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IHG Signs With Dinesh Kumar Choudhary for Holiday Inn Express & Suites Jaipur Karoli Bagh

IHG® Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has signed a management agreement with notable real estate developer, Dinesh Kumar Choudhary (HUF) for a new hotel – Holiday Inn Express & Suites Jaipur Karoli Bagh located at Gopalpura Byepass, in the capital of Rajasthan. The brownfield hotel featuring 141 keys is expected to be operational by the first quarter of 2023. Jaipur is the largest city in Rajasthan and one of the most popular leisure destinations, both for domestic and international travellers. It is an integral part of the Golden Triangle, a prominent tourist circuit connecting the national capital Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, and is also a preferred wedding destination in India. Furthermore, the city houses numerous industries and is considered as the economic capital of Rajasthan. With the new signing of Holiday Inn Express & Suites Jaipur Karoli Bagh, the city will now have three IHG hotels between Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express, catering to varied guest profiles. Holiday Inn Express & Suites Jaipur Karoli Bagh will be located on the Gopalpura Bypass road, at a convenient 15-minute drive from the airport. The hotel will also be at a short driving distance from the city centre, business district, tourist attractions, as well as key dining and shopping destinations. With excellent visibility and access, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Jaipur Karoli Bagh will provide a convenient stay experience to both business and leisure travellers. The newly signed hotel will feature well-appointed modern guest rooms and all the necessary facilities for a comfortable stay experience. The hotel will also have the brand’s signature ‘Great Room’, ‘Small Bar’, a specialty restaurant and a lounge to relax and unwind. Other essential facilities will include a fitness room, and meeting spaces for business and social gatherings. Commenting on the new development, Sudeep Jain, Managing Director, South West Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said, “We are thrilled to announce the signing of a new Holiday Inn Express & Suites hotel in Jaipur and solidify our presence in the state of Rajasthan. With a rich culture, history and cuisine, Jaipur is one of the most popular tourist destinations of India. With diverse guest profiles visiting the city, there is an increasing need for mainstream accommodation, and we are confident that Holiday Inn Express & Suites Jaipur Karoli Bagh will be a great choice for travellers looking for a simple and engaging hotel stay experience. He added: this new signing is also in line with our strategy to expand our ‘essentials collection’ across key markets in India and further strengthen our mainstream presence in the country, in line with market demands.” Mr. Dinesh Kumar Choudhary, Head of Hindu Undivided Family (HUF) added, “We are excited to partner with an internationally and domestically known and trusted hospitality brand like IHG. With a combination of an excellent location, the power of IHG’s distribution system, strong loyalty programme and expertise in the hospitality segment, we are confident that Holiday Inn Express & Suites Jaipur Karoli Bagh will emerge as a popular choice amongst the travellers visiting Jaipur.” Holiday Inn Express is one of IHG’s fastest-expanding hotel brand. It is designed for the smart travellers who are looking for a simple, yet engaging place to reconnect and refresh. IHG® currently has 41 hotels operating across five brands in SWA, including Six Senses, InterContinental Hotels and Resorts®, Crowne Plaza®, Holiday Inn® , Holiday Inn Resort® and Holiday Inn Express®, and a strong pipeline of 50 hotels due to open in the next 2-3 years.

Create: Oct 25, 2021 Edit: Oct 25, 2021 International News

Persepolis, a manifestation of great Iranian art, president says

Iranian President Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi on Thursday said the UNESCO-registered Persepolis is an epitome of the great Persian art. Persepolis displays the great artistic achievements of Iranians from past millennia, which are still remarkable and admirable after so many centuries, the president said. He made the remarks during his visit to the prestigious site, which was once the ceremonial capital of the mighty Achaemenid Empire (c. 550 – 330 BC). [The ruins of] Persepolis is also conveying a message to oppressors warning them of the fate of those who are cruel to humanity, he added. The royal city of Persepolis ranks among the archaeological sites which have no equivalent, considering its unique architecture, urban planning, construction technology, and art. Persepolis, also known as Takht-e Jamshid, whose magnificent ruins rest at the foot of Kuh-e Rahmat (Mountain of Mercy) is situated 60 kilometers northeast of the city of Shiraz in Fars province. The city was burnt by Alexander the Great in 330 BC apparently as revenge to the Persians because it seems the Persian King Xerxes had burnt the Greek City of Athens around 150 years earlier. The city’s immense terrace was begun about 518 BC by Darius the Great, the Achaemenid Empire’s king. On this terrace, successive kings erected a series of architecturally stunning palatial buildings, among them the massive Apadana palace and the Throne Hall (“Hundred-Column Hall”). This 13-ha ensemble of majestic approaches, monumental stairways, throne rooms (Apadana), reception rooms, and dependencies is classified among the world’s greatest archaeological sites. Persepolis was the seat of the government of the Achaemenid Empire, though it was designed primarily to be a showplace and spectacular center for the receptions and festivals of the kings and their empire. The site is marked by a large terrace with its east side abutting the Kuh-e Rahmat (“Mount of Mercy”). The other three sides are formed by a retaining wall, varying in height with the slope of the ground from 13 to 41 feet (4 to 12 meters); on the west side, a magnificent double stair in two flights of 111 short stone steps leads to the top. On the terrace are the ruins of several colossal buildings, all constructed of a dark gray stone (often polished to a marble-like surface) from the adjacent mountain. According to Britannica, the stone was cut with the utmost precision into blocks of great size, which were laid without mortar; many of them are still in place. Especially striking are the huge columns, 13 of which still stand in the audience hall of Darius I (the Great; reigned 522–486 BC), known as the Apadana, the name given to a similar hall built by Darius at Susa. There are two more columns still standing in the entrance hall of the Gate of Xerxes, and a third has been assembled there from its broken pieces. In 1933 two sets of gold and silver plates recording in the three forms of cuneiform—ancient Persian, Elamite, and Babylonian—the boundaries of the Persian empire were discovered in the foundations of Darius’s hall of audience. Several inscriptions, cut in stone, of Darius I, Xerxes I, and Artaxerxes III indicate to which monarch the various buildings were attributed.

