THE WINNERS' CIRCLE Aug. 13, 2019

Best Western Premier first in guest satisfaction

PHOENIX —Best Western Hotels & Resorts (BWHR) announced late last month that Best Western Premier has been named #1 in the upscale segment in the J.D. Power 2019 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Study.

Best Western Premier is one of BWHR’s most exclusive offerings, which brings a notably refined and elegant travel experience to today’s discerning travelers. The upscale brand was introduced in North America in 2011 as part of the company’s descriptor program after eight years of success in Europe and Asia. Today, Best Western Premier hotels are setting a higher standard for travelers with stylish designs, attention to detail and personalized service.

“Best Western Premier truly exemplifies what today’s Best Western has to offer travellers and developers,” said Ron Pohl, senior vice president and chief operations officer for Best Western Hotels & Resorts. “Beyond the exceptional offerings and remarkable growth, it is the commitment of our hotel owners who are driving the success of Best Western Premier as an industry leading brand.”

The brand has experienced tremendous growth boasting 126 active properties globally and an additional 53 in the global pipeline. The North American footprint continues to grow significantly with 41 active and 34 pipeline hotels in the region. With the number of hotels set to double in the next few years, the brand shows no signs of slowing down and continues to deliver exceptional guest service.

Super 8s win TripAdvisor awards

CALGARY — TripAdvisor has recognized 32 Super 8 by Wyndham hotels across Canada with its 2019 Certificate of Excellence designation, which honours hospitality businesses that deliver consistently great service around the world.

“We are thrilled to have 32 Canadian Super 8 properties recognized for the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence,” says Marc Staniloff, President & CEO, Superior Lodging Corp. “This ‘seal of approval’ from our loyal guests, means so much to our dedicated owners and operators across the country.”

A total of 154 Super 8 properties across the U.S. and Canada received the recognition, including the following 32 hotels in Canada:

Super 8 by Wyndham Amherst NS

Super 8 by Wyndham Midland ON

Super 8 by Wyndham Brandon MB

Super 8 by Wyndham Moose Jaw SK

Super 8 by Wyndham Cochrane AB

Super 8 by Wyndham Mont Laurier QC

Super 8 by Wyndham Drumheller AB

Super 8 by Wyndham North Bay ON

Super 8 by Wyndham Edmonton Int. Airport AB

Super 8 by Wyndham Peace River AB

Super 8 by Wyndham Estevan SK

Super 8 by Wyndham Peterborough ON

Super 8 by Wyndham Red Lake ON

Super 8 by Wyndham Port Elgin ON

Super 8 by Wyndham Saskatoon/Near Airport SK

Super 8 by Wyndham Fernie BC

Super 8 by Wyndham Fort Frances ON

Super 8 by Wyndham Sault Ste. Marie ON

Super 8 by Wyndham Grimbsy ON

Super 8 by Wyndham Sherwood Park AB

Super 8 by Wyndham High River AB

Super 8 by Wyndham Timmins ON

Super 8 by Wyndham Kapuskasing ON

Super 8 by Wyndham Trois-Rivieres QC

Super 8 by Wyndham Kindersley SK

Super 8 by Wyndham Vernon BC

Super 8 by Wyndham Kingston ON

Super 8 by Wyndham Wetaskiwin AB

Super 8 by Wyndham LaChenaie/Terrebonne QC

Super 8 by Wyndham Windsor NS

Super 8 by Wyndham Lake Country/Winfield Area BC

Super 8 by Wyndham Winnipeg East MB

To qualify for the Certification of Excellence designation, hotels must have earned a bubble rating of at least four out of five, accrued a minimum number of reviews and have been listed on TripAdvisor for at least the past 12 months. There is no application process for the Certificate of Excellence and the achievement is earned over time.

Destination Employment grads

TORONTO — OTEC recently congratulated its Destination Employment graduates, who had completed four weeks of pre-employment training, and are ready to start their careers in the Canadian hotel industry.

The Destination Employment program helps newcomers gain meaningful employment in Canadian hotels, giving them the experience they need to build a successful future in Canada.

This initiative is a win-win for both hoteliers and newcomers. Hoteliers are faced with an existing problem filling the job vacancies they already have, and newcomers need opportunities to find employment once they settle in Canada.

