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ehotelier Hospitality News Archives: July 2008Global Hospitality Newsletter: July 31, 2008"Can we keep it up?" An increasingly important issue for the hotel industry!Why we need to maintain the discipline to keep ADRs up! As hotel occupancy rates are tending to soften nationally, the data from Smith Travel Research (STR) tells us that the industry has continued to do well because average daily rates (ADRs) have continued to rise, particularly in the Top 25 markets, and in the market segments that STR calls Luxury, Upper Upscale, Upscale and Midscale without Food & Beverage. By Jim Butler More... [2898 views] Lessons from the Field: Understanding the differences between Marketing and SalesMany people use the terminology "marketing" and "sales" as having the same meaning. Is there a difference between Marketing and Sales? The answer is a resounding "YES!" Both are critical to matching your hotel's features and services to the guest who wants and needs them, but the two words do not have the same meaning. Marketing includes identifying and determining customers' wants and needs, and then providing them at a profit. One of your property's marketing functions may be your sales staff and sales efforts, but there are many other marketing activities as well. By Dr. John Hogan, CHA MHS CHE More... [1986 views] New beats old nearly every day: The countervailing effects of renovations and obsolescence on hotel pricesAs is the case with other commercial real estate types, hotels begin to depreciate from the time they open, in a process largely driven by functional obsolescence. Unlike other asset types, however, hotel values hit an inflection point at which they begin to rise again. Average annual depreciation for the 3,810 chain-affiliated hotels in this sample was within the range found in other commercial types of real estate. Depreciation rates start off relatively brisk in the first few years, because hotel owners typically do not begin renovations until around year ten. By John B. Corgel More... [757 views] Mobile internet may not be the Hotel Sector's Holy Grail"Internet access on mobile phones is the latest buzz in the hotel industry as operators search for the next way to attract and retain customers. Clearly, mobile phone usage and Internet commerce have been the defining behavioural trends for consumers over the last 10 years. So, it's naturally tempting to bring them together as a single proposition. But instead of combining the best of both technologies, it can often show the drawbacks of each in sharper focus. By David Hoggard More... [611 views] TravelCLICK hosts industry trend webinarTravelCLICK, the leader in hotel ecommerce solutions and business intelligence, will host a complimentary webinar titled "First Half of 2008 Global Hotel Performance: Finding the Way Forward." The webinar will reveal the first half of 2008 results based on TravelCLICK's proprietary eMonitor and eTrak market performance reports as well as forecast trends for the second half of 2008. More... [743 views] Brazil - a hot spot for counter-cyclical hotel investment, reports Jones Lang LaSalle HotelsJones Lang LaSalle Hotels published a reports that analyzes the largely underserved hotel market in Brazil. The country's strong domestic demand is boosting hotel fundamentals, and creating an abundance of investment opportunities. More... [675 views] ‘Long hard fight ahead' for hospitality sector - warns hotels chiefA bleak economic outlook for much of the hospitality sector - involving cuts in jobs, standards, services and new projects - is being predicted by a leading hotelier. More... [1209 views] El Gouna gets set to drive Egypt's green tourism initiativeThe owners of El Gouna, one of Egypt's top leisure resort towns, are looking forward to the initial results of a pioneering new scheme, The Green Star Hotel Initiative, to which they committed last year in an effort to drive the country into a new era of green tourism. More... [598 views] ‘Time poor-cash rich' couples market booming according to latest Holidays for Couples surveyWhile the travel industry bemoans the effects ever-spiralling, cost fuel-related surcharges continue to have on its overall business, it doesn't appear to be having too much impact on the lucrative ‘time-poor/cash rich' couples market according to a survey released this week by Holidays For Couples magazine.
More... [793 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: July 30, 2008Angelini still ‘Mr Shangri-La'He may have stepped down as Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts' CEO and managing director, but Mr Giovanni Angelini - ‘Mr Shangri-La' to the industry - remains very much involved with the hotel group in his capacity as an executive director and member of the executive committee of Shangri-La Asia board. By Raini Hamdi More... [2552 views] Healthy marketplace for European hotels with marked online growth for the sectorThe European hotel sector is currently looking very healthy indeed, boosted by increased demand and supply. Occupancy rates have remained fairly stable but ADR and RevPAR have increased indicating better value sales. According to a new report published by EyeforTravel Research, Europeans spent an estimated EUR 81 billion on accommodation in 2007, including travel within and outside of Europe. The majority is spent on hotel accommodation and other accommodation such as camping, hostels, etc make up 18% of the total. Southern Europeans spend the most on accommodation and next up are the Germans and these markets account for half of all hotel nights in Europe. However, it is the UK that spends over the average on accommodation pppn. More... [712 views] Intelligent Spas' Regional Comparison of Spa BenchmarksIntelligent Spas' latest series of benchmark reports is highlighting significant differences in spa markets across the greater Asia Pacific region. This information is crucial for those operating in these markets to conduct reliable business analysis and planning More... [1637 views] America's historic hotelsWhen it comes to luxury hotels, "historic" and "high-end" don't always go hand-in-hand. Sometimes, old is just plain old. But there is a growing legion of upscale travelers who want more than Egyptian cotton sheets, WiFi and flat-screen TVs. Fans of America's historic hotels want to experience the past in all its facets. By Lynn Seldon More... [1364 views] Lodging Econometrics announces total US construction pipeline of 5,883 projects/785,547 rooms at mid-yearLodging Econometrics (LE), the Global Authority for Hotel Real Estate, has released its US Construction Pipeline Report for Q2 2008, announcing 5,883 projects with 785,547 guestrooms in the Total Pipeline. LE President Patrick Ford noted, "Showing only a moderate quarter-over-quarter (QoQ) increase, project and guest room counts in the Total Pipeline are at new peak levels, but appear to be cresting.Lodging. More... [535 views] Insights and advice from Tom Baltimore, President of RLJ DevelopmentHospitality Lawyer: What a difference a year makes! Where we've been and where we're going. Practical advice and observations from Tom Baltimore. By Jim Butler More... [740 views] Global hotel industry grows ADR, RevPARThe global hotel industry achieved positive year-over-year growth in average daily rate and revenue per available room for the first half of 2008, but most regions experienced drops in occupancy, according to data from STR and STR Global. The data was gathered from more than 36,150 hotels comprising 4.93 million guestrooms worldwide. More... [1370 views] New hotel amenity line provides guests with luxury amenities in 100% biodegradable packagingHotel guest amenities have never been greener. Pineapple Hospitality is proud to announce that, coming soon, the premier distributor of green products and marketing programs to the hospitality industry will be offering a full line of eco Biodegradable Bottle Amenities. More... [1586 views] The Dorchester Collection grows portfolio in North America with The New York Palace and Hotel Bel-AirThe London-based Dorchester Collection announced that it will add two American five-star hotels to its portfolio - The New York Palace in New York and the Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles. The Dorchester Collection which owns and manages The Dorchester in London, The Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills, Le Meurice and Hotel Plaza Athénée in Paris, and the Hotel Principe di Savoia in Milan, will take over the management contracts of both hotels with immediate effect. More... [821 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: July 29, 2008Nervous Service"Well, shake it up, baby, now, (shake it up, baby) Twist and shout. (twist and shout) Cmon, cmon, cmon, cmon, baby, now, (come on baby) Come on and work it on out. (work it on out)..." These wonderful lyrics from The Beatles remind me of summer but lately they've been reminding me of something else... Nervous Service! Call it shaky, call it uneasy, call it anxious, high-strung, sensitive or walking on pins and needles. These kinds of service experiences make the guest want to TWIST and SHOUT!!! What happens when employees are so focused on their duties, so concerned about management's expectations, so worried about letting co-workers down? Nervous service can bumble the job! Walking the line between expectations and service delivery can be challenging. How can employees better understand the seamless delivery of service and how they can have fun doing it without the jitters? Can hotels and hospitality organizations "work it on out"? By Roberta Nedry More... [1658 views] Reckless publicity stunt, suicide or murder?A troubled celebrity takes a fatal dive from her penthouse balcony on opening night of a fashionable Hollywood hotel. Murder at Hotel Cinema by Daniel Edward Craig released this month. More... [1268 views] A Hotel Doctor treats airline crewEvery night in every big city, several hundred commercial airline flight crew lay over. Lacking transportation in an unfamiliar city, they have trouble finding medical care, so local station managers find someone to provide it. Airlines in Los Angeles soon learned about me, and I made 618 visits, mostly to flight attendants, and sent my bill to the airline. Flight crew are young and healthy with uncomplicated illnesses, so visits tended to be easy. On the other hand, airlines switched hotels when they obtained a better rate. Since I was reluctant to give up business, I found myself traveling farther than I liked. By Mike Oppenheim More... [921 views] General Managers from across the globe participate in Cornell-Nanyang's General Managers ProgramHotel General Managers from across Asia-Pacific, Middle East, Africa and the Caribbean are participating in Cornell-Nanyang Institute of Hospitality Management 's (CNI's) General Managers Program (GMP) in Singapore. At the opening reception and dinner on Monday, the General Managers spoke out about why they chose to attend the GMP and what they hoped to gain from it. More... [1339 views] WIT teams up with China's biggest travel distribution eventWIT-Web In Travel, in association with PhoCusWright, has sealed a marketing alliance with China's most important travel distribution conference, the 2008 China Travel Distribution & Technology Summit. More... [526 views] Book hotel rooms direct and save?Book direct and save, best available internet rate, best price guarantee, best rate publicly available, best online rate guarantee ... these are words that hoteliers use on their hotel website to persuade