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
DMV-Like Experience Leading to 27 Million Skipped Trips, $71 Billion in Lost Travel Spend
U.S. Travel Association | October 5, 2023
Federal government must prioritize improvements across air travel ecosystem to achieve greater growth WASHINGTON (October 4, 2023)—A record-breaking summer of travel demand sharpened the impact of government inefficiencies and hassles across the travel system, potentially resulting in air travelers taking an average of two fewer trips per year at a projected total cost of $71 billion to the U.S. economy—according to a new U.S. Travel survey from Ipsos. “When nearly 60% of recent air travelers find the experience the equivalent or worse than going to the DMV, it is a concerning signal that demands action,” said U.S. Travel Asso...
Three JMBM Partners Recognized by EB5 Investors Magazine
JMBM’s Global Hospitality Group | October 4, 2023
JMBM is pleased to announce that partners Jim Butler, Catherine DeBono Holmes and David Sudeck have been named to EB5 Investors Magazine’s “Top 15 Corporate and Securities Attorneys” list for 2023. Jim Butler authors the Hotel Law Blog and chairs JMBM’s Global Hospitality Group®, which provides business and legal advice to hotel owners, developers and commercial real estate investors. Jim’s team has provided clients with global business and legal advice on more than 4,700 hotels worth more than $125 billion. This advice includes both traditional and specialty financing like C-PACE and EB-5. JMBM’s team has closed more than ...
POLL: Union’s Proposed Homeless Policy Will Deter 72% of Americans From Booking LA Hotel Rooms
AHLA | October 3, 2023
More than 70% concerned about safety of hotel employees and guests WASHINGTON (Oct. 3, 2023) – More than seven in ten Americans would be deterred from booking a hotel room in Los Angeles if hotels there are forced to house homeless people next to paying guests. That’s according to a new national poll commissioned by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and conducted by Morning Consult. 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 ballot initiative proposed by Unite Here, a labor union that represents LA-area hotel wo...
HTNG, HSMAI to Co-Locate HTNG Connect: Asia-Pacific, HSMAI Revenue Optimization Conference at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore in 2024
HTNG | October 3, 2023
WASHINGTON (Oct. 3, 2023) - The American Hotel & Lodging Association’s technology committee, HTNG, and Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) announced today that they will co-locate HTNG’s HTNG Connect: Asia-Pacific event and HSMAI’s Revenue Optimization Conference (ROC) May 8-10, 2024, at the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. HTNG Connect: Asia-Pacific stands as Asia's foremost event for hospitality technology. Simultaneously, HSMAI’s ROC has established itself as the region's premier event for hotel revenue management and commercial strategy. Co-locating the events at the Marina Bay Sands in 2024 prom...
Hospitality Asset Managers Association (HAMA) Releases Fall 2023 Conference Industry Outlook Survey Results
HAMA | October 2, 2023
NEW ORLEANS, October 2, 2023—The Hospitality Asset Managers Association (“HAMA”) today announced the results of its Fall 2023 Industry Outlook Survey. The semi-annual report updated the opinions, experiences and predictions of nearly 80 hotel asset managers from the earlier spring conference survey with a focus on budgetary predictions and potential causes of industry concern. Conducted in conjunction with HAMA'S 2023 Annual Fall Meeting that was held in New Orleans, the results were presented to media live with a concluding Q&A session via online conferencing. In total, 77 asset managers, comprising app...
REPORT: Hotel Boards Are Becoming Increasingly Diverse
ahla foundation | October 2, 2023
WASHINGTON, DC (October 2, 2023) – The percentage of hotel industry board seats held by Black members and women members, respectively, is going up. That's according to recent research commissioned by AHLA Foundation and conducted by Penn State’s School of Hospitality Management. The increase exceeds the 2022 average in both categories for firms in the Russell 3000 Index, signaling progress in the effort to diversify corporate boards. The report highlights multiple gains for the industry. The 2022 data set analyzed 230 board members at 28 companies between 2016-2022. Key findings include: · Women occupied 31.3%...
