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Skyscanner Report Reveals How US Will Spend, Plan and Enjoy Travel in 2021
Skyscanner | April 28, 2021
MIAMI - April 28, 2021 - Skyscanner's Horizon Report reveals the hottest traveler trends for summer 2021, using the latest data and insights as well as expert opinion from Skyscanner and the wider industry. A one-off, survey of over 5,000 people worldwide provides insights into the hearts and mind of travelers. TRAVELERS ARE GIVING THEMSELVES A "FREE" UPGRADE US travelers are spending less, with the average fare purchased coming in at 21% less than it did pre-pandemic. US travelers are choosing to "upgrade" their travel, opting for fares on average 20% more expensive than the lowest shown to them for...
SOVA “The Social Hotel” Readies for Summertime Debut in Downtown Dallas
SOVA Hotels | April 28, 2021
DALLAS - April 28, 2021 - A new type of hotel, fresh to the shores of America, is on the way and it is on the brink of openings its doors in Downtown Dallas this May. Travel is frequently synonymous with adventure and SOVA Hotels has the singular goal of providing guests with more stories than anywhere else. This boutique hotel incorporates elements from all over the world and ties them together to offer a sense of community and comfort. SOVA guests stay in micro-rooms, and in exchange for smaller spaces receive luxurious elements sourced from around the world at a noticeably lower rate. Guests check in at the lively SOVA bar and are giv...
Accor Appoints Stephen Alden as CEO Raffles & Orient Express
Accor | April 28, 2021
Accor announces the appointment of Stephen Alden to the role of Chief Executive Officer Raffles & Orient Express, effective May 3rd. Stephen Alden will report directly to Sébastien Bazin, Chairman and CEO, and will become a member of the Group Executive Committee. Alden, who most recently created and launched the Dedica Anthology brand in 2017, encompassing a portfolio of nine distinctive properties across Europe, will now be heading Raffles & Orient Express brands. He will further build both brands through exceptional programming, dedicated team cultures and accelerated growth. Sébastien Bazin, Accor Chairman & CEO de...
GLo Enid OK Downtown/Convention Center Hotel Opens in Oklahoma
Best Western Hotels & Resorts | April 28, 2021
Enid, Oklahoma – April 28, 2021 – Best Western® Hotels & Resorts today announced that its GLō brand continues to light the way in providing leading boutique offerings to the state of Oklahoma with the addition of the new-construction GLō Enid OK Downtown/Convention Center Hotel. GLō is designed for the connected traveler in mind, delivering a modern and seamless stay with its tech-centric design, upgraded amenities and innovative shared spaces, along with a bold and bright aesthetic that is meant to both energize and relax today’s savvy travelers. “Our GLō brand continues to expand at a rapid pace, and we’re thrilled to...
Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Completes Top-to-Bottom Multi-Phase Renovation
Sheraton Hotels & Resorts | April 28, 2021
PHOENIX, Ariz. – April 28, 2021 – Sheraton Phoenix Downtown, Arizona’s largest hotel located in the heart of downtown, has been reimagined from top-to-bottom as part of Sheraton’s worldwide transformation of its guest experience vision. The newly renovated hotel, one of the first to display Sheraton’s new signature key elements, brings hope and renewal to the community as they prepare for a revival in tourism. Drawing on its roots as a community hub for locals and guests at flagship locations globally, the new approach for Sheraton creates an intuitive and holistic experience with places to connect, be productive and feel part of ...
Donohoe Hospitality Services to Manage Newly Built Cambria Hotel Washington D.C. Capitol Riverfront
Donohoe Hospitality Services | April 28, 2021
BETHESDA, MD – April 28, 2021 – Thomas Penny, III, President of Donohoe Hospitality Services, a division of Donohoe, today announced the addition of the newly built Cambria Hotel Washington D.C. Capitol Riverfront to its growing portfolio. The 154-guestroom hotel is located at 69 Q Street SW, between Capitol Hill and the Anacostia River, east of The Wharf complex and west of Washington Navy Yard. Situated in one of the nation’s oldest and most diverse communities, the hotel was designed to celebrate the neighborhoods rich history and preserve the story of this historic waterfront community that dates to the 1700s. “It was very impo...
