Embracing Technology Without Losing the Human Touch in Hospitality
Alan Young | February 8, 2024
Amadeus Data Reveals Los Cabos, Mexico to Be Top Hotel Destination for Christmas and New Year’s Travel
Amadeus’ Demand360+ | December 7, 2023
Technology
GCommerce Signs Digital Marketing Agreements with Coast Hotels and Principal Hayley Hotels
Coast Hotels | July 10, 2013
EMarketing Firm Sees Continued Portfolio Growth and International Expansion PARK CITY, Utah, July 10, 2013 -GCommerce Solutions, a hospitality digital marketing company known for driving significant incremental revenue for branded and independent hotels, today announced that it has signed agreements with Coast Hotels and Principal Hayley (PH) Hotels. GCommerce will be responsible for optimizing the internet marketing scope of both chains through website and customized online outreach efforts. "Although online marketing, especially social media, has received widespread attention, the savviest hotels are tapping new developments in techno...
Regatta Travel Solutions Signs Deal with Major OTA to Drive Qualified Traffic to CVB Websites
Regatta Travel Solutions Inc. | July 10, 2013
Charlottesville, Virginia (July 10, 2013) - Regatta Travel Solutions is breaking new ground once again. Today the Company announced that it has signed an agreement with one of the largest Online Travel Agencies to capture qualified traffic and bring them to CVB (Convention & Visitors Bureau) websites to book. Regatta has made several announcements about its innovative strategies to increase booking volume through CVB websites. This latest deal is another tool to add to its arsenal. "Online Travel Agencies, just like any other travel website, have a large percentage of visitors that do not convert," said Ashwin Kamlani, Founder of Re...
Are Your Sustainability Initiatives Missing a Critical Component? A Perspective on Risk
Kevin A. Goldstein & HVS Sustainability Services | July 9, 2013
by Kevin A. Goldstein This article provides a perspective on key areas of risk relating to investment into utility efficiency projects and sustainability initiatives, and how owners / operators can minimize exposure during all phases of investment into their properties. Since re-launching our Sustainability practice in late 2011, HVS has contended that sustainability initiatives should focus on utility efficiency and be driven by the bottom line. We believe that a valid business case exists for numerous types of investments in building equipment and enhanced operating practices, and across the hospitality sector there are literally thou...
Highlights of HSMAI Revenue Optimization Conference (ROC); Record Attendance Reported
HSMAI | July 9, 2013
July 9, 2013 - HSMAI's Revenue Optimization Conference (ROC) occurred Monday, June 24, at the Hyatt Regency in Minneapolis. The conference, in its 10th year, focused on "Leading Revenue Management into the Future" and was again co-located with HITEC, the world's largest hospitality technology show. HSMAI is pleased to announce ROC had a record 440 attendees. Hotel attendees from 102 different hotel brands, management companies and ownerships groups, with 31 percent holding corporate-level and 69 percent unit-level titles, were among those present at the conference. In addition, 55 hotel properties were in attendance. Additionally, Reven...
Regatta Travel Solutions Announces Deal with Visit Sarasota County
Regatta Travel Solutions Inc. | July 9, 2013
Charlottesville, Virginia (July 9, 2013) - Regatta Travel Solutions announced today that Visit Sarasota County has signed an agreement to use the Regatta booking engine on visitsarasota.org, replacing Travelocity. The new booking engine is expected to launch before the DMAI Annual Convention in July. "Sarasota County was actually the first DMO (Destination Marketing Organization) that we ever spoke with in the United States," said Ashwin Kamlani, Founder of Regatta Travel Solutions. "They did their due diligence and watched us grow over the last year before actually making the decision to switch to Regatta. We are very proud to be worki...
New Property Manager for Hilton Garden Inn Fort Myers
BuildCentral | July 8, 2013
Hotel-Online and BuildCentral Have Updated 231 Hotels in the Last Two Weeks with Changes in Personnel, Property Management or Ownership Chicago, IL. July 8, 2013 - Hotel-Online and BuildCentral have reported 231 changes in personnel, property management and ownership in the Hotel Profiles database over the last two weeks. Many hotels are getting a fresh start with a new Owner, Property Manager or General Manager. Recommend your product or service to someone who might be looking for a change. Hotels Under New Management: Hilton Garden Inn West Palm Beach Airport (West Palm Beach, FL) Embassy Suites Birmingham/Hoover (Birmingham, AL) ...
