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PBA Group of Companies, along with Concord Hospitality, has begun work to transform a downtown Calgary office building into the Element Hotel by Westin, aiming to address high office vacancy rates and add new accommodation options in the city’s core.

PBA Group of Companies is taking steps to address Calgary’s downtown office vacancy problem with a new project that will convert an underused office building into a hotel. The 12-storey building, previously known as the Canadian Centre at 833 4th Ave SW, is being redeveloped into the Element Hotel by Westin, a 226-suite facility with extended-stay rooms, communal spaces, and various modern amenities. This conversion is part of Calgary’s broader strategy to rejuvenate its downtown, which has been dealing with high office vacancy rates and economic shifts.

James Scott, senior vice president of planning and development at PBA Group, describes the project as a significant step in creating a more mixed-use downtown: “We’re honoured to help take one of the first steps in transforming our downtown into a differentiated residential and recreational district that serves as a symbol of progressive inner-city planning with this conversion.”

Calgary’s office market has faced challenges in recent years due to fluctuating demand and changes in the local economy. The Element Hotel project removes 170,000 square feet of vacant office space from the market, reflecting a growing trend where developers repurpose commercial properties into residential or hospitality uses. This is the first hotel project to be part of Calgary’s Downtown Development Incentive Program, which aims to reduce office vacancies and drive investment into the core.

The Element Hotel will offer extended-stay units with fully equipped kitchens, spa-inspired bathrooms, and other amenities to attract both business and leisure travellers. The project aims to cater to a diverse mix of visitors and provide more flexible accommodation options downtown.

The hotel is designed with features aimed to set it apart from traditional accommodations. The “Studio Commons” concept will offer a set of four guest rooms grouped around a shared kitchen and living area, allowing groups of travellers to stay together more easily and enjoy communal spaces. Other amenities include an elevated lobby lounge and café, an upscale casual dining restaurant on the top floor, and meeting rooms that cater to business needs. The rooftop restaurant, located just blocks from the Bow River, will feature views of the city and a menu focused on local ingredients.

The hotel’s design is focused on sustainability and aims to appeal to Calgary’s active lifestyle. It will feature a fitness centre equipped with modern exercise equipment, bike borrowing services, and environmentally friendly elements like low-flow fixtures and electric vehicle charging stations. The project has already diverted 572,000 kilograms of waste from landfills, about 65 per cent of the project’s total waste.

The development comes as Calgary prepares for a rise in tourism. According to Tourism Calgary, the city expects 8.7 million visitors in 2024, bringing in an estimated $3.2 billion in tourism revenue. Comparatively, Calgary saw approximately 7.7 million visitors in 2019. The economic impact of these visitors was about $2 billion, according to Tourism Calgary’s 2019 annual report.

The Element Hotel by Westin will add much-needed capacity to Calgary’s hospitality market and provide options for different types of travellers, especially those looking for longer stays or a more flexible experience.

Calgary’s downtown has struggled with office vacancies for years. According to Colliers and CBRE, as of Q2 2024, Calgary’s downtown office vacancy rate was approximately 24.1 per cent, down from the previous year’s rate of 25.4 per cent. The downtown market has seen some positive absorption and leasing activity, particularly in Class AA office spaces, which has helped reduce the vacancy rate slightly. However, challenges remain due to mergers and consolidations in the energy sector, impacting overall office occupancy in Calgary’s downtown core.

Repurposing buildings like the Canadian Centre is seen as one way to address the issue. By converting office space into a hotel, the project aims to make downtown more vibrant and appealing, not just for visitors but also for residents and businesses.

The Element Hotel will be located on the west side of Calgary’s downtown core, an area that city planners have identified as a potential growth spot. The location provides convenient access to transit, major roadways, and walking and biking paths along the Bow River. Nearby amenities, including the West Eau Claire Park, the 8th Street urban improvement corridor, and views of the Louise Bridge and Kensington Village, make the site well-suited for a hotel that serves both tourists and business travellers.

