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DoubleTree by Hilton Debuts in the Historic Port City of A Coruña
DoubleTree by Hilton | September 11, 2020
A CORUÑA, Spain - DoubleTree by Hilton A Coruña today opens its doors to guests in the heart of the historic city. The upscale hotel – which offers DoubleTree by Hilton’s signature warm hospitality, spacious guest rooms and exciting dining options – joins four DoubleTree by Hilton properties already open in Spain. The elegant new property is situated just 50 metres from A Coruña’s beautiful beach promenade – one of the longest in Europe. Stretching from Castillo de San Anton to El Portino, the 13-kilometre promenade provides a picturesque place for a leisurely stroll. The contemporary hotel is also home to Hünico, an excit...
Mid-Market Hotels to Lead the Indian Hotels Sector Revival Story
Akash Datta | September 11, 2020
By Akash Datta, Dipti Mohan The growth of domestic tourism, changing lifestyles, increasing affinity towards competitively priced branded hotels and expansion of business activity to Tier 2 & 3 cities have bolstered the popularity of Mid-market or Midscale hotels in India in the recent past. Both domestic and international hotel companies with established as well as new midscale brands have increased their presence in the country to leverage the growing demand from middle-income domestic travelers and international budget travelers, especially in Tier 2, 3 & 4 cities. New age hotel aggregators also recognized and leveraged the oppo...
World Tourism Day 2020: Global Community Unites to Celebrate “Tourism and Rural Development”
UNWTO | September 11, 2020
The 2020 edition of World Tourism Day will celebrate the unique role that tourism plays in providing opportunities outside of big cities and preserving cultural and natural heritage all around the world. Celebrated on 27 September with the theme of “Tourism and Rural Development”, this year’s international day of observation comes at a critical moment, as countries around the world look to tourism to drive recovery, including in rural communities where the sector is a leading employer and economic pillar. The 2020 edition also comes as governments look to the sector to drive recovery from the effects of the pandemic and with the ...
Canada’s Hotel Industry Shows Lower Performance From Prior Weeks
STR | September 11, 2020
HENDERSONVILLE, Tennessee—STR data for 30 August through 5 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 1-7 September 2019, the industry reported the following: Occupancy: -36.5% to 41.9% Average daily rate (ADR): -26.7% to CAD128.13 Revenue per available room (RevPAR): -53.4% to CAD53.65 Occupancy for previous weeks came in at 42.1%, 42.9% and 41.8%, respectively For the week ending with 5 September, two provinces reached a 50% occupancy level: Prince Edward Isl...
U.S. Hotel Occupancy Gets Boost From Labor Day Weekend
STR | September 11, 2020
HENDERSONVILLE, Tennessee—Boosted in part by Labor Day weekend, U.S. hotel occupancy increased slightly over the previous week, according to the latest data from STR. 30 August through 5 September 2020 (percentage change from comparable week in 2019): Occupancy: 49.4% (-18.9%) Average daily rate (ADR): US$100.97 (-17.1%) Revenue per available room (RevPAR): US$49.87 (-32.8%) Hotel demand grew to 18 million room nights sold (+500,000 week over week). Saturday (5 September) occupancy came in at 69.0%, just 2.6% less than the comparable Saturday in 2019, and leisure markets that have showed the highest summer occupa...
Tru by Hilton Spokane Valley Appoints Stacie Harper as General Manager and Madisen Kellogg as Sales Manager
Commonwealth Hotels, LLC | September 11, 2020
COVINGTON, Ky., Sept. 11, 2020 -- The Tru by Hilton Spokane Valley has filled their upper management positions with seasoned market leaders. Stacie Harper and Madisen Kellogg are the opening General Manager and Sales Manager respectively, creating a formidable team with vast connections throughout the Spokane Valley market. The 92-room Tru by Hilton Spokane Valley will be the first hotel managed by Commonwealth Hotels in the Pacific Northwest. "We are excited to add the Tru Spokane Valley to the Commonwealth family of hotels," Brian Fry, President, said. "Their combined knowledge of the area and proven history of delivering su...
