Thu.Mar 23, 2023

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Skift India Daily: A Billion Air Travelers Expected by 2040 — How Adani Airports Is Preparing

Skift Blog

Skift Take: As Adani Airports’ ambitious airport growth plan takes flight, what remains to be seen is if the Indian ports-to-power conglomerate can establish itself as a dominant player in aviation.

Travel 312
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NewcrestImage and Hospitality Capital Partners Acquire 16 Hotels in Joint Venture

Lodging

In a joint venture, Dallas, Texas-based NewcrestImage and Phoenix, Arizona-based Hospitality Capital Partners (HCP) have acquired 16 hotels with a total of 2,155 rooms for $137.3 million from Service Properties Trust, a Massachusetts-based REIT. The transaction was handled by Al Calhoun and Mark Fair at CBRE in Atlanta. The portfolio consists of 13 Courtyard by Marriott hotels and three Residence Inn by Marriott hotels that are located in nine states—Georgia, Massachusetts, New York, North Carol

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Marriott Pushes M Clubs and Courtyard Resorts as New Offerings

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Marriott is bringing to Miami its M Club, a lounge mainly for members in the elite tiers of its loyalty program. It's also rolling out full-service resorts under its Courtyard brand. Plus, other highlights from hotel news this week.

Resorts 290
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Making Memories Every Day

Lodging

What initially inspired you to get into the hospitality business? The first time I heard Ritz Carlton’s Gold Standards Motto: “Ladies and Gentlemen Serving Ladies and Gentlemen,” was during a Total Quality Management course at James Madison University. As I learned more about leadership, strategic planning, customer service and marketing, I was excited about the career path opportunities.

Services 279
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Welcome to the Future of Hospitality: Smart Rooms Start Here

Speaker: Jady West, VP of Hospitality & Chris Bennett, Head of Sales & Engineering

The modern hotel room is no longer just a place to stay—it’s an experience to remember. Today’s guests expect seamless 5G connectivity, personalized comfort, and high-tech convenience. From AI-powered smart room controls to in-room entertainment and app-based services, technology is redefining hospitality from the inside out. In this new session featuring industry pros Jady West and Chris Bennett, we’ll explore how high-speed, high-bandwidth connectivity powers the innovations that are enabling

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Expedia and Kayak Offer Early Convergence of ChatGPT and Travel Booking

Skift Blog

Skift Take: This is one of the earliest examples of the coming convergence of conversational AI and travel booking, even if it is crude in this new launch from ChatGPT.

Travel 290
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Crisis In Confidence: C-Level Execs Weigh in on Banking Issues During Hunter

Lodging

The recent U.S. banking crisis became a focal point of conversation at the Hunter Hotel Investment Conference as industry leaders tried to put the situation in context and share their overall outlook on the industry in the wake of such economic challenges. During a panel discussion entitled “Wall Street Talks,” several prominent owners and publicly traded company CEOs weighed in with their thoughts following the much-publicized closures of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank.

Hotels 278

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Exclusive: Wyndham’s CEO Geoff Ballotti on expanding female hotel ownership

Hotel Management

Wyndham Hotels and Resorts’ ground-breaking ‘Women Own the Room’ program, which is in its inaugural year, is continuing to exceed all expectations, with more than 30 hotels now signed across the United States and Canada, 10 of which are now open. Speaking exclusively to HM on camera at the 2023 Hunter Hotel Investment Conference in Atlanta this week (Mar 23), Wyndham Hotels and Resorts’ President and CEO, Geoff Ballotti, said the first-ever program by a major hotel company specifically targeting

Hotels 260
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Offices Find New Ways to Compete With Hotels For Remote Workers

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Companies that went hybrid are now being urged to "reuse" their office spaces by renting them out to other remote workers. Here we go again.

Hotels 277
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The Ritz-Carlton makes grand arrival in Melbourne

Hotel Management

Luxury hospitality brand The Ritz-Carlton has opened its second hotel in Australia, with the launch of The Ritz-Carlton Melbourne on Thursday March 23. The 80-storey hotel, set on the western side of Melbourne’s CBD, offers 257 guestrooms, three food and beverage venues, spa, and event spaces, as well as a Sky Lobby on the top floor. “We are thrilled to bring The Ritz-Carlton brand to Melbourne, and to open our second hotel in Australia,” said Marriott International President, Luxury, Tina Edmun

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Timeshare Companies to Face More Consumer Lawsuits

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Litigation against timeshare resorts isn't uncommon. But, even if the lawsuits get class action status, the damages for publicly traded companies including Hilton, Marriott and Travel + Leisure Co. are unlikely to be significant as it is part of "normal course of business.

