Global PMS provider Hotelogix has announced a partnership with Canadian service provider ServiceMyBusiness to boost accessibility to modern hotel management technologies like property management software and distribution systems. The collaboration will especially benefit the country's mid-level hotel segment by enabling properties to take advantage of the powerful platform.
Greg Doman has been with FRHI for 13 years and has extensive experience in both luxury hotels and branded residential development. In his role, he will lead the development for the North and Central America network, and also work closely with Abel Castro, SVP Development South America, for the development of the luxury and upscale network in South America. Doman will also be responsible for the branded residential business globally for the Group, as AccorHotels continues to see growth potential across its portfolio.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) today announced plans to expand its iconic Sheraton brand in Quebec with the signing of the Sheraton Saint-Hyacinthe Hotel. Owned by Beauward Shopping Centres LTD, the hotel will be connected to the new 230,000 square foot congress centre of Saint-Hyacinthe and Galeries Saint- Hyacinthe. Slated to open by the end of 2017, Sheraton Saint-Hyacinthe Hotel further expands Starwood's growing presence in the province of Quebec.
Franck X. ARNOLD ESSEC IMHI 1991 has been appointed as General Manager The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, Toronto, Canada L.L.C. Franck started his career with InterContinental Group where he stayed 13 years holding managerial positions in different properties of the group. Then Franck joined For Seasons Hotel Chicago as Hotel Manager for one year. In 2005 Franck joined The Jefferson Hotel Washington DC as Managing Director for almost 6 years. From 2011 to early 2016 Franck held the position of General Manager for The Balmoral, Rocco Forte Hotel in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Home2 Suites by Hilton, part of Hilton Worldwide's (NYSE: HLT) industry-first All Suites portfolio, announced today its newest property, Home2 Suites by Hilton Fort St. John, which marks the brand's third property in the Canadian market and its first in British Columbia. Offering 90 suites, the hotel is designed for travelers looking for a fresh, new stay experience. Home2 Suites by Hilton Fort St. John strengthens the brand's rapidly expanding footprint following the opening of its 100th property milestone last month.
Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced today the official opening of Andaz Ottawa ByWard Market, marking the brand's official entry into Canada. Andaz Ottawa ByWard Market will further the brand's mission to create inspiring, indigenous experiences that immerse guests in the local culture of each unique destination. The hotel, which is the thirteenth in the portfolio, joins other Andaz hotels in global gateway cities and top resort destinations. Three other Andaz hotels plan to join the portfolio by the end of 2016, including Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Spa, Andaz Delhi and Andaz Mayakoba Resort Riviera Maya.
As we find ourselves in this precarious era of global travel and tourism, there is a sense that U.S. summer vacationers are staying just a bit closer to home in 2016. Canada has proven appealing for those who seek a travel experience while still remaining near. Thanks to the country's economic and political stability, as well as the ease of traveling back and forth between Canada and America, many Americans are finding their neighboring country a desirable destination, perhaps more so today than in previous years. Toronto, for example, anticipates this year to top the record 14 million overnight visitors who arrived in 2015. An income boost and a growth in Canadian tourism has been a result of the travel into and within the country itself. Interestingly, Canada also attracts less money-conscious travelers; Travelers from the U.S. and Canada report that they are looking to spend $6,400 and $8,400 respectively on travel this year. This exceeds the global average on travel spend, which is $5,100 (Sojern).
Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver has appointed a new Executive Chef, Weimar Gomez, a 16-year Four Seasons veteran, who has developed his talent in prestigious kitchens in Bogota, Miami, Paris and Shanghai.
Canada's lodging market is absorbing the slowdown in the oil producing provinces and showing a positive RevPAR growth at 2.4%. Downtown Vancouver is leading with the highest RevPAR increase of 12.8%, closely followed by Downtown Toronto at 11.3%.
The Canadian hotel industry reported positive results in the three key performance metrics for the second quarter of 2016, according to data from STR.Compared with Q2 2015, the Canadian hotel industry's occupancy was nearly flat (+0.4% to 67.1%). Average daily rate was up 2.5% to CAD146.90. Revenue per available room increased 2.9% to CAD98.62.Among the provinces, Prince Edward Island recorded the largest year-over-year increases across the three key performance metrics. Occupancy in the province rose 10.0% to 58.7%; ADR was up 6.6% to CAD137.61; and RevPAR grew 17.3% to CAD80.82.The only other double-digit increase came in Nova Scotia, where RevPAR was up 14.7% to CAD91.63.Alberta experienced the steepest declines in occupancy (-7.8% to 57.3%) and RevPAR (-11.1% to CAD82.79).Saskatchewan reported the largest drop in ADR (-4.7% to CAD127.50) and the only other double-digit decline in RevPAR (-10.2% to CAD72.92).A note to editors: As of 1 March 2016, all references to STR data and analysis should cite "STR" as the source. Please refrain from citing "STR, Inc." "Smith Travel Research" or "STR Global" in sourcing as those names no longer fit within the updated STR brand.Additional Performance DataAre you a member of the media looking for performance data for a hotel market not included in this release? STR's sample comprises more than 54,000 hotels and 7.3 million hotel rooms around the globe. Please refer to the contacts listed below for additional data requests.
