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Automatic

2857 posts

Hospitality Financial Leadership: The Luggage

🏨 The Empress Hotel in Victoria, British Columbia, underwent a significant renovation in 1988, closing for 6 months and resulting in one fatality. The renovation, which doubled the budget, was completed by summer 1989. The Canadian Pacific Presidents Conference was the first major event hosted post-renovation. Notable attendees included William Stinson, Canadian Pacific's chairman. The conference involved complex logistics, such as misplaced luggage and a shortage of phone lines, highlighting the challenges of hotel management.
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The Restaurant Floor: Life in the Fast Lane

🚗 Andrew Hopson likens working in Food & Beverage to a road trip. In restaurants, like driving, control and presence are crucial. Starting service is akin to turning a car ignition, while achieving a smooth operation echoes finding a driving rhythm. Missing an exit can add 15-20 minutes to a journey, similar to service mishaps in hospitality. Quick adjustments during traffic jams parallel problem-solving in a bustling restaurant environment. A great soundtrack enhances both journeys and work experiences.
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Red Lion Hotels, Inns & Suites by Sonesta Opens in Junction City, Kansas

🏨 Sonesta International Hotels Corporation announced the opening of Red Lion Inn & Suites Junction City, located at 1133 South Washington Street, Junction City, Kansas. This 81-room, midscale hotel offers an exterior corridor design. Guests can benefit from the Sonesta Travel Pass loyalty program. The Red Lion brand is known for its welcoming service and proximity to outdoor adventures. For more information, visit their [website](https://www.sonesta.com/red-lion-inn-suites/ks/junction-city/red-lion-inn-suites-junction-city).
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The New Landmark of Kowloon East: Royal Garden Expands in Tseung Kwan O

🏨 Hong Kong, January 2026: The Royal Garden Kowloon East opens in Tseung Kwan O, marking the first expansion in 44 years for the Royal Garden brand. The 366-room resort, formerly Crowne Plaza, features seven villas, themed family rooms, and a 25-meter outdoor pool. Dining highlights include Ponentino, opening July 2026, offering Italian cuisine. Eco-conscious design by LAAB Architects caters to Millennials, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha, with phased openings throughout 2026.
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Hyatt Centric Delfina Santa Monica Unveils Multi-Million-Dollar Transformation, Debuting All-New Coastal-Inspired Design and Santa Monica’s Only Rooftop Ballroom

🏝️ Hyatt Centric Delfina Santa Monica unveils a $16 million renovation completed in fall 2024. The hotel now features 315 redesigned guestrooms, 15,000 sq ft of meeting spaces, and the all-day Coastal Harvest Bar & Kitchen. Highlights include 11 event spaces and Santa Monica's only rooftop ballroom, the 4,526 sq ft Delfina Ballroom. The hotel offers amenities like a heated saltwater pool, beach cruiser bicycles, and is centrally located on Pico Boulevard. Perfect for corporate travelers and community gatherings.
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Sonesta Opens The Midtown Hotel, MOD Collection by Sonesta in Boston, MA

🏨 Sonesta International Hotels Corporation announced the opening of The Midtown Hotel, MOD Collection by Sonesta at 220 Huntington Avenue, Boston's Back Bay. This 159-room upscale hotel was recently renovated and caters to modern lifestyles. Guests can earn or redeem points through the Sonesta Travel Pass loyalty program. Located in Boston, Massachusetts, the hotel is part of the playful and flexible MOD Collection, which offers curated F&B and eclectic design.
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Sustainable Hotel and Resort Development in the Caribbean: Strategies for a Resilient Hospitality Future

🏖 The Caribbean's tourism sector faces climate risks, including hurricanes and sea-level rise, prompting resilience strategies like hurricane-resistant designs and nature-based defenses. Energy costs, driven by fossil fuels, see mitigation through renewable sources, offsetting 20-80% of demand. Water and waste management adopt circular systems, reducing reliance on imports. Community initiatives focus on local workforce development and cultural preservation. Sustainability-linked loans and green bonds finance transitions, appealing to eco-conscious travelers seeking authentic experiences.
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MICE Tourism and the Rising Importance of Sustainability

📈 Global MICE tourism projected to reach USD 1,172 billion by 2025, doubling by 2035 with a CAGR of 9.87%. Nearly half of MICE buyers prefer sustainable venues, prompting venues like RIU Plaza España to offer carbon footprint services. Strategies include measuring carbon footprints, selecting certified green venues, and designing eco-smart events. Since 2011, GCSTIMES, operating in 140 countries, has emphasized sustainable innovation, supporting over 100,000 hospitality groups in low-carbon efforts.
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What hotel tech leaders say AI will disrupt first in 2026

💻 Jan 7, 2026, key insights from 27 hotel technology providers reveal AI’s operational impact. AI unifies fragmented systems, automates tasks, and enhances decision-making in revenue, operations, and guest engagement. Key shifts include collapsing operational fragmentation, automating manual tasks, continuous guest communication, predictive revenue management, scalable personalization, and the importance of open platforms. By 2026, AI-ready hotels gain advantages in RevPAR, efficiency, and satisfaction, while legacy systems create a two-speed industry.
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Hotel distribution in 2026: what is structurally changing

📈 Jan 7, 2026, Whitesky identifies 25 trends impacting hotel distribution. Key shifts include AI as integral infrastructure for pricing decisions, fragmented distribution channels requiring multi-touchpoint management, and increased pricing regulation. Central reservation systems (CRS) are critical as the main source for rates. Demand from APAC markets is growing, altering global strategies. Traveler behavior, such as bleisure travel, is now more predictable. Hotels must adapt to automation and data-centric strategies to remain competitive.
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