Hospitality Management
IHG Hotels & Resorts | September 06, 2023
IHG Hotels & Resorts launches IHG LIFT, a program supporting under-represented groups in the US and Canada's hospitality industry.
IHG commits over $30 million in partnership with HBCUs, Clark Atlanta University, and Morehouse College. Together, they aim to remove barriers and create opportunities for diverse owner-entrepreneurs.
The program is integral to the Journey to Tomorrow 2030 responsible business plan. It aligns with IHG's commitment to promoting inclusivity and equal hotel ownership access.
IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG), a global hospitality company, has introduced IHG LIFT, a program fostering diversity in hospitality. It provides support, capital access, and guidance throughout the hotel lifecycle for historically under-represented groups within the hospitality industry in the US and Canada.
IHG has partnered with Clark Atlanta University and Morehouse College, two prominent Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Over the next five years, the company has committed more than $30 million to support the IHG LIFT program.
This partnership represents a significant step toward eliminating barriers and creating opportunities for aspiring hotel owners, aligning seamlessly with IHG's commitment to diversity and equal access to resources and support.
IHG LIFT is an integral component of IHG's comprehensive Journey to Tomorrow 2030 responsible business plan. This broader strategy addresses critical issues and promotes inclusivity within the hospitality industry.
The program's primary objective is to unlock common barriers to hotel ownership among under-represented groups and empower diverse owner-entrepreneurs for success. By integrating IHG LIFT into this forward-thinking plan, IHG reaffirms its commitment to fostering a more unbiased landscape in the hospitality industry.
“As our industry grows, we need to keep our focus on enabling more success for our diverse ownership base. Barriers such as a lack of access to capital and the right networks put such owners at a disadvantage. The IHG LIFT program is specifically designed to help ease the path to ownership and ultimately support owners. Diversifying ownership is not only better for IHG, it also lifts up our entire industry.”
-Chief Development Officer, Americas at IHG Hotels & Resorts, Julienne Smith.
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Travel Technology
Fareportal | November 08, 2023
Fareportal, featuring brands such as CheapOair and OneTravel, delivers online travel solutions focusing on global bookings through OneTravel.
OneTravel's 'Going Places' blog suggests paying tribute to veterans by visiting parks, memorials, and museums on Veteran's Day.
Veteran’s Day has undergone historical changes in its name and date, from its origins as Armistice Day to the fourth Monday in October and then its restoration to November 11.
On the occasion of Veteran's Day, Fareportal's travel agency, OneTravel, is offering valuable insights for those seeking to commemorate this significant day and pay tribute to the individuals who have served in the armed forces.
According to an article published by OneTravel's 'Going Places' blog site, there are several ways to observe Veteran's Day following its spirit, which include visiting various parks, memorials, and museums dedicated to honoring veterans. These locations encompass Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum in Mount Pleasant (South Carolina), Gettysburg National Military Park in Gettysburg (Pennsylvania), Navajo Nation Veterans Memorial Park in Window Rock (Arizona), National Veterans Art Museum in Chicago (Illinois), Liberty Memorial in Kansas City (Missouri), Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., and Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington (Virginia).
Werner Kunz-Cho, Chief Executive Officer of Fareportal, stated, "At Fareportal, travel is our mission. We feel it is our responsibility to provide readers with useful information to aid in their travel choices."
[Source – Fareportal]
Furthermore, he emphasized that the 'Going Places' article offers excellent recommendations for destinations that align perfectly with the spirit of Veteran's Day, and whether one chooses to travel by air or road, there is an encouragement for all to explore these captivating destinations.
The history of this observance is intriguing, encompassing its original name and the date on which it was observed. Initially established as Armistice Day shortly after the conclusion of the First World War, the holiday's appellation underwent an official transformation to Veteran's Day in 1954. Subsequently, in 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, primarily aimed at creating three-day weekends for federal employees while stimulating travel and tourism. This legislative action resulted in the moving of the observance of Veteran's Day to the fourth Monday in October. The American populace exhibited a mixed response to this alteration of the date. In 1978, President Gerald Ford decided to reinstate the observation of Veteran's Day to its original date, November 11. This year, since it's a Saturday, Veteran's Day will be observed on the preceding Friday.
Fareportal, a company hosting consumer travel brands like CheapOair and OneTravel, facilitates customer bookings through various platforms, including online and mobile applications, and provides airline partners with access to a broad customer base for booking international and domestic flights, hotels, and additional services. OneTravel, a part of the Fareportal family, is globally recognized for delivering comprehensive travel solutions to meet diverse traveler needs. With OneTravel, customers can find budget-friendly flight options, including business and first-class fares, make reservations for hotels and car rentals, and plan vacations to top global destinations.
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Travel Technology
HEI Hotels & Resorts | October 13, 2023
Courtland Grand Hotel, under HEI Hotel & Resorts, officially joins the esteemed Trademark Collection by Wyndham.
This collaboration integrates the hotel into Wyndham Rewards, with over 100 million members and enhances its reservation system.
The Courtland Grand Hotel's strategic affiliation with Trademark Collection by Wyndham reflects the brand's appeal to three- and four-star hoteliers, preserving their unique character.
Courtland Grand Hotel, a prominent hospitality investment and management company in a significant development, operated by HEI Hotel & Resorts, has formally joined the prestigious Trademark Collection by Wyndham. This strategic partnership seamlessly integrates the former Sheraton hotel into Wyndham Rewards, a highly acclaimed hotel rewards program boasting over 100 million enrolled members. It also grants access to Wyndham's robust reservation system, enhancing its reach and services.
Marilyn Yelle, the director of sales and marketing for the Courtland Grand Hotel, expressed,
"Joining the Trademark Collection by Wyndham affords us the best of all worlds, allowing the Courtland Grand Hotel to retain its independent allure while providing access to brand tools that ultimately benefit our guests."
[Source - Business Wire]
The hotel has been operating since 2017, and its affiliation is seen as both a celebration of independence and an essential step toward the continued mission of providing unparalleled guest experiences. The move also enables the hotel to pay higher commissions to third-party reservation partners and intermediaries, which is expected to further benefit the hotel's bottom line.
The affiliation of the Courtland Grand Hotel with the Trademark Collection by Wyndham underscores the brand's appeal to three- and four-star hoteliers seeking to leverage the scale and resources of Wyndham while preserving their hotels' distinctive character. Trademark Collection, a global brand, boasts over 185 hotels across nearly 25 countries, encompassing premier locations such as Atlanta, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Montreal, Berlin, Zurich, Athens, Istanbul, and other notable destinations.
The Courtland Grand Hotel, located in the heart of downtown Atlanta at 165 Courtland Street NE, has upheld an impressive four-star rating on TripAdvisor since 2016. Guest accommodations feature spacious layouts with floor-to-ceiling windows and convenient in-room refrigerators. The hotel boasts a range of appealing amenities, including a 24/7 fitness center and a picturesque garden courtyard with a heated pool covered by a retractable glass dome. Guests can savor American cuisine and specialty cocktails at Fandangles Bar & Restaurant or indulge in a delightful breakfast buffet at Collage. The hotel also presents an extensive event space, offering nearly 100,000 square feet, including two grand ballrooms and an expansive exhibit hall.
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