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The Future of IoT Is at the Edge
Ian Millar | June 12, 2020
By Ian Millar One of the most prevalent trends in almost every industry is the internet of things or otherwise known as IoT. What a few years ago seemed futuristic; it is now becoming a reality. The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to the inclusion of connectivity in everyday devices that do not usually count with those capabilities; it allows us to turn appliances “smart” by enabling them to receive, send data and communicate with each other. This will significantly increase the quantity of data available to us as well as levels of automation. It will also enhance the control and monitoring we can exert on such devices. IoT will ultima...
Proper Hospitality Set to Open Hotel June in Los Angeles
Proper Hospitality | June 12, 2020
LOS ANGELES - Today, Proper Hospitality co-founders Brian De Lowe and Brad Korzen announce the opening of their new brand venture, Hotel June, on Los Angeles’ Westside. Inspired by the soul and spirit of California and named to reflect new beginnings and a year-round summer sensibility, the first Hotel June property opens its doors on June 22, marking a new chapter for Proper. De Lowe and Korzen created Hotel June as an approachable lifestyle hotel –– a stylish and uplifting place that invites frequent stays for travelers while also offering an essential setting for locals to gather. That sentiment will be at the heart of subsequent Ho...
Pulse Report: New Bookings Show Short-Term Resurgence
Duetto | June 12, 2020
The latest edition of our Pulse Report, which went live today, is showing us universally positive signs, with week on week increases in pick up for all four geographic regions we are tracking: North America, Latin America, EMEA and APAC. Today’s Pulse Report, which tracks data from the last two weeks of May, shows us an initial wave of growing consumer confidence. However, bookings remain predominantly short-term at present, with the majority of consumers booking for stays within a 30-day lead time. North America has seen strong growth in new bookings week on week. May 25-31 (week 13) saw a 31% increase in new bookings compared to ...
STR: U.S. Hotel Results for Week Ending 6 June
STR | June 11, 2020
HENDERSONVILLE, Tennessee—STR data ending with 6 June showed another small rise from previous weeks in U.S. hotel performance. Year-over-year declines remained significant although not as severe as the levels recorded previously. 31 May through 6 June 2020 (percentage change from comparable week in 2019): Occupancy: 39.3% (-45.3%) Average daily rate (ADR): US$85.01 (-35.9%) Revenue per available room (RevPAR): US$33.43 (-65.0%) *Previous weekly U.S. weekly occupancy levels: 24-30 May 2020: 36.4% 17-23 May 2020: 35.3% 10-16 May 2020: 32.3% 3-9 May 2020: 30.3% 26 April - 2 May 2020: 28.8% 19-25 April ...
STR: Canada Hotel Results for Week Ending 6 June
STR | June 11, 2020
HENDERSONVILLE, Tennessee—STR data for 31 May through 6 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 2-8 June 2019, the industry reported the following: Occupancy: -70.3% to 22.2% Average daily rate (ADR): -42.2% to CAD105.92 Revenue per available room (RevPAR): -82.9% to CAD23.49 The previous three weeks produced absolute occupancy levels of 21.4%, 18.9% and 18.4%. British Columbia (26.7%), Manitoba (23.3%), Saskatchewan (23.1%), Ontario (22.4%) and Alberta (21.0%) were the provinces with occupancy of...
Hotel Market Analysis: 8 Ways Hotels Should Combat the Crisis
EHL Hospitality Insights | June 11, 2020
An analysis of how Covid-19 has affected the hotel market and the importance of adapting to new parameters in staffing, marketing and technology to avoid extinction. Impactful consequences of the current crisis The coronavirus has taken an unprecedented toll on the travel industry. At the time of writing, every single actor has been taking concrete actions and cutting costs to keep their head above water. As a hotelier, you have most likely had to make fast and difficult choices to shelter your business from the crisis, involving an immediacy factor often leaving you with nose to the grindstone, unable to craft a long-term strategy. However...
