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
The Hotel Group and Hogback Development Company Purchase Land to Develop Marriott StudioRes in Moses Lake, Washington
The Hotel Group | August 30, 2024
MOSES LAKE, WA – August 30, 2024 – The Hotel Group, an affiliate of Hotel Equities, in partnership with co-owners Hogback Development Company, is thrilled to announce it has acquired land to develop a Marriott StudioRes in Moses Lake, WA. StudioRes is Marriott International's new midscale, extended stay lodging brand appealing to investors for its focus on the short-term rental market and building/design efficiencies. The smart, modern, all-studio hotel will feature spacious suites providing an exceptional option for travelers seeking convenience, comfort, and flexibility- especially for longer stays- in the central Washington market. ...
Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows Reopens on Maui Following Property Refresh
TableOne Hospitality | August 30, 2024
KAANAPALI, MAUI - [August 30, 2024] Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows, one of Maui’s first resorts and a historically celebrated retreat for royalty, is thrilled to announce its reopening and exciting new developments as it welcomes guest to rediscover the wonders of Maui. The 27-acre oceanfront resort reopens its doors with the debut of two new culinary venues: Lahaina Noon, a vibrant oceanfront restaurant, and Pineapple Moon, a relaxed poolside bar. These offerings, conceptualized by TableOne Hospitality under the direction of renowned restaurateur Patric Yumul, promise to elevate the culinary landscape of Kaanapali Beach. Followin...
My Place Hotels of America Expands Into Vermont With My Place Hotel-Randolph, VT
My Place Hotels of America | August 30, 2024
ABERDEEN, SD — August 30, 2024 — My Place Hotels of America has opened My Place Hotel-Randolph, VT in Randolph Center, VT. It is the first My Place property to open in Vermont and 74th open and operating My Place property in the United States. My Place Hotel-Randolph, VT is owned by Randolph Hospitality LLC and was developed by Realty Development Services LLC. The hotel is managed by Cornerstone Hospitality, which additionally manages two other My Place properties. The 64-key My Place Hotel-Randolph, VT, was developed to match the aesthetic of the region, with exterior architectural treatment specifically selected to complement the Gre...
Hotels To Celebrate National Hotel Employee Day
AHLA | August 30, 2024
WASHINGTON (Aug. 30, 2024) – Top hotel industry groups, including the American Hotel & Lodging Association, the Asian American Hotel Owners Association, the National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators & Developers, and the Latino Hotel Association, will recognize National Hotel Employee Day today and throughout the weekend along with hoteliers across the country. AHLA and the National Day Calendar established National Hotel Employee Day in 2022 to honor the nearly two million employees who work in America’s hotel industry. It is observed annually on September 1. Every day in communities across the nation, hotel empl...
IHG Hotels & Resorts and Hotel Management International Partner To Rebrand Three Hotels to ANA Crowne Plaza
IHG | August 29, 2024
29 August 2024 – Tokyo, Japan: IHG ANA Hotels Group Japan (IHG) today announced a landmark partnership with Hotel Management International Ltd (HMI), who operate a diverse portfolio of properties across Japan, to rebrand three hotels to the ANA Crowne Plaza brand expanding IHG’s footprint into three new destinations. Totalling 539 rooms, the three Crown Palais hotels will undergo extensive renovations as they convert to ANA Crowne Plaza Kochi, ANA Crowne Plaza Chiryu and ANA Crowne Plaza Hamamatsu. They will join an extensive footprint, of more than 20 ANA Crowne Plaza hotels across Japan and more than 400 Crowne Plaza hotels worldwid...
Developing a Social Media Plan for Your Hotel
Stephanie Sparks Smith | August 29, 2024
In the past article, we discussed who should be in charge of the social media for your hotel. Whether you are tasking your in-house team or outsourcing to an agency, resources must be determined to dedicate to social media. This includes resources of both time and money. Now, it is time to make and execute a plan. Developing a Content Strategy While you are likely to quickly post your upcoming holiday deal, slow down. A good rule of thumb is no more than 20% of your posts should be an offer. Think first of your audience. Who are your followers? What are the challenges you are solving for them? What do they care about? Many ...
