Hotel News In Brief

Jan 10, 13 | 12:00 am

Some current conversation starters…

A global survey of 600 hoteliers by TravelClick shows that hotels are not only planning to hire in 2013, but they are also putting more resources toward their marketing budgets and increasing capital investments.

Of those surveyed, 31% are making incremental hires in 2013. Of those adding jobs, 59% of the jobs added will be front desk staff, 37% will be sales managers, 16.4% will add marketing professionals and 15.5% will add revenue managers. “This data showing an increase in hiring paints a strong, vivid picture for 2013,” said Jason Ewell, executive vice president, business intelligence, media and web solutions at TravelClick. In addition to expanding through hiring, 58.8% of hotels say they will increase their marketing budget in 2013, with 84% indicating that they will increase their budgets by 10% or less. Of those surveyed, 13% indicated that they will increase their marketing budget by 11% to 20%. Finally, 64% of respondents said their hotels will be making capital improvements in 2013. “The fact that hotels are expanding their marketing budgets tells us, that growth through marketing efforts will be a strong tactic for 2013,” said Ewell.

Orient-Express Hotels on Tuesday announced the launch of the Orient-Express Associate Hotels program with the founding member becoming the Hôtel du Palais, located in Biarritz, France.

Associate hotels will have access to Orient-Express’ full suite of sales, marketing and public relations support in 17 geographic markets, global voice reservations and dedicated distribution under the Orient-Express GDS code “OE”, and a fully aligned online presence with next generation websites. Available strategic partnerships include the Bellini Club, Orient-Express’ preferred agent program. Each agreement will be based on a combination of fees and commission, according to an OEH spokeswoman. The Orient-Express Associate Hotels program is by invitation only and partner hotels are selected according to criteria, including having an established and iconic reputation, being a market leader in their respective destination, being a complementary fit with the existing Orient-Express portfolio, and meeting very high independently assessed quality standards. While the OEH spokeswoman said that there is no target number for Associate Hotels, the company anticipates taking on a small handful of members each year.

Talk about dining with a view: Grace Bay Club in Turks and Caicos has debuted a new pop-up restaurant and bar concept situated directly on Grace Bay Beach.

Aptly named, Stix on Grace Bay will serve a menu of stick-based items (perfect for beach dining, we say). Think Lobster cocktail on a stick with tangy citrus aioli and chili garlic crumbs; grilled lion fish with pickled carrots and roasted coriander seeds; or jerk roasted corn on the cob with Grace Bay coconut. The cuisine will be complemented by a variety of Rosé wines and cocktails. Guests will enjoy food and wine pairings at the 30-foot-long communal table. The main bar sits under a palm tree thatch hut.

Key Appointments in the Industry

Congratulations to these new appointments…

Accor has announced that Franck Riboud stepped down from the Company’s Board of Directors effective December 31, 2012. His decision was in line with the recommendation limiting the number of directorships that should be held by an executive director in accordance with good corporate governance practice. Mr. Riboud was first elected to Accor’s Supervisory Board on July 3, 2001 and subsequently became an independent director following the change in the Company’s governance structure on January 9, 2006. He was also a member of the Compensation, Appointments and Corporate Governance Committee. In the coming weeks, the Compensation, Appointments and Corporate Governance Committee will review the various options and make a recommendation to the Board of Directors concerning the composition of the Board following Mr. Riboud’s departure.

The Westin Lake Las Vegas Resort & Spa and The Westin Las Vegas Hotel, Casino & Spa, members of The Pyramid Resort Group of properties, have announced the appointment of Cherylanne Thomas as Area Director of Marketing and Sales. A self-professed "hospitality marketing and sales evangelist" who counts more than 15 years of experience in building, restructuring and transforming hotel brands into profit centers, Thomas oversees all marketing and sales efforts for both Westin properties in Las Vegas, including developing effective strategies for drawing group clientele to the combined 95,000 square feet of meeting and event space offered at both locations. Before joining the Westin Las Vegas properties, Cherylanne employed her service excellence standards leading teams and positively impacting top-line revenues for leading hotel groups including Dolce, Ritz Carlton, Le Méridien, Hyatt, Swissôtel, Seaport Hotel and Fairmont Copley Plaza Boston.

The Latest in Hotel Openings

Steigenberger Grandhotel Brussels Now Open. Steigenberger Hotel Group The property has 269 rooms including 40 suites and a Royal Suite as well as accommodating the 'Café Wiltcher's' Restaurant and the 'Loui Lounge and Bar'. The hotel features 269 rooms including 40 suites and a Royal Suite as well as accommodating the 'Café Wiltcher's' Restaurant and the 'Loui Lounge and Bar'. The luxury hotel is housed behind an historic facade and forms part of the Wiltcher's Complex in the elegant surroundings of Avenue Louise. It has 269 rooms including 40 suites and a Royal Suite as well as accommodating the 'Café Wiltcher's' Restaurant and the 'Loui Lounge and Bar'. Conferencing facilities are able to cater for up to 600 persons across 13 conference rooms. The Ballroom at the Steigenberger Grandhotel, which extends over an area of 550 m² and is the largest column-free facility of its kind in the city, is adjoined by a 3,200 m² gym and health and beauty spa area operated by Aspria.

The much awaited hotel from the Marriott India Cluster — Courtyard by Marriott, Kochi Airport; opened its doors on 15th December 2012; making it the first property of the international chain in Kerala. The hotel is strategically located 300 metres from the Kochi International Airport and is well connected to all major destinations in and around Kochi. This smart city hotel holds a warm, welcoming feel, with a spacious lobby that is surrounded by natural light and beautiful land-scaping. The ergonomics of the rooms are built to match the requirement and comfort of today's business traveller; with in-room amenities such as 42 inch LED Television, iPod docking station, High Speed Internet Access (HSIA), electronic safe and in-room interactive technology.

Wynn Resorts has announced the formation of Wynn Resorts Development to spearhead the company's expansion worldwide. Wynn Resorts is pursuing several development plans, including a $4 billion resort on Macau's Cotai Strip and casino proposals in Philadelphia and Massachusetts. Gamal Aziz, former president and CEO of MGM Hospitality, will assume the role of president and chief operating officer of the new business.

Accelerating portfolio growth in Latin America, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. today announced the opening of its second Westin hotel in Panama. Ideally located in Costa del Este, Panama City’s newest, upscale corporate and financial centre, The Westin Panama is the third Starwood property developed and operated by Bern Hotels & Resorts, Panama’s largest hotel developer and operator. With the opening of The Westin Panama, Starwood Hotels now has seven hotels in Panama.