Hotel News in Brief

Jun 30, 09 | 1:45 am

IDG's Computerworld has selected Marriott International, Inc., as one of the "Best Places to Work in IT" for the seventh year in a row. Marriott ranked 12th overall and is the leader in the lodging industry. Computerworld highlighted Marriott's long tenure and the peer-to-peer Values In Practice (VIP) Award program. Each month, a few outstanding IT workers are honoured for exhibiting one of the company's core operating values and are recognized with a congratulatory letter from the CIO and a crystal plaque. The Best Places to Work in Information Technology (IT) list is an annual ranking of the top 100 work environments for technology professionals compiled by Computerworld, the "Voice of IT Management." The lists are compiled based on a comprehensive questionnaire regarding company offerings in categories such as benefits, diversity, career development, training and retention. In addition, Computerworld conducts extensive surveys of IT workers, and their responses factor heavily in determining the rankings. "Marriott's success depends upon the extent to which our associates have the capacity, motivation, tools and information to achieve both personal and professional growth," says Carl Wilson, executive vice president and chief information officer. "We are honoured that Computerworld has recognized our efforts to provide Marriott associates with the opportunities they need to be successful."


Indian Hotels Company Ltd, which operates the Taj Group of Hotels, Resorts and Palaces, plans to commission 15 hotels this fiscal, which will translate into an additional 1,794 rooms. The company ended 2008-09 with 11,546 rooms (a period which saw 1,082 rooms added), it said in a recent presentation to analysts. However, in this background, IHCL's RevPar (revenue per available room) fell 36 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2008-09 to Rs 6,662 from Rs 10,430 from the same period in 2007-08. While the full-year occupancy stood at 66 per cent (73 per cent), in the fourth quarter alone, it tumbled to 64 per cent (82 per cent). Average room rates for the full year fell to Rs 10,504 (Rs 10,674) and were Rs 10,374 in the fourth quarter (Rs 12,660). In the third quarter of 2008-09, occupancy was 69 per cent, ARR Rs 11,898 and RevPAR Rs 8,185. Indicating that the fiscal gone by was one full of challenges, the company said the performance of the industry was adversely impacted during the fourth quarter, which is traditionally the peak season. The terror attacks in Mumbai in November 2008 slowed business down in its key markets while the slowdown in the US market also impacted its consolidated performance. As for the current year, IHCL said that early signs of recovery were being witnessed with economic fundamentals falling in place. It expects a recovery by early 2010.


Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has announced a comprehensive sustainability plan to address its technology infrastructure and information technology (IT) operations. Green IT becomes the latest component of the Fairmont Green Partnership program, the company's award-winning environmental platform. Aimed at limiting waste, purchasing responsibly, conserving energy and reducing the company's overall carbon footprint, Fairmont's Green IT plan includes the introduction of a workstation power down schedule, electronic waste diversion in markets where programs exist and the development of donation standards aligning with qualified and respected recycling companies and charities.  In addition, Fairmont will optimize purchasing efficiencies, including crafting a green procurement policy to ensure the brand uses technology products that are either EPA Energy Star or Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT)-rated as well as services that address Extended Product Responsibility programs. The Green IT initiative at Fairmont will be rolled out property-wide throughout 2009 with full implementation expected by the end of the year. "Whether it's technology, environmental sustainability, or any other aspect of the hotel environment, Fairmont continues to roll out pioneering programs and services that are reflective of our vision: to be a true leader in the global hospitality industry," says Vineet Gupta, Fairmont's senior vice president, technology. ""With technology still evolving rapidly and e-waste on the rise, this is an area where we can make a tangible impact in addition to lowering our overall CO2 footprint."


