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Prestige Hospitality Group Opens the Newly Constructed Lake Placid Inn in Historic Lake Placid, New York
Prestige Hospitality Group | July 16, 2020
Lake Placid, NY – Justin D. Smith, President of Prestige Hospitality Group, LLC (PHG) is pleased to announce the opening of the newly constructed Lake Placid Inn in historic Lake Placid, New York. The Lake Placid Inn is an independent hotel featuring 40 beautifully appointed rooms and suites offering majestic lake and mountainside views. Located at 821 Mirror Lake Drive in the heart of Lake Placid Village, the hotel was constructed on the site of the former Mountain House and National Sports Academy, a private preparatory school for elite winter athletes. The boutique hotel, which opened its doors on Friday, July 3, 2020, features fi...
Hotel Industry Urges Governors, Mayors to Standardize Face Coverings in Public Spaces in All 50 States
AHLA | July 16, 2020
AHLA Commends States That Have Mandated Face Coverings, Asks For Consistent Nationwide Mandates WASHINGTON (July 16, 2020) – The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) sent letters today to the Trump Administration, the National Governor’s Association, and the United States Conference of Mayors commending governors and mayors across the country who have standardized the use of face coverings in all indoor public spaces while urging a consistent standard practice across all 50 states. “We are grateful to the more than two dozen governors and numerous mayors who have standardized the use of face coverings in all indoor pu...
56% Travel Buyers Have Revised Their Travel Policy in Light of COVID-19
the Global Business Travel Association | July 16, 2020
As recovery continues companies look to safeguard employee health and safety Alexandria, VA – As signs of recovery continue in the business travel sector, travel procurement professionals are prioritizing the health and safety of employees according to a new poll released today by the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA). Over half of travel buyers report their company has changed its travel policy and 70% characterize the policy changes as being ‘somewhat’ or ‘a lot’. When asked what travel program changes have been made due to the pandemic, instituting new rules about pre-trip approval (53%), having more frequent or detailed...
Hotels Plan For a COVID-19-Informed Future
JLL | July 16, 2020
The next normal will include safety ratings and cleanliness councils July 16, 2020 - The coronavirus pandemic has roiled the hospitality industry, closing more than 5,000 hotels in the U.S. alone in March and April. By the start of June, nearly half were still shuttered, according to STR, a hotel data provider. Now, after months of lockdowns and travel restrictions, some parts of the world are slowly starting to reopen to international travelers. In other areas, regional travel is beginning in earnest. But in a world still grappling with the pandemic, it’s far from business as usual. Hotels are transforming their cleaning protocols...
Hotels and Casinos Cannot Afford to Gamble With Employee Safety
Shannon McCallum | July 16, 2020
Travelers with COVID fatigue are flocking to Las Vegas in search of normalcy, but their tendency to ignore safety protocols is putting workers at risk; Employee safety devices and contactless technologies are helping hoteliers protect their people By Shannon McCallum Imagine being able to ride a bike down the middle of Las Vegas Boulevard without fear of oncoming traffic. That was the scene mid June … before visitors from nearby states began driving to the entertainment capital of the world in search of a respite from COVID-19. Las Vegas is open, but it is far from business as usual, and it will take some time for large convention bu...
Technology Companies Help Hotels Get Back to Business
Hospitality Upgrade | July 16, 2020
From virtual events to product discounts, these vendors are stepping up to accelerate industry recovery by Fran Worrall, Hospitality Upgrade Editor As the travel industry begins to rally, technology companies are taking steps to help their customers get back to business. Strategies run the gamut from complimentary webinars and virtual learning events to special promotions and discounts, all designed to enable hotels and other hospitality venues to reopen confidently and economically amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Industry giant Oracle Hospitality, with support from HTNG, a global trade association dedicated to uniting hospitality compan...
