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ehotelier Hospitality News Archives: October 2005Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 31, 2005Holistic hotel and resort design - a new paradigm in international tourismA new paradigm in international tourism has been established through the growing trend of holistic hotel and resort design, according to leading industry architects, interior designers, and sustainable tourism consultants. This view promotes a holistic development system integrating body, mind and spirit to create balanced, self-renewing and sustainable tourism developments. By Angela Clark, Managing Partner of Lumière Associates Ltd More... [1578 views] The Top Three Cross-Industry Rate Setting ChallengesWhat do the hotel industry, consumer electronics, retail, and the package delivery businesses have in common? More than you think. Each industry is struggling with managing group rates; all are working to understand how to keep promotions from cannibalizing current offerings; and in each market shoppers are price sensitive because of the Internet, seasonality and other outside factors. Now several hotel companies are looking over the fence and boosting their bottom lines by applying successful revenue management strategies modeled from other industries. by Graham Young, Manugistics Revenue Management Group More... [962 views] Hilton Reports Strong Third Quarter 2005 ResultsHilton Hotels Corporation today reported financial results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2005. Third quarter highlights: -- Diluted EPS of $.22 versus $.15 in 2004 period, an increase of 47 percent. - 46 percent increase in net income; $89 million versus $61 million in 2004 period. -- Total company Adjusted EBITDA up 9 percent to $279 million. More... [556 views] London top-end hotels show most robust performance post July bombingsAirport hotels show highest growth in revenue per available room. London’s top-end hotels (over £200 per night) out-performed all other priced segments of the London hotel market last month, with revenue per available room (RevPAR) up by 6% in September compared with 2004 figures, according to the HotelBenchmark Survey by Deloitte. More... [600 views] Reducing the Loss of Potential Booking ~ Featuring “Insufficient Inventory Report”There is always the possibility of an excess demand situation in setting allotments. The System cannot process availability requests into online bookings; not many systems can supply reports on a particular event. A Hotel might still have rooms available to cater to a particular request, and that is why it has to be able to keep track of such reservation requests and take immediate action to avoid further losing revenue. More... [691 views] Changing of guard at two of Accor's most established hotelsNew GMs for Menzies and Novotel Northbeach Two of Acor’s most senior General Managers will this month swap roles as Walter Immoos, GM of the Menzies Hotel and Michael Smith, GM of Novotel Northbeach in Wollongong take over each other’s jobs. More... [698 views] New General Manager for Rialto Hotel on Collins, MelbourneSwiss born Daniel Bucher, 41, is the new General Manager at the Rialto Hotel on Collins. Daniel has relocated to Melbourne from Holiday Inn Port Moresby with his wife and two young children, to take up the position. More... [826 views] Sunday Times Travel Magazine Awards Presented at WTMThe awards categories are: Best European Country; Best Country Worldwide; Best UK City; Best City Worldwide; Best Travel Company; Best Specialist Travel Company; Best Airline; Best Budget/Short Haul Airline; Best UK Hotel; Best European Hotel; Best Hotel Worldwide; Best UK Spa. More... [956 views] Carlson Hotels Adds Five Radisson Hotels During the Month of September 2005Three in Europe, One in India, and One in the U.S. More... [672 views] Cambria Suites builds momentum with 20 deals in the pipelineChoice Hotels and The Summit Group Break Ground. First Upscale All-Suites Brand Designed by Choice Hotels. In the nine months since Choice Hotels International, Inc. announced its entrance into the select-service upscale market with the launch of Cambria Suites, the company has doubled its development goal and established its place as a trendsetter not only in the select-service upscale segment, but also in hotel design that meets the needs of today's business travelers. More... [600 views] Choice Hotels reports 3rd Quarter 2005 adjusted diluted EPSGain of 16% and operating income increase of 12%. Company Exceeds 4,000 Domestic Units Open; New Domestic Hotel Franchise Contracts Rise 17% More... [450 views] Choice Hotels International named "Great Place To Work" for the second consecutive time by the Washingtonian MagazineChoice Hotels International was selected as a “Great Place to Work” by The Washingtonian magazine, the monthly magazine of the nation’s capital. This is the second consecutive time that Choice has been recognized by The Washingtonian in its survey of companies, nonprofit organizations and government agencies in the DC metropolitan area. More... [686 views] Beijing hotels can meet tourists' demand during OlympicsBeijing will not build a great many accommodation facilities for the upcoming 2008 Olympic Games despite the upcoming tourist upsurge, said a senior tourist official here on Friday. More... [710 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 28, 2005Starwood looking at up to $4B in asset salesStarwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide (hot) said it's considering selling up to $4 billion in hotels. "Assets that do not fit our strategic criteria will be marketed for sale and we are in various stages of discussions with numerous interested parties. More... [1232 views] The 2006 Mobil Five-Stars Awarded to 32 Hotels and 14 RestaurantsAlso 119 Hotels and 140 Restaurants Win Four-Star Award. Mobil Travel Guide, developer of the authoritative Mobil star rating program for lodgings, spas and restaurants, today announced the 2006 recipients of the Mobil Four- and Five-Star Awards in the lodging and restaurant categories. More... [1148 views] Richard Kaldor Named Vice President, Sofitel Brand - Asia PacificAccor is pleased to announce the appointment of Richard Kaldor as Regional General Manager – Sofitel Hotels Australia and Vice President, Sofitel Brand Asia Pacific. In this capacity, Richard will be based in the Accor Sydney office and will begin his new assignment early January 2006. More... [860 views] Budget Hotels Help Lift Accor RevenueBudget Hotels Help Accor's Revenue Rise 7.9 Percent in the Third Quarter. French hotel group Accor SA, whose brands include the Sofitel and Red Roof Inns chains, said revenue rose 7.9 percent in the third quarter, boosted by a strong performance at its budget hotels. More... [651 views] Australian Hotel Performance Goes from Strength to StrengthRevPAR Up Almost 8% During the First Nine Months of 2005. The Australian hotel market seems to be going from strength to strength. Latest figures from the HotelBenchmark™ Survey by Deloitte show that Australian hotels have posted the strongest growth for the first nine months of any year, well with the exception of the Olympic year that is. And, with revenue per available room (revPAR) at AUS$116, this is in fact only AUS$2 behind highs achieved in 2000. More... [641 views] Rocco Forte Hotels announces two key promotionsRocco Forte Hotels is delighted to announce the promotion of two long-serving colleagues. Elena Bruno will take on the role of General Manager of Hotel de Russie in Rome, while Evelina Conti will assume the position of Director of Sales & Marketing responsible for Rocco Forte Hotels’ two Italian properties – Hotel Savoy in Florence and Hotel de Russie in Rome. More... [822 views] “It’s never been as easy as today“Not every office building is suitable for the conversion into a hotel. In view of the fact that a very high amount of office space is currently vacant, experts in the hospitality and commercial real estate branch had some very lively discussions about suitable conversion concepts during the trade fair, EXPO REAL which took place from October 10th to 12th in Munich. Berno-H. Feuring speaks at the EXPO REAL about conversion concepts in the upgrade hospitality market. More... [631 views] Small Luxury Hotels To Host 13th Annual Conference In LondonRenowned Guest Speakers & Exciting Social Program Deliver Record Attendees. Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) will host its 13th Annual International Conference from November 10 – 12 in London, England. More... [951 views] Pittsburgh hotel names are as transient as their customersFrequent name changes continue to befuddle cabbies, citizens alike These days, making a reservation for a room at a Downtown hotel can be the hospitality equivalent of Abbott and Costello's "Who's on First" comedy routine. Do you stay at the Westin, meaning the one that used to be the Doubletree, or the one that is now the Omni William Penn? Or if you want to stay at the Doubletree, is that the one that is where the Ramada once was? More... [607 views] Rezidor SAS rewards travel partnersRezidor SAS, the fast-growing Brussels-based hospitality company, hosted an award ceremony for 175 of its travel partners to honour 10 agents, for their continuous support and commitment to its properties in Europe, the Middle East and Africa throughout the year. More... [542 views] Caribbean Tourism Organization and the Caribbean Hotel Association signed historic agreementA historic agreement has been signed by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA) in which the two organizations have pledged “full cooperation and collaboration between the public and private sectors of the Caribbean tourism industry in order for tourism development to proceed in a coherent, effective and efficient manner.” More... [536 views] Marriott to close Cancun hotels through year's endMarriott International has closed its three resorts in Cancun, Mexico, through the rest of the year after Hurricane Wilma caused severe damage to the beach resort. More... [696 views] Woolworths acquires Australian Taverner Hotel GroupWoolworths Limited has announced the acquisition of the Australian Taverner Hotel Group, through its 75% owned subsidiary, Bruandwo. The remaining 25% interest in Bruandwo is owned by Bruce Mathieson Group. More... [578 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 27, 2005TravelCLICK Acquires Vantis International CorporationVantis Customers Gain a Full Range of Revenue-Building Reservations and Decision-Support Solutions. TravelCLICK Inc., a leading provider of hotel business process management solutions, announced today that it has acquired Vantis International Corporation, a travel reservations and marketing services firm. The acquisition provides the Vantis customer base of over 5,000 hotels worldwide with access to an exclusive combination of decision-support services and technology that is proven to increase both hotel revenue and profitability. More... [762 views] Why Cendant SplitThe "emotionally wrenching" decision to dismantle the travel and real estate outfit will benefit shareholders, says the chairman and CEO. On Oct. 24, travel and real estate giant Cendant announced it was breaking into four pieces after years of a languishing stock price Cendant (CD) Chairman and CEO Henry Silverman talked to Amy Barrett, BusinessWeek's Philadelphia bureau chief, about why the company is being dismantled -- and what's in store for the veteran dealmaker now. Edited excerpts follow: More... [779 views] Where Dining Is Headed: Five TrendsUncomplicated, Straight from the Garden & Sea, Inexpensive, Exploding with Flavor. Benchmark Hospitality International, which manages 28 award-winning hotels, resorts, and conference centers throughout the United States and in Asia, has announced Five Top Dining Trends for the Future, as observed by its properties. More... [1529 views] Survey: Most Buyers Plan To Acquire Hotel E-Folio DataThe Association of Corporate Travel Executives and MasterCard International last night presented results from a co-sponsored study on electronic hotel folio data here at ACTE's global conference. In a survey of more than 100 U.S. corporate travel buyers, 13 percent said they currently are receiving line-item detail from their card provider and 77 percent said they plan to acquire such information in the near future. More than half of all respondents said receiving e-folio data is "very critical" for their travel programs. More... [569 views] Starwood Reports Record Third Quarter 2005 ResultsThird Quarter 2005 Highlights: -- EPS from continuing operations for the third quarter of 2005 was $0.18, compared to $0.49 in the third quarter of 2004. Excluding special items which primarily relate to tax expense on the adoption of a plan to repatriate foreign earnings in accordance with the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 and additional tax expense related to the 1998 disposition of ITT World Directories, EPS from continuing operations was $0.58 for the third quarter of 2005 compared to $0.40 for the third quarter of 2004. -- REVPAR at Same-Store Owned Hotels in North America and worldwide increased 13.2% and 11.9%, respectively, when compared to the third quarter of 2004. ADR increased 10.1% and 8.5% in North America and worldwide, respectively. More... [627 views] Hotels