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Travel Outlook, The Premier Hotel Call Center™ | October 2nd, 2024
As States Begin Opening Up, Survey Shows Travelers Expecting to Stay Closer to Home Over the Next Six Months
MMGY | May 19, 2020
The latest findings of the Travel Intentions Pulse Survey, conducted by MMGY Travel Intelligence, reveal just 36% of U.S. travelers intend to take a domestic leisure trip in the next six months. When asked about traveling after the pandemic subsides, the preference is to still travel domestically and closer to home. Fifty-seven percent of travelers say that following the pandemic they are more likely to book travel to U.S. destinations, and 43% expect to travel to destinations closer to home. Presently, approximately one-third of travelers remain committed to postponing, rather than canceling, scheduled travel for the months ahead. Activitie...
Benchmark®, A Global Hospitality Company, Acquires Arizona-Based Hotel Management Company, Westroc Hotels & Resorts
Hotel Valley Ho | May 19, 2020
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, May 19, 2020 - Two legendary hotels and resorts previously managed under the Arizona-based Westroc Hotels & Resorts, the iconic Hotel Valley Ho in Old Town Scottsdale and the newest luxury golf resort in Paradise Valley, Mountain Shadows Resort Scottsdale, have transitioned to a larger management company, BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company. BENCHMARK® operates 80 independent hotels, luxury resorts and conference centers throughout North America, the Caribbean and Japan, with landmark properties including Turtle Bay Resort on Oahu’s storied North Shore; Tivoli Lodge in Vail, Colorado; Willows...
Hospitality Ventures Management Group (HVMG) to Manage 506-Suite Embassy Suites Nashville Downtown Convention Center
Hospitality Ventures Management Group (HVMG) | May 19, 2020
NASHVILLE, (May 19, 2020)—Hospitality Ventures Management Group (HVMG), an Atlanta-based, private hotel investment, ownership and management company, today announced it has been selected to manage the 506-suite Embassy Suites by Hilton Nashville Downtown Convention Center. Scheduled to open during the fourth quarter of 2021, the Embassy Suites is part of a two-tower development project on 1.3 acres of land owned by Crescent Real Estate LLC, a high-end real estate acquisition, development and management company; Starwood Capital Group, a private global investment firm focused on real estate; and High Street Real Estate Partners, a privatel...
China’s Hotel Construction Pipeline Hits All-Time High in the First Quarter of 2020 Despite COVID-19 Pandemic*
Lodging Econometrics | May 19, 2020
May 19, 2020 – PORTSMOUTH, NH - Analysts at Lodging Econometrics (LE) report that despite the COVID-19 outbreak, China's total construction pipeline continues to expand to an all-time high of 3,533 projects/645,764 rooms, up 24% by projects and 9% by rooms year-over-year (YOY). China has 2,330 projects/412,142 rooms presently under construction. Projects under construction remain near record-highs at the end of the first quarter even though many projects are delayed two to four months. Projects scheduled to start construction in the next 12 months experienced an enormous increase of 92% by projects and 45% by rooms YOY, to stand at a re...
Driving Voice Channel Results in Today’s New Normal
Aspire | May 19, 2020
“Industry experts” have predicted for decades that the voice channel is dead. First, they said that the voice channel would be replaced by the GDS channel. That proved to be pure rubbish. Then, they predicted complete disintegration by third-party distribution channels like Expedia and Hotwire. And don’t forget the predictions that brand websites would entirely replace call centers as it was cheaper and more efficient despite the fact that website and online marketing costs are never-ending and significant to maintain. Retailers like Zappos didn’t believe that the voice channel was dead. They have shown the retail industry what can...
Will COVID-19 Force Digitalization in the Hotel Workplace?
Andrada Paraschiv | May 19, 2020
Physical distancing, frequently changing information, and a need to manage costs will accelerate the digitalization trend and foster better interactions with guests and employees By Andrada Paraschiv The world is changing, and so is the global hospitality environment. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a new safety culture is emerging that requires the hotel workforce to engage with guests, management, and each other digitally to honor social distancing mandates and help stop virus spread. It’s hard to imagine that we once had limited options for exchanging information. Try explaining to a Millennial that before the Internet and smartph...
5 Insights Into the Changing Landscapes of Hospitality and Higher Education
Achim Schmitt | May 18, 2020
By Achim Schmitt Successful hospitality professionals know that the difference between success and failure often depends on how we deal with challenges and difficulties. In fact, this mindset aligns very well with the etymological roots of the word “crisis”. Whereas we generally use the word to describe times of difficulty and distress, the original Greek word “krísis” described “decisions”, significant “turning points” for better or worse, and/or a “decisive stage” in the context of a decision-making. Hence, what are the “turning points” and “insights” that we, as institutions of higher education, are currentl...
