Google Trailing Behind Instagram, TikTok: How Social Media Is Changing the Travel Search Landscape
Lodging Interactive | April 29th, 2024
News Top: April
Embassy Suites by Hilton Deerfield Beach Resort & Spa Unveils Multimillion-Dollar Property Renovation
Embassy Suites by Hilton Deerfield Beach Resort & Spa | April 26, 2024
DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. (April 26, 2024) – Embassy Suites by Hilton Deerfield Beach Resort & Spa is ready to unveil the completion of its multi-million-dollar property renovation, just in time to welcome summer travelers. Located between the popular city centers of Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale, Deerfield Beach is a peaceful, beachside getaway for locals and tourists alike. The extensive renovation includes a redesign of public spaces, more than 11,700 sq. ft. of newly renovated event space, an aesthetic refresh of guestrooms and décor, and a rebranding of its signature dining destination, Beach Terrace Restaurant. “We are absolu...
A New Approach to Hotel Management Fees
Marcus R. Lee | April 26, 2024
By Marcus R. Lee In the ever-evolving hospitality industry, the question of how to effectively compensate hotel operators remains crucial. While the basic premise of paying managers for their management skills holds true, the prevalent incentive fee structures may no longer adequately align with market realities, particularly for owners. Management Fees Breakdown Hotel management companies earn fees through three main avenues: In the typical hotel management agreement, hotel management companies are typically paid a base fee equal to 2.0% to 4.0% of total operating revenue—3.0% being the most common—plus an incentive, typically an...
Travel + Leisure Announces the 2024 It List of Best New Hotels
Travel + Leisure | April 16, 2024
NEW YORK, April 16, 2024 – Today, Travel + Leisure announces the 19th annual It List, a meticulously curated list of the best new and renovated hotels across the globe, which for the first time includes newly launched luxury cruise ships. In-depth coverage of this year’s It List is now available online, and in the May 2024 issue of Travel + Leisure, which hits newsstands April 19. This year, Travel + Leisure’s guide to the can’t-miss openings (and re-openings) covers everything from boutique hotels in Morocco and Portugal to grand resorts along the serene beaches of Mexico and Greece. The selected hotels and cruise ships span 39 c...
Hilton Acquires Majority Controlling Interest in Sydell Group to Expand NoMad Hotels Brand Worldwide
Hilton | April 3, 2024
Brand marks Hilton’s debut in fast-growing luxury lifestyle category MCLEAN, Va. and MIAMI – Hilton (NYSE: HLT) today announced it has acquired a majority controlling interest in Sydell Group (“Sydell”) to expand the NoMad Hotels brand from its existing London flagship location to high-end markets around the world. The addition of NoMad to Hilton’s brand portfolio marks the global hospitality leader’s entry into the fast-growing luxury lifestyle hotel market with a meticulously designed brand defined by exceptional food and beverage, interior design and service. Over the last decade, Sydell, led by founder Andrew Zobler, h...
WoodHouse Set to Open The Hotel at The Moore in Miami’s Design District
WoodHouse | April 26, 2024
(MIAMI, FL – April 26, 2024) – Today, WoodHouse announced that The Moore in the Miami Design District has officially begun its re-opening. The iconic landmark enters its next century as a new cultural destination, complete with a private members club, public restaurant, boutique hotel, executive offices and gallery space. One of the most recognizable façades in the city, The Moore was built in 1922 during the 1920s Florida Land Boom on a former pineapple farm and estate, and would influence the development and design of the surrounding area for 100 years to come. Occupying a nearly 90,000-square-foot space, each floor of The Moore...
DiamondRock Hospitality Company Implements Leadership Changes and Simplified Organizational Structure
DiamondRock Hospitality Company | April 15, 2024
Jeffrey Donnelly Appointed Chief Executive Officer; Briony Quinn Appointed Chief Financial Officer; Justin Leonard Appointed President Appointments Capitalize on DiamondRock's Strong Bench and Proven Talent to Drive Continued Business Momentum Company Reaffirms 2024 Annual Guidance BETHESDA, Md., April 15, 2024 -- DiamondRock Hospitality Company (the "Company") (NYSE: DRH), a lodging-focused real estate investment trust that owns a portfolio of 36 premium hotels and resorts in the United States, today announced leadership changes and a simplified organizational structure to drive continued business momentum: Jeffrey Donnelly, previ...
