Print

 

Tourism HR Canada is delighted to announce the appointment of two new directors to its board. Bringing a mix of experience in non-profits, governance, workforce development, and the tourism sector are Beth McMahon, President & CEO of the Hotel Association of Canada, and Tracy Breher, Vice-President, Destination and Workforce Development, at Tourism Saskatchewan.

The new directors’ elections were confirmed at Tourism HR Canada’s recent Annual General Meeting. They join a highly engaged and experienced board that plays an integral role in helping Canada’s tourism sector reach its full potential with a vibrant, diverse, skilled workforce. Tourism HR Canada plays a lead role in pan-Canadian attraction, retention, and skills development initiatives, as well as labour market intelligence.

Beth fills one of four seats in the national associations category, allocated for the Hotel Association of Canada. With over twenty years of executive experience, Beth has significantly grown and strengthened non-profit organizations by fostering collaboration and innovation among boards, members, and staff. An award-winning association leader, Beth is leading the Hotel Association of Canada (HAC) into an exciting new chapter of growth and advocacy.

Prior to joining HAC, she served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP), where she expanded membership by over forty percent and strengthened the organization’s position with government and key partners. She has also held leadership roles such as Vice President, Government and Public Relations, at the Canadian Vintners Association (now Wine Growers Canada).

A graduate of the University of Toronto with a Master’s in Environmental Studies from York University, Beth has also completed the IVEY Business School CommunityShift executive leadership program, underscoring her commitment to continuous professional learning.

Tracy fills one of four seats in the industry at-large category. Tourism Saskatchewan is a Treasury Board Crown Corporation responsible for developing and promoting tourism in the province. Its mandate includes education and training, product development, visitor services, and marketing. Tracy leads the team responsible for strengthening industry growth through planning and development support for businesses, as well as tourism education and training to address the challenges of a competitive labour market.

Tracy has diverse experience from past roles in communications, development, and marketing, always working to support strategic growth and business sustainability. She is a champion of advancing quality experiences through industry-validated training and brings focused accountability on program results.

“We benefit from a collaborative Board of Directors that is committed to ensuring smart, targeted strategies to support Canada’s tourism workforce,” said Philip Mondor, President and CEO of Tourism HR Canada. “The perspectives and expertise Beth and Tracy bring to the table will be invaluable as we continue to grow a resilient, competitive, and inclusive tourism workforce.”

Tourism HR Canada board and staff members thank outgoing directors Susie Grynol (formerly with the Hotel Association of Canada, now with Marriott International) and Jim Bence (Hospitality Saskatchewan) for their leadership and significant contributions and look forward to ongoing collaboration.

Tourism HR Canada would like to thank all who put forward nominations.

 
Print

 

Madrid, January 20, 2025: Gonzalo Aguilar has assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer at , effective January 1, 2025. Aguilar joined Minor Hotels in October 2024 and succeeds former CEO Ramón Aragonés, who retired at the end of 2024 and continues to serve as a member of the Board of Directors and Non-Executive Vice President.

With over 30 years of hospitality experience—including his most recent senior leadership role as Chief Operating Officer for Europe at Marriott International—Aguilar brings a proven track record in driving growth and profitability to the Minor Hotels team. His leadership was instrumental in integrating the AC Hotels brand into Marriott and achieving significant corporate milestones throughout a career, which has seen him rapidly rise through the ranks from his start as a restaurant manager in Colorado. 

At Minor Hotels Europe & Americas, Aguilar will focus on strengthening international integration of Minor’s brand portfolio and accelerating hotel openings in key markets, particularly in the luxury and resort segments, under the company’s ‘asset right’ strategy which drives sustainable growth through an optimized balance of ownership, management and franchise models.

“Gonzalo’s expertise, leadership, and deep knowledge of the multi-brand, asset-light hotel landscape makes him the ideal choice to guide Minor Hotels Europe & Americas through our next phase of strategic growth in this high-value region,” said Dillip Rajakarier, CEO of Minor Hotels and Chairman of Minor Hotels Europe & Americas.

Aguilar expressed his enthusiasm for the role, stating, “Joining this forward-thinking hospitality group is an opportunity I embrace with great enthusiasm. I look forward to collaborating with our talented teams to build on the company’s excellent performance. With our globally recognized brand portfolio and ambitious expansion plans, we are well-positioned to achieve continued success in the most profitable segments of the market.”

Aguilar’s appointment will be formalized at the Ordinary General Shareholders’ Meeting, scheduled before June 30, 2025. During his onboarding, he worked closely with Aragonés to ensure a smooth leadership transition.

 
Print

 

Steinhausen, Switzerland – January 16, 2025 – , developer of an award-winning  revenue management system (RMS) for hotels, is proud to announce three big wins in the 2025 , which recognise the best operational solutions based on reviews and ratings from hoteliers around the world.

In this year’s awards, RoomPriceGenie won second place for “The Best Revenue Management System (RMS)” for the second year in a row, as the solution is a simple, automated way for hoteliers to optimise their pricing – after implementation!

The RoomPriceGenie RMS was also recognized as the 7th “Most Recommended Solution” overall, a category that compares the solution’s performance with that of all operational solutions in the industry.

