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Industry Happenings
Tourism Tidbits: Tourism Facing New Challenges in a New Year; Part 1 of 2
Dr. Peter Tarlow | January 9, 2015
by Dr. Peter Tarlow Now that the December holidays are past, and the parties have ended, just like almost everyone else, tourism professionals must return to a world of work and new challenges. From health issues to economic issues, from issues of social unrest to all too often substandard customer service, tourism officials face a host of problems. Some of these problems are within the tourism and travel industry's control. Although others are not in the industry's direct control their consequences directly or indirectly the industry and must be taken into account. Below is a summary of some of the issues with which tourism officials m...
Hotels for Humanity New Organizer for the Meetup Group, No Tolerance for Human Trafficking
Hotels For Humanity | January 8, 2015
Scottsdale, Arizona (January 9, 2015) – Judson Uhre, owner of Hotels for Humanity, an American hotel supply company, stepped up as the new organizer of the meet-up group, No Tolerance for Human Trafficking. The meet-up group is aimed at continuing the conversation to generate awareness to prevent and protect victims of trafficking while prosecuting trafficking criminals. ...
Hilton Garden Inn Honors Outstanding Brand Performers of 2014
Hilton Garden Inn | January 7, 2015
MCLEAN, Va. - January 7, 2015 - Hilton Garden Inn, Hilton Worldwide's award-winning brand of upscale yet affordable hotels, recently recognized its highest achieving properties. Nearly 50 individual and hotel awards were presented to recipients chosen from the brand's growing portfolio of more than 600 hotels worldwide. The 2014 Hotel of the Year and Connie Award winners were presented to North American winner, Hilton Garden Inn Mobile East Bay/Daphne, AL, who received this honor for the second consecutive year, and international winner Hilton Garden Inn Krasnodar, Russia. The Connie Award, named after Hilton Worldwide's founder Conrad ...
Content Marketing Slush Piles
Larry Mogelonsky | January 7, 2015
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.lma.ca) With so much emphasis on the sharing and distribution of content, we tend to neglect the content itself. The most important aspect of content marketing is not the sharing, but the raw content itself - every idea, concept, sticky fun fact or quirky nugget of value that you give your fans in return for their continued appreciation. It comes down to the value you give, and providing this every week is a daunting task. Introducing the Slush Pile Approach The best I can do is share with you the method I use to keep the content marketing pipeline flowing. It's called The Slush Pile Approach. Gene...
HeBS Digital Invites Hoteliers to Boost On-Property Revenues and Guest Satisfaction
HeBS Digital | January 7, 2015
HeBS Digital, the award winning hotel digital technology, website design, full-service digital marketing and website revenue optimization consulting firm, is offering a free Guest Portal to clients who purchase a Responsive/Adaptive Design Package in the first quarter of 2015. The Guest Portal allows hoteliers to boost revenues and guest satisfaction from their on-property guests. NEW YORK, NY January 7, 2015 - HeBS Digital, the industry's leading digital technology, full-service hotel digital marketing, website design and direct online channel consulting firm, invites hotel marketers to go beyond the three screens (desktop, tablet, an...
JW Marriott Austin in Texas Nears February 2015 Opening; Names Culinary Team for its 3 Restaurants
the JW Marriott Austin | January 7, 2015
Austin, Texas (January 7, 2015) - JW Marriott Austin announced today the names and concepts behind the hotel's three restaurants: Osteria Pronto, Corner and Burger Bar. New culinary team members and the food and beverage director were also announced. Executive Chef Juan Martinez was appointed in July 2014 and will oversee culinary operations for the three restaurants as well as banquets and events. Osteria Pronto is a full-service regional Italian restaurant. Using a thoughtful approach to cooking from scratch and a sincere commitment to fresh, local ingredients, Osteria Pronto's menu is designed to offer a twist on classic Italian dish...