try to make your stay personalTales abound of hotels going to extremes to cater to celebrity guests' whims. But, increasingly, hotels are giving business travelers the kind of personal attention and recognition once afforded only to the rich and famous. With competition keen these days, managers are making it their business to get to know their guests on a personal basis. They know that special attention keeps them coming back. More... [1289 views] Strong Business Travel Recovery to Continue in 2006, According to American Express Business Travel ForecastAmerican Express Business Travel, released today its 2006 Global Business Travel Forecast that indicates strong price increases in the global business travel industry and suggests a more challenging corporate travel buying market in the year ahead. The comprehensive analysis forecasts both airfare and hotel trends as well as published price predictions for the coming year regionally and globally. More... [632 views] U.S. hotel revenue rose 8.3 pct in third quarterU.S. hotels posted a record 8.3 percent year-over-year increase in room revenue for the third quarter, Smith Travel Research reported on Tuesday. Occupancy rose 2.7 percentage points to 69 percent, while room rates rose 5.6 percent to an average of $91.08 a night. More... [650 views] New GM Appointments At Accor HotelsAccor Asia Pacific announces 4 General Manager appointments in Accor hotels in Asia. More... [1649 views] Trump Entertainment Resorts Announces Two Senior Management AppointmentsTrump Entertainment Resorts, Inc.announced today that the Company has continued to enhance its senior management team by naming Virginia McDowell to be the Company's Executive Vice President, Chief Information Officer, and Paul Keller to be the Company's Executive Vice President, Design and Construction, effective October 24, 2005. More... [644 views] Singapore Visitor Arrivals for September 2005In September 2005, Singapore welcomed 703,901 visitors, registering a 6.9% growth over the same period a year ago. Visitor days were estimated to reach 2,352,432, an increase of 10.9% in comparison to September 2004. More... [517 views] Rendezvous Hotels & Resorts International Wins Singapore Promising Brand Award 2005Rendezvous Hotels & Resorts International has been accorded a Singapore Promising Brand Award (SPBA) 2005 in a prestigious ceremony at Raffles City Convention Center . Rendezvous is the only hotel brand to receive this distinction among 36 winning organisations, which span a wide spectrum of trade sectors and industries. More... [556 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 26, 2005Hotels focus on a 'good night's sleep'When seeking a good night's rest, a tired business traveler wants his own bed. He misses the familiar glare of his alarm clock and the dip in the mattress that perfectly fits his body. No weary traveler, munching on a late-night snack of vending machine animal crackers, wants to crawl onto a hotel mattress sagging from holding too many tossers and turners before him. More... [1355 views] Award Winners announced at Hotel Investment Conference Asia PacificAwards for Deal of the Year and Development of the Year were announced at the Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific (HICAP), held 12-14 October in Hong Kong. The 16th annual HICAP drew a record crowd of nearly 600 of the hospitality industry’s top executives. The 399 room Four Seasons Hong Kong won the first Reggie Shiu Development of the Year award. Opened in September 2005. Colony Capital’s S$1.45 billion acquisition of Raffles Hotels & Resorts and Swissotels & Resorts won the prestigious Deal of the Year award. More... [783 views] Hong Kong: Five-star rates back in season as market laps up luxuryThe official opening of the Four Seasons in Hong Kong comes as nearly all of the Central hotel's 345 rooms and 54 suites are operational. Occupancies are running at 90 per cent, the hotel says, with guests divided between business and leisure. When it comes to rates, the corporate tariff is HK$ 2,900, (US$372) the same as the boutique Landmark Mandarin Oriental's rate on its website. Many hoteliers correctly predicted the move by Four Seasons and Landmark to charge premium tariffs would provide the impetus to push Hong Kong's flagging rates upwards. More... [771 views] InterContinental Hotels Group Appoints New Executive Vice President of Human ResourcesInterContinental Hotels Group PLC (IHG) today announces the appointment of Tracy Robbins to the position of Executive Vice President, Human Resources. Tracy will take up her position on December 12th. Tracy, 42, joins from Compass Group PLC where she held the position of Group Human Resources Leadership & Development Director. Previous to that, Tracy was Group HR Director for Forte Hotels Group, and has held a number of senior HR roles at Tesco Stores Ltd and British Home Stores. More... [748 views] London hotels make an autumn comebackThe London hotel industry saw a marked recovery during September, following a severe downturn in business in the aftermath of the June terrorist attacks, according to figures released today by PKF hotel consultancy services. PKF’s report for September shows that year on year occupancy in London was down a modest 3.7% to 79.6%, but average room rate was up 4.2% to £110.99, helping to keep rooms yield steady at £88.39, a 0.3% rise on the same month last year. More... [626 views] NH Hoteles Nearly Triples Its On-line SalesNH Hoteles has nearly tripled its internet sales compared to last year's figures, after expanding and improving the services of its web site, which first came online in 2004. To make customer access easier, a more personalised page has been set up according to each customer's profile and the access routes have been simplified. More... [574 views] Mexico Worried About Future of TourismMexico's economy took a big blow from Hurricane Wilma, with the palatial hotels at the heart of its tourism industry left in ruins and shopping centers emptied by looters. More... [665 views] Minotel launches international franchise systemThe Minotel hotel chain is going into franchising with a view to raising its profile by expanding its network outside Europe. The goal: 2,500 establishments around the world in the next 10 years. Minotel was created in 2004 through the fusion of Minotel Suisse and its international consortium. More... [547 views] The Shilla Teams-Up with Preferred Hotel GroupSouth Korea’s premier 5-star hotel, The Shilla Seoul, has extended its marketing network by joining the Preferred Hotel Group. The multi-brand organization delivers high-performance sales, marketing, and technology solutions to 300 independent luxury hotels in 50 countries around the world. Its key services include expert business consultancy, sales, marketing, distribution, reservations and revenue management. More... [1099 views] India targeting 10 million touristsThe Indian Tourism Ministry is putting into effect several promotional strategies in its ambitious target of receiving 10 million tourists into the country by the end of year 2010 More... [730 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 25, 2005Accor: Please Call HousekeepingAccor, Europe's biggest hotel chain, has lots of experience washing its guests' linens. But now the Paris company must clean up its own sullied reputation after its search for a new boss led to a rare public airing of a messy boardroom battle. A truce was reached in mid-October, when Gilles Pélisson, a nephew of Accor co-founder Gérard Pélisson, was named CEO. As part of the deal, the elder Pélisson agreed to yield the post of chairman of the board to an outsider recruited by dissident board members. More... [1049 views] A Breakfast Burrito Doesn't Cut It - Why local flavour is not sufficient to compete with the "Formulas"It has always been about the Experience and the ability to differentiate, and that is why the “formula” restaurants have the edge. We may bemoan the homogenization, the lackluster façade and ambiance, and the uninspired product and service, but the formulas have consistency, a known and familiar product, and usually an absence of surprises – the experience anticipated will usually be met. Such is the reality and the challenge to independents. By John R. Hendrie, CEO, Hospitality Performance More... [663 views] Hotel Spas - The New Recreational Vehicle For Hotel ProfitsWhile the spa experience may once have been considered a luxury to hotel guests, hotel owners and operators are fast realizing that it is necessary to have a spa to meet guest expectations and to remain competitive. In resort locations catering primarily to groups and individual leisure travelers, golf was once the buzzword for guest recreation and enjoyment. Now with a trend toward better lifestyles, an increase in disposable income, and less available time, spa treatments are better accommodated in a tight schedule than a leisurely round of golf. More... [1459 views] EIBTM 2005 launches CEO Global SummitEIBTM 2005 - The Global Meeting and Incentive Exhibition - is launching the first ever EIBTM CEO Summit, designed to bring together the most senior business leaders from across the global meetings and incentives industry. More... [649 views] M & C to focus on yields, not turnoverMr Kwek told the 200 delegates it was a natural progression for him to move into the hospitality industry from his property background, as he wanted access to the recurring income. 'For real estate development, the profit fluctuates from time to time, it depends on how many projects you launch, how much profit you can get from each project,' he said.Mr Kwek's London-listed Millennium & Copthorne chain owns, manages or operates more than 90 hotels in 15 countries. More... [718 views] Hotels court ratings from secret inspectionsDiamonds can mean higher room rates, more reservations. The five-diamond rating, given to just 85 hotels nationally this year, indicates the ultimate in luxury and sophistication. Five of those are in New York City: The Four Seasons, The Peninsula, The Ritz-Carlton hotels in Battery Park and Central Park and The St. Regis. More... [1043 views] Hotel Broadband Access to Triple by 2009Remember when people used to go on vacation to relax and get away? No more... North American hotels were quicker to offer broadband services, and represent approximately two-thirds of total properties connected worldwide. Now the rest of the world's hospitality properties are moving to offer broadband. More... [582 views] Internet Marketing Best Practices For Resort Industry - ReportThe results are in on the first-ever, comprehensive study of "Best Practices on Internet Marketing and Distribution for Resorts," initiated by the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International's (HSMAI) Resort Marketing Special Interest Group. More... [1187 views] Australia must prepare for influx of Chinese touristsChina is expected to soon move ahead of the UK as the major source of tourists visiting Australia. More... [767 views] Cendant Corporation Board of Directors Announces Plan to Separate Cendant Into Four Publicly Owned, Pure-Play CompaniesCendant Corporation today announced that its Board of Directors has approved a plan to separate Cendant into four independent, publicly traded, pure-play companies -- one each for Cendant's real estate, travel distribution, hospitality and vehicle rental businesses. More... [671 views] The Best Advertising Money Can BuyIf you're not budgeting for word-of-mouth advertising, your business is probably suffering. Our ad expert offers his tips on generating customer recommendations. The price of making a powerful statement is cheap compared to the cost of ads that don't work. So make a statement that counts. This is the best advertising advice I can give you. More... [967 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 24, 2005“Are you ready for Business? – A Hospitality Recovery Plan.When a natural disaster strikes, the immediate results are devastating. We all have watched the events unfold in our Gulf Coast areas in awe and sorrow, with each day bringing extraordinary stories and sights of damage, distress and heartbreak. We have also witnessed unbelievable courage and resolve to rebuild lives, communities and businesses, for with usual American “can do”, the vision of the future is attainable and bright. However, each stage of recovery will be under the Media microscope: successes will be showcased, missteps magnified and corruption and flim flam exposed. By John R. Hendrie, CEO, Hospitality Performance, Inc. More... [708 views] Beware those service awards....Or customers might just vote with their feet, says Yeoh Siew Hoon. More... [939 views] John W. Marriott III to leave MarriottJohn W. Marriott III, executive vice president -- lodging of Marriott International, Inc.announced today that he will leave the company in January 2006 to serve as chief executive officer of J.W.M. Family Enterprises, L.P., a private partnership. Mr. Marriott also has accepted the position of vice chairman of Marriott International's Board of Directors. More... [1174 views] Hilton Hotels Corporation Taps New Leaders to Manage Two New Orleans PropertiesHilton Hotels Corporation has announced that Frederick Sawyers III has been named general manager of the 1616-room Hilton New Orleans Riverside and Craig Mouney has been named general manager