STR and TE further Downgrade U.S. Hotel Forecast
STR | May 18, 2020
HENDERSONVILLE, Tennessee — The latest U.S. hotel forecast from STR and Tourism Economics projects a 57.5% decline in revenue per available room (RevPAR) in 2020, then a 48.0% increase in the metric in 2021. Each percentage change was downgraded from a late-March forecast revision, which called for a 2020 RevPAR decrease of 50.6% followed by a 2021 increase of 63.1%. “Performance levels are dismal from every angle, but at the very least, weekly data through May 9 indicates that the industry has already hit bottom and begun a steady ascent,” said Amanda Hite, STR president. “The rate of recovery will be slow even as distancing...
Hospitality Financial Leadership – Pivot, Adapt and Implement Video
David Lund | May 18, 2020
By David Lund Learn more about what David teaches by watching this feature rich video, including: Flying By the Seat of Your Pants Investing in Financial Leadership Failure Leads to Success The Three Pillars of Hospitality The How to vs. The Want To Perfection is Bad The System for Hospitality Financial Leadership My Training Return on Investment Model ...
Canary Technologies Delivers Contactless Check-In When Hotels Need It Most
Canary Technologies | May 18, 2020
Silicon Valley hospitality innovator looks to the future, launches contactless check-In solution to help hoteliers safely and immediately welcome guests. SAN FRANCISCO / NEW YORK, May 18, 2020 – Canary Technologies–which provides solutions to some of the world’s largest hotel brands, management companies and ownership groups–has launched Contactless Check-In™, a solution that hoteliers can implement immediately to welcome guests while adhering to social-distancing guidelines. As COVID-19 took its toll on the hospitality industry, Canary’s leadership assembled its agile engineering and development teams to solve hospitality...
Kempinski Hotels Reopens All Its Hotels in China Following the Lessening of Lockdowns
Kempinski | May 18, 2020
Beijing, 18 May 2020 – Following early signs of recovery and eased lockdowns after the coronavirus spread in China, Kempinski Hotels has reopened all its hotels in the country. New strict safety and hygiene procedures have been put in place to comply with local government authorities and WHO guidelines to guarantee guests’ and employees’ safety and wellbeing. In addition, innovative services have been introduced as a business enhancement and guest experiences. ‘Our hotels in China have done great work in ensuring the health and safety of our guests and employees during the past weeks and months, and we are closely following the r...
Marcel Holman Appointed Managing Director of The Langham, Hong Kong and Regional Vice President, Operations – China
The Langham, Hong Kong | May 18, 2020
Hong Kong, 18 May 2020 – Veteran luxury Marcel Holman N.A. has been appointed Managing Director of The Langham, Hong Kong and Regional Vice President, Operations - China for The Langham Hotels and Resorts where he will be driving the strategy, operations and processes for all China hotels under the luxury brand. A Dutch national with over 25 years’ experience across pre-openings, hotel renovations, operations and food and beverage, Holman’s most recent role was as Vice President, China for The Sukhothai Hotels & Resorts and general manager of The Sukhothai Shanghai to which he applied his profound understanding of the luxury hosp...
The Five Changes Expected in the Hotel Industry
Adam Knight | May 18, 2020
By Adam Knight Returning to operations in our new environment is sure to bring many expected and unexpected challenges. Between figuring out social distancing protocols and mitigating risk throughout the property, hotels will be contending with a lot as we move through the coming months and years. The landscape continues to change rapidly and while no one can say with any degree of certainty where everything will land, we are starting to see the shape of things to come. Reduced capacity allowance in restaurants and bars, queuing for entry in to stores, ubiquitous placement of sanitization products, PPE requirements while in public, heal...
HITEC North America, HFTP Annual Conference and Club Forum Consolidate to Become “The Best of HFTP”
May 18, 2020
A Focus on Health & Safety While Leading the Return to In-Person Events By Geneva Rinehart May 18, 2020 - Amid the global COVID-19 pandemic, Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) announced last Wednesday during a press conference to industry media that the organization will consolidate its three major annual events to one location over a four-day period in October, and will call it, “The Best of HFTP.” Health and safety will take center stage, as the organization plans to set an example on how the industry will return to face-to-face conventions and networking in a responsible way. HFTP’s three annual...
RFID Hotel and LAS Hospitality Supply Address Updated Hotel Environment Standards With Introduction of Antimicrobial Key Card Technology
Lodging Access Systems (LAS) | May 18, 2020
Patented innovation capable of inhibiting up to 99.99 percent of virus and bacteria growth on key card surfaces and available to hoteliers throughout the US. Tampa, Fla. – (May 18, 2020) – Lodging Access Systems, a company that provides thousands of hotels globally with a full spectrum of key cards and credentials through its subsidiaries, RFID Hotel and LAS Hospitality Supply, has announced that it has acquired the exclusive right and license to manufacture and distribute a patented and proprietary antimicrobial plastic key card to hotels and resorts in the United States. These key cards contain New Antimicrobial Layer (NAML) techn...
NextPax Travel Technology Announces Distribution Partnership With Trip.com Group
NextPax | May 18, 2020
Almere, theNetherlands - NextPax, one of the most advanced channel management technology providers for hotels, resorts and vacation rentals worldwide and Trip.com Group, the largest travel distribution channel in Asia have launched the first completely automated connection for vacation rentals. The jointly developed API-connection not only supports prices, availability and bookings, but all other content such as photos and descriptions. The advanced technology allows NextPax and Trip.com Group to easily build and put operational thousands of vacation rentals at a time. NextPax was already providing connectivity to tho...
