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ehotelier Hospitality News Archives: April 2005Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 29, 2005Proposals for Recapitalisation of Le Meridien Hotels GroupLe Meridien Hotels & Resorts ("the Group")today announces that: Affiliates of Lehman Brothers, the holder of much of the Group's debt, and Starwood Capital Group Global LLC have advised the Group that they have entered into a non-binding letter of intent to form a joint venture and have proposed that the joint venture acquire the owned and leased hotel portfolio of Le Meridien (with the exception of the Forte Village in Sardinia which would be acquired by an affiliate of Lehman); and The Group has been advised that Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has entered into a non-binding agreement with the Lehman/Starwood Capital joint venture and pursuant to that agreement Starwood Hotels has proposed to acquire the Le Meridien brand, management and franchise business from Le Meridien...... More... [1384 views] M&C appoints Mr Dinky Puri president of its Millennium brand in EuropeMillennium & Copthone has appointed Mr Dinky Puri president of its Millennium brand in Europe, and he will be based in London with effect from June 1. He will also be general manager of Millennium Mayfair Hotel. Mr Puri, now senior vice-president (special duties) based in Singapore, will champion Millennium, the most upscale brand in the group’s portfolio, in Europe. He will report to M&C plc CEO, Mr Tony Potter. More... [1008 views] In one room, the environment; the other, China.Yeoh Siew Hoon attends PATA conference sessions in Macau listening to experts talk about the environment and China, and draws parallels between the two discussions. More... [698 views] Middle East: a decade of transformation for the hotel industryDespite terrorism activity across a number of Middle East markets, hotel performance has continued to storm ahead during the first quarter of 2005 according to the HotelBenchmark Survey by Deloitte. Revenue per available room (revPAR) jumped 24% to reach US$91 compared to US$74 for the first quarter of 2004. As occupancy climbed to 73%, the highest level recorded since 1996, performance has been buoyed by a massive increase in average room rates. Across the region average room rates surged ahead by 23% to reach US$125. More... [672 views] Host Marriott Reports Results of Operations for First Quarter 2005Host Marriott Corporation, the nation's largest lodging real estate investment trust (REIT), today announced results of operations for the first quarter ended March 25, 2005. More... [687 views] Choice Hotels reports 1st Quarter 2005 diluted EPS of $0.36, up 20%Domestic Unit Growth Rises 4.9%; New Domestic Hotel Franchise Contracts Up 27%; Company Now Has More Than 5,000 Hotels Open Worldwide More... [531 views] Iberostar Hotels & Resorts 2004 Revenues Up over 55% - 14 new hotels in 2005 More... [702 views] UK Hospitality Industry makes major contribution to Energy Efficiency and Carbon ReductionsHospitable Climates Delivers Energy Charged Results! Hospitable Climates is currently yielding yearly savings well in excess of £13 Million, whilst reducing annual carbon emissions by 53,000 Tonnes! More... [1195 views] Domina Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. appoints François Droulers as Vice President Director of Development and AcquisitionsDomina Hotels & Resort appoints François Droulers as Vice President Director of Development and Acquisitions. I n his new position, Droulers will lead the growth and enhancement of the worldwide Domina Hotels portfolio with responsibility for negotiating new management and leasing agreements and finding strategic and quality hotel properties in key locations all over the world More... [720 views] Rocco Forte Hotels strengthens its commitment to RussiaRocco Forte Hotels has completed the buy out of the City of St Petersburg`s shares in the Astoria Joint Stock company, which owns both Hotel Astoria and Angleterre Hotel in St Petersburg. This final tranche amounted to 23% of the total shareholding. Rocco Forte Hotels now controls circa 60% of the shares and its Russian partners circa 40%. There remains a tiny minority element of 0.7%. More... [610 views] Golden Tulip and Peacock Hotels signing development/representation agreement for Romania and MoldovaGolden Tulip and Peacock Hotels are pleased to announce the signing of a development and representation agreement for Romania and the Republic of Moldova. Through this agreement, Peacock Hotels, a hotel management and consulting company based in Bucharest, will implement and develop the Golden Tulip franchise in the region by converting both hotels managed by Peacock Hotels as well as extending the franchise to suitable third party owned and operated hotels More... [699 views] HFTP to Hold Historic Meeting in AustraliaFrank Agnello, CMA, CHAE, 2005 president of Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTPR) and controller of The Wyndgate Country Club in Rochester Hills, Mich., has announced that HFTP will hold its first-ever Australian meeting on Tuesday, May 17, 2005, in Sydney, Australia. More... [510 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 28, 2005Whitbread set for £1.3bn in hotel dealsLeisure group Whitbread today reported a sharp rise in annual profits and said it would bank some £1.3 billion from the sale of non-core assets including its four-star and five-star Marriott hotels. More... [683 views] U.S. Hotels Break Three-Year Losing StreakThe typical U.S. hotel achieved an 11.4 percent increase in profits in 2004 over 2003 according to the recently released 2005 edition of Trends in the Hotel Industry published by PKF Hospitality Research (PKF-HR), an affiliate of PKF Consulting. This improved profitability follows a three-year industry recession that saw unit-level hotel profits decline 36.2 percent during the period 2001 through 2003. More... [538 views] U.S. Travelers To Europe Carefully Counting Their Euros This YearTripAdvisor User Survey Finds 67 Percent of Europe-bound Travelers Altering Plans Based on Weak U.S. Dollar More... [580 views] Coffee Shop 'Makover': Cafebiz gets a $2.2m new lookTraders Hotel Singapore is the latest hotel to renovate and upgrade its 'coffee house' outlet, hot on the heels of hotels like Grand Hyatt and Shangri-la which opened Straits Kitchen and The Line respectively just a few months ago. And if its aim is to transform the look of the lobby at the same time, it's managed to do that very well, as the marriage of steel and glass features with whirly-swirly carpeting gives the lobby a retro-hip and but also edgy feel. More... [644 views] Love the dress - and the hotel is gorgeousFashion houses are adding their signature style to hotels, writes Carolyn Cummins.Can't get enough of Giorgio Armani's clothes, perfume and shoes? How about heading to Dubai to stay in the fashion empire's new, uber glamorous resort. More... [1002 views] Hotel Occupancy in Macau Set To Increase, says Colliers InternationalHotel occupancy in Macau are set to increase with the rising number of tourists going to Macau said Colliers International. Tourism grew by a staggering 40 per cent in 2004 with over 17 million tourists arriving in Macau last year and this year, will be no exception. More... [801 views] Le Meridien Ranked as one of the top 15 luxury hotel and resort brandsGlobal hotel group Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts has been ranked as one of the top 15 luxury hotel and resort brands in the new Luxury Brand Status Index survey. More... [1228 views] Golden Tulip announces expansion programme for Western AfricaGolden Tulip, W Hospitality Group and The Lionstone Company are pleased to announce the commencement of a hotel expansion programme for Western Africa. Earlier this month, the parties signed a development and representation agreement for the brands Golden Tulip and Tulip Inn to be developed by Golden Tulip Hotels Nigeria Ltd, a partnership between Lionstone and W Hospitality Group. More... [604 views] World's most expensive casino openingThe most expensive casino in the world will open its well-appointed doors on Thursday, marking the latest installment of the evolution of the Las Vegas Strip from tacky gambling corridor to venue of the rich and sometimes famous -- or at least the free spending. More... [915 views] Austrian tourism industry aims to attract Chinese businessAustria’s National Tourist Office has set itself the goal of more than doubling the amount of visitors from China by 2007. More... [711 views] Four Seasons Adopts the US Dollar as its Reporting CurrencyFour Seasons Hotels Inc. has announced that it will adopt the US dollar as its reporting currency effective commencing the first quarter of 2005. More... [621 views] Shangri-La Group Launches Full Version Chinese And Japanese WebsitesShangri-La Hotels and Resorts, Asia Pacific's leading luxury hotel group, officially launches its full version Chinese and Japanese website today on shangri-la.com. This is the first time in the group's history to establish such full-scale Chinese and Japanese sites, with one-to-one language switching on content pages. More... [695 views] NYU 27th Annual International Hospitality Industry Investment ConferenceThe Preston Robert Tisch Center for Hospitality, Tourism, and Sports Management at New York University, a part of NYU`s School of Continuing and Professional Studies, will be hosting the 27th Annual International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference, on Sunday, June 5 to Tuesday, June 7, 2005. More... [628 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 27, 2005Hilton Reports Record First Quarter 2005 ResultsHilton reported first quarter 2005 net income of $64 million, a 73 percent increase from $37 million in the 2004 period. Diluted net income per share was $.16 in the first quarter, compared with $.10 in the 2004 quarter. The $.16 of EPS equals the company's record for a first quarter since Hilton became a stand-alone lodging company in 1999. More... [618 views] Steady Easter Season For UK Hotels Could Mean Good Times AheadMarch saw a relatively flat performance from the UK hotel industry this year, but taking into account the Easter period, the industry showed it was keeping up the momentum seen in previous months, according to the latest figures from PKF hotel consultancy services. PKF’s report, published today, shows almost static performance levels in March. Occupancy in London fell 0.8% to 77.1%, whilst average room rate was up 0.9% to £101.15, leaving rooms yield up 0.1% at £78.00. More... [504 views] After