Thu.Sep 19, 2024

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JetBlue to Open Airport Lounges in Major Premium Push

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Speaking to Skift, JetBlue president Marty St. George said it’s possible to balance a low-cost airline with high-end lounges. If realized as planned, these could be some of the most exclusive spaces of any U.S. carrier.

Business 313
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Peachtree Group Acquires AC Hotel by Marriott in Park City, Utah

Lodging

ATLANTA—Peachtree Group continued to build momentum with its sixth hotel acquisition of the year with the AC Hotel by Marriott in Park City, Utah, showing the growing equity investment opportunities re-emerging in the hospitality sector. “Our team has successfully acquired a number of hotel properties at below-market prices, taking advantage of the current slowdown in transactions,” said Greg Friedman, managing principal and CEO of Peachtree.

Hotels 286
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MGM Shares Plans for Dubai Sphere, ‘Equally Compelling as Las Vegas Sphere’

Skift Blog

Skift Take: MGM Resorts is building its own "Dubai Sphere." Though not linked to the Las Vegas Sphere, the hotelier says it will be just as exciting.

Resorts 300
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Extended Stay America Refreshes STAY Counted Program

Lodging

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina—Extended Stay America announced the launch of its STAY Counted program, designed to make voter registration more accessible and encourage participation in the upcoming presidential election. First introduced in 2020, STAY Counted has been refreshed for the November 2024 election to continue to help communities exercise their right to vote.

Branding 256
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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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Business Travel Budgets Face ‘New Normal’ With Prices to Climb Through 2025

Skift Blog

Skift Take: It turns out that 2019 is no longer a good year to compare prices to. That should be a relief to anyone trying to explain why their travel budget looks so different now.

Travel 293
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The 2024 Hotel Forecast: Elevating Guest Experiences Through AI and Human Synergy

Are Morch

This article is part of the Hotel Digital Transformer newsletter on LinkedIn. Subscribe to my LinkedIn newsletter where I’ll share tips, ideas, and strategies to help your hotel open its digital gateway. __ My fellow hoteliers, the future of our industry is upon us, and it is one marked by the transformative power of artificial intelligence (AI). As […] The post The 2024 Hotel Forecast: Elevating Guest Experiences Through AI and Human Synergy appeared first on Are Morch, Digital Transforma

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Exclusive: how Radisson Hotel Group is leveraging technology to drive growth in Australasia

Hotel Management

Radisson Hotel Group Director, Development – Australasia, Danilo Curcuruto, discusses market challenges, opportunities and strategies for growth. What is Radisson Hotel Group’s approach to expanding its presence in Australasia? Australasia offers Radisson Hotel Group a unique opportunity to grow from our existing strategically located properties, Radisson Blu Sydney, Radisson Blu Denarau Island Fiji, Radisson Flagstaff Gardens Melbourne, and Grand Papua a member of Radisson Individuals Port More

Revenue 147
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MGM Resorts Has Applied for a Casino License in Abu Dhabi

Skift Blog

Skift Take: MGM Resorts is the first operator to confirm it has applied for a casino license in the UAE, but it is likely not the only one.

Casinos 284
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New Castle Hotels & Resorts Reopens LaSalle Hotel

Lodging

RIDGEFIELD, Connecticut—Jeremy Buffam and Julian Buffam, partners at New Castle Hotels & Resorts (NCH), announced the reopening of the 55-room LaSalle Hotel in Bryan, Texas, following a multi-million dollar reimagination. Built in 1928, the hotel is located in downtown Bryan, a recognized Texas Cultural District and sister city to College Station, home of Texas A&M University.

Resorts 147
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New Expedia CEO: Building Vrbo, Loyalty, and AI Tools

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Some parts of Expedia Group took a hit during its recently completed tech migration, and now the new CEO is focused on rebuilding and more.

