The Tricycle of Guest Service Excellence: A Perfect Model For Remarkable Experiences
Doug Kennedy | October 4th, 2024
Spokane Tribe Resort & Casino Partners With Travel Outlook to Elevate Guest Service Experience
Travel Outlook, The Premier Hotel Call Center™ | October 2nd, 2024
Waldorf Astoria Orlando Unveils Property-Wide Transformation
Waldorf Astoria Orlando | December 6, 2023
Award-winning hotel debuts reimagined guestrooms and suites, lobby, signature restaurants, spa, golf course, and meetings and events spaces ORLANDO, Fla. (December 6, 2023) – Today, the award-winning Waldorf Astoria Orlando unveils a property-wide reimagination that includes a floor-to-ceiling transformation inclusive of all guestrooms and suites, the lobby arrival experience, new design and culinary innovations at the award-winning restaurants Bull & Bear and Peacock Alley, enhancements to The Waldorf Astoria Spa and a complete restoration of the esteemed 18-hole Waldorf Astoria Golf Club. These renovations complete the property-wide ...
Marriott and Palm Hills Developments Sign Agreement to Open the Ritz-Carlton Cairo, Palm Hills in Egypt
Marriott International | December 6, 2023
Slated to open in 2027, the hotel will be located in Palm Hills West Cairo, in close proximity to the Great Pyramids of Giza CAIRO, Egypt, December 6, 2023 -- Marriott International, Inc. today announced it has signed an agreement with Palm Hills Developments to open The Ritz-Carlton Cairo, Palm Hills, signaling a commitment to strengthening its portfolio of properties across the company’s luxury brands in Egypt. “We are thrilled to work with Palm Hills Developments to bring a new level of exceptional luxury and unrivaled elegance to West Cairo,” said Sandeep Walia, Chief Operating Officer – Middle East, Marriott International. ...
California Lodging Investment Conference [CLIC] Releases 2024 Schedule
[CLIC] | December 6, 2023
COSTA MESA, Cali., December 6 , 2023—Officials of the California Lodging Investment Conference [CLIC], the only hospitality conference focused on the California hotel market, today released the agenda for the upcoming, seventh annual gathering. The conference will take place March 6-7, 2024, at the Westin South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, Calif. "The hospitality sector remains one of the hottest real estate markets in California, and savvy investors need to stay on top of trends and developments to be successful," said Craig Sullivan, founder and president, [CLIC]. "CLIC was created with this in mind, and as we do every year, we have wo...
New Host Cities Announced for U.S. Travel’s IPW
U.S. Travel Association | December 6, 2023
Two new cities and three former sites chosen as hosts for association's international travel trade show WASHINGTON (December 6, 2023)—U.S. Travel Association announced today the 2026-2030 host cities for its IPW international travel trade show: Greater Fort Lauderdale, Florida (2026), New Orleans, Louisiana (2027), Detroit, Michigan (2028), Denver, Colorado (2029) and Anaheim, California (2030). Greater Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Detroit, Michigan, will serve as first-time IPW hosts. “By serving as host site of IPW, each of these world-class cities will play a key role in growing inbound travel and strengthening the U.S. econo...
Leslie Hale, President and CEO of RLJ Lodging Trust, To Headline the Bharat Shah Leadership Speaker Series at the 35th Hunter Hotel Investment Confere
Noble Investment Group | December 6, 2023
ATLANTA (December 6, 2023) – The Hunter Hotel Investment Conference, Noble Investment Group, and Cecil B. Day School of Hospitality Administration, Georgia State University, are pleased to announce Leslie Hale, President and CEO of RLJ Lodging Trust, will join Mit Shah, CEO of Noble Investment Group, for the 10th Annual Bharat Shah Leadership Speaker Series. Ms. Hale is the President and CEO of RLJ Lodging Trust (NYSE: RLJ), one of the premier public companies in the lodging and hospitality sector. Before joining RLJ in 2005, she held senior positions with GE in their Commercial Finance Group and Real Estate Strategic Capital Group. Pre...
