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ehotelier Hospitality News Archives: September 2008Global Hospitality Newsletter: September 30, 2008Lessons from the field: “A bakers dozen” of strategies for hotel food and beverage directorsIn today's frenzy paced period of cell phones, i-pods, text messaging, palm pilots and blackberry hand held devices that keep many people accessible and responding well beyond the ten hour workday, one wonders about the value of free "think" time any longer. More... [1428 views] Forecasting covers in hotel food and beverage outletsIn this report we explain our finding that a lodging property can generally use information on its occupancy to improve the accuracy of cover forecasts in its food and beverage outlets. We examine twenty-seven forecasting methods. Six of the methods forecast covers using only an outlet's historical data, while the others include information on the property's occupancy. By: Gary M. Thompson Ph.D. and Erica D. Killam, More... [1977 views] Excuse me, what is that smell?Something's been getting up Yeoh Siew Hoon's nose of late and it's wafting in from hotels everywhere. More... [1512 views] Lines between business and leisure travel are blurring: surveyCorporate travellers are curious and eager not just to go through the places they visit but actually enjoy them as much as business needs would allow. The industry as a whole must keep ahead of this behavioural curve to provide the service customers are now looking for. More... [1000 views] Leading futurist to headline PATA tourism strategy forumOne of the world's leading tourism industry futurists, Dr Ian Yeoman will be the keynote speaker at the upcoming Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Tourism Strategy Forum, which is bringing together tourism marketers, planners and strategists from across the Asia Pacific region. More... [538 views] STR reports U.S. hotel performance for August 2008The U.S. hotel industry posted a 0.8-percent decline in RevPAR for the month of August 2008, according to data from STR. The monthly decrease in RevPAR was precipitated by declining occupancy, while ADR continued to increase. More... [526 views] World tourism day 2008 – TOURpact.GC a new framework for tourism corporate social responsibilityTOURpact.GC was launched by the UN Global Compact and UNWTO, on the occasion of the official World Tourism Day (WTD) celebrations in Lima, Peru. It was welcomed by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon as a leadership initiative with a potential for other sectors. It is a voluntary mechanism to provide a corporate social responsibility framework, open to Companies, Associations and other Tourism Stakeholders who are Affiliate Members of UNWTO. More... [433 views] 13th annual Webby awards seeking World’s best travel sitesWhat do Expedia.com, Wikitravel, and Flightmaker have in common? More... [578 views] Vantage hospitality makes history as the only hotel company to be included on the Inc. 500/5000 list three consecutive yearsVantage Hospitality, the 12th largest hotel company in the world, added another page to the history books when it was made public last month that it is the only hotel company to be included on Inc. Magazine's prestigious Inc. 500/5000 List of Fastest Growing Privately Held Companies three years in a row. In operation for only nine years, Vantage first made the Inc. 500 list in 2006 when it posted a 307 percent revenue growth over three years. More... [523 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: September 29, 2008InterContinental hotels and resorts expands throughout the U.S. and Americas regionRecent new development pipeline additions include InterContinental New York Times Square and InterContinental Atlanta Midtown. More... [1076 views] UK chain hotels market review – August 2008Profitability dropped at provincial UK chain hotels during August, according to the latest HotStats survey from TRI Hospitality Consulting. More... [698 views] TravelCLICK's iHotelier Receives PCI certificationTravelCLICK, the leader in hotel ecommerce solutions, announced that the iHotelier Central Reservation System has been certified by ControlCase as meeting the payment card industry (PCI) Data Security Standards for credit card processing. iHotelier is certified for all the major credit cards including Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover. TravelCLICK hotel customers not only experience award-winning website design and booking engine advantages but also the confidence that guest transaction data is secured, delivering a superior online merchandizing solution. More... [481 views] ThirdForce launches new hospitality e-learning packageThirdForce, the UK's leading e-learning provider, is proud to announce the launch of a computer based training and testing package that allows all staff in the hospitality sector to obtain their National Certificate for Personal Licence Holders (NCPLH) qualification whilst at work. More... [505 views] Exciting new categories unveiled by the Considerate Hoteliers Association for ‘Considerate hotel of the year awards 2008’The Considerate Hoteliers Association (CHA) has great pleasure in announcing brand new categories for its prestigious ‘Considerate Hotel of the Year Awards 2008' - Open to all hotels and guest-houses in the UK, with a closing date for entries of 31 January 2009. More... [501 views] Free online marketing workshops for restaurants heads to LondonFollowing the success of the Livebookings Workshop in London in April this year, they will host another at Brisket Restaurant, near Southwark Bridge, London, on Tuesday 14th October. The workshop is free for members of Livebookings and selected partners. More... [447 views] STR reports U.S. hotel performance for the week ending 20 September 2008The U.S. hotel industry posted ADR and RevPAR increases during the week of 14 - 20 September 2008, according to data from STR. Occupancy rates fell for the week. More... [481 views] The grandest and the golden celebrate in IndiaAn international airline, a tourism and transport development organisation, a rainforest hideaway, and a tropical island resort took away top honours at the presentation ceremony today for Asia Pacific's only truly independent travel industry awards programme. More... [567 views] Air travel fees, bumps and hasselsTravel pro Peter Greenberg makes sense of the airline mess and finds ways to make the most of a tangled travel situation. By Peter Greenberg, More... [1000 views] Wyndham brand reports large and active construction pipelineWyndham Hotel Group today said 35 Wyndham® Hotels and Resorts and Wingate® by Wyndham hotels representing 5,668 rooms currently are under construction worldwide. There are an additional 122 hotels representing nearly 17,000 rooms in the Wyndham and Wingate development pipeline, bringing the totalnumber of Wyndham branded hotels open and in the pipeline to 395. More... [1097 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: September 26, 2008A picture’s worth more bookingsMany hoteliers are willing to spend a great amount of money on Internet marketing to promote their business. From copywriting to paid search marketing to the latest Web 2.0 trend, thousands of dollars are invested each year to capture market share from the competition in the online space. But many seem to overlook the basics behind Internet success - having a website that is appealing to the end-user. Some of the most appealing websites today are those that incorporate bold photography and imagery. More... [1632 views] Round peg, Round holeA formal tool developed to ensure human resourcing matches the roles and purpose of the function and reduces the cost of failure. By Mr. Ralf Borchert, More... [973 views] Tips for on the job trainingService, the hallmark of the hospitality industry, goes beyond the traditional meaning in the dictionary, as in, "performing work for others or supplying something needed". The idea of hospitality service encompasses the skills set that enables the staff to deliver a product in a way that meets or even exceeds guest's expectations, and sets the business apart from its competition. By J. Alex Buenafé, C.H.E, More... [1483 views] What part of No don’t you understand? How to track and assess lost group businessGroup sales managers in hotels, convention and conference center, and CVB's need to understand the reasons for lost business. This article presents a comprehensive approach to lost business analysis that helps increase group sales. By Thomas Hazinski More... [1177 views] InterContinental Hotels Group PLC announces Americas RevPAR growth to 31 August 2008InterContinental Hotels Group's ("IHG") annual conference for hotel owners in the Americas region commences this week. The revenue per available room (RevPAR) performance of IHG's brands in the Americas for August 2008 will be disclosed at this conference. More... [648 views] How we solved our staff turnover problemIn my e-book 25 Successful Ways To Motivate and Incentivise Your Staff I have collected the best ideas people have shared with me, from all the world. As well, I have added the best ideas I have ever used to motivate and incentives staff in the businesses in which I have been involved. One in particular, I called my 3x3 principle. I introduced it when we owned a Pub in Bondi Junction - Sydney in the 1990's. Here is how it worked: By Max Hitchins More... [1494 views] Intelligent Spas' Global Spa Benchmark Program underway in over 60 countriesIntelligent Spas is rolling out the first Global Spa Benchmark Program to provide a range of consistent key performance indicators comparable across the entire spa industry. Surveys are now underway in over 