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Hyatt Signs With ESTMA HPT OU for First Hyatt-Branded Hotel in Estonia

Hyatt Signs With ESTMA HPT OU for First Hyatt-Branded Hotel in Estonia

Hyatt announced today that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into a management and related agreements with ESTMA HPT OU for the first Hyatt-branded hotel in Estonia, Hyatt Place Tallinn. Expected to open in early 2023, the 168-room select service hotel will be located near the Old City Harbor, one of the busiest passenger ports in Europe. Situated in Estonia’s capital and cultural hub, Hyatt Place Tallinn will be near Tallinn’s picturesque Old Town, which is recognized as an UNESCO World Heritage site. The surrounding neighborhood is set to undergo a large-scale renewal project and once complete, is expected to bring more business and entertainment experiences to the area. The Linnahall, a former sports and cultural venue, is included in this revitalization project and will be converted into a concert hall and conference center near the planned location of Hyatt Place Tallinn. “We are thrilled to announce plans for the first Hyatt-branded hotel in the Baltics as we continue to prioritize thoughtful growth in locations that matter most to our guests, World of Hyatt members, customers and owners,” said Takuya Aoyama, vice president of development for Europe and Africa, Hyatt. “Hyatt Place Tallinn will cater to the growing leisure and business demand in Estonia and deliver seamless experiences to help guests get the most out of their stay.” In addition to offering 168 guestrooms, Hyatt Place Tallinn will feature the Zoom restaurant and a lobby bar, a fitness center and flexible event spaces. Hyatt Place Tallinn’s central location, modern facilities, and flexible service offerings will be particularly suited for visitors seeking approachable, unexpectedly elevated experiences through thoughtful and intuitive design. “We look forward to collaborating with Hyatt on Hyatt Place Tallinn,” said Galina Ignatenko, owner of ESTMA HPT OU. “As the largest city and the capital of Estonia, Tallinn has established itself as a dynamic and entrepreneurial destination for travelers across Europe, making it a natural fit for the Hyatt Place brand.” Hyatt Place Tallinn will join the growing Hyatt Place portfolio in Europe, which currently includes Hyatt Place London Heathrow Airport, Hyatt Place West London Hayes, Hyatt Place Amsterdam Airport, Hyatt Place Frankfurt Airport, Hyatt Place Yerevan and Hyatt Place Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. Additional Hyatt Place hotels under development in European destinations include Hyatt Place Cannes, Hyatt Place Rouen, Hyatt Place Krakow, Hyatt Place Zurich Airport The Circle and Hyatt Place London City East.

Create: Jan 27, 2021     Edit: Jan 27, 2021     International News
Coronavirus causes $3.3b damage to Iran’s tourism so far, minister says

