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Extended Stay American Promotes Judi Bikulege to Chief Investment Officer
Extended Stay America | March 11, 2020
CHARLOTTE, NC, March 11, 2020—Extended Stay America (ESA), the leading brand in the mid-priced extended-stay segment in the United States, announced today the promotion of Judi Bikulege to Chief Investment Officer. In this newly created role, Ms. Bikulege will be assuming direct responsibility for new build construction as well as renovations and ongoing capital investments to ensure the hotels are operating effectively and efficiently. She will continue to lead ESA’s efforts to identify sites for new hotels as well as executing the asset segmentation and disposition strategy. “Judi is a seasoned hotelier who has been integral t...
Stuart Lyall Appointed General Manager of Fusion Suites Vung Tau in Vietnam
Fusion | March 11, 2020
HO CHI MINH CITY (March 11, 2020) — As Fusion grows its hotel portfolio with the opening of Fusion Suites Vung Tau, the wellness-focused hospitality group has appointed seasoned hotelier, Stuart John Lyall, to manage the new property. The new general manager is already leading the hotel through its soft-opening phase and putting plans into action for an April grand opening. Stuart’s most recent role had him guiding Selong Selo Resort & Residences in Lombok, Indonesia through its soft opening phase, where he was the GM responsible for everything from establishing and implementing CSR to acting as director of sales and marketing. ...
Somerset Hills Hotel Appoints Ashley Jacobs as Area Director of Sales and Marketing
Somerset Hills Hotel | March 11, 2020
WARREN, N.J., March 11, 2020 – Somerset Hills Hotel, a Tapestry Collection by Hilton™ property, announced today the appointment of Ashley Jacobs as area director of sales and marketing for the 118-room boutique hotel. Ashley will spearhead the sales team at the reimagined community staple, set to open doors in the heart of historic Warren, N.J. in Spring 2020. A seasoned industry professional, Ashley brings nearly a decade of dynamic hospitality leadership experience to her role, where she will focus on account development, brand awareness and driving overall success and growth of the property. Prior to joining So...
Prism Hotels & Resorts Adds New Embassy Suites by Hilton Tucson East to Portfolio of Managed Properties
Prism Hotels & Resorts | March 11, 2020
DALLAS, March 11, 2020 — Dallas-based Prism Hotels & Resorts, an award-winning, full service hotel management, investment, and advisory services company, announced today that it will add the newly converted and remodeled Embassy Suites by Hilton in Tucson East to its portfolio of managed properties. Prism President & CEO Steve Van made the announcement. “Adding Embassy Suites by Hilton Tucson East to our portfolio is part of an ongoing growth story for Prism built on great relationships with entrepreneurial owners and notable properties in strategic locations across the country,” said Van. “We have made extensive renovati...
Hilton Expands Presence in Central America With Signing of Hilton Hotels & Resorts Property in El Salvador
Hilton | March 11, 2020
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador and MCLEAN, Va. – March 11, 2020 - Hilton (NYSE: HLT) today announced the signing of an agreement to debut a Hilton Hotels & Resorts hotel in El Salvador. The 198-room Hilton San Salvador is scheduled to open in July 2020, representing a new country for Hilton’s growing portfolio of 160 hotels and resorts welcoming guests across the Caribbean and Latin America. Officially forming part of the World Trade Center Complex, Hilton San Salvador is owned and developed by Grupo Agrisal, and will welcome guests to the country’s capital, known for its black-sand beaches, surfing and vibrant nightlife. “Welcomin...
Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants Plans Boutique Hotel in Downtown Fort Worth, Texas
Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants | March 11, 2020
SAN FRANCISCO (March 11, 2020) – Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants announced today it will open a boutique hotel in downtown Fort Worth, an adaptive reuse of the historic XTO Energy Headquarters building. The new Kimpton Hotel is set to open in the spring of 2021 and will mark the third property for the boutique hotel company in Texas, joining Kimpton hotels in Austin and a Dallas project slated to open this summer. “Texas is a natural place to expand our brand,” said Mike DeFrino, Chief Executive Officer of Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants. “Adding Fort Worth to our portfolio, alongside Austin and Dallas is vital to our growth in the ...
