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ehotelier Hospitality News Archives: April 2007Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 30, 2007Hotel Financing looking at a new benchmark -- The $100 billion dealAs more than 120 providers of capital -- debt and equity capital for hotels -- prepare to head to Los Angeles for the ultimate face-to-face summit with consumers of hotel capital in Los Angeles on May 3, 2007 at JMBM's Meet the Money® Conference, a fitting benchmark has been surpassed. The $100 billion deal is now "on the table" and may be about to happen! By Jim Butler More... [996 views] Helsinki Hotel offers mores than a life sentence!Helsinki’s historic Katajanokka prison will open its doors to paying guests on 1 June when it commences its new life as a luxury hotel for business and leisure travellers. Hotel Katajanokka is architecturally unique and surrounded by a beautiful park, with 106 rooms as well as restaurant services, conference facilities, and an idyllic summer terrace. The Hotel will also be the venue for all sorts of events from seminars to concerts and summer festivals. More... [917 views] Is consumer empowerment the tipping point in the battle between direct supplier sales vs. OTA’s?According to my web guide for dummies, web 2.0 means that consumers now rule the web and that user generated web content is the key to increasing traffic and so increasing sales. It’s been along time since a headline about Ryanair selling 98% of its seats direct made the news but top travel suppliers are still striving to sell direct and bring down their distribution costs. Google’s huge profits and expansion seems to indicate that suppliers have simply swapped travel agent commission costs for expensive CPC rates. More... [1282 views] UK hotel industry set to post record growth in 20072007 looks set to be a five-star year for the UK hotel industry with revPAR growth (revenue per available room) of 8.8% in the first three months of the year and double–digit increases in a number of UK cities. The results come on the back of three years of consecutive growth across the hotel industry and Deloitte’s findings show the average hotel room now costs £6 more than at the same time last year. More... [848 views] Deeson in the Chair at PATAShanghai-based hotel chief Mr Brian Deeson is the new Chairman of PATA, following the PATA Board of Directors Meeting and Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Vancouver, Canada, last weekend. More... [798 views] Reorganisation for Ascott International in EuropeAscott International, the world's leading serviced residence company operating three brands, Ascott, Somerset and Citadines, has announced a reorganisation of the senior team in Europe. More... [1431 views] Sprice Travel Search website launched in AsiaOnline travel in Asia enters a new phase today with the launch of Sprice.com, the ultimate search engine for airfares and hotel rates. Sprice offers a ground-breaking service, allowing travellers to search and compare prices for travel products from numerous travel websites simultaneously. More... [691 views] Manfred Keiler Appointed General Manager at The Empire Hotel & Country ClubGerman hotelier Manfred Keiler has been appointed new General Manager of one of Asia’s most opulent resorts, The Empire Hotel & Country Club in Brunei. Following a distinguished hospitality career with some of the world’s leading hotels, from the United States, Hawaii and Hong Kong to Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand, South Korea and China, he now joins The Empire Hotel & Country Club from the 5-star Intercontinental The Grand Mumbai. More... [1559 views] St. Regis to Debut in the Capital City of IndonesiaOpening in 2011, The St. Regis Hotel & Residences, Jakarta will Offer Guests Superior Design and Unparalleled Service in One of Asia's More... [835 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 27, 2007More Hotel Web Site Myths...Busted! How Savvy is Your Web Site Designer?It's amazing how easily myths are born. One origin of many myths is the reality that many technical people out there do their best to promulgate confusion about the Internet; making it appear too complicated and too intricate for the average person to fully understand. They even use technical language to describe simple tasks just to stir-up the confusion still more; it's simply not that complicated. By Neil Salerno More... [1279 views] Conde Nast Traveler Unveils its Annual Hot ListConde Nast Traveler's 11th annual May "Hot List" issue is the insider's guide to the newest, hottest, sexiest hotels, restaurants, spas, and nightclubs opened all over the world in the past year. To develop the list, the magazine's editors checked out hundreds of new properties around the globe, rigorously evaluating each one on a standard set of criteria. The result is a definitive guide to the world's most exciting new establishments destined to become instant classics. More... [1954 views] Hilton Announces Agreement to Sell up to 10 Hotels in Continental Europe to Morgan Stanley Real Estate for EUR 566 Million (Approximately $770 Million)Hilton Hotels Corporation today announced agreement to sell up to 10 hotels (approx. 3,330 rooms) to a fund managed by Morgan Stanley Real Estate for approximately EUR 566 million (or approximately US$770 million). Assuming completion of the sale of all 10 hotels, net proceeds after property level debt repayment (approx. EUR 41 million), taxes and transaction costs are expected to be approximately EUR 450 million. Proceeds from the sale will be used to pay down debt. More... [940 views] Starwood First Quarter 2007 Profit Rises, Beats Estimates1st Quarter Profit Jumps to $122M - Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. today reported strong first quarter 2007 financial results. More... [860 views] Australia Business Travellers Survey ResultsThe results from Wotif.com's (www.wotif.com) annual business travel survey are in, and while, ultimately, business travellers may not have a choice about when, where and how often they travel, the results indicated that they clearly have preferences for each. More... [953 views] Surfing the Asia-Pacific Travel 2.0 Profit WaveThree years ago Web 2.0 was no more than an industry buzzword, and the use of social networks was generally reserved for lonely forty-something’s “seeking companionship”.Nowadays however, only the most naïve companies are maintaining their ignorance to the huge marketing potential of consumer generated content. Similarly, it takes a bold pessimist to argue that the social networking hype is nothing more than a flash in the travel marketer’s pan. More... [658 views] Worldwide Electronic Hotel Revenue Up 19.3 Percent in Q4 2006TravelCLICK's quarterly eMonitor results indicate continued robust health for the hotel industry based on electronic distribution performance for the fourth quarter of 2006. The data shows that worldwide electronic hotel revenue from the Global Distribution Systems (GDS) and key Internet sites increased 19.3 percent over the fourth quarter of 2005. The number of electronic room nights booked for the fourth quarter increased 7.7 percent over the same time last year, while the Average Daily Rate (ADR) increased by 10.8 percent. The average length of stay for the fourth quarter 2006 was 2.06 nights, nearly the same as last year More... [641 views] Hilton Completes the Sale of the Scandic Hotel Chain to EQT for EUR 833 Million ($1.1 Billion)Hilton Hotels Corporation today completed the sale of the 132 hotel Scandic chain to EQT for EUR 833 million or approximately US$1.1 billion. Net proceeds after transaction costs and taxes are expected to be approximately $1.04 billion and will be used to pay down debt. More... [786 views] Singapore Visitor Arrivals for March 2007In March 2007, Singapore welcomed 835,000 visitors, registering a 1.9% growth over the same period a year ago. This was a record high for the month of March. Visitor days were estimated to reach 3 million days, an increase of 12.6% in comparison to March 2006. More... [728 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 26, 200712 global ranking of hotel groups: the leaders break away In a sneak preview of the Worldwide Hotel Activity Report, MKG Consulting presents the official 2007 ranking* of groups and hotel brands worldwide. The 10 leading groups cumulated growth in supply by around 100,000 rooms. Among them, the first 6 posted growth by more than 10,000 rooms each. InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) remains the hotel industry leader worldwide, with more than 3,700 hotels and 550,000 rooms worldwide. The group is increasing its lead on its immediate competitor, the Wyndham group (ex-Cendant). More... [4267 views] Under-The-Radar Vacation SpotsA weekend in Paris? Touring Egypt's temples and pyramids? How about two weeks in Australia? All exciting getaways, but if you're one of today's well-heeled vacationers, you've been there, done that. Instead, "The well-to-do traveler wants to do something that the average person doesn't do," says Michael Tchong, founder of Ubercool, a media and entertainment firm specializing in trend watching. This means off-the-beaten path adventures for which money is not object. More... [1680 views] Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels Hires Ted Tomaras as Chief Operating Officer, AmericasJones Lang LaSalle Hotels has named Ted Tomaras chief operating officer of its Americas region. Based in Chicago, Mr. Tomaras is responsible for the day-to-day operational management of the region’s hospitality advisory, asset management, financing, valuation and investment sales services and reports to Arthur Adler, managing director and CEO – Americas based in New York. More... [1100 views] Whitbread on budget hotel acquisition trailWhitbread boss Alan Parker today said the company is keen to bolster its fast-growing Premier Travel Inn budget hotel business with an acquisition.But he refused to comment on speculation that the group has set its sights on the Irish hotel chain Jurys Inn, which is estimated to be worth around £680m. More... [719 views] Thailand remains Top Destination in Asia Travel Intentions SurveyVisa International Asia Pacific (Visa) and the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) have released the ‘Asia Travel Intentions Survey 2007' which reports that of those intending international travel in the next two years, 52% were considering Asia as their next travel destination. This is a 9% increase on the previous year's survey results and an 18% increase over the results in 2005. More... [1009 views] Andreas Trauttmansdorff named General Manager for Le Meridien Nirwana Golf and Spa Resort BaliMr. Trauttmansdorff joins Le Meridien Nirwana Golf and Spa Resort Bali from Sheraton Perth Hotel, Australia. More... [1471 views] Starwood Hotels & Resorts ramps up expansion momentum in Japan with two hotel openings in AprilStarwood Hotels & Resorts continues its expansion in North Asia and Japan, announcing the opening of two new Sheratons in Japan in April: Sheraton Miyako Hotel, Osaka and Sheraton Miyako Hotel, Tokyo. The opening of these two new hotels in Japan also sets a great foundation for the hotel group's continuous and active search for opportunities to grow its brands in the key and secondary cities of Japan. More... [700 views] IHG and SEDC renew partnership for Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza Hotels in KuchingIHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) and SEDC (Sarawak Economic Development Corporation) today entered an agreement for IHG to manage the Crowne Plaza Riverside Kuching and Holiday Inn Kuching on behalf of hotel owners SEDC. Under the new agreement, IHG will provide full management support as well as introduce product, service and operational enhancements, generating stronger returns for the hotels. Prior to this, the two hotels were operated by IHG under a franchise agreement. More... [842 views] Mandarin Oriental, Manila opens MartinisMandarin Oriental, Manila's fashionable new bar, Martinis, has opened its doors. The smoking bar is the newest Makati hotspot, which showcases stylish interiors, a world-class Canadian jazz chanteuse, and a wide selection of classic cocktails and martinis. More... [3178 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 25, 2007$4.6 Billion of Hotels Trade Hands in Two Cross-Border DealsInternational hotel investments traded hands in two huge cross-border transactions last week for a total of $4.6 billion. More... [1180 views] Hyatt Place Opens Two Cincinnati-Area Hotels - Global Hyatt's New Brand to Open 120 Hotels by Year-EndHyatt Place Cincinnati - Northeast and Hyatt Place Cincinnati Airport/Florence celebrated grand openings today, the first Hyatt Place hotels in the Cincinnati area. As a new kind of Hyatt for today's relaxed lifestyle, Hyatt Place offers travelers a new type of hospitality experience by combining innovative design, amenities and services. More... [768 views] Prague: Room for growth, quality upgradesIn an environment of increasing competition-with high pressure to lower accommodation prices and boost service quality-managers of top hotels in Prague don't have an easy sleep. Even if the Czech capital is ranked the sixth-favorite travel destination of European tourists after London, Paris, Rome, Madrid and Berlin according to the Association of Tour Operators and Travel Agencies of the Czech Republic (AČCKA), and is visited by more than 4 million tourists annually, the occupancy rate in Prague hotels lingers behind the European average. More... [844 views] Accor Shares Decline on Red Roof Inn Disposal PriceShares of Accor SA fell after Europe's largest hotel company sold U.S. budget chain Red Roof Inn for $1.32 billion, less than analysts expected. The Paris-based hotelier raised about $610 million after spending $710 million to buy back leases and sell the unit. The sale was announced after European markets closed yesterday. More... [854 views] Solare Hotels & Resorts to Construct a new Loisir Spa Tower and "Chisun Inn Naha" in OkinawaSolare Hotels & Resorts Co. Ltd. (www.solarehotels.com/english) announced today the construction of a brand new Chisun Inn Naha, together with an Annex to the existing Loisir otel Naha. This unique property will offer two different hotel brands in one new building, with construction commencing in the next few months 2007, and opening scheduled for Summer 2008. Upon completion, Loisir Hotel Naha and the new Annex will be renamed Loisir Hotel＆Spa Tower Naha. More... [770 views] TravelCLICK Honored with ITA's CityLIGHTS AwardThe Illinois Information Technology Association (ITA) has honored TravelCLICK with its CityLIGHTS CEO of the Year Award. CityLIGHTS celebrates the fast-growing technology community in Illinois and honors the state's outstanding information technology companies and executives. More... [631 views] 1000-Room Orlando Sun Resort Joins The Lexington CollectionThe Lexington Collection is proud to announce the addition of the legendary Orlando Sun Resort as the newest member of its growing brand. Originally built in 1972 as the Hyatt Resort, the property was one of the first hotels to welcome visitors of the then newly-opened Disney World. More... [720 views] The Leading Hotels of the World launches leading green initiativeThe Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd. the largest global luxury hotel brand, announced today the launch of the Leading Green Initiative. This innovative program will enable and encourage guests to make a conscious decision toward greener travel by actively supporting Sustainable Travel International (STI), the foremost non-profit organization in responsible tourism. More... [1196 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 24, 2007How Predictable Is Performance?To the novice, the lodging industry looks very glamorous - tall shiny buildings full of beds and adult beverages on the inside, with infinity pools and lush green golf courses on the outside. However, as most active participants in the industry are aware, the stresses of investing in a hotel are many..... By Robert Mandelbaum and Jack Corgel More... [1194 views] As Hotel Prices Rise, a Villa May Be a BargainEver dream of vacationing in a European villa, set on a hillside vineyard in Tuscany or on a bluff, perhaps, overlooking the Mediterranean? This may be the year to book it. Tourists in most European cities are being charged more than $200 a night for basic hotel rooms, making much larger villas more appealing. Two-bedroom villas can be reserved for as little as $1,100 a week. If two couples share the villa, that translates to about $40 a person a night. Prices for villas rise when they include concierge services, private pools and other luxuries, but in many cases they are still cheaper than hotels. More... [820 views] Steigenberger Hotel Group (82 Hotels) Achieved Record Results in 2006 - Six New Steigenberger Hotels Opened in 2006The Steigenberger Hotel Group brought the 2006 financial year to a successful conclusion. Against the backdrop of global economic growth and the lasting effects of the 2006 FIFA World Cup the Frankfurt-based hotel company was able to increase both its turnover and the adjusted operating profit. The average occupancy increased by 1.5 percentage points to 64.5 percent, the room price rose by 8 percent or 6.12 Euros to 82.73 Euros and the yield was up over 10 percent or 5.05 Euros to 53.34 Euros. This meant that the turnover of the Steigenberger Hotel Group rose by 10.6 percent to 475.4 million Euros while the adjusted corporate operating profit saw an increase of 31.4 percent to 11.3 million Euros. More... [733 views] Apollo to Acquire Innkeepers USA for $1.5 BillionInnkeepers USA Trust has agreed to be acquired by an affiliate of Apollo Investment Corp. for $17.75 per share in cash, or $1.5 billion, including the assumption of debt. More... [689 views] Marriott beds down big profitMarriott International, the owner of the Ritz-Carlton and its namesake hotel chains, said first-quarter profit tripled on higher room rates and a year-earlier accounting change. Net income rose to $182m, or 44c a share, from $61m, or 14c, a year earlier, Marriott said. Excluding results from its synthetic fuel unit, Marriott earned 40c a share, 2c higher than analysts' estimates. More... [792 views] Shanghai's most exclusive hotel set to open early 2008The Place Hotel & Spa, Shanghai's only hotel reserved exclusively for the use of in-house guests, will be the latest addition to the city's luxury boutique hotel scene when it opens early next year. It will be an integral part of the Park Place development which is set to be a new business landmark on Nanjing Lu West. More... [1027 views] HEDNA Driving Change in the Hotel IndustryDigital marketing advances, technology changes and evolving cultural trends will impact hotel electronic distribution over the next several years. How can the Hotel Industry embrace these changes? Find out at this year's Hotel Electronic Distribution Network Association (HEDNA) meeting, 20-22 May 2007 at The Burlington Hotel in Dublin, Ireland. More... [791 views] Growth Rate of U.S. Lodging Supply Forecast to Almost Triple in 2007, according to PwCBased on Smith Travel Research's historical data and PricewaterhouseCoopers' (PwC) econometric model, PwC forecasts that the mid-scale without food and beverage and upscale chain scale segments will lead the U.S. lodging industry's supply growth of 1.6 percent in 2007, with 3.6 percent and 3.5 percent supply growth, respectively. In 2006, the luxury segment led the supply growth. More... [659 views] Major Chains Report Hotel Bookings Up More Than 8 Percent in 2006TravelCLICK's eTRAK Reports Double-Digit Internet Increases and Steady GDS Growth The hotel industry maintains steady growth as consumers continue an upward trend of shopping for hotels online and booking electronically, according to TravelCLICK's 2006 fourth quarter and consolidated full-year eTRAK results, released today. The data shows the total Central Reservation System (CRS) reservations for major hotel brands increased 8.4 percent in 2006, reaching more than 81 million bookings. More... [750 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 23, 2007Spell-bound in ShanghaiEven our intrepid traveller Yeoh Siew Hoon is left foaming at the mouth by the food and the thrills of a city on speed. More... [1141 views] Is 100% direct