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WYNDHAM HOTELS & RESORTS has entered into a new agreement with Groups360 to bring instant online multi-room bookings to Wyndham hotels in 2023. Using Groups360's GroupSync Marketplace direct booking solution, Wyndham hotel owners will have the opportunity to integrate the platform with their hotel reservation systems, providing travel planners, including groups and events organizers along with those managing infrastructure, logistics and corporate accounts, with rates and availability as well as booking of rooms online, the company said in a statement. "Over the last three years, Wyndham has invested over $100 million in major technology initiatives, giving our franchisees access to best-in-class offerings that unlock new efficiencies while helping to grow their bottom line," said Lisa Checchio, Wyndham's chief marketing officer. "Bringing franchisees access to GroupSync is just the latest example and one we believe offers incredible opportunity for franchisees, particularly those in the economy segment, where such technology is an industry first." Hotels that publish live inventory and rates within the GroupSync Marketplace save travel planners' valuable time by allowing them to search, shop and book blocks of rooms. Possible users include short one- to-two-night group events such as youth sports, weddings and family reunions, as well as multi-week infrastructure or logistics projects such as commercial construction, bridge repair or highway expansion, Wyndham's statement said.

Peachtree Group has named Jarred Bussert as vice president of information technology. In this newly created role, Bussert will be responsible for the company's IT infrastructure, including all business applications, information security and data integrity, the company said in a statement. "Jarred's experience and achievements demonstrate his commitment to supporting business strategies with technology infrastructure," said Greg Friedman, Peachtree's managing principal and CEO. "As Peachtree continues to grow, I am pleased to attract talented leaders to our best-in-class team. His leadership will be instrumental in building a successful and high-performing organization." Bussert has extensive enterprise-wide technical and IT leadership experience. Before joining Peachtree, he was vice president, information technology for Majors Management, an Atlanta-based retail operator. Bussert started his career with RaceTrac Petroleum holding numerous leadership positions, leaving as director, information systems. He has an MBA and Master of Technology from Georgia Tech and received his bachelor's degree from the University of Georgia.

KNOWLAND RECENTLY UPDATED its navigation infrastructure to provide customers with a more intuitive and efficient way to access features. The new horizontal navigation bar, with simple icons and clear descriptions, helps users quickly access actionable insights and drive sales performance, Knowland said in a statement. Knowland said that the update previews a new user platform currently in development. "As the hotel sales models continue to evolve, hotel sales resources have broader market responsibilities and, as a result, less time to actively prospect," said Jeff Bzdawka, Knowland's CEO. "This new navigation is a direct response to these challenges. It is about empowering our users to focus on what matters most: building relationships and driving revenue. By quickly delivering the right information to their fingertips, we free them up for more productive selling time." The horizontal navigation bar features a predictable layout designed to be easier for users to find information quickly. By displaying menu items by category, such as accounts and events, competition, and markets, Knowland enables users to explore various features and functionalities.

The European Investment Bank (EIB), the long-term lending arm of the European Union, has a long history of investing in critical airport infrastructure projects, often in situations where air transit has become a critical humanitarian need.

ASIAN AMERICAN OWNED technology firm Netlink Voice LLC has acquired Phonesuite, a hospitality voice communication platform used by several hotel brands, the company said in a statement. Following the acquisition, Phonesuite and its subsidiary Phonesuite Direct, will be supported by Netlink Voice's finances, technology infrastructure and shorter development cycle. "Our plan is to keep the best of Phonesuite in place, including its strong market presence, network of resellers and integrators, and hotel industry technologists who know and understand the voice and data needs within the hotel industry," said Nilay Patel, CEO and chairman of Jackson, Mississippi-based Netlink Voice. "Important next-generation platform development will be accelerated by applying the Netlink Voice technology stack to the flagship Voiceware VoIP platform quicker and with a broader feature set than ever before. We are already developing our next-generation hospitality product," he added. Netlink Voice had been a long-time Phonesuite reseller, the statement added.

Lenny King is now director of IT for Greenville, South Carolina-based auroHOTELS. Previously, he was director of IT for restaurant chain Taco Johns. Prior to coming to Greenville, South Carolina-based auroHOTELS, King, a native of Missouri, worked first for Intrawest Resorts, managing new property infrastructure and technology systems. He also worked for various hotels and resorts in Florida and Hawaii, including Hilton Daytona, PGA National, Turtle Bay Resort and Marriott Waikoloa. At auroHOTELS, led by D.J. Rama as president and CEO, King will oversee IT strategy, monitoring and enhancing cyber security, managing hotel WiFi and bandwidth, deploying systems to improve overall productivity, increasing automation, flow and reporting. He and his team will support the corporate headquarters and the properties in the field.

