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IHG to Take on Fiji’s Iconic Grand Pacific Hotel Under the InterContinental Brand
IHG | July 7, 2020
IHG has signed an agreement to take over management of one of the most famous hotels in the Pacific, Fiji’s Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva, in July 2020 and rebrand it as an InterContinental by 2022. Already the most luxurious and iconic product in Suva, the hotel will rebrand as InterContinental Grand Pacific Hotel Suva following a refurbishment It will be IHG’s third hotel in Fiji, and the second for the brand, alongside InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa in Natadola Bay, which is also owned by the Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF). Built in 1914 and reopening on its hundredth anniversary in 2014 with contemporary coloni...
Hotel Nikko Hai Phong Set for August 2020 Opening
Nikko Hotels International | July 6, 2020
HAI PHONG, Vietnam & TOKYO - The Hotel Nikko Hai Phong today announced that it will open on August 1st, 2020. Operated by Nikko Hotels International, one of three hotel groups belonging to Okura Nikko Hotels, the hotel is situated in Hai Phong, the largest port city in Vietnam. Inspired by Japanese-style “omotenashi” hospitality, Hotel Nikko Hai Phong will offer the utmost comfort and relaxation with elegant rooms, prestigious cuisine and a wide range of facilities. With the hotel’s prime location in Vietnam’s main overseas trading gateway surrounded by many of Northern Vietnam’s attractions, guests will enjoy convenient ...
Serving Up the Future: Technology in F&B
July 1, 2020
By Kimberly Yoong Even as the adoption of high-end technology became increasingly prevalent across industries around the world, the hospitality industry had long resisted indulging in automation, insisting on the value of the ‘human touch’. But with COVID-19 concerns still rife, many hotels and restaurants have had to turn to technology, ironically, to keep the physical, human touchpoints to a minimum. In 2019 alone, the agri-food tech industry saw US $19.8 billion in funding, of which nearly 40% went to eGrocers (20%) and offsite retail and restaurant infrastructure (16%). And now with the pandemic making food delivery apps and onl...
Margaritaville Lake Resort, Lake Conroe | Houston Opens in Texas
Margaritaville Lake Resort, Lake Conroe | Houston | June 26, 2020
Montgomery, Texas (June 26, 2020) – Margaritaville Lake Resort, Lake Conroe | Houston officially opened today as the first Texas-based resort in the Margaritaville portfolio. Set on 186 waterfront acres on the shores of Lake Conroe, the resort brings an entirely unique lodging concept to the destination, providing guests authentic fun and escapism in a "no worries" atmosphere. "It’s exciting to be the first resort to introduce the Margaritaville lifestyle to the Lone Star State, offering a quick, drivable escape from major cities like Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio,” said Lisa Fasbender, General Manager of Margaritaville...
Marriott International Announces Retirement of Tim Sheldon
Marriott International | June 24, 2020
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) today announced that Tim Sheldon is retiring from his role as President, Caribbean and Latin America in early 2021, following a 35-year career with the company. “Tim has been an integral part of Marriott over the past three decades and it is difficult to imagine Marriott without him,” said Dave Grissen, Group President, Americas. “He has truly shaped the organization with his entrepreneurial spirit, astute focus on key business drivers and warm leadership style that has inspired many. We will certainly miss Tim, but I know that this new chapter in his life will be as meaningful and dynamic a...
CLEANtracker Technology Gives Hotel Guests Confidence With Certainty of Cleanliness via Dynamic Visual Proof in the Palm of Their Hands
Creating Revolutions | June 24, 2020
Fear instinctually diminishes trust. For hotels striving to implement hygiene initiatives to protect guests, that fear, unfortunately, requires an additional step in proof of their promises. Miami Beach, FLORIDA (June 24, 2020) – A psychological point demonstrated in most horror films, is that fear exacerbates distrust in others. Although the hotel industry is striving to implement stringent hygiene initiatives to protect guests, it is the diminished trust caused by fear of an invisible virus that is the final challenge hotels face in cementing guest confidence. Guests want certainty that their room is being precisely cleaned and sanitiz...
