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
Lion Star, Everest Place, and Paramount Announce Plans for Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Orlando, Opening in 2026
Nickelodeon | May 24, 2024
MIAMI, FL – MAY 24, 2024 – Lion Star, Everest Place, and Paramount have unveiled their partnership to bring to life the much-anticipated Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Orlando in Kissimmee, Florida. Slated to open in 2026, this resort will be located in the Everest Place development and expertly operated by Lion Star Hospitality Inc., the exclusive US licensee for Karisma Hotels & Resorts, welcoming guests to explore a world of limitless fun and boundless opportunity. Boasting over 400 hotel rooms and condo units combined, Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Orlando will showcase uniquely themed accommodations, including ...
Taking the “Swift Lift” Overseas
U.S. Travel Association | May 24, 2024
By Joshua Friedlander This summer, millions of Americans will travel to Europe, many to visit historical cities and one-of-a-kind beaches like Sitges, Biarritz, Tropea and Mykonos. But in Europe this year there is another one-of-a-kind attraction drawing travelers from the States in record numbers—the European leg of Taylor Swift’s “Eras” tour. Taylor's record-setting concerts across the U.S. in 2023 made fans and economists alike rethink the impact an artist can have on a city or region. With ticket prices regularly reaching 4-digit levels, and fans traveling distances reminiscent of festivals like Coachella, the economic impac...
Emanuele Accame Appointed Director of Food and Beverage at Four Seasons Hotel Seoul
Four Seasons | May 24, 2024
May 2024 sees the appointment of Tokyo-born, Milan-raised Emanuele Accame to the role of Director of Food and Beverage at Four Seasons Hotel Seoul. With a cross-cultural mindset and experience across three continents, Emanuele is constantly inspired by the universal power of food to bring people together, relishing every connecting element within each restaurant that he oversees. "Connection is the cornerstone of the culinary world," he explains. "Great food and beverage is not only about food or drink, it’s about the whole experience of togetherness; it’s all the senses – sounds, visuals, aromas, tastes, the high-touch service a...
Travel & Tourism Set to Contribute a Record $182BN to the Canadian Economy This Year
The World Travel & Tourism Council | May 24, 2024
London, UK: The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is forecasting an historic year for Canada’s Travel & Tourism sector this year, with the economic contribution set to reach an all-time high of almost $182BN. Reaching $182.1BN in 2024 represents an additional $8.1BN over its previous peak, affirming the sector’s significant role as an economic force, responsible for generating one in every 15 dollars of economic activity. In partnership with Oxford Economics, WTTC’s latest research highlights a sector abundant with opportunities, supporting 1.84MN Canadian jobs, with an increase of 120,000 jobs compared to the previou...
More Asian Countries Stay Ahead of 2023 Levels, Japan Maintains Significant Rate Growth
CoStar Group | May 24, 2024
Analysis by Eddie Yeung Note: All financial figures presented in US$. STR's global "bubble chart" update for the four weeks ending 18 May 2024 shows 72% of markets with year-over-year growth in revenue per available room (RevPAR). That level was up from 60% in the previous update. Japan and South East Asian market led the growth. Among countries with 50,000 rooms and adequate hotel reporting levels, Singapore, Switzerland, France, and Italy posted the highest RevPAR on an actual basis. While Singapore and Switzerland remained leaders in actual levels, their RevPAR was moderately lower year over year by 1.7% and 5.2%, respectively. ...
Twenty-One Percent of Customers Admit to Cursing at Customer Service Agents
Shep Hyken | May 24, 2024
By Shep Hyken There’s an old story about an airline passenger who walks into the baggage claim office and starts screaming and cursing at the airline employee. The employee, who is calm and collected, responds, “I am sorry about your lost luggage. At this point in time, there are only two people in the entire world who care about your luggage, and you’re starting to make one of them upset.” Unfortunately, some customers, like the passenger in the story, are angry. If 21% of customers admit they curse at customer service agents, does that mean that 79% are lying? I’m just kidding, of course, but with customer service being m...
Are You Trapped by the Similarity Effect in Your Hiring Decisions?
