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As Europe’s COVID Cases Relent, Hoteliers Ready for Business Bounce
HotStats | June 25, 2020
European hoteliers breathed a sigh of relief in early May when the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) announced that region had passed the peak of coronavirus infections. Now comes the hard part: building back revenue and profitability. But if May data is any indication, things are getting better. As several countries started to loosen some of their lockdown restrictions, the prodigious profit drop in Europe's hotel industry showed a significant deceleration on a month-over-month (MOM) basis. GOPPAR in May was down 1.2% compared to the previous month, a welcome result in view of the 119.1% and 122.9% MOM plunges reco...
How Hotels Can Succeed in a Post-COVID World
HotStats | June 25, 2020
COVID-19 hit the travel industry like a tidal wave, and hotels have spent the past several months being tossed around like a cork. Now, for hoteliers, it's time to find the surface and start swimming. Make no mistake, hoteliers will need to adjust to a new normal going forward. But there are ways to power full steam ahead toward profitability. Here’s how hotels can succeed in a post-COVID-19 world: Construct a Recession-Proof Operation Hoteliers need to prepare for a bumpy ride. U.N. jobs reports put global job losses close to 200 million. Chances are that as things level off, many of those jobs will come back — but many won’t. ...
U.S. Hotel Profitability Improved in May, Limited-Service Properties Break Even at 45% Occupancy
STR | June 25, 2020
BROOMFIELD, Colorado—STR‘s latest monthly P&L data release shows U.S. hotel gross operating profit per available room down 110.1% in May. That percentage change was a slight improvement from April’s decline of 116.9%. Additionally, limited-service properties showed positive profitability on average when surpassing 45% occupancy. In a year-over-year comparison with May 2019, the industry reported the following: GOPPAR: -110.1% to US$-10.26 TRevPAR: -88.3% to US$28.62 EBIDTA PAR: -130.9% to US$-24.14 LPAR (Labor Costs): -69.5% to US$24.30 “Make no mistake, profits are still down significantly, and in many cases, ...
STR: Canada Hotel Results for Week Ending 20 June
STR | June 25, 2020
HENDERSONVILLE, Tennessee—STR data for 14-20 June 2020 shows Canadian hotel performance up slightly from previous weeks with the same significant level of year-over-year declines. In comparison with the week of 16-22 June 2019, the industry reported the following: Occupancy: -66.1% to 25.6% Average daily rate (ADR): -39.0 to CAD110.70 Revenue per available room (RevPAR): -79.3% to CAD28.33 The previous three weeks produced absolute occupancy levels of 23.6%, 22.2% and 21.4%. British Columbia was the only province to reach a 30% occupancy level (31.7%). Saskatchewan (27.9%), Manitoba (26.8%) and Alberta (25.2%) were th...
Research Captures the Impact of COVID-19 on Travel Distribution Partners and Their Outlook on the Future
Travel Consul | June 25, 2020
NEW YORK (June 25, 2020) – During the weeks from May 11–25, 2020, over 900 travel executives (tour operators and agency owners) from the top tourism source markets participated in a global survey by Travel Consul, the leading international travel marketing alliance. The goal of this survey was to get a better understanding of the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the industry, current needs and a view to what the future might entail. Here are a few highlights of the results: How destinations can support distribution partners in recovery When asked how destination organizations (DMOs) can best help travel advisors and tour operator...
Ramada by Wyndham to Expand in Spain With Two Upcoming Hotel Openings in Madrid and Valencia
Ramada by Wyndham | June 25, 2020
PARSIPPANY, N.J. (June 25, 2020) – Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, the world’s largest hotel franchising company with 9,300 hotels across 90 countries, today announced the expansion of its Ramada® by Wyndham brand in Spain with the upcoming openings of Ramada by Wyndham Madrid Tres Cantos and Ramada by Wyndham Valencia Almussafes. Following the brand’s successful entry into Spain in late 2019 with Ramada by Wyndham Madrid Getafe, the two new properties are owned by Covivio, a leading European real estate operator, through its subsidiary Covivio Hotels, and managed by hotel management company Hotel Collection International. The hotels ...
