Global Hospitality News - ARCHIVE 2002

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News Archive for December, 2002

December  1- 15, 2002

December 2, 2002

Six Continents under fire

Shareholders protest at hotels directors' share options package -  Six Continents was last Friday  locked in talks with angry shareholders who want the company to drop an executive share option package at its hotels division, which is to demerge next year. It is the latest flashpoint in a continuing row between UK institutional investors and London-listed multinationals determined to offer their executives top US rates of pay.  

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Accor cancel French Caribbean shutdown

The French hotel chain Accor has dropped a plan to shut down its operations in Guadeloupe and is prepared to begin negotiations with the French government on its future prospects there, a French minister said Thursday.

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Hong Kong sets more records as October 2003 visitor arrivals soar to 1.58 million

AsiaTravelTips.com  -  For the third time this year, visitor arrivals in Hong Kong have set a new monthly record, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) said today (28 November). October arrivals totalled 1,584,563, a 37.2% increase on the same month in 2001 and well ahead of the previous record of 1.50 million set in August.  

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Central America Avoids Tourist Crisis

Central America has overcome the crisis in the tourism industry caused by the Sept. 11 attack, despite a global recession in the industry, a world tourism organization chief said on Wednesday. World Tourism Organization Secretary General Francesco Frangialli said the tourism crisis affected main resort regions in the western hemisphere, but not in Central America.  

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Chinese Citizens Be Able to Travel in Europe Next Year

News from French tourism promoting activities held in Shanghai claims that the course of Europe becoming Chinese tourism destination shall be expedited. Experts predict that once access is granted, Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou will be the first three cities to gain the access.  

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Are You Making the Best Use of Your Time?

By Christina Morfeld

Whether you are a business owner, manager, or individual contributor, chances are that you've felt overwhelmed at one time or another -- or perhaps you're in a constant state of inundation! In fact, you've probably read at least a few of the terrific time management articles that have been written. While most provide strategies for using "to do" lists and managing information overload (an important skill these days!), this article takes a slightly different approach.

For full report,Click Here

The Japanese Center - An Innovative  New Service from The Dusit Group

Dusit and Royal Princess Hotels & Resorts proudly inaugurates The Japanese Center, which ushers in major new improvements for all Japanese business and leisure clients, customers and friends.    

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Chefs Unite Against Fast Food

Some 300 chefs from across the globe met in Cancun, Mexico in an effort to preserve the culinary traditions and styles of each of their regions and oppose the growing popularity of fast food Wednesday. The anti- fast food campaign was launched during the Second International Chefs Congress, which is being held at the Caribbean resort of Cancun, in Quintana Roo state. Participants agreed that the culinary arts play a major role for attracting tourists and also diversify a tourism market, combining it with each region's unique cultural traditions and attractions.  

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Florida's Travel Industry Still Fragile

The health of Florida's $50 billion tourism industry is going to be determined as much by Saddam Hussein and al Qaeda as by Mickey Mouse, Spider-Man or Shamu.

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Travel warnings hit Malaysia tourism

Fewer foreign tourists are expected in Malaysia due to travel warnings about Southeast Asia issued by Western nations, a senior minister says. As many as 300,000 fewer foreigners are expected to land in Malaysia per month, said tourism minister Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir, despite Malaysian tourism promotions overseas receiving positive responses.  

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December 3, 2002

UK Hoteliers Face A Slow Climb Back To Peak Trading - PKF UK Report

UK hotel performance in October showed evidence of a solid recovery pattern - but it continues to be a slow process that focuses on building occupancy and provides little immediate hope of increasing room rates, according to PKF's preliminary figures just released.

For detailed report,Click Here

Travel twice a target in Kenya

Travel businesses were again the target of terrorism last week, as twin attacks in Kenya saw suicide bombers kill 12 people at an Israeli-owned beach resort; while two missiles narrowly missed an Arkia flight en route to Tel Aviv. "Once again the victims of ruthless terrorists were innocent tourists. We cannot tolerate this," said Francesco Frangialli, Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organisation.  

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HVS International - European Hotel Transactions Country Analysis - Belgium France & The Netherlands

Belgium - Historically the Belgian hotel investment market has been relatively illiquid, due to an oversupply of hotels and relatively weak trading performance. Nevertheless, in recent times its capital Brussels, has experienced a change of fortune with improved operating performances, thus resulting in a number of significant single asset sales over the past two years.  

