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
UNWTO, ONCE Foundation and ENAT Call for the Reopening of Tourism Destinations to Cater For The Needs of People With Disabilities
UNWTO | August 4, 2020
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is calling on destinations to recognize the needs of travellers with disabilities or specific access requirements as they open up to visitors again. In partnership with the ONCE Foundation of Spain and the European Network for Accessible Tourism (ENAT), the United Nations specialized agency has released new guideline to ensure accessibility and inclusivity as the responsible restart of tourism gets underway. According to the newest data from UNWTO, 40% of global destinations have now eased restrictions on travel introduced in response to COVID0-19. Now, with tourism steadily returning, UNWTO has joined ...
WTTC Says UK Is Heading to ‘Worst Case Scenario’ Threatening Nearly Three Million Travel & Tourism Jobs
August 4, 2020
London, UK: Nearly three million jobs in the UK - and 197 million worldwide in the Travel & Tourism sector globally - look set to be lost due to the collapse of travel, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). WTTC economic modelling conducted less than two months ago predicted this ‘worst case scenario’ would occur if barriers to global travel, such as quarantine measures and blanket travel restrictions were to remain in place. While some travel bans have been removed, many others remain, with new restrictions likely to come into force to tackle the continuing threat posed by COVID-19 and possible second spik...
A Tale of Two Occupancies: Total Room Inventory vs. STR Standard
STR | August 4, 2020
Occupancy has long been one of the key hotel performance metrics measured by STR. Reported on both a monthly and weekly basis, occupancy is easily calculated by dividing rooms sold (demand) by rooms available (supply), providing a straightforward representation of the percentage of rooms occupied during a given time period. However, even this traditional metric has not escaped the impacts of COVID-19. Voluntary and mandated hotel closures have caused a fundamental shift in the way we record and report supply, and thus, a new occupancy metric has been born. The status quo In normal times, and in alignment with USALI guidelin...
Thinking for Yourself May Be the Only Regimen for a Full Recovery – Part II
Steven Ferry | August 4, 2020
By Steven Ferry “Withholding information is the essence of tyranny. Control of the flow of information is the tool of the dictatorship.” Bruce Coville Last week, we looked at how the official response to the pandemic morphed from great concern about the danger; to numbness at the economic devastation (the UN World Tourism Organization estimated earnings down 80% on 2019 and the loss of 120 million jobs); to increasing rejection of the absurd. In this article, we review how a draconian censorship of the medical community is being enforced not just in China, as one might expect, but also in the Western world; we examine the...
GBTA Calls on Congress to Take Action on Expanded Relief for Distressed Business Travel Industry
The Global Business Travel Association | August 4, 2020
Alexandria, VA – As the U.S. Congress negotiates a new coronavirus relief package for individuals and businesses, the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) – the leading voice of business travel worldwide – has called on Congressional leadership to enact measures to renew business travelers’ confidence and to curb the devastating impact of the pandemic on this vital sector of the global economy. The August 3 letter to Congressional Leadership calls for increased funding for rapid COVID-19 testing across the U.S. and for additional financial relief for stricken travel businesses that continue to face the near-cessation of all work-...
Tourism Tidbits: Travel Rage in a Time of Pandemics
Peter E. Tarlow | August 3, 2020
By Dr. Peter Tarlow During the last decade, tourism officials have noted the evolution of various types of angers among those in the general public and especially among those in the traveling public. These angers first became apparent in the form of road rage then became air-rage, morphed into full-blown travel rage, with verbal anger at times turning into physical violence. Now in a time of pandemic, with the public never sure about what is and will be open or closed, we face the newest form of rage: “Travel Pandemic Rage”. Due to an ever-increasing tourism bureaucracy and often poor levels of customer service som...
Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. Reports Results For Second Quarter 2020
Host Hotels & Resorts | July 31, 2020
BETHESDA, Md., July 31, 2020 -- Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: HST) (the “Company”), the nation’s largest lodging real estate investment trust (“REIT”), today announced results for the second quarter of 2020. James F. Risoleo, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “I am incredibly proud of Host’s swift and decisive response to the challenging operating environment we faced in the second quarter. We significantly reduced our monthly hotel-level loss from April to June by working with our operators to reopen 19 hotels in a socially and financially responsible manner while continuing to carefully control expenses. O...
Southern Lodging Summit Conference Postpones Physical Event to Host Southern Lodging Summit Virtual Update
The Southern Lodging Summit | July 31, 2020
MEMPHIS, Tenn., July 31, 2020—Officials of the Southern Lodging Summit (SLS), an annual hotel conference focusing on development and operations throughout the southern United States, today announced it will postpone this year’s physical gathering due to the on-going coronavirus pandemic. Instead, the organization will host a “virtual update,” providing pre-recorded sessions to interested parties. “While there is nothing more we wanted than to host this year’s event in person, Memphis and Shelby County remain in Phase Two of its recovery, meaning we are limited in terms of the number of people who can gather,” said Wayne Tab...
