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Hotels Are Slowly Recouping Business, But When Will the Corporate Guest Return

Hotels Are Slowly Recouping Business, But When Will the Corporate Guest Return

Predicting the return of corporate travel would be a cinch if foretelling the future was foolproof. No one, however, has that extraordinary prescience and even if they did, the future is, at best, murky. The continuing popularity of work-from-home arrangements, the COVID-19 induced reluctance of both individuals and companies to get back out on the road, and issues throughout the travel supply chain are all converging to create a less-than-hospitable environment for individual business travelers. “Before you get corporate travel back, you have to get people back to the office,” said Daniel Lesser, President and CEO of LW Hospitality Advisors. “It’s going to be a bit of a slog, at least until Labor Day.” Among the short-term problems, he continued, is airline flight capacity. “A lot of it will have to do with air lift. Carriers are being careful about yield management,” he said. However, Lesser added, “The summer is going to be phenomenal [for leisure travel] but the rubber will hit the road after in terms of group and corporate business.” Shifting BusinessLWHA’s COO and Principal Evan Weiss sees an even more dramatic delay on the horizon. “At the beginning, I thought the recovery would come first with leisure business, then leisure group, corporate transient and then corporate group,” he said. “But there’s been a paradigm shift. Companies now can cut back their travel by, for example, having two in-person board meetings and two on Zoom.” He continued, “After leisure, which is certainly back, we’re thinking corporate groups will be next to come back, and then corporate transient business.” That creates problems for hoteliers. In the U.S., the corporate average room rate in February 2020—the last full month before the coronavirus squeezed the life out of most of the global hotel industry—was $175.15. A year later, it stood at $111.03, down 35.6% year-over-year, according to HotStats data. In Europe, in February 2021, the corporate rate was €77.30, down 35.2% YOY. Meanwhile, in China, corporate travel didn’t have the dramatic swoon seen in other parts of the world. Its lowest point was in April 2020, when the corporate rate hit $65.65, a 24.8% YOY decline. As of April 2021, the $73.03 corporate rate was up 11.2% on the year prior, but still 16% lower than April 2019. The absence of corporate travel is equally disadvantageous since road warriors are typically higher-spending guests than their leisure counterparts. “Corporate folk pay at the last minute, then they book the Ritz-Carlton, and they’re often the ones who drink the most. If you lose that, it’s problematic,” Weiss said. But Chris Green, CEO of third-party management company Chesapeake Hospitality, has a rosier outlook on the return of corporate, framing it in the context of the domino effect. “Once a big player like Bank of America or Deloitte says ‘As long as you’re vaccinated and feel comfortable, you can travel,’ then it’s off to the races,” he said. “I believe companies will say ‘If you’re in a client-facing role, you have to get out there.’” Still, some timid travelers could remain skittish if they don’t feel safe and comfortable back at a hotel, Green noted, meaning properties must get the word out on the extraordinary efforts being taken to keep COVID-19 at bay. To do so, Chesapeake is “asking key questions about traveler confidence and experience and then using responses in sales and marketing presentations,” said Green. The company also is encouraging guests to share their experiences on travel-review sites. “We’re cleaner, safer and more sanitized than we’ve ever been,” Green said. “That needs to be the front-facing message because companies must feel certain that the hotels where they’re putting travelers are good citizens.”

Create: May 25, 2021     Edit: May 25, 2021     Hotel Management
BENCHMARK® Adds Bermuda’s Historic Cambridge Beaches Resort & Spa to Expanding Portfolio of Leisure & Incentive Travel Properties

BENCHMARK® Adds Bermuda’s Historic Cambridge Beaches Resort & Spa to Expanding Portfolio of Leisure & Incentive Travel Properties

BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, today announces the addition of Bermuda’s Cambridge Beaches Resort & Spa to its international collection of resorts, hotels, and conference centers. The 90-year-old resort becomes the first property the management group will operate in the British territory widely known for its pink sand beaches and turquoise waters. “The addition of Cambridge Beaches Resort & Spa to the Benchmark family marks an exciting milestone for our team: we prepare to operate our first resort in this legendary destination,” said Benchmark CEO Alex Cabañas. “Benchmark is thrilled to partner with Cambridge Beaches’ new ownership, Dovetail + Co, as we work together to elevate this notable property.” Located on Bermuda’s West End, Cambridge Beaches Resort & Spa spans a private 20-acre peninsula surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and Mangrove Bay. The property’s footprint includes 86 cottage-style suites that boost individual outdoor spaces, while select accommodations feature private plunge pools with views of the Atlantic Ocean. Four beach areas and a waterfront swimming pool offer guests a variety of options for oceanside lounging, and an on-site, five-acre ornamental garden showcases the tranquility of the destination. Spa lovers can indulge at Cambridge Beaches’ 10,000-square-foot Ocean Spa that is home to an indoor swimming pool, hot tub, and fitness center. The resort’s multiple dining venues appeal to a range of palates, with a selection that reaches from causal poolside fare to elevated cuisine. Additional amenities include tennis courts, a putting green, croquet lawn, marina, and a watersports hub. Cambridge Beaches originally opened 90 years ago as Bermuda’s first cottage-style accommodations, although some buildings date back to the 1600s, shortly after the island’s discovery in 1609. Today, the resort remains a go-to for travelers from around the globe. As Cambridge Beaches transitions under its new ownership and management, the property will see updates to its rooms and public spaces and a refined guest experience

Create: May 22, 2021     Edit: May 22, 2021     International News
Peachtree Hotel Group Completes Multimillion-Dollar Renovation of Hampton Inn Baltimore

Peachtree Hotel Group Completes Multimillion-Dollar Renovation of Hampton Inn Baltimore

Peachtree Hotel Group (“Peachtree”) has completed a $5.3 million renovation of the Hampton Inn by Hilton Baltimore-Downtown Convention Center. The property-wide renovation of the 8-story, 126-room hotel featured a complete modernization of all guestrooms, public spaces and exterior settings. The hotel, operated by Peachtree Hospitality Management (“PHM”), a division of Peachtree, is located at 550 Washington Blvd. Peachtree acquired the property in 2019 due to its irreplaceable location in downtown Baltimore. The hotel is conveniently located across the street from Oriole Park at Camden Yards and adjacent to the Baltimore Convention Center. The hotel is also a short walk from the University of Maryland Medical Center, M&T Bank Stadium, home of the Baltimore Ravens, and the Horseshoe Casino Baltimore. “We are pleased with the improvements to the Hampton Inn, making it the most recently renovated hotel in the area,” said Patrick Short, president of PHM. “The top-to-bottom renovations were designed to meet the exacting demands of today’s business and leisure travelers.” The guestroom refurbishments focused on adding comfortable seating, enhanced lighting, contemporary artwork and room furnishings, and new televisions. The guest bathroom renovations included modern vanities and tub-to-shower conversions. To enhance the guest arrival experience, the hotel has new furniture, flooring, contemporary artwork and a reimaged front desk. The exterior setting was enhanced with brickwork and painting, with upgrades to lighting and seating. The hotel also has an updated pool area, corridors, public restrooms, a meeting room and a fitness room with all new equipment. “We have taken great steps to improve the guest experience while ensuring our guests are comfortable with the level of cleanliness throughout the hotel,” Short said.

Create: May 19, 2021     Edit: May 19, 2021     International News
Intl. webinar to discuss ways to preserve Persepolis for future generations

Intl. webinar to discuss ways to preserve Persepolis for future generations

A host of experts will be discussing archaeological findings and the latest attempts for the conservation of the UNESCO-registered Persepolis for future generations. “In this webinar, experts and researchers in the fields of archaeology, conservation and restoration, archeology, linguistics, documentation, architecture and civil engineering, geology, biology, law, statistics, etc. will discuss and exchange views on the ancient Persepolis during a four-day international webinar, which starts on Sunday,” CHTN quoted the organizers as saying on Saturday. Archaeological achievements in the World Heritage site will be discussed on the first day of the conference while decades of conservation, restoration, documentation projects would be topics for the second day. On the third day, applied research on conservation and restoration, documentation will be scrutinized. Moreover, comprehensive conservation plans for the architecture and conservation of the site are set to be conferred on the last day of the event. 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 ruined royal city ranks among the archaeological sites which have no equivalent, considering its unique architecture, urban planning, construction technology, and art. Persepolis 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. 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: May 16, 2021     Edit: May 16, 2021     Regional News
Intl. travels fall by 80% in Iran due to coronavirus

