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Alila Hotels and Resorts Names Ian Jones as GM for Alila Seminyak Bali, a New Resort to Open Q4 ‘14
Alila Hotels and Resorts | February 25, 2014
25th February 2014 - Alila Hotels and Resorts, a luxury operator with boutique hotels and resorts in India and Asia Pacific, has appointed Ian Jones as the General Manager for Alila Seminyak, a new resort due to open in Bali in late 2014. Hailing from a small town in Aurora, Canada, Ian Jones began his hotel career in a 1,400-room hotel where he filed the keys into the front desk racks ready for the next guest. 30 years later, he has enjoyed an international career spanning four continents and seven countries. Ian has worked with some of the world's most well-known hospitality companies, including Starwood, Fairmont, Hilton and, most re...
Digital Signage Expo 2014 Declared a “Success” by Hoteliers & Casino Operators
Digital Signage Expo | February 25, 2014
Atlanta - February 25, 2014 - Digital Signage Expo® (DSE), the world's largest and longest running International Conference and Tradeshow dedicated exclusively to digital signage, interactive technology and digital out-of-home networks (DOOH), has been declared a success by Hoteliers and Casino Operators who attended the show. The conference and trade show, which ran February 11-13, drew just over 4,000 attendees, of which over 42% were end users, the primary prospects that DSE's exhibitors want and need to see. 1,813 exhibitor personnel attended, bringing DSE's total attendance to over 5,800. Of that combined total, 29....
Bernard de Villèle Named as General Manager for The 189-key St. Regis Mexico City
The St. Regis Mexico City | February 25, 2014
MEXICO CITY (February 25, 2014) - Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Inc. today announced that Bernard de Villèle has joined The St. Regis Mexico City as general manager. Formerly the general manager at The St. Regis Mauritius, de Villèle brings more than 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry and is perfectly suited to take the reins of Mexico's most exclusive cosmopolitan address for unparalleled luxury and bespoke service. "With a career spanning nearly four decades in hospitality, we're delighted to welcome Bernard and his expertise to The St. Regis Mexico City" said Batya Brykman, vice president and director of operations...
Starwood’s Co-President of The Americas, Osvaldo V. Librizzi, to Retire at 2014 Year-End
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. | February 25, 2014
Sergio Rivera to Become President of the Americas and Jorge Giannattasio to Become Chief of Latin America Operations & Global Initiatives February 25, 2014 - STAMFORD, Conn - Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) today announced that longtime leader, Osvaldo V. Librizzi , will step down from his current role, Co-President of The Americas, at the end of the year and will serve as non-executive Chairman until the end of 2015. Sergio Rivera , currently Co-President of the Americas, will become President of the Americas and assume full responsibility for the region, and Jorge Giannattasio , currently SVP CFO of the A...
HRI Lodging Names Paul Gibson General Manager of Crowne Plaza San Marcos Golf Resort in Chandler, AZ
HRI Lodging | February 25, 2014
NEW ORLEANS, LA (February 25, 2014) - Veteran Phoenix-area hospitality executive Paul Gibson has been appointed general manager of Crowne Plaza® San Marcos Golf Resort in Chandler, Arizona, announced Gary Gutierrez, president of HRI Lodging, which assumed management of the historic resort earlier this year. Gibson worked for Interstate Hotels and Resorts for the past 15 years, first as the area general manager of the Crowne Plaza® Phoenix North and most recently as the general manager of the Phoenix Airport Hilton. Under Gibson's direction, the Crowne Plaza® Phoenix North won the 1999 IHG Service Award of Excellence and the 2001 Inte...
Palace Resorts Appoints Kevin Wojciechowski as Vice President of Development
Palace Resorts | February 25, 2014
MIAMI, Fla. (February 25, 2014) - Palace Resorts - the company that sets the standard in five-star, all-inclusive resort accommodations - proudly announces the addition of Kevin Wojciechowski as Vice President of Development for the brand's seven oceanfront resort properties in Cancun, Cozumel, Isla Mujeres and Riviera Maya, Mexico, as well as Le Blanc Spa Resort in Cancun. In his roll, Wojciechowski will work closely with Sandor Winkler, Palace Resorts' Chief Development Officer, to drive the brand's growth and expansion strategies. Additionally, Wojciechowski will manage the successful acquisition and creation of new Palace Resorts pr...