For France and The Netherlands analysis,Click Here

US off Middle East travellers' list; Asia to benefit

Asia can expect more travellers from the Middle East now that the US has been pretty much written off as a holiday destination for Arabs.  

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Six Continents Hotels Pulls Out of Thai Partnership Developing Hotel on Siam Paragon Site;   Kempinski and Accor Considered Front Runners

Six Continents Hotels, has exited its partnership with Bangkok Intercontinental Hotels Co (BIHC), the operator of Siam Centre and Siam Discovery shopping malls, after it became apparent that it would not be part of the new Siam Paragon development.   

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Scandinavia Meetings Show puts spotlight on events

Event strategists meet in Stockholm - The Scandinavian Hospitality Incentive & Event Exhibition (SHIE), Scandinavia's largest trade fair for the meeting industry, is increasing its focus on the event sector by developing the EventSolutions concept.

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Australia's Grand Hotel Group's Grand Plan Fails The Proxy Test

Shareholders of the troubled Grand Hotel Group have rejected a move to internalise its management structure, leaving the listed hotelier to continue under its current system.

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Fiji's tourism industry seeks more government support

Fiji's tourism industry has called for greater commitment from the government to reach its Billion dollar target. Mika Loga reports tourism is regarded as the country's main revenue earner while the ailing sugar industry undergoes major reform.  

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Aussies look east in tourism envy

In a deft change of fortune, Australians are casting an envious eye across the Tasman to a tourism market outpacing their own. Only just starting to recover from the aftershock of September 11, tourism in Australia has now been rocked by the Bali bombing and Canberra's announcement the country is in a state of high terrorism alert.  

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EIBTM 2003 to be "most innovative" ever

Organisers of EIBTM 2003 hope to make Geneva's farewell show next year the "most innovative industry event ever".  

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December 4, 2002

The IH&RA Condemns Bombing Attack In Mombassa, Kenya

The International Hotel & Restaurant Association (IH&RA) condemns in the most vigorous terms possible the terrorist attacks which occurred Thursday, 28 November in Mombassa, Kenya. This tragic event resulted in the loss of life of 13 people, the destruction of the Paradise Hotel in Mombassa, and also coincided with the attempted strike against an Israeli charter airplane carrying 271 people.

For details,Click Here

News@PATA  

AWARDS FOR INNOVATIVE CHAPTERS - Each year, the Spirit of PATA Awards and Awards of Excellence are presented to recognise outstanding achievement by PATA chapters. The awards will be presented at the 52nd PATA Annual Conference in Bali, Indonesia. All PATA chapters worldwide are invited to submit their entries by January 31, 2002. For more information, please contact Ms. Leslie Detter, Director-Chapter Relations and Sustainable Tourism. 

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

Hotels find Internet both helps, hurts them

Bookings growing, but room rates declining -  The Internet is an increasingly important source of bookings for the lodging industry, but it's also putting downward pressure on room rates, experts say.  

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Public Fervor for Shanghai's World Expo Bid

Chinese President Jiang Zemin said in a letter to the BIE chairman and secretary-general that a fast-developing China was eager to host the event. A World Expo held in China would not only help popularize the event in the country but also strengthen communication and cooperation among countries and regions across the world, according to Jiang.  

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Zuji takes off on Asian online travel market

The travel sector has seen better days. It is mired in a major slump, and the terror attacks in Bali and Kenya are likely to put off a recovery. But despite the gloomy picture, the world's top online travel agencies are aggressively pushing into Asia.  

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Singapore visitor arrivals for October 2002

AsiaTravelTips.com  -   Singapore visitor arrivals in October 2002 recorded a double-digit growth of 12.0%, , to a total of 638,237 visitors. All markets, apart from Australia, registered positive growth in visitor arrivals this month. This increase contributed to an increase in hotel average occupancy rate (+2.1 percentage points) this month.  

For detailed report,Click Here

Indonesia to open tourism offices in Japan, Australia and Europe

Indonesia is to open three overseas offices to promote tourism in the wake of the Bali bombings.

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Interstate Hotels to Move

Interstate Hotels & Resorts said it plans to move its headquarters from Georgetown to Arlington next year.  

