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Briad Group Breaks Ground on Courtyard by Marriott Hamilton in New Jersey
The Briad Group | August 8, 2019
Hamilton, NJ -- August 8, 2019 -- Courtyard by Marriott celebrated the groundbreaking of Courtyard Hamilton on Wednesday, August 7th. Located at 530 State Highway 130, the hotel will provide guests with easy access to Trenton and Princeton and will be within an hour of New York City and Philadelphia. The property will also place guests near Princeton University, Six Flags Great Adventure and a variety of shops and restaurants. The Hamilton location will employee approximately 40 people and is slated to open early 2021. Courtyard by Marriott Hamilton is owned and managed by Briad Lodging Group, LLC, the hotel division of Livingston, New Jersey...
Radisson Signs With Thai-Chinese Property Holdings for Radisson Phuket Mai Khao Beach in Thailand
RADISSON HOTEL GROUP | August 8, 2019
August 8, 2019 -- Radisson Hotel Group today announced the signing of a new upscale Radisson property in Thailand, located on Phuket’s sunset coast, in partnership with Thai-Chinese Property Holdings. Scheduled to open in Q1, 2023, Radisson Phuket Mai Khao Beach is strategically located on the island’s northwest shore, with direct access to Mai Khao Beach – an 11km-long stretch of sand overlooking the Andaman Sea. Just 15 minutes’ drive from Phuket International Airport, this destination is also easily accessible. Radisson Phuket Mai Khao Beach will feature 222 contemporary rooms and suites, ranging from the spacious 35 square meter...
Marriott International Appoints Frank Beck as Managing Director for Three Langkawi Resorts
Marriott International | August 8, 2019
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA, August 8, 2019 – With the recent appointment of Frank Beck by Marriott International to the position of managing director for two world class resorts and a convention centre - The St. Regis Langkawi, The Westin Langkawi Resort and Spa and the Langkawi International Convention Centre (LICC), the cluster properties are poised to reach new heights in Langkawi. Frank will lead the vision of the cluster properties carrying the prestigious brands - Westin and St. Regis - to forge the team forward with enthusiasm, charting its strategic direction with the right priorities to reflect a growing customer market, c...
Maestro PMS Upcoming Users’ Conference Draws Record Attendance for Education Workshops, One-on-One Labs, Innovation Roadmap and Networking
Maestro PMS | August 8, 2019
Conference Theme “Building Tomorrow Together” Focuses on Centralized Data Mining, Mobile Operations, Digital Guest Journey; Maestro Gives Back Full Conference Fees for Training Services August 8, 2019 – Maestro announced its 2019 Users Conference will have record attendance and a stellar event lineup. This year’s conference, themed “Building Tomorrow Together,” features four days of education sessions, 1-on-1 training labs, the latest hotel software product and service innovation announcements, loads of networking opportunities at the all-inclusive events. It takes place August 19 – 22 at the Ritz Carlton Toronto, a world cl...
AC Hotel Los Angeles South Bay Appoints Dustin Taylor as Executive Chef
AC Hotel Los Angeles South Bay | August 8, 2019
El Segundo, CA – August 2019 – The brand new AC Hotel Los Angeles South Bay in El Segundo welcomes Dustin Taylor to its team as Executive Chef to spearhead its cutting-edge new F&B programming. In his role Taylor will be responsible for culinary direction, menu development and working closely with the dedicated kitchen staff on curating seasonally inspired recipes for the property. He’ll also be the powerhouse behind the launch of Flora, the hotel’s elevated new rooftop restaurant and bar, coming to South Bay in September 2019. With over 20 years of experience, Taylor brings a unique take on menu creation, a strong...
Dario Gomez Named Director of Sales & Marketing at The Westin SouthCoast Plaza in Costa Mesa, California
The Westin South Coast Plaza | August 8, 2019
COSTA MESA, CA, August 6, 2019 – The Westin South Coast Plaza announces it has hired hospitality industry veteran Dario Gomez as Director of Sales and Marketing. Conveniently situated in Orange County’s vibrant commercial and cultural center, The Westin South Coast Plaza has long been one of the area’s most popular hotels for business and leisure travelers. In his new role, Mr. Gomez will be responsible for the strategy and implementation of all sales and marketing initiatives for the iconic hotel, while overseeing a talented team of sales professionals. Mr. Gomez brings over 30 years of experience with Marriott International to h...
