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U.S. Construction Pipeline Continues on a Modest Growth Trajectory
Lodging Econometrics (LE) | November 8, 2018
November 8, 2018 – PORTSMOUTH, NH – Analysts at Lodging Econometrics (LE) report that in the third quarter of 2018 the total U.S. construction pipeline stands at 5,376 projects/650,576 rooms, up 7% from 2017's 5,011 projects/608,837 rooms. The total pipeline has been growing modestly over the past two years and is expected to continue its ascent at least into the first quarter of 2019. However, pipeline totals are still distant from the all-time high of 5,883 projects/785,547 rooms reached in the second quarter of 2008 and are not expected to reach those records again this cycle. Projects in the early planning stage with 1,5...
Why Employee Recognition Matters for Hotels
Ben Travis | November 8, 2018
By Ben Travis The hospitality industry is one of the most important in today's interconnected world - it creates local jobs, opens areas to new business and tourism, and makes up around 10% of global GDP. However, it can also be a high-stress industry, with irregular schedules, long hours, and a lack of appreciation. Here are some sobering statistics: Employee turnover for hotel and other hospitality organizations is almost double that of other private sector jobs. There's a strong correlation between hotel employee engagement and likelihood of guests recommending a hotel to others. Only 55% of Millennial hospitality workers...
On-Demand Service and the Culture of Convenience: What Are Guests Really Looking For?
Jos Schaap, CEO -Founder and CEO | November 8, 2018
By Jos Schaap CEO and Founder – StayNTouch We aren't just living in a mobile age — we are living in an 'on-demand' economy, and it is revolutionizing business models and the corresponding consumer experience across every industry. With digital platforms and apps empowering instant gratification, paired with efficient and intuitive technological properties to cater to a personalized and data-driven experience, the supply which meets the demand of customers is readily available, 24/7. The modern consumer has become accustomed to the ease of uninhibited access to messaging, e-mail, social media, e-commerce, and general online f...
HVS Interviews with Leaders – Mr. Ludwig Bouldoukian, Regional VP of Development, Middle East and North Africa, Hyatt Hotels
HVS | November 8, 2018
1. What is Hyatt Hotels Corporation's brand portfolio, market presence, and pipeline across the Middle East? Hyatt currently operates 17 full service and three select service properties across the Middle East and North Africa. The portfolio consists of 14 premier brands worldwide; in this region specifically, the luxury segment consists of Park Hyatt, while Grand Hyatt & Hyatt Regency fall in the premium category. Andaz, the luxury lifestyle brand is set to make its brand entry in November in the UAE's capital city Abu Dhabi. Hyatt's select-service brands include Hyatt Place and Hyatt House. Hyatt House is set to launch in the KSA i...
Meetings & Conventions Magazine Names Benchmark’s Ellen Sinclair One of the “Top 25 Women in the Meetings Industry”
November 8, 2018
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, November 2018 … Ellen Sinclair, senior vice president of operations at BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, is among the "Top 25 Women in the Meetings Industry" honored by the leading Meetings & Conventions magazine. The current issue features a cover story on the visionary meetings and hospitality professionals who have demonstrated extraordinary talent, leadership, creativity and advocacy in the field. The list of honorees includes leaders from all segments of the meetings industry: hotels, conference centers, convention and visitors bureaus, corporations and associations. "We are de...
Market Snapshot: Asia Pacific 2018
Jeremy Teo | November 8, 2018
By Jeremy Teo , Ho Mei Leng , Hok Yean CHEE Transactions in Asia Pacific Transaction activity has been observed to be on a downward trend from 2013 until 2017, owing to the transactions of Dalian Wanda China portfolio to R&F Properties. Since then, the frequency of transactions have been high, with 228 recorded transactions from 4Q2017 to 3Q2018, slightly lower than the 251 recorded the previous four quarters. Geographically, the pick up in transaction activity can be attributed to the North Asia and South-East Asia markets, while Australia markets witnessed a slowdown. Reasons for the increase in transaction activity could plau...
