Hotel News in Brief
Mar 23, 12 | 3:09 am 
Some current conversation starters...
Airline no-phones policy could become a thing of the past...
Turning off electronic devices when boarding an airplane may soon be a thing of the past as the FAA is re-examining those ancient, sometimes abused and generally disliked rules. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has long maintained the rules were necessary because of safety concerns. The group says it will now conduct tests to see if that's the case, a move that could lead to their abolishment. Most airlines currently prohibit passengers from using cell phones, tablets, and other personal gadgets during runway taxi, takeoff, and landing. In-flight use is usually restricted to devices which aren't communicating with a cellular or data network. Pilots and flight crews have for a long time bypassed the rules for passengers by using iPads and other electronic devices during takeoff and landing. The simple reasoning of the FAA: if pilots are already using gadgets during take-offs and landings, and there are no problems, perhaps a "fresh look" at the subject is needed. FAA rules already permit any airline to test specific makes and models to determine if they generate enough power that they could interfere with sensitive cockpit radios, navigation instruments and other critical equipment. But few airlines have done that kind of extensive testing because there are so many devices, and testing them all -- or even many -- isn't practical, says the New York Times. Instead, the fallback position has been to comply with FAA rules requiring passengers to turn off all electronic devices while the aircraft's altitude is below 10,000 feet. The FAA said it was bored at waiting for airlines to take the initiative in testing whether electronics really can knock out flight instruments. There's some evidence that electromagnetic interference from cellphones and similar devices can cause problems with on-board systems, writes TG Daily. However, there's no evidence on the other side because there's never been an accident blamed on using the devices. Consumer demand to use personal electronics at all times on board planes has been increasing, especially on flights with long delays waiting for takeoff. While acknowledging "this is an area of consumer interest," the FAA said in a statement that "no changes will be made until we are certain they will not impact safety and security".
Chancellor George Osborne has missed an opportunity in yesterday's Budget to create more jobs by making the UK's hospitality and tourism industry competitive with other European countries, according to the British Hospitality Association (BHA).
Although he welcomed many measures in the Budget, Martin Couchman, deputy chief executive of the BHA, was disappointed that the Chancellor's statement gave no indication of the Government considering a reduction in the VAT rate. "The Chancellor said that he wanted Britain to have a tax system that is more competitive for business than any other major economy in the world, but Britain has the third highest VAT rate on hotel accommodation in Europe," said Couchman. "We are continuing to compete with countries like France and Germany, which charge 7% on hotel accommodation, Spain which charges 8% and Italy, which charges 10%. Of all the 27 EU member states only Denmark and Lithuania charge a higher rate." Couchman said the BHA would continue to lobby for a reduction to 5% of VAT on hotel accommodation and attractions so that the industry could operate on an equal footing with European competitor countries and help create new jobs. "Until we do, hospitality and tourism, which is Britain's fifth biggest industry, will be unable to realise its full potential, create more jobs and help fulfill the Chancellor's aim," he said. Couchman recognised that some measures in the Budget were helpful, including the reduction of corporation tax and the simplification of tax returns for micro businesses such as guest houses and B&Bs. "Altogether, if the Budget achieves the Chancellor's aim to get Britain moving, then this is to be welcomed, but tourism and hospitality could make a much bigger contribution to this objective if he had listened to our arguments on the reduction of VAT."
Thomas Cook says more mature travellers are booking far-flung trips to follow in the footsteps of their globe-trotting kids.
The operator carried out a study of 5,000 people with YouGov, including almost 1,000 over-50s, and found that one in ten over-50s has been inspired to travel to a destination they hadn't previously considered after their children recommended it to them. One in ten also said they have been encouraged to travel further afield by younger relatives, with 37% now going on holidays they never dreamed of going on when they were young. Almost two thirds (64%) of those say it is because they have more money, but almost one in 20 put it down to listening to stories from their children or grandchildren after returning from a gap year. A spokesman for Thomas Cook said: ‘It seems the older generation is more adventurous than ever. ‘We've seen a rise in the number of over-50s booking trips to far-flung destinations once their children have left home and an increase in long-duration holidays, with some booking 21- and 42-night packages.' Researchers also found that 44% of over-50s are jealous of the travelling that younger people are able to do nowadays, with 55% planning to travel the world once their children have flown the nest. Almost one in ten even admitted to booking a holiday to a particular destination to appear younger or more adventurous than they really are. Australia came top of the list of destinations that the over-50s would like to visit, followed by Canada, New Zealand, US and Caribbean.
Key Appointments in the Industry
Congratulations to these new appointments...
Choice Hotels International, Inc. has announced that it has named two company associates as the organization's newest corporate officers. The company's board of directors appointed Alexandra Jaritz, senior vice president of brand strategy and marketing, and Michael Murphy, senior vice president of Cambria Suites and Ascend Collection, as officers of the company. Both Ms. Jaritz and Mr. Murphy report directly to President and CEO Stephen P. Joyce. Ms. Jaritz, who has been with Choice since 2001, is responsible for setting the vision and brand strategy for its core portfolio of brands including Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn. In addition to brand strategy, brand program implementation, product design, marketing and public relations, Ms. Jaritz is also now responsible for owner relations, franchise management and procurement services. Throughout her tenure at Choice, Ms. Jaritz has held various positions in the areas of corporate strategy, brand strategy and management, franchise development, compliance and hotel operational performance. Ms. Jaritz joined the company from Ernst & Young's Hospitality Services Group and also worked at Lehman Brothers in their investment banking division.
