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Greater Cleveland attracts 18.5 million visitors in 2017, another record
October 17, 2018
Oct. 17--CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Greater Cleveland attracted 18.5 million visitors in 2017, a 2.3 percent increase over the year before, and set another record. The increase outpaced the uptick in visitation to both Ohio, which grew 2 percent in 2017, and domestic travel within the United States, which grew 1.9 percent, according to the U.S. Travel Association. Destination Cleveland, the region's tourism bureau, released the visitor numbers Wednesday, along with the results of a biannual study of the economic impact of tourism in Cuyahoga County. That study shows that the tourism industry contributed $8.8 billion in economic impact to th...
Tilman Fertitta Reportedly Looking to Merge Golden Nugget with Caesars
October 17, 2018
Oct. 17--Houston billionaire Tilman Fertitta -- owner of a restaurant and hospitality empire, the Houston Rockets and a gleaming new high-rise hotel next to his West Loop headquarters -- has approached the Las Vegas gaming company Caesars Entertainment Corp. about a possible merger with his Golden Nugget casino chain and restaurant group, according to sources familiar with the plan. The sources said the proposed deal would make Galveston-born Fertitta chairman and CEO of Caesars, which operates 55 casino and hotel properties, including brands such as Caesars Palace, Harrah's, Flamingo and Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. Caesar...
Church Hill Properties has 2020 goal of building a $39 million, 122-room luxury hotel to replace former Pointer’s Echo Motel in Highland Falls, NY
October 17, 2018
Oct. 17--HIGHLAND FALLS -- A group of West Point graduates is steadily moving toward a summer 2020 goal of building a $39 million, 122-room luxury hotel to replace the former Pointer's Echo Motel in Highland Falls. The five partners, including four West Point graduates from the classes of '81 and '86, have received municipal building approvals, just torn down the former motel, started securing financing, and expect to soon sign a hotel management company, said Ken Fleischer, one of the partners. Plans are picking up steam for the yet-to-be-named independent, four-star hotel project, first proposed in 2014 in another form und...
Owned by Asia Prestige Management, ZAZZ Hotels & Resorts to Debut in Ho Chi Minh City Q1 2019
ZAZZ Hotels & Resorts | October 16, 2018
ZAZZ Hotels & Resorts, the vibrant upscale brand owned by Asia Prestige Management and managed by Unicorn Hotels & Resorts, is pleased to announce it will debut in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. Scheduled to open in Q1 2019, ZAZZ Urban Ho Chi Minh Hotel is located in District 5, Saigon's historic Chinatown. The urban oasis-themed hotel offers 40 stylish guestrooms and suites. The boutique hotel also features a unique street-front destination cafe & restaurant called Day'li. t ZOOK. ZOOK is the hotel's rooftop bar that offers a variety of expertly-crafted cocktails and other beverages along with comfort food dishes and small bites. Iv...
Continental Real Estate Developers and Affiliates of Concord Hospitality Enterprises Set to Open New Dual-Branded SpringHill Suites and TownePlace Sui
SpringHill Suites by Marriott | October 16, 2018
Columbus, Ohio – October 16, 2018 – Marriott International, Inc. today announced that a combined 122-suite SpringHill Suites and 140-suite TownePlace Suites hotel in Columbus, Ohio will open this Thursday, October 18, 2018. Located at 4048 Morse Road, the hotel ownership is a joint venture between Continental Real Estate Developers and affiliates of Concord Hospitality Enterprises of Raleigh, N.C. The four-story property will be managed by Concord Hospitality and will share 1,400 square feet of meeting space, a fitness center, an indoor swimming pool and a patio with Weber gas grills for guest comfort and convenience. Locate...
S P Setia Breaks Ground on 500-Room Shangri-La Hotel Melbourne, Part of the $404 Million Mixed-Use CBD Development
S P Setia | October 16, 2018
AUSTRALIA, October 16, 2018 – On Monday, October 15, representatives of S P Setia, Multiplex, Shangri-La and the City of Melbourne gathered to break ground on what will become one of Melbourne's most iconic developments, Sapphire By The Gardens located at 308 Exhibition Street. Developed by S P Setia, the mixed-use project's western tower measures 62 stories and will host Melbourne's newest five-star hotel, Shangri-La Hotel, Melbourne. The eastern tower is 60 stories and will house over 300 luxury residential apartments. The two towers will be joined by a striking Sky Lounge on level 46 overlooking the UNESCO world heritage site, ...