Hotel Industry Welcomes Senate Bill to Restore 40-Hour Work Week
American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) | January 7, 2015
Washington, D.C. - January 7, 2014 - The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA), the sole national association representing all segments of the 1.8 million-employee lodging industry, today applauded Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Joe Donnelly (D-IN) for introducing the bipartisan Forty Hours is Full Time Act. This legislation would fix a flaw in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) by restoring the traditional definition of full-time employment back to the 40-hours per week which the American workforce has lived by for decades. "We applaud Senators Collins and Donnelly for their leadership and willingness to work across the ai...
A Brand Debut in Nova Scotia, The 120-key Hollis Halifax – a DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Opens
DoubleTree By Hilton | January 7, 2015
January 07, 2015 - HALIFAX, Nova Scotia & MCLEAN, Va. - Hilton Worldwide and DoubleTree by Hilton today announced the opening of The Hollis Halifax – a DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel, the brand's first property in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. The former Radisson Suite Hotel Halifax debuts a $7 million dollar renovation that includes sleek, modern design updates throughout the property. Only 33 kilometers south of Halifax Stanfield International Airport, the nine-story hotel is situated in the heart of downtown Halifax, just one block from the historic Halifax Waterfront where travelers discover the rich cultural experi...
Hyatt Names Maryam Banikarim as Global Chief Marketing Officer
Hyatt Hotels Corporation | January 7, 2015
CHICAGO (January 7, 2015) – Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) today announced the appointment of Maryam Banikarim as the company's global chief marketing officer. In this role, Banikarim will be responsible for driving the company's individual brands and the experiences they offer online and offline while working across the organization to facilitate innovation around the guest experience. Banikarim will assume her new role at Hyatt effective January 26, 2015, reporting to Mark Hoplamazian, president and chief executive officer. "Maryam is an exceptional leader. She brings to Hyatt a wealth of experience working with brands that are ...
AC Hotels by Marriott Welcomes its First Danish Hotel – the 812-room AC Hotel Bella Sky Copenhagen
AC Hotels by Marriott | January 7, 2015
January 7, 2015 – AC Hotels by Marriott, a lifestyle brand belonging to Marriott International, announced today its debut in Denmark, welcoming the impressive 812-room Bella Sky Hotel to the portfolio as the AC Hotel Bella Sky Copenhagen on December 15, 2014. The news follows major global expansion of the brand, aimed at the lifestyle oriented business traveller, with the opening of the first AC by Marriott property in the U.S. - the AC Hotel New Orleans Bourbon - and recent openings in Istanbul and Valencia. Located just ten minutes by metro from Copenhagen city centre, the AC Hotel Bella Sky Copenhagen impresses with its dramatic mo...
Westin Buckhead Atlanta Implements INNCOM to Meet its Starwood 30/20 by 20 Environmental Initiatives
Westin Buckhead Atlanta | January 7, 2015
Westin Buckhead Manages Guestroom Energy Use; Reduces Room Cooling Cost by 35%, Winter Energy Use by 55% with INNCOM System ATLANTA, January 7, 2015 - The Westin Buckhead Atlanta implemented an INNCOM Energy Management System as part of a comprehensive strategy to support its Starwood Hotels & Resorts' "30/20 by 20" environmental initiatives. The 358-room property installed e4 Smart Digital Thermostats with the patented ecoMODE® feature, INNcontrol 3 Central Room Management software, and a full INNCOM property management system interface. Westin Buckhead taps advanced system to achieve energy conservation standards "The goal of Sta...
Starwood Hotels Debuts in Tajikistan with Opening of the 148-room Sheraton Dushanbe Hotel
Sheraton Hotels & Resorts | January 7, 2015
Owned by CJSC CHL International January 07, 2015 - DUSHANBE, Tajikistan - Powering ahead in dynamic markets worldwide, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) today announced it has entered Tajikistan with the opening of Sheraton Dushanbe Hotel. Owned by CJSC CHL International, a subsidiary of CHL Limited (BSE:CHL), Sheraton Dushanbe Hotel boasts a central location within Tajikistan's capital city and features 148 rooms, state-of-the-art meeting facilities, three restaurants and all of the Sheraton brand's signature amenities and services. "We are thrilled to mark Starwood's entry into Tajikistan with the launch of our...