Travel 274
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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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This Week’s Comings & Goings

Lodging

JLL’s Hotels and Hospitality Group announced Daniel C. Peek has joined the firm as president of JLL Americas region. Peek previously served as president and chief operating officer for Hodges Ward Elliott. Omni Hotels & Resorts announced the appointment of Annette Bales as vice president of sales. Bales will lead and coordinate all global and property-based sales activities for Omni Hotels & Resorts.

Resorts 147
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JetBlue’s CEO on Mergers, Lounges and Getting Past Engine Issues

Skift Blog

Skift Take: JetBlue CEO Joanna Geraghty said at the Skift Global Forum that JetBlue is focused on its “core strategy” as it seeks to become consistently profitable.

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Tourism boost: Qantas takes off for Port Vila, Vanuatu from Brisbane

Hotel Management

The Flying Kangaroo has taken off from Brisbane to Port Vila, Vanuatu, for the first time in Qantas ‘ history. The inaugural service, QF159, was at full capacity today with holidaymakers and business travellers making the near 3-hour journey to one of the Pacific’s hidden gems. “We are thrilled to expand our network with the introduction of direct flights between Brisbane and Port Vila,” said Qantas Group CEO International, Cam Wallace. “This new route will maintain connectivit

Tourism 130
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Airbnb’s Growth Strategy, Las Vegas’ Sports Tourism and Dubai’s Rebrand

Skift Blog

Skift Take: Today's podcast looks at Airbnb's non-short-term rental plans, Las Vegas' sporting event goals, and Dubai's departure from luxury tourism.

Tourism 157
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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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Amara Singpore unveils new look following year-long renovation project

Hotel Management

Amara Singapore, a 38-year-old hotel in Tanjong Pagar, has completed an 11-month-long transformation project encompassing guest rooms, public spaces, meeting spaces, ballrooms and dining venues. A partnership with Studio HBA, a division of Hirsch Bedner Associates, the renovation blends modern aesthetics and traditional warmth, while taking inspiration from the vibrant culture the area.

Dining 130
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Redefining Hospitality: The Rise of Gen Z in the Industry

eHotelier

Gen Z is challenging the hospitality industry to up its game. By possessing different sets of skills, different approaches to work, and different education, they offer a significant change. Not only this but they are doing it with flair, and in some cases even outperforming their predecessors. In this way, the leadership of each company, as well as the whole industry, should focus on translating strengths and combating weaknesses to ensure the progressive development of the hospitality industry.

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Inside The Prince Kitano New York, a new standout in Manhattan

Hotel Management

Japan’s Seibu Prince Hotels and Resorts recently unveiled The Prince Kitano New York following a year’s renovation and the result is stunning. Formerly known as The Kitano Hotel New York, the refreshed property opened in December 2023 and now sits within The Prince portfolio, the company’s flagship hotel brand characterised by exceptional elegance, comfort and privacy.

Resorts 130
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What does the interest-rate cut mean for hoteliers?

Hotel Business

For the first time in four years, the Federal Reserve has cut interest rates. The half-percentage-point cut was welcome news to the industry, which has seen relatively high rates as one cause of a slowdown in hotel transactions. Hotel Business reached out to industry leaders to get their reaction to the rate cut and what it means for the long and short term.

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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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Air New Zealand set for Seoul return from October

Hotel Management

As part of a business delegation to the Republic of Korea this week, Air New Zealand Chief Customer and Sales Officer Leanne Geraghty has shared details on the upcoming return of the airline’s seasonal direct services to Seoul. Flights between Auckland and Seoul will recommence on 28 October 2024 and continue through to 29 March 2025, with more than 130 flights between the countries across the period.

Sales 130
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Inbound - Report From the Field Day One

gcommerce

Day one is in the books for GCommerce and our partners at Inbound. As expected, AI is in the spotlight as the technology moves from aspirational to operational. The pace of innovation is exciting and daunting. Moore’s law states that computers double in power every 18 months. Today we learned that AI models are doubling in capability every 6 months.

