Novotel Hyderabad Airport announces to welcome guests with ALLSAFE certificate

Novotel Hyderabad Airport announces to welcome guests back in the new normal. The hotel has received the ALLSAFE certification from Bureau Veritas, a leader in hygiene and cleanliness inspection. 

The ALLSAFE label, which represents the new cleanliness and prevention standards developed and approved by Bureau Veritas. 

The ALLSAFE label has 16 key protocols which provides assurance that these standards will be met by the hotels in anticipation of the progressive reopening of the hotels across regions. Every hotel will also have an ALLSAFE Officer to ensure all protocols are followed. 

In a press statement, the hotel said all properties will follow strengthened cleanliness protocols. Strict new cleanliness standards will be implemented and monitored in all Accor hotels and will include an enhanced cleaning program with frequent disinfection of all sensitive areas. 

It also said that a comprehensive safety and hygiene training program will be put in place so that all employees have the skills and training necessary to protect themselves and our customers.

Novotel Hyderabad Airport is also implementing new standards to ensure social distancing measures in its hotels and special reception measures when registering customers. 

The food and beverage offering at the hotel has been created to ensure that it better responds to the current context with new food safety standards going beyond government and local regulations.

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Ted Knighton Appointed General Manager At Thompson San Antonio - TX, USA

Thompson San Antonio is pleased to announce the appointments of Ted Knighton as General Manager and Sofie Vasquez as Director of Sales & Marketing. The new 162-room hotel is scheduled to open in early 2021 on San Antonio's celebrated River Walk. Both executives are experienced hospitality professionals who will lead hotel operations and strategic sales and marketing initiatives to introduce the Thompson experience to a dynamic new market, while also establishing Thompson San Antonio as a sophisticated new destination for stylish accommodations, dining, socializing and events in the River City.

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MMGY Global Research Shows Perceptions of Travel Safety Rising Steadily in Advance of Holiday Travel Season October, 8 2020MMGY Travel Intelligence

MMGY Global has been tracking the impact of COVID-19 on U.S. traveler sentiment and behaviors since this past March and it has some encouraging news for the travel industry heading into the holiday season. The latest findings from MMGY Travel Intelligence's Travel Intentions Pulse Survey (TIPS) and MMGY Global’s Travel Safety Barometer show increasing confidence in the safety of domestic and international travel, cruising, dining and entertainment, business travel and lodging. 

For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began, the Domestic Travel Safety Barometer score rose above 50, indicating travelers are increasingly confident about the idea of traveling. The Barometer, which measures perceptions of safety on a scale of 0 (extremely unsafe) to 100 (extremely safe), rose to 52, which is 22 points higher than it was in April. Wave IX of the TIPS survey, conducted in late September, also found that 46% of respondents said they are likely to take a domestic leisure trip in the next six months.

Surprisingly, the International Travel Safety Barometer surged upward as well, increasing 6 points to 38 in October.  Twenty-five percent of TIPS respondents said they are likely to take an international leisure trip during the next six months, up from 18% in Wave VIII.

After months of stagnation, the October Business Travel Safety Barometer displayed promising signs of recovery, increasing from 38 to 41, a 12-point increase from the May score. The news is slightly better for conference and convention planners as well. The Travel Safety Barometer score for attending a conference or convention jumped from 30 in September to 35 in October, a 16% spike. As meeting planners and conference organizers debate the future of large group gatherings, this score will be one to watch closely in the months ahead. 

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New chef de cuisine joins Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah

Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah is delighted to welcome Yosuke Matsuoka as the new Chef De Cuisine at UMI Restaurant.

Beginning his culinary career in 1996 as a Chef and Banquet Chef Roll, he has collected significant experiences in various Japanese and international restaurants and five-star hotels. In 2005, he was promoted as a head chef in two renowned restaurants in the United States of America. Bringing his extensive set of skills and experiences, he worked in Spain as Head Sushi Chef in 2012. Through time, he became an Executive Chef in the Japanese section of Grand Hotel Columella, a five-star hotel in Italy, where he created traditional and Mediterranean-infused dishes.

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Taj Mahal, New Delhi Announces The Reopening Of Machan In A Re-imagined New Avatar

The iconic Taj Mahal, New Delhi unveiled the new avatar of the Capital's original and much-loved dining destination Machan. The hotel also reopened to an elegant new lobby and the Emperor Lounge after a stylish makeover. Taj Mahal, New Delhi has been under extensive renovation since July 2019, reinventing itself to offer the essence of timelessness and heritage of Lutyens' Delhi, coupled with contemporary flair and impeccable service the hotel has been renowned for. The next phase of the transformation will include the redesigned rooms and The Chambers - expected to be completed by end of the year.