Rahul Vir Named General Manager of Marriott Long Beach Downtown
Marriott Long Beach Downtown | April 25, 2024
LONG BEACH, Calif. -- Longtime hospitality industry veteran Rahul Vir has been named general manager of the new Marriott Long Beach Downtown, overseeing 140 employees as well as all day-to-day operations of the 376-room property. In his current role, he directs day-to-day management of the 12-story property and has been instrumental in spearheading a top to bottom renovation now underway. When complete in June of 2024, Marriott Long Beach Downtown will emerge with a modern and vibrant design encompassing all 376 rooms and suites, a stunning rooftop pool and deck with sweeping city and ocean views, a fresh new dining venue Local Current, a c...
Three Waters Resort & Marina, a Tribute Portfolio Resort Set for Fall 2024 Opening in the Florida Keys
Pivot | April 12, 2024
Islamorada, Florida, April 12, 2024 – Three Waters Resort & Marina, a Tribute Portfolio Resort in the Florida Keys, will open its doors in Fall 2024. This new upscale resort will elevate the guest experience and become the crown jewel for the Islamorada Resort Collection, which also includes the beloved Amara Cay Resort and La Siesta Resort & Villas. Offering an energizing escape in the “Sport Fishing Capital of the World,” Three Waters Resort & Marina spans 15 acres of oceanfront property and will feature 214 chic, island-inspired guest rooms, nine distinct new dining concepts, and a wide variety of authentic and upscale ex...
Grand Hyatt Atlanta in Buckhead Launching Multi-Phased Renovation
Grand Hyatt | April 26, 2024
ATLANTA (April 26, 2024) –– Nestled in the heart of the vibrant Buckhead neighborhood, Grand Hyatt Atlanta, in Buckhead announces an extraordinary transformation of its legendary premises. This multi-phased renovation will revolutionize the iconic 25-story landmark. Set for a grand reveal in early 2025, this extensive project will enhance every aspect of the hotel, from the luxurious guest rooms and dynamic meeting spaces to the arrival experience with the newly conceptualized lobby lounge, ushering in a new era of unparalleled luxury and elegance. As a beacon of sophistication within Atlanta's bustling business and shopping district...
Why Time Is the New Currency
Audrey Hall | April 12, 2024
By Audrey Hall “Time is money” is an often-repeated phrase attributed to Benjamin Franklin. When the aphorism was written, Franklin was pointing out that time spent not working was time not making money. Fast forward to today’s society and the value, or currency, no longer comes from the time spent working to achieve results, but on the time saved. When interacting with customers, the focus is no longer on spending more time working, but on being more efficient with time. In the context of the hospitality industry, by giving time back to guests, hotels not only extend value but increase loyalty with their customer base. The ...
Hilton Announces 2023 Americas Development Award Winners
Hilton | April 15, 2024
Today, Hilton revealed its 2023 Americas Development Awards which recognize the achievements of owners, development partners, and hotel teams in the Americas across several categories. These annual awards celebrate the resiliency and commitment of our owners and team members who spread the light and warmth of hospitality. “We are thrilled to celebrate our owner and development partners who are the recipients of the 2023 Americas Development Award,” said Danny Hughes, president, Americas, Hilton. “Over the last year, we’ve seen travel continue to grow across the Americas, creating even more opportunities for our partners to welco...
Transforming Hotels With Artificial Intelligence
Robert Rauch | April 1, 2024
Operators Who Ignore New Tech Will Be at a Severe Competitive Disadvantage By Bob Rauch Scheduling and training processes are becoming streamlined; revenue management has improved optimizations, and SEO and marketing strategies rely on AI to enhance online visibility. Chatbots are used for customer service and exist with many hotel providers today. Practical Uses of AI in Hospitality We just revised our menus and wine lists while utilizing AI, and while AI provides insights and depth, it still takes a human to know what is best in a market. This is true with all use cases for AI. It can speed up many processes, support innovation, etc....