customers to book direct. More... [1830 views] Morgans Hotel Group Appoints Three New Members to Board of DirectorsMorgans Hotel Group Co. (NASDAQ: MHGC) ("MHG") announced today the appointment of Deepak Chopra, David Moore and Marc Gordon to its Board of Directors, effective immediately. With the additions of Messrs. Chopra, Moore and Gordon, the MHG Board of Directors has been expanded from seven to ten directors. More... [783 views] Nielsen and PATA join forces to launch the first ever Indian Outbound Travel MonitorTo help travel industry professionals better understand the growing Indian outbound travel market, The Nielsen Company has joined forces with the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) to launch the first ever Nielsen Indian Outbound Travel Monitor 2008. More... [542 views] Preferred Hotel Group™ announces partnership with India's The Leela Palaces, Hotels & ResortsPreferred Hotel Group is pleased to welcome The Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts to its collection of over 650 hotels and resorts worldwide. The Leela currently represents four of India's leading luxury properties in the key locations of Mumbai, Bangalore, Goa and Kovalam, all of which are members of the Preferred Hotels® & Resorts brand. The group has aggressive expansion plans for six more properties in the next four years. More... [649 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: July 28, 2008What lies ahead in the hotel industry?Hospitality Lawyer looks at the good, the bad and the ugly . . . and something we haven't seen in 20 years! By Jim Butler More... [2443 views] UK Chain Hotels Market Review - June 2008The UK's provincial chain hotels reported a fall in profit during June as rising costs took their toll, according to the latest HotStats survey from TRI Hospitality Consulting. Average daily income before fixed charges (IBFC) - also known as gross operating profit - decreased by 6.9 per cent to £39.69 per available room. More... [686 views] European travel consumer base expandsThe European market accounts for a vast majority of international travel, sustained by a healthy and growing economy, an abundance of countries at its doorstep and the associated tendency of Europeans to take many trips abroad. A steady rise in GDP and spending power accompanies this parallel increase in travel and even with looming global depression and rising oil prices, the European economy as a whole continues to perform well. According to EyeforTravel Research, travel revenue in 2007 exceeded the previous year's financial figures by 4%, approaching an estimated Euro 256 billion in sales. More... [674 views] Designed to inspire: VIRTUOSO LIFE announces results from its annual "Travel Dreams" surveyLeading luxury travel network, Virtuoso, continues to stay one step ahead of top-tier travel trends by going directly to the elite readers of its award winning magazine, VIRTUOSO LIFE. Reaching some of the most upscale travelers in the United States, the second annual VIRTUOSO LIFE Travel Dreams Sweepstakes survey reveals the "next big thing" in luxury vacations. More... [1213 views] Dubai hotels slash room rates by 50%Hotels in Dubai have slashed room rates by an average 50 to 60 per cent to attract more guests in the low summer season as occupancy has slumped and new properties have created more competition. By Shakir Husain More... [1423 views] Intelligent Spas Publishes First Spa Benchmarks for VietnamIntelligent Spas has released the results of Vietnam's first spa industry survey which identified this emerging market generated over USD9 million in revenue and delivered services to over 428,000 spa visitors during 2007. More... [1034 views] China Travel Distribution & Tech Summit opens for registrationTraveldaily-China's leading online publisher focusing on distribution, marketing and technology trends in the travel and tourism industries-is proud to host China's leading travel distribution conference, the 2008 China Travel Distribution & Technology Summit. The Summit will be held November 20 - 21, 2008 at the InterContinental Pudong Hotel, Shanghai. The China International Travel Mart (CITM), one of the largest travel trade shows in Southeast Asia, will also convene from November 20 - 23 at the Shanghai New International Expo Center. More... [522 views] Who are the grandest of them all?What do an international airline, tourism and transport development organisation, rainforest hideaway, and tropical island resort have in common? They are all the "best of show" Grand Award winners in the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) 2008 PATA Gold Awards programme. More... [645 views] Innovative online marketing and booking platform for independent hotels for less than $70 per monthGuestCentric Systems (www.guestcentric.com), the premier Software as a Service (SaaS) provider for the independent hotel industry, launched the first easy to use online marketing and distribution platform for independent hotels. Based on GuestCentric's patent-pending InstantHotel technology hotel managers can now have a complete website up and running in less than one hour, complete with new offerings and promotions. More... [1168 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: July 25, 2008UK remains largest online travel market in Europe but its share expected to reduceThe UK remains the single strongest performing market in terms of online travel expenditure achieving nearly double the online sales of its closest contender Germany, according to the new European Online Travel Report 2008 recently published by EyeforTravel. The size of the UK online travel market is reported to have grown 18% on the previous year, trailed by Germany and France and all together these three markets make up about 62% of all online expenditure in Europe. The online travel market has grown in Germany by 24% but still only accounts for 15% of overall travel sales and EyeforTravel suggest the figures here indicate enormous room for expansion. The French online travel market is third largest in Europe and has been growing at a faster pace than Germany and the UK, though values are lower. More... [1279 views] HCE India 2008 salary surveysHVS Executive Search, New Delhi is pleased to announce the release of the HCE India Survey 2008. The survey is the first of its kind for India and includes data from a total of 150 hotels covering 100 positions. By Siddharth Choudhry More... [940 views] European Chain Hotels Market Review - June 2008; Vienna kicks average rate skywardsThe UEFA EURO 2008 football championships caused a massive surge in profit for Vienna's chain hotels, according to the latest European HotStats survey from TRI Hospitality Consulting. More... [583 views] Beijing hotels slash rates as Olympic demand faltersHotels in Beijing are cutting their rates by as much as 30 per cent because expected high demand for the Olympic Games has not materialised, tourism officials said. More... [1026 views] Globe Aware launches newest volunteer program in ChinaIn a recent Travelocity poll 38 percent of respondents stated that they plan to dedicate at least some portion of their vacations in 2008 to volunteering. With increased interest from travelers across the world, Globe Aware, a nonprofit organization that operates 17 volunteer programs in 15 countries around the world, is expanding volunteer opportunities by launching its China program located in the outskirts of Beijing. More... [536 views] Hold sentiment dominant for first time in five years, reports Jones Lang LaSalle HotelsDriven by changes in investors' perceptions of value across the Americas, the "hold" sentiment is the dominant investor strategy for the first time in five years - at 38.1%. Investors intending to hold their assets are followed closely by net buyers - representing 37.1% of respondents. Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels' recently released Hotel Investor Sentiment Survey ("HISS") highlights the shift of investors' investment intentions in this illiquid debt market environment. More... [561 views] Travel Media and Referral sites attract nearly half of the visits to Travel web sitesJust over half of the top 200 travel Web sites in February 2008 were booking Web sites. The remaining were referral and media sites, which attract travel shoppers with expert and traveler-generated reviews, metasearch capabilities, and maps of travel destinations. More... [971 views] ITB ASIA ‘SOLD OUT'Floor space at the inaugural ITB Asia, 22-24 October in Singapore, has been sold out three months ahead the show. Organizer, Messe Berlin (Singapore), says that any new exhibitor applications will have to join a waiting list and cannot be guaranteed floor space. More... [603 views] ADA launches new hotel cosmetics line with organic ingredients - „Naturals" : Inspired by NatureSoothing body care through premium, natural organic ingredients is the promise ADA Cosmetics International makes for the launch of its new cosmetics line „Naturals" : Inspired by Nature. The gentle personal care experience that appeals to all the senses is very gentle on the skin, extremely well tolerated and, not least, environmentally responsible. With the launch of this exclusive line, ADA meets today's growing interest in environmental awareness, sustainability and natural body care in hotel bathrooms. More... [668 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: July 24, 2008Farnborough: Lift off or nose-dive for London hoteliers?London hoteliers reported a revPAR increase of 35% during the seven days of Farnborough Airshow compared to the same days last year. The daily results from STR Global highlight that revPAR was mainly improved by average room rate increases. The occupancy level for the seven days accumulated to 87% compared to 86% during the same days last year. More... [1224 views] Live Webinar: Enhancing your Service TouchpointsBowie, MD - Bryan K. Williams, of B. Williams Enterprise, will facilitate a dynamic webinar on July 29, 2008 entitled: Enhancing your Service Touchpoints. More... [964 views] 'Florist to the stars' Jeff Leatham to showcase his award winning floral designs at The Shilla SeoulWorld renowned ‘florist to the stars' Jeff Leatham is to showcase his fabulous floral designs at South Korea's premier 5-star hotel, The Shilla Seoul. The artistic director of the iconic Four Seasons Hotel George V in Paris, who was voted ‘Best Hotel Florist' in Europe, will visit The Shilla from August 19-21. More... [1045 views] Pope's visit an unexpected blessing for Sydney hotelsDespite widespread concern in the hotel industry that World Youth Day would prove to be a debacle for the Sydney CBD accommodation market, data released by leading hotel consultants Horwath HTL and STR Global demonstrates that the event did deliver improved revenue for the industry. More... [628 views] PKF study finds U.S. Hotels extremely vulnerable to sharp declines in airline capacityAccording to the latest analytical data from PKF Hospitality Research (PKF-HR), U.S. hotels could face a decline in lodging demand greater than that experienced during the turmoil following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Under a worst-case scenario, a 1 percent decline in the number of seats flown within the U.S. will result in a 0.39 percent decline in the demand at the nation's hotels. These findings come from an in-depth econometric analysis performed by lodging experts PKF Hospitality Research. More... [672 views] EcoGreenHotel.com - A new asset for environmentally conscience hoteliersA much-anticipated website launches, EcoGreenHotel.com. The site has been built to