Mr. Murphy, who joined Choice in 2009, is responsible for providing strategic and operational leadership for the company's emerging brands Cambria Suites and the Ascend Collection membership program. Mr. Murphy, who led global sales for Choice and the development of Cambria Suites, Choice's new line of franchised hotels targeting upscale travelers in more urban markets, adds to his portfolio the Ascend Collection membership program, which is comprised of historic, boutique and unique hotels designed for people who appreciate an upscale hotel with a strong local flair. Prior to his current role, Mr. Murphy served as senior vice president of the company's global sales group, where he and his team focused the group's efforts within each of the hospitality industry's key market segments to help deliver a strong and ever-growing stream of business directly to Choice Hotels brand properties. In addition, under his leadership, the global sales team worked to ensure that Choice Hotels franchisee owners and operators took full advantage of the many resources provided by the company to help maximize sales at the local property level. Before joining Choice Hotels in May 2009, Mr. Murphy served as senior vice president of sales for Marriott International, Inc. Prior to assuming this role at Marriott, Mr. Murphy advanced through several senior sales and marketing roles at Renaissance and Stouffer Hotels. He holds a bachelor's degree in hospitality management from the Rochester Institute of Technology's (RIT) School of Hotel Tourism Management.
The Latest in Hotel Openings
Marriott International has opened two new Courtyard by Marriott hotels in France, the Courtyard Montpellier and Courtyard Paris Boulogne. The 123-room Courtyard Montpellier is designed by star architect Jean Nouvel, and is located next to the City Hall and close range of shops and restaurants. Montpellier's historical centre and local attractions such as the Fabre museum and Convention Centre are just a short tram-ride away. The hotel offers a Mediterranean experience at the Oleo Pazzo Restaurant with views over the Lez River, while the Design Bar in the heart of the lobby area offers a relaxed environment in which to enjoy drinks and snacks throughout the day. The 113-room Courtyard Paris Boulogne is situated just a 15 minute Metro ride from Paris city centre and its many attractions. The hotel is at the centre of three of Paris' most thriving business districts and features 200m² of multi-purpose meeting facilities for all manner of seminars and events as well as a roof-top terrace with a panoramic view over Paris. The Oleo Pazzo Restaurant boasts a sun-drenched summer terrace and the Cent Quatorze Bar is the perfect destination in which to wind down after a busy day in Paris. "With the addition of these two new hotels, Marriott now operates 17 hotels in France," said Amy McPherson, president and managing director of Marriott International in Europe. "As an essential part of our growth strategy and with the recent introduction of our Courtyard prototype in Europe, we see tremendous opportunity for expansion of the brand here, now 47 hotels strong across Europe."
Following the success of restored Florentine Renaissance villa Il Salviatino, veteran international and Hong Kong hotelier Marcello Pigozzo has launched a new luxury hotel brand, The Salviatino Collection. Il Salviatino, one of Italy's finest Renaissance villas on the outskirts of Florence, is also one of Europe's hottest 5-star hotels. The former Hong Kong-based President - Asia Pacific for InterContinental Hotels Group, founded hotel development and management company MPg in 2009 to restore the 15th century palazzo to its former glory. Three years after opening his flagship, his hospitality venture has rebranded as The Salviatino Collection with the addition of another historic address in Northern Italy. Chateau Puget in Provence, France and the Sanctuary in Barbuda are also in the pipeline for future openings. The collection extends with the March 2012 opening of Palazzo Victoria in the historic city centre of Verona, celebrated home of Shakespeare's ‘Romeo and Juliet'. The new sister property to Il Salviatino has been upgraded from the former Hotel Victoria, centrally located in Verona's historic heart. With 71 rooms and suites, it promises "a new type of luxury" in the city. Paying homage to the historic site, original medieval and roman ruins have been carefully preserved to feature throughout public areas and rooms. With dramatic high ceilings and charming wrap-around iron balconies, deluxe rooms and suites have been innovatively re-designed to preserve original Veronese décor - from traditional shutters, original frescoes and textile wallpapers to mahogany furniture and hand-made linens.
Alrov is set to open the Amsterdam Conservatorium Hotel in April. The hotel will be the first of a string of luxury hotels that the company will open across Europe. The Amsterdam Conservatorium Hotel is located on P.C Hoofstraat, the city's exclusive shopping street in the museum and galleries district. At a press conference today Alrov Luxury Hotels CEO George Akirov said that hotel is located in a historic building, built in 1897, and which served as Amsterdam's music conservatory. The hotel has 20,000 square meters of space, and was renovated and redesigned by Italian architect Piero Lissoni. The Conservatorium Hotel will have 129 rooms and suites, ranging in size from 30 square meters to 170 square meters, as well as a banquet hall, business center, fully equipped meeting rooms, brasserie, restaurant and bar.
