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Cendyn and Avvio Partner to Power Loyalty for Roomzzz Aparthotels
Cendyn | January 19, 2021
January 19th, 2021, London, UK - Cendyn, the leading innovator in CRM, sales, and revenue strategy for the hospitality industry, announces the successful integration between Cendyn and Avvio to power loyalty for Roomzzz aparthotels. Avvio, the market-leading AI booking platform, partners with hundreds of independent and group hotels across Europe and North America to grow their direct booking channels. The integration carried out by Cendyn and Avvio was conducted on behalf of a mutual hotel customer, Roomzzz, a hotel brand specializing in luxury aparthotels across the United Kingdom. Their award-winning properties combine the best features...
Knowland Announces U.S. Meetings and Events Data for December 2020
Knowland | January 14, 2021
Leader in group hospitality analytics sees meeting growth slow as expected due to holidays and COVID-related market changes ARLINGTON, Va. — Jan. 14, 2021— December U.S. monthly meetings and events volume decreased 39 percent over the previous month, according to the latest data from Knowland, the leader in group hospitality analytics for hotels, convention and visitor bureaus, conference centers and other meeting venues. The two-week pause of the holidays drove most of this decline. However, a few key markets entering different stages of shutdown also drove some of the lower performance. It is anticipated that January will see volu...
The Year of the Dog Hotel
Larry and Adam Mogelonsky | January 13, 2021
By Larry and Adam Mogelonsky It should come as no surprise to anyone that the pandemic has changed traveler behavior. By understanding some of the nuances of this progression, you can then more precisely target growing niches within the leisure segment, particularly in light of the slow return of groups and corporate guests. For now, 2020’s pivot for operations, marketing and sales was largely focused on: Cleanliness, sanitization and disinfection updates Delivery of contactless service, enabled by technology or otherwise Social distancing through physical, temporal and capacity buffers Privacy, anonymity, seclusion or r...
Capture Direct Bookings 365/24/7
Travel Outlook | January 12, 2021
The Real Advantage to Outsourcing Voice Reservations John Smallwood, CEO Travel Outlook January 2021 As we move forward positively into 2021, the hospitality industry is rethinking its strategies. A main priority will be to carefully review how bookings are made, and the cost associated with each booking method. Now is the time to ensure bookings made through your voice channel are always made promptly, professionally, and profitably. Hotels and the bottom line Missing bookings can dramatically affect a hotel’s bottom line, especially when the reservation opportunity was a direct booking thr...
Sonnenblick-Eichner Company Arranges $30,500,000 of First Mortgage Financing for Little Palm Island Resort & Spa, Florida Keys, Florida
Sonnenblick-Eichner Company | January 12, 2021
Beverly Hills, California – – Sonnenblick-Eichner Company announced today that it has arranged $30,500,000 of interim first mortgage financing for Little Palm Island Resort & Spa, an iconic 30-suite, full service, luxury resort located in Little Torch Key, Florida. The loan refinanced a recently matured fixed rate loan and closed within 30 days of application. Mast Capital and RWN Management provided the financing. The Resort is located on an exclusive 4.12-acre private island in the world famous Florida Keys. Accessibility to the Resort is by private boat from Little Torch Key, located approximately 3 miles to the north. Am...
RFPAssist Continues to Drive New Event Sales Opportunities for Hotels
Lodging Interactive | January 11, 2021
Lodging Interactive, an award-winning digital marketing and social media engagement agency exclusively serving the hospitality industry, announced today that it continues to see increasing demand for group and social event bookings through its recently launched RFPAssist lead generation service. “Our RFPAssist lead generation service is delivering an average of 37 new group RFP’s for our hotel clients on a monthly basis,” stated DJ Vallauri, Founder, President & CEO of Lodging Interactive. “This comes in a time where properties continue to struggle to generate new event revenue opportunities.” Lodging Interactive’s RFPAs...
