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
Tourism Tidbits: The Invasion of Ukraine
Dr. Peter Tarlow | February 25, 2022
By Dr. Peter Tarlow On Tuesday night, February 22, Russia opened the long-awaited invasion of Ukraine. This article is not meant to be a military nor a political analysis of the events as they are unfolding but rather this article's purpose is to examine the impact of the Russian invasion and war on the worldwide travel and tourism industry. It should be emphasized that at the time of this writing there is a great amount of information that is either not known or is highly vulnerable to change. Thus statements are made based in the most current information and data available at the time of this article’s writing. Lastly, in a wor...
Four Trends for Revenge Travel 2.0 Right Now
Larry and Adam Mogelonsky | February 23, 2022
By Larry and Adam Mogelonsky The zeitgeist of February/March 2022 has deemed the upcoming spring and summer to be named ‘Revenge Travel 2.0’ because it will resemble the past two summer surges in erratic volume increases but also likely be substantially larger. Without getting too far into the news cycle and current public sentiment, there are some very strong signals pointing to an official end of the pandemic coming soon, and that will undoubtedly translate into a tsunami of fresh booking inquiries. Lots of new guests is, of course, great, but it can also become a ‘good problem to have’, especially in the face of the ongoing l...
COVID-19’s Impact on the Silicon Valley Lodging Market
John Berean | February 23, 2022
By John Berean, Noella Moon One of the main economic engines of the San Francisco Bay Area, Silicon Valley experienced tremendous growth during the last business cycle. Major companies such as Google, Apple, and Meta (formerly Facebook) have expanded their presence in recent years, which has historically translated to strong lodging performance. However, with the onset of the pandemic and a market-wide shift in policy toward remote working in 2020, hotels have been severely affected, particularly in terms of average rate. Moreover, the influx of new supply over the last several years has been significant, which has substantially heig...
HITEC Orlando Opening Party Presented by VENZA and CyberTek Announced: An Evening at SeaWorld Orlando
HFTP | February 23, 2022
Austin, TX— February 23, 2022 — The Opening Party for the 2022 Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC®) will be an Orlando-style event that makes a splash. Presented by VENZA and CyberTek, the party will be at SeaWorld Orlando on June 27, 2022 from 6:00 — 11:00 p.m. with ticket proceeds directed towards hospitality scholarships. Attendees will get to enjoy the numerous park attractions, private Dolphin Adventures Show, the Electric Ocean: Ignite fireworks and light show, and one-hour exclusive ride time at the end of the evening. Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®), the producers...
Stayntouch Launches European Headquarters in Amsterdam, Expands Regional Operations to Continue Global Growth
Stayntouch | February 23, 2022
Stayntouch Accelerates Operations in Europe and the United Kingdom to Respond to Growing Demand for its’ Industry-Leading PMS Platform and Contactless Solutions Stayntouch, a global leader in guest-centric cloud hotel property management systems (PMS) and contactless technology, today announced the opening of a new European headquarters in Amsterdam, Netherlands to accommodate its growing European and United Kingdom customer base and support rapidly accelerating growth across the region. Approximately one-third of Stayntouch's hotel customers are located in Europe and the UK, including flagship clients such as Zoku and Conscious Hote...
Carver and Carter Named to 2022 Georgia Titan 100
The Carver Companies | February 22, 2022
Titan CEO and headline sponsor Wipfli LLP are pleased to announce The Carver Companies’ Chief Executive Officer, Joel Carver and Chief Development Officer, Charlene Carter as 2022 Georgia Titan 100’s. The Titan 100 program recognizes Georgia’s Top 100 CEO’s & C-level executives. They are the area’s most accomplished business leaders in their industry using criteria that includes demonstrating exceptional leadership, vision, and passion. Collectively the 2022 Georgia Titan 100 and their companies employ upwards of 240,000 individuals and generate over $66 billion dollars in annual revenues. This year’s honorees will be publishe...
