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
AHLA Condemns Destructive Joint-Employer Rule
AHLA | October 27, 2023
WASHINGTON (Oct. 27, 2023) – American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) President & CEO Chip Rogers is speaking out today after the National Labor Relations Board issued a final regulation unjustifiably expanding the “joint-employer standard” under the National Labor Relations Act. The standard is used to determine when two or more employers are jointly responsible for a shared group of workers’ essential terms and conditions of employment and thus jointly liable for violations of the National Labor Relations Act and have joint bargaining responsibilities for unionized employees. The NLRB’s expansion, effective Dec. 26, ...
Choice Hotels Calls on Wyndham Hotels & Resorts to Engage in Discussions
Choice Hotels | October 26, 2023
Choice Sees a Clear Path to Completion and Remains Committed to the Transaction Ready to Move Expeditiously to Provide Requisite Transaction Certainty Strongly Urges Wyndham to Return to the Negotiating Table ROCKVILLE, Md., Oct. 26, 2023 -- Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) (the "Company" or "Choice"), today called upon the board of directors of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: WH) ("Wyndham") to engage in good faith discussions so that shareholders of both companies can benefit from the compelling combination. Patrick Pacious, President and Chief Executive Officer of Choice, said, "We appreciate the positive feed...
HFTP Accepting Proposals for 2024 HITEC North America Education Program
HFTP | October 26, 2023
Austin, Texas (October 26, 2023) — Each year, Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) seeks input from industry professionals and presenters to help create an engaging, informative and comprehensive education program for the association's foremost event, the Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC®). New for 2024, HFTP is inviting well-informed hospitality technology professionals to share their expertise and submit a presentation proposal as part of the program development process. The proposal submission period will run through January 10, 2024. HITEC 2024 is scheduled for June 24...
HSMAI and HEDNA Collaborate to Broaden Knowledge Resources and Distribution Opportunities
HSMAI | October 26, 2023
McLean, VA (Oct. 26, 2023) – The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) and the Hotel Electronic Distribution Networking Association (HEDNA) announce a partnership for the mutual benefit of their members and the hospitality industry. The hospitality industry will gain from the combined knowledge and expertise from each organization. The collaboration will elevate HSMAI’s distribution capabilities and expand the educational content and insights shared with their constituents. “This new partnership between HSMAI and HEDNA will focus in areas where the two organizations have synergy with our mutual hotel st...
U.S. Travel Congratulates Speaker Johnson, Urges Action on Spending Bills, Industry Investments
U.S. Travel Association | October 26, 2023
WASHINGTON (October 26, 2023)—U.S. Travel Association Executive Vice President of Public Affairs and Policy Tori Emerson Barnes issued the following statement after the U.S. House confirmed Mike Johnson (R-LA) as Speaker of the House: “U.S. Travel congratulates Speaker Mike Johnson on his election to lead the House, and we look forward to working with him on issues critical to the travel industry, from the completion of FY24 appropriations bills to maintaining funding for the federal government. “Travel, essential to practically all other industries nationwide, depends on the uninterrupted services of the government. A shutdown wo...
LTI Announces the World’s Best Luxury Hotel Brands 2023
LTI – Luxury Travel Intelligence | October 25, 2023
Mandarin Oriental takes top spot for first time New entries - Peninsula and Raffles October 25, 2023: Welcome to our annual World’s Best Luxury Hotel Brands report. This is not just another World's Best list. LTI – Luxury Travel Intelligence – has used the past 12 months to apply the perfect assessment process: a rigorously defined algorithm that measures the performance and values of luxury hotel brands. This year, our algorithm has 130 touchpoints relevant to the luxury hotel sector. Each has its own weighted score value with a total maximum accumulative score of 4663. The touch points relate to overall br...