Transformation Complete at the Madeline Hotel and Residences in Telluride, Colorado
Madeline Hotel and Residences Telluride | January 7, 2015
January 7, 2015 (Telluride, Colorado) - Step off the slopes and into the freshly transformed ski-in/ski-out experience awaiting travelers in Telluride, Colorado, at the re-imagined Madeline Hotel and Residences Telluride. The only Four-Diamond full-service resort in Telluride, Madeline Hotel and Residences is thrilled to unveil a wide variety of enhancements property-wide, just in time for this year's ski season. With new dining, unique ski services, several new on-site activities, there's something for everyone. Best of all, soon the new Owners will be making a limited number of recently upgraded Residences available for sale. STAY: Ma...
Agilysys Attains Gold Certified Status in Microsoft Partner Program
Agilysys | January 7, 2015
Company Recognized as a Leading Software Solutions Provider ALPHARETTA, GA. - Jan. 7, 2015 - Agilysys, Inc. (Nasdaq: AGYS), a leading provider of innovative hospitality software solutions and services, today announced that it has attained Gold Certified Partner status in the Microsoft Partner Program, with a competency in the Independent Software Vendor (ISV)/Software Solutions category. Gold competencies demonstrate best-in-class capabilities within specific Microsoft solution areas. Gold Certified Partner status recognizes Agilysys' skill and proficiency in the technology marketplace. Microsoft Gold Certified Partners receive a number...
Provenance Hotels Names Executive Team for the Old No. 77 Hotel & Chandlery in New Orleans
The Old No. 77 Hotel & Chandlery | January 7, 2015
Appoints John Price as General Manager and Keith Normand as Director of Sales January 7, 2015 - NEW ORLEANS, La. - Provenance Hotels is pleased to announce the appointment of John Price as General Manager and Keith Normand as Director of Sales for the Old No. 77 Hotel & Chandlery. Located in New Orleans' Arts District at the intersection of Tchoupitoulas and Lafayette Streets, just four blocks from the French Quarter, the 167-room hotel is slated to open in spring 2015. As General Manager of the Old No. 77 Hotel & Chandlery, Price will oversee operations, revenue generation, cost and quality management and capital planning to en...
Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group Appoints Fred Schwartz Vice President of Owner Relations in the Americas
Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group | January 7, 2015
MINNEAPOLIS (January 7, 2015) - Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the world's largest and most dynamic hotel groups, today appointed Fred Schwartz as vice president, Owner Relations, Americas. He will report directly to Philip Silberstein, executive vice president, Development, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, Americas. "Fred is a highly respected industry leader and joins us after an impressive 18-year career as president of the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA), where he helped grow the organization from 3,000 to 14,000 members who own more than 40 percent of U.S. hotels," said Silberstein. "Today AAHOA is recognized as th...
Maestro PMS Launches Web Development Services to Boost Revenue for Independents
Maestro Property Management Solution | January 7, 2015
Maestro's Cost-Effective Services Create Quality Property Websites that Increase Direct Reservations, Strengthen Online Sales January 7, 2015 - Maestro PMS™ announced new website development services to increase online presence and boost revenue for independent operators. Maestro's web services include affordable, search-optimized website creation, content development, and simplified package promotion pages to drive sales. Maestro PMS Enterprise Property Management provides more than 20 hotel software and reservation software solutions for the industry's leading independent hotels, resorts, and multi-property groups. Click here to le...
Social Media Resolutions for Hoteliers in 2015
Lodging Interactive | January 7, 2015
Lodging Interactive, an award-winning digital marketing and social media engagement firm exclusively serving the hospitality industry, shares social media resolutions hoteliers should make for the new year. PARSIPPANY, N.J. - JANUARY 7, 2015 - The start of a new year ushers in the feeling of a fresh start with plenty of potential and often an equally plentiful list of resolutions to uphold. This year, making social media resolutions for 2015 can be an effective way to outline a hotelier's social media expectations for their property and to ensure efforts across all social channels align with a hotel's sales, marketing and customer serv...