ever viable for a major supplier? Virgin Atlantic and Hilton speak outFor many hotels and airlines, online distribution is a top priority. The cost of distribution through intermediaries, unworkable commission structures, frustration with online discounters and improved technology has led to a continuous rise in direct-to-consumer sales by travel suppliers. This rise has also been driven by the realization that direct online distribution can cut costs, preserve brand and price integrity, attract affluent customers and lessen the dependency on online discounters. More... [1274 views] Global experts launch research for 13-year Mid East Tourism BlueprintGlobal Futures & Foresight (GFF) - a global strategic futures think tank - is undertaking in-depth research of the Middle East travel and tourism industry for an incisive 13-year blueprint for the sector, with a pathfinding ‘Vision To 2020' report due at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) - the region's premier travel and tourism event - being held in Dubai next month. More... [735 views] Fairmont Hotels & Resorts continues to lead by example with launch of new Green GuideAs an environmental ambassador and industry pioneer on responsible tourism practices and sustainable hotel management, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts today announced it has launched the third edition of its acclaimed Green Partnership Guide, a comprehensive how-to text for companies looking to "green" their operations. More... [1022 views] Banyan Tree Launches Ultra-Exclusive Private Villa Brand - Banyan Tree ResidencesSingapore-listed Banyan Tree Holdings Ltd (“Banyan Tree”), a leading developer, designer and operator of luxury resorts, hotels and spas, has announced the launch of a new luxury brand targeting top tier travellers and investors - Banyan Tree Residences. More... [1168 views] Gloria & Emilio Estefan Join Forces with Benchmark Hospitality in Luxury Hotel VentureBenchmark Hospitality International, which manages 31 resorts, hotels, conference centers and condominium resorts throughout the United States and in Japan, announces the addition of Costa d'Este to its burgeoning portfolio. The property is being developed by the internationally acclaimed singer/producer couple Gloria and Emilio Estefan. More... [849 views] Hirsch Bedner Associates Appointed to Restore Shanghai’s Landmark Peace HotelHBA/Hirsch Bedner Associates, the leading hospitality design consultancy in the world, has been appointed by Jin Jiang International Group, China’s largest hotel group, to manage the historical restoration and adaptation of Shanghai’s landmark Peace Hotel. The newly renovated hotel is to be managed for Jin Jiang by Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and plans to reopen in 2010 as the Fairmont Peace Hotel Shanghai. More... [987 views] New luxury leisure consortium launchesLaunching officially in June 2007, the popularity of the new luxury leisure consortium, similar to Virtuoso, has seen a large number of agents, operators and hotels already signing up, with just a few membership opportunities now left in the network's target countries. More... [883 views] Macao to host Int'l hotel professional workshopMacao is to hold an international workshop for hotel professionals in May, according to a press release. The release from the Macao Government Tourist Office said the workshop themed Thinking Venues: Service and Market Success, is to focus on international meetings market. More... [711 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 20, 2007Have Spatula Will TravelFrom Istanbul to Siem Reap, more hotels are opening up their kitchens to guests, offering cooking classes as a way to experience a country's culture through its food. More... [854 views] Coming Soon: Wifi VoIPToday, traditional telephone companies are scrambling to recover from the staggering loss of subscribers over the past five years, who have migrated to exclusively mobile and VoIP lifestyles. Tomorrow, the cell phone industry will be facing the same challenges: How can a giant corporation expect to make money on calling plans if its customers could just use SkypeOut for two cents a minute to anywhere in the world? More... [1229 views] Holiday Inn recovers to challenge for No.1 brand in BritainHoliday Inn displays a strong performance in the annual BDRC British Hotel Guest Survey 2007 which put it into a position to become again a serious challenger to Hilton's longstanding hegemony in the British market. The brand last held the crown in 1999 itself but then went through some troubled time during the restructuring of parent company InterContinental Hotels Group. It appears, however, that the brand is back to reclaim the prestigious accolade awarded by hotel research specialists BDRC every year at the Hotel Marketing Association luncheon at the Savoy in London. More... [867 views] The Triangle Of Hotel SuccessStrong leaders understand that profitability and success are enjoyed when three key issues - which form a "Triangle for Hotel Marketing Success" - are under continuous review. More... [1556 views] Floyd uncorked is a dish to die forSo there she was, sipping Domaines Barons de Rotschild (Lafite), Legende R Bordeaux Blanc 2004 when Keith Floyd bounces up to Yeoh Siew Hoon and says, “Darling, you look like a dish tonight. I’d love to cook you.” More... [943 views] Ron Pohl appointed VP Operations at Best Western InternationalBest Western International has hired hospitality industry veteran Ron Pohl as vice president - operations In his new role, Pohl will oversee the company's regional services, revenue management, cultural diversity and education and training departments, and will lead, integrate and improve their efforts to provide industry-leading customer care. More... [967 views] Lightstone Buys Extended Stay Hotels for $8 Billion from BlackstoneThe Lightstone Group of Lakewood today announced an $8 billion deal to buy Extended Stay Hotels of Spartanburg, S.C., from the Blackstone Group, a private-equity and asset-management firm in New York City. Extended Stay Hotels is the country's largest owner of mid-price extended-stay properties, with 683 properties and 76,000 units across 44 states and Canada. More... [815 views] Outstanding Winter Season for Swiss Luxury Hotel IndustrySwiss Deluxe Hotels, which unites 36 of the leading five-star hotels in Switzerland, can look back on an outstanding 2006/07 winter season. A survey of member hotels by the SDH office shows that on average, the number of overnight stays increased by more than ten percent in comparison to the previous year, with turnover actually up by an average of over thirteen percent. Several establishments, such as the Gstaad Palace, Tschuggen Grand Hotel in Arosa and the Suvretta House in St. Moritz recorded their best season ever. More... [704 views] IHG launches hotel franchising program for Holiday Inn Express in ChinaIHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) announced today that it will offer a hotel franchising program for the Holiday Inn Express brand in China. This announcement follows the successful opening of the first six Holiday Inn Express hotels and the signing of close to 20 additional management contracts for the brand in Greater China. More... [1118 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 19, 2007Hotel Construction in the Asia Pacific Region is at a Torrid Pace - New Openings are Forecasted to be Heavy Over the Next 7 QuartersLodging Econometrics (LE), the Global Authority for Hotel Real Estate, reported there are 962 hotels having 259,588 rooms in the Asia Pacific Pipeline at the end of 1Q '07. Projects average 270 rooms in size. Patrick Ford, President said, "Developers across the region are constructing new hotels at a torrid pace." LE's forecast for New Hotel Openings indicates that 209 hotels / 53,545 rooms will open in the last three quarters of '07 to be followed by another 329 hotels / 84,544 rooms in '08. A high 53% of all guestrooms currently in the Asia Pipeline will be open by year end 2008. More... [1246 views] Measuring Results from Marketing Spend in Hospitality: Using Metrics and Analytics for Quantifiable Results Free vs. Paid Website AnalyticsMarketing is all about results. Unlike offline marketing, we can track and analyze ROIs from our online marketing campaign results quickly and accurately over the Internet. There is no medium that allows tracking like the Internet does, yet in hospitality, we didn't adopt these tracking technologies as soon as they were available. Instead we relied on cheap or free analytical tools to provide us with the information that management uses to make decisions. As a result, we are often basing important marketing decisions on inferior information. By Max Starkov and Jason Price More... [2590 views] Hotel Website Design? It's not all in the eye of the beholder...Hotel website design is one of the most subjective issues that hotel marketeers face. Here are some guidelines for briefing your hotel website designer. By Keith Paulin More... [1375 views] AAA Travel Professionals Offer Tips for Solo TravelersEleven percent of all leisure travelers in the U.S. travel alone and the number is growing. So it is no surprise that travel counselors are seeing increasing business from single travelers who are looking not only for advice about great destinations but also about how to travel safely. More... [940 views] Marriott's New Arabian Cuisine takes ‘World's Best Foreign Cookbook' title at the Gourmand Awards in BeijingArabian Cuisine claimed the title "Best Foreign Cookbook in the World" at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards held in Beijing, China, earlier this month. New Arabian Cuisine was also selected as one of the best 10 overall cookbooks and will be featured during the London Book Fair, April 16-18, 2007. More... [853 views] TravelCLICK Selected by Dover Downs Hotel & Casino for Complete Property Merchandising SolutionTravelCLICK Inc., a leading provider of hotel business process management (BPM) solutions, announced today that Dover Downs Hotel & Casino in Dover, DE has selected TravelCLICK to provide a suite of distribution and marketing solutions that together deliver a complete hotel