Spokane Tribe Resort & Casino Partners With Travel Outlook to Elevate Guest Service Experience
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Debunking Common Myths About AI: Why Human Hotel Staff Are Still Irreplaceable
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Choice Hotels Promotes Patrick Pacious to Chief Operating Officer
Choice Hotels | December 20, 2013
ROCKVILLE, Md., Dec. 20, 2013 -- The board of directors of Choice Hotels International, Inc., (NYSE: CHH) today announced the promotion of Patrick Pacious to chief operating officer, effective January 1, 2014. In this role, he will be responsible for global operations, identifying and leading growth initiatives through oversight of the strategic planning process, executing the company's global distribution strategy, brand management, marketing and harnessing information technology and data analytics to maximize business performance. An officer and member of the executive team of Choice Hotels, Mr. Pacious continues to report to Choice H...
2013: A Five-Star Year for HeBS Digital Clients
HeBS Digital | December 20, 2013
NEW YORK, NY December 20, 2013 - HeBS Digital, the leading hotel digital technology, full-service digital marketing and website revenue optimization consulting firm, again led its roster of hospitality clients to success in 2013, using an array of innovative services, technology, and products. Clients had access to and took advantage of the latest digital technology and premier marketing strategies in the industry, and it paid off. In 2013, HeBS Digital clients won 29 major industry awards for hotel desktop and mobile websites, multichannel marketing campaigns, meta search marketing campaigns, software programming, and interactive appli...
Best Western’s Development Pipeline in Latin America Includes 29 Hotels for 2014 to 2015
Best Western International, Inc | December 20, 2013
PHOENIX (Dec. 20, 2013) - Best Western International has announced plans for rapid expansion in Mexico, Central and South America with 29 hotels in the 2014 to 2015 pipeline. Though growth is strong throughout the region, South America is the hottest area for hotel development thanks to improving economies and Brazil hosting both the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro. Best Western is doing its part to meet the growing hospitality demands in Brazil. The brand currently has 16 hotels operating in the country and is working with a development partner Incortel to add 30 new properties in the next five years. All of these proje...
Development Begins for 134-room Hilton Garden Inn in São Paulo, Brazil; Expected to Open in 2016
Hilton Garden Inn | December 20, 2013
MCLEAN, Va. - December 20, 2013 - Hilton Worldwide announced plans to open the first Hilton Garden Inn in Brazil. The company signed a management license agreement with HDauff Empreendimentos Imobiliarios Ltda to operate the new Hilton Garden Inn hotel in São Jose do Rio Preto, São Paulo. The hotel will be built in Georgina Business Park, a business epicenter with an innovating concept that unites high technology and nature preservation, located in a strategic point in the south of the city, considered the most valued and distinguished region of São José do Rio Preto. "Bringing Hilton Garden Inn to Brazil is a tremendous milestone f...
Constellation Barclay Holding US to Acquire 80% of the InterContinental New York Barclay for $240 M
IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) | December 20, 2013
New JV Plans Property Refurbishment 20 December 2013 - InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (IHG) [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] today announces that Constellation Barclay Holding US, LLC, which is an affiliate of Constellation Hotels Holding Limited, has agreed to acquire an 80% interest in a joint venture with IHG to own and refurbish the InterContinental New York Barclay (the "Hotel"). The 80% interest will be acquired for gross cash proceeds of $240m, which values the Hotel at $300m prior to refurbishment. IHG will hold the remaining 20% interest. IHG has secured a 30 year management contract on the Hotel, commencing in 2014, with two ten...
Best Western To Be First Hotel Brand Using Google 360-Degree Virtual Tour Technology
Best Western International, Inc. | December 20, 2013
Brand to Launch Google Business Photos for All its Hotels in North America PHOENIX (December 20, 2013) Best Western International announced today that it is changing the way people shop for hotels by working with Google to be the first hotel brand to launch Google Business Photos for all its hotels in North America. The brand will have all its 2,200 hotels in North America photographed for Business Photos by the end of 2014. By adopting Google Business Photos, which are premium-quality 360-degree virtual tours powered by Google Street View technology, Best Western hotels will provide travelers with an interactive experience when they a...
