Mon.Aug 26, 2024

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Amex GBT Blends AI With Agents to Win Business Travel Share

Skift Blog

Skift Take: The world’s largest travel-management company is using AI to read and respond to trip requests via emails. The goal is to free up human agents for more critical tasks, like perhaps explaining to executives why they can't expense that "team-building" trip to Vegas.

Travel 334
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Paving the Way to Extended Stay: How Franchisors Can Set Up Developers for Success

Lodging

LODGING brings you the first installment of our three-part Ownership Series, providing owner perspectives on various hot topics and industry trends. We speak with Damon C. Healey, managing principal of Eternal Companies, on the various ways that a brand can facilitate success in the extended-stay sector. The extended-stay segment is attracting developers for three fundamental reasons: opportunity, performance, and longevity.

Branding 312
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Sri Lanka Rolls Out Free 30-Day Tourist Visas for 35 Nations: Did Your Country Make the List?

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Thailand, Malaysia, China – and now Sri Lanka – are catching on: relaxing travel rules boosts tourism. With Sri Lanka eyeing a jump from 1.49 million visitors last year to 2.5 million this year, easing entry is their big play.

Tourism 331
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BWH Hotels Picks Canary Technologies to Run Guest Management System

Lodging

NEW YORK—BWH Hotels chose Canary Technologies to power its AI-driven guest management system. The all-in-one platform will impact the guest experience and streamline hotel operations across BWH Hotels’ portfolio. This partnership marks a milestone by integrating Canary’s platform and AI-powered solutions with BWH Hotels’ hospitality.

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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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U.S. National Park Foundation Gets Record $100 Million to Fight Overtourism

Skift Blog

Skift Take: It's no surprise the national parks have a lot of visitors. But growth has been accelerating and parks leaders have been looking for ways to lessen the impact.

Tourism 331
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Hilton, Marriott among Australia’s top 10 large workplaces

Hotel Management

Great Place to Work, the global authority on workplace culture, has declared Hilton and Marriott among Australia’s top 10 workplaces employing more than 1000 people. Hilton claimed the number two spot for the second year running, while Marriott International was fourth, jumping two spots from a sixth place ranking last year. “We are beyond excited to share that Hilton has once again achieved significant recognition from the Great Place to Work Institute,” said Hilton’s Regional Director, Human R

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The Third Alternative: Soft Branding Has Emerged as a Compelling Compromise Between Core Branding and Independence 

Lodging

Historically, hotel owners have had the option to either affiliate with a known brand or operate independently. Affiliating with a brand provided access to a reservation system, loyal customers, communal marketing programs, a known identity among consumers, and a sense of stability within the finance and investment community. Brand affiliation, however, comes with costs.

Branding 162
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Short-Term Rental Bookings Jump for Labor Day

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Some travel companies have been reporting signs of a slowdown. But recent data – from AAA, the TSA and now, short-term rental bookings – suggest a strong holiday weekend.

Travel 327
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Motel 6 – Niagara Falls Opens

Lodging

TORONTO, Ontario—Realstar Hospitality announced the opening of its newest Motel 6 location in Niagara Falls, Ontario. This exciting addition grows Realstar Hospitality’s network of Motel 6 and Studio 6 locations across Canada, offering travelers even more choices. “We are thrilled to become part of the Motel 6 family,” said Randy Mahil, owner of the Motel 6 – Niagara Falls.

Motels 147
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Hornblower CEO Starts Post-Bankruptcy Pivot for Travel Experiences Company

Skift Blog

Skift Take: If you've ever sailed past Niagara Falls or toured a city on a sightseeing bus, you may have thought, "This is nice and all, but I wish there was something more." Tour operator Hornblower plans to fix that.

