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McKibbon Breaks Ground on Two Hyatt House Hotels in Tampa and Orlando
Hyatt House | September 9, 2019
TAMPA, Fla. (Sept. 9, 2019) — Tampa-headquartered McKibbon Hospitality and Georgia-based McKibbon Places announced today the groundbreaking of two new top-tier extended-stay hotels: Hyatt House Tampa Airport Westshore, located in Westshore’s Avion Park at the corner of O’Brien St. and Laurel St., and Hyatt House Orlando Airport, located in Orlando’s Gateway Village. As with all Hyatt Houses, guests of the Tampa and Orlando properties will have the option to book rooms and suites featuring separate areas to work and relax, in addition to a full kitchen with ingredients available in the 24-Hour Market. Amenities and everyday comforts...
Cycas Hospitality Signs Deal Bringing the First Residence Inn to Manchester, England
Cycas Hospitality | September 9, 2019
Cycas Hospitality continues to grow its European portfolio with a hotel management agreement to open Marriott International’s first extended-stay property in the north of England. The deal to operate a 155-room Residence Inn by Marriott in Manchester’s Northern Quarter is Cycas’s first with Ciel Capital and partners Due to open as a Residence Inn in late 2020, from August 2019 the property will provide 84 independent serviced apartments as The Northern Quarters whilst the phased refurbishment takes place. Located less than a ten-minute walk from Manchester Piccadilly railway station, the Northern Quarter is well known for its v...
Hotel Industry Supports More Than 1 in 25 American Jobs
AHLA | September 9, 2019
WASHINGTON (September 9, 2019) – Underscoring the significant economic impact and strong growth of the hotel industry, a new study released today finds that hotels support more than 1 in 25 American jobs—8.3 million in total—and contribute nearly $660 billion annually to U.S. GDP. Conducted by Oxford Economics, the study was sponsored by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation (AHELF) and showcases the breadth and depth of the hotel industry and its value to the communities we serve. The study is part of AHLA’s Dreams Happen Here campaign, which highlights the ...
Historic Hotels of America Announces 2019 Awards of Excellence Nominee Finalists
Historic Hotels of America® | September 6, 2019
WASHINGTON--September 6, 2019 --Historic Hotels of America® and Historic Hotels Worldwide® are pleased to announce the nominee finalists for the 2019 Historic Hotels Awards of Excellence. The Historic Hotels Awards of Excellence recognize and celebrate the finest historic hotels and hoteliers from across the nation and from around the world. The 2019 Historic Hotels Annual Awards of Excellence and Gala Dinner will take place at Pinehurst Resort (1895) in Pinehurst, North Carolina on Thursday, November 7, 2019 at 7 pm. The award winners will be announced before an audience of owners, senior management, industry leaders, and representative...
Radisson Hotel Group Signs With Aegean Investments for First Radisson Blu Hotel in Sakarya, Turkey
Radisson Blu | September 6, 2019
Brussels/Sakarya - September 5, 2019 - Radisson Hotel Group is delighted to announce the signing of the first ever Radisson Blu hotel in Sakarya, one of the largest automotive and industrial hubs in Turkey. With the signing of the Radisson Blu Hotel, Sakarya (Turkey), the group is getting closer to 30 hotels in operation and under development across the country – further accelerating its ambition to have more than 50 properties within the next five years. Expected to open before the end of the year, the hotel will be the perfect place for business travelers and leisure guests seeking the best possible hotel experience. In addition to ...
Atma Hotel Group Acquires Courtyard by Marriott and Sheraton Europa in Chapel Hill
Atma Hotel Group | September 6, 2019
Chapel Hill, N.C., Sept. 06, 2019 -- Atma Hotel Group, Inc., a hotel ownership and management company based in Chapel Hill, announced it has added the full-service Courtyard by Marriott and the Sheraton Europa to its existing Chapel Hill hotel portfolio. These hotels complement Atma’s existing Chapel Hill properties, which include two Hampton Inn & Suites, a Holiday Inn Express and a Quality Inn. “We are excited to bring our family atmosphere, commitment to quality and exceptional customer experience to the Courtyard and Sheraton Europa,” said Manish Atma, founder and CEO of Atma Hotel Group. “The Sheraton Europa will undergo a...
