HFTP® Acquires Leading Hospitality Industry Brands: Hospitality Upgrade, Hotel-Online, The CIO Summit and The Executive Vendor Summit
Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals | June 25th, 2024
115 Million Americans Expected to Travel Over Christmas, New Year’s
AAA | December 13, 2023
Second highest year-end holiday travel forecast since AAA began tracking in 2000 WASHINGTON, DC (December 13, 2023) – AAA projects 115.2 million travelers will head 50 miles or more from home over the 10-day year-end holiday travel period*. This year’s total number of domestic travelers is a 2.2% increase over last year and the second highest year-end travel forecast since 2000, when AAA began tracking holiday travel. 2019 remains the busiest Christmas and New Year’s travel period on record with 119 million travelers. “This year-end holiday forecast, with an additional 2.5 million travelers compared to last year, mirrors what AA...
IHG Hotels & Resorts Survey Finds Many Holiday Travelers Are Seeking a Vacation, Post-Vacation
IHG | December 13, 2023
Holiday travelers are looking to relax and unwind – napping in a comfy bed, soaking in a hot tub, or booking a day spa – and more than half (55%) are finding sanctuary in hotels. With the holiday season in full swing, the joy of reuniting with loved ones brings a lot of excitement and anticipation, but according to a new holiday travel survey by IHG Hotels & Resorts, it might also come with an unexpected need for additional rest. The poll of 2,000 U.S. holiday travelers, conducted by IHG in collaboration with OnePoll, showed that 71% of travelers said they’d need a separate vacation after spending time with their family - to u...
ProVision Forms Strategic Partnership With Sonata Venture Solutions to Offer DEI+ Consultancy Services to the Global Hospitality Market
ProVision Partners | December 13, 2023
New alliance to empower the global hospitality industry with professional advisory on critical issues related to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Dallas, TX — December 13, 2023 — PROVision Partners (“ProVision”), a leading global strategic growth marketing, technology, and commercial services advisory firm to the travel and hospitality industry, has finalized a strategic partnership with Sonata Venture Solutions, a leader in workforce development, leadership training, strategic planning and business strategy for DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) programs across multiple industries. The new alliance is intended to broaden the scop...
Choice Hotels Launches Exchange Offer to Acquire All Outstanding Shares of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
Choice Hotels® | December 12, 2023
Discloses Ownership Position of More Than $ 110 Million of Wyndham Stock Preparing to Nominate Candidates to the Wyndham Board of Directors Commences the Regulatory Approval Process NORTH BETHESDA, Md., Dec. 12, 2023-- Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) (the "Company" or "Choice"), today announced that it is commencing an exchange offer to acquire Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: WH) ("Wyndham") in order to present its compelling proposal directly to Wyndham shareholders. Choice continues to believe that a transaction with Wyndham is pro-competitive and would generate value for both Wyndham and Choice shareholders as...
Wyndham Confirms Receipt and Review of Unsolicited Exchange Offer From Choice
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts | December 12, 2023
Offer Terms Remain Unchanged and Highly Conditional Shareholders Urged Not to Take Action at This Time PARSIPPANY, N.J., Dec. 12, 2023 -- Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) ("Wyndham" or the "Company"), the world's largest hotel franchising company with approximately 9,100 hotels spanning more than 95 countries, today confirmed that Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) ("Choice"), has commenced an unsolicited exchange offer to acquire all outstanding shares of Wyndham common stock. The offer proposed by Choice appears unchanged from the terms outlined in a letter to Wyndham dated November 14, 2023 and is currently valued at a...
HSMAI Announces 2023 Top 25 Extraordinary Minds
HSMAI | December 7, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: McLean, VA (Dec. 7, 2023) – The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) announces the Top 25 Extraordinary Minds awardees to be presented in conjunction with the HSMAI Adrian Awards Celebration on February 13, 2024, at the New York Marriott Marquis. These awards recognize exceptional Sales, Marketing, Revenue Optimization, and Distribution leaders in hospitality, travel, and tourism organizations for their achievements in the preceding 18 months. Selected by a panel of top industry executives, the Top 25 Extraordinary Minds are high achievers who stand out through their creativity and inn...
