RIYADH, Saudi Arabia -- September 6, 2016 -- Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.® (NYSE:HOT) today announced the entry of its innovative Aloft brand to the Saudi Arabian market with the opening of Aloft Riyadh. Designed for today’s hyper-connected, tech-forward global traveller, Aloft continues to re-define the traditional hotel experience and strengthen its footprint in the Middle East, following the success of Aloft Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. Owned and developed by FAS Hotels, division of Fawaz Al Hokair group, Aloft Riyadh offers a vibrant social scene in the dynamic city of Riyadh.

“With a portfolio of more than 100 hotels in dynamic destinations around the globe, Aloft continues to be one of the fastest growing hotel brands and is set to open 12 more properties in the Middle East by 2020,” said Brian McGuiness, Global Brand Leader, Specialty Select Brands, Starwood Hotels & Resorts. “Saudi Arabia boasts a rapidly growing tech savvy culture, and Aloft resonates in this market with its innovative programming and approach to technology, which appeal to today’s hyper-connected traveller.”

“We thank Fawaz Al Hokair Group for putting their trust in Starwood to open the first Aloft in Saudi Arabia,” said Michael Wale, President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa and Middle East. “Aloft truly brings something new and unique to the hospitality sector in the Kingdom where there is a growing demand for modern, tech-forward hotels at an affordable price.”

Centrally located at the intersection of Riyadh’s main Olaya Street and Makkah Road, the hotel is in close proximity from the key government ministries, the shopping and restaurants of the downtown core, the National Museum and the Diplomatic Quarter.

Aloft Riyadh features 281 modern, loft-inspired guest rooms with the brand’s signature offerings, such as an ultra-comfortable plush signature bed and custom amenities. The hotel offers a variety of food and beverage outlets including Dish, an all-day dining restaurant; Re:fuel, a 24-hour grab & go for light meals; the brand’s signature w xyz lounge, the go-to hang out with a fun social vibe, serving handcrafted drinks and snacks and the trendy Crush rooftop pool café. Other features at the hotel include a well-equipped Re:charge gym and more than 220 M² of meeting space across five Tactic rooms.

With design-led innovation in the brand’s DNA, Aloft Riyadh will feature SPG Keyless, the hospitality industry’s first mobile, keyless entry system that allows guests to use their smart phone or Apple watch as a room key. Aimed at the mobile generation, guests of Aloft Riyadh will also be able to make requests from the hotel via the SPG Let’s Chat text messaging service.

The opening of Aloft Riyadh marks the launch of the brand in Saudi Arabia, to be followed by Aloft Dhahran at the end of 2016. Featuring 262 rooms, Aloft Dhahran is walking distance from the popular Mall of Dhahran and will feature all the brands signature elements and programming.

For more information, please visit http://www.aloftriyadh.com/. 

Charlottesville, Virginia (September 7, 2016) – Regatta Travel Solutions announced today that it has been acquired by Seekda.  Terms of the deal were undisclosed.  Together, the two companies will focus on increasing direct booking volume for hotels through optimized meta-search and a powerful hotel booking engine.  Seekda will also expand on Regatta’s work with Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs).  Ashwin Kamlani, the Founder & CEO of Regatta Travel Solutions, has been appointed President of Seekda.  His team will be expanding their offices in Charlottesville, Virginia over the next few weeks as they prepare to lead Seekda’s North America Division.

Seekda was founded in 2007 in Austria. Today the company offers meta-search connectivity to thousands of hotels in Europe and a smart bidding platform that algorithmically optimizes the hotel’s budget across meta-search channels.  Regatta Travel Solutions, founded in 2010, powers the booking engines of independent hotels and hotel chains, as well as more than 50 official Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) websites. Regatta has gained recognition in the industry with its cutting edge approach to the online booking process and innovative conversion tactics.

“You now have the most intelligent meta-search bidding platform on the market, combined with the most sophisticated booking technology available,” said Ashwin Kamlani, President of Seekda.  “Hotels have never had such a powerful weapon in their arsenal before to capture direct demand through their own websites and meta-search engines.  Meanwhile, we are going to accelerate the work that we have been doing with DMOs, successfully converting their websites into commission-free distribution channels for their hotels and attractions.  For Regatta, we do not see this as an ‘exit’, but rather our grand entrance.”

“The technology that Regatta has introduced to the hotel industry is unparalleled,” said Randy Gilling, CEO of Seekda.  “Together, our companies are going to empower hotels in a way that will finally allow them to effectively compete for their own customers.  We don’t just level the playing field, we give our hotels a competitive advantage when it comes to capturing guests using their own websites and booking engines.  The timing couldn’t be better for our two companies to be joining forces.”

Hotels everywhere are struggling to increase their volume of direct bookings.  Most are focusing on traditional digital marketing efforts to compete for traffic, or advertising campaigns that effectively lower their Average Daily Rate by discounting against other channels.  Seekda enables hotels to spend each marketing dollar much more efficiently to capture the most qualified traffic to their websites, and to give hotel customers ways to book online that even the largest OTAs cannot imitate to boost conversions and increase the profitability of their hotels.

Ashwin Kamlani will be moderating a panel about independent hotels driving direct bookings at the Triptease Direct Booking Summit in Washington DC on September 13, 2016.

The Micro + Visual Trend: All Grown Up 

NASHVILLE – September 7, 2016 – Technology companies that sell into the global hospitality market are asking, “What’s new in business-to-business marketing?” 

The answer is, a maturing Micro + Visual trend that entertains and informs via newsletters, whitepapers, and short videos with pings of humor, says Julie Squires, CEO of Softscribe Inc., one of the industry’s leading tech PR firms. Squires is attending the 8^th annual Hotel Data Conference, September 6 to 8, 2016 at the Omni Nashville Hotel with a group of Softscribe Inc.’s best-in-class B2B clients.

“Hoteliers want to be entertained while they research the benefits of your company’s technology solutions. When you apply visuals to your company’s story, the message is more accessible,” says Squires.  As examples, she cites traditional deliverables her firm creates and then embellishes with the new visual format: Twitter, newsletters, white papers, and blogs.

Squires recommends B2B stories lead with a technology solution’s benefits. She then suggests companies market these benefits on key hospitality channels and social media.  “Use tradeshow hashtags - #hoteldataconf  for the Hotel Data Conference - and as many visuals as possible.  Tweet your news, and insights from your company’s CEO,” said Squires. “Hoteliers desire a personalized, one-on-one experience in communication from technology providers.”

Hotel Leaders Drive the Return to Civility
Squires also noted, “Hospitality does more to civilize our world than any other industry.  Think of a favorite vacation, or a special wedding, family reunion or business meeting you enjoyed. Chances are it was held at a hotel or resort.”

The challenge for hoteliers now, Squires believes, is to create an environment that is both inviting to and protective of guests.  “Recruiting security personnel through hospitality and concierge associations may be one way to ensure the right kind of candidates fill this important guest-facing role,” says Squires.

Softscribe Inc.’s team will attend the 8th Hotel Data Conference in Nashville, TN, September 6 through 8^th.  Please give us a shout at mbs(at)softscribeinc.com or 404.256.5512 to schedule a meeting.  See you in Nashville, and travel well.