Days Inns' Last Drop of Summer Giveaway

TORONTO — It's almost back to school time, but that doesn't mean summer is over. Days Inns Canada is marking the occasion with the “Last Drop of Summer Giveaway”! From now through August 16, social media fans and followers can enter for the chance to win one of five prizes. Each prize includes a FREE one-night stay at any Days Inn location in Canada plus a $100 prepaid credit card.

Entering the contest is simple – follow @DaysInnCanada on Facebook and tag a friend in the contest post or share the contest post on Instagram and tag @DaysInnCanada. And the best part, entries are unlimited!

Winners will be announced on Monday, August 19, 2019. The Contest is open to residents of Canada who have reached the age of majority in their province or territory of residence, including Quebec. Full rules and regulations are provided on Days Inns Canada Instagram feed and Facebook page.

The contest is being hosted as part of the ‘Book Ahead & Save 15% or More’ brand promotion. From University of British Columbia to University of New Brunswick, there are over 35 hotels located in major university or college cities across the country, and over 110 locations countrywide.

Fogo Island among world's top 10 Great Hotels

Newfoundland's Fogo Island Inn is one of the most unique hotels in the world, and is among the Top 10 as named by TravelPulse.

“The Fogo Island Inn is an astonishing property on Fogo Island, Newfoundland. They make a point of using local products and hiring local workers. The rooms are unique and the food outstanding,” TravelPulse said.

La Châine des Rôtisseurs comes to Calgary

CALGARY — The Managing Committee of the Chaine des Rôtisseurs Young Chefs Competition is pleased to announce that the Culinary Campus at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) in the School of Hospitality and Tourism, have been selected as the site for the 43rd Concours International des Jeunes Chefs (Young Chefs) Rôtisseurs Competition occurring September 20, 2019. The Campus will also host the Canadian National Jeunes Chefs competition on September 21.

The only Canadian institution to be named in the Top 50 of Hospitality and Hotel Management schools in the world by CEOWORLD, the SAIT School of Hospitality and Tourism’s Culinary Campus is perfectly suited to holding an event of this type. Featuring a full commercial kitchen with more than 10,000 sq. ft., the facility can easily accommodate the 20+ international competitors expected over two shifts during the day of the competition.

The SAIT School of Hospitality and Tourism is renowned for action-based learning, real-world industry environments and programs taught by industry experts who have gained prominence in their field across the globe. Committed to student success, the SAIT School of Hospitality and Tourism offers a bachelor’s degree, diplomas, certificates, apprenticeship programs and numerous professional development and continuing education courses. The SAIT School of Hospitality and Tourism has an overall 95% graduate employment rate.

The competition has a long and storied history, having first been organized in 1977 in Switzerland to support and promote future young chefs. Forty-three years later, it still provides each young competitor with a week of educational culinary experiences, and the opportunity to demonstrate their skills in a competitive environment with their peers, showcasing their talents and creativity in an international arena.

Canada's competitor is Darnell Banman, from Winnipeg’s Winnipeg Squash Racquet Club. He has been working long and hard in the kitchen, training to take on as many as 25 other young chefs from around the world September 20, 2019.

Marriott Bonvoy gets top rankings

Marriott’s Bonvoy recently received the top travel reward program ranking. U.S. News & World Report placed Marriott International’s Bonvoy rewards program at the top of its Best Hotel Rewards Program rankings for the third year in a row. The news outlet cites the program’s points-to-dollar ratio, credit card deals, point redemption options and program perks as the reason for coming in at No. 1.

The other hotel rewards programs filling out the rest of the rankings are, in order: Wyndham Rewards, World of Hyatt, Choice Privileges, Best Western Rewards, IHG Rewards Club, Radisson Rewards, Invited, Sonesta Travel Pass, Hilton Honors, Stash Hotel Rewards, Leaders Club, Omni Select Guest, Le Club AccorHotels and I Prefer Hotel Rewards.

Microtel and Wingate win JD Power Awards

PARSIPPANY, N.J. —Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) brands Microtelby Wyndham and Wingateby Wyndham once again secured the highest guest-satisfaction ranking in the economy and midscale hotel segments, respectively, in the J.D. Power 2019 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study.

Microtel has claimed the leading economy segment position 16 out of the last 18 years, earning more J.D. Power accolades than any other economy hotel brand. Wingate by Wyndham has earned the top midscale spot for five consecutive years. Wyndham brands represent the top two spots in economy and two of the top three spots in midscale, with Travelodgeby Wyndham earning the second spot for economy brands and La Quintaby Wyndham also ranking among the top three midscale brands.