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
Iberostar Beachfront Resorts Unveils New Hotel Branding Approach
Iberostar Group | July 10, 2024
Iberostar Waves, Iberostar Selection and JOIA by Iberostar are the three new brand segments all with Iberostar's dedication to quality, service and its strong social and environmental commitment. Enables customers to select the hotels, experiences, and services that best suit their beachfront holiday aspirations. Palma de Mallorca, July 10, 2024: Iberostar Beachfront Resorts today announces an important evolution of its brand identity and hotel portfolio segmentation. This development reinforces the company’s commitment to creating happy and memorable holiday experiences for its customers. The updated approach is embedded with f...
Why Soft Skills Are the New Hard Skills in Hospitality
Benjamin Robert | July 10, 2024
By Benjamin Robert What is more important for your career progression today? High-tech skills for working with AI and Big Data or learning to work well with others and solve problems? The answer may surprise you. While it’s true that learning to use the latest technology is a big focus for upskilling these days, the skills that matter most for the future of work are not hard skills; they are people skills and cognitive skills known as soft skills. With technological advances shaping the future of the workforce landscape, the definition of essential skills is changing rapidly. Where technical abilities once reigned supreme, soft skills...
Driftwood Hospitality Management Enters Kentucky Market With Management Assignment for New $75M Canopy by Hilton Downtown Louisville
Driftwood Hospitality Management | July 10, 2024
Louisville, Ky. (July 10, 2024) – Driftwood Hospitality Management (DHM), an international leader in hotel operations and management, announces it will assume management operations for the Canopy by Hilton Downtown Louisville (“Hotel”), a $75 million, 168-key hotel in the heart of the city’s historic district. With more than 80 properties in its portfolio, the Hotel is DHM’s first assignment in Kentucky and is scheduled for completion in Q4 2024. The expansion into Kentucky showcases DHM’s capabilities in hospitality management across numerous assets in domestic and international markets. Exceeding brand standards while working ...
Cologne Hotel ADR and RevPAR Reached Record-High Thanks to Euros
CoStar Group | July 10, 2024
WASHINGTON – 10 July 2024 – Pushed by the 2024 UEFA European Football Championship, Cologne’s hotel industry recorded its highest monthly average daily rate (ADR) and revenue per available room (RevPAR) on record, according to June preliminary data from CoStar. CoStar is a leading provider of online real estate marketplaces, information, and analytics in the property markets. June 2024 (year-over-year % change): Occupancy: 81.2% (+7.9%) ADR: EUR174.18 (+35.5%) RevPAR: EUR141.47 (+46.2%) In addition to the all-time highs in monthly ADR and RevPAR, occupancy was the highest for the market since November 2019. ...
Formula One Drove Barcelona Hotel ADR and RevPAR to All-Time Highs in June
CoStar Group | July 10, 2024
WASHINGTON – 10 July 2024 – Thanks to a boost from the annual Spanish Grand Prix, Barcelona's monthly average daily rate (ADR) and revenue per available room (RevPAR) reached all-time highs, according to preliminary data from CoStar. CoStar is a leading provider of online real estate marketplaces, information, and analytics in the property markets. June 2024 (year-over-year % change): Occupancy: 87.3% (+1.7%) ADR: EUR 231.30 (+11.4%) RevPAR: EUR201.84 (+13.3%) The Grand Prix pushed occupancy to 95.3% on Saturday, 22 June, matching for the monthly high with the night of a Rammstein concert on Tuesday, 11 June. The level...
Atlantis Paradise Island Unveils $150 Million Resort-Wide Renovation
Atlantis Paradise Island | July 10, 2024
Redefined Atlantis Casino, The Royal Guestrooms, Paranza, and Bar Sol Debut at the Iconic Resort PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas, July 9, 2024- Atlantis Paradise Island, the most iconic resort destination in the Bahamas and the Caribbean, has completed a $150 million resort-wide transformation, including updates to the casino, guestrooms, restaurants and lounges. The resort unveiled refashioned guestrooms at The Royal, Atlantis' iconic towers; an entirely redefined Atlantis Casino; and Paranza, a new restaurant at The Cove, where the esteemed Michelin-starred chef Michael White brings his culinary mastery to the table. The updates...
