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Travel Outlook, The Premier Hotel Call Center™ | October 2nd, 2024
Marriott’s Former Chief IT Officer – The Americas Page Petry Joins Cloud5 Communications Board of Directors
Cloud5 Communications | July 21, 2020
CHICAGO (July 21, 2019) – Cloud5 Communications, a leading provider of communications solutions for the world’s top hotel brands and management companies, today announced the appointment of Page Petry to the Company’s Board of Directors. The addition of Petry, who served as Chief IT Officer of the Americas at Marriott International, further reinforces Cloud5 as the leading communications technology and services provider in the industry. “I am delighted to welcome Page to our Board,” said Mark Holzberg, Cloud5’s President and CEO. “There are few people who have as much experience managing and scaling hospitality technology and...
Routier Forms Strategic Partnership With Knowcross® to Enhance Guest Contactless Service Quality and Efficiency in Wake of COVID-19
Routier | July 21, 2020
Routier’s AI-driven MessageHub™ integration with KNOW Service streamlines two-way guest communication and task management abilities for labor-strained hotels, while providing guests with safer access to hotel services. WASHINGTON D.C. & TEL AVIV, July 21, 2020 — Routier, Inc., a leading provider of AI-enabled hotel operations, marketing and guest engagement solutions, has announced a strategic partnership with Knowcross®, the global leader in providing service quality and optimization solutions for hotels, to provide reopening hotels with advanced tools capable of overcoming a range of service challenges posed by COVID-19. Throu...
Cote Family Destinations Partners With ProfitSword to Maximize Business Intelligence Visibility and Company Growth Opportunities
ProfitSword | July 21, 2020
Family-owned operator of resorts and summer camps leverages ProfitSword solutions to ensure ultimate real-time business performance transparency across organization. NISSWA, Minn. – (July 21, 2020) – ProfitSword, hospitality’s premier developer of business intelligence and data integration software, has announced its partnership with Cote Family Destinations via the implementation of ProfitSage and ProfitPace. A family-owned resort and summer camp management company with multiple locations throughout Minnesota and Arizona, Cote Family Destinations is now able to provide employees across its organization with instant access to valuab...
Reopening Delays Giving Hawaii Hotels Added Time to Ensure Employees, Guests Are Safe
React Mobile | July 21, 2020
React Mobile continues its ‘Employee Safety Culture’ Webcast Series with a deep look at what’s happening in Hawaii; Ryan Doi of Prince Resorts shares several technology-based best practices, including remote medical diagnostics for staff and guests if they feel ill Seattle, July 21, 2020 — As hotels coast to coast prepare for reopening, Hawaii braces for more delays. Although there was talk of travelers returning August 1, the recent surge of COVID-19 cases on the U.S. mainland has postponed the effort once again, this time until September. In Episode 2 of the “New World, New Employee Safety Culture” webcast series, React Mobil...
Franchise and Management Disputes in the Time of Covid
Jim Butler | July 20, 2020
By Jim Butler and the Global Hospitality Group® Hotel Lawyers | Authors of www.HotelLawBlog.com Franchise and Management Disputes in the Time of Covid by Robert Braun If you are reading this, you are almost certainly in the hospitality industry, and you are most likely in a financial and emotional distress. During trying times, hotel owners rely more than ever on their brands and managers – the professionals that owners engage to protect the multi-million dollar investments that they have made in building, maintaining and upgrading properties. Owners rely on brands to drive occupancy and revenue, and on managers to make the most effect...
The MAPP Report, by myDigitalOffice Gains Momentum
myDigitalOffice | July 20, 2020
Helps Hotels Accelerate Recovery from COVID-19 with forward-looking data Washington, DC - July 20, 2020 - myDigitalOffice, the information management and back-office automation platform for hotels, recently launched the MAPP report (Market Analytics, Pace, and Performance), a free data analytics tool that enables hoteliers to identify forward-looking bookings pace and performance trends across their hotels and their respective markets, and visualize market recovery in real-time. In a matter of weeks, this free resource has garnered the attention of nearly 200 groups, representing over 15,000 hotels worldwide. ”The speed at which our i...
