Human Resources

💸 Global net rooms for Choice Hotels grew 2.6% in Q2 2026, driven by a 3.6% rise in extended stay, midscale, and upscale brands. U.S. room openings increased 27%, adding 6,400 rooms. RevPAR growth hit 1.3% in the U.S., 2.1% internationally. The U.S. conversion rooms pipeline expanded 24% to 24,100 rooms. Net income fell by 21% to $64 million, with total revenue rising 3.5% to $441 million. Franchise fees grew 6% to $188 million.

🍳 Duncan McKay becomes the permanent executive chef at Dunkeld House Hotel, Perthshire, part of Crerar Hotels. With 20 years' experience, McKay previously worked with Manorview Hotels, Trump Turnberry, Buzzworks Holdings, and Bannatyne Hotel Group. In August 2023, Dunkeld House Hotel unveiled an £800k refurbishment. Acquired by Crerar Hotels in December 2023, the hotel aims to elevate its culinary status, catering to upscale dining and events under McKay’s leadership.

🏖 Barnsley Resort in North Georgia has appointed Mark Spadoni as managing director, leveraging his 30+ years of hospitality experience. Significant renovations were completed by the end of 2025 under South Street Partners, including redesigned cottage suites, a new restaurant, six pickleball courts, a Biergarten, a family pool with a lazy river, and an 18-hole putting course. Spadoni previously managed The Omni Homestead Resort & Spa in Virginia and several Westin hotels across the U.S.

📍 Cameron Baxter returns as Operations Manager at Grantley Hall, North Yorkshire, after a six-month absence. Previously head of food and beverage, he moved to Rockhall in March. Grantley Hall, which opened in 2019, features 47 rooms, Michelin-starred dining, and an award-winning spa. Nuno César de Sá FIH, the general manager, expressed excitement about Baxter's reintegration to enhance operational standards, following Rockhall's recent multi-million-pound renovation set for reopening this autumn.

🏨 Whitbread appoints Stuart Hookins as estates director for the UK and Ireland, succeeding Simon Hobbs, who retires on 1 September 2026 after nearly 20 years. Hookins will manage over 845 Premier Inn hotels and 86,000 bedrooms. By FY 31, Whitbread aims to recycle £1.5 billion in property assets, backing the expansion of Premier Inn. Hookins' experience at Royal Mail and The Co-op Group will aid Whitbread's strategic property growth.

📈 TrustYou, the leading hospitality AI platform, announced the appointment of Elly Ji and Jonathan Abel to its Asia-Pacific team. Ji, with over 20 years in hospitality technology, and Abel, a global expert, enhance TrustYou’s operations in the region. Ji focuses on transforming guest data into business outcomes, while Abel, based in Bangkok, manages complex client relationships. TrustYou’s APAC expansion aims to optimize hotel operations using AI and unified guest data.

🌍 OutRival, based in Miami, launches a Travel vertical appointing Jeff Herzfeld, who has 20+ years of industry experience, as Head of Travel. The company, known for its Digital Workers, aims to handle millions of leads for cruise lines, hotels, and travel agencies. Since early April, it expanded into insurance and plans to scale customer interactions using AI. Its platform has managed over 11 million conversations and 36 million data-entry tasks, promising deployment in two weeks.

🏨 Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor at Camden Yards has completed phase one of its renovation, updating 523 guestrooms and the concierge level. Phase two begins in Q1 2027, focusing on the lobby, restaurant, and meeting spaces. Operated by HEI Hotels & Resorts and owned by SC Baltimore Hotel LLC, the property offers modernized rooms with a 55-inch Smart TV and high-speed WiFi. Located near key attractions, the hotel features 18,400 sq ft of event space.

📈 July 31, 2026, Brussels, Belgium: Thynk enhances its commercial team amidst global expansion. Ilaria Marinoni is promoted to Chief Sales Officer, having contributed to Thynk's growth over six years. New appointments include Fred Lazzerini as Head of Venues and Brad Nuccio as VP of Sales, Venues, focusing on North America. Nicola Rhone joins as Director of Business Development in Europe, bringing over 20 years of hospitality expertise. This reinforces Thynk's commitment to hospitality and venue markets.