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Building Your Post-Covid Welcome Back Package
Larry Mogelonsky | June 3, 2020
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.hotelmogel.com) The hospitality world will reopen, but it will do so in a staggered manner. This means that once dates are given by governmental authorities, properties will all be scrambling for revenue from customers who now have a markedly different set of demands for their hotel experiences. So, while many are expecting a surge in bookings upon the announcement of a reopening, the competition will still be there, and you will nevertheless need ways to differentiate your hotel. One thought to help spur more initial reservations is the creation of the welcome back package that is bespoke to what ...
The First 100 Days
Adam Knight | June 3, 2020
By Adam Knight As we start looking at a post-coronavirus world, there’s an opportunity for savvy managers and business owners to outline an action plan that will launch them out of their current situation and provide the momentum needed to be successful in our new normal. It wasn’t until Franklin D. Roosevelt took office in 1933 that a president’s first 100 days became a topic of discussion. After inauguration he moved quickly to pass 15 major pieces of legislation. This level of productivity was unheard of at the time and lead to enormous popularity. Roosevelt actually coined the term "first 100 days" during a radio address in Ju...
Cloud5 Announces Webinar Series to Help Hoteliers Leverage Technology Post-COVID-19
Cloud5 Communications | June 3, 2020
Session 1: The New Dawn of IoT in the COVID-19 World, June 10 at 1PM ET June 3, 2020 - Mass adoption of IoT has been expected for many years with some hospitality brand leaders very bullish on their predictions despite several years of deployment and support challenges. Now that COVID-19 is fundamentally changing our industry and the application of technology, hoteliers need trouble-free solutions. This webinar will look at how IoT can help hotels operate more efficiently and deliver on guest ever-changing expectations in the new normal. Join us on a journey from quarantine to innovation. clique What the state of IoT is today for hospit...
Tourism Tidbits: The Road to Recovery: The Rebirth of Tourism
Dr. Peter E. Tarlow | June 3, 2020
By Dr. Peter Tarlow June 2020 During the last three months, the travel and tourism industry around much of the world for the most part came to an almost complete halt. Three months later we now face the new task of moving from the shock of what was to creating a world of what will be. It now becomes all of our jobs to find ways for the travel and tourism industry to be reborn. In the immediate future this process of renewal means that tourism leaders, both in the public and private sector, will have to accept the fact that our world has changed and they will need to find new and creative ways to go from an almost total tourism stopp...
Israel’s Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Health Announce Purple Standard for Reopening and Operating Hotels
the Israel Ministry of Tourism | June 3, 2020
NEW YORK – June 3, 2020 – In preparation for reopening Israel to both domestic and international tourism, Israel’s Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Health have outlined a new “Purple Standard” for operating hotels in the country. For hotels to remain in compliance with the new standard, they must reach and maintain several benchmarks outlined by Ministry of Health officials that will deem the property safe for travelers. “It’s extremely important that hotels across our country maintain a high level of health and sanitation standards to ensure travelers’ safety when visiting Israel,” said Asaf Zamir, Israel’s Minister...
The Middle East’s Ghastly Hotel Numbers in April Could Be the Bottom
HotStats | June 3, 2020
Middle East profit per available room turned negative in April, as the region continued to be battered by COVID-19. And while hotel performance data will continue to be anemic for the near-term, May could see the first buds of promise emerge, according to one industry leader in the region. Mark Willis, CEO of Middle East & Africa at Accor, in a recent interview with Bloomberg, noted an uptick demand in May, including specific signs of positivity in the UAE and Saudi Arabia and a “positive vibe in Dubai.” April, meanwhile, reached new lows for the region. Ramadan (April 23-May 23) did little to improve hotel performance, as even ...
HFTP’s HITEC San Antonio Announces New Era Strategy Experts as 2020 Keynote Speakers
HFTP | June 3, 2020
Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) is ready to usher in a return of the face-to-face, hospitality meeting with its upcoming North American Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC®). Raising the event's relevance are three innovative strategists who will deliver thought-provoking keynotes responsive to today's recovering hospitality climate. These big picture sessions will explore how to raise your company's digital profile — Erik Qualman; emerging technologies important for adapting to the new hotel environment — John Picard; and what customer service will look like post-pandemic — Just...
Ridiculous Interpretation of Rules
Shep Hyken | June 3, 2020
By Shep Hyken This is one of those unbelievable customer service stories that borders on the ridiculous. I actually thought I was in the middle of a Seinfeld episode—or maybe there was a hidden camera hoping to get a crazy reaction to the interaction I’m about to share with you. I was at an airport and wanted some breakfast. There was just one person ahead of me in line. I heard her order a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich, hash browns and an orange juice. After placing her order, she stepped aside. The woman behind the counter asked what I’d like. I responded, “I’ll have exactly what that customer in front of me just ordered....
Covid-19: Winning Back Trust and Creating Safe-Havens Through Effective Communication
EHL Hospitality Insights | June 3, 2020
The key to building and regaining trust with your stakeholders, employees and customers is to be transparent and keep communication channels open. Here are a few tips on what to think about when it comes to your communication strategy. Inform your customers about how you’re handling the crisis. Be clear about what you’re doing to keep them safe. Let them know what to expect before they arrive for their stay, and what safety measures you’re putting in place to make their stay as safe and germ-free as possible. Be empathetic and keep your communications truthful. Show consideration for those affected by the crisis and spell out wh...