Louanne Affolter | May 24, 2024
By Louanne Affolter, Dr. Sébastien Have you ever preferred a candidate because of their similarity to you on various criteria? Did you grow up in the same village? Did they come from the same foreign country as you? Perhaps they also liked running or had four kids just like you? If you preferred and selected this candidate, then you were influenced by a bias called the similarity effect. This effect has shown that the more similar two individuals are, the greater the attraction between them. Wondering whether recruiters might be attracted to candidates with similar personality traits, we recently conducted a study to investigate this ques...
IRIS Announces Investment in Middle East, Following Growth in Demand for Digital Ordering Across Hospitality Sector
IRIS | May 24, 2024
IRIS, the global leader in digital ordering for the hospitality industry, today announces it will be investing in its expansion in the Middle East. The announcement follows significant growth in its client base, as an increasing number of hoteliers across the region report a preference for mobile ordering from guests, enabling them to increase F&B revenue and enhance the digital experience they offer. The investment will deliver the introduction of new features across the region. Now live in 10 states, IRIS has grown its client base by 33% since launching its mobile ordering and digital guest directory platform in the Middle East. IRIS...
Venice Market Pulse
Lorenzo Gullotta | May 24, 2024
By Lorenzo Gullotta, Giammarco Pignocchi, Ezio Poinelli The resurgence of travel activity in Venice following the years afflicted by the COVID-19 pandemic has not only been a sign of recovery but also an indicator of evolving trends within the city's tourism sector. In line with what was observed in other Italian cities, Venice's hotel market experienced an unprecedented surge in the post-pandemic era. While overall occupancy rates remain below pre-pandemic levels, the upper upscale and luxury market segments appear to have fully rebounded. This recovery, along with a significant increase in average rates, has resulted in a notably positi...
IHG Signs With SLRV Hotels to Debut Crowne Plaza Brand in Punjab
IHG | May 24, 2024
The signing is in line with IHG’s strategy to expand its portfolio across secondary markets in the country National, 24 May, 2024: IHG® Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has announced the signing of a management agreement with SLRV Hotels Pvt Ltd to debut its Crowne Plaza brand in the state of Punjab. Scheduled to open in Q4 2028, Crowne Plaza Amritsar Airport will add 136 keys to IHG’s growing portfolio in the city and strengthen its presence in the prime tourist and spiritual destination in the country. The new-build hotel will be IHG’s first Crowne Plaza hotel in the city and IHG’s fourth prope...
Accor and Sanya Jinghai Cheng Real Estate Development Sign New MGallery Hotel in Sanya City Center
Accor | May 24, 2024
THE RENOWNED COLLECTION BRAND CONTINUES ITS MOMENTUM ACROSS GREATER CHINA OFFERING A MEMORABLE AND MEANINGFUL SENSE OF LUXURY HOSPITALITY EXPERIENCE ON HAINAN ISLAND Accor Greater China, together with Sanya Jinghai Cheng Real Estate Development Co. Ltd., is pleased to announce the signing of a new MGallery Hotel Collection address in the cosmopolitan heart of Sanya city center, on the spectacular island of Hainan. The 187-room, 25-storey tower is set to open by the end of 2025 and will benefit from Sanya's thriving tourism industry, luxurious resort reputation, and growing business segment. Along with the recent signing of Chengdu Finan...
Hotel Okura Signs Multiple-Property Agreement With Asset World To Add Over 500 Rooms in Thailand
Asset World Corporation | May 24, 2024
Will also launch Chao Phraya River cruises this December TOKYO--Hotel Okura Co., Ltd. announced today that it signed a multiple-property framework agreement on May 17 with Asset World Corporation (AWC), Thailand’s leading integrated lifestyle real estate group, to operate a new hotel being developed by AWC in Chiang Mai by 2028 and several (to be announced) Okura Group luxury hotels across Thailand by 2030, adding more than 500 rooms in the country. Separately, the two companies have also agreed that Hotel Okura will provide hospitality services for cruises to be launched on the Chao Phraya River starting this December. The hotel, w...
