News in Brief

Sep 02, 10 | 1:46 am

HOTEL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc has announced that its global powerhouse Sheraton Hotels & Resorts plans to open eight more hotels in China before the end of 2010, and another 18 by 2015. The Sheraton brand also marked a major milestone this month with the opening of its 30th hotel in Greater China- Sheraton Zhongshan Hotel, which is Starwood's 60th property in Greater China. "Sheraton is our most prolific brand in China, accounting for half of Starwood's current portfolio in this dynamic, fast-growing market. We are delighted to expand Sheraton in established cities like Beijing and Shanghai, while simultaneously introducing the iconic hotel brand to emerging business hubs and resort destinations," said Simon Turner, President of Global Development for Starwood. "China is leading the recovery in global tourism in 2010, and by 2020, it is expected to be the world's largest tourism market. And as the Chinese pick up the pace of their domestic and international travel, they are going to stay with the brands they know, which will have a phenomenal impact on our global business."

A unit of India's largest private firm Reliance Industries has bought a 14 percent stake in one of the country's most luxurious hotel chains in a 217-million-dollar deal. The giant conglomerate, headed by India's richest man Mukesh Ambani, said its unit Reliance Industries Investment and Holding had acquired a 14.12 percent stake in East India Hotels, which owns the Oberoi and Trident brands.The deal is worth 10.2 billion rupees (217 million dollars), both firms said in separate statements. It followed the sale of shares by three East India Hotels stakeholders.

As the global hospitality industry continues to ponder the pace of business, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts, in partnership with real estate developer, Seven Tides, prepares for the opening of more than 1,000 rooms over four properties in Dubai, UAE. The 396-room Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel is a property of iconic stature both inside and out, which is cleverly inspired by the journeys of the 14th century Arabian explorer Ibn Battuta himself. The hotel is located in New Dubai and set to open its doors in October. Next to open, is the 216-room Mövenpick Hotel Deira which has its sights set on offering an efficient welcome to visiting business executives, inquisitive shoppers, small meeting groups and lunch and dinnertime diners in Dubai's traditional locale of Deira on the north-side of the creek from November. At the end of the fourth quarter, the Asian-inspired Royal Amwaj Resort & Spa on Palm Jumeirah will be ready to open.  The 293-room retreat-like resort has announced some ‘industry firsts', including an upscale all-inclusive package available through preferred travel partners. Finally, the middle of 2011 will see the pack complete with the launch of the contemporary Oceana Hotel & Spa. Seven Tides' second property located on Dubai's Palm Jumeirah will open 324 rooms hot on the heels of the Oceana Beach Club and restaurant-bar venue, West 14th, the New-York grill and bar. Both the club and the restaurant opened for business during the summer of 2010.

GLOBAL STAFF MOVEMENT:

Langham Hotels International has demonstrated its commitment to the China market with the appointment of Justine Lee to the newly-created role of Director of Sales - China, ahead of the company's rapid expansion. The appointment to lead the sales drive in Langham's fastest growing market coincides with the opening of the first Langham Place in China at Beijing Capital Airport, the third property in the country for the fast-growing luxury hotel operator. China forms the backbone of Langham's expansion in Asia accounting for almost half its hotels open or in the pipeline.

Chairman and CEO Richard Millard of Desires Hotels, the unique collection of independently created modern boutique hotels, announces changes to the management team.  "With President Raul Leal's departure we are pleased to announce the addition of Michael Register as a Partner in Desires Hotels International and VP of Development for Desires Hotels and General Counsel.  Register's role will focus on business development in emerging markets in the U.S and abroad.  Working with select investment partners, he will identify and source existing and new build properties for acquisition and development," says Millard.

OTHER RELATED NEWS:

Adventure tourism was long perceived as a small branch, which only the rich or the restless engaged in. Nevertheless, times and tastes have changed and the demand for adrenalin activities has significantly increased in recent years. With stronger demand, the choices have grown and diversified massively, and adventure attractions started to conquer many world countries. According to a study recently conducted by researchers from the Business School at George Washington University, last year tourists spent $89 billion on adventure holidays; this sum excludes flights and necessary equipment. The researchers interviewed 850 tourists from the Americas and Europe and found out that countries with the highest number of devoted adrenalin seekers are the United States, Argentina, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Germany and Spain. Despite expectations, the average age of an adventurous traveler is 36 and the cost of their holiday ranges from $450 to $800 excluding flights and gear. The adventure tourism market is growing while all the other branches still linger behind due to the recession. It clearly has a lot of potential and can reach much more travelers. After all, it is nothing to be scared of - jumping off cliffs and diving with sharks is not exactly the only kind of adventure - hiking, rafting or cycling holidays are fun for everyone.

W Retreat & Spa Bali-Seminyak has recently gathered close to 900 interested applicants at its recent recruitment, aptly named as Talent Show ( in W term) for 5 days. Not a usual event, the Talent Show was held in a bar located at Seminyak, decked-up with sensory multiplex nuances of W, coupled with an immersion of the brand's positioning and passion points encapsulating fashion, music and entertainment. The process began with more than 4,000 applications from diverse backgrounds, then narrowed down to approximately 900 applications. W Retreat & Spa Bali-Seminyak is looking forward to provide 430 Talents a career with the W in areas of Culinary, Welcome, Style (W's take on Housekeeping), Finance, Off Stage (W's reference to Engineering), Retail and B&F (Beverage & Food). "We deal with people everyday in our lives - consciously and sub-consciously: work, family, friends and interaction at parties. We choose potential Talents with attitude and personalities, then hone their skills needed for the job. Personality is innate, it can't be inculcated. The Talent Show is designed with W vibe to bring out the personalities of the applicants " shares Craig Seaward, General Manager of W Retreat & Spa Bali-Seminyak. "Why Talent? At W, we don't refer them as employees but "Talent". Creative, Exciting, Innovative. W Talents are naturally attached to the Brand and they "get it". W Talents are unique, just as the Brand itself, and cultivate a witty, whimsical and warmth of cool environment" continues Craig.

With the aid of Auckland Airport and New Zealand Airlines, along with a strong marketing campaign, New Zealand is trying to expand its tourism sector by attracting more Japanese tourists. Indeed, the amount of flights between the two countries has tripled this year. Japanese have been one of the groups of travelers at whom many promotion campaigns are aimed, since they tend to spend more than any other nation. The average spending of a tourist from Tokyo in New Zealand last year was $4600 per visit, leaving the Europeans and North Americans far behind. Double this with the fact that Japan still has a lot of untapped potential and it is clear why not only New Zealanders are opening their arms to tourists from Japan. Luckily for New Zealand, there has been a huge rise in the number of travelers from Japan in recent years with a 10.9% growth on last year. Similarly, 80% of the tourists are visiting New Zealand for the first time, so it is not only important to give them new reasons to come, yet also to persuade them to come back next year as well. The airline industries of New Zealand, including its national airline and Auckland Airport have fully recognized the importance of Japan and their responsibility in achieving the goals. Auckland Airport has helped to charter over 3,000 extra flights to and from Japan just over the summer season. Similarly, New Zealand Airlines has trebled the amount of flights available to and from Japan and significantly increased the amount of Japanese cities from which it is possible to reach New Zealand by air.