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Crestline Hotels & Resorts Adds Two Hotels to Management Portfolio
Crestline Hotels & Resorts | March 5, 2020
FAIRFAX, VA – March 5, 2020 James Carroll, President and CEO of Crestline Hotels & Resorts, LLC (“Crestline”) announced today that it has been appointed to manage two additional hotels: the 129 guestroom Hampton Inn Birmingham/Mountain Brook in Birmingham Alabama and the 65 guest suite Homewood Suites by Hilton in Augusta, Georgia. The Hampton Inn Birmingham/Mountain Brook is located at 2731 US Highway 280 South, Birmingham, AL. Tucked into the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, and only four miles from downtown Birmingham, the hotel is the perfect base to navigate this dynamic city. It is in close proximity to the Birming...
Balboa Bay Resort Appoints Octavio Sabado as Executive Chef
Balboa Bay Resort | March 5, 2020
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (March 5, 2020) – Balboa Bay Resort, the premier waterfront resort in Newport Beach, California, is pleased to announce the appointment of Octavio Sabado as its new Executive Chef. With two decades of culinary experience, Chef Sabado will oversee the resort’s culinary portfolio including the property’s two waterfront restaurants, Waterline and A&O Kitchen+Bar, café, banquets and catering, and in-room dining. “We are delighted to welcome Chef Sabado to Balboa Bay Resort. Chef Sabado has his finger on the pulse of Southern California’s food scene and is also a strong and encouraging leader for the rest of...
Sofitel London Heathrow Turn Around Their Daily Operations With Knowcross
Knowcross | March 5, 2020
London March 05th, 2020 - KNOWCROSS, the global leader in providing service quality and optimization solutions for hotels, is thrilled to share that Sofitel London Heathrow, has decided to implement the Knowcross platform to increase operational productivity and enhance the quality of guest service. This addition further reinforces the company’s position as the most preferred service quality management platform of hotels all across Europe. Connected to Heathrow Terminal 5, 21 minutes from London city center and close to sightseeing attractions including Windsor Castle, Royal Ascot, and Legoland, this luxury Heathrow hotel is the choice f...
Access Point Financial to Finance Hitalk Hotels’ Acquisition of Hyatt Place Mohegan Sun in Connecticut
Access Point Financial | March 5, 2020
Leading hospitality industry lender selected to finance hotel acquisition near the famed Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut ATLANTA – March 5, 2020 – Access Point Financial, LLC (APF), a leading direct lender and specialty finance company focused exclusively on the hospitality industry, has signed an agreement with Hitalk Hotels to provide financing for the company’s acquisition of the Hyatt Place Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut. Access Point Financial provided $10.1 million in financing for the acquisition of the property, which will be managed by Aimbridge Hospitality. The hotel is expected to now undergo a ren...
IDeaS Extends Platform to Encompass Total Revenue Forecasting Technology, Transforming How Hotels Plan and Budget
IDeaS | March 5, 2020
Through automation and scientific forecasting, IDeaS RevPlan™ empowers hotels to build a forward-looking total revenue plan and budget based in data-driven reality Tweet This: @IDeaS_RevOpt continues to advance the power of revenue science beyond the guest room, announcing the industry-first total revenue forecasting solution IDeaS RevPlan www.ideas.com/news #RevenueScience MINNEAPOLIS—March 4, 2020—IDeaS Revenue Solutions, the world’s leading provider of revenue management software and services, announced today IDeaS RevPlan™, a cloud-based module built to complement its flagship RMS products. The module is designed to take t...
Partnership Between Royal Cribbean and ITM Acquire Grand Lucayan in The Bahamas
March 4, 2020
FREEPORT, Grand Bahama, March 4, 2020 -- The Government of The Bahamas sold the Grand Lucayan on Monday, March 2, 2020 to a partnership between Royal Caribbean International and ITM (Bahamas Port Investments Ltd.), which is expected to make a $250 million investment between the hotel and the redevelopment of the cruise port. The Heads of Agreement Signing Ceremony was held on the Great Lawn of the property, some 11 months following the signing of the Letter of Intent on Wednesday, March 27, 2019. Prime Minister of The Bahamas, the Most Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis, described the day as a wonderful one as the government's intention was never t...