Video Report: dormakaba’s Ambiance Access Management Software Delivers an Exceptional Hotel Experience
dormakaba | August 8, 2019
Ambiance Access Management Software Merges Security with Convenience to Provide Operational Freedom and Enhance the Guest Experience MONTREAL, August 8, 2019 – dormakaba, the provider of secure Saflok™ and Ilco™ electronic door locks released a video on its Ambiance Access Management Software that demonstrates how the system simplifies secure property access management for operators as it delivers a fully-connected mobile guest experience. Ambiance access management software lets operators remotely monitor door activity at one hotel or multiple properties. dormakaba is a total solution provider for the hospitality industry and one of ...
Pure Wellness Enables Atlanta Hotels to Accommodate Demand for Hotel Wellness Experience
Pure Wellness | August 8, 2019
15 New Fully Outfitted "Pure Rooms" Empower Wellness-Minded Guests to Wake Up to Wellness ATLANTA – August 8, 2019 – Pure Wellness, the pioneer and leader in hotel guest room wellness solutions, announces the expansion of their portfolio with the installation of 15 Pure Rooms at three properties in Atlanta, one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation. Now, wellness-minded travelers visiting the Fairfield Inn and Suites Atlanta Kennesaw, or Marriott International’s Springhill Suites Atlanta Kennesaw and Springhill Suites Atlanta Buford/Mall of Georgia can experience the peace-of-mind of Pure Rooms. “Both the Fairfield and Mar...
Southern Lodging Summit Names Chuck Pinkowski Honorary Duck Master for 17th Annual Conference August 27th & 28th in Memphis
The Southern Lodging Summit | August 7, 2019
MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- August, 7, 2019 -- Officials of the Southern Lodging Summit, an annual gathering of hoteliers specializing in development and operations in the southern United States, today announced that Chuck Pinkowski, owner of Pinkowski & Company and conference co-founder, has been named Honorary Duck Master for this year’s conference being held August 27-28, 2019, in Memphis, Tenn. “Without Chuck, there would be no Southern Lodging Summit,” said Wayne Tabor, president, Metropolitan Memphis Hotel Lodging Association. “In addition to helping create a full-fledged conference highlighting the role of Southern hotels in the o...
Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Appoints Jon Erickson as Director of Sales and Marketing
Sheraton Phoenix Downtown | August 7, 2019
PHOENIX, ARIZ. -- August 7, 2019 -- Sheraton Phoenix Downtown, the "jewel box" that will soon be featuring the new vision of the reinvented Sheraton brand experience, is pleased to announce the hire of Jon Erickson as Director of Sales and Marketing. A hospitality maven, Jon has an illustrious record in the industry, and expertise in group pace growth and revenue generation. Before diving into the world of sales, Jon spent nearly eight years immersed in hotel operations. He took on the role of sales manager at The Westin Fort Lauderdale in Florida where he made a splash becoming the first corporate sales manager to book over one million in gr...
Hotels Are ‘Going Green’ in Significant and Lasting Ways
Fran Worrall | August 7, 2019
New sustainability report cites government regulations, guest demand among driving forces By Fran Worrall, Contributing Editor A groundbreaking new report by the Urban Land Institute in Washington, D.C. explores sustainability in the hospitality industry and examines ways in which hotels are incorporating eco-friendly best practices into both operations and construction. The study includes insights from leading hotel owners, developers and investors. Entitled Sustainability in Hotels: Opportunities and Trends Shaping the Future of Hospitality, the 32-page report outlines the business case for sustainability, provides performance metr...
Briad Group Celebrates Groundbreaking of Homewood Suites Edison in New Jersey
The Briad Group | August 7, 2019
Edison, NJ -- August 7, 2019 -- Homewood Suites by Hilton, part of Hilton’s All Suites portfolio, celebrated the groundbreaking of Homewood Suites Edison yesterday. Located at 100 Parsonage Road, the hotel will provide guests with easy access to the New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway and Menlo Park Train Station. The hotel will be less than two minutes away from the Metro Park Corporate Center, which features more than 5 million square feet of class A office space. The property will also place guests near Rutger Gardens, Roosevelt Park, Washington Rock State Park, Menlo Park Mall and a variety of shops and restaurants. The Edison loc...