Sercotel, the European Hotel Chain, Joins Hospitality Grapevine
Hospitality Grapevine | July 8, 2013
Hospitality Grapevine is excited to announce the addition of Sercotel, the European hotel chain, as part of the ever-expanding collection of Exclusive Hospitality Employee Travel Experiences. Industry professionals can now access Sercotel's collection of over 150 hotels and receive a discount in magnificent locations throughout Spain, Portugal, Colombia and Andorra. With a myriad of amenities and adventures including art, archeology, castles tours to water sports, golf and hiking experiences. This newest addition of offerings will enhance a European travel destination. To view the special Sercotel discounts and others, become a FREE mem...
MJS Hotels Chooses Unifocus to Achieve Superior Levels of Customer Service
MJS Hotels | July 8, 2013
Dallas, July 8th, 2013 - UniFocus is proud to announce the expansion of our partnership with MJS Hotels to include the Majestic Mayfair Hotel, Los Angeles. MJS is dedicated to building lifelong relationships with its team members, guests and owners by creating an environment where each guest is treated with respect and care, built on a foundation of family, extraordinary service, integrity, diversity, and open communication. The GUESTScope system provides the knowledge necessary for executives to be strategic in their continued quest to exceed the brand's promise. "MJS's competitive advantages are our core values and understanding the v...
What I Learned About Video on August 1, 1981
Hospitality Upgrade | July 8, 2013
2013 copyright Hospitality Upgrade by James Lingle Unless you are of a certain age, you are probably wondering what is so important about Aug. 1, 1981. At 12:01 a.m. on August 1, 1981, MTV showed the very first music video on TV. It was by a little known band called The Buggles and was called, "Video Killed the Radio Star." While packing for a recent family vacation, I started counting the number of Wi-Fi-enabled devices that we were taking with us. Being a business traveler and someone in the hospitality business I wondered if the hotel's network would be able to handle all these devices, how many devices will we be able to connec...
Regatta Travel Solutions Launches in its Hometown with the Charlottesville Albemarle Virginia CVB
Regatta Travel Solutions Inc. | July 8, 2013
Charlottesville, Virginia (July 8, 2013) - Regatta Travel Solutions announced today that it has launched the Regatta booking engine on visitcharlottesville.org as part of its agreement with the Charlottesville Albemarle Convention & Visitors Bureau. Regatta, which is based in Charlottesville, entered the US market in April 2012 after achieving great success with its destination booking engine and online marketing strategies in the Caribbean. Since then the Company has announced several agreements with CVBs all over the US. "Between the history, charm and culinary appeal of Charlottesville, and not to mention the University of Virgin...
Chinese Hotel Chain Signs eRevMax for Market Expansion and Revenue Growth
Rosedale Hotel Group | July 3, 2013
5 Rosedale Properties Leverage RateTiger Channel Manager for Optimal e-Distribution Hong Kong, 3 July, 2013: Rosedale Hotel Group has recently partnered with eRevMax to expand its online visibility to further improve market share. All five Rosedale properties have subscribed to RateTiger's integrated channel management platform to update room rates and availability and benchmark competitor prices to enhance online revenue opportunities. The intense competition in the Chinese hospitality sector has made it important for accommodation providers to optimize all demand sources. Online travel booking is growing in double digits in China and ...
SiteMinder Named a Global Channel Manager Vendor for Hyatt Hotels & Resorts
SiteMinder | July 2, 2013
July 2, 2013 -- Global online distributor, SiteMinder, has today been named one of the preferred channel manager vendors for global hotel chain, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts. SiteMinder is set to assist in effectively managing the online distribution of Hyatt's distinct brand portfolio. "The newly established relationship with a globally recognised hotel group, Hyatt, is a vote of confidence in SiteMinder's ability to bolster the group's online visibility. A milestone achievement, we now look forward to forging a stronger relationship with Hyatt – one that is mutually beneficial and drives business results," said David Williams, Executive ...
