Industry Happenings
Franchised On-Site Hotel Medical Clinics: A New Competitive Advantage for Lodging Operations With Hotels Bridging Healthcare (H2H)
Adel Eldin | August 31, 2020
By Adel Eldin, Frederick DeMicco Introduction With an aging society, and travel and tourism likely to increase post covid-19, would a hotel or resort partnering with an onsite medical clinic (franchise) benefit and provide a competitive advantage to the owners? A case for an Innovative onsite hotel clinic as a potential franchise model in medical travel/tourism for lodging operations could be made. There are some lodging and medical clinic models that already exist. One is RosenCare® and another is ProntoCare. Described below, RosenCare® and ProntoCare may provide a template for onsite medical clinics at hotels and resorts and m...
ICC and World Travel & Tourism Council Issue COVID-19 Restart Guide for the Travel & Tourism Sector
August 28, 2020
28/08/2020 - The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) have published a set of recommendations for safely re-opening customer facing businesses in the age of COVID-19. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused widespread disruptions to global supply chains and businesses of all sizes. The Travel & Tourism sector has been particularly impacted by the current pandemic due to travel restrictions, declining traveller confidence and reduced consumer demand. In recognition of the challenges faced by the travel and tourism industry, ICC and WTTC have released a Quick Restart Guide for Employe...
COVID-19 and Transforming Tourism
August 28, 2020
If tourism brings us together, then travel restrictions keep us apart. More importantly, restrictions on travel also prevent tourism from delivering on its potential to build a better future for all. This week the United Nations Secretary-General launched the Policy Brief “COVID-19 and Transforming Tourism”, which UNWTO assumed the lead role in producing. This landmark report makes clear what is at stake – the threat of losing tens of millions of direct tourism jobs, the loss of opportunities for those vulnerable populations and communities who stand to benefit most from tourism, and the real risk of losing vital resources for ...
Staycations Can Help the Hospitality Industry Weather the Storm
Dr. Alan Fyall | August 28, 2020
By Dr. Alan Fyall Months into the pandemic, it has now become cliché to talk about how COVID-19 has battered the travel and hospitality industry. Still, no matter how cliché, the severity of the situation continues to be a reality. Unfortunately, in all likelihood we are going to have to continue enduring these challenges for the foreseeable future, at least until a vaccine is found. Having said that, I do believe there are things the industry can do to alleviate some of its current hardship. The first thing to remember is that as brutal as the effects of the pandemic have been, there’s no reason to believe the industry won’t re...
AETHOS Hotel CEO Turnover Study 2020
Thomas Mielke | August 27, 2020
By Thomas Mielke The pandemic has been impacting businesses across geographic fault lines and industry segments. However, despite the fact that the hospitality sector has undoubtedly been one of the hardest hit, it is also important to recognise that the industry is experiencing a rather remarkable period of steady leadership – and with it comes the firm hand of a tried and tested leader, one who has seen and dealt with a variety of different crises and turbulences and who, one would hope, has gained the trust of ownership, the shareholders and the stakeholders. The Status-Quo: “Nobody Moves!” AETHOS has been tracking CEO turno...
HFTP Announces 2020 Paragon Award Recipient – Ian Millar, CHTP
HFTP | August 27, 2020
Ian Millar, CHTP was selected as the 2020 Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) Paragon Award recipient for his unwavering support of the association and substantial contributions to increase knowledge sharing and promote growth in the hospitality industry at large, specifically amongst students and hospitality professionals within Europe. Millar is a senior lecturer of IT at EHL in Lausanne, Switzerland. He has been a member of HFTP for 15 years and served in multiple association leadership positions including as vice-chair of the HITEC Advisory Council and on the HFTP Global Board. Millar will be honored on October 29 ...
Year-Over-Year the Global Hotel Construction Pipeline Continues to Increase*
Lodging Econometrics | August 27, 2020
August 27, 2020 – PORTSMOUTH, NH - The latest Global Hotel Construction Pipeline Trend Report from Lodging Econometrics (LE), an industry-leading company that compiles construction pipeline counts for every global region, country, and city around the world, states that the global hotel construction pipeline stands at 14,779 projects/2,412,736 rooms. Year-over-year (YOY) the pipeline increased 5% by projects and 4% by rooms with several stages of the pipeline hitting their peaks by project and rooms counts. Under Construction is at an all-time high room count with 1,230,572 rooms/6,896 projects. Projects scheduled to start construction...
STR: U.S. Hotel Results for Week Ending 22 August
STR | August 27, 2020
HENDERSONVILLE, Tennessee—U.S. hotel occupancy fell to a three-week low during the period of 16-22 August, according to the latest data from STR. 16-22 August 2020 (percentage change from comparable week in 2019): Occupancy: 48.8% (-30.3%) Average daily rate (ADR): US$100.08 (-22.7%) Revenue per available room (RevPAR): US$48.81 (-46.1%) The prior week, the industry had reached 50% occupancy for the first time since mid-March. Lower occupancy came as U.S. room demand declined week over week for the first time since mid-April. Reflective of school openings and less vacation travel, the industry sold 492,000 fewer room nights...