Pivot Plans June Opening of The Kimpton Harper Hotel in Downtown Fort Worth
Pivot | April 28, 2021
FORT WORTH, TX – April 28, 2021 – The highly anticipated Kimpton Harper Hotel debuts in downtown Fort Worth on June 2, 2021. Development Services Group, Inc., based in Memphis, TN, acquired the architectural landmark near Sundance Square from XTO Energy and oversaw the adaptive reuse to convert it from an office building into The Harper Hotel. Originally built in 1921 in the heart of downtown Fort Worth as the headquarters for Farmer’s and Mechanics Bank, the reimagining of this striking building coincides with the 100th anniversary of its original completion. The Harper Hotel is managed by Pivot, the lifestyle operating vertical of...
Hotel Amarano Appoints Peter Kolla as New General Manager
HOTEL AMARANO BURBANK-HOLLYWOOD | April 28, 2021
Burbank, CA. - April 28, 2021 - Hotel Amarano, the only Four Diamond luxury boutique hotel in Burbank, managed by StepStone Hospitality, proudly announces the appointment of Peter Kolla as General Manager. Kolla brings a strong leadership foundation with over twenty years in the hospitality industry. Kolla will oversee the property’s 132 guest rooms including 31 suites, three meeting and event spaces, and the hotel’s destination restaurant FYC Bar + Kitchen. “As we begin to see the resurgence of travel in Los Angeles, I am delighted to join the talented team at Hotel Amarano and build upon the signature service for which the hotel is ...
Apurva Pratap Appointed as Cycas Hospitality’s FIRST Managing Director
Cycas Hospitality | April 28, 2021
Cycas continues to strengthen its leadership and hotel management expertise, following the appointment of Apurva Pratap as the company’s first Managing Director. Apurva will join the hotel operator from 1 May, bringing nearly 25 years of hospitality and investment experience to the new role. He joins Cycas from The Student Hotel in Amsterdam where, as Chief Customer Officer, he was responsible for the portfolio’s commercial performance. Under Apurva’s leadership, the company augmented its sales, yield management and marketing functions, increased direct business share by 50% and boosted guest satisfaction levels across its properties...
CHLA Forms “Issues PAC” As Legislative & Regulatory Rapid Response Team
The California Hotel & Lodging Association | April 28, 2021
The California Hotel & Lodging Association (CHLA) has formed an “issues PAC” under the leadership of Alpesh Jivan, CHA, to serve as a rapid-response team for proposed legislation or regulations affecting hoteliers in the state. “This new entity is a direct result of our association’s success in defeating the Proposition 15 initiative that was on the ballot last November and would have dramatically increased business property taxes in California,” explained Bijal Patel, CHA, Chairman of CHLA. “We were part of a coalition that effectively and impressively mobilized state-wide in a fast, proactive, coordinated way on behalf...
Hunden Partners Leads Solicitation Process for Food & Beverage Operator at Fort Worth Will Rogers Memorial Center
Hunden | April 28, 2021
FORT WORTH – April 28, 2021 – Hunden Strategic Partners (Hunden) issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the exclusive food and beverage operator at the Will Rogers Memorial Center (WRMC) in Fort Worth. Hunden is managing the solicitation and selection process on behalf of the City of Fort Worth (City), Texas. The City is seeking a qualified firm or team for the exclusive food and beverage operations (including concessions, catering, cafes, etc.) at the WRMC complex. The brand and experience of Fort Worth is intertwined with the catering and concession experience at the WRMC and as such, the new vendor must align with the vision ...
Adero Scottsdale Appoints Chantelle Nikkel as Director of Sales And Marketing
ADERO Scottsdale | April 27, 2021
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – April. 27, 2021 – The new ADERO Scottsdale, an Autograph Collection hotel, is proud to announce the appointment of Chantelle Nikkel to director of sales and marketing for the region’s only Dark Sky Zone resort. Nikkel brings a wealth of hospitality knowledge and expertise to the 177-room luxury resort, managed by Aqua-Aston Hospitality, and is responsible for overseeing ADERO Scottsdale’s sales and marketing strategies. In her role, Nikkel leads all sales initiatives surrounding the property’s 16,800 square feet of versatile indoor and outdoor meeting and event spaces. The event spaces provide an idyllic sett...
