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
Canada Hotels Report First Occupancy Increase in Four Months
CoStar Group | May 23, 2024
WASHINGTON – 23 May 2024 – After four consecutive months of year-over-year declines, Canada’s hotel industry reported an increase in occupancy, according to CoStar’s April 2024 data. CoStar is a leading provider of online real estate marketplaces, information and analytics in the property markets. April 2024 (percentage change from 2023): Occupancy: 64.0% (+2.7%) Average daily rate (ADR): CAD188.39 (+5.1%) Revenue per available room (RevPAR): CAD120.64 (+8.0%) “The year-over-year growth in occupancy suggests that downward pressure on hotel demand related to weaker economic conditions will not be linear, as the per...
Vision Hospitality Group, in Partnership With The Nichols Partnership and BMC Investments, Opens Moxy Boulder
Moxy | May 23, 2024
BOULDER, CO – [May 23, 2024] Vision Hospitality Group, in collaboration with The Nichols Partnership and BMC Investments, announces the official grand opening of Moxy Boulder, a new hotel to University Hill in Boulder, Colorado, opened its doors to guests today, May 23, 2024; Moxy Boulder marks a significant milestone as the first hotel to grace Boulder's landscape since 2018. Strategically located at 1247 Pleasant Street, Moxy Boulder is a vibrant hub on University Hill, near Colorado University, Boulder, embodying the spirit of creativity, connectivity, and community. Designed to cater to locals and adventure-seeking travelers, it offe...
Hector Ortiz Named General Manager of Hyatt Centric Key West Resort & Spa
Hyatt Centric | May 23, 2024
Hector Ortiz Has Grown His Career with the Hyatt Brand for Over Two Decades KEY WEST, Florida (May 23, 2024) – Hyatt Centric Key West Resort & Spa is thrilled to welcome Hector Ortiz as the newly appointed General Manager. With nearly 25 years of knowledge and expertise with the Hyatt brand, Ortiz will oversee operations, ensuring a continued commitment to the unparalleled experience at the hidden waterfront oasis in Key West, which is also home to the celebrity-helmed restaurant, Four Flamingos: A Richard Blais Key West Kitchen. The Puerto Rican native has worked at a wide array of the brand’s properties including Hyatt Dorado ...
Matt Hale Joins Everline Resort and Spa as Executive Chef
Everline Resort & Spa | May 23, 2024
Olympic Valley, Calif. (May 23, 2024) – Everline Resort & Spa, a spacious year-round mountain resort in North Lake Tahoe, announces Matt Hale as Executive Chef. Hale returns to the property after working in multiple culinary positions at the resort nearly 20 years ago. In his position, Hale will oversee the resort’s food operations, from managing the curation of menus at the on-site restaurants to managing banquet operations for meetings and events. “We are pleased to welcome Matt Hale back to our beautiful North Lake Tahoe resort,” said Andre Priemer, Managing Director at Everline Resort & Spa. “Matt’s background growi...
C Lazy U Ranch Appoints Ulises Salas as New Executive Chef
C Lazy U | May 23, 2024
Esteemed Chef Ulises Salas Joins Colorado’s Award-Winning Luxury Guest Ranch GRANBY, Colo. – May 23, 2024 – C Lazy U Ranch, Colorado’s premier luxury guest ranch getaway, announces the appointment of Ulises Salas as executive chef, effective May 19. In this role, Salas will spearhead the ranch’s culinary operations, guiding the culinary team in crafting ever-evolving fine dining menus, as well as supervising the preparation of regionally sourced delicacies for guests. With nearly two decades of culinary and hospitality experience garnered from prominent establishments across Colorado and California, Salas joins C Lazy U af...
International Visitors Spent Nearly $20.1 Billion Traveling Within the United States in March
National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO) | May 23, 2024
Data recently released by the National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO) show that in March 2024: International visitors spent nearly $20.1 billion on travel to, and tourism-related activities within, the United States, an increase of more than 22 percent compared to March 2023 and very close to surpassing pre-COVID levels of monthly spending realized in 2019. Conversely, Americans spent nearly $20.7 billion traveling abroad during March, the thirty-sixth (36) consecutive month of growth, yielding a balance of trade deficit of $591 million for travel and tourism-related goods and services. International visitors have spent nearly $...
