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Investors Riding the Airbnb Revolution
Peter Abualzolof | May 12, 2016
By Peter Abualzolof The Airbnb "phenomenon" has widened the sharing economy culture and is becoming more accepted legally and socially. The results are proving to be lucrative for hosts and for travelers, who are now enjoying the extra space for a lower price. Despite some controversy, Airbnb is revolutionizing the hotel business; similar to what Uber did to the taxi business. Airbnb has also created a rise of Airbnb investors and a new industry targeting Airbnb users and hosts. Changing the Hotel and Travel Game Airbnb has changed the hotel and travel industry by changing the way guests travel and by giving anyone the opportu...
HRI Lodging Names Don Cook General Manager and Richard Fischer Director of Sales for New Embassy Suites Minneapolis
HRI Lodging | May 12, 2016
MINNEAPOLIS– May 12, 2016 – HRI Lodging, LLC (HRIL) and Embassy Suites Minneapolis announce Don Cook as General Manager and Richard Fischer as Director of Sales of the 290-room high-end downtown property currently under construction. The $110 million redevelopment of the former Plymouth Building led by HRI Properties, parent company of HRIL, will reopen as an Embassy Suites in September 2016. Don Cook, General Manager Cook comes to Embassy Suites Minneapolis from the Hilton Shreveport, another HRIL managed property, where he was General Manager since 2014. He brings a wealth of experience to the role, with more than 25 years...
Choice Hotels’ Sleep Inn Brand Unveils Latest Evolution of Prototype
Choice Hotels | May 12, 2016
LAS VEGAS, May 12, 2016 -- Sleep Inn, an all new construction brand and leader in the midscale lodging segment has revealed the latest evolution of its successful prototype. The concept builds upon the current prototype, which has demonstrated great appeal for its simply stylish aesthetic as well as its cost effectiveness to build and operate. The enhanced look and feel has evolved to meet the changing tastes and behaviors of travelers while still remaining cost neutral to today's already efficient prototype. Leaders of the brand, which is franchised by Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), one of the world's largest ho...
Sage Hospitality to Develop The Maven in Denver, Colorado Slated to Open Spring 2017
Dairy Block | May 12, 2016
Denver, CO (May 12, 2016) – Sage Hospitality is proud to announce that The Maven - a vibrant independent hotel concept - will open next spring in Dairy Block, Denver's most innovative new urban development. Located on the corner of 19th & Wazee Streets, The Maven will anchor the mixed-used redevelopment of the Lower Downtown (LoDo) block that once housed the Windsor Dairy. Developed by McWhinney, Grand American Inc. and Sage Hospitality, Dairy Block is designed to pay homage to the rich history of LoDo while creating a lively new community gathering place. The soul of Dairy Block will be The Alley - a lively micro-district tha...
Eight Associates and Four Teams Worldwide Recognized with Top Honor at 30th Marriott Awards of Excellence
Marriott International | May 12, 2016
A celebration marked the 30th Marriott Awards of Excellence, Marriott International's (NASDAQ:MAR) recognition program that honors its top associates worldwide. The awards were established in 1987 to pay tribute to company founder J. Willard Marriott and have since expanded to recognize not only individuals but also teams for outstanding community service, diversity and inclusion, culture and wellbeing initiatives. The J. Willard Marriott Award of Excellence is presented annually to Marriott associates nominated by supervisors or peers for outstanding performance and for demonstrating five key traits: achievement, character, dedication,...
Benchmark Hospitality International Names Nicholas Church Executive Chef at Chaminade Resort & Spa
Chaminade Resort & Spa | May 11, 2016
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, May 2016 … Benchmark Hospitality International, a leading U.S.-based hospitality management company, has named Nicholas Church executive chef for Chaminade Resort & Spa, the award-winning Benchmark Resort® perched on a hill overlooking Monterey Bay and Santa Cruz, California. Kevin Herbst, general manager for the resort, made the announcement. "This is a wonderful promotion for Nicholas," said Mr. Herbst. "He has worked in all areas of our kitchens, and is a natural leader of his team. He also brings vast knowledge of the culinary preferences of our market to his new role. We congratulate C...