AHLA Statement in Support of the Modern Worker Empowerment Act
AHLA | October 2, 2023
Washington (Oct. 2, 2023) – American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) President & CEO Chip Rogers released the following statement today in support of the Modern Worker Empowerment Act, which was introduced in the House by Reps. Elise Stefanik (NY-21), Kevin Kiley (CA-03), and Michelle Steel (CA-45). “As America continues to deal with one of the worst labor shortages in decades, hoteliers need flexibility to quickly hire contractors to meet a variety of expanding and contracting needs. However, the Department of Labor’s proposed regulatory changes, coupled with recent decisions by the National Labor Relations Board, will ma...
Israel VWP Admission To Add $1.8 Billion to U.S. Economy
U.S. Travel Association | October 2, 2023
WASHINGTON (October 2, 2023)—U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman issued the following statement on Israel’s admission to the Visa Waiver Program (VWP): “The highly successful Visa Waiver Program has a proven record of boosting travel exports and U.S. global competitiveness, benefiting U.S. destinations, businesses and the broader American economy. Following Israel’s admission to the Visa Waiver Program, the U.S. can expect to welcome 200,000 additional Israeli visitors per year, generating an additional $800 million in direct travel spending and producing an economic impact of roughly $1.8 billion. “U.S. T...
HFTP Announces Return of Entrepreneur 20X at Major 2024 Events, Applications Now Open
HFTP | September 28, 2023
Austin, Texas (September 28, 2023) — Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) is pleased to announce the return of the premier hospitality technology pitch competition Entrepreneur 20X (E20X) at three events in 2024. Startups will have the opportunity to present their cutting-edge platforms at HFTP’s inaugural Digital Horizons 360 (DH360) Symposium in Europe in February and at HITEC Dubai and HITEC North America in June. Applications to compete are now open. Established in 2015, the upcoming E20X events will mark the fourth and eighth E20X competitions at HITEC Dubai and HITEC North America, respectively. DH36...
PolyU School of Hotel and Tourism Management Partners With World Travel and Tourism Council To Define the Future of Global Retail Tourism
PolyU’s School of Hotel and Tourism Management | September 27, 2023
The School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University has joined hands with the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) to support the sustainable development of global tourism. Undertaken collaboratively by teams from the SHTM’s Hospitality and Tourism Research Centre and the Council, the WTTC–SHTM Global Retail Tourism project offers critical data-driven insights into the key trends, challenges and opportunities shaping retail tourism in the post-pandemic era. Although travellers collectively spend billions of dollars every year on shopping, to date there has been a lack of an accurate estimate ...
The Annual Gathering for Boutique Hotel Owners Scheduled to Meet in October
BLLA | September 27, 2023
Charting the Future: Global Boutique Hospitality Industry Convenes to Strategize New Era of Hotel Ownership Los Angeles, CA - September 27, 2023 - The Boutique Lifestyle Lodging Association (BLLA) proudly presents the 12th iteration of the esteemed Boutique Hotel Owners Conference, slated for October 10-11, 2023. This year, the Westlake Village Inn in Los Angeles will play host to a transformative retreat-style experience, captivating attendees from start to finish. The Boutique Hotel Owners Conference, brought to you by the official global association founded in 2009, serves not only as a cornerstone for independent, boutique hotels an...
U.S. Travel to Induct Elliott L. Ferguson, II, Peter Herschend Into Travel Industry’s Hall of Leaders
U.S. Travel Association | September 27, 2023
WASHINGTON — September 27, 2023 — Travel industry leaders Elliott L. Ferguson, II, president and CEO of Destination DC, and Peter F. Herschend, co-founder of Herschend Enterprises, will be honored as the 2023 inductees into the U.S. Travel Association Hall of Leaders, the organization announced Tuesday. "Elliott and Peter each have created a lasting impact across the travel industry while successfully leading organizations that better the communities they serve," said U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman. "We are proud that both will receive U.S. Travel's highest honor this year in recognition of their invaluable co...