Commonwealth Names Kelly Sujka DOS for Hyatt Place & Hyatt House Chicago Naperville Warrenville
Commonwealth Hotels | December 18, 2013
COVINGTON, Ky., Dec. 18, 2013 -- Commonwealth Hotels, Inc. today announced that Kelly Sujka has been appointed Director of Sales for the Hyatt Place and Hyatt House Chicago Naperville Warrenville. The Hyatt Place is 123 rooms and the Hyatt House has 123 suites and are operated by Commonwealth Hotels, LLC. As Director of Sales, Sujka will direct all areas of both the hotel's sales and marketing efforts. "Based on her outstanding record in hotel sales and marketing, we are confident that Kelly will be instrumental in ensuring the success of our multiple property complex," said Gordy Snyder, Vice President. Prior to joining the Hyatt House...
Radisson® Debuts in Grenada, Opening the Radisson Grenada Beach Resort, Grand Anse Beach, St. George
December 18, 2013
ST. GEORGE, GRENADA (December 18, 2013) - Radisson®, one of the world's best-recognized hotel brands, today announced the opening of the Radisson Grenada Beach Resort, Grand Anse Beach, St. George. The premier four-star resort is set on 20 acres of lush, tropical grounds on the white sugar sand beachfront of Grand Anse Beach. "The opening of this fantastic beachfront resort reinforces our commitment to enhance the brand's portfolio and further expand our presence in resort destinations throughout the Americas," said Javier Rosenberg, chief operating officer, Radisson. "Locations such as this play a key role as we continue to develop R...
Mobile Photo Share by RoamingAround Making ‘Winter on the Wharf’ Event Engaging and Fun
RoamingAround | December 18, 2013
Digitally-branded photos showing visitors enjoying the city's newest ice-skating rink tucked in the Archway on the Boston waterfront provides a signature souvenir and also spread awareness of the hotel's event across the social media channels BOSTON, MASS. - DECEMBER 18, 2013 - When "Winter on the Wharf" debuted this week at the Boston Harbor Hotel at Rowes Wharf, RoamingAround was there. The first-time event is a seasonal compilation of food, drink and merriment, anchored by a new 2,500 square foot ice-skating Rotunda Rink, located under the hotel's iconic Archway. To make the event memorable and take it viral, the Boston Harbor Hotel ...
The 140-room Holiday Inn Express Chennai Mahindra World City Opens in India
Holiday Inn Express brand Hotels | December 18, 2013
New Delhi, India, 18 December 2013: InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) today announced the opening of Holiday Inn Express Chennai Mahindra World City in the corporate hub of Mahindra World City near Chennai. The property was officially opened today by IHG's Pascal Gauvin, COO India, Middle East and Africa and Douglas Martell, Vice President Operations South West Asia alongside Saurabh Sonthalia, Country Head - Duet India Group, Naveen Jain, President, Duet India Hotels and Sangeeta Prasad, CEO - Integrated Cities & Industrial Clusters, Mahindra Lifespace Developers Ltd. This is the second hotel to open under a joint venture partner...
Foremost Hospitality HIEX GmbH & IHG to Open Two Holiday Inn Express Hotels in Germany
IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) | December 18, 2013
Opening in Hamburg in 2014 & Freiburg in 2015 18 December, 2013 - InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG®), one of the world's largest hotel companies, today announces the expansion of its Holiday Inn Express® brand in Germany with the signing of two more hotels: Holiday Inn Express Hamburg - City Hauptbahnhof and Holiday Inn Express Freiburg - City. These franchised hotels are part of a multiple development agreement (MDA) with IHG's long standing lessee partner Foremost Hospitality HIEX GmbH. Holiday Inn Express Hamburg - City Hauptbahnhof will join its sister properties Holiday Inn Express Hamburg - City Centre and Holiday Inn Expr...
Midas Hospitality Breaks Ground for 100-key Residence Inn by Marriott-Dublin in Ohio; To Open Q4 ‘14
Residence Inn by Marriott | December 18, 2013
SAINT LOUIS, MO, December 18, 2013- St. Louis-based hotel owner, operator and developer, Midas Hospitality, LLC hosted a groundbreaking ceremony to commemorate the official groundbreaking of Dublin's newest, all-suite hotel, a 100-room Residence Inn by Marriott. Breaking ground in October, 2013 the Residence Inn by Marriott - Dublin is on schedule to open their doors in Q4 2014. Located on the southeast corner of Rt-161 and Frantz Rd, just off I-270, the $13 million, 4-story project will include 100-suites, indoor pool, sport court, outdoor social area and 500 sq. ft. of meeting space. Kurt Furlong, EVP & Principal - Sales & Mar...