of the 317-room Hilton New Orleans Airport. Both hotels were forced to close briefly in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, but have since reopened. More... [598 views] Reuniting Hilton Would Create World's 5th Largest Hotel CompanyAt the birth of the hotel corporation, Hilton would win a place in the classification of worldwide hotel groups, with more than 453,000 rooms and would overtake Choice by more than 50,000 rooms. This hypothetical classification takes into account the recent buyback of Le Meridien by Starwood Capital Group LLC and the consequent merger of Le Meridien with other hotels of the American group Starwood Hotels & Resorts. More... [1260 views] Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts Doubles its PortfolioRecently Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts took over a luxurious resort on Mauritius and now announces a total of five new projects in Dubai (UAE) as well as on the tropical island of Zanzibar (Tanzania), putting the Swiss international hotel chain well on course towards achieving its expansion objectives. The hotel group has been steadily expanding over the past five years. More... [799 views] Orient-Express Hotels Join Marriott Rewards(R) as a Redemption PartnerMembers of Marriott Rewards(R), Marriott International, Inc.'s (NYSE:MAR) award-winning guest loyalty program, can now redeem their points for Orient-Express hotels in locations such as Venice, Italy and Bora Bora in the South Pacific. More... [1254 views] The Growing Importance of the domestic leisure market in BritainSince the start of the decline in domestic business hotel staying volume in Britain four years ago, the domestic leisure hotel staying volume has more than compensated for this downturn. In fact, with staggering growth of 116% over the last ten years, for the first time in over 20 years of tracking, in 2004 domestic leisure demand for hotels in Britain outstripped business demand, accounting for 53% of all British domestic room nights, according to the annual British Hotel Guest Survey published by industry research specialists BDRC. More... [623 views] The World of Hospitality Heads to China for the IH&RA 42nd Annual Congress!More than 400 international hospitality industry leaders from around the world are on their way to Beijing, China for the IH&RA 42nd Annual Congress, “Orient Express: Destination China! New Markets – New Competition” to take place next week from 28-30 October 2005, at the Kempinski Hotel Beijing Lufthansa Center. IH&RA is preparing for one of its largest meetings ever at this 2005 Congress which includes a 1-1/2 Conference programme with industry leaders debating the hottest issues impacting the hotel and restaurant industry today. More... [583 views] Donald J. Trump and Dubai-Based Nakheel, LLC reveal details of their First Major Joint Investment in the Middle EastNakheel, LLC, developer of more than $30 billion in real estate in Dubai, and The Trump Organization have revealed their plans for The Palm Trump International Hotel and Tower on the Palm Jumeirah island in Dubai. Both companies will be investing substantially in the pioneering $400 million condominium-hotel development. More... [735 views] SIBEC ASIA's move from Bali means early return to PhuketPelican Events have decided to move SIBEC ASIA 2006 from The InterContinental Resort in Bali to The Le Meridien Beach Resort in Phuket, Thailand. The dates will move by a few days to the 27th February – 1st March. The decision has been made after the bomb attacks on Bali on the 1st October, the timing of which seriously compromises the opportunity to bring together the key delegates for the fifth running of this important business forum. More... [548 views] Tourism Development on UAE’s East Coast Prompts ‘High-Caliber Management’ Focus at Le Meridien Al AqahAward-Winning Resort Augments Leisure Offering with Highly Experienced Management Team Appointments. As hotel competition intensifies on the UAE’s East Coast, Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort, the award-winning East Coast luxury property, has announced two key management appointments this month, in a move aimed at augmenting its existing leisure offering. More... [628 views] HMC and Domina Hotel Group Complete Marketing Program AgreementDomina Hotel Group has completed today a marketing program agreement with HMC (Hospitality Marketing Consultants) which will design and implement a group-wide membership program. “Classe,” a premium membership club, offers recognition and benefits at all managed hotels within the Domina Hotel Group portfolio More... [1984 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 21, 2005Top Resorts, Top Hotels - Results of the 2005 Conde Nast TravelerThe November issue of Conde Nast Traveler celebrates the 18th annual Readers' Choice Awards. This year's survey boasts the highest responses and scores ever in each category. With nearly 28,000 travelers voting, the lists show an even greater global variety and depth. More... [3035 views] Destination "Damage Control" starts with that single visitor complaintHospitality Destinations are beset with situations beyond their control and many within. Whether it be man-made or natural, the effect of an unfortunate event does impact your Destination’s livelihood and reputation. How you respond to these situations will dictate your credibility in the eyes of the Consumer, provide confidence and reliability for their visit to your Destination, and enhance your distinction – or not. By John R. Hendrie CEO, Hospitality Performance, Inc. More... [872 views] Hotels in India - Trends & OpportunitiesThe hospitality industry in India has witnessed active interest and has transformed the country as one of the fastest growing markets. The report assesses current trends for the hotel industry. Over the last two years the Indian hospitality industry has witnessed active interest and has transformed the country as a huge development destination. This publication assesses current trends and presents future opportunities for the hotel industry in India. By Manav Thadani, HVS International
More... [892 views] Avian Flu: over-reaction could damage tourism industry, says WTOThe WTO is to meet with the World Health Organization to combat the looming threat of an avian flu epidemic having a serious impact on international tourism. More... [771 views] When Hotels Cluster, It Pays to Be DifferentCornell Study Finds Low-end Properties Benefit from High-end Neighbors. Opening a low-end hotel near high-end properties is generally a sound business strategy, according to a new report from Cornell's Center for Hospitality Research (CHR). More... [740 views] SideStep Walks Into MarriottTravel search engine SideStep has a new agreement with Marriott International to search its sites for rate information. The SideStep travel search site managed to land a deal with Marriott, which will permit SideStep searches to query its properties. Once a user finds a listing they wish to book, a XML link will take them from SideStep to the Marriott property they want. More... [582 views] Now Is Time To Buy New Orleans HotelThe recent tragic hurricane that devastated New Orleans and the Gulf States raises the issue of hotel disasters ans poses questions concerning the prognosis for a rapid and complete recovery. Since travel is argyle discretionary, any type of disaster that adversely affects a traveller's perception of safety or comfort will impact the selection of a particular hotel or visitation to an affected country or region. By Steve Rushmore, HVS Inernational More... [568 views] Westin Hotels Introduces New Mini-Bar ConceptDitch the chips and say so long soda, because Westin Hotels & Resorts is introducing a new mini-bar concept designed to enhance body, mind and soul. Debuting today in the brand's new Renewal Suite at The Westin New York at Times Square, the Purification Station offers unique products such as oxygen, energy patches and anti-stress spray to combat the rigors of the road, as well as healthy snacks including organic wine, beer and cookies. More... [1385 views] Nikko Hotels Expands to Middle East: Two Hotels to Open in United Arab EmiratesThe Nikko Hotels International group of luxury hotels will expand into the Middle East with two new hotels opening in The United Arab Emirates in the next two years. JAL Hotels Co., Ltd., which operates Nikko Hotels International, announced that it will open Nikko Fujairah Resort & Spa in December 2006, and Hotel Nikko Tower Dubai in December 2007. The owner of both hotels is ACICO International Real Estate Development Co. in Kuwait. More... [580 views] Record Breaking World Travel MarketWorld Travel Market 2005 will be the largest ever. This year sees its fourth consecutive increase in exhibitor space of more than 3% increase. Over 5,000 national tourist offices, industry organisations, tour operators, hotels, cruise lines, airlines, other transport operators and technology companies from more than 190 countries and regions will be participating. More... [655 views] European Tourism Communications Should Adapt to New CircumstancesThe latest WTO Regional Conference on Tourism Communications (TOURCOM) highlighted the need for both 'new' and established destinations in Europe to adapt their media relations to a changing scenario in which the East is gaining tourism market share at the expense of the West and to the use of new information technology. More... [563 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 20, 2005Making it Right with Wronged EmployeesQuestion: An executive team laid off a group of employees here in Canada in order to outsource to an Asian country. They can't find talent in the new country, work has stalled, and management tries to cajole laid-off employees (all talented, experienced peak performers) to return. The laid-off employees demand a written apology from the management and request that some executives be fired. My question: Should upper management issue an apology and suck it up and try to get their best talent back? Anserwer....... More... [1737 views] I Really Love This BusinessYou Just Gotta Love The Hotel Business! In Spite of its Self-inflicted Roadblocks and Blunders. I really love this business, but lately it seems to be saturated with gamesmanship, innuendo, and unusual interpretation of data. There's actually so much data available that I guess one can find data to support almost any position one may want to take. An adaptation of the old saying 'Figures can lie and liars can figure'. By Neil Salerno More... [886 views] The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Receives US$1 million Bequest for Establishing Andreas Hofer ScholarshipWith a generous bequest of US$1 million from internationally esteemed hotelier Mr Andreas Hofer and his wife, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) will establish the Andreas Hofer Scholarship for outstanding students of its School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM). Prof. Poon Chung-kwong, President of PolyU, said the University is truly grateful for the generosity of Mr and Mrs Hofer. “This is the first bequest ever pledged for the Institution. Mr and Mrs Hofer have indeed set a fine example for other supporters of PolyU to follow,” he said. More... [631 views] Rezidor SAS Hospitality to take over management of Nine Hotels in UKRezidor SAS Hospitality is to take over the management of nine UK properties to be operated under the Park Inn brand. The portfolio, previously part of the Queens Moat House Group and being sold by Goldman Sachs and Westmont Hospitality, will be operated under long-term agreements with Jefferson Hotel LLP, as the new owners. More... [601 views] Branding in Hotels – Standards or Standardization?The move by many groups from being property owning operators to being brand franchisors is gathering pace around the world, and truly global brands are being created. Franchising enables growth to be speedy and to penetrate new territory using local knowledge and finance to create new branded units. By Patrick Goff, Editor, www.hoteldesigns.net More... [970 views] Rocco Forte Hotels announces the opening of Brown’s HotelRocco Forte Hotels is pleased to confirm that Brown’s Hotel will re-open in London’s Mayfair on 12 December 2005, following a £19-million renovation overseen by Sir Rocco Forte’s sister, Olga Polizzi, widely regarded as one of Europe’s finest hotel designers. More... [721 views] Campanile Hotels showcase European expansion at World Travel Market 2005Campanile, the French owned chain of 384 quality, budget hotels and restaurants, is set to celebrate it`s 30th anniversary , taking place in 2006, at this years World Travel Market with the announcement of a series of new openings marking the expansion of the brand outside France. More... [575 views] HSMAI, CHA Set Agenda For Debit Strategy Conference Focused on Caribbean Hotel Sales & Marketing ForumSales and marketing professionals in the Caribbean will take away a wealth of information and resources pertaining to the hottest topics, issues and trends that are invaluable for growing their business when the first Caribbean Hotel Sales and Marketing Strategy Conference convenes in Miami, Dec. 1-2, 2005. More... [452 views] InterContinental Hotels Group to Double Portfolio in Booming KuwaitNoting the potential of Kuwait’s emerging tourism and travel