ehotelier Hospitality News Archives: January 2004

Kurt Ritter, President and CEO, Rezidor SAS Hospitality to Receive International Hotel Investment Forum Lifetime Achievement Award

The 7th Annual International Hotel Investment Forum (IHIF) will feature a veritable who’s who list of global hotel investment community leaders 16-18 March 2004 at the InterContinental Hotel Berlin, Germany.

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Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter And Year-end 2003 Results

 Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Inc. ("FHR" ) today announced its unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2003. "Our full-year 2003 EBITDA(1) of $142.4 million met our revised guidance of $140 - $150 million," said William R. Fatt, Chief Executive Officer for FHR. "

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Le Meridien hotels & resorts` aggressive expansion plans continue

Award-winning luxury hotel group, Le Meridien, continued its worldwide expansion in 2003 by adding 15 new hotels to  its already impressive portfolio, giving guests access to a total of 130 hotels in 56 countries and territories throughout Europe, the Americas, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa. A further 15 properties, already in development, are phased to open over the next three years, with more projects in the pipeline.

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Asia travel not yet hit by bird flu

The rapid spread of the deadly bird flu virus in Asia has not hit sales of leisure or business travel to the region, say top travel operators, but all remain on their guard

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Face-lift for an icon; Holiday Inn in Gwinnett a prototype for update

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Travelling to Asia? No need to chicken out

The World Health Organization (WHO) has assessed that bird flu at this stage poses no realistic health threat to travellers visiting Asian cities. There is no sign of the virus passing from human to human and the world health body said H5N1 avian influenza (bird flu) can only be caught by direct contact with contaminated live poultry.

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Sir Rocco finds his forte and has the last laugh

Eight years ago, Sir Rocco Forte appeared to be heading for business oblivion. Within two years of finally being allowed to take charge of the family hotels business by his redoubtable father, the veteran Lord Forte, he had conceded defeat to a hostile bid from Granada. It was a humiliating episode - one from which there seemed to be no return. Roll forward, though, and the tables are well and truly turned.

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Thai Hotels Association Asks 400 Member Hotels to Pull All Chicken from Menus; No Impact on Tourism Industry Yet

The Thai Hotels Association (THA) has suggested that its 400 members pull all chicken and other egg-based dishes from their menus to avoid the risk of bird-flu transmission, THA secretary Prakit Chinamornpong said yesterday.  He said the advice had been taken up by most of the hotels until the disease is contained. 

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Best Western adds seven hotels in South America

Best Western International has added seven new hotels in South America including two in Paraguay, one in  Panama City, three in Brazil and one in Venezuela. The hotel additions in Paraguay and Panama City bring Best Western`s global country and territory count up to 83.

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News @ PATA

This week's PATA news and update....

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Singapore Firm Signs Deal To Set Up US Hotel Chain In China

A Singapore company has signed a deal to help one of the world's largest hotel-franchise firms establish itself in China. Singaporean Harry Tan, chairman and chief executive officer of the Frontier Group, faces the challenge of helping United States-based Cendant to open 40 Chinese hotels under its Days Inn brand in the next five years.

WTO: Tourism Growth To Resume In 2004

Battered by a series of problems, international tourism arrivals fell 1,2 per cent in 2003, the biggest annual drop ever.  However, the outlook for this year is much brighter, the World Tourism Organization (WTO) announced at a news conference on Tuesday.

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Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts establishes firm foothold in the UAE

Six months after taking over the Mövenpick Hotel Bur Dubai, Thomas Tapken, General Manager, is confident that 2004 is going to be a banner year for this, the first Mövenpick Hotel in the UAE

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At Hotels, Charm Can Open Doors

Charm -- or simple cordiality -- gets many frequent fliers a first-class upgrade or a seat on that next flight out. It also helps smooth the way to a room in a sold-out hotel or an upgrade to a better accommodation away from a noisy icemaker or a busy interstate. Of course, any veteran desk clerk has heard it all from the silver-tongued, so real ingenuity and tact can make the difference.

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Brighter outlook on the cards for UK hoteliers

Trading in the London and regional UK hotel markets proved to be resilient during 2003 given the extraneous factors affecting the wider international hotel industry. 

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TravelCLICK Names Mandarin Oriental London "E-Marketer of the Year"

TravelCLICK presented the third annual HSMAI/TravelCLICK E-Marketer of the Year award to Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London at tonight's dinner. Mary Ellen Desmond, regional director of sales for Mandarin Oriental, accepted the award. In addition, a hotel brand and three other individual hotel properties, each representing a region of the world, were also recognized as 2003 "E-Marketer of the Year" award winners.

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The Newest Thing in Hip Hotels — Spas

Pools and treadmills are yesterday's hotel amenities. Nowadays discerning guests covet honey sesame green tea scrubs, bikini waxes, and triple oxygen facials.

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ID.RevPAR & ID.GOPPAR: the Investment Driven RevPAR and GOPPAR

Hotel managers, analysts and asset managers typically use the traditional operating and/or interest payment breakeven analysis to assess the potential profit of their hotel properties, or before setting the strategic positioning of a hotel.

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Mezzanine Finance: A Borrower's Perspective

Property values, as a function of operating cash flow, have declined somewhat proportionately to the decline in top-line revenues.

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Low Interest Rates and High Demand for Hotel Assets Fuels Value Gains

In this article the author explains how current low interest rates and high demand for hotel assets affect value gains.

