ehotelier Hospitality News Archives: November 2004

Fixing a Leak in the Hotel Profitability Pipeline - How to manage the costs of employee turnover

Despite positive projections for revenue and profitability in 2004, cost controls and enhancing efficiency will remain a priority. Unfortunately, there are two related concerns that may limit the impact of many cost management strategies: employee turnover and the accurate monitoring of the costs to replace them. In a current study, J. Bruce Tracey and Timothy R. Hinkin of the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration enumerate methods for determining the true cost of employee turnover and suggest ways to anticipate and manage the problem more successfully.

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Absorb more revenue, not losses

Nation’s Restaurant News recently printed an article titled, “Operators eat losses as more than guests walk out the door” (February 10^th ). I found it to contain some astonishing revelations. The article clearly pointed out answers to the problems commonly declared by operators to be beyond their control. I have always found this assertion—that stolen property is simply an operating expense—to be ludicrous. There are only a few things that are actually beyond a manager’s control, and those are situations that exist in what is commonly called the “outer circle.” These include factors such as social trends, climate, political upheaval, acts of God, and the like. - by William F Orillo, MHS, CEO

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Hong Kong Visitor Arrivals in October 2004 pass 2 Million mark

For the second time in three months, visitor arrivals to Hong Kong have passed the two-million mark in a single month. October 2004 arrivals were their best ever for October at 2,015,420, only just short of the landmark 2.07 million recorded in August. The achievement is especially notable as it represents a strong 18.9% growth on the 1.70 million visitors welcomed in October 2003, which was itself a record-breaking total at the time as Hong Kong’s tourism industry staged a sharp recovery from the severe challenges it had faced earlier that year.

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UFI 71st Congress a success in Thailand's city of angels

UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, will hold its 71st annual Congress in Bangkok from November 23-27, 2004 .The 370 delegates who will participate represent the trade fairs and exhibitions industry from 53 countries.

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Days Inn Hotels to Appear in Russia and CIS

Cendant, the U.S. lodging and travel group whose brands include Howard Johnson hotels and Avis rental cars, plans to build mid priced hotels in Russia and other former Soviet Union republics over the next five years. The information was reported by the British Financial Times newspaper on Tuesday, Nov. 23. Over the next five years Cendant plans to develop 45 of its mid-prices Days Inn hotels, generating more than $195 million in revenue during this time. The company has signed an agreement with Hermitage Hospitality to franchise Days Inn hotels in Russia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan

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This Travel Search Site Could Go Far

Svetlozar Nestorov's Mobissimo aims to make the Web's massive travel deals and info much more accessible. He's off to a good start. One of the most compelling attempts of late may be coming from 33-year-old Svetlozar Nestorov, a computer-science grad who studied data-mining with the Google founders. Last year, he and a co-founder launched travel search engine Mobissimo.  A so-called "meta search" site, Mobissimo takes a visitor's query and scours about 80 other travel sites and search engines, typically returning a wider array of prices, airlines, and options.

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Millennium & Copthorne on regional expansion through hotel management

Millennium & Copthorne is looking to increase its global presence - either through acquisitions or management tie-ups. The company is also looking at joint marketing alliances with other hotel groups. This was revealed by the Group's Executive Vice President, Michael Tan, in an exclusive interview with Channel NewsAsia. Mr Tan joined the company nine months ago - and he wants to transform the M&C Group of Hotels through better service.

In the past, Millennium & Copthorne expanded its global reach through acquisitions.

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InterContinental Hotels Group makes managing commissions simple with www.ihgagent.com

InterContinental Hotels Group has furthered its commitment to agents with the introduction of  ihgagnet.com    , a dedicated website that empowers travel professionals to make bookings, check commissions and access assistance through local help desks.

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Looking for Room in Hotel Rally

So far this has been a great year for large hotel companies and their stocks, begging the question: Is this as good as it gets? The industry is benefiting from cyclical recovery that has boosted occupancy, allowing hoteliers to raise rates. Business travel is picking up, and the weak dollar has encouraged European travelers to visit the U.S.

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Bulgaria: Revenues from tourism will increase

The expected increase in tourists in Bulgarian winter resorts this season is 5-7%, Deputy Minister of Economy Dimitar Hadjinikolov announced in Varna . He officially opened the 24th edition of Tourism and Leisure Time Fair. The revenues from tourism this year will amount to USD 2 billion, Hadjinikolov stated. 80% of them come from sea tourism. The Deputy Minister also announced that winter hotels are 70% busy.

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France- Growing performances in Paris whereas the rest of France is holding back

While not quite as good as in September, October performances confirmed however that the Parisian hotel market is recovering . The totality of the upscale segments posted an increase in occupancy rates varying from +5% for Large Capacity and First Class properties to over +7% for the rest of the 4 Star supply in the city. The average increase in occupancy for the upscale category was +6%. The mid-scale hotels, on the other hand, observed a slightly lesser growth with only +2%, and even a drawback for the Superior 3 Star hotel -down by 2%.

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Exceed Hopes, Not Just Expectations

Establish a ‘Learning Relationship’ with your customers? What the heck does that mean? Well, I’ve been pondering that idea for a while, now. I think it means that retail life, as we know it, is over. You know what? I’m glad. I’m sick of sales growth plans that depend on targeting vague demographic profiles comprised of averaged attributes. I’m tired of anonymous transactions conducted by with no interest in who I am or what value I represent to their business. If establishing a ‘Learning Relationship’ with me means that the business acknowledges my patronage and shows some interest in what I think and feel, then, bring it on. By Rick Hendrie,  CEO,  LINK Inc. 

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Dusit announces launch of D2 brand with Chiang Mai hotel

Thai hotel management company Dusit Hotels and Resorts has announced it is to launch a new brand of lifestyle hotels. The new concept – called D2 to signify the ‘second generation’ of Dusit hotels – will focus on a blend of modern design with Thai accents. The first property, the D2hotel Chiang Mai will open in northern Thailand early next year.

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China: Tourism business booms with big market

As one of the fastest growing and most intriguing tourism destinations in the world, China is becoming a magnet for travel-related businesses. Nearly 2,900 such overseas and domestic enterprises gathered in Shanghai yesterday to attend the 2004 China International Travel Mart (CITM), a jump of 16 per cent from 2002. The CITM shifts annually between Shanghai and Kunming. The mart has been held five times, three times in Shanghai and twice in Kunming, capital of Yunnan Province. This year there are 1,196 domestic booths and 652 international booths, up 65 per cent and 35 per cent over last session, said Shen Huirong, director of the Tourism Promotion and International Liaison Department of the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA).

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Singapore's Tourism Arrivals Rise 9 pct

Singapore posted a 9 percent gain in tourist arrivals last month as 696,113 people visited the city-state, the Singapore Tourism Board said Thursday. The rise helped the country's hotel industry to its second best month on record, raking in 90 million Singapore dollars ($54 million, euro41 million), it said. The peak month was set in March 2002 with takings of S$93 million ($56 million, euro43 million).

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Eight Faber Group properties valued at RM450 Million to be sold by open tender

Seven hotels and one commercial complex with a total indicative value of about RM450 million that were formerly owned and operated by the Faber Group are being offered for sale by open tender. The 8 properties are spread throughout Malaysia and include a mix of four five-star hotels and resorts, three city and resort hotels and a commercial complex.  The package is being offered for tender by Jeram Bintang Sdn Bhd, the special purpose vehicle set-up to dispose of Faber Group’s assets as part of its debt restructuring scheme.

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Adelaide to host tourism fair

Adelaide  has won the right to host one of the world's largest travel trade fairs in 2006. South Australian Tourism Minister Jane Lomax-Smith said today the Australian Tourism Exchange would attract more than 700 tourism wholesalers from 50 countries. "The week-long even will inject around $10 million into the local economy, generating around 13,000 visitor nights in Adelaide," the minister said.

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China's tourism speeds up opening after WTO entry

China's tourism sped up after the nation joined the World Trade Organization (WTO), an official with the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) here Wednesday.     Hotel industry in China is already opened in an all-round way, and almost all the well-known international hotel groups are already in China, said Shen Huirong, director of CNTA's International Department at the opening ceremony of China International Travel Mart (CITM).

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Tourism business booms with big market

As one of the fastest growing and most intriguing tourism destinations in the world, China is becoming a magnet for travel-related businesses.     Nearly 2,900 such overseas and domestic enterprises gathered in Shanghai Wednesday to attend the 2004 China International Travel Mart (CITM), a jump of 16 per cent from 2002. The CITM shifts between Shanghai and Kunming annually.     The mart has been held five times, three times in Shanghai and twice in Kunming, capital of Yunnan Province.

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InterContinental Hotels Group to become largest international luxury hotel operator in French Polynesia

Fourth InterContinental resort announced for Bora Bora.  One of the world’s most beautiful and aspirational travel destinations, Tahiti and her islands, will soon offer a fourth InterContinental resort. Construction of the luxurious InterContinental Resort & Spa Bora Bora has commenced, with an opening scheduled for May 2006 – making InterContinental Hotels Group the largest international luxury hotel operator in French Polynesia.

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Our ‘Pick Of The Month’

We are often asked what hotels or resorts we like best, what would we recommend to others, or where we would like to visit again. These questions come from clients, guests, and friends. Beginning in 2005, we will try to provide some answers. On a regular basis we will highlight a property that we feel merits special recognition. We expect our choices to run the gamut from large well-known resorts to small obscure inns. Our selection process is really quite simple. We will choose places we know well, have recently visited, and meet the following requirements: 1)we liked the experience, 2)we feel it offers something special, 3)we would like to return, and 4)we recommend to others. Our picks must meet all four standards; three out of four is not enough.

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Marketers Take on Spam

Are marketing professionals confused? Reveries quotes permission e-mail marketing provider TrueFire's founder Brad Wenkos who says, "A logical explanation is that most of the survey respondents, while seasoned marketing professionals, perhaps have not had much experience running permission-based, e-mail marketing campaigns...it's only those in the front lines who grasp the many challenges and roadblocks that legitimate campaigns must navigate through to reach their audiences."

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Small Luxury Hotels Adds 53 Hotels from 22 Countries

A tough new ‘excel - or exit’ regime intended to guarantee high standards at Small Luxury Hotels of the World is proving an immediate success. The UK-based global brand has attracted its biggest-ever intake for its 2005 Directory of 53 hotels from 22 countries. Over 30 members have left, in a majority of cases by request from SLH. There are now 329 Small Luxury Hotels in 57 countries, both of which are highest-ever totals.

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Big Businesses Back BlackBerrys

Blackberry is the leading wireless data service brand, according to the survey, used by 20% of respondents. Another 15% report using Dell products for their wireless data services, and 14% use Hewlett-Packard devices. In contrast, the leading wireless voice brands are Motorola, used by 20%, followed by Nokia (12%) and BlackBerry (11%). Although Blackberry and Motorola lead their respective categories, neither has a decisive lead, and only Blackberry has a presence on both lists, suggesting that the market is still quite open.

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Marriott names Amy McPherson Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing

Marriott has named Amy McPherson executive vice president of sales and marketing. She is responsible for the company’s global sales efforts, marketing, revenue management, worldwide reservation sales and e-commerce.

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Post Show Report - The 2004 International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show

The 2004 International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show (IH/M&RS), featuring a new streamlined three-day exhibit format, preceded by two high level conferences for lodging and foodservice professionals, was enthusiastically endorsed by market participants. Led by record spending from military base lodging representatives, the 2004 IH/M&RS also reinforced the Show’s enormous buying power and further added to the market’s positive momentum. New initiatives, including the Hospitality Leadership Forum and Luxury Product Collection, exceeded all expectations in terms of educational and resourcing opportunities, while returning programs, including the Editors’ Choice Awards, honored the market’s outstanding innovations. Running November 13-16, 2004, the 89th IH/M&RS featured 1,400 exhibitors, including 291 first-time participants, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.

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News @ PATA

This week's PATA news & update...

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Rescue from Mediocrity; The Decline of Service Etiquette - A Sequel

Perhaps many astute readers recall a recent article about the Decline of Service Etiquette, bemoaning how our dining senses are affronted, from the use of “you guys”, to overused crushed pepper and underutilized courtesy.  The response to the article was stunning and the lamentations global.  Additional grievances were shared. The age old question with the entrée about to be served, “okay, who gets what?”  Where to place the solo diner – on stage in the middle of the room or closeted by the kitchen door. 

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Open communication standards gain ground in hotel industry

The hotel industry has embraced technology specifications that help it communicate with other vertical markets within the hospitality world, according to hotel company executives attending the fifth annual Open Travel Alliance Advisory Forum. "The hotel industry is ripe for integration because of the way the systems have been patched together," said Mike Keppler, v.p. of sales, marketing and revenue management systems, IR application services for Marriott International. "We've got to have a way to do an electronic handshake."

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Incoming 2005 AH&LA Chairman Dedicated To Addressing Lodging Industry’s Multicultural And Diversity Issues

During his inaugural speech at The Plaza Hotel, incoming 2005 American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) Chairman Pedro Mandoki, CHA, declared his commitment to making AH&LA the premier U.S. lodging industry brand and the leading voice of the industry. As the latest volunteer to ascend to the organization's top position, Mandoki also will focus on addressing the lodging industry's multicultural and diversity issues.

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UK growth continues says IHG

InterContinental Hotels has reported that Q3 operating profits are 8.2% ahead at £76m with the first nine months 35.9% up at £189m, despite the weak dollar affecting profits in sterling terms. During the third quarter the UK has continued to grow, with London outperforming the provinces. Cannes, Paris and Frankfurt have suffered from weak market demand.

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"Self-service" for business travelers: more hassle than it's worth?

In today's corporate climate, where self service means saving money, business travelers are increasingly asked to make their own air, lodging and rental car arrangements through online programs. But those who have been frustrated when doubts arise about whether the bookings are being done correctly or when the process takes too long may want to know they're not alone in reaching for the phone, going back to the old—and presumably more expensive—way of doing business.

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The International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC) announces top ten global issues and challenges in the hospitality industry for 2005

At the recent ISHC Annual Conference held in London, ISHC Members participated in a series of roundtable discussions to identify the ISHC Top Ten Global Issues and Challenges in the Hospitality Industry for 2005. While there were dozens of issues discussed, in the final voting the membership identified the following eleven (there was a tie for number ten) issues as the ones that can be expected to potentially have the greatest impact on the industry in 2005.

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Luxury hotelier to enter Boracay

The Shangri-la group, which is known for establishing luxury hotels worldwide, is looking at acquiring a 10-hectare beach-front property in the less-spoilt northern portion of Boracay island in Malay, Aklan. "December is crucial for them to finalize the acquisition," said a source privy to the deal, but declined to be identified. "It's almost sure."

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Marketing your product to the Chinese travellers

The Beijing International Tourism and Travel Market (BITTM) sponsor World Tourism Marketing Summit (WTMS) to take place in Nanjing , China which begins Monday November 22 2005. 400 senior travel and tourism executives from China and all over the world as well as Chinese ministers and government officials and representatives of international tourism organisations will gather in Nanjing to discuss issues of promoting international travel and tourism.

