Hotel News In Brief

Feb 28, 13 | 12:00 am

Some current conversation starters…

New research from an independent online cruise travel agency has looked into how British cruisers feel about safety procedures on board and has revealed that more than half admit to not familiarising themselves with the safety procedures. Just under a third of these claimed this was because they’d ‘forget’ anyway.

With a memorial to mark the anniversary of the Concordia disaster last month, an independent online cruise travel agency wanted to have a closer look into how British cruisers feel in regards to safety procedures on board and so carried out a poll asking questions surrounding their knowledge when it came to staying safe on a cruise. BonVoyage.co.uk polled 1,289 British cruisers, each of whom had been on a cruise at least once in the last 2 years, and initially asked them ‘ Do you familiarise yourself with safety procedures on board when cruising?’, to which just over half, 51%, said ‘no’. However, when they were asked if they familiarise themselves with safety procedures when flying, the large majority of the respondents 62%, answered ‘yes’. The respondents who admitted not paying attention to safety procedures on board on a cruise were then asked to explain their reason for not doing so. Just under a third, 32%, said they tended not to because they ‘wouldn’t remember the procedures anyway’ whilst a fifth, 20%, thought it was just ‘unnecessary’. A further 15% explained that they’d rely on other people to tell them what to do in case of an emergency on a cruise, whilst more than a quarter, 27%, admitted that taking note of the safety procedures would just make them worried. The respondents who initially admitted not paying attention to safety procedures whilst on a cruise were then showed a list of the safety procedures on board and were asked to choose which they thought were the most important. The respondents were able to choose multiple answers. According to the results, the top four safety procedures British cruisers feel are the most important whilst on board were as follows:

• Muster drill – 36%
• Where the nearest fire/safety exit is from the cabin – 29%
• Where lifejackets are kept in the cabin – 22%.

Furthermore, when the respondents were asked if they thought they should pay more attention to the safety procedures on board since the Concordia tragedy, of they’d cruised since then, the large majority of the respondents, 61%, answered ‘yes’. The poll also revealed that 94% of cruisers felt happy with the level of the security and safety on board.

Community-minded staff at King Hussein Bin Talal Convention Centre managed by Hilton are celebrating an impressive journey of voluntary efforts that they took in 2012 towards giving back to their community.

The 11-strong team, known in the Centre as a Blue Energy Committee, were involved in ten community events and initiatives last year including charity drives, clean up campaigns, recycling activities, education-related events such as career days in schools and universities. The Blue Energy team are also dedicated to ensure that KHTBCC remains the number one convention centre choice in the region for meetings, incentives, conferences and events, by activating initiatives internally and externally. Celebrating the inspiring results, Kamel Ajami, Hilton Worldwide country manager – Jordan, said: “The Blue Energy team represents the spirit and the energy of the convention centre. They are an inspiring, dedicated group driven to succeed – not for themselves – but for our guests, their fellow colleagues, their place of work and the wider community. They have experienced an outstanding year and I am proud and delighted at their achievements during the past 12 months.” For 2013, a new team of volunteers now make up the Blue Energy Committee and they know they have a strong legacy to build on, as Chairperson Majeed Mohammadia explains: “The new team represents a wide cross section of the total staff and they are charged with cultivating and engaging workplace to consistently demonstrate company values and to promote the brand promise of making every guest feeling cared for, valued and respected”.

Key Appointments in the Industry

Congratulations to these new appointments…

The award winning Steigenberger Al Dau Resort, owned by Sami Saad Holding, has recently strengthened its leadership team by a number of new appointments. Geweyer was proud to announce the appointment of Mr. Andreas Bourdon, as the Pre-Opening General Manager of the Steigenberger Aqua Magic. Bourdon brings along more than 33 years experience in 15 countries including more than eight years on various assignments in Egypt. Mr. Thomas Huth, has recently joined as the new hotel manager for the leading 5* deluxe Steigenberger Al Dau Beach Hotel. With more than 25 years of experience in the international hotel industry; Huth successfully filled management positions in numerous countries for top international hotel chains. The Steigenberger Al Dau Beach Hotel additionally appointed Mr. Christoph Kiessling as the new Executive Chef. With 31 years of professional experience, Kiessling brings along a vast expertise in the food & beverages field including a wide experience in Egypt. Sami Saad Holding has also gone from strength to strength with the appointment of Mr. Alex Mavridis, in the capacity of Chief Investment Officer for the Holding. During his 30 year career, Mavridis has worked on 5 continents and been responsible for over USD 7 billion of hotel assets across the globe.

