Group items matching

in title, tags, annotations or url

THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC may be waning, but other factors are leading many people to stay home this holiday season, according to a survey commissioned by the American Hotel & Lodging Association and conducted by Morning Consult. High gas prices are a major reason given for opting out of Thanksgiving and Christmas journeys. AHLA's survey found that only 29 percent of Americans are likely to travel for Thanksgiving and 33 percent are likely to travel for Christmas. That is still a 21 percent and 24 percent increase respectively from 2020. The survey questioned 2,200 adults between Oct. 30 to Nov. 1. "While vaccines have helped travelers feel more comfortable, rising gas prices and continued concerns about the pandemic are making many Americans hesitant to travel during the holidays," said Chip Rogers, AHLA's president and CEO. "Despite a slight expected uptick in holiday travel this year, hotels will continue to face economic fallout from the pandemic, underscoring the need for targeted federal relief, such as the Save Hotel Jobs Act, to support the industry and its workforce until travel fully returns." Most of those who do plan to travel, 68 percent of Thanksgiving travelers and 64 percent of Christmas travelers, will be driving, the survey found. For Thanksgiving,11 percent plan to fly while 14 percent will take to the skyways for Christmas.

Food and beverage department in any hotel is important section of hotel. This department is responsible for maintaining the high quality of food and service, food costing, managing restaurants and bar. There is an increasing demand for qualified service professionals in the Food & Beverage Industry. Get all the food and beverage department news usa all at one place. Do subscribe the Asian Hospitality magazine for more hospitality news and stay updated.

HOSPITALITY FIRMS OYO ROOMS and Wyndham Hotels and Resorts recently joined relief efforts in Ukraine. OYO is offering free accommodation to refugees fleeing the war-torn country and Wyndham made a cash donation to a charity supporting child victims of the war. OYO appealed to more than 600 Belvilla home-owners on its platform in Poland, to open their holiday homes to refugees, it said in a statement. "These stays will be free for refugees who cannot pay for them, and the costs will be borne by us and our home-owners who volunteer to host refugees. We will support them administratively, and help cover operational expenses incurred," OYO said.

The My Place Hotel-Green Bay is now open in Green Bay, Wisconsin. It is owned by Asharam, LLC led by Principal Atul Patel. The 64-room extended-stay hotel is the 61st My Place hotel in the U.S. and the second in Wisconsin. It is part of My Place's Trend Hotels & Suites brand launched earlier this year. It is near Lambeau Field, home of the Green Bay Packers. "My Place is the perfect fit for this area. With a seamless building and opening process, we are excited to continue bringing family like hospitality to our guests," said Patel. Terry Kline, My Place executive vice president for franchise sales, said the My Place Hotel-Green Bay is suited to the current COVID-19 pandemic crisis. "As we continue to make sense of the new normal that continues to change around us, we look forward to the bright future ahead of us as we inspire future guests with our spirit of hospitality in Green Bay," said Kline.

The Home2 Suites by Hilton Whitestown Indianapolis NW is now open in Whitestown, Indiana. It is owned by the Jetha Group with Sumeet Jetha as president of operations and managed by Hotel Equities. The 107-room hotel is near Grand Park Sports Campus, Indiana Motor Speedway, Amerisource Bergen, Indy Car Exchange and Indianapolis International Airport. Amenities include a combined laundry and fitness area, indoor pool and Digital Key check-in. During its opening weekend, Home2 Suites Whitestown Indianapolis donated all of its proceeds to So Big, an organization that provides assistance to women facing unexpected pregnancies. "We are excited to open our doors to travelers visiting metro Indianapolis and serving our community," said Keith Adkins, the hotel's general manager. "Whitestown and the surrounding area is a great place to visit and stay for a while with an abundance of amenities at your door step, including nearby shopping and dining."