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2002: An award winning year for Conrad Hotels

Conrad Hotels, the luxury name within the Hilton Family of brands, has gained major recognition and success with the introduction of the Conrad Service Culture, and through its growing hotel portfolio and ongoing refurbishment programmes.  In October 2002, the readers of Cond? Nast Traveler voted Conrad amongst the best luxury hotel groups in Asia and Europe.  In addition, over the past few months individual Conrad hotels were also rewarded with 20 top awards;

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At last for Lastminute

Lastminute.com has celebrated its first profit, with a ?320,000 (US$498,000) profit in its first quarter, before goodwill amortisation and exceptional costs.  

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Park Plaza To Unify and Strengthen Brand Worldwide

Park Plaza hotels, part of Minneapolis-based Carlson Hotels Worldwide, has announced an agreement with its brand partners - London-based Park Plaza Hotels Europe and Sarovar Park Plaza Hotels of India - to unify many areas of the company, including GDSs, marketing and brand management.   

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December 5, 2002

Compass confirms talks with one party for Little Chef/Travelodge

eTid.com  -  Compass Group's finance director, Andrew Lynch, has said that the catering group is holding exclusive talks with one party, tipped to be VC group Permira, for its Little Chef and Travelodge businesses.

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Vietnam's tourism booming

Vietnam's reputation as a safe haven in a troubled region is fueling a tourist and business boom that is pushing hotel occupancy rates to record highs of 80 to 90 percent, hotel operators and tourism officials said Tuesday.  

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Australian Hoteliers Upbeat

Australia's hotel operators are getting into recovery mode, and anecdotal evidence suggests that occupancy rates are on the way up. After a lacklustre year the blame for which lies squarely on the demise of Ansett and the global terrorism attacks occupancies in key CBD markets are improving.  

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Ex-M?ridien boss plans designer hotels group

Caterer.com  -  The former UK and Ireland general manager for luxury hotel chain Le M?ridien has bought the Queensgate hotel in London for ?4.5m as the first of a planned designer group. Alan Corlett, who was with Principal Hotels before Le M?ridien, has set up his own company, Niche Hotels.

For details, Click Here

Japanese Tourism Up Again for Holidays

Rebounding from a steep decline after last year's terror attacks on the United States, Japanese tourists are once again expected to flood abroad during the holiday season, major travel associations said Wednesday. Reservations for package tours in December made through Japan's five main travel agencies were up 147 percent from the same month in 2001, according to the Japan Association of Travel Agents. The association said this year's holiday exodus was nearly back to the pre-Sept. 11 levels, reaching 92 percent of the number of reservations made in December 2000.  

For details,Click Here

 

Thailand's Royal Garden Resort Group to expand

Royal Garden Resorts,  the hospitality division of the Minor Group, will spend almost one billion Baht to expand its hotel chain over the next two years, despite terrorist threats that could undermine the tourism industry.  The company's portfolio, which already includes nine hotels, will be strengthened by the construction and acquisition of hotel properties on Ko Samui and Chiang Rai.   

For details,Click Here

A World Premiere in Hamburg: BMW Suite at the Kempinski Hotel Atlantic

On Tuesday, the Kempinski Hotel Atlantic in Hamburg and BMW Group have presented  the new BMW Suite in an exclusive world premiere. The BMW Suite is located on the third floor of the hotel, directly under the suite known as the 'James Bond Suite', in which scenes from 'Tomorrow Never Dies' were filmed. 

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Hilton penetrates India

Hilton International and Blue Coast Hotels & Resorts have signed an agreement to form a joint-venture company - Hospitality Holdings India, to develop first-class and luxury hotels and resorts in India.

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Dutch returning to Bali

Less than a month after their government dropped its travel ban on Indonesia, the Dutch market is already experiencing a resurgence of business back to Bali. The Dutch government withdrew its travel ban against Indonesia on November 14th, at the same time as Bali was attempting a comeback at London's World Travel Market.  

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Sleep Now -- Fly Later with Best Western International

Earn a complimentary companion fare after two stays at any Best Western hotel in the world between now and Jan. 14, 2003. This offer is available for all residents of the continental United States who stay twice at Best Western, pay for the stays with their MasterCard(R) card and are members of Gold Crown Club International.  