The Experiential Travel Boom: The Big Summer Travel Trends for 2024
Ivana Johnston | May 23, 2024
By Ivana Johnston Even with the economy's ups and downs, travelers are spending more on experiences. They're going for bucket-list adventures that showcase their unique passions. This booming industry is expected to reach $1.6 trillion by the end of 2024! Airbnb is also stepping up its experience game with the announcement of its Summer 2024 Icons Program. This new initiative promises a collection of extraordinary experiences hosted by the biggest names in music, film, TV, art, sports, and much more. What's fueling this surge? It's the irresistible allure of adventure and novelty. According to a recent survey by GetYourGuide, 90% of tra...
InnSpire Integration With Optii Leverages AI to Optimize Hotel Operational Efficiency, Guest Service and Satisfaction
InnSpire | May 23, 2024
Strategic AI-powered technology partnership to enhance operational efficiency at The Don CeSar, while ensuring a seamless end-to-end guest experience. Stockholm & Washington, D.C. – May 23, 2024 – InnSpire, the leading provider of innovative hospitality technology solutions that help drive seamless, world-class guest experiences for some of the world’s most iconic hotels and brands, has announced a strategic partnership with Optii Solutions, a leading hotel operations and service delivery platform. Optii leverages machine-learning and predictive intelligence to automate and enhance hotel housekeeping, maintenance, servi...
Memorial Day Travel Expected to Break Records
U.S. Travel Association | May 22, 2024
Memorial Day Weekend – May 25-27 – is the unofficial kick-off of summer and it is expected to kick start what will be a record-breaking summer travel season. Booking data reveals that theme park and entertainment venues like Orlando and Las Vegas continue to captivate travelers' interest, alongside sunny locales such as Fort Lauderdale, Southern California and Miami. Urban destinations including New York, Denver and Boston also rank high among Memorial Day getaway choices. Both roads and airports will be extremely busy – here’s more on what’s expected for this record-breaking weekend. Road Travel AAA forecasts almost 44 million ...
Hotel Financials: Key Changes in USALI 12th Edition
HotStats | May 22, 2024
USALI 12th Edition: Significant Revisions Overview The 12th revised edition of the Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry (USALI) fundamentally enhances the transparency of financial and operational aspects in the hospitality industry. To quote Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's iconic character Sherlock Holmes, “It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data.” Embodying this wisdom, the updates in USALI provide a robust framework for data-driven decision-making and increased transparency, aligning closely with evolving business needs. These are thoughtful changes, designed to align with the shifting demands of the hospital...
The Synergy Between Digitalization and Personalized Travel
Reeves Mathews | May 22, 2024
By Reeves Mathews Personalisation remains one of the strongest strategies within travel and tourism, especially as international tourism reaches pre-pandemic levels. Per the first UNWTO World Tourism Barometer of 2024, international tourism ended 2023 at 88% of pre-pandemic levels and is expecting a full recovery by the end of the year. With this growth, many businesses understand the importance of personalisation, especially as tourists from around the world travel with heightened and diversified expectations. Many senior leaders see offering customers an excellent personal experience as key to market success. How is d...
A Realistic Vision of Company Growth Potential – Without Overstretching
EHL | May 22, 2024
Business leaders must approach the growth process with caution. It involves increasing an organization’s size - its market share, revenue, and headcount. However, it's crucial to remember that bigger is not always better. Growing a business is a journey fraught with risks. It's possible to grow too quickly, diversify into too many service areas, and overstretch. Such actions can strain the organization’s operations and finances, create inefficiencies, and even jeopardize the company's future. While striving to achieve maximum growth potential is important, it must be balanced with careful planning and sustainable practices. As a busine...
