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Hotel Industry News In BriefAug 23, 12 | 12:09 am Some current conversation starters…Phuket authorities have called for increased safety measures at all 198 registered bars, pubs and other nightlife venues registered in the Patong area following the weekend's tragic disco fire. A government spokesman said an examination of the Tiger disco revealed that the building's walls were made from a flammable foam material. Phuket governor Tri Augkaradacha has ordered all entertainment venues throughout Phuket to be inspected after the tragedy, which claimed the lives of at least four and left at least 12 others injured. "This may sound like a case of 'closing the stable door after the horse has bolted', but we now have to check with all of the entertainment venues to see whether they comply with all rules and regulations," he said. One Briton and one Frenchman are among those who perished in the fire that broke out around 4am during a lighting strike. The Electrolux Appetite for Excellence 2012 winners were announced last night in a gala celebration at glass brasserie in Sydney. Established in 2005, the awards attract the highest profile members of the food industry each year to celebrate young talent, and the future of the industry. Master of Ceremonies Jill Dupleix paid tribute to the next generation of culinary stars that made up this year’s Electrolux Appetite for Excellence Awards national finalists as she named the Electrolux Australian Young Chef, Waiter and Restaurateur of 2012, the guardians of Australia’s hospitality future. The 2012 Electrolux Appetite for Excellence winners are: Electrolux Australian Young Chef 2012 Electrolux Australian Young Waiter 2012 Electrolux Australian Young Restaurateur 2012 We've seen travellers dragging everything from Louis Vuitton to what looks like a used trash bag through airport security of late, and new research shows that most travellers are closer to the latter than the former. A new study from Virgin Atlantic shows that one in five of us (20%) can't remember the last time we bought new luggage, while more than half (55%) would only upgrade their suitcase if it was worn-out or broken. That said, the lifestyles of the rich and famous are quite likely to influence us at the wheelie shop; 25% of 16-24 year olds admit they'd buy a bag based on what their favourite celeb's been seen toting at check-in. Women are also more likely to upgrade their luggage than men (11%), while around one-third would consider buying new luggage based on their holiday destination. There is also a bit of one-upmanship going around – more than one in ten (12%) have bought luggage in the past to make sure it is better than their travelling companion's. Key Appointments in the IndustryCongratulations to these new appointments…Life Resorts Vietnam added equal doses of Australian warmth and Swiss tradition to its brand of hospitality last month with the appointments of Kristy Marland as General Manager, and Marion Ender as Assistant Manager for the four-star Blue Ocean Resort in Mui Ne. Queensland native Marland brings more than 15 years of experience in the hospitality industry to her new post at the 84-room resort in Mui Ne, Vietnam’s most dependably sunny beach destination. Holding certificates from the Queensland Hotel Association and the Pacific International Hotel Management School (PIHMS) in New Zealand, 37-year-old Marland has worked in Darwin, Jakarta and Japan, including five years in key positions with the international Watermark Hotel Group. In her most recent position as general manager at the Watermark Hotel Nagasaki, Marland piloted the reopening of the hotel, located in the Dutch theme park of Huis Ten Bosch in southern Japan. Before relocating to Japan, Marland acted as Executive Assistant Manager at the 4.5-star Watermark Hotel and Spa in Australia’s Gold Coast. Blue Ocean’s other new arrival, Zurich-born Marion Ender, graduated from the prestigious Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne in Switzerland with a degree in International Hospitality Management. Fluent in English, French and German, 27-year-old Ender earned her stripes at such five-star properties as the Chedi Chiang Mai and Bangkok Mariott Resort and Spa and worked for three years at the historic Lausanne Palace & Spa Switzerland before uprooting to Brazil to study Portuguese. Blue Ocean Resort’s rooms and bungalows are located within 1.8 hectares of tropical gardens facing a prime stretch of beach on Vietnam’s southern coast. Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel recently appointed Joaquin Escudero as Resident Manager. Mr. Escudero joined the company in 2009 as Front Desk Manager at Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel. Inkaterra is known for its unparalleled service and Mr. Escudero has helped to ensure that both Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel and El MaPi constantly meet challenging goals of excellence. Mr. Escudero has a degree in Accommodation Management, Administration and Organization. He is an experienced professional in the hospitality industry, having worked, in addition to his tenure at Inkaterra, for eight years at the Delfines Hotel & Casino in Lima where he learned administration, management and operational functions. The Latest in Hotel OpeningsHyatt Hotels Corporation announced today the opening of Hyatt Regency Chongqing, introducing the Hyatt Regency brand to the booming city in Southwest China. Catering to both business and leisure travellers, Hyatt Regency Chongqing is strategically located in Jiangbei District, the new central business district in Chongqing, which is 20 minutes away from all the major commercial and industrial zones, and a 15-minute drive to the new Chongqing International Expo Centre, the largest exhibition centre in Western China and the second largest in China. Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts celebrates a homecoming of sorts with the opening of a new 259-room flagship hotel in Toronto, Canada, where the company was founded more than 50 years ago. The opening is a significant milestone in a growth strategy that includes expansion in every corner of the world. "The new Four Seasons Hotel Toronto is a showcase for the next generation of Four Seasons experiences, helping to exemplify where we're headed in the future," said President and Chief Executive Officer, Katie Taylor. "It gives us all a sense of pride to display the very best of Four Seasons, right here in our hometown." The global footprint of Four Seasons spanning five continents and 36 countries is the result of a development strategy with focus on the destinations its guests want and need to travel. In 2011, Four Seasons signed 14 letters of intent, more than any other year in the company's history. Each new hotel that results from this process brings to life the best of the local culture, aesthetic and experiences, making each Four Seasons stay distinct and memorable. "Our growth strategy is driven by opening the right hotel, in the right destination, which also drives the right economics for the hotel owner," said Scott Woroch, Executive Vice President, Development. "We've never taken a cookie-cutter approach as we strive towards opening our 100th hotel and beyond in the next 10 years." Auberge du Soleil, located in Rutherford, California, has unveiled a new redesign by San Francisco interior designer Suzanne Tucker of Tucker & Marks Inc. “Our approach to the maison redesign at Auberge du Soleil is to retain the original iconic essence of Provence while continuing to evolve and customize the rooms to best accommodate the way our guests live,” says George Goeggel, Auberge du Soleil’s managing partner. The redesign began with the four rooms in the Maison Calais La Plage. Tucker used a palette of sand, pale terracotta, and ocher inspired by the south of France. Rooms feature oak headboards, bespoke textiles, and embroidery inspired by the 16th-century “Tree of Life” tapestry. Bathrooms now have sculptural bathtubs, heated limestone floors, honey-coloured wood, and basket weave mosaic tiling. The exterior of the maison features iron-forged sconces and pale stucco. 
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