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WASHINGTON 24 October 2024 – Europe is the only world region with lower hotel pipeline activity year over year, according to September 2024 data from CoStar. CoStar is a leading provider of online real estate marketplaces, information, and analytics in the property markets.

September 2024 (% change in comparison with September 2023):

Europe

In construction: 163,135 rooms (-1.0%)

  • Final Planning: 87,779 rooms (-21.9%)
  • Planning: 162,275 rooms (+1.7%)
  • Total Under Contract: 413,189 rooms (-5.4%)

Among countries in the region, Germany (27,175) led in construction activity, closely followed by the U.K. (24,733).

Asia Pacific

  • In construction: 509,167 rooms (+1.7%)
  • Final Planning: 55,448 rooms (-50.1%)
  • Planning: 389,689 rooms (+43.1%)
  • Total Under Contract: 954,304 rooms (+7.9%)

China leads the Asia Pacific region in total rooms in construction (322,440), followed by Vietnam (35,810).

Middle East & Africa

  • In construction: 110,229 rooms (-4.3%)
  • Final Planning: 30,955 rooms (+3.3%)
  • Planning: 85,178 rooms (+7.3%)
  • Total Under Contract: 226,362 rooms (+0.8%)

Most of the region’s pipeline activity is focused in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia (41,828) and the United Arab Emirates (18,959) have the most rooms in construction.

Americas

  • In construction: 209,312 rooms (+9.5%)
  • Final Planning: 305,199 rooms (+10.6%)
  • Planning: 387,418 rooms (+36.1%)
  • Total Under Contract:901,929 rooms (+20.0%)

The U.S. (157,253) holds the majority of rooms in construction in the region. After the U.S., Mexico (13,986), Canada (9,125) and Brazil (5,964) show the highest number of rooms in construction.

For more information about the company and its products and services, please visit www.costargroup.com.

 
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OHRMA (The Ontario Restaurant Hotel & Motel Association) held it’s third Ontario Hospitality Conference in Richmond Hill, Ontario. The conference run by long-term ORHMA Board Director Jason Cheskes, hit records with over 450 registered attendees, 50+ vendors in the marketplace and the largest sponsorship support yet. The conference opened with a networking reception where ORHMA provided an update on activities to support the development of people into the hospitality industry. This was followed by the awarding of “OHI – We Are Hospitality” Hall of Fame Awards (formerly knows as Fellows of the OHI). 10 inductees as well as past winners were recognized for their involvement in the hospitality industry over their careers. Winners can be viewed at https://www.weareohi.ca/hall-of-fame

The conference took place the following day with a full day of sessions lead by Master of Ceremonies, and highly regarded Chef John Higgins who led the conference through the day’s educational sessions on current key hospitality topics. This year’s opening included an extended segment on Human Sex Trafficking with survivor, Michelle Furgiuele representing Timea’s Cause, sharing the harsh realities of this issue followed by several important and relevant topics that owners, operators and General Managers could benefit from applying tot their businesses

The day also included a supplier marketplace of over 50 vendors from across the spectrum of hospitality goods and services and saw delegates awarded over $12,000 in supplier provided raffle prizes at the end of the conference.

Aaron Laurie, President and CEO, and recently appointed Director with ORHMA shared “We are thrilled to have put on another successful conference to assist the industry and those within it. We have been receiving tremendous feedback since, especially on how the subject matter and speakers delivered on our commitment to offer sessions that provide useful and actionable take-aways for the delegates when they return to their businesses. We are very appreciative of the support from our sponsors, marketplace participants, speakers and the industry as a whole, and we look forward to beginning work on next year’s conference October 20-21, 2025 and other events in the coming months. Save the Date!”

Information and photos from the conference can be found at https://www.ontariohospitalityconference.com/

Special thanks to Frank Yeo of Mercury Publications / Eastern Hotelier magazine for his support in providing the conference photographer.

 
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TORONTO, Oct. 23, 2024 /CNW/ -- Four Seasons continues to shine with international recognition for its exceptional bar concepts, securing two spots on the coveted World's 50 Best Bars List. During the ceremony in Madrid on October 22, 2024, the World's 50 Best Bars Academy —comprising 680 anonymous drink experts from across the globe — revealed outstanding results for two Four Seasons establishments: BKK Social Club at Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River, ranked #12, and VIRTÙ at Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi, ranked #42.