Owned and Managed by Halifax Hospitality the 118-Suite Residence Inn by Marriott Opens in Franklin, Tennessee
Residence Inn by Marriott | July 16, 2020
Franklin, TN – July 16, 2020 – The 118-suite Residence Inn by Marriott hotel in Franklin, Tennessee is now open for business with its upscale, stylish décor that offers flexibility, while creating a unique environment. Located at 8078 Berry Farms Crossing, the all-suite Residence Inn Franklin Berry Farms will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned and managed by Halifax Hospitality of Franklin, Tennessee. Situated in the historic Berry Farms area of Franklin, the Residence Inn Franklin Berry Farms offers its guests convenient access to the historic Carnton House, the Lotz House Museum, SOAR Adventure Tower, Natchez Trace Parkway Bridg...
GCommerce Announces Strategic Partnership With Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa
GCommerce | July 16, 2020
The Forbes 5-Star Resort Engages GCommerce Digital Marketing Agency with its Performance-Based Fee Model Park City, Utah, July 16th, 2020 - Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa, a Forbes 5-star and AAA 5 Diamond property, has partnered with GCommerce for digital marketing services. The resort is one of two Forbes 5-star resorts located in Palm Beach. Eau Palm Beach marks GCommerce’s 8th Forbes 5-star property that the company has partnered with, demonstrating the company’s digital marketing expertise in the luxury travel market. “GCommerce was the perfect fit for Eau Palm Beach with their vast experience working with many other Forbes ...
Devin Mahoney Appointed General Manager of Canopy by Hilton Scottsdale Old Town Set to Open in September 2020
Canopy by Hilton Scottsdale Old Town | July 16, 2020
Scottsdale, Ariz. (July 15, 2020) - As general manager and chief enthusiast of the soon-to-open Canopy by Hilton Scottsdale Old Town, Devin Mahoney is a veteran of the hospitality industry with more than 16 years of experience opening and bringing to life new hotels in major markets along the West Coast. Set to open in September 2020, Canopy Scottsdale is a full-service hotel designed to offer a curated local experience as an extension of the historic arts district in Old Town. Throughout his career, Mahoney has held a number of general manager and leadership positions within the Kimpton Hotels & Resorts portfolio including Kimpton ...
Beekeeper to Host ‘Communicating for Agility’ Webinar Featuring Insights From MOHG
Beekeeper | July 16, 2020
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group’s Director Rooms and Quality will share how the iconic hotel chain is engaging and motivating its employees on the long road to recovery Oakland, Calif. And Zurich, July 16, 2020 — With the resurgence of COVID-19 cases in many parts of the world, hoteliers need to be more agile today than ever before. As newly crafted safety and operating protocols continue to evolve, hoteliers must react quickly to ensure that changes are carried out effectively by their frontline employees. Next week Anja Luthje, group director rooms and quality for Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, will join Beekeeper in discussing ...
Rosewood Porto Cervo to Open in 2022 on the Italian Island of Sardinia
Rosewood Hotels & Resorts | July 15, 2020
HONG KONG, July 15, 2020 - Embarking on a new chapter of its European expansion, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts® has been appointed by Quianto Capital Limited to manage Rosewood Porto Cervo, which will open on Sardinia, Italy in 2022. Joining sister properties in Tuscany and Venice as the group's third opening in Italy, this latest jewel in the collection will bring Rosewood's signature style of ultra-luxury hospitality to one of the most sought-after holiday destinations in the Mediterranean. "Rosewood Porto Cervo will showcase our visionary, innovative ambition for creating one-of-a-kind resorts through Rosewood's uniquely sophisticated...
The Email Benchmarks – How Is Email Impacting Reopening?
Nicki Graham | July 15, 2020
By Nicki Graham How has reopening affected key email marketing metrics? In our recent Email Benchmark Report, we saw that even through a global pandemic, email continued to reign as the favored channel of communication for marketing and business. It has forged its way as one of the most effective ways to stay connected in a socially distanced world. As stated in our report, we saw a spike in email open and click-through rates and an increase in nights per booking in March and April 2020. This increase in nights per booking was due to a number of factors and different circumstances across the globe, but namely because those hotels...
