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ehotelier Hospitality News Archives: January 2009Global Hospitality Newsletter: January 30, 2009First step in new sales: Believe it is possible!As a supplier for the hospitality industry for two decades, it has always been interesting to see how hotels and hotel companies react during times of economic downturn. This current downturn has been especially interesting to observe because for most hotels, it follows several years of record profits, which all seasoned veterans know can't last forever. Even with the downturn many hotels will still produce respectable profits next year overall. By Doug Kennedy More... [2901 views] Hospitality demand likely to record CAGR of 8 to 10% by 2011 says C&WDespite the current economic slowdown, the CAGR for hotel room demand in India in the organised sector for 5 star deluxe, 5 star, 4 star and 3 star categories is expected to be in the range of 8-10% per annum from 2008 to 2011, while the average supply CAGR is estimated to be approximately 22% per annum over the same period according to global property consultants, Cushman & Wakefield. In their latest report The Voyage, 11 key hospitality markets in India have been assessed to reveal that NCR (20%), Mumbai (15%) and Bangalore (14%) are expected to witness the highest compounded annual growth in demand from 2008 -2011. While the current occupancy rate in Chennai stands at 75%, a significant addition of supply in the coming years is likely to result in a deceleration in demand by 3% Y-o-Y for the next three years, thereby directly impacting the occupancy rates. More... [1405 views] International tourism challenged by deteriorating World economyThe overall 2% growth in international tourism for 2008 builds on the strong results of the first part of the year before the collapse of the financial markets. The second half of the year showed an abrupt shift in trend with international tourist arrivals flat or showing negative growth in each of the last six months of 2008. Overall, the 5% growth between January and June gave way to a 1% decline in the second half of the year. Though certainly not immune to the economic woes, tourism has initially resisted the economic downturn better than other economic sectors, such as construction, real estate or car manufacturing. More... [50732 views] European chain hotels market review - December 2008European chain hoteliers reported falls in profit, revenue and occupancy across most key cities More... [1266 views] Global visitor arrivals up 2% in 2008In 2008, international tourist arrivals reached 924 million, up 16 million over 2007, representing a growth of 2%. More... [518 views] Business people cutting hotel staysThe average length of corporate hotel stays fell notably from 1.9 to 1.5 nights in 2008, according to the latest survey by HRG. By Bev Fearis More... [882 views] TravelCLICK names the Strathcona hotel as 2008 eMarketer of the yearAt an exclusive black-tie extravaganza celebrating travel and hospitality marketing excellence, TravelCLICK and the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) named The Strathcona Hotel eMarketer of the Year for 2008. The award was presented before an audience of global industry leaders at the 2008 HSMAI Adrian Awards Gala in New York. More... [656 views] Global construction pipeline overview at Q3 2008After peaking in Q2 2008, the Total Global Construction Pipeline decreased 6% to 10,169 projects/1,707,817 rooms. All regions reached cyclical peaks in Q208 except Canada, the Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America, which crested earlier in Q108. All regions experienced a Quarter over Quarter (QoQ) decline in Q308. Many showed a noticeable deceleration in projects and room counts. Several factors have prompted this turnabout: More... [850 views] STR reports U.S. hotel performance for year-end 2008 and December 2008The U.S. hotel industry finished 2008 with a 60.4-percent occupancy rate, an average daily rate of US$106.55 and revenue per available room of US$64.37, according to data released from STR. The occupancy rate was 4.2 percent lower than industry-wide occupancy at the end of 2007 (63.1 percent), while ADR was 2.4 percent higher than 2007 (US$104.04), and RevPAR was 1.9 percent lower than 2007 (US$65.61). More... [657 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: January 29, 2009Demand for leisure shared ownership products to grow in IndiaThe demand for timeshare products in India is expected to grow at an annual growth rate of approximately 16% per annum from 2006 to 2015, largely facilitated by supply growth admeasured at approximately 12% per annum over the same period according to a report released by Group RCI and global real estate consultants, Cushman & Wakefield, "The Spectrum of Leisure Real Estate Products in India". This is further reflected by the growth in holiday exchange bookings that increased by 28% in the period between January to November 2008. More... [993 views] The best job in the worldYeoh Siew Hoon has found the best job in the world and it doesn't involve getting a tattoo. By Yeoh Siew Hoon More... [1620 views] Gradigio's 109 internet marketing ideas for hotels in 2009As we enter a new year, hotel management has more options than ever for promoting their properties online. For those that succeed, the rewards are clear: more direct sales revenue, and less 3rd-party commission fees. By Alicia Sheber and Josiah Mackenzie More... [1398 views] 6 Hotel internet marketing experts share best practices and thoughts on things to come in 2009Very early on this month, a colleague (thanks Lola!) sent me a copy of Peter Kim's collaborative compilation of thoughts by bloggers on Social Media. I loved the format and the power that collaboration could harness...bringing together the thoughts, ideas and best practices of those defining the field. By Jitendra Jain (JJ) More... [2125 views] Hotel industry - quo vadis?In a time of global economic and financial crisis the world's hotel industry is once again facing huge challenges. On 12 March 2009, international experts at the ITB Hospitality Day will discuss current tendencies and future trends. More... [725 views] Research and Markets: Extensive analysis of Marriott International which also includes SWOT and PEST analysisThe product Company Analysis is a highly comprehensive research analysis on the particular company and its competitors. A company analysis includes a complete and comprehensive analysis of the selected company, an overview of the industry the company operates in, a PEST Framework Analysis of the industry, and then moves on to analyzing the company itself. More... [1967 views] HSMAI announces recipients of annual AdrianThe Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) presented the winners in its 52nd annual Adrian Awards at the Marriott Marquis in New York City on Monday night. The Adrian Awards honor the top companies and individuals in hospitality, travel and tourism advertising, public relations and web marketing. More... [575 views] Gaza conflict to affect tourism industryThe Middle East is a luring tourism destination but it is also a restless area. The recent Israeli military action in the Gaza strip has once more stirred up the problematic relations within the region. How will such a move impact the tourism industry? More... [728 views] US Lodging Development Overview at Q4 2008The US Construction Pipeline totaled 5,358 projects/686,516 rooms at the end of Q4. This represents a 9% decline by projects and 13% by rooms from the cyclical peak in Q2 2008. The Pipeline is declining at an accelerated pace, having lost nearly 100,000 rooms over the past 2 quarters. This downward trend is expected to continue through 2010. More... [539 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: January 28, 2009Research and markets: Recession? report details the state of the hotel marketResearch and Markets has announced the addition of the "Hotels Market Report Plus 2008" report to their offering. Between 2003 and 2007, the UK hotel market increased by 31.4% in value, reaching £15.07bn. Growth over this period has been against a positive economic backdrop and, in part, also reflects the recovery of the global travel market after 2002. More... [1392 views] Amadeus partners with hotel booking organisationA strategic partnership has been signed between Amadeus and the Hotel Booking Agents Association (HBAA). It will enable the company to gain further understanding of the hotel