assist hotel owners and operators in making their properties more environmentally friendly. The mission of EcoGreenHotel.com is to help reduce the ecological footprint of the hotel industry by Supporting Hospitality Sustainability. More... [915 views] Demographics of Russian online travel consumer are in place for fast adoption of online travel bookingStrong economic environment, aggressive growth in the aviation sector, Internet penetration and the huge potential of online credit card usage are some of the characteristics which make the online travel distribution market in Russia an attractive proposition in the time to come. More... [892 views] Cavallo Point Lodge opens new cooking school & culinary arts program; Directed by Kelsie KerrCavallo Point - the Lodge at the Golden Gate invites epicurean enthusiasts to immerse into the world of food and wine and take a cooking school vacation at the lodge's new culinary arts program. Kelsie Kerr, a leader in the San Francisco Bay Area's vibrant culinary scene, directs the inspiring, hands-on, three- and five-day courses of intimate classes where guests learn from the country's top chefs, including Dan Barber, Traci des Jardins and Cavallo Point Lodge's own Joseph Humphrey, supported by a leading-lights cast of local culinary artisans and producers. More... [640 views] Phoenix backs Expotel/NIS Europe buyout to create clear market leaderPhoenix Equity Partners, the leading UK mid-market private equity investor, is pleased to announce that it has funded the management buyout of Expotel and the simultaneous acquisition of NIS Europe for an aggregate consideration of £38million. Phoenix is backing the CEO of Expotel, Ian Burnley, to lead the buyout, and has recruited Richard Lovell, formerly President EMEA and Latin America, Carlson Wagonlit Travel, as Chairman. More... [641 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: July 23, 2008Design Hotels™ future forum brings human design to BerlinThe fifth annual Future Forum of Design Hotels™ will once again connect leading talent in the design, art and architecture communities with great minds from the hospitality industry. Hoteliers, developers, journalists, investors, architects, designers, restaurateurs and consultants will come together to broaden their perspective on the ever-expanding hospitality world. This year's event, themed "Human Design," will take place in Berlin, Germany, October 15-17. Tickets are now for sale. More... [902 views] Smith Travel's July update on State of the Lodging IndustryWhat's happened in the hotel industry since the NYU Hotel Investment Conference in June? The NABHOOD Conference in Atlanta was the place to be this week, as I reported in my recent blog entitled "Hospitality Attorney salutes NABHOOD" On Thursday, July 17, 2008, the inspiration and insights continued to flow, with the latest industry data and predictions since NYU. (See the 5-part series at www.HotelLawBlog.com analyzing the data available at June 1, 2008 at "Quips, Quotes and Insights from the 2008 NYU hotel conference."). Another month and a half are under our belts since the NYU Hotel Investment Conference, and the hospitality lawyers from JMBM have 3 hot July updates for you on the state of the industry. By Jim Butler More... [769 views] Visitors of worldhotels.com choose their top 10 dream hotelsOver 2,000 visitors to the website worldhotels.com have voted for their favourite hotels in the WORLDHOTELS portfolio of almost 500 hotels around the world. The survey ran from January until May 2008 and the most popular hotel was the Hotel de Sers in Paris. Full details of the top 10 WORLDHOTELS' properties are as follows: More... [1993 views] Euroscape cruising for Global growth with TNSAustralian online tour operator Euroscape is strengthening its global business by diversifying its payment capabilities with a new multi-currency conversion system from Transaction Network Services (NYSE:TNS). More... [496 views] The Miele guide launches culinary scholarshipsAsia's first truly independent restaurant guide unveils two new culinary scholarships for young aspiring chefs through the brand new The Miele Guide Culinary Scholarship Programme. It plans to award scholarships annually through this programme. This year, the Guide is offering two The Miele Guide-At-Sunrice Scholarships, one will be awarded to a citizen or permanent resident of one of the Asian countries evaluated in the Guide with the exception of Singapore and the other will be awarded to a Singapore citizen or permanent resident. Applications for the two scholarships will be accepted from 16 July 2008 to 30 September 2008 and will be awarded to two deserving young Asian talents on 1 November 2008 at the launch of the inaugural 2008/2009 edition of The Miele Guide. More... [520 views] LRA Worldwide hires Kevin Conley to support its growing research practiceLRA Worldwide, Inc., a leading provider of research and consulting services in the emerging discipline of Customer Experience Management (CEM), has announced the hiring of Kevin Conley to support its growing Research Practice. Conley bring more than 15 years of experience in market research, consulting and project management to LRA, with a distinct focus on the sports industry; he will immediately begin applying his expertise to multiple LRA projects in hospitality, sports and entertainment. More... [922 views] BooksDirectRooms.com partners with HotelsCombined.comBookDirectRooms.com's unique stock of over 2,000 UK B&Bs, guesthouses and small, independent hotels is now live and bookable on hotel search engine and price comparison website HotelsCombined.com. More... [1212 views] 2008 Travelers' Philanthropy Conference program announcedThe 2008 Travelers' Philanthropy Conference, taking place in Arusha, Tanzania December 3-5, 2008 will feature an exclusive half-day Short Course on how to establish and manage a travelers' philanthropy program and the premier of a new documentary film. More... [491 views] James Martin to host the AA Centenary Awards 2008The AA Centenary Awards 2008, celebrating one hundred years of quality and service in the hospitality industry, has announced that celebrity chef James Martin will be hosting the evening awards ceremony. Following on from the success of the 2007 event, which was a ‘who's who' of the hospitality industry, the 2008 glamorous black-tie awards evening will honour exemplary hotels, restaurants and individuals, including the sought after AA Chefs' Chef of the Year Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award. The ceremony will be held at London's Grosvenor House Hotel on Tuesday 2 September. More... [479 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: July 22, 2008French hotel industry performances for first semester 2008MKG Hospitality reports on the hotel industry performances for first semester 2008: Solid foundation for the French hotel industry More... [950 views] Manage your hotel operations the "Green" wayHotels are currently jumping on the bandwagon of the green movement. The most basic practice that most hotels worldwide have is a towel and linens reuse program. According to a survey on hotel green practices released by the American Hotels Lodging Assn, 88 percent of hotels that responded have a linen reuse program for guests who stay multiple nights, and just more than 83 percent have a towel reuse program. More... [1544 views] Hospitality Attorney salutes NABHOOD, Andy Ingraham, Mike Roberts, Hank Thomas, Mit Shah and the African American hotel communityHospitality lawyer in Atlanta, Georgia at the kick-off for the NABHOOD Annual Convention. If you are not yet a member, sponsor or supporter of NABHOOD -- the National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators and Developers -- you need to check out this dynamic organization, whose members own about 325 hotels (up from just 1 in 2001). Thanks to my friend Andy Ingraham, President and Founder of NABHOOD, I am attending the Association's 12th Annual Summit in Atlanta as a speaker and participant, and JMBM's Global Hospitality Group® is a proud sponsor of this event. By Jim Butler More... [832 views] The butler and service in the guest’s micro- and macro-environmentThe butler plays an important role in the quality control of the services offered to the guest during his/her stay. These services may be divided into two major categories according to the environment associated with them. More... [1634 views] HSMAI announces 2008 Adrian Awards call for entriesHospitality marketing professionals work hard all year to develop creative campaigns to entice guests to visit their destinations, stay in their hotels, come to their attractions and use their transportation services. Now is the time these professionals can have their hard work recognized. The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) has opened the 2008 Adrian Awards "Call for Entries" at www.adrianawards.com. More... [870 views] Successful companies use customer feedback to increase retentionA recently published report by the research firm Aberdeen Group, sponsored by Mindshare Technologies, titled "Customer Feedback Management" investigates how leading companies capture and leverage feedback to improve customer retention. The report creates a roadmap for companies who are considering using customer feedback management to increase revenues and market share. More... [1358 views] Value Place sets record development paceIt's a developer's dream: 100 new hotels built in just four years. For Value Place, this dream is a reality. The national extended stay hotel chain announced the opening of its 100th property in Columbus, Ga. This milestone puts the company on track to be one of the fastest-growing brands in the history of hospitality. Value Place anticipates opening an additional 40 hotels by the end of the year. More... [495 views] National study reveals habits of last minute travelersFully one-third of leisure travelers embarked on a last minute trip last year, according to the 2008 Ypartnership/Yankelovich National Leisure Travel MONITOR, revealing a sizeable necessity for impulse vacations by today's traveling public. The newly released data also defines the average time frame of advanced planning for a last minute booking. On average, travelers planned late-breaking trips just 15 days in advance of their departure. More... [809 views] Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels opens office in São Paulo, BrazilJones Lang LaSalle Hotels announces that it is open for business in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Brazil's premier hotel advisors, Ricardo Mader Rodrigues and Manuela Gorni, along with seven top hotel specialists, have joined the new Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels Brazil team. More... [848 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: July 21, 2008Hotel lessons learned growing up in Kennedy craft shopFunny how the older we get in life the more we come to appreciate our parents. I for one feel particularly blessed to have been born unto a family of entrepreneurs. Although my mother Barbara passed away more than 15 years ago, the wisdom she imparted upon us kids was enough to last a lifetime. Although my mom taught me many things about life in general, such as always maintaining a positive attitude and believing in yourself, she also taught me a lot more about the real-world of business than I could have ever learned getting an MBA. By Doug Kennedy More... [985 views] City of Gold; will Dubai’s reputation always shine?Dubai is synonymous with wealth, luxury and cutting edge innovation. A Middle Eastern