Resources: Articles
“Hotel CEOs upbeat about 2016 despite outside pessimism”

“Hotel Security: Preserving Hospitality While Protecting Guests”

PARSIPPANY, NJ - September 7, 2016   Lodging Interactive, the leading digital marketing and social media engagement agency exclusively serving the hospitality industry, today announced the rollout of CoMMingle Live Chat^SM the hospitality industry’s first real time, fully managed live chat service for hotels and resorts. The industry launch follows a six-month BETA test and the hiring of a dedicated team of in-house, US based CoMMingle Live Chat agents.

“CoMMingle Live Chat enables properties to offer website customer service and to assist consumers with real-time online direct sales support at the time of booking intent,” stated Mr. DJ Vallauri, Lodging Interactive’s President and CEO.  “CoMMingle Live Chat combines the latest in live chat technologies with our US based live chat agents to assist potential guests in making reservations on the hotel’s website.”

While Live Chat technology is not new, it is increasingly becoming the preferred hotel website communications vehicle for consumers seeking additional information missing from hotel websites. With the ubiquity of responsive hotel websites and fast mobile broadband Live Chat services provide hotels with the ability to provide customer service and assisted sales support via their websites, where there currently is none.

“CoMMingle Live Chat enables us to provide the highest level of customer service even before our guests arrive,” said Ed Reagoso, General Manager of the Wilshire Grand Hotel. “I've been amazed at the level of customer engagement CoMMingle Live Chat has been able to achieve which helps us build long term loyalty and book more business.”

“CoMMingle Live Chat enables conversational commerce” added Mr. Vallauri. “It’s not about the technology so much, but rather the ‘human-to-human’ connection and engagement.  Consumers booking online hotel rooms don’t want to deal with bot technology or artificial intelligence, they want hospitality…a human connection and this is what CoMMingle Live Chat delivers.”

The CoMMingle Live Chat service is available for hotels seven days a week and is priced on a low monthly subscription fee.  Unlike a call center environment CoMMingle Live Chat agents are dedicated to small number of hotels which allows each agent to fully know the properties they’re managing.  The result is an efficient and seamless experience for the consumer every time.

CoMMingle Live Chat service benefits for hotels:

• Real-time customer engagement throughout the booking process
• Provides conversational commerce while assisting in the booking process
• Increase in direct bookings and event RFP submissions
• Reduces negative reviews/comments posted to TripAdvisor & OTA sites
• Crisis alert escalation to property as needed
• Offers true market differentiation within competitive set
• Unlimited live agent fully managed chats for low monthly fee
• 100% mobile enabled
• 100% US based live chat agents, employed by Lodging Interactive
   

Getting started with CoMMingle Live Chat is easy and implementation only requires a small snippet of code be added to the hotel website.  For more information please visit: https://LiveChatForHotels.com

Windermere, FL – September 7, 2016 – Vimana Franchise Systems, LLC has added three properties to its family of brands this August.

A Key West Inn in Montgomery, AL opened this month and two Centerstone properties, a Centerstone Inn in Doswell, VA and a Centerstone Resort property in Tomahawk, WI are set to open later this year.

Vimana Franchise Systems, LLC is the franchisor of Key West Inns, Hotels & Resorts as well as Centerstone Inns, Hotels & Plaza Hotels. The family of brands offers low franchise fees, short-term agreements, a cutting-edge reservation system, revenue management, preferred OTA agreements and more.

“You can expect to hear a lot more about us this year.  Vimana Franchise Systems is currently significantly expanding its infrastructure and support services in which we provide for our franchisees and major announcements of expansion will be made in January,” said Steve Belmonte, Chief Executive Officer of Vimana Franchise Systems.

(September 2016) Virginia Beach, VA – Situated next to the Elizabeth River at the corner of Granby & Main Streets, The Main is set to become Norfolk’s premier cultural epicenter in March 2017. From one-of-a-kind art to state-of-the-art, The Main, a Gold Key | PHR property, is a modern social experience offering luxury hotel accommodations, innovative meeting spaces and signature restaurants and bars all at one address.  At The Main, business will be a pleasure.

Standing 21-stories tall, The Main joins downtown Norfolk’s skyline of exquisite modern and historic buildings.  With a glass curtain wall, The Main features an astounding 100-foot tall ground floor atrium that will serve as the focal point of the property, seamlessly blending Norfolk’s urban core with a bright and contemporary interior. From the atrium, guests can explore everything The Main has to offer including its luxury Hilton Norfolk hotel, three signature restaurants, as well as The Exchange, Norfolk’s largest convention and meeting space.

“The Main is a transitional moment for Norfolk, filling a void in the downtown scene offering both locals and visitors a comprehensive hospitality experience,” said Gold Key | PHR CEO Bruce Thompson.  “We wanted to create a cultural destination in downtown Norfolk, one that excites both locals and visitors alike.”

With the hotel lobby on the 2nd floor and rising 20 additional stories, Hilton Norfolk The Main will feature 300 well-appointed guest rooms, a modern fitness facility and magnificent, upscale indoor pool along with an extensive list of guest amenities catered to the business and leisure traveler alike.  With a contemporary design, the hotel is steeped in a blend of deep hues and warm tones with bright modern accents presenting a sophisticated level of detail throughout the property.

“The Main is more than just a hotel and conference center; it is a piece of civic architecture housing a multitude of functions designed to celebrate and connect to the surrounding community,” said Rob Uhrin, a principal in Cooper Carry’s Hospitality Studio and one of the lead architects on the project. “The large central atrium – coined the ‘Grand Central Station’ of the property - ties together all the public spaces, including the food and beverage outlets, hotel spaces and event spaces, creating a dynamic experience for the guest and onlooker."

Those seeking the ultimate in opulence and luxury need only travel to the top floors of Hilton Norfolk The Main with eleven suites offering sweeping views of both the city and the Elizabeth River. From the Bay Suites, which offer larger accommodations, grand bathrooms and multiple televisions, to the Presidential Suites that include a stately private dining room accommodating up to eight people, the Hilton Norfolk The Main suite experience is only rivaled by its service.  Additionally, the hotel offers Executive Suites located on the twenty-first floor designed for corporate travelers and select leisure guests.   Accessible only by private elevator key, and with its own private check-in and checkout, the Executive Suites feature separate guest rooms with upgraded amenities including dedicated staff available twenty-four hours a day.

The Main offers guests three distinct dining options: Saltine, Varia and Grain, located on various levels of the property and offering something for everyone. On the ground level, Saltine showcases the region’s finest fresh seafood in a modern space with old-world accents including black distressed millwork and globe lighting.  The subtle masculine design reflects the region’s history and features areas of exposed brick, hinting at the integration of the historic Decker building.  Building upon its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, Saltine offers live seafood displays and a fish cutting room where guests can see the fresh catches of the day being prepared.  Anchoring the space is Saltine’s extensive 2000-bottle wine collection and glassed-in private dining room.

A quick escalator ride up to the second floor and guests will find The Main’s sophisticated trattoria-inspired Varia, a wine lounge and piano bar that offers elevated Italian fare.  With luxe detailing and finishes, the highlight of the space is a large millwork library with hidden bookshelf doors leading to an ultra-private dining room. Guests will witness Varia’s culinary mastery in action with its open kitchen and elegant reclaimed chandeliers from The Cavalier Hotel ballroom, a historic 1927 hotel property also owned by Gold Key | PHR.

