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Spokane Tribe Resort & Casino Partners With Travel Outlook to Elevate Guest Service Experience
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Radisson Collection Hotel, Grand Place Brussels Opens Following Rebranding
Radisson Collection | September 21, 2020
Brussels - September 21, 2020 - Radisson Hotel Group is proud to announce the opening of the first Radisson Collection hotel in Belgium and Brussels, the heart of the European Union. The opening of the flagship Radisson Collection Hotel, Grand Place Brussels follows a remarkable transformation of the hotel, with significant investment to upgrade the former Radisson Blu Royal Hotel. Radisson Collection is Radisson Hotel Group’s premium lifestyle brand reserved for its most outstanding luxury properties, offering unique guest experiences, exceptional interior design, personalized services, and comprehensive guest amenities. The 282 room...
IHG Opens voco Villach in Austria
voco Hotels | September 21, 2020
IHG® (InterContinental Hotels Group), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, announces the opening of its first hotel in Northern Europe. voco Villach in Austria has converted to become a voco hotel offering a modern, stylish and unstuffy hotel experience for guests. Villach‘s largest hotel with 130 rooms and 5 suites embodies the characteristics of voco with exclusive features and distinctive hallmarks, setting it apart for a memorable stay. Exclusively located alongside the Drau river, directly in the city centre, the hotel is surrounded by the picturesque mountain landscape of the Austrian Alps. Inspired by the Drau river, v...
Shanghai Marriott Hotel Pudong South Opens in China
Marriott Hotels | September 21, 2020
Marriott International today announced the opening of Shanghai Marriott Hotel Pudong South, celebrating the seventh Marriott Hotels property opening in the buzzing city of Shanghai, China. Featuring the brand’s iconic creative use of space, intuitive service, uplifting culinary offerings as well as flexible meeting facilities, the new hotel is set to become an ideal choice for both business and leisure travelers seeking to make the most out of their time in Southeast Shanghai. “We are delighted to unveil Shanghai Marriott Hotel Pudong South, the seventh Marriott Hotels property in Shanghai. It marks an exciting moment as we proudly con...
Yotel Washington DC Nears Construction Completion For Fall 2020 Opening
YOTEL | September 21, 2020
WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 21, 2020) – YOTEL, the innovative global hospitality brand popular among smart, tech-savvy travelers, is on-track to debut its first acquired hotel this fall. The property will be the first in the U.S to open during this period of extended health-related travel restrictions, providing guests with YOTEL’s newest, elevated health and safety program, #SmartStay. As one of the only hotels in the DC area to see through construction during COVID- 19, YOTEL Washington DC will bring an already-elevated level of high-tech and low-touch guest experiences found at all YOTEL hotels worldwide. As the brand’s first...
Survey: 74% of Hotels Will Lay Off More Employees Without Further Aid
AHLA | September 21, 2020
WASHINGTON (September 21, 2020) – As devastated industries wait for Congress to pass another round of COVID-19 recovery legislation, a new survey of American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) members shows that the hotel industry remains on the brink of collapse because of the pandemic. Results show 68 percent of hotels have less than half of their typical, pre-crisis staff working full time, and without further governmental assistance, 74 percent of respondents said they would be forced to lay off additional employees. AHLA conducted the survey of hotel industry owners, operators, and employees from September 14-16, 2020, with mor...
In Jittery Times, This Asset Class Is Steady
HotStats | September 21, 2020
It’s U.S. Open week. The top golfers in the world convene just outside New York City at Winged Foot Golf Club (no fans allowed) where they will compete for a major title and all the prestige and money that comes with it. Unlike some other golf tournaments, the U.S. Open is historically the most difficult. The rough is thicker. The greens are slicker. The stakes are higher. And the winning score—frequently above par—reflects that. The U.S. Open is a grind. The flashier, familiar, famous player is not assured victory. Case in point, last year’s victor, Gary Woodland, was ranked 25th in the world when he won and, unlike one Tiger W...
