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
IHG Hotels & Resorts Partners With Nepal’s Swornim Hotels to Open the First Holiday Inn Express Hotel in Kathmandu
IHG | December 1, 2023
IHG Hotels & Resorts partners with Nepal’s Swornim Hotels to open the first Holiday Inn Express hotel in Kathmandu. Kathmandu - Nepal, 1 December 2023 - IHG Hotels and Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, today inaugurated the first Holiday Inn Express in Nepal. Holiday Inn Express Kathmandu Naxal offers modern accommodations with all the amenities to meet the needs of today’s travellers in this truly unique capital city, which is teeming with rich culture and world heritage sites. With smartly designed social spaces and vibrant guestrooms, guests can easily accomplish what they need to while on the road, whether...
IHG Opens InterContinental Bangkok Sukhumvit in Thonglor
IHG | December 1, 2023
Marrying traditional Thai craftsmanship and contemporary design to appeal to the new curious modern traveller 1 December 2023, Bangkok, Thailand: IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies with more than 6,000 hotels across 19 brands, announces the opening of InterContinental Bangkok Sukhumvit, a new luxury lifestyle destination for the discerning modern traveller. Situated in Thonglor, the property offers 241 beautifully appointed rooms and suites, and seamlessly weaves traditional Thai craftsmanship with modern international influences to create an unparalleled destination that mirrors the essence of one of ...
Hawks Cay Resort Appoints Lynne Lulfs as Vice President, Sales & Marketing
Hawks Cay Resort | December 1, 2023
Lulfs joins the legacy resort ahead of its 40th anniversary in 2024 DUCK KEY, FLA. — December 1, 2023 – Hawks Cay Resort, the largest and most iconic resort in the Florida Keys, is thrilled to announce the appointment of Lynne Lulfs as its Vice President of Sales & Marketing. Lulfs, a seasoned hospitality professional with a proven track record, joins the Hawks Cay team, bringing a wealth of experience and a deep passion for creating exceptional guest experiences. "We are delighted to welcome Lynne to our team. Her extensive experience, deep understanding of the South Florida market, and unwavering dedication to guest satisf...
Andronis Hotels Expands to Paros With Acquisition of Minois Hotel Paros
December 1, 2023
SANTORINI, GREECE – DECEMBER 1, 2023 – Andronis Hotels, a family-owned collection of luxury five-star hotels and villas in Athens and Santorini, today announced its expansion into Paros with the acquisition of Minois Hotel Paros. This strategic expansion aligns with the ongoing plan to extend Andronis presence to Milos, with a potential upscale establishment slated to debut, tentatively in 2025. Part of Small Luxury Hotels of the World™ (SLH), the most desirable community of independently spirited hotels in the world, this initiative further cements the brand’s position as the foremost independent luxury hospitality operator in Greece...
Dusit Signs With Gamuda Land for ASAI Gamuda Cove in Malaysia
Dusit International | December 1, 2023
ASAI Gamuda Cove, Gamuda Land’s maiden hotel project, will uniquely link guests with a host of eco-friendly attractions, such as SplashMania Waterpark, Discovery Park, and Paya Indah Discovery Wetlands in a beautiful location just 40 minutes by car from Kuala Lumpur city centre. Bangkok, Thailand – 1 December 2023 – Dusit Hotels and Resorts, the hotel arm of Dusit International, one of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies, has signed a Hotel Management Agreement with Gamuda Land, Malaysia’s leading property developer, to manage ASAI Gamuda Cove – Dusit’s first hotel in Malaysia and the first hotel dev...
Virgin Hotels New York City Names Denise Luna as General Manager
Virgin Hotels New York City | December 1, 2023
New York, NY (December 1, 2023) – Virgin Hotels New York City, part of the luxury-lifestyle hotel brand by Sir Richard Branson, is pleased to announce the appointment of Denise Luna as General Manager. In her new role, Denise will oversee the operations of the 460-room hotel located in the heart of Manhattan’s NoMad neighborhood. She will manage all departments, strategic planning, team development, and community engagement to further establish the hotel as a premier destination for both New Yorkers and out of town visitors, and continue ensuring the highest level of guest satisfaction and quality of service. "We are thrilled to have Den...