U.S. Travel Responds to NY, NJ, CT Quarantine Policy
The U.S. Travel Association | June 25, 2020
WASHINGTON (June 25, 2020)—U.S. Travel Association Executive Vice President for Public Affairs and Policy Tori Emerson Barnes issued the following statement on the announcement that New York, New Jersey and Connecticut will impose a new 14-day self-quarantine requirement for visitors from certain U.S. states: "States imposing new travel restrictions is not the direction we want to be heading for jobs and the economy. Medical experts have said that it should be possible for travel to gradually resume in phases as long as travelers and travel businesses embrace guidance on good health and safety practices. At this stage there is no debate ...
Extended Stay America Opens Newest Location in Savannah, Georgia
Extended Stay America | June 25, 2020
Charlotte, NC, June 25, 2020 — Extended Stay America, Inc. (NASDAQ:STAY), the largest mid-priced extended-stay hotel brand, announced today the opening of the Extended Stay America – Savannah - Pooler hotel in Pooler, Georgia. The four-story 124-room property features complimentary Wi-Fi, premium cable, a STAYFIT fitness room, STAYCLEAN laundry room, and our signature spacious STAYPLAY lobby with additional vending options. The rooms include fully equipped kitchens with full-size refrigerators, stovetop, cookware, utensils, and dishes as well as pillowtop beds, recliners, spacious workspace, and television streaming capabilities. ...
Primland Appoints Isaac Olivo as New Executive Chef
Primland | June 25, 2020
MEADOWS OF DAN, VIRGINIA – June 25, 2020 – Primland, the boutique resort set on 12,000 acres of pristine Blue Ridge Mountains in Southwestern Virginia, announces today that Isaac Olivo has been named its new Executive Chef. A graduate of Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts, Olivo comes to Primland from Amorette, a fine dining restaurant in Lancaster, PA, where he was Executive Chef. He also brings over a decade of experience from Relais & Châteaux's Grace Mayflower Inn & Spa in Connecticut, The Peninsula New York, Jean-Georges in New York City and Chefs Michael Mina and Tom Colicchio. At Primland, Olivo oversees a foo...
Brian King Appointed President of Marriott International’s Caribbean and Latin America Region
Marriott International | June 25, 2020
Marriott International (NASDAQ: MAR) today announced that long-time company executive Brian King has been appointed President of the company’s Caribbean and Latin America region. Mr. King will take on his new role in January 2021 and will report to Craig Smith, who will assume the role of Group President, International at that time. Mr. King succeeds Tim Sheldon, who recently announced his retirement. “The Caribbean and Latin America is one of Marriott’s fastest growing regions and we’ll benefit greatly having Brian King at the helm as we continue to focus on meeting the needs of our guests, associates and owners,” said Mr. Smith...
Maverick Hotels & Restaurants Appoints Laurent Boisdron as General Manager of Sable Hotel at Navy Pier
Maverick Hotels | June 25, 2020
CHICAGO (JUNE 2020) – Today, Founder & CEO of Maverick Hotels & Restaurants Robert Habeeb announces the appointment of industry powerhouse Laurent Boisdron to serve as General Manager of the leading firm’s flagship property and future staple in the city of Chicago: Sable at Navy Pier, a Curio Collection by Hilton in Chicago. With more than 25 years serving as an innovator in the hospitality space, Laurent has acquired extensive experience leading teams at upscale and luxury hotels worldwide, coming most recently from leading the staff at Conrad Hilton Manila. “Boisdron has had an extremely accomplished career to date, serving...
How Meeting and Event Venues are Adapting to the New Normal
Larry Mogelonsky | June 24, 2020
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.hotelmogel.com) As the stay-at-home orders subsides and leisure travelers look to rediscover their own backyards, we cannot forget that numerous hotels around the world derive a healthy portion of their topline revenues from groups. And even after all the postponements, cancelations and booking credits, this side of the business is still a question mark insofar as when exactly it will return to 2019 levels. While undoubtedly a clearer picture will emerge as summer fades into fall, there are nevertheless several critical adjustments needed in the near-term as to how you can safely facilitate a confe...
