Global Hospitality News - ARCHIVE 2002

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News Archive for August, 2002

August 16 - August 31

August 16, 2002

Sol Melia H1 profits plunge 85%

e-Tid.com Sol Melia Hotels & Resorts has reported a 7.3% year-on-year decline in revenue per available room (revPAR) and total revenues down 3.3% at €477.7m (?305.5m) for the first half of 2002.

For further details, Click Here

Meeting Planner Satisfaction Leads to Increasing Rates of Loyalty for Hotels

Higher meeting planner satisfaction leads to greater loyalty at an increasing rate of return for hotels, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2002 Meeting Planner Satisfaction Index Study(SM) released today. 

full details of this study, Click Here

Starwood News August/September 2002

News about Westin, Sheraton, Four Points by Sheraton, St Regis, The Luxury Collection and W Hotels in Asia-Pacific  

the latest news and update , Click Here

Beijing plays host to two travel forums this month

The China Council for Promotion of International Trade and China Chamber of International Commerce are hosting a three-day China Business Tourism Forum from August 21-23.

For details,Click Here

Shanghai ready for large-scale events

Shanghai is pitching to host the World Expo 2010. This grand plan, coupled with requests from hoteliers for tourism authorities to prioritise the MICE industry, led to the creation of a MICE division in January within the Shanghai Tourism Bureau (STB).

For details, Click Here

GHM takes over The Andaman Langkawi

THE Andaman Langkawi in Malaysia will be managed by Singapore based General Hotel Management (GHM), operator of The Datai, effective September 1.

For details, Click Here

New format for Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE) 2003

A new format for the Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE) will be introduced next year, with the event to be shortened to seven days, Australian Tourist Commission (ATC) Executive General Manager, Marketing Development Stephen O'Neill has announced. 

For details, Click Here

Singapore's Largest Public Wireless 'Hotzone' Covers Area the Size of 28 International Soccer Fields

StarHub, Singapore's leading info-communications provider, today announced the commercial launch of its first StarHub Wireless Broadband Hub at Suntec City. Operating over an area of 180,000 square metres or about the size of 28 international soccer fields, StarHub Wireless Broadband Hub is Singapore's largest public wireless 'hotzone'.

For details, Click Here

Six Continents Hotels Launches Club reservereward.com

Secretaries and personal assistants are to be rewarded for simply booking accommodation or meetings in a new programme developed by Six Continents Hotels.

For details, Click Here
 

August 19, 2002

Release of the 2002 HCE Restaurant Corporate Annual Report?

Presented by HVS Executive Search & Restaurant Business

Do you ever wonder how well you and your staff are compensated in relation to the rest of the restaurant industry? If you want credible information concerning salary, incentive, and employee benefit trends at your fingertips, the (HCE) Hospitality Compensation Exchange Annual Report? should be added to your collection of compensation resources.

For further details, Click Here

Occidental-Allegro  launches a new brand identity

Occidental-Allegro Hotels & Resorts launches a new brand identity for its portfolio of properties. The new designations mark the successful marriage of Occidental Hotels well-established hotel management experience, and Allegro Resorts innovative all-inclusive concept. 

For further details, Click Here

Jamaica:  High-end hotels go after local guests

With occupancy levels still sluggish almost a year after the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States, some of the island's high-end resorts are now aggressively targeting local guests, a practice usually reserved for the all-inclusives and smaller properties.

For details, Click Here

Sri Lanka:  Marketing with new authority

Colombo: To ramp up Sri Lanka's profile in the tourism world, big changes are in store at the national level. For starters, the private sector will soon play a definitive role in the marketing and promotion of the country with the establishment of a Tourism Development Authority (TDA). 

For details, Click Here

Recovery underway for UK hotels

e-Tid.com  -  PricewaterhouseCoopers' Hospitality and Leisure Group has revised upwards its revenue per available room (revPAR) forecast for the UK hotel sector in 2002.

For further details, Click Here

More Foreign Tourists visit South Africa

Indications are that foreign visitor numbers to SA are rising due to the efforts of SA Tourism and increased flights to the country by some major airlines, hotel group City Lodge said yesterday.

For details, Click Here

UK visitors return to US

e-Tid.com  -  According to figures released by the US Department of Commerce, travel from the UK to the US has recovered from the dramatic fall-off seen immediately following the 11 September terrorist attacks.