the Tsunami, Rebuilding ParadiseEvery morning as the sky brightens over the Andaman Sea, workers in Phuket, Thailand, set out perfect lines of white plastic lounge chairs along the soft sand, punctuated by furled umbrellas ready to be opened as the sun begins to burn. Vendors arrive with their ice-cold water, coconuts and soft drinks. Masseuses spread their straw mats under the palm trees. Jet Ski operators gather by their polished machines. More... [733 views] Pelican System and Edelweiss Hotel (Argentina’s 5* Hotel) Prefer Travel Agents Employing Online ContractingEdelweiss Hotel has recently embarked upon collaboration with Pelican’s “Hotel Distribution System” to enhance its travel agents’ productivity. As a leading 5-star hotel in Argentina, Hotel Edelweiss deals with numbers of travel agents, many of whom require an advanced system for successful operation: they have thus chosen Pelican system. More... [597 views] USA: First Quarter RevPar up 7.2%Smith Travel Research (STR) announced first quarter 2005 results for the U.S. lodging industry today. Industry occupancy reached 58.4 percent in the first three months of 2005, up 2.8 percent versus 1Q04. First quarter average room rate increased 4.2 percent to $90.25 and revenue per available room (REVPAR) --- the combination of occupancy and average room rate and a key industry productivity measure --- improved 7.2 percent to $52.74. More... [561 views] InterContinental Hotels Group’s Greater China Leadership Team to Drive GrowthInterContinental Hotels Group is forging ahead with its growth strategy for Greater China. As part of this strategy, InterContinental Hotels Group has unveiled a Greater China leadership team to drive the initiatives that will reinforce the Group’s leadership position in China. Reporting to Chief Operating Officer, North Asia, Mr Edmond Ip, the newly formed team comprises five seasoned hospitality professionals with impeccable track records and expertise ranging from business development to investment and operations management More... [1135 views] Rates Versus Occupancy - Cornell Study Reveals Revenue Management is Key for Hotels that Price Above the CompetitionA report published by The Center for Hospitality Research at Cornell found that hotels that price above their competitors are better revenue managers than those that offer rates below the competition. More... [1411 views] Ashford Hospitality Trust Sells Non-Core Hotels for $6.28 MillionAshford Hospitality Trust, Inc. (NYSE:AHT) today announced it sold the Ramada Inn Hyannis Regency in Hyannis, Massachusetts, to Sleepy Time, LLC, for $4.75 million in cash, and the Ramada Inn Warner Robins to Care Hospitality, for $1.53 million in cash. More... [505 views] HEDNA confirms David V. Jones as Closing Keynote Speaker for its 2005 ConferenceDavid V. Jones, recognized as an expert in the travel industry, will address members of the Hotel Electronic Distribution Network Association (HEDNA) at its 2005 Conference, taking place 8-10 May in Barcelona, Spain. This content-rich Conference addresses the dynamics of electronic distribution for the lodging industry and its distribution community. More... [537 views] A Former Enemy Rolls Out the Welcome MatIn December, United Airlines started direct flights to Vietnam, thus becoming the first American carrier to schedule regular service to Vietnam since 1975. This has opened the door to travel in Vietnam to people who have been eagerly waiting for this chapter in the restoring of normal relations between the two countries. More... [512 views] 'The World Made Irresistible' by Intercontinental Hotels & Resorts'Luxury Escapes' Programme Offers Reduced Rates Across the Globe This Summer More... [658 views] SKAL Hong Kong names new presidentSKAL International, the worldwide travel industry body with 22,000 members in some 90 countries, has a new President, Ms Susan Field, at the helm of its Hong Kong chapter - the largest in Asia – for the next two years. Ms Field, a travel industry publicist for over 15 years, was formerly Vice President. She assumed the position from former President, Galina Lui.
More... [857 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 26, 2005The Increasing Demise of Telephone Profits in Full-Service HotelsThis article briefly discusses the three primary reasons that have led to the demise of telephone profits in full-service lodging facilities. More... [1334 views] Banyan Tree outlines expansion plansParadise regained Banyan Tree Group founder Ho Kwon Ping is stringing a necklace of spas and resorts around the world. Like the ground-breaking resorts and spas he runs, Ho Kwon Ping, the 51-year -old founder of the Banyan Tree Group and pin-up boy for Asia's hotel industry, has always liked to go his own way. More... [1125 views] Europeans Less Leery to Return to South AsiaAs hotels and tourist boards try to lure tourists back to southern Asia with publicity campaigns and half-priced rooms, how quickly are worldwide travelers returning? It's been a slow four months, for the most part, but the rebound has been better in Europe than in the United States. More... [661 views] CHECK IN, CHECK OUT : The Rachamankha in Chiang Mai, ThailandThe northern Thai city of Chiang Mai is trying to transform itself from a low-budget hangout to a more upmarket destination. The Rachamankha fits discreetly into the new look, which also features the Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi hotel, a just-opened, overblown concoction set in freshly planted rain forest. More... [640 views] India BoomDiscount travel deals and relief work are drawing in tourist numbers, as Indians and Europeans flocked into Sri Lanka and filled up city hotels in March More... [669 views] Dubai hotel is a traveling geek's gilded dreamForget that the $3 billion Emirates Palace hotel, a gargantuan hall of marble slabs and riverine fountains, is probably the most expensive ever built. Forget also that the 60-acre interior is an Arabian-motif pleasure palace gilded down to the baseboards and lit by a thousand shimmering chandeliers. The unique aspects of the Emirates Palace are hidden inside its ductwork: nearly a thousand miles of blue, red and green fiber-optic and broadcast cable and enough other advancements to have convinced the staff that this is the world's most high-tech hotel. They may even be right. More... [994 views] Hilton International Appoints New Regional Director - CanadaHilton International announces the immediate appointment of Armin Schroecker, general manager of the Hilton Toronto, to the position of regional director Canada. More... [842 views] Windfall seen for Thailand's tourismThe Miss Universe pageant next month is expected to add about five billion baht to the tourism industry income in both direct and indirect ways, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). "It is an effective way to promote Thailand through more than one billion viewers from 171 countries around the globe who will view the show, '' said TAT deputy governor Suraphon Svetasreni. More... [617 views] Hilton to centralise all hotel reservation officesThe Hilton Group is planning to close almost all reservation offices at its 400 hotels around the world as it transfers booking functions to a dozen call centres. More... [1020 views] Hawaii hotel occupancy 74.5%More... [609 views] Hotel Association of Canada strongly opposes passport requirementThe Hotel Association of Canada, representing all the lodging industry across Canada, has sent a very strongly worded letter opposing new Passport Requirements to Prime Minister Paul Martin , Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew, Frank McKenna, Canadian Ambassador to the United States, Industry Minister David Emerson and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Anne McLellan. More... [638 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 25, 2005World's Most Expensive Hotels 2005The most expensive hotels in the world cater to a tough, albeit well-heeled, crowd. Rap stars, tycoons, royalty and CEOs know the difference between the sublime and the merely impressive. What's more, if the champagne is not properly chilled, the thread count on the sheets inadequate, the luggage not brought up with alacrity or the morning coffee served anything less than piping hot, they may take their Black cards and Gucci shoes elsewhere. More... [2483 views] Third-Party Booking Sites Still Dominate Internet Sales Why do so many people consider this bad?A few days ago, I was greeted by an article distributed by Reuters, “Online travel giants still rule the roost – But carriers’ Web sites slowly gaining ground vs. rivals”. The article discussed both airline and hotel web sites, but one thing is clear; many people still consider online travel agents as the opposition rather than travel partners. More... [886 views] Steigenberger ends 2004 with a positive resultThe Steigenberger Hotel Group can look back on a satisfactory past financial year, having laid the foundations for the corporate future in 2004. The consistent reorganization of the company has borne fruit, ensuring the Frankfurt-based company has posted a positive result. The number of room nights has risen by 6.9 per cent to 2.9 million. The average occupancy rate increased from 60.2 per cent (2003) to 61.3 per cent (2004), and thus reached its highest level since 1992. More... [555 views] The Ritz-Carlton, KL is Best Employer in Malaysia 2005In a tight labour market, employees have the luxury of picking who they want to work for. While money is an obvious pull factor, human resource specialists say that frequently the desire to work for an employer who actually values its people and creates a work environment that challenges and inspires is a key pull factor too. More... [752 views] Mobil's 2005 America's Best Hotel and Resort Spas Includes 68 Properties with Three- Four- and Five-StarsMobil Travel Guide today announced its 2005 America's Best Hotel and Resort Spas, including the first spa property to achieve the coveted Mobil Five-Star Award. The Spa Montage at Montage Resort in Laguna Beach, Calif., has been identified as the country's number one spa according to the undercover inspectors at Mobil Travel Guide. It joins the elite group of 31 Mobil Five-Star hotels and 14 Mobil Five Star restaurants. More... [797 views] PATA Conference Closes Committed to ‘Building Success’The 54th PATA Annual Conference closed today with speaker Mr Vincent Lo drawing from his own experiences to describe how to “build success”. Mr Lo is Chairman of Shui On Holdings, a group engaged in property, construction and construction materials and which has successfully created value for destinations through leisure and lifestyle property developments. More... [547 views] Carlson chair and CEO named 'Businesswoman Of The Year'Marilyn Carlson Nelson, chairman and CEO of Carlson Companies, has been named "Businesswoman of the Year" by the U.S. Commerce Department`s Small Business Administration (SBA). She will receive the award at an April 28 luncheon in Washington, D.C., honoring women entrepreneurs during the SBA`s national conference. More... [572 views] Hyatt Group to finally have KL hotel in 2009After waiting more than a decade, the Hyatt Group will finally have a hotel in Kuala Lumpur in 2009. More... [974 views] Business travellers 'have laptop, will surf'And many don't need no help from nobody. Almost two thirds of business travellers will connect to the internet using their own laptop, with more than a fifth connecting independent of any external means – using their own data card. More... [747 views] InterContinental receives top praise at 2005 HM AwardsInterContinental hotels and resorts received top praise at last night’s 2005 HM Awards for Hotel and Accommodation Excellence, winning a string of major awards that recognised hotels and individual achievements from across Australia and the South Pacific region. More... [727 views] The motel gets its groove backA new generation of hoteliers—make that moteliers