Regatta Travel Solutions Partners with Sojern to Create Groundbreaking Marketing Strategies for CVBs
Regatta Travel Solutions Inc. | July 2, 2013
Charlottesville, Virginia (July 2, 2013) - Regatta Travel Solutions announced today that it has launched a new marketing campaign with Sojern for Visit Seattle. The goal of the campaign is to leverage Sojern's sophisticated data mining capabilities to search for and identify potential travelers to Seattle, and attract them to book their hotel room on visitseattle.org. "Our work with Regatta and Sojern supports our initiatives to increase awareness of Seattle as a premier destination, highlight our incredible hotel community and educate consumers about our booking engine," said Tom Norwalk, President and CEO of Visit Seattle. "We're alwa...
Shortened Booking Windows – The New Normal? By Jenny Lee and Sandra Lien
the Authors | July 1, 2013
July 1, 2013 With "recovery" being the ultimate buzzword in the hospitality sector over the past two years, we are noting one major trend that has yet to revert to its former, pre-recessionary ways: shorter booking windows in the meetings and conventions market. Not only are group booking windows shorter, but so are average stays, and even room blocks are downsizing. Operators can no longer rely on pace reports to predict group business volumes ninety days in advance. Although the booking windows may increase as recovery progresses – especially in the more highly sought after group destinations – the general consensus is that shorte...
MSI Announces New MSI CloudCRS™ Powered by Windsurfer
Sceptre Hospitality Resources | July 1, 2013
MSI and Sceptre Hospitality Expand Partnership, Combine Technologies in MSI CloudCRS™ Phoenix, AZ - July 1, 2013 - Multi-Systems, Inc. (MSI), a cloud services hospitality technology solutions provider, today announced its new cloud-based central reservation system solution, MSI CloudCRS™. MSI's new offering is powered by Windsurfer, the trusted technology solution of MSI partner Sceptre Hospitality Resources (SHR). MSI CloudCRS™ was featured alongside MSI's newest cloud-based solutions at HITEC in Minneapolis, June 25-27, 2013. MSI CloudCRS™ was created by the MSI | SHR partnership and developed largely to extend a one-call cus...
Architect Named for SBE Hotel Development in Seattle
BuildCentral | June 29, 2013
Hotel-Online and BuildCentral Add/Update 139 Hotel Projects to the New Hotel Construction Projects Database Chicago, IL. July 1, 2013 - Hotel-Online and BuildCentral have added or updated 139 hotel projects in the last two weeks to Hotel Construction, a nationwide database of hotel construction projects, openings, and key decision makers (Owner/Developers, Architects and Contractors). These proposed hotels are still in the planning stages. Now is the perfect time to have your product drawn into plans, or offer construction services: Greenwich Street Hotel (New York, NY) Convention Center Hotel (Jackson, MS) Element by Westin Hotel (...
CSM Lodging Names Ryan Brailean Assistant General Manager for TownePlace Suites in Livonia, Michigan
CSM Lodging | June 28, 2013
Minneapolis, Minnesota, June 28, 2013 - CSM Lodging, a division of CSM Corporation, has named Ryan J. Brailean assistant general manager for TownePlace Suites, located in Livonia, Michigan. Denise Wilson, general manager, made the announcement. "I am so pleased to welcome Ryan to TownePlace Suites," said Ms. Wilson. "A dedicated hotel professional, he brings an important managerial background in multiple departments to his new position with us." Ryan Brailean previously served as guest services supervisor for the Hilton Garden Inn in Novi, Michigan. During his tenure with the property, Mr. Brailean held positions of increasing responsib...
HITEC Celebrates the Latest Technology Innovations in Minneapolis, Minnesota
HFTP | June 28, 2013
Austin, Texas (June 28, 2013) - The hospitality technology community came together this week to see and discuss the latest industry innovations at the Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC®). In attendance were over 4800 hospitality professionals from 45 countries. The conference addressed important issues, including digital marketing, mobile apps, in-room entertainment, strategic IT planning, data security, HSIA and more. HITEC 2013, a service of Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®), was held June 24-27 at the Minneapolis Convention Center in Minneapolis, Minn. It offered a one-stop sh...