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Bird Flu poses no risk to travellers

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) today welcomed a World Health Organization (WHO) assessment that bird flu at this stage poses no realistic health threat to travellers visiting Asian cities. There is no sign of the virus passing from human to human, the world health body said.

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Demand in the Full-service Hotel Sector is Expected to Increase by 6.3% in 2004; Best and Worst Hotel Markets in Terms of RevPAR Growth / PKF Consulting

The U.S. hotel industry is in the early stages of an upswing, following the long-endured bottoming-out that began in mid-2001.  The upswing is expected to carry through 2005 and bring with it an improved climate for hotel investment.  These findings were revealed in a recent joint study by PKF Consulting’s Hospitality Research Group and Torto Wheaton Research.

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Stronger finish for Australian tourism

Australian tourism finished 2003 on a high despite a third successive year of negative growth.

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TIA Shows Continued Growth In Online Travel Bookers

More than 64 million online travelers—-30 percent of the U.S. adult population—-used the Internet last year to get information on destinations or to check prices or schedules. Of that group, 42.2 million actually booked travel online during 2003.

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Intercontinental Hotels Group Makes High-Speed Internet Access Standard Across Five Brands In North America

More than 2,500 IHG brand hotels in North America are to offer high-speed Internet access by the end of Q1 2005

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Rebranding? Now Market Your Hotel Conversion!

As owners and developers may now be spending money to renovate, reposition and reflag their hotels, it is critical to set aside monies to promote and market these changes.

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Hilton Reports Fourth Quarter, Fiscal 2003 Results

The company reported fourth quarter 2003 net income of $67 million, versus $40 million in the 2002 quarter. Diluted net income per share was $.17 in the fourth quarter, compared with $.11 in the 2002 quarter. The 2003 quarter included a $27 million reduction in the provision for income taxes ($.07 per share); and pre-tax losses totaling $8 million related to an impairment charge and asset dispositions ($.01 per share.)

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The Internet: Friend or Foe?

The use of the Internet as a means of booking room reservations has grown exponentially in recent years. However, on the hotels’ balance sheets, rooms sold through the Internet have tended to represent the most economical rooms sold, due in part to the nature of the consumer that Internet sites market the rooms toward and in part to the commissions charged to the hotel by the third-party Internet companies. In this article, the author discusses the benefits of the internet in managing hotels.

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Hotels want to break Web site habit

U.S. hotel operators want to break the dependence on Web sites like Expedia and Travelocity that many developed during the three-year slump in travel, executives said this week.

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ITB Berlin 2004: 2nd Workshop Business Travel Management

Business travel will increase in 2004 to and from the ten new EU member countries:  Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Malta and Cyprus. As the significance of business travel grows, companies will have to ensure quality and must control costs.

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More than 2,500 IHG Brand Hotels in North America are to Offer High-Speed Internet Access by the End of Q1 2005

 InterContinental Hotels Group (NYSE: IHG; London)(ADRs), the world's most global hotel company, today announced that high-speed Internet access will be standard and available at 2,500 InterContinental Hotels and Resorts, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express hotels in North America by early 2005. 

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Review of European hotel performance in 2003

2003 has again proved to be another challenging year for the European hotel industry with the war in Iraq, the outbreak of SARS and an appreciating euro all compounding already difficult operating conditions. According to preliminary year-end results from the HotelBenchmark Survey by Deloitte, revenue per available room (revPAR) across Europe fell by 7.5 percent or €5 during 2003 to €67, compared to 2002. This is now the third successive year that European revPAR has been in negative territory.

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Review of London and UK hotel performance in 2003

Looking back at 2003, now all but a blur after the festivities of Christmas and New Year, London and the regional UK hotel market proved to be resilient given the extraneous factors affecting the wider international hotel industry.

More... [742 views]

News @ PATA

This week's PATA news and update...

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HEDNA Joins with HSA International to Launch New HEDNA U Course: Revenue Mgmt.

Essentials for Distribution Marketing The Hotel Electronic Distribution Network Association (HEDNA) and HSA International have once again joined forces to present a completely new two-day “fundamentals” training course on applying Revenue Management techniques within Electronic Distribution channels.

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Thailand voted world`s No. 1 tourism destination

Tourists from 134 countries across the world have voted Thailand their number one tourist destination in the  prestigious Lonely Planet magazine.

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Weekly performance indicators improve

U.S. hotel occupancy for the week ending Jan. 17 was 53.8 percent, an increase from 52.6 percent during the same period last year. U.S. revenue per available room was $45.32, an increase from $43.13 compared with last year. U.S. average daily rate was $84.23, an increase from $81.97 compared with last year.

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2003 an Unbelievably Strong Year for US Hotel Sales

Major Hotel Transactions the Strongest Since 1998, Portfolio Purchases Increase, CNL Biggest Buyer of the Year, and the Hotel del Coronado tops the charts at $383 million. The HVS Research Department highlights 2003 in terms of the economy, number of major transactions, portfolios, the leading buyers and top trophy sales of the year.

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The boom in the meetings market in Spain boasts a promising future

The importance that the meetings market has taken on in Spain is growing more and more obvious, with a considerable increase since  1995. During 2002, 12,563 meetings with 2,534,225 participants were held in Spain. In terms of historical comparison with respect to 2001, the number of meetings increased by 2,380 and the number of participants in the meetings, by 531,484, according to data provided by the Spain Convention Bureau, SCB.