Create: Oct 16, 2021 Edit: Oct 16, 2021 Regional News

IHG Welcomes Australia’s First Next-Generation Holiday Inn to Melbourne’s West

IHG’s Holiday Inn brand, one of the most iconic and trusted brands in the world, has undergone a global transformation over the last 18-months and its next-generation design includes innovative open lobbies and incredible F&B. Opening in Melbourne’s West this week, Holiday Inn Werribee boasts these new brand hallmarks and is a great example of how vibrant and stylish the new-look Holiday Inn hotels have become. An exciting addition to one of Melbourne’s fastest growing suburbs, the brand new, purpose-built hotel in central Werribee, Victoria features 150 contemporary and modern rooms, an open lobby, onsite bar and restaurant and versatile meeting spaces. Encompassing the top four floors of 22 Synnot Street, Werribee, the hotel offers striking, unparalleled views over Werribee and towards Melbourne’s city skyline. A first for the Holiday Inn brand within Australasia, Holiday Inn Werribee features an Open Lobby concept that transforms the traditional hotel lobby and is based on understanding how people use space at home to give guests the most flexibility, to eat, relax, work, or socialise in one space. Designed with the needs of the modern traveller in mind, the public spaces feature a contemporary lounge area and an e-Bar for those who need to catch up on the day’s news or work, whilst still being part of the social vibe of that space. Guests along with members of the public can enjoy all-day-dining at Rosana Bistro & Bar, which serves up modern Australian cuisine with a menu full of fresh local produce, sourced from within the Werribee region. Offering comfortable and modern short stay accommodation, guests will feel right at home in Holiday Inn Werribee’s spacious, modern light-filled rooms, each featuring comfortable bedding, large TVs and free unlimited high speed WIFI. Families are well catered for with family rooms and interconnecting suites and the Holiday Inn signature promise that Kids Stay & Eat Free.* Conveniently located in the heart of Werribee, the hotel offers easy access to the world class tourism attractions which can be found within the Werribee Park Precinct, such as the Werribee Open Range Zoo, Werribee Mansion, Victorian State Rose Garden and the National Equestrian Centre. It is also located within easy walking distance of the burgeoning foodie hub of Watton Street and is a short drive away from Werribee Mercy Hospital. Preston Miskelly, General Manager of Holiday Inn Werribee said his team was excited to open their doors and welcome their first guests to Werribee. “Reliably familiar, yet refreshingly different, Holiday inn Werribee is a comfortable and inviting home away from home. Our open lobby with its floor to ceiling windows and amazing views, not only gives our guests a warm and welcoming place to relax, work or socialise, it is also home to our modern restaurant and bar. It is the ideal location to enjoy dinner or drinks with family and friends as you watch the sun go down.” The opening is the first in an exciting period of growth for the Holiday Inn brand in Australasia with other new build hotels in the pipeline – including the opening of Holiday Inn Remarkables Park, Queenstown in October 2021 and Holiday Inn Melbourne Bourke Street Mall in 2022. These hotels will join the 41 open or pipeline Holiday Inn brand family hotels in Australasia & Pacific. Globally, it’s the world’s largest brand family with more than 4,100 open and over 1,000 in the pipeline, continuing to create many more destinations for the moments that matter.

Create: Aug 1, 2021 Edit: Aug 1, 2021 International News

Roedel Companies Opens Hilton Garden Inn Boston Canton

Visitors to the Greater Boston area have a new lodging option as Roedel Companies of Wilton, NH announced the opening of Hilton Garden Inn Boston Canton today. Hilton Garden Inn Boston Canton, conveniently located near Interstates 93 and 95 in Canton, allows easy access to Boston, Foxborough, and more, making it the perfect destination for parents of Boston college and university students, tourists exploring the city, and attendees of football games and concerts at Gillette Stadium. Hilton Garden Inn Boston Canton is only the third hotel to open in Greater Boston since 2019 and will be the first hotel in the country to exclusively serve Dunkin’ Brands coffee to guests. Hilton Garden Inn Boston Canton is also uniquely situated among prominent regional and national Massachusetts-based companies and the growing community of Canton, MA located just 18 miles south of Boston. Corporate headquarters of Boston Mutual Life Insurance, Dunkin’ Brands, and Harvard Pilgrim Tufts are all within walking distance of the hotel. The hotel is a short drive from the new Copperworks Canton Condominium community and growing Trillium Brewing Company. The hotel’s proximity to Dunkin’ Brands headquarters sparked a unique partnership as Dunkin’ Brands Coffee will be served exclusively at the hotel, a first for the Massachusetts-based coffee giant. “We look forward to the many opportunities this location will provide to guests of the Greater Boston area and beyond,” said David Roedel, Business Development Officer, Roedel Companies. “We are excited to introduce our brand to the community, to create a long-term, collaborative relationship with Dunkin’ Brands, and to be a gathering place for corporations, youth sports teams, and area residents through our dining options.” Only minutes from Blue Hills Reservation and the Blue Hills Ski Area, guests can enjoy a hike or hit the slopes locally. Proximity to the Blue Hills Country Club, Wollaston Golf Club, and other popular wedding venues offers a convenient and luxurious location for wedding parties. “Interest has been strong before our doors officially opened,” said Heidi Tessler, Director of Sales, Hilton Garden Inn Boston Canton. “We are excited to welcome several wedding parties, bridal showers, golf tournament participants and corporate meetings in July and August. Hilton Garden Inn Boston Canton boasts a 60-foot bar and open-concept restaurant. The restaurant serves breakfast and dinner. As the hotel forms a connection with the local brewers association, dining options will evolve over time to include local craft brews. Along with an open-concept lobby and restaurant, the hotel’s design pays homage to the history of Canton. Throughout the hallways and dining rooms, one will find abstract artwork that highlights the important landmarks of Canton, including Town Hall, downtown Canton and the Canton Viaduct, which, according to the American Society of Civil Engineers, is believed to be the second-oldest multiple-arch masonry viaduct in the United States. The hotel also features an indoor pool and 24-hour fitness center, complete with cardio machines and dumbbells. Large windows separate the two spaces, allowing for easy supervision if groups are split among the two spaces. The hotel features 135 guest rooms, five private dining/meeting rooms, and an event space with a large projector screen. All private dining rooms open to the courtyard where guests can enjoy cocktails around the fire pit with live music. There is one, one-bedroom suite on each floor of the four-floor hotel, perfect for bridal parties or other special occasions. Amenities in each room include a flat-screen TV, single-cup coffee maker, microwave, mini-fridge, and three-prong outlets and USB ports to charge electronics. Hilton Garden Inn Boston Canton and Roedel Companies looks forward to hosting a grand opening event in late summer or early fall to formally celebrate with the community and unveil its restaurant