ABOUT 78 PERCENT of global travelers place high quality service above all else when booking a hotel, according to a global survey by IHG Hotels & Resorts' voco hotels. Cleanliness and other basic needs also rank highly, but the way hotel staff approach guests during their stay is very important, and travelers want to feel comfortable, both physically and in themselves. "Just like travel has changed, consumers expectations have too," said Will Yell, VP luxury and upscale conversion and affiliate brands at IHG. "With nearly half of travelers stating they want to be valued as an individual, a one-size-fits-all approach to hotel service no longer resonates with travelers." Travelers also are ready to reconnect post-pandemic, with six out of 10 craving connection, interaction and/or conversation more during their travels, compared to pre-pandemic, the survey said. That leads them to want more connection with hotel staff. "As many as 65 percent of travelers think hotel staff should act in a friendly manner towards guests and half said they want to be able to talk to staff and vice versa in a friendly, conversational manner, rather than overly formal or personal. Nearly half (48 percent) of travelers agree that a friendly, approachable, and personalized experience is more important than ever following the pandemic," the survey said.

The Hyatt House In Beaverton, Oregon, is now open. It is a joint venture developed by NewcrestImage led by Mehul Patel as chairman and CEO and Canterbury Hotel Group led by Arvind Patel as CEO. The 125-room, 5-floor extended-stay Hyatt House by NewcrestImage is near Beaverton's city hall, the 550-seat Patricia Reser Center for the Arts, the Tualatin Valley and Cooper Mountain Nature Park. Also close are corporate headquarters for Nike, Reser's Fine Foods and optics manufacturer Leupold & Stevens. Hotel amenities include a 635-sq. ft. meeting room, two indoor lounges and an outdoor patio and BBQ area. It is the first joint venture by NewcrestImage and Canterbury Hotel Group. "The opening of this Hyatt House is powerful testimony that hoteliers continue to provide the best of hotel experiences even during challenging travel times," Mehul said. "We've created a property that is safe, comfortable, and special - where travelers can rest easy after a tough day on the road."

THE DEATH TOLL from a series of tornadoes that tore through several states, with some of the most severe damage in Kentucky, is expected to top 100. In response, AAHOA is urging its members to lend a hand to relief efforts. In Kentucky, at least 70 people were killed as the storms churned through Friday night and into Saturday, according to local media reports. About 110 people were trapped in a Mayfield, Kentucky, candle factory when the tornado hit. At least two died at an Amazon facility in Edwardsville, Illinois. Deaths were reported in Arkansas, Tennessee and other states as well. "This will be, I believe, the deadliest tornado system to ever run through Kentucky. Earlier this morning at about 5 a.m., we were pretty sure that we would lose over 50 Kentuckians. I'm now certain that number is north of 70. It may in fact end up exceeding 100 before the day is done," Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said in a statement. "The damage is even worse now that we have first light. A couple places have been hit incredibly hard, certainly Mayfield here in Graves County, but everywhere along the line of this tornado that touched down and stayed down for 227 miles."

The TownePlace Suites by Marriott Tuscaloosa University Area is now open in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. It is owned by Chattanooga, Tennessee-based Vision Hospitality Group, led by Mitch Patel as president and CEO. The 93-suite hotel is near the University of Alabama, the Alabama Museum of Natural History, Paul W. Bryant Museum, and Tuscaloosa Amphitheater. Amenities include an indoor saltwater pool and a fitness center. It is pet friendly. "As the top sports destination in the state, over half a million visitors pass through Tuscaloosa every year," Patel said. "We are excited to join the community by offering fans and families visiting the campus, a new, extended stay experience."

The Residence Inn by Marriott Richmond West is open in Midlothian, Virginia. It is owned by Shamin Hotels, led by CEO Neil Amin in Chester, Virginia. The 111-suite extended=stay hotel is near Johnston-Willis Hospital and 20 minutes from downtown Richmond. Other nearby attractions are Richmond Ice Zone, Huguenot Park, Chesterfield Towne Center and River City Sportsplex. The pet-friendly hotel's amenities include a meeting room, an indoor swimming pool and a fitness center. "When on the road for an extended period, our guests need space to spread out, maintain their life's pace and restore their energy to keep a healthy balance and routine while traveling. This new hotel offers a seamless blend of modern style and functionality that allows them to settle in and thrive," said Diane Mayer, vice president and global brand manager for Residence Inn at Marriott International.