Xenia Hotels & Resorts Completes Disposition of Lorien Hotel & Spa
Xenia Hotels & Resorts | July 10, 2024
ORLANDO, Fla., July 10, 2024-- Xenia Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: XHR) ("Xenia" or the "Company") today announced it has completed the disposition of the 107-room Lorien Hotel & Spa in Alexandria, VA, for $30 million, or approximately $280,000 per key. The sale price represents a 21.3x multiple and a 3.1% capitalization rate on Hotel EBITDA and Net Operating Income for the trailing twelve months ended May 31, 2024, respectively. Proceeds will be utilized for general corporate purposes, which may include share repurchases, debt repayment, capital expenditures and acquisitions consistent with the Company's long-term strategy....
The Retro Motel Trend With Hotel Zazz in Albuquerque
Adam and Larry Mogelonsky | July 10, 2024
With the recent Fourth of July holiday, we bring you a story of true American success in hospitality. The Hotel Zazz in Albuquerque, New Mexico, which opened in Fall 2022, is emblematic of the retro motel trend that has captured the hearts of drive-to-vacationing millennials and Gen Xers, alongside other independents like The Vagabond Hotel in Miami, The Dive Motel in Nashville, Skyview Los Alamos in California and Thunderbird in Marfa, Texas as well as multi-property brands like Bluebird and Urban Cowboy. Right along the famed Route 66, all of the 48 guestrooms are imaginatively decorated with colorful, eclectic finishings while the public s...
Marriott International and Eagle Hills Sign Agreement to Bring Ritz-Carlton Reserve to Ramhan Island, Abu Dhabi
Marriott International, Inc. | July 10, 2024
Marriott International, Inc. and Eagle Hills announced the signing of an agreement to open the first Ritz-Carlton Reserve in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Anticipated to open on Ramhan Island, an exclusive waterfront destination in Abu Dhabi, the property will offer a secluded escape complete with expansive views across the azure waters of the Arabian Gulf. “Together with Eagle Hills, we look forward to bringing Ritz-Carlton Reserve to the UAE and offering intimate and transformative experiences in an ultra-luxury setting,” says Sandeep Walia, Chief Operating Officer – Middle East, Marriott International. “This monumental signing...
Maximizing Group Sales With Automation: How Hotels Can Win Big Even With Small Teams / Mike Pavicich
Mike Pavicich | July 10, 2024
By Mike Pavicich, Director, Global Sales at SalesAndCatering.com, LLC Delaying the automation of your sales and catering operations might seem harmless, but it could be a costly mistake in the fast-paced Hospitality Sales industry. Waiting now means risking falling behind and struggling to catch up later. Early adopters of Sales & Catering systems are already reaping the benefits, gaining a significant edge over their manual counterparts. They effectively manage sales tasks and understand their clients better, a crucial factor for crafting well-timed, personalized interactions. In the end, they build and manage their sales strategies mo...
Why Hotels Should Master the Fundamentals of Guest Experience Before Adding the Bells and Whistles
Joe Vargas | July 10, 2024
By Joe Vargas, SVP & General Manager, Infor Hospitality NBA legend Michael Jordan is famous for his thrilling game style, but he didn’t get there without mastering the basics of the sport. As he famously said, “You can practice shooting eight hours a day, but if your technique is wrong, then all you become is very good at shooting the wrong way. Get the fundamentals down, and the level of everything you do will rise.” The same can be said for the hospitality industry. Innovative features undoubtedly have the potential to elevate guest experiences to new heights. However, hotel executives aiming to close the experience gap must ...
JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa Welcomes Sebastian Mena as Director of Food & Beverage
JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa | July 10, 2024
SAN ANTONIO - July 10, 2024 - The JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa is pleased to announce Sebastian Mena as the new Director of Food & Beverage. In this position, Mena will oversee the operations of the resort’s outlets: 18 Oaks, Cibolo Moon, Crooked Branch, High Velocity, Nourish Food Trailer, Replenish Spa Bistro, Rivertop Bar & Grill, the on-site Starbucks, in-room dining, la fresca poolside dining, and the newly opened FIAMME Pizzeria. Formerly the Director of Food & Beverage at JW Marriott Marquis Miami & Hotel Beaux Arts, Autograph Collection, Mena led the Culinary, Event Management, and Banquets ...
