Skift Blog

JULY 28, 2024

Skift Take: Rules for gambling in the UAE include "cooling off periods," betting limits and a connection to a business in the UAE.

Casinos

Anthony Cole Training

AUGUST 1, 2024

To compete in any marketplace, especially the competitive arena of financial services, advisors, producers, lenders, and relationship managers must have a strategy for success. The top 7% of salespeople, the elite producers, certainly follow a sales strategy and can articulate what they do consistently to find and develop client relationships. There are many ways to differentiate and compete but there are 3 key areas to developing a competitive sales strategy.

Sales

Lodging

JULY 29, 2024

With the hospitality industry’s ongoing move to facilitate the guest journey through digitization and self-service, it’s natural that hoteliers should consider leveraging biometrics for check in/check out, including payment of the final bill. But the last few years have mainly seen elevated interest in this technology with relatively little adoption, according to Terry Schulenburg, VP, business development, CyberLink.

Hospitality

Hotel Management

AUGUST 1, 2024

In HM ‘s 2024-2045 Hotel Development Outlook, Marriott International Vice President of Hotel Development ANZP, Richard Crawford, points to signs that activity is set to reignite over the next 18 months. As a NASDAQ-listed company, Marriott International’s shareholders demand growth, and we are certainly upholding our end of the bargain in Australia.

Construction

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.

Sales

Skift Blog

JULY 28, 2024

Skift Take: In-person sporting events are some of the last great communal gathering spots. We travel en masse to take-in competition, cheer on our teams and experience life. As a result, sports tourism has become an absolute economic juggernaut for the travel industry. In the immortal words of Jerry Maguire - Show Me The Money!

Tourism

Are Morch

AUGUST 2, 2024

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. __ In an era where the line between technology and human experience increasingly blurs, the hospitality industry stands at the cusp of a revolutionary transformation, driven […] The post The Genesis of AI in Hospitality: A Prelude to Personalization appeared first on Are Morch, Digital Tra

Hospitality

Hotel Management

JULY 30, 2024

Crystalbrook Collection has broken ground on its AU$120 million luxury hotel development on Adelaide’s Halifax Street, marking a milestone for the company as it prepares to enter one of Australia’s fastest growing cities. The five-star Crystalbrook Sam, which will span 13 levels, will feature 206 guest rooms and suites, state-of-the-art meetings and events space, a grand lobby with communal spaces, and a rooftop Eléme bathhouse and day spa with views of the Adelaide Hills.

Construction

Skift Blog

JULY 30, 2024

Skift Take: For the sixth year, Skift IDEA Awards will recognize and celebrate excellence in design, creativity, and innovation across travel by spotlighting the brands and businesses that are driving the industry forward. See the 2024 finalists below.

Branding

Hotel Financial Coach Blog

JULY 28, 2024

With my workshops and speaking, I often do an exercise where I challenge each leader to find a minimum of $250 in next month’s forecast. That can be savings in the form of reduced payroll or expenses. It can also be a source of new revenue. The participants come up with some amazing ideas that really work. The great thing about these ideas is that we almost always get to repeat and compound.

Hospitality

Lodging

JULY 31, 2024

The Marriott Hotels brand opened its first all-inclusive property in Cancun, Mexico. The Marriott Cancun, an All-Inclusive Resort, welcomes guests of all ages and generations to explore the local culture and on-property entertainment through an all-exclusive experience. Marriott Hotels’ entry into the all-inclusive market underscores its dedication to meeting the demand for multigenerational travel experiences.

Branding

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

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.

Sales

Hotel Management

AUGUST 1, 2024

Karl Marshall joins InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto has welcomed experienced hotelier Karl Marshall as its new General Manager. A New Zealand native with over 20 years of experience in luxury five-star hotels, Marshall’s career journey has taken him from Australia to Tanzania, South Africa, UAE, and Oman. As a result, he has developed unique expertise in strategic and operational hotel leadership, working with diverse and multicultural teams worldwide.

General Manager

Skift Blog

JULY 29, 2024

Skift Take: Meta AI was useful as a starting point for finding things to do in a new destination — an improvement from its first model but nothing new compared to competitors. Beyond that, a traditional search is far superior for trip planning.

Travel

Amadeus Hospitality

AUGUST 1, 2024

August 1, 2024 – The Culinary Academy of Las Vegas and Amadeus , together with the Culinary Union are pleased to announce a first-of-its-kind partnership between the Culinary Academy of Las Vegas and Amadeus to support the continued post-pandemic recovery of the hotel industry and to connect hospitality workers with good union jobs and on-the-job training.

Hospitality

Lodging

JULY 29, 2024

When it comes to design and functionality, few industries highlight the balance between aesthetics and features as clearly as hospitality. For every element in a hotel—décor, service, theming, amenities, and more—hoteliers have keen eyes for detail. But are they overlooking a critical piece in their rooms? What about the TV—the biggest screen in the room?

Revenue

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

Hospitality

Hotel Management

JULY 31, 2024

Skift Blog

AUGUST 1, 2024

Skift Take: Saudi Arabia has published a 245-page report on why it should host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, giving actual deadlines and timelines for projects for the first time.

