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Spokane Tribe Resort & Casino Partners With Travel Outlook to Elevate Guest Service Experience
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Hilton Signs With Societe Marhaba Beach to Open Hilton Skanes Monastir Beach Resort
Hilton Hotels & Resorts | December 22, 2020
MONASTIR, Tunisia - Hilton (NYSE: HLT) recently announced an agreement with Societe Marhaba Beach to open Hilton Skanes Monastir Beach Resort. The upper upscale Hilton Hotels & Resorts property will offer incredible beach-side vistas across the Gulf of Hammamet, as part of the new Palm Lake Monastir residential and commercial development and within close proximity to the historic towns of Monastir and Sousse. “As travellers plan their vacations and dream of new destinations to visit, we see great potential to expand our portfolio in resort locations across North Africa,” said Carlos Khneisser, vice president of development, Mid...
Increased Privacy and Flexibility to Characterize Lodging Industry in 2021
GlobalData | December 22, 2020
Increased privacy and flexibility are two of the stand-out trends that leading data and analytics company GlobalData notes will shape the lodging industry in 2021, alongside longer stays, improved hygiene procedures and more no-touch technology. As 2020 draws to a close, Travel & Tourism Analyst Ralph Hollister offers his view on these trends. Hollister notes: “Hotels that cannot provide more secluded spots or offer increased booking flexibility could be at risk of losing out even further in 2021. Rate plans to accommodate longer stays need to be offered, whilst the marketing of no-touch technology and incr...
The Hotelier’s Wishlist for Santa
Jos Schaap | December 22, 2020
By Jos Schaap – CEO & Co-Founder at ROOMDEX Another year is winding up and looking back, I can say with confidence that when we all returned from the holidays last January no one could have foretold the year we were about to face. As the year rolled on, we clung onto the idea that a return to some sort of normality was just around the corner. However, flight, occupancy and visitation numbers continue to be devastatingly below norms. But with a vaccine in its very early stages of a role out, there are many reasons to be cautiously optimistic as we look to 2021. It is expected that travel will begin on its path to normalcy in Q2 an...
Hyatt Centric Beale Street Memphis Appoints Executive Team Members
Hyatt Centric Beale Street Memphis | December 22, 2020
MEMPHIS, TN – December 2020: Sarah Titus has been appointed general manager and Nicholas Janysek has been named director of sales, marketing and events of Hyatt Centric Beale Street Memphis, the only hotel to sit on world-famous Beale Street. The duo will oversee operations of the new-build, full-service, 227-room property, which will open its doors in early March 2021 as the newest social hub from which to explore and savor the city. Titus has more than 15 years of unparalleled industry knowledge and experience, having held various front-of-house, back-of-house and managerial positions. After graduating from Eastern Illinois University,...
Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh Appoints Sandeep Jinarajan as Director of Food & Beverage
December 22, 2020
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Dec. 22, 2020) – The soon-to-open Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh is already elevating its culinary appeal with the appointment of Sandeep Jinarajan as the hotel’s director of food and beverage. Located within walking distance to some of the city’s biggest attractions including the Royal Palace and the Mekong River, the 247-room hotel is scheduled to open in the Cambodian capital on Jan. 6, 2021. With more than 20 years of food and beverage operation experience, Jinarajan will be fully in charge of the hotel’s five dining outlets and bars, including Market Café Restaurant & Lounge, FiveFive Rooftop Restaurant &a...
High Street Real Estate Partners, RGP Partners, and Acron Real Estate Investments Acquire Two Iconic Assets in Snowmass, Colorado
Davidson Hotels & Resorts | December 22, 2020
ATLANTA (December 22, 2020) – Davidson Hotels & Resorts, one of the nation’s premier full-service hospitality management companies, has been selected by High Street Real Estate Partners, RGP Partners, and ACRON Real Estate Investments to manage The Westin Snowmass Resort and Wildwood Snowmass. As part of the transition, both properties will undergo transformational renovations to guestrooms, F&B outlets and public spaces. Bolstering its presence in Colorado, Davidson now operates four properties in the state, with a fifth in the pipeline. “We are pleased to tap Davidson Hotels & Resorts as operator of these two distinguis...