CHM Appoints C. Barry Robinson Senior Vice-President, Asset Management
CHM | January 7, 2015
BEVERLY, Mass., January 7, 2015 - Capital Hotel Management (CHM), a leading hotel asset management and investment advisory firm, today announced that it has named industry veteran C. Barry Robinson senior vice-president. In his new role, Robinson will be responsible for providing asset management and advisory services to new and existing clients as they grow their hotel investment portfolios through improving returns on existing properties, acquisitions and new development. Robinson is based in Denver, where CHM is actively engaged on several projects, including the Hyatt Regency Denver at the Colorado Convention Center and the Westin D...
SHR’s WindsurferCRS had Exceptional Year in 2014
SHR | January 7, 2015
Major improvements were made to help hotels meet and exceed their revenue goals HOUSTON, TX, January 7, 2015- Sceptre Hospitality Resources (SHR), an innovative provider of advanced distribution technology and services for the hospitality industry, reflects on the impact of its WindsurferCRS in 2014. The industry-leading Central Reservations System underwent many enhancements and feature releases in 2014 to better serve hotels and their guests. With the release of TopSail™, the responsive Internet Booking Engine from SHR, the first real shopping cart experience was available to guests when booking single hotel stays and multiple stay ...
Robert Gaymer-Jones Named President & CEO of Panorama Hospitality Management Company
Panorama Group | January 7, 2015
January 07, 2015 - SAN ANTONIO, Texas - Panorama Group has announced a joint venture agreement with Blue Horse Hotel Management Company, naming Robert Gaymer-Jones President and CEO of the newly formed Panorama Hospitality Management Company, with a primary focus on luxury hotels worldwide. Gaymer-Jones, the founder of Blue Horse Hotel Management Company, served as CEO for Sofitel Luxury Hotels in Paris from 2007 to 2014. He successfully led the re-positioning of the brand by downsizing and rebuilding Sofitel into a global luxury chain including the So brand of lifestyle hotels and the iconic Legend portfolio of hotels as being the ulti...
ADA Defense Lawyer: New ADA Standards for Website Accessibility
Jim Butler | January 7, 2015
By Jim Butler and the Global Hospitality Group® 07 January 2015 Click here for the latest articles on ADA Compliance & Defense. ADA Issues on Websites: Department of Justice Poised to Adopt Accessible Website Standards Since at least 2000, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has been advocating standardized website development and content to promote access to blind and low vision internet users. In 2013, the DOJ withdrew its proposed Advanced Notice of Proposed Rule Making (ANPRM) which would have established standardized internet protocols by adopting the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0. In 2006, we reported ...
Cachet Hotel Group Hires Justin Guo as President of Hotel Operations
Cachet Hotel Group | January 7, 2015
HONG KONG, Jan. 7, 2015 -- Cachet Hotel Group (CHG) today announced that it has appointed Justin Guo as President of Hotel Operations. Justin Guo joined CHG in a newly created position, as President of Hotel Operations and member of CHG executive team, reporting to CEO Alexander Mirza. In this role, Guo will lead the operation and expansion of CHG hotels, spearheading regional operations, sales and marketing, revenue management, purchasing and other centralized functions. In addition to operations, Guo will also oversee architectural design and new project management. A veteran of the hotel industry, Guo brings over 23 years of hospital...
MO’s Lodge of Four Seasons and Access Hotels & Resorts Partner for Multimillion Dollar Renovation
Access Hotels & Resorts | January 7, 2015
LAKE OZARK, MO - Jan 7, 2015 - Four Seasons Group and Access Hotels & Resorts are pleased to announce that they have joined forces to engage in a multimillion dollar renovation project of the famed Lodge of the Four Seasons Resort located at the Lake of the Ozarks. In making this announcement, Susan Koplar Brown, a principal of The Lodge said, "We have had a long relationship with Tom Baker and Access Hotels & Resorts. They understand our long term vision and goal of maintaining the Lodge as a first class resort. We are further pleased to announce that Access Hotels and Resorts will be using its extensive experience and expertis...