BWH Hotels Scandinavia’s Revenue Center Selects FLYR for Hospitality as Preferred Revenue Management System
FLYR | December 6, 2023
With FLYR’s AI-driven revenue management system, BWH Hotels Scandinavia’s Revenue Center will be able to unlock next-level decision intelligence and automation for 56 properties – delivering maximum revenue potential and operational efficiency Los Angeles, CA (DECEMBER 6, 2023) – FLYR, the AI-powered platform for travel technology, today announced that BWH Hotels Scandinavia, a leading global hospitality network that includes Best Western Hotels & Resorts (BWHR), Worldhotels, and Sure Hotels, has selected FLYR for Hospitality as its preferred Revenue Management System (RMS). This strategic decision will strengthen BWH Hotels’...
HFTP Announces BAE Ventures as Exclusive Sponsor of Entrepreneur 20X Europe 2024
HFTP | December 6, 2023
The hospitality technology start-up pitch competition will present innovative solutions to a panel of judges and audience at Digital Horizons 360 on 20 February Austin, Texas (December 6, 2023) — Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) is pleased to announce BAE Ventures as the sponsor of Entrepreneur 20X (E20X) Europe. The successful pitch competition featuring hospitality technology start-ups will conclude the first day of HFTP’s inaugural Digital Horizons 360 (DH360) symposium on Tuesday, 20 February 2024. Focused on nurturing startups within the tourism value chain by providing funding, resources and indu...
LA Homeless-in-Hotels Removed From March 2024 Ballot
AHLA | December 6, 2023
WASHINGTON (Dec. 6, 2023) – American Hotel & Lodging Association President & CEO Chip Rogers released the below statement today after the Los Angeles City Council voted to withdraw from the March 2024 ballot a union-backed measure that would have required all hotels in the city to house homeless people next to paying guests. The ballot measure was proposed by Unite Here Local 11, a union representing Los Angeles hospitality workers. Unite Here agreed to remove the ballot measure under pressure from hoteliers and the LA City Council. “For nearly two years, Unite Here created an atmosphere of dangerous uncertainty for hotel emplo...
AHLA Statement Regarding Supreme Court Decision in Landmark Hotel Case
AHLA | December 6, 2023
WASHINGTON (Dec. 6, 2023) – After the U.S. Supreme Court vacated and remanded the case of Acheson Hotels, LLC v. Laufer to the First Circuit Court of Appeals, American Hotel & Lodging Association President & CEO Chip Rogers released the following statement: “Tester lawsuits, in which plaintiffs file hundreds of legal complaints against hotels seeking quick settlements, have become a cottage industry in the United States. In this case, a hotel decided to fight this scheme and in doing so shed light on the extortive practice. The Americans with Disabilities Act is a critical civil rights law, but this case was never about leg...
Cloud5 Communications Partners With PureHD to Provide Hotels New Guestroom Entertainment Option
Cloud5 Communications | December 6, 2023
This strategic relationship further solidifies Cloud5’s reputation as the leading end-to-end provider of hospitality-focused IT solutions and services. Chicago, IL. — December 6, 2023, Cloud5 Communications, the leading provider of IT solutions and services for more than 5,000 hotels across the Americas, today announced its partnership with PureHD, a leading provider of digital, high-definition, interactive streaming solutions for the hospitality industry. Through this partnership, Cloud5 will now offer in-room entertainment, on-demand streaming, and free-to-guest television in addition to its award-winning HSIA and telecommunication...
Chicago Sees the Highest Group Volume in November, Knowland Reports
KNOWLAND | December 6, 2023
National Associations lead in meetings and events in four of the five top markets ARLINGTON, Va. — Dec. 6, 2023 — Knowland, the world’s leading provider of data-as-a-service insights on meetings and events for hospitality, reports Chicago experienced the highest volume for meetings and events, together with 8.6 year-over-year percent growth. Washington, D.C., and Phoenix were also top performers, with double-digit growth at 13.5 and 10.7 percent, respectively. Overall, the volume of U.S. meetings and events increased by a modest 5.6 percent, as expected, due to the Thanksgiving holiday. This data is sourced from Knowland’s sales i...
Four Seasons Hotel Madrid Welcomes Alejandro Bernabé as New General Manager and Regional Vice President
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts | December 5, 2023
Four Seasons Hotel Madrid announces the appointment of Alejandro Bernabé as its General Manager and Regional Vice President after more than five years as the General Manager of Four Seasons Hotel Seoul, making it his second hotel with the company. After eighteen years outside of Spain, having worked for AVANI Hotels and Kempinski Hotels & Resorts in Geneva, Bangkok, Dubai, among others, Bernabé lands in the Spanish capital with the following premise: "I'm here to take things to the next level and show the people of Madrid that our spaces and experiences are also theirs to enjoy." Bernabé is no stranger to Madrid. Hailing from Cas...