With the June 1 opening of Courtyard's newest hotel in Waikiki, Hawaii, travelers can now enjoy the value and comfort of the brand in all 50 U.S. states. Courtyard is the first Marriott brand with a property in every state and has grown to more than 830 hotels worldwide. In the U.S., the brand is currently undergoing an extreme makeover by redefining the hotel lobby experience. Upon arrival, guests are greeted by bright, vivid colors and a completely new check-in experience. The latest news, local attractions and directions are available through the lobby's GoBoard technology and the standard front desk has been replaced by more intimate welcome pedestals to create more personal and private interactions.


Four Seasons Hotel Doha was invited to Doha College to contribute to Healthy Week by teaching the kids about sensible food nutrition important for good health. Chefs arrived, armed with ingredients and equipment and the fun began. Chef Robert Meyer, restaurant Chef at Four Seasons, told the children about food groups, while demonstrating easy-to-prepare recipes to make at home. Children from pre-school to Year Five participated in the sessions and received samples of delicious healthy oatmeal pancakes and fruity smoothies. Simon Casson, Four Seasons Hotel General Manager, said, "We are always delighted to partner with the community, especially top schools like Doha College. In this way we are also able to help the next generation of Four Seasons guests to enjoy healthy and nutritious food".


W Hotels Worldwide has unveiled the renovation of the iconic W Chicago-City Center. As the first W Hotel in Chicago, having opened in mid-2001, and as part of W Hotels' original portfolio, the completion of this renovation is another milestone for W in its pursuit to renovate and upgrade its existing hotel portfolio while more than doubling its footprint by the end of 2011. Mixing the Beaux-Arts architecture of W Chicago-City Center's historic building with cutting-edge design and stylish elements for which the W Brand is known, the redesign of this hotel extends to the hotel's 235 guestrooms and suites, signature W Living Room, and more than 14,000 square feet of ultra-modern meeting and event space. "As we continue to grow globally, it is essential that we upgrade our original hotels in order to create a consistent lifestyle experience for W guests worldwide," said Eva Ziegler, Global Brand Leader, W Hotels Worldwide and Le Méridien. "The renovation of W Chicago-City Center follows the renovations of W New York, W New York-Times Square, and W San Francisco."


Hoteliers expect better room occupancy. Occupancy figures have been between 3 to 50 per cent, says Tourism Fiji. Chief executive Patrick Wong said the industry should see occupancy levels improve into the months of July, August and September to around 75 per cent. However, industry stakeholders like resorts and hotels the Fiji Times spoke to said visitor arrivals were better than January but not what it used to be during the peak season. Some resorts that did not wish to be named said they had cash flow problems. Mr Wong said the industry should see an increase in visitor arrivals from our traditional tourism months, June into October where 50 per cent of our year's total arrivals are accounted for. "Australian and Kiwis are known to escape from their winter during these months for a family holiday with school holidays in sight. Tactical marketing strategies are in place to drive numbers with packages sold at great value deals made more competitive and attractive by the devaluation of our Fijian Dollar," Mr Wong said. He said a major to occupancy figures are the increase room inventory over the years.


Raffles Hotels & Resorts has appointed Mr Gilbert Madhavan as General Manager of Raffles Tianjin, China, with effect from 1 July 2009. Raffles Tianjin is scheduled to open in February 2010 and will be the city's first penthouse hotel.  Located at the top of Tianjin Centre, the hotel enjoys a prestigious address at the junction of Nanjing Road and Guiyang Road in Heping District, Tianjin's most important business and retail district.  Raffles Tianjin is Raffles Hotels & Resorts second hotel in China, following Raffles Beijing Hotel. Mr Madhavan brings a wealth of management experience and in-depth knowledge of Raffles to Raffles Tianjin as he has been with the group for 15 years.  Mr Chris Cahill, Chief Operating Officer, Fairmont Raffles Hotels International, said, "We are confident that with Gilbert's experience, Raffles Tianjin will embody the heartfelt service and sense of sophistication and exclusivity that Raffles hotels and resorts around the world are renowned for, and will firmly establish Raffles Hotels & Resorts presence in the city."