Upcoming 2021 HFTP Club Summit Addresses High Priority Topics; Strong Registration Demonstrates the Interest for Professional Engagement
HFTP | April 27, 2021
Next month, Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) is bringing back its Club Summit after a one-year hiatus. Relatively new to HFTP's slate of events (est. 2018), this conference has quickly become a key program for the association's club segment offerings. The Summit delivers a vital opportunity for high-level club professionals and industry experts to directly address the topics that are most compelling and important to this specialized segment of hospitality. Coming up this May 24-25 at the Bahia Mar Fort Lauderdale Beach – a Doubletree by Hilton Hotel in Fort Lauderdale, Florida; HFTP is seeing great interest ...
Spring Break a Big Splash for Florida Hotels
STR | April 27, 2021
Spring Break 2021 didn’t just dive in, it made a cannonball-sized splash for Florida hotels and other U.S. destinations. When looking at STR’s School Break Report, 39% of college students and just 7% of K-12 students were on break beginning 6 March. Despite this slightly low percentage, all signs pointed to a strong spring break period right out of the gate. The STR-defined Florida Keys market, at that point, was the only U.S. market to reach an 80% occupancy level—at 85.9% for the opening week of March. Other markets, such as Sarasota (75.4%), Fort Lauderdale (72.5%) and McAllen/Brownsville, TX (70.5%), were lower but all above tstr...
Customer Satisfaction With Hotels Hit Worst Mark in More Than a Decade, ACSI Data Show
the ACSI | April 27, 2021
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - April 27, 2021 - When the COVID-19 pandemic hit the United States, travel industries were among the first businesses to take the brunt of the global crisis—and no segment was spared. According to the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI®) Travel Report 2020-2021, only airlines keep customer satisfaction moving in a positive direction. The car rental industry holds steady, yet guest satisfaction for hotels heads south, as almost every major chain experiences ACSI losses. Satisfaction with online travel agencies sinks to an all-time low. “Prior to the pandemic, the state of customer satisfaction among airline...
COVID-19’s Impact on the Los Angeles Hotel Market
Luigi Major | April 27, 2021
By Luigi Major The Los Angeles hotel market, along with the rest of the world, experienced an unprecedented drop in demand in 2020 following the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hotel occupancy declined to 49% in 2020, compared to 80% in 2019, while average daily rate (ADR) decreased to $139 in 2020 from $181 the previous year. Overall, revenue per available room (RevPAR) decreased 52.6%, the largest decline in the history of the market. Based on the latest dynamics of supply and demand, below we present our latest forecasts for the recovery of L.A.-area hotels in 2021 and beyond. As with the rest of the industry, while occupancy is antici...
Crowne Plaza Albany – The Desmond Hotel Reopens After Undergoing Full Transformation
April 27, 2021
Crowne Plaza Albany – The Desmond Hotel is now open following a full renovation. This family-owned and operated property has provided superb accommodations, outstanding service and a unique guest experience since 1974. Located a half mile from the Albany International Airport and adjacent to premier shopping and business destinations, the hotel is now entirely transformed to meet the evolving needs of modern business travelers and leisure guests. While showcasing a contemporary, refined design with 323 guest room and suite options, including spiral staircase duplexes, suites with private entrances and patios, and ADA accessible rooms, lo...
A Year Later, the Hotel Industry Recalibrates, Reassesses
HotStats | April 27, 2021
Just over a year after the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic, the global hotel industry is—slowly—stirring from hibernation and seeing at least modest gains in traveler demand. The wait has been long, and it remains a work in progress. But making headway is all you can ask for after a 12-month headache. In the U.S., which saw performance calve last March, before bottoming out in April, small gains continued to be made in most key performance indicators in March 2021—though the strides only shined a light on the decrepitude that was 2020. Consider gross operating profit per available room, which was up 328.9...