Top 5 Things You Need to Know Now in Hotel Digital Marketing: July Edition
Margaret Mastrogiacomo | July 15, 2020
By Margaret Mastrogiacomo As hoteliers plan their Q3 marketing strategy, it’s important to keep a pulse on the evolving digital landscape to make a greater impact on performance. This month, Google announced updates to Google Image results, Twitter tests audio tweets, and CTV ads rise in popularity. From Search to Social Media and Design, here are the top 5 things you need to know now in hotel digital marketing. 1. Search: Google Image tests add more facts about images with the Knowledge Graph. Google announced it has launched a new feature within Google Image search on mobile to show quick facts about each image in search results. ...
Road to Recovery: Planning for a Marathon, Not a Sprint
Nancy Huang | July 15, 2020
By Nancy Huang The following article is part of a series on reopening tips and strategies for hotels, part of our Road to Recovery guide for hoteliers. Click here to access the complete guide. As countries loosen lockdown restrictions, hotels around the world are cautiously reopening and hoping to salvage what’s left of their high season, while simultaneously adjusting to a “new normal” of enhanced hygiene and social distancing in their daily operations. Unfortunately, while some countries of the world are confidently past the first wave of the pandemic, others are seeing their cases rise, even after having successfully broug...
Recovery Is When Gen Zers and Millennials Travel for Business
Linchi Kwok | July 15, 2020
By Linchi Kwok Gen Z and Millennials are key to travel industry’s recovery That was the headline of a Travel Pulse report, which quoted a GlobalData survey. The survey suggests that younger and wealthier travelers would be the first to resume international leisure travel when the COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. Both generations belong to the younger group of travelers, with the oldest Millennials just turning 39 this year. That assumption is probably right, but Gen Zers and the Millennials have their concerns too. For example, Gen Z – “A worried generation” Gen Zers are those who were born after 1996 or 2000, dependi...
Another Way to Amaze Your Customers: Pay Attention
Shep Hyken | July 15, 2020
By Shep Hyken I recently wrote about taking the extra step to deliver amazing service. There were three steps: pay attention, care about your customers and put forth extra effort. For this article, I want to focus on the first step—paying attention. Paying attention is more than just the first step. It may be the most important step. One of our readers, Scott Anderson, shared a story about staying at a resort in Mexico. The porter followed Scott and his wife to the room with their luggage. Scott mentioned to his wife how much he would love a Dr. Pepper. (Funny… Dr. Pepper was in the example of the aforementioned article.) He di...
The Game-Changing Rules Around Revenue Optimization
Travel Outlook Hotel Reservations Call Center Services | July 15, 2020
Maximizing Revenue While Adhering to New Service Standards The global pandemic has turned everything on its head, with the hospitality industry hit particularly hard. As hotels slowly reopen, they must adjust their revenue strategies to ensure they drive demand while being careful with their pricing decisions. In such challenging times, it’s tempting to drop room rates to stimulate bookings. But for many travelers, the priority will not be price, but safety. A $100 discount on the room rate is unlikely to tempt the decision-making of many but could end up harming a hotel’s profitability if there’s very little demand to drive in th...
Going Cashless Without Phone Transactions
Larry Mogelonsky | July 15, 2020
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.hotelmogel.com) The physical distancing and work-from-home orders put in place have brought to light numerous inefficiencies in how we manage hotel operations. These will all need to be addressed as we open our doors while keeping a leaner team, and today’s pain point relates to automating credit card transactions taken over the phone. Namely, still accepting this information via phone is an ineffective use of your front desk’s time while it also isn’t fully PCI compliant and creates a jumble of paper-based work for your accounting team which needs to post everything to the proper ledger. Plu...