HRI Lodging Names Heather McGuire as New Director of Sales for River’s Edge Hotel & Spa in Portland
HRI Lodging | May 11, 2016
PORTLAND – May 11, 2016 –HRI Lodging, LLC (HRIL) and River's Edge Hotel & Spa has named Heather McGuire as Director of Sales for the 99-room boutique hotel in Portland. McGuire joins the hotel after serving most recently as National Sales Director of the luxurious Skamania Resort and Lodge located in nearby Stevenson, Wa. Previously, McGuire served in executive hospitality sales positions for Salishan Spa and Golf Resort, Hilton Garden Inn Eugene/Springfield and Hilton Eugene and Conference Center. McGuire will oversee all aspects of sales and marketing for the hotel, including training, developing and coaching sales tea...
In A Digital World, Voice Is Everything
Larry Mogelonsky | May 11, 2016
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.lma.ca) As more and more of our regular communications shift to email, text messages, WhatsApp, social media and other digitally typed channels, there are two profound behavioral shifts occurring. If it isn't obvious from the title, you should know that I am a staunch proponent of talking to clients and customers over the phone. Yes, email and text messages are often significantly faster, but the written word (outside of novelistic expressions) will always fail to grasp the full inflection, subtle cues, mannerisms and hidden desires of the opposite party. Importantly, the 21st century has seen the ...
Maestro’s GEM Guest Response System Builds Repeat Business and TripAdvisor Ratings
Maestro PMS | May 11, 2016
At HITEC Visit Maestro PMS in Booth #1401 JUNE 20-23 at the ERNEST N. MORIAL CONVENTION CENTER Same-Day Online Guest Experience Feedback Strengthens Relationships, Improves Property Services and Loyalty May 11, 2016 – Markham, ON – What do standalone independent hotels and major chain properties have in common? They both want guests to have a positive experience that generates repeat business and loyalty. Candid, actionable guest feedback provides the most effective insight in how hotels can deliver an experience guests value. Maestro PMS created its GEM, Guest Experience Measurement, system to give operators more guest fee...
McWhinney and Sage Hospitality to Develop The 164-room Elizabeth Hotel in Fort Collins, CO
Sage Hospitality | May 10, 2016
Fort Collins, Colo. (May 10, 2016) – McWhinney, a Colorado based national real estate development company, and Sage Hospitality, a national hotel developer and operator, are proud to announce The Elizabeth Hotel as part of a new downtown development currently in progress at 354 Walnut Street in Fort Collins, Colo. The Elizabeth will be a modern upscale hotel focused on community, music, expert design and service. The 164 room hotel will feature locally curated art from students, professors and musicians. Music will carry through the building with accents in the interior design, programming, amenities and experiences to reflect the...
Chicago Analysis Reveals 96% of Airbnb Revenue Came From Operators Listing Units for Rent More Than 30 Days a Year
AH&LA | May 10, 2016
Amounts to $47.6 million in revenue; Multi-unit operators generate nearly 40% ($19 million) of Airbnb's revenue in the Chicago region. WASHINGTON, D.C., May 10, 2016 – The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) today released a new study that provides a detailed analysis of the rise in commercial activity taking place in Chicago on Airbnb, one of the most trafficked short-term rental websites. The study was conducted by John O'Neill, MAI, ISHC, Ph.D., professor of hospitality management and director of the Center for Hospitality Real Estate Strategy in the School of Hospitality Management at Penn State University, an...
SBE Acquires Morgans Hotel Group for $794 Million in an All-Cash Transaction
SBE | May 10, 2016
SBE broadens portfolio to include 20 world-class lifestyle hotel properties and more than 90 world-renowned entertainment and food & beverage offerings Cain Hoy Enterprises to contribute to recapitalization; Yucaipa Companies to take significant equity stake in SBE Jonathan Goldstein and Ron Burkle to join Sam Nazarian on SBE Board of Directors LOS ANGELES, May 10, 2016 -- SBE today announced a definitive agreement to acquire Morgans Hotel Group in an all-cash transaction, a move that will further strengthen SBE's position as a global leader in lifestyle hospitality management, entertainment, food & beverage, and developmen...