U.S. Travel Applauds Senate Confirmation of Michael Whitaker to Lead FAA
U.S. Travel Association | October 25, 2023
WASHINGTON (October 25, 2023)—U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman issued the following statement on the U.S. Senate’s bipartisan confirmation of Michael Whitaker to serve as administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA): “Mike Whitaker is a capable and tested aviation leader who will bring critical expertise to the FAA. The United States should have an air travel system that is not only safe, but also modern and efficient. Establishing permanent leadership at the FAA is a key step toward alleviating strain on the current system, meeting increasing air traveler demand and building an improved air trave...
This Thanksgiving, Americans Are Gobbling Up Flights to New York City and Mexico’s Beaches
Allianz Partners | October 24, 2023
RICHMOND, Va., Oct. 24, 2023 -- Americans are continuing to prioritize trips to the Big Apple and the beaches of Mexico for their turkey-day celebrations, according to the 2023 Allianz Partners Top 10 Thanksgiving Destination Index. Allianz Partners reviewed more than 800,000 travel itineraries* around the Thanksgiving holiday to reveal the most popular domestic and international destinations for 2023. Roundtrip flights departing from United States airports from Saturday, November 18 to Thursday, November 23, and returning Friday, November 24 to Tuesday, November 28 were considered. For the third consecutive year, New York...
HSMAI Announces 2023 Sales Leader Award Honorees
HSMAI | October 23, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: McLean, VA (Oct. 23, 2023) – The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) will celebrate four remarkable sales professionals during HSMAI’s Sales Leader Forum in Long Beach, CA on Nov. 8. The following hospitality executives have demonstrated a passion for their professions, extraordinary talent, and exemplary work in the hotel sales discipline and are being recognized for at this year’s forum. HSMAI’s Award for Career Achievement in Sales Kimberly Furlong, Chief Commercial Officer, Atrium Hospitality With 30 years of experience in the hotel industry, Kimberly Furlong se...
Angelenos Protecting Hospitality Launches Campaign Against Ballot Initiative That Would Force Hotels to House Homeless People Next to Paying Guests
Angelenos Protecting Hospitality | October 19, 2023
LOS ANGELES (Oct. 19, 2023) – Today, Angelenos Protecting Hospitality (APH) officially launched. APH is the lead group that will work with Los Angeles voters and stakeholders to defeat a ballot initiative that would force all hotels in the city to house homeless people next to paying guests. Los Angeles residents are set to vote in March 2024 on whether to require all local hotels to house homeless people next to paying guests as part of a measure proposed by Unite Here, a labor union that represents LA-area hotel workers. If the initiative passes, LA would become the first city in American history to force hotels to house homeless peo...
Travel Industry Applauds Senate Committee Approval of Michael Whitaker to Lead FAA
U.S. Travel Association | October 18, 2023
WASHINGTON (October 18, 2023)—U.S. Travel Association Executive Vice President of Public Affairs and Policy Tori Emerson Barnes issued the following statement on the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation approval of Mike Whitaker to serve as administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA): “The committee’s strong bipartisan vote to advance Mike Whitaker as FAA administrator is proof positive that a decision is finally within reach for this critical position, which has remained vacant for more than 18 months. “Given the breadth of his credentials, his deep support across aviation and travel indu...
Amazon, Booking.com, Expedia Group, Glassdoor, Tripadvisor, and Trustpilot Launch First Global Coalition for Trusted Reviews
Tripadvisor | October 17, 2023
The cross-industry companies are united by a shared commitment to protecting access to trustworthy reviews worldwide, ensuring consumers can make informed purchase decisions NEEDHAM, Mass., Oct. 17, 2023 -- Today, Amazon, Booking.com, Expedia Group, Glassdoor, Tripadvisor, and Trustpilot announced they have teamed up to launch the global Coalition for Trusted Reviews, a cross-industry collaboration committed to protecting access to trustworthy consumer reviews worldwide. Together, members will define best practices for hosting online reviews and sharing methods of fake review detection, aiming to stop fake reviews at the source. The Coal...