22 Best Practices for Your Wellness And Spa During and Post Covid-19
June 24, 2020
New ways of working, new consumption patterns, new ways of interacting with guests, and most certainly, new cleanliness standards - these are the norms by which the attractiveness of hotels will be now measured. These changes will be especially felt on the spa operational level, where a tight infrastructure leading to reassurance must be put in place. There is no doubt that the Wellness and Spa industry will experience an immense transformation as a result of the pandemic. After all, wellness and spa experiences are all about personal service and the human touch. However, despite all the changes, one thing will remain: people will still wa...
STR: U.S. Hotel Results for Week Ending 20 June
STR | June 24, 2020
HENDERSONVILLE, Tennessee—U.S. hotel performance data for the week ending 20 June showed another small rise from previous weeks and less severe year-over-year declines, according to STR. 14-20 June 2020 (percentage change from comparable week in 2019): Occupancy: 43.9% (-41.8%) Average daily rate (ADR): US$92.20 (-31.7%) Revenue per available room (RevPAR): US$40.48 (-60.3%) “Occupancy was up another couple percentage points from last week, marking the 10th consecutive week of such an increase,” said Jan Freitag, STR’s senior VP of lodging insights. “Demand continues to be pushed upward by drive-to spots and the des...
How to Measure Customer Retention
Shep Hyken | June 24, 2020
By Shep Hyken Get ready to do a little math. While not my typical lesson, this is very important. It’s about customer retention—which can lead to customer loyalty. Loyal customers are important to all businesses regardless of industry or size—large, small, B2B or B2C. Most businesses know their numbers, but do they know the right numbers? It’s easy to measure customer satisfaction at different levels. We find out how they liked our experience. We know that if they liked the experience, that is the first step in getting them to come back. The “getting them to come back” number is different than the “were you happy with us?...
The Brenton Hotel in Newport, RI, to Open July 2020
The Brenton Hotel | June 24, 2020
NEWPORT, RI (June 24, 2020) – Located on the harbor in the heart of downtown Newport, RI, the newly built and locally owned Brenton Hotel is slated to open in July. The six-story hotel sits directly on Newport’s bustling waterfront, and features 57 rooms and suites, two food and beverage venues and on-site parking. Floor-to-ceiling windows throughout The Brenton’spublic spaces and guestrooms offer panoramic views of the world-renowned harbor and majestic historic cityscape. “Passion and style are at the heart of The Brenton,” said Andy Ross, managing director of the Brenton Hotel. “Newport is about tradition and fun, it’s...
Nobu Hotel Chicago Set to for July 1, 2020 Opening
Nobu Hospitality | June 24, 2020
CHICAGO, June 24, 2020 - Nobu Hospitality, the globally established lifestyle brand founded by Chef Nobu Matsuhisa, Robert De Niro and Meir Teper, proudly announces the preview, first-phase opening of Nobu Hotel Chicago. Situated in Chicago's vibrant West Loop, the hotel will feature: 115 guest rooms and suites; a signature Nobu restaurant and bar on the ground level that offers premier patio seating, The Rooftop at Nobu showcasing on the roof dining amidst unrivaled panoramic views of the city; flexible meeting and event space; a state-of-the-art fitness center; and an indoor serenity swimming pool. Guests can expect the company’s sig...
LBA Hospitality Opens Courtyard by Marriott Hilton Head Island in South Carolina
Courtyard by Marriott | June 24, 2020
Hilton Head Island, SC – June 24, 2020 – Courtyard by Marriott Hilton Head Island opened its doors recently. Featuring an innovative lobby space as well as Courtyard’s latest contemporary room design, the new hotel provides flexibility and choices that allow guests to optimize and elevate their travel experience. Located at 79 Pope Avenue, the 115-room hotel will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned by Southeastern Real Estate Group and managed by LBA Hospitality of Dothan, Alabama. Situated in the heart of Hilton Head Island and just a short walk to the beach, the Courtyard by Marriott Hilton Head Island offers guests convenie...