Inherit Hotel Group Opens the Colton House Hotel in Austin, Texas
Inherit Hotel Group | January 6, 2021
Austin, Texas (January 6, 2021) – Today, Colton House Hotel, an 80-suite luxury property opens its doors on Austin’s hip South Congress Avenue. Drawing inspiration from its distinctive surroundings, the property showcases the captivating spirit of the Lone Star State and pays due respect to Texas’s rich history through locally handpicked art and design features. Pioneering the suite-based hotel concept at The Guesthouse Hotel in Chicago, Inherit Hotel Group brings the same approach to Colton House Hotel, combining residential luxuries with upscale boutique hotel amenities and staff that invites guests to “wander home” in a modern...
The St. Regis Cairo Opens on the Banks of the River Nile
St. Regis Hotels & Resorts | January 6, 2021
St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, part of Marriott International, today announced the highly-anticipated opening of The St. Regis Cairo. Rising tall on the banks of the River Nile, The St. Regis Cairo is an illustrious icon weaving a powerful story of luxury in the region. Located at the North end of the Corniche, in the heart of Egypt’s bustling metropolis, the 39-story hotel offers easy access to the magnificent monuments of a city steeped in history. “Egypt has historically been one of our key markets and strategically significant to our growth in the region,” said Satya Anand, President for Europe, Middle East and Africa, Marriott ...
Reexamining the Communications Hierarchy for Centennial Guests
Larry Mogelonsky | January 6, 2021
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.hotelmogel.com) It seems like just yesterday we were talking about how to adjust your method of communications to better appeal to millennial guests. Now that the first of this cohort is about to turn 40, it’s time to turn over a fresh leaf and look at the next rising star in spending power. When discussing a ‘communications hierarchy’, what we are first trying to do is rank all forms of communication from most to least influential. Even with special considerations for COVID-19 safety, it’s nevertheless a matter of guiding potential customers up this ladder, knowing that the more influentia...
Hotel Henry Urban Resort Conference Center Salutes Maestro PMS Ease of Use, Service and Support
Maestro PMS | January 6, 2021
Sister property, Mansion on Delaware Avenue, also relies on the company’s cloud hosted browser-based property management system and its exceptional 24/7 Diamond Plus service Markham, Ontario, January 6, 2021 — In a post pandemic world, only the most service-oriented businesses will survive. Putting customers first, nurturing empathy, being proactive, prioritizing communications, boosting training, and practicing patience must be the fundamental ingredients of a customer service culture in the new normal. It is those components that Umit Uyghur, director of rooms and regional director of revenue and optimization at the Hotel Hen...
Hersha Hospitality Trust Sells Courtyard San Diego for $64.5 Million
Hersha Hospitality Trust | January 5, 2021
PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 05, 2021-- Hersha Hospitality Trust (NYSE: HT) (“Hersha” or the “Company”), owner of high-quality hotels in urban gateway markets and regional resort destinations, today announced it entered into a binding sales agreement on the 245-room Courtyard San Diego for $64.5 million resulting in a net book gain approximating $5.4 million. The Courtyard San Diego has no property-level debt and will result in net proceeds of $64.5 million which will be utilized to repay borrowings under the Company’s credit facilities. “After a highly competitive sales process, we are pleased to announce the sale of the Courtyard San Die...
Janko Hospitality Plans April 2021 Opening of The Forester, A Hyatt Place Hotel, in Lake Forest, Illinois
Janko Hospitality | January 4, 2021
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (January 2021) – Janko Hospitality announced today that The Forester Hotel, a contemporary, chic new hotel located at 200 N. Field Dr. in Conway Business Park, is set to open in April 2021. The first hotel to open in the community since 1929, The Forester Hotel concept is inspired by the city of Lake Forest’s motto “Naturae et Scientiae Amor” which translates to “Love of Science and Nature.” The Forester Hotel will be at a crossroads safeguarding all the comforts of Hyatt, while at the same time blazing new trails with boutique offerings including an upscale bistro + bar and over 4,500 square feet of flexib...