Jeff Senior, Gina Stouffer to Receive HSMAI Career Achievement Honors
HSMAI | December 1, 2023
McLean, VA (Dec. 1, 2023) – The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) announces the Career Achievement Awardees for the Albert E. Koehl Award for Hospitality Marketing and the Winthrop W. Grice Award for Hospitality Public Relations. These awards recognize individuals who have spent a major portion of their careers in the hospitality and travel profession and have contributed to the betterment of the industry in a significant and lasting way, over an extended period of time. Jeff Senior, a recently retired marketing executive, is receiving the Albert E. Koehl Award for Career Achievement in Hospitality Marke...
Revenge Travel Is Here to Stay, Visa Study Reveals
Visa Inc. | November 30, 2023
SAN FRANCISCO--Today Visa (NYSE: V) announced the results of its 2023 U.S. edition of the Visa Global Travel Intentions Study, revealing emerging trends in consumer behaviors and preferences for outbound and inbound cross-border travel. Travel has surged post-COVID and there are no signs of retreating, despite rising costs. According to U.S. Travel Association’s recent Travel Price Index1, travel costs have increased 4.4%, and while most Americans surveyed by Visa (73%) notice an increase in costs, only 6% of travelers plan to cancel or delay their plans. U.S. Outbound Traveler Insights: Prioritizing days away for leisure: American...
International Tourism To End 2023 Close to 90% of Pre-Pandemic Levels
UNWTO | November 30, 2023
International tourism is on track to recover almost 90% of pre-pandemic levels by the end of this year. According to the latest data from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), an estimated 975 million tourists travelled internationally between January and September 2023, an increase of 38% on the same months of 2022. The newest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer also shows: World destinations welcomed 22% more international tourists in the third quarter of 2023 compared to the same period last year, reflecting a strong Northern Hemisphere summer season. International tourist arrivals hit 91% of pre-pandemic levels in the third quarte...
Driving Profitability With Precision: AI’s Pivotal Role in Revenue Management?
Andrew Rubinacci | November 30, 2023
By Andrew Rubinacci Revenue management systems play a critical role in the hospitality industry. Traditionally, these systems attempt to predict future demand from past trends to optimize pricing. That’s a reasonable approach. But as the pandemic taught us, relying on the past to predict the future doesn’t always work - the unexpected still occurs. Now, what if I told you it was possible to predict future demand based on current trends? How would that impact your pricing strategies? We’ve come a long way since the first RMSs hit the scene. And the recent advancements in artificial intelligence have made them more powerful (and rel...
Easy Is in the Eye of the User
Shep Hyken | November 30, 2023
By Shep Hyken I recently bought a software solution. The advertising said, “Easy to install and easy to use.” It was half right. I had no problem installing the software. However, using it was a different story. The good news is that when I reached out to technical support, I had a response within minutes. Despite the quick service, after I followed the instructions, the software still wasn’t working, and the entire process was confusing. I emailed the support rep to tell him it wasn’t as easy as he thought it would be, and he responded by saying, “It should be easy.” There was a difference between him and me. This ...
Hyatt and 3H Group Break Ground on Inaugural Hyatt Studios Property in Mobile, Alabama
Hyatt Hotels Corporation | November 30, 2023
Hyatt’s first upper-midscale extended-stay brand experiencing growing pipeline with strong interest from developers CHICAGO (November 30, 2023) – Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) marks Hyatt’s entry into upper-midscale lodging in the Americas with the groundbreaking of the first Hyatt Studios property, set to open in Mobile, Ala. in early 2025. Hyatt has entered into a franchise agreement with 3H Group Inc. for Hyatt Studios Mobile/Tillman’s Corner. The Hyatt Studios brand is expected to be a key accelerator for Hyatt, building on Hyatt’s six years of industry leading net rooms growth. “We are proud to achieve this cons...