NewcrestImage to Begin $10 M Renovation of Historic New Orleans’ Cotton Exchange Hotel
NewcrestImage | December 18, 2013
To Operate as AC Hotels By Marriott December 18, 2013 - One of Europe's hottest hotel concepts is coming to the United States with the renovation and rebranding by NewcrestImage of the historic Cotton Exchange Hotel in New Orleans. The company is investing $10 million to make this property among the first in the country to operate under the AC Hotels by Marriott brand. "We are transforming a historic hotel into a new, hip and urban environment," said Mehul Patel, Chairman and CEO of NewcrestImage. "Every detail, from the design to the service will provide our guests with a memorable travel experience that is unique and authentic." Accor...
Hilton Worldwide to Develop Four New Properties Across Three Brands in Istanbul and Izmir, Turkey
Hilton Worldwide | December 17, 2013
December 17, 2013 - ISTANBUL and MCLEAN, Va. - Having announced it was the first hotel company to reach 10,000 rooms trading and under development in Turkey earlier this year, Hilton Worldwide has signed agreements on another four hotels to further boost its portfolio in the country to 24 trading properties and 25 in its development pipeline. This latest announcement sees Hilton Worldwide expand its existing presence in Istanbul and the port city of Izmir, home to Turkey's third largest urban population, with two new hotels in each city. The deals span the DoubleTree by Hilton, Hilton Garden Inn and Hampton by Hilton brands, all of whic...
Hersha Hospitality to Purchase Two Autograph Collection Hotels in Miami Beach for $50.95 Million
Hersha Hospitality | December 17, 2013
December 17, 2013 - PHILADELPHIA - Hersha Hospitality Trust (NYSE:HT) ("Hersha" or the "Company"), owner of upscale hotels in urban gateway markets, today announced the Company has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase two Autograph Collection hotels in Miami's South Beach ("South Beach Autograph Portfolio"). The purchase price for the South Beach Autograph Portfolio, which totals 145 rooms, is $50.95 million. "The proposed acquisition of the South Beach Autograph Portfolio is a continuation of Hersha's strategy to increase its presence in the Miami Beach submarket, following the non-core portfolio sale announced in September,...
Wyndham Hotel Group Appoints Leo Liu as China Managing Director
Wyndham Hotel Group | December 17, 2013
PARSIPPANY, N.J. (December 17, 2013) – With the aggressive expansion of its over 650-hotel portfolio in China, Wyndham Hotel Group, the world's largest hotel company with nearly 7,440 hotels and part of Wyndham Worldwide Corporation (NYSE: WYN), today announced the appointment of Leo Liu as managing director for China. In this newly created role designed to support the company's rapid growth in the country, Liu will be responsible for Wyndham Hotel Group's operations and development functions as well as the coordination and execution of cross-functional brand initiatives. He will be based in the company's Shanghai offices. With over 1...
FCS Gateway Solution for Billing & Voice Messaging now Integrated with Toshiba Strata CIX®
FCS | December 17, 2013
Helps Symphony Suites Increase Revenue; Partnership between technology innovators helps boutique and limited service hotels more efficiently manage billing and guest services Singapore - December 17, 2013 - FCS Computer Systems, a leading global provider of comprehensive hospitality guest services applications and solution design services, is pleased to announce the successful integration of its Gateway solution with Toshiba Singapore Pte Ltd, Unified Communication Systems' Strata CIX® Unified Communication Systems. Together, the industry leading solutions in hotel billing and unified communication applications with IP telephony will e...
Denver, Colorado’s Curtis – a Doubletree by Hilton Launches $5 Million Guest Room & Lobby Renovation
the Curtis - a Doubletree by Hilton | December 16, 2013
Denver, Colo. (Dec. 16, 2013) - Denver's only pop culture hotel, the Curtis - a Doubletree by Hilton, is pleased to announce that it has launched an extensive $5 million property renovation that will include upgrades to all guest rooms as well as a lobby expansion. Originally opened in 2007, the downtown Denver hotel features 13 themed guest room floors - including the Chick Flick Floor, the TV Mania Floor and the Mad About Music Floor. Each of the Curtis' 336 guest rooms will undergo a dramatic transformation, including new furniture, artwork, linens, carpeting, drapery and more. The hotel will also be introducing two additional one-be...