agency sector's technology requirements and develop products which support specialist agents in the hotel bookings space. More... [610 views] UNWTO calls on tourism leaders to join the green economyDespite the evolving global recession there is a real opportunity if world leaders succeed in aligning short term response to the economic meltdown; medium term response to the development agenda and long term response to the climate imperative. The need for global stimulus should be linked with the transformational potential of a green economy. Tourism can reliably boost the economy in the short to medium term, without loosing sight of long-term commitments to the sustainable development agenda. This was the main message delivered by UNWTO Assistant Secretary-General Geoffrey Lipman, addressing the European Travel Commission's Transatlantic Conference. More... [503 views] Ruby Falls announced as first U.S. attraction to join dual green globe/green certifications programTennessee's Ruby Falls, a top tourist attraction that has played host to millions of visitors since its first tour in 1930, has been announced as the first U.S. client for the dual Green Globe/Green Certifications program for tourism businesses. The dual certification program is offered by Green Globe International, Inc., worldwide owner of the Green Globe Brand, and Green Certifications, Inc., a leading third party certification based on internationally accepted documentation. More... [441 views] STR reports U.S. hotel performance for the week ending 17 January 2009The U.S. hotel industry posted declines in all three key performance measurements during the week of 11-17 January 2009, according to data from STR. In year-over-year measurements, the industry's occupancy fell 12.9 percent to end the week at 48.3 percent. Average daily rate dropped 4.0 percent to finish the week at US$101.96. Revenue per available room for the week decreased 16.4 percent to finish at US$49.22. More... [457 views] Hilton Hotels Corporation luxury portfolio continues to growHilton Hotels Corporation (HHC) has announced that it has entered into a management agreement with Primrose Capital (UK) Ltd, to open the first new build Waldorf Astoria hotel in Europe. The Waldorf Astoria Berlin in Germany is anticipated to open towards the end of 2011 and will feature 242 luxury guest rooms and suites. More... [863 views] Starwood hotels & resorts to open its 1000th hotelFrom the American Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) in San Diego, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) announces it will open its 1000th hotel in 2009. The milestone comes as part of the company's plan to open 100 hotels this year in diverse markets throughout the world. More... [2282 views] First Shangri-La in North AmericaWith a ceremonial unlocking of the front door at 11 a.m. Pacific Standard Time on January 24, 2009, General Manager Stephen Darling officially opened Shangri-La Hotel, Vancouver. It is the first hotel in North America for the Asian-based luxury hotel group, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, and its 60th hotel worldwide. More... [1201 views] Another slow month for UK hotelsThe festive season did not bring much cheer for UK hoteliers in December as room rate, occupancy and rooms yield all fell for most during the month, according to preliminary monthly figures released today by PKF Hotel Consultancy Services. More... [968 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: January 27, 2009Asian tourism set for rocky ride in 2009
Across Asia hotels, airlines and tourism operators are bracing for another tough year as the financial crisis keeps long haul visitors at home, and regional travelers tighten purse-strings with shorter, budget trips. "There'll definitely be a drop in business, fewer tourists is a reality," said Laurence Lai, the owner of two photo galleries at Hong Kong tourist hotspots. By James Pomfret More... [1180 views] The worst is yet to comeI have been predicting for a while that the most recent bear market sucker's rally would lose its steam and, like the previous bear market rallies in the last 18 months, U.S. and global equities prices would head again toward new lows. Here's why. By Nouriel Roubini, More... [1545 views] Business Travel News names Rearden Commerce CEO, Patrick Grady, one of the top 25 most influential executives of 2008Rearden Commerce founder and CEO, Patrick Grady, was named as one of the Top 25 Most Influential Executives of 2008 by Business Travel News. The annual list recognizes the 25 business and government executives whose decisions held the greatest sway over the business travel industry in the previous year. More... [473 views] Travelocity helps customers travel responsibly with green directoryTravelocity has launched an eco-friendly directory to help travelers determine green from "green-washed." In a recent Travelocity survey, 59 percent of respondents stated a "green" rating would have at least some influence in their hotel selection in 2009. The green travel directory highlights properties and destinations already offering meaningful sustainability initiatives and is a trusted resource for consumers looking for eco-friendly options in 2009. More... [717 views] Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants named to Fortune's 2009 “100 Best Companies to Work For” listKimpton Hotels & Restaurants, a collection of 44 boutique hotels and chef-driven restaurants in the US and Canada, announced that the company has been named to FORTUNE's annual "100 Best Companies to Work For" list for the first time. More... [689 views] China-based Dalian Wanda group appoints Hilton hotels corporation to manage five luxury and upscale hotelsChina based Dalian Wanda Group, a major real estate developer, has announced that it has entered into a strategic relationship with Hilton Hotels Corporation to expand its footprint in the hotel industry in China. Hilton Hotels Corporation has been appointed to manage 5 hotels on behalf of subsidiaries of Dalian Wanda Group, which will own and develop the properties. More... [2860 views] Hospitality Ventures forecasts long term success with the help of technologyDespite a challenging forecast for the hotel industry, Atlanta-based Hospitality Ventures is looking ahead with confidence and an expectation for continued growth. "You have two priorities at a time like this," says Roger Miller, Hospitality Ventures vice president of sales and marketing. "Hunker down and manage expenses while at the same time remaining very sales-marketing aggressive in preparation for the inevitable market turn-around." More... [527 views] Jordanian tourism site experimentThe results of Oban Multilingual's experiment, which tested the French and German reactions to a Jordanian tourism website online, show that different cultures respond differently to website variations. More... [874 views] Le Meridien unveils breakfast studyWe know how important breakfast is, and even more so when we are traveling. But what is available right now - are they good enough? Boring? In a quest to discover how breakfast is perceived by travelers, Le Meridien recently conducted a survey with business and leisure travelers in Asia Pacific and have unveiled the results. The survey was conducted in Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, China and India. More... [1651 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: January 26, 2009Bookings down, mobile and branded fares way to go, says BaileySo how bad is bad? Robert Bailey, Abacus International's President & CEO, gives his reading of the regional travel market. More... [1006 views] STR reports U.S. hotel Pipeline for December 2008The total active U.S. hotel development pipeline includes 5,706 projects with 612,892 rooms, according to the December 2008 STR/TWR/Dodge Construction Pipeline Report released this week. This represents a 0.4-percent decrease in the number of rooms in the total active pipeline over December 2007. The total active pipeline data includes projects in the In Construction, Final Planning and Planning stages, but does not include projects in the Pre-Planning stage. More... [465 views] Red Lion Hotels adopts poison pill planRed Lion Hotels Corp. said Thursday that it adopted a poison pill plan to make it more difficult for a hostile takeover to occur. More... [917 views] Hong Kong Voted "Best city in Asia Pacific" in Travel Weekly`s 6th annual "Reader`s Choice" awardsIn the race to the top among world-class