For details,Click Here

December 6, 2002

Six Continents profits slip, turns cautious

Six Continents Plc, the world's largest international hotels group, reported a 24 percent fall in annual profits on Thursday and warned it was more cautious on its hotel prospects for 2003 than it was in late September. Six Continents, which runs Inter-Continental, Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn hotels, reported pre-tax profits for the year to September 30 of 558 million pounds ($878 million) compared to analysts' forecasts of 540-575 million pounds.

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Conference revival helps De Vere profits rise

Hotels and fitness clubs operator De Vere says it is enjoying a revival in the conference market, which was shattered in the wake of September 11. Chief executive Paul Dermody said Warrington-based De Vere has seen a 25 per cent increase in bookings in the first eight weeks of the financial year.

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Shanghai seals World Expo victory

The city of Shanghai has been anticipating victory to host the World Expo in 2010 for the past several months. At last, celebrations in the streets began after the results came late last night from the Bureau of International Expositions, in a final run-off vote between Yeosu in South Korea and Shanghai.

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M&C keen to promote Singapore to the world

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc (M&C) is looking to partner Singapore Tourism Board (STB) again in its future programs to promote Singapore world-wide, following the success of the recent Singapore Food Festival, organised by STB at Millennium UN Plaza Hotel in New York. The event was presented to New Yorkers by Singapore's food ambassador and celebrity, Ms Violet Oon, together with Millennium UN Plaza Hotel's sous chef, Mr Alex Hing.  

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AIME 2002: ICCA debates long term influences on the Meetings industry

ICCA, the International Congress and Convention Association, will conduct an important seminar and debate featuring industry leaders at AIME 2003, the 11th AsiaPacific Incentives and Meetings Expo in Melbourne, Australia in February.
Long term influences on the meetings industry - not related to 9/11, Bali and security, will focus attention on the long term growth of the corporate and association meetings industry. Key issues to be tabled include technology, life-long learning, globalization and environmentalism.

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Full House for Amsterdam Hotels

Findings from the inaugural HotelBenchmark Survey for Belgium & The Netherlands - Results from the inaugural HotelBenchmark Survey for Belgium  & The Netherlands by Deloitte & Touche launched last week in Amsterdam reveal that hotels in Amsterdam significantly outperformed their Brussels counterparts in 2001 with occupancy levels of 80 percent compared to 69 percent in

For detailed report,Click Here

East London hotels enjoy early boom

East London: Hundreds of people wishing to enjoy the early days of the holiday season here are finding no room at the inn. Hotels have been fully booked over the last few weeks and the large number of corporate functions at this time of year has also boosted the demand for accommodation.  

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Kerzner  re-brands luxury resorts to  'One&Only'

Kerzner International Limited announced today that its luxury resort hotels will be operated and marketed under the "One&Only" brand. Including investments financed at the local level, and also contemplated expansion projects, One&Only's management team will have overseen approximately $ 500 million in luxury resort development. This has created a collection of unique resorts that sets the Company on its way to achieve its goal of becoming the pre-eminent worldwide luxury resort operator.  

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Marriott's sale of unit temporarily blocked

Marriott International's attempt to sell its assisted living unit may have hit a snag after a Massachusetts court temporarily barred it from closing any sale of the business following a lawsuit by two of its financial partners.  

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Macdonald Hotels checks in with 17% hike in earnings

Macdonald Hotels says it is seeing an improved performance from its London sites, and is now giving a higher priority to development of its time-share business. The group, which is headquartered in Bathgate, saw a rise in both turnover and profits during the year to October 3. This was despite a decline in yields and revenues from its high-earning hotels in the M25 area around London, which were hit in the travel downturn after last year's September 11 attacks.  

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Thailand's Convention and Exhibition Bureau open for business

AsiaTravelTips.com - The Convention and Exhibition Bureau (CEB) has now been formally established and is accepting applications for membership from tourism-related associations that wish to attract this lucrative sector of the travel industry. The Bureau is seeking to interest associations like those of the hotels, travel agents, guides, exhibition companies and others to join up and help promote Thailand internationally as a world-class meeting, incentive, convention and exhibition (MICE) destination.  