—is giving the roadside classic the respect it deserves
More... [729 views] Middle East ‘Big Events Market’ Set to Continue Growth in Size and StatureFestivale 2005 Opens in More... [609 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 22, 2005Marco Polo Hotels' Chief announces Retirement - Jeffrey Flowers appointed PresidentMr Michael C. Kalyk, President of the Marco Polo Hotel Group has announced his retirement effective July 2005. As chief executive of the Hong Kong-based hotel company since 1990, Mr. Kalyk has led the strategic planning and development of four and five-star hotel properties throughout Asia including Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines, Vietnam, Hong Kong and several cities in Mainland China. More... [1038 views] How about a “Hotelier Swap”?Yeoh Siew Hoon shares an idea for a new reality TV programme. More... [1024 views] Marriott's quarterly net rises 27%; 2005 target raisedMarriott International Reports Earnings Per Share for the 2005 First Quarter of $0.61, Up 30 Percent From 2004. Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) today reported diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.61 in the first quarter of 2005, up 30 percent from the 2004 first quarter. Net income for the quarter was $145 million, a 27 percent increase over the year ago quarter. Synthetic fuel operations contributed approximately $18 million ($0.08 per share) in the first quarter versus $11 million ($0.04 per share) in the year ago quarter. More... [561 views] Business travelers spend more on hotel accommodationNew research released from Barclaycard Business reveals that business travellers are now spending 13% more on hotel accommodation than twelve months ago . The average budget per night, per professional, increased from £81 in 2003 to £93 in 2004. More... [644 views] Hotel Guests Not Picking Up The Phone -Ever since the mid-1990s, hotel managers have noticed the guest use of in-room phones has stagnated. The reasons are fairly obvious – the increased use of cell phones and calling cards, as well as a backlash against telephone call surcharges. More... [1246 views] More new hotel rooms in Hong Kong by 2006The number of hotel rooms will increase by about 14,000 by the end of 2006 and more than half of them will be medium-priced, Secretary for Housing, Planning & Lands Michael Suen said here Wednesday. More... [667 views] Tourism rebound lifts Shangri-La occupancyHotel group will invest US$ 1b over the next few years to double its mainland presence
More... [582 views] IH&RA congress - Beijing China: 28-30 Oct 2005The International Hotel & Restaurant Association ("IH&RA") will host its 42nd Annual Congress in Beijing, China, from 28-30 October 2005 at the Kempinski Hotel Beijing Lufthansa Center . The Conference will be preceded on 27 October by one day of closed IH&RA member meetings for the IH&RA Board of Directors and its Specialty Councils of Chief Executives of National Hotel & Restaurant Associations ("NACE") and of Hotel and Restaurant Chains. More... [537 views] Starwood Hotels & Resorts to Introduce New Luxury Resort and New Standard of Ultra-Luxe Living in BaliSt. Regis Resort & Residences, Bali will debut in 2007. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) announced that it has reached an agreement with PT Pacific Resorts Buana Indonesia to manage The St. Regis Resort & Residences, Bali. Located in the elite enclave of Nusa Dua, The St. Regis Resort & Residences, Bali will feature 74 oversized suites plus 29 villas, as well as 25 residential villas available for long-term leases when it opens in 2007. More... [794 views] Rocco Forte Hotels Launches 'Speak to Hotel' - Allows Website Visitors to Speak Free to a Hotel RepRocco Forte Hotels has launched Speak to Hotel, a unique facility available on roccofortehotels.com that allows visitors to the website to speak to someone relevant in the hotel - at no cost to the visitor. More... [949 views] Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts presents the very best luxury Spas around the worldLuxury global hotel group Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts has recently reviewed its resort properties, recognising that for many the spa experience has become a necessity for maintaining well being and personal productivity. More... [1573 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 21, 2005How to even the Playing Field, as independents suspiciously eye the Chain HotelsGoliath, of the Flags, meet the hordes of Independent Davids, and they are wary, looking at you askance, knowing that the landscape has changed for ever. More... [882 views] The hotel market hall of fame2004 results from the HotelBenchmark Global Ranking Index by Deloitte. For the second year in a row, Venice was the best performing market in 2004 in terms of revenue per available room (revPAR) according to the HotelBenchmark Global Ranking Index (GRI). The GRI compares the performance of 165 global cities outside North America on an annual basis. More... [808 views] Hotel direct struggles to compete with dotcomsKPMG’s sixth annual Global Hotel Distribution Survey has found that only 1% of hotels are priced consistently across all channels, although the variation between the lowest and average price has dropped to 30% this year from 50% last year. More... [906 views] The New Construction Pipeline Saw Largest Quarterly Increase Since Last Decade Lodging Econometrics (LE), the Industry Authority for Hotel Real Estate, reported in the latest edition of its subscription Lodging Development Forecast and Trends Report that total projects in the Construction Pipeline at the end of 1Q 05 were 2,388 hotels having 322,177 rooms. This is the fifth consecutive quarterly increase from the Pipeline bottom of 1,903 hotels/246,895 rooms set in 4Q 03. More... [546 views] Singapore: Tussle for coveted Casino resort sites beginsFront-runners seen to include Tabcorp, Genting-Universal, Kerzner-CapitaLand More... [725 views] Kingdom Hotel Investments (KHI) Invest with IFA in the USD $200M Fairmont Palm Hotel & Resort, Palm Island Jumeirah DubaiPrince Alwaleed: "We are excited to enhance our presence in the continuously growing and dynamic Dubai." More... [750 views] Hospitality eBusiness Strategies to boost Suburban Extended Stay Hotels’ Direct Internet DistributionService to include Website Optimization and Direct Distribution and Marketing Strategy, Total Online Brand Building and eMarketing Services More... [784 views] InterContinental Hotels Group adds Paraguay to global destinationsInterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), has signed a franchise agreement with Karmar, S.A. to open the Crowne Plaza Asuncion in Paraguay`s capital . More... [543 views] Shangri-La expands in Inner MongoliaShangri-La will open a hotel in Hohhot in China’s Inner Mongolia late 2007, announced at a ground-breaking ceremony. The Shangri-La Hotel, Hohhot will be the second hotel in the Inner Mongolia region, following the Shangri-La Hotel, Baotou opening mid 2007. The Shangri-La group currently has 19 hotels under its Shangri-La and Traders brands in mainland China. More... [595 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 20, 2005Returning To Our Roots: Tribal Marketing in the 21st CenturyAccording to one of my favorite auhors, Sam Hill, we are in the midst of the ‘re-tribing’ of America. It’s a phenomenon spawned and fed by several forces at once: - We’re no longer contained by geographical boundaries because of universal connectivity, 24/7. - We hunger to belong to some group or institution that reflects true expression of self, not one imposed by convention from the outside. - We’re willing to embrace the worlds of aesthetics and feeling as legitimate areas of serious discourse and economic value. - We now recognize that successful brands reside in the amygdala, within the brain’s frontal lobe – a place where emotion, visual memory and pleasure hold court. By and large, purchase behavior is not rational. - We embrace ritual, not just of the traditional sort, but those that reflect the deepest values of the tribes to which we belong. Ritual plays a different and greater role in providing meaning to our lives. Rituals are orchestrated experiences. By Rick Hendrie, President & CEO, Link. Inc. More... [940 views] Raffles to Manage and Rebrand Two of the Four blocks of the Beijing HotelRaffles International Limited today signed an agreement with Beijing Hotel, a hotel under the Beijing Tourism Group (BTG), to rebrand and manage two of the four blocks of the Beijing Hotel under Raffles International’s luxury Raffles brand. After a period of renovations and refurbishment, it will be re-launched as the Raffles Beijing Hotel in 2006. More... [690 views] Adventure seeker - Hotelier Thierry Douin relaxes better at adventurous destinations than at beach resortsMr Thierry Douin, general manager of Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore, hails from Brittany in France, but feels right at home in Asia. For the past 15 years, he has worked in places like Cambodia, Indonesia, South Korea and, most recently, Hong Kong. More... [904 views] Marriott promotes GarsideGeoff Garside, the senior vice president for Marriott International's Asia, Pacific and Australia Region, has been promoted to executive vice president.