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PREVISUAL, Hospitality eBusiness Strategies, and River Terrace Inn Team Up To Win Prestigious HSMAI Award

Silver Merit Tops Category for 2003 Hotel Website Entry

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Work To Begin On World's Tallest Hotel

Construction is scheduled to commence on what will be the world's tallest hotel on February 1, 2004 in Dubai.

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Philippine tourism bounces back from SARS

The Philippine Department of Tourism (PDOT) announced that the year 2003 has been favorable for the country's tourism industry especially during the last quarter of the year after it bounced back from the effects of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and despite other global challenges, visitor arrivals grew 2.5% in September, 11.3% in October and soared to 17.6% in November

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Troy to be operator of four Le Meridien hotels

Tony Troy, former boss of Principal Hotels, has been inadvertently confirmed as the new operator of four Le Meridien hotels.

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Cornell Research Uncovers Lodging Conundrum: Satisfied Switchers and Dissatisfied Stayers

Service companies may want to rethink the billions they spend on customer-loyalty programs. A new research report from Cornell graduate Iselin Skogland and Cornell faculty member Judy Siguaw indicates that brand switching sometimes occurs even among a hotel’s most satisfied guests, while some of the least satisfied guests cannot be bothered to do the same.

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Signs of improvement for global hotel industry / Deloitte

Today at the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) Deloitte and Smith Travel Research shared the platform to reveal year-end performance data for the global hotel industry. US data was presented by Randy Smith, CEO of Smith Travel Research, whilst international data was presented by Marvin Rust, partner for HotelBenchmark at Deloitte. 

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Hospitality Industry Top 10 Thoughts for 2004

In recent months, Ernst & Young’s Hospitality Advisory Services practice has conducted its annual review of the lodging industry. The full report, scheduled to be released shortly, found that while the lodging environment of the past two years has been night and day compared to the boom times of the mid to late 90s, the worst of the recent lodging down cycle is likely behind us.

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Free High-Speed Internet at Marriott Brands

Guests staying at Marriott Corp.'s Residence Inns, TownPlace Suites, or SpringHill Suites hotels will now have free high-speed Internet access in their rooms.

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Study: Marketers go digital

Nearly two thirds of marketers now see digital marketing as having a very high or high level of strategic importance within their organizations, and over 75 percent of respondents plan to increase spending on digital marketing as a percentage of their marketing budget this year, according to a survey of marketing executives released today

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ITB Berlin 2004: A new tourism for a new Europe

Since 1993 Messe Berlin and N.I.T. (Institut fur Tourismus- und Baderforschung in Nordeuropa GmbH), Kiel, have regularly staged an  international conference at the ITB Berlin. At the ITB 2004 this international conference of experts will be devoted to the subject of "A new tourism for a new Europe".

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Don’t Wait For Signs Of A Better 2004: It’s Already Here

Let’s not forget who we are. - To a large extent, we put ourselves on hold after September 11, 2001. We waited to see what was going to happen next, and when nothing did, we became disconnected. Now, more than ever, it’s time to pick up the pace.

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TRI Business Confidence Monitor - Outlook for 2004

There has been a marked turnaround in business optimism within the hospitality industry. Three months ago 40% of respondents to the survey described the current business environment as disappointing.

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Dubai: In-bound tourism from Switzerland tipped to double in 2004

Dubai is set to become one of the main beneficiaries of a targeted sales push from Switzerland by one of the world’s leading travel agents.

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Further Of Improvement For Global Hotel Industry

Today at the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) Deloitte and Smith Travel Research shared the platform to reveal year-end performance data for the global hotel industry. US data was presented by Randy Smith, CEO of Smith Travel Research, whilst international data was presented by Marvin Rust, partner for HotelBenchmark at Deloitte.

More... [698 views]

Safir International Hotel Management and Swiss Inn Hotels & Resorts Form Strategic Alliance

Safir International Hotel Management and Swiss Inn Hotels & Resorts have formed a strategic alliance.  Under this agreement, both parties will explore business opportunities in areas including hotel & resort development, acquiring of hotel management contracts and joint marketing & promotion activities. 

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Hotelier Juergen Voss dies

Veteran hotelier, Mr Juergen Voss, passed away on January 18 at around 20.00 at Bagan Hotel, Old Bagan, Myanmar, where he was general manager.

Hospitality Faces Critical Shortage of Unskilled Workers

The hospitality industry believes there is a critical shortage of unskilled workers, according to a survey by business adviser TRI Hospitality Consulting.

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Four Seasons CFO Says Business Trends Improving

"All the trends are definitely improving," Douglas Ludwig said on the sidelines of an investors conference, referring to the fourth quarter of 2003 and the beginning of this year.

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Leisure time distortion: Study reveals Americans put work first, tv second, family third in order of time priorities

Have you ever thought that if it weren`t for work and to-do lists, you`d have plenty of personal time? If so, the  Hilton Family Leisure Time Advocacy Study places you among the majority of Americans. In fact, the study revealed that most people feel pressured by a world where work dictates the pace and the quality of their lives, and where there is never enough free time.

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Marriott Ranked One of the Top Companies for Executive Women

Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) has been selected as one of the 2004 "Best Companies for Executive Women," by the National Association for Female Executives (NAFE), a major association for women professionals and business owners.