Pendry Park City Appoints Richard Wales as General Manager
Pendry Hotels & Resorts | April 27, 2021
ORANGE COUNTY, CALIF. – April 27, 2021 – Pendry Hotels & Resorts is proud to announce the appointment of Richard Wales as general manager of Pendry Park City, scheduled to open winter 2021. Located in the heart of Canyons Village at the base of Park City Mountain, the ski-in/lift-out resort and residences will be a modernist take on a traditional alpine lodge featuring 152 guestrooms, suites, Pendry Residences, four unique lounge, restaurant and bar concepts, the only rooftop pool and bar in the area, Spa Pendry, state-of-the-art fitness center, Pinwheel Kids Club, 7,000 square feet of indoor meeting space and access to 7,300 acres ...
Aimbridge Hospitality Appoints Andrew Rubinacci as Executive Vice President of Revenue Strategy
Aimbridge Hospitality | April 27, 2021
PLANO, TX - April 27, 2021 - Aimbridge Hospitality, the world’s leading third-party hotel operator, has selected Andrew Rubinacci as Executive Vice President of its Revenue Strategy division, effective immediately. Rubinacci will be instrumental in shaping the company’s revenue strategy initiatives while capitalizing on big data, innovation, and Aimbridge’s talent within its revenue group to drive market share gains for the Aimbridge portfolio. Rubinacci brings a results-driven approach and a wealth of experience to the role including global oversight for one of the world’s largest hospitality brands. He will establish efficiencies...
Hotels, Labor Union Announce Targeted Industry Relief
AHLA | April 27, 2021
AHLA, UNITE HERE & Representative Crist (D-Fla.) to Join Virtual Press Conference WASHINGTON – April 27, 2021 – On Wednesday, at 11:00 a.m. EST, the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s (AHLA) president and CEO Chip Rogers along with UNITE HERE president D. Taylor will join U.S. Representative Charlie Crist (D-Fla.) to host a virtual press conference announcing new legislation to provide targeted relief to the ailing hotel industry. The introduction of this critical legislation comes at a time when the hotel industry has lost 10 years of job growth, is shuttering doors and losing employees for good. Leisure and hospita...
St. Regis Bal Harbour Appoints Jessica Sanchez as Director of Spa
The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort | April 27, 2021
MIAMI, Fla. – April 27, 2021 – The St. Regis Bal Harbour, the Forbes Five-Star, AAA Five Diamond resort that was recently named a top resort in Florida by Conde Nast Traveler, is proud to introduce award-winning Jessica Sanchez as the luxury resort’s new Director of Spa. A successful professional with over five years of experience directing luxury hotel spas, Sanchez has already established herself as a force in the wellness industry. She joins the St. Regis Bal Harbour team following her position as Assistant Spa Director at The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove where she earned the 2018 Leader of the Year distinction, the 2017 Greater M...
Atlanta’s Bellyard, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, Appoints Christina Wai as Executive Chef
Bellyard | April 27, 2021
Bellyard, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, in West Midtown has appointed culinary visionary Christina Wai as the executive chef for Drawbar, the hotel’s ultramodern dining and drinking destination. As an inventive chef who thrives on exploration of new dishes and libation pairings, Wai brings a wealth of experience in executive and sous chef positions to the hospitality hotspot. At Bellyard, she will spearhead the culinary program, execute menu creation, drive culinary outlet operations, build strong relationships with purveyors and foster a positive culture within her team. “My vision is to position Drawbar as a colorful, innovative and ...
LBA Hospitality Opens New Courtyard by Marriott in Downtown Duluth, GA
LBA Hospitality | April 27, 2021
Duluth, GA - April 27, 2021 - The highly-anticipated Courtyard by Marriott Atlanta Duluth Downtown (3141 Hill St. NW) constructed in the recently revitalized downtown area of Duluth, GA, officially opened its doors to guests on April 27, 2021. Located just outside of Atlanta, this 100-room property offers a small-town feel with big-city amenities. The Courtyard by Marriott Atlanta Duluth Downtown, owned by Southeastern Development and managed by LBA Hospitality, is the only hotel in Downtown Duluth, GA. “We are thrilled to add another hotel to our portfolio in the Atlanta metro area,” said Beau Benton, President of LBA Hospitality. “...
