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Residence Inn by Marriott Debuts in Mexico With the Opening of Residence Inn Merida in Yucatan
Residence Inn by Marriott | December 11, 2020
December 11, 2020 - Marriott International today announces the highly anticipated opening of the first Residence Inn by Marriott in Mexico, located in Merida, Yucatan. With a global footprint of hotels in the United States, Canada, Europe, Middle East and Central America, Residence Inn is the global leader in the longer stays lodging segment. The arrival of the first Residence Inn hotel in Mexico comes at a time when guests are looking for elevated lodging alternatives for extended stays with flexibility and freedom. The economic and industrial development of Merida make it the ideal destination for executives and travelers who are on the ...
Recent Study Shows One in Two Travelers Are Optimistic About Taking a Trip in the Next 12 Months
Expedia Group | December 11, 2020
Seattle, WA., December 11, 2020 – Today at its annual partner conference, explore ’20, Expedia Group revealed key considerations shaping travel decisions in 2021 and demonstrated technology enhancements to help travelers and partners make informed decisions and complete tasks. Expedia Group is sharing insights and tools to help the global travel ecosystem adapt to the shift in traveler expectations to restore confidence in the wake of COVID-19. The research from Expedia Group™ Media Solutions, the advertising organization of Expedia Group, shows that travelers need reassurance in critical areas such as flexibility, cleanliness, and co...
Alex Alt of Oracle Hospitality Joins AHLA Board
AHLA | December 11, 2020
WASHINGTON (December 11, 2020) – Building on record levels of membership and engagement at an unprecedented time for the hospitality industry, the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) today announced that Alex Alt, senior vice president and general manager, Oracle Hospitality, has joined the Board of Directors. AHLA’s Board represents leaders from all sectors of the lodging industry, including brands, owners and real estate investment trusts (REITs), management companies, independents, and state associations. Alex will be part of vital discussions concerning a broad range of industry- and association-related issues. “As a...
Knowland Announces U.S. Meetings and Events Data for November 2020
Knowland | December 11, 2020
Leader in group hospitality analytics sees meeting growth continue to rise month over month ARLINGTON, Va. — Dec. 11, 2020— November U.S. monthly meetings and events volume increased 15 percent over the previous month, according to the latest data from Knowland, the leader in group hospitality analytics for hotels, convention and visitor bureaus, conference centers and other meeting venues. Even with the pause of the Thanksgiving holiday, meetings increased month over month. Meeting volume remains lower than 2019, however, the consistent monthly growth is a positive for the industry. Average attendees decreased – The average ...
Employees Love the Story, Too
Shep Hyken | December 10, 2020
By Shep Hyken Last week, I covered the idea of the story. Customers love to read the stories of other customers using the products they are interested in purchasing. Reviews are where they start. High ratings can turn into high interest. Customer commentary in the review—as in how much they are enjoying the product and how they are using the product—can push a potential customer to make the purchase. There is a similar benefit to employees reading reviews. While they may not be buying the product, the reviews help them buy into the company they work for. It provides validation, credibility and even a sense of pride. One of...
Chatham Bars Inn Joins Preferred Hotels & Resorts
Chatham Bars Inn | December 10, 2020
Chatham, MA (December 10, 2020) – Today, Chatham Bars Inn announces its acceptance into membership of Preferred Hotels & Resorts Legend Collection; the world’s largest independent hotel brand representing more than 750 distinctive hotels, resorts, residences and unique hotel groups across 85 countries. The Preferred Hotels & Resorts Legend Collection is the portfolio’s most prestigious, with exceptional five-star properties in the world’s most remarkable destinations. Globally sophisticated and culturally refined, these singular properties feature exquisite accommodations, stellar and intuitive personal service, renowned din...