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Accor Opens 6th Mercure Hotel in Japan

Accor has expanded its portfolio of hotels in Japan with the opening of the Mercure Kyoto Station hotel, the first Mercure branded hotel in the Kansai region and the sixth in the country.

Situated just minutes from JR Kyoto Station, the hotel boasts 225 guestrooms ranging in size from 23 to 34 square meters.

Rooms feature design elements that include motifs from the Heian period - a nod to the ancient history for which Kyoto is renowned.

Mercure Kyoto Station is 500 metres from JR Kyoto Station and 47km from Osaka International Airport. Notable buildings such as Kyoto Tower and Shimabara Omolon are located within walking distance from the hotel while the World Heritage sites of Nishi Honganji and Toji are located within close proximity.

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Service Properties Trust Terminates Agreements with Marriott for 122 Hotels

Service Properties Trust (Nasdaq: SVC), or SVC, today announced that it has terminated the management agreements for 122 hotels with Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR), or MAR. As previously announced, SVC sent a letter requesting MAR advance $11.0 million to cover the cumulative shortfall between the payments SVC had received to date and 80% of the cumulative priority returns due to SVC for the eight months ended August 2020. MAR had until October 5, 2020 to avoid termination by making payment to SVC. SVC did not receive any payment from MAR, and based on discussions with MAR, SVC does not expect MAR to pay the cumulative shortfall for the balance of 2020. Accordingly, on October 6, 2020, SVC sent MAR a letter exercising its termination right. The effective date of the termination is January 31, 2021 and SVC currently plans to transfer the branding and management of 98 of these hotels to Sonesta.

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Marriott International Announces the Opening of Buenos Aires Marriott Hotel

Marriott International announced today the long-awaited opening of the Buenos Aires Marriott Hotel. Previously operating as the Hotel Panamericano Buenos Aires, the property underwent an extensive conversion to meet Marriott's elevated quality standards. Located in the heart of the city, with convenient access to must-see attractions such as the Teatro Colón, the Obelisk and the Palace of Justice, the hotel is well positioned to become a favorite among business and leisure travelers visiting this South American destination.

"We are thrilled to work with Gotel Hotel Management and bring the Marriott Hotels brand back to Argentina after so many years," said Laurent de Kousemaeker, Marriott International Chief Development Officer, Caribbean and Latin America. "This opening marks the beginning of a new stage for Marriott International in this coveted destination where the European style is deeply intertwined with the Latin American culture."

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Concept Hospitality Pvt Ltd (CHPL) has introduced its Experiences eGift Cards

Concept Hospitality Pvt Ltd (CHPL) has introduced its Experiences eGift Cards in various denominations which can be redeemed across all its properties in the country.

Commenting on the development, Noshir A Marfatia, Senior Vice President - Sales & Marketing, CHPL said, "We are offering these eGift Cards across all our three brands, The Fern Hotels & Resorts, The Zinc Hotels and Beacon Hotels."

Explaining further, he stated, “These are ideal gifts for special occasions, festive celebrations or for no occasion at all! People nowadays are not very keen to accept gifts in physical forms. So, these gift cards can be a perfect choice if someone wants to gift a friend a dinner, a stay or a leisure Staycation package at any of our hotels.”

The card can be purchased online from their brand websites www.fernhotels.com, www.zinchotels.com and www.beaconhotels.com respectively, and are redeemable for room stays, holiday packages, dining, other hotel services and taxes, at all participating Fern, Zinc and Beacon hotels.

Walt Disney has announced it is making 28,000 job losses from its theme park business

Walt Disney has announced it is making 28,000 job losses from its theme park business showing that global hospitality businesses are far from immune to the Covid-19 crisis.

Ongoing diminished footfall at their reopened theme parks has forced senior management to take steps to reduce their salary costs alongside falling revenues.

The news broke earlier this week when US media giant CNBC, a provider of global business news and real-time financial markets ‘obtained’ a letter to staff from Josh D’Amaro, head of theme parks at Disney.