U.S. News & World Report – Best Law Firms® Recognizes JMBM as 2019 “Best Law Firm”
JMBM | November 8, 2018
By Jim Butler and the Global Hospitality Group® Hotel Lawyers | Authors of www.HotelLawBlog.com 08 November 2018 A hotel lawyer brings together numerous legal disciplines, depending on the hospitality project. That's why the Global Hospitality Group® is part of a full-service law firm. My partners at Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell LLP (JMBM) provide first-rate services to our hospitality clients and I am pleased that their efforts were recognized today in U.S. News & World Report's list of Best Law Firms. – Jim U.S. News & World – Best Law Firms® Recognizes JMBM as 2019 "Best Law Firm" Jeffer Mangel...
Owned by Beaverton TP Ops and Managed by Escape Lodging, New TownePlace Suites by Marriott Portland Beaverton Set to Open in Oregon
TownePlace Suites by Marriott | November 8, 2018
Get ready to be real and be you on long stays. Marriott International's TownePlace Suites by Marriott Portland Beaverton is scheduled to open for business this Monday, November 12, 2018. On average, a TownePlace Suites opens every six days. Built for travelers looking for a simple and friendly place where they can settle-in, keep their routine, and easily connect to the Beaverton area. The new hotel located at 3900 SW 114th Avenue will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned by Beaverton TP Ops LLC and managed by Escape Lodging of Cannon Beach, Oregon. "We are excited to introduce the TownePlace Suites brand to the Beaverton area," said ...
New Courtyard by Marriott Set to Open in Southington, Connecticut Led by General Manager Ina Gallant
Courtyard by Marriott | November 8, 2018
Courtyard by Marriott Southington is set to open its doors in Southington, Connecticut on Tuesday, November 13, 2018. Featuring an innovative lobby space as well as Courtyard's latest contemporary room design, the new hotel provides flexibility and choices that allow guests to optimize and elevate their travel experience. Located at 1081 West Street, the 125-room hotel will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned by AVA Realty Southington and managed by Titan Hotel Group of Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania. Whether traveling for business or pleasure, the Courtyard Southington offers guests convenient access to downtown Southington, Lake Compou...
Delaware North agrees to buy Skycity Darwin, an Australian casino and resort
November 8, 2018
Nov. 08--Delaware North has agreed to acquire Skycity Darwin, a casino and resort in Australia. Terms were not disclosed. The deal is subject to the approval of authorities in Australia. Skycity Darwin includes 600 electronic gaming machines, more than 30 table games and four restaurants. The 152-room hotel is Darwin's only property with a five-star rating. ...
Lemon Tree Hotels Signs for first Lemon Tree Hotel in Dubai
November 8, 2018
Nov. 08--DUBAI -- Lemon Tree Hotels, through its management subsidiary Carnation Hotels, has signed for the first Lemon Tree Hotel in Dubai. It is India's largest hotel chain in the mid-priced sector and the third largest overall. The 115-room mid-scale property located across the Burj Al Arab on Al Wasl Road will open in Q3 of 2019. The hotel is owned by Al Waleed Real Estate. Raine & Horne are the official representatives of Carnation Hotels in the GCC. This will be the first mid-scale hotel in the area and will serve both leisure and corporate visitors. Rattan Keswani, deputy managing director, Lemon Tree Hotels, and director...
Shamin Hotels plans new Extended Stay America hotel Colonial Heights, VA
November 8, 2018
Nov. 08--COLONIAL HEIGHTS -- Colonial Heights will soon be home to another new hotel, Extended Stay America. The new hotel will consist of 80-90 rooms and will be built adjacent to the newly-built and soon-to-open Sedona Taphouse. Shamin Hotels has submitted its preliminary site plan and is still in the process of estimating the cost of the project. Economic Development Director Karen Epps notes the building process should begin in the first quarter of 2019. "It's going to be a nice hotel, a great addition to what we already have in the city since the hotels seem to be doing well with the economy," Epps said. Once built, E...