The ‘Hack’ Leaders Should Use in Today’s Quagmire of Ambiguity
James Houran, Ph.D., Dallas | October 16, 2018
By James Houran, Ph.D., Dallas Common sense dictates that the more information people have the more informed decisions they will make. This reasoning works flawlessly with problems or issues that are composed of well-defined "cause-and-effect" relationships. Of course, business in the real-world does not get done in sterile environments but instead takes place in dirty test tubes. Here, critical information in an equation is neither always known nor can be properly measured. Indeed, this era of rapid technological advances and marked disruption often brings problems that are poorly structured or involve non-routine decisions, as well as...
Renaissance Atlanta Midtown Welcomes Fred Gilbert as Executive Chef of Community Smith
Community Smith | October 16, 2018
ATLANTA- (October 16, 2018)— Community Smith at Renaissance Atlanta Midtown Hotel announces Frederick "Fred" Gilbert as executive chef. In his new role, Gilbert will oversee operations of the popular breakfast, lunch, dinner and weekend brunch destination in Midtown. "We are pleased to welcome Chef Gilbert to Community Smith," said Renaissance Atlanta Midtown Hotel general manager Martin van der Laan. "His culinary experience, creativity and passion for food will provide our guests with an elevated dining experience." Chef Gilbert has honed his skills in the kitchens of various hotels and restaurants around the country. In his pas...
Sonoma’s MacArthur Place Hotel & Spa Appoints Cole Dickinson as Executive Chef
MacArthur Place | October 16, 2018
SONOMA, Calif. (October 16, 2018) – MacArthur Place Hotel & Spa, today announced it has named award-winning Chef Cole Dickinson as executive chef at MacArthur Place, where he will oversee all food and beverage operations for Layla, The Bar at MacArthur, The Porch, weddings and social events, poolside dining, and the hotel's in-room dining program. Set to debut in early 2019, the historic Sonoma hotel and spa will reveal a completely re-designed property including a fully reinvigorated food and beverage program. "He's a passionate, highly experienced and talented chef, and exactly the person we hoped to partner with to launch L...
Victor Palma Named Executive Chef at Grand Velas Los Cabos
Grand Velas Los Cabos | October 16, 2018
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico (October 16, 2018) – Victor Palma has been named Executive Chef of the AAA Five Diamond Grand Velas Los Cabos. In his new position, he oversees the resort's dining offerings, catering for over 16,370 square feet of event space, 24 hour suite service, pool and beach-side dining, and more. The appointment is effective immediately. With almost 20 years in some of the top kitchens in Mexico and abroad, Palma most recently served as Executive Chef of Rosewood CordeValle in Santa Clara, California. Prior to, he acted as chef within Camino Real Hotels, Mayan Resorts, Hilton and other Rosewood properties in Mexico a...
GCC Countrywide Hotel Performance Indicators
HVS | October 16, 2018
GCC countries have supported and grown inbound tourism in the last 15-20 years. The GCC region continues to drive growth and investment opportunities and HVS remain confident that accommodated room night demand will grow despite the aggressive development pipeline. GCC Countrywide Occupancy Historic (1998-2017) and Forecast – 5 Year Average 5 Year Average GCC Countrywide Occupancy with HVS Forecast Source: HVS Research A number of demand generators will induce additional room nights in each of the GCC countries over the next 5 and 10 years. Specifically, we forecast occupancy in Qatar to average 66% on account of the ongoing deve...
JOALI Maldives Appoints Alan Ball as Area Director of Sales and Marketing
JOALI Maldives | October 16, 2018
MURAVANDHOO ISLAND, Maldives – October 16, 2018 – JOALI Maldives today announced the appointment of Alan Ball as Area Director of Sales and Marketing at the art-immersive, all-villa resort, which opened this month. In his role, Ball leads the planning and implementation of sales and marketing strategy, optimizing the hotel's revenue and market share to establish JOALI Maldives as a leading luxury resort. "We are thrilled to welcome such a respected hospitality veteran to our team at JOALI Maldives," said Steven Phillips, General Manager of JOALI Maldives. "With a decade of experience in the region, Alan's knowledge and exper...