Topping Off Ceremony Held for Marriott Hotel at Metro Centre at Owings Mills
David S. Brown Enterprises, LTD. | September 21, 2020
Baltimore, MD (September 21, 2020) – Representatives from David S. Brown Enterprises, Crescent Hotels and Resorts, and Marriott Hotels have celebrated the topping off of the soon to be named Marriott Hotel at Metro Centre in Owings Mills, MD. Construction on the project began in early 2020 and will continue throughout 2021. Upon completion, the hotel will offer 229 luxury rooms in addition to a 6,700 square foot ballroom, a 4,150 square foot outdoor event terrace, a boardroom with connected outdoor terrace, seven large meeting rooms, a full-service upscale restaurant, a kosher kitchen, a lobby bar and lounge, a coffee shop, a state-of-t...
Automatically Receive Your Food Products and Update Your Costs in Seconds With Clear Sky Software’s Interface to Cheney Brothers
Clear Sky Software, Inc. ® | September 21, 2020
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina – September 21, 2020 – Clear Sky Software, Inc. ® announced today the release of a new software interface between the company’s food inventory control system, called Clear Sky FOOD and Cheney Brothers ® Food Service Distributor. This interface is available immediately. With this new offering from Clear Sky Software, hospitality organizations have a complete, back-office food inventory management solution integrated with a major food distributor. Clear Sky FOOD helps users track food products from the point of purchase, through receiving and the ultimate transfer to kitchens, restaurants, banquets or an...
Upgrade to a New Affordable ADA Compliant Website, on “Pay-As-You-Go” Model With No Capital Expense
Lodging Interactive and Commingle:Engage | September 21, 2020
PARSIPPANY, NJ – September 9, 2020 - Lodging Interactive, a full-service digital marketing, social media engagement, and reputation management agency exclusively serving the hospitality industry, is making it easy for hotels to upgrade their digital marketing presence through its HotelSiteXPRESS service. HotelSiteXPRESS provides an affordable way for hotels to upgrade their online presence with a new, fully responsive website and online marketing services on a subscription-based model with no capital outlay. “We believe hotels must make it a priority to upgrade their websites during the current slow-down in occupancies,...
BU School of Hospitality & ESSEC Business School (France) Announce Collaboration for Graduate Students
Boston University School of Hospitality Administration | September 17, 2020
(September 16, 2020) Boston, MA and Cergy (France) – Boston University’s School of Hospitality Administration (BU SHA) Dean Arun Upneja, PhD, has announced the formalized relationship between two of the world’s leading hospitality programs: Boston University’s School of Hospitality Administration (BU SHA) and the ESSEC Business School in Paris, France. Graduate students enrolled in either program have the opportunity to earn part of their Master’s degree abroad – an opportunity which involves elective courses taught by premier internationally-recognized industry practitioners and internships in Europe and / or the United State...
Best Western Opens First SureStay Studio in Charlotte, North Carolina
Best Western Hotels & Resorts | September 17, 2020
Phoenix, Arizona (September 17, 2020) – Best Western Hotels & Resorts (BWHR) today announced the opening of SureStay Studio by Best Western Charlotte Executive Park, the first property to open as part of the company’s newest brand concept, SureStay Studio by Best Western. The hotel recently opened its doors to guests after completing a $1.8 million renovation. The hotel offers 116 suites along with the amenities today’s travelers expect from an extended-stay experience. “SureStay Studio provides a premium-economy extended stay experience where value and quality meet the convenience of home,” comments Brad LeBlanc, Senior Vice...
Critical Components of an Effective “Order to Appoint a Receiver” – From the Lender’s Perspective
Victoria 'Vicki' S Richman | September 17, 2020
By Vicki Richman It is inevitable – many hotels will go into receivership and/or foreclosure in the coming months. Some owners cannot afford to fight any longer, some lenders cannot kick the can down the road any longer, or any number of other reasons will start them down this path. Receiverships can be extremely beneficial to the lender or they can be problematic. The three tools central to establishing a receivership which is beneficial to the lender are: 1) the right Receiver 2) the right Receiver’s attorney, and 3) a strategically drafted “Order to Appoint a Receiver.” This article addresses the third tool in a lender’s to...