Hawaii’s hotel strike enters its second month
November 8, 2018
Nov. 08--The Unite Here Local 5 hotel workers strike, which has become the union's longest running Hawaii hotel strike in nearly three decades, is now a month old. Workers marked the 31st day of their strike Wednesday by picketing in front of Honolulu Hale. The strike began Oct. 8 when negotiations between Local 5 and Kyo-ya, which owns the Marriott-?managed Sheraton Waikiki, Royal Hawaiian Hotel, Westin Moana Surfrider, Sheraton Princess Kaiulani and Sheraton Maui, reached an impasse. Local 5, which represents 2,700 striking hotel workers in Hawaii, and Kyo-ya Hotels &Resorts were at the bargaining table on Saturday but emerged...
Yuco Alliance plans to build 120-room Best Western in Tashkent, Uzbekistan
November 8, 2018
Nov. 08--Representatives of the Tashkent city administration held a meeting with the international hotel network Best Western and the Emirati company Yuco Alliance, Uzbek media reported. The meeting discussed the prospects of building a three-star hotel in the Uzbek capital, Tashkent. "It is planned that the hotel will offer 120 rooms furnished according to Best Western standards. The total investment will be $5-6 million and financing will be carried out using Yuco Alliance's own funds," the Tashkent city administration said. In this regard, the companies requested the assistance of the city administration in the selectio...
Disney earnings top Wall Street expectations, thanks to hit films
November 8, 2018
Nov. 08--Walt Disney Co. posted strong fourth-quarter earnings, again bolstered by its powerful film studio business. But with Disney, analysts are focused less on the company's quarterly earnings and more on the big moves it's making that are expected to reshape the entertainment industry, including its $71.3-billion purchase of 21st Century Fox and its much-anticipated streaming service. The numbers Disney earned net income of $2.3 billion, or $1.48 per share, on revenue of $14.3 billion during the fourth quarter, the company said Thursday. That compared with a profit of $1.7 billion, or $1.07 per share, on revenue of $12.8 bi...
New Executive Leaders Named at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa, Seminole Casino Coconut Creek and Seminole Classic Casino in Hollywood
Seminole Gaming | November 7, 2018
HOLLYWOOD, Fla. (November 7, 2018) – Seminole Gaming today announced new executive leaders at three of its Florida casinos, including Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa, Seminole Casino Coconut Creek and Seminole Classic Casino in Hollywood. Steve Bonner has been named President of Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa, replacing Joe Lupo, who was recently named property president of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City. Bonner was President of Seminole Casino Coconut Creek in north Broward County, Fla. Larry Buck has been named President of Seminole Casino Coconut Creek, he was General Manager of Seminole Cla...
Melissa Oliver Joins Marriott Syracuse Downtown as Director of Sales and Marketing
Marriott Syracuse Downtown | November 7, 2018
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Nov. 7, 2018 – Marriott Syracuse Downtown has named Melissa Oliver as its new director of sales and marketing. A native New Yorker, Oliver brings to her role a decade of leadership experience in the hospitality industry. "No stranger to objective-driven sales and marketing strategies, Melissa has an impressively successful track record in the industry," said Todd Plouffe, general manager of Marriott Syracuse Downtown. "Add to that her New York State roots and passion for the region, and she is an ideal match for the Marriott Syracuse Downtown team." Oliver most recently served as director of sales and market...
Hotel Retlaw, to Debut in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, Names Michael Bublitz, General Manager and Sue Irizarry, Director of Sales
Hotel Retlaw | November 7, 2018
Fond du Lac, Wis., (November 7, 2018) – Hotel Retlaw, a premiere lodging option opening in December of this year in Fond du Lac, announces the hiring of two key personnel—Michael Bublitz as general manager and Sue Irizarry as director of sales and catering. Both executives grew up in Wisconsin and have a passion for the hospitality sector. Michael Bublitz, General Manager A veteran of more than 20 years in the hospitality industry, Bublitz will oversee the day-to-day operations at Hotel Retlaw. He will be responsible for leading a staff of 150 employees while providing a memorable guest experience through a high degree of ho...