merchandising solution, including reservations, market intelligence and eMarketing. More... [606 views] Every little drop counts...as Accor Hotels hold Earth Guest Day to tackle environmental issuesSunday, April 22 is Earth Guest day for Accor’s 170,000 employees around the world, including 10,000 in Australia. The day has been designated by Accor to showcase the Group’s commitment to the principles of environmental and social responsibility. More... [1536 views] Jumeirah signs agreement for development in Abu DhabiAt a signing ceremony held yesterday in Abu Dhabi, His Highness Sheikh Suroor bin Mohammed Al Nahyan appointed Jumeirah, the dynamic and rapidly growing luxury hospitality group and member of Dubai Holding, to manage one of Abu Dhabi's most prestigious and iconic new beachfront developments located in the exclusive Khalideya area of the city. More... [910 views] St. Regis Hotel, Shanghai and Special Olympics International's Visit to the Pudong Special Needs SchoolIn the spirit of the "2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games" and to promote social awareness, St. Regis Hotel, Shanghai and Special Olympics International jointly organized a visit to Pudong Special Needs School on April 13. World-renowned swimmers Michael Phelps and Katie Hoff, officials of Special Olympics International, as well as Mr. Charles Abbott, General Manager of St. Regis Hotel, Shanghai, were among the visitors. More... [792 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 18, 2007Should They Stay or Should They Go? What to Do with Poorly Performing Staff“Fir’em” is not always the right answer. Co-workers may be delivering inferior results because of personal problems, lack of training, unrealistic expectations, or failed attempts to innovate. In some cases the proper response to these issues can turn a hopeless employee into a corporate champion. By Jack Turesky and Nektaria Hamister More... [2613 views] Your life in their brandsFrom dawm 'til dusk brands rule our daily lives, influencing our decisions and defining our experience of how we clean, dress and feed ourselves as well as how we relax and play. This article was written by Mike Tansey, Director, Deloitte UK and published in the Tourism, Hospitality and Leisure Executive Report. More... [1157 views] 0 to 700 Hotels in Only Seven Years - Americas Best Value Inn Makes the Lodging Industry History BooksSandusky, OH is home to Cedar Point Amusement Park and some of the fastest roller coasters in the world. But the fastest thing to hit the North Coast is the addition of the 700th Americas Best Value Inn, continuing the brand's position as the fastest growing hotel chain in the US. More... [760 views] Choice Hotels to build 15,000 budget-style hotel rooms throughout IndiaThe Royal Indian Raj International Corporation (RIRIC) today announced that it has entered into a contract with Choice Hotels India to build 15,000 budget-style hotel rooms under the Comfort Inn, Quality, Sleep Inn and Clarion Brands. More... [1132 views] Paul Steelman Design Group to build Vietnam's First US-style Casino-ResortVietnam Casino City, Vietnam's first luxury gaming resort, featuring five themed casinos and a Greg Norman-designed golf course situated in Vung Tau province, has begun construction. Site plans include a massive arts and entertainment district with several theatres and museums, a cultural center, and an ongoing parade of events. The total development cost of the project is projected to be US$4 billion. More... [1293 views] Plenty of room for more budget hotelsBeijing is opening the door to more national and international economy hotels to improve its services sector during the 2008 Olympic Games, a senior official said yesterday. "Rated hotels have a whole set of standards for their facilities and services, and their cooperation with the non-rated and budget accommodations can elevate the city's services sector to a new level," Beijing tourism administration's Deputy Director Xiong Yumei told China Daily. More... [733 views] Hotel Nikko Tianjin Opens in China's Largest Port CityHotel Nikko Tianjin, a new five-star-level hotel opening today in Tianjin, China, is the latest addition to the Nikko Hotels International group of luxury hotels, JAL Hotels Co., Ltd. announced today. The opening signals the continued expansion in China of the Nikko Hotels International chain, operated by JAL Hotels. More... [634 views] Accor adds 24 country manors and city hotels formerly run by Macdonald HotelsAccor Hotels has made its largest ever expansion in the United Kingdom with the launch of 24 new Mercure hotels across the UK. The hotels, with a total of 2511 rooms, are owned by Moorfield Real Estate Fund and were formerly branded as Macdonald Hotels and include historic manors, golf and spa resorts and character-filled lodges in some of the UK's most popular tourist destinations. More... [964 views] Howard Johnson Strategic Plan Targets Guest ExperienceA five-pronged strategic plan focused on enhancing the guest experience was unveiled at the Howard Johnson International conference here today. More... [919 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 17, 2007Female General Managers, anything you ( men ) can do, I can do better ?A question of what is best for the hospitality industry! By Bert van Walbeek More... [3047 views] How To Travel Green--And LuxeIt's a paradox of modern travel: The beauty of the natural world motivates many a globetrotter to get out the door. Yet our increasing use of trains, automobiles and especially planes can wreak havoc on global ecosystems. By Elisabeth Eaves, Forbes.com More... [1065 views] Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and Jin Jiang International form Joint Venture Hotel Management CompanyJin Jiang International Group and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts announced today that they have formed a joint venture company to be named Jin Jiang Fairmont Hotel Management Company, LTD, which will renovate and reopen The Peace Hotel, a Shanghai landmark for over a century. The hotel is scheduled to close during the refurbishment period and reopen in 2010. More... [1065 views] Tiara Hotels & Resorts makes its official launch into the international hospitality marketTiara Hotels & Resorts is a new luxury hospitality concept that is being launched in the UAE, with the aim of opening and operating a number of iconic installations in key gateway locations in the local, regional and international marketplace. More... [879 views] InterContinental Hotels Group announces senior appointment to support Oman's rapid growthInterContinental Hotels Group, the world's most global hotel company, has announced a senior appointment in Oman to head up the group's financial operations in the country. François Kassab takes up the position of Area Director of Finance and Business Support for Oman, after more than a decade of experience in the financial management sector of the hospitality industry. More... [817 views] Ashford Hospitality buys 51 hotelsAshford Hospitality Trust Inc. on Thursday said it has completed its $2.4 billion acquisition of a portfolio of 51 hotels from CNL Hotels and Resorts. The purchase includes Marriott, Hilton and Hyatt Regency properties in California, Florida and Washington, among other locations. The portfolio generated gross revenue of $689 million last year. More... [934 views] Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces Now Operates 59 HotelsIndian Hotels, owners of the Taj chain of resorts and hotels, is re-wiring its business strategy to ensure that one-third of its revenues comes from global acquisitions. Currently, overseas acquisitions account for around 20 percent of its revenues. After its three large acquisitions since 2005 -- W Sydney hotel in Woolloomooloo, Sydney, Ritz Carlton in Boston and Campton Place in San Francisco -- the company is eyeing the US, especially the west coast and other gateway cities like London, Paris, Frankfurt, Chicago, South East Asia, South Africa, China. More... [899 views] Hotel blow for MacdonaldScotland's Macdonald Hotels group has lost a bidding war for the management contract of 24 hotels owned by the Moorfield Real Estate Fund to French hotels operator Accor. Accor, which runs the Ibis and Sofitel brands, has signed a 20-year management contract with Moorfield, which bought the hotels from Macdonald earlier this year for £400 million. More... [740 views] Prem Group set to buy Belgian hotel chainHotel management company PremGroup is in talks to buy a chain of eight hotels in Belgium for more than 60m. Prem announced that it had acquired two new hotels in Belgium for 32m, bringing the group's total Belgian interests to four hotels. More... [843 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 16, 2007The world on a plateHow do you convince a consumer to purchase a product which appears to be no better than any other, yet no cheaper? The answer is simple: you lower the price. This article was written by Ira Kalish, Director of Global Economics and Consumer Business, Deloitte Research USA and published in the Tourism, Hospitality and Leisure Executive Report. More... [1236 views] Morgan Stanley to Buy 13 Japan Hotels From All NipponMorgan Stanley, the biggest property investor among Wall Street firms, agreed to buy 13 hotels in Japan from All Nippon Airways Co., said three people who were brfed on the transaction. The firm last year bought a collection of Intercontinental hotels in Europe and said it completed its acquisition of CNL Hotels & Resorts Inc. for $6.6 billion, gaining eight luxury resorts in Arizona, California, Florida and Hawaii. More... [917 views] Global Hyatt Corporation Announces AndazGlobal Hyatt Corporation President and CEO Mark Hoplamazian today announced the launch of Andaz, the company's newest addition to its global brand portfolio. The Company plans to launch several hotels under the new brand this year, with properties already slated for New York and London, and others under discussion in other parts of the world including Beijing and Moscow. More... [1285 views] Starwood Hotels & Resorts continues expansion momentum in India with landmark signing of 11 new contractsSigning of 11 contracts signify the debut