2020 Historic Hotels Awards of Excellence Winners Announced
Historic Hotels of America | December 22, 2020
Washington, DC – December 22, 2020 – Historic Hotels of America® and Historic Hotels Worldwide® are pleased to announce the winners of the 2020 Historic Hotels Awards of Excellence. From more than 250 nominees, the following Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide hotels and hoteliers were selected as the 2020 Historic Hotels Awards of Excellence winners: Historic Hotels of America New Member of the Year Riggs Washington DC (1891) Washington, DC Best Social Media of a Historic Hotel Jekyll Island Club Resort (1886) Jekyll Island, Georgia Sustainability Champion La Fonda on the Plaza (1922) San...
OTO Development Acquires Holiday Inn Resort Wilmington E-Wrightsville Beach
OTO Development | December 22, 2020
SPARTANBURG, SC – December 22, 2020 - OTO Development is growing once again with its fifth acquisition in just three years, the purchase of the Holiday Inn Resort Wilmington E-Wrightsville Beach. “We are delighted to add this iconic beachfront hotel to our portfolio of owned hotels,” says Corry Oakes, CEO of OTO Development. “The location, right on the sand in Wrightsville Beach, is remarkable and the fact that each guest room or suite has a water view, most with balconies, allows visitors to truly enjoy all the benefits of a beachfront location.” While OTO has built its reputation by developing new hotels in high-barrier-to-...
3D Development Partners With Midas Hospitality to Develop Element Hotel in Richardson, Texas
Midas Hospitality | December 22, 2020
(Richardson, Texas, Dec. 22, 2020) 3D Development—a real estate development company with offices in Georgia, Tennessee and Texas—is poised to begin the transformation of 5.2 acres into a mixed-use project. The new Richardson, Texas development will include a $22 million Element by Westin hotel located at 2205 North Glenville Ave. The hotel, which will be developed and managed by Midas Hospitality, is scheduled to open in the summer of 2021. The four-story hotel offers 123 spacious suites that include full-equipped kitchens and spa-inspired bathrooms. The Element concept encourages renewal through a nature-influenced environment and...
Driftwood Capital Acquires 248-Key Hilton Dallas Southlake Town Square in Texas
Driftwood Capital | December 22, 2020
DALLAS (Dec. 22, 2020) – Driftwood Capital, a vertically integrated commercial real estate investment, development, and lending platform specializing in hospitality, announced today that it has acquired the Hilton Dallas Southlake Town Square, a 248-key, five-story hotel located in the Dallas suburb of Southlake, approximately 10 minutes from the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. Driftwood Capital acquired the asset from Hobbs & Curry family limited partnership for an undisclosed price, and plans to invest $5 million in property renovations over the next 12 months. The property will be managed by Driftwood Capital’s sister comp...
Travel Industry Cheers Passage of COVID Relief
U.S. TRAVEL ASSOCIATION | December 22, 2020
WASHINGTON (December 22, 2020)—U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow issued the following statement praising the coronavirus relief legislation passed by Congress, which contains numerous provisions championed by the struggling travel and tourism industry to help bring back economic activity and jobs: “Seeing this bill make it across the finish line is a huge relief after months of struggle. “This legislation is a lifeline for businesses and workers who have been hanging on by a thread. More than four million travel jobs have been lost this year, and this package includes long-needed provisions to help employers keep...
Knowland Releases 2020 Meeting Planner Survey Data
Knowland | December 22, 2020
76 percent of meeting planner respondents are now rebooking meetings, but cite that flexible low-risk hotel contracts are extremely important ARLINGTON, Va., Dec. 22, 2020 — Today, Knowland, the leader in meeting and events analytics, and ConferenceDirect, a full service in-person, virtual, and hybrid meeting solution company, announced the results of a survey entitled, 2020 Planner Survey: The State of the Meeting Industry, designed to help industry professionals understand the planner and event manager perspective on recovery. The inability to meet, collaborate and ideate as a group has substantially impacted businesses during this di...