60 countries after expanding on the success of its spa industry research conducted across the greater Asia Pacific region since 2001. More... [1107 views] Sator acquires 40% of the Baglioni hotels groupSator and Baglioni Hotels Group announced that they have signed an agreement under which Sator will acquire a 40% shareholding in Baglioni Hotels, one of Europe's leading luxury hotel groups. More... [662 views] Autumn escapes in EuropeWelcome back to fall! Now go away: We find the best fall escapes in Europe, from hiking the hills of Lugano, Switzerland to discovering culinary treats in Tuscany to biking through Burgundy and more. By Christopher Vourlias, More... [569 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: September 25, 2008Dare to be betterIt is a strenuous leap from the pretty good to the excellent, and that chasm represents a stretch for many of us. So, let's focus on what we do well and aim to move the Hospitality Bar gradually. By John Hendrie More... [1732 views] Urgent ADA warning from Hospitality Lawyer: You won't believe what they want to do with ADA nowThe Americans with Disabilities Act or ADA was enacted by Congress almost 18 years ago in 1990 and is the "law of the land." Few would argue with the basic purpose of the ADA, to make "places of public accommodation" accessible to those with disabilities. But now, the Department of Justice (or DOJ), which administers this law, is proposing new ADA Rules that have caught many in the hospitality industry napping. It's a good thing the smart people at the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) are wide awake and have proposed the DOJ make revisions that address the realities of the industry. But what the final rules will look like is unknown. By Jim Butler More... [759 views] UK hoteliers hold own despite gloomy August weatherHotels across the UK were able to maintain steady occupancy levels, room rate and rooms yield figures in August despite the gloomy weather that set in across the country, according to preliminary monthly figures released today by PKF Hotel Consultancy Services. More... [750 views] WORLDHOTELS announces the best hotels of 2008For the second time, WORLDHOTELS has awarded the "Performing Excellence Awards" to its top properties at this year's Leadership Forum in Stockholm, Sweden. The leading hotel group for independent hotels honoured the best hotels in EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa), APAC (Asia Pacific) and The Americas (North and South America), as well as the leading hotel worldwide. More... [4638 views] Best Western expands into Laos with appointment of area development partnershipBest Western International - The World's Largest Hotel Chain® - has set its sites on an aggressive program of expansion into Laos with the appointment of an area development partnership headed by Mr. Oudet Souvannavong. More... [836 views] Tripfilms, Entrip and Conference Bay to pitch their ideas at WITThree companies - Tripfilms, Entrip and Conference Bay - have been picked as finalists to pitch their ideas live to a panel of investor judges at WIT-Web In Travel, taking place in Singapore on Oct 21-22. More... [431 views] TMS beefs up regional F&B portfolioFurther underlining its ability to service the Asia region's burgeoning hospitality and tourism sector at all levels, TMS Asia-Pacific has announced the creation of a dedicated F&B division to be headed up by specialist F&B recruiter Axel Dinesen. More... [605 views] Twelve tips for healthy travelingAccording to the Center for Disease Control, one in four Americans suffer from allergies. A Cornell University survey found that an even greater number - one-third - reported having allergies or traveling with family members who had allergic reactions. More... [737 views] JohnsonDiversey Consulting and Holiday Inn Park View Singapore Champion Hotel Food Safety in South East AsiaJohnsonDiversey, a leading global provider of cleaning and hygiene solutions, announced that a comprehensive food safety management system it designed and implemented on behalf of the Holiday Inn Park View Singapore has been officially accredited as being HACCP and ISO 22000 food safety compliant. This achievement has been independently certified by leading international standards body Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance and, importantly, is a hotel sector first for Singapore. More... [668 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: September 24, 2008Genuine star levels above 5-stars are not only possible, but inevitableGenuine star levels above 5-stars are not only possible, but also inevitable. Reaching them, however, requires one to abandon the traditional and well-entrenched ideas about how to create the guest experience. Star levels higher than 5-stars will never be possible, though, if hoteliers cling stubbornly to the paradigms, ideas, and approaches that currently dominate the hotel industry as a result of the influence of the international chain hotel groups. It is only once you turn away from them that you can create higher star levels. By Peter McAlpine More... [2300 views] America’s greenest hotels 2008Here's a round-up of 14 hotels from Manhattan to Waikiki that are doing their part to keep the planet tidy. By Ben Abbott and Richard Morgan, More... [1268 views] Asset Management vital in South East AsiaIn the past few years, South East Asia has experienced an unprecedented level of hotel activities with an abundant creation of very successful hotel owning companies. The rapid proliferation of lodging products provided a final spur to the development of the hotel asset management function. By Alex Sogno More... [952 views] Phocuswright debunks six online travel mythsMyth #1: The number of online travel buyers in the U.S. is declining. In fact, that number is on the rise, as documented in The Consumer Travel Trends Tenth Edition recently published by PhoCusWright Inc. In 2007, approximately 70% of online travelers (that is, adults who have taken a commercial air trip and stayed at a hotel for leisure in the past year, and used the Internet in the past 30 days) bought travel online, compared to 63% in 2006. More... [747 views] Nationwide survey by YPartnership reveals new trend of "Celebration Vacations"Vacations have always been a welcomed source of rest and relaxation, yet a new survey reveals they are increasingly motivated by events of high "personal significance." More... [491 views] STR reports U.S. hotel performance for the week ending 13 September 2008U.S. hotel industry RevPAR fell during the week of 7 - 13 September 2008, according to data from STR. Occupancy decline outpaced average daily rate growth for the period. More... [569 views] ITB Asia's 4-in-1 value added week for travel industryThe inaugural ITB Asia, October 22-24 in Singapore, will partner with three specialist travel trade events that will give attendees access to four leading events in one trip to Singapore. More... [506 views] Corporate social responsibility takes centre stage on opening day of the 2008 BAHA annual conferenceFour of the UK hospitality industry's leading practitioners and environmental experts have agreed to take part in a major topical Panel Forum - entitled ‘Managing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) - the Impact on Profit' - on the opening day of 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. More... [579 views] PATA CEO search well advancedPacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Chair Janice Antonson today informed the PATA Board of Directors in Hyderabad, India that the organisation had received an exceptional field of candidates for the CEO position, highlighting the prestige of this post. More... [473 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: September 23, 2008Lessons from the Field: A Common Sense Approach to Success in the Hospitality IndustryAs I was completing a project today, I came across something I wrote more than 20 years ago and it caused me to reflect a moment. By Dr John Hogan More... [1671 views] Stability is the new sexyYeoh Siew Hoon shares why she thinks this is the time and opportunity for the hospitality industry to reach out to young talent. More... [1045 views] Delivering World-Class Service Part 3: Company Service StandardsLast month, I wrote about personal service standards and introduced a pocket-sized card to assist with writing such standards. For this article, however, the focus will be on developing company-wide service standards. When building a strong service culture, it is important to have an inspiring vision and mission statement; but they only provide the context. Service standards, on the other hand, are the "nuts and bolts" of how you serve. They are the specific behaviors that you expect from yourself and your team in the ongoing journey to deliver engaging service. Standards such as "I attentively listen to others" and "I will always give a gracious goodbye", are clear and apply to everyone from the CEO to the housekeeper. By Bryan K. Williams More... [2645 views] TMS releases inaugural Asia Travel Industry Salary Survey results - Career progression emerges as one of the most dominant issuesWhile the average travel industry staffer now receives even more and varied benefits from their employers than ever before, less than half view their chances of career progression as good according to the inaugural TMS Asia-Pacific Asia Travel and Hospitality Industry Salary Survey released. More... [673 views] Maturing Indian market looks east to Asia PacificThe Indian outbound market is maturing. Among the new trends pointing to this is their inclination to look beyond traditional Western destinations. PATA and Nielsen research shows