TOP NEWS

🏨 The "Q4 2024 Global Hotel Construction Pipeline Trend Report" by Lodging Econometrics notes a 4% project and 3% room increase YOY in the global hotel pipeline, reaching 15,820 projects/2,438,189 rooms. The U.S. leads with 6,378 projects/746,986 rooms, a 7-8% YOY growth, and alongside China (3,779 projects/681,915 rooms), they account for 64% of global projects. India, Canada, and Saudi Arabia hit record highs. Dallas (204 projects/23,669 rooms) and Atlanta (168 projects/19,431 rooms) topped U.S. city growth. In 2024, 2,226 hotels opened, a 7% YOY increase, with predictions of 2,815 and 2,820 hotel openings for 2025 and 2026, respectively.

🏨 Nemacolin, a luxury resort in Pennsylvania, and Hapi won the 2024 Hotel Visionary Award in the Partnership category for transforming the guest experience. In early 2023, Nemacolin modernized their CRM system with Hapi's help, integrating multiple data sources for a 360-degree guest view. This enabled personalized marketing campaigns and on-property staff to offer customized guest services, improving experiences post-pandemic as the resort shifted focus from business to leisure travelers. Key initiatives included personalized activity suggestions, welcome amenities, and VIP service alerts.

📖 - Frits van Paasschen, former CEO of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, discussed trust and innovation in a podcast episode. - Podcast name: Hospitality Daily Podcast. - Date of the episode: Feb. 19, 2025. - Frits van Paasschen's website mentioned: fritsvanpaasschen.com. - Music for the show is by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands. Frits van Paasschen, ex-CEO of Starwood Hotels, shared insights on fostering trust and innovation on Feb. 19, 2025, in the Hospitality Daily Podcast. Episode resources include van Paasschen's website and music by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound.

🍕 In the 2025 Restaurant Technology Network Market Watch, industry experts discuss top priorities for restaurants, including addressing labor issues, enhancing guest service, staff retention, sales growth, CRM/loyalty solution upgrades, AI integration, and operational efficiency. Executives face challenges like labor shortages, technological competitiveness, and rising costs. Disruptors include AI, automation, sustainability, and policy changes. Pier 48 plans to introduce AR dining experiences for seafood transparency and education. Crust Pizza Co. emphasizes balancing tech with human touch, while Wing Snob focuses on AI for efficiency and customer service. 📊

🏨 Rosanna Maietta became the new president of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA). AHLA's certifications provide essential training in hotel management aspects like guest services, revenue strategy, marketing, operational efficiency, and leadership. Certified professionals in the hospitality industry can improve guest experiences, profitability, and adapt to global market trends. This investment in education promotes industry success, sustainability, and growth, emphasizing innovation and guest satisfaction.

🏖️ Tourism in Finland has seen consistent growth due to increased visitor numbers, infrastructure enhancements, and promotion. Public investments and government strategies are shaping the tourism sector, with events and trade fairs boosting hotel demand. Seasonal draws include the Northern Lights and Christmas markets. Statistics Finland reports a total of 23 million overnight stays, highlighting the sector's contribution to the economy, regional development, and Finland's international reputation.

🏨 Creating a superior guest experience in hotels hinges on a "Guest-First Culture," empowering teams with guest-centric processes, and focusing on the small details. General Managers (GMs) play a crucial role in fostering this environment by employing strategies like regular training in empathy and active listening, cross-departmental communication, and employee recognition. Business intelligence tools are vital for tracking guest preferences and satisfaction, informing decisions to enhance guest experiences. Modern practices such as kiosk check-in/check-out systems and mobile apps are examples of innovative processes that streamline operations while improving guest service quality. Attention to tangible details, like cleanliness, personalized amenities, and unique decor, contributes significantly to guest satisfaction. Conversely, compromises can detract from the experience. GMs must continuously evaluate practices and feedback to maintain high standards and eliminate mediocrity, ensuring every detail contributes to an outstanding guest experience.

💡 The hospitality industry is recovering post-COVID, facing inflation and high energy costs, with HVAC accounting for 40-50% of a hotel's energy bill. In the US, commercial buildings, including hotels, consume 75% of electricity, half of which is for heating and air conditioning. The Hampton Inn and Suites in Bakersfield saved 40% on electricity with solar panels. The Beverly Hilton and Waldorf Astoria utilize thermal energy storage for 40% of peak summer cooling, reducing costs. Thermal storage offers a safer and potentially more cost-effective alternative to batteries for energy management.