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Record amounts of business conducted at HOTEL ASIA 2004

Further evidence that the Asia Pacific hotel industry is booming comes from the organisers of Hotec Asia.  A record number of delegates between them held NEARLY 1,000 face to face meetings at the fourth annual running of HOTEC ASIA, held at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Macau from the 28^th -30^th October. “More delegates than ever before have told us that there was serious business being conducted” said Jonathan Needs, Director of organisers Pelican Events

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Business Travelers Frequent Online Travel Agencies, But Prefer Airline and Lodging Web Sites, According to Keynote Study

Although business travelers at companies with unmanaged or lightly managed travel policies pay more frequent visits to online travel agencies, they prefer the online experience provided by airline and lodging Web sites, according to a new study.  The syndicated research study released by Keynote Systems (Nasdaq “KEYN”), The Internet Performance Authority®, is the first to examine the actual online habits and behavior of business travelers as they plan for and book travel.

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Dimond named hotelier of year by CH&LA

Navin C. Dimond, President and CEO of Stonebridge Companies has been named 2004 Hotelier of the Year. The award is presented by the Colorado Hotel and Lodging Association (CHLA) during their annual conference at the Broadmoor Resort in Colorado Springs, CO.

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Cendant Signs Global Distribution Pact with Best Western

Cendant Travel Distribution Services has signed a multi-year distribution agreement with Best Western International.

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Raffles makes Caribbean Debut with grand opening of Raffles Resort Canouan Island

Raffles Resort Canouan Island held its official grand opening this weekend, introducing one of the most prestigious luxury hotel brands to the Caribbean . Located in the heart of the Grenadines on the exclusive island of Canouan, the new resort is Singapore-based Raffles International`s first venture in the Caribbean.

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InterContinental near hotel sell-off - report

InterContinental Hotels Group hopes to announce the sale of 20 hotels in North America for up to 505 million pounds, the Times newspaper has reported. Without citing sources, the Times said on Wednesday the announcement of a sale in two tranches could come before the end of the year

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InterContinental's 3Q Profits Increase

 Britain's InterContinental Hotels Group PLC said Tuesday that net profit rose 30.5 percent in the third quarter with help from properties in Asia and the Americas. InterContinental, whose brands include Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn, posted a net profit of 77 million pounds (US$143.2 million; euro109.8 million) in the three months ended Sept. 30. That compared with a pro forma figure of 59 million pounds for the same period a year ago. The company reported pro forma figures because it changed the end of its fiscal year from September to December when it split off last year from British hotel and pub operator Six Continents.

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The Role And Responsibility Of The 'New' Compensation Committee

In this new era of corporate governance, independent board directors are learning they cannot cede crucial compensation decisions to the Chief Executive Officer.  Large paychecks and lavish perks received by senior level executives have long stirred shareholders displeasure. In a recent New York Times article special counsel to Institutional Shareholder Services, Patrick McGurn, talked about how shareholders are resetting their targets; “the anger is not being focused on the overpaid executives anymore … it’s being focused on the members of the compensation committees”.

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Cendant back on the acquisition trail?

Cendant is to open 45 of its midmarket Days Inn hotels in former Soviet Union countries over the next five years, reports the FT .   The US travel giant has signed an agreement with Hermitage Hospitality to franchise Days Inns in Georgia, Kazakhstan, Russia, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.  Michael Schiff, Cendant vice president, said the former Soviet Union presented a ‘substantial opportunity’ for the company given the region’s lack of quality budget and midscale hotels.

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Bangkok ranks best Asian city tourism destination

Bangkok and the northern capital of Chiang Mai have been ranked by a popular magazine the Conde Nast Traveler the 1st and 4th respectively best tourism destinations in Asia, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) office in Los Angeles was quoted by the Thai News Agency as saying Sunday.

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Swissotel Hotels and Cornell University collaborate to develop Swissotel eUniveristy

Swissotel Hotels & Resorts, managed by Raffles International, is pleased to announce the successful development of Swissotel eUniversity, in partnership with Cornell University . Swissotel eUniversity is envisaged to provide top-notch education via the Internet to over 7,000 Swissotel staff in Asia, Australia, Europe, North America and South America. Graduates of Swissotel eUniversity will receive eCornell certificates offered by Cornell University’s renowned Hotel School of Hotel Administration.

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US carriers return to Vietnam

Three decades after US carriers stopped flying into Ho Chi Minh City after the North triumphed in the civil war, United Airlines will lead the way back on December 10 with a new direct flight from Hong Kong. United will serve the route using Boeing 747-400 aircraft, and is optimistic about bookings over the coming Christmas and Chinese New Year holiday seasons, Hong Kong-based sales & marketing general manager, Mr Wyn Li, said.

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Luxury Makes a Comeback in Travel

Luxury is making a comeback in the travel industry as we end out the year and look to 2005. High-priced boat sales increased 9.5% last year, concierge floors on ships and in pricey hotels are selling out first, the bar on restaurant purchases has been raised to $300 prix fixes, and a major private jet rental firm reports  sales not seen since the mid-1990's. And Americans traveling overseas for the first five months of this year are up 19% over last year.

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Maintaining the pace

Luxury hoteliers expect the segment to continue its strong performance.  The economy and the hotel industry are picking up momentum, but the luxury hotel segment already is humming along. "People are selectively deciding where to spend their dollars," said Jeff Senior, v.p. of brand management for the InterContinental brand, which is a part of InterContinental Hotels Group. "The luxury segment in hotels is a beneficiary of that changed mindset. People believe they deserve certain things, and they might skimp in other areas to reward themselves. Travel is one area people like to treat themselves." The InterContinental brand is experiencing a successful year, Senior said.

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HotelBenchmark launches monthly performance survey for Spain

Deloitte has launched its Spanish edition of the HotelBenchmark Survey. Spain is the 3rd country survey to be launched this year and joins another 10 country surveys already in production.

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Moscow: Upmarket Room Rates Go Through the Roof

Moscow may have made the shortlist of cities vying to host the 2012 Olympic Games, but if, as expected, it loses out to either London, Madrid, New York or Paris, the main reason will likely be its inability to accommodate the hundreds of thousands of people who show up every four years to watch the world's pre-eminent sporting event. With only a dozen premium hotels, Moscow has just over 5,000 rooms of international quality, compared with more than 37,000 and 11,000 for front -runners London and Paris, respectively.

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Kempinski to manage new hotel in Lithuania

Kempinski Hotels & Resorts has signed a management contract for a landmark hotel in the city of Vilnius, Lithuania. A five-star luxury property, the hotel is situated in the centre of the city, near Gedimanas Castle, with spectacular views of Vilnius’ main square, with its Cathedral and bell tower, an historic site where the President was inaugurated.

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London in cards as Peninsula eyes European foray After Shanghai and Tokyo, a new frontier opens for the hotel group

The Peninsula Group is contemplating a maiden foray into Europe, with a new hotel in London a probability, according to Clement Kwok King-man, chief executive and managing director of Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels. The revelation of the group's London ambitions follows its recent decision to return to Shanghai and the start of construction on its Tokyo hotel earlier this month. "London will be the No1 consideration for our next hotel," Mr Kwok told the South China Morning Post. "But real-estate prices are very expensive over there and the Shanghai and Tokyo projects are keeping us busy enough."

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Conde Nast Traveler readers vote Raffles Hotels & Resorts among top hotels worldwide

The celebrated Conde Nast Traveler 2004 Readers Choice Awards, published in the November issue, has recognized all seven operating Raffles Hotels & Resorts  as among the best in the world.

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Australia sees surge from China

Arrivals from North and South-east Asian markets into Australia have increased over the last nine months compared to the same period last year. China brought in the biggest growth – 16,400 in September, bringing the total for the nine months to 180,300, a 53 per cent increase.

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New Zealand: Jump in tourism takes industry to record year

A 9 per cent jump in tourist arrivals last month has convinced the Government that this year will be a record year for the country's biggest export-earning sector.  Some 181,000 people visited the country last month, Statistics New Zealand says, with more tourists arriving particularly from Australia and Britain. Although they generally stayed for a shorter period - 19 days, down from 22 days the previous October - increased visitor numbers is good news for tourist operators selling everything from hotel accommodation and sightseeing trips to restaurant meals and mementos.

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October revPAR growth slows across UK

London hoteliers have managed to lift yields in October by 3.7% compared with last year despite occupancy dropping back to below 80%, according to PKF. This October, the three- to five-star chain hotels in London had an average daily rate of £107.85, 6% ahead of Oct03’s £101.7. However, occupancy was off 2.2% at 79.6%, resulting in a revPAR of £85.89, 3.7% ahead of £82.80 last time.

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U.S. giving Chiemsee, Garmisch hotels back to Germany

The U.S. military is returning to the German government the last of the hotels it confiscated at the end of World War II. The turnover of the hotels at Lake Chiemsee and Garmisch has nothing to do with the expected reduction of U.S. troops in Europe over the next decade. Rather, it is part of a long-term process of eliminating facilities deemed in excess of U.S. military needs, said Pete Isaacs, chief operating officer for U.S. Army Community and Family Support Center, based in Alexandria, Va.

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HospitalityLawyer.com announces the Third Annual Hospitality Law Conference Focusing on Legal, Safety, and Security Issues

The 3^rd Annual Hospitality Law Conference in coordination with the American Bar Association, the General Counsel Committee of the AH&LA and the Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management.

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The new hip Montreal W Hotel styled like a trendy city nightclub

Enjoy the natural light before you step into the new W Hotel in Montreal because once through its glass doors, you're swimming in velvety darkness. And it doesn't stop at the dimly lit lobby -- or living room, as it's called. The play of light and shadow fills every corner of the building, from the vermilion light sculptures near the entrance to the cobalt-blue glow framing the mezzanine window. There are dancing light banks in the hallways and a wavy, illuminated ceiling in the bar that shimmers like the northern lights.

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When Executives Speak, Hotels Listen

When corporate guests ask for something, smart hotel managers get it. At the end of every trip, business travelers have an opportunity to create their own wish list by filling out a questionnaire that will help hotels serve them better during future stays. Topics cover basic efficiency and courtesy of staff — room service, doorman, concierge or cashier - as well as more specific concerns like shower pressure, room decorations or CD selections.

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HVS/American Hospitality Management Company Merges With Arrowhead Hospitality Group

HVS International's hotel management division, HVS/American Hospitality Management Company, announces a continued expansion with the addition of the Minneapolis-based Arrowhead Hospitality Group portfolio. The Arrowhead collection of hotels enhances the HVS/American Hospitality Management Company portfolio in the Upper-Midwest by adding six operating hotels and three that are under development. The largest property is the 263-room Ramada Inn Mall of America and 36,000 square foot Thunderbird Convention Center.

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Congress increases spending for tourism marketing

Congress this past weekend approved an omnibus spending package that included $10 million more for marketing the United States as a vacation destination for people in other countries.   It is the second consecutive Congressional appropriation for international marketing of travel to America, according to the Travel Industry Association of America, which sent word of the approval to its members Monday.  

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Government Policy and User Demand Furthering Development of Wireless in China

China continues to be the world's fastest-growing telecommunications market. With a population of 1.3 billion and forward-thinking economic and regulatory policies, annual capital investment in China exceeds 200 billion RMB (about 24 billion US $), making its telecom market the center of the Asia Pacific region.  According to In-Stat/MDR (http://www.instat.com), stimulated by government policy and end-user demand, the development of wireless communications is an area of significant focus. While government scrutiny of foreign investment in China's wireless market remains tight, joint investment in infrastructure, services, and devices are very active.

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Development strategies, talent take center stage during upturn

Hotel development and acquisition strategies and the people who develop them are receiving more attention. Consequently, several hotel companies recently have tweaked their approach to growing their businesses. Wyndham International, Hawthorn Suites, InterContinental Hotels Group, Cendant Hotel Group and FelCor Lodging Trust have appointed new development executives over the last year. At the same time, revamped development strategies are sprouting up among franchisors' owners and developers, as they attempt to take advantage of improving industry conditions and exploit new growth possibilities. Seasoned veterans in this arena are of particular interest to those looking to make a move with their business development strategy.

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Hilton Joins Galileo's Best Available Rate Program

Hilton International properties are now featured on Galileo International's Best Available Rate program. Galileo-connected agents will now have access to the best available unrestricted rates at approximately 200 Hilton hotels in 70 countries.

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Kenya: Coast Tourism Boom Starts

More than 20,000 European tourists are expected every month up to April next year, according to tourism industry sources. The Kenya Association of Tour Operators (Kato) chairperson, Ms Tasneem Adamji, said yesterday that although Moi International Airport, Mombasa, was receiving an average of 20 weekly charter flights with more than 5,000 tourists, the numbers were set to increase. "We expect to receive between 20,000 and 22,000 tourists per month during this (northern) winter season if all charters operate at 100 per cent capacity," she said.

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Hotels: Down and Out - Pillow Menus

The latest addition to room service won't fill you up, but it'll bring the house down. Pillow menus, with free hypoallergenic and feathered offerings, are being fluffed out at upscale hotels.

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Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts to open new Hotel in Shenzhen

Shangri-La Futian, Shenzhen is one of the 25 additional hotels the group will open through 2007, to complement the current portfolio of 17 mainland China hotels, including the existing 553-room Shangri-La Hotel, Shenzhen.

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Pacific tourism industry to meet in Feb. 2005

European Union's Proinvest, a division of the Centre of the Development of Enterprises has taken an initiative to promote tourism in the Pacific region. A major partnership meeting between European union potential investors in the tourism industry and Pacific islanders had been set for February 1 to February 4 next year in Nadi, Fiji. The aim of the four-day meeting is to promote direct investment and technical and commercial partnerships in the tourism sector by enabling Pacific entrepreneurs to meet with, negotiate with and conclude partnership agreements with European Union and international investors.

More... [492 views]

U.S. Meetings market rebounding

A new survey of North American meeting planners reveals that fully 19 percent expect to book more off-site meetings in the year ahead.  The optimistic findings of the survey offer good news to the lodging industry and, in particular, destinations, hotels and resorts that rely on meetings and conventions as an important part of their visitor mix.

More... [741 views]

Top Hoteliers Take Their Job Personally

The post of general manager is the most prestigious job in the hotel industry -- all the more so in Moscow, which boasts one of the world's most expensive service sectors. The small number of hoteliers who have made it to the top here share an eye for detail, impeccable manners and a broad international outlook.

More... [1290 views]

New Thailand tourism campaign announced

The Tourism Authority of Thailand has made "Happiness on Earth" its marketing campaign, with the theme "Every Hour in Thailand is Happy Hour."

More... [620 views]

Singapore Tourism Sector Performance

This monthly fact sheet provides a summary of the key statistics on total visitor arrivals and information on the performance of Singapore's top-13 visitor-generating markets.  All comparisons made in this fact sheet are year-on-year comparisons. In order to provide meaningful comparisons and a feel for "true growth" in visitor arrivals and the hotel performance in Singapore, comparisons have been made with respect to pre-SARS performance of 2002, in addition to comparative data for 2003.

More... [649 views]

Grosvenor House Tipped To Become Dubai's Premier Lifestyle Address

Dubai’s hotel sector will have its first “lifestyle address” in 2005 with the addition of Grosvenor House West Marina Beach, Dubai by Le Meridien, according to general manager Pam Wilby.  Wilby expects the location to be as synonymous with style as Rue Faubourg in Paris, Park Lane in London and Fifth Avenue in New York when the Grosvenor House apartments come on the market in mid-April 2005 . She said: “We will be providing an “exclusive address; exclusive lifestyle” through our hotel and furnished butler-service apartments.