Located nine-stories up, the ten-thousand square foot Grain offers a casual rooftop option that seamlessly integrates indoors and outdoors with large roll-up walls opening to the terrace. With lush landscaping and an oversized fire pit, guests can enjoy live music or a life-sized chessboard and billiards room.  Along with casual dining options and a large a selection of artisanal beers, the amazing views of the Elizabeth River will be the highlight experience.

The Exchange at The Main boasts 42,000 square-feet of high-tech and high-design meeting space and features thirty-nine different meeting room spaces perfectly conducive to learning, sharing, collaboration and celebration, making it the largest conference space in Norfolk. The Exchange also includes an innovative collaboration room and two boardrooms as well as state-of-the-art technology from audio/visual equipment to soundproof rooms. For larger groups, The Main Ballroom can accommodate 1,200 seated guests and is the largest ballroom in Virginia with 18,500 square-feet of space with pre-function space also available.

Designed by a team of award-winning architects and design firms including Cooper Carry, the lead architect, with interior designs by both King Design and Baskerville.  

WASHINGTON (September 8, 2016)—U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow released the following statement on calls from Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson and Transportation Security Administrator Peter Neffenger for Congress to boost TSA funding prior to a likely showdown over a federal budget resolution:

"Mr. Johnson and Mr. Neffenger essentially confirmed today what the travel community has believed all along: that a return to the horrific TSA lines of early summer is not only possible, but likely, if we don't have an eye toward the future and plan accordingly.

"Federal policy tends to be much more adept at solving yesterday's problem than tomorrow's, but the current administration is to be commended for its forward-looking focus on TSA issues. Our hope is that Congress will follow suit. We can ill afford another few months of TSA misery dominating the headlines—seamless air travel has become far too important both to our economic health and to the American way of life."

U.S. Travel plans to release in November—in time for the Thanksgiving travel season—a policy blueprint containing a comprehensive set of recommendations for securing a well-functioning TSA over the long term.

by Robert A. Rauch

The Past

Horton Plaza served as the catalyst for San Diego’s development in the recent past and it became the anchor for future development.  Not only did it impact downtown but it also shepherded a resurgence in leisure market getaways including Mission Bay, Pacific Beach, and La Jolla.  But the growth did not stop there as Coronado, anchored by the Hotel Del Coronado, Harbor Island, Mission Valley and UTC offered bargain vacations, quality shopping or a destination for corporate travelers and small meetings.

In 1990 Downtown continued its shift with the opening of the San Diego Convention Center soon thereafter followed by the development of the Gaslamp Quarter.  Numerous hotels capitalized on the opportunity including the Intercontinental (now the Marriott Marquis), the Hyatt, the Hilton and the Embassy Suites.  Petco Park spurred additional growth in the East Village that continues to develop and add hotel product as well as commercial and retail, most recently the new home of Sempra Energy and the San Diego Library.

Outside of Downtown, waterfront communities added little product given Coastal Commission regulations resulting in many renovations.  However, the region benefited from the persistence of owners who added product in La Jolla, Pacific Beach and Coronado including the Loews and what is now the Marriott Coronado Bay as well as a handful of new hotels in Mission Valley that helped the image of older hotels in need of renovation throughout Hotel Circle.

UTC experienced a recent refresh with its mall but the hotels in that market are the same ones that were developed in the late 1980s.  The Carmel Valley/Del Mar/Sorrento Valley market came to life as local developers, took advantage of this growing submarket.  Beginning with the Del Mar Hilton and Del Mar Doubletree Hotel and several focused-service hotels in Sorrento Valley in 1989, these properties were followed thereafter by the anchor Del Mar Marriott Hotel in 2002 and a handful of limited service hotels between 2005 and 2013. Torrey Hills sported the first dual-branded Hilton properties, Homewood Suites and Hilton Garden Inn and then the Residence Inn Del Mar opened in 2013.

The Present

Now that we have a basic understanding of the past, let’s turn our attention to development that likely will drastically change the growth patterns in a positive or negative way. Downtown hotel development is soaring with new product and renovations galore from the urban core to East Village and Little Italy.  Branded and boutique hotels are part of the urban mix including dual-branded properties along Pacific Coast Highway, the luxury 317-room Pendry Hotel and the recently announced first Ritz-Carlton for San Diego in the East Village.

One of the challenges facing developers is that at this point in the financial cycle, the availability of capital is becoming more difficult.  Foreign investors are adding to the mix as international capital continues to flow into the US given its strong economic underpinnings vis-à-vis the rest of the developed world.  Additionally, developers need to adapt to the changing customer base including Millennials, international travelers and meeting planners who are increasingly looking for unique spaces outside of traditional norms and design.

The Future

So where does this take us and what can we anticipate moving forward?  One of the challenges is to ensure that development is diversified to account for leisure, corporate and other market segments so the economy is not beholden to a particular customer base.  If a new convention center or expansion of the existing convention center is not approved, whether it is tied to a potential Chargers stadium or not, where will the demand come from to fill the 8,000 to 10,000 new hotel rooms planned or under construction?  While not necessarily good news for all of the developers, the reality is that not all of the planned hotels will be constructed.  Not only will financing soon dry up but the increasing costs of construction, interest rates and labor costs will make many of these projects no longer feasible.  And while it is still too early to determine the true impact, Airbnb and increased operating costs, mostly the result of minimum wage increases and new overtime laws, will negatively impact the financial case for development.

While nobody truly knows what the future will bring, we do need to plan wisely to ensure that large conventions continue coming to San Diego.  Will Comic-Con stay forever?  What do we need to do to mitigate the risks of Comic-Con and other conventions seeking destinations outside our great city?  These are the questions that today’s developers are pondering and that San Diego’s leadership needs to debate.  We are at the precipice of being a truly great city but we need to ensure that all levels of leadership at the civic, political and business levels are in constant dialogue to prevent the city’s momentum from fizzling out.

A great example would be leadership on the potential Chargers stadium/Convadium. Using the ballot box to approve a stadium and/or convention center without building consensus first was very likely a mistake—one that San Diego can ill afford if we are to see a visionary future. Are we a cul-de-sac or a hub for the Pacific Basin? With Rodriguez Field as a partner, Lindbergh Field can increase flights from Asia and we could see tremendous growth if we would lead the way. Do we mount a serious effort to defeat homelessness, identify creative ways to attack affordable housing and bring corporations to San Diego? Using tourism to stimulate demand, we can recruit retirees, students and entrepreneurs as well as CEOs who might re-locate their businesses here. We’ve done a great job with life sciences and communications technology—there is no reason we can’t marry tourism and economic development.

So what do we do? If the pundits are correct — that the Chargers’ measure won’t muster the two-thirds vote required for passage — then local leadership will get another chance to sit down and get it right on the next go around. We can all look forward to that discussion. To leadership and then success in 2017 and the future!

Breckenridge, Colo. (Sep. 8, 2016) – The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Breckenridge is pleased to announce the appointment of Donald Woodin to the position of General Manager. 

