Vancouver, B.C. – November 24, 2025 – Coast Hotels Limited, a fully owned subsidiary of APA Hotel Canada, Inc. and one of North America’s fastest-growing and one of Canada’s largest hotel brands, is pleased to announce key leadership appointments that strengthen its executive team and position the brand for continued growth across North America.

As part of this evolution, Brigitte Diem-Guy has made the decision to step down from her role as Vice President, Revenue Strategies and Communication, effective December 1, 2025. She will remain with Coast Hotels as Brand & Communications Consultant, continuing to oversee brand and content strategy, internal and external communications, public relations, social media and influencer strategy, creative services, and U.S. digital marketing strategy, while maintaining her 24/7 crisis communications support role.

“We are deeply grateful for Brigitte’s leadership, mentorship, and countless contributions,” said Takamasa Machiura, President & CEO, Coast Hotels Limited. “Her influence and commitment to our brand will continue to shape our success as we move forward.”

In line with Coast Hotels’ commitment to growing talent from within, the company announced three internal promotions:

Commercial Growth

Nooshi Akhavan has been promoted to Vice President, Commercial Strategy. Akhavan has been with Coast Hotels for nine years, most recently serving as Director, Revenue Performance & Distribution, where she has led advancements in revenue management technology and data-driven decision-making.

People and Culture Development

Glen Merx has been promoted to Vice President, People & Culture. Merx, who has been with Coast Hotels for over nine years, previously served as Director, People & Culture, where he helped strengthen Coast Hotels’ workplace culture and championed leadership development programs across the organization.

Revenue Strategy Innovation

Amin Himani has been promoted to Director, Revenue Performance & Distribution. Himani’s analytical expertise and collaborative approach have contributed significantly to the company’s commercial performance and continued innovation in pricing and distribution strategy.

“These appointments reinforce our momentum and strengthen our presence across North America,” added Machiura. “Nooshi, Glen, and Amin bring proven leadership that will help us continue to deliver value and service to our guests and partners.”

Austin, Texas, USA – November 24, 2025: Cendyn, a global integrated hotel technology and services company, is leading the market shift to AI search in partnership with DirectBooker by enabling hotel direct booking rates to be visible in AI search results.

The launch of Cendyn AI Connect, a new distribution channel within the Cendyn DMP, pushes hotel Availability, Rates, and Inventory (ARI) directly into AI search platforms such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini through a Model Context Protocol (MCP).

With the ever-growing adoption of AI search for travel planning, hotel owners are becoming increasingly aware of the impact AI will have on business. Currently, AI search platforms largely surface OTA listings, leaving hotels unseen at the exact moment travelers are making decisions. AI Connect ensures hotel direct rates and availability can be surfaced organically when travelers engage with AI trip planners, complementing existing hotel digital strategies by reclaiming visibility on emerging channels, without adding marketing overhead.

By utilizing a direct connection for distribution through an MCP – a new open standard designed to let AI models (like ChatGPT or Claude) connect with external tools, data sources, and APIs in a secure and consistent way – Cendyn is making essential hotel information available seamlessly and efficiently to these AI models.

Cendyn is currently inviting hotels to join a select beta group to be at the forefront of innovation and expand their reach in the era of AI travel search. Throughout this beta-phase, Cendyn will start to surface clicks and completed bookings attributed to AI channels as consumers gradually adopt AI search in their travel planning.

“As travelers reshape how they plan and book travel, we need to ensure our customers remain highly visible and are at the forefront of this compelling market shift, while avoiding OTA dependency,” said Michael Bennett, CEO & President at Cendyn. “Many hoteliers understand the importance of early adoption, especially given the existing challenges of maintaining visibility in front of travelers, and competing with OTAs to manage cost of acquisition. While we may be seeing AI-driven search bookings starting small, we know it will shape competitive advantage for years to come.”

"Real travelers care about the best value they can get for their trip," said Steve Kaufer, Board member, DirectBooker. "This partnership with Cendyn will enable hotels to have a direct line into AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini and be discoverable from the offset - helping to cut out traditional intermediaries. Hoteliers can now embrace the next travel revolution with their best direct rates and availability, visible via our MCP, ready for that moment when their customers are using AI to plan and book their trips."

The release of AI Connect as an additional channel in the Cendyn DMP means hoteliers will be able to track bookings that originate from AI platforms. With over 32,000 customers worldwide in more than 150 countries, Cendyn generates in excess of $20 billion in annual hotel revenue. AI Connect will ensure no property is left behind as the AI travel landscape evolves.

