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
Nomadix Expands Hotel TV Casting With New Version of Google Chromecast
Nomadix | December 5, 2023
Solution Addresses Industry Changes from Google and Netflix without Disruption or Unnecessary Upgrades LOS ANGELES – December 5, 2023 — Nomadix® Inc., bringing connected experiences to life, today announced the expansion of its TV Casting solution. The hospitality industry has been facing two major TV Casting challenges: the end of sale for Chromecast v3 and the Netflix account-sharing policy changes. Nomadix solved both with its latest release, making it simple for guests to enjoy their own shows, including Netflix, on its hospitality-focused Nomadix Casting platform. Customizable to align with each hotel’s brand and wi...
Spark by Hilton Leverages Think Simplicity at Germantown, DC Location
Think Simplicity | December 5, 2023
Think Simplicity’s communication system provides rebranded hotel with end-to-end communication hardware and software platform BONITA SPRINGS, Fla., Dec. 5, 2023 — Think Simplicity, a cloud communication technology provider of all-inclusive voice and chat solutions for the hospitality industry, announced today Spark by Hilton™ will utilize the company’s communication platform at its Germantown Washington DC North location. Spark offers modern hospitality at a budget-friendly price. The brand brings to the metropolitan DC market a fresh, practical, and comfortable alternative for travelers seeking a convenient and high-q...
Doug Kennedy Announces Next Topic in His Webcast Training Series: Hospitality Training: 12 Steps to Reclaiming Your Spirit of Hospitality From the Gra
Doug Kennedy | December 5, 2023
Complimentary Registration Sponsored By Travel Outlook, Better Talent, and Track Hospitality Software Kennedy Training Network Inc. (KTN) announced today the topic for Doug Kennedy’s next training webcast. This month’s topic rotates back to hospitality, and it is one that a lot of our participants can relate to: 12 Steps to Reclaiming Your Spirit of Hospitality From The Grasp Of Cynicism scheduled for Monday, December 18, from Noon – 12:40pm EDT. REGISTER HERE “As we look to the start of a new year and reflect on a string of several of the most stressful years in the history of the lodging industry, I hope to remind us all why we...
UNWTO and Infecar Launch Startup Competition for Technologies and Solutions in Hotels and New Business Models
the UNWTO Startup Competitions | December 4, 2023
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is joining with Infecar (Feria de Gran Canaria) to identify entrepreneurs playing a key role in reshaping the hotel and new business model landscapes. The UNWTO Startup Competition for Tourism Technologies and Solutions in Hotels and New Business Models is open to any startup or entrepreneur worldwide. The competition will award 10 finalists with the best solutions in the categories of Innovations in Digital Hospitality and Business Models, and Sustainability Impact. Innovation and technology in the hospitality industry redefine the very essence of the guest experience, transforming hotels into hub...
Life House Selected to Operate Three Boutique Hotels in Pagosa Springs, Colorado
Life House | December 4, 2023
PAGOSA SPRINGS, Colo.--Life House is set to manage three distinguished hotels in Pagosa Springs: The Nightingale Motel, High Creek Lodge, and Pagosa River Domes. This initiative comes as part of a collaboration with Utah-based Elan Capital Partners, who hold an impressive portfolio of hospitality properties across the nation. The partnership not only accentuates Life House's ability to blend local charm with advanced hotel management techniques, but also positions the operator as a frontrunner for hoteliers seeking a partner with a proven track record of enhancing guest experience and operational efficiency. The partnership will blend Life Ho...
CHLA Highlights Excellence at 2023 Stars of the Industry Awards
The California Hotel and Lodging Association | December 4, 2023
SACRAMENTO, Calif.--The California Hotel & Lodging Association (CHLA) honored eleven hospitality leaders and four outstanding properties today during its annual Stars of the Industry Awards. “Congratulations to our 2023 winners and nominees who embody the spirit of hospitality and help make California a global industry leader,” said Lynn S. Mohrfeld, President & CEO of CHLA. “Your dedication serves as a reminder that our industry thrives when all of us are engaged and committed to excellence on a local level.” Hundreds of exemplary employees and properties were nominated by California hospitality leaders for the 2023 awa...
