Langham Signs 3rd Hotel in Australia
Scheduled to open in late 2021, The Langham, Gold Coast will feature 169 rooms and suites, as well as 170 serviced apartments in the Jewel Residences by The Langham.
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Horwath HTL Sentiment Survey: Australian Hotel Industry and the impact of COVID-19 (Second Version)
The Second Australian Hotel Sentiment Survey reports the ongoing status of the accommodation sector, and seeks to highlight those factors underpinning current operational challenges. We have again gauged what outlook operators hold for performance levels into the immediate future, and probed what operational challenges and likely solutions that owners and operators of accommodations properties face.
Mercure Albury Caters to Guest Demands for Content Streaming and Casting While Enhancing Contactless Guest Service Abilities With BeyondTV
BeyondTV (BTV), a full-service provider of guestroom entertainment services and solutions for the hospitality industry, has announced the implementation of its BeyondTV entertainment solution at the Mercure Albury, a boutique hotel located within Albury, Australia. A property that offers an ideal combination of luxury and country charm to provide guests with a warm and tranquil setting, Mercure Albury is also now able to address in-room entertainment expectations by providing user-friendly and instant access to personal streaming services on guestroom televisions via BeyondTV's secure casting abilities. With BeyondTV, Mercure Albury can further ensure that each guest remains up-to-date on the latest hotel offerings and can maintain a priority on guest safety using the solution's contactless service features.
STR: Preliminary April data for Melbourne hotels
Reflecting the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, April was Melbourne's worst hotel performance month on record, according to preliminary data from STR.Comparison with April 2019:
Horwath HTL Sentiment Survey: Australian Hotel Industry and the impact of COVID-19
This sentiment survey was conducted by Horwath HTL Singapore, in partnership with AHS Advisory, to gauge the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on hotels across Australia. Hotel owners and operators in Australia are currently looking at an empty horizon, uncertain when the first signs of a resumption of business and leisure travel will come into view.
STR: Preliminary March data for Sydney hotels
Reflecting the circumstances around the COVID-19 pandemic, STR's preliminary data for Sydney, Australia, shows significantly lower hotel performance across the three key performance metrics. Comparison with March 2019:
How COVID-19 Is Inspiring New Ideas In Food Retail
With social distancing rules in place, and restrictions on eating out to stop the spread of COVID-19, food retailers have been forced to reinvent their business models to maintain cash flow.
STR: Melbourne hotel performance dips during COVID-19 outbreak
STR's preliminary data for Melbourne, Australia, shows lower hotel performance levels in February 2020 and the first week of March. February preliminary data:
Australia’s Brushfire Recovery Funds May Be Used for Coronavirus Response
The National Bushfire Recovery Agency can not guarantee the funds set aside by the government to aid in the bushfire restoration will not also be used for the coronavirus response.
Choice CEO urges hotels to win over OTA business
Choice Hotels Asia-Pac CEO, Trent Fraser, has encouraged the company's franchisee members to treat online travel agents as "frenemies" and to encourage guests to book future stays directly in an effort to minimise commission bills.
Why Sydney Hotels Are In Spruce-Up Mode
Deciding when is best to take on a refurbishment project can often pose a headache for hotel owners and operators. Major works tend to have big payoffs in the long-term, but inconveniencing guests in the short-term is almost inevitable, regardless of the timing.
DoubleTree by Hilton Alice Springs Completes $6 Million Refurbishment
After a carefully orchestrated four-month refurbishment program, DoubleTree by Hilton Alice Springs has unveiled a stunning transformation of its guest rooms and suites, welcoming guests to contemporary, comfortable accommodations.
Accor Grows Its Luxury Presence In Australia With The Announcement Of SO/Melbourne
Accor announces the continued expansion of its luxury portfolio in Australia, with the debut of the vibrant and playful SO/Hotels & Resorts luxury brand in Melbourne, Australia. Slated to open in 2023, SO/Melbourne is set to be a bold, fashionable and luxurious designer hotel, located in a prime CBD position overlooking Flagstaff Gardens.
Nordic Inspiration: Mantra Chatswood Sydney gets a multi-million dollar makeover
Mantra Chatswood Sydney has received a multi-million dollar refurbishment, which has transformed the hotel into a contemporary urban oasis with scores of sophistication.
Stephen Lech has been appointed as Executive Chef at The Langham, Sydney
The Langham, Sydney has announced the appointment of Stephen Lech as the new Executive Chef. In this role, Stephen will lead the culinary programme for all aspects of the hotel from banquet events and weddings, the hotel's cocktail venue; Observatory Bar and the recently opened luxury buffet, interactive dining restaurant; Kitchens on Kent.
Claire Haigh has been appointed as Director of Communications for the Pacific region at Accor in Sydney, Australia
For the past five years Haigh was Global Communications Director for Pernod Ricard's Winemaking division and their portfolio of champagnes, spirits and wines in Australia and New Zealand.
STR: Preliminary January Data For Sydney Hotels
STR's preliminary January 2020 data for hotels in Sydney, Australia, indicates lower performance. Based on daily data from the month, Sydney reported the following in year-over-year comparisons:
Bernanda Karo-Karo has been named Senior Regional and Area Director of Finance for Indonesia and Asia at Swiss-Belhotel International in Australia
Bernanda Karo-Karo has been named Senior Regional and Area Director of Finance for Indonesia and Asia - promoted from Regional Director of Finance for Indonesia. He is instrumental in the Group's Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand expansion.
Mohamed Hassan Youssef has been appointed as Regional Director of Business Development for MENA and Europe at La Vie Hotels & Resorts in Australia
An Egyptian national, Mohamed began his career with global brands such as Sonesta Hotel & Nile Cruises, Swissotel Sharm El Sheikh, and Concorde Hotels & Resorts with a focus on front of house. Speaking fluent Arabic, French and English, he came to the UAE in 2009 to take the position of Front Office Manager at the Iberotel Miramar Al Aqah Fujairah. In 2014 he was appointed as the Rooms Division Manager at Gloria Hotels where he quickly progressed to Director of Rooms. In 2016 he took the role of Director of Operations at the new Telal Resort, Al Ain by Muruoj Gloria before moving to the Western Hotel in Abu Dhabi as the Hotel Resident Manager. Prior to joining La Vie Hotels & Resorts, Mohamed was the General Manager of Royal Central Hotel The Palm.
Accor rebrands Best Western Plus Lake Kawana Waters to Mercure Sunshine Coast Kawana Waters
With the Sunshine Coast earmarked as one of Australia's major growth hotspots, and the region braces for the population to climb from 350,000 to 500,000 by 2031, Accor are wasting no time jostling for prime position. Accor, together with hotel owners, Stay Centro GC, announce the Best Western Plus Lake Kawana Waters has been rebranded to Mercure Sunshine Coast Kawana Waters, under a franchise agreement.