realm replete with record breaking projects, each more exciting and progressive than the last.But the hotel industry in Dubai now faces an inevitable challenge - what is it and what can be done to ensure the future remains golden? By Madison Mayfair More... [1613 views] Maximizing revenue and resources in a changing economyHotel sales staff will convene for a full-day of discussion on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008 at the Second Annual HSMAI Hotel Sales Strategy Conference in Washington, D.C. at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The conference is designed to add even greater value for hotel sales staff attending HSMAI's Affordable Meetings® National and Event Technology Expo™, which follows on Sept. 10-11, 2008. More... [887 views] Demand rising for sustainable travelResponsibletravel.com's sales jumped by 37% year-on-year during the first half of 2008. The company said the big winner was England, which knocked Thailand off the number one most-booked country on its site, with sales growth of 95% lifting it from just 14th place in H107. More... [677 views] Women take top jobs at NYLO providence/WarwickThere are no glass ceilings at NYLO Hotels, so women broke through the soaring glass window walls to take all the top slots at the brand's first property in the Northeast. More... [786 views] Jekyll Island club hotel focuses on future and growth empowered by Scalable Maestro PMS suiteMaestro PMS, provider of the Maestro™ Enterprise Property Management Suite of hotel software and online booking solutions for high touch single and multi-property operations, announced that the Jekyll Island Club Hotel, Jekyll Island's only Four-Star resort and a Historic Hotels of America (HHA) property, has successfully installed the Maestro Property Management suite. More... [507 views] Intercontinental hotels group (IHG) announces signing of Crowne Plaza RiyadhInterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has announced the signing of the Crowne Plaza Riyadh, in partnership with Mohammed A. Al-Swailem for Commercial Investment Co. Ltd. This will be IHG's second Crowne Plaza in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and is scheduled to open in late 2010. More... [704 views] Case de Sierra Nevada's home town - named a UNESCO World Heritage SiteThe protective town of San Miguel de Allende and the Sanctuary of Jesús de Nazareno de Atotonilco were declared World Heritage Sites by The World Heritage Committee of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). More... [491 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: July 18, 2008Hotel revenue management in a stagnant economyIn a stagnant economy, using the principles of revenue management can help hoteliers to maintain and build average rate and occupancy. Even in tough times, every hotel experiences periods of higher demand. Recognizing those periods, in advance, can give you the ability to drive rates when you can and still retain the ability to modify rates during lower demand periods. Being diligent can produce big-time rewards. By Neil Salerno More... [3091 views] Atlantis, the Palm Jumeriah Dubai named as venue for 5th annual ORION CongressAtlantis, The Palm Jumeirah in Dubai has been named as the venue for the Annual ORION Congress to be held on 11 October, 2008, shortly after the hotel's eagerly awaited soft-opening. The one-day Congress which is predictive in nature, will focus on a theme What's Next? Innovation in the tourism and hospitality industry. More... [710 views] LRA Worldwide to conduct brand assurance program for aloft hotelsAloft Hotels, the new lifestyle brand offering from Starwood Hotels & Resorts, has selected LRA Worldwide, Inc. to design and deploy its brand assurance evaluation program. This selection represents an extension of the partnership between LRA and Starwood; LRA currently conducts the global brand assurance programs for all of the Starwood brands - Westin Hotels & Resorts, W Hotels, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, Le Méridien, The Luxury Collection, St. Regis and Four Points by Sheraton. Beginning this summer, LRA will launch a new program customized to measure the unique elements of the aloft brand experience in order to support each individual opening. More... [1585 views] Hospitality graduate recruitment (h-g-r) welcomes 200th hotel school partnerHospitality Graduate Recruitment is pleased to announce Plekhanov Russian Economic Academy as its 200th international hospitality university partner. More... [617 views] LaSalle hotel properties announces second garter earnings call to be held on July 24, 2008LaSalle Hotel Properties (NYSE:LHO) announced it will report financial results for the second quarter 2008 on Wednesday, July 23, 2008 after the market closes. The company will conduct its quarterly conference call on Thursday, July 24, 2008, at 9:00 AM ET. More... [444 views] Hotelbook.com launches New York city micro-siteHotelbook.com, the site that specialises in independent and boutique hotels, has launched a dedicated micro-site http://new-york-city.hotelbook.com focusing on New York City. More... [707 views] IHG announces Crowne Plaza hotel coming to the heart of IllinoisIHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) [LON: IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)], one of the world's largest hotel groups by number of rooms, announced plans for a Crowne Plaza hotel in Bloomington-Normal, Ill. (U.S.) The $11.5 million conversion hotel is expected to open in Q4 2008, following a complete renovation of a former Holiday Inn that began May 1, 2008. Renovations include a new guest tower roof, new exterior surfaces, new landscaping and all-new guestroom soft goods. More... [659 views] Mobile technology set to revolutionise corporate travelAmadeus, a leading global technology and distribution partner to the travel industry, and the Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) have released results of a report titled Upwardly Mobile, which revealed that mobile technology is set to transform the entire travel experience for business travellers, improving their access to information and services. More... [643 views] Real-time reservation system for charter flights set for launchCoastal Technologies Group and FlyPorts International, Inc. are set to introduce what is being described as the first of its kind real-time reservation system for charter flights. More... [531 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: July 17, 2008Valuing the small & medium size corporate travel market in Asia pacificHospitality industry leaders in Asia Pacific anticipate a continuation for a demand for business travel despite the current economic climate and see small to medium enterprise (SME) corporate travel as a prevalent factor, expecting increased growth from this sector. To retain corporate travel business, they felt that relationships were still the key as well as maintaining the opportunity for face to face negotiation. More... [1027 views] Hospitality Q&A: Holland & Knight's Sentman on sustainabilityAs the seventh attorney in the U.S. to earn the LEED Accredited Professional designation, Shannon Sentman, real estate attorney at Holland & Knight L.L.P., leads a legal practice focused on the interconnectedness of all aspects of sustainability, and also specializes in the hospitality, resort, and timeshare segments. Sentman talked recently about the state of green hotel development. By: Eugene Gilligan More... [482 views] Hotel industry capitalizing on Green technologyMammoth Lakes earned its reputation as a destination for skiers. But this summer, it's been attracting attention from environmentalists for its commitment to green building, one of the hottest trends in the hotel property sector. By Noreen Seebacher More... [1104 views] To hell and back: Cheapflights.com launches consumer-friendly flights and travel forumNeed shopping tips for your first trip to Asia? Want to tell other travelers about the great flight deal you scored to Hawaii for New Year's eve? Had a less-than-stellar hotel experience and want to warn future guests? With the new Cheapflights.com Flights and Travel Forum message boards, you can. More... [544 views] DOCOMO interTouch connects Regal Hotels with new generation broadband technology in Hong KongDOCOMO interTouch, one of the world's largest providers of a full-suite of integrated solutions for the global hospitality industry, has announced its new partnership with the prestigious Regal Hotels International, to provide high-speed wired and wireless Internet to its chain of Hong Kong-based hotels. More... [788 views] Sabre to overhaul hotel rate negotiation process with new simplified, web-based solution for corporate travelSabre Travel Network has announced a new streamlined, easy-to-use and much more effective rate negotiation and auditing service for corporations, their travel management companies and hoteliers. The new solution addresses what has been a huge problem cited by hoteliers, corporations and their travel management companies for some time: every fall, corporations and hoteliers start their annual "dance of the new negotiated rates" for the following year. The "dance," however, has been less than elegant. More... [738 views] The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island leverages new state law to fight community hungerThe Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island is using a recent amendment to Florida law to fight community hunger. The "Florida Restaurant Lending a Helping Hand" act, which went into effect on July 1, provides liability protection for licensed restaurants contributing perishable food to charitable organizations. The hotel will now be able to salvage and donate thousands of pounds of unused, excess food each year through a partnership with local non-profit organizations, the Barnabas Center and the Salvation Army Hope House. More... [668 views] Jones Lang LaSalle hotels’ select service division announces sale of the Holiday Inn express hotel & suites Jackson, MSOn behalf of Humble Hospitality LLC, Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels' select service division is pleased to announce the sale of the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Jackson to Jackson Express Hotel Investment, LLC. The 107-guestroom hotel features 35 suites, a business center, fitness center and meeting space. More... [555 views] Hotels we love: Unusual accommodationsWhether you want to sleep with the fishes, cave in, or put your plans on ice, there are a slew of entirely unique hotels out there. Some of them are really out there. While fighter jets in New Zealand and cabooses in Napa Valley have some appeal, I decided that reservations for Das Park Hotel in Linz, Austria--where guest rooms are in chunks of standardized, old sewer pipes--are not in the pipeline. By Aefa Mulholland More... [1115 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: July 16, 2008Portfolio Hotels & Resorts to manage seven Gables Inn in Pacific Grove, CAOak Brook-based Portfolio Hotels & Resorts announced today the addition of the Seven Gables Inn to its management portfolio. The intimate upscale 25 room Inn located in Pacific Grove, California will become part of the Inns of Monterey, a collection of boutique hotels and inns that includes the Hotel Pacific, Monterey Bay Inn, Spindrift Inn and Victorian Inn, also managed by Portfolio Hotels. More... [551 views] 10 Top Traditional 'Hotels'As the world globalizes at a frantic pace, travelers have come to expect that many hotel rooms in Capetown, Amsterdam, Rio and New