Cloud5 and SABA Hospitality Bring Humanized Virtual Guest Service to the Americas
Cloud5 | February 18, 2021
Maestro Asks: Is Your Current PMS Helping or Hindering Your Reopening Plans?
Maestro | February 16, 2021
Operations
Cloud5 and SABA Hospitality Bring Humanized Virtual Guest Service to the Americas
Cloud5 | February 18, 2021
Chicago, IL. — February 18, 2021, Cloud5 Communications and SABA Hospitality today announced that they are bringing personalized guest services to hospitality operations in the Americas. The solution combines completely digitized compendium, self-service food and beverage ordering, and A.I. driven chatbot functionality, with the option of click-to-chat/click-to-call service featuring Cloud5's world-class contact center services. “We’re excited to partner with SABA to bring hoteliers a solution that helps them personally engage their guests while improving their bottom line, particularly critical during this challenging time,” said ...
Digital Marketing and the Voice Channel: A Symbiotic Symphony
Travel Outlook | February 17, 2021
John Smallwood CEO Travel Outlook Scott Meldrum Founder, Principal Strategist Digitality How to Optimize Digital Marketing Performance via Voice In today’s world, digital marketing efficiency is not only mission-critical, it‘s a business imperative. While hospitality marketers typically look to improve conversion rates from their digital campaigns on their websites and within the booking engine, there are many opportunities to optimize digital marketing performance within the voice channel. In fact, these two communication channels co-exist in ways that are very symbiotic. In this article, we’ll ex...
Hotel Effie Sandestin Selects Agilysys SaaS Solutions to Improve Operations & Enhance Guest Experience
Agilysys | February 16, 2021
ALPHARETTA, GA. — February 16, 2021 — Agilysys, Inc. (Nasdaq: AGYS), a leading global provider of next-generation cloud-native SaaS and on-premise hospitality software solutions and services, today announced that the Hotel Effie Sandestin in Miramar Beach, FL has selected the award-winning innovative InfoGenesis POS solution, as well as its modern cloud-native SaaS Agilysys Pay Connect secure payment processing product to enhance their guest experience. Hotel Effie Sandestin, situated on Florida’s Emerald Coast, features 250 guest rooms and suites, four culinary concepts by acclaimed chef Hugh Acheson, a luxury spa, state-of-...
Maestro Asks: Is Your Current PMS Helping or Hindering Your Reopening Plans?
Maestro | February 16, 2021
Leading property-management system provider is offering a PMS Evaluation Checklist to independent hoteliers needing a system makeover; Technology experts say today’s PMSs must support a comprehensive property experience including the contactless demands of tomorrow’s returning travelers Markham, Ontario, February 16, 2021 — 2021 is a year of disruption. Not only has the hotel business come to a screeching halt in many markets, but travelers are modifying their list of must-haves if operators want them to return, and touchless experiences — such as contactless payments, mobile check-in/out, mobile reservations, mobile keys, and hot...
Knowcross Announces Integration With SABA Hospitality to Help Hotels Enhance the Contactless Experience With Guests
Knowcross | February 9, 2021
SABA Hospitality Technology Solutions, a Macau-based hospitality technology specialist focused on transforming guest and staff engagement, have announced a strategic partnership with Knowcross®, the global leader in providing service quality and optimization solutions for hotels, to provide hotels with advanced tools capable of overcoming a range of service challenges posed by COVID-19 and the evolving guest journey in the hospitality industry. Given the thirst for contactless solutions and reducing costs, the integration focuses on the contactless technology SABA Hospitality provides and KNOW Service, a leading guest request management a...
5 Steps to Prepare Your Hotel Housekeeping Team for 2021 and Beyond
Amadeus | February 8, 2021
The challenges the hospitality industry has faced in the wake of COVID-19 reminds us how critical the housekeeping department’s role is to a hotel’s overall success. The urgency to prevent the spread of COVID-19 has accelerated change in our industry, including the need for new hygiene and cleaning processes. Even before the virus, 78% of hotel guests believed cleanliness to be the most crucial factor affecting their choice of where to stay, with hotel cleaning protocols moving up to the #1 top-ranked category for travel with COVID-19. As guests expect the highest standards of sanitation to feel at ease in a hotel and once again re...
Meyer Jabara Hotels Opens Cambria Fort Lauderdale
Meyer Jabara Hotels | February 1, 2021
Danbury, Conn., — February 1, 2021 — Meyer Jabara Hotels (MJH) announces that the Cambria® Hotel Fort Lauderdale Beach is now open. Owned by Jai and Jessica Motwani, president and CEO of real-estate development group Hotel Motel Inc., the 97-room hotel is located at 2231 N. Ocean Blvd. This is the 55th Cambria in the Choice Hotels International portfolio and the fourth Cambria Hotel managed by Meyer Jabara Hotels. “It’s peak season in Florida and we are thrilled that this property is open and welcoming guests to Fort Lauderdale Beach,” said Meyer Jabara Hotels President Justin Jabara. “The South Florida hospitality market i...