destinations, Hong Kong was voted "Best City in Asia Pacific" in Travel Weekly's "Reader's Choice" Awards. In the magazine's 6th annual poll of travel professionals to celebrate "the best of the best in the travel industry," Hong Kong placed first among such formidable crowd pleasers as Beijing, Singapore, Sydney and Bangkok as the city that "wowed" travelers most. More... [650 views] Terrorism affecting tourismConflicts and crisis are part of our everyday lives. They have always been here and they always will. How do they impact the tourism industry? There are the recent terrorist acts in India and protests in Thailand. These crises have surely negatively affected the tourism industry in these destinations. Some tourists may now ask whether there is any place safe to travel to. More... [1323 views] Sabre’s hospitality businesses racking up awards in recognition of innovation and marketing solutions with proven resultsSabre's hospitality business recently received multiple awards in recognition for individual expertise as well as the marketing results achieved for its customers. On the individual level Felix Laboy and Trevor Stuart-Hill were named to Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International's (HSMAI) Top 25 Extraordinary Sales and Marketing Minds of 2008 reinforcing Sabre's focus on building the best team in travel, including industry expertise in the strategic areas of revenue management and Internet marketing. More... [500 views] WTTC announces theme for 2009 Global Travel & Tourism SummitMembers of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) met with the Brazilian Minister of Tourism, Luiz Barretto and President of Embratur, Jeanine Pires, along with high-level representatives of the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina and other key business leaders, to unveil the theme of the 9th Global Travel & Tourism Summit: 'Real Partnerships - Energising Economies'. More... [443 views] ASTA encouraged by draft stimulus billASTA is encouraged by a newly-released draft of the forthcoming economic stimulus bill. The draft, announced by House leaders yesterday, includes provisions designed to create small business opportunity. Among these provisions is $430 million for new direct lending and loan guarantee provisions to make loans more attractive and to free up capital. More... [490 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: January 23, 2009Introducing the travel Ekspert, a new travel blog from priceline.comPriceline.com announced today the launch of The Travel Ekspert, a new blog that promises to be chock full of budget-friendly trip suggestions, advice on how to use priceline.com's various services, smoking hot deals uncovered by the priceline.com travel team experts, general travel news and more. More... [470 views] Hiring, and dating, the wrong person and another chance to get it right …2008 has been a terrible year for Evil Erik, being fired 3 times and suffering another stroke did not make for a vintage year and his ambiguous New Year's resolutions will, once again, become simply " checks " that he draws on a " bank " where he has no account anymore ..........By Bert van Walbeek More... [2038 views] Cap and trade: On the horizon for hoteliers?The new administration's environmental policy is a work in progress, but it is clear there will be major impact on businesses-including hotel companies-as the new term progresses. The incoming president's "New Energy for America" emissions campaign policy statement includes an "80 percent reduction of carbon dioxide emissions by 2050" and a "100 percent auction to ensure every ton of carbon is paid for." It is likely that hotel operators will be affected by these ‘cap and trade' mandates proposed during the election campaign. By Bill Cowern More... [511 views] ALIS delegates split on economic futureA survey of more than 3,000 past and current delegates of the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS), the hospitality industry's premier investment conference, this week revealed a split decision on predictions for an economic upswing in 2009. Despite the widespread doom and gloom predictions, a significant portion of the ALIS delegates have a reasonably optimistic outlook for the hotel investment community as the new year begins. More... [496 views] Sustainability initiatives in travel industryThe Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) and Tourism Cares have partnered to recognize sustainability initiatives in the travel industry with a new award. The first-ever Tourism Cares Sustainability Award will be presented at the HSMAI Adrian Awards Gala, Jan. 26, 2009, at the Marriott Marquis in New York City. More... [672 views] Why it pays to know where your Assets are: A guide for Hotel OwnersIn the current period of economic uncertainty, hotel and hospitality organisations alike are looking for new ways to protect the revenue and limit losses. This ethos naturally extends to getting the most from the equipment used by staff and guests within hotels and deferring unnecessary purchases where possible. By Dan Drum More... [851 views] Top 10 Airports to spend your night atAnyone who has ever had to spend a night at the airport knows exactly what services and amenities he/she would like to receive yet unfortunately mostly doesn't. Comfortable seats, quality food for reasonable prices ("reasonable" stands for "less than four times more expensive than in the outer world"), numerous and clean toilets as well as showers, lounge areas with couches and wireless internet access.There are not many airports where you can get all of these, plus maybe even something more. More... [1352 views] Gold Coast tourism operators prepare for Chinese New YearAre Chinese tourists different to Japanese tourists? Why are they so noisy? Why don't Chinese tourists line up? What do Chinese tourists need and expect when they travel? Why is Chinese New Year so important to them? What sort of souvenirs and gifts do they like to buy? What can tourism businesses do to better understand and look after Chinese tourists in order to grow this important and emerging market? More... [754 views] IHG opens first Hotel Indigo outside North America and signs three more hotels in LondonIHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) opened the doors of Hotel Indigo London Paddington - the first Hotel Indigo outside North America - and announced a deal to open three more Hotel Indigo properties in the city. More... [570 views] World of Accor 2009 expo to be held in 12 Asia Pacific citiesAsia Pacific's largest hotel group, Accor, announced the dates of its ‘World of Accor 2009' expo programme encompassing 12 cities throughout the region. More... [671 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: January 22, 2009What you did not do during good times is biting you now!We are all scrambling mightily in this down economy, awaiting a return to the halcyon days of yesteryear, when we were booming - development, conversions, expansion, I need another wagon to carry my money to the bank, diversify that portfolio, I cannot decide between the Prada and the Gucci, go Patriots and Red Sox! Little did we know! By John Hendrie More... [1261 views] The new era of hotel experience marketing: Choice is the new king, all hail the kingFollowing on from the earlier articles, Back to the Future: Meet the hotel guest of 2020 (September 2008) and 5 Future Developments that will revolutionize Online Hotel Marketing (October 2008), here are some thoughts on the role of Choice in successful Hotel Marketing of the future. I presented these ideas at the recent Revenue Management and Pricing Middle East Conference in Abu Dhabi... By Jitendra Jain (JJ) More... [1014 views] Productivity ‘bonus’ to fuel hotel sector fight-backA once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to increase productivity in hotels in Britain and across Europe by at least 15%, and up to 30%, is the unintended outcome of recession and will be the basis of a fight-back in the sector. More... [1004 views] Hotel Horoscopes for 2009: The best hotels for each star signWhen it comes to personality traits, the twelve star signs of the Zodiac could not be more different. As diverse as their personas are, so are the distinctive preferences of each sign when it comes to the perfect holiday accommodation. With almost 500 unique hotels in over 300 destinations worldwide, WORLDHOTELS offers the ideal hotel for every taste. More... [1828 views] Fifth AHIC set to confront