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Metro Detroit’s Hospitality Industry Employment Hits Record Highs Before COVID-19
The Workforce Intelligence Network (WIN) | July 8, 2020
DETROIT, July 8, 2020 - Metro Detroit's tourism and hospitality employment prior to the COVID-19 pandemic reached record levels in 2020 and it was ranked as one of the largest industries in the region and statewide, the Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau said today. A study by the Workforce Intelligence Network (WIN) and commissioned by the DMCVB in February, found that before the pandemic hit, tourism and hospitality contributed 463,840 direct jobs to the metro Detroit economy. Additionally, another 23,000 indirect jobs were tied to hospitality. In a normal year, tourism and hospitality make up about 25 percent of all metr...
Baird/STR Hotel Stock Index Falls 5.3% in June
Baird | July 8, 2020
HENDERSONVILLE, Tennessee, and MILWAUKEE—The Baird/STR Hotel Stock Index fell 5.3% in June to a level of 3,060. Year to date through the first six months of 2020, the stock index was down 41.9%. "Hotel stocks were volatile in June as the broader reopening trade continued into the early part of the month; the Hotel Brand and Hotel REIT Sub-Indices were up more than 19% and nearly 37%, respectively, through six trading days,”said Michael Bellisario, senior hotel research analyst and director at Baird. “However, the momentum reversed course, and hotel stocks finished the month approximately 5% lower as rising coronavirus case counts in ...
Hotel Sentiment Survey Results: What Does Re-Opening Look Like During a Pandemic?
Nicki Graham | July 8, 2020
By Nicki Graham In a recent survey conducted at Cendyn, we spoke with hoteliers from across the globe and asked them how they are managing their re-opening strategy during a global pandemic. As a reminder to all, hotels are in different situations across the globe – not every hotel is closed right now but many were closed for a significant time and are just re-opening or planning to re-open, albeit at a limited capacity. There are also a number of hotels that are closed for the foreseeable future. This survey is focused on re-opening strategies for hotels across the globe and what their priorities are during this uncertain time. We look ...
Covid Uncertainty Does Not Discourage European Hoteliers
Thomas Mielke | July 8, 2020
By Thomas Mielke As the UK prepares for reopening the hospitality industry, AETHOS sought to get a clearer picture of the sentiment amongst branded as well as independent hotel operators. The idea – to contrast the mood of the British hospitality industry with that of a country where hoteliers have already had a little ‘head start’ due to the earlier lifting of restrictions. Two Steps Forward, One Step Back Unsurprisingly, with UK hospitality businesses still in lock down at the time of writing, operators felt little sense of control of the situation at hand. Unclear policies and regulations, and questions around the timing...
Hotel Salespeople – Use Video Email for Personalized, Narrated, Virtual Hotel Tours
Doug Kennedy | July 8, 2020
By Doug Kennedy As those who read my hotel sales training articles or who attend my workshops know well, I am a huge advocate for using a “tech for touch” approach to stand out from the competition. I have long recommended that hotel group and event salespeople embrace the use of personalized video email in many ways, such as networking, prospecting, responding to inbound inquiries, and following-up with those you have spoken with. While this approach is relevant during all market conditions, it is especially important now during this time when COVID-19 has disrupted the meetings and events business and slowed the flood of inbound l...
Would You Please Leave a Review About Your Experience?
Shep Hyken | July 8, 2020
By Shep Hyken Getting customers to review their experience with you is powerful. Before they make a purchase, go to a restaurant, stay at a hotel and more, many customers do online research, which leads them to reviews that help form their opinion of products or services they want to buy—or even the company they want to buy it from. Nothing new there. How do you get reviews? Well, the easy way is to ask for them. By the way, I recently interviewed Rupesh Patel on Amazing Business Radio, and he shared the “secret sauce” on how he gets amazing guest reviews for his hotels—and his recipe can work for any business. I suggest gi...