WHEN IT COMES to growing hotel revenue, size does not matter. Economy hotels and micro-inventory properties are experiencing one of the biggest booms in recent years, thanks partly to a massive resurgence in small group travel, changing economic trends, and the staying power of global "return to travel". CBRE noted economy and midscale hotels recovered to 2019 performance levels by 2021, and properties with fewer rooms may benefit from lower operating costs when compared to their big-box brethren-though they also tend to have fewer resources with which to hire revenue professionals. Revenue managers are driving the charge for better operating returns. Many are taking the lessons they learned from their success at larger hotels and applying these truths to the industry's smaller properties. These revenue managers leverage new technology and strategies, options that small hotels with smaller, cross-functional staff haven't fully embraced. However, competition among economy hotels and properties tends to be fierce, requiring new action, especially with recent economic pressures and a downward 2023 RevPAR forecast of 0.2 percent in recent data shared by Tourism Economics . Modern revenue management practices and technology can provide these hotels with many benefits and significant competitive advantages. Small hotels need to avoid the erratic rate shifts of the past and capitalize on new trends as they emerge. By embracing strong revenue management systems and discipline in these properties, operators can realize greater control over a typically inconsistent space. Room Enough for Revenue The most common misconception about revenue management's place in hospitality is that it is the domain of large or full-service hotels. This is simply not the case today. No two hotels are the same, in practice, with key differences always existing between the layout of a property, its location, third-party partnerships, and so on. Every hotel has different revenue pot

TARAN PATEL, MANAGING principal of A-1 Hospitality Group and AAHOA Northwest regional director, has received the 2023 Lodging Operator of the Year award by the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association for his outstanding contributions to both the hospitality industry and communities. "Oregon's hospitality industry is filled with remarkable, passionate people who go above and beyond on a daily basis because they love what they do," said Jason Brandt, ORLA president and CEO. "These recipients represent not only some of our industry's most dedicated leaders and advocates, but also the exemplary service that sets the high standard for the entire industry to achieve." Following the completion of his MBA in 2015, Taran began working in operations and development, contributing to the company culture established by his parents. Under his leadership, A-1 Hospitality Group's hotels not only offered crucial assistance to their communities during the pandemic but also stayed operational, safeguarding job stability for their team members and enabling them to provide for their families during challenging times.

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT, development and management firm VMV Capital recently broke ground on the Extended Stay America Premier Suites Duncan in Duncan, South Carolina. It is the first such property for VMV, led by Vinny Patel as CEO. The four-story, 88-room hotel is in Spartanburg County between Greenville and Spartanburg near many businesses, including BMW, Michelin, and Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System, according to VMV. Other attractions include the Trapped in the Upstate Escape Rooms, Greer Heritage Museum and several parks. Construction is under way and the hotel is expected to open in summer 2023. Hotel amenities will include a fitness room and an onsite guest laundry.

WITH A ROCK and roll theme, Best Western Hotels & Resorts held its annual conference in Cleveland on Oct. 28 to 30. During the event, which marked the completion of the first year of the company's former general counsel Larry Cuculic as president and CEO, the company launched a new extended-stay brand, Home by BWH. Thousands of Best Western members attended the conference, with the theme "BW Rocks 2022." Cuculic, who took over for long-time president and CEO David Kong last year, gave an update on his first year. "When my journey began in this position last year, I was anxious," Cuculic said in the first general session of the recent conference. "The honor of the position and the responsibilities are absolutely huge. Consider, though, that being anxious is actually a good thing. It's a good thing. It's a reflection of my wanting to do my best for you."

IHG HOTELS & RESORTS donated $500,000 to the American Hotel & Lodging Association Foundation's No Room for Trafficking Survivor Fund to combat human trafficking. It is the most recent donation by a large hotel company to the fund. The Survivor Fund works to end human trafficking and support the economic stability of human trafficking survivors with the contribution, a statement added. It supports survivors' immediate needs and long-term stability that will empower and equip survivors and their families to help prevent revictimization, including but not limited to emergency housing and career development support by funding community-based organizations. Since its inception, the fund has raised $2.5 million with contributions from Extended Stay America, G6 Hospitality, Hilton Global Foundation, Hyatt Hotels Foundation and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. "IHG Hotels & Resorts is committed to eradicating human trafficking, and this support of the NRFT Survivor Fund underscores our long-standing effort to condemn this exploitation and help survivors," said Elie Maalouf, IHG's CEO for the Americas. "The fund will play a crucial role in providing survivors with the support they need for future stability and success. Recognizing that our industry has a unique opportunity to fight human trafficking collectively, we proudly join our peers and AHLA Foundation in continuing to make impactful change."