Choice Hotels International, Inc. today announced that Thomas P. Bernardo has joined the company as regional vice president of franchise sales, reporting to David Pepper, senior vice president of global development. Bernardo has an established career in franchise sales, selling and supporting the growth of several franchised hotel brands, and brings extensive franchise experience to Choice Hotels. He will head up franchise sales for Choice's distribution brands Quality, Clarion, Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn for the U.S. Eastern region. Prior to joining Choice Hotels, Bernardo served as a key executive and sales professional for over 17 years with Hospitality Franchise Systems, later known as Cendant Corporation and recently Wyndham Worldwide, Inc. He has also served on various boards and committees throughout his career including, the Asian American Hotel Owners Association Advisory Board. Tom earned his bachelor's degree in Hotel and Restaurant Administration from Cornell University.

The Latest in Hotel Openings

The world's tallest hotel truly deserves a grand opening, and it will happen on February 27 as JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai is all set to take luxury to new heights. Officially recognised as the world's tallest hotel at a height of 355 metres by , the property is only 26 metres short of the Empire State Building in New York. Spread across two iconic 77-floor twin towers each with 804 rooms and array of 14 restaurants, bars and lounges, the hotel is set to be one of the region's most desirable destinations.

Two of the best-known names in their respective fields — hotelier Ian Schrager and chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten — have teamed up for the Edition Hotel in Miami Beach, they told The Miami Herald Friday. The partnership had not previously been officially announced, but the two were set to host a cocktail party Friday night at the site of the old Seville Beach hotel, 2901 Collins Ave. On Friday at the sales pavilion for the Residences at the Miami Beach Edition, the duo chatted nonstop as they examined an elaborate model of the hotel and grounds. "We just have a good time together," Vongerichten said. "He's excited, I'm excited." Vongerichten pointed out a lower-level area on the model building that he described as a grab-and-go food court with a deli, bakery, hot kitchen and raw bar. Schrager referred to it as an "updated Wolfie's," referring to the deli eight blocks south on Collins Avenue that closed in 2002. "It's not just for the people at the hotel, it's for everybody," said Schrager, whose launch of the Delano in 1995 helped bring new life to South Beach. Plans at the Edition also call for a beach eatery and upscale-but-modern restaurant that Vongerichten said would be "chic and glamorous" and focused on local ingredients. He referred to that restaurant as the Matador Room, a nod to the hotel's previous life.

Westin Hotels and Resorts, part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT), today announced the opening of The Westin Chennai Velachery. Strategically located in the fast growing business district of Chennai in the Southern part of India, The Westin Chennai Velachery is the sixth Westin hotel in India and the first out of seven new Westin hotels expected to open in 2013 across Asia Pacific.

RAFFLES Hotels & Resorts is eyeing a slice of the booming tourism pie in China's Hainan province and will leverage its serene location on Clearwater Bay to set it apart from the competition. Clearwater Bay, touted as Hainan’s new tourism hotspot, lies on the island's south-east coast and spans 600km2. Developed by Hong Kong’s Agile Property Holdings, there will be a total of six international hotel brands in the area, with Raffles Hainan being among the first to debut. There will also be three 18-hole golf courses, a shopping mall, a 200-berth marina and a water sports hub. Featuring 299 guestrooms and 32 villas, Raffles Hainan marks the group's second property in China after Raffles Beijing Hotel. It also aims to set a new precedent for high-level meetings and events in Hainan with its 790m2 ballroom, seven meeting rooms, a VIP meeting room and boardroom.