Gretchen Walker Named Director of Sales & Marketing for Montage Deer Valley
Montage Deer Valley | July 10, 2024
PARK CITY, Utah (July 10, 2024) – Montage Deer Valley is pleased to announce the appointment of Gretchen Walker as Director of Sales & Marketing. With over three decades of experience in luxury hotels and resorts, Walker will be responsible for Montage Deer Valley’s overall revenue and yield strategies, while overseeing implementation and results. “Gretchen is an excellent addition to our executive team and to the Montage Deer Valley family,” said Joseph Mattioli, General Manager of Montage Deer Valley. “With her long tenure in the hospitality industry, extensive sales and marketing background, and personal and professional ...
Garden District’s Pontchartrain Hotel Appoints Matthew Iacobucci as General Manager
The Pontchartrain Hotel | July 10, 2024
NEW ORLEANS (July 10, 2024) – The Pontchartrain Hotel is pleased to announce the appointment of Matthew Iacobucci as its new General Manager. A seasoned hospitality leader, Iacobucci brings a wealth of experience working with leading brands across the United States, and has held positions throughout the front of house from Director Food & Beverage to Director of Operations. “I'm thrilled to work at such an iconic property in New Orleans' Garden District. The building's history, charm, and design provide our guests with an authentic New Orleans experience. Whether you're enjoying amazing rooftop views, top-notch jazz acts, or catchi...
Pendry Chicago Appoints Simon Firmin as Director of Sales and Marketing
Pendry Chicago | July 10, 2024
CHICAGO, IL (JULY 10, 2024) – Pendry Chicago is pleased to announce the appointment of Simon Firmin as Director of Sales and Marketing. In his role, Firmin is responsible for implementing innovative strategies to garner business from meetings, events and leisure clientele, while driving growth and greater awareness to the hotel situated within the iconic Carbide & Carbon building. “We’re delighted to welcome Simon to the Pendry Chicago family,” said Stephen Blackford, general manager at Pendry Chicago. “His passion for hospitality, innovative approach to sales and marketing, and deep understanding of the luxury market, especia...
Protea Hotels by Marriott Strengthens Footprint with Two New Openings in South Africa
Protea Hotels by Marriott | July 10, 2024
CAPE TOWN, South Africa, July 10, 2024/ — To celebrate its 40th birthday, Protea Hotels by Marriott announced the opening of its first property in Angola while further strengthening its portfolio in South Africa with a new property in Pretoria. The newest additions – Protea by Marriott Luanda and Protea by Marriott Pretoria Hatfield – will offer business and leisure travellers the chance to experience the vibrant local cultures and warm hospitality, along with exceptional accommodation, modern amenities and world-class service. Protea Hotels by Marriott, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s distinguished portfolio of over 30 extraordinary bra...
Minor Hotels Signs With Boulevard Hotel Company Limited To Introduce NH Hotels & Resorts Brand to Bangkok
Minor Hotels | July 10, 2024
NH Bangkok Sukhumvit Boulevard will be the first NH in Bangkok, second in Thailand, as Minor Hotels maps the brand’s expansion outside of Europe and the Americas Bangkok, July 8, 2028: Global hospitality group Minor Hotels announces the signing of a management agreement with Boulevard Hotel Company Limited for a hotel in central Bangkok, Thailand. The signing will introduce Minor Hotels’ NH Hotels & Resorts brand in the Thai capital and will be the second NH property in Thailand after the NH Boat Lagoon Phuket Resort. Located in the vibrant heart of Bangkok’s bustling commercial and shopping district, just off Sukhumvit Road, ...
Marriott International Highlights ESG Progress in Annual Serve 360 Report
Marriott International | July 10, 2024
Marriott International, Inc. (Nasdaq: MAR) (“Marriott”) today released its 2024 Serve 360 Report highlighting the company’s global Environmental, Social, and Governance (“ESG”) efforts and progress toward its 2025 Sustainability and Social Impact Goals. The Report reflects data for the calendar year ended December 31, 2023. The Report can be accessed here. This year, the Report features an “Around The World Highlights” addendum, which showcases ESG initiatives spanning each of the company’s regions – Asia Pacific excluding China; Caribbean & Latin America; Europe, Middle East & Africa; Greater China; and United ...