Expedia Study Warns the “Workcation” Isn’t a Cure for Vacation Deprivation
Expedia | February 22, 2022
SEATTLE, WA - February 22, 2022 - Today, Expedia released its annual Vacation Deprivation study, finding that Americans took six fewer vacation days (less than 12 days) than the global average in 2021, leaving the majority feeling vacation deprived (59%) and more burned out than ever (72%). Surveying more than 14,500 working adults across 16 countries, the 2022 report also sheds light on the uncomfortable reality that pandemic-era flexible work arrangements can make it more difficult to unplug (54%), blurring the boundaries between time on and off the clock. While many Americans made the best of this new-found flexibility by taking a "wo...
HSMAI Honors Alice Diaz and Clayton Reid With Lifetime Achievement Awards
HSMAI | February 22, 2022
The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2021 HSMAI Lifetime Achievement Awards in marketing and public relations. Alice Diaz will be honored with the Winthrop W. Grice Award for Public Relations and Clayton Reid, Chief Executive Officer of MMGY Global, will be recognized with the Albert E. Koehl Award for Hospitality Marketing. HSMAI will celebrate both Diaz and Reid at the Annual Adrian Awards Celebration on March 30 at The Boca Raton in Boca Raton, Florida. The HSMAI Lifetime Achievement Awards recognize individuals who have spent most of their careers in h...
How Will Hospitality Emerge From the Pandemic? Findings From EHL Research Day
Andrew Brenner | February 21, 2022
EHL Hospitality Business School entitled their research day “Navigating the Covid Storm”, where the future of the hospitality industry was discussed by EHL faculty members. The afternoon’s insights reflect the diversity of subjects investigated by EHL researchers and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for the hospitality industry. “Welcome back to the new abnormal, how may I help you?” By Andrew Brenner Small, family-owned firms fared well Sifting through the winners and losers of the pandemic, Dr. Cédric Poretti, Assistant Professor of accounting, found that when a family owns 20% or more ...
Northeastern Destination Resorts Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic
Dinaker Mallya | February 14, 2022
By Dinaker Mallya Resorts in general, but especially in the northeastern region of the United States, are an ideal setting for corporate meetings, family reunions, weddings, and couples’ getaways. Numerous resorts are positioned outside of major markets, such as Washington, D.C.; Baltimore, Maryland; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and New York, New York. These resorts offer proximity to major markets, vast amounts of land that provide a sense of seclusion, and a large array of facilities and amenities that make leaving the property unnecessary. Such facilities and amenities include conference center space, full-service spas, welln...
Unintended Consequences: How Chicago’s Airbnb Policies Are Backfiring
Hans Detlefsen | February 14, 2022
By Hans Detlefsen As Airbnb and other short-term-rental platforms have grown during the past decade, regulators and hotel industry associations have fought to limit their impacts. The hotel industry has generally viewed these new platforms as competitive threats. As such, the hotel industry sought to level the playing field by asking municipalities to impose taxes and regulations on short-term rentals that would be comparable to what hotels experience. Overview of Short-Term Rental Policies in Chicago In Chicago, the effort to constrain the short-term rental industry went farther than just leveling the playing field. Airbnb bookings ...
Boston University SHA Hospitality Leadership Summit Highlights Innovation for the Future of Hospitality
Boston University School of Hospitality Administration | February 10, 2022
Boston University School of Hospitality Administration (BU SHA) is proud to announce that its annual Hospitality Leadership Summit will take place in-person on Friday, April 1, 2022, at the Hotel Commonwealth in Boston. The Hospitality Leadership Summit brings together students, alumni, faculty, and the community to hear from world-renowned industry leaders on topics and trends shaping the future of the business. The Summit, which is produced by a committee of student leaders with guidance from SHA faculty, also serves as the capstone event of the BU School of Hospitality Administration’s year-long 40th Anniversary celebrations. For re...
