BTN Expert Q&A

While free breakfast and free Internet still rank at the top of must-have amenities for corporate travel buyers, La Quinta Inns & Suites chief marketing officer Julie Cary said that among midprice tiers—where such perks now are nearly universally standard—hotels need to explore other areas in order to stand out. "We're not... Keep Reading

Hotel program management for companies with largely blue-collar workforces that travel frequently can present a particular set of challenges. Wichita-based CLC Lodging for several decades has specialized in such hotel programs, booking 11 million room nights last year for about a half-million travelers. CLC Lodging CEO... Keep Reading

Brussels-based Global Videoconferencing Network, a budding booking portal for public remote conferencing rooms, recently appointed former Cisco executive Dave Martella to lead sales expansion in the Americas. At Cisco, Martella led efforts to deploy public videoconferencing rooms, including spaces at Marriott, Starwood and... Keep Reading

Luxury chain Fairmont Hotels & Resorts late last year appointed as president Jennifer Fox, who previously had served as InterContinental Hotels Group's COO of managed operations in Europe. Fox recently spoke with Business Travel News lodging editor Michael B. Baker about corporate travel trends, luxury's role in corporate... Keep Reading

Lanyon recently received a patent on its process for auditing hotel rates and availability, approved without restrictions by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Lanyon chief commercial officer Mike Boult this month spoke with BTN's Michael B. Baker about why Lanyon sought the patent and what it intends to do now that it has... Keep Reading

With the recent opening of the Corinthia Hotel London, the brand's ninth property, chairman Alfred Pisani said the brand, which began as a single property in Malta, is nearing a point of "critical mass," when it could begin a more rapid expansion with third-party development. Pisani and Corinthia board director and former CEO... Keep Reading

Hyatt Hotels Corp., not so long ago known primarily for its upper upscale flagship-brand properties and resorts, has become a major player in the select-service and extended-stay tiers as well. Hyatt senior vice president of sales Jack Horne recently spoke with Business Travel News lodging editor Michael B. Baker about how... Keep Reading

Carlson Hotels is in the midst of a program to grow by 50 percent within the next three years its hotel portfolio to at least 1,500 hotels globally. Thorsten Kirschke, COO for Carlson Hotels in the Americas, recently updated Business Travel News lodging editor Michael B. Baker on the company's progress, recent sales growth... Keep Reading

Former Virgin Hotels executive director Paul Whetsell in January became CEO of Loews Hotels, a luxury chain of 17 properties in the United States and Canada. Whetsell recently spoke to Business Travel News lodging editor Michael B. Baker about his plans for Loews and the company's strategy to draw more corporate transient... Keep Reading

One of the newest forays into the increasingly crowded online hotel booking tool category is a site targeting travelers who already have made their initial reservations. Unlike most other booking tools, BackBid, launched in November, does not provide travelers lists of hotels and rates to sift through. Instead, it asks... Keep Reading