Survey: 70% of Americans Support More Economic Stimulus to Help Reeling Travel Industry Recover
AHLA | June 24, 2020
WASHINGTON (June 24, 2020) A new survey conducted by Morning Consult commissioned by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) found that while Americans remain hesitant about traveling, they overwhelmingly support efforts by Congress to help the travel industry recover including helping hotels keep their doors open and bring back employees, as well as incentivizing Americans to travel again. With only 18 percent of respondents reporting taking an overnight trip since March, the devastation caused to the hotel industry is already nine times worse than 9/11, with more than 8 in 10 hotels having to lay off or furlough workers durin...
Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel, Opening in August 2020, Appoints Executive Team
Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel | June 24, 2020
OMAHA, NE (June 24, 2020) – Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel, operated by Pivot Hotels & Resorts and opening August 2020 in Omaha’s Blackstone District, is pleased to announce the executive appointments of Mara Bouvier to General Manager and James Schelnick to Director of Sales & Marketing. Bouvier and Schelnick will join the leadership team to open the 205-room historic hotel and oversee operations for the eight-story property and its outlets, including a signature steakhouse and lounge, a French-inspired cafe, a resort-style swimming club and solarium, and more than 13,500 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting and event space. B...
Marriott International Announces Retirement of Tim Sheldon
Marriott International | June 24, 2020
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) today announced that Tim Sheldon is retiring from his role as President, Caribbean and Latin America in early 2021, following a 35-year career with the company. “Tim has been an integral part of Marriott over the past three decades and it is difficult to imagine Marriott without him,” said Dave Grissen, Group President, Americas. “He has truly shaped the organization with his entrepreneurial spirit, astute focus on key business drivers and warm leadership style that has inspired many. We will certainly miss Tim, but I know that this new chapter in his life will be as meaningful and dynamic a...
StepStone Hospitality Promotes Blair Wills to President and CEO
StepStone Hospitality | June 24, 2020
PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND (June 24, 2020) – StepStone Hospitality, a best-in-class management company specializing in hotel, restaurant, and renovation management, announced the promotion of Blair Wills to President and CEO. In this expanded role, Wills is charged with leading the team in maximizing value in StepStone’s existing management properties as well as the growth of the StepStone portfolio. Tom Russo will continue in his role as Founder and Chairman with a focus on strategic direction and development. “Over the past 10 years, Blair has been instrumental in guiding and implementing the growth of StepStone Hospitalit...
The Brenton Hotel Introduces New Culinary Leadership Team
The Brenton Hotel | June 24, 2020
NEWPORT, RI (June 24, 2020) – Andy Ross, managing director of the Brenton Hotel, the new 57-room luxury boutique hotel on the harbor in Newport, RI, opening in July 2020, announced today the appointment of Kevin Wood as Executive Chef and Emily Brakenhoff as Food and Beverage Director. Executive Chef Wood is charged with developing the new hotel’s seasonal menus, as well as conducting day-to-day culinary operations of the main dining outlet the Living Room, in-room dining and catered affairs. Collaborating with Executive Chef Wood, Brakenhoff will cultivate the hotel’s beverage program, in addition to leading all front-of-house d...
The Woodstock Inn & Resort Appoints Khim V. Neang as Spa Director
the Woodstock Inn & Resort | June 24, 2020
WOODSTOCK, VT (June 24, 2020) – The Woodstock Inn & Resort welcomes Khim V. Neang as the new Spa Director to the resort’s LEED-certified, 10,000 square foot Spa in Woodstock, Vermont. Neang will lead the day-to-day operations, implement strategic business and marketing plans, and lead a motivated staff to exceed guest expectations. “We are delighted to bring Khim V. Neang to the Woodstock Inn & Resort,” said John Hallowell, the President & Managing Director. “With a background as a massage therapist, human resources consultant, and spa director, she will bring valuable expertise and strong leadership skills to our ...