More... [807 views] Room at the Top for HotelsMajor hotel companies should check in with strong first-quarter earnings, reflecting continued strength in the cyclical lodging recovery. More... [596 views] Hilton Reservations Worldwide -- Marks 50 YearsHilton Reservations Worldwide (HRW), which was the first central reservations center in the hotel industry, marks its 50th anniversary today. Since its inception, HRW has had an enormous impact on the growth of Hilton Hotels Corporation and Hilton International Corporation More... [891 views] PATA predicts 10.6% annual growth in Asia Pacific arrivals to 2007The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA)'s Strategic Intelligence Centre (SIC) released 'Asia Pacific Tourism Forecasts 2005-2007' today at the 54th PATA Annual Conference in Macau. More... [501 views] Maybourne Hotel Group Appoints Paul Reynolds – Vice President Sales & MarketingMaybourne Hotel Group is delighted to announce the appointment of Paul Reynolds, as Vice President, Sales & Marketing. Maybourne Hotel Group, a newly-created luxury hotel company with headquarters in Mayfair, London, owns and manages The Berkeley, Claridge's and The Connaught, three of the world's most renowned hotels. More... [1165 views] Hilton sees value in central booking systemThe Guardian reports that Hilton is opting for a centralised booking platform in a move which could lift hotel revenues by 9%. More... [863 views] Le Meridien Barcelona re-opens, unveiling new bedroom design conceptFollowing a three month closure for refurbishment Le Méridien Barcelona has re-opened, unveiling its renovated neo-classical façade and a new bedroom design concept. Best described as a blend of modern and traditional, the room design encapsulates a sense of luxury and relaxed comfort. More... [833 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 19, 2005Singapore gives green light to casino projectSingapore will allow two integrated casino resorts to be built, one at the Marina Bayfront and another on Sentosa, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong revealed in Parliament on Monday. More... [840 views] Hotel brands under siegeThe head of a major consumer travel research company stunned chief-executive members of the World Travel and Tourism Council here last week by warning that the era of "brand loyalty" may be on the wane, set to be replaced by "price loyalty". More... [1299 views] Accor plans to double number of hotels in Middle EastAccor has said that it expects to more than double the number of hotels under its management in the Middle East region within the next three years. More... [624 views] Le Meridien Appoints Malcolm Kerr as VP Development Asia PacificLe Méridien has appointed Malcolm Kerr Vice President Development Asia Pacific. Based in the Hong Kong regional corporate office, Mr. Kerr leads the growth and enhancement of the Le Méridien portfolio in the Asia Pacific region with overall responsibility for negotiating new management agreements and handling investment matters with the Company’s Asia Pacific property owners. More... [747 views] The world's first all-glass undersea restaurant opens15 April marks the day that the first ever all-glass undersea restaurant in the world opened its doors for business at the Hilton Maldives Resort & Spa. Ithaa sit five meters below the waves of the Indian Ocean, surrounded by a vibrant coral reef and encased in clear acrylic offering diners 270-degrees of panoramic underwater views. More... [1212 views] PATA Board Meeting Opens ahead of Macau ConferenceThe Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Board of Directors meeting opened today in Macau. More than 100 leaders and representatives from the travel and tourism industry in Asia Pacific will debate issues affecting the industry across the region. More... [539 views] Intelligent Spas Releases New Spa Industry Research for ThailandNew research has identified Thailand’s spa industry was performing well until the Tsunami forced the closure of over 25 spa facilities. Intelligent Spas estimated approximately 3.6 million visits were made to Thai spas during the 12 month period between July 2003 and June 2004, whilst average annual visitors per spa was up 43% compared to the previous period. More... [710 views] HITEC 2005 Session: Hospitality CIOs to Dicuss Recent Accomplishments and the Industry's FutureThe 2005 Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC®) Thursday general session, on June 23, will feature a panel of chief information officers (CIOs) who will highlight their recent accomplishments, mistakes they have made and where the industry is lacking when it comes to technology. More... [545 views] China's tourism hopes to develop further by using InternetThe debut of many tourism websites at the 11th Domestic Tourism Fair suggests that China's tourism industry is turning to the Internet to develop. For China's tourism companies, whose capital scale is still small compared with their foreign counterparts, the Internet provides a "golden chance," said Chen Wenzhen, an employee of China Eastern Tourism Web. More... [541 views] Starwood Hotels & Resorts Launch New Meeting Service - StarMeeting ConciergeStarwood Hotels & Resorts has launched a unique new service for Meeting and Conference delegates – StarMeeting Concierge. At each meeting, the hotels now provide a meeting concierge assigned to a Meeting Organiser as a permanent point of contact, on hand to welcome delegates, explain how the technology works, anticipate needs and respond quickly to any requests for assistance, ensuring the best service. More... [1135 views] Marriott seeks to double its 270 minority proprietorsMarriott International, Inc. held an "Education Summit" for aspiring minority hotel owners. The initiative is one of many that the company has implemented to double its 270 minority owners and franchisees in five years, and one of the reasons DiversityInc recently ranked Marriott 12th in its annual ranking of the Top 50 Companies for Diversity. More... [687 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 18, 2005Are Options still an Option?Will the new FASB regulation requiring the expensing of stock option awards mean the end of this type of compensation? Stephen Goebel looks at recent gaming industry trends for clues. By Stephen Goebel, HVS International More... [578 views] "Roll for Relief" - Cornell Hotel School Students Vie for World Record with Charitable EventWhat do more than 3,500 spring roll wrappers, 400 pounds of vermicelli noodles, 250 pounds each of carrots and cucumbers, 80 pounds of lettuce and lots of sauce make? Cornell Hotel School students plan to turn these ingredients into the World's Longest Spring Roll (400m/1,315 ft.) on Saturday, April 30 in Barton Hall. This attempt at a new Guinness world record - called "Roll for Relief" (R4R) - will benefit tsunami relief efforts. More... [636 views] Hotel report shows UK hotel industry 'Buoyant"The UK hotel industry is definitely on the way up, according to PKF hotel consultancy services. Investments are at record levels whilst trading performances of both London and regional UK hotels are approaching levels last seen five years ago, as revealed in PKF's annual Hotel Britain report, launched today. More... [622 views] Canadian Lodging WeeklyPublished in conjunction with STR (Smith Travel Research) and endorsed by the Hotel Association of Canada. This publication summarizes weekly occupancy and average room rates from major cities in Canada. More... [591 views] The Taj expands in the Middle EastTaj Hotels, Resorts and Palaces, India's leading hospitality group, has extended its presence in the Middle East, by entering an agreement with ETA Star Property Developers LLC to develop and manage the Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, a luxury resort on the Palm Island Jumeirah crescent in Dubai. More... [704 views] HSMAI announces formation of Travel Internet Marketing OrganizationTo provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and best practices for marketing on the Internet while maximizing profitability and protecting brand integrity, the Americas region of the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) announced the formation of the Travel Internet Marketing Organization (TIMO). More... [649 views] Duxton Hotels Ride Tourism Boom in Australia and New ZealandBooming tourism in New Zealand and the turnaround in several Australian hotel markets has persuaded Singaporean property group Low Keng Huat to maintain a grip on its Australasian hotel portfolio. More... [610 views] New Plan for NYC's Famous Plaza HotelIn a deal with union workers, the property owner agrees to retain more guest rooms and public spaces as it carves out condos and shops. The planned renovation of Manhattan's famed Plaza Hotel, which raised howls among New Yorkers enamored of its history, will be sharply scaled back under a compromise with new owners unveiled Thursday More... [715 views] IACC Conference bestows the Best of the BestOne of the highlights of the 24th Annual Conference of the International Association of Conference Centers was the presentation of the coveted Mel Hosansky Award for Distinguished Service to Bob Prewitt, a highly respected veteran of the hospitality industry. More... [781 views] BITTM ready to roar with high profile exhibitors set to capture massive outbound Chinese marketWith everyone from National Tourism Offices, Airlines, Cruise lines and Tour Operators participating at The Beijing International Travel and Tourism Market to ensure they capture their share of this lucrative new market. More... [605 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 15, 2005The Brands Sell the Brand not the Hotel PropertyA recent article by TravelClick Inc. pointed out how online hotel bookings are shifting from the third party online channels to more direct channels, specifically the brand sites. Some of the third-party sites even had a decline in business in 2004, although the overall growth in “Internet reservations increased by nearly 32%”. By Richard Walsh, President of Travel Marketing Dynamics More... [1288 views] Don’t just stand on one leg, move that logYeoh Siew Hoon shares a story of retired circus elephants and draws lessons from it for the hospitality business. More... [1096 views] Full of promise - the development of India's hotel industryIndia's hotel industry has entered the global stage, supported by its growing economy and the development of the 'Incredible India' tourism brand. Previous security concerns due to the Kashmir situation have reduced due to improved relations with Pakistan. Meanwhile the cost of travel has fallen following the government's liberalisation of the airline industry. Given that these two main barriers to travel have been tackled, not surprisingly, hotel performance has benefited. More... [1964 views] Survey Uncovers Why Travelers Are Losing SleepAlthough it is impossible to travel with your own bed, how about having a customized sleep surface waiting at your hotel? The idea is resonating with American travelers, according to the 2005 Travel Sleep Habits survey from Radisson Hotels & Resorts(R) and Select Comfort, Creator of The Sleep Number Bed(TM). More... [791 views] Hotel performance in Macau is on its way to winning the jackpotOver recent years, the casino-led city has experienced a tourism boom, fuelled by the liberalisation of the gaming industry in 2002. This has naturally had a knock-on impact on hotel performance which reached its highest levels to date last year. Results from the HotelBenchmark Survey by Deloitte show that Macau's revenue per available room (revPAR) increased by 35.4% to US$63 in 2004. More... [596 views] 7-Star Hotel planned in UKDevelopers want to build one of the world's most luxurious hotels in Southampton the Daily Echo can reveal. It would be constructed on the same magnificent scale as the Burj Al Arab in Dubai pictured above - the only seven-star hotel in the world. More... [1552 views] Singapore Highlights Unique Attractions and Exciting Festivals at Arabian Travel Market 2005Southeast Asian Nation Welcomed 8.3 Million Visitors in 2004; Expects Strong Growth in Tourist Numbers from the Middle East. Tourism chiefs from one of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic tourism hotspots have expressed confidence that the Singapore Pavilion at this year’s Arabian Travel Market 2005 will be the largest yet, reflecting ongoing growth in traveller numbers from the Middle East. More... [527 views] Leisure Travel Hits Six Year High in the U.STop Three Most Desired Destinations - Florida , California , Hawaii / YPB&R Survey More... [590 views] Swissôtel Berlin GM Enters Hall of FameOn 12 March 2005, Pacific Area Travel Writer Association (PATWA) held its annual awards ceremony in Berlin during ITB. This year, Mr. Gerhard Struger received the "Hall of Fame" award for his contribution in promoting the hospitality industry. More... [744 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 14, 2005Bill Marriott's WayForbes.com caught up with Marriott and his wife, Donna Marriott, at the World Travel & Tourism Council summit held April 8 and 9 in New Delhi, India, and asked him to reflect on his years at the helm.
