International Visitors Spent Nearly $20.1 Billion Traveling Within the United States in March
National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO) | May 23rd, 2024
CBRE Expects RevPAR Growth to Improve in H2 2024, Driven by Holiday and International Travel
CBRE Group, Inc. | May 16th, 2024
PM Hotel Group Appoints Lance Mion as Executive Chef for Canopy by Hilton Washington, DC Bethesda North
PM Hotel Group | January 10, 2019
PM Hotel Group, an award-winning leader in the hotel management industry, today announced Lance Mion as Executive Chef and Drink Lead Enthusiast of the Canopy by Hilton Washington, DC Bethesda North located at Pike & Rose. The Canopy brand offers a fresh, lifestyle experience to its guests through hotel properties that are designed as a natural extension of their neighborhood, delivering thoughtfully, local experiences. Mion will be responsible for food and drink operations at Canopy Central, the hotel's restaurant, as well as lead the hotel's banquet services. The Canopy offers a variety of private event spaces that can accommodate...
White Lodging Appoints Michael Marquez-Thompson as Executive Chef at Le Méridien Denver Downtown + AC Hotel Denver Downtown
White Lodging | January 10, 2019
White Lodging is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Marquez-Thompson as Executive Chef at Corinne Restaurant, located at Le Méridien Denver Downtown + AC Hotel Denver Downtown. In his role, Marquez-Thompson will lead the kitchen at Corinne, the dual-branded hotel's on-site restaurant, offering classic, simple American comfort food with an emphasis on locally-sourced ingredients. "I'm very excited to be joining the team at Corinne," Michael says. "I'm confident we can continue building Corinne into one of downtown Denver's must-visit dining options for both visitors and locals." Most recently, Marquez-Thompson came to ...
Amber Brask Takes the Reins as General Manager at Montana’s Historic 320 Guest Ranch
320 Guest Ranch | January 10, 2019
As the new general manager of Montana's historic 320 Guest Ranch, Amber Brask is heir to a proud tradition of authentic Western hospitality, pioneering spirit and female independence and leadership. The daughter of the ranch owner, Ms. Brask takes charge of the historic property as the third female general manager since the ranch was founded in 1898. Today, the 320 Guest Ranch is a full-service property that looks to the future while preserving its storied past in the 58 fully restored and modernized log cabins and mountain chalets, set on 320 scenic acres along the Gallatin River. The wonders of Yellowstone National Park are just 45 mi...
Pacifica Hotels Promotes Adam Marquis to President
Pacifica Hotels | January 10, 2019
Orange County, CA (January 10, 2019) – Pacifica Hotels, the largest owner and operator of independent hotels on the Pacific Coast, announced today the promotion of Adam Marquis to company President following a strong close to 2018. As President, Marquis will continue to be responsible for investment, operations, and development projects at Pacifica Hotels. Marquis has played an integral role in transforming the Pacifica collection of hotels into one of the most original lifestyle and experiential portfolios on the West Coast and looks forward to a bright future. "Pacifica is projected to break out over the next 10 years. The stren...
CBRE Issues U.S. Lodging and 2019-2020 Historic Hotels Forecast at Historic Hotels of America Annual Conference
CBRE Hotels | January 10, 2019
Historic Hotels achieve a substantial premium in ADR and RevPAR over comparable contemporary hotels. RevPAR forecast to grow faster for Historic Hotels than upper upscale Hotels. WASHINGTON, DC – January 10, 2019 The outlook for the U.S. lodging industry, particularly historic hotels, continues to be extremely strong, according to CBRE Hotels' Americas Research (CBRE). For the fourth consecutive year, CBRE Hotels' Americas Researchpresented a Historic Hotels of America – CBRE five-year forecast at the Historic Hotels of America annual conference. CBRE relies on historical hotel performance data from STR, and economic forecas...
Timber Cove Resort Appoints David Ahern as General Manager
Timber Cove | January 9, 2019
Seasoned Hospitality Professional to Lead Award-Winning Hotel JENNER, CALIF. (JAN 3, 2019) –Timber Cove Resort, located just off California's Highway 1, welcomes David Ahern as general manager. The Sonoma Coast boutique resort was most recently recognized among the top 10 resorts in Northern California by Condé Nast Traveler's 2018 Readers' Choice Awards. In his role Ahern oversees day-to-day operations of the property, which includes 46 guest rooms and suites and a regionally-driven food and wine program at Coast Kitchen, the on-site restaurant and bar. "As we look toward an exciting 2019 and bright future ahead, we a...
