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
Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino Undergoing Multimillion-Dollar Renovation and Expansion
Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino | August 12, 2024
Property-wide enhancement will introduce new tower and refined culinary concepts Palm Beach, Aruba (August 12, 2024) – Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino is undergoing a progressive resort enhancement project to further elevate the resort experience. Set to debut in fall of 2025, the $100 million property-wide re-imagination includes an expansion with a new sophisticated beachfront tower, new culinary concepts and upgrades to the existing towers’ guest rooms. “These enhancements will redefine the guest experience at the award-winning resort and further expand our legacy as a top destination for visitors to Aruba,” said Lawr...
PTM Partners and DoveHill Open Moxy St. Pete
Moxy St. Pete | August 12, 2024
PTM Partners and DoveHill have opened the doors to Moxy St. Pete, the first lifestyle hotel and first rooftop destination in St. Petersburg’s most vibrant neighborhood. ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. (August 12, 2024) – PTM Partners and DoveHill are proud to announce the opening of Moxy St. Pete, under management from the Wurzak Hotel Group. Located on Central Avenue, one of the most vibrant streets in Florida, the newly built property is the first lifestyle hotel in downtown St. Petersburg. Meticulously designed by Storyn Studio for Architecture, the hotel introduces 163 guest rooms and suites; the Edge District's first rooftop pool deck, as well...
Green Key Global Announces Inaugural Slate of Board Members
Green Key Global | August 12, 2024
WASHINGTON (Aug. 12, 2024) – Green Key Global – the only sustainability certification designed specifically for hotels – today announced its first-ever slate of board members and the appointment of Heather McCrory, a hospitality expert with 40 years of experience in the industry, as chair. McCrory recently served as CEO of Accor’s North American and Central American operations, and currently advises the hospitality industry as principal of Heather J. McCrory & Associates. She joins other top hospitality professionals who will guide Green Key Global, the world’s leading hotel sustainability certification provider, which is j...
India Projected to Lead Asia Pacific, Excluding China, in New Hotel Openings Through 2026
Lodging Econometrics | August 12, 2024
August 12, 2024 – PORTSMOUTH, NH In the Q2 2024 Asia Pacific, excluding China (APEC), Hotel Construction Pipeline Trend Report from Lodging Econometrics (LE), the total pipeline in APEC has hit a record 2,056 projects with 406,118 rooms, marking a 6% increase in projects and a 1% rise in rooms year-over-year (YOY). Currently, 864 projects with 199,784 rooms are under construction in the APEC region. Projects scheduled to start construction in the next 12 months have risen to 358 with 65,853 rooms, up 23% by projects and rooms YOY. Projects and rooms in the early planning stage have soared to a record-high 834 projects with 140,481 roo...
Hospitality Financial Leadership The Number 1 Financial Mistake Hoteliers Make
David Lund | August 12, 2024
Now that’s a big statement to put out there, but I’m very confident that I’m pretty close to 100% correct with my observations. The reason why I’m so sure is that I know most hoteliers are not financial people and they are oblivious to the issue I am going to explain. On top of that – I see this all the time. It’s also pretty clear that most hoteliers don’t have an accounting background and knowing this fact prompts me to write this piece and hopefully clear up the picture for others. The catalyst for my article is the many discussions I've had with my clients over the years around this topic. Here is the...
Hospitality Asset Managers Association (HAMA) Opens 2024 Student Case Competition
HAMA | August 12, 2024
More than 40 Undergraduate and Graduate-Level Programs Invited to Participate NEWTON, Mass., Aug. 12, 2024—Officials of the Hospitality Asset Managers Association (“HAMA”) today announced that it has now accepting submissions for the 19th Annual HAMA Student Case Competition. Participating students from more than 40 undergraduate and graduate programs nationwide are given a return on investment scenario to analyze and formulate a recommendation to improve the business. This year, HAMA has partnered with HotStats for benchmarking data and LARC for a market forecast of Boston. These industry leading firms have provided critical rep...
How Much Should a Hotel Website Cost?
