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Radisson Blu Mall of America Appoints Gary O’Driscoll to Director of Sales and Marketing
Radisson Blu Mall of America | July 25, 2019
(CHICAGO, IL; July 25, 2019) — Radisson Blu Mall of America announces the appointment of Gary O’Driscoll to director of sales and marketing. O’Driscoll brings nearly two decades of experience in the hospitality industry to his new role, and he has overseen hotels throughout Illinois and Texas. “The Radisson Blu family is thrilled to welcome Gary O’Driscoll to the team,” says Harry Gorstayn, general manager of Radisson Blu Mall of America. “Gary has a proven track record of success and has consistently surpassed his properties’ sales goals year-over-year. His fresh perspective and leadership will be a great addition to our t...
Five Tips to Make the Media Ecstatic About Your Establishment
Melissa DiGianfilippo | July 25, 2019
By Melissa DiGianfilippo The hospitality industry can be intensely competitive, so getting noticed by the public (or not) can make or break your hotel. The problem is getting attention for the right things and in ways that provide a solid ROI. That's where a public relations strategy and plan for your brand comes into play. Public relations is less expensive and often far more effective than traditional advertising, but the most significant obstacle is engaging with the media. Without the media, your story is less likely to reach the public. From travel bloggers and influencers to reporters, writers, and other media professionals, here ...
INTELITY and Silverware Partner to Fully Automate Food & Beverage in Hospitality
INTELITY | July 25, 2019
Los Angeles, California (July 25, 2019) – INTELITY® announced today that its robust guest engagement and staff management platform now integrates with Silverware’s point of sale (POS) system. The integration between INTELITY and the hybrid-cloud POS will make in-room and mobile dining solutions more accessible to hoteliers and provide them with further insight into the performance of their food and beverage programs. “Integrating our POS with the INTELITY platform will help properties reduce their service delivery times and elevate the guest experience, which is the ultimate goal of our technology,” said Lucky Thalas, Executive Vi...
Kempinski Hotels Appoints Michael Pracht as New Chief Financial Officer
Kempinski | July 25, 2019
Geneva, 25 July 2019 – Kempinski Hotels has appointed Michael Pracht as Chief Financial Officer and as Member of the Management Board as from 1 July 2019. As CFO, Michael will oversee the company’s Finance and Technical Services on corporate, regional and hotel level. Michael will be replacing Colin Lubbe, who decided to step back from his mandate by 30 June 2019. Michael will be the driving force behind securing the company’s return on investment and identifying innovative solutions which will enhance performance in his areas of responsibility to ensure efficient decision-making processes across all Kempinski operations. Within the ...
Quality of Sleep Is Significant Opportunity for North American Hotels, J.D. Power Finds
J.D. Power | July 24, 2019
Fewer Than 30% of Hotel Guests Experience “Better Than Expected” Night’s Sleep COSTA MESA, Calif.: 24 July 2019 — Forget the minibar, sleek lobby and mints on the pillow. If hotels really want to build loyalty and delight their customers with stand-out lodging experiences, they need to focus on the bed. According to the J.D. Power 2019 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index (NAGSI) Study,SM released today, quality of sleep is one of the most important components of a hotel guest experience with the potential to drive overall satisfaction and brand loyalty, but the majority of hotels are not delivering better-than-expected sleep...
The Rise and Fall of OTAs
Rob Sudakow | July 24, 2019
Is Expedia Destined for Disruption? By Rob Sudakow Travel and Tourism accounted for approximately $8 Trillion of the world economy in 2018 and 10% of the world’s work force - a 6% increase from 2017 and no foreseeable signs of slowing. The travel industry is directly tied to global consumption growth and as wealth and populations continue to grow, demand for travel products will continue to expand. With statistics like this it should come as no surprise that there is a rush to jump into the market. The industry has a long history of failing to drive change and transform internally. “The travel and hospitality industry as a whole has ...