Creativity Comes From Challenge
Michael Buono | June 11, 2020
By Michael Buono COVID-19 has challenged us personally and professionally to reevaluate how we interact and transact. Collectively as an industry, we are examining hospitality concepts and redefining experiences in the immediate, short- and long-term. Good concepts will carry over and areas that were not thriving pre-pandemic are unlikely to reemerge. This is a time of refinement and cleanse. Balancing the bottom line Balancing the bottom line is now a two-part equation. Existing projects must adjust through a comprehensive review; a deal initially showing x, is now x minus one. Initial underwriting requires a specified output and...
Remington Hotels Appoints Don Falgoust as Vice President Food & Beverage Strategy Execution
Remington Hotels | June 11, 2020
DALLAS (June 11, 2020) – Remington Hotels announced today the appointment of Don Falgoust as Vice President of Food & Beverage Strategy Execution, who will lead all F&B initiatives for Remington Hotels’ 87 properties. Bringing close to 35 years of experience in the hospitality industry to the role, Falgoust will be responsible for providing strategic leadership, guidance and direction for all new and existing concepts and initiatives, collaborating with the Remington Hotels development team and hotel owners on F&B ideation and operations for new build and conversion hotels and working alongside operations and sales leaders ...
New Canopy by Hilton Tempe Downtown Set to Open in Arizona
Canopy by Hilton Tempe Downtown | June 11, 2020
TEMPE, Ariz. (June 11, 2020) – The Southwest’s first Canopy by Hilton will open its doors on June 16 in the heart of downtown Tempe, ushering in a contemporary, full-service hotel offering guests a local experience with a boutique feel, all within the central core of one of the most vibrant, dynamic and growing cities in Arizona. Owned and developed by Driftwood Capital, Canopy by Hilton Tempe Downtown, the new 198-room hotel at the corner of University Drive and Myrtle Avenue, boasts spacious guest rooms and suites, along with approximately 5,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space. Bookings for overnight stays a...
An Unexpected Detour: The Cleveland Hotel Market in the Wake of COVID-19
Adam Zarczynski | June 11, 2020
By Adam Zarczynski Coming into 2020, the United States hotel industry was ready to build on the record-setting performances of the past few years. In 2019, RevPAR and ADR reached the highest levels ever tracked by STR. While some experts warned of oversaturation with the number of new properties built in recent years, nobody could have predicted the current state of the industry as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. For most of April, weekly RevPAR declines of more than 80% year-over-year across the United States were common. While resort destinations such as Hawaii and parts of Florida have seen tremendous decline in hotel performance, th...
Owned and Managed by InterMountain Management, TownePlace Suites by Marriott Opens in El Paso, Texas
TownePlace Suites by Marriott | June 11, 2020
El Paso, TX – June 11, 2020 – The TownePlace Suites by Marriott El Paso East/I-10 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 El Paso area. Located at 11521 Gateway Boulevard W, it will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned and managed by InterMountain Management, LLC of Monroe, Louisiana. “We are excited with the continued growth of the TownePlace Suites brand in the El Paso area,” said Diane Mayer, Vice President and Global Brand Manager, TownePlace Suites at Marriott International...
The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island Appoints Greg Cook as General Manager
The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island | June 11, 2020
AMELIA ISLAND, FL (June 11, 2020) –The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, north Florida’s premiere luxury resort, is delighted to announce the promotion of Greg Cook as General Manager. Cook was formerly an Area General Manager, with oversight of The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island included in his leadership portfolio, and has been intimately involved with all aspects of the property. In his new role, Cook will manage all aspects of the resort, amplifying the success of the award-winning hotel, while cultivating new relationships and providing exceptional guest service. His vision and acumen have been tapped for major projects on-site, includi...
Is Your Hotel Sales Team Ready for the Transition From “Fishing for Inbound Leads” to “Sales Hunting?”