More... [1437 views] Now That Online Hotel Booking is here to Stay, New Challenges EmergeThe “promise” of the Internet is now within sight. Its popularity continues to grow exponentially. If there is any remaining skepticism about the viability of electronic marketing, it lies among those few with their heads still in the sand. By: Neil Salerno, Hotel Marketing Coach More... [1047 views] New Restaurant Concepts are essential to ensure success in the local marketGrosvenor House general manager tips Buddha Bar and 12 other new outlets to capture imagination of Dubai residents. Identifying new and fresh approaches to restaurant concepts is key to the long-term success of new hotels in Dubai, according to Pam Wilby, general manager of the upcoming Grosvenor House West Marina Beach by Le Meridien. More... [1219 views] Putting On the Nouveau RitzA venerable luxury hotel chain tries to act young and hip--without scaring away the old-money crowd. Ritz-Carlton, a Marriott-owned brand known for the starched dignity of the 58 hotels and resorts carrying its name, is learning to swing--but not too far from its roots. New Ritz hotels are designed to better reflect their surroundings. More... [888 views] India and China – the next big thing?One of the central messages to emerge in two days of intensive discussions at the 5th World Travel & Tourism Council Global (WTTC) Summit is that India and China are the next big thing in world tourism. Industry leaders meeting in Delhi heard that both countries in their separate ways have enormous potential for growth and both seek and need foreign investment to realize their potential. More... [1014 views] Kayak.com revolutionizes paid search for the travel industryKayak.com, a comparison shopping Web site that helps consumers make informed decisions in their travel planning, today announced the launch of its patent-pending Kayak Network (www.kayaknetwork.com More... [1034 views] India in biggest ever ATM outingIndia will this May have its biggest ever Arabian Travel Market (ATM) presence and is planning to launch a series of new products at the show, the region’s premier travel and tourism exhibition. More... [550 views] Nikko Hotels International Expands Properties in ChinaJAL Hotels Co., Ltd., operator of the Nikko Hotels International group of luxury international hotels, continues to expand in the booming Chinese market with the addition of Dalian and Tianjin hotels. More... [582 views] The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto Will Be a New 53-Storey Landmark on Downtown Skyline with 135 Luxury ResidencesThe Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C., of Chevy Chase, MD. and Graywood Developments Ltd. of Toronto today announced they will build a 53-storey luxury hotel and condominium residence in downtown Toronto. The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto and The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto will be a $300 million development located on the south side of Wellington Street, between Simcoe and John Streets. More... [618 views] ACTE releases white paper on changing distribution patternsThe Association of Corporate Travel Executives’ (ACTE) most recent Executive Forum, held April 5 in Stockholm, highlighted ACTE’s commitment to address issues that are vital to its membership and turn those ideas into actionable results. As part of its effort to better advance the business travel industry, ACTE released the findings of an important study on travel distribution. More... [518 views] Raffles to operate hotel in TokyoRaffles International Hotels & Resorts plans to open a 180-room hotel at a site close to Tokyo Station as soon as 2007. More... [785 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 13, 2005Luxury Tour Operators reveal: the top 10 criteria for gaining inclusion in their programmesGaining entry into a luxury tour operator’s programme is often a critical necessity for many luxury properties, due to the operator’s loyal databases, premium positioning, and wide distribution. By Angela Clark, Managing Partner of Lumière More... [1207 views] "Oh, What A Web We Weave!"No wonder the Consumer, our Visitor and Guest, is not only confused and wary but also frequently leaves our Destination hotels, restaurants and attractions shaking his/her head in disappointment. We have applied license, quite loosely, to what we present to them. Through glowing words, flowing and flattering descriptions, superlatives, grand language or even simple, we have created an expectation, one which often we do not or cannot deliver upon. We should have asterisks after all our promotional material, “Caveat Emptor”, for we really do go overboard and invite Consumer dissatisfaction. By John R. Hendrie, CEO, Hospitality Performance Inc. More... [800 views] Revisiting the Link Between Governance & PerformanceBy comparing a company’s stock appreciation, growth in earnings and EBITDA to our HVS Governance Index, Keith Kefgen concludes only a minor connection between the two. More... [529 views] Kingdom Hotels Buys Four Seasons Hotel in TorontoA unit of Kingdom Hotels International, an entity owned by Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, said on Monday that it has purchased the luxury Four Seasons Hotel in Toronto from a private real estate investment fund. More... [866 views] Best Practices in Responsible Tourism - WTTC's 2005 Tourism for Tomorrow AwardsThe World Travel & Tourism Council announced the winners of the 2005 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards. The awards, until last year under the auspices of British Airways, recognize and promote best practice in tourism development all over the world. More... [617 views] Cendant Corp plans four new tourist resorts in NZThe world's biggest real estate franchiser and hotel operator is poised to open four new tourist resorts here after taking over part of a Rotorua resort two months ago. More... [613 views] Shangri-La group adds 3 new hotels in BangaloreShangri-La Hotels and Resorts has reached an agreement with the Adarsh Group in India to manage three new hotels in Bangalore. More... [1515 views] AH&LA is hosting the Lodging Industry Summit and the Legislative Action SummitThe American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) is hosting two premier events—the Lodging Industry Summit and the Legislative Action Summit, on May 17-18, 2005, at the Loews L'Enfant Plaza Hotel, in Washington, D.C. Both Summits promise to be engaging, informative, and provide lively discussions of the major issues facing the hotel industry today. More... [624 views] Educational Institute’s New “Diversity WORKS” Video Spotlights Key Industry IssueToday’s hospitality workforce and guest base are more diverse than ever before, creating competitive challenges and opportunities for hospitality businesses that know how to harness the power of diversity. “Diversity WORKS,” a new video from the Educational Institute of the American Hotel & Lodging Association, defines diversity and explains why it’s critical for growing business and reducing turnover. More... [587 views] Work starts on Regional Tourism Investment FundCaribbean Hotel Association to present report at upcoming Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Investment Conference & PROFIT Partnership Meeting, May 9-11, 2005, Barbados More... [547 views] Christine Natsios named Director of Alumni Affairs at the Cornell University School of Hotel AdministrationChristine Natsios has been appointed director of alumni affairs at the Cornell Hotel School in Ithaca, New York, effective June 1, 2005. Natsios will report to Walter Williams, director of alumni affairs and development at the School More... [600 views] Choice Hotels receives Workplace Excellence AwardFor the third consecutive year, Choice Hotels International, Inc. has received a “Workplace Excellence” Seal of Approval Award and the “Excellent Place to Work” designation from the Maryland Work~Life Alliance, a statewide coalition of private, public, and nonprofit organizations committed to empowering employers across the state to create and become recognized as “Excellent Places to Work.” More... [638 views] Marriott Ranked 12th Overall in Top 50 Companies for DiversityFor the second consecutive year, DiversityInc magazine today named Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE:MAR) one of the "Top 50 Companies for Diversity," the only lodging company on the list. Marriott placed 12th overall, up from 25th last year. A total of 203 companies competed in the survey. More... [757 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 12, 2005Hotels Gain More Control Over Online BookingsThe increase in direct hotel bookings threatens the business models of third-party sites such as Expedia, Orbitz, and Travelocity. Hoteliers' efforts to drive bookings through their own Web sites appear to be working. Online bookings made directly through hotels were up nearly 32% in 2004 over the previous year, according to a report released this week by TravelClick Inc., a travel technology provider. More... [1445 views] Turning Tables: Negotiation Position for Hotel Operators strengthensMiddle East Strategy Advisors (MESA) predict challenges for GCC hotel owners searching for operators and brands. The rapid growth in the number of up-market hotels in the GCC countries is exciting for the tourism industry and business world alike. More... [720 views] The Latest in Hotel Pools: 3 Acres, With Slides, IndoorsImagine walking around in a bathing suit in 80-degree temperatures, with water all around you. Now imagine the dead of winter just yards away. The two scenes don't seem to match. But for hotels with attached indoor water parks, the combination has become lucrative. Now, more hotels are spending up to $75 million each to build huge enclosed water parks, hoping to lure families - sometimes from just a few miles away. More... [1022 views] CHECK IN, CHECK OUT: The Four Season Resort Costa RicaThe Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo opened in January 2004, adding the first sprawling luxury resort to the country's list of eco-friendly retreats and beach lodgings. Designed by the Costa Rican architect Ronald Zürcher, the resort's earth-toned stucco buildings seem to grow out of a hillside that slopes down to an isthmus, surrounded by tropical dry forest and sandy beaches on both sides. More... [704 views] InterContinental Hotels Group Appoints Kieron Ritchard Vice President, Strategy – Greater ChinaInterContinental Hotels Group has appointed Mr Kieron Ritchard as Vice President, Strategy – Greater China. Mr Ritchard is the newest addition to the InterContinental Hotels Group’s Greater China leadership team and reports directly to Chief Operating Officer, North Asia, Mr Edmond Ip. More... [824 views] Dubailand cited as one of the top regional attractionsMega resorts come under discussion at Arabian Hotel Investment Conference . Developing an iconic tourist attraction is the key to winning a permanent place on the global tourism map, but future success is dependent on achieving the right mix of local and international leisure trends, according to Salem bin Dasmal. More... [689 views] Hotel rates in areas like New York expected to rise sharplyTravelers headed to cities frequented by business travelers are going to find it more expensive to get a room this spring. According to research conducted by analysts at JPMorgan Chase, hotel rates will be at least 24 percent higher this month, compared to a year earlier, in New York, Atlanta and Los Angeles, and 16 percent to 19 percent higher in Chicago, Dallas and San Francisco. More... [643 views] RSS Advertising, Coming FastIt's hard to keep up with all the new developments in online advertising these days. We've just gotten the hang of selling and delivering Web-based advertising solutions, permission-based e-mail, search, and contextual ads. Together, these constitute over $10 billion in annual ad spending. Yet, the development community continues to deliver an ever-growing array of new interactive consumer channels and touch points. More... [516 views] Taj Business to set up 2 hotels in all metrosTAJ Business Hotels plans to increase its footprint in the country with at least two hotels in all major metros, Ms Jyoti Narang, Chief Operating Officer (Business Hotels), the Taj Group, has said. More... [664 views] Rival hotels check out New York Plaza's check-insNew York City's other luxury hotels, are poised to pick up the pieces — and the millions in potential revenue, after The Plaza New York closes it's doors. More... [754 views] New General Manager for Hotel Adlon Kempinski BerlinThomas Klippstein is the new General Manager of the Hotel Adlon Kempinski in Berlin. More... [1059 views] Kimpton launches national EarthCare programWith the announcement of their national EarthCare program at Hotel Triton in San Francisco on April 7, 2005, Kimpton Hotels furthers its reputation as an industry leader in eco-friendly practices and standards. Kimpton EarthCare builds on Kimpton's first steps towards environmental-consciousness in 1985 when the Galleria Park Hotel in San Francisco was introduced as an urban retreat with open space and a park within the hotel. More... [1016 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 11, 2005Hilton Hotels CEO realizes $25.7 mln from stock optionsHilton Hotels Corp. (HLT) Chief Executive Stephen Bollenbach exercised 4 million stock options for a realized value of $25.7 million last year, according to a regulatory filing Friday. More... [808 views] WTTC's 2005 Top Ten List of Travel & Tourism EconomiesThe World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) released its 2005 Travel & Tourism forecasts for 174 countries and the world and an assessment of the impact of the Indian Ocean Tsunami on the industry today at the 5th Global Travel & Tourism Summit in New Delhi, India. More... [1127 views] Cornell Report: Finding the 'Best IT' for your Business - IT Success Starts with Careful PlanningA report published by The Center for Hospitality Research at Cornell urges hospitality leaders to analyze their organization’s structure and processes before designing and implementing a new information system infrastructure. More... [785 views] Full of promise: HotelBenchmark launch country survey for IndiaIn response to the rapid growth of the hotel market in India over recent years, Deloitte has launched an India edition of the HotelBenchmark Survey. The India survey is another first for Deloitte's HotelBenchmark team and is being showcased this week in New Delhi at the World Travel Tourism Council's 5th Global Travel & Tourism Summit. More... [591 views] The Grandest Business Hotels Of ScotlandFor a country of its size and population, Scotland boasts a respectable number of high-class hotels. More than half of these, and almost all of the fine country hotels, owe their existence, unsurprisingly, to golf.