Lodging Interactive | August 12, 2024
Lodging Interactive offers a SaaS model where a hotel pays a nominal fee upfront and continues with monthly payments for the term of the contract, after which the website is fully owned by the property. Thanks to website and hosting technology advancements over the past 15 years, spending tens of thousands of dollars to build a high-converting hotel website is no longer necessary. This is important for hotel marketers to understand, as they typically allocate less than 5% of their annual budget to marketing. “Independent hotels typically allocate about 4-5% of their total revenue to their overall marketing budget. Within this budget, ...
InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta Appoints Kurt Schwan as Director of Sales and Marketing
InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta | August 8, 2024
The Award-Winning Buckhead Hotel Welcomes Atlanta Hospitality Sales Leader Kurt Schwan ATLANTA, GA. (August 8, 2024) – Intercontinental Buckhead Atlanta is proud to announce the appointment of Kurt Schwan to Director of Sales & Marketing. Schwan is a seasoned hospitality veteran with twenty years of experience within the Atlanta, Georgia market working for notable luxury, convention and lifestyle brands such as Hilton Hotels & Resorts and various brands under the Marriott International umbrella. Kurt joined InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta in this leadership role April 29. "Today, we are thrilled to announce the appointment of o...
Corporate Travel Industry Must Embrace Emerging Technology to Remain Competitive and Accelerate Growth According to New Research From GBTA and Cvent
The Global Business Travel Association | August 8, 2024
Report outlines the importance of technology in the business travel industry as a disruptor and enabler with artificial intelligence and blockchain at the top of the emerging technology list The time for technology to transform, disrupt and accelerate business travel growth is here – according to a new study, “The Future is Now: Technological Transformation in Corporate Travel,” published today by the Global Business Association GBTA, the world’s premier business travel and meetings trade organization, and made possible by Cvent, an industry-leading meetings, events, and hospitality technology provider. Based on a survey of bus...
Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi Welcomes Uday Rao as Regional Vice President and General Manager
Four Seasons | August 8, 2024
In the vibrant heart of Tokyo, where tradition meets modernity, Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi announces a new chapter in its storied legacy with the appointment of Uday Rao as Regional Vice President and General Manager. Rao, a seasoned leader whose journey with Four Seasons began more than three decades ago, now returns to a country that has always held a special place in his heart. Uday’s role is multifaceted and expansive. From his base at Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi, he will oversee operations across Japan, including the iconic properties in Marunouchi and Kyoto, as well as the new Four Seasons in Osaka. "My job i...
STR, TE Maintain 2024-25 U.S. Hotel Forecast
STR | August 8, 2024
NASHVILLE – STR and Tourism Economics made slight adjustments to the 2024-25 U.S. hotel forecast just released at the 16th Annual Hotel Data Conference. For 2024, projected gains in average daily rate (ADR) were downgraded 0.1 percentage points, while revenue per available room (RevPAR) was held steady at +2.0% year over year. Occupancy for the year was upgraded 0.2 ppts, after the previous forecast projected a year-over-year decline in the metric. For 2025, the occupancy growth projection was also lifted (+0.2ppts), while the forecast for ADR and RevPAR increases were kept at +2.0% and +2.6%, respectively. “Midscale and Eco...
U.S. Hotel Results for Week Ending 3 August
CoStar Group | August 8, 2024
WASHINGTON – 8 August 2024 – The U.S. hotel industry reported slightly positive comparisons year over year, according to CoStar’s latest data through 3 August. CoStar is a leading provider of online real estate marketplaces, information and analytics in the property markets. 28 July through 3 August 2024 (percentage change from comparable week in 2023): Occupancy: 69.4% (+0.8%) Average daily rate (ADR): US$159.63 (+0.6%) Revenue per available room (RevPAR): US$110.84 (+1.3%) Among the Top 25 Markets, Houston saw the highest year-over-year increases in occupancy (+28.1% to 75.8%) and RevPAR (+45.7% to US$93.88...
MHG Hotels Acquires Homewood Suites Bloomington, IN
MHG Hotels | August 8, 2024
Bloomington, IN – August 8, 2024 – MHG Hotels is proud to announce the acquisition of the Homewood Suites Bloomington, located at 1399 Liberty Drive, Bloomington, IN. This well-regarded property is ideally positioned near Indiana University, providing easy access to the campus, sports events, and cultural attractions. Sanjay Patel, President and CEO of MHG Hotels, commented, "This acquisition reinforces our commitment to expanding our footprint in key markets. We are excited about the opportunities this property presents in Bloomington, especially given our strong presence in the area with existing hotel, apartment community, and anothe...