of the Luxury Collection brand and the expansion of the Sheraton brand in India. More... [1131 views] Mark Huntley Named Regional Vice President and General Manager at the Fairmont DallasFairmont Hotels & Resorts announces the appointment of Mark Huntley to general manager and regional vice president at the Fairmont Dallas. Mr. Huntley returns to Dallas to manage the operation of the Fairmont Dallas, as well as oversee regional operations at the Fairmont Chicago and the five-diamond Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. More... [1150 views] Martin Sinclair joins The Regent Singapore as new General ManagerMartin Sinclair will join The Regent Singapore, a Four Seasons Hotel, as the new General Manager on 16 April 2007. Martin brings more than two decades of global hospitality expertise to The Regent Singapore. He will arrive from Nevis, West Indies, where he was most recently General Manager of Four Seasons Resort Nevis, one of the most consistently ranked top Caribbean resorts. More... [1028 views] TAT and PATA Thailand Chapter strengthen partnershipThe Tourism Authority of Thailand on Tuesday April 10 strengthened its partnership and understanding with the PATA Thailand Chapter, a joint private-public sector body representing hotels, tour operators, airlines and travel-related companies in Thailand. The TAT Governor, Ms Phornsiri Manoharn, exchanged statistical updates and views with the Chapter's executive committee. More... [597 views] ITB Berlin Expands to AsiaITB Asia will have its first run at Suntec Singapore from the 22nd till the 24th of October 2008 as was announced by Raimund Hosch, CEO of Messe Berlin GmbH, the show organizer of ITB Berlin. The B2B trade show and convention will be designed to become the primary event for the Asia Pacific travel industry, much like its parent event, the ITB Berlin itself. More... [765 views] Ron Antonucci, General Manager at the Pittsburgh Marriott North, Named Marriott International's General Manager of the YearIt was a proud moment in time for Ron Antonucci, General Manager at the Pittsburgh Marriott North at Cranberry Woods. The highly respected industry leader was named General Manager of the year during the 2007 Marriott International Global Conference held recently in San Francisco, CA, where 343 Marriott Hotels & Resorts throughout the U.S. were represented. President and Chief Operating Officer of Marriott International North America Lodging Operations, Robert J. McCarthy made the official presentation. More... [1056 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 13, 2007"Never Give Up" and Other Lessons Hotelier Mark Hamister Learned Before Age 18In honor of The Hamister Group's upcoming 30 year anniversary, I would like to share some didactic stories from the company's pre-history. My passion for excellence began to develop when I was still in junior high school. Although my style and methods have matured since then, the experiences below continue to influence my professional outlook and management style. I hope that these anecdotes will provide some fun insight and encouragement to my co-workers, friends of The Hamister Group, aspiring young people, and anyone who is interested in corporate beginnings. By Mark Hamister More... [1686 views] Butlers and bells have me swooning in SamuiYeoh Siew Hoon wasn’t sure she appreciated hotel butlers until sound therapy and a girl named Anne helped to change her tune. More... [1149 views] Five Ways to Promote Your Hotel Web SiteHaving a web site, and not promoting it, is like buying a flashy new car and leaving it in your garage; great web site, but few people will ever see it. Some people still think that simply having a web site is enough to drive new business; wrong. The biggest problem with this thinking is that a web site needs to be “found” in order to be used by its visitors; and it needs to be structured to “sell” your hotel to get reservations. By Neil Salerno More... [1657 views] Renowned Swiss Clinic and Spa Sues Ritz-Carlton for Damage to Reputation; Demands Hotel Stop Using La Prairie Name for SpaThe Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company LLC is improperly profiting from "the name, goodwill and reputation" of Clinique La Prairie, the world renowned health spa and medical center in Montreux, Switzerland, famous for its cellular therapy, without having paid Clinique La Prairie for the right to do so, a lawsuit filed today alleges. More... [1300 views] Europe Chain Hotels Market Review - February 2007: Moscow leads sales growthMoscow hotels enjoyed the strongest growth in sales during the first two months of this year, as measured by revenue per available room, according to a survey by TRI Hospitality Consulting’s HotStats service. More... [757 views] Fairmont Hotels & Resorts welcomes new hotel in Hamburg, GermanyFairmont Hotels & Resorts today announced a new hotel in Hamburg, Germany will join its collection of landmark hotels on April 30, 2007 - Fairmont Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten, Hamburg. More... [880 views] 92 suffer carbon monoxide poisoning in hotelNinety-two people suffered carbon monoxide poisoning from a faulty heater in a hotel in Lons, in southwest France, firemen said Sunday. More... [957 views] Singapore's First Luxury Boutique Hotel - NAUMI"Naumi" - Singapore's first luxury boutique business hotel is set to make its debut in the republic later this year. More... [1430 views] London hotel prices rise 22% in a yearHotel prices worldwide rose 15% last year with London among the most-expensive destinations, a report by Hotels.com found. London hotel prices rose 22% to £107 per night by the end of 2006.The biggest year-on-year rise was 58% for Bangkok hotels, although at £44 per night the Thailand capital still had the cheapest rooms in the world. More... [820 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 12, 2007Mentoring To The MaxIt is definitely arguable that the role of supervisor or assistant manager in a hotel environment is perhaps one of the most stressful positions on the organizational chart. While all everyone has superiors and subordinates, frontline supervisors and assistant managers are often caught in the middle of competing needs of stakeholders ranging from executive-level managers through frontline employees, not to mention being called upon to handle the most difficult and out of hand guests. By Doug Kenndey More... [1429 views] Demand Slowdown and The Hotel Supply Conundrum / PKFU.S. hotel owners continue to ride the wave of prosperity that has characterized the lodging industry since mid-2003. Twelve successive quarters of year-over-year demand growth, fueled by an expanding economy, has attracted a flow of debt and equity capital that has driven property values, and transaction activity, back to pre-9/11 levels in most markets. Of all the factors that have contributed to the robust health of the lodging industry, none has been more important than the unbalanced relationship between the above-average growth of demand and the minimal levels of new hotel construction. More... [878 views] A Brand Devalued - no longer a memorable experience; rather, just a very expensive cup of Java"I'd like a supremo, non-lactoid, Malaysian caressed Juggernaut, stirred, not shaken, with colored Jimmies, please." What a journey the darling of retail has undertaken. Throw in a Sir Elton, Mick or Paul and the party thrown by those irascible colonists in Boston Harbor would have taken a distinct historical turn. You know the reference, but for protection, we shall call them "Moondoes", the charming coffee maven of note.They are everywhere, but now, most notably, they grace major Hotel Lobbies. Just when you think we would see a greater emphasis on Customer Service in those formidable halls of welcome, attention and care, we now are greeted with Barristas. By J. Ragsdale Hendrie More... [819 views] More than 30 properties under Raffles brand name by 2011Raffles Hotels & Resorts is expanding faster than planned, leading the hotel group to revise upward an early projection - made just four months ago - of the number of properties that will come under its wing. More... [1404 views] Skal International Hong Kong welcomes new Chapter PresidentSKAL Hong Kong has a new Chapter President, Mr. Franz Donhauser, who takes over from Ms. Susan Field following her two year tenure. More... [869 views] Aston International to build 13 new hotels in IndonesiaAston International Hotels said it will build and operate 13 new hotels in Indonesia in the next 5 years. More... [875 views] Starwood to operate 12 hotels in Shanghai by end of 2008Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide is increasing the number of hotels it manages in Shanghai to at least 12 in the coming year as it competes with other foreign hoteliers for a bigger slice of a thriving market, according to a senior official. More... [1087 views] Martin B. Jones is promoted to Managing Director - Food & Beverage Asia Pacific of Starwood Asia Pacific Hotels & ResortsMartin B. Jones has recently been promoted to Managing Director - Food & Beverage Asia Pacific for Starwood Asia Pacific Hotels & Resorts. In this role, Jones will be responsible for all facets of Food & Beverage for the Asia Pacific Division. More... [1663 views] IHG announces second Hotel Indigo property in New JerseyIHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) announces today plans for a 112-room Hotel Indigo in Basking Ridge, N.J., in Somerset County, home to many historical Revolutionary War landmarks. The new property will be a conversion from the Inn at Somerset Hills, originally built in 2000. Renovations on the four-story building will begin in June 2007, with an anticipated opening date in fourth quarter 2007. More... [621 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 11, 2007WOW.TRAVEL'S seven sensational places for Grandmotherwow.travel (the online magazine of kiwicollection.com) edited by Mary Gostelow, introduces Seven Sensational Places for Grandmother. More... [941 views] Singapore's Parkroyal owner buys Pan Pacific GroupSingapore-based United Overseas Land (UOL) has acquired the Pan Pacific hotel group, comprising 12 hotels, which has expanded its portfolio to 26 hotels as well as broaden its reach. Eight of the Pan Pacific properties are located in the Asia-Pacific gateway cities of Yokohama, Jakarta, Bangkok, Singapore and Manila, and the others are in the US and Canada.