For details, Click Here

Brisbane shines, Sydney slumps

Brisbane was the big winner in 2001 when the Australian accommodation sector suffered an 8.7 percent decrease in gross operating profit.

For details, Click Here

PATA Thailand Chapter to launch university seminars

A series of university seminars is to be launched by the PATA Thailand Chapter, in cooperation with the Asian Institute of Technology, focusing on topical challenges facing the travel industry today.

For details, Click Here

Ecotourism Could Bring East Timor Much-Needed Revenues

Briton Ann Turner is part of a wave of new investors venturing to East Timor. She and her husband run The Freeflow, a dive shop based in East Timor's capital Dili. They sold their house in Great Britain and invested roughly $75,000 here in order to be on the cutting edge of East Timor's ecotourism market.

For details, Click Here

Fairmont hotels go wireless

With the aim of providing increased connectivity to guests, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, which operates 38 properties in six countries, recently launched wireless access at all the hotels in its portfolio.

For details, Click Here

August 20, 2002

European tourism feels the pinch

Fear of flying and economic woes keep Americans at home 

Since Sept. 11, when travel across the Atlantic was briefly suspended, air traffic between North America and Western Europe has recovered only slowly. 

full report, Click Here

M?venpick hurt by German sales slump

Poor trading in Germany accounted for a huge drop in profits for Swiss hotel and restaurant group M?venpick in the first half of this year.

For details, Click Here

1997 rates for PATA Travel Mart 2003

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) will offer 1997 exhibition prices for next year's 26th PATA Travel Mart, October 1-3, 2003, at Suntec, Singapore. The 1997 Mart saw the biggest turnout ever. It was also the year PATA last fully managed the event.

For details, Click Here

6C shareholders push for hotel/pub split

e-Tid.com  -  6C, formerly Bass, has been looking to expand its hotel portfolio following the sale of its brewing arm in 2000. It has said that ?1bn will be returned to shareholders by the end of the year if nothing suitable comes to market.

For details, Click Here

Events: Convocation of the 2nd Congress of the FLACTUR

The Federaci?n Latinoamericana y del Caribe de Trabajadores de Hoteles, Restaurantes y Turismo (FLACTUR), affiliated to the CLAT at the Latin American and to the WFAFW at the world level, convenes its 2nd Congress of tourism and hotel workers.

For details, Click Here

Traffic To Sports And Travel Sites Surges In June 2002 And E-Commerce Continues Double-Digit Growth

Major sporting events and summer vacations were among primary drivers of Internet use in June 2002, Reports comScore Media Metrix Online consumer spending grows 41 percent in second quarter 2002 to $17.5 billion Reston, Va., July 17, 2002 - comScore Networks, Inc. released the comScore Media Metrix U.S. 

comprehensive report, Click Here

Seoul and Tokyo hoteliers score during World Cup

The gateway cities of Seoul and Tokyo naturally benefited from the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan - the first World Cup to ever be held in the region as well as the first to be co-hosted. 

For details, Click Here

August 21, 2002

Hotel Trade in Asia-Pacific Region Is Emerging from Slump, Survey Finds

Investors believe the market for hotel properties in the Asia-Pacific region has reached or passed through the trough in its business cycle, according to Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels' latest Hotel Investor Sentiment Survey. 

For details, Click Here

News @ PATA

For the rest of this week's PATA news and update, Click Here

Jonathan Tisch Chosen As 2002 Hall of Leaders Inductee

A committee of senior travel executives appointed by TIA have selected Jonathan M. Tisch, chairman & CEO of Loews Hotels, to be the 2002 inductee to the Travel Industry Hall of Leaders. 

For details, Click Here

Travel Prices Hold Steady in July 2002

Travel continues to remain very affordable, with TIA's Travel Price Index barely moving last month. In fact, when comparing July 2002 to July 2001, the Index actually fell 1 percent. In comparison, the Consumer Price Index increased moderately in July, up 1.5 percent over July 2001.  

price index, Click Here

Hotel shortage at 2004 Athens Olympics

At least 150,000 foreign visitors are expected to visit Athens for the Olympics in two years' time, but where they will all be staying is something of a Greek mystery.  