Hotel Cap Rates: Adjusting to a New Reality
Erich Baum | May 22, 2024
By Erich Baum A capitalization rate (“cap rate”) is a shorthand expression of a given investment’s return and represents the weighted average return to the debt and equity positions. As detailed in this article, hotel cap rates are higher than they’ve been in recent years and are unlikely to decline anytime soon. Component Parts A cap rate can be constructed using the “band-of-investment” technique, requiring assumptions as to both debt financing terms and the equity investor’s return requirement, measured by the dividend (cash on cash) rate. The following table identifies this technique using typical pre-pandemic inputs fo...
The Cordish Companies Names John J. Chaszar EVP and General Manager of New $270+ Million Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana
The Cordish Companies | May 22, 2024
Gaming Industry Veteran to Manage Development of World-Class Gaming and Entertainment Destination in Bossier City Projected to Generate Millions in Annual Economic Impact and Hundreds of Permanent Jobs for Local and Regional Residents Project Will Feature First Land-Based Casino in Shreveport-Bossier Market BOSSIER CITY, La., May 22, 2024 -- The Cordish Companies today announced the appointment of gaming industry veteran JOHN J. CHASZAR as EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER of the new LIVE! CASINO & HOTEL LOUISIANA, a $270+ million world-class gaming, dining, hotel, and entertainment destination set to open in...
Stonebridge Companies Expands Third-Party Management Platform Through Acquisition of Real Hospitality Group
Stonebridge Companies | May 22, 2024
DENVER, CO, May 22, 2024 —Stonebridge Companies, LLC (“Stonebridge”), a Denver-based innovative, privately-owned hotel management company boasting a diverse range of full-service, select-service, and extended-stay properties, announced today it has acquired Real Hospitality Group, LLC (“RHG),” a leading hotel management company based in Ocean City, Maryland. Real Hospitality Group Founder and CEO Ben Seidel will join the Stonebridge team as Principal and a member of the firm’s Board of Directors. He will contribute his deep experience to help grow and scale the combined company’s presence throughout the country. “From the d...
McNeill Hotel Company Promotes Kimberly Jensen to General Manager of Homewood Suites by Hilton Boise
McNeill Hotel Company | May 22, 2024
GERMANTOWN, TN — May 22, 2024 — McNeill Hotel Company, based in Germantown, TN, is pleased to announce the promotion of Kimberly Jensen to General Manager of Homewood Suites by Hilton in Boise, Idaho. MHC President, Travis Murray, officially made the announcement today. A native of Oregon, Kimberly has been in the hospitality industry for over twenty years, ascending through various roles that showcase her breadth of experience. Kimberly’s most recent position with McNeill Hotel Company was as the Assistant General Manager at the Hilton Garden Inn in Twin Falls, Idaho, where she demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and a deep ...
Los Angeles Athletic Club Appoints Troy Christian as Managing Director
Los Angeles Athletic Club | May 22, 2024
LOS ANGELES, CA (May 2024) – The iconic and newly renovated Los Angeles Athletic Club announces the appointment of Troy Christian as Managing Director. In this role, Troy oversees all aspects of the historic private members club, including daily operations, revenue strategy and reputation management. Working closely with the in-house management team, he is responsible for elevating the member experience and introducing new programming that celebrates the core mission of the over 140-year-old landmark property: the devotion to the lifelong pursuit of health-giving amusements. With more than 30 years of world-class hospitality experienc...
Kimpton Bem Budapest To Debut in July 2024 on the Buda Banks of the Danube
IHG | May 22, 2024
The hotel will herald a new era of refined luxury in Hungary’s historic capital, featuring world-class design, bespoke amenities and immersive destination experiences BUDAPEST, 22 MAY 2024: Idyllically situated on the Buda banks of the picturesque Danube, Kimpton BEM Budapest will open in July 2024. The highly-anticipated boutique luxury hotel is being hailed as the new ‘urban cool kid on the block,’ promising discerning travelers an unparalleled experience seamlessly blending Hungary’s fascinating history with modern elegance and inspiring design. Nestled in the center of Budapest’s culture scene, Kimpton BEM Budapest sits mere...