More... [1416 views] Holiday Inn makes a big splashUnless you live on one of the coasts, getting to the beach for some splash fun usually involves a plane trip or a cross-country jaunt in the station wagon. Well, water lovers, take heart. There is a new breed of water park out there that brings that family fun a lot closer to home. Quietly over the past few years, one of the icons of the American roadway has been developing themed water parks with the idea of bringing the beach to Middle America. More... [782 views] 10 Ways to Make VoIP BetterFirst VoIP plundered the PTSN subscriber base, sending the baby Bells' profit margin into a tailspin. Now VoIP applications have tunneled into every communications technology, bringing VoIP to millions of potential users (billions globally) from every available platform. Today, seasoned startups have staked their success on applications designed to bring VoIP to end-users through blogs and Web sites, cell phones and Wi-Fi. Some of these platforms have nearly a half dozen companies fighting for superiority, while others have their market cornered. More... [1024 views] What are the secrets to financing a hotel project today?A lot of hotel developers and investors are telling us that they want to "Meet the Money®" and we can help them do just that! On May 3, 2007, we will have the largest gathering of hotel capital providers -- hotel debt, hotel mezzanine and hotel equity investors -- in the 17 years we have run our Meet the Money® conference. More... [1681 views] NZ hotels rate among the world's cheapestWhile sleep may have become an exorbitantly expensive commodity at Britain's hotels, an industry body in New Zealand is trumpeting prices here as "exceptionally low" by international standards. A standard double room at a former hospital in London was selling this month for $1413 a night - excluding breakfast. More... [830 views] InterContinental Hotels Group appoints General Manager for Crowne Plaza MuscatInterContinental Hotels Group has appointed David Todd as General Manager at Crowne Plaza Muscat in Oman. Todd's appointment is the latest in a series of announcements geared towards strengthening the Crowne Plaza brand in the region. More... [1384 views] Rezidor contracts four new Park Inn hotels in the UKThe Rezidor Hotel Group has contracted four new Park Inn hotels in the UK - the Park Inns Edinburgh Airport, Peterborough City Centre, Grimsby, and Rotherham. Rezidor's portfolio in the UK and Ireland now features more than 50 hotels in operation or under development. More... [695 views] Five hotels opened last month in İzmirFive new hotels have opened in İzmir, Turkey, a candidate city for EXPO 2015. The target market for these hotels, most of which are boutique-style hotels, is business travelers. Mövenpick and Swiss Hotel Grand İzmir will open in next few months, which will increase the amount of hotel room accommodations available within the city. More... [812 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 10, 2007Reliance On Technology, Consumer Influence Were Driving Force At 7th Annual Resort Management ConferenceA growing reliance on digital technology, consumers who 'want it all and want it now,' and the future of the resort industry fueled the agenda of the 7th Annual Resort Management Conference, just held at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, CO. More... [1074 views] Kingdom Hotel Investments acquires a US$58 million hotel in ChinaKingdom Hotel Investments ("KHI"), the leading international hotel and resort investment company focused on high growth emerging markets and chaired by HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal is pleased to announce the acquisition of a 100% stake in an existing hotel in Kunshan, China. KHI has agreed to purchase the property for approximately US$58 million. This is KHI's first acquisition in China and is in line with its investment and diversification strategy. More... [1165 views] IHG signs six management contract; to add over 1,500 roomsContinuing with its expansion spree in India, UK-based InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), today signed six contracts for managing hotels to add over 1,500 rooms. The company said it has signed deals with different real estate developers, including the Poonawala Group, KGA Group, Vascon Engineers and Indroyal Group. It, however, did not disclose the value of the deal. More... [914 views] Australia's Foreman Development Group plans to open 50 Station Hotels in 5 yearsA hotel chain that aims to bring metropolitan chic to business travel in country Australia plans to roll out 50 motels worth $300 million over the next five years. The hotels are to be built on two cookie-cutter designs from DMA Architects, one with 38 rooms and the other with 58. More... [732 views] 'Korean Hospitality industry has a long way to go'It is often noted that in terms of cost efficiency, Korea is far behind Japan and many other OECD member states, despite high average entry-level salaries. According to Lee Jung-youl, 50, general manager of Lotte Hotel Seoul, the country's hospitality industry is no exception. More... [1072 views] Milan hotel aiming for ultra-deluxe seven-star ratingIf you can't live without a personal butler, a chaffeur-driven Bentley to take you out shopping and a pianist to entertain you in your suite - and you don't mind spending up to 4,000 euros (5,300 dollars) per night - then Milan's Town House Galleria is the right hotel for you. Located in a 19th-century palazzo in the heart of Italy's financial capital, near the La Scala opera house and the city's main cathedral, the hotel is the world's first to have applied for the ultra-luxury seven-star classification provided by Swiss-based certification company SGS. More... [2830 views] New player enters Middle East hotel arenaSwiss-Belhotel International has emerged as a new player in the competitive Middle Eastern hotel market. The Hong Kong based company founded in 1987, spearheads its entry into the region, with the opening of a Dubai operations and development office and the announcement of new hotels in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Jordan and the acquisition of an existing property in Kuwait. More... [790 views] USA TODAY Introduces Scented Label at Omni HotelsUSA TODAY is pleased to announce its first national campaign using scent technology. Today, Omni Hotels will become the first hotel chain to use scent as a feature of their USA TODAY label. The promotion will run for at least six months, starting today. More... [799 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 9, 2007Global Staff Movements - Who is In and Who is OutThe latest update on international executive staff movements. Check it out.... More... [3919 views] Four Seasons shareholders OK privatization planFour Seasons Hotels said on Thursday its shareholders have approved a plan to take the luxury hotel chain private. More... [1248 views] Starwood Creates Luxury Brands GroupStarwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has combined St. Regis, W Hotels, and the Luxury Collection into the Luxury Brands Group for marketing purposes. Serving as president of the new entity will be Ross Klein, who had served as president of W.
More... [1524 views] Ritz Carlton Opens in Tokyo's RoppongiThe Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo, a 248-room hotel in the city's tallest skyscraper, welcomed its first guests on March 30, 2007 More... [939 views] Carlson Hotels signs Radisson Hotel New Delhi Connaught PlaceCarlson Hotels Worldwide is developing the Radisson Hotel New Delhi Connaught Place scheduled to be completed by December, 2008 along the prestigious stretch on Connaught Place. Owned by Hotel Marina, the Radisson Hotel New Delhi Connaught Place will join a growing number of hotels in the Radisson portfolio across India. More... [808 views] Holiday Inn Introduces Sustainable, 100 Percent Arabica Bean Coffee at All U.S. HotelsBrand sets new standard in the hotel industry Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts announced today that it will serve Rainforest Alliance Certified Coffee(R) 100% Arabica bean blend at its nearly 1,000 properties in the United States with the rollout beginning in April with full implementation by June. More... [833 views] InterContinental Miami Hotel Joins the CardioReady® NetworkInterContinental's luxurious Miami property has joined the ranks of convention and meeting facilities which have earned the designation of CardioReady® Certified Meeting Space. CardioReady® Certification, developed in conjunction with the American Heart Association's guidelines and best practices, provides the foundation for an industry-wide standard and emergency cardiac care guidelines in the event of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA). More... [730 views] Singapore Shines at ATM 2007Singapore Tourism Board will host its highest-ever number of exhibitors on its pavilion at this year's Arabian Travel Market 2007, building on its record-breaking tourism figures from the Middle East. More... [700 views] Radisson Launches Online Guest Room BoutiqueNew Web Site Allows Guests to Order Exclusive Products They Enjoy While Staying at Radisson Hotels & Resorts Radisson Hotels & Resorts(R), the upscale brand from Carlson Hotels Worldwide, today announced the launch of an online boutique that allows guests in the U.S. and Canada to order exclusive products they enjoy while staying with Radisson More... [1269 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 6, 2007Older and wiser? - Trend For Younger CEOs, Holding Shorter Tenures, Is Coming To HotelsA recent study reported that the average age of a large company chief executive is falling and that the tenure of that chief executive is getting ever shorter. The Egremont research, as reported in The Sunday Times, 18 February 2007, stated that, "the average age of chief executives of FTSE 100 companies is 52" and that turnover of chief executives is increasing, "in the mid-1990s, about 8% of companies had a change of chief executive a year. By Chris Mumford More... [1270 views] Howard Johnson Chairman & CEO Honored "Top 10 Figures of China's Hospitality Industry 2006"Mr. Wilburt Chang, Chairman & CEO of Howard Johnson International (China) was honored as "Top 10 Figures of China's Hospitality Industry 2006" at a ceremony held in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. More... [1295 views] Henning Reichel Named GM of Schloss VeldenCapella Hotels and Resorts announced today that Henning Reichel has been named general manager of Schloss Velden, a Capella Hotel, located on the Wörthersee in Velden, Austria. Schloss Velden will be the first resort of the new Capella Hotels and Resorts collection to open to the public when it welcomes guests in June 2007. In his position, Reichel will oversee all operations of the historic 100-room château. More... [1140 views] Hacking PBX: 20 Tips and Tricks to Optimize your Business Phone System