More... [666 views] Pedro Mandoki Named Resort Executive of the YearAlabama-based hospitality industry veteran Pedro Mandoki has been honored as the Resort Executive of the Year for 2004 by hospitality and resort industry professionals convening at the 2005 Resort Management Conference at Pointe South Mountain Resort in Phoenix, AZ. More... [595 views] Shangri-La Asia posts highest ever recorded profitsShangri-La Asia Limited, parent company of Asia Pacific’s leading luxury hotel group, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, comprised of 46 deluxe properties, announced its 2004 financial results showing the highest profit ever achieved by the company. More... [760 views] UK tourism sees solid start to 2005VisitBritain reports nearly 4m visits to the UK were made by overseas residents during January and February 2005, 11% more than in the corresponding months of last year. This is despite Feb04 enjoying the benefit of an extra day as a result of the leap year. More... [621 views] Payne Named 2005 Chair Of AH&LEF Fund Development CommitteeKirby Payne, CHA, has been named chairperson of the Fund Development Committee at the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation (AH&LEF), the not-for-profit affiliate of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA). More... [526 views] Hotels in Thailand tighten securityMore than 450 hotels and resorts around the country were asked yesterday to implement stringent security measures, particularly in Bangkok and other popular tourist destinations. More... [748 views] Carlson Hotels Asia Pacific appoints Monika Dubaj Director of Development for Southeast AsiaCarlson Hotels Asia Pacific has appointed Monika Dubaj to the newly created position of director of development for Southeast Asia. Formerly director of development for Australia, New Zealand & South Pacific, Ms. Dubaj will now be responsible for hotel development in the Southeast Asian region where Carlson has substantial hotel expansion plans. More... [723 views] French Hotel Market Performance February 2005Activity of Parisian and regional hotels showed a slow down in recovery with generally decreasing RevPARs. The Palaces & Deluxe hotels as well as the 2 star properties (both in the capital and in the provinces) are an exception to the dropping RevPAR trend while other categories are severely affected. More... [597 views] Six Senses Resorts & Spas appoints new Managing Director FinanceBangkok-based Six Senses Resorts & Spa has appointed Simon Allison as Managing Director of Finance. He comes to the Six Senses role from that of President Europe for Millennium Copthorne Hotels plc, where he was responsible for more than twenty hotels in the United Kingdom and Europe. More... [644 views] New Oriental Spa A Key Attraction At The Landmark Mandarin Oriental Hong KongThis unique property, currently under construction in The Landmark complex at the heart of Hong Kong’s fashion and entertainment district, will be home to the 21,000 sq ft Oriental Spa and Wellness Centre. More... [801 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 8, 2005Independent Boutique Hotels Can Compete With their Big Box NeighborsFor many years, small independent hotels suffered from a tilted marketing playing field dominated by their big budget neighbors. When the time came to promote their hotels during lower demand periods, independent hotels had to contend with larger franchised hotels possessing a larger sales talent-base, GDS exposure, and much larger advertising budgets. By: Neil Salerno, Hotel Marketing Coach More... [1016 views] The flight in the dark tunnelYeoh Siew Hoon thanks Steve Jobs and Pope John Paul II for keeping her company in a flight through a dark tunnel - them and the captain - as well.... More... [772 views] Luxury Is Back In Business, And It's Feeling Plenty GoodAfter several lean years, five-star hotel chains are chanting a new mantra -- "luxury is back" -- and their room rates mirror their bullishness. More... [1282 views] Hotels fail to deliver price guaranteesHotels are failing to honour price guarantees which are advertised on their websites according to a new survey by professional services firm KPMG. The research, which was conducted across 330 hotels in16 countries, found that although 43 per cent of hotels offered best web rate price guarantees only 27 per cent of them delivered their price promise. More... [872 views] Pan Pacific Hotels And Resorts Announces Senior Corporate Executive Appointments And PromotionsPan Pacific Hotels and Resorts announced several senior executive appointments, namely the transition of former Pan Pacific President Mr. Ichigo Umehara to President of Tokyu Hotels and Chairman of Pan Pacific Hotels and Resorts; Mr. Akihito (Arthur) Ikeda as the new President of the Singapore-based company; and Mr. Steve Halliday as President of Pan Pacific Hotels and Resorts North America. More... [708 views] Fairmont promotes Stephen Banks to Executive Director, Sales and Marketing, Europe, Africa and the Middle EastFairmont Hotels & Resorts has promoted Stephen Banks to the position of Executive Director, Sales & Marketing, Europe, Africa & Middle East effective April 2005 More... [940 views] Embassy Suites Recognizes Top HotelsEmbassy Suites Hotels recognized its top hotels during an awards ceremony at the brand's annual General Manager and Directors of Sales conference, held in Charleston, SC, April 3-6. More than 45 awards were presented to hotels chosen from the brand's portfolio of more than 175 hotels throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and South America. Each honored hotel received a trophy, monetary prize and individual recognition during the conference. More... [507 views] .The Top 10 Issues for Discussion at the 5th Global Travel & Tourism Summit in New DelhiAt the 5th Global Travel & Tourism Summit, which will take place in New Delhi from April 8-10, 2005, business leaders and government ministers will discuss all the big questions confronting the industry in a series of highly interactive discussions, interspersed by key-note speeches from the President of India, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, and some of the world’s most prominent and successful business people. More... [874 views] Hospitality Properties Trust Contracts with Carlson Hotels to Manage 12 Hotels Currently Operating Under the Prime Hotel BrandCarlson Hotels Worldwide today announced that it is has reached an agreement with Hospitality Properties Trust (HPT), a major hotel industry real estate investment trust (REIT), to take over management of 12 hotels currently operating under the Prime hotel brand. More... [497 views] Marco Polo Group appoints Lyllian Poon Director of Group Marketing ServicesAs Director of Group Marketing Services for Marco Polo, Ms Poon’s responsibilities include strategic planning, implementation and evaluation of the group’s marketing and corporate communications activities. She also oversees the group’s reservation network system as well as monitoring the performance of the group’s international distribution network. More... [822 views] Choice Hotels Scandinavia Converting 30 Hotels to the Clarion Collection BrandThis summer, Choice Hotels Scandinavia is converting more than 30 hotels to the Clarion Collection brand because it fits well with the style of hotels in the region. Sixteen Clarion Collection hotels throughout Sweden will join the system along with 13 in Norway and two in Denmark. More... [512 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 7, 2005Online Travel Distribution Growing Increasingly MurkyTravel companies find themselves in a precarious position when it comes to online distribution: While there's no disputing that consumer travel research and booking is moving steadily toward the Web, merely having a Web site with a strong retail component isn't nearly enough for travel suppliers to take full advantage of that trend. More... [894 views] Earthquake to further challenge Asian hotel industry resilienceThe recovery of the Asian hotel industry from the tsunami will face a significant set back as a result of the earthquake in Indonesia, according to Marvin Rust, hospitality partner at Deloitte. More... [632 views] Ascott Looks to Expand Global PortfolioAsia's largest operator of serviced apartments, Ascott Group Ltd, expects to increase the number of properties it manages by 81 per cent to 25,000 units over the next five years, by buying assets in several countries including China. More... [627 views] Sales of Queensland Hotels Are Continuing to Track at Record LevelsJust hitting the sales block is Singapore tycoon Ong Beng Seng's last major Australian investment, the Concorde hotel and tavern complex at Surfers Paradise. More... [606 views] Virtual hotelier seeks real profitsAt first glance, sitting yourself down on the plush couch, the lobby looks like any other you would find in a decent hotel chain. Except there's a girl next to you in a bunny suit who looks like a character from a 1980s video game. Oh, and the hotel has 3.6 million visitors a month, the vast majority of whom are aged between 12-18, on a staff of only 180. The chain is run on the Internet by the Finnish software firm Sulake Labs, with hotels in 16 countries. This year, it aims to open its doors in the world's most populous country, China. More... [682 views] IHG brings in hotel 'homes from home'InterContinental Hotels Group is importing its successful American long-stay Staybridge Suites chain to the UK. Staybridge is aimed at guests staying for several nights, or weeks, at a time. The suites have kitchens and lounge areas so guests can cook for themselves or bring in takeaways. More... [751 views] Dubai's Tourism Industry and Upmarket Hotel Development to Sustain Rapid ExpansionRudi Jagersbacher, Hilton International's Vice President for the Arabian Peninsula region, has confirmed that the anticipated growth in in-bound business and leisure tourism to Dubai will see tourism play an even greater role in the UAE's GDP growth with some experts predicting a rise from 12 per cent to 20 per cent - thanks to an estimated 15 million tourists a year by 2010. More... [663 views] Carlson Hotels Worldwide reaches agreement with HPT to manage 12-hotel portfolioHospitality Properties Trust announced that it has entered new management agreements with Hyatt Corporation ("Hyatt") and Carlson Hotels Worldwide ("Carlson") with respect to the portfolio of 36 hotels previously managed by Prime Hospitality Corporation ("Prime"). In October 2004 Blackstone Group acquired Prime, and in January 2005 More... [643 views] Hospitality Properties Trust Announces New Management Agreements with Hyatt Corporation and Carlson Hotels WorldwideHospitality Properties Trust announced that it has entered new management agreements with Hyatt Corporation and Carlson Hotels Worldwide with respect to the portfolio of 36 hotels previously managed by Prime Hospitality Corporation In October 2004 