The Economic Rollercoaster
Aaron Szyf | October 16, 2023
By Aaron Szyf It seems like we’re on an economic rollercoaster right now and the big question is when we get off. When does inflation cool? We dig into the latest data to help determine if a soft landing really is where we’re heading. After renewed expectations of a recession in recent weeks, as summarized in our earlier blog, it now seems like the prospects of a “soft landing” have increased. Shocking jobs data: Last Friday, BLS surprised economists when it announced that the economy added 336,000 jobs in September, way above the 170,000 increase that was expected and above the monthly average of 267,000 over the past ye...
Cendyn Takes Home Two Top Awards at the World Travel Tech Awards 2023
Cendyn | October 16, 2023
Cendyn named the World’s Best Data Driven Marketing Agency & World’s Best Hotel CRM Solutions Provider for 2023 16 October 2023 – London, United Kingdom – Cendyn, continuing its position as a catalyst for digital transformation in the hospitality industry, has been awarded two top prizes at the 3rd Annual World Travel Tech Awards 2023: World’s Best Data Driven Marketing Agency and World’s Best Hotel CRM Solutions Provider. The awards were officially presented at the World Travel Tech Awards Gala Ceremony 2023, which took place on October 15, 2023 at Atlantis The Royal, Dubai. “We are honored to be recognized again by the ...
2023 Historic Hotels Worldwide® Annual Awards of Excellence Winners Announced
Historic Hotels Worldwide | October 13, 2023
October 13, 2023 — WASHINGTON, DC — Historic Hotels Worldwide® is pleased to announce the distinguished winners of the 2023 Historic Hotels Worldwide Annual Awards of Excellence. Recipients were honored at the 2023 Historic Hotels Annual Awards of Excellence Ceremony and Gala at The Wigwam (1929) in Litchfield Park, Arizona, in front of an audience of more than 200 industry leaders, owners, general managers, senior management, and representatives of the world’s finest historic hotels. The Wigwam, originally opened to guests in 1929 by The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, is an award-winning Arizona resort that offers an unparall...
Sarah Churchill of Benjamin West Receives ISHC’s 2023 Lori Raleigh Award for Emerging Excellence in Hospitality Consulting
ISHC | October 12, 2023
WASHINGTON, D.C., October 12, 2023: The International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC) has named Sarah Churchill of Benjamin West as the recipient of the annual Lori Raleigh Award for Emerging Excellence in Hospitality Consulting. Churchill was honored at the ISHC annual conference held October 5-7 at the Park Hyatt in Washington, D.C. As the winner, Churchill received a one-year associate membership to the ISHC to further professional relationships and experience all that the Society has to offer through planned events and networking with top hospitality industry consultants from around the globe. Churchill holds a bachelor’s ...
ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions and Traka Americas Reaffirm Commitment to Provide Give Kids The World Families With Enhanced Security and Peace of Mind
ASSA ABLOY | October 10, 2023
ASSA ABLOY Group member organizations combine technology, resources and expertise to ensure a safe and enjoyable environment for children diagnosed with a serious illness. Stockholm –October 10, 2023 – ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions, a leading provider of advanced security technology for the hospitality industry, alongside ASSA ABLOY Group Member, Traka Americas, have combined their resources and expertise in order to donate the latest in security innovation to the Give Kids The World Village in Kissimmee, Florida. A non-profit organization with a mission to provide critically ill children and their families with dream vacation experience...
InterContinental Hotels & Resorts Unveils a Distinctive Global Brand Evolution
IHG | October 9, 2023
InterContinental demonstrates its pioneering spirit while paying homage to its rich heritage, paving the way for the luxury traveller of tomorrow. LONDON: InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, the world's first and largest international luxury hotel brand, is embarking on an exciting new chapter with the launch of an extensive global brand evolution announced today. As part of IHG Hotels & Resorts' luxury and lifestyle portfolio, InterContinental is set to yet again reimagine the luxury travel experience, striking a harmonious balance between freedom and familiarity. This transformative journey is driven by the brand’s long held ...