More... [644 views]

Wireless Subscribership Up in US

According to the Wireless Association's latest report, total cumulative capital investment in the industry in the US now stands at $156 billion.

The Wireless Association (CTIA) is in the business to promote the wireless industry, and if its new "Semi-Annual Wireless Industry Survey" is any indication, it's doing a good job of it.

Released at the CTIA Wireless and Entertainment 2004 exhibition in San Francisco, the survey found total wireless subscribership in the US increased by 14.5% — that represents a whopping increase of 21,401,569 users between June 2003 and June 2004. Total subscribership is now estimated to be more than 170 million.

More... [483 views]

Trump Hotels, Hurt by Debt, Files for Bankruptcy

Bondholders of Trump Hotels, which has lost money since its 1995 initial public offering, agreed to swap debt for equity, cash and new bonds to cut the company's annual interest expenses by $100 million. Trump Hotels plans to build a hotel tower at the Taj Mahal casino and will enter new markets to increase cash flow.

More... [764 views]

Top U.S. resort hotels ranking

The top U.S. resort hotels (and their 2003 rankings in parentheses), as determined by Andrew Harper's Hideaway Report, are listed here....

More... [1502 views]

What's the Deal With Hilton's CEO?

Stephen Bollenbach makes big things happen. With cash to spend, the company has Wall Street watching. He worked with Donald Trump — "I was the original Apprentice," Bollenbach jokes — negotiating debt-for-equity swaps with creditors in the early 1990s. Then, at Marriott International Inc., he engineered a financing strategy to split the company in two. After joining Walt Disney Co. in 1995, he orchestrated its acquisition of the ABC network.

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Hotels In India - Trends And Opportunity 2004

By Manav Thadini, HVS International.    Hotels In India - Trends And Opportunity 2004, confirms that hotels throughout India experienced 21.9% growth in RevPAR in 2003/04. Prepared and written by Manav Thadani and Deepika Malkani, the survey reports on a sample of mostly branded hotels.

More... [768 views]

Hotelier to triple empire

Chip Conley's Joie de Vivre Hospitality has inked a deal with English hotel giant InterContinental Hotels Group PLC that could triple the size of his boutique hotel chain. Under terms of the deal, Joie de Vivre will operate up to 50 new hotels over the next five years, all under the flag of a new 200-property boutique brand called Indigo. Joie de Vivre will operate some hotels under a management contract and may own and develop others. It will also receive a seven-figure sum to advise InterContinental in establishing the brand.

More... [717 views]

InterContinental Hotels Group Appoints Jan Smits As Chief Operating Officer For South Asia

InterContinental Hotels Group promotes Mr Jan Smits to Chief Operating Officer, South Asia. Mr Smits was previously the Regional Vice President of Operations for Australia and Papua New Guinea and was responsible for improving operations and performance, maximising the profitability of Group-managed, owned and leased hotels, as well as managing relationships with key partners. In his new role, he will lead the newly formed South Asia team to focus on heightening the growth potential of this region and to ensure that the hotels in this region have stronger delivery in revenue, operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. 

More... [793 views]

A very successful World Travel Market for Italy

This 25th edition of the World Travel has seen a higher and highly qualified Italian presence too : 20 regions and 54 personalised booths gathered under the “umbrella” of the Italian stand, which with its 1539 sqm is the largest of the exhibition. The heart of the Italian stand, Piazza Italia, acted as a meeting place for demand and offer and for the press conferences, like the one of the Apulia Region, crowded to bursting point by tour operators and journalists alike.

More... [564 views]

WTTC Launches New Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Statistics

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) today released the 2004 World Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Monitor. The new statistics reveal that Brazil and India are the most price competitive countries in terms of Travel & Tourism, while Norway is the most competitive in terms of social development for the second year running.

More... [962 views]

Tycoon Stanley Ho buys Pousada de Sao Tiago Hotel Macau

Tycoon Stanley Ho has acquired the 24-room Pousada de Sao Tiago Hotel in Macau, according to an industry source. Formerly a Portuguese fortress, it was turned to a five-star boutique hotel in 1981. The deal was made on November 3 with Florinda Hotels International for US$12 million. Pousada general manager, Mr Herbert Sossna, did not deny the deal and declined to disclose further transaction details

More... [870 views]

Asia Pacific News Roundup

Asia Pacific News Round Up - edited by HVS International...

More... [760 views]

Orbis to Build Cheap Hotel Chain

Poland's largest hotel chain operator Orbis, part of the French Accor group, is complaining that the weak euro and strong competition are biting into the company's profits. The answer lies in the building of a new cheap hotel chain next year.

More... [606 views]

AH&LA elects Steele as incoming Secretary/Trasurer

During the American Hotel & Lodging Association's (AH&LA) "Meeting for the Election of Officers," constituents elected a new secretary/treasurer to the association's board of directors. Robert L. Steele, III, general manager of Hyatt Regency Baltimore, was selected as the incoming officer and will serve as the association's second African-American chairman in 2007.

More... [450 views]

American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation Hosts First Annual Competition For Lodging High School Students

The American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation (AH&LEF), the not-for-profit affiliate of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA), is holding its inaugural Lodging Management Program (LMP) Competition, April 21–23, at the Best Western Lake Buena Vista Resort Hotel in Orlando, Fla. The three-day event allows outstanding high school students to demonstrate their knowledge and various skill sets needed for advancement within the U.S. lodging industry.

More... [467 views]

October arrivals to Cambodia doubled

Cambodian tourist arrivals for the month of October have risen by 52 per cent over last year, totalling 81,993 visitors. This brings 2004 arrivals up to 758,158, already surpassing the 701,014 arrivals during the entire year of 2003.

More... [538 views]

Market Metrix Announces Third Quarter 2004 Hospitality Index Results

Four Seasons, Midwest Airlines and Enterprise Rent-A-Car Take Top Industry Categories. Market Metrix, LLC, the leading provider of market research services for the hospitality industry, today announced results of the Market Metrix Hospitality Index (MMHI) for the third quarter of 2004. Four Seasons, Midwest Airlines and Enterprise Rent-A-Car ranked number one in hotel, airline and rental car industry customer satisfaction, respectively. While this is the first time for Midwest Airlines in the top spot, Four Seasons and Enterprise continue to dominate in their industry categories.

More... [513 views]

Hong Kong: Tourism worth trillions

Based on Hong Kong Tourism Board surveys, visitors from mainland China are pouring hundreds of billions of dollars into the economy.  The board reckons that last year, mainland tourists each spent an average of $ 6,018 during their stay. Given that 8.47 million passed through immigration counters and that the number will easily top 10 million this year, the financial benefits are staggering. Mainlanders tend to visit for four or five days, spending $ 1,252 each a day. About two-thirds of their money will be spent shopping, just under 10 per cent on a hotel and the rest on food, entertainment and other expenses. Those figures don't account for the trillions of dollars crossing the border to buy property and other investments and to take advantage of Hong Kong's low tax rates.

More... [671 views]

Chuan Spa - launching in Melbourne and Hong Kong

Chuan Spa is set to open in Melbourne and Hong Kong in the next two months, setting a new benchmark in destination spas in these cities.  Chuan Spa creates a sense of tranquility for both contemplation and inspiration based on the principles of the Chinese garden.  Chuan is the Chinese word for flowing water and is used to represent the source of life and the re-balancing of people's mind, body and soul.  Interiors of Chuan Spa are an elegant, contemporary interpretation on Chinese classical design. The subtle oriental tones reflect a serene sense of welcome and relaxation and the sight and sound of flowing water helps create a sense of sanctuary, peace and harmony.

More... [616 views]

Perspectives on the Road to Recovery U. S. Lodging Industry 2005

The Hospitality Research Group (HRG), the research affiliate of PKF Consulting, finds that in 2005, the typical hotel in the United States will achieve revenue levels comparable to those achieved during the last industry high water mark, which occurred in the late 1990s. However, because of escalating operating costs, a return to past peak levels of bottom line profitability will not occur until 2006 or 2007. “Significant attention has been given to the attractive recent gains in such top-line measures as occupancy, average daily rate (ADR), and Revenue per Available Room (RevPAR),” says R. Mark Woodworth, executive managing director of Atlanta-based The Hospitality Research Group, the research affiliate of PKF Consulting.

More... [520 views]

Hotels within Brazil's gateway cities compete to recover

Year-to-September 2004 results from the HotelBenchmark Survey by Deloitte show hotels in Brazil's two principal cities, Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, still have ground to recover before returning to the revenue per available room (revPAR) achieved during 2000. At the point of a much awaited turnaround, we review both Brazil's tourism industry and the latest hotel performance results.

More... [803 views]

SRS-WORLDHOTELS appoints E-Commerce Specialist as new Chief Marketing Officer

SRS-WORLDHOTELS has appointed e-commerce specialist Nicole Bernthaler as Chief Marketing Officer. In this newly created position, Bernthaler will be responsible for the company’s expanding e-commerce activities as well as heading its strategic and corporate marketing services. Nicole joins SRS-WORLHOTELS from lastminute.com, where she was Managing Director of their German operations.

More... [740 views]

HVS International Hotel Development Cost Survey 2004

HVS International has tracked hotel construction costs throughout the United States since 1976. In 2001, the survey introduced data for a larger range of hotel products, setting new baseline ranges for six lodging types: Economy/Budget Hotels, Midscale Hotels w/o F&B (without Food and Beverage), Extended-Stay Hotels, Midscale Hotels w/ F&B (with Food and Beverage), Full-Service Hotels, and Luxury Hotels and Independent Resorts. The 2004 hotel development survey reports updated per-room development costs for 2003.

More... [945 views]

Costs remain a challenge for Hilton - group profits up 19%

Hilton Group’s chief executive David Michels has told analysts that hotel costs – ‘staff, rates, energy, commission’ – remain a challenge in what is ‘the first year of a three-year recovery period’. He said that Hilton’s decisions to only distribute rooms through online agents who agree to its terms and conditions was an attempt to control the commission costs. 

More... [688 views]

U.S. Thanksgiving Travel Expected Above Pre-9/11 Levels for First Time

Traditionally, Thanksgiving marks the start of winter holiday travel, and increases in both air and auto travel are expected to make this a strong beginning to the season. AAA projects that 37.2 million Americans will take a trip of 50 miles or more from home this Thanksgiving holiday weekend. This is a 3.1 percent increase above the 36.1 million who traveled last year.

More... [433 views]

Thailand: Eight local hoteliers set up alliance

Gold group plots strategies to compete with large chains.  A group of eight Thai hotel operators has formed a business alliance aimed at exploring ways to compete against large hotel chains and attract more foreign tourists to Thailand, the managing director of Club Andaman Phuket said yesterday.Opas Netraumpai said the Gold Hotels Alliance would strive to develop new marketing strategies to promote uniform service standards among its members across the country.The alliance will develop marketing plans focusing on cost reduction through human resources, he said, and facilitate a marketing network to strengthen the competitiveness of small Thai hotels.

More... [636 views]

Idonesia tourism won't benefit from visa policy

It is welcoming news to see that our new State Minister of Culture and Tourism Jero Wacik is looking at extending the number of countries whose tourists will be eligible for a visa on arrival, albeit a visa that costs US$25 and is only valid for 30 days. Jero says he is undertaking a survey of major entry points to see what needs to be done to improve the performance of Indonesia's queue-up-and-pay visa policy.

More... [572 views]

Pacific International's parent snaps up Plaza Hotels Australia

Travel Holdings Limited, the parent company of apartment hotel network Pacific International, has acquired Plaza Hotels Australia, a hotel marketing and management business based in Brisbane.

More... [570 views]

2004 Toy Wonders: The Business Traveler

It's fortunate that techno-lust is not on the list of the Seven Deadly Sins, because the tech toys on the following pages could doom even a Luddite to perdition. Our tech guru, Peter Lewis, has rounded up the season's newest and best digital delights, ranging from PCs to plasmas to portable satellite radios. To make it easier to find just the right bling thing for that special someone on your holiday shopping list, we've divided the gear to fit specific interests: music aficionado, business traveler, couch potato, gamer, and digital photographer.

More... [597 views]

HSMAI Polling Senior Executives in the Hospitality and Travel Industry to Select 25 Extraordinary Minds in Hospitality Sales and Marketing

Who would you nominate as the most extraordinary sales and marketers of hospitality and travel today?  Whose strategies are truly innovative and clever?  Whose campaigns are standouts?  Who gets results?  Whose work do you wish was yours?  What unique things have you seen this year? The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) is polling senior executives in the hospitality and travel marketplace in a quest to select the second annual “25 Extraordinary Minds in Hospitality Sales and Marketing.”

More... [611 views]

Expedia Gives Individual Travelers Business Travel Aid

Expedia Corporate Travel has implemented Expedia Business Advantage, a program that gives business travelers access to inventory, rates, and travel support at no membership cost

More... [671 views]

Four percent decline in Florida tourism from recent hurricanes

The four hurricanes that hit Florida in August and September caused a slight dip in tourism, officials said Tuesday. The drop was caused by a decrease in domestic visitors -- tourists from outside the United States actually increased, according to preliminary figures released by Visit Florida.

More... [631 views]

Regent re-enters Bangkok

The Regent name is making a comeback in Bangkok. Carlson Hotels Asia-Pacific and Grand Asset Public Co Ltd have signed an agreement for a new-build Regent on Sukhumvit Road to open in late 2006/early 2007. The Regent name disappeared from Bangkok when the hotel was rebranded the current Four Seasons. A jubilant Carlson Hotels Asia-Pacific chief, Mr Paul Kirwin, said: “One of our principal strategies is to revive the growth of the Regent brand. This is the fourth we’ve signed signed this year, I feel good about the progress. We’re excited to bring it back to Bangkok and to work with a strong and experienced development company such as Grand Asset.”

More... [614 views]

European travel websites provide lower fares than US ones – but consumers still need to be vigilant

An innovative international investigation into cross-border shopping for online airfares has revealed that European travel sites are better at providing lower fares  than US-based sites, and that sister travel sites - such as Expedia, Opodo and Travelocity - vary widely from country to country. The testing, the first of its kind, was carried out by Consumer Reports Webwatch, a US organisation, together with Consumers International and consumer groups in Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands and the UK. Complete survey findings from the report, `A Cross-Border Examination of 20 Travel Web Sites Selling International Airline Tickets in the United States and Six Western European Countries’, can be found at Consumer Reports Webwatch`s website.

More... [613 views]

Chairman of the Oberoi Group, PRS Oberoi CNN's TalkAsia interview transcript

Airdate: November 13th, 2004

Lorraine (under VO): This week on TalkAsia: A legendary hotelier who's family name is synonymous with sumptuous luxury and refined service. This, is TalkAsia.

Lorraine (on cam): Welcome to TalkAsia. I'm Lorraine Hahn. Our guest this week is Chairman of the Oberoi Group, P.R.S. Oberoi.