Hotel Cleanliness Policies in the Time of COVID-19
Christian Cross | September 17, 2020
By Christian Cross Outbreak and the Initial Response at the Height of Impact COVID-19 has posed challenges never seen before by the hotel industry, requiring owners, managers, and brands to take new precautions to keep both guests and staff safe. The industry faced the added challenge of not only creating a safe lodging environment but also creating the impression of security to give guests the confidence to travel again. As the virus rapidly spread around the globe, brands quickly got to work on creating new standards to implement throughout their chains; however, local owners and management companies needed to take immediate steps to addr...
Park Inn by Radisson Opens Its First Hotel in Jeddah With the World’s First Female Saudi General Manager
Park Inn by Radisson | September 17, 2020
Brussels/Jeddah - September 17, 2020 - Park Inn by Radisson, the upper midscale hotel brand that delivers stress-free experiences, good food and upbeat environments, is proud to announce the opening of its first hotel in Jeddah. The newest addition brings the group’s portfolio to over 45 hotels, resorts and serviced apartments in operation and under development, accelerating Radisson Hotel Group’s expansion across the country. A gateway to the holy city of Makkah, Jeddah attracts travelers from across the globe as a center for international business and a canvas for public art. Located within close proximity of King Abdulaziz Internatio...
Okura Nikko Hotel Management Set to Open Grand Nikko Awaji in Japan
Yumebutai Co., Ltd. | September 17, 2020
TOKYO - Okura Nikko Hotel Management Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Hotel Okura Co., Ltd., announced today that it plans to open the Grand Nikko Awaji on October 1st 2020. After being operated as The Westin Awaji Island and managed by Yumebutai Co., Ltd. and Marriott International Inc. for 20 years, the hotel will be rebranded as a Grand Nikko property and operated under new management. Located on the northern tip of Awaji Island, the hotel opened in March 2000 as the core facility of the Awaji Yumebutai hotel and conference center complex. It is easily accessible from Honshu via the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge, which boasts the longest central span...
Global Innovative Solutions to the Healthcare Crisis and How Medical Tourism Can Positively Impact Lodging Businesses
Dr. Adel Eldin | September 17, 2020
By Adel Eldin, M.D. MBA. Brooksville Cardiology, Tampa, FL and Frederick J. DeMicco, Ph.D. Professor, Northern Arizona University Medical Tourism and Medical Travel can bring patient/guests to the hotels throughout many healthcare destinations around the United States. One model is Florida Medical Tourism (FMT) (https://floridamedicaltourism.com/), a Global Hub for Medical Tourism Services for inbound, outbound, and domestic clients. Florida Medical Tourism is important for the economy of Florida and offers great opportunities. See Figure 1 below. Florida is one of the most visited destination in the World with more than 130 mi...
Can Hotels Cement Their Place in the New Remote Working Culture?
JLL | September 17, 2020
Hotels have long been hives of remote working, from business travellers sending emails after meetings nearby to more recently, coworking spaces in communal areas attracting a new generation of digital nomads. Now, with fewer guests staying overnight, some hotel groups are homing in on remote workers by offering bedrooms as makeshift daytime offices. The work-from-hotel model, driven by major operators such as Accor, targets local workers seeking out a better balance between work and home life – or simply a change of scenery after months of working from home. In the Netherlands, a range of hotel rooms are available through one websi...
STR: U.S. Hotel Results for Week Ending 12 September
STR | September 17, 2020
HENDERSONVILLE, Tennessee—U.S. hotel occupancy decreased slightly from the previous week, according to the latest data from STR. 6-12 September 2020 (percentage change from comparable week in 2019): Occupancy: 48.5% (-30.2%) Average daily rate (ADR): US$98.99 (-25.5%) Revenue per available room (RevPAR): US$47.96 (-48.1%) Occupancy for the week prior was above 49.0%, lifted by Labor Day Weekend. For the week ending with 12 September, demand was 1.6% less, at 17.7 million room nights sold. The highest occupancy markets were those housing displaced residents from Hurricane Laura and western wildfires, with Louisiana North (77...