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Hoteliers: Internet Sales Cut Both Ways

Online bookings bring lower rates but help fill rooms in slow times. The growing popularity of booking a room online has been a blessing or a curse to the lodging industry, depending on which Polk County hotelier you talk to.

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Marriott launches online training initiative

Making sure the values of your corporate brand are upheld at all times is never easy. And when that brand is represented by some 10,000 rooms in the four-star hotel sector, that means ensuring standards right down to every last item in the mini-bar. After all, there's no customer more unforgiving than a tired, tetchy traveller who can't find the tonic for their gin.

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Caribbean Hotel Association presents official position on Tourism services negotiations

The Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA) has presented its comments on the Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery Report (CRNM) on "Tourism Services Negotiations: Implications for Cariforum."  This official position has now been taken forward to Caribbean negotiators on behalf of CHA, representing the views of the Caribbean tourism private sector. 

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IHG secures 50th hotel: Crowne Plaza Norwest

InterContinental Hotels Group has secured its 50th hotel in Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific. 

More... [790 views]

Global Staff Movements - Who is In and Who is Out

For this month's update on Global Staff Movements, Click Here
Edited by Benoit Gateau-Cumin, President, The Boutique Search Firm

Phuket reveals new tourism strategy

The Phuket Chamber of Commerce today unveiled new strategies to give a lift to this southern resort island`s tourism industry to be  in line with the government`s policy of boosting annual visitor arrivals to Thailand to 20 million within the next five years

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Basic Concepts of Co-Branding,With Examples from the Hospitality Industry

Could co-branding improve YOUR bottomline?

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HSMAI Hotel Internet Marketing Strategy Conference Report; Keyword Bidding, Pop Ups, Pop Unders, Domain Name Piracy

The first-ever Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) Hotel Internet Marketing Strategy Conference held recently in Miami exceeded expectations in its objective to deliver an intensive, information-rich program of the important and timely issues impacting hotel Internet marketing.

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Maritim to take over 12 LTI hotels

German hotel group Maritim is to take over management of 12 out of the 26 resorts of LTI Hotels, including properties on Cuba and Bali. Final details of the agreement are still being negotiated, Johannes Althapp, head of the Rewe Touristik hotel division, told FVW.

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WTTC and ATM to bring heightened international tourism industry focus to the gulf with joint marketing deal

Arabian Travel Market (ATM) and the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) - have joined forces to jointly market their  events planned for May this year in the Arabian Gulf.

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New Study Finds Marketers Investing More This Year in Digital Marketing to Stay Competitive

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Hong Kong tourist arrivals down 6.2 percent in 2003, hit by SARS

Hong Kong visitor arrivals surged to a new record in December but total tourist numbers for 2003 fell 6.2 percent hit hard by the outbreak of SARS early in the year, the Hong Kong Tourism Board said.

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Indonesia: Tourism Operators want implementation of Visa-On-Arrival policy delayed

A number of tourism operators have asked the government to delay the implementation of its new visa-free and visa-on arrival policies until it had made a thorough evaluation of them.

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Shangri-La Opens In Pearl River Delta City Of Zhongshan

China's largest luxury hotel group, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, continues to expand on mainland China with the opening of its second property in Guangdong Province. Shangri-La Hotel, Zhongshan, the first five-star hotel in the city, is set in landscaped gardens close to the Municipal Government offices and just 15 minutes from the Zhongshan Ferry Port, which provides convenient access to Hong Kong.

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Marriott Ranked One of the Top Companies for Executive Women

Marriott International, Inc. has been selected as one of the 2004 "Best Companies for Executive Women," by the National Association for Female Executives (NAFE), a major association for women professionals and business owners. Marriott is the only lodging company on the list, and one of only two companies from the Washington, D.C., area to be recognized.

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Indian Hotels net up 49%

Indian Hotels Company, owners of the Taj group of hotels has reported a 49 per cent increase in net profit to Rs 16.60 crore for the third quarter ended December 31, 2003 as against Rs 11.17 crore in the corresponding period last year.

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The Year of Recovery for Asia Pacific hotel sector - The region’s industry leaders look at what lies ahead

2004 is shaping up as the Year of Recovery for the hotel industry in Asia Pacific. But, although there is cautious optimism throughout the sector following the nightmare of 2003, the challenges and threats loom large.  By Steve Shellum, Publisher/Editor HOTEL Asica Pacific

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News @ PATA

This week's PATA news and update....

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Larger Budgets, More International Travel Signal Healthy Meeting Industry Performance in 2004;

The multi-billion-dollar global meeting industry is anticipating a healthy year-over-year performance as planners and suppliers equally forecast an average 4 percent growth in spending and revenue, according to FutureWatch 2004, a comparative annual outlook from Meeting Professionals International (MPI) and American Express. 

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Hyatt International and Bang & Olufsen Form Worldwide Strategic Alliance

 Due to Hyatt International's distinct aesthetics and design for each of its luxury hotels and Bang & Olufsen's unique line of impeccably designed audio, video, and telecommunication products, the two have strategically aligned to enhance their respective brands globally and provide guests with a state-of-the-art experience abroad.

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InterContinental Hotels Group Renames Six Continents Club(R);

InterContinental Hotels Group announced today that it is welcoming a new premium status into the hotel industry's fastest-growing customer loyalty program, Priority Club Rewards. 