AHLA Foundation Names Julienne Smith as 2023 Peggy Berg Castell Award Recipient
AHLA Foundation | September 26, 2023
WASHINGTON, DC (September 26, 2023) – AHLA Foundation, the charitable arm of the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA), honored Julienne Smith, Chief Development Officer, Americas, IHG Hotels & Resorts, as the 2023 recipient of the Peggy Berg Castell Award. Presented at The Lodging Conference on September 20, the award highlights women trailblazers who are paving the way for more women to rise to the top of the hospitality industry. In her role overseeing the growth of IHG Hotels & Resorts in the Americas region, Julienne's leadership has paved the way for her own successes as well as the success of others. Julienne is a...
Black Travel Summit Launches National Black Travel Day to Commemorate the Black Travel Movement
Black Travel Summit | September 26, 2023
MIAMI, Fla. (September 26, 2023) – Black Travel Summit (BTS) introduces National Black Travel Day (November 11), a new holiday dedicated to celebrating, honoring, and uplifting the global Black travel community. National Black Travel Day is a day for Black travelers and travel professionals to celebrate diversity, their impact, future, and culture in travel. It is an homage to the Black travel movement; a reminder for allies, supporters, but also for the community that diversity in travel isn’t a trend that ends, it’s necessary for a brighter future for all who travel. Following the summit’s annual in-person conference in October,...
HVS Conference Takeaways: The Lodging Conference 2023
Rod Clough | September 25, 2023
By Rod Clough With contributions from Eric Guerrero, Josh Williams, Neil Flavin, Zabada Abouelhana, James Rebullida, and Aleisha Smith Harry Javer and team executed another stellar Lodging Conference at the beautiful JW Marriott Desert Ridge, where over 2,700 attendees gathered to ponder and map the future of our great industry. We were thankful to sponsor such an important meeting, and I was honored to take the main stage at its start to share my perspectives on the direction of cap rates, discount rates, and values. Here are our takeaways from the conference: There is a notable disconnect at present between buyer and sel...
HSMAI Foundation Launches Century Campaign Fundraising Initiative
The HSMAI Foundation | September 25, 2023
Building a Bridge to Our Brightest Future FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: McLean, VA (Sept. 25, 2023) – The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) Foundation has announced the launch of its Century Campaign, a five-year fundraising effort ahead of the organization’s upcoming 100th anniversary in 2027. Donations to the Century Campaign will be used to further the mission of the Foundation and its efforts to attract new talent, develop emerging talent, and engage existing talent in the hospitality sales, marketing, and revenue optimization professions. “The Century Campaign pays tribute to the organization’s l...
HFTP Announces February Dates for Inaugural Digital Horizons 360 Symposium, an Exclusive European Event Exploring Emerging Hospitality Technologies
HFTP | September 20, 2023
AUSTIN, TEXAS, USA (September 20, 2023) — Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) is pleased to announce its new European event: Digital Horizons 360 Symposium (DH360). This invitation-only symposium will span over two-days, February 20-21, at the Palau de Congressos de Palma in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. DH360 is a non-sales event for hospitality leaders to participate in roundtable discussions on the technologies set to have the biggest industry impact in Europe. Co-located with DH360 will be HFTP’s Entrepreneur 20X start-up hospitality technology pitch competition, the first of three in 2024. Created in respon...
HSMAI 2023 Sales Leader Forum Set for November 8, 2023 in Long Beach, California
HSMAI | September 20, 2023
McLean, VA (Sept. 20, 2023) – The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) Sales Leader Forum will take place in Long Beach, CA on Nov. 8, 2023. This year’s event, organized by HSMAI’s Sales Advisory Board, will focus on “Leading the Way,” when it comes to important trends, critical insights, and evolving customers and what they mean for leading hotel sales teams today and in the future. Held annually, the HSMAI Sales Leader Forum completes the series of HSMAI Commercial Strategy events for 2023, following ROC Americas and the Marketing Strategy Conference. The event aims to advance the hotel sales ...
