Mon.Dec 23, 2024

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Developing the brand: The Design Director panel discussion

Hotel Designs

Hotel Designs Developing the brand: The Design Director panel discussion Developing the brand: The Design Director panel discussion From free flowing freedom to putting people back in a box, being a design director isn’t all soft furnishings and rainbows when designing a brand, as Hotel Designs found out during a recent panel session… At HIX London 2024, seated incredibly comfortably on the Balsan and Ligne Roset stand in front of a packed crowd of eager listeners, Hotel Designs Edit

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Hotel Versus OTA Direct-Booking Tussle Will Shape Distribution for Years to Come

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Will hotel websites become the dominant distribution channel for hotels by 2030, leaving online travel agencies behind? It could certainly happen. However, there are reasons that scenario might not take place. Let's discuss this again in five years.

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THG, TE Miller top off Home2 Suites hotel in Montana

Hotel Business

Hotel management company The Hotel Group (THG), an affiliate of Hotel Equities , and TE Miller Development LLC have reached the topping-off milestone for the Home2 Suites by Hilton Kalispell in Kallispell, MT. The milestone marks the completion of the framework for the 107-room extended-stay property, which is slated to open in late spring 2025. Its always exciting to see a project come to life, and this milestone is a testament to the hard work and collaboration of our team and partners, said D

Hotels 59
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Desert Rock – carved into the Saudi Arabian mountains – opens its doors

Hotel Designs

Hotel Designs Desert Rock carved into the Saudi Arabian mountains opens its doors Desert Rock carved into the Saudi Arabian mountains opens its doors Desert Rock, the fifth property to open its doors at The Red Sea destination, and is the third property owned and operated resort by Red Sea Global… Desert Rock spans 30,000 square meters of unspoiled land, where architectural mastery meets ancient rocky outcrops.

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Smart Tools & Strong Teams: A People-First Approach to AI in Sales

Speaker: Matt Sunshine, CEO at The Center for Sales Strategy

AI isn’t replacing salespeople—it’s empowering them. The most forward-thinking sales organizations are using AI to enhance human performance rather than eliminate it. From coaching and messaging to prospecting and pipeline accountability, artificial intelligence is giving managers and SDRs the new tools they need to work smarter, sell better, and close more.

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The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village Promotes Keneven to Senior Sales Executive

Lodging

CAPE CORAL, FloridaThe Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Villageis pleased to announce the promotion of Sandra Keneven to Senior Sales Executive.In this new role, Sandra will overseesales initiatives for the waterfront resort. Sandra will be responsible for refining The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Villages profile, expanding business opportunities, identifying prospective partners, and securing contracts with partners.Sandra will officially assume her new role on Monday, January 6, 2025.

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Driftwood Capital secures $62.5M refi for two hotels

Hotel Business

Driftwood Capital has secured $62.5 million in total refinancing for the Wylie Hotel Atlanta and Sheraton Pittsburgh Hotel at Station Square, two full-service hospitality assets located in the central business districts of Atlanta and Pittsburgh. Funds managed by affiliates of Fortress Investment Group have provided a 36-month, $28.5 million loan at a competitive interest rate to refinance the Wylie Hotel Atlanta.

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Sage Hospitality adds Hilton City Center Denver to portfolio

Hotel Business

Sage Hospitality Group has assumed management of the Hilton Denver City Center. The company has been retained by Park Hotels & Resorts , making it the first partnership between the two companies. A well-known landmark in the Mile High City, the property will be the 18th hotel in Sages Denver portfolio, joining The Crawford, The Maven, The Oxford, Hotel Teatro and Hotel Clio, among others. “We are thrilled to add the Hilton Denver City Center to our growing portfolio and are truly grate

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Despegar to Be Acquired by Prosus for $1.7 Billion

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Years ago, it appeared as though Expedia Group would be a likely buyer of Despegar since Expedia had taken a significant minority stake in the company. But Expedia backed away, and now Prosus is claiming the prize.

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3 Hotel Trends Shaping 2025: Insights and Actions for Success

Demand Calendar

In the 1990s, I became involved in shaping various real estate ownership and operating agreements, exploring how to separate the brick-and-mortar side from the day-to-day running of a hotel. While hotels will always be asset-heavy by definition, the ownership of those assets has steadily shifted from hotel companies to specialized real estate firms, enabling many hotel operators to adopt a more asset-light model.