A veteran of the hospitality industry with nearly 30 years of premier hotel management experience, Woodin is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the property.

Woodin’s passion for hospitality hails back to his youth and he has spent his career working with several hotel brands in Chicago, Utah, and Colorado. He pursued a career passion in National Parks management as director of operations with Amfac Parks & Resorts, later to become Xanterra, the largest concessionaire of national parks lodges and operations. With enthusiasm and dedication, he led the Beaver Creek Lodge, a four-star boutique in the Vail Valley, to achieve the highest levels of guest satisfaction and industry recognition moving from a ranking of 34th to third of full service hotels. In addition to his position in Colorado, Woodin’s extensive career also took him to John Q. Hammons Hotels and Resorts, Warwick International Hotels, and Devil’s Thumb Ranch Resort and Spa.

“I’m excited to continue to grow the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Breckenridge, one of the most notable and desirable destinations in the brand’s portfolio,” said Woodin. “I am proud of the opportunity to work with the Breckenridge team as we head into the busy ski season and continue to raise the visibility and notoriety of the property as a must-stay property in the region.”

Woodin earned a Bachelor of Science in Tourism and Hospitality from Florida International University. In his spare time, Woodin enjoys skiing, biking, hiking, and spending time with family and friends with good food and wine. 

New York, NY – September 7, 2016 – TTI Technologies, a supplier of ID/Passport Scanners, Business Centers, Lobby Tablets, Hotel Information Boards, is proud to announce a better then 93% satisfaction rate from its customer satisfaction tracking survey.  “Great customer service is one of the reasons for our continued growth and success,” says Steve Blidner, TTI CEO. “For example, one of our activity reports detail a common occurrence. When a guest has trouble printing their boarding pass, often panic erupts. It is times like this where our 24/7 support really is a lifesaver and excels beyond the standard support levels that our competition offers. We understand that if guests are happy the hotel management will be too, that is where our focus is,” says Blidner.

Survey results can be viewed at:  Business Center July Report

Do our clients notice the difference?  This is what they are saying:

Subject: Guest Survey Results

Steve, congrats to you and your team on another great month of guest survey results.  Impressive!

Aloha,
Barbara

Barbara Campbell
VP Retail Leasing & Property Management

OUTRIGGER ENTERPRISES GROUP
2375 Kuhio Avenue
Honolulu, HI 96815
TEL    +1 808 921-6679
CELL  +1 808-285-8446
FAX   +1 808 457-3540
WEB  outrigger.com
WEB  waikikibeachwalk.com

Steve,

The scanner is a big part of our business as we need to know everyone who is staying in our rooms. I cannot say enough about  your Tech support, Santos was especially patient with me as I am not very computer savvy and he made it easy. Thank you and your company so much for being there for us.

Sincerely,
Judi Bautista
Manager

Fairways Inn of Naples
103 Palm River Blvd.
Naples, FL 34110
www.fairwaysinnnaples.com
Phone: 239.597.8181
Fax: 239.597.5413

Subject: RE: Business Center Service

“TTI is an exceptional partner.  Not only do they provide a wide array of hardware and software, they follow it up with amazing support and service.” 

M I C H A E L  B A I E R  /  G E N E R A L  M A N A G E R

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

STANFORD COURT, WWW.STANFORDCOURT.COM
905 CALIFORNIA STREET, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94108
O: 415 732 4001 / M: 415 432 0857 / @GMMICHAELB   

For more information, visit www.ttitel.com.

Contact:
Sales, TTI Technologies
646-218-2700 ext 3
sales@ttitel.com

Exchange ideas and connect with TTI Technologies on:

By Max Starkov and Mariana Mechoso Safer

According to Morgan Stanley Research, the OTAs are about to collect over $16 billion in commissions this year. OTA revenues are projected to surpass hotel website revenue even for the top hotel brands, unlike the other main travel sectors airlines, car rental and cruise lines, where OTAs are losing market share to direct bookings (PhoCusWright).

How are we letting this happen in our industry? Hoteliers who are under-investing in digital technology and marketing and not optimizing their distribution channel mix are increasingly over dependent on the OTAs. 

The Smart Hotelier’s Guide to 2017 Digital Marketing Budget Planning provides hoteliers with a concrete  roadmap to jumpstart the property’s direct bookings and guide its digital marketing and distribution strategy throughout the year. With so many moving pieces in a hotel’s digital budget: from enhancing the property website, to revenue-generating technology, to smart data marketing, it’s important to create a strong plan of action that is realistic and aligned with your business goals. 

For the 11th year in a row, HeBS Digital is helping to guide hoteliers in this process by outlining how they should structure their budget in the whitepaper: “The Smart Hotelier’s Guide to 2017 Digital Marketing Budget Planning.”

The whitepaper offers a step-by-step guide on how to structure your budget in ways that will boost direct bookings, lower distribution costs and generate the highest returns possible for your property website and digital marketing initiatives.

Here’s a sneak peek into the actual whitepaper:

Hoteliers should spend a minimum of 4-6% of their total room revenue on advertising/marketing efforts, of which at least 75% should be spent on digital marketing. As an example, independent hotels in the HeBS Digital portfolio spent, on average, $500-$650/ room/this year on their digital marketing budget. The formula works: the average direct distribution cost (cost of sale) for these properties is 4.5% and ROI on digital marketing initiatives is 2200%.

We recommend organizing your overall budget into these three categories:

1.  Year-Round Direct Response Marketing: this section of the budget is comprised of evergreen, high revenue-generating initiatives that increase direct room bookings such as SEM, SEO, GDN (Google Display Network), Smart Data Marketing, including programmatic and dynamic rate marketing initiatives, email marketing, online media and retargeting, and website conversion enhancements such as Reservation Abandonment Applications and personalization on the hotel website.

2.  Seasonal & Targeted Marketing Campaigns: with one cohesive theme, these campaigns are focused on seasonal and occupancy needs, filling rooms around when the property needs it most, as well as special events/holidays, and reaching key customer segments like leisure travelers, family travelers, business travelers, meeting, wedding and event planners, etc.

3.  Technology Assets, Strategy & Operations: this part of the budget is the backbone of any hotelier’s digital technology and digital marketing strategy; without properly investing in these line items, any marketing initiative launched will not succeed. This includes Website Revenue Optimization Consulting, a responsive website, Content Management System technology, analytics, and cloud hosting/CDN.

Included in the whitepaper is a snapshot of the ideal digital marketing budget (with an exact recommended breakdown of spend for each digital technology and marketing initiative), the 2017 hospitality industry forecast, top industry trends, case studies and more. Click here to download “The Smart Hotelier’s Guide to 2017 Digital Marketing Budget Planning.”

After downloading the whitepaper join HeBS Digital, Google and NAVIS for The Smart Hotelier's Guide to 2017 Digital Marketing Budget Planning webinar on Thursday, September 15th, at 2pm EST / 11am PST.

SALT LAKE CITY, Sept. 8, 2016 -- Today, the Ascend Hotel Collection from Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), one of the world's leading hotel companies, welcomed The Peery Hotel in Salt Lake City, Ut., as the newest addition to its growing portfolio of one of a kind distinctive hotels. Built in 1910, this property is a historic landmark located at 110 West Broadway, in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City.