Summer Trip Length and Spending Both on the Rise in 2024
Allianz Partners | August 8, 2024
Average Trip Length Expected to Grow to 4.6 Nights as the Amount Spent on 3-Night Trips Nearly Doubles Over Two Years RICHMOND, Va., Aug. 8, 2024 -- Americans are planning to take longer stretches of time off this summer, according to Allianz Partners USA's 16th Annual Vacation Confidence Index. New research indicates that travel remains a strong priority based on an increase in both average trip length and average spend on room nights, with staggering splurge statistics reported for three-night getaways. Travelers splurge on 3-night trips, nearly doubling their average spend over the last two years. As both trav...
Choice Hotels International Reports Second Quarter 2024 Results
Choice Hotels International, Inc. | August 8, 2024
Raises Midpoint of Full-year 2024 EPS Guidance Global Rooms Pipeline up 22% and Openings up 20% Year-over-Year NORTH BETHESDA, Md., Aug. 8, 2024-- Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), one of the world's leading lodging franchisors, today reported its second quarter 2024 results. Highlights include: Total revenues reached $435.2 million for second quarter 2024, a quarterly record and a 2% increase compared to the same period of 2023. Net income increased 3% to $87.1 million for the second quarter of 2024, representing diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.80, a 9% increase compared to the same period of 2023. Sec...
IHG Hotels & Resorts Welcomes Verno House Budapest to Vignette Collection
IHG Hotels & Resorts | August 8, 2024
IHG Hotels & Resorts is proud to welcome Verno House Budapest to Vignette Collection, part of its luxury and lifestyle portfolio – now the second largest in the world. A boutique retreat in the heart of the city, Verno House Budapest, Vignette Collection will this summer mark the Hungarian debut of IHG’s first collection brand, a fast-growing family of distinct hand-picked hotels each offering one-of-a-kind stays in destinations to remember. Vignette Collection properties are unique in their identity, yet united by the vision to offer a more authentic way to travel. Verno House Budapest, Vignette Collection presents an urban oas...
Ennismore Signs First All-Inclusive SLS Resort in Mexico’s Playa Mujeres
Ennismore | August 8, 2024
SLS Playa Mujeres, located in the private beach destination north of Cancún, will be Ennismore’s first all-inclusive resort in the Americas. SLS Playa Mujeres Cancún will open on November 1st and introduce a new kind of all-inclusive to Mexico, offering guests an elevated and luxurious experience. Ennismore, the fastest-growing lifestyle and leisure hospitality company, is delighted to announce the signing of SLS Playa Mujeres Cancún, the SLS brand’s first step into the all-inclusive resort experience, opening on November 1st. This signing also marks the first all-inclusive destination for Ennismore in the Americas as part of Enn...
The Kimpton Sawyer Hotel Appoints Sam Shafer as Executive Chef
The Kimpton Sawyer Hotel | August 8, 2024
SACRAMENTO, CALIF. (August 8, 2024) – The Kimpton Sawyer Hotel announces the appointment of Sam Shafer as Executive Chef of Revival at the Sawyer, the hotel’s rooftop restaurant and bar. Embodying casual cool luxury, Revival at the Sawyer features an airy, open floorplan and a beautifully landscaped pool deck, creating a vibrant atmosphere with natural textures and lively energy. With over 16 years of experience throughout the Golden State’s hospitality landscape, Shafer brings a wealth of expertise, creativity and passion to his new position. He will oversee Revival’s spirited menu focused on inventive New American dishes spanni...
Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal Appoints Erik Rivera as Director of Food and Beverage
Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts is an award-winning portfolio of more than 30 iconic properties that creates a unique sense of place with a relentless commitment to sincerely elegant service, one-of-a-kind experiences and culinary mastery in landmark destinations around the world. Inspired by their timeless environments, Waldorf Astoria hotels deliver an effortless experience seamlessly, creating a true sense of place for guests through stunning architecture, Peacock Alley, refined art collections, Michelin-starred dining and elevated in-room amenities. In addition to the brand’s world-class hotel offerings, Waldorf Astoria boasts a global residential portfolio that provides the comfort of a private home combined with unsurpassed amenities and high-touch service. Waldorf Astoria is part of Hilton, a leading global hospitality company. Experience an unforgettable stay at Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts by booking at waldorfastoria.com or through the industry-leading Hilton Honors app. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits. Learn more about Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts at stories.hilton.com/waldorfastoria, and follow the brand on Twitter and Instagram. | August 8, 2024
Rivera to Oversee all Culinary Outlets and Events at the Award-Winning Luxury Beach Resort LOS CABOS, MX (AUG 8, 2024) – Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal is proud to announce the appointment of Erik Rivera as Director of Food and Beverage at the award-winning beachfront resort. Rivera brings a wealth of experience and passion for hospitality to this role, with a proven track record of success in the luxury hospitality and culinary industry. As Director of Food & Beverage, Rivera will oversee the day-to-day operations of the resort’s multiple culinary outlets including the award-winning cliff-side dining restaurant El Farallon, sig...
Rosewood Hotels & Resorts Announces Expansion in the Caribbean With Rosewood Exuma
Rosewood Hotels & Resorts | August 8, 2024
In partnership with Miami-based Yntegra Group, Rosewood Exuma will open in 2028 to unveil the brand’s elevated approach to experiential travel Exuma, a pristine archipelago of 365 islands in the Bahamas, has long been a haven for sophisticated globetrotters and seafarers. Today, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts is pleased to name the destination as the latest addition to the brand’s Caribbean portfolio with the announcement of Rosewood Exuma, a private island experience that will fuse together the best of both ultra-luxury and adventure travel. Imagined in partnership with Yntegra Group, a Miami-based private investment company, the new dev...
Kimpton Partners With JMA Ventures and Machete Group to Develop New Kimpton Orlando
Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants | August 8, 2024
ATLANTA (Aug. 8, 2024) – Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ fast-growing luxury and lifestyle portfolio, announces today a new partnership with JMA Ventures and Machete Group to develop the boutique luxury brand’s first location in Orlando. The new hotel will be located adjacent to the Kia Center arena, as part of Westcourt’s new mixed-use sports and entertainment development that will offer a variety of expansive experiences for visitors and locals alike. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in Westcourt's commitment to offering guests the most-elevated hotel stay directly in the heart o...
MOP by Visual Matrix Helps Hoteliers Achieve Efficiencies in a Strained Labor Market, Industry Adoption Grows by More than 400%
Visual Matrix | August 8, 2024
Visual Matrix MOP continues to improve hotel operations, optimize guest satisfaction, and set new standards for worker safety Richardson, Texas, August 8, 2024 – Visual Matrix, a leading provider of advanced technology solutions for the hospitality industry, has increased the growth of its MOP technology 440 percent since Visual Matrix acquired the technology in November 2021. MOP is now used at more than 1,000 hotels representing than 33 brands in the industry, including Wyndham, Hilton, Marriott, IHG, Choice, and more. “MOP was designed to help hoteliers overcome the many operating challenges they face today, in addition to the crunch...
May 2024 Total International Travel Volume To and From the United States
International Trade Administration | August 8, 2024
Outbound Travel Departures from the United States by U.S. Citizens Totaled 9,265,840 in May 2024, an Increase of 9.7 percent Compared to May 2023 Data recently released by the National Travel and Tourism Office show that in May 2024, International Arrivals to the United States Total non-U.S. resident international visitor volume to the United States of 6,068,711 increased +12.7 percent compared to May 2023 and represented 90.5 percent of the pre-COVID total visitor volume reported for May 2019. Overseas visitor volume to the United States of 3,042,475 increased +17.5 percent from May 2023. May 2024 was the thirty-e...
Latin America Hotel Construction Pipeline Expands With 11% YOY Growth – Updated New Openings Forecast
Lodging Econometrics | August 8, 2024
August 8, 2024 – PORTSMOUTH, NH The Q2 2024 Latin America construction pipeline trend report from Lodging Econometrics (LE) indicates a positive growth trajectory for the region’s hospitality sector, with stable growth in new hotel openings forecast through 2026. This projected growth is supported by the region’s expanding construction pipeline, currently standing at 612 projects (97,597 rooms), marking an 11% increase in projects and a 10% increase in rooms year-over-year. At the end of the second quarter, Latin America has 253 projects with 44,319 rooms under construction, reflecting an 11% YOY increase in projects and a 15% inc...