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Hyatt in Talks to Acquire Playa Hotels in All-Inclusive Resort Push

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Ever since Hyatt acquired Apple Leisure Group for $2.7 billion in 2021, it has been expanding its presence in the all-inclusive resort segment, which has gone upscale in recent years.

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How to Coach Reps on Overcoming Sales Objections with Confidence

Speaker: Brendan Sweeney, VP of Global Sales and David Phelan, Account Executive

In a world where buyers are more informed and objections are more nuanced, confidence isn't optional—it’s a competitive advantage. In high-stakes conversations, knowing how to handle pushback can make or break the deal. Join industry experts Brendan Sweeney and David Phelan for a behind-the-scenes look at how teams are transforming sales coaching with real-time feedback, objection-handling role plays, and pre-call preparation that actually sticks.

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From Seoul to Your Suitcase: How K&Pop is Influencing Global Travel Trends

Hotel News Resource

Article - From Seoul to Your Suitcase: How K-Pop is Influencing Global Travel Trends - K-pop, a global music phenomenon, is driving a vibrant music tourism industry in South Korea.

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Goa Strengthens Bid to Attract Digital Nomads — India Report

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Goas tourism game is all about inclusivity. From digital nomads chasing WiFi to leisure travelers seeking sandy retreats, the states strategy has something for everyone.

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Celebrating the Spirit of Hospitality: Holiday Greetings and New Year Wishes from HNR News

Hotel News Resource

2024 has been a year of transformation and growth. Together, weve witnessed extraordinary strides in hospitality, from groundbreaking sustainability initiatives to remarkable technological advancements that have reshaped how we travel and connect.

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Capital A Seeks to Clear Distressed Status With $1.3B Capital Cut

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Capital A is shifting its focus beyond aviation, aiming to build a stronger, more diverse revenue stream. This would also help the company rely less on the volatile aviation sector.

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New Research-Backed Strategies to Empower Managers as Culture & Engagement Leaders

Speaker: Beth Sunshine, SVP, Up Your Culture

When culture isn’t consistently lived out across the organization, engagement suffers—and it often starts with a disconnect at the top. In this session, Beth Sunshine, SVP of Up Your Culture at The Center for Sales Strategy, will reveal how HR and executive leaders can close the gap between vision and execution by equipping frontline and mid-level managers to become culture carriers.

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Hospitality 2025: Top 10 Trends That Will Redefine Guest Experiences

eZee Absolute

The future isnt waitingits sprinting towards us. As we gear up for 2025, the hospitality industry is brimming with new trends that promise to redefine how hoteliers attract guests, optimize operations, and ultimately boost their revenue. In this fast-paced, ever-evolving world of hospitality, staying ahead isnt just an option; its the key to survival (and success).

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Skift Forums: A Look Back at Some of Our Favorite Stage Discussions of 2024

Skift Blog

Skift Take: From the residual uncertainty at the start of 2024, to a more resolute conviction and deeper sense of travels future at the end of the year, Skifts Forums and Summits this year dove into a wealth of topics that inspired and catalyzed the industry around the ideas that matter. Here are just a few of our favorites.

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October 2024: European Hotel Market Trends Show Stability and Growth Amid Challenges

Hotel News Resource

Article - October 2024: European Hotel Market Trends Show Stability and Growth Amid Challenges - The European hotel market experienced moderate growth with overall stability in October 2024, particularly in Southern Europe and major cities.

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Developing the brand: The Design Director panel discussion

Hotel Designs

Hotel Designs Developing the brand: The Design Director panel discussion Developing the brand: The Design Director panel discussion From free flowing freedom to putting people back in a box, being a brand design director isn’t all soft furnishings and rainbows, as Hotel Designs found out during a recent panel session… At HIX London 2024, seated incredibly comfortably on the Balsan and Ligne Roset stand in front of a packed crowd of eager listeners, Hotel Designs Editor Sophie Harper

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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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CIC Hospitality, Holoconnects, Mews and RAVATAR Launch Holographic, AI-Powered Check-in at Aiden by Best Western

Hospitality Tech

Holoconnects Holobox, featuring an AI-powered holographic front desk interactive avatar by RAVATAR that greets and checks in guests, answers questions and more, in combination with Mews hospitality management system, launches at CIC Hospitalitys A

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THN’s Best of 2024: Must-Read Blog Posts for Hoteliers

The Hotels Network Blog

This year, our blog posts have been packed with actionable tips and inspiring success stories to help hoteliers thrive. From seasonal marketing campaigns to real-world results from client hotels engaging visitors through innovative solutions, we covered it all. Dive into our top reads and get ready to elevate your direct channel in 2025!

