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
U.S. Travel: CES “A Model” for Conducting Professional Events in 2022
U.S. Travel Association | January 7, 2022
WASHINGTON — January 7, 2022 — U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow issued the following statement on the safe commencement of CES: “By staging an influential live event that safely convenes thousands of global professionals across the technology, business and political spectrum, CES is nothing short of a model for how business trade events can and should take place in 2022. It is our sincere hope that other professional event organizers will follow their lead this year. “Gary Shapiro and his team at CTA are to be commended for navigating today’s challenges while ensuring that attendees can build meaning...
Macroeconomics in 2022: How Can Hospitality Leaders Learn From the Past?
Dr Giuliano Bianchi | January 5, 2022
By Dr. Giuliano Bianchi The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically altered the world’s economic situation leading many economists to predict that it will have as significant an impact as the great depression of the 1930s. As such, many of the field’s fundamental principles must be reconsidered for the coming years, including several which received less attention in recent years since learnings from the Great Recession have superseded them. In order to properly educate students and managers about the relationship between economic theories and practical implications on the hospitality industry, such shifts must be incorporated into macroecono...
Although Pre-Pandemic Profitability Will Remain Elusive, the Industry Will Make Strides Toward Recovery in 2022
Fran Worrall | January 5, 2022
By Fran Worrall As the new year begins, industry experts are increasingly hopeful about the state of hospitality. After almost two years of an unprecedented downturn and despite ongoing effects of the pandemic—including the emergence of new COVID-19 variants and increased consumer awareness regarding health and well-being—2022 looks to be more promising as the industry figures out how to fulfill guest expectations without compromising safety. HU/HO recently sat down with three hospitality insiders—Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) President & CEO Bob Gilbert, Knowland CEO Jeff Bzdawka, and Kalibri Lab...
Knowland Sights Indicators of a Stabilizing Meeting Industry as Native Seasonality Asserts Itself Into Normal Patterns
KNOWLAND | January 5, 2022
ARLINGTON, VA — January 5, 2022 — Knowland, the world’s leading provider of data-as-a-service insights on meetings and events for hospitality, today released its monthly meetings and events data for December. Although December U.S. group meeting volume decreased 16.8 percent over November 2021, this change is in line with normal seasonality trends. Reflecting the latest industry reaction to new virus concerns, the average number of attendees dipped in December. However, average space used edged closer to the 2019 metric. • Average attendees decrease from 2019 – The average number of attendees per event in December 2021 was 101...
Oxford Capital Group’s LondonHouse Chicago General Manager Juan Leyva Named 2021 Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association’s Hotelier of the Year
LondonHouse Chicago | January 4, 2022
CHICAGO, IL — January 4, 2022 — Oxford Capital Group’s LondonHouse Chicago (85 East Wacker Dr.) General Manager Juan Leyva was named Hotelier of the Year by the Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association (IHLA) on December 15, 2021, at the organization’s annual Stars of the Industry Awards Ceremony for his exemplary achievements, contributions, and leadership. The award, presented by DePaul University’s School of Hospitality Leadership, is the highest honor given to an IHLA hotel General Manager or Area Director based on professionalism and service to the property, their employees, guests, and the community. “On behalf of our ...
Making Tourism Stronger and Ready for the Future
UNWTO | January 4, 2022
Working together Over the past year, much progress has been made in rolling out vaccinations and in both detecting and treating COVID-19. We have also seen significant progress made in finding the right balance between keeping people safe and keeping the vital lifeline of tourism intact, as illustrated by UNWTO’s effective collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) since the very start of the pandemic. A collaborative and multilateral approach is and must remain at the centre of capitalizing on the lessons we have learned in such a short space of time. Ensuring harmonized travel protocols has been our message since day ...
‘Tis the Season: More than 109 Million Americans to Travel for the Holidays
AAA | December 22, 2021
Americans who had to cancel getaways and get-togethers last year because of the pandemic are making up for lost time this holiday season. More than 109 million people — an almost 34% increase from 2020 — will travel 50 miles or more as they hit the road, board airplanes or take other transportation out of town between Dec. 23 and Jan. 2. That dramatic bounce-back — 27.7 million more people traveling — will bring this year’s numbers to 92% of 2019 levels. Airlines will see a 184% increase from last year. “Americans who canceled their vacations in 2020 want to gather with family and friends for the holidays this year, although t...
Radical Innovation Announces 2021 Winners
Radical Innovation | December 22, 2021
ATLANTA, GA – December 22, 2021 – Radical Innovation announces the winners for its 15th annual awards program. Each year Radical invites bold thinkers to submit groundbreaking innovations that will change and/or enhance the future of the travel and hospitality industries. For the second year in a row, the event was virtual, as necessitated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, the contest attracted an unprecedented array of talent from around the world, as hundreds of submissions from more than 55 countries flooded the website from hoteliers, architects, designers, and students. The Radical judging panel of industry leaders s...
