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ehotelier Hospitality News Archives: August 2007Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 31, 2007Ali Kasikci accepts MD position at Montage Beverly Hills.Hotel Lawyer in Beverly Hills with good news for luxury hotel mixed-use aficionados. The trend of hotel mixed-use continues. This time, Beverly Hills will get its turn as the city anxiously awaits the latest luxury hotel development by the internationally acclaimed Montage Hotels & Resorts. Just steps from Beverly Hills' Rodeo Drive, and in the City's "golden triangle," this 201-room luxury hotel will be a fresh breath of air to those who appreciate "the best. By Jim Butler More... [881 views] Hotel market factors shifting - loan tightening just the most recentOccasionally the capital markets change so quickly that printed news is already dated when it hits the mailbox. Such was case with a related article I'd written for this month's edition of Commercial Mortgage Insight. By Cameron J. Larkin More... [592 views] Kingdom Hotel posts 39% fall in profitDubai: Kingdom Hotel Investments (KHI), the Dubai-based hotel and resort investment company, yesterday reported a 39 per cent fall in first-half net profit on a year earlier mainly due to a non-recurring deferred credit revenue of $12.8 million in the first half of 2006. By Robert Ditcham More... [629 views] Two high-end hotels join CHA in New ZealandChoice Hotels Australasia (CHA) continues to build its portfolio of outstanding properties in Australia and New Zealand with the addition of another two high-end Clarion hotels to the group’s New Zealand network. More... [521 views] at-sunrice CEO awarded Master Chef by French Association of Master Chefsat-sunrice Chief Executive Officer Chef Christophe Megel is the second youngest ever to be awarded Master Chef by the French Association of Masterchefs [Association des Maîtres Cuisiniers de France]. He is listed in the Master Chefs of France Guide 2007 [Maitres Cuisiniers de France le guide 2007]. More... [770 views] Asean–wide budget hotels in the worksA programme to develop budget hotels throughout Asean is being drawn up to spur tourism within the region by making it more affordable to the middle income families in Asean states. More... [619 views] Edinburgh's first hotel to reopen (but don't expect 1819 prices)The first purpose-built hotel in Edinburgh is set to reopen to guests after more than 120 years. Apex Hotels plans to revamp former council offices on Waterloo Place, used as a hotel, tavern and coffee house from 1819. By Adrian Mather More... [613 views] Peninsula Hotel Tokyo sparks luxury hotel uproarThe latest in the fabulous life of luxury is the grand opening of the Peninsula Hotel in Tokyo's Marunouchi district, just minutes away from one of Japan's most distinct shopping centers, Ginza. More... [1049 views] Empty nesters outnumber backpackersOlder "empty nesters" are outnumbering young backpackers in the amount of overseas travel they are taking. More... [756 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 30, 2007Market Metrix Unleashes Employee Metrix ™2.0Market Metrix, LLC, the leading provider of customer and employee feedback and performance tools for the hospitality industry, today announced Employee Metrix™ 2.0, the leading employee feedback solution for the hospitality industry. This latest version strengthens the core benefits of the Employee Metrix suite which help companies to create and manage more engaged and loyal work teams, reduce turnover and achieve better business results. More... [702 views] TIAW renews partnership with IHGThe International Alliance for Women (TIAW) today announced that it has renewed its partnership with IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) [Lon:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)]. Additionally, TIAW has named Vicki Gordon, IHG's senior vice president for corporate affairs in the Americas region, to its microenterprise development committee. More... [449 views] Europe Chain Hotels Market Review - July 2007London's chain hotels generated the best room sales in July according to the latest HotStats survey of leading European cities by TRI Hospitality Consulting. More... [618 views] Aussie firm makes China hotels pushAustralian company Great Pacific Financial Group said it planned to invest more than $US500 million ($A600 million) in China over the next five years, mainly to open hotels. More... [628 views] Top Spots For First-Rate Room ServiceGoodbye limp French fries, hello fine dining: Room service has woken up from a long, dull nap. Whatever you want, you can get it 24 hours a day at some hotels--whether it's on the menu or not. And it when it arrives, it may come in courses served sequentially, as in a fine restaurant. Can't decide between the 1,000 different wines offered? No problem. The room-service sommelier will be happy drop by. Kosher? Vegan? Gluten-free? It's all available. By Shivani Vora, Forbes.com More... [920 views] Astor Crowne Plaza sold to New York buyers who will keep hotel operatingThe owners of the Astor Crowne Plaza, saying they are no longer able to handle the financial drain of the still-foundering post-Hurricane Katrina hospitality market, have sold the hotel at Canal and Bourbon streets to a New York partnership for $93 million. By G. Thomas More... [742 views] Outrageous hotel guest requestsFive-star hotels usually have five stars for a reason: Their service is impeccable, and they often do the impossible, thanks to their ever-resourceful concierge staff. By Jane Levere More... [2295 views] Brazil to offer floating hotels for 2014 FIFA World CupIf Brazil are granted the right to host the 2014 World Cup, football fans from all over the world may find floating hotels to stay, said Brazil's local government officials. More... [757 views] Cool Blue, hip and so SydneyWoolloomooloo, on the edge of Sydney Harbour, was once full of miner's cottages. Today, however, it dances to a much hipper tune. By Brian Crisp More... [663 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 29, 2007Cornell Study finds restaurants make wise use of capitalA commonly used assessment of a company's short-term liquidity paints too pessimistic a picture of restaurants, according to a new study from the Cornell Center for Hospitality Research. More... [669 views] Hotel room rates rise globallyHRG UK’s 2007 half year hotel survey has revealed continued growth and a strong average rate performance for the hotel industry worldwide. Moscow once again achieved the highest average room rates, alongside significant growth in the rapidly developing markets of Dubai and Mumbai.
More... [1085 views] Wotif.com Holdings Limited announces full year results (FY2007)Wotif.com (www.wotif.com), Australasia's leading accommodation website, today announced their full year results highlighting strong revenue growth and margin improvement, delivering a 60% increase in net profit after tax to $26.4 million. More... [501 views] Barcelo hotels & resorts expands with 20 hotels in United KingdomSpain-based Barcelo Hotels & Resorts has arrived at an agreement by which it will manage the prestigious Paramount Hotel chain, consisting of 20 four and five star properties throughout Great Britain. More... [603 views] Viejas unveils plans for $800 million resort and casino projectThe Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians announced plans for an $800 million resort and casino project. More... [576 views] 39 affordable hotel chains only locals knowThe sample rates are for a double room on a weekday this month. By Colleen Clark More... [966 views] Claridges Hotels expansion drive picksIt could be one of the biggest moves as far as hospitality sector is concerned. The Leela Palaces & Resorts president Peter Leitgeb has joined as president & CEO of The Claridges Hotels & Resorts (CHR). Leitgeb, a 30-year veteran in the hospitality industry, comes with a diverse experience of holding senior management positions with some of the leading global hospitality brands. He is one of the few industry professionals with senior management experience in India and overseas. By Raja Awasthi, TNN More... [777 views] Investment Firm commits $50 Million to expand Super 8 Hotels in ChinaWyndham Hotel Group, a subsidiary of Wyndham Worldwide Corporation (NYSE: WYN), of Parsippany, N.J., today announced that Aetos Capital, LP has committed to invest up to $50 million in Tian Rui Hotel Corporation, master franchisor of the Super 8® brand in China, to accelerate its hotel development efforts. More... [560 views] Harry Potter works magic on tourismFilms and TV programmes like Harry Potter, The Da Vinci Code and Pride and Prejudice are boosting tourism in Britain by showing some of the country's great locations. More... [666 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 28, 2007European hotel investment market stays strongThe European hotel investment market appears as strong as ever with transaction volumes reaching 9bn at the half-year mark, compared to 9.3bn in the first half of 2006. Portfolio transactions represented 72% of total investment at 6.5bn, and high net-worth individuals (HNWIs) have surpassed private equity players as the dominant investor group in European hotels. More... [825 views] Mirvac Hotels & Resorts' CEO wins top gongMirvac Hotels & Resorts' CEO Andrew Turner has been named 2007 HM Magazine Hotelier of the Year in the prestigious hotel excellence awards ceremony held in Sydney on Friday 17th August. The major award, in its inaugural year, was decided by the leading regional directors of international hotel chains across Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific. More... [645 views] UK Chain Hotels Market Review - July 2007The extraordinary run of revpar growth enjoyed by London's chain hotels slowed in July, according to the latest HotStats survey from TRI Hospitality Consulting. More... [631 views] The Institute of Hospitality launches Evening Discussions on Hot Industry TopicsThe Institute of Hospitality is delighted to announce the first two events in a new series of Evening Discussions on current major industry issues, where panels of experts will debate and inform on key topics affecting the profession.
