The Tricycle of Guest Service Excellence: A Perfect Model For Remarkable Experiences
Doug Kennedy | October 4th, 2024
Spokane Tribe Resort & Casino Partners With Travel Outlook to Elevate Guest Service Experience
Travel Outlook, The Premier Hotel Call Center™ | October 2nd, 2024
Resolute Road Hospitality Expands Managed Portfolio With Addition of Residence Inn by Marriott Boise West
Resolute Road Hospitality | June 6, 2024
Boise, Idaho, June 6, 2024—Resolute Road Hospitality, a third-party management company founded on the promise to change the way owners think of their management company, has announced a strategic partnership with Virga Capital to manage the Residence Inn by Marriott Boise West. This addition expands Resolute Road's management footprint in Idaho, where it already manages hotels in Boise, Twin Falls, and Coeur d'Alene. The 104-key property is located near Boise State University, Boise Towne Square Mall, Boise Airport, Downtown Boise, and Micron Technology Inc. Its extended stay style and modern amenities make it an ideal choice for both corp...
My Place Hotels of America Opens My Place Hotels-Grand Rapids, MN
My Place Hotels of America, LLC | June 6, 2024
ABERDEEN, SD — June 6, 2024 — My Place Hotels of America has opened My Place Hotels-Grand Rapids, MN in Grand Rapids, MN. This is the brand’s second hotel to open in Minnesota and the 71st opened and operating My Place property in the United States. The hotel is owned by Iron Range MP, LLC, and was developed by Legacy Development, LLC. It is managed by Legacy Management, LLC. The 63-key property was designed by The Richardson Design Partnership using the My Place “Chalet” prototype, which was selected to complement the natural beauty of northern Minnesota’s rolling hills, lakes, and deep woods. The hotel is outfitted with stand...
LuxUrban Hotels Appoints Michael James Chief Financial Officer
LuxUrban Hotels Inc. | June 6, 2024
MIAMI--June 6, 2024--LuxUrban Hotels Inc. (“LuxUrban” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: LUXH), a hospitality company which leases entire existing hotels on a long-term basis and rents rooms in its hotels to business and vacation travelers, today announced the appointment of Michael James as Chief Financial Officer, effective June 4, 2024. Mr. James succeeds Shanoop Kothari, the Company’s current Chief Executive Officer and former Acting Chief Financial Officer. Mr. James brings more than four decades of experience as a financial and operating executive, board member, and investor to his new role. He has advised and led financial strate...
Occupancy vs ADR, the Never Ending Discussion in Revenue Management
Patrick Landman | June 6, 2024
By Patrick Landman Since the early days revenue management has been applied in hotels, there has been an intriguing ongoing discussion. What drives more value to the business, ADR, average daily rate, or occupancy? I have been in hotel revenue management consulting since 2006, and it is a question that keeps coming back. ‘How can I make more profit with my hotel?’ Owners that are closely watching the P&L statement are especially keen to understand how they can drive the bottom line of their hospitality business. Which is it? So what is it, Occupancy or Average Room Rate (ARR)? The answer is of course both! As t...
Travel & Tourism in China Set to Surpass Pre-Pandemic Levels This Year
The World Travel & Tourism Council | June 6, 2024
Beijing, China: The World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) 2024 Economic Impact Research (EIR) has revealed today that China’s Travel & Tourism sector is set to inject a record-breaking ¥12.62TN into the national economy by the end of this year. In partnership with Oxford Economics, a world leader in global economic forecasting, WTTC’s latest research shows that domestic travel spend is also set to reach new heights this year – expected to contribute ¥6.79TN into China’s economy in 2024. According to the global tourism body, employment in Travel & Tourism is expected to represent 10.6% of all jobs in the countr...
Due to Memorial Day, U.S. Hotel Industry Reported Lower Performance Results From the Previous Week
CoStar Group | June 6, 2024
WASHINGTON – 6 June 2024 – Due to Memorial Day, the U.S. hotel industry reported lower performance results from the previous week but slightly positive comparisons year over year, according to CoStar’s latest data through 1 June. CoStar is a leading provider of online real estate marketplaces, information and analytics in the property markets. 26 May through 1 June 2024 (percentage change from comparable week in 2023): Occupancy: 62.0% (+0.9%) Average daily rate (ADR): US$150.87 (+0.1%) Revenue per available room (RevPAR): US$93.50 (+1.0%) Among the Top 25 Markets, New Orleans saw the highest year-over-year occup...