Market Trend: Refining SEM Strategies for Full-Funnel Marketing
Carly Ferranolo | December 5, 2023
By Carly Ferranolo The hospitality industry saw unprecedented travel demand in 2022. Pent-up desire to get out of the house and escape the same 10-person circle incited the masses to jump on planes to anywhere outside their 50-mile radius. As a result, the average booking conversion rate (CVR) on SEM jumped from 0.90% in 2021 to 1.40% in 2022, an increase of 56% YoY. That’s almost 3x the average during the height of the pandemic in 2020. Where did this increase in demand come from? The simple answer is the middle funnel. The marketing funnel refers to the journey a customer takes from ideation to execution of a purchas...
The Bahamas Achieves Unprecedented Tourism Success With Record-Breaking Eight Million Visitors
The Bahamas | December 5, 2023
NASSAU, Bahamas, Dec. 5, 2023 -- The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation is proud to announce a historic achievement in tourism, with the country welcoming a record-breaking eight million annual visitors this year. This remarkable success stands as a testament to the unified efforts, strategic planning, and visionary initiatives championed not only by the Ministry of Tourism but strengthened by the invaluable support of key stakeholders like the Nassau/Paradise Island Promotion, The Bahamas Out Islands Promotion Board and The Bahamas Hotel & Tourism Association. The Hon. I. Chester Cooper, Deputy Prime Ministe...
The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts Announces Its Foray Into Northeast India With the Signing of a 140-Room Hotel in Sikkim
The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts | December 5, 2023
MUMBAI, India, Dec. 5, 2023 -- The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, one of India's leading luxury hotel brands, today announced the signing of a management agreement for a 140-room hotel in Ranka in Sikkim, marking the foray of the brand into Northeast India. Owned by the SIBIN Group, the project Leela Sikkim is located approximately 10 kilometres from the capital city, on a 17-acre plot overlooking the Gangtok Hill. Slated to open in December 2026, The Leela Sikkim is set amidst the serene backdrop of the Himalayas and is poised to redefine the hospitality landscape of the region with its inspirational design, thoughtful programming a...
HVS Global Hotel Industry: 2023 Recap and 2024 Outlook
HVS | December 5, 2023
As 2023 draws to a close, regional HVS leaders across the globe take a look back at how the global hotel industry fared this year and opine on the outlook for next year. While the U.S. experienced muted 2023 RevPAR growth relative to 2022 gains, most other global markets recorded extraordinary RevPAR growth, well above 10%, primarily fueled by strong ADR gains. While transaction activity cooled across the Americas and Europe, the Asia Pacific saw a significant strengthening as this region’s markets moved beyond pandemic-era restrictions. United States By Rod Clough, President – Americas As 2023 ends, we look back on a year where hot...
Daly Seven Unveils Inaugural Dual-Brand Hotel: Hampton Inn & Suites and Home2 Suites by Hilton Durham University Medical Center
Daly Seven | December 5, 2023
DURHAM, N.C., Dec. 5, 2023 -- Daly Seven, a trailblazer in hospitality, proudly announces its debut into the dual-brand hotel landscape with the Hampton Inn & Suites and Home2 Suites by Hilton Durham University Medical Center. This milestone marks the first foray into this dynamic concept for Daly Seven, signaling a strategic leap into a highly sought-after hotel trend. Nestled off I-85 at Cole Mill Rd, this groundbreaking property, minutes from Duke University and Duke Medical Center, introduces 222 contemporary hotel rooms to the Northwest Durham area, elevating the local hospitality scene to new heights. Setting a precedent ...
Choice Hotels Welcomes The Mayfair Hotel in NYC to Ascend Hotel Collection
The Ascend Hotel Collection | December 5, 2023
Industry's First and Largest Soft Brand Continues Expansion with Opening of Mayfair Hotel NORTH BETHESDA, Md., Dec. 5, 2023-- Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) continues its growth in the upscale segment with the addition of the Mayfair Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection. The Mayfair Hotel joins the Ascend Hotel Collection's existing New York City hotels the Blue Angel Hotel, The L Hotel and the Insignia Hotel as the brand continues its growth across the city's boroughs. The seven-story, 77-room property is situated in the heart of New York City's Theatre District. Located adjacent to Broadway's renowned Eugene O'N...
