Mon.May 13, 2024

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ChatGPT Is Getting a Major Update: What it Means for Travelers

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Though ChatGPT still has issues and many of its features are in experimental phases, the continued updates paint a clearer picture of the future digital travel assistant.

Travel 317
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Meyer Jabara Hotels’ New CIO Brings the Growth Mindset

Lodging

Recently appointed Meyer Jabara Hotels (MJ) Chief Investment Officer Ian McAuley comes to this newly crafted position with 30 years of experience and relationships that, coupled with those of this closely held private hotel company, will further MJ’s expansion goals. As McAuley shared with LODGING, he plans to pursue these goals by first familiarizing himself with his new company—its people, culture, and partners—well enough to fashion and convey to potential investors a compelling story of [

Closing 290
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Major U.S. Airlines Sue Biden Administration Over Junk Fees Rule

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Major U.S. airlines have filed a lawsuit against the Department of Transportation’s “junk fees” rule, arguing that it would create more confusion for consumers.

Consumer 307
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Exclusive: inside Accor’s strategy to refresh brands for the future

Hotel Management

Accor Chief Commerical Officer Premium, Midscale, Economy for MEA APAC, Kerry Healy, discusses refreshing iconic brands to drive growth. How have you seen the Premium, Midscale and Economy segments evolve in recent years in line with consumer demand? Accor has spent a large part of the last decade acquiring new brands, in luxury and in lifestyle; and with the rise of consumer trends such as hyper personalisation, we also needed to make sure those brands can stand the test of time.

Branding 279
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Don't Let AI Pass You By: The New Era of Personalized Sales Coaching & Development

Speaker: Brendan Sweeney, VP of Sales & Devyn Blume, Sr. Account Executive

Are you curious about how artificial intelligence is reshaping sales coaching, learning, and development? Join Brendan Sweeney and Devyn Blume of Allego for an engaging new webinar exploring AI's transformative role in sales coaching and performance improvement! Brendan and Devyn will share actionable insights and strategies for integrating AI into coaching and development - ensuring personalized, effective, and scalable training!

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Hyatt Updates Expected Growth in Latin America Through 2027

Lodging

CHICAGO, Illinois—Hyatt Hotels Corporation updated the company’s expected growth trajectory in Latin America and the Caribbean. Through 2027, Hyatt will expand its brand presence in new destinations throughout the region, meeting travelers in more places. “Hyatt’s brand growth in Latin America and the Caribbean is fueled by robust travel across all customer segments and our effective execution of an asset-light strategy, including the 2021 acquisition of Apple Leisure Group,

Branding 278
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How This Thai Resort Hopes to Attract Indian Travelers – India Report

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Even as Thailand is a popular travel destination among Indians, most places beyond Bangkok and Phuket remain unexplored. Smaller resorts and businesses now seem to be trying to attract Indian tourists.

Resorts 296

More Trending

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Booking.com Hit With EU’s ‘Gatekeeper’ Status, Faces Tighter Regulation

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Online travel giant Booking.com will be held to a stricter regulatory standard in 27 European countries, but it remains to be seen what the true impact will be.

Travel 272
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What It Really Takes To Book More Groups, Meetings, and Events These Days

Hospitality Net

Today’s hotel and event salespeople work in completely different environments than most of their leaders experienced. Meeting and event booking sites have created a flood of leads, which can be overwhelming for those working in a sales role equipped and staffed for the era when leads came in by phone or website inquiry forms.

Events 246
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Emirates Sees Rise in Unsold Premium Seats, But the Post-Pandemic Party Isn’t Over Yet

Skift Blog

Skift Take: With premium cabins typically delivering much higher profit margins than economy seats, good occupancy is a key performance metric for many airlines.

Occupancy 282
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Entries open for the 2024 GuestRevu GREAT Awards

Hospitality Net

GuestRevu, a leading guest survey and online reputation management solution, is thrilled to announce entries are now open for the 2024 GuestRevu GREAT Awards. These prestigious awards, celebrating Guest-Rated Excellence in Accommodation & Travel, are back for another exciting year.

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How to Stay Competitive in the Evolving State of Martech

Marketing technology is essential for B2B marketers to stay competitive in a rapidly changing digital landscape — and with 53% of marketers experiencing legacy technology issues and limitations, they’re researching innovations to expand and refine their technology stacks. To help practitioners keep up with the rapidly evolving martech landscape, this special report will discuss: How practitioners are integrating technologies and systems to encourage information-sharing between departments and pr

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Driftwood Capital Provides Mezzanine Financing for Sheraton Dallas Hotel

Lodging

DALLAS—Driftwood Capital, through its lending fund Driftwood Lending Partners, LP (DLP), provided $30 million in mezzanine financing for the refinancing of the Sheraton Dallas Hotel, a 1,841-key hotel and convention center sponsored by Chartres Lodging Group. The mezzanine financing will accompany a $270 million senior loan originated by Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan Securities.