Tivoli Hotels & Resorts Expands in Italy With Tivoli Palazzo Gaddi in Florence
Tivoli Hotels & Resorts | May 22, 2024
Lisbon, May 22, 2024 – Tivoli Hotels & Resorts announces the brand’s expansion in Italy with the addition of a stunning historical property in the center of Florence—Tivoli Palazzo Gaddi Firenze Hotel. A luxury palace dating back to the 16th century, the 86-key property has been lovingly restored and is scheduled to open as a Tivoli Hotel in June. Formerly an NH Collection Hotel, Tivoli Palazzo Gaddi is the second Tivoli Hotel in Italy, joining Tivoli Portopiccolo Sistiana Wellness Resort & Spa. Originally consisting of two historical buildings belonging to two aristocratic Florentine families—the Gaddis and the Arrighett...
Bob W Strengthens London Presence With Three New Openings
Bob W | May 22, 2024
Helsinki, 22 May – Bob W, the tech-powered hospitality operator, is expanding its London presence in the serviced apartment space with three new openings, taking the brand’s total number of properties in the capital to 13. The new Bob W Tower Hill Residences, Bob W Olympia and Bob W Holland Park add a further 20,000 sq ft of high-quality serviced apartment space to the company’s portfolio. This expansion closely follows the opening of Bob W St Paul’s in March, marking the launch of four Bob W properties in London in less than two months. The new properties include a variety of fully-serviced studio, one-, two- and three-b...
Peter Tichy Spearheads New Chapter at Radisson Blu Plaza Bangkok as General Manager
Radisson Blu Plaza Bangkok | May 22, 2024
Bangkok, Thailand – Radisson Blu Plaza Bangkok is thrilled to welcome Peter Tichy as its new General Manager. With over three decades of comprehensive experience in the hospitality industry, Peter Tichy is set to lead this distinguished hotel into a vibrant new chapter. His diverse and extensive background equips him well to enhance the hotel's stature and offerings in the dynamic landscape of Bangkok. With a robust background that spans several countries including Austria, Germany, Russia, Sweden, Ukraine, Egypt, Nigeria, Vietnam, and now Bangkok, Thailand in 2024. His career has been marked by significant contributions to the hospitali...
ITA Data Release: February 2024 Total International Travel Volume
National Travel and Tourism Office | May 22, 2024
In February 2024, International Visitor Arrivals to the United States Totaled 4,735,844, an Increase of 14.7% Compared to February 2023 Outbound Travel Departures from the United States by U.S. Citizens Totaled 7,050,562 in February 2024, an Increase of 14.1% Compared to February 2023 Data recently released by the National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO) show that in February 2024: International Arrivals to the United States Total non-U.S. resident international visitor volume to the United States of 4,735,844 increased +14.7% compared to February 2023 and represented 93% of the pre-COVID total visitor volume reported for Fe...
The Art of a Great Arrival for Luxury Hotels
Adam and Larry Mogelonsky | May 22, 2024
By Adam Mogelonsky, Larry Mogelonsky In the realm of luxury hotels, guests have a highly discerning eye. And as they say, first impressions are everything. Combining these two, it’s no surprise that resorts and other envious properties around the globe spent an inordinate amount of time and money on crafting a great arrival experience. Having the honor of working with some of these over the years, we can say that there are lessons for all that are replicable at the non-luxury level. To start, you must understand the luxury mindset – something we articulate in our ‘Mille Club’ designation and playbook for clients with ‘mille’...
Knowland Announces Sub-Market Data Enhancement to Market Snapshot Report
KNOWLAND | May 22, 2024
Localized data enables hotel sales teams to quickly identify and pursue top local targets and new-to-market accounts, jumpstarting potential new business ARLINGTON, Va. — May 22, 2024— Knowland, the leading provider of data-as-a-service insights on meetings and events for hospitality, announced an advanced data enhancement, Sub-Market Filter, to its popular Market Snapshot Report. The new filter was added to Knowland search and dashboard functions, including Market Snapshot and New-to-Market capabilities, enabling filtering down to the sub-market level within larger markets, saving time and effort by pinpointing localized opportunities...