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Luxury mart off to a good start  

The inaugural International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM), which takes place in Cannes from December 10 to 12, is off to a good start. The event has attracted 368 companies from 38 countries - "the cr?me de la cr?me" of the industry - and 434 buyers from 33 countries, according to ILTM Media exhibition director, Mr David Hammond. "It has exceeded expectations," he said. ILTM was targeting 200 companies for the first show.  

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Petersburg Hotels Brace for a Flood of Dignitaries

The shortage of hotel rooms that St. Petersburg experiences every year during the peak of the tourism season will be exacerbated by the city's 300th-anniversary celebrations in May and June. But hoteliers are breathing easier after the federal government scaled back its earlier request to take over every room in the city's best hotels for three weeks next summer.  

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What women travellers want

Women across Asia-Pacific, with the exception of those in Taiwan, are planning to either vacation in their home country or visit neighbouring countries for a holiday this year, according to MasterCard International's latest survey.

For details, Click Here

A bird? A plane? No, it's 200 flying cows

China Southern Airlines has redefined the meaning of "cattle class", with news that its cargo division has safely transported nearly 200 live purebred Holstein-Friesian cows from Seattle to Zhengzhou in China.

For several lucky bulls in Zhengzhou, love was certainly in the air. The longhaul heifers came from private farms in Quebec, Canada, and were sent to China solely for breeding purposes. China Southern Airlines' entire Boeing 747-400 freighter was packed with the nearly 200 head of purebred cattle; each weighing in at a hefty 360 kilos.

The total value of the Holstein heifers was over US$1 million.

Source:  TravelWeeklyEast.com

December 9, 2002

European Hotel Industry:  An encouraging month of October

In Europe, the RevPAR rose by 7.9% in October Southern Europe recorded more pronounced increases than Northern Europe
France saw a strong October month, though remains just short of the levels recorded in October 2000 The RevPAR gained 16.7% in October in all categories combined
For Paris, the RevPAR increased by 33.7% in October  In the 4-star category, the indicator rose by 42.7%  

For detailed report,Click Here

Bali's "black October"

Official tourist arrivals to Bali for the month of October were 44.62 percent down on the month before. Arrivals dropped from 157,000 in September, to 87,000 in October.  

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Tasmania: Summer of prosperity for tourism

Tasmanian tourist operators could be in for their best-ever summer with record bookings from interstate and overseas.

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The good and bad of travelling

Delays are the most annoying part of business travel, followed by getting behind in office work, airline seating and jetlag, according to a new report. American Express quizzed 1,400 travellers from 14 countries. The things they appreciate most while in the air include in-flight entertainment, facilities to use their laptop computers, access the Internet and their emails, and on-board phones.

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ATF 2004 venue confirmed as Vientiane

Capital city of Laos PDR, Vientiane, has been confirmed as host venue for the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2004, a change from the earlier stated venue of Pakse.

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Mongolia to open Far East gateway

Keen to tap a growing leisure market demand from Southeast Asia, Mongolia's national carrier will fly to Hong Kong twice a week from midway through next year.  

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Chicago Hotels try to lure suburbanites

With a tourism slump in its second year and the holidays at hand, Chicago hotels are increasingly looking in their own backyard to fill empty beds. Through direct-mail, print and radio advertising, downtown hotels are courting the local leisure market with lures like discounted room rates and free amenities.  

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Tokyo adds a clutch of luxury hotels

At a $400-a-night Japanese mega hotel, two South Korean government officials one morning were trying to reconfirm a breakfast reservation in English. Finally, they gave up. Turning to a group of American reporters, one asked: "Does anyone speak Japanese?"   This glimpse of the ingrown aspect of Tokyo hotels may become an image of the past as international hotel groups invade the city, opening new luxury hotels at the rate of one a year through 2005.  

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Six Continents demerger: Don't bother to raise a glass or book in

Behind every demerger is a key to unlock the hidden value of a conglomerate, or so the theory goes. Which is why the last thing Six Continents needed was a slowdown in sales at pubs on Britain's high streets.  

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Corinthia Hotels' Training Academy celebrates its first Graduation Day

Corinthia Hotels International's Training Academy held its first ever Graduation Day on Thursday 28th November 2002 at the Corinthia Palace Hotel in Attard.  