Intl. travels fall by 80% in Iran due to coronavirus

The average of international travels to and from Iran fell by 80 percent during the past Iranian calendar year 1399 (ended on March 20, 2021) from a year earlier. “During this period, 4,343,163 passengers entered the country, which included 3,030,464 Iranian passengers and 512,699 international travelers,” Mehr quoted Arezou Ghaniun, an official with the Islamic Republic of Iran's Customs Administration, as saying on Saturday. “From the beginning of 1399 to the end of it, we saw a significant reduction in passenger traffic to the country or vice versa in land, sea, rail and air borders, which were caused by various coronavirus restrictions.” International tourist arrivals to Iran plunged 72% during the first eight months of the year when compared to 2019, according to data compiled by the World Tourism Organization. Restrictions on travel introduced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic continue to hit global tourism hard, with the latest data from the UNWTO showing a 70% fall in international arrivals for the first eight months of 2020. Iran, however, has experienced different rates of downfall for inbound passengers over the past months. In the first three months of 2020 (January, February, March), the tourism industry of the country recorded negative rates of 90, 92, and 94 percent, respectively, compared to the same period last year, according to the organization. The fall reached 96 and 97 percent in April and May. And in June, a negative 84% was recorded. But the interesting point in the statistics published by the World Tourism Organization is a steep slope of the improvement of Iran’s tourism arrivals during the last two months, as such growth has leaped 35% in July and August. Optimistic forecasts, expect the country would achieve a tourism boom after coronavirus contained, believing its impact would be temporary and short-lived for a country that ranked the third fastest-growing tourism destination in 2019. According to the newest UNWTO Barometer, international arrivals plunged 81% in July and 79% in August, traditionally the two busiest months of the year and the peak of the Northern Hemisphere summer season. The drop until August represents 700 million fewer arrivals compared to the same period in 2019 and translates into a loss of US$ 730 billion in export revenues from international tourism. This is more than eight times the loss experienced on the back of the 2009 global economic and financial crisis. “This unprecedented decline is having dramatic social and economic consequences, and puts millions of jobs and businesses at risk,” warned UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili. “This underlines the urgent need to safely restart tourism, in a timely and coordinated manner”. UNWTO’s Panel of Experts foresees a rebound in international tourism in the current year, mostly in the third quarter. However, some experts suggest the rebound could occur only in 2022. Travel restrictions are seen as the main barrier standing in the way of the recovery of international tourism, along with slow virus containment and low consumer confidence. The lack of coordinated response among countries to ensure harmonized protocols and coordinated restrictions, as well as the deteriorating economic environment, were also identified by experts as important obstacles for recovery. The Islamic Republic 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, Iran aims to increase the number of tourist arrivals from 4.8 million in 2014 to 20 million in 2025.

Create: May 16, 2021     Edit: May 16, 2021     Regional News
Marriott Debuts in Belize With Opening of Alaia Belize, Autograph Collection

