand Cypress Named a Forbes Four Star Hotel for 2017
Villas of Grand Cypress | March 22, 2017
Orlando Golf Resort Maintains Prestigious Award for 4th Consecutive Year The Woodlands, TX, March 2017… BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, announces that Villas of Grand Cypress has been honored by Forbes Travel Guide as a Four Star hotel for 2017. The ranking places the resort in an elite group of only three Orlando properties to earn the Four Star rating. This marks the fourth consecutive year that the Villas of Grand Cypress, part of BENCHMARK's Gemstone Collection, has been recognized with this prestigious award. It also follows other recent accolades for the resort, including the 2017 U.S. News & World Report ...
HeBS Digital’s Parent Company, Hotel360 Technologies, Acquires Serenata IntraWare to Create the Industry’s First Fully Integrated Past/Future Gues
HeBS Digital | March 22, 2017
NEW YORK, NY — March 22, 2017 — HeBS Digital is pleased to announce its parent company, Hotel360 Technologies (Hospitality Tech Holdings LLC), has acquired Serenata IntraWare GmbH, the most comprehensive hotel CRM (Customer Relationship Management) platform in the hospitality industry today. Combining Serenata with HeBS Digital, an existing portfolio company, Hotel360 is launching the hospitality industry's first Fully-Integrated 360-Degree Past/Future Guest Engagement and Acquisition Technology and Marketing Platform. Hotel360 was formed by HeBS Digital and Public Pension Capital LLC (PPC), a leading New York City private e...
The Solution To Industry Stagnation Is Innovation
Larry Mogelonsky | March 22, 2017
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.lma.ca) During the 2008-2009 economic downturn, even though the future of most hotels was uncertain, the corrective actions for such times of hardship were not. Properties across the board responded to the lower occupancies and tightening of travelers' purse strings by cutting costs in whichever way would balance the budget. Now, however, it would seem as though we are confronted with a mercurial problem, that of a flattening of pace. Whereas the calamitous events of just shy of a decade ago hit us like an exploding hot lava volcano, this present day 'flattening of pace' is not nearly as visceral. ...
Are Robots and Artificial Intelligence Real-Life Threats to Humans and Their Jobs?
Ken Greger | March 21, 2017
By Ken Greger A robot first appeared in a motion picture in 1919, The Master Mystery. The machine was called "the Automaton," as the term robot would not be used until 1920. Since then our imaginations have been led by humanoid machines capable of capturing our hearts (R2D2) to threatening our very destruction (Westworld, The Terminator). A common theme among these robots was an intelligence, sometimes sinister and sometimes benevolent, but always present. The movies implanted a mental image of a robot, but don't be unduly alarmed – C3P0 is not yet on the horizon. Robots have reshaped manufacturing, technology, aerospace and onlin...
Newest Las Vegas Hotel Casino, The Lucky Dragon Hotel & Casino, Opens with the InvoTech RFID Uniform Management System
InvoTech Systems, Inc. | March 21, 2017
The InvoTech System manages the uniform inventory and assignments to over 800 Employees at the Asian Themed Hotel Casino LOS ANGELES, CA – March 21, 2017 InvoTech Systems, Inc., the leading provider of uniform, linen, and laundry inventory management solutions for hotels, casinos, resorts, and theme parks worldwide, announced that the Lucky Dragon Hotel & Casino implemented its RFID Uniform System to manage garments for its 800-person staff. InvoTech Systems has implemented inventory management systems for over fifty (50) Las Vegas hotels, casinos, and resorts. Please click here for more information on InvoTech's uniform, ...
FCS Computer Systems Appoints Hospitality Expert, Craig Dennington, as Commercial Director for Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Island Markets
FCS | March 21, 2017
Renowned expert with more than 20 years of industry experience to spearhead FCS growth initiatives in the region. Sydney – 21 March, 2017 – FCS Computer Systems (FCS), a leader in hospitality technology operations solutions and services, has tapped Craig Dennington to serve as Commercial Director for Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. Based out of FCS' regional office located in Sydney, Australia, Dennington will be tasked with further growing the company's market presence throughout the region and ensuring that its industry leading operations-enhancing solutions are available to all hoteliers in the area. "Havi...
New York City Ranks #1 as Top U.S. Destination in TripAdvisor’s 2017 Travelers’ Choice Awards
TripAdvisor | March 21, 2017
NEEDHAM, Mass., March 21, 2017 -- TripAdvisor®, the travel planning and booking site, today announced the winners of its Travelers' Choice® awards for destinations, recognizing travelers' favorite places around the world. This year, Bali, Indonesia is the global winner and New York City ranks number one in the U.S. for the seventh consecutive year. Award winners were determined using an algorithm that took into account the quantity and quality of reviews and ratings for hotels, restaurants and attractions in destinations worldwide, gathered over a 12-month period, as well as traveler booking interest on TripAdvisor. The ...
Dream Hotel Group Appoints Jeff Lee as Director of Food & Beverage
Dream Hotel Group | March 20, 2017
NEW YORK, NY (March 20, 2017) – Renowned hotel brand and management company Dream Hotel Group is pleased to announce the appointment of Jeff Lee as Director of Food & Beverage. Lee will assist with the overall direction of food and beverage for the company and its brands: Dream Hotels, Time Hotels, The Chatwal and Unscripted Hotels, working on the various restaurant and bar concepts within the hotels and strengthening culinary partnerships across all four brands. His key areas of focus include concept and menu development, kitchen design based on elevated functionality and cleanliness, and attaining sales and profitability goa...