The letter was emotional and stressed the efforts senior management at Disney had gone to to avoid job losses. In the letter D’Amaro stated: “For the last several months, our management team has worked tirelessly to avoid having to separate anyone from the company. We’ve cut expenses, suspended capital projects, furloughed our cast members while still paying benefits, and modified our operations to run as efficiently as possible, however, we simply cannot responsibly stay fully staffed while operating at such limited capacity.”

Disney lost $4.72 billion in their second financial quarter of 2020, the company’s first quarterly loss in nearly two decades.

Ginger announces the signing of a new hotel in Zirakpur, Chandigarh

Ginger announces the signing of a new hotel in Zirakpur, Chandigarh. The hotel will be designed around the brand’s lean luxe philosophy of offering a vibrant, contemporary, and seamless hospitality experience to its guests. The hotel is a fully fitted lease.  

Commenting on the signing, Deepika Rao, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Ginger Hotels said, “We are delighted to partner with Silicon Constructions Pvt Ltd for this hotel. Zirakpur is a fast-growing city in the Chandigarh metropolitan region and Ginger, with its energizing new experience, is well poised to capture the growing demand of the city of Chandigarh.”

A $500 restaurant card is being mailed to unemployed people in Hawaii that can be used on food orders — including alcohol and the tip

If you’re unemployed, the state’s newest economic plan is looking to keep money in your bank account, and food in your stomach.

If you qualified for unemployment insurance since March 25 and are still receiving benefits, you’ll soon be getting the Hawaii Restaurant Card in the mail. It will come pre-loaded with $500 and it can only be spent at any restaurant in Hawaii.

State officials reported that $75,000,000 of the CARES Act money will be used to fund the program. The goal is to help stimulate the economy, give a boost to businesses and keep local families fed.

“According to the UHERO study that evaluated the program, it would nearly double its economic impact for our local businesses,” said Hawaii Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Sherry Menor McNamara.

The card functions like a debit card. Residents can use it to pay their restaurant bill and tip, and the total will be taken out of the card’s balance. That money goes to the restaurant, and with many local farmers providing goods, it should keep supply chains intact.

“We are encouraging restaurants to create their own offers and promotions around the card to drive traffic to their businesses, which will in turn will result in even more money being spent in our economy,” said Hawaii Agricultural Foundation Executive Director Denise Hayashi Yamaguchi.

The Hawaii Restaurant Association called it a win-win situation.

IHCL, AB InBev launch first 7Rivers Brewpub in Bengaluru

Anheuser Busch Inbev (Ab InBev) and Tata-owned Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) have jointly opened their first microbrewery, 7Rivers Brewing Co, at the Taj property in Bengaluru, after a delay of six months due to Covid-19 led disruption that led to shuttering of bars till it reopened in September.

The microbrewery was in the making since the fourth quarter of last fiscal and original plan was to launch it in peak summer season which overlapped with the nationwide lockdown. Now, the world’s biggest brewer and country’s largest hospitality chain are banking on this pre-pandemic project to revive sales as both sectors have been hit hard amid travel curbs and negligible socializing.

Kartikeya Sharma, president-South Asia at AB InBev said, “People are sick and tired of being at home and drinking beer by themselves or virtually with friends. As government is easing the lockdown and more consumers aching to go out again, it was the right time to open up the venue.” Instead of selling draught versions of existing bottled beer brands, AB Inbev will brew new styles of craft beer at the brewpub.

OYO to triple room count in Himachal by 2022

Hospitality chain OYO Hotels & Homes in Friday announced its plans to strengthen its footprint in Himachal Pradesh, amid coronavirus, by aiming to triple its room count by 2022.

OYO opened its doors in the state in 2015 and since then, has added 570 plus hotels and 7,500 rooms to its chain, while generating over 3,000 indirect job opportunities.

In line with the decision of the state to open its border and ease travel restrictions, the company has adopted new SOPs as a part of its 'Sanitised Stays' programme with an enhanced focus on hygiene and cleanliness.

IHG’s first Hotel Indigo in the GCC announces leadership team appointments

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG’s) first Hotel Indigo in the GCC has announced its leadership team appointments ahead of the opening in October.

Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown will boast 269 rooms, four F&B outlets, bold interiors and works of art throughout the property. General Manager Laura Eggleton will lead a team of 102 professionals at the property ahead of the opening in October 2020.

In 2015, Eggleton was appointed as the first female General Manager for InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) in the region in Muscat, Oman.

Appointments include Director of Finance and Business Support Neetu Sajnani, Director of Restaurants & Bars Van Qian, Executive Assistant Manager Mohamed Elsayed, Human Resources & Training Manager Omar Wasfy, Director of Marketing & Sales Kevin Cavaco, and more.