that Asian destinations have become the most travelled for Indian travellers. More... [600 views] Getting there is half the funTraffic jams, boring motorways, grim service-station sandwiches... we know how you love a good road trip. But it doesn't have be a long hard slog every time you set off on a ‘relaxing' weekend away by car: the boutique hotel specialists at Mr & Mrs Smith along with Lightmaker Manchester and Saab have created an innovative, interactive online Route Planner, to make sure that getting there is half the fun. More... [672 views] Tripleseat Software LLC launches Web application to help restaurants maximize business through private dining and customer relationsTripleseat Software LLC is pleased to announce the launch of a new Web-based software application, which helps restaurants improve operational productivity, strengthen their customer retention and increase the revenue of their private-dining business. The founder of Tripleseat is Jonathan Morse-a 17-year veteran of the hospitality and software industries with renown restaurant, hotel and software companies. More... [433 views] Wyndham Hotels introduce "Green" uniforms spun from plasticAs part of its evolving "green" strategy, Wyndham Hotels and Resorts today announced the launch of a new ecologically-friendly uniform line for hotel staff using recycled polyester fibers spun from plastic beverage bottles. More... [650 views] Choice Hotels opens 48 new hotels in AugustChoice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) continues to grow with the announcement of 48 newly-opened franchised properties during the month of August. The openings include hotels in 25 states and three countries, adding more than 4,300 rooms to the company's existing 460,000-plus rooms. Select properties that opened in August include: More... [589 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: September 22, 2008The smells and swells of serviceAhhh...the spa! Check the real world at the door, breathe in the fresh, pure environment, and sink into a relaxed state of mind. As the anticipated therapy begins and the senses prepare to absorb the ‘wah' of the moment, the therapist leans over to begin her work and the startling smell of cigarette smoke on her clothing rips the whole experience apart. By Roberta Nedry More... [1584 views] More of the same news from everywhereIn the super-connected world we live in, Yeoh Siew Hoon says news hits us so fast we don't even have time to take it in - it's a world in which we have no time for anything yet want time to do everything. More... [620 views] Downturn is creating new business travel trendsNew business travel trends prompted by the economic downturn include the booking of hotels further ahead, cutting back on executive free time, the rejection of price increases, and a growing disinterest in green issues. More... [1726 views] TravelCLICK Wins 16 International WebAwards for Outstanding Achievement in Website DevelopmentTravelCLICK, the leader in hotel ecommerce solutions, has won 16 awards for website design excellence in the Web Marketing Association's 2008 International WebAward competition - nearly doubling its achievement in 2007, when it received 9 awards. With industry-leading website design and its award-winning booking engine iStay, named also by the Web Marketing Association as the best web interactive application for the hotel and lodging industry, TravelCLICK is setting the industry standard for online conversion of web direct business. More... [625 views] Asian countries the most popular destinations for Indian travellers: NielsenWith growing disposable incomes, increasing numbers of Indians are travelling abroad for leisure and/or business. Asian countries are their most popular destinations according to the Nielsen India Outbound Travel Monitor 2008, conducted in partnership with the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA). More... [1246 views] WORLDHOTELS appoints Robert Hornman as new Vice PresidentWORLDHOTELS, the international hotel group for independent hotels, announced the appointment of Robert Hornman as Vice President Europe Middle East and Africa & Worldwide Sales and Distribution. More... [1365 views] Food safety - risk management strategies for brand protectionAll food business operators in Asia (whether they be producers, processors, importers or restaurants / food service vendors) have primary legal responsibility to ensure that the food, feed or ingredients they supply are safe. However, food safety is more than just meeting the law; a failure to deliver a safe product can negatively impact upon the value of a business's brand and its relationship with customers and employees. Author Ping Teng More... [739 views] Over 800 buyers registered for ITB AsiaOver 800 travel buyers have been qualified and confirmed as hosted buyers for the inaugural ITB Asia travel show, 22-24 October in Singapore. More... [495 views] Voluntourism catching on among travellers who want to give backWhen Toronto resident Annette Bering went on safari in Tanzania in 2006, one of the most meaningful moments of her trip had nothing to do with witnessing the splendours of African wildlife. By Emma Reilly More... [518 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: September 19, 2008A lesson for the International Banking SystemHotStats, the unique full profit-and-loss hotel benchmarking service, launched its own dynamic website this week. The new website goes live at a time when hoteliers are confronting the challenges of economic slowdown and spiraling food and energy inflation. More... [1451 views] Back to the future: Meet the hotel guest of 2020It is the year 2020. The past twelve years have been a flurry of development in the areas of design, nanotechnology, robotics, medicine, the internet, security and law. Contrary to popular opinion, the hotel industry has not been slow on the uptake. It's been the decade of hospitality renaissance. A coming of age, an evolution of service as it should be...and a tribute to true personalization. Here's a look at the hotel guest experience in the year 2020 and how guests have helped the industry become truly magnificent. By Jitendra Jain (JJ) More... [1979 views] Accor Hospitality Signs Agreement with TravelCLICK for Electronic Marketing and Market Intelligence SolutionsAgreement brings proven suite of Distribution Management, Market Intelligence and GDS Media Solutions to over 4,000 hotels in 100 countries More... [1556 views] Optimum pace in dating, gambling, and recruiting: Lessons from Dan Kutis and Kenny RogersAny American over the age of 30 will immediately recognize Kenny Rogers' 1978 hit The Gambler: More... [817 views] 14 Annoying Hidden Hotel FeesIf you've traveled lately, you know the sensation of being nickel-and-dimed. Faced with skyrocketing operations costs, the hospitality and airline industries are struggling to squeeze every last cent out of their customers. You've certainly experienced it at the airport, where redeeming frequent flyer miles, changing your ticket and even checking your luggage are now transactions that incur additional fees. By Don Willmott More... [2707 views] STR reports U.S. hotel Pipeline for August 2008The U.S. hotel development pipeline includes 5,936 hotels with 659,790 rooms according to the August STR/TWR/Dodge Construction Pipeline Report released last week. This represents a 0.2-percent decrease in rooms over July 2008 and a 16.9-percent increase over August 2007. Of the total pipeline, 199,504 rooms are not currently affiliated with a brand or chain. More... [443 views] Marriott International to introduce its luxury JW Marriott brand to Vietnam at DanangMarriott International (NYSE:MAR) will introduce its luxury JW Marriott hotel brand in Vietnam at Danang in 201l under a long-term management agreement reached with VinaCapital Danang Resort, Ltd. More... [817 views] PATA employs "Greening" measures in HyderbadPATA is reiterating its commitment to the environment by taking actions towards the greening of PATA Travel Mart 2008 (PTM08), which opened in Hyderabad, India. More... [494 views] Ivy Shanghai: A bold new boutique hotel dazzles ShanghaiShanghai's newest boutique hotel, located in a former 1950s cinema, dazzles with its fun, flamboyant design that captures the essence of old and new Shanghai. More... [826 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: September 18, 2008M&A activity in UK leisure sector subdued in H1 2008UK M&A activity in the leisure sector was subdued in the first half of 2008 with both deal volume and value down compared to the H2 2007 figures, a study by PKF Accountants & business advisers has shown. More... [684 views] Tophotelprojects.com®: 7% growth of leading hotel projects worldwideThe opening of the Atlantis resort in Dubai (1,529 rooms) end of September marks the completion of only one hotel project of nearly 100 in the United Arab Emirates. Within the next five years, approximately 42,000 rooms will be added to the first class and luxury hotel market of Dubai. The number of leading hotels grows by 21 percent which is more than any other region of the world. According to a study of tophotelprojects.com®, the number of first class and luxury hotels worldwide is increasing by 7.1 percent (that means more than 2,570 hotels and resorts). More... [1208 views] Franka Holtmann, General Manager of Le Meurice, is elected “Best Hotelier of the Year”Franka Holtmann, General Manager of Hotel Le Meurice in Paris, was elected "Best Hotelier of the Year" on 20 August 2008, at the prestigious Virtuoso Travel Mart Awards in Las Vegas. Virtuoso, the industry's leading luxury travel network, is a by-invitation-only organisation which encompasses over 