HAWKEYE HOTELS RECENTLY acquired the Hotel Indigo Pittsburgh East Liberty in Pittsburgh. It is the company's third hotel owned and operated in Pennsylvania. The 135-room Indigo is a restored boutique hotel in Pittsburgh's historic East Liberty Neighborhood, according to the Hawkeye. Nearby are the Carnegie Museum, Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Pittsburgh, Phipps, Heinz Chapel, St. Paul's and East Liberty Presbyterian Church. Its interior décor reflects the neighborhood's community's theater, entertainment and charitable heritage. Hawkeye closed on the transaction 21 days after executing the contract. It has recently acquired, developed and operated dozens of hotels in over 20 states across the U.S. "We continue to be bullish on the hospitality market recovery and look forward to seeking out additional opportunities to acquire hotels across the U.S.," said Parth Patel, Hawkeye's head of investments. The company is considering acquiring an upscale extended stay hotel in Erie, Pennsylvania, where it recently opened Holiday Inn.

The SureStay Hotel by Best Western Rockford East is now open in Rockford, Illinois. It is owned by Bankim Hirpara. The 122-room hotel is near Rockford University, Midway Village Museum, Hurricane Harbor Rockford waterpark, CherryVale Mall, Discovery Center Museum, Aldeen Golf Club and Rock Cut State Park. "We're excited to join the SureStay brand and open our doors in East Rockford," Hirpara said. "We look forward to welcoming guests to our convenient location, which is within proximity to some of Rockford's most exciting destinations. Our staff is eager to provide our guests with a Stay they can be sure about."

HURRICANE IAN PLOWED across Cuba and strengthened into a Category 4 storm Wednesday with its sites on central Florida, where it would kill more than 70 people before moving on to the Carolinas. Part of what made Ian so deadly was its unpredictability, as south Florida hotelier Jan Gautam witnessed. Gautam, president and CEO of IHRMC Hotels & Resorts in Orlando, said Ian hit with Category 1 force wind in the Kissimmee and Orlando area, damaging seven of his properties. That came as a surprise to many of his guests who had fled the Tampa area where Ian had been expected to hit. "This particular hurricane was supposed to hit Tampa Bay and we were not expecting it to come towards us in Orlando," Gautam said. "Suddenly, at the last moment the route was changed and most of the people from the Tampa area were staying in Orlando, so hotels in Orlando were completely full. These were the people who came from central Florida and we were actually beaten up badly."

A NEW SURVEY finds that nearly three in five U.S. travelers plan to "trip-stack" this holiday season by adding another destination or trip directly following or leading up to their existing travel plans. The survey by G6 Hospitality's economy lodging brand Motel 6, also found that most travelers will be looking to try something new. The fifth annual holiday survey also found that, along with plans to trip-stack, 67 percent of respondents said that holidays are the only time when friends and family are available to travel. More than half, 52 percent, of those surveyed plan to cross an average of three state lines while on their winter trips and 46 percent plan to stay at a hotel or motel for their trips, the survey, which received response from 2,000 Americans, pointed out.

STR IS LAUNCHING a new phase, STR Benchmarking, a market share product for the global hotel industry, according to STR's parent company, real estate marketplaces, information and analytics provider CoStar Group. The new software platform will offer property-level data and analytics for hotel owners and operators with functionality built on the STAR Report. Acquired by CoStar in 2019, STR draws its benchmarking data from a sample of 77,000 participating properties with 10 million rooms around the world. STR Benchmarking provides new functions, including user and competitive set self-management as well as high-frequency updates to data. Future product enhancements, which are expected to begin rolling out later this year, include portfolio-level benchmarking, monthly P&L, average-length-of-stay data, and forward-looking occupancy.