Radisson Opens New Hotel by Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Radisson | July 15, 2020
Radisson, one of the best recognized hotel brands, is proud to announce the opening of Radisson Hotel Atlanta Airport at 4475 Best Road, College Park, GA. This new construction hotel is an outstanding example of the Radisson brand’s continued growth, characterized by its sleek, state of the art design combined with modern comfort and functionality. The hotel is located just minutes from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and a short drive from downtown Atlanta. Guests can enjoy access to a complimentary 24-hour airport shuttle, unique dining experiences at the hotel’s onsite restaurant, ample meeting space and modern a...
The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko Opens in the Northern Kanto Region of Japan
The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko | July 15, 2020
NIKKO, JAPAN – 15 July 2020 – The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C today announced the opening of the latest hotel to join its luxury Asia Pacific portfolio, The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko. The property - set amidst a UNESCO World Heritage Site – introduces a new level of luxury to the destination, with an experience marked by an emphasis on immersing oneself in the majestic natural surroundings. Ideally located in the Northern Kanto region of Japan, The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko is set two and a half hours north of Tokyo, accessible by rail or car, and is a true oasis promising access to a breadth of outdoor activities and cultural experiences....
Hyatt Unveils Miraval Berkshires and Wyndhurst Manor & Club in Lenox, Massachusetts
Destination Hotels | July 15, 2020
July 15, 2020 (CHICAGO) — Today, Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced the introduction of the internationally acclaimed Miraval spa and wellness brand to Lenox, Mass., with the opening of Miraval Berkshires. This opening marks the Miraval brand’s third property, joining its original location in Tucson, Ariz. – celebrating its 25th anniversary this year – and second location in Austin, Texas, which opened in February 2019. On the same property as Miraval Berkshires, Hyatt simultaneously introduces Wyndhurst Manor & Club, a Destination Hotel, with a focus on the Berkshires’ rich culture and history. Both resorts sit atop 380 p...
Lendlease and IHG Army Hotels Open Candlewood Suites on Fort Gordon
IHG | July 15, 2020
Lendlease and IHG® Army Hotels announce the opening of the new Candlewood Suites® hotel on Fort Gordon – the largest Candlewood Suites in the world. The hotel is the latest example of the successful collaboration between the U.S. Army, Lendlease and IHG Army Hotels, which has grown to a portfolio of hotels located in 40 U.S. military installations. With the unique needs of today’s military traveler top of mind, the 311-room hotel includes a variety of rooms with kitchenettes and amenities to include complimentary breakfast, laundry facilities, business center, fitness center, a pool and BBQ area. Despite the challenges presented b...
Gulph Creek Hotels Opens Residence Inn by Marriott in Middletown, New York
Residence Inn by Marriott | July 15, 2020
Middletown, NY – July 15, 2020 – The 125-suite Residence Inn by Marriott hotel in Middletown, New York is now open for business with its upscale, stylish décor that offers flexibility and a unique environment. Located at 57 Tower Drive, the all-suite Residence Inn Middletown Goshen will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned by Orange Tower Drive LLC and managed by Gulph Creek Hotels of Wayne, Pennsylvania. General Manager Lisa Franklin spearheads the management team at the property for Gulph Creek Hotels. Located five minutes from LEGOLAND New York and 19 miles from Stewart International Airport, the Residence Inn Middletown Goshen o...
HEI Hotels & Resorts Appoints Xavier Etcheberrigaray as General Manager of The Kimpton Brice Hotel
The Kimpton Brice Hotel | July 15, 2020
SAVANNAH, GA (July 15, 2020) – The Kimpton Brice Hotel is pleased to announce the appointment of Xavier Etcheberrigaray to General Manager. In this role, Etcheberrigaray will oversee operations at the 145-room property in the heart of Savannah’s National Historic Landmark District, including hiring decisions, guest services, budgets and leading the hotel’s high-quality service experience. Etcheberrigaray is a seasoned industry leader who brings international experience to his role at The Kimpton Brice Hotel. He began his career as a barman and food & beverage trainee with InterContinental Hotels in Miami and Atlanta before pursui...