key issues facing hotel investors and operatorsIn the wake of predictions of stagnant growth in global tourism by the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), Jonathan Worsley, co-organiser of the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC), calls for the region's hospitality sector to stand firm and together. More... [422 views] Surveying the Indian retail landscape: Mistaking the tree for a forestIn the last two months, the Indian travel industry has witnessed growing friction between the large flag carriers and travel agencies. The bone of contention has been commissions, which are rapidly disappearing as a source of revenue. Ram Badrinathan, general manager, Asia Pacific, at PhoCusWright offers his perspective on this controversy. More... [479 views] Four Tanzania hotel in the “100 best in the world” Conde Nast Traveler readers choice awardsFour deluxe Tanzania properties were featured in the leading travel magazine in the US, Conde Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards honoring the 100 Best in the World. The prestigious list, featured in the November 2008 issue of one of the leading magazines, included four spectacular properties in Tanzania, unlike any others in the world: Arusha Coffee Lodge, Plantation, Migration Camp, Serena Mountain Village and Ngorongoro Crater Lodge. More... [798 views] STR reports U.S. hotel performance for the week ending 10 January 2009The U.S. hotel industry experienced declines in all three key performance measurements, including double-digit drops in occupancy and revenue per available room, during the week of 4-10 January 2009, according to data from STR. More... [483 views] Marriott International to open seven hotels in India in 2009Marriott International is on track to open seven hotels, adding new 1,561 rooms, in India this year, said Ed Fuller, president & managing director of international lodging. These new openings will offer employment opportunities in the hospitality sector across the country. More... [917 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: January 21, 2009Growth of the middle class in India: Implications for domestic tourismThis article focuses on placing the needs of the emerging and expanding middle-class Indian centre stage to trigger domestic tourism in India. By Avantika Singh More... [1171 views] Milestone Internet Marketing, Inc. wins multiple Adrian awards for excellence in hotel internet marketingMilestone Internet Marketing, Inc., a full-service internet marketing agency for hotels, announced that it won three awards for Search Marketing Strategy in the "Hotel - Individual Property" category in HSMAI's recently concluded Adrian Awards Competition. Out of almost 1300 sites submitted for the Adrian Awards this year, Milestone was honored for its creative brilliance and best practices in internet marketing for the hospitality and travel industries. More... [762 views] Managing the “sea of discontent”.Web In Travel is declaring this the year of the silver lining. Yes, it is there if we look hard enough. To help us find it, WIT asked our panel of industry experts to pick their top three opportunities for the year in this ongoing series of "The Silver Lining In the Online Travel Space". By Gordon Locke More... [469 views] Travel agencies winning out against the webTravelMole Guest Comment by AITO Specialist Travel Agents chairman Barry Moxley (Traveltime). I'll be the first to admit that the current economic climate is doing the travel industry few favours - but it is providing AITO Specialist Travel Agents with increasing opportunities. More... [556 views] First ever BDRC Russian hotel guest survey results publishedThe hotel market in Russia is widely regarded as offering many opportunities for the hospitality industry. However, little research has been available on this developing market. Now specialist market research company BDRC has just released the Russian edition of their respected Hotel Business Guest Surveys investigating the Russian business travel market. The report highlights some of the areas in which the market offers great potential for hotel brands including: More... [932 views] Maintaining the green travel momentum through recessionIt seems that not even the most experienced financial pundits have a clue about what's going to happen to the economy in 2009 so making any predictions in the current climate is a tricky business. By Sue Hurdle More... [509 views] Chumpol unveils rescue planNew tourism minister promises 3.8 billion baht stimulus package for Thai trade. By Watchiranont Thongtep More... [554 views] Swiss-Belhotel International gears upAs 2008 drew to a close, one of the world's fastest growing hotel management chains, Swiss-Belhotel International, held its General Managers' Conference at their new deluxe 5-star hotel, Grand Swiss-Belhotel Medan, to prepare for a dynamic 2009. More... [1035 views] Best Western partners with UniFocus for their web-based feedback technologyUniFocus' Member Feedback System is the most robust web-based feedback technology in the industry for gathering candid feedback from member hotels about their service experience. The survey questions are designed to measure overall satisfaction and relate to each applicable department providing support; feedback results provide opportunities to improve the membership association's service to Best Western hotels in North America. More... [812 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: January 20, 2009Global Pipeline Overview at Q3After peaking in Q2 2008, the Total Global Construction Pipeline decreased 6% to 10,169 projects/ 1,707,817 rooms. All regions reached cyclical peaks in Q208 except Canada, the Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America, which crested earlier in Q108. All regions experienced a Quarter over Quarter (QoQ) decline in Q308. Many showed a noticeable deceleration in projects and room counts. More... [885 views] TIG Global wins big at international marketing competitionTIG Global Secures 12 Adrian Awards for outstanding website design and e-marketing from the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI). More... [613 views] Hotelier of the Week: Ruraigh WhiteheadRuraigh Whitehead, general manager of the Millennium Madejski Hotel in Reading, talks about running a hotel attached to a sports stadium. By Stanley Slaughter More... [933 views] Travelers' philanthropy conference in Tanzania exceeds expectationsOver 225 delegates attended the 2008 Travelers' Philanthropy Conference held in Arusha, Tanzania, making it the largest and most diverse conference ever held on this theme. More... [467 views] Carlson to add 50 properties in India by 2011Carlson Hotels has confirmed that it plans to add more than 50 properties, or over 6000 rooms, to its India portfolio by 2011. The rooms will be spread across four Carlson brands - Radisson Hotels & Resorts, Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts, Park Inn and Country Inns & Suites By Carlson. The India expansion is part of the group's strategy to double its regional presence in Asia Pacific over the next four years. More... [801 views] EcoGreenHotel contracted by INNovative hotel management for sustainability programEcoGreenHotel has been contracted by the Hampton Inn in Easton, Pennsylvania to establish a sustainability program. The Hampton Inn, managed by Lorrie Miller, has chosen to begin its green hotel initiative with EcoGreenHotel's "Sustainability Support Program." This program evaluates the sustainability of a property and then sets in motion the actions to further progress its eco-friendly standing. The green hotel program is scheduled to begin on 1/15/09. More... [590 views] AAA Four Diamond Awards for Hotel ZaZaHotel ZaZa is the recipient of three 2009 AAA Four Diamond Awards for its Houston and Dallas properties. On the heels of being named one of Fortune Magazine's "Best New Business Hotels" in 2008, Hotel ZaZa Houston received the AAA Four Diamond Award following its first AAA inspection. Sister property Hotel ZaZa Dallas garnered AAA Four Diamond Awards for both the hotel and on-site restaurant, Dragonfly. More... [730 views] Holiday Inn Express® set to open in Clovis, CAIHG announced that a new 91-room Holiday Inn Express in Clovis, CA is expected to open this month. The property will showcase the brand's new sign, which is the seal of approval that this hotel exemplifies the standards of the $1 billion Holiday Inn brand relaunch program. First announced in 2007, the relaunch