What’s Trending in the Food and Beverage Industry in 2024?
EHL Insights | December 4, 2023
The food and beverage industry has witnessed healthy growth over the past couple of years and with this trend there have been some significant shake-ups. The sector has evolved across all its component parts, from food preparation to packaging, restauration, home delivery, and homemade. Social media has become a powerful force that propels food trends to spread rapidly through our cultural consciousness. Whether it's those yawn-inducing people who only talk about their latest air-fryer inventions or the gorgeous gorgeous girlies of #SoupTok who proclaim their love for the velvety comfort health food (who doesn't?!). On the other side of th...
Shining in Today’s New Normal: Key Takeaways From CHICOS 2023
Benjamin Pascarella | December 4, 2023
By Kristina M. D'Amico, Benjamin Pascarella Last year’s CHICOS conference focused on the Caribbean region’s rebound from the closure of the islands due to COVID-19. However, this year’s CHICOS theme, “Shining in Today’s New Normal,” highlighted the exponential growth in arrivals and average rates in the region. A few key takeaways from this year’s conference are presented below. Record-Breaking Demand As the Caribbean hotel market has shattered occupancy, ADR, and RevPAR records, with some islands experiencing double-digit growth, there is no question the region is shining bright. During CHICOS 2022 last year, we all me...
Novotel & Mercure Darwin Airport Resort Opens in Australia Following $30M Reimagination
December 4, 2023
Airport hotels have generally been viewed as ‘pit stops’ – somewhere to rest your head before or after you’re about to catch a plane – but that has all changed with the launch of a new resort concept created out of the Novotel and Mercure hotels at Darwin Airport. Novotel & Mercure Darwin Airport Resort is set to become the perfect tropical oasis for touring the Northern Territory’s Top End following a $30 million reimagination and dramatic integration of the adjoining hotels. The hotels are owned by the Airport Development Group (ADG), which also owns Darwin Airport. The resort is located on the lands of the Larrakia Na...
IHG Partners With ALAND to Open voco Gosford in Australasia
IHG | December 4, 2023
4 December 2023: IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG) is delighted to announce the signing of the seventh voco in Australasia, partnering with leading Sydney developer ALAND to open voco Gosford in regional New South Wales in early 2025. The brand-new voco Gosford will form part of Archibald by ALAND, a landmark mixed-use development precinct overlooking the magnificent Brisbane Water. Named after Archibald Acheson, the second Earl of Gosford, the highly anticipated development covers 5,656sqm and will include 320 residential apartments, a 130-room lifestyle hotel, a portfolio of impressive hospitality venues and a podium outdoor pool with s...
Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Year for 2023 Is “Authentic”: Is Being So More Important Than Ever Before to Our Guests?
Doug Kennedy | December 4, 2023
By Doug Kennedy As the final days of slip away, how interesting it is that Merriam-Webster’s “Word of the Year” for 2023 is “Authentic,” meaning it was the “most searched” on their site. Because I failed miserably at learning a second language, I have become somewhat of an Etymologist, so I was eager to see how Merriam Webster defined it in their announcement. “Authentic has a number of meanings including ‘not false or imitation,’ a synonym of real and actual; and also ‘true to one’s own personality, spirit, or character.’” To me, this year’s announcement seems even more interesting, since 2022’s most sea...
Texas Western Hospitality Opens a Home2 Suites by Hilton in Abilene, Texas
Home2 Suites by Hilton | December 4, 2023
Texas Western Hospitality Adds to Their Presence in Abilene Abilene, TX – December 4, 2023 – Texas Western Hospitality of Addison, Texas today announced the opening of their newest property, Home2 Suites by Hilton in Abilene, Texas. Designed for travelers who want to maintain their normal routine, the hotel features 128 suites and a range of value, tech-focused and eco-conscious amenities. General Manager Amos Davis leads the management team at the Home2 Suites by Hilton Abilene Southwest for Texas Western Hospitality. Located at 3650 Cedar Run Road six miles from downtown Abilene and 10 minutes from Abilene Regional Airport, Hom...