Top Dining-Out Trends for a Post-Pandemic Society
FIU Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management | June 3, 2020
MIAMI, FL. – June 3, 2020 … Florida International University’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management projects five dining-out trends affecting restaurants, bars and consumers that are emerging in a post-pandemic world. The trends were presented by Michael Cheng, dean of the Chaplin School--one of the top 50 hospitality schools in the world, and the culinary and academic professional who created the world’s only curriculum blending the Culinary Arts with Food Science, Culinology® “The abruptness of COVID-19 has caused many of us in the food and beverage industry to stop in our tracks and pause for a minute,”...
OTO Development Taps Company, Industry Veteran Ted Fleurimond as General Manager of Hyatt Place National Harbor
Hyatt Place National Harbor | June 2, 2020
OXON HILL, MD – Hotelier OTO Development has announced the selection of Ted Fleurimond as the general manager of the company’s Hyatt Place National Harbor hotel, which is expected to open later this year. “The Hyatt Place National Harbor is an exciting project for us, and we are equally excited to have an experienced and talented general manager to see us through opening and beyond,” said Corry Oakes, president and CEO of OTO Development. “Ted has been a terrific team member who has delivered outstanding results for a long time and we’re happy to have him moving to the new property.” Fleurimond has more than 20 years’ ex...
Maestro PMS Announces Webinars to Guide Operators and Hoteliers Toward a Touchless Guest Journey
Maestro PMS | June 2, 2020
Free 1-hour Webinars Will Be Held Tuesday June 16, 2020 at 1pmET and June 17 at 11amET June 2, 2020 – Maestro PMS will host free 1-hour webinars Tuesday, June 16, 2020 at 1pm ET and June 17 at 11am ET. Operators and hoteliers will learn what mobile, online and touchless tools are available in the Maestro PMS system that support an overall property strategy for a more touchless guest experience. Anyone may attend. The Maestro Touchless Guest Journey and Mobile Tools support a safer guest engagement process. Click here to register for June 16. Please click here to register for June 17. “Maestro’s webinar will focus on creating a pro...
AG Hotel Group Plans Q3 Opening of New Five-Star Hotel, Il Tornabuoni, in Florence, Italy
AG Group | June 2, 2020
(ROME, ITALY, 2 JUNE 2020): AG Group proudly announces the unveiling of IL Tornabuoni, the group’s first five star luxury hotel, due to open in Q3 2020 in Florence, Italy. With the addition of this new property in the Italian Renaissance city, AG Group’s AG Hotels collection will expand to offer guests a 5-star luxury hotel in Florence and ten 4-star boutique hotels in Rome. Located along Florence's Via Tornabuoni in the historic 12th century Palazzo Minerbetti, one of the city's oldest palazzo residences, the five-star luxury IL Tornabuoni welcomes guests with 62 prestigious rooms and suites, set amidst four floors in the heart ...
Domestic Bookings Could Prove a Silver Lining for UK Hotels
HVS | June 2, 2020
02 June 2020, London - The UK hotel sector’s traditionally strong domestic leisure demand bodes well for the sector’s recovery once lockdown measures from Covid-19 are fully lifted, according to a new report from global hotel consultancy HVS. However, the report outlines that hotels in the capital and other gateway cities, with heavier reliance on international travellers and corporate bookings, are likely to take longer to recover than those in the provinces, which have a more domestic, leisure-based guest profile. Many hotels outside London typically generate over 50% of domestic room nights from holidaymakers. In the Southwest of ...
4 Steps Hotels Should Take to Adapt to a Post-COVID World
Achim Schmitt | June 2, 2020
By Achim Schmitt With decreasing infection rates and a slight recovery from the pandemic, many hotel and restaurant owners are raising the question on how to prepare for the post-COVID-19 world of hospitality. While some fear a second wave with similar economic implications, others consider that the reopening of national hotels and restaurant industries can come quicker than expected. All hospitality professionals admit that the current crisis marks a turning point in their industry: nothing will be as it was. However, there is little assured wisdom and research done on strategies that can help hospitality companies survive in a slow-gr...
LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort Appoints Tim Herman as New General Manager
LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort | June 2, 2020
NAPLES, Fla. (June 2, 2020) - LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort, a Noble House Resort, located in Naples along Florida’s pristine Gulf Coast on a stunning, private, six-acre white sand beach proudly announces the appointment of Tim Herman as General Manager. In his new role, Tim will be responsible for managing the hotel’s day-to-day success, overseeing all operational aspects of the 189-room property and private club, including everything from sales and marketing, to food and beverage, while maximizing company revenue. “Tim is a highly dedicated professional and we are thrilled to have him join the Noble House Hotels & Resorts fam...
