The Gentle Leader - By Gregg Thompson

James Kavanaugh once suggested that there are 'those too gentle to live among the wolves'. I hope this is no longer true in today's organizations. I believe that the 'wolves' have had their day and need to make way for a new breed of manager: The Gentle Leader. ...more

What to do when things go wrong in a hotel - By Daniel Edward Craig

People often corner me at social functions to tell me about a problem they've had in a hotel. It doesn't matter if I've never worked for the hotel or the incident occurred seventeen years ago; apparently, it's my duty to listen. Sometimes I get the impression they think I'm somehow to blame. ...more

AAA Inspectors Pick 14 Favorite Romantic Hotels and Intimate Restaurants

AAA polled its professional inspectors for their favorite places to celebrate Valentine's Day. Discover their top 14 picks below, also highlighted on AAA's travel blog at AAATravelViews.com. ...more

NBTA Pleased Obama's Budget Addresses Issues Critical to Corporate Travel

The National Business Travel Association (NBTA) applauded the Administration for addressing issues vital to the corporate travel industry in its FY 2011 budget proposal. The requested budget addresses several priorities of critical importance to NBTA, including enhanced aviation security and funding for the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen). ...more

STR Co-founder and CEO Randy Smith presented with Lifetime Achievement Award

Randell A. Smith, CEO and co-founder of Hendersonville, Tenn.-based STR, was presented with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) on 26 January, 2010, in San Diego. Smith was recognized for his legacy in pioneering global hotel benchmarking, the foundation of the company he co-founded with his wife, Carolyn Smith. ...more

Cornell School of Hotel Administration Faculty Appointed to Endowed Professorships

The Cornell University Board of Trustees has approved professorship appointments for three School of Hotel Administration (SHA) faculty members. Mike Lynn has been appointed the Burton M. Sack '61 Professor in Food and Beverage Management, Tim Hinkin has been appointed the Georges and Marian St. Laurent Professor in Applied Business Management, and Kate Walsh has been appointed the Fred G. Peelen Professor of Hospitality Global Strategy. Each of the appointments went into effect on January 1, 2010. ...more

Starwood Reports Fourth Quarter 2009 Results

Loss from continuing operations for the fourth quarter of 2009 of $1.03 per share compared to $0.25 in the fourth quarter of 2008. ...more

Choice Hotels International Unveils New Website

Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH) today introduced consumers to its completely re-designed, innovative ChoiceHotels.com website, with easier search features and improved design to satisfy the hotel search needs of every traveler. ...more

The Parking Spot Announces API & Direct Link Partnership With Tripware

Unique Interface Increases Convenience, Value and Speed for Tripware Users ...more

Canada 2010 Construction Pipeline Outlook

With 153 projects/19,181 rooms at the end of Q4 2009, the total Construction Pipeline has fallen 42% by projects and 44% by rooms from the peak in Q1 2008. The total project count is the lowest LE has recorded, while the room count is at its lowest since Q4 2004. ...more

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Exploring Redevelopment Plan for the Sheraton Manhattan at Times Square

Company Has Received Strong Interest from Investors and Developers To Partner on Major Redevelopment Effort Starwood Also Plans to Open Six Hotels in New York City in 2010 and launch a $90 Million Renovation of the Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers ...more

Orient-Express Hotels Confirms Acquisition of Grand Hotel Timeo and Villa Sant'Andrea Plus Sale of Lilianfels Blue Mountains

Orient-Express Hotels Ltd. (NYSE: OEH), owner or part-owner and managers of 50 luxury hotels, restaurants, tourist trains and river cruise properties operating in 24 countries, today confirmed that it has completed its acquisition of Grand Hotel Timeo and Villa Sant'Andrea in Taormina, Sicily from The Framon Group for a combined price of EUR81million (US$ 117 million) ...more

Hersha Hospitality Refinances Hilton Garden Inn New York City

Hersha Hospitality Trust (NYSE: HT), owner of upscale, mid-scale and extended stay hotels in major metropolitan markets, announced that it has refinanced the outstanding debt on its Hilton Garden Inn located in Tribeca, New York City. ...more

Online Travel Agencies Step Up Efforts to Feature Green Hotels - By Glenn Hasek

Experian recently listed its 'Top 20 websites in the 'Travel' online industry for the month of December 2009, based on visits.' Among those sites - which include such well-known stops as Priceline.com and MapQuest-only three attempt to highlight green hotels ...more

Americas Best Value Inn is First National Hotel Chain to Implement Biodegradable Bathroom Amenities System-Wide

Vantage Hospitality Group announced today that all of its nearly 900 Americas Best Value Inn and Canadas Best Value Inn hotels throughout North America will carry biodegradable packaging in their guest rooms, including shampoo, body lotion and bath soap. ...more

The Pullman Mazagan Royal Golf & Spa opens in El Jadida bay

Located in the superb bay of El Jadida, a fortified town built by the Portuguese in the 16th century, the Pullman Mazagan Royal Golf & Spa is just 40 minutes from the Mohamed V International Airport in Casablanca. ...more

Wyndham Hotels and Resorts Expands in Atlanta with New Hotel

Wyndham Hotels and Resorts today announced its continued growth with the opening of the 231-room Wyndham(R) Garden Atlanta Airport South. ...more

Crowne Plaza Fort Lauderdale Opens in Time for 'The Big Game'

New hotel provides access to airport, cruise port, and close proximity to Miami ...more

Hyatt Place Sacramento/Roseville Celebrates Opening

Hyatt Hotels & Resorts and ABA Development, LLC, today announce the opening of Hyatt Place Sacramento/Roseville. ...more