Sunscape Coco Punta Cana Celebrates Grand Opening in the Heart of the Dominican Republic
Inclusive Collection, part of World of Hyatt | November 30, 2023
The 1,059-room family-friendly resort offers guests an enchanting backdrop of coconut palms and the natural beauty of Laguna Bavaro Reserve in the idyllic Cabeza de Toro region CHICAGO (November 30, 2023) – Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) today announced the opening of Sunscape Coco Punta Cana, the newest addition to the Inclusive Collection, part of World of Hyatt. The newly remodeled 1,059-room family-friendly resort expands the Inclusive Collection’s portfolio in the Dominican Republic to 15 resorts and marks the opening of the second Sunscape Resort & Spa branded property in the country. Nestled along the pristine Bavaro ...
Hilton Reveals 2023 CEO Light & Warmth Award Winners
Hilton | November 30, 2023
MCLEAN, Va. – Hilton (NYSE: HLT) announced today the recipients of its 2023 CEO Light & Warmth Award, recognizing 15 individuals and two teams from Hilton-branded hotels. The CEO Light & Warmth Award is the company’s highest honor celebrating Hilton team members around the world who bring Hilton’s values to life through their inspiring leadership and passion for providing exceptional hospitality. In 2023, more than 700 team members from Hilton’s global managed and franchise network were nominated by their colleagues. Finalists were selected by a committee of representatives from across the company, with the winners chosen...
NexGen Hotels Acquires Best Western Plus in Venice, Florida
NexGen Hotels | November 30, 2023
Hotel Located Just a Few Miles from Pristine Gulf Beaches Venice, FL – November 30, 2023 – NexGen Hotels, a hotel development and management company based in Itasca, Illinois, today announced the acquisition of the Best Western Plus Ambassador Suites Venice. Located at 400 Commercial Court, the 83-room hotel will be managed by Genuine Hospitality Group of St. Louis, Missouri. Located five miles from historic downtown Venice and 24 miles from the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, the Best Western Plus Ambassador Suites Venice provides travelers with easy access to 14 miles of Gulf beaches, championship golf courses and numerous...
IHG Expands Its Essentials Portfolio in Chennai With the Signing of Holiday Inn Chennai Egmore
IHG | November 30, 2023
The signing will add 92-keys to Chennai’s City-Centre following conversion in 2025 30th November, 2023, New Delhi: IHG® Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has announced the signing of a management agreement with Abu Estate Private Limited to open Holiday Inn Chennai Egmore. Set to open in Q1 of 2025, the 92-keys conversion hotel reaffirms IHG’s commitment to growing presence in prime destinations across the country. Centrally located in Chennai, Egmore is an upcoming industrial area with convenient proximity to government offices, high-end residential complexes, railway station and landmark building...
Accor Signs With Mardi Holding to Introduce the Handwritten Collection in the South Caucasus
Accor | November 30, 2023
Accor, a world-leading hospitality group, today announces the signing of a cooperation agreement with Mardi Holding, one of Georgia’s largest development companies, to open a Handwritten Collection hotel on the Black Sea coast in Batumi, Georgia in 2026. Launched in January 2023, the Handwritten Collection brand represents a unique portfolio of exclusive hotels with an individual style. Handwritten Collection properties offer guests an intimate and stylish hospitality experience from local hoteliers. “We are proud to announce the signing of a Handwritten Collection property in Batumi – the first hotel under the exquisite Handwritten C...
Remington Hospitality to Manage Newly Renovated La Concha Key West, Autograph Collection
Remington Hospitality | November 30, 2023
Formerly Crowne Plaza La Concha Hotel, the Newly Rebranded Property Will Join the Marriott Portfolio Dallas, TX — November 30, 2023 — Remington Hospitality, a leading hotel management company, today announces the rebranding of Crowne Plaza La Concha Hotel in Key West, Florida, to La Concha Key West, Autograph Collection. Remington Hospitality, which managed the property previously, will continue its reputation of excellence in conjunction with sister company Premier, which is spearheading the renovation’s interior design, procurement, and project management. The project is slated for completion in early 2024. Boasting a vibrant his...
