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Spokane Tribe Resort & Casino Partners With Travel Outlook to Elevate Guest Service Experience
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The Omni King Edward Hotel Welcomes Patrick Cappa as General Manager
The Omni King Edward Hotel | July 18, 2019
TORONTO, CA (July 18, 2019) – The Omni King Edward Hotel, located in the heart of downtown Toronto, is pleased to announce that Patrick Cappa has been appointed the new general manager for the property. In this role, Cappa will oversee the hotel’s operations and commitment to guests. Cappa joins The Omni King Edward Hotel with over 20 years of operations, marketing, sales and leadership experience in the hospitality industry. Most recently, Cappa was the vice president, Resort Operations for Casino Rama Resort where he oversaw 1,200 associates spanning all facility operations as well as property renovations. Cappa has also worked at th...
Outrigger Hospitality Group Names Henry Schwartz as VP and Chief Information Officer
Outrigger Hotels | July 18, 2019
HONOLULU, HAWAII – Outrigger Hospitality Group has named Henry Schwartz vice president and chief information officer. Schwartz provides vision and leadership in developing and implementing global Information Technology (IT) strategies, initiatives, capabilities, policies, procedures and organization to support Outrigger’s goals and direction. Schwartz comes to Outrigger from KSL Resorts where he assisted and helped plan numerous IT projects in conjunction with Outrigger’s IT team over the past two years. With more than 20 years at KSL Resorts, Schwartz was most recently vice president of IT and prior, consulted with KSL on seven a...
New Partnership Is Taking Steps to Prevent Human Trafficking in Maryland Hotels
Businesses Ending Slavery and Trafficking (BEST) | July 18, 2019
Annapolis, MD (July 18, 2019) – The Maryland Hotel Lodging Association (MHLA) today announced a new partnership with the Seattle-based nonprofit, Businesses Ending Slavery and Trafficking (BEST) to make human trafficking awareness training available to all MHLA’s hotel members and their staffs, free of charge. BEST provides expertise in human trafficking prevention, and BEST’s Inhospitable to Human Trafficking training, sponsored by AAHOA, helps hotel employees learn the indicators of human trafficking and how to safely report it to law enforcement. By partnering with BEST to offer this valuable training, the MHLA is helping their membe...
8 Must Follow Rules for Perfect Hotel Wifi
Kacey Bradley | July 18, 2019
For many hotel guests, Wi-Fi is a necessary amenity. It allows people to stay connected while traveling the globe with devices like smartphones, watches, tablets and laptops. A 2016 survey revealed 40 percent of people think Wi-Fi is more important than sex, chocolate and alcohol. And 72 percent of people have made a hotel reservation based on the wireless internet experience. If you want to be known as the hotel with perfect Wi-Fi — the one that brings all the tech-savvy travelers through the front doors — follow the eight golden rules below. 1. Consider Your Guests A quick, reliable Wi-Fi network is done wholly for the guest experie...
Interstate Hotels & Resorts Names Andrew J. Arthurs Chief Information Officer
Interstate Hotels & Resorts | July 18, 2019
ARLINGTON, Va. – July 18, 2019 – Interstate Hotels & Resorts – the leading U.S.-based global hotel management company – announces the appointment of Andrew J. Arthurs as chief information officer. Arthurs is responsible for the design and delivery of innovative technical and business solutions to meet the diverse needs of the company and its worldwide hotel portfolio. “As part of Interstate’s continued evolution we are pleased to add Andrew to our executive team,” said Michael J. Deitemeyer, president and CEO of Interstate Hotels & Resorts. “His leadership in building IT teams and technology-enabled solutions suppor...
Business Travelers Seek Personalized Options & Payment Efficiencies
The Global Business Travel Association | July 17, 2019
ALEXANDRIA, Va.--July 17, 2019 --Business travelers want hotel options that are convenient, personalized and competitively priced with amenities. New research from the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), in partnership with HRS, highlights these preferences while also demonstrating that many corporate travel buyers underestimate how important these elements are for their travelers. Booking: Addressing Gaps Between Buyers and Travelers The vast majority of buyers and travelers agree that factors like proximity to work engagement (92% travelers, 99% buyers) and price (85% travelers, 94% buyers) are important in selecting a hotel. H...