First Delta Hotel by Marriott in Las Vegas Selects Crescent Hotels & Resorts as Manager
Crescent Hotels & Resorts | July 24, 2019
Las Vegas, NV (July 24, 2019) – Las Vegas’ first Delta Hotel by Marriott will be managed by Crescent Hotels & Resorts. Crescent Hotels & Resorts is an award winning, nationally recognized operator of major hotels and resorts throughout the United States & Canada. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Wednesday June 26, and the hotel is expected to open at the end of 2021. “Crescent has extensive management experience in Las Vegas” said Michael George, Chief Executive Officer of Crescent Hotels & Resorts. “As an award-winning Marriott manager, Crescent will maximize upon the potential of this great property.” ...
In Search of Performance Perfection
Larry Mogelonsky | July 24, 2019
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.hotelmogel.com) Can a hotel ever truly achieve flawless performance? And, if so, how would one measure this accomplishment? These questions were on my mind when I was invited as a guest for a quality assurance meeting held at the Boston Harbor Hotel (BHH) in mid-March. The purpose of this meeting is simple – to examine every aspect of the property’s product and service offering in pursuit of perfection. Being a Forbes Travel Guide five-star property borders on impossible. Think for a moment about your own hotel with hundreds of check-ins and check-outs daily, housekeeping, dining, pool, spa,...
Banyan Investment Group Completes Acquisition of Three-Hotel Portfolio in Madison, Wisconsin
Banyan Investment Group | July 24, 2019
MADISON, Wis., July 24, 2019--Banyan Investment Group, an Inc. 5000 recognized hotel investment and management company that acquires and manages select-service hotels in the United States, today announced that it completed the acquisition of a three-hotel portfolio of Marriott- and Hilton-branded hotels located in Madison, Wis., for approximately $50 million. Additionally, the company announced that it will operate the portfolio, comprised of the 127-Room Courtyard by Marriott Madison East, 130-Room Fairfield Inn & Suites Madison East and 115-Room Hampton Inn Madison East Towne Mall Area. “In addition to expanding our footprint into ...
Hospitality Management Corporation Appoints Joe Luck SVP Development
Hospitality Management Corporation | July 24, 2019
Dallas, TX - Leo Spriggs, President and CEO of Hospitality Management Corporation (HMC), proudly announces the addition of Joe Luck. Luck will be leveraging HMC’s diverse platform and experience to service additional 3rd party hotel management opportunities, evaluate new partnerships, and coordinate with existing properties and clients to enhance existing relationships. The company continues its ongoing business expansion efforts and is made up of full service, conference center, select service and limited service hotels. HMC is one of the country’s largest third-party privately held hotel management companies, ranked in the top 40 of all...
Patti A. Sedlacek Named Vice President of Revenue Management at Hostmark Hospitality Group
Hostmark Hospitality Group | July 24, 2019
SCHAUMBURG, Ill., July 24, 2019—Officials of Hostmark Hospitality Group, an award-winning hotel management company specializing in unique lifestyle hotels and resorts as well as branded properties, today announced that Patti A. Sedlacek has been named vice-president of revenue management. In her new role, Sedlacek will work closely with the company’s hotel general managers and sales teams to improve business planning and pricing. “Patti has spent the past two decades honing and perfecting her revenue management skills, and her hotels’ bottom lines have benefitted from her expertise,” said Jerome F. Cataldo, president & CEO, H...
Nils Arnold Appointed New General Manager of IntercityHotel Riyadh Malaz
IntercityHotel | July 24, 2019
Frankfurt am Main, 24 July 2019 -- 37-year old Nils Arnold has continued a meteoric career by being appointed as General Manager of the IntercityHotel located in the Saudi-Arabian capital of Riyadh with effect from 14 July. In his new job, he is responsible for all strategic business areas of an upper mid-range hotel which boasts 82 rooms and four suites. Over the past five years, Mr. Arnold has performed various sales and event management roles at the Steigenberger Hotel Bad Neuenahr and thus already has a thorough grounding in the Deutsche Hospitality brand portfolio. Before this, he had gained initial experience by working as a recepti...
