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Short-Term Rentals Record Higher Occupancy, RevPAR in February
STR | April 6, 2021
HENDERSONVILLE, Tennessee — April 6, 2021 — Short-term rentals in Miami, Nashville and Philadelphia recorded increases in occupancy and revenue per available room (RevPAR) in February 2021, according to data from STR. Short-term rentals continued to post higher occupancy levels than hotels in each of the three markets. Building on STR’s world-leading hotel performance database, Miami, Nashville and Philadelphia are the first three U.S. markets where the company has expanded its benchmarking offerings via a pilot study. Included in STR’s short-term rental sample are both multifamily and single-family short-term rentals. ...
STR: U.S. Leads World in Hotel Openings as Construction Activity Declines
STR | April 6, 2021
HENDERSONVILLE, Tennessee — April 6, 2021 — The U.S. led the world in new hotel and room openings during Q1 2021, according to global pipeline data from STR’s AM:PM platform. At the same time, the country’s construction activity continues to decline in comparison with pre-pandemic levels. Over the three-month period, the U.S. opened 220 properties accounting for 26,057 rooms. Four additional countries opened more than 2,000 rooms during the same period. 1. U.S. (26,057 rooms) 2. China (12,418 rooms) 3. Japan (2,499 rooms) 4. Australia (2,382 rooms) 5. United Kingdom (2,214 rooms) The number of rooms current...
Practice Hospitality Tapped to Manage Hilton Dallas Park Cities
Practice Hospitality | April 6, 2021
DALLAS — April 6, 2021 — Practice Hospitality has assumed management of the Hilton Dallas Park Cities located in the upscale suburb of Park Cities, seven miles north of downtown Dallas. Specialists in lifestyle hotels, the operator was selected by owner Woodbine Development Corporation of Dallas to manage the 230-room property conveniently located near Southern Methodist University. Bashar Wali, President & CEO, of Practice Hospitality said, “We could not be more honored and excited to have been entrusted by Woodbine with operating this hotel, here, in their hometown. Our operating expertise and entrepreneurial, experiential appr...
Royal Sonesta San Juan Appoints Executive Team
Royal Sonesta San Juan | April 6, 2021
CAROLINA, PR - Royal Sonesta San Juan welcomes Michael Herrmann as the hotel’s general manager, Chagrin Olivo as the director of sales and marketing and Joel Perdomo as director of food and beverage. Herrmann was hired by Sonesta International Hotels Corporation after talking him out of retirement. Sonesta opened the Royal Sonesta San Juan this year following a rebranding of the former InterContinental San Juan. Herrmann, who brings a wealth of experience built over the course of more than 45 years in the hospitality industry, was the General Manager of the InterContinental San Juan as well as Regional Director of Operation Caribbean and...
The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel Appoints Sylvain Delpique as Executive Chef
The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel | April 6, 2021
New York, NY – April 6, 2021 – With nearly 25 years of experience in the luxury restaurant and hospitality industry, Sylvain Delpique has joined The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel as executive chef. He will oversee all culinary aspects of the legendary Upper East Side hotel, including the famed Bemelmans Bar and celebrated Café Carlyle. Delpique joins The Carlyle from the renowned ‘21’ Club, where he spent the last six years as executive chef. Inspired at a young age to pursue a culinary career, he earned a degree at Challes-les-Eaux Culinary School, while working in some of the most celebrated restaurants...
The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes Appoints Greg Durrer as Hotel Manager
JW Marriott | April 6, 2021
NEW YORK - April 6, 2021 - The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes is thrilled to announce the promotion of Greg Durrer to the position of Hotel Manager. A 21-year company veteran, Mr. Durrer has returned to Grande Lakes, having held the role of Rooms Director at The JW Marriott from 2007 to 2011. Starting his career in 2000 with The Salt Lake City Marriott Downtown, Mr. Durrer moved to Florida in 2002 where he spent time in Miami and Orlando working with several different properties. After his time at Grande Lakes Orlando, he moved to the Marriott Corporate office where he held positions with the JW Marriott Global Brand in Design and Deve...