York will pretty much look the same. While you may be the type who finds such predictability comforting, it's our guess that if you're a true traveler, you find it deadly dull-and you're eager to seek out accommodations that more closely match the culture you've come to visit. After all, when in Rome, why not try to sleep like a Roman? By Don Willmott More... [3739 views] How are Travel Companies Lowering Distribution Costs, Selling Ancillary Products and Maximizing Revenues in an Uncertain Market?2008 is proving to be a year of great economic uncertainty. If travel companies want to stay in business, it's more import ant than ever that they understand how to lower costs and boost revenues, even when times are tough. More... [1083 views] 2008 BAHA Conference - ‘Guestroom of the Future’Member of the prestigious International Hospitality Technology Hall of Fame, Jules Sieburgh - incoming President of the Texas-based Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) - will be one of the key speakers at the 3rd British Association of Hospitality Accountants (BAHA) Annual Conference and Technology Exhibition to be held on 5 and 6 November 2008 at the brand new Sofitel London Heathrow at Terminal 5, due to open on 30 June. More... [1220 views] Sovereign Hospitality Holdings to develop residential life-style estate featuring an InterContinental Hotel in DakarInterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) and Sovereign Hospitality Holdings announced the signing of a definitive management agreement for a 250-room InterContinental Hotel due to open in Dakar in Senegal, Africa by 2010. More... [745 views] Optii introduces housekeeping to the 21st centuryOptii Solutions unveiled ‘Optii Keeper', the world's first comprehensive housekeeping management solution dedicated to streamlining hotel room cleaning operations. More... [933 views] Rezidor launches new responsible business trainingThe Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the fastest growing hotel companies worldwide, has launched a new "Responsible Business" training. Within the next 12 months, all 30,000 employees in the group's 240 hotels in 45 countries will attend an interactive and practical training on social, ethical and environmental responsibility, and learn how easily they can contribute to change the world - just by going to work. More... [783 views] Travelocity announces free travel application for new apple app storeTravelocity® announced that TravelTools, a new native application that offers iPhone and iPod touch users an innovative set of travel features while they are on the road, will be available at Apple's new App Store. The TravelTools application will include a new location-based feature called "Hotels Near Me" which provides a dynamic list of nearby hotels, with links to maps, hotel descriptions, and booking options. More... [574 views] ITB Berlin claim registered as a European trademarkITB Berlin has been continuously expanding its position as the world's leading marketing platform for the travel industry for more than 40 years. It is now acknowledged as the pre-eminent market place for the travel trade. With some 11,000 exhibitors from all over the world it can offer an unrivalled international portfolio. Around 110,000 trade visitors attend this event in the German capital, and just under 40 per cent of them are from abroad. The ITB Berlin accurately sums up these figures with its slogan "The World´s Leading Travel Trade Show". More... [570 views] Michele Meoni - Best hotelier 2007Early July 2008, the House of Guides publishing house launched its seventh edition of House of Guides "Best Hotels and Restaurants" Romania 2008-2009. More... [856 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: July 15, 2008Cornell survey to examine hotel industry’s major concernsCornell's Center for Hospitality Research is sponsoring a research project that seeks to identify key issues of concern for hoteliers throughout the world. The study will be conducted by Professor Cathy Enz, who investigated this question in a similar research project in 2001. More... [1722 views] TMS applauds new NZ Government ‘flexi’ workplace legislationTMS general manager, Australia/New Zealand, Ainslie Hunt said the new legislation in effect provided a huge opportunity for the ever-growing numbers of New Zealanders, and particularly parents, looking to return to the workplace who need to work more flexibly in order to achieve a better balance between job and family commitments. More... [755 views] US hotels extremely vulnerable to sharp declines in airline capacityHotels in the US could face a decline in lodging demand greater than that experienced during the turmoil following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, according to the latest analytical data from PKF Hospitality Research. More... [801 views] TripAdvisor Helps iPhone Users Find Gourmet DelightTripAdvisor®, the world's largest travel community, announced a version of its Local PicksTM restaurant finder will be available for free at the launch of Apple's new App Store. The Local Picks application, utilizing the iPhone's location-based capabilities, will allow people to find the best restaurants, as rated by locals, based on their current location. More... [584 views] Marriott Breaks Ground on Orlando TimeshareMarriott Vacation Club International, the vacation ownership division of Marriott International Inc., broke ground on Marriott's Lakeshore Reserve at Grande Lakes in Orlando, Fla. By Scott Baltic More... [563 views] VIZERGY™ - Fast and Furious GrowthThe Jacksonville Business Journal recently released its 17th annual list of 50 private companies who have maintained significant growth. VIZERGYTM, formerly SECURE-RES, a Jacksonville, FL based hotel Internet marketing company, made the prestigious list for the second time. The list is based on continuous revenue growth over the previous three years, and only companies with a minimum of $1,000,000 in annual sales are eligible. VIZERGY is excited to receive this recognition and optimistic about making the list again in 2009. More... [480 views] Americas short term trading performance sentiment softens furtherIlliquid credit markets in the U.S. and growing economic uncertainty are taking a toll on hotel transaction volumes and investor buoyancy. Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels' recently released Hotel Investor Sentiment Survey ("HISS") highlights investors' trading performance expectations in the current debt market environment. More... [512 views] Choice hotels opens 53 new hotels in JuneChoice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) continues to grow with the announcement of 53 newly-opened franchised properties during the month of May. The openings include hotels in 29 states and territories and four countries, adding more than 4,000 rooms to the company's existing 455,000-plus rooms. More... [785 views] Shangri-La hotels and resorts "Tigers" to bring Asian hospitality to life in North AmericaShangri-La "Tigers," a group of young hoteliers trained at Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts throughout Asia, have returned to Vancouver, British Columbia. Eight Tigers are set to bring their Asia expertise and training to the group's first hotel in North America - the Shangri-La Hotel, Vancouver - opening 24 January 2009. More... [1524 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: July 14, 2008European Chain Hotels Market Review – May 2008Chain hotels in Budapest reported the greatest increase in profit during May, according to TRI Hospitality Consulting's HotStats survey of 10 European hotel markets. More... [1128 views] Best new residence hotelsFor decades, the adventures of a mischievous little girl living at New York's Plaza Hotel in the classic children's book series, Eloise, have seduced both kids and adults alike. In fact, you can still see the portrait of Eloise by illustrator Hilary Knight hanging in the hotel. And while it may have seemed both absurd and magical for Eloise to call a hotel "home," today's discerning buyers are now actually doing it. Unlike condo timeshares and destination clubs where fractional ownership gives you taste of the good life but only on certain dates, living in a hotel has a certain cachet-whether it's a second home for monthly exotic getaways or a pied à terre for business travelers. As luxurious new hotels sprout up, they're not just building rooms to keep transient guests happy, but sprawling residential components-spaces that are quick to sell out. By Alia Akkam More... [940 views] It's your dog's birthday, SirThe Grand Hotel Rimini is the only five-star hotel in the city, as well as the only hotel on the coast with its own private beach. Most popular during the summer season, the hotel was designed by the South American architect, Paolo Somazzi in the Italian Jugendstil, called Liberty style. It was inaugurated on July 1st 1908. It soon became the haunt of noble families of Europe. Monarchies had ten more years until the end of World War 1, the "great war", that would end it all for most of them, in 1918. The Habsburgs came, the Turkish court, and the "Kings of the stage", lead by tenor Enrico Caruso, the first superstar of opera in the world. By Andreas Augustin More... [1060 views] Waikiki's oldest hotel recalls another ageThe venerable Moana Hotel has seen the rise of Waikiki from a stretch of sand backed by swamps in which water buffalo grazed to become arguably the most famous beach in the world. Along the way, the hotel has seen a lot of history and had its fair share of scandals--and even a murder--as it wined and dined princes and potentates, movie stars and business tycoons. More... [859 views] Virtuoso announces nominees for Prestigious annual 'Best of the Best' hotel awardsLeading luxury travel network Virtuoso, Ltd. is pleased to announce nominations for the second annual Virtuoso Best of the Best Hotel Awards. The nominees, which represent the cream of the crop among the world's finest hotels, were announced by Virtuoso Life magazine's Editorial Director Elaine Srnka and Virtuoso's Hotels & Resorts Program Vice President Albert Herrera. Winners will be revealed at a gala dinner on August 20 in Las Vegas during Virtuoso's 20th annual Travel Mart. More... [1071 views] Non-traditional luxury welcomes a new face in Hong KongW Hotels Worldwide, the fastest growing luxury hotel brand in the world, has appointed Damon Page as General Manager of W Hong Kong. More... [898 views] Orient-Express Hotels plans to set up a 50:50 strategic partnership with US real estate developer The Related Group.The partnership aims to develop and operate multi-use projects that will include hotel, branded residential and commercial components. Initial projects are: a hotel with 28 luxury residences in the south of fifth area of South Beach, Miami; an oceanfront hotel in Cartagena, Colombia; and a hotel on Avenida Balboa, Panama City. More... [645 views] Swiss-Belhotel International continues expanding in VietnamSwiss-Belhotel International continues its strong growth in Asia Pacific and the Middle East regions with the announcement that it has signed a Pre-Opening and Management Services Agreement with Daklak Rubber Company for their four star hotel development in Buon Ma Thuot City, Daklak, Vietnam. More... [961 views] Hotel investor appetite in Australia builds as major hotels sellAccording to Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels' recently released Hotel Investor Sentiment Survey, Australian hotel real estate is commanding the attention of global investors, while ‘buy' sentiment