Hotel News in Brief
Jul 11, 08 | 1:46 am 
Luxury holidays on the increase. Durations shortening as holidaymakers focus on luxury, www.travelocity.co.uk unveils. British holidaymakers would rather shorten their holiday than skimp on luxury, analysis from leading travel retailer www.travelocity.co.uk can reveal. www.travelocity.co.uk has seen the number of five-star and luxury holiday bookings increases by more than 10% for the first six months of this year compared to the same period in 2007. At the same time, the average duration of luxury holidays has reduced slightly from 12 days to 10 days. The findings show the credit crunch and financial concerns in the UK have had little impact on the budgets for luxury holidays. Furthermore, holidaymakers will trade up on the luxury of their holiday at the expense of the duration. Destinations benefiting from the boom in British holidaymakers' desire to indulge on holiday while refusing to compromise on luxury include:
- Mauritius
- Malaysia
- Sri Lanka
- Barbados
www.travelocity.co.uk Sales Director Andy Washington said: "British people work the longest hours in Europe so when they go on a hard-earned holiday more and more are demanding luxury. "The credit crunch and concerns over the UK economy have only accelerated this trend. British people now want to go away and completely unwind from the stresses of work and the UK economy. "This has to be done in the up-most luxury which means holidaymakers will shorten the duration of their break before they compromise the quality of the accommodation."
Toronto hotel boasts own honey from rooftop. The arrival of three queens and their 40,000 workers has created a new buzz at one of Toronto's oldest hotels, and given chefs at the massive grey stone building first dibs on up to 700 pounds of honey. The luxury Fairmont Royal York hotel, opposite Toronto's main railway station, installed three bee hives on its 13th floor rooftop terrace this spring to supplement an in-house garden that already provides its nine restaurants with fresh herbs, vegetables and flowers such as edible pansies. "Last summer, we were up here and talking about how amazing it is that 13 stories in the air, in the middle of downtown Toronto, that ladybugs and bees and butterflies find this and so we got thinking," Executive Chef David Garcelon told Reuters on a tour of the little green oasis. "I wondered if we could have our own beehives, so I got in touch with the Toronto Beekeepers Cooperative. It was one of those things that just came together perfectly." The hotel has nicknamed the three hives the Honey Moon Suite, The Royal Sweet and the V.I. Bee Suite and says that no guest or member of staff has yet been stung. Source: Reuters
Marriott has appointed Neal Jones as VP of Global Sales for the UK, Ireland and continental Europe. He will be based in Marriott's regional office in London. Jones most recently held the position of Market Director - London Sales. Jones comes in place of John Licence who has taken up a new role in Marriott's Caribbean and Latin America region. Jones will be responsible for providing strategic leadership and direction to both the Global Sales Office Operations, located in London, Frankfurt, Paris, Moscow, Spain, Belgium, Denmark, Switzerland and Milan as well as the network of over 40 General Sales Agents (GSAs) located throughout Continental Europe. Source: EyeforTravel
Argentinean Hilton Hotel to be inaugurated in 2009. More than 45 million pesos will be invested in the 5-star Hilton Hotel. It will have 167 rooms overlooking the coast of the Iguazu River and will cover 600 hectares, and will also have an 18 hole golf course. Source: TRAVEL@LatinAmerica
Layia Oak Hotel & Residence in Dubai is set to open at the end of the summer. The first full service hotel property for Layia Hospitality, the 15-storey iconic glass and steel structure will become a new landmark in hospitality in Dubai's bustling business district. Located off Sheikh Zayed Road, opposite the Dubai Media and Internet Cities and Knowledge Village, and a short walk from the Emaar Business Park, the 161-unit world-class property has been designed with the business traveller in mind.
Fairmont Makati to open in Philippine. Located in the elegant shopping and financial district of Makati, the property expands the company's growing presence in Asia, joining sister hotels in Singapore, Beijing (2008), Kunshan (2009), Macao (2010) and Shanghai's landmark Peace Hotel (2010). The Fairmont Makati, opening in 2010, offers 300 rooms and suites including Fairmont Gold, the brand's exclusive lifestyle offering featuring warm and personalized service with amenities such as a private reception desk and a comfortable guest lounge.
An international study showing smoking bans in restaurants, bars and nightclubs have no financial impact on businesses is flawed, according to a Queensland industry group. The World Health Organisation (WHO) released a report today and found public smoking bans are effective and largely pain-free, after examining more than 900 studies and government research. The group concluded that smoke-free policies implemented in bars and restaurants have no impact on business activity. The results are in contrast to Queensland Hotels Association figures, which show an average seven per cent downturn in revenue during 2006 - the first year of smoking bans in Queensland. Association chief executive Justin O'Connor said businesses had struggled financially as a direct result of smoking bans. Source: brisbanetimes
Pantin Hotels is delighted to announce the opening of The Ellington, a new luxury boutique property, set in the heart of Leeds' financial district on 8th September 2008. Created from an elegant terrace of three Georgian townhouses, The Ellington's interiors have a touch of the Art Deco about them, but the overall feel of the hotel will reflect the glamour and sophistication of the 1950s. The gadgets, meanwhile, are decidedly 21st century, making The Ellington one of the most technologically advanced hotels in the country.
Sketch London 2008 Winner announced. Wotif.com announce the winner of their inaugural Sketch London art competition. London-based artist Alec Shelmerdine has been named the winner of Sketch London 2008 for his solution to the design brief title ‘Escape the City'. His original sketch, showing a view of Waterloo Bridge and Westminster and depicting people literally floating away to escape the day-to-day of city life, was chosen by a judges' vote. Sketch London is a new art competition that has been endorsed by global online accommodation specialist Wotif.com (www.wotif.com).
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has announced the appointment of Daniel Ebo, as the new Area Director of Sales and Marketing for Africa. Daniel brings with him over ten years experience in the hospitality industry and will play a key role in developing the sales and marketing strategies for IHG's estate within Africa. As part of his new position he will oversee the groups 14 properties from his new base in Nairobi; further positioning IHG at the forefront of the continent's growing hospitality segment. Commenting on Ebo's recent appointment, John Bamsey, Chief Operating Officer, IHG, Middle East and Africa said, "We are delighted to welcome Daniel to IHG in the position of Area Director of Sales and Marketing, Africa. With his strong sales and marketing background, drive and ambition he will be a valuable asset to our team.