Dean Gonzalez Appointed Director of Sales and Marketing for the Garden Court Hotel in Palo Alto, California
Garden Court Hotel | October 16, 2018
Palo Alto, Calif. (October 16, 2018) – Dean Gonzalez, a hospitality veteran with more than 15 years of direct hotel experience, has been appointed to the role of Director of Sales and Marketing for the Garden Court Hotel. Gonzalez is leading the sales and marketing teams at the property and will work to increase the hotel's presence in the area. The European feeling hotel located in downtown Palo Alto has 62 guestrooms including one penthouse suite, open-air tile floored courtyards, outdoor fountains and French doors. "Gonzalez has a proven track record of working as a strategic team leader and collaborating effectively with other...
Historic Seaview Dolce Hotel in New Jersey Embarks on $17 Million Renovation
Seaview, a Dolce Hotel | October 16, 2018
GALLOWAY, N.J., Oct. 16, 2018 -- Seaview, a Dolce Hotel - part of the renowned meetings and events brand Dolce Hotels and Resorts by Wyndham - today announced plans for a transformational renovation updating its 296 guest rooms, event spaces and dining outlets with modern design inspired by the hotel's celebrated Jersey Shore history. The renovation comes on the heels of new ownership for the hotel, which was sold in August 2018 to Dr. Kiran Patel, Florida philanthropist and Wyndham partner on landmark hotels including the striking Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach in Florida and prominent Dolce Cheyenne Mountain Resort in Colorado. Th...
Thompson Chicago Welcomes New General Manager Onal Kucuk
Two Roads Hospitality | October 16, 2018
Two Roads Hospitality's Thompson Chicago, the city's top luxury lifestyle hotel located in the heart of the Gold Coast, announces the appointment of Onal Kucuk as general manager. Kucuk brings close to two decades of hospitality experience in a variety of hotel properties including multiple luxury lifestyle brands in different markets. Kucuk's versatile operational background with his transformational leadership style grant him a unique perspective on the industry. After obtaining his Bachelor of Science in Hotel Management at Bilkent University in his native city of Ankara, Turkey, Kucuk moved to the United States to further his educat...
Two Roads Hospitality Appoints Martin Smith as Managing Director of El San Juan Hotel in Puerto Rico
El San Juan Hotel | October 16, 2018
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (October 16, 2018) – El San Juan Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton is excited to announce the appointment of Martin Smith as Managing Director of El San Juan Hotel, a premier luxury lifestyle hotel in Puerto Rico. As the new Managing Director, Smith will bring over 25 years of experience in the hospitality and tourism industry to the landmark 388-room property. Prior to joining the El San Juan Hotel team, Smith was CEO and Managing Director of the St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort and Golf Club in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico. In this executive position, Smith oversaw all aspects of that property, including its positio...
Nobody Asked Me, But… No. 203: Hotel History: The Skirvin Hotel, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (225 Rooms)
Stanley Turkel | October 16, 2018
by Stanley Turkel, CMHS Hotel History: The Skirvin Hotel (Part 1) The Skirvin Hilton Hotel is Oklahoma City's oldest hotel. It was built by William Balser Skirvin, a native of Michigan who made his fortune in Texas land development and oil. In 1906, Skirvin and his family (including his daughter Pearl who would later become Perle Mesta, ambassador to Luxemborg and a famous Washington hostess) moved to Oklahoma City. Skirvin hired Solomon Andrew Layton, an American architect who designed over 100 public buildings in the Oklahoma City area including the Oklahoma State Capitol. Twenty-two of Layton's buildings are listed on the National R...
CEO of iVvy Lauren Hall Talks Groups and Event Technology and Making the RFP a Thing of the Past
iVvy | October 16, 2018
The events and meeting segment of the hospitality industry has come a long way in the last few years. With the rapid progression and disruption of mobile and consumer-centric technology changing the way in which hotels approach their business, the rise of group booking technology appears to be the last piece of the puzzle to fall into place. And if there is anyone who knows a thing (or many) about the long-awaited revolution of the events booking process, it's Lauren Hall, the CEO of iVvy. Hall began her journey into entrepreneurship with a background in programming, accounting, marketing and business management with expertise spanning ...