Bringing in Blue Zone Foods
Larry Mogelonsky | December 23, 2020
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.hotelmogel.com) As New Year’s Eve approaches, we all succumb to the perfunctory promises of self-improvement for the following 12 months. With 2020 being the dumpster fire that it is, the bar is probably a bit lower for goals heading in 2021 over past years. Nevertheless, I bet that staying in shape or incorporating some form of healthier eating habits tops the list. Importantly, if you have dietary resolutions, no doubt your guests do, too. And they’ll be looking for hotels to accommodate their needs accordingly. With most diets continually trending in the direction of healthier, cleaner, orga...
Drinks Trends: 7 Festive Beverages to Discover From Around the World
EHL | December 23, 2020
It’s that time of year again, when friends and families come together to celebrate the holidays around a crackling fire, twinkly lights and a scrumptious spread of seasonal delights. And while traditions may reign when it comes to food and beverages, this might just be the year to try something different. After all, 2020 has been one to remember. For those hosting and looking to dazzle their guests with something unique, we’ve pulled together a list of the latest drinks trends – a list of uniquely indulgent holiday drinks from around the world. 1. Eggnog – United States & Canada A long-standing favorite in North American hou...
5 Things to Share This Holiday Season on Social Media
Pipeline Social Media | December 21, 2020
By: Maiya Wall / Pipeline Social Media The holiday season is here, and unfortunately, so is COVID-19. People are feeling anxious to travel again, undecided if it is wise to do so, and discouraged about missing out on holiday traditions. Travelers are wondering “How can I know for certain that I will have a safe stay?” One solid answer to this question is still hard to give with so many differences in opinions about how to best respond to this pandemic. From a digital marketing perspective, we advise you to focus on what you can do to alleviate guest concern this holiday season. Shift your thinking from “When will this virus end...
Leisure Revenues in Early 2021 Need a Strong PMS
Larry Mogelonsky | December 16, 2020
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.hotelmogel.com) The first half of 2021 will be tough for hotels. Corporate and group guests are still fearful to return in droves prior to the widespread dissemination of a vaccine, which leaves the transient segment to pick up the slack. You need versatile technologies to analyze where your guests are coming from so that you can find those pockets of leisure revenues and stay afloat until a true occupancy inflection occurs. Despite the widespread uncertainty from the coronavirus, we can still depend on a few trends to guide our approach, specifically those involving the use of technology to create...
Amadeus Renews Long-Standing Relationship With IHG® for Business Intelligence Solutions
Amadeus | December 15, 2020
The continued exclusive endorsement of Amadeus' Demand360®, Agency360®, and RevenueStrategy360TM solutions provide the insight needed to increase booking demand and revenue 2020 has brought unprecedented change to the hospitality industry. Hoteliers face significant challenges in identifying opportunities to drive booking demand and establish the most effective distribution strategies to fill short and longer-term occupancies. The historical data they once relied on to build their revenue strategies no longer aligns with current market trends. Today, it is critical that hoteliers have access to comprehensive, accurate, and timely busines...
East West Hospitality to Manage The Charter at Beaver Creek
East West Hospitality | December 14, 2020
Beaver Creek, CO. (Dec. 14, 2020) - East West Hospitality is pleased to announce that it has been awarded the management contract for The Charter at Beaver Creek in the heart of Beaver Creek Resort in Colorado’s Vail Valley. The Charter at Beaver Creek is a luxury resort with 150+ individually owned one to five-bedroom condominiums. This distinctive property, named a Top Colorado Resort by Conde Nast Traveler, delivers memorable experiences through its 24-hour front desk, concierge services and more. Amenities at this ski-in, ski-out, European-inspired resort include indoor & outdoor pools and hot tubs, on-site equipment ren...