sector, InterContinental Hotels Group is to double its interests in the country over the next year and a half. More... [599 views] First Russian hotel investment forum to be held in MoscowJones Lang LaSalle Hotels will be hosting its inaugural Russian Hotel Investment Forum on Thursday 27 October 2005 at the Swissotel Krasnye Holmy, Moscow. This is the first event of its kind to be held in Russia and will be attended by key global players in the hotel industry. More... [569 views] A new hotel for London's Square MileWith the arrival of designer boutiques such as Prada, Tiffany & Co, Agent Provocateur and Gucci along with a proliferation of new restaurants and bars, the City of London has never been cooler. This Autumn, a new hotel will set the standard for the ultimate in contemporary city-chic. Apex City of London, opening on 30 November in the tranquil Seething Lane, a stone’s throw the Tower of London and next to the church where Samuel Pepys is buried, is destined to be the square mile’s hottest property. More... [793 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 19, 2005Telling Stories: Your Brand is About YouDuring a recent seminar presentation, I asked my audience if they could tell me what their ‘story’ was. They responded, as I hoped, giving me a broad series of answers. In essence, their story was any (and all) of the following: The Brand Story - The Brand Experience - The Company Story = The Company History - The Company Mission & Guiding Principles - Their Personal History - Their Personal Guiding Principles. By Richard K. Hendrie, Chief Experience Officer, Remarkable Branding, Inc More... [1318 views] Hilton chief to quit after pounds 3.6bn dealDavid Michels, chief executive of Hilton Group, is expected to leave the company if a pounds 3.6billion indicative offer for its Hilton International Hotels arm goes ahead. Hilton group confirmed yesterday it had received an indicative approach for its hotel arm from Hilton Hotels Corporation (HHC), which owns the rights to the brand name in the United States. More... [1037 views] A star hotelier bids a fond farewellFour Seasons' Stan Bromley draws raves for his attention to detail, zany humor. After 40 years in the hotel business -- including four separate tours of duty in San Francisco -- Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts' Stan Bromley has called it quits. More... [1062 views] Rosewood Appoints Boulogne COORosewood Hotels & Resorts announced the promotion of Robert Boulogne to Chief Operating Officer. Boulogne joined Rosewood Hotels & Resorts in 2001 with over twenty years of experience in the hospitality and travel industry. More... [715 views] Storm over hotelier's ban on childrenThere was a storm of protest on Thursday over a ban on children by a prominent hotelier trying to attract wealthy guests seeking peace and quiet. Roland Ballner of the "Hotel Cortisen", at St. Wolfgang near Gmunden on one of Austria's best-known lakes, Wolfgangsee, said that from May next year, his hotel would be "a child-free zone" with children under 12 not permitted on the premises. More... [746 views] Starwood Hotels to double projects in ShanghaiStarwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide wants to double its committed projects to 10 in Shanghai in the next decade, the South China Morning Post reported. More... [792 views] Westin Takes on Martha Stewart's Apprentice TaskTeam Behind Iconic Heavenly Bed Debuts Room to Renew with Spa Bath, Zen Gym and Decompression Chamber More... [798 views] Hotels Lead In Deployment Of Wi-Fi For Corp. TravelersFrom airport lounges to rental car locations to restaurants, wireless-fidelity hotspots have become an increasingly common sight for laptop-lugging business travelers, but it is the hospitality industry that leads the charge in making the technology widely available. Information technology research and consulting firm Gartner Group in a report released last month said, "Hotels remain the leading Wi-Fi hotspot locations, with more than 60,000 places across the world." More... [631 views] Hospitality eBusiness Strategies to Present at the Historic Hotels of America Annual MeetingHospitality eBusiness Strategies (HeBS), a leading Internet, eMarketing and eDistribution consulting firm for the travel and hospitality industry, announced today that for a third year in a row the firm had been chosen to present and comment on important Internet distribution and marketing issues at the National Trust Historic Hotels of America (HHA) annual meeting. This time HeBS principals will participate in an important panel discussion at the HHA’s annual meeting on Thursday, October 27 at the Heathman Hotel, Portland Oregon. More... [570 views] Mandarin Oriental Tokyo reveals innovative design and a strong sense of placeMandarin Oriental, Tokyo’s unique design evokes a strong sense of place, and is a superb combination of tradition, quality and innovation —attributes that distinguish Mandarin Oriental properties around the world. Designed as a ‘living tree’, the hotel promises to offer guests an extraordinary journey through nature when it opens in December 2005. More... [1014 views] Vienna Declaration on the future of European tourism ensuring Europe`s share of a growing global tourism marketArthur Oberascher, President of the European Travel Commission (ETC), announced the launch of the Vienna Declaration on the Future of European Tourism at ETC`s First Executive Summit which is being held in Vienna. The Declaration is due to be adopted by the members of the European Travel Commission - 33 National Tourist Offices (NTOs) in Europe - at their general meeting. More... [555 views] Four Corporate appointments announced for Kor Hotel GroupTom Santora, Brenda Tscharner and Azadeh Nashat receive promotions, while Jonathan Heath is newly appointed to expanding Kor family More... [844 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 18, 2005Raffles Acquisition Named 'Deal of The Year' by Hotel Investment Conference Asia PacificColony Capital's Acquisition of Raffles Holdings 14 Owned Hotels and 27 Managed Hotels Named ‘Deal of the Year’ by Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific. The transaction between Colony Capital, LLC and Raffles Holdings Limited to purchase the latter’s entire hotel business for an enterprise value of S$1.72 billion was closed last month and included the acquisition of all 41 hotels of Raffles Holdings (14 owned and 27 managed). More... [935 views] Peter Strebel Named President of Wyndham WorldwideFollowing its acquisition of the Wyndham® hotel brand this week, Cendant Hotel Group today announced the appointments of Peter Strebel as president of Wyndham Worldwide and Jean Thomas as the Hotel Group’s executive vice president and chief marketing officer. More... [719 views] What Does a Hotel Franchise Cost?The selection of an appropriate hotel franchise affiliation affects a property’s ability to compete in the local market, generate profits, achieve a certain image or market orientation and benefit from referral business. Because the success of a hotel is primarily based on the cash flow it generates, owners must weigh the benefits and services of a national franchise affiliation against the total cost of such a commitment. More... [1752 views] Hotels Yield Best Results With Person-to-person SalesAccording to a just-completed survey conducted by the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) and PKF Hospitality Research examining Sales and Marketing Expense Trends in the U.S. Lodging Industry, person-to-person sales is the best return on investment (ROI), followed closely by property web site, public relations, internet marketing and advertising, e-mail marketing, national/corporate advertising and local advertising, which all received between a “Good” to “Excellent” rating. Merchandising and direct mail were also included and fell just below the “Good” rating on the survey scale. More... [938 views] Hilton Kuala Lumpur Named 'Best Business Hotel In Asia' At 16th Annual Travel Awards By The TTG Asia Media GroupHot on the heels of its stellar first anniversary bash with the King of Soul, James Brown, Hilton Kuala Lumpur has just been named Asia’s Best Business Hotel according to the Travel Trade Gazette (TTG) Asia Media Group, publishers of Asia’s leading travel trade newspaper TTG Asia. More... [812 views] Debbie Taylor, RAC Hotelier of the YearDebbie Taylor, General Manager of Rocco Forte Hotels’ The Balmoral, has been awarded the RAC Hotelier of the Year Award. The annual RAC Industry Stars awards are given to individuals in the UK and Ireland hotel industry who have demonstrated dedication, commitment and a unique quality that makes them stand out from their peers. More... [816 views] IHG appoints Chris Watson as Vice President of Human Resources for the Middle East and AfricaInterContinental Hotels Group has appointed Chris Watson Vice President of Human Resources for the Middle East and Africa. The British human resources professional, speaks French, Italian and moderate levels of Mandarin and Cantonese and has spent much of his career in roles throughout the Far East. More... [814 views] Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts named "Best Regional Hotel Chain" and CHI, the SPA at Shangri-La Hotel Bangkok, "Best New Spa"Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, Asia Pacific's leading luxury hotel group, was named "Best Regional Hotel Chain" at the 16th Annual TTG Travel Awards ceremony, October 13 in Pattaya, Thailand. CHI, The Spa at Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok was named "Best New Spa." The awards, which recognize outstanding organizations in the travel industry, were determined by the votes of more than 7,200 readers of TTG Asia Media across 17 countries in Asia Pacific. TTG Asia Media publications include TTG Asia, TTG China, BTN Asia- Pacific, BTN China and TTGmice magazines. More... [702 views] Park Inn brand grows in UK & Ireland from zero to 13 hotels in 18 monthsRezidor SAS Hospitality, one of the fastest growing hospitality companies in the world, will take over the management of nine UK properties to be operated under the Park Inn brand. The portfolio, previously part of the Queens Moat House Group and being sold by Goldman Sachs and Westmont Hospitality, will be operated under long-term agreements with Jefferson Hotel LLP, as the new owners. More... [674 views] Developers of trendy hotel plan expansionFollowing up on the trendy Gansevoort hotel in New York's Meatpacking District, the hotel's developers have decided to build two more -- in Los Angeles and Miami Beach. More... [736 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 17, 2005Hilton Hotels Eyes $6.3B Merger With U.K. NamesakeHilton Hotels Corp. is in discussions to acquire the hotel division of British company Hilton Group Plc., both companies confirmed Friday. A 3.6 billion pound ($6.3 billion), all-cash deal would unite the North American and British-based international Hilton brands for the first time in more than 40 years. The discussions first were reported late Thursday in the British press; neither firm confirmed the widely reported price tag. Hilton Group shares were last up 12.1% in London trading. More... [909 views] A World of Opportunity Awaits HiltonHilton Hotels Corp.'s possible acquisition of the hotel operations of Britain's Hilton Group would allow the Beverly Hills-based chain to jump into international markets, where the travel and leisure market is expanding briskly, analysts said Friday. If Hilton Hotels were to buy the more than 400 hotels of its British namesake, it could gain economies of scale and the flexibility to compete in lucrative growing markets, analysts said. Competitors such as Marriott International Inc. and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. are opening hotels in Europe and Asia for new sources of growth. More... [846 views] The Best Hotel General Manager I Ever Met - How Do You Measure-up?One of the nice things about being in the twilight of a thirty-year career in the hotel industry is that it gives one the ability to reflect back on the many great people who have shaped and influenced that career. After many years in hotel operations as well as sales and marketing, both on-property and as a corporate V.P., I was exposed to many different managers and their management styles. Management styles, experience, and talent are as varied as their numbers, but they all had something to offer if one paid attention. Observing people and their habits has always been sort of a hobby for me. I believe that everyone has something to offer if you are looking to learn from them. By Neil Salerno More... [2960 views] China fuels growth in Asian hotel performanceHotels in China continue to fuel revenue per available room (revPAR) growth throughout the Asia Pacific region according to latest hotel performance data from the HotelBenchmark™ Survey by Deloitte. More... [590 views] Luxury checks in at new Hong Kong hotelsHong Kong's high-end hotel sector just got more luxurious with a spate of new openings and refurbishments designed to cash in on the Chinese city's newfound position as a top travel destination. Spurred by a strong economic recovery from almost seven years of decline, record growth in tourist arrivals and increasing foreign investment, the city got its first new hotels in 15 years this autumn. More... [787 