Impact of COVID-19 on Hotel Insurance Premiums: Are Refunds Possible?
June 23, 2020
Much has already been written about insurance issues arising from the Covid19 virus. With many hotels closed throughout the world, it’s inevitable that hotel owners/investors are looking to their insurance policies for compensation under the Business Interruption section. But, sadly, for almost all hotels the probability is that their Business Interruption wording will not provide any protection for hotel owners or operators. There may be a few policies out there where the wording will allow a claim but they will be very few, and if cover exists for a particular hotel or group, it may well be under a Business Interruption extension worde...
Luxury Resort in France, Lily of the Valley, Selects Cendyn
Cendyn | June 23, 2020
With eInsight CRM, Lily of the Valley will benefit from a CRM and guest intelligence solution that allows them to learn more about their guests. Tuesday, June 23, 2020, London, UK – Cendyn, the leading innovator in CRM, sales, and revenue strategy for the hospitality industry, announces that Lily of the Valley has selected Cendyn to power CRM at their luxury resort in the South of France. With eInsight CRM, Lily of the Valley will benefit from a CRM and guest intelligence solution that allows them to learn more about their guests. Collecting data from multiple sources to provide an accurate, single source of truth for each guest, e...
Here’s How COVID-19 Has Altered USALI Financial Reporting
HotStats | June 22, 2020
By Tanya Venegas Occupancy decimation isn’t the only curveball COVID-19 has thrown at hoteliers. Turns out, accounting procedures have been hard to figure out as well. Enter the Financial Management Committee of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), which is tasked with responding to inquiries regarding operational reporting under the Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry (USALI). They have now put forth guidelines concerning the reporting of alternative revenue sources and recording expenses rarely seen before in the lodging industry. In this blog, we will provide an overview of the reporting of COVID-...
The Top 7 Reports Every Sales and Catering Professional Should Be Using
Ryan Hamilton | June 18, 2020
By Ryan Hamilton, Co-Founder, SalesAndCatering.com and Bluebuzzard Technology Group For event planners and hoteliers, the days of manual reporting and venue management are long gone — or at least they should be. The digital age has ushered in an influx of automation, as hoteliers and venue owners leverage new-age sales and catering management technology to streamline their operational efforts and drive bookings. As we know, in the realm of sales and catering, smart data allows for smart decision making. However, if teams are inundated with data across multiple, siloed systems, they may not be able to derive the actionable insights nee...
Preparing the Year Ahead for Post-Covid Hotel Luxury
Larry Mogelsonsky | June 17, 2020
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.hotelmogel.com) As hoteliers work tirelessly to reopen their properties in an uncertain world and with many new Covid policies that must be implemented, who has the time to look ahead at what will be required for the rest of the calendar year and into 2021? Particularly at the luxury end where close contact is a hallmark of great guest service, changing rapidly takes a sound mind to steer the ship as the hospitality world ebbs and flows through the post-pandemic cycle. To help understand where this segment is headed, I’ve recruited four veteran GMs: Franck X. Arnold, General Manager of the R...
3 Simple Steps to Ensure Cleanliness Amid Covid-19 Worry
HotStats | June 16, 2020
COVID-19 has amplified the call for hotel cleanliness. Long after the virus is gone, the dangers of germs will linger in guests’ minds — producing anxiety with every sneeze, every handshake and every dubious surface. It’s up to hoteliers to both protect visitors and put their minds at ease. For hoteliers, the only way forward is through a fresh hotel cleanliness strategy. In this article, we’ll lay out a plan to not only keep guests safe, but also calm their nerves about virus threats. Here’s how to assure visitors of hotel cleanliness during and after COVID-19. Step 1: Reevaluate Your Deep Cleaning Plan Before the travel in...