Create: Jul 28, 2021 Edit: Jul 28, 2021 International News

Cycas Hospitality Opens Hyatt Place London City East

Hyatt Place London City East, the third Hyatt Place hotel in London, is officially open, expanding the Hyatt Place brand’s footprint globally in markets that matter most to guests and World of Hyatt members. The new hotel features the Hyatt Place brand’s intuitive design, casual atmosphere and practical amenities, such as free Wi-Fi and 24-hour food offerings. Hyatt Place London City East is managed by Cycas Hospitality. Because Hyatt’s efforts are grounded in listening and fueled by care, Hyatt Place hotels combine style, innovation and 24/7 conveniences to create an easy to navigate experience for today’s multi-tasking traveler. The property is located a short walk from Liverpool Street and close to some of the capital’s most important cultural and artistic highlights, including Brick Lane, Spitalfield’s Market, and the Tower of London. Hyatt Place London City East offers guests a stylish place where they can be productive in a laid-back and casual environment. “With its central location and stylish design incorporating local art links, we’re confident the Hyatt Place concept will prove as popular with those enjoying a short break in the capital as it will with anyone traveling on business,” said Michael Mason-Shaw, general manager Hyatt Place London City East. “Above all, we look forward to introducing more people to the casual yet practical atmosphere associated with the Hyatt Place brand.” Hyatt Place London City East offers: 280 spacious guestrooms with separate spaces to sleep, work and play; many of the guestrooms feature their own private terrace and/or city skyline viewsBreakfast Bar with locally inspired breakfast options every morning in the form of a casual yet elevated buffetPocketsquare Skyline Bar and Terrace serving a perfectly curated cocktail and beverage menu that can be enjoyed with uninterrupted views of London’s iconic skylineZoom Restaurant providing a range of responsibly sourced global and local cuisineThe Market serving freshly prepared meals anytime, day or nightThe Bar featuring specialty coffees and premium beers, as well as wines and cocktailsNecessities program for forgotten items that guests can buy, borrow or enjoy for freeFree Wi-Fi throughout hotel and guestroomsTwo flexible event spaces each offering flexible, high-tech meeting/function space for up to 20 guestsFitness Center featuring cardio equipment with LCD touchscreens“London is a vibrant city, filled with friendly people, great neighborhoods, and an ever-expanding list of great places to visit and things to do or see,” said Wayne Androliakos, Chief Operating Officer, Cycas Hospitality. “Our hotel is central to all of them, and we are confident that the Hyatt Place London City East will exceed guest expectations while providing them with everything they need while exploring the Capital.” HYATT PLACE LONDON CITY EAST LEADERSHIP Hyatt Place London City East is under the leadership of Michael Mason-Shaw, General Manager, Director of Operations Pino Dispinseri, and Director of Sales Silvia Abreu. In his role, Michael is directly responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the hotel, including overseeing the hotel’s approximately 45 associates and ensuring guests encounter the thoughtful service for which the Hyatt Place brand is known. Dispinseri oversees the day-to-day activities and ensures the highest level of service is provided to each guest. Abreu is responsible for providing sales service and support to travelers and meeting planners frequenting the London area.