views] New General Manager at InterContinental LusakaMr. Clive Smith has been appointed as General Manager of the InterContinental Lusaka in Zambia. More... [880 views] Collaboration is Key to Success in War Against FraudRegion’s law enforcement agencies and banks share their views at Visa Asia Pacific Conference. A survey of bank and law enforcement officials from across 18 markets in Asia Pacific found that an overwhelming 82 percent of the respondents attribute the historically low levels of card fraud to collaboration among member banks, law enforcement agencies, merchants, regulators, cardholders and payment card companies More... [503 views] CIMtIG Presents: Hilton's Award Winning Marketing Case StudyCIMtIG (Chartered Institute of Marketing Travel Industry Group) will be presenting a case study of an award winning marketing strategy today Monday October 17th at the Waldorf Hilton Hotel in Aldwych, London. Amanda Scott, general manager of The Waldorf Hilton will be introducing the presentation, entitled `Launching Hilton Worldwide Resorts - challenging consumers` perception of Hilton`. More... [776 views] Leading Spas Announced for 2006The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd. has just released the list of hotels that have qualified as Leading Spas for 2006. “Of the 106 hotels that applied for certification for 2006, 85 passed the rigorous, anonymous inspection process and have been accorded Leading Spa status for the coming year,” said Paul McManus, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd. More... [1027 views] Foreign companies in Mexico buy prime beachfront propertiesA Mexican hotel mogul says foreign companies are snapping up the nation's prime beachfront properties and that Mexican firms are unable to compete. The root of the problem, says Roberto Zapata, general director for Hoteles Mision, is expensive credit for Mexican companies while international firms can look for favorable interest rates in their home countries. More... [591 views] Hotwire.com Introduces First-of-Its Kind Hotel Star Ratings PromiseTo increase customers' confidence when purchasing hotel rooms, Hotwire pledges to rebook or compensate travelers if it lowers a property's star rating before, or within 60 days after, their hotel stay. More... [583 views] Radisson SAS leads Oman hotels in employee satisfactionRadisson SAS Hotel, Muscat, part of the fast-growing Brussels-based Rezidor SAS Hospitality, is the best company for Omanis to work, according to a recent survey conducted by one of the Sultanate’s premier monthly magazines, Business Today in conjunction with International Market Research Consultancy. More... [787 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 14, 2005“Traffic-Flow Management” An Essential Component of Guest Hospitality TrainingIt’s an inevitable moment in any customer-contact position; when multiple customers approach a front desk, concierge, or guest services desk simultaneously, leaving one overwhelmed service provider to work-through their needs individually, in order, as they stand impatiently in the queue. What’s worse, rather than flow at a steady pace, customer traffic patterns tend to “bottle-neck,” and usually do so at the most inopportune times. Put another way, if you want your front desk to suddenly get really busy, just send someone home early and you can be assured that the last five check-ins of the night will all show up simultaneously! It’s almost as if guests worldwide were synchronizing their watches to plan their arrival times and co-ordinate their telephone calls! By Douglas Kennedy More... [1388 views] Writing A Killer ResumeThink of your résumé as an advertisement for yourself. It's designed to catch a prospective employer's eye and get you an interview. Once you sit down with the boss, the rest is up to you. "If your résumé isn't a winner, it's a killer," says Peter Newfield, president of Career-Résumés.com in Goldens Bridge, N.Y. "If it's done poorly, you'll never get in the front door." By Scott Reeves, Forbes.com More... [2188 views] Executive appointments at Six SensesSix Senses Resorts & Spas has made several executive appointments..... More... [1878 views] From Booking to Check-In, Business Travelers Increasingly Choose Technology over Live Agents, Accenture Survey FindsThe semi-annual survey found that almost three-quarters (74 percent) of the more than 500 U.S. business travelers queried said they book trips online, up from 61 percent in the 2004 survey and 57 percent in the 2003 survey. Additionally, the vast majority (90 percent) of respondents said they use the Internet to research flight times and availability, and two-thirds (65 percent) check in online. More... [1312 views] Frank Foster appointed as SVP – Marketing & Sales of Meritus Hotels & ResortsMeritus Hotels & Resorts has appointed Frank Foster as Senior Vice President – Marketing & Sales. More... [891 views] Fate of 33 Jurys hotels hits snagThe fate of Jurys Doyle’s 33 hotels hit a further snag yesterday as bankers to developer Sean Dunne delayed the payment of the €260 million to purchase the prestigious Ballsbridge 4.8-acre site. More... [576 views] Cendant Completes Wyndham AcquisitionCendant Corp. completed the acquisition of Wyndham's management and franchise businesses from an affiliate of the Blackstone Group More... [660 views] Free Hitwise Report for 'Wired' delegatesOver 40 speakers listed for landmark event in Singapor e. Every delegate attending the Wired 2005 conference will receive an online travel industry report from Hitwise covering either the Singapore or Hong Kong markets valued at S$1000. More than 150 delegates have already registered for the conference at the Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel in Singapore on October 20 and 21. More... [609 views] Travelocity Strengthens Hotel and Totaltrip Dynamic Packaging OfferingsTravelocity continues its mission of providing consumers a fully informed and straightforward shopping experience with the roll out of new value-added booking options and tools to its completely redesigned hotel and flight + hotel TotalTrip(SM) dynamic shopping engines. More... [551 views] Hotels.com Launches New Website Features Supporting Its Expertise for Booking LodgingIn a move to further establish itself as the leader in researching and booking lodging, Hotels.com announces the launch of new website features that give consumers all the expert tools they need to plan, shop and book lodging on or offline. More... [623 views] Coles grabs Leopold in push for Western Australian hotelsThe landmark Leopold Hotel on Canning Highway in Bicton will spearhead giant retailer Coles Myer's push into the Western Australian hotel market. It is understood that Coles Myer's liquor division has secured a long-term leasehold over the hotel and its bottle shop from owner, former champion Essendon and East Fremantle footballer Tony Buhagiar. More... [525 views] Twin tower hotel and casino to be build in SubicA Korean investor is building a R7-billion Twin Tower hotel, called Subic Paradise Condominium Hotel and Casino, together with a Retirees' Village inside the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), Philippines." More... [786 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 13, 2005Seven Deadly Interview FlubsYour achievements and educational background set you apart from the pack. You've reworked your cover letter and résumé until both are as smooth as polished oak. Your diligence soon pays off: You land an interview for what could be t-h-e dream job. Congratulations, but remember: Your résumé got you in the door. Your interview skills will land the job offer. By Scott Reeves, Forbes.com More... [2244 views] David vs. Goliath: An Email Marketing StoryArmed with nothing more than a computer, a Web site and an interactive CRM program, today's smaller hotels are slaying the larger giants when battling for online reservations, e-marketing visibility and repeat booking. More... [1299 views] Outgoing Accor boss could get 12 mln EuroJean-Marc Espalioux, the outgoing chief executive of Europe's biggest hotel group Accor, will get paid between nine and 12 million euros ($10.8-$14.4 million) when he leaves in January, the group's co-founders told Le Figaro newspaper. Paul Dubrule and Gerard Pelisson, whose nephew Gilles Pelisson was nominated as Espalioux's replacement late on Monday, said in a joint interview on Wednesday that Espalioux's departure terms had been agreed at a board meeting on Monday. More... [815 views] Introducing Marriott FlexrezMarriott has streamlined the travel planning and booking process with Marriott Flexrez. In addition to booking hotel rooms on Marriott.com, online consumers can now make air and car reservations on the same site More... [701 views] Starwood Bali serves a winner!Starwood Bali associates have successfully held joint events to celebrate the “UNICEF Check Out for Children Challenge”, Taking place on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd October 2005 at the Westin Tennis Garden and Sheraton Laguna Tennis courts, the main event was the Charity Tennis Tournament for children aged six to fourteen years old, and the family bazaar held on Sunday at the summer garden. More... [620 views] Small Luxury Hotels Experiences Continued Growth With 12% Revenue IncreaseSmall Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) has recognized steady growth in 2005 with a consistent 12% increase in revenue YTD compared to the same period in 2004 More... [773 views] UK 2005 revPAR growth to slow to 3.3%PricewaterhouseCoopers has downgraded its forecast for growth in revenue per available room (revPAR) at UK hotels this year following the July terrorist incidents in London. More... [547 views] HSMAI Calls For Nominees For ‘25 Most Extraordinary Sales And Marketing Minds In Hospitality And Travel’Who would you nominate as the most extraordinary sales and marketers of hospitality and travel today? Whose strategies are truly innovative and clever? Whose campaigns are standouts? Who gets results? Whose work do you wish was yours? What unique things have you seen this year? More... [570 views] Crescent Hospitality Appoints Woody Montgomery Executive Vice President of Business AdministrationFormer Interstate Executive Joins Crescent Hospitality Officials of Crescent Hospitality announced that they have named human resource veteran Woody Montgomery as executive vice president of business administration. In his new position, he will oversee human resources, corporate administration and risk management and provide assistance in the area of owner relations management. More... [467 views] Accor for Sydney's Olympic ParkAccor says it will build a 5-star hotel at Sydney Olympic Park in Sydney's west for more than $50 million. Accor plans to sell the hotel to Babcock & Brown's Tourism & Asset Holdings after it is completed in mid-2008. The company will operate the 210-room hotel under its Sofitel brand. More... [578 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 12, 2005Accor names Gilles Pelisson as CEOAccor announced late on Monday that Bouygues Telecom chief Gilles Pelisson would take over as chief executive, replacing Jean-Marc Espalioux More... [952 views] Sales “Steps” and “Processes” Are Out;Today’s Inquiry Caller’s Want A Personalized Sales Experience. Traditionally, lodging industry training programs have taught hotel sales as being a linear process we need to use to lead an inquiry caller down a pathway towards closing the sale. Whether to referred to as “steps,” “tools,” or “pathways,” these programs have generally showed how to start out by building rapport, listening and probing, turning features into benefits, handling objections, and of course closing the sale. So we have reinforced the concept that a caller must be lead through some sort of process or series of techniques used sequentially. By Douglas Kennedy More... [1287 views] Most Expensive U.S. Restaurants 2005Americans spent $884 per person on eating out in 2003.* That would just about cover dinner for two at Masa in New York City. The new Japanese restaurant in the Time Warner Center only accommodates 38 people per night and flies its seafood directly from Japan every other day. The prix fixe menu starts at $350 per person. For raw fish. Alcohol is extra. And tip isn't included.....By Sophia Banay, Forbes.com More... [1172 views] Dome sweet domeHoliday Inn is continuing its nostalgic track to woo customers back. It's been about 18 months since I last told you about the chain's retro upgrades, but it would seem the idea was a solid one. Going a step further, the hotelier has announced it will revamp its iconic Holidomes, and build a few more. By Megg Mueller-Schulte, USA TODAY
