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
Bringing New Energy to The Meadowlands in Northern New Jersey
Patricia Shih | September 25, 2023
By Patricia Shih The new Meadowlands Convention Center development has been proposed for the former Izod Center site in the Meadowlands Sports Complex. This major mixed-use project, which has an estimated $1.6-billion development cost, is planned to feature a 460,000-square-foot convention center, a headquarters hotel, and potentially two additional hotels. This proposed development is anticipated to generate roughly $30 billion in spending over a 30-year period. The project must next be reviewed and approved at the state level. Local officials are enthusiastic about this opportunity to reinvigorate the Meadowlands and northern New Jers...
HVS Conference Takeaways: The Lodging Conference 2023
Rod Clough | September 25, 2023
By Rod Clough With contributions from Eric Guerrero, Josh Williams, Neil Flavin, Zabada Abouelhana, James Rebullida, and Aleisha Smith Harry Javer and team executed another stellar Lodging Conference at the beautiful JW Marriott Desert Ridge, where over 2,700 attendees gathered to ponder and map the future of our great industry. We were thankful to sponsor such an important meeting, and I was honored to take the main stage at its start to share my perspectives on the direction of cap rates, discount rates, and values. Here are our takeaways from the conference: There is a notable disconnect at present between buyer and sel...
Hilton Signs With Annexum To Develop Two New Hotels in Rotterdam
Hilton | September 25, 2023
Mainport Hotel Rotterdam, Curio Collection by Hilton and DoubleTree by Hilton Rotterdam Centre To join Hilton’s portfolio in the Netherlands ROTTERDAM, Netherlands and MCLEAN, Va. – Hilton (NYSE: HLT) has signed a franchise agreement with Annexum to develop two hotels totalling 480 rooms in Rotterdam. Mainport Hotel Rotterdam, Curio Collection by Hilton and DoubleTree by Hilton Rotterdam Centre are due to open in 2024 following renovations, during which both hotels will remain operational and will be trading as Hilton affiliate hotels. Investment manager Annexum recently acquired the two hotels, which will become the first properties u...
Omni Charlottesville Hotel Undergoes $15 Million Renovation
OMNI | September 25, 2023
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (September 25, 2023) – Omni Charlottesville Hotel will soon debut its $15 million renovation of its guest rooms, public spaces, dining venues and meeting space. The hotel renovation’s design combines historic traditions with contemporary touches, drawing inspiration from Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello and the city’s rich culture. “Our team is very excited about this renovation and appreciates the many elements that honor Charlottesville’s history and traditions while also adding modern enhancements,” said Paul Maher, General Manager for Omni Charlottesville Hotel. Upon arrival in the main lobby, guests...
Marriott International Signs Agreement To Open Two Luxury Properties in Trojena, The Mountains of NEOM
Marriott | September 25, 2023
Marriott International, Inc. announced it has signed an agreement with NEOM to open two luxury properties in Trojena, NEOM’s mountain destination located in the north-west region of Saudi Arabia. The agreement includes Saudi Arabia’s first W Hotel, and a JW Marriott property. “We are excited to work with NEOM to develop these two exciting properties in one of the most highly anticipated developments in the world,” said Chadi Hauch, Regional Vice President, Lodging Development, Middle East, Marriott International. “W Hotels continues to redefine the luxury hospitality sector, and NEOM is an ideal fit with its vision centered aroun...
Xavier Moulin Appointed Managing Director of The Joseph, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Nashville
The Joseph | September 25, 2023
The Joseph, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Nashville Nashville, TN (September 11, 2023) – The Joseph, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Nashville, is pleased to announce the appointment of Xavier Moulin as its new Managing Director. With an impressive career in the hospitality industry spanning 25 years and eight countries, Moulin brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his new role at the renowned downtown hotel, voted readers' number one favorite hotel in Nashville for two consecutive years in the Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards 2022 and 2023. Moulin holds a Hospitality Management degree from the prestigious Ecole Hôtelière de Lau...