Marriott Debuts in Belize With Opening of Alaia Belize, Autograph Collection

Calling all those looking to discover the outdoors and live with purpose, as owner and developer, Andrew Ashcroft, in partnership with Autograph Collection Hotels, announces the grand opening of the highly anticipated boutique resort – Alaia Belize, Autograph Collection. Spanning over 20+ acres and the first in San Pedro Town to sit on more than 1,000 feet of beachfront access, Alaia Belize is a 155-unit complex operating as the first true four diamond resort on Ambergris Caye. The eco-luxury development will be the first-ever Marriott International property in the country, upholding the high-quality standards of the brand and dynamic marks of the Autograph Collection – celebrating the founder’s passion, thoughtfulness of design, inherent craft and connection with the locale. “With deep family roots in Belize and the hidden gem being my home for over 20 years, I wanted to ensure that Alaia Belize captured the lively spirit, genuine hospitality and friendliness of the destination and locals. My team and I worked closely with the Marriott International team to bring it all to fruition and allow our future guests and owners an opportunity to immerse themselves into the Belizean culture,” said Andrew Ashcroft. “No detail went unnoticed as we wanted to ensure that our travelers will be able to experience a new level of luxury on one of the world’s most photogenic yet untapped destinations. We are now ready to show the world all that Alaia Belize has to offer and take the country to new heights.” Eco-Luxury Aesthetics Situated in the historic town of San Pedro – dubbed La Isla Bonita after the 1987 Madonna’s song about the island – Alaia Belize will allow hotel guests and residential owners to intimately connect with their surroundings as it was designed to stimulate all five senses. With interiors curated by renowned Brazilian designer Debora Aguiar, the boutique resort is meant to invite guests to touch, stay and feel connected to Mother Nature, from the warm and harmonious ambiance, woven textures, natural fibers and touches of greenery. The design-forward hotel features 155 guest rooms and suites, ranging from studios to three bedrooms, with a natural color scheme to complement the stunning oceanfront views. Seamlessly blending the indoor and outdoor settings, the rooms offer an average of 1,200 square feet indoors and almost 900 square feet in open air, per unit. On the residential end, Alaia Belize is comprised of 71 stylish studios, two- and three-bedroom condominiums and eight oceanfront villas. Owners who don’t live full-time in Belize can opt their condominiums or villas into a rental program booked through Marriott International’s reservation system and allow guests to live with a backdrop of deep blue waters. With exterior designs led by International Environments, the branded development features vertical green walls, specialty textured walls and crystal-clear glass windows to not interrupt any views of the tranquil Caribbean Sea and wild tropical foliage. Autograph Collection Hotels advocates for the original, championing the individuality of each of its 200+ independent hotels located in the most desirable destinations across more than 30 countries and territories. Each hotel is a product of passion and a personal realization of its individual founder’s vision, making each hotel singular and special:  Exactly Like Nothing Else. Hand-selected for their inherent craft and distinct perspectives on design and hospitality, Autograph Collection hotels offer rich immersive moments that leave a lasting imprint. First of its Kind Experiences Raising the luxury bar in Belize, hotel guests and owners will have full access to first-of-its-kind amenities in the country, including Belize’s first-ever suspended rooftop pool and lounge with 360-degree views, the only luxury resort in Belize with a dive shop that also allows guests to receive a PADI certification onsite, K’in Spa & Wellness Center, a piano bar with a self-playing baby grand piano, kids’ club, adventure concierge, swimming pools with live DJs, branded golf carts and bicycles, and a live art gallery with local weavers, woodworkers and pottery makers to create custom handicrafts for guests to take a piece of Belize home with them. Catering to foodie travelers, Alaia Belize will have endless dining and bar options with five different concepts. Sea Salt will be the crown jewel of the property with fresh catches of the day, high-quality seafood and meat with a Belizean twist. For those looking to enjoy the tropical weather and gorgeous 360-degree views of the Caribbean Sea, Alaia will have a Vista Rooftop restaurant concept with small plate offerings, such as sushi, poke bowls and conch for lunch, dinner and late nights. The beachfront hotel will also have The Deck and Beach Bar restaurant for those looking for an open-air beachside lunch or dinner with local favorite dishes, such as tacos, ceviche, burgers, fish sandwiches, wraps, salads, pizza and classic cocktails. Alaia Belize will also have a Piano Bar to offer an upscale lounge setting for breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night with small pastries, cocktail snacks and high-end wine and cocktails offerings from Alaia’s very own mixologist. Lastly there is the The Terrace Bar for lunch and dinner with flavorful items, such as burgers, sandwiches, salads, ceviche and more. In true Belizean celebratory fashion, this area of the hotel will have a lively spirit with DJs and in-pools cabanas for a VIP experience. Un-Belize-Able Destination “My team and I had a chance to visit with Andrew Ashcroft at the Alaia Belize earlier this year, while the property was still under construction. I am pleased that the day has finally come to open the doors of this beautiful four-diamond resort on the island of Ambergris Caye. It is a great milestone for the team and the country, as it is a testament of our growth to see high-end brands like Autograph Collection from Marriott International migrating into Belize, elevating our travel scene,” said Hon. Anthony Mahler, Belize’s Minister of Tourism and Diaspora Relations. “The government is fully supportive of hotel developments and legacy projects such as Alaia Belize, and we are incredibly proud of all the positive steps the Belize tourism industry is making to restore the confidence in travel among our international visitors.” In October 2020, Belize officially reopened Philip Goldson International Airport to international visitors for leisure travel. As of January 2021, Belize moved on to Phase 4 of its reopening plan with the full reopening of the overnight tourism sector and allowing visitors to move around the country freely. In December 2020, Belize received a Safe Travel Stamp by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) in recognition of the country’s enhanced health and safety protocols. To uphold the certification, the Belize Tourism Board created the Tourism Gold Standard program to ensure that all hotels, restaurants and tour operators adapt and maintain health and safety policies, including sanitation practices, social interactions and standard operating procedures while ensuring minimal impact on the guest experience. Known as the hidden gem of Central America and Caribbean, Belize’s clear blue waters and Caribbean culture is home to endless historic offerings, a variety of adventures and a melting pot of cultures. Just moments away from Alaia, owners and visitors can experience more than 200 caves filled with several preserved Mayan Temples, including Xunantunich (the second tallest ruin in the country), lush jungles, rainforest canopies, and archaeological sites including the Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave. For those looking to take a deeper dive and explore the beauty of Belize’s natural underwater locations, Alaia is 600 meters away from the world’s second largest barrier reef and a few minutes away from the ultimate world-class and unrivaled destination – The Great Blue Hole. Ambergris Caye and Alaia Belize can be reached via Philip Goldson International Airport in Belize City. Then, travelers have to take a short 10-minute flight to San Pedro Airport or book tickets for a water taxi. Alaia Belize’s hotel concierge is available to help all guests book travel arrangements.