More... [628 views] Boutique Hotels & Resorts International announces three new member hotels in Switzerland and BrazilBoutique Hotels & Resorts International® - the global alliance of genuine boutique hotels and resorts - announced the addition of the Hotel Alex in Zermatt, Switzerland, Pousada El Gordo in Trancoso, Brazil, and Pousada Vida Sol e Mar in Imbituba, Brazil to their portfolio. More... [539 views] Energy Smart Hotel Award from Singapore's National Environmental Agency and Energy Sustainability UnitAs part of the launch of the Energy Smart Building Labelling Programme, the National Environmental Agency (NEA) and Energy Sustainability Unit (ESU) - an entity jointly supported by the School of Design and Environment, National University of Singapore (NUS) and various Research Partners - awarded The Regent Singapore, a Four Seasons Hotel, the country's inaugural Energy Smart Hotel Award on Friday 3 August 2007. More... [1406 views] Opus Hotel's General Manager launches debut novel in SeptemberDaniel Edward Craig draws from many years in the hotel industry to deliver a rollicking murder mystery set in a luxurious New York hotel: Murder at the Universe. More... [759 views] Americas Best Value Inn is on track to reach 800 hotels in 8 yearsIn just eight years of operation, Americas Best Value Inn has transformed from an innovative concept to the fastest growing hotel chain in America and is on track to do something no one else in the industry has done - reach 800 properties within the brand's eighth year. More... [472 views] Nepal to have ninth casinoNepal's casino king R D Tuttle is planning to open a new casino, the ninth one, in the Himalayan nation and also one at Goa in India. More... [686 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 27, 2007UNWTO Davos conference on climate change and tourism to be carbon neutralUNWTO is asking all participants of the 2nd International Conference on Climate Change and Tourism (Davos, Switzerland, 1-3 October 2007) to register with carbon offsetting organizations. Carbon offsetting mitigates greenhouse gas emissions and can involve renewable energy projects (such as solar, wind power and hydroelectricity or biomass and biofuels) and tree planting, among others. More... [817 views] Food and hotel expo targets 15,000 visitorsTHIS year's Food and Hotel Malaysia show (FHM 2007) is expected to attract over 15,000 trade visitors, of whom some 10 per cent will be from overseas. More... [600 views] MGM MIRAGE, Dubai World form $5B JVMGM MIRAGE and Dubai World have signed a definitive agreement for a $5.1 billion long-term joint venture, the companies announced today. Dubai World will invest approximately $2.7 billion in MGM MIRAGE's CityCenter (pictured) mixed-use in Las Vegas and up to $2.4 billion in up to 28.4 million shares of MGM Mirage stock, representing an approximate 9.5 percent stake in the company. By Amanda Marsh, CPN More... [723 views] From the farm to the fork: Fairmont offers a fresh new take on menusResponding to guests' need to please their palates while also minding their health, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts announces a brand wide commitment to offer menus that focus on what we can do for the earth, as well as the taste buds. The first hotel company to formally commit to using, wherever possible, sustainable, locally sourced and organically grown products as part of everyday food service operations, Fairmont takes the lead in this green revolution on a plate. More... [692 views] Home Inns announces Q2 results for ChinaChinese budget hotel chain Home Inns & Hotels Management has announced its unaudited financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2007. More... [469 views] Behind the science of hotel designWestchester warehouse gives aloft a lift. When you’re designing a new hotel chain, there’s a lot to keep in mind. Building codes and construction costs. Staff training and operating procedures. Target markets, in-room amenities and daily rack rates. Ottomans. By Rob Lovitt More... [821 views] Grand Formosa Regent Taipei is thinking green!As civilization slowly takes over the world and alters the Earth to its present unrecognizable state, actions must be taken to protect the environment so that we may preserve this land for future generations. Grand Formosa Regent, a Four Seasons Hotel located in the metropolis of Taipei, Taiwan, is dedicated to merging environmental sustainability with modern designs to surpass expectations of its guests as a progressive luxury five-star hotel. More... [662 views] Award-Winning Hotel du Pont selects TravelCLICK for total property merchandising solutionThe award-winning Hotel du Pont in Wilmington, DE, has selected TravelCLICK, the leading provider of emarketing solutions for the hotel industry, to provide a comprehensive distribution and marketing solution, including central reservations, market intelligence, More... [482 views] Tourism spurs new property in KenyaThose who know it fondly refer to it as the 'house'. The new development, a hotel, sits in a space, formerly occupied by a two-storey flat in Nairobi West. The property, called Mvuli House, opened for business early this month. By Kenneth Kwama More... [531 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 24, 2007What hot internet marketing topics are on the minds of hoteliers?A Mid-Year 2007 review as hoteliers enter into Budget Planning Season. By Max Starkov and Jason Price More... [1664 views] New appointment of Hilton Group plc former CEO, Sir David Michels, to European roleStrategic Hotels & Resorts announced today the appointment of Sir David M. C. Michels, 61, a member of the company's board of directors, to the newly created consulting position of Senior European Strategist. In this capacity, Michels will coordinate and advance the company's European strategy. Michels will retain his board position, however will resign from all committees and relinquish associated responsibilities, including his role as Chairman of the Compensation Committee. More... [830 views] The top 8 hotel projects in PR China4,000-room hotel will open in Macao in December 2008 - Hotel development boom caused by the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games More... [1275 views] Robert J. Lowe, Jr. named president and chief operating officer of Lowe hospitality groupLowe Enterprises, a national real estate development, investment and management firm, has named Robert J. Lowe, Jr. president and chief operating officer of Lowe Hospitality Group, the firm's national hotel, resort and resort residential community acquisition, development and management division. More... [464 views] High Net-Worth investors drive €9 billion European hotel marketThe European hotel investment market has proved that it is as strong as ever with transaction volumes reaching €9 billion at the half year mark, compared to €9.3 billion in the first half of 2006. Portfolio transactions represented 72% of total investment at €6.5 billion, and high net-worth individuals (HNWIs) have surpassed private equity players as the dominant investor group in European hotels. More... [574 views] Utell Luxury collection portfolio reports 30 per cent revenue growthUtell® Hotels & Resorts has reported that its Utell Luxury Collection, a rich portfolio of exclusive member hotels has enjoyed on average a 30 per cent year on year growth on booking revenues for participating hotels. Latest figures reveal the Collection’s growth during the first four months of 2007 compared with the same period during 2006, and this further demonstrates the success of Utell’s segmentation strategy which was launched earlier this year. More... [472 views] High-flying women of the worldIt's no longer a niche market. Nearly half of business travelers are women, and the early lip service of an odd nail file in vanity bags and hotel doors with security peepholes, are no longer enough to give businesses an edge. By Michelle Jana Cha More... [962 views] Top 10 oddball hotelsTired of staying at posh Four Seasons or Ritz-Carlton hotels? Looking for accommodations that are wonderful but slightly wacky? By Jane Levere More... [1632 views] The world's 'first mobile hotel room'Fans back from a raindrenched V Festival might wish they had taken one