Hotel Industry News In Brief
Apr 05, 12 | 12:09 am 
Some current conversation starters...
Earth Hour 2012: More than 120 Rezidor hotels participating
More than 120 Radisson Blu- and Park Inn by Radisson hotels across Europe, the Middle East and Africa participate in Earth Hour 2012: This coming Saturday at 8:30 pm they turn off their non-essential lights and other electrical appliances in order to raise awareness for the need to take action against climate change.
Earth Hour is an environmental initiative organized by WWF (World Wildlife Fund). It started in 2007 in Sydney, and soon became a global event. In 2012, households, businesses and governments in more than 5,200 cities in 135 countries worldwide will participate in Earth Hour.
Rezidor hotels take the opportunity to engage guests, employees and business partners during Earth Hour and arrange special events in the dark. The Radisson Blu Diplomat Hotel in Manama/Bahrain for example will organize a lecture with an environmental specialist. The guests of Radisson Blu Resort El Quseir/Egypt and Radisson Blu Gewandhaus Hotel, Dresden/Germany, will enjoy a candlelight dinner. The luxurious Radisson Royal Hotel, Moscow/Russia will totally switch off lights on its impressive historical façade.
"Earth Hour is an excellent opportunity to raise awareness and engage guests in Rezidor's energy saving initiatives", said Inge Huijbrechts, Director Responsible Business at Rezidor. "We clearly support WWF to go 'Beyond the Hour' and continue energy saving initiatives as part of our award winning Responsible Business programme." Source: The Rezidor Hotel Group.
Key Appointments in the Industry
Congratulations to these new appointments...
Exclusive group for independent hotels Worldhotels has strengthened its India team with two new appointments managing sales for the fast-growing network across the nation's key cities.
Based in New Delhi, Akshay Anand joins as Sales Manager, India, with a B.A (Hons) degree in Hotel & Tourism Management from the University of Perpignan, France and a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management completed in India. He launched his career with The Taj Mahal Hotel in New Delhi in 2003, moving to The Park in 2008, managing corporate sales accounts. His recent enrolment was at IHHR Hospitality in 2010, looking after corporate sales.
Nitin Sharma joins the Worldhotels sales force as Assistant Sales Manager, India. He recently pursued his Masters degree in Marketing with Symbiosis, Pune. He began his hospitality career in 2003 as Senior Travel Assistant with Travelite India, rising to Sales Executive at Discover the World Marketing, representing clients including Carnival Cruise Lines, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, Hertz and Worldhotels.
Fairmont Raffles Hotels International (FRHI), the parent company of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Raffles Hotels & Resorts, and Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts, has appointed Michael Glennie as president and chief operating officer. As president and chief operating officer, Glennie will be responsible for the global operations of all three hotel brands and other entities within the FRHI portfolio, and will also provide direction, guidance and leadership support in the areas of financial performance, strategic planning, and owner relations. With the global hotel leader looking to aggressively grow its brands, Glennie will also work closely with the company's development team on executing a new growth, development and expansion strategy that places a greater emphasis on acquiring, repositioning, and securing long-term management contracts. Source: ASIATravelTips.
The Latest in Hotel Openings
The Park Hyatt Hyderabad, the first city Park Hyatt hotel in India, has opened. The 185-room and 24-suite hotel is located in the heart of the upscale Banjara Hills neighborhood. It is also one of the first hotels in Hyderabad to offer 42 fully serviced luxury apartments, The Residence. Centrally located, the hotel is just fifteen minutes from the technology hub of Hi-Tech City and the business district, and 45 minutes from Hyderabad's international airport. Source: ASIATravelTips.
Seri Chenang Resort & Spa Langkawi is slated to hold its grand opening in Langkawi, Malaysia on June 30. The boutique resort plans to introduce Malay culture through various experiences, such as local cuisine and traditional games and performances at the property. In addition, Seri Chenang Resort & Spa Langkawi will replicate traditional Malaysian-style villas designed to make guests feel like they are in a Malay home. There are a total of six villas and 13 rooms, providing an exclusive ambiance. The property is set within a garden offering views of the sea and mountains. The resort will feature 24-hour butler service, an infinity swimming pool, a small gymnasium, an art gallery and spa.
MGallery, Accor's collection of upscale hotels, now boasts three new establishments in South West France: Hotel de la Cite in Carcassonne, Hotel Burdigala in Bordeaux and Hotel Parc Beaumont in Pau. These openings illustrate the brand's dynamic growth with a network that now totals 11 establishments in France. MGallery, which currently has over 50 hotels in 18 countries and five continents, continues its expansion. By 2015, the brand aims to have 100 establishments worldwide, with over one third, or more than 30, in France. "These three hotels, which are operated under franchise agreements, chose to join the MGallery Collection and are all perfect illustrations of the soul we want to give the brand. In accordance with the group's announced "asset light" strategy, we have made this type of expansion a priority for our network: the Hotel de la Cite, Burdigala and Parc Beaumont are all based on this operating model. MGallery continues to expand in France with three openings due soon in Paris, Lyon and Southern France", comments Julie Gregoire, CEO of MGallery France. The Collection's three new establishments, located respectively in the heart of the medieval fortress city of Carcassonne, in the centre of Bordeaux and on the edge of Pau's Parc Beaumont, each boasts unique, distinctive personalities and exceptional settings.
Like a jewel in a crown, the new luxury boutique hotel Casa San Agustin will open in Cartagena de Indias in summer 2012 after a complete renovation. Simply elegant and uniquely authentic, the property features 22 rooms and 9 suites and is destined to set a new standard of luxury in Colombia. The hotel creates an architecturally unique atmosphere by preserving 3 Colonial buildings and an ancient aqueduct. Casa San Agustin sits within the walled city of Cartagena, a designated UNESCO World Heritage site which is rich in palaces, gardens, convents and churches, conserving all the enchantment of the Colonial period. The narrow streets are flanked by beautiful doors and projecting balconies with trailing blooms mimicking the romantic Andalusian style, leaving an indelible mark on this beautiful city nestled on a bay on the Caribbean Sea.