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Vancouver, BC — The British Columbia Hotel Association (BCHA) has announced its 2025/26 Board of Directors, welcoming several new leaders who bring strong regional insight and a deep commitment to the accommodation sector. The new board was confirmed at the BCHA Annual General Meeting held earlier this week in Vancouver.

The Board continues to be led by Chair Tanya Stroinig, Chief Operating Officer at Prestige Hotels & Resorts, with governance supported by a diverse group of industry professionals representing communities across British Columbia.

2025 BCHA Board of Directors (New Board Members in Italics)

Executive Directors

• Tanya Stroinig, Prestige Hotels & Resorts, Kelowna (Chair)
• David McQuinn, Coast Bastion Hotel, Nanaimo (Past Chair and Governance)
• Heather Hamilton, Pomeroy Lodging, Calgary (Treasurer)
• Erin Cassels, Huntingdon Hotel and Suites, Victoria (Executive Director)
• Gary Yu, DoubleTree by Hilton, Kamloops (Executive Director)
• Laura-Lee Lofgren, The Sundial Hotel, Whistler (Executive Director)

Directors

• Jessica Dolan, Balcomo, a Ramada by Wyndham, Penticton
• Cedric Younge, Mundi Hotel Enterprises, Kelowna
• Edan Fay, The Royal Kelowna by Bellstar Hotels, Kelowna
• Graeme Benn, JW Marriott Parq and the DOUGLAS, Autograph Collection, Vancouver
• Karim Mohammadi, Evergreen Hospitality Group, Vancouver Island
• Michelle Le Sage, Victoria Marriott Inner Harbour, Victoria
• Randall Williams, Fairmont Waterfront, Vancouver
• David McBean, Watermark Beach Resort, Osoyoos
• Jan Brylowski, Blackcomb Springs Suites by Clique Hotels and Resorts, Whistler
• Brandy Beliveau, Bellstar Hotels and Resorts, Rocky Mountain Properties, Golden
• Susan Strome, The Sutton Place Hotel, Vancouver
• Sandra Gregory, Sun Peaks Grand Hotel and Conference Centre, Sun Peaks

As Board Chair, Tanya Stroinig reflected on the year ahead, noting the strength of the board and the importance of representation from every region.

VANCOUVER, BC (November 20, 2025): The 2025 World Luxury Awards concluded with two distinguished gala ceremonies celebrating the world’s leading hospitality, spa, restaurant, and travel brands. Recognizing excellence across four international programs, the awards honour properties that exemplify innovation, service, and guest satisfaction worldwide.

This year’s celebrations took place on two continents, with events held on October 25 at the InterContinental Barcelona and October 31 at PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering in Singapore. Beyond public voting, winners were evaluated on guest feedback, service excellence, and first-hand assessments by a judging panel.

The Westin Bayshore, Vancouver: A Triple Win for a Waterfront Icon
The Westin Bayshore, Vancouver earned three 2025 World Luxury Awards, reaffirming its position as one of Canada’s most distinguished hospitality destinations:

• Best Luxury Business Hotel in North America
• Best Luxury Waterfront Hotel in North America
• Best Luxury Hotel in Canada

These honours underscore the hotel’s dedication to creating experiences that inspire balance and well-being, combining thoughtful design, elevated amenities, and genuine service within one of Vancouver’s most scenic waterfront settings.

H Tasting Lounge: Innovation and Excellence in Dining Recognized Across the Americas
The hotel’s signature restaurant, H Tasting Lounge, also earned international acclaim with three prestigious awards:

• Best Luxury Innovative Restaurant in North America
• Best Luxury Hotel Restaurant in Canada
• Best Cocktail Menu in North and Central America

These awards celebrate H Tasting Lounge’s commitment to innovation and artistry in both its culinary and beverage programs. The restaurant continues to push boundaries through its imaginative cocktail creations, seasonal tasting menus, and immersive guest experiences that highlight craftsmanship and creativity.

"We are honoured to be recognized alongside so many inspiring leaders in global hospitality," says Sarah Woodgate, Hotel Manager at The Westin Bayshore, Vancouver. "These awards are a reflection of our team's unwavering passion and dedication to excellence. From the associates who bring our brand's promise of well-being to life each day to the talented culinary and bar teams at H Tasting Lounge who continue to redefine Vancouver's dining and cocktail scene, we are incredibly proud to see both the hotel and the lounge celebrated on the world stage."