Eldorado Resorts and Caesars Entertainment Complete Merger
Caesars Entertainment Inc | July 20, 2020
RENO, Nev. and LAS VEGAS, July 20, 2020 - Caesars Entertainment, Inc. ("Caesars," "Caesars Entertainment", or the "Company", formerly known as Eldorado Resorts, Inc. or "Eldorado") announced today that it completed its acquisition of Caesars Entertainment Corporation ("CEC"). The transaction creates the largest casino and entertainment company in the U.S. The transaction further enhances Caesars' position as the leading regional and destination gaming operator in the U.S. The combined company owns and operates more than 55 casino properties worldwide, including an iconic portfolio of eight casino hotel properties on the Las Vegas Strip. ...
Matt Bailey Appointed General Manager of Montage Kapalua Bay
Montage Kapalua Bay | July 20, 2020
ORANGE COUNTY, CALIF. (July 20, 2020) – Montage Hotels & Resorts has announced the appointment of Matt Bailey as general manager of Montage Kapalua Bay. With over four decades of hotel industry experience –more than 20 years of which is in Hawaii alone – Bailey is responsible for all Kapalua Bay beachfront resort’s daily operations. “I am delighted to welcome Matt Bailey back to the island of Maui,” said Jason Herthel, president and chief operating officer of Montage International. “Matt brings an impressive track record of industry experience and local connection to the role, and we are fortunate to have him on the Mon...
Brush Creek Luxury Ranch Collection Appoints Jacob Staffin as Director of Food & Beverage
Brush Creek Luxury Ranch Collection | July 20, 2020
(Saratoga, Wyo.) – July 20, 2020 – The award-winning Brush Creek Luxury Ranch Collection today announced that Jacob Staffin has been appointed as Director of Food and Beverage. Staffin will oversee all food and beverage operations for the Collection’s three ranches including The Lodge & Spa at Brush Creek Ranch, recently named No. 1 Resort Hotel in the Continental U.S. and No. 14 Top Hotel in the World in Travel + Leisure’s 2020 World’s Best Awards; Magee Homestead, a Relais & Châteaux and Forbes Travel Guide Five Star property; and French Creek Sportsmen's Club, as well as the Ranch’s epicurean center, The Farm at ...
Hotels Sue SF To Protect Workers, Guests From Unsafe Cleaning Ordinance
July 20, 2020
SAN FRANCISCO, July 20, 2020 - The Hotel Council of San Francisco, the California Hotel and Lodging Association and the American Hotel & Lodging Association filed a lawsuit today to overturn the County of San Francisco's so-called "Healthy Buildings" ordinance that endangers hotel employees and guests and causes significant economic hardships by forcing many hotels to remain closed and permanently lay off thousands of workers. The ordinance, approved on July 7 by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and signed on July 17 by Mayor Breed puts hotel employees at greater risk of exposure to COVID-19, will delay those workers' return to ...
COVID-19: Impact on the Hospitality Workforce
Sukrit Dogra | July 20, 2020
By Sukrit Dogra The ruthless march of COVID-19 throughout the globe is first and foremost a human tragedy, affecting the health of hundreds of thousands of people. The consequences of measures taken worldwide to curb the pandemic are having a growing impact on the global economy. This article aims to offer key highlights on the impact being felt by the industry due to factors including, but not limited to, the migratory nature of the hospitality work force and the pause on global travel, tourism and restaurant services. Business impact on travel and tourism Accounting for the unprecedented travel restrictions, the United Nations ...