Create: Jul 7, 2021 Edit: Jul 7, 2021 International News

Hilton Garden Inn Brand Debuts in Jakarta, Indonesia

Hilton (NYSE: HLT) today announced the opening of its seventh hotel in Indonesia, the 168-room Hilton Garden Inn Jakarta Taman Palem. Launching as the first hotel under Hilton’s focused service brand, Hilton Garden Inn, in Indonesia’s capital city of Jakarta, the hotel is owned by the Agung Sedayu Group company and managed by Hilton. “I am thrilled to welcome Hilton Garden Inn Jakarta Taman Palem to our growing Indonesia portfolio as the second hotel to open in the country this year on the back of the launch of our first hotel in Surabaya. These openings demonstrate the positive growth potential we continue to see in the market and our commitment to bringing our world-renowned brands to key destinations while making a positive impact on the communities we operate in,” said Paul Hutton, vice president, operations, South Earth Asia, Hilton. “When travel returns in the longer term, I am confident Hilton Garden Inn Jakarta Taman Palem will offer both domestic and international travelers to Jakarta a fresh, welcoming experience that will elevate the levels of hospitality in the city.” Hilton Garden Inn Jakarta Taman Palem is located in the heart of West Jakarta’s central business district and a short 20-minute drive from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. Connected to Green Sedayu Mall which features a range of retail outlets, restaurants and bars and entertainment options, the hotel is also a short 10-minute drive to the residential area of Pantai Indah Kapuk which is locally renowned for its vibrant nightlife. “With more than 900 hotels in 50 countries and territories around the world, Hilton Garden Inn has one of our largest number of hotels within the Hilton portfolio. Whether they are traveling on business or leisure, our guests enjoy consistently modern accommodation and facilities that are complemented by the warm hospitality they receive at each and every one of our hotels delivered by our team members. I am delighted to see the brand enter yet another tier one city in the region and have every confidence it will be top of mind for guests when they feel comfortable and confident to travel again,” said Jenny Milos, vice president, Focused Service and All Suites Brands, Asia Pacific, Hilton. MODERN ACCOMMODATION AND FACILITIES Hilton Garden Inn Jakarta Taman Palem features 168 freshly-designed guest rooms and suites, all of which come with a 43-inch high-definition television, mini-fridge, convenient USB charging ports, a dedicated work desk, a walk-in shower, and bath amenities from CrabTree and Evelyn. The hotel also features King Family Suites ideal for travelers with young families who would enjoy the separate bedroom curated specially for kids and fitted with a vibrant bed frame and play furniture. During the stay, guests can enjoy a variety of amenities and services, including complimentary WiFi throughout the hotel, a 24-hour fitness center with an outdoor swimming pool, business center, guest laundry and convenient room delivery service. FOOD AND BEVERAGE OPTIONS The hotel features two food and beverage options: The Garden Grille: an all-day-dining restaurant serving up authentic à la carte local and international specialties;The Shop: a 24-hour convenience store offering a variety of snacks and beverages MEETINGS & EVENTS With a delightfully spacious foyer and eight multi-purpose function rooms boasting natural lighting and state-of-the-art audiovisual technology, Hilton Garden Inn Jakarta Taman Palem is well-equipped to meet the needs of guests looking to hold formal business meetings, host social events and weddings of up to 700 attendees. The hotel also implements Hilton CleanStay and Hilton EventReady with CleanStay, ensuring a clean and safe experience for guests during their stay without compromising the hospitality Hilton is known for. Hilton Garden Inn Jakarta Taman Palem is part of Hilton Honors, the award-winning guest-loyalty program for Hilton’s 18 world-class brands. Members who book directly through the preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits, including a flexible payment slider that allows members to choose nearly any combination of Hilton Honors Points and money to book a stay, free standard Wi-Fi, and an exclusive member discount that can’t be found anywhere else.

Create: Jul 7, 2021 Edit: Jul 7, 2021 International News

Hakim Mosque: a hidden gem to visit in Isfahan

The lesser-known Hakim Mosque is a visually stunning monument in Isfahan, which travelers can pay a visit to near the centuries-old bazaar of the central Iranian city. The elegant mosque is not only a house of worship but also a public building serving a multiplicity of uses. It is a gathering place for prayers five times a day, an Islamic college, and an emergency shelter for travelers. Built-in the mid-17th century during the reign of Shah Abbas II, the mosque is named after its constructer who was a physician (“Hakim” in Persian). The mosque has no monumental entry, but five different minor entries. Frequently, a mosque is also used as a shortcut for another destination beyond the place of worship. Although the penetration of the mosque walls may take many forms, the primary destination is always the same. It is a courtyard that can be called a monumental space. The mosque also contains amenities, such as washrooms and toilets, for public use. Isfahan has long been nicknamed as Nesf-e-Jahan which is translated into “half the world”; meaning seeing it is relevant to see the whole world. In its heyday, it was also one of the largest cities in the region with a population of nearly one million. The cool blue tiles of Isfahan's Islamic buildings, and the city's majestic bridges, contrast perfectly with the encircling hot, dry Iranian countryside. The huge Imam Square, best known as Naghsh-e Jahan Sq. (literary meaning “Image of the World”), is one of the largest in the world (500m by 160m), and a majestic example of town planning. Built in the early 17th century, the UNESCO-registered square is punctuated with the most interesting sights in Isfahan. Modern Isfahan is now home to some heavy industry, including steel factories and a nuclear facility on its outskirts, however, its inner core wants to be preserved as a priceless gem.