for hotels throughout Asia Pacific has also increased to its highest level since September 2000 as buyers outnumber sellers by almost 7:1. More... [736 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: July 11, 2008UK Chain Hotels Market Review – May 2008UK chain hotels recorded an overall drop in profit during May despite average occupancy holding steady, according to the latest HotStats survey from TRI Hospitality Consulting. More... [1118 views] That’s life: Greed is the creedYeoh Siew Hoon draws a blank in attempting to justify her argument that there are still people in this world who put love before money. More... [1046 views] ANZPHIC 08 confirms Australian hotel market still up, up & awayAustralia's hotel industry is still Up, Up & Away according to the delegates who attended the Australia, New Zealand & Pacific Hotel Investment Conference (ANZPHIC 08) held under this theme on 20 and 21 June at the Hilton Sydney. Over 400 delegates joined 60 international and local presenters and panellists to discuss the state of the industry and its outlook. By John P Smith More... [730 views] Myanmar Tourism UpdateMyanmar Tourism executives are asking the international travel trade to support the country's recovery after Cyclone Nargis by resuming tour programmes as soon as possible. More... [626 views] Keytel extends its portfolio with the addition of 17 new associated hotels in JuneOver the course of June 2008, Keytel increased the national and international network of hotels the company represents with 17 new associated establishments. These new additions to the portfolio mean that Keytel now represents more than 1,500 hotels in 53 countries. More... [508 views] IHG announces four new hotel openings in Port Ghalib resort, Egypt after being awarded management contractSpanning four hotels, one expansive convention centre and incorporating over 1,200 rooms, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) is delighted to announce that Sovereign Hospitality Holdings, owned by M.A. Kharafi Group of Kuwait, has awarded IHG the exclusive management contract for Port Ghalib Resort, in Marsa Alam, Egypt. More... [722 views] Old Course hotel successfully invests in its peopleThe Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa in St Andrews has, once again, been awarded an Investors in People accreditation, which formally recognises the commitment to the training and development of all employees at the luxury hotel. More... [750 views] Bringing boutique-style and design to the traveling massesTen years after Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) shook up the hotel industry with the launch of W Hotels, the innovative hotel giant will again reinvent hotel design with the debut of its newest brand, aloft hotels. Created to shake up the staid, traditional select service segment of the hotel market, aloft is designed to deliver urban-influenced, modern and vibrant design and an energetic guest experience at an affordable price point. More... [792 views] Thai hoteliers fret about politicsProtracted political problems are damaging the whole tourism industry, which could result in the country missing its target of 15.7 million foreign visitors this year, says the new president of the Thai Hotels Association. Prakit Chinamourphong said nobody wanted to travel to a country where there was political uncertainty. By Chadamas Chinmaneevong More... [666 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: July 10, 2008Luxurious Lakeside ResortsThe ocean gets all the glory when it comes to waterside vacationing. But there are plenty of reasons to head to a lake instead. For starters, stinging saltwater and crashing waves are mostly absent from lakes. Then consider that most lakesides offer incredible views and a sense of serenity-and there's a solid argument for skipping the ocean altogether. By Sarah Stodola More... [988 views] The importance of the personal touchThere is nothing more frustrating for a hiring company than spending several weeks and often months sourcing possible candidates, conducting in-depth interviews, administering rigorous assessments, and negotiating an offer only to lose the preferred candidate at the last minute due to some sort of mishap. In addition to the emotional frustration, this can set the search back several weeks. We have even seen companies change their entire business strategy and steer away from certain ventures because they have become so attached to their ideal candidate and cannot really see anyone else in that position. By Christian Anklin More... [1495 views] Initiative to drive consistency of service and superior guest experienceEmaar Hospitality Group, the hospitality & leisure business subsidiary of Emaar Properties PJSC, has introduced Passion Plus, a new system of standards and procedures to enhance the guest experience, at all its properties including hotels, serviced residences and leisure clubs. Passion Plus aims at ensuring consistency of service and superior guest experience across all operational aspects of Emaar's diverse hospitality & leisure portfolio. More... [1111 views] WOW.TRAVEL’s seven sensational shopping experienceswow.travel (the online magazine of kiwicollection.com) edited by Mary Gostelow, introduces Seven Sensational Shopping Experiences. More... [780 views] Mozambique: New Hotel for Santa Carolina IslandSanta Carolina Island, part of the Bazaruto archipelago, off the coast of the southern Mozambican province of Inhambane, will soon have a luxury hotel, thanks to a 50 million US dollar investment by the Rani Resorts Group. More... [642 views] IHG has largest midscale pipeline in CanadaHoliday Inn family of brands leads Canada's pipeline with more than 50 hotels. More... [686 views] Kenyan finance minister resigns over hotel sale scandalKenyan Finance Minister Amos Kimunya on Tuesday announced he had tendered his resignation from the government over suspicion of corruption in the sale of a luxury Nairobi hotel. More... [833 views] More than 20 large hotels and resorts under way in the PhilippinesMore than 20 large-scale hotel and resort projects are expected to rise in different areas in the Philippines over the next five years. These are on top of the expansion projects currently under way at major hotels around the country. By Roderick T. dela Cruz More... [938 views] Several hotel stocks hit 52-week lows after an analyst says the sector continues to weakenSeveral hotel stocks hit 52-week lows Tuesday after an Oppenheimer analyst said the lodging industry continues to weaken, though he predicted some hotel operators will be able to weather the storm better than others. More... [889 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: July 9, 2008Asia’s most influential women in travelHere are eight women The Transit Cafe feels justify the tag of being among the most influential in travel in this region. We're sure our list is not the definitive one, so please feel free to send in your nominations. By Yeoh Siew Hoon More... [2258 views] Ten traps to avoid with employee opinion surveysEmployee Opinion Surveys can offer a strong ROI for organziations wanting to improve their business operations and relationships. However, these surveys are often compromised by ten critical pitfalls. Learn about these traps and how to avoid them. By Jim Houran More... [1902 views] Hospitality eBusiness strategies to present at MICE Asia 2008 in Kuala LumpurHospitality eBusiness Strategies (HeBS), the leading Internet marketing consulting firm for the travel and hospitality industry, today announced the firm's Chief eBusiness Strategist Max Starkov will present during the 4th Annual MICE Asia Executive Congress to be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia July 14-15. More... [1137 views] Hotel room rates hit record high despite lower demand levelsDespite the challenging economic environment, Australia's hotel markets have maintained growth momentum. The newly released Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) accommodation data shows growth came largely on the back of strong increases in Average Daily Rates (ADR) during the first quarter of 2008. More... [829 views] Hospitality Industry and Spa Forum 2008 - Hotel Ritz Paris - Success for the First EditionThe "César Ritz" lounge was almost too small to welcome all the participants of the forum. For its first edition on July 3rd, Paris-HotSPA gathered at the Hotel Ritz Paris, amongst internationally renowned experts, and at the same time in a luxurious and friendly setting, a public of high level professionals of the luxury hotel business and the SPA business. More... [751 views] New hotel rises from historic lane homesShanghai's first hotel inside a 70-year-old area of shikumen-style homes is about to start construction, according to Xuhui District government. More... [620 views] IHG holds its first ‘Saudi leadership and development centre’InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) held its first Saudi Development and Leadership Centre recently; a series of interactive management and development courses within Saudi Arabia aimed at steering and aiding the growth of the group's future leaders. More... [691 views] Inbound tourists go away and stay away for the OlympicsThe European Tour Operators Association (ETOA) has published a report reinforcing the conclusions of a study it published two years ago that hosting the Olympic Games typically stalls tourism growth. More... [919 views] "The guest is God": India pushes B&Bs to ease hotel crunchWhen schoolteacher Meera Dass quit her job last year, she just wanted to enjoy being at home for a change. Then she read a newspaper ad that said she could earn money at home while making friends from all around the world. By Rama Lakshmi More... [910 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: July 8, 2008A common sense approach to your brand messageWe struggle to communicate our Brand Message, as we attempt to influence, often times not adhering to a very basic template. Essentially, we have a product or service we represent, and it must be delivered to a targeted audience. We need to craft a message about our product or service, and we need to select a medium to carry that message. A very straightforward template, one would think. However, each aspect of this communication template is interrelated and must be integrated for the maximum effect. By John Hendrie More... [2189 views] Best restaurants for eating at the BarYou're sitting at the lacquered-wood bar at P*ONG, chef Pichet Ong's debut restaurant in Manhattan's West Village, which focuses on small plates and desserts. As the bartender serves a trifecta of warm date cake, chocolate financier and chevre cheesecake, the woman sitting next to you begins inquiring after the dish. Before you know it, she's tucking in, sampling the dish for herself. By Lauren Sherman More... [1001 views] Japanese travel demand declines on economic slowdown, JTB saysJapanese demand for domestic summer travel will fall for the first time in four years and overseas bookings will decline for a second year on rising fuel costs and a worsening economic outlook, JTB Corp. said. By Kathleen Chu More... [923 views] New global job network has set sail!!An exciting new online job board is set to transform the employment patterns of both jobseekers and recruiters in all sectors of the global shipping industry. Saltwaterjobs.com will expertly satisfy a huge demand in recruiting within the cruise line, super yacht and cargo ship industry. This is a first for the industry and the impact of such invigoration will take affect across the globe. More... [719 