Rategain Expands its Footprint in Russia and Ukraine with Befighter Business Group
RateGain | June 28, 2013
June 28, 2013 - RateGain and Befighter Business Group have announced a strategic partnership to bring RateGain's full range of hospitality technology solutions to hotels in Eastern Europe (Russia and Ukraine). The region has been dramatically developing over the last two decades with new hotels opening every year reflecting economic growth in a positive way. Russia now attracts the most inbound travelers of any Eastern European country. Hotels are increasingly aware of the need to deploy technology in order to take advantage of market expansion and stay ahead of competition and RateGain's solutions are a perfect fit. Konstantine Baybarz...
Skytop Selects UniFocus for Guest Satisfaction Survey for Launch into New Era
Skytope Lodge | June 28, 2013
June 28, 2013 - UniFocus is proud to announce our partnership with Skytop Lodge, known as the premiere luxury resort destination in the Pocono Mountains. Skytop is now able to capture their guest's experience and feedback immediately and accurately by upgrading from paper cards. The GUESTScope system is providing the knowledge for the executives to make educated strategic decisions for the property as they continue their history of brand excellence and guest centricity. "Skytop's competitive advantage is the longevity and the experience of our staff that is unparalleled to hotels in the area. The remarkable staff coupled with the repeat...
Mercure Tel Aviv Gets on Board with Intelity’s Mobile Guest Service Technology
Intelity | June 27, 2013
TEL AVIV and ORLANDO, Fla., June 27, 2013 - Mercure Tel-Aviv City Center and Intelity announced today that they are entering into a partnership that will bring guest service technology for mobile devices to the hotel in Israel. The installation will be completed by longtime Intelity partner GuestVision, a broadband, interactive service provider to hotels. "We are proud to introduce Intelity's software to the Mercure Tel-Aviv, as part of our ongoing commitment to bring the finest technology and services to hotels in the region," said Isaac Zur, GuestVision general manager. Intelity's ICE provides guests carrying personal mobile devices a...
Spanish Hotel Chain Increases Online Revenue with eRevMax
eRevMax | June 27, 2013
RateTiger Channel Management Solution Helps 10 Ola Hotels to Optimize RevPAR & Occupancy Mallorca, Spain, 27 June 2013: Spanish hotel group Ola Hotels has increased its online revenue with the help of an automated rate & inventory management solution from eRevMax. The group has significantly improved their online sales and RevPAR with RateTiger by introducing more room types and dynamic pricing across third party sales channels. The revenue management team of Ola Hotels is using RateTiger Channel Manager to sell rooms from an allocated inventory pool from each of the properties across multiple channels simultaneously. All reserv...
PAR Springer-Miller Partners with Glad to Have You to Create Mobile Hotel Management Solution
About Glad to Have You | June 27, 2013
STOWE, VT - JUNE 27, 2013 - PAR Springer-Miller Systems, Inc. (PSMS) - a wholly owned subsidiary of PAR Technology Corporation (NYSE:PAR) and the leading provider of guest-centric hospitality management systems - and Glad to Have You™, the leading provider of mobile hospitality and Guest Management Solutions, have partnered to provide comprehensive mobile capabilities for the SMS|Host Hospitality Management System. For properties wanting to deliver better experiences to guests, the ultimate answer lies in the promise of a mobile hospitality management solution integrated with the PMS. This integration of the Glad to Have You mobile ho...
Regatta Travel Solutions Produces Impressive Results for Lake Havasu City CVB
Regatta Travel Solutions Inc. | June 26, 2013
Charlottesville, Virginia (June 27, 2013) - Regatta Travel Solutions announced today that nine months after the launch of the Regatta booking engine on GoLakeHavasu.com, the project is exceeding expectations of the CVB and the hoteliers in the destination. By implementing its innovative tactical online marketing strategies, Regatta Travel Solutions has been able to attract a highly qualified audience to the CVB website and convert them into bookings with their user-friendly booking engine. The Company then uses data and analytics to optimize the process. "I discovered Regatta at last year's DMAI Annual Convention in Seattle and was imme...
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