Create: Jul 7, 2021 Edit: Jul 7, 2021 Regional News

Accor Plans Q4 2021 Opening of Raffles the Palm Dubai

Accor, a world-leading augmented hospitality group with more than 600 hotels and resorts across India, Middle East, Africa and Turkey, is opening its first Raffles Resort in the Middle East, on the iconic Palm Jumeirah. Set to open in the last quarter of 2021, Raffles the Palm Dubai will be the first ultra-luxury addition to Accor’s existing diverse portfolio in Dubai. The group is partnering with Emerald Palace group (EPG), which has been successfully developing and constructing residential projects in Ukraine, UAE and Russia since 1996. At present, EGP has 8 new developments under construction, with a further 10 at project stage. “We are pleased to partner with Accor to establish the first Raffles resort in the Middle East. Our international expertise in developing and constructing hotel and residential projects combined with Accor’s knowledge, presence and prestigious brand portfolio set the grounds to open the best hotel in town!” mentioned Dr. Nver Mkhitaryan, Owner of EGP Group. Raffles the Palm Dubai will be situated within 100,000sqm landscape on the West Crescent of Palm Jumeirah, the world’s largest man-made island and archipelago. Its privileged location boasts panoramic sea views and vistas of the Dubai’s iconic skyline while offering a tranquil and private escape, just a short drive away from the city’s vibrant attractions. Once open, the resort will offer 389 luxurious rooms – starting from 65 sqm- , suites and villas, each of them featuring a balcony and terrace showcasing unparalleled sea views. Not only will this new property offer unrivalled hospitality, it will also go beyond expectations by providing the legendary Raffles butler service and offering eight new unique lifestyle food and beverage experiences. Guests looking to relax during their stay will be able to indulge in Cing Mondes Spa, an award winning 3,000sqm Parisian brand with an iconic design, never before seen in Dubai, featuring 23 treatments rooms and two private spa suites, as well as the city’s largest indoor swimming pool. Rising above the cobalt blue waters of the Arabian Gulf, the property is flanked by a 500 meter private white sand beach offering the perfect scene for an ultra-luxurious beach experience! Guests and residents will be introduced to a brand new concept beach club offering which will showcase Mediterranean cuisine, entertainment offerings and much more coming to the shores of the Raffles the Palm Dubai. When staying at the Raffles the Palm Dubai, one can expect discreet service, refined dining and artfully curated experiences, setting a new precedent in a city synonymous with pioneering hospitality. “This is a very exciting opportunity for us” says Mark Willis, CEO of Accor India, Middle East, Africa and Turkey. “There are very few beach resort plots left in Dubai and none on the Palm Jumeirah. The size of the property and its location perfectly lend itself to provide a prestigious address for the Raffles brand” With properties all around the world, each Raffles reflects the mood of its location while featuring a personality that is both intimate and luxurious and Raffles the Palm Dubai will be no exception. Guests will find themselves immersed in a luxurious urban sanctuary with sumptuous facilities, including a collection of eight dining offerings fit for royalty. Raffles frequent and novice guests will be introduced to some key elements of the Raffles brand, including the Raffles Patisserie, Writers Lounge and Library. Set to become the new “must-see” destination in Dubai, the property will undoubtedly meet the expectation of travelers from around the world. Guests looking for a private stay will be introduced to the private villas on the beach, while those travelling with family will enjoy world class amenities, including an outdoor swimming pool, a cinema, a dedicated children’s swimming pool and kids’ and teens’ club. Adventurous travelers can partake in a wealth of water sports and recreational activities such as paddle boarding, or take introductory courses in diving. “We are confident that the new Raffles will compete with world-class luxury hotels across the globe. While being located in Dubai, one of the most sought after cities in the world, Raffles will open its door to provide an unprecedented and exclusive level of luxury. From the private villas on the beach and array of dining offerings, to the expansive outdoor areas ideals for weddings and events, Raffles the Palm Dubai is all set to become a destination in itself!” adds Mark Willis, CEO of Accor India, Middle East, Africa & Turkey. Accor currently operates 410 properties (89,116 rooms) in India, Middle East, Africa and Turkey with 222 more (50,690 rooms) in the development pipeline.

Create: Jun 28, 2021 Edit: Jun 28, 2021 International News

IHG Signs With Asset World Corporation for Three Thailand Hotels

IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hospitality companies, is proud to announce the signing of three hotels in Thailand with long-standing partner Asset World Corporation (AWC), the country’s leading integrated lifestyle real-estate group. The multi-property agreement includes the new-build InterContinental Bangkok Chinatown – the first luxury hospitality development in the area – and two further projects in Chinatown and Pattaya, totalling 629 rooms. Rajit Sukumaran, Managing Director, South East Asia & Korea, IHG, said: “We’re excited to work with our long-standing partner Asset World Corporation to unveil these three outstanding properties across Bangkok and Pattaya. Together, they will provide an extraordinary luxury hospitality, retail and lifestyle experience for our guests. “InterContinental Bangkok Chinatown will be our third InterContinental hotel in Bangkok, and is the perfect choice for Verngnakornkhasem, one of the oldest neighbourhoods in the city. Meanwhile, we’re in advanced discussion with AWC regarding the brand positioning of the other two properties in our agreement, in Bangkok and Pattaya. “We plan to double our portfolio in Thailand in the next three to five years and these signings represent the strong growth momentum of IHG in Thailand and South East Asia. We look forward to working closely with AWC to expand their diverse hospitality and lifestyle offerings and bring our IHG family of brands to city and resort destinations throughout this wonderful country.” Wallapa Traisorat, Chief Executive Officer and President, Asset World Corporation (Plc), AWC, added: “AWC remains confident Thailand’s tourism industry has a strong future and will continue with its investments. “The expansion of our cooperation with IHG further diversifies our hospitality portfolio and allows us to deliver even more impressive experiences while meeting a wider array of customer demands, in turn bolstering the potential of Thailand’s tourism sector to expand its customer base. It will also deliver experiences that will attract tourists from across the globe who emphasise selection and international service standards.” “We’re delighted to partner with IHG Hotels & Resorts, who share our vision of bringing world-class destination concepts to Thailand. Signing an agreement with a world-class partner coincides with our quality development plan and we share a vision towards creating a better future through sustainable growth. This collaboration also reaffirms our dedication to playing a part in enhancing Thailand’s tourism competitiveness. Our projects will feature distinct architectural designs as well as impressive experiences while also generating value for their surrounding communities, society and the environment,” Wallapa further stated. “As the first luxury hospitality development in Chinatown, InterContinental Bangkok Chinatown is sure to instantly become an iconic landmark in Bangkok, while our other hotel in Chinatown will elevate the mixed used development project, and offer a fantastic lifestyle experience to our guests.” Set to open in 2027, the 332-room InterContinental Bangkok Chinatown hotel will be located within a vibrant mixed-use development in historic Verngnakornkhasem. It will feature two hotels, residences and a retail mall, including a 24-hour food centre on Charoen Krung Road. Combining the brand’s world-renowned reputation with the wonders of local culture, the hotel will feature three restaurants and bars, as well as a swimming pool, fitness centre and a vast 1,400 square metres of events and meeting space supplemented by eight private rooms. The mixed-use development will also boast the second property under this agreement – a 63-room lifestyle boutique hotel, converted from traditional four-storey shophouses to provide a stylish and authentic stay for visitors to the “Heritage of Asia City” Visitors will be spoilt for choice as they enjoy the biggest array of underground retail outlets in Bangkok, a heritage walk and an entertainment boulevard with space for festive celebrations and cultural performances. A new historical and cultural attraction – “The Golden Pagoda” – is under commission, as well as the construction of an entrance gate to welcome people into the history and culture inspiring destination. A short drive to Suvarnabhumi International Airport, the development is located close to popular tourist attractions including the Grand Palace, the shopping district, Sathorn and Silom. It will form part of the transformation of Verngnakornkhasem and ensure its status as a “must-visit” destination. Another boutique hotel under the agreement – will open in Pattaya in early 2024. Located within the Aquatique district, Pattaya’s first iconic lifestyle destination, it will be at the heart of a major lifestyle and entertainment complex featuring hotels, retail and dining outlets, and convention spaces. With 234 rooms and suites, the hotel will also feature restaurants, a rooftop bar, a swimming pool, spa and meeting rooms in excess of 670 square metres. The triple signing is part of a long-standing partnership between IHG and AWC to manage a portfolio of properties offering more than 1,200 rooms across Thailand, including the 306-room InterContinental Chiang Mai Mae Ping Hotel that will open in 2022. IHG and AWC are also exploring opportunities for the Kimpton brand, a design-led luxury boutique hotel with award-winning restaurants and bars, and heartfelt service in leading resort destinations within Thailand. Thailand continues to be a strong growth market for IHG, with 32 hotels across eight brands in the country and another 33 properties in the pipeline.The new signings are part of the company’s aim to grow its Luxury and Lifestyle portfolio in Thailand by 50%, as well as its estate, across all of its brands, in the country.