Create: May 8, 2021     Edit: May 8, 2021     International News
In a World of Mobile Lifestyles and Remote Working, What Role Will Hotels Play

In a World of Mobile Lifestyles and Remote Working, What Role Will Hotels Play

At a time when many of the world’s events continue to be plagued by COVID-19, making plans even a week in advance may seem difficult, much less 10 years into the future. Nearly overnight, the dialogue shifted from “where to for lunch?” to “can you hear me?”. And as hotels emptied out and travel restrictions drag on, many may wonder, where lies the future of hotels? To answer this question, it is first important to recognize that the hotel sector does not exist as an individual silo, but one which forms part of a much wider network: the ecosystem of how we live and work. The cities in which we live today are a reflection of how humans have shaped our environments to fit our social and economic needs. For generations, urban agglomeration had been the standard of cities, and central business districts (CBDs) thrived as we commuted between living in one area and working in another. Accordingly, hotels have typically focused on serving transient international or regional visitors, primarily playing one of two roles: a place to sleep and meet during our business travels, or a place of respite for our leisure getaways. Today, rising interest in (semi-) permanent remote working and a greater desire to live outside of high-density urban areas may signal yet another impending change in the way we live and work. Could deurbanization or decentralization continue on this trajectory – and what would that mean for hotels? In a Cushman & Wakefield webinar, Richard Pickering, Chief Strategy Officer, EMEA and Borivoj Vokrinek, Strategic Advisory and Head of Hospitality Research EMEA from Cushman & Wakefield, traced the paths of how our societies and hotels have evolved, from their very beginnings to where they could be in the future. Blast from the past: The evolution of travel, from immobile to transient lifestyles Since the early days of civilization, the structure of our society has dictated where we lay our heads every night. When humans lived in self-sufficient tribes and settlements, there was no need to travel or sleep anywhere other than in our own beds; while as society progressed, business travel dominated as merchants travelled for trade. And then, with higher disposable incomes, more free time, rising globalization and the internationalisation of trade, there came the birth of mass leisure and business travel. Clearly, humans have become increasingly mobile – and the advancement of technology will only continue to push us towards this trend. Similarly, the role of accommodation providers has also evolved immensely with our changing social and technological landscape. From being a place for shelter and food to becoming a place to meet and then emerging as a provider of experiences, hotels have always evolved alongside our society and the cities in which we live. In today’s context, our ‘social awakening’ has brought rising calls for better work-life balance and a heightened desire to travel and ‘unwind’. To perpetuate this image, hotels have taken on an additional role: a promoter of one’s social status, driven by the growing prevalence of social media. Yet, this evolution will not end there – with our growing mobility, the role of hotels will only continue to expand to meet our transient needs. “There’s no virtual pivot for hotels,” Pickering emphasized. As our society and cities continue to evolve, so will hotels. ‘The variable impact (of COVID-19) on different sectors’ – C&W Webinar Part 1 of 2: Evolution of our cities and what it means for real estate, presented by Richard Pickering. Note: The relative positionings are for illustration purposes only. Swimming against the current – the rise of remote working Our cities of today, however, have been far from perfect, in fact, some may even argue that urbanisation in the developed world has become a myth. “In city centres, centralized demand, when combined with scarce supplies, pushes up rents for businesses as well as housing costs. [Meanwhile,] increasing city sizes means increasing commute times, which reduces free time and worsens pollution – all while our creaking infrastructure amplifies the penalties of distance,” Pickering suggested. It is unsurprising, therefore, to see an increasing number of digital nomads who choose to forego homeownership entirely to traverse the world in search of the much-revered triple-threat ‘office spaces’: stable Wi-Fi, multiple charging points and good coffee. In fact, as Global Workplace Analytics estimates that 25-30% of the workforce will telecommute multiple days a week by the end of 2021, some argue that ‘working from home’ may eventually become ‘work from anywhere’. And with a number of hotels already offering ‘work from hotel’ packages or even subscription services, it is evident that hotels are well-placed to capitalize on this trend. Forward to the future: Super-commuters in a decentralized world. As the idea