HFTP Announces 2024 CHAE of the Year Award Recipient: Samantha Sheffield
HFTP | August 29, 2024
HFTP is thrilled to announce Samantha Sheffield, CHAE as the recipient of the 2024 Certified Hospitality Accountant Executive (CHAE®) of the Year Award for her outstanding achievement. The CHAE of the Year award honors the individual that scored the highest on the CHAE certification exam within a given year. She will be recognized at the HFTP 2024 Annual Convention, taking place this October 23-25 at the Mohegan Sun Resort and Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut. Sheffield is the CFO and assistant general manager at Bay Colony Golf Club in Naples, Florida, a position she has held since October 2019. During this time, she has also been...
U.S. Hotel Results for Week Ending 24 August
CoStar Group | August 29, 2024
WASHINGTON – 29 August 2024 – The U.S. hotel industry reported positive comparisons year over year, according to CoStar’s latest data through 24 August. CoStar is a leading provider of online real estate marketplaces, information and analytics in the property markets. 18-24 August 2024 (percentage change from comparable week in 2023): Occupancy: 66.1% (+1.7%) Average daily rate (ADR): US$154.80 (+2.7%) Revenue per available room (RevPAR): US$102.30 (+4.5%) Among the Top 25 Markets, Houston saw the highest year-over-year occupancy lift (+31.7% to 76.1%). Driven by the Democratic National Convention, Chicago po...
In Customer Service, It’s Not the Destination – It’s the Journey
Shep Hyken | August 29, 2024
Ralph Waldo Emerson, the American philosopher, is often credited with saying, “It’s not the destination, it’s the journey.” The idea is that the journey is just as important—maybe even more so—than arriving at the destination. I recently attended a lecture by a magician who shared his “secrets” for creating a show that people want to come back and experience again and again. The message was clear. No matter how amazing the tricks are, it’s the personality and patter (the words used throughout the show) that make people laugh and entertain them along the way—as in the journey created on the way to the end of a t...
Aspen One Appoints Jeff Toscano as CEO of Aspen Hospitality
Aspen Hospitality | August 29, 2024
ASPEN, Colo., Aug. 29, 2024-- Aspen One, the parent company of Aspen Hospitality, Aspen Skiing Company, and Aspen Ventures is pleased to announce the appointment of Jeff Toscano as Chief Executive Officer of Aspen Hospitality. Toscano is a veteran hospitality leader perfectly suited to lead the next phase of Aspen Hospitality's rapid growth. Toscano will join the team in a transition from current leader Alinio Azevedo starting on September 16th. Jeff brings three decades of experience in the luxury lifestyle market and is known for his ability to create, manage, and scale a variety of assets. He has worked deeply with hotel management...
Brunfels Hotel, a Boutique Property in the Heart of Mainz’s Historic Old Town, Opens as Part of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt
Hyatt Hotels Corporation | August 29, 2024
Joining Hyatt’s award-winning loyalty program, World of Hyatt, Brunfels Hotel will fuse cherished traditions with contemporary sophistication to deliver an elevated experience for urban explorers CHICAGO (August 29, 2024) – Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced today the opening of Brunfels Hotel at the center of Mainz’s enchanting Old Town. The opening marks the latest development in Hyatt’s continued portfolio growth in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, and is the newest addition to The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand. The third Hyatt property in the city, Brunfels Hotel will be an ideal haven for curious trave...
Marriott Signs With Fametro Group for Conversion of Iconic Tropical Hotel Manaus to a Tribute Portfolio Hotel
Marriott International, Inc. | August 29, 2024
Slated for a phased opening starting at the end of 2024, the property will revive the iconic Amazonian charm of the former Tropical Hotel Manaus, now under the Tribute Portfolio Hotel brand. Marriott International, Inc. and the Fametro Group, led by Wellington Lins and Maria do Carmo Seffair, announced a signed agreement to convert an iconic property in the capital city of the Amazonas to a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, a collection brand within the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio known for providing hotels that are designed to reflect the character and community of their surrounding locations. “As the capital city of the Amazonas, Manaus serv...