Extending the Covid Summer Into Fall
Larry Mogelonsky | June 15, 2020
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.hotelmogel.com) Data from numerous sources supports the notion that people are eager to start exploring the world once more. However, with travel restrictions still in effect for international flights, many won’t be able to take advantage of the regular summer season vacation, and this may result in numerous travelers holding out until autumn when more freedoms are restored. Firstly, a gradual rollout of ending the lockdown means that the start of the post-pandemic revival will come from drive markets or regional air travel. By now, this should be pretty obvious. In other words, don’t expect in...
Cambria Hotels Introduces Third Florida Location in Madeira Beach
Cambria Hotels | June 10, 2020
ROCKVILLE, Md., June 10, 2020 -- Cambria Hotels, an upscale brand franchised by Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), continues its expansion with the opening of the Cambria Hotel St. Petersburg – Madeira Beach Marina. The five-story, 125-room hotel joins the Cambria Hotel Ft. Lauderdale Airport South & Cruise Port and the Cambria Hotel Miami Airport – Blue Lagoon as the brand's third location in Florida. The Cambria Hotel St. Petersburg – Madeira Beach Marina is situated at 15015 Madeira Way in Madeira Beach, Florida. The waterfront hotel is conveniently located in Madeira Beach Town Center, near leisure attractions su...
Nobody Asked Me, But… No. 232: Hotel History: Union Station Hotel
Stanley Turkel | June 9, 2020
By Stanley Turkel, CMHS Hotel History: Union Station Hotel, Nashville, Tennessee, (125 rooms) Long before it was a historic hotel, the Nashville, Tennessee Union Station was a key center in America's economy and transportation. Opening on Oct. 9, 1900, for the Louisville & Nashville Railroad, the building's imposing Gothic design featuring a soaring barrel-vaulted ceiling and Tiffany-styled stained glass, was a testament to U.S. ingenuity and energy. During railroading's glory years, Mafia kingpin Al Capone was escorted through here on his way to the Georgia penitentiary. Other fascinating facts surrounding this historic Nashville s...
Hôtel Perle d’Orient Cat Ba – MGallery Debuts on Vietnam’s Renowned Cat Ba Island
MGallery | June 4, 2020
CAT BA ISLAND, 4th June 2020 - Nestled between towering limestone karsts and verdant island mountains, Hôtel Perle d’Orient Cat Ba – MGallery welcomes travellers to a world of tranquil beauty, unhurried exploration and home-grown delights in the picturesque Lan Ha Bay. Offering guests sublime views of Lan Ha Bay and the ecologically diverse Cat Ba National Park, the hotel is the first international luxury property on Cat Ba Island. Set in the alluring Gulf of Tonkin, Cat Ba is a destination that offers a rich treasure trove of nature easily accessible by car and ferry. “We are delighted to announce our...
Building Your Post-Covid Welcome Back Package
Larry Mogelonsky | June 3, 2020
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.hotelmogel.com) The hospitality world will reopen, but it will do so in a staggered manner. This means that once dates are given by governmental authorities, properties will all be scrambling for revenue from customers who now have a markedly different set of demands for their hotel experiences. So, while many are expecting a surge in bookings upon the announcement of a reopening, the competition will still be there, and you will nevertheless need ways to differentiate your hotel. One thought to help spur more initial reservations is the creation of the welcome back package that is bespoke to what ...
The Middle East’s Ghastly Hotel Numbers in April Could Be the Bottom
HotStats | June 3, 2020
Middle East profit per available room turned negative in April, as the region continued to be battered by COVID-19. And while hotel performance data will continue to be anemic for the near-term, May could see the first buds of promise emerge, according to one industry leader in the region. Mark Willis, CEO of Middle East & Africa at Accor, in a recent interview with Bloomberg, noted an uptick demand in May, including specific signs of positivity in the UAE and Saudi Arabia and a “positive vibe in Dubai.” April, meanwhile, reached new lows for the region. Ramadan (April 23-May 23) did little to improve hotel performance, as even ...