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U.S. Hotel Investors Geared Up to Purchased Property

According to the most recent Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels’ Hotels Investor Sentiment Survey, hotel investors indicated their strongest buy rating for the U.S. property sector in three years. New York and San Francisco top the list as the most desirable cities in which to own, with 70.6% and 86.7% respective “buy” scores.

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HSMAI names `25 most extraordinary sales and marketing minds in hospitality and travel

Who are the most extraordinary sales and marketing minds in hospitality and travel today? The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) polled  senior executives throughout the marketplace to identify the "Hot List of Top 25."

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China: Tourists Start Canceling Trips

A team of World Health Organisation (WHO) experts were Tuesday to visit two suspected SARS patients in a southern Chinese hospital as tourists began canceling trips to disease-hit Guangdong province.

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Starwood Earns 54 Top Spots On Condé Nast Traveler’s Gold Lists

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) has earned the distinction of having 54 of its hotels and resorts included on Condé Nast Traveler’s prestigious Gold List and Gold List Reserve featured in the magazine’s January 2004 issue. 

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Small Luxury Hotels finishes 2003 up 2% over 2002

Despite a rocky start to 2003 with the impending war in Iraq , the continued sluggishness of the global economy and world-wide travel fears, Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) posted a 2% increase in its total annual revenues over 2002. 

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France’s Châteauform’ deploys Delphi Multi-Property Edition v9.1 to connect and cross-sell one-of-a-kind conference centers

Newmarket International — the creators of Delphi^TM and other leading group, sales, catering and banqueting solutions — has deployed its Delphi Multi-Property Edition (DMPE) v9.1 at Chậteauform’ to connect nine luxurious conference centers in and around Paris for optimal cross-selling, profitability, productivity and guest service enhancements.

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Minority Travel on the Upswing, Study Finds

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First Trends Of 2003 In The European Hotel Industry

Within a very difficult context, a limited drop has been seen in 2003 for the European hotel industry

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ITB 2004: ITB Travel Technology Congress - `Low Cost und Dynamic Packaging versus the Package Tour`

The ITB Travel Technology Congress will be taking place from 14 to 16 March in Hall 7.1b, immediately adjacent to the  section devoted to "ITB Travel Technology". The organisers, TMS Tele-Marketing, have decided to make this a compact congress, thereby avoiding the need to hold a number of sessions simultaneously.

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Franz Zeller appointed SVP / COO of Taj group's luxury hotel division

Indian Hotels Company, which operates the Taj Hotels, resorts and palaces has inducted three senior professionals from the hospitality industry to its core management team, Franz Zeller, John Gerrard, Rajiv Kaul.

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Fairmont Streamlines Its Corporate Marketing Division

In a strategic step to maximize brand communication and streamline its marketing services to its hotels, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts appoints two Executive Directors

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Tourist arrivals to Hong Kong break record in December

In December 2003, Hong Kong welcomed a record-breaking 1.79 million visitors, surpassing the record set only  two months earlier in October and bringing the yearly total to a provisional 15.5 million, according to the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB).

More... [613 views]

Cendant, Marsh join Corporate Partners program at Cornell’s Center for Hospitality Research

The Center for Hospitality Research at Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration has added Cendant Corporation and Marsh, Inc. to a growing group of leading hospitality companies that have joined the Center’s corporate partners program. As corporate partners, Cendant and Marsh will support research projects that generate important advances in industry practices.

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China's outbound tourism market to be further regulated

China will further regulate the order of the outbound tourism market and crack down on fraudulence and human trafficking in  the name of tourism, an official at a nation tourism meeting said here Friday.

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Thailand targets 12 million tourists in 2004

The Tourism Authority of Thailand has launched a campaign to promote tourism to attract 12 million tourists who may spend around 384 billion baht (9.6 billion US dollars) in the country, the Businessday newspaper reported Tuesday.

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The Wired Hotel: A Visitor’s Perspective Of Your Online Brand

It can be said that in the online world everything can and does impact Branding. From the tone and feel of the copy and content, to the length of time it takes to navigate your site, each component of your web site has an impact on how users perceive your brand.  By Jerry Tarasofsky

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Marriott International to add three hotels in Doha, Qatar

Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE:MAR) will add three hotels to its lodging portfolio in Doha, Qatar, under a management agreement reached with Al Rayan Tourism Investment Company, a subsidiary of Faisal Bin Qassim Al-Thani & Sons Holding Company W.L.L. (FBQHC).

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American Classics Meet 21St-Century Technology As Holiday Inn® Hotels And Resorts Debuts Next Generation Hotel

Holiday Inn® Hotels and Resorts is opening the doors this month to its 21st-century model hotel designed to test customer enhancements and new technological innovations while bringing the heritage of Holiday Inn to life. At the Holiday Inn Gwinnett Center in Duluth, Ga., north of Atlanta, the hotel chain will gauge customer feedback to electronic menus, the return of icons like the classic green striped towel, and the introduction of notable modernized icons like the re-designed "Great Sign."

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New hospitality intelligence report tracks user satisfaction and website performance

iPerceptions and Hospitality eBusiness Strategies launch the RUSH Report, a collaborative Report on User Satisfaction & Hotel Website Performance for the hospitality industry, based on   feedback from over 72,000  actual website visitors  to hotel brand websites.  