program was established to create a more contemporary brand image as part of the drive to increase quality and drive consistency across the global portfolio. More... [682 views] Hall & Associates launches career consulting & coaching servicesIncreased demand for expert career guidance in a downturned economy leads nationally-recognized executive recruiter, Hall & Associates, Ltd. (H&A) to expand its array of services. Celebrating its tenth year as one of the nation's leading hospitality recruiters, the firm is expanding its primary role as a search firm to support professionals seeking career coaching and guidance. More... [538 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: January 19, 2009Hotel performance in India – Is the party over?Have hoteliers been booted out of the club forever or are they just suffering from a temporary hangover? The current dip is an inevitable part of a cyclical sector. By Manav Thadani More... [1381 views] STR release November 2008 worldwide hotel performance resultsThe global economic slowdown is having an impact on the hotel industry based on the world's four regions reporting mixed year-over-year results when reported in U.S. dollars, euros and British pounds for November 2008, according to data compiled from STR Global. More... [1079 views] Resorts stay connected with guests via social networks and blogsToday, resorts are seeing the value of engaging prospective or recurrent guests online through social networks, blogs and review and photo sharing sites. More than 35 resorts participate in HSMAI's Resort Marketing Special Interest Group "Best Practices Initiative"; which was conducted earlier this year to analyze online marketing approaches today. Comparisons were drawn to a similar study completed in 2005. While the current economic woes and bailouts point to an even greater use of online marketing, the research conducted in Spring/Summer 2008 still reveals interesting benchmark trends for this important sector of the hospitality industry. The "Best Practices Study" found that: More... [849 views] Discount voluntourists forecast for 2009David Clemmons forecasts 10 aspects of voluntourism for 2009 including discount voluntourism in his preview of the voluntourism year ahead. More... [636 views] The websites that focus on timeliness, relevance and ease of use will continue to gain market shareTravel companies are focusing on a couple of areas when it comes to enhancing the quality of the customers' web experience. Companies are keeping travel deals fresh and up-to-date in real time and available to serve those fresh deals to satisfy the web page download times demanded by consumers. Plus, the emphasis is also on offering advanced user interface features to aid consumers in selecting, identifying and filtering travel deals, but without impacting the page download time. More... [568 views] AboutAnywhere.com responds to backlash from travel agents regarding objective to eradicate commissions in hotel industryIn response to backlash from the travel agency community in reference to AboutAnywhere.com's commission-free online distribution model for the hotel industry, the Company issues the following statement. More... [567 views] WORLDHOTELS announces partnership with Asia MilesWORLDHOTELS to offer the largest network of airline partners by any independent hotel group by welcoming Cathay Pacific Airways as the 20th airline partner More... [1038 views] Cruising may prove to be the bargain of the yearOn the heels of last year's outbreak of high gas prices, airline fees and capacity cuts, things are looking up for the budget weary, as falling prices offer the potential to save hundreds of dollars. Adding to the steep savings afforded by choosing to travel by sea versus land, Travelocity is taking the concept of "discount packaging" to the next level, offering some of its best deals ever for the 2009 cruise wave season. More... [513 views] 20 hotel agreement to boost Germany's Holiday Inn portfolioInterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has signed a franchise agreement with Foremost Hospitality GmbH to introduce 20 new Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express properties across the country's key cities by 2016. More... [1250 views] Suzanne Hader to speak on marketing luxury in an economic downturn at HotelWorld 2009Suzanne Hader, principal of brand and marketing consultancy 400twin, will present "Marketing Luxury in an Economic Downturn," at 11 a.m. on Mar. 4 at the second annual HotelWorld Expo and Conference in Las Vegas. More... [609 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: January 16, 2009Hotel Industry Trends in 2009: Deep discounting and do-it-yourself are in, green programs and healthful food are outThe new year has begun and so far it's not pretty. With the hotel industry facing the lowest occupancy rates since 1971, a number of alarming trends are emerging. In the midst of all the doom and gloom I thought I'd take a more lighthearted approach to my predictions for the hotel industry in 2009. By Daniel Edward Craig More... [2897 views] How can you turn an upset guest into a fan of your hotel?We've all been there: a guest approaches the desk, upset and yelling about a problem. Dealing with upset guests is one of the most disagreeable tasks for any hospitality professional. However, with the attitude and technique, we can turn problems into opportunities. Here are my best tips on how to gain loyalty through calm conflict resolution. By Sam Astorino More... [3031 views] The critical need to supplement personality testing for recruitment and developmentThe critical need to supplement personality testing for recruitment and development personality testing is popular, but research reveals it is a limited tool for selection and training. however, HR initiatives in 2009 can be bolstered by replacing or augmenting personality testing with best practice skills or competency testing. By Jim Houran More... [1141 views] Fifth consecutive year of profitability for iBAHNiBAHN, the worldwide leader in digital entertainment and Internet solutions for the hospitality and meeting industries, announced its fifth consecutive year of profitability. The company also reported its second year of profitable results in its European business unit in 2008. The company has achieved this unprecedented milestone in an industry in which most competitors are not profitable and are struggling to survive. More... [559 views] Millennium & Copthorne ‘check in’ to Liverpool with two new hotelsInternational hotel group Millennium & Copthorne Hotels has completed a deal to open two new hotels in Liverpool's Central Village development, it was announced. More... [517 views] British Tourism invited to recommend key areas for government actionNational tourism agency VisitBritain has been asked to draw together a priority list of key areas on which Government could take effective action to benefit the visitor economy during the economic downturn. Suggestions need to be received by 19th January, and will be provided to Tourism Minister Barbara Follett. VisitBritain's stakeholder event on 11 February will offer the first opportunity for the industry to hear the Minister's response as well as launch the VisitBritain strategy and the full version of the British Tourism Framework Review. More... [439 views] Year ahead heralds further growth in UK for Hilton's economy portfolioHilton Hotels Corporation (HHC) announced it has signed a franchise licence agreement with the Peel Holdings (Leisure) Ltd to open a Hampton by Hilton hotel at Liverpool's John Lennon Airport. More... [576 views] Calling all girlfriends: 2009 top 20 girlfriends' getawaysFrom sunset yoga on the beach to pajama parties with personal martini butlers, girlfriends are going to have more fun getting away this year, according to the 2009 Top 20 Girlfriends' Getaways ranked by Aspire. More... [1091 views] Green thinking at the forefront of Stockholm hotel projectsStockholm is a world-leading city when it comes to environmental thinking. This is particularly noticeable among the city's hotels, which are now focusing on their green credentials more than ever. Scandic Hotels started its environmental thinking back in the early 1990s. In 2004, it became the first hotel chain to receive an eco-label, the prestigious Nordic 'Swan' eco-labelling, for all its 74 Swedish hotels. More... [509 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: January 15, 2009Despite economic downturn, 2009 brings unique