of these - the "world's first mobile hotel room". More... [1043 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 23, 2007Survey reports record growth in domestic hotel industryRecord growth in visitor arrivals, hotel occupancy and room rates and an increase in interest from major hotel groups all occurred in 2006, according to a new survey conducted by financial and accounting firm Grant Thornton Vietnam. More... [769 views] Canada's fast-growing online travel market charts its own courseOnline Travel in Canada to nearly quadruple between 2004 and 2009. More... [762 views] Key plans for Meikles Africa Hotels expansionWith a focus on achieving significant expansion and development by 2010, Southern Africa's Meikles Africa Hotels hospitality group has unveiled plans for an investment programme involving the refashioning of its current stable of three hotels in the region and the development of a unique, new wildlife-based luxury operation. More... [513 views] Banyan's brand champion leaves to pursue personal goalsAfter 16 years with Banyan Tree Holdings, Mr Edwin Yeow, managing director Global Marketing, and joint managing director of Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts, is leaving at the end of October to pursue his own personal goals. By Raini Hamdi, Editor, TTG Asia More... [974 views] Cushman & Wakefield acquires RH International's 50% stake in C&W Residential and C&W Hotels JVsCushman & Wakefield has acquired RH International's 50% stake in the successful joint venture companies they formed together in January 2006, Cushman & Wakefield Residential and Cushman & Wakefield Hotels. These residential and hotels businesses have grown significantly over the past 18 months and this acquisition is aligned with C&W's aim to build a dominant presence in these sectors across EMEA. More... [590 views] The Middle East gets its first ice lounge, in Dubai of courseOutside it was a sticky 44 degrees Celsius (111 degrees Fahrenheit), but Ali Hamdan was shivering under two parkas as he had a drink, surrounded by tables and chairs made of ice. More... [843 views] TMS Asia-Pacific steps up China presenceInternational travel and hospitality industry recruitment specialist TMS Asia-Pacific has beefed up its China profile with the opening of its first dedicated Hong Kong office. More... [446 views] Two guests still missing after hotel blazeTwo guests are still missing after fire destroyed a seafront hotel in Cornwall, killing one man and injuring others. More... [644 views] A hotelier is breaking the mold once againIN the world according to Ian Schrager, the master of the ultrahip hotel, there's no greater currency than a boldface name checking into a stylish guest room or hanging out in the chic bar or restaurant. Mr. Schrager cut his teeth among the in-crowd in the late 1970s and early '80s, as co-founder of the Studio 54 and Palladium nightclubs in New York City, and has since courted the slender, fashionable and martini-prone with such gusto - from the Royalton and Paramount hotels in Manhattan to the Delano in South Beach and the Mondrian in West Hollywood - that he has earned rock-star status of his own. By Ron Stodghill More... [1000 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 22, 2007Once again, revenue gains overcome expense growthA familiar pattern repeated itself in 2006 - strong gains in hotel revenues surpassed significant expense growth, which resulted in double-digit increases in unit level hotel profits. In 2006, the average hotel manager in our Trends in the Hotel Industry survey achieved a 13.3 percent gain in operating profits , the third consecutive year of bottom-line increases in excess of ten percent. Favorable supply / demand conditions allowed these operators to enjoy an 8.2 percent jump in revenues for the year. By Robert Mandelbaum More... [1201 views] Creating Results: Strategy vs. Knee-Jerk ReactionsWho would not agree that a well thought out and well executed strategic plan is the basis for ensuring the best results? But how many times do we go off course when the results aren't there or when the results aren't there when we expect them? And how many times to we take short cuts in the planning process and are disappointed in the results? All of the planning goes out the window and we seize on any idea that may generate business. We look for that quick fix and more often than not, go deeper into the hole! By Brenda Fields More... [796 views] 'Queen of mean' Leona Helmsley diesLeona Helmsley, the cutthroat hotel magnate whose title as the "queen of mean" was sealed during a tax evasion case in which she was quoted as snarling "only little people pay taxes," died Monday at age 87. More... [987 views] A Hotel in a BoxAmsterdam's Qbic-a prefab hotel that makes its home inside an existing building-offers a deluxe, self-service option for budget-minded business travelers. By Stacy Perman More... [851 views] Ten Top Cities For FoodiesWhen Helen Lee plans her vacations, she is often more focused on what she'll be eating than what she's likely to see. By Shivani Vora, Forbes.com More... [1451 views] French hotel chain Club Med eyes Indian travellersFrench hotel chain Club Med has announced its desire to market itself to Indian outbound travellers. Known for its global premium holidays, Club Med operates its chain of hotels, known as 'villages' in Europe, South America, Africa and Asia. By Andrea Lopez More... [608 views] Swiss-Belhotel announces Dubai PropertySwiss-Belhotel International headquartered in Hong Kong, has announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with an internationally operating investment company for a new hotel in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. This announcement marks the group's fourth property in the Gulf region, following quickly on the heels of hotel announcements in Kuwait, Doha and Sharjah. More... [630 views] Emaar appoints Dardenne to lead development of Armani hotelsEmaar Properties has named Marc-Francois Dardenne as the chief executive officer of its division Emaar Hotels & Resorts to lead the development of several planned Armani hotels. By Shakir Husain More... [1066 views] Hospitality Design Asia Exhibition & Conference HK promises impressive agenda and exciting speakersThis year's Hospitality Design Asia Exhibition & Conference (HD Asia), the region's leading event that focuses solely on the hospitality industry, returns to Hong Kong from 8-9 October, promising this year to be bigger and better than ever, with an impressive line of up speakers who will share their thoughts on cutting-edge style, environmental issues and other relevant topics that continue to drive today's hospitality design world. More... [774 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 21, 2007Crusader or what?Mayor of Toledo, Ohio audits city hotels and issues report card to the public. Is the destination sullied? By John R. Hendrie More... [574 views] Vital or Fatal Attraction?It is vital to attract "nice" and teach skills, it is fatal to attract skills and teach "nice". By Bert van Walbeek More... [976 views] PATA's CEO Challenge a 'Keystone' event, says UNWTOThe Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA)'s CEO Challenge has been identified as a 'keystone' event in the global effort to lead the travel and tourism industry's response to climate change. More... [640 views] Think minibar's expensive? Try parkingBusiness travelers certainly know by now that their hotel rooms are costing more than they did a few years ago. Less noticed, though, is what's happened to hotel parking rates. By Gary Stoller More... [1122 views] Gulf and European visitors raise hotel occupancy in DubaiDubai: Hotels in Dubai reported strong occupancy rates as the number of Gulf visitors coming for summer breaks grew and Europeans flocked to beach properties that offered them attractive deals. By Shakir Husain More... [644 views] The logic behind tented camps and can Asia compete?The Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle is an ingenious idea that secures for Thailand top adventure dollars, says Raini Hamdi, Editor, TTG Asia More... [724 views] Record $48 billion of hotel sales predicted by year-end 2007Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels estimates that $48 billion worth of U.S. hotel sales could be completed by the end of 2007. This represents the fourth consecutive year of record volume, and a 37% lift on last year's record-breaking figure of $35 billion, proving that investors' appetite for the hotel sector remains at an unprecedented high level. More... [582 views] WORLDHOTELS discuss expectations for the futureWORLDHOTELS second Leadership Forum to be held at the Grand Hotel De La Minerve and the Hotel St. George in Rome: 3rd - 5th September 2007. More... [653 views] Where’s Hot and Where’s Not?ILTM reveals Italy to be a winner for luxury travellers. More... [1042 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 20, 2007Successful front office upsell incentive programsUpsell programs provide added value to all stakeholders: consumers, employees, and employers. The article attempts to design an optimal Upsell program by examining the underlying principles of "Upselling,” and analyzing its benefits and pitfalls. More... [2290 views] Blood and Gore and a message of hopeYeoh Siew Hoon listens and learns as former US Vice President Al Gore says that global warming is everyone's problem: yours, mine, the CEO's and those pesky senators. More... [625 views] PhoCusWright releases ‘European Online Travel Overview' Third EditionEuropean Online Leisure Travel Nears 25% of Total Travel Market More... [535 views] Sonoran students spend 4 weeks intensive training in Flagstaff at School of Hotel & Restaurant ManagementThis northern summer, 25 students from Hermosillo, Mexico's Centro de Estudios Superiores del Estado de Sonora (CESUES), took an educational sojourn, high in the mountains of Arizona, to study at Northern Arizona University's School of Hotel and Restaurant Management. Their goal: learn new proficiencies and earn an international certificate of completion from HRM. The students split their time between intensive customer service and extensive culinary training. More... [537 views] Confidence high with four buyers for every hotel assetAll indicators point to an increasing level of investor confidence in the hotel sector. Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels' recently released Hotel Investor Sentiment Survey ("HISS") highlights investors' ongoing enthusiasm for the hotel sector in both Australia and throughout Asia Pacific. More... [633 views] Four Points by Sheraton adds Asian hotelsFour Points by Sheraton is picking up even more momentum in Asia Pacific, announcing three new hotels in the region. More... [852 views] Group RCI Hosts first leisure Real Estate Symposium in IndiaGroup RCI, the global leader in non-hotel leisure accommodations, today announced they would be hosting their first Leisure Real Estate Symposium in India. As reported by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), India is expected to be the third fastest growing country in the world in travel and tourism demand over the next ten years. That growth potential, coupled with the 19.8% increase in the number of Indians living in India with financial assets of more than US$1 million, vs. 6.5% growth worldwide*, are important factors that lead to the selection of India as the venue for the Group RCI 2007 Leisure Real Estate Symposium: India, Riding the Wave of Growth. More... [577 views] Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul chosen "Europe's Best Hotel"Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul has a reputation for winning top prizes, a well-deserved reputation for what is not really a very large place, it has only 65 rooms. Its most recent award is its being chosen Europe's Best Hotel by the 4.8 million people who read Travel & Leisure magazine. More... [960 views] IHG announces positive first half results
More... [752 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 17, 2007POW + WHAM = WOW - Your Brand at Work!You do not have to be a Super Action Hero from the Classic Comics to appreciate the impact of these words: POW, WHAM and WOW. They are usually displayed as some nefarious dark character is dismissed, paving the way for goodness and light. This is a bit like we would wish to accomplish with our Brand, reflecting energy and passion, as we deliver on the promise. By John R. Hendrie More... [1012 views] Transatlantic TransfersHVS Executive Search interviews Americans who have successfully transitioned into the European hospitality real estate industry in an effort to assess the feasibility of transatlantic transfers for European hires. By Christian Anklin, HVS More... [588 views] InterContinental Hotels Group, Cornell Hotel School take innovative approach to Revenue Management TrainingInterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has collaborated with Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration to raise the bar on revenue management training in the hospitality industry. Those organizations recently pilot-tested the Revenue Academy Masters Course, a week-long, executive-level course taught by industry experts Stowe Shoemaker, Ph.D., Chekitan S. Dev, Ph.D., and Bill Carroll, Ph.D More... [1327 views] The Westin Dragonara Resort awarded best in Chat Application by Liveperson.comLiveperson.com, the leading provider of hosted solutions for managing online customer interactions, has awarded The Best in Chat Award for the Most Creative Chat Application to The Westin Dragonara Resort. More... [583 views] Travelocity now helps travelers find hotel reviews from like-minded peopleSince becoming the first major online travel site to offer user-generated traveler reviews more than six years ago, Travelocity has seen them grow in popularity to the point where they are now a must-have resource for online hotel shoppers. And despite new features that have made it easier for travelers to submit reviews, until now there has been no easy way to know whether a particular review is relevant to a traveler's own unique tastes and interests. Reinforcing its stance as the customers' champion before, during and after a trip, Travelocity announced a new hotel review tool that solves this problem, helping consumers find information from like-minded travelers. More... [635 views] The Sunday Times Travel Magazine poll reveals noisy neighbours are the hotel extra you could most do withoutIn a survey released today by The Sunday Times Travel Magazine noisy neighbours are most to blame for good getaways going bad. More... [765 views] No frills Tune Hotels to open throughout Southeast AsiaCity e-Solutions Limited is co-investing $50 million with TuneHotels.Com and Istithmar PJSC to develop a portfolio of 30 no-frills limited service hotels in key business and tourism destinations in southeast Asia. More... [657 views] Tourist TrapsIf airport delays, high gas prices and congested roadways weren't enough, here's something else to spoil your August vacation: State and local governments across the U.S. are getting ever more aggressive about taxing tourists. Janet Novack, Forbes.com More... [494 views] TMS Asia-Pacific expands UK reachFurther strengthening its UK profile TMS Asia-Pacific (TMS) has joined resources with respected London-based hospitality industry recruitment specialist Collins King & Associates. More... [499 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 16, 2007Hotel-distributed toothpaste recalledGilchrist & Soames toothpaste made in China and shipped to hotels around the world may have a traces of the chemical diethylene glycol. More... [1312 views] Luxury hotel market benefiting greatly from travel agent-generated bookingsThe hotel industry witnessed steady growth based on electronic distribution performance for the first quarter of 2007. More... [1182 views] The Peabody Memphis celebrates its 138th anniversary September 1This story deserves a "Once upon a time" opening. Edward D. Pembroke was the creator of the now world-famous March of The Peabody Ducks and was the first-ever Peabody Duck Master. He choreographed and trained North American Mallard ducks to march on a red carpet and into the magnificent travertine marble fountain in the lobby of The Peabody Memphis, "The South's Grand Hotel," to the music of John Philip Sousa's King Cotton March. The title bestowed on Pembroke was "Peabody Duck Master," and with the Peabody Ducks he marched into the hearts and history of Memphis and into the annals of the American hotel industry. What is the story of the Peabody Ducks? Why is there a Duck Master? Is there really a Royal Peabody Duck Palace? More... [736 views] Fawlty-style hotels make UK holiday hellSummer breaks at British seaside resorts or holiday camps are the least child-friendly in the world, according to a survey which reveals the problems for families holidaying at home. By Alistair Jamieson More... [690 views] Hawaii hotel revenues drop 2 percentRoom revenue for Hawaii's hotel industry fell by 2 percent to $1.5 billion during the first six months of the year because of softening demand, according to the latest report by Hospitality Advisors LLC. More... [425 views] Ten new luxury hotels planned for the AlgarvePlans for 10 new luxury hotels in the Algarve, Portugal have been unveiled by the county's Prime Minister, José Sócrates, and the Minister for the Economy, Manuel Pinho. More... [889 views] Britain's "Hotel Babylon" offers pleasing viewsIt has been nearly 20 years since Aaron Spelling's "Hotel" closed its doors on ABC. For those who waited for a grand reopening, you're in luck. Check out and check into "Hotel Babylon" on BBC America By Barry Garron More... [780 views] Mandarin Oriental continues with aggressive expansion plansMandarin Oriental Hotel Group, the global hotel operator expanding aggressively on the mainland, said first-half underlying earnings surged 150 per cent as one of its Hong Kong hotels resumed operation after refurbishment. More... [1627 views] We don’t talk any moreHotel guests overwhelmed with information, starved of knowledge.Over reliance on the internet and e-mail may be stopping many hotels from talking to their customers or to each other, according to Classic British Hotels, the consortium of independent hotels. More... [918 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 15, 2007Taking greatness for grantedEver heard the expression, 'a legend in his or her own