Travel Industry: Appropriate Testing Protocols A Must or U.S. Economy Will Lose $155 Billion Due to International Travel Collapse
the Global Business Travel Association | September 11, 2020
Aviation industry groups urge the Administration to take necessary steps to safely open international travel markets Alexandria, Virginia (September 10, 2020) In a letter released today, 18 travel and aviation industry groups called on the Administration to take coordinated and deliberate action to safely reopen international travel markets. The letter, addressed to Health and Human Services Secretary Alex M. Azar II, Homeland Security Acting Secretary Chad F. Wolf, and Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao, from the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), along with groups like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Air T...
Restaurant Owners and Operators Are Invited to Take Free COVID-19 Restaurant Safety Training Course
The City of Miami | September 11, 2020
MIAMI (Sept. 11, 2020) – The City of Miami, Miami's Downtown Development Authority (DDA), and the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Florida International University (FIU) are encouraging local restaurant owners to sign up for a new one-hour health and safety course. Created by culinary educators and professionals, the course focuses on reducing and preventing the spread of COVID-19 through health and safety training and is free and open to all restaurant owners and operators. The COVID-19 Restaurant Safety and Compliance Course offers a one-hour lecture and quiz based on safety protocols and guidelines from the M...
Accor Bringing Fairmont Brand to Australia With 2023 Opening in Queensland
Accor | September 10, 2020
Australia, 10 September 2020 – Accor will bring the luxury Fairmont brand to Australia for the first time, with the announcement that the Fairmont Port Douglas is set to open in Far North Queensland in 2023. Set on the edge of two UNESCO World Heritage sites – the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest - the hotel has been sustainably designed to give back to the environment. “We are excited to bring the extraordinary Fairmont brand to Australia and are confident that Fairmont Port Douglas will deliver a new level of luxury and sophistication to one of the country’s most glamourous resort towns,” said Simon McGrath, Ch...
Multi-Year Recovery Along With New Opportunities for the Travel and Hospitality Sector, Predicts HVS Global Leadership
HVS | September 10, 2020
DENVER, CO, September 10, 2020: HVS senior management across the globe hosted a webinar on September 8, 2020, to offer expert perspectives on key hospitality topics including how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected their respective regions and the kind of recovery hoteliers can anticipate, as well as the long-term changes the sector is likely to experience. Opened by CEO Stephen Rushmore and moderated by HVS London Chairman Russell Kett, the webinar also included a straw poll, in which 51% of the over 1,800 global participants said they expected RevPAR (rooms revenue per available room) to return to pre-COVID-19 levels during 2023, wit...
More Than 50% of Global Destinations Are Easing Travel Restrictions – But Caution Remains
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) | September 10, 2020
A majority of destinations around the world (53%) have now started easing travel restrictions introduced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Though many remain cautious in view of the development of the pandemic, the seventh edition of the UNWTO “COVID-19 Related Travel Restrictions: A Global Review for Tourism” confirms the ongoing trend towards the gradual restart of tourism. Analysing restrictions up to 1 September, the research carried out by the United Nations specialized agency for tourism found that a total of 115 destinations (53% of all destinations worldwide) have eased travel restrictions, an increase of 28 since 19 July. Of...
Will COVID-19 Be a Catalyst for More Hotel Mergers and Acquisitions?
Linchi Kwok | September 10, 2020
By Linchi Kwok COVID-19 has put many restaurants and hotels out of business. A recent example is the permanent closure of the iconic Hilton Times Square Hotel. Several restaurant chains recently rolled out new store designs to embrace the contactless self-service and delivery trends demanded by customers. Additionally, when more schools and businesses are reopening, the restaurant industry has already shown signs of recovery. There was a 2% increase in spending year-over-year in the week ending August 30. The outlook for hotels, however, is not as optimistic. The hotel industry is still struggling. According to the latest U.S. hot...
