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🏡 Atlantis, The Royal boasts the world's largest collection of celebrity chef restaurants, nearly 100 pools, a 1,128-square-meter Royal Mansion suite with a 476-square-meter terrace, and unique experiences like a 24-karat gold stone massage. Partnering with brands like Louis Vuitton and Dolce & Gabbana, the resort offers bespoke itineraries and anticipatory service, recognized by Forbes Travel Guide's 5-star award and inclusion in the world's 50 best hotels. Exciting future developments include the opening of Carbone and collaborations with fashion and lifestyle brands.

📙 eBay UK's GM Eve Williams and General Mills’ VP Ben Pearman spoke at The Marketing Society’s Global Conference on November 14, 2023. Williams, promoted to GM from CMO in March 2023, highlighted marketers' customer-centric approach as crucial for GMs. General Mills often promotes marketers to CEOs due to their consumer focus. Both emphasized the role of marketing experience in fulfilling the strategic functions of a GM, despite challenges like people management and cross-division collaboration. Williams also stressed the importance of turning to younger team members for fresh perspectives.

🏖️ Marriott International partners with Fametro Group to convert Tropical Hotel Manaus, Brazil into a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, marking the brand's entry into Brazil. The hotel, opened in 1976, will have a phased reopening at the year's end. The initial phase includes a wave pool, gym, spa, sports courts, kid’s center, and meeting rooms. Future phases will add a restaurant with Rio Negro views, an orchidarium, a chapel, and a pier. Tribute Portfolio has about 120 hotels in 25 countries. Minor Hotels is introducing Avani Hotels & Resorts to Singapore by Q1 2027. The 200-key, 13-story upscale hotel on 24 Peck Seah Street is a partnership with Kajima Development and Alwathba Investment. Avani, launched in 2011 with 42 properties in 24 countries, aims for 100 hotels by 2026. Pandox AB acquires three London aparthotels from Starwood Capital affiliates for £230 million. The 503-key acquisition will add £34 million in revenue and £17 million in net operating income annually. The hotels, operated by Axiom Hospitality, join Pandox’s existing London portfolio. The Lodge at Jackson Hole, Wyoming, completes a $8-million renovation by Athos Capital Partners. The 154-key hotel offers pools, spa, dining, a fitness room, over 10,000 square feet of

📌 The retail value chain, crucial for delivering products or services, can be applied to hospitality to optimize operations and enhance guest experiences. Key steps include product development (hotel service design), sourcing and procurement (partner management), and manufacturing and production (operational efficiency). Effective distribution and logistics (space and reservation management), along with marketing and sales (guest acquisition and retention), are essential. Retail experiences influence the guest experience, and post-sales service translates to post-stay engagement for hotels. Hospitality can learn from retail to improve service offerings and guest satisfaction.

🏡 Robert Blood, founder of Lark Hotels, expanded his boutique hotel brand significantly, nearly doubling its size since 2020. Initially an English major, Blood began in hospitality on Nantucket and later purchased his first property in Kennebunkport, Maine, in 2004 for $1.725 million with various loans, including $350,000 from his mother. Lark Hotels, founded in 2012, now boasts 53 hotels, including sister brands Bluebird by Lark, AWOL, and Blind Tiger guesthouses, and offers extended services through Lark Independent. The affiliated investment division, Lark Capital, was created in 2022. Blood attributes his success to the right mindset and credits mentors Dale and Susan Hamilton for essential guidance in the industry.

🏨 National Hotel Employee Day is celebrated on September 1st, in partnership with the American Hotel and Lodging Association, honoring hotel employees' dedication. Mews, a hospitality tech company, designs user-friendly solutions for staff empowerment, such as automating routine tasks and providing mobile accessibility, centralized communication, data-driven insights, and guest self-service features. These innovations aim to enhance guest experiences and support staff in delivering exceptional service.

🏦 Staypineapple Hotels, recognized by the Seattle Times as the best place to work in the Pacific Northwest, is led by president Dina Belon and chief growth officer Mike Hirschler. The company stands out due to its people-focused culture, encouraging authenticity among team members and their Surprise and Delight program, which empowers staff to provide exceptional guest experiences without a budget limit. They focus on hiring for cultural fit and emotional intelligence, rather than task skills, aiming to retain talent that embodies their mission. Their approach includes no uniforms for front office staff, using preferred pronouns, and fostering friendships in the workplace. Staypineapple also engages employees in creating unique guest experiences, like curated local guides, based on team members' interests. This strategy has led to increased repeat business, reduced acquisition costs, higher top-line revenue, and a supportive, enjoyable work environment.

📍 World Travel Market London, set for November 5-7 at ExCeL London, highlights Technology Track sessions on travel tech issues. Opening with the Technology Summit on November 5, 10am-1:15pm, on the Purple Stage, organized by Timothy O’Neil-Dunne of T2Impact. Keynote by Alfonso Paredes from Expedia Group’s Private Label Solutions, focusing on AI, loyalty, and customer digital experience. The event features regional customer experience sessions, a panel debate, and a start-up competition.

🏨 Cloudbeds appointed Linda Vallner as VP for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, emphasizing their commitment to the EMEA region. Vallner, an expert with over 20 years in hospitality and technology, previously worked at Oracle and Protel Hotelsoftware. She aims to merge technology with hospitality, transforming operations and guest experiences. Cloudbeds' CEO, Adam Harris, expects Vallner's expertise to drive growth and redefine property management systems in the diverse EMEA markets.

🏨 Guest reviews profoundly impact hotel reputations and bookings, necessitating professional, empathetic, and prompt responses from hotel managers. Five exemplary techniques include staff recognition, offering solutions, complimenting guests, making useful recommendations, and inviting guests back. Using TrustYou's responseAI can streamline reply efforts by up to 75%, maintaining a personal touch while addressing reviews efficiently.