Mobile Key Helps Combat Human Trafficking
Brian Shedd | July 24, 2019
By Brian Shedd The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children reported over 23,000 endangered runaway children in 2018. One in seven were likely victims of child sex trafficking. 80% of human trafficking victims are women and girls and up to 50% are minors. 70% of human trafficking is linked to organized crime. Hotels across the U.S. are being used to shuffle children in and out of rooms for sexual exploitation and hoteliers are increasingly under scrutiny to do something about it. Lawsuits are being filed from Los Angeles to Philadelphia and six-figure settlements are being paid by hotel brands to settle human trafficking lawsuits...
Hyatt Regency Greenwich Appoints Sherry Hicks-Buckles as General Manager
Hyatt Regency Greenwich | July 24, 2019
Old Greenwich, Conn. (July 24, 2019) – Hyatt Regency Greenwich is pleased to announce the appointment of Sherry Hicks-Buckles as General Manager. In this role, Hicks-Buckles will oversee all operations of the 373-room hotel in the quaint costal community of Old Greenwich, Connecticut. Hicks-Buckles, who has a 22-year career with Hyatt Hotels, joins Hyatt Regency Greenwich from Hyatt Regency Atlanta, where she served as Director of Operations. She began her career as a catering administrative assistant in Charlotte, North Carolina and proceeded to handle key food and beverage leadership roles in convention, large business and resort hotel...
AJ Capital Partners Expands Internationally With Acquisition of DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cambridge City Centre in England
AJ Capital Partners | July 24, 2019
Cambridge, England - Adventurous Journeys (AJ) Capital Partners announced today that it has acquired the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cambridge City Centre in Cambridge, England. This marks the first Graduate Hotels® property to debut outside of the United States. The hotel will continue to operate as DoubleTree by Hilton until the end of the year. Renovations will begin in early 2020, and the 148-key hotel will debut as Graduate Cambridge, part of the Graduate Hotels collection, in summer 2020. Created for travelers who seek memory-making journeys, Graduate Hotels is a thoughtfully crafted collection of hotels that reside in the most dynam...
How Hotels Can Exceed at Accommodating All Types of Guests
Kacey Bradley | July 24, 2019
By Kacey Bradley Half the fun of working in the hospitality industry is that you never know who's going to walk into your hotel. It's an especially exciting scenario when you've done all you can to ensure a stay at your accommodation will suit every single guest who visits. Of course, doing so many seem daunting, but it doesn't have to be. Here are some simple ways you can go above and beyond for anyone who checks into your hotel: 1. Always Correct Errors With Haste First and foremost, you have to put the customer first. Imagine, for example, that they made a request in their booking that you forgot when finalizing the reservation. Your...
Travel Tripper/Pegasus Now Serves More Than 85,000 Rooms With Its Innovative Solutions for the Gaming and Casino Sector
Travel Tripper & Pegasus | July 24, 2019
(LAS VEGAS) - July 24, 2019 — Travel Tripper, a technology innovator serving the hospitality industry, now provides its platform of reservations, distribution and digital marketing solutions to more than 85,000 hotel rooms across the U.S., including nearly every hotel on Fremont Street. The company is partnering with these properties as they update legacy technology systems in order to take advantage of impactful CRS innovations in guest loyalty integrations, data analytics and revenue management. Following the opening of a satellite office in Las Vegas and a concerted effort to grow its gaming division in 2015, the company has increased ...
The Hotel Group Completes Renovation of Crowne Plaza Kansas City Downtown
The Hotel Group | July 24, 2019
Seattle, WA, July 24, 2019 — The Hotel Group (THG), a leading national hotel management and investment company, announced today the completion of the Crowne Plaza Kansas City Downtown’s transformational renovation. With newly redesigned public spaces and guestrooms, featuring the innovative WorkLife model, the Crowne Plaza Kansas City Downtown thoughtfully and intentionally provides the best possible guest experience. Geared towards business and pleasure travelers, the hotel effortlessly provides a space perfectly fitting each guest’s needs. In addition to a refreshed Grab and Go Market, the hotel unveiled a brand-new dining conce...