(Under VO) Inheriting a hotel business is all well and good. But how to not only maintain-but ensure its growth, competitive edge, and unique spirit is a whole different ball game. And at 74, Mister Oberoi has done just that. It all began when Mister Oberoi's father mortgaged all his assets, including his wife's jewelry, and proudly opened his first hotel The Clarkes in Shimla, India in 1934. His corporate mantra: "I don't want to be the biggest, but the best". P.R.S Oberoi has taken that motto to heart. For the past two decades, he's spearheaded expansion in strategic, exotic locations across Asia and Africa, while diversifying the group's portfolio. Its signature properties are winning multiple industry awards, and gaining critical acclaim. Today, the group owns and operates over 30 hotels across Asia, Africa and the Middle East under the "Oberoi" and "Trident" brands.

Lorraine (on cam): I recently spent some time with Mr. Oberoi at his Amarvilas property in Agra, India. I began by asking if he some times feels the presence of his late father in their hotels?

(PRSO) Well my father started the business in 1930, and he had a tough start, he came from a very ordinary family to do a job in a hotel. The Hall porters, as they were called in those days, wouldn't let him in -- this was in Shimla -- so eventually he found out what time the general manager came out and he went to the general manager and said "I'll do whatever you want me to do" so this was his first job in the hotel. Eventually the same general manager my father employed him (LH: Really?! PRSO: Yes) a couple of years later.

(LH) Now your father, obviously, developed a wealth of experience through his work during his time, but what about you -- where did you pick up your first taste of the hotel business?

(PRSO) Well, we never had a house until I was about 30 until I got married -- we all lived in hotels. So it was our life. So, when I went abroad to study, I knew a lot about the hotel business than the others.

(LH) What was it like growing up, let's say, in a hotel?

(PRSO) Well, very comfortable! (LH: Yes, very pampered!) And very nice, in a way. But, hotel life for children is not very nice. You have to be disciplined, you can't make a noise, and you have to behave yourself.

(LH) Mr. Oberoi under your leadership, the Oberoi has established multiple properties in various locations -- exotic locations. What was behind that strategy?

(PRSO) The strategy was -- let's take India for example -- we had hotels and others had nice hotels in principle cities, but if you went to say Jaipur, Udaipur, here in Agra where we are now, you didn't have good hotels. I used to travel a lot, and used to see, I said if a person comes here, what would he say? So I -- we -- decided to build hotels in these -- in Agra, Jaipur, Ranthambore which is the tiger reserve-here in Agra -- then abroad to Mauritius and Egypt. So that was the idea to build deluxe hotels where people could really be comfortable and have international standards.

(LH) So you chose, let's say, the locations because they were unique?

(PRSO) They weren't unique, they were frequently -- frequented -- often by visitors and they were very exotic locations.

More... [1205 views]

Hotel performance explodes in Vietnam

Vietnam, a country rich in cultural heritage and history continues to lure tourists from all corners of the globe. The country's stable political and economic conditions, combined with a number of government initiatives are making the country an attractive destination for both tourists and investors. According to the HotelBenchmark Survey by Deloitte year-to-September 2004 figures show that both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh have seen significantly stronger growth in revenue per available room (revPAR) than South-East Asia as a whole when compared to the same period in 2000.

More... [664 views]

5 Star vs 5 Diamond: What’s the Difference?

Mobil has just released its Five Star hotel ratings for 2005; AAA promptly followed with its 2005 Five Diamond nominations.  What  is the difference between a Mobil Five Star rating and the AAA Five Diamond award?  The more pertinent question might be “Is there a difference?”. 

More... [2108 views]

News @ PATA

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

More... [582 views]

Hilton CEO makes millions selling stock

Hilton Hotels Corp.  reported Tuesday that its co-chairman and chief executive officer had made more than $20 million cashing in stock options. Stephen Bollenbach sold 1.283 million shares of Hilton stock at $20.06 each, cashing in stock options from 1998, plus another 725,484 shares of Hilton stock at $20.7022, cashing in stock options from 2 003.

More... [696 views]

AFM Hospitality acquires Boutique Hotels & Resorts International(R)

AFM Hospitality Corporation (TSX:AFM) today announced that it has acquired substantially all of the assets of Boutique Hotels & Resorts International(R) based in Miami, Florida. The transaction closed on November 15, 2004. AFM completed the transaction primarily for cash and other consideration through two new U.S. subsidiaries, AFM BHRI (USA) Inc. and AFM IP Holdings Inc. Both will part of the new AFM Premier Alliances Group to be headed by Boutique founder Martin Buehler. 

More... [637 views]

London hoteliers agree Olympic price cap

The Independent reports that an agreement by hotel groups to cap room rates in London during the 2012 Olympic Games forms part of the capital’s bid to stage the event. The agreement, which was included in London’s 600-page ‘candidate file’ submitted to the International Olympic Committee yesterday, would see participating hotels charge no more during the Games than their 2004 room rates adjusted for inflation over the next eight years. The IOC is expected to announce the winning host city in July 2005.

More... [578 views]

Best Western completes order for High-Speed internet service

Best Western has reached a milestone within the hotel industry, bringing free high-speed Internet access (HSIA) to its North American properties in less than a year. Nearly 2,400 Best Western hotels now offer the service -- 95 percent of the chain's membership across the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. In just eight months from the company's aggressive program launch, Best Western's 29-person Information Services Team logged more than 40,000 hours on the project, coordinating and tracking each property's installation efforts through to completion.

More... [539 views]

The Landmark, Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong appoints Impact Asia to handle pre-opening PR campaign

Ms. Susanne Hatje, General Manager of The Landmark, Mandarin Oriental has appointed travel industry specialists, Impact Asia, to handle media and public relations activities for the new hotel which is slated to open in the third quarter of next year.   The ultra-chic luxury hotel, located in the prestigious Landmark shopping complex, will offer 113 elegant guestrooms and suites (the largest average room size of any city hotel in Asia), highly sophisticated entertainment systems and communication technology delivered via broadband Internet networks. 

More... [795 views]

NH Hoteles To Invest $8.0 Mln in Hotel Expansion in Argentina

Spanish based hotel chain NH Hoteles plans to invest $8.0 mln (6.19 mln euro) in the expansion and modernisation of its hotel City in Argentina's capital Buenos Aires, the company said in a statement on November 15, 2004. City hotel will increased number of rooms to 371, from currently 68, through the construction of a new tower to the hotel, and the project is expected to be completed in November 2005.

More... [492 views]

IH/M&RS Gold Key Awards for Excellence in Hospitality Design

Eight grand prize winners were honored at the 24th annual IH/M&RS Gold Key Awards for Excellence in Hospitality Design, November 15, 2004, at New York City’s W Hotel.  In connection with the program’s new sponsors, Interior Design magazine and HOTELS magazine, the event featured new and updated categories as well as the presentation of two industry Awards, “Designer of the Year” and the NEWH “Icons of Industry” Scholarship.

More... [657 views]

Dining Downunder™ Chefs Pack for Phuket

Two Australian Chefs, Vic Cherikoff and Benjamin Christie from the popular TV series, Dining Downunder™ will be cooking at the Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket from the 27th November – 1st December, showcasing an exciting menu of Australian fusion dishes, with the innovative native flavours of Australia. 

More... [572 views]

Location is key feature of new Kuwait hotel

A central location in Kuwait City and a new concept in personalised services are among the unique selling points (USPs) of Le Meridien Tower according to Hannes Yaghi, country manager for Le Meridien Hotels and Resorts in Kuwait. Yaghi acknowledged that no hotel would succeed in attracting customers if it was not in the area where visitors wanted to be. “The three essentials of the hotel industry according to the old maxim still hold – location, location, location – and no operator should ever expect to dictate to his potential guests but rather cater to their requirements.

More... [487 views]

A look back at this year’s World Travel Market

 The 25th World Travel Market (WTM) has been rated best ever with a record number of trade professionals attending.  More than 190 countries participated with over 5,000 exhibitors taking stands in the ultra modern ExCel complex in London's Docklands.In the first three days of WTM there were 42,300 attendee, an increase of two percent on attendance al WTM 2003. Overseas visitors jumped by 11 percent year on year, and this year saw the biggest ever numbers of travel journalists and media operators present to report news from the event.`

More... [626 views]

George V in Paris Takes Top Honors in Institutional Investor magazine's Survey of the World's Best Hotels

When Saudi prince Al-Walid bin Talal bin Abdul Aziz bought the George V in Paris, in 1996, he declared that it was 'simply the best hotel in the world.'
Eight years later, the refurbished hotel, managed by Four Seasons Hotels under a 99-year contract, is the top choice of a high-powered panel of senior corporate and financial executives surveyed by Institutional Investor magazine for its 24th annual ranking of the World’s Best Hotels. The Four Seasons George V, which features a restaurant with three Michelin Guide stars and charges $850 per night for a room, rises from 11th in last year’s ranking.

More... [990 views]

Consumers Respond Favorably to E-Mail Marketing

A study by IPT finds that e-mail is challenging television's position as the dominant form of marketing. Research conducted by IPT in August and September 2004 indicates that consumers are showing a more favorable opinion of e-mail marketing compared to TV advertising. When asked to pick the most effective marketing communication channel, 32% of consumers say e-mail, not far behind the 39% that choose television. With the majority of respondents choosing to receive their messages at home in the evening, the report claims, "e-mail is fast encroaching on TV's territory as the king of promotion."

More... [619 views]

WTTC Launches New Travel & Tourism competitiveness

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) released the 2004 World Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Monitor . The new statistics reveal that Brazil and India are the most price competitive countries in terms of Travel & Tourism, while Norway is the most competitive in terms of social development for the second year running.

More... [675 views]

PKF - More Hotel Industry Profits Expected In 2005

Focus Now on Controlling Expense Growth Strong Transaction Activity to Continue. The Hospitality Research Group (HRG), the research affiliate of PKF Consulting, finds that in 2005, the typical hotel in the United States will achieve revenue levels comparable to those achieved during the last industry high water mark, which occurred in the late 1990s. However, because of escalating operating costs, a return to past peak levels of bottom line profitability will not occur until 2006 or 2007.

More... [568 views]

Why Customer Marketing Fails

You've been reading about it for at least 10 years. It goes by many names: customer marketing, relationship marketing, one-to-one marketing. Place the customer in the center, and focus your marketing programs on delivering what the customer wants, when the customer wants it. It all makes sense. It's how most of us like to be treated when we give a company our business. And when done right, it can affect loyalty and increase share of wallet.

More... [1224 views]

5th Worldwide Hospitality Awards… and the winners are …

In the presence of Mr. Gilles de Robien, French Minister for Transportation, Housing, Tourism and Maritime Affairs , surrounded by nearly 600 managers and partners of the hotel industry, the award ceremony of the 2004 Worldwide Hospitality Awards took place on November 8th, at the Hilton Paris Eiffel Tower Hotel. It was chaired by David Michels, Chief Executive Officer of the Hilton Group, and Kurt Ritter, President & CEO, of Rezidor SAS Hospitality

More... [1108 views]

Hotels, airlines buy top billing on Web

Bias is increasingly creeping into travel agency computers, and as a result, it’s getting tougher for customers to easily spot the best prices. Travel sites such as Expedia, Travelocity and Orbitz cut special deals with particular hotels and airlines and push those offerings on their displays.The same thing is beginning to happen with the computerized reservations systems, including the widely used Sabre Holdings Corp. system that traditional travel agents use.

More... [619 views]

Thailand: Tourism ministry plans to attract more foreign tourists

The Tourism and Sports Ministry will implement an aggressive strategy to attract more foreign tourist arrivals  who now avoid visiting Thailand`s southern border region due to an ongoing violence in the region since early this year, according to Tourism and Sports Minister Sontaya Kunplome.
The minister said on Saturday that the ministry has joint hands with the World Tourism Organization to draw the strategy, aimed to put the country`s deep South on the world`s tourism map.

More... [607 views]

Hilton wins environmental award

The Hilton UK & Ireland Environmental Sustainability Training Programme has been picked from over 750 worldwide initiatives for a `Highly Commended` Award  at the Responsible Tourism Awards 2004. The distinction was collected by Craig Gardner, head of Hilton`s Environmental Task Force, at a ceremony held on Wednesday 10 November at the World Travel Market in London.

More... [581 views]

Wi-Fi enabled lodging Hotel chains adding wireless connections, some at a price

Reading e-mail and surfing the Internet via high-speed wireless connections is growing more widespread in U.S. hotels, but prices vary widely and not every chain offers connections just yet. In a survey of U.S. hotels, CBS MarketWatch found most chains offer regular high-speed access via wired Ethernet connections. Yet more and more are adding "Wi-Fi" -- short for wireless fidelity -- in common areas such as lobbies and even in guest rooms.

Some ritzy chains charge as much as $10 for one day of high-speed use, but hotel operators are moving toward a "free" business model, especially smaller upscale hoteliers and large mid-priced brands. "It's the must-have amenity," said John Yunker, president of Byte Level Research, who's written extensively about high-speed access in the hotel industry.

More... [750 views]

Australia - Record September for Overseas Visitors

More than 395,000 overseas visitors arrived in Australia during September, marking a record for that month, the Australian Tourism Export Council reported today. Managing Director of the nation's peak industry body representing Australia's $17 billion tourism export industry, Peter Shelley, said the Overseas Arrivals and Departures figures for September, released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, showed that the industry continued on its steady growth path following three years of negative growth.

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IHG continues to expand its presence in Mexico with the signing of its 100th franchise agreement

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), announces it has signed its 100th franchise agreement in Mexico  and is continuing to expand its presence. “IHG’s growth is in direct response to Mexico’s increasing appeal as a tourist destination,” said Kirk Kinsell, SVP, Americas Franchise and Business Development, IHG. “2004 studies have shown that Mexico is seeing an increase in International travel (+ 11%) and in the first five months foreign visitors spent $4.7 billion in the country.”

More... [614 views]

Australia welcomes surge in tourism

More than 395,000 overseas visitors arrived in Australia during September, marking a record for that month, the Australian Tourism Export Council reported Sunday. Managing Director of the nation's peak industry body representing Australia's $17 billion tourism export industry, Peter Shelley, said the Overseas Arrivals and Departures figures for September, released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, showed that the industry continued on its steady growth path following three years of negative growth.

More... [507 views]

Highest award for Hotel Le Palais in Prague

The Hotel Le Palais is one of only 3 hotels worldwide awarded with the „Leaders Club Guest Recognition Award – Highest Achievement 2004“ .  

The „Leaders Club Guest Recognition Award“, is awarded by The Leading Hotels of The World to only 3 hotels and bases on positive comments of  sophisticated “Leaders Club”, which joins the exclusive guests of the “The Leading Hotels of the World”. The Leading Hotels of The World consist of 425 excellent hotels worldwide. 

More... [616 views]

www.goldentulip.com now life in Chinese, Spanish and Portugese, totalling 9 languages

Golden Tulip Hotels, Inns & Resorts is proud to announce that it now offers its website www.goldentulip.com in three additional languages: Portuguese, Spanish and Chinese (Mandarin). www.goldentulip.com was already available in English, Dutch, Danish, French, German and Italian.  