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World Travel & Tourism Council to hold meeting of industry CEO`s to establish China initiative

Today, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) announced its plans to hold a meeting of  Travel & Tourism industry CEO`s in China to discuss the formulation of Business Leaders Forum aimed at working closely with the government to fulfil the potential of Travel & Tourism in China.

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Upbeat economy, peace with Pakistan drive India's tourism to new high

Once just a destination for seekers of adventure and spiritual salvation, India is seeing a rush of tourists with an upbeat economy and peace with Pakistan putting it on the global travellers' map.

More... [666 views]

Robert Riley appointed to helm Le Méridien

Le Méridien has announced the appointment of Mr Robert Riley to take over as chief executive from Mr Stephen Alexander, who was acting as interim CEO of the company over the past nine months, pending the recruitment of long term management

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Hotelier's 2004 Top Ten Internet Strategy Resolutions

By Max Starkov and Jason Price -  In 2004 16% of all revenues in hospitality will be generated from the Internet (14% in 2003). By 2006, the Internet will contribute over 24% of all hotel bookings (CSFB). This year 54% of all Internet bookings in hospitality will be direct-to-consumer (i.e. via hotel-owned websites).

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Benchmark's Top Ten Meeting Industry Trends for 2004

Benchmark Hospitality, which manages 27 award-winning resorts, conference centers and hotels in the United States, Canada and Japan, announces its annual “Top Ten Meeting Industry Trends” for the new year, as observed by its properties. 

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Traditional Breakfast Making a Comeback

Holiday Inn Hotels Adds Low-Carb Egg and Bacon   Breakfast Items In More Than 1,000 Properties Nationwide Beginning January 12, 2004, Holiday Inn(R

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Is 2004 the Year of Local Search?

Once that pesky IPO thing is done, Google’s success can unleash the potential of local search—if the industry works around a few hurdles.

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Take back control of rates and rooms

This is a good time of year to stop, gather your team around you, and reflect on the good, the bad, and the ugly results and happenings of 2003. It’s a great time to dust-off that 2003 marketing plan and review the actual results against the results you had planned a year ago. Oh, I can almost hear the initial reaction to that suggestion; who has the time to stop or even slow-down?

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VIP residences in revolutionary base receive visitors

Tourism authorities have opened up the former residences of late Chinese leader Mao Zedong and Madame Soong Mei-ling -- widow of the  late Chiang Kai-shek -- to visitors in Lushan Mountain, a revolutionary base in the eastern Jiangxi Province.

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Raffles innovates with flexible check-in / check-out policy

Raffles Hotels & Resorts has taken quality service standards to new heights by introducing flexible check-in and checkout. Residents staying at Raffles hotels and resorts in Singapore; Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, Cambodia; Beverly Hills, USA; Hamburg, Germany and Montreux, Switzerland will now enjoy flexible check-in and checkout services.

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Getting To the Bottom Line

The annual budget process can be very tedious and time consuming but is well worth the effort since it provides something in black and white for the staff to work toward.

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Tourism Authority of Thailand Targets Whopping Three-fold Jump in Tourist Arrivals for Next

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has become more progressive, even outrageous, these days in setting growth targets for the country's tourism industry, projecting a whopping threefold jump in arrivals over the next seven years to 30 million in 2010. 

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Hong Kong's Kowloon Shangri-La received Tourism Service Grand Award

Kowloon Shangri-La received the Tourism Services Grand Award at the 2003 Hong Kong Awards for Services gala dinner on 5 January 2004, held at the Convention Hall of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.  The delighted hotel General Manager Mr Thierry Douin, was presented the prestigious trophy by the Honorable Henry Tang Ying-yen, GBS, JP, the Financial Secretary of the HKSAR Government. 

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2004 looks lot like 2003: Tight travel budgets

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Sarbanes-Oxley and Beyond - Board Performance 2003

For the typical investor, corporate governance has always been cloaked in mystery and backroom intrigue. However, recent corporate scandals have prompted the SEC to launch new corporate reporting legislation, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Welcome to the world of corporate governance.

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New Austrian business and convention network

With Austria, and Vienna in particular, consistently ranking among the top conference and meeting destinations world-wide , the Austrian National Tourist Office is now even further increasing its emphasis on the conference and incentive industry.

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Emirates to offer world’s first wireless inflight e-mail

EMIRATES Airline will be offering its passengers the world’s first regular, airborne wireless laptop service, and has signed an agreement with Tenzing Communications of Seattle to provide the service by the first quarter of this year onboard all of its new Airbus A340-500s.

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American Express Predicts Business Travel Prices Will Decline in 2004 Outlook expected to fuel industry recovery this year

 Overall business travel costs are expected to  decline in 2004 which will help fuel modest recovery in travel volumes, says 
American Express Consulting. 

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India: Tourism Sector Back With A Bang In ’03

After suffering a major setback in 2002, the fortunes of the tourism sector shone in 2003 with foreign exchange earnings increasing by a whopping Rs 2,855 crore (23.3 per cent) to Rs 17,050 crore compared to Rs 14,195 crore earned in the previous year. Foreign tourist arrivals increased by 15.3 per cent to 27.5 lakh during the year.

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News @ PATA

This week's PATA news and update....

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Don’t Compromise Your Goals In 2004; Five New Year’s Resolutions You Will Want To Keep

At this time of year, many people make resolutions to do everything from beginning new fitness programs to dieting and committing to wellness regimens. These are all good resolutions, but it’s also a perfect time to re-commit to exceeding those budget numbers you submitted a few months ago. 

