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U.S. Travel Reacts to Proposed COVID Relief Framework
U.S. Travel Association | December 9, 2020
WASHINGTON (December 9, 2020)—U.S. Travel Association Executive Vice President for Public Affairs and Policy Tori Emerson Barnes issued the following statement on the announced Bipartisan Emergency COVID Relief Act of 2020: “We are very encouraged that the bipartisan deal framework includes a number of provisions that we have long been pushing as critical to rescuing businesses and jobs. “In particular, the second draw on PPP funds and the expansion of eligibility to non-profit organizations that promote travel and tourism will be especially beneficial to America’s hardest-hit industry. “This relief proposal package is wise...
Accor Presents New Hotels Opening in Australia and New Zealand in 2021
Accor | December 9, 2020
From the launch of the Mövenpick brand in Australia, to the first internationally recognised five-star hotel to be built in Adelaide in 30 years – Sofitel Adelaide, and two brand new The Sebel properties, 2021 will be a strong year of new hotel openings for Accor in the Pacific. The new openings in 2021 represent a strong investment in tourism for the Pacific region. Accor Pacific CEO, Simon McGrath, said: “With the domestic leisure market growing, Australia and New Zealand are well positioned to capture both domestic travellers and returning international travellers when the borders reopen. The new properties represent the best of A...
Auberge Resorts Collection Appoints Christina Deeny Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing
Auberge Resorts Collection | December 9, 2020
MILL VALLEY, CALIF. (December 9, 2020) – Auberge Resorts Collection, a portfolio of award-winning hotels, resorts and residences, announced today that Christina Deeny will join the acclaimed hospitality company as Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing. In her new role, Deeny will lead the brand’s global leisure travel industry sales and marketing strategy and guide the team in growing its European presence. “We are thrilled to welcome Christina to the growing Auberge Resorts Collection family,” said Mike Minchin, Chief Marketing Officer, Auberge Resorts Collection. “Her global expertise and comprehensive leadership abiliti...
Boutique Anatolia Hospitality Group Selects IDeaS G3 Revenue Management System
IDeaS | December 9, 2020
Family-owned Greek hotel organisation turns to IDeaS to gain better insights into data through accessible automation LONDON—Dec. 9, 2020—Family-run and owned Anatolia Hospitality has selected IDeaS G3 Revenue Management System (RMS) to manage, control and maximise its data. Anatolia will implement IDeaS initially at its two city hotels with the highest booking dynamic, Anatolia Hotel and Onoma Hotel in Thessaloniki. Embracing revenue science – After 90 years in business, turning to technology was the next logical step for the Chrysochoidis family and its hotels, villas and luxury apartments. IDeaS G3 RMS provides the continuous ...
RREAF Holdings and Aimbridge Hospitality Open Delta Hotels by Marriott Dallas Southlake
RREAF Holdings LLC | December 9, 2020
SOUTHLAKE, Texas (Dec. 9, 2020) – Delta Hotels by Marriott™ Dallas Southlake officially opened Nov. 27 – just in time to celebrate the holiday season. The eagerly anticipated hotel, owned by RREAF Holdings and managed by Aimbridge Hospitality, is at the intersection of State Highway 114 and White Chapel Boulevard in Southlake. RREAF Holdings is a privately-held commercial real estate firm based in Dallas, with a history of success in the acquisition, development, asset management, ownership, repositioning and financing of complex real estate projects throughout the United States. Celebrity chef and iconic restaurateur Dean Fearing coll...
Radisson Blu Anaheim Appoints Food & Beverage Team
Radisson Blu | December 9, 2020
(ANAHEIM, CA; December 9, 2020)—Radisson Blu, the upper-upscale brand, synonymous with meaningful experiences, stylish spaces and thoughtful details from Radisson Hotel Group, announces its executive food and beverage team: Director of Food & Beverage Daniel Rivera, General Manager of Restaurants & Bars Derek J. Downing, and Executive Chef Edgar Beas. The hotel is home to three restaurants and two bars – FireLake Grillhouse & Cocktail Bar, the marquee restaurant centered around live fire cooking; Blu SkyBar, a rooftop bar and lounge; and Marketplace, a grab-and-go stop for convenient snacks, artisan coffee from Lavazza...
Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa Appoints Laura McIver as General Manager
Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa | December 9, 2020
SAN DIEGO, Calif. (Dec. 9, 2020) — Southern California’s only Relais & Châteaux property, Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa, has announced Laura McIver as the new general manager. A leader in the hospitality industry with over 30 years of experience, McIver will be leading the award-winning resort and spa which spans 45 sprawling acres with wide open spaces, lush gardens and olive and citrus groves. “We are pleased to welcome Laura McIver to the Rancho Valencia family,” said Jeff Jacobs, co-owner of Rancho Valencia. “Her vast knowledge and expertise in the hospitality space will inspire our team as we continue to elevate our gu...
Greenwood Hospitality Inks Management Deal With Ross Group Development for The Tulsa Club Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton
Greenwood Hospitality | December 9, 2020
TULSA, OK - Dec. 9, 2020 – Greenwood Hospitality Group, a full-service third party hotel management company, has assumed management of the Tulsa Club Hotel, a member of the Curio Collection by Hilton. “This property is a testimony to the owner’s commitment to preserving the historical integrity of this landmark property, while paying close attention to the hallmarks of personalized service and upgrades todays traveler requires. We are honored to add this unique asset to our portfolio,” said Tom Conran, Principal at Greenwood Hospitality Group.” Warren E. Ross, Managing Principal of Ross Group Development added, “Gre...
TraknProtect Appoints James Lamb to Board of Advisors
TraknProtect | December 9, 2020
Chicago, Illinois, December 9, 2020 – TraknProtect, a pioneer of location-based technology purpose-built for the hotel industry and a leading employee safety button provider for several major hotel brands, announces the appointment of James Lamb to the company’s Board of Advisors. In his role, he will work closely with the executive management team in providing technical and industry expertise, assistance as the company continues to expand globally, define and implement new offerings and assist in TraknProtect’s global go-to-market strategy. Lamb has over thirty years of experience in delivering efficiency and effectiveness from IT o...
AHLA Announces 2021 Officers, Board, Executive Committee With Record Diversity
AHLA | December 9, 2020
WASHINGTON (December 9, 2020) – The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) today unveiled its 2021 Officers, Board of Directors and Executive Committee, which includes top leaders representing all segments of the hospitality industry. The 2021 AHLA leadership team includes the most diverse group of industry leaders in the association’s more than 100-year history. AHLA recognizes the importance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace and has committed to advancing women and minorities in the industry, especially at the top levels. In the past two years, AHLA has increased the number of women and minorities represented on t...
Knowland Announces the Passing of CEO Robert Post
December 9, 2020
ARLINGTON, Va., Dec. 9, 2020 — It is with profound sadness that Knowland announces the passing of Knowland CEO Robert Post. Bob passed away unexpectedly on December 4, 2020. We extend our most heartfelt condolences and sympathy to Bob’s family. Our thoughts are with them at this most difficult time. Bob joined Knowland in 2012 as an investor and a member of its board of directors and in 2013 he took the role of executive chairman. In May 2019, he became CEO, bringing decades of experience to the company as a successful entrepreneur and veteran technology company leader. Prior to joining Knowland, he served as CEO or board member of mu...
How a Total Revenue Approach Can Benefit Your Hotel
HotStats | December 9, 2020
Since the pandemic snuffed out hotel room demand, hoteliers have been digging through the resulting financial rubble in search of revenue. Unfortunately, focusing solely on revenue generation from rooms can obscure financial recovery vision. Exploring and mining for revenue generation outside of rooms is a first step in getting back to profitability. By measuring and monitoring total revenue per available room (TRevPAR), hoteliers have the ability to take a magnifying glass to all revenue sources and identify both underperformance and outperformance. Above all, it can reveal revenue opportunities to help carry a hotel out of the pandemic c...