Blackstone Group acquired Prime, and in January 2005 Blackstone sold Prime's AmeriSuites brand to Hyatt. More... [591 views] ITEHK 2005-Exhibitors with strong Asian presence ideal for developing businessesWith pavilions by official tourism board from around 60 countries and territories, and including their co-exhibitors and independents, nearly 600 international exhibitors from the six populated continents will be present in ITE this year. Being closer to home, naturally ITE has a stronger presence from Asia and the Asia Pacific, which have been popular as destinations for the European travelers. More... [502 views] Six Senses Spas to develop European resort spas at Elounda, GreeceSix Senses Spas is to make its European resort debut on the Greek island of Crete, commencing in the Summer of 2005. The spa facilities will serve the three luxury hotels of Elounda S.A. Hotels & Resorts and be a prelude to an impressive ten million dollar Six Senses Spa, which will be developed over the next twelve months. More... [692 views] Trump Hotels wins bankruptcy court exitTrump Hotels & Casino Resorts on Tuesday won court approval to exit bankruptcy, under a plan that is expected to save the cash-strapped company $98 million a year in interest payments. More... [595 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 6, 2005International Hotel Investment Forum in Berlin, draws a record number of optimistic delegatesThe 8th International Hotel Investment Forum (IHIF), held 15-17 March 2005 at the InterContinental Berlin, Germany drew a record crowd of over 1,100 top hotel industry leaders from around the world, says co-host Jonathan Worsley of CB Richard Ellis Hotels. According to Worsley, attendance has steadily increased each year since IHIF was launched in 1998. More... [683 views] Gary Seibert Appointed Hilton Area Vice President & Managing Director - Hawaii, Replacing the Retiring Peter SchallHilton Hotels Corporation announced today that 32-year Hilton veteran Gerhard (Gary) Seibert has been named area vice president and managing director for Hawaii, overseeing the Hilton Hawaiian Village(R) Beach Resort and Spa, Doubletree Alana Waikiki and Hilton Waikoloa Village, with an expected start date of June 1, 2005. Seibert has been serving as area vice president for Hilton Hotels Corporation and general manager of the historic Palmer House Hilton since 2000 More... [672 views] Cornell Study Shows Travelocity Offers Lowest Cost for Hotel BookingsIn an independent study completed by Cornell University School of Hotel Administration and The Center for Hospitality Research Organization, researchers found that Travelocity(R) is the travel industry's low-price leader in hotel bookings More... [677 views] Major Hotel Chains Grow Internet Reservations Over 22% in 2004TravelCLICK released its 2004 full-year eTRAK results, which indicate that Internet reservations received at the central reservation offices (CROs) of major hotel brands grew 22.8% versus 2003. In 2004, brand websites grew substantially and gained share compared to third-party merchant and opaque websites More... [1515 views] Conman plundered £500,000 from the world's top hotelsImmaculately dressed, charming and well-connected, Gonzalo Zapater Vives had no trouble in persuading staff in top hotels that he had lost his room or safe key. He came up with plausible excuses to trick his way into hotel rooms around the world, stealing hundreds of thousands of pounds of cash, jewellery and designer goods. Yesterday, he was enjoying hospitality of a very different kind as he began a three-and-a-half-year jail sentence. More... [990 views] Battle of the Beds Heats up with Launch of the Four Points by Sheraton Four Comfort BedStarwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. launches its latest salvo in the ongoing battle of the hotel beds with today's debut of its long-awaited Four Points by Sheraton Four Comfort Bed in 5,000 guestrooms in 30 of its 100 hotels throughout North America. More... [710 views] Mumbai to host hotel investment meetThe global outlook for the hotel sector, the finance opportunities available for it, and flexibility, if any, in management contracts are among the topics that will be covered at an hotel investment conference to be organised by HVS International (India), a global consulting and services organisation focused on the hotel, restaurant, timeshare, gaming, and leisure industries. More... [577 views] CHECK IN, CHECK OUT 70 Park Avenue Hotel in New YorkIn the intensely competitive hotel market in New York, 70 Park Avenue seems to have hit on an unusual marketing strategy: Go after the dog lovers and the yoga fanatics. This 205-room Kimpton property (formerly the Doral Park Avenue), on the corner of 38th and Park, makes a point of promoting both its pet-friendly status - offering "bonded, licensed dog walkers/sitters" to guests - and its proximity to two high-end pet-grooming establishments. More... [607 views] Room for concern as Hong Kong hotel rates double in a monthHong Kong Hotel room rates have doubled over the past month amid increasing demand, raising concerns that the fluctuation would drive away visitors. More... [662 views] Yahoo tests hotel searchYahoo began testing a hotel search site, as part of a travel service it launched last year. The FareChase travel service, which so far has offered airline searches, will now include a test version of hotel search and the ability to make reservations online, the company said Monday. More... [1492 views] Clarion Collection brand expands worldwideChoice Hotels International’s Clarion Collection, an extension of the Clarion brand, is finding its niche outside the United States, resulting in significant brand growth. This summer, Choice Hotels Scandinavia is converting more than 30 hotels to the Clarion Collection brand because it fits well with the style of hotels in the region. Sixteen Clarion Collection hotels throughout Sweden will join the system along with 13 in Norway and two in Denmark. More... [550 views] Starwood Continues its Expansion in China with Signing of its 32nd property - Sheraton Shanghai Hotel & Residences, PudongStarwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc and Shanghai You You Group Co. Limited have announced an agreement whereby Starwood will manage the Sheraton Shanghai Hotel & Residences, Pudong in China. Scheduled to open in mid-2008, the hotel and residences will be part of a multi-purpose complex that houses the hotel in one tower and serviced residences, offices and retail space in the other two towers. More... [646 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 5, 2005Who is In and Who is Out - Global Staff MovementsThe latest global update on executive staff movements.... More... [3060 views] InterContinental Hotels Group confirms plans to sell hotels in Australia, New Zealand and FijiInterContinental Hotels Group, the world’s largest and most global hotel company, today announced plans to dispose of ten wholly owned properties in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji with an intention of retaining management agreements over them. The planned sale is a continuation of IHG’s strategy of growing its management and franchise businesses and reducing asset ownership. More... [849 views] "Our model copied by other big hotel companies": Interview with Marriott's Ed Fuller"Our model copied by other big hotel companies": Interview with Ed Fuller, President and Managing Director for International Lodging, Marriott International by People's Daily More... [2426 views] Spa facilities to play increasing role in hotel differentiation, says WilbySpa facilities will play a growing role in a hotel’s offering to guests, becoming one of the key market differentiators, according to Pam Wilby, general manager of the upcoming Grosvenor House West Marina Beach by Le Meridien. More... [945 views] With due respect...Hoteliers have often been described as kings in their castles, dispensing summary justice to their subjects, but the industry has gone through a major transition over the past 20 years.Hotel companies today are looking for strengths in leadership and communication skills which mobilize the energy and resources of a management team. More... [1029 views] Five Best: Hotel restaurantsDestinations where the food is as good as the rooms More... [2056 views] Kropp to leave The Fullerton Hotel SingaporeMr Gerhard Kropp is leaving The Fullerton Hotel, Singapore's GM post on April 15. More... [1152 views] Hong Kong Tourism Board reports February 2005 Visitor Arrival FiguresHong Kong’s tourism industry enjoyed further healthy growth in February 2005 with a total of 1,745,133 visitor arrivals. This is comfortably the best February result on record, surpassing the 1.45 million arrivals in February 2004 by over 290,000, or 20.0%. More... [520 views] Hotel Design That Hones a New Cutting EdgeIn the 80's and 90's, consumers demanded that big chains offer a high level of service everywhere - from metropolitan hubs to truck stops, said James F. Anhut, senior vice president of brand development at InterContinental Hotels Group. "The industry responded to that, and as a result - not in a negative way - we've got all these wonderful cookie-cutter hotels," he said. Now, he continued, "Consumers are telling us, 'Gosh, I'd like a little something different.' " More... [911 views] Accor expands travel and trade expo to 10 cities in Asia PacificIn 2005, World of Accor Expo will be staged in Auckland, Tokyo, Seoul, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok, Jakarta and Sydney. It is the first time that World of Accor has been held in China, Korea and Indonesia. Representatives from Accor's worldwide network of 4000 hotels will participate in the trade expos to showcase new hotel products, and to discuss with clients their domestic, inbound and outbound hotel needs. More... [597 views] Carlson brands join to end exploitationBeginning today, travelers can help protect children and young women at risk from exploitation all over the world just by checking into a hotel. Guests staying at participating Carlson Hotels Worldwide brand properties in the Americas from April 1 through May 31, 2005, are invited to once again "Make Room in Your Heart for Kids" by donating $1 per night's stay to benefit the World Childhood Foundation (Childhood) - the hospitality company's charity partner. More... [469 views] More Hotels Turn to Self-ServiceHotels have been testing the waters of self-service check-in for more than a year, and they are now embracing it on a wide scale. More... [1512 views] Hong Kong Developer says to spend HK$4 bln on new hotels: reportProperty developer New World Development has set aside up to HK$4 billion to build three hotels taking its Hong Kong hotel portfolio to six over the next five years, according to managing director Henry Cheng. More... [720 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 4, 2005Exclusive: MKG's 2005 world ranking of hotel