For details, Click Here

ICCA expects record numbers for General Assembly

The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) is expecting record numbers to attend this year's General Assembly and Congress, held from December 1-4 in Copenhagen and Malm?.

For details, Click Here

Sydney targets Asian planners

The Sydney Convention & Visitors Bureau (SCVB) will be aggressively targeting Asia with a business development strategy for meeting and incentive planners in the region.

For details, Click Here

NYC will stay open for business on 9/11

City offices and schools in New York City will remain open on September 11. Mayor Bloomberg has said he expects most private businesses to operate during the day.

For details, Click Here

August 22, 2002

Cendant's Hotel Group Launches Strategic Plan

Cendant Corporation's hotel group announced the launch of a long-term strategic business plan "designed to ensure the future growth and competitiveness" of the company's hotel brands and franchised hotels. Steve Rudnitsky, hotel group chairman & chief executive officer, said the plan is founded on four principles: 1) re-establishing the brands' value proposition, 2) improving the profitability of the company's franchised hotels, 3) ensure the integrity and consistency of the franchised hotels and 4) growing the system carefully through judicious site selection.

For details, Click Here

Cendant reaches pact to buy Budget

Car rental deal worth $107.5 million in cash, $3 billion in debt

Reuters -  Cendant Corp. has reached a deal with the creditors of Budget Group Inc. to buy the bankrupt car rental agency for $107.5 million in cash and will take on $3 billion of Budget's vehicle debt, a person familiar with the situation said Tuesday. Separately, Cendant announced plans to discard hotels and cut back its staff

TravelCLICK Issues Second Quarter eMonitor    Report on Electronic Bookings for Worldwide Hotel Industry

Shows  Luxury Segment Leads the Way to Hotel Recovery in Q2  -  TravelCLICK's eMonitor results for the second quarter of 2002 show that while worldwide hotel room nights and revenue booked electronically through the Global Distribution Systems (GDSs) decreased versus the same period last year, booking activity was much improved over the first quarter.  

detailed report, Click Here

IH&RA Offers A Show of Spirit in New York!

The International Hotel & Restaurant Association's 39th Annual Congress will take place November 8-11, 2002, in New York City alongside the 87th Annual International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show (IH/M&RS) whose 2002 theme - Global Marketplace - underlines the first-ever concurrent positioning of the  two events. 

For further details, Click Here

Going for Gold - Sporting events bolster UK hotel performance

The Commonwealth games and Golf Open Championship have given a much-needed boost to the UK's regional hotel industry, according to preliminary figures released from the HotelBenchmark Survey by Deloitte & Touche. 

For details, Click Here

Educational Seminar program to run alongside Mediterranean Travel Fair

Reed Travel Exhibitions, organisers of Mediterranean Travel Fair, have announced that a comprehensive educational seminar programme is confirmed to run alongside the event taking place from 17-19 September 2002 in Cairo, Egypt.

program details, Click Here

Seychelles signals Banyan Tree breakout from Asia

The opening of a Banyan Tree resort and spa in Seychelles marks the first step in Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts' plan to break out of Asia, says KP Ho, chairman of the Singapore-based group.

For details, Click Here

August 23, 2002

Conrad hotels eyes Gulf region for expansion

Conrad Hotels, the luxury portfolio of the Hilton family, has revealed plans to enter the GCC market, furthering its expansion across the Middle East region.

For further details,  Click Here

Decline in tourism worries Paris

France is the world's No. 1 travel destination, but tourism officials are fretting over new numbers that show visits to the nation's top attractions still sagging in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

For details, Click Here

Cendant to Eliminate 300 Hotels

Cendant Corp., owner of hotel brands like Days Inn, Ramada and Howard Johnson, said Tuesday that it will eliminate 300 hotels, or 7 percent of its franchise hotel business, by the end of the year. The company also announced several changes in leadership at its various hotel brands.  

For details, Click Here

Six Continents Hotels promotes Patrick Imbardelli 

Six Continents Hotels has promoted Patrick Imbardelli from marketing VP to chief marketing officer and senior VP, staff services, Asia Pacific. 

For further details, Click Here

Women travellers shed light on safety concerns

Two-thirds of women business travellers would rather dine in their hotel room than 'risk potential restaurant hassle' according to a survey from Carlson Wagonlit.