Doug Kennedy | June 11, 2020
By Doug Kennedy In the course of a few months the hotel group, conference, event and BT sales landscape has transitioned from a period of historically high demand to near zero. After the tidal wave of cancellations and postponements in March, followed by an eerily quiet April and May when many were furloughed, hotel salespeople are now returning to an entirely new sales habitat. Is your sales team ready? The last 10+ years of growth have allowed hotel sales to be more about "fishing" for new leads. Most salespeople could simply wait for a meeting or event planning “fish” swim by and bite on digital "bait" such as a hotel website or ...
Shamin Hotels Opens Residence Inn by Marriott in Midlothian, Virginia
Residence Inn by Marriott | June 10, 2020
Midlothian, VA – June 10, 2020 – The 111-suite Residence Inn by Marriott Richmond West hotel in Midlothian, Virginia recently opened with upscale, stylish décor that offers flexibility and a unique environment. Located at 1350 Johnston Willis Drive, the all-suite Residence Inn Richmond West/Midlothian will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned by Shamin Hotels Incorporated and managed by Shamin Hotels of Chester, Virginia. Located just steps from the Johnston-Willis Hospital and 20 minutes from downtown Richmond, the Residence Inn Richmond West/Midlothian offers its guests convenient access to Richmond Ice Zone, Huguenot Park, Cheste...
Radisson Hotel Group Rolls Out Holistic Recovery Plan for Properties in China
Radisson Hotel Group | June 10, 2020
Shanghai, China - June 10, 2020 - Radisson Hotel Group has unveiled a holistic recovery plan for its hotels and resorts in China, as the revival of China’s travel and hospitality industry is now picking up speed following the COVID-19 global pandemic. The majority of hotels in the country are now open for business and occupancy levels reached close to 50% during the recent Labor Day holiday – ten percentage points higher than in recent weeks¹. Encouragingly, this included an upswing in corporate travel in first tier cities such as Beijing, where hotels in the financial district have seen their occupancy triple². As China rebounds, ...
Tim Sullivan Named President & CEO of Cendyn; New CTO & CFO Join Rapidly Growing Organization
Cendyn | June 10, 2020
June 10, 2020 – Boca Raton, FL – Cendyn, the leading innovator in CRM, sales and revenue strategy for the hospitality industry, announced today the appointment of Tim Sullivan as President & Chief Executive Officer. Sullivan is now Cendyn’s highest-ranking officer, responsible for the company’s direction, vision and strategy. “In his first year as President, Tim guided Cendyn into an exciting new era of unparalleled innovation, accountability and transformation,” said David Cusimano, Principal at Accel-KKR and Cendyn board member. “He is a resilient, trustworthy and passionate leader, with a deep history at Cendyn. The bo...
SpringHill Suites By Marriott Opens in Tuckahoe, New York Led by General Manager Gary Byrne
SpringHill Suites by Marriott | June 10, 2020
Tuckahoe, NY – June 10, 2020 –The SpringHill Suites by Marriott in Tuckahoe, New York has recently opened. The 153-suite hotel, located at 109 Marbledale Road, will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned by Bilwin Development Affiliates of Westchester, New York and managed by Concord Hospitality Enterprises, an award-winning hotel development and management company, based in Raleigh, North Carolina. Located in the idyllic Village of Tuckahoe at the halfway point between New York City and the Lower Hudson Valley, the SpringHill Suites Tuckahoe Westchester County offers guests convenient access to the Ridge Hill Mall, the Bronx River Wal...
Preferred Hotel Group Acquires Beyond Green Travel in Move to Advance Sustainable Tourism Globally
Preferred Hotel Group, Inc. | June 10, 2020
Newport Beach, California – June 10, 2020: Today, Preferred Hotel Group, Inc. – the family-owned company that manages and operates global travel and hospitality brands including Preferred Hotels & Resorts, Historic Hotels of America, Historic Hotels Worldwide, and PHG Consulting – announced the acquisition of Beyond Green Travel – a world-renowned leader in providing sustainable tourism services and consulting, founded by ecotourism pioneer and global sustainability expert Costas Christ. Finalized on February 4, 2020, this is the first acquisition by the Ueberroth Family since they purchased Preferred Hotel Group, Inc. in March 20...