Bellefield at Historic Hyde Park’s First Hotel, Inn at Bellefield, Opening January 2024
Bellefield at Historic Hyde Park | December 5, 2023
HYDE PARK, N.Y.--Bellefield at Historic Hyde Park, a $1 billion, world-class hospitality, agritourism and residential destination located directly across from the Culinary Institute of America, will soon conclude construction of its first structure, the Inn at Bellefield Residence Inn by Marriott International, a 137-room all-suite hotel with sophisticated amenities that will provide an elite lodging experience. The Inn at Bellefield is now accepting reservations starting January 14, 2024 and expects to welcome its first guests shortly thereafter. The Inn at Bellefield is a $55 million project developed by T-Rex Capital Group, LLC, in partn...
The Hospitality Industry’s Responsibility in Enhancing Disability Accessibility
Tanya Girdhar John | December 5, 2023
By Tanya Girdhar John Disability accessibility in hospitality is one of its most essential needs. According to an article by Skift more than half of hotels around the world don’t make it easy to book a room for senior citizens or guests with accessibility needs. While this may not be true for all hospitality businesses across the globe, the industry stakeholders have a responsibility to create spaces that cater to the diverse needs of their guests. In today’s inclusive world, ensuring accessibility for all is not only a legal requirement but also a moral imperative. But the concept of accessibility also impacts businesses fr...
Casa Costera, Isla Verde, Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy Opening in San Juan, Puerto Rico
Marriott Bonvoy | December 5, 2023
First apartment-style property opening in December giving travelers more stay options within the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio Just one year after announcing its intention to expand its presence into premium and luxury apartment-style accommodations, Marriott International, Inc., (Nasdaq:MAR) has begun taking reservations for its first Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy™ property. Casa Costera, Isla Verde, Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy in San Juan, Puerto Rico is expected to open its doors in the coming weeks. Located in the Isla Verde neighborhood of San Juan, the 107-unit property boasts a rooftop pool with views of the sea and mountains and ...
Rosewood Hotels & Resorts Expands Into the Oceania Region With ThreeNew Properties in New Zealand
Rosewood Hotels & Resorts | December 5, 2023
Rosewood Assumes Management of Three Iconic Resorts Rosewood Cape Kidnappers, Rosewood Matakauri and Rosewood Kauri Cliffs Marking its Highly Anticipated Debut to New Zealand Rosewood Hotels & Resorts® today assumed management of three renowned New Zealand resorts, adding Rosewood Kauri Cliffs, Rosewood Cape Kidnappers, and Rosewood Matakauri to its collection. Formerly known as Robertson Lodges, these spectacular lodges, each situated in quintessential destinations, now form an integral part of Rosewood Hotels & Resorts’ expanding portfolio. The ribbon cutting of the three lodges took place in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand at Ros...
The Riu Palace Pacifico Reopens Its Doors Following a Full Refurbishment
RIU | December 5, 2023
RIU Hotels & Resorts recently reopened the Riu Palace Pacifico, located on the heavenly Playa de Flamingos beach in Nayarit, Mexico. Following a complete refurbishment of all the hotel’s facilities, it is now an Adults-Only establishment and continues to offer RIU's well-known 24-hour all-inclusive service. The renovation of this elegant hotel, which was built in 2008, comes with new services for guests to increase the number of dining options, enhance their experience and offer a new package for guests looking to take their holiday to the next level: Elite Club by RIU. The Riu Palace Pacifico continues to be as sophisticated as ev...
Jim Rowe to Lead Sales and Marketing for Property Systems Across Jonas Hospitality Brands
Jonas Hospitality | December 5, 2023
Jonas Hospitality is excited to announce the promotion of Jim Rowe to SVP Sales & Marketing, Property Systems in a move that will bring all brands closer together under the Jonas Hospitality Brand. Jim Rowe will oversee the sales and marketing departments across brands, including Springer-Miller Systems (SMS), a leader in luxury hospitality solutions, and SpaSoft, a leading provider of spa management software in addition to Jonas Chorum, [leader in property management solutions], where he’s served as VP of Sales & Marketing for 7 years. In total, Jim has been a valued leader in the Jonas Hospitality organization for nine years. ...