More... [615 views]

Commercial Real Estate: Hotels are hot, but strip malls are not

What's hot? What's not? Among commercial properties, full- service hotels will be the hottest real estate type going into 2005, according to a report released earlier this month by Urban Land Institute and PricewaterhouseCoopers. Commodity offices, mean- while, are seen as out of favor. "Hotels are back," said Peter Korpacz, director of PricewaterhouseCoopers' Global Strategic Real Estate Research Practice and one of the principal researchers of the "Emerging Trends in Real Estate" report. Behind the strength, leisure travel has escalated to record levels and business travel is bouncing back.

More... [775 views]

Second Ritz-Carlton in Hong Kong

The Ritz-Carlton has plans for a second Hong Kong property, to be located above Kowloon Station, according to reliable sources. Advanced talks between owner Sun Hung Kai Properties and the US-based upmarket chain are said to be concluding over terms of a management contract. These could not be immediately confirmed.

More... [687 views]

Hard Rock Hotel and Sol Melia Announce Europe's First Hard Rock Hotel in Madrid

Hard Rock International and Sol Melia Hotels and Resorts today announced that their joint-venture company, Lifestar Hoteles Espana S.L., will manage Europe’s first Hard Rock Hotel in Madrid. The 201-room Tryp Reina Victoria Hotel, which is held by Sol Melia under a long-term lease, is in the heart of Madrid’s old city in the western end of the pedestrianized Plaza de Santa Ana. The hotel will undergo an extensive refurbishment to commence immediately, following which it will be re-branded the Hard Rock Hotel Madrid. The refurbishment will not compromise the facade of the building, representative of Madrid’s urbanism.

More... [906 views]

The 2004 IH/M&RS Editors' Choice Awards Presented to Six Companies; Rational Cooking Systems Voted “Best of Show”

The ninth annual Editors’ Choice Awards were presented to six winners, along with the Kenneth F. Hine award for “Best of Show”, during the opening ceremony of the International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show® (IH/M&RS), at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Editors from the top hospitality and culinary trade publications reviewed more than 130 submissions and selected outstanding new products in six categories: Décor, Flavors, Restaurant, Technology, Essentials and Luxury. 

More... [509 views]

Starwood Hotels Launches New One-Stop Vacation Planning Tool

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) announced today a new "one-stop" shop vacation-planning tool. SPG Vacations allows guests to easily create their own customized travel package, complete with hotel, airfare, car rental and destination activities at Starwood's St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, Sheraton, Westin, Four Points by Sheraton and W hotels around the globe

More... [867 views]

Bangkok's Sukhothai voted 2nd best in world

Only Paris’ George V fares better in magazine’s survey of top executives.  Bangkok’s Sukhothai hotel ranks second in this year’s listing of the world’s best hotels, according to the results of a survey of senior corporate and financial executives by Institutional Investor magazine. A high-powered panel of executives surveyed by the New York-based magazine put Sukhothai second only to the Four Seasons George V in Paris.

More... [867 views]

Touchscreens offer hoteliers advantages

Longer life, reduced cost of ownership, shorter or no downtime, resistance to damage and an expanded reach are key assets of the latest touch-screen point-of-sale monitors. While their prime lodging presence is in hotel restaurants, these devices also are helping in other areas, according to vendors who said their units can do more, last longer and increase the efficiencies of their customers' operations.

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Surprise and Delight

In the world of human being’s, ‘creative interface’ refers to the way in which we relate to one another. We long for connection with each other, yet the business world offers ‘anonymous transaction modes’. No one knows our name. No one gives a hoot about how we’re feeling. We’re a dime a dozen. It’s what makes couponing so pernicious. Every Sunday in most newspapers, millions of pieces of coupons are stuck, most of which say, “I’m not worth my regular, retail price.” These ‘$5 off’ or ‘Buy one, get one’ little bits of addictive junk marketing go out to millions of faceless consumers who come in at inconvenient times and won’t come back unless you buy their patronage again.  

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Americans still top RP visitors despite travel ban

Americans have remained the country’s top tourists despite a US government warning that travel to the Philippines could be dangerous. Tourism Secretary Joseph Durano said 352,132 Americans visited the country from January to September, representing 20.9 percent of the total international arrivals this year. "The increase in arrivals, especially from American nationals clearly proved that the perception of the Philippines as a dangerous destination for tourists is untrue," he said.

More... [495 views]

Prison could become luxury hotel

Liverpool's Bridewell prison has not had residents since 2000, but now it awaits guests of a different kind. It has been put up for sale with a possible future as a luxury hotel or flats. For £600,000, purchasers will acquire the Grade II-listed building, offices and utility rooms. What distinguishes it as a property portfolio, though, are the 45 cells, described in the brochure as being with "absolute minimum decoration".

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Inventing a new Telecom Wheel

“Do we convert the Internet into a big black telephone only because we are too lazy or not intellectually creative enough to do something other than just export what we are used to?” - Michael Powell, Chairman, FCC (Aspen Summit - The Future of the Internet, August 2004) Are we lazy or creatively challenged?  Certainly not!  We are however in a tempest of disruptive technology and economic change.  Hurricane VoIP has swept through the telecom industry, shaking the foundations of everything we know.  In the confusion of these changes, some are feverishly trying to mimic a legacy system using VoIP.  However, we need to invent new solutions that take advantage of the capabilities offered by this technology – we need to invent a new telecom wheel. 

More... [538 views]

Peter Strebel Promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Cendant Corporation’s Hotel Group

Cendant Corporation’s Hotel Group today announced the promotion of Peter Strebel, a 22-year lodging veteran, to executive vice president and chief marketing officer. Strebel, who formerly served the Hotel Group as senior vice president, sales and marketing, will be responsible for the marketing of Cendant’s eight franchised hotel brands as well as strategic planning, market research, promotions, sales, the TripRewards loyalty program, distribution through all channels and communications.

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Global Staff Movements - Who is In and Who is Out

For this month's popular update on international staff movements, Click Here
Eidted by Benoit Gateau-Cumin, President, The Boutique Search Firm.

Hilton Group to sell U.K. hotels

Hilton Group, the operator of Hilton hotels outside the United States, is selling about a dozen of its British hotels as it focuses on the country's main cities. Hilton, which owns 77 hotels in Britain, already has made four of the disposals. On Monday, it will tell employees at the others being put up for sale, said a spokesman for Hilton, Alex Pagett.

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Aggregators: Changing the way consumers book travel online

A new breed of travel sites is making airfare, hotel and car rental searches easier, and more objective. For many travelers, booking a vacation online is like going on a virtual scavenger hunt. They pick up a hotel at one site, search two others for a good airfare, and then turn to two more to compare rental car costs. Phocus Wright, an industry research organization, estimates that consumers check an average of three websites before ever making a booking.

More... [1250 views]

AOL moving into online travel - Signs multiyear partnership with Kayak Software

AOL said Friday that it signed a multiyear marketing and technology partnership with Kayak Software to build its own site to enter the big business of online travel. The companies will join forces to create a Web-based travel search property, which will be powered by Kayak's travel search engine and will complement AOL's existing offerings.AOL, a unit of Time Warner , appears to be partnering with the right folks for its online-travel launch, set for some time in 2005.

More... [517 views]

Hotel companies' pushing of brand sites leads to meteoric growth in bookings

The rapid growth of the number of reservations made through the Internet continues as hotel companies try to drive more traffic to their own Web sites.  There is a definite trend among travel suppliers—hoteliers, rental car companies and airlines—to book through their own branded Web sites," said Henry Harteveldt, v.p. of airline and travel research for Forrester Research. "They are cheaper for hotels to process than reservations made through call centers."

More... [1370 views]

Luxury hotel boom in China

Premium hotels are opening all over Shanghai, Beijing and other Chinese cities as Ritz-Carlton, Hyatt, Starwood and other companies pour billions of dollars into expansion. Others are opening motels to serve a market that didn't exist five years ago — Chinese travelers with their own cars.

More... [903 views]

Regent International Hotels to lead Carlson Hotels Asia Pacific expansion in China

Following on extremely positive economic forecasts for the Asia Pacific region, global hotelier Carlson Hotels Worldwide plans to add 15 hotels to its Asia Pacific portfolio by early 2006. Carlson Hotels Asia Pacific, the Singapore-based regional operation for Carlson Hotels Worldwide, plans to aggressively increase the number of hotels across its five brands with its luxury brand, Regent International Hotels, leading the way.

More... [775 views]

Unique, Unusual, and Not-to-be-missed - Fodor's Choice Hotels 2005

Fodor's List Answers the Question - What Really Makes a Hotel the Best?  When asked to name the world's best hotels, travelers almost reflexively name the world's most expensive lodgings.  One can hardly begrudge the status and grandeur of the world's Four Seasons and Ritz Carltons, but does being luxurious necessarily make a hotel the best?  Or the best choice for you?

More... [793 views]

A look back at this year’s World Travel Market

The 25th World Travel Market (WTM) has been rated best ever with a record number of trade professionals attending.  More than 190 countries participated with over 5,000 exhibitors taking stands in the ultra modern ExCel complex in London's Docklands. In the first three days of WTM there were 42,300 attendee, an increase of two percent on attendance al WTM 2003. Overseas visitors jumped by 11 percent year on year, and this year saw the biggest ever numbers of travel journalists and media operators present to report news from the event.`

More... [548 views]

Sol Melia's Q3 net profit 27% ahead

Sol Melia claims to have outperformed its rival in both the Spanish resort and city market during the summer, with even the Canaries seeing an improvement. It has lifted Q3 revPAR by 4% in the resort hotels, thanks to a positive performance in the Balearics and Costa Blanca. The Canaries have seen visitor numbers increase.Sol Melia said that its results in resorts were in excess of its competitors.

More... [532 views]

Hawaii hotel occupancy 65.4%

Hawaii hotels were almost two-thirds full during the seven days from Oct. 31 through Nov. 6, and room rates averaged 5 percent more than they did this time last year.

More... [473 views]

Educational Institute announces new Training and Education Advisory Council

A new Training and Education Advisory Council has been established to assist the Educational Institute in its development of targeted training resources for the hospitality industry, announced Anthony Farris, CHA, chairman of the board of directors of the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation at a board meeting held Saturday, November 13,  during the AH&LA Fall Conference.

More... [499 views]

Portfolio Hotels and Resorts launches as new Management and Consulting company

In line with the hospitality industry’s cell-splitting process of growing new companies,  Coastal Hotel Group’s founders Helmut Horn and Graham Hershman , together with Coastal’s former Vice President of Marketing, Ralph Aruzza, have formed Portfolio Hotels and Resorts.  Portfolio’s new DNA will undoubtedly showcase the trio’s industry recognized abilities, skillfully managing to significantly enhance value within narrow timeframes and tight budgets

More... [633 views]

Hyatt International Appoints Six to Executive Posts

Mr. Bernd Chorengel, president of Hyatt International Corporation, announced the appointment of six senior management appointments....

More... [1525 views]

Mary Gostelow launches WOWTRAVELER.NET

The truly global online magazine for the discerning luxury traveler. WOW Traveler, a new, constantly changing consumer advocate online magazine that is dedicated to work with the luxury sector of hospitality, targets sophisticated luxury travelers worldwide and guides them to suppliers' own sites. Most importantly, WOWtraveler.net helps travelers find WOW experiences that are tailor-made for them.  WOW Traveler is the brainchild of Mary Gostelow who has long been established as arguably the leading authority on best hotels and experiences around the world. As a traveller on the road over 300 days a year, she knows what she is talking about - from Addis Ababa to Vladivostok.  

More... [1316 views]

Whitbread agrees sale of its Courtyard By Marriott business

Whitbread PLC announced today that it has exchanged contracts for the sale of its group of Courtyard by Marriott hotels for #79 million.  The property assets have been purchased by a company formed by a syndicate of private investors, brought together by Chiltern Mondiale. The assets will be leased to a company in the Kew Green Hotels Group, which will run the hotels under the Courtyard by Marriott brand, through a franchise agreement with Marriott International

More... [581 views]

Responsible tourism on the up

World Travel Market`s initiatives over responsible tourism have received a huge vote of endorsement . This industry backing came at Wednesday`s best-ever attended debate on the subject.A show-of-hands vote produced 90 per cent agreement among 200-plus delegates that the effort is worthwhile and making progress. Costas Christ, executive director of Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce, in Maine, USA, said:

More... [546 views]

Cendant Hotel Group to Offer Group Rates Online

Cendant Corp.'s Hotel Group today said it has signed an agreement with Group Travel Planet LLC, a leading online group travel booking company, to offer special rates online for group travel planners and tour operators. Discounted group inventory will be offered for participating Super 8®, Days Inn®, Ramada®, Travelodge®, Howard Johnson®, Knights Inn®, Wingate Inn® and AmeriHost Inn® franchised hotels through Group Travel Planet?s GroupTravelPlanet.com and CoachQuote.com® Web sites.

More... [544 views]

5th Global Travel & Tourism Summit Launch: travel & tourism offers huge potential says panel of industry leaders

At an event to launch the 5th Global Travel & Tourism Summit, which will take place from April 8-10, 2005 in New Delhi, India , a panel of industry leaders all pointed to the huge potential offered by the industry. The panel discussion, which took place at the World Travel Market in London, was moderated by television journalist Gwenan Edwards and covered issues ranging from open skies policy to the new dot-travel initiative.

More... [511 views]

Meetings & Conventions Economic Impact on Hotel and Airline Industry Significant

October and November are the most popular months for trade associations and other non-profit organizations to hold meetings and combine to bring in nearly $8 billion in revenue to the hotel, convention airline and food/beverage industries.

More... [676 views]

Hospitality eBusiness Strategies Renews and Expands Consulting Services for Historic Hotels of America®

Hospitality eBusiness Strategies (HeBS), a leading Internet Distribution and Marketing consulting firm for the hospitality industry, and National Trust Historic Hotels of America (HHA), today announced renewal and expansion of their strategic consulting services agreement.

More... [487 views]

Singapore: STB advisory council favours building of casino complex

A 17-member advisory council to the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), which held a two-day meeting here last week, has 'unanimously supported' the development of an integrated casino facility, the STB said in a statement yesterday. 'The members of the International Advisory Council for Tourism (IACT) unanimously supported the development of an integrated resort housing facilities for gaming, conventions, entertainment, luxury hotel, F&B and retail outlets,' the STB said.

More... [600 views]

Hilton Extends Contract of Co-Chairman, CEO Bollenbach

The Board of Directors of Hilton Hotels Corporation (NYSE:HLT) today announced that the employment agreement of Stephen F. Bollenbach, co-chairman and chief executive officer, has been extended through December 31, 2007. "Together with our excellent management team and our 70,000 team members, we have achieved many significant goals and implemented programs over the past eight years that have made Hilton a bigger, better and more valuable company for our customers, franchisees and shareholders. I am delighted to continue my employment with Hilton through year-end 2007. That will take me through age 65, at which time it would be my intention to retire."

More... [506 views]

Britain outperform European competition with international visitor rise

Latest inbound tourism figures released today for the three months to September 2004 show the best ever recorded July to September period in terms of visits , VisitBritain said today. The latest figures echo reports from the World Tourism Organisation (WTO), which show that the UK is significantly outperforming other Western and Northern European countries in terms of the growth in the number of visitors.