business opportunities for meeting and event industryIn partnership with American Express, Meeting Professionals International (MPI) released the initial executive summary of FutureWatch 2009. A forward-looking survey of its worldwide membership, FutureWatch focuses on the trends which will affect the meeting and event industry in the next twelve months. More... [1896 views] Making New Year's sales and marketing resolutions real and practical - Part 2 of 2The calendar now says January, and looking back at lost opportunities for last year is a wasted effort. It is now time to think how you will be conducting your sales efforts this week, this month and the balance of this year, in measurable components. By Dr. John Hogan More... [856 views] InterContinental Huizhou Resort is the newly stated member of the Green Globe ProgramSet to open in the 2nd quarter of 2009, InterContinental Huizhou Resort is the latest property in the pipeline managed by InterContinental Hotel Group in Guangdong Province. Yet to open, the Resort has already gained the important membership due to its eco-friendly policy in the Green Globe Program. "We are excited to be part of the program, as we believe that it is a compelling factor to our green policy" says Mr. Enzo Di Mambro InterContinental Huizhou Resort's General Manager "We are very proud to be the first resort still on a pre-opening stage that is already been accepted as member of the Green Globe Program and this will certainly be a fundamental step in our mission to deliver outstanding services". More... [643 views] Hoteliers…No resolutions, it's time to take actionLast week, I read an article listing several suggested hotelier resolutions for 2009 but, like losing weight and quitting smoking, most resolutions lose steam after just a few days, as reality and daily tasks set-in. Some people spend more time planning what they intend to do than actually doing them. It's time to act. Stop making New Year resolutions and just do it. By Neil Salerno More... [1144 views] Hard times ahead for an industry spoiled by successHard times lie ahead for the world's travel industry. According to the ITB World Travel Trends Report, conducted by the consultants IPK International and commissioned by the global travel industry's leading trade show, "at best, 2009 will be a year of stagnation." Published in Berlin, the trend analysis forecasts that in the wake of the global financial and economic crisis, the travel industry can expect to contract by one to two per cent in 2009, and that in all likelihood the downturn will continue before things improve. More... [757 views] Continent introduce -financial crises support package for hotel owners
In this newly designed Membership Concept, owners of independent hotels, national small hotel groups and hotels which do not belonging to any other International Chains will have the benefits of Flat fees on Membership agreements, short-term contract availability, comprehensive resources, training and International Brand Standard Manuals, International Marketing support, Monthly Promotions designing supports, Global Presence, Inclusion of GDS, Inclusion of continenthotels.com web reservation and web presentation systems and the opportunity to greatly increase their ROI. More... [564 views] HSMAI Adrian awards gala to highlight outstanding achievements in travel marketingThe Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) will welcome more than 1,000 industry and agency professionals on Jan. 26, 2009 at the Marriott Marquis in New York City for the 19th annual Adrian Awards Gala. The gala will honor the top companies and individuals in hospitality, travel and tourism advertising, public relations and web marketing. More... [824 views] First Green Global awardsGreece, Spain and Italy scooped a fistful of honours between them at the World Travel Awards European and Green Awards Ceremony. Lufthansa took the title of Europe's Leading Airline, NCL Leading Cruise Line and The Westin Dragonara, perched on a private peninsula in Malta, received the Leading Family Resort award. More... [641 views] Demand, supply grew for extended-stay hotelsWhile extended-stay hotels have taken a hit during the economic downturn, they continued to see demand growth in the closing months of 2008 even as the rest of the lodging industry saw demand declines, according to a research article published this week by Smith Travel Research. More... [588 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: January 13, 20095 Stars vs. 4 stars: What’s the difference?Championship winning coaches have a habit of demanding excellence from everyone on their team. They never tolerate mediocrity from anyone. Incredibly high standards are discussed everyday (yes, everyday). This article, however, is not about sports. Nor is it about AAA ratings, Mobil ratings, or Michelin Guide ratings. It is about what separates very good from exceptional. By Bryan K. Williams More... [6171 views] WOW.TRAVEL’S seven sensational places to learnWOW.travel (the online magazine of kiwicollection.com) edited by Mary Gostelow, introduces Seven Sensational Places to Learn. More... [900 views] The hotelier job hunt – Leveraging the power of the InternetThough the Internet has revolutionized the way we interact and access a wealth of knowledge and information, great job leads these days are still a matter of ‘who you know'. Therefore getting connected with the right people the right way is crucial to job hunting success. Here are a few do's and don'ts from experience... By Jitendra Jain (JJ) More... [1565 views] Making New Year's sales and marketing resolutions real and practical - Part 1 of 2
January is the time many people set (usually lofty) resolutions, based on what we hope to improve on in the coming year. While the budget was completed in the latter part of last year, January is that time of year many people stretch for renewed enthusiasm and commitment. The hotel segment of the hospitality industry in many segments and locations set revenue and profitability records in 2007 and began 2008 with optimism and hopes of a repeat performance. The reality of the global financial crisis changed those expectations by mid year in most markets and we are all facing significant challenges in 2009 and 2010. By Dr. John Hogan More... [819 views] Hotelier of the Week: John WallisJohn Wallis, Global Head, Marketing and Brand Strategy for Hyatt Hotels, talks about the importance of getting brands right. By Tom Otley More... [1323 views] STR reports U.S. hotel performance for the week ending 3 January 2009The U.S. hotel industry experienced declines in three key performance measurements during the week of 28 December 2008-03 January 2009, according to data from STR. More... [524 views] Iconic Florida Keys properties to join the Waldorf Astoria Collection™ in 2009Hilton Hotels Corporation (HHC) announces that the Casa Marina Resort & Beach Club and The Reach Resort, both in Florida's Key West, are to join the Waldorf Astoria Collection, continuing the luxury brand's rapid growth into key leisure destinations. More... [488 views] Spain, Italy, lead European online travel growthAt the close of 2008, online leisure/unmanaged business travel bookings represented 29% of the €246 billion European travel industry, the world's largest regional travel market. Online travel bookings will grow significantly faster than total gross bookings, which are projected to increase by 3%. Unlike the United States, Europe will continue to see double-digit growth in online travel. However, that rate is expected to slow as online travel reaches maturity in certain European markets. More... [673 views] $31 million Holiday Inn Hotel opens in Long Island CityIHG announced that the 136-room Holiday Inn Long Island City-Manhattan View has opened. The property will showcase the brand's new sign, which is the seal of approval that this hotel exemplifies the standards of the $1 billion Holiday Inn brand relaunch program. First announced in 2007, the relaunch program was established to create a more contemporary brand image, increase quality and drive consistency. The global estate of more than 3,200 Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express properties is expected to be relaunched by the end of 2010. More... [1330 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: January 12, 2009Good news formula for RevPar in 2009With all the bad economic news in the media lately, and with most industry experts expecting RevPar to drop by as much