The Indigo Road Hospitality Group Adds The Savvy to Management Portfolio
March 11, 2020
CHARLESTON, SC — March 11, 2020 — The Indigo Road Hospitality Group has added The Savvy in Savannah, GA to its growing portfolio of lifestyle hotels. “The great advantage for hotels of this size is the ability to personalize the experience for guests and enables us to create a memorable visit,” said Larry Spelts, partner and president of the Lodging & Lifestyle Adventures division of The Indigo Road. “The open-air courtyard is destined to become a highly coveted place for locals and visitors looking to enjoy refreshing beverages in a secluded urban oasis.” Designed by architecture firm LS3P, the 55-room full-service bout...
How Brands Can Manage a Travel Industry Crisis
Deborah Fell | March 11, 2020
By Deborah Fell Travel isn’t always a bed of roses. There are natural disasters, tainted products, bad actors, data breaches, regional and global viruses, and events big and small that require industries to step up, speak up, and do whatever it takes to care of their employees and customers. As the coronavirus outbreak tops 93,000 in dozens of countries, it’s an appropriate time to offer advice on how to handle an industry crisis. Protect Your Employees, Guests, and Brand Brands have a responsibility to ensure life safety for associates and guests. Government safety regulations vary around the world, but standards, process...
Instawork, the Largest Flexible Hospitality Staffing Platform in the U.S., Announces Partnership With Staffmate
Instawork | March 11, 2020
Partnership will Further Companies' Shared Goal to Make Staffing and Scheduling as Easy as Possible for their Business Partners Las Vegas, NV (March 11, 2020) - Instawork, the largest flexible staffing app for gig workers and hospitality businesses, and StaffMate Online, the first web-based staff scheduling software for events-based businesses announced today a strategic partnership during StaffMate’s presentation at the 2020 Catersource|TSE Conference. Both Instawork and StaffMate are on a mission to solve the challenges hospitality businesses, specifically catering and event-based companies, face with staffing. Through this integration...
William Mitchell/General Manager, Atrium Resorts by VSA Resorts Selected as Winner of CustomerCount® Customer Engagement Professional Resort Trades
CustomerCount | March 11, 2020
INDIANAPOLIS, IN (March 11, 2020) – The recipient of the 4th annual CustomerCount® Customer Engagement Professional (CEP) Resort Trades Award is William Mitchell/General Manager, Atrium Resort by VSA Resorts. The other extraordinary professionals at the top of the leaderboard are Veta Dimmick/Exploria Resorts and Kendal Dean/ MarBrisa Carlsbad, a Grand Pacific Resort. The coveted award recognizes outstanding leaders who exemplify customer engagement within the timeshare resort/hospitality industry. Nominated candidates included managers, assistant managers, front desk staff members and customer service team members who a...
Why Massive Global Events Are a Catalyst for Change
Alan Young | March 10, 2020
By Alan E. Young, Co-Founder, Puzzle Partner Uncertain times are a catalyst for change, especially within the hospitality industry. Hospitality, after all, has always held a somewhat notorious reputation for being reluctant to change. While other sectors are, by nature, more malleable to new-edge advancements and best practices, our industry often takes its time, testing the waters long before making the commitment to dive in. That is until a global event inspires disruption that simply can't be ignored. A worldwide crisis, natural disasters, weather changes, the implementation of new laws, and, of course, economic and political instabi...
RLH Completes Sale of Red Lion Hotel Anaheim for $21.5 Million
RLH Corporation | March 10, 2020
DENVER, March 10, 2020 -- RLH Corporation (NYSE:RLH) announced today that it has closed on the sale of its Red Lion Hotel Anaheim for $21.5 million in gross proceeds. Red Lion Hotel Anaheim was wholly owned by the Company and unencumbered by a mortgage. Proceeds after broker fees and customary closing costs will be used to repay the $10 million credit facility. The remaining funds of $10.8 million will be used to fund franchise growth opportunities and for general business purposes. This transaction marks the final closing of four hotels announced in September 2019 as under contract to be sold. The net proceeds from these four assets af...
