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
The Post-Pandemic Hotel Experience From the Experience Expert
Larry Mogelonsky | December 9, 2020
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.hotelmogel.com) As COVID-19 continues to upend travel and rewrite daily habits, hotels must nevertheless continue to differentiate their products in order to better appeal to guests in the next normal and build revenues. While much needs to be done insofar as safety upgrades and facilitating a contactless customer journey through tech enhancements, it all inevitably comes down to the guest experience. And so, I turn to the man himself who coined the phrase ‘The Experience Economy’, Joe Pine. A thoroughly affable man based out of Minneapolis, his ongoing writing, speaking engagements and work wi...
U.S. Travel Reacts to Proposed COVID Relief Framework
U.S. Travel Association | December 9, 2020
WASHINGTON (December 9, 2020)—U.S. Travel Association Executive Vice President for Public Affairs and Policy Tori Emerson Barnes issued the following statement on the announced Bipartisan Emergency COVID Relief Act of 2020: “We are very encouraged that the bipartisan deal framework includes a number of provisions that we have long been pushing as critical to rescuing businesses and jobs. “In particular, the second draw on PPP funds and the expansion of eligibility to non-profit organizations that promote travel and tourism will be especially beneficial to America’s hardest-hit industry. “This relief proposal package is wise...
Knowland Announces the Passing of CEO Robert Post
December 9, 2020
ARLINGTON, Va., Dec. 9, 2020 — It is with profound sadness that Knowland announces the passing of Knowland CEO Robert Post. Bob passed away unexpectedly on December 4, 2020. We extend our most heartfelt condolences and sympathy to Bob’s family. Our thoughts are with them at this most difficult time. Bob joined Knowland in 2012 as an investor and a member of its board of directors and in 2013 he took the role of executive chairman. In May 2019, he became CEO, bringing decades of experience to the company as a successful entrepreneur and veteran technology company leader. Prior to joining Knowland, he served as CEO or board member of mu...
Tourism Tidbits: How to Re-Enchant Tourism
Peter Tarlow | December 7, 2020
By Dr. Peter Tarlow With the now real potential for a vaccine, we can begin to think about post – pandemic tourism. After Covid-19 becomes a tragic chapter in the history of tourism industry leaders shall have to find ways to rebuild the industry and to increase both the number of people traveling and regain profitability. The hoped for and desired boom of 2021 can be very positive, but the tourism industry must be careful not to repeat the failures of the pre-Covid-19 tourism world and once again create a world of over-tourism. It behooves us all to remember that in English we derive the word “travel” from the French word for work...
Baird/STR Hotel Stock Index Jumped 31.0% in November
Baird | December 7, 2020
HENDERSONVILLE, Tennessee, and MILWAUKEE—The Baird/STR Hotel Stock Index was up 31.0% in November to a level of 4,354. Year to date through the first 11 months of 2020, the stock index was down 17.4%. “Election clarity and several positive vaccine updates caused a sharp reversal in investor expectations and led to significant outperformance for hotel stocks during November,” said Michael Bellisario, senior hotel research analyst and director at Baird. “The positive vaccine updates allow investors to look to ‘the other side’ and reset their expectations for growth in 2022 and beyond. Worst-case scenarios, especially for the ho...
Analysis: Leisure & Hospitality Unemployment Double the National Average
U.S. Travel Association | December 7, 2020
WASHINGTON (December 7, 2020)—The latest unemployment figures prepared for the U.S. Travel Association by Tourism Economics paint a dire picture: the travel-dependent Leisure & Hospitality industry is suffering from a 15% unemployment rate—nearly double the national level. Any early signs of a modest recovery for the sector—which accounted for 11% of all pre-pandemic employment in the U.S. yet has suffered 35% of all pandemic-related job losses—have been effectively extinguished. The Leisure & Hospitality industry resurged slightly in September with 413,000 new jobs, but declined precipitously over the past three months, a...
Volara Achieves AWS Travel and Hospitality Competency Status
Volara | December 7, 2020
December 7, 2020, NEW YORK — Volara, the voice hub for the hotel industry, announces that it has achieved Amazon Web Services (AWS) Travel and Hospitality Competency status. This designation recognizes that Volara has demonstrated deep experience helping its hotel customers accelerate the industry’s modernization and innovation from behind-the-scenes operational efficiencies to guest-facing customer experiences – while ensuring the protection of guest privacy and hotel proprietary data. The launch of the AWS Travel and Hospitality Competency comes at a crucial time for the industry as it looks to innovate to address changing demands ...