6,000 elite travel specialists worldwide. The Best Hotelier award recognises an experienced hotel manager with an unrelenting passion for the industry, an astute appreciation for detail and a keen sense of how to lead and manage a dynamic team of professionals. More... [1128 views] Maybe you shouldn't have taken that staycation after allIf the media scared you into thinking you couldn't afford a summer vacation, you're certainly not alone. Staycation was the buzzword of the season and many embraced the trend, but maybe you shouldn't have been so quick to sacrifice your summer getaway. More... [699 views] Event Technology Expo™ debuts at HSMAI's Affordable Meetings® NationalHSMAI's Affordable Meetings® National kicked off on September 10th at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. with the debut of Event Technology Expo™(ETE) and a keynote presentation by Allen Blue, vice president of product strategy and LinkedIn co-founder. Blue introduced meeting planners to a new events application to be launched by LinkedIn towards the end of October, asking for feedback. More... [439 views] Dusit International joins with Bird Group on a Dynamic Expansion Plan in IndiaDusit International entered into a joint venture agreement in 2007 with Bird Hospitality Services (BHS), a wholly owned subsidiary of Bird Group - one of India's largest conglomerates, to bring the collection of Dusit International property brands to India. More... [1056 views] Hospitality revenue management professionals weigh in on industry issues at the IDeaS Client SummitIDeaS Revenue Optimization, the leading provider of hospitality revenue management and optimization solutions and services, has released results from a survey of hospitality industry revenue managers conducted at its IDeaS for Success Client Summit, held at Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal, QC. More... [1138 views] Channel surfing safelyTen years ago, Rick Hodges had just checked into a hotel room when his kids started jumping on the bed. Hodges thought to himself, "I wonder how many people have sat on that bed spread? I wonder how long it's been since it was washed?" Without even thinking, his hand went to grab the room's TV remote control. It suddenly hit him that the remote is probably just as dirty, if not more, than the bed. That moment led to Hodges' creation of ZAPLEXTM, a low-cost, disposable plastic cover for remote controls. More... [978 views] Destination Hotels & Resorts and LRA Worldwide Partner on a Guest Experience Diagnostic ProgramDestination Hotels & Resorts, a leader in the management of independent high-end hotel, resort and residential properties, has partnered with LRA Worldwide, Inc. to develop a unique guest experience diagnostic program for its portfolio. LRA will send consultants to every Destination property to assess service delivery at each guest touch point and provide prescriptive measures on how to enhance the guest experience at each of these "moments of truth." More... [917 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: September 17, 2008Local internet marketing strategies for franchised hotelsThe climate of the current economic environment is forcing franchised hotels to become more involved in their brand's marketing strategies and seek untapped, low-cost Internet revenue opportunities. In the first half of 2008, occupancy rates in North America fell by 2.4%; in Europe by 1.3% and in the Asia Pacific by 3.9%, compared to the same period a year ago (Smith Travel Research). Franchisees are starting to realize that the hotel chains' e-Commerce departments cannot possibly capture all available online revenue opportunities for their property, especially on the local level, and are looking for new and innovative ways to generate incremental online revenues. HeBS believes that launching a robust Local Internet Marketing Strategy, as described here, will help franchised hoteliers weather the economic storm and complement their traditional revenue sources and brand contributions. By Max Starkov and Mariana Mechoso More... [1354 views] Professionals around the globe agree new technology means being connected to work 24/7Technology-addicted professionals around the world are never disconnected to the office, work harder than they did five years ago and can't go more than one hour without checking e-mail, according to a new work-life study from Sheraton Hotels & Resorts. Despite feeling connected to the office 24/7, most people say they love their PDA, and new technology helps them enjoy life more and spend more quality time with family and friends. More... [827 views] Downturn or no, green hotels make economic senseJMBM's Global Hospitality Group® has a long history of supporting green hotel development. We believe that sustainability is not only the responsible, but also the financially smartest approach to hotel development and renovation. By Jim Butler More... [875 views] How does revenue management work in small and independent hotel chains?For small and independent hotel chains, a lack of resources and less money for high-end technology mean big systems and brought-in expertise just don't exist. However the hands-on-approach of senior decision-makers means better communications, leads to faster decisions, less cultural obstacles and a greater understanding of RM across all departments. More... [1883 views] Germany is Europe's largest Foodservice MarketStrong growth in the European Foodservice industry: In nearly all Western European countries the Away-from-Home Market expands. Only in Italy the Foodservice branch shows a light decrease. According to an international study of CHD Expert, the most meals will be served in Germany. Great Britain and France are ranked second and third on the Top 10 list of European Foodservice markets. More... [769 views] Best U.S. Seafood RestaurantsI doubt there's a country in the world with so much access to so much fresh seafood as the United States-two long, wriggling ocean coastlines, large rough gulfs, big and small rivers, and hundreds of thousands of lakes, from Maine to Minnesota. Yet for most of the post-1950s era, when the technology of freezing took hold on American food, frozen fish became the norm rather than the exception; most restaurants bought poor quality, cheap seafood. Then they overcooked it-usually fried or broiled. By John Mariani More... [735 views] Research and Markets: In the next few years, China's tourism industry will keep growing at a rate of 10.4%Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/f4252f/investment_report) has announced the addition of the "Investment Report of China-Listed Catering and Tourism Companies, 2000-2008" report to their offering. More... [704 views] TIG Global to assist one of Europe's most famous hotels, Grand Hotel La FloridaTIG Global (www.TIGglobal.com), the leading online marketing company for hospitality and travel, was recently selected as the exclusive Internet marketing provider for the Gran Hotel La Florida, a premier five-star hotel managed by Hamilton Hotel Partners and recognized as one of the Leading Small Hotels of the World. More... [557 views] "We love Panda" programme launches at Shangri-La Hotel, ChengduShangri-La Hotel, Chengdu's "We Love Panda" programme was recently launched with a staff visit to the hotel's adopted giant panda in Yaan Bi Feng Xia Resort -- a temporary home for giant pandas from the Wolong Giant Panda Reserve that was damaged in the Wenchuan earthquake on 12 May 2008. More... [937 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: September 16, 2008Lessons from the field: 6 observations on finding and employing problem solversWe all face challenges. For some hotels, it is the labor force, be it finding interested people, the expense or the need to improve the professionalism of the staff with increased training. For other hotels, it may be slipping occupancy or REVPAR. Cash flow or a changing market affects others. To help us we are all trying to solve the dilemma of finding and employing problem solvers; By Dr. John Hogan, More... [1443 views] Don't complain, say thank youYeoh Siew Hoon wants to be more giving person from now on. Read why in this gift-wrapped article. More... [1968 views] WOW.TRAVEL’s seven sensational lobbies to meetWOW.TRAVEL's (the online magazine of kiwicollection.com) edited by Mary Gostelow, introduces Seven Sensational Lobbies To Meet. More... [1120 views] Concierge cross selling strategiesRecently, at a charity fund raiser in South Florida, I chatted with a number of my concierge colleagues about the state of the economy and the impact it is having on the travel industry in general and hotels and resorts specifically. Occupancy numbers appear to be disturbingly lower than usual for this current off season. No doubt that this is due, at least in part, to rising prices across the board, the inevitable reaction to soaring fuel costs. This is affecting all of us. It is especially true in reference to where the public chooses to spend its dwindling discretionary income. By Elaine Oksner More... [2118 views] Distribution and customer relationship important factors in changing economyToday's economy has hospitality sales and marketing professionals evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of distribution channels, locally and globally. More... [1249 views] Discover winning strategies at new PATA eventTurning research into winning strategies is the central theme of the new Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Tourism Strategy Forum targeting tourism marketers across Asia Pacific. More... [965 views] Rendezvous enters Indian market with exciting joint venture companyRendezvous Hotels & Resorts International ("RHI"), a subsidiary of the listed Singapore company, The Straits Trading Company Limited, has entered an exciting new phase of its rapid international expansion, with the announcement of a joint venture agreement with Chennai based Indian developer XS Real Properties (XS Real), pioneer of bungalow apartments in Chennai. More... [970 views] IHG expands footprint in central China by signing two new hotels in Wuhan New CityIHG (InterContinental Hotels Group), the world's largest hotel group by number of rooms, announced it has signed deals to manage two new hotels in Central China's gateway city of Wuhan, taking a huge step in its strategic expansion into the Central and Western China market. With a total of 1,300 rooms, the two hotels are expected to open in 2012. More... [641 views] Best Western raises profile at 19th Annual Philippines Travel MartThe World's Largest Hotel Chain® participates in the 19th Annual Philippines Travel Mart this Sept. 12-14 at SM Megamall's Mega Trade Hall, to raise its profile and strengthen its brand in a country which it sees as having tremendous potential for its international-standard hotels and resorts. More... [803 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: September 15, 2008Hospitality Lawyer in Italy. Lessons from history: When will we ever learn?Lana and I are enjoying a brief Italian vacation in the Umbria region of Italy. Today we took a tour of the ancient city-state of Gubbio. I think there are some lessons here that are worth remembering. Disclaimer: This post isn't about hotel law, so you hard core readers can go ahead and click on whatever is listed next on your RSS feed. The rest of you might be interested in why I am thinking about salt, window and chimney taxes. By Jim Butler More... [997 views] BDRC announces best performing western European business hotel brands in 2008Hilton retains its no.1 position in Western Europe as measured by the BDRC Hotel Business Guest Surveys in 2008. Holiday Inn ranks second with Best Western third, however, both brands trail a considerable distance behind Hilton. More... [862 views] Hotel occupancy rate in Isles at 10-year lowReflecting the deepening downturn in tourism, the occupancy rate at Hawai'i hotels tumbled to a 10-year low in July, with the high-end market taking the biggest hit. By Robbie Dingeman, More... [728 views] Dumb travel trendsBabymoons? Celebrity cruises? Help! We turn a critical eye on the travel industry and reports on eight dumb trends gaining popularity in the business. By Joshua M. Bernstein More... [1386 views] STR reports U.S. hotel performance for the week ending 06 September 2008The U.S. hotel industry recorded occupancy and RevPAR declines during the week of 31 August - 06 September 2008, according to data from STR. The industry maintained positive rate growth. More... [508 views] Accor confirms its commitment to Poland by raising its stake in the Orbis group to 50%As part of its hotel development strategy in Central Europe, a market with very strong growth potential, Accor has announced that it has raised to 50.01% its holding in the Orbis group, which is listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange. Accor, which had held a 45.48% share in the company since August 2007, recently acquired an additional 4.53% stake at a price of PLN 55.4 per share, representing a total investment of approximately 35 million euros. More... [989 views] First international E tourism conference for Southern Africa a major successAfrica's first international e-tourism conference was held last week in Johannesburg. More than 250 delegates attended the E-Tourism Southern Africa conference and training seminars, including delegates from South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Swaziland and Lesotho. More... [513 views] Pinnacle of perfectionIn an Emirate that does excess better than anywhere in the Middle East (and arguably, the world) the challenge for the designers of the new 19-story, all-suite Raffles Dubai lay in striking a balance of exuberant glamour with a modern sense of sophistication-all while conveying the client's specified theme of contemporary luxe with elements from ancient Egypt. By Jo Baker More... [618 views] Fitzpatrick looking out for third hotel property to buy in New York cityIrish hotelier John Fitzpatrick is considering buying a third property in New York following a strong profit performance by his hotel group in 2008. By Ciarán Hancock, More... [670 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: September 12, 2008Summer 2008 results: Turnover of French hotel chain industry beyond the billion euro markIn July and August 2008, lodging turnover in the hotel industry increased by 4%, positive results considering 2007's summer season performance. More... [1028 views] Hotel network security: A study of computer networks in U.S. hotelsA study of 147 U.S. hotels finds a mixed picture with regard to the security of guests' connections to the hotels' network, whether by cable or Wi-Fi. Since many business travelers connect remotely to continue working while on the road, the potential for theft of corporate information exists. Some hotels still rely on relatively rudimentary hub technology for their networks, and these are particularly subject to hacking. By Josh Ogle, Erica L. Wagner Ph.D. and Mark P. Talber, More... [806 views] HOSTA 2008 report: Growth in Dutch hotel market is slowing downThe growth of the Dutch hotel market is slowing down. The HOSTA 2008 report by consulting firm Horwath HTL shows that occupancies and average room rates have increased only slightly. For the coming years, a further slowing of the growth or even a small decline is expected. More... [923 views] Flashy vs. Simplicity: What works best on travel websites?New research shows that international travellers prefer eye-catching design over simplicity in travel websites. Interestingly, two-thirds of these same respondents reported using Google, renowned for its minimalist design, above all other search engines. By Kaila Krayewski More... [1165 views] Europe's 10 top spas
Whether it's $500 Botox injections on their lunch break or a 90-minute, $90 alpha-hydroxy facial on a Saturday afternoon, spa-goers are willing to pay up for the promise of smoother skin, finer lines and a lithe appearance. By Lauren Sherman, More... [1400 views] Hotels go slow on hiring to cut costsIn a bid to contain costs due to lower occupancies, the hospitality industry is cutting down on its temporary staff and has slowed down on new hirings. Staff and power are considered to be the two major costs that have to be borne by a hotel. More... [966 views] How to benefit from the lucrative GCC outbound travel marketIn times of crisis, travel trade and hospitality companies should look beyond traditional markets which may be suffering from an economic downturn, resist spending yet more money in these areas, and consider instead testing the waters of still buoyant but perhaps ‘non traditional' areas for their marketing budget, such as the Middle East. By Caroline Tapken, More... [1322 views] What have you done for me lately?The Oregon Tourism Commission has answered that question for their Stakeholders with the "Q Care Program". By John Hendrie More... [513 views] Fairmont hotels & resorts announces new resort in MoroccoFairmont Hotels & Resorts has announced a new property, Fairmont Marrakech, Morocco, slated to open in 2011. Building on its growing presence in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, the resort will join other hotels in the region including Fairmont Zanzibar, Tanzania; Fairmont Towers Heliopolis, Cairo; Fairmont Mara Safari Club, Kenya and London's Savoy, reopening in 2009 following an extensive restoration. More... [1292 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: September 11, 2008Habits of highly successful hotel sales people – accelerated sense of urgencyThis is the third year that we have updated this subject and it has never been more urgent than this year! Despite the general downward trends in the overall economy there is one factor that will have a profound impact on the hotel industry in particular and the hospitality industry in general - the cuts in airline capacity. By Carol Verret More... [3220 views] Major industry partners award scholarships to 25 hospitality students and professionalsThe American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation (AH&LEF), the not-for-profit affiliate of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA), administers four scholarships on behalf of industry suppliers and partners, the American Automobile Association (AAA), American Express, Ecolab, and PepsiCo. These four scholarship programs, totaling $53,000, contribute to AH&LEF's total of more than $560,000 in academic scholarships awarded annually. More... [602 views] The marketing profile: Andrew Cosslett, chief executive, InterContinental Hotels GroupAndrew Cosslett laughs as he mimics the sultry voiceover that cooed 'One slice is never enough' in the ad for Viennetta, the ice-cream dessert that replaced the Arctic roll as the Sunday after-dinner treat of choice for British families. By Jemima Bokaie, More... [1206 views] The best hotels in London for under £100We've tracked down the best rooms that don't break the £100 barrier ... and are a little bit special as well. By Tom Chesshyre, More... [1361 views] What do CIOs think about social media?The internal IT department, headed by the CIO, no longer acts as the gatekeeper for all new technology coming into the enterprise. IT may stand at the gate to the castle, but SaaS and social media startups are swimming across the moat. Internal IT can still set fire to the moat and otherwise