Events Canceled Due to Coronavirus? Here’s How to Replace Lost Business
Daniel Craig | March 4, 2020
By Daniel E. Craig, Founder, Reknown This week, the travel industry is reeling after the cancellation of ITB Berlin and various other events due to COVID-19. Whether this is just a blip on the radar or the start of a prolonged downturn, we don’t have the luxury of waiting to find out. We need to regroup and re-strategize now. For tech vendors and travel suppliers, tradeshows provide a rare opportunity to meet in person with hundreds of clients, prospects and industry partners, launch products, hold demos, give presentations and build relationships. After a successful event, attendees come home with a long list of leads, renewals an...
Stop Calling Them Food Wines
Larry Mogelonsky | March 4, 2020
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.hotelmogel.com) How often have you heard this term? A bottle is jammy, tight or otherwise barely palatable and the excuse – nay, the explanation – is that it’s a ‘great food wine’. I’ve seen this witty marketing retort creep into our collective dining culture over the past decade, and now I fear that it has run its course lest it do damage to your restaurant. My issue is that this two-word buzz phrase has now become the de rigueur excuse for allowing any piece of plonk on the wine list – promotional puffery at its finest. Think about it for a moment: name one wine that doesn’t pa...
China’s Hotel Construction Pipeline Closes 2019 Hitting New All-Time High*
Lodging Econometrics (LE) | March 4, 2020
March 4, 2020 – PORTSMOUTH, NH – Analysts at Lodging Econometrics (LE) report that China’s total construction pipeline boomed in the fourth quarter of 2019 and closed the quarter at 3,526 projects/643,435 rooms, up 28% by projects and 11% by rooms year-over-year (YOY). At the end of 2019, both projects and rooms in the construction pipeline are at new all-time highs. China has the second largest pipeline in the world. Projects presently under construction are at 2,317 projects/411,032 rooms, up 13% by projects and down less than 1% by rooms, YOY. Projects scheduled to start construction in the next 12 months are at 763 projects/76,06...
Sustainable Tourism: A Long Road Ahead
Samuel Wich | March 4, 2020
By Samuel Wich Every single second, more than 30 tourists arrive at their destination worldwide. With more than 1 billion passengers projected to travel in 2020, the effect tourism has on the environment cannot be underestimated. “Sustainability” has been one of the biggest buzz words of the past decade in the industry. Yet, the proliferation of its use is not necessarily a good thing. Like other terms that are often used in marketing to promote some products or services of virtually any company, (e.g. “eco-friendly” or “green”), the word itself has in many instances lost its true meaning. According to the United Nations, su...
Florida International University Names Michael Cheng Dean of Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management
FIU Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management | March 4, 2020
MIAMI, FL. – March 4 2020 … Florida International University has appointed Michael Cheng dean of the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management. Provost and Executive Vice President Kenneth G. Furton made the announcement. “In just over two years as interim dean, Michael has demonstrated energetic leadership to define Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management’s identity, vision and strategy; a knack for building and growing relationships with our industry partners; and the curiosity and creativity to develop new learning methods and approaches for the benefit of our students,” said Ken Furton. “Dean Cheng...
Mainsail Lodging Plans Summer 2020 Opening of Luminary Hotel & Co. in Fort Myers, Florida
Mainsail Lodging & Development LLC | March 4, 2020
TAMPA, Fla. (March 04, 2020) – Guests can now book reservations online for Luminary Hotel & Co. (2200 Edwards Drive), scheduled to open late summer as the newest addition to Tampa-based Mainsail Lodging & Development’s growing portfolio. Reservations for stays starting Nov. 1 can be made directly on the hotel’s website, LuminaryHotel.com, or through Marriott.com/RSWAK. Luminary Hotel & Co. will be a part of the prestigious Autograph Collection® of Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR), and is expected to be the first Autograph hotel in the Fort Myers-Naples area. “It’s truly been a labor of love making Luminary...