Siegel Sez: Takeaways From HT-NEXT With Doug Rice
December 4, 2020
For the many of you who have commented on our latest HU High Five, thank you. Interviewing hotel tech leaders and creating these videos is fun, but this week it was nice to do one with an ex-tech industry leader. Page Petry who spent most of her adult life at Marriott tells us about starting as a front desk person and becoming the CIO for the Americas and most recently her retirement. If you have not seen it, please click here. I had to smile when she mentioned starting her career at the front desk of a hotel. I remember my first hotel job working the front desk at the Laurels Lake Hotel and Resort in the Catskill Mountains wanting to learn ...
Mind the ‘COVID’ Gap
Thomas Mielke | December 3, 2020
By: Thomas Mielke, London | James Houran, Ph.D., Dallas There was a collective sigh of relief in early November when Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna and the Oxford-AstraZeneca team announced in rapid succession their news of vaccines with 90%-plus efficacy rates. However, business leaders in the hospitality industry understand that these positive developments are not a ‘silver bullet’ to solving pressing problems in the here and now. Neither will be the breaking news of the now UK-approved Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that coronavirus vaccines might be deployed, at scale, early to mid-2021. Challen...
72-Hour Quarantine-Free Journeys Will Revive International Business Travel
WTTC | December 2, 2020
02/12/2020 London, UK: International business travel could restart if agreement is secured to safeguard journeys of up to 72-hours free from quarantines, says the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). The joint recommendation for the short stay exemption comes from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (EASA/ECDC) and is welcomed by WTTC, which represents the global Travel & Tourism private sector. EASA and ECDC have joined forces to call for an exemption on quarantine for people travelling for less than 72 hours, a move which WTTC believes could signal the return o...
70% of Destinations Have Lifted Travel Restrictions, but Global Gap Emerging
World Tourism Organization | December 2, 2020
December 2, 2020 -- The number of destinations closed to international tourism has continued to fall. According to the eighth edition of the UNWTO Travel Restrictions Report, 70% of all global destinations have eased restrictions on travel introduced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In comparison, just one in four destinations continue to keep their borders completely closed to international tourists. Launched by the World Tourism Organization at the start of the pandemic, the Travel Restrictions Report keeps track of measures being taken in 217 destinations worldwide, helping to support the mitigation and recovery efforts of the tou...
The Outlook for Hospitality, Part 3: Technology Vendors Reveal the Solutions That are Helping the Industry Recover
Fran Worrall | December 2, 2020
By Fran Worrall Last week, in Part 2 of our series on the outlook for hospitality, we asked some of the industry’s leading technology vendors the following question: How has your company pivoted to meet the new demands the industry is facing? Overwhelmingly, the vendor community has risen to meet the challenges surrounding the pandemic, responding in a variety of creative ways—from offering clients free or discounted services to speeding the development of solutions that provide safe alternatives for guests and support long-term recovery. This week, in Part 3 of our series, more than 30 leading hospitality technology vendors reve...
The 2020 Hospitality and Tourism Trends That Will Likely Stay in 2021 and Beyond
Linchi Kwok | December 2, 2020
By Linchi Kwok The COVID-19 pandemic had made an unprecedented impact on the global economy in 2020. The good news is the long-waited COVID-19 vaccines will soon become available. Let’s hope that the coronavirus will disappear soon as we enter the New Year. Looking back before we look forward At year-end 2019, I predicted a few 2020 trends in hospitality, retail, and tourism businesses. For example, I recommended that we should pay special attention to the following areas: A shifting focus on food delivery, sustainable food, and quick-casual restaurants. Using AI and facial recognition in service operations. The threats from...
AHLA Statement on Problem Solvers Caucus Bill
AHLA | December 1, 2020
WASHINGTON (December 1, 2020) – The following is a statement from Chip Rogers, president and CEO of the American Hotel & Lodging Association, on the bipartisan, bicameral COVID-19 relief proposal released today by the Problem Solvers Caucus. “The hotel industry has consistently urged lawmakers to grant relief to those affected by the pandemic since March in order to save millions of jobs and small businesses. We applaud the Problem Solvers Caucus for introducing a bipartisan, bicameral coronavirus stimulus bill. We need Congress to prioritize the industries and employees most affected by the crisis. “Every hour Congress doesn’...
Survey: 9 in 10 U.S. Voters Want Another COVID Relief Bill
U.S. Travel Association | December 1, 2020
WASHINGTON (December 1, 2020)—Eighty-seven percent of respondents to a recent survey—all of whom voted in the November 3 election—believe there should be another round of coronavirus-related relief from Washington, according to results released Tuesday by the U.S. Travel Association. The survey, conducted for U.S. Travel by the research firm Heart + Mind Strategies LLC, was taken from a nationally representative sample of 1,000 voters. It found strong majority support for another relief bill among every voter group, demographic subgroup, and geographic region. U.S. Travel represents the U.S. economic sector—America’s travel a...