Sigrid Köntopp Appointed Senior Director Operations at IntercityHotel GmbH
IntercityHotel | January 9, 2019
Frankfurt am Main, 9 January 2019 - Sigrid Köntopp has taken over the position of Senior Director Operations IntercityHotel with effect from the start of the year. She succeeds Robert Boller, who will remain with Deutsche Hospitality as Managing Director of MAXX Hotel GmbH. In her new capacity as Senior Director Operations at IntercityHotel GmbH, Sigrid Köntopp will be based at Corporate Office in Frankfurt, from where she will act as an interface between executive management and the hotels in respect of all operational processes. She will share the role with Thomas Knabner, who has been with the company since 1992. Both will ...
Omni Oklahoma City Hotel, Opening in 2021, Appoints Dan Boyer to Director of Sales and Marketing
Omni Hotels & Resorts | January 9, 2019
OKLAHOMA CITY (January 9, 2019) – Omni Hotels & Resorts is pleased to announce the appointment of Dan Boyer as director of sales and marketing for Omni Oklahoma City Hotel. Boyer will oversee all sales and marketing efforts including managing, developing and implementing sales and marketing strategies that drive group, catering, business and leisure travel revenue for the convention center property set to open in 2021. Executives from Omni broke ground on the highly anticipated Omni Oklahoma City Hotel in October of 2018 alongside Mayor David Holt, Cathy O'Connor, president and CEO of The Alliance for Economic Development of O...
Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago Appoints Gabriel Soanca as Hotel Manager
January 9, 2019
CHICAGO, IL (January 9, 2018) – Trump International Hotel & Tower® Chicago is pleased to announce the appointment of Gabriel "Gabi" Soanca to Hotel Manager. A passionate and driven hospitality professional, Soanca joins the award-winning, downtown Chicago hotel with more than 15 years of experience in the hospitality industry at leading properties nationwide. Prior to joining the team at Trump Hotel Chicago, he most recently served as the Executive Assistant Manager at the esteemed InterContinental, Washington D.C. – The Wharf. Previously, he lent his expertise at the iconic Trump National Doral in Miami, where he wo...
Royal Palms Resort and Spa Appoints Carlos Morales as General Manager and Alex Robinson as Executive Chef
Royal Palms Resort and Spa | January 9, 2019
PHOENIX (Jan. 9, 2019) – Royal Palms Resort and Spa in Phoenix, billed as one of the top luxury resorts in Arizona, has welcomed two new additions to the executive team with the appointment of Carlos Morales, general manager, and Alex Robinson, executive chef. Steeped in nearly 100 years of history, romance and elegance, Royal Palms is part of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand and recently underwent a nearly $4 million redesign of the Mediterranean-style hideaway that boasts 119 guest rooms, celebrated legacy restaurant, T. Cook's and the award-winning Alvadora Spa. As the newly appointed general manager of the resort, Morales...
General Managers: Bridging the Gap Between Hotel Owners and Operators
Demian Hodari, Ph.D. | January 9, 2019
By Demian Hodari, Michael Turner and Michael Sturman In the final article in a three-part series on the evolving relationship between hotel owners and operators, EHL professor Demian Hodari and his co-researchers explore how general managers can help bridge the divide between owners and operators. In our previous articles in this series, we provided evidence from our research that owners are actively involved in property-level decisions, even when these are governed by hotel management agreements that formally prevent or limit their involvement. Furthermore, we demonstrated that such hotels achieve greater performance when their owners ...