IHG® Opens First avid™ Hotels Property in Mexico – avid Hotel Fresnillo in Zacatecas
IHG® | June 10, 2020
The avid™ hotels brand continues its rapid expansion accelerating international growth by announcing the opening of its first hotel in Mexico. IHG® (InterContinental Hotels Group), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, today announced the opening of avid™ hotel Fresnillo – the first hotel for the emerging brand to open in Mexico and Latin America and the first chain hotel to be built in this city, a key to the economic state of Zacatecas. The hotel has six floors of new construction with 100 guest rooms and is owned by Operadora MBA and operated by Operadora Uno under a license agreement with IHG. Jorge Apaez, Chief Operati...
Marriott Has a More Realistic View on Demand Recovery in Europe, Says GlobalData
GlobalData | June 10, 2020
Following a recent webinar event hosted by New York University, which saw the senior executives of Accor, Sebastien Bazin and Marriott, Arne Sorenson stating opposing outlooks regarding how demand recovery in Europe will play out; Ralph Hollister, Analyst, Travel & Tourism at GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, offers his view on the situation: “Sorenson thinks both the US and China have the same kind of travel industry fundamentals to fuel a stronger recovery than Europe. Europe’s situation is more precarious, the region is made up of a vast number of countries that are still applying different rules regarding qua...
Three-Way Joint Venture Acquires Hutton Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee
BentallGreenOak | June 10, 2020
SAN FRANCISCO - As part of a new three-way venture, BentallGreenOak (BGO), Flank Management LP(Flank), and Geolo Capital (Geolo) today announced the acquisition of the Hutton Hotel in Nashville, Tenn., in an all-cash purchase for an undisclosed price. Credited with energizing Nashville’s West End neighborhood upon opening in 2009, the Four-Star, Four Diamond Hutton Hotel weaves a creative spirit across 250 guest rooms and suites, Writers Studios for musicians, and a social club & entertainment venue with live performances. “We are pleased to make our relationship with Geolo and BentallGreenOak official as partners in this transact...
Cambria Hotels Introduces Third Florida Location in Madeira Beach
Cambria Hotels | June 10, 2020
ROCKVILLE, Md., June 10, 2020 -- Cambria Hotels, an upscale brand franchised by Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), continues its expansion with the opening of the Cambria Hotel St. Petersburg – Madeira Beach Marina. The five-story, 125-room hotel joins the Cambria Hotel Ft. Lauderdale Airport South & Cruise Port and the Cambria Hotel Miami Airport – Blue Lagoon as the brand's third location in Florida. The Cambria Hotel St. Petersburg – Madeira Beach Marina is situated at 15015 Madeira Way in Madeira Beach, Florida. The waterfront hotel is conveniently located in Madeira Beach Town Center, near leisure attractions su...
Tourism Can Promote Solidarity and Trust
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) | June 10, 2020
As UNWTO leads the restart of tourism, the Secretary-General of the United Nations has sent a landmark message to the world, highlighting the sector’s unique role in advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and in protecting the most vulnerable members of our societies. As the world faces the devastating consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, the tourism sector is among those being affected most severely. Travel is down, fear is up, and the future is uncertain. Tourism is an essential pillar of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The livelihoods of many depend on it, especially women and particularly in the...
Taking the Extra Step to Deliver Amazing Service
Shep Hyken | June 10, 2020
By Shep Hyken Sometimes a little creativity and extra effort can make a big difference in the customer experience. One of our followers, David Turk, shared an article from a recent issue of the New York Times about how a server at an upscale restaurant “astonished” a guest with an amazing display of customer service. The short version of the story is that a woman went to dinner at one of the finest restaurants in New York. From experience, she knew it was difficult to get her favorite beverage, Dr. Pepper, so she brought her own and requested a glass of ice—nothing else. When the server returned with a crystal glass filled wi...