More... [605 views] RBS leads race to buy 18 hotels from HiltonRoyal Bank of Scotland today emerged as a front runner to acquire 18 Hilton hotels with an estimated value of around £400 million. It is believed the Edinburgh-based banking group is to join a bidding contest with three other shortlisted companies, including Host Marriott, the American Property firm spun off from Marriott International. More... [654 views] Hospitality industry leaders honoredThree hospitality industry leaders will be inducted into the Hospitality Hall of Honor at the University of Houston Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management. The annual event will take place at the UH-Hilton Grand Ballroom on Tuesday, Oct. 11, beginning at 6 p.m. This year's honorees are Stephen F. Bollenbach, chief executive officer of the Hilton Hotels Corporation; Joe R. Lee, chairman of the board of Darden Restaurants; and Curtis C. Nelson, president and chief operating officer of Carlson Cos. More... [546 views] California Lodging Industry Association Presents to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger the 2005 Public Official of the Year AwardThe California Lodging Industry Association, which represents nearly 1,000 lodging properties throughout California, will honor Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger with the 2005 CLIA Public Official of the Year Award for his outstanding contributions to the California lodging industry. Each year, CLIA honors a public official who has made significant contributions to the California lodging industry. More... [496 views] UK hotel sector resilient despite July incidentsPricewaterhouseCoopers latest “Hospitality Directions – Europe Edition” UK hotel sector forecast indicates that the summer’s terrorist attacks on London have slowed overall UK hotel demand, but probably only in the short-term. The forecast predicts slower growth, not an end to growth. PricewaterhouseCoopers expects the impact to be short-lived and concentrated mainly in London. More... [601 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 11, 2005“Tough times grooms a Leader”I came, I saw, I conquered. Leadership is about taking the right decisions at the right time. It means unraveling the problems in a dynamic and proactive manner. It epitomizes falling down and getting up, and getting up with more vigor and greater desire to succeed. It represent knack not to react or get caught up in one’s own or other people’s negative emotions such as anger, impatience, negative judgments and anxiety. By-Robin Trehan (B.A, MIB, MBAe-business) More... [1513 views] Boutique hotel boom set to continueLifestyle hotels are benefiting from the emergence of third-generation consumers – people who ‘find value at both ends of the spectrum’ – according to PriceWaterhouseCoopers. More... [1252 views] Branding in HotelsIt is said that the grain of sand that irritates the oyster is what makes a pearl. Grains of sand are irritants in machines and engineers try to remove them to ensure smooth running. For engineers substitute managers, for grains of sand substitute the unusual, the original or different. Smooth running is routine. Routine does not foster innovation or change, but inertia and, eventually, decay. No grain, no gain! By Patrick Goff, Editor, magEzine, hoteldesigns.net More... [999 views] Accor nears chairman decisionAccor's board will appoint Gilles Pelisson, the nephew of a co-founder, as executive chairman of the French hotel company on Monday, said Paul Dubrule, the other co-founder, in an interview published Sunday. More... [472 views] M&C Announces New President of EuropeMillennium & Copthorne Hotels has appointed Tony Dangerfield as Regional President for Europe More... [754 views] Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels Closes on $600 Million in U.S. Hotels in August & SeptemberFirm closes on record-breaking Chicago trophy assets including Palmer House Hilton and Chicago Fairmont. Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels announced today that it has closed on nearly $600 million in full service hotel sales throughout the U.S. in August and September. More... [649 views] Hotels Getting HotterThe business traveler is back this year, good news for major hotel chains that are booking rooms in more bulk and at higher rates. Wall Street expects Marriott International to post third-quarter earnings of 64 cents per share, a healthy 16.4% rise from a year ago. Marriott announces earnings before Thursday's market opening. More... [568 views] 35 Million Consumers Used Web Search For Travel Planning In April 2005New Research by comScore Networks, Yahoo!, and Media Contacts Reveals Immediate and Latent Effects of Search Drive $6.6 Billion in Online Travel Spending comScore Networks, Yahoo!, and Media Contacts today jointly released new research quantifying the impact of Web search engines on domestic travel spending. More... [1788 views] The Westminster CollectionAs the £12 billion Business Tourism Industry concludes this years celebration of National Meetings Week and London prepares to host the 2012 Olympic Games, we visit the political heart of the country, and learn that Westminster is not all intrigue and spin. How often do business rivals work together? In the modern, sometimes cut throat, world of commerce it must be rare that opposing companies actively promote their competitors. More... [551 views] Four Seasons Jakarta looks confidently to the next 10 yearsOn Oct. 10, five-star Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta celebrated 10 years since it first opened its doors to the public. Originally trading as The Regent, the hotel was one of the commercial premises that sustained the most serious damage during the massive flooding that hit Jakarta in February 2002. lthough the experience was deeply traumatic for the hotel, it somehow confronted the dire circumstances in which it found itself and eventually emerged with renewed corporate self-confidence. More... [687 views] No Guys AllowedAll that's missing from these hotels is men. Tiny bathrooms, creepy hotel bars and unwelcome advances have long dogged female business travelers. But now that women make up 50 percent of frequent fliers and spend $1 billion a year on travel, some hotels are creating havens from all that, with new touches (fewer sports mags, more glossies) and even whole floors for women only. In London, the five-star Grange City Hotel opened a female-friendly wing of 68 rooms last month More... [836 views] Internet hitting travel agentsTravel agents will soon have to charge clients for their advice to compensate for profits lost to internet bookings and airlines slashing commissions. More... [2120 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 10, 2005A Star is Born: Horst Schulze launches Capella Hotels & ResortsLegendary Hotelier Horst Schulze Creates a Unique Luxury Experience. As the West Paces Hotel Group Unveils its Second New Brand. Horst Schulze, CEO of West Paces Hotel Group LLC, today announced the launch of a new top-tier hotel brand – Capella Hotels & Resorts. The announcement marked the second recent brand launch by West Paces Hotel Group, which earlier this year announced the creation of Solís Hotels and Resorts. More... [1711 views] Dispute over new Accor chief executiveThree of French hotel group Accor’s biggest shareholders have objected to the company’s choice of a successor to Jean-Marc Espalioux as chief executive. More... [1291 views] Sales Training Tips For Today’s Multi-tasking CallersOf the many changes the hospitality industry has endured in the last decade or two, perhaps the biggest changes of all can be observed in the calls being fielded by our sales, front desk, and reservations sales teams. One obvious change is that callers are generally much better informed, having done their research online at our website and others before placing their call. As a result, we have had to train those who field sales and reservations calls to be much more informed regarding the smallest of details regarding our destination, location, facilities, versus just being familiar with room types. By Douglas Kennedy More... [1106 views] Queens Moat Houses sells nine hotelsChristie + Co has sold nine UK based hotel assets on behalf of Queens Moat Houses Limited. The hotels, which are located in Bedford, Cardiff, Harlow, Northampton, Nottingham, Telford, Thurrock, Watford and West Bromwich, were sold free of their Moat House branding and management. More... [683 views] Which valuation method is right for you?The purpose of company valuation is to measure the the “right value” of a business. The valuation of a business provides: 1. Review the performance of a business. 2. Communicate to others (such as shareholders, investors, employees and the market) the value of firm’s strategies and its results. There are different methods of measuring the value of a Hotel business. By Robin Trehan More... [1015 views] Michels makes bid to protect Hilton brandChief Executive of the Hilton Group David Michels sent out a strong message to online retailers saying they will be treated like any traditional travel agent and paid commission but would not be allowed to discount online. More... [836 views] Hilton to open 5 hotels in IndiaHospitality major Hilton International is planning to open 25 hotels in Asia Pacific region, including at least five hotels in India in the next three years. Addressing a press conference in Chennai on Wednesday on the occasion of signing an agreement with Empee Hotels Ltd for managing and operating its five-star hotel coming up in the city, Koos Klein, president (Middle East and Asia Pacific), Hilton International, , said, ‘‘India and China will be our engine for global growth.’’ More... [885 views] A room with a Danube viewA quick stroll in the entrance of the historic art nouveau entrance of the Hotel Four Seasons Gresham Palace in Budapest, and you might think that you have just walked into a romantic dream. But if you listen to the prestigious US-based Robb Report of late, it will tell you that what you are actually seeing is the ‘Best of the Best’ of 2005: one of the finest hotel resorts in the world More... [683 views] Hoteliers Investing In India As Business Traffic BoomsAs a boom in India's economy pushes business traffic higher, hotel companies have responded to a lack of hotel rooms by announcing plans to invest more than $2.32 billion during the next five years to fund expansion programs in the country. More... [681 views] The Ritz-Carlton, Osaka ranked Nr 2 in the world in World's Best Awards' "Best Business Hotels" and remains Nr. 1 in JapanThe Ritz-Carlton, Osaka, Japan’s inaugural Ritz-Carlton hotel, ranked No. 2 in the world in “Best Business Hotels” category by Travel + Leisure 2005 World’s Best Awards survey and remains No. 1 in Japan. In this category, the readers of Travel+Leisure who had traveled for business were asked to rate top hotels in the major cities around the globe on how well they cater to business travelers. More... [962 views] Eco-Hotel Champion Award for InterConintental Grand Stanford Hong KongOn September 27th The Hong Kong Sustainable Communications Association (HKSCA) announced that InterContinental Grand Stanford Hong Kong has been awarded the 2005 ‘Eco-Hotel Champion Award’. InterContinental Grand Stanford Hong Kong has practiced eco-friendly policies for many years, and has been much more active since 1999 when a clear vision for an eco-friendly future was established. More... [763 views] Accor’s Sofitel Los Angeles Readies for Its Close-up After $35 Million Extreme MakeoverWorld-Class Designers, a Celebrity Chef and a Leading Bar & Lounge Operator Come Together to Transform the Hotel Into One of LA’s Most Vibrant Locales. Sofitel, the prestige brand of Accor hotels, announced today that the Sofitel Los Angeles will undergo a $35 million transformation, fusing French sophistication with the energetic pulse of Hollywood. More... [684 views] Golden Tulip Hotels launches booking site for mobile devices (M-Services)Golden Tulip Hotels, Inns & Resorts announced the offering of a new service to search and book hotels online, in real time for mobile device users. With the growing demand and usage of mobile devices such as PDA's and Internet enabled mobile phones and the fast paced improvements in technology for resolution of screens, handheld device users are expecting a larger spectrum of services offered on such devices. More... [536 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 7, 2005Suddenly Hyatt is on a building spree. Why?Heirs to the $ 15 billion empire that owns it want out. It's big news to hear the Pritzkers talking about a hotel-building spree. Hyatt, of course, is the crown jewel of the family's holdings--the company that Tom's father started by buying a dinky motel near the Los Angeles airport and that has grown into a $ 5-billion-a-year global chain famous for its flashy style, high quality, and atrium lobbies. Yet Hyatt has never really kept pace with its competitors. More... [1789 views] Fear or hope? Which would you rather spread?Yeoh Siew Hoon keeps faith with Bali. More... [680 views] Tastemakers: ChefsThey slice. They dice. They make cappuccino of forest mushrooms, black tagliatelle with parsnips and pancetta, and atomized shrimp cocktail. They have restaurants from New York to Los Angeles to Las Vegas, and imitators from Oshkosh to Auckland. Their cookbooks line the shelves at Barnes & Noble. Web sites and food magazines trumpet their recipes. With a flick of the television remote, they're in your living room just about any time of day. By Juliette Rossant and Neal Santelmann, Forbes.com More... [1246 views] Fuel surcharge messRising fuel cost is having a wide-ranging impact on longhaul travel, with overseas tour operators expressing their frustration at airlines for not managing fuel and tax surcharges better. Destinations are expected to cope with possible shifts in demand as various fuel surcharges imposed by airlines change the value equation for tourists planning a longhaul trip.
