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ehotelier Hospitality News Archives: October 2006Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 31, 2006Hotel Pay-Per-Click advertising: You do the math…The saying goes something like “A fool and his money are soon parted…” and buying pay-per-click advertising without doing your math homework can quickly have hoteliers sharing the same fate.By Keith Paulin More... [1373 views] Emerging giants boost hotel performance across Asia PacificLooking back over the first six months of 2006, Asia’s hotels have continued to perform well with revPAR up 7.5% on the same period the prior year. Again average room rates continue to drive performance. South Asia and South-East Asia were the clear winners both seeing double-digit increases. At the back of the pack and showing little growth were North-East Asia and Oceania. More... [763 views] Hotels In India - Trends And OpportunitiesThis publication highlights the current trends and future opportunities for the hotel industry in India. By Manav Thadani, HVS International
More... [1050 views] Home Inns raises US$109m in IPOHome Inns & Hotel Management, China's second-largest budget hotel chain, raised US$109 million in a Nasdaq share sale last week as American investors jumped at the chance to buy into the booming sector. The stock opened up 59 per cent at US$22 on debut before rising to US$23.50. More... [477 views] UK Chain Hotels Market Review - September 2006Hotels in the UK capital shrugged-off the challenges of the security alerts and subsequent baggage restrictions imposed in August 2006 and are continuing to enjoy strong sales, according to the latest figures from TRI Hospitality Consulting’s HotStats survey. More... [665 views] Kauai Lagoons Developers Launch Residential Plans for First Ritz-Carlton and Marriott-Managed Resort CommunityPlans for developing resort real estate community, Kauai Lagoons, were announced yesterday, backed by the management and service excellence of The Ritz-Carlton and Marriott. The proposed project is a multi-faceted resort featuring 520 acres of residential oceanfront property, a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, breathtaking coastline views, full-service spa, restaurant, and a 38-acre freshwater lagoon with marina. More... [954 views] Hilton Opens its First Worldwide Resort in South KoreaThe Hilton Namhae Golf & Spa Resort opened its doors on 24 October 2006. It is the first resort in South Korea to incorporate a seaside golf course verlooking the Straits of Korea. The property is a 170 all-suite and villa estate, featuring a panoramic coastal view and stunning contemporary design. More... [603 views] The Fullerton Hotel Singapore is ranked number one in Asia by readers of Condé Nast TravelerThe Fullerton Hotel Singapore has been voted the top hotel in Asia by Condé Nast Traveler readers in the magazine’s annual Readers’ Choice Awards - the first independent hotel to receive this prestigious accolade. More... [1109 views] Berjaya Hotels and Resorts Select Pelican System for its Central Reservation SystemPelican System announces that it has entered CRS (Central Reservation System) agreement with Berjaya Hotels & Resorts – a division of Berjaya Land Berhad and a member of the Berjaya Corporation Group of Companies, head quartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It operates 19 premier hotels and resorts worldwide, not inclusive of premier country clubs located in Malaysia. More... [1157 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 30, 2006The Most Famous Hotels in the World: The Savoy, LondonThe Savoy was the mother of the first international hotel group in the world. For over 110 years the house is keeping its archives. With a skeleton in the closet that tells a good lesson to all and everybody managing a hotel. It bears a prominent name: Cesar Ritz More... [2341 views] Good times now, but are those speed bumps ahead for the hotel industry?Is it too good to be true? PricewaterhouseCoopers forecasts a 25.9 percent growth in lodging RevPAR for the three-year period ending in 2006. PricewaterhouseCoopers' forecast of 7.7 percent RevPAR increase in 2006. This marks the largest three-year increase since 1982. But are there speed bumps ahead? By Jim Butler, Hotel Lawyer, author of HotelLawBlog.com More... [1011 views] Hotels ditch imposing desks for friendly 'pods'Traditional hotel check-in counters — long and fortress-like — are on their way out. Hotel chains are replacing them with smaller desks or individual pods that take less space and let employees provide more personable service. Also, hotels can design more open desks because cash transactions are becoming rarer, and security is no longer the concern it once was. Smaller computer monitors and printers also make it easier to cut down on the desk size. By Roger Yu More... [1098 views] SAS to Sell Stake in Rezidor Hotel ChainScandinavian airline group SAS AB said Thursday it plans to sell its 75 percent stake in the Rezidor hotel chain when it is listed on the Stockholm exchange later this year. More... [724 views] Starwood Hotels 3Q profit nearly quadruples over 2005 results, which were depressed by chargesStarwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. said on Thursday its third-quarter profit nearly quadrupled on a favorable comparison from tax and restructuring charges from last year. More... [610 views] Langham Chairman wins top Travel Industry AwardDr. KS Lo, Chairman of Langham Hotels International (LHI), was awarded Travel Entrepreneur of the Year at the 17th Annual Travel Awards 2006 presented by TTG Asia Media. The prestigious award is a special recognition of Dr. Lo's commitment and outstanding contribution to the region's tourism industry, particularly Hong Kong. More... [665 views] Major Chains Report Internet Bookings Growth of 20 Percent in Q2 2006 As Consumers Continue to Choose Electronic ChannelsConsumers continue a three-year upward trend of shopping for hotels online and booking electronically, according to TravelCLICK's consolidated second quarter eTRAK results, released today. The data shows the Internet contributed 37.3 percent, or 7,605,440 reservations, of the total Central Reservation Office (CRO) reservations at major hotel brands, a 19.9 percent increase compared to the same period in 2005. More... [629 views] Kingdom Hotels to invest $235 million in Asia projectsKingdom Hotel Investments (KHI) has signed preliminary agreements to invest $235 million in hotels in Asia, a new focus region for the company, Gulf News reported. More... [845 views] Dusit Holds Annual Marketing Conference 2006Dusit Hotels & Resorts recently held its annual Marketing Conference 2006 at the Dusit Resort, Hua Hin; which has completed an extensive renovation. Led by Keith Blott, VP-Marketing & Sales for the Thai hotel group, the 2-day gathering highlighted the overview of Dusit’s expansion plans in both national and international arenas, as well as the latest marketing initiatives and the upgrade of Dusit’s distribution system. More... [603 views] Sofitel Wanda Beijing to open mid 2007Accor’s first flagship Sofitel in China, Sofitel Wanda Beijing is scheduled to open mid 2007. In 2004, Accor was awarded the management contract to operate Sofitel Wanda Beijing. More... [748 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 27, 2006The SHY Interview: Richard Quest, CNNHe loves asking questions and travelling - hates breakfast buffets and hotels that overcharge - YSH finds out what makes CNN's Richard Quest tick. More... [1233 views] Hotels in China, India and Mexico are capturing the imagination and resources of the hotel industryAt the Arizona Hotel Conference in Phoenix a few weeks ago, I was struck by how it seemed that talk of hotel development in China, India, Mexico and Europe dominated so many conversations and conference presentations. Is this the beginning of new era of hotel development outside the U.S.? A review of recent news reports confirms my anecdotal observations in Phoenix. Take a look at the headlines these days and you will realize that overseas expansion for the hotel industry is hot, particularly in developing markets. In the last month alone, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, UK-based InterContinental Hotel Group, Hong Kong's Shangri-La hotels and Marriott International announced major expansion plans in China. Starwood has plans to grow from 57 hotels in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan to 100 Greater China hotels by 2010. By Jim Butler, Hotel Lawyer, author of HotelLawBlog.com More... [995 views] Cornell Study: Travelers' Activities Indicate a Destination's PopularityCornell Study Reveals Role Of Traveler Activities In Determining Destination Popularity: Finds Costa Rica May Be in a Transitional Phase One of the most useful tools for destination planners may be staring them right in the face-the very tourists who are visiting their country. More... [832 views] David Brown appointed to Manage Fraser Suites SydneyFrasers Hospitality, an international branded serviced residence management company has appointed Mr. David Brown as General Manager of the Fraser Suites Sydney, the company’s new and first all-suite residences in Australia. More... [788 views] Davidson Hotel Company Named 'Preferred Managers' by Starwood Hotels & ResortsDavidson Hotel Company today announced that the company was named a 'Preferred Management Company' by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. for their upscale and luxury brands. Brands include St. Regis(R), The Luxury Collection(R), Sheraton(R), Westin(R), Four Points(R) by Sheraton, W(R), Le Meridien(R) and the recently announced aloft(SM) and ELEMENT(SM) Hotels. The designation is by invitation only and places Davidson on a short list of elite operators approved to operate its licensed hotels. More... [763 views] Movenpick major Dubai expansionMovenpick Hotels and Resorts has signed agreements to operate seven new hotels in Dubai, and one in Ajman, according to a a senior representative. More... [806 views] design hotels™ to Host First Networking Event in SingaporeAs part of its growing focus on the Asian market, the international hotel group design hotels™ will be hosting its annual Asian Exchange event in Hong Kong and, for the first time, in Singapore on 31 October and 2 November 2006. More... [656 views] Vietnam's Hospitality Sector Draws InvestorsMajor foreign companies are expressing increased interest in Vietnam's tourism prospects, which are expected to improve after the country accedes to the World Trade Organisation, according to the Ministry of Planning and Investment. More... [723 views] JW Marriott Grand Rapids Set To Open Fall 2007Distinctive luxury comes to Michigan’s Wst Coast with the opening of the JW Marriott Grand Rapids, set to open fall 2007. The 24-story, 340-room glass-enclosed property is the first of the JW Marriott family in the Midwest region More... [647 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 26, 2006Sexy, Inc. Announces "2005-2006 World's 100 Sexiest Hotels List"Sexy, Inc. Has Released Its Second Annual Listing of the World's 100 Sexiest Hotels. Marc Holland, founder of Sexy, Inc., said, "Over 500 properties were evaluated and winners were chosen according to style, architecture, ambiance, service, mood, and emotion." Holland added, "Defining 'sexy' was the fun part of the job. More... [3023 views] How clean is your hotel room?Even if it looks tidy, you may be unpleasantly surprised. There seem to have been many TV news segments and articles lately about the cleanliness — or lack of it — in hotel rooms. A lot of these reports are just media hype; these “creepy-crawly” stories draw in viewers, and seem to cycle