New Boutique Hotel Brand Vib® Breaks Ground in Tempe, Arizona
Best Western Hotels & Resorts | December 10, 2020
Tempe, Arizona (December 10, 2020) – Best Western® Hotels & Resorts (BWHR) today announces the groundbreaking of its urban, upscale boutique brand, Vīb, in Tempe, Arizona. Vīb currently boasts 16 properties in the global pipeline, and Vīb Tempe will be joining locations in Springfield, Missouri; Bangkok, Thailand and Antalya, Turkey. Located at 511 South Farmer Avenue, the 102-room Vīb Tempe will serve as BWHR’s corporate hotel, giving the global hospitality company a bigger footprint in its home state of Arizona. BWHR has been located in Arizona since 1966 with its Phoenix-based corporate office serving as the global headquart...
Azumi Setoda Set for March 2021 Opening in Japan
Azumi | December 10, 2020
10 December 2020, JAPAN: Adrian Zecha and Japanese hospitality group Naru Developments announce the launch of Azumi Setoda, the first opening of their new brand Azumi. The property will be ready to welcome guests from 1 March 2021. Azumi Setoda is located on Ikuchijima, a small island of about 8,000 people in the Seto Inland Sea. With this debut property, the brand will take the cultural framework of the traditional ryokan and infuse it with a quality offering that appeals to the modern, global traveller. The balance between tradition and innovation is integral to all parts of Azumi; demonstrated through everything from the design, service...
Hyatt President & CEO Mark Hoplamazian Appointed Chair of the Board Of The American Hotel & Lodging Association
AHLA | December 10, 2020
CHICAGO (December 10, 2020) – Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) today announced that Mark Hoplamazian, president & CEO, has been appointed chair of the board of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA). In his new role, Hoplamazian will be responsible for overseeing the Board of Directors and working with AHLA leaders to unite the hotel industry among common goals as it recovers from the global COVID-19 pandemic. “The appointment to chair of the AHLA board is a great honor. Along with my fellow officers and the AHLA team, I am fully committed to help protect and rebuild our industry so that hotel employees and owners...
Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants Launches Development of the Kimpton in Midtown in Atlanta, Georgia
Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants | December 10, 2020
SAN FRANCISCO (December 10, 2020) – Today Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants announces construction for its third boutique hotel in Atlanta, scheduled to open in 2022. As part of the planned landmark Midtown Union complex, the new 230-room hotel will offer a ground-level chef-driven restaurant and bar, a second-story bar and lounge and 5,400 square feet of meetings and events space. Located in the Arts Center of Midtown at 17th Street and West Peachtree Street, the Kimpton in Midtown will bring in much of the neighborhood’s vibrant arts and culture scene to its own innovative exterior and interior design to become a beacon for local and ...
Jim Alderman, Chief Executive Officer, Americas, for Radisson Hotel Group Joins the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s (AHLA) Board of Dire
AHLA | December 10, 2020
Minneapolis - December 10, 2020 - Radisson Hotel Group today announced Jim Alderman, chief executive officer, Americas, is joining the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s (AHLA) Board of Directors. AHLA’s Board represents leaders from all sectors of the lodging industry, including brands, owners and real estate investment trusts (REITs), management companies, independents, and state associations. Alderman will be part of vital discussions concerning a broad range of industry and association-related issues. “It is an honor to join this remarkable organization and serve on the Board of Directors,” said Alderman. “AHLA is a p...
U.S. Travel Announces Cooperation With Connect Travel for IPW 2021
U.S. Travel Association | December 10, 2020
WASHINGTON (December 10, 2020)—The U.S. Travel Association announced Thursday that it will coordinate with the trade show company Connect Travel to co-locate several events around IPW 2021 (September 18-22 in Las Vegas) in order to maximize value to attendees and provide travel marketers with cutting-edge tools and intelligence to promote their destinations and products in a post-COVID environment. As travel businesses evolve their promotion strategies to emerge from the global pandemic, the adjusted IPW format for 2021 will enable exhibitors to grow domestic visitation in addition to regaining their share of rebounding inbound travel—...