Visual Matrix Recognized as One of North Texas’ Best Places to Work in 2023 Amid Ongoing Growth and Innovation
Visual Matrix | December 7, 2023
North Texas Names Hospitality Innovator Visual Matrix as a Premier Employer Dallas, December 7, 2023 - Visual Matrix, a leading provider of advanced technology solutions for the hospitality industry, was recognized by the Dallas Business Journal as one of the region’s “Best Places to Work.” Visual Matrix was named No. 6 in the “Small Companies” category thanks to its 25-year history of serving the hospitality industry’s technology needs, attention to worker retention, and leadership’s involvement in the local community. Now in its 21st year, the Best Places to Work Awards highlights the top employers across Dallas-Fort W...
ISHC Celebrates 35 Years With 35 New Members Inducted and Elects New Leadership
ISHC | December 7, 2023
December 7, 2023: The International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC) inducted thirty-five new members in its 2024 membership class and elected new leadership to serve on the Board of Directors. Tea Ros, Chair, ISHC Board of Directors, commented, "We are thrilled by the ongoing development and expansion of our Society. This year’s record number of new members bring a wealth of international experience, along with fresh skill sets and diverse areas of expertise. The Board of Directors and our new members exemplify our commitment to expanding expertise, global reach, and diversity, reflecting the vibrant landscape of the hospitalit...
California Lodging Investment Conference [CLIC] Releases 2024 Schedule
[CLIC] | December 6, 2023
COSTA MESA, Cali., December 6 , 2023—Officials of the California Lodging Investment Conference [CLIC], the only hospitality conference focused on the California hotel market, today released the agenda for the upcoming, seventh annual gathering. The conference will take place March 6-7, 2024, at the Westin South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, Calif. "The hospitality sector remains one of the hottest real estate markets in California, and savvy investors need to stay on top of trends and developments to be successful," said Craig Sullivan, founder and president, [CLIC]. "CLIC was created with this in mind, and as we do every year, we have wo...
New Host Cities Announced for U.S. Travel’s IPW
U.S. Travel Association | December 6, 2023
Two new cities and three former sites chosen as hosts for association's international travel trade show WASHINGTON (December 6, 2023)—U.S. Travel Association announced today the 2026-2030 host cities for its IPW international travel trade show: Greater Fort Lauderdale, Florida (2026), New Orleans, Louisiana (2027), Detroit, Michigan (2028), Denver, Colorado (2029) and Anaheim, California (2030). Greater Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Detroit, Michigan, will serve as first-time IPW hosts. “By serving as host site of IPW, each of these world-class cities will play a key role in growing inbound travel and strengthening the U.S. econo...
Leslie Hale, President and CEO of RLJ Lodging Trust, To Headline the Bharat Shah Leadership Speaker Series at the 35th Hunter Hotel Investment Confere
Noble Investment Group | December 6, 2023
ATLANTA (December 6, 2023) – The Hunter Hotel Investment Conference, Noble Investment Group, and Cecil B. Day School of Hospitality Administration, Georgia State University, are pleased to announce Leslie Hale, President and CEO of RLJ Lodging Trust, will join Mit Shah, CEO of Noble Investment Group, for the 10th Annual Bharat Shah Leadership Speaker Series. Ms. Hale is the President and CEO of RLJ Lodging Trust (NYSE: RLJ), one of the premier public companies in the lodging and hospitality sector. Before joining RLJ in 2005, she held senior positions with GE in their Commercial Finance Group and Real Estate Strategic Capital Group. Pre...
HFTP Announces BAE Ventures as Exclusive Sponsor of Entrepreneur 20X Europe 2024
HFTP | December 6, 2023
The hospitality technology start-up pitch competition will present innovative solutions to a panel of judges and audience at Digital Horizons 360 on 20 February Austin, Texas (December 6, 2023) — Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) is pleased to announce BAE Ventures as the sponsor of Entrepreneur 20X (E20X) Europe. The successful pitch competition featuring hospitality technology start-ups will conclude the first day of HFTP’s inaugural Digital Horizons 360 (DH360) symposium on Tuesday, 20 February 2024. Focused on nurturing startups within the tourism value chain by providing funding, resources and indu...