HSMAI Foundation Launches Century Campaign Fundraising Initiative
The HSMAI Foundation | September 25, 2023
Building a Bridge to Our Brightest Future FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: McLean, VA (Sept. 25, 2023) – The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) Foundation has announced the launch of its Century Campaign, a five-year fundraising effort ahead of the organization’s upcoming 100th anniversary in 2027. Donations to the Century Campaign will be used to further the mission of the Foundation and its efforts to attract new talent, develop emerging talent, and engage existing talent in the hospitality sales, marketing, and revenue optimization professions. “The Century Campaign pays tribute to the organization’s l...
Cendyn Elevates Their Hotel Digital Marketing Offering With Seamless Integration of Google Performance Max for Travel Goals
Cendyn | September 25, 2023
Paris, France – September 25, 2023 – Cendyn, a catalyst for digital transformation in the hospitality industry, is excited to announce the game-changing integration of its digital ads management platform with Google Performance Max for Travel Goals. This integration marks a pivotal moment for its customers, promising to reshape how they connect with their audiences and drive conversions across their digital channels. As a longstanding Google Premier Partner, Cendyn has established itself as the first to offer this innovative integration for the industry. By empowering hoteliers to easily enhance their visibility across all Google adv...
LuxUrban Hotels Adds Three New Properties To Trademark Collection® by Wyndham
LuxUrban Hotels Inc. | September 22, 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, announced today that the Hotel 57 in New York City, the Condor Hotel in Brooklyn, and the Lafayette Hotel in New Orleans have been re-branded as “The Hotel 57, Trademark Collection® by Wyndham,” “The Condor Hotel, Trademark Collection® by Wyndham,” and “The Lafayette Hotel, Trademark Collection® by Wyndham,” respectively. Inclusive of these three properties, the Company has onboa...
Deloitte: Travel Leaders Embrace Automation and Tech As Workforce Challenges Continue To Weigh on Industry
Deloitte | September 22, 2023
Amid ongoing labor concerns, airline and hospitality leaders leverage digital and technology solutions to enhance traveler experience NEW YORK, Sept. 22, 2023 -- Key takeaways Travel providers are leveraging next-gen technology to alleviate workforce constraints: Nearly all airports and half of hotels surveyed are adopting new technology to bridge the labor gap. Despite increased reliance on automation, only one-third of those surveyed expect it to reduce the size of their staff in the next five years, and most expect technology to improve the work experience and create new opportunities for frontline workers. Technolo...
Hilton Appoints Alejandro Larrondo as General Manager of Hilton Cancun Mar Caribe All-Inclusive Resort in Mexico
Hilton | September 22, 2023
CANCUN, Mexico and MCLEAN, Va. – September 22, 2023 – Hilton announced the appointment of Alejandro Larrondo as general manager of the 540-room Hilton Cancun Mar Caribe All-Inclusive Resort, expected to join Hilton’s all-inclusive portfolio on October 23rd 2023. Centrally located in Cancun’s popular hotel zone, the beachfront resort features world-class culinary concepts and bars, family-friendly amenities, multiple pools, a refreshed spa and more. A hospitality industry veteran with 24 years of experience, Larrondo most recently served as a multi-property general manager at Santiago Marriott & Courtyard Santiago Las Condes, wh...
Cedric Nubul Named as Area Manager for Brazil and General Manager of Hilton Rio de Janeiro Copacabana and Hilton Barra Rio de Janeiro
Hilton | September 22, 2023
SAO PAULO, Brazil and MCLEAN, Va. – September 22, 2023 – Hilton announced the appointment of Cedric Nubul as area manager for Brazil and general manager of Hilton Rio de Janeiro Copacabana and Hilton Barra Rio de Janeiro. As area manager, Nubul will be responsible for leading and inspiring the teams across a portfolio of five managed Hilton multi-branded hotels in Brazil, while also managing operations of the two hotels in Rio de Janeiro. “ A hospitality industry veteran with 22-years of experience, Nubul most recently served as general manager of Hilton Singapore Orchard, the largest Hilton in the Asia Pacific, where he led the succ...