around about as often as cold and flu season. By Amy Bradley-Hole More... [1728 views] Benchmarking Hotel Sale Prices To Replacement CostsTraditionally viewed as riskier investments, hotels continue to attract old and new investors due to the higher returns possible in a recovering lodging market. Many investors look to acquire existing assets in markets with high barriers to entry. First published in January 2006. By Elaine Sahlins, HVS International More... [863 views] A new meaning of romance in the airSpace enough for two. Entertainment options – up to 1,000. Toys and tools – office applications within the entertainment. Yeoh Siew Hoon reports on SIA's new cabin, available on the B777-300ER from December More... [842 views] When It Comes to Human Resources, One Size Does Not Fit AllAlignment and innovation were the focal elements of the third Human Resources Roundtable at the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration. Sponsored by the Cornell Center for Hospitality Research, along with co-sponsors eCornell and Cornell's School of Industrial and Labor Relations, the Roundtable connects industry leaders with Cornell’s faculty and students. Its goal is to crystallize the key issues facing the industry’s human resources professionals. More... [750 views] Economy hotel chains take root in ChinaOne of the newest business segments to take root in China's growing economy in recent years is something that most Americans take for granted: economy hotel chains. While China's urban dwellers and business travelers are well acquainted with luxury and midpriced hotel brands from Marriott International Inc and Hilton Hotels Corp, the rest of the lodging industry remains fragmented, dominated by guest houses and other privately owned properties. More... [725 views] Millennium Hotel Cincinnati names Robert Kisabeth General ManagerThe 872-room Millennium Hotel Cincinnati has announced the appointment of Robert Kisabeth as general manager. As general manager, he will be responsible for managing the property and heading promotional, sales and marketing endeavors for Cincinnati’s largest tri-state hotel. More... [746 views] PKF Consulting: A True Pioneer in Tracking Hotel Industry TrendsThe only remaining original copy of “Trends in the Hotel Business” is yellowing and carefully guarded in the offices of PKF Consulting. Dated March 20, 1937, the report includes 16 typed pages and simple charts. By contrast, the current 114-page issue of “Trends” features a slick cover, photos, computergenerated graphics and a CD. Although the reports were written 69 years apart, they share a lot in common. Each provides an analysis of key hotel metrics, such as occupancy and room rates, and similar economic factors, like the growth of personal income. More... [764 views] The Peninsula Chicago receives prestigious awardsThe results are in! And The Peninsula Chicago has received a number of prominent awards. The readers from Conde Nast Traveler, Travel & Leisure and Town & Country have all selected The Peninsula Chicago as an exceptional hotel, bestowing a number of awards and accolades in recent weeks. More... [701 views] Hersha Hospitality Signs Agreement to Sell Atlanta HotelsHersha Hospitality Trust, a real estate investment trust (REIT) and owner of 63 nationally franchised, upper-upscale, upscale and midscale limited service and extended-stay hotels, announced that the Company has signed definitive agreements for the sale of its four hotels located in the Atlanta, Georgia metro area for an aggregate price of $18.1 million. More... [502 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 25, 2006Rhapsody For TwoIn 1991, when he was just two years out of Oxford, Sonu Shivdasani and his wife, Eva, bought an untouched island in the Maldives. Today that island is Soneva Fushi, the luxurious resort at the center of Six Senses Resorts & Spas, a hospitality company that does $100 million annually in sales. Sonu, the chairman and chief executive, and Eva, creative director, divide their time between Soneva Fushi and Bangkok. They also travel extensively, and here Sonu tells us about their favorite European haven. By Sophia Banay, Forbes.com More... [1041 views] Hospitality Law: Hotel spas—illegal practice of medicine?Is your hotel spa practicing medicine without a license? Mixing a spa with a hotel is not new. Spas are one of the fastest growing hotel amenities, and according to the latest PricewaterhouseCoopers study, approximately 40 percent of luxury and upper-upscale lodging projects under development in the US have spa facilities and services, compared to 27 percent of existing luxury and upper-upscale hotels that have spa facilities and services. But spa proliferation and consumer demands pose new legal problems for the owners and operators of spas and affiliated hotels or other properties. By Jim Butler, Hotel Lawyer, author of HotelLawBlog.com More... [1576 views] Tech Toys For TravelersTen small, sophisticated gadgets to keep you content on the road. They say you can't take it with you. Whoever "they" are, they're wrong. Nowadays, you can take quite a bit with you wherever you go. Shoot across the country for business or to the south of France for an escape, and not only can you take your e-mail, you can also take your high-speed Internet connection, your movies, music, maps and directions, even your high-definition TV service. And none of the technology requires heavy lifting, oversized battery packs or a steep learning curve. By Glenn Derene, Forbes.com More... [890 views] Mooncakes are a half-baked idea... as is personalised anonymityFill me with passion, not calories, pleads Yeoh Siew Hoon (www.thetransitcafe.com) in this age of mass personalization and mass copycatisation. More... [748 views] Fairmont Hotels & Resorts appoints new Executive Vice President, EAMEFairmont Hotels & Resorts is pleased to announce the appointment of John Williams to executive vice president of Europe, Africa and the Middle East (EAME). Williams will be responsible for the performance of the existing hotels in the region, including St Andrews, London, Monaco and Dubai, as well as the positioning of the properties under development in the region. More... [1175 views] 80 new luxury hotels coming to Delhi, MumbaiTo meet the needs of a rapidly growing economy and a sharp rise in domestic and international travel, there as many as 32 new branded hotels coming up in Mumbai some of them in the closed textile mills, and 47 in the Delhi NCR region over the next 5 years. More... [2261 views] Internet pioneer speaks at Wired 06Founder of one of the world's most popular online travel communities - IgoUgo, will be a keynote speaker, at Wired Travel Asia in Singapore this week. More... [546 views] Rocco Forte Hotels appoints Brand Conference & Incentive DirectorRocco Forte Hotels is pleased to announce the appointment of Murray Thomson to the newly-created position of Brand Conference & Incentive Director. Previously Rocco Forte Hotels’ UK Sales & Marketing Director, Murray will now be responsible for the development and expansion of the conference and incentive business across the brand. More... [671 views] New Program will Certify “Southern Hospitality”, creating advantage for Hoteliers and Restaurants!Dateline: Tallahassee. Partnering to assist Hotel Operators, restaurants, and attractions market that recognized cachet, “Southern Hospitality”, the noted publication, Southern Hospitality Magazinetm and Hospitality Performance, a Consulting firm, have joined together to create a Program designed to influence Consumer interest in the Southeastern U.S. The Program is called the “Southern Hospitality Experience”. More... [511 views] Novotel Century Hong Kong Tackles Energy Cost And Environmental Management With The Latest Weapon - IntelligenceClose monitoring of electricity usage helps Hong Kong hotel to achieve sustainable, environmentally friendly operation while improving profitability. Accor Hotels has an unequalled track record as a trend setter, not a trend follower, in matters relating to the environment. Its first formal group-wide environmental management directive was issued in 1994, long before most hotel companies. More... [643 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 24, 2006Celebrity or not, Quest bleedsLast month, the host of CNN Business Traveller Monthly had a nasty accident in a hotel bathroom. He doesn't want to talk about it anymore. But Yeoh Siew Hoon meets up with Quest to exchange other hotel stories. More... [1558 views] Bohemian Rhapsody - The new Schrager hopes to reinvent the Grand Urban HotelWith his ambitious renovation and redesign of a New York City icon—the Gramercy Park Hotel—Ian Schrager hopes to reinvent the very idea of the dramatically grand urban hotel. Hip, hot, cool, cutting-edge are the sorts of overexcited words inevitably chosen to describe the 10 entries in the high-profile portfolio of high-profile hotels that high-profile hotelier Ian Schrager has built over the past 23 years. More... [694 views] IHG and ANA announce Joint Venture to create Japan's leading hotel groupInterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) and All Nippon Airways (ANA) today announced the signing of a hotel operating joint venture to create the leading hotel operating company in Japan, the world’s second largest hotel market. The joint venture – to be named IHG ANA Hotels Group Japan – will officially commence on 1 December 2006. More... [1183 views] M&C targets 20 more hotels in AsiaSingapore billionaire Kwek Leng Beng used the grand opening of a plush Shanghai hotel yesterday to forecast further forays into Asia, including China and the Middle East. 'By next year, we hope to target 20 hotels, including in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Kuwait,' said Mr Kwek, who is chairman of Millennium & Copthorne Hotels (M&C), a unit of City Developments (CDL). More... [666 views] The Parisian Hotel Industry Takes Off Like A Shot In OctoberThanks to the Paris Motor show, the first two weeks of October have been excellent for the hotel industry: in this period, the RevPAR rose by 13.8% over the same period in 2005. The highest level of occupancy was registered Wednesday, September 27th, i.e. the day before the press conferences, and Wednesday, October 4th, when the Parisian hotels were almost full (occupancy rate at 99.6%). The first weekend of October was also excellent for the Parisian hotel market because of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Lucien Barrière at the Longchamp Racecourse. More... [507 views] Restaurant Rent: How Much is Too Much?The question of how much rent a restaurant operation can afford to pay is explored, using examples of fixed rent and percentage rent. The relationship between gross sales and rent paid is discussed. By Richard D. WIlliams More... [1852 views] 2006 Villegiature Awards - Winners Spread All Over EuropeThe 2006 Villegiature Awards were held under the patronage of Mr Paolo Costa, President of the European Commission of Transport and Tourism this October 16th at the Bristol Palace Hotel in Paris, before a very selected audience of 300 VIPs: ambassadors, many diplomats, and an impressive number of Directors from famous luxury hotels and resorts, publishing companies and tour operators. More... [515 views] AOL And Four Points by Sheraton Introduce New Pilot Program to Bring Multi-Media Entertainment to GuestsAOL and Four Points by Sheraton today announced the launch of a pilot program at the Four Points by Sheraton Manhattan Chelsea Hotel in New York City. Through this new strategic relationship, AOL and Four Points by Sheraton will provide hotel guests with free access to videos, news, music, movies and more via a co-branded version of the AOL.com(R) Web portal (http://fourpoints.aol.com) as well as courtesy computers located in the lobby set to a co-branded AOL CityGuide(R) New York homepage. More... [663 views] Celadon International Launching New BrandCeladon International is launching its “CELADON COLLECTION” brand which invites independent hotel owners to make use of the global marketing network of Celadon International. This marketing network is coordinated by Mr. Tony Le Dinh Tuan the Chief Marketing Officer of Celadon International. More... [638 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 23, 2006The Most Famous Hotels in the World - Vienna: The Imperial Connection and the Bristol RiddleLegend had it that the Imperial in 1873 had been personally opened by the Austrian Emperor himself, who bestowed the honour of the Imperial name upon the hotel. The Bristol, the other hotel in the chain, had opened in 1892 and got its name from nobody less than the Earl of Bristol, who considered it worthy of bearing his aristocratic name. Good stories to start with. More... [1257 views] Hotel Mixed Use development gets a big boost from Barry Sternlicht's new "1" Hotel and Residences brand and Waldorf=AstoriaHotel mixed use developers should pay attention to two lead items which I noticed. Barry Sternlicht's Starwood Capital has announced a 5 new hotel mixed use developments launching a new hotel brand called "1" Hotel and Residences. At the same time, Hilton announced the Waldorf=Astoria branded residences for its big hotel mixed use project in Las Vegas. What are these developments about and what potential significance do they have? By Jim Butler, Hotel Lawyer, author of HotelLawBlog.com