For further details, Click Here

Hong Kong Culinary Contest Receives Piping Hot Response

Hong Kong's catering industry has given its rousing support to the 2002 Best of the Best Culinary Awards, with the number of dishes submitted for this year's awards hitting a new record of 380. This represents a 90% surge over last year, when around 200 entries vied for top culinary honours.

For further details, Click Here

John Portman Designing for Safe Hotels; Hotel Design is Important to Business Travelers' Sense of Security

The results of a new online survey show that while the majority of business travelers are concerned about airline safety and theft, they feel that hotel design can improve their security while staying in hotels. 

For details, Click Here

NYC  Hotels Expect To Be Busy 9/11 and Beyond

Hotels in lower Manhattan, already bouncing back from a downturn in business, are bracing for an influx of guests early next month for the commemoration of the Sept. 11 attack on the World Trade Center.  

For details, Click Here

Floods hit Central European tourism

The catastrophic flooding along the Elbe and Danube rivers over the last week has had a devastating impact on tourism in those regions. 

For details,   Click Here

August 26, 2002

ACCOR to acquire a 26% interest in Dorint Hotels

Accor has signed a binding pre-agreement with Dr. Herbert Ebertz, the primary shareholder of German hotel-industry leader Dorint AG.  

For details, Click Here

Earlier Optimism in Hotel Investment Markets Gives Way To More Cautious Outlook

Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels today launches its latest HISS. In June of this year, 1,800 investors were questioned about their outlook for the future of the hotel investment markets. The results of the bi-annual survey, the only global hotel survey of its kind, show that at this time, there was an optimistic and confident mood amongst hotel investors across the globe. Most significantly short-term performance expectations had increased positively within the European Hotel Market in comparison with the hotel markets of Asia Pacific and the Americas.

For details, Click Here

Shangri-La sees single-digit growth in FY sales

Shangri-La Asia Ltd (69.HK) chief financial officer Madhu Rao said he expects the company's sales in the full year to record only single-digit growth due to the global economic slowdown.

For details, Click Here

Boutique Hotels Hit Hard by Economic Downturn, Sept. 11

With their unique designs and hip amenities, boutique hotels were the rage of the 1990s. So what if the nightly rates often exceeded $200? For the cool crowd or those who wanted a different kind of lodging experience, boutique hotels were the antidote to the big chains. But during the past year, in the wake of Sept. 11 and the economic chill, boutique hotels have been hit harder than any other part of the hotel industry, and experts say their recovery will take longer.

For details, Click Here

Six Continents Hotels Announces New Management Team

Six Continents Hotels, Inc., the world's leading global hotel group announces its new executive organization. Just six weeks into his new role as President of the Americas, Steve Porter reviewed the strategic priorities and organizational structure of Six Continents Hotels with all employees, franchisees, and company-owned hotels earlier this week.  

For details, Click Here

AH&LA's President Joe McInerney Updates - August 20, 2002

For the latest update, Click Here

An event not to be missed:  Bangkok's World Gourmet Festival 3 

Less than one month away,  the Regent Bangkok's World Gourmet Festival 3, opens with a gala cocktail reception on Monday, September 16 and continues through Sunday, September 22. Another sensational line up of international chefs from Europe, Asia and North America will prepare delicious food paired with outstanding wines from famous vineyards from around the world. 

For further details and full program listing, Click Here

Kempinski AG buys out minority shareholders and announces half year results

Announcing its first half-year results for 2002, the Group said that turnover in its managed hotels was EUR176.3m in the first half of 2002, a 1% drop from the EUR178.2m recorded in the same period in 2001. Amid difficult trading conditions, it had nevertheless managed to strengthen its overall market share.

For further details, Click Here

Koh Samui, Thailand Hotel Market Overview, 2002

Written By:  Erik van Keulen, Ada Bjordahl & Hubert Viriot 
HVS International

To view the report,click here       (Acrobat Reader required)

See You in Pacific Asia Website Provides Wide Range of Deals and Destinations

A new Website is making trip planning to from North America to Asia and the South Pacific inexpensive and easy. http://www.seeyouinpacificasia.com/ is a virtual marketplace for package tours, hotels, car rentals and airline tickets to destinations ranging from Australia to Vietnam.