Meliá Koh Samui Appoints Ernesto Osuna as General Manager
Meliá Hotels & Resort | March 4, 2020
KOH SAMUI, Thailand (Mar. 4, 2020) – A seasoned professional with two decades of luxury hospitality experience across Europe, North America and Asia has been appointed to the helm of the new nautical-themed beachfront resort Meliá Koh Samui. Spanish-born Ernesto Osuna has taken charge of the opening of the 159-room and 31-suite luxury resort overlooking Choeng Mon Beach, on Koh Samui’s north-eastern coastline in the Gulf of Thailand. Mr Osuna has worked for Meliá Hotels International for seven years and was previously a cluster general manager for two Meliá properties in Zhengzhou, China; Gran Melia Zhengzhou and INNSIDE Zhengzhou. ...
Origin Raleigh Appoints Four New Team Members Ahead of Grand Opening
Origin Raleigh | March 4, 2020
RALEIGH, N.C. (March 4, 2020) – Origin Raleigh, the forthcoming independent hotel in downtown Raleigh, is proud to welcome General Manager Todd Buchko, Director of Sales Alison Jenkins and Brand Activation Manager Karlee Tanel to the property ahead of the hotel’s March 16 opening. Stephen Alsop has also been appointed as executive chef of onsite restaurant Good Day Good Night. “We are thrilled to welcome Todd, Alison, Karlee and Stephen to the Origin Tribe,” shares Michael Cady, Vice President of Marketing at Charlestowne Hotels, a leading full-service hospitality management company. “The Origin Raleigh team strives to better...
Timbers Resorts Appoints Nick Fielding Corporate Director of Food & Beverage
Timbers Resorts | March 4, 2020
Winter Park, Fla. (March 4, 2020) - Timbers Resorts, the leading developer and operator of luxury boutique properties around the globe, announces today the appointment of one of its top professionals, Nick Fielding, as the company’s new Corporate Director of Food & Beverage. In this role, Nick will oversee food & beverage operations across the Timbers’ brand portfolio with a focus on redefining the program at Hokuala on the island of Kauai and its esteemed dining establishment, Hualani’s. Under Nick’s leadership, Hualani’s will debut a redesigned food & beverage program that aligns with the four seasons with new menus...
Help Save the Planet by Eliminating Hotel Bathroom Toiletries
Chekitan S. Dev | March 4, 2020
By Chekitan Dev What’s the problem? Hotel bathroom toiletries are like 12 noon check in check out: an archaic practice that persists only because no one has thought to change it. When hotels first began to offer bathroom amenities, it was considered a ‘luxury’ item for use and something interesting to take home. This inertia is partially driven by hotel bathroom toiletry companies that are part of a billion dollar business globally. Today, many guests do travel, or can travel, with their own toiletries and don’t really need hotel toiletries. But if it free, travelers will use what is provided so they can save their own stock. The p...
The Hotel Group Adds New Residence Inn by Marriott in Wenatchee, Washington to Management Portfolio
The Hotel Group | March 4, 2020
Seattle, WA, March 4, 2020 — The Hotel Group (THG), a leading national hotel management and investment company, announced the addition of the five-story Residence Inn by Marriott in Wenatchee, Washington, to its growing portfolio of hotels under management. The property has broken ground and is scheduled to open in Q4 2020. As a co-investment project between Stream Real Estate of Seattle, owner and developer, and THG, the property will contain 127 suites. Each suite will be outfitted with a fully equipped kitchen, spacious window facing workspace, plush bedding and linens. It will feature a complimentary breakfast to comfortably host fam...
Travel Trends Index: Int’l Inbound Travel to Plummet 6% Over Next Three Months
U.S. Travel Association | March 4, 2020
March 04, 2020 - WASHINGTON -- The Leading Travel Index (LTI), the predictive component of the U.S. Travel Association's Travel Trends Index (TTI), projects international inbound travel to the U.S. will fall 6.0% over the next three months as the coronavirus outbreak continues to roil the global economy. The latest TTI captures data from January, when awareness of coronavirus began to ramp up and China—one of the biggest travel markets to the U.S.—implemented aggressive measures to curb travel out of certain cities. The predicted 6.0% three-month drop compared to the same period in 2019 is the sharpest in the five-year history of th...