Matthew McGuigan Appointed General Manager of Romer Waikiki at The Ambassador in Hawaii
Romer | September 22, 2023
HONOLULU, HI (September 22, 2023) – Highgate, a leading hotel management, investment and development company, has appointed Matthew McGuigan as General Manager of Romer Waikiki at The Ambassador. In his new role, McGuigan will oversee all operations and management of the highly anticipated property, scheduled to open October 1, 2023. An innovative and authentic professional with over 25 years of experience, McGuigan joins Romer Waikiki from the Ala Moana Hotel by Mantra in downtown Honolulu, where he served as Hotel Manager for the past five years. Prior, he served as Hotel Manager at the Roosevelt Hotel Seattle, Director of Rooms at The...
Coast Hotels Appoints Dale Prout as Director, Development
Coast Hotels | September 22, 2023
Vancouver, B.C. – September 22, 2023 – Coast Hotels Limited, a fully owned subsidiary of APA Hotel Canada, Inc. and one of North America’s fastest-growing and one of Canada’s largest hotel brands, is pleased to announce the appointment of Dale Prout as Director, Development, located in California. In his new role, Dale will focus on growing Coast Hotels’ portfolio of franchised and managed hotels in North America specifically targeting key locations throughout the West Coast of the USA to support the company’s exponential growth and expansion strategy. “On behalf of everyone at Coast Hotels, we are delighted that Dale has ta...
Colorado’s Westin Denver Downtown Debuts Multimillion-Dollar Renovation
WESTIN DENVER DOWNTOWN | September 22, 2023
DENVER – SEPT. 22, 2023 – The Westin Denver Downtown recently completed a property-wide, multimillion-dollar renovation resulting in a complete transformation of the guest experience. Located in the heart of Downtown Denver, the renovation includes refreshed guest rooms, a brand-new lobby space with a green living wall and grand staircase, as well as a new meeting space with floor-to-ceiling windows. Throughout the design, by Parker Torres Design, natural elements and urban materials are incorporated to reflect the nearby Rocky Mountain landscape. “The Westin Denver Downtown has been a pillar of the Denver hospitality landscape sin...
Louisville, Kentucky Highland’s Neighborhood Welcomes the Opening of the Myriad Hotel
the Myriad Hotel | September 22, 2023
Louisville, K.Y., September 22, 2023 – Weyland Ventures, in partnership with the Common Bond Hotel Collection, is excited to announce the opening of the Myriad Hotel in Louisville's Highlands district. The 65-guest-room hotel is a unique and cleverly designed refuge crafted for the urban nomad seeking a dynamic and laid-back retreat. An experienced team will provide guests with a one-of-a-kind experience where they can stay, swim, sip, and supper, all while learning to expect the unexpected. The Myriad Hotel will offer two restaurant and bar concepts, Paseo and Switchboard, a signature retail concept and event space, Bar Keep, pool ...
Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts Opens Le Méridien Phuket Mai Khao Beach Resort in Thailand
Le Méridien Phuket Mai Khao Beach Resort | September 22, 2023
Nestled on the soft sands of Mai Khao Beach on the island's northwest shore, this chic resort invites couples, families and groups to explore the wonders of Southern Thailand PHUKET, THAILAND, September 22, 2023 – Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts, part of Marriott Bonvoy's global portfolio of 31 extraordinary hotel brands, proudly announces the opening of Le Méridien Phuket Mai Khao Beach Resort, which introduces a new era of culturally-infused hospitality to Phuket’s stunning sunset coast. Nestled in the golden sands of Mai Khao Beach and surrounded by the natural beauty of Sirinat National Park, the resort provides a serene t...
Hyatt Announces Plans for First Hyatt House Hotel in Australia
Hyatt House | September 22, 2023
Ideally located on the doorstep of the Central Business District, Hyatt House South Melbourne will offer guests everything they need for short or long-term stays CHICAGO (September 22, 2023) – Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) today announced that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into an agreement with an affiliate of Holder East Ltd for a Hyatt House hotel in Melbourne, Australia. Expected to open in 2025, the 97-guestroom Hyatt House South Melbourne will mark the entry of the Hyatt House brand in the country, demonstrating Hyatt’s growth of its select service brands in the Asia Pacific region. Purposely designed for guests seeking ...