More... [516 views]

D.C.’s The Jefferson, a Loews Hotel Offers Million Dollar Inauguration Package

The Jefferson, a Loews Hotel in Washington, D.C. is offering an exclusive $1,000,000 Inauguration package available January 17-22.  While the nation’s president is getting settled in for four more years in the White House, one million-dollar couple will be luxuriating just four blocks away in The Jefferson Hotel’s Presidential Suite.  This five-night package boasts a dual-city itinerary, private jet, limousine and butler service, tickets to an inaugural event, couture fashions, and a private tour of the “Jacqueline Kennedy: The White House Years” exhibit. 

More... [598 views]

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Increases Its Presence on Hainan Island with the Signing of Sheraton Haikou Resort

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.  and Hainan Hua Neng Hai Bin Industrial Development Co. Ltd. have announced an agreement for Starwood to manage the Sheraton Haikou Resort, located in Haikou, the capital of Hainan Island, China. The newly built Sheraton Haikou Resort is scheduled to open in late 2005. The Sheraton Haikou Resort, together with the 2003 opening of the Sheraton Sanya Resort on the southern tip of the island, further increases the brand's presence on Hainan Island.

More... [637 views]

Hotel Investments: A Guide for Lenders and Owners

By Steve Rushmore , HVS International. Hotel Investments: A Guide for Lenders and Owners describes the process of making sound hotel investments.

More... [1142 views]

Sol Kerzner Named Hotelier of the World; Chairman of Kerzner International Honored by HOTELS Magazine For Development of Unique Themed Resorts and Distinctive Luxury Properties

Sol Kerzner, Chairman of the Board of Kerzner International, has been named Corporate Hotelier of the World by HOTELS magazine. He was recognized for his role as a leading developer and operator of groundbreaking destination resorts, casinos and luxury hotels in Mauritius, Dubai, the Maldives, Mexico and The Bahamas.  

The annual Hotelier of the World award, now in its 24th year, is presented to a corporate and independent hotelier and is based on polling the magazine's 60,000+ readers in some 170 countries. Announcing award recipients in this month's issue, HOTELS magazine notes, "Kerzner's story has been and continues to be about defying expectations, carving out a new niche and 'wowing' guests."  

Sol Kerzner's best known recent accomplishments include the hugely successful Atlantis, Paradise Island resort in The Bahamas, celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, and the late-2002 launch of the premier luxury brand, One&Only. A collection of award winning properties, One&Only Resorts includes the One&Only Ocean Club in The Bahamas, One&Only Le Touessrok and One&Only Le Saint Geran in Mauritius, One&Only Royal Mirage in Dubai, One&Only Kanuhura in the Maldives and One&Only Palmilla in Mexico.  

Mr. Kerzner's hospitality career began in 1960 with the purchase of The Palace Hotel in Durban, South Africa. Shortly thereafter, Mr. Kerzner built The Beverly Hills Hotel, which became South Africa's first five-star hotel. After partnering with South African Breweries to establish the Southern Sun hotel chain, which became South Africa's leading hotel and resort company with 30 operations throughout southern Africa, he opened his first international hotel in 1975: Le Saint Geran.  

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Asia Rising RevPAR for Asia Pacific As a Whole During the First Half of this Year Soared 41% Compared to the Same Period Last Year

by Steve Shellum, Publisher & Editor, HOTEL Asia Pacific.   Occupancies, room rates and revPAR are heading skywards throughout the region.  Forget 2003 - Asia Pacific is now up, up, up and away the world's most dramatic tourism performer. Let's also forget 2002 and, while we're at it, 2001, and zip back to the last "normal" year - 2000 - to get a clearer picture of just how explosive the region's growth really is. Average revPAR for Asia Pacific as a whole during the first half of this year soared by 41% compared to the same period last year, according to the HotelBenchmark Survey by Deloitte.

More... [732 views]

Report from World Travel Market- London

World Travel Market`s Global Report 2004-5.  Key findings from the World Travel Market Global Travel Report 2004/05 presented today, Monday 8 November, at World Travel Market.

More... [1323 views]

2004 hurricane season dampens Florida travel plans this year

The state of Florida could see a significant decline in visitors during the fall and winter travel season  as a result of the recent hurricanes that battered parts of the sunshine state including Orlando, Miami and Tampa. One-quarter of Americans say they would cancel Florida travel plans because of the hurricanes, impacting the nearly 228,000 hotel rooms which are occupied each day in Florida according to a recent survey commissioned by Manugistics Group, Inc., a leading global provider of demand-driven supply chain management solutions.

More... [552 views]

Kerzner Announces Third Quarter Results

Kerzner International Limited (NYSE: KZL):  The Company reported a net loss in the quarter of $11.2 million, compared to net income of $6.5 million in the same period last year, resulting in diluted net loss per share of $0.32 compared to diluted net income per share of $0.22 in the same period last year. Adjusted net income for the quarter was $3.7 million compared to $8.1 million in the same period last year. Adjusted net income per share in the quarter was $0.11 compared to $0.27 in the same period last year.

More... [551 views]

News @ PATA

This week's PATA news & update..

More... [508 views]

Over 660 attendees enjoyed the Professional Development Opportunities

Living up to its reputation as an advantageous event the Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals’ (HFTP) Annual Convention & Tradeshow was once-again a great success . More than 660 attendees came together October 27–30 at the Hyatt Regency Orange County in Garden Grove (Anaheim), Calif. to attend education sessions covering important industry topics, network and to partake in HFTP`s Annual Business Meeting and International Board installation. The seventh annual tradeshow sold out exhibit space with 63 companies exhibiting.

More... [469 views]

World Tourism Organization to help Phuket development plans

Planning experts from the World Tourism Organization (WTO) are to work with officials in Thailand`s southern resort island of Phuket  to help develop its tourism sector, Phuket Governor Udomsak Assawarangkura announced today.

More... [657 views]

Shangri-La's Regional Reservations Centres Awarded Contact Centres Of The Year

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts' Regional Reservations Centre in Hong Kong was  recently awarded silver prize in the "Contact Centre of the Year - Under 50 Staff" category in the 5th Annual Call Centre awards. 

More... [634 views]

WTO & ETC study looks at the future challenges for City Tourism & Culture in Europe

City Tourism & Culture: The European Experience!&, a new report commissioned jointly by the World Tourism Organization (WTO) and European Travel Commission (ETC), provides new insights into the expansion of European cities as cultural tourism destinations.

More... [481 views]

Agon Hotels & Resorts Takes Over the Helm at the Astor Hotel, Philippines

Business-class hotel to be marketed under the Best Western brand. Agon Hotels & Resorts (Agon) and the Astor Hotel in Makati City, Philippines today announced a new management agreement. 

More... [669 views]

$10,000 Cocktail Sparkles Among Favorite Old Gems On

Whether you’re looking for the perfect proposal or just enjoy a little bauble with your cocktail, The Algonquin’s new “Martini on the Rock” is just the drink for you!  The only beverage on the menu to require a 72-hour advance reservation, “Martini on the Rock” carries a $10,000^* price tag and includes a private meeting with the hotel’s preferred jeweler to select the perfect diamond to suit your fancy. 

More... [668 views]

5th Global Travel & Tourism Summit Launch: Travel & Tourism Offers Huge Potential Says Panel of Industry Leaders

At an event to launch the 5th Global Travel & Tourism Summit, which will take place from April 8-10, 2005 in New Delhi, India, a panel of industry leaders all pointed to the huge potential offered by the industry.The panel discussion, which took place at the World Travel Market in London, was moderated by television journalist Gwenan Edwards and covered issues ranging from open skies policy to the new dot-travel initiative.

More... [542 views]

Record year for WTM as industry gets back on track

World Travel Market has record figures this year . Data shows that its 25th anniversary event is the biggest ever.

Organisers say that the exhibition is more than four per cent larger than in 2003. There are more than 5,000 exhibitors from over 190 countries.Recent feedback from exhibitors indicates that the probable reason for the expansion is that virtually all markets are reporting a significant increase in business. "There is a real sense of optimism among exhibitors this year", said Group Exhibition Director, Fiona Jeffery. "There is a definite increase in confidence after three difficult years for the industry.

More... [630 views]

Shangri-La sets March date for debut in India

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts has finalised March 2005 as the launch occasion for its maiden venture in India in central New Delhi. Shangri-La, which signed a management agreement with Hotel Excelsior Private Limited, a member of the Eros Group of India, is currently renovating formerly state-run Hotel Kanishka. The 17-storey 324-room hotel will be known as the Shangri-La Hotel, New Delhi.

More... [647 views]

Third party hotels hit Euro Disney

Euro Disney’s net loss for the year to end-September has widened to euro145.2m (£101.1m) from euro58.3m on near-flat revenues of euro1.048bn. The company said the increased loss reflected a rise in operating costs and the resumption of royalties and management fees that had been waived by its parent, the Walt Disney Co, in the last three quarters of financial year 2003.

More... [578 views]

Egypt: Tourism movement back to normal

Minister of Tourism Ahmed El-Maghrabi said that tourism movement has returned to normal after the Taba blasts  except for Taba and Nuweiba.
Emerging from a meeting Sunday, attended by Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit, with the ambassadors of countries exporting tourism to Egypt, Maghrabi said both Abul-Gheit and himself posted the representatives of those countries on the positive developments.

More... [568 views]

WTO & ETC study looks at the future challenges for city tourism & culture in Europe

Report from World Travel Market: `City Tourism & Culture: The European Experience`, a new report commissioned  jointly by the World Tourism Organization (WTO) and European Travel Commission (ETC), provides new insights into the expansion of European cities as cultural tourism destinations.

More... [679 views]

It is all-smiles at WTM

At the way forward bookings are going, UK tour operators are saying that 2005 could well turn out to be a bumper year for the Far East.

More... [614 views]

Four Seasons to open third hotel in China, joining Shanghai and Hong Kong

Four Seasons announced that it has signed an agreement with Evergreen Pte Ltd. to manage a new hotel in Beijing, scheduled to open in mid 2006. With this announcement, Four Seasons establishes itself in China's three most important markets. Four Seasons Hotel Shanghai opened in 2002, and Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong is scheduled to open in 2005. 

More... [799 views]

ICANN Says “Yes” To .travel Domain

Tralliance Corporation in talks to administer Internet domain devoted to travel industry.  ICANN, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, announced that it has entered into technical and commercial negotiations with Tralliance Corporation for the proposed registry of the .travel domain name for the travel industry.

More... [501 views]

Foodies take on New York

 It was not hard to find “Foodies” from California and Texas, New York and New Jersey, they were all attending the European Travel Commission, AMEX, Food and Wine Magazine, and Travel+ Leisure Magazine sponsored event pairing travel and tourism with food and wine at the Metropolitan Pavilion. A very clever way to introduce international travel to over two hundred people who put gourmet food and vintage wines at the top of their “to do” list, the idea is to motivate people to travel by stimulating their palates.

More... [528 views]

Scandic moves into Italy through franchising

Scandic to open first franchise hotel outside the Nordic region, Scandic Bari in southern Italy. This puts the hotel chain in 10 countries, and the company's Nordic head, Jean-Paul Herzog, is looking forward to seeing many more Scandic signs across Europe within a year. In March this year, Hilton International unveiled its plans to offer its two hotel brands, Hilton and Scandic, to potential franchisees. The aim remains to develop the portfolio more quickly in selected markets. Scandic will now gain its first franchise hotel outside the Nordic region, in Italy.

More... [568 views]

Oman launches campaign to brand itself as tourism, IT and trade hub

The Gulf state of Oman is embarking on a global campaign to brand itself as a regional and international hub for tourism, information and communication technology (ICT), trade and education, showcasing its comparative advantages in the four sectors. The ambitious 'Branding Oman' project will consist of two phases, the first involving gathering and analysing data from within the country and key markets abroad and the second formulating the strategy and executing it.

More... [636 views]

Hilton Worldwide Resorts Wins Marketing Strategy of theYear Award

Hilton Worldwide Resorts, Hilton International’s portfolio of 47 upscale resorts around the world, last night won the coveted ‘Marketing Strategy of the Year Award’ at the prestigious National Business Awards 2004.Hilton Worldwide Resorts triumphed over marketing strategies implemented by leading, global businesses including Procter & Gamble, Data Select, Pfizer, and Travelex to claim the accolade at what the UK’s Chancellor of the Exchequer acknowledges as "the UK's business Oscars”.

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Cheers! First-Ever Vodka Sommelier Pairs Polish Fare with Country’s Most-Popular Spirit

Na Zdrowie (that’s cheers in Polish!).  Boasting an array of popular Polish vodkas, the Brasserie Restaurant at The Courtyard by Marriott Warsaw International Airport Hotel introduces the first-ever Vodka Sommelier.  Gregory Liszewski, the hotel’s Vodka expert extraordinaire, will pair Poland’s best-distilled grain spirit with the appropriate accompanying fare.  In addition, the Vodka Sommelier will educate guests on the differences between the vodkas (fruit verses herb and spice infused, degree of smoothness, sweetness, etc.). 

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2004 to close with 70 million more international arrivals

With still a couple of months to go, it is already clear that 2004 will go into history as a very strong year for tourism. WTO Deputy Secretary General Dr. Dawid de Villiers said today at the World Travel Market that according to an initial projection, the number of international tourist arrivals is heading for a new all-time record, as growth for the entire year is estimated to reach around 10%.

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Accor's Issenberg On Road Trips, Importance Of Service

Michael Issenberg is the managing director of the Accor hotel group for Asia Pacific. Accor manages about 4,000 hotels in 90 countries. Some of its brands include the Sofitel, Novotel and Mercure hotels. Of these, over 200 hotels and resorts in Asia Pacific fall under Mr Issenberg's care.  The 45-year-old American lives in Sydney with his Australian homemaker wife. The couple have a son, 11, and a daughter, aged eight. Holidays are: 'My family lives in Sydney but I spend 50 per cent of my time outside the country.

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HSMAI announces recipients of Winthrop W. Grice & Albert E. Koehl lifetime achivement awards

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 of its annual Winthrop W. Grice Award for public relations and the Albert E. Koehl Award for advertising and marketing excellence.

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Independent hoteliers round on `Brand Pollution` menace

Gaudy, neon signage and insensitive architecture are among the `big brand` nuisances criticised by hoteliers in research conducted by independent hotel group  Summit Hotels and Resorts. Their poll of more than 100 independent hoteliers revealed that 82 per cent felt major hotel chains and other multinational companies needed to take more care to minimise levels of what Summit have dubbed `brand pollution`, where global brands disrupt local cultures by homogenising the experience open to tourists.

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China: Foreigners check out distressed hotel assets Asset management firms are keen to offload properties to overseas buyers

The mainland's bourgeoning tourism industry and the 2008 Beijing Olympics are piquing foreign interest in the hotel sector, which is opening up rapidly under WTO guidelines. This is good news for China's asset management companies, which just happen to have plenty of non-performing hotel assets they would like to offload. "As the WTO rules take effect, two- and three-star hotels can be wholly owned by foreign investors next year," said John Cahill, a property lawyer with international law firm Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker. "You will see the asset managers trying to auction off these assets."

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Kempinski to manage deluxe resort on Greek island of Mykonos

Kempinski Hotels & Resorts, Europe’s oldest luxury hotel management group, has added a deluxe hideaway resort on the Greek island of Mykonos to its growing portfolio . The Kempinski Resort Saint John, designed in local style, perfectly blends into the surrounding architecture. There are 145 rooms and suites (each with either whirlpool bath or steam shower) and three private villas, each of which has its own swimming pool and gardens. The resort is currently closed over the winter season and will re-open as a Kempinski resort in Easter 2005.