Kokua Hospitality Appoints Ihab Kherati as General Manager at Hyatt Place Waikiki Beach
Hyatt Place Waikiki Beach | January 8, 2019
Kokua Hospitality, LLC, an independent hotel management company based in San Francisco, announces the appointment of Ihab Kherati as general manager (GM) at Hyatt Place Waikiki Beach (175 Paoakalani Avenue, Honolulu, Hawaii). Kherati's appointment is also a promotion from his previous position as Assistant General Manager. Located just off the southwest end of Waikiki Beach, the hotel brings inspired island comfort to its 426 guestrooms and over 4,000 square feet of meeting and event space. Hyatt Place Waikiki Beach emanates the spirit of aloha – offering unique amenities such as 24/7 food and beverage service and a complimentary ...
Loews Regency New York Hotel Welcomes Serge Devesa as New Executive Chef
Loews Regency New York Hotel | January 8, 2019
Loews Regency New York Hotel, located on Park Avenue on Manhattan's famed Upper East Side, is pleased to announce the appointment of Serge Devesa as Executive Chef. Devesa will oversee the entire kitchen operation for the hotel including The Regency Bar & Grill, home to the "Power Breakfast," and all in-room dining operations. He will also be responsible for menu development, staff training, supervising culinary presentations and ensuring exceptional experiences for the restaurant, special events and hotel guests. A talented Chef with national and international award recognition, Chef Serge helms from San Antonio, Texas where he mos...
Mainsail Lodging & Development Appoints Brad Hayden as Vice President of Finance
Mainsail Lodging & Development LLC | January 8, 2019
Mainsail Lodging & Development has announced the appointment of Brad Hayden as the company's vice president of finance. Hayden will oversee the areas of finance, project accounting and hotel operational accounting, and work closely with Mainsail Lodging & Development's senior leadership and key stakeholders to identify additional opportunities to grow the company's core domestic businesses. "Brad is a seasoned veteran with a demonstrated ability to consistently exceed corporate financial targets," said Joe Collier, president of Mainsail Lodging & Development. "We look forward to the deep insight he will bring to the team...
Shangri-La Al Husn Resort & Spa Appoints Sandro Mazza as General Manager
Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts | January 8, 2019
Sandro Mazza has been promoted to general manager of Shangri-La Al Husn Resort & Spa. In his new role, he will be responsible for directing and evaluating the day-to-day activities of Shangri-La Al Husn Resort & Spa's 180 guest rooms, four dining outlets, state-of-the-art wellness facilities including Hareer Spa By L'Occitane and a purpose built fitness centre. Mazza's appointment follows his role as resident manager of adjacent sister property Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa, where he held the position for 18 months following a stint at Shangri-La's Villingili Resort & Spa, Maldives as resident manager. "I am del...
Michael Pace Named General Manager of InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco
InterContinental Hotels of San Francisco | January 8, 2019
New role brings Pace back to the hotel where he started his career in San Francisco more than twenty years ago (SAN FRANCISCO, CA) – January 8, 2019 – The InterContinental Mark Hopkins in San Francisco is pleased to announce Michael Pace as the hotel's new General Manager. Pace was previously Area General Manager for Sonesta Hotels, based at The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel, San Francisco. Walking back into the InterContinental Mark Hopkins brings General Manager Michael Pace's nearly three decade career in hospitality full circle. "My first hotel job in America was Convention Services Manager at the Mark Hopkins and my first a...
Aliz Hotel Times Square Appoints Maureen Murphy as New Director of Sales & Marketing
Aliz Hotel Times Square | January 8, 2019
Aliz Hotel Times Square announced today the appointment of Maureen Murphy as the new Director of Sales & Marketing of the new property which opened this past October under the management of Crescent Hotels & Resorts. In her new role, Maureen will oversee all sales and marketing while developing business strategies that drive growth, increase revenue and exceed the hotel's business goals. Boasting a 25-year career in the hospitality industry under Westin, Sheraton and Interstate Hotels & Resorts properties, Maureen is bringing her expertise to Manhattan's newest independent lifestyle brand. She is joining the management team ...
AHC+Hospitality Appoints Ryan Schmied as General Manager of AC Hotel Grand Rapids Downtown Opening Spring 2019
AHC+Hospitality | January 8, 2019
AHC+Hospitality has appointed Ryan Schmied as general manager of the AC Hotel Grand Rapids, opening spring 2019 in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids. Schmied will oversee day-to-day operations, specialty programming and beverage and food operations of the 130-room lifestyle hotel. "As a well-traveled level two sommelier with longstanding roots in the hospitality industry, extensive knowledge of European culture, wine and spirits, Schmied is the ideal candidate to establish the AC Hotel brand in an emerging market," said Rick Winn, president, AHC+Hospitality. "We're excited for the rare and unique opportunity to open a hotel with a gene...