mind?' I first heard it when working with a man who was a legendary artist and designer. After dealing with his ego and self-adulation, one of my co-workers noted he had truly become 'a legend in his own mind' and we all were less motivated and interested to work with him. By Roberta Nerdy Reprinted with permission of www.hotelexecutive.com and Roberta Nedry, President, Hospitality Excellence, Inc.. More... [1214 views] Another lesson learned: Never assume that you already know what your customers wantMark Hamister often talks about the importance of not straying too far from your present skill sets when entering a new business sector. Tackling the unknown is an energizing challenge, but it is crucial to choose an industry that you can understand well from your previous experience. There is one thing, however, that Hamister cautions entrepreneurs not to do after carefully selecting a new line of business: never assume that you know anything about your new customers until you ask them. By Nektaria Hamister More... [1147 views] Blackstone to expand Hilton outside U.S., gets fund pledgeBlackstone Group LP, whose pending $26.5 billion purchase of Hilton Hotels Corp. will set an industry record, plans to expand the hotel brand in Asia and other markets that are expanding faster than the U.S. More... [2306 views] Rooms at the Top Modern-day hotel moguls trade landmark properties like baseball cards. But which out-of-reach properties do they fantasize about? By Sophia Banay. More... [770 views] Warimpex and Vienna International finalise entry onto the Romanian marketWarimpex Finanz- und Beteiligungs AG has completed its entry onto the Romanian market, closing the acquisition of the Sky Gate hotel in Bucharest effective 8 August 2007. Warimpex now owns 99.98 per cent of Sky Gate’s holding and operating company and will begin with the redevelopment of the property. Vienna International Hotelmanagement AG will take over the hotel’s management and operations. More... [462 views] Rest assured, Ugandan hotels will be ready in time for ChogmWhen Uganda was chosen in 2005 as the host for Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Chogm) in 2007, it seemed so far away. Now the countdown for Chogm is only ten weeks without counting November when the main activities take place. By Moses Byaruhanga More... [469 views] RBS hits new setback in £1.1bn hotels sell-off planThe growing debt market crisis has forced Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) to pull the sale of a £1.1 billion package of hotel assets for the second time in two months, The Times has learnt. By Dominic Walsh More... [755 views] Awards offer profit opportunities for environmentally active hotelsWith environmental issues now a hot topic amongst customers, in the press and a high priority on the government agenda, there has never been a better time for hotels to grab the opportunity to gain recognition, coverage and bookings whilst simultaneously reducing their overheads and genuinely contributing to the future of our environment. More... [566 views] Starwood Hotels & Resorts unveils new Starwood Preferred Guest WebsiteNew Tools and Features like "MY SPG" and "HOTEL EXPLORER" Give Members Personalized Access and Customized On-Line Experience More... [892 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 14, 2007Seven habits of highly effective sales peopleFor hotel staff working on Christmas morning, either behind the front desk or in the housekeeping department, a rooms sales position may look like a pretty cushy job! Sales people usually don't have to work holidays or weekends and seem to have the freedom to come and go as they please. But, in reality, a sales position bears it own challenge and responsibilities to the property. Sales has the primary responsibility to generate room revenues for the property i.e. building occupancy in low demand periods and increasing average rates in peak times. By Brenda Fields, Fields and Company More... [3077 views] Double-digit growth continues for the Middle East hotel industryHalf year results from the HotelBenchmarkTM Survey by Deloitte show the Middle East hotel market continuing to enjoy double-digit growth for the fourth consecutive year - with revPAR increasing 13.7%. More... [681 views] Travelers clear the air on smoking regulationsTripAdvisor survey respondents alarmed by cloudy rules at hotels and restaurants. More... [669 views] The seven lessons of inspirationYeoh Siew Hoon experiences lessons from an instant combustion of inspiration, energy and thought. In other words, a brilliant alchemy. More... [1214 views] All seasons adds three hotels in ThailandThailand's largest international hotel group, Accor, announced that it has accelerated the development of its newest global brand, All Seasons hotels, with key additions in prime business and tourist destinations around the Kingdom. More... [687 views] Australian room rates to soarHotel room rates could increase by up to 45 per cent in major Australian markets during the next three years as the industry enters a golden period of prosperity characterised by high demand and low supply. By Martin Kelly More... [762 views] Hotel rents highest in Mumbai, DelhiWith an influx of foreign tourists and a spurt of middle-class domestic travellers, tourism is a growth story that people can't stop talking about. But the underbelly of this boom is the immense pressure on hotel rooms that has pushed prices northwards. A recent study estimated that the three major Indian cities - Bangalore, Mumbai and Delhi - had the highest room rents in the world, comparable to London, Moscow and Rome. By Himanshi Dhawan More... [785 views] Meta Search Engines: Easier way of finding the cheapest offerThe guest of the future comes from the Internet. The trend of the conventional booking methods is fading away. However, despite all the advantages which booking on internet gives us, customers may still have difficulties to keep an overview due to the large number of available internet travel portals. A customer's wish is to find the best offer quickly. Here the Meta Search Engines help to fulfil this wish. More... [836 views] Ex-Jurys chief checks in to top hotel jobFormer Jurys Doyle chief executive Pat McCann is returning to the hotel industry to run the Quality and Comfort Inn chains, which were bought yesterday by TVC Holdings for €46.5 million. By Ian Guider More... [602 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 13, 2007Europe Chain Hotels Market Review - June 2007Paris sees profits leap but Moscow stays in first place More... [1047 views] Branson Backs PATA's 'CEO Challenge 2008'Sir Richard Branson is the latest influential personality to endorse the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA)'s "CEO Challenge 2008: Confronting Climate Change". More... [497 views] Intercontinental plans £250m hotel brand moveIntercontinental Hotels is planning a £250m investment programme to bring two successful US names to the UK to add to its Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn brands. By Nick Fletcher More... [1461 views] Cambodia gives permission for companies to build tourist resorts on islandsCambodia's government has given its permission for six local and foreign companies to develop tourist resorts worth up to US$627 million (€460 million) on islands off the country's coast, officials said Monday. More... [795 views] Asian tourists love to click and goExpect huge growth in the region's tourism through the end of the decade, thanks to rising incomes and the popularity of travel booking sites. By Xiang Ji More... [687 views] Online hotel bookings climbThe hotel industry maintains steady growth as consumers continue an upward trend of shopping for hotels online and booking electronically, according to TravelCLICK’s 2007 first quarter eTRAK results, released today. More... [800 views] Tourists prefer grey hotels as compare to brandedFrom Dharamsala to Delhi and Mumbai to Murmagao, more and more foreigners are pigeon-holing in on ‘rest' rooms that never make it to the ‘Leading Hotels' list. More... [804 views] The Plaza Hotel's Grand Ballroom to reopen fall 2007The Plaza's legendary Grand Ballroom is set to reopen this fall after work restoring it to its early 20th Century opulence is completed. Great Performances, New York's prestigious event and catering company, and Delaware North Companies, one of the world's leading hospitality and food service providers, plan to reopen the landmark Grand Ballroom in October 2007, The Plaza's 100th anniversary. More... [579 views] Vineyard tourism starts in ChinaIn Europe Chinese wine has not always had a great reputation. The type exported was not of the best. It was often said that the major mistake was that the winemakers ate the grapes first. More... [1197 views] Kuwait-listed IFA hotels posts 236% jump in profits on-yearTalal Jassim Al-Bahar, chairman and managing director of IFA Hotels & Resorts (IFA HR) Saturday announced that the company achieved year end profits of KD22.82 million (US$81.35 million). More... [498 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 10, 2007Cornell Study: Pacing Is Critical in Restaurant MealsA study that explains how to increase a restaurant’s table turns by adjusting the pace of a meal