Hotel Budget Season: Design Your Most Profitable Channel Mix Strategy in 2019
Kristi White | October 16, 2018
By Kristi White, VP, Sales Engineering at The Rainmaker Group Travel customers have an unprecedented number of options to shop and book hotels, with new competitors constantly jumping into the distribution channel pool. Determining what inventory to sell through which channels has become a critical component in operating a profitable hotel. The industry is seeing online travel agencies (OTAs) with market values higher than many hotel brands and commissions rising at twice the rate of revenue growth.1 Despite these intimidating numbers, intermediary distribution channels should not be looked upon with enmity, but rather as key players in...
MJH Completes Extensive Renovation of Holiday Inn Express & Suites Wilmington – University Center
Meyer Jabara Hotels | October 16, 2018
Sporting the IHG Formula Blue™ design, the Meyer Jabara Hotels owned-and-operated property is now modern, relevant and catering to an evolving generation of guests [Danbury, Conn., Oct. 16, 2018] — The Holiday Inn Express & Suites Wilmington – University Center in North Carolina has recently completed an extensive renovation. The 131-room hotel, located at 160 Van Campen Blvd., revamped its interior and exterior to reflect the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) Formula Blue™ design. Owned and operated by Meyer Jabara Hotels (MJH), the re-design encompasses the porte-cochere, main entrance, lobby, front desk,...
Penn State School of Hospitality Management and Alumni Society to Honor President and CEO of National Restaurant Association, Dawn Sweeney, in 2019
PSHRS | October 16, 2018
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State School of Hospitality Management in the College of Health and Human Development and the Penn State Hotel & Restaurant Society (PSHRS) have named Dawn Sweeney, President and CEO of the National Restaurant Association, as the 2019 Hospitality Executive of the Year. The National Restaurant Association is the leading business association for the nation's $800 billion restaurant and foodservice industry. Sweeney's leadership and achievements in the foodservice industry will be recognized at a gala reception at the historic Nittany Lion Inn on April 3, 2019. Sweeney is being recognized for her s...
Volara Adds Accuracy Engine to Better Interpret Hotel Guest Requests of Alexa
Volara | October 16, 2018
Patent-pending technology provides a translation layer between what Alexa hears and the request shared with the hotel New York — October 16, 2018 — Volara – the voice hub for the hotel industry – has developed a patent-pending technology that will help Amazon's Alexa excel in the complex hotel environment. As hotel guests bring their own colloquialisms, accents, and verbally convey their intents to hotels in a myriad of ways, Volara's new Accuracy Engine enables Alexa to satisfy their commands appropriately and with greater precision. Volara's Accuracy Engine leverages robust data sets, contextual awareness, AI ...
Hyatt Regency Riyadh Olaya to Deploy Mobile Entry Solution Using ASSA ABLOY Lock Solution
ASSA ABLOY Hospitality | October 16, 2018
Prestigious Riyadh-based property spearheads Hyatt Hotels global program and becomes one of the first to enhance guest convenience with mobile entry functionality Stockholm – October 16, 2018 – ASSA ABLOY Hospitality, provider of advanced security solutions for the hotel industry, has completed its implementation of Mobile Entry functionality at Hyatt Regency Riyadh Olaya, a luxury full service property located in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. One of the first properties in Saudi Arabia to provide its guests with mobile entry functionality, Hyatt Regency Riyadh Olaya is also among the first participants in a global program by the Hy...
Luckey’s Management Opens SpringHill Suites by Marriott in Miramar, Florida
SpringHill Suites by Marriott | October 16, 2018
Marriott International announced that the SpringHill Suites by Marriott in Miramar, Florida is set to open. The 124-suite hotel, located at 10880 Marks Way, will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned and managed by Luckey's Management of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The SpringHill Suites Fort Lauderdale/Miramar is located in the Miramar Park of Commerce and offers guests convenient access to Hard Rock Stadium-home to the Miami Dolphins, the Shops at Pembroke Gardens, the Miramar Cultural Center/Artspark and Pembroke Lakes Mall. Rates are seasonal. "As a brand opening a new hotel every 10 days on average, we are delighted that the SpringHi...