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TravelCLICK's eMarketer Honors to Be Presented at HSMAI Travel Awards Night Gala Dinner Jan. 26, 2004;

Excellence in hotel industry eMarketing will be recognized again this year at the HSMAI Travel Awards Night when TravelCLICK presents the 2003 "eMarketer of the Year Awards."

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Macau tourist arrivals in Macao grow in 2003

The total number of tourists to Macao in 2003 exceeded 11.9 million, up 3 percent over the previous year, according to a news release Tuesday by the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) government.

More... [639 views]

2003 was promising year for tourism in Egypt

The revenues of tourism in Egypt were promising in 2003 in spite of the storming conditions that  inflicted the region; as the war on Iraq and the terrorist operations that hit several neighboring countries.

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Will Egypt's tourism industry survive?

Red Sea tourism industry expects to survive airline crash as tourist flux continues particularly from Russia. Tourists and tourism officials alike brushed off the impact from the crash of a Paris-bound charter plane in the Red Sea, amid relief that it did not appear to be caused by terrorism

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HSMAI to Honor Marilyn Carlson Nelson with the Grice Award and Stanley C. Plog, Ph.D. with the Koehl Award

Recognizing individuals who have made significant contributions and lasting impressions on the hospitality and travel industry, the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) announces the recipients for its annual Winthrop W. Grice Award for public relations and the Albert E. Koehl Award for advertising and marketing excellence.

More... [773 views]

India's IHCL seeks to raise US$150 Million

The Indian Hotels Company Ltd (IHCL) is planning to raise long-term funds of up to US$150 million through various instruments, including foreign currency convertible bonds (FCCB), a public issue or private placement.

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Hotels : A Brief History - By Jacques Levy-Bonvin

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Business travel business looks to busier new year

The new year may finally see a true rebound in business travel, many in the industry say, though keeping an eye on the bottom line remains a priority.  And, for the traveller, it may be a buyer's market in some areas, according to random checks with a cross-section of experts.

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Indonesia names the day for visa changes

Indonesia's tourism industry has been given confirmation that the controversial new visa policy pursued by Justice and Human Rights Minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra will be effective from February 1.

More... [858 views]

The Government of Thailand is confident of 25% tourism growth

A jubilant government has consigned its earlier tourism promotion plans to the dustbin amid growing confidence that  tourism growth next year could reach an unprecedented 25 percent.

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Warwick International Hotels Announces The Launch Of 'Hotel Rewards By Rewards Network' At All Of Its U.S. Hotels

Rewards Network Inc., (Amex: IRN) one of the nation's leading providers of loyalty and rewards programs, and Warwick International Hotels have announced the launch of "Hotel Rewards by Rewards Network" at all of Warwick's U.S. hotels. 

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With Acquisition of Candlewood Suites Brand, InterContinental Hotels Portfolio Now Has Six Brands

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) announces that as of December 31, 2003, it has acquired the Candlewood Suites brand, through its affiliate Six Continents Hotels, Inc., and increased its management portfolio by more than 40% in the Americas. This addition brings the total number of IHG brands to six, and the number of owned, managed, leased and franchised properties (through various affiliates) to more than 3,400 hotels and 527,500 guest rooms in nearly 100 countries and territories around the world.

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Tourism Ministry of Malaysia to promote domestic travel aggressively in 2004

The government of Malaysia is to make another concerted push to promote  domestic tourism in a big way in 2004, said Culture, Arts and Tourism Minister Datuk Paduka Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir.

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Hotel Guests Learning About the Practical and Logical Forces at Work When Getting an Upgraded Room

The word is like music to my ears. I live for the business-class bump-up, the better-positioned table, the superior room. Especially the suite talk.  But just how does one upgrade from basic digs to deluxe? It's not science. There are practical and logical forces at work when it comes to getting a better room in a hotel. Here is some of what I learned about how to turn your three-star accommodations into five-star memories: 

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India Food and Wine Show

Presenting India Food & Wine Show (IFOWS) – 2nd International exhibition of high quality food products, wines other alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages to be held in New Delhi from 8th to 10th January 2004. IFOWS has been the first truly dedicated exhibition in India covering food and wine

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Bangkok aims to become ‘super city’

As part of its goal to turn Bangkok into the “Tourism Capital of Asia” by 2006, the government has announced plans to make the Thai capital a “super city”, focusing on a cleaner city environment and improving transport facilities.

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Brooks W. Chase Appointed President and CEO of the Resort Hotel Association; Succeeds Jean Van Tol

The Board of Directors of the Resort Hotel Association has announced the appointment of Brooks W. Chase, former Senior Vice President of Willis North America Programs, as President and CEO succeeding Jean Van Tol who will officially retire on March 31, 2004.

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Singapore woos China tourists with easier visa application through travel agents

Singapore has made it easier for visitors from China to enter the country. Following a six-month trial which started in July last year, Chinese visitors can now submit their visa applications through authorised travel age

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US court rules against heirs to Hyatt

Secret details about how the Pritzker family, the heirs to the Hyatt hotel chain, divided up the family fortune among feuding members was closer to being revealed after a court ruling on Thursday. An Illinois appeals court ruled that a court case concerning the distribution of the family fortune should be open to public scrutiny.