U.S. Travel Names Search Committee to Identify Association’s Next President and CEO
U.S. Travel Association | December 21, 2021
WASHINGTON — December 21, 2021 — U.S. Travel Association National Chair Christine Duffy, President of Carnival Cruise Line, today announced nine industry leaders, drawn from the association’s board of directors, to serve on a committee to identify the incoming president and chief executive officer of U.S. Travel following the July retirement of Roger Dow. The Search Committee is representative of core segments of the travel industry, including two from destination marketing organizations, the largest segment of association membership. Those serving on the Committee will be: Christine Duffy, President, Carnival Cruise Line and Na...
AHLA Applauds Plans for Additional H-2B Visas
AHLA | December 21, 2021
WASHINGTON – December 21, 2021 – After the Departments of Homeland Security and Labor announced plans to make available an additional 20,000 H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visas for fiscal year 2022, American Hotel & Lodging Association President and CEO Chip Rogers released the below statement. “Today’s announcement is welcome news, as the lodging industry and many others continue to grapple with the tightest labor market in decades. Filling open jobs is the hotel industry’s top priority, and the H-2B visa program helps hotels and other industries with strong seasonal business and workforce needs to do just...
Agilysys to Acquire Resort & Hotel Management Software Provider ResortSuite
Agilysys | December 16, 2021
Acquisition Will Strengthen Agilysys’ Presence In The Resorts and Hotel Property Management Systems (PMS) Space. Alpharetta, GA and Toronto, ON, Canada, December 16, 2021 -- Agilysys, Inc. (NASDAQ: AGYS), a leading provider of next-generation SaaS software solutions, today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire ResortSuite, a Canada-based fully integrated property management solution provider focused on the complex multi-amenity and resort market. This acquisition creates the opportunity to bring next-generation SaaS solutions to ResortSuite customers who have been served well by a trusted partner for more than ...
INTELITY Named Both Best Hotel Digital Key and Best In-Room Tablet Provider in 2021 by World Travel Tech Awards
INTELITY | December 16, 2021
INTELITY lands two global awards for its guest experience platform in the inaugural competition by World Travel Awards, the leading authority recognizing excellence in global travel and tourism. Los Angeles, CA (December 16, 2021) - INTELITY®, the provider of hospitality’s most comprehensive guest experience and staff management platform, today announced it has been recognized as the World’s Best Hotel Digital Key Solution Provider and the World’s Best In-Room Tablet Provider by the World Travel Tech Awards 2021. The World Travel Tech Awards is the sister event to World Travel Awards, currently celebrating its 28th anniversary, r...
U.S. Travel & Tourism Saw Labor Shortfall of Almost 700,000 in 2021
WTTC | December 16, 2021
A report from WTTC, which represents the global private Travel & Tourism sector, projects up to one in 13 jobs will likely remain unfilled in 2022 WTTC provides recommendations that governments and businesses can use to address labor shortage London (December 16, 2021): A new analysis of staff shortages by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), which represents the global private Travel & Tourism sector, reveals the sector realized a U.S. labor shortfall of almost 700,000 workers during 2021. According to the report, the outlook for 2022 is only slightly more positive, with approximately 480,000 direct* U.S. Travel &...
As Omicron Emerges, the Business Travel Industry Shows Concern for Potential Economic Impact but Stays the Course on Returning to Corporate Travel
GBTA | December 16, 2021
The recent emergence and yet-unknown trajectory of a new COVID-19 variant is the latest development on the road to recovery for the business travel industry. Due to the omicron variant, many business travel practitioners are concerned about the potential economic impacts in the industry. Most companies, however, are taking a wait-and-see approach before introducing new restrictions or requirements for business travel as a result of the omicron variant. Additionally, a clear majority feel countries should require international visitors to prove they are fully vaccinated, and that pre-trip negative tests should be required regardless of vaccina...
Change in Travel Accommodation Preferences Continues
STR | December 16, 2021
Despite successful vaccination programs in many countries around the world, the continued challenges around COVID-19, like the new Omicron variant, have brought back travel restrictions and social distancing requirements across the globe. STR’s Tourism Consumer Insights team continues to keep a close eye on tourism trends as well as travel accommodation preferences because of the pandemic. In November 2021, shortly before news of Omicron had surfaced, STR undertook a new online survey using its Traveler Panel–an engaged audience of travel consumers–to examine sentiment and how it might affect industry fortunes at this uncertain time...
David Kong Receives Inaugural Arne Sorenson Social Impact Leadership Award
AHLA | December 16, 2021
LOS ANGELES, CA – December 16, 2021 – The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), The American Hotel & Lodging Foundation, and The BHN Group announced David Kong, the recently retired president and CEO of BWH Hotel Group, has been named the inaugural recipient of the Arne Sorenson Social Impact Leadership Award. Kong will be recognized during the AHLA Foundation’s premier fundraising gala, the Night of a Thousand Stars on Sunday, January 23, 2022, as well as during the 21st Annual Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) on Tuesday, January 25, 2022. The Arne Sorenson Social Impact Leadership Award is a new award named fo...