More... [904 views] Marriott International Announces Global Growth Plan Through 2009 - Expects to add Over 30 Percent More Hotel Rooms Outside North America;Marriott International, Inc. , in its first such meeting outside the United States, will tell institutional investors and security analysts in Paris that it expects to increase the number of its hotel rooms outside of North America by more than 30 percent by the end of 2009. The company also said it anticipates diluted earnings per share (EPS) to approximate $2.45 to $3.20 by the end of 2009, excluding earnings from synthetic fuel, assuming REVPAR increases of 9 to 10 percent in 2006 and compounded average annual growth rates of 4 to 8 percent from 2007 through 2009. More... [787 views] Hilton Announces the Exchange of Contracts to Sell Two UK Hotels - Hilton London Metropole and Hilton Birmingham Metropole - for GBP 417 MillionHilton Hotels Corporation, announced it has exchanged contracts to sell two major UK hotels - the 1054 room Hilton London Metropole and the 794 room Hilton Birmingham Metropole - to Dr. Edward Wojakovski's family owned Tonstate for the cash sum of GBP 417 million. The transaction is expected to complete before year end 2006 More... [684 views] Million Baht Dinner - Stops Traffic – Featuring Thailand’s Largest Fireworks Display & Nine Michelin Star ChefsThe remarkable 1,000,000 baht (US$25,000) per head gala dinner initially planned for December 2006 has, by popular demand moved its date to February 10th, 2007 with the addition of three Michelin Star chefs, and a 30-minute fireworks show -- stopping traffic along the Chao Phraya -- for the first time in Thailand’s history! More... [1192 views] Savoy Group announces the opening of Savoy SuitesThe Savoy Group of Hotel Apartments Dubai proudly announces the reopening of the fully renovated and refurbished SAVOY SUITES previously called the Savoy Hotel Apartments. More... [734 views] The Regent South Beach launches The Regent Pocket Butler, providing guests access to anything, anywhere, at any timeDirect-Dial Phones Connect Guests to Key Dedicated Staff from Anywhere in S. Florida - The Regent South Beach, scheduled to open in November 2006, has just announced the Regent Pocket Butler, or RPB, for its penthouse & VIP guests, a first-of-its-kind offering that assures guests one of the greatest luxuries in South Beach: spontaneity. More... [752 views] Accor signs its first resort in India – Sofitel Cabo de Rama, GoaThe Accor hotel group has signed its first resort property in India, Sofitel Cabo de Rama in Goa, India. The resort is to be developed by Uniworth Resorts, a member of the JB Group of Hong Kong and will comprise some 300 rooms and a destination spa. The Sofitel is scheduled to open in 2009. More... [1056 views] PricewaterhouseCoopers Finds US Hotel Telephone Revenues Declined 16% Since 2000PricewaterhouseCoopers research, supplemented by Smith Travel Research (STR) and Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association (CTIA) data, indicates that telecommunications revenue in hotels has declined an average of 16 percent since its peak in 2000. During the same period wireless subscription in the U.S. has continued to increase at a dramatic pace. More... [605 views] Anantara Resorts opened its first property in the Maldives on 15 September 2006.Set in the idyllic archipelago of the Maldives, the Anantara Resort could not have a more fitting name. Taken from a Sanskrit word that means 'borderless waters', Anantara Maldives is surrounded by the sparkling turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, offering an endless horizon of aquatic allure. More... [700 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 20, 2006Horst Schulze: Defining the New LuxuryLegendary hotelier Horst Schulze says his new hotel brand, Capella, will define the new luxury. No one has trouble believing the CEO of West Paces Hotel Group, who is known for establishing the world-renowned standards for Ritz-Carlton Hotels as its president, COO and vice chairman. Schulze tells Raini Hamdi why luxury service needs new excellence. By Raini Hamdi, Editor, TTG Asia More... [1891 views] The French rebel at the helm of JumeirahJumeirah is on the move and the man leading the charge in Asia Pacific is Serge Kaalof, who describes himself as a “French rebel”. He tells Yeoh Siew Hoon about what makes Jumeirah different. More... [1273 views] Tophotelprojects.com announce the 10 largest Hotel Projects of the WorldThe world’s largest hotel under construction with more than 4,100 rooms will be opened in 2009 by MGM Mirage in the city center of Las Vegas, Nevada. This is result of a current ranking of the largest hotel projects worldwide by tophotelprojects.com, the database provided by the internationally respected CHD Expert Group. The second and third greatest hotel projects with more than 3,000 and 2,400 rooms are under construction in Las Vegas, too. More... [1258 views] The Asian Lodging Development Pipeline Moving at a Feverish Pitch; China and India "Under Roomed"Lodging Econometrics (LE), the Industry Authority for Hotel Real Estate, announced the completion of a Development Pipeline with a Three Year Forecast for New Hotel Openings for each of the 21 different countries in the Asia Pacific region. LE’s president, Patrick Ford, said, “At the end of 3Q06 there were 656 projects in the Asian pipeline being actively pursued by developers. Those Asia projects have 169,691 guestrooms and average 259 rooms each. 371 of the projects are already Under Construction. The pipeline is moving forward at a feverish pitch as developers rush to complete their projects.” More... [651 views] Hilton Molino Stucky Venice Announces Mid-2007 Opening: Former Flour Mill Reborn as Luxury HotelIn mid-2007, Hilton Molino Stucky Venice will debut with previously unseen views of Venice’s islands, a private landing jetty, rooftop pool and bar, a variety of food and beverage venues, one hotel shop, central access to Venice’s attractions, and a rich architectural history of its own. Hilton Molino Stucky Venice will emerge as a premier, top-tier luxury property in one the world’s main tourist destinations More... [628 views] The new Ritz-Carlton, Palm Beach redefines luxuryThe Ritz-Carlton, Palm Beach will pay tribute to the mystique of Palm Beach and raise the bar on resort service and ambiance when the completely redesigned property debuts this winter. Scheduled to re-open Holiday 2006 after $60 million in investments, the expansion features design elements that bring the hotel’s architecture in tune with its upscale destination and sophisticated clientele. More... [785 views] Delhi runs out of hotel roomsIf you are looking for a room in one of the city's five-star hotels, here is the latest: forget about it. Not only are rooms booked until March next year, but many hotels have also hiked their room rates — some by as much as 100 per cent. More... [1162 views] Hotel Indigo announces its sixth hotel openingInterContinental Hotels Group announced today that its sixth hotel will open this week in Sarasota, Fla. The Hotel Indigo Sarasota will represent the brand’s first new build hotel. More... [636 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 19, 2006Starwood Capital Group and Barry Sternlicht Unveil Groundbreaking New Hotel Concept: '1' HotelStarwood Capital Group, led by Barry Sternlicht, announced today the launching of "1" Hotel and Residences, the first luxury, eco-friendly global hotel brand. The concept will combine the best of environmentally sustainable architecture and interior design with impeccable service and luxurious comfort. More... [1755 views] Top Resorts, Top Hotels - Results of the 2006 Conde Nast Traveler Readers' Choice AwardsThe November 2006 issue of Conde Nast Traveler celebrates the 19th annual Readers' Choice Awards. The results are derived from the largest independent poll of consumers' preferences, the Readers' Choice Survey, second in size only to the U.S. Census. With over 21,000 travelers voting this year, the lists show an even greater global variety and depth. More... [2064 views] Budapest Hotel Market Set to Grow as Visitor Numbers Continue to SoarJones Lang LaSalle Hotels’ latest Hotel Investor Sentiment Survey (HISS) revealed that 50% of respondents who are active or based in Europe want to acquire in Budapest. Christoph Härle, Head of CEE, Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels said: “Budapest is of particular interest to hotel investors at the moment. The hotel market has been going through a difficult time between 2000 and 2004, but has been performing very well in the last one and a half years and visitor numbers have been increasing by an average of 6% per year More... [618 views] Eric Calderon Named New COO for Ty Warner Hotels and ResortsFormer VP of the Little Nell Hotel Group will manage a collection of Ty Warner's boutique hotels and word class golf courses in New York, Santa Barbara, Cabo San Lucas, and Kona Ty Warner, owner of Ty Warner Hotels and Resorts, LLC (TWH&R) and Ty Inc., is pleased to announce the appointment of Eric Calderon as the new COO for TWH&R. More... [819 views] The BLUE Sydney, a Taj Hotel, wins Merger & Acquisition Deal of the Year AwardMerger & Acquisition Deal of the Year and the Reggie Shiu Development of the Year award winners were announced at the Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific (HICAP), which drew a record crowd of nearly 700 delegates to the InterContinental Hong Kong between 11-13 October 2006. More... [833 views] Travelport Asia Releases Findings of the Asia Retail Travel Agent Benchmarking SurveyTravelport Asia, one of the largest and most geographically diverse travel companies, today released the findings of the Asia Retail Travel Agent Benchmarking Survey. The objective of the survey was to clarify a travel agent’s core business functions, establish industry benchmarks and identify areas to enhance performance and customer service. More... [725 views] Managing the 'craziness' that comes with hotelsOf all the adventures Davide Barnes