WorldHotels Appoints Gregory Habeeb as President, North America
WorldHotels | August 7, 2019
Frankfurt, Germany (August 7, 2019) – WorldHotels today announced the expansion of its esteemed leadership team with the appointment of Gregory Habeeb as President, North America. Additionally, Melissa Gan has been promoted to Managing Director, APAC, rounding out a team that continues to be supported by Roland Jegge, President, APAC. By strengthening its team of respected professionals, WorldHotels will continue to drive global growth and improve revenue delivery to its hotels. “Further strengthening our seasoned leadership team allows us to continue to meet the needs of our hoteliers and guests in today’s fast-changing and ever-evo...
InterContinental Stephen F. Austin Hotel Names Nicholas Hines as Director of Food and Beverage
InterContinental Stephen F. Austin | August 7, 2019
AUSTIN, TEXAS -- August 7, 2019 -- The InterContinental Stephen F. Austin Hotel in downtown Austin has announced the hiring of Nicholas Hines as director of food and beverage for the property. Hines brings over nine years of industry experience to the role, where he will provide strategic leadership and oversee the operation of the hotel’s food and beverage outlets as well as its events and catering services. Prior to this appointment, Hines served as the general manager of Southern Art and Bourbon Bar at the InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta since December 2017. There he was responsible for overseeing the hotel restaurant’s food and b...
Deutsche Hospitality Expands in Switzerland With Development of Second IntercityHotel Opening in Geneva
IntercityHotel | August 7, 2019
Frankfurt am Main, 7 August 2019 - Deutsche Hospitality has announced further development plans for its core German, Austrian and Swiss markets. The second IntercityHotel to be launched in Switzerland will open in Geneva in 2022. The IntercityHotel Geneva Airport will be located in the new Quartier de l’Étang between the airport and the city centre and will boast a total of 270 rooms. It will offer fully air conditioned rooms with modern furnishings, free Wi-Fi, a wellness area with gym, an all-day restaurant, a modern meetings area and a Crew Lounge. The hotel in Switzerland’s second largest city will form part of a new generation o...
Applying the Art of Storytelling to How You Sell Rooms
Larry Mogelonsky | August 7, 2019
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.hotelmogel.com) Emotions underpin all travel purchases, so it's a given that to enhance sales you should seek out ways to elicit greater positive sentiments for your property. For this, consider deploying the storytelling technique of revealing specific details about your product, particularly for your guestrooms which, as your primary revenue source, need a personalization boost through how you depict their attributes. Specificity Is the Story Vague language doesn’t excite our imaginations. It doesn’t give us a morsel to latch on to and connect with past memories. In other words, it la...
RevPAR Jump Can’t Prevent GOPPAR Slip Across Europe
HotStats | August 7, 2019
In a clear example that revenue and profit aren’t always aligned, RevPAR at mainland European hotels attained a high for the year in June, but GOPPAR fell. Falling ancillary revenues and rising costs stymied gains made in rooms from flowing through to the bottom line, according to the latest data tracking full-service hotels from HotStats. At €158.82, RevPAR was a high for 2019 and also exceeded the previous peak of €157.09 from June 2018. The spike was led by a 1.4-percentage-point year-on-year increase in room occupancy to 82.5%, and was in spite of a 0.5% decline in achieved average room rate, which fell to €192.61. How...
Christoph Strahm Appointed New General Manager of Kempinski Hotel Guiyang
Kempinski Hotel Guiyang | August 7, 2019
Most recently Strahm served as the Residence Manager at Kempinski Residences and Suites. Guiyang, 05 August 2019- A truly passionate Swiss hotelier, Christoph Strahm has been appointed as the new General Manager at Kempinski Hotel Guiyang, China. He joins this luxurious landmark hotel in the heart of the city Guiyang from Doha in Qatar, where he filled the role of the Residence Manager at Kempinski Residences and Suites. Christoph Strahm started his Kempinski career in 2005 in the food and beverage department at Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains in St. Moritz, Switzerland. After working with Sofitel in Vietnam as Director of F...