Groundbreaking Takes Place for Hyatt Regency Galleria in Houston
BuildCentral | December 16, 2013
Hotel-Online and BuildCentral Add/Update 125 Hotel Projects to the New Hotel Construction Projects Database Chicago, IL. December 16, 2013 - Hotel-Online and BuildCentral have added or updated 125 hotel projects in the last two weeks to Hotel Construction, a nationwide database of hotel construction projects, openings, and key decision makers (Owner/Developers, Architects and Contractors). These proposed hotels are still in the planning stages. Now is the perfect time to have your product drawn into plans, or offer construction services: Tyre Casino Resort (Tyre , NY) Doheny Hotel (Dana Point, CA) KY Horse Park Hotel (Lexington, KY)...
Aimbridge Hospitality Selected to Manage 277-key Embassy Suites Jacksonville-Baymeadows in Florida
Aimbridge Hospitality | December 13, 2013
DALLAS, TEXAS (December 13, 2013) - Aimbridge Hospitality announced today that it has assumed management of the Embassy Suites Jacksonville-Baymeadows Hotel, located in close proximity to Downtown Jacksonville, Florida. The 277 room all-suite hotel is the only full-service hotel in Jacksonville, and is just minutes from the area's top attractions. The Embassy Suites Jacksonville-Baymeadows boasts more than 7,000 square feet of meeting and special event space as well as a fitness center, indoor pool, a business center and the delectable Omaha Steakhouse. Dave Johnson, President and CEO of Aimbridge Hospitality, is enthusiastic about the ...
Sage Hospitality Names Lisa Donovan as Chief People Officer
Sage Hospitality | December 13, 2013
DENVER, Dec. 13, 2013 -- Sage Hospitality, one of the top hotel investment and management companies in the U.S., is excited to announce its first Chief People Officer. Lisa Donovan will oversee all aspects of Sage's People Resources department including leadership development and internal communications. She will focus on Sage's strong culture, continuing the goal to make the company a desirable place to work, learn and grow. By developing a strong leadership pipeline, Sage will continue to achieve its aggressive growth strategy and deliver best-in-class performance. "We look forward to working with Lisa to achieve performance excellenc...
Country Inns & Suites By Carlson Signs Two Hotels in Southern U.S.
Country Inns & Suites By Carlson | December 13, 2013
Opening in Tennessee this Month and in Arkansas in Q4 2014 Minneapolis - December 13, 2013 - Country Inns & Suites By Carlson, a leader in the upper-midscale hotel segment and the homegrown brand from Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group today announced it has signed two hotels. The first, located at 1151 South Jefferson Avenue in Cookeville, TN will open on December 31, 2013 and the second, located at 2915 Main Street in Bryant, AR will open at the end of 2014. "We are very excited about these additions to our portfolio as we grow the brand in the southern region of the U.S.," said Scott Meyer, senior vice president, Midscale Brands, Americ...
Free In-Room Wi-Fi, YES; Free Pool-Side Wi-Fi, NOT SO MUCH – Survey Prioritizes Hotel Amenities
TripAdvisor | December 13, 2013
NEWTON, Mass., Dec. 13, 2013 -- TripAdvisor®, the world's largest travel site*, today announced the results of the TripBarometer Truth in Travel Survey1, which reveals the hotel amenities and services U.S. travelers find most and least important. Free Wi-Fi, Parking and Breakfast in High Demand; But Travelers Not as Interested in the Mini-Bar or Spa Most Important Hotel Amenities for U.S. Travelers Free In-Room Wi-Fi (89%) Free Parking (89%) Free Breakfast (84%) Free Personal Care Items (72%) Free Lobby Wi-Fi (71%) Least Important Hotel Amenities for U.S. Travelers Mini Bar (21%) Spa/Beauty Treatments (23%) Business Center (...
Best Western Names 2014 Board Officers; Dilipkumar Patel to Serve as Board Chairman
Best Western International, Inc. | December 13, 2013
PHOENIX (December 13, 2013) - Best Western International announced today that its board of directors has elected Dilipkumar 'Danny' Patel as board chairman. Patel is the owner of the BEST WESTERN Hawkinsville Inn & Suites in Hawkinsville, Ga., and the BEST WESTERN PLUS Bradbury Inn & Suites in Waycross, Ga. Patel has more than 25 years of hospitality experience. A Best Western member for more than 17 years, he has served the brand as a governor and a member of the Design Advisory Committee. He has also served a as chairman for the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) and a director on the board of the Georgia Hotel &a...