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Tech Giant Prosus to Purchase Latin America's Top Online Travel Agency, Despegar for $1.7bn

Hotel News Resource

Global technology company Prosus is set to acquire Despegar, the leading online travel agency in Latin America, for $1.7 billion. The acquisition will be at $19.50 per share, marking a 33% premium on the share price as of December 20, 2024.

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MURTEC 2025’s QSR Track Will Explore Enhanced CX, Automation & More

Hospitality Tech

Top brands, including Dominos and Jollibee, will bring exclusive thought leadership to MURTECs dedicated QSR track, showing restaurant tech leaders how to bring speed, accuracy, and exceptional experience to their guests.

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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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European Hotel Industry Thrives: November Shows Robust Occupancy Rates and Attractiveness of European Destinations

Hotel News Resource

Article - European Hotel Industry Thrives: November Shows Robust Occupancy Rates and Attractiveness of European Destinations - Seven of the 16 destinations studied reported over 74% occupancy in November, with Portugal leading the southern European region.

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Green Book Extra: Purchasing execs on tariffs

Hotel Business

For this year’s Green Book purchasing report, Hotel Business spoke with Jocelyn Lurie , VP, procurement, Throughline by IIG ; Lori Patten , principal, Patten Purchasing LLC ; Nicole Schmidt , founder/CEO, Source ; and Eleanor Waddell , VP, strategic growth and business development, Avendra International. Here, they offer their thoughts on potential tariffs.

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Marriott International to Debut The Ritz&Carlton Brand in Xiamen, China

Hotel News Resource

Article - Marriott International to Debut The Ritz-Carlton Brand in Xiamen, China - The new Ritz-Carlton will be located in the Siming District and is part of a larger mixed-use development project.

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AHLA closes out 2024 with record-high 33 partnerships

Lodging

WASHINGTON, DCThe American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) will end 2024 with a record-high 33 active partnership agreements in a diverse range of industries that reflect AHLA members growing interest in the business verticals that will keep them competitive in the years ahead. New AHLA partners include gold partner DIRECTV HOSPITALITY, and silver partners The Coca-Cola Company, Cvent, Jacaruso Enterprises, and LG Electronics USA.

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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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Potential Acquisition of Playa Resorts by Hyatt Under Discussion

Hotel News Resource

The agreement allows Hyatt to exclusively negotiate potential strategic options with Playa, potentially leading to Hyatt acquiring the resort company.

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Historic Inn at Warner Hall Acquired by BluWater Group

Lodging

GLOUCESTER, VirginiaBluWater Group, an Orlando-based private equity firm, announced today the expansion of its portfolio with the acquisition of the Inn at Warner Hall, a charming 11-room inn listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Founded in1642, as part of an original land grant,the Inn sits on 38-acres along the Severn River and was previously owned byTroy and Theresa Stavens.

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First voco hotel in Indonesia, the voco Bali Seminyak Opens

Hotel News Resource

Mayapada Hospitality Holding has opened the doors to the first voco hotel in Indonesia, the voco Bali Seminyak. IHG Hotels & Resorts manages the hotel.

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Hyatt Discloses Exclusive Discussions with Playa Hotels & Resorts N.V.

Lodging

CHICAGO, IllinoisHyatt Hotels Corporation today disclosed it has executed an exclusivity agreement with Playa Hotels & Resorts N.V. (Playa) (NASDAQ: PLYA) under which Playa has agreed to negotiate exclusively with Hyatt regarding potential strategic alternatives, which may include the acquisition of Playa by Hyatt. Mark S. Hoplamazian, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hyatt, said, “Playa has been a valuable partner for many years, is one of the worlds strongest operators of all

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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!