Top 25 Hotel Chain in the World Migrating to the Holistic Indra Travel Management Suite
NH Hotel Group | February 25, 2014
More than 380 hotels in 28 countries will transition from a multivendor environment to Indra's unified TMS platform, setting a new course for multi-property technology adaption across the globe [MIAMI - FEBRUARY 25, 2014] - One of the top 25 hotel chains in the world is directing the future of hotel technology by migrating to an all-in-one, unified platform for hotel chain management. Using Indra's SAP-based ERP, NH Hotel Group will now operate with an integrated approach to hotel chain management and blend all back-office, front-office and CRS needs on a single technology platform. NH Hotel Group, Europe's third-ranked business hotel c...
Owned & Managed by DKN Hotels, the 120-key SpringHill Suites Anaheim Maingate is Set to Open in CA
SpringHill Suites by Marriott | February 25, 2014
Anaheim, California - February 25, 2014 - The 120-suite SpringHill Suites by Marriott in Anaheim, California is scheduled to open this Saturday, March 1, 2014. Located at 1160 West Ball Road, the SpringHill Suites Anaheim Maingate will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned and managed by DKN Hotels of Irvine, California. Located one mile from Disneyland and 14 miles from John Wayne Airport, the hotel offers guests convenient access to Anaheim Convention Center, Knott's Berry Farm and the Honda Center. Rates are seasonal. "We're delighted that the SpringHill Suites Anaheim Maingate is the latest addition to our growing number of propert...
COMO Hotels Opening First U.S. Property with the RoamBoost Cellular and First-Responder Solutions
the COMO Group and COMO Hotels and Resorts | February 25, 2014
RoamBoost's Cellular Signal Enhancement System is ensuring each guest receives a strong mobile signal whenever and wherever it is needed; RoamBoost's First Responder solution is making certain that police, fire, and EMS personnel have access to public safety radio signals throughout the hotel to save lives BOSTON, MASS. - FEBRUARY 25, 2014 - When COMO Hotels and Resorts opens its first U.S. property in Miami next month, RoamBoost from RoamingAround will be there. Metropolitan by COMO is a 74-room luxury boutique hotel that occupies an original 1930s building located in the heart of the city's famous Art Deco district. To ensure guest s...
The 108-room Hilton Garden Inn Boca del Rio/Veracruz Opens in Mexico
Hilton Garden Inn | February 25, 2014
Owned by Promotora Platinum SA de CV and Managed by Optima Hoteles February 25, 2014 - VERACRUZ, Mexico and MCLEAN, Va. - Hilton Garden Inn, Hilton Worldwide's award-winning brand of upscale yet affordable hotels, announced the opening of the 108-room Hilton Garden Inn Boca del Rio/Veracruz representing an addition to the brand's growing portfolio of more than 570 hotels worldwide. The new Hilton Garden Inn Boca del Rio/Veracruz is owned by Promotora Platinum SA de CV and managed by Optima Hoteles. Situated just minutes from the World Trade Center and 25 minutes from the local airport, Hilton Garden Inn Boca del Rio Veracruz provides th...
DoubleTree by Hilton Veracruz, Mexico to Open by Q2 2015, Through Renovation & Conversion
DoubleTree By Hilton | February 25, 2014
MCLEAN, Va. - February 25, 2014 - Hilton Worldwide announced today that it has signed a management agreement with Inmobiliaria Cidras SA de CV for a 227-room DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Veracruz, Mexico. Upon completion of extensive renovations, the Novomar Hotel is expected to reopen as DoubleTree by Hilton Veracruz during the first half of 2015. "Veracruz has established itself as a major tourist destination for visitors wishing to combine old-world charm with modern conveniences," said John Greenleaf, global head, DoubleTree by Hilton. "DoubleTree by Hilton has enjoyed success in Mexico since opening our first location there in 201...
Agreement Signed with Archer Hospitality Private Limited for DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Agra, India
DoubleTree By Hilton | February 25, 2014
To Open in August 2014 February 25, 2014 - NEW DELHI and AGRA, India and MCLEAN, Va. - Hilton Worldwide and DoubleTree by Hilton today announced the signing of a management agreement with Archer Hospitality Private Limited for DoubleTree by Hilton Agra, scheduled to open this August. Located just 1.25 miles (2 kilometers) from the Taj Mahal, DoubleTree by Hilton Agra will be among very few hotels offering views of the legendary mausoleum. The hotel's city center location will also place it near popular tourist attractions and shopping hubs like the Agra Fort, Akbar's Tomb and Kinari Bazaar. "The opening of DoubleTree by Hilton Agra mark...