Thailand’s Dusit International Introduces Two New Hotel Brands – ‘Dusit Collection’ and ‘Devarana – Dusit Retreats’
Dusit Internation | September 19, 2023
Bangkok, Thailand, 19 September 2023 – Dusit International, one of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies, has announced the expansion of its esteemed hotel brand lineup with the launch of two new brands: Dusit Collection and Devarana – Dusit Retreats. Building on the strength of Dusit's existing portfolio, which encompasses Dusit Thani (luxury), Dusit Suites (upper upscale), dusitD2 (upscale), Dusit Princess (upper midscale), ASAI Hotels (midscale lifestyle), and Elite Havens (luxury villa rentals), the new brands extend Dusit's reach across the lodging spectrum to deliver fresh and immersive experiences for g...
American Hotel & Lodging Association and Hotel Association of Canada Announce Expansion of Green Key Global Sustainability Certification Program
AHLA | September 19, 2023
Green Key Global is the best-in-class sustainability process and practice certification for the hotel and lodging industry, designed by hoteliers, for hoteliers. WASHINGTON (Sept. 19, 2023) – Today, the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and the Hotel Association of Canada (HAC) have signed a Letter of Intent to form a joint venture company that will own and operate the Green Key Global certification program in the United States and Canada. The announcement, made at the Lodging Conference in Phoenix, represents a pivotal moment for environmental action in the hotel industry. Green Key Global is a North American environment...
U.S. Travel Spend Returns to Pre-Pandemic Levels, Totaling 4% of All Spend
Affinity Solutions | September 13, 2023
New data from Affinity Solutions indicates US travel spend has returned to pre-pandemic levels WHO: Affinity Solutions, the leading consumer purchase insights company. WHAT: Affinity Solutions’ Consumer Purchase Insights, based on actual credit card, debit card and transaction data, observed from January 2019 to June 2023: • Travel purchases rebound: The percentage of unique travel shoppers totaled 11.7% in 2019, with total spend reaching 4.5%. The category saw significant declines during the COVID-19 pandemic, with total spend falling to 2.5% in 2020. The category bounced back in 2022, with unique shoppers reaching 12% and total s...
MGM Resorts International Statement on Cybersecurity Issue
MGM Resorts International | September 13, 2023
Las Vegas, Sept. 12, 2023 — MGM Resorts International (the "Company" or "MGM Resorts") today issued the following statement: "MGM Resorts recently identified a cybersecurity issue affecting certain of the Company's systems. Promptly after detecting the issue, we began an investigation with assistance from leading external cybersecurity experts. We also notified law enforcement and are taking steps to protect our systems and data, including shutting down certain systems. Our investigation is ongoing, and we are working diligently to resolve the matter. The Company will continue to implement measures to secure its business operations and ...
What’s the Buzz Among Today’s Hoteliers?
Mike Gray | September 12, 2023
By Mike Gray What’s on the minds of hoteliers? What’s keeping them up at night? And what makes travelers happy and eager to return? Some of the best places to have these candid discussions are at the industry’s conferences and events, and this year’s lineup has not disappointed. From AAHOACON and BITAC, to HITEC and The Hospitality Show, I’ve been traveling steadily, attending 13 events since January. Yes, the meetings business is growing, up 30% this year. Additionally, eight out of 10 business travelers expect to take trips to events in the next six months. It’s great to be on the road catching up with industry colleagues ...
Hotel Internet Services Demonstrates Hospitality’s Latest in Guest WiFi and In-Room Entertainment at Independent Hotel Show 2023
Hotel Internet Services, Inc. | September 12, 2023
CLEARWATER, Fla. — September 12, 2023 — Hotel Internet Services (HIS), a full-service provider of internet services and solutions, has today announced its participation as an official exhibitor of the Independent Hotel Show taking place in Miami from September 20-21, 2023. By showcasing its latest industry purpose-built technologies, HIS representatives at booth #126 are set to provide attendees with high-value and up-to-date insight into how they can keep pace with ever-increasing guest demands for faster online connectivity and personalized in-room experiences. As a company specializing in serving the connectivity needs of boutique a...