New York State’s Sullivan Catskills Visitors Association Reports Remarkable Surge in Tourism Spending
the Sullivan Catskills Visitors Association | September 22, 2023
Continues to Surpass Pre-Pandemic Levels of Visitor-Generated Revenue SULLIVAN CATSKILLS — [September 22, 2023] — The Sullivan Catskills Visitors Association is thrilled to announce a significant increase in tourism spending that has invigorated the region's economy and positioned it as a premier travel destination. Sullivan County has witnessed a remarkable surge in tourism, highlighting its enduring appeal and unique offerings to visitors from near and far. According to recent data compiled by Tourism Economics, traveler spending in Sullivan County in 2022 (the most recent data available) grew 25.8 percent, an increase of 154.4 percen...
Development Launched for Club Med Tinley, the First Club Med Resort in South Africa
Club Med | September 22, 2023
The hospitality landscape in South Africa is about to be redefined with the upcoming launch of Club Med Tinley, the first Club Med resort in the country, with a distinctive combination of beach and safari experiences. This ground-breaking development is a result of a collaborative partnership between the esteemed operators, Club Med, and the Collins Residential Consortium, developers of Club Med Tinley. As the first of its kind in the country, this all-inclusive resort is poised to make contributions to the region, ushering in opportunities for job creation and sustainable growth. Club Med, the renowned pioneer in all-inclusive holidays, ha...
Canada Hotel Occupancy Reached Four-Year High in August
CoStar Group | September 22, 2023
WASHINGTON – September 21, 2023 – Canada’s hotel industry reported its highest occupancy level since August 2019, according to CoStar’s August 2023 data. CoStar is a leading provider of online real estate marketplaces, information and analytics in the property markets. August 2023 (percentage change from August 2022): Occupancy: 77.4% (+1.4%) Average daily rate (ADR): CAD226.04 (+5.8%) Revenue per available room (RevPAR): CAD174.87 (+7.2%) “Although year-over-year growth has moderated from earlier this year, performance improvement in August was still a considerable achievement against stronger metrics from las...
U.S. Hotel Results for Week Ending 16 September
CoStar Group | September 22, 2023
WASHINGTON – 22 September 2023 –U.S. hotel performance increased from the previous week, according to CoStar’s latest data through 16 September. CoStar is a leading provider of online real estate marketplaces, information and analytics in the property markets. 10-16 September 2023 (percentage change from comparable week in 2022): Occupancy: 67.7% (-2.2%) Average daily rate (ADR): US$161.15 (+2.3%) Revenue per available room (RevPAR): US$109.07 (+0.1%) Among the Top 25 Markets, Oahu Island saw the largest year-over-year occupancy increase (+7.4% to 83.6%). Helped by Dreamforce 2023, San Francisco posted the h...
Phoenix, AZ: A Decade of Investor Confidence Pays Off
ZABADA N. ABOUELHANA | September 22, 2023
By Zabada N. Abouelhana, McKenna Luke, Aleisha Smith Phoenix has come a long way in the last decade, developing a diverse and welcoming economy that has allowed the city and surrounding communities to outperform other top-25 markets. Area officials and industry partners have made a concerted effort to grow the metro in a meaningful and multi-faceted way beyond the somewhat stable demand drivers of the former decades that slowed the recovery from the Great Recession. Furthermore, operators and officials were able to capitalize on the Super Bowl held in 2015 to grow overall RevPAR to a pre-pandemic high in 2019. Demand during that period w...
Five Trends Shaping the Hospitality Landscape in 2024
WATG | September 22, 2023
Rissai Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve nestled in Jiuzhaigou, China, was the host venue for a high jewellery exhibition curated for high-net-worth travellers. Photo Courtesy of Rissai Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve Singapore, 22 September 2023 – WATG, the preeminent leader in integrated luxury hospitality design since 1945, has revealed five emerging trends that will shape Asia Pacific’s hospitality industry in 2024 and beyond. With the return of travel, consumer preferences and expectations have evolved as indicated by the increased demand for all things responsible yet purposeful. This heightened sense of self-awareness and personal ...