Coronavirus causes $3.3b damage to Iran’s tourism so far, minister says

Iran’s tourism industry has suffered a loss of over 140 trillion rials (about $3.33 billion at the official exchange rate of 42,000 rials per dollar) since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Minister has said. Although the worldwide outbreak of COVID-19 has brought the whole world to a standstill, the tourism industry has been the worst affected of all economic sectors, IRNA quoted Ali-Asghar Mounesan as saying on Sunday. However, efforts are being made by the government to help the tourism sector flourish again with continuous support and injecting supportive packages, he added. The government has allocated a total of 500 trillion rials (about $12 billion) to the corona-affected sectors, of which 200 trillion rials ($4.7 billion) will be given to the health ministry and the rest will be spent on other sectors, he explained. Earlier this week, the minister announced that the national budget bill for the next calendar year (starting on March 20) has proposed 70 trillion rials (about $1.7 billion) to support tourism businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic. If the budget receives parliament’s approval, it will be spent on different sectors of the tourism industry, which has taken a major hit from the coronavirus outbreak over the previous months, he noted. Despite the toughest economic pressures and sanctions, the government has provided good support to all sectors of tourism, the minister said.However, there is hope that the beginning of mass vaccination against the coronavirus will provide better conditions for tourism and businesses related to this sector, he explained.Government’s care and support packagesIn late October, deputy minister Vali Teymouri announced that a new support package to pay loans to businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic has been approved.Depending on the type and activity of the businesses, they could benefit from at least 160 million rials ($3,800) to nine billion rials ($214,000) of bank loans with a 12-percent interest rate, he said.The loans will be allocated to tourist guides, travel agencies, tourism transport companies, tourism educational institutions, eco-lodges and traditional accommodations, hotels, apartment hotels, motels, and guesthouses as well as traditional accommodation centers, tourism complexes, and recreational centers, the official explained.In September, Teymouri pointed to the 1.3 million tourism workers in the country, who are facing several issues due to the coronavirus crisis and said “This number, in addition to their households, includes a significant population that makes a living through tourism, who are needed to be considered in ministry’s decisions.”Back in August, Teymouri announced that the tourism ministry has approved a total budget of 4,920 billion rials (over $117 million) to support corona-affected tourism businesses, covering as much as 36,000 people working in the tourism sector.Tourism industry in critical situationIn October, Mounesan warned that Iran’s cultural heritage and tourism will be in a critical situation if the crises caused by the outbreak of the coronavirus continue.In August, the minister said that Iran’s tourism has suffered a loss of 12 trillion rials (some $2.85 billion) since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.He also noted that the coronavirus pandemic should not bring traveling to a complete standstill. “Corona is a fact, but can the virus stop tourism? Certainly not. For us, the coronavirus is a new experience in dealing with crises that teaches tourism experts around the world how to deal with such a disaster, and thankfully governments are turning this into an opportunity for better planning.”Last April, the government announced it will support those who are grappling with fiscal problems by offering loans with a 12-percent interest rate. The Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts also suggested a rescue package for tourism businesses. The government has also allocated a 750-trillion-rial (about $18 billion) package to help low-income households and small- and medium-sized enterprises suffered from coronavirus concerns.Coronavirus may turn tourism into luxury itemIn June, the United Nations World Tourism Organization praised efforts made by Iran’s tourism ministry to manage the travel industry during the coronavirus pandemic. UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said in a letter to Mounesan that the country's measures have truly earned plaudits to mitigate the impact on tourism. “A series of measures that the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts of Iran has taken, in accordance with the guidelines and recommendations of UNWTO, has truly earned plaudits as an effective practice to mitigate the impact on tourism,” the letter reads.Some experts believe that the coronavirus pandemic may turn tours and travels into luxury items as observing health protocols will raise the cost of travel in the country. Mohammad Ali Vaqefi, the vice president of the Iranian Tour Operators Association, warned that with the continuation of the coronavirus outbreak, tourists may prefer individual travel rather than tours, adding that they may also choose to go on a trip by their vehicles and stay in tents or in nature instead of hotels.In the global scene, part of the new travel puzzle is the jet-set mindset focusing on tough hygiene care and social distancing as cardinal guidelines for slowing the spread of the virus. So the average expenditure will be raised for a typical traveler particularly inbound passengers so lesser ones can afford to buy privacy and space and safer travel amenities.Iran expects to reap a bonanza from its numerous tourist spots such as bazaars, museums, mosques, bridges, bathhouses, madrasas, mausoleums, churches, towers, and mansions, of which 24 being inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Under the 2025 Tourism Vision Plan, it aims to increase the number of tourist arrivals from 4.8 million in 2014 to 20 million in 2025. The latest available data show eight million tourists visited the Islamic Republic during the first ten months of the past Iranian calendar year (started March 21, 2019).

Create: Jan 27, 2021     Edit: Jan 27, 2021     Regional News
AC Hotel Scottsdale North Opens in Arizona