Bowie House, Auberge Resorts Collection, Debuts in Fort Worth, Texas
Bowie House, Auberge Resorts Collection | December 4, 2023
Auberge Resorts Collection’s experience-driven, design-led luxury hotel is now welcoming guests to Fort Worth’s buzzing Cultural District FORT WORTH, TEXAS (December 4, 2023) – Bowie House, Auberge Resorts Collection, the luxury, urban retreat embodying Fort Worth’s unique character, opens its doors today – a hotel destined to become the city’s social nexus. Merging the classic Western personality of Texas with a decidedly modern feel, the hotel captures the approachable sophistication, cultural vibrancy and equestrian spirit of Fort Worth, further establishing the city as an exciting urban destination for discerning travele...
Nobu Hotel Atlanta Names Terry Buchholz as New General Manager
Nobu Hotel Atlanta | December 4, 2023
(Atlanta, GA)– December 4, 2023–Nobu Hotel Atlanta, the epitome of luxury lifestyle accommodations nestled in the vibrant heart of Buckhead, has appointed Terry Buchholzas its new General Manager. Terry Buchholz is a highly driven, successful hospitality industry leader with more than 25 years of experience, including a decade of managing independent and branded properties, overseeing multi-property operations, leading new developments, and creating strategic alliances with key stakeholders. As the General Manager at Nobu Hotel Atlanta, Terry oversees the property's daily operations, sales and marketing, finance management, and third-p...
Banyan Tree Dubai Brings 178 Guestrooms to Bluewaters Dubai Shoreline
Banyan Tree | December 4, 2023
UAE welcomes a modern beach sanctuary for the senses from Asia’s luxury hospitality leader DUBAI, UAE, 4 December 2023 – Banyan Tree, one of the world’s leading hospitality brands, is pleased to announce the opening of its first property in Dubai. Opening on the UAE’s 52nd Union Day 2 December 2023, with a full suite of dining and recreational facilities, Banyan Tree Dubai fronts the shoreline of Bluewaters Dubai– a vibrant lifestyle destination by Dubai Holding offering a mix of residential, retail, hospitality and entertainment options. Modern and streamlined in concept, the property is imbued with a strong sense of ...
SureStay Plus by Best Western Brooks Makes Its Debut in Alberta
BWH Hotels | December 4, 2023
Alberta, Canada (December 4, 2023) The SureStay Plus by Best Western Brooks has opened its doors in Brooks, Alberta, and invites travelers to experience one of the newest hotel brands in the industry – SureStay® Hotels, comprised of four distinctive brands offering traditional and longer stay travelers comfort and value while away from home. The SureStay Plus by Best Western Brooks will provide guests with an experience they can count on, and the amenities today’s travelers have come to expect. SureStay’s service promise reflects the brand and the hotel’s commitment to providing quality service and value to its guests. Located ...
Michael Gnaegi Appointed General Manager of Chatrium Grand Bangkok
Chatrium Grand Bangkok | December 4, 2023
This highly experienced industry professional joins Chatrium Hospitality’s flagship hotel following a stellar 27-year career that has included management roles in Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific Bangkok, Thailand, 4 December 2023: Chatrium Grand Bangkok, which blends the timeless grace of Thai culture with the grandeur of international luxury hospitality, is delighted to announce the appointment of Mr. Michael Gnaegi, a passionate Swiss Hotelier, as its new General Manager, effective November 2023. A graduate of École Hôtelière de Lausanne, the prestigious hotel school in Switzerland, Michael has 3 decades of leadership ...
Change Is Inevitable, Growth Is Optional
Jeff Bzdawka | December 4, 2023
By Jeff Bzdawka I was asked by my team to provide insights from the road, what I’ve seen, and what trends and challenges are looming on the horizon. I joked that I needed to dust off my crystal ball, but in reality, the only prediction I feel comfortable making is that the Green Bay Packers will not make it to the Big Game this season (wink, wink.) What I can do is provide a look at some industry challenges I’ve seen this year that will continue into 2024. As I traveled to industry shows and visited customers throughout the year, it seemed many conversations expressed frustration about the ongoing need to bring together key data sou...