RIU Opens the 800-Room Riu Dubai in the UAE
RIU | December 10, 2020
Palma de Mallorca, 10 December 2020 - The Riu Dubai hotel has just opened its doors, marking a new milestone in the RIU chain’s history and bringing a new concept to hospitality in Dubai, UAE. It is the Spanish chain’s first hotel in the Middle East, and it is the emirate’s first 4-star all-inclusive, beachfront family hotel. The project is the result of a partnership between RIU Hotels & Resorts and world-leading master developer Nakheel, creator of world-famous, innovative developments including The Palm Jumeirah and Dubai’s new coastal city, Deira Islands. In adding this new hotel to RIU’s portfolio, it also adds a n...
STR: U.S. Hotel Results for Week Ending 5 December
STR | December 10, 2020
HENDERSONVILLE, Tennessee—U.S. weekly hotel occupancy increased slightly from the previous week, according to the latest data from STR through 5 December. 29 November through 5 December 2020 (percentage change from comparable week in 2019): Occupancy: 37.4% (-37.9%) Average daily rate (ADR): US$86.21 (-33.1%) Revenue per available room (RevPAR): US$32.23 (-58.4%) With slightly higher demand after Thanksgiving, occupancy improved after several weeks of lowering levels. With a tougher year-over-year comparable, however, the country’s RevPAR decline was its worst since late June. Aggregate data for the Top 25 Market...
STR: Canada Hotel Results for Week Ending 5 December
STR | December 10, 2020
HENDERSONVILLE, Tennessee — 10 December 2020 — STR data for 29 November through 5 December 2020 showed Canada’s hotel industry with slightly lower occupancy compared to the previous week. 29 November through 5 December 2020 (percentage change from comparable week in 2019): Occupancy: 24.7% (-58.3%) Average daily rate (ADR): CAD106.07 (-28.1%) Revenue per available room (RevPAR): CAD26.19 (-70.0%) Occupancy for previous weeks came in at 25.7% (28 November), 27.8% (21 November), and 27.8% (14 November). For the week ending with 5 December, British Columbia recorded the highest occupancy level (28.3%) among the prov...
Florida’s JW Marriott Tampa Water Street Names Leadership Team With Area General Manager, Ron McAnaugh at the Helm
JW Marriott Tampa Water Street | December 10, 2020
Tampa, Florida – December 10, 2020 – With a soft opening date slated for late December and a grand opening celebration in March 2021, JW Marriott Tampa Water Street is excited to introduce its leadership team. Together, this skilled collection of hospitality professionals will ensure that the highly anticipated property offers guests an enriching, immersive escape in the midst of Tampa’s exciting Water Street neighborhood. “We’ve gathered an incredibly talented group of hospitality industry experts here on Water Street,” said Ron McAnaugh, Area General Manager at JW Marriott Tampa Water Street and Tampa Marriott Water Street. ...
Morongo Casino Resort & Spa Turns to Beekeeper to Engage Staff Post Pandemic
Beekeeper | December 10, 2020
With 1,850 employees and a desire to keep workers and the community safe, this Native American luxury operation relies on Beekeeper to digitalize its communications and keep employees engaged and productive Oakland, Calif, Dec. 10, 2020 — When one of the largest employers in Riverside County, Calif., voluntarily closed its doors in March due to the pandemic, management knew it would be difficult to communicate with its 1,850 employees. Immediately, the Native American-owned Morongo Casino Resort & Spa near Palm Springs reached out to Beekeeper to help them connect digitally with all employees across multiple departments and shifts, m...
Zoox Smart Data Enables Hyper-Targeted Local Advertising Capabilities for Hotels
Zoox Smart Data | December 10, 2020
New localization functionality augments Zoox’s big data guest profile capabilities to drive enhanced experience personalization and even greater hotel revenues. Alpharetta, GA — December 10, 2020 — Zoox Smart Data (“Zoox”), an international provider of advanced technological solutions that harness big data to build detailed customer profiles over existing Wi-Fi networks, has today announced the enhancement of its service offerings to include local advertising capabilities based on a guest’s physical location and individual interests. Already set to be implemented by Choice Hotels, this new feature will provide hoteliers with a...