U.S. Travel Commends State Dept. Action to Alleviate Visa Application Backlog
U.S. Travel Association | December 16, 2021
WASHINGTON — December 16, 2021 — U.S. Travel Association Executive Vice President of Public Affairs and Policy Tori Emerson Barnes issued the following statement on the administration’s decision to temporarily waive the interview requirement for returning and renewing immigrant visa holders issued on or after August 4, 2019: “The travel community appreciates the action by the State Department to streamline the visa application process. It is a step in the right direction and comes at a critical time for rebuilding international travel. The severe backlog in visa applications will require additional focus and resources to he...
AHLA, HAMA Announce New Strategic Partnership
AHLA | December 15, 2021
Organizations Join Forces to Elevate Voice of Asset Owners, Advance Policy Agenda WASHINGTON (December 15, 2021) – The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and the Hospitality Asset Managers Association (HAMA) today announced a new strategic relationship, effective January 1, 2022, with the shared goal of further elevating the voice and visibility of asset owners in the advocacy efforts of the U.S. hotel industry. The announcement build’s on AHLA’s strong growth trajectory over the past year at a critical time for the hotel industry. Earlier this year, AHLA integrated with Hospitality Technology Next Generation (HTNG), an...
U.S. Travel Applauds Senate Committee Markup of Travel and Tourism Omnibus
U.S. Travel Association | December 15, 2021
WASHINGTON — December 15, 2021 — 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’s markup of the Omnibus Travel and Tourism Act of 2021 (S. 3375): “The bill, which is crucial to the restoration of the travel and tourism industry, creates high-level leadership in the federal government on travel issues, enhances travel facilitation and security, and ensures our nation has long-term strategies for travel’s economic recovery. “Specifically, the bill establishes an Assistant Secreta...
Holiday Travel Forecast: Cloudy With a Chance of Omicron
trivago | December 14, 2021
DÜSSELDORF, Germany - December 14, 2021 - With cold weather driving people indoors, concerns about variants like Omicron and ever-changing requirements, international holiday travel planning has slowed around the world, according to new data from trivago N.V. , a leading global accommodation search platform. Much like 2020, domestic travel is the preferred option as consumers look to reunite with friends and family. From the US to Germany and the UK to Italy, most travelers are choosing domestic destinations with one exception: Dubai which appeared in the top 10 searches for holiday travel from each country. Dubai has become one o...
F1 Grand Prix Lifted Jeddah Hotels to Record-Breaking Performance
STR | December 10, 2021
LONDON — December 10, 2021 — Lifted by the, Jeddah’s hotel industry reported its highest average daily rate (ADR) and revenue per available room (RevPAR) on record, according to preliminary daily data from STR. On 4 December, the day before the F1 Grand Prix, the market’s ADR (SAR1707.72) and RevPAR (SAR1517.92) were the highest for any one day in STR’s Jeddah database. Daily occupancy peaked at 89.2% on race day and was the market’s highest level since 25 August 2018 (89.3%). “The special circumstances of Saudi Arabia hosting its first F1 Grand Prix, in between races held in Doha and Abu Dhabi, drove hotelier pricing conf...
James Beard Foundation Releases Winter 2021 Survey Results on Health of the Restaurant Industry This Season
the James Beard Foundation | December 9, 2021
NEW YORK, NY – December 9, 2021 – The James Beard Foundation unveils results from its Winter 2021 Survey, which polled their network of chefs and restaurant owners on the health of their business and the top challenges the restaurant industry is facing this winter. The survey also explores chefs and restaurateurs' thoughts regarding how their businesses could survive the winter season amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Ultimate findings show that restaurants face a precarious future heading into the winter season. While many restaurants are more confident in their business’s survivability than they were in 2020, independent restaura...
Okada Manila International, Inc. Announces Corporate Name Change to UE Resorts International, Inc.
UE Resorts International, Inc. | December 9, 2021
MANILA, Philippines and TOKYO - December 9, 2021 - Okada Manila International, Inc., the anticipated holding company of Okada Manila, one of the premier destination casino resorts in Asia and the largest integrated resort in the Philippines, today announced that it has approved its corporate name change to "UE Resorts International, Inc." The new name was created to better reflect the corporation's expansion plans in Asia and other countries around the world, including the U.S. UE Resorts International, Inc. commits to supply superior value in gaming, gaming technology, lodging and entertainment. As part of the name change, UE R...
Rising to the Top: Increasing the Numbers of Women in C-Suite Hospitality Roles
Catherine Morgen | December 9, 2021
By Catherine Morgen At the end of 2020, there was only one woman chief executive officer for every 17 men leading hotel companies, according to a report from the Castell Project, which is a non-profit organization focused on bringing more women into top hospitality positions. That same year, the odds of women advancing to CEO, COO and other top executive leadership roles in hospitality were one woman to 5.7 men. Additionally, during this time period, a significant number of women compared to men lost their jobs in the industry or left them for Covid-19 pandemic reasons, further reducing the numbers of potential women leaders in t...