Consumer 264
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State of AI in Sales & Marketing 2025

AI adoption is reshaping sales and marketing. But is it delivering real results? We surveyed 1,000+ GTM professionals to find out. The data is clear: AI users report 47% higher productivity and an average of 12 hours saved per week. But leaders say mainstream AI tools still fall short on accuracy and business impact. Download the full report today to see how AI is being used — and where go-to-market professionals think there are gaps and opportunities.

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TPG Hotels & Resorts Names Ben Perelmuter President and Chief Operating Officer

Lodging

PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island—TPG Hotels & Resorts announced the appointment of Ben Perelmuter as president and chief operating officer. Perelmuter will oversee the operational performance of TPG’s hospitality portfolio. “I am excited and motivated to join the TPG Hotels & Resorts team,” said Perelmuter. “This entrepreneurial hospitality team is committed to defining the gold standard for management services in the hospitality industry.

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Hilton Links Brand Success to Workforce Happiness

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Today’s edition of Skift’s daily podcast looks at Hilton’s happiness equation, Delta’s South American boast, and Bhutan’s gold bounty.

Branding 264
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Accommodation Australia to officially launch on July 1

Hotel Management

Peak industry body Accommodation Australia will officially launch on July 1, 2023, the Fair Work Commission has confirmed. The update follows a Accommodation Association member vote in favour (96%) of an amalgamation with Tourism Accommodation Australia. The first President of Accommodation Australia will be Leanne Harwood and the inaugural CEO Michael Johnson.

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U.S. Visitor Visa Wait Times Remain Stuck at Over 400 Days on Average

Skift Blog

Skift Take: We're four months into 2023 and first-time visitors from the U.S.'s top inbound countries still have to wait nearly a year for just an interview. This is slowing down the U.S.'s recovery to its pre-pandemic level.

Tourism 264
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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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Choice Hosts Inaugural HERtels by Choice Development Seminar

Lodging

ROCKVILLE, Maryland—Building on its efforts to increase diversity across the hospitality industry, Choice Hotels International, Inc. kicked off its inaugural HERtels by Choice Development Seminar with nearly 40 franchise owners, general managers, and hotel associates in attendance as part of a series of events to commemorate Woman’s History Month on Monday, March 20. “While industry-wide parity is improving, with more female investors, directors, and leaders in hospitality than ever

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Travelzoo to Launch Its Travel Metaverse Within Weeks

Skift Blog

Skift Take: One can make the argument that Travelzoo is embarked on a foolhardy mission to create a metaverse. On the other hand, gamers and Gen Z may have something to the contrary to say about that.

Travel 246
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This Week’s Comings & Goings

Lodging

Prominence Hospitality Group welcomed two new members to its corporate leadership team: Steve Natale joins as the vice president of operations and Kelly Wills as the new director of information technology. Lark Hotels announced the onboarding of two new team members: Doug Klein, vice president of marketing and communications, and Alison Briggs, vice president of human resources.

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The Impact of Dubai Loosening Up on Alcohol to Boost Tourism May Have Its Limits

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Although other destinations in the Middle East and North Africa may not consider making more alcohol accessible as a key part of their tourism strategies, they'll surely notice if it helps Dubai boosts visitor numbers.

Tourism 246
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The GTM Intelligence Era: ZoomInfo 2025 Customer Impact Report

ZoomInfo customers aren’t just selling — they’re winning. Revenue teams using our Go-To-Market Intelligence platform grew pipeline by 32%, increased deal sizes by 40%, and booked 55% more meetings. Download this report to see what 11,000+ customers say about our Go-To-Market Intelligence platform and how it impacts their bottom line. The data speaks for itself!

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Jerry Schwartz brings colour and comedy to Ibis Barangaroo

Hotel Management

Ibis Sydney Barangaroo has become the new home for the exhibition of finalists in Australia’s premier satirical art competition, the Bald Archy Prize. As chief sponsor, Ibis Sydney Barangaroo Owner Dr Jerry Schwartz offered the hotel as an alternate venue to the Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour following the recent introduction of a spa on the premises.