Sara Blakely and Jesse Itzler to Headline the Bharat Shah Leadership Speaker Series at 33rd Hunter Hotel Investment Conference
Noble Investment Group | February 10, 2022
ATLANTA, GA – February 10, 2022 – The Hunter Hotel Investment Conference, Georgia State University, and Noble Investment Group are pleased to announce power couple Sara Blakely, founder and executive chairwoman of SPANX, and Jesse Itzler, New York Times Best Selling author, entrepreneur, will join Mit Shah, CEO of Noble, for the 2022 Bharat Shah Leadership Speaker Series. Sara Blakely revolutionized the undergarment industry with just $5,000 and a “lucky” red backpack. As Founder and Executive Chairwoman of SPANX, Blakely has grown her company to a global brand known for inventing smarter, more comfortable solutions. In support of h...
U.S. Travel Association Welcomes Brazil Into Global Entry Program
U.S. Travel Association | February 9, 2022
WASHINGTON (February 9, 2022)—U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow issued the following statement on the announcement that Brazil and its citizens now have full partnership in the Global Entry program, which will ease travel to the United States for business and tourism: “The American travel community begins a new chapter with Brazil’s full admittance into the Global Entry program. This effective trusted traveler program will provide pre-approved travelers from Brazil with an expedited Customs process upon arrival in the United States. “While this is welcome news, the Biden administration must also address the o...
Pebblebrook Hotel Trust Announces the 10th Annual Pebby Award Nominations
Pebblebrook Hotel Trust | February 9, 2022
HOLLYWOOD, CA - February 9, 2022 - Pebblebrook Hotel Trust (NYSE: PEB) (the “Company”) today announced the nominations for its Tenth Annual Pebby Awards. The Pebby Award nominees were chosen for their outstanding accomplishments in 2021, as determined by the Company. This year’s nominees feature veterans at the top of their game and newcomers who are about to catch their big break. Many properties earned several nominations: LaPlaya Beach Resort & Club leads the field with eight while Argonaut Hotel and L’Auberge Del Mar are close behind with six and five, respectively. With such critically acclaimed nominees, this is one of t...
California Lodging Investment Conference [CLIC] Announces Final Speakers and Additional Sponsors & Exhibitors for 2022 Event
CLIC | February 9, 2022
ANAHEIM, CA — February 9, 2022 — Officials of the California Lodging Investment Conference [CLIC], the only hospitality conference focused on the California hotel market, today released its final slate of speakers and updated its sponsor and exhibitor lists. Scheduled for March 10 at the JW Marriott Anaheim Resort, the one-day event is expected to draw approximately 300 attendees, including representatives from 11 brands, six lenders and other third-party hotel professionals. “Prior to this update, we already were more than pleased with our existing roster of speakers and panelists,” said Craig Sullivan, founder and presiden...
U.S. News & World Report Announces Best Hotels of 2022
U.S. News & World Report | February 8, 2022
Washington, D.C. – February 8, 2022 – U.S. News & World Report the global authority in rankings and consumer advice, today announced the Best Hotels rankings, which evaluate more than 35,000 hotels and resorts across the USA, Europe, Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean. While some global travel remains limited, these hotels continue to provide top-of-the-line amenities and hospitality for travelers looking to plan ahead. "The travel industry has faced many disruptions over the past two years, highlighting the need to support and recognize hotels that continue to maintain excellent standards," said Zach Wats...
Revised BLS Data Paints Darker Picture for Travel Industry Losses, Need for Additional Aid
U.S. Travel Association | February 8, 2022
WASHINGTON — February 8, 2022 — U.S. Travel Association Executive Vice President of Public Affairs and Policy Tori Emerson Barnes issued the following statement on the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ January employment report, which also featured revised data for the past several months confirming that 10% of leisure and hospitality jobs now remain lost, accounting for an overall 61% of the job losses due to the pandemic: “While the overall jobs report today may be good news for some, the revised BLS data now confirms an even bigger revelation, that 61%, or nearly two-thirds, of all jobs still lost due to the pandemic are in t...
