by
Rich Siegel
8.23.2024
Siegel Sez 8/23/24
Were you ever asked what your favorite job was?
CORPORATE NEWS
Hyatt to Acquire Standard International and its Iconic Hotel Brands, The Standard and Bunkhouse Hotels, Expanding Its Leading Position in Lifestyle Hospitality
Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced the planned acquisition of the brands and most of the affiliates of pioneering lifestyle company Standard International, parent company of The Standard and Bunkhouse Hotels brands. This move enhances Hyatt’s position as the leader in the industry’s premier lifestyle space, building on both its organic growth and a series of acquisitions that quintupled the number of lifestyle rooms in Hyatt’s global portfolio between 2017 and 2023. The transaction is anticipated to close later this year, subject to customary closing conditions.
www.hyatt.com
PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
Agilysys Taps Hospitality Veteran Joe Youssef As Svp, Sales & Chief Commercial Officer
Agilysys, Inc. (Nasdaq: AGYS), a leading global provider of hospitality software solutions and services, today announced Joe Youssef – who has led multiple functions, solution verticals and regional markets during his 18-year career at global travel and tourism technology innovator Amadeus – will join the Company as Senior Vice President, Sales, Americas and EMEA and Chief Commercial Officer.
www.agilysys.com
Cloudbeds Welcomes AI and Machine Learning Pioneers To Revolutionize Hospitality Technology
The innovative leader in hospitality management technology announced the strategic hiring of AI visionaries Amit Popat, Head of Machine Learning, and Nikhil Shah, Head of Data Science. This move marks a significant investment in artificial intelligence by Cloudbeds.
www.cloudbeds.com
Cendyn Names Jeffrey A. Cross New Chief Financial Officer
As a key member of the executive team, Jeff will oversee financial planning, risk management, and reporting to ensure the company’s financial health by managing budgets, forecasting future financial performance, and analyzing financial data to support strategic decision-making.
www.cendyn.com
GUEST MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
SHR deepens partnership with Sweden’s iconic Gothia Towers
Hotel technology specialist SHR has announced that it has deepened its strategic partnership with Gothia Towers, Sweden’s largest hotel. Located under the same roof as the Swedish Exhibition & Congress Centre in central Gothenburg, the iconic three-tower hotel complex is part of one of Europe’s largest integrated meeting places. The 1,200-room hotel – renowned as one of Sweden’s most prestigious – has adopted SHR’s AI-driven Booking Engine and CRM to accelerate digital transformation, boost direct bookings, and deliver personalized guest experiences.
www.shrgroup.com
Park Hotel Group Replaces Legacy PMS With Shiji Enterprise Platform for Superior Guest Experience
Shiji, the global hospitality technology innovator is excited to announce that Park Hotel Group has selected Shiji Enterprise Platform to further enhance the experience of their guests. As one of Asia Pacific’s leading hospitality companies, Park Hotel Group continues to innovate by incorporating state-of-the-art technology.
www.shijigroup.com
Grupo Brisas Selects Shiji To Modernize Operations and Elevate the Guest Experience
Shiji, the global leader in hospitality technology, is thrilled to announce that Grupo Brisas has chosen Shiji Infrasys Cloud POS and Shiji Enterprise Platform (PMS) to transform and elevate guest experiences across their prestigious properties in Mexico.
www.shijigroup.com
Agilysys Announces Strategic Acquisition of Book4Time, Spa Management SaaS Solution Leader
As the top enterprise SaaS technology for wellness hospitality organizations, Book4Time manages guest experiences at spas, international hotels, resorts, casinos, golf and private member clubs in more than 100 countries.
www.agilysys.com
Otelier, Stayntouch Partner to Enhance Data Access for Hoteliers
Integrating with Stayntouch PMS allows Otelier to aggregate property-level data to empower companies with the insights and efficiencies they need to get back to delivering exceptional hospitality.
otelier.io
Why Travelers Prefer Single Guest Itineraries
Single Guest Itineraries (SGI) are pushed directly from a hotel’s property-management system (PMS) to guests, giving hoteliers more control over a traveler’s stay experience.
www.maestropms.com
REVENUE MANAGEMENT & ANALYTICS
Integration of Mews and Duetto reaches over 600 hotels
Mews, an industry-leading hospitality cloud, and Duetto, a leading provider of revenue management software for the hospitality industry, have now exceeded 600 joint hotel customers, driving revenue growth for hoteliers globally.The seamless, real-time integration between Mews and Duetto enables customers to dynamically price room rates based on demand, occupancy levels, competitor rates, and other factors, ensuring optimal revenue generation.
www.mews.com www.duettocloud.com
MARKETING
How Much Should a Hotel Website Cost?