Sage Hospitality Promotes Marie DeLibero to General Manager of The Rally Hotel
The Rally | November 30, 2023
DENVER, Colo. (November 30, 2023) – Sage Hospitality Group and The Rally Hotel, located in Denver’s entertainment mega, McGregor Square, announced today that Marie DeLibero has been appointed General Manager. Previously Hotel Manager of The Rally, DeLibero is equipped with nearly a decade of hospitality experience within the destination and will oversee all aspects of operations in her new role at The Rally, from day-to-day staff and guest management to serving as an ambassador for the hotel and destination. “We are thrilled that our very own, Marie DeLibero, has been promoted to General Manager of the lively Rally Hotel,” said Tiffa...
106 Jefferson Hotel Appoints Laura Morgan as New Director of Sales and Marketing
106 Jefferson | November 30, 2023
Laura Morgan will spearhead the sales and marketing efforts at Huntsville's Luxury Boutique Hotel HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – November 29, 2023 – 106 Jefferson, a Curio Collection hotel by Hilton, managed by Valor Hospitality Partners announced today the appointment of Laura Morgan as director of sales and marketing. The 115-room lifestyle hotel in downtown Huntsville pays homage to the history, culture and charm of the city, featuring design nods to its space roots. Morgan brings over 25 years of hospitality experience to the property. As Director of Sales and Marketing, she will work with all departments at the hotel to plan and promo...
Olga Schuster Appointed Cluster Director of Sales & Marketing for Rosewood Vienna and Rosewood Schloss Fuschl
Rosewood Hotels & Resorts | November 30, 2023
Cultured hospitality executive equipped with two decades of experience to lead Vienna’s newest luxury hotel’s sales and marketing team as well as to support the opening of Rosewood Schloss Fuschl scheduled for Q2 2024 Rosewood Vienna is delighted to share the appointment of Olga Schuster as the Cluster Director of Sales & Marketing of the ultra-luxury hotel located in the heart of Austria’s capital. Olga will also lend strategic support and assistance to the team at Rosewood Schloss Fuschl, opening in 2024. Rosewood Vienna opened in August 2022, making it the fifth European property in the Rosewood Hotels & Resorts® portfoli...
Penn State To Honor Jim Risoleo, Ted Balestreri With Hospitality Industry Awards
The Penn State Hotel & Restaurant Society | November 30, 2023
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State Hotel & Restaurant Society (PSHRS) and the School of Hospitality Management will honor Jim Risoleo, president and CEO of Host Hotels & Resorts Inc., and Ted Balestreri, chairman and CEO of Cannery Row Co. and chairman, CEO and co-founder of Sardine Factory Restaurant, at the 2024 PSHRS Industry Awards and Reception. The event will take place at 4:30 p.m. on April 2, 2024, at the school’s Marriott Foundation Building among alumni, faculty, industry partners and students. Risoleo will receive the society’s Hospitality Executive of the Year Award and Balestreri will receive the Lifetime A...
PENN Entertainment Announces Groundbreaking Ceremony for Relocated Hollywood Casino Aurora
Hollywood Casino Aurora | November 29, 2023
WYOMISSING, Pa. & AURORA, Ill.--PENN Entertainment, Inc. (“PENN” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: PENN) announced today that it will host a groundbreaking ceremony for the future Hollywood Casino Aurora on November 29, 2023 at 2:45pm CT. The entirely new land-based casino, hotel and entertainment facility will replace the Company’s nearby riverboat casino when completed. The $360 million regional destination is being developed adjacent to the Chicago Premium Outlets, which attracts over eight million visitors annually, and is conveniently located near Interstate 88 in Aurora. The best-in-class facility will feature roughly 1,200 ga...
An Example of Profitable Corporate Wellness Programming
Adam and Larry Mogelonsky | November 29, 2023
By Adam Mogelonsky, Larry Mogelonsky In the post-pandemic bullwhip we are still ebbing and flowing through, one big question mark is surrounding the future of business and group travel. Gone are the days of the LOS=1 road warrior as those meetings can be cheaply substituted for videoconferencing. Instead we are seeing more LOS=3 MICE where groups are looking to actually experience a destination or add in a wellness component in order to better facilitate real conversations and more meeting productivity. This is still a very unsaturated space; while leisure has embraced wellness across most categories, business and bleisure are not there...