Simplify the Complicated (Part Three)
Shep Hyken | June 6, 2024
By Shep Hyken This is the third article this year about the concept of simplicity. Why? It apparently resonates with our subscribers, as there have been many comments and emails. Consider these quotes: It was either Mark Twain, Benjamin Franklin, Pascal, Cicero, or some other famous smart person who said, “If I had more time, I would have written a shorter letter.” Einstein said, “Genius is making complex ideas simple, not making simple ideas complex.” What else can I add to this concept? The same day the last article came out in The Shepard Letter, I was asked to complete some “paperwork.” Once again, I ha...
Sam Nazarian’s sbe Unveil First Sites for Project HQ in Montreux, Switzerland and Detroit, Michigan
sbe | June 6, 2024
Well Poised for Continued Domestic and International Expansion, Project HQ Has 15+ Additional Hotels Under Discussion With Applications in Both Adaptive Reuse and Conversion Developments LionGrove Has Committed to Building 10 HQ Hotels Across the Caribbean and Along the Sun Belt of the US sbe Announces a $50MM Key Money & Sliver Equity Fund for HQ Hotels that will Propel Its Growth and Further Expansion sbe Announces the Expansion of its Hotel Platform Leadership Team with the Addition of Over 15 Highly Experienced Industry Veterans from Around the Globe LOS ANGELES, June 6, 2024 -- Project HQ Hotels & Residences, led by Sam N...
Everhome Suites Expands in the Northeast With Three New Groundbreakings in New Hampshire, New Jersey, and New York
Everhome Suites®: Closer to Home | June 6, 2024
Choice Hotels continues to strengthen its leadership position in extended stay with Everhome Suites' growth NORTH BETHESDA, Md., June 6, 2024 -- Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), one of the world's largest lodging franchisors, continues to expand its Everhome Suites brand with recent groundbreakings in Portsmouth, New Hampshire; Rochester, New York; and Somerset, New Jersey, developed in collaboration with Highside Companies. The extended stay demand fundamentals make these locations an ideal fit for the Everhome Suites midscale brand, catering to both business and leisure travelers. Within the category, Choice has nearly ...
Minor Hotels Introduces NH Collection and NH Brands in Sri Lanka
Minor Hotels | June 6, 2024
Bangkok, June 6, 2024: Global hotel owner and operator Minor Hotels has added two properties in Sri Lanka, marking the introduction of its upper-upscale NH Collection Hotels & Resorts and upscale NH Hotels & Resorts brands in the country. Minor Hotels will manage the two properties, one in the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo and the other in the beachside town of Bentota, following an agreement with Softlogic Holdings, the properties’ owner. NH Collection Colombo Hotel opened its doors on June 1st in the heart of the city, steps away from Liberty Arcade and the Indian Ocean, and within a 10-minute drive of the National Museu...
Playa Hotels & Resorts and Marriott Sign Agreement to Open Paraiso de la Bonita, a Luxury Collection Adult All-Inclusive Resort, Riviera Maya
Playa Hotels & Resorts N.V. | June 6, 2024
Anticipated to open in late 2024, the property will undergo a conversion process before bringing The Luxury Collection brand to the Mexican Caribbean Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (June 6, 2024) – Playa Hotels & Resorts, owner and operator of all-inclusive resorts in Mexico, Jamaica, and Dominican Republic, is pleased to announce an agreement with Marriott International Inc. to expand The Luxury Collection brand in the Mexican Caribbean with Paraiso de la Bonita, a Luxury Collection Adult All-Inclusive Resort, Riviera Maya. Set to open in late 2024, the resort will be situated on 14 acres of lush natural landscape, nestled between a mangrov...