More... [619 views] Cornell Report Helps Managers Communicate More EffectivelyThe Key Is to Determine How Employees Receive Information Hotel managers spend much of their time and effort communicating with employees. That can be frustrating, however, because it's hard for managers to tell exactly whether they have found ways to communicate that are meaningful to employees. A new tool from the Cornell University Center for Hospitality Research bridges the communication gap-so that managers can determine the best means for communicating with employees More... [1173 views] Marriott hotel chain's third-quarter profit rises 12 per centMarriott International Inc. on Thursday said net income for the third quarter rose 12 per cent as revenue at the company's hotels was boosted by higher room rates. Profit increased to $149 million US, or 65 cents per share, from $133 million, or 56 cents per share, a year earlier. More... [538 views] Strong Performance for Asia Pacific TravelAsia Pacific travel is on the up, according to the latest booking figures issued today by Abacus International. In August 2005, total bookings on the Abacus system increased by 19% over the corresponding period in 2004 to more than 4.41 million. As with previous months, Intra-Asia travel accounted for the majority of bookings made at more than 81%. More... [526 views] Shangri-La Announces Second U.S. Property: Shangri- La Hotel Miami to open in 2008Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, Asia Pacific's leading luxury hotel group, will operate the 147-room Shangri-La Hotel, Miami, to be developed by Flagstone Property Group. The Miami property is Shangri-La's second hotel under development in the United States following the announcement yesterday of the Shangri-La Hotel, Chicago. The Miami property will open in 2008 and the Chicago property in 2009. More... [624 views] Kurt Ritter of Rezidor SAS Hospitality to Chair 2006 International Hotel Investment Forum in Berlin, GermanyHosts of the 9th International Hotel Investment Forum (IHIF) have announced that Kurt Ritter, President & CEO of Rezidor SAS Hospitality will serve as chairman of the event to be held 6-8 March 2006 at the InterContinental Hotel in Berlin, Germany. More... [604 views] Starwood to Buy Mammoth Ski AreaThe storied Mammoth Mountain Ski Area on Tuesday announced plans to sell a controlling interest in its sprawling holdings in the eastern Sierra to a private investment firm led by luxury hotel mogul Barry S. Sternlicht. The $365-million acquisition by Starwood Capital Group promises to bring a more upscale character to the resort, in contrast to the unpolished and independent style of the resort's pioneering founder and co-owner, Dave McCoy. More... [856 views] Starwood Celebrates Grand Opening of Sheraton Salta in Salta, ArgentinaStarwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. announces the grand opening of the Sheraton Salta, the first international hotel in the historic city of Salta, Argentina. The newly built hotel is located in the city's upscale residential area of Monumento, just a few blocks away from the district's main square. The Sheraton Salta is Starwood's eighth property to open in Argentina and further strengthens the hotel giant's presence in South America. The hotel is owned by Complejo Monumento Guemes S.A. and will be managed by Starwood. More... [527 views] Australian launch of Golden Tulip to set new accommodation benchmark in MelbourneGolden Tulip Hotels, Inns & Resorts and Tourism, Hotels & Leisure Limited (THL) today announced the launch of the Golden Tulip brand in Australia, with the first property located in the heart of Melbourne’s city centre. The Golden Tulip Melbourne promises to set a new benchmark in hotel accommodation, through its exclusive range of services specifically tailored to meet the discerning needs of travellers. More... [617 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 6, 2005Global Staff Movements - Who is In and Who is OutThe latest update on international executive staff movements... Check it out.... More... [3355 views] Why Budget Games Don't Add UpIt's budgeting time again, and several managers are up to their old tricks. The head of marketing presents a less-than-ambitious plan so he can exceed his targets and earn his bonus. A division manager is veiling her unit's flaws to win funding for her plan. The product development director insists that failing to invest in his idea will doom the company to the sidelines. By Lauren Keller Johnson, Harvard Business School More... [1205 views] Last month's most viewed Newsletter articles....Last month's most viewed Newsletter articles.... check it out.. More... [1135 views] Shangri-La Announces First U.S. Property: Shangri-La Hotel, Chicago to Open 2009Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, Asia Pacific's leading luxury hotel group, announced today its first hotel in the United States, the Shangri-La Hotel, Chicago. The group signed a management contract with Waterview LLC, the project's developer, to operate the luxury hotel, which will open in early 2009 in the new Waterview Tower located along the Chicago River at the corner of West Wacker Drive and Clark Street. More... [687 views] Consulting ServicesToday hospitality industry is one of the most profitable and most challenging. Big players are already in the market and more will follow soon. In order to remain competitive, all players in the industry need proper consulting services in order to re-engineer themselves and to remain profitable in an industry which is changing at an unprecedented rate. By- Robin Trehan (B.A, MIB, MBA) More... [939 views] Kempinski`s biggest expansion in its historyKempinski is experiencing its most exciting year since 1897, opening a record number of 13 hotels during 2005 . By the end of the year, Europe`s oldest group of luxury hotels will have grown from 38 to 51 properties. Together with a further 29 projects currently under construction and final development, its impressive portfolio holds a total of 77 properties in Europe, Asia, Middle East, Africa and South America. More... [1458 views] Mandarin Oriental Will Manage Second Macau HotelMandarin Oriental Hotel Group announced that it has agreed to sign a long term contract to manage its second luxury hotel in Macau, which will be part of the prestigious mixed-use complex soon to be developed on a prime site on the Macau waterfront. The overall project, which will be owned and developed through a joint venture between Shun Tak Holdings and Hongkong Land, is scheduled to open in 2009. More... [522 views] Atlanta Announces Only Alliance of its Award-Winning Convention Hotels.Marriott, Hilton and Hyatt...three award-winning hotels, have teamed up to offer the most comprehensive, convenient, affordable and contiguous meeting package available in Atlanta for 1,000 to 4,000 peak room night groups. This unparalleled collection of hotels will benefit meeting planners destined for Atlanta, which has become one of the nation's most desirable and accessible convention destinations. More... [532 views] Joint Venture to showcase Restaurant Excellence and promote salesBy providing restaurant customers with appropriate information to make a dining decision and Restaurants the opportunity to promote their distinctive experience, we8There and Hospitality Performance have created the perfect balance through their “Excellence in Dining” Program. More... [606 views] Michael Barnard Appointed President and Chief Operating Officer, Pacifica Hotel CompanyInvest West Financial and Pacifica Hotel Company, whose real estate holdings include choice California coastal hotels and commercial properties throughout the Western United States, announced that it has realigned its top management team. "One of our major strengths over the past 35 years has been the expertise and experience of our senior management team," said Dale J. Marquis, founder of both companies, who will now serve as Chairman and CEO. More... [668 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 5, 2005Knowledge Management, a business perspectiveKnowledge Management is a discipline to systematically leverage information and expertise to improve organizational responsiveness, innovation, competency, efficiency and corporate knowledge. Corporate Knowledge is an aggregated body of experience and understanding of an organization's processes for managing both planned and unplanned situations to achieve the process whereby knowledge seekers are linked with knowledge sources, and knowledge is transferred to attain Knowledge Management. Written by: Robin C. Trehan More... [1024 views] It's a woman's world at some hotelsWomen are hitting the road for business and leisure travel more than ever. According to The Travel Industry Association research, women now make up 43% of business travelers, with 75% of all travel decisions made by women. The hotel industry is keeping pace with the ever-rising numbers of women travelers, and finding ways to accommodate their unique needs. By Megg Mueller Schulte, USATODAY.com More... [1196 views] ‘Do not fuel business hardship in Bali’With the latest Bali bombing coming on the heels of soaring gas and oil prices, Indonesian tourism players warn any attempt to reduce prices will mean hardship on businesses. Faint-hearted hotels or tour operators are urged to think twice before squeezing prices as a means to boost confidence. That is because cost of doing business is already soaring as the Indonesian government bit the bullet on fuel subsidy. By Raini Hamdi, Eidtor, TTG Asia
More... [663 views] Hotels Spiking Rates, Limiting Corp. InventoryHotel chains are pushing for substantial rate increases and are reducing the number of corporate deals they are offering as they negotiate with buyers for 2006 contracts. More... [753 views] Starwood Hotels Names Kerry Hatch President of St. Regis and The Luxury CollectionStarwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc announced today the appointment of Kerry D. Hatch to President of St. Regis and The Luxury Collection. In this newly created role, Ms. Hatch will report to Steven J. Heyer, Starwood's Chief Executive Officer, and will be based in the company's headquarters in White Plains, NY. Ms. Hatch joins the company as its highest ranking woman and one of the most senior women in the travel industry. More... [835 views] It's a hotel. It's a condo. No, it's both!Just north of Miami, rising 26 floors over the shimmering Atlantic Ocean, Le Meridien looks like an oceanfront resort hotel. The internationally-known restaurant Bice beckons in the lobby. The pool, fitness center and spa round out the amenities of an upscale hotel. But it's not a hotel. Like a growing number of projects in South Florida and across the country, Le Meridien is a "condominium hotel," in which each unit is a condominium owned by buyers who live there full or part time. By Marilyn Adams, USA TODAY More... [660 views] Starwood Earns Sheraton Miramar Resort the Hotel of the Year 2004 in EAMEThe Sheraton Miramar Resort had the highest overall performance in 2004; and in each of the 5 key metric measurements. The management team in Sheraton Miramar has been able to accomplish a tremendous turn-around in key areas including the Guest Satisfaction index. The Sheraton Miramar achieved the highest scores in Africa & Middle East as measured by a third party company. More... [651 views] Le Méridien Moscow Country Club awarded “The Best Hotel in Russia” on International Tourism DayOn the occasion of International Tourism Day on 27 September at the National Tourism Awards Dinner, hosted by the Minister in charge of the Federal Tourism Agency, Mr. Vladimir Strzhalkovski, Le Méridien Moscow Country Club received “The Yuri Senkevich Award for the Best 4+5 Star Hotel in Russia”. More... [642 views] WTO World Tourism Barometer: International Tourism on Track for Another Strong YearAn estimated 460 million international tourist arrivals were recorded worldwide in the first seven months of 2005. This represents an increase of some 25 million arrivals compared with the respective period of 2004, or 5.9% growth, according to the preliminary data gathered for the new issue of the WTO World Tourism Barometer, presented