Top Ten Trends in Hospitality 2021
Robert Rauch | December 1, 2020
By Robert Rauch Today’s hotel business models look entirely different from their predecessors. COVID-19 is just one earthquake that has jolted the landscape this year. The hotel industry must evolve and reinvent itself to exploit the opportunities and cope with the challenges it faces. After all, this industry is no stranger to disruptions. As we do every year on December 1, the top trends shaping our industry next year will be: 1. Sanitation and Cleanliness Standards Hotel employees and guests must participate in a complete upgrade of sanitization and cleanliness. Each brand has added a different touch, but there are now tw...
Davonne Reaves of The Vonne Group Receives ISHC Lori Raleigh Award for Emerging Excellence in Hospitality Consulting
ISHC | December 1, 2020
ATLANTA, December 1, 2020: The International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC) named Davonne Reaves as the recipient of the sixth annual Lori Raleigh Award for Emerging Excellence in Hospitality Consulting during its annual conference. Reaves 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 interacting with top hospitality industry consultants from around the globe. The organization also announced its 2020 Rising Star & Young Leader category award winners. Reaves is the founder and chief hospitality strategist ...
FAU Hospitality Summit to Address Coronavirus Concerns for 2021
Florida Atlantic University | December 1, 2020
BOCA RATON, Fla. (Dec. 1, 2020) – The immediate future of the hospitality industry in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic will be the focus of a summit hosted by the Florida Atlantic University College of Business this month. Peter Ricci, Ed.D., director of FAU’s Hospitality and Tourism Management program, will moderate a panel discussion about hosting live meetings and events in 2021. The free webinar can be viewed at any time beginning Tuesday, Dec. 8 at 1 p.m. The hospitality industry is the largest private employer in Florida, with 1.1 million people working in the industry. It was decimated by the pandemic with estimates show...
The Great American Winter Road Trip and Your Hotel
Larry Mogelonsky | November 25, 2020
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.hotelmogel.com) Much has been written over the summer of COVID-19 about the resurgence of the Great American Road Trip, as millions were forced to rediscover the hidden gems of their own state or nation, instead of taking an international flight. Now with the virus continuing to plague our news cycle and our ability to open borders, it’s not unreasonable to assume that many travelers will perpetuate the drive-to hotel trend we’ve seen thus far. Many of you may initially scoff at this as the whole idea of the long cross-country drive is traditionally predicated on warm weather to make for a plea...
Live Meetings & Events – What’s the Reality for 2021?
Florida Atlantic University | November 23, 2020
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Survey Reveals Future Travel with Family Is a Priority for Americans
November 23, 2020
WASHINGTON (November 23, 2020)—As we approach the holiday season, American travelers have an abiding desire to travel, even as the country navigates the challenges of the pandemic, and a future trip—particularly domestically and with family members—remains a priority, according to a recent poll by the market research firm Destination Analysts. This finding accords with the Let’s Go There initiative, which has consulted with researchers to identify the demonstrable benefits of looking forward to and planning a future travel experience. “Let’s Go There, Together,” a key message being shared by thousands of organizations...
Caesars Entertainment and VICI Properties Complete Sale of Bally’s Atlantic City
Caesars Entertainment | November 19, 2020
NEW YORK - Caesars Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: CZR) (“Caesars Entertainment” or “Caesars”) and VICI Properties Inc. (NYSE:VICI) (“VICI Properties” or “VICI”) today announced they have completed the previously disclosed transaction to sell Bally’s Atlantic City to Bally’s Corporation (NYSE: BALY), previously known as Twin River Worldwide Holdings Inc., for $25.0 million. The proceeds of the transaction were split 75% to VICI and 25% to Caesars, while the annual base rent payments under the Regional Master Lease between Caesars and VICI remain unchanged. ...
Business Travelers Itching to Get Back on the Road
The Global Business Travel Association | November 19, 2020
Alexandria, VA (November 19, 2020) – Half (50%) of GBTA travel buyer and procurement professionals feel their employees are ‘willing’ or ‘very willing’ to travel for business in the current environment. Only one in five (22%) GBTA members feel their employees are not willing, demonstrating a strong readiness to resume business travel. Recent announcements of potential, effective vaccines with 90%+ efficacy rate in clinical trials, has increased sentiment among GBTA travel buyer and procurement professionals that their company will be more likely to allow business travel and employees to attend in-person meetings in ...
Benchmark at The Ridge Named One of The “Best Places to Work” in New Jersey
BENCHMARK® | November 19, 2020
Conference Center Places #3 on List of Garden State’s Medium Size Companies Basking Ridge, NJ, November 2020 … Benchmark at The Ridge, an executive learning and development center, took top honors as one of the “Best Places to Work in New Jersey 2020,” awarded by the state’s noted business publication, NJBIZ. The prestigious awards program recognizes and honors the state’s leading employers who are committed to their employees’ professional growth and quality of life and to the community’s economic growth and well-being. Benchmark at The Ridge ranked #3 on the list of medium size companies, employing from 50-249 empl...