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Changing Trends in Australia's Inbound Tourism

AsiaTravelTips.com  -  Commenting today on the current well being of Australia's tourism industry, Australian Tourist Commission Managing Director, Ken Boundy, discussed changes in consumer behaviour and the implications for the industry. "Recent data and feedback within the ATC's key markets indicates that inbound tourism is showing signs of growth in visitor expenditure and length of stay, despite fewer arrivals from some markets," Mr Boundy said.

For details,Click Here

December 10, 2002

Changing Travel Patterns Force Travel Suppliers To Re-Think Marketing Plans - TIA Reports

A survey of the Travel Industry Association of America's (TIA) 2,300 member organizations shows that changes in consumer travel patterns have greatly affected how they market their destinations and services. Three-fourths of TIA members see closer to home travel and more last minute travel among their customers. Nearly as many report fewer international visitors, more car travel, and lower travel expenditures. 

For detailed report,Click Here

First Comprehensive Caribbean Meetings & Events Program Will Launch In 2003

Gold Book Publishing (GBP), a division of the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA), is launching in April 2003 a new meetings and events program - Caribbean Meetings & Events. "Caribbean Meetings & Events seeks to fill the need of a single, all-inclusive resource and reference guide to the meetings and events market in the Caribbean region. 

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New Hotel Management Firm's Personal Touch Creates Balanced Scorecard

National award-winning hospitality executive John P. Langley announced the formation of American Hotel Management, Inc., to provide a full range of hotel management services, specializing in asset management and consultancy.

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China - Inbound tourists up 11% in Jan.-Oct.

Some 81.575 million overseas tourists visited China during the first 10 months of the year, an increase of 11.19 percent over the same period last year. The visitors included 11.4588 million foreign citizens, up 22.18 percent; 51.4136 million Hong Kong residents, up 6.32 percent; 15.5112 million Macau residents, up 22.12 percent; and 3.1914 million Taiwan residents, up 9.01 percent, according to the latest statistics from the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA).

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Vancouver 2010 Bid Applauds Convention Center Expansion

The Vancouver 2010 Bid Corporation welcomes the announcement by the Governments of Canada and British Columbia confirming the expansion of the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Center. "The new convention center will provide top facilities to house the world's media during the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games," said Jack Poole, chairman and chief executive officer of the Vancouver 2010 Bid Corporation. 

For details,Click Here

China Moves Toward 1st International-Class Theme Park

China took a step toward getting its first international-class theme park on Saturday. If the preliminary deal with Universal Studios succeeds, the park will entertain millions and employ thousands in Shanghai.  

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HK's Mandarin in tie-up talks with Grand New Delhi

The Hong Kong-based premium chain, Mandarin Oriental has entered the fray for a strategic tie up with Umesh Saraf's The Grand in Delhi (earlier Grand Hyatt). Mandarin Oriental had earlier ended its tie up with the spa, Ananda in the Himalayas citing breach of contract as the main reason.  

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Middle East Hotels experience decline, but opportunities remain

The slight slowdown in tourism to the Middle East in 2002 is to be followed by a recovery in 2003, reported hospitality market valuator, HVS International. Historically, economic contractions in the Middle East have lasted for one or two years with a subsequent recovery in the following year.

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Australia: Historic hotel survives bushfires

One of Australia's most historic hotels was saved from bushfires last night - but only after desperate efforts by firefighters and waterbombing helicopters.

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Thailand and Indonesia tighten security

Thailand and Indonesia, the South-east Asian countries whose popular beach resorts were subject of many security warnings recently, are taking fresh steps to protect visitors.  

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December 11, 2002

Brian Williams to head Scotsman group ?

The Scotsman Hotel Group will today seek to draw a line under recent woes by announcing the appointment of Brian Williams, former general manager of the Ritz and Hyde Park hotels, London, as chief executive. Mr Williams, who has spent the past 17 years with the Hong Kong-based Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group in various parts of the world, is due to take the helm in January, reporting to the Scotsman group's non-executive chairman Robert Breare, the pub and leisure entrepreneur.

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6C investors demand break-up rather than demerger

e-Tid.com  -  The Observer reports that 'several of Six Continents' major shareholders' are prepared to argue that the company's pubs and hotels should be sold rather than demerged into two separately listed entities.

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Raffles puts two wonders together for a good cause

In putting together "An Evening at Angkor with Jose Carreras", Raffles International wanted to bring together two wonders - the Angkor Temples and the world famous tenor - for a good cause, said chairman and CEO Richard Helfer.  