Sojern Elevates Guest Experience With HotelKey
Sojern | April 30, 2024
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The Future of Hotel Distribution Channels: Seizing Opportunity in Channel Disruption
Jochen de Peuter-Rutten | April 4, 2024
By Jochen de Peuter-Rutten, Youri Sawerschel The hotel distribution channel landscape is undergoing a seismic shift. Online travel agencies (OTAs) that once leveled the playing field for independent properties now dominate, their economic muscle squeezing hotel margins. Metasearch engines commoditize the search experience, making standalone properties indistinguishable. Meanwhile, the growth in alternative lodging threatens hotels' grip on the accommodations sector. Yet within this disruption lies opportunity for savvy hoteliers. Emergent technologies now enable hotels to tailor the guest experience as never before. Strategic partnershi...
Investing in Wellness Tourism: A Good Strategic Move for Hotels
Angelina Chang | April 12, 2024
By Angelina Chang In recent years, the hospitality industry has witnessed a significant shift towards prioritizing wellness tourism. This movement reflects a global trend towards slower living and self-care, highlighting the importance of holistic health for individuals of all ages and backgrounds. Wellness is defined by the “Global Wellness Institute” (GWI) as “the active pursuit of activities, choices, and lifestyles that leads to a state of holistic health.” As hotels navigate this evolving landscape, investing in wellness tourism emerges not only as a lucrative business strategy but also as a commitment to community well-being ...
Trinity Investments and Partners Group Acquire The Scottsdale Plaza Resort & Villas
Trinity Investments | April 8, 2024
37.4-acre resort in Paradise Valley includes 404 hotel rooms and suites PARADISE VALLEY, Ariz.--A joint venture between Partners Group, a leading global private markets firm, acting on behalf of its clients, and funds managed by Trinity Investments (“Trinity”), announced today the acquisition of The Scottsdale Plaza Resort & Villas (the “Resort”), located in Paradise Valley, Arizona. The Scottsdale Plaza Resort & Villas features 404 rooms spread across the central hotel and surrounding villa suites, as well as 50,000 square feet of meeting space. The transaction also includes the potential for expansion with entitlements...
10 Booking Trends & Stats That Every Hotelier Should Know to Drive Guest Experience and Revenue in 2024 and Beyond
Andrew Rubinacci | April 3, 2024
By Andrew Rubinacci Many of us grew up on the precipice of a new digital era, an inflection point after which innovations seemed to multiply to uncover possibilities that our younger selves might have dismissed as fit for a more distant future—if we imagined them at all. In 2024, innovation seems to be waiting around every corner, and no industry is exempt from its influence and subsequent transformation. The hospitality industry is now in an undeniably important state of flux: a widespread upheaval of legacy processes and platforms to make room for big tech and big ideas. Although hotel service will always have traditional roots and ...
4 Tips to Attract & Retain Gen Z Employees
Mark Lewis-Brown | April 9, 2024
By Mark Lewis-Brown The hospitality industry is no stranger to evolution, and after surviving the chaos of the COVID pandemic and the aftermath, hoteliers are much more adept at pivoting as new trends and developments push the hospitality industry in new directions. 2024 has already ushered in a great deal of change, as consumer booking trends change and many of the top global economies experience contractions, but as always, there will be many other shifts that will impact the hospitality industry over the coming years; one of the most significant changes that we are currently experiencing comes with the entry of Gen Z into the workforce, w...
Will AI Replace Hotel Revenue Managers? Answering the Million Dollar Question
Andrew Rubinacci | April 17, 2024
By Andrew Rubinacci, Chief Advisory Officer of FLYR for Hospitality Never in human history have we had access to as much data as we do today. In recent years, the tools and strategies we use to process and understand insights derived from this data have become one of the hottest commodities – and with good reason. Organizations are able to harness the power of data to gain a deeper understanding of their operations, customer behaviors, and market trends, unlocking competitive advantages. Data-driven decision-making is the new normal. And while the hospitality industry has always used data in its revenue management strategies, AI can...