STR: U.S. Hotel Performance for November 2020
STR | December 21, 2020
HENDERSONVILLE, Tennessee—The U.S. hotel industry showed lower performance from the month prior, according to November 2020 data from STR. November 2020 (percentage change from November 2019): Occupancy: 40.3% (-34.5%) Average daily rate (ADR): US$90.92 (-27.7%) Revenue per available room (RevPAR): US$36.67 (-52.6%) Each of the three key performance metrics declined from the previous month. Among the Top 25 Markets, Oahu Island, Hawaii, reported the lowest November occupancy level (22.6%), which represented a 72.4% decline in year-over-year comparisons. The market showed the highest ADR ($167.49), however, which was do...
Grand Hyatt Jeju in South Korea Debuts as the Largest Hyatt Hotel in Asia Pacific
Hyatt Hotels Corporation | December 21, 2020
CHICAGO (December 21, 2020) – Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced today the opening of the 1,600-room Grand Hyatt Jeju in South Korea, the largest Hyatt hotel in Asia Pacific. This highly anticipated opening also marks the return of a Hyatt hotel into Jeju Special Autonomous Province, an island on the southern end of the Korean Peninsula renowned for its rich history and cultural traditions. Part of the new Jeju Dream Tower, the island’s iconic twin-tower landmark, Grand Hyatt Jeju embodies the modern Korean lifestyle, offering leisure guests, business travelers and locals an impressive selection of world-class culinary, le...
Evolution Hospitality Selected to Manage Sheraton Gunter Hotel San Antonio
December 21, 2020
December 21, 2020 - Evolution Hospitality, the lifestyle division of Aimbridge Hospitality, the leading, global, third-party hotel management company, has been selected to manage the Sheraton Gunter Hotel San Antonio. The Sheraton Gunter Hotel San Antonio is owned by Axle Companies, a privately owned real estate investment firm that pursues opportunities of sensible nation-wide portfolio expansion and diversification. Axle Companies engages in businesses that create beneficial social and environmental impact alongside a strong financial yield. With 315 guest rooms and seven suites spread across 12 floors, the Gunter Hotel dates back to ...
Lowe Acquires Miramonte Resort & Spa in Indian Wells, California
Lowe | December 21, 2020
LOS ANGELES - December 21, 2020 - Lowe, a national real estate developer, investor and manager, announced today that it has acquired the 215-room Miramonte Resort & Spa prominently located on Highway 111 in Indian Wells, California. Concurrent with the completion of the acquisition, Lowe will begin implementing a reopening plan for the resort, which has been closed since March, 2020 due to COVID-19. Reopening of Miramonte is anticipated for early 2021. The Miramonte Resort offers guests spacious accommodations including suites and bungalows, an array of premier dining spots, three outdoor pools and a 12,000-square-foot award-winning sp...
Holiday Inn Express Kota Kinabalu City Centre Launches IHG Into East Malaysia
IHG® | December 21, 2020
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG®) has launched the first IHG hotel in East Malaysia, Holiday Inn Express Kota Kinabalu City Centre. Officially opening on 21 December 2020, this contemporary hotel is in the heart of Sabah’s bustling capital city and offers clean, comfortable and convenient stays, making it the best value stay at the best location. Situated in the heart of the city centre, Holiday Inn Express Kota Kinabalu City Centre is a 13-minute drive from Kota Kinabalu International Airport where travellers will enjoy the hotel’s close proximity to attractions such as Kota Kinabalu City Waterfront, Gaya Street Sunday Market, I...
JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa Opens in Australia
JW Marriott | December 21, 2020
DECEMBER 21, 2020 - JW Marriott, part of Marriott International, has announced the opening of JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa, marking the debut of Marriott International's iconic JW Marriott brand in the Pacific region. Located close to the Gold Coast’s gorgeous golden beaches, unspoilt hinterlands and famous family attractions, the resort brings a new level of luxury to the beachside city. For discerning guests, this is a sophisticated sanctuary that lets them kick back, relax and rediscover a sense of balance in body and mind. Travelers who wish to explore the Gold Coast's most popular visitor attractions will find the resort con...