"The Peery Hotel is a truly special property that takes you back to the rich history of the region, while offering the modern luxuries expected of today's discerning traveler. That is at the core of the Ascend Hotel Collection," said Janis Cannon, senior vice president of upscale brands for Choice Hotels. "This historic hotel's architecture is rooted in the early prairie and classical revival style, strengthening the Ascend Hotel Collection's diverse portfolio of distinctive independent hotels and resorts that guests seek out for a truly immersive experience."

The Peery Hotel, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, went through extensive restoration and renovations to provide guests with a fresh way to feel a part of local history with its unique design and art throughout its walls that nod to the railroad and mining industry, an integral part of Salt Lake City's past. The hotel features two new independent specialty restaurants, The Oak Wood Fire Kitchen and Aristo's, which is scheduled to open in the fall of 2016. The hotel is located close to many popular attractions in downtown Salt Lake City, including the Salt Palace Convention Center, Vivint Smart Home Arena, Temple Square, Mormon Tabernacle Choir, The Gateway Mall, among many others.

"We're excited to play homage to the railroad and mining industries of Salt Lake City's past through this beautifully renovated historic property, and we are thankful for the partnership with the Ascend Hotel Collection," said Sid Patel, Regional Manager, Marin Management, Inc. "Through Ascend, Choice Hotels has given us the ability to expand and be seen globally while still empowering us with the freedom to realize our vision for The Peery Hotel. We are grateful to be backed by Choice's indisputable reputation and all of the resources they provide. It has equipped us to continue to deliver on our promise to deliver a superior experience to our guests, as well as the benefits of the Choice Privileges® rewards program."

The 73-room hotel features an architecturally unique aesthetic, great views of downtown Salt Lake City, and Tempur-Pedic beds that include premium triple sheeting and down comforters to ensure guests have a comfortable stay. Rooms range from a Classic Queen to a King Suite, which sleeps up to 4 people.

The Ascend Hotel Collection offers unique, historic and boutique best-in-class options for guests pursuing authentic, local experiences in exciting urban and worldwide locations.

For a complete listing of properties, visit www.choicehotels.com/ascend. 

Hospitality business intelligence platform from market leader in profit optimization brings competitive advantage to high-end hotel management group

ATLANTA, GA – September 8, 2016 – Noble House Hotels & Resorts (Noble House), a hotel ownership and management company operating award-winning, upper segment boutique hotels across the country, has optimized its revenue management practices with the selection and use of The Rainmaker Group’s revintel business intelligence platform. Noble House began using the revintel solution in its two Jackson Hole, Wyoming locations in August of 2014, with recent implementation across all of its independent properties in June of this year.

“We researched several platforms, but found Rainmaker to be the top option for what we were looking to do,” said Darrell Stark, Vice President, Revenue and Distribution at Noble House Hotels & Resorts. “We needed an enterprise reporting platform that can aid us in identifying micro and macro trends, enabling maximization of revenues. Rainmaker’s solution offers us all of that and more.”

A sophisticated and powerful platform, revintel mines data at a granular level, showing detailed analysis of the various causes behind specific trends in a particular market. It provides the most in depth ability to extract data critical to improving day to day and overall operations from across multiple properties. This enterprise level of reporting is a major benefit to companies using the platform, like Noble House, as it allows revenue managers and teams to make the most informed decisions regarding optimization of revenue.

The revintel platform provides Noble House with consistent view of revenue performance metrics across its prestigious portfolio of hotels, including data that is collected from multiple property management systems, including Opera, Springer Miller and Epitome. This saves time – as data is collected automatically, rather than through manual processes – and allows the company to understand key indicators of future performance, like daily pace, across its portfolio and tap into new and deeper competitive insights than ever before.

“We’re proud to put Rainmaker’s solutions to work for such a prestigious company in the hospitality industry,” said Tammy Farley, president of Rainmaker. “We’re confident our tools will continue to be a driving force in providing Noble House with critical data that can propel the business to the next level.”

For more information on revintel and Rainmaker’s additional revenue management and business intelligence solutions, visit: http://www.letitrain.com/

By Andrew Cohan, Managing Director at Horwath HTL - Miami

In 2013, I wrote an article titled "Miami's Leap to Global Gateway Status". The article examined the factors that combined during the previous decade to move Miami from one "comp set", that of secondary cities and resort markets, to a new comp set, that of Global "must include" gateway markets. In Miami's case, the two-way link with Latin America and the city's role as a transit point between Latin America, North America and Europe dominate the competitive advantage that favors movement of people, information and goods and services between continents through our city and South Florida in general.

In the three years since the article was published, my contention has been confirmed time and time again. If one Googles "Capital of Latin America", the first two pages of matches are virtually all articles about Miami from sources such as the BBC, Time Magazine, The New York Times and Forbes. Bisnow, a commercial real estate media company with local representation, is holding it 2016 State of the Miami Market conference in September with a subtitle of "From a vacation destination to World Class Metropolis!"

It seems that in the past two years we Miami residents have taken the opportunity to celebrate having arrived on a larger global stage. Before moving our collective attention to how we maintain this status in a world that has constantly changing centers of gravity when it comes to financial capital, creative capital and intellectual influence, I want to list some of the benefits that have already accrued to players in the hotel development and investment sectors.

Who Is Investing?

The following chart displays ten of the largest hotel transactions from the Miami and Miami Beach hotel markets during the past three years.

Three of the ten transactions had sovereign fund purchasers from the Middle East, and two purchasers were European (including Tommy Hilfiger's group). Hyatt purchased a hotel in a prime location to support its new Unbound Collection, rebranding the fairly new Thompson Hotel Miami Beach to become the Confidante. Of the remaining US purchasers, HFZ Group is one of New York's largest luxury condominium developers who is in the process of transforming the Shore Club into a Fasano Hotel of 85 rooms and 67 Fasano-branded luxury residences. One is an executive with Chatwal Hotels, the company that created the Dreams brand (since sold to Wyndham Hotels), who, we can assume is partial to Dreams-branded hotels. And one purchaser is a major Hotel REIT, Chesapeake Lodging Trust.

With half of the purchases originating in Europe and the Middle East and the other half with representation from a "Who's Who" of the US Hotel and luxury residential high-rise community, we can conclude that this diverse set of investors are of the type who invests in the world's premier gateway markets.

What Brands and Operators Are New to the Market?

In the past four years all of the above brands and management companies have acquired management agreements in Miami that represented entry of the brand to the United States, the first property of a global brand in the United States, or the first property of a new brand opened by a hotel company. Again, a diverse group with representation from Asia, Europe and South America. As well, direct investment by Marriott, Hyatt and Starwood Capital to build/renovate and introduce new products using their own balance sheets to launch new brands or initial US locations of new brand categories.

I would contend that from the hotel investment and hotel brand distribution evidence stated above, we can conclude that Miami is no longer in transition, but is displaying a strengthening diversity of global investment and operational talent in the hotel sector, and simultaneously in many other sectors of the political, economic and social fabric that constitute a world class or global gateway city.