LA Homeless-in-Hotels Removed From March 2024 Ballot
AHLA | December 6, 2023
WASHINGTON (Dec. 6, 2023) – American Hotel & Lodging Association President & CEO Chip Rogers released the below statement today after the Los Angeles City Council voted to withdraw from the March 2024 ballot a union-backed measure that would have required all hotels in the city to house homeless people next to paying guests. The ballot measure was proposed by Unite Here Local 11, a union representing Los Angeles hospitality workers. Unite Here agreed to remove the ballot measure under pressure from hoteliers and the LA City Council. “For nearly two years, Unite Here created an atmosphere of dangerous uncertainty for hotel emplo...
AHLA Statement Regarding Supreme Court Decision in Landmark Hotel Case
AHLA | December 6, 2023
WASHINGTON (Dec. 6, 2023) – After the U.S. Supreme Court vacated and remanded the case of Acheson Hotels, LLC v. Laufer to the First Circuit Court of Appeals, American Hotel & Lodging Association President & CEO Chip Rogers released the following statement: “Tester lawsuits, in which plaintiffs file hundreds of legal complaints against hotels seeking quick settlements, have become a cottage industry in the United States. In this case, a hotel decided to fight this scheme and in doing so shed light on the extortive practice. The Americans with Disabilities Act is a critical civil rights law, but this case was never about leg...
UNWTO and Infecar Launch Startup Competition for Technologies and Solutions in Hotels and New Business Models
the UNWTO Startup Competitions | December 4, 2023
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is joining with Infecar (Feria de Gran Canaria) to identify entrepreneurs playing a key role in reshaping the hotel and new business model landscapes. The UNWTO Startup Competition for Tourism Technologies and Solutions in Hotels and New Business Models is open to any startup or entrepreneur worldwide. The competition will award 10 finalists with the best solutions in the categories of Innovations in Digital Hospitality and Business Models, and Sustainability Impact. Innovation and technology in the hospitality industry redefine the very essence of the guest experience, transforming hotels into hub...
CHLA Highlights Excellence at 2023 Stars of the Industry Awards
The California Hotel and Lodging Association | December 4, 2023
SACRAMENTO, Calif.--The California Hotel & Lodging Association (CHLA) honored eleven hospitality leaders and four outstanding properties today during its annual Stars of the Industry Awards. “Congratulations to our 2023 winners and nominees who embody the spirit of hospitality and help make California a global industry leader,” said Lynn S. Mohrfeld, President & CEO of CHLA. “Your dedication serves as a reminder that our industry thrives when all of us are engaged and committed to excellence on a local level.” Hundreds of exemplary employees and properties were nominated by California hospitality leaders for the 2023 awa...
Shining in Today’s New Normal: Key Takeaways From CHICOS 2023
Benjamin Pascarella | December 4, 2023
By Kristina M. D'Amico, Benjamin Pascarella Last year’s CHICOS conference focused on the Caribbean region’s rebound from the closure of the islands due to COVID-19. However, this year’s CHICOS theme, “Shining in Today’s New Normal,” highlighted the exponential growth in arrivals and average rates in the region. A few key takeaways from this year’s conference are presented below. Record-Breaking Demand As the Caribbean hotel market has shattered occupancy, ADR, and RevPAR records, with some islands experiencing double-digit growth, there is no question the region is shining bright. During CHICOS 2022 last year, we all me...
AHLA Statement in Support of the No Hidden FEES Act
AHLA | December 4, 2023
WASHINGTON (Dec. 4, 2023) – American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) President & CEO Chip Rogers is speaking out today in support of the No Hidden FEES Act, which was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Reps. Young Kim, R-Calif., and Kathy Castor, D-Fla. “The No Hidden FEES Act creates a single standard for mandatory fee display across the lodging industry – from short-term rental platforms to online travel agencies, search engines, metasearch sites, and hotels. This legislation would ensure that wherever consumers shop for lodging, mandatory fees are included in the price they see. AHLA is grateful for th...
