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Automatic

2376 posts

Dolly Parton’s Songteller Hotel, Nashville Welcomes Shannon Foster as General Manager

🏠 In Nashville, Tennessee, Shannon Foster was appointed as General Manager of Dolly Parton's upcoming SongTeller Hotel, set to open in 2026. Foster, with over ten years in hospitality, previously worked with Hotel Equities and Nashville's Noelle and Holston House hotels. William R. Doyle III of Herschend Family Entertainment lauded Foster's expertise as they gear up for the grand opening, aiming to encapsulate Dolly Parton's career and Southern hospitality.
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Waterton Acquires Poco Diablo Resort in Sedona, AZ

🏖️ In Sedona, Arizona, on February 21, 2025, Waterton acquired the 137-key Poco Diablo Resort, which will be rebranded as Outbound Sedona. The property, located on 18 acres next to Oak Creek, is the fifth hotel under the Outbound Hotels brand, now totaling 690 keys. Enhancements include an upscaled spa experience, renovated guest rooms, and a reimagined courtyard with a heated pool and hot tub. Outbound Sedona is operated by CoralTree Hospitality and aims to be a premier experiential travel brand. Sedona attracts over 3 million visitors annually and is close to the Grand Canyon. Outbound Hotels, founded in 2023, plans to expand by 10-20 locations in the next 5 years.
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Hyatt Centric Soalteemode Kathmandu Marks the Hyatt Centric Brand Debut in Nepal

🏠 USA, Chicago, Illinois - February 21, 2025 - Hyatt Hotels Corporation and City Hotel Limited announced the opening of the first Hyatt Centric branded hotel in Nepal, Hyatt Centric Soalteemode Kathmandu. The property, after extensive renovation, offers 153 guestrooms, free Wi-Fi, over 8,600 square feet of event space, a vibrant lobby, the Centric Lounge, NOON restaurant, and ZING Sky Pool Bar & Deck. Executive Director Akshay Golyan and General Manager Varun Talwar aim to immerse guests in Kathmandu's culture.
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  • 4 min

HT Talks Tech: Skyler Logsdon, Co-founder and CEO, Boomerang

🛈 Boomerang, an AI-powered lost & found platform launched in 2022 by Co-founder & CEO Skyler Logsdon, is revolutionizing item recovery in hospitality and other industries. It integrates with systems like PMS and CRM, boosting recovery rates by 300%, reducing operational costs, and enhancing guest experience. Boomerang enhances customer loyalty and satisfaction by streamlining item return, and helps hotel staff focus on personalized services. The platform's success demonstrates the potential for AI to improve efficiency and personalization across hotel operations.
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  • 2 min

Serko Bolsters Technology Leadership with Appointment of Former Uber and Airbnb Technology Executive Tarun Phaugat

💸 Sparkfly saw a 30% revenue increase in 2024, with 98.6% client and 99.4% revenue retention rates. The company onboarded 12 new enterprise customers, reaching over 100 brands across 18,000+ locations, and more than two-thirds adopted Sparkfly Rewards. Enhancements were made to integrations with Olo, Klaviyo, Bikky, mParticle, Sageflo, SmarterSends, and POS systems like Qu and NCR Cloud. Platform improvements included a self-service portal upgrade and extended loyalty features. Sparkfly kept a 100% employee retention since September 2022 and plans further team expansion.
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  • 3 min

How Smart, Eco-Friendly Pools Are Becoming the New Status Symbol for Sustainable Travel

🚣 In 2024, a report showed 75% of travelers want to make more sustainable travel choices, impacting the hospitality industry's approach to amenities like pools. Advances in pool technology include automated filtration, energy-efficient heating, AI and IoT integration, and eco-friendly materials. Benefits of smart, eco-friendly pools include cost savings, compliance with sustainability certifications, enhanced guest experience, and improved brand reputation. Future trends predict AI-driven monitoring, sustainable tech partnerships, and increased regulatory pressures. Hospitality leaders are advised to invest in smart technology and pursue sustainability certifications to stay competitive.
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  • 2 min

How Whitbread PLC Transformed Content Distribution with Shiji IcePortal 2.0

📦 Premier Inn's owner, Whitbread PLC, partners with Shiji Distribution Solutions, employing Shiji IcePortal 2.0 to transform content distribution, targeting improved efficiency and connectivity. The collaboration enables expanded market access by connecting with previously unreachable distributors, automating content distribution, and enhancing operational efficiency. According to Tim Sleep, Director of Sales & Distribution at Premier Inn, the partnership has significantly benefited their operations and distribution strategy.
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