The Shorter The Better: ‘Quickie Trips’ Are Trending as a Majority of Americans Look to Travel This Summer With Added Precautions
Hotwire | July 8, 2020
SAN FRANCISCO, July 8, 2020 - After months of quarantine, Americans are reporting feelings of isolation, burnout and that they are in need of a break, but have yet to take one. A new survey* conducted by online travel site Hotwire® reveals 62% of Americans haven't taken a vacation day since the start of COVID but interest in local travel and shorter trips is rapidly growing. In fact, 72% of Americans are still planning or are interested in summer travel this year, despite taking added precautions to stay healthy. As people slowly look to test the travel waters, Hotwire has teamed up with brain-health expert and New York Times Best Selling A...
Crescent Hotels & Resorts Adds The Ritz-Carlton New York, Westchester to Management Portfolio
Crescent Hotels & Resorts | July 8, 2020
Westchester, NY (July 8, 2020) – Crescent Hotels & Resorts and Glacier Global Partners revealed its plans for a significant renovation and the re-branding of The Ritz-Carlton New York, Westchester, further emphasizing Glacier Global Partners long-term investment in the future of the luxury hotel located in the heart of Westchester County. The hotel is projected to reopen early 2021 as part of Marriott International’s Autograph Collection brand and will be managed by Crescent Hotels & Resorts. The multi-million dollar renovation is set to commence later this summer and will include a full redesign and reconstruction of the exist...
Insignia Hospitality Group Opens TownePlace Suites by Marriott in Midland, Texas
TownePlace Suites by Marriott | July 8, 2020
Midland, TX – July 8, 2020 – The TownePlace Suites by Marriott Midland South/I-20 has officially opened for business. The new 92-suite hotel is built for travelers looking for a simple and friendly place where they can settle-in, keep their routine, and easily connect to the local area. Located at 912 Crump Street, it will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned and managed by Insignia Hospitality Group of Midland, Texas. “We are excited with the continued growth of the TownePlace Suites brand in the Midland area,” said Diane Mayer, Vice President and Global Brand Manager, TownePlace Suites at Marriott International. “At TownePl...
The Buccini/Pollin Group Acquires the Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel for $80M
The Buccini/Pollin Group | July 8, 2020
CHEVY CHASE, Md., July 8, 2020 - The Buccini/Pollin Group (BPG) today announced the acquisition of the Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel, further expanding their portfolio of Marriott-affiliated and lifestyle hotels. Situated in the vibrant Inner Harbor, the Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace occupies prime real estate along the city's waterfront. The recently renovated, full-service lifestyle hotel features 622-rooms, nearly 30,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space, three food and beverage outlets and a signature, waterfront restaurant called Watertable. Additional hotel amenities include a state-of-the-art 24-hour fit...
Jared Mintz Promoted to Director of Global Sales at Rosewood Hotel Group
Rosewood Hotel Group | July 8, 2020
Rosewood Hotel Group is pleased to announce the promotion of Jared Mintz from director of group sales at Rosewood Miramar Beach, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts’® ultra-luxury property in Southern California, to director of global sales for the group. In his new role, Mintz will be responsible for identifying innovative partnership opportunities, increasing brand awareness, driving sales and developing strategies for long-term success with group customers. His primary focus will be on West Coast group and corporate client acquisition, as well as entertainment accounts across the United States. Mintz boasts nearly twenty years of comprehen...
Maestro PMS + Silverware POS Bringing Contactless Phone-to-Table Guest Dining Experiences to Hotels and Resorts; Integration Is an Industry First
Maestro PMS | July 8, 2020
Webinar to showcase ‘In-Seat’ digital menu / guest ordering / guest payment platform that leverages leading PMS and POS integration extending the touchless traveler experience from rooms to restaurants Markham, Ontario, July 8, 2020 — Long-time integration partners Maestro PMS and SilverWare POS will unveil a new, customizable, mobile tableside ordering and payment platform to customers this month during its free touchless guest journey webinar series. The “In-Seat Contactless Platform” goes beyond conventional PMS/POS integration to give guests touch free control over their dining experiences. Restaurant patrons can scan a QR co...