is the featured article in the August 2007 issue of the Cornell Hotel and Restaurant Administration Quarterly (CQ). In this study, researchers Breffni Noone, Sheryl Kimes, Anna S. Mattila, and Jochen Wirtz determined that guests can be rushed through certain parts of the meal, while other sections of the meal must proceed at the guests' pace. More... [1304 views] Latest statistics prove trust is a must for travel salesAs travel industry professionals we are all acutely aware of the techniques used to lure in the unwary travel consumer. But now with the acceptance of consumer generated content (CGC) and social networks such as Facebook and YouTube, obvious marketing copy may become increasingly redundant. More... [716 views] Edinburgh's grand dame to sell for more than £50mThe historic Caledonian Hotel in Edinburgh is to be sold for more than £50 million to a consortium of Israeli investors backed by the HBOS banking group, The Times has learnt. By Dominic Walsh More... [701 views] Theme parks to be big attractionDubai: More than Dh20 billion will be spent on turning Dubai into the site of some of the world's most prestigious theme parks. By Robert Ditcham More... [781 views] Through the roof: A tour of the country's priciest hotel suiteLinda Aslanian is about to lead a visitor through the most expensive hotel room in the nation. But before she does, there's something they must do. By Gene Sloan More... [1055 views] Hotel restaurants get a big makeoverThe era of formal hotel dining rooms will hasten closer to obsolescence over the next few months as Ritz-Carlton, the former master of the genre, opens upscale-casual, celeb-chef-driven restaurants at two more of its high-profile properties. By Jerry Shriver More... [932 views] Guests, running late, wake up hotelsHotels have upgraded their beds, enhanced their technology, added more spa services and become more pet- and child-friendly in recent years. But their wake-up service? By Sharon McDonnell More... [1084 views] Hotels Go Green - Travelers increasingly seek low-impact lodging.The revolution is here, and it's green. But get packing -- this movement is on vacation as travelers increasingly demand green lodging options. More... [1281 views] One step ahead of the competitors - Price creation: an example of a five-star hotelRevenue management is definitely worthwhile. Anyone who makes an effort to compile a strategy for their hotel and takes advantage of independent help from an external company can profit enormously. Above all, there is still huge demand in the area of price creation and management within hotels. By Hans Jürgen Rüffert More... [1484 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 9, 2007Hoteliers across Asia see average room rates soar as world looks eastHalf year results from the HotelBenchmarkTM Survey by Deloitte show that the hotel market in Asia Pacific is seeing much stronger growth this year than last. Room revenue per available room (revPAR) across the region is up 14.1% to US$97 - outperforming the 9.4% growth achieved in 2006. Improvements have been driven by double-digit increases in average room rates, which now stand at US$137. More... [824 views] Besides training: maximizing hotel reservations sales successAlthough having an effective hotel reservations sales training program is one key ingredient of a sales development action plan, other essential components will ensure that your hotel is actualizing the full potential of each and every transient reservations inquiry. By Doug Kennedy More... [1430 views] M&C hotel group chairman denies he rules the roostThe chairman and majority shareholder of Millennium & Copthorne Hotels (M&C) has rejected suggestions that he exerts undue influence on the group after the loss of its fifth chief executive since flotation in 1996. By Dominic Walsh More... [1276 views] UK Chain Hotels Market Review - June 2007London hotels reported a 12.8 per cent increase in room revpar to £103.12 in June, according to the latest HotStats survey from TRI Hospitality Consulting. The rise was backed by an 11.7 per cent growth in average rate to £118.20. Occupancy was also up slightly, rising 0.9 points to 87.2 per cent. More... [498 views] Green LeadersEcoRooms & EcoSuites new Board of Advisors hopes to raise the environmental standards of the hospitality industry, educate consumers and differentiate green from ‘greenwashing.’In the past few years, most hotels have adopted some kind of “green” policy, asking guests to conserve energy, water and re-use bed linens and towels. For both the environment and the hotel’s bottom line, it’s a positive step. However, the greening of the hospitality industry shouldn’t stop there. More... [1012 views] HSMAI Asia Pacific will host its 3rd annual 'ASIA CONNECT' conference in SingaporeThe Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association (HSMAI) Asia Pacific will host its 3 rd annual ASIA CONNECT conference in Singapore on Friday, 5 th of October 2007 at the M Hotel. The HSMAI Global Board of Directors will attend the conference, many of whom will be visiting Singapore for the first time and who will conduct their annual general meeting here the next day. More... [446 views] Operating Asian hotels without owning themTraditionally, owner-operators have dominated the hotel industry in Asia, but this is changing. With private equity and institutional investors pouring billions of dollars into the region, an increasing number of hotels are changing hands, with the previous owner staying on to run the operation in what is now someone else's building. By Sonia Kolesnikov-Jessop More... [744 views] Moscow makes most profit from hotel rooms, says pollMoscow has notched up another victory in its dash toward capitalist nirvana, according to a new survey that shows profits made by hotels there are greater than in any other city in Europe. More... [579 views] Halifax Hotels face staffing crisisHotels in Halifax are having a hard time finding employees to fill key front-line positions, and it's expected only to get worse. "This isn't a maybe, it's an absolutely," said Mary Dempster, president of the Hotel Association of Nova Scotia. "We're hearing all about the staffing crisis in the West, but people don't realize that here in the East, we're having what I call the staffing crunch." By Virginia Insua More... [650 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 8, 2007Global Staff Movements - Who is In and Who is OutThis month's update on international executive staff movements. Check it out.... More... [3457 views] Westin's new $30M ad campaign uses non-traditional methodsWestin Hotels & Resorts, represented in Malta by The Westin Dragonara Resort is transforming some of the country's most hectic transportation hubs into "places of renewal." Westin's $30 million campaign uses experiential mediums including 3-D and Bluetooth billboards, image-shifting lenticulars and sub-media (ads that appear to move on the train tunnel walls, much like a giant flip book), that bring to life the brand's ongoing concept of personal renewal. Rolling out in major cities including Chicago, Boston, Atlanta, San Francisco and New York. More... [1248 views] Wired In Travel teams up with PhoCusWright Inc.Wired In Travel (WIT), Asia's leading travel distribution and marketing conference, has signed a strategic partnership with leading global tourism and hospitality research firm, PhoCusWright Inc. More... [473 views] Maximizing on an organizational compensation philosophy within the chain restaurant/retail industryBased on conversations with restaurant/retail business leaders and public documentation, too many companies are developing “boiler plate” compensation plans. By David Mansbach and Brad Ellman, HVS More... [730 views] Kerzner enters agreement with Revolution to launch and manage a new One&Only Resort in Costa RicaKerzner International Holdings Limited (the "Company"), through its subsidiaries, a leading international developer and operator of destination resorts, casinos and luxury resorts, has entered into an agreement with Revolution Places Development ("Revolution Places"), to operate a new One&Only resort in Cacique, Costa Rica, within the Guanacaste province. With 120 spacious, villa-style rooms, the luxury resort, along with the first phase of development of Cacique, Costa Rica, is anticipated to be completed in 2010. More... [608 views] Professor Forte FIH to speak at 2007 BAHA annual conference and exhibitionOne of the hospitality industry's best known and most experienced independent environmental and food safety consultants - Professor John Forte FIH (see biography in ‘Notes to Editors') - is to speak on Day 2 of the 2007 British Association of Hospitality Accountants (BAHA) Annual Conference and Exhibition, which will take place on 8 and 9 November at the 5-star Radisson Edwardian Heathrow Hotel, 140 Bath Road, Hayes, Middlesex, UB3 5AW. More... [392 views] Don't inflict effete Melbourne ways on SydneyMelbourne - a land of skivvy-wearing, chardonnay-drinking book readers - is fundamentally different from Sydney in its drinking culture. By Sunanda Creagh More... [723 views] German Hotel Chain eyes Kenyan marketAn international hotel chain from Germany wants to set up resorts in Kenya as the sector