The Key to Profitability: Understand Your Demand Forecast
Dan Skodol | August 7, 2019
By Dan Skodol A hotel that is constantly jam-packed with guests is not automatically a profitable one. The goal of a successful hotel is not necessarily to achieve 100 percent occupancy, but rather to optimize revenue. And developing a way to more accurately forecast daily demand is a key operational challenge for hoteliers.1 Today’s hospitality landscape is characterized by increasing room supply and tight margins. In addition, stiff competition makes it imperative for hotel revenue managers to continuously adjust strategies to remain relevant. Predicting how many customers your hotel will have on any given night, anticipating the sa...
Kate Levy Appointed as New Chief Executive Officer
GuestTek | August 7, 2019
Arnon Levy Leads Board of Directors as Founder and Chairman Calgary, Alberta – August 7, 2019 – GuestTek Interactive Entertainment Ltd., the global leader in providing innovative and interactive technology solutions for the hospitality industry, is pleased to announce that effective August 7, Kate Levy has been appointed as GuestTek’s new Chief Executive Officer. Kate has been a key member of GuestTek’s executive team as the Chief Strategy Officer since 2015 and has focused on several key roles such as Managing Director for EMEA and leading the Global Support & Client Relations department. As CEO, Kate will report directly t...
HRI Lodging Simplifies Financial Processes With Aptech’s Cloud-Based PVNG Enterprise Back Office System for 25 Properties
Aptech Computer Systems, Inc. | August 7, 2019
HRI Adds PVNG to Execuvue® Business Intelligence and Targetvue Budgeting and Forecasting Systems for Integrated Financial Analysis and Decision Making PITTSBURGH, August 7, 2019 – Aptech Computer Systems, the industry standard for hospitality financial systems, announced HRI Lodging upgraded its hotel accounting software for 25 properties with installation of the PVNG Enterprise Back Office System. HRI Lodging is the hotel management division of New Orleans-based HRI Properties an internally managed, fully integrated owner, operator and developer of premium branded hotels and upscale apartments in top urban U.S. markets. HRI Lodgin...
Q2 2019 U.S. Lodging Market Update
Daniel Lesser | August 6, 2019
By Daniel Lesser With 121 consecutive months of growth through Q2 2019, the U.S. economy is now in record territory for the longest expansion period in history. The decade long economic expansion has been fueled in part by job growth, record low unemployment rates, and low interest rates in the capital markets. During the first half of 2019, America has continued to add jobs, albeit at a slower pace compared to last year. U.S. consumer confidence remains vigorous and stock market indices continue to set record high levels. To mitigate the risks of slower global growth and trade-policy uncertainty, during the near term, the Federal Reserve ...
Berjaya Hotels & Resorts Engages SiteMinder to Get Rate Disparity Under Control
SiteMinder | August 6, 2019
Dallas, USA – Berjaya Hotels & Resorts, a member of the Berjaya Corporation Group of Companies, has engaged SiteMinder, the global hotel industry’s leading guest acquisition platform, to take back control of the increasing disparity between its online room rates. The chain, which offers travelers more than 3,000 rooms across the Asia Pacific and UK, has adopted SiteMinder’s distribution technology to better influence and manage how its inventory is shared. Today’s move supports Berjaya Hotels & Resort’s marketing strategy to aggressively grow its online presence and achieve rate parity, where possible. “The disparity...
Marriott International Launches All-Inclusive Platform to Bring Its Brands, Scale and Trusted Service to Growing, Global Vacation Segment
Marriott International | August 6, 2019
A rendering of Nia, the planned all-inclusive destination with four Marriott International brands including The Ritz-Carlton and Westin Hotels. It is set to rise in Riviera Nayarit on Mexico’s West coast. Company poised to grow in the all-inclusive segment by leveraging its Marriott Bonvoy travel program and iconic brands including The Ritz-Carlton and Westin Hotels & Resorts Marriott International to manage five all-inclusive resorts with more than 2,000 rooms and owner investment of more than $800 million Responding to consumers’ growing desire around the world for premium, worry-free vacations, Marriott International, Inc. (NA...