Cvent Unveils Lists of Top Meeting Destinations Worldwide for 2019
Cvent | July 17, 2019
TYSONS CORNER, Va - July 17, 2019 - Cvent, a market-leading meetings, events, and hospitality technology provider, today released its annual lists of the Top Meeting Destinations for meetings and events worldwide. The lists were compiled based on meeting and event booking activity across Cvent’s venue sourcing sites, including the Cvent Supplier Network, through which more than $16 billion in business was sourced in 2018. The annual lists include top destinations located in: United States, Europe, Caribbean & Latin America, Middle East & Africa, Canada, Germany, and United Kingdom. Due to increased sourcing volume to the Asia Pac...
Pebblebrook Hotel Trust Completes Sale of Hotel Amarano Burbank
Pebblebrook Hotel Trust | July 17, 2019
BETHESDA, Md. -- Pebblebrook Hotel Trust (NYSE: PEB) (the “Company”) today announced that it closed on the sale of the 132-room Hotel Amarano Burbank in Los Angeles, California for $72.9 million. The sale price of $72.9 million reflects a 15.8x EBITDA multiple and a 5.7% net operating income capitalization rate (after an assumed annual capital reserve of 4.0% of total hotel revenues) based on the hotel’s operating performance for 2018. Based on the trailing 12-month period ended March 2019, the contracted sales price reflects a 16.9x EBITDA multiple and a 5.3% net operating income capitalization rate (after an assumed annual capital ...
Human Trafficking and the Hotel Industry: How to Combat This Crime Against Women
Dr Sowon Kim | July 17, 2019
Why hotels are vulnerable to human trafficking, how to identify the critical signs of trafficking and what can be done to prevent it? By Dr. Sowon Kim The EHL Women in Leadership (WIL) Expert Series had the privilege to welcome Prof. Dr. Maureen Brookes of the Oxford School of Hospitality Management (Oxford Brookes University) to share her expertise on the topic of human trafficking. Drawing on her research, which has been funded by the European Commission, she helped our audience to understand why hotels are vulnerable to human trafficking and how to identify the critical intervention points within hotels where signs of trafficking ca...
A Hotelier’s Guide to a Delectable Travel Trend
Kacey Bradley | July 17, 2019
By Kacey Bradley Food travel, also called gastro-tourism, is the pursuit of authentic culinary experiences across the globe. Everybody has to eat. But a gastro-tourist is looking for a unique adventure with local fare. Some popular food travel trends across the globe include: Farm-to-Table: directly sourced and locally grown food. Cooking Classes: an immerse, hands-on experience. Chef’s Table: a chance for guests to interact with the chef. According to research, 93 percent of travelers create fond, long-lasting memories based on experiences with an area’s distinct cuisine. Hotels can offer an immersive experience by pro...
The New Guest DNA
Paul O’Reilly-Hyland | July 17, 2019
By Paul O’Reilly-Hyland It is no secret that the average consumer is changing. Across industries, purchasing behavior and expectations have been shifting in recent years, and no industry is immune, including hospitality. The industry as we know it is shifting into overdrive to satisfy a new generation of Instagram-savvy travelers who expect instant gratification in every area of their lives. With this new breed of guests here to stay, hotels are upgrading their services to stay ahead of the curve. Tech-Savvy People across the world are exponentially more tech-savvy than they were even a few years ago. Regardless of age, almost ever...
Island Developers Plan August Groundbreaking for illa Bimini Resort & Residences
illa Bimini Resort & Residences | July 17, 2019
BIMINI, BAHAMAS (July 17, 2019) – You do not have to stray too far to come across your own piece of paradise; find serenity and barefoot luxury at one of the first world-class designed developments in Bimini – illa Bimini Resort & Residences. Designed by Island Developers, a leading Caribbean real estate development firm, globally recognized Oppenheim Architecture + Design and renowned landscape architect Raymond Jungles, the beachfront eco-chic resort is set to break ground August 2019 and feature residential villas and a five-star boutique hotel situated on three private islands, just north of Bimini. “Today’s high-net-worth-...
