13 December 2024 - 10 Minutes News for Hoteliers

2 min

Los Angeles airport restaurant workers will soon be making $30 an hour

🏗 The Los Angeles City Council voted to increase the hourly minimum wage for tourism workers to $30 by 2028, starting with $22.50 in 2025. This legislation, inspired by upcoming events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the 2027 Super Bowl, and the 2028 Summer Olympics, also includes a $8.35 weekly healthcare plan. Current wages for airport and hotel workers are $18.78 and $19.73, respectively. Critics worry the increase may harm the industry's recovery post-pandemic.

1 min

SiteMinder: Return of International Travel Drives Up U.S. Hotel Bookings for Christmas

💰 In Dallas, Texas, hotel bookings for Dec. 21-25 are up 22% from the previous year. International bookings now account for 32% of the total, a 15% increase yearly. The top five international sources are Canada, Germany, the UK, France, and Italy. Average length of stays is expected to rise by 5% to 2.63 days, and booking lead time is increasing by over 4.5% to 80.62 days. Data from SiteMinder as of Dec. 3, 2024.

1 min

CoStar: U.S. Hotel Results for Week Ending Dec. 7

🏨 WASHINGTON, D.C., Dec. 1-7, 2024: U.S. hotel industry sees year-over-year performance growth, with occupancy at 59% (+0.5%), average daily rate (ADR) at $159.77 (+3.8%), and revenue per available room (RevPAR) at $94.31 (+4.3%). Chicago reports highest occupancy increase (+17.8% to 67.6%) and RevPAR jump (+42.9% to $110.59), while Las Vegas boasts biggest ADR boost (+27.1% to $261.33). San Francisco and New Orleans experience RevPAR declines of -16.7% ($114.86) and -14.7% ($83.16), respectively.

6 min

W Prague Redefines Luxury Lifestyle Hospitality In Central Europe

📍 W Hotels, of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio, reveals W Prague in the Czech Republic, transforming the historic Grand Hotel Evropa. The hotel offers 161 guestrooms, including the WOW Bohemia Duplex and an E-WOW Suite on the 8th floor. The design features Art Nouveau style and a new 9-storey wing. W Prague provides a variety of dining options, a rooftop bar, and the AWAY Spa with a WET pool, sauna, and treatment rooms. The hotel aims to blend Prague’s cultural legacy with contemporary luxury, offering a new destination for modern travelers.

2 min

Marcus & Millichap Brokers Sale of Historic Hotel in Downtown Memphis

🔔 Marcus & Millichap announced the sale of Hu. Hotel, a 110-room property, located at 79 Madison Ave., Memphis, Tennessee. The local private buyer, Nick Patel, was represented by Mitchell Presas, Skyler Cooper, Chris Gomes, and Allan Miller. The hotel is in the former Tennessee Trust Building, built in 1905 and on the National Register of Historic Places since 1982. It's close to Beale Street and features a rooftop bar and fitness center. The property was a bank before turning into a hotel in 2002 and was renovated around 2018-2019.

2 min

Aqua New York is a two-in-one restaurant, serving Italian and Japanese menus under the same roof

🍴 Aqua New York, offering Italian and Japanese cuisines, opened on November 11 in Manhattan's Flatiron District. Occupying a 24,000-square-foot space, the venue seats 432 guests, includes three 10-person private dining rooms, a private lounge with DJ station, and claims the city's longest sushi bar with 22 seats. Aqua Spirit, the 44-seat bar, features sakes, wines, and country-inspired cocktails. This is the third U.S. establishment by Aqua Restaurant Group, following locations in New York and Miami.

4 min

Are You Ready for 2025? Insights and Expectations from Hospitality Experts

🏨 Hospitality industry experts predict significant changes by 2025, driven by economic pressures, technological evolution, and guest expectations. Personalization at scale becomes key, leveraging AI and analytics for guest experiences, revenue through upselling, and meeting Gen Z and Millennials' digital and authentic desires. Integrated cloud-based systems are essential for data value maximization, streamlined operations, and overcoming disconnected technology challenges. Economic adaptability is crucial, with automation aiding labor shortages and operational costs, while cloud systems increase workforce flexibility. Emphasis on experiential travel and market expansion may fuel growth.

2 min

Introducing Gemini 2.0: our new AI model for the agentic era

📦 Google CEO Sundar Pichai announced Gemini 2.0, an advanced AI model focused on multimodality with capabilities like native image and audio output. Introduced in December, Gemini versions have empowered millions of developers. Products like NotebookLM utilize these models and the new Deep Research feature in Gemini Advanced acts as a research assistant. Gemini 2.0's AI Overviews, reaching 1 billion users, will get enhanced reasoning for complex queries. Built on Google's sixth-generation TPUs, Trillium, the model is now available to trusted testers and developers, with broader rollouts planned.

2 min

Hotel Drover Appoints New Additions to Executive Team in Fort Worth, Texas

🏨 Aaron Ide appointed as Hotel Drover's new general manager in Fort Worth, Texas. Kristin Assad promoted to COO at Exchange Hotels Management, overseeing operations in the Stockyards. Hotel Drover, a 200-room urban resort, acclaimed by Travel + Leisure, boasts Michelin Key recognition. Ide, a 25-year veteran, previously managed Thompson Dallas and contributed to Forbes 5 Star status at Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara. Assad, with over two decades of luxury hospitality experience, will enhance service across Stockyards Heritage Development Co.'s properties.

1 min

Home-Grown Mid-Segment Hotel Brands have a Competitive Edge Against International Brands in India

🏨 Indian mid-segment hotel brands are gaining a competitive edge by introducing unique cultural experiences, implementing cost-effective technology, and expanding rapidly across regions. This transformation within the hospitality industry is positioning these brands for greater market presence and appeal.

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