Former New Orleans Public Service, Inc., HQ will reopen in spring 2017 as NOPSI Hotel, New Orleans – a 217-room luxury property

NEW ORLEANS (September 8, 2016) – The historic headquarters of the former New Orleans Public Service, Inc., (NOPSI) is being reinvented as a luxury 217-room hotel called NOPSI Hotel, New Orleans.

Located in the city’s vibrant Central Business District on the corner of Baronne and Union streets, the nine-story brick building originally opened in 1927. It will reopen as NOPSI Hotel in spring 2017 after a meticulous restoration returns each space to its previous splendor, including the building’s street facades, cast iron rails and stone panels.

The NOPSI Hotel will include some of the most refined accommodations in the city – including 74 suites – a lively and regionally inspired restaurant, 10,000 square feet of architecturally significant indoor and outdoor meeting space, and a sophisticated rooftop pool and bar.

The property’s developer is Building and Land Technology (BLT), a leading national real estate investor and developer. The NOPSI Hotel will be managed by acclaimed luxury hotel company Salamander Hotels & Resorts.

A high point of the building’s elaborate transformation is a beautiful “Grand Hall” lobby entrance, featuring a 21-foot-high vaulted ceiling, graceful arches, ornamental columns, wood wall paneling, brass grills and terrazzo flooring.

The historic renovation also includes the conversion of the adjacent and former Dryades Building into the city’s most unique meeting and event space. At 4,000 square feet, this industrially elegant space will even include a preserved 24-foot-high crane and track as part of its décor. 

NOPSI is the acronym of New Orleans’ former utility company and transit operator. Thousands of manhole covers still bear the NOPSI name, adding a sense of nostalgia to many of The Crescent City’s streets. As befits the building’s history, the hotel will provide an energetic base from which to enjoy nearby cultural attractions, festivals, restaurants and nightlife. 

Conveniently situated in the heart of the Central Business District within a short walk of The French Quarter, The Warehouse District and The Garden District, the NOPSI Hotel is located near Lafayette Square and close to major attractions like the Mercedes-Benz Superdome and the World War II Museum.

The renovation will retain the unique characteristics of the 128-foot-high building, which was designed by Favrot and Livaudais, a Louisiana-based architectural firm that also designed many buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The project’s development team has also worked closely with Louisiana’s State Historic Preservation Office to ensure the architectural integrity of the building is preserved.

“NOPSI’s guests will view their New Orleans experience through the prism of this hotel, which will also serve as a true community gathering place,” said Carl R. Kuehner III, CEO of Building and Land Technology (BLT), the building’s owner. “We were drawn to the beauty and history of this building, and this renovation ensures the spirit of this great city is fittingly captured.”

NOPSI Hotel, New Orleans becomes part of the Salamander portfolio, and specifically the company’s Signature Collection, joining the luxurious Salamander Resort & Spa in Middleburg, VA, and Henderson Beach Resort, which opens in Destin this November along Florida’s Gulf Coast.

“NOPSI will offer a fun and energetic experience which complements Salamander’s unique brand of service excellence and authentic approach to hospitality,” said Salamander Founder and CEO Sheila C. Johnson, who is also one of America’s top entrepreneurs and the co-founder of Black Entertainment Television. “NOPSI will become known as one of the finest urban hotels in America, and we look forward to introducing our clients and customers to the unique spirit of New Orleans, while also exposing new guests to the Salamander service culture that will define the NOPSI experience.”

The hotel’s classically designed guestrooms will provide a variety of flexible room types, ranging in size from 350 to 800 square feet. Featuring neutral colors with gold accents, they will offer luxurious and refined furnishings, local artwork and the technology demanded by today’s discerning traveler. Guest bathrooms will incorporate a soothing spa-like tile design, offering the largest, most luxurious shower in the city. 

The ninth floor will feature a Presidential Suite and four Spa Suites with spacious terraces that can be utilized for an extraordinary in-room spa experience, a Salamander area of specialty. With a fitness center, concierge services and 24-hour in-room dining, NOPSI is designed to attend to the need of the modern guest. 

The hotel’s classic lobby bar will feature a new courtyard garden, as well as a selection of hand-crafted cocktails, craft beer and thoughtfully curated wines.

NOPSI’s lively restaurant and bar, which will be called “Public Service,” will be located off the lobby but also provide a separate entrance onto Baronne Street. An ever-changing menu will offer classic Gulf Coast seafood, a raw bar, creative food presentations, hand-tossed pizzas and an extensive array of craft, draft and bottled beer. Guests will enjoy a vibrant atmosphere and regular live entertainment, along with a variety of seating options designed to develop a congenial atmosphere. A chef’s counter featuring eight stools will overlook an open kitchen with wood-burning pizza oven and rotisserie. Seating up to 118 people, the restaurant will provide communal tables, leather banquettes and an upstairs private dining room.

On its rooftop NOPSI will feature an iconic pool and bar, providing a view of the city’s diverse skyline. By day, it will offer a peaceful oasis for hotel guests, serving chilled drinks and creative, healthy fare. But, after 5 p.m., the energy level increases and the bar will transform into one of New Orleans’ most exclusive establishments.

In addition to retaining the crane and tracks, which once transported transformers to storage vaults for repair, the hotel’s ballroom features huge arched windows and a soaring 30-foot ceiling. Epitomizing the building’s historic significance, this unique design will quickly make NOPSI the premier venue for New Orleans’ high-profile weddings, fundraisers and charitable balls. Six richly appointed boardrooms and breakout rooms, ranging in size from 475 to 1150 square feet, will also offer a popular destination for corporate meetings. Groups may also utilize the hotel’s outdoor patio and rooftop pool terrace. 

Construction and renovation work at the NOPSI Hotel site is well underway. The project is estimated to create hundreds of permanent jobs within the city once the hotel opens, employ many more during construction, and contribute millions to the local economy and tax base.

“The redevelopment of the former NOPSI building into the new NOPSI Hotel is another sign that our city’s economy is growing and booming,” said New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu. “This project will have a positive impact for New Orleans, creating new jobs and tax revenue and attracting further investment in our city. I applaud Building and Land Technology for its vision and investment in preserving this historic building and welcome a Salamander property and its owner Sheila Johnson to New Orleans.”

NOPSI Hotel has entered into membership of the Preferred Hotels & Resorts LVX Collection, which represents renowned properties that feature the finest accommodations coupled with attentive, engaging, and exclusive personal service.

“We’re proud to welcome another exceptional property to New Orleans’ growing list of hotel options, making the destination more attractive than ever before to all types of visitors,” said Stephen Perry, President and CEO of the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau. “It’s especially exciting to see a historic building used in such an exceptional fashion, and we’re thrilled to reintroduce the word ‘NOPSI’ to our city’s vocabulary.”

The hotel’s architect of record and general contractor is Woodward Design + Build from New Orleans, while the interior designer is Kent Interior Design from Atlanta.

For more information, visit www.NOPSIHotel.com.   

Pasadena, TX – September 8, 2016 – The 104-suite Residence Inn by Marriott in Pasadena, Texas is now open for business. Located at 4711 East Sam Houston Parkway South, the all-suite Residence Inn Houston Pasadena will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned and managed by Lodgic Hospitality of Webster, Texas.