The Impact of Cleaning Protocols on the Hospitality Industry
Pierre Verbeke | July 30, 2020
By Pierre Verbeke Big hotel names such as Hilton, Marriott, Accor and Kempinsky have issued new initiatives concerning hotel cleaning and hygiene. While they are bringing safety and peace of mind to customers and staff alike, they also are also giving the impression of putting forward short-term answers to the COVID-19 problem. How will Covid-19 measures affect your hotel experience? Be ready to perform a lot more pre-arrival and arrival activities on your own devises. Contactless will be favored and the use of apps intensified. App functions already in use today include: Opening your room door Replacing the TV remote control ...
COVID-19 Testing Is Critical to Restart Travel Safely
the Global Business Travel Association | July 30, 2020
GBTA Urges the EU to Boost Testing Capabilities Brussels, Belgium (30 July 2020) – As the travel industry braces for a second Covid-19 wave, GBTA, the Global Business Travel Association, calls for widening testing capabilities and requirements across the EU as a better alternative to blanket travel restrictions. “Sudden and unilateral shifts in government response, such as imposition of quarantines or border closures, take a heavy toll on the travel industry, further impeding economic recovery and causing chaos for travellers”, says Dave Hilfman, new Executive Director of GBTA and airline industry veteran. “Increased testing is w...
Tourism Restarts: 40% of Destinations Have Now Eased Travel Restrictions
July 30, 2020
The responsible restart of tourism is underway around the world as growing numbers of destinations ease COVID-19 related travel restrictions and adapt to the new reality. According to the latest analysis from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), 40% of all destinations worldwide have now eased the restrictions they placed on international tourism in response to COVID-19. The United Nations specialized agency for tourism has been monitoring global responses to the pandemic from the start of the crisis. This latest outlook, recorded on 19 July, is up from 22% of destinations that had eased restrictions on travel by 15 June and the 3% prev...
HTNG to Offer Free Membership to Employees in Transition
Hospitality Technology Next Generation (HTNG) | July 30, 2020
CHICAGO (July 30, 2020) – Hospitality Technology Next Generation (HTNG) extends free memberships through the end of the year to individuals who have recently been laid off by HTNG member companies. HTNG recognizes many valuable individuals previously employed with a member company are now in the unfortunate position of being in a job transition. As an important community for education, networking and career development, HTNG is offering complimentary memberships as a resource to help these individuals maintain and improve their skills to ultimately find their next professional opportunity. Free memberships to any former employee of an...
Ripe for Rebound: The Future of Hospitality
David Millili | July 30, 2020
By David Millili They say that smooth seas do not make for skillful sailors, and indeed, over the past several months, that belief has been put to the test. As global communities continue to work tirelessly to combat the spread of the coronavirus, the hospitality industry has been placed in an incredibly vulnerable position. But, within that sobering reality, it’s important to remember that the hospitality sector is no stranger to crisis. Our industry has survived countless challenges and periods of economic downturn, and COVID-19 is no exception. Now, as our economy braces for revival, hospitality leaders have their focus trained o...
AHLA’s National Day of Action—Save Hotel Jobs – Wednesday July 29, 2020
Danny Hudson | July 29, 2020
By Danny Hudson It comes as no surprise that the hotel industry is hurting. The drop in travel and occupancy was quickly reflected in the supplier community, group and event locations, technology companies and the wide array of companies that service the hotels that welcome the world’s travelers. We need your help! By adding your name to www.HotelsAct.org now you directly help raise the visibility of the message that the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) is advocating for on our behalf. On an HFTP Hangout around three months ago, Rich Siegel of Hospitality Upgrade identified a gap in support for the technology sector. ...
STEP Act Would Provide Needed Relief for Travel Employers
U.S. Travel Association | July 29, 2020
WASHINGTON (July 29, 2020)—U.S. Travel Association Executive Vice President for Public Affairs and Policy Tori Emerson Barnes issued the following statement on introduction of the Sustaining Tourism Enterprises During the COVID-19 Pandemic (STEP) Act (S. 4299): “Protection, relief and stimulus for travel-related businesses needs to be a significant priority in order for the broader economy to recover, and the bipartisan STEP Act introduced in the Senate includes a number of crucial measures for employers to hold on until they can rehire and help fuel an economic turnaround. “The grants the bill would provide through the Economic D...
Impact of COVID-19 on Global Tourism Made Clear as UNWTO Counts the Cost of Standstill
July 28, 2020
The enormous toll of COVID-19 on international tourism has now become clear, with World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) data showing the cost up to May was already three times that of the 2009 Global Economic Crisis. As the situation continues to evolve, the United Nations specialized agency has provided the first comprehensive insight into the impact of the pandemic, both in tourist numbers and lost revenues, ahead of the upcoming release of up-to-date information on travel restrictions worldwide. The latest edition of the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer shows that the near-complete lockdown imposed in response to the pandemic led to a 98 per ...