THE U.S. TRAVEL ASSOCIATION wants the federal government to replace pandemic-era restrictions with endemic-focused policies to enable full and free travel. That was one of several subjects Roger Dow, USTA's outgoing president and CEO, discussed at the Hunter Hotel Conference in Atlanta in March. In a letter to incoming White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Ashish Jha, USTA asked to immediately remove the pre-departure testing requirement for all fully vaccinated inbound international arrivals. "Despite declining hospitalizations and infections, increased vaccination rates and immunity, and a more robust public health infrastructure to manage the virus, the vast majority of pandemic-driven federal travel policies are still in place," the letter said. "While the public health benefits of these policies have now greatly diminished, the economic consequences continue to grow,"

GUJARAT JHM HOTELS, owned by the Rama family along with U.S.-based Auro Hotels, recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the government of Gujarat to develop the JW Marriott Surat Resort & Spa in Surat in the state of Gujarat, India. It is GJHM's third Marriott hotel in the city after the Surat Marriott Hotel and the Courtyard by Marriott Surat. The upcoming property will feature more than 300 guestrooms and villas, according to a joint statement by GJHM and Auro Hotels, according to a release on the Press Trust of India website. "This transformative project, backed by more than $120 million (Rs 1,000 crore) investment, aims to create jobs for 800 individuals, offer crucial infrastructure for the city's growth, and establish Surat as the commercial capital of Gujarat," said D.J. Rama, director of GJHM and president and CEO of Auro Hotels. "Aspiring to be a 'Smart City,' this strategic investment underscores Gujarat JHM's commitment to fostering inclusive development. Surat is poised to emerge as a beacon of urban advancement, seamlessly combining financial strength with technological innovation."

ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING points are becoming a standard amenity at hotels, akin to the rise of Wi-Fi in the early 2000s. Benefits for the hotel owners and franchisers can include additional revenue, carbon credits as well as attracting guests from the growing number of electric vehicle drivers. A 2022 Green Lodging survey by the American Hotel and Lodging Association revealed a surge in the deployment of EV chargers within the hospitality sector, with 26.6 percent of all U.S. hotels equipped with charging stations. The EV charging facilities are more commonly found at luxury hotels (nearly 90 percent offer them), while only about one in five limited-service hotels provides charging, representing significant growth opportunities. Hotel brands such as Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Marriott International, BWH Hotel Group, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Choice Hotels International, Hyatt Hotel Corp. and G6 Hospitality have prioritized deploying EV charging based on customer preferences. Their franchisees have begun incorporating EV charging infrastructures into their properties. "We've heard from our owners that offering EV charging solutions is increasingly influential for guests when choosing hotels," said Brian McGuiness, IHG's senior vice president of global guest experience. "This is backed by our observation of guests using EVC filters on the IHG One Rewards mobile app and website. Our integrated EV-charger search filter within the IHG One Rewards mobile app allows travelers to easily find properties with EV charging capabilities, empowering them to plan their journeys conveniently and confidently."

HYATT HOTELS CORP. is set to launch a lifestyle group following the acquisition of Standard International, the parent company of The Standard and Bunkhouse Hotels. The new group would focus on developing future projects included in the acquisition. Amar Lalvani, former executive chairman of Standard International, will serve as president and creative director of the new group. It will be headquartered in New York City, with additional offices in Austin and Bangkok, Hyatt said in a statement. "The lifestyle segment isn't for the faint of heart; it takes creativity and commitment," said Lalvani. "But if you get it right, you reap the benefits of strong guest loyalty and developer returns. Hyatt respects the creativity needed to deliver our experiences, while we value Hyatt's history, global infrastructure, and commercial services."