Customer Experience Is Like Maintenance on Your Car
Shep Hyken | April 25, 2024
By Shep Hyken I was talking to a friend the other day. He purchased an expensive new car just eight months ago. Unfortunately, the car turned out to be a “lemon,” and he has taken it back to the dealer multiple times for various problems. The car has spent more time at the repair center than in his garage. If it were me, I’d ask the dealer to replace the car. Apparently, he has more patience than I do and was giving the dealer another chance to fix the car. Regardless, it made me think that what looks good on the outside may not be so good on the inside. Unfortunately, there are businesses that fall into the same category as m...
Highgate Announces General Manager Appointments to Hawaii Portfolio
HIGHGATE | April 29, 2024
HONOLULU, HI (April 29, 2024) – Highgate, a leading hotel management, investment and development company, is pleased to announce the appointments of two hospitality leaders to serve as General Managers of its expanding portfolio of hotels across the Hawaii region. “Daniel Texeira and Hayato Nogaki are exceptional hospitality leaders. With a progressive portfolio, we are committed to mentoring talent and creating opportunities for emerging executives to excel within Highgate” said Kelly Sanders, Highgate Hawaii Group President. “Daniel will steward the launch of Romer House Waikīkī with bold community vision and engaging leadership...
Hotels Should Seriously Look at the Alcohol Alternatives Category
Adam and Larry Mogelonsky | April 10, 2024
By Adam Mogelonsky, Larry Mogelonsky As restaurateurs and hoteliers, you bear a significant responsibility to ensure the safety of your guests, particularly in preventing drunk driving. The legal ramifications of such incidents are substantial. However, there is encouraging news: alternatives to alcoholic beverages are becoming increasingly available, diverse in quality, and popular among consumers. Simultaneously, there's a growing trend of people abstaining from alcohol either entirely or by reducing their consumption frequency per week. Whether motivated by health concerns or other reasons, such patrons often seek options beyond trad...
Successfully Fielding Legitimate Guest Complaints AND How to Stop the “Full Refund Scammers”
Doug Kennedy | April 3, 2024
Sponsored By Travel Outlook, Better Talent, and Track Hospitality Software Register your team and participate live, or view the recording, of Doug Kennedy’s next 40-minute training webcast scheduled for Friday, April 19, from Noon – 12:45pm EST. REGISTER HERE “While the vast majority of guests who complain simply want to be heard and have their issues resolved, a small but vocal minority intentionally seek out issues they can use to argue for compensation, discounts, or even a full refund,” said KTN President Doug Kennedy. “Unfortunately, untrained staff and first-level supervisors cave all too easily, and worse yet, grow cyn...
St. Louis Leads in Growth for Meetings Madness in March, According to Knowland Data
KNOWLAND | April 4, 2024
An early Easter and the accompanying spring breaks bring a decrease of 8.1 percent in March meetings ARLINGTON, Va. — April 4, 2024 — Knowland, the world’s leading provider of data-as-a-service insights on meetings and events for hospitality, reported that the St. Louis, Mo.-Ill. market led the top 25 markets in March for meetings and events growth with 24.3 percent year-over-year growth. Las Vegas came in second with 20.9 percent growth. National Association and Education groups led in four of the five top markets. This data is sourced from Knowland’s sales intelligence platform and designed to help hoteliers protect and grow th...
Gaining Control of Utility Costs
Robert Mandelbaum | April 2, 2024
By Robert Mandelbaum, Joe Snider Over the past four years, utility costs at U.S. hotels have increased at a pace greater than total operating revenue. As a result, utility department expenses increased from 2.9 percent of total revenue in 2019 to an estimated 3.3 percent in 2023. As hotels have struggled to recover from the pandemic, any rise in cost ratios is an area of concern for owners and operators. The good news is that the pace of growth appears to be slowing down. Year-over-year growth rates for utility expenditures have declined on a dollar per-available-room (PAR) basis from a high of 21.4% in 2022 to an estimated 4.0% in 2023...
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