Call for Nominations! HSMAI Lifetime Achievement Awards and Top 25 Extraordinary Minds of 2019
HSMAI | July 17, 2019
(McLean, VA, July 17, 2019) - Nominations are officially open for the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) Americas Lifetime Achievement and Top 25 Extraordinary Minds in Sales, Marketing, and Revenue Optimization awards. Honorees will be recognized during the HSMAI Adrian Awards Dinner Reception & Gala on January 21, 2020, at the New York Marriott Marquis. HSMAI’s Albert E. Koehl Award for Lifetime Achievement in Hospitality Marketing, Winthrop W. Grice Award for Lifetime Achievement in Hospitality Public Relations, and Lifetime Achievement Award in Hospitality Sales recognize hospitality professiona...
Foxwoods Resort Casino Names Tribal Gaming Executive John James as New President and CEO
The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation | July 17, 2019
MASHANTUCKET, Conn., July 17, 2019 -- Today The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Council announces tribal gaming executive John J. James has been named the new President and CEO of Foxwoods Resort Casino. James currently serves as Chief Operating Officer for Morongo Casino Resort & Spa located in Cabazon, California and will be taking the helm at Foxwoods beginning August 12. James succeeds Felix D. Rappaport, whose untimely death in June of 2018 led to Tribal Chairman Rodney Butler taking over as the resort's interim CEO shortly thereafter. With over 25 years of highly successful Native American gaming resort operations experience, James is...
IHG Signs With Pro-Invest to Open Holiday Inn Express & Suites Sunshine Coast in Maroochydore Town Centre
IHG | July 17, 2019
Leading Australian hotel investment and development company, Pro-Invest, will open a Holiday Inn Express & Suites Sunshine Coast in Maroochydore Town Centre in 2020, following the purchase of a prime site in Maroochydore and lodgement of a development application with Economic Development Queensland for a new select-service upper midscale hotel. The 167- room hotel will be located in the heart of the new Maroochydore CBD, which is set to become the commercial and administrative hub of the rapidly growing Sunshine Coast region. Pro-Invest has a Master Development Agreement with InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG®) to develop and ope...
IHG and Lima Hotels Break Ground on New-Build Holiday Inn Express in Downtown Washington, D.C.
IHG | July 17, 2019
IHG® (InterContinental Hotels Group), one of the world's leading hotel companies, today announces the groundbreaking of a new-build Holiday Inn Express® hotel in downtown Washington, D.C. Scheduled to open in Q4 2020, the 247-room hotel will be owned by Washington, D.C.-based developer Habte Sequar with Lima Hotels LLC. Urgo Hotels & Resorts will manage the new property. Joel Eisemann, Chief Development Officer, Americas, IHG, said: “We are pleased to further establish the Holiday Inn Express brand presence in a premiere urban market such as Washington, D.C., and to serve the visitors of this historic city. We are also very plea...
Thompson Chicago Appoints Paul Cardona as General Manager
Thompson Hotel | July 17, 2019
CHICAGO, IL (July 16, 2019) – Thompson Chicago, located in downtown Chicago’s Gold coast neighborhood, announces Paul Cardona as General Manager. In his new role, Cardona is responsible for overseeing Thompson Chicago’s day-to-day operations for the 247-room property as well as the property’s acclaimed restaurant, Nico Osteria. “I am thrilled to be joining the Thompson Chicago,” commented General Manager Paul Cardona. “The hotel is exceptional at creating memorable experiences that embrace locals and visitors alike and celebrate the many elements that make Chicago such an exciting city.” Cardona brings over 20 years of h...
Shangri-La Hotel, At The Shard, London Appoints Kurt Macher as General Manager
Shangri-La Hotel, At The Shard, London | July 17, 2019
London, July 17, 2019 – Shangri-La Hotel, At The Shard, London, a leading luxury hotel in the city, is delighted to announce the appointment of Kurt Macher as General Manager of the hotel. Kurt moves to London after securing multiple awards and accolades for The Temple House, Chengdu, China, a luxury Swire Hotel. As an international hotelier with over 28 years of experience in the luxury hospitality industry, Kurt has worked for some of the world’s leading hotel brands as general manager and within senior management roles including Wharf Hotels, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts and The Peninsula Group. Kurt has led high performing hotel...
Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants to Make 2020 Debut in Mexico With Opening of Two Boutique Hotels in Polanco
IHG | July 17, 2019
16 July 2019 -- Kimpton® Hotels & Restaurants announced today that the company will unveil their first properties in Mexico in 2020 with the opening of two high-end boutique hotels in the upscale neighborhood of Polanco in Mexico City. Both projects are deemed adaptive reuse, an area that Kimpton holds decades of experience in. The company is known for transforming historic or non-hotel buildings into highly stylized and unique boutique spaces that honor the building’s original character. The two hotels are owned by ZKC, a real estate investment fund specializing in Mexico City real estate developments. ZKC is developing the hote...
Hotel Equities and Horizon North Break Ground on New Fairfield by Marriott® Hotel in British Columbia
Hotel Equities | July 17, 2019
ATLANTA, GA – July 17, 2019 – Today, Hotel Equities and Horizon North Logistics Inc. (Horizon North) announced they broke ground on a fully-modular Fairfield by Marriott in Kitimat, British Columbia, Canada. The 120-room hotel is phase II of an entirely modular-built, mixed-use community development by owners, Horizon North. Hotel Equities has been selected as the managing partner to operate the new hotel. The anticipated opening date is Q1 2020. With valley views and a mountain backdrop, the Fairfield by Marriott Kitimat is ideally situated along the city’s major entrance and in close proximity to industrial development in th...
Why You Need to Constantly Reinvent Your Hotel
Larry Mogelonsky | July 17, 2019
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.hotelmogel.com) In this current age of disruption, we are being challenged on multiple fronts for the hearts and minds of our consumers. While the hotel industry has been quite buoyant over the past few years, this does not mean that these numbers will continue perpetually. As the only constant is change, you need to start thinking of how you are going to profoundly upgrade the guest experience in order to make yourself future proof. For instance, you can longer myopically think that such factors like the growth of the home sharing economy have not had an effect on our businesses, especially when y...
Sorrel River Ranch Resort & Spa Appoints Keith Hill as General Manager and David Corke as National Sales Manager
Sorrel River Ranch Resort & Spa | July 17, 2019
Moab, Utah, July 2019: Sorrel River Ranch Resort & Spa – a riverside oasis situated on the bank of the Colorado River, just on the edge of Arches National Park in Moab, Utah – is pleased to announce that Keith Hill has been appointed as General Manager, and David Corke as National Sales Manager. With more than 25 years combined, both Hill and Corke will bring incomparable leadership experience and exceptional management to the ranch. "The team at Sorrel River Ranch has welcomed me with open arms and I could not have asked for a better start to my new role" says Keith Hill. "I look forward to bringing my experience and knowledge of ...
Helix Hospitality Acquires Two Columbus, Ohio Marriott Hotels
Helix Hospitality | July 17, 2019
July 17, 2019 (CHICAGO, IL) - Helix Hospitality, a Chicago-based hotel group with properties throughout the United States, is pleased to announce the acquisition of two properties in Columbus, Ohio: SpringHill Suites, an 80-suite hotel, located at 665 Taylor Road TownePlace Suites, a 94-suite hotel, located at 695 Taylor Road These mark the tenth and eleventh properties in the Helix Hospitality portfolio and the first two in the state of Ohio. Both properties are located near the John Glenn Columbus International Airport and offer complimentary breakfast, free Wi-Fi, and accessible fitness centers. Built in 1998, the pro...
From Green Screens to The Cloud: Maestro PMS’ Continued Commitment to Innovation Powers Success for Independents for More Than 40 Years
Maestro PMS | July 16, 2019
Maestro’s Leading-Edge System Development and Expanding Support Services Provides Long-Term Investment Security for Today’s Hoteliers July 16, 2019 – When Maestro PMS started more than 40 years ago, hotel systems had green screens and ran on computers the size of chest freezers. Today Maestro operates from tablets and mobile devices that access information in the Cloud to support single properties and entire hotel groups. Maestro PMS continues to flourish as a trusted partner to the independent property operator and leverages the latest mobile and Cloud tech innovations in its hotel software systems to power both guests and staff wit...