Lodging Interactive offers a SaaS model where a hotel pays a nominal fee upfront and continues with monthly payments for the term of the contract, after which the website is fully owned by the property.
www.lodginginteractive.com
BACK OFFICE
Blackstone Acquires Majority Stake in Leading Accounting Software and Services Provider M3
M3, LLC ("M3"), voted the number-one hospitality accounting software in North America, today announced it has signed a definitive agreement for a majority investment from Blackstone Growth and affiliated funds (collectively "Blackstone"). The investment will help to accelerate the company's growth by enhancing new product expansion and supporting the adoption of M3's software, which enables hotel operators to run more efficiently and effectively.
www.m3as.com
PAYMENT PROCESSING
Shiji and FreedomPay Announce Partnership to Transform Mexican Hospitality Payment Solutions
This partnership underscores Shiji and FreedomPay’s commitment to improving staff and guest experiences in the hospitality businesses across Latin America, aligning with the industry’s shift towards smoother payments and payment management.
www.shijigroup.com
OPERATIONS
Quore Recognized for Outstanding Growth on the 2024 Inc. 5000
Quore, a leading provider of workflow management and productivity tools for hotels, today announced it was featured on the 2024 Inc. 5000. The prestigious annual list of fastest-growing companies in America provides a data-driven look at the most successful companies within the economy’s most dynamic segment: independent, entrepreneurial businesses.
www.quore.com www.inc.com/inc5000
The Group Sales Trifecta: Cost Savings, Revenue Generation, and Operational Efficiency To Boost Bottom Line
When it comes to optimizing your hotel’s sales and catering operations, real-world examples speak volumes about the efficacy of advanced technological solutions. Take it from a Senior Director of Sales at a leading national hotel management and consulting company, who has hands-on experience with the capabilities and advantages offered by SalesAndCatering.com solutions.
salesandcatering.com
HOSPITALITY EVENTS & ASSOCIATION NEWS
HSMAI Charters Two New Chapters: Greater Denver and Tennessee Valley
The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) is thrilled to announce the chartering of two new chapters – Tennessee Valley and Greater Denver. These new chapters highlight HSMAI’s strategic priority to broaden the association's reach, focus on developing new markets, and enhance member value proposition through localized engagement.
www.hsmai.org
The Hospitality Show announces 2024 sustainability programming & initiatives
The Hospitality Show, one of the industry’s leading technology and operations event produced by Questex and the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), announced a slate of sustainability programming and initiatives for this year’s event, including the co-location of the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance’s Autumn Summit at The Show, which will be held in San Antonio, Texas, Oct. 28-30, 2024, at the Henry B. González Convention Center.
www.thehospitalityshow.com www.ahla.com
HSMAI Partners with Milestone Inc. and Dorothy Dowling to Release eBook on Digital Marketing Trends for Hospitality Executives
The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) is pleased to announce the release of a new eBook, created in collaboration with Milestone Inc. and Dorothy Dowling, former chief marketing officer of Best Western Hotels and special advisor to the HSMAI Foundation. Titled "Top Digital Trends for Hospitality C-Suite to Future Proof Your Digital Footprint," this eBook provides hospitality executives with crucial insights into the latest digital marketing trends that are poised to reshape the industry.
www.hsmai.org
Penn State Hotel and Restaurant Society Honors 10 Hospitality Management Alumni
The Penn State Hotel and Restaurant Society (PSHRS) and Penn State School of Hospitality Management will honor 10 alumni during the 2024 Alumni Awards Reception, held in conjunction with the school’s 19th annual “Alumni in the Classroom” event, on Oct. 9.
hhd.psu.edu/shm
MARKET REPORTS
Knowland and Amadeus Report U.S. Group Business Delivers Seven Consecutive Quarters of Growth
For the second quarter of 2024, the Index shows overall health of 105.5 percent year-over-year. This is the first time the overall Index has exceeded 100 percent, reflecting continued industry health across all reported indices.
www.knowland.com
Knowland - Louisville, Kentucky Nearly Doubles Year-Over-Year Event Volume, Hits 94.9 Percent Growth in July
Knowland, one of the world’s leading provider of data-as-a-service insights on meetings and events for hospitality, reported that while Philadelphia led in the top 25 markets, Louisville, Ky., doubled year-over-year (YoY) event volume growth, hitting 94.9 percent.
www.knowland.com
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