Woodmont Lodging, Milestone Companies and Blue Vista Announce Joint Venture Recapitalization of Sheraton Milwaukee Brookfield Hotel
Woodmont Lodging | July 7, 2020
MILWAUKEE - Woodmont Lodging, a leading hotel company, Blue Vista Capital Management, a leading real estate investment firm, and Milestone Companies, a premier full-service real estate development company specializing in hotel assets, today announced the joint venture recapitalization of the 388-room Sheraton Milwaukee Brookfield Hotel in Wisconsin. Woodmont Lodging and Milestone Hospitality will acquire a minority interest in the hotel and provide asset management services. Blue Vista Capital Management will be the lead investor in the transaction. “The Sheraton Milwaukee Brookfield Hotel benefits from its prime location in the reinvig...
Sustainability: More Relevant to the Future of Tourism Than Ever?
July 7, 2020
As lockdowns begin lift and people start to travel again, hotels are scrambling to figure out the new normal. Experts confirm that those owners and managers who focus on innovation and sustainability will be most likely to bounce back and thrive in the future. A sustainable approach will be key in driving economic development globally. In fact, as travel restrictions have begun to lift, UNWTO secretary-general Zurab Pololikashvili remarked, “The timely and responsible easing of travel restrictions will help ensure the many social and economic benefits that tourism guarantees will return in a sustainable way. This will contribute to the live...
Winter The Dolphin’s Beach Club, An Eco-Friendly Hotel, Joins Ascend Hotel Collection
The Ascend Hotel Collection | July 7, 2020
ROCKVILLE, Md., July 7, 2020 - Winter the Dolphin's Beach Club is now a member of Choice Hotels International, Inc.'s (NYSE:CHH) Ascend Hotel Collection, a global portfolio of resort, boutique and historic hotels. The marine-themed hotel is located in Clearwater Beach, Florida, where the Gulf of Mexico's welcoming blue waters make it an ideal destination for guests seeking a beachfront stay. Named after the subject of the "Dolphin Tale" movies, the hotel provides upgraded amenities that are purposefully designed to deliver a distinct marine experience in an unforgettable setting. "People are dreaming of travel and are eager to start explo...
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Unveils Plans to Enter Nepal and Bhutan, Introduces Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham Brand in India
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts | July 7, 2020
PARSIPPANY, N.J., July 7, 2020 - Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, the world's largest hotel franchising company with 9,300 hotels across approximately 90 countries, today unveiled plans to open its first hotels in Nepal and Bhutan, while also announcing the recent opening of the Hawthorn Suites® by Wyndham Dwarka—the first Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham hotel in India. All three hotels are part of Wyndham's larger efforts to significantly expand its footprint across the Indian subcontinent and are complemented by additional properties in the region that either recently opened or are slated to open over the next nine months. Wyndham is currentl...
Hyatt To Expand Thompson Hotels Portfolio in the Southern US
Thompson Hotels | July 7, 2020
CHICAGO (July 7, 2020) – Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced today the continued growth of the Thompson Hotels brand throughout the Southern United States with deals for two new properties—Thompson Savannah and Thompson Buckhead—expected to open in Georgia in 2021. Marking the brand’s entry into the state, these projects will join four other Thompson hotels already under development including Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Austin, Texas. These six new properties are expected to join Thompson’s nine hotels across the United States and Mexico, many of which have resumed operations and are welcoming back guests. "We are e...
IHG to Take on Fiji’s Iconic Grand Pacific Hotel Under the InterContinental Brand
IHG | July 7, 2020
IHG has signed an agreement to take over management of one of the most famous hotels in the Pacific, Fiji’s Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva, in July 2020 and rebrand it as an InterContinental by 2022. Already the most luxurious and iconic product in Suva, the hotel will rebrand as InterContinental Grand Pacific Hotel Suva following a refurbishment It will be IHG’s third hotel in Fiji, and the second for the brand, alongside InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa in Natadola Bay, which is also owned by the Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF). Built in 1914 and reopening on its hundredth anniversary in 2014 with contemporary coloni...