Paramount Hospitality Management Appoints Rod O’Connor as General Manager of The Grove Resort & Water Park
Paramount Hospitality Management | June 2, 2020
ORLANDO, FLA (June 2, 2020) – Paramount Hospitality Management’s (PHM), The Grove Resort & Water Park Orlando announces the appointment of hospitality veteran, Rod O’Connor, as General Manager. With more than 25 years of experience in the industry, Rod oversees all day-to-day operations of the 878 all-suite property, including management of the executive team. A passionate and devoted hotelier, Rod has worked with various hotels over the course of his career including Avanti International Resort and Floridays Resort in Orlando; and the Breaker’s Palm Beach Luxury Resort, an acclaimed resort in South Florida. He’s als...
The Beginning Is Near… Time to Get Back to Hospitality
Aspire | June 2, 2020
Aspire announces The Art of Hospitality, a new and highly relevant service delivery training program to support the hospitality industry as they re-open and re-enter their respective markets. “The challenges our tourism community faces are significant and complex. Guest service delivery needs to be re-thought, re-processed and team members need to be re-trained as we get back to work.”, says JC Thompson, Aspire’s Chief Operating Officer. Over the past 25 years Aspire’s research based and strategic approach to culture driven guest service training has allowed us to position the guest experience as a true competitive advantage and se...
Anant Operations Selects SalesAndCatering.com STS Cloud System for 9 Properties
SalesAndCatering.com, LLC | June 2, 2020
Powerful STS Cloud Sales Solution Lets Property Teams Cross-Sell Remotely and Verify Room Inventory, Rates and Meeting Space, Track Sales Revenue for Ownership MOUNT PLEASANT, SC, June 2, 2020 – SalesAndCatering.com announced that Anant Operations replaced its legacy system with the STS Cloud Sales and Catering System at its ten properties. Nebraska-based Anant operates mid-scale Marriott and IHG lifestyle brands. STS Cloud is a full-function, cost effective sales and catering software system used by hundreds of properties and multi-property hotel groups. Click here for information on SalesAndCatering.com. “We recently installed the...
Bartech Addresses the Post-COVID Hotel Environment With Launch of Minibar+ for Remote Operation and Control
Bartech | June 2, 2020
New application seamlessly upgrades Bartech manual minibars with semi-automatic functionality, adding centralized operation, cost control and enhanced safety LAS VEGAS — JUNE 2, 2020 — Bartech, a Las Vegas-based provider of automatic, profit-generating minibar solutions for the global hospitality industry, has unveiled Minibar+, an innovative solution that enhances Bartech’s manual minibars with semi-automatic functionality. Simple to set up and implement, Minibar+ is a “plug and play” solution that is available as a downloadable application, easily adding semi-automatic functionality to Bartech’s manual units to give hotel ope...
Hotel Internet Services Supports Enhanced Guest Safety Initiatives by Providing Hoteliers With Insight on Latest in Contactless Technology Best Practi
Hotel Internet Services, Inc. | June 2, 2020
Leading provider of in-room connectivity technologies partnering with hoteliers to ensure their ability to reduce surface contact risks while enhancing social distancing abilities. CLEARWATER, Fla. — June 2, 2020 — Hotel Internet Services (HIS), a full-service provider of internet services and solutions for the hospitality industry, has announced its strengthening of efforts to ensure that hoteliers are able to cater to guest health concerns by working with properties to increase the availability of contactless and social distancing compatible in-room services. By leveraging its expertise in comprehensive guestroom television-based ser...
Hilton College Initiates First-Ever Hospitality Hackathon (HC3), Sponsored by HFTP; Challenges Students From Hospitality Programs Across the Globe
Hilton College | June 1, 2020
The University of Houston Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management, in partnership with Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®), are addressing the immediate need for creative and thoughtful solutions that will assist hospitality companies to put their businesses back on track. To begin this critical dialogue, they are challenging students in hospitality programs across the globe with the first-time Hilton College Hospitality Hackathon. The competition, running the course of the summer (June 1-August 8), asks participants to tackle COVID-19 head-on and address the challenges it has posed to all sectors o...
Restrictions on Tourism Travel Starting to Ease but Caution Remains, UNWTO Reports
THE WORLD TOURISM ORGANIZATION (UNWTO) | June 1, 2020
The world is slowly opening up again, new research from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) indicates, with destinations cautiously easing travel restrictions introduced in response to COVID-19. As the United Nations specialized agency releases its Global Guidelines for Reopening Tourism, signalling a transition into gearing up for stronger and better recovery, 3% of all global destinations have now taken steps to ease travel restrictions. UNWTO has been monitoring the global response to COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic. The fourth edition of its COVID-19 Related Travel Restrictions: A Global Review for Tourism report, released to...
The Path Towards Customer-Centricity in Hospitality
Alessandro Inversini | June 1, 2020
By Alessandro Inversini Customer-centricity - or guest-centricity - should be one of the major concerns of managers in the hospitality industry. In fact, in my experience, when interviewing or engaging with hotels directors on this topic, almost all of them have the perception of being fully guest-centred. This is very interesting as our industry needs really to cater to guests during all the stages of their customer journey. However, looking at the academic literature in the field, what appears clear is that there is scant evidence of organizations really addressing customer-centricity in every aspect of their service delivery and operati...