of remote working with occasional commutes to the workplace gains wider acceptance from both employers and employees, it seems that we are at the tipping point of a new emerging trend: super-commuting. Super-commuters live in one city or country while their office is in another, commuting between the two from time to time – and this will have implications for hotels. “In the future, if more of the workforce is living in remote areas, it is actually likely that they will use hotel accommodation more frequently [for the days that they do travel to the office],” Vokrinek explained. Importantly, increased remote working does not mean a lesser need for meetings and social interactions – rather, the contrary is most likely true. “Not only will employees be living further away and have fewer interactions amongst each other, but clients will also be living outside of cities. So, there would be a need for more structured [and deliberate] meetings, not only on an international scale, but locally and regionally as well – and that will drive demand for meeting facilities in hotels,” Vokrinek suggested. In fact, not only will the role of hotels evolve, but there will likely be a greater need for hotels in the smaller communities that will form in these areas where such super-commuters will typically work from. “Historically, those towns and places were probably mostly residential, with limited [interest from investors] and limited amenities. However, if people will be living in those local hubs on a regular basis and commute less to the central core office, there will be a need for amenities in those local hubs and this will include hotels. Of course, the demand will be softer, so the hotels will probably be smaller. They will need to be more flexible; most likely a hybrid concept within mixed-use developments, [but there will be a need for them”] explained Vokrinek. ‘Hotels within a new eco-system of workspaces’ – C&W Webinar Part 2 of 2: The role of hotels as cities evolve, presented by Borivoj Vokrinek. The who and the why? Towards a new kind of work-life balance Although the notion of such super-commuters forming a considerable proportion of our workforce seems to lie somewhere in the distant future, with the prevalence of low-cost airlines and the advancements of technology, experts speculated, as early as 2014, that there could already be hundreds of thousands of super-commuters worldwide. This decentralization of the workplace is likely to pick up not only because of our increased mobility and higher level of comfort with remote working, but also due to the attractive benefits it may bring to both employees and employers. As Pickering explained, “In a digitally enabled world where distance no longer matters, […] I see a real opportunity for employees to derive labour arbitrage and live a better life” – even taking a small pay cut from a London salary to work from the Greek island of Kefalonia could be well worth the trade-off”. On the flip side, employers may also realize that sourcing the best (and/or cheaper) talent will no longer be bound by geographical borders. And with higher pressure on costs, especially in the short-term, employers too may find themselves increasingly attracted to the lure of allowing super-commuting. The shift, not death of business travel Many soothsayers have begun lamenting the death of business travel, citing the rise of video conferencing and growing realization that not all meetings call for an 8-hour flight and 2-hour layover. However, while the increased usage of video conferencing will undeniably replace some business travel, especially in the short-term, it would be hasty to presume that this would necessarily lead to a significant decline in business travel in the long-term. Rather, as we become increasingly accustomed to living a mobile lifestyle and working remotely, this emerging form of business travel will likely broaden the opportunities for hotels, through catering to the needs of a more decentralized workforce and their clientele. As Vokrinek further suggested, “Some part of the demand will become more regular and predictable, and this will open opportunities for more membership or subscription concepts and increase the importance of loyalty programmes.” Despite the short-term challenges faced by the hotel industry, it is evident that the role of hotels has constantly expanded to meet the new needs of the times – and there is no reason to assume that this time will be any different. Our society is undoubtedly becoming ever more transient, spending more time outside of our homes. But even then, we will still need places to eat, sleep, work and relax. With the rise of remote working, we will likely crave physical interactions and seek places to meet with others more than ever before. Therefore, while the current pandemic has had an indescribable impact on the hotel sector, its long-term implication is that it has catalysed the evolution of how and where we live and work, with hotels destined to play a much bigger role in our increasingly mobile lifestyles and new work ecosystems.

