STR: Preliminary March data for London hotels
STR's preliminary March 2017 data for London, England, indicates significant performance growth. Based on daily data from March, London reported the following in year-over-year comparisons:
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Avvio VP Named As One of Europe's Top Extraordinary Minds
Rich Tuckwell, VP of Sales and Marketing at Avvio, an industry-leading direct booking platform, was last Wednesday named as one of Europe's Top 20 Extraordinary Minds. Celebrated for his innovation and expertise in sales and marketing, Rich collected his award at the HSMAI conference in Amsterdam and learned that he was nominated by not one but three Avvio experts. After having transformed Avvio last year, grown the team and developed a name for the business in American soil in just under a year, Rich's award is well deserved.
STR: No hotel performance disruption in London after Westminster attack
There was no evident performance decline for London's hotel industry following the terrorist attack on 22 March, according to preliminary data from STR. When examining daily data from 22-28 March, STR analysts note that London's occupancy levels remained in line with typical March performance patterns. Further, during the days following the event, the market recorded significant year-over-year growth in both occupancy and average daily rate (ADR). Three days after the attack (25 March), the U.K. capital's actual occupancy level was 86.4%, while ADR reached GBP147.32, a 22.6% increase compared with the same day in 2016. The highest occupancy level during the days following the attack was 88.2% (28 March)—roughly the same level as the night of the attack.
Michael Bonsor has been named Managing Director at Rosewood London
Michael Bonsor has been named Managing Director of Rosewood London, after acting as the Hotel Manager since the hotel opened in High Holborn in 2013. During his role as Hotel Manager, Rosewood London has won multiple awards including AA Hotel of the Year and Condé Nast UK Hotel of the Year.
David Stanton has been appointed as Hotel Manager at The London EDITION
The London EDITION is delighted to announce the appointment of David Stanton as its new hotel manager, who will work closely the hotel’s general manager Jurgen Ammerstorfer to oversee all operations at the Fitzrovia property. David has worked in the hospitality industry for over 20 years, spending over half of this period with Four Seasons across its properties in New York, China, Thailand and the UK. Joining from Rosewood Hotel Georgia as Director of Food & Beverage, David brings a wealth of experience from his positions at five-star hotels. As Hotel Manager at The London EDITION, David will continue to strengthen the offer of Ian Schrager's London five-star property.
Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI) Opens Its First Global Sales Office in Europe (in London) To Serve Worldwide Portfolio
Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI), the leading independent Global Sales Organization (GSO) serving the North American Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions/Events (M.I.C.E.) marketplace for more than 30 years, has opened its first Global Sales office in Europe. ALHI's new sales operation, located in London, will serve meeting professionals, incentive specialists, association executives, convention/congress specialists, and business executives throughout Europe with ALHI's Global Sales services and professional sales support exclusively for its distinguished membership of more than 250 luxury-level and upper-upscale hotels and resorts worldwide, which specialize in serving M.I.C.E. business.
Top Tech Predictions For Hoteliers in 2017
For accommodation providers in 2017, it's no longer enough to rely on the well-trodden paths to acquiring occupancy. You must also become experts in emerging distribution platforms, predict what guests expect when they walk into your lobby, and remain agile enough to navigate the ever-shifting trends to make the right decision, all the while staying committed to providing the best possible experience during a stay. Avvio knows how to get the right mix for your property and provides Europe's best booking engine – partnering with many serviced apartments and boutique hotels, including Cheval Residences, Apple Apartments and The Ampersand Hotel to grow direct bookings. Avvio's co-founder and CEO Frank Reeves has compiled his Top Tech Predictions for Hoteliers in 2017. Inside this report, you'll discover the big movers and shakers in the online distribution space (hint: it's not the OTAs), the developing sharing economy and a look at new technology that's fast-becoming part of the mainstream.Download your copy of the report today.For more details, please email [email protected] to arrange a time to talk.
Riddian Davies has been appointed as General Manager at London Marriott Hotel Park Lane
Davies joins the hotel, which completed an extensive renovation in 2015, following successful General Manager roles in London at The Royal Horseguards Hotel and One Whitehall Place. He brings almost 20 years of hospitality experience from a variety of leadership roles within groups including Thistle, Guoman and Amba. Davies’ earlier career saw him grow through the operational discipline, before specialising in revenue management, and he has held pivotal roles in multiple business and property development projects for hotels both locally and internationally. Having developed academically through numerous hotel management programmes from prestigious educational establishments, including Henley College Business School, Davies brings a passion for creativity and innovation, supported by strong commercial acumen, complimented by his knowledge of London’s upscale market. As an active member of the British Hospitality Association he is driven to stay at the forefront of industry developments to maximise opportunity at all his hotel postings.
Dominic Berry has been appointed as Director of Sales at Holiday Inn London – Wembley
Splendid Hospitality Group, extends a big Wembley welcome to Dominic Berry, new Director of Sales for the Holiday Inn London – Wembley.