groupsInterContinental Hotels Group maintains its position as world leader. As a foreshadow of the detailed assessment of the worldwide hotel industry, compiled each year by MKG Consulting and published in the May/June issue of HTR Magazine, here is a listing of the 10 largest groups, and 20 largest brands in the world. More... [1741 views] E&Y Annual Lodging Survey Sees Continued Warming Trend for Hospitality Sector; Increased Room Rates and Occupancy Only a Part of the Big PictureThe housing sector may face cooler weather ahead as interest rates rise, but the hotel sector is expected to continue a warming trend, according to a new lodging survey report by Ernst & Young. More... [595 views] Dusit Hotels & Resorts plans expansionThe annual General Managers’ Conference of Dusit Hotels & Resorts was held recently (Mar 30-31) at The Dusit Thani Hotel, Bangkok. At the meeting, Mr. Chanin Donavanik, Executive Director of Dusit Group, outlined new projects and developments for Dusit, Thailand’s oldest hotel chain. More... [866 views] Last month's most viewed Newsletter articles....Review of last month's most read newsletter articles... Check it out... More... [1083 views] Small Luxury Hotels Spa Survey Reveals Guest Preferences and DislikesIn conjunction with the release of the new Spa Book, Exclusively by Small Luxury Hotels, the global luxury brand surveyed over 1000 frequent travelers and regular spa-goers in 20 countries as to their likes, dislikes and preferences of the spa experience. Research found that typically these guests book at least one treatment during every weekend break, and three during a week-long stay. More... [1416 views] St. Petersburg Tourism Officials Warn of High Hotel RatesSt. Petersburg's top tourist official warned that there could be a 25 percent decrease in the number of foreign tourists visiting the city if its hotels keep putting up their rates. Viktor Pakhomkov, speaking at the Internationale Tourismus Boerse in Berlin last month, said that nearly all hotel owners in St. Petersburg have disregarded City Hall's recommendation to restrain annual rises in room prices. More... [681 views] Choice Hotels Europe back in blackEuropean branded hotel operator Choice Hotels Europe has end a run of five consecutive loss-making years with a pretax pre-ex profit for 2004 of £600K. The gain came from turnover of £79.6m. In 2003 it made a £1.9m loss on turnover of £78.4m. More... [518 views] Visitors to Australia increase by 9% in 2004The number of foreign visitors to Australia in 2004 reached 4.8 million, increasing by 9 percent over the previous year , latest figures show. More... [565 views] International Hotel Chains' Confidence in Sri Lanka Tourism Continues to GrowIn a major demonstration of confidence in the future of Sri Lanka tourism, leading international hoteliers recently announced plans to develop new properties in the capital, Colombo. Prestigious global hospitality brands – Hyatt and Sheraton – will all open upscale properties in the capital Colombo within the next two years. More... [698 views] AAHOA elects board of directorsThe Asian American Hotel Owners Assn. held its 2005 election for eight open seats on its board of directors March 26 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., during the association's annual convention and trade show. Two incumbents won re-election while the remaining six seats were filled by newcomers. More... [521 views] Decorating: The trend hits hotels tooUpscale places are also hiring designers who usually work on homes. They are ditching 'generic sleeping chambers' and creating 'sexy, custom spaces.' More... [935 views] Riu to open two new Palace Resorts in 2006 in stunning Caribbean destinationsRiu Hotels & Resorts, which offers three levels of resorts - Classic, ClubHotel and Palace - will be opening two new Palace level resorts in 2006: Riu Palace Riviera Maya in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, and Riu Palace Punta Cana in Dominican Republic. The Riu Palace resorts are the upscale resorts of the group. There are currently 14 Riu Palace resorts around the world. More... [620 views] Planners To Arrange More Meetings In 2005 According To HSMAI SurveyAccording to a survey of pre-registrants attending the fifth annual Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International’s (HSMAI) Affordable Meetings® Mid-America show April 6-7, 2005 at Chicago’s Navy Pier, the majority of the respondents (53.7 percent) expect to plan more meetings in 2005 and beyond. Most of those respondents anticipate planning three – 10 more meetings (one respondent was a particular stand-out by citing an increase of double the number of meetings planned last year – for a total of 400 in 2005). More... [459 views] HolidayInn.com, Ranked Number One as a Source for Online Reservations;A new study by D.K. Shifflet & Associates has found that 19% of guests booking online used HolidayInn.com ranking it number one, above traditional third-party websites such as Expedia and Travelocity. This is the first time a hotel chain website has been ranked number one as a source for online reservations More... [775 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 1, 200510 GREAT BATHTUBSThe idea of the bath butler was, I think, invented by Mark Lettenbichler when he was resident manager of the Ritz-Carlton Millenia Singapore. How many bathtubs are wasted, he said. How can we entice people to have bath treatments? Now, thanks to Lettenbichler - now Hong Kong-based vp south Asia for Ritz-Carlton, numerous hotels and resorts offer bathtime specials. By Mary Gostelow, WOWtraveler.net More... [1572 views] Travel agents, wake up and smell the InternetI’ve said this and I will say it again and again till traditional travel agents in Asia not only hear but listen and act. I have long been a supporter of travel agents, that much maligned middleman whom everyone’s been saying for years will go the way of the dinosaur. ByYeoh Siew Hoon / SHY Ventures More... [990 views] How did Europe fare? Extract from the Global Performance Review 2004When comparing regional results, Europe seems to be aligned with the rest of the world, but dig a bit deeper and the picture’s rather bleak. Compared to 2000, Europe achieved double-digit US$ revPAR growth but when measured in euros revPAR is still 12% below 2000 levels. More... [605 views] The hotels with Fawlty websitesTourists who thought they had booked a room with a view and ended up overlooking the car park can now get revenge - a travel website is inviting holidaymakers to shop hotels that don't deliver what they promise. Niels Pederson, managing director of online reservations company Supranational Hotels, has set up a page devoted to the worst whoppers. More... [952 views] Prince Hotel Group Considers Hotel Sales As Parent, Sebu, ReorganizesThe panel handling the rehabilitation of the Seibu Railway Co. group is considering selling or closing the group's 85 hotels and resort facilities to reduce debts, sources in Japan said Tuesday. More... [615 views] Choice Hotels India lines up expansionChoice Hotels India, a franchisee of Choice Hotels International, is drawing up plans to aggressively expand in the domestic as well as international markets. The company will launch three brands in India — Clarion Hotels, Sleep Inn and Comfort Suites. More... [621 views] Internet Booking Continues to Grow in Popularity among Business Travelers, Accenture Survey FindsAlmost three-quarters of U.S. business travelers use the Internet as their primary means of arranging their business travel, according to results of a survey released today by Accenture . More... [1427 views] Host Marriott sells Courtyard for $92MUpscale hotel owner divests itself of 85% of its interests with partner Marriott. Host Marriott Corp., said Wednesday that it had completed the sale of about 85 percent of its interest in Courtyard, a joint venture with Marriott International Inc., for about $92 million. More... [784 views] Interstate Hotels & Resorts selected to manage upscale portfolio of 22 hotelsInterstate Hotels & Resorts , announced that it has signed management agreements to operate 22 upscale hotels recently acquired by a partnership consisting of a private investment fund managed by Goldman Sachs and affiliates of Highgate Holdings. More... [611 views] Four Points by Sheraton and The Napping Company Serve Up Nap-Friendly TipsBags under your eyes? Eating more and enjoying it less? Yawning during your boss's presentation? Dozing off on the train home? These are all typical signs of sleep deprivation. Don't stress - take a nap! Four Points by Sheraton, Starwood's moderately-priced brand and The Napping Company offer up some common facts about the "art of napping" and its advantages and benefits. More... [555 views] AH&LA Key Sessions Educate Industry On Technology, Diversity And The Latest In Lodging DevelopmentsThe American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) seminars at the 2005 Las Vegas International Hotel & Restaurant Show (LVIHRS), April 27–28 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, will feature lodging executives who will discuss technology, diversity, energy efficiency, and much more. More... [489 views] Chinese tourists set to return to PhuketA team of Chinese tourist officials and travel agents is currently in Thailand`s southern resort province of Phuket . They are part of the Chinese government promise to help attract tourists back to the island resort following the last December tsunami disaster. More... [600 views] 
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ehotelier Hospitality News Archives: April 2005Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 29, 2005Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 28, 2005Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 27, 2005Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 26, 2005Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 25, 2005Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 22, 2005Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 21, 2005Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 20, 2005Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 19, 2005Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 18, 2005Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 15, 2005Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 14, 2005Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 13, 2005Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 12, 2005Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 11, 2005Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 8, 2005Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 7, 2005Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 6, 2005Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 5, 2005Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 4, 2005Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 1, 2005
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