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Int'l Food & Hotel VN 2004 to come this December

Food and Hotel Vietnam 2004 will feature hospitality industries from around the world on December 2 - 4 in HCM City. The event, organised by Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Singapore Exhibition Services, is Asia’s largest hospitality event held biennially in Singapore since 1978, and this year for the first time in Vietnam.

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New York City's Hotel Rates Up Nearly 8% in September, 2004; Demand Soars, Expecting 82% Occupancy for the Year

Holiday guests at New York's premier hotels may think the Grinch is running the show, with sky-high rates setting some tourists back a whopping $595 a night. As demand for rooms soars, New York hotel prices have climbed for the first time since the 2001 terror attacks, socking visitors an average of $222 a night in September. That's $19 more than last year's average bill -- and far ahead of rate increases logged in other big cities, according to today's Crain's New York Business. Still, it may seem like chump change to visitors to the Marriott Marquis in Times Square, which is charging a jumbo rate of $499 a night for Thanksgiving and the first two weeks of December.

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Already 88 technology suppliers have signed up for the T&T show

The Travel Technology Show, 1st & 2nd February 2005, Olympia, London is Europe’s largest dedicated exhibition  where senior commercial and IT management from the travel industry can meet and discuss their technology needs with travel technology providers.

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Dubai: Non-availability of tourist visas hits hotel reservations

While some hotels are having a hassle-free time in applying for tourist visas for their guests, other hotels have had the misfortune of cancelling room reservations due to difficulty in acquiring the visas during the official mourning period.

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Ramada Repositioning Aims to Ensure Brand’s Competitiveness

Cendant Corporation’s Hotel Group today announced a multimillion-dollar repositioning of its Ramada brand aimed at improving overall product quality, guest experience and value to ensure its future growth and competitiveness in the mid-market segment.

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An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure

Hotels should go above and beyond their competitors to sell peace of mind. In return for taking better care, hotels should benefit from better internal control procedures, measurable payback and considerable goodwill. This article was reprinted with permission from Hospitality Upgrade Magazine and was first published in the Spring 2002 edition.

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Travelocity Says Speed Is the Ticket For Growth

On Monday, Mr. Gilliland, Sabre's president and chief executive, spoke about the online travel industry, the Cendant-Orbitz merger and how the woes of the airline industry will affect his business. Here are excerpts from that conversation.

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The Un-Theme Party

How to ease up on over-the-top props and create a subtle yet stylish event. For planners expecting to throw a good old-fashioned theme party for their next event, a word of caution: Themes aren’t what they used to be. With an increasingly shrewd and seasoned crop of attendees to impress, the faux beach parties of yore hold diminishing charm. The same goes for the luau, safari, pirate party and other zany, prop-heavy hits planners might have pulled off a few years ago. 

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Orbitz Profit Soars on Revenue Surge

Internet Travel Agency Orbitz Profit Soars, Helped by 20 Percent Surge in Revenue

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Fairmont's Sky High - brands inks partnership with Emirates Airline's Skywards program

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and Skywards, the frequent flyer program of Emirates and SriLankan Airlines, have announced a new marketing partnership.  Effective immediately, guests at Fairmont Hotels & Resorts can earn 500 Skywards Miles for every qualifying stay at any Fairmont location worldwide including The Fairmont Dubai, New York’s famed Plaza Hotel and The Fairmont Royal York in Toronto.

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The Pearl-Qatar to make European debut at UK Expo

The Pearl-Qatar, the US $2.5 billion island destination being reclaimed offshore Doha in the Arabian Gulf, is to have its European launch at the Homes Overseas Exhibition at London’s prestigious ExCel from November 26-28.

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Hotel Indigo officially opens first location- IHG newest brand begins hosting guests

“We’re thrilled to be opening the first hotel of our newest brand in Atlanta near our Americas headquarters and we’re very proud of the team charged with operating the hotel,” said IHG’s Jim Anhut, senior vice president, Brand Development for the Americas. “We’ve designed Hotel Indigo for travelers who are looking for an experience instead of a destination. We know this hotel will both inspire and intrigue our business and leisure travelers.”

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Singapore’s new mantra - medical tourism

With many Asian countries trying to bite deep into the lucrative tourism pie, Singapore has started adding an extra gear to attract tourists. In a new move, the island nation is now giving more focus on medical tourism. Three agencies - the Economic Development Board (EDB), Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and International Enterprise Singapore (IE) - have joined hands to form a new initiative called SingaporeMedicine to transform the nation as Asia’s leading two-in-one destination - for healthcare services and tourism.

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World Tourism Organization to Launch Video Spot "Tourism Enriches" at the World Travel Market

The World Tourism Organization (WTO) will present the video spot "Tourism Enriches" at the World Travel Market 2004 for the first time and thus upgrade the worldwide awareness campaign about the positive impacts of tourism, which "enriches individuals, families, communities, nations and all the world".

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Bangkok: Hotel Group Takeover: RGR set for Rajadamri buy-out

Royal Garden Resorts to make Bt47 offer for all shares in five-star operator. Royal Garden Resorts Plc will spend about Bt1 billion snapping up all outstanding shares in Rajadamri Hotel Plc – operator of the Four Seasons Bangkok Hotel – after raising its stake in the firm from 49.3 per cent to 57.7 per cent. William E Heinecke, who heads the Minor Group, of which Royal Garden Resorts is a property arm, said Royal Garden Resorts would make a mandatory public-tender offer for Rajadamri Hotel at Bt47 a share. Details of the deal will be announced later.“But we have no plan to de-list the company,” he said.

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InterContinental Hotels Group establishes the award-winning Holiday Inn brand in Tianjin, China

Holiday Inn Binhai Tianjin is part of a major business and leisure complex, boasting an expansive shopping mall that features fast food restaurants, entertainment outlets, and a cinema due to open by third quarter of 2005.

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Survey finds American business travelers like online booking, but a third still frequently use “offline” services to meet their needs

American business travelers continue to use the Internet to book travel, yet many of them still use ‘offline’ services when making itinerary changes , according to findings from a new survey of American business travelers with online access. The survey was commissioned by Travelport Corporate Solutions, a global leader in corporate travel management and a subsidiary of Cendant Corporation (NYSE: CD). Conducted by Harris Interactive®, the survey found that although more than half (52%) of American business travelers book their business travel online, one-third (33%) still use ‘offline’ channels such as traditional travel agents to make or amend their business travel reservations.

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Four Seasons Reports 14.6% RevPAR Growth

Four Seasons Hotels Inc. (TSX Symbol "FSH.SV"; NYSE Symbol "FS") today reported its results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2004. RevPAR of worldwide Core Hotels increased 14.6%, on a US dollar basis, as compared to the third quarter of 2003. Gross operating margins at worldwide Core Hotels increased 230 basis points to 27.5%, as compared to the third quarter of 2003. Through the first nine months of 2004, gross operating margins increased 320 basis points, as compared to the same period last year

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M&C’s London hotels see 90%+ occupancy

Four- and five-star hotel group Millennium & Copthorne has reported pre-tax profits more than doubled from £6.6m to £13.3m in the third quarter of 2004. For the three months to end-September, group sales increased from £134.6m to £134.8m, while group operating profit was £22m (Q303: £14.5m).
Overall revenue per available room (revPAR) improved by 11.5% year-on-year to £43.20, with growth driven by a 6.4 percentage point rise in occupancy to 75.1% and a 2% rise in average room rate to £57.52.

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UK: Visitor recovery achieved by end of the year

VisitBritain – the authority for tourism in Britain – announced that an estimated 26.34 million international visitors will come to Britain this year , which would make 2004 the best ever recorded year for visitors.

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Singapore-based Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts Plans to Build 9 Properties Over Next Two Years; Dubai, Greece, Morocco, Mexico and China

Banyan Tree Hotels and Resort Pte, the Singapore-based hotel management and investment group, is moving to expand to the Western market with at least nine properties to be opened over the next two years. Bernold Schroeder, the company's vice-president for operations, said yesterday in Bangkok that the group was ready to tap business opportunities in Western countries as most of its guests were from Europe and North America.

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Assured of a good future: Congress-Spa-Tourism

Vienna International Hotelmanagement AG takes over the management of the 300 rooms „Loipersdorf Spa & Conference Hotel“ with direct access to the spa centre, as well as the „Thermenland Conference Centre“ with a total capacity of 1.100 persons. Registered under the name of „Loipersdorf Spa & Conference Hotel“, it will be a new milestone on the hotel market.

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Seven Shangri-La Hotels named one of the "Top 50 Hotels in Asia" by Conde Nast Traveler readers

Readers'  Choice "Top 50 Hotels in Asia" list. Shangri-La led with the most number of properties of any hotel company represented on the Asia
List.

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Orient-Express Q3 Net Earnings Up 40%

Orient-Express Hotels Ltd. [NYSE: OEH, www.orient-express.com], owners of 46 deluxe hotel, restaurant, tourist train and river cruise properties [38 of which it manages] in 21 countries, today announced its results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2004. For the quarter net earnings were $11.5 million [$0.34 per common share] on revenue of $103 million, an increase of 40% over net earnings of $8.2 million in the year earlier period. Earnings per common share were up 26% and revenue was up 13% over the third quarter of 2003.

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Westin are still the Best in Bed - 19 Million guests agree

Five years later and consumers and critics agree - Westin Hotels & Resorts is still the best in bed.  Since making its debut in 1999, the Westin Heavenly Bed, has reached near iconic stature, and sparked a bedding revolution in the hotel industry that continues to this day.   More than 19 million guests have tucked themselves into a Heavenly Bed on the road including thousands of celebrities, sports icons and politicians.  Some 30,000 guests have insisted on taking the all-white Heavenly Bed and linens home.

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NTT DoCoMo to purchase 100% stake in inter-touch, a leading Hospitality Broadband Company

inter-touch (BVI) Limited (“inter-touch”) announced today its agreement for NTT DoCoMo Inc. (“NTT DoCoMo”) to acquire the company. inter-touch is the leading provider of wired and wireless Broadband connectivity and applications to the business traveler across Asia Pacific, China, the Middle East, Africa and Europe. Under the agreement, NTT DoCoMo will acquire a 100% stake in the Company for a cash consideration of US$70 million.

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Le Meridien Tower Kuwait welcomes guests to Art + Tech

Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts has opened its first hotel in the Gulf region to feature the group’s successful Art + Tech design concept.   Le Méridien Tower Kuwait, a 70-bedroom boutique style hotel, is located just 15-minutes from Kuwait International Airport in the heart of the business district of Kuwait city and heralds a new era in Kuwait hospitality.

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Golden Tulip expands Middle East portfolio

Golden Tulip Hotels, Inns and Resorts is proud to announce the signing of the franchise agreements of the Golden Tulip Al Hamra Dammam in Saudi Arabia and the new-build hotel Tulip Inn Knowledge Village in Dubai, UAE. Both hotels are managed by Golden Tulip’s long-term partner in the Middle East & North African region Flamingo Hotel Management.

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The only way is up – German hotel performance continues to improve

Year-to-September 2004 results from the HotelBenchmark Survey by Deloitte show German hotel performance is continuing to improve. As many hotels are currently finalising budgets for the coming year, we look at the revenue per available room (revPAR) and profitability performance of Germany’s top five performing cities - to give you a benchmark to strive for in 2005.

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News @ PATA

This week's PATA news & update...

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MeriStar Hospitality Corporation Reports Third-Quarter Results

MeriStar Hospitality Corporation  one of the nation's largest hotel real estate investment trusts (REIT), today announced financial results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2004.

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The Balmoral is Scotland`s Hotel of the Year

Edinburgh’s landmark hotel The Balmoral has won the highly coveted Customer Care  – Hotel of the Year award at the 2004 Scottish Thistle Awards that were held in Edinburgh on 29 October.  The Customer Care – Hotel of the Year award recognises excellence in service, hospitality and customer care within the service industry. The Balmoral was applauded for the exceptional service and hospitality skills displayed by its staff, which result from its commitment to training staff to highly detailed brand standards thus ensuring that customer needs are anticipated and the highest levels of personalised services are delivered.

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DWTC- Dubai Maritime City explore means to promote Dubai as a Maritime destination

Senior officials from the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) and Dubai Maritime City (DMC) met recently as part of a joint initiative  to develop a strategic plan to create and organise exhibitions, conferences and events that centre around the increasingly high profile maritime industry.

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SA Tourism Market Could Be Out Pricing Itself, Warns MEC

South Africa could be in danger of pricing itself out of the international tourism market, warns KwaZulu-Natal arts, culture and tourism MEC Narend Singh. Speaking at the opening of the Provincial Tourism Conference on Monday, he said it was disturbing to learn on a recent overseas trip that South African accommodation and car hire prices were considered to be too high.

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MICE Russia - a resounding success

The first edition of MICE Russia which took place at Ararat Park Hyatt on 21st September 2004 was a resounding success  with 51 exhibitors from 12 countries present and 352 corporate buyers attending.

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Bali Bounces Back; Accor Launches Three Hotels

One of the world’s most popular holiday destinations, Bali, has bounced back to its former popularity, attracting Asia Pacific’s largest hotel company, Accor, to launch three hotels in the island’s key holiday spots.

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Hoteliers Embrace VingCard Elsafe ‘We’re Listening’ Service Initiative

Through a new initiative titled “We’re Listening,” VingCard Elsafe, an ASSA ABLOY Hospitality Group company which provides electronic lock and in-room safe solutions to hotels and resorts, is re-enforcing the foundation on which it was built more than 25 years ago by re-establishing clear lines of communication and accountability with its customers. 

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SRS-WORLDHOTELS expanding in large European cities

With the addition of four new member hotels in Europe, the portfolio of SRS-WORLDHOTELS in the sales region consisting of Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) has now grown to a total of 329 members.

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Corporate Travel Demand in Asia Will Increase Significantly in 2005, and at a Rate Faster Than The World Overall

The 2004 Airclaims - BTN survey, now in its third year of operation, shows the most optimistic picture yet for regional corporate travel trends. Yet increasing competition, a widening range of products and services and technological change affecting all parts of the corporate travel chain, from suppliers to travel agents and travel managers, mean that it is more challenging than ever to win this premium value business. 

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Prince Walid thinks outside the (tourism) box

Ranked the world’s fourth wealthiest in 2004 by Forbes Magazine, member of the Saudi Royal family His Royal Highness Prince Walid bin Talal bin Abdulaziz, grandson of the founder of Saudi Arabia King Abdulaziz Al Saud is the leading tourism developer in the Middle East region and elsewhere.

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Cornell University and Nanyang Technological University establish joint Master's program in Hospitality Management

Cornell University President Dr. Jeffrey Lehman and Nanyang Technological University President Dr. Su Guaning today signed final contracts to create a joint Master of Management in Hospitality program, to be housed at Nanyang's campus in Singapore. The signing ceremony was held at Cornell's School of Hotel Administration in Ithaca, N.Y. In addition to representatives from both schools, the ceremony was attended by Ms. Jennie Chua, president and chief executive officer of Raffles Holdings and chairman of HMS International, a hotel industry consortium which has played the lead industry role in this collaboration.

