Travelodge, the UK's largest independent hotel chain, which operates over 500 hotels has partnered with hospitality technology firm, Monscierge based in Oklahoma City, OK, to develop a series of technology platforms to help the customer journey, from planning right through to checking-out and sharing their hotel experience socially.
We know what hoteliers do during their working day but how about when they are off duty? In this limited edition series, Conor Kenny talks to well-known hotel people about how they spend their day off.
AUSTIN, TEXAS (August 10, 2015) — Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®), the global leader in hospitality finance and technology professional associations, is pleased to announce a new partnership with The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International – Europe (HSAMI-E) in support of two of their major events, The HSMAI Europe Leadership Day, Thursday 24 September, 2015, in Frankfort and the 4th Annual Digital Marketing Conference alongside the World Travel Mart 5 November, 2015 in London.
Branded Hotel Management has recruited the general manager of the Pullman Liverpool. Neil Brailsford will be responsible for the daily running of the hotel, which forms part of ACC Liverpool’s new development Exhibition Centre Liverpool. One of his key responsibilities will be the recruitment of the rest of the Pullman team. Neil is hoping to attract a wealth of experience from Liverpool as well as from the Accor portfolio of which the Pullman brand is a part.
Corinthia Hotels appoint international hotelier Thomas M. Fischer as the new General Manager of its flagship five-star hotel in London. Moving from his position as General Manager at Corinthia Hotel Budapest, which he has held since March 2012, Thomas will oversee Corinthia Hotel London as it continues to thrive among the city’s leading five-star hotels. Thomas, who has over 21 years’ experience in luxury hospitality, was recently awarded ‘Budapest’s Hotelier of the Year’ for 2015 at the ‘Best of Budapest & Hungary’ awards. Under his leadership, Corinthia Hotel Budapest gained new momentum and was awarded ‘Hungary’s Hotel of the Year 2014’ by The Hungarian Hotel and Restaurant Association and the Hungarian Tourism Board.
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, the world’s leading luxury hospitality company, has announced the appointment of Kristien Deleersnijder as Vice President Sales for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, effective 1 August 2015. Based in London, Deleersnijder will be responsible for driving the Company’s sales strategy in the region, overseeing Worldwide Sales Offices in London, Paris, Frankfurt, Moscow, and Dubai.
London Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square, which is celebrating its 30th Anniversary this year, has appointed Magdalena Eliasz as Director of Operations.
Gone are the days of queuing at reception and in are the days of self-service and ultimate convenience. At the new Village Hotel in Glasgow, that means being able to book your room online, checking yourself in, using services like the hotel's Health & Fitness club, Starbucks or restaurant and being emailed your bill after your stay.
With the pound at an eight year high against the euro, hotel search website trivago.co.uk has analysed the average cost of a hotel room in both euros and pounds. Based on the 12 most popular countries in the Eurozone, prices in July 2015 compared to July 2014 have increased in euros and decreased in pounds.
The Fairmont St Andrews, a five star luxury golf resort at Scotland’s ‘Home of Golf’ is ready to write an exciting new chapter in its history as Fairmont Hotels & Resorts annouces John Keating as the new General Manager. Originally from Ireland John has worked within the hospitality industry for over 30 years and brings international experience in hotel operations and openings across a wide range of luxury properties and brands around the world.
The UK division of Interstate Europe, part of leading global hotel management company Interstate Hotels & Resorts, has added three hotels to its portfolio with the openings of Holiday Inn Express London ExCeL, Hilton at The Ageas Bowl Southampton and the management of the Ibis Coventry Centre.
Plans have been submitted with Westminster City Council for a new 190-room hotel, to be known as The Peninsula London, at one of the city's most celebrated addresses.
American Express Global Business Travel (GBT) today announced the appointment of Jason Geall as Vice President and General Manager for the United Kingdom (UK). In this role, Mr. Geall will be responsible for GBT’s growth and development across the UK. Mr. Geall will report to Elyes Mrad, Managing Director, EMEA, American Express Global Business Travel.
Sojern, the world's leading performance marketing engine for travel brands, today announced the appointment of Jeff Down as senior director of sales for the hotels vertical in Europe. Down brings over 20 years of international experience in the travel and hospitality sector, primarily in technology and business development roles. Down will lead Sojerns regional initiatives to help hotels step up their data strategy and optimise their ad spend. Sojerns data allows hotel brands to target those travellers who are most likely to convert directly, maximising revenue and ensuring that each hotel room is selling at an optimal price to a direct customer.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR), is tapping into the world's top influencers to help shape and guide its evolution as an emerging leader in lifestyle hospitality. With an eye on identifying key trends and what inspires millennials and next generation consumers, the company hosted its first Cultural_Game_Changers_Londonthought leaders' forum at the London EDITION.
During the last 12 months, the serviced apartment sector in Europe gained further momentum with major activity in development, branding and transactions putting the extended-stay market more firmly on the real estate map. There seems to be a better understanding about the differences in the main underlying business models – aparthotels and corporate housing – which illustrates that the industry is moving ahead. One might think that last year's charter signed by all major operators in the sector has helped to foster more transparency in that respect. However, there are numerous operating properties that show elements of both models and hence do not neatly fall into one the categories and do not make it easy for investors or lenders to fully understand the sector.
A dynamic new website launched by the Brudenell Hotel at Aldeburgh, Suffolk (www.brudenellhotel.co.uk) is the first developed by Guestline featuring their reduced step online booking platform, which represents a full digital solution from website to booking engine.
Patrick Saade ESSEC IMHI 2010 has been promoted to Senior Vice President in the Pan-European Investment Team at JLL's Hotels & Hospitality Group. Patrick joined JLL after graduating in 2010 and is approaching his 5 year anniversary with the company. He has been instrumental in closing some high profile transactions over the past years, most notably: the sale of the Ritz Madrid, the Marriott Champs-Elysees in Paris, and the InterContinental Paris Le Grand.
The Board of management of Interchange & Consort Hotels has announced that Rob Payne has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Interchange & Consort Hotels. Rob, previously chief commercial officer of the company, stepped in as interim CEO in March 2015. In his three months in the role, Payne has played an instrumental part in the business, bringing his strategic and commercial background at BUPA and East Coast to ensure a new focus, accountability and direction to Interchange & Consort Hotels and the Best Western and Beacon brands.
West Midlands hotel market continues to shineOnce again the UK Provinces led the way to profit growth with positive year-on-year movements during the month of May in gross operating profit per available room (GOPPAR). West Midlands hoteliers experienced a 4.7% increase in this metric while London hoteliers registered a decline, according to the latest data from HotStats.