has had in the hotel industry, going to a room by himself to evict a mobster and his two big bodyguards had to be one of the more hair-raising. But then, overcoming the "craziness" that he says is always present in the hotel business probably helps explain why he was recently named hotel manager at the Four Seasons Hotel in Philadelphia. More... [904 views] Marriott Testing Smartphone Check InsMarriott is working with Intel Solution Services and Microsoft to enable Windows Mobile device users to check into their hotel from their smartphone - the Pocket PC Phone variety. So instead of waiting of on a long line to check in, a guest could just breeze up to an automatic key dispenser. More... [1776 views] Great Hotels Organisation Begins the ‘Independent’ Hotel RevolutionGreat Hotels Organisation (GHO) has announced that it is to launch a ground breaking rewards scheme aimed purely at the independent hospitality industry. In a similar mould to the airline alliances One World and Star Alliance, the GHO ‘Great Hotels Rewards’ programme will form part of the new ‘Voilà Hotel Rewards’ scheme being developed in association with American firm, Hospitality Marketing Concepts (HMC). More... [657 views] Cornell Roundtable Discovers: When It Comes To Human Resources, One Size Does Not Fit AllAlignment and innovation were the focal elements of the third Human Resources Roundtable at the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration. Sponsored by the Cornell Center for Hospitality Research, along with co-sponsors eCornell and Cornell's School of Industrial and Labor Relations, the Roundtable connects industry leaders with Cornell's faculty and students. Its goal is to crystallize the key issues facing the industry's human resources professionals. More... [773 views] Romania: Irish Build Biggest Luxury Hotel in BucharestRI Investment Grup, a company controlled by Irish investors, is developing a project estimated at 100 million euros in the Splaiul Independentei area in Bucharest, according to Ziarul Financiar.ro reports. "Our project is a mix of hotel, residential and retail space. More... [813 views] Kempinski Hotel Shenzhen celebrates official openingThe Kempinski Hotel Shenzhen celebrated its official opening ceremony on Saturday 30 September 2006, marking the eighth Kempinski-managed property to open in China. The Kempinski Hotel Shenzhen is a joint venture between Beijing Tourism Group (BTG) and Shenzhen Sensenhai Industrial Co. Ltd.. More... [829 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 18, 2006Hotels made famous by the moviesIn the 1996 summer blockbuster The Rock , a hirsute Sean Connery plays a master escape artist who's been incarcerated for three decades. The FBI offers to release him, provided he rescue some misbegotten hostages held at Alcatraz. Connery's character has only one demand: "I want a suite at the Fairmont Hotel." Ever since Alfred Hitchcock shot Vertigo at the Fairmont in 1958, the hotel has been San Francisco's leading lady. "Directors look to the Fairmont to capture the essence of San Francisco," says Samara Diapoulos, the hotel's director of public relations. "People still come to the lobby and say: This is where The Rock was filmed." Hitchcock should be rolling in his grave. By Jeryl Brunner, ForbesTraveller More... [1367 views] The Bottom Line: Bad Service, Worse SalesWho has the customer service job at your company? You can have the best products, the best marketing or the best sales approach, but if your customer service team isn't able to provide the levels of service that your customers expect, you are not going to be (or going to stay) a leader in your market. Customer service that falls below your customers' expectations will cost you money, whether their expectations are reasonable or not, and no matter how those expectations were set. That's a customer service rule. More... [1388 views] Hotel Key Cards: Identity Theft Risk or Not?A few years ago, a rumor made the rounds on e-mail and the Web that hotels were encoding room key cards with guests' personal information, and that any prospective identity thief with a card reader could gain access to your most essential private data. The reports were debunked at the time by self-proclaimed mythbuster Snopes.com, which claimed that hotels didn't encode anything more than the guest's name and duration of their stay on the card. In a slightly more authoritative debunking, Computerworld, an information technology trade journal challenged a top maker of magnetic card readers to find personal data on 100 room-card keys -- from Hilton, Holiday Inn, Sheraton, Westin and other major chains. The keys had been collected by staff members in their travels. By Martin H. Bosworth, ConsumerAffairs.Com More... [1626 views] Taiwan's five-star properties gearing up for hotel warThe country's five-star hotels are bracing for the possible entry of two more formidable contenders in Taiwan's hospitality scene. "Competition is expected to get even tougher if the Mandarin Oriental and the Four Seasons Hotel do jump into the Taiwan market," said Luanne Li, marketing communications manager of the Grand Hyatt Taipei. More... [875 views] Zagat's 2007 New York City Restaurants SurveyZagat Survey released the results of its new 2007 New York City Restaurants survey. This year's Zagat guide covers 2,014 eateries based on the experiences of 31,604 locals, who ate out an average of 3.4 meals per week. The typical restaurant was visited by five to six Zagat surveyors every day of the year. More... [814 views] Double-Digit Hotel Returns Likely To Continue Until Mid 2008Hotel investors, who are currently registering total hotel returns in the order of 21%, are likely to continue enjoying double digit returns until at least mid 2008 according to Hotel Investment Strategies, LLC, a lodging investment advisory firm based in New York. Hotels recorded total returns of 20.8% for the year ended June 2006 with income and capital returns registering 8.7% and 11.4% respectively according to NCREIF. Current hotel returns are the highest returns recorded since the third quarter of 1998. More... [573 views] Starwood rules out Jinjiang stake buy - US operator spurns hotel giant seeking strategic partnerStarwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, owner of the Sheraton brand, is unlikely to take a stake in Jinjiang Hotels Development, the mainland's largest hotel operator, before the hotelier's US$300 million initial public offering, according to a company executive. Miguel Ko, Starwood Asia-Pacific president, said a tie-up with a rival hotel operator such as Jinjiang is not part of the company's mainland expansion strategy. More... [705 views] Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Says “it’s Easy Being Green On The Road”As a leader in environmental stewardship for over a decade, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts knows that when it comes to the earth’s balance sheet, less is usually more and being green is generally easier to do at home than on the road. With that, Michelle White, Fairmont’s Corporate Manager of Environmental Affairs, offers up 10 valuable green travel tips making it easy to balance environmental concerns with travel and workday realities. More... [619 views] London's Legendary May Fair Is Reborn$140+ Million restoration breaths new life into one of Mayfair's most beloved hotels following a $140+ million restoration, London's iconic May Fair celebrates its grand opening on November 2, 2006. The 406-room, five-star hotel has been extensively renovated and updated, bringing an eclectic luxury style to the historic West End hotel that first opened in 1927 with King George V and Queen Mary in attendance. More... [795 views] Business Travellers named Marriott the Most Preferred Hotel for Business Tips - TripAdvisor SurveyThe survey was conducted among a TripAdvisor(TM) traveler panel consisting of more than 2,100 respondents from around the world. From destination to guestroom, the survey analyzed business traveler preferences and the results strongly aligned with Marriott International's guest services and amenities. More... [978 views] Six Hyatt Spas amongst World's Best SpaHyatt announced that six of its properties have been honored by Travel + Leisure's, 11th annual World’s Best Spa poll. This esteemed accolade, given by the readers of Travel + Leisure , is a true mark of excellence in the industry. More... [1131 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 17, 2006Dollars to Doughnuts - What is your Brand Message?It is a good bet, “Dollars to Doughnuts”, that somewhere in your advertising and marketing, as you define your Brand, you use the term “Quality”. That is very reassuring, except, what does that term mean for Hospitality, much less Retail? You may declare that you have a quality product or quality service or just plain utilize quality as a modifier. We all use it. It is a comforting word, been around for years, and it has value, because “Quality” is good and a basic expectation for the Consumer. By John R. Hendrie More... [881 views] Wow.travel's seven sensational networking nicheswow.travel (the online magazine of kiwicollection.com) edited by Mary Gostelow, introduces Seven Sensational Networking Niches - or ideal places for meetings, of all sizes. More... [940 views] The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company Focuses on Unprecedented Global Growth and Reinvestment in Portfolio of PropertiesThe Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. will introduce the 63rd luxury hotel in its growing global portfolio on Financial Street in Beijing, China on October 14, 2006. Between 2006 and 2009, the award-winning hospitality company will open 26 hotels, 20 Ritz-Carlton Residences, six Ritz-Carlton Clubs, and two serviced apartments at locations around the world. More... [1053 views] European hotel guests get room keys on mobile phonesAfter a long flight, you arrive extremely tired at your hotel to find a line of people queued up at the front desk. Then you remember that you are an NFC user … you bypass the front desk and go straight to your room because you already know your room number and the key … in your cell phone. This is already a reality – at least in pilot-form – in select European hotels More... [1378 views] Earthquake: Up to 3,000 people evacuate Hawaii hotelsAs many as 3,000 people in three hotels on the island of Hawaii were forced to evacuate following the 6.6 magnitude earthquake and several aftershocks that struck the Hawaiian Islands beginning 7:07 a.m. local time on Sunday. More... [837 views] Beating The Budget - U.S. Hoteliers Underestimated 2005When budgeting for 2005 in the fall of 2004, U.S. hotel managers had a keen understanding of the position of the lodging industry on the business cycle. Being the first year out of the recession, 2004 was a year of tremendous growth in occupancy, accompanied by modest gains in average room rates (ADR). Therefore, when looking forward to the next step up the recovery cycle, hotel managers foresaw somewhat of a reversal in growth patterns for 2005. By Robert Mandelbaum More... [507 views] aloft Hotels Boldly Goes Where No Other Hotel Company Has Gone Before...