Hotels 130
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U.S. Road Trips This Summer Could Be Just as Pricey as Last Year

Skift Blog

Skift Take: U.S. road trippers can't catch a break. Fuel stockpiles are dwindling but travel demand is expected to remain high. Result: More sticker shock ahead at the pump.

Travel 246
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Exclusive: Outrigger ‘bullish’ on beach community investment in Oceania, Asia Pacific

Hotel Management

Outrigger Resorts and Hotels is looking forward “ with eyes wide open ” , according to President and CEO, Jeff Wagoner, with the business vigilant in its efforts to retain and build market share. Here, Wagoner discusses the obstacles and opportunities ahead. Leisure demand is now high, but so is competition for consumers; with travel restrictions down and more countries reopened to tourism, the euphoria of business that some destinations felt will evaporate if dedicated marketing dollars are not

Resorts 130
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Deciding Which Travel Industry Award to Apply For

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Not sure which IDEA Award categories to apply for? We can guide you in the right direction based on your industry.

Travel 246
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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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Exclusive: Echo Suites by Wyndham soars, 200 hotels signed in first year

Hotel Management

Wyndham Hotels and Resorts’ new Echo Suites Extended Stay brand is continuing to soar, with more than 200 hotels in its development pipeline just 12 months after it was launched. Speaking exclusively to Wayfarer on camera at the 2023 Hunter Hotel Investment Conference in Atlanta this week (Mar 23), Wyndham Hotels and Resorts’ President and CEO, Geoff Ballotti, said rapidly outpacing initial growth expectations, the developer-driven brand caters to the white-hot extended-stay market, which contin

Hotels 130
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Amsterdam Looks to Dim Red Light District Tourism

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Amsterdam is trying to find a balance between its international reputation as an open and free city and resident quality of life. As it pursues its objective, it will have take on some restrictive measures in the Red Light District that run the risk of challenging its reputation.

Tourism 245
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Talofa: Virgin Australia celebrates return to Apia, Samoa

Hotel Management

Guests on Virgin Australia ’s first flight to Samoa in three years received a friendly welcome home this week (Mar 21), with the flight operated by a proud Samoan crew. Sydney-Apia services commended on March 21 and Brisbane flights on March 23, with both routes operating up to two return flights a week on the airline’s Boeing 737-800 aircraft. The all-Samoan cabin crew and First Officer warmly greeted guests, who were treated to a traditional song during the flight and cultural welcome upon lan

Tourism 130
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Hotel Financing - Move Fast and Break Things

Hotel News Resource

A host of banking issues is complicating matters for the Fed, but are there silver linings for commercial real estate?

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5 Ways You Can Win Faster with Gen AI in Sales

Incorporating generative AI (gen AI) into your sales process can speed up your wins through improved efficiency, personalized customer interactions, and better informed decision- making. Gen AI is a game changer for busy salespeople and can reduce time-consuming tasks, such as customer research, note-taking, and writing emails, and provide insightful data analysis and recommendations.

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How to make marketing, sales, and revenue jobs in hotels attractive

eHotelier

By implementing these strategies, hotels can attract talented individuals to their commercial roles and differentiate themselves from their competitors in the industry.

Revenue 105
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HB on the Scene: Cautious optimism continues at Hunter

Hotel Business

“Cautious optimism” seemed to be the phrase of the day at the 34th annual Hunter Hotel Investment Conference, held at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis, as the hospitality industry looks ahead. That was certainly the case during the “A View from Top” session when Julie Arrowsmith, president/interim CEO, G6 Hospitality; Geoff Ballotti, president/CEO, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts; Larry Cuculic, president/CEO, Best Western Hotels & Resorts; Elie W.

Resorts 105
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Celebrating Women in Leadership at GCommerce

gcommerce

March is International Women’s Month, with International Women’s Day being celebrated on March 8th. With a company makeup where 51% identify as female and are led by numerous women, March is an important month for us. To celebrate the occasion, we collaborated with four female leaders in the company to learn from their experiences and perspectives on what being a female leader is all about.

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11 hotel eCommerce strategies for selling more rooms online

Cloudbeds

These days, more consumers are going online to make purchases, and travel is no exception. However, booking a trip online is much different from purchasing other products like clothing and electronics. For travelers, there’s a lot riding on vacations, including money, well-being, and precious leisure time. Moreover, a hotel room can’t be returned if it doesn’t meet expectations.

OTA 98
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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