Hotels 173
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7 ways to boost your hotel revenue with TravelAds

Hospitality Net

In today’s digital landscape, a successful hotel revenue strategy is more than filling rooms. It’s about targeting the right traveler and tapping into data-backed industry trends to stay competitive.

Revenue 245
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El Cortez Hotel & Casino Adds New F&B Outlets

Lodging

LAS VEGAS—El Cortez Hotel & Casino announced a $20 million property-wide expansion that will include the addition of a new high-limit lounge, two new bars, a new restaurant, and a Starbucks coffee shop. The casino plans to begin renovations this summer, with the final phase of the expansion set to be unveiled in early 2025. Taking care to preserve the vintage appeal that visitors have come to expect from the property, the design of each […] The post El Cortez Hotel & Casino Adds Ne

Casinos 162
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Junk Fees are banned in California as of July 1, 2024! What does the California Junk Fee Law (SB 478) mean?

Hospitality Net

California businesses brace for Senate Bill 478‘s impact. SB 478 was signed by Governor Newsom in October 2023 and became effective July 1, 2024. It cracks down on hidden fees, often referred to as “junk fees” and “drip pricing” (because the full cost is only disclosed drip by drip). It will likely change how businesses approach pricing strategies. Many say it is part of a nationwide response to President Joe Biden’s call to eliminate Junk Fees.

Business 245
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Beyond the Basics: How to Develop and Retain a Top-Performing Sales Team

Speaker: Brendan Sweeney, VP of Sales at Allego

Maximizing sales rep performance is no easy task. 📈 Traditional sales training methods focus heavily on the first few weeks in the sales role. Companies dedicate time, resources, and budget to onboarding new hires, only for them to forget what was learned in those first few weeks, lose motivation, and struggle to come to grips with their role.

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Red Lion Gillette and Sonesta Grand Rapids Open

Lodging

NEWTON, Massachusetts—Sonesta International Hotels Corporation announced the opening of Red Lion Gillette and Sonesta Grand Rapids. Red Lion Gillette is a 159-room, select-service value hotel in Gillette, Wyoming. Sonesta Grand Rapids Airport is a 183-room upscale property in Grand Rapids, Michigan. “We are excited to open the first Sonesta hotels in Gillette, Wyoming, and Grand Rapids, Michigan,” said Norman Leslie, co-founder of Lodging Opportunity Fund and Legendary Capital.

Services 162
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IRIS announces investment in Middle East, following growth in demand for digital ordering across hospitality sector

Hospitality Net

IRIS, the global leader in digital ordering for the hospitality industry, today announces it will be investing in its expansion in the Middle East. The announcement follows significant growth in its client base, as an increasing number of hoteliers across the region report a preference for mobile ordering from guests, enabling them to increase F&B revenue and enhance the digital experience they offer.

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United States Travel Association calls for a national tourism vision at IPW 2024

Hotel Management

At US Travel’s IPW – the largest generator of international inbound travel to the United States – in Los Angeles last week (May 3-7), the Association’s President and CEO Geoff Freeman shared a vision to make travel a national priority, solve barriers to visitation growth and become the most-visited nation in the world. “It should be our national goal to be nothing short of number one in terms of visitor arrivals, visitor spend and visitor experience,” Freeman said.

Tourism 130
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Destination Vietnam: IHG debuts two brands and enters exciting new locations

Hospitality Net

IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel operators, is proud to debut two Luxury & Lifestyle brands in Vietnam this year as it introduces Hotel Indigo and Vignette Collection to the market as part of its growth strategy.

Branding 244
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ABM Evolution: How Top Marketers Are Using Account-Based Strategies

In times of economic uncertainty, account-based strategies are essential. According to several business analysts and practitioners, ABM is a necessity for creating more predictable revenue. Research shows that nearly three-quarters of marketers (74%) already have the resources needed to build successful ABM programs.

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Hot debut: first phase complete at the new Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort and Spa

Hotel Management

Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort and Spa is open and ready for guest bookings following completion of the first phase of its much-anticipated multi-million-dollar transformation and extension. Located in Nadi Bay along Wailoaloa Beach, just 5km from Nadi International Airport, Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort and Spa will eventually feature 324 premium guestrooms and suites, including the addition of brand-new resort wings which will be home to the stylish two-bedroom family rooms and oceanfro

Resorts 130
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What It Really Takes To Book More Groups, Meetings, and Events These Days

Hospitality Net

Today’s hotel and event salespeople work in completely different environments than most of their leaders experienced. Meeting and event booking sites have created a flood of leads, which can be overwhelming for those working in a sales role equipped and staffed for the era when leads came in by phone or website inquiry forms.