For details, Click Here

Shangri-La appointments

Eldridge Mayor-Parry joins Shangri-La as DOS Western and Central Regions of the US and Shangri-La appoints news representative and sets up toll-free reservations number for Korea  

For details, Click Here

August 27, 2002

Pacific Asia: Mixed arrivals picture for 2002

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Strategic Information Centre has announced that initial arrival figures for 2002 show very mixed fortunes for Pacific Asia destinations. Of the 31 destinations for which data is available, 14 show positive gains in international visitor arrivals into 2002. Some of those gains are also substantial.

For details, Click Here

IHCL Plans Select Acquisitions Of International Hotels, Brands

Indian Hotels Company Ltd (IHCL) now has a focused growth-by-acquisition plan, wherein the company is following an 'asset-light' strategy. The company has been looking to expand its domestic and international portfolio, but has now clearly stated that such investments will not be asset intensive.  

For further details, Click Here

South African tourism with a conscience

Responsible  tourism might not be a useful marketing term, but it is a policy that the industry wants to see being taken seriously. Global tourism bodies meet in Cape Town to finalise a charter on responsible tourism, which will be showcased at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg.  

For further details, Click Here

Online travel bookings on the rise

The percentage of people who book travel directly online through Web sites such as Travelocity.com or Orbitz rose from 16 percent to 21 percent between October 2001 and August 2002, according to the survey. The survey, sponsored by travel and tourism trade group The Travel Business Roundtable and online travel site Orbitz, polled business and leisure travelers.

For details, Click Here

US travellers undaunted by terror

A new study has found that far fewer Americans have postponed or cancelled jet travel because of last year's terror attacks in the US. The results further bolster analyst conclusions that the airline industry was in dire straits long before 11 September

detailed report, Click Here

Orlando Tourism Boosted By Extensive Campaign

Although the numbers are still being crunched, the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau said an $8 million campaign that sought to attract tourists to Central Florida from New York, Chicago, Boston and other major metropolitan fly-time areas has been a success.

For details, Click Here

Tourism Authority of Thailand Deputy Governor Juthamas appointed new Governor

The Tourism Authority of Thailand Board of Directors today appointed Mrs. Juthamas Siriwan the new governor as proposed by the five recruiting  committee members who unanimously voted in her favour. 

For details, Click Here

Tourism industry leaders call for Australia to rethink its global marketing campaign after fall in international tourist numbers

Tourism industry leaders said Thursday the government needs to rethink its global marketing campaign following a drop in the number of international visitors to Australia.  

For details, Click Here

Thailand's Central Plaza to set up Bt1-bn fund

New property fund to help finance company's 5-year investment plan, including building of three hotels. Central Plaza Hotel Plc will set up a Bt1-billion property fund to help finance its ambitious Bt4.5-billion, five-year investment plan that includes the construction of three new hotels.

For details, Click Here

August 28, 2002

Orbis to Take Over Accor's Polish Hotels

At the beginning of 2003 Orbis will take over Hekon, a company managing the hotels built by Orbis' strategic partner France's Accor before the latter's alliance with the Polish hotel operator.

For details, Click Here

News @ PATA

PATA's Strategic Information Centre has released Pacific Asia Tourism Forecasts 2002-2004. Written by professors Lindsay W. Turner and Stephen F. Witt, the 260-page hardback study predicts tourism arrivals in 36 PATA-region countries and analyses market trends, seasonal change, and for some countries, tourism receipts and accommodation requirements. 

the rest of this weeks PATA news and update, Click Here

New York Hotels filling up near ground zero but languishing elsewhere in city

Hotels near the World Trade Center site are filling up for the anniversary of the terrorist attacks, but the rest of the city's hotel trade is languishing.

For further details, Click Here

Hotel Room Sales Now Unaffected by Travel Fears say PKF Consulting

Recently released lodging forecasts from Boston-based Torto Wheaton Research (TWR) and Atlanta-based The Hospitality Research Group, the research affiliate of PKF Consulting (HRG), reveal that air travel stigma effects on hotel room sales following September 11, 2001 have disappeared in all but 13 major cities. And in these 13 cities, the effects have substantially dissipated. Air travel stigma is defined as the reduction in air travel occurring since September 11th due mostly to psychological and emotional reactions. The adverse effect on lodging demand from these reactions is estimated separately from any economic reactions caused by the terrorist events.