Hotel Internet Services Supports Enhanced Guest Safety Initiatives by Providing Hoteliers With Insight on Latest in Contactless Technology Best Practi
Hotel Internet Services, Inc. | June 2, 2020
Leading provider of in-room connectivity technologies partnering with hoteliers to ensure their ability to reduce surface contact risks while enhancing social distancing abilities. CLEARWATER, Fla. — June 2, 2020 — Hotel Internet Services (HIS), a full-service provider of internet services and solutions for the hospitality industry, has announced its strengthening of efforts to ensure that hoteliers are able to cater to guest health concerns by working with properties to increase the availability of contactless and social distancing compatible in-room services. By leveraging its expertise in comprehensive guestroom television-based ser...
WTTC Launches Safe Travels Protocols for Aviation, Airports, MICE and Tour Operators
June 1, 2020
London, UK: The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has unveiled the second phase of measures to rebuild global consumer confidence to encourage the return of travelling. The latest protocols are designed to drive the return of safe travel and enable industries, namely tour operators and convention centres, meetings and events to thrive once again. Detailed discussions took place with key stakeholders and organisations to ensure maximum buy-in, alignment and practical implementation, to set clear expectations of what travellers may experience in the ‘new normal’. Those relating to airports and airlines have been devised fol...
Hospitality With Heart: Successfully Branching Out Into the Pandemic Relief Effort
Beatrice Venturini | May 27, 2020
By Beatrice Venturini Since the worldwide safety measures to combat COVID-19 were announced two months ago, much has been written about the disastrous impact of lockdown on industry, none more sensitive than the sector of F&B, hotels, airlines and travel. The litany of nosediving businesses faced with immediate crisis was diametrically opposed to the spread of the virus in full ascent. While we wait to see if the worst is over and what the new security measures entail, it’s inspiring to read of how certain hospitality establishments have made a success in reminding us that empathy, community and inventiveness are as much at the heart...
Americans Look Forward to Traveling More When COVID-19 Restrictions End
Oliver Wyman | May 22, 2020
NEW YORK--May 22, 2020--As Memorial Day approaches, 60 percent of Americans surveyed are looking forward to traveling again. Americans aren’t alone – globally 56 percent of the 4,600 travelers surveyed plan to travel the same or more once COVID-19 travel restrictions ease and most want to travel by air according to consulting firm Oliver Wyman. Half of American survey respondents are waiting for their government or the World Health Organization to indicate when it is safe to travel. Only 20 percent are holding out for acquired immunity or a vaccine before traveling. “Though the timing of the return to travel is dependent on when g...
Have You Taken Your Team’s Temperature Lately?
Dr. Stefano Borzillo | May 22, 2020
Effective evaluation to ensure a well-functioning team in the workplace. By Dr. Stefano Borzillo Hospitality is typically founded on teams of individuals working together, not only for the high performance of their function but also for creating a positive experience for guests. We can see that F&B, front desk and housekeeping teams all have an effect on guests’ impressions of their hotel stay. Similarly, back office teams such as marketing, finance and revenue management contribute to the performance of the organization through smooth operations and raising brand awareness. Research has identified that the more effective the team...
Lodging Interactive Launches HotelSiteXPRESS Affordable Website Design and Marketing
Lodging Interactive and Commingle:Engage | May 21, 2020
PARSIPPANY, NJ - May 21, 2020 - Lodging Interactive, a full-service digital marketing, social media engagement, and reputation management agency exclusively serving the hospitality industry, today announced the launch of its HotelSiteXPRESS website design and development service. HotelSiteXPRESS provides hotels with an affordable option for new website development, hosting, SEO, and management. “We wanted to provide an economical way for smaller properties to benefit from having an updated, modern and fully mobile-enabled website to ultimately allow them to better compete within their competitive set,” said DJ Vallauri, Lodging Interac...
