| May 15, 2013 | News for hotel and lodging professionals |
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- Choice launches $40M incentive program to boost Comfort refresh
Choice Hotels International announced that it is putting forward $40 million in corporate money to help finance property-improvement plans by its hotels under the Comfort Inn and Comfort Suites brands. "Today, we are putting our own balance sheet behind the brand in a monumental way. Hotel renovations improve guest satisfaction and through this investment we will accelerate improvement of the brand's product quality and consistency, guest satisfaction and brand performance," Choice President and CEO Steve Joyce said during the company's annual convention in Los Angeles. Hotel Management online
(5/14), HotelsMag.com (free registration)
(5/14)      
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| Business Update | | |
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- MGM Resorts taps Chinese contractor for overseas projects
MGM Resorts International announced its new partnership with China State Construction Engineering Corp. in its bid to accelerate expansion efforts across the globe. MGM says China State will serve as the primary contractor for all of its global resort projects, including its planned Cotai Strip resort in Macau. "The MGM Cotai is a key project for our company. We intend to pursue projects with China State not only in Macau and China, but elsewhere around the world," said MGM Resorts CEO James Murren. Travel Weekly
(5/14)
| Market Trends | | |
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- Travel volume is up for Memorial Day and summer, TripAdvisor says
A new survey by TripAdvisor indicates that 86% of Americans plan to travel this summer, while 30% are looking to go on a trip during the Memorial Day weekend. These represent a 7% and 6% rise, respectively, from recorded travel volumes last year. The survey found that 53% of respondents plan to spend the same amount on travel as last year, while 25% say spending this year likely will be up. New York came out as the top summer travel destination in the U.S., followed by Boston and Washington. TravelPulse
(5/14)
- Brand affiliation, duration linked
According to the STR Census Database, nearly 60% of hotels never change their initial affiliation. As such, the average duration of properties that haven't changed brands is almost 25 years. Once a hotel does switch brands, the average time it hangs on to the identity declines and the hotel is more likely to switch more frequently. HotelNewsNow.com
(5/13)
| Spotlight on Technology | | |
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- Expedia Traveler Preference receives praise from hoteliers
Expedia's new "hotel collect" program for room reservations has received praise from hotel operators who have signed up to participate. Some hotels say average daily rate has gone up because wholesale rates are being reported instead of net sales. Other operators point out the benefits to customer experience as there are some guests who appreciate a different payment option. HotelNewsNow.com
(5/13)
| Best Practices | | |
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- Column: Pay-per-click advertising helps boost hotels' SEO efforts
Hoteliers should consider investing in pay-per-click advertising, as it provides a cost-effective means to drive search-engine traffic toward their website, writes Marissa Ryan of Blue Magnet Interactive. "PPC efforts allow hotels to capture some of the market that would have gone straight to an [online travel agency], and encourages guests to book accommodations on their most profitable channel: their website," Ryan writes. The Blue Magnet Blog
(5/14)
| Development | | |
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- Redevelopment project will convert Los Angeles-area racetrack
What is now known as Hollywood Park racetrack in Inglewood, Calif., will soon become Hollywood Park Tomorrow, a 238-acre development project that has been stalled since 2009 due to the economic downturn. Work is slated to begin in January to renovate the Hollywood Park casino and build a 300-room hotel, a shopping center, 2,995 residences, office space, parks and two lakes. GlobeSt.com
(5/14), Curbed (Los Angeles)
(5/10)
| AH&LA News | | |
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AH&LA provides pool lift signage
AH&LA has worked with counsel to provide suggested guidelines for properties to post safety signage for guests while using pool lifts. As a reminder, properties must have a pool lift out in position and ready for use all hours the pool is open and a separate means of entry for each pool/spa, and the lift must be attached to the pool deck or apron in some manner. View the safety guidelines here.
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Free webinar archive
From ADA regulations to bed bugs to health care, AH&LA has a library of webinars that AH&LA members can watch and listen to for free. Each session features an expert panel and concludes with Q&A from attendees. Visit here to access these resources now.
| SmartQuote | | |
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 | That which is always within our reach is always the last thing we take; and the chances are, that what we can do every day, we never do at all."
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British writer and poet
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