Luxury Hotel Digital Marketing: Checklist to Turning the Luxury Hotel Experience into Online Bookings
the Authors and HeBS Digital | May 10, 2016
By: Jennifer Alberts Global luxury travel remains the fastest-growing of all the tourism and travel sectors, with luxury hotel chains experiencing significant worldwide growth in 2015 (Travel Market Report, World Travel Monitor). The luxury hotel market is expected to reach $195.27 billion by 2021 as upscale hotels emerge as a key hospitality focus in Asia-Pacific, Middle East, and other regions. Additionally, leisure travel is anticipated to be the category of largest growth for affluent and luxury consumers (Transparency Market Research). Though the economy travel landscape continues to change, luxury hotels are as prosperous and popu...
FCS Partners with Neorcha to Offer Integrated Solution for Rotana Hotels
FCS | May 9, 2016
Integrated online solution connects back-of-house operations to front-of-house guest services to enable efficient management of guest requests. Dubai, UAE — 9 May, 2016 — FCS Computer Systems (FCS) and Neorcha, both leading service providers in the hospitality sector, have partnered to deliver an integrated back-of-house and front-of-house solution for Rotana, one of the leading hotel management companies in the Middle East, Africa, South Asia and Eastern Europe. FCS' e-Connect system is a back-of-house application that enables automated dispatch of guest requests and inter-department work orders. Functioning via a centrali...
InterContinental Hotels Group Reports First Quarter 2016 Trading Update
IHG | May 6, 2016
Highlights Global Q1 comparable RevPAR up 1.5%1 Enhanced global scale: 5k rooms opened, increasing net system 2.7% YoY to 742k rooms Building future growth: 15k rooms signed; pipeline of 220k rooms, with ~45% under construction Richard Solomons, Chief Executive of InterContinental Hotels Group PLC, said: "We have made a good start to the year, driving RevPAR up 1.5% against the background of weak oil markets and the earlier timing of Easter, which affected several of our markets. We continued our focus on building and leveraging scale where it matters, signing rooms into our pipeline at the fastest rate since 2008. We also strength...
RLJ Lodging Trust Reports First Quarter 2016 Net Income of $25.3 million, Compared to $47.9 million for Same Year Ago Period
RLJ Lodging Trust | May 5, 2016
- Completed a comprehensive $1.0 billion refinancing - Repurchased 0.5 million common shares for $11.3 million - Pro forma RevPAR increased 2.1% BETHESDA, Md.--RLJ Lodging Trust (the "Company") (NYSE: RLJ) today reported results for the three months ended March 31, 2016. Highlights Pro forma RevPAR increased 2.1%, Pro forma ADR increased 2.1%, and Pro forma Occupancy increased 0.1% Pro forma Hotel EBITDA Margin increased 35 basis points to 33.6% Pro forma Consolidated Hotel EBITDA increased 7.3% to $92.4 million Adjusted FFO increased 5.2% to $70.8 million Refinanced $233.5 million of secured debt; extended maturities to 2022 and ...
The Proper Usage of RevPAG
Larry Mogelonsky | May 5, 2016
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.lma.ca) Any specialty, and hospitality is no exclusion, comes with its own set of technical jargon and acronyms. We hoteliers are bombarded daily with ADR and RevPAR as well as, to a lesser extent, the latter's two smaller siblings, RevPOR and RevPAG. Even though they are less common, they are still quite handy in certain situations, and today our focus will be on RevPAG. Let's get the acronyms out of the way so there's no confusion: RevPAR = Revenue Per Available Room RevPOR = Revenue Per Occupied Room RevPAG = Revenue Per Available Guest The first term, RevPAR, is the most commonly used thes...
Aimbridge Hospitality Completes Renovation of the Embassy Suites by Hilton Tampa – Airport/Westshore
Aimbridge Hospitality | May 4, 2016
Dallas, Texas (May 4, 2016) — The Embassy Suites by Hilton Tampa – Airport/Westshore has completed $4.5 million in significant renovations on its vibrant Westshore business district hotel. The complete renovation included updating the spacious two-room guest corridors with new suite artwork, lighting, furniture and televisions. Guests can make themselves even more at home in the newly refinished guestroom bathtubs and revamped surround sound fitness center with Precor equipment. The updates on the conveniently located hotel are welcome enhancements to its plush 243 guestrooms, expansive 9,000 square feet of flexible Tampa me...