Marketing 105
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Ibis launches global series of travel stories to mark 50 years

Hotel Management

Accor’s economy hotel brand Ibis, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this month, has launched a new global brand campaign centred around its core value proposition of making travel accessible for all. The ‘Go get it’ campaign, shot at Ibis London Sutton Point, launched on global social media channels and television on Thursday, with a series of seven travel stories.

Travel 130
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Mandarin Oriental Qianmen opens in the heart of a traditional hutong neighbourhood

Hotel Designs

Hotel Designs Mandarin Oriental Qianmen opens in the heart of a traditional hutong neighbourhood Mandarin Oriental Qianmen opens in the heart of a traditional hutong neighbourhood Marking the Group’s second hotel in the Chinese capital, Mandarin Oriental Qianmen has opened in Beijing, offering a blend of luxury and local culture… Located in the heart of a traditional hutong neighbourhood inside the Beijing Central Axis, the capital’s key cultural artery, Mandarin Oriental Qianmen , B

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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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Bulk Text Messaging Explained [2024 Guide]

Textedly

Businesses are constantly on the lookout for effective ways to reach their audience with precision. Enter bulk text messaging—a dynamic tool that's rapidly transforming the landscape of modern marketing. Imagine being able to send a single message to thousands of recipients at once, ensuring your marketing campaigns are not only timely but also impactful.

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All eyes on India: Why the world is watching

HotStats

With over two and a half decades in the hospitality industry, my experience spans markets that have attracted both international interest and domestic excitement. The initial Dubai buzz in 1999, following the opening of Burj Al Arab, made a powerful statement and set off a wave of impressive assets in quick succession. While recent years have brought magnificent hotels like Atlantis the Royal, the true sweet spot for me was about 15 years ago when each visit to Dubai revealed a dramatically chan

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The U.S. Hotel Industry Reported Mixed Results for August 2024

Hotel News Resource

Article - The U.S. Hotel Industry Reported Mixed Results for August 2024 - Among the Top 25 Markets, New York City experienced the highest occupancy level (+5.2% to 87.3%).

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HB Exclusive: Rockbridge marks 25 years

Hotel Business

Rockbridge is celebrating its 25th year in business and introducing an updated expression of its brand language and visual identity. Rockbridge began in 1999 with four partners who led the company in quickly becoming a national platform for well-diversified hotel investments built on deep industry relations, cycle-tested strategies and outcome consistency, according to the company.

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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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Global Business Travel and Events Costs Moderating in 2024, with Continued Modest Increases in 2025

Hotel News Resource

Latest research from CWT and GBTA reveals that while costs will continue to rise, the pace of these increases will be notably slower through 2024 and into 2025

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Peachtree Group acquires AC Hotel Park City

Hotel Business

Peachtree Group has acquired the AC Hotel Park City in Park City, UT, the company’s sixth hotel acquisition this year. “Our team has successfully acquired a number of hotel properties at below-market prices, taking advantage of the current slowdown in transactions,” said Greg Friedman, managing principal/CEO of Peachtree. “While the market is slower than usual due to high interest rates, tighter lending conditions, economic and geopolitical uncertainty, we continue to remain active,

Hotels 59
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How Ordering 2.0 is Reshaping Restaurant Digital Engagement

Hospitality Tech

Ordering 2.0 is a paradigm shift, transforming online ordering from a mere transaction into a focus on creating memorable experiences that keep customers coming back for more.

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New Castle reopens The LaSalle Hotel near Texas A&M

Hotel Business

New Castle Hotels & Resorts has reopened The LaSalle Hotel in Bryan, TX, following a top-to-bottom, multimillion-dollar reimagination. Built in 1928, the 55-room, historic hotel is located in downtown Bryan, a recognized Texas Cultural District and sister city to College Station, home of Texas A&M University. The property has joined Marriott’s Tribute Portfolio soft brand.

Hotels 59
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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!