Trending Now: Music in Hotels
Jessica Frost | September 6, 2019
By Jessica Frost The sound of a hotel can either welcome guests with enthusiasm or signal that your property is simply a place to sleep; and in such a competitive marketplace, is that the message you want to send? Fortunately, music--wherever it’s played--can both welcome guests and not break your budget. But playing music in a hotel requires more than just turning it on or hiring musicians. Music, like all intellectual property, is owned by the songwriters or composers who create it. This ownership is protected under U.S. and global copyright laws, which state that businesses that use music must first get permission from copyright ow...
Asia Pacific’s Hotel Construction Pipeline, Excluding China, Rises to a Record High in the Second Quarter of 2019
Lodging Econometrics (LE) | September 6, 2019
September 6, 2019 – PORTSMOUTH, NH – According to the recent report from analysts at Lodging Econometrics (LE), Asia Pacific’s total construction pipeline, excluding China, is at an all-time high and stands at 1,793 projects/393,732 rooms, up 3% and 7% respectively, year-over-year (YOY). The pipeline continues in a topping out formation despite slowing economies in the region and growth uncertainties in neighboring China. Asia Pacific, excluding China, currently has 972 projects under construction with a record high room count of 225,896. There are 405 projects with 81,592 rooms scheduled to start construction in the next 12 months a...
Hyatt Regency San Antonio Appoints Christian Apetz as Executive Chef
Hyatt Regency San Antonio | September 6, 2019
San Antonio, Texas (September 6, 2019) – Hyatt Regency San Antonio, located on the famous River Walk and directly connected to Alamo Plaza, announces Christian Apetz as Executive Chef. Apetz joins the property from The Driskill Hotel in Austin, Texas which is part of Hyatt’s Unbound Collection. “We are thrilled to welcome Christian to Hyatt Regency San Antonio,” said Philip Stamm, General Manager of Hyatt Regency San Antonio. “Christian’s extensive experience working as an Executive Chef at numerous hotels throughout the country paired with his unmatched passion and love for creating exceptional dining experiences for guests ma...
8 Things That Affect Hotel Room Value
Kacey Bradley | September 6, 2019
By Kacey Bradley Your pricing strategy should be variable — something that can change and shift with time. You can't anticipate the market and the consumers within it with a rigid structure. To approach hotel room value, you need to consider a variety of factors, not just one. While some components are within your control, others are not. Discover eight things that affect hotel room value below. 1. The Economy It may seem like common sense, but the economy has a significant effect on hotel room prices. Over the last 20 years, the industry saw two major dips — one in 2001, following September 11, and a second in 2008 after the glob...
BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, Names Melissa Bolster Catering and Conference Services Manager for World of Whirlpool, Chicago
Whirlpool | September 6, 2019
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, September 2019 … BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has named Melissa Bolster catering and conference services manager for World of Whirlpool, in Chicago. Ms. Bolster’s new position represents a promotion for her. Ken Jesina, Benchmark's general manager at World of Whirlpool, made the announcement. "It is with great pleasure that I announce the promotion of Melissa Bolster to Catering and Conference Services Manager," said Mr. Jesina. “Melissa has been a key contributor to the success of this property over the last few years, and we are very excited about her new leadership role with us, and th...
The Lanesborough Hotel, London, Appoints Stuart Geddes as New Hotel Manager
September 6, 2019
September 2019 – The Lanesborough Hotel in London, part of the prestigious Oetker Collection, is pleased to announce the joining of Stuart Geddes as Hotel Manager, taking up his position in October 2019. Geddes joins The Lanesborough from The Goring Hotel, where he worked as General Manager and brings a wealth of experience to the team at The Lanesborough having worked in some of the finest hotels in London previously. Announcing the new arrival, Marco Novella, Managing Director of The Lanesborough commented, "We are delighted to welcome Stuart to the team at The Lanesborough, where he will help to reinforce our position as market leade...