Tisch steps up as president at Loews Hotels

Loews Hotels & Co has selected Alex Tisch to assume the role of President.

In his new role, Tisch will work closely with Jonathan Tisch, chairman and chief executive of Loews Hotels & Co.

The duo will collaborate with the executive leadership team in developing and executing the strategy of the company, prudently managing capital and resource allocation, as well as overseeing general operational effectiveness. 

Additionally, Tisch will continue to lead the commercial, acquisitions, development and the Loews Hotels at Universal Orlando Resort teams. 

voco brand to go global with launch in China and US

InterContinental Hotels Group has confirmed it will launch its newest upscale hotel brand, voco, in the United States and Greater China.

The company created and launched the new flag a little over two years ago, focusing on conversion opportunities that combine the informality and charm of an independent hotel, with the quality and reassurance of a respected global brand.

Since then, a mix of 12 conversion and new-build voco hotels have opened across the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Australia.

voco continues to generate strong interest from owners too, and with an uplift in conversion activity during the first half of 2020, its expansion into two large and fast-growing markets is a key milestone.

voco currently has a development pipeline of 28 properties will take it into 19 countries over the next five years, while it remains on track to open more than 200 hotels over the next ten years.

BLLA Awards 2020 Winner

BLLA is pleased to present the Winners and honorable mentions for the 2020 StayBoutique Awards!

Boutique Business of the Year
WINNER: Palette by Peter J. Hemsley2nd PLACE: B David Levine

Boutique Hotel Design Project of the Year
WINNER: Zannier Hotels Sonop, Namibia
2ND PLACE: Nayara Tented Camp, Costa Rica
3RD PLACE: Asbury Ocean Club Hotel-Drawing Room, Asbury Park, NJ
4TH PLACE: Living Room at Shinola Hotel, Detroit, MI

Boutique Hotel Under 100 Rooms of the YearWINNER: Asbury Ocean Club Hotel, Asbury Park, NJ
2ND PLACE: The Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort, Solvang, CA
3RD PLACE: The Butler Hotel, San Luis Obispo, CA
4th PLACE: ARRIVE Hotel, Memphis, TN

Boutique Hotel Over 100 Rooms
WINNER: The Revolution Hotel, Boston, MA
2nd PLACE: The Betsy-South Beach, Miami Beach, FL
3rd PLACE: Ironworks Hotel Indy, Indianapolis, IN
4TH PLACE: Shinola Hotel, Detroit, MI

Boutique Travel Businesses-Travel Technology
WINNER: Vertoe, Luggage Storage Anywhere, Anytime
2nd PLACE: The Guestbook, A More Rewarding Way to Stay

Iconic Hotelier of the Year
WINNER: David Bowd, Owner, SALT Hotels
2nd PLACE: Paul McGowan, President & Founder, Study Hotels

Emerging Hotelier of the Year
WINNER: Chris Pardo, Co-Founder & Chief Development Officer, ARRIVE Hotels & Restaurants
2ND PLACE: Zachary Plutzik, Managing Director, The Betsy Hotel, Miami Beach, FL

Dani Boss Promoted General Manager At Red Lion Hotel on the River Jantzen Beach in Portland, USA

Dani Boss has been promoted to the position of General Manager, following her accomplishments as Director of Sales and Marketing for the Red Lion Hotel on the River. An 18- year veteran of the hotel, she has helped oversee the tremendous success of the Red Lion and its evolution into a premier riverfront convention hotel. As General Manager, Dani will continue to apply her keen sales and marketing skillset to all segments of the company, and will lead the hotel and team through a major multi-million dollar renovation.

Ms. Boss will play an integral role in the property's planned changes over the next two years. Dani will shift her duties to exploring new strategic opportunities to support the hotel's growth and reorganization.

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Carnival to sell 18 ships as demand sinks

Carnival Corporation has confirmed it will continue to shrink the size of its fleet as the cruise sector struggles to return from the Covid-19 shutdown.

In July, the company said it would dispose of 13 vessels as demand shrank.

The figure has now been increased to 18 – with Carnival planning to offer approximately 12 per cent less capacity next year when compared to 2019.

Noting all of the ships to be sold were older and less efficient, Carnival said the vessels had only produced three per cent of its operating income in 2019.

Also being older ships, Carnival added their disposal would improve the fuel efficiency at the corporation.