These accolades further reinforce the outstanding reputation of Four Seasons bars and restaurants, underscoring the brand's commitment to excellence in beverage. In July 2024, this commitment was demonstrated when four Four Seasons bars were named on Asia's 50 Best Bars list, announced in Hong Kong. Among the honorees were BKK Social Club and VIRTÙ, securing #7 and #11 respectively, along with ARGO at Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong at #9, and Bar Trigona at Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur at #36.

"Our achievements on the World's and Asia's 50 Best Bars lists reflect our passion for redefining mixology and pushing boundaries," says Philipp Blaser, Senior Vice President of Food and Beverage, Four Seasons. "Our bars have become iconic destinations, where craftsmanship meets exceptional atmosphere. We are incredibly proud of our teams, whose pursuit of excellence continues to set new industry standards. These achievements are not just a testament to their hard work but also an inspiration for us to keep delivering extraordinary experiences to guests worldwide."

Each of the recognized bars offers an immersive experience, seamlessly blending local culture with cutting-edge mixology—an approach that has become a hallmark of Four Seasons.

#12 Best Bar: BKK Social Club, Bangkok

BKK Social Club brings the dynamic spirit of Latin America's bar scene to the heart of modern Bangkok, blending the timeless charm of Mexico City with the vibrant energy of modern Bangkok. The menu invites guests to explore the iconic places, personalities, and celebrations of Mexico City. Curated by Beverage Manager Philip Bischoff, the selection features handcrafted cocktails and artisanal spirits, perfectly paired with the bar's chic atmosphere and lively soundtrack that resonates with guests globally. Situated within Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River, a 2-key hotel in the Michelin Guide, BKK Social Club also shares space with the Michelin Guide-recommended Yu Ting Yuan and the newly opened Palmier by Guillaume Galliot.

#42 Best Bar: VIRTÙ, Tokyo

With stunning views of the city skyline, VIRTÙ masterfully combines the essence of modern Japanese ingredients and techniques with the elegance of classic French flavours and traditions. Led by Keith Motsi, winner of the 2023 Altos Bartenders' Bartender Award, VIRTÙ boasts an exceptional collection of vintage French spirits, rare cognacs, and an impressive range of Japanese labels. Perched on the 39th floor of Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi, a prestigious 3-key hotel in the Michelin Guide Japan 2024, the venue also shares its home with the Michelin-starred restaurant est. VIRTÙ was further honoured with the Michter's Art of Hospitality Award at the Asia's 50 Best Bars 2024 ceremony.

More than just mixologists, Four Seasons bar teams are storytellers bringing local legends and faraway places to life. Rooted in their communities yet driven by a spirit of exploration, they create exceptional drinks that transport guests to far-off places. Each establishment showcases Four Seasons commitment to creating personalized experiences that leave a lasting impression on guests. To discover more world-class dining and drinking experiences at Four Seasons hotels and resorts around the world visit fourseasons.com/dining and follow #FSBestSip.

 
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By Adam Tuttle, Co-Founder & CEO of Yipy

Today, guests expect more out of their hotel stays; in addition to a place to lay their heads, they want to feel emotionally connected to the destination, the people they meet and to their overall travel experience. No algorithm, no matter how sophisticated, can replicate the experience, or impact, of being seen, heard and cared for by another person, especially in the hospitality industry.

But at the same time, hotels (especially those with multiple properties in different destinations) need to develop and implement consistent brand standards to ensure that each guest who stays at any of their properties receives the same quality of care and experience as any other.

For many, the concept of standards conjures images of rigid protocols, endless checklists, mandatory greetings and phrases to be repeated verbatim, over and over; as a result, it’s not surprising that the idea of implementing hotel standards can seem counterproductive to the core concept and goal of hospitality, which is to build strong, personalized relationships to provide the best possible guest experience.

So, is the idea of developing and implementing brand standards completely paradoxical to the idea and experience of true hospitality?

Here’s the truth… Well-designed and well-implemented standards do not restrict creativity and individuality, as they will not restrict employees’ actions or dictate each element of every guest interaction. Well-designed standards and protocols empower employees to adapt and respond naturally and authentically within a structured framework that supports the brand’s image and keeps the guest experience consistent.