Swire Hotels Appoints Simon McHendry as General Manager of The Temple House in Chengdu
Swire Hotels | September 6, 2019
Swire Hotels is pleased to announce that Simon McHendry, former General Manager of EAST, Beijing, has been transferred to The Temple House as the new General Manager, effective July, and will oversee the operations and lead the team in Chengdu. Simon began his life in Asia over a decade ago in 2004 when he relocated from London to Hong Kong and then later to Beijing. With hospitality in his blood and planted in Asia all these years, Simon gained valuable insight through fully immersing himself in the culture and building genuine relationships. In 2015, Simon joined Swire Hotels first as Executive Assistant Manager – Sales & Market...
Milwaukee’s Saint Kate – The Arts Hotel Appoints David Bodette as General Manager
Saint Kate | September 6, 2019
MILWAUKEE-- Following its grand debut, Saint Kate – The Arts Hotel, Milwaukee’s first-of-its kind independent arts hotel, announced today the appointment of arts and luxury hotel veteran David Bodette as general manager. Bodette, a sculptor in his free time, oversees daily operations of the 219-room hotel and arts experience. In this lead role, he is supported by a passionate cast of 200 associates, collaborates with community influencers and artists, helps shape the guest experience and oversees all food and beverage operations, including the hotel’s five dining venues. He comes to Saint Kate following a legacy career managing some ...
IHG Partners With RIKAZ Properties for Holiday Inn Al Khobar King Fahd Road
IHG | September 5, 2019
IHG® (InterContinental Hotels Group), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has signed a Management Agreement with real estate company RIKAZ Properties to develop its fourth Holiday Inn hotel in Al Khobar. Having signed two Holiday Inn properties in Madinah and Jeddah earlier this year, this latest development is part of IHG’s dedicated efforts to increase its midscale portfolio in the region and cater to a diverse guest profile visiting the country. Expected to open in January 2021, Holiday Inn Al Khobar King Fahd Road will be located in close proximity to the King Fahd Causeway, making it the ideal choice for leisure guests du...
Everything You Need to Know About CRM Software in 2019
Kacey Bradley | September 5, 2019
By Kacey Bradley Customer relationship management (CRM) software helps brands more effectively connect with customers. You may not think it's necessary to use in the hotel and hospitality industry. But, it'll soon become clear that having CRM technology at your disposal can grow your brand and increase consumer satisfaction. What Can CRM Software Do for You? One misconception people often have about CRM software is that it's merely a customer database. CRM software has a component that keeps information on all your customers, but it does much more. For example, it can help you track which promotional materials you send to customers ...
NewcrestImage Breaks Ground on AC Hotel by Marriott in Downtown Phoenix
NewcrestImage | September 5, 2019
Dallas-based NewcrestImage broke ground today for its first hotel in the western United States – a 199-room, 13- floor AC Hotel by Marriott in the heart of downtown Phoenix that is a joint venture with Las Vegas-based LaPour Partners. The hotel, scheduled to open in early 2021, is located at Arizona Center, a million-square-foot mixed use site that features shopping, entertainment, dining, and prime office space. “This property is a powerful new crown jewel for downtown Phoenix, and it is an important step in expanding our company’s leadership nationwide, beyond our traditional home in the south and southwest,” said Mehul Patel,...
Club Med Appoints Carolyne Doyon as New Chief Executive Officer for North America and the Caribbean
Club Med | September 5, 2019
MIAMI (Sept. 5, 2019) – Club Med, the pioneer of the all-inclusive resort concept, announced today that Carolyne Doyon will assume the role of president and chief executive officer for the company’s North American and Caribbean business division, effective immediately. In her new role, Doyon will oversee more than 3,000 employees and lead the sales, operations and development activities for four regional offices and nine resorts. Doyon is succeeding Xavier Mufraggi, who held the position of CEO for North America and the Caribbean for more than 10 years. During his tenure, the North American division flourished into a sustainable and pr...