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Whitbread puts Swallows back on the market

e-Tid.com  - Whitbread has put 13 Swallow hotels back on the market for around ?65m, according to The Business. Whitbread picked up the Swallow chain for around ?570m three years ago. It converted 25 of the 38 properties to Marriott, arguing that the balance of the portfolio wasn't suitable for conversion.

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Hotel Companies May Be Subject to Shareholder Approval on Option Re-Pricing

Written By:  Keith Kefgen &Doug Rosen HVS Executive Search

In light of recent corporate scandals, several public agencies have championed new regulations in an effort to regain public trust in corporate America.  Recently, the New York Stock Exchange made several proposals to the Securities and Exchange Commission to both modify existing, and add new corporate governance listing standards.  This article will focus on the NYSE's recommendation that shareholders must be given the opportunity to vote on all equity compensation plans, specifically option re-pricing.  

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Brazil's Atlantica Hotels Finishes 2002  with 30 Hotels Open and Operating;

Brazil's Atlantica Hotels International has maintained its aggressive stance and will finish 2002 with more 20 hotels added to its existing inventory in 12 months and 30 hotels open and operating. A total of 85 hotels are now open or under construction in the Atlantica portfolio.  Total assets under management now represent more than US $875 million.  

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Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Inc. Increases Dividend

The Board of Directors of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Inc has increased the semi- annual dividend from two cents (U.S.$ 0.02) per share to three cents (U.S.$ 0.03) per share on the outstanding common shares, payable on January 28, 2003, to holders of record at the close of business on December 27, 2002. The decision to increase the dividend reflects FHR's confidence in the company's fundamentals, financial strength and outlook.

Kerzner announces formation of Indian Ocean Resort Management Company

Kerzner International Limited  announced that it has entered into an agreement with Sun Resorts Limited (SRL) to form a new management company, One&Only (Indian Ocean) Management Limited, for the purpose of developing and operating resort hotels in the Indian Ocean region. 

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UK: October visitor stats show 2002 still down on 2000

The ONS tourism findings for October show that the UK received 26% more visitors this October than last, with the numbers for the year so far also up on 2001.

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Howard Johnson International Announces Strategic Plan

Howard Johnson International unveiled its 2003 strategic plan and key objectives, which include driving more business to franchisees, strengthening its position as a leisure market leader, improving hotel quality and consistency, focusing on strategic growth and increasing its value proposition to its franchisees.

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HSMAI Launches Econference Series Of Interactive Educational Seminars

The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) is partnering with HSA International to launch an extensive series of educational and interactive eConferences designed to help sales and marketing staff on all levels of expertise to hone their skills in a convenient and easy web-based format.

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December 12, 2002

Senior executives participate in opinion survey regarding the outlook for the European hotel industry

In early November, hosts Deloitte & Touche and Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels, invited almost 300 senior executives to a one day conference in London addressing the issues of the European hotel investment industry. Taylor Nelson Sofres supported the hosts and invitees by conducting a opinion survey amongst some the attendees.

For detailed report,Click Here

Center For Hospitality Research Gains Five Advisory Board Members

The Center for Hospitality Research at Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration welcomes five new members to its advisory board. 

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Intelligent Spas Releases Standard Operating Procedures for the Spa Industry

Intelligent Spas Pte Ltd (www.intelligentspas.com ) today released Spa Policies and Procedures: Standard Policies and Procedures for Spa and Salon Management, Operations and Treatments, a valuable tool to assist spas or larger salons refine their existing operations manual, develop a new customised manual, or expand their current offering of spa services.

For details,Click Here

Tiscover moves into the UK market

Plymouth becomes first UK destination to take Europe's leading e-travel system Tiscover, Europe's leading e-travel destination portal and management system provider, has today entered the UK market, signing an agreement with Plymouth to power and manage the city's destination web presence.  

For details, Click Here

Travel to Americas and Caribbean Strong for Holiday 2002

In a study of 2002 Winter holiday travel trends, Travelocity, the sixth largest travel agency in the United States, finds that travelers are staying closer to home this season. In addition to North America, travel to Central America, South America and the Caribbean show the greatest increase in popularity this year.