Events 244
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The Dorchester blooms this summer in the heart of London

Hotel Management

The Dorchester is coming into full bloom, marking the launch of the hotel’s summer season, including an experiential AR filter, a sparkling partnership with Wild Idol and the return to Chelsea Flower Show. The Dorchester’s famous façade has already come to life with The Dorchester Rose with an immersive AR experience. The QR code, located just outside of The Dorchester Garden, on the hotel’s forecourt, will unlock a bespoke Instagram filter showcasing the hotel’s signature rose.

Shopping 130
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Meliá Ibiza Opens Its Doors: A Well-Being and Disconnection Haven in Santa Eulalia

Hospitality Net

The crystal-clear and calm waters of Santa Eulalia, in iconic Ibiza, welcome the new Meliá Ibiza, which opened its doors on 1 May after an exquisite repositioning process that has transformed the existing hotel (Sol Beach House Ibiza).

Hotels 255
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Diving into Diversity: Decoding the Foundations of Inclusion in Hospitality Talent Acquisition

Speaker: Lauren Fernandez - CEO & Founder, Full Course

Companies all over the world, including Marriot International and Hilton Worldwide, are aware of the value of including DEI in their talent acquisition strategy. However, despite these initiatives, there is still plenty that the hospitality sector can do to promote DEI. When comparing the hospitality industries in India, Iraq, the UK, and the US, you will see that there is a consistent underrepresentation of persons from different ethnic, gender, and disability origins across all levels of the i

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Hotel Remodeling and Renovations: 5 Tips to Transform Your Hotel into a Luxurious Haven

Are Morch

Slapping some fresh paint on the walls and calling it a hotel remodel? Most real pros, and guests as well, would not agree with this statement. For a real renovation, the goal is to create a space that will truly enhance the experience of every guest who steps into your building. With the digital age […] The post Hotel Remodeling and Renovations: 5 Tips to Transform Your Hotel into a Luxurious Haven appeared first on Are Morch, Digital Transformation Coach.

Hotels 130
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Tripleseat for Hotels Teams Up with Best Western Downtown Casper Hotel in Wyoming Offering Unparalleled Group Sales and Event Planning Solutions

Hospitality Net

Tripleseat for Hotels, the leading cloud-based group sales and catering management platform for hotels welcomes the addition of Best Western Downtown Casper Hotel located in central Wyoming. Offering an abundance of outdoor recreation and Old West charm, the hotel features 200 recently renovated guest rooms and 36,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, perfect for families, groups, and events.

Events 242
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This Saudi Airline Hopes to Triple in Size: The CEO’s Plan For Getting There

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Flyadeal's new CEO Steven Greenway says the scale of airline's expansion attracted him to the role. His challenge now is turning targets into tangible results.

Scale 130
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How to Perfect Your Hotel’s Direct Booking Strategy

Hospitality Net

If you’re looking for avenues to amplify revenue and create a more loyal guest base, look towards fine-tuning your hotel’s direct booking strategy.

Revenue 245
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ABM Success Recipe: Mastering the Crawl, Walk, Run Approach

Shifting to an account-based marketing (ABM) strategy can be both exciting and challenging. Well-implemented ABM motions build engagement with high-value accounts and drive impactful campaigns that resonate with your audience. But where do you begin, and how do you progress from crawling to running? Watch now as Demand Gen experts delve into the essentials of each stage of the ABM process.

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Recipe for navigating the restaurant business opening

eHotelier

Opening a restaurant is an extremely challenging endeavor. But if you plan accordingly, you can increase your chances of success by conducting proper market research, budgeting, getting involved with your community, investing in marketing, prioritizing operational efficiency, and listening to your customer base.

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Putting people first: Business success with a human-centric approach

Hospitality Net

It’s no secret that many employees feel unappreciated and undervalued in today’s workforce. Competition for good jobs is fierce, AI will replace some jobs in the coming years, and the size and complexity of some businesses makes some employees feel insignificant. Embracing a "people-first culture" has become vital as modern talent won’t hesitate to seek better benefits and flexibility elsewhere.

Business 212
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Hospitality Trend ALERT: and the hotel models that stand out

eHotelier

“IFYKYK” is the unspoken acronym for quiet luxury. It has sprawled beyond HBO’s ‘Succession’ fashion and is now very much the center of travel. Where can one go to stay and experience the ultimate hospitality and great R&R without being looked up and down by others prying to see if their Louis Vuitton is this season?

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Booking.com’s parent company is officially a gatekeeper, EU monopoly watchdog says

Hospitality Net

Hotel and apartment rental website Booking.com has been designated as a gatekeeper under the EU’s competition rules for platforms, the Digital Markets Act (DMA), the European Commission said today (13 May).

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A Buyer’s Guide to Future-Proofing Your Restaurant Tech Stack

The race to 100% digital is on. With the restaurant industry still in the early innings of its digital transformation, brands need an airtight strategy when it comes to building out their tech stack. Download the buyer’s guide to learn where to prioritize your efforts and get the most out of every investment.