Read this article and learn how to take full advantage of your business phone system. For those of us around in the mid-1970's, the idea of a telephone switchboard may be forever tainted by the Saturday Night Live skit where Lily Tomlin, as a switchboard operator, randomly disconnects calls and infamously declares, "We don't care, we don't have to...we're the phone company."Thankfully, the last 30 years have brought switchboards into the electronic age, and through PBX technology, many businesses no longer rely on telephone companies (or their operators) to complete many of their internal calls. Instead, today, many companies use internal telephone switchboards, known as IP PBX systems, a development on Private Branch eXchange (PBX) which now incorporates both IP technology and VoIP networks. More... [998 views] The Ascott Group boosts management bench strength to support expansionThe Ascott Group has strengthened its senior management team to achieve its global expansion and growth objectives. Ms Ng Lai Leng has been appointed as Chief Corporate Officer with effect from April 1, 2007. More... [1130 views] MGM Mirage Signs Agreement With Diaoyutai State Guesthouse for Joint Projects in ChinaMGM MIRAGE announced that it has signed a definitive agreement with the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, People's Republic of China aimed at creating a strategic relationship to pursue non-gaming business opportunities. The parties intend to create a joint venture to develop luxury non-gaming hotels and resorts globally, initially targeting locations in the People's Republic of China. More... [745 views] IHG announces plans for third hotel Indigo in TexasHistorical San Antonio conversion located minutes from World Famous Texas landmarks IHG announced plans for a 91-room Hotel Indigo at the Alamo in the historical Gibbs Building in downtown San Antonio. More... [632 views] Pod Hotel, Yotel Coming To SydneyPod-like rooms of just 10sqm, Yotel, coming to Sydney Developed in the UK, the first Yotel is due to open in May in the South Terminal of London's Gatwick Airport. Entrepreneur Simon Woodroffe is behind the concept. More... [1046 views] Raffles Dubai Presents a New Benchmark in Luxury LivingRaffles Hotels & Resorts has selected the vibrant city of Dubai with its thriving hospitality sector as its newest destination in its international network expansion. Opening fall 2007, the stunning pyramid-inspired Raffles Dubai, is an iconic structure that draws inspiration from the Middle East's architectural splendor. The 20-story hotel will be a magnificent addition to Dubai's skyline when it's unveiled later this year. More... [1422 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 5, 2007John Arnett named President and Chief Executive Officer, The Americas, Millennium Hotels and ResortsMillennium Hotels and Resorts has named John Arnett president and chief executive officer for the Americas. Arnett will report to Peter Papas, group chief executive and Kwek Leng Beng, chairman of parent company Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc. Arnett is also a member of the board of directors Millennium and Copthorne plc. Sudheer Raghavan, former president, Millennium Hotels and Resorts, North America, takes up a new position as head of India and Middle East operations, an important area of growth for Millennium & Copthorne. More... [1081 views] Helping Owners Strike a Fair Deal: 5 Milestones Marking The Road To Success For Hotel Management AgreementsIn order to consummate any substantial business transaction, there are inevitably some "challenges" to overcome. Hotel management agreements are no exception: in part because of their complexity, and in part because hotel management agreements typically transfer effective control over valuable assets for several decades, and their terms can easily enhance - or diminish - the value of hotel by a staggering amount.By Jim Butler and Robert Braun More... [841 views] What if Troogle turns out to be true? There are speculations on the ongoing rumours that Google may yet enter the travel industry. If you google "Troogle", you may be forgiven for thinking that the rumours of an impending launch by Google of a vertical travel portal may not be that greatly exaggerated. The rumours started surfacing last year - that the giant search engine would take what some people say is the logical next step, launch its own travel portal the way it has with Google Finance. By Yeoh Siew Hoon More... [953 views] Rates drive UK hotels' revPAR growth‘Soaring' room rates helped London hotels record a double-digit increase in February revenue per available room (revPAR), reports TRI Hospitality Consulting. Rates were up 11.3% year-on-year at £105.81, while occupancy grew by just 0.1 percentage points to 78.5%, resulting in revPAR of £83.07, 11.5% ahead of Feb06. More... [626 views] Benelux hotel industry to new heightsThe hotel industry in The Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg is showing a strong recovery. Research by Horwath HTL shows that the Dutch three, four and five star hotels achieved an average occupancy of 73.0% in 2006 with an average room rate of Euro 104. In Belgium and Luxembourg, the hotels report an occupancy of 71.0% and an average room rate of Euro 96. More... [906 views] Dusit Thani and Thai Labour Ministry joins hands on internship hospitality programAs part of its ongoing efforts to help local communities nationwide, Dusit Thani Public Company Limited has entered into a joint project with the Thai Ministry of Labor (MOL) to offer on-site training for students, the majority of whom do not have the good opportuinities to pursue higher education, and in effect this new program seeks to provide them with specialized skills that will readily lead to obtaining better employment. More... [767 views] TravelCLICK's iStay Booking Engine Again Named Best Web Interactive Application for Hotel and Lodging IndustryTravelCLICK again has won a WebAward for Best Hotel and Lodging Interactive Application from the Web Marketing Association (WMA). Part of the WMA's 2007 Internet Advertising Competition (IAC), the award recognizes TravelCLICK's iStay web booking engine application at The National Hotel in Miami Beach. It showcases iStay's ability to create a compelling online user experience, merchandise the entire property and its rooms directly from the hotel website, and readily convert website visitors into guests. More... [719 views] Announcing aloft Sydney Airport, O’Riordan Street, Scheduled To Arrive in 2009aloha! Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.® and its much-anticipated new lifestyle brand, aloftSM hotels, today announced it has signed an agreement with Argus Developments Pty Ltd (a subsidiary of Tuscan Corporation) to develop the first aloft hotel in Australia, the aloft Sydney Airport, O’Riordan Street.Sydney, Australia’s economic powerhouse and world renowned tourist destination, the 161 room hotel is conveniently located within 1 mile of the Sydney International Airport, on O’Riordan Street in Mascot, Sydney. The hotel is expected to open in 2009. More... [553 views] Small Luxury Hotels of the World To Host Its 14th Annual Conference In New York CitySmall Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) will host its 14th International Conference in New York City next month, providing luxury hoteliers from around the globe with a forum for education, inspiration and an opportunity to network. More... [1042 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 4, 2007A tale of two luxuriesAll styles and levels of luxury are represented in the Maldives affordable luxury, intelligent luxury, contemporary luxury, classic luxury it is like shopping for branded goods at New Bond Street, London.Raini Hamdi checks in at two resorts, one affordable the other sheer luxury, to give agents an idea of the spectrum the Maldives now has. More... [1389 views] International Hotel Groups Are Checking Into Emerging Markets, And So Are South African Operators - PwC reportsInternational hotel groups, as well as South African hospitality operators, should heed the warning from a leading global hotelier --- hotel brands that do not have a presence in emerging markets such as China and India may inevitably find themselves at a disadvantage - according to PricewaterhouseCoopers. More... [993 views] Negotiate A Cheaper Hotel StayIf you're headed on a vacation this spring or summer, chances are you're going to pay more for a hotel than ever before. More... [1051 views] Solare Hotels & Resorts to Operate Hakodate Harborview HotelThe ambitious plan by Solare Hotels & Resorts Co. Ltd. to manage 18,000 hotel rooms in Japan by 2010 came another step closer to reality with the announcement that Solare is to manage and operate the Hakodate Harborview Hotel starting March 30, 2007. More... [657 views] Grand Opening of Swiss-Belhotel PapuaSwiss-Belhotel International, the manager of hotels, resorts and serviced residences in Asia, is pleased to announce that Swiss-Belhotel Papua, managed by Swiss-Belhotel International holds its Grand Opening Ceremony on Sunday, March 11th, 2007. The hotel marks its official opening by with a Grand Opening celebration in the presence of the Governor of Papua Mr. Barnabas Suebu, SH at the