Create: Jun 23, 2021 Edit: Jun 23, 2021 International News

Don’t Discount the Theater of Cleanliness Just Yet

Cleanliness is not just about COVID-19 safety but also giving guests peace of mind through the presentation of visual cues that you are in fact abiding by the proper sanitization guidelines. Little things like a protective wrapper around the guestroom toilet seat or spraying down the lobby at peak hours instead of after midnight go a long way towards rebuilding traveler confidence. These are but two examples of what we coined as ‘cleanliness theater’ while others have deployed similar phrasing like ‘hygiene theater’ or ‘high-visibility cleaning’. Importantly, even as we transition out of the pandemic, this theater of cleanliness will continue to play a role, albeit unconscious but nevertheless emotional, towards guest satisfaction and brand loyalty for the decade ahead. The most salient consideration pertains to the marketing of cleanliness, both onsite for satisfaction and during the booking phase. For this, we argue that the theater takes precedent over the actual strictness of sanitization techniques deployed in the buyer’s decision-making process. That is, from a psychological standpoint, this theater – more specifically, visual cues symbolizing good cleanliness practices – serves as a heuristic or mental shortcut to indicate that you are taking the matter seriously so that the prospective guest can check the COVID-19 safety box and move on to other considerations like location, price, in-room features and onsite amenities. Given that heuristics favor the theater over the BOH production, hoteliers should thus rethink how they leverage all their new sanitization SOPs for their marketing efforts. Stated differently, highly visible theater will give guests a quick reference point to heighten their confidence so that they make a reservation at your property versus others in your comp set, as well as recommend your hotel to others once they depart. Besides the listing of various cleanliness badges on your website and in your newsletters, one such idea is to recruit a ‘clean ambassador’. This could be a new job title linked to the front desk or concierge, or the responsibility could be given to the executive housekeeper, helping move this vital BOH role into the limelight plus the same as the executive chef position has over the past two decades. As an aside, before the pandemic we often joked that the executive housekeeper was the most important role at a hotel because any guestroom cleaning infractions would cause umbrage on TripAdvisor and potentially cause thousands of dollars in lost revenue from a single bad review. What’s funny is that, even prior to the coming of the coronavirus, the average hotel room was astronomically cleaner than the average person’s house. And yet, with the pandemic forcing us all to up our game, perhaps it’s time that executive housekeepers finally get the recognition they deserve. In any case, to express your cleanliness in a theatrical manner to help reinvigorate your property for Q3 and Q4 2021, one other idea is to produce a quick video hosted by your clean ambassador who would then check in on the room attendants, laundry workers, wait staff or bellhops to ensure they were staying safe. Such a video might also include B-roll of new COVID-19 signage, custodians using electrostatic sprayers in the corridors, disinfecting mobile devices with UV-C, or happy guests traversing the lobby while wearing masks and following physical distancing markers on the floor. Static photos telling a similar story can also work. The overall lesson here is that, with cleanliness staying top-of-mind for hotels and travelers for the next few years at least, you need to think differently in terms of how your brand to the world. Hygiene in and of itself doesn’t pluck at the heartstrings of your target audience, but the heuristic of hygiene does.