AC Hotel Scottsdale North Opens in Arizona

AC Hotels by Marriott:registered: , the design-led lifestyle brand from Marriott International, announced today the opening of the 165-room AC Hotel Scottsdale North, inviting travelers to experience a stylish hotel adjacent to world-class shopping at Kierland Commons and palm lined storefronts of the Scottsdale Quarter. Located in a desirable shopping and entertainment district in Scottsdale, the anticipated new hotel embodies AC Hotels’ brand promise of going beyond the conventions of travel to create experiences that strike the perfect balance of details that guests want and the services they need.Developed by Host Hotels and Resorts and managed by OTO Development, the hotel introduces purposeful, curated, and elevated style along with AC Hotels’ signature beverage and food programming. Built by general contractor DPR with architecture and interior design services by DLR Group, the design of AC Hotels’ first hotel in Scottsdale draws from the surrounding desert landscape offering reprieve from the sun and evoking the shadow of surrounding mountains. Crisp white accents contrasting the dark architectural backdrop creates a contemporary palette enhancing the European aesthetic of the AC Hotel by Marriott brand. The project is striving for LEED Silver certification.AC Hotel Scottsdale North takes shape with sophisticated and clean-lined interiors offering a respite to the arid desert environment outside. Inspired by the desert at night, the public space celebrates an active and invigorated setting for guests to explore. Black wood tambour walls, and dark chestnut millwork connects the design narrative inside out and reinforces the native desert inspiration. Quality sourced art and timeless, modern touches evoke the feeling of a well-curated gallery. Embracing AC Hotels’ focus on harmonious design and tailored style, the hotel features minimalist guest rooms that allow travelers to use the space in whatever way they see fit.A signature offering of the brand includes an innovative beverage and food program at the hotel’s AC Kitchen, where European-inspired breakfast features signature butter croissants imported from France, artisan cured meats, such as thinly sliced Italian Prosciutto from AC’s iconic Berkel slicing machine, an international selection of cheeses, as well as yogurts and cereals, seasonal fruits and local specialties.The hotel’s AC Lounge:registered: invites travelers and locals to enjoy expertly crafted cocktails, local craft beers and wines, and a concise food menu inspired by the tapas of Spain. Of particular note is the hotel’s signature cocktail, the Scottsdale Spire, named for the iconic 125-foot steel and glass spire originally designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Crafted with vodka, dry vermouth and blue curacao, this specialty cocktail is topped with a sugar “fire” float, creating an entertaining and delicious experience.

Create: Jan 26, 2021     Edit: Jan 26, 2021     International News
Kimpton St Honoré Paris Set for Spring Opening in France

Kimpton St Honoré Paris Set for Spring Opening in France

Unveiling a new chapter in its European expansion, IHG:registered: Hotels & Resorts’ boutique luxury brand, Kimpton:registered: Hotels & Restaurants, will open its first property in France this spring. The opening of Kimpton St Honoré Paris will see the brand’s playful and sophisticated design, innovative approach to restaurants and bars, and immersive guest experiences that foster genuine human connections, offer a fresh perspective on hospitality in the City of Light.Kimpton St Honoré Paris will breathe new life into a heritage building which once housed the much-loved luxury department store “Samaritaine de Luxe”. Located on the Boulevard des Capucines in Paris’ Opéra district, the hotel will infuse true Kimpton style, harmoniously blending luxury and creativity across 149 stylish guest rooms (including 24 suites), an indoor swimming pool, gym and a Spa with luxury treatment rooms. Its landmark original 1917 Art Nouveau façade, distinctive staircase and unique elevator will all be thoughtfully restored and celebrated French interior designer Charles Zana is transforming the spaces to bring Kimpton’s elegant and playful design to life within. Hotel interiors will be inspired by 1930’s Art Deco and each guest room will have the feel of a chic, modern, design-centric Parisian apartment, with balconies, floor-to-ceiling windows and thoughtfully-selected works of art.Culinary and cocktail experiences at Kimpton St Honoré Paris will bring a refreshing light-heartedness and authenticity in its service to the neighbourhood, with exciting outlets and Kimpton’s famed daily Social Hour offering the opportunity for guests to enjoy interesting, locally inspired drinks and swap stories. The light-filled ground-floor will see a Californian-inspired restaurant and bar designed by Humbert & Poyet set to combine light, seaside-inspired recipes infused with American generosity. On the tenth-floor rooftop, a terrace bar with 360-degree views of the city will welcome guests for unique cocktails and bites cleverly paired with social moments in mind, set to become as popular with locals as with visitors to Paris.With 25 years of experience in luxury hospitality, Jean-Paul Dantil, who has been appointed General Manager of Kimpton St Honoré Paris, comments: “France is famed for its hospitality, and Paris for its art, design, culture and admiration of originality, so we are thrilled to be delivering Kimpton’s philosophy of relaxed, stylish and uniquely personal service with this magnificent new flagship hotel. The opening of Kimpton St Honoré will bring with it a refreshing sense of joie de vivre, reinvigorating a building associated with traditional luxury and infusing it with a modern approach to indulgence which welcomes, acknowledges and celebrates the individual without the fuss.”Founded in 1981 in San Francisco by Bill Kimpton, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants’ heartfelt approach to hospitality has translated to unique, design-led hotels across city centres, beachside resorts, and mountain getaways around the world. Kimpton’s recent notable new openings include Kimpton:registered: Maa-Lai Bangkok, Kimpton:registered: Shinjuku Tokyo, Kimpton:registered: Clocktower Hotel in Manchester, UK and Kimpton:registered: Vividora Hotel in Barcelona. The brand is also set to make its debut in Bali this year, and more hotels are in the pipeline for Germany, Mexico, Malaysia, China, Hong Kong and the Netherlands in the next 2-5 years.