As such, the key to truly personalized, high-quality guest service isn’t found in loosening or eliminating brand standards, but rather, in deepening our understanding of their power and mastering their development and implementation.

But to do so, first we must understand the necessary balance between standards and authenticity – which is integral to the development and implementation of effective brand standards that empower, rather than restrict.

Brand standards that are too restrictive result in service that feels robotic and transactional to guests, as the human connection has been replaced with checklists or policies. Instead, savvy hotels develop brand standards that empower staff to have authentic interactions with guests – rather than implementing unwavering “rules” which micromanage their actions – supported by comprehensive staff training, which includes both technical training and role-playing scenarios designed to simulate common and uncommon guest situations. This combination will foster an understanding of why the standards exist and give employees the skills to react to a variety of situations confidently; as a result, standards become the safety net that allows for creative improvisation.

The "Confidence/Competence Loop" plays a central role here, as this psychological feedback loop shows that when employees feel more confident in their roles, they become more competent; as a result, when their competency grows even more, so too does their level of confidence.

With proper training, when a property’s staff encounter an unexpected situation, they are better equipped to resolve it without breaking the flow of their interactions with guests or sacrificing personal authenticity. Effective standards, when combined with training, ensure the core of the brand’s promise remains intact even when employees go off-script to add a personal touch.  

This strategy isn’t a new or unproven one; in fact, this model is used heavily in crisis management training and other fields where emergency scenarios are common. Like in the hospitality industry, this standards-based training allows the individual performing the task to focus on the situation, rather than the protocol, while avoiding potentially hazardous or dangerous situations.

And the best part… when this model is properly implemented in the hospitality industry, the brand’s standards become invisible to guests; the only thing that shines through to guests is the staff’s genuine care for the quality of their travel experience. This is because employees who feel supported by their organization and confident in their abilities – backed by a solid understanding of the standards – are more likely to offer expressions of genuine care, rather than forced friendliness, in their interactions with guests. This emotional authenticity is what distinguishes good service from exceptional hospitality, while also ensuring that the service is always in accordance with the brand standards.

So that’s it… the secret to making standards work in hospitality is not to view them as chains, but as the foundation upon which great hospitality can flourish. When employees feel capable, supported and free within the framework of standards, they are empowered to create truly memorable experiences for guests.

And, in the end, isn’t that the essence of good hospitality?

 
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WASHINGTON 22 October 2024 – Canada’s hotel industry recorded its first month-over-month occupancy decline since January 2024, according to CoStar’s September 2024 data. CoStar is a leading provider of online real estate marketplaces, information and analytics in the property markets.

September 2024 (percentage change from 2023):

  • Occupancy: 74.0% (-1.8%)
  • Average daily rate (ADR): CAD227.99 (+2.6%)
  • Revenue per available room (RevPAR): CAD168.69 (+0.8%)

“Declines in both group and transient demand resulted in softer occupancy across Canada hotels,” said Laura Baxter, CoStar Group’s director of hospitality analytics for Canada.

“While the Yom Kippur calendar shift added additional business travel during September, there was one less weekend in the month this year, which may have counterbalanced that added segmented demand, as weekends tend to have higher occupancy than weekdays. While group contractions have been common this year, transient demand dipped for the first time since February 2024. Rates in the segment, however, grew marginally, while group rates rose 7%.

“Looking at classes, luxury continues to achieve higher occupancy growth, while lower-end hotels have contributed to the overall decline in the metric. This follows the bifurcation trend seen this year and indicates that those with strong disposable income continue to spend money on discretionary items.”

Among the provinces and territories, Nova Scotia recorded the highest occupancy level (82.4%), which was 1.7% above 2023.

Among the major markets, Vancouver saw the highest occupancy (84.9%), down 1.9% over September 2023.

The lowest occupancy among provinces was reported in Saskatchewan (62.4%), down 2.0% against 2023.

At the market level, the lowest occupancy was reported in Edmonton (-8.7% to 58.1%).

Of note, Forward STAR data shows the impact of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour in Canada, with hotel occupancy on the books as high as 60.5% in Toronto and 67.6% in Downtown Toronto (November). In Vancouver, bookings are as high as 78.4%, while the metric in Downtown Vancouver is as high as 82.9% (December).

For more information about the company and its products and services, please visit www.costargroup.com.

 

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