The Inn at Harbor Shores Waterfront Resort and Condo Residences Leverages Maestro PMS and Intelity Integration to Enhance Contactless Guest Experience
The Inn At Harbor Shores | December 8, 2020
Markham, Ontario, Dec. 8, 2020 — The Inn at Harbor Shores in St. Joseph, Mich., quickly adapted to the coronavirus pandemic as it was unfolding by leveraging an integration between Maestro, the preferred cloud and on-premise Web browser and Windows property-management system for independent hotels, luxury resorts, conference centers, vacation rentals, and multi-property groups, and INTELITY, a leader in end-to-end guest experience technology. The joint technology is enabling the 92-room waterfront resort to enhance its contactless user experience for guests in a variety of ways. “The integration has allowed our guests to request amenit...
Hilton Launches First Hotel Under Tapestry Collection in Asia Pacific: Hotel Resonance Taipei
Prince Housing and Development Corp | December 3, 2020
TAIPEI and MCLEAN, Va. - Hilton (NYSE: HLT) today announced the opening of HOTEL RESONANCE TAIPEI, a 14-story, 175-room modern hotel located at Happy Village of Zhong Zheng District, Taipei. The latest addition to the Tapestry Collection portfolio and the first hotel under the brand to launch in Asia Pacific, Hotel Resonance Taipei is owned by Times Square International Stays Corp, a subsidiary of Prince Housing & Development Corp, under a franchise agreement with Hilton. Providing easy access to the city’s downtown recreational and cultural attractions, Hotel Resonance Taipei is located 37 kilometers from Taoyuan International Ai...
Infor Launches Hospitality Management Cloud Solution Based on Amazon Web Services in China to Spur Digital Transformation Among Chinese Hotels
Infor | December 2, 2020
Rich capabilities allow hoteliers to centralize cross-platform hospitality management systems; AWS partnership ensures stability and security of data in the cloud BEIJING – Dec. 1, 2020 – Infor today announced the launch of Infor Hospitality Management Solution (HMS) in China together with AWS China (Ningxia) Region (operated by Ningxia Western Cloud Data – NWCD). The launch is aimed at helping more customers in China’s hospitality management industry rapidly implement seamless solutions that streamline operations, with the overall goal to provide enhanced guest services and experiences. Infor HMS is a hotel property management...
Five Ways Focused Service Hotels Can Increase Direct Voice Bookings
Doug Kennedy | November 11, 2020
By Doug Kennedy Although they are generally outperforming other lodging segments, most if not all focused and selective service hotels are looking to build occupancy and rate. Indeed, hoteliers can and should continue to focus on digital marketing opportunities to the full extent. However, let us not forget some old-school “analog” ways to generate revenue. Here are a few ideas for training and development. • Offer a small cash incentive for every voice booking secured by the front desk. I know some leaders will say that taking voice bookings is already part of the job description, but I can tell you from experience that mon...
Resolving Covid-Related Staffing Problems With Management Software
Larry Mogelonsky | November 11, 2020
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.hotelmogel.com) We’re well on our way into the ‘next normal’ – a catch-all term differing from the more binary ‘new normal’ that inscribes the several of successive post-pandemic phases where operational shifts are required. What we know what our current near future is that hotels need to keep staffing costs low in order to breakeven with stricter cleaning protocols and fewer guests reserving rooms or amenities. This can in turn mean that frontline teams are often overworked and put into unfamiliar circumstances, thereby leading to morale and retention problems as well as service errors...
How to Prepare a Successful 2021 Hotel Digital Strategy & Marketing Budget Amidst COVID-19
Margaret Mastrogiacomo | November 10, 2020
By Margaret Mastrogiacomo Budgeting season is a time to analyze your hotel’s marketing and technology initiatives from the last year and set a new plan in action to achieve greater success. Today, many sources project that the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to impact the hospitality industry for years to come, which makes budget planning for 2021 even more complex. In light of this, it’s important to have an idea of where the industry is heading and keep forecasted trends for 2021 top of mind when determining how to allocate your marketing dollars. When putting together your budget, investing in the right marketing initiatives is j...