Located ten miles from William P. Hobby Airport, and 30 minutes from downtown Houston where the George R. Brown Convention Center and Discovery Green are located, the Residence Inn Houston Pasadena offers its guests convenient access to the NASA Space Center, San Jacinto Battlegrounds, the Kemah Boardwalk and Houston Spaceport at Ellington Field. Rates vary depending on length of stay.

“We are pleased to introduce Residence Inn hotels in the Pasadena area,” said Diane Mayer, vice president and global brand manager, Residence Inn. “When on the road for an extended period, our guests need space to spread out, maintain their life’s pace and restore their energy to help them maintain a healthy balance and routine while traveling. This new hotel offers them a seamless blend of modern style and functionality that allows them to settle in and thrive.”

Residence Inn properties are designed as all-suite hotels that offer studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom suites. Guests looking for a revitalizing sleep experience will enjoy the hotel’s plush mattresses and crisp linens, while guests focused on being productive will value their suite’s large, well-lit work desk, ergonomic chair and complimentary high-speed Internet access. Designed for stays of five nights or more, each suite also has a fully-equipped kitchen with a coffeemaker, microwave oven and residential-sized appliances.

The Residence Inn Houston Pasadena’s complimentary breakfast has a variety of great options, including specially made featured items. Guests can start their day off right with healthy food choices and, with a convenient to-go offering, can make sure they do not miss the most important meal of the day.

Extending the feeling of comfortable living on the road, the Residence Inn Houston Pasadena offers guests inviting and functional public spaces to relax or collaborate. Road warriors and families alike enjoy the hotel’s grocery delivery service, complimentary Wi-Fi, 24-hour onsite food and beverage market, dry cleaning services, and onsite guest laundry room. The hotel’s weeknight evening gatherings offer a casual, relaxing environment where guests can be as social as they want, while enjoying light fare. The hotel also maintains a meeting room and a business library where guests can fax, copy and print materials, and provides guests with a swimming pool, putting green and exercise room.

Warner Robins, GA, September 9, 2016: PeachState Hospitality, LLC, one of Georgia’s best known hotel management companies is continuing its rapid development growth with the ground breaking of its twelfth and thirteen properties in Lithia Springs, Ga. Lithia Springs is part of the greater Atlanta market.

The Lithia Springs dual project is a Marriott branded development with two properties under one roof; a Courtyard with 89 keys and a Fairfield Inn & Suites with 72 keys. PeachState’s sister company, Divine Development is the project developer.

The construction is expected to be completed by the fall of 2017. The hotels are expected to create in excess of forty new jobs in the market. While this is PeachState’s first entry into the greater Atlanta market, the company and Divine Development have two more properties under development in the Atlanta market in addition to three other projects in Georgia and Texas. All the current development portfolio of properties is Marriott branded.  

As budget season approaches, we’re here to help you plan for a profitable 2017 with six smart hotel sales and marketing budget strategies.

The most vital component of your budget planning is taking time for thorough introspection, honest reviews of what is currently working and not working, and open conversations with your hotel owners, colleagues, sales staff, guests and even your comp set. This due diligence will give you real information and real numbers to build your budget, instead of blindly relying on your gut for what will work and what won’t.

Here are six proven best practices from our in-residence DOSM, Jeff Spaccio, to help you navigate hotel budget season:

1. Find out Exactly What Hotel Owners/Managers Expect From You

Before you can carefully consider what resources you need for 2017, you must determine exactly how much your hotel owners/management company expects you to contribute to overall revenue targets. This discussion should occur early in the process. The more questions you ask, the more insight and clarity you will get. Typically, corporate-level execs and senior management already receive direction early in the budgeting process, so talking with them first will save you from wasting time and making costly assumptions and guesses.

A common budgeting mistake that hotel marketers make is leaving it up to their owners or managers on how much funds get allocated to marketing. By telling your management team, “I’ll do the best with whatever money you can give me,” you are actually placing your entire marketing team in a dangerous position, as they will now be tasked with producing the impossible and will be held responsible when you can’t make that goal. Instead, use your management team’s revenue goals and outline exactly what is needed to achieve that figure. In addition to outlining how much money you’ll need, tell them whether you will require new staff or if hotel product improvements are needed to achieve their targets.

2. Expand on Your Recent Success

Before drafting a budget, take a step back and evaluate this year’s performance and reflect on what brought you the most success in 2016. What trends, markets, promotions and tactics produced the most revenue? Whatever drove the most bookings and highest profits, continue that in 2017.

Too often, hotel marketers are so eager to be innovative and ahead of their competition that they invest only in all-new ideas, tools and trends each year. Or, even worse, they play it too safe and stick to “what we’ve always done” whether it is working or not.

While you shouldn’t ignore promising new trends, the best budget strategy is to focus on what is driving your largest amount of conversions right now. You also need to show hotel owners and managers how your work has contributed to this current year’s revenue. By calculating this year’s marketing cost per sale (MCPS), you can leverage this figure to help you justify what’s required to reach your 2017 revenue targets.

3. Focus on Quality, Not Quantity

The idea of keeping budgets simple and straightforward is an often overlooked characteristic of successful budgets. Complicated budgets don’t create profits. They will only leave you weighed down and flustered throughout the year.

Instead, base your budget on a handful of quality initiatives and resources, not on a bevy of disjointed marketing ideas that will create small bursts of revenue. Simple, uncluttered budgets have the most impact on your hotel. Not only will they keep you organized and frictionless, they will allow you to be nimble and make quick decisions if opportunities arise or if certain programs become less profitable throughout the year. 

4. Gather Valuable Intel From Line Staff

There’s no reason why your group sales, front desk staff and catering staff shouldn’t be involved in budget planning. In fact, some of the best insight for your budget will come from front line staff who interact with guests and group clients and know what guests are looking for and complaining about. DORM’s and DOSM’s don’t often have enough personal contact with guests and meeting planners, so talking with staff will cover those blind spots.

Unless you ask, your staff is unlikely to willingly share their perspective or knowledge. So, leverage budget season as a forum to gather feedback from these valuable employees.

Further, don’t ignore your own marketing staff, even those in entry-level positions. Your hotel’s marketing success and profitability is directly connected to the people who execute the campaigns and help generate bookings. Ask them what is needed to amplify their efficiency, and what can make their job easier and more impactful. Give them the freedom to tell you what they need, what worked for them, what didn’t and their own ideas to drive more profits.

5. Talk With Your Competition

This may seem counterintuitive, but DOSM’s and senior management should have strong relationships with their comp set. Reach out to peers from your comp set and discuss market perceptions, direction of the economy, future capital improvements and any anomalies they see in the upcoming year. These peer-to-peer discussions will broaden your budget outlook and unearth components you may not have considered.

6. Leverage Guest Reviews to Justify Budget Requests

In the end, it’s all about your guest. Understand what is currently impacting the guest experience for better or worse this year by combing through TripAdivsor, social media reviews and any other direct guest feedback.  Knowing what your guests want and need will help you determine your marketing budget in a more thoughtful way. If your hotel product requires additional investment to effectively compete for more direct bookings, now is the time to bring it up and back it up with guest reviews.