make life difficult. But how do you make this a win/win relationship, so that they welcome your entry? Start by understanding how IT is thinking about social media. By Bernard Lunn, More... [602 views] WTTC hosts human resources symposium in DelhiFollowing successful discussions in the conference organized in Shanghai in January, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), in association with the WTTC India Initiative, brought together leaders in the field of human resources on September 4, 2008 to discuss employment issues facing India in the coming years. More... [460 views] Mouth for sale: In the noseDid you know that London's Heathrow Airport reportedly uses the scent of pine needles to calm stressed travelers? Or that New York's Lower East Side Tenement Museum uses a coal fire smell to make its restored apartment building seem more authentic? By Kinley Levack More... [707 views] Molinaro Koger does deals for Patio hotels Aberdeen (UK) LTDSpecialist hotel real estate advisor Molinaro Koger (MK) announces that it has sold the 168-room Patio Hotel Aberdeen to Invesco Real Estate for an undisclosed sum. MK was the exclusive agent for the sale on behalf of Patio Hotels (UK) Ltd. The hotel is to be converted into the Doubletree by Hilton Aberdeen city and will be franchised under Hilton License by Patio Hotels (UK) Ltd, becoming Hilton's second Doubletree-branded property in the UK. More... [572 views] CHI hotels & resorts to operate twin property ‘Corinthia beach resort’ In Sharm El Sheikh EgyptMalta based CHI Hotels & Resorts (formerly Corinthia Hotels International) announced the signing of a long term management agreement with Cyrene Tourism Investment Corporation of Egypt for the operation of two new upscale properties in the highly popular Egyptian resort of Sharm el Sheikh. Both hotels will form part of a major resort destination to be known as the Corinthia Beach Resort. More... [549 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: September 10, 2008New VP operations for IHG ANZSPAs IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) continues to expand its portfolio of hotels across Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific, the Group has appointed Kieron Ritchard to the newly created role of vice president, operations for the region. More... [1353 views] BOO.COM’s rooms with a viewFor many travelers, sightseeing is at the top of the list while vacationing. So why wait until you leave the hotel to begin the fun? Not every hotel room view is created equal, so be sure to choose one of the select hotels located throughout the world that offer a view from the top, that is unlike any other visual experience you've had so far. Here are boo.com's top 10 list for hotel rooms with a view. More... [871 views] World's 2nd 7-star hotel will be in ChinaA management agreement to build China's first seven-star hotel was signed over the weekend, Beijing Times reports. More... [2616 views] Hoteliers weather crisis as overseas demand remains strongSpeaking in Benidorm; Spain, regional Tourism minister, Angélica Such, revealed that a 4% rise in foreign visitor numbers has partly enabled the Community's hoteliers to recoup losses generated by a marked decline in Spanish visitors, according to a report on the digital edition of the Alicante daily newspaper, 'Información'. More... [582 views] Business meetings could get smaller if economy faltersMeetings, conferences and conventions in the coming months may get smaller and less lavish as airlines slash domestic flights, travel costs rise and the economy drags. By Barbara De Lollis, More... [865 views] Profitability should be measured in terms of space and time as well as in currencyThe hotel industry has been using the RevPAR concept for a long time, in an effort to link profitability to the number of rooms actually available over a given period. Combining the rates charged for each room and the occupancy level provides an accurate indicator of performance, perfectly suited to the hotel industry. Since many properties include a restaurant and a spa, it would be appropriate to use a similar concept for both activities which, by the way, ought to be now profit centres. By Thierry Poupard, More... [1944 views] ORION Congress attracts first rate speakers to showcase future of tourismA Professor, an Astronaut and the ‘Hospitality Doctor' all set to visit Dubai for the ORION Congress. More... [708 views] You’re giving me that room? No wayWhen C. Leonard Gordon, a venture capitalist, travels with his wife, Margot, an art dealer, he never goes straight to the assigned hotel room with her. "Instead, I sit with the luggage in the lobby and read until she's decided on a room," he said. "She usually rejects the first one or two they show her. So I don't go up with her after we check in, unless I feel like I need exercise." By Geraldine Fabrikant, More... [1223 views] Buyer calls Plaza Hotel suite "attic-like," suesThe buyer of a $53.5 million penthouse apartment in New York's famed Plaza Hotel says the apartment turned out to be an "attic-like space" with low ceilings and obstructed views, and he is suing for a refund plus damages. By Edith Honan More... [968 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: September 9, 2008Voilà launches Husa plus frequent guest programmeVoilà Hotel Rewards, the first global, point-based frequent guest programme specifically created for independent hotel companies, is pleased to announce the launch of Husa Plus, the first private-label rewards programme to operate under the Voilà global umbrella. More... [1144 views] STR reports U.S. hotel performance for the week ending 30 August 2008The U.S. hotel industry posted increases in two key performance measurements during the week of 24 - 30 August 2008, according to data from STR. More... [628 views] Travel 2.0 marketing services for hotels launchedA new travel 2.0 marketing services for hotels, HotelSocialBlogs.com, has been launched by interactive marketing agency Lodging Interactive. More... [719 views] Marriott international announces five new hotels for its Caribbean/Latin America regionNew hotels in Ecuador, Honduras, Peru, Suriname and Trinidad & Tobago planned, Include upscale Marriott, moderate-priced Courtyard by Marriott and Residence Inn for extended-stay travelers brands. More... [1066 views] Singapore real estate player acquires fifty percent stake in European luxury hotel groupKOP Capital Pte Ltd recently acquired a 50% stake in Stein Group International, parent company for one of the fastest growing portfolios of integrated companies in the luxury travel and leisure sector. This investment, worth US$250 million, marks the local real estate company's foray into the global property arena, reaching across Europe and North America. With KOP Capital's participation, Stein Group International will extend its brands into Asia by 2010, including Singapore, China, Indonesia and Thailand. More... [1161 views] High-tech travel gearIt was day 12 during a month-long trek in the mountains of Nepal, and Tim Neville was holding his satellite phone to the sky. "Our group just got down from Shipton Pass," he says. "We knew there were Maoist rebels nearby." By Stephen Regenold More... [649 views] Hotels benefit from Splendia.com’s increased presence in hotel reservation marketHaving firmly established themselves overseas, Splendia.com is fast becoming the ultimate online luxury hotel reservation service for the discerning leisure and business traveller in the UK, and is rapidly overtaking other key players in this market. Online travel sales account for 50% of the total travel market in the US, with Europe expected to reach this level by 2011. More... [952 views] Increased demands on tourism industry talent pool potential windfall for candidatesWhile demand for candidates in several business sectors across Asia continues to soften, recruitment specialist TMS Asia-Pacific is predicting the slow down will have minimal impact on the region's burgeoning travel and hospitality sector. More... [988 views] Scandic donates water millions to sustainability initiativesThe Scandic hotel chain, which has long been active in environmental and social issues, is now moving beyond its hotel walls and setting up a new sustainability fund. The money for the fund will come from the new water bottles, designed by Swedish swimmer Therese Alshammar, which will soon start being sold at its hotels. The fund will support different initiatives contributing to more sustainable development, partly by awarding an annual prize of 100,000 euro. More... [437 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: September 8, 2008Top hotel board performers in a turbulent timeAs the SEC continues to emphasize the value of corporate governance, company boards have come under greater scrutiny in recent years. Based on our evaluation methodology, Morgans Hotel Group was the top performing board in 2007. By Keith Kefgen and Becca Ickowicz
