Hotel News in Brief

Nov 18, 09 | 1:45 am

Tourism Malaysia has revised its marketing strategies and activities for 2010, following a reduction in advertising and promotional budget from RM200 million (US$ 59 million) to RM150 million for next year.To utilise funds more effectively, Tourism Malaysia will tap technology and social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter to promote Malaysia to the world, said Amiruddin Abu, Tourism Malaysia's deputy director-general (marketing). The Tourism Ministry will also launch a web TV later this year as a new channel to promote Malaysia and encourage online bookings. Participation at trade shows will also be scaled down. Amirrudin said: "We are thinking of substituting some of these business-to-business shows with other promotional activities, such as sales calls, that could be more effective. We might intensify promotions at business-to-consumer shows since demand for FIT travel seems to be on the rise while demand for series tours is declining. However, the final decision rests with the tourism ministry."


Royal Caribbean Cruises and Shanghai International Port (Group) (SIPG) has inked a Memorandum of Understanding to develop the Chinese cruise market through combined efforts. SIPG will enhance the variety of cruise-relevant retail outlets at the Shanghai International Passenger Terminal, step up market promotions, and provide services as a ticket agent and one-stop boarding and clearance service for Royal Caribbean guests. Royal Caribbean will draw on its operational experience in managing international cruise terminals to help improve the terminal's software and infrastructure.The cooperation is expected to enhance Shanghai's position as a cruising gateway for overseas visitors. Cruising growth is fast gaining momentum in China. Passenger volume at the terminal grew by 258 per cent between February 14 and October 11 this year. Some 600,000 international cruise passengers are expected to pass through Chinese seaports in 2010. Royal Caribbean reported that key cruises for Chinese port-based itineraries during peak holiday periods in 2010 are sold out.


The Walt Disney Company said revenues from its parks and resorts division in the year to 3 October fell 7% to $10.7bn and segment operating income (profit) decreased 25% to $1.4bn. For the final quarter, revenues were down 4% at $2.8bn and segment operating income dropped 17% to $344m. Lower operating income at its US parks and Disneyland Paris was driven by decreased guest expenditure, due to cheaper tickets, lower average hotel room rates and less spending on merchandise. Figures for the final quarter to 3 October were partially offset by higher attendance figures - although that was in part due to an extra week being counted in the quarter. Overall, revenues from all of its activities - including TV networks such as ESPN and ABC - came to $36.1bn, down 4% for the year, with profit of $6.7bn, down 21%. However, in the final quarter overall revenues rose 4% to $9.9bn and profit 4% to $1.9bn. Walt Disney president and chief executive, Robert Iger, said: ‘Although last year was a difficult one due in part to the weak global economy, I'm pleased with the way our businesses have responded to the downturn. ‘We've stayed focused on our long-term strategy, efficiently managed costs, and continued to invest in initiatives to deliver future growth.'


ATP International Group has signed a franchise agreement with Orient Travel of the United Arab Emirates. The deal will see ATP open and operate corporate travel offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. Orient Travel will also have first option on extending the partnership to all other nations in the Middle East, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Graham Ramsey, ATP group chief executive, commented: ‘Orient Travel has been a long-standing and trusted business partner of ATP for many years. This agreement strengthens our business relationship and takes it to a new level. ‘These new ATP offices will cement our position as a major international TMC. ‘The Middle East offers considerable growth opportunities for us - as well as handling existing ATP clients locally we will be better placed to seek out new clients.' Orient Travel president, Sheikh Faisal Bin Khalid Al Qasimi, added: ‘We are looking forward to working with ATP. ‘They have carved out an enviable position as an international travel management company and we plan to leverage this strength across the UAE and beyond.' Following the acquisition of Instone International in July 2009, ATP International Group now has 40 offices worldwide and revenues in excess of €750m. Its services include business travel, corporate event management and online travel technology.


Expedia Affiliate Network is to integrate Expedia's hotel booking options with Nokia's Ovi Maps mapping and navigation technology. The deal is the first mobile development by EAN and the first hotel booking service for Nokia. It means all Expedia's hotel locations can be viewed on Ovi Maps, allowing users to click on them to view details, availability and prices as well as Expedia customer review scores. Nokia users can then book the hotels via Expedia call centres in hundreds of destinations across the world. As the partnership progresses, users will be able to book online directly from their handsets. Henrik Kjellberg, EAN Worldwide president, said: ‘This is a landmark partnership for EAN, representing a move into the mobile space.


GREEN T. HOUSE Living, internationally acclaimed for the "coolest bathhouse in China", was voted ‘Spa Design of the Year' and ‘Day Spa of the Year' in the 2009 AsiaSpa Awards. The imperial-style "lifestyle pavilion' on the outskirts of Beijing was recognised for its new Bath House Residence inspired by a Tang dynasty emperor's bath house, complete with a sumptuous onsen-style rooftop hot tub for indulgent bathing. "The Bath House Residence expresses through nature's elegance the interaction between human beings' understanding of our outside environment and of our inner selves. It is designed to ensure that guests take time out to recharge, since the most beautiful journey to be had is the one of our inner travels, where the journey itself is its own reward," says JinR of her philosophy in creating this tranquil yet surprising space.  


Jet Airways, India's leading airline, celebrated Children's Day this weekend with an hour-long "Flight of Fantasy" for nearly 100 underprivileged and special-needs children from organizations such as Magic Bus, ASEEMA and Development Education Empowerment of the Disadvantaged in Society (DEEDs) and Muktangan.  In celebration of this important Indian holiday honoring the country's children--which also commemorates the birthday of independent India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru--scores of children were given the opportunity to board and "test-run" the amenities of a Jet Airways jet.


Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc. and Interlink Group announced today the grand opening of the new Sheraton Puerto Rico Convention Center Hotel & Casino. Located adjacent to the Puerto Rico Convention Center in San Juan's newest vibrant commercial and residential district, the new 503-room property welcomes both business and leisure travelers, offering exceptional meeting facilities, a full-service casino and resort-like amenities, including a sundeck/pool, spa and retail space. Sheraton Puerto Rico is the first new full-service hotel and casino built in San Juan in more than 10 years and is part of a $6 billion worldwide effort to revitalize Starwood's most global, iconic brand. This effort includes an investment of over $2 billion in new hotels internationally and, in North America, an investment of $2.3 billion in new hotels, $1.5 billion in renovations and $400 million in signature brand initiatives.