HSMAI to Honor GCommerce With 5 Silver Adrian Awards for Outstanding Travel Marketing

NEW YORK, N.Y. (December 3, 2019) – The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) will honor GCommerce with 5 Silver Adrian Awards for digital marketing excellence for its winning entry in the 63rd annual Adrian Awards, the largest and most prestigious global travel marketing competition. Catering to a wide variety of clients in the hospitality and tourism industry, GCommerce provides a customized, strategic, and client-focused approach to digital marketing. GCommerce provides digital marketing services to some of the country’s most iconic 4 and 5 star and diamond hotels and resorts. GCommerce received the following Silver Adrian Awards: Paid Search Marketing for Nautical Beachfront Resort Paid Search Marketing for Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort Facebook Advertising for Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort Paid Search Marketing for Red Lion Inn Facebook Instant Experience for Temecula Creek Inn “The Adrian Awards honor innovative travel marketing campaigns that lead the future of hospitality marketing, setting the standard for creativity and flawless execution,” said Robert A. Gilbert, CHME, CHBA, president and CEO of HSMAI. “HSMAI is proud to recognize these award winners and celebrate their remarkable campaigns and the people behind them at the Adrian Awards Gala.” GCommerce will be honored during the HSMAI Adrian Awards Gala on January 21, 2020 at the New York Marriott Marquis. Attended by nearly 1,000 hospitality, travel, and tourism marketing executives, this elegant affair is a must-attend industry event. The Adrian Awards Dinner Reception & Gala, recognized as a Top 100 Event in New York City by BizBash, will celebrate award-winning work and the people behind it, lifetime achievement, and the HSMAI Top 25 Extraordinary Minds in Hospitality Sales, Marketing, and Revenue Optimization. Winning entries will be viewable in the winners’ gallery on the Adrian Awards website. Visit www.AdrianAwards.com for more information on the event and competition and to view the Adrian Awards Winners’ Gallery.

The Higgins Hotel & Conference Center Appoints Leadership Team Ahead of December Opening

The Higgins Hotel & Conference Center has announced the appointments of Daniel Rhodes as General Manager and Marc Becker as Director of Sales & Marketing. With a unique, 1940s-inspired theme and WWII artifacts incorporated throughout the property, The National WWII Museum’s Hotel will officially open its doors this December in New Orleans’ flourishing Arts and Warehouse District. “Daniel and Marc bring extensive industry experience to The Higgins Hotel,” said James Williams, The National WWII Museum’s Vice President of Sales. “With their passion for hospitality, we could not be more excited to have them lead the launch of this highly-anticipated property, which will help support the Museum’s educational mission.” As General Manager, Daniel Rhodes will oversee and lead all operations and management of the Hotel. With more than 10 years of hospitality experience, Rhodes previously served as the Vice President of operations for Commercial Properties Realty Trust, overseeing the company’s $350 million in real estate assets. Prior to that, he was General Manager of Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center and was awarded “General Manager of the Year” by Prism Hotels and Resorts. His versatility has allowed him to build successful teams that focus on providing exceptional service, maximizing hotel profitability and engaging employees. As Director of Sales & Marketing, Marc Becker will supervise overall sales efforts for the Hotel. After earning a Master of Professional Studies in International Hotel Administration, Becker worked with Novotel and Club Med in Italy and France, and then with Gleneagles Resort in Scotland. An offer with Hilton at the Drake Hotel in Chicago brought him back to the United States. Becker later moved to New Orleans after accepting a position as Associate Director of Sales at the Omni Royal Orleans, where he earned recognition as “Sales Manager of the Year” from Omni Hotels & Resorts. He is an active member and past President of Meeting Professionals International, a past Board Member for Hospitality Sales Marketing Association, and currently serves on the Marketing and Industry Affairs committees of the Louisiana Travel Association.