Radisson Signs With Raddon Development for Radisson Blu Sandy – Salt Lake City
Radisson Hotel Group | December 9, 2020
Minneapolis - December 9, 2020 - Radisson Hotel Group today announced the signing of Radisson Blu Sandy - Salt Lake City. The hotel, which will be managed by Radisson Hotel Group, will be part of a multi-phased, mixed-use development project with Raddon Development, called The Summit at the Cairns, designed by Beecher Walker Architects. The first phase of the project, comprised of a 13-story building, will feature conference facilities, a variety of guest rooms, a rooftop restaurant and bar, pool deck, full-service spa, fitness center, top level condominiums and parking structure. “I am proud to be announcing the signing of this phenome...
IHG Signs With Regal Emporia Infratech for Holiday Inn Greater NOIDA West
IHG | December 9, 2020
IHG® Hotels & Resorts, one of world’s leading hotel companies has signed a management agreement with Regal Emporia Infratech (a subsidiary of Investors Clinic), for Holiday Inn Greater NOIDA West in Boulevard Walk, a mix use development by Home & Soul. The new-built hotel will have 140 keys and is expected to be operational by first quarter of 2023. The development will further strengthen brand’s presence in NCR and enable IHG to sustain growth momentum in the midscale segment within the Indian market. Strategically located on a 100ft arterial road called NOIDA - Greater NOIDA Link Road that connects the site to the commercial...
Corporate Governance Study: Lodging Boards 2020
Keith Kefgen | December 9, 2020
By: Keith Kefgen, New York | Terry Donovan, New York The hotel/travel industry has been particularly hard hit by COVID. Many of the industry’s venerable brands have had to do the unthinkable, furlough or layoff significant percentages of their workforce. Many executives and even board directors have taken pay cuts during this health crisis. We wonder how this pandemic will impact corporate governance and the tough decisions facing public hotel/travel companies. We have been studying governance practices in the industry for nearly two decades and we have seen huge strides in the quality of board practices. Our study this year examined ...
The Post-Pandemic Hotel Experience From the Experience Expert
Larry Mogelonsky | December 9, 2020
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.hotelmogel.com) As COVID-19 continues to upend travel and rewrite daily habits, hotels must nevertheless continue to differentiate their products in order to better appeal to guests in the next normal and build revenues. While much needs to be done insofar as safety upgrades and facilitating a contactless customer journey through tech enhancements, it all inevitably comes down to the guest experience. And so, I turn to the man himself who coined the phrase ‘The Experience Economy’, Joe Pine. A thoroughly affable man based out of Minneapolis, his ongoing writing, speaking engagements and work wi...
Hotel Sales Training Insights From a Professional Third-Party Meeting Planner
Doug Kennedy | December 9, 2020
By Doug Kennedy As a hotel sales trainer, I often rely on conversations with top-producing sales leaders when designing the latest “best habits” for hotel sales success for our newest KTN workshops and webinars. Recently, while in Park City, UT to conduct sales training, I caught up with Deanne Vigil, Regional Vice President with HelmsBriscoe over coffee. I first met Deanne over a decade ago as a training client, when she was VP of Sales & Marketing for Hardage Hotel Group. Soon thereafter she switched to the buyer side of the business and I have since watched her career soar as a travel intermediary broker of meetings and event...
Accommodation Experiences in a New COVID-19 World
STR | December 9, 2020
9 December 2020 - July to September of 2020, defined by some as the summer of the staycation, was a period of relative freedom during which travelers around the world were able to resume leisure trips dependent on local restrictions and personal choices. The UNWTO’s tourism and COVID-19 briefing note in September reported that travelers in the current environment are considering shorter trips and destinations closer to home, at least in part, due to restrictions which have hampered international travel. In November 2020, STR’s tourism research team set out to understand current accommodation experiences by speaking with thos...