Canada, a global tourism destination ranked 17th by the United Nations World Tourism Organization, has been recording continued increases in occupancy and average daily rate over the past six years, and 2016 will not be the exception. Despite the important difficulties registered by three of its ten provinces, the result of the ongoing oil crisis and the low cost of crude, Canada's year-to-date June trends indicate that the national occupancy will likely remain comparable to that of 2015 while the national average daily rate should increase by 3%.
Jonathan Nehmer + Associates, HVS Design and Carmina Wood Morris architecture, engineering, interior design and project management firms specializing in the hospitality industry, are providing architecture and interior design services for a new Hyatt Place hotel in Niagara Falls, N.Y. JN+A is the design architect and CWM is the architect-of- record for the hotel. HVSD will be providing interior design services for the hotel.
Hilton Worldwide's (NYSE: HLT) Hampton by Hilton brand, the global mid-priced hotel that serves value-conscious and quality-driven travelers around the world, today announced the opening of its newest property, Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Truro. The 94-room hotel joins the Hampton by Hilton family.
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG®), the nation's premier hotel company with 175 properties from coast-to-coast, announces the signing of a third hotel with the ownership group Le Groupe Robin.
As mobile devices continue to evolve, the Hotels.com™ Mobile Travel Tracker* uncovers the true impact that the number-one travel accessory, the mobile phone, is having on our booking and travel behaviours. It reveals Canadians are now booking hotels in secret, becoming more spontaneous, staying connected with friends and placing less emphasis on price.
Vantage Hotels continues to expand in Western Canada with the opening of a Canadas Best Value Inn & Suites in Fernie, BC. The property becomes the 12th CBVI in British Columbia. Formerly a Travelodge, the Canadas Best Value Inn & Suites has free Wi-Fi, a heated indoor pool, hot tub, sauna and adjacent restaurant. All 36 rooms include a mini fridge and microwave, while some have a kitchenette and accommodate pets.
Gerry Chase, president and COO of New Castle Hotels & Resorts, a leading hotel owner, operator and developer, today announced that John Wilson, has been promoted to general manager of the Westin Nova Scotian in Halifax. Wilson previously served as regional controller responsible for the company’s six Canadian hotels, a position he will continue to hold. Hired as an assistant controller in 1996, Wilson holds the distinction of being the hotel’s first employee. In the ensuing 20 years, Wilson’s career with New Castle took him to Racine WI, as the controller of the company’s Marriott property there and to Liscomb Mills, Nova Scotia where he was the general manager of the province’s Liscombe Lodge Resort & Conference Center, which New Castle manages. A native of New Brunswick and graduate of St. Mary’s University in Halifax, Wilson began his hospitality career as a night auditor with
Halifax is one of the most expensive cities in Canada based on the cost of its lodging. The provincial capital of Nova Scotia ranks third priciest among 30 destinations considered by a recent survey. The survey was conducted by CheapHotels.org.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) today announced that Le Méridien Versailles in Montréal has completed a comprehensive renovation of the intimate 108-guestroom hotel, including two penthouse suites; the debut of the signature Le Méridien Hub™, an innovative reinterpretation of the traditional hotel lobby into a social gathering place; and the unveiling of all new meeting and public spaces within the hotel.
Wyndham Hotel Group today announced an agreement with Canalta Hotels to develop 20 Ramada hotels over the next 15 years, growing the brand's Canadian footprint by approximately 25 percent.The agreement expands Wyndham Hotel Group's existing successful relationship with Canalta, which has already resulted in 39 hotels throughout Western Canada in the last 12 years. The 20 new anticipated hotels will be located throughout Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island."We have been working with the team at Canalta for more than a decade and together we've made Ramada a familiar place to stay for travelers in Western Canada," said Chip Ohlsson, Wyndham Hotel Group's chief development officer. "Relationships like this one, with a company that believes in the power of this vibrant brand, are an incredibly valuable part of our continued growth."Cultivating strong relationships with both major developers and individual entrepreneurs is a foundational element of Wyndham Hotel Group's growth strategy. With a diverse portfolio of brands conquering markets all over the world, the company actively seeks developers who are excited to grow together."Ramada is one of the most recognized hotel brands in the world, and thanks to our continued success in Western Canada we know travelers will welcome the familiar pops-of-red in their favorite cities as we expand eastward," said Cam Christianson, president of Canalta. "The team at Wyndham Hotel Group champions our success and expansion, so we are confident that growing with them is the right move."Wyndham Hotel Group boasts a robust pipeline of 46 hotels with more than 4,000 rooms in Canada for 2016 and beyond, gearing up to surpass 550 hotels in the country. Currently, 11 of the company's 16 hotel brands have a presence in Canada, including Ramada®, Baymont Inn & Suites®, Days Inn®, Dolce Hotels and Resorts®, Howard Johnson®, Knights Inn®, Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham®, Super 8®, Travelodge®, Wingate by Wyndham® and Wyndham Garden®.With more than 800 mid- and upper-midscale full-service hotels spanning 63 countries, Ramada's deep passion for delivering meaningful hospitality shines through its charming pops-of-red at every hotel touchpoint. Guests choose Ramada because it's one of the few hotel brands offering full-service hospitality around the globe. Most hotels feature an on-site restaurant, lounge or complimentary continental breakfast, as well as meeting rooms, business services, fitness facilities and Wi-Fi. Guests know they can venture to the edge of the earth, or simply to the edge of town, always finding familiarity in Ramada.