How to Price Buy-Outs of Smaller Hotels in Leisure Markets
Larry Spelts | May 24, 2024
By Larry Spelts Small properties (one hundred rooms or less), especially upper-upscale and luxury boutique hotels in destination markets that are principally leisure with higher ADRs, are often attractive buy-out destinations for certain kinds of groups. This can range from weddings and reunions to corporate and association retreats or incentive travel. The Challenge of Hotel Buyouts for Weekends: Case Study It is essential to good revenue management that opportunity costs be factored into weekend buyouts because hotels that are in principally leisure segment-dominated locations tend to sell out on many weekends perennially, and beca...
HSMAI Foundation Releases Special Report on The Transformational Power of ‘Commercial’
the HSMAI Foundation | May 24, 2024
McLean, VA (May 24, 2024) – The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) Foundation has released a special report, “From Solos to Symphony. The Transformational Power of ‘Commercial’,” which outlines the findings of the HSMAI Foundation’s study on how industry professionals conceptualize the role and scope of commercial strategy within the hotel industry. The report is authored by Breffni M. Noone, Associate Professor at The Pennsylvania State University, and Chris Boyd, Revenue Management Specialist at Hilton. As ‘Commercial’ and ‘Commercial Strategy’ are relatively new additions to the ho...
Understanding California’s New Hotel Industry Legislation and Its Impact
Cendyn | May 23, 2024
California’s hotel industry is gearing up for significant changes with the introduction of two pivotal laws: California Senate Bill 644 and California Assembly Bill 537. While the former focuses on cancelation policies, the latter emphasizes pricing display transparency. In this blog, we’ll delve into the key aspects of each bill and explore their potential impact for hoteliers. California Senate Bill 644 was officially endorsed by the Governor and filed with the Secretary of State on October 10, 2023, and mandates hotels in California to allow penalty-free cancelations within 24 hours after the confirmation if reservations are made at...
Dual-Branded Home2 Suites and Hampton Inn & Suites Huntsville/Research Park Complete Renovations
LBA Hospitality | May 23, 2024
HUNTSVILLE, Ala., May 23, 2024 -- In the heart of a city known for its rapid growth and innovation, Home2 Suites by Hilton Huntsville/Research Park Area and Hampton Inn & Suites Huntsville/Research Park Area have recently completed significant upgrades. Owned by Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc. and managed by LBA Hospitality, these hotels have been integral to Huntsville's hospitality scene since their launch in 2013. With renovations celebrated in a ribbon-cutting event on May 21, 2024, these establishments are ready to continue serving guests against the backdrop of Huntsville's dynamic progress, blending comfort with the evolvi...
HSMAI Takes Commercial Strategy to the Next Level With Commercial Effectiveness Organizational Assessment
HSMAI | May 23, 2024
McLean, VA (April 22, 2024) – The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) has announced the launch of the Commercial Effectiveness Organizational Assessment, a tool providing a structured framework for assessing where a hotel organization’s commercial structure is strong and where improvements are needed. The tool and accompanying report, Taking Commercial Strategy to the Next Level, are a free member benefit for HSMAI members and available to the industry for purchase. The goal of the HSMAI Commercial Effectiveness Organizational Assessment is to allow a hotel organization to assess and score their implem...
Radisson Hotel Group Welcomes the Radisson Brand to Oman With the Opening of Radisson Hotel Muscat Panorama
Radisson Hotel Group | May 23, 2024
Radisson Hotel Group is thrilled to announce the opening of Radisson Hotel Muscat Panorama, a stunning new addition in the vibrant heart of Muscat. This inaugural Radisson-branded hotel in Oman features 165 elegantly appointed rooms and suites, offering an elevated experience for business and leisure travelers. Muscat, the capital of Oman, is known for its dazzling mix of old and new, blending its ancient cultural heritage with modern architecture. Set against the backdrop of the stunning Al Hajar mountains and the Arabian Sea, Muscat is a gateway to Oman's rich history and a vibrant destination for travelers seeking a unique blend of cu...