HFTP Announces 2023 Paragon Award Recipient – Geneva Rinehart
HFTP | October 9, 2023
AUSTIN, TEXAS, USA (October 9, 2023) — Geneva Rinehart was selected as the 2023 Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) Paragon Award recipient for her significant contribution to the production of a key hospitality technology information resource for nearly three decades. She is also recognized for inhabiting the role as a central connector amongst industry players — vendors, hotel companies, consultants — ensuring that all are apprised of current trends and recognized for their contributions to the evolution of hospitality technology. Rinehart is senior vice president and managing editor at Hospitality Upgr...
Hilton Global Foundation Announces Record $3.3 Million in Grants Toward Organizations Creating a Better World for Travel as Part of Hilton’s Annual
Hilton | October 9, 2023
MCLEAN, Va. – Today, the Hilton Global Foundation, Hilton’s primary philanthropic arm, announced a commitment to grant a record $3.3 million in funding toward 13 organizations that are supporting career development, community resilience and environmental sustainability. The announcement also marks Travel with Purpose Week, Hilton’s annual global week of service for its more than 450,000 team members around the world. Through funding provided by the Hilton Global Foundation, this year’s grantees are estimated to meaningfully impact more than 50,000 community members, provide nutritious food to more than 25,000 people, divert more ...
HSMAI DC Panel Will Explore Six Need-to-Know Issues in Hospitality
HSMAI Washington DC Chapter | October 9, 2023
WASHINGTON (Oct. 9, 2023) – The Washington, D.C., chapter of the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International today invited hospitality professionals from throughout the metropolitan area to attend its annual Directors Roundtable & Conference on Oct. 18 at the Washington Marriott Capitol Hill. The program will feature six top minds in the hospitality industry, who will engage the audience with presentations on artificial intelligence, talent acquisition, meeting planners, revenue growth, digital marketing and defining success. The guest speakers will be Michael Goldrich of The Hotels Network and Vivander Advisors, Lor...
MGM Resorts Update on Recent Cybersecurity Issue
MGM Resorts International | October 6, 2023
LAS VEGAS, Oct. 6, 2023 -- MGM Resorts International ("MGM Resorts" or the "Company") recently disclosed that the Company identified a cybersecurity issue affecting certain of its systems and that its investigation into the issue was ongoing. On or around September 29, 2023, MGM Resorts determined that an unauthorized third party obtained personal information of some of its customers on September 11, 2023. The affected information included name, contact information (such as phone number, email address, and postal address), gender, date of birth, and driver's license number. For a limited number of customers, Social Security number and...
IARE Partners With HSMAI to Expand Reach and Elevate Opportunities
HSMAI | October 6, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: McLean, VA (Oct. 6, 2023) – The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) has announced the integration of the International Association of Reservation Executives (IARE) membership and program of work into HSMAI. HSMAI will partner with IARE to elevate the role of contact centers as they continue to play an integral role in all commercial functions of the hospitality industry, and IARE will leverage HSMAI’s extensive network to expand its reach and grow networking opportunities for its constituents. IARE’s mission is to be the premier global travel industry contact center association an...
The Year of the Great Recharge: Hilton Trends Report Reveals ‘Rest and Relaxation’ to Be Top Driver of Travel Decisions Across Generations in 2024
Hilton | October 5, 2023
MCLEAN, Va. – According to a recent global survey conducted by Hilton and Ipsos, travelers say they will reduce other areas of personal spending to prioritize leisure travel in 2024, with a majority across generations indicating their No. 1 reason to travel in 2024 will be to rest and recharge, with more emphasis on sleep than ever before. Those insights and more were unveiled today with the launch of Hilton’s third-annual trends report: “What Millennials, Gen Z, Gen X and Baby Boomers Tell Us About Travel in the Year Ahead.” In addition to defining the preferences and passions of the 2024 traveler, the report takes a deeper look at...