WTTC Statement on the Death of Henry Kissinger
The World Travel & Tourism Council | December 1, 2023
London, UK: The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) today acknowledges the influential contributions of American statesman Henry Kissinger in its founding. Kissinger's encouragement and support were instrumental in giving the Travel & Tourism sector a unified voice on the global stage. In the late 1980s, sector leaders, including James Robinson III of American Express, recognised the lack of awareness about Travel & Tourism’s economic impact within the sector and among governments. Despite being a major job provider, the sector was often seen as non-essential, with no collective data or unified representation. This led ...
Record Numbers at BDNY Reinforce the Growth of the Boutique and Lifestyle Hospitality Industry
BDNY | December 1, 2023
Event brings 15,000 hospitality and design professionals back to NYC NEW YORK, NY (December 1, 2023) — Boutique Design New York (BDNY), the leading trade fair and conference for the boutique hospitality and lifestyle industry, gathered nearly 15,000 designers, architects, brand executives, hoteliers, developers, purchasers, manufacturers, and other professionals at the Javits Center November 12-13 to experience new products, engaging conversations, and strategic networking events. BDNY maintained the momentum from 2022, a testament to the resilience and growth of the boutique and lifestyle hospitality industry. In comparison to 2022, ...
Jeff Senior, Gina Stouffer to Receive HSMAI Career Achievement Honors
HSMAI | December 1, 2023
McLean, VA (Dec. 1, 2023) – The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) announces the Career Achievement Awardees for the Albert E. Koehl Award for Hospitality Marketing and the Winthrop W. Grice Award for Hospitality Public Relations. These awards recognize individuals who have spent a major portion of their careers in the hospitality and travel profession and have contributed to the betterment of the industry in a significant and lasting way, over an extended period of time. Jeff Senior, a recently retired marketing executive, is receiving the Albert E. Koehl Award for Career Achievement in Hospitality Marke...
Hilton Reveals 2023 CEO Light & Warmth Award Winners
Hilton | November 30, 2023
MCLEAN, Va. – Hilton (NYSE: HLT) announced today the recipients of its 2023 CEO Light & Warmth Award, recognizing 15 individuals and two teams from Hilton-branded hotels. The CEO Light & Warmth Award is the company’s highest honor celebrating Hilton team members around the world who bring Hilton’s values to life through their inspiring leadership and passion for providing exceptional hospitality. In 2023, more than 700 team members from Hilton’s global managed and franchise network were nominated by their colleagues. Finalists were selected by a committee of representatives from across the company, with the winners chosen...
Penn State To Honor Jim Risoleo, Ted Balestreri With Hospitality Industry Awards
The Penn State Hotel & Restaurant Society | November 30, 2023
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State Hotel & Restaurant Society (PSHRS) and the School of Hospitality Management will honor Jim Risoleo, president and CEO of Host Hotels & Resorts Inc., and Ted Balestreri, chairman and CEO of Cannery Row Co. and chairman, CEO and co-founder of Sardine Factory Restaurant, at the 2024 PSHRS Industry Awards and Reception. The event will take place at 4:30 p.m. on April 2, 2024, at the school’s Marriott Foundation Building among alumni, faculty, industry partners and students. Risoleo will receive the society’s Hospitality Executive of the Year Award and Balestreri will receive the Lifetime A...
FutureLog Takes Center Stage as Gold Sponsor at the 21st Annual HM Awards for Hotel and Accommodation Excellence in Australia, New Zealand, and the So
FutureLog | November 29, 2023
Leading procure-to-pay technology innovator celebrates third consecutive year as Gold Sponsor at Australia's premier event dedicated to recognising excellence in the hospitality industry Sydney, Australia - (November 29, 2023) - FutureLog, a leading innovator in hospitality technology solutions, proudly announced its Gold sponsorship of the prestigious 21st Annual HM Awards for Hotel and Accommodation Excellence. The Hotel Management magazine event was held on Friday, November 24, 2023, at The Star Event Centre Sydney. "We are thrilled to be a gold sponsor at the 21st Annual HM Awards, supporting and celebrating the pinnacle of excellen...