HRI Lodging Appoints Andrew Dryden as General Manager for New Hilton Garden Inn Austin University Capitol District
Hilton Garden Inn | April 6, 2021
NEW ORLEANS, LA. - April 6, 2021 - HRI Lodging announces the appointment of Andrew Dryden as General Manager and Christopher Toy as Director of Sales for the Hilton Garden Inn Austin University Capital District, opening early summer 2021. With over two decades of combined hospitality leadership experience, Dryden and Toy will oversee a total of 214 guest rooms, three food and beverage outlets, and close to 3,000 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor meeting and event space. The property is a joint venture between Rockbridge and HRI Properties, LLC, and HRI Lodging, LLC will oversee management of the property. Andrew Dryden, Gen...
Beekeeper CEO’s New Book Shares Vital Insights on How to Gain a Competitive Advantage With a Digitally-Enabled Frontline Workforce
BEEKEEPER | April 6, 2021
“The Rise of the Frontline Worker” written by Cristian Grossmann, CEO and Co-Founder of Beekeeper, highlights how business leaders can leverage technology to digitally enable their frontline workforce Oakland, California — April 6, 2021 — Beekeeper, the leading mobile workforce productivity and collaboration platform designed specifically for frontline workers, today announced the launch of its inaugural handbook for business and operations leaders, “The Rise of the Frontline Worker: How to Turn Your Frontline Workforce Into Your Biggest Competitive Advantage.” Authored by former waiter, factory worker, and chemical engineer...
ProfitSword Unveils Advanced Mobile App-Based Business Intelligence Functionality
ProfitSword, LLC | April 6, 2021
ORLANDO, Fla. – April 6, 2021 – ProfitSword, a premier developer of business intelligence and data integration software, has today announced the launch of a mobile app that integrates seamlessly with its business intelligence solutions to provide hoteliers with instant insight into key performance analytics from virtually any location. Now available to new customers as well as to existing customers when upgrading to the company’s full suite of solutions, ProfitSword’s mobile app serves as an ideal platform for time-strapped hoteliers experiencing labor shortages by providing instant access to valuable performance metrics on the go. ...
Novotel Convention & Spa Antananarivo Hotel Implements Latest in Security Access and Digital Key Convenience by ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions
ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions | April 6, 2021
Stockholm – April 6, 2021 – ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions through its reputation as a leader in hotel security innovation and together with regional distributor, Indian Ocean Visions Co. Ltd., have been selected by Novotel Convention & Spa Antananarivo Hotel to implement VingCard Essence door locks with Mobile Access. Aiming to represent the latest in comfort and modernity that Madagascar has to offer, the newly constructed 180-guestroom property can now ensure that its guests are protected with the industry’s highest standard in security access technology while providing them with the contactless convenience of digital check-in and g...
U.S. Hotel Profitability Hits Pandemic High
STR | April 5, 2021
BROOMFIELD, Colorado—U.S. hotel gross operating profit per available room (GOPPAR) reached its highest absolute level since February 2020, according to STR‘s February 2021 monthly P&L data release. GOPPAR had come in no higher than US$12.69 for any month since the pandemic’s initial impact on industry performance last March. In addition to improved absolute levels in the profitability metrics, year-over-year comparisons were less steep. GOPPAR: US$17.35 (-83.3%) TRevPAR: US$85.11 (-67.4%) EBITDA PAR: US$0.14 (-99.8%) LPAR (Labor Costs): US$34.26 (-60.2%) “Year-over-year percentage changes will turn positive ...
SLS Debuts in Middle East With Opening of SLS Dubai Hotel and Residences
Accor | April 5, 2021
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, April 5, 2021 -- Accor, a world-leading hospitality group, today announced the expansion of the international SLS Hotels & Residences brand to the Middle East with the opening of SLS Dubai. Developed in partnership with World of Wonders Real Estate – the new property is one of Dubai's tallest buildings and is set to officially welcome guests and residents on April 5, 2021. The highly anticipated opening is a testament to the SLS brand's longstanding reputation and experience in creating and delivering extraordinary, unforgettable and timeless experiences. This news comes on the heels of A...