Hotel Equities Celebrates Groundbreaking of New Towneplace Suites by Marriott in Tehachapi, California

 Hotel Equities (HE) announced construction is underway on the new TownePlace Suites by Marriott in Tehachapi, CA. Hotel Equities will manage the hotel, developed and owned by California-based H2H Asset Group. The hotel site, located on Magellan Drive in Tehachapi, is part of a planned business park situated just one block from Adventist Healthcare in Tehachapi. The hotel site has easy access from Exit 149 on Highway 58. “We are proud to progress into the next phase of development for the TownePlace Suites Tehachapi,” said Greg Presley, vice president of business development for HE. “We initially entered the California market a number of years ago and have delivered tremendous results. Those high-performance results for great owners, like our partners at H2H Group, have resulted in our continued growth out west. We’re proud to work alongside Ajay Anand, managing partner of H2H Asset Group, to open this hotel to guests in Summer of 2021.” Upon opening, the hotel will feature the well-known Marriott brand’s latest design. TownePlace Suites by Marriott provides guests with a comfortable place to relax during their long-term visits. The brand offers studio and one-bedroom suites with fully equipped kitchens, as well as separate living/working and sleeping areas. The suites include adjustable workspaces with built-in shelves and lighting, large flat screen televisions and flexible storage and closets. On-site food options include outdoor Weber grills, a 24-hour In a Pinch market and coffee service. Other amenities at the new TownePlace Suites include an indoor swimming pool, fitness center, meeting space, laundry facilities and free Wi-Fi and copying, faxing and printing services. “We were intentional in selecting Hotel Equities as the operator and manager of our hotel assets as they are known for their ability and skillset to add value from project inception, development and operations,” said Managing Partner of H2H Group, Ajay Anand. “Our goal is to provide our guests with best-in-class accommodations with quality service, offer career opportunities and add value to the Tehachapi community.” “We’re always excited to work with partners like H2H Group and Hotel Equities, who bring a significant level of commitment and expertise to all of their projects. While this is our first new construction project together to break ground, the pipeline of 6 more in California is particularly remarkable,” said Adrienne Jubb, Vice President, MSB Development, Marriot International. “This project will be a welcome new addition to the Tehachapi market, and we expect an even bigger celebration upon opening.” Tehachapi’s location mid-way between Bakersfield (36 miles away) and Lancaster (45 miles away) attracts travelers visiting both major cities. The Tehachapi economy is largely based on wind and solar farms in the area and also benefits from expansions at nearby Edwards AFB. TownePlace Suites by Marriott® is designed for extended stay travelers who want to feel at home and stay productive. To appeal to these guests seeking authenticity, personality and a seamless experience, the concept infuses local flavor into a quiet neighborhood setting, complete with the added comfort, service and quality of an all- suite hotel. For more information about TownePlace Suites by Marriott, visit towneplacesuites.marriott.com .

Hotel and Travel Tech Game Changers 2020 Report: Now Accepting Submissions

Technology brands interested in being featured are invited to submit their latest innovations for the upcoming report presented by Puzzle Partner Puzzle Partner, the most trusted B2B travel and hospitality technology marketing agency, today announced that submissions are now being accepted for the upcoming Hotel and Travel Tech Game Changers 2020 Report. “We want to recognize the trailblazers and creators who help shape the future and who inspire the next generation,” explains Alan Young, Founder & CEO of Puzzle Partner. “Our industry is undergoing a sea of change on so many fronts, and this report is our opportunity to highlight those technology brands that are bringing cutting-edge solutions to complex business challenges and are helping lead transformation.” The mission of this report is to showcase the developments in the art and science of hospitality and travel technology and select those companies that stand out. Acceptance in the report is based on an impartial judging process to evaluate each submission on its uniqueness, innovation, and significance to the industry. Entries will be accepted until the end of January, and those selected will be contacted in writing. The final report will be available in February 2020. Technology brands interested in sharing their groundbreaking products and services can apply here: http://unbouncepages.com/game-changers2020