Hospitality Upgrade Presents Free Leadership Webinar With Renie Cavallari Titled, Headtrash: The Leading Killer of Human Potential
HOSPITALITY UPGRADE | January 25, 2021
Learning how to dump your HeadTrash will awaken your potential and improve the quality of your life! (ATLANTA) Jan. 25, 2021 – Hospitality Upgrade and Hotel Online have partnered with Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) to launch a leadership webinar for the hotel industry. Dubbed a HU-inar, the 35-minute webinar will help you organize your thoughts and better manage your mind and more. It is guaranteed to be entertaining, educational as well as inspirational. Hospitality Upgrade President Rich Siegel talks with Renie Cavallari of Aspire, the recognized leading authority on shifting human behavior to unleash perfo...
Davidson Hotels & Resorts Launches Resort Division, Davidson Resorts
Davidson Hotels & Resorts | January 19, 2021
ATLANTA (January 19, 2021) – Leading hospitality management company Davidson Hotels & Resorts has launched Davidson Resorts, a sophisticated operating division focused entirely on the unique skill set necessary to effectively manage distinctive resorts. Specializing in complex, high-touch assets, the portfolio will be comprised of large-scale, highly-activated properties with multiple food & beverage outlets, retail, leisure activities like golf, spa, ski, water sports and more. At the helm will be resort and luxury industry specialist Steve Contos, who has been appointed executive vice president of Davidson Resorts. In this lead...
HVS U.S. Franchise Fee Guide
Kasia M. Russell | January 18, 2021
By Kasia M. Russell Published each fall, the HVS U.S. Hotel Franchise Fee Guide provides a comparative review of various hotel franchises based on their applicable franchise fees. Selection of an appropriate franchise affiliation affects a property’s ability to compete in its local market, generate profits, and achieve a desirable image and market orientation. HVS U.S. Hotel Franchise Fee Guide 2020 HVS U.S. Hotel Franchise Fee Guide 2019 HVS U.S. Hotel Franchise Fee Guide 2018 HVS U.S. Hotel Franchise Fee Guide 2016/17 HVS U.S. Hotel Franchise Fee Guide 2015/16 HVS U.S. Hotel Franchise Fee Guide 2014 HVS U.S. Hotel Franchise Fe...
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...
Sage Hotel Management Adds Canopy by Hilton Washington D.C. Bethesda North to Portfolio
Sage Hospitality | January 7, 2021
Sage Hotel Management, a Sage Hospitality Group company, announced today the addition of Canopy by Hilton Washington D.C. Bethesda North to its portfolio of managed hotels. “We are thrilled to welcome this stunning property into the Sage family,” said Daniel del Olmo, President and COO of Sage Hotel Management. “The Canopy brand, and this property in particular, are a perfect fit for our company and our growing portfolio of more than 50 lifestyle hotels across the country. We look forward to working with our new partners at Federal (NYSE: FRT), as their business priorities and company ethos are very well aligned with that of Sag...
Mondrian South Beach Selects Advantage Reserve to Optimize Reservations Sales, Deliver Visibility Into Guest Data
Advantage Reserve | January 6, 2021
Fort Lauderdale, FL, January 6, 2020 — Advantage Reserve, the leading provider of high-quality central reservations services to the hospitality industry, has announced that Mondrian South Beach, a newly renovated, 220-room waterfront property on Miami Beach’s Biscayne Bay, has selected its services to enhance the guest experience, increase reservations conversions, and gain deeper insights into guest data. Located on Miami Beach’s West Avenue, Mondrian South Beach recently experienced a $20-million property-wide transformation, introducing a completely refreshed design throughout the hotel. A sophisticated casual elegance ties togeth...
Choice Hotels Partners With Gulf Coast Hotel Management for Conversion of 15 Hotels to MainStay Suites
Choice Hotels | January 4, 2021
ROCKVILLE, Md., Jan. 4, 2021 -- Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) has awarded franchise agreements to Gulf Coast Hotel Management, Inc. to convert 15 MainStay Suites hotels in major markets across the U.S., the largest multi-unit transaction in the brand's history. These properties, which have already begun welcoming guests, significantly increase the brand's foothold in the midscale extended stay segment. These 15 hotels combined add nearly 1,700 rooms to the Choice Hotels portfolio and are located in the following cities: Centennial, Colorado Meriden, Connecticut Altamonte Springs, Florida Hoffman Estates, Il...
Do Masks Make a Difference in Customer Perception of Service Quality in Hotels and Restaurants?