PBA’s decision to redevelop this site follows its recent success with The Dorian, a dual-brand Marriott hotel that opened in Calgary in 2021. The Dorian, a $110 million project, was well-received for its design and quality, setting a precedent for PBA’s entry into the hospitality market. The Element Hotel will be the company’s second hotel development and is part of its broader strategy to diversify its portfolio and contribute to the local economy.

The conversion of the Canadian Centre into the Element Hotel by Westin is currently in the construction phase, with completion expected in the summer of 2025. As Calgary’s downtown continues to evolve, projects like this one are being closely watched as potential models for revitalization efforts in other North American cities facing similar economic challenges.

By repurposing existing buildings and investing in sustainable development, Calgary is looking to redefine its downtown core as a more attractive destination for residents, visitors, and investors. The success of the Element Hotel by Westin will be an important test of how effectively office-to-hotel conversions can contribute to these goals.

 
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The union representing downtown Vancouver hotel workers in B.C. are celebrating what it says is the highest wage increase in Canada.

Workers with UNITE HERE Local 40 have ratified a collective agreement with the Hyatt Regency, Westin Bayshore and Pinnacle Waterfront that will give workers a cumulative increase of 34 per cent over the contract term.

With the new increases, room attendants will earn nearly $32.50 per hour, effective Jan. 1, 2025. Their wages will rise to more than $37 per hour in 2027.

Under the agreement, tipped and non-tipped workers will have access to new year-round benefits, the union said. The companies have also agreed to contribute more to worker pensions.

Under the new agreement, workers will have enhanced workplace protections, including a reduction in housekeeping workload, an increase in wage premiums for those doing overnight and training work, and stronger gratuity protections.

Workers also secured extended recall protections in the event of another pandemic, as well as unlimited recall rights for renovations and natural and man-made emergencies, ensuring workers’ seniority and job security are protected.

 
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NORTH BETHESDA, Md., Nov. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) today announced two new contracts as part of its Supporting Ownership Access and Representation (SOAR) program, which aims to help empower and support hotel ownership for underrepresented entrepreneurs. The new contracts, a WoodSpring Suites in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, and a Rodeway Inn in Effingham, Illinois, are part of the 17 SOAR contracts signed year-to-date. During the first 15 years of the SOAR program, Choice averaged 1 contract per month and has increased that to an average of 2 per month in the last five years.

"Our latest SOAR contracts with veteran and Latino hotel owners in New Mexico and Illinois reflect Choice's unwavering commitment to fostering diversity in hotel ownership and bringing new, diverse voices into the industry," said John Lancaster, vice president of franchise development and strategic programs at Choice Hotels International. "By providing them unparalleled support and training, Choice helps them every step of the way to ensure they SOAR in their hotel ownership journey."

Walter Barela and Brain Resendez of Peak Hospitality, a hotel acquisition and asset management firm, executed a contract to open a WoodSpring Suites in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. The 82-room hotel is slated to begin construction next year and will cater to the area's wellness-focused and adventure-seeking visitors drawn by attractions like natural hot springs and Spaceport America. Choice is a leader in extended stay, recently opening its 500th property in the category. Extended stay continues to be one of the hottest segments in the hospitality industry with demand continuing to exceed supply. Ben Rohlfing, Amanda Rohlfing, and Bob Schultz executed a conversion contract for Rodeway Inn Effingham in Illinois. Mr. Rohlfing is a former Navy Electrician's Mate Nuclear, and Ms. Rohlfing is a former Army MP. The 49-room Rodeway Inn opened in October and aims to offer affordable lodging for visitors to Effingham's local attractions, including Lake Sara and the Effingham Performance Center. The hotel is located at 1400 Thelma Keller Dr, Effingham, IL 62401.