Airbnb adds 'cooking', a new category of bookable experiences

We’re unveiling Cooking on Airbnb Experiences – a new category of bookable experiences that unlock the hidden culinary traditions of families all around the world. From learning grandmas’ recipes to traditional Uzbek home-cooking, guests can now get access to 3,000 unique recipes that are usually reserved for friends and family in over 75 countries globally. Through Airbnb Cooking Experiences, we are presenting a new way to understand culture through food. Unlike typical cooking classes, which can feel intimidating or time-consuming, at the heart of every experience is human connection; people coming together to make and share a meal. Hosted by families, farmers, pastry cooks and more, local hosts can now highlight the deeper meaning behind the food you eat, teaching traditional recipes and sharing stories in intimate settings around the world. To protect the personal nature of each recipe, each experience has been vetted against guidelines inspired by Slow Food, a grassroots organization whose mission is to prevent the disappearance of local food cultures and traditions. Through this vetting process, we have verified that each host of an Airbnb Experience communicates the unique essence of every dish through their personal stories and has proven a deep knowledge of the heritage of the cuisine that they share. Celebrating the launch of Airbnb Cooking Experiences – and to find the next wave of culinary treasures – we are calling on the world to apply or nominate their favorite home cook so that we can treat them to a once in a lifetime trip to Italy. There, they will learn to refine their family recipe and cement their legacy in an Airbnb cookbook, planned for 2020. The top 100 applicants will get to study alongside experts including chef David Chang and his mom, Sherri, during one of the four, specially-organized five-day courses at Slow Food’s University of Gastronomic Sciences, located within a UNESCO world heritage site in Pollenzo, Northern Italy. Alongside workshops, tastings, field visits and lessons from UNISG professors, there will also be hands on lessons from one of the most booked hosts on the platform, Nonna Nerina, who has earned over $150,000 just by welcoming travelers to the Roman countryside to learn about her and her family’s love of pasta-making. With hosts like Nonna, it’s no wonder bookings of Airbnb’s food and drink Experiences have been growing at a rate of 160 percent year-over-year since 2018. Our new Cooking category brings together the very best of our platform with brand new Airbnb Experiences, united by new principles that ensure an authentic, local experience in intimate settings and small groups. “Ever since the very first guests travelled with Airbnb, we have realized that sharing a meal is the key that unlocks culture and fosters connection. Through Airbnb Cooking Experiences, we want to bring back the tradition of people coming together to make and share meals, and through this help preserve unique recipes that are shared within family kitchens around the world,” – Brian Chesky, Airbnb CEO and Co-Founder. Building on our partnership, Slow Food is also introducing 15 special Airbnb Cooking Experiences that perfectly align with its principles of good, clean and fair – including Walk Cook & Eat in the Amalfi Coast and ‘Let’s Rescue Food’ in Cartagena, Colombia. “It’s really encouraging that Airbnb looked to us for guidance on how to help people preserve their family recipes and become quality and sustainability advocates,” said, Paolo Di Croce, Slow Food Secretary General. “Airbnb Cooking Experiences represent a great opportunity to spread our urgent call for sustainability standards and food biodiversity protection across the globe, reaching new audiences and inspiring change in the entire food and tourism sector. We have a long-term commitment to ensure that travel experiences remain authentic and help travellers learn about local communities and raise awareness about sustainable food practices.”