The Gabriel South Beach Welcomes Ryan Rauscher as General Manager
The Gabriel South Beach | June 6, 2024
MIAMI BEACH, FL (June 6, 2024) – The Gabriel South Beach, a modern art deco property on Ocean Drive managed by Highgate, has announced the appointment of Ryan Rauscher as general manager. Rauscher has had a distinguished career in the hospitality industry, marked by various leadership roles and successes in repositioning, branding and opening properties across the country. “Ryan’s hospitality background and innovative approach to hotel management make him an excellent fit for The Gabriel South Beach,” said Jimmy Shandor, Vice President of Operations Luxury & Lifestyle at Highgate. “We are confident that under his leadership, t...
Innisfree Hotels Opens Surf & Sand Fernandina Beach at Amelia Island
INNISFREE HOTELS | June 6, 2024
Part of Choice Hotels’ Ascend Hotel Collection, the new Surf & Sand Fernandina Beach at Amelia Island is a one-of-a-kind boutique property that blends modern design with a beachy vibe. FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. — Innisfree Hotels (innisfreehotels.com) is proud to announce the opening of the new Surf & Sand Fernandina Beach at Amelia Island, a modern and beachy boutique hotel located at 2801 Atlantic Avenue in the heart of beautiful Fernandina Beach. The Surf & Sand Fernandina Beach at Amelia Island stands at the former Comfort Suites Fernandina Beach site, which has undergone a significant renovation. The new space featu...
New Labor Challenges Arise in 2023
Robert Mandelbaum | June 6, 2024
By Robert Mandelbaum, Andrea Grigg The scarcity of employees has long been the primary labor concern for U.S. hoteliers, even before the onset of the COVD-19 pandemic. Historically, jobs in the lodging industry have had a negative perception as being too physically demanding, requiring too long of hours, and requiring work on weekends and holidays. The shortage of personnel was exaggerated during 2021 and 2022 as many of the employees that were laid off during the pandemic in 2020 opted not to return to the industry. The difficulty of attracting workers to fill line-level positions within hotels lessened somewhat in 2023. Reductions in ...
The Ritz-Carlton Bacara Appoints Bradley Cance as New General Manager
The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara | June 5, 2024
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – June 5, 2024 – The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara– the premier resort by the sea on the Gaviota Coast, welcomes Bradley Cance as General Manager. Cance’s career in luxury hospitality has spanned over three decades and includes General Manager roles at The Ritz-Carlton, Tiburon in Naples, St. Louis, Palm Beach, Pentagon City and Washington, D.C. Cance has celebrated success in every property he has managed, whether achieving five diamonds and five stars for his hotels or leading a $125 million renovation and rebirth of The Ritz-Carlton in Palm Beach. His balanced approach to ensuring his employees, guests, a...
U.S. Business Travel Industry Responsible for Almost 2% of U.S. GDP and 3.5% of Employment in Latest Full-Year Figures
GBTA | June 5, 2024
GBTA’s study reveals for every 1% of growth in business travel, the U.S. economy sees nearly 60,000 jobs, $2.9 billion in paid wages, $1.2 billion in tax revenue and $4.8 billion in new GDP The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) today unveiled a new study, the “GBTA U.S. Economic Impact Study: Business Travel’s Impact on Jobs and the U.S. Economy,” which quantifies the significant economic impact of traveling for work in the U.S. The report shows the business travel industry provided a major boost to the U.S. economy in 2022*, the latest full year for which a complete set of data is available for analysis. The U.S. was t...
How To Extinguish Hospitality Burnout
Matthijs Welle | June 5, 2024
By Matthijs Welle We work in an exhausting industry. So much of our time is dedicated to ensuring that our guests have remarkable experiences that we forget to pursue our own happiness. I’ve worked in both sides of industry – on the front lines at reception and behind the scenes in hospitality tech – and in both areas I’ve often felt exhausted and overworked. So what’s the solution? Obviously, I don’t have all the answers. It took me years to find the best ways to recharge and find my personal balance. But I do believe that hoteliers and anyone in hospitality have a particular responsibility to look after themselves...
It’s Never Been Better for Investment in the Hotel Technology Industry
Frank Wolfe | June 5, 2024
By Frank Wolfe Just as the hospitality industry evolves, so too must the format of its conventions, especially one as influential to the hospitality industry as HITEC. This year, the senior team at HFTP has expanded the tradeshow’s depth and impact with the inaugural HITEC Technology Investment Conference, taking place immediately after the main event on Thursday, June 27 and Friday, June 29. While it’s been in the making for a long time, we couldn’t have hoped for a better year to debut this addition. Why is 2024 particularly ripe for investment in this sector? Needless as it may be to the mention at this point, the pandemic acce...