IHG Signs With Tokyo Century Corporation to Open Hotel Indigo Karuizawa in 2022
IHG | September 10, 2020
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG®) and Tokyo Century Corporation have signed a management agreement to open Hotel Indigo Karuizawa in 2022. Located in the mountains near Nagano, Karuizawa is a much-loved destination for Japanese and international travellers who appreciate outdoor activities, including golf and hiking, during its mild summers, and skiing and onsens (hot springs) during the winter. It’s also home to popular attractions such as the Kyu-Karuizawa old town and Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza. Hotel Indigo Karuizawa will draw on the story of the local neighbourhood to incorporate locally-influenced design and service, wh...
Kana Hotel Group Opens Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Nashville Near Vanderbilt
Fairfield by Marriott | September 10, 2020
Nashville, TN – September 10, 2020 – The 155-room Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Nashville near Vanderbilt, Tennessee is scheduled to open on Thursday, September 10, 2020 with a new décor that provides guests with a feeling of warmth and calm while traveling. Located at 109 29th Ave N, the Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Nashville near Vanderbilt will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned by Midtown Hotel Partners, LLC and managed by Kana Hotel Group of Knoxville, Tennessee. Located 3 miles from downtown Nashville, the Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Nashville near Vanderbilt offers guests convenient access to ...
U.S. Travel Calls on Senate to Pass Relief Bill as Economy Loses Staggering $2 Billion per Day
U.S. Travel Association | September 10, 2020
WASHINGTON (September 9, 2020)—New data from the U.S. Travel Association underscores how a nationwide economic recovery will not be possible until Congress prioritizes emergency relief legislation for all segments of the travel industry. A staggering $360 billion—or $2 billion per day—has been drained from the overall U.S. economy since March as a result of decreased travel demand due to the pandemic, according to research prepared by Tourism Economics. The devastation has wiped out half of all travel-supported U.S. jobs—which prior to COVID-19 had provided employment for one in 10 Americans—between the onset of the pandemic a...
Camelback Resort Appoints Francis Xavier Lake III as Vice President of Food & Beverage
Camelback Resort | September 10, 2020
TANNERSVILLE, Penn. – With over 20 years of corporate operations managerial experience in the hospitality industry, Francis Xavier Lake III has been appointed the vice president of food and beverage at Camelback Resort, a KSL Resort nestled in the Pocono Mountains, Penn. Lake will helm the culinary operations team – revamping the array of Camelback Resort dining venues including thematic positioning, menu development, procurement and staff needs. His experience in restaurant operations includes, most recently, serving as senior director of restaurants and bars for Diplomat Beach Resort – Curio Collection, based in Hollywood, Florida,...
Dreamscape Names Amy Riley Director of Group Sales at Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino
the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino | September 10, 2020
LAS VEGAS – Dreamscape Companies, owner of the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino, has named hospitality industry veteran Amy Riley as the resort’s Director of Group Sales. Dreamscape purchased the Rio in 2019 and will take over management in 2022, following a two-year leaseback agreement with former owner Caesars Entertainment. Riley joins Dreamscape from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), where she was the Senior Director of Business Development. “We feel extremely fortunate to have someone with Amy’s experience and industry relationships join our team at The Rio,” said Eric Birnbaum, Founder of Dreamsca...
Boston Laundry Inc. Grows Client Base and Improves Services Installing the InvoTech Laundry System
InvoTech Systems | September 10, 2020
Boston Laundry Inc. implements the InvoTech Laundry System to Manage Laundry Activity for Rental Items LOS ANGELES, CA – September 10th, 2020 -- InvoTech Systems Inc. announced the recent implementation of its Laundry System at Boston Laundry Inc. in Medford, Massachusetts. InvoTech Systems is the leading provider of advanced Linen Management, Laundry and Uniform Systems that integrate the latest RFID technology to increase profitability for hotels, resorts, casino operators, sports arenas, convention centers and theme parks. The InvoTech System installed at Boston Laundry Inc. manages the Laundry inventory and the rental activity for th...