Hotel Industry Applauds Release of Senate Covid Relief Package, Calls for Swift Passage
AHLA | July 28, 2020
WASHINGTON (July 28, 2020) – The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) applauded Senate Republicans for including several hotel industry priorities in the coronavirus relief package released today and urged Congress to move quickly to pass the legislation. Among the provisions in the Senate package are additional funds for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and limited liability protection for businesses as they reopen, both of which will support the hotel industry and our employees during this unprecedented crisis. “Hotels and hotel employees have been severely impacted by the pandemic,” said Chip Rogers, president and...
Tripadvisor Celebrates the Best in Travel With 2020 Travelers’ Choice Awards
TripAdvisor | July 28, 2020
NEEDHAM, Mass., July 28, 2020 -- Tripadvisor®, the world's largest travel platform, as part of its ongoing efforts to support the recovery of the tourism and hospitality industry, today announced the winners of its 18th annual Travelers' Choice® Awards. This coveted award program celebrates travelers' favorite hotels, restaurants and airlines around the world, honoring 4,817 unique businesses this year. Winners are calculated based on the quality and quantity of the millions of reviews, opinions and ratings collected on Tripadvisor in 2019, prior to the pandemic. With over 8.7 million businesses listed on Tripadvisor, these awards are a ...
Travel Community Praises PPP Eligibility Change in Senate Relief Package
The U.S. Travel Association | July 28, 2020
WASHINGTON (July 28, 2020)—U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow issued the following statement on Senate introduction of the next phase of coronavirus relief, which includes a measure to extend Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) eligibility to non-profit or quasi-governmental tourism marketing organizations: "The Senate bill wisely expands coronavirus relief to destination marketing organizations (DMOs), which are economic development agencies that perform vital work to drive visitors to local and regional businesses, large and small. "This is a welcome update to previous aid packages, and will increase the chances of a ...
For the Fourth Consecutive Quarter, Los Angeles Leads the U.S. Hotel Construction Pipeline at the Close of Q2’ 20*
Lodging Econometrics | July 28, 2020
July 28, 2020 – PORTSMOUTH, NH - In the recent report released by Lodging Econometrics (LE), at the close of the second quarter of 2020, the top five U.S. markets with the largest total hotel construction pipelines are Los Angeles, leading for the fourth consecutive quarter, with 163 projects/27,415 rooms; followed by Dallas with 158 projects/19,314 rooms; New York City with 151 projects/26,302 rooms; Atlanta with 135 projects/18,634 rooms; and Houston with 122 projects/12,486 rooms. Despite these top five markets being located in states that have been heavily impacted by COVID-19, combined, they still account for 15% of the rooms in the ...
React Mobile Talks With Miami Beach GM About ‘Employee Safety in the Epicenter of COVID-19’
React Mobile | July 28, 2020
In Episode 3 of its ‘Employee Safety Culture’ Webcast Series, Robb Monkman and The Gale South Beach General Manager Kevin Waldstein discuss what the hotel is doing while closed to ensure the safest possible environment for employees when they return Seattle, July 28, 2020 — Hoteliers in Miami Beach are riding a roller coaster of uncertainty thanks to recent spikes in COVID-19. A planned June reopening was pushed back to July 31, but now that the city is being called the “Epicenter of the Epicenter,” reopening is delayed even further, this time to October 1. How is all this indecision impacting employee morale? Robb Monkman, CEO...
From Cleanliness to Communication, Digitalization Is Elevating Service Standards for a Better Hotel Experience
Andrada Paraschiv | July 28, 2020
Post pandemic, guests will find their stay experiences to be better, safer, and more streamlined thanks to integrated technologies that connect people to work and co-workers to each other By Andrada Paraschiv According to findings from the J.D. Power 2020 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index (NAGSI) StudySMreleased last week, meeting guest expectations for cleanliness and proactively communicating with guests prior to arrival continue to be critical drivers of guest satisfaction. But before we can expect to have happy guests, we need to have happy employees who are willing to go back to work … learn all new operating procedure...
Travel CEOs Urge Federal Action on COVID-19 Testing
The U.S. Travel Association | July 27, 2020
WASHINGTON (July 27, 2020)—Fourteen CEOs of America’s most recognizable travel-related companies sent a letter to the president and congressional leaders Monday stating that more and better COVID-19 testing is an indispensable component of pursuing an economic recovery, and urging a stepped-up federal role in making effective testing more widely available. The letter stresses that a sustained recovery will depend on a comprehensive set of measures to provide relief, protection and stimulus for U.S. employers, but says that testing should be incorporated in the next legislative package—specifically the TEST Act that has been introduce...
Welcome Back Guests With Certainty
Vizergy® Digital Marketing | July 27, 2020
By Kristen Sullivan With travel resuming after the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, travelers are looking for newly implemented safety procedures when determining which hotels to patron. More companies are taking the approach of digitalizing certain aspects of their business to create a contact-less experience that guests will appreciate. Having an interactive, user-friendly website serves as the foundation of your online presence. However, there is more you can do relatively quickly to assure guests you have safety and positive experiences in mind. Here are 6 ideas to start: 1. Contactless Check-in/Check-out Providing an online check...