Hotels

eHotelier

AUGUST 1, 2024

A new study finds that optimising leadership might be more effective than compensation programmes in motivating employees to engage in green practices.

Lodging

AUGUST 2, 2024

In 2023, U.S. hotels saw their operating efficiency decline as operating expenses increased at a pace greater than revenue growth, resulting in a decline in profit margins. With forecasts of moderate revenue gains for the next few years, hotel owners and operators are very focused on controlling costs. Proper use of technology can enhance the productivity of employees, replace rudimentary manual functions, and improve the guest experience.

Forecasting

Advertiser: ZoomInfo

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.

Sales

Hotel Management

JULY 30, 2024

Hotel leaders from across New Zealand, Australia and the South Pacific are urged to secure their tickets soon for the third edition of the Aotearoa Hotel Industry Conference and Exhibition (AHICE), with the early bird discount offer closing on Friday August 9. Register for AHICE Aotearoa now. With just two months to go until the two-day program gets underway on September 25 and 26 at Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre, tickets are selling fast.

Closing

Skift Blog

JULY 31, 2024

Skift Take: The U.S. Senate moved forward in an effort to force U.S.-based hotels and short-term rentals to adopt a new national standard for price comparison. It has adopted similar language to a comparable bill in the House, so it's possible the bill will become law before the November elections.

Consumer

eHotelier

JULY 29, 2024

By focusing on sleep quality, hotels can greatly improve the guest experience and satisfied guests are more likely to return and recommend your hotel.

Hotels

Lodging

AUGUST 2, 2024

GERMANTOWN, Tennessee—McNeill Hotel Company announced the opening of the TownePlace Suites by Marriott Memphis Germantown, a new addition to the Thornwood mixed-use development. McNeill Hotel Company President Travis Murray made the announcement. The grand opening celebration is scheduled for early Fall. The five-story, 111-room TownePlace Suites Memphis Germantown’s amenities include a restaurant and rooftop bar which will open soon, a fitness center, an indoor pool, and 6,000 square feet of gr

Retail

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.

Management

Hotel Management

AUGUST 1, 2024

The Ascott Limited introduced its first The Crest Collection hotel in Asia Pacific last year with the opening of a 336-room Singapore hotel in October 2023. Formerly the Riverside Hotel Robertson Quay, the hotel was rebranded as The Robertson House by The Crest Collection following a phased renovation from March 2023. A celebration of Singapore’s rich history, Robertson House has been conceptualised by an in-house design and technical services team, who crafted a narrative that remembers the pas

General Manager

Skift Blog

JULY 27, 2024

Skift Take: These startups are modernizing tour packages, timeshares, and tipping with digital products.

Travel

STAAH

JULY 31, 2024

Discover how STAAH SwiftBook’s Smart Pricing can ignite your booking strategy. This innovative feature in SwiftBook allows you to create custom discounts that cater to different guest booking behaviours, making your property more appealing and driving more direct bookings. Why should you use the Smart Pricing feature on your SwiftBook: Key Benefits of STAAH Smart Pricing Enhanced Booking Strategy : Design discounts to specific guest behaviours, making your property more appealing and driving mor

Market Penetration

Lodging

AUGUST 2, 2024

ARLINGTON, Virginia—Knowland announced the launch of a user-friendly navigation infrastructure within its platform. This update gives customers an intuitive way to access features and functionality. The horizontal navigation bar, with clear icons and descriptions, lets users access actionable insights and drive sales performance. The enhancements to the navigation infrastructure represent a step forward in Knowland’s ongoing commitment to provide user experiences.

Sales

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!

Sales

Hotel Management

AUGUST 1, 2024

IHG Hotels and Resorts is advancing its efforts to combat food insecurity on a global level through a new multi-year partnership with NGO Action Against Hunger. IHG will help support and fund Action Against Hunger’s nutrition programmes, which been preventing, detecting and treating hunger across East Africa, Central Africa, West Africa, Asia, the Americas, Middle East and Europe for decades, with a specific focus on screening initiatives designed to spot early signs of malnutrition in children

Resorts

Skift Blog

JULY 29, 2024

Skift Take: While Vegas heavyweights like Wynn and MGM made headlines for entering the UAE, the reality of the country's gaming industry could be a lot more local, favoring companies already in the country.

Casinos

STAAH

JULY 30, 2024

Imagine a world where every booking goes straight to your hotel, cutting out the middleman and saving you significant commission fees. This isn’t just a dream—it’s a reality that direct bookings can offer. By focusing on driving direct bookings, you can boost your revenue, strengthen your relationship with guests, and maintain full control over their experience.

OTA

Lodging

AUGUST 2, 2024

Washington, D.C.—Frontier Development & Hospitality Group LLC and its joint venture partner Basis Investment Group (BIG) announced the acquisition of the Cambria Washington DC, Downtown/Convention Center, a 182-key hotel. The hotel has joined Hyatt’s portfolio as Hyatt Washington DC/Convention Center and participates in Hyatt’s loyalty program, World of Hyatt.

Hotels

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

Hospitality