Choice Hotels International Reports First Quarter 2016 Results; Domestic RevPAR up 1.2%
Choice Hotels | May 4, 2016
Domestic Pipeline of Hotels Under Construction, Awaiting Conversion or Approved for Development Increased 12% ROCKVILLE, Md. , May 4, 2016 -- Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) today reported the following highlights for the first quarter 2016: Revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2016 totaled $207.1 million, an increase of 18 percent from the same period of 2015. Franchising revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2016 totaled $78.7 million, an increase of 4 percent from the same period of 2015. Franchising margins for the three months ended March 31, 2016 were 61.6 percent, an increase of 10 basis points ...
Dream Hotel Group Celebrates Ribbon Cutting at The Time Nyack in Anticipation of Grand Opening Later this Month
WYINC. | May 4, 2016
Nyack, NY (May 4, 2016) - The Time Nyack hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony yesterday to celebrate the 133-room luxury lifestyle hotel, which opens its doors to the public later this month. Nyack Mayor Jen White and key officials from the hotel and development teams officiated the ceremony and were on hand to cut the ribbon. Escorted first look hotel tours, and a celebratory champagne toast followed. Housed in a former factory, The Time Nyack is the first hotel of its kind in the Hudson Valley, with plans to bring guests an unforgettable experience. Each of the guestrooms boasts a loft style aesthetic with soaring ceilings, large windows,...
Webinar on Q2 2016 Hospitality Technology and Marketing Strategy Forecast & Action Plan
HeBS Digital | May 4, 2016
New York, NY – May 4, 2016 – With the constant influx of news in our industry, along with the hundreds of other daily duties of the hotelier, it can be hard to stay up to date. To help save hoteliers time and present them with innovative, actionable ideas to increase direct bookings this summer season, HeBS Digital will host a complimentary "Webinar on Q2 2016 Hospitality Digital Technology and Marketing Strategy Forecast & Action Plan" on Wednesday, May 11th at 2 p.m. ET (11 a.m. PT). The webinar will focus on the most notable hospitality technology & digital marketing trends to watch this quarter and an action plan...
James Beard Foundation & Benchmark Hospitality International Open Applications for the 2016 Bob Zappatelli Culinary Arts Scholarship
Benchmark Hospitality International | April 28, 2016
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, April 2016 … Benchmark Hospitality International®, in partnership with the James Beard Foundation, announces applications are open to culinary students domestically and globally for the 2016 Bob Zappatelli Culinary Arts Scholarship. The scholarship fund was established by Burt Cabañas, founder & chairman of Benchmark Hospitality International, in 2009 to celebrate the memory and culinary legacy of Bob Zappatelli, the company's beloved first vice president of food & beverage. Applications for the scholarship will remain open through May 15, 2016. "Bob loved the culinary arts, and ...
Marriott International Reports First Quarter 2016 Net Income of $219 million Compared to $207 million for Same Period in 2015
Marriott International | April 28, 2016
HIGHLIGHTS First quarter adjusted diluted EPS totaled $0.87, a 19 percent increase over prior year results; North American comparable systemwide constant dollar RevPAR rose 2.4 percent in the first quarter; On a constant dollar basis, worldwide comparable systemwide RevPAR rose 2.6 percent in the first quarter; The company's adjusted operating income margin increased to 52 percent compared to 48 percent in the year-ago quarter; At the end of the first quarter, the company's worldwide development pipeline increased to more than 275,000 rooms, including approximately 29,000 rooms approved, but not yet subject to signed ...
HeBS Digital’s New Brand Website for Tsogo Sun Receives “Official Honoree” Distinction in the 20th Annual Webby Awards
HeBS Digital | April 28, 2016
New York, NY – April 28, 2016 – HeBS Digital is proud to announce that the Tsogo Sun brand website has been selected as an Official Honoree in the 20th Annual Webby Awards in the Advertising: Tourism & Leisure category. HeBS Digital, the leading hotel digital technology, full-service digital marketing and website revenue optimization consulting firm conceptualized, designed and developed the new website for Tsogo Sun, Africa's premier gaming, hotel and entertainment group. Hailed as the "Internet's highest honor" by The New York Times, The Webby Awards is the leading international awards program, honoring excellence on t...