Pebblebrook Hotel Trust Completes Sale of Sir Francis Drake Hotel
Pebblebrook Hotel Trust | April 5, 2021
BETHESDA, Md.--Pebblebrook Hotel Trust (NYSE: PEB) (the “Company”) today announced that it closed on the sale of the 416-room Kimpton Sir Francis Drake Hotel in San Francisco, CA to a third party on April 1, 2021, generating $157.6 million of net proceeds after customary closing costs. Based on the hotel’s operating performance for 2019, the $157.6 million of net proceeds reflects an 11.8x EBITDA multiple and a 7.2% net operating income capitalization rate (after an assumed annual capital reserve of 4.0% of total hotel revenues). The Company purchased Sir Francis Drake Hotel for $90.0 million in 2010 as its second hotel. The property...
Tourism Tidbits: Developing Employee Loyalty in the Hope That Tourism Will Soon Return to Normal
Peter Tarlow | April 5, 2021
By Dr. Peter Tarlow One of the things that the tourism and travel industry learned from the Covid-10 Pandemic is the importance of good and loyal employees. Everyone seems to want loyal employees, yet few tourism businesses seem to know how to win this loyalty. In fact, tourism is known for high employee turnover, low pay, and often capricious management. It is a mistake to overlook the fact that employee-employer relations often impact the tourism experience and may become a major form of positive or negative marketing. In fact, good management inspires loyalty and often results in the type of customer service that produces repeat...
RLH Corporation Opens Signature Inn Eugene
RLH Corporation | April 5, 2021
DENVER, CO – April 5, 2021 – RLH Corporation announced today the grand opening of their sixth Signature Inn property, the newly renovated Signature Inn Eugene, Oregon. This property will be the second of its kind in Oregon, following Signature Inn Bend which opened its doors in 2019. Formerly the Rodeway Inn Eugene, the property is an ideal stay for adventure travelers and hikers, offering them opportunities to explore the area via the nearby Willamette River and surrounding mountains. The two story, 24-room, mid-century property is built around exterior corridors and the era’s colorful design elements. While cultivating a retro-mod...
AC Hotel Missoula Downtown Now Open as First AC Hotel in Montana
AC Hotels | April 5, 2021
Missoula, Mont. – April 5, 2021 – AC Hotels, the modern, design-driven brand from Marriott, welcomed its first property to Montana, the AC Hotel Missoula Downtown. Located in the heart of downtown Missoula among the tree-lined streets and riverfront paths, on the corner of Main and Pattee Street, the newly-constructed property brings an elevated and harmonious guest experience centered on authentic service. The AC Hotel Missoula Downtown is managed by Aimbridge Hospitality, the leading, global, third-party hotel management company. Modern Design with Nature-Based Elements AC Hotels by Marriott is an internationally recognized hotel de...
Montage Opens Pendry West Hollywood in California
Pendry West Hollywood | April 5, 2021
ORANGE COUNTY, CA – April 5, 2021 – Pendry Hotels & Resorts today announced the opening of Pendry West Hollywood, the latest property in the Pendry portfolio and the brand’s first hotel in Los Angeles. Developed in partnership with AECOM Capital, the real estate investment management arm of AECOM, and Combined Properties, a full-service real estate firm, Pendry West Hollywood brings 149 luxury guestrooms and 40 Pendry Residences West Hollywood by Montage Hotels & Resorts; The Britely private membership club; a multi-purpose live entertainment venue; screening room; bowling alley; Spa Pendry; state-of-the-art ...
Fairmont Waterfront Appoints Jean-François Vary as General Manager
Fairmont | April 5, 2021
Vancouver, BC – April 5, 2021 – Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, the iconic world leading hotel group known for its historic luxury and unparalleled service, has announced the appointment of Jean-François Vary as General Manager of Fairmont Waterfront in Vancouver, BC. In his new position, Vary will lead the overall operations, performance, and strategic direction for Fairmont Waterfront. Joining the Fairmont Waterfront team following his most recent role as the General Manager of Fairmont Winnipeg, Vary brings over 25 years of experience working within the Fairmont Hotels & Resorts brand. “Fairmont Waterfront has become an ...