Hospitality & Technology – What to Look for When Hiring a CTO
Thomas Mielke | November 7, 2018
By Thomas Mielke On the topic of hospitality, technology and recruitment (as published in Hospitality Upgrade) Over the last several years, the function of the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) has become increasingly important to the success of almost every type of organization. Yet, despite its importance, it is still rare for hospitality firms to provide a board seat for this vital function. Consequently, the public profile of CTOs is often limited. So, what are the building blocks that form the profile of a successful CTO? And, what are the character traits that hiring committees should be looking for in a CTO? The CTO 'WISH LIST' In ...
U.S. Travel Election Reax
U.S. Travel Association | November 7, 2018
WASHINGTON (November 7, 2018)—U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow issued the following statement on the election results: "As the election concludes, our work only accelerates: connecting with the roughly one-quarter of Congress that is new, to educate them on the $2.4 trillion economic impact and $77 billion trade surplus travel and tourism generate for this country, and the policy priorities that will make those numbers even greater. "We have long stressed that travel is not a red or blue issue—it's a red, white and blue opportunity. Our approach might change slightly depending upon who's ...
Harbor View Hotel Appoints Chris Bird as General Manager
Harbor View Hotel | November 7, 2018
EDGARTOWN, Mass. – Nov. 7, 2018 – Chris Bird, an industry veteran with more than 20 years of luxury hospitality experience, has been appointed general manager of Harbor View Hotel. This winter, the iconic Martha's Vineyard hotel will undergo an extensive renovation and will re-open for spring 2019. "This is an exciting time for Harbor View Hotel, and we are confident that Chris, with his strong operational background and passion for excellent guest service, is the right leader to usher our hotel and team through this transition and into the future," said owner Bernard Chiu, whose Upland Capital Corporation acquired the hotel...
Convention Headquarter Hotel Approved for $620 Million Newly Reimagined Miami Beach Convention Center
the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau | November 7, 2018
MIAMI – November 7, 2018 – The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) today applauds the City of Miami Beach voter super-majority approval to lease public land for a privately-funded convention headquarter hotel connected to the newly renovated and reimagined $620 million Miami Beach Convention Center (MBCC). The yes vote on ballot item #388 sets in motion the completion of Greater Miami's convention center district. The future 800-room convention headquarter hotel to be located at the intersection of 17th street and Convention Center Drive is considered the missing ingredient in the destination's meetings an...
Nobody Asked Me, But… No. 204: Hotel History: The Skirvin Hotel, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (1911) Part 2
November 7, 2018
by Stanley Turkel, CMHS Hotel History: The Skirvin Hotel (Part 2) Hotel owner Dan W. James, like Bill Skirvin before him, did not rest on past accomplishments. In 1959, a swimming pool was added to the north side of the hotel, and one year later he built the Four Seasons Lounge next to the pool. Despite such attempts to modernize his properties, James and other hotel operators were confronting the decline of the central city. Beginning in 1959, new suburban shopping malls were built every few years, drawing shoppers away from downtown. Another factor in the central city's decline was the new age of motor car transportation, which shift...
Healthy Beverages to Bolster Falling Alcohol Revenues
November 7, 2018
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.hotelmogel.com) Disruption is hardly limited to just technological innovation. In the F&B world and driven by the newfound pursuit of wellness lifestyles, people are eating healthier and are voting with their wallets for better food options at every meal of the day. For breakfast, this means more customers opting for a fruit bowl with probiotic yogurt and fibrous chia seeds instead of the Western 'grand slam' of fried eggs, greasy bacon, hash browns and toast. For lunch, the simplest example is a salad instead of some form of carbohydrate-based sustenance. And for dinner, it means fewer decaden...