Driving a Sustainable Future: a Journey to Tomorrow
IHG | May 23, 2024
IHG Hotels & Resorts calls for collaboration across the hospitality industry, as it reiterates commitment to doing business responsibly Responsible for one in 10 jobs and contributing more than $7.7 trillion to the world’s GDP, the travel and hospitality industry supports economies across the globe by helping local communities to thrive. And it’s growing, with more than one billion international travellers last year and even more forecast to follow. Of all hospitality’s long-term drivers, perhaps the greatest is people’s fundamental desire to travel – whether it’s for leisure, business, or both (“blended” travelle...
Hilton and the Hilton Global Foundation Announce Notable Year of Progress Towards 2030 Travel With Purpose Goals
Hilton | May 23, 2024
Hilton, a leading hospitality company, and the Hilton Global Foundation, Hilton’s philanthropic arm, announced today the latest progress towards their shared goal of creating a better world for travel with the release of the 2023 Hilton Global Foundation Impact Report and the 2023 Hilton Travel with Purpose Report. Hilton’s Travel with Purpose Report outlines the hospitality leader’s progress towards its Travel with Purpose environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategy to drive responsible travel globally. Travel with Purpose outlines Hilton’s 2030 energy, water and waste reduction targets as well as community engagem...
Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority Takes Steps to Develop a Headquarters Hotel
Omni Hotels & Resorts | May 23, 2024
New Orleans, LA (May 23, 2024) – The Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority (the Authority) has approved two resolutions critical to moving forward with the development of a 1,000-room headquarters hotel for the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (NOENMCC). In addition to accepting a formal letter of intent (LOI) with Omni Hotels & Resorts (Omni) to own and operate the headquarters hotel, today the Authority voted to approve a purchase and sale agreement for property at Convention Center Boulevard and Andrew Higgins Boulevard. The site, currently operated as the Sugar Mill event venue, is immediately across t...
U.S. Hotel Results for Week Ending 18 May
CoStar Group | May 23, 2024
WASHINGTON – 23 May 2024 – The U.S. hotel industry reported higher performance from the previous week and positive comparisons year over year, according to CoStar’s latest data through 18 May. CoStar is a leading provider of online real estate marketplaces, information and analytics in the property markets. 12-18 May 2024 (percentage change from comparable week in 2023): Occupancy: 67.4% (+0.2%) Average daily rate (ADR): US$163.11 (+2.6%) Revenue per available room (RevPAR): US$109.93 (+2.8%) Among the Top 25 Markets, Houston saw the only double-digit occupancy lift (+10.5% to 67.9%). Atlanta reported the hig...
Marriott International and Delonix Group Announce First Three Agreements to Further Expand Tribute Portfolio in China
Marriott International | May 23, 2024
As part of the strategic cooperation agreement, the first three deals expected to mark the Tribute Portfolio’s brand debut in Hangzhou and Chongqing Marriott International, Inc. announced the first three projects under its strategic cooperation agreement with Delonix Group, one of the leading China-based hospitality companies, are now underway. Anticipated to open in spring 2025, the first signed Tribute Portfolio Hotels are expected to mark the brand’s debut in three scenic destinations, and include the Grand New Century Hotel, Hangzhou Boao, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, the Wonderland Resort, Hangzhou Jiande, a Tribute Portfolio Resort a...
First Hospitality Grows Management Portfolio Adding Three New Lifestyle Hotels
First Hospitality | May 23, 2024
CHICAGO (MAY 23, 2024) - First Hospitality, a national hotel operating, management, and development company, assumed management and operations of Hotel Ardent, Dayton, OH, Lively Hotel, Oklahoma City, OK, and opened Tempo by Hilton Louisville Downtown NuLu (May 1, 2024) bringing the number of lifestyle properties to 25+ in its overall portfolio of 70 hotels. First Hospitality is set to open and has assumed management of seven new restaurants, bringing the total number to 30+ restaurants in the portfolio, including its first international property, Carnivale Bahamas located on Paradise Island. First Investors, an affiliate of First Hospital...