Union League Club of Chicago Donning Chefs, Cooks With Craft Collection Aprons by Riegel Linen
Riegel Linen | March 4, 2020
Part of the private club experience is presenting staff as polished and professional [AIKEN, S.C.— MARCH 4, 2020] — When Michael Ponzio arrived at the Union League Club of Chicago (ULCC) last Fall as Executive Chef, he noticed that kitchen staff were wearing stock aprons that were plain, thin, dingy, and always appeared wrinkled. He immediately placed a call to Riegel Linen, the supplier he had worked with previously while heading culinary operations at local Medinah Country Club. Today, all chefs and cooks are outfitted with crisp Craft Collection Bib Aprons by Riegel. Not only do the aprons provide uniformity, cleanliness, and funct...
Propel Management Assumes Management of Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Round Rock, Texas
The Propel Companies | March 4, 2020
March 4, 2020 – San Antonio, TX – Propel Management, LLC, a division of the Propel Companies which last week named Marriott veteran Tye Turman as its CEO, today announced that it has taken over management of a 91-room hotel in Round Rock, Texas, that will reopen this spring as a Holiday Inn Express & Suites. Turman said that this move by Propel is in line with the company’s enhanced third-party growth plans. Jayson Mitchell, president of Propel Management, said that the hotel, currently closed, had been sitting dormant for over a year and that Propel’s construction division, Propel Construction, LLC, has begun a full transfo...
AHLA Joins Business Leaders to Discuss Response to Coronavirus
AHLA | March 4, 2020
WASHINGTON (March 4, 2020) – Chip Rogers, president and CEO of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), today joined leaders from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, U.S. Travel Association, Airlines for America, and the National Retail Federation to discuss the potential impact of COVID-19 and the business community is responding. Rogers underscored the hotel industry’s commitment to the health and safety of our employees and guests, and encouraged travelers to follow CDC guidance on COVID-19 while recognizing that domestic travel is still possible. “I want to reiterate how critically important the health and safety of our ...
Beekeeper and Whispr Bringing Augmented Intelligence to Frontline Workers
Beekeeper | March 4, 2020
As a hospitality innovation leader, this operational communication company is shaping the future workplace for frontline workers by anticipating technological trends and developing real-world solutions with its partners SAN FRANCISCO, MARCH 4, 2020 — Today Beekeeper is announcing an innovation partnership with Whispr that uses voice and mobile app technology as an augmented-reality component to increase productivity of hotel housekeepers. As part of its new “Innovation Labs” initiative, the award-winning operational communication company is exploring use cases on how Augmented Reality (AR) can support its customers. “T...
Wood Hotel Selects ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions to Provide Guests and Residents With Latest in Security Access Technology and Design
ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions | March 4, 2020
Hotel located in world’s tallest wooden building leverages VingCard Essence to provide unmatched security and Mobile Access-ready compatibility while utilizing the lock’s minimalistic design to blend in seamlessly with surrounding environments. Stockholm – March 4, 2020 – ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions has announced the successful implementation of VingCard Essence Mobile-Access ready door locks at the newly constructed Wood Hotel in Brumunddal, Norway. Located within Mjøstårnet Tower, the world’s tallest wooden building with a total of 18 stories that also simultaneously serve as apartments and offices, Wood Hotel with VingCard E...
Resort Collection Selects Full Beachy Product Suite to Enhance Guest Service and Improve Operational Efficiency at Its Edgewater Beach and Golf Resort
Beachy | March 4, 2020
Nashville, TN. — Mar. 4, 2020 — Beachy, a leading developer of hospitality solutions for resorts and resort service providers, today announced that Resort Collection has selected the Beachy Online Booking Engine, Beachy Attendant App, Beachy Food & Beverage App, and Beachy Management Suite to enhance guest service at Edgewater Beach and Golf Resort in Panama City Beach, FL. Resort Collection has over 900 full-service gulf-front and gulf-view vacation rentals and golf villas, over 90,000 square feet of combined indoor and outdoor meeting space, 10 Plexicushion tennis courts, multiple upscale retail shops, boutiques, eateries, and c...