"Choice Hotels and the SOAR program was there to help direct me with all the things I needed to know to be a successful hotel owner," said Ben Rohlfing. The SOAR program is part of Choice's longstanding commitment to support underrepresented entrepreneurs in reaching their goal of making small business ownership a reality. Choice Hotels is the first hospitality company to have a dedicated team solely focused on extending the opportunity of hotel ownership to underrepresented populations.

Since its inception more than 20 years ago, Choice has awarded and offered financial support for 387 franchise agreements for veterans and underrepresented entrepreneurs under the program.

Read more at: https://www.lelezard.com/en/news-21609059.html

 
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Research amongst over 20,000 travellers across the EMEA region shows that more than four in ten are planning to go on more holidays in 2025

Bravecations and Heritage Holidays identified as the new-for-2025 travel trends

Savvy spenders are on the rise as travellers seek the best value from trips

Use of artificial intelligence to plan holidays sky-rockets - and sustainability considerations increase

The appetite for leisure travel is set to continue to grow in 2025, according to a new industry report. Figures from Marriott Bonvoy’s 2025 ‘Ticket to Travel’ research - conducted amongst 21,374 adults in ten markets across Europe, Africa and the Middle East - shows that 42% of travellers plan to go on more holidays in 2025 vs 2024, while 81% will do more or the same amount.

Consumers surveyed said that they plan to go on 2.3 domestic holidays within their own country in 2025, 1.8 short-haul holidays (four-hour flight or less) and 1.4 long-haul holidays. This suggests that respondents will be doing a total of 5.5 holidays or trips in 2025 – the equivalent of nearly one every two months.

Emerging Trends

The research identifies a number of emerging or growing travel trends. Amongst them are ‘Heritage Holidays’ - a holiday taken to specifically explore their family’s heritage, history or ancestry. More than a third (36%) have previously taken a heritage holiday and a further 32% plan to next year or in the near future.

Younger travellers are more likely to have done this - 43% of those aged 18-24 and 45% of those aged 25-34 have - compared to 22% of those aged 65+.

The key drivers behind this trend are travellers believing ‘It’s important to know where your family come from and understand what their life was like’ (46%) and ‘wanting to see where their ancestors lived and grew up’ (45%).

Bravecations - travellers' propensity to be braver when they go on holiday and being more likely to try things they wouldn’t at home - is another trend that clearly comes across in the research.

More than two thirds of travellers (67%) say that they are braver on holiday. Age plays a role with 78% of those aged 18-24, and 82% of those aged 25-34 saying they are braver on holiday, compared to 39% of those aged 65+. The top three things’ people do on holiday that they wouldn’t be brave enough to try at home are:

Tried unusual food - 44%

Climbed up something high - 43%

Began conversations with strangers – 33%

Solidifying Trends

Other trends that emerged in last year’s research are set to become even more marked in 2025 - in particular sustainability and the use of AI.

More than seven in ten (72%) say that they look at the environmental impact of their travel plans compared to 64% last year. And over half (55%) say that they checked the sustainability of the accommodation they stayed in on their last holiday, although only 30% did so before they booked. However, this figure is up from 22% last year.

Growing rapidly when it comes to travel planning for 2025 is the use of AI. More than four in ten (41%) say they have used AI to help plan or research a holiday - up significantly from 26% last year, showing how much this trend has increased with EMEA consumers over the past 12 months.

This is led by younger travellers - last year 45% of 18-24 year olds had used AI, but this year the figure rises to 59%. Meanwhile last year 41% of 25-34 year olds had and this has risen even further to 62% this year.

What will be important for travellers in 2025?

When it comes to accommodation preferences, the ‘brilliant basics’ will remain key for travellers, with cleanliness (95%), price (92%) and location (91%) the most important factors across all markets.

But for 65%, sustainability is now a key accommodation consideration, while nearly half (47%) look for accommodation to be pet-friendly. Over half (55%) also call out the importance of accommodation catering to solo travellers.