Survey: Consumers Eager to Travel With Certain Conditions for Hotels
Oracle Hospitality | July 7, 2020
REDWOOD SHORES, Calif. – July 7, 2020 – Following a long stretch of stay-at-home orders, consumers are eager to get out and travel according to a new research study from Oracle and Skift. Just over half (51%) of people surveyed in both North and Latin America plan to book trips in the next six months, while 38% of those in Asia-Pacific and Europe are planning get-aways. People, however, are opting to stay closer to home with driving distance (47%) or domestic trips (44%) being favored. With so much uncertainty ahead, consumers are also demanding flexible cancellation and refund policies (76%) and are more open to considering hotels offer...
Peachtree Hotel Group Opens SpringHill Suites Atlanta Perimeter Center Following Transformation and Rebranding
SpringHill Suites by Marriott | July 7, 2020
ATLANTA – July 7, 2020 – Marriott International announced today that the SpringHill Suites by Marriott in Atlanta, Georgia is now open for business. The 150-suite hotel, located at 1005 Crestline Parkway, will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned by Peachtree Hotel Group and managed by Peachtree Hospitality Management both located in Atlanta, Georgia. General Manager Jennifer Geiger spearheads the management team at the property for Peachtree Hotel Group. Located near Perimeter Mall and downtown Atlanta, the SpringHill Suites Atlanta Perimeter Center offers guests convenient access to the Art Institute of Atlanta, American InterConti...
Hotel Internet Services Publishes New Research Report Analyzing Latest Trends in Guestroom Entertainment and Virtual Assistant Technology
Hotel Internet Services, Inc. | July 7, 2020
In-depth White paper leverages guest and hotelier survey results to demonstrate rapidly growing demand for comprehensive solutions able to address preferences for personalized entertainment and voice-activated service. CLEARWATER, Fla. — July 7, 2020 — Hotel Internet Services (HIS), a full-service provider of internet services and solutions for the hospitality industry, has announced the publishing of a new white paper analyzing the latest guest trends when it comes to what they expect from in-room entertainment, convenient access to hotel services as well as the ability to interact with property amenities without increasing the risk o...
ProfitSword Provides Focus Hospitality Management With Latest in Business Intelligence Technology and Revenue Management Efficiency
ProfitSword, LLC | July 7, 2020
Full service hotel management company able to instantly obtain real-time performance metrics across portfolio and identify business risks or opportunities despite current market uncertainty. ORLANDO, Fla. – (July 7, 2020) – ProfitSword, hospitality’s premier developer of business intelligence and data integration software, has been selected by Focus Hospitality Management to enhance its strategic planning, operational management and revenue growth abilities with the implementation of ProfitSage. An award-winning hotel management company that provides in-depth expertise for all facets of a hotel’s operation and that oversees a diver...
Lodi Hospitality Opens Fairfield by Marriott in Lodi, California
Fairfield by Marriott | July 6, 2020
Lodi, CA – July 6, 2020 – The 72-room Fairfield by Marriott hotel in Lodi, California is now open for business with a new décor that provides guests with a feeling of warmth and calm while traveling. Located at 262 Rocky Lane, the Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Lodi will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned and managed by Lodi Hospitality LLC. Situated in the heart of Lodi wine country, Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Lodi offers guests convenient access to downtown Lodi, Lodi Lake, the World of Wonders Science Museum and numerous local wineries, breweries and restaurants. “Delivering both function and comfort, o...
Newly Built Park Inn by Radisson Opens in Florence, South Carolina
Park Inn by Radisson | July 6, 2020
Park Inn by Radisson, the hotel brand synonymous with stress-free experiences and upbeat environments, is proud to announce the opening of its latest property, Park Inn by Radisson Florence, SC, located at 1729 Mandeville Road. This marks one of the first new-build Park Inn by Radisson hotels to open in the U.S. The hotel features modern guest rooms and deluxe amenities ideal for both business and leisure guests. Situated just six miles from Florence Regional Airport (FLO) and minutes from the city’s downtown, the hotel’s central location is perfect for guests visiting any of the area’s exciting attractions and corporate hubs. Whethe...