Viewline Resort Snowmass, an Autograph Collection Hotel, Appoints New General Manager, Gregg Fracassa
Viewline Resort Snowmass | August 29, 2024
ASPEN, CO. (August 29, 2024) – Viewline Resort Snowmass, an Autograph Collection Hotel and mid-mountain resort in the heart of Colorado’s Snowmass Village, announces the appointment of Gregg Fracassa as General Manager. With over 25 years of experience, Fracassa brings his passion for community and genuine relationships to the sophisticated 254-room Viewline Resort Snowmass, where he will oversee day-to-day operations. In his new role as General Manager, Fracassa will lead the strategic implementation of key business initiatives, along with forthcoming operational updates and his contagious enthusiasm for innovative approaches to hospital...
Hilton Plans Expansion to New Country in the Caribbean and Latin America With Dual Brand Signing in Guyana
Hilton | August 29, 2024
GEORGETOWN, Guyana and MIAMI – Today, Hilton (NYSE: HLT) announced the signing of the dual brand Hilton Georgetown and DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Georgetown, as the company’s first hotels in Guyana. Owned by an affiliate of Assets Group and managed by Hilton, the properties’ combined 411 keys will form part of an oceanfront, mixed-use business and entertainment complex in the country’s capital. With this strategic signing, Hilton continues its rapid expansion in the Caribbean and Latin America (CALA) region, where it currently has more than 225 open hotels welcoming guests. “We believe in investing in Guyana, a country poised...
Key International and Wexford Real Estate Investors Launch Renovation of Fort Lauderdale Marriott Pompano Beach Resort & Spa
Key International | August 29, 2024
Pompano Beach, Fla. August 29, 2024– Key International and Wexford Real Estate Investors have initiated the renovation of the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Pompano Beach Resort & Spa. This comprehensive project will completely reimagine the beachfront resort pool and spa, all 219 guest rooms and suites as well as the lobby, restaurant, bar and guest arrival experience. The development firms tapped design studio Urban Robot Associates, known for redesigning The Boca Raton Beach Club, the 1 Hotel Beach Club, The Standard Residences and Pastis Wynwood. “We are thrilled to start this significant renovation project,” said Diego Ardid, C...
Hospitality Upgrade Announces the Recipient of the John Cahill Student Seat for the 2024 CIO Summit
The CIO Summit | August 29, 2024
College of Hospitality, University of Nevada, Las Vegas Student Selected ATLANTA, August 29, 2024– Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) and Hospitality Upgrade today announced the recipient of the 2024 John Cahill student seat is Andrew Pham, a student at the College of Hospitality, University of Nevada in Las Vegas (UNLV). In its 22nd year, the upcoming CIO Summit will be held Sept. 4-6, 2024, at the Thompson Hotel by Hyatt in Nashville, Tennessee. The John Cahill Honorary Seat is awarded to one distinguished student from a selected university or four-year college with a hotel program. This student is recommend...
The Power of Persistence: A Revenue Manager’s Lesson From Milan
Fabian Bartnick | August 28, 2024
By Fabian Bartnick A skill every revenue manager needs! I forgot about it. Now it's back :-) It all began during our journey to Milan last week. My family and I were listening to the Million Dollar Weekend podcast, which featured a discussion about the power of follow-up and how every “no” can breed countless opportunities for sales. Downside none, upside unlimited. It was an insightful session, but it wasn’t until later that evening, when we took the tram home from seeing the city, that the lesson truly hit home. The Persistent Power of a Nine-Year-Old After we arrived in Milan and settled in, went for dinner and took the tr...
Here’s Why Your Fancy Hotel Website Is Not Converting
Simone Puorto | August 28, 2024
By Simone Puorto And if that sounds just like business common sense, a ton of studies and industry literature prove that this simple integration can boost conversion rates up to 40% (source: AZDS Interactive Group ). ONYX Hospitality Group observed a 40% increase in conversion rates following the integration of SynXis into their site; similarly, TFE Hotels experienced a 21% rise in conversion rates after redesigning their websites with integrated booking engines, while Loews Hotels & Co saw a 30% increase in direct bookings. And the list goes on Ad Infinitum. Quoting these case studies might seem overkill, as this is a no...