--aloha! aloft, A Vision Of W Hotels(SM), is proud to announce the grand opening of an aloft hotel in Second Life, making aloft the world's first hotel brand to place a 3-D computer generated property inside a virtual world. Born out of W Hotels, the original "wired" brand, aloft follows W's lead in hosting "insider" events for its customers... More... [796 views] Wyndham Worldwide To Rebrand Its Timeshare PropertiesWyndham Worldwide Corporation, one of the world’s largest hospitality companies, today announced that it will rebrand its industry-leading timeshare properties – Fairfield Resorts®, Trendwest® North America and Trendwest South Pacific – under the Wyndham® name. More... [476 views] Technology Peaks at WTMThis year has seen travel technology hit a high with an explosion of new online travel solutions and mobile applications and confidence in the industry soar as a result. This has been reflected in a record number of travel technology exhibitors at World Travel Market with interest for the first time from global technology leaders in the travel industry at the event. More... [576 views] Days Inn maximizes energy efficiency with Green Hotel InitiativeDays Inns - Canada announced its participation in the HAC Green Key Eco-Rating Program administered by the Hotel Association of Canada. Days Inns - Canada is the first mid-scale hotel chain to participate in the program as a brand wide initiative. More... [476 views] Robert Patrick Herr appointed General Manager of InterContinental PragueRobert Patrick Herr was appointed as new General Manager at InterContinental Prague, effective October 16th 2006 replacing Leon Larkin . Of Irish origin, Herr brings over 13 years of hospitality experience to his new role, having over 13 years experience with the group. More... [989 views] Seoul eyes 12 million tourists by 2010The Seoul Metropolitan government has shared plans to strengthen the city’s business and tourism infrastructure to achieve the same. On the target set, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon referred to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing and the 2010 World EXPO in Shanghai, which the official felt would provide the country great opportunities to expose the city internationally. More... [477 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 16, 2006The Most Famous Hotels in the World - Grand Hotel Metropole HanoiAfter having successfully completed historic research for Raffles in Singapore, The Peninsula in Hong Kong, The Oriental in Bangkok, Sacher and Vier Jahreszeiten (Hamburg) in Europe and Grand Hotel Europe in St Petersburg (Russia), one day I received a phone call from Richard Kaldor, general manager of the Hotel Metropole in Hanoi, Vietnam: ‘Andreas, could you come and research the history of our hotel?‘ By Andreas Augustin More... [2252 views] Five wise men keep their powder dryWhat’s on the mind of global hotel leaders? Yeoh Siew Hoon of The Transit Café (www.thetransitcafe.com) reports from the Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific (HICAP) in Hong Kong. More... [958 views] World's Most Expensive RestaurantsWhat's the recipe for dining at one of the world's most expensive restaurants? Months on a waiting list and Herculean wallet strength. Oh, and a healthy appetite. Top-notch restaurants have never been this good. By Sophia Banay, Forbes.com More... [1945 views] Butch Kerzner: A zest for life, business and the outdoorsA remarkable man, a great father and a person with a zest for life - that's how colleagues and friends remember Howard 'Butch' Kerzner, who died in a helicopter crash, aged 42. More... [1938 views] European Hotel Guests Overwhelmingly Prefer a Smoke-Free Environment - J.D. Power and Associates ReportsAs hotel brands in other parts of the world adopt smoke-free environments as their latest marketing strategy, a vast majority of European guests prefer a smoke-free hotel environment, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2006 European Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index StudySM released today. Steigenberger Hotels & Resorts, Radisson SAS Hotels & Resorts, Dorint Hotels & Resorts and Tulip Inns Each Rank Highest in Guest Satisfaction Across Four Hotel Segments More... [709 views] Soaring average room rates drive hotel performance in ChinaHotel performance across China has seen strong growth during the first eight months of 2006 as revenue per available room (revPAR) increased 8.7%, according to the HotelBenchmark™ Survey by Deloitte. Average room rates have been the driving force behind this growth and are now US$10 higher than the same period in 2005, at US$111. More... [587 views] General Manager appointments from Fairmont Hotels & ResortsFairmont Hotels & Resorts is pleased to announce four General Manager appointments at various locations throughout its portfolio.... More... [2392 views] Omni Hotels Promotes Leaders in Operations TeamOmni Hotels recently augmented its leadership team with the promotion of three individuals to top positions in operations. Richard Maxfield was promoted to Senior Vice President, Operations; Lesli Reynolds to Vice President, Operations; and Fernando Salazar to Vice President, Food & Beverage. More... [506 views] Hyatt Hotels & Resorts Launches Customized Wake-up Call Service Enabling Guests to Rise and Shine to a Familiar VoiceSupermodel Christie Brinkley Records Limited-Edition Greeting to Launch the New Hyatt Wake-up Call, Benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation More... [870 views] Regent Hotels to double worldwide portfolio within two yearsRegent Hotels, the luxury brand of the fast-growing Brussels-based Rezidor SAS Hospitality, will more than double its global portfolio over the next two years with the addition of eight new properties across the Middle East, Asia, Europe and the U.S. More... [755 views] Choice Hotels Announces 31 New Hotels In SeptemberChoice Hotels continues to grow with the announcement of newly opened franchised properties More... [631 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 13, 2006World's 10 Hippest HotelsNew York's Groovy Hotel Gansevoort Jet Sets the Bar for Avant-Garde Accommodations TripAdvisor(TM), the largest travel community in the world, today announced the top 10 hip hotels from around the globe, according to traveler popularity and TripAdvisor editors. More... [3135 views] How I conquered my “clubo-phobia”Clubs are not just her thing so when Yeoh Siew Hoon got an invite to dine at one of Singapore’s institutions, she hesitated – but just for a second. Here’s what she discovered. More... [884 views] Hilton May Double Europe Hotels by 2010, Seeks Chinese PartnerHilton Hotels Corp. Chief Executive Officer Stephen Bollenbach said the company may more than double its European hotels within four years, and is seeking a partner in China to add about 100 inns. The company, the second-largest U.S. hotel operator by revenue, will probably have 450 hotels in Europe by 2010, up from about 180, Bollenbach said in an interview in Rome yesterday. More... [976 views] Can you trust your concierge?If your hotel concierge recommends a restaurant, can you trust the tip? Or does the concierge stand to gain from recommending one place over another? I posed those questions to business travelers and to hotel industry professionals, wondering just how trustworthy concierge recommendations really are. By Barbara Correa More... [1302 views] Hotel Industry Veterans Jim Evans, Si Sloman Form OPUS Hospitality AdvisorsHotel veterans Jim Evans and Si Sloman have assembled a team of hospitality professionals and launched OPUS Hospitality Advisors, a full service, hotel management and asset management company. OPUS will focus on upscale and mid-market properties of 150 rooms or more, located primarily in the western half of the country. Concurrently, the company announced that it has signed a contract to operate a portfolio of six hotels in the western U. S. owned by Trinity Hotel Investors. More... [668 views] Sol Melia launches New Brand of Hotels - ME by MeliaSpanish hotel group Sol Meliá has launched ME by Meliá, a new brand of experience-based ‘personality’ hotels in select city and resort destinations around the world. More... [917 views] Taking Giant Leaps in Technology and Travel with CNN Future Summit:: WORLD IN MOTIONThe sky is no longer the limit as 'CNN Future Summit' takes off for 'World in Motion'. Richard Quest leads an illustrious panel including Buzz Aldrin and current space tourist Anouseh Ansari for another landmark hour-long programme from Singapore that takes CNN’s viewers deep into the future and outer space. More... [476 views] Pattaya ready to host the 67th Skål World Congress67th Skål International World Congress will take place in Pattaya, Thailand on 15-20 October 2006, at PEACH at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort. More... [542 views] Hospitality eBusiness Strategies Wins Five Web Marketing Association Awards2006 WebAward for Best Travel Website Hospitality eBusiness Strategies, (HeBS), New York City, today announced receipt of five 2006 Web Marketing Association WebAwards for outstanding achievement in website development. More... [575 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 12, 2006Hotel Reservations SAILS Training 2006!With all of the other priorities facing hoteliers today when it comes to managing transient distribution channels, it’s more than a fair question: “Why do we need a new reservations sales process?” Yet when you listen to recordings of actual inquiries being fielded from real customers, it’s easy to identify that today’s callers have evolved faster than most training programs. By Doug Kennedy More... [1116 views] The Power Of the Per-Diem RateSeveral markets in the United States rely heavily on government demand. Changes in the way allowances for government travelers are established can turn markets, for better or worse. By Daniel Voellm More... [821 views] Asian destinations voted among world's ten bestIn its poll for 2006, readers and website visitors of Travel and Leisure Magazine, the world's leading consumer travel magazine, has voted three Asian cities in the top ten of the world's best tourism destinations. Thailand, with two cities, has taken top honors among Asian destinations, followed by Australia, with one city. More... [1565 views] Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong celebrates its return with an exclusive gala partyCelebrity attendees from around the world, performances from Mandarin Oriental fans Bryan Ferry and Dame Edna Everage set the scene for a vibrant evening. Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong celebrated its re-entry into local society with a private gala attended by more than 500 celebrities, dignitaries and society guests. More... [1117 views] Home Inn goes for $80 millionHome Inn Hotels is considering an $80m US listing/Home Inns & Hotel Management. This is one of China’s biggest homegrown budget hotel chains. The money said it plans to raise the money to help finance an expansion plan. More... [530 views] EIBTM 2006 set to Break RecordsThe EIBTM 2006 is set to break records this year. Substantial space has already been sold for EIBTM 2006, which represents a 10% increase compared to EIBTM 2005. Moreover, the MPI Technology Village @ EIBTM and the Event Services Village have both sold out. More... [551 views] Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi To Open February 2007Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts has signed an agreement with Al Jaber Establishment and TourismDevelopment and Investment Company, Abu Dhabi to manage the Shangri-LaHotel, Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi, opening February 2007. This is the second such management agreement between the two groups; the first was for the Shangri-La Hotel, Dubai. More... [648 views] Marriott unveils Prototype for its Future Courtyard Hotel Brand in EuropeEarlier this month Marriott International unveiled the prototype of its new Courtyard by Marriott hotels in Europe, with the official opening of the 150-room Paris Courtyard by Marriott Colombes. It is the first of approximately 50 Courtyard hotels that Marriott plans to open in Europe over the next five years. More... [920 views] International Association of Conference Centers announces new officers of the board of directorsAt their recent meeting at The Charles F. Knight Executive Education Center in St. Louis, MO, the Board of Directors of the International Association of Conference Centers of North America elected new officers for a two-year term beginning January 1, 2007. More... [538 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 11, 2006Observations From The RoadThis publication comes from the HVS library archive of timeless articles. We think you will enjoy reading about this important topic. Published first in May 2004. By Steve Rushmore More... [756 views] What Makes a Good Revenue Manager? More Than You ThinkEyeForTravel - Hospitality’s quest for every spare dollar available makes the corporate revenue manager one of the highest profile jobs in the industry today. An effective revenue manager using the right tools can raise a chain’s average daily rate (ADR) as much as seven percent – most of which goes straight to the bottom line. With this kind of money at stake, operators can achieve significant benefit from identifying the best, brightest talent, as well as understanding what they need to achieve optimum results. By Andy Archer, Group Vice President of Service Industries for JDA Software Group More... [2309 views] Conrad Hotels voted World's Leading Luxury Hotel BrandFor the second consecutive year, Conrad Hotels received the ultimate award of “World’s Leading Luxury Hotel Brand” at the World Travel Awards ceremony, which took place in Turks and Caicos last month. The prestigious trophy was presented to brand representative, Robert Thrailkill, General Manager of the Conrad Miami during the dinner ceremony. More... [1041 views] Europe Chain Hotels Market Review – August 2006Hotels in German cities had the worst absolute sales performance during August out of all the cities in TRI Hospitality Consulting’s European HotStats survey. But two out of the three German cities in the survey – Berlin and Hamburg – put in double digit increases in revenue per available room, as some after effects of hosting the World Cup earlier in the summer linger on. More... [579 views] Pritzker Family selling Chicago Hyatt CenterIn a precursor to the Pritzker Organization empire breakup, the Chicago business icon is putting its acclaimed Hyatt Center on the market. More... [928 views] Oxford Properties buys 7 Canadian hotels from Fairmont RafflesOxford Properties, the real estate investment subsidiary of the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System, has purchased seven Canadian Fairmont hotels — including the Banff Springs and Chateau Lake Louise — from Fairmont Raffles. More... [735 views] Gulf Hotel voted ‘Bahrain’s Leading Hotel’ at awardsThe Gulf Hotel Bahrain has been voted ‘Bahrain’s Leading Hotel’ at the World Travel Awards, one of the most comprehensive travel trade polls of its kind. The World Travel Awards celebrate excellence in the global tourism industry and a total of 167,000 industry professionals — including 110,000 travel agents in more than 140 countries — vote for their leading travel destinations, airlines, hotels and companies around the world. More... [546 views] The Bulgari Resort, Bali OpensBulgari Hotels & Resorts has opened the second property in their exclusive boutique hotel group. Bulgari defines the height of elegance 160-metres above the Indian Ocean with the opening of a breathtaking 59-villa property in Bali -- one of the world's most exclusive and exotic destinations. More... [1025 views] Super 8 China opens six new propertiesIn September, Super 8 it officially opened six new China properties. Super 8 is now the largest foreign economy hotel operator in mainland China. More... [687 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 10, 2006You Slept Where? - Ten of the World's Most Unuasual HotelsWith beds of ice and living rooms made from helicopters, the world's most unusual luxury hotels are trips in and of themselves. Sleeping in such oddball lodgings doesn't come cheap. When the new hotel, Winvian, opens in late fall, room rates will start at $1,450 per night. By Matthew J. Malone, Forbes.com More... [2030 views] The Relationship Frames the ExperienceWe were alerted a number of years ago that we were in the Experience Economy. Of course, that needed some definition, as we moved beyond the typical transactions with our Customer. The progressive companies latched upon sensationalizing their Brands, oozing with “hooks” to our senses: escape, actualization, feel good, wanton, safe and satiated. Not bad messages! And, our audience – the Boomers, the Road Warriors, the Lifestyle Seekers – bought into it. By John R. Hendrie More... [791 views] Reflections of a hotel veteranFor almost two decades Gregory J Meadows has been working for various five-star hotels in Bangkok. He really knows the differences among them and has always created new ideas to satisfy his guests. In 1980, South African-born Meadows started working in Bangkok at the Oriental Hotel. Five years later he left Bangkok to join a resort hotel in the Caribbean. More... [958 views] Seven trends that will transform the Timeshare Industry in 2007The timeshare industry with 10 billion in worldwide sales is quickly approaching its fifth decade. In the coming year, millions of travelers around the world will encounter and experience timeshare vacation ownership, fractional ownership, residence clubs, and condo-hotels. More... [1625 views] Tourism Arrivals Surge Throughout Mekong RegionThe governments of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) have reported strong increases in arrivals to the Pacific Asia Travel Association. More... [517 views] Hilton Sydney sweeps National Industry AwardsHilton Sydney has proved once again that it is the industry’s favourite centre of attention, by last night winning all three of their nominated categories for the National Australian Hotels Association (AHA) Awards 2006. More... [773 views] Senih Geray Named new General Manager Of St. Regis Resort, AspenSenih Geray has been named general manager of the St. Regis Resort Aspen, effective September 2006. The announcement was made by Rick Suhl, senior vice president of operations for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. More... [1119 views] Hilton investigates sale of Edinburgh CaledonianHilton Hotels Corporation, is investigating options for the sale of the historic Hilton Edinburgh Caledonian hotel - as part of the company's ongoing international strategy to reduce the number of directly owned hotel assets and retain the long term management contracts. More... [518 views] Small Luxury Hotels of the World Makes Landmark Additions To Portfolio in Key Markets of Middle East & AsiaThe brand of Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) announced a significant addition of four new hotels to its rapidly growing portfolio of independent, privately-owned hotels. This latest expansion is considered a milestone for SLH as it marks the brand’s first entry into the Middle East, Hong Kong and the Philippines. More... [682 views] Candlewood Suites aspirational growth plan puts brand at Nr. 1 spot in mid-scale extended-stay segmentCandlewood Suites announced at the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) Americas Investors & Leadership Conference, that it will begin its international expansion with two locations outside the U.S. this quarter in two of Canada’s most popular destinations, Toronto and Montreal. More... [469 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 9, 2006The Most Famous Hotels in the World - The Oriental, BangkokBeing invited to research the history of a great hotel is always an honour – and a challenge, especially when the hotel in question is in Asia, where public archives are rare. A Herculean task awaited us at the Oriental in Bangkok. Kurt Wachtveitl, a general manager almost as famous as the hotel he runs, invited me to Bangkok, where I had the privilege of meeting a few fantastic 'assistants': Wachtveitl's sense of tradition had established various history related settings. By Andreas Augustin More... [1651 views] As hotels upgrade, some items are left behindAs hotels spend billions on 21st-century upgrades, younger generations of travelers will grow up sleeping in a new breed of hotel. The money is going for things such as better beds, splashier showers, trendier bars and flat-screen TVs. A recent survey by the American Hotel & Lodging Association suggests the transformation is well underway in an industry that this year is spending $5 billion on upgrades. By Barbara De Lollis, USA TODAY More... [2224 views] Spaced outBigelow, NASA now working together on space hotel. A mere five years ago, Bigelow, owner of the Budget Suites of America hotel chain, announced his intention to get into the space race. Not many people paid attention or gave him much of a chance. But 16 months from now, Bigelow's first creation is scheduled for blast-off into a low orbit above the earth. If it works as planned, the development of space will never be the same. More... [566 views] Veteran Hotelier Betty Ozaki Named Director For The Tokyo Office Of The Leading Hotels Of The World, LtdWelf Ebeling, executive vice president and chief operating officer of The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd., has announced the appointment of veteran American hotelier Betty J. Ozaki to the post of regional director of the company’s Tokyo sales office, effective October 2, 2006. More... [735 views] Marriott Lifts Lodging SectorThe lodging sector got a boost Thursday after Marriott's third-quarter earnings beat estimates and the hotel operator gave an upbeat forecast for next year. The company's overall profit fell to $141 million from $149 million a year earlier. On a per-share basis, earnings rose to 33 cents from 32 cents due to fewer shares outstanding. More... [546 views] Man avails himself of 102% discount at five-star hotelA 102-year-old man walked out of a five-star hotel with a discount matching his age after having a sumptuous lunch with his family. The centenarian Jamna Das availed himself of a special discount on Monday offered by the Taj hotel's specialty Indian restaurant called Dera. More... [1196 views] West Paces to Charge Four Times Singapore's Average Hotel RateWest Paces Hotel Group Asia, a luxury hotel management company that will open its first property in Singapore in 2008, is targeting affluent travelers willing to pay rates four times the Southeast Asian city-state's average. The company, a venture between Singapore-based developer Pontiac Land Group and Atlanta-based West Paces Hotel Group LLC, will open hotels under the Capella and Solis brands. More... [797 views] Hotel Veteran Joe Gelchion Named Senior Vice President of Owner Relations for Starwood Hotels & ResortsSteven J. Heyer, chief executive officer of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. announced that longtime Sheraton Hotels & Resorts veteran Joseph Gelchion has been named senior vice president of owner relations, North America. More... [688 views] Taj set to buy Ritz-Carlton BostonIndia's largest hospitality chain — the Taj group of hotels, resorts and palaces — is set to clinch its second deal in US. More... [839 views] Grand City Hotels & Resorts takes over 9 Hotels of ACCOR HOTELS GermanyAs of October 1st 2006, 8 Hotels (4 Novotel, 1Mercure, 1 Formula1, 1 IBIS, 1 ETAP) part of the Accorhotels group will be managed by the Berlin based, Grand City Hotels & Resorts Group. More... [937 views] Italy mulls tourist taxThe Italian government’s draft budget for 2007 includes provisions for a tourist accommodation tax of up to €5 per day. The BBC reports funds raised through the tax, which would be payable by all visitors including Italians, would have to be ploughed back into tourism infrastructure and services by the cities that collect them. Cities will be permitted to withdraw the tax at certain times of the year or to exempt low-end accommodation such as youth hostels. More... [592 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 6, 2006Global Staff Movements - Who is In and Who is OutThe latest update on international executive staff movements.... Check it out. More... [3336 views] Hospitality Joint Venture Sets New Standards in Luxury Hotel Market in Asia with Two New BrandsTwo industry veterans have addressed this need for a new vision of luxury hospitality as their plans to introduce two extraordinary new hotel and resort brands in Asia were unveiled in Singapore today. Horst Schulze, Chairman of West Paces Hotel Group AND Kwee Liong Tek, Chairman of Kwee Inc. Pte Ltd, announced the formation of a 50:50 joint venture to be known as West Paces Hotel Group Asia. More... [1267 views] The SHY Interview: Jennie Chua ~ President and CEO of Raffles HoldingsJennie Chua really needs no introduction - But how many of you know the secret dreams and desires of the President and CEO of Raffles Holdings Limited? She shares them in The SHY Interview. By Yeoh Siew Hoon