Travel 325
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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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Valencia Hotel Group Breaks Ground on Caravan Court

Lodging

HOUSTON, Texas—Valencia Hotel Group announced that construction is underway for the development of Caravan Court, the eighth property in the Valencia Hotel Collection, set to debut in Arlington, Texas in 2026. With 145 rooms and seven suites, Caravan Court will be a reinvention of the classic motor court hotel. Valencia Hotel Group, in partnership with Sam Mahrouq and Walid Joulani of Division Hotel Management LLC, will build the Caravan Court property on the site of […] The post Valencia

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Faster Visas, More Direct Flights: What India-U.S. Tourism Needs – India Report

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Travel is growing between India and the U.S. but there is a lot of room for growth. The key will be knocking down barriers and making travel easier.

Tourism 321
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Marriott Opens 600th Property in the Asia Pacific Excluding China Region

Lodging

Marriott International, Inc. announced the opening of its 600th property in the Asia Pacific excluding China (APEC) region with the Adelaide Marriott Hotel. Paying homage to the company’s flagship brand, the opening marks the first Marriott International property in South Australia, underscoring the company’s focus on growing its presence in emerging destinations.

Branding 147
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Schwartz completes $25 million Leura Gardens acquisition

Hotel Management

Schwartz Family Company has completed the AU$25 million acquisition of Leura Gardens Resort , expanding its presence in New South Wales’ Blue Mountains region. The resort becomes the 15 th hotel in the Schwartz network, joining the award-winning Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains and Leura Golf Club, all within a short drive of each other. “The Blue Mountains is Sydney’s holiday playground and one of the most popular destinations for weddings, retreats, leisure groups, conferences and events, and by

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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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Marriott Veteran Jacobs Rounds Out New Leadership Team at Aimbridge

Lodging

Aimbridge Hospitality recently rounded out a new executive leadership team with yet another Marriott veteran, naming Eric Jacobs to the position of chief global growth officer. In May, Jacobs joined CEO Craig Smith, who came to the company in March after serving as group president and managing director, international, with Marriott, as well as Executive Chairman Steve Joyce, who also worked previously at Marriott and was more recently CEO of Choice Hotels International, as part […] The pos

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Going beyond the room to meet new hotel guest expectations

eHotelier

As we look to the future, the key for hotel marketing leaders and their teams lies in agility and the ability to anticipate and meet travelers' changing desires.

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CoStar: U.S. Hotel Performance Remained Mostly Flat in July

Lodging

WASHINGTON—The U.S. hotel industry reported mostly flat performance comparisons year over year, according to July 2024 data from CoStar. U.S. Hotel PerformanceJuly 2024 Percentage change from July 2023:Occupancy: 68.8 percent (down 0.5 percent)ADR: $161.69 (up 0.5 percent)RevPAR: $111.18 (flat) Among the Top 25 Markets, Oahu Island experienced the highest levels in each of the three key performance metrics: occupancy (up 4.5 percent to 88.3 percent), ADR (up 1.4 percent to $310.46), and RevPAR (

Occupancy 147
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Twenty Four Seven Hotels grows executive team

Hotel Business

Third-party hospitality management company Twenty Four Seven Hotels has named Brian Hughes EVP, business development and promoted Damien Abrams to VP, lifestyle brands. The executive team expansion is a part of the company’s strategic plan for further growth into new markets and segments. “Twenty Four Seven Hotels continues to enjoy strong momentum well into 2024, expanding our footprint in existing markets and entering new ones like Texas,” said David Wani, CEO, Twenty Four Seven Hotels.

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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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Kimpton Santo Hotel Shares Opening Details

Lodging

SAN ANTONIO, Texas—White Lodging and Kimpton Santo, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ luxury and lifestyle portfolio, announced Kimpton Santo Hotel will open on Aug. 29, 2024. The property, with four food and beverage outlets, creates new culinary destinations alongside the 347 guestrooms and rooftop pool, combining the area’s history with service and modern amenities.

Hotels 147
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Monterey Beach Hotel reopens after renovation

Hotel Business

Ascendant Capital Partners , in partnership with Highgate and Centerbridge Partners , have reopened the Monterey Beach Hotel, a Tribute Portfolio property, in Monterey, CA. Built in 1967, the hotel makes its debut under its original name after a significant renovation and rebranding effort. The only beachfront hotel within the Monterey Peninsula, the property offers 192 guestrooms including four suites, as well as more than 7,500 sq. ft. of meeting and event space and reinvented culinary venues.