Create: Jan 26, 2021     Edit: Jan 26, 2021     International News
Marriott International Signs Agreement With Mario Julen to Bring The Ritz-Carlton Brand to the Swiss Alps

Marriott International Signs Agreement With Mario Julen to Bring The Ritz-Carlton Brand to the Swiss Alps

Marriott International today announced it has signed an agreement with Mario Julen to bring The Ritz-Carlton brand to Zermatt, debuting the first Ritz-Carlton ski resort in Europe. Expected to open in 2026, the 69-guest room property will bring the brand’s legendary service and elegant design to the world-famous Swiss resort destination. Once open, the property will serve as the second Ritz-Carlton hotel in Switzerland, joining The Ritz-Carlton Hotel de la Paix, Geneva.“We are thrilled to announce this milestone signing with Mario Julen who has a fantastic vision for the project,” said Satya Anand, President, Marriott International Europe, Middle East and Africa. “Zermatt is synonymous with outstanding skiing, mountaineering and jaw-dropping scenery. As the epitome of modern luxury, this landmark development and stunning destination will enhance our portfolio of iconic Ritz-Carlton properties across the globe, offering guests an exciting opportunity to experience Zermatt’s year-round snowy peaks, world-class ski slopes, and the iconic Matterhorn mountain. Today’s signing reflects the heightened demand for our luxury hospitality brands across Europe, Middle East and Africa.”The Ritz-Carlton, Zermatt will be designed by award-winning Paris-based firm AW² led by partner architects Reda Amalou and Stéphanie Ledoux, with the architectural and interior design expected to offer a refined take on the classic mountain chalet. The property will offer unobstructed views of Matterhorn from both guestrooms and dining establishments. Design plans are slated to feature two restaurants and two bars, an outdoor terrace for alfresco dining, and a private dining room for intimate gatherings. An array of recreational activities such as ‘ski-in ski-out’ access to the slopes, a tranquil spa with a gym and both indoor and outdoor swimming pools are part of the vision for guests to enjoy. The resort is also expected to offer meeting and event facilities.“This is an emotional project for me as I have worked passionately for many years to bring it to life. It is not only a declaration of love to my hometown of Zermatt, but also to the luxury hotel business and its ability to inspire travel. As the first major, international brand in Zermatt, my wish is that this project will bring a new level of hospitality to the Swiss Alps,” said Mario Julien.Zermatt affords unrivalled skiing for all levels, climbing across the Matterhorn peak as well as easy access to Cervinia in Italy for off-piste, heli-skiing and glacier skiing in the summer months. The town is well renowned for its après-ski activities offering outstanding restaurants and luxurious retail. Visitors can travel to Zermatt from Geneva and Zurich international airports in under four hours by train through enchanting Alpine scenery, or via private helicopter.