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Disney delays Shanghai park to 2010

Walt Disney Co. will delay any plans to build a theme park in Shanghai, to appease authorities in Hong Kong. "In all likelihood, a second park would not open in China until 2010," Irene Chan, head of Disney's communications in Asia, told CNN on Monday.

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Cendant launches Days Hotel

Cendant Europe today announced a new development strategy for its economy hotel chain, Days Inn, which will see the creation of a sister division called Days Hotel.

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Kerala, India leads world's tourism growth: WTTC

Kerala is poised to grow by 11.6 per cent per annum over the coming decade, which will be the highest in the world, even as its investments were "abysmally" low, the World Travel and Tourism Council report released here Monday said.

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Mainland visitors to Hong Kong set to top six million

The number of cross-border visitors to Hong Kong is set to exceed six million this year, thanks to the scrapping from January 1 of the daily quota on mainland Chinese who can enter the SAR.  

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Nepal Tourism Board Update

The total number of tourist arrivals to Nepal in November has gone down by 18.31 percent to 20,026. A comparison to the same period of last year shows a net loss of 4,489 arrivals. The third country tourist arrivals have come down by 25 percent registering a net loss of 4,985 as compared to the same period of last year.

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The Annual Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Investment Conference Set for April 1-3, 2003 in Hamilton, Bermuda

The Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA), and the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), in conjunction with Burba Hotel Network (BHN) will once again present the annual Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Investment Conference (CHTIC), April 1-3, 2003, at The Fairmont Southampton Hotel, in Hamilton, Bermuda.    

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December 13, 2002

Pritzker family at odds over biz strategy

Members of the billionaire Pritzker family have agreed to split up the estimated $15-billion family fortune, possibly leading to a public offering by hotelier Hyatt Corp. and a sell off of the privately held Marmon Group. But the decision isn't unanimous and is one of the reasons behind a lawsuit recently brought by one of the grandchildren of the late patriarch Jay Pritzker.  

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New Class of Business Travelers

Well heeled on corporate travel budgets that were geared to paying business fares that often were seven times the cost of leisure fares, this breed of passenger has been in decline at all domestic airports since the economy soured early last year.  

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World Tourism Organization stresses the importance of co-operation with the European Union

The Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization Mr. Francesco Frangialli, called today for an intensified co-operation with the European Union and its member states. Addressing the European Tourism Forum in Brussels, Mr. Frangialli presented the current tourism situation in the world in general and in Europe in particular, emphasizing the threat of terrorism and major structural changes, while another WTO representative, Mr. Geoffrey Lipman, called the EU to support the Sustainable Tourism - Eliminating Poverty (ST-EP) project.  

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In Australia, Asian Hotel Investors Return, but Domestic Owners Dominate

According to the results of Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels' annual Top Owner survey, Australian hotel investors and owner/operators continue to dominate the ownership of tourist accommodation in Australia.  However, Asian investors have launched a challenge, accounting for 80% of major sales transacted so far this year.   

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Singapore: Hotel school -  one small step for Yeo, but one big step for S'pore

By Yeoh Siew Hoon TravelWeeklyEast.com

From tourism promoter to educator - Yeo Khee Leng made the transition from chief executive of the Singapore Tourism Board to chief executive officer of the Hotel Management School International last month. Yeo talks to Yeoh Siew Hoon about his time spearheading Singapore tourism and his current charge of growing talent for the industry.

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EHL to work with the hospitality Industry in the year ahead to rapidly improve human resource management challenges

Recognition and recruitment of talent, development and retention are seen by the Ecole h?teli?re de Lausanne (EHL), the leading international learning institution for hospitality management, to be a major concern for the hospitality industry in the year ahead and made more challenging by the continuing economic climate.  

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Asian tourism starts to recover

Christmas holiday bookings rise, despite the terrorist threat - Six Continents PLC, Sol Melia SA and other hotels across Southeast Asia say bookings are picking up as tourists start to set aside worries about terrorism and prepare for Christmas breaks.  

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India: Govt decides to sell off another 12 hotels

The Indian Government will privatise another 12 hotels as part of its ongoing disinvestment programme, Disinvestment Minister Arun Shourie said Monday.  

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Hotel occupancy picks up in Bali

The hotel occupancy in Bali picked up to 40 percent in the first week of December following a heavy blow suffered after the bloody bombings in mid-October.

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