Create: Jun 13, 2021 Edit: Jun 13, 2021 Housekeeping

Using an On-Demand Worker Platform to Thrive When Groups Return

When are groups coming back? This is undoubtedly a question on many hoteliers’ minds, but perhaps the better question is, how are you going to manage operations when they do come back? Right now, the industry is narrowly focused on two central issues – the post-pandemic surge in leisure guests (as epitomized by the concept of ‘revenge travel’) and the labor shortages resulting from so many furloughed staffers permanently leaving the industry (amongst other factors). Both of these matters not only influence the groups segment, but also compound many of their underlying problems. To help navigate the impact of these two issues to realize big revenue gains from the upcoming return of groups, we recruited Steve Anevski, CEO and Co-Founder of Upshift (www.upshift.work), an on-demand staffing platform with the backing of Recruit Holidings (parent company of Indeed). The company has experienced tremendous growth in the past two quarters, particularly as Upshift’s ability to properly vet then deliver high quality shift workers gives hotels the assurance they need to effectively facilitate events once more Revenge Travel for Groups To the first of these concerns, the psychology of revenge travel, in combination with general stir-craziness and what’s dubbed ‘mortality salience’, will compel a tremendous swarm of newly confident leisure guests to venture forth come Q3 2021 based on current vaccination rates and governmental decrees. As we discussed with Anevski, these same compulsions, however, will invariably lead to a swell in groups, albeit following a different pattern than what comprised group travel in 2019. While we can all look enviously at the sold-out rock concerts and rugby matches in Australia, the large-scale, international MICE happenings of yesteryear will take some time to properly come back for the rest of the world. Yet right now, discussions amongst friends of colleagues are already taking place along the lines of, “Hey, we’re all vaccinated now and they’re saying it’s safe to gather in small groups, so let’s start planning something for this fall because we all haven’t seen each other in a long time.” This may not yet be revealed by travel search inquiries or, say, a year-over-year increase in total RFPs for a given territory, but we can nevertheless infer how groups will return. In lieu of conventions, companywide town halls and 200-or-more attendee receptions, think intimate weddings, family reunions, hub-and-spoke hybrid meetings and senior level-only corporate retreats. Importantly, because of the spontaneousness that underpins revenge travel, these smaller group bookings will have vastly shorter lead times from inquiry and contract to actual event date.Managing the Nightmare of Upcoming Events So, let’s list off all the problems that a hotel may encounter in trying to rebuild its group segment in Q3 and Q4 2021: Smaller groups, meaning more management time required to negotiate all of these at the same time then juggle room blocks and coordinate all specific requirements Dire shortages of shift-based labor caused in large part by people leaving the industry as a direct result of the pandemi Drastically shorter lead times for event bookings as groups opt to rush back with something in the near-term and release that pent-up demand New SOPs related to COVID-19 safety, compounding each group’s specific requirements and mandating more team training Inability to bring back many full-time, fixed-cost employees due to the increased carrying debt from a disastrous 2020, the still-depressed revenue on the books and an inability to accurately forecast the shape of an individual hotel’s occupancy recovery Together, these five factors can make hosting an event a nightmare to effectively render (and create a slew of financial headaches if an event isn’t rendered properly) or outright untenable for some properties. To respond to these market conditions, hotels must remain nimble and recruit labor on an as-needed basis much like how revenue managers yield rates in the face of compression. Labor Tech to the Rescue Maintaining a mostly variable labor force in name of being able to accept group bookings creates a critical problem in terms of how to source and motivate these shift workers. That’s where new-age platforms like Upshift come in, where many veteran banquet workers, as Anevski pointed out, have already signed up so that they are more visible and available for hire on-demand. For 2019 and earlier, variable labor demands were addressed by temp agencies. Like so many other aspects of business, though, the pandemic has brought to light the inherent fallacies of these third parties. Notably, temp accountability was always suscept; hotels would receive workers of questionable training and demeanor, and without the ability to validate quality ahead of a given shift. Often, properties would get temps arriving late, entering the FOH entrance instead of BOH, wearing the incorrect uniform, showing up ‘under the weather’ or failing to review the necessary instructions prior to the start of a shift. With the pandemic acting as a proverbial gun to hoteliers’ heads towards the adoption of new platforms to help build a contactless and more personalized guest experience, the legacy issue of putting up with the inadequacies of temp agencies can likewise be solved through a deeper reliance on technology. First is the ability to better manage labor for the coming groups surge and the issue shorter lead times by giving a hotel immediate access to a larger pool of possible hires. Concurrent to this, HR departments would get a palpable productivity boost by using an online portal instead of the old school, paper-and-pen method. Above all, the benefit worth reemphasizing is the heightened accountability. For example, Upshift goes about this through a meticulous prescreening and background check process, combined with a third-strike policy of banning any temp for life from the app should they receive negative feedback three times from a hotel employer. The talent that we have found through Upshift has been outstanding, and it has really allowed us to be proactive as demand continues to shift,” said Chris Cano, General Manager for Columbia Sussex Management. “The transparency, flexibility and financial control I gain through the platform is unique and has been instrumental in controlling costs as we rebound from 2020.” Despite the narrowing of lead times that hotels may see for upcoming groups, the rule still applies that meetings and events are most likely to be initiated internally by planners a full quarter ahead of the desired date. As such, the time to start aligning your property with a wholly digital method of streamlining your temp workers is now. Just as the time to realign operations in advance of the leisure travel surge was this past winter, consider how you plan to pivot for the return of groups later this year. In this sense, using an on-demand labor platform like Upshift will help you to more effectively service any events you get as well as give your team more confidence in its ability to manage groups to help you win more business in the first place.

