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HOTELSMag.com

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  • 7 min

People on the Move: Mews, Virgin Hotels Collection, AutoCamp, Indigo Road Hospitality, Capella Hotel Group, The Newman

📅 Mews appoints Michael Coscetta as president, leveraging his experience from Paxos and Compass. Virgin Hotels Collection names Johanna Kent Chief People Officer with 27 years in the field and Leo Rotshteyn Global Head of Revenue Management with over 30 years of experience. AutoCamp welcomes Bryan Terzi as CMO, who has over two decades of marketing experience and launched 12 hotels at Sage Hospitality. The Indigo Road Hospitality Group appoints Katharine Ames as CMO, previously their Director of Marketing since 2021. Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows expands its team with Edward C. Braunlich as Managing Director, Yvette Kitagawa as Hotel Manager, and MaryAnn Blanchard as Director of Sales. Capella Hotel Group announces John Blanco and Ellen Franke as GMs for new Japan locations. Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort names Judd Rabbidge GM. Hawaii Vacation Condos by Outrigger appoints Sootaga “So’o” Tana as GM for three properties. Sam Basu becomes AGM of Puerto Rico and GM of The Ritz-Carlton, San Juan for Marriott International. Iconic Luxury Hotels names Samantha Rieu GM of two London hotels. The Newman hires Alex Drown as Director of Sales for its 2025 opening. Kessler brings on Angela Showley as VP of Marketing and Revenue. Shutters on the Beach and Hotel Casa del Mar welcome Kasidy DeWitt
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  • 2 min

Briefs: Tivoli wellness resort in Italy; Courtyard by Marriott opens in Japan

🏡 Tivoli Hotels & Resorts opened Tivoli Portopiccolo Sistiana Wellness Resort & Spa in Trieste, Italy, featuring 58 rooms, 20 suites, and 30 apartments, with a 3,600-square-meter spa to open later this year. Courtyard by Marriott launched its eighth Japan hotel and first in Hokkaido, the Courtyard by Marriott Sapporo with 321 rooms. In December 2022, the Home2 Suites by Hilton North Scottsdale was sold, including an outdoor pool and 500 square feet of event space. Accor partnered with Kylian Mbappé to support youth and corporate social responsibility. Indian Hotel Co. Ltd.'s ama Stays & Trails reached over 200 bungalows across India, with 97 under development and more than 65% new-builds.
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  • 3 min

Corporate travel spend up says Deloitte

🟢 U.S. corporate travel spend expected to grow 8%-12%, potentially surpassing pre-COVID levels by 2023 end. Deloitte study reveals 77% of business travelers made 1-5 trips in 2023, with 20% planning 6-10 trips and 10% over 10 trips in 2024. Travel managers predict a 14-15% annual increase in spend for 2024 and 2025. Conferences and industry events drive business travel, with 60% planning to attend in 2024. Return to office influences travel resurgence, but less so over time. High prices impact trip volume, with 22% of managers citing it as the most significant factor, leading to strategies like booking compliance (55%) and lower-cost flights. Sustainability is a concern, with 46% of companies having travel emission strategies in 2024, up from 30% in 2023.
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  • 3 min

Corporate travel spend up says Deloitte

💰 In the U.S., corporate travel spend is projected to rise by 8-12% by end of the year, potentially surpassing pre-COVID levels, as per a Deloitte study. In 2023, 77% of business travelers took one to five trips, 15% six to 10, and 7% more than 10; in comparison, 20% plan six to 10 trips and 10% more than 10 in 2024. Companies expect a 14-15% yearly increase in travel spend, with 73% of travel managers predicting a rise in 2024 and 58% in 2025. The main growth drivers are industry events and sales/client work, with conferences being a top driver, and 60% planning business travel for them this year. Travel managers anticipate a slight increase in international trips' share of spend in 2025. High prices impact trip volume, with 22% of travel managers stating it as a primary concern, and 55% of them relying on booking compliance to control costs. Corporate sustainability efforts are evident, with 46% of companies having travel emission budgets in 2024, up from 30% in 2023.
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  • 3 min

Slow down, and other things a dog can teach

🐶 Jack Russell dogs require significant exercise and are bred for hunting, with a sense of smell 100,000 times better than humans. A dog's brain dedicates 40% more to smell than humans, and they possess 125 to 250 million smell receptors compared to a human's five million. The author describes daily walks with his Jack Russell named Olive, emphasizing the importance of a slower, more intentional pace to absorb the world—paralleling careful decision-making in hotel business operations.
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  • 3 min

Slow down, and other things a dog can teach

🐶 A Jack Russell requires substantial exercise and is prone to hunt and chase with a sense of smell 100,000 times better than humans. Dogs can have 125 to 250 million smell receptors, compared to a human's five million. The author's daily routine includes three walks with their dog, Olive, which has taught them the value of a slower pace for better decision-making. The idea is parallel to the business of hotels and strategic thinking, emphasizing the benefits of an unhurried, deliberate approach.
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  • 2 min

Briefs: Capella resort in Taiwan; Sonesta debuts in Mexico

🏖️ Capella Kenting, a luxury resort by Capella Hotels and Resorts and Riant Capital Ltd., is set to open in 2028 in Pingtung, Taiwan, covering 99,000 square meters with 65 villas featuring private pools, hot spring facilities, and sea views. Sonesta's Costa Sur Resort in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, with 206 rooms, marks its first Mexican property and Classico brand expansion. InnVentures now manages 85 hotels, adding two Embassy Suites in Oregon and Washington, with a total of 596 keys. Hotel 24 South in Virginia celebrates its 100th anniversary, offering 124 rooms and 8,500 square feet of event space.
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  • 2 min

Briefs: Tented suites in Botswana; Minor’s dual-branded hotel in China

🏡 Wilderness Mokete opens in Botswana's Mababe region, offering tented suites within a 50,000-hectare private concession near the Okavango Delta. Nine ensuite canvas suites feature air conditioning, WiFi, retractable roofs, and are connected by wooden walkways. The site operates off-grid using renewable PV energy. Minor Hotels will debut Tivoli and NH brands in Yining, China, with a dual-branded 400-room hotel, set to open in 2026. Virgin Limited Edition joins Preferred Hotels & Resorts' Legend Collection with properties across various countries. Red Roof launches HomeTowne Studios Greenville with 50 rooms in South Carolina, following a $1 million renovation.
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  • 5 min

What a “speak-up” culture is and why it’s essential in hospitality

📝 In the hotel industry, 53% of workers have reported sexual harassment. This contrasts with 35% of women in the general workforce and rises to 89% among women in hospitality. A speak-up culture, which includes implementing a whistleblower hotline and prioritizing anonymity and multilingual support, can protect employees and enhance trust. It requires transparency and accountability, and can help avoid non-compliance fines and reputational damage. Surveys can assess hotline awareness and efficacy among employees and customers. Story by Shannon Walker, EVP at Case IQ.
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