reaps great returns from the growing tourism market. By Wangui Maina More... [766 views] Winner of sommelier scholarship to London announcedThe winner of the inaugural Green and Blue Sommelier Scholarship to London was announced at an awards ceremony held at Spier. [August 6, 2007] More... [605 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 7, 2007Major hotel chains report 6.9 percent increase in electronic bookings for Q1 2007The hotel industry maintains steady growth as consumers continue an upward trend of shopping for hotels online and booking electronically, according to TravelCLICK's 2007 first quarter eTRAK results, released today. The data shows the total Central Reservation System (CRS) reservations for major hotel brands increased 6.9 percent in Q1 2007, reaching more than 21 million bookings. More... [783 views] The Ten Hot Management Agreement Issues in AsiaThe Baker & McKenzie ten hot management agreement issues. By Graeme Dickson More... [1967 views] Tourism can contribute to UN's solutions to Climate ChangeThe United Nations General Assembly meeting this week and the high-level meeting coming up when the new Assembly session starts in September are critically important in the development of a global position on climate change. According to UNWTO, the Tourism sector is an important part of the increasing awareness of climate change and the need to adapt to its consequences and mitigate the industry's impact. More... [542 views] In search of the right reservation systemThe future of the travel industry is online: Statistics say that every fourth hotel reservation in Germany comes from the internet or electronic reservation systems - and this tendency is growing. Therefore, smaller hotels must be careful not to lose ground to hotels that are members of larger chains as they often have the advantage of name recognition thanks to their exhaustive marketing activities. This is one of the main reasons why it is important to be present in a so called CRS (Central Reservation System). By Hans Jürgen Rüffert More... [864 views] Shaza Hotels recognized for ‘Eco-Friendly' designShaza Hotels, the regional lifestyle hotel brand, has announced that all of its upcoming hotel developments will be certified to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards - the internationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of eco-friendly buildings. More... [651 views] Smoking ban is breath of fresh air for Classic British HotelsThe month-old smoking ban is having a positive effect on business at many hotels, according to Classic British Hotels, the consortium of independent hotels. More... [651 views] Scrapping to save the Hotel ChelseaWhen filmmaker Sam Bassett moved into the Hotel Chelsea last month, he became not only the newest resident in a building almost 100 years older than himself, but also a part of the legendary artistic community distressed by a management takeover they fear could steal the Chelsea's soul. By Justin Rocket Silverman More... [663 views] Hilton signs deal to develop Hampton hotels in MexicoHilton Hotels Corporation (NYSE: HLT) today announced development plans with Tenedora Augusta, S.A.P.I. de C.V., a well established hotel development company based in Mexico. Tenedora Augusta will work actively to develop Hampton Inn and Hampton Inn & Suites focused-service hotels within certain defined markets throughout Mexico and will operate the hotels under Hampton Inn franchise agreements. More... [642 views] Asian tourist numbers surgeThe number of international tourists visiting Australia jumped four per cent in the first six months of this year to 2.7 million. More... [718 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 6, 2007Top 10 challenging questions to ask your internet marketing vendorImportant considerations before hiring an Internet marketing company in hospitality. By Jason Price and Max Starkov More... [1605 views] TravelCLICK selected by Voyages Hotels & ResortsTravelCLICK, Inc., the leading provider of emarketing solutions for the hotel industry, announced today that Voyages Hotels & Resorts, one of Australia's leading hotel companies, has selected TravelCLICK for its central reservations and Internet distribution solutions for select properties throughout Australia. The Sydney-based company is using the iHotelier central reservations system (CRS) for website reservations, and ChannelDirect to update rates and inventory across multiple third-party Internet sites, including Wotif.com, Need It Now, Rates To Go and quickbeds.com. With more than 400 hotel customers in the region, TravelCLICK is the largest provider of electronic distribution for hotels in Australia. More... [531 views] Tree Mekong countries join to publish ‘Responsible' Tourism GuideThe fast growing tourism destinations of Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Vietnam will publish a 140-page guide book about responsible tourism attractions and activities in their countries. More... [485 views] Five questions to ask for a virtual businessYeoh Siew Hoon comes up with a list of questions you must ask if you are thinking of setting up business in the virtual world. More... [658 views] Australia/New Zealand Online Leisure Travel to surpass US$6.1B by 2009, up nearly 50% from 2006The Australia/New Zealand (ANZ) online leisure travel market will grow nearly 50% from 2006 to 2009 to reach $6.1B, according to new research by PhoCusWright Inc. The total travel market reached $22B in 2006, nearly one fifth of which was leisure/unmanaged business travel booked through consumer Web sites. More... [531 views] A time of growth and renovationInvestors awash in liquidity are continuing to pour money into the robust San Francisco hotel market. As construction of an InterContinental Hotel tops out on a once-dodgy stretch of Fifth Street, the venerable Sir Francis Drake Hotel is pushing ahead with a $20 million makeover. Meanwhile, other hotels are gearing up for refurbishing. By David Armstrong More... [480 views] The Top 3 Hotel Projects In GermanyOne of the largest hotels in Germany will be opened in 2011 near Luebeck at the Baltic Sea coast. The hotel will have 800 rooms and is part of the brand new leisure project "Priwall Waterfront". Developer is the German-Danish joint-venture Planet Haus GmbH, a specialist for holiday cottages. More... [916 views] Record $110 billion of hotel transactions predicted by year-end 2007Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels estimates that $110 billion worth of global hotel transactions could be completed by the end of 2007. This represents a 52% rise on last year's record-breaking figure of $72.5bn, proving that investors' appetite for the hotel sector remains at an unprecedented high level. More... [561 views] PATA's CEO ‘Challenge 2008' confronts climate changeThe Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is challenging influential and passionate travel industry leaders to agree and sign on to a truly cross-sectoral industry response to climate change, one of the greatest global threats to travel and tourism. More... [462 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 3, 2007Tourism sector strengthens defences against Avian FluThe second UNWTO regional Avian and Human Influenza Simulation (AHI) was actively supported by the government of Indonesia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). It attracted 70 participants from more than 15 countries and several UN Agencies. The group modelled the impact of an evolving pandemic in the Asia Pacific region, replicating the roles of government departments, the tourism industry, international bodies and other stakeholders, including tourists themselves. It followed a similar exercise held in Paris in March, which focused on Europe, the Middle East and Africa. More... [484 views] Even coyotes can get ugly in Second LifeEnough of the fun and games, even reality check happens in Second Life. And as Yeoh Siew Hoon writes, the virtual world is out there persuading companies to use their universe as a marketing medium. You want to give it a go? More... [626 views] What's Hot? Free WiFi and Marriott's Got ItToday's fast-paced world demands mobile communications, but never at the expense of value. Five Marriott International (NYSE:MAR) brands including Courtyard, Residence Inn, Fairfield Inn, TownePlace Suites and SpringHill Suites, now offer guests free WiFi hotels in the U.S. and Canada. That's more than 1,500 hotspots, and that's pretty cool. More... [714 views] Developers selling hotels upon completionIn New York's booming hotel market, it pays to build and then get out of the way. More... [783 views] JV adds 1,000 rooms to portfolio with six-hotel acquisitionGoldenTree InSite Partners has teamed up with Aimbridge Hospitality and JF Capital Advisors on the acquisition of six Doubletree and Wyndham Garden Hotels properties located predominantly in key suburban markets in the Midwest. The purchase was made as part of the strategic alliance the three entities formed in January of this year for the purpose of acquiring $500 million in hotel assets over a two-year period. By Barbra Murray, CPN More... [651 views] The winds of environmental change continue to blow at Fairmont Hotels & ResortsA firm advocate of