For further details, Click Here

Broadband checking into hotels

Broadband-equipped hotel rooms are expected to grow to 15 percent in North America next year, according to an announcement Monday by research firm In-Stat/MDR.    A rebound in business travel and competitive forces should drive hotels to ramp up their broadband usage, said Amy Cravens, an In-Stat analyst. Broadband connections are currently found in 2.5 percent of North American hotel rooms.

For details, Click Here

Kerzner Hotels on expansion trail in Asia

Having planted its first flag in Asia with the Kanuhura Sun Resort & Spa in the Maldives, Kerzner Hotels, which owns the Sun International brand, is on an expansion trail in the Asian region.

For details, Click Here

Australia's tourism numbers sag

Key tourism figures are demanding review of Australia's marketing strategies following a further drop in international visitor figures. Arrivals from overseas dropped 8.4 percent in July compared to the same month in 2001.

For details, Click Here

Business Travel Expected to Improve -- Slowly  

Business travelers are returning to the skies one year after the Sept. 11 attacks decimated the airline and hospitality industry, but corporate travel is still down from 2000 levels, travel industry officials said.

For details, Click Here

UK tourism saved by home visitors

Heritage sector suffers as crises of 2001 keep foreigners away.  Leading tourist attractions in Britain suffered drops in attendance of 15 to 20% last year, due to the foot and mouth outbreak and the attacks on the US on September 11.

For details, Click Here

August 29, 2002

Economic Events to Restrain Lodging Demand Growth Through Remainder of 2002;

Loss in Household Wealth, Erosion in Consumer Confidence, Macroeconomic and Other Factors Contribute to RevPAR Decline of 2.3 Percent in 2002;
Lack of Catalyst for Rebound Suggest RevPAR Increase Of Only 3.5 Percent in 2003

For further details, Click Here

Singapore: HMS, a coming of age for Asian hospitality

TravelWeeklyEast.com's Yeoh Siew Hoon looks at what the proposed Hotel Management School International will mean for Singapore's, and the region's hospitality industry. The setting up of Asia's first Hotel Management School for post-graduate and executive management courses marks a coming of age for the Asian hospitality industry.  

For details, Click Here

Bellagio Announces Inspired Expansion Plans

The $ 1.6 billion Bellagio, which has earned resounding applause as the most spectacular and romantic resort in the world, will soon delight visitors around the globe with a meaningful encore: the addition of a 925-room spa tower to create an unprecedented oasis of privacy in the elegant and exciting world of Bellagio.   

For details, Click Here

SRS-WORLDHOTELS Signs Australia's Best as  Stamford Hotels & Resorts Joins as Private Label Member

SRS-WORLDHOTELS, one of the world's leading global hotel reservations, marketing and sales organizations has announced that Stamford Hotels & Resorts, the largest owner and operator of landmark luxury hotels in Australia and New Zealand has entered into a private label agreement with SRS-WORLDHOTELS with immediate effect. This is the second private label member in Asia/Pacific for SRS-WORLDHOTELS after Pan Pacific Hotels & Resorts.  

For details, Click Here

HSMAI Calendar Of Events 2002

The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) provides an extensive calendar of events highlighting educational forums as well as business-to-business venues for buyers and suppliers of hospitality, travel and tourism.

full details Click Here

PATA to help promote Skal 2003

Following India's efforts to make the PATA international conference a success, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has offered to help promote the Skal World Congress, which will be held in Chennai from October 19 to 24, 2003.  

For details, Click Here

ClubCorp Names John A. Beckert as President and Chief Operating Officer; Company Announces Chairmanship, Board Changes

ClubCorp, the world leader in delivering premier golf, private club, and resort experiences, has named John A. Beckert as President and Chief Operating Officer, effective immediately. He also joins the company's Board of Directors.  

For details, Click Here

IntraPower's new Value Model for the Hospitality Industry

IntraPower, a leading provider of data services to medium and large corporations today announced a joint effort with Mr David Horovitz, a leading hospitality industry identity, to deliver value packaged communications solutions specific to the business needs of the hotel and hospitality industry..  