10 Ideas to Improve Booking Performance During the Crisis
Milestone Inc. | March 10, 2020
By Dev Kurbur, SVP of Global Customer Success “Some companies will emerge stronger than before” – Andy Grove Intel’s Andy Grove had a lot to say about how to react to downturns and setbacks. Here are just a few of his insights and maxims: 1) The first rule is that economic downturns always end. 2) Some companies emerge from recessions stronger than before. 3) You can’t save your way out of a recession. 4) The future favors the optimist.* Milestone, Inc. has dozens of hospitality clients, so we decided to put together some recommendations for where to invest time and focus during the crisis and here we share them with ...
Atlantica Hotels Opens Radisson Hotel Anápolis in Brazil
Radisson | March 10, 2020
Minneapolis - March 10, 2020 - Radisson, one of the best recognized hotel brands, today announced the opening of Radisson Hotel Anápolis at Avenida Oscar Mohn, No. 250, Anápolis, Brazil. This upscale hotel is perfectly positioned in one of the fastest-growing cities in Goiás, providing a convenient spot for guests interested in checking out the Brasil Park Shopping, or business travelers visiting companies like Vitamedic orLinea Alimentos. The city’s bike-friendly atmosphere, along with the hotel’s bike and scooter rentals, allows guests to easily explore the trails at Parque Ambiental Ipiranga and other cultural hotspots, such as the ...
Cour des Loges Hotel in Vieux-Lyon to Join Radisson Collection
Radisson Collection | March 10, 2020
Brussels/Lyon - March 10, 2020 - Radisson Hotel Group is proud to announce that Cour des Loges hotel in Vieux-Lyon, a UNESCO World Heritage listed district, will join Radisson Collection. The latest signing brings the Group’s portfolio in France to 19 hotels and 3,280 rooms in operation or under development. Located in the historic Vieux-Lyon district, Cour des Loges will receive a thoughtful renovation in 2021, introducing the exceptional Radisson Collection brand to the hotel while preserving the character and history of the building. Elie Younes, Executive Vice President & Chief Development Officer, Radisson Hotel Group says: ...
Hilton Welcomes New Executive Committee Members
Hilton | March 10, 2020
MCLEAN, Va. - Today, Hilton (NYSE: HLT) announced two new executives will join the company’s Executive Committee, with the elevation of Noelle Eder, EVP & Chief Information and Digital Officer, and Martin Rinck, in the newly-created role of EVP & Chief Brand Officer. “Our innovation is what differentiates us. Through the launch of our new brands and industry-leading technologies, we are redefining the hospitality experience,” said Christopher J. Nassetta, President and Chief Executive Officer, Hilton. “I am thrilled that both Noelle and Martin will play a continued role in helping our guests realize the full potential of th...
Colcord Hotel Adapts to the Latest in Guest Connectivity and Convenience Using Advanced Wi-Fi and BeyondTV With Virtual Assistant Technology by HIS
Hotel Internet Services, Inc. | March 10, 2020
Luxury 1900s era property taps HIS expertise and innovation to provide each guest with latest in content casting and voice control abilities while also ensuring a seamless online connection for guest devices. Oklahoma City— March 10, 2020 — Hotel Internet Services (HIS), a full-service provider of internet services and solutions for the hospitality industry, has announced the successful implementation of its BeyondTV comprehensive entertainment platform equipped with advanced voice control and virtual assistant abilities at the Colcord Hotel. A historic building originally constructed in 1910 as Oklahoma’s first skyscraper, Colcord...
UgoVirtual Taps Carson Booth as Member of Its Advisory Board
UgoVirtual | March 10, 2020
Provider of comprehensive virtual solutions and services platforms adds global hospitality technology industry leader to its corporate advisory board ATLANTA -- March 10, 2020 -- UgoVirtual™, the travel and hospitality virtual solutions company, has announced the appointment of Carson Booth to the company’s corporate Advisory Board, effective immediately. UgoVirtual is the premier provider of a comprehensive digital platform designed to meet the growing virtualized event and augmented reality (AR) marketing needs of the global travel and hospitality sectors. With rapid growth, adoption and expansion of the solution portfolio expected o...