as 5%-10% here in 2009, there are few if any hotels that are projecting a good financial performance this year. Yet in the real world it's a great time to remember that as with life in general, success in the hotel industry is an "I'll See It When I Believe It" opportunity, not the opposite! By Doug Kennedy More... [2433 views] Hotels with the most terrific viewsWorldwide vistas to die for! By Jacqueline Detwiler More... [1793 views] European hotel consortium acquires hotel development opportunity in the heart of BrusselsThe European Hotel Consortium (EHC) - a joint venture between PREM Group and Goodbody Stockbrokers - announced that it is to invest €27 million in the acquisition and refurbishment of a property in the centre of Brussels for conversion into a boutique four-star hotel. The building which is located on Rue du Marais, Brussels will be rebranded under the PREM Group owned Leopold Hotels brand and is due to be completed in July 2010. More... [1052 views] Shanghai’s first luxury brand event of the year signals positive outlook for china'LuxuryMart09', an annual luxury business-to-business event sponsored by the Hurun Report - publisher of China's ‘Rich List' - will be held at the Pudong Shangri-La in Shanghai next Thursday January 15th and is set to welcome over 50 of the world's top luxury brands including Bentley, Princess Yachts, Cartier, Bank of China and Relais & Chateaux. More... [1147 views] Americans with Disabilities Act -- How recent ADA developments can affect your hotel. Are you ready for a class action ADA lawsuit because of your hotel website?Recent ADA Guidelines and the Target case provide a big wakeup call to the hotel industry for its internet "channel" of distribution. When the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was enacted by Congress in July 1990, the Internet was in its infancy and few, if any, considered its applicability to cyberspace. But a settlement of a cyberspace lawsuit in a major case on the issue pending in Federal Court stands to set a precedent with far reaching implications for the hotel industry as well as the nation's retailers. By Jim Butler & Martin H. Orlick More... [1500 views] Green hotel chain launches in USAmerican hotel group Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has launched a chain of eco-friendly hotels which it says will help make guests more environmentally responsible. By Emma Eversham More... [928 views] Seven predictions for 2009As we step tentatively into the new year, prospects look pretty grim. With unemployment predicted to top 9%, industry bailouts looming, a massive retrenchment in the stock market and a generally accepted view that things aren’t likely to get better any time soon, it will be all too easy to slide into a state of cynicism, or even despair. By Geoff Ramsey More... [1258 views] Hotel spas in the U.S.Spas continued to contribute to the top and bottom lines of U.S. hotels in 2007. Total spa department revenue increased 5.0 percent from 2006 to 2007, while spa department profits grew 5.8 percent. These are among the findings reported in PKF Consulting's (PKF-C) recently released 2008 edition of Trends in the Hotel Spa Industry, a report that examines the revenue, expenses, and profits of hotel-operated spas in the United States More... [908 views] Sohar beach in the spotlightJudging by the roaring applause that greeted Muzaffer Bulgurcuoglu upon the announcement that he won the title "2008 General Manager of the Year," it was obvious that the General Manager of Sohar Beach by Swiss-Belhotel Oman was the unanimous choice and that each of the Swiss-Belhotel executives present that night agreed with the verdict. More... [802 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: January 9, 20092009 International SPA association spa trendsFrom customizing your style, to customizing your car - we all want services tailor made to our busy lifestyles. This is why, as the voice of the spa industry, the International SPA Association is forecasting customization as one of the hottest trends of 2009. More... [1528 views] The life of a hotel doctor: CompetitorsBy 1990, I was not only America's sole fulltime hotel doctor, I was the only one who made a living at it. I wrote with modest success, but that income reached five percent of my total only twice in twenty years. All other individual hotel doctors treated it as a sideline. By Mike Oppenheim More... [767 views] Marriott signs h-g-r to promote 2009 ‘Voyage’ graduate management programmeSwiss-based company Hospitality Graduate Recruitment has been contracted for the third successive year to work with Marriott to recruit for their ‘Voyage' graduate management programme in 2009. More... [2178 views] Hotel bankruptcy? Distressed hotel loan mortgage? Restructuring hotel debt? Troubled hotel asset? How about an Enhanced Note Sale™?Restructuring distressed hotels . . . hotel debt . . . and workouts of troubled hotel loans for profit opportunities now. Hotel lawyers on hotel turnarounds, workouts, restructurings, bankruptcies and opportunistic investment. By Jim Butler More... [1001 views] Widening gap between rich and poor affects holiday travel, tooHoliday plans and travel trends are increasingly mirroring the social divisions between rich and poor. According to ITB Berlin - the travel industry's leading trade show - the fallout from the global economic and financial crisis will tend to favour the growth of niche markets, in particular segments such as luxury travel, once again in 2009. At the same time, bargain hunting and last-minute travel will be dominant. "Whether we like it or not - the idea of saving money at all costs is back with us again", said Dr. Martin Buck, Director of the Competence Center Travel & Logistics at Messe Berlin. More... [689 views] Heaven at the world's first seven-star hotelItalian hotelier Alessandro Rosso is not afraid of a challenge. When the owner of the sleek Italian hotel group, Town House, decided to open a new flagship hotel in Milan, he didn't just want to create the best hotel in town. He wanted to create a hotel so good, it needed a whole new rating system. That's how the world's first seven-star hotel was born. More... [1610 views] Hotel rooms for £1 in London and BrightonSavvy sales shoppers seeking a bargain can book rooms with one hotel chain for just £1 in January this year - helping Brits to take wallet-friendly 'staycations' in 2009. More... [1068 views] Ski resorts fill up despite hard times
An abundance of snow and sun has resulted in record numbers of people flocking to the ski slopes over Christmas and the New Year. Resort directors are crossing their fingers for the rest of the current winter, but they expect the economic crisis to hit hard next season. By Simon Bradley More... [575 views] Changes on horizon for GreeceMajor hotel companies have historically maintained a limited presence in Greece, which also hosts little upscale product, but the country's hotel and tourism sector is undergoing a transformation. By Eugene Gilligan More... [780 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: January 8, 2009On the Move - December 08Hospitality Executive Movements worldwide is provided by Spectrum International Hospitality Services which specializes in executive recruitment for the hospitality industry exclusively. More... [3440 views] Are you prepared to fight for business in '09?Well, it's déjà vu all over again, the hotel industry is facing severe business challenges; how we react to those challenges will determine how quickly we can return to some semblance of profit growth. We have been through this before, but, this time, we have no idea just how severe it will get or how long it may last. I've heard from hoteliers all over the country; apparently many hotels are already feeling the pinch. What will you do? By Neil Salerno More... [2507 views] 2009 the game changer for innovation in hotel sales processes2009 is going to be a game changer! The end of 2008 has lead to period of transformation in many areas of business - the government rescue of legacy industries that will be transformed by the aid they seek, consumer behaviour transforming from conspicuous consumption to value experiences and business processes that can no longer succeed on the assumptions of the last 5 years. Hotel sales and marketers cannot assume that business processes will ‘snap back' into the same model that worked for the past several years when the economy recovers. By Carol Verret More... [1530 views] Hotelier’s 2009 