Create: Jan 26, 2021     Edit: Jan 26, 2021     International News
Delivering the Service Experience - Chapter 14 ; Closing the Loop by Acting upon Guest Feedback

Delivering the Service Experience - Chapter 14 ; Closing the Loop by Acting upon Guest Feedback

Technique 181 Understand When to Mention Your Hotel’s Name When Responding to Consumer Blogs; When responding to a negative online review, the name of the hotel should never be mentioned in the response. Con- versely, when responding to a positive online review, the name of the hotel should always be mentioned in the response. Technique 182 Understand When to Use “I” or “We” When Responding to Consumer Blogs; When responding to a negative online review, the hotel manager should use ‘I’ in the online response (e.g., ‘I will look into this issue’). The use of the word “I” signals owner- ship of the problem and resolution. On the other hand, when responding to a positive online review, the manager should use ‘we’ to spread the credit among the staff (e.g., ‘we are very glad that you enjoyed your stay’). Technique 183 Paraphrase the Problem When Responding to Negative Consumer Blogs; When responding to a negative online review, the hotel manager should paraphrase the guest’s concern in the online response. Such paraphrasing communicates to all those read- ing the response that the hotel has good listening skills. Technique 184 Include a ‘Relate’ Statement When Responding to Negative Consumer Blogs; When responding to a negative online review, the hotel manager should attempt to include a statement detailing how s/he can relate to the problem being communicated by the guest. Including a ‘relate’ statement communicates to all those reading the response that the hotel is empathetic to guests’ concerns. Technique 185 Require One New Idea Per Week; At every weekly management meeting, one manager should be required to share an innovative idea with the group that has never been attempted in the hotel. Technique 186 Graph Guest Problems According to Frequency and Seriousness; Guest problems should be tracked and plotted on a graph according to their frequency and seriousness. A cross-depart- mental team of 6–8 line-level associates and managers should be created to derive strategies for fixing the most pressing problems based upon frequency and/or seriousness. Technique 187 Text Mine Consumer Blogs for Trends; Hotel management should contract with a 3rd party ven- dor (e.g., Revinate) so that consumers’ blog postings can be analyzed for trends. Many of these 3rd party vendor products also enable management to monitor trends in competitors’ blog postings. Technique 188 Data Mine the Centralized Reservations System for Trends; Hotel management should data mine its centralized res- ervation system to identify non-obvious patterns and trends in guests’ habits and preferences. The results of such data mining can be used to better serve guests, but also to build an enhanced understanding of proper timing and placement of marketing messages. Chain affiliated hotels likely already have data mining services available to them. Managers at inde- pendent hotels can be taught some basic data mining func- tions by a consultant. The extent of data mining capabilities offered by 3rd party management companies appears to vary widely across the industry. Technique 189 Utilize the Front Desk as a Listening Post; Front desk associates should consider their work area a “listening post” from which they can overhear conversations between guests. Many guests may be reluctant to actively voice complaints to hotel staff, but discuss various issues among themselves (e.g., the ice machine was too noisy; the sidewalks leading to the parking lot were too icy). Such information should be entered into the logbook and denoted as “listening post feedback.”

Create: Sep 5, 2020     Edit: Oct 18, 2020     Hotel Management
Delivering the Service Experience - Chapter 13 ; Signals of Training Transfer