The Difference Between Loyalty Programs and Loyalty to a Brand
Alan Young | September 5, 2019
By Alan E. Young Loyalty is earned, and certainly not given, and there is a definite difference between loyalty programs and a guest’s loyalty to a brand. Hotel loyalty programs might seem ubiquitous today, but nearly 60% of guests still don’t belong to one. During the 2019 Skift Tech Forum, industry experts agreed that today’s travelers seek more than just opportunities to earn points – they want experiences. Mind you, that doesn't mean it's beyond reach. Hoteliers must work a little harder to understand precisely what factors drive guest loyalty in the modern age. Which brings us to the ultimate question — what makes guests l...
Tourism Tidbits: Dealing With the Media
Dr. Peter Tarlow | September 5, 2019
By Dr. Peter Tarlow Almost all tourism businesses, be they attractions, Convention and Visitor Bureaus (CVBs), regional or national tourism offices, or travel providers have to deal with the media. Tourism businesses and offices seek positive publicity or at times react to a news story. Often these news stories are negative and if not dealt with can do great harm to a particular tourism industry. We can hypothesize that a successful tourism industry or enterprise must stand on four legs, these being: (1) it must offer a good product, (2) it must provide good service, (3) it must have good publicity, and (4) it must offer...
Employee and Talent Experience Measurement Latest CustomerCount® Application
CustomerCount® | September 5, 2019
INDIANAPOLIS, IN (September 5, 2019) –Mobius Vendor Partners, has launched yet another enhancement to its CustomerCount® enterprise customer feedback system. Already well-known and highly respected in several industries to survey, measure and report on customer experiences, facilitate onsite service requests and analyze Key Performance Indicators (KPI), CustomerCount has added a new area of focus. [caption id="attachment_202555" align="alignright" width="300"] Bob Kobek[/caption] “Many components of Employee Experience Measurement are already within CustomerCount’s capabilities. Our system is so flexible that very few adjustments...
RoomKeyPMS Launches Hotel Payment Processing Solution
RoomKeyPMS | September 5, 2019
SEPTEMBER 5, 2019 – Vancouver, BC – RoomKeyPMS announces the launch of its new product, RoomKeyPMS Payments, a simplified PMS payment processing solution engineered for hotels. This product is a perfect solution for any hotels looking to take the complexity out of payment processing, speed up reconciliations or increase payment security and compliance, all integrated within the RoomKeyPMS platform. Tim Major, Executive Vice President of RoomKeyPMS, comments “The ability for hotels to efficiently manage payments and transactions is critical. Our customers’ feedback was consistent: hotel-specific needs were not being adequately me...
Counterpoint: Direct Group Sales Over Indirect Platforms
Robert Post, Chairman and CEO, Knowland | September 5, 2019
More passive RFP platforms are not the answer. Intelligence-based Direct Sales drives 8X ROI for Hotel Group Sales. By Robert Post, Chairman & CEO - Knowland Knowland CEO Robert Post responds to recent articles/opinions that the $50 million investment by Marriott, IHG, Accor, and Hilton in a new Group Booking Platform has signaled “meaningful change” in the painful process of selling event space and room blocks to meeting planners. The new booking platform uses a self-reporting database of hotel group block inventory and meeting space to offer meeting planners an OTA-like environment to shop and book event venues at the lowest ...
Shore Lodge Resort Appoints Tom Garcia as President and General Manager
Shore Lodge | September 5, 2019
MCCALL, ID.– Award-winning Shore Lodge resort and adjoining private second home community Whitetail Club in McCall, Idaho, today announce the appointment of Tom E. Garcia as president and general manager. Garcia will bring his extensive experience in the golf club, resort, spa, and luxury real estate sectors with an emphasis in operations and renovations leadership to his new role. He will oversee all aspects of the 1,300-acre Whitetail Club community and historic 77-room Shore Lodge resort located in the heart of the region’s prized Salmon River Mountains. “Tom’s extensive experience leading properties in nearly every U.S. region ...