views] Loyalty programme for foodservice caterers will be launched in Germany and France in 2009BI and CHD Expert Group have formed a joint venture to expand the award-winning Foodservice Rewards® loyalty programme in Continental Europe. Foodservice Rewards will be launched in Germany and France in early 2009. Now in its seventh year of operation in the U.S., Canada and the UK, the programme allows commercial or non-commercial foodservice caterers; restaurants, hotels, bars, healthcare, education, business and industry establishments etc. the opportunity to earn valuable points every time they purchase participating products from a group of world-leading foodservice manufacturers. More... [482 views] IHG Academy doubles presence in China with addition of 10 new hospitality training facilities in eastern ChinaIHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) is tackling the war for talent in China head on. Two years after opening its first IHG Academy, an industry-leading training institute, in Shanghai, the company has announced that it will nearly double the number of IHG Academy locations to 22 from the current 12. The largest international hotel operator in China recently signed partnerships with several leading tourism institutions in the key cities of Nanjing and Hangzhou in eastern China. These 10 new IHG training facilities will cater to an area with a population of nearly 150 million people, training local talent in a variety of hospitality-related fields and subsequently offering them employment within IHG's growing portfolio of hotels. More... [849 views] TGR plans Phuket hotel startup by end of yearLocal TGR Group plans to build a 107-room luxury hotel in Phuket once it has received tax privileges from the Board of Investment. By Sucheera Pinijparakarn More... [576 views] Best of Britain: fish 'n' chips tops 'Best of British' pollFish 'n' Chips has topped a poll as the 'Best of British', according to a survey by Holiday Inn. Traditionally a working class dish, fish and chips first became popular during the nineteenth century with the development of trawl fishing. Railway charges subsequently fell and it became more feasible for fish to be transported inland. The first fish and chip shop opened in the early sixties, and there are now over 8,000 'chippies' across the UK. More... [704 views] Accor makes special delivery for Fijian children’s hospitalThe pediatric team at Lautoka Hospital in Fiji recently received another shipment of essential medical equipment that will help save the lives of the children of Fiji courtesy of Cure Kids Fiji corporate sponsor and community partner, Accor Hotels Fiji. More... [635 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: July 7, 2008STR Global adds 13 new markets to its market-leading monthly surveysSTR Global is today delighted to announce the addition of 13 new markets to our monthly surveys. The new markets added include 9 markets in Scandinavia, 3 markets in Europe and Fukuoka in Japan. More... [713 views] ITB Asia announces a 4-in-1 value added week for travel industryThe inaugural ITB Asia, October 22-24 in Singapore, has announced partnerships with three specialist travel trade events that will give attendees access to four leading events in one trip to Singapore. Within four days, in the same location of Suntec, Singapore, delegates can attend a travel distribution, marketing and technology event, a corporate travel event, a MICE event, and a general travel trade show and convention. More... [635 views] Currency and oil prices pose regional challengesAsia Pacific travel and tourism is facing serious financial challenges due to a combination of US currency depreciation, rising local costs and new fuel surcharges, according to an analysis by PATA's Strategic Intelligence Centre. More... [677 views] Why hotels should shutter ad campaignsHotels are feverishly upgrading these days, trying to offer faster Internet service, or better beds, or all non-smoking properties. But while they're trying to make their properties more modern and appealing for today's travelers, they seem to have forgotten to upgrade their ad campaigns. By Amy Bradley-Hole More... [1139 views] Dorchester Collection appoints Roland Fasel General Manager of The Dorchester Hotel, LondonDorchester Collection today announced the appointment of Roland Fasel as General Manager of The Dorchester. In his new role Fasel will be responsible for managing the 250 room hotel, overseeing a team of circa 600 employees. He will also take on the role of UK Regional Director for the Dorchester Collection, which currently owns the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles, the Hôtel Plaza Athénée and Le Meurice in Paris and the Hotel Principe di Savoia in Milan. More... [1357 views] Travel distribution & self service technology trends in ASIA PacificThe power of wholesalers and intermediaries in Asia Pacific still exists and travel suppliers morph distribution models to make possible what the consumer wants, for example, co-packaging air content with rooms to create dynamic content, concluded participants at a recent marketing round table discussion. More... [1135 views] Cross border issues impact hotel developers in ASIA PacificHistorically in Asia, hotels were not built to be sold, but became the family jewel of private investment portfolios. The market is adjusting as institutional investors begin to own ever increasing market share. Valuation models are being created to enhance the understanding of hotels as assets; enabling transactions to occur because there are better understood ways of making them happen. However, transparency differs enormously across different markets. The greatest transparency is evident in Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia and Japan and the least transparency in Vietnam, India, Indonesia, China and Macau. "The increasing role hotel assets are playing among institutional portfolios has already made an impact on the industry in the form of accelerated product evolution and competitiveness. We may be looking at just at the beginning of this shift in Asia Pacific" commented Paul Kitamura, Guest Lecturer and panel moderator fo r the real estate finance and investment roundtable at the Cornell-Nanyang Institute for Hospitality Management . More... [661 views] The fifth new hotel in Norway in seven months: Scandic opens new, urban hotel in OsloScandic's intensive growth strategy continues, with the chain now announcing its fifth hotel project in seven months. Scandic has signed an agreement to build a new 140-room hotel in Oslo. Work is expected to start during autumn 2008, with completion in January 2010. More... [676 views] The Hong Kong and Shanghai hotels, limited announces general manager appointmentsMr. Clement K.M. Kwok, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited (HSH), announces the following senior executive appointments: Mr. Paul Tchen as General Manager of The Peninsula Shanghai, effective 1 July 2008; Mr. David Batchelor as General Manager, Operations Planning and Support, effective 25 August 2008; and Mr. Vlad Reyes as General Manager of The Peninsula Manila, effective 18 August 2008. More... [1173 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: July 4, 2008Every Hospitality Executive is the author of his own health !Evil Erik had a stroke, then recovered more or less and is now looking for a new job, so managers around the world, think twice ........... By Bert van Walbeek More... [2086 views] Dominican Republic is bucking the U.S. slowing trend, reports Jones Lang LaSalle HotelsTo-date indicators show that the Dominican Republic's diverse hospitality market is well positioned to weather the economic slowdown in the U.S. With recent political advancements, significant investments in infrastructure, and a large number of European-based travellers, U.S. hotel investors are finding the Dominican Republic to be a favorable destination for investments. More... [542 views] A first for Africa - New Pan African E-Tourism conferences to help Tourism sector prepare for 2010A new initiative to develop Africa's tourism and travel sector was launched today. For the first time in Africa, E Tourism Conferences will be held across the continent to assist Africa's tourism sector to better understand the internet and the range of online marketing opportunities now available, especially in the lead up to the FIFA 2010 World Cup in South Africa. More... [539 views] Firm tourism demand - Advanced results, World Tourism Barometer June 2008According to the June edition of the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, the first results for 2008 suggest the relative stability of international tourism. In spite of uncertainties posed by the global economy, international tourist arrivals grew at around 5% between January and April 2008, compared to the same period of 2007. More... [544 views] Money can’t buy happiness say Tourism expertsHow can tourism contribute to the well-being and quality of life for local communities? The BEST Education Network convened this week for Think Tank 8 in Izmir, Turkey to address the theme of Sustaining Quality of Life through Tourism. Keynote speakers, industry presenters and international tourism researchers have determined that income alone will not always sustain quality of life in tourism destinations. More... [589 views] Scottish Chef Gordon Ramsay opens York & Albany in LondonGordon Ramsay, the Scottish celebrity chef, is making his first foray into the hotel sector with the opening of the York and Albany in London. The boutique hotel in Camden will include one of two restaurants the Michelin-starred chef is opening in the city with backing from Royal Bank of Scotland. More... [883 views] 10 travel websites to watch: JulyThe most annoying airports, Thomas Cook pulls its socks up, help with missed flights and more from the world of online travel this month. By Ginny McGrath More... [2201 views] TripAdvisor honors top 10 European Castle hotelsTripAdvisor®, the world's largest travel community, today announced the top 10 castle hotels in Europe, according to traveler popularity and TripAdvisor editors. More... [1147 views] Kuwaiti tourism giant expands to ChileAs a part of their expansion into South America, the Kuwaiti tourism company Sovereign Hospitality Holdings plans to increase its presence in Chile by building 11 new resorts, which include 1,800 rooms within the next three years. By Jason Snyder More... [607 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: July 3, 2008How does chain restaurant CEO compensation change with size?The correlation between the market capitalization and compensation mix for CEO's in chain restaurants is extremely low, in contrast to the positive correlation between market cap and CEO pay. By Brad Ellman More... [1027 views] Customer Profitability Analysis has become a logical extension of RMThe hoteliers have to consider several factors before finalising pricing for any room category. Be it the perceived value of the hotel against its competitors or ensuring that a hotel isn't competing with its own prices through the other channels, these factors are quite critical in shaping up the pricing strategy. More... [1180 views] Hottest Paris HotelsThere are a thousand different ways to see Paris, and luxury hotel options to match. Indeed, with an array of intriguing accommodations seemingly as vast and endless as galleries in the Louvre, Paris is hotel heaven. Traditionally, the two most popular hotel options in the French capital were of the three-star charming and five-star palace varieties, but the advent of