AHLA Statement in Support of the No Hidden FEES Act
AHLA | December 4, 2023
WASHINGTON (Dec. 4, 2023) – American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) President & CEO Chip Rogers is speaking out today in support of the No Hidden FEES Act, which was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Reps. Young Kim, R-Calif., and Kathy Castor, D-Fla. “The No Hidden FEES Act creates a single standard for mandatory fee display across the lodging industry – from short-term rental platforms to online travel agencies, search engines, metasearch sites, and hotels. This legislation would ensure that wherever consumers shop for lodging, mandatory fees are included in the price they see. AHLA is grateful for th...
The Evolving Landscape of Hotel Reviews: Insights and Implications
Neil James | December 1, 2023
By Neil James The Shiji ReviewPro Guest Experience Benchmark Report has become the industry standard in understanding how we as an industry are managing experience. If expectations are being exceeded, guests talk about it positively and inversely; if not, reviews show it. I’ve spent some time going through the latest report, and here are my thoughts on the subject. The hospitality industry is witnessing a transformative era in how reviews and guest feedback shape its dynamics. The Report for Q3 2023 offers a comprehensive look into this evolution, revealing critical insights about the industry’s current state and future trajectory...
WTTC Statement on the Death of Henry Kissinger
The World Travel & Tourism Council | December 1, 2023
London, UK: The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) today acknowledges the influential contributions of American statesman Henry Kissinger in its founding. Kissinger's encouragement and support were instrumental in giving the Travel & Tourism sector a unified voice on the global stage. In the late 1980s, sector leaders, including James Robinson III of American Express, recognised the lack of awareness about Travel & Tourism’s economic impact within the sector and among governments. Despite being a major job provider, the sector was often seen as non-essential, with no collective data or unified representation. This led ...
U.S. Hotel Results for Week Ending 25 November
CoStar Group | December 1, 2023
WASHINGTON – 1 December 2023 – As expected due to the Thanksgiving holiday, U.S. hotel performance fell from the previous week, according to CoStar’s latest data through 25 November. CoStar is a leading provider of online real estate marketplaces, information and analytics in the property markets. 19-25 November 2023 (percentage change from comparable week in 2022): Occupancy: 49.4% (-1.4%) Average daily rate (ADR): US$138.29 (+0.9%) Revenue per available room (RevPAR): US$68.32 (-0.6%) Among the Top 25 Markets, Oahu Island saw the largest year-over-year increases in occupancy (+9.4% to 76.3%) and RevPAR (+16.3% ...
LuxUrban Hotels to Operate Two New Four-Star Boutique Hotels in New York City
LuxUrban Hotels Inc. | December 1, 2023
MIAMI--LuxUrban Hotels Inc. (“LuxUrban” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: LUXH), which utilizes an asset-light business model to lease entire hotels on a long-term basis and rent out hotel rooms in these properties in key major metropolitan cities, today announced that it has signed separate 25-year Master Lease Agreements (MLA), inclusive of two five-year options, to operate two new boutique hotels in New York City: The Royalton Hotel and the Truss Hotel. These properties will be re-branded as “The Royalton by LuxUrban” and “The Truss Hotel by LuxUrban” and are expected to begin welcoming guests early next month. LuxUrban expects bo...
HVS ANAROCK Hotels & Hospitality Overview, November 2023
Akash Datta | December 1, 2023
By Akash Datta, Dipti Mohan, Dhwani Gupta Read the latest edition of the HVS ANAROCK monthly industry update, Hotels & Hospitality Overview (H2O), for the key trends in the Indian hospitality industry. Key highlights include: In October 2023, India witnessed a notable 11% increase in domestic air passenger traffic compared to the corresponding period in the previous year. The onset of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup in the country significantly bolstered hotel occupancy in various markets hosting the matches. Consequently, national hotel occupancy rates for October 2023 exceeded pre-pandemic levels by 1-3 pp. The heigh...