Hotels 103
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Mastering Hotel Positioning: Strategies to Attract High-Paying Guests

Demand Calendar

Positioning, a term popularized by Al Ries and Jack Trout, refers to the strategic process of establishing a brand's unique place in the market. It's about shaping perceptions to differentiate your hotel from the competition, ensuring that your target audience sees your property as the preferred choice. Ries and Trout's ideas, which revolutionized the marketing field, emphasize that effective positioning is not just about what you offer but how guests perceive you among all the choices in the ma

Hotels 98
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Loyal Guests: Unlocking Revenue with Loyalty Programs and Ancillaries

Refine

Studies show that loyalty program members aren’t just frequent travelers; they’re also highly engaged customers who are willing to spend on additional services to enhance their experience. In this article, we’ll explore how hotels can expand their loyalty programs and integrate ancillary products and services to maximize loyalty, boost revenue, and drive long-term growth.

Revenue 98
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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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Get More Control of Your Hotel’s Website with Webflow

gcommerce

Having a strong online presence is essential for any business, including hotels. As a hotel owner, you need to showcase your property, manage bookings, and provide a seamless user experience for potential guests. This is where Webflow puts you in the driver's seat , with user friendly navigation and website development tools. Webflow offers intuitive website design and customization Webflow offers a user-friendly interface that allows hotel owners to create stunning, custom-designed websites wi

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PwC Manhattan Lodging Index Q2 2024

Hotel News Resource

The rate of growth in occupancy, average daily rate (ADR) and revenue per available room (RevPAR), while robust, continued to decelerate. Luxury hotel occupancy benefitted from increased demand, while ADR growth levels for lower priced properties continued to show significant improvements.

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Now Open: Motel 6 – Niagara Falls

Hotelier Magazine

TORONTO — Realstar Hospitality has opened its newest Motel 6 location in the heart of Niagara Falls, Ont., enhancing the company’s expanding network of Motel 6 and Studio 6 locations across Canada. “We’re thrilled to become part of the Motel 6 family,” says Randy Mahil, owner of the newly opened Motel 6. “Our team is dedicated to delivering outstanding service and unbeatable value to travellers visiting Niagara Falls.

Motels 59
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Sustainable Technologies: How Smart Hotels Reduce Environmental Impact

Hotel News Resource

Given the immense climatic challenges we currently face and the growing consumer demand for more sustainable products and services, businesses in every sector are starting to take their environmental impact seriously.

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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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Kabani arranges sale of oceanfront Daytona redevelopment

Hotel Business

The Kabani Hotel Group , a Miami-based hotel brokerage firm, has arranged the sale of the La Playa Hotel redevelopment in Daytona Beach, FL. The property is a 10-story building that, at the time of sale, was completely gutted and ready to be redeveloped into a new hotel. “Through our marketing process, we had over 150 CAs signed and multiple offers,” said the company in a statement. “Ultimately, we were able to secure a deal with a local buyer who had the necessary experience t

Sales 59
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How To Implement A Front Desk Upsell Program That Outperforms Your Prearrival Email Campaign

Hotel News Resource

Despite what digital marketing and tech providers may say, I believe upselling can best be accomplished when warm, welcoming, front desk colleagues have authentic, human conversations.

Upsell 80
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HB Roundtable—Positive Vision: Inspiring action and creating optimism

Hotel Business

Hosted and sponsored by Rockbridge , Hotel Business held an executive roundtable where industry leaders spoke about the steps their companies take to create positive change within their organizations and a positive impact on their communities. The post HB Roundtable—Positive Vision: Inspiring action and creating optimism appeared first on hotelbusiness.com.

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2025 Hotel Budget Season Forecast: The Market Trends You Need to Know

Hotel News Resource

As hoteliers gear up for budgeting season, we drill down into the pricing picture and critical trends that will drive the market in the next 12 to 18 months.

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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!