top ten internet marketing resolutionsHere at HeBS we firmly believe that a comprehensive, ROI-centric Internet marketing strategy is the hotelier's perfect "survival tool" in the current economic environment. In the difficult year we expect 2009 to be, a well-executed Internet marketing strategy can help smart hoteliers generate incremental revenues, improve marketing ROIs, retain existing and attract more affluent travelers, and out-smart the competition. For the past almost 14 years, our experience shows that Internet-savvy hoteliers with robust Direct Online Channel strategies are the winners in economic downturns like this one. By Max Starkov & Jason Price More... [1231 views] BAHA lifetime achievement award presented to retired hotel industry finance leaderThe winner of the prestigious British Association of Hospitality Accountants (BAHA) ‘Hospitality Accountant of the Year 2008' award is David Nicolson, Regional Director of Finance, Jumeirah International. In the presence of 240 guests at the 2008 BAHA Annual Christmas Awards Luncheon - held last month at the Sheraton Park Lane Hotel, London - David was presented with his award by the Association's Chief Executive Carl Weldon and Chairman Paul Dukes. More... [569 views] Hardcat ‘asset lifecycle program’ positioned to save companies moneyHardcat, a world leader in Fixed Asset Management solutions, today announced the development of a specific program to help medium to large Hospitality organisations better understand their assets and save money during a time of economic rationalization. More... [500 views] Holiday Inn Express scents winter successLike winter sweet flowers that bloom in the snow, mid-scale hotels blossom in the global economic chill that is giving a cold shoulder to even the most illustrious five-star establishments. By Tuo Yannan More... [544 views] Beware of budget hotels for a dirty weekend: studyA study has raised concerned about the cleanliness of some budget hotel chains in the UK. More... [1633 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: January 6, 2009What have we learned from "The Crash of 2008"? There are no shortcuts for due diligence!2008 will go down as a terrible year in many regards. Global economies have come to the precipice of disaster. The Dow had its worst year since 1931 -- down 34% for the year, representing the loss of more than $7 trillion in wealth. Many trillions more evaporated from the value of both residential and commercial real estate. Consumer confidence is at its lowest point since they began keeping records. The unthinkable has happened with the fallen pillars of Bear Stearns, Lehman, Merrill Lynch, Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae and AIG. Even GE couldn't sell its commercial paper until the Fed stepped in to buy it. And then there is Bernard Madoff who bilked some of the most sophisticated investors in the world out an estimated $50 billion. By Jim Butler More... [1257 views] VIE Hotel to bring "life" to Bangkok's tourism sectorThe first new international hotel to launch in Bangkok in 2009 has opened its doors, and with its name being Vie (French for "life"), Accor is hoping the launch will bring new life and vigour to the Bangkok tourism sector, which has been affected recently by political tensions and the economic crisis. More... [959 views] Dubai hotels cut rates as occupancy slumpsDubai hoteliers are waging a price war, with room rates cut by as much as half as they try to lure tourists hit by the global financial crisis. More... [1621 views] Obamas checking in to hotel steeped in D.C. historyThe hotel that will be home to President-elect Barack Obama and his family for the next couple of weeks offers one of Washington's best views of their future home, the White House, and a past linked with political movers and shakers. More... [1282 views] Rotana to manage five-star hotel in BaghdadRotana Hotels has signed an agreement with Summit Hotels to manage a 5-star property in Baghdad, Iraq, scheduled to open in early 2012. More... [543 views] The Claridges Surajkund, Delhi set to unveil in MarchThe Claridges Hotels and Resorts is set to soft launch The Claridges, Surajkund, Delhi, NCR.- a luxury 5 Star property in the National Capital Region of Delhi, in March 2009. With aesthetically designed rooms, exquisite restaurants, breathtaking landscaping and top-of-the-line facilities for business and leisure, The Claridges, Surajkund, will live up to the highest standards of the international travelers. More... [675 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: January 2, 2009LE's Asia Pacific's Construction Report and Forecast for New OpeningsAt the end of Q3 2008, Asia Pacific's Total Construction Pipeline stood at 1,990 projects/466,456 rooms. More... [1091 views] STR reports U.S. hotel performance for the week ending 27 December 2008The U.S. hotel industry experienced steep declines in three key performance measurements during the week of 21-27 December 2008, according to data from STR. More... [591 views] Dubai hotels report 85% occupancy rateThe year 2008 was a good one for the hospitality sector in the Middle East, which remained, if not completely insulated from the global meltdown, on a firm footing. The Middle East hospitality sector, which has been witnessing high occupancies, continued to do well in 2008 with more hotels opening, ongoing projects on schedule and growing revenue, according to top hospitality industry sources. By Nina Varghese More... [1073 views] Germany's 'robot' restaurantSteve Rosenberg took a table at a restaurant in Nuremberg, Germany - where customers use touchscreen TVs to choose their meal, and all the food is delivered by helter-skelter. More... [1293 views] ‘Real’ hoteliers needed as ‘big hit’ begins in 2009: says Supranational HotelsFacing the ‘big hit' early in 2009 as the downturn deepens, the hospitality sector is being urged to re-introduce the art of ‘real hotel-keeping' as the basis of survival. According to Supranational Hotels managing director, Niels Pedersen, this means ‘a 100% focus on guests, with general managers being highly visible, attentive, and re-training staff to think only about customers, not themselves'. More... [1363 views] Latest survey shows major progress for Beirut hotelsA benchmark survey of the Middle East hotel sector by Ernst & Young indicated that the occupancy rate at hotels in Beirut was 53% in the first ten months of 2008, up 16% from 37% in the same period last year, as reported by Lebanon This Week, the economic publication of the Byblos Bank Group. More... [462 views] For hotelier, budget prices at resorts are an easy sellNaoki Yamanaka, president of hotel operator Shiki Resorts Co., wants more Japanese to appreciate the seasonal changes that bless this country. Although he is now a successful entrepreneur with 160 employees, business wasn't always good for the 44-year-old. By Takahiro Fukada More... [587 views] Anoto group AB unveils digital pen application simplifying hotel check-inAnoto Group AB, the company behind and world leading in the unique technology for digital pen and paper, announces a groundbreaking successful implementation of a creative registration solution in Hawaii. Guests at Royal Lahaina Resort in Hawaii no longer have to queue up to check in to their hotel rooms. Instead, a digital pen is used to record their handwritten information and signatures electronically and then this information is securely routed via mobile phone to the hotel's reservation system. More... [787 views] 
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ehotelier Hospitality News Archives: January 2009Global Hospitality Newsletter: January 30, 2009Global Hospitality Newsletter: January 29, 2009Global Hospitality Newsletter: January 28, 2009Global Hospitality Newsletter: January 27, 2009Global Hospitality Newsletter: January 26, 2009Global Hospitality Newsletter: January 23, 2009Global Hospitality Newsletter: January 22, 2009Global Hospitality Newsletter: January 21, 2009Global Hospitality Newsletter: January 20, 2009Global Hospitality Newsletter: January 19, 2009Global Hospitality Newsletter: January 16, 2009Global Hospitality Newsletter: January 15, 2009Global Hospitality Newsletter: January 13, 2009Global Hospitality Newsletter: January 12, 2009Global Hospitality Newsletter: January 9, 2009Global Hospitality Newsletter: January 8, 2009Global Hospitality Newsletter: January 6, 2009Global Hospitality Newsletter: January 2, 2009
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