Travel Trends Index: International Inbound Travel Growth Projected to Fizzle in First Half of 2019
U.S. Travel Association | January 8, 2019
WASHINGTON (January 8, 2019)—Travel to and within the U.S. grew 3.0 percent year-over-year in November, according to the U.S. Travel Association's latest Travel Trends Index (TTI)—marking the industry's 107th straight month of overall expansion. But the growth of both international and domestic travel are projected to decelerate in the first few months of 2019, owing to a number of worrying trends. Though international inbound travel grew 3.8 percent year-over-year in November—higher than the sluggish 2.4 percent figure for October—the Leading Travel Index (LTI) projects growth in that segment to slow to ...
Historic Vinoy® Renaissance Resort & Golf Club Appoints Matthew Brennan as Executive Chef
January 7, 2019
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (January 7, 2019) – The Vinoy® Renaissance Resort & Golf Club continues its reimagining with the appointment of Matthew Brennan as the Executive Chef. Brennan previously held the title of Executive Sous Chef for the resort. "We are delighted to appoint Chef Matthew to the role of Executive Chef for the resort. The title and promotion are very well-deserved and speak highly to his personal skill and ability to take the resort's culinary offerings to new heights, constantly evolving the guest experience when it comes to dining," said Barbara Readey, General Manager at The Vinoy Renaissance Resort & G...
Montage Beverly Hills Appoints Jennie Hoffman as Director of Sales and Marketing
Montage Beverly Hills | January 7, 2019
Montage Beverly Hills has announced the appointment of Jennie Hoffman as director of sales and marketing. As a seasoned professional and award-winning marketer with years of experience in leadership positions for numerous hotel groups, Hoffman will now oversee all sales, marketing and public relations efforts for the luxury hotel. At Montage Beverly Hills, Hoffman will create and implement effective strategies for maximizing revenues from business and leisure travelers and group clientele. "With her extensive, results-oriented experience in the hotel industry, Jennie is a great addition to our hotel's executive committee, and w...
Alysha Smith Appointed Vice President of Operations and Development at Magnuson Worldwide London, UK
Magnuson Hotels | January 7, 2019
Alysha Smith has been appointed as Vice President of Operations and Development for Magnuson Worldwide. With experience across agency, casino gaming and hotel marketing; Smith will be responsible for providing strategic direction to Magnuson Worldwide as it begins phase two of its expansion into the European marketplace. Formally, Global Head of Marketing, Smith oversaw the marketing and acquisition strategies for 500 hotels across several brands primarily in the United States, United Kingdom and Europe. Smith also held the position of Group Head of Loyalty for Aspers Group / Crown Entertainment Australia where she managed the UK loyalt...
Marje Jones Joins Doubletree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld as Director of Sales & Marketing
DoubleTree by Hilton | January 7, 2019
ORLANDO, Fla. (Jan. 7, 2018) – DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld - spanning 28 acres within the heart of International Drive - welcomes Marje Jones as director of sales and marketing. Bringing extensive experience in the hospitality industry, Jones will develop and implement sales and marketing plans designed to drive profit for the newly-renovated resort. "Having worked with Crescent Hotels & Resorts for many years, Marje has an impressive ability to identify business growth areas and design creative programs to increase revenues," says Harold Bassler, general manager, DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld. "Coupled...
Orlando World Center Marriott Welcomes Robert Bray as General Manager
January 4, 2019
ORLANDO – Jan. 4, 2019 – As a leader in the global hospitality industry, Orlando World Center Marriott proudly announces the appointment of Robert Bray as General Manager. In this position, the hospitality veteran will play a significant role in the resort's continued success, overseeing all operational aspects of the 2,009-room property, including everything from financial performance and the guest experience to food and beverage, while maximizing revenue and maintaining focus on strategic goals. Bray brings more than 35 years of experience in the hospitality sector to Orlando World Center Marriott, with nearly 30 years spe...