How to Create a Sustainable, High Performance Team
Aspire Marketing | February 25, 2014
By Renie Cavallari When it comes to creating a successful business, there is only one place to start: your people. People are the heart of any company. It's people who sustain a business over time, who are there with you through highs and lows. Your people are your most vital asset. Do you know how to get the most out of them, ignite their potential, and fuel your business for years to come? To find a strong answer to that question, Aspire looked at thousands of people in multiple industries that we've worked with to identify what qualities determine performance. We hoped our research would help organizations learn how to harness the po...
Sage Hospitality & Whitman Peterson Acquire 11 Hotels in Second Portfolio Purchase of Their Venture
Sage Hospitality | February 25, 2014
DENVER, Feb. 25, 2014 -- Sage Hospitality, one of the leading hotel investment and management companies in the U.S., announced the purchase of 11 hotels in partnership with Whitman Peterson. This purchase marks the second of a programmatic, highly-focused investment venture between Sage and Whitman Peterson, wherein they plan to acquire a sizable portfolio of select-service hotels in need of high-impact capital, operational, and/or brand improvements. The first portfolio, purchased in March of 2013, encompassed seven well-branded, but under-capitalized hotels and is in the final stages of renovation. This new transaction adds 11 hotels ...
IHG Signs New-Build Holiday Inn® Porto Maravilha & Holiday Inn Express® Porto Maravilha in Brazil
Holiday Inn Hotels | February 25, 2014
Both to Open by July 2016 for Olympic Games 24 February, 2014 - MIAMI – InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) [LON: IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)], one of the world's largest hotel companies, makes its return to the Rio de Janeiro market with the signing of the new-build Holiday Inn® Porto Maravilha and Holiday Inn Express® Porto Maravilha hotels. The 32-story hotels will be located in Rio de Janeiro's revitalized downtown area of Porto Maravilha. The hotels, owned by Odebrecht Realizaçöes Imobiliárias and FII PM Caixa Fundo de Investimento Imobiliário Porto Maravilha, will be managed by IHG. "We see great potential for our brands in Brazi...
Same-Sex Marriage in 18 States – What’s Next?
14 Stories | February 25, 2014
With the ruling on Friday that same-sex marriages can begin immediately in Cook County, Illinois (home of Chicago), the gay wedding landscape has changed again. Since November 2012, there have been 10 new states with same-sex marriage. Will yours be next? And more importantly, are you ready for it? The 14 Stories Gay Wedding Institute (GWI) has trained thousands of wedding, travel and hospitality professionals from around the world, and hundreds are graduates of the world's only gay wedding certification course, presented by the GWI. Our next GWI course by webinar will be offered again on March 13, 20 and 27. Registration is now open an...
Educational Institute Signs Partnership Agreement with Forum of Brazilian Hotel Operators
American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute | February 24, 2014
Orlando, Florida, February 2014- The American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (EI) and the Forum of Brazilian Hotel Operators (FOHB) have signed a cooperation agreement for further action to help build the professionalization of the hotel sector's workforce. Based in Sao Paulo, FOBH is associated with the top 25 Brazilian hotel chains and has a total of 600 hotel members representing 97,000 rooms: 14 percent upscale, 58 percent midscale, and 28 percent economy. With the partnership, employees from hotel chains associated with FOHB will have a 20 percent discount on courses offered for various levels of hospitality, including m...
The Digital Direction: Hotel Marketing Budgets and a Digital 101 for Hotels – Part 1
The Authors | February 24, 2014
by Leora Lanz, Lindsey Pete, & Erin S. Bagley This article is Part I of a two-part series analyzing the landscape of digital marketing for hotels and motels in 2014. Part I reviews the fundamentals of digital marketing and why it is vital hotels understand current trends. Part II will investigate the future of "earned content" marketing. Time is precious; more and more people are booking travel on the go and they want fast response times and 24-hour access.[1] These needs have caused a fundamental shift in the channels consumers are using to book hotel rooms. The Q3 2013 Travelclick update shows that 60.3% of individual business and...