Hospitality leaders hit back at Guardian article which highlights poor treatment of staff | thecaterer.com
A newspaper article that published personal accounts of debauchery, bullying, excessive hours and sexism in hospitality businesses does not fairly represent the industry and involves only a “tiny minority”. That’s according to industry leaders who have united in response to a feature in the Guardian on Saturday, which criticises the sector for its treatment of employees.
Travel start-ups compete in London at EyeforTravel’s 2017 European Summit
Applications are currently still open and will close on April 20. The start-ups will pitch their businesses in front of a panel of experienced investors on conference day 1, who will be judging their financial potential. The two best pitches will be chosen to present in front of the 400+ summit attendees, with the winner chosen through a live audience poll of more than 400 attendees.
HOSPACE2017 set to be first major hospitality conference and exhibition to be held at the new-look Lancaster London
HOSPA is delighted to announce that its prestigious HOSPACE2017 Conference and Exhibition, together with its Gala 'Hospitality Professionals of the Year Awards' Dinner, will be held on Thursday 2 November at a newly refurbished central London venue – the by then renamed and fully renovated Royal Lancaster London, one of the largest and most luxurious hotels and meeting venues in Europe.
Robert Whitfield has been appointed as Regional Director UK General Manager at The Dorchester at The Dorchester
Dorchester Collection has announced the appointment of Robert Whitfield as Regional Director UK and General Manager at The Dorchester from May 8, 2017. In his new role, Mr Whitfield will oversee operations and strategies for the iconic London hotel as well as for the other two UK properties of Dorchester Collection: 45 Park Lane, London and Coworth Park, Ascot.
Philippe Bijaoui has been appointed as Chief Development Officer EMEA at Wyndham Hotel Group
Wyndham Hotel Group, the world’s largest hotel company with nearly 8,000 hotels across a portfolio of 16 iconic brands, today announced the appointment of Philippe Bijaoui to the role of Chief Development Officer for Europe, Middle East, Eurasia and Africa (EMEA). In this role Bijaoui will oversee the Company’s rapid expansion across the region, introducing additional brands to established markets and building on the 73 countries where Wyndham Hotel Group hotels can already be found. Bijaoui has more than 20 years of hotel real estate and development experience in markets across EMEA and most recently served as Vice President Development Europe for InterContinental Hotel Group, where he defined and implemented the development strategy for the region. He has also previously held senior development roles with Rezidor, Club Med, HVS International, City Hotels S.A. and Groupe Immobilière Hôtelière. Bijaoui has a Master of Business Administration with a focus on hotel and catering management from I.M.H.I. Cornell, and speaks multiple European languages.
STR: Preliminary February data for London hotels
STR's preliminary February 2017 data for London, England, indicates occupancy and rate growth. Based on daily data from February, London reported the following in year-over-year comparisons:
HeBS Digital Opens New London Office; Strengthens Commitment to Growing Direct Bookings for European Hoteliers
HeBS Digital is growing! The firm is pleased to announce its continued growth in the European region with a new office in London, England. Part of an aggressive global expansion strategy, the new office will support HeBS Digital's continuous growth in Europe and its mission to help European hoteliers drastically increase direct bookings and lower overall distribution costs through industry best-of-breed digital technology, consulting and marketing.
Moxy Hotels, Marriott International’s Bold Experiential Hotel Brand, Debuts in London
Moxy Hotels, Marriott International's experiential hotel brand, continues to make its mark on the hospitality scene with the launch of its first hotel in London, a city world-renowned for art, culture and nightlife. Characterised by a vibrant, playful design and approachable service, Moxy London Excel offers the style and spirit of a boutique hotel at a surprisingly affordable price. Moxy London Excel joins an exciting portfolio of eight global destinations including Munich, Milan, Berlin and New Orleans.
Maurizio Redaelli has been appointed as Cluster General Manager at the Franklin, the Gore and the Pelham
Maurizio Redaelli has been appointed general manager of Starhotels’ London properties including the Franklin, the Gore and the Pelham.
HFTP Continues to Build its Global Presence with First Membership Event in London Next Month
Expanding its global scope, Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®), a leading hospitality association and producers of the world-renowned Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC®), will host a membership event for HFTP members and prospective members in London for the first time on Monday, 6 March 2017 at the prestigious Rosewood Hotel London – named "Best UK Business Hotel 2016" by Condé Nast Traveler (UK) at last year's Readers' Travel Awards. The program, sponsored by Keystep, a specialist provider of IT solutions to the hospitality and retail sector, will start at 18:00 and take place in the hotel's The Manor Club meeting room on the third floor. Hospitality professionals interested in attending the premier London event can RSVP to attend.L
Jubilee Mandl has been appointed as Director of Business Development at Hilton Hotel on Park Lane
Jubilee’s role will be to drive sales, revenue, reservations and oversee marketing at the property. On her new role at London Hilton on Park Lane, Director of Business Development Jubilee Mandl said, “I am delighted to have been appointed Director of Business Development at London Hilton on Park Lane, as it is the flagship property in the EMEA and the first Hilton hotel to open in Europe. I’m looking forward to all the exciting projects we have coming up in 2017 throughout all areas of the business.”