Vizergy Launches New Website Projects a World Apart
Vizergy Digital Marketing | May 18, 2020
The focus of both projects center on best practices in design, guest engagement, conversion and storytelling. Today, Vizergy Digital Marketing announced the launch of two stunning new websites. The focus of both projects center on best practices in design, guest engagement, conversion and storytelling. In the ultra-competitive hotel wesbite design and development space it is critical that a website communicate a clear guest experience to capture the most shoppers at the highest possible ROI. In Milwaukee, the boutique Dubbel Dutch hotel is putting the finishing touches on the masterfully renovated Koeffler House, a historic mansion in t...
Food for Thought for the World’s Restauranteurs
PolyU’s School of Hotel and Tourism Management | May 15, 2020
Restauranteurs will for the first time have a highly accurate way to measure their financial constraints, thanks to a pioneering index recently developed by Dr. Sung Gyun Mun of the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and his co-researcher. Although the restaurant industry is a vital driver of economic growth around the globe, restaurant firms are still subject to financial constraints that can pose a severe threat to their survival. Until now, little effort has been made to explore the financial pressure facing firms in the specific context of the restaurant industry. In their ground-breaking...
Hostmark Hospitality Group Acquires Management Group, RAR Hospitality
Hostmark Hospitality Group | May 15, 2020
CHICAGO, May 14, 2020 – Hostmark Hospitality Group continues its strong growth through the integration and acquisition of RAR Hospitality, a San Diego-based hospitality management group. The combined company will now own and operate both limited-service and full-service as well as branded and independent hotels across the United States with a portfolio of 40 hotels totaling over 5,000 rooms as well as successful restaurants. Operations of RAR’s portfolio will continue under the Hostmark brand in their San Diego office. “RAR Hospitality has exhibited the breadth and depth of experience that is required in successfully managing boutique ...
Survey Results: How Hotels Are Coping With COVID-19
Casey Munck | May 15, 2020
By Casey Munck The results are in from two Cendyn surveys polling hoteliers across the globe on how they are coping with the effects of COVID-19. Gauge the industry pulse and read first-hand accounts of how hoteliers are dealing with the coronavirus on both an individual level and as an operation. How has your business been impacted by the coronavirus? Are you still accepting guests? Other responses included: Business travelers only and mandated to be open by government What have you done to cut costs and stay afloat? Other responses included: Furloughs and operating with very few staff Has your hotel deployed any new business ...
Covid-19 and Fine Wines: The Perfect Blend for a Severe Headache?
Dr Jean-Philippe Weisskopf | May 15, 2020
By Dr Jean-Philippe Weisskop Covid-19 has officially been a pandemic only since March 11, but its effects on the economy are already dramatic. For several industries, the current crisis is likely to become the most severe since the Great Depression. This is notably the case for the travel & leisure industry. In this article, we investigate the impact of Covid-19 on the fine wine market which represents the upper segment of the wine market and which is closely connected to the hospitality industry. The market for fine wines is dominated by France, with Bordeaux and Burgundy accounting respectively for close to 50% and 20% of the trad...
FIU’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management Co-Hosts Global Impact Hospitality Series to Provide Industry Insights Post-Pandem
Impact Hospitality | May 15, 2020
MIAMI (May 15, 2020) – FIU’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management and Macrovision Network of Singapore will co-host a series of four global forums to take place live and online with experts in three time zones. The series aims to provide creative and effective solutions to hospitality and tourism professionals around the world as they manage economic and other challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The forums will take place on May 18, May 27, June 1 and June 8, at 9 p.m. EST in Miami. The Global Impact Hospitality series is free and open to the public although participants can opt to make a $10 donat...
STR: Canada hotel results for week ending 9 May
STR | May 15, 2020
HENDERSONVILLE, Tennessee—The Canadian hotel industry recorded steep year-over-year declines in the three key performance metrics during the week of 3-9 May 2020, according to data from STR. In comparison with the week of 5-11 May 2019, the industry reported the following: Occupancy: -73.9% to 17.5% Average daily rate (ADR): -37.7% to CAD101.47 Revenue per available room (RevPAR): -83.7% to CAD17.75 Among the provinces and territories, Newfoundland and Labrador experienced the largest decline in occupancy (-86.0% to 7.1%). British Columbia posted the steepest drop in ADR (-44.4% to CAD107.58). Quebec reported the larg...
HSMAI Offers Education & Knowledge Scholarship Program
HSMAI | May 15, 2020
The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) is supporting hospitality professionals during the coronavirus pandemic and is preparing the industry for recovery. HSMAI is proud to announce the Education & Knowledge Scholarship Program, an initiative that provides discounts and scholarships for HSMAI educational resources and certifications. “We must remain focused on supporting our colleagues as we navigate uncharted territory,” said Robert A. Gilbert, CHME, CHBA, President and CEO of HSMAI. “By investing in hoteliers’ education, we are investing in the future and recovery of the hospitality and tourism ...