The key priorities for travellers are ‘spending time with friends and family’ (53%), followed by ‘treating myself’ (49%). Although for over a third (36%) it is important they come back feeling healthier than when they left.

Savvy Spending

The research also shows that despite planning more holidays, consumers are looking for the best value for money from holidays in 2025, whatever their budget. The main element that would incentivise travellers to commit to a booking is ‘getting a special price’ (52%).

Three in ten travellers (30%) say that they always take exchange rates into account when going on holidays - but seven per cent say that they ‘never usually do but will in 2025’.

Shoulder season breaks - going away in the months surrounding peak season - is another popular way to make breaks more affordable. Three quarters (74%) say that they have, or have considered, doing this, with the main reason being to get better value (65%).

Phil Andreopoulos, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer, Marriott International - Europe, Middle East & Africa comments: “The strong desire for international, regional and domestic travel, seen from this comprehensive consumer research, is great news for the industry and we are excited for the year ahead.

The research identifies several interesting new trends for 2025. Bravecations and heritage holidays will be key themes for next year, with savvy spending an important consideration for many when booking their holidays, irrespective of budget.

The research also reveals that over the past 12 months the use of AI has become well and truly mainstream - with Gen Z and younger millennials now using this as a key part of their travel planning. This is only set to continue in 2025. Meanwhile sustainability is increasingly a key consideration for many travellers, especially when it comes to accommodation."

 
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Calgary, AB – November 20, 2024 – WebRezPro, a leading cloud property management system for independent hotels, inns, vacation rentals, hostels, and campgrounds, is proud to announce the release of its newest version of software. Version 11 (v11) represents a significant upgrade with a redesigned user interface and meaningful feature updates, making it easier and more profitable than ever for lodging operators to manage their business.

This latest software release addresses the real-world demands of users, supported by robust, scalable backend technology that drives innovation in an evolving industry. The revamped property management system introduces a completely reimagined booking engine, a more powerful interactive tape chart, and faster guest check-ins and check-outs.

"We're proud to be recognized as a leading hospitality management platform for all types of properties. With v11, we are excited to offer the same powerful flexibility our software is known for in a more streamlined package," said Frank Verhagen, President and Founder of WebRezPro.

Key advantages of WebRezPro v11 include:

  • Enhanced User Experience - A modernized user interface with improved navigation, additional shortcuts, more dashboard data, and enhanced device compatibility simplifies onboarding, accelerates user adoption, and streamlines day-to-day tasks.
  • Redesigned Booking Engine - The completely revamped booking engine drives direct revenue with more intuitive and flexible search capabilities, a modernized booking process, and a new online guest portal designed to increase loyalty. 
  • Optimized Reservation Management - Version 11 transforms reservation management with a new arrivals/departures/stayovers control panel, allowing operators to oversee existing bookings seamlessly from a single screen. From filtering and searching reservations to processing modifications, check-ins/outs, and payments, and sending guest emails, this exciting new feature makes managing reservations faster and more intuitive.
  • Expanded Feature Set - From system setup to reservations to rate management, v11 introduces meaningful feature enhancements across the board—including an updated tape chart, rate calendar, reservation options, hourly bookings, customizable unit amenities, seasonal unit-type photos, and unit closeouts—boosting efficiency, flexibility, and productivity.
  • Advanced Reporting Capabilities - Improved custom reports make data mining easier and more versatile than ever before.
  • More Integrations - Version 11 supports over 150 direct integrations with leading hospitality software providers, empowering operators to build a robust and flexible tech stack tailored to their needs.
  • Strengthened Data Protection - Updated security measures uphold industry-leading standards, ensuring optimal protection of hotel and guest data.

"Shaped by the needs and feedback of our customers, the new WebRezPro provides hoteliers with even more value through innovative, time-saving features that empower operators to work more effectively and profitably," said Verhagen.

WebRezPro v11 is now available to all current and new clients.

 

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