HRS to strengthen strategic partnership with Pan Pacific Hotels Group

This enhanced partnership enables more seamless automated hotel processes, creating a win-win outcome for Pan Pacific Hotels Group and corporate clients worldwide. HRS announced an extension of its strategic partnership with Pan Pacific Hotels Group, one of Asia’s most established hospitality companies. Great news for global #businesstravelers: @HRS_NAM and @PanPacific Hotels announce new agreement, bringing process #automation and content distribution efficiencies that benefit multi-national corporate hotel programs. #hotels #travelprocurement The renewed focus of the partnership is to explore growing opportunities in corporate travel, both globally and regionally. Singapore-based Pan Pacific Hotels Group is growing its global footprint; the Group now has properties across 29 key markets in Asia-Pacific, Europe and North America. HRS works with more than 3,000 multi-national corporations on their managed hotel programs, including one-third of the Fortune 500. “Corporate travel managers are committed to offering their travelers quality hotels in the right locations, and at the right negotiated price. More corporate travel programs count on HRS to find these options around the world,” said Frédéric Dumoulin, Senior Vice President of HRS Asia Pacific. “Beyond those elements, hotels and corporations increasingly seek more automated, seamless processes that enhance distribution efficiencies. This ultimately helps make the traveler’s journey easier. Forward-thinking hotel management companies like Pan Pacific know that building win-win partnerships such as this are vital to staying competitive.” Ms. Cinn Tan, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer of Pan Pacific Hotels Group, said: “We operate in a fast-paced world where customer needs are constantly evolving, so keeping abreast of these are critical to our business. HRS and Pan Pacific Hotels Group share a common mission of putting customers first. This partnership reinforces our ongoing goal to streamline vital processes to everyday hotel program management. We look forward to leveraging new automated technologies to better serve our mutual clients in 2020 and beyond.” Pan Pacific Hotels Group currently manages nearly 50 properties across numerous key cities including Singapore, Beijing, Sydney and London. Business travel spending in Asia Pacific totaled $615.4 billion in 2018, and is projected to grow by 5.8 percent annually through 2023 as per Global Business Travel Association estimates.

Best western premier kapital opera - A new destination

Located in the prestigious 8th arrondissement in Paris, the brand new and fully non smoking Best Western Premier Kapital Opéra boutique-hotel is a new destination for business or leisure travellers. Best Western Premier Kapital Opéra, close to the Village des Batignolles and only a few minutes on foot from the Gare Saint Lazare railway station, is designed by Marcelo Joulia and have 54 rooms including 2 junior suites. The staff speaks english, french and spanish. Services and facilities includes WiFi, air-conditioning, 24/7 reception desk and business corner, concierge and laundry service.

Sharm El-Sheikh’s tourism industry can recover with the right marketing

GlobalData has reported that Egypt’s Sharm El Sheikh’s tourism industry can thrive with the right marketing. Following the lifting of the four-year flight ban on the resort location, companies pounced to operate in Sharm El-Sheikh said GlobalData. Particularly with some good marketing to UK visitors, the tourism economy in the area could soar. According to a GlobalData survey, 63% of UK respondents are unlikely to change their plans because of a terrorist attack or political event. This compares to a global average of 54%, showing that UK residents tend to be relatively relaxed about travel threats. GlobalData’s travel and tourism analyst, Laura Beaton, commented: “Just hours after the ban was lifted, companies were jumping at the chance to resume operations. TUI has already begun selling holidays for 2020 and easyJet will launch flights to Egypt for the first time. In addition, Olympic Hotels will offer hotels previously exclusive to Thomas Cook, which will boost business for the area and mitigate some of the issues that may have occurred after the collapse of Thomas Cook.” However, officials from the company do believe that the area must work on marketing its attractive diving opportunities. Diving company Regaldive for example is offering two days free if a dive package is booked within a certain timeframe. Beaton added: “This should be leveraged by Egypt and will prove helpful in restoring perceptions among tourists. Scubatravel.co.uk, which compiles a list of popular dive spots according to review from divers, puts Thistlegorm in the Egyptian Red Sea as the fourth most popular location in the world. The Shark and Yolanda Reef in the Egyptian Red Sea comes in at fifth place for divers looking for a more natural adventure.” Beaton continued: “Sharm El-Sheikh will quickly bounce back because it is such an iconic destination for UK travellers. Holiday-makers have been circumventing the ban by flying indirectly or traveling across land from other parts of Egypt. Now that connectivity is restored, UK travelers will return much faster.”

Empty of Crowded venues and clothes shops at the Tourism Industry Fair and Travel Essentials

Experience of Spanish tourists in traveling to Sistan and Baluchistan

Iran in 40th International Exhibition of World Travel Market in London

Vice President of Tourism and Chief of Staff of the Coordination of Travel Services "Vali Teimouri"