Hotel's Cendrawasih Ballroom. More... [700 views] Rendezvous Launches The Marque Hotel Brand in ChinaRendezvous Hotels & Resorts International (Rendezvous) will take The Marque Collection of Hotels into China with the addition of a new contemporary hotel in Guilin. The hotel, to be named The Marque Hotel, Guilin, will be managed by Rendezvous under The Marque Collection of Hotels brand. More... [703 views] ANA InterContinental Tokyo opens - established landmark hotel gets a new co-brand nameANA InterContinental Tokyo, IHG ANA Hotels Group Japan's first co-branded ANA InterContinental property, opened yesterday amid springtime cheers and festive revelry. Guests and hotel employees, along with their family and friends, gathered for a ceremonial unveil of the new hotel signage, as well as a celebratory champagne toast in the hotel's main lobby. More... [762 views] Shangri-La strengthens Financial TeamAsia Pacific's leading luxury hotel group, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, announces the appointment of three senior finance executives reporting to Mr. Madhu Rao, chief financial officer. More... [1365 views] Jumeirah to run new Palm Jumeirah hotelDubai: Jumeirah, the Dubai-based luxury hotel operator and member of Dubai Holding, has signed a letter of understanding to manage one of Palm Jumeirah's most prestigious new beachfront developments. The hotel to be developed by Dubai-based Al Fattan Properties, will feature 213 rooms and suites, 45 residences and 45 serviced apartments, all of which will be managed by Jumeirah. More... [829 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 3, 2007Steve Heyer Resigns as CEO of Starwood Hotels & ResortsThe Board of Directors of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. announced today that Steven J. Heyer has resigned as Chief Executive Officer and a director. Heyer, 54, had been CEO and a director since October 2004. Bruce W. Duncan, 55, Starwood's Chairman since 2005 and a director since 1995, will also serve as interim CEO while the Board conducts a search for a permanent replacement. Chairman Bruce Duncan Will Also Serve as Interim CEO While Search is Conducted. More... [3319 views] Interview with Claus Sendlinger - founder of the Design Hotels GroupClaus Sendlinger - founder of the Design Hotels Group - shares what makes him tick with The Transit Cafe, in an interview with Yeoh Siew Hoon. More... [950 views] Hilton Hotels Corporation Signs Management Agreement for First Conrad in Abu DhabiHilton Hotels Corporation today announced the signing of its new property, the Conrad Abu Dhabi, marking the luxury brand's entry into the U.A.E capital. Due to open in the fourth quarter of 2009, the hotel will become the Hilton Family's fourth property in Abu Dhabi, and is a highly anticipated addition to the leading hotel brand's portfolio of 15 established properties in the Arabian Peninsula. More... [722 views] US business travellers happy to book onlineAccording to a survey by Orbitz for Business, 86% of corporate travellers find business travel today is as difficult or more difficult than it was two years ago. More... [717 views] PwC Forecasts Record Year For Capital Spending In U.S. LodgingFollowing a record $5.0 billion invested in the U.S. lodging industry in 2006, More... [738 views] Rooms without serviceThere is no room for complacency in any business, least of all one that operates in tourism, perhaps the most global marketplace of all. But it has been apparent for some years that hotels in Britain offer questionable value for money. Now we have confirmation: according to the website Hotels.com, UK prices are the highest in Europe. The average price for a room in a British hotel last year was £98 per night. And the situation is getting worse. More... [1008 views] IHG Announces Plans for Honduras' First Holiday Inn ExpressInterContinental Hotels Group today announces that a 104-room Holiday Inn Express in San Pedro Sula, Honduras will be built. This hotel will be the first Holiday Inn Express in Honduras and the fourth IHG property in the country. San Pedro Sula has an estimated population of one million and is the second largest city in the country after the Honduran Capital of Tegucigalpa. More... [583 views] Hyatt Place Opens First East Coast Hotel Minutes from Washington Dulles International Airport;Hyatt Place Sterling/Dulles Airport - North - just minutes from Washington Dulles International Airport - opens, bringing a new type of hospitality experience to the East Coast. More... [658 views] Would-be 'Nicky O' hotels file for bankruptcyLast summer, it was the future Nicky O. Now it's in bankruptcy. Two South Beach hotels once linked to Nicky Hilton face hard times. The South Beach hotel once slated for Nicky Hilton's debut in the lodging industry has filed for bankruptcy, as its hopes for star-powered profits fall drastically short.
More... [1073 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 2, 2007Hotbed of luxurious ideasWhen hoteliers look for inspiration on luxury resorts these days, they head for the Maldives. So should travel agents. Raini Hamdi reports how the Maldives has become a hotbed of luxurious ideas. More... [2049 views] Millennium & Copthorne International Appoints Senior Vice President (Operations)Millennium & Copthorne (M&C) Hotels plc has appointed Mr. Tan Kim Seng as Senior Vice President (Operations) for Millennium & Copthorne International Limited with effect from 1 April 2007. Reporting to Mr Michael Sengol, Chief Operating Officer of M&C Hotels plc, Mr Tan's main responsibilities include overseeing all MCIL hotels and the corporate office in Singapore. More... [988 views] International hotels in Shanghai launch new career websiteInternational Branded Hotels of Shanghai, the union of the 52 finest 4 and 5-star international hotels, has partnered with EmporioAsia, one of China's leading interactive marketing agencies to launch a brand new career website www.9djob.com on March 28th, 2007 to help in the recruitment for this fast growing hospitality sector in Shanghai. More... [1044 views] It's Double Happiness in Shanghai: Starwood Hotels & Resorts announced opening of two hotels in the same city on March 28th 200Starwood Hotels & Resorts announced the opening of 2 new hotels in Shanghai : Sheraton Shanghai Hotel & Residences and Four Points by Sheraton Shanghai, Daning on 28th March 2007, an auspicious "double prosperity" ( in Mandarin language ) day in the Chinese calendar. More... [817 views] Cornell Hotel School awards scholarships to hotel leaders in EuropeThree new members of the European Hotel Managers Association hav been awarded scholarships by the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration. Winners will use the scholarships to attend a course in the school's Professional Development Program in Brussels, or they may award the scholarship to an associate at their property. More... [894 views] Beijing Hotel Companies Go for the GoldWith 500 days to go until the opening ceremony, anticipation is building for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, which run from Aug. 8 to Aug. 24.As with any event of such scale, attendees are going to need hotel rooms. Lots of hotel rooms. Beijing is expected to receive about 500,000 to 550,000 overseas visitors as it hosts the Summer Games, according to chinadaily.com. And that raises a question for investors: Are there attractive growth opportunities for hotel companies in China? Standard & Poor's Equity Research says yes. More... [672 views] Minor International Announces the Appointment of John Griffin as VP of MarketingMinor International, one of Asia's leading hotel developers and operators, announces the appointment of John Griffin as Vice President of Marketing. Griffin, an Australian national, will oversee global marketing execution, including marketing strategy, branding, message articulation and communications for Minor International's growing resort brand, Anantara and future brand launches that complement Minor's growth into global hotel management. More... [1056 views] Research and Markets has announced the addition of European Tourist Attractions Market Assessment 2007 to their offering.Domestic tourism - meaning internal travel by a country's residents - is fairly flat in Europe. However, the inbound market is recovering from two damaging episodes earlier in the decade: the events of 11th September 2001 and the subsequent outbreak of the `war on terrorism', and economic slumps in several key European countries. More... [750 views] Boutique Hotels and Resorts International® appoints David Moth, SVP MarketingBoutique Hotels and Resorts International® - the global alliance of genuine boutique hotels and resorts - has appointed David Moth as Senior Vice President of Marketing. More... [822 views] 
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ehotelier Hospitality News Archives: April 2007Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 30, 2007Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 27, 2007Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 26, 2007Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 25, 2007Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 24, 2007Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 23, 2007Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 20, 2007Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 19, 2007Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 18, 2007Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 17, 2007Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 16, 2007Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 13, 2007Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 12, 2007Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 11, 2007Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 10, 2007Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 9, 2007Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 6, 2007Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 5, 2007Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 4, 2007Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 3, 2007Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 2, 2007
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