Create: May 6, 2021     Edit: May 6, 2021     Hotel Management
Cambria Hotels Marks Expansion in Airport Markets With Orlando Debut

Cambria Hotels Marks Expansion in Airport Markets With Orlando Debut

Cambria Hotels, an upscale brand franchised by Choice Hotels International, Inc., continues its domestic expansion with the opening of the Cambria Hotel Orlando Airport. The five-story, 108-room hotel is the brand’s fourth property to open this year, joining the Cambria Hotel Fort Lauderdale Beach, Cambria Hotel Rock Hill – University Center and the Cambria Hotel Washington D.C. Capitol Riverfront, as it continues to add new locations throughout the U.S. in top-tier markets. Cambria Hotels is set to open two more airport-area hotels this year in Austin, Texas and Nashville, Tennessee. Located at 7986 South Conway Rd., the Cambria Hotel Orlando Airport is less than two miles from the Orlando International Airport and a short drive from world-famous theme parks like Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and SeaWorld. For travelers looking for a day on the water, Daytona Beach and Cocoa Beach are approximately one hour’s drive from the hotel. The Cambria Hotel Orlando Airport is also a 30-minute drive to the Orange County Convention Center and downtown Orlando’s numerous attractions, such as the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, the Amway Center, live entertainment, fine dining and breweries. Luxury and outlet shopping destinations, including The Florida Mall, Mall at Millenia and the Orlando International Premium Outlets, are just minutes from the hotel and collectively attract millions of visitors annually. “As more people are increasingly vaccinated and returning to travel, we’re working to give travelers even more Cambria hotels in their favorite destinations, where they can experience the local flavor of an area while being able to get outdoors, relax, work or unwind with our thoughtful upscale amenities. The debut of the Cambria Hotel Orlando Airport perfectly illustrates our expansion strategy, as Orlando is currently one of the most searched destinations for summer leisure flights,” said Janis Cannon, senior vice president, upscale brands, Choice Hotels. “We’re eager to add new hotels this year that connect our guests to their ideal markets across the nation, including Los Angeles and Napa, California; Austin, Texas; Louisville, Kentucky; and Nashville, Tennessee.” The Cambria Hotel Orlando Airport features upscale amenities and approachable indulgences that appeal to modern travelers, including: Relaxing outdoor pool and spacious patio with views of the nearby wetland conservation area.Multi-purpose indoor and outdoor spaces for productive work or relaxation.Locally inspired design décor, reflecting the unique personality of the surrounding community.Contemporary and sophisticated guest rooms, complete with design forward fixtures, abundant lighting and plush bedding, as well as airport runway and lake views.Immersive, spa-style bathrooms with Bluetooth mirrors.Onsite dining featuring freshly made food, local craft beer, wine and specialty cocktails, now also including to-go options.Multi-function meeting and event spaces.State-of-the-art fitness center. All Choice-branded hotels are participating in Commitment to Clean, an initiative that builds upon the strong foundation of franchisees’ long-standing dedication to cleanliness with enhanced training and best practices for deep cleaning, disinfecting and social distancing. Additionally, Cambria guests can limit their interactions with hotel staff by using the Cambria Contactless Concierge Service, a text messaging service for housekeeping requests, to-go food orders, meeting room requests and more. The Cambria Hotel Orlando Airport was developed by Green Stay Hospitality LLC, part of Reddy Hotels, Orlando, and construction and design were managed by Florida-based SMC Construction and MILES architecture group, respectively. There are currently over 55 Cambria hotels open across the U.S. in popular cities such as Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Nashville, Houston, and Phoenix, with 80 hotels in the pipeline.

Create: Apr 27, 2021     Edit: Apr 27, 2021     International News
Iran jumps two places in passport power global ranking

Iran jumps two places in passport power global ranking

Iran has moved up from 101st to 99th place with visa-free access to 42 countries around the world, Donya-e-eqtesad reported. Iran's visa-free access includes visas on arrival to the countries such as Azerbaijan, Qatar, Lebanon, Turkey, Armenia, Georgia, Oman, Syria (Middle East), Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Macau (China), Cambodia, Malaysia, and Nepal. The latest results, released by the Henley Passport Index, indicate that the gap in travel freedom is now at its largest since the index began in 2006, with Japanese passport holders able to access 167 more destinations than citizens of Afghanistan, who can visit only 26 destinations worldwide without acquiring a visa in advance. Japan firmly holds onto the number one spot. Holders of a Japanese passport have visa-free access to 193 destinations worldwide. Singapore is still in second place on the list with access to 192 destinations without needing a visa, and South Korea and Germany share third place with 191 visa-free destinations. Italy, Finland, Spain, and Luxembourg share fourth place, with Denmark, Austria, and Sweden sharing the fifth spot. Based on the index, the weakest passports which require the highest number of visas when traveling around the world are the passports of Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia, and Palestinian Territory. The novel coronavirus pandemic has brought travel to a standstill nearly all over the globe, including Iran, causing huge job and revenue losses. However, experts believe the impact of virus infection would be temporary and short-lived for the Islamic Republic, which ranked the third fastest-growing tourism destination in 2019. Iran is home to one of the world’s oldest continuous major civilizations, embracing settlements dating back to 4000 BC.