Hospitality Financial Leadership: 3-Way Match
David Lund | July 20, 2020
By David Lund Internal controls in your hotel are critical and they need to be designed to keep your assets safe and your money where it belongs – with you and not in someone else’s pockets. I have seen this go wrong way too many times and I also talk to many hoteliers that are oblivious to this level of control or they just don’t see the importance of it. In this piece I am going to lay out the requirements for a three-way match in your purchasing and accounts payable area. Put this in place and you will never pay a bill twice again and you will never pay for something that you didn’t actually receive. I have lived through both...
Avoid Cost Overruns During Hotel Renovations
Cicero's Development Corporation | July 17, 2020
An accurate Scope of Work gives direction, timeline and purpose to renovation PLAINFIELD, IL, JULY 16, 2020 - Renovating a hotel can be a daunting task, one fraught with financial risks. However, by carefully determining the Scope of Work, the sticky issues that might derail a renovation project can be addressed effectively and strategically before the first day of construction. First off, what is a scope of work? A scope of work is a detailed document explaining exactly what is expected of a team completing a construction contract. It contains information that gives direction and purpose to every facet of a renovation—information hot...
PolyU Tripartite Hospitality Programme Won McCool Breakthrough Award
PolyU’s School of Hotel and Tourism Management | July 17, 2020
(17 July 2020) The Master of Science in Global Hospitality Business (MGH) programme was selected as the McCool Breakthrough Award recipient for 2020 by the International Council of Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education (I-CHRIE), the world’s largest organisation of hospitality and tourism educators, for its innovative approach of this graduate degree programme. The tripartite programme is jointly offered by the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, École hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL) in Switzerland and the Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management at the University...
Radisson Signs 15 New Hotels Across EMEA in Q2 2020
Radisson Hotel Group | July 17, 2020
Brussels - July 16, 2020 - Radisson Hotel Group announces 15 new hotel signings across EMEA in Q2 2020. The new signings re-affirm the Group’s commitment to its ambitious 5-year development plan. Radisson Hotel Group continues to expand its new brand architecture and further strengthen its presence across EMEA. Elie Younes, Executive Vice President & Chief Development Officer, Radisson Hotel Group, said: “Our business is based on long term relationships built on trust and responsibility. Despite the unprecedented challenges we face, we continue to work closely with our stakeholders to support the business. We consequently expanded o...
Travelers Confused by Inconsistent COVID-19 Travel Rules and Advice Across Europe
July 17, 2020
Lack of alignment will slow down the Europe-wide recovery Proper co-ordination by European governments could create a 10 million jobs boost London, UK: The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has called for more consistent travel rules and COVID-19 advice by European countries to counter confusion by travellers and holidaymakers. Those journeying to Europe for the first time since travel restrictions began to ease have faced a baffling array of different types of travel rules and advice – with each country across the continent emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic at different stages, which is delaying the recovery. The une...
Travel Industry Outlines Relief Needs as Reopenings Falter
U.S. Travel Association | July 17, 2020
Recent News Has Hurt Americans’ Views on Traveling, Polling Shows WASHINGTON (July 17, 2020) - Amid a new round of coronavirus-related economic closures and fresh data that Americans are as wary as ever of traveling, the devastated U.S. travel industry on Friday submitted to Congress and the administration its policy requests for the next coronavirus relief package. The slate of proposals includes measures to help travel employers survive the worst of the downturn; assistance with health-related necessities such as robust sanitation and personal protective equipment; and, eventually, incentives to get Americans safely traveling again...
Hotel Industry Releases Top 5 Requirements to Travel Safely
AHLA | July 17, 2020
Face Coverings, Physical Distancing to be Standardized at Hotels; Download the Guest Checklist WASHINGTON (July 16, 2020) – The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) today released the “Safe Stay Guest Checklist” for guests on how to travel safely while also creating a standardized safety experience nationwide. This checklist is part of AHLA’s Safe Stay guidelines, an industry-wide, enhanced set of health and safety protocols designed to provide a safe and clean environment for all hotel guests and employees. The Safe Stay Guest Checklist includes: Require face coverings in all indoor public spaces and pract...