More... [983 views] Increased confidence in online bookings worldwideOnline travel booking has become an international trend. New research from multilingual search engine optimisation (SEO) company Oban Multilingual confirms that most people from all over the world book their travel tickets online. By Kaila Krayewski More... [1128 views] Wellstock.Net Ltd launches unique FF&E and OS&E procurement and inventory solutionThe WellStock Furniture Fixtures and Equipment module was developed initially to allow a UK-based freight mover to answer the needs of an international FF&E procurement client. This solution allowed our client, the freight forwarder, to manage projects around the world using local third party warehouse facilities. All interested parties are able to view all purchase order status details online. More... [669 views] 12 strange and confusing things about hotelsIf anyone knows hotels, it's airline crewmembers. We often smirk at the way properties work, but then forget about them when we leave. I don't. By James Wysong More... [2069 views] The life of a hotel doctorCaring for guests at cheap lodgings By Mike Oppenheim, M.D. More... [944 views] Connecting the social media activity with booking levels is incredibly usefulSocial networks may have risen phenomenally in terms of popularity but when it comes to applying them to marketing or media strategy in general, it is mentioned that there are still no clear best practices for the same. More... [771 views] Sobha to debut hotels brand on Sheikh Zayed roadIndia and Dubai real estate giant Sobha Group has announced it has acquired a plot on Dubai's main artery Sheikh Zayed Road for the development of its first hotel in Dubai. More... [684 views] W debuts in LondonLondon's lively West End will soon be home to the city's newest insider escape. Hot in pursuit of the world's most intriguing destinations, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) today announced the opening of W London-Leicester Square and The Residences at W London-Leicester Square in late 2010. Redefining contemporary luxury with its innovative design, signature amenities and whimsical style, W London-Leicester Square will be built on the site of the former Swiss Centre building in the heart of Leicester Square. More... [712 views] 10 ways to help maximise the sale price of your hotel assetThe commercial real estate market in Australia appears to be slowing, faced with a number of challenges attributed to a slowing national economy coupled with a liquidity squeeze that has mean debt is more expensive and harder to obtain than the recent past. This is the case in some respect, however first appearances can be deceiving. More... [931 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: September 5, 2008Lessons from the field: 10 hotel sales action steps to succeed in today’s competitive marketplace
We have all heard the expressions about the need to try something different if we expect different results, as well as the message about working smarter rather than simply longer or harder. In my career as in yours, we have all seen people unexpectedly succeed and others that we believed would be the likely winners falter. In hotel sales, that can be especially true and I believe at least a portion of those outcomes are based on the "high touch" side of our industry. By Dr. John Hogan, More... [3138 views] Some hotel site designers, don’t know… What they don’t knowAs I review various hotel websites, I am constantly amazed by the number of poorly designed sites which are being developed by some hotel website design companies. To add insult to injury, it is shocking to see the over-priced fees that they are charging to design sites which do not follow acceptable search optimization guidelines or essential hotel sales principles. By: Neil Salerno More... [1257 views] Airline & hotel loyalty programs testing the social networking watersStanley Milgram originally coined the term ‘six degrees of separation' in 1967 to underscore the fact that everyone in the modern world was capable of connecting to another like soul based on common interests. But in today's world of social networking, links between strangers are much closer than in Milgram's day, and Kevin Bacon's circle of influence may have shrunk dramatically. By Ron Callari More... [643 views] From room service to lip service, TripAdvisor survey reveals the best and worst of hotelsTripAdvisor®, the world's largest travel community, today announced the results of its hotel survey of more than 2,200 travelers worldwide. Ninety-two percent of respondents said they are planning to stay at a hotel or B&B in the next 12 months. Nineteen percent will stay at a hotel or B&B more than 10 times in the coming year, and 45 percent will stay between 2-4 times in the next 12 months. More... [2145 views] Travel leaders to tackle industry issues at ITB Asia conventionTravel industry leaders from around the world will convene at the ITB Asia Convention in Singapore to face industry issues, which are at their most trying and tumultuous since 2003. More... [477 views] American hotel & lodging educational institute publishes hotel novelIn a departure from its traditional textbook publishing, the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute has published a novel about the hotel industry, written by a former hotel company executive. More... [602 views] Accor targets the boutique hotel sector with launch of the MGallery collectionAccor announced today the launch of MGallery, a collection of distinctive, high-quality upscale hotels that have an exceptional personality through one or more of four principal elements: Vision, Design, History and Location. More... [1169 views] Regent street’s café Royal building to be developed as five star, luxury hotelThe Crown Estate and Alrov have exchanged contracts on a circa £90 million (plus VAT) deal that sees Alrov take a 125 year lease of the Café Royal block, at the south end of Regent Street, central London. More... [784 views] Thailand is ready to welcome visitors, despite domestic politicsThe political stand-off in Thailand is starting to impact tourism, despite almost all tourism facilities and services operating normally and protests currently limited to a small area of Bangkok. More... [598 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: September 4, 2008Delivering world-class service: Personal service standardsEscort guests rather than pointing out directions...Never say "it's not my job"...Answer the phone with a smile...These are all examples of service standards. Companies use them to train their staff. Even while having service standards, for service to become truly a way of life, such standards must be embraced by each individual on the team. By Bryan K. Williams More... [3996 views] The online travel industry will never be the same: Allotz.com launches today!Allotz.com Revolutionizes the Online Travel and Accommodation Provider Industry with the Launch of its Next-Generation Online Inventory & Distribution Management System! More... [1111 views] WIT wins most innovative marketing initiativeAsia's leading travel distribution, marketing and technology event, WIT-Web In Travel 2007 has won the "Most Innovative Marketing Initiative" at the Singapore Business Events Awards held at the Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore. More... [521 views] Hotel high jinksWhy waste an empty room? The staff at New York's finest hotels love to get into trouble-the fun kind-after mints are on pillows and last call is served. More... [1080 views] Investor interest in San Francisco is here to stay, reports Jones Lang LaSalle HotelsIn a recent report on San Francisco's hotel investment market, Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels states that with three-quarters of upper-upscale hotels recently undergoing a renovation, San Francisco is a model of what can be done during the current market environment to maximize revenues, allowing investors to enhance value and give way to a stronger post-crunch market position. The firm recently published Hotel Intelligence: San Francisco. More... [828 views] Banyan Tree and the art of work-life balanceLong lauded as a service-oriented hospitality company, Banyan Tree faces a long-term challenge: to grow its existing pool of 7,000 employees into a major ocean of 24,000 employees by 2011. More... [1248 views] Tasting room"It's designed to celebrate the process of picking wine," says David Rockwell of the new Adour Alain Ducasse restaurant in the St. Regis New York, his first collaboration with the chef. "We created layers in the room, which relates to layers one experiences with wine." By Stacy Shoemaker Rauen More... [610 views] WInners of the 2008 AA centenary awards announcedThe AA is celebrating one hundred years of quality and service in the hospitality industry this year and last night announced the winners of The AA Centenary Awards 2008 at a glamorous black-tie ceremony, hosted by celebrity chef James Martin, at London's Grosvenor House Hotel. More... [497 views] ASIA Pacific-Africa travel and tourism industry cooperation strengthenedThe Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and Africa Travel Association (ATA) have renewed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to further strengthen cooperation between the African and Asia Pacific travel and tourism industries. More... [1054 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: September 3, 2008On the Move - August 2008Hospitality Executive Movements worldwide is provided by Spectrum International Hospitality Services which specializes in executive recruitment for the hospitality industry exclusively. More... [2948 views] 9 Of The Most Gorgeous Hotel Pools In AustraliaThe most amazing hotel pools in Australia. More... [3234 views] WTTC calls for entries for top sustainable tourism awardThe World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) - the business leaders' forum for the Travel & Tourism industry - announced its call for entries for the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards, WTTC's sustainable tourism accolade, in association with Travelport and The Leading Travel Companies Conservation Foundation. More... [562 views] Deluxe designer hotelsWhen Hotel Missoni opens its doors in Edinburgh, Scotland, in early 2009, lovers of the Italian fashion house's signature zigzag prints will be afforded the chance to sleep on Missoni-initialed