U.S. Travel Lauds New CDC Travel Guidance
U.S. Travel Association | April 5, 2021
WASHINGTON — April 5, 2021 — U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow issued the following statement on Friday’s announcement that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will substantially relax the guidance on travel for individuals who have been fully vaccinated against COVID: “The CDC’s new travel guidance is a major step in the right direction that is supported by the science and will take the brakes off the industry that has been hardest hit by the fallout of COVID by far. As travel comes back, U.S. jobs come back. “The CDC’s data suggests that vaccinated individuals don’t transmit the c...
The 32nd Hunter Hotel Investment Conference Partners With CLEAR for Safer Conference Experience
CLEAR | April 5, 2021
A Commitment to Gathering Together Again—Safely, with CLEAR’s Health Pass Technology Atlanta, GA - April 5, 2021 - The buzz of in-person events is on the rise and the Hunter Hotel Investment Conference is leading the way as one of the first industry conferences to return in 2021- taking place Monday, May 10th through Wednesday, May 12th. The Hunter Conference will be utilizing CLEAR’s Health Pass for the seamless COVID-19 screening of attendees. Health Pass is a free, mobile experience on the CLEAR app that securely connects a user’s verified identity to multiple layers of COVID-19-related health information to help reduce public...
Are Hotels Prepared for the Return of Meetings & Conferences?
HotStats | April 5, 2021
Meetings and conferences generate big business for hotels. The pandemic made a big mess of that. On the rebound, hoteliers are eager to see that demand segment return. The arrival of COVID-19 vaccines—coupled with a societal eagerness to get out of the house—has led to a relatively robust bounce in leisure travel, which helped underpin a listless hospitality business. Add Zoom fatigue of workers to the list of travel motivators and the return of medium-sized and large-scale gatherings aren’t too far behind. That’s good news for hotels, as properties suffered massive losses due to the near evaporation of group business last year....
Virgin Hotels Partners With Silk Property Group for New Hotel in Glasgow, Scotland
Virgin Hotels | April 1, 2021
MIAMI - April 1, 2021 - Virgin Hotels, the lifestyle hotel brand by Virgin Group Founder Sir Richard Branson, announces plans to open and operate a new hotel in Glasgow, Scotland. Expected to open in 2022, Virgin Hotels Glasgow will be the brand's second Scottish hotel to be signed and will be managed by Virgin Hotels. The property will be located at 236-246 Clyde Street, which is in a prime City Centre position overlooking the River Clyde in the heart of Glasgow's shopping area, making it an ideal base to explore the city. The hotel will showcase panoramic river views and feature 242 Chambers and Grand Chamber Suites; meeting and even...
MMGY Global’s Survey Predicts Massive Summer Rebound
MMGY Travel Intelligence | April 1, 2021
MMGY Travel Intelligence, MMGY Global's research and insights division, has released findings from the 2021 "Spring Edition" of its Portrait of American Travelers® survey, marking the study's 31st year of publication. Following a year of uncertainty, along with constantly changing attitudes and policies toward travel, the results indicated unprecedented optimism from leisure travelers in advance of the summer travel season. The Traveler Sentiment Index (TSI) rose to 119 (pre-pandemic levels), affirming that U.S. adults are thinking much more positively about travel than they were throughout this past year. While there is much optimism, ...
Bali Trailing Other Indonesian Markets in Hotel Performance Recovery
STR | April 1, 2021
Indonesia finished 2020 in similar shape as its regional peers. Domestic demand was strong enough to lift hotel occupancy from pandemic low points but not sufficient to overcome the void in international travel. As Indonesia moves through the early part of 2021, the impact from lost international demand is most obvious in Bali, which continues to trail the country’s regional markets in the recovery process. Aside from a Singapore occupancy level lifted by quarantine demand, Indonesia was right in line with other Asia Pacific countries at 36% for the year.Business was worse in Bali, however, with occupancy hanging below 20% for much of th...