The Impact of Social Distancing on Hotel F&B Operations
HotStats | July 17, 2020
When 2020 is over and done with (could not come sooner, right?), “social distancing” will be the frontrunner for buzz term of the year. It doesn’t even matter that the World Health Organization has lobbied vigorously for the phrase to be dropped in favor of “physical distancing.” Poppycock ... hogwash ... piffle ... social distancing shall proceed as the preferred patois of the pandemic. Social distancing will play a key role in hospitality operations going forward, and in no place will this be more pronounced than food and beverage operations (F&B), which include restaurants, bars and conference and banqueting. F&...
U.S. Hotel Transactions Down 74% Due to COVID-19
STR | July 17, 2020
BROOMFIELD, Colorado—U.S. hotel transactions were down 74% year over year from March to May 2020, according to the just-released Hotel Transaction Almanac produced by STR’s Consulting & Analytics office and CoStar Group. “The industry went from a position of record profit levels to financial distress in a matter of weeks, creating a shift in focus for those in the transactions community,” said Hannah Smith, a senior consultant at STR. “Looking ahead, we expect transaction activity to eventually pick up, while pricing will continue to decline later in the year, as investors look to acquire distressed assets at a discount. Wh...
How Hotels Should Adapt Meetings and Events
Bob Rauch | July 16, 2020
The coronavirus pandemic will change how hotels host meetings and events, and if done correctly, they can help the industry in both the short and long term. By Bob Rauch, President of RAR Hospitality and Sarah Andersen, Business Development Manager at RAR Hospitality In this time of great uncertainty, how can we best prepare for a new landscape in the hospitality and events industry post-COVID-19? The timing for recovery in 2020 is going to be dependent on consumers and businesses having confidence that our cities and venues are safe again. We won't be seeing any events in June or July but expect Q4 events in the fall to start up a...
HSMAI Honors Hospitality Heroes as Part of the Annual Adrian Awards
HSMAI | July 16, 2020
The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) is recognizing hospitality professionals who have taken a leadership position, championed a cause, or created a program that has directly benefited industry workers, medical personnel, first responders, or communities that have been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic with the first-ever HSMAI Hospitality Heroes Adrian Award honor. “It is truly incredible how hospitality professionals have stepped up during a time of crisis,” said Robert A. Gilbert, CHME, CHBA, president and CEO of HSMAI. “It’s true that hospitality is founded on a community of individuals who...
STR: Canada Hotel Results for Week Ending 11 July
STR | July 16, 2020
HENDERSONVILLE, Tennessee—STR data for 5-11 July 2020 shows a continued steady rise in Canadian hotel performance but the same significant level of year-over-year declines. In comparison with the week of 7-13 July 2019, the industry reported the following: Occupancy: -59.2% to 31.2% Average daily rate (ADR): -33.7% to CAD122.08 Revenue per available room (RevPAR): -72.9% to CAD38.10 Three provinces reached a 30% occupancy level: British Columbia (40.7%), Manitoba (36.1%) and Saskatchewan (32.7%). Vancouver (31.0%) was the only major market at or above that mark. The lowest occupancy among provinces was reported ...
STR: U.S. Hotel Results for Week Ending 11 July
STR | July 16, 2020
HENDERSONVILLE, Tennessee—U.S. hotel performance data for the week ending 11 July showed mostly flat occupancy and lower room rates from the previous week, according to STR. 5-11 July 2020 (percentage change from comparable week in 2019): Occupancy: 45.9% (-38.0%) Average daily rate (ADR): US$97.33 (-26.8%) Revenue per available room (RevPAR): US$44.67 (-54.6%) Aggregate data for the Top 25 Markets showed lower occupancy (39.2%) and ADR (US$96.69) than all other markets. Norfolk/Virginia Beach, Virginia, was the only one of those major markets to reach a 60% occupancy level (60.4%). Two additional markets surpass...