on Monday, the first day of the WTO international conference on the Tourism Satellite Account in the Iguazu region. More... [571 views] Langham Hotels International launches new Rewards ProgrammeLangham Hotels International (LHI) is launching a new rewards programme, OUIDA, for the group's loyal partners who make reservations of room accommodation or banquets for their corporate travel and company functions at LHI hotels worldwide. More... [751 views] Marriott brings the hotel home with ShopMarriott.comNow you can bring the Marriott experience home with you, from the plush Marriott mattress and new 300-thread count, cotton-rich sheets to the signature Marriott red lamp and sumptuous Kashwere spa robes through the Revive Collection catalog and online store. More... [762 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 4, 2005Rainy at the topWhen Yeoh Siew Hoon first met Rainy Chan, general manager of the Peninsula Hotel, Bangkok, she was more curious about her name than her sex. More... [1839 views] Grappling with progress, a destination denies chainsThe character of a destination. How will the community define itself, maintain its integrity, traits, history and essence, yet meet the expectations of the tourism engine which drives its commerce and livelihood. By John R. Hendrie, CEO, Hospitality Performance, Inc. More... [623 views] New bombings deal Bali tourism major blow: BusinessesWith Bali's tourist industry still not fully recovered from the Oct. 12, 2002 bombs, the latest attacks have made businesspeople increasingly gloomy about the island's future. The owner of several travel agencies and resorts, Agung Prana, feared the Saturday night bombings would badly affect tourism and related activities. "I feel very pessimistic about the future of Bali after this incident," Agung said. By Rita A.Widiadana, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar More... [500 views] Hotels 2005 - Best Western, Cendant, Hilton and Yotel come together on World Travel Market stageWith a record number of hotel exhibitors World Travel Market, for the first time, is hosting on the World Stage a major ‘Hotels 2005’ panel discussion on Tuesday 15 November at 14.00. This recognises the importance and influence the sector plays at the heart of the travel and tourism industry. More... [633 views] Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels Promotes Four ExecutivesPromotions in Los Angeles and New York. Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels announced today the promotions of four executives in its Los Angeles and New York offices. More... [795 views] InterContinental Group to open 20 Express by Holiday Inn hotels in the Arabian GulfDubai International Capital the anchor investor; Addax structures ‘ground-breaking’ deal; HMS named as operators. A consortium of 12 regional investors will finance the US$150 launch and development of more than 20 Express by Holiday Inn hotels across five countries in the GCC. More... [662 views] Marriott Launches Fitness ResortsPlans 15 Renaissance ClubSport Resorts Within Five to Seven Years Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) launched a new "lifestyle" concept, Renaissance ClubSport, that combines the boutique-style ambiance of the Renaissance Hotels & Resorts brand with a sleek, 75,000 square foot, upscale membership fitness club. More... [757 views] Concierges work miracles behind the hotel deskAbby Hart has fielded a lot of requests during her 16 years as head concierge at Four Seasons Hotel Chicago. But one in particular caused her to take pause: Could she find a dog to keep a guest company? The businesswoman asking missed her pooch back home. "A canine companion," says Hart, 56. "That was a tough one." By Susan Bowles, USA TODAY More... [1439 views] Shampoo ranked top for UK hotel theftsBritons take 430,000 gallons of shampoo from hotels every year, a new survey has revealed. As many as 70% of guests admit to nicking the mini shampoo bottles, the poll from the Hotels.com company found. More... [748 views] Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels Promotes Gregory Rumpel to Executive Vice PresidentJones Lang LaSalle Hotels announced today that Gregory Rumpel has been promoted to executive vice president, recognizing his outstanding achievements. Mr. Rumpel is responsible for establishing the firm’s Miami office four years ago, which offers a full range of services including investment sales, financing and real estate advisory work with a geographic focus in South Florida, Mexico, the Caribbean and Latin America. More... [897 views] Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International 2005/2006 Event CalendarThe Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) will present a comprehensive line-up of industry events and programs throughout the year, delivering educational sessions and strategy conferences as well as business-to-business forums for buyers and suppliers of hospitality, travel and tourism. More... [745 views] Le Meridien launches Chinese websiteTo complement the opening of Le Méridien’s first hotel on mainland China, Le Méridien She Shan Shanghai in November, and a second 770-bedroom hotel, Le Royal Méridien Shanghai, that is due to open in the first half of 2006, the global hotel group has launched a Chinese language website. More... [851 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 3, 2005Bruised Balinese hope for quick revival in tourismIt was the second series of attacks in Bali in three years and like most Balinese, Gasim has every reason to be edgy because his life heavily depends on tourism, which accounts more than 70 percent of Bali's economy. "I don't know what the future will be. I hope the tourists are sensitive to this, that business will go down in Bali, and I hope they won't shun Bali," said Gasim, deputy head of civil security in the area. More... [638 views] PATA condems Bali bomb blastsAsia Pacific tourism leaders meeting in the Malaysian capital condemned the cowardly bombing of tourists and local people in Bali, Indonesia tonight.
The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Chairman, Mr Nobutaka Ishikure, speaking during the association’s Board of Directors meeting in Kuala Lumpur tonight said: “The travel industry and everyone who supports tourism as a force for peace and understanding wholeheartedly condemn this terrorist outrage.” More... [476 views] Successful eventsEvents, be they product launches or customer relationship campaigns, are a growth area as marketers realise their strategic value. But those who chase the business have got to be more proficient at putting up good shows, Raini Hamdi reports.
More... [744 views] Australian luxury hotels tighten securitySydney's luxury hotels are tightening security amid heightened fears of a terrorist attack. The Sydney Hilton has begun routine checks for car bombs, while others have installed new technology such as fingerprint recognition. As state and federal leaders met in Canberra to approve tougher anti-terror laws last week, lunchtime traffic banked up in Pitt St while drivers arriving at the Hilton stopped to open their boot for inspection. More... [674 views] Moscow hotels world's most expensiveNew research from BTI UK shows that Moscow hotels are the most expensive in the world, with room rates averaging £165.21 per night during the first half of 2005. This represented a 29% year-on-year rise from the corresponding period of 2004, and was well above the worldwide average of £107.74. More... [715 views] Morgan Stanley Sets Up Unit to Manage Hotel Expansion in JapanMorgan Stanley, the world's largest securities firm by capital, said it set up a hotel management company in Tokyo as part of plans to spend as much as $3 billion acquiring more hotels in Asia. More... [786 views] Tech Toys For Travelers 2005The point of travel technology is to make life on the road easier. Except, of course, when it doesn't. Travelers who forget a crucial charger, break a BlackBerry or venture out of cell phone coverage can find themselves marooned, cursing the gadgets that looked so new and shiny coming out of the box. A dead cell phone is enough to ruin even a week on the beach. And a business trip without your laptop? You might as well rely on smoke signals. By Sophia Banay, Forbes.com More... [706 views] Jarvis loses chief executiveRichard Thomason has resigned as chief executive of privately owned Jarvis Hotels, reports the Times. Thomason walked out three weeks ago after 15 years with Jarvis, the last three as chief executive, following the failure of its owners to agree to a sale of the group. More... [694 views] Raffles International changes hands and enters new chapterRaffles International Limited announced a change in its ownership from Raffles Holdings Limited to Colony Capital, LLC effective September 30, 2005. This change follows the successful completion of the sale by Raffles Holdings of its Hotel Business to Colony Capital, LLC for an enterprise value of S$1.72 billion. More... [811 views] Jumeirah makes high profile appointment of Senior Vice President, AmericasJumeirah, the multi-award winning luxury hospitality group, has announced the appointment of Mr. Frank van der Post as Senior Vice President, Americas. The appointment follows a series of high profile announcements made by the group recently, which included confirmation that it will manage one of New York’s finest hotels, the Essex House Hotel as of January 15, 2006. More... [939 views] Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts' Aggressive Expansion Plans Continue22 new hotels are currently in the pipeline to open during 2005 and beyond, following on from the 10 new properties that opened in 2004. Global hotel group Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts continues its worldwide expansion, with 22 new properties located throughout Europe, the Americas, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa currently in the pipeline to open during 2005 and beyond. This expansion follows on from the 10 new hotels opened during 2004. More... [1034 views] Global Travel & Tourism Summit Moves to Washington DCToday, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) announced that Washington DC, USA would be the venue of the 6th Global Travel & Tourism Summit, taking place from April 10 to 12, 2006. The Summit is the highest profile event for one of the largest industries in the world – Travel & Tourism, accounting for 10.6 per cent of GDP and 221 million jobs worldwide. More... [549 views] TravelCLICK Announces Call For Entries for The 2005 E-Marketer of the Year AwardsTravelCLICK Inc., a leading provider of hotel e-commerce solutions, invites the hospitality marketing community to participate in the 2005 E-Marketer of the Year Awards as part of the 49th Annual Adrian Awards. More... [618 views] St. Regis Hotels & Resorts to Debut in Latin America with the New St. Regis Hotel, Mexico CityNew St. Regis to Deliver Superior Service and Refined Elegance Unmatched in the Region. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) announced today plans to build the first St. Regis Hotel in Latin America. Scheduled to open in 2007, the St. Regis Hotel, Mexico City is owned by Grupo 1818, a group of several prominent Mexican real estate investors and developed by Ideurban Consultores, one of the largest real estate development companies in Mexico. More... [597 views] PATA Predicts A 'More Intrepid' Chinese TravelerThe Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) today predicted strong growth in international travel from China (PRC) to Malaysia (36%), Korea (ROK) (30%), Lao PDR (20%), Hawaii (20%), India (19%), the Maldives (16%) and Thailand (16%) to 2007. More... [477 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 1, 2005At least 26 dead as Bali hit by blasts (update)At least 26 people have been killed in a series of explosions on the Indonesian resort island of Bali. Many others were reported to have been injured in the blasts at Kuta beach - the area most popular with Western tourists - and at Jimbaran beach. There is no word yet on what caused the blasts which happened just before 2000 local time (1200 GMT). More... [1717 views] 
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