The 318-room Radisson Blu Beach Resort, Crete Milatos to Open in Greece in Q2 2014
Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group | February 24, 2014
February 24, 2014 - Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the largest and most dynamic hotel groups worldwide, announces their very first hotel on the Greek island of Crete: The Radisson Blu Beach Resort, Crete Milatos featuring 318 guest rooms is scheduled to open in second quarter. Carlson Rezidor already operates one property in Greece, the Radisson Blu Hotel Athens. Radisson Blu is Europe's largest upper upscale brand and known for its contemporary design, innovative service concepts and the unique philosophy Yes I Can! "We are delighted to arrive in Crete and look forward to our future cooperation with the Geniatakis family. This sig...
Hersha Hospitality Trust to Sell Hotel 373 in Manhattan for $529,000 Per Room
Hersha Hospitality Trust | February 24, 2014
February 24, 2014 - PHILADELPHIA - Hersha Hospitality Trust (NYSE:HT, "Hersha" or "the Company"), owner of upscale hotels in urban gateway markets, announced that the Company has entered into a definitive agreement to sell the Hotel 373 located in midtown Manhattan. The 70 room hotel is being sold to an offshore investment group for $37.0 million, or approximately $529,000 per key. "The pricing on the sale of Hotel 373 is indicative of Manhattan's highly sought after real estate market, and underscores the quality and value of Hersha's New York City hotel portfolio. We believe the sale of Hotel 373 will narrow the gap between the privat...
Gansevoort Turks + Caicos Names Mahdi Eghnam as Executive Chef and Carlos Echaiz as F & B Director
Gansevoort Hotel Group | February 24, 2014
New York, New York (February 24, 2014) - Gansevoort Hotel Group today announced the appointment of a new food and beverage team at Gansevoort Turks + Caicos, the island outpost of the popular urban hotel brand. New Executive Chef Mahdi Eghnam, responsible for the property's menu development, and new F&B Director Carlos Echaiz, accountable for the day-to-day operations, will join forces to bring an exceptional culinary experience to the resort. Eghnam and Echaiz will oversee the hotel's signature restaurant, Stelle, which serves Mediterranean cuisine, in addition to the Beach Bar + Grill, and event facilities. "I am so thrilled and e...
Taj Boston Names Brian Macaluso as DOSM, Jesse Souza as Executive Chef & Robert Alger as Pastry Chef
Taj Boston | February 24, 2014
New York, NY (February 24, 2014) - Karambir Kang, General Manager of Taj Boston, the landmark hotel overlooking the Public Garden at Arlington and Newbury streets, has made three new appointments to the luxury hotel's management team. Brian D. Macaluso, Taj Boston Director of Sales & Marketing: Brian brings more than 20 years of hospitality industry sales and marketing expertise to his role overseeing all sales and marketing initiatives for the 273-room landmark hotel. Previously he was Task Force Director, Sales & Marketing, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, where he led sales efforts for a variety of Starwood hotels in Chicago, A...
Palace Resorts Names Kathy Halpern VP, Sales & Marketing & Cessie Cerrato Public Relations Director
Palace Resorts | February 24, 2014
MIAMI, Fla. (February 24, 2014) - Palace Resorts - the company that sets the standard in five-star, all-inclusive resort accommodations - proudly announces the promotion of Kathy Halpern to Vice President of Sales and Marketing, and Cessie Cerrato to Public Relations Director for the brand's seven oceanfront resort properties in Cancun, Cozumel, Isla Mujeres and Riviera Maya, Mexico, as well as Le Blanc Spa Resort in Cancun. Previously Vice President of Marketing for Palace Resorts, in her new role as Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Halpern will collaborate with the sales team to develop effective strategies with a focus on incre...
Colorado’s Vail Marriott Mountain Resort Welcomes New General Manager Kellie Newman
the Vail Marriott Mountain Resort | February 24, 2014
VAIL, Colo., Feb. 24, 2014 -- The Vail Marriott Mountain Resort is proud to announce Kellie Newman as its new general manager. Newman brings to the position more than 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry. She is currently the general manager of the Denver Marriott West. "It is such an honor to lead the professional and friendly team at one of the top ski resorts in Vail," Newman said. "I am excited to be a part of this Vail luxury resort that continues to provide warm, hospitable service to our guests in a breathtaking setting." Newman began her career in 1991 as a housekeeping intern at Marriott's Tan-Tar-A Resort in Osag...