Create: Jun 13, 2021 Edit: Jun 13, 2021 Waiter

How a Guest-Centric PMS Can Help Hotels Win in the Face of a Labor Crunch

HNI, [۲۶.۰۵.۲۱ ۱۱:۴۱]Hotel technology exists to amplify, not burden, a hotel’s guest experience. Truly guest-centric technology should empower hoteliers to deliver their unique and ideal version of the guest experience. But great hotel technology should not only be guest-focused, it must also be management-focused, by helping hotels scale their business, and staff focused by facilitating operations, streamlining communications, and promoting employee productivity. In the face of a post-pandemic labor crunch, hotels need a mobile and guest-centric PMS to support a lean staff as they look to meet an uptick in travel demand. 2021 Will See the Hospitality Industry Roaring Back… But Hiring Still Lags BehindThe COVID-19 pandemic was devastating for hospitality, setting the industry back over 10 years in terms of occupancy and job losses. According to the ALHA, the pandemic cost the U.S. hospitality industry over 50% occupancy, and over 3.1 million jobs. The good news, however, is that the industry is on the verge of a major recovery. Rising vaccination rates, coupled with rapidly falling case numbers have led to an increase in confidence with the traveling public. According to Destination Analysts,confidence in travel safety is increasing, with over 61.8% of American respondents confident that the pandemic situation will continue to improve, and over 72% of the respondents making travel plans in the previous week. This rising optimism is being seen in job reports indicating that the hospitality sector gained over 331,000 jobs in April 2021 一 the sixth largest gain in the past 50 years. Unfortunately, these gains may not be enough. U.S. hotels are still 600,000 workers short of pre-pandemic levels, but workers don’t seem to be filling the vacancies. This can be attributed to a number of factors, including widespread health concerns, difficulty obtaining childcare, and the recent rise in federal unemployment benefits. The question for hotels is how can they leverage technology to support a lean staff, get new staff up to speed quickly, and help their current employees better engage with and serve their guests, without the burden of physical or technological constraints. PMS Technology Should be Intuitive, Mobile, and Unburden StaffHoteliers joined the hospitality industry because they delight in serving their guests 一 not because they wanted to fight with outdated technology. If hotels want to retain high-performing employees, they should invest in technology that actively empowers them to deliver an exceptional guest experience. What does it mean to have a staff-focused PMS? On the most basic level, PMS platforms should be intuitive and easy to use, and never burden employees when serving their guests. When technology is delivered through an intuitive user interface, hoteliers can spend less time buried in their screens, and more time actively engaging with their guests. Additionally, mobile & guest-centric PMS technology should promote maximum ease of access. Hoteliers should be able to manage their property from any location and device, giving them the freedom to move about the hotel and meet guests wherever they are. This allows staff to have more natural and personalized interactions with their guests, while also freeing any staff member, no matter their specific job title, to help any guest in any section of the hotel. Easy-to-Train On Systems Enable Hotels to Expand their Talent PoolPMS platforms should be easy to train on and easy to master. When technology is easier to understand, hotels can hire staff based on how they actually interact with guests 一 not how well they “get” outdated technology. When a new staff member is hired, it should be easier to train and onboard them to the new technology, thereby increasing adoption throughout your team. HNI, [۲۶.۰۵.۲۱ ۱۱:۴۱]When investing in new PMS technology, hoteliers should also explore what resources the vendor offers in terms of staff training and support. The right PMS technology vendor will view its relationship with its clients as a long-term strategic partnership, and will make sure its clients’ staff have the resources they need to get the most out of their product. Look for a dedicated implementation team, with the option for either in-person or remote implementation, as well as a dedicated client success manager (CSM), who can act as the customer’s voice within the organization. The right PMS vendor will provide robust self-training resources, including a comprehensive product knowledge base, on-demand e-learning courses, and best practice materials which demonstrate how to use the product to enhance the guest journey and operational efficiencies. Mobile Communication Can Streamline Operations and Improve Staff MoraleBreakdowns in team communication can easily lead to breakdowns in team morale. When hoteliers communicate with walkie-talkies and landline telephones, critical information can get lost in the shuffle, resulting in dissatisfied guests and frayed team dynamics. A mobile, guest-centric PMS can streamline staff and guest communications in a number of ways: Instant room updates automatically notify front desk staff when a room is ready or out of order, while analytic dashboards can keep your entire staff updated on key performance metrics. For more sophisticated forms of communication, native-cloud PMS systems can integrate with third-party guest messenger platforms. Guest messaging delivers seamless communication throughout the guest journey using common messaging platforms such as SMS, Facebook Messenger or WeChat. This allows guests to communicate instantly with staff through their mobile device, while also allowing staff members to serve multiple guests through multiple chat windows. Use Advanced Automation to Get the Most Out of a Limited Staf The hospitality industry is facing increased travel demand and heightened expectations for cleanliness and service, as it moves into the peak 2021 summer travel season. Unfortunately, they are still hampered by limitations in resources and staff size. By incorporating robust automation, a mobile PMS can help hotels get the most out of limited staff, while also freeing hoteliers from many of the mundane, repetitive tasks that take them away from their guests. A native-cloud PMS can automate simple but repetitive tasks such as room assignment, bulk check-in, and housekeeping task management. But it can also automate more advanced processes 一 like the entire check-in experience. Guests can have the option of checking in through their mobile device or a guest-facing smart kiosk. Mobile self check-in can not only streamline and personalize the check-in experience for guests, it can free hotel staff from engaging in repetitive and scripted dialogues during the check-in process. This self check-in option can also include automated targeted offers for amenities and room upgrades, giving the hotel an additional stream of ancillary revenue. Instead, they can focus on more natural and personalized interactions, like answering questions about dining options, or greeting guests with tea or champagne in the lobby. Great Technology Should Empower Great HoteliersIn order to succeed in the post-pandemic hospitality market, hotels have to deliver exceptional and personalized service on a limited staff. Therefore, it’s crucial that they invest in technology which is not only guest-centric but staff-centric as well. A mobile, guest-centric PMS delivers on both of these goals, by leveraging a system that is easy to use and easy to learn, while facilitating both staff communication and streamlined operations. Great technology should empower both hoteliers and their employees to deliver the best guest experience possible. And a guest-centric PMS can help them do just that.

Create: May 26, 2021 Edit: May 26, 2021 Hotel Management