sheets, eat off of Missoni plates and even swig a cocktail at the Missoni bar. By Lauren Sherman More... [1454 views] Negotiation trends: crude awakeningIt's official: Oil prices passed the "insanity" mark right around the start of the summer. Now, the price of everything that depends on fuel at some point in the supply chain (airline tickets, food and beverage, and, well, pretty much everything) is skyrocketing faster than planners can catch their breath. Hoteliers, destination management companies, transportation providers, and other suppliers are feeling the effect of high oil prices as well (edging past the $140 a barrel mark at press time.) Everyone in the meetings industry is looking for a break, even a small one, to help reduce the final bill. More... [578 views] Thailand - Emergency DegreeQuick Industry Snapshot. By Andrew Wood, General Manager - Chaophya Park Hotel & Resorts, Bangkok More... [977 views] Inn testingThough you've probably never noticed it, chances are you drive past the Hilton Garden Inn LAX in El Segundo whenever you fly into Los Angeles. Tucked away on a side street between Sepulveda Boulevard and a Green Line rail station, the generic-looking building is almost a parody of a midprice, midmarket, middle-of-nowhere airport hotel. By Joe Brancatelli More... [505 views] Scandic invests heavily in accessible roomsThe Scandic hotel chain, which since 2003 has been working to make its hotels accessible to disabled guests, is now stepping up the pace of the conversion program. In 2008 alone, Scandic will add over 100 accessible rooms, as well as raising the standard of the accommodation by providing height-adjustable beds. The aim is to meet increased demand. More... [461 views] Island twins - Skal clubs of Bahrain and Samui join forcesSkål International Kingdom of Bahrain and Skål International Koh Samui sealed a twinning agreement, in an official signing ceremony in Bahrain on 27 August, 2008. More... [495 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: September 2, 2008Hotel revenue management: today and tomorrowHotel revenue management needs stronger support from human resources policies, according to this survey of 186 revenue managers. At the same time, respondents to the survey anticipate that revenue management will extend to other areas of the lodging business, including spas and function spaces. More... [2229 views] Monastic fantasticFrom 1920 to 1970, when Sisters of the Order of Notre Dame occupied Ashdown Park, a 19th century country house-turned-convent in Ashdown Forest, Sussex, in the south of England, living conditions were suitably spartan. Nuns slept in tiny rooms in the East Wing with space for little more than a bed, a nightstand and water jug and bowl for washing. Days were spent in the chapel on the grounds, or walking the cold corridors of the mansion contemplating devotion to the Almighty in near-total silence. By Douglas Rogers More... [652 views] China special: Insight from eLong's CEO Guangfu CuiIn the run-up to the Olympic Games in Beijing, the travel industry including online travel players had projected a rosy picture for the industry. But, in the last couple of months, several stakeholders including travel suppliers and intermediaries have acknowledged that the Olympics and other events in 2008 have served to constrict the growth in tourism flows to and from China. More... [1327 views] STR reports U.S. hotel performance for the week ending 23 August 2008The U.S. hotel industry experienced occupancy and RevPAR declines during the week of 17 - 23 August 2008, according to data from STR. Average daily rate increased. More... [498 views] TMS hatches highly ‘egg-fective’ online ‘Lucky Duck’ industry incentive challengeLove a duck - travel and hospitality recruitment specialist TMS Asia-Pacific is offering industry personnel a really simple opportunity to win the accessory that just about everyone wants these days - a state of the art Apple iPhone. More... [490 views] Hilton foundation supports East End hoteliers of the future!The Hilton in the Community Foundation has funded eight hospitality-related courses in East London with a grant of £10,000 as part of the Tower Hamlets Summer University Programme. More... [643 views] Banyan Tree 2nd Q operating profit up 51% on the back of 29% revenue gainMain-Board listed Banyan Tree Holdings Limited ("Banyan Tree" or the "Group"), a leading manager and developer of premium resorts, hotels, spas and galleries, announced today its half year result which shows a 31% increase in revenue and profit after tax to S$247.6 million and S$31.2 million respectively, largely driven by its Hotel Residences segment. More... [1011 views] Kingdom Hotel to seek $350m debtKingdom Hotel Investments (KHI), an affiliate of Riyadh-based Kingdom Holding, aims to seek up to $350 million (Dh1.2 billion) in new debt by the end of this year, Chief Executive Sarmad Zok told Emirates Business in a telephone interview. By Shweta Jain More... [694 views] Indian hoteliers to promote responsible tourismThe Indian hospitality industry will promote responsible tourism and sound environmental practices, a top industry lobby official said here Wednesday. More... [745 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: September 1, 2008Klein to leave HiltonHilton Hotels Corp (HHC) president Asia-Pacific, Mr Koos Klein, has decided to leave the company and the search is on for an area president (Asia-Pacific operations) to replace Mr Klein, who has agreed to stay on latest by the end of the year. By Raini Hamdi More... [2513 views] Beijing hotel rates, revenue Spike during 2008 Olympic GamesA study of daily hotel performance by STR Global shows significant rate and revenue spikes in Beijing during the 2008 Olympic Games as the city posted an occupancy rate of 88.47 percent during the event. Secondary host cities Hong Kong and Qingdao experienced RevPAR declines. More... [1645 views] World's decadent hotel amenitiesThe hotel industry started more than a century ago when stagecoach outposts gave overland travelers a refuge from the elements--and little else. Nowadays, however, five-star properties offer well-heeled guests spa treatments, personal butlers and even room service for pets. By Rebecca Ruiz, More... [1320 views] A DNA for M&CFour months into his job as the new CEO of Millennium & Copthorne Hotels - the Singapore-based, London-listed, Kwek Leng Beng-controlled hotel company - Mr Richard Hartman tells Raini Hamdi he will create a personality for it within three years. By Raini Hamdi, editor, TTG Asia and TTGmice More... [1230 views] Shangri-la appoints Madhu Rao managing director and chief executive officer and Greg Dogan chief operating officerShangri-La Asia Limited has appointed Madhu Rao managing director and chief executive officer of Shangri-La International Hotel Management Limited (commonly referred to as Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts) and Greg Dogan as chief operating officer. More... [1867 views] European Chain Hotels Market Review – July 2008Mid-East migration and opera lift profit in Munich. July was a mixed month for European chain hotels, with year-on-year profit growth in half of the cities surveyed by TRI Hospitality Consulting's latest HotStats report. Income before fixed charges (IBFC) - also known as gross operating profit - increased in Budapest, Hamburg, London, Munich and Paris. More... [904 views] Top 10 tips when moving to Dubai for a hotel jobYoungHotelier.com presents two new video filled with hints and tips for anyone in the hospitality industry looking to move to Dubai. More... [2322 views] Macau, the fastest-growing destination in 2008More than 1.5 million international visitors have come to Macau in the first six months of this year, a 46.5 % jump over the same period last year. This does not include the 8.8 million Mainland residents who visited in the same period, according to the Macau Government Tourist Office. More... [746 views] Hilton hotels corporation makes $3 million commitment to annual scholarship fundHilton Hotels Corporation ("Hilton"), presented to CollegeBound Foundation the first installment of a $3 million 15 year commitment towards the Hilton Baltimore Convention Center Hotel Scholarship Fund at the Hilton Baltimore's official opening and ribbon cutting ceremony. The $200,000 check was presented to launch the program increasing educational opportunities for students in Baltimore to pursue a career in the hospitality industry. More... [656 views] 
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ehotelier Hospitality News Archives: September 2008Global Hospitality Newsletter: September 30, 2008Global Hospitality Newsletter: September 29, 2008Global Hospitality Newsletter: September 26, 2008Global Hospitality Newsletter: September 25, 2008Global Hospitality Newsletter: September 24, 2008Global Hospitality Newsletter: September 23, 2008Global Hospitality Newsletter: September 22, 2008Global Hospitality Newsletter: September 19, 2008Global Hospitality Newsletter: September 18, 2008Global Hospitality Newsletter: September 17, 2008Global Hospitality Newsletter: September 16, 2008Global Hospitality Newsletter: September 15, 2008Global Hospitality Newsletter: September 12, 2008Global Hospitality Newsletter: September 11, 2008Global Hospitality Newsletter: September 10, 2008Global Hospitality Newsletter: September 9, 2008Global Hospitality Newsletter: September 8, 2008Global Hospitality Newsletter: September 5, 2008Global Hospitality Newsletter: September 4, 2008Global Hospitality Newsletter: September 3, 2008Global Hospitality Newsletter: September 2, 2008Global Hospitality Newsletter: September 1, 2008
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