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California: Hotel Sales and Prices Rise in State

California hotel sales and prices jumped during the first half of the year as the hospitality industry recovered and large investors returned to the market. The number of hotels sold in the Golden State rose 43% to 152 compared with the first six months of 2003 as the dollar volume of sales jumped 64% to $571 million, according to a study by Atlas Hospitality.

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The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd. Launches Leading Spas;

The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd. yesterday announced the launch of Leading Spas, the first international luxury spa evaluation and certification program.  The announcement was made during the company's 2004 International Convention, held in Palm Beach, Florida, October 31 to November 2. 

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Thailand: southern situation fails to dent tourism growth

The number of foreigners visiting Thailand is continuing to grow despite the negative publicity given to the kingdom over the violence in the country`s southern border region , Tourism and Sports Minister Sontaya Kunplome revealed yesterday. Figures from the Immigration Office released by Mr. Sontaya reveal that throughout the month of October, 897,837 foreigners arrived in Thailand via Bangkok’s Don Muang Airport, up 14.45 percent from the same period of the previous year.

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The Essential Buying Guide: For the Business Traveler

Experienced business travelers know that getting there is way less than half the fun. And often, being there isn't so hot, either. Getting things done when you're on the road can be tough, but with the right products, you'll be able to work with maximum efficiency and ease. And the best part: The benefits of your travel gear will spill over into your everyday life and improve your all-around productivity.

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Hilton plans wellness expansion in Japan

Hotel and resort operator Hilton International has said that the success of its Hilton Odawara resort in Japan could well lead to the company making further investment in the country. Hilton took over the lease of the 172-bedroom resort just outside Tokyo earlier this year, officially opening it on 23 April.

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F&B Evolution - Hotels and event planners foucs on food and beverage

“Look for venues with progressive-thinking chefs in the kitchen,” urges Tom Ney, director-food marketing for Rodale, the Emmaus, Pa.-based publishers of Prevention, Men's Health , and numerous other lifestyle magazines, as well as The South Beach Diet . Ney's attitude represents that of most planners today, who have become much more discerning about their F&B decisions.

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Small Luxury Hotels of the World Sees 32% Increase in Revenue YTD

After finalizing third quarter results, Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) reported a 32% increase in revenue YTD over the same period last year.  The first three quarters of 2004 saw an increasing trend of elite guests booking suites and other high-category products, which led to a 6% increase in SLH’s global ADR.  Also contributing to the growth in revenue for this period was a 24% increase in total room nights over the same period last year.  SLH continues to benefit from the desire of elite guests to stay at the most luxurious properties around the world, which offer superb amenities and unmatched personal service. 

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Intercontinental tempts Whitehall into hotels

Whitehall, the real-estate vehicle owned by Goldman Sachs and Blackstone, the American private-equity group, is among a number of opportunity funds that have tabled first-round offers to buy the £1.4billion British hotel portfolio put up for sale by Intercontinental. The hotelier has appointed Citigroup to auction two hotel parcels. The largest is worth up to £1.2billion and comprises 72 Holiday Inns. The smaller one involves three hotels, two of which are located at Heathrow. It is thought the two portfolios will be sold as one lot.

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China's hotel industry records strong performance

China's hotel industry recorded a year-on-year increase of 67 percent in revenue per available room in the first eight months of this year. This growth is contrary to the worldwide average, which was less than the 2000 figure.

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Tourism bounces back -- but oil shadow looms over airlines

Tourism, headed for the canvas in 2003 owing to SARS and the invasion of Iraq, is back on its feet and packing a punch after a stunning comeback this year according to the latest official figures. The lucrative sector enjoyed double digit growth almost across the board from January to August, according to the Madrid-based World Tourism Organization (WTO), which released its barometer report last week in Monaco.

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Destinations need to reflect changes in the tourism marketplace and to increase competitiveness

The key changes affecting destinations, both in the tourism marketplace and in the wider environment  - relating to areas such as economics, security, health, and conservation of resources - were highlighted at a conference on "New Models for Destination Management and Marketing Structures" held in Larnaka, Cyprus on 21-22 October

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Fearless Projections Show Hotel Occupancies 'Key Indicator' of Presidential Election Outcome

Hospitality Research Group uses historical data to predict winner. Hotel occupancy trends have accurately predicted the winner of the past three Presidential elections, according to The Hospitality Research Group of PKF Consulting (HRG).

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Travel: Affordable Guilty Pleasures

Luxurious Resorts and Hotels Offer Deep Discounts. Everyone has some kind of a guilty pleasure. Some are just more affordable than others. Dana Dickey, senior editor of "Conde Nast Traveler" magazine, says it's the best time of year to indulge in a fantasy vacation you can actually afford.

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Hotel Guest Pays Bill After 24 Years

After putting up with pangs of conscience for 24 years, a Norwegian finally settled a hotel bill he skipped out on in 1980. The Clarion Hotel Ernst in the southern town of Kristiansand received a handwritten anonymous letter of apology with a 500 kroner note ($80) attached, hotel director Kay Johnsen said by telephone Thursday. "I've never seen anything like it," said Johnsen, who has been in the hotel business for more than 20 years.

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WTO puts UK inbound growth at 13% year-on-year

Latest figures from the World Tourism Organization show that international tourist arrivals to Europe increased by 6% year-on-year during the January-August 2004 period.

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Per Aquum Resorts & Spas to Open New Resort & Sen Spa in Sri Lanka

Maldives, October 28, 2004 – Per Aquum Resorts & Spas, the specialist Resort and Spa Management Company, today announces the management contract for The Fortress, a new build property in Galle, Sri Lanka, owned by Fortress Ltd. Per Aquum Resorts & Spas will be consulting on the construction and pre-opening phases of The Fortress effective immediately and as the appointed management company will be in charge of the continued operation of the property following its scheduled opening mid 2005.

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Better times for Norwegian hotels

Norwegian hotels registered a total of 1.38 million bed-nights in September, up 6 percent compared to September of last year. The number of Norwegian bed-nights increased with six percent, while the number of foreign bed-nights increased with seven percent.

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Beijing to build more star-grade hotels

The capital city of Beijing plans to increase the number of star-grade hotels to meet the needs of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games, mainly through upgrading existing economy-class hotels.

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Tourism booming in the Middle East

The number of tourists visiting the Middle East and North Africa increased this year despite expectations that tourism would decline following the invasion of Iraq and the knock-on effects of the Arab-Israeli conflict. Figures for the region were released by the Madrid-based World Tourism Organization (WTO), in  its annual barometer report, which covers global tourism.

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Travel Industry Optimistic for 2005

After years of little travel volume growth combined with significantly lower travel spending, this is the year of recovery the travel industry has been waiting for. It's the first year since 2000 that all travel industry sectors are showing increases in demand, with some finally exceeding 2000 levels. But some sectors remain troubled by weak revenues.

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Oversupply hits NH Hoteles at home

NH Hoteles has reported net profits after exceptionals rose by 394% year-on-year to euro25.9m (£18m) in the nine months to end-September 2004. Overall sales increased by 3.1% to €689.4m (£479.5m), with strongest growth seen in Argentina (+45.5%), Switzerland/Austria/Hungary (+13.6%) and Germany (10.3%). However, in NH’s home market, Spain, business was hit by big increases in hotel supply in the major cities, resulting in a 4.5% decline in sales.

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Caribbean Tourism continues to expand network within the European investment community

The Caribbean tourism industry is set to follow the momentum triggered by the Partnership Roles and Opportunities for Investors in Tourism (PROFIT) meeting, held this month in Montego Bay.  Giving continuity to the PROFIT program to stimulate foreign investment in Caribbean tourism, the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) in the United Kingdom; the French Agency for the International Development of Enterprises, UBIFRANCE; and the Spanish Institute of Foreign Trade (ICEX, by its Spanish acronym).

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Park More Cash on Your Bottom Line - Four easy ways to reach peak parking profitability

While reporting the results of a consulting assignment for a 600 room urban hotel on the east coast a couple months ago, I told the general manager that his parking infrastructure was realizing about 85% of its revenue. He looked me dead in the eye and said 'That’s pretty good.' Think about that. 85% revenue capture. What do you think he would have said if I had told him he was only getting 85% revenue capture from his rooms? He would have gone ballistic, if he was still in business at all.

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Chinese travelers favor one-nation Europe trips

More Chinese tourists are favoring in-depth tours of one European nation opposed  to the trips combining 10 to 15 countries, which were popular when Europe opened to Chinese tours September 1.

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Companies refine Web strategies

As rising occupancy rates help drive room-rate increases, hotel companies are taking a closer look at the costs and benefits offered by third-party Web sites. Hotel companies' best-rate guarantees on the Internet, once an oddity, now are standard as hotels try to recapture a one-on-one relationship with customers who book rooms on the Internet. In addition, most hotel companies are redefining their relationships with third-party Web sites—publicly or privately—to make sure their hotels get a fair share of benefits when they sell rooms through third-party sites. Hotels that sell rooms on their own Web sites maximize revenue.

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Location is key for Dubai Marina's first hotel

Dubai’s hotel sector will have its first “lifestyle address” in 2005 with the addition of Grosvenor House West Marina Beach , Dubai by Le Meridien, according to general manager Pam Wilby. Wilby expects the location to be as synonymous with style as Rue Faubourg in Paris, Park Lane in London and Fifth Avenue in New York when the Grosvenor House apartments come on the market in mid-April 2005 .

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Mandarin Oriental Announces A New Celebrity Fan For Global Brand Advertising Campaign

Mandarin Oriental’s multi-million dollar global print advertising campaign 'He’s a Fan/She’s a Fan', continues to gather ‘fans’ from around the world. This year, iconic British musician Bryan Ferry has also been added to the celebrity tally. Bryan Ferry, composer, singer and visual artist, launched the innovative band Roxy Music in the early 1970s to great acclaim. A talented solo performer, his album ‘As Time Goes By’ was nominated for a Grammy award in the 1990’s and together with a reformed Roxy Music band, he continues to tour extensively both in the UK and internationally

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China's inbound tourism surges 20.9% in September

China's inbound tourism has maintained strong growth this year, with the number of inbound tourists amounting to 79.908 million person times in January-September, a rise of 20.9 per cent over the same period of 2003 and 10.78 per cent over the same period of 2002.

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Hotel News In Brief

Hotel Industry news in brief....

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Who is In and Who is Out - Global Staffmovements

For the latest update on international staff movements in the hospitality industry, Click Here
- Edited by Benoit Gateau-Cumin, President, The Boutique Search Firm

Troubleshooters on call …

Hotel technology butlers can be a huge asset – or a major liability. HOTEL Asia Pacific investigates.   In this cyber era, the nomenclature of room service has shifted away from just delivering breakfast and won-ton noodles. Hotels now have the requirement of a Mr Fix-It to attend technical and computer-related needs of their ever-increasing segment of high-yield road-warrior guests.  This state-of-the-art development brings with it the deployment of technology butlers -trouble-shooters on call around the clock and [hopefully] well trained in the art of resolving a slew of problems relating to computers, communications and connectivity.

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Asia Pacific leads worldwide rebound in tourism

Tourism results for the period from January 2004 to August 2004 collected by the World Tourism Organization (WTO) show a spectacular rebound in tourism as all regions saw a surge in international arrivals. Worldwide the number of international tourist arrivals is estimated to have grown by 12 percent compared to the same months of the previous year.

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Selecting the right mixed-use elements critical to success

One of the most popular development vehicles today is also one of the most complicated—mixed-use. Finding the right pieces to blend together for a mixed-use development can be tricky, but if done properly, can be rewarding for all parties involved. An important part of the puzzle is selecting a hotel product that not only fits in the geographic market in which it will reside, but also to the project's other components, bringing added value to each of them so they are able to generate more appeal than they would on their own. When properly executed, such mixed-use developments can create strong, long-term viability, withstanding the inevitable ebbs and flows of the economy, according to hotel-iers who have participated in mixed-use projects.

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Whitbread to return £400 million-plus to shareholders

Pubs, restaurants and hotels group Whitbread plans to sell off £800 million of assets and return at least half of it to shareholders following new chief executive Alan Parker's review of operations.

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Accor maintains euro570m+ FY profit target

Like-for-like group revenues at Accor Hotels rose by 4.5% to euro5.3bn (£3.7bn) in the nine months to end-September 2004.  In the group’s hotels division, revenues on the same basis were up 4.2% at €3.8bn (£2.6bn). Its upmarket and midmarket properties, which include the Sofitel and Novotel brands, saw growth of 5.4% to €2.1bn. In the economy sector revenues increased by 3.6% to €940m and in the US economy sector by 2% to €718m.

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Explosion rips through Marriott Islamabad, govt insists short circuit

The Pakistan government insisted that an electrical short circuit and not a terrorist bombing was the most likely cause of a powerful explosion at the luxury Marriott hotel in Islamabad. At least seven people were injured, including two Italians and an American diplomat, in the blast, that occurred about 9:25 pm (1625 GMT) on Thursday and shattered virtually every window on the ground floor of the hotel.

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UK Hotels top online travel poll

UK hotels have been named best in the world, according to research published today by pan-European online travel website, Opodo.co.uk.  The findings reveal that over 50% of Opodo customers prefer European hotels to the rest of the world, with 25% of them claiming the world’s best hotels are to be found in the UK itself. Asia came second with 19% of the vote, USA in third with 18%, Africa in fourth with 6% and finally, Australia in fifth, with 5%.

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Cornell Hotel School unveils The Robert A. and Jan M. Beck Center

Premier learning space for world leader in hospitality education.  The Cornell University School of Hotel Administration today celebrates the opening of The Robert A. and Jan M. Beck Center, a striking facility that provides state-of-the-art learning space for the School's undergraduate and graduate programs. "The Beck Center defines our commitment to teaching excellence," said David Butler, dean of the Cornell Hotel School. "This superb facility ensures that our faculty is equipped with the best teaching technology, and that our students will continue to enjoy an engaging and effective learning experience."

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Choice Hotels Intl tumbles on 2004 outlook

Shares of Choice Hotels International Inc tumbled Friday on a weaker-than-expected 2004 outlook in the wake of third-quarter earnings that fell short of analysts' estimates due to rising costs. The hotel group's stock (CHH) was down 14 percent at $51.35 in early afternoon trading, after falling as low as $50.75 in morning trading. Choice Hotels, which operates such franchises as Comfort Inn, Clarion, Sleep Inn and Econo Lodge, posted a 2.5 percent rise in net income to $24.9 million from $24.3 million.

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Many London hotels ‘full at peak times in the week’

TRI Hospitality Consulting reports London hotels achieved average occupancy of 85.8% during September 2004, 0.8 percentage points higher than in the same month of last year. TRI said that such high demand had enabled hoteliers in the capital to push up average room rate by 6.7% year-on-year to £91.19, the first time it has exceeded £90 in September since that Sept01. Revenue per available room (revPAR) rose by 7.7% to £78.22.

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Luxury Roykan Colleciton breaks new ground

The exclusive world of high-end travel accommodation is breaking new ground with the launch of the Luxury Ryokan Collection or LRC a pioneering brand of a selection of the finest ryokans across Japan .

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