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Indonesia's tourism development, challenges in 2005

Tourism plays an important role in the development of a nation. It is not only a major contribution to a country's economy, but it also is a means to develop peace and understanding among people. World Tourism Organization (WTO) data shows the sector is one of the top five export categories for 83 percent of countries in the world and is the main source of foreign exchange earnings for at least 38 percent of the countries.

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A hectic year for India in tourism and culture sector

Tourism and campaign "Incredible India" wore Taj Mahal on its logo but the Mughal age wonder remained  in the news for not the right reasons as a hectic year in the tourism and culture sector went by, according to PTI.

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Singapore visitor arrivals up for 1st time since SARS crisis

Singapore recorded positive year-on-year growth in visitor arrivals for November, representing the first such increase since March of this year when the first case of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) was detected in the city-state.

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Our Favorite Wines Of 2003

One of the many benefits of being a pompous British wine writer is that I can get away with being high-handed in my choice of wines. Unlike my esteemed colleague Robert Parker, I do not submit my wine selections to testing or ratings. I merely pick what I please, and if the wine pleases me, I write about it. I see no point in boring my readers with mediocre wines: There are far too many of them, and life's too short to concentrate on anything but the best the grape has to offer.

By Nick Passmore - Forbes.com

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Kerzner to fund new hotel school

Hotel magnate Sol Kerzner, with his son Butch Kerzner, is to donate R20-million towards the building of a new School of Tourism and Hospitality in Johannesburg; the first combined hospitality and tourism training school in the country.

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Asian American Hotel Owners Association Panel to Discuss India's Branding Efforts to Attract International Visitors

Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) Chairman Hitesh Bhakta will lead a delegation of AAHOA leaders to the second annual Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in New Delhi, India, from Jan. 9-11, 2004.  On Jan. 10, AAHOA will partner with the government of India and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) to co-host a special session on the tourism and hospitality sector Tourism: Branding Strategies for India. 

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A Volatile Hotel Transaction Year; A Perceived "Bottoming Out" of Hotel Values

ThompsonCalhounFair three principals, H. Keith Thompson, Al Calhoun and Mark G. Fair, report on the year just ended and on the hotel transactional market for 2004.

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Latest Amenity for Upscale Hotels - the Technology Concierge

At South Florida's posh resorts, a concierge can help with almost anything. Choice theater tickets. A Mongolian-speaking translator. A special dinner for your baby.  But now it's 3 a.m. and your laptop has crashed. Your PowerPoint presentation is scheduled for the 9 a.m. meeting and you're in a real -- not virtual -- panic.  You need a technology concierge. 

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Sri Lanka reaps 'peace dividend' with half million tourists

Tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka hit the elusive half million mark in 2003 thanks to a year without war despite peace negotiations between the government and Tamil Tiger rebels being on hold since April, the country's tourism authority said Wednesday.

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Tourism back near pre-Sept. 11 levels

U.S. tourism rose briskly in the third quarter, coming within reach of pre-recession peaks, a government report showed. Total sales in the tourism industry, hit hard early in 2001 by the economic downturn and then dampened by the terrorist attacks on U.S. landmarks later that year, rose 16.2 percent to a $747.8 billion seasonally adjusted annual rate from $720.2 billion in the second quarter, the Commerce Department said.

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New Whitbread chief set to sell laggard hotels

The new chief executive of Whitbread is expected to release at least £200 million of capital tied up in the group's Marriott Hotels chain as part of an attempt to improve its lacklustre returns

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Surging tourism signifies China's economic vitality

China's domestic tourism thrived in the second half of 2003. Over the seven-day National Day vacation this year, domestic tourism revenue reached 34.6 billion yuan (4 billion US dollars), setting a record high for the past four years and demonstrating the rapid development of China's economy.

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Australia's ravaged tourism industry poised for recovery

Australia's embattled tourism industry is poised to recover in 2004, ending an unprecedented three-year downturn in the aftermath of the September 11 2001 terrorist attacks, tourism officials forecast here Wednesday.

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Bermuda Year End: Tourism continues its long slide

Bermuda tourism endured one of its most turbulent years in a long time after hurricane Fabian shut down some major hotels, the stormy departure of the Director of Tourism, an international row over phoney pictures, and air visitors continuing to plummet while overall arrivals are up.

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Lehman, Starwood in Le Meridien deal

Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. said Dec. 30 they have acquired £ 750 million ($1.3 billion) of senior debt of troubled U.K.-based Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts. The acquisition comes with an unspecified discount, according to the brief announcement.

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Four Key Executives at Best Western International Promoted

Best Western International Inc. has promoted David Kong to senior vice president-Marketing and Development, Mike Kistner to senior vice president Information Services/CIO, Loyd Nygaard to vice president-Member Operations Support, and Richard Bennett to vice president-Procurement.  The promotions are effective immediately according to Tom Higgins, Best Western president and chief executive officer.

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Fortune Magazine recognizes Four Seasons as top employer

Four Seasons Earns Place in Best Companies Ranking for 7th Consecutive  Year

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Al Ain: Growth of the Garden City

Standfirst: Thanks to a number of ambitious initiatives from the Economic Development & Tourism Promotion Authority, Al Ain looks set to take its turn in the spotlight in 2004. Mubarak Al Muhairi, the department’s director general, explains the appeal of the “garden city”.   Cultural tourism is the new policy behind the growth of Al Ain, as the city seeks to position itself as separate from – but complementary – to the tourism offerings of the other cities in the UAE.

More... [645 views]