ISHC Honors Peggy Berg, Chair of the Castell Project, With the Pioneer Award at ALIS
ISHC | February 3, 2022
Los Angeles, CA — February 3, 2022 — The International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC) in partnership with the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) presented Peggy Berg, chair of the Castell Project, with the Pioneer Award which recognizes an individual annually who has made an outstanding contribution, achievement and/or improvement in the hospitality industry. Jeff Higley, ISHC, president of The BHN Group; Todd Leach, ISHC president and partner of Dedica Group; and Kristie Dickinson, ISHC treasurer and managing director/EVP of CHMWarnick presented Berg with the recognition during the conference plenary session. D...
Global Lodging Industry Demonstrates Resiliency With a 131% Increase in Transaction Volume
JLL | February 3, 2022
CHICAGO, IL – February 3, 2022 – After a turbulent 2020 the hotel industry saw an acceleration into recovery in 2021, which is projected to continue, despite operational hurdles and inflationary pressures, in 2022. According to JLL Hotels & Hospitality’s annual Hotel Investment Outlook, the industry’s recovery has presented new trends for hotel owners, operators, investors and consumers in 2022. The Global Outlook Global transaction volume totaled $66.8 billion in 2021, a 131% increase from 2020. The Americas was the most liquid region and accounted for nearly 60% of global hotel transaction volume. This level...
Travel & Tourism Could Grow to $8.6 Trillion in 2022, Says WTTC
WTTC | February 2, 2022
London, UK - February 2, 2022 - Major new research from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has revealed the global Travel & Tourism sector’s contribution to the global economy could reach $8.6 trillion this year, just 6.4% behind pre-pandemic levels. In 2019, before the pandemic stopped travel in its tracks, the Travel & Tourism sector generated nearly $9.2 trillion to the global economy. However, in 2020, the pandemic brought the sector to an almost complete standstill, causing a massive 49.1% drop, representing a severe loss of nearly $4.5 trillion. Latest research from WTTC shows that as the world finally beg...
She Has a Deal Launches SHaD Prosperity Fund I
She Has a Deal | February 2, 2022
Organization Embarks Upon Ten-City Tour to Raise Money to Support Women-Led Hotel Projects TYSONS CORNER, VA — February 2, 2022 — Officials of She Has a Deal (SHaD), a real estate investment platform that creates pathways to hotel ownership and development for women, today announced the launch of a ten-city tour of U.S. cities to raise equity capital in support of the organization’s mission. “Launching SHaD Prosperity Fund I is the next logical step in the SHaD mission. Now that we have created a powerful platform to expose more women to hotel ownership and educate them about the process, I want to ensure that capital is a...
Travelers Push Tripadvisor Past 1 Billion Reviews & Opinions!
Tripadvisor | February 1, 2022
NEEDHAM, MA - February 1, 2022 - Tripadvisor, the world's largest travel guidance platform, today announced that its community of travelers has enabled the company to reach a major and historic Internet milestone: 1 BILLION reviews and opinions. Tripadvisor was founded 22 years ago by current President and CEO Stephen Kaufer, Langley Steinert, Nick Shanny and Tom Palka. Reaching this incredible landmark comes just several years after announcing it had reached half a billion reviews and opinions, in 2017. New research shows that today the Internet platform remains the most important review destination online for millions of consumers ...
U.S. Travel Association’s 2022 State of the Travel Industry Address
U.S. Travel Association | January 31, 2022
“Setting the Stage for the Future of Travel” Webcast: Wednesday, February 2, at 11:00 a.m. ET from National Press Club Media Teleconference to Follow with Q&A at 12:00 p.m. ET WHAT: U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow and Executive Vice President of Public Affairs and Policy Tori Emerson Barnes will provide an exclusive virtual update, followed by a conference call for media, on the state of the American travel industry – including policies and programs to accelerate an even recovery across the leisure, business and international travel sectors. In this annual address, Dow and Barnes will provide a ...