Dr. Cihan Cobanoglu | December 16, 2020
By Dr. Cihan Cobanoglu As COVID-19 spreads person to person through respiratory droplets, U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone wears a mask when they are around other people (CDC, 2020). As such, many companies have enforced mask wearing policy for their customers and employees (Markowitz, 2020). As a result, many people have started to use masks in the United States. It is noteworthy that while it is new to American culture, mask wearing is common in some Asian cultures (Beglin, 2020). [caption id="attachment_253344" align="aligncenter" width="974"] Figure 1: Type of service person and mask types used...
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...
What Exactly Are Owners Looking for From Their GM’s When It Comes to the Operational Finances?
David Lund | December 14, 2020
The Slick Talk Interview - David Lund & Interviewing for Financial Success for Your Hotel In this hard hitting interview you will learn what to tell your owner about how you're going to successfully manage their asset. What are the leadership strategies you will use to generate a superior return on their investment? How will you show up as the number one and instill confidence and lead your team around the money piece? If you're looking for the silver lining in all that is Covid in the hotel industry right now and getting your aspiring career back on track, then you are not going to want to miss this one....
Corporate Governance Study: Lodging Boards 2020
Keith Kefgen | December 9, 2020
By: Keith Kefgen, New York | Terry Donovan, New York The hotel/travel industry has been particularly hard hit by COVID. Many of the industry’s venerable brands have had to do the unthinkable, furlough or layoff significant percentages of their workforce. Many executives and even board directors have taken pay cuts during this health crisis. We wonder how this pandemic will impact corporate governance and the tough decisions facing public hotel/travel companies. We have been studying governance practices in the industry for nearly two decades and we have seen huge strides in the quality of board practices. Our study this year examined ...
Knowcross Announces Launch of Covid-19 Ready Know Housekeeping
Knowcross | December 3, 2020
London – December 3, 2020 - Knowcross, the world’s leading service quality management platform announce the release of the updated, COVID-19 Ready KNOW Housekeeping. The enhanced solution was designed with direct input from Knowcross’s diverse customer base, faced with new challenges to streamline their operations due to ever-changing government guidelines and the introduction of new SOPs related to COVID-19. Cleanliness has always been a core value of any respected hotel but few could have predicted how important cleanliness, health, and safety have become. In the era of COVID-19, hotels are under extreme pressure to not only raise ...
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...
Aimbridge Hospitality’s International Division Assumes Management of 31 Hotels in the United Kingdom
Aimbridge Hospitality | December 2, 2020
Interstate Hotels & Resorts selected to manage Jupiter Hotels’ UK portfolio [PLANO, Texas – December 2, 2020] Aimbridge Hospitality, the leading, global, third-party hotel management company, has announced that its international division, Interstate Hotels & Resorts, is managing 31 Jupiter Hotels located across the United Kingdom this month, operating its entire U.K. portfolio. Mike Deitemeyer, President and CEO-elect of Aimbridge Hospitality, said, “Aimbridge is very pleased to see continued momentum in our International division. Our deep operating acumen and vast experience across all hospitality verticals have continued t...
Clairvoyix Adds Contactless Guest Engagement and Digital Team Operations Suite With Fetch Integration
Fetch | November 19, 2020
Leading hotel marketing automation system integrates with digital guest engagement platform to empower hotels and further improve campaign ROI using service intelligence. LAS VEGAS, NV (November 19, 2020) – Two things are top of mind for hotels as they begin their recovery: acquiring guests and operating safely. Clairvoyix has partnered with Fetch to provide hotels one integrated platform to achieve these goals. Clairvoyix supported properties can now use Fetch to ensure safe high-quality guest experiences with proactive contactless guest engagement while leveraging guest satisfaction data to create targeted and personalized marketing ...
Unity in a Virtual Workplace – How to Unite Disparate Teams to Work as One
Travel Outlook | November 18, 2020
John Smallwood, CEO Travel Outlook Allison Ahrens, President Hospitality Revenue Solutions November 2020 In addition to the large human cost that COVID-19 has had on the world, its effect on the hospitality industry has been unprecedented. Because COVID has taken more jobs out of the office and further online, companies have been forced to look at how they can keep their teams united in the virtual workplace. Having previously written about silos in the workplace, this article looks at the “new norm” for hotels as they seek to unite disparate teams seeking to work as one. ...
6 Tips for Benchmarking Your Way to Success
HotStats | November 17, 2020
Like it or not, your hotel is in the middle of a race with the competition — although the current hotel climate may feel more like an obstacle course. Wouldn’t it be nice if, during this ongoing marathon, you could peek across at competitors, note their positions and analyze the techniques, equipment and other factors propelling them forward? That’s the magic of hotel benchmarking. It reveals the financial performance of the whole field, breaks down the factors contributing to each hotel’s position and highlights how your hotel can improve its financial standing. Ready to learn how to benchmark your hotel against competitors and...
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