Luxury Hotel Marketing: 5 Key Strategies to Succeed
June 5, 2024
Infinity pools with breathtaking views, spacious beachfront bungalows, exclusive spa treatments, Michelin-star restaurants, exquisite design, and exemplary service are all elements we typically associate with luxury hotels. But how do you communicate the elements that make your hotel exceptional to prospective customers? To be effective, your luxury hotel marketing strategy must tell a story that shows your customers what sets you apart and makes the experiences you offer unique. Importantly, you must actively target a distinct group of customers and ensure your messages appear in all the right places. In this article, we’ll explore t...
IHG Signs With AXA IM Alts for Return of Holiday Inn to Kyoto
IHG | June 5, 2024
Japan’s first Holiday Inn opened in Kyoto in 1973, so the opening heralds a return to the brand’s roots in Japan Holiday Inn Kyoto Gojo will be the eleventh hotel under the Holiday Inn brand family in Japan The project is IHG’s second agreement with AXA IM Alts With more than 4,300 open worldwide, Holiday Inn is the world’s largest hotel brand family Tokyo, 5 June, 2024: IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG) today announced that it has signed a management agreement with AXA IM Alts to open Holiday Inn Kyoto Gojo by early 2025. The opening heralds the return to the brand’s roots in Japan, with the first Holiday Inn openin...
The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa Welcomes Aurélie Chiaffi as Complex Spa Director
The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa | June 5, 2024
Bora Bora, French Polynesia (June 5, 2024) – The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa, a premier resort opening this Summer 2024 in Bora Bora, today announced the appointment of Aurélie Chiaffi as Spa Director, overseeing both The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa and The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort. With over a decade of experience in hotel spas across French Polynesia, Aurélie Chiaffi brings a wealth of expertise and passion to her new role and will curate an array of treatments inspired by local Polynesian wellness traditions and modalities for the resort’s soon-to-open Heavenly Spa Bora Bora. “We are thrilled to welcome Complex S...
Aimbridge Hospitality Names William Davenport Chief Financial Officer
Aimbridge Hospitality | June 5, 2024
Accomplished finance executive brings 30-plus years of extensive experience across hospitality, foodservice and retail to the top third-party hotel management company PLANO, Texas, June 5, 2024—Aimbridge Hospitality, a leading, hospitality management company and the world’s largest third-party hotel operator, today announced William Davenport as its new Chief Financial Officer, effective July 8. Davenport will sit on the organization’s executive leadership team and report directly to Craig S. Smith, Chief Executive Officer. As Chief Financial Officer, Davenport will oversee the financial management of the company and have direct respo...
New Mining Exchange Hotel Debuts in Colorado Springs Under the Management of Practice Hospitality
THE MINING EXCHANGE HOTEL | June 5, 2024
The completely reimagined historic hotel unveils a redesigned lobby and guestrooms, elevated food and beverage concepts, experiential programming, a refreshed spa, and unparalleled event spaces. COLORADO SPRINGS, CO – June 5, 2024 – The new Mining Exchange Hotel is designed for modern travelers, with a nod to Colorado’s gilded past. The storied building in downtown Colorado Springs was originally established in 1902 as the stock exchange for precious gold and silver, and quickly became a bustling hub for mining magnates and investors. The reimagined property embodies this rugged yet refined essence of the West, creating a space tha...
Whitestone Companies Acquires the 275-Room Le Meridien Atlanta Perimeter
Whitestone Capital | June 5, 2024
Columbus, OH (June 5, 2024) – Today, Whitestone Capital, a division of Whitestone Companies, purchased the 275 room Le Meridien Atlanta Perimeter from Starwood Capital. This purchase marks Whitestone’s first purchase in the greater Atlanta metropolitan area and tenth hotel purchase in the last twelve months. “Atlanta is a market we have been eyeing for quite some time,” said Jay Batra, Chief Executive Officer of Whitestone Companies. “As with most things, it is about timing. With the Le Meridien, we believe we have found an incredible asset in a great location with considerable upside potential.” The Le Meridien is a unique ...