Create: Apr 26, 2021     Edit: Apr 26, 2021     Regional News
Concord Hospitality Plans June Opening of AC Hotel Columbus Downtown in Ohio

Concord Hospitality Plans June Opening of AC Hotel Columbus Downtown in Ohio

AC Hotel Columbus Downtown is slated to welcome its first guests in June. The property features a prime location that intersects the city’s bustling business district, Arena District and Short North Arts District. As part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of 30 extraordinary brands, developed by Continental Hospitality Group and managed by Concord Hospitality, the modern, 160-room urban property will be a premier getaway for leisure and business travelers looking to experience the best Columbus has to offer. “The opening of the AC Hotel Columbus Downtown is symbolic of our city’s cultural growth in recent years,” said General Manager Lisa Garner, who joined Concord Hospitality in 2017 to oversee two Marriott hotels that remain under her watch in addition to the soon-to-open property. “The arrival of a lifestyle brand like AC Hotels by Marriott® helps cement Columbus’ reputation as a cultural innovator and tastemaker on the beat of what is trending in dining, art and entertainment. I’m proud to lead this incredible team and excited to find creative ways to utilize the city’s key attributes to enhance our guest experience.” With a pulse on the artistic heartbeat of the city, the hotel encourages guests to experience the art, culture and culinary traits that have earned Columbus its reputation as “The Hippest City in the Midwest.” The property features an inviting lobby with purposeful design and curated artwork that gives room to collaborative, flexible spaces. Its 160 guest rooms and suites provide a seamless, thoughtful experience that harmoniously blends with the area’s vibrant surroundings. Guests can enjoy European-inspired breakfasts at the hotel’s signature AC Kitchen with warm butter croissants, artisan cured meats such as thinly sliced Italian prosciutto, an international selection of cheeses, as well as yogurts and cereals, seasonal fruits and local specialties. The contemporary hotel offers 2,400 square feet of private event space with floor-to-ceiling panoramic skyline views, and the AC Lounge® by Lumin SkyBar, which doubles as a communal space by day and a lively social hub by night. Overlooking Park Street with scenic sunset views, the refined rooftop experience will transport guests to evenings in Barcelona with a variety of Spanish-inspired tapas, local craft beers and hand-crafted cocktails, including a selection of signature gin tonics. The hotel offers easy access to numerous landmarks and attractions, including the Nationwide Arena, new Columbus Crew Stadium, Greater Columbus Convention Center, The Scioto Mile and more than 350 restaurants, bars and retail shops. It is just a 10-minute drive from John Glenn International Airport and within a half day’s driving distance of more than a dozen major U.S. cities. The property is helping its first guests fuel up for fun with a Summer Road Trip Package. Travelers who book between June 6 and August 22, 2021, will receive a $50 gas credit per night of their visit and complimentary nightly parking. “Given our strong roots and relationships in the Columbus area, we had the opportunity to unlock the AC Hotel Columbus Downtown’s irreplaceable location,” said David Kass, CEO of Continental Hospitality Group. “Together with our trusted partner Concord Hospitality, the most prolific operator in Columbus, the AC Hotel Columbus Downtown will be one of the most desirable destinations in the popular Arena and Short North districts.”

Create: Apr 24, 2021     Edit: Apr 24, 2021     International News
324 eco-lodge units come on stream in Kerman

324 eco-lodge units come on stream in Kerman

The director-general of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Department of Kerman province has said 324 eco-lodge units have been inaugurated in this province until the end of the past Iranian calendar year (March 19). In an interview with IRNA on Tuesday, Fereydoun Fa'ali added: "Last year, nine eco-lodge units were inaugurated, increasing the accommodation capacity of Kerman province. Also, 10 agreements in principle were issued to launch eco-lodge units." Referring to the efforts made to improve the quality of ecotourism services in the province, the official went on to say: "A short-term tourism course was held attended by 30 persons to empower local communities.” "Meanwhile, seven courses for the empowerment of tourism workers and five short-term tourism courses were held, in which 205 and 95 managers and employees of tourism facilities in this province attended, respectively", he continued. Building two hotels and an apartment hotel was one of the most important activities of the department in the last year, he said. “Moreover, 122,496 people visited tourist attractions of this province last year, of whom 3,434 were foreign tourists. The tourism industry has suffered a lot from the coronavirus, however, during the last year we tried to support the tourism sector against the damage caused by the pandemic. With seven world-registered monuments, 700 national monuments, and thousands of historical and natural attractions Kerman province is one of the important tourist destinations in the country.

Create: Apr 24, 2021     Edit: Apr 24, 2021     Regional News


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