Overtourism Still an Issue in Europe as Domestic Visitation Increases, Says GlobalData
GlobalData | August 27, 2020
The surge in domestic tourism following COVID-19 has not curtailed as holiday-makers turn to staycations over international travel. This domestic tourism, which was once a knight in shining armor met with gratitude by residents in European hot spots, is now a cause for despair as they see the all-too-familiar scenes of overtourism, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company. Ralph Hollister, Travel & Tourism Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “There has been a steep fall in demand for international trips this summer due to fears of cancellation, disease transmission and quarantine measures upon return. According to GlobalDat...
Coronavirus Crisis Leads to Hard Conversations Between Franchisor and Franchisee
Advantage Hotels, Inc. | August 27, 2020
Advantage Hotels, Inc. CEO Patrick Mullinix and Q Hotels founder Vimal Patel bare all in honest give and take August 27, 2020 - Austin, Texas – Patrick Mullinix, founder, president and CEO of Advantage Hotels, Inc., is one brand franchisor who is willing to face owners who are unhappy with their current licensing agreements and discuss the problematic relationship between franchisors and franchisees in the age of COVID-19. “Fair franchising is back in the forefront. AHI is leading the way with our new controversial audio series,” said Mullinix, a 25-year veteran of hotel franchising. Mullinix recorded a series of conversations ...
WTTC Says UK Looks Set to Lose £22 Billion From Missing Tourists and Visitors Due to Pandemic
August 26, 2020
London, UK: A staggering £22 billion looks set to be lost from the UK economy due to the collapse of international travel during 2020, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). Travellers and tourists are staying away from the UK in droves because of continuing uncertainty around travel restrictions designed to curb the spread of COVID-19. As a result, this year international visitor spending could plunge by 78% compared to 2019 levels, equating to a loss of £60 million a day, or £420 million a week, to the UK economy. The severe impact on UK Travel & Tourism is laid bare by WTTC as the economic fallout from ...
Contactless Self-Services Are Here to Stay After COVID-19
Linchi Kwok | August 26, 2020
By Linchi Kwok The new COVID-19 cases finally showed signs of declines across the U.S., but definitely, we should still take cautionary measures to avoid another wave of infections. Now, some people have already claimed that this pandemic would forever change the travel industry. Because the coronavirus is primarily transmitted through direct or indirect close contact with infected people via mouth or nose secretions, social distancing and frequent sanitation are highly recommended. It is not surprising to see consumers demand services with minimum human contact, which in turn promotes contactless self-services. Restaurants Mobile...
What Are You Grateful For?
Shep Hyken | August 26, 2020
By Shep Hyken I depart from my typical customer service articles to write something that falls into the motivational category. I was on a Zoom meeting with some of my colleagues in the speaking profession. All of these people are brilliant and hearing how they have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic has been fascinating. In our group, we have a TV celebrity, the president of a major university, one of the top futurists in the world, a digital marketing expert, a retired, high-ranking military officer and more. Some of these people run large businesses and organizations. One of the questions we were asked was, “What are you grateful ...
How to Calculate and Monitor Your Break-Even Point
Global Asset Solutions | August 26, 2020
COVID-19 presented many challenges for hotels who are currently striving to merely break-even instead of maximizing profit as usual. While hotels usually aim for 35% occupancy threshold, many are hoping that COVID-19 cost reductions will lower the break-even threshold. How can a hotel understand when is the right time to resume operations? What occupancies and rates should they be aiming for? How has the pandemic effected the BEP considerations? Through calculating a hotel’s BEP, hotel asset managers are able to determine when is the optimal time for a hotel to reopen or if it may be better to remain closed until higher occupancy levels are...
COVID-19 Impact on U.S. Waterparks and Waterpark Resorts in 2020
David J. Sangree | August 26, 2020
By David Sangree, Nuresh Maredia The current COVID-19 crisis continues to have a significant negative effect on the waterpark industry. Waterparks play a major role in providing entertainment, supporting job creation, fostering small business opportunities, and contributing to robust economic growth. Due to COVID-19, many outdoor waterparks delayed their season openings while others have decided, or were mandated, not to open at all in 2020. Many resorts with waterparks and standalone indoor waterparks were forced to close for several months, and some have yet to reopen. With the largest database of waterparks and waterpark resorts ac...
What Hotels Will Look Like in a Post-COVID World
HotStats | August 25, 2020
For hoteliers and hotel investors, COVID-19 has rushed through the industry like a flood. Without a doubt, it will leave hotels forever transformed in its wake. As the virus subsides, it will reveal a transformed landscape, and hotels will need to adjust to move operations to higher ground. Want a peek into what this post-COVID-19 world will look like for hotels? In this article, we gaze into the future, examine which marks will stay with the hotel industry and lay out what hotels will look like in a post-COVID-19 world. The New Shape of Hotels Post-COVID-19 It may be impossible to predict the future, but there are solid indicators th...
Navy Pier Closure: A Cause for Concern?
