Atlanta Hotel Rates Projected to Triple During Super Bowl
Hotel room rates are projected to triple in the Atlanta market during the three nights of Super Bowl LIII weekend, according to STR's Consulting & Analytics office.
Press Releases
Timbers Resorts To Open New Corporate Headquarters In Winter Park, Florida
New Headquarters Expected to Create 80 Jobs for Top Hospitality Professionals
‘Not Quite Home’ For The Holidays May Make Your (And Your Family’s) Season Brighter
Ready or not, the holiday season is upon us and while it's time to get together and cherish our loved ones, there may be some unwanted baggage along the way. According to a new survey from Motel 6, the leader in economy lodging, 98 percent of holiday travelers expect to feel stress during the holidays and nearly one in five are already feeling the pressure to stay with family during this holiday season.
Kahler Hospitality Group Announces Major Renovation Project
The Kahler Hospitality Group announced today an expansive $30 million renovation project which includes the historic Kahler Grand Hotel and Rochesters luxurious The Towers at The Kahler Grand. This extensive renovation plan includes the revitalization and transformation of the hotels levels two through 11, which includes 605 guest rooms. The construction project will provide sweeping changes to both hotels, bringing these historic structures back to life and providing a luxurious historic Minnesota experience to its guests.
M&R Hotel Management Appoints Vice President of Operations
M&R Hotel Management today announced the appointment of Robert Arigo, a 29-year hospitality veteran, as vice president of operations, responsible for overseeing the company's 15 managed hotels in the New York metropolitan area.
Terminix Reveals Its List of the Top 25 Most Bed Bug-Infested Cities
Ahead of one of the busiest travel days of the year, Terminix, a leading provider of termite and pest control services and a ServiceMaster (NYSE: SERV) company, today released its 2018 ranking of the top 25 most bed bug-infested cities in the country.
Magnuson CEO to address consolidation by technology at Eye for Travel-North America 2018
Planning on attending the Eye for Travel in Las Vegas on the 18th and 19th October 2018? Be sure to join the 18th October afternoon discussion: Catapult Your Profits Through Industry Partnerships.
Choice Hotels Launches Clarion Pointe
Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) today unveiled Clarion Pointe, a midscale select-service brand extension of Clarion that brings together the premium elements guests desire and an affordable travel experience. It also meets hotel owners' strong demand for a new select-service opportunity that is a differentiator in the popular midscale segment.
Hotel Industry Announces Added Safety Measures For Employees; Builds On Layers Of Security Procedures
Building on decades of investments in safety and security and in coordination with security experts, the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and the major hotel brands in membership today announced the 5-Star Promise, a pledge to provide hotel employees across the U.S. with employee safety devices (ESDs) and commit to enhanced policies, trainings and resources that together are aimed at enhancing hotel safety, including preventing and responding to sexual harassment and assault.
World's Largest Hotel Franchisor Celebrates NYSE Listing as Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts' (NYSE: WH) President and CEO Geoff Ballotti, Chairman of the Board Steve Holmes, executive leadership, team members and hotel teams today rang the NYSE Opening Bell celebrating the launch of the company's new ticker symbol "WH".
Wyndham Worldwide Completes Acquisition Of La Quinta Holdings
Wyndham Worldwide Corporation (NYSE: WYN) today announced that its subsidiary, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, has completed its previously announced acquisition of La Quinta Holdings' hotel franchising and hotel management business. The addition of La Quinta's over 900 franchised hotels with a total of nearly 89,000 rooms builds Wyndham Hotels & Resorts' midscale presence and expands its reach further into the upper-midscale segment of the lodging industry.
Key Execs at RLH Corp. to Resign, Begin Consulting With Brand
RLH Corporation (NYSE:RLH) today announced it has entered into consulting agreements with key executives Roger Bloss, President of Global Development, and Bernard (Bernie) Moyle, Chief Operating Officer, which will continue through 2020. Bloss and Moyle have agreed to end their employment with the Company effective May 31, 2018, and start their consulting work on June 1, 2018.
Cambria Hotels Enables Business Travelers to "Travel Like a Boss"
Cambria Hotels knows you don't need to be the boss to travel like a boss. Nearly four out of five people today define a boss as someone who is confident and in control. Just like the concept of a boss has been redefined, so have the needs of today's business travelers.
Business Travel Responsible for $40.1 Billion in Canadian GDP, Creates Over 573,000 Jobs
A new report issued today at GBTA Conference 2018 - Toronto reveals the high potential of business travel to drive economic development and business success. The report, produced by the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), in partnership with BCD Travel and Air Canada, also reveals the risk to the nation's economy from a downturn in travel.
Hotel Price Index From Hotels.com Reveals U.S. Travelers Spent Their Money On Experiences Abroad
After three years, prices travelers paid for overnight accommodations rose 2% globally in 2017, according to the latest Hotels.com® Hotel Price Index™ (HPI®). In a year where cryptocurrencies flooded the market, hashtags took over the red carpet and political debate turned well, political, the needle has also moved for travelers, with a two-point rise in the global Index to 116, the closest it has been to the 2007 peak of 118.
Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group Expands Its Development Team In The Americas
Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the world's largest and most dynamic hotel groups, today announced the appointment of nine field directors within its development team. This new geographical structure allows the team to work more effectively with franchise owners and operators in addition to other business areas across the organization.