Real Hospitality Group Opens Newly Built Home2 Suites by Hilton, Lewes Rehoboth Beach
Real Hospitality Group | September 9, 2020
Lewes, DE, September 9, 2020 – Real Hospitality Group, Inc. (RHG) today announced the opening of the new built 110 guest suite Home2 Suites by Hilton™ Lewes Rehoboth Beach. Located on US-1, the hotel is a short drive to area beaches and offers easy access to the Coastal Highway and Cape Henlopen State Park as well as Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. Guests will find the Tanger Outlet Mall in walking distance with an array of shops and restaurants. The hotel is owned by Suitewater, LLC, which selected RHG to manage its first extended stay property based on RHG’s excellent reputation and experience in providing superior o...
Travel & Tourism Companies’ Sentiments Showing Signs of Rebound
GlobalData | September 9, 2020
The travel and tourism (T&T) sector witnessed an uptick in Q3 2020 earnings transcript sentiment scores, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company. Hotel operators’ sentimental growth was influenced by improvements in occupancy rates, while airline companies’ sentiments were largely influenced by enhanced liquidity. Rinaldo Pereira, Senior Business Fundamentals Analyst at GlobalData, says: “There has been a surprisingly early sentiment rebound in the T&T sector, which has taken a hit due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Companies in this space have been supported by government relief packages, but questions arise...
Travel & Tourism Sector Witnessed 4.5% Growth in Deal Activity During August
GlobalData | September 9, 2020
A total of 115 deals were announced in the global travel and tourism sector during August 2020, which is an increase of 4.5% over 110 deals announced during the previous month, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company. Aurojyoti Bose, Lead Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “August marks the third consecutive month of growth in deal activity for the sector. This also assumes more significance as the travel and tourism sector remains one of the worst hit industries due to the COVID-19 pandemic and has witnessed several months of decline in deal activity in 2020. However, with several countries attempting to revive the t...
How to Use Facebook to Improve Your Hotel’s Digital Marketing
Cendyn | September 9, 2020
How to use Facebook Custom Events and Conversions Perhaps more than ever, social media is a valuable pathway for hotels to connect directly with travelers. It’s one of the channels where hotels can nurture relationships with past guests and surface new audiences that may be eager to escape the “work from home” reality faced by many. Social media can also be a place to waste a lot of money! Effective digital marketing has always been about results: capturing the most bookings at the best possible rates at the lowest cost. This imperative has been put into sharper focus due to the budget restraints triggered by the global pandemic. Th...
Reputation Management for the Post-Covid Hotel
Larry Mogelonsky | September 9, 2020
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.hotelmogel.com) How has reputation management for hotel brands evolved in the wake of the pandemic? Do travelers rely more or less on third-party reviews? Have their top criteria for judging a property changed? Can we attribute a specific dollar amount for how much a good or bad review will cost an organization? These are some of the questions I ask myself when confronting this relatively new field. So that we’re all on the same page, when we refer to reputation management we are discussing the capacity of user-generated content (UGC) stemming from a guest’s experience to alter another customer...
Lodgco Hospitality Opens Canopy by Hilton Grand Rapids Downtown
Canopy by Hilton Grand Rapids Downtown | September 9, 2020
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., and MCLEAN, Va. - Canopy by Hilton, Hilton’s (NYSE: HLT) lifestyle hotel brand, announced today the opening of the Canopy by Hilton Grand Rapids Downtown, which is owned and operated by Lodgco Hospitality. This eight-story, 155-room upper upscale property will be the first Canopy to open in Michigan. Located in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids at Studio Park, the property is within walking distance from Grand Rapids’ local restaurants and entertainment. “We are thrilled to open our 23rd Canopy by Hilton property in historic Grand Rapids,” said Harald Han, Director of Brand Management, Canopy by Hilton. “Br...