Joseph Hansel | August 24, 2020
By Joseph Hansel On August 18th, Navy Pier Inc. (“NPI”) announced a temporary closure beginning September 8th—immediately following Labor Day weekend. Operations are intended to resume sometime in spring 2021. Suspending operations at Navy Pier not only stops visitation, but also the operation of the 70 businesses operating on the pier. Given Navy Pier’s cultural significance to the City of Chicago, such a closure is bound to draw questions about the future of all tourism amenities in the Windy City. HVS seeks to provide a quantified explanation of the effect of such a closure and what this may mean for tourist attractions in the n...
MMGY Global Declares “Stretch Season” an Extension of Summer Travel Into Fall
MMGY Travel Intelligence | August 24, 2020
NEW YORK (August 24, 2020) – The tourism industry has been rapidly transforming and adapting as travel seasonality and consumer trip-planning behavior have changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. MMGY Global – the world's leading integrated marketing company specializing in travel, tourism and hospitality – has identified an opportunity to help bolster the travel industry and help Americans get back lost vacation time with “Stretch Season,” extending the traditional summer travel season well past Labor Day into fall. There is huge pent-up travel demand, and as Americans become more comfortable with venturing out, combined with the co...
Why Midscale and Economy Hotels Are Leading the Current Recovery
Michael Driedger | August 24, 2020
By Michael Driedger Whatever your occupancy is right now, you know that one day it's sure to go up. The hotel industry is currently experiencing something never seen before, and with this also will come pent up travel demand. When the recovery begins and we are all more confident about traveling internationally again, have you thought about where you want your hotel to be strategically? Early signs of what recovery in travel will look like is coming from countries like China where tourism has started again in earnest. According to a McKinsey study this recovery is being led heavily by midscale and economy hotels. The rise in populari...
Tracking the Recovery: How COVID-19 Is Reshaping the Hotel Revenue Mix
HotStats | August 24, 2020
Hotels sell rooms. Yes, there are typically other things that hotels offer within their walls—food, drinks, events, ibuprofen in the sundries store—but when a customer opens up their laptop or calls the property directly, chances are they are thinking to themselves: I am booking a hotel room. It makes sense then that the sale of guestrooms is the single biggest piece of revenue for a hotel. And for that reason, revenue per available room (RevPAR), a performance metric that assesses a hotel’s ability to fill available rooms at an average rate, has been the most promulgated metric in the industry. But as the ...
Omni Hotels & Resorts Plans to Sell Five Hotels in Texas and Florida
Omni Hotels & Resorts | August 20, 2020
DALLAS, Texas (August 18, 2020) – Omni Hotels & Resorts today announced its strategic plan to enhance and continue its growth and brand offerings in the resort and convention center markets. In an effort to deliver a consistent product and guest experience across its portfolio of more than 50 properties, Omni shared its intent to run a thorough review and potential sale process of five hotels including Omni Dallas Hotel at Park West, Omni Jacksonville Hotel, Omni Austin Hotel at Southpark, Omni San Antonio Hotel at the Colonnade and Omni Houston Hotel at Westside. The process is being led by Hodges Ward Elliot based out of Atlanta. ...
Enseo’s, Kris Singleton, Wins Prestigious 2020 CIO of the Year® ORBIE® Award
Enseo | August 19, 2020
Singleton is the latest powerful woman to join Enseo’s executive team. Plano, TX – August 19, 2020 – Enseo®, one of the fastest growing technology service providers in the U.S., congratulates our new CIO, Kris Singleton, on her achievement of winning the 2020 CIO of the Year® ORBIE® Awards recognized by ArizonaCIO. The CIO of the Year ORBIE Awards is the leading technology executive recognition program in the United States, and the selected winners demonstrated excellence in technology leadership. “I’ve always been impressed with Kris. It is wonderful to see her getting the recognition she deserves for her talent and tenaci...
Hotels to Dorms: Converting Hotels to College Housing During the COVID19 Pandemic
Fred DeMicco | August 19, 2020
By Frederick DeMicco, Jackie Guzman Abstract As colleges start classes up in for the fall 2020 semester, many students are moving back to their college towns. Many undergraduate students have guaranteed housing from their universities, but to help with social distancing measures, universities are dispersing their students more than usual. To do this, universities are looking to hotels to house students for the school year. Introduction During the early months of 2020, once it was apparent that the novel coronavirus (COVID19) was a global pandemic, people everywhere started to think of creative solutions to help ease the probl...
ALICE Creates Free Hotel Housekeeping Disinfection Checklists
ALICE | August 19, 2020
New York, NY - ALICE, the hospitality industry’s leading hotel management and operations platform, has just published free hotel housekeeping disinfection checklists for hoteliers. With more than 15 checklists in the downloadable document, hoteliers can download, print, and start using them today. The comprehensive document includes disinfection checklists for guest areas, employee areas and public areas. As occupancy increases, there will be intense scrutiny for housekeeping departments to not only clean, but also sanitize every inch of each guest room - and prove it. The checklists are customizable with extra space for items to be wr...
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