More... [1249 views] Asian Trails sold - ‘Region flavour of the month for European tour operators’The sale of Asian Trails Holding to the Kuoni group (TTG Daily News, September 29), the second time in two months a regional agency network has been snapped up by a European tour operator, confirms to industry members that Asia is a ‘hot’ acquisition ground for Europe. By Raini Hamdi, Editor, TTG Asia More... [708 views] Conrad Istanbul awarded “Europe’s leading business hotel “ at the World Travel Awards ceremonyFor the third consecutive year the Conrad Istanbul is the winner of “Europe’s leading business hotel” and “Turkey’s leading Business Hotel” awards from the World Travel Awards. Conrad Hotels also received the prestigious award “World’s leading luxury hotel brand” in addition 8 other awards. More... [617 views] Millennium Hotels and Resorts announces Executive appointments at Hotels in Boston, New York and St. LouisMillennium Hotels and Resorts has announced three new executive appointments, further strengthening the company’s corporate management team. Jay R. Campbell has been appointed general manager at the Millennium Hotel St. Louis, John D. Murtha has been named general manager of the Millennium Bostonian Hotel and Mark R. Irgang becomes general manager of the Millennium UN Plaza Hotel More... [1150 views] InterContinental says U.S. hotels performing wellBritish hotelier InterContinental Hotels Group said on Wednesday that revenue per available room (revPAR) had risen 10.2 percent at its U.S. InterContinental hotels in the eight months to Aug. 31. More... [515 views] Global recognition and awards for Preferred Hotel Group’s Asia Pacific propertiesPreferred Hotel Group congratulates its Asia Pacific properties - The Fullerton in Singapore; The Imperial and Devi Garh in India; Azur in New Zealand and Regal Airport Hotel in Hong Kong - on receiving global recognition with the numerous awards and accolades in 2006. More... [598 views] Equity Inns, Inc. to Convert 18 AmeriSuites to Hyatt Place HotelsEquity Inns, Inc announced that the Company has filed a Form 8-K with the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) in connection with agreement with Global Hyatt Corporation regarding the terms under which ENN will convert its 18 AmeriSuites to Hyatt Place hotels. Conversion of all hotels is expected to be completed by the end of 2007. More... [572 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 5, 2006Six Things To Consider Before Obtaining A Hotel FranchiseThis publication comes from the HVS library archive of timeless articles. We think you will enjoy reading about this important topic. Published first in January 2001. More... [1265 views] Estimated over $1 billion invested in Moscow hotels over last 2 yearsExperts estimate that over $1 billion through hotel development and transactions has been invested into the Moscow hotel market in the last 2 years, indicating clear evidence that international and domestic investor interest is intensifying, says Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels. Other Russian cities are starting to attract similar attention as investors are looking at new emerging hotel markets outside the capital. More... [550 views] Portman Holdings Expands Internationally With Major Deals and ExecutivesOfficials of Portman Holdings today announced that it is well along on developments in China, India and Korea in tandem with its U.S. activities, and is in discussions about future projects in the Middle East. Separately, the company said that, in support of its stepped up global development efforts, it has added three senior officers to its management team and opened a new office in India, to join the existing offices in Atlanta and Shanghai. More... [892 views] What’s In A Name?Hostels… What are they really? How did an ‘s’ get added to hotel and what’s the difference anyway? Hoteliers are starting to take notice of this market, and with good reason. Let’s have a look at the origins of hostels as well as the modern hostel and the industry today. A hostel used to represent a lodging establishment full of large rooms set up for multiple occupancy (dormitories). The old days of university hostels, nurses hostels, homeless hostels and even hostels for freshly released prisoners have left a lingering stigma attached to the word. But who was it that decided to set up ‘youth hostels’ and call them exactly that? By Steve Mackenzie More... [946 views] aloft Sees Green - Starwood’s New Brand Highlights Eco-Friendly Features and OfferingsThose of us who travel know being on the road has its fair share of limitations, especially when we’re trying to be environmentally conscious. Opportunities to do right by the environment are few and far between…until now. aloft, a Vision of W Hotels, has announced a “see green” program with guest awareness in mind. More... [738 views] Release Of 2006 Chain Restaurant Compensation ReportDo you ever wonder how well you and your staff are compensated in relation to the rest of the chain restaurant industry? If you want credible information concerning salary and equity/long-term incentive compensation at your fingertips, the 2006 Chain Restaurant Compensation Report© should be added to your collection of resources. By David Mansbach, HVS International More... [670 views] Beijing Olympics to help hotels earn record revenuesBeijing's hospitality market is expected to reach record revenues and occupancy rates in 2008 thanks to the Olympics. Industry organizations are making great efforts to improve service quality in the capital's hotels for the event, expected to draw hundreds of thousands of visitors, said a local government official. More... [578 views] UK hotels’ year-to-date revPAR up 7.3%August was another strong month for London’s hotels with revenue per available room (revPAR) increasing by 31.5% year-on-year to £80.22, reports TRI Hospitality Consulting. More... [531 views] Singapore's Visitors Arrivals for August up 7.2%n August 2006, Singapore welcomed 870,000 visitors, registering a 7.2% growth over the same period a year ago. This is a record high for August. Visitor days were estimated to reach 2.9 million, an increase of 4.8% in comparison to August 2005. More... [490 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 4, 2006The Slippery Slope of Pay for Performance ProgramsNaturally, we want to incent our Managers, push for results, and drive for the numbers. The Bottom Line, ultimately, is how we evaluate Performance, what pleases our stockholders, and, theoretically, encourages our stakeholders. And, with a solid reward program, Pay for Performance, in place, “It is a slam dunk”. Whoa, time out! Let’s think on this. That phrase has taken on new meaning. By John R. Hendrie More... [1090 views] The Evolution of Hotel ContractingIt was always a clumsy time consuming operation. Firstly there was the actual process itself, involving long trips and endless meetings. In this fast paced world do people really have time to conduct face to face sales calls to buy hotel space? Surely there are many other ways of communication in this electronic world? By Andrew J. Wood More... [1180 views] From the super-thin to the super-rich, ain’t my world, honeySuper thin or super rich, Yeoh Siew Hoon of The Transit Café realises she ain't in either gang - but she sure knows which one she'd like a try at. More... [710 views] Adding a Personal Touch to Hotel EtiquetteWith all luxury hotels now offering the same great beds, special toiletries and flat-screen television sets, it is becoming harder to stand out in this crowded segment of the lodging industry, said Josh Davies, president of the Council of Hotel and Restaurant Trainers. He predicts that more hotel companies will beef up behavior training for executives. Almost every hotel company already has customer service training programs for lower-echelon staff members. More... [1305 views] Moscow has one of the Most Expensive Hotel Room Rates in EuropeIn the first half of this year average quality hotel room rates in Moscow have topped $290 per night coming behind to London at $370 per night, and Paris at $345 per night; making Russia’s capital one of the most expensive destinations to stay in Europe and the world. Over the same period, Moscow’s room rates have soared by 19% on this time last year, surpassing the majority of principle cities in Europe including Rome, Madrid and Berlin. More... [754 views] Barry Sternlicht will chair the 2007 IHIF in BerlinHosts of the 10th International Hotel Investment Forum (IHIF) have announced that Barry Sternlicht, chairman and CEO of Starwood Capital, will chair the event, scheduled for 5-7 March 2007 at the InterContinental Hotel in Berlin, Germany. IHIF is hosted by Questex Media and Burba Hotel Network. More... [535 views] The Ritz-Carlton Beijing, Financial Street opens Mid-OctoberThe Ritz-Carlton Beijing, Financial Street will open mid-October in the heart of China’s capital city’s newly emerging financial district. A contemporary design of glass and chrome in the western part of the city, the hotel is strategically situated beside many banks, insurance companies and other financial-related businesses. More... [658 views] Conrad Hotels celebrates individuality by introducing “The Luxury of Being Yourself”As the world of award-winning Conrad Hotels continues to grow every year, so does its vision of service and luxury. Conrad has developed an experience of individuality and staff empowerment in all its destinations. Hotels are offering new service initiatives in tune with their locations, where the guests’ experience includes inspirational and original activities. More... [947 views] The Historic City of St. Petersburg Selected for Starwood's First New Le Meridien Hotel in Russia since Acquiring the BrandStarwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. announced today it has executed a long term agreement to manage the newly named Le Meridien St. Petersburg in the historic city of St. Petersburg, Russia. More... [596 views] New Research Report to Help Monitor Hotel HousekeepingHotel managers use many methods to ensure that their rooms are cleaned in a consistent manner, but an objective, reliable metric has proved elusive. A new report from the Center, "A New Method for Measuring Housekeeping Performance Consistency," points the way to creating such a metric—but information from many hotels is needed to confirm this technique. It is available at no charge