Waramaug Acquires 279-Key Embassy Suites by Hilton Dallas, Texas
Waramaug Hospitality | July 24, 2019
July 24, 2019, Boca Raton, FL — Waramaug Hospitality, a private investment group focused on acquiring legacy branded assets throughout the United States, announced today the acquisition of the Embassy Suites by Hilton Dallas Park Central Area located in Dallas, Texas. The 279-suite hotel features spacious two-room suites with separate living and sleeping areas, free Wi-Fi, fitness and business center, indoor pool along with complimentary breakfast and nightly manager’s receptions. With approximately 7,800 square feet of flexible meeting space, the property is perfectly positioned to host corporate and social events. Its 4,300 Metroplex...
Rockbridge Acquires 320-Room Hilton Knoxville Hotel in Tennessee
Rockbridge | July 24, 2019
Columbus, OH (JULY 24, 2019) – Rockbridge today announced the acquisition of the 320-room Hilton Knoxville Hotel located in the heart of downtown Knoxville, Tennessee. PM Hotel Group will manage the property. The hotel is ideally located adjacent to the Knoxville Convention Center and within walking distance of the University of Tennessee and Neyland Stadium. It is also close to many attractions, including the Knoxville Museum of Art and historic Market Square. Its proximity to downtown Knoxville provides guests with easy access to a variety of historic landmarks, a vibrant arts, theatre and culinary scene, and a short drive to the Great...
Eight Travel Industry Online Marketing Trends and How to Leverage Them
Joseph Franklyn McElroy | July 24, 2019
By Joseph Franklyn McElroy The travel industry is booming by almost any measure; according to Tourism Economics’ Global City Travel: 2019 to 2025 report, 630 million international travelers are expected to visit the top 300 cities around the globe in 2019, an increase of 4.6 percent over 2018. Yet, despite continuing marketing growth, the battle for revenue and market share has never been fiercer. That’s all the more reason to study the latest online travel marketing trends to ensure you are adapting your efforts to remain relevant and standout. Adding some of these eight strategies to your travel Internet marketing plan will help ...
Maximize Hotel Profitability With Group Business
Matt Curry | July 24, 2019
By Matt Curry An analysis of the U. S. meetings and events market by PwC,1 revealed that the U.S. meetings industry generates approximately $30B – or just over one in five dollars – in hotel room revenue, while another $110B in revenue is generated from ancillary services such as food and beverage, event space, equipment rental, ground transportation, audiovisual (AV) support, and other services. Unfortunately, current revenue management practices tend to evaluate hotel group business performance based on the revenue per available room (RevPAR) index, which is not the best metric for determining a group’s overall profitability. There ...
Le Méridien New York, Central Park Reopens Following Conversion of Former Viceroy Hotel
Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts | July 23, 2019
Bethesda, MD - July 23, 2019 – Paris-born Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts, part of Marriott International, along with Arden Group, is excited to announce the opening of Le Méridien New York, Central Park, a 240-room hotel that offers breathtaking views of Central Park and Manhattan skyline. The former Viceroy hotel was converted to showcase Le Méridien’s heritage and mid-century design. With a nostalgic nod to the glamour of the French Riviera in the 1960s, Le Méridien inspires travellers to explore the world in style, savour the good life and enjoy experiences that offer something more than meets the eye. This marks the...
Radisson Hotel Group Signs Agreement With Zdrojowa Invest & Hotels for Radisson Resorts in Poland
Radisson | July 23, 2019
Brussels/Warsaw - July 23, 2019 - Radisson Hotel Group is pleased to announce an agreement with Zdrojowa Invest & Hotels group for two new-build Radisson resorts in Poland. The hotels span the country, from the foothills of the Karkonosze Mountains in Szklarska Poręba to the northern Baltic coast in Kołobrzeg. The hotels will be part of the upscale Radisson brand, bringing the group's portfolio in Poland to 18 properties across five brands – including Radisson Collection, Radisson Blu, Radisson RED, Radisson and Park Inn by Radisson. Zdrojowa Invest & Hotels and Radisson Hotel Group have been partners since the 2017 opening of ...