Soon-to-Open Hilton Aventura Miami Appoints Executive Team
Hilton Aventura Miami | December 8, 2020
Hilton’s newest South Florida hotel announces general manager and director of sales & marketing AVENTURA, FL – December 2020: Kai Fischer has been appointed general manager and Reynaldo Ramirez has been named director of sales and marketing of Hilton Aventura Miami, set to open in the first quarter of 2021. Together they will oversee daily operations and sales efforts of South Florida’s newest Hilton hotel. Fischer and Ramirez will drive corporate, leisure and group business, and establish the 208-room property as a leading luxury hotel in the heart of Aventura with an exceptional culinary program, upscale accommodations, and prem...
Marriott to Debut First AC Hotel in the Dominican Republic With 2021 Opening of AC Punta Cana
AC Hotels | December 8, 2020
MIAMI, Dec. 8, 2020 -- The world's largest hotel chain, Marriott, together with investment firm EGI Business Group, adds to its growing portfolio in Latin America with the introduction of AC Punta Cana in the Spring of 2021. The property will be the first project from EGI Business Group in the Caribbean, the first AC Hotel in the Dominican Republic, and will be managed by Highgate. Tackling a growing trend in travel that combines business with leisure, this 129-room property will enhance the brand's signature take on precision and attention to detail to cater to the demands of essentialists who live by design and wish to make th...
Kimpton The Rowan Palm Springs Welcomes Nicholas Kabetso as Director of Restaurants, Bars & Events
Kimpton The Rowan Palm Springs | December 8, 2020
PALM SPRINGS, CALIF. (December 8, 2020) – Nicholas Kabetso has been newly appointed to lead the four restaurant and bar concepts at the award-winning Kimpton The Rowan Palm Springs as Director of Restaurants, Bars & Events. Working alongside Executive Chef Dan Grunbeck, Kabetso plays a key role in operational strategy, development and management for the culinary, beverage, and events programming at 4 Saints, Juniper Table, High Bar, and Window Bar in addition to the 153-room downtown Palm Springs hotel. Kabetso comes to Palm Springs with more than 16 years of hospitality industry experience including several food & beverage ...
Michelle Reynolds Appointed Spa Director for Corinthia Palace’s Athenaeum Spa in Malta
Corinthia Palace | December 8, 2020
(December 8, 2020) The iconic Athenaeum Spa, which has been recently relaunched at the five-star Corinthia Palace Attard, Malta, now has a new Director. Michelle Reynolds was appointed as Athenaeum Spa Director in October, following the grand reopening of the extensively refurbished luxury spa earlier the same month. Michelle brings to her role as Director a wealth of international experience honed in the Middle East, Maldives, and the UK through leading other renowned spas such as those at the Berkeley Hotel in London, the Westin Doha, as well as Kempinski Marsa Malaz in Qatar. Her shared values of striving for five-star quality and deliv...
Rockbridge Completes Expansive Renovation of Embassy Suites in Metropolitan Detroit
Rockbridge | December 8, 2020
Columbus, OH, December 8, 2020 – Rockbridge has finalized a full-scale renovation of the 251-suite Embassy Suites by Hilton Detroit Troy/Auburn Hills in Troy, Michigan. The hotel is owned by Rockbridge and managed by HVMG. As part of the expansive renovation, all guestrooms, public spaces, restaurant, and meeting rooms were completely updated. “This renovation has revitalized the Embassy Suites by Hilton Detroit Troy/Auburn Hills and will reinforce its position as a market leader,” said Chris Diffley, Managing Director, Investments at Rockbridge. “It has served as a preferred hotel for many of the corporate and leisure travelers t...
Noble’s Rodney Williams to Retire
Noble | December 8, 2020
Atlanta, Georgia (December 8, 2020) – Following nearly two decades of invaluable leadership with Noble Investment Group ("Noble") and an outstanding forty-year career in hospitality, Rodney Williams will be retiring at the end of this year. As a part of a multi-year succession plan, Mr. Williams announced his retirement to Noble's senior team in January. He will continue to serve on the firm’s investment committee as a senior advisor. "Rodney's impact on our Noble organization has been profound. His vision, integrity, and devotion have made us a better team. His benevolence and grace have made me a better person. Perhaps Rodney's most ...