Finally, RoomPriceGenie won third place in “The Best Place to Work Award” for the second year in a row, recognizing the company’s commitment to creating a supportive, inclusive and fun-filled work environment, and building a team that is passionate about helping clients achieve their business and financial goals.

“We are very proud to be recognized across these three categories of the HotelTechAwards, as these wins demonstrate the efficacy and ease of use of our RMS, as well as the knowledge and dedication shown by our hard-working team of Genies,” said Ari Andricopoulos, CEO of RoomPriceGenie. “We are very excited to see the positive impact that we have had on hoteliers’ bottom lines continue through 2025, as our growth and development plans for this year will further empower hoteliers to maximise their long-term profitability, no matter how the market changes.”

To find out more about RoomPriceGenie’s 2025 HotelTechAwards wins, please read the official press release on

 
Print

 

San Francisco, January 16, 2025 — , the world’s leading revenue management software provider for the hospitality industry, has unveiled its 2025 hospitality trends report, revealing that increased costs, AI, personalization, evolving revenue metrics, and data, are the biggest challenges the industry will face this year, according to a global survey of hoteliers.

The report highlights persistent trends that have grown in influence and new opportunities hoteliers can take advantage of, with a unified opinion that change must be embraced to remain competitive — especially when it comes to technological advancements.

Key Trends Shaping 2025

1. Volatility, Generational Shifts, and Increased Costs

Geopolitical risks, shifting guest expectations, and rising overheads are forcing hoteliers to rethink traditional strategies, with increased costs seen as the biggest challenge this year. Darrell Stark, VP Sales, Revenue & Distribution Strategy, Noble House Hotels & Resorts comments, “Rising labor costs continue to challenge hoteliers. It's not just about the occupancy rate — it’s about the market mix within the hotel.”

Despite instability, investment in revenue technology remains robust, with 54.5% of survey respondents planning to purchase a revenue management system (RMS) in 2025, while 61.1% aim to increase their technology budgets.

2. The Growing Importance of AI

AI is a powerful tool for revenue management, with predictive forecasting, dynamic pricing, and competitive intelligence seen as its most impactful features. Despite importance and adoption growing, hoteliers are still on the fence when it comes to trusting AI recommendations without human input.

“AI is no longer just a tool, it’s the future of modern revenue management,” says Jordan Hollander, Co-Founder, Hotel Tech Report.

3. Personalization and Guest Experience

Personalization is a critical focus, and its importance will continue to grow this year. The digital guest journey remains a cornerstone for success, with AI helping hoteliers craft tailored experiences that enhance guest satisfaction, including transparent, personalized pricing.

Talking to this, Christian Pirodon, Founder, CP Hospitality, adds, “AI-powered platforms can analyze customer data to deliver tailored experiences that boost satisfaction and loyalty.”

4. Evolving Revenue Metrics

Hoteliers are looking beyond traditional KPIs such as revenue per available room (RevPAR). Total revenue per occupied room (TRevPOR) and gross operating profit (GOP) are being more widely adopted, offering a clearer view of overall profitability.

“These metrics ensure there’s collaboration across all commercial departments, and that all teams align with broader profitability objectives,” comments Christian Ortiz, Corporate DORM - Mexico, Sandos Hotels & Resorts.

5. The Power of Data

Data is a core driving force behind revenue strategies, with revenue managers shifting beyond merely collecting data to integrating it into decision-making processes and using it to generate actionable insights, like automated pricing recommendations.

Michael McNames, Director of Revenue Management, Sandman Hotel Group, adds, “Integrating competitive data directly into decision-making processes will revolutionize the speed and efficiency of revenue strategies.”

Empowering Revenue Strategies

These insights are drawn from , which analyzes factors impacting the industry this year. It features perspectives from global revenue management professionals and leading hospitality voices, including executives from Hotel Tech Report, Sandos Hotels & Resorts, CP Hospitality, Noble House Hotels & Resorts, the Sandman Hotel Group, and Grand Metropolitan Hotels.

“For the first time, we’ve expanded our scope to include meetings and events businesses and deeper insights from casinos. These sectors face unique challenges and opportunities that differ from hotels, but their perspectives offer fresh approaches that are of value to everyone working in revenue management,” commented David Woolenberg, CEO, Duetto.

From embracing AI to redefining revenue metrics, the report provides a roadmap for turning today’s enduring challenges into tomorrow’s successes. With real-world applications and forward-thinking strategies, it delivers actionable tools to help hotels, casinos, and resorts stay ahead of the competition and thrive in 2025.

 
Print

 

Chelsea Hotel, Toronto has named Christopher Ashby as Director of Commercial Operations.

Ashby brings 20+ years of sales, marketing and strategic planning experience to his new role on the hotel’s executive management team.

Over the course of his career Ashby has held senior roles in sales, revenue, communications and marketing for such brands as Shangri-la, Marriott, Sutton Place, Windsor Arms, Four Seasons and Intercontinental. In these roles, he has developed market leading revenue outcomes, opened three hotels, closed one and rebranded another.

“We are delighted to welcome Christopher in his new leadership role at our hotel,” said Rob Housez, General Manager, Chelsea Hotel, Toronto. “His proven track record for delivering superior financial results will be a tremendous asset to the hotel.”

 

Page 44 of 46

<< Start < Prev 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 Next > End >>