STR: Italy Hotel Occupancy Drops Amid COVID-19 Outbreak
STR | March 10, 2020
LONDON — 10 March 2020 —Key hotel markets in Italy have reported significant occupancy declines amid the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19), according to preliminary February data from STR. “Italy has become a focal point of the COVID-19 outbreak, so to no surprise, the hotel occupancy impact has been significant in certain markets,” said Robin Rossmann, STR’s international managing director. “It is important to note, however, that performance declines are more pronounced in Italy in comparison with other countries due to the significant measures being taken by the government to combat the virus spread. The hope is that these m...
The First Rule of Coronavirus: Don’t Panic
March 10, 2020
March 10, 2020 -- Coronavirus may seem like it’s come out of nowhere, but hospitality revenue optimization professionals have been here before. From Sept. 11 to SARS to one hurricane season after another, they have not just survived plenty of crisis events but thrived in the aftermath. The number-one thing to keep in mind, according to Timothy Wiersma, founder and principal of Revenue Generation LLC and chair of HSMAI’s Revenue Optimization Advisory Board: Don’t panic. Wiersma shared some additional advice for revenue professionals in a recent interview with HSMAI. When it comes to responding to the coronavirus, what should hospit...
New GBTA Research Shows Coronavirus Continues to Impact the Business Travel Industry
Global Business Travel Association | March 10, 2020
Alexandria, VA -- March 10, 2020 -- The coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to impact the global business travel industry, with companies canceling meetings and instituting blanket business travel cancellations, according to the latest research conducted by the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA). GBTA members routinely send their employees to meetings and events throughout the world, with the primary destinations being North America, Europe, China, and the Asian Pacific region. To understand the coronavirus’s effects on business travel, GBTA conducted its third lightning poll of membership on March 4-6, 2020. GBTA received response...
Aaron Whitten Appointed General Manager of New Kimpton Armory Hotel Bozeman
Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants | March 10, 2020
Bozeman, Mont. – March 10, 2020 – Aaron Whitten has been appointed general manager of the new Kimpton Armory Hotel Bozeman. The property is the first Kimpton in Big Sky Country and is slated to open spring 2020. The Bozeman property is conveniently located one block off of Main Street in the historic 1941 National Guard Armory building. In this new role, Whitten will oversee day-to-day operations for the 122-room hotel, which includes three dining venues and an on-site music hall. One of his first responsibilities will be building the team and instituting Kimpton brand standards across the property’s venues. “We are excited to have ...
The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore Appoints Matthias Al-Amiry as Managing Director and Regional Vice President Southeast Asia
The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore | March 10, 2020
Singapore (10 March 2020) – Change at the top of The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore. Matthias Al-Amiry today takes over the management of the five-star luxury hotel at 15 Stamford Road. He holds a dual role as he is also the Regional Vice President Southeast Asia for the Kempinski Hotels group. He will oversee Kempinski’s properties in Bangkok, Jakarta and Bali as well as the future Hotel & Residences in Kuala Lumpur. He is also responsible for future projects in the area. With Matthias Al-Amiry, Kempinski has brought on board an extremely experienced hotelier. Matthias was born and raised in Germany and most recently held the...
The Global Construction Pipeline Hits Record High at 2019 Year-End*
Lodging Econometrics | March 10, 2020
March 10, 2020 – PORTSMOUTH, NH Lodging Econometrics (LE) has released its year-end Global Construction Pipeline Trend Report, which compiles construction pipeline counts for every country, and city around the world. At the close of 2019, LE analysts state that the total global construction pipeline hit record highs with 15,000 projects/2,454,954 rooms, a 11% increase in projects and an 8% increase in rooms year-over-year (YOY). The global pipeline has been ascending for nine consecutive years after reaching its cyclical low, by rooms, in 2010. Four of the seven regions of the world continue to have pipelines trending upward, YOY. The e...