sustainable energy, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is pleased to announce its continued involvement with the Pembina Institute, a leading non-profit environmental organization that actively promotes sustainable energy solutions. As part of this ongoing commitment, Fairmont is pleased to be expanding the program in 2007 to include all of its corporate office computers across North America. More... [596 views] Uganda hoteliers plead for tax breaksThe Uganda Hotel Owners’ Association (UHOA) has asked the government to reinstate the tax breaks that it scrapped recently. By Michael Wakabi More... [446 views] Speakers confirmed on the design hotelsTM future forumdesign hotelsTM confirms guest speakers from the world of the arts, visual culture, design, lifestyle experience, hospitality and futurists, for its forthcoming architecture and design symposium that will take place in Barcelona, September 27, 2007. More... [489 views] New Salt Hotel built in BoliviaVisitors may want to take luxury with a grain of salt at this remote accommodation. By Christine Dell'Amore More... [732 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 2, 2007Interest rate rises fail to dent fortunes of UK hotelsDespite concerns about the impact of interest rate rises on consumer spending, the UK hotel market has maintained high levels of growth in the six months to the end of June 2007. The latest results from the HotelBenchmark Survey by Deloitte show that across the UK revPAR (revenue per available room) has increased 8.3%, with a number of cities posting double-digit increases. More... [629 views] How Quantum Physics opens the door to limitless higher levels of guest experienceQuantum physics has opened a door to the possibility of a completely new kind of hotel guest experience that has no limit to its nature. For those willing to move on from the cloneable level of SOP-Customer Satisfaction, by applying basic tenets of quantum physics you can revolutionize the nature of the hotel guest experience and raise it to far higher levels. This article should be of special interest to hotels that call themselves 6-star and 7-star. By Peter McAlpine More... [1780 views] Pros seek simpler hotel e-folioTravel management professionals generally agree on the merits of enriched e-folio data streams from hotels to credit card companies to expense reporting systems, but expanded deployment begs for standardization. While customized solutions may work for the very largest accounts, other buyers are pressing payment and lodging companies for common systems. Some hotel officials, meanwhile, blame a lack of demand. by David Jonas More... [614 views] Heavy competition leads to $1B reinvestment for Ritz-CarltonWith renewed drive, the hospitality industry has been focusing on full-service improvements, and The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co. is following suit. Facing stiff competition in the luxury market, the company announced it has plans to reinvest $1 billion in upgrades to its 66 properties around the world. The company’s three-year capital improvement plan will affect hotels across the luxury hotel market, including a $110 million renovation in Maui, Hawaii. By: Colleen Corley, CPN More... [983 views] Baker & McKenzie advise Abacus on the $A85 Million purchase of Swissotel SydneyBaker & McKenzie has advised Abacus Property Group on its A$85 million acquisition and management agreement of the Swissôtel Sydney. The purchase from Singaporean company MCH (Services) PTE Limited, brings the total assets of Abacus' Hospitality Fund to A$265 million, with over 1360 rooms under management. More... [652 views] Vietnam's high-end hotel price jump shuns touristsAs a shortage of luxury hotels in Vietnam pushes up the cost of high-end accommodation, Vietnam has lost price advantages over its neighbors where better hotels cost less money. By Trung Bao More... [783 views] Major 2010 hotel plans for DurbanBillions in new hotel investments and plans for an American-style street car (tram) transport system could be on the cards for Durban. By Heinz de Boer More... [662 views] WOM Restaurant Guide Launches New Website to Hong Kong DiningHong Kong’s WOM (‘wordomouth’) Guide to local restaurants has unveiled a new-look www.womguide.com website. More... [1907 views] Hilton reports strong second quarter 2007 resultsHilton Hotels Corporation (NYSE:HLT) reported financial results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2007. Second quarter highlights compared to the second quarter of 2006 are as follows:
More... [680 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 1, 2007Momentum continues for Europe's hoteliersHalf year results show large number of cities posting double-digit growth More... [940 views] Hotels cash in on conference demandHoteliers are increasing room rates by hundreds of pounds during an international oil and gas conference later this year, it emerged yesterday. By Louise Hosie More... [653 views] TMS Asia-Pacific slots key piece of global jigsaw in place with Dubai MOUTMS Asia-Pacific (TMS) has further expanded its international reach and gained a significant entry into the lucrative Middle East market following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Dubai-based The Hospitality Company this week. More... [522 views] Will Your Next CEO be a Revenue Manager?The days of Revenue Management being labeled as a voodoo science are (hopefully!) behind us. But there is a still a long way to go before RM is truly given the respect is deserves. Every decision a revenue manager makes ultimately affects the company’s profitability. However, in order to realize the full potential of RM and strategic pricing, revenue managers need to be viewed as executive-level positions, with influence over other departments. A successful revenue manager should be able to convince senior management to see RM as part on the bigger picture and develop an integrated culture of revenue management within the organization. More... [2093 views] Seventh Hyatt for China on the BundHyatt will officially open its seventh hotel, Hyatt on the Bund in Shanghai in early October and expects to receive a strong number of Middle East guests. More... [758 views] IHG announced opening of $35 million Holiday Inn Express Hotel & suitesIHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)], the world's largest hotel group by number of rooms announced today that the 77-room Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Grand Blanc, Michigan is to have its Grand Opening Ceremony on August 17, 2007 at 12:00pm. More... [523 views] Shangri-La receives Tourism Minister’s special award at the Malaysia Tourism AwardsShangri-La Hotels and Resorts, Asia Pacific's leading luxury hotel group, received the "Tourism Minister's Special Award" at the recent Malaysia Tourism Awards 2005/2006 in Kuala Lumpur. The award was given in recognition of the group's outstanding contribution to the country's tourism industry. More... [768 views] St. Regis Hotel, Singapore unveils management teamSt. Regis Hotel, Singapore, which will open in December, announced its management team headed by veteran Norwegian hotelier Yngvar Stray.This will be the first international luxury hotel to open in the city in more than a decade. Superbly located in the heart of the city state on Tanglin Road, the St. Regis Hotel, Singapore will offer timeless elegance and peerless service that are synonymous with the brand. More... [1734 views] Paris loses $60m hotel inheritanceParty princess Paris Hilton is $60 million out of pocket after her billionaire grandfather - appalled by her jail term for drink-driving offences - axed her inheritance. More... [2140 views] 
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ehotelier Hospitality News Archives: August 2007Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 31, 2007Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 30, 2007Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 29, 2007Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 28, 2007Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 27, 2007Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 24, 2007Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 23, 2007Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 22, 2007Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 21, 2007Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 20, 2007Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 17, 2007Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 16, 2007Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 15, 2007Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 14, 2007Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 13, 2007Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 10, 2007Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 9, 2007Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 8, 2007Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 7, 2007Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 6, 2007Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 3, 2007Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 2, 2007Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 1, 2007
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