design hotels as well as the flowering of a new, all-French owned palace hotel has changed the lodging landscape in the City of Light. By Anthony Grant More... [1186 views] Mail your doorman!Select Member Hotels of the Most Famous Hotels in the World can now post their smiling doorman (head concierge, etc... - your "first impression") on the famoushotels.org homepage free of charge. On the page of the hotel's entry the portrait of the hotel's doorman should not be missing. More... [1195 views] 2009 Hotel season to see slight delay: hoteliers gauge economy as some buyers revisit '08 dealsBuyers could face slight delays in hotel negotiations this year and reluctance for multiyear deals as hoteliers wait to see how the economy pans out. Yet consultants warn against allowing too much of a delay in the request-for-proposals process. At the same time, some buyers are using the economic dip as a chance for strategic renegotiation of 2008 rates, but hoteliers said it's happening only on a small scale. By Michael B. Baker More... [673 views] Silent auction Fuses Art, Spirit and Community at the iconic Hôtel de la PaixA silent auction of sculptures by the renowned architect behind Hôtel de la Paix raised more than $10,000 for local community projects on an opening night that drew more than 200 guests to the Hôtel´s trend-setting Arts Lounge. More... [542 views] European study: Lowest prices for dining in GermanySimilar to the hotel rates, in Germany the price level for food and drinks in restaurants and bars is comparatively low. According to an European study of CHD Expert Group, the average ticket in full service restaurants in Germany is 14.50 Euro - 40 percent below the price level in UK. In the british restaurants the guest has to pay 23.60 Euro in average. For the study, the international market research group interviewed thousands of restaurants, bars and bistros in each country: UK, France, Spain and Germany. More... [619 views] International research reveals the extent of work pressure on business travellersiBAHN, the leading provider of digital converged services for hoteliers, today announces the findings of a survey of international business travellers. It confirms that businesses are increasingly putting pressure on their employees to work as normal when travelling, which adversely affects older workers more than most. More... [750 views] The Town House Company gets a new identityThe Town House Company has announced that it will be re-launched as The Town House Collection. Founder and chairman Peter Taylor established The Town House Company in 1990, creating an entirely new category in the hotel industry in Scotland. The collection of 4 and 5* luxury boutique hotels has become the concept and standard against which many others have been judged and have emerged. More... [631 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: July 2, 2008On the Move - June 2008Hospitality Executive Movements worldwide is provided by Spectrum International Hospitality Services which specializes in executive recruitment for the hospitality industry exclusively. More... [3431 views] Marketing & revenue management plan 2009 – Succeeding in a difficult yearThe crystal ball is cloudy for 2009 but most of the forecasts are indicating that if will be a difficult year for the hotel industry well into at least the third quarter ‘09. It's no longer good enough just to calculate a percentage rate and REVPAR increase. By Carol Verret More... [2089 views] Russia moves towards more local management in hotelsOver the past year, the number of expatriate employees in management-level positions in Moscow and St. Petersburg has decreased significantly in 3, 4 and 5-star hotels. By Tatiana Veller More... [837 views] Selling off the Ritz in MontrealThe sweeping awning and mahogany doors at the entrance of Montreal's Ritz-Carlton Hotel have always made a strong first impression on those whisked from the grit of Sherbrooke Street into a lobby of marble and gleaming brass. By Heather Sokoloff More... [1026 views] How I became America’s only fulltime hotel doctor Every few years I open my Los Angeles Times to learn the paper has, once again, discovered the housecall. Americans yearn for it, I read, and a clever doctor is about to satisfy that need. The reporter interviews an entrepreneurial physician (different every time) who describes the sufferings of hotel guests forced to stumble through unfamiliar streets searching for an emergency room or the hardship of the housebound poor and elderly. He and his physician recruits will scurry about the city delivering care to a grateful clientele. Despite charging a fraction of an emergency room's fee, they plan to make a great deal of money. By Mike Oppenheim, M.D. More... [969 views] Green events – the new deal breakerThe Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International will host three city tour of a seminar addressing "Green Events" in July - Singapore (July 18th), Phuket (July 22nd) and Hong Kong (July 25th). The series is designed for event planners, suppliers, hoteliers, marketing and sales professionals and others involved in the planning of business meetings and events from around the region who wish to address matters of the environment and sustainability within the scope of their events. The guest speaker in all three cities is the author of "The Complete Guide To Events Planning", Shannon Kilkenny. More... [607 views] easyHotel announces second major UK development dealIn what is being seen as yet another vote of confidence in the brand, easyHotel, the leading super-budget hotel operator, has taken a major step forward in its growth plans, with the signing of a second UK development deal. The company has signed an agreement with existing franchisee, Eclipse Hotel Group, which will see Eclipse invest up to £60 million, developing 10 easyHotels across the UK, over the next four years. More... [671 views] Banyan Tree Bangkok marks 10 years of aid through annual vertical marathonAt 61 storeys tall, Banyan Tree Bangkok boasts one of the most glorious views of one of Asia's most dynamic metropolises. At this vantage point, it is also uniquely poised to lead the way in Corporate Social Responsibility, enshrined in its philosophy to embrace the environment and empower people. More... [582 views] Fasten your seatbelts Airborne 21 July 2008Today, London. Tomorrow? Marrakech, Oman, Gstaad, Zurich or beyond. Aviator, which opens this July at Farnborough Airport, is a place of possibilities. As sleek as the private jets that frequent the airport, the hotel is a new departure, dedicated to making the start of the journey as enjoyable as the journey itself. More... [685 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: July 1, 2008Web based design portal opens a new door to the hotel industryDomain Design, Australia's first visual online directory and portfolio of Architects and Designers has been officially launched to the Asia Pacific Hotel industry. Domain Design's highly visual and descriptive website offers a range of profiles of unique Australian Architects, Interior Designers, Landscape Architects and Designers who work throughout the wider Asia Pacific region. More... [868 views] The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd. adds Charles Macpherson Associates Inc. to the Leading Services and Products NetworkThe Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd. has announced the addition of Charles MacPherson Associates Inc. to the Leading Services and Products Network. Comprising a global collection of 40 endorsed companies with proven track records in the luxury hotel sector, the Leading Services and Products Network provides custom-designed products and services for the members of The Leading Hotels of the World. Offering added-value benefits, the Leading Services and Products Network is an organized, pre-qualified selection of vendors who can effectively address the specific marketing and business needs of the individual hotels. In taking this inventive approach, The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd. is helping its members stay competitive in the global marketplace, thus reinforcing its position as a market leader. More... [601 views] The Beijing 2008 Olympic Games cannot satisfy Worldwide ticket demand... yet hotelscombined.com can satisfy Worldwide accommodation demandOne World, One Dream is the theme of the Beijing Games - and if overseas ticket demand is any indicator, the whole world wants to be in Beijing for the Games to live their dream. Unfortunately Beijing Games organizers cannot satisfy worldwide ticket demand. But it is not just about trying to get tickets to the Beijing Games; numerous domestic and international travelers need accommodation on top. More... [1001 views] World Food Exchange to boost Culinary TourismSouth Australia will position itself to take advantage of the world's growing culinary tourism market when it hosts the World Food Exchange in September. Tourism Minister Jane Lomax-Smith today announced the event will be held from 21 to 25 September and will be a major boost for the State's gourmet tourism appeal. More... [564 views] Rangali Island launches ‘The Green Team’ New environmental awareness initiative at leading Indian Ocean Resort. Forget the ‘A team', the new ‘Green Team' at the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island has been equipped with the power to save more than the good guys! The award-winning Indian Ocean resort has implemented a new ‘we care' course to ensure all team members are equipped with the environmental awareness to safeguard the future of the Maldives. More... [672 views] Malmaison and Hotel du Vin implement thousands of e-learning courses in just six weeks!Approximately 2,000 courses have been completed within six weeks of launch at sister companies, Malmaison and Hotel du Vin, part of the Marylebone Warwick Balfour Group Plc (MWB). Malmaison and Hotel du Vin hotels have implemented solutions from ThirdForce Plc, one of the largest e-learning solution providers in the UK, into all of its hotels. Across the country, Malmaison and Hotel du Vin employees have been able to rapidly and efficiently further their hospitality qualifications through anytime, anywhere e-learning. More... [878 views] HSMAI Foundation Publishes Special Report "Demystifying Distribution 2.0"The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) Foundation is releasing today "Demystifying Distribution 2.0," a TIG Global special report, discussing the importance and impact of aligning proper distribution channels to appropriately match brand messaging. The report, researched and written by renowned industry author Cindy Estis Green, managing partner of The Estis Group, is a follow-up to the ground-breaking first edition, published in 2005. More... [607 views] Peace through Tourism Course LaunchedAt the 4th IIPT African Conference, May 20th - 25th 2007, Kampala, Uganda, a course on Peace through Tourism was launched, discussed and enthusiastically received by the international community. WICE - World Leisure International Centre of Excellence at Wageningen University, The Netherlands - developed this course; course director is Drs Jan te Kloeze. More... [487 views] 2,000 hoteliers manage multiple web activities with ease VIZERGYTM’s my web World™ platform makes it possibleOur Internet appetite is in overdrive; we need every feed, every favorite site and easy access at the click of a mouse. Quick and easy has definitely become the only viable option in our fast paced environment. More... [592 views] |
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