Hospitality Industry Statistics To Have on Your Radar 2024
EHL | August 28, 2024
The hospitality industry is a vast sector with many different sub-sectors that include recreation, lodging, entertainment, food and beverage which are constantly evolving. Due to the overwhelming amount of data available today, it has become increasingly challenging for industry players to gather all the necessary hospitality statistics to keep up with the latest trends. As a result, staying informed and up-to-date has become an impossible task. Despite being an exhilarating career path with many avenues that demand a diverse skill set, the hospitality industry is currently struggling to fill open positions. This is partly due to the chan...
Australia’s Hotel Capital Markets See Bifurcation Across 1H 2024
JLL | August 28, 2024
In the current hotel investment environment, we’re witnessing just how crucial strong underlying real estate fundamentals are when it comes to desirability amongst investors and resultant pricing. Like what’s being experienced across the broader CRE sector, certain assets are standing out amongst the pack. As we discussed in our previous article, year-to-date Australian transaction volumes remain subdued as the cost of debt drives a bifurcation of hotel capital markets, with the mid-markets (≤A$40 million) segment of the market having been the most active for the year to date and seeing the greatest depth in capital. Hotel fundame...
InterContinental Hotels & Resorts To Return to Serbia Following 20 Year Absence
IHG Hotels & Resorts | August 28, 2024
28.08.24, London, UK: IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, proudly announces the return of its InterContinental Hotels & Resorts brand to Serbia after 20 years, in partnership with Delta Holding. Expected to open by the end of 2026, InterContinental Belgrade will feature 203 rooms, including 28 Premium Rooms, 15 Junior Suites, 2 Superior Suites, 2 Executive Suites and a Presidential Suite with panoramic views of the city, providing luxury stays designed for both leisure and business guests. The hotel’s timeless architecture and unique features will include a breathtaking sky pool, rooftop restaur...
IHG Hotels & Resorts Makes Brand Debut in Maldives With Vignette Collection
IHG Hotels & Resorts | August 28, 2024
The 50-key Noku Maldives resort will join IHG’s first collection brand in December 2024 following landmark partnership with Roxy-Pacific Holdings Pte Ltd Maldives – 28 August 2024 - IHG Hotels & Resorts announces a partnership with Roxy-Pacific Holdings Pte Ltd – a real estate and hospitality leader in Asia Pacific – to introduce its Vignette Collection brand to the Maldives. The conversion deal will see Noku Maldives, Vignette Collection, a 50-key private villa resort on the idyllic island of Kudafunafaru, join IHG’s Luxury & Lifestyle portfolio, one of the world’s largest, in December 2024 after refurbishment ...
Dusit Hotels and Resorts and Generator and Freehand Hotels Enter Strategic Development Partnership
Dusit Hotels and Resorts | August 28, 2024
By leveraging each other’s strengths, both companies aim to break new ground and plant flags in destinations where they have yet to have a presence. Bangkok, Thailand, 28 August 2024 – Dusit Hotels and Resorts, the hotel arm of Dusit International, one of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies, and Generator and Freehand Hotels, an award-winning developer and operator of experiential hostels and boutique hotels in Europe and the USA, have entered a strategic partnership to synergise their development resources to pursue sustainable international growth for their respective brands. Under the partnership,...
Mr. Shridhar Nair Appointed Senior Vice President and General Manager at The Leela Ambience Gurugram Hotel & Residences
Shridhar Nair | August 28, 2024
Transforming luxury experiences: Shridhar Nair brings three decades of expertise to his new role Gurugram, August 28, 2024: The Leela Ambience Gurugram Hotel & Residences is delighted to welcome Shridhar Nair in the role of Senior Vice President and General Manager. In his new position, Nair will be based in Gurugram, directly leading The Leela Ambience Gurugram while also overseeing The Leela Ambience Convention Hotel, The Leela Mumbai, The Leela Gandhinagar, Mahatma Mandir Convention Centre Complex, and The Imperial Club by The Leela. With Nair stepping into his new role, The Leela Ambience Gurugram Hotel & Residences is poised ...