Hospitality Financial Leadership: Diversity in Hospitality
David Lund | December 21, 2020
By David Lund I have been thinking about this topic for some time. Especially now in 2020 with the social unrest in this country and elsewhere in our world I think it’s time to speak up. For me, that means offering what I think is a path to an improvement in the way we look at and see each other. It comes from my experience in hotels, from the culture I grew up in, inside the hotel world, and at home. I consider myself to be extremely fortunate for many things, but the number one thing is my parents. We were decidedly middle class. My father was an automobile mechanic turned community college instructor and my mom was a homemaker to m...
FAU Hospitality Expert: Pent-Up Demand Could Buoy Cruise Lines in 2021 but Other Segments Face Long Road Back
Florida Atlantic University | December 21, 2020
BOCA RATON, Fla. (Dec. 21, 2020) – The hospitality and tourism industry will lead Florida out of the coronavirus pandemic starting in 2021, but a full recovery likely will take years, says an industry expert within Florida Atlantic University’s College of Business. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention could relax its guidelines on cruising, whose pent-up demand is higher than most other industry segments, once about 20 million COVID-19 vaccines have been distributed, according to Peter Ricci, Ed.D, director of FAU’s Hospitality and Tourism Management program. The cruise industry has the highest guest satisfaction ratings...
AHLA Statement on Bipartisan Covid Relief Package
AHLA | December 21, 2020
WASHINGTON (December 21, 2020) – The following is a statement from Chip Rogers, president and CEO of the American Hotel & Lodging Association, on the coronavirus relief package. “On behalf of the hotel industry, we applaud the House and Senate leadership, along with the Administration, for reaching a bipartisan compromise on this COVID economic relief package. This short-term relief package is a vital step toward helping the hotel industry survive this crisis. The proposed measure provides temporary relief over the next few months and will help thousands of hotels stay open and retain employees. “For months, the hotel industry h...
Hurting Travel Industry Welcomes COVID Relief Deal
U.S. Travel Association | December 21, 2020
WASHINGTON (December 21, 2020)—U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow issued the following statement on the announced bipartisan agreement on a COVID relief package: “Washington is delivering a huge holiday gift to U.S. businesses and workers after an incredibly challenging year. “It’s been a difficult road to get another round of much-needed legislative relief moving in Washington. We applaud the bipartisan group of senators that drove progress forward, and the congressional leadership for striking a bipartisan agreement to produce this desperately needed assistance. The agreed-upon provisions will give many suffer...
The Spirit of Hospitality Is Nurtured by Gratitude
Doug Kennedy | December 21, 2020
By Doug Kennedy As we count down the final days and prepare to turn the calendar to a new year, so many of us are tempted to think “good riddance to 2020.” When I read posts and view memes on social media, it seems that most of us cannot wait to put this year behind us. Indeed, it has been a tough one for all, especially those of us who work in the hospitality and tourism industry. Yet when I sit at my desk writing my last training article of this crazy year, thinking of all the ups and downs I have gone through, I find myself being grateful for 2020, because 2020 taught me how to be even more grateful. This year has made me realize ...
McWhinney Acquires Hotel Indigo in Downtown Denver
December 21, 2020
DENVER, Colo. – December 21, 2020 – McWhinney, a Colorado-based real estate investor and developer with expertise in commercial, multifamily, hospitality, residential and mixed-use assets, is excited to announce it has purchased Hotel Indigo Denver Downtown in Denver’s LoDo neighborhood. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The sale was brokered by Cushman & Wakefield Global Hospitality. Located in the heart of downtown just steps from Denver Union Station, Hotel Indigo Denver offers 180 rustic-luxe guestrooms – all featuring hardwood floors, polished concrete ceilings, sliding barn doors and sweeping urban or mo...