For further details, Click Here

Veteran Hoteliers Take The Helm Of Grand Tradition Hotels & Resorts

Veteran hoteliers John Erickson, Ray Hopkins and Duane Quintana have taken over the executive management and operations of Grand Tradition Hotels & Resorts, a collection of three- to five-star independently owned or distinctively branded hotels and resorts receiving national sales and marketing representation under one umbrella. The former Westin, Marriott and Four Seasons executives represent more than 75 years of combined hospitality operations, sales, marketing and technology experience.  

For further details, Click Here

SMS  in-flight heaven?

Can't go more than an hour without sending an SMS? No worries if you are on Singapore Airlines. The airline has now made it possible to send an SMS from the air.  

For details, Click Here

August 30, 2002

Gambling helps offset Hilton hotel downturn

e-Tid.com -  Hilton Group, owner of Ladbrokes bookmaker and Hilton hotels outside the US, today reported overall pre-tax profits of ?130m for the first six months of 2002, down from ?144.3m last year. The group said a slower-than-expected recovery in the global economy was holding back the return of key business travellers to its hotels post-11 September.

For further details, Click Here

Six Continents board divided over pubs spin-off plan

A boardroom power struggle has erupted over plans by Six Continents, formerly known as Bass, to split off its pubs from the Holiday Inn hotels business. Sources said the group is working flat out to separate the 2000 pubs from the huge international hotels division. Chairman Sir Ian Prosser is believed to want a deal sealed before he retires in the middle of next year.

For details, Click Here

Le Meridien appoints second ex-Thomson finance expert

e-Tid.com  -  Independent luxury hotel operator Le Meridien has named Thomson's former corporate finance director Iain Ferguson as vice president of finance.

For details, Click Here

First Major Exhibition to Explore the Hotel as Design Laboratory and Fantasy Experience "New Hotels for Global Nomads"

"New Hotels for Global Nomads," a new exhibition at the Smithsonian's Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, demonstrates that hotels today advance how people live in cities, travel around the world, conduct business, commune with nature and even construct their fantasy lives.

The modern hotel not only offers a place to sleep, but also provides its guests with an escapist experience, through its design, sense of spectacle and amenities. 

comprehensive Report, Click Here

London hotels ready in recovery position

London will lead the way when the European hotels market finally recovers, hotel investment group Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels has predicted. The capital, as the gateway to Europe from the USA, was the first to decline when American tourist and business traffic tailed off sharply after 11 September.

For details, Click Here

Cendant halves CEO's pay to $15M

Cendant, the travel and real estate conglomerate, said compensation of its chairman and chief executive, Henry Silverman, would be more than halved after the company eliminated his right to an annual stock option grant and more closely linked his pay to the company's earnings.  

For details, Click Here

Restaurant Industry Rated the Most Highly Regarded Business Sector in America, Gallup Survey Says

An independent Gallup poll released this week shows that Americans rate the restaurant industry as the most highly regarded business sector in the country when compared to 23 other business sectors. The restaurant industry moved to the top position in 2002 from the number two position in an identical poll conducted in 2001. The restaurant industry is joined by the computer industry in the top spot in 2002.

detailed Report, Click Here

Shangri-La forecast given lift

Daiwa Securities has increased its full-year profit projection for Shangri-La Asia by 14 per cent to HK$ 804 million following its better-than-expected interim result. Last week, the luxury hotel operator reported net profit had jumped 103.6 per cent year on year to US$ 62.07 million for the six months to June 30.  

For further details, Click Here

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts Tops Ranking for Meetings in J.D. Power and Associates Study

Four Seasons ranked highest in the annual J.D. Power and Associates, 2002 Meeting Planner Satisfaction Index Study, ahead of several other luxury and upscale hotel chains. The study, which was released last week, measures how well upscale and luxury hotels serve independent and corporate meeting planners.  

For details, Click Here

IH&RA 39th Annual Congress - New York, USA

The IH&RA 39th Annual Congress will be held alongside the International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show whose 2002 theme - Global Marketplace - highlights the presence of honoured IH&RA Congress delegates. Don't miss the exceptional Educational Programme with over 40 Seminars and elegant high-profile social events which offer power-packed networking!

For further details, Click Here