Hospitality Ventures Management Group (HVMG) Ramps Up Lender Real Estate Owned (REO) Management and Receivership Activity
Hospitality Ventures Management Group | December 8, 2020
ATLANTA, Dec. 8, 2020—Hospitality Ventures Management Group (HVMG), an Atlanta-based, private hotel investment, ownership and management company, today announced that it has ramped up its Real Estate Owned (REO) management and receivership activity with the addition of two foreclosed IHG franchised hotels in Killeen, Texas. The company expects its role assisting lenders to continue to expand as industry RevPAR levels remain at roughly half of 2019 performance levels and an on-going surge in COVID-19 infections continues. “After some nine months of sharp hospitality industry declines, we are seeing the beginning of the cycle when CMBS...
Best Western Plus Cotton Tree Inn- Sandy Adopts BeyondTV GuestCast™ by Hotel Internet Services to Cater to Guest Demands for Access to Streamed Cont
Hotel Internet Services, Inc. | December 8, 2020
SANDY, Utah — December 8, 2020 — Hotel Internet Services (HIS), a full-service provider of internet services and solutions, has successfully enhanced the guestroom entertainment abilities of Best Western Cotton Tree Inn- Sandy with the implementation of BeyondTV GuestCast™. Located just 20 miles south of Salt Lake City, the Utah-based property’s recent renovations to ensure high satisfaction rates are now bolstered by the ability for guests to instantly convert guestroom televisions into their own highly personalized entertainment portals using the latest in secure content casting technology With increasing numbers of guests aski...
The Inn at Harbor Shores Waterfront Resort and Condo Residences Leverages Maestro PMS and Intelity Integration to Enhance Contactless Guest Experience
The Inn At Harbor Shores | December 8, 2020
Markham, Ontario, Dec. 8, 2020 — The Inn at Harbor Shores in St. Joseph, Mich., quickly adapted to the coronavirus pandemic as it was unfolding by leveraging an integration between Maestro, the preferred cloud and on-premise Web browser and Windows property-management system for independent hotels, luxury resorts, conference centers, vacation rentals, and multi-property groups, and INTELITY, a leader in end-to-end guest experience technology. The joint technology is enabling the 92-room waterfront resort to enhance its contactless user experience for guests in a variety of ways. “The integration has allowed our guests to request amenit...
Tourism Tidbits: How to Re-Enchant Tourism
Peter Tarlow | December 7, 2020
By Dr. Peter Tarlow With the now real potential for a vaccine, we can begin to think about post – pandemic tourism. After Covid-19 becomes a tragic chapter in the history of tourism industry leaders shall have to find ways to rebuild the industry and to increase both the number of people traveling and regain profitability. The hoped for and desired boom of 2021 can be very positive, but the tourism industry must be careful not to repeat the failures of the pre-Covid-19 tourism world and once again create a world of over-tourism. It behooves us all to remember that in English we derive the word “travel” from the French word for work...
New Key Appointments to Manage Culinary Arts at The Langham, Hong Kong
The Langham, Hong Kong | December 7, 2020
(Hong Kong, 7 December 2020) – The Langham, Hong Kong appoints Michael J Donlevy as Culinary Director and Ng Tzer Tzun in his right-hand position as Executive Sous Chef. Together, they will lead the hotel’s culinary brigade in overseeing dining operations at the 498-room luxury hotel with six restaurants and bars, private dining for guests in residence, The Langham Club Lounge, as well as catering for various creative events. With a distinguished career spanning over three decades in the culinary arts, the Australian native of Irish descent began his apprenticeship and emerging career posts in the Regent, Marriott and Hilton Hotels in Sy...
Remington Hotels Opens the Residence Inn Steamboat Springs
Remington | December 7, 2020
DALLAS (December 7, 2020) – Remington Hotels is proud to announce the opening of the Residence Inn Steamboat Springs in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Cypress 16, as developer of the project, and McClurg Century Investments selected Remington Hotels to open and manage the Residence Inn Steamboat Springs, Remington’s first property in Colorado. The 110-room, all-suite, new build hotel, in Colorado’s preeminent ski town, was designed keeping the vernacular architecture theme of the town. Rooms range from 475 square feet (Studio) to 675 square feet (Two Bedroom Suite), with each suite featuring a fully equipped kitchen, king-size beds, l...