Third Annual International Society of Hospitality Consultants’ Celebrating Diversity Scholarship Awarded to Jessica Duan of Georgia State Univer
ISHC | July 10, 2024
New York — July 10, 2024 — The International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC) in conjunction with the authors of Hotel Investments – Issues & Perspectives, NYU International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference. and AHLA Foundation have awarded the third annual Celebrating Diversity Scholarship to Jessica Duan of Georgia State University and Osman Milla of the University of the District of Columbia. The Celebrating Diversity Scholarship was established in 2022 to pave the way for two students to attend the annual NYU International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference, operated by Questex in partnershi...
Dr. Bryan K. Williams Inspires HITEC Charlotte Attendees With Engaging Keynote
Dr. Bryan K. Williams | July 10, 2024
Washington DC (July 10, 2024): HITEC North America recently held its conference and exposition on June 24-27 at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte. It attracted over 5,900 industry professionals, making it the largest event of its kind in the world. Dr. Bryan K. Williams was the opening Headliner speaker and challenged all attendees to always set high standards, and create an engaging service culture on their teams. The topic was "Be a Mountain Climber: Tips to Overcome Any Barrier." The keynote focused on leaders who want to refocus themselves and their teams to provide a consistently engaging customer experience. Williams’ bi...
Sports Tourism Drives Las Vegas Year-Over-Year Growth in Meetings for June With a 22.2 Percent Uptick, Knowland Data Shows
Knowland | July 10, 2024
Louisville leads secondary markets with 72.73 percent year-over-year growth fueled by financial industry events ARLINGTON, Va. — July 10, 2024 — Knowland, the world’s leading provider of data-as-a-service insights on meetings and events for hospitality, reported that Las Vegas took the lead in meeting volume growth with a solid 22.2 percent increase for June year-over-year (YoY). Ranked second, St. Louis, Mo. saw a 12 percent increase in YoY growth. This data is sourced from Knowland’s sales intelligence platform and designed to help hoteliers protect and grow their revenue base. There was an increase in total square footage us...
E20X North America 2024: A Showcase of Innovation in Hospitality Technology
Hospitality Net | July 9, 2024
Event Date: June 26, 2024 Venue: Charlotte Convention Center, Charlotte, N.C., USA Sponsored by: Hospitality Net On June 26, 2024, the Charlotte Convention Center buzzed with energy and innovation as eight ambitious entrepreneurs presented breakthrough business concepts at E20X North America. Sponsored by Hospitality Net, this event was part of the expanding Entrepreneur 20X (E20X) program, designed to reinvigorate the hospitality technology industry. Purpose and Format: E20X North America aimed to boost innovation in the hospitality technology sector. The competition featured eight entrepreneurs pitching their ideas to a roo...
Marriott International Launches ‘Business Access by Marriott Bonvoy’ To Ease Travel Management Process for Small to Medium-Sized Businesses
Marriott International | July 9, 2024
The Program combines the benefits of the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio with a suite of travel tools to seamlessly book, manage, and expense business travel. Marriott International today announced the launch of Business Access by Marriott Bonvoy™ (“the Program”), a comprehensive online travel booking program designed as a direct channel for small to medium-sized businesses. The Program combines an expanded booking experience with benefits and rewards available only through Marriott Bonvoy’s award-winning travel program and portfolio of brands. Starting today, Business Access by Marriott Bonvoy is available to small to medium-sized busin...
These 100 Hotels Were Voted Best in the World by T+L Readers — and 16 of Them Are in the U.S.
Travel + Leisure | July 9, 2024
Hotels in Asia, India, and the United States got the most attention from T+L readers in the annual “World’s Best Awards” survey for 2024. By Paul Brady and Jess Feldman Travel + Leisure readers are going global. In this year’s World’s Best Awards, readers’ favorite hotels span far and wide, with 38 countries making an appearance on the 2024 list. Properties in destinations like India and Southeast Asia are among the highest scorers this year, along with 16 stellar U.S. properties. At each hotel, voters were wowed by the style and the service of the top 100: Every winner scored higher than 97 on our 100-point survey. How ...