Deepesh Kholwadwala Assumes Chairmanship of IHG Owners Association; 2018 Global Board of Directors for IHG Owners Announced
The IHG Owners Association, which represents InterContinental Hotels Group® (IHG®) franchise hotel owners worldwide, has announced that Deepesh Kholwadwala has assumed chairmanship of its Global Board of Directors for 2018. Deepesh is the President and CEO of Dreamcatcher Hotel Group and Sun Capital Hotels with expertise in hotel feasibility, planning, financing, construction, and operations. Deepesh succeeds Allen Fusco, owner and operator of ANABRA Associates. "I am proud to serve as the voice of our owner members this year, and I look forward to collaborating with IHG in this endeavor," said Kholwadwala. Don Berg, CEO of the IHG Owners Association, notes that "Deepesh's intellect and mathematical mindset will prove beneficial as we tackle our hotel owners' challenges with revenue management and commissions to third parties. Another of our main goals is to manage industry disrupters to ensure optimal returns to the bottom line. Deepesh's technological perspective will be a fresh, forward-thinking approach for our Association members." Deepesh is a University of New Mexico graduate and holds a Master's in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University. He started his first career at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque where he was appointed as the principal investigator to lead several Russian R&D projects aimed at nuclear non-proliferation. Deepesh became a principal member managing research projects in the Intelligent Systems and Robotics Center. Deepesh jointly holds three patents, the most recent in 2017 which deals with neural interface methods for artificial sensory. He has received the R&D 100 Award [often referred to as the Oscars of Innovation] and was the recipient of the Individual Leadership Award. Deepesh was recognized as an outstanding contributor in developing new methods in solving complex engineering problems. Guided by his father's principles of business, Deepesh raised capital and structured a successful launch of his hotel company in 2003. Today, Deepesh's company owns and/or operates nine IHG, Hilton and Marriott-branded hotels in its portfolio with an additional four in the pipeline. He leads his management team to uphold the company's mission to provide guests unrivaled and exceptional levels of hospitality. Deepesh deeply connects with the challenges of both internal and external market forces affecting today's hotel owners. He volunteers his time to lead and advocate on behalf of IHG Owners Association members from around the world. In becoming the voice for these members, Deepesh states, "the success of any brand is ultimately determined by long-term profitability of its owners, not shareholders. Every dollar improves owner's margin, and each margin point drives their future branding decision, and therefore, chains must commit to protecting and growing the owners' margins to remain a relevant choice." Deepesh serves as an Officer of the IHG Owners Association Board of Directors, Capital CDC Board of Director, Albuquerque Lodgers Tax Committee (2018), Co-chair of the IHG Owners Association Americas Council (2015), IHG OA Strategic Planning Committee (2015), vice-chair of the Governance Committee (2013-2016), New Mexico Lodging Association Board of Director (2010-2012), La Quinta Brand Council (2006-2012), and First American Bank Advisory Board Executive (2012-2015). He completed the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration Real-estate Development Program (2007, 2010), and Emory Institute Goizueta Business School Executive Global Leadership program in 2009. Deepesh's hotels have received the Newcomer of the Year and Quality Excellence Awards from IHG in 2011-13 and 2016, Hilton's Lighthouse Award (2014, 2015), Marriott Gold Guest Satisfaction (2016). The IHG Owners Association is also pleased to announce its 2018 Global Board of Directors:
Big Changes For America’s “Dark & Quiet” Hotel Brand, 44 Oak Tree Inn Hotels Unveil New Wyndham Brands
ONE Lodging Management Inc. ("ONE") is proud to unveil Baymont Inn & Suites Wellington, Kan., one of 44 Oak Tree Inn hotels now converted to three of Wyndham Hotel Group's brands as part of an unprecedented agreement announced last month. "Over the past month and a half, we've transitioned three or four hotels each day to a Baymont Inn & Suites®, a Travelodge®, or a Super 8® brand" says Robert Pratt, President of ONE Lodging Management. Mr. Pratt continued, "It's all about appealing to a wider audience and Wyndham's brand recognition, reach in the economy lodging segment, and their award-winning loyalty program will ensure our hotels stay competitive in their markets." Attendees for the milestone event comprised Wyndham Hotel Group's executive team including President and CEO Geoff Ballotti as well as leadership from the company's development team and Baymont Inn & Suites, Travelodge and Super 8 brands. Kevin Brickner, Vice President of Development and Wyndham's lead on establishing the unprecedented agreement, congratulated the team on the 44 successful conversions. From ONE Lodging Management's executive team, Robert Pratt, President; Bruce Pittet, Senior Vice President of Operations; and Brett Sundstrom, Managing Director of Lodging Enterprises as well as from the hotel ownership group, Ian McAuley, President of American Hotel Income Properties REIT LP were also present for the celebratory unveiling.
Iconic Guitar Hotel Tower Going Up at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Hollywood
In the spirit of the Sydney Opera House, Paris' Eiffel Tower, the St. Louis Gateway Arch and even the Washington Monument, the iconic guitar hotel tower under construction at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Hollywood is soon to become one of the world's most recognized landmarks.
What Spooked the U.S. Leisure Traveler?
The U.S. leisure travel population fell to 145 million in 2016, decreasing for the first time since 2011. The decline came a year after leisure travel incidence surpassed the pre-recession peak for the first time to hit a new high of 72%. But instead of maintaining their confident outlook, U.S. consumers pulled back on travel, with just two thirds of Americans taking a leisure trip. New Phocuswright research found that those who did travel took fewer trips and spent less; average annual travel spend declined more than $500.