Delivering the Service Experience - Chapter 13 ; Signals of Training Transfer

Technique 176 Maintain a Clutter-Free Office; All managers should keep their offices impeccably neat and orderly because doing so subconsciously signals the importance of cleanliness and attention to detail to associates. Technique 177 Keep a Log of Guest Requests; A culture must be fostered in which it is apparent to both guests and employees that management cares about guests and their requests. All guest requests should be followed up on. A good way to do this is to create a log (example below). Not only does this log help ensure follow-up, but it gives the manager an opportunity to review requests and see if there are consistencies so these issues do not continue to occur. Technique 178 Be Visible and Converse with Guests; Most guests appreciate meeting and conversing with managers. Managers should make it a point to either assist with check-ins or roam the lobby during peak check-in or check-out. Conversations with management help personalize the check-in/check-out process. Such interactions also often uncover leads for new business and set a good example for the associates regarding the importance of interactions. Technique 179 Display Attention to Detail by Cleaning the Floor; All managers should pick up lint and other small specks of debris as they move through the hotel’s public areas. While very small items on the floor are likely unnoticeable to most guests, picking them up signals attention to detail to associates. Technique 180 Invite a Consultant to Hold Guest Surprise Clinics with Associates; Hotel management should invite a consultant to the hotel to conduct a guest surprise clinic with associates and manag- ers. Facilitated by the consultant, the clinic would span two hours and would involve associates and managers collectively brainstorming free/inexpensive ways to surprise guests. Man- agement’s participation in the clinic would signal their com- mitment to the associates. The consultant could repeat the clinic in the am and pm to maximize associate and manager participation.

Create: Aug 25, 2020     Edit: Sep 29, 2020     Hotel Management
Delivering the Service Experience - Chapter 12 ; Frontline Employee Incentives

Delivering the Service Experience - Chapter 12 ; Frontline Employee Incentives

Technique 167 Post Positive Consumer Blog Posts for Employees to See; Employees like to be—and should be—recognized for out- standing guest service. In a section either in the staff lounge or near the time clock where the staff members tend to congre- gate, post all the positive comments including Trip Advisor, Social Media, Guest Survey’s, letters, etc. This will recognize employees who are getting good comments and will motivate other employees to give that extra service so they too can be recognized. Technique 168 Equally Reward Front and Back-of-the-House Employees; A front-of-the-house associate who is mentioned in a positive fashion on Trip Advisor should be given a reward. However, the recipient should be instructed to select a back- of-the-house associate who is worthy of receiving the equiva- lent reward. The front-of-the-house associate should be asked to write 2–3 sentences describing why the back-of-the-house associate is worthy of the reward. This explanation should be posted in the associate break-area (both associates are given an equivalent reward). Technique 169 Establish a Uniform and Appearance Committee; The hotel should have a “uniform and appearance com- mittee” comprised of a cross-section of managers and asso- ciates from across the hotel. The committee addresses issues regarding uniforms around the hotel. For example, should associates in a given department be permitted to wear long underwear tops on their arms in conjunction with a short sleeve uniform shirt or should long-sleeved uniform tops be issued? Knowing that fellow associates have an active voice in uniform policy provides incentive to comply. Technique 170 Conduct Guest Surprise Clinics with Associates; Hold a meeting with associates in which they are shown a PowerPoint slide presentation containing photographs of the various areas of the hotel. As the associates view the photos, they should be instructed to brainstorm ideas by which guests can be surprised in the given areas (A $2 cost limit for each surprise could be the parameter used in this exercise). Asso- ciates have more incentive to carry out surprise tactics if they take part in deriving the tactics. Technique 171 Have Employee Contests for Deriving Guest Surprise Ideas; Hang sketches (these are called service blueprints) of the hotel’s public areas in the associate break room. Associates who can offer the most creative ideas for surprising guests by studying the sketches can win prizes. Technique 172 Explain the Important Role of the Associate to His/Her Family; If an associate’s family members understand how the associate’s role in the hotel serves an important function in providing hospitality, then work-family conflict is reduced. Therefore, at least two times per year, management should plan a family function. During that function, management should explain to those in attendance how each associate’s job is important and how it fits into the functioning of the hotel. Technique 173 “I Love My Job When _____”; In an associate meeting, put the following sentence stem on a PowerPoint slide: “I love my job when _________.” Any associate who volunteers to stand in front of the group and completes the sentence wins a prize. Technique 174 Implement a Housekeeping Scoring Contest; For the housekeeping department, derive a scoring system on the room inspection check sheet. The housekeeper with the highest score across a seven-day period wins either cash or a gift card to a local retail store. Technique 175 Reward Departments for High Guest Satisfaction Scores; All departments should have team rewards such as pizza parties, luncheons, or gift cards when the department’s target guest satisfaction survey scores are met or exceeded.

Create: Aug 11, 2020     Edit: Sep 25, 2020     Hotel Management


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