WYNDHAM HOTELS & RESORTS reported growth in net rooms and its development pipeline for the third quarter. Global systemwide rooms increased 4 percent year-over-year, with 1 percent growth in the U.S. and 8 percent internationally. Global RevPAR rose 1 percent in constant currency compared to 2023, with a 1 percent decline in the U.S. and 7 percent growth internationally. The company's adjusted net income for the third quarter was $110 million, a 1 percent decrease year-over-year but a 3 percent increase on a comparable basis, Wyndham said in a statement. "Our teams delivered exceptional results, executing our growth strategy and achieving 7 percent growth in comparable adjusted EBITDA, driven by system expansion, higher royalty rates, and increased ancillary revenues," said Geoff Ballotti, president/CEO. "We awarded 10 percent more franchise contracts domestically, driving 5 percent growth in our development pipeline. Stabilizing RevPAR trends and increasing infrastructure demand are expected to lead to improved results in the coming quarters. We remain focused on delivering value to our guests, franchisees, and shareholders, having returned nearly $380 million year-to-date through dividends and share repurchases."

THE U.S. IS unprepared for the air travel demands of the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, according to the U.S. Travel Association's Commission on Seamless and Secure Travel. Without immediate action, the outdated system will struggle with increased visitors amid concerns over visas, aging infrastructure and inadequate security technology. The USTA-commissioned report estimates the 2026 World Cup, 2028 Olympics and Paralympics, 2025 Ryder Cup and the U.S.'s 250th birthday celebrations could draw 40 million visitors and generate $95 billion in economic activity. "The next several years will bring unprecedented travel demand that our systems are not prepared to handle," said Geoff Freeman, USTA's president and CEO. "Washington has a small window to fix major travel pain points and unlock a $100 billion economic opportunity-but it will require a level of urgency that has been missing in recent years."

A Bird's Eye View of Some Asian Countries From the affordable charm of Vietnam to the world-class systems of Singapore and the vibrant lifestyle of Thailand, here's why Asia is an excellent option for your next big move. Vietnam: Affordable and Welcoming Vietnam has grown in popularity among expats due to its low cost of living and welcoming culture. Housing, food, and transportation are incredibly affordable compared to Western countries, making it an attractive destination for retirees and remote workers. While public healthcare services might not meet international standards in rural areas, private hospitals in cities like Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi deliver higher quality care. Comprehensive health insurance is essential to bridge any gaps and ensure access to premium facilities. Singapore: A Global Leader in Healthcare If world-class infrastructure and a highly developed healthcare system are on your priority list, Singapore is a standout choice. This island nation has earned a reputation for being one of the safest, cleanest, and most efficient countries globally. Singapore's healthcare system blends public and private services seamlessly. Public healthcare is accessible to citizens and permanent residents, while expats often rely on private healthcare providers for quicker access and specialized treatments. With options ranging from general practitioners to state-of-the-art hospitals, Singapore ensures that high-quality care is never out of reach.

UTTAR PRADESH RECEIVED hospitality investment proposals worth approximately $12.2 billion, or Rs 1 trillion, in the last two years after introducing its 2022 tourism policy. The Indian state, which hosted the Global Investors Summit in February 2023, sees tourism as key to reaching its $1 trillion economy goal by 2029. The state aims to expand tourism infrastructure and hospitality properties through private sector partnerships, Business Standard reported, citing government officials. "The proposed investments include hotels, resorts, guesthouses, wellness centers, and homestays across all 75 districts," said Mukesh Kumar Meshram, principal secretary of tourism and culture in UP, according to the report.

Lee Palaschak is the new executive vice president of operations at Stonebridge Cos. He will oversee the company's operations from a new office in Dallas and report to CEO Rob Smith. Denver-based Stonebridge is led by Founder and Chairman Navin Dimond. "Lee shares our vision of operational excellence and delivering value to ownership and brings strong relationships with our brand partners," said Smith. "We are confident he will build on the infrastructure we have in place and continue to elevate Stonebridge as the market leader for third-party management contracts." Palaschak has 35 years of operational experience. Before joining Stonebridge, he was senior vice president at Remington Hospitality, managing operations for a\ portfolio of full-service and select-service brands, luxury and lifestyle properties. He also held senior roles at Aimbridge Hospitality, Winegardner & Hammons, and Commonwealth Hotels.

Dubai's Economy Is On Boom And You Will Be Able To Get Good Job There When You Hold Dubai Work Visa And A Valid Passport With You.

Recognised as the most punctual airport in the UK, London City Airport (LCY) has received consent to extend its aviation capacity under a £200m ($310m) expansion programme. The airport submitted a planning application to the London Borough of Newham for the City Airport Development Programme (CADP) to expand its current infrastructure, in September 2013.