STR: Canada Hotel Results for Week Ending 12 September
STR | September 17, 2020
HENDERSONVILLE, Tennessee—STR data for 6-12 September 2020 showed slightly lower performance from prior weeks for Canada’s hotel industry. Year-over-year declines, while improved, also remain significant. In comparison with the week of 8-14 September 2019, the industry reported the following: Occupancy: -48.0% to 39.8% Average daily rate (ADR): -32.3% to CAD123.89 Revenue per available room (RevPAR): -64.8% to CAD49.32 Occupancy for previous weeks came in at 41.9%, 42.1% and 42.9%, respectively For the week ending with 12 September, British Columbia (50.9%) was the only province to reach or surpass a 50% occupancy leve...
Luxury Resort in Hawaii, Prince Waikiki, Selects Cendyn
Cendyn | September 17, 2020
Prince Waikiki selects Cendyn's Revenue Cloud products to power revenue management and business intelligence at their resort Boca Raton, FL, United States – September 17, 2020 – Cendyn, the leading innovator in CRM, sales, and revenue strategy for the hospitality industry, announces Prince Waikiki has selected rainmaker and revintel to power revenue management and business intelligence for their premier resort in Hawaii. Located in Honolulu’s heart, Prince Waikiki features 563 guest rooms, 33 luxury suites, top-rated restaurants, and nearly 20,000 sq. ft. of event space on Ala Wai Yacht Harbor. Choosing Cendyn as their revenue mana...
Contactless Technologies Gaining Traction in Travel and Tourism Industry, Says GlobalData
GlobalData | September 17, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought the travel and tourism industry to a near standstill with prolonged lockdowns. Now that government authorities across several countries have relaxed air travel restrictions, airports and hotels are trying to re-build confidence in travelers. Against the backdrop, contactless technologies are proving to be a game changer for the industry, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company. Sneha Nigade, Disruptive Tech Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The COVID-19 pandemic became a wakeup call for the travel and tourism industry to accelerate investments in contactless technologies like biometric chec...
5 Tips for Cutting Down Food Costs
HotStats | September 17, 2020
With COVID-19 slicing into hotel profit, cutting food costs is more important than ever—especially with so many hotels now relying on food and beverage (F&B) services to meet guest expectations. If hoteliers want to drive profit in the wake of COVID-19, it’s crucial to monitor F&B costs. Otherwise, the expenses from these important operations could be draining critical cashflow. Luckily, there are simple ways a hotel or resort can grab control of its F&B expenses and increase profit. And lowering food costs is at the core of that plan. Here are five ways to lower food costs in the hotel industry in the face of COVID-19: ...
Hotel Investors Across Europe Have ‘Wall of Money’ and Confidence in the Sector’s Ability to Recover, Hears Webinar
HVS | September 17, 2020
17 September 2020, London: A webinar held this week [15th September] hosted by HVS, AlixPartners, Bird & Bird and EP Magazine, heard a distinguished panel of experts debate the impact of the global pandemic on hotel values across Europe and whether it had in fact, created an investment opportunity. HVS London chairman Russell Kett kicked off the session by noting the improved performance of hotels in July, compared with April of this year, despite many properties remaining closed. “Things have started to move in those properties that have re-opened,” he said, “business is starting to come back. These are good signs with strong in...
Lessons From Disaster: COVID-19 and Chinese Hotels
PolyU’s School of Hotel and Tourism Management | September 17, 2020
Few industries have suffered more from the COVID-19 than hospitality and tourism, and China’s hotel sector has many lessons to learn. In a thought-provoking exploratory study published recently, Dr Fei Hao, Dr Qu Xiao and Dean Kaye Chon of the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University cast light on the fundamental impact of COVID-19 on the sector, and propose strategies for Chinese hotel firms to overcome their current difficulties and emerge ever stronger. First and hardest hit by the devastating impact of COVID-19, Chinese hotels now have the chance to lead the global sector out of crisis and in...
