ORLANDO, FL – Third quarter net revenue at Wyndham Destinations, Inc. increased 4% to $1,105 million, with net VOI sales ticking up 5% to $528 million. The Florida-based company made the announcement on Oct. 30. Net income from continuing operations increased 3% to $135 million, and adjusted net income from continuing operations decreased 3% to $144 million.
“Our company reported strong quarterly results and increased our guidance for adjusted diluted EPS,” said Michael D. Brown, president and CEO of Wyndham Destinations. “We are continuing to see an expansion of Blue Thread sales and robust gross VOI sales, which increased 4% in the quarter. We remain committed to generating strong free cash flows and year-to-date we have returned $371 million of capital to shareholders.”
United Airlines Joins with Marriott to Offer Complimentary Baggage Delivery
NEW YORK, NY – Starting Nov 1, United Airlines will begin offering Polaris customers (on flights between New York/Newark and London Heathrow) complimentary baggage delivery to five Marriott International properties. United’s new baggage delivery benefit coincides with the airline operating its newly reconfigured Boeing 767-300ER on the route—an aircraft that features an extended cabin with 46 United Polaris business seats in the premium cabin and 22 United Premium Plus seats.
“The flight between New York/Newark and London is one of the most serviced routes in the world, and we are continually looking at how we can offer superior services and amenities for our customers traveling between these two major cities,” said Andrew Nocella, the airline’s chief commercial officer. “And as our customers continue to demand greater convenience and choices, we will be ready to deliver, offering the caring, creative solutions that will keep them choosing United.”
The baggage delivery program will be offered to all customers who hold a ticket in United’s Polaris business cabin on the New York/Newark to London Heathrow route, including upgraded tickets, and who are staying at select Marriott properties including JW Marriott Grosvenor House London, London Marriott Hotel Canary Wharf, London Marriott Hotel County Hall, Sheraton Grand London Park Lane, and St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel London.
Customers can proceed through immigration and customs as normal, and follow signs for the bag drop desk in the arrivals area of London Heathrow, which will be open seven days a week from 6:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Customers will not need to pre-register for the service. Passengers who are also members of Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott’s travel program, and have booked their hotel stay directly with Marriott will receive a notification on the Marriott Bonvoy app that their bags have arrived at their hotel.
Best Western Earns AAA/CAA Award
PHOENIX – Best Western Hotels & Resorts (BWHR) has been named AAA/CAA’s 2019 Lodging Partner of the Year, marking the eleventh consecutive time that the global hospitality company has won the accolade. In addition, the company earned “Best in Travel Agency Support” and “Best in Member Service” awards in the Lodging categories. The awards were presented on Oct. 21, at the 2019 AAA/CAA Travel Conference awards dinner, held in Seattle.
Commercial Clothes Drying System Promises to Cut Energy Costs
LOS ANGELES – Hotel laundries and other businesses that use commercial clothes dryers could soon be using a technology that reduces energy costs up to 70%, saves water, and helps the environment. Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) and Gas Technology Institute (GTI) announced last week that they have completed a proof-of-concept feasibility study on a new high-efficiency clothes drying technology that reduces natural gas use, saves money, and lowers greenhouse gas emissions. The new technology can be used in hotels, restaurants, hospitals, laundromats, multifamily housing laundries, and industrial laundry facilities.
The new technology uses accelerated drying speeds to reduce energy usage by one-fifth. Annual savings from the use of this new drying technology across the nation has a potential to reach over $2.5 billion.
When used for multiple laundry batches, officials claim the drying equipment has the potential of saving almost 100% of water by recycling it for the next batch of washing. Additionally, the new technology reduces drying time up to 10 times and increases longevity of clothing, towels, and bedding by eliminating severe, high temperature drying conditions.
“Both industrial and home natural gas appliances continue to advance technologically and become increasingly energy efficient,” said Yuri Freedman, senior director of business development at SoCalGas. “This is yet another innovative technology that produces very low emissions and saves both energy and money.”