For more information on how to survive hotel budget season, download our free hotel marketing budget worksheet

There have been recent news reports that some deceptive online companies appear to be imitating websites of actual hotels or airlines in order to attract bookings; Further, there have been reports of scammers using the fraudulent information listed on these websites to impersonate travel company representatives and even impersonate consumers in conversations with the hotels and airlines

Klobuchar and Fischer urge FTC and DOT to investigate these reports and use tools available to help stop these deceptive practices

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Deb Fischer (R-NE) have urged the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) to investigate reported deceptive practices by fraudulent online travel booking websites. There have been recent news reports that some deceptive online companies appear to be imitating websites of actual hotels or airlines in order to attract bookings. Further, there have been reports of scammers using the fraudulent information listed on these websites to impersonate travel company representatives and consumers in conversations with the hotels and airlines. Klobuchar and Fischer urged the FTC and DOT to investigate these reports and use tools available to help stop potentially deceptive practices.  

“There have been recent news reports that some deceptive online companies appear to be imitating the websites of actual hotels or airlines in order to attract bookings. Further, there have been reports of scammers using the fraudulent information listed on these websites to impersonate travel company representatives on the telephone, and even impersonate consumers in conversations with the hotels and airlines,” Klobuchar and Fischer wrote. “We request that you investigate this matter and use the tools available to you to help stop these practices. We also ask that you inform us if you believe additional regulatory authority is necessary to protect consumers in this area.”

Klobuchar is the Chair of the bipartisan Senate Travel and Tourism Caucus. Fischer is the Chair of the Senate Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security Subcommittee.

The full text of the letter from Klobuchar and Fischer is below.

Dear Secretary Foxx and Chairwoman Ramirez:

We write to urge you to investigate reported incidents of alleged fraudulent, unfair, and deceptive practices in the online travel and tourism marketplace.

Travel and tourism are vital to our economy. In 2015, travelers spent $947 billion in the United States, supporting over 8.1 million jobs. Travel is also the U.S. economy’s leading service export. Beyond the economic impacts of travel and tourism, the industry connects families, friends, and businesses across the country.

There have been recent news reports that some deceptive online companies appear to be imitating the websites of actual hotels or airlines in order to attract bookings. Further, there have been reports of scammers using the fraudulent information listed on these websites to impersonate travel company representatives on the telephone, and even impersonate consumers in conversations with the hotels and airlines.

Websites that display outdated or incorrect travel information or do not provide appropriate disclosures with the intention of deceiving consumers may result in consumers paying elevated fees and not receiving the services they believe they have purchased. For airline reservations, consumers can be left with airline itineraries that cannot be honored, missed connections, and lost baggage. For hotel reservations, the hotel may not have the consumer’s reservation or a particular requested accommodation, such as the correct number of beds, adjoining rooms, or a fully accessible room. 

We are aware that the Federal Trade Commission has issued alerts on this issue and the Department of Transportation has brought actions against companies that act in an unfair, deceptive, or fraudulent manner. We appreciate your actions, but they have not deterred other scams or stopped the problem. We request that you investigate this matter and use the tools available to you to help stop these practices. We also ask that you inform us if you believe additional regulatory authority is necessary to protect consumers in this area.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.  

SIENA, Italy and MCLEAN, Va. - Hilton (NYSE: HLT) has reached a management agreement with Agricola Merse Srl to bring Curio - A Collection by Hilton to Tuscany. The 101-guestroom La Bagnaia Golf & Spa Resort Siena is set to welcome guests from March 2017.

Patrick Fitzgibbon, senior vice president, development, EMEA, Hilton said, "La Bagnaia Golf & Spa Resort Siena is a stunning, one-of-a-kind hotel and, in joining the Curio Collection, this remarkable property will keep its unique identity whilst benefiting from Hilton's support as a leading global hospitality company. With over 11 million tourists visiting Tuscany every year, there continues to be strong demand in the region for an upscale, full service hotel, and we're absolutely delighted to welcome La Bagnaia into the Curio Collection."

Surrounded by the beautiful Sienese countryside, La Bagnaia is a tranquil oasis set against a landscape scattered with charming medieval hamlets and towns. Spread over 1,100 hectares, the upscale hotel has a village-like look and feel, divided across a number of buildings and featuring two main 'hamlets' - Borgo  La Bagnaia and Borgo la Filetta. The resort includes the Buddha Spa by Clarins and is connected to an 18-hole golf course. The range of facilities provided by the hotel for leisure and business travellers include two restaurants and two bars, three swimming pools, 12 treatment rooms, a tennis court, and conference rooms which combined cater for almost 1,000 delegates.

Situated just 12km from the city of Siena - a World Heritage Site and one of Italy's most popular tourist destinations - the hotel is conveniently located for guests wishing to access the city's many attractions including the Piazza del Campo, the Mangia Tower and the Santa Maria Assunta Cathedral. Steeped in history, culture-rich Siena and its surrounding areas offer multiple attractions including exquisite Italian cuisine and world-famous vineyards.     

Marisa Riffeser Monti, president of INFI, said: "Our collaboration with Hilton will allow La Bagnaia to expand its customer base, attracting tourists from around the world. The resort's unique structure allows it to cater for a wide range of requirements without sacrificing the quality of any individual customer's service. La Bagnaia can meet the needs of those seeking a vacation dedicated to well-being thanks to the Buddha Spa and its precious thermal waters, but also the needs of sports lovers with the panoramic Royal Golf Bagnaia designed by the famous golf course architect, Robert Trent Jones, Jr. The hotel's strategic location allows visitors to explore some of the most important destinations of Italian cultural heritage, while modern facilities make it an ideal location for conferences at the highest level, as demonstrated by significant events previously hosted by the hotel. My family will continue to invest in this Region: other property improvements include the purchase of approximately 23,000 square meters worth of real estate including restored historic buildings such as a 15^th Century castle, and new-build developments."

La Bagnaia Golf & Spa Resort Siena can be reached from a number of international airports, and also has excellent car, bus and rail links. The resort is 95km from Florence Peretola Airport and 130 km from Pisa International Airport, both of which provide regular domestic and international flights. Siena-Ampugnano Airport is only 7km away, while Siena's main railway station is 30km from La Bagnaia and also offers access to a number of national rail services. Many frequent bus services are also available, and the hotel is easily accessed by car and holds 360 car parking spaces.

Mark Nogal, global head, Curio - A Collection by Hilton, said: "La Bagnaia has such a wonderful, distinctive character - not to mention a stunning setting in some of the most beautiful Tuscan countryside. A charming property, the resort has a compelling identity and provides a peaceful sanctuary in a location rich with history, culture and extraordinary scenery. We are thrilled that it is set to become Italy's first hotel in the Curio Collection."

Curio - A Collection by Hilton is a global set of remarkable upscale and luxury hotels hand-picked for their unique character and personality; each one embedded with local history and culture. La Bagnaia Golf & Spa Resort Siena will join the collection of more than 80 properties open or in various stages of development across the world, in locations including Hamburg, Reykjavik, London, Paris and Ibiza.

La Bagnaia Golf & Spa Resort Siena is located at S.S. 223 Siena-Grosseto, Km 56, 53016 Sovicille, Province of Siena, Italy. More information about Curio - A Collection by Hilton may be found at curio.com. Media can access high resolution images and more information by visiting news.curio.com.