from the Center's website More... [1339 views] Hotel Distribution Leaders Come Together for HEDNA Asia Pacific Forum in Hong KongThe Hotel Electronic Distribution Association (HEDNA) held its Asia Pacific Forum in Hong Kong on 11 September 2006, where over fifty industry professionals engaged in lively discussions about the challenges and opportunities facing hotel distribution in the Asia Pacific region. More... [492 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 3, 2006Recolonizing RafflesHow Colony Capital and a Saudi prince are putting a famous Asian name on luxury hotels around the world. One of Asia's biggest buyouts started in its smallest country, Singapore, and ended in May in Toronto. Along the way Colony Capital, the Los Angeles financier, bought a Southeast Asian landmark and then joined forces with Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Alsaud, the world's eighth-richest man, to create the world's largest ultraswank hotel group: Fairmont Raffles. It boasts 25,000 well-decorated suites with marble-clad baths--6,500 more than its closest competitor, Ritz-Carlton. By Deborah Orr, Forbes.com More... [1280 views] Cold virus left behind in the hotel rooms, even after the guests check out : Study reveals.A recent study conducted by the researchers at the University of Virginia has reported that nearly half of the common colds caused due to rhinovirus are the consequence of infected adults leaving the virus on about 35 percent of objects they touch in the hotel room. It was also revealed that if healthy unsuspecting guests come in contact with the infected surfaces such as light switches, telephones, door handles and television controls up to one day later, they could easily contract the virus and become infected. More... [1078 views] Competition heats up in China's hotel marketAlthough major hotel chains first began testing the water in China in the early 1980s, it wasn't until recently that they launched aggressive expansion campaigns. United Kingdom-based InterContinental Hotel Group (IHG) is the most ambitious player. IHG has a portfolio of 51 hotels in China and plans to develop 74 more by 2008. Hong Kong's Shangri-La has 20 hotels and plans for 17 more by the 2008 Olympics. While United States-based Marriott has 26 hotels, and plans to swell its portfolio to 35 and 100 by 2008 and 2010. More... [909 views] Destination Marketing Experts To Address Wired Travel AsiaTwo destination marketing experts will share their views on how to build destination dashboards for the future at Wired Travel Asia, the region’s leading travel distribution and marketing event. More... [539 views] Hilton Garden Inn Announces Promotions Of Vice Presidents And Senior Directors Of Hotel Performance SupportMark Nogal, vice president of hotel performance and sales support - Jim Cone, vice president of marketing - Alan Roberts, senior director of hotel performance support (Eastern US/Europe) - Chris Wilroy, senior director of hotel performance support (Central and Western US/Asia) More... [757 views] The George Christchurch Wins Boutique Hotel AwardThe George, Christchurchs five-star luxury boutique hotel, has won New Zealands Leading Boutique Hotel in the 13th annual World Travel Awards. More... [559 views] Marriott to have eight hotels in BeijingMarriott International, which has five hotels in Beijing and two more under construction, has signed an agreement to manage yet another one. It will open its second Renaissance hotel in Beijing in 2008 in time for the Olympic games under a management agreement with Beijing R&F Properties Development Co. Ltd. More... [619 views] InterContinental Hotels Group Introduces Luxury InterContinental Brand to Vietnam’s CapitalInterContinental Hotels Group has signed an agreement to manage its first luxury-tier InterContinental branded property in Vietnam’s capital, Ho Chi Minh City. Set to open in 2009, the InterContinental Asiana Saigon will be well-positioned to make a landmark contribution to the city’s rapid growth as a tourism hub. More... [738 views] W Hotels Open Its First Retreat & SpaW Maldives Turns Private Island Indulgence into a Jet Setter's Luxury Playground W Hotels Worldwide, the world's fastest growing luxury hotel brand, will open its first Retreat & Spa, W Maldives. More... [757 views] Omni Hotels Launches Sensation Bars - Mini-Bars Customized to the Local MarketIntroduction of 'Reinvented' Mini-Bar Continues With New Local Items Local treats ranging from Yoo-hoo to California Golden Pretzels await Omni Hotels' guests on both coasts, as part of the new Sensation Bar introduction at the Omni Los Angeles Hotel at California Plaza and Omni Berkshire Place in New York City. More... [712 views] Internationally Acclaimed Chef Alain Ducasse to Open New Restaurant at St. Regis Hotel, New YorkSt. Regis Hotels & Resorts, the world-renowned purveyor of luxury hotels and resorts, is pleased to announce a partnership with internationally acclaimed chef Alain Ducasse who will open a new signature restaurant at the brand's legendary flagship, The St. Regis Hotel, New York. Opening in March 2007, the soon-to-be named restaurant will also feature an exciting wine bar designed to educate and delight both new and experienced oenophiles alike. More... [624 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 2, 2006The Most Famous Hotels in the World - Hotel Sacher ViennaNo other cake in the world sells better than the Original Sacher-Torte. The Hotel Sacher produces around 320,000 of this sweetest of Viennese ambassadors per year. On good days the order reaches 3,500. Hardly surprising, then, that The Most Famous Hotels in the World turned to the Austrian capital in 1990 to research the unique history of the Sacher, and to discover the secrets of this legendary hotel which opened during the reign of Emperor Franz Joseph and Elisabeth. It was the year 1876, the same year that saw the inauguration of the Frankfurter Hof and the Oriental in Bangkok. More... [1812 views] The Peninsula Hotels and NEC Build Industry's First Global VoIP Network System Linking Fourteen LocationsLow-cost and speedy upgrading of existing telephone networks will enable a reduction in telephone charges - NEC Corporation (NEC) and The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited, the owner and operator of five-star luxury hotels, The Peninsula Hotels, in Asia and North America, today announced the deployment of an integrated voice and data VoIP network system linking The Peninsula Hotels' fourteen hotels and offices worldwide. This globally-connected VoIP network is the first ever built in the hotel industry.. More... [1002 views] Business Travelers Chained to Favorite Hotels - Nearly 70% are Brand Loyal According to TripAdvisor SurveyAccording to a recent TripAdvisor survey of more than 2,100 travelers from around the world, 68 percent of travelers regularly stay at the same hotel chain when on business trips. Marriott was selected as the top hotel choice when traveling for work. Thirty-four percent of respondents plan to take one to three business trips this year, and nearly ten percent will take ten or more trips for work this year. More... [869 views] Incredible India - record breaking revPAR risesIndia, which last month celebrated its 60th Independence Day, is firmly cementing its position as one of the leading stars in the hotel industry. With a 13% growth in the number of international visitors last year, and a rapidly expanding domestic market, India is looking good on both fronts. A strong economy boosted by continued inward investment, plus increased demand for business and health travel all point to a golden future for this giant powerhouse. More... [698 views] Raffles Hotels and Resorts ranked on of the Top Ten Hotel Chains in Condè Nast Traveler Business Travel AwardsIn the recent October 2006 Condè Nast Traveler Business Travel Awards, Raffles Hotels & Resorts was ranked as one of the top 10 International Hotel Chains. It was voted number two, above eight other leading international hotel chains. Business travellers gave top marks to Raffles in different categories of the poll – Business Services, Rooms for Working, Service and Design. More... [1032 views] Shangri-La taps 3-star market with Novotel deal in Hong KongShangri-La Asia, the largest hotel operator in Asia, may move into the three-star tourist market for the first time with the acquisition of the 274-room Hotel Novotel Century Harbourview Hong Kong in Western district for HK$588.38 million. More... [813 views] Hotel Preserves Pioneer Spirit Through Turtles and CasinosThe Orlyonok Hotel, once used to house Soviet Pioneers, is dramatically expanding capacity and relaunching itself as part of a new chain, Korston. The expanded Orlyonok will include two towers with 600 new rooms. Meanwhile, other Korston hotel-casino complexes are planned for Kazan, Nizhny Novgorod and Yoshkar-Ola, the hotel's general director, Louie Beck, said last week as the Orlyonok turned 30. More... [485 views] InterContinental Hotels & Resorts to Debut Flagship London and Boston Properties in NovemberInterContinental Hotels & Resorts is living up to its legacy as the first truly international luxury hotel brand in the world, simultaneously unveiling InterContinental London Park Lane and InterContinental Boston this November. More... [759 views] A Colourful Celebration of a Milestone Achieved – The Opening of Shangri-La's Rasa Sayang Resort and SpaShangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Resort and Spa, Penang, re-opened for business on September 28, 2006, marked by a lively colourful ceremony, highlighted by a pair of prancing ‘lions’ accompanied a welcome parade consisting of one hundred staff members who were all resplendently attired in various Malaysian traditional costumes. More... [624 views] Globe07 - All Roads lead to RomeAll roads lead to Rome, or so the saying goes. Next March 22-24, 2007 - the travel industry will be beating a path to the Eternal City for Globe07, the biggest travel fair to specialize in the Mediterranean region. It is the first tourism fair in Italy to be modeled on the major international events but with the added value of Italian flair and style that is renowned around the world. More... [658 views] 
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ehotelier Hospitality News Archives: October 2006Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 31, 2006Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 30, 2006Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 27, 2006Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 26, 2006Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 25, 2006Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 24, 2006Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 23, 2006Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 20, 2006Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 19, 2006Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 18, 2006Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 17, 2006Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 16, 2006Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